United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Indiana Michael Dora today announced that the Town of West Terre Haute and the City of Salem have been awarded federal funding to improve rural water infrastructure.  USDA is investing in 40 projects in 20 states to improve rural water infrastructure.

The City of Salem was awarded USDA funds of $1,895,000 loan to improve the city’s water system. 

The water system is under an Agreed Order with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for water quality violations and does not meet the capacity requirements of the Recommended Standards for Water Works.

In addition, many system components are beyond their useful life. These factors pose a safety risk to employees and a health risk to customers.

The project will address these health and sanitary issues by optimizing the treatment process to meet water quality regulations and replacing equipment and treatment components to achieve safety, health and capacity requirements defined by regulatory standards.

The project was previously awarded a $12,888,000 loan leveraged with an applicant contribution of $383,169.

 “The two Indiana projects will have a positive impact on the rural residents, businesses, and the communities as a whole,” said Dora.  “Modern community infrastructure is a foundation for enhanced quality of life and prosperity in the rural Hoosier State.”

The Town of West Terre Haute was awarded USDA funds of $237,000 loan and $540,500 grant to provide additional funding to upgrade meters, lines, and mains.  The project was previously awarded $4 million in loans and grants leveraged with an applicant contribution of $83,500.

Nationwide, USDA is investing $82 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Rural communities, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems. The projects must be in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

USDA is announcing investments in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

Watch pioneer demonstrations, including blacksmithing, tomahawk throwing, and the operation of an oxen-powered 1850 haypress, during O’Bannon Woods State Park’s Memorial Day
Weekend events May 25th and 26th. 

Activities take place at Hickory Hollow Interpretive Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other activities will include a “primitive dunking booth,” and demonstrations of leather working,
weaving, quilting and spinning. Visitors can also see a pioneer home, trappers shed and cooper shop all while listening to live music.

The haypress demonstration is at 1 p.m. Visitors can meet Forest and Gump, the park’s short-horned oxen who are trained to work the haypress.

On Monday, May 27 th , there will be viewing only of the Pioneer Farmstead and Haypress.

The event is free after paying the regular park gate entrance fee of $7 per in-state vehicle and $9 per out-of-state vehicle.

Other weekend events include the opening days for Wyandotte Caves and the Aquatic Center.

The next living farmstead and haypress demonstration will be July 6 & 7.

This morning before 10:00 am, the Indiana State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on US 31, just north of Seymour, Indiana that claimed the life of a Seymour woman.

The initial investigation by Sergeant Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police-Versailles District Crash Reconstruction Team, indicated that a blue 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, being driven by Debra J. Wetzel, age 61, Seymour, IN was southbound on US 31, just south of County Road 700 North.

For an unknown reason, Wetzel’s vehicle left the west side of the roadway.  Wetzel’s vehicle then crossed back across both lanes before leaving the east side of the roadway. 

After leaving the roadway, Wetzel’s vehicle struck a tree before coming to a stop. 

Wetzel sustained fatal injuries in the crash.  She was pronounced deceased upon arrival at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

The investigation determined that Wetzel was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.  Toxicology results are pending but neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected as being factors in the crash.

Sgt. Wheeles was assisted by Troopers Seth Davidson and Chris Lockman, Jackson County Sheriff Rick Meyer, Jackson County EMS, Seymour Fire Department, Redding Township Fire Department, Jackson County Coroner’s Office, and 31 Wrecker Service.