Clinton County Daily News

Inside INdiana Business is reporting Indiana’s unemployment rate increased to 3.8 percent in September, up from 3.5 percent the previous month. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state added 8,200 jobs last month and the unemployment rate remains below the national average of 4.2 percent. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show the Indiana labor force has increased by more than 6,100 in September.

The state’s unemployment rate has risen 0.8 percent since June. However, the DWD says the figure has been below the national average for four full years, with the exception of one month in 2015 when it equaled the national rate.

Indiana’s labor force stands at nearly 3.34 million. The state’s 64.5 percent labor force participation rate remains higher than the national rate of 63.1 percent.

The highest growth sectors for Indiana in September were trade, transportation and utilities, and leisure and hospitality. The DWD says Indiana’s total private employment stands at 16,800 above the November 2016 peak.

Indiana has the lowest unemployment rate of the neighboring states. Only Minnesota and Wisconsin have lower unemployment in the Midwest.

Clinton County United Way is half way to its $500,000 goal for the 2017 campaign.

The United Way thermometer on the Frankfort Square was just updated at 5:00 PM Friday October 20th by incoming United Way Director Carolina Booth, and reflects the latest news.

The Clinton County United Way can see that your household, organization or business receives a pledge packet by calling 765-654-5573.

 

Clinton County Central Dispatch has announced that the Frankfort Sewer Department will have Paris Street closed from John to Railroad most of the day.

Clinton County Central Dispatch and Frankfort Police are trying to locate a missing juvenile. C.J. McClure, 17, was last seen on Wednesday, Oct. 18. If you have any information, call Central Dispatch at 654-4277.

Inside INdiana Business is reporting Governor Eric Holcomb will next week begin an economic development trade mission to India. The governor and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger will lead a group expected to meet with government officials, representatives of foreign chambers and business leaders “to discuss opportunities to advance mutually-beneficial business and workforce development initiatives.”

The group is scheduled to depart for India October 27 and return November 3. Holcomb also plans to meet with executives of Indian companies with a presence in Indiana, including Infosys (NYSE: INFY), and executives with Indiana-based companies with operations in India, such as Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI).

“With recent, large job commitments from India-based companies, we are building even greater momentum to send more Hoosier-made goods to India and recruit more Indian businesses to grow here in Indiana,” Holcomb said in a news release. “I’ll remain focused on taking our state to the world and bringing the world back to our Hoosier communities.”

Indiana is home to at least nine India-based companies that specialize in tech, life sciences and manufacturing. Earlier this year, Infosys announced plans to invest nearly $9 million to locate its first American innovation hub in central Indiana, creating up to 2,000 jobs by 2021. The state’s colleges and universities also have ties to India with more than 3,600 Indian students studying at Indiana University and Purdue University alone in 2016.

The Indiana delegation to India will also include IU School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering Dean Raj Acharya, Indiana India Business Council President Raju Chinthala, TechPoint Chief Executive Officer Mike Langellier and Roger Reeves, director of strategic accounts at Genesys.

The trip will be Holcomb’s third international trade mission as governor. He traveled to Europe in June and wrapped up a trip to Japan last month.

With the City’s official Halloween trick-or-treat hours set for 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, Frankfort Police are offering safety tips for trick-or-treaters that night.

According to Police Chief Troy Bacon, ghosts, witches, super heroes and goblins of all ages are encouraged to take the following precautions to help ensure a safe evening: choose a well-lit path of travel, only visit homes of those you know and who have porch lights on and travel in groups of four or five.

“We also encourage everyone to wear reflective clothing and make sure costumes are fire resistant. Always walk – don’t run – and look both ways when crossing the street.

“While we always encourage motorists to be aware of their surroundings, on Halloween in particular, we ask drivers to pay extra attention for youngsters crossing the street or darting out between cars. This is an evening with a great deal of extra foot traffic happening and we want everyone – in and out of costumes – to be safe,” Bacon said.

During trick-or-treat hours, Frankfort police officers will be handing out candy at the Police Department located at 201 W Washington Street

Clinton County Central Dispatch has announced that the Frankfort Water Works will have Morrison Street closed from Franklin Street to Vandalia St today (Thursday).

Community members are invited to join Frankfort police officers at McDonalds Restaurant at 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 28 for informal conversations to build relationships, discuss public safety and enjoy a hot cup of coffee together.

According to Police Chief Troy Bacon, Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for residents to ask questions and learn more about the Department’s work throughout the City.

“The majority of contact law enforcement has with the public happens during emergencies and in times of emotional stress. Those situations are not the most effective opportunities for relationship building with those we serve.

“Some community members may feel as though officers are unapproachable or residents may incorrectly believe it is inappropriate to approach officers on the street. We want to change those beliefs by breaking down those barriers. Coffee with a Cop events will allow us to do that through relaxed, one-on-one interactions.

“We want our residents to feel comfortable asking questions, bringing forward concerns or simply getting to know our officers because all of these types of interactions are the foundation of building partnerships, trust and communications between residents and officers,” Bacon said.

A national initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Coffee with a Cop aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

McDonalds Restaurant is located at 1603 E Wabash Street.

At approximately 3:22 p.m. Wednesday, an Indiana State Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on I-74 eastbound near the 165 mile marker which led to the discovery of a large quantity of marijuana and the arrest of a passenger in the vehicle.

The investigation began when Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Ford Excursion for a traffic violation. While conducting the traffic stop, Trp. Miller became suspicious that criminal activity was taking place. Trp. Miller deployed his narcotics detection K-9 “Jinx” to conduct a sweep of the vehicle. Jinx alerted to the odor of drugs coming from the vehicle.

During the search of the vehicle, troopers located numerous individually wrapped plastic bundles containing suspected marijuana. The packages were hidden in various locations inside the vehicle. In total, the packages weighed approximately 33 pounds with an estimated street value of $150,000. Troopers determined that the marijuana had originated in Colorado and was being taken to an unknown location in Ohio.

A passenger in the vehicle, Michael W. Granados, Jr., age 23, Denver, Colorado was arrested at the scene without incident. He was transported to the Dearborn County Jail where he was preliminarily charged with Dealing Marijuana (over 10 pounds) and Possession of Marijuana (over 10 pounds). Granados will be held pending his initial court appearance in the Dearborn County Circuit Court. The driver of the vehicle was released without charges at this time.

Healthy Communities of Clinton County was awarded the Title V Grant from the Maternity and Child Health Division at the Indiana State Department of Health.  This grant includes the continuation of the Early Start Program and Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program, along with the addition of a Child Injury Prevention Program, at Healthy Communities.  All of these programs officially started on October 1.

The Early Start Program provides free pregnancy tests and prenatal vitamins along with educational sessions for pregnant women and their partners.  Women are educated on breastfeeding, what not to eat while pregnant, safe sleep, stages of labor, and more.  Libbi Smith, a nurse of over 28 years, continues to run the Early Start Program.  “We are excited to continue to educate the women in our community and provide a resource that is in dire need,” states Smith, “We are also excited to continue to partner with all doctors that see pregnant women with referrals to this program.”  Libbi also runs the Cribs for Kids Program which provides safe sleep education, materials, and pack n plays for those who qualify, and partners with the Child Injury Prevention Program.

The Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program offers free assistance to pregnant women to quit smoking and provides free diapers and wipes for up to one year post-partum for those women who quit and continue to stay tobacco free.  Kacie McGill, one of the newest employees at Healthy Communities, is taking over the Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program.  “I love the opportunity to help people, and this program is one way I am able to do so in our community!” said McGill.  Four prenatal sessions are held with pregnant women who smoke, or who were smokers within the three months prior to becoming pregnant.  Women are then tested every month post-partum for one year, and for those who continue to be tobacco free, a $25 diaper and wipe voucher will be given to them.

The Child Injury Prevention Program is a new program for Healthy Communities of Clinton County.  “This program is going to help protect our children through awareness, education, safety items, and partnerships in our community.  Nothing is more important protecting our kids.” said Kathy Martin, who will be running this program.  Healthy Communities will be partnering with many other entities in the community, including the schools and Indiana DCS, to host safety events and provide safety items for community members.  Healthy Communities will also continue to inspect and/or install any car seat free of charge as a permanent car seat fitting station.

At around 5 a.m. Wednesday, on I-65 northbound near the 175 mile marker (that is just south of the SR 25/175 exit), a nearly one hour pursuit of a stolen vehicle ended with the two year old girl safe and the suspect inflicting injury to himself before officers can disarm and contain him.

Information was received that this incident started in Milwaukee, WI yesterday at about 7 p.m. CDT. The suspect, Kenneth Brown, 30 of Milwaukee had allegedly kidnapped a two year old female and stole a gray 2011 Nissan Quest from a residence in Milwaukee.

Approximately four hours later he was stopped in Decatur, IL for a traffic violation when he ran from police. They lost site of the vehicle and discontinued the chase.

At around 3 a.m. CDT Wednesday in Watseka, IL the subject allegedly stopped at a Wal-Mart parking lot and gave information to a person there that he had stolen the car and taken the child. He then took off eastbound on US 24 towards Indiana. Iroquois County Dispatch notified Newton County Indiana dispatch of the situation.

At approximately 4:17 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Kentland Police Department located the vehicle going EB on US 24 through Kentland at a high rate of speed. Kentland Police and the Newton County Sheriff’s Department attempted to stop the vehicle. Brown failed to obey the lights and continued EB with police still behind the vehicle.

Brown continued EB in the stolen Nissan until he reached the I-65 SB entrance ramp at the 201 MM in Jasper County. He turned onto the ramp and started to travel SB with the police still behind him. As Brown approached Tippecanoe County, the Indiana State Police out of the Lafayette Post along with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department engaged in the chase. Speeds were in excess of 90 miles per hour at times.

Brown exited off at SR 26/172 exit and went east on SR 26 for about ½ mile before turning around and going back west on SR 26. He then returned to northbound I-65 where a police roadblock had been setup. He was able to get through the roadblock and continued NB until he arrived at the beginning of the SB split on I-65 at the 173 MM construction area. Crossing over from the NB lanes to the two lanes of the SB traffic, the Nissan started traveling NB in the SB lanes, He started in the far right should then would cut across both SB lanes and wound up in the construction lane on the inside shoulder. His speeds had been slowed considerably due to a flat tire on the Nissan. For an unknown reason, Brown slammed on the brakes and the Newton County Deputy rear ended the Nissan causing it to spin into the inside barrier wall. Other police vehicles surrounded the Nissan preventing him from escaping.

As officers approached the vehicle, Brown was allegedly holding a knife to the child’s throat.Officers were trying to negotiate with him to release the child when the back window was broken out. At that time, Brown handed the child to an officer through the driver’s window and attempted to do bodily harm to himself. Officers were able to subdue Brown and immediately rendered first-aid. Brown was transported to Franciscan St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette and later transferred to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis with what appeared to be life threatening injuries.

The two year old child was found to have only a few cuts and bruises but was otherwise in good condition. The Indiana Department of Children and Family Services is caring for the child until family is notified and can take custody.

Brown is wanted on three warrants out of South Milwaukee Police Department. They are for Interference with parental custody, operating a vehicle without permission and theft. For more information on the charges in Wisconsin, you will need to contact South Milwaukee Police at 414-768-8060. Charges will be pending in Indiana.

During the incident there were police cars from Tippecanoe County and Newton County Sheriff’s Departments that sustained damage. All were drivable and reports were taken by the Indiana State Police at the Lafayette Post.

Departments involved in Indiana were the Indiana State Police from the Lafayette and Lowell Posts, ISP Criminal Investigation Division out of the Lafayette Post, ISP Crime Scene Investigations out of the Lafayette Post, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Department, Kentland Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Department, Lafayette Police Department and Tippecanoe Emergency Ambulance. The investigation is continuing.

Clinton County Central Dispatch has announced that the Frankfort Sewer Department will have Green Street closed between Given and Catterlin for approximately two hours. It should be reopened by 2 p.m.

Inside INdiana Business is reporting the co-author of a Ball State University study shows the lack of access to high-quality broadband technology in rural Indiana is having an adverse effect on human development. Emily Wornell, research assistant professor at Ball State, says the digital divide appears to accentuate the inequality between rural and urban areas.

The authors looked at factors of human development such as health, education and income. The study says there are several rural Indiana counties that are already struggling with those factors, a situation made worse with the lack of broadband access.

The five least connected counties identified in the study are Switzerland, LaGrange, Crawford, Scott and Ohio counties. The most connected counties are Hamilton, Tippecanoe, Monroe, Boone and Porter.

In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Wornell said having access to high-quality broadband technology is more than having Netflix and streaming movies online. She says it’s difficult to interact in our society today without an online presence.

“A lot of schools are doing educational things online. If you miss class, you can make up your class online. (With) higher education, if you’re not able to actually get to a university, particularly if you’re in a rural place, then there are online opportunities for a university education,” said Wornell. “That’s where we apply for jobs. That’s where we get our news and information. That’s what were we sign up for health care. That’s where we get a lot of different government services. And it’s not just about having the connection, but it’s about having a good-quality connection.”

Wornell says technology companies have made the argument that installing broadband infrastructure would not be profitable because people don’t want it. “But what we find is that when the technology is available, uptake rates in rural and urban places are essentially the same. So, if it’s available, people in rural places do take it.”

One of the main barriers to bringing broadband technology to rural areas is the cost of installing the infrastructure. Wornell says that also creates an opportunity for public-private partnerships to help mitigate the costs and bring the service to more people.

Wornell says it is important to look at places, such as Kentucky, where increasing rural broadband access has been successful. “Certainly, it’s not going to be 100 percent transferable. What works in one state might not work in another, but at least it’s a place to start. One thing we do see in Kentucky is that those counties that have had historically low rates of human development, when you include a technology index to that, when you consider the type of broadband technology and the quality of it and the access to it, their human development actually increases.”

You can connect to the full report, titled “Assessing Indiana’s E-Readiness in the Development of the Digital Society: An Exploratory Study,” by clicking here.

Clinton County Central Dispatch has announced that Frankfort Water Works will have Third Street closed between Armstrong and Sullivan for approximately two hours. It should be reopened by noon.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, through the Clinton County Traffic Partnership, was awarded eight Alco-Sensor units. These instruments costs $950 per unit. This will aid deputies on the street when dealing with alcohol issues.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for making this happen.

Inside INdiana Business is reporting Indiana continues to have one of the most competitive tax codes in the nation, according to an annual study. The Tax Foundation’s 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index ranks Indiana 9th for its overall tax climate, and tops in the Midwest.

The Tax Foundation says the index is designed to show how well states structure their tax systems and provide suggestions for improvement. The rankings are determined by evaluating variables in five tax categories: corporate, individual income, sales, property, and unemployment insurance.

Scott Drenkard, director of state projects for the Tax Foundation, said Indiana’s tax reform is “groundbreaking and reflects a thoughtful, mature approach to building a simple, competitive tax system.”

Indiana is the only Midwestern state in the top 10. Oregon is ranked 10th on the list, while Utah narrowly beat the Hoosier state for 8th place.

“Indiana saw consistent rate reductions through a series of responsible tax reform efforts between 2011 and 2016,” the index said. “Subsequent legislation established a further schedule of corporate income tax reductions through fiscal year 2022. For 2018, the corporate income tax rate declined from 6.25 to 6.0 percent. These changes, however, were not enough to improve Indiana’s already enviable ranking on the Index, where the Hoosier State and Utah are functionally tied for the best rankings among states which impose all the major taxes.”

Wyoming tops the list for 2018, followed by South Dakota, Alaska, Florida and Nevada.