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Local Round Up - page 23

Retired Frankfort Police Officer Rob Bales Needs Community Help To Purchase ALS Power Chair

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Frankfort – Rob Bales is a retired Frankfort City Police Officer, retiring in July 2019, and was diagnosed with ALS in February 2019. He served on the force for 23-years.

Since his retirement, Rob has continued his fight against ALS and is now in need of an ALS power chair. The chair will be customed fitted to his body and is very expensive – after insurance, he is left a $5,400 co-pay.

According to a press release, the Bales family has incurred great expenses due to his illness. His wife, Teresa, is Rob’s sole caregiver and needs to be able to focus on his care and not determining how to come up with the monies necessary to purchase this much needed and critical piece of mobility equipment.

Most importantly the Bales family needs our prayers.

As a community let’s rally around and give back to Rob –  he dedicated his career to serving and protecting all of those that live in Clinton County.

If you are able to help in any way financially (any amount is appreciated).

Donations can be made to:

Robert Bales ALS Donational Fund

First Merchant’s Bank
60 S. Main Street
Frankfort, IN 46041 765-654-8533

“Alone we can do so little, Together we can do so much!”

Frankfort Fire Department Responds to Fire in Industrial Park

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Frankfort – At 6:42 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, Frankfort Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at 2845 West State Road 28. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke emitting from the roof of Federal-Mogul Corporation. Firefighters made entry and quickly knocked the fire down. Six off-duty firefighters were called in to provide coverage for the rest of the city.

According to Battalion Chief Mike Henry, “Building maintenance reported that the fire started in one of the large press machines. We acted quickly and were able to get the fire under control within 10 minutes.”

Firefighters cleared the smoke, overhauled, and cleared the scene by 7:39 p.m. All employees had safely exited the building prior to the arrival of firefighters. No injuries were reported.

County Prepares For High Voter Turnout In November Presidential Election

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Frankfort – With election turnout projections from the State of Indiana for the 2020 Presidential general election in-hand and having already received 765 valid requests for mail-in absentee applications, Rhea Harris, Clinton County Clerk of the Courts, made a request Tuesday during the Commissioners’ meeting to use the Commissioners’ meeting room, located in the courthouse, to conduct in-person absentee voting beginning October 6th.

“We have an election coming up … going back several years – 2012, 2016, and up to 2020 so far – the amount of voters that we have received in the past is a growing trend that our County has a significant turnout,” said Harris while addressing the three Clinton County Commissioners.

According to information obtained from the Indiana Secretary of State website, Clinton County had voter turnout exceeding 50% in the past two Presidential general elections – 2012 (54%) and 2016 (59%).

Harris spoke of the growing knowledge County residents have regarding the access to vote in-person absentee 28-days prior to election day. “The County people are aware now, beginning to become aware of the fact that we do have an absentee voting. The fact that they can come in 28-days before the election and they can vote by mail, which is much more secure here in Indiana than other states – those horror stories we hear in other states – a total different ball game here in Indiana. So, people don’t have to be afraid.”

During the 2020 primary held June 2nd, there were 41% of Clinton County voters that utilized some form of absentee voting – either mail-in or in-person and that number was 49% during the 2016 general election according to the Indiana Secretary of State website.

The State of Indiana provided guidance on voter turnout using three groupings – low, medium, and high – and Harris addressed how she prepares for elections. “Of course, I always go and plan for the high expectation and that is my expectation that we will be on the high expectation. I checked yesterday [Monday, Sep 14] and we’ve already had 765 valid requests for absentee applications. People are wanting to vote. We’re busy.

“With the amount of people that I expect to be here – in the courthouse, in person – I just don’t think my hallway and my office is going to be able to accommodate that.”

The Commissioners approved Harris’ request.

The State of Indiana recognizes 11 reasons to vote absentee by mail; however, any registered voter can vote absentee in-person without needing to provide a reason.

Here are the acceptable reasons:

1. You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6 am until 6 pm).
2. You have a disability.
3. You are at least 65 years of age.
4. You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.
5. You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
6. You will be confined due to illness or injury or you will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
7. You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
8. You are a participant in the state’s address confidentiality program.
9. You are a member of the military or a public safety officer.
10. You are a “serious sex offender” as defined in Indiana Code 35-42-4-14(a).
11. You are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to the polls.

The last day to submit an application for a mail-in absentee ballot is Thursday, October 22, 2020, at 11:59 pm at the County Clerk’s office. All completed mail-in ballots must be received by noon on November 3rd. In-person voting runs from October 6th through November 2nd.

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 5, 2020. Registering to vote can be completed online, by mail, or in-person.

Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Clinton County High School Football Action For Week 5

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Frankfort – Clinton Central (2-0) hosts the Taylor Titans (1-3) in a Hoosier Heartland Conference match-up. The Bulldogs defeated the Frontier Falcons last week, 44-38. While Taylor lost to Eastern 61-0. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, September 18.

Clinton Prairie (0-4) hosts the Sheridan Blackhawks (2-1) in a Hoosier Heartland Conference match-up. The Gophers lost last week to Tri-Central, 48-6. Sheridan was off last week. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, September 18.

Frankfort (2-2) makes the long trip north to Union Millis to take on the 1A South Central Satellites (2-2). The Hotdogs are coming off a win last week against the Southmont Mounties, 40-22. South Central lost to Wheeler 41-21. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern – 7 p.m. Central Friday, September 18.

Five 2nd-Half TD’s Propels Hot Dogs Past Southmont, 40-22

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Frankfort – The Southmont Mounties looked to spoil Frankfort’s Senior Night as it took the field in a Sagamore Conference match-up Friday night, Sept 11th.

The Mounties received the kickoff to open the game and drove the ball 54-yards for a touchdown on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Nick Scott to Brady Boller. The extra point attempt was blocked by Hot Dogs’ junior defender Vlad Carreras Lantigua.

The Hot Dogs got on the board in the 2nd quarter after junior defensive back Bryce McDonald intercepted a Southmont pass in the end zone. Junior quarterback Sam Michael led an 80-yard touchdown drive capped off by junior running back Riley Goodnight’s 33-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed. The game went into halftime at 6-6.

“Southmont is an incredibly physical team and they’re incredibly well-coached and we knew it was going to be a struggle,” said Frankfort Head Coach James Byers. “The first-half they kind of controlled the tempo of the game and they controlled the physicality of the game. But our guys stayed with it, they trusted the process.”

And the Hot Dogs demonstrated the trust in the process with the start of play in the second half when senior Jade Ayers took the kickoff 50-yards down to the 20-yard line.

With a 3rd down and 5, the Dogs avoided disaster when a low snap went between the legs of Michael and was quickly scooped-up by Goodnight. Goodnight broke free of a Southmont tackler and rambled 15-yards for his second touchdown of the night.

That opening drive would be the first of five touchdowns scored by the Dogs in the second half en route to a 40-22 victory and are now 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in the conference. The Mounties are now 1-2, 0-2.

Coach Byers shared the process his coaching staff used during halftime to make the offensive and defensive changes. “Coach Pickerell and the defensive staff made some terrific adjustments to get some more pressure. And, Coach Jewell and Coach Chris Keller and Blake Surber and Evan Hall came together and they talked to Sam and Jade and Riley about what they were seeing – what kind of plays they liked and they did a great job making those halftime adjustments and our offense really started clicking and really exploded there in the second half.”

With those adjustments in mind, Frankfort mixed-up its play call during the second half showcasing Michael’s passing ability. Michael connected on 8 of 17 attempts for 143-yards and 2 touchdowns, a 36-yard strike to Ayers, and an 8-yard toss to senior Cam Swinford. Ayers led the receivers with 8 catches for 118-yards, senior Kyle Earl added 2 catches for 9-yards, and Swinford finished with 3 catches for 16-yards.

Byers talked about his quarterback’s play: “Watching Sam mature as a quarterback has been so fun to watch. He looked so comfortable. That is the Sam we see every day in practice – where he is calm and cool and collected. He threw dimes all over the place – I got to sit back and watch him as a fan, it was awesome. He is a special player.”

With the success of the passing attack came more run opportunities for the Dogs.

Goodnight led the Hot Dogs rushing attack with 187-yards and 3 touchdowns (33-yards, 15-yards, 27-yards) on 22 carries. Michael added 102-yards on 7 carries including a 44-yard quarterback sweep for a touchdown.

Defensively Frankfort held Southmont scoreless after the first score until 4:39 left in the 4th quarter when Nolan Boyer scored on a 24-yard run. Boyer added another score on a 19-yard run with 56 seconds left in the game.

“Our defensive staff and our defensive players did a great job again this week of getting in there and learning their system, learning their responsibilities and they are doing what they are being coached to do,” Byers added. “Coach Pickrell, our defensive coordinator, and Coach Keller, Coach Shelly, Coach Dubree did a great job making adjustments in-game, coaching our kids up on the sideline – our defense settled in,” said Byers.

The Hot Dogs were led by senior Reese Mitchell with 18 tackles, Carreras Lantigua added 16 tackles while senior Gabe Chavez and McDonald each had 13 tackles and 1 interception.

Junior linebacker Layne Todd along with Swinford joined forces for a forced fumble and recovery. Todd had 7 tackles and the forced fumble while Swinford added 3 tackles and the fumble recovery.

Prior to the game, the seniors were recognized and Coach Byers talked about the lasting impact this group will have.

“This senior class you cannot say enough about them. We knew coming in, that when they were sophomores, that this group would be special – we knew about this group, this junior and senior group when they were seventh and eighth-graders. So, we told these guys if you stay together, keep working hard – great things are going to come. They suffered through the transition and all that craziness three years ago, the 0-20 [Frankfort’s record past two seasons], and they stayed with it, they stayed positive and kept working hard. My heart goes out to these seniors.

“We would not be in this position without those guys – without their leadership, without their determination, without their families. The reason why Frankfort football is turning around is because we have such great buy-ins from our upperclassmen.”

Frankfort is in action Friday, September 19, when they travel to 1A South Central Satellites (2-2) located in Union Mills. Game time is set for 8 p.m. Eastern – 7 p.m. Central. The Hot Dogs were previously scheduled to play longtime rival the Lebanon Tigers; however, the game was canceled due to COVID-19 protocol with the Lebanon football team.

At FRANKFORT

HOT DOGS 40, MOUNTIES 22
Southmont:6:0:0:16:-:22
Frankfort:0:6:20:14:-:40

Scoring Summary

1st Qtr (7:59) Southmont. Brady Boller 2-yard run pass from Nick Scott. Kick failed. 0-6.

2nd Qtr (7:19) Frankfort. Riley Goodnight 33-yard run. Two-point attempt failed. 6-6.

3rd Qtr (11:06) Frankfort. Riley Goodnight 15-yard run. Two-point attempt failed. 12-6.

3rd Qtr (8:10) Frankfort. Sam Michael 44-yard run. Two-point attempt failed. 18-6.

3rd Qtr () Frankfort. Jade Ayers 36-yard pass from Sam Michael. Jade Ayers pass from Sam Michael, two-point conversion good. 26-6.

4th Qtr (11:26) Frankfort. Riley Goodnight 27-yard run. Two-point attempt failed. 32-6.

4th Qtr (6:56) Frankfort. Cam Swinford 8-yard pass from Sam Michael. Cam Swinford pass from Sam Michael, two-point conversion good. 40-6.

4th Qtr (4:39) Southmont. Nolan Boyer 24-yard run. Kellan Kaelin two-point conversion run good. 40-14.

4th Qtr (0:56) Southmont. Nolan Boyer 19-yard run. Kellan Kaelin two-point conversion run good. 40-22.

County Commissioners Green Light Solar Project

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“Very significant” is how Clinton County Commissioners President Josh Uitts described the Hardy Hills solar project at Tuesday’s County Commissioners meeting held at the Courthouse prior to a series of unanimous votes in favor of advancing the project to its final step – the Area Plan Commission. The Clinton County Council had previously unanimously voted in favor of the project last Tuesday, September 8.

The favorable votes lead to the possible construction of a solar field that would primarily occupy land around Kilmore, extending as far west as N. Co. Road 130 W., as far east as N. Co. Road 100 E., north just beyond E. Co. Road 500 N., and as far south as E. Co. Road 250 N.

An attorney representing the County, Kostas Poulakidas of Taft Law, addressed the three-member board of commissioners to outline the key items contained within the project agreement of the $200 million investment.

• Tax abatement. 10-year abatement with the first eight years being 100% with the final two years at 75%.
• In exchange for the abatement, the County will receive $3.1 million in non-restricted economic development payments paid in equal installments over those 10-years.
• For every $10 million in additional investment over $200 million made by Hardy Hills, the County will receive an additional $155,000 in non-restricted economic development payments paid in equal installments over those 10-years.
• A $15,000 contribution to the EMS project

Poulakidas also explained the assessment methodology used in this project and why it was a challenge. “In the state of Indiana, there is not a defined assessment methodology for this type of project.

“It’s new, it’s unique. Clinton County is kind of leading the way. The Department of Local Government Finance, their guidance is we are going to defer to the locals to provide guidance. Indiana statute allows for what is called ‘Home Rule’ ordinance.”

Uitts asked Clinton County Council President Alan Dunn to speak to the financial impact this project will have on the County.

“From a council’s perspective when looking at this as an economic development project, first of all, we did put a lot of time and effort into this,” said Dunn. “Let me put this into context here to scale. This is a $200 million investment in Clinton County and put that into some context – that’s larger than the ConAgra investment, which was near $150 million investment, and that’s five times the NHK investment that is going on out at I-65 and State Road 28. This is a massive project.

“The land on which the project sits on is not abatable. So when we changed that from being farmland to being kind of a modified commercial – industrial, this new class … they’re still going to pay $2.1 million in taxes over that 10-year period that is not being paid currently.

“The County wins in form of the economic development payment of $3.1 million that’s paid at $310,000 per year during the 10-year abatement. We’re not getting nothing during that initial 10-year period.

“So over the course of the projected 35-year project, the project receives an $11 million cumulative tax abatement, but they’re going to pay tax bills that total $41 million for a net payment of $30 million to the County in property taxes paid.”

After the four votes were taken – approval of the project agreement, approval of the ordinance establishing an assessment methodology, approval of the road use agreement, and approval of the decommission agreement – Uitts explained the significance of the actions taken today.

“Today was a very important day for Clinton County,” said Uitts. “We were able to bring in the largest investment in the history of Clinton County in terms of a solar project from Invenergy, the Hardy Hills project. It represents a $200 million investment in Clinton County.

“At a high level what that represents to the folks of Clinton County, that is a lot of tax money they are not going to have to pay for the next 35-years. For the foreseeable future, we’re going to have economic development payments for the next 10-years that are going to be discretionary.

“A considerable amount of funds that are going to be over $300,000 plus per year that we are going to be able to spend on anything in our budget. Then beyond that from year eleven through the end of the project, they will pay approximately $2.1 million per year in tax. That is an incredible amount of money for the people of Clinton County.

“This is a project that respects property owner rights – that the farmers can use their land for what they wish to. It’s not really that big of an imposition on fellow property owners. The project itself includes a tremendous amount of planting of trees, natural grasses. It’s going to be very nice.”

County High School Football Action For Week 4

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Frankfort (1-2) hosts the Southmont Mounties (1-1). Both teams lost their opening Sagamore Conference games last week – The Hot Dogs suffered a 50-14 loss at Tri-West, while Southmont lost to North Montgomery 28-6. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, September 11.

Clinton Prairie (0-3) travels to take on the undefeated Tri-Central Trojans (3-0) in a Hoosier Heartland Conference match-up. The Gophers came up short last week against the Traders Point Christian Knights, 21-18. Tri-Central defeated conference foe Sheridan, 21-0. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, September 11.

Clinton Central (1-0) is back on the gridiron on Saturday, September 12, after a two-week hiatus due to COVID-19 protocol. The Bulldogs play host to the undefeated Frontier Falcons (3-0). Last week, Frontier defeated Fountain Central, 32-18. While Clinton Central defeated Frankfort, 20-16, in week 1 action. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

USB Sets Date For Water Rate Increase

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The Frankfort Utility Service Board (USB) took action at its Tuesday, September 8, 2020, meeting to set the effective date of the water rate increase. The water rate increase will be implemented over a three year period and when fully implemented will amount to a 53.6% increase.

Frankfort Municipal Utilities General Manager Todd Corrie addressed the 5-member board.

“I think our plan of right now if you guys are good with it, is to start it October 1st of this year – that way it starts right clean at the month, the 1st of the month,” said Corrie. “It will be the first one, then we will have it in our record for October 1st, 2021, then October 1st, 2022.”

The first increase will be 25%, the second increase is 15%, and the final increase is 13.6%.

According to a document prepared by a consulting firm hired by the USB, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., the current rate for a city user of 4 units monthly is $10.28 per month. Under the new increase, that user will see the rate go to $12.85 per month in year 1, $14.39 per month in year 2, and $15.79 per month with the final increase.

Frankfort, Clinton Prairie Enter Week 3 of High School Football

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Week 3 of High School football features a Saturday game for Clinton Prairie (0-2) as they host the 1A Traders Point Christian Knights (0-0) for a 10 a.m. kickoff. The Gophers look for the win after losing to county rival the Frankfort Hot Dogs 53-12 last week.

The Hot Dogs (1-1) travel to Lizton for a Sagamore Conference game against the 3A Bruins of Tri-West (1-1). The Bruins lost last week to 5A Plainfield 37-35.

Limited ticketing is available for both games due to current IHSAA fan participation rules this year due to COVID-19.

The Frankfort game can be viewed on YouTube via the Tri-West channel. There is no cost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkHZli2b12M

The Clinton Prairie game will be televised on the ISC SportsNetwork. The cost is $5.99.

https://www.iscsportsnetwork.com/products/2020-fb-traders-point-at-clinton-prairie-9-5-20

The game for Clinton Central is canceled due to Clinton Central’s Jr/Sr High School going to remote learning due to its COVID-19 quarantine announcement.

Kiwanis Club of Frankfort Celebrates 100 Years

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Today, Tuesday, September 1, 2020, Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets issued a proclamation celebrating the Kiwanis Club of Frankfort 100-years of service.

The proclamation proclaims Thursday, September 3, 2020, as Kiwanis Club of Frankfort Day, 100-years to the day the club was chartered in 1920.

The Kiwanis Club of Frankfort, Indiana was chartered on September 3, 1920, becoming the 23rd Kiwanis Club in Indiana.

The Kiwanis Club is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time and empowering members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, fighting literacy, and offering guidance.

The original motto of Kiwanis International, “We Build,” was exemplified by the Kiwanis Club of Frankfort in the creation of Circle Park in 1923, in the Club’s assistance in building Camp Cullom in the 1940s and 1950s, and in partnering with the City of Frankfort to construct the skateboard park at Eastside Park in 2005.

The Kiwanis Club of Frankfort encourages youth participation in service through the establishment of a Key Club at Frankfort High School in 1966, at Clinton Prairie High School in 1990.

Today, Tuesday, September 1, 2020, Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets issued a proclamation celebrating the Kiwanis Club of Frankfort 100-years of service has contributed thousands of dollars to Riley Hospital for Children for various needs, including neonatal ambulances, initiatives to cure juvenile diabetes, and a program to increase early diagnoses of autism. The Kiwanis Club of Frankfort has contributed to international programs to eliminate iodine deficiency and neonatal tetanus worldwide.

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