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Brett W. Todd – Page 10 – Clinton County Today
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Brett W. Todd - page 10

Brett W. Todd has 928 articles published.

Brett W. Todd is the managing editor of Clinton County Today. Clinton County Today is a community-focused website to provide individuals of Clinton County Indiana and surrounding areas with information impacting their lives. Clinton County Today is a service of Progressive Partners of Indiana, LLC where Brett W. Todd is its managing member.

Decision to Move Forward with Revised County Nepotism Ordinance Remains “Day-By-Day”

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Decision to Move Forward with Revised County Nepotism Ordinance Remains "Day-By-Day"

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – The Clinton County Commissioners did not address a revision to the county’s nepotism policy at its Wednesday (September 7) meeting after voting to table a final reading at the previous August 22nd meeting. The proposed revision would prohibit the sheriff from hiring his wife as jail matron as well as forbid the coroner from serving as deputy coroner should the successor in office of the Coroner be a relative of the individual.

Commissioners President Jordan Brewer said, “it’s on the table, which now I think technically it’s, it’s off the table since we didn’t address it at this meeting,” when asked about the status of the proposed revision.

Brewer did say the revision most likely will have to be reintroduced again should such action be taken.

“So, it could always be brought back up if the legal advice I’ve received is correct – through another first reading, but for the time being it’s sitting there.”

When asked about the policy change occurring this year, Brewer said, “I don’t know that I can answer that question because – there’s not really – it’s day-by-day, I guess”

The next Commissioners meeting will be held October 4th. The September 19th meeting has been canceled due to the annual conference of the Association of Indiana Counties being held at that time with the commissioners planning to attend.

Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Announces Addition to Crash Reconstructionist Team

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Clinton County Sheriff's Office Announces Addition to Crash Reconstructionist Team
Deputy Michael Greene recently completed six grueling weeks of Crash Reconstruction School to certify as an Advanced Crash Reconstructionist with the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. (Photo provided Clinton County Sheriff's Office)

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office recently recognized Deputy Michael Greene for successfully completing six grueling weeks of Crash Reconstruction School to certify as an Advanced Crash Reconstructionist.

Deputy Greene joins the agency’s two other Crash Reconstructionists, Sergeant Thomas Pelling and Deputy Nick Light. The training was at no cost to the agency thanks to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

“Having Crash Reconstructionists in our agency provides us the ability to conduct conclusive Crash Reconstructions,” stated Clinton County Sheriff Rich Kelly. “This provides a plethora of information to Law Enforcement, insurance carriers and families of victims. It is our obligation to provide the best resources and service to our community. I am very proud of these three officers who have taken the time to master their craft. Congratulations to Deputy Greene for his successful completion of this training!”

Frankfort Man Dies Due to Vehicle Tire Failure

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Frankfort Man Dies Due to Vehicle Tire Failure

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – A Frankfort man died in a single car accident Saturday afternoon, September 3rd, after the right rear tire of the vehicle he was driving failed causing the car to cross the center line of southbound Prairie Avenue and strike a utility pole according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver, Casey Bybee-McGill, 32, of Frankfort, was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the Red 1998 Ford Taurus.

Toxicology results are pending with the Clinton County Coroner’s Office.

INDOT Announces New Timeline for S.R. 28 Project Completion

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INDOT Announces New Timeline for S.R. 28 Project Completion
The Indiana Department of Transpiration (INDOT) announced on August 29, 2022, the State Road 28 project reopening was being delayed to at after mid-November due to industry-wide supply chain and labor shortage issues. Photo shown at intersection of Williams St and S.R. 28 on August 28. 2022. (Photo: Brett W. Todd)

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announced updates to the State Road 28 resurfacing and reconstruction project in Frankfort via a press release on Monday, August 29. INDOT cites the revision is necessary due to industry-wide supply chain and labor shortage issues. The new timeline for reopening is after mid-November of 2022, weather permitting. Crews are working diligently to be as efficient, safe and timely as possible. INDOT appreciates the continued cooperation and patience of residents and the traveling public.

After the road reopens, crews will still be working on cosmetic improvements, like lane striping and landscaping. That will be done under temporary restrictions and/or flagging operations. The project is expected to be completely finished in December of 2022.

This project was awarded to E & B Paving LLC for $17.9 million and will resurface or reconstruct portions of S.R. 28 from C.R. 200 W. east to Jackson Street, the addition of a right turn lane from westbound S.R. 28 to northbound Jackson Street, and then continue with the reconstruction of S.R. 28 from Jackson Street eastward to Hoke Ave. The project also includes the addition of dedicated left turn lanes on S.R. 28 at Clay Street, the reconstruction of the storm water system, reconstruction of sidewalks to be ADA compliant on the south side of S.R. 28 from West St. to Hoke Ave., and a shared use path on the north side of S.R. 28 for the total length of the project. The completion date for this project is late November of this year.

Clinton County to Receive Money form Opioid Lawsuit Settlement

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Clinton County to Receive Money form Opioid Lawsuit Settlement
The communities of Clinton County and the county itself will receive payments over 18-years totaling over $1.2 million as part of a nationwide $26 billion settlement with pharmaceutical companies. (Image: Wikimedia)

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – Clinton County and its towns and communities are set to receive over $1.2 million as part of a $26 billion national settlement with Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson. Indiana’s share of the settlement is approximately $507 million and all cities, towns, and counties in the state are participating in the settlement.

Clinton County Commissioners President Jordan Brewer provided an overview of how this money can be used and the time period of the payout.

“We’ll (Clinton County government) receive close to $750,000 over 18-years in this settlement money,” said Brewer. “So it’s roughly $208,000 that is for unrestricted; that we have a lot more freedom to use. Then there’s $440,000 that is for restricted use that they’ve identified and it’s a 15-page PDF so I don’t know all of them, but it’s very tailored to the specific crisis in addressing it.”

“So ’22 we’ll receive our largest payment and then it starts to fall a bell curve where it starts out low, it kind of peaks in the middle and then it trails off towards the last four or five years. So it’s not an equal distribution, consistent across the whole timeframe.”

Brewer looks to working with all the communities of Clinton County in putting

“We’ll work with, hopefully, the other towns that received money, the City of Frankfort, and then some of our local partners that work in that field every day and come up with a plan of how we can address that in this community.”

The State of Indiana anticipates that the 2022 payments will be transferred in the fall of 2022.

Clinton County breakdown of national opioid settlement
The above chart shows the distribution of total money that will come to local Clinton County governments over the next 18-years according to information provided by the State of Indiana Attorney General.

Click here to view an Excel spreadsheet of the Indiana distribution totals for all participants – including Clinton County.

Culver’s To Begin Demolition of Former King of Pancake House

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Culver's To Begin Demolition of Former King of Pancake House
Culver's will begin demolition of the former King of Pancake House located at 2301 E. Wabash St on August 29. (Photo: Brett W. Todd)

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Culver’s, a privately owned and operated American casual fast food restaurant chain that operates primarily in the Midwest, will begin demolition of the former King of Pancake House located at 2301 E. Wabash St on August 29 according to a Frankfort Building Services post August 24.

“Culver’s has made it to the finish line finally,” said Don Stock, Director of Planning & Housing Initiatives for the City of Frankfort at a Frankfort Board of Works meeting in July. “We had a lot of MS4 issues that we had to get resolved with water going into the holding facility in the backside and then it’s actually owned by another private entity.”

According to Stock the demolition was to begin sooner; however, Culver’s had a challenge to overcome first.

“The challenge that they had was getting Mr. Pancake to be completed and move on. They finally got that done, which then allowed the sale of the property,” said Stock in August.

According to the Culver’s website, they are a “family-favorite restaurant known for their local ButterBurgers, Fresh Frozen Custard & Wisconsin Cheese Curds.”

Frankfort Dog Park Name Selected, Celebration Planned

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Frankfort Dog Park Name Selected, Celebration Planned
Frankfort Parks Superintendent Bart Kraning announces name of new dog park and invites the public and their dogs to a special celebration Saturday, September 10th at 11am held at Dorner Park home of the Mary Jane McMahon Dog Park.

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The residents of Frankfort will soon have a dog park located at Dorner Park thanks to donations from the George Dorner Family Fund. The community and their dogs are invited to a special celebration on Saturday, September 10th at 11 am at the dog park when local FFA students will install dog agility equipment inside the fenced park.

The Frankfort Parks Department announced Tuesday, August 23, the dog park has an official name – The Mary Jane McMahon Dog Park; named after the first female mayor elected in Frankfort who served two-terms from January 1976 until December 1983. She passed away in July 2014.

Frankfort Parks Superintendent Bart Kraning described the dog space as huge during a recent presentation he gave to the Board of Works and spoke of great ideas that came from a meeting with Nancy Elsie.

“I met with Nancy Elsie, she had some really good ideas that we have to implement,” said Kraning. “One of them being a key fob system to access the park. And once I did research a lot of parks are doing that.”

“My suggestion would be they come to the park purchase like a $5 deposit or something… then they get that key fob, they register their animal with the city and then they can key fob into the park facility.”

“Another thing that she had was, uh, once you enter the dog park, there should be a, a second doorway so then you have two doors. That eliminates pets from escaping; it cuts down on them escaping drastically… Cause the dog park is 300 feet long. So I mean, it’s huge.”

In addition to agility equipment in the park, the plan calls for park and the area surrounding to have benches installed, shade trees planted, signage and mulch spread.

Completion of the park is scheduled for Spring of 2023.

Frankfort Police Department Announce Retired K9 Care Program

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Frankfort Police Department Announce Retired K9 Care Program
The Frankfort Police Department received approval to begin a retired K9 care program on August 22, 2022. In the photo is retired K9 Otto. (Photo provided: FPD)

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The Frankfort Board of Works and Public Safety approved the Frankfort Police Department’s request to provide care to retired FPD K9s at its meeting held Monday, August 22. The program allows for funding to the police officer who adopts the K9 upon retirement. Currently, FPD K9 handlers adopt the K9 with full responsibility of expenses related to the K9. Funding will allow for reimbursement of up to $1,000 to come from the FPD budget or the K9 donation account.

According to Chief Shoemaker, “K9s work the same hours as our handlers and are sometimes the first to go into dangerous incidents. After years of extensive training and long work hours, they deserve our continued support.”

FPD K9s spend anywhere from five to eight years on the job and handlers develop a life-long bond with their K9 partner. The program will ensure that the handler can provide extensive veterinary care and not have to worry about the cost.

While the program is limited to $1,000, it will help with some of the costs. “Last year retired K9 Otto needed emergency veterinary services,” stated Chief Shoemaker. “The total bill for that trip was just under $1,000.”

The program will be reviewed, over time, to potentially increase the funding for our retired K9 officers.

“This is just a start as we begin this new program,” said Mayor Judy Sheets. “Our K9s have worked very hard to find illegal drugs and help track missing people or suspects.”

If you are interested in donating to this program, please reach out to Chief Shoemaker via his email, sshoemaker284@frankfort-in.gov.

Frankfort Police Announce New Hire and Promotion

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Frankfort Police Announce New Hire and Promotion

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Frankfort Chief of Police Scott Shoemaker announced a promotion and a new hire to the force at the Monday night Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

The BOW approved the hiring of Ethan Cunningham to replace Mike Cesare who is retiring on October 3. Cunningham is a graduate of Tipton Schools and has been a Corrections Officer the past two years with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. He was sworn in by Mayor Judy Sheets with his family and friends in attendance. Cunningham will start September 5.

Photo of Ethan Cunningham after being sworn in by Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets as a Frankfort Police Officer
Ethan Cunningham, third from the left, stands with Frankfort Police Chief Scott Shoemaker, Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets, and Deputy Chief Cesar Munoz after being sworn in as a police officer at the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting August, 22, 2022. (Photo: Brett W. Todd)

“I’m so excited to have him on the department,” said Sheets. “He’s a great guy. He has been a corrections officer at the Clinton county Sheriff’s office and he looks forward to coming to our department.”

The promotion was of Officer Brett Dale to the rank of Sergeant. Dale is a field training officer, a certified general instructor, STOPS instructor and a member of the SWAT team. Dale has been a police officer for the past ten years, joining FPD on May 26,2020. He was unanimously selected by the promotion committee and the promotion was effective August 8, 2022.

Sergeant Brett Dale stands with family after being promoted to Sergeant
Sergeant Brett Dale (center) of the Frankfort Police Department stands with family after being promoted to the rank of Sergeant at the Frankfort Board of Public Works and Safety August 22, 2022. (Photo: Brett W. Todd)

“I think [he’s] very deserving of the promotion,” said Sheets.

Commissioners Delay Making ‘Controversial’ Nepotism Decision

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Commissioners Delay Making 'Controversial' Nepotism Decision
The Clinton County Commissioners decided to table making a "controversial" decision on a revised county nepotism ordinance. Commissioners in photo from left-to-right, Bert Weaver, Josh Uitts, and Jordan Brewer. (Photo: Brett W. Todd

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – With a room full of onlookers at the Clinton County Commissioners meeting, held this morning, anticipating a decision on a revised county nepotism ordinance, the three Commissioners unanimously decided to do nothing and tabled the final reading for a future date.

“I think there’s a lot of things to consider with it,” said Commissioners President Jordan Brewer after the meeting. “There’s more than one variable. And so at this point, it seems like our best option is to kind of leave it out there and on the table and, we’ll address it when the time is more right.”

Brewer was asked how the residents of Clinton County might react to a revised nepotism ordinance.

“That’s a good question. I mean, I think there obviously was some people that showed up today to speak and there was probably more that would have spoken [had] we not tabled at first, I suppose.”

“But at the same time, there’s, there’s people that call me and call the other commissioners all the time about things. And so, you know, it’s just hearing all the different input before we make a decision that could be impactful.”

When asked what has he heard from residents on this issue, Brewer said it was mixed.

“It’s a mixed bag. I think for those that maybe interact more directly, you, you do hear, similar to today [the] stance of the position and job that Ashley Kelly has done there as matron. From others, there’s a different point of view.”

“At the end of the day, we, we do represent the constituents. At times you have to, they elect us to make decisions on their behalf – and, you try and take everyone’s input in when you, when you do that – but, that’s not always the case and so I think just because this one is a little more controversial we just need to listen a little bit longer.”

Below is the audio the question and answer session with Commissioner Brewer answers after the meeting.

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Commissioner Jordan Brewer Discusses Tabling Nepotism Ordinance

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The Commissioners meet again September 7 at 9 am in the Clinton County Courthouse.

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