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Frankfort – Clinton County Today
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Frankfort

Frankfort Main Street Earns 20th Consecutive National Accreditation

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FRANKFORT, Ind. (May 18, 2025) – Frankfort Main Street has received prestigious accreditation from both Indiana Main Street and Main Street America for the 20th consecutive year, the organization announced Friday. This milestone places Frankfort Main Street among a limited number of communities in Indiana to achieve such sustained recognition for downtown revitalization and preservation efforts.

The accreditation signifies a rigorous evaluation of the organization’s structure, program impact, and adherence to the principles of the Main Street Approach™. This approach is described as a framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization.

For two decades, Frankfort Main Street has worked to cultivate a vibrant downtown district. Their initiatives have focused on economic development, community engagement, historic preservation, and design enhancement. The organization aims to create a vibrant and sustainable downtown that serves as the community’s economic, social, and cultural core.

Kim Stevens, Frankfort Main Street executive Director, stated, “This remarkable milestone speaks volumes about the dedication and hard work of our board members, volunteers, and the entire Frankfort community”. Stevens added that continuous accreditation for two decades is a “testament to our long-term vision and the tangible impact we’ve made in preserving our heritage while fostering economic growth”.

Mayor Judy Sheets also commented on the achievement, expressing pride in Frankfort Main Street’s commitment to downtown revitalization and support for local small businesses. Mayor Sheets highlighted the 20 consecutive years of accreditation as a “significant achievement” that reflects consistent dedication to the Main Street Approach, calling their efforts “a model for other communities across Indiana”.

Maintaining accreditation ensures Frankfort Main Street will continue to access valuable resources, training, and networking opportunities from state and national Main Street organizations. This support is expected to aid their mission to foster a dynamic and sustainable downtown for the community.

The sustained recognition underscores the effectiveness of Frankfort Main Street’s efforts in strengthening the local economy, preserving historic assets, enhancing the downtown experience, and building community partnerships.

Frankfort Main Street is a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing and preserving downtown Frankfort. They invite the community to celebrate this achievement and participate in upcoming events and initiatives, aiming to build upon their legacy of success.

Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Frankfort Crash

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FRANKFORT, Ind. (May 18, 2025) – A ten-year-old male bicyclist was seriously injured in a crash Friday morning in Frankfort and was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital, authorities said.

The crash occurred at approximately 10:22 a.m. in the area of McKinley Avenue and Short Myrtle Avenue. According to a press release from the Frankfort Police Department, a vehicle traveling west on McKinley Avenue struck the bicyclist who was proceeding south out of an alley. The driver was unable to stop in time.

The bicyclist suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. His condition is listed as critical.

Standard alcohol and drug tests were administered to the driver due to the seriousness of the injuries sustained by the bicyclist.

The investigation into the crash remains active. Authorities stated that more information can be requested once the investigation concludes.

Responding agencies at the scene included Clinton County EMS, Frankfort Fire Department, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Frankfort Police Department.

Frankfort Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest

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FRANKFORT, Ind. (May 18, 2025) – A traffic stop earlier this month resulted in the arrest of a Frankfort man on multiple drug charges, according to information from the Frankfort Police Department.

The arrest followed a stop conducted by Squad B night shift on May 12, 2025. The initial reason for the traffic stop was for driving left of center.

The individual arrested was identified as 60-year-old Larry Cunningham of Frankfort. He faces the following charges, which have been filed:
* Dealing in Methamphetamine more than 10 grams, a Level 2 Felony
* Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 3 Felony
* Possession of Cocaine, a Level 6 Felony

The Frankfort Police Department issued a press release regarding the arrest on May 16, 2025.

Frankfort Man Dies After Striking Parked Car

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FRANKFORT, Ind. (May 18, 2025) – A single-vehicle crash in Frankfort on Friday morning resulted in one fatality. The incident occurred on May 16, 2025, at approximately 5:30 am in the 800 block of North Jackson Street.

Authorities, including Frankfort Police, Frankfort Fire, and Clinton County EMS, were dispatched to the scene following reports of a serious crash.

According to a press release from the Frankfort Police Department, a passenger car driven by 66-year-old Michael Radkovic of Frankfort struck a parked vehicle. The reason the vehicle struck the parked car is currently unknown.

Mr. Radkovic was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The cause and manner of death are under investigation by Clinton County Coroner Ed Cripe. The crash investigation is being conducted by officers from the Frankfort Police Department.

No further information is available at this time.

Audio Between Prosecutor and Journalist Released, Indiana Appeals Court Revives Defamation Suit Against Prosecutor Over Jail Fund Comments

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Clinton County Prosecutor Anthony Sommer and Clinton County Sheriff Richard Kelly
Clinton County Indiana Prosecutor Anthony Sommer (L) and Clinton County Indiana Sheriff Richard Kelly pose for a photo after the December 2018 swearing-in of elected officials held inside the Clinton County Indiana courthouse. (Photo/Facebook)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (March 26, 2025) — A recent ruling by the Indiana Court of Appeals has revived a defamation lawsuit filed by Clinton County Sheriff Richard Kelly and his wife, Ashley Kelly, against County Prosecutor Anthony Sommer. The appellate court reversed a lower court’s decision to dismiss the case, finding that questions remain regarding whether Sommer’s statements to the media about an investigation into the Kellys’ management of jail funds were protected by prosecutorial immunity.

Today, we released the audio between the prosecutor and the journalist.

The audio is from an October 8, 2021, encounter where Prosecutor Sommer invited the journalist to view a “publicly available commissary report” for the first six months of 2021 in his office.

However, it was not the publicly available commissary report as promised – it was a fabricated report.

Over the next week of October 2021, the actual report submitted by Sheriff Richard Kelly during the July 13, 2021, County Council meeting was requested from both the county auditor and sheriff’s office revealing the report provided by the prosecutor was fabricated.

The fabricated report showed incorrect disbursements, incorrect deposits, a wrong check number, a missing check number and even a million dollar change in balance.

As a note, the fabricated report was uploaded as evidence in the county’s lawsuit against Sheriff Kelly and Matron Ashley Kelly on October 25, 2021, 79C01-2104-PL-000035. In the motion to dismiss its case, the county – through their attorney Tom Little – wrote: “Defendants submitted a detailed report of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Commissary Fund with listed activity for the first six months of 2021 to the Clinton County Council, attached here to as “Exhibit A”

An email dated December 27, 2021, between County Council President Alan Dunn and county attorney Little – in which the journalist was copied on – Dunn wrote to Little, “… I spent some time yesterday going over the spreadsheet and I did find several errors, which I have corrected in the version that is attached. … I was not aware at the time that my work would be submitted to the Court as an official County document, so now knowing that it has been I think we need to submit this corrected version as soon as possible. If you could do so, I would really appreciate it.”

The journalist is the author of this post.

Click here to be directed to Spotify or listen to the audio below:

FHS Names Justin Kenzie New Head Varsity Football Coach

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Community Schools of Frankfort introduced Justin Kinzie (far left) during the school board meeting conducted February 11, 2025. Also standing are members of his family from left to right: his wife, Allision, and two sons Broderick and Mason.

FRANKFORT, Ind. (February 12, 2025) – Justin Kenzie was introduced as the 2025 Frankfort Varsity Head Coach during the Tuesday school board meeting.

Coming from Niles, Michigan where he coached the Brandywine Bobcats, Kenzie has experience in Indiana high school football.

He spent two years as interim head coach at South Bend Riley, prior to that was an assistant coach with Mishawaka Marian, South Bend Adams, and South Bend Washington. 

Kenzie has experience both on and off the field with 17 years of experience in the classroom and 22 years of experience in education based athletics. 

“I am excited to be here,” FHS Head Football coach Justin Kenzie said after he was introduced. “I know first-hand how important this position is. I know what it means to represent a community and have the title of head football coach. I want everyone in this community to know that won’t be lost on me. I am ready to come – two feet on the ground ready to work. I know there is a lot of work to be done but I have a strong back and coming with a shovel and ready to go to work.”

Kinzie will teach social studies at the high school. He and his wife, Allision, have two sons Broderick and Mason.

Clinton County Decides: Election 2024

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FRANKFORT, Ind. (November 6, 2024) – Only one local race was left undecided last night; Rossville School Board 19 with both candidates being write-ins, the Clinton County Clerks Office reported those results be available at some point today – 457 total write-in votes were cast.

With 62 of 62 election terminals tabulated, here is how Clinton County voters voted in the 2024 General Election.

Registered Voters: 20350
Voters: 12631
Voter Turnout: 62.07%

County Council Member At-Large (Pick 3)

Mark Newhart, Democratic – 3242
Jeff Chynoweth, Republican – 6551
James (Mike) Hensley, Republican – 6760
Mary King, Republican – 6245

Clinton Central School Board

Central District 11:
Jerry Lysko – 493
Amy Mennen – 1406

Rossville School Board

Rossville Clay Twp:
Joe Hufford – 927
Dillon Rothrock – 505

Rossville District 19 (Write-In Candidates):
Janet Blackburn – Unknown
Jentry Pendleton – Unknown

Rossville District 20:
Brent Michael – 931
Julia Mink – 406

Megan Sheets to Resign from Board of Works and City Council

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Megan Sheets will resign her seat on the Frankfort City Council and Board of Public Works and Safety. (Photo/City of Frankfort)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (May 22, 2024) – Megan Sheets will resign her seat as Frankfort City Council member at-large and her appointment to the Board of Public Works and Safety according to Mayor Judy Sheets. The resignation is timed to moving out-of-state.

This is a developing story and updates will be made when available.

Dr. Rhoda to Media Outlet: “I don’t want you here”

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Dr. Matt Rhoda
Community Schools of Frankfort Superintendent Dr. Matt Rhoda blocked access to a local media outlet during the customary interview session conducted in the community room across the hallway from the board room after the May 14, 2024 School Board meeting. (Photo/CSF)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (May 15, 2024) – At the conclusion of the Tuesday evening Frankfort School Board meeting – a night where the School Board heard the first reading of a new Civility policy – Community Schools of Frankfort Superintendent Dr. Matt Rhoda blocked access to a local media outlet during the customary interview session conducted in the community room across the hallway from the board room.

When Clinton County Today attempted to enter the room, Dr. Rhoda said to journalist Brett Todd, “I don’t have anything to say to you… I don’t have any comments for you.”

Asked why this approach was being taken given the Board had just had the first reading of a district wide Civility Policy – Policy 8521, Dr. Rhoda replied, “I think that you want to portray us in the wrong fashion and I don’t have anything to say to you.”

Clinton County Today asked, “What was the negative portrayal?”

Dr. Rhoda said, “The negative portrayal is painting us in a negative fashion about our whole band situation.”

“The band situation” is in reference to a March 29, 2024 article published by Clinton County Today titled, “Victims’ Mother Questions School and Police Response in FMS Band Teacher Alleged Misconduct.”

The article provided comments made by Dr. Rhoda to Clinton County Today in an interview conducted inside the CSF community room after the March 12th school board meeting as well as comments made to the victims’ mother during a March 8th meeting as recorded by the victims’ mother.

Clinton County Today left the community room upon Dr. Rhoda stating, “I need you to leave. I don’t want you here. I do not want to talk to you and I need you to respect that.”

Frankfort Alumna Named New Frankfort High School Principal, “I am a proud Hot Dog”

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Jennifer Miller, center in blue dress, was unanimously approved by the Frankfort School Board at its May 14, 2024, meeting to be the next FHS principal. In the photo with Miller are her two daughters and her fiancé. (Photo/Brett W. Todd)

FRANKFORT, Ind. (May 15, 2024) – Jennifer Miller, a graduate of FHS, was unanimously approved by the Frankfort School Board at Tuesday’s meeting to be the next FHS principal. Miller will take over for Cindy Long who had previously announced she would leave at the end of the school year to accept a position with the Indiana Association of School Principals.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to come back and serve alongside the teachers and serve the school community,” Miller said after the meeting. “There’s not many principals who actually get to come back and lead their high school.”

“It’s good to be home. I’m excited to continue to grow opportunities for all of our students in academics, athletics, and the arts. We’ll get right to work to make sure we are ready for the graduation change requirements that are coming up – so, we’ll hit the ground running.”

Miller currently is the principal of Logansport Junior High School. She previously served as assistant principal at Logansport Junior High School, principal and assistant principal at Twin Lakes High School, and taught English at McCutcheon High School and Frankfort Middle School.

She received her bachelor’s degree in English education from Purdue University, master’s degree of education as well as an administrative certification from Indiana Wesleyan University.

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