The Clinton County 4-H Livestock Auction will return on Friday, July 17, 2026, providing community members, businesses, and supporters an opportunity to invest in local youth and recognize the hard work of 4-H members.
The annual auction will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Livestock Show Arena, with buyer check-in opening at 5:00 p.m. Buyers attending the event will receive a complimentary meal ticket redeemable at the Junior Leaders food stand between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The livestock auction serves as a culmination of months of dedication by Clinton County 4-H exhibitors who have spent the year caring for, raising, and preparing their animals for exhibition and sale. Participants gain valuable experience in animal husbandry, responsibility, record keeping, and public presentation skills through their involvement in the 4-H program.
For additional information about the auction or buyer participation, interested individuals may contact organizers at 4hclintoncounty@gmail.com.
Indiana recently expanded a state website to help Hoosiers compare healthcare prices and quality, according to Boone County lawmakers.
The website, which was established under a 2020 law passed by the General Assembly, now includes additional resources to help Hoosiers save on medical care. The updated tool features prescription resources, hospital cash prices and nearly 2 billion healthcare claims records from insurers and other sources to make it easier for Hoosiers to know what they may pay for medical services – whether through insurance or cash – and compare costs.
State Rep. Becky Cash (R-Zionsville) said the goals of the database are to better inform Hoosiers on healthcare costs, identify state healthcare needs, support policy and improve the quality and affordability of healthcare in the state.
“Having access to clear pricing information empowers patients to make decisions that work best for their families and budgets,” Cash said. “By expanding this database and adding more healthcare data, Indiana is giving Hoosiers greater transparency and helping create a more competitive healthcare marketplace.”
State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) said the database includes a list of healthcare providers that perform services within certain distances from a zip code, the average out-of-pocket costs for a service and the quality rating for that facility.
“Affordability is a top concern and too many Hoosiers are struggling with healthcare costs,” Thompson said. “Using this database can help patients make more knowledgeable decisions on medical services and save money.”
State Rep. Hunter Smith (R-Zionsville) said the updated prescription resources section has links to external programs like Trump RX.
“Healthcare costs shouldn’t be confusing or come as a surprise to families trying to budget for care,” Smith said. “By making pricing and quality information easier to access, this tool helps Hoosiers ask better questions, compare options and make informed choices before receiving care.”
Healthcare providers and laboratories can also now voluntarily submit their pricing and service information to give patients access to even more data so they can make informed decisions.
In recent years, the legislature has advanced several new laws aimed at reducing healthcare costs for Hoosiers, including two priority efforts in 2025 that improve billing transparency and crack down on high costs at large nonprofit hospitals.
Visit indianahealthprices.in.gov to learn more and save on healthcare costs.
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On Monday, June 15, 2026, Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony M. Scott announced the reassignment of Trooper Devin Farmer to the Special Operations Division, where he will now serve as a member of the SWAT team. This new assignment will include high-risk incidents and tactical operations around the state.
His new role follows a rigorous selection process, including a comprehensive written exam, oral interview, and an evaluation of his overall job performance. To be eligible to apply for such position, Trooper Farmer also had to undergo and be successful in the SWAT selection process; which encompasses a demanding physical agility test, in conjunction with handgun and rifle qualifications in a high stress environment.
Trooper Farmer is a native of Columbus, Indiana. He is a 2014 graduate of Grace Christian School in Columbus, Georgia, and would go onto attend Georgia Military College in the Fall of 2014. During the Summer of 2013, prior to his senior year of high school, Trooper Farmer attended basic combat training for the Army National Guard, where he would ultimately serve as an Infantry Mortarman until 2019.
Trooper Farmer graduated from the 76th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy in October 2016 and was assigned to the Lafayette District. Since his appointment, Trooper Farmer has served as a Field Training Officer, Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor, and holds a Level III MCSAP certification as an avid commercial motor vehicle inspector. Since 2021, and up until his reassignment, Trooper Farmer has been a canine handler, serving alongside his partner, K-9 Bo, who will now spend a well-deserved retirement with the Farmer family. He was recognized for and awarded the 2025 Trooper of the District for his exceptional work ethic, productivity, and initiative, all while operating on a flexible schedule. Trooper Farmer never hesitated when requested and was involved in many public outreach demonstrations.
Farmer resides in White County with his wife and son.
Dr. James Hanna, superintendent of Rossville Consolidated School District and chairperson of the Clinton County School Safety Commission, has been named the 2026 Indiana School Resource Officers Association (INSROA) School Safety Leader of the Year, an honor recognizing exceptional leadership in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments across Indiana schools.
The annual INSROA award is presented to a non-sworn school safety director, administrator, or manager who demonstrates outstanding commitment to district-wide safety initiatives, emergency preparedness, collaboration, and positive school culture.
Hanna’s selection reflects decades of leadership in education and school safety, both within Rossville Schools and throughout Clinton County. As superintendent, Hanna has emphasized a proactive approach to school safety through enhanced emergency planning, staff training, interagency coordination, and student support systems.
Under Hanna’s leadership, Rossville Consolidated School District has strengthened its school safety infrastructure while maintaining a student-centered culture focused on relationships, prevention, and communication. The district’s mission of fostering student success has guided efforts to create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and connected.
Hanna currently serves as chairperson of the Clinton County School Safety Commission, a collaborative organization involving school corporations, law enforcement agencies, emergency management officials, and first responders throughout the county. The commission has worked to improve unified emergency response planning, active-threat preparedness, threat-assessment procedures, communication systems, and coordinated training among schools and emergency personnel.
Through his leadership, the commission has promoted countywide collaboration between schools and emergency agencies, emphasizing unified command structures, regular safety drills, updated facility mapping, technology integration, and comprehensive emergency preparedness planning. The commission has also focused on mental health supports, multidisciplinary threat assessment teams, and proactive intervention strategies designed to identify concerns before crises occur.
In addition to his work locally, Hanna has shared his expertise at regional, state, and national school conferences and has assisted other school corporations in strengthening their own safety practices. He has been recognized as a leading voice in school safety, helping guide discussions on comprehensive safety planning, school corporation police departments, emergency preparedness, and the importance of building positive school climates.
Colleagues throughout Indiana have recognized Hanna for his collaborative leadership style and unwavering commitment to students. Earlier this year, he was named the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) District III Superintendent of the Year, an honor awarded by fellow superintendents for professional achievement and service to education.
With four decades of experience in education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, Hanna has consistently advocated that school safety extends beyond physical security and must also include strong relationships, mental health awareness, effective communication, and a positive school culture.
The INSROA School Safety Leader of the Year award recognizes those principles and honors leaders who work tirelessly to ensure schools remain places where students and staff can learn, grow, and thrive in a secure environment.
“School safety is not the responsibility of one person or one agency,” Hanna has often stated. “It is built through partnerships, preparation, communication, and a shared commitment to protecting and supporting every student.”
For the Rossville Consolidated School District, the recognition serves as a testament not only to Hanna’s leadership but also to the collective efforts of educators, law enforcement officers, first responders, mental health professionals, parents, and community members who work together each day to keep students safe.
“Many Hoosier communities were impacted by the severe weather that swept through our state this week. This emergency declaration ensures that every available state resource is mobilized quickly to support response efforts, help local governments address urgent needs, and help Hoosiers recover. – Governor Mike Braun
Due to flooding, severe weather, tornadic activity, and a derecho, Gov. Braun declared a state of disaster emergency in Allen, Bartholomew, Benton, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Elkhart, Franklin, Fountain, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Howard, Huntington, Jackson, Jasper, Jay, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Kosciusko, Knox, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Ohio, Owen, Parke, Porter, Putnam, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Shelby, St. Joseph, Steuben, Switzerland, Tippecanoe, Wabash, Warren, White, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, and Vigo counties.
This is effective for 30 days and allows the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to provide financial assistance to impacted families who have eligible expenses under the State Disaster Relief Fund program.
To apply for individual assistance, click HERE.
The full disaster emergency can be found HERE.
]]>Morgan-Monroe State Forest is temporarily closed to public access following extensive storm damage. Additional updates will be provided as damage is assessed and clean-up is underway.
]]>The upcoming Ice Cream on the Prairie event at Camp Cullom has been postponed from its original date of Saturday, June 20, and will now be held on Saturday, August 15.
Hosted by Glover’s Ice Creamery and Camp Cullom, the event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will feature hot dogs, chips, and Glover’s Blueberry Waffle Cone ice cream, a special flavor created exclusively for Camp Cullom.
The event is open to the public, and organizers look forward to welcoming the community on the new date.
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overnor Mike Braun announced that businessman and former State Representative Chuck Goodrich will be named Indiana’s next Secretary of Commerce. Goodrich will bring his experience as a leader in business and as a three-term State Representative to lead Indiana’s commerce offices and agencies.
“I’m grateful to Governor Braun for the opportunity to serve Hoosiers in this role. I’ve spent my career building a company in Indiana, hiring Hoosiers, and investing in the workforce that makes growth possible. Indiana is building, growing, and moving forward. Businesses already here will keep growing, and job creators across the country will see what we already know: a workforce and a business environment like nowhere else. Indiana is open for business.” — Chuck Goodrich
Indiana’s next Secretary of Commerce, Chuck Goodrich, serves as the CEO of Gaylor Electric, one of the largest merit-shop electrical firms in the country. Since first becoming President of Gaylor Electric in 2014, the company has developed more than 4,000 jobs. Chuck Goodrich is a longtime workforce development advocate whose leadership spans the construction industry, higher education, and state workforce policy. He is past Chairman of National Associated Builders and Contractors, serves on Purdue’s Construction Advisory Council, and is a member of Indiana’s Region 5 Workforce Development Board.
]]>The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the City of Madison celebrated the opening of the Clifty Connector Trail with a ribbon cutting, which aligns with Governor Mike Braun’s focus on making Indiana healthy and supporting time outdoors.
“Connecting Madison with Clifty Falls State Park through this trail creates an exciting new way for people to experience the area’s natural beauty and stay active,” said Governor Braun. “Thanks to this partnership with the City of Madison, we’re looking forward to seeing both local residents and visitors enjoying the trail.”
The 1.5-mile asphalt, multi-use trail was constructed by the City of Madison with help from a $2,160,160 grant administered by the DNR.
The Clifty Connector Trail adds 1.5 miles of paved trail connecting Clifty Falls State Park to Madison’s riverwalk along the Ohio River in the heart of the city. In addition, a new trailhead has been added along Vernon Street, providing parking, bike racks, a water fountain, and other trail amenities.
“The Connector Trail is another example of how Madison continues moving forward through strategic investments that improve quality of life and strengthen connections throughout our community. This project has been a priority identified in our Parks Master Plan and creates a safe, accessible link between our historic downtown riverfront and Clifty Falls State Park. We are grateful to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and our regional partners for their investment and support in helping bring this vision to life. This trail will serve residents and visitors for generations while further advancing Madison as a destination for outdoor recreation and community connectivity,” said Madison’s Mayor Bob Courtney.
DNR has led the largest infusion of trails funding in state history, with $180 million in dedicated trail funding administered through DNR that facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. A total of 63 of the 89 projects are complete, with another 16 under construction. With this opening, more than 174 miles of trail have been built since the program’s inception.
]]>Set your plans to be at the Indianapolis Zoo tonight. The Animals and All that Jazz summer concert series returns today at 5:30pm with Contemporary Jazz musician Brandon Meeks.
Animals and All That Jazz brings a fresh lineup of Midwest musicians each week—from classic jazz and soul to blues, pop and R&B. Enjoy music at the Bicentennial Pavilion, a breezy, open-air venue that keeps the good vibes going, rain or shine.
This event is FREE for Zoo members and included with regular admission. Guests can come early to see the animals, stay late to enjoy the music and grab a bite to eat from the specialty menu in the Pavilion Café. Guests are invited to bring their own chairs.
