State News from Muncie Free Press

Indiana National Guard Soldiers Trade Sand for Snow

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:46:50 +0000

By Staff Sgt. Tina R. Griffin
Indiana National Guard

Evansville’s 76th Brigade Soldiers return from Iraq

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – As the snow was falling at the Indianapolis International Airport, 130 Soldiers from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery from Evansville and Headquarters and Headquarters Company 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Indianapolis returned late Monday night from a nine-month deployment in Iraq.

The 163rd conducted 75 combat logistics patrols in northern Iraq and escorted 2,500 supply vehicles across 5,600 miles, and Headquarters Company commanded the 76th during its deployment.

“It’s great to be home,” said Cpl. Aaron Morris, who served as a truck command during the deployment. “I just did my job to make sure that I came home safe and the people under me did.”

Loved ones and friends welcomed the Soldiers who arrived at Stout Field before midnight. The families and Soldiers were tired but overwhelmed with emotion when they were able to see each other again.

“All I could think was get the bus rolling to see my wife,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon L. Boyd.

“I will adjust to cold weather but I would put up with just about anything to be home,” stated Morris.

The Soldiers left the blowing sand of Iraq to return home to the blowing of snow in Indiana, but they welcomed it just to be home again with their loved ones.

Indiana National Guard Spc. Michael J. Pitts smile and embraces his two daughters Ryleigh, two months, and Candace, 4 on Monday, Nov. 17, 2008. “It’s good to see my two girls,” said Pitts with Battery B 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery. Pitts, a Evansville native, returned Monday evening after serving nine-months in Iraq. Indiana National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Tina R. Griffin, 120th Public Affairs Detachment

Indiana State Police Urge Motorists to Move Over and Slow Down

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:52:25 +0000

REDKEY, IN - During the history of the Indiana State Police, there have been seven (7) state troopers, and one (1) motor carrier enforcement officer struck and killed while working alongside Indiana roadways.

Lieutenant Mike Nichols, Commander of the Redkey District reminds drivers that Indiana law requires motorists to approach cautiously when an emergency vehicle is stopped on two or four lane roadways with emergency lights flashing.

"The intent of this law is to protect the emergency and highway personnel who serve the public. Please be alert when you see emergency lights flashing and give them room to do their job safely. Violating the law can result in a fine and your license will be suspended up to 2 years if you cause damage to emergency equipment, injury or death to an emergency worker", Nichols said.

Motorists MUST change lanes away from the emergency vehicle if they can do it SAFELY, if not they must SLOW DOWN and proceed with caution. We are asking motorists NOT TO STOP in the roadway, this may cause a chain reaction rear end collision with other vehicles, but SLOW DOWN and/or MOVE OVER.

Indiana Emergency vehicles include:

Police Vehicles
Ambulances
Fire trucks and rescue equipment
Highway incident-response vehicles
Highway work vehicles
Vehicle recovery equipment (tow trucks)

INDOT Urges Drivers to Prepare

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:17:55 +0000

November 16-22 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana

VINCENNES, Ind. - Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has declared November 16-22 Indiana Winter Weather Preparedness Week, and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is urging all Hoosier drivers to use this week to prepare their vehicles for the season and brush up on winter driving strategies.

Winter storms can be dangerous for motorists and INDOT workers should motorists not use safe driving strategies. According to the National Weather Service, 11 of 17 winter weather related deaths occur in motor vehicles. The majority of those deaths could have been prevented if the traveler was aware of road conditions and prepared for the worst.

To promote winter driving safety, INDOT is joining several other Snow Belt states with the winter safety campaign, Ice and Snow.Take it Slow. The multi-state campaign reminds motorists that slow and cautious driving is the key to staying safe on the roads during winter weather.

"With the possibility of flurries in our near future, it is the perfect time to remind motorists to prepare for inclement weather," stated Sam Sarvis, Vincennes District Deputy Commissioner. "Drivers should slow down and allow additional space between their vehicle and those around them," stated Sarvis. "Motorists should be alert while driving near snow plows on all state and local routes."

INDOT is encouraging motorists to practice safe driving during winter storms this season. By slowing down, giving plows room to work and allowing extra time to get to your destination; we can save lives this winter on Indiana highways. Drivers should ready their vehicles for winter and review the driving tips below to prepare for a safe winter:

Knowledge: Before leaving home, find out driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits. If the weather is bad remember, take it slow or just don't go.

Clear: Remove any snow on your vehicle's windows, lights, brake lights and signals. Make sure you can see, and more importantly, be seen. Drive with head lights on during weather.

Inspect: Check your vehicle's tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.

Time: Allow additional time to reach your destination safely.

For additional winter driving tips, please visit www.winterdrivingsafety.in.gov.

Indiana Guard 76th Brigade Soldiers Scheduled to Return Monday Night

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:53:24 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana National Guard is pleased to announce that about 130 Soldiers with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are scheduled to return after serving in Iraq for the past nine months.

The Soldiers consist of members from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery and Headquarters Company, 76th IBCT and are scheduled to arrive at the Indianapolis International Airport Monday, Nov. 17 and will be bused to Stout Field 2002 S. Holt Road, Building 9 at approximately 9:30 p.m. where family and friends are expected to greet the returning Soldiers.

This is the third group of more than 3,000 Indiana Army National Guardsman scheduled to return over the next three weeks.

During deployment the 163rd Field Artillery, headquartered in Evansville, Ind., conducted more than 75 Combat Logistics Patrols in Northern Iraq, escorting more than 2,500 supply vehicles across more than 5,600 miles.

The 76th IBCT, Headquarters Company provided command and control for the members of the 76th IBCT throughout their deployment.

Source: Indiana National Guard

INDOT Approves Funding for Purchase of Land

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:21:24 +0000

Transportation Enhancement grant to acquire property in Metamora

SEYMOUR, IN - The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) awarded Franklin County $689,600 in Local Public Agency (LPA) funding. These funds will be used to purchase 33 acres of property in the Town of Metamora. The property will be used for the development of a visitor's center, museum and interpretive center at the Whitewater Valley Regional Interpretive Park.

Franklin County officials made their case for the federal matching funds before an award panel at the INDOT Seymour District offices on September 24th. The panel's decision to choose Franklin County's project was recently confirmed by a selection committee in Indianapolis.

Franklin County was one of nine applications received in which over $5 million was requested. The total amount of federal funds available for Seymour District is $1,340,000.

Source: Indiana Department of Transportation

Indianapolis Man Sentenced in Embezzlement Scheme

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:22:36 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Timothy M. Morrison, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, announced that Robert Rosenberg, 41, Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment today by U.S. District Chief Judge David F. Hamilton following his guilty plea to wire fraud. This case was the result of a investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Rosenberg was employed as a purchasing manager at a Sealed Air Corp. manufacturing facility in Indianapolis since around 2001. Sealed Air makes commercial packing materials, such as foam boards. ROSENBERG’s duties including buying routine items for the facility. He was given a corporate credit card for work-related purchases and had a discretionary limit up to $4,000 per transaction and $40,000 per month he could charge without prior approval.

Beginning around October 2003, ROSENBERG began using his corporate credit card for personal purchases. Items would be delivered to the plant and he would pick them up at the loading dock. He continued this scheme through October 2007 when the corporation identified suspicious charges attributable to Rosenberg and confronted him.

Rosenberg immediately quit his employment. Audits of all of Rosenberg’s charges on his corporate credit card attributed $613,014.27 in personal, unauthorized, charges by Rosenberg that were paid by Sealed Air.

Most of the items purchased were tied to Rosenberg as he used the credit card to fund a drag racing business of his, so many of the charges were to auto or racing equipment supply businesses. The FBI has conducted its own audit of all the records and confirmed a loss to Sealed Air of approximately $613,000.

Rosenberg had a racing business called "Chaos Drag Racing." A search warrant executed at Rosenberg's house, which had a large pole barn on the property, uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in car parts, which correspond to the purchases he made with the company credit card. Those items have been seized and are being stored by the FBI. The government intends to forfeit these items, and sell them and apply the proceeds to restitution.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Winfield D. Ong, who prosecuted the case for the government, Chief Judge Hamilton also imposed two years supervised release following Rosenberg's release from imprisonment. Rosenberg was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $613,014.27.

100 Indiana Guard Soldiers Return to New Indy Airport

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:38:28 +0000

By Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry
Indiana National Guard

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Friends, families, dignitaries and travelers greeted 100 Soldiers of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as they returned from their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 at the Indianapolis International Airport.

"I’m so glad he’s back on American soil," said Tamara Moore about an hour before her husband, Spc. Rick Moore, arrived with the other Indiana National Guard Soldiers at the Col. H. Weir Cook terminal.

Other Soldiers' family members shared the emotional relief as they waited in anticipation.

"I know I'll be ready to cry when I see him," said Sophia Render about an hour before her brother arrived. Her brother is Spc. Jessie Miller, a force protection specialist with the brigade’s headquarters company.

For many the homecoming was a time of celebration, a time of reflection, and a time to look forward and share burdens instead of dealing with them individually.

"It's a big relief just knowing he's back as my sidekick, my partner. I don't have to be a single parent anymore," said Tamara.

One pastor who was there to support members of his congregation noted the same thing.

"Military spouses wear so many different hats while their loved ones are away," said Jeff Alexander pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Greenwood, Ind. where Danielle and Sgt. 1st Class Philip Frazier of Bargersville, Ind. attend church.

The Soldiers were relieved and happy to be back among family again, too.

"It's great to be back. It's the freedom, and seeing everyone, and having all these people here; it's really nice," said Sgt. Jamie Johnson of Shelbyville, Ind. She's a telecommunications noncommissioned officer with the brigade's headquarters company.

"It's awesome to see my wife and hold her hand and get hugs from my children," said Rick Moore. The Moore's of Noblesville, Ind. are parents of four children - Joshua, 14; Micah, 11; Hannah; 10 and Daniel, 8. According to Tamara, Joshua is about seven inches taller now than when Rick left.

"I use to look down, now I have to look a bit farther up," said Rick of his five-foot, eight-inch son. Rick stated he recognized his son when Joshua tapped him on the shoulder, but it took him aback to see how much his son had grown. "Somehow I just realized it was him," he said.

While Solders missed some changes like a growth spurt of a son or the birth of a nephew, like Spc. Kayla Nier did, it was also a time of reflection for the Soldiers, and a time to take stock of their work during the nine-month deployment.

"I'm proud of my teammates and the 76th Brigade," said Miller. "We did good things over there."

According to Miller, some of those good things were route security, base security and helping with the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone program that helps build and sustain the Iraqi economy.

"I can't help but think, in talking with Iraqis, that we are helping them," said Moore, an administration support specialist with the brigade. He also mentioned the IBIZ program. "That's a huge part of it, trying to build that base (the Iraqi economy).

The family members were also proud of the Soldiers.

"I didn't know how important our Soldiers were in Iraq until he went," said Render of her brother. "They're really sacrificing their lives, and they're so unselfish, so giving, they're just unbelievable," she said.

Now it's time for one last step in their journey. The 100 Citizen-Soldiers travelled to Camp Atterbury to complete reintegration into civilian life. They will spend up to five days undergoing complete physical health assessments as well as screening and counseling for possible post traumatic stress issues.

Then it will finally be time to reconnect with family and share their lives again at home.

Firm to More than Double its Indianapolis Workforce

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:57:17 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - National debt recovery agency Premiere Credit of North America announced plans today to expand its national headquarters here, more than doubling its 250-person workforce.

The firm, which specializes in recovering unpaid government debt, plans to invest more than $4 million to expand its eastside headquarters and to locate a second operations center at a yet-to-be-announced site in Indianapolis.

"Even in tough economic times, Indiana continues to be a smart place for companies like Premiere Credit to grow. Our low cost of doing business, unmatched infrastructure and aggressive pursuit of new jobs is helping us stand out against our competition," said Governor Mitch Daniels.

Founded in 1999, Premiere Credit will begin hiring collection staff, skip tracers, team leaders and managers immediately. The company expects the project to result in the creation of more than 300 new jobs over the next several years. Recruiting for the new positions will begin immediately online at http://www.mypremierejobs.com/ and will provide outreach to military veterans as part of its recruiting efforts.

"Premiere considers itself a best-in-class provider of debt recovery services and needed to find a best-in-class community to grow," said David Hoeft, co-founder and chief executive officer of Premiere Credit of North America. "After an exhaustive search of more than 100 sites across the country, we found that community was right here in Indiana. Our past success with workforce and operational issues locally, as well as the support we received from Governor Daniels and Mayor Greg Ballard's administration, tipped an extremely difficult decision in Indianapolis' favor."

Recognized for its growth by Inc. Magazine and the Indiana Companies to Watch program, Premiere Credit of North America manages the collection of more than 700,000 accounts on behalf of clients across the nation, with values exceeding $1 billion.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Premiere Credit of North America up to $2.5 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Indianapolis and Indianapolis Economic Development, Inc. will support property tax abatement for the company before the Metropolitan Development Commission.

"Premiere Credit is a good corporate citizen in Indianapolis, and I am pleased they have chosen to grow within our community," said Mayor Greg Ballard. "As they looked at their options, it was clear that they could locate their expansion in any number of other communities. Attracting jobs to Indianapolis is my priority, so we worked hard to make sure this expansion could occur here."

The news of Premiere Credit of North America expanding in Indiana comes only days after national economic development magazine Site Selection named Indiana's business climate the fifth best in the nation. The accolade is the latest in a series of awards garnered by the Hoosier state that includes national news giant CNBC calling the state "the most improved state for business" and Chief Executive magazine naming Indiana a "best place for business".

INDOT Advises Motorists: Ice and Snow, Take it Slow

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:55:33 +0000

November 16-22 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week

GREENFIELD, IN - It's official! Now is the time to get ready for winter driving: Governor Mitch Daniels has declared November 16-22 Indiana Winter Weather Preparedness Week.

"We take this occasion to urge motorists to check tires, brakes, belts and hoses," says Brandye Hendrickson, deputy commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation Greenfield District. She adds, "It's a good idea to put blankets, packaged foods and water -some sort of winter survival kit-in your vehicle just in case."

INDOT is advising the motoring public to take time during the week to prepare vehicles for driving in snow and ice conditions and to brush up on winter driving strategies. Those strategies include monitoring weather and driving conditions, and leaving in plenty of time. Before departing, motorists should clear windows, lights, brake lights and signals of snow-and know that the vehicle is in good operating condition. In a phrase, INDOT reminds drivers: Ice & Snow.Take It Slow.

Hendrickson adds, ".or just don't go."

Of special concern to INDOT is safety around snowplows. Drivers are cautioned to give plow trucks plenty of room to operate. Transportation officials warn: slow down, don't tailgate, pass only with extreme caution. A snowplow driver's field of vision is restricted. The driver may not see you. So keep your distance-and watch for sudden stops or turns.

Winter storms can be extremely dangerous. According to the National Weather Service, 11 of 17 winter weather related deaths occur in motor vehicles. Most of those deaths could have been prevented were travelers aware of road conditions and prepared for the worst.

For additional wintertime driving pointers, visit www.winterdrivingsafety.in.gov.

United Way Campaign Makes Final Push

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:40:33 +0000

MADISON COUNTY, IN - With six weeks remaining, the United Way of Madison County reports $289,983 in pledges to date – nearly 30% of the $1 million goal announced last August.

“Many workplace campaigns are still in progress and some are just beginning,” stated Nancy Vaughan, president. “However, despite broad contact efforts by our volunteers to local businesses and individuals, pledges outside the workplace campaigns are behind where we would like to be.”

Acknowledging that the national economic climate is the likely factor in hesitation by both businesses and individuals to pledge, Vaughan encourages giving whatever is possible.

The 1st annual United Way/Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic in July raised nearly $25,000 for both organizations with a record number of participants. The auction in October, held in conjunction with Hoosier Park’s Indiana Derby –raised $10,175.

Early campaigns have also reported significant increases in giving- United Parcel Service employees saw a 20% increase in employee giving over last year. In addition, Hoosier Park Racing Casino donated $25,000 to the campaign in early June at its grand opening. The Herald Bulletin has donated advertising support to the LIVE UNITED campaign, doubled its corporate donation and has seen a 32% increase in employee giving. Community Hospital Anderson saw employee participation increase by 3% and added an online auction to the workplace campaign which generated $3,500.

New givers to the campaign will want to know that they can double the impact of their gifts because Madison County is receiving support this year from a grant through the Indiana Association of United Ways funded by Lilly Endowment. The grant will award to Madison County up to $170,000 to match new and increased donations received by December 31, 2009. The match is dollar-for-dollar for any individual or organization that increases giving, makes a new donation or pledges support to the Born Learning or CAN strategies.

“It’s important to have as many pledges in as possible by the end of November, because the board must approve a community support budget early in 2009, which will determine how much funding will be awarded to certified agencies’ programs and to the Born Learning and Community Access Network (CAN) strategies,” she said. The 2008 fall fundraising campaign totals and projections will be reported at the Tuesday, December 16 report meeting at Anderson County Club.

Donors can also take part in a “STEP-UP” opportunity, which allows individuals to pledge a three-year leadership giving commitment to the campaign. Madison Way recognition will be awarded for a donation of $350 in the first year, $650 in the second and $1,000 by the third year. Other leadership levels include Active Community Investor at $150 in year one, $300 in year two and $500 by year three. A new “Emerging Leader” giving level has been added for new donors under 40 years of age that give $50 in year one, $100 in year two and $200 by year three. A volunteer commitment is also requested of “Emerging Leaders.”

Pledges may be made directly to United Way of Madison County by calling 765-643-7493 or donate by visiting the United Way‘s web site at unitedwaymadisonco.org. United Way of Madison County supports human services throughout Madison County, Indiana and is governed by a 24 member volunteer board of directors. The organization has been a member in good standing of United Way of America since 1973.

Source: United Way of Madison County