Have you noticed businesses placing markings to indicate suggested places to stand when waiting for service?
Menards and Meijer are some businesses that have placed markings.
The photo above is of inside Frankfort’s McDonald’s.
At a press conference, this afternoon from the Indiana Statehouse, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced the closure of all schools until May 1.
As May 1 approaches, they may reevaluate at that time to determine if schools will need to remain closed for the remainder of the school year.
We are monitoring the press conference and will bring updates as they become available.
For the protection of our customers, staff, their families, as well as the citizens of the communities we serve, The Farmers Bank is temporarily suspending lobby access except by appointment only at all Farmers Bank locations effective Thursday, March 19th at 12:00 pm until further notice.
“We have been closely monitoring the status of the current COVID-19 situation and in these uncertain times, our concern at The Farmers Bank is for the well-being of our customers, employees, their families, and the communities we serve. We would like to remind all our customers that while this social issue is sweeping the nation, this is not a financial crisis and your funds will remain available to you.” said Karen F. Gregerson, President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been reported in Indiana, while we have no news at this time of confirmed cases in Clinton County, we have been notified of confirmed cases reported in Boone and Hamilton Counties. For these reasons and to do our part in limiting the spread of COVID-19, the following steps are being taken, effective Thursday, March 19th at 12:00 pm.
• The Farmers Bank will temporarily suspend lobby access at all branch locations beginning Thursday, March 19th at 12:00 pm until further notice.
• Drive-up facilities will remain open during normal drive-up business hours.
o For your convenience, some branches will have extended hours. Check our website https://www.thefarmersbank.com for the most current information regarding the locations and business hours at your local Farmers Bank branch.
• All business change orders will be available by appointment only. Call your local branch or 765-654-8731 to place an order and schedule your pick-up.
• Cash advances can be completed at the ATM.
• All bank services are currently still available: You may contact a customer service representative or a loan officer at your local branch or by calling 765-654-8731 to answer any questions or schedule all necessary appointments.
o Safe Deposit Box Entry
o Account Openings
o Loan Closings
If you choose to take care of some or all of your banking business online, The Farmers Bank offers a full suite of electronic banking products. You’ll find our online banking system and mobile banking app fast, convenient, and easy to use. Pay your bills, check your balances, deposit checks, view your transaction history, transfer money between accounts, and locate our ATMs all from the comfort and safety of your home.
Karen F. Gregerson also stated, “We recognize that this is a challenging time for all and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to protect the overall safety of our customers and their families, our employees and their families and the communities we serve while allowing us to continue to provide the quality community banking service you have come to expect – and deserve. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to monitor and work through these unique circumstances.”
We understand the importance of having access to your funds during these uncertain times and want to ensure you have additional access to your funds during this time by extending drive-up hours at some locations, refunding foreign ATM charges, and increasing daily limits on debit cards and mobile banking deposits.
The Farmers Bank’s management team will continue to closely monitor the situation and evaluate any further actions needed. We will continue to share updates at www.thefarmersbank.com and on our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. For additional information about the current status of COVID-19 in Indiana, please visit https://www.in.gov/coronavirus or contact your local health department.
If you have a special circumstance or need additional assistance, please contact us on Monday – Friday from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm or Saturday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at 765-654-8731.
With the restrictions communicated to the public regarding public gatherings do to the coronavirus, the Clinton County Commissioners were faced with a decision regarding the solar farm overlay at its Tuesday, March 17, 2020, meeting. Bring it up for a vote, or leave it tabled.
“We know it is a hot topic and folks are very interested in that,” said County Commissioner Josh Uitts. “So, we made the decision to take that off of the agenda because we didn’t folks coming in here being unnecessarily exposed to anything or take any kind of risk. And, at the same time, we didn’t want to make a decision of that magnitude when folks can’t be here. It’s just not the right way to do things and we are going to make sure that folks, one way or another, have the ability to attend a meeting – whether that is here physically; hopefully, in the near future or virtually.”
The solar overlay, also known by its legal document as Lupac #02-20-358 Ordinance 2020-04, could become effective even if the Commissioners do not vote.
Liz Stitzel of the Area Plan Commission informed the Commissioners at the March 3, 2020, meeting that under state law they have 90-days to either vote to approve or deny the Lupac or the Lupac becomes effective the way it is recommended by the Area Plan Commission without action.
The Commissioners asked County Attorney Tom Little to look into whether Indiana law would allow for virtual meetings. A finding will be communicated once research has been concluded.
Clinton County Today has learned all Clinton County school systems have taken the step of closing school out of an abundance of caution due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) until April 6th.
There are no reported cases of Coronavirus in Clinton County at this time.
We will update this post as more information is learned.
The Republican Caucus met at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020, to hear from 4 candidates for Center Township Trustee.
Cory Boyles, Tom Bush, Jami Pratt, and Steve Teegarden each took 3-minutes explaining why they should become the next Center Township Trustee in front of 18 precinct committeemen in attendance.
Jami Pratt was selected on the first ballet receiving 10 votes.
Pratt will be sworn in Monday, March 9th at 9 a.m. in the Courthouse Clerks Office.
The Office of Accountability for the Indiana Department of Education has released the 2018-2019 A-F Grades for Schools and School Corporations.
Public Law 2-2020, signed into law by Governor Holcomb on February 12, 2020, requires that a school’s A-F grade for the 2018-2019 school year may not be lower than that same school’s A-F grade for the 2017-2018 school year. In order to determine the final 2018-2019 A-F grade for each school, the Indiana Department of Education (Department) compared each school’s 2017-2018 grade to its 2018-2019 grade, as calculated pursuant to 511 IAC 6.2-10, and assigned the better grade received by the school between these two school years. Schools received all performance and accountability data for the 2018-2019 school year regardless of the hold harmless application.
The provided image shows the grades assigned to the respective schools and school corporations in Clinton County.
The Community Schools of Frankfort and Clinton Central School Corporation have each appealed its assigned corporation grade. They are 2 of 7 corporations in the state that have appealed.
Frankfort High School and Clinton Central Junior-Senior High School have each appealed its school grade. They are 2 of 9 schools in the state that have appealed.
Below is a breakdown of the Grades statewide:
2018-2019 Hold Harmless Grades for Corporations (289 School Corporations)
A: 50
B: 161
C: 66
D: 2
F: 2
N/A: 1
Appeal Pending: 7
2018-2019 Hold Harmless Grades for Schools (2,158 schools)
A: 680
B: 722
C: 423
D: 177
F: 69
N/A: 78
Appeal Pending: 9
With two (2) new projects recently announced at the I-65 & State Road 28 interchange (NHK manufacturing facility & Five Below distribution center), those respective projects are dependant upon the utility expansion from Jefferson to that area previously announced in June 2019.
During the Tuesday, March 3, 2020, County Commissioners meeting, Jon Query of HWC Engineering provided the Commissioners with a report on the bids for Divison “B” (Water Project) of the I-65 utility expansion from Jefferson. A total of six (6) bids were received.
The I-65 utility expansion project comprises two parts or divisions. Division “B” is the water portion while Division “A” is the sewer portion.
Division “A” of the project and has not been bid yet due to waiting on EDA grant funding status before that portion bids.
HWC Engineering received a total of six (6) bids on February 20, 2020, ranging from $4,720,735 to $5,635,390.
The low bidder was J.G. Case Construction Inc. of Muncie, IN. HWC Engineering has worked with J.G Case Construction Inc. on prior projects and “that work has all been acceptable and good,” said Query.
The low bid of $4,720,735 came back close to the revised estimated of $4,750,000. The biggest reason for the change in estimated project cost was the change from a 12″ to an 18″ water main.
HWC Engineering recommended the Commissioners accept the low bid from J.G. Case Contruction Inc. in the amount of $4,720,735 pending the final review from the financial advisor, Baker Tilly, and the funding agency, SRF.
“Given the schedule with the developments (at I-65), we need to proceed with this pretty quickly,” said Query. “They (the independent project developers) are wanting water service early next year…we need to get notice to proceed to the contractor in the next few weeks.”
“(I) was very pleased the amount of bidders that we received,” said Commissioner Josh Uitts. “It made it a competitive bid and I think we saw the results of that with the bid coming in right where we thought it would, our estimated budget.”
The Commissioners voted to accept the recommendation, 3-0.
When the Clinton County Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, they did so with a full room. Those in attendance ranged from the public concerned with the proposed solar farm to department heads to representatives of Invenergy, LLC, the parent company of Hardy Hills Solar Energy LLC.
Liz Stitzel of the Area Plan Commission came before the Clinton County Commissioners to present the favorable recommendation voted by the APC on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. The legal document is known as Lupac #02-20-358 Ordinance 2020-04.
The Lupac is a binding legal document, including the commitments previously agreed to, not only on the company but all individuals who hold interest in that land.
The presentation made by Stitzel came after the public portion of the Commissioners meeting where three (3) members of the public spoke on the topic of the Hardy Hills Solar Energy LLC proposed project, all three spoke against the proposed project.
The three individuals spoke on issues ranging from a potential loss of property value, groundwater contamination, impact on wildlife, and the perception the commissioners are rushing to make a decision.
“The only thing we could do this morning if we wanted to, is approve the rezoning of the overlay district,” said Commissioner Josh Uitts.
Commissioners Uitts made the recommendation to table the decision on voting on the Lupac at the meeting today and take it under consideration at a future point.
Stitzel informed the Commissioners under state law they have 90-days to either vote to approve or deny the Lupac or the Lupac becomes effective the way it is recommended by the Area Plan Commission without action.
“I think we have a lot of good conversation. We still have letters coming in and I just read two more,” said Commissioner Steve Woods. “I’m more than willing to wait to get this done, done the right way.”
The Commissioners’ next meeting could see a vote taken on the APC recommendation.
Mayor Judy Sheets’ first Board of Works meeting allowed her to introduce to the public the members of her Board of Works and Department Heads.
In addition to Mayor Sheets, Megan Sheets and Mark Mitchell make-up the three-person Board of Works. Mayor Sheets also noted there is no family relation to Megan Sheets or Travis Sheets. The comment was in response to posts on social media asking if there is any family relationship.
Mayor Sheets introduced the following individuals who will serve as her department heads:
John Kirby – Fire Chief
Jason Forsythe – Street Department Superintendent
Bart Kraning – Parks Superintendent
Scott Shoemaker – Police Deputy Chief
Don Stock – Director of Planning and Housing Initiatives
There is currently a vacancy for senior building inspector as Sam Payne retired today, Monday, March 2, 2020.
While a search is ongoing to fill this position, the BOW voted to accept an independent contractor contract with Sam Payne so the city can fulfill housing inspection in the interim until a person can be hired.
The BOW also set the ongoing meeting schedule as the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the council chambers. The BOW meeting will take place prior to 7 p.m. City Council meetings.
