October 31, 1902 Wilbur Shaw, American auto racer (Indianapolis 500 1937, 1939, 1940), born in Shelbyville. October 31, 1950 Jane Pauley, American newscaster (Today, NBC Weekend), born in Indianapolis.   October 28, 1798 Levi Coffin is born in North Carolina. In 1826 he moves to Newport, Indiana (now Fountain City) and operated what has become known as the "Grand Central Station" of the Underground Railroad. October 31, 1963 A propane tank exploded during a performance of "Holiday on Ice" at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum, killing 74 people and injuring more than 400,     November 1, 1920 Julia D. Nelson of Delaware County is the first woman elected to the Indiana legislature. Our Where in Indiana? from last week was taken in Huntington, of the Huntington County courthouse. Where in Indiana? Do you know where this photograph was taken? Visit us on Instagram to submit your answer. Follow us on Instagram: @instatehousetouroffice Fall in Indiana Take time to forage in an Indiana forest. Indiana Hazelnuts.

Indiana Statehouse Tour Office Indiana Department of Administration Guided Tours of the Indiana Statehouse are offered Monday through Saturday.  For more information, contact us.   (317) 233-5293 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Indiana Quick Quiz 1. What is the most popular Halloween candy in Indiana? 2. Which Indiana candy maker is famous for making Gummies? 3. What Netflix series is set in 1980's Indiana? 4. Who is the female serial killer who murdered people she'd lured to her Indiana farm, by placing marriage ads in local papers? Answers Below  For more activities              in IN              https://www.visitindiana.com/ Answers 1. Starburst (According to CandyStore.com) 2. Albanese Candy Factory in Merrillville 3. Stranger Things 4. Belle Gunness (Nicknamed: Hell's Belle) “History happens every single day and you’re part of it.” – Eric Holcomb, Indiana Governor, 2020. Submitted by Shirley Willard, Fulton County Historian, Rochester IN. Please send your favorite Hoosier quote to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Indiana Persimmons.

Indiana Capitol Tour Office
http://www.in.gov/idoa/2371.htm

Washington County, Indiana (October 29, 2024) – This week, we celebrate Red Ribbon Week and raise awareness for drug prevention during the final days of Substance Abuse Prevention Month.

Substance abuse has a devastating impact on our communities, affecting everyone from adults to children and youth. Drug abuse not only damages the health of individuals but also causes disruption in families, trauma for children, and a decline in our community’s well-being. Prevention efforts like Red Ribbon Week and Substance Abuse Prevention Month are key to halting the drug epidemic and fostering better health for our families and fellow citizens.

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running drug-use prevention campaign aimed at keeping kids in our country drug-free. Started by the National Family Partnership in 1985, this initiative raises awareness by mobilizing communities and schools to educate youth and promote drug prevention activities. During Red Ribbon Week, we highlight the importance of living a drug-free life and reinforce drug-free messages for children and students.

Alongside Red Ribbon Week, National Substance Abuse Prevention Month provides an opportunity for communities to partner in the prevention of drug use. By raising awareness for these causes, we advocate for the prevention of substance abuse and its associated harms to individual well-being and community health.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration encourages citizens to “Tell the prevention story” by sharing how prevention is improving lives, demonstrating that prevention works, and showcasing its positive effects nationwide.

“Preventing drug abuse in people of all ages is critical to stopping use before it becomes a problem,” said Washington County Prosecutor Tara Coats Hunt. “If we can prevent drug use and abuse early on, we can avoid many of the negative consequences for individuals and improve outcomes for our families and communities.”

To celebrate Red Ribbon Week and Substance Abuse Prevention Month this October, consider talking to a friend, family member, or child about the dangers of drug use and encourage activities that lead to a safer community and better health for all.

All Medigap Plans available open for those under 65 with Medicare.

A new bill, SEA 215 was introduced and passed in Indiana in Spring of 2024. Beginning January 1, 2025,
there will be guaranteed issue into medigap plans for people under 65. What does this mean? This means
that after December 31, 2024, any Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap) that is available to those with
Medicare will also have to provide that same plan, or an equivalent, available for those with Medicare due to
disability or ESRD.

Anyone on Medicare under the age of 65 prior to January 1, 2025 will have a six month window to sign up for
a Medigap Plan, guaranteed. This would be January 1 – June 30, 2025.

Anyone enrolling into Medicare under the age of 65 AFTER January 1, 2025 will be granted their own six
month guaranteed enrollment window starting from the first day of the month their Medicare begins.

Beginning January 1, 2025, the following rules will apply to health insurance providers:

• Issuers may not deny or condition issuance of Medicare supplement policy because of health status,
claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition of an individual.

• Issuers may not charge a premium rate for Plans A, B, or D that exceeds the premium rate an issuer
charges to those age 65 for same Medicare supplement policy.

• Issuers may not charge a premium rate for any other standardized letter Medicare supplement policy
that exceeds 200% of premium charged to those age 65 for the same Medicare supplement policy.

• Issuers may not issue policy that contains a waiting period or preexisting condition limitation or
exclusion.

If you have questions about the SEA 215 bill or anything else related to Medicare, contact SHIP for free,
impartial assistance.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a free and impartial health insurance counseling
program for people with Medicare. SHIP does not sell insurance. SHIP is provided by the Administration for
Community Living and the Indiana Department of Insurance. We are part of a federal network of State Health
Insurance Assistance Programs located in every state. All of their services are free.

In response to an article from the Indiana State Police on "Safe Driving Tips," a reader shared updated data that there were actually 1.8 million deer/vehicle accidents from July 2022 to June 2023.

Patricia Gomez, Assistant Outreach Manager of the World Animal Foundation, an animal advocacy group, shared a link to the organization's website, which covers a variety of topics pertaining to deer. Data provided covers all of the United States, with some information from Canada and Asia, as well.

Readers may access the website at:  https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/deer-accidents-statistics/.