With summer right around the corner, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is hosting a charitable auction for the first public riders on Good Gravy!, the park’s new family roller coaster.

Ceremonial first rides will take place Friday, May 3. 

Bidding is now open for the ten coaches of the gravy boat themed train.

Auction winners will take home first-ride certificates, two tickets to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari for a future visit, and will be giving back to a local charity.

All proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the North Spencer Community Action Center.

This charity provides social services to residents in Spencer County, including food and clothing donations, healthcare, utility assistance, and educational programs.

The online auction for first public riders on Good Gravy! Has begun and will run until Friday, April 19 at 12pm CDT.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity and to place your bid, visit HolidayWorld.com/auction/

Soaky Mountain Waterpark officials today announced its 50-acre waterpark, located at 175 Gists Creek Road, will officially open for the 2024 season on May 11 and 12, and then daily starting May17. 

A season pass holder celebration is planned for Friday, May 17 from 10 am to 6 pm.

All pass holders who purchase a 2024 souvenir cup will receive free Coke product refills for the day. Pass holders will also receive 25% off of all food and non-alcoholic beverages and retail purchases and a free pickle with the purchase of a Philly Up Cheese Steak and a free pretzel rod at Candy Cabin.

According to Dave Andrews, general manager of Soaky Mountain Waterpark, “We’re thrilled to be opening for our fourth season. We’ve become a summer tradition for many people living and vacationing in the Smoky mountain region and we couldn’t be more proud. A day visiting our waterpark is always fun for everyone! It doesn’t matter what age you are we have something for everyone.”

This year park officials are adding a Tropical Snow stand next to The Hive kiddy play and spray structure. They are also adding Philly Nachos to the Philly Up Food Truck menu and are slightly revamping Summit Snacks.

In addition to the waterpark’s Edge dueling water coaster that opened in 2023, Soaky has one other water coaster for thrill seekers, endless water slides, a massive wave pool, an adventure river, Boomer’s Bay and The Hive kiddy areas, and more! The waterpark is also planning on having regional musicians performing on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 to 5 pm near the park’s Wipe Out Bar.

Season admission passes are on sale now through April 30 for $109.99 and include one guest daily admission ticket. Starting May 1, they will be $119.99 Daily admission tickets are $49.99 (if purchased online) for anyone above 42 inches and $41.99 for anyone under 42 inches. Children ages three and up require a ticket. Registered guests at Wilderness at the Smokies who rent one of the resort’s three new cabin options (the 4-Bedroom, Entertainment of Treehouse Cabins) will receive a free Soaky ticket with their stay. For details visit:  https://www.wildernessatthesmokies.com/specials-packages/cabins-grand-opening-special/ All the rest of Wilderness at the Smokies’ registered guests can purchase a discounted daily admission ticket for $19.99 at the time of check-in.

Soaky Mountain Waterpark will be open through Labor Day and then weekends in September (weather permitting). For more information visit: https://soakymountainwaterpark.com/

On April 14, 2024, at approximately 6:30 PM, officers from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office swiftly responded to a hit-and-run accident between a horse-and-buggy and another vehicle on US Route 31 in Henryville, Indiana.

The vehicle fled the scene, leaving behind the buggy operators, who sustained injuries and required immediate medical attention.

“Our priority was to ensure their well-being and swiftly address the situation. The individuals operating the buggy were promptly transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Meanwhile, our officers identified the suspect operating the truck that
left the scene,” said Clark County Sheriff Scottie Maples. 

The alleged perpetrator has been identified as Wade Roberts, aged 61, of Henryville.

Roberts was apprehended and remanded to the Clark County Jail on April 15, 2024 for leaving the scene of an accident causing injury.

He is currently awaiting a court hearing.

All suspects, including Roberts, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This unfortunate incident reminds us of the importance of vigilance and responsibility on our roads, particularly where horse-led buggies are prevalent.

Sheriff Maples and the entire Clark County Sheriff’s Office urge all community members to exercise caution and operate their vehicles with heightened awareness, especially when encountering horse-led vehicles.

Every individual’s safety is paramount, and we must all do our part to prevent such incidents.

Sheriff Maples and his team remain steadfast in ensuring justice for all community members.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to uphold the law and safeguard the well-being of our residents,” Maples said. 

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Lutgring Bros., Inc. is scheduled to close S.R. 62 between Kensington Road and Tandy Road on or after Wednesday, April 17, to complete a culvert replacement near Lanesville. 

The closure will take place approximately 2.5 miles east of Lanesville and is expected to take up to five weeks, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows I-64. 

This project is part of a $1.7 million contract awarded to Lutgring Bros. in December 2023. The contract includes two additional culvert replacements located in Harrison County. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving, Inc. is scheduled to close State Road 135 between Bellsville Pike and Reed Hollow Road on or after Monday, April 15, to complete a small structure replacement project in southern Brown County.

The closure is located approximately five miles south of S.R. 46 near Stonehand and is expected to take up to 20 days, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 58 to I-65 to S.R. 46.

This project is part of a $3.7 million contract awarded to E&B Paving in September 2022. The contract includes a total of five projects. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Saturday, April 27, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 23rd nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.  The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.

Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment.  This program is for liquid and pill medications.  Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken.  Needles WILL NOT be accepted for disposal.  This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Unused or expired medication in home cabinets is highly susceptible to theft, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

The Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post 45, 8014 CR 311, Sellersburg, will be accepting unused or expired prescription medication Saturday, April 27, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.