Category Archives: FINISHED

United Way receives award for poverty reducing efforts

April 23, 2024FINISHED, Local NewsJohn Clark

United Way of Bartholomew County is being recognized with a national award for its work to help struggling community members.

Economic Mobilities Pathways, or EMPath, recently presented the local group with its Most Impactful Award. EMPath is a Boston-based nonprofit that works to reduce poverty by providing nonprofits with the tools needed in their communities. EMPath’s Most Impactful Award goes to an organization that demonstrates a large impact on their community and significant gains in outcomes.

United Way was recognized as the first nonprofit organization to successfully implement the Bridge to Self Sufficiency tool. According to the United Way, the tool gives community members the resources to move from poverty to self-sufficiency.

Last year, United Way of Bartholomew served 250 adults with the bridge tool as a part of the the United Way’s Avenues to Opportunity program. The United Way has set a goal to lift 1,000 families out of poverty in 2,000 days.

Mark Stewart, President of United Way of Bartholomew County praised access to “the best, nationally recognized social service tools that allow us to make a difference in Bartholomew County every day. “

Using the bridge tool, coaches work with individuals one-on-one on to develop job and budget skills.

Severe weather risk increases Tuesday night, early Wednesday

February 27, 2024FINISHEDJohn Clark

Forecasters say there is an increasing risk of severe weather in our area this evening. The National Weather Service in Indianapolis says that we now are under an enhanced risk of severe weather starting at about 9 p.m. tonight through 4 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The agency warns that several types of severe weather are possible including large hail, heavy rain, wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph and even tornadoes are possible. The greatest danger of tornadoes is from 7 tonight to midnight.

Local emergency officials are warning of the possibility of power outages.

With the increased risk of severe weather in our area, state emergency officials are offering safety tips.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security says that if you have to take shelter, you should move to the lowest floor of a sturdy building such as a basement, safe room or storm shelter. If you don’t have such shelter, you should use an interior room or a hallway that has no windows. Blankets, pillows and furniture can provide additional protection.

If you are in a vehicle when severe weather hits, officials say yoru best choice is to get out and take shelter in a strong building. If you have to stay in the car, keep your seatbelt on, lower your head below the window and cover your head and neck with your arms and a blanket.

They also say not to try to shelter underneath of a bridge or overpass. Strong winds could cause the structure to collapse. You are also not protected from flying debris under a bridge. And if you vehicle is stopped there, you can block the roadway, preventing emergency crews from passing through or impeding others who are trying to reach better shelter.

The department also suggests that you have several ways of getting accurate and updated weather reports including radios and smartphone apps.

Search continues for missing Bartholomew County woman

September 10, 2021FINISHEDJohn Clark

Bartholomew County deputies are still searching for a woman who has been missing since last month.

Deputies say that they are searching for 37-year-old Heather Ann Steuver. She is a white woman, 5-7 and 115 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen at her home on Sunday, Aug. 22nd.

If you have any information on her whereabouts, you should call 812-379-1689 or call 911.

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Months long investigation yields drug-dealing arrest

June 25, 2021FINISHED, Local NewsJohn Clark

Seymour police arrested a woman Thursday morning on drug dealing charges after a three month investigation.

Officers served a search warrant at a home in the Village Green Mobile Home Park at about 7:30 a.m. yesterday morning, where they discovered 74 grams of methamphetamine along with marijuana, drug paraphernalia and cash. The paraphernalia included items used to package drugs for sale including scales, baggies and packaging material. The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $2,000.

45-year-old Kisha G. Philpot of Seymour was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, and for possessing the marijuana and paraphernalia.

Seymour police were assisted at the scene by Jackson County Sheriff’s Department deputies. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

Sirens: Tornado warning system test today

March 16, 2021FINISHED, Local NewsJohn Clark

You can expect to hear tornado sirens blaring and the Emergency Alert System sounding at about 10:15 a.m. this morning. The Indiana Broadcasters Association and the National Weather Service will be testing the system today morning as part of Indiana Severe Weather Preparedness Week.

Today’s test will include a 15-minute long Live Tornado Warning alert, which is done to ensure the system is working properly in the event of an actual tornado.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week runs through Saturday. The week includes coordinated efforts to work with residents, businesses, and government agencies across Indiana on preparedness activities.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis says that Indiana averages more than 20 tornadoes each year, along with hundreds of severe thunderstorms that produce damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding.

In the case of severe or inclement weather conditions today, the test will be rescheduled for Wednesday.