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Brett W. Todd - page 3

Brett W. Todd has 924 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.

Clinton County Election Results

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (November 8, 2023) – Clinton County voters saw little in regards to contested elections in the 2023 November general election held November 7th.

Below are the results for the contested races in Clinton County:

Frankfort City Council
Clarence Warthan defeated David Riggs in the race for District 1

Rossville
Brooke Meeks defeated Gwin Hanna in the race for Clerk-Treasurer
Stanley Cox, Sally McGill and Benjamin Kellogg were elected to the Town Council

Mulberry
Paula Bennett defeated Jeannie Fife in the race for Clerk-Treasurer
Dave Jones, Randy Ravenscraft, Lewis Wheeler, Lindsey Foster and Joey Mitchell all were elected to the Town Council

Electrical Issue Caused Press Box Fire at FHS

The remains of the Frankfort High School football field press box after a fire on Halloween evening 2023. The fire has been ruled accidental due to an electrical issue. (Photo by Brett W. Todd, November 1, 2023)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (November 8, 2023) – A fire that began after 9 p.m. on Halloween evening in the Frankfort High School football field press box has been ruled to be have been accidental, caused by an electrical issue according to a joint statement from the Community Schools of Frankfort (CSF) and the Frankfort Fire Department (FFD).

The annoucement comes after a thorough investigation by the FFD and NEFCO Insurance Investigators.

According to the press release, CSF “will now move forward with plans to demolish the damaged press box and construct a new facility in its place.”

Bud McQuade Named Frankfort Building Inspector, Former HPC Chair

Bud McQuade was named Frankfort, Indiana building inspector during a September 25, 2023, meeting of the city's Board of Works meeting. McQuade begins October 2nd. (Photo CSF)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (September 25, 2023) – Mayor Judy Sheets has named James (Bud) McQuade as the city building inspector upon approval of the Board of Works (BOW) during Monday’s meeting.

McQuade had served as the chair of the Historic Preservation Commission until Mayor Sheets dissolved the HPC at the September 11 city council meeting – all enforcement of city historic standards and city building ordinances will now be enforced by McQuade.

Currently working for Structure Point as a construction project manager, McQuade will officially take on the city job October 2nd – he previously served as building inspector when Don Stock was mayor.

McQuade is excited to get started and sees his role as building inspector to help safeguard residents.

“I am excited about it,” McQuade said after the BOW meeting. “I have been a former city building inspector – I still feel I want to be part of the city’s growth, the vision going forward. This is a new, old chapter for me.

“My main concern is going out to make sure things are being built appropriately – to help safeguard the residents, the owners that they are being taken care of adequately.”

When asked how the enforcement of the city’s historic standards, he described a change in how it is approached.

“It’s not a thing of the past, but of the evolving future,” McQuade elaborated. “So, whether or not we’re going to be changing things – we’re just going to be changing how we approach and go from there.”

Mayor Sheets spoke of McQuade’s experience and knowledge of the city building and historic district codes.

“I’m excited to have Bud on our team – I believe he brings a lot to the table; he comes with a lot of experience,” Mayor Sheets shared after the meeting.

“I think it is going to be very beneficial to the city, because he is very much aware. He worked with those standards all those times while he was on the HPC. So, I think he brings a lot of expertise in that way as well. He genuinely cares about the historic districts and knows the importance of them.”

McQuade becomes the second Community Schools of Frankfort School Board member to also work as a city department head – Joel Tatum is the other and is the city parks superintendent.

Exterior Renovation of Courthouse To Begin September 25th

The Clinton County Courthouse will undergo a years long restoration beginning September 25, 2023. The public will begin to see scaffolding erected around the site next week. (File Photo Brett W. Todd, September 4, 2022)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (September 18, 2023) – Exterior renovation of the Clinton County Courthouse will begin next Monday, September 25th, according to commissioner Jordan Brewer.

Commissioner Brewer provided the update during this morning’s meeting stating the public will begin seeing scaffolding going-up next week.

The exterior project is the first of a $9,442,080 restoration project of the Courthouse with phase two being interior work. Interior work will not begin until completion of the Annex building at the corner of Washington St and Main St. The cost of construction of the Annex is pegged not to exceed $17,750,000.

Annex construction should begin soon with preliminary work on site taking place now.

Indiana Chamber Names Vanessa Green Sinders New President and CEO, First Female to Lead Organization

Vanessa Green Sinders, a former Fortune 100 executive and experienced policy strategist, has been selected as the incoming president and CEO of Indiana Chamber. (Photo provided)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (September 14, 2023) – The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the state’s largest business advocacy organization, is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Vanessa Green Sinders, a former Fortune 100 executive and experienced policy strategist, has been selected as the incoming president and CEO according to a press release issued today.

She will succeed Kevin Brinegar, who will retire in early January 2024. This significant milestone marks the Indiana Chamber’s first female president. Sinders was chosen from a highly qualified pool of candidates, hailing from various sectors including business, politics, and trade associations.

Sinders’ unique ability to lead, innovate, and advocate for diverse stakeholders set her apart from the competition. With a proven track record in corporate America, government, and a national trade group, she brings a wealth of experience to the Indiana Chamber. Her collaborative leadership style, coupled with a talent for elevating organizations and improving member outcomes, make her the ideal candidate for this role.

“What really set Vanessa apart is her demonstrated ability to lead, innovate and advocate across a wide spectrum of stakeholders. She’s done that in corporate America, government and with a national trade group. That’s so important because of the varied aspects and programs at the Indiana Chamber,” states Paul Perkins, search committee member and chair of the Indiana Chamber Board of Directors, which approved the hire earlier today.

“At every place she’s led, Vanessa has earned a reputation as a strong, collaborative leader able to take organizations to new heights, improve member outcomes and develop top internal talent.”

Sinders also boasts an impressive 20-year career in policy work in Washington D.C. Prior to her move to Indiana last year, she served as senior vice president for government affairs at Charter Communications/Spectrum. In this role, she directed strategic policy and political engagement with Congress and the White House, while overseeing internal and external government affairs teams. Additionally, Sinders held senior positions at the American Hotel & Lodging Association and played influential roles on Capitol Hill.

Excited about her new role, Sinders expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Indiana Chamber. She aims to build on the organization’s successful track record and contribute to the state’s reputation as an ideal place to live, work, and do business. Through collaboration and engagement with stakeholders across Indiana, Sinders plans to identify and advance new opportunities that maximize the Chamber’s impact.

“I am honored by the opportunity to lead the Indiana Chamber and build on the organization’s strong record of success that has helped position our state as a place where people want to live, work and do business,” Sinders says. “As a believer in the power of collaboration and working together, I look forward to engaging with stakeholders across the Hoosier state to identify and advance new opportunities that maximize the Chamber’s impact.”

Those who have worked closely with Sinders describe her as a likable, genuine, and energetic leader who excels at building strong teams and finding innovative solutions. As she assumes her role as president and CEO, there is confidence that Sinders will further enhance the Chamber’s already high-performing organization.

“Vanessa is the kind of person people immediately like when they meet her,” John Thompson, the search committee chair and past Indiana Chamber Board chairman said. Adding, “She goes out of her way to make those genuine connections. She’s a real team-builder and finds innovative solutions that benefit all.

“I’m confident as the Chamber staff, members and partners get to know her that they will see such a positive, energetic and strong leader – one that is able to deliver significant results and make what is already a high-performing organization even greater.”

Sinders resides in Indianapolis with her husband and two sons – she founded Green Sinders Consulting upon moving to Indiana. She holds a bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in economics from Dartmouth College.

Sinders will begin her tenure at the Indiana Chamber as president and CEO-elect on October 16 and will assume the full role on January 5, following Brinegar’s retirement.

The Indiana Chamber consists of eight legal entities including a political action committee, foundation, two for-profit subsidiaries and several 501(c)(3)s, including the Wellness Council of Indiana and Institute for Workforce Excellence.

City Councilman Michael Brite Resigns from City Council and Redevelopment Commission

Michael Brite, Frankfort city councilman for the 3rd district, has announced in a public Facebook post dated September 12, 2023, he has resigned his position effective immediately. In the file photo, Brite is listening to a presentation during a December 12, 2022 city council meeting. (Photo Brett W. Todd)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (September 14, 2023) – City councilman Michael Brite (District 3) has resigned from the city council according to a public Facebook post made on his personal profile. The resignation is effective immediately – he and his wife, Kathy, are moving to Florida.

The resignation comes just one day after he announced prior to the conclusion of the September 11th city council meeting he was resigning immediately from the Frankfort Redevelopment Commission – the council approved councilman Eric Woods to fill Brite’s seat on the RDC.

Brite, who was serving his first term on the council after a 2019 election win, had won the May 2023 Republican primary in an uncontested race – a caucus will be held within 30-days after official papers are filed with the county clerks office.

Below is Brite’s full statement:

“As most of you know Kathy and I are moving to Florida. I have informed Mayor sheets this evening that I am resigning from the City Council effective immediately. Before any of the conspiracy theorists get any ideas it’s not because of our Mayor. I would like to take this time to thank the Council and the Mayor. I have enjoyed working with you all. I know that all these Council members and The Mayor are doing a great job in moving our city forward. We are not always going to make everyone happy but one thing I have learned is the ones that are happy stay quiet but the 5 or 6 unhappy people that have never made it to a meeting in my 4 years, they are the ones that make the most noise and unfortunately make you wonder if the job is worth it. Being told that you’re on the take, ,your part of the good old boys and bla, bla, bla. I guess there will always be those types of people. I just wish they would run and win so they could then be accused of the same thing. Oh well enough of that. I love Frankfort and always will. I think there are great things ahead for this city. Thank you Mayor for hanging in there and thank you City council. By the way you 5 or 6 haters, keep up the good work and try to at least come to one meeting in the next 4 years.”

 

‘Throwing The Baby Out With The Bath Water,’ Mayor Ends HPC

A Christian Ridge Historic District marker sits atop street intersection signs in Frankfort, Indiana. Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets got what she wanted during the September City Council meeting held Monday evening - the elimination of the Historic Preservation Commission on a 5-2 vote. The enforcement of historic standards in the three historic districts now falls on the city building inspector. (Photo Brett W. Todd)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (September 12, 2023) – Mayor Judy Sheets got what she wanted during the September City Council meeting held Monday evening – the elimination of the Historic Preservation Commission on a 5-2 vote.

Councilman Clarence Warthan and Brandt Fuller voted against the ordinance to immediately dissolve the HPC and place the policing of historic standards onto the city building inspector – the city currently does not have a building inspector.

The mayor had previously said the HPC was “keeping us from getting work done and they only meet once a month”

During public comments prior to the vote, Reverend Philip Jordan addressed the council encouraging the members to vote in favor of ending the HPC.

Rev. Jordan, who has owned a home for 27-years and situated within a historic district, spoke of having the painting of his home halted by the HPC – describing the experience as feeling much like a “gross over-reach into our personal lives.”

Tommy Kleckner, director of Indiana Landmarks for the Western Region, explained the city’s ordinance that formed the HPC is based on Indiana state law and lacks essential updates the state has made. And, updating the city ordinance would allow the commission to have the proper tools to serve the community.

Kleckner equated the dissolving of the HPC without first addressing the underlying fixes amounts to “throwing the baby out with the bath water.”

Bud McQuade also addressed the council. McQuade, who served as the chair of the HPC and served as building inspector when Don Stock was mayor, took his allotted 3-minutes to speak to a one-page summary of suggested ideas to improve the efficiency of the commission – “more fluid, more receptive to the needs of the city and the citizen.”

Prior to the close of the council meeting, councilman Steve Beardsley asked the mayor to “appoint a taskforce to look at historic districts to honor what we said tonight which is we do not want a gap in this.” Beardsley suggested two names to the mayor upon request, Stock and McQuade.

After the meeting the mayor was asked the taskforce suggestion and what might a timeline look like to having this in place.

“I haven’t even really thought of a timetable, but counselor Beardsley asked me to put a committee together – so I am going to be working on that. It’s something I thought about anyway even before this because I had no idea what would happen tonight – I was just waiting to see what they said.”

The mayor was asked – you were really surprised? – “I really did not know. I hadn’t had any conversation with any of the counselors.” The mayor acknowledged that she did not speak to any members of the HPC prior to introducing the ordinance in August.

As the city is without a building inspector and the job posting has recently been removed from the city website, the mayor was asked of the status and if someone has been hired.

“We have not hired anyone,” the mayor said. When asked about applicants and interviewing, the mayor said, “We have interviewed some people. We just have not made a decision.”

When might a decision be made?

“I say probably in the next couple of weeks we will know something,” said the mayor.

110-year Sentence for NHK Killer

110-year Sentence for NHK Killer
Gary Ferrell enters the Clinton County Indiana Courthouse on Thursday, September 7, 2023, on way to hear his sentencing in the double murder of Promise Mays and Pamela Sledd in the parking lot of NHK Seating of America outside of Frankfort on August 18, 2021. (Photo by: Brett W. Todd)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (September 7, 2023) – Gary Ferrell, 28, will spend 110-years in state prison for the “brutal and heinous” murders of Promise Mays and Pamela Sledd in the parking lot of NHK Seating of America outside of Frankfort on August 18, 2021.

Clinton County Superior Court Judge Justin Hunter read the sentence aloud today after hearing final arguments from both Prosecutor Anthony Sommer and Stacy Uliana, defense attorney for Ferrell.

Judge Hunter, who had the discretion of sentencing between 45-years and 65-years per murder, handed-down the recommended guideline sentence of 55-years for each of the murders and ordered Ferrell to serve the sentences consecutively, one sentence immediately after the other. The Judge did note the Court rejects any characterization of the sentence as a “DeFacto LWOP sentence,” life without parole sentence.

Ferrell had previously faced the death penalty; however, the death penalty was removed upon Ferrell’s change of plea to guilty.

Judge Hunter wrote, “On motion of the State, the request of the State for imposition of the death penalty is withdrawn, which is appropriate in this case because of the evidence of the defendant’s intellectual disability.”

He further wrote in the sentencing order, “The Court further finds that it is appropriate that the sentences for Murder in this case be treated consecutively, and the Court would have rejected any plea agreement that did not call for consecutive sentencing for the two murders. To fail to treat the sentences consecutively would be a denial of justice to the victims and their families and only diminish the seriousness of defendant’s conduct.”

Ferrell received credit of 750 actual days served in jail from the date of the offense together with Class B credit time.

In coming to his decision, Judge Hunter noted both seven aggravating and seven mitigating factors – coming to the conclusion that each set factors “balance.”

The seven aggravating factors were noted as:
1. The Murders were brutal and heinous.
2. Defendant premeditated the Murder of Promise Mays, and Defendant was lying in wait for Promise Mays at a location where he could reasonably expect that she would not have any weapon, device or instrument to be able to protect herself.
3. The victims were both much physically weaker than the defendant himself.
4. The harm, injury, loss or damage suffered by the victims was significant and greater than the elements necessary to prove the commission of the offense. More specifically, both victims watched the other being shot, and defendant committed the murders while he was committing an offense of confinement with a deadly weapon.
5. Defendant deliberately chose to inflict his pain and harm upon his victims with a gun, during shift change at NHK, when he knew that many other workers at NHK would be in the immediate vicinity and thereby subject to the risk of harm from the use of a weapon.
6. Defendant acted out an entitlement to control and possess Promise Mays, whether in life or in death, even though she had demonstrated only kindness for the many people whom she encountered in her short and precious life.
7. With respect to the Murder he inflicted upon Pamela Sledd, Defendant shot Ms. Sledd after she had named her back and was retreating from the scene of the offense she had witnessed against her granddaughter. She was of no threat whatsoever to the defendant and his plan to murder and commit suicide.

And, the seven mitigating factors noted were:
1. Defendant led a law-abiding life for a substantial period before commission of the crime.
2. Defendant was cooperative with law enforcement, with the Court process, with his attorneys, and he accepted responsibility for his criminal conduct by confessing and entering a plea of guilty to both murders.
3. Defendant has made an expression of remo
4. Defendant suffers from an intellectual disability which profoundly affected his judgment and actions.
5. Defendant suffered from trauma in his childhood.
6. The defendant had an alcohol use disorder that contributed to his depression.
7. Prior to the murders, Defendant had an otherwise good character.

In coming to the decision that the “aggravating factors and the mitigating factors balance,” Judge Hunter wrote, “Although the Court assigns a substantial weight to mitigating factors recited above, the weight does not exceed the weight the Court gives to the aggravating factors; and the Court further finds that seriousness of the offenses-multiple murders committed at a workplace against helpless co-workers-carries an impact on not only the victims’ families but a community of many.”

Ferrell was remanded into the care of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office for transport to the Indiana Department of Correction for service of the sentence.

Pursuant to the Pleas Agreement, Ferrell has waived his right to any appeal.

NHK Killer: “I understand that my acts caused an unimaginable amount of pain and torment”

NHK Killer: "I understand that my acts caused an unimaginable amount of pain and torment"
Gary Ferrell II is led out out the Clinton County Courthouse on August 30, 2023, after nearly five-hours of witness impact testimony had been heard. (Photo: Brett W. Todd)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (August 30, 2023) – Towards the conclusion of nearly five-hours of testimony conducted in a Clinton County courtroom today, family members and friends of Promise Mays and Pamela Sledd heard directly from the killer that took the lives of those two on the afternoon of August 18, 2021, in a NHK parking lot near State Road 28 and Interstate 65.

Clinton County Superior Court Judge Justin Hunter asked if the defendant, Gary Ferrell II, would like to make a statement to the court.

Ferrell – who spent much of the proceedings looking downward and away, avoiding eye contact of those called to deliver impact statements – stood and began to apologize “for the acts of violence for which I am guilty of.”

Reading from a folded piece of paper, he continued, “I have taken the lives of two innocent human beings and inflicted unimaginable pain onto the victims family, friends and to my own family. For all of this, I am deeply sorry. I understand that my acts caused an unimaginable amount of pain and torment for those that knew them the best. If I could do it all over again, I would have gotten the help I need instead of letting my own pain get out of control. I am very sorry.”

Earlier in the hearing Clinton County Prosecutor Tony Sommer played two videos from NHK security cameras showing what Judge Hunter described as “brutal murders.”

The videos, one from a camera looking from the building towards the parking lot, the other from an outer parking lot area looking back towards the building, revealed scenes previously described in a 2021 probable cause affidavit.

Ferrell’s blue Focus was parked next to a black Chevrolet in which Mays was a passenger. Ferrell opened the trunk of his car then “exits his vehicle with a black object in his right hand that appears to be a semi-automatic firearm.” He then walked to the passenger door of the black Chevrolet, opened the door, “forcibly pulls” Mays by grabbing her arm, and “pulls her to the rear of the blue Ford.” Mays attempts to resist but is “over powered.”

Sledd exits the driver side of the black Chevrolet and has “an exchange of words” with Ferrell prior to him making a “pointing motion with the firearm towards the NHK building.” Sledd attempts to “move away from the scene” and “appears she is shot when Ferrell lowers the gun” at Sledd. She continues to “move away” from Ferrell and the video appears to show “that a second and third round are shot” at Sledd and she “collapses on the ground.”

Mays is now in a “crouched type position” behind the blue Focus. Ferrell has his gun pointed at Mays’ “head and is still trying to force Promise into the trunk of his vehicle.”

“Ferrell then appears to shoot Promise and then she falls to the ground behind the Ford Focus and lies motionless.” He then enters his vehicle leaving the trunk open and “after a few seconds the vehicle backs up and runs over Promise and comes to a rest after turning about 90 degrees. Promise’s body is drug about 7 feet and the car stops and then goes forward, leaving the parking lot.”

In addition to the security video, Prosecutor Sommer played the video of the interview Lt. Dan Roudebush of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office conducted with Ferrell on the evening of the arrest.

Lt. Roudebush asked Ferrell why had he done what he done. Ferrell replied, “I couldn’t get her (Promise) out of my mind.” When asked to describe what led up to the killings that afternoon, Ferrell described drinking the night before and waking in the morning to drive to Lafayette to purchase ammunition, then return to his house to fill the empty beer bottles with gasoline, and going to get more gasoline.

Judge Hunter will deliver Ferrell’s sentence in open court during a September 7th, 2pm hearing at the Clinton County Courthouse.

Frankfort Juvenile Arrested For Having Handgun at Frankfort High School

Frankfort Juvenile Arrested For Having Handgun at Frankfort High School
Frankfort Police Department Chief Scott Shoemaker comments on the on arrest of a Frankfort High School student for having a handgun at the school August 17, 2023. The juvenile was transported to a juvenile detention facility awaiting formal charges from the Clinton County prosecutor. From left-to-right: Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets, FPD Chief Scott Shoemaker, Community Schools of Frankfort Superintendent Dr. Matt Rhoda, FPD Deputy Chief Cesar Munoz. (Photo: Facebook video frame / FPD page)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (August 18, 2023) – August 17, 2023, started off as a regular day at Frankfort High School (FHS), but it quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal when students discovered a fight taking place in one of the school bathrooms. Little did they know, this altercation would involve the presence of a firearm.

The details of the ordeal was shared during a joint Frankfort Police Department (FPD) and Community of Schools of Frankfort (CSF) press conference at FPD headquarters that afternoon.

At approximately 8:00 A.M., students bravely alerted a FPD officer serving as FHS School Resource Officer (SRO) of the incident. Students reported seeing one of the students involved potentially carrying a firearm, as an ammunition magazine fell out during the scuffle. Acting swiftly, the SRO and school staff took immediate custody of the students involved.

During a thorough search, a small caliber handgun was found on the premises – no ammunition was discovered in the school or on the school bus that the student had used to commute that day. As a precautionary measure, the school was placed on an immediate lockdown to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

The incident also prompted a temporary lock-out at the nearby Frankfort Middle School, as a safety precaution due to its close proximity to the high school. Multiple officers, detectives, and command staff promptly responded to the scene, working alongside school administration staff to coordinate investigative efforts and guarantee the safety of those involved.

The suspect, a seventeen-year-old male, was transported by FPD to FPD headquarters, where detectives continued their investigation. The suspect was then taken to a juvenile detention facility – with assistance from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office – and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm on school property.

A search of the juvenile’s home did not yield any other firearms.

By 9:40 A.M., all school operations had returned to normal. FPD Chief Scott Shoemaker expressed his gratitude for the students who reported the incident, emphasizing the value of the twenty-three-year partnership between FPD and CSF, which has allowed for the presence of an officer within the high school.

“I am thankful that the student witnesses reported the incident to school officials and our SRO,” stated Chief Shoemaker. “In a partnership with the Community Schools of Frankfort, we have had an officer in our high school for twenty-three years now.”

CSF Superintendent Dr. Matt Rhoda echoed Chief Shoemaker’s sentiments, emphasizing the strong partnership between the school district and the police department. He also highlighted the importance of preparedness and coordination in responding to critical incidents such as these, ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

“We have a great partnership with the Frankfort Police Department,” stated Dr. Rhoda. “We have prepared for incidents of these types of critical incidents. Today was an example of how we respond in coordination with the police department to keep everyone safe.”

As the case now moves forward, the Clinton County prosecutor will review the details and determine formal charges.

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