Category archive

Local Round Up - page 19

Karina Castaneda, FHS Senior, Places In Top 20 at International Science Fair

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Karina Castaneda, a Frankfort High School Senior, received notification from the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair that her project – Strenuous Sequencing: Exploring the Effect of Bilingualism on Executive Functioning in the Human Brain – placed in the Top 20 of the Behavioral and Social Sciences category.

Castaneda, a member of the Class of 2021, was one of the 1,833 Regeneron ISEF 2021 finalists; representing 49 states and 64 countries across the world – a competition that was held virtually for the first time in its more than 70-year history to keep the finalists and their families safe during the ongoing pandemic.

“I was super excited, especially because we weren’t expecting it,” said Castaneda via a press release issued by the Community Schools of Frankfort. “Being from a small town, small state of Indiana in the United States, it was totally unexpected. So when I heard my name announced, it was very exciting!”

Although Castaneda’s projects for the past 5 years have centered on the bilingual brain, she started working on this year’s project back in September – during the peak of the pandemic while safety measures in place to protect students, staff, and teachers.

Something Bret Rhea, Director of High Ability at CSF, spoke about during the April 13, 2021, School Board meeting with respect to the challenges Castaneda had to overcome in completing her project.

“Probably the most impressive part of her project which was spurred by this year – the test that she used to assess the executive functioning is a neurological test called “trail making test” which is a paper and pencil test,” said Rhea to the School Board and public attendees. “Back in October, we were trying to figure out how can we test 600 middle schoolers if we can’t have them touching these pencils and papers. So she wrote a computer application – she basically self-taught herself how to write this application. She wrote the code and then we put it on flash drives and she would go into a classroom of kids and would plug them into their devices. The kids then were able to do the test she had made – on their computers – and the results were stored on the flash drives. And, no one contaminated anything. A very innovative thing.”

To qualify for the International competition, Castaneda had to compete at both Regional and State levels and finish with a designation that would allow her to advance.

At the Regional level in March, a 12-county area surrounding Lafayette, Castaneda won the best Behavioral Sciences project award and placed in the Top 3 of all projects in the contest advancing her to the State competition.

In April, she earned the mark of second-best Behavioral Sciences project as well as placed in the Top 20 of all projects in the contest in the State of Indiana – a designation that earned her a spot as a representative for Indiana to the International competition.

At ISEF, she was one of only six projects from Indiana to be recognized for excellence at the International level.

Below is the video submitted to ISEF by Castaneda, where she speaks about her project and findings.

Castaneda’s future education plans include attending Purdue University in the Fall of 2021 to study Business Management and later attend law school to become an attorney and practice family law.

Frankfort Parks To Open Aviary, Petting Zoo, and Splash Pad on Saturday, May 29th

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – On Saturday, May 29, Frankfort Parks Department will be opening its aviary, petting zoo, and splash pad to the public. No fee is charged to visit any of these attractions but donations are accepted. These features will remain open, weather permitting, through Labor Day.

The aviary and petting zoo are both located at TPA Park, 1 Adrian Marks Dr in Frankfort. The petting zoo and aviary will be open 7 days a week from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.

The splash pad is located at Prairie Creek Park, 260 E Washington St in Frankfort. Splash pad hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The splash pad will also be open 7 days per week, weather permitting.

All weather-related closures for park facilities will be reported on the Frankfort Parks Department Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FrankfortParksDept

Prairie Creek Park Grand Opening Saturday, May 22

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Prairie Creek Park, located in downtown Frankfort at 260 E. Washington St., will officially open on Saturday, May 22, 2021, when the City of Frankfort hosts a public ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mayor Judy Sheets invites the public to attend and enjoy the fun activities planned for the day.

“We are excited to share this park with the community and hope it will give our residents a wonderful space to build memories and enjoy quality entertainment,” said Mayor Sheets.

The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with a concert by local band, Lloyd Avenue, followed by The Warrior Kings who perform at 6 p.m. The headliner for the evening is Endless Summer Bank, sponsored by The Farmers Bank and performing on The Farmers Bank Performance Center Stage at 8:30 p.m.

Food vendors will be available all evening and the Prairie Creek Park splash pad will be open to the public from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Park benches and wall seats are available in the park plaza. Visitors to the park are also welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs for additional seating in the lawn area.

Prairie Creek Park will host additional events during the 2021 season including a concert on June 19 featuring Sunny Thurnall and Jason Pritchett, a concert on August 21 featuring Attaboy and 45 RPMs, and the Hispanic Heritage Festival on September 18.

Historic Riley School Property Sold by Community Schools of Frankfort to Frankfort Alumnus

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The Community Schools of Frankfort (CSF) has sold the historic Riley Elementary School & Rohrabaugh Field property located at 303 S. Williams St., to Frankfort alumnus Kelly Good on Friday, May 14, 2021, for $312,500 – above the listing price of $250,000. The approximately 7-acre site, which includes both the area of Riley School and Rohrabaugh Field, sold after being on the market for just over one week with Dave Rodkey of Dave Rodkey Realtors.

According to a press release issued by CSF, Mr. Good, owner of KJG Architecture in West Lafayette, plans to develop single-family homes on the property that will blend in aesthetically with the existing neighborhood. Having grown up only a few blocks from the site, Mr. Good knows the neighborhood well. In communicating with CSF Superintendent Joel McKinney, Mr. Good expressed a deep appreciation and love for the Frankfort community. He is eager to develop the site into something that will bring more families into this great city.

The KJG Architecture website states: “Kelly founded KJG Architecture in 1997 and has served as the President and Senior Architect since the firm’s inception. After graduating from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, he developed an extensive background in the field with decades of experience at several design firms. His portfolio includes education, municipal, commercial, retail, religious, multi-family, industrial, and dozens of multi-use building designs.”

KJG Architecture is currently leading the project to build the first-ever dedicated building for the Frankfort Police Department. Previously, KJG Architecture lead the design of the Frankfort High School remodel and expansion and CSF Superintendent building.

“The school board is glad to see that the former Riley School property will someday be homes to future students,” added Superintendent McKinney.

Community Schools of Frankfort Employees to Receive $1000 Bonus

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – At the May 11, 2021, meeting of the Community Schools of Frankfort (CSF) Board of Trustees held at the CSF Administration Building, the Board unanimously approved additional compensation to all school employees who worked this past academic year through the COVID-19 pandemic. Every teacher and staff member will receive a $1,000 pandemic bonus check.

In a signed resolution from the Board of School Trustees, the resolution recognized “CSF faculty and staff assumed additional responsibilities, worked outside contracted hours, and unequivocally went above and beyond expectations.”

The stipend is anticipated to come from funds received from the Elementary and Secondary Education Relief, or ESSER III; directly associated with President Biden’s American Rescue Plan enacted this past spring.

The Community Schools of Frankfort have been meeting in person every day this school year as the result of the implementation of the Safe Return to School Plan formulated last summer by CSF Superintendent Joel McKinney and a team of staff members, the elementary schools (Blue Ridge, Green Meadows, and Suncrest) never had to close their doors due to the impact of COVID-19. However, the Frankfort High School and Frankfort Middle School did briefly transitioned to e-learning.

The 2021-22 Safe Return to School plan is currently being developed and expected to be announced in early summer.

Mr. McKinney told employees in an email announcing the stipend, “Our Board members have been extremely thankful and proud of the work our schools have done this year to get through the pandemic in such an amazing way. Whether you were teaching or supporting the teaching of students in-person or virtually, your work has truly made a difference for our kids this year.”

Everett N. Case Historical Marker Dedication Set

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – In recent weeks, Clinton County’s only Historical Marker was erected outside of Case Arena on the grounds of Frankfort High School. A fitting location, as the marker is dedicated to the Hot Dogs legendary basketball coach, Everett Case.

The official dedication is set for Wednesday, April 28th at 4 p.m. in front of the historical marker.

The two-sided historical marker captures a brief history of the coach that led the Hot Dogs to four state basketball championships over the 1920s and 1930s.

The front reads: “Hall of Famer Everett Case, known for his basketball strategies and promotion of the sport, began his high school coaching career at age 19. After stints at Columbus and Smithville, he coached Frankfort for 17 seasons starting in 1922. He led his teams, known as the “Hot Dogs,” to state titles in 1925, 1929, 1936, 1939. Case coached at his alma mater Anderson, 1931-33.”

The back reads: “As a Naval officer during WWII, Case coached aviation cadet teams at DePauw and in Iowa. From 1946-1964, he coached the North Carolina State “Wolfpack” to six Southern and four Atlantic Coast Conference titles. The animated “Old Grey Fox” was a three-time conference coach of the year. He popularized basketball in North Carolina through his success and showmanship.”

Coach Case was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968 and the Basketball Hall of Fame on May 3, 1982.

Coach Case pictured in Agromeck 1951, NC State yearbook

Sheriff Kelly Sought Legal Ruling On Merit Board Member

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Just days before Clinton County Commissioner Jordan Brewer made the motion for the Board of Commissioners to file suit against Clinton County Sheriff Rich Kelly and Jail Matron & Commissary Manager Ashley Kelly, Commissioner Brewer’s father, Kent Brewer, was resolving a lawsuit filed by Sheriff Kelly.

According to court documents, the elder Brewer, a member of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Merit Board, faced a legal claim by Sheriff Kelly filed on August 31, 2020, asking the Clinton County Superior Court to declare Kent Brewer was in violation of Article 2, Section 9 of the Indiana Constitution – “no person may hold two lucrative offices at the same time.” Kent Brewer was also serving as a member of the Frankfort Utility Service Board at the same time. Brewer later filed a motion to dismiss the suit.

On January 27, 2021, Judge Thomas Busch denied Brewer’s motion to dismiss writing:

“1. A member of the Sheriff’s Merit Board may be removed for cause by a declaratory judgment of the Superior Court. Ind. Code 36-8-10-3(b).
2. No person may hold two lucrative offices at the same time. Ind. Const. Art. 2, Sec. 9.
3. The Complaint herein alleges that Defendant holds two lucrative offices, one of which is as a member of the Sheriff‘s Merit Board.
4. If defendant holds two lucrative offices he is in violation of the Constitutional provision.
5. Plaintiff is the Sheriff of Clinton County.
6. Plaintiff, as Sheriff, has standing to bring a declaratory judgment action under Ind. Code 36-8-10-3 (b) seeking defendant’s removal for cause from the Sheriff’s Merit Board.”

According to a court document dated March 3, 2021, the case was dismissed: “Plaintiff, Richard Kelly, in his official capacity as Clinton County Sheriff, and Defendant, Kent Brewer, and as a result of Kent Brewer’s retirement from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Merit Board hereby stipulate to the dismissal of Plaintiff’s claim against Defendant in this action, without prejudice, with each party to bear its own costs.”

The Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 on March 16, 2021, to bring a suit against Sheriff Kelly and Matron Kelly. The suit was filed on March 19, 2021, with the Commissioners scheduling a special meeting on March 25 to discuss the pending lawsuit.

Sheriff Kelly filed a suit on March 19, 2021, against the Commissioners in a Montgomery County Superior Court seeking a declaratory judgment against the Commissioners after the Board voted to amend the county smoking ordinance in an attempt to prohibit inmates from using tobacco-free products at its March 16 meeting.

Frankfort Code Enforcement Officers Starting Campaign

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Recognizing that house numbers are not just convenient for finding addresses but a necessary tool for emergency responders to use to ensure they can locate residents in need of assistance, city officials are asking residents to confirm their house numbers are easily read from the street.

“Precious minutes can be lost during emergency responses when officers are responding to a call and have difficulty locating the correct address,” Frankfort Police Chief Scott Shoemaker explains. “Having clear numbers posted on a residence can make a significant difference in reducing response time in an emergency.”

City code enforcement officers are starting a campaign to inform property owners of the ordinance requiring house numbers. City officials hope to avoid ticketing residents and intend for this campaign to reduce the number of unnumbered homes in Frankfort.

According to the city ordinances, placing numbers on a mailbox or curb is not sufficient. The ordinance states, “Each structure to which a street number has been assigned shall have such number displayed in a position easily observed and readable from the public right-of-way or accessible road.”

Fire Chief John Kirby recommends residents consider the following when placing numbers on their homes:

* Use numbers that contrast with the background.
* Be sure that the view of the numbers is not obstructed by shrubs, trees, or decorations.
* Numbers should be clearly visible when approaching from either side of the house.
* Script numbers or numbers that are spelled out in words should be avoided as they are difficult to read quickly from the street.

Mayor Judy Sheets explains, “House numbers impact the ability of public safety to respond to the needs of our community. We are encouraging all Frankfort residents to ensure their residence has house numbers posted clearly so that our emergency responders can locate homes promptly and provide emergency assistance without delay.”

Frankfort Fire Department Responds to Structure Fire

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Frankfort firefighters were dispatched at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, to
a possible structure fire in the 800 block of South First Street. Upon arrival at 850 S. First Street,
firefighters found smoke rising from the dwelling.

Battalion Chief Jamie Michael called in eight off duty firefighters to cover the rest of the city.
Firefighters made entry and quickly knocked the fire down. By 11:20 a.m., the fire was
extinguished. Firefighters remained on the scene to monitor hot spots before clearing the scene at
12:45 p.m. The dwelling was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

According to Chief John Kirby, “The teamwork and diligent efforts of our firefighters allowed us
to bring the fire under control quickly and prevent damage to any surrounding houses.”

Fire Investigator Dustin Phillips reported that the fire started in the garage attic before moving to
the house. He has ruled the cause of the damage to be electrical.

COVID-19 Vaccinations Moved To Clinton County Fairgrounds

Published on

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The Clinton County Health Department announced today that beginning Tuesday, January 26th all Covid vaccines will be given at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, 1701 S Jackson St, Frankfort. They will be located in the Edward Jones building (the 4-H Building).

When you arrive, please park on the South side of the building in the parking lot. You will use the East side entrance.

The appointments do include all second dose appointments that begin February 9, 2021.

The decision to move to this location is to expand their operation for the vaccinations. Please disregard any reference to the 1234 Rossville Ave, Frankfort location in your reminder notices.

1 … 17 18 19 20 21 … 38
Go to Top