IDHS seeks volunteers to participate in the PFAS Testing Pilot Program. In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly instructed the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) to establish a pilot program to determine if firefighters in Indiana have per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS) in their blood.
PFAS substances got the name “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily and they stay in the body and environment for long periods of time. Most Americans have these suspected carcinogens in
their body, but researchers have shown that firefighters likely have higher levels of PFAS due
to exposure from protective gear, products of combustion and some firefighter foams.
PFAS Testing Pilot Program
IDHS is launching a voluntary program where firefighters in Indiana can apply to have their blood tested for PFAS free of charge. The results will be shared with the individual firefighter. The de-identified data collected from the pilot program will be analyzed by IDHS and other state agencies to determine how to better
protect Indiana’s firefighters from PFAS exposure.
How To Participate
Indiana firefighters interested in participating in the pilot program should submit their name, email address and PSID via the interest form. A follow-up application will be emailed from the
If selected for the program, participants will be mailed an at-home testing kit, which needs to be returned within 14 days. Participants are not guaranteed results if the test is not returned within 14 days.
After returning the test, participants will receive the results of their test and IDHS will receive de-identified results to use in a report for legislative purposes. Participants’ personal information will be protected. No identifiable information will be shared with IDHS or in the public report.
The deadline to apply is Aug. 9.
By Sgt. Carey Huls, Public Information Officer, Indiana State Police Sellersburg District
Washington County - Friday, July 19, 2024: Indiana State Police served an arrest warrant on a Hardinsburg man on Friday for child molestation and other related charges following a month-long investigation.
The investigation began on June 12, 2024, after an Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) family case manager was made aware of the allegations. The case manager then contacted ISP Detective Travis Baker who initiated a criminal investigation working alongside DCS personnel. The investigation included a forensic interview conducted at a local child advocacy center and Detective Baker obtained a search warrant for cell phones related to the investigation.
As a result of the investigation and search, Detective Baker believed illegal sexual contact occurred between the child and 31-year-old Michael Allen Richardson of Hardinsburg, Indiana. Richardson was arrested on a warrant for the current charges while incarcerated at the Washington County Jail for previous and separate charges. Charges for this investigation are listed below:
- Child Molesting (4 counts) - Level 1 Felony.
- Child Exploitation (5 counts) – Level 4 Felony.
- Incest (4 counts) – Level 4 Felony.
Delaney Creek Park is on track to achieve its most profitable year – but the number of visitors is overwhelming the park’s staff.
Park Manager John Burlington, who was frequently visibly frustrated, gave the report during the Tuesday, July 16, meeting of the Washington County Parks & Recreation Board of Directors.
As of the end of June, the park had made a profit of $150,249.
The park sees hundreds of visitors every weekend, with Burlington saying some of those visitors ignore rules and cause damage. He said he would support increases to the gate and annual camper fees to possibly decrease park visitation. He also said he has considered making the beach accessible only to campers who are staying in the park.
The number of visitors has caused safety concerns, with Burlington continuing to have to chase swimmers out of the lake at night. He said his greatest concern has always been the possibility of a swimmer drowning.
Over the Independence Day holiday, Burlington said he helped rescue three boys who got lost on the Knobstone Trail. Despite his lifelong familiarity with the trail, and the tendency for the county to call him when hikers are reported lost, Burlington said his joints are too worn now to be expected to trek such a challenging trail.
Overall, Burlington said the park is understaffed, workers are underpaid, and more security is needed; however, county officials continue to simply pat him on the back for a job well-done rather than address his concerns. He is also disappointed that no county official has ever attended a park board meeting during his tenure.
“I’m tired,” he said. “Very tired.”
By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
The Monon South Trail is underway with Phase 1. This includes construction schedules, design standards, and interpretive programs.
The ribbon cutting for the project was held Tuesday, July 16, at Borden Community Park, as a crowd of about 100 looked on.
There was a Community Upgrade Meeting here in Salem on Wednesday, July 17, at the Monon Railroad Museum, 206 S. College Avenue.
Facilitating the meeting were members of Clark Dietz Inc. (Ryan Hughes), Radius Indiana (Jeff Quyle) and Taylor Siefker Williams (Ron Taylor), who each talked about their role in this project. They want to keep the Monon experience alive, Hoosier physical surroundings and Hoosier agriculture intact. Many Monon landmarks will be left as is to keep the railroad theme alive.
The Monon South Trail is a proposed 57-mile trail between Mitchell and Borden, and on to New Albany. This trail will connect eight local communities in the Lawrence, Orange, Washington, and Clark counties in southern Indiana.
The trail continues south through to New Albany. The city of New Albany is in charge of that section and will receive a portion of the Indiana state and government grants which totals $29.5 million. The trail will connect the Louisville loop and Ohio River Greenway trail.
The groups are seeking private funds as well. Right now, the grant will only pay for twenty miles of construction on the trail. This will include trail heads which will have rest rooms, shelters and parking. The rural and urban trailheads will vary in composite. Some of the trail heads will be asphalt and some consisting of limestone aggregate. The design includes rest areas.
The trail is definitely a tourist attraction. It goes through Mitchell, Orleans, Leipsic, Saltillo, Campbellsburg, Salem, New Pekin, Borden and down to New Albany in that order. The group is working on consistency of signage along the trail.
The Orleans trail has a hard dead line of August 25. This was perceived to be easiest and will be the example for others to come. The old rails and ties were removed leaving the rock.
The Salem Trailhead will start at the intersection of South Main and West Small streets. Presently at that site is an CSX building and a large boxcar. The group said the railroad forgot about the boxcar and sent them a quick claim deal. It is being restored and now has a coat of red primer. This part of the trail will be 18 miles long and is a part of Segment One. It will run from Salem through New Pekin to Borden. The trail runs across two bodies of water, the Middle Fork Blue River and the South Fork Blue River at New Pekin. No completion date is given. One obstacle is the bridges. The floor must be removed and a new floor installed and, of course, inspected.
There are many websites and a Facebook page for more information.
The trail at this point is not open to the public.
Staff photos by Jerry Curry
This Week In Indiana History September 15-21
14 Sep 2024
10th Annual Historical Cemetery Walk This Friday & Saturday
10 Sep 2024
Campbellsburg Country Festival Baking Contest September 21st
05 Sep 2024
Campbellsburg Miss Country Girl Pageant On September 12th
05 Sep 2024
This Week In Indiana History September 1-7
04 Sep 2024
Joe James/Pat O'Connor Race This Saturday
04 Sep 2024
Salem Band Invitational Will Be September 7th
04 Sep 2024
John Hay Center To Host Author's Fair September 7th
03 Sep 2024
Beer On The Bricks September 28th
03 Sep 2024
Friday Night On The Square Will Be September 20th
03 Sep 2024
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is hosting Friday Night on the Square on September 20th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. around the Courthouse.
Attendees can expect shop booths, food trucks, and various activities to keep the whole family entertained. Come out to show support for the community!
Beck's Mill Artist Series Session On September 22nd
03 Sep 2024
Campbellsburg Country Festival Will Be September 20-21st
03 Sep 2024
The 2024 Campbellsburg Country Festival is celebrating its 30th year this year! Join fellow community members at the Community Building, located at 21 W Oak St, Campbellsburg, for entertainment, music, a parade, craft & commercial vendors, food, and more. This two-day festival begins September 20th and ends on the 21st.
Tips For A Memorable Labor Day Weekend
30 Aug 2024
CASI's Festi-Fall Is Oct. 18 In Jeffersonville
30 Aug 2024
Community Action Of Southern Indiana to Host Board Game Night On Friday
29 Aug 2024
Beck's Mill's 216th Birthday Photos
27 Aug 2024
This Week In Indiana History August 25-31
23 Aug 2024
IU Eskenazi Students To Showcase Rural Placemaking Studio Designs August 27
22 Aug 2024
W.C. Community Theatre Presents 'Wizard Of Oz' This Weekend
21 Aug 2024
Ogle Center Announces 2024-25 Season
16 Aug 2024
100 Years Ago This Month: Historical events from August 1924
16 Aug 2024
This Week in Indiana History, August 18-24
16 Aug 2024
Derby Dinner Celebrates 50th Anniversary
14 Aug 2024
Falls Of The Ohio State Park Hosts Digging The Past Event
14 Aug 2024
Falls Of The Ohio Foundation To Host Michael Cleveland & Others For Benefit Concert
09 Aug 2024
"Wipeout" Starts Sept. 5 at Bloomington
09 Aug 2024
Fish And Wildlife Fun At The State Fair
01 Aug 2024
This Week In Indiana History, July 28-August 3
29 Jul 2024
Ultimate Uplands Summer Bucket List
25 Jul 2024
This Week In Indiana History, July 21-27
22 Jul 2024
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