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Brett W. Todd - page 8

Brett W. Todd has 923 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.

The City of Frankfort to Honor Veterans at Veterans Park

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The City of Frankfort to Honor Veterans at Veterans Park

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The City of Frankfort is honoring Hometown Heroes at Veterans Park.

The Veterans’ signs will be located at Veterans Park and will be showcased during the Veterans’ Day Program on Friday, November 11, 2022. The information for the signs must come from a Veteran and needs to include their name, military picture, military branch, and years of service.
Veterans can email to Kimberly Black at kblack@frankfort-in.gov or it can be dropped off at the Community Development Office inside Old Stoney (301 East Clinton Street, Frankfort IN) by Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Each sign can be purchased for $20.00 and will be due at the time of the order. The City of Frankfort can only accept cash or checks. Please make the checks payable to the City of Frankfort.

Mayor Sheets commented, “I wanted to find a way to honor our Veterans in the community since I first took office. This is a great opportunity for our community to honor and thank all of the members of the Armed Forces who have served our great country. They have sacrificed so much over the years and it is time that the City of Frankfort does our part in honoring them. I am excited to see all of the signs in Veterans Park in November.”

Veterans can pick up the signs after the Veterans Day Program and place them in their own yard or landscaping. “I know our community has many Veterans and this is a great opportunity to honor them. I’m hoping our community and visitors that drive-thru Frankfort notice the signs at Veterans Park and all over Frankfort after the 11th and see the impact our community members have given to our great nation, said Black.”

If businesses would like to sponsor our Hometown Heroes, please contact Kimberly Black, Community Development & Outreach Director, City of Frankfort.

Frankfort Police Department Awarded Department of Justice Grant to Hire New Police Officer

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Frankfort Police Department Awarded Department of Justice Grant to Hire New Police Officer

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The Frankfort Police Department (FPD) has been awarded a $125,000 grant to hire a new police officer through the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). FPD was one of 180 grants awarded nationwide of 711 applications received for fiscal year 2022 grant cycle.

“We’re happy with this [announcement],”said Frankfort Police Chief Scott Shoemaker.

Shoemaker explained the funding process as the funding from CHP will provide partial funding over three years with the city committing to fund 100% of the new officer pay in year 4, “the first three years is a match, 75% federal government, 25% the city. And then in the fourth year, we’re required to fully fund that position for at least one year.”

The original FPD grant application requested funding for three officers to allow for specialized trained officers in mental health shared Shoemaker.

“We’d ask for three. Our intent was to have an officer with using one that we already have – our goal was to have at least one specialized officer that’s trained in mental health – a little bit far beyond than what we normally do.”

Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets too was excited to receive news of the awarding of the grant.

“I’m so excited about this,” said Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets. “That’s gonna help us out to be able to add one more person to the police department.”

Sheets added this grant will assist the city with services needed as part of the annexation to I-65 in 2025.

“As we move forward on 28 to the interstate, we are hoping to add possibly up to three officers. So this is gonna help the city out quite a bit financially as we are moving forward because we have to start offering services in 2025.”

Shoemaker was asked if the grant will allow the FPD to hire from the current recruitment class going through the hiring process.

“Absolutely. That’s the good news – the good news is that instead of hiring one out of this, we’ll be able to hire two. We have some good candidates.”

FPD is waiting to hear when the funding will be released from the DOJ for the hiring to be funded, but believe it will be no later than January 2023.

Nationwide, the awards provide direct funding to 180 law enforcement agencies, allowing those agencies to hire 973 additional full-time law enforcement professionals according to the DOJ.

Since its creation in 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 136,000 officers.

City of Frankfort Official Trick or Treat Halloween Hours

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frankfort-trick-or-treat

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The City of Frankfort has announced its official trick-or-treat hours will be 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Halloween night, Monday, October 31.

The Board of Public Works and Safety approved trick-or-treat times at their September 26th meeting. Residents who are planning to share candy should turn on their porch lights during trick-or-treat hours.

Frankfort Police are offering safety tips for trick-or-treaters. According to Police Chief Scott Shoemaker, trick-or-treaters of all ages are encouraged to take the following precautions to help ensure a safe evening by choosing a well-lit path of travel and only visiting homes of those you know and that have porch lights on.

“We encourage all trick-or-treaters to wear reflective clothing. Remember to stop at the edge of streets before crossing and never run into the road.” Chief Shoemaker said in a city Facebook post. Motorists are asked to be especially careful on Halloween night by decreasing speed and increasing awareness of trick-or-treating children and families.

Frankfort Main Street and many of the downtown businesses will be trick-or-treating on the square from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. Stop by if you dare for the Kid’s Costume Contest at Veterans Park, judging begins at 6pm.

In addition to trick-or-treating within their neighborhoods and downtown Frankfort, Frankfort’s ghosts, witches, superheroes, and goblins can visit the Frankfort Unified Neighborhood Truck or Treat event at Veterans Park on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

Community Asks Questions of Automated Trash Collection, Service to Begin October 31

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Community Asks Questions of Automated Trash Collection, Service to Begin October 31
Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets, far left, addresses a group of more than 50 residents regarding the city's rollout of automated trash collection service ahead of the planned Monday, October 31 kickoff of the program.

FRANKFORT, Ind. – More than 50 Frankfort residents attended a public discussion of automated trash collection at the Frankfort Public Library Tuesday evening prior to the program roll out on Monday, October 31 in the southwest quadrant of the city.

Residents will keep the same scheduled trash collection day currently under the new automated trash collection service.

Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets was pleased with the number of residents in attendance and the questions asked.

“I’m very pleased with the number of people showed up tonight,” said Sheets. “You never know when you have a public meeting like this. A lot of people want questions answered, but they won’t always go to the source. So I was really excited to see so many people here.”

“We had a lot of good questions, and that’s what we were hoping for, that we’d be able to answer questions or at least give them an avenue later on to come to, come to the street department, contact my office.”

Jason Forsythe, Frankfort Street Superintendent echoed the mayor’s comment.

“I thought it was a great, great meeting,” said Forsythe. “People [are] concerned about different things and that’s why I had it. I wanted to make sure that everyone got an opportunity to ask the questions. When you go on social media and you complain, we can’t answer everything on there.”

Forsythe stressed the improvement to the safety and health of employees with the new service.

“I can’t be more happier for my guys and gals. As I said tonight, the safety side of things is, is so important for me and for them. You could strain a muscle. You can tear things up in your body every day, let alone the main factors of getting hit by a vehicle or getting splashed in the face of a chemical or something like that.”

In the coming weeks, two new automated trash collection trucks along with a used automated trash collection truck will arrive to allow employees to begin training and driving the streets and alleyways. Over 5,000 96-gallon trash collection totes will also arrive to be assembled and delivered to residents homes.

Each tote with have a serial number and will be assigned to the corresponding street address. Forsythe stated residents should allow time to acclimate to the new totes, but residents will have the opportunity to have a secondary tote for an additional $5 per month charge if needed. There are no additional costs to residents for the first tote.

Residents with questions or concerns can contact the street department at 765-659-2912 or the mayor’s office at 765-654-7332 or visit the city’s website at https://frankfort-in.gov/.

Commissioners, Sheriff Work To Pass Camping Ordinance

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Commissioners, Sheriff Work To Pass Camping Ordinance

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – A recent incident of a person setting-up a campsite between a roadway and a private citizens’ front property line outside of incorporated limits left the sheriff’s office without an enforcement option to legally remove the person according to Commissioners President Jordan Brewer during the Tuesday commissioners meeting.

The title of the ordinance – the camping ordinance – “can be a little misleading, but it’s in regards to pedaling and solicitation,” stated Brewer when introducing the ordinance to the board.

Brewer provided the history of why there is a need for this ordinance, “we had an issue a couple weeks ago where there was an individual who was evicted from their home and they decided to go to a vacant lot and set up tent and that landowner had ’em removed. So at that point, they decided to go to the county right-of-way between the road and someone’s house – essentially what someone would consider is the front yard and throw up their campsite.”

“It put the sheriff’s department a precarious situation because they didn’t have any ability to have this person removed; there was some concern that the person was on drugs and just some other issues going on mentally. The homeowners in that area had little kids. And so I think everyone that had kids would see the concern that this person’s in their, what they presume is their front yard, that’s the county right-of-way and their kids can’t go outside or this person may try and break in their home. I mean, there’s just a lot of issues, but we had no legal ability to do anything.”

The commissioner spoke to both Sheriff Kelly and Matron Kelly to determine how best to resolve an issue like this going forward.

“In conversation with the sheriff and the matron, it was presented to us that there’s an ordinance that some other counties have out there that would allow for them to have the ability to remove this person,” commented Brewer.

Sheriff Kelly was thankful of the commissioners actions when asked after the meeting.

“It’ll help us because we have a handful of situations throughout the year with the different agencies here in Clinton County – from Frankfort Police to the Town Marshalls – that we’ll have people that’ll either be coming through the area and they’ll select a spot and they set up a campsite or tent and they stay,” said Kelly. “It gives us the opportunity to enforce an ordinance that we can have them move their things, leave the property without incident.”

The sheriff continued, “it’s a little unnerving when people find people on their property… it’s somebody else’s property where it’s the county’s property and it’s not designed to house anybody or to allow anybody to camp there.”

In the specific incident that brought about the action of the newly passed ordinance, two community organizations assisted in providing care for the person – allowing the person to leave the campsite.

“It ended up working out the best case scenario,” said Brewer. “We go Lorra Archibald [of] Healthy Communities involved, and Jami Pratt [with] Home For The Night and we’re thankful for both of those individuals in their help – we ended up getting this person in Home For The Night and, and getting them to a mental rehab facility.”

Brewer thanked the Sheriff’s Department for its assistance.

“We are thankful to the Sheriff’s Department,” Brewer commented. “They sent over another counties and we just adopted it and made a few tweaks to fit our community.”

The new ordinance will become effective in 30-days after legal publication according to state statute.

Former Kirklin Man Charged with 60 Counts of Numerous Crimes Against Children

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Former Kirklin Man Charged with 60 Counts of Numerous Crimes Against Children

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. – According to the Clinton County Sherriff’s Office, Coby Cox, 40, formerly of Kirklin, was officially charged by the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office with 60 counts of numerous crimes against children in Clinton County Circuit Court today.

They are as follows:

4 counts- 35-42-4-4(b)(5): Child Exploitation-Same as 8248 with aggravating factor found in 35-42-4-4(c)(1) a LEVEL 4 FELONY
2 counts- 35-42-4-4(b)(5): Child Exploitation a LEVEL 5 FELONY
43 counts- 35-42-4-4(d)(1): Possession of Child Pornography-aggravating factor found in I.C. 35-42-4-4(e)(1) a LEVEL 5 FELONY
11 counts- 35-42-4-4(d)(2): Possession of Child Pornography a LEVEL 6 FELONY

Cox was given a bond of $40,000 surety ($4,000 cash).

Meth Arrests Made Over Multiple Days by Frankfort Police

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Meth Arrests Made Over Multiple Days by Frankfort Police

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Over a span of three-days, the Frankfort Police Department reports a number of arrests for methamphetamine in three separate incidents.

The first arrest took place on September 20, 2022, at approximately 6:53 pm after Frankfort Police Department Sergeant Brett Dale observed a person wanted on Violation of Probation warrant while patrolling in the area of Barner and Main streets. Sgt. Dale approached 44-year-old, Porter Shelton of Frankfort, and took him into custody.

After being taken into custody, officers found over three grams of methamphetamine on Shelton. Shelton was transported to the Clinton County Jail without incident. Official charges were filed by the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office.

The second police activity resulted in a total of four arrests after serving a search warrant for narcotics activity for a garage at 1110 W McClurg St. on September 22, 2022, at approximately 12:22 am. FPD Sergeant Lance Pickrell and K9 Officer Andrew Snyder observed drug activity in the 1100 Block W McClurg St. Multiple individuals were on scene so assistance was requested of off-duty FPD officers as well as Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and Rossville Police Department. As a result of the warrant served the following individuals were arrested and charges requested to the Clinton County Prosecutor: Devin Cox, 32-year-old, of Frankfort – Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Syringe, Possession of Paraphernalia and Maintaining a Common Nuisance;  Jessie Birge, 36-year-old of Frankfort – Possession of Syringe, Possession of Paraphernalia and Visiting a Common Nuisance; Breanna Wessell, 27-year-old of Michigantown – Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana; and, Peter Williams, 24-year-old of Frankfort – Possession of Paraphernalia, Visiting a Common Nuisance.

The final meth related arrest came later on the same day at approximately 2:29 pm when Frankfort Police Department Captain Brady Sorrells was conducting school patrol when he observed a vehicle fail to use a turn signal and drive left of center in the area of Dolsen and Green streets. K9 Officer Beau Smith and K9 Bane were requested and responded to the scene. A free air exterior sniff was conducted with probable cause being established for a search of the vehicle.

The driver, 54-year-old, Robby Gillum of Frankfort, was subsequently arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine at 25 grams, Level 2 Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony and Possession of Syringe.

“Twenty-five grams of methamphetamine was stopped from being distributed in our city,” stated FPD Chief Scott Shoemaker on a Facebook post on the department’s page. “After the last few days of drug arrests, I’d be paranoid about who is next.”

Clinton County Water Will Not Flow Into Boone County, Wabash River Water Will Be Used – “Hundred Million Gallon A Day”

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Clinton County Water Will Not Flow Into Boone County, Wabash River Water Will Be Used - "Hundred Million Gallon A Day"
Kent Brewer, chairman of the Frankfort Utility Service Board (USB) provided an update on the aquifer study conducted in Clinton County, Indiana on water that could be used to fuel the growth in neighboring Boone County due to a planned 6,000 acre Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Innovation and Research District. Map depicts the LEAP zone as presented to the Lebanon City Council

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Officials from the State of Indiana have notified the Frankfort Utility Services that Clinton County water will not be directed to Boone County as part of the Lebanon area Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Innovation and Research District.

As previously reported, the State of Indiana was looking to source water for the designated 6,000 acre development.

Kent Brewer, chairman of the Frankfort Utility Service Board (USB) provided an update on the aquifer study at the conclusion of the USB meeting on Monday, September 19. The USB and Clinton County Commissioners are participants in a State Water Infrastructure Fund (SWIF) grant and the state is test drilling in a southwest portion of the county.

Brewer said, “about two weeks ago, we were notified that they’re not gonna be taken water from Clinton County.”

The State of Indiana provided the information during a brief, 10-minute zoom meeting with Brewer, Todd Corrie – general manager of Frankfort Utilities, and Alicia Albertson – attorney for the USB.

The State has one remaining test well and will share the data once the study is completed.

“The state notified Todd and Alicia, and I in a zoom meeting… they’re gonna give us that data, but they are going to get 10 million gallon a day from south of Lebanon, bring it up from the south and they’re going to tap the Wabash River and they’re gonna bring a hundred million gallon a day up through Tippecanoe County. They’re gonna hit US 52 and take it straight to Lebanon right down US 52.”

Brewer said the State did not provide any indication as to why the decision was made not to use water from Clinton County; however, he did provide some ideas as to why the State might have gone with different alternatives.

“No, they didn’t give a whole lot of indication. I believe they’d done like seven to eight wells out that way and I don’t believe they hit the depths that they wanted to hit – where they felt there would be the quantity of the water. The one they’re doing, I do know was like 335-feet [deep] and they hit a second aquifer there, but some of the other ones they didn’t hit the water that they really want.”

“So at that point, I think they decided, why invest in that right there and not get eight, 10 million gallon a day was what they originally had told us they were gonna get out of there.”

“Obviously we had no say. The Utilities, the County, none of us had a say. They just showed up, started land rental agreements, drilling.”

Painting of Elevated Water Tank at I-65 to Begin

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Painting of Elevated Water Tank at I-65 to Begin
Photo of the 500,000-gallon elevated water tank at I-65 & S.R. 28 is nearing the painting phase of the construction process. The contractor, Maquire Iron, had made assurances to have painting completed prior to weather turning cold. (Photo by Brett W. Todd / September 13, 2022)

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The 500,000-gallon elevated water tank located off of State Road 28 and Interstate 65 is approaching the painting phase of the project and should be completed prior to the winter season.

As previously reported, the contractor for the project, Maquire Iron, had asked the Clinton County commissioners for a project extension to December 31 of this year with the agreement the tower would be painted prior to weather turning cold. The County is funding the project build with Frankfort Utility Services providing day-to-day operation upon project completion.

At the conclusion of the Frankfort Utility Service Board (USB) meeting on Monday (September 19), Kent Brewer, chairman of the Frankfort USB was asked about the status of painting of the constructed tank and whether or not painting completion will meet the deadline.

“Yes, depending on the weather,” said Brewer. “If we continue to have weather like this, they say that it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Much of the prep-work was done while the tank was being constructed while still on the ground.

“From my understanding, the tank’s primed. It was sand blasted and primed while it was on the ground and then they done some x-ray machines and they had one little area that they had to address the welds and then they’d have to re-prime that.”

Once those areas are addressed, Brewer expects a protective tent to go up for the painting process.

“My speculation would be that they would be putting a tent up and over it, like we did ours out here on the west edge of Frankfort and get started on paint.”

In terms of when the tank would be filled and come online is still being discussed.

“I really don’t know how much more works left before it would be water ready.”

Frankfort Man in Critical but Stable Condition after Struck by Train

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Frankfort Man in Critical but Stable Condition after Struck by Train

FRANKFORT, Ind. – An 18-year-old male was struck by a train at the Rossville Ave crossing Monday, September 19 at approximately 5:24 pm according to a statement from the Frankfort Police Department.

Upon arrival, officers saw two witnesses had pulled 18-year-old Christian Lindenmayer of Frankfort from under the train and attempted to apply make-shift tourniquets. Officers applied two C-A-T tourniquets and provided care until Clinton County Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) and Frankfort Fire Department (FFD) arrived. Lindenmayer was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital.

The initial investigation revealed that Lindenmayer was walking northbound across the tracks while wearing headphones and a hooded sweatshirt; he did not hear or see the train. The train was traveling at a slow speed and was able to stop within two hundred feet.

“I am extremely proud of the response of FPD officers tonight,” stated Frankfort Police Chief Scott Shoemaker. “Officers quickly applied tourniquets to stop the bleeding. The quick actions from witnesses, officers and the medical care from CCEMS and FFD could prove vital as the night progresses.”

Lindenmayer is in surgery at the time of this release.

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