Community News Archives for 2019-10

Indiana Grown for Schools unveils local Food Buyer's Guide

To close out National Farm to School Month, Indiana Grown and the Indiana State Department of Health unveiled a new resource guide that will help increase schools’ access to fresh, local food products. The event took place today, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. (ET), at Franklin Community High School.

 

“With the large number of school corporations in Indiana, we see tremendous business potential for local farmers and producers to provide homegrown products to local schools,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “Our hope is that the Buyer’s Guide connects farmers, buyers and schools and makes it easier to get healthy, local produce into Indiana school cafeterias.”

 

Partnering with Purdue Extension, the new Buyer’s Guide will be the only resource of its kind in the state and will help food service directors find school-ready products grown or raised by local farmers. The project was announced last October as part of the Indiana Grown for Schools initiative and is funded by a farm-to-school grant awarded to ISDH.

 

“We are fortunate to have a year-long supply of farm-fresh products from our local Indiana growers, and by having this resource for the schools in our state, children can have easier access to fruits and vegetables,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, MD, FACOG.

 

Visit www.ingrown4schools.com for more information about the Indiana Grown for Schools program.

Indiana State Police seeks recruits for the 80th Recruit Academy

The Indiana State Police is now accepting applications for the 80th Recruit Academy. 

 

Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper must apply online at http://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm.  This website will provide a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police.

 

Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm (EST) on Sunday, November 3, 2019.  Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted for the 80th Recruit Academy.

Basic Eligibility Requirements and consideration factors for an Indiana State Trooper:

 

  1. Must be a United States citizen.
  2. Must be at least 21 and less than 40 years of age when appointed as a police employee. (Appointment date is October 1, 2020)
  3. Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.
  4. Must possess a valid driver's license to operate an automobile.
  5. Must be willing, if appointed, to reside and serve anywhere within the State of Indiana as designated by the Superintendent.
  6. Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).                                                                                

The starting salary for an Indiana State Police Department Recruit is $1,615.39 bi-weekly during the academy training.  At the completion of academy training, the starting salary is $48,000.00 a year.  Recruits of the 80th Recruit Academy are offered an excellent health care plan, which includes medical, dental, vision and pharmacy coverage for both current and retired employees, along with their families, until reaching age 65. 

 

The Indiana State Police pension program provides a lifetime pension after 25 years of service.  Additionally, the Indiana State Police Department provides comprehensive disability coverage and a life insurance program.  Student loan forgiveness programs are being offered at this time through the following:  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

 

Interested applicants can obtain additional information about a career as an Indiana State Trooper by visiting https://www.in.gov/isp/3041.htm to find the recruiter assigned to your area.

Sandman Brothers recognized for 100 years of service

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is honoring a Shelbyville business for its long history of service. IHS proudly presents Sandman Brothers Inc., at 56 E. Broadway St., with a 2019 Centennial Business Award. The company will be recognized at IHS’s annual Founders Day dinner, Monday, Nov. 4, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.

 

Sandman Brothers Inc. is known for selling cars, but the company got its start in 1918 as the Sandman Tire and Bicycle Shop. Chester and Bill Sandman founded the shop on East Washington Street in Shelbyville before eventually branching out to automobiles. After Bill’s passing, Chester decided to focus all his efforts into the automobile store, with the Broadway location serving customers for the past 80 years.

 

 

Today, three generations of Sandmans have played a role in the company’s success. Larry Sandman, Chester’s son, joined the business in 1961, and now, Larry’s sons, Burke, Brent and Blake, all work for Sandman Brothers.

 

As the business looks to the future, it is celebrating 100 years of successes and accomplishments. Along with the Centennial Business Award, Sandman Brothers celebrated as Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBraun issued a proclamation recognizing the 100th anniversary in 2018.

 

For more information about Sandman Brothers, visit www.sandmanbrothers.com.

 

About the Centennial Business Award

The Centennial Business Award is part of the Historic Business Register, founded in 1992 by trustees and members of IHS. It provides special recognition to Indiana companies continually in business for a century or more, encourages the preservation of historically significant business-related archival materials and develops increased awareness of Indiana’s rich business and industrial heritage. The Centennial Business Award is presented annually at IHS’s Founders Day dinner. The event, presented by Hirtle, Callaghan & Co., celebrates the accomplishments of historians, teachers, writers and businesses from around the state, as well as the work of IHS. For more information, call IHS at (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

 

About the Indiana Historical Society

Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor experiences called the Indiana Experience. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups; publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programs. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center is located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.

Major Health Partners (MHP) to offer free lung screenings

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and 8 million current or former smokers are at high risk. To help local individuals who may be at high risk, Major Health Partners and X-Ray Physicians of Shelbyville are partnering to offer free lung screenings during Lung Cancer Awareness month (November) to those who qualify.

 

Eligibility for the free lung screenings at MHP, includes those who are:

  • smokers or recent former smokers
  • age 55 to 80
  • in general, good health

 

Lung cancer can be treated if found early. And no matter how much a person smoked, early detection of lung cancer could save someone’s life. Now through the end of November, eligible individuals can call 317.421.5707 or visit mymhp.org/lung to learn more and schedule a free lung scan.

Newly appointed State Fire Marshal Stephen Cox sworn-In

Stephen Cox was sworn-in as the new Indiana State Fire Marshal today among a group of firefighting leadership from around the state. 

 

The brief swearing-in ceremony was held at the Brownsburg Fire Territory Training Facility and was attended by firefighters and EMS officials from across the state. Cox officially began his role as State Fire Marshal on Monday.

 

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb appointed Cox as the new Indiana State Fire Marshal on October 1. 

 

"Chief Cox brings great experience, leadership and vision to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security," Gov. Holcomb said. "I know that as the state's fire marshal he will enhance public safety in the state of Indiana and continue to build partnerships with first responders and all Hoosiers."

 

As fire chief of the South Bend Fire Department, Cox created a fire training center which has enabled the department to build a robust training program to support the South Bend department as well as other departments in the state. 

 

Cox takes over for Jim Greeson, who served as Indiana State Fire Marshal for 11 years and retired in September.

 

The fire marshal leads the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Division of Fire and Building Safety. The division investigates suspicious fires, promotes fire prevention and enforces fire and building safety codes in all public buildings, among other duties.

INDOT prepares fleet for winter

The Indiana Department of Transportation is preparing its fleet for winter. This is the first time the Greenfield District has done full fleet inspections this early in the season. 

 

Over the past two weeks, mechanics have checked more than 200 trucks.

 

"We are doing our due diligence to make sure these vehicles are winter ready," said Pat Szewczak, Greenfield Highway Maintenance Director. "We want to maker sure each truck is repaired and ready for the road from the first sign of snow." 

 

During the days and hours of inspections, trucks went through two separate check stations. One examined the exterior of the vehicle including lights, plows, wheels, salt spreaders and more. The second station checked the engine, brakes and electrical/battery. 

 

 

"We check everything to find potential problems before they become real problems," said Clark Packer, Greenfield Deputy District Commissioner. "This way all of our trucks can be out on the roads when they are really needed, instead of in the shop in January." 

 

Not only is the district preparing its trucks, but the salt barns are filling in preparation for ice. 

The Indianapolis subdistrict alone is currently holding 4,500 tons of salt. 

 

Last year, the classic INDOT yellow snow plows were sent on the road for the first time in December. This year, they will be ready whenever winter hits in Indiana. 

USDA opens 2020 enrollment for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs

Agricultural producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs – two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs – for the 2020 crop year. Meanwhile, producers who enrolled farms for the 2018 crop year have started receiving more than $1.5 billion for covered commodities for which payments were triggered under such programs.

 

“These two programs provide income support to help producers manage the ups and downs in revenues and prices,” said Richard Fordyce, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “USDA is here to support the economic stability of American agricultural producers by helping them maintain their competitive edge in times of economic stress. We encourage producers to consider enrolling in one of these programs.”

 

ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized and updated both programs.

 

Signup for the 2020 crop year closes June 30, 2020, while signup for the 2019 crop year closes March 15, 2020. Producers who have not yet enrolled for 2019 can enroll for both 2019 and 2020 during the same visit to an FSA county office. 

 

ARC and PLC have options for the farm operator who is actively farming the land as well as the owner of the land. Farm owners also have a one-time opportunity to update PLC payment yields beginning with crop year 2020. If the farm owner and producer visit the FSA county office together, FSA can also update yield information during that visit. 

 

Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. 

 

- more -

2018 Crop Year ARC and PLC Payments

 

FSA began processing payments last week for 2018 ARC-County (ARC-CO) and PLC on covered commodities that met payment triggers on enrolled farms in the 2018 crop year. In addition to the $1.5 billion now in process, FSA anticipates it will issue another $1 billion in November once USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service publishes additional commodity prices for the 2018 crop. 

 

Producers who had 2018 covered commodities enrolled in ARC-CO can visit www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc for payment rates applicable to their county and each covered commodity.  For farms and covered commodities enrolled in 2018 PLC, the following crops met payment triggers:  barley, canola, corn, dry peas, grain sorghum, lentils, peanuts, and wheat.

 

Oats and soybeans did not meet 2018 PLC payment triggers.

 

2018 PLC payment rates for the following covered commodities have not been determined: crambe, flaxseed, large and small chickpeas, long and medium grain rice, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, seed cotton, sesame seed, sunflower seed and temperate Japonica rice.

 

More Information 

 

On December 20, 2018, President Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill, which provides income support, certainty and stability to our nation’s farmers, ranchers and land stewards by enhancing farm support programs, improving crop insurance, maintaining disaster programs and promoting and supporting voluntary conservation.

 

For more information on ARC and PLC including two online decision tools that assist producers in making enrollment and election decisions specific to their operations, visit the ARC and PLC webpage.

 

For additional questions and assistance, contact your local USDA service center. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.

BBB with alert about online seller Bynsave

Following an investigation of numerous complaints, Better Business Bureau (BBB) is issuing a consumer alert about a pattern of alleged scams from online seller?Bynsave, claiming to operate out of Franklin Square, NY. 

 

Between December 2018 and September 2019, BBB received 31 complaints, 16 one-star reviews, and 8?BBB Scam Tracker?reports about Bynsave. No reviews have more than one star, and several say “I’d give it 0 if I could!” 

 

Consumers consistently alleged that the site accepted payment up front for orders that never arrived, and that they were unable to contact the company by phone or email with requests for shipping updates or refunds. One consumer even reported cancelling an order payment within an hour and still being charged. 

 

As of October 8, the company website was still live at bynsaveshop.com and bynsavestore.com. Dozens of pending complaints from 23 U.S. states are still open against the business, indicating that the alleged scheme is still active. 

 

The BBB Business Profile displays an?“F” rating?for Bynsave. Reasons for the rating include concerns with the company’s operations and its failure to address complaints submitted against it. 

 

To help avoid negative online shopping experiences,?BBB recommends:  

 

Know the retailer. Search online for consumer feedback about their experiences with the seller, and order only from companies with consistently satisfactory customer ratings and reports.  Check with?BBB.org?and read any reviews and complaints posted there about a company. 

 

Shop with a credit card.  In case of a fraudulent transaction, a credit card provides additional protections.  Debit cards, prepaid cards, or gift cards don’t have the same protections as a credit card. 

 

Visit BBB’s?Scam Tracker.  Check?to see if other consumers have made a scam report about the business: you can search reports by keyword and location. 

 

Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals.  Offers on websites and in unsolicited emails may offer free or very low prices on popular items.  There may be hidden costs or your purchase may sign you up for a monthly charge.  Look for and read the fine print. 

Enjoy fall fun and Halloween events, starting now

You can scare up a fun time at numerous DNR properties thanks to a long list of Halloween and fall activities beginning Friday and continuing throughout the month.

So go ahead, get spooky a little early or just embrace Indiana’s most colorful season.

Your bag of treats — and maybe a few tricks — includes events with names like Owl-O-Ween, Spooktacular, A Haunting Good Time, Ghostly Gathering, Fall-o-Ween Festival, Hoots and Howls Weekend, and Un-BOO-Lievable Happenings.

Among the fall-themed happenings are Celebrate the Handshake; Apples, Engines and Hay; Friends Fall Frolic; and Old Fashioned Music Weekend.

State park properties hosting such events include Brown County, Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Clifty Falls, Falls of the Ohio, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Indiana Dunes, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Mounds, O’Bannon Woods, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Summit Lake, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles, and Whitewater Memorial state parks, as well as Brookville, Cagles Mill (Lieber SRA), Cecil M. Harden (Raccoon SRA), Hardy, Mississinewa, Monroe, Patoka, and Salamonie lakes. 

You’ll also find Halloween-themed events at Forestry-managed Deam Lake and Starve Hollow state recreation areas, as well as the Division of Outdoor Recreation’s Redbird State Recreation Area for off-road vehicles (ORVs).

For details regarding a fall or Halloween event near you, or one that’s well worth a road trip, haunted or not, see stateparks.IN.gov/3282.htm, under “Fall Festivals at a Glance.”

You can come for one activity, stay for a day, or spend the entire weekend at most events.

See more DNR events at calendar.dnr.IN.gov.

Check for campsite availability at camp.IN.gov or call 866-622-6746 or find available state park inn rooms at indianainns.com or 1-877-LODGES 1.

Broadway Memories, What an Amazing Night

Our Hospice presentation of Broadway Memoriesbrought Tony Award Winning Talent to Columbus Indiana for one night. This outstanding program, produced and hosted by Stephen DeAngelis spotlighted five Broadway stars straight from New York City performing in this one of a kind fundraising event.  The audience enjoyed live performances from Jackie Burns (longest running Elphaba in Wicked), Ali Ewoldt (completed more than two years as Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera), Lisa Howard (recently starred as Tammy in the Jimmy Buffet musical Escape to Margaritaville), Wade Preston (played “Piano Man” in Billy Joel’s hit, Movin Out) and Josh Young (received a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar). The Broadway starts were accompanied by the amazing, Eugene Gwozdz, Musical Director.

 

“The energy of the performers brought the audience of over 500 to their feet,” said Laura Leonard, Our Hospice President, “It was a great turnout this year and we have heard many positive comments from those who attended; they can’t wait to come back for next year’s show.”

 

The event is a fundraiser, hosted by Friends of Our Hospice to raise money for a new program for Our Hospice patients, Music and Memory ®. This year we raised over $35,000 to bring personalized music to patients suffering from Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. “Music has a powerful impact in our lives and using music helps those patients re-connect to memories, feelings and emotions believed to be gone,” continued Leonard.

 

Music and Memory ® is a research-based program designed to enhance the lives of patients through music. Personalized music has been shown to reach those suffering with a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges, bringing renewed meaning to their lives.

 

Leonard continued, “We are grateful to Stephen and the Broadway Stars, many of whom have experienced the difficulty reaching dementia patients in their own families. Having this caliber of Broadway talent come to Columbus to help us raise funds is wonderful.”

The five Broadway Stars each performed songs from hit Broadway Shows, engaged with the audience sharing memories about what it is like to be on Broadway and also answered questions giving those in attendance a chance to get some insights into the lives of these performers.

 

One of the highlights of the night was when local high school students took the stage with the Broadway Stars. Local high school students who attended a Broadway Master Class in August were invited to perform at Broadway Memories. Eight of the seventeen students who attended the Master Classwere selected to provide back up with Josh Young performing Jesus Christ Superstarand all students joined in the Encore song “Season of Love” from RENT.

 

We are grateful to our sponsors who supported us in bringing this level of talent to Columbus. Title Sponsors were the Clarence E. and Inez R. Custer Foundation and Elizabeth R and Walter C. Nugent Foundation; Producing Partner, Indiana Arts Commission; and Artist Underwriter, SIHO Insurance Services.

 

For more information and ways to support Our Hospice call or emailBrigitte Halvorsen at 812-314-8004,bhalvorsen@crh.org.

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