Monon South Trail to Cross Five Counties, Eight Communities in Southern Indiana

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb recently announced in his 2023 State of the State address that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will award $29.5 million to acquire and begin development of the 62.3-mile Monon South Trail spanning five counties in Southern Indiana.

The bike and walking trail will start in New Albany and pass through Borden, New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Saltillo, Orlean and end between Mitchell and Bedford. 

Salem is home of the Depot Railroad Museum and the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society’s World Headquarters. 

Once fully constructed, the trail will be the longest contiguous recreational trail in Indiana.

“Indiana is continuing to blaze new trails in conservation and outdoor recreation – and today, we’re excited to announce we’re blazing our longest trail yet, connecting communities across Southern Indiana,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The Monon South Trail will preserve a piece of our Hoosier history while promoting quality of place in our rural communities.”

The Monon South Trail will follow the route of the historic Monon Railroad beginning in New Albany and running through the communities of Borden, New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Saltillo, Orleans and Mitchell. This route includes portions of Floyd, Clark, Washington, Orange and Lawrence counties.

As part of the state’s Next Level Trails initiative, the DNR led acquisition negotiations with CSX Transportation (CSXT), working in cooperation with New Albany and Radius Indiana. Next Level Trails will fund the purchase of the corridor on behalf of New Albany and Radius Indiana for the combined sum of $5.5 million. New Albany will own and manage the portion of the trail in Floyd County. Radius Indiana will be responsible for the trail in Clark, Washington, Orange and Lawrence counties.

To jumpstart the trail’s development, the DNR will grant the partners an additional $24 million in Next Level Trails funding to begin design, engineering and construction of portions of the trail.

Approximately 440,000 people live within 10 miles of the trail’s path.

“Across the region, our community leaders see how quality of place translates to economic opportunity for our residents and our businesses,” said Jeff Quyle, president and CEO of Radius Indiana, an economic development partnership representing eight counties in Southwest Central Indiana. “Through the development of the Monon South Trail, we are transforming the historic economic engine of rail into a future-focused economic engine of a trail that will help us attract new talent and business to the state. We’re thankful for the state’s partnership and dedication to make this happen for Southern Indiana.”

“It continues to be an exciting time to live in New Albany. The new Monon South Trail brings fresh connections to our river city and for our neighbors throughout the region,” said New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan. “When our state, regional and local partners join together, great things can happen. We appreciate Governor Holcomb, his staff, and Radius Indiana for bringing this historic project home to Southern Indiana.”

The corridor follows a road survey commissioned by the Indiana Internal Improvements Act of 1836. In 1847, the Indiana General Assembly authorized a private railroad to build upon the route, and Governor James Whitcomb signed a proclamation chartering the New Albany and Salem Railroad. By 1854, the railroad was complete from New Albany to Michigan City. In 1956, the railroad officially adopted the iconic Monon Railroad name. 

CSXT, a successor to the Monon Railroad, last operated trains on this section of the line in 2008 and abandoned the rail line in 2018. Under a process known as railbanking, New Albany and Radius petitioned to negotiate with CSXT to acquire the out-of-service rail corridor for use as a recreational trail.

As part of the governor’s Next Level Connections initiative, Next Level Trails is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. The $150 million program is administered by the DNR and enables much needed trail connections within and between Hoosier communities.

In addition to the Monon South Trail, Next Level Trails has awarded nearly $120 million in grants to 73 projects across the state. To date, 15 projects are complete totaling 50 miles of new trail open to the public. As part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda, the governor has proposed an additional $50 million in the state budget to be directed to Next Level Trails.

“The Monon South Trail represents Indiana’s history and our future,” said DNR director Dan Bortner. “I’m thankful for our partners with the City of New Albany and Radius Indiana for helping chart this path forward for these communities across Southern Indiana.”

View progress on other Next Level Trails projects at on.IN.gov/NextLevelTrails

There will be a planning session to be held for the upcoming Orleans Dogwood Festival on Tuesday, January 24 at 6p at the Orleans Town Hall. 

All general event past chairs are invited to attend as well as anyone who would like to help with this year’s festival. 

Organizations who would like to help sponsor the festival are asked to send a representative to the meeting. 

The 53rd Annual Dogwood Festival is tentatively set for April 22-23.

For more information, contact the Orleans Chamber of Commerce at 812-865-9930.

City of Salem Mayor Justin Green talked about several upcoming projects on a recent episode of WSLM’s COFFEE CLUB morning show.

Green said the two projects included Phase 1 of a water line replacement project and road improvement project, both set for Main Street between the CVS/Papa John’s Intersection of Main and Hackberry all the way to the South Gate of the Square. 

The mayor said work had been done and will continue to be done in five areas — Main Street water improvements, water meter replacement and road improvements in 2023.

Green said wastewater improvements and the water treatment plant renovations had already been completed. 

“Together, these projects represent a substantial improvement to the city’s infrastructure systems,” said Green. “Each is much needed. Not only are they enhancing the quality of life for our residents today, they will position Salem for future growth residentially and business-wise.”

Many of the waterlines in Salem’s system are original and are more than decades old. The waterlines along Main Street between the stoplight and square will be improved beginning in early 2023.

The project will result in increased water pressure for optimal efficiency, increased capacity throughout the system, and advancements to fire flow capabilities.

“The City Council and Clerk-Treasurer have worked together to secure funding for this project,” said Mayor Green, noting the city was able to utilize a portion of federal American Recovery Act funds. “That means this project will be paid for without the need to borrow money.” 

Green said when the Indiana Department of Transportation was working on the State Road 56 West project, they were rebuilding everything in the intersection.

He said this included a new water line Tee.

“We’re going to go off the new T to the south gate of the square,” he said. “This will be an $800,000 project.”

He said the projects helps address aged infrastructure around the city. “The main trunk will be replaced. We still have wooden lined sewers that are functioning. These are very old and some are fine…some are not. The size….it’s undersized. And so we have several projects over the years to address these items.” 

Green said South Main will be done in another project. 

PHASE 1 of the highway project will follow the same path — from the CVS intersection to the south gate of the square.

“We’re getting a federal highway grant for road, curb, gutter, sidewalk upgrades. We have to get the water lines, storm sewers, done before that. This is going to a $1.5 million project and we have contributed pennies on the dollar for this,” said Green.

Green said the road project will start after the water line project is finished and wanted to emphasize to the public that the projects will not require road closures.

“There will be some flagging and some tight lanes, but Main Street will remain open,” said Green. “That goes to the merchants. I was very adamant we cannot block the merchants storefronts on the square.”

Also, a GIS-based system will be installed in 2023 that will mark, record, and digitize every valve, line, and fitting in the city’s water system. That will make any future issues very easy to pinpoint and quickly address.

Salem water customers received new water meters in another upgrade. That change included a digital, radio-based system which is more accurate and efficient than the previous one. 

Green said the City of Salem is making great strides when it comes to water utilities with the completion in recent years of both a new water treatment plant and upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility.

Both are highly efficient, state-of-the-art plants with enhanced capacity and reliability that replaced decades-old facilities. 

“Utility upgrades are important for our residents,” noted Mayor Green. “These new facilities have enhanced safety and ensure the city is in complete compliance with new wastewater treatment mandates, specifically involving phosphorus.

As part of the water projects, the Reservoir Hill water distribution booster station was improved which led to greater efficiency. Now, the city has five updated storage tanks throughout the community which is expected to meet needs for the next 50 years.

“I’m thankful for the community’s support; our applications keep getting awarded,” said Mayor Green, noting this level of improvement wouldn’t be possible without the state partnership. “INDOT is pleased with what we are doing in Salem.”

Mayor Green said the city has benefited greatly from a partnership with the state. This has allowed the city to undertake water and wastewater improvements on State Road 56 at the same time INDOT did road reconstruction and bridge replacement.

“None of these projects would have been possible without an active and involved city government committed to making Salem the best city it can be,” said Mayor Green. “We need to be aggressive and challenged always to improve our great city. Salem is headed in a great direction and I’m proud to work with all involved to continue moving into the future.” 

Green also said he would like to continue with more improvement at Lake Salina and said a Phase 2 of the water line project and street project will continue on Main Street in the next few years. 

He said those projects have been awarded and are in the engineering phases. 

 Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Arts Commission today announced details for the 2023 Hoosier Women Artists Exhibition and began accepting submissions. 

“Every year I look forward to showcasing the work of talented Hoosier women in my office and across the Statehouse,” Lt. Gov. Crouch said. “I am excited to see what unique pieces are submitted this year and to celebrate the artists behind them.” 

Established in 2008, the Hoosier Women Artists Exhibition celebrates the importance of art and creativity in Hoosier communities and highlights the work of talented female artists throughout Indiana. Selected designees will have their artwork displayed in the offices of female elected officials at the Indiana Statehouse and at the Governor‘s Residence.

Submissions are open from Monday, Jan. 9 to Friday, Feb. 3 and can be made through the Indiana Arts Commission’s Online Application System. 

A reception will be held March 29, 2023 at the Indiana Statehouse to honor and showcase the selected artists. 

For more information on the program and eligibility requirements, visit https://www.in.gov/lg/ask-suzanne/hoosier-women-artists/.

Dara Little, 35, of Mitchell, Indiana, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of wire fraud.

According to court documents, in May of 2014, Dara Little was hired as the Executive Director of Nursing at a senior living facility in Bedford, Indiana. As part of her role, Little had access to a web-based platform used to submit business expense reimbursement requests. In January 2016, Little was fired for timesheet fraud and theft of prescription medicine, however, her access to the reimbursement request platform was not immediately disabled.

In January 2016, after she was fired, Little submitted 24 expense reimbursement requests totaling more than $58,770. The reimbursement requests contained forged and falsified receipts that had no connection to Little’s employment at the senior living facility. For example, Little submitted a receipt for $3,923.00 worth of “small furniture purchases” purportedly made at an Ashley Furniture location in Cincinnati that does not actually exist. Little continued to make reimbursement requests for expenses such as dishwasher maintenance, locksmith services, iPads, and baby strollers for five months after her termination. Little’s expense reimbursement request account was deactivated in September 2016.

The day after Little’s access to the expense reimbursement request was terminated, Little began using another employee’s account to submit more fraudulent reimbursement requests. As she did with her own account, Little submitted requests that contained forged and falsified receipts.

Between September 2016 and March 2021, Little submitted 172 fraudulent reimbursement requests using the other employee’s account and, as a result, received more than $173,900 in payments from her former employer to which she was not entitled.

The fraudulent requests she submitted included receipts from a Nando’s Chicken in England, a California Shoe Store, and a cheerleading uniform.

The receipt picture that Little used from Nando’s Chicken went viral in 2013 after it was posted online and was identified as belonging to the singer, Beyonce. 

In October 2017, Little also began to use yet another employee’s account to submit fraudulent reimbursement requests to her former employer that contained forged and falsified receipts.

Between October 2017 and March 2021, Little submitted 155 additional fraudulent reimbursement requests with the second employee’s account and, as a result, received more than $161,000 in payments to which she was not entitled.

The fraudulent requests she submitted included the same receipt from Nando’s Chicken over 58 times, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Men’s Wearhouse, and a Kid’s First Chemistry Set.

Investigators searched Little’s cell phone and found a note in which she admitted to stealing over $400,000 from her former employer over the course of five years, how the money was stolen, and what personal expenses the stolen funds paid for. 

Little stole a total of more than $419,542 from her former employer.

“For over five years, the defendant repeatedly defrauded her former employer through lies and forged documents,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our office will continue to prioritize prosecutions of fraud schemes that have lasting impacts on businesses and individuals. I commend the work of the FBI and prosecutors in our office to untangle this long string of embezzlement, proving once again that those who chose to violate the law in service of their greed will be held accountable for their crimes.”

“Ms. Little intentionally sought to personally benefit by diverting funds that were not her own to line her own pocket. This sentence should send a clear message to others who might consider doing the same,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Middleton. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to identify and investigate those who choose to enrich themselves at the expense of others.”

The FBI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Little be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following her release from federal prison. Little has also been ordered to pay the full amount of $419,542.45 in restitution.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kate Olivier, who prosecuted this case.