Brett W. Todd – Page 12 – Clinton County Today

Hoke Ave Closure Update; Rain Could Delay Re-Opening to Monday

Published on August 10, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

Underground infrastructure working being completed at intersection of Hoke and Walnut Avenue in Frankfort, Indiana — Overnight rain Monday and into Tuesday morning forced work crews to stop work at the busy intersection of Hoke and Walnut Avenue Tuesday. (Photo: Brett W. Todd)

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Work at the intersection of Hoke and Walnut Avenue, known as the “jog” on State Road 28, came to a stop on Tuesday due to rain overnight Monday into Tuesday morning. The necessary underground infrastructure improvements are part of the INDOT State Road 28 project.

Frankfort street superintendent Jason Forsythe provided an update at the city council meeting Monday evening with a look towards Tuesday’s rain.

“As Hoke Avenue goes, they closed it down today (Monday). It’s supposed to be done sometime Saturday. Obviously, I think it’s supposed to get a pretty good amount of rain tonight (Monday) and I think even tomorrow (Tuesday) which could push things back a little bit obviously in construction.

“But they were working hard down there today (Monday). I had several crews down there getting things done. Hopefully, Saturday. Obviously they won’t work on Sunday.

“So it could be Monday with the rain.”

Work at the intersection of Hoke and Walnut Avenue on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. (Photo by Brett W. Todd)

Farmer’s Market Returning To Downtown Frankfort

Published on August 9, 2022August 9, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Mary Lynn Peter saw something missing in Frankfort – specifically in the downtown area – a farmer’s market.

She received approval from the Frankfort Board of Works at its meeting on Monday after asking for feedback on local Facebook groups and presenting to the board her findings. The first farmer’s market will be this Saturday, August 13 at Veteran’s Park from 9 am to 2 pm.

“Well, actually, we use to have farmer’s markets here,” said Mary Lynn. “We had one that used to be downtown and that kind of went away – I don’t know why. Then they started another one at the IVY Tech, but it was so hard to get to no one could really get in there to do it. So that didn’t go well either. So it’d been five years or so before we had another one.”

The thought came to her when driving past Veteran’s Park on a Saturday.

“I’m driving down the street and looking at Veteran’s Park, sitting empty on a Saturday, I’m like, come on, we got to do something. Let’s do a farmer’s market. Maybe I can do that.”

Mary Lynn contacted Frankfort Main Street director Kim Stevens who in turn pointed her to the right city departments to get the necessary permission.

“So I got a hold of Kim Stevens at Main Street and she directed me to everybody else and all the paperwork and everything.”

The farmer’s market is set to run every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm – weather permitting, until the end of the season. There is no cost to vendors to set-up. She hopes to have a wide variety of producers and makers come and offer their items to the public.

“Hopefully we’ll have flowers, baked goods, vegetables, maybe some fruits, whatever people are growing out of their gardens and stuff to have them come up here and sell, and citizens can come and buy.”

Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets thanked Mary Lynn for having the vision and approaching the city.

“I’m so excited about it and I loved the idea,” said Mayor Sheets. “I think it is something that we need in the downtown area. As I’ve said before, you know, that’s what we want to do, want to keep the downtown area busy and people want to come down here and visit our different places.”

“It’s just another time for them to be down here and to enjoy it. And I, I thank Mary Lynn for having that vision and wanting to bring that back to Frankfort. I think it’s exciting for our community.”

Mary Lynn noted there is an individual that has a produce stand in the parking lot of Goodwill and is busy.

“We’ve got one guy at Goodwill right now that sells, and every time I go by there, there’s tons of cars, people buying off of him. Let’s make it local and keep it fun and exciting.”

Vendors do not have to sign-up ahead of time, but will be asked to complete a form to track vendor participation. The only costs associated are for those that offer non-uncut produce, baked goods and other food items due to health department rules.

“There’s no charge as long as they have uncut produce. As far as home baked goods – honey eggs, stuff like that, they have to pay a $60 fee through the health department, but that’s for the whole season.”

Will Clinton County Water Be Pumped to Supercharge Boone County Growth?

Published on August 8, 2022August 8, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – As the State of Indiana aquifer study has quickly transformed from study phase to test drilling in a southwest portion of the county, the Clinton County Board of Commissioners approved the hiring of outside legal counsel at its July 18 meeting to understand and protect, if necessary, a county asset – underground water.

The area in question for the aquifer study and drilling is a corridor from State Road 28 to the north, south along 400 South with 200 West being the eastern point with the western boundary being west of Interstate 65.

Why seek legal representation?

The fast rate of progress in the study, the lack of communication from the State, and recent news of supercharged growth in Boone County were given as reasons by Commissioners President Jordan Brewer why the County felt necessary to hire an attorney – the same attorney that currently represents the Frankfort Utility Service Board, Clayton Miller of Indianapolis.

Addressing the Board and public during the July meeting, Commissioner Brewer stated, “we’ve continued to have updates but, just being transparent, that we get the information they [the State] want to tell us.”

After the meeting, the commissioner explained further how the study and now test drilling have evolved due to the growth and news south in Boone County of the planned development of a Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Innovation and Research District.

“It’s evolved from the aquifer study to the test drills that are ultimately looking to see what type of production. I think we can all piece together the puzzle that this is to flow south to Boone County for their four to 7,000 [acres] LEAP Innovation Park District,” explained Commissioner Brewer.

“So, we’ve got to the point in our discussions with the State, that we felt like we needed to seek some representation, that was specific to water, infrastructure needs and water rights. … So ultimately kind of get an understanding of, can the State come in and take water that’s sitting underground here in Clinton County and somehow say that it has to be directed elsewhere outside the county?”

How did Clinton County get to this point?

Both the County and City of Frankfort, via the Frankfort Utility Service Board, are participants in the aquifer study each contributing $250,000 towards a State Water Infrastructure Fund (SWIF) grant. The grant was awarded in March of this year – after previously being turned down by the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) in early Fall of 2021, only to receive a request from the State to participate a few months later.

“So originally, last summer [2021] we were approached in doing an aquifer study, kind of [a] joint partnership between the City and the County, both contributing $250,000,” remarked Commissioner Brewer after the March 21, 2022 meeting. “The study was going to run 750,000 to a million dollar range. And, we were, like I said, we were approached about it so we felt really good about this grant application going through the IFA for this SWIF grant.”

“And then, we get the letter in September and [it] says, we didn’t get it and so we kind of thought, well, that it’s dead and obviously misled us a little bit in that direction. And out of nowhere, over the winter, it’s kind of re-emerged.”

The expansion of the aquifer project scope has swelled the project’s cost to nearly $5 million, while the contribution level has remained the same to the County and USB. An item noted by Commissioner Brewer in March when announcing the grant was awarded.

“It’s expanded,” remarked Commissioner Brewer. “It was capped at a million dollars in terms of the study. Now in doing this study and some potential well drilling to look at how much water there is in specific areas, they’re estimating that’s going to be three to $5 million project, and we’re still only required to put in the 250,000. So as I mentioned that essentially if it’s a $5 million, ends up being $5 million and we put 250 in and we’ve leveraged 250 for a 20 to one of that money. So that’s, that’s great utilization. I mean, you don’t get those odds in anything.”

What is the LEAP Innovation and Research District and where is it located?

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) identified the area in northwest Boone County as a strategic location for growth in the potential establishment of a large-scale research and Innovation Park according to a document presented to the Lebanon City Council during the discussion of annexation of the land area.

The area (see map below) is mostly rural and is situated between Indianapolis and Purdue University in West Lafayette. LEAP consumes 6,000 acres and is roughly bounded to the north by 450 N and to the south by State Road 32 with Interstate 65 bisecting the area leaving parcels to the east and west. As a comparison to the size of land, the Purdue University West Lafayette campus is approximately 2,500 acres. A portion of the Big 4 Trail that travels from Lebanon to Colfax is within the LEAP zone.

The IEDC has currently secured rights to purchase 6,000 acres with 1,500 acres – comprising 32 landowners – as part of the first-phase of LEAP development.

The City of Lebanon approved the first-phase of voluntary annexation for project LEAP at its July 11 meeting.

Lebanon Mayor, Matt Gentry, noted Boone County is the fastest growing county in Indiana during a June 6, 2022, appearance on Inside Indiana Business.

Indianapolis headquartered Eli Lilly recently announced plans to acquire approximately 600 acres of LEAP property from the IEDC for the purpose of developing, constructing and operating a research and Manufacturing campus containing multiple buildings and substantial Green Space. Lilly intends to make an initial capital investment of over $2 Billion on the site, not including the cost of the land itself. They are the first publicly announced participant of the first-phase of LEAP.

Protecting the residents of Clinton County

“So ultimately we’re trying to protect Clinton County residents and taxpayers from what we believe is an asset,” concluded Commissioner Brewer. “It’s no different than a community that has oil or has coal or any other mineral. Water is an asset. And there’s a reason that they need to send it to Boone County. It’s because they don’t have it available.”

“And so rather than allowing someone to come in here and take that asset and we receive no compensation or no benefit for the growth of our community, we felt like we needed some legal representation that knew the laws and statutes of that specific industry to protect us and help us out.”

Map of LEAP Innovation and Research District

Motorcycle, Deer Crash Leads to Fatal Death of Frankfort Woman

Published on August 6, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – A 33-year-old Frankfort female, Carla Ayes Fonfrias, died after the motorcycle she was a passenger of struck a deer in the eastbound lane of the 6500-block of W Mulberry Jefferson Road in rural Clinton County on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

According to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 5:15 p.m. deputies responded to a single vehicle motorcycle crash on W Mulberry Jefferson Road. Preliminary investigation determined that a Black 2010 Yamaha V-Star, operated by Gerald Palmer, 33, of Frankfort was traveling eastbound on Mulberry Jefferson when a deer entered his path. Palmer was unable to avoid the collision.

After impact, the motorcycle slid into the ditch on the south side of the road where Palmer and Fonfrias were thrown from the motorcycle.

Palmer was transported by ambulance to a Lafayette Hospital with serious injuries. Fonfrias succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Drone Pilots and Chaplains were assisted by Clinton County Central Dispatch, Clinton County EMS, Clinton County Coroner’s Office, Mulberry Police Department, Mulberry Volunteer Fire Department and the Kokomo Police Department.

Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputy and Drone Pilot Locate Missing Kayaker

Published on August 6, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputy and Drone Pilot Joshua Blackwell responded to a call to assist the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at approximately 3:55 a.m., in the area of Adam’s Mill for a male kayaker who had reportedly been missing for approximately 8 hours.

Deputy Blackwell deployed his Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), better known as a drone, utilizing thermal imaging and a spotlight. Deputy Blackwell located the male within ten minutes of launching his UAV. The male was alive and checked out by first responders.

“I want to recognize our drone program for the outstanding and efficient work they provide to Clinton County and other agencies,” stated Clinton County Sheriff Sheriff Rich Kelly. “This is the third time in three months that Deputy Blackwell has utilized his UAV to locate an individual in the dark. I applaud the efforts of those involved in this program and thank them for their dedication to use these tools and provide this service. We currently have four drone pilots: Lieutenant Jerrad Blacker, Sergeant Thomas Pelling, Deputy Joshua Blackwell and Detective Ryan West. Well Done Deputy Blackwell!”

East Chicago Man Convicted on 5 Counts of Felony Child Molestation

Published on August 6, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – An East Chicago man, Jason Allen Walden, 46, was found guilty on 5 Counts of Felony Child Molestation; 3 counts of Level 1 Felony Child Molestation and 2 counts of Level 4 Felony Child Molestation by fondling in Clinton County Circuit Court on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

Walden was arrested in 2020 after a joint investigation with Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Detectives and the Lafayette Police Department. Senior Judge Laura Zeman ordered Walden into immediate custody following his 12 person jury conviction. He was transported to the Clinton County Jail, where he will be held without bond, pending sentencing on September 6, 2022.

“I am incredibly proud of our detectives who followed up on this case,” stated Clinton County Sheriff Rich Kelly. “Walden has two previous acquittals for similar charges in Marion County, within the last several years. The collaboration with Lafayette Police Department and the impeccable work by our investigations led to the conviction of this individual for his heinous crimes. It is our number one mission to protect our children and our community. Thank you to all of the officers who successfully closed this case.”

Frankfort Police Conduct Separate Traffic Stops, Result in Two Drug Arrests

Published on August 6, 2022August 6, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The Frankfort Police Department reported two separate traffic stops on Thursday, August 4, resulted in two individuals arrested for drugs. At approximately 6:55 PM, Officer Snell conducted a traffic stop at Delphi Ave and Kyger St. Sergeant Salaba and K9 Athena were requested to the scene. After a free-air exterior sniff, Officers located multiple pieces of evidence.

Arrested was, 54-year-old Patrick Brown of Colfax, IN. The Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office filed the following charges: Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony), Legend Drug Deception (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony), and Possession of Paraphernalia and Marijuana (both misdemeanors).

Earlier, on the same evening, at approximately 6:11 PM, Officer Martinez conducted a traffic stop at Willow St and Hawthorne Ave. Sergeant Salaba and K9 Athena were requested to the scene. After a free-air exterior sniff, Officers located drug evidence.

Arrested was, 32-year-old Christopher Milbourn of Wheatfield, IN. The Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office filed the following charges: Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony) and Driving While Suspended (misdemeanor).

I-65 Water Tower Completion Date at S.R. 28 Delayed 90-Days

Published on August 3, 2022August 3, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – Citing a loss of welders and a later than scheduled project start date, the contractor responsible for the construction of a 500,000 gallon water tank at the State Road 28 and I-65 interchange, west of Good to Go, requested a three-month extension of the substantial completion date.

The Clinton County Board of Commissioners heard from Jon Query of HWC Engineering, the firm tasked to oversee the water tank construction, at its Tuesday meeting.

“The contractor, Maguire Iron, has requested an extension to December 31st of this year,” said Query while addressing the Commissioners. “They have agreed to pay for any additional inspection costs for any construction engineering costs due to the additional time.”

Commissioners President Jordan Brewer added a second condition was made of Maguire Iron – the tank must be painted before the weather turns cold. Brewer asked Query if he felt the project was progressing at a pace where the project tasks were able to meet deadlines.

“I’m a little worried about it, to be honest with you,” answered Query. “They had a four-man welding crew and they lost two of those crew members. They’re trying to bring in more welders to get that part done so they can raise the tank. They’re going to do some of the priming on the ground. With most of the final painting done when the tank is in the air.”

Commissioner Brewer said after the meeting the project has been behind schedule since the beginning.

“The water tower at 28 and 65 has been behind from the beginning,” said Brewer.

“Just being honest about it. And so the company, I think they’re a reputable, good company. But, like many in the current environment, they cite labor issues, getting equipment issues, all the things that are going on with everybody. However, there’s deadlines for a reason, and we have a timeframe that we need to meet to have it erected.”

“And so we’ve had to apply pressure, but in any negotiation, there’s some give and take. And so we allowed for an extension of time, but with some caveats in terms of the painting being done this fall before the cold weather, as well as they will encumber any expense outside the original completion date to the current new completion date. The original [substantial completion date] was September 27th and now it’s December 31st.

“So they, they had issues at their job before they came to Clinton County. They were backed up two or three months, which essentially backed them up two or three months in their arrival here.”

Maguire Iron, Inc. is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Clinton County Commissioners Seek to Toughen Nepotism Ordinance

Published on August 3, 2022August 3, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – The Board of Commissioners for Clinton County passed the first reading of revised changes to the county’s Nepotism ordinance on Tuesday after Judge Sean Persin of Tippecanoe County ruled on July 7th that the current ordinance did not prohibit Sheriff Rich Kelly from hiring his wife, Ashley Kelly, to serve as Jail Matron. The first reading of the amended Nepotism ordinance did not appear on the publicly posted Commissioners meeting agenda; however, the agenda does state the board may entertain other business not shown.

Commissioners President Jordan Brewer presented the changes stating, “as many of you know, about 15 months ago, we took the action of the injunctive relief with Tippecanoe [County] in regards to the commissary fund… Judge Persin had a ruling in regards to the Nepotism policy that he came out with about a month ago.”

“And our interpretation of that policy, he said was inaccurate because we viewed it, that it was restrictive enough on terms of who could be the Jail Matron.”

Commissioner Brewer noted Indiana statutes allow for more “restrictive” nepotism rules in two exceptions at the local level, Jail Matron and Deputy Coroner. The proposed revision, Ordinance 2022-08, will address both exceptions should the ordinance pass its final reading at the next commissioners meeting, August 22nd.

The proposed changes states, as read by Brewer, “the Sheriff’s spouse may not be employed as prison matron for the county and the spouse may not otherwise be in the county Sheriff’s direct line of supervision, item four, which is in regards to the Coroner position, says who’s successor in office of the Coroner is a relative of the individual may not be hired in the position of Deputy Coroner of the county and being the county Coroner’s direct line of supervision.”

Clinton County Sheriff Rich Kelly was not surprised by the actions taken by the Commissioners.

“I looked [and] didn’t see it on the agenda as advertised as a first reading, but this is an expectation from the county in regards to the decision that was made by Judge Persin in Tippecanoe County,” said Sheriff Kelly “It was fully expected that the Nepotism policy would be addressed and that they would change it.”

“So in, in lieu of everything that has transpired over the last 18 months, this was an expectation that this would take place and to remove somebody from the ability to provide for the community, provide for the employees, the employee spouses and programs that have done nothing but [be] positive for the county, as well as its residents in the community.

“And it is a shame that this is their answer to being productive at a office. So with that, you know, there will be a resulting negatives from this. And, the fact that, programs, grants, things like that will either be turned back to the state and to the federal government, as well as, the interruption of services to our community and to our inmates.”

Sheriff Kelly is waiting to receive a copy of the proposed changes to the Nepotism ordinance and how those changes impact all county government.

“The question stands – is this a policy, amendment to an ordinance that is going to affect all county agencies? And that will be the interesting question and how that is, put into the ordinance. So if that’s the way the ordinance is written, then the ordinance will, you know, affect, who’s employed at our Sheriff’s office, at the Coroner’s office, as well as, I would say, every other office in this community.”

Commissioner Brewer when asked after the meeting when he would anticipate the new ordinance would take effect replied, “I would expect it to be immediate, but that will be a conversation we’ll have to have at the next meeting as commissioners to figure out a timeframe that we plan to address it.”

New Lights Installed at Frankfort High School

Published on August 2, 2022August 2, 2022 by Brett W. Todd

new stadium lights installed at Frankfort High School — Crew members were testing the newly installed lighting system at Frankfort High School Football, Track & Field Complex the evening of August 1, 2022. (Photos by Brett W. Todd)

FRANKFORT, Ind. – A much needed lighting project is nearing completion at the Frankfort High School Football, Track & Field complex this week. Testing of the newly installed 4-pole lightening system took place Monday evening.

The lighting system, complete with the ability to program a light-show, replaces a 6-pole lighting system that stood since the complex opened in 1981.

Former CSF Superintendent Joel McKinney presented the idea of the upgrade at the May 10, 2022, school board meeting after learning of cost savings from the district wide paving project.

“The poles are questionable,” said McKinney after speaking with Dave Fouse, director of buildings, grounds and transportation for CSF. “If you’ve ever been to a football game where the lights flicker and go out, we have to sit the teams down and wait and come back out.”

“The wires that run up, those poles are, are shorting out the poles themselves or old. He said, they’re inconsistent. They lose power.”

The $335,000 project was awarded to Musco Lighting.

“Musco Lighting is part of a consortium. They put in our baseball lights. They did such a good job that after a year or two, they came back and replaced the bulbs free of charge.”

“In other words, Ed Niehaus and all are very pleased with Musco.”

Frankfort hosts the Clinton Central Bulldogs on August 19 under the new lights. Kick-off is set for 7 pm.

NEWS – EVENTS – COMMUNITY – GIVEAWAYS

Brett W. Todd - page 12

Hoke Ave Closure Update; Rain Could Delay Re-Opening to Monday

Farmer’s Market Returning To Downtown Frankfort

Will Clinton County Water Be Pumped to Supercharge Boone County Growth?

Motorcycle, Deer Crash Leads to Fatal Death of Frankfort Woman

Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputy and Drone Pilot Locate Missing Kayaker

East Chicago Man Convicted on 5 Counts of Felony Child Molestation

Frankfort Police Conduct Separate Traffic Stops, Result in Two Drug Arrests

I-65 Water Tower Completion Date at S.R. 28 Delayed 90-Days

Clinton County Commissioners Seek to Toughen Nepotism Ordinance

New Lights Installed at Frankfort High School

Community Calendar

Brett W. Todd - page 12

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