Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will be part of history as live table games come to Central Indiana.

More than 40 tables are currently being installed on the 200,000 square foot casino floor, offering in excess of 300 seats. Live table games are set to launch to the public at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.

Seven different types of live table games will be offered, including craps, roulette, blaze roulette, blackjack, baccarat, three-card poker and Mississippi stud. Two areas will be utilized for the tables with approximately 200 seats provided in the main floor area found just off the parking garage. High Limit table games may be found in the former Poker Room at Indiana Grand represented by more than 100 gaming seats.

“Table arrival and setup is still on-going, but the amount of teamwork and effort provided by all of the involved departments has been masterful to watch,” said Colin Skidmore, director of table games and the Sportsbook.  “A lot of heavy lifting with deliberate and intricate placement has taken place. The coordination to get to this point has been paramount, and it has been wonderful to see everyone coming together to ensure the launch of table games goes smoothly.”

A full array of activities is planned on New Year’s Day to showcase the launch of live table games. A floor-wide celebration with live entertainment and commemorative gifts, while supplies last, will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:45 a.m. Special guests and VIPs will take their seats for the first live action at Noon. Table games will then open to the public beginning at 1 p.m.

Indiana Grand began conducting Live Dealer Schools in September of 2019, to prepare a new workforce for the expansion. More than 1,000 applications were received for 300 new highly skilled roles as Indiana Grand takes a big step forward in the gaming culture for the Hoosier State. Of the new positions added, approximately 80 percent of those are slated as full-time opportunities. The addition pushes the total number of team members to more than 1,200 with Indiana Grand now the largest employer in Shelby County. The multi-faceted facility is also only one of four companies employing more than 1,000 people along the I-74 corridor between Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fatal off-road-vehicle (ORV) accident involving a Columbus child. 

At approximately 2:20 pm Saturday, responders were dispatched to a dirt bike accident that occurred near the 12000 block of West 525 South in Bartholomew County. 

Initial investigation has determined a 5-year-old male was operating a KTM 50 cc dirt bike on family property. While attempting to maneuver the dirt bike up an incline, he lost control, causing the dirt bike to strike a tree.  Family at the scene rendered aid and then transported the child to the Southwest Fire Department in Ogilville for medical assistance.   

The victim was unresponsive and was transported to Riley Children’s Hospital by Life Line. Due to injuries sustained during the accident, he was declared deceased at the hospital.

Initial investigation has indicated the victim was wearing a helmet and other protective safety equipment at the time of the accident. 

Assisting agencies include Bartholomew County Sheriff Department, Southwest Fire Department, Columbus Regional Hospital Ambulance and Life Line Air Ambulance.

Superior Court No. 1 Judge Kent Apsley sentenced Danielle Erin Johns (formerly Danielle Erin Lemen), 28, to nine years in prison for Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.  He suspended two of the years to probation, but also required home detention for the duration of that two years.

Shelby County Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen says the case began on October 29, 2018, when a 4-month old child was taken to MHP Medical Center, then transferred to Riley Hospital for treatment.  The child had several injuries – including but not limited to two skull fractures, bleeding on the brain, bleeding behind one eye, multiple broken ribs, a fractured tibia, a fractured tibia, and bleeding on the spine.  Johns had been caring for the child, who is her niece. 

The infant victim underwent emergency brain surgery, and has had several visits and treatments with various specialists.  She seems to be recovering, though the long-term extent of her injuries are still unknown.

Shelbyville Police Detectives Brian Roberts and Deb Tilford investigated the case.  When police interviewed Johns, she denied any knowledge of the injuries.  She thereafter took and failed a polygraph, and subsequently gave three different versions of accounts relating to the injuries, but still denied hurting the child.  The prosecutor states Johns finally claimed that she had smoked marijuana and fallen asleep, dropping the child, and then later claimed that she had fallen onto the child after smoking marijuana though the prosecutor says these explanations are inconsistent with many of the injuries.  Johns finally admitted to causing the injuries at her sentencing hearing Friday.

The victim’s mother testified through tears at the sentencing hearing about the medical procedures and difficulties that the child faced, and continues to face.  She testified about the fear they felt when the victim learned to sit up and eventually to stand – worrying that a simple fall could cause serious injury.  The mother says she still worries about the child’s injuries causing problems as the child gets older – possible developmental problems, or even injuries from playing or sports being worse than most kids may experience.  She requested that Judge Apsley impose the full nine years in prison.

Johns’ attorney, Rock Lee, from Indianapolis, requested just one year in prison, followed by probation – pointing out that this is her first criminal conviction. 

Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen detailed the child’s injuries and continuing challenges, as well as Johns’ recent violation of a No Contact Order, in asking for a harsher sentence. 

Judge Apsley pointed out that the type of injuries, including a fractured femur, are not easy to cause, when he imposed the sentence.  At Landwerlen’s request, Judge Apsley also ordered Johns to complete an anger management course once released from prison. 

Landwerlen says while they wanted a bit more executed sentence, the victim’s parents are satisfied with the outcome.

Landwerlen added, “This is a sad case, where a family is torn apart and a beautiful, innocent, helpless baby has suffered more than any person ever should – all at the hands of the person trusted to provide her safety and security.”

Jonathan Blair Schuster, 61, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at his residence.

Born September 5, 1958 in Brazil, Indiana, he was the son of William Schuster & Rosemary (Rohloff) Schuster.

He married Janie (Scott) Schuster on December 15, 2005 and she survives.

Survivors include mother Rosemary Schuster of New Palestine, father & mother in law-Chris & Sue Scott of Hartford City, children-Abigail Mangone (husband Agustin) of Indianapolis, Rachel Schuster ( Aaron Ege), of Indianapolis, Chelsea Smock (fiancé Neal Hennessy) of Indianapolis, Hannah Crafton (husband Preston) of St. Mary's Georgia; siblings-William Schuster Jr. (wife Donna) of Arlington, David Schuster (wife Becky) of Conroe,Texas, sister in law Kathleen Scott of Dallas, Texas, nephew David Schuster (wife Katy) of Indianapolis; Grandchild Brynnlee Crafton. He was preceded in death by his father William Schuster & a niece Shannon Schuster.

Mr. Schuster graduated from Warren Central High School in 1976, Arizona University in 1995, where he earned  a BA, and  also studied in the Race Track Industry Program.

He was Vice President & General Manager of Racing at the Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

for 17 years.

Jon's love of horse racing began on his 10th birthday when his parents took him to the track for the first time. He was so grateful to have been able to work in the industry he loved for so many years.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home,437 Amos Road with Joshua Georgen officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1:00 pm until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions can be made to Friends of Ferdinand, Inc, PO Box 162, Mooresville, IN 46158 or CASA-Court & Child Advocacy Group of Shelby County.

A Johnson County man was arrested for stealing a car after he parked it next to his own car.

Shelbyville Police report receiving a call about the stolen car from the Shelbyville CVS just before 2:00 am Christmas morning.  Ronald Carr told authorities he left the car running outside the store while he was inside.

A Shelbyville officer located the Honda Civic backed into a parking space at the Circle K on North 9.  As it pulled toward the pumps the officer stopped the vehicle and ordered the driver out at gunpoint.

According to the police report, Guy Karnes, 27, of Franklin, said that he was in town with a friend and that his car was taken.  He went to the CVS to find a ride and when no one agreed to help he got into the Civic and used it to find his car.  Police report Karnes’ Nissan Altima was parked next to where he was found with the stolen Honda Civic.

Karnes was charged with auto theft and taken to the Shelby County Jail.

The Shelbyville Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that took place on December 24, 2019 at approximately 10:30 pm.

The robbery took place at the Circle K on East SR 44 just off I-74 at exit #116.

A vehicle description and direction of travel was obtained from a witness and a vehicle matching that description was stopped near the Indiana Grand entrance off I-74 near exit 109 by Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies. During the investigation, evidence of the crime was recovered and the vehicle was impounded.

Three Indianapolis men were subsequently arrested: Cortez Tannin, Corey Johnson and Walter Wilson,  all 23 years of age. All three are in the Shelby County jail charged with Armed Robbery.
 

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced the federal approval of a Medicaid waiver that will offer new hope to thousands of Hoosiers suffering from serious mental illnesses.

The waiver, approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services late last week, gives Indiana Medicaid the authority to pay for acute inpatient stays in institutions for mental disease for individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Until now, Medicaid law prevented funding from being used for inpatient SMI treatment at any hospital, nursing facility or other institution with more than 16 beds. 

In 2018, FSSA received CMS permission to reimburse for inpatient treatment in these facilities for many Medicaid members with a primary diagnosis of a substance use disorder. Through this new waiver, Indiana will be able to cover acute inpatient stays in IMDs for individuals whose primary diagnosis is a serious mental illness. Because approximately 25% of individuals with a serious mental illness also have a substance use disorder, this waiver will allow for consistency in their treatment.

“My 2020 Next Level agenda is focused on improving the lives of Hoosiers, and a key part centers around increasing the capacity of mental health services throughout the state,” Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said. “With this waiver in hand, we will begin to accomplish this on day one of the new year.”

The waiver takes effect on January 1, 2020. According to Indiana Medicaid records, in state fiscal year 2019, only about half of Indiana’s traditional Medicaid members receiving inpatient psychiatric services accessed those services through an institution for mental disease. Approval of the waiver amendment will mitigate these barriers to access and will shift services from less appropriate settings to facilities like hospitals and larger mental health treatment facilities. Under this new waiver, many patients will be able to receive longer, more appropriate inpatient stays, aiding in achieving stabilization and more successful transitions back into their homes and communities. The change is expected to ultimately drive down the costs associated with overuse of the emergency department for mental health problems and psychiatric crises as well as other costs caused by lack of access to appropriate care settings. 

“This waiver allows Indiana to, for the first time, offer the full continuum of treatment for Hoosiers with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders,” FSSA Secretary Jennifer Sullivan, M.D., M.P.H. said. “This begins a new era of vastly enhanced access and hope in many communities, aided by allowing some facilities already engaged in this vital work to expand.”

At present Vermont and the District of Columbia are the only other states/districts to receive a serious mental illness waiver.

You'll continue to see temperatures reach into the 50s during the holiday season.

The National Weather Service says Wednesday will likely be the warmest Christmas Indianapolis has seen in 37 years.

"Right now, our current forecast for Christmas day looks like a high of 55. Any snow that's left on the ground will melt and be gone. Maybe by the time we get to New Year's, we might see a break in it and get back a little closer to normal, but we're looking at 50s for the next several days," says National Weather Service of Indianapolis Meteorologist Crystal Pettet.

The same goes for the rest of the state too. Pettet says if the current forecast for Christmas Day holds, it will be the 11th warmest Christmas in the past 140 years.

But why is it getting warmer?

"We've seen an upper ridge of high pressure that's been building over the eastern U.S. and that's bringing that warmer air. It's coming up out of the Gulf. That's bringing us a lot warmer temperatures than what we've had before that ridge was parked a little off to the west. We were in a storm track that we're just not in right now," Pettet said.

She says this weather pattern will hold for another week or two. Pettet also says there will not be any snow or freezing rain in the immediate future.

Holiday schedule for Shelbyville trash collection is in place.  There WILL be trash only collected Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) in the morning. Tuesday's recycling will be delayed until next week.

There will be NO trash or recycling collected on Christmas Day, Wed December 25. Wednesday's trash only will be collected on Thursday. Wednesday's recycling will be delayed until next week. 

The office will be closed Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the shooting of a bald eagle in Lawrence County that occurred Friday, December 20, 2019.  

Shortly before 4:30 p.m., a Lawrence County Animal Control Officer and employees of Brown County Indiana Raptor Center were notified by a landowner south of the White River near Dixie Highway of the discovery of an injured eagle.  The eagle, which had recently suffered an apparent gunshot wound, was treated for injuries, but died shortly thereafter.  

Indiana Conservation Officer Ryan Jahn took possession of the carcass on 12/21/19 and initiated an investigation into the shooting.  A reward is being offered to anyone with information concerning this investigation.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Indiana Conservation Officers’ Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536 or their anonymous tip line at 1-800-TIPIDNR.  

The Shelby County Chamber Annual Awards Gala is February 27.  The deadline to nominate someone to be honored at the event is just a couple days away.

Is there someone you think should be recognized for the great work they do in the community? 

The Chamber has extended the deadline for nominations to Monday, December 23.

Alyssa Shepherd was sentenced to four years in prison, one year for each count of reckless homicide for the deaths of three kids she hit and killed in October 2018, in Fulton County, near Rochester.

According to prosecutors Shepherd drove through a bus stop, while the bus was stopped, red lights flashing, stop arm out. She hit and killed Alivia Stahl, 9, and her 6-year-old twin brothers Mason and Xzavier Ingle.

Shepherd, 25, was also found guilty of one count of criminal recklessness and passing a school bus while the stop arm was out.

Shepherd will also serve three years on house arrest, with electronic monitoring, and three years probation.

Fulton County Prosecutor Michael Marrs.

The children's mom, Brittney Ingle, tried to go after Shepherd at the sentencing and was taken away in handcuffs.

Marrs says now there will be a handling of restitution claims.

Shepherd faced a possible 21 and a half-year sentence, and was sentenced to ten years initially, but with four of those to serve.

Shelby County connections in new appointments made by Governor Eric Holcomb.

Several new appointments and reappointments to various state boards, commissions, and task forces were announced by the governor. They include the Ball State University Board of Trustees, the Governor’s Residence Commission and the White River State Park Development Commission.

White River State Park Development Commission

The governor made two new appointments to the commission, who will serve until Sept. 30, 2023.  Among those was Lou Gerig, of Indianapolis.  Gerig is the president of Sease, Gerig & Associates,.  Gerig's company worked with Ranger Power in their efforts to build a solar farm tp Shelby County.

Upon the recommendations of the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the governor also made four appointments to the commission, who will serve until Sept. 30, 2023.  Among those was State Rep. Sean Eberhart (House District 57).

Effective Jan. 1, 2020, several Indiana county income tax rates will change.

Among the counties with new rates, Decatur County: 2.5% (increased from 2.35%).

Local income tax rates are determined by county officials and reported to the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR). Once reported, they are then reviewed for compliance with Indiana law.

These tax rates affect businesses with employees who live or work in any of these counties and have income tax withholdings. County tax rates for individuals are based on an employee’s Indiana county of residence as of Jan. 1, 2020.

The list of rates for all Indiana counties is available on DOR’s website in Departmental Notice #1 at www.dor.in.gov by clicking on “Legal Resources” select “Tax Library” then selecting “Departmental Notices.”  

Employers with questions about these county income tax rates can contact DOR at (317) 233-4016, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST.

A Shelbyville woman has been sentenced for child molest while a man still faces federal charges in the case.

Brianne Carson, 30, of Shelbyville, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for her participation in the molest of a close family member.

The Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office says the case originated from a federal investigation in which Carson’s boyfriend, Brian Diana, had admitted to federal investigators that he had been molesting two young relatives, and claimed that Carson participated in the sex acts.

Carson was questioned by investigators and denied participating, but admitted that she was aware that Diana was molesting the two children. When the older child was forensically interviewed, she disclosed that the sexual abuse began when she was just over 6 years old, that Carson was in the room watching the molestations, and had even held her legs once so that Diana could have intercourse with her.

Shelby County Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen says he filed the charges against Carson, but upon conferring with federal authorities, it was agreed that they would prosecute Diana federally, as they have stiffer penalties than Indiana law would allow under the facts of this case.  Carson did not qualify for federal prosecution.

The federal case on Diana is still pending, and Landwerlen states he is required by law to note that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The local case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecutor Jeremy Pasel and investigated by Shelbyville Police Department Detective Deborah Tilford and Department of Homeland Security Special Agent Mike Johnson.

Carson was further declared to be a credit-restricted felon, which will require that she spend an extra percentage of her actual sentence in prison than would otherwise be required.

The second round of winter weather is moving through central Indiana, adding to the four inches of snow that fell around Indianapolis on Sunday night.

The heaviest snowfall on Monday will happen along I-70 and I-74, says WISH-TV Meteorologist Marcus Bailey, and it will happen at the worst time -- when everyone is driving home from work.

"You're talking snowfall rates, during the late afternoon and early evening hours, around one or even two inches per hour," Bailey said.

Those that will see the heavy snow will be in Terre Haute and Crawfordsville, through the Indy metro, and out east towards New Castle and Richmond. By the time the snow comes to an end late Monday night and into early Tuesday morning, those communities could see an additional four or five inches of snow, on top of what was already on the ground on Monday morning.

If you're just south of I-70 -- like in Martinsville, Franklin and Shelbyville -- Bailey says you'll see more of a wintry mix during the evening commute on Monday.

"You'll see rain, sleet and snow," he said. "So your snow totals might not be as high, but you'll still get maybe an inch or two of additional accumulation."

In southern Indiana -- Bailey says cities like Vincennes, Bedford, Bloomington and Batesville -- will get more rain than anything else on Monday afternoon and Monday evening. It could turn into some freezing rain and sleet on Monday night, and possibly turn into a few snow flurries overnight into Tuesday morning.

A second wave of precipitation including a band of moderate to occasionally heavy snowfall will expand into central Indiana by mid afternoon and continue into Monday night. The heaviest snow is expected along the I-70 corridor where an additional 3-4 inches of snow with locally higher amounts are possible through Monday night.

For this reason, the Winter Weather Advisory will transition to a Winter Storm Warning from 2 PM into tonight along the I-70 corridor, including the Indianapolis metro area, Terre Haute and Anderson.

The advisory will continue through tonight for the rest of central Indiana.

"Like" Shelby County Emergency Management Agency- Indiana for updates. 

The Indiana Department of Transportation is preparing for the overnight snow with a full call-out of yellow trucks. 

There will be about 170 trucks out throughout the District, including 55 in the Indianapolis area. Trucks started patrolling the interstates, U.S. highways and state routes at 5 p.m. Sunday and will continue overnight and into rush hour  Monday morning. 

The forecast is calling for 3-6" inches throughout the district from Sunday evening through Tuesday morning.

They will spread salt and plow when the snow starts falling.

INDOT would like to remind drivers to slow down in slippery conditions and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and others.

When you see a yellow truck on the road, give them plenty of room and try to stay behind them at least 50 feet or more. 

Driver tips:

• Reduce speed: Allow extra time to reach your destination, be patient as snowplows travel below posted speed limits.
• Safe distance: Do not tailgate and give snowplows plenty of room to work, allow plenty of time to slow down.
• Pay attention: Drive distraction-free, focus on safe driving, be aware of surroundings and changing road conditions
• Know before you go: Check road and traffic conditions at http://indot.carsprogram.org or the INDOT mobile app. County travel advisories can be found on the Department of Homeland Security Website at http://in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory.

A winter storm watch goes into effect Sunday night through Tuesday morning for portions of central Indiana and surrounding areas.

"Snow will arrive in central Indiana starting primarily on Sunday evening perhaps mixing with some freezing rain," says National Weather Service of Indianapolis Meteorologist Jason Puma. "This runs from Terre Haute over to Crawfordsville then through Indianapolis along the I-70 corridor up towards Anderson, Muncie, and Kokomo as well. In that area, we could see anywhere between 3 to 5 inches of snow with some light icing. Higher amounts are possible when it's all said and done by Tuesday morning."

Puma says freezing rain is more likely in the southern portions of the state like Seymour, Bedford, Columbus, and Bloomington.

"In the Indy metro, we're looking at primarily getting snow at this point. That will continue on into the morning rush hour, which could cause some tricky travel situations for the morning rush on Monday," says Puma.

He says there will be a brief lull in the middle of the day Monday.

"Then we'll have actually another round of snow across central Indiana starting late Monday afternoon continuing through Monday evening and ending overnight," Puma says.

That could also affect your morning commute on Tuesday.

"By the time we get to mid-morning on Tuesday, I think all of this precipitation will have come to an end, but the forecast can always change," Puma says.

Puma recommends you check the forecast periodically, give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, and make sure you give snowplow drivers enough space for them to do their job.

Duke Energy has increased its winter assistance funding forqualifying Indiana customers who may struggle to pay their winter energy bills.

The company is contributing $650,000 for low-income customer energy assistance through its Helping Hand program this year. In addition, Duke Energy Indiana customers and employees have contributed more than$96,000 through November, and more is expected in December, raising this year’s total energy assistance to approximately$750,000. A portion of the company’s funding is the result of an agreement with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor.

“We know the winter months can be a hardship for some, and each year our shareholders and customers contribute to help families and individuals who may be struggling to pay their winter energy bills,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “This year, to reach more customers in need, we are increasing our shareholder contribution by $150,000. Last year, we were able to help more than 3,700 Hoosiers who needed assistance paying their electricity bills.”

Duke Energy works with the Indiana Community Action Association and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s Energy Assistance Program, which determines eligibility and distributes the company’s assistance funds.

“Our clients are most vulnerable during the winter, and no one should be left in the cold,” said Elaine Zeider, manager of Family Services for the Area Five Agency on Aging and Community Services. “For years we’ve used Duke Energy’s Helping Hand funds to keep Hoosiers warm and relieve some of the stress of winter bills.”

For more information on the Helping Hand program, including eligibility for funds, participating agencies and how to make a donation, visit duke-energy.com/community/customer-assistance-programs/helping-hand.

If you still have some Christmas shopping left to do this year, you’ll want to know these key shipping deadlines from Amazon, FedEx, USPS and UPS to ensure your gifts arrive on time. Some dates are as early as tomorrow, December 13, 2019 for a delivery by Christmas.

The following holiday shipping dates are for United States delivery by December 25, 2019. Dates noted are not guarantees but recommendations unless noted by the shipper.

More dates details and descriptions on holiday shipping deadlines for Amazon, FedEx, USPS, and UPS can be found here: https://www.promocodes.com/blog/holiday-shipping-deadlines-2019. 

Amazon key holiday shipping dates:

• Dec. 14 - Free shipping by Amazon for non-Prime members on qualifying orders of $25 or more. 
• Dec. 18 - Standard shipping for non-Prime members. Items ship in 3-5 business days.
• Dec. 22 - Free shipping on tens of millions of items for Prime members. No minimum purchase.
• Dec. 23 - Free one-day delivery on over ten million items. No minimum purchase.
• Dec. 24 - Free same-day delivery on qualifying orders of $35 or more. 

FedEx key holiday shipping dates:

• Dec. 13 - FedEx Home Delivery® and FedEx Ground® to Alaska and Hawaii.
• Dec. 16 - FedEx Home Delivery® in the contiguous U.S. and last day to ship via FedEx Ground® 
• Dec. 20 - FedEx 2Day® A.M. and FedEx 2Day®.
• Dec. 23 - FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx Standard Overnight and FedEx 1Day® Freight.
• Dec. 25 - FedEx SameDay® City Direct, FedEx SameDay® City Priority and FedEx SameDay®.

UPS key holiday shipping dates:

• Dec. 13 - Some UPS® Ground packages scheduled for delivery on Tuesday, Dec. 24. 
• Dec. 19 - UPS 3 Day Select® packages scheduled for delivery on Tuesday, Dec. 24. 
• Dec. 20 - UPS 2nd Day Air® packages scheduled for delivery on Tuesday, Dec. 24. 
• Dec. 23 - UPS Next Day Air® packages scheduled for delivery on Tuesday, December 24 with a UPS On-Call, or scheduled, Pickup, or by visiting a The UPS Store location or a UPS Authorized Service Location.

USPS key holiday shipping dates:

• Dec. 14 - USPS Retail Ground® (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). 
• Dec. 18 - First-Class Mail® Service to Alaska.
• Dec. 19 - Priority Mail® Service to Alaska and Hawaii and last day for First-Class Mail® Service to Hawaii.
• Dec. 20 - First-Class Mail® Service (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).
• Dec. 21 - Priority Mail® Service for U.S (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) and Priority Mail Express® Service to Alaska and Hawaii. 
• Dec. 23 - Last day for Priority Mail Express® Service (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)

A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared.

The Columbus Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Cameron Dwayne Reed, a 56 year old white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 180 pounds, grayish white hair with blue eyes, last seen wearing a stocking cap, black and red checkered jacket and has a tattoo of a bird on his right forearm.

Cameron is missing from Columbus, Indiana and was last seen on Wednesday, December 11, at 11:00 pm. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.

If you have any information on Cameron Dwayne Reed, contact the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600 or 911.

In less than 23 days, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will be part of history as live table games come to Central Indiana. More than 40 tables are currently being installed on the 200,000 square foot casino floor, offering in excess of 300 seats. Live table games are set to launch to the public at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.

Seven different types of live table games will be offered, including craps, roulette, blaze roulette, blackjack, baccarat, three-card poker and Mississippi stud. Two areas will be utilized for the tables with approximately 200 seats provided in the main floor area found just off the parking garage. High Limit table games may be found in the former Poker Room at Indiana Grand represented by more than 100 gaming seats.

“Table arrival and setup is still on-going, but the amount of teamwork and effort provided by all of the involved departments has been masterful to watch,” said Colin Skidmore, director of table games and the Sportsbook.  “A lot of heavy lifting with deliberate and intricate placement has taken place. The coordination to get to this point has been paramount, and it has been wonderful to see everyone coming together to ensure the launch of table games goes smoothly.”

A full array of activities is planned on New Year’s Day to showcase the launch of live table games. A floor-wide celebration with live entertainment and commemorative gifts, while supplies last, will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:45 a.m. Special guests and VIPs will take their seats for the first live action at Noon. Table games will then open to the public beginning at 1 p.m.

Indiana Grand began conducting Live Dealer Schools in September of 2019, to prepare a new workforce for the expansion. More than 1,000 applications were received for 300 new highly skilled roles as Indiana Grand takes a big step forward in the gaming culture for the Hoosier State. Of the new positions added, approximately 80 percent of those are slated as full-time opportunities. The addition pushes the total number of team members to more than 1,200 with Indiana Grand now the largest employer in Shelby County. The multi-faceted facility is also only one of four companies employing more than 1,000 people along the I-74 corridor between Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Shelbyville will see increased numbers in new homes with projects from Westport and Arbor on the way.

Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun appeared on The Morning Show.

Multiple Public Safety agencies from Shelby County convened in Shelbyville today to participate in Santa Protectors.  Firefighters, Sheriff’s Deputies, Police Officers, EMA Personnel, and 9-1-1 Communication Professionals joined forces to provide Christmas to almost 30 children within the community. These children were nominated to participate by the county schools and selected based on need.

The children enjoyed breakfast before climbing into emergency vehicles and forming a parade from Fire Headquarters to Walmart.  Accompanied by emergency personnel, the children shopped for Christmas presents with funds received from local organizations and county citizens. After they loaded their carts, they finished the parade by returning to the fire station for lunch and a visit from Santa.

Katie Weber, the wife of Firefighter Nic Weber and a teaching assistant at Hendricks Elementary, states, “This is one of my favorite days of the year.”

While Ms. Weber sees children in need throughout the year, she loves participating in the event. She said that she loves seeing all of the children’s eyes light up and the smiles that the volunteers and children both display on this day.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags in the state of Indiana to be flown at half-staff for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. 

Flags should be flown at half-staff from midnight to midnight on Saturday, December 7.

Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents in Indiana to lower their flags to half-staff on Saturday.

Federal and state environmental workers say they are making progress on cleaning up contaminated soil in Franklin.

Over the last year, two plumes of toxic TCE chemicals have been discovered in the air and water in Franklin. TCE, which is an outdated chemical solvent that was used by manufacturers decades ago, has been linked to common cancers.

One of the plumes originates from where the Amphenol plant used to sit. That area has been under the control of the EPA over the last few months and the agency said at a public meeting on Tuesday night that area has been almost completely cleaned up.

Joe Cisneros, the chief of the Corrective Action Program with the EPA.

The other plume was discovered in the last week. It's coming from the old Hougland Cannery in Franklin, less than a mile from the Amphenol site. That site is under the control of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

IDEM is still figuring out the logistics of getting that site cleaned up, but the department's lead project coordinator, Kevin Davis, said the cost the clean up is of no concern to IDEM.

Davis predicts they will be able to start cleaning up the Hougland site by the start of next Spring.

Some residents who attended the meeting got to get up close and personal with the information presented by both agencies. Tricia Simmons, who is a cancer survivor, isn't holding a lot of confidence they will get the job done.

Simmons said she has no plans at the moment to move out of Franklin.

IDEM is reviewing its latest batch of groundwater tests right now form the Hougland site and plans to have a full report on those findings out by some time next week.

Two federal lawsuits were filed Tuesday.

Shelby County Community Corrections Deputy Director Lucy Pettit says Tim Ryan brings a special meesage to Shelbyville for students and adults alike.

The nationally sought after speaker on the opioid pandemic will tell students Thursday about how heroin led to prison time and the loss of his son.  Later that evening, Ryan and his fiance will address the public at Shelbyville High School's Breck Auditorium.

There’s no new information at this time into a reported stabbing that ended in the death of a Shelbyville man.

On Monday, November 25, Shelbyville Police responded to an early morning call to a scene near the intersection of Noble Street and Franklin Street regarding an altercation resulting in serious bodily injury. 

The victim, Delany, aka "DJ", Drake, 26, was allegedly involved in an altercation with a white male suspect.  According to witnesses the suspect fled the area on foot. 

Drake later died at MHP Medical Center.  Funeral services were held this past Saturday.

Police said, at the time, there was no reason to believe the general public is in danger.   The incident appeared to be isolated between the suspect and victim. Shelbyville Police continue to pour man hours into the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident, please contact Det. Brian Roberts at the Shelbyville Police Department.

The mother of the Roncalli High School student who was bullied by football players says the school has not done enough to punish the players.

In an interview with 93 WIBC's "The Chicks on the Right," Leslie Woodruff says her son Jack -- who has down syndrome, and is the manager of the Roncalli football team -- was harassed by some players in the locker room in September, and the incident was recorded on Snapchat.

When she heard about it, she went to the Dean of Students at Roncalli. The school told Woodruff they did an investigation, and handed down a punishment for the player that recorded the bullying, although the dean had not watched the video.

"The student who took the initial video received an after-school detention, and then was allowed to still play football that weekend," she said.

Woodruff says a few days later, she received a letter in the mail from one of the player's parents.

"It stated that their son had observed Jack being made to do something inappropriate to another football player in the locker room," she said.

That parent then told the school about the details of the bullying. The dean called Woodruff to let her know they received an anonymous tip about the incident, and that they would investigate further.

Woodruff says she talked with her son, who did not initially discuss the details of the incident, because he was threatened. She says after she told Jack about the letter and that someone else saw the bullying, Jack then told her more about what he was forced to do.

The school investigated again, but did not punish the players any further.

The following week, Woodruff pulled her son out of Roncalli.

"Within ten minutes of me sending an email to the school saying Jack was being withdrawn, the dean was on the phone, calling me, just requesting some time to talk about the anonymous report was and to see if I had any further information that I could share with the school," Woodruff said.

She said she filed a police report, and the police are still investigating the incident. She also hired a lawyer, but has not filed a lawsuit against Roncalli.

In a statement on their website, Roncalli President Joe Hollowell says:

"Many of you are aware of the recent news reports regarding an incident that took place in our football locker room involving students including a former Life Academy student. Roncalli staff learned of the alleged incident and reported it to the Department of Child Services. Roncalli and the Archdiocese have been and continue to cooperate with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department during this ongoing investigation.

While we do not discuss disciplinary consequences enforced in response to the actions of individual students, please know that any student responsible for bullying and/or inappropriate conduct toward another student has been and will be disciplined appropriately, as outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook. Thus far, disciplinary measures have been taken, including suspension, and one student is no longer enrolled at Roncalli. Following the outcome of the ongoing police investigation, further disciplinary action may be taken.

The safety and well-being of every student is of utmost importance to us, and we remain committed to continuously seeking ways to improve practices and procedures related to student safety. We remain confident that Roncalli offers an exceptional educational and faith formation experience in a safe, secure environment.

Please join me in praying for all of our young people and their families."