C.A.S.T. in collaboration with Youth First of the Washington County Family YMCA will be hosting the annual Giving From The Heart Afternoon Tea on Saturday, April 23^rd, 2016.   The event will begin at 2:00 pm at The Fellowship Hall at Southern Hills Church in Salem, IN.

This year’s Giving From The Heart Afternoon Tea will bring an added sense of culture to Washington County.  The fundraising event, set to benefit Casting Avenues for Student Transformation (C.A.S.T.) and Youth First of the Washington County Family YMCA’s Youth Development programs, will host an art show highlighting youth talent in our community.  Middle School Students from the county were invited to submit works of art surrounding the theme, “The Beauty Within.”

“We are so proud of all of the youth who participated in the art contest this year,” said Rosie Morehous, Youth First Director at the Washington County Family YMCA.  “For C.A.S.T. and Youth First both, empowering our youth and encouraging their talents are top priorities.  We viewed this showcase as a perfect means to accomplish that, all while creating a fun event for the community to benefit our youth programs.”

The Giving Front The Heart Tea, historically hosted by the Women’s Giving Circle of the Washington County Community Foundation, was originally created by the group as an opportunity to fund grants serving women and children in Washington County.  More recently, the event began to focus closely on efforts to increase self-esteem and resiliency in our youth.  As this prevalent community need took light, it was determined by the group that it would be a good time to pass the event planning over to C.A.S.T. and Youth First.

“We know how valuable the programming of both C.A.S.T. and Youth First are to help build strong and resilient youth,” said Lindsey Wade-Swift, Financial and Program Manager at the Washington County Community Foundation.  “Supporting these two organizations has been very important for The Women’s Giving Circle.  When we began discussing turning over the fundraiser to another group, it only made sense for it to be C.A.S.T. and Youth First.”

C.A.S.T. is an organization that serves Middle School Students in Washington County.   Currently, C.A.S.T. offers summer enrichment opportunities for middle school students, and a tutoring and mentoring after school program to Salem students twice per week during the school year.  Students are bussed from school to the program housed at Southern Hills Church, where they receive homework help from qualified volunteers.  C.A.S.T. focuses on its mission of encouraging Washington County students to grow into contributing citizens with a lifelong passion for learning.  C.A.S.T. also partners with the Washington County Family YMCA’s Youth First Program to have Rocks Life Skills Curriculum delivered to their participants.

Youth First builds assets in our Youth. Through the many athletic and enrichment programs geared towards youth at the Y, Youth First strives to aid our children in being prepared for bright futures by building their 40 Developmental Assets.  The 40 Developmental Assets, an initiative of the prestigious Search Institute, are a set of skills, experiences, relationships, & behaviors that enable our youth to develop into successful and contributing adults.

With the intentions of building assets in Youth, The YMCA and it’s Youth First initiative strive to fill community voids in these areas to provide youth with the environments, mentors, skills sets, and personal commitment needed to succeed.  YMCA Youth First programming has many options to help grow Assets in our youth—from break camps, ROCKs and Jr. Rocks, to the After School Program, Preschool, and Youth Sports and Leagues—there is something for everybody.

“We are so happy to continue offering our important programs thanks to the generous support of our community,” said Cassie Summers-Corp, Executive Director of C.A.S.T.  “Every sponsorship and ticket purchase will go to ensure youth in Washington County will receive a safe environment, positive interactions, encouraging relationships, and crucial skills.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Melanie Hack, of the Raegan’s Voice Foundation.  Raegan’s Voice is a foundation that pays tribute to Raegan Carter, a 12 year old victim of bulling.  On December 18, 2014; in an effort to numb the pain of the torment she had dealt with at school and online, she overdosed on prescription cough medicine.

Five days later, just 2 days before Christmas, she passed away at a local Children’s Hospital. Her parents had been to her school 3 times since August, including the week before she overdosed, to voice their concerns of the bullying Reagan was enduring from a group of girls in her school. No actions were taken by the administrative staff to ensure Reagan’s emotional and physical safety at school! Just hours before she overdosed, another incident with this same group of girls occurred at a school basketball game.

Her family, led by Reagan’s mother, Melanie Hack, is left now seeking answers, justice, and a widespread understanding that bullying is deadly. Their hope is that no other family will ever have to endure the pain and loss they are feeling now.  “Reagan’s Voice Foundation” was started by Reagan’s parents to continue to raise awareness of the devastating effects of bullying, and also to offer hope and compassion to those struggling with thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

In addition to this powerful keynote speaker, attendees will have the chance to view local art from talented middle school students and vote on the People’s Choice Award, enjoy light refreshments, sip a cup of your favorite specialty teas from fine china, and raise funds to support Youth Programming in our community.  Adult tickets are $50 for an individual, $90 for a couple, $175 for a table of 4, and $330 for a table of 8.  Childcare will be provided onsite at our “Kiddie Tea Party” for children 12 and under for $5 per child.

Reservations are required by 4/16/16.   All proceeds will go to ensure vital programming can continue in our community.  To purchase your tickets, or to learn more, contact Rosie Morehous at rosie@wcfymca.org, call the YMCA at 812-883-9622, or stop by at 1709 N. Shelby Street.

Superstar Toby Keith kicks off his “Interstates & Tailgates Tour Presented by Ford F-Series” at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville on May 21 as NRA Presents: Toby Keith with special guest Chris Janson. Tickets go on sale thisThursday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m. via Ticketmaster www.nra.org/TOBYKEITH.

The concert adds to an exciting weekend in Louisville, as the Saturday night show is one of the marquee events of the 145th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits.

This year’s event, which is expected to draw more than 70,000 attendees, is set at the Kentucky Exposition Center’s 500,000 square feet facility and will feature the latest products in firearms, accessories, apparel; speeches by national leaders; and a variety of family friendly events all across the city.

Toby Keith’s tours have drawn more than one million fans each year for the last decade. His fame is bolstered by patriotic songs like “American Soldier,” “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” “Beer for My Horses,” and others.  So there’s no act more befitting NRA’s epic night of live music on Saturday, May 21 – a day better known as Armed Forces Day. Joining him is special guest, Chris Janson, an electrifying stage performer, prolific songwriter and rising country music star. He racked up one of 2015’s biggest hits with the #1 platinum selling “Buy Me A Boat., which was recently awarded Country Song of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.  For more information and updates, visit: www.nraam.org.

About Toby Keith

From his first No. 1 smash “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” to his new album 35 mph Town, Toby Keith has been one of the most consistent self-directed hit makers of his era. From one of his previous collections, Clancy’s Tavern, the lead single, “Made In America,” topped the charts as one of the fastest rising songs in a long line of chart burners from Keith’s pen. The second hit, “Red Solo Cup,” has become the most remarkable and commercially successful country single in recent memory with a viral video with more than 30 million views while having topped the top downloaded country songs charts. The first single from 35 mph Town, “Drunk Americans,” debuted at No. 1 Most Added on both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts; while the current single, “Beautiful Stranger,” has already gained critical acclaim.

At the core of Toby’s unparalleled success is his songwriting, which has powered an astounding succession of hit songs to the tune of more than 87 million BMI performances on commercial radio stations worldwide. In June 2015, Toby was inducted in to the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York City, and he has been honored by the Nashville Songwriters Association International with its Songwriter/Artist of the Decade distinction, is a three-time BMI Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year and was named the American Country Awards’ Artist of the Decade. His albums have sold more than 40 million copies, ranking him among the top-selling all-genre artists on Billboard’s Top 200 Artists of the Decade. Keith is also Billboard’s No. 1 Country Artist of the Decade and No. 1 Country Songwriter of the Decade. His tours have drawn more than one million fans each year for the last decade. This year’s Interstates & Tailgates Tour presented by Ford F-Series kicks off in May with dates scheduled throughout North America. But Toby’s most rewarding experiences, as exhibited in his continual devotion to them, come from giving back. Whether it’s helping sick children and their families in his native Oklahoma through the Toby Keith Foundation and their cost-free home, OK Kids Korral, or supporting US Troops including 11 USO Tours throughout the world, Keith has never lost touch with the most important things in life.

About Chris Janson

Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville singer/songwriter Chris Janson burst on to the scene last year with his breakthrough #1 Platinum single “Buy Me A Boat” which went on to be the 7^th bestselling country song of the year. His current single, “Holdin’ Her” is impacting radio now. Janson’s “overnight success” was built on ten years of honing his songwriting craft and relentlessly perfecting his live shows on the road. His dream to play the Grand Ole Opry has now resulted in more than 130 appearances. Closing out 2015 with a bang, Janson landed on multiple year-end lists, including Billboard’s Top New Country Artist list (#2). His breakout smash “Buy Me a Boat” was named one of the Best Songs of 2015 by the New York Times and is the #7 Best-Selling Country Song of the Year (SoundScan). Janson’s album (Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville) made Rolling Stone Country’s Best list. Adding to the industry recognition, he was chosen as a 2016 Next Big Thing by MusicRow, received standing ovations for his electric performance at the prestigious New Faces concert during Country Radio Seminar, received three ACM Award nominations (New Male Artist of the Year & Single of the Year) and won Country Song of the Year (“Buy Me a Boat”) at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Janson recently appeared on CONAN where he performed “Buy Me a Boat” and wrapped his winter run on the road with Blake Shelton as part of his 2016 Tour presented by Gildan, which played to sold out crowds around the country, including a two-night stand in Nashville.

About NRA

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.

More than 70,000 fans packed the KFC Yum! Center for four Garth Brooks’ concerts April8^th and 9^th. Fans came out in record numbers to support the artist, who had not played in Louisville in 18 years. The two double headers make the first time an artist has performed more than one show consecutively at the KFC Yum! Center since it opened in October 2010.

The concert attracted numerous fans from outside Louisville. The sold-out 7 pm show Saturday attracted 65 percent of the fans from cities outside Louisville and Southern Indiana, including Indianapolis, Chicago, Lexington and Cincinnati, among others, while the other three shows drew more than 50 percent of their attendees from outside of the Louisville area.

“On behalf of Garth’s entire crew, I’d like to thank the fans in Louisville for making the four performances there truly memorable,” said Ben Farrell, with the Brooks’ organization. “We are extremely appreciative to the KFC Yum! Center employees who worked tirelessly to make sure every aspect of the event went smoothly.”

KFC Yum! Center staff spent countless hours planning and preparing for the back to back performances, even staging a mockup event in advance of the concerts to develop the most efficient plan to get fans in and out of the building between shows.

And the support from Brooks’ promoter Varnell Enterprises, Louisville Metro Police, the Parking Authority of River City andlocal media to develop and communicate the plan aided in its success. The result was one of the quickest turnarounds between shows on Garth’s entire tour.

“I could not be more pleased with the efforts of our entire staff to make the Garth Brooks concerts a huge success.” said Dennis Petrullo, KFC Yum! Center General Manager.

“Garth Brooks’ promoter was a pleasure for our entire team to work with and helped ensure every detail was considered in our preparations. We cannot thank the fans enough for showing up in record numbers to celebrate Garth’s return to Louisville.”

Jackson County Police continue to investigate the death of a man who collapsed on Saturday while working for a contractor inside an empty storage tank at Enterprise Products Partners LP.

Police say 43-year-old Daniel U. Sweatt of Henderson, Kentucky and several co-workers had been sweeping up dust and debris on a floating roof inside the tank at the business when he collapsed.

His fellow workers with Summit Environmental Services of Evansville told police that Sweatt had been sweeping and sat down for a moment to rest. He then got up and began sweeping again and collapsed.

He was treated at the scene for a medical condition before he passed away and was taken to Schneck Medical Center. An autopsy was performed Monday and those results are pending.

The business is located at 10197 E. County Road 1000 North and provides energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, crude oil and refined products, and petrochemicals.