Sixty-five Hoosier cities and towns have each been recognized as a Tree City USA by the DNR Division of Forestry for outstanding management of their urban forests.

Sixteen of the 65 also received the Growth Award, which exemplifies a higher standard of excellence for urban forestry management.

“In 2012, Indiana’s 65 Tree Cities planted more than 14,500 trees, removed 15,800 (some due to trees lost to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer), and pruned 45,357. These municipalities are to be commended for utilizing the urban forest as a tool to enhance economic development, environmental health, and quality of life in their community,” said State Forester John Seifert.

The Tree City USA program has been in existence in Indiana since 1984, when Bloomington met the criteria and became the first Tree City in the state. In 2012, four cities were awarded Tree City USA for the first time — NSA Crane, Hartford, Dana and Batesville 

 To achieve Tree City USA, communities must draft and pass a public tree care ordinance, designate a municipal department and tree advisory committee, spend at least $2 per capita for the tree care program, and have an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

 The communities will be formally recognized by DNR Forestry staff during April and May at Arbor Day ceremonies throughout the state. The National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters sponsor the program, which now includes 3,447 Tree Cities nationally, 443 of which received the Growth Award.

Indiana lost six Tree Cities this year, many of which held their status since the early ‘90s. A total of 568 cities and towns in the state are eligible.

 For more information on urban forestry and how to become a Tree City USA, call (317) 234-6568 or email urbanforestry@dnr.IN.gov.

A list of the 65 honorees is below:

*Denotes Growth Award

Coroner say skeletal remains found last week at a remote site in Brown County are those of a woman who had been dead two years or more

Brown County Coroner Earl Piper says mushroom hunters found the remains last Thursday on a ridge in a rugged, wooded area that’s a long hike from a rural road.

Piper says the bones were scattered and the woman’s body had been in the remote area for “a couple of years or so at least.”

He declined to comment on clothing found at the scene and says the woman’s age has not been determined.

Piper says dental X-rays from missing women from the area will be compared to the dead woman’s teeth in hopes of identifying her.

Bloomington police Capt. Joseph Qualters said today it’s too early for them to get involved in this case.

Like in every other case of bodies found in Brown and neighboring counties, Qualters said they have to wait until respective authorities have identified the woman, and “whether or not it might relate to a missing person case that they have.”

“Anything related to us at this point would be clearly speculative and basically irresponsible,” he said.

Bloomington detectives had, for the past two years, been looking for Lauren Spierer, who vanished after a night of partying with friends in downtown Bloomington. June 3 marks the second anniversary of her disappearance.

The search for the Indiana University student seems to remain active in Bloomington. Sunday, local firemen posted newly refurbished signs asking for the public’s help to find Spierer.

“If there is a silver lining to the nightmare we have been living since Lauren’s disappearance, it has been the opportunity to meet so many genuine, caring people from Bloomington who have been unwavering in their support, and committed to helping us in any way they can,” Rob and Charlene Spierer posted on their Facebook page Monday.

A yellow Ford focus ( driver by 17 year old Mathew Brackney) was driving south on West Washington School Road approaching the stop sign at SR 56. 

According to the Indiana State Police, Brackney was not able to brake due to his shoe being lodged behind the brake. 

He went through the intersection of State Road 56 and West Washington School Road and T- boned a semi truck ( driven by Jason Ashton) near the driver’s side fuel tank.  Brackney was not injured.

This caused the semi to cross the center line of State Road 56 and into the path of a Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Rob Brennan. Tanya Sowder, was a passenger in the truck and was thrown out.

Both were taken to University of Louisville hospital by helicopter ambulance.

Brennan suffered severe burns to his body and skin grafts are being planned.

Sowder suffered a broken leg and underwent surgery today.

Ashton was taken to St. Vincent Hospital where he was treated and released.

After the semi hit the Chevrolet truck he pushed the truck off the north side of the roadway and then the cab of the semi rolled over onto the Chevrolet truck, trapping the driver of the truck under the semi. 

The semi caught fire and began to burn the cab and also the Chevrolet truck.  Rescue workers removed the semi from the truck and worked nearly an hour to remove Brennan from the wreckage.

Assisting Agencies were:

Livonia Vol Fire Dept.

Salem Fire Dept.

Washiington Co. EMS

Air Methods

 State Representatives Rhonda Rhoads (R-Corydon) and Steve Davisson (R-Salem) presented a resolution on the House floor on Tuesday honoring the Borden High School boys’ basketball team for winning the 2012-2013 state title.

“The team received tremendous support from the school and community during their exciting journey to the state championship,” said Rep. Rhoads. “I am privileged to honor their hard work, dedication and perseverance.”

 After leading the entire game, the Borden Braves defeated the Triton Trojans 55-50 to win the Class A state championship game. Senior Jalen McCoy scored three 3-pointers and finished with a team high of 15 points.

 Senior Michael Lynch was awarded the Trester Award for Mental Attitude. The recipients of this award, who were nominated by their principals and coaches, must excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in basketball. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance presents a $1,000 scholarship to each school in the name of the recipient.

 “This is the first state basketball title for Borden High School,” said Rep. Davisson. “These young gentlemen have made their school, community and state proud.”

 The team is coached by Doc Nash and assisted by Ray Weatherford and Kaden Nolot.

From USA TODAY

AA resumes some flights; delays remain

A slow resumption of flights came after 5 p.m. ET, but AA warned of lingering problems.

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Former NFL announcer Pat Summerall dies

Pat Summerall was an NFL player who became better known as a network NFL announcer

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Hoosiers having difficulty contacting family in Boston can call designated number-

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security received information from a Massachusetts emergency management agency with the following information.

Hoosiers who are having trouble contacting family in Boston can call the following number to check on them: 617-635-4500.

Please DO NOT call the number unless there is difficulty contacting family.

Indiana Capitol Police in downtown Indianapolis have stepped up their patrols in the wake of the explosions at the Boston Marathon Monday.   

Capitol Police officers were seen with K-9 officers around Monument Circle Monday night. Indiana State Police Captain Dave Bursten says they, like many law enforcement agencies across the country, are simply checking places that could be potential targets.

Bursten says he expects increased patrols among all agencies in the days and weeks to come. He says all departments have been making plans for the upcoming events next month and they‘ll continue to look at those plans to make sure the city is as safe as it can be.

With the explosions near the finish line at the Boston Marathon that injured dozens of people Monday, organizers of the Mini Marathon in Indianapolis are keeping a close eye on things.

Megan Bulla, Communications Manager of the 500 Festival which runs the Mini Marathon, says they‘re monitoring the events in Boston. She says they are looking at their public safety plan to make sure they‘re covering all bases.

Bulla says they constantly update their public safety plan and they‘re in contact with the Department of Homeland Security, IMPD and IFD. She says their plan includes any weather-related scenarios as well as man-made disasters.

35-thousand people will be participating in the Mini Marathon this year, but Bulla says there will be close to 90-thousand at the post-race party at Military Park.