Community News Archives for 2023-02

CASA Day at the Statehouse

Volunteer child advocates from across Indiana will gather at the Statehouse on March 7 for CASA Day.

A CASA — or Court Appointed Special Advocate — devotes time to supporting abused and neglected children whose families are involved with the child welfare system.

On CASA Day, advocates will have the chance to interact with legislators and talk about the importance of best interest advocacy for abused and neglected children. They will hear from Chief Justice Loretta Rush, Judge Dana Kenworthy, former foster youth, and others about how CASAs help these children with the issues they face.

The event takes place in the North Atrium, 2nd floor, noon to 1 p.m. 

There are GAL/CASA programs serving 88 Indiana counties, and in 2022 they advocated on behalf of 20,091 children in the justice system.

 

 

Shelby County to close county road next week for culvert replacement

Trisler Construction, a contractor for the Shelby County Highway Department, will be closing S 275 W between South Smithland Road and W 450 S on Monday to replace a culvert.

The last address accessible from the north is 3927 S 275 W. There are no addresses between the culvert being replaced and W 450 S.

Depending upon weather conditions the culvert on Edinburgh Road that has been closed since Dec. 20 should be open for traffic by the end of the day Friday.

Indiana Homeowner Assistance Fund offers monetary assistance for delinquent and future property tax bills

The Indiana Homeowner Assistance Fund (IHAF) is a support program for eligible Hoosiers who have experienced hardship from income loss.

Administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), the IHAF has helped more than 3,500 eligible applicants and disbursed more than $40 million through the program to date.

"As the time for annual property assessments approaches, it is important for Hoosiers to know that IHAF can possibly pay for delinquent and future property charge fees, including property taxes," said Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Homeowners in Indiana who anticipate having difficulties paying their property taxes, or who already have delinquent property taxes, should visit www.877gethope.org for more information and to start an application."

Applicants can also connect with a housing counselor who can provide advice and information on their options.

Homeowners may be eligible for assistance if they meet the following requirements:

  • Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced a financial hardship on or after Jan. 21, 2020
  • Own only one mortgaged home
  • Property to be assisted is the primary residence
  • Have an income equal to or less than 150% of the Area Median Income adjusted for household size, or 100% of the National Median Income, whichever is greater
  • Live in Indiana

"In addition to property tax assistance, applicants may also be eligible to receive mortgage reinstatement, up to six months of monthly mortgage payment assistance, and assistance with other property charge fees including homeowner insurance and homeowner association fees," said Jake Sipe, executive director of IHCDA.

Indiana officials celebrate National FFA Week with proclamation and resolution

In honor of National FFA Week, seven Indiana State FFA Officers and National Officer MacKenna Clifton, of North Carolina, met in the Statehouse to receive a proclamation and resolution declaring Feb. 18-25 Indiana FFA Week.

“It was a pleasure to have these outstanding young professionals representing the State of Indiana and agriculture so well in the Statehouse today,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “FFA is a dynamic youth led organization and I am excited to celebrate National FFA Week this week and agriculture year-round.”

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the proclamation to name this week FFA Week in recognition of all the work the Indiana FFA Organization, agriculture educators and FFA advisors do to cultivate the next generation of agriculturists for our state.

During the week, chapters across the state and nation will host a variety of events to educate, advocate and celebrate the agricultural industry. From a school animal experience to a farmer’s breakfast, these activities pay homage to the dedication and commitment of today’s agriculturalists.

Throughout the week, the Indiana FFA State Officers travel the state to participate in activities alongside local FFA chapters and their communities.

The Indiana FFA Association also received a Senate Concurrent Resolution highlighting the impact of the FFA Organization, which is preparing more than 13,000 members in 90 of Indiana’s 92 counties for the over 250 unique careers in the food, fiber and natural resource sectors. The resolution was led by Sen. Jean Leising, Senate District 42 and Rep. Michael Aylesworth, House District 11.

Jenna Kelsay, 2022-2023 Indiana FFA Southern Region Vice President shared what this resolution means to her and the FFA Organization.

“Receiving the proclamation and house concurrent resolution today in the Indiana Statehouse was such an exciting way to kick-off National FFA Week,” said Kelsay. “Indiana FFA and its members are so fortunate to have support and recognition from our states agricultural leaders and elected officials.”

Tamara Ketchen, Director of the Indiana FFA Association, is looking forward to seeing all the work done this week at FFA chapters across the state.

“National FFA Week is a time for local chapters to highlight their programs showcasing their success and passion for agriculture,” Ketchen said. “We also use this as an opportunity to recognize community supporters and broadcast the mission of the organization.”

FFA members are agriculture’s future leaders, future food suppliers, future innovators and more. Whether it is through service projects or community gatherings, National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about agricultural education and the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture's future leaders.

The first National FFA week was held in 1948, when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration to recognize George Washington’s example and legacy as a leader and farmer. For the past 75 years, FFA members across the country have taken part in agricultural, leadership and service-based activities during National FFA Week.

Visit www.inffa.org to learn more about Indiana FFA.

 

Crop & Craft Day, presented by Delta Theta Tau Sorority, is March 11

Registration is underway for the March 11 Crop & Craft Day, presented by Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Zeta Lambda chapter, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Shelbyville’s St. Vincent DePaul Parish Hall, 4218 E. Michigan Rd.

The event, held twice a year, generates funding to provide scholarships to a senior in each of the five county high schools through the Shelby County Scholarship Fund and donations to multiple non-profit organizations in the county.

March 6 is the deadline to register for $30 to attend the day-long event to scrapbook and work on your craft. The fee then increases to $35. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Vendors will be on-site and gift baskets will be raffled

 (License #14595).

The registration form is available on Facebook, Delta Theta Tau, Zeta Lambda chapter.

Lt. Gov. Crouch, IHCDA launch crowdfunding campaign for Shelby County Players Civic Theatre Project

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) today launched a crowdfunding campaign to expand and upgrade the former bowling alley into a civic performance venue.

If this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by April 18, the project led by the Shelby County Players will receive a matching grant as part of IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.

"This project will increase opportunities for artists, musicians, and residents of all ages and talents to be creative and have fun together," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “We can't wait to see the transformation of this former bowling alley into a dynamic community space. ”

Funds from this campaign will be used to build a stage in the lobby, provide light and sound equipment for the stage, create gallery space for local art displays and more.

“We are excited for this matching opportunity which will help create a versatile public lobby space in our soon to be state-of-the art theatre,” stated Cindy Leahy, SCP Managing Director. “This project has been a 10-year journey, with expansion and renovation of the former 44 Bowl scheduled to be completed by year-end. We are so grateful for our volunteers’ diligence and the outpouring of community support for this project.”

Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $7.5 million in public funds and an additional $6.3 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.

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Abraham Lincoln to visit Shelby County Public Library Wednesday

Abraham Lincoln himself visits the Carnegie East Wing for a neighborly Fireside Chat.

Abe invites everyone, from children to seniors, for this free event. The ever-present black stovepipe hat helps everyone easily identify Lincoln. Chat begins at 7 p.m. in the Indiana Room, the room with the fireplace in the library Annex.

Honest Abe will recall his boyhood years, prairie lawyer days, family life, political aspirations, and Civil War tragedy and triumph, and share eloquent speeches.

Danny Russel of Indianapolis has been hailed by Gov. Eric Holcomb for his portrayal of Lincoln - “Striking! Lincoln’s legacy is a real highlight because of your expertise.” (famoushoosiers.com/press).

Lincoln’s birthday is Feb. 12, 1809, and Russel’s schedule is packed for February. Shelby County Public Library is able to present Russel during Lincoln’s birth month.

 

 

This program is for all ages; children will enjoy the program since everyone knows Lincoln loves talking with “young’uns”!

Library packs a punch with full week

Shelby County Public Library presents a full slate of programs this week while looking ahead to Anti-Valentine’s Day commemorations on Feb. 13 and a visit by Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 15.

  • Finding Ancestors on Ancestrylibrary.com, a genealogy workshop, will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Velma Wortman Morristown Branch. Donna Dennison, genealogy and history department head, joins Catherine Roberts, Morristown librarian and branch manager, to show patrons how to use this program that is free when used in the library branches. This informative program is not to be missed by anyone interested in finding out more of their family.
  • Computer issues troubling you? Librarians can help during special hours this week. Morristown holds “No Shame” Tech Time on Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m., while Shelbyville’s Tech Time will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in the Computer Lab in the Carnegie East Wing, 33 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville.
  • Thursday sees two programs in Shelbyville: The Horizon Center Book Club meets at 1 p.m. at the center to discuss the book, “A Hell of a Book” by Jason Mott, while the Cards Against Humanity League Night begins at 6 p.m. in the Carnegie East Wing. This game is strictly 18-plus fun!

The library’s robust Youth Services have a full slate this week.

  • Kids’ Club meets Thursday at Shelbyville for Valentine Fun
  • Teens’ Crafts on Friday at 4 p.m. at Shelbyville with be Paper Roses
  • Teens’ DND takes place Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Shelbyville for a Character Workshop.
  • Storytime meets 4 times this week: Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Shelbyville; Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Shelbyville; Thursday at 11 a.m. at Morristown; Thursday at 1 p.m. at Shelbyville

An All-Ages craft event, Boxes of Love, is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Morristown. Crafters will recycle shoe boxes into handy card storage, just in time for Valentine’s Day cards. This free event needs no registration.

Next week, Cupid and Abe dominate. But on Feb. 13, the “Cupid is Stupid” crowd rules the day! Morristown plans an Anti-Valentine’s Day party at 4 p.m. to celebrate friendships instead and bond over ways to forget about those pesky exes.

At Shelbyville, Youth Services plans to hang out for Rude Conversation Hearts, a Breakup Playlist, and maybe a fizzy potion or two. But on Feb. 15, Abraham Lincoln himself visits the Carnegie East Wing for a Fireside Chat. He will recall his boyhood years, prairie lawyer days, family life, political aspirations, and Civil War tragedy and triumph, and share eloquent speeches. Abe invites everyone, from children to seniors, for this free event.

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