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Wednesday, 01 September 2010 4:01 |
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The Indiana Natural Resources Commission has authorized establishment of the largest nature preserve in the DNR system – the Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve at Brown County State Park.
"Recreation and resource protection are key elements of the state park mission,” said Dan Bortner, director of the DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs. “Brown County has great opportunities for recreation, with wonderful trails for a variety of riders. This addition will guarantee that future generations will benefit from the natural resources found there as well.”
The 3,339 acres feature a large, intact block of upland and floodplain forest that provides habitat for many species that are dependent on forest interiors, including the cerulean warbler, whip-poor-will, broad-winged hawk, timber rattlesnake and red bat.
“This nature preserve provides permanent protection for some of the rarest wildlife in Indiana, as well as one of the rarest trees in the state, the yellowwood. It also preserves one of the largest unfragmented forests remaining in Indiana,” said John Bacone, director of the DNR Division of Nature Preserves.
As part of a state park, the land already was protected by property regulations. Nature preserve status represents an additional commitment by the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs that the land will stay natural, meaning there won't be a lodge, picnic shelter, new parking lot or other development in the acreage.
Horse trails located in the Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve will remain open to equestrian riders, and hikers can access the preserve from Trail 9.
The history of the new nature preserve’s name dates back to 1809, when the Treaty of Fort Wayne was negotiated between William Henry Harrison, then governor of the Indiana Territory, and Little Turtle, a Miami chief. The secondary name for the treaty line, the “Ten O’Clock Line,” which became Indiana’s northern boundary at statehood in 1816, remains today. The treaty line passes through the heart of the new nature preserve.
The next largest DNR nature preserves are Rocky Hollow-Falls Canyon in Turkey Run State Park at 1,608 acres and Dunes Nature Preserve at Indiana Dunes State Park at 1,530 acres.
There are 233 nature preserve sites in Indiana encompassing nearly 39,000 acres. The Indiana Natural Resources Commission has authorized establishment of the largest nature preserve in the DNR system – the Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve at Brown County State Park.
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Wednesday, 01 September 2010 3:49 |
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Indianapolis, IN - What started with the implementation of a totally integrated financial system less than a year ago is moving to another phase: a one-stop online portal for state government information. The dynamic website, which can be accessed at www.transparency.in.gov will provide Hoosiers with 24/7 access to information about how Indiana is utilizing its resources.
The website includes all state contracts, employee salaries, an interactive budget section, revenue data, state debt authority overview, financial statements for both local governments and state government, performance information along with recovery and reinvestment act information.
“Today we have compiled more data and information in a single location than any other unit of government in Indiana - and we aren’t done yet. We have more items to be released in the coming months and we want to hear from Hoosiers on what they would like to see on this site moving forward as well,” said State Auditor Tim Berry. “Over the past two legislative sessions we worked with members of the General Assembly to enact transparency legislation that unfortunately did not pass. As a result our office along with the offices of budget and technology, have taken the initiative to provide this on our own.”
Later this year, the site will be updated to include the complete list of local government financial reports and an expenditure search tool for state government. Additional upgrades will include program performance results, and an integrated budget, expenditure and performance results comparison. The site also includes a suggestion box to encourage feedback from taxpayers about how to improve the portal.
“It is vital for government to be transparent and accountable because it isn’t the state’s money, it is taxpayer money and Hoosiers deserve to have the best tools available to know how their dollars are being spent,” said Auditor Berry.
What the Indiana Transparency Portal offers that is “new” to IN.gov:
1. One-stop shop. The Indiana Transparency Portal serves as a one-shop or single reference point for the public to find information as it relates to the state’s finances and performance. The site provides data including:
• State contracts.
• Employee salaries.
• Budget information.
• Revenue data.
• Local Government information.
• Debt overview.
• Performance information.
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) information.
2. State Employee Salaries. Look up State E mployee salaries by agency, first or last name. Gross salaries will be updated each payroll cycle.
3. Interactive Budget. The FY2010/FY2011 As-Passed budget is available in excel format. Users can utilize the pivot table to select the specific agencies or programs they are interested in viewing. The data can also be downloaded.
4. Local Government Annual Financial Reports. Every local government entity is required to submit an annual financial report to the State Board of Accounts. Those received electronically are currently available. Those received via alternative methods will be posted in September.
5. Quick Figures. Charts offer users a quick summary of the state’s fiscal picture. Graph data is downloadable in multiple formats (.csv,.png,.jpeg,.svg). Graphs depict the total revenues, expenditures, budget information, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) spending and allocation, state employee trends. etc. INDIANAPOLIS - What started with the implementation of a totally integrated financial system less than a year ago is moving to another phase: a one-stop online portal for state government information. The dynamic website, which can be accessed at www.transparency.in.gov will provide Hoosiers with 24/7 access to information about how Indiana is utilizing its resources.
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Thursday, 26 August 2010 11:17 |
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The Allen County Genealogical Society will present a beginner’s workshop “Getting Started in Family History & Genealogy Research” Saturday, October 2, at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. The three-hour session will start at 9 a.m.
Instructor Marge Graham will discuss how to gather and organize your information for best results, and how to use proven basic research methods. Participants will tour the Genealogy Center and learn about available resources.
Pre-registration is required. Mail a $10 check, payable to the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana, to Margery Graham, 13431 Ernst Road, Roanoke, IN 46783. The Allen County Genealogical Society will present a beginner’s workshop “Getting Started in Family History & Genealogy Research” Saturday, October 2, at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. The three-hour session will start at 9 a.m.
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Thursday, 26 August 2010 11:14 |
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WABASH, Ind. – The Wabash Valley Music Association’s new season will open with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on Sun., Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. Six other performances will follow at intervals throughout the season, which closes with The Osmond Brothers on April 30, 2011. All performances will be held in the Ford Theater at the Honeywell Center in downtown Wabash.
Broadway actor/singer Tom Wopat will showcase the second performance of the season on Fri., Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. After first gaining popularity from the late 70s TV show Dukes of Hazzard, Wopat went on to star in many Broadway musicals such as “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Guys and Dolls,” and “City of Angels.”
On Fri., Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Wabash Area Community Theatre will give their performance of the timeless tale “Cinderella.” The cast for this show is made up of local area talent.
“A Chorus Line” comes to the Ford Theater stage on Tues., Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. This famous Broadway hit of both screen and stage tells the story, from funny to heartbreaking, of 17 dancers putting it all on the line to get a job on the line.
The Tony Award winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof” is next in the series, coming to Wabash on Sun., Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. This all-time classic is filled with a heartwarming score which includes: “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and “If I Were a Rich Man.”
Dance Kaleidoscope’s “The Elvis Project” will play in the Ford Theater on Fri., Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. David Hochoy and guest choreographer Cynthia Pratt will celebrate their favorite Elvis Presley songs in dance.
The series closes on Sat., April 30 at 7:30 p.m. when the Osmond Brothers come to Wabash. Currently performing worldwide, the unsurpassed vocal harmonies of three Osmond brothers - Wayne, Merril, and Jay - will perform classic hits like “One Bad Apple,” “Double Lovin’,” “Crazy Horses,” “Yo-Yo,” and “Down by the Lazy River.”
Tickets for the entire series are priced from $75 to $165 for adults, depending upon seat location. Prices for single performance tickets vary according to the show. Single and series seats for youth through high school are available at half-price. Series tickets are available now and single tickets will go on sale Aug. 3. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Honeywell Center box office at 260-563-1102.
Tickets may be purchased at the box office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, by calling (260) 563-1102 or visiting www.honeywellcenter.org"\t "_blank" www.honeywellcenter.org.
The Honeywell Center is north central Indiana's premier arts and entertainment facility with more than 3,000 events and 150,000 visitors annually. Concerts, conferences, charity galas, art exhibits, and educational outreach programs are among the diverse events at the Honeywell Center. All programs and activities are supported by gifts from individuals, businesses, the Indiana Arts Commission (a state agency) and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). For a complete program listing, visit the Honeywell Center Web site at www.honeywellcenter.org" \t "_blank" www.honeywellcenter.org or call (260) 563-1102. WABASH, Ind. – The Wabash Valley Music Association’s new season will open with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on Sun., Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. Six other performances will follow at intervals throughout the season, which closes with The Osmond Brothers on April 30, 2011. All performances will be held in the Ford Theater at the Honeywell Center in downtown Wabash.
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Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:56 |
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INDIANAPOLIS –About 756,000 children are expected to ride Hoosier school buses this school year. As students return to school from summer vacation, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) are reminding drivers to take extra precautions to avoid incidents involving school children.
“Whenever possible, parents or guardians should wait for the school bus with young children,” says IDHS Chief of Staff Mike Garvey. “Many children board school buses in the pre-dawn hours and it can be difficult for drivers to see them in the dark. Adequate supervision at bus stops is important to help keep children safe.” Garvey is an EMS professional with 33 years of experience. IDHS provides training and credentialing to all EMS personnel throughout the state, and certifies training institutions and all emergency medical transports.
An average of 26 children in the U.S. are killed every year while getting on or off a school bus, or while waiting at the bus stop. Last year in Indiana, three children were killed in school transportation related incidents.
“By following all safety rules and obeying traffic laws, Hoosier motorists can help ensure all Indiana children have a safe school year,” says INDOT Commissioner Michael B. Cline.
Important safety tips for drivers
· Back out carefully: Watch for children walking to the bus stop when backing out of a driveway.
· Slow down: Watch for children walking in the street and playing or congregating near bus stops. Some children may be waiting at bus stops in the early morning hours. This will make them more difficult to see, and extra caution should be taken.
· Be alert: Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
· Obey the laws: Yellow flashing lights on a bus mean motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights mean motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn and the bus starts moving again. Unless there is a median, oncoming traffic must also stop.
Safety for kids when
riding the bus
· Get to the bus stop at least five minutes early.
When the bus approaches, have children stand at least three giant steps away from the curb.
· If a bus stop is located on a busy road or intersection, an adult should be present to supervise children waiting for the bus.
· Make sure children understand to always stay seated while the bus is in motion, and to follow any directions from the bus driver.
· If a child drops something near the bus, instruct them to tell the bus driver, rather than trying to pick it up themselves.
Safety when walking
to school
· If children are walking to school, make sure they understand to walk on sidewalks, if available, and use crosswalks whenever possible.
· Remind them to always look both ways before crossing the street.
· If children have to cross the street in front of a bus, teach them to walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road at least five giant steps ahead of the bus before they cross.
For more tips on back to school and road safety, visit www.indot.in.gov.
For other safety information, visit www.in.gov/dhs/getprepared. INDIANAPOLIS –About 756,000 children are expected to ride Hoosier school buses this school year. As students return to school from summer vacation, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) are reminding drivers to take extra precautions to avoid incidents involving school children.
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Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:52 |
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Buying or refinancing a home is one of the most important and complex financial decisions facing consumers, and it is also a breeding ground for predatory lending and loan fraud. It is important to be a smart consumer.
Misinformed homebuyers, often first-time purchasers or seniors, are ripe targets to become victims. But there are checkpoints to help avoid the pitfalls and losses that they can bring.
Interview several real estate professionals, and ask for and check their references before selecting an agent to help buy or sell a home. Check prices of other homes in the neighborhood. Hire a licensed home inspector to carefully inspect the property before becoming obligated to buy. Determine who will be responsible for paying for repairs.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), one of 24 federal agencies that make up a financial fraud enforcement task force known as STOPFRAUD.gov, offers a list of DON’Ts to avoid being a victim of loan fraud:
• Don’t make a false statement on a loan application, such as overstating income, the source of the down payment, or failing to disclose the nature and amount of debt.
• Don’t let anyone convince you to borrow more money than you know you can afford to repay. If you get behind in your payments, you risk losing your house and all of the money you put into your property. In addition to the principle and interest, be sure you can afford the taxes and insurance. You also may want to check the average monthly utilities over the past year.
• Don’t sign a blank document or a document containing blanks. If information is inserted by someone else after you have signed, you may still be bound to the terms of the contract. Insert “N/A” (not applicable), or cross through any blanks.
• Don’t sign anything you don’t understand. Read everything carefully, and ask questions. Before signing, have the contract reviewed by an attorney skilled in real estate law, consult with a trusted real estate professional, or ask for help from a housing counselor with a HUD-approved agency.
• Shop for a lender, and compare costs. Be suspicious if anyone tries to steer you to only one lender.
The Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, STOPFRAUD.gov, was established last November as the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud.
Members range from the Department of Justice to the Department of Treasury and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System. It also includes the FBI, IRS criminal division and Secret Service.
The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) has issued additional tips for avoiding foreclosure scams. It recommends working only with a nonprofit, HUD-approved counselor, and never working with a counselor who collects a fee before providing the services or who accepts payment only by cashier’s check or wire transfer.
Be wary of guarantees. Reputable counselors will not guarantee to stop the foreclosure process, no matter what your circumstances. “Working with a legitimate counselor can certainly increase your chance of keeping your home, but be wary of people who promise a sure thing,” the FRB reports. “Get the details of your transaction, along with any promises, in writing first.”
This information is provided with the understanding that the Association is not engaged in rendering specific legal, accounting or other professional services. If specific expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. Provided as a public service by the Indiana Bankers Association.
For more information call (317) 387-9380. Buying or refinancing a home is one of the most important and complex financial decisions facing consumers, and it is also a breeding ground for predatory lending and loan fraud. It is important to be a smart consumer.
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