French Lick Resort marked the start of construction on a $15.5 million expansion of its event center with a groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning.

The expansion, which is expected to open in January of 2015, will connect to the resort’s existing 109,000-square-foot conference and event center at 8670 W. Ind. 56.

New construction is expected to include more than 58,000 square feet.

The event center expansion will include eight breakout rooms and a 22,000-square-foot ballroom. The ballroom will include three sections so it can be configured in different ways.

Financing for the $15.5 million expansion includes $9.3 million available through the New Markets Tax Credit Program. That’s a U.S. government program that allows investors to receive credits on their federal income tax returns for putting money into projects located in low-income communities.

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank provided New Markets Tax Credit funding for the event center expansion. French Lick Resort financed the rest of the project, according to Robert Santa, its chief financial officer.

“It opens up a whole new group of companies that we can serve,” said Steve Ferguson, chairman of French Lick Resort’s parent company, Bloomington-based Cook Group.

Washington County may be running low on money to pay public defenders.

Circuit Judge Larry Medlock has requested an additional $10,000 to pay for the attorneys but the Washington County Council tabled the request.

The request was tabled after a recommendation from County Attorney Mark Clark, who also serves as a public defender.

Clark told the council that because of the county’s tight financial situation and possible outstanding bills the county needs to pay they should wait.

He also advised the council that public defenders might need to stop working on cases until after the first of the year. He added the judges won’t like that but the county may have no other alternative.

This year, the line item for public defenders totaled $364,128. Next year, the line item in the proposed Circuit Court budget totals $372,843.

Medlock told the council the budget was running short because of the added expense of a murder trial and appeals. He also told the council that the need for public defenders did not increase this year, but the related expenses to the cases had.

Public defenders provide legal representation to those who can’t afford an attorney.

One case where public defenders have been appointed involves the death of 8-month-old Leelan Crain, who allegedly died as a result of being beaten by his mother’s boyfriend, Jamie Lykins.

Alice Bartenen has been appointed to represent Lykins.

The mother, Casey Crain, was also arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent.

Clark was initially appointed public defender for Crain, but Medlock says while Clark initially accepted the case, he later declined. That is when Medlock has appointed Bedford Attorney Dave Smith to represent her.

The Lawrence County Police Department is sponsoring its 7th annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Security Center on I Street.

All Indiana State Police Posts except the toll road post, and the Washington Fire Department and the Odon Police Department will be accept expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to be disposed of for destruction.

The service is free and can be anonymous with no questions asked.

The only restriction is new or used needles won’t be accepted.

Last year more than 371 tons of prescription drugs were collected at more than 5,800 sites.

Sheriff Sam Craig says prescriptions that languish in the home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.

Jackson County is going ahead with plans to ease flooding in Vallonia despite failure to gain federal funding for the second time.

The county commissioners plan to tackle the project with local funds and work crews, which will mean a slower pace toward completion.

County Highway Superintendent Warren Martin told commissioners that the county still has a $6,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Jackson County and that those funds could be used to buy land for a retention pond on the east side of State Road 135 at Vallonia.

A $250,000 project to install a sidewalk along the south side of Brownstown’s park likely will begin within the next two weeks.

The town council awarded a $155,500 contract to a Medora contractor for the project that is designed to improve conditions for pedestrians, including those with disabilities, in the area of the town’s swimming pool.

Mitchell & Stark Construction Co. of Medora beat out three other bidders to win the contract.