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COLTS ADVANCE TO AFC CHAMPIONSHIP; ANNOUNCE EVENTS FOR FANS THIS WEEK

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The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Denver Broncos Sunday to advance to the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, January 18. As the team continues their playoff run, they’ve announced their playoff events and promotions for this week. Plans include a special edition playoff poster, Poster-Drive Thru at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pep Rally, a “Blue Out Your Bar” contest and more. In addition, fans are asked to show they “Believe In Blue” by printing out a horseshoe at www.colts.com/playoffs and tweeting a photo of it displayed at their home, office or school using #BelieveInBlue.playoff-bound

The 2014 Colts Playoffs are presented by Huntington Bank and Verizon Wireless, and sponsored in part by Bud Light.

  • Tuesday, January 13
  • Thursday, January 15
    • Playoff Poster Drive-Thru, Lucas Oil Stadium South Lot (6:30-8:30 a.m.)
    • Playoff Posters Available at Participating Huntington Banks and Verizon Wireless Stores (see attached list)
    • Pep Rally at Circle Centre Mall (12 – 1 p.m.)
  • Friday, January 16-Saturday, January 17
    • Colts Blood Drive at Indiana Blood Center Locations

 

More details on all of these events and promotions are available below, as well as online at www.colts.com/playoffs.

#BELIEVEINBLUE SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Colts Nation, do you believe? Show you #BelieveInBlue on social media by posting photos of how you are preparing for the AFC Championship Game. For example, print off the horseshoe at www.colts.com/playoffs and put it outside your office, classroom, living room, etc. and tweet a picture using #BelieveInBlue to show the team that you believe!

#BELIEVEINBLUE VIDEO CONTEST

Leading up to the AFC Championship Game against New England the Colts will host a video contest for a chance to be featured on Colts.com. BeginningTuesday, January 13, upload a video of you and your friends chanting “I Believe the Colts Will Win” or post it to Instagram or Vine using #BelieveInBlue. More info on www.colts.com/playoffs.

“BLUE OUT YOUR BAR” PHOTO CONTEST, PRESENTED BY BUD LIGHT

The Colts are looking for bars and restaurants throughout Indiana and across the country that bleed blue. By submitting a photo of their establishment decked out in Colts décor, bars and restaurants have a chance to win a personalized, framed jersey, Reggie Wayne autographed football and NFL/Bud Light steel cooler. Photos can be submitted at www.colts.com/playoffs or using #BarBlueOut via Twitter or Instagram. The deadline to submit a photo is Sunday, January 18, at 6:40 p.m. ET.

PLAYOFF POSTER DRIVE-HRU AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM

On Thursday, January 15, Colts fans are invited to drive thru and pick up a limited edition playoff poster in the south lot of Lucas Oil Stadium from 6:30-8:30 a.m., while supplies last. Colts mascot, Blue, and Cheerleaders will be on-site to help pass out the posters. The first 500 cars will receive a Colts car magnet (limit one magnet per car).

In addition, posters will be available in the Emmis Communications (40 Monument Cir, Ste 700, Indianapolis) lobby from 6:30-8:30 a.m.

When:             Thursday, January 15, 6:30-8:30 a.m.

Where:            Lucas Oil Stadium South Lot (enter at Gate 8 off of Capitol Ave.)

500 S. Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, Ind.

PLAYOFF POSTERS AVAILABLE AT HUNTINGTON BANK AND VERIZON STORES

While supplies last, the Colts special edition AFC Championship playoff poster will be available at participating Huntington Bank branches and Verizon stores beginning Thursday, January 15. See attached for a complete list of participating locations.

PLAYOFF PEP RALLY

The Colts will host a playoff-themed Pep Rally at the Circle Centre Mall food court in Downtown Indianapolis on January 15. Beginning at noon fans are encouraged to stop by to pick up a special edition Colts Playoff poster, listen to live music from Dave & Rae and meet Colts alumni players. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free Colts t-shirt.

When:             Thursday, January 15, 12 – 1 p.m.

Where:            Circle Centre Mall Food Court (3rd Floor)

                        49 West Maryland Street

Indianapolis, IN                      

What:             

  • Special Edition Colts Playoff Poster
  • Free t-shirt for first 1,000 fans
  • Colts Alumni Players
  • 1070 The Fan
  • Register to Win
  • Colts Cheerleaders
  • Blue, the official mascot of the Colts
  • Live music by Dave and Rae

 

COLTS PLAYOFF BLOOD DRIVE

Visit any Indiana Blood Center donor center on Friday or Saturday, January 16 or 17, and receive a Colts playoff poster and a long sleeve t-shirt with the Colts throwback logo and Indiana Blood Center logo (while supplies last). For more information visit www.indianablood.org.

 

INDOT to help preserve Shieldstown Covered Bridge

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The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) met with Jackson County officials, contractor representatives and design engineers on Wednesday at the INDOT Seymour District facility to discuss a $1 million effort to preserve the Shieldstown covered bridge.

INDOT says the 355-foot-long Burr Arch wooden structure, built by J.J. Daniels in 1876, carried vehicular traffic across the east fork of White River until 1980.

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Today, it remains a tourist attraction at its scenic location adjacent to County Road 200 North, less than one mile north of U.S. Highway 50, in Hamilton Township and five miles west of Seymour.

Jackson County is the sponsor for this project and will pay 20 percent of the costs. The Federal Highway Administration will fund 80 percent.

INDOT says that Duncan Robertson Inc. is the prime contractor for this refurbishment project, which carries a total price tag of $1,036,287. The contractor is charged with maintaining historical integrity of the bridge while replacing board-for-board rotten and split timbers. Officials say that white oak will be used in the floor beams, bracing, arches, chords and posts. Yellow pine is to be used in supports and rafters. Siding and battens call for yellow poplar, while western red cedar is specified for portal siding.

Duncan Robertson will also replace the roof and repair piers and abutments. A visitors’ parking lot is going to be constructed near the north end of the covered bridge.

Operations are scheduled to begin after April 1. The contract completion date is July 31, 2016.

INDOT Deploys Salt Trucks Ahead of Winter Storm

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The National Weather Service has declared an ice storm warning beginning at 4 p.m. for central Indiana counties following a northwesterly line along I-70 and I-69 between Terre Haute and Muncie, including all Indianapolis metro counties. A combination of sleet, snow and freezing rain is predicted for the remainder of central and southern Indiana with a few inches of snow in the state’s northern counties.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is deploying its yellow salt trucks to treat Indiana’s interstates, U.S. highways and state routes ahead of the storm system moving across the state. Trained INDOT employees are on call to staff plow trucks around the clock with alternating 12- to 16-hour shifts.

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A few degrees can mean the difference between rain, freezing rain or snow, so ice can be difficult for forecasters to pinpoint. INDOT uses our statewide network of road and bridge pavement sensors and reports from law enforcement and the public to supplement local weather forecasts. As there are changes in forecasted and observed road conditions, our maintenance supervisors adjust their call-out of manpower, trucks and materials and shift resources as appropriate.

For social media updates, find the INDOT Facebook and Twitter pages for your regional district at: www.in.gov/indot/3074.htm

Ice is most difficult

Ice can be the most difficult road conditions for drivers to navigate and plow crews to treat because four-wheel-drive vehicles and large trucks are no match if all tires are on ice. A clear sheen of ice can also be hard for drivers to distinguish from dry pavement.

Residual salt deployed during recent storms is still visible on many state highways. Granular salt deployed before and during the storm helps to add traction while lowering the temperature at which the ice melts.

Driver tips

INDOT urges drivers to avoid all travel during and after winter storms as road conditions will be the worst during these times. If you must venture out, there are several steps that drivers can take to minimize the risk of losing control on icy roads:

  • Consult local weather forecasts to determine the latest timing and location of the storm.
  • Know before you go by checking the red-yellow-green traffic speeds on your map app or http://indot.carsprogram.org and the Indiana county travel advisory map at http://in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also offers a mobile version of the Travel Advisory map through the iTunes and Google Play stores.
  • Choose direct routes instead of longer routes on higher-speed highways.
  • Watch how salt trucks, emergency vehicles and other drivers are responding to the weather as visual cues for driving habits. Stay a safe distance and speed behind a plow at work as road conditions are always better behind one than in front.
  • Take your foot off the gas and slow down gradually, especially on high-speed highways. No one should be traveling at interstate speeds during these conditions.
  • Increase following distance and turn off cruise control.
  • Apply anti-lock brakes firmly when encountering ice. Pump brakes that are not anti-lock. Do not overcorrect with steering

Winter Mix Headed to WSLM COUNTRY

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A winter mix of precipitation is headed into WSLM COUNTRY and expected Sunday afternoon into Monday morning.

According to the National Weather Service, an upper level weather disturbance will bring precipitation back to Central Indiana on Sunday afternoon through Monday.

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Cold air in place across Central Indiana will result in the precipitation beginning as a mix of sleet and freezing rain across much of Central Indiana on Sunday afternoon and continuing into the evening hours.

Indiana Department of Transportation trucks were out last night spraying a brine mixture on Indiana roads. Salt Trucks are on standby for this afternoon, according to Harry McGinity, a spokeperson with INDOT.

This light icing may result in difficult driving conditions on Sunday afternoon and Sunday night.

As cold air arrives in the area overnight on Sunday night, all of the precipitation is expected to change over to snow. This will result in slippery conditions as light snow accumulations are possible on top of some light icing accumulations. This combination could make driving difficult on Monday morning.

If you plan to travel on Sunday night and Monday stay aware of the latest weather forecast and future possible advisories.

Motorists and those who must be outdoors are encouraged to take extra precautions Sunday afternoon through Monday prepare for slick roads.

Stay tuned to WSLM RADIO 97.9 FM and 1220 AM for weather updates every 20 minutes and any warnings on WSLM’s social media sites.

Children’s Father Arrested Overnight

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A Deleware father is currently in custody at the Warrick County Jail after being involved in an Amber Alert involving his children last night.

Cortez Hamilton, Sr., 32, Smyrna, DE, was arrested and charged with 2 Counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and 1 Count of Assault 2nd Degree with Serious Bodily Injury.

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Hamilton’s two children, Colette Hamilton, 4, and Cortez Hamilton, Jr, 4-months, were placed in the custody of the Warrick County Division of Child Services.

The children’s mother, Keisha Hamilton, 35, is still missing.

This investigation is ongoing and no further information is available.

Indiana State Police detectives arrested him overnight on three warrants out of Delaware.

Hamilton is not facing any local criminal charges. He is currently being held without bond.

 

Children from Amber Alert Recovered near Jasper

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Two children from a Delaware Amber Alert issued tonight are safe and in the care of the Indiana State Police.

Saturday evening, the Delaware State Police issued an Amber Alert for 4 year old Colette Hamilton and her brother, 4 month old Cortez Hamilton, Jr., of Smyrna, Delaware.

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Both children, along with their mother, 35 year old Keisha Hamilton, had not been seen since 10:00 P.M. Friday.
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At about 7:00 P.M. this evening, Delaware authorities informed the Indiana State Police that they had received information that the children, along with the father, 32 year old Cortez A. Hamilton, Sr., were possibly traveling to St. Louis, Missouri, via the Interstate 64 corridor in a red 2005 Chevrolet Suburban.

Troopers, county deputies, and city officers responded to the area of Interstate 64 to attempt to locate and observe the Chevrolet.

At 7:32 P.M., Jasper District Troopers Andrew Watson and Ross Johnson, while sitting at the 38 mile marker on Interstate 64, observed a large red SUV pass them traveling west.

Both troopers caught up to the vehicle and found that it was a red Chevrolet Suburban with a Delaware license plate.

At the 37 mile marker, troopers activated their emergency lights to attempt to pull over the Chevrolet, which stopped at the 36 mile marker. Troopers ordered the driver, Hamilton, Sr., out of the vehicle and placed him into custody without incident. Both Colette and Cortex Jr. were found safe inside the vehicle.

Hamilton, Sr. was taken to the Evansville State Police Post, where State Police investigators are working in conjunction with the Delaware State Police.

No other information is available at this time as both agencies continue their investigation.

INDOT Salt Trucks On Call After 4 PM Tomorrow

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The Indiana Department of Transportation is calling out plow/salt trucks tomorrow afternoon (JAN.11) in anticipation of possible ice accumulations later in the evening.  INDOT drivers from Falls City and Madison Subdistricts will be on patrol by 4 p.m. Sunday.
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Meanwhile, brining operations are taking place today—pre-treating ramps, bridges and roadways where needed. 
 
INDOT officials remind motorists to drive limit driving. 
If travel is necessary where icy conditions exist, precede with extreme caution. 
For updates, monitor http://facebook.com/INDOTSoutheast and http://twitter.com/INDOTSoutheast, or stay tuned to WSLM 1220 AM and WSLM 97.9 FM and watch wslmradio.com for updates. 

Indiana is National Meth Capital two years running

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It’s a ranking Indiana isn’t proud of.

In 2013, it had more meth incidents than any other in state in the U.S.

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The 2014 stats, so far, have it staged to repeat as the nation’s meth capital again.

That’s why a state lawmaker is proposing a new bill aimed at getting rid of that title. Representative Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) hopes to further restrict the amount of pseudoephedrine Hoosiers can buy over the counter. It’s a common decongestant and a main ingredient used the make meth.

Smaltz’s bill would allow customers to purchase 9.6 grams of the ingredient per year over the counter. That’s significantly less than what’s currently allowed by state law.

To put things into perspective Indiana customers can currently buy two, 30-count boxes of 12-hour Claritin D in a month under current Indiana law without a prescription. But under the new bill, they would only be able to buy two and a half boxes of it in a year.

Smaltz says Oregon, Mississippi, and Missouri have all implemented some variety of pseudoephedrine prescription. In all three of those states, they have seen dramatic decreases in the amount of one pot labs.

But the Indiana Retail Council opposes the bill. It’s president, Grant Monohan, said it would inconvenience too many customers and raise health care costs by forcing more people to get prescriptions saying a majority of their customers purchase the products for a legitimate reason and they ought to be able to continue to do that.

Sgt. Bob Burgess with the Indiana State Police supports Smaltz’s bill. He said Indiana is currently suffering from a meth epidemic, and that calls for desperate measures.

Smaltz’ bill would also create stricter charges for dealing and possessing meth, especially around children. He hopes to introduce it in a couple of weeks.

Houchin and Davisson accepting applications for interns

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State Representative Steve Davisson (R-Salem) is encouraging local students to apply for the Indiana House Page Program. The program offers students 13 to 18 years old the chance to visit the Statehouse and see a full day of legislative activity.

“Participating in the page program is a unique opportunity for a student to witness firsthand how state government operates,” said Rep.Davisson. “I hope that students will jump at the chance to experience the Indiana Legislature in action.”

steve davvison (2)Houchin Photo

Along with visiting the capitol building and touring such locations as the governor’s office, the chambers of the Indiana House and Senate and the Indiana Supreme Court, pages get the chance to witness floor sessions and committee meetings and help staff members.

Students who serve as pages are excused from school for the day. Pages are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Statehouse.

“I believe the House Page Program is an invaluable experience, and I look forward to meeting students from our community who participate in the program,” said Rep. Davisson.

Interested students are encouraged to schedule their visit quickly, as spots fill up fast. Pages are asked to include two different dates when they can come to the Statehouse between January and March.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best days to serve, as that is when the House is in session. There are no pages on Fridays. To sign up, visit www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/off_cms/page or call 1-800-382-9841.

“The Senate page program is a wonderful opportunity for local students to learn firsthand how our state government works,” Houchin said. “Pages spend the day touring the capitol building, watching debates in the Senate Chamber and observing the state legislative process. I am looking forward to seeing many young faces from District 47 at the Statehouse this session.”

Students who serve as pages receive an excused absence from school. The day begins with orientation at 8:30 a.m., with a break for lunch prior to the Senate session. Students will be dismissed at 3:30 p.m.

The program runs January through April. Students may serve as pages on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays. Groups can serve together on Wednesdays. Due to limited space, applicants should submit materials as soon as possible.

Students can apply online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/page-program or send a letter to State Sen. Erin Houchin, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Applications need to include the student’s and legal guardian’s name, mailing address, home telephone number, email, age, school affiliation and grade or home-school status.

Selected students will receive a letter and more information about the Senate Page Program within three weeks from applying.

Columbus Middle School employee arrested for theft

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Columbus Police are investigating an inside theft at Northside Middle School.

Sgt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department Spokesman, says employees at Northside Middle School noticed a number of past due notices being received for bills that should have been paid.

According to the affidavit, the issue was brought to Principal Amy Dixon.

Principal Dixon confronted the administrative assistant who was responsible for paying those bills, Michelle R. Rooks.

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Rooks, who served as the school‘s treasurer, allegedly confessed to school officials, and later to Columbus Police investigators that she had been stealing from the school for the past six years.

The affidavit states that Rooks told investigators that when she would make cash deposits, she would keep a portion of the money for herself.

Rooks was arrested and is facing one Felony count of Theft, though more charges could be forthcoming.

A statement from Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp (BCSC) Superintendent Dr. John Quick indicated that Rooks has been fired and the State Board of Accounts has been notified to perform a proper accounting of Northside‘s finances.

Dr. Quick added that since Rooks was bonded and the school corporation is insured, neither the school nor BCSC should suffer financial losses.