Military veterans in Bartholomew and surrounding counties should have an easier time getting quality medical care after a new clinic opens in March near Camp Atterbury.

Tom Crawford is the Bartholomew County Veterans Services Officer. He says that while the clinic will provide many services to area veterans, it won’t be a full-service hospital, at least not yet. He says the clinic will be staffed by doctors and nurses and will be utilized as a “staging area” where veterans can go for minor issues and illnesses. Crawford says that for major medical issues, including x-rays and CAT-scans, vets will still need to visit a full-service VA medical center.

Crawford says that this clinic has been years in the making and something area veterans are constantly asking about. He adds that this clinic is special, as it marks the first time that the Veterans Administration has joined with the National Guard to embark on such a project. Crawford adds that both sides agreed that Camp Atterbury was the perfect spot for this clinic, as as the facility is not being utilized to its fullest and that space existed for such an endeavor.

A grand opening ceremony for the Atterbury clinic is set for March 30th and will include remarks from Gov. Mike Pence, as well as local and Congressional officials.

One child was injured after a school bus was struck nearly head-on by a pickup truck in Jackson County.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department says that at about 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, deputies, as well as officers with the Brownstown Police Department, responded to the crash on U.S. 50 near County Road 790 West.

Investigators say that the driver of the pickup, Larry J. Pate, of Vallonia, told officers that he dozed off.  Investigators say that Pate’s truck crossed the center line, then smashed into the front of the bus being driven by Connie Sue Prarie, of Heltonville. Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Henley says there were 21 children on the bus at the time of the crash.

One child, who was unidentified, complained of pain. He was taken to Schneck Medical Center. His condition is unknown.

Indiana State Police (ISP) arrested a former Jennings County Deputy Clerk and Auditor Thursday on 37 counts of Thefts and nine counts of Forgery, all Felonies.

ISP Versailles Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says the investigation that led to the arrest of 40-year-old Cathy Jo Robertson, of North Vernon, began in 2013 when an audit of the Jennings County Clerk and Auditor’s Offices determined funds were missing. He says that audit also determined that unauthorized checks were issued when she worked for both offices. Investigators say that between January 2009 and April 2011, when Robertson was employed as a deputy clerk in the Jennings County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, she allegedly diverted over $61,000 from that office into her possession. The investigation also alleges that, between July 2013 and October 2013, Robertson allegedly forged checks in the amount of over $3,500 when she worked for the Jennings County Auditor’s Office.

Wheeles says that after the investigation was concluded by Detective Tim Denby, it was turned over to the Jennings County Prosecutor’s Office. That led to an arrest warrant being issued Thursday through the Jennings County Circuit Court. Wheeles noted that Robertson turned herself in at the Jennings County Jail at approximately 3:30 p.m. the same day.

Wheeles says that Robertson is being held on a $25,500 bond. He adds that she will have her initial appearance in the Jennings County Circuit Court on February 29th at 11 a.m.

Congressman Luke Messer filed for re-election on Thursday to continue serving in Indiana’s 6th Congressional District.

“It’s an honor to serve Hoosiers in east-central and southeastern Indiana, and I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me to represent them in Washington,” Messer stated after his filing.

“These are challenging times for our nation, but I believe our priorities are clear: we must protect our national security, defeat Islamic extremist terrorists and get our economy moving again,” Messer continued. “That’s what I’ve been working on in Congress, and I look forward to earning the votes of Hoosiers across this district so that work can continue.”

“Despite our difficulties, I know America’s best days are ahead of us,” Messer said. “We can ensure our kids and grand-kids have a brighter future if we just return to our founding principles. It won’t be easy. But, we need to make the tough decisions necessary to defeat our enemies like ISIS, balance budgets and get government out of the way so individuals, families and job creators can thrive. I am committed to that work and hope to be able to continue to fight for conservative principles in Washington next year,” said the Congressman.

Congressman Messer was elected the House Republican policy chair during his second term. That is the conference’s fifth ranking leadership position. In his first term, Messer was elected President of the Freshman Class by his peers. Messer currently serves on the House Financial Services and Education & Workforce committees.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will close lanes on southbound Interstate 65 Friday evening between County Line Road and Main Street at Greenwood to replace a 260-foot section of pavement which is failing.

INDOT Spokesman Harry Maginity says that southbound I-65’s right lane, extending from the on-ramp from County Line Road near mile marker 101 to just north of the off-ramp to Main Street at mile marker 99.6, will close tomorrow at 7 p.m. He adds that this lane will not reopen until mid-day Saturday. In addition, County Line Road’s ramp will close while the Main Street ramp will remain open, Maginity says.

Edited: Further details have been added to the story.

Hope volunteer firefighters will go at least another month without a formal contract. The department went 10 months last year without an agreement with the town and ended up receiving about half of what they normally require to operate.

The Town Council members received the contract earlier this month and decided this week to have it looked over by the town’s emergency services committee before signing off on it, likely at next month’s council meeting. Town Council President Clyde Compton explains some of his concerns.

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Compton also said he is concerned that the fire department is asking for the same amount of money as in previous years, even though they ended their ambulance service last year.

He said that as a town council member he wants to best represent the interest of taxpayers.

Town officials originally held off on an agreement last year because the fire department was being sued over a new fire station under construction on the east side of town. The two sides settled on an agreement in October that paid out about $31,000 dollars, less than half of the $69,000 the firefighters have been requesting for several years.

Fire officials say that financial crunch caused them to miss equipment tests, maintenance and training that they normally perform each year. Fire Chief Randy Wood explains:

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Wood said that overall though, he is happy that the two sides are working toward a solution and he is optimistic that the agreement can be worked out soon.

Town Manager Melina Fox pointed out that the in-place memorandum of understanding between the fire department and town, which went into effect in October, would have allowed the department to be reimbursed for up to $69,000 last year. The agreement requires the department to submit bills to the town, which would be paid after approval by the Town Council and it is still in effect until a contract is signed. The first reimbursements to the department were paid by the town in December.

Deputies are warning of more scammers targeting victims by claiming to be with the IRS.

Johnson County Sheriff Doug Cox said there have been four cases in recent days where automated callers pretended to be with the federal agency and demanded unpaid taxes be immediately paid or face being sued.

Authorities suggest that you should always be skeptical if someone you don’t know calls demanding immediate payment over the phone of any bill, especially if they want you to use a pre-paid credit card or to wire money to settle the supposed debt.

Lt. Matt Harris, with the Columbus Police Department, said scammers have also learned how to fool your Caller ID, making it appear that they are calling from a local number or a legitimate business. He said that those calls frequently originate from outside of the country.

He suggested that you always end a phone call demanding money, and call the company back directly at a number you know to be correct, to talk about your supposed debt.

The iGrad program will host a volunteer appreciation lunch at Ivy Tech in celebration of the 15th annual National Mentoring Month.

Columbus campus Spokesman Chris Schilling says that the lunch will be at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at the Columbus Learning Center. He says that the event will bring together iGrad volunteer mentors and tutors. iGrad is also encouraging volunteers to bring a friend or co-worker who might be interested in volunteering with the program.

“There is a powerful mentoring effect demonstrated by research and the experiences of young people who are connected to a mentor in real life,” said Laurie Dickerson, Director of the iGrad Program. “Mentoring is linked to improved academic, social, and economic prospects for young adults, and that ultimately strengthens our community,” she added.

Schilling explains that iGrad was started as an initiative three years ago through a partnership of Bartholomew County School Corp., Flatrock-Hawcreek School Corp., the Community Education Coalition, Cummins Inc., and Ivy Tech. He says the goal of iGrad is to raise the high school graduation rate in Bartholomew County to 100% by 2017. Schilling says that iGrad serves all students facing academic barriers in grades 8 through 12. He adds that graduation coaches are available to help these students as they advance through their academic career.

Schilling notes that volunteers from the community provide mentoring and tutoring for these students. He adds that there are currently over 500 students participating in the iGrad program in Bartholomew County.

“The collaboration among our community partners has provided excellent support for the iGrad program to give students the opportunity to successfully complete high school and be well prepared for higher education or to start their careers,” said Ivy Tech Columbus Campus President Steven Combs. “We are sincerely grateful for the work of the mentors and thank our community partners for their support of the iGrad program.”

If you would like to attend the iGrad volunteer lunch, you are asked to RSVP to [email protected] or call Jennifer Steadman Ryan at (812) 374-5265. For more information on the iGrad program, visit the iGrad website at www.igradcolumbus.com.

The Jackson County Visitor Center has announced that its 2016 Promotional Grant Funding applications are now available. Visitor Center Spokesperson Jane Hays says that organizations with non-profit status can submit a completed application, along with a copy of their 501 (c) 3 notification form, for funding consideration for events, festivals or attractions which are slated to take place in 2016 and promote tourism within Jackson County.

Hays says that grants will offer funding match assistance to these not-for-profit groups. They include a city, county or public organization, tourism related business, or an organizational combination for new projects or enhancements that are designed to have a direct impact on Jackson County and tourism. She adds that churches with articles of organization are also eligible to apply.

Hays notes that only one request from any one organization will be granted each year. She says that applications submitted prior to the date of the event will be reviewed for approval by the Visitor Center Board of Directors during their monthly board meetings. These meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month at the Visitor Center office, located at 100 North Broadway in Seymour.

Hays says that the deadline to submit an application for 2016 is April 1. Awards are scheduled to be presented in June. Hays adds that any funds left after the June awards may be available during an additional cycle.

The funding policy, application and additional information are available at the Visitor Center office, as well as online at www.jacksoncountyin.com.