Democrats are crediting Republican leaders with improving the tone at the statehouse, but they‘re slamming the policy results as a “missed opportunity.”

House Minority Leader Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) says the five-percent tax cut deal between G-O-P legislators and Governor Pence represents the worst of both worlds. He contends the tax cut is too small to stimulate the economy, but will siphon off a quarter-billion dollars that could have been spent to help the state in other ways.

House Democrats had backed either Pence‘s original 10-percent tax cut or their own sliding-scale version, which would have limited the cut to people earning less than 200-thousand dollars a year. Pelath notes the final tax compromise doesn‘t kick in for two years.

Pelath and Senate counterpart Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) also contend the decision not to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law forfeited the session‘s best chance to create jobs. Pence and legislative Republicans have insisted on tying expansion to federal approval for using the Healthy Indiana Plan as the vehicle for operating the program.

And Lanane says 70-million dollars set aside for job training in the new budget is a fraction of what‘s needed.

Many counties across Central Indiana are under a flood warning through this weekend and some beyond.

Jackson, Lawrence and Washington Counties are included in that flood warning.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Ryan says in the past week, parts of Central Indiana have seen upwards of eight inches of rainfall. He says the White, Wabash and Ohio Rivers are all within flood stage and could remain so for the next week or two.

Ryan says Indianapolis alone could tie or break an April record precipitation this weekend. Ryan says Indianapolis may see another half-inch of rain which could get the area close to the record 8.60 inches of April precipitation back in 1893.

Ryan says Indy is at currently at 8.23 for April rainfall. He says measurable rain will likely come Saturday through Saturday night. In short, Ryan says Indiana has seen above normal rainfall for April.

For the first time in 60 years, WSLM aired LIVE COVERAGE of the 2013 NFL Draft. The show centered around the Indianapolis Colts and their pick throughout the four hour broadcast.

The Indianapolis Colts spent last year’s draft loading up on offensive talent, so there was little surprise that they would address a defensive need in the first-round.

When the Colts were on the clock with the No. 24 pick, they selected Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner, who was at one time a projected top ten selection. He will play outside linebacker in the Colts 3-4 scheme.

Werner is a hard-working kick that never shuts off his motor.

While he is not elite in any one category, he is an all-around solid player and was one of the most consistent pass rushers in college football just a season ago.

It will be interesting to see if he turns up his intensity and level of play in the NFL, but with his work ethic I would never count him out.

Here are the current draft results:

1. Kansas City Chiefs — Eric Fisher, offensive tackle, Central Michigan 2.  Jacksonville Jaguars — Luke Joeckel, offensive tackle, Texas A&M 3. Miami Dolphins (via Oakland Raiders) — Dion Jordan, Outside Linebacker, Oregon 4. Philadelphia Eagles —  Lane Johnson, offensive tackle, Oklahoma 5. Detroit Lions — Ezekiel Ansah, defensive end, BYU 6.  Cleveland Browns — Barkevious Mingo, outside linebacker, LSU 7. Arizona Cardinals — Jonathan Cooper, guard, North Carolina 8. St. Louis Rams (from Buffalo Bills) —  Tavon Austin, wide receiver, West Virginia 9. New York Jets —  Dee Milliner, cornerback, Alabama 10. Tennessee Titans —  Chance Warmack, guard, Alabama 11. San Diego Chargers — DJ Fluker, offensive tackle, Alabama 12. Oakland Raiders (from Miami Dolphins) — DJ Hayden, cornerback, Houston 13. New York Jets (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — Sheldon Richardson, defensive tackle, Missouri 14. Carolina Panthers —  Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle, Utah 15. New Orleans Saints — Kenny Vaccaro, safety, Texas 16. Buffalo Bills (from St. Louis Rams) —  EJ Manuel, quarterback, Florida State 17. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jarvis Jones, linebacker, Georgia 18. San Francisco 49ers (from Dallas Cowboys) — Eric Reid, safety, LSU 19. New York Giants — Justin Pugh, offensive tackle, Syracuse 20. Chicago Bears —  Kyle Long, guard, Oregon 21. Cincinnati Bengals — Tyler Eifert, tight end, Notre Dame 22. Atlanta Falcons (from St. Louis Rams) — Desmond Trufant, cornerback, Washington 23. Minnesota Vikings — Sharrif Floyd, defensive tackle, Florida 24. Indianapolis Colts —  Bjoern Werner, defensive end, Florida State

The draft is always a treat for NFL fans, so be sure that you tune in and see who the newest players to rock your favorite teams uniforms will be, and stay tuned to FanSided.com throughout the draft for the latest news, rumors and analysis of every pick.

The Dogwoods are blooming and the Dogwood Festival kicks off this morning with town-wide yard sales.

Orleans Chamber of Commerce executive director Robert Henderson says the theme chosen for the 2013 Dogwood Festival is “In Spring, Dogwoods Beckon Us Home.”

This year’s festival begins on April 27 and continues non-stop through May 5th.

Henderson says, the Chamber will again play host with over 40-plus events including the popular Town-Wide Yard Sale on the opening weekend and the main “Fun-raiser” of the year, the Silent Auction.

Follow all the festival happenings on-line at www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com or on Facebook.

Congrats to longtime businessman and hometown barber Elmo Wolfe for being named as the 2013 Dogwood Parade Grand Marshal. The parade is May 3. everyone’s favorite parade.

2013 Dogwood Festival Calendar of Events

All Week

• **First Aid Station – South side of Congress Square first responders from Orleans Fire Department will provide treatment along with a IU Health Paoli ambulance Crew
• Carnival – Congress Square – 5 -10 p.m. nightly
• Photo Contest – OCC Unity Hall
• Student Art Show – Orleans Public Library
• Vendor Arts & Crafts – Congress Square
• Dogwood Festival Headquarters – Chamber of Commerce

Friday, April 26

• ALL DAY-Town wide Yard Sale

Saturday, April 27 (Opening Day)

• ALL DAY – Town Wide Yard Sale
• 8 am 1st Annual Dogwood 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney -Congress Square (basketball court).
• 9 am Baby Contest- Orleans Elementary
• 11 am Fire Department Pork Roast- Congress Square
• Noon Kiwanis Bubble Gum Contest- (Bandstand)
• 1 pm Horseshoe Tourney- Airport
• 1 pm Pet Parade – Congress Square (Bandstand)
• 6 pm Queen Contest – Orleans Elementary
• 6 pm Citizen of the Year – OES

Sunday, April 28 

• 2 pm Tiny Miss & Little Miss Blossom – Orleans Elementary
• 5 pm Little Miss Petal & Little Miss Dogwood – OES 

Monday, April 29

• 4 pm – 7:30 pm Student Art Open House- Library
• 5:30 pm OES/OHS Choir performance- Main Stage
• 6 pm OHS Pep Band performance- Congress Sq.
• 7 pm WUME Lip Sync contest- Main Stage 

Tuesday, April 30

• 6 pm Phi Beta Psi Style Show & Salad Supper- OES
• 6 p.m. Tumble Time/OC Fitness-Main Stage
• 7 pm Acoustic Jam- Library North Lawn 

Wednesday, May 1 (Church Night)

• 4:30 pm “Knitting Witness” – Prayer Shaw Ministry Orleans UMC – Congress Square
• 6 pm Community Gospel Sing- Sponsored by the Orleans Ministerial Association – Festival Main Stage 

Thursday, May 2

• 11 am – 8 pm Silent Auction- OCC Unity Hall
• 11 am – 8 pm Photo Contest – OCC Unity Hall
• 4:30 pm – 7 pm Art Walk- TBA
• 6:30 sign in/ 7 p.m. Game Starts Euchre Tourney- Fire Department
• 5 pm Registration /6 pm Races – Cub Scout Rain Gutter
• Regatta- Congress Square (North Side)
• 5:30-6:15 pm – Sam Vernon’s Martial Arts & Fitness
• 6:30-8:30 pm .50 Caliber Band – Concert- Main Stage
• TBA Local observance of National Day Prayer – Congress Sq. 

Friday, May 3 (Youth Night)

• 11 am – 8 pm Silent Auction – OCC Unity Hall
• 11 am – 8 pm Photo Contest – OCC Unity Hall
• 4:30 pm – 7 pm Art Walk- TBA
• 5 – 7 pm Orleans UMC Ham & Bean Supper-Orleans Ele.
• 5 – 6 Brendan Batman (2012 Dogwood Idol) Main Stage
• 6:30 pm OHS REDLINE Dance team – performance- Basketball Court
• 7 pm Moore Monsters Band – Main Stage
• 8 – 10 pm Pet Monkey Band- Main Stage

Saturday, May 4

• 6:30 am – 9:00 am Kiwanis Breakfast- Orleans Elementary
• 9 am – 12 pm Tri County Tractor Club Classic Tractor Exhibit,DP Grain Parking Lot
• 9 am – 6:00 pm Silent Auction- OCC Unity Hall
• 9 am – 5:00 pm Photo Contest Display – Unity Hall
• Noon PARADE- Theme “In Spring, Dogwoods Beckon Us Home”
• 2 pm (approx.) Sweet Water – Main Stage
• 5 pm – Carnival Rides Close 

Sunday, May 5

• 9:45 am – OCC “Be the Church” Community Clean-up (to clean up litter along the route of the parade and Congress Square
• 6 pm – Vesper Service – Orleans United Methodist Church

Some events subject to change or cancellation due to weather. Main St. Entertainment will be moved to Orleans Elementary, SR 337 E in the event of bad weather.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department  is warning the public of a scam involving fraudulent U.S. Postal Service money orders.

The scammer will initially attempt to make contact with subjects through email.

Once contact is made, the scammer attempts to persuade the person to cash postal service money orders for the company he represents.

The recipient is sent the money orders through Fed Ex or another courier.

The recipient is told to keep about 10% of the money for their services and to wire back the remainder of the cash.

Police ask that you contact them at 812.883.2834 if you encounter a similar scam.

Through its new affiliation with the Indianapolis Colts, WSLM 97.9 FM and AM 1220 is now broadcasting the 2013 NFL DRAFT LIVE on the radio.

Tune in until 11p tonight for NFL Draft action as the top players in the country are picked up by NFL teams across the league.

Ninth District Congressman Todd Young will meet with senior constituents at the Senior Center on Tuesday, April 30 from Noon to 1:15 p.m. to discuss the Affordable Care Act and the healthcare changes that will affect seniors in 2014.

“As we enter into the new world of healthcare reform, it is difficult to understand how the changes will affect us individually,” said Debi Shipton, manager of the Senior Renewal Center at St.Vincent Salem Hospital. “Bringing Congressman Young in to speak to our senior population is a great way to prepare them for the future changes.”

This event is co-sponsored by the Senior Renewal Center at St.Vincent Salem Hospital and the Salem Senior Center.

“We welcome any and all senior citizens in our community to come to this informative talk,” said Gail Napier, Senior Center Manager. “It is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the future of your healthcare.”

Lunch will be provided for all attendees. The Senior Center is located at 1705 N. Shelby St., Salem, Indiana.

At a press conference earlier this week, St. Vincent Salem Hospital announced its CEO Lee Jaeger will be retired this summer.

Dana Muntz, the hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer, will serve as the day to day administrator of the hospital.

The hospital staff was informed about a week ago.

Jaeger’s decision was based on a decision to be closer to family and he will be moving to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Jaeger has worked in healthcare for 38 years. St. Vincent is the sixth facility he has worked for.

While in Washington County, Jaeger, and his wife, Mary, have served on several local boards and committees.

They have been involved with CASA, SOAR,  the Exchange Club, the hospital auxiliary as well as volunteer work for various groups.

Muntz’s new role will help the hospital save money as well as bring knowledge of day to day patient care to the leadership role.

She came to Washington County Memorial Hospital in 2007 as Quality and Risk Management Director.

Board President Aaron Lee said about Muntz, “Dana is the obvious choice for the next leader of the hospital. She works well with the staff and relates to them well. It is exciting to see her come up from within the organization and to take on this lead role.”

Here’s a Recap of Last Three Years at St. Vincent:

Money/Capital Expenses

• Renovations and Repairs made possible through partnership with St.Vincent Health and Ascension Health
• Leaking roof replaced – $250,000 expense
• Chiller/AC replaced – over $300,000 expense
• New Emergency Generator – over $400,000 expense
• Parking lot repairs, landscaping
• Facility Upgrades – with assistance/funds provided by the Hospital Foundation of Washington County, Inc.
• Repairs/replacement of flooring and lighting – in the entry, chapel
• New Carpeting in the main entrance
• Renovated inpatient unit – new paint, lighting, wall bumpers, furniture and ceiling tiles
• Lobby, ED, Chapel renovations

Programming/Procedures

• Outpatient Behavioral Health Program (Senior Renewal Center)
• Wound Care and Pulmonary Rehab
  • Also help the hospital financially
  • Keeps patients local
  • Emergency Services
    • Changed the ED Management
    • Improved services in ER
    • Improved patient satisfaction

• Very successful, well-used, well-received in the       community
• Great service to keep patients local
• Positive financial impact on the hospital

Procedures

• Barryx – treats Barrett’s esophagus (reflux and heartburn issues) – Used by Jeffrey Morgan, MD, gastroenterologist.
• Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation – used by Rizwan Khan, MD – Pain Management physician. Helps alleviate back pain by using radiofrequency waves to ablate nerve endings.
• TIF – Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication — This procedure reconstructs the anti-reflux valve and restores the body’s natural protection against reflux. This procedure is reserved for those with more advanced cases of GERD, especially those patients who are no longer responding well to drug treatments. This procedure is performed by Dr. Jon Noel, general surgeon.
• Lithotripsy – treatment used to break up kidney stones into smaller pieces so that they can be passed more easily. Used by Dr. Larry Strong, urologist.

New Physicians/NP’s

• Pediatrician, Barbara Sagoe, MD
• Family Medicine, Kristen Ingram, MD (at Pekin)
• Warren Balazs, OD – Ear, Nose and Throat
• GYN – Tiffany Hannigan, MD
• Two Nurse Practitioners – Melinda Clark, NP and Sarah Kuzma, NP
• In addition, the hospital shares physician resources with SV Dunn and SV Jennings hospitals
• The hospital has tried to be a more visible community partner for other organizations.

Financials

• The hospital is well ahead of target and in the black
• Definitely a month to month basis in this type of organization, but we have had an overall successful fiscal year.
• We always have to look at numbers and stay on top of the finances, constantly adjusting when necessary.
• Prior to, and through bankruptcy, then post-bankruptcy, the hospital’s financials have continually seen improvements

Earlier this week,  shortly before 2:15 pm, a white 2007 Dodge utility truck driven by Kenneth A. Downey, 52, from Corydon, IN, was travelling south on Crosby Road just south of State Road 64 in Ramsey, (Harrison County).

When the driver approached the rail road tracks that cross Crosby Road going east and west he failed to yield to an oncoming west bound Norfolk Southern Locomotive, pulling several train cars. The train and truck collided and the driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene by the Harrison County Coroner’s Office. His death was due to the injuries he received from the impact of the locomotive. No one on the locomotive was injured.

The truck Kenneth A Downey was driving belonged to the Ramsey Water Company, where he was an employee.

“Forests at Work,” a video collaboration of the DNR Division of Forestry and WFYI Public Television has received a first-place “Best in Indiana Award” in the category of environmental reporting for 2012.

The award was presented by the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). The SPJ awards recognize the most outstanding work of the year in Indiana print, broadcast and online journalism. Submissions from Indiana are judged by SPJ members from throughout the United States to maintain impartiality.

In 2011 the DNR Forestry started working with WFYI to produce the hour-long show as part of WFYI’s “Indiana Expeditions” series. The show aired in April 2012.

“It is evident that great preparation and research went into this report,” said SPJ’s announcement of the award.  “Wonderful storytelling and very informative.”

The SPJ award is the second first-place award the video has won. Last year, the national Society of American Foresters named Indiana a first-place winner for the video as a “State Society Success Story” of 2012.

Copies of the DVD can be purchased for $10 with checks made out to “IFEF-PLT” and sent to “Forests At Work” Video, Division of Forestry, 402 W. Washington, Rm. W296, Indianapolis, IN  46204.