“FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.” This FFA mission statement is a testament to our members, chapters, advisors, and supporters everywhere.

National FFA week starts Monday, Feb. 20. It is held annually on the last full week in February. This year it will look, unlike any other FFA week, showcasing virtual “events” rather than Blue and Gold filling the school halls or a pancake breakfast made by members for all the teachers. Our more than 12,000 Indiana FFA members have found ways to still make it special, nonetheless.

The celebrations this week will include virtual visits from Indiana FFA State Officers to FFA chapters across the state. Like every year, this FFA week will also include a proclamation from Indiana legislators who are set to recognize the importance of FFA week and supporting our students. FFA students from across the state will also have the opportunity to learn from agriculture leaders about creating opportunities to tell their story in agriculture and to stand up for agricultural practices on the local, state and federal level with four virtual FFA Advocacy days. Even though this FFA week is certain to look unlike any other, these resilient students have found a way to keep FFA traditions alive.

We cannot honor and celebrate National FFA week without remembering former Indiana FFA Association Director Rob Hays, who passed away last summer. Rob embodied everything FFA is and stands for and is dearly missed in our department and throughout the state. Rob was most passionate about building leaders, something that FFA does so well.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Indiana FFA Association believe leadership development and equipping members with the skills they need to succeed at any stage of life is crucial. Recently we partnered with Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch’s office to develop Indiana’s Rural Road to a Recovery plan, designed to get our state back on track following the pandemic. One priority outlined in our rural road to recovery is to strengthen the pipeline of individuals seeking careers in agriculture. FFA is a great way to get students learning and involved in agriculture-related careers.

Many times I have heard it said that FFA members are some of the hardest working, most eager students on a job or in an internship. I am certain that is due in large part to FFA’s leadership and learning model along with the positive support from advisors and parents.

I want to encourage businesses and post-secondary educational institutions to take a deeper look into FFA members as they are moving into careers or furthering their education. Beyond leadership skills, FFA members learn so much about agriculture, food science, technology and a variety of other disciplines preparing them for success.

I further encourage business and community leaders to ask themselves how they can promote youth education or support their local FFA chapter. Our local FFA chapters and schools need business participation for events and to expand learning opportunities. This is also a great way to establish a connection with the next generation of community leaders, which could lead to job shadowing or an internship.

FFA members exhibit the value of hard work, education and strong leadership instilled in them from the very beginning of their membership and make excellent additions to any workforce or team. At the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, we feel that firsthand because almost half of our 60 employees were FFA members. During FFA week I encourage others to think when was the last time I volunteered with my local FFA chapter? By working together and supporting the local chapters we can take FFA and Indiana’s 12,000 FFA members to the next level.

In cooperation with the Orange County Coroner’s office, all notifications have been made to the respective families of the two persons killed in Sunday’s crash.   

The deceased are identified as:

• Kyndell Bailey, 15, Orleans, IN
• Jocelyn Phillips, 16, of Paoli, IN

Also, to identify the other passengers involved during the incident.

• Keeghan  Jones, 18, Paoli, IN

• Trandon Blevins, 15, Paoli, IN

This crash took place at approximately 8:20 PM Sunday on County Road 500 North.

A westbound 2006 Pontiac on County Road 500 North lost control and left the south side of the roadway and flipped multiple times before landing on its roof in a field.

There were four juvenile occupants in the vehicle, two of which were deceased at the scene.

The other two occupants were taken to local hospitals for treatment. 

The crash is still under investigation by the Indiana State Police.  

Assisting at the scene were, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Paoli Police Department, and Orleans Police Department.

With hazardous road conditions expected across the state during the second phase of a winter storm, several Indiana counties are under travel advisories, including four under warnings.

As the second round of snow hits Southern Indiana this afternoon and evening, the majority of the state is under at least one type of travel advisory, according to the map from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Orange, Crawford, Brown, and Decatur Counties are under a Red warning level status.

Red is the highest level of the local travel advisory, means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only.

Lawrence, Jackson, Jennings, Washington, Scott, Clark, Floyd, and Harrison Counties are all in the Orange level. 

Scott County and its Authority Board of County Commissioners Scott County issued a statement this afternoon that the county is now under Level Orange Travel Status (Watch):

According to Jeff Fortner, this means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public.

During a “watch” local travel advisory, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools and government agencies, and other organizations.

Fortner says only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations is being allowed. 

Yellow: The lowest level of the local travel advisory, means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.

Orange: This means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. During a “watch” local travel advisory, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended, and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations.

Red: The highest level of the local travel advisory, means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only.

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced today that she will step down as Secretary of State. Secretary Lawson has notified Governor Holcomb and will submit a formal resignation once Governor Holcomb selects her successor and the successor is ready to serve.

“I have dedicated the last 32 years of my life to public service,” said Secretary Lawson. “I have served with all of my heart and soul. It has been an honor to serve, but it is time for me to step down.

“Like many Hoosiers, 2020 took a toll on me. I am resigning so I can focus on my health and my family. I will work with Governor Holcomb to ensure our next Secretary of State is up to the task and has the tools and resources to hit the ground running.”

Secretary Lawson was first appointed Secretary of State on March 16, 2012, by then-Governor Mitch Daniels. She successfully ran for election in 2014 and 2018. She is the longest-serving Secretary of State in Indiana history and Indiana’s 61^st Secretary of State.

As Indiana’s chief elections officer, she focused on ensuring the integrity and security of our state’s elections. She championed sweeping election reforms and led the effort to clean Indiana’s voter rolls.  Thanks to her efforts, all Indiana counties now have access to cybersecurity tools to protect not only elections but every county and the entire state from adversaries who seek to destroy our republic.

A tireless advocate for increasing Indiana’s financial literacy and protecting Indiana investors, Secretary Lawson educated Hoosiers about smart money decisions and fought for stringent penalties for white-collar criminals. She directed substantial innovation and leveraged cutting-edge technology to improve how businesses interact with the government by leading the charge on the state’s business one-stop portal.

INBiz is now a nationally recognized portal that serves as businesses’ single point of contact for registration, filing, reporting, and making payments across state agencies.

Prior to serving as Secretary of State, Lawson served in the Indiana Senate for sixteen years, where she accomplished significant legislative success. Respected across the aisle, she quickly earned the admiration of her colleagues and made history in 2006 when she was selected as the first woman to serve as Majority Floor Leader in the Indiana Senate.

Before joining the Indiana Senate, Lawson served as Clerk of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for eight years. During her tenure, she was named elections administrator of the year by the Indiana State Election Board and clerk of the year by the Indiana Clerk’s Association, both in 1993.

As a public servant, Lawson has been a true inspiration to women in government, an agent of change for Indiana counties, and a determined advocate for the prevention of diseases that would rob us of our loved ones.

In addition to her public work, she and her husband Jack own Lawson & Company, an auctioneer and real estate company.