January 30, 2012                  

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Scottsburg Police Department's Weekend Reports:

Property damage accident @ Wal-Mart

Breaking/ entering of vehicle @ Scottsburg High School

27-year-old Joshua D. Gay of Sellersburg arrested for OWI/ refusal of breath test

Property damage accident @ 31/ 56

Property damage accident @ 31/ Beechwood

Theft from vehicle

Child in need of services

Theft @ Hampton Inn

Austin Police Department Arrests:

42-year-old Paul Neal of Austin for disorderly conduct

22-year-old Erika Riley of Scottsburg for public intoxication

44-year-old Brian Rice of Lexington for leaving-the-scene of a property damage accident, possession of a controlled substance 2 counts and OWI/ refusal

Law Enforcement Gear Up for Super Bowl

Indianapolis authorities are bracing for just about anything to occur at the Super Bowl.  Homeland Security says the Super Bowl ranks under a security risk rating system used by the federal government just below national security events involving the president and the Secret Service.  The ratings are based on factors such as media coverage, the number of people attending and visits by celebrities.  Up to 1,000 city police officers will be in the stadium and on the street with electronic devices that will enable them to take photos and videos and send them to the operation center.  There will also be officers in cruisers.  Hundreds of State police troopers and FBI agents will be in the crowds.  Law enforcement will also keep a close eye for pickpockets and prostitution.  Power companies will also be on hand in case of any power outages and special teams will sweep Lucas Oil Stadium and the surrounding area for nuclear threats.  The Super Bowl will be held February 6^th.  

State's Foreclosure Help Not Being Used 

A state program to help Hoosiers avoid foreclosures is not being utilized even though the state’s foreclosure rates rank in the top ten nationally.  Hardest Hit Fund was created to provide eligible homeowners forgivable 10-year loans.  More than 13,000 Hoosiers could benefit from the grant, however the courier journal is reporting that only 650 homeowners had applied for the program.  Homeowners can receive up to $18,000 depending on how economically hit a county is.  Only 226 applications were approved last year. 

Source:  Courier Journal

Public Comments Sought on Impact Study for Ohio River Bridges Project 

Public comments are sought regarding the Indiana Finance Authority’s intent to have a preliminary feasibility and economic impact study for the proposed Ohio River Bridges Project.  The study would be to determine the impact on the economy and on existing commercial and industrial development as well as on employment and future developments.  The comments will accepted until 10 a.m. February 6 and can be submitted by visiting www.bridgesauthority.com.  A public hearing is set for Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel’s Riverside Ballroom in Jeffersonville at 6 p.m. 

Daniels' Book Signing at Jeffersonville Library Next Week 

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will be at the Jeffersonville Library, next week.  Daniels will be promoting his new book, Keeping the Republic:  Saving America by Trusting Americans.  Daniels will speak about the book and then open the floor for questions and comments.  There will not be any copies of the book for sale, however personal copies will be signed by Daniels.  The event will be held February 8 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  More information may be obtained by calling 812-285-5635, or visit jefflibrary.org.

Meeting About Charlestown's Water Quality Tonight 

An informational meeting will be held in Charlestown this evening about the city’s water quality.  Mayor Bob Hall’s administration is seeking answers to concerns about the city’s water.  Mineral build-up has caused the water to be dark and murky.  A chemical called Clearitas will be introduced into the water system beginning Monday.  The informational meeting will be held at Charlestown’s Arts and Enrichment Center on Water Street at 6:30 p.m.

Grocery Store Prices Drop

Grocery store prices declined slightly during the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a quarterly survey from Farm Bureau.  Indiana Farm Bureau’s latest “market basket” survey, an informal survey of grocery prices released every quarter, shows that the 16 food items on the survey cost an average of $49.60 cents, down 73 cents from the 3^rd quarter survey.  Potatoes, apples, orange juice, boneless chicken breasts and dairy products were part of the items that saw a decline in prices.  (www.bls.gov/cpi/) report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped. “In the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Anderson said. USDA’s new Food Dollar Series may be found online at www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FoodDollar/app/.  AFBF, the nation’s largest general farm organization, has been conducting the informal quarterly market basket survey of retail food price trends since 1989. The mix of foods in the market basket was updated during the first quarter of 2008. According to USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world. A total of 53 shoppers in 18 states participated in the latest survey, conducted at the end of October/early November. Twenty-two volunteer shoppers participated in IFB’s survey. 

Source:  press release

Free Tax-Time Help for Thousands of Hoosiers

It’s tax season, and free help is available that should make tax time less "taxing" for thousands in Indiana. Eligible residents can receive assistance filling out federal and state income tax returns through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. Steve Vanderver, a volunteer and incoming state coordinator, says low- and middle-income Hoosiers will need to bring identification, Social Security numbers and evidence of income..."W-2s, 1099-R for pensions and so-on, any 1099 INT for interest, 1099 DIV for dividends received."   Vanderver says the program helped 30-thousand Hoosiers file last year. He says refunds show up in about a week if deposited electronically into bank accounts.  Vanderver says AARP's Tax-Aide is available to low- and middle-income taxpayers – preferably over 60..."It's an individual with income tax – and is not a business – we can't do business. We can do self employed. For example, if someone works as a contract employee or they have maybe a beauty shop in their home."  Vanderver says go to A-A-R-P DOT ORG (aarp.org) and search for tax help. There's a tool to enter your zip code to find the nearest Tax-Aide location. Angela Carr Klitzsch with the Central Indiana Community Foundation urges low-income taxpayers to make sure they take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Depending on how little you made during the year and the number of qualifying children you have – it can sometimes mean thousands of dollars in a refund. "It's money that you earned anyway and just provided to the federal government who then says that because of the amount of money that you have – you deserve that back and you can reinvest that as you see fit."  Klitzsch says when Hoosiers get their refunds, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, that money gets spent locally and helps bolster Indiana businesses. She says tax time is also a perfect opportunity to work on a family budget for the coming year.

Source:  News Service.org

If you see news happening call us at 752.3688 or 1.800.441.1053 or e-mail at slove@i1053.com

Scottsburg Police Department's Tip Line:

     812.752.2333