Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Louisville Paving and Construction Inc. plans to close two intersections along S.R. 62 in Clark County this weekend to perform full-depth patching as part of a $4.8 million asphalt resurface contract that began late last month. 

The intersections of Logistics Ave. and River Ridge Circle at S.R. 62 are scheduled to close at 7 p.m. on Friday (July 24) through 6 a.m. on Monday (July 27), weather permitting. The signed detour route for Logistics Ave. will follow Patrol Rd. to River Ridge Pkwy. (eastbound) and Patrol Rd. to S.R. 62 (westbound). The route for River Ridge Circle will follow Patrol Rd. to Executive Dr. (eastbound) and Patrol Rd. to Trey St. (westbound).

Patching, milling and paving will continue along S.R. 62 from just north of Charlestown to S.R. 265 through early October. Nighttime work will take place under lane closures during the week, with possible daytime closures on weekends. 

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent.

Indiana is celebrating the impact of internships and work-based learning opportunities on the state’s workforce and the K-12 and higher education landscape during the second annual Indiana Intern Day on Thursday, July 30.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education, in partnership with Indiana INTERNnet, is encouraging employers to take to social media and other virtual mediums to celebrate and recognize interns and meaningful internship experiences.

Modeled after National Intern Day, the Commission and Indiana INTERNnet are encouraging employers, educators and intern supervisors to fill out this pledge form to recognize interns on Indiana Intern Day. A digital media kit is available for employers and educators to use to show how they are celebrating interns on social media and by using the hashtag, #INinternDay.

Interns are also encouraged to take to social media and share how employers are recognizing their contributions.

“Internships provide the practical experience and professional connections that not only give students a competitive advantage in the job market but also equip students with the confidence and know-how to excel once they’re hired,” said Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Teresa Lubbers.

Indiana INTERNnet, managed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, provides a free internship matching platform for students and employers. It also provides resources directly to employers on how to start or enhance internship and work-based learning programs. Indiana INTERNnet and the Commission partner on the state’s work-study program, EARN Indiana, which provides 50 percent matching funds to employers for qualifying internships.

“So many people found their career or favorite employer through an internship experience, and strong support of interns can result in a positive impression that lasts a lifetime,” said Mike Slocum, executive director of Indiana INTERNnet. “Sharing our stories online is a great way to encourage more high school and college students to find internships in the future, even as soon as this fall. Indiana Intern Day will celebrate a great 2020 summer internship season.”

The Commission is focused on measuring career relevance and preparation in Indiana’s postsecondary programs as it relates to the state’s educational and economic goals, as outlined in its new strategic plan, Reaching Higher in a State of Change.

“We know work-based learning increases student satisfaction and the likelihood of employment after graduation, as well as the retention of our talented graduates in the state of Indiana,” said Lubbers. “Our most recent Gallup-Indiana survey shows almost a third of alumni were employed at a company they’d interned with or worked for during college. A 2019 national survey found graduating college seniors who had an internship are more likely to receive a job offer as those without an internship.”

As of 7/22/20, a total of 90 employers and community partners have taken the pledge to recognize their interns on Indiana Intern Day.

On July 22nd, 2020, at approximately 06:27 A.M., the Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash with injury on U.S. Highway 150, near the intersection of State Road 66, according to Deputy Lucas Gray. 

The crashed vehicle was a GMC Sierra pickup truck that flipped over and was resting on its top.

The driver was identified as Scott Jones of Paoli.

Jones advised he was driving Eastbound on U.S. 150 when the rear tires of his vehicle lost traction causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

The vehicle then ran off of the north side of the roadway and flipped onto its top. There was heavy rain in the area at the time and hydroplaning is believed to have been a factor.

Jones was transported to IU Health in Paoli for a complaint of pain.

Jones was wearing his seatbelt.

Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Posey
Township Fire Department, Washington County EMS, and Wilcox Wrecker Service all responded to the accident. 

Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced that twelve properties will receive funding through the Historic Renovation Grant Program.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars will go to 12 historic Hoosier properties, including two in Southern Indiana.

The Historic Renovation Grant Program is designed to help rehab and preserve historic properties in order to further downtown economic developments.

The Shipman-McCord House located in downtown New Albany and the Masonic Temple for the Clark Lodge #40 Freemasons in Jeffersonville both will receive $100,000.

“Join me in congratulating these 12 business owners for receiving funds from the Historic Renovation Grant Program,” said. Lt. Gov. Crouch. “Preservation efforts like this ensure a future for our many vacant, neglected or historic properties that might otherwise be lost.”

The Historic Renovation Grant Program, in its fourth year, is a comprehensive grant program designed to preserve and rehabilitate historic properties in order to further incentivize downtown economic development. The funding for this year has been exhausted through the projects listed below and the program is now suspended until more funding is allocated next legislative session.

“We are excited to fund projects that stretch across the state, from New Albany to Wabash, both small and large projects,” said Matt Crouch, Interim Executive Director of OCRA. “These projects help preserve pieces of Indiana’s rich history to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations to come.”

Eligible properties for this grant program must be at least fifty years old and either listed on the register of Indiana historic sites/structures, be listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or be listed as a contributing resource in a National Register District.

Eligible applicants include non-profit, individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, limited liability company, corporation, or non-profit affordable housing organization. Applicants with an eligible historic commercial structure can apply for project funding between $5,000 and $100,000 at a maximum request of 50 percent of the total eligible project cost. For more information, visit www.in.gov/ocra/hrgp.htm.      

Each property received funding for the renovation and preservation of exterior features. Such renovations include roof replacement, masonry restoration, repair and replacement of doors and windows, façade renovation, and/or chimney improvements.

KSTD Development, LLC is awarded $100,000 to rehabilitate and rebuild portions of the Shipman-McCord House, located in the Mansion Row Historic District of Downtown New Albany. The 1866 brick three-story building was built with extensive Italianate detailing, representing the city’s mid-19th century prosperity. The property was converted to government apartments during WWII and will remain as such after the renovation’s completion.

Christ the King Parish is awarded $100,000 to preserve the Chapel of Our Sorrowful Mother, an 1877 gable-front Romanesque style church located on Chapel Hill Drive in the Town of Ferdinand. Restoration efforts include restoring and protecting stained-glass windows, refurbishing art glass windows, installing new protective coverings, and repointing masonry.

LCF Properties LLC is awarded $58,908 to preserve the exterior of the IORM building in the Town of Lagro. Located in the historic downtown, the funding will be used for repairing and preserving the windows, doors, storefront, and exterior brick walls. Plans for the building include hosting a business that will complement other local enterprises: coffee shop, bistro, Airbnb, and possible river recreational opportunities.

MH Properties is awarded $39,568 to preserve 706-708 Main Street in the Downtown Historic District of the City of Jasper. The 6,400 square foot structure has undergone several renovations dating back to 1888. The building was utilized as an express office in 1920 with coach buggies built on the second floor. The preservation will restore the building to its former luster showing the pride of the community. The building has multiple tenants including Primierica, Yourstory Photography, and Miligan Communications.

511 Inc. is awarded $30,000 for a roof replacement of 511 Wabash Ave, which is a neoclassical building in the City of Terre Haute. This 1892 building was originally constructed as a bank but in 1993, it underwent a historic rehabilitation to house the law firm of Cox, Zwerner, Gambill, and Sullivan. That firm will continue to occupy the building.

The Lagro United Methodist Church is awarded $45,860 to preserve twenty-two windows, of the Gothic Revival style building built in 1915. The largest windows each tell a story and are titled “Come Unto Me”, “The Good Shepherd”, “Christ in Gethsemane”, and “The Sower”. Early church members paid $650 to have the windows created and installed by artists of Empire Glassworks in Columbus, Ohio.

The Friends of Ward Township No. 5 Randolph County are awarded $7,350 to assist in recreating the missing bell tower as it appeared in the 1891 one-room school construction. Located in the City of Winchester, the building has been under renovation since 2015 and is nearing completion. The restored school will host elementary students during field trips who will experience education as administered during the one-room school era and will also be available for special events.

Jason Long is awarded $18,421 to preserve the Sherman Row House located in the Town of Vernon. This building was built in 1830 and was eventually used as part of the Underground Railroad to assist in helping enslaved peoples gain their freedom in the mid-1800s. Slaves were once brought up from the Muscatatuck River and hidden in the tunnels dug underneath the building. Originally used as a hotel, the main level part is currently in use as a liquor store.

Brandon Denton of Denton Floyd Real Estate Group is awarded $100,000 to preserve the Masonic Temple for the Clark Lodge #40 Freemasons. Located in Jeffersonville, the neoclassical style masonic temple built in 1926, was designed by the notable Louisville-area architecture, Arthur Loomis. It was preserved from demolition by a joint effort between the City of Jeffersonville and Denton Floyd. The property will be utilized as the Denton Floyd Development Team headquarters.

The Children’s Museum is awarded $12,500 to preserve the Stutz House’s tile roof. Located in Indianapolis, the Craftsman resident was built in 1923 for the Stutz family. The Stutz House currently houses the not-for-profit organization, the Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporation. This project will help to continue this use and preserve the historic building.

Dickos Peterson & Metz Real Estate is awarded $68,754 to rehabilitate and revitalize two buildings located in the center of the commercial district of the City of Wabash. Built in 1900, it was originally designed as a hardware store but now houses the real estate office.

Bryan Van Duyne is awarded $8,639 to renovate the Reeve Building, in the City of Plymouth.
Constructed in 1910, and currently a jewelry store since 2006, the existing roof of the Reeve Building will receive new rigid insulation, new flashing, and a new liquid membrane roof.

Signing in to buy hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses will look different the next time you do so because of a new state online portal called Access Indiana.

The new portal is a safe, secure and easy to use way for citizens to interact with all facets of state government through a single login instead of many. Presently, there are 18 services that users can enter from Access Indiana – a full list is available at https://www.in.gov/access/available-services.html.

Individuals who already have an Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) account to purchase licenses should watch for an email from the DNR that will provide helpful login information. New DNR customers will be directed to create an Access Indiana account first, before supplying additional DNR-specific account information.

To prepare for the transition, customers can create an Access Indiana account today at https://access.IN.gov. For help getting started with Access Indiana, go to: https://www.in.gov/access/getting-started.html. If a user needs additional assistance with their username or password, call 800-457-8283, for Access Indiana customer support. The DNR is unable to assist with usernames and passwords.

More information about the Access Indiana portal, answers to FAQs and other helpful information is at https://www.in.gov/access/faqs-help.html.

Indiana Conservation Officers are still searching for two men who were swept away in the White River near Williams Dam.

Conservation Officers along with members of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department responded to the East Fork of the White River just downstream of Williams Dam at approximately 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer Jim Hash says while wading to the island both men were swept by the current 75 to 100 yards downstream and then didn’t resurface.

Indiana Conservation Officers are utilizing various sonar units, divers, and boats to search the area where the men were last seen.

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputies, Indiana Creek Volunteer Fire Department first responders, and an IU Health Hospital ambulance crew are assisting in the search.

Officials have closed the boat ramp to the public at this time.

The search will continue until sunset, and will resume tomorrow morning, if necessary.

Looking for a new career? Want a new career?  Need a new career? If you answered ‘YES’ to any of these questions then make plans to join one of our remaining virtual hiring events.

Of the nine events scheduled for the month of July there are only three more opportunities left to get a start on your new career before July is over! 

Each virtual hiring event is being hosted on Microsoft Teams. An Indiana Department of Correction recruiter and a human resources representative will help answer questions and schedule interviews. The Dept. of Correction has a variety of openings but the greatest need is for correctional officers and maintenance staff.

Participants can learn about opportunities at correctional facilities throughout the state or in certain areas through regional events.

Pick the regional virtual hiring event that fits your schedule:

• North: 11 a.m. EST, 10 a.m. CST July 23rd, https://bit.ly/072320Northern
• Central: 2 p.m. EST July 27th, https://bit.ly/072720Central

A statewide virtual hiring event is being held on July 29th:

• 11 a.m. EST July 29th, https://bit.ly/072920AllDOC

The IDOC has a variety of openings but the greatest need is for Correctional Officers and Maintenance Staff.

Can’t wait for one of the virtual events?  Call or email Recruitment and Retention Coordinator David Wence during business hours at 765-593-1021 or DWence@idoc.in.gov

The IDOC is an essential and equal opportunity employer. All positions are full time, include full medical, dental, vision benefits and pension savings options