Bridging The Gap

11/03/2024

Flagging operations planned on State Road 56 in Ohio County
OHIO COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dave O'Mara Contractors, Inc. plans to begin flagging operations on State Road 56 between Bellview Lane and Thuermer Hollow Road on or after Monday, November 4, to complete tree management work in Ohio County. Tree work is expected to take place through late November, weather permitting.

This work is part of a $2.7 million contract awarded to Dave O'Mara in September 2024. 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.

10/31/2024

Notice of Executive Session
Followed by Public Session
The Police Merit Board of the City of Madison
will meet in Executive Session
For discussion of: IC 5-14-1.5-6.1(6)
With respect to any individual over whom the governing body has jurisdiction.
Monday, November 4, 2024, at 5:15 PM
The public meeting will begin immediately
following the Executive Session
in the City of Madison Police Department,
621 West St., Madison, IN 47250

10/29/2024

Tennessee authorities are searching for a man who they say called 911 claiming he had been chased by a bear – leading first responders to a dead body and sparking a manhunt for the caller.

10/29/2024

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
South wind around 9 mph.

10/28/2024

Henry Co, & Trimble Co. Included in the list of Kentucky Counties to receive Gov. Funds
Gov. Beshear, Administrator Berke: Up To $1.4 Billion Going to Support Rural Communities
Funds increase access to clean energy, education and health care and boost economic growth

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andy Berke to announce that up to $1.4 billion in federal funds are going to increase Kentucky’s access to clean energy, education and health care as well as support economic growth in rural communities.

The Governor was joined in the Capitol Rotunda by Tony Campbell, president and CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC); Jody Hughes, vice chairman of the cooperative’s board; and USDA Rural Development, Kentucky State Director Thomas Carew.

First, Administrator Berke said EKPC will be eligible to receive up to $1.4 billion in grants and subsidized loans under the USDA’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. These funds will allow EKPC to provide renewable energy that will help power homes and businesses in rural Kentucky. The project will also help rural communities attract new business and support economic growth and job creation.

“Many of the big economic development projects we’re working on – and we’re working on a bunch of them – have business leaders telling us, ‘You’ve got to provide us this much in renewable energy by this date,’” Gov. Beshear said. “And today’s award means East Kentucky Power is going to help us meet this demand and land more projects and more jobs in the coming years.”

“When we transition to clean energy, we lower the toxic pollution in our air and water,” said Administrator Berke. “At the same time, this funding will keep costs low and allow rural Kentuckians to save money on their electric bill.”

Specifically, EKPC will construct or procure 757 megawatts of renewable energy for rural portions of Kentucky, as well as improve the regional transmission grid to support renewable projects and increase energy efficiency. These efforts will also reduce pollution – including carbon dioxide emissions – by over 2.3 million tons annually, the equivalent of avoiding the pollution from 554,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.

“This New ERA funding through Rural Utilities Service enables EKPC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain competitive rates for rural Kentucky,” Campbell said. “These funds will support renewable resources, including the proposed new solar facilities in Fayette and Marion counties, which will advance EKPC’s strategy to cut carbon intensity and diversify its generating portfolio.”

“The New ERA funds will play a vital role in EKPC’s thoughtful, common-sense approach to cutting carbon emissions while minimizing the cost impact for 1.1 million Kentucky residents in 89 counties,” said Anderson County resident Jody Hughes, who represents Blue Grass Energy on EKPC’s board. “This funding helps meet the needs of the people and organizations we serve, especially businesses and industries looking to reduce their carbon footprints.”

EKPC is working with Rural Utilities Service to finalize the New ERA underwriting and funding agreement, which will include projects related to today’s announcement.

The USDA also awarded more than $5.5 million in Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants. These funds will help deliver virtual health care services to more than 27,700 Kentuckians and distance learning connections to more than 12,200 students and educators in rural areas.

The Kentucky awardees include:

County Line Primary Care;
Red Bird Mission;
Bowling Green-Warren County Community Hospital;
Lewis County Primary Care Center;
Monroe County Board of Education;
Webster County Board of Education;
Henry County Board of Education; and
Trimble County School District.
Representatives from each organization were in attendance to ceremonially accept the awards and to speak about how the funds will help them positively impact the lives of Kentuckians.

“Thanks to these funds, more families in rural areas will receive the health care and education they need,” Gov. Beshear said. “We know that education is the foundation for how we prepare tomorrow’s workforce and that a better trained, more educated workforce is what will propel Kentucky forward.”

Click here to view detailed information on each award.

“Rural Kentuckians deserve access to high-quality health care and education just like those who choose to live in more urban areas, and these projects will help close the digital divide for thousands who call rural Kentucky home. Ultimately, this will lead to improved quality of life and economic prosperity, both of which make Kentucky a great place to live, work and raise a family,” said Dr. Carew.

Each awardee was selected by the USDA through a competitive process.

According to the USDA, the New ERA funding and other investments in rural clean energy in President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act make up the largest investment in rural electrification since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law in 1936 as part of the New Deal.

Today’s announcements build on the work Gov. Beshear is doing to make sure Kentucky remains a leader in the energy sector.

Administrator Berke also joined Gov. Beshear in Estill County last month to celebrate the USDA’s $73 million in loan funding that will help the state and its private sector partners build four new hydroelectric plants at abandoned lock and dam structures on the Kentucky River. These plants mean more green energy and new jobs and represent $100 million in new investment in Appalachia.

In March, Gov. Beshear announced that, thanks to as much as $961 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding and companies betting on Kentucky, there are five planned energy-related economic development projects that could bring thousands of new jobs and billions in investment to the commonwealth.

“So many Kentuckians helped power the industrial revolution that created the strongest middle class the world has ever seen and powered us through two world wars, and we are thankful for the federal support that will help us continue to provide power for the next century,” Gov. Beshear said.

10/24/2024

ESPB begins work on new stakeholder group to analyze teacher certification structure
(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) approved a measure during its meeting on Oct. 22 to start a working group made up of education stakeholders to analyze and suggest potential areas of reform within Kentucky’s teacher certification structure.

“I just want to make sure that we are creative in the way that we look for people, but that we don’t lower the standards that we have for people entering in the profession,” said Justin Mitchell, chair of the EPSB.

As he has discussions with fellow EPSB members and others in education, Mitchell said, the focus is on trying to bring more highly-qualified people into education in Kentucky.

Todd Davis, division director in the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness, went over the teacher certification structure as outlined in 16 KAR 2:010. While researching the certification structures in other states, he said he noticed a lot of them have overlapping options for certification, whereas Kentucky does not.

Amanda Ellis, ex-officio member representing the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, said board members have to be open to all ideas, especially from other states.

“This is not novel,” she said. “I think we have to have an innovative thinking group and we should welcome folks to the table who have tried things in other states and have lessons learned.”

During the meeting, board members discussed various challenges within the certification system, including the need to have educators with emergency certifications to fill teacher positions across the state.

Davis said the EPSB has broad legal authority to modify the certification structure as outlined in KRS 161.028 (1)(a).

“I would prefer to find some way to embed all certifications into the new structure so that would be a way to clean things up and make it simpler for not only the staff here (at KDE), but also the districts,” Davis said.

The item board members approved asks KDE staff members to start the process of forming a stakeholder group. A progress report is expected to be shared during the next EPSB meeting in December.

10/24/2024

Does an Elector have to vote as their region does?
Are there state Laws requiring them to do so?
In the United States Electoral College, a faithless elector is generally a party representative who does not have faith in the election result within their region and instead votes for another person for one or both offices, or abstains from voting. As part of United States presidential elections, each state legislates the method by which its electors are to be selected. Many states require electors to have pledged to vote for the candidates of their party if appointed. The consequences of an elector voting in a way inconsistent with their pledge vary from state to state.

Electors are typically chosen and nominated by a political party or the party's presidential nominee, and are usually party members with a reputation for high loyalty to the party and its chosen candidate. Thus, a faithless elector runs the risk of party censure and political retaliation from their party, as well as potential legal penalties in some states. Candidates for electors are nominated by state political parties in the months prior to Election Day. In some states, such as Indiana, the electors are nominated in primaries, the same way other candidates are nominated. In other states, such as Oklahoma, Virginia, and North Carolina, electors are nominated in party conventions. In Pennsylvania, the campaign committee of each candidate names their candidates for elector in an attempt to discourage faithless electors. In some states, high-ranking and/or well-known state officials up to and including governors often serve as electors whenever possible (the Constitution prohibits federal officials from acting as electors, but does not restrict state officials from doing so). The parties have generally been successful in keeping their electors faithful, leaving out the rare cases in which a candidate died before the elector was able to cast a vote.[citation needed]

As of the 2020 election, there have been a total of 165 instances of faithlessness, 90 of which were for president, while 75 were for vice president. They have never swung an election, and nearly all have voted for third party candidates or non-candidates, as opposed to switching their support to a major opposing candidate. There were 63 faithless electors in 1872 when Horace Greeley died between Election Day and when the Electoral College convened, but Ulysses S. Grant had already clinched enough to win reelection. During the 1836 election, Virginia's entire 23-man electoral delegation faithlessly abstained from voting for victorious Democratic vice presidential nominee Richard M. Johnson. The loss of Virginia's support caused Johnson to fall one electoral vote short of a majority, causing the vice-presidential race to be thrown into the U.S. Senate under a contingent election. The presidential election itself was not in dispute because Virginia's electors voted for Democratic presidential nominee Martin Van Buren as pledged. The Senate elected Johnson as vice president anyway after a party-line vote.

The United States Constitution does not specify a notion of pledging; no federal law or constitutional statute binds an elector's vote to anything. All pledging laws originate at the state level; the U.S. Supreme Court upheld these state laws in its 1952 ruling Ray v. Blair. In 2020, the Supreme Court also ruled in Chiafalo v. Washington that states are free to enforce laws that bind electors to voting for the winner of the popular vote in their state

As of 2024, 38 states and the District of Columbia have laws that require electors to vote for the candidates for whom they pledged to vote, though in half of these jurisdictions there is no enforcement mechanism. In 14 states, votes contrary to the pledge are voided and the respective electors are replaced, and in two of these states they may also be fined. Three other states impose a penalty on faithless electors but still count their votes as cast.

Colorado was the first state to void an elector's faithless vote, which occurred during the 2016 election. Minnesota also invoked this law for the first time in 2016 when an elector pledged to Hillary Clinton attempted to vote for Bernie Sanders instead. Until 2008, Minnesota's electors cast secret ballots. Although the final count would reveal the occurrence of faithless votes, it was impossible to determine which electors were faithless. After an unknown elector was faithless in 2004, Minnesota amended its law to require public balloting of the electors' votes and invalidate any vote cast for someone other than the candidate to whom the elector was pledged.

Washington became the first state to fine faithless electors after the 2016 election, in the wake of that state having four faithless elector votes. In 2019, the state changed its law for future elections, to void faithless votes and replace the respective electors instead of fining them.

ACCORDING TO WIKIPEDIA

10/23/2024

Scam - when Spectrum was contacted on their 1-877-1679 number they stated this message was a scam.
Notice at the bottom of the message it ask if this translation was useful or not.

10/23/2024

10/22/2024

Trimble County Fiscal Court Regular Meeting

10/22/2024

Madison IN City Council Adopts 2025 Budget

COUNCIL ADOPTS MAYOR’S 2025 BUDGET FOCUSED ON QUALITY OF LIFE, PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS | The Common Council of the City of Madison voted unanimously to adopt the 2025 City budget totaling $15.1 million, a 4.2% increase over 2024, which is largely attributed to inflation. When combined with the city’s utility services, the total cost of operating the city next year is approximately $23 million. This budget, which strategically balances tax dollars, grants, reserves, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds along with user fees, aims to drive improvements across the community while enhancing quality of life, public safety, and infrastructure.

A significant highlight of the budget is the creation of a capital plan to begin the physical resurfacing of the Main Street corridor, spanning from Broadway Street to the top of Hanover Hill. Last year’s major infrastructure investments focused mostly on the hilltop, with new investments in water, roads, and retail development. After four years of planning, design, and engineering, the 2025 effort marks the beginning of a three-year street and pedestrian safety improvement initiative that seeks to modernize and revitalize this important street throughout the historic district. The total cost of the project from Hanover Hill to Broadway Street and traffic calming initiatives on the east and west ends of Main Street is estimated to be approximately $21 million. The city is leveraging multiple sources of capital to accomplish this plan, which began in 2014 with the road transfer agreement between the City of Madison and the INDOT. Planning for future improvements to the central business district are also underway with construction on that phase anticipated in 2028-2030.

In addition to infrastructure projects, the 2025 budget includes continued investments in blight elimination, new investments in parks, and the continued focus on public safety and quality of life. These investments demonstrate the city’s proactive approach to maintaining and improving its vibrant and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

“The City of Madison’s 2025 budget is a testament to our commitment to creating a thriving, safe, and economically vibrant community. This fifth consecutive balanced budget leverages grants, reserves, TIF funding, and other resources to invest in public safety, parks, streets, and infrastructure improvements. We continue to maximize the impact of our initiatives, such as the Main Street redesign and ongoing blight remediation, to enhance daily life for our residents while ensuring long-term growth and prosperity without increasing tax rates”, said Madison’s Mayor Bob Courtney.

Additional 2025 key initiatives supported by the budget include new housing downtown and on the hilltop, Welch Park improvements, Crooked Creek flood mitigation, stormwater master planning, new equipment for the Madison Police Department, zoning modernization, and TIF optimization strategies throughout the city.

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10/22/2024

Temporary closures planned on State Road 135 in Brown County
BROWN COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to conduct temporary closures on State Road 135 south of Story beginning on or after Tuesday, October 22, to complete a series of culvert replacements in Brown County.

The temporary closures will take place each day from approximately 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. between Christiansburg Road and Mt. Nebo Road in Brown County. Overall work on S.R. 135 is expected to take up to four days, weather permitting.

INDOT reminds motorists to slow down, use caution and drive distraction-free in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

10/20/2024

Eminence Police Department is Requesting Your Help

Does anyone know this person or the vehicle? Stole 11250 lbs of copper from Hussey Copper on 10/18 between the hours of 1215 am to 0110 am.
The pictures are not great quality but any information would be greatly appreciated.
(502) 845-4744

10/20/2024

Update on the structure fire that occured Thursday Oct. 17, 2024 in Carroll County

10/19/2024

TRAFFIC ADVISORY | Jefferson County

All four lanes of mainline I-65 North from mile point 126.8 (near the I-65 North on-ramp from I-265) and mile point 127.9 (near KY 1747/Fern Valley Road) will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, through 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20. Lane shifts and reductions will begin just past the I-265/KY 841 interchange at mile point 125.6. During the weekend lane closures, traffic will be directed onto the two lanes of the collector-distributor from mile point 126.8 to mile point 127.9. Motorists will then merge back onto the mainline of I-65 North near Fern Valley Road.

In preparation for the lane closures, alternating lane closures on the collector-distributor lanes will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Crews will be repairing concrete slabs at multiple locations on I-65 North, with the weekend lane closures being necessary to allow ample time for the concrete to cure. Motorists should expect traffic shifts, obey lane restrictions, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

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Louisville Metro Police Department
Louisville Metro Emergency Services

10/19/2024

Press Conference at EPD regarding officer involved shooting this morning at local hospital

10/19/2024

In the evening hours of October 17th 2024 Jennings County Sheriff Kenny Freeman conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after observing the vehicle commit a traffic infraction. Other Deputies arrived on scene to assist. During the interaction, law enforcement on scene became suspicious of criminal activity, which resulted in Deputy Max Marcoux deploying his K9 partner Creed to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle. K9 Creed gave a positive alert to the odor of Narcotics inside of the vehicle.

Deputies completed a search of the vehicle and located a large amount of Fentanyl as well as a large amount of pressed Ecstasy pills. A search of both occupants resulted in methamphetamine and other paraphernalia being located on the female passenger, Drew Schrink (23) of Seymour. Jennings County Dispatch also informed Deputies on scene that the female had an active arrest warrant out of Ohio. The female passenger as well as the male driver, Gary Stone (61) of North Vernon were arrested and transported to the Jennings County Jail on the following preliminary charges.

Gary Stone:
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of a Narcotic Drug
Possession of Paraphernalia

Drew Schrink:
Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Paraphernalia
Ohio Full extradition Warrant

Investigating Deputy:
Blake Maynard

Sheriff Kenny Freeman


Assisting:
Max Marcoux and K9 Creed
Sergeant John Amis and K9 Dino
Sergeant Ben Seastrom

The investigation is continuing and more charges are expected to be filed.

All suspects are presumed innocent till proven guilty in a court of law.

10/19/2024

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles-Indiana State Police
Overnight, an officer involved shooting occurred at the Hollywood Casino Hotel in Lawrenceburg. Detectives with the Indiana State Police are on scene, investigating the incident.

There will be a police presence throughout the morning while the investigation is ongoing. There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.

No officers were injured.

More information will be forthcoming.

10/19/2024

Gov. Beshear Orders Flags to Half-Staff Monday in Honor of Kentucky Soldier Who Died in Korean War

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 18, 2024) – Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Monday, Oct. 21, in honor of a Kentucky soldier who died in the Korean War but whose remains were only identified this spring.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Raymond E. Hall of Mountain Ash, Kentucky, was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division He was killed in a battle with North Korean People’s Army forces in July 1950. Read more here.

A graveside service and interment will take place Monday at Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, New York.

Gov. Beshear encourages all individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute.

10/17/2024

At approximately 6am this morning the Carroll County Dispatch Center received a call of a structure fire at 209 5th Street in Carrollton. Upon Arrival Chief Mike Wilhoite was able to extract an approximately 3 year old female from inside the back door of the residence.
It is possible at this time that the structure fire could possibly be a multiple fatality fire. Once the structure fire is extinguished investigators will be able to begin their search of the residence.
The Carrollton Police Department will be leading the investigation assisted by the Kentucky State Police Arson investigation unit and the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Updates will be provided as the investigation continues.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/MVUWiPCbECiwKWBW/

10/17/2024

On or after Friday, October 18, crews will close the right lane of eastbound I-265 over CSX Railroad and Mt. Tabor as well as the eastbound I-265 off-ramp to Grant Line Road to continue bridge rehabilitation work in Floyd County. Work is expected to take up to three days, weather permitting. The official detour for the ramp closure follows I-265 to Charlestown Road.

10/17/2024

One of Madison Indian's well know physician's passed away.
Dr John Paul Hossler's Obituary https://www.facebook.com/share/p/nuedfuqVjQwVwcfQ/

Dr. John Paul Hossler, age 75, of Madison, Indiana entered this life on January 28, 1949 in Troy, Ohio. He was the loving son of the late Horace Eugene and Edith Myra Holdeman Hossler. He graduated high school from Tecumseh High School in New Carlisle, Ohio and then graduated from

10/16/2024

Madison’s Comfort Station (public restroom on Main Street) will be temporarily closed for construction on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience. During this time, public restrooms are available at Bicentennial Park (located at Vaughn and West).

Thank you for your understanding as we work to improve our community spaces.

10/15/2024

State Road 156 to close in Switzerland Co.
SWITZERLAND COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Paul H. Rohe Company is scheduled to close S.R. 156 between Evans Hill Road and North Branch Road on or after Thursday, October 17, to begin slide correction work in Switzerland County. S.R. 156 will reopen to traffic utilizing flagging operations between S.R. 56 and North Landing Road prior to this closure.

The closure will take place approximately 3.5 miles south of Rising Sun and is expected to remain in place through mid-December, weather permitting. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 56.

This project is part of a $13.8 million contract awarded to Paul H. Rohe in May 2023. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.