STATEHOUSE – Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann held a press conference Thursday with State Representative Steve Davisson (R-Salem) regarding the expansion of Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund. The U.S. Department of the Treasury identified Indiana as one of 18 states plus the District of Columbia, that had been most affected by the downturn of the economy. Indiana was awarded more than $221 million to help struggling Hoosier families pay their mortgages through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).

“The high rates of unemployment and foreclosure rates throughout Indiana are cause for concern as we emerge from this economic decline,” said Rep. Davisson. “The program expansion presented by the IHCDA will help Hoosiers get back on their feet.”

The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently approved Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund changes, which has broadened borrower eligibility to include:

1. An increase in the maximum amount of assistance per household from $18,000 to $30,000 for all types of assistance except Transition Assistance.
2. An increase in the maximum duration of assistance from eighteen months to twenty-four months.
3. An expansion of the qualification requirements if there have been the following hardships: involuntary and substantial reduction in employment income; a substantial reduction in household income due to the death of a household member; significant expenses related to non-elective medical procedures or emergencies; or military service.
4. Available transition assistance for eligible homeowners with unaffordable mortgage payments who obtain a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure from their lender or servicer and leave their home in a saleable condition.
5. An extension of the timeline for applicants seeking unemployment benefits through the Unemployment Bridge Program on or after January 1, 2009.
6. A  financial literacy education course for monthly assistance recipients and that they engage in approved training, education or structured volunteer  work.

With these program updates, the IHCDA estimates that approximately 10,000 Indiana households will receive assistance over the life of Indiana’s Hardest Hit program.

“Our homes are among our most cherished assets, in which we build a family and create memories,” said Rep. Davisson. “We want to do what we can to ensure that our Hoosiers can make the necessary payments to maintain ownership of their homes.”

The IHCDA worked with the Lieutenant Governor, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network partners to develop a comprehensive strategy to provide Hardest Hit Fund assistance to low-to-moderate-income homeowners whose primary residence is located within any of the 92 counties in Indiana.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mortgage payments and are at-risk of foreclosure, please visit www.877GetHope.org or call 1-877-GET-HOPE – that’s 1-877-438-4673.

The  Salem Police Report the following action and arrests:

• Darrell Milligan, 31, Hardinsburg, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear, times 2, Operating While Intoxicated, Refusal, OWI PER-SE, Operating with a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, under 30 grams, HTV

April 19

• Report of a suspicious vehicle at Sprint
• Report of possible breaking and entering

April 18

• Report of theft
• Report of an unruly subject
• Report of identity theft
• Report of stolen medications and broken window
• Questions about possible trouble at 400 Jackson Street
• Report of threats
• Report of illegal burning
• Report of possible theft on Elizabeth Street

April 17

• Intoxicated pedestrian at Johnny’s Deli
• Report of stolen medicine from car
• KFC reported a possible intoxicated driver
• Report of harassment
• Report of car vs. deer accident

ABC News has learned from Boston police that one of the two suspects in Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings is dead and the other remains at large.

The news comes after a wild shootout between the suspects and police in Watertown early Friday morning, about four miles from the marathon finish line where three people were killed and more than 170 injured by twin explosions on Monday.

All federal agents in the area reportedly have been dispatched to the crime scene in Watertown.

This latest development in the bombing case unfolded after the fatal shooting in Cambridge Thursday night of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer in an incident that was reportedly related to a carjacking.  At the time, MIT officials told all students to remain inside, describing the situation as “extremely dangerous.”

Not long after the MIT shooting and an ensuing car chase, law enforcement officers descended en masse upon a section of Watertown about two miles from MIT.  Afterward, there were reports of gunfire and explosions.

According to amateur videos and the testimony of at least one eyewitness, two men driving an SUV engaged police in a firefight that also involved the suspect using explosives.

One of the two men, identified Thursday as bombing Suspect 1, was killed while the other, Suspect 2, described as the man in the white cap, sped off in a car. Police say he is armed and extremely dangerous. A police officer was also injured in the gunfight and is listed in critical condition.

Meanwhile, police were checking whether devices left on a street in Watertown where the shoot-out occurred were similar to the pressure-cooker bombs that were used in the marathon attack.

Friday’s development comes after the FBI on Thursday released images of two suspects in last Monday’s bombings, suspects they consider to be “armed and extremely dangerous.”

At a Thursday press conference, FBI Special Agent in charge Richard DesLauriers referred to the two men as Suspect 1 and Suspect 2, and said Suspect 2 was spotted dropping a bag before a bomb exploded at the second bomb site. The two men appear to be “associated,” DesLauriers said.

A Milltown man was injured when his dump truck overturned at the corner of Martinsburg Rd and Borden Greenville Rd. earlier Thursday afternoon.

William Walker, was driving a dump truck owned by Triple “S” Professionals LLC of Milltown, IN, down Martinsburg road, loaded down with burnt house scrap.

According to Clark County Sheriff’s Major Chuck Adams, Walker stated at the end he couldn’t stop because he was weighted down. 

Adams said Walker cut right and ended up flipping the dump truck on its drivers side coming to rest in a ditch in front of 20545 Martinsburg Rd. and lost the load in the front yard.

Walker was trapped under the dash and had to be cut out. 

Furnish Towing helped in the extrication by lifting the truck up  bit.  Borden Fire responded to the scene as well as the Pierce-Polk Fire Department. 

Walker was taken by air ambulance to  the University  of Louisville with possible left arm injuries as well as leg injuries, although the driver was alert and was able to respond to police.

ON APRIL 9, 2013, JEFFERSONVILLE POLICE RECEIVED INFORMATION OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN THE AREA OF SPRING
STREET AND RIVERSIDE DRIVE.

TWO SUBJECTS WERE OBSERVED PHOTOGRAPHING THE SURROUNDING AREA.

THE TWO SUBJECTS WERE LATER IDENTIFIED AND QUESTIONED BY POLICE. BOTH SUBJECTS FULLY COOPERATED WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES.

AFTER A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO THE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES, NO THREAT WAS IDENTIFIED.

THE JEFFERSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ALL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE.

The Salem Parks and Recreation Department, “Opening Day at the Ball Field”, is planned for Monday, April 29^th, 2013 at 5:15pm, games begin at 5:30pm.  The event is held at Community Park in Salem.

The National Anthem will be sung by Tanya Webb and invocation by Salem Police Chief Troy Merry.  Mayor David Bower will be making the first pitch across home plate on the Major/Minor field, Jeff Williams on “Williams Field” Tee Ball and Rookie, and the WSLM Weather Bird along with Becky White will throw out the first pitch on the Girl’s Softball Field.

League Directors this year are Rodney Brough Girl’s Softball and Boy’s Major and Minor leagues along with Eric Williams, Tee Ball and Rookie leagues.  Brad Philpott will be overseeing the Pony League

Pizza and drinks will available to the players.

For more information you may call the Parks and Recreation Office at 812-883-2895.

Washington County Sheriff’s Department arrested the following overnight:

• Cory Whitfield, 38, Hardinsburg for Warrant – Trafficking with an inmate, possession of a controlled substance
• Mikel Clark, 38, Pekin for Warrant Theft – Auto theft, habitual felony offender
• William Hutt, 19, Mockport for Warrant Child Molesting, times 2

The Salem Police Department arrested the following overnight:

• John Sullivan, 57, Salem, – Public Intoxication

The National Weather Service is forecasting thunderstorms with the chance for dangerous hail Thursday afternoon in Central Indiana.

Also, there is a Flood Warning in effect for Jackson, Lawrence and Washington Counties until further notice.

There is also a wind advisory issued for Clark, Crawford, Dubois, Floyd, Harrison, Orange, Perry, Scott and Washington Counties until 2a Friday. The wind advisory has been issued because of the Thunderstorms moving through the WSLM Listening Area today.

Severe weather season means storms can do all sorts of damage to your property. A report by State Farm ranks Indiana as one of the Top 10 states with the most losses to wind and hail damage.

The report states wind and hail damage cost State Farm and the state $3.9 billion last year alone. State Farm filed some 23-thousand claims for Indiana making it number seven on the list of damage claims in 2012.

Texas, Illinois and New York are the top three. Spokesperson Missy Dundov says when building or remodeling your home, impact resistant roofing is the best way to reduce hail damage to your home.

She also advises pulling cars, boats, RVs, patio furniture and other possessions into covered areas to minimize impact and flying debris on your property. Finally, Dundov says if you have storm damage, always seek out reputable roofing contractors that are licensed or bonded.

Also make sure they‘re listed with the National Roofing Contractors Association.

 At least five to 15 people were killed and more than 160 wounded when a large fertilizer plant explosion rocked a small Texas town late Wednesday, destroying dozens of homes under a cloud of toxic smoke, police said. 

Between three and five firefighters were still missing, Waco, Texas, police Sgt. William Patrick Swanton told reporters early Thursday.

Fiery explosions at a Texas fertilizer plant in a small town north of Waco Wednesday evening sent about 120 people to hospitals and apparently destroyed dozens of homes and businesses.

Area hospitals reported treating slightly more than 120 people injured by the blasts.

Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Gail Scarborough had earlier put the number of injured near the plant even higher — 200 people, 40 of them critically.

ABC News has not confirmed any deaths.

Besides the injuries, 75 to 100 houses and business were completely destroyed in and around the plant, Scarborough said.

“It’s total chaos,” West City Councilwoman Cheryl Marak said, according to ABC News Radio. “There’s ambulances and fire trucks and police cars from everywhere.”