Community News Archives for 2021-04

Shelby Co. Health Dept announces upcoming J&J vaccine clinics

The Shelby County Health Department will be hosting the following Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccination sites:

 

Tuesday, May 4:  9:00 am  –  3:00 pm  at Indiana Grand Casino & Racing

4300 North Michigan Road, Shelbyville

 

Saturday, May 8:  9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Occasions Banquet Hall

415 East Hendricks St, Shelbyville

 

Walk-ins are welcome.

 

For faster service preregister at www.ourshot.in.gov

USDA issues pandemic flexibilities for schools and day care facilities through June 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a broad range of flexibilities to allow school meal programs and childcare institutions across the country to return to serving healthy meals in fall 2021 as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to reopen schools safely.

 

Several meal service flexibilities that enable social distancing are now extended through June 30, 2022. The waivers continue the Administration’s commitment to provide safe, healthy meals free of charge to children as the pandemic continues to threaten the food and nutrition security of our most vulnerable.

 

“USDA will remain relentless in ensuring our nation’s children get the critical nutrition they need,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “States and districts wanted waivers extended to plan for safe reopening in the fall. USDA answered the call to help America’s schools and childcare institutions serve high quality meals while being responsive to their local needs as children safely return to their regular routines. This action also increases the reimbursement rate to school meal operators so they can serve healthy foods to our kids. It’s a win-win for kids, parents and schools.”

A recent study from Tufts University found that in 2018, schools were the single healthiest source of U.S. food consumed across a sample of children and adults. The 2018 study found that diet quality for foods from schools improved significantly from a similar study conducted in 2003-2004.

 

Schools nationwide will be allowed to serve meals through USDA’s National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO), which is typically only available during the summer months. This option maintains the nutrition standards of the standard school meal programs – including a strong emphasis on providing fruits and vegetables, fluid milk, whole grains, and sensible calorie levels, while allowing schools to serve free meals to all children. In addition, schools that choose this option will receive higher-than-normal meal reimbursements for every meal they serve, which will support them in serving the most nutritious meals possible while managing increased costs associated with pandemic-related operational and supply chain challenges. This option also affords schools the financial flexibility to further customize their meal service design to fit their local needs.

 

“Students’ success in the classroom goes hand in hand with their ability to access basic needs like healthy and nutritious meals,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “It’s critical that our efforts to reopen schools quickly and safely include programs that provide access to free, healthy meals for our most vulnerable students, particularly those whose communities have been hardest hit by the pandemic. This program will ensure more students, regardless of their educational setting, can access free, healthy meals as more schools reopen their doors for in-person learning.”

 

USDA will continue to offer targeted meal pattern flexibility and technical assistance as needed. In addition, schools and both child and adult care institutions can continue providing breakfasts, lunches, and after school snacks in non-group settings at flexible meal times. Parents or guardians can also pick up meals for their children when programs are not operating normally, all while maintaining social distancing consistent with federal recommendations.

 

Up to 12 million children are currently living in households where they may not always have enough to eat during the pandemic. During the past year, America’s schools and childcare centers have provided a nutrition lifeline for children across the country, many of whom depend on USDA’s child nutrition programs for the nourishment they need to grow and thrive. Some kids rely on these programs for as many as three?meals a day, underscoring how essential it is for USDA to empower schools and childcare centers to continue their dedicated efforts to serve healthy meals, safely.

TC's Schweitzer named Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Essay Contest winner

Margaret Mae Schweitzer, a senior at Triton Central High School, is this year’s Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Essay Contest winner for Shelby County.  Schweitzer is the daughter of Alan and Susie Schweitzer of Fairland.

 

Mary Mott Green chapter of DAR sponsors the contest annually. Guidance department staff or teachers select one student as their school’s Good Citizen. Each Good Citizen participates in the contest by submitting requirements that include an essay written on a topic provided by the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. A panel of judges then selects one of the Good Citizens to represent the county at the state competition level.

 

Judges review each Good Citizens’ personal accomplishments within school and the community during their academic careers, letters of reference, grade transcript, and future plans.

 

Representing their respective schools as DAR Good Citizens are:

 

Rylee Suzanne Kleine, a senior at Morristown Jr.-Sr. High School, daughter of Brandon and Rachel Kleine of Shelbyville.

 

 

Ethan Wendling, a senior at Southwestern High School, son of Albert and Tonya Wendling of Shelbyville.

 

 

Malea Nashel Terrell, a senior at Shelbyville High School, daughter of Samuel and Nicole Terrell, Shelbyville.

 

 

Caroline Rae Sheaffer, senior, Waldron Jr.-Sr. High School, daughter of Steve and Jill Sheaffer, Waldron.

 

 

SHS graduate Sarah Work gains experience at the Statehouse

Shelbyville Senior High School graduate Sarah Work is gaining experience as an intern with State Rep. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville) and his fellow members of the Indiana House of Representatives during the 2021 legislative session.

 

Work, a Shelbyville resident, is the daughter of Nathan and Julie Work. She attends Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis where she is majoring in political science, and law in liberal arts.

 

"My passion for state government began in high school through my government class, and this internship has only sparked my interest even more," Work said. "Someday, I want to represent the people of Indiana and continue playing a role in improving Hoosier lives. The connections and experiences I am gaining while interning at the Statehouse will help me achieve my goals of attending law school and starting my political career."

 

As a legislative intern, Work corresponds with constituents through phone calls, letters and emails while also staffing committee hearings and floor proceedings.

 

"Throughout this internship, Sarah has the opportunity to hone her skills that will set her up for success," Eberhart said. "She and other House interns do a tremendous job every day. I have enjoyed getting to know this intern class, and I encourage other Shelbyville students to apply."

 

Each year, the House of Representatives offers paid internship opportunities to college students, law school students, graduate students and recent college graduates for the duration of each legislative session.

2021 Voices of SCUFFY

Two third graders from each Shelby County elementary school are chosen by each year to share a special message as the Voice of SCUFFY.

 

Southwestern

 

 

Harper McInerny

Matthew Sipes

 

Triton Central

 

 

Sydney Allen

Ruben Lotz

 

 

Hendricks

 

 

Vivian McIntire

Mason Miano

 

 

St. Joseph

 

 

Maggie Kolkmeier

Wyatt Lancaster

 

Morristown

 

 

Kailee Vaiagae

Elijah Brock

 

Loper

 

 

Dafne Bejar Gonzales

Chandler Tucker

 

Waldron

 

 

Gracie Walker

Noah Leap

 

Coulston

 

 

Bailey Conners

Brian Reyes-Abundiz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indiana General Assembly approves funding to extend relief for entrepreneurs & small businesses

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced a significant expansion of the Indiana Small Business Restart Grant that will add $60 million to the program, tripling the total allocation, and allow small businesses to seek reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred between March 1, 2020, and May 1, 2021. 

The program, which was first announced in May 2020, is designed to accelerate the speed of economic recovery by providing working capital to Indiana's entrepreneurs and small business owners. The state issued $34.5 million in grants through the first iteration of the program and is now adding another $60 million in federal dollars made available through the CARES Act and approved for allocation by the Indiana General Assembly. 

“I’m grateful to the Indiana General Assembly for their supportive collaboration that made it possible to extend this program for Hoosier entrepreneurs," said Gov. Holcomb. "The Small Business Restart Grant program has already done a tremendous amount to get small businesses back on track, and this extended relief funding will continue accelerating our economy’s recovery.”

GRANT DETAILS:
Small businesses that meet the eligibility requirements can apply for reimbursement of qualified business expenses incurred at their Indiana operations between March 1, 2020, and May 1, 2021. These qualified expenses include payroll – which may be reimbursed up to 100% – and non-payroll expenses, such as insurance premiums, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, lease payments, food delivery software service payments, and safety investments – which may be reimbursed up to 80%. 

Reimbursements may be awarded up to $10,000 for each month, but may not exceed $50,000 over a 12-month period. Businesses that have already received Small Business Restart Grants, but have not reached the maximum reimbursements, may re-apply and submit new expenses (that have not already been reimbursed through the program) for reimbursement. 

ELIGIBILITY:
Registered Indiana businesses must: 

  • Have been established prior to Oct. 1, 2019;
  • Be registered to operate in Indiana, except sole proprietors, and must be seeking reimbursement for expenses related to their Indiana operations;
  • Be in good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) or have a DOR-approved payment plan;  
  • Have had fewer than 100 full-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2019;
  • Have been profitable in 2019 (determined by EBITDA) and have had less than $10 million (Gross Receipts or Sales) in revenue in 2019; and
  • Demonstrate a monthly gross revenue loss of at least 30% compared to pre-COVID-19 revenues (average monthly revenue in 2019).

APPLY:
The application, along with additional details and instruction, is available at backontrack.in.gov. Eligible small businesses may apply until Dec. 31, 2021, but are encouraged to apply and submit expenses for reimbursement as soon as possible, as grants will be issued in the order they are received until funding is exhausted. 

About the Indiana Small Business Restart Grant
The Indiana Small Business Restart Grant was initially announced in May 2020. The program, which, until now, reimbursed expenses incurred before Dec. 31, 2020, has already provided $34.5 million in grants to 1,644 small businesses in 85 counties across Indiana. Of the 1,644 small businesses that were issued grants, 190 are certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses (11.5%). 

For more information on support, resources and funding available to Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit StayINBiz.org

Shelbyville Public Utilities opens new office location on Monday

The Shelbyville Public Utilities office was on the move this past week. It will open in the former Bradley Hall Furniture building on the Public Square on Monday, April 5.

 

The payment collection box behind city hall will remain in its current location for payment drop-offs.

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