Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced 24 rural Hoosier communities will receive more than $15.3 million in federal grant funding to improve water infrastructure.

“By investing in our state’s water infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for regional growth and prosperity,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch. “These grants are supporting projects that are crucial to rural communities’ continual economic development and improving the quality of life for its residents.” 

The State of Indiana distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities, which assist units of local government with various community projects such as: infrastructure improvement, downtown revitalization, public facilities and economic development.

“The leadership of these grant recipients embodies strategic planning, hard work and dedication to improving their communities,” said Matt Crouch, Interim Executive Director of OCRA. “Proper planning is necessary to ensure Hoosier’s quality of life can grow as we are coping through a pandemic.”

The second round of the 2020 CDBG program begins on August 24, 2020, with proposals due on September 24 and final applications due November 20. Additionally, the suspension of the Blight Clearance Program, Main Street Revitalization Program and Public Facilities Program will continue. Therefore, only Wastewater/Drinking Water and Stormwater Improvement Program applications will be accepted for round two.

Funding for OCRA’s CDBG programs originates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program and is administered for the State of Indiana by OCRA. For more information, visit www.in.gov/ocra/cdbg.htm.

The Stormwater Improvement Program strives to reduce flooding, to cut stormwater treatment and energy costs, to protect rivers, lakes and vital landscape and generate jobs to spur economic revitalization. Types of activities that are eligible for this grant funding include stormwater improvements, as well as demolition and/or clearance. The following communities are the beneficiaries of this program:

Brown County is awarded $600,000 for flood drainage improvements. This project will aid the Town of Helmsburg by replacing old storm sewers along Helmsburg Road, Main Street and First Street with new piping. Storm sewers along the eastern portion of North Street will also be extended along with drainage ditch improvements in several areas. Finally, new street inlets will be installed in areas where none exist. 

The City of Shelbyville is awarded $600,000 for flood drainage improvements. This project will construct a relief sewer for the undersized storm sewer main running through the City. This will help to reduce flooding and surcharge that happens in short, heavy rain events, as well as help reduce residential and street flooding.

The Town of Coatesville is awarded $600,000 for flood drainage improvements. This project will assist in correcting widespread flooding in the town, improving water quality within the resident’s water wells, alleviating property damage and removing safety hazards due to failing ditches and culverts.

The Town of Knightsville is awarded $600,000 for flood drainage improvements. This project will add more than 1,400 linear feet of stormwater piping to the current system, including increasing the capacity of the pipes with new 15-inch and 48-inch piping. Additionally, roughly 1,600 lineal feet of drainage related structures will be installed to help increase the drainage capacity of the current system.

The Town of Oaktown is awarded $600,000 for flood drainage improvements. This project will increase the size of three storm drainage infrastructures within the Town, extends two existing storm sewers and adds one new storm sewer in an area that currently has no drainage infrastructure

The goals of the Wastewater/Drinking Water Program are to protect the health and environment, reduce utility rates for low-to-moderate-income communities and improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth. Eligible Wastewater/Drinking Water Program projects include many aspects of wastewater improvements and drinking water system improvements.

The Town of Bloomfield is awarded $700,000 for improvements to the wastewater collection system and treatment plant. Twenty-five manholes will be coated with a new lining application to address excessive infiltration, and approximately 1,900 feet of gravity sewer will be replaced. Improvements to the wastewater treatment plant will consist of building a lab/chemical feed building and clarifier improvements, among others.

The Town of Chrisney is awarded $700,000 for water supply and distribution improvements. This project will install a new disinfectant residual analyzer at the master meter and new upsized water lines on the west side of the system. Additionally, eight hydrants will be replaced throughout the system, the elevated tank will be refurbished and the water utility laboratory building will be renovated.

The City of Connersville is awarded $700,000 for improvements to the City’s water system. This project will address a general lack of water pressure being experienced in the City and reduce the number of line breaks.

Crawford County is awarded $600,000 to construct a new water tank to supply customers served by the Patoka Water Company. The new tank will be built adjacent to the existing tank site, hold approximately 100,000-gallons of water and stand approximately 110 feet tall.

The Town of Crothersville is awarded $700,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will build a new wet weather overflow main, install an in-line hydrodynamic stormwater separator, construct a duplex wet weather pumping station and force main, modify existing plant surge basins with concrete wall cores and many other key improvements.

The City of Delphi is awarded $596,233 for water and sewer improvements. This project will reconnect 56 services, replace various lengths of two-inch galvanized piping and add eight new hydrants to six different service areas.

The Town of Fountain City is awarded $700,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will replace all the existing cast iron water lines with new PVC lines and replace all the associated water infrastructure.

The Town of Galveston is awarded $600,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will improve water pressure, flows and fire protection throughout the service area. The Town will replace more than 3,900 linear feet of eight-inch water mains and more than 2,500 linear feet of six-inch water mains.

The Town of Goodland is awarded $600,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will replace 3,200 lineal feet of failing water lines and install nine new fire hydrants.

The Town of La Crosse is awarded $700,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will build a new water treatment plant, construct a distribution system, and install new customer meters.

The Town of Ladoga is awarded $600,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will install a wastewater collection pipe and disconnect two newly discovered non-wastewater sources. Additional improvements include rehabbing a secondary clarifier sludge line and adding an influent flow meter at the wastewater treatment plant.  

Lawrence County is awarded $600,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will construct a new wastewater treatment plant and build an activated sludge wastewater treatment system. Additionally, the plant will replace the existing 1970s steel tank.

The Town of Lewisville is awarded $700,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will build a new water treatment facility, eliminate dead ends within the system and replace several water meters. This will improve water quality, pressure, fire flows, reduce regular maintenance and allow for efficient water use.  

The City of Monticello is awarded $600,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will upgrade 4,000 lineal feet of four-inch and six-inch water mains, replace seven fire hydrants, and add eight new six-inch water valves.

The Town of Morgantown is awarded $700,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will improve the wastewater system treatment, add new gravity sanitary sewers, rehab existing manholes and upgrade the sanitary sewer system. Additionally, the lift stations will be replaced.

Ripley County is awarded $550,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will install a chlorine disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant, install an updated contact tank and construct a chemical building to house the feed pumps and storage tanks. Additionally, plant electrical improvements will be installed to include lagoon alarms and upgrading the plant’s electrical system to accommodate chlorine disinfection.

The Town of Universal is awarded $550,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will install a raw water well, build standby power for all wells and the wastewater treatment plant and replace the iron filter package treatment unit. Furthermore, twenty hydrants will be replaced along with the installation of a booster pump station.

The Town of Vevay is awarded $700,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will rehabilitate the lift stations at the high school, the library and Ohio Street, as a well upgrade the wastewater treatment plant.

The Town of Warren is awarded $700,000 to build a new water tower and to demolish the old tower. Additionally, the Town will rehabilitate an additional water tower, build a new well house and convert a submersible pump into a vertical turbine pump.

On August 5th, 2020 Martin County Deputies were called to the residence of 14623 State Road 450, Shoals, in reference to a shooting that had occurred.

After arriving at the residence, a male juvenile was discovered deceased inside the residence. Detectives with the Indiana State Police and Deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office then began an investigation into the events that occurred.

During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that another juvenile male, who had been at the residence, had shot the deceased juvenile male.

The juvenile was taken into custody and preliminarily charged with Reckless Homicide.

Assisting at the scene were Martin County EMS, Shoals Fire Department, Martin County Coroners Office, and the Martin County Prosecutors Office

The investigation is currently ongoing.

United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, Anthony T. Leonard, 53, Clarksville, Ind., was charged with twenty-two counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. His misrepresentations and false promises caused investors to invest over $1 million in his companies, nurseVersity LLC, Versity Edu, Versity Inc., and VersityU. 

“The false and fraudulent misrepresentations and promises Leonard made to unsuspecting investors is shameful.” said Minkler. “His lies and deceit caused a lot of pain and mistrust to the victims while he enriched himself with luxury. His fraud has come to an end and the victims can begin healing from this fraudster’s pain.”

Leonard developed a software product called nurseVersity, which was designed to assist nursing students in passing their nursing board examinations. My

From approximately 2013 through at least 2019, Leonard sought out investors to his companies, and in doing so, made numerous false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises pertaining to the financials of the companies, customer information, and ownership interests.

Leonard also misrepresented his qualifications, education, medical history, personnel issues, and provided many other false and fictitious reasons for needing money. All this was done for his personal benefit.

As a result, investors paid Leonard over $1 million for purported ownership interests and other rights to alleged sham companies. The majority of the funds received from these investors were used by Leonard and his wife for their personal enrichment. He purchased property in New Albany with a lake and buildings. He also enjoyed expensive dinners, trips, and other unrelated business expenses.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and United States Secret Service. These agencies were also assisted by the Indiana Secretary of State.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service, investigates any fraud in which the U.S. Mail is used.” said Acting Inspector in Charge Richard Sheehan. This investigation was an excellent example of a partnership between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, and the Indiana Secretary of State working together to combat those willing to defraud innocent customers and businesses from their money through illegal or nefarious means.”

“Today’s announcement is a direct result of the extraordinary cooperation and partnership among law enforcement agencies at all levels,” said Eric Reed, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service Indianapolis Field Office. “The defendant abused his position of trust for his own personal benefit by deliberately stealing millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors. This case represents the core of the Secret Service’s commitment to protecting the United States financial infrastructure and is a testament to the strong partnerships between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Indiana Secretary of State.”

According to Assistant United States Attorney MaryAnn T. Mindrum, who is prosecuting this case for the government, Leonard could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment, if convicted.

An complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are considered innocent until proven otherwise in federal court.

If anyone has invested money with or feels they might be a victim of Anthony T. Leonard, they are encouraged to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution sentencing demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to partner with federal and local law enforcement agencies to prosecute complex and large-scale fraud schemes that undermine faith in the markets. (See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Sections 5.1)

Today, Salem Community School Superintendent Jon Acton announced the school will delay the start of both in-person and virtual school until August 17 due to a staff member testing positive for Covid-19.

Acton said this employee was not in contact with any students but was in contact with fellow staff members. 

East and West Washington began in-person classes today (Aug. 5) and Salem had intended to go back as well but delayed the start date until August 10 so new Director of Convergence and Innovation John Skomp could help train teachers on the new online learning system. 

“In accordance with state and local guidance, all employees that were in direct contact with this individual are self-quarantining for 14 days,” Acton wrote in a release this afternoon.

“In order to deep clean facilities and maintain the safest environment for all students and staff, we have made the decision to delay the start of school from Monday, August 10th, until Monday, August 17th.  We will begin our school year on Monday, August 17th for both in-person and Online Lions students!”

All activities scheduled this week for middle school and elementary will be pushed back one week. 

High School athletics will proceed as originally scheduled.  Salem’s varsity boys are scheduled to play North Harrison at Paul A. Graves Athletic Field on Friday, August 21 at 7p. 

Acton said the school will provide additional updates by Friday, August 7th. 

“We thank you for your patience and understanding as we execute our safety protocols to create the safest learning environment possible for the students and staff of Salem Community Schools,” said Acton. 

Washington County’s number of Covid-19 cases has dramatically increased in the last week by 37 cases. 

It’s that time of year again when parents get excited and students are looking forward to going back to school! The Putnamville State Police Post would like to pass along some safety tips to help make sure that this school year is safe for everyone! 

Driving Safety Tips 

• ALWAYS watch for stopped school buses in the morning hours and afternoon hours.
• Watch for children walking to and from school and waiting at bus stops.    
• ALWAYS keep your eyes on the road and be patient driving behind school buses. 

School Zone Driving Safety Tips 

• Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits.
• When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.
• ALWAYS stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children.
• Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
• Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, and in school parking lots.
• NEVER pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.
• NEVER text while driving in a school zone.
• Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.   

Walking to School Safety Tips

• Leave home early enough to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of school.
• Use the same route every day and never use shortcuts.
• Go straight home after school. Do not go anywhere else without permission.
• Always use public sidewalks and streets when walking to school. 
• Try and walk to school with other students. There is strength in numbers.
• Teach your children to recognize and obey traffic signals and signs.
• Only cross streets at designated crosswalks.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street.
• Always walk and never run across intersections.
• Don’t talk to strangers. Teach your children to create distance between themselves and anyone who tries to approach or make contact with them.
• If a stranger does approach your child, make sure they know to immediately report the incident to you or a teacher.
• Teach your children to never get into a vehicle with anyone, even if they know them, without your permission.

School Bus Safety Tips

• Make it a habit of arriving at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus.
• Make sure your child stays out of the street and avoids excessive horseplay while waiting for the school bus.
• Be sure the bus comes to a complete stop before getting on or off.
• When riding the bus, make sure your child understands they must remain seated and keep their head and arms inside the bus at all times.
• Do not shout or distract the driver.
• Always listen to the instructions of the bus driver.  

Student Driver Safety Tips

• NO cell phones while driving.
• NO extra passengers.
• NO speeding.
• NO driving or riding without a seatbelt.  

These are just a few safety tips for this upcoming school year.  The Indiana State Police will have extra patrols during the school hours and will have a ZERO TOLERANCE for those who disregard a bus stop arm or speeding in school zones.  

Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on May 17, 2020, after receiving information from Kara Cox of the Sullivan County Department of Child Services, that an eight-month-old baby had been neglected and abused.

The investigation, conducted by Master Trooper Detective Angie Hahn of the Putnamville State Police Post, revealed that a Farmersburg couple had allegedly committed neglect of an eight-month-old baby resulting in injury, and had placed the baby in dangerous situations.

After reviewing the investigation, Sullivan County Prosecutor Ann Smith-Mischler issued an arrest warrant for Nancy I. Sperling (mother), age 25, of Farmersburg, Indiana, and Austin L. Barnard (boyfriend), age 26, of Farmersburg, Indiana.  Both were arrested yesterday afternoon without incident and are being held in the Sullivan County Jail.

Assisting Agency:  Sullivan County Department of Child Service.

Arrested and Charges: 

 Nancy I. Sperling, 25, Farmersburg, IN

• Neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, Level 5 Felony
• Neglect of a dependent placing dependent in a situation that endangers the dependent, Level 6 Felony 

Austin L. Barnard, 26, Farmersburg, IN

• Neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, Level 5 Felony
• Neglect of a dependent placing a dependent in situation that endangers the dependent, Level 6 Felony

Photo 1: Nancy I Sperling

Photo 2:  Austin L. Barnard  

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

July 29, 2020, at approximately 11:10 p.m., Trooper William Clark of the Putnamville State Police Post was patrolling and initiated a traffic stop on a Pontiac Grand Prix at Judy Lane and Main Street, in Sullivan, IN,  for failure to stop at a stop sign. 

Further investigation by Trooper Clark revealed that the driver was a female juvenile and that she displayed signs of impairment. 

The juvenile agreed to submit to a certified test, and failed. 

She was cited, and released to her parents.   

A passenger in the vehicle was identified as James H. Hightshoe, age 51, of Vevay, Indiana.  The Pontiac Grand Prix belonged to Hightshoe. 

The criminal activity was detected and a search was conducted.  During the search it was discovered that Hightshoe had methamphetamine, 4 hypodermic syringes, marijuana, and paraphernalia in his possession. 

Hightshoe was arrested and taken to the Sullivan County Jail where he is currently being held.

Arrested and Charges:  James H. Hightshoe, 51, Vevay, IN

• Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony 4
• Possession of Hypodermic Syringe, Felony 6 
• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor  

Assisting:  Trooper Justin Bell of the Putnamville State Police Post and Officer Eberhardt of the Sullivan City Police Department.   

All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.