In November of 2019, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) awarded Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry a grant totaling $7,500 to fund processing fees on livestock donated to serve Indiana residents.
Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, more than ever, families are struggling to buy groceries. Meat provides one of the most important nutrients (protein) that is vital to the growth and development of children and the health of all Hoosiers. Sadly, it is also one of the most expensive and hardest commodities for hunger relief agencies to get.
Food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens continuously work to protect the most vulnerable and under-served in our communities. These uncertain times are putting added stress and strain on many families and individuals throughout our communities and the number of Hoosiers in need has risen drastically. With the spread of COVID-19, these hunger relief agencies are facing increased demand as people lose income due to the measures put in place to slow the spread of infection.
“Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has the opportunity to help farmers and reduce food insecurity by receiving 500 pigs per week. The average cost to process a pig is about $200.00 so that is $100,000 per week that we will need to raise. We are so thankful for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture for helping us meet our community’s needs right now.” said Debra Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.
“We are committed to responding to the needs of our communities facing hunger. The funds provided by the ISDA will pay to process about 6,500 pounds of donated livestock – providing 26,000 more meals through area hunger-relief agencies.” shared Amber Zecca, Fund Development Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.
Two Salem residents were both arrested on multiple drug charges after officers served unrelated arrest warrants at their residence.
Troopers Kyle Taylor, Bret Walters, Eric Powers, and Deputy Nathan Maudlin arrived at 5276 West Beeline Road in Salem armed with arrest warrants for TravisHollen.
Officers made several attempts to contact Hollen, but he did not come to the door.
After officers made entry into the residence, Trooper Taylor located Hollen and Victoria Fauber inside.
Trooper Taylor also observed drug paraphernalia and other indicators of drug possession, as well as three loaded rifles.
Officers secured the house and requested and were granted a search warrant.
As a result of the investigation, both Hollen and Fauber were arrested on the following charges:
TravisHollen, 37, Salem, Indiana:Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon – Level 5 Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 5 Felony, Possession of Cocaine or narcotic drug – Level 5 Felony, Unlawful Possession of Syringe – Level 6 Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Marijuana – A Misdemeanor, Possession of Paraphernalia – A Misdemeanor.
Hollen was also wanted for Habitual Traffic Violator for Life and Habitual Traffic Offender, each Level 5 Felonies.
Victoria Fauber, 27, Salem, Indiana: Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Cocaine or narcotic – Level 6 Felony, Unlawful Possession of Syringe – Level 6 Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Marijuana – A Misdemeanor, Possession of Paraphernalia – A Misdemeanor.
Indiana State Police Sergeant Tracy Spencer arrested a Vallonia man on Wednesday after allegedly finding him passed out behind the wheel and traveling with his infant child.
Derek W. Ribelin, 34, of Vallonia was arrested and jailed at the Scott County Jail and was charged with the following:
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Impairment with Passenger Less than 18 – Level 6 Felony.
Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony
OWI – Class C Misdemeanor
Possession of a Handgun without a Permit – Class D Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana – Level 6 Felony
Around 9:50 Wednesday evening, Sgt. Spencer was patrolling I-65 northbound near Scottsburg when he observed a vehicle stopped along the right side on the interstate with its flashers on.
Sgt. Spencer stopped to check, and upon approaching the driver’s side of the car, found the male driver either asleep or passed out behind the wheel.
The driver’s nine-month-old son was standing on his lap, crying and banging on the window.
The child was taken by ambulance to Scott Memorial Hospital for observation and, in a short time, released to the biological mother.
After several attempts, Sgt. Spencer was able to wake the driver, later identified as Ribelin.
Ribelin appeared to be intoxicated, and Sergeant Spencer also observed an open alcoholic beverage container sitting on the passenger’s seat.
Scottsburg City Police and Scott County Deputies arrived to assist, and Sgt. Spencer continued the investigation, which included Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a preliminary breath test with a result of .136 BAC.
Sgt. Spencer then transported Ribelin to Scott Memorial Hospital and obtained an official blood draw.
Officers who remained at the scene also located a loaded pistol in the driver’s side door pocket.
The Washington County 4H Fair will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds July 5-10 if Indiana’s truly “Back on Track” with Stage 5 by then, according to Megan Broughton, Extension Educator with the Washington County Extension Office.
On Friday, May 15th, Purdue Extension announced that they would be allowing in-person events starting July 4th, based on the Governor’s Back on Track Plan.
In order for these events to occur, an extensive list of guidelines must be met, said Broughton in a press release this afternoon.
Broughton will be giving more details Friday morning on WSLM’s Coffee Club program, which airs Monday-Friday at 8a on WSLM 1220 AM and WSLM 97.9 FM.
Washington County 4-H Livestock Superintendents and 4-H Council met to discuss these guidelines and whether or not an in-person fair for Washington County is feasible.
They decided to go ahead with the planning of an in-person 4-H only fair for July 5-10, 2020.
This will be a smaller than usual fair for the 4-H youth to exhibit their projects and animals.
Many restrictions and guidelines have been put in place that will be enforced during the 4-H Fair, Broughton said.
Some of the guidelines are as follows:
Employees and volunteers will be health screened daily.
Employees, volunteers, and youth will wear face masks while on the fairgrounds.
Everyone will be expected to observe a 6-foot social distance to anyone that is not in their household.
High-traffic areas will be cleaned and sanitized multiple times daily.
Everyone coming onto the fairgrounds will be tracked in case tracing is necessary.
Static projects will be judged in a closed setting.
Animals will not be on the fairgrounds overnight.
All shows will be live-streamed so that those at home can watch friends and family members.
All 4-H members will have the option to participate virtually
If at any time the Washington County 4-H Council deems it necessary, a totally virtual fair will replace the in-person fair.
This is also based on Indiana and Washington County being in Stage 5 of the Governor’s plan.
If Indiana does not reach Stage 5 by July 5th, the fair will be in a virtual format.
For further information, call Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-8834601 or email mcbrough@purdue.edu.
HolidayWorld & Splashin’ Safari, the theme park voted the “Cleanest Park in the World,” has a new need for 250 additional employees to help with their new inLine Reservation System and to support their enhanced cleaning procedures due to COVID-19. HolidayWorld officials recently announced in their updated COVID-19 statement they’ll be introducing additional “Sanitizer” stations, a virtual queuing solution called inLine Reservation System, and widespread social distancing initiatives to ensure the safety of guests and team members.
“We’re excited to have a reason to add 250 jobs for this season. We know this has been a difficult time for a lot of families, and we’re excited to add job opportunities this year,” says HolidayWorld & Splashin’ Safari President Matt Eckert.
HolidayWorld already offers several job perks for seasonal Team Members such as a $10/hour starting wage for those 18+, discounts on food and merchandise, an employee season pass, and so much more.
One lucky employee will even win $10,000 this year.
Employee Transportation is also available (though face coverings will be required on the bus).
Seasonal benefits include a personal Season Pass, park food and merchandise discounts, employee parties, incentive and awards programs, free admission to other parks, and more. Starting pay for those 18 and older is $10 per hour and all employees are eligible for two free uniforms.
This season, the park will again offer an Employee Transportation Program for seasonal employees who would not otherwise have a ride to work.
Available at a nominal fee, bus rides will be offered from Evansville, Newburgh, Boonville, Lynnville, Haubstadt, Huntingburg, Jasper, Ferdinand, Leopold, and Tell City, Indiana, plus Owensboro, Kentucky.
“Working at HolidayWorld is about being part of something bigger than yourself. We get to help families make happy memories, and together we work as a team to make that happen every day,” adds Eckert.
HolidayWorld opens its 74th season on June 17; Splashin’ Safari’s opening day is set for July 4.
For more information about seasonal and full-time job opportunities, visit HolidayWorldJobs.com. Please email hr@holidayworld.com or call 812-937-5252 with employment questions.
In addition to the new positions, HolidayWorld is still hiring Team Members as Bus Drivers, as well as for Food & Beverage, Attractions, Morning Cleaning, and more.
The additional measures have also created job opportunities for workers who are 14 years of age and older. Job-seekers should visit HolidayWorldJobs.com to fill out an online application.
HolidayWorld officials plan to open to the public June 17 with 50% capacity, with reserved days earlier for Season Passholders.
In place of reservations, the park will sell date-specific tickets online and officials ask that all Guests come with a ticket in hand to make sure they can enter.
“We want to make sure everyone who shows up gets to enter the park,” says Park President Matt Eckert. “While we know some complexities are going to be necessary, we want to try to keep this process as simple as possible. If you have a Season Pass or a ticket with the date on it, you’re all set to come to enjoy the parks. It’s that simple.”
As part of the phased reopening plan, officials plan to open HolidayWorld first, then open Splashin’ Safari no later than July 4.
The park will also be following a staggered opening schedule:
June 14: Platinum Season Passholders
June 15: Platinum Season Passholders and Season Passholders
June 16: Platinum Season Passholders, Season Passholders, and Summer Fun Card Passholders may visit
June 17: Open to those who have purchased tickets online
“It’s important that we open slowly and safely, so we want to make sure we have HolidayWorld operations finely tuned when we open Splashin’ Safari,” adds Eckert.
This summer, Guests will also be asked to use inLine Reservation System, HolidayWorld’s new virtual queuing system.
To keep queue areas from getting overly crowded, Guests enter the queue from their smartphone, then return and wait just 5-15 minutes in a physical queue.
Those who don’t have smartphones, or choose not to use their smartphones will be able to use a barcoded wristband.
The park will also be making other smaller changes to their operations including 90 Hand “Sanitizer” Stations, increasing sanitation procedure frequency, and adding sanitation processes for high-touch point areas, including attractions.
HolidayWorld & Splashin’ Safari have also added three operating days in August.
For more information about seasonal job opportunities, visit HolidayWorldJobs.com. Please email hr@holidayworld.com or call 812-937-5252 with employment questions.
The Salem Community School Board of Trustees has been given $7.4 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to build safe rooms at Salem High School and Salem Middle School – making it not only the only school in Indiana to receive this funding this year but the only school in Indiana to have safe rooms at all of its school buildings.
However, as Architect John Hawkins explained to the board this evening, the board has yet to accept the money.
He said if they don’t take the money, it goes back to the federal government.
The money amounts to a 75 percent match of federal dollars to build two safe rooms with a total size of just under 20,000 square feet.
The board would have to issue a bond to generate the remaining 25 percent – which totals $2,609,994.06 as a local match for an 11,072 square foot addition to the high school.
The 7,100 square foot addition to the middle school would require a local match of $2,403.587.88.
The project could cost the average homeowner less than $20 a year for seven years and a farmer with 100 acres of agricultureal land approximately $65.79 per year.
The board met in a 90-minute executive session followed by a 60-minute special public session.
John Hawkins of Kovert Hawkins Groups spoke to the board and detailed plans for two new safe rooms at Salem Community Schools that could take advantage of over $7 million in federal funding.
Board president Rodney Brough said more special meetings might be scheduled over the summer as needed.
The meeting was open to the public and also streamed live on WSLM’s social media page and a live feed from the school.
New Superintendent Jon Acton said there’s already been a victory just to get the award.
“This is for the community,” said Acton. “These rooms have the capacity not just to protect our children but to protect the residents of Salem.”
The Bradie M. Shrum safe room became the first of its kind in Indiana for a school district when it was applied for in 2013 and constructed and then opened in 2017.
The safe room has hurricane-proof windows, thick walls and is able to handle an EF-5 tornado (as well as a missile strike) while still appearing to be a traditional classroom.
It’s able to withstand storms that traditional schools and buildings aren’t built for, despite being up to code.
“When we received the grant for the first safe room, we felt it should go to the elementary school because it was the building with the most students – but had always hoped we could add additional spaces in the future,” said board member Rebecca White.
She said FEMA notified the school last summer they were among eight other entities that would receive over $17 million in grants.
Sub-application
Submitted Fed Share
Camp ToPeNeBee Shelter Plan
$ 458,325.00
Indiana County MHMP Updates – PDMC 18
$ 291,867.00
Salem High School Safe Room
$ 3,879,644.25
City of Decatur Flood Acquisition
$ 660,204.00
Morgan County Acquisition
$ 1,820,550.00
City of Greenwood Acquisition
$ 2,690,826.18
City of Fort Wayne Flood Acquisition
$ 347,424.00
Salem Middle School Safe Room
$ 3,614,700.00
St. Joseph County Acquisition
$ 2,199,580.49
Indiana Management Cost Application – PDMC 18
$ 1,596,312.00
Total Submitted Fed Share
= $17,559,432.92
“This is an incredible situation to be in where you have already received the first safe room in the whole state of Indiana,” said White. “Now you have been selected as the only school in the 2019-20 round of grants and we could potentially become the only school in Indiana to have them at all of our schools. When I was elected to the school board, my number one goal was to make sure our students received a quality education and were safe. These rooms would not only protect our students but their families as well.”
Hawkins said the rooms would be designed to meet FEMA standards but could be used for other things during the remainder of the day.
The high school safe room was based on previous plans for a high school band and choir room.
Those plans were abandoned by the board over a year ago.
The middle school safe room would be designed as a multi-purpose room that could be used for additional events that the current auditorium cannot be used for.
Hawkins said they initially designed it to include a small kitchen and restrooms and those could be open for sporting events, as well as other afterschool uses.
Board member Ron Haendiges questioned why other schools do not receive these grants and Hawkins said they are not well known and they take a tremendous amount of time to complete.
Hawkins said he has spent hundreds of hours compiling the information to submit to FEMA, utilizing not only information from the school but from the city and county and from River Hills Economic Development District and from architect Larry Timperman.
Haendiges also questioned Hawkins on when the absolute deadline would be for the board to accept the money without losing it.
Hawkins said the project was estimated to be completed by May 2021 and the board would need to approve the project at the June board meeting.
“We would be able to meet the timeline with approval at the June meeting, after June it would be getting iffy and past the July meeting, there’s no way,” said Hawkins.
The board asked if there was any variation in the plans or if they were final.
“We gave them conceptual designs,” said Hawkins. “We have to meet with all the stakeholders and do a more thorough design. There will be some changes. You could probably change the location — if you decide that you can move the tennis courts in the future, we could put this down closer to Harrison Street. But you wouldn’t be able to move it to the other side of the high school.”
Hawkins said the only restriction on the use of the building was that it had to be open to the public during a time of emergency.
Hawkins said the two buildings would be able to hold about 1200 people in each (he said about 5 square feet per person) and would be open to anyone who lived within a five-minute radius of the schools.
“The building code actually allows you to cram a higher capacity in there,” said Hawkins, because the number of people isn’t expected to be there for extended periods of time.
White, who is also a member of the Washington County Emergency Management Agency, said when severe weather season began in mid-March, the Bradie Shrum safe room had been prepared to be utilized as a shelter in case of inclement weather.
“Because the Washington County Detention Center has been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and that was being used as an emergency shelter during tornado warnings, the board approved using the safe room as the new tornado shelter. We had everything planned out – including being able to take temperatures of everyone who came in, following the CDC guidelines, etc all which was a very involved process for the local EMA.”
Haendiges said there was a tremendous amount of uncertainty regarding the coming school year and the economy.
“I’m trying to get past this – does it make sense to [do this] if we have a potential decline in student population, does it make sense to add on additional fixed expenses,” Haendiges reasoned.
LOCAL FUNDING
Tyler Lovenholtz of bakertilly, municipal advisors, let the board know that their current debts would be completely paid off in 2025, in five years.
A bond for the safe room could be paid off by 2028 if it was initiated in 2021.
This would require the school to generate an additional $235,831 with an increase in property tax of .00514.
A homeowner with a $100,000 home with an assessed valuation of $36,975 would have an increase of $1.58 per month or $19.01 for the year.
One acre of agriculture land would see a five-cent increase per month or 66 cents per year.
A 100-acre farm would have an additional $5.48 increase per month or $65.79 per year.
A commercial or rental property valued at $100,000 would see a $4.28 per month increase or $51.40 per year.
“The total annual payments don’t start to decline until 2024, any additional debt you issue will create an increase in your debt-service tax rate,” he said.
Lovenholtz said they could structure the debt to have minimal impact over the first three years (2021-2023) and start making larger payments as the debt matures.
He said the school had the ability to issue a $381,000 bond this year and a possible $5.3 million bond for the safe room project to be issued early 2021.
It would be paid back in seven annual payments, according to Lovenholtz.
The first three years would be reduced payments of interest only, with the principal starting to be paid in 2025.
“You would see a drop in overall annual payments in 2025 and they would be paid off by 2028,” Lovenholtz said.
He said the school had the option to lengthen the term of the bonds to make the last few years’ payments lower.
Those with tax caps in the City of Salem would not see any increase.
If the assessed values were raised, then there would be an increase in those property taxes.
“They could see an impact based on that,” Lovenholtz said.
Board member Mark Abbott said, “The residents of the city were just reassessed and those increased significantly due to projects done throughout the county – the jail project and the courthouse renovations. My concern, with those assessments going up and those taxes capped, do you think those assessments would go up again if a project of this magnitude was added to the current tax rate?”
“Well, as far as the caps and the circuit breaker protections, that really is a per-parcel assessment,” Lovenholtz said. “We haven’t done that here but we’d be willing to have a third party run some numbers and projections and we can see how that would impact the taxpayers in general.”
Lovenholtz said the interest rate would be one percent above the current interest rate at the time of issuance.
“These are based on current rates plus one percent,” said Lovenholtz. “We would be looking at about 2.61 percent and for the larger project, we would be looking at 2.41 percent based on current rates.”
There would need to be several school board meetings and hearings before the project is completed, all with public input.
However, there would not be a referendum on the project if the total local match was kept below $5,350,000.
CHANGES IN ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS
The board approved changes in administrative positions at the beginning of their special meeting.
Jerry Hickey, who was moved last school year to the principal position of Bradie M. Shrum, has been returned to assistant principal at the high school.
Kevin Albertson, who had been an assistant principal at the high school is being moved to principal at the middle school.
Brent Miller will serve as assistant principal of the middle school.
Jen Lawyer, who is currently the middle school principal, is being moved to the position of principal of the elementary school.
Clinton Blankenbaker will be moved from the middle school to be an assistant principal at the elementary school.
Nicole Coldwell will be an assistant principal at the elementary school.
Troy Albert will remain as principal at the high school.
Acton said the positions would change effective July 1.
Brent Minton, former principal at the elementary school, will remain in an administrative role at the superintendent’s office.