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By Jeff Quyle, President, CEO, Radius Indiana

Contract Time!: Tuesday, June 4, at 10:00 we will open bids from contractors, and get our first idea of the actual cost to construct Phase 1 of the Monon South Trail.
We're very excited to see what the contractors expect to be paid for the 20 miles of asphalt and aggregate that is to be built over the next several months. Our process will be to open the bids on Tuesday, have the engineers evaluate them, and present them to the Southern Indiana Trailways Board on Friday, June 7, followed by presentation and final approval by the Radius Board on Wednesday, June 12. With the Board approval given, we'll sign a contract with the chosen bidder and begin preparing for construction to begin.
This contract is for the Trail itself only, and does not include the Trailheads. A separate contract is to be issued later this Summer for the Trailhead construction. We're still working on acquiring some of the property needed for the trailhead in Mitchell.

The cost of the Trail construction contract will have a big impact on the Trailheads however, as we have only a set amount of funds available. Depending on the cost of Trail construction, we may have to make adjustments to trail construction, or to trailhead construction, or to both. We have almost $24.5 million in grants (from DNR Next Level Trails and Uplands READI 1.0), plus a large chunk of Radius's own money, but we're already approaching $3 million in expenditures on soft costs and trailhead land acquisition.
Keep following our Facebook page for information on this process.

Groundbreaking: We hope to have a ceremonial groundbreaking in mid-July in Borden. We've asked the Town about the possibility to do so, and we hope to hear back soon.

Main Street Organization: Sadie Miskuf is now working with five communities that have asked to participate in our regional Main Street program. To help give these communities a boost in their first year of activity, Radius is offering a $1,000 matching grant to help with the expenses of activating their business districts. We're delighted to have five communities already participating!

Borden Strawberry Festival booth: On May 25 Sadie Miskuf and I participated in the Borden Strawberry Festival with a vendor's booth that offered trinkets, water bottles, and information about the Trail. We received an overwhelmingly positive response and many, many questions. With this first festival under our belts, we're available to participate in future similar events in communities along the Trail.

Mitchell volunteer trail cleanup: The folks in Mitchell outdid themselves on May 11 by lining up 15 volunteers to pick up trash along the Mitchell trail segment without even having a Trail yet! We really appreciate all the hours of labor that were donated. According to the volunteer management software we've acquired, we logged 48 hours of labor with an in-kind value of roughly $1,500. We'll be able to rely on in-kind labor value to provide our matching contribution for some future grants we'll apply for.

Invasives Survey of Phase 1: Kaila LaPlace of the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management has begun examining our Phase 1 trail construction segments to help us map out invasive management plans. Unsurprisingly, Kaila has found lots of Japanese honeysuckle along the corridor, as well as crown vetch. On a positive note, she's also found some native hops growing. Does anyone want to open a brewery along the trail?

Madison, Indiana, a charming riverfront city known for its historic architecture and vibrant arts scene, is thrilled to announce its partnership with American Cruise Lines (American) for the upcoming summer season. Madison is partnering with American for select itineraries this summer, with hopes of expanding the partnership in the future. American features six modern riverboats and four paddle-wheelers offering over 10 different itineraries on the Mississippi River and its tributaries. American visits this summer will be their first to Madison since 2012 and 2013 when the Queen of the Mississippi (now American Heritage) visited.

American Cruise Lines will be bringing its luxurious and innovative riverboats to Madison's Port of Call on the following dates:

American Melody Riverboat & American Heritage Paddle-wheeler - July 19^th including a Welcome Ceremony
American Heritage - August 2^nd
American Heritage - August 16^th (during first festival day of Madison Ribberfest)
American Heritage - August 30^th

“We are delighted to partner with American Cruise Lines and welcome their passengers back to Madison,” said Andrew Forrester, Executive Tourism Director at Visit Madison, Inc. “The closure of American Queen Voyages this spring was a disappointment, but we worked quickly to make sure American Cruise Lines knew we were ready to welcome their guests with open arms.”

The return of riverboat visits is a testament to the tireless efforts of Visit Madison, Inc. and the City of Madison in securing these important tourism opportunities. Forrester added, “We are confident that American passengers will be captivated by the beauty and charm of our historic riverfront city”. Mayor Bob Courtney agreed, saying “I’m excited that Visit Madison and the City of Madison were able to partner with American Cruise Lines to showcase our city’s unique charm and hospitality to a new generation of river cruise enthusiasts.”

American Cruise Lines riverboat visits are expected to bring a significant boost to Madison and all businesses are encouraged to plan for the boat visit dates. Passengers will have the opportunity to:

Explore Madison's historic downtown: Whether riding a Motor Coach on a “Local Loop”, renting a golf cart, or strolling along tree-lined streets, guests can marvel at beautiful architecture, murals, & art; and discover unique shops, antiques and galleries.
Immerse themselves in history: Enjoy a premium experience at Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, take a historic tour at Historic Madison Inc’s Saddletree Factory or Shrewsbury Windle House, or visit the Jefferson County Historical Society’s History & Art Center.
Experience local flavors: Enjoy delicious meals at Madison's many restaurants, from charming cafes to fine dining establishments, to delicious sweet treats.
Participate in Madison Ribberfest (Fri., August 16th): Immerse themselves in the fun and festivities of this renowned BBQ festival, featuring BBQ competitions, live blues music, and delicious food.

While disembarking passengers will enjoy exclusive tours offered by American Cruise Lines, everyone is welcome to visit Madison's Riverfront to witness these modern and classic riverboats up close. Come down and experience the nostalgia of seeing these riverboats grace our waters, a cherished pastime for generations of Madison residents. More information on the July 19^th welcome ceremony will come at a later date

About American Cruise Lines:

American Cruise Lines is the largest river cruise line in the U.S.A. exploring the Mississippi River and waterways around the country. The company’s award-winning small ships and riverboats offer luxury experiences in 35 states that explore the history, spirit, and culture of the United States. American’s rapid introduction of new ships has led to an innovative array of domestic itineraries, amenities, and experiences—including exclusive coastal cruises that operate just like the Line’s River cruises, visiting only U.S. ports of call. In 2024, American is operating 19 ships, which cruise more than 50 domestic itineraries and accommodate just 90 to 180 guests.

Learn more at: www.AmericanCruiseLines.com

During the month of June, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture will accept submissions for the 17th annual Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest. The contest is open to all Indiana residents and was created to recognize the hard work and contributions of Hoosier farmers, as well as the beauty of the state’s agricultural landscape.

“Each and every Hoosier is welcome to submit an entry to the contest,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “No matter the camera equipment you own, we encourage you to submit your best images showcasing Indiana agriculture.”

Participants are encouraged to submit photos reflecting the wide array of agriculture. The categories photos can be entered under are:

On the Farm: Showcasing any building, piece of equipment or activity that is a part of life on an Indiana farm.
Faces of Agriculture: Featuring those who grow and produce food, fuel and fiber in Indiana.
Agritourism: Spotlighting Indiana’s seasonal and agricultural destinations, such as orchards, wineries and farmers markets.
Conservation: Highlighting Indiana’s natural beauty with landscapes, water and wildlife.

In total, ten winners will be selected: two from each category and two overall. Winners will be invited to attend a special ceremony at the Indiana State Fair, where they will be recognized and receive certificates from Lt. Gov. Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb. Contest winners will also have their photographs featured in the offices of the Lt. Governor’s Family of Business in Indianapolis throughout the year.

“Indiana agriculture is a beautiful thing and we are blessed to be surrounded by so much of it,” Lamb said. “I look forward to seeing how that beauty is captured in this year’s contest."

Contestants can submit up to five photos in digital format accommodated by a submission form for each photo. Photos will be evaluated based on creativity, composition and category representation. Entries must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (ET) on June 30, 2024.

Click here for entry forms, guidelines and criteria or visit ISDA.IN.GOV

By Indiana Department of Natural Resources

As summer sun brings you outdoors, you may run into unwanted company in the form of ticks. Ticks can transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, and tularemia, that are harmful to humans and pets. Don’t let ticks “bug” you. When hiking outdoors, follow these simple steps to help stay safe from ticks:

Wear light-colored clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Use a repellant that contains DEET or another EPA-approved product.
Walk near the center of trails and avoid walking through high grass and brush.
After enjoying the outdoors, carefully check yourself, small children, and your pets for ticks.

The best way to prevent tick-borne illnesses is to prevent the bites of infected ticks. You can do this by avoiding tick habitats, using personal protection methods, and changing the environment to reduce the presence of ticks.

CDC Tick Prevention Resources.

Before you go outside
- Know where to expect ticks. Spending time in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas could expose you to ticks. This could include walking your dog, gardening, playing outside, hiking, camping, hunting, or other outdoor activities. Many people get tick bites in their own backyards or neighborhoods.
- Treat your clothes and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear and remains protective through several washings. Permethrin should never be applied directly to the skin.
- Wear EPA-registered insect repellents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Not all repellents are effective against both mosquitoes and ticks. EPA’s helpful search tool can help you find the product that is best for you. Always follow product instructions.
  - Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
  - Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years old.
- Reduce the amount of exposed skin. Wearing long sleeves, long pants, hats, socks, and shoes that cover the entire foot will reduce the chance that a tick will be able to attach. Tucking in your shirt and stuffing your pant legs inside the tops of your socks is also recommended. Wearing light-colored clothing may make ticks easier to see and remove.
Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While you are outside
- Reapply insect repellent according to the product instructions.
- Avoid grassy, brushy, or wooded areas when possible.
- Walk in the center of marked trails in order to avoid brushing against tall grass and plants.
- Check clothing and skin frequently for ticks.
Tick habitat. Photo: Lee Green, Indiana State Department of Health.
After you come inside
- Dry your clothing to kill ticks. Unattached ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Immediately disrobing and tumbling dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 20 minutes is recommended to kill ticks. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. When washing, hot water is recommended because cold or warm water will not kill ticks.
- Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
- Check your body for ticks soon after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Immature ticks are much smaller than adults and can be no larger than a poppy seed. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:
  - In and around the hair
  - In and around the ears
  - Under the arms
  - Around the waist
  - Inside belly button
  - Between the legs
  - Back of the knees
- Examine gear and pets for ticks. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks.
Graphic: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How to remove an attached tick
DO NOT use remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible–not wait for it to detach. Here’s how to safely and quickly remove a tick:
1. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove mouth parts easily with clean tweezers, leave the area alone and let the skin heal.
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
4. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.
Graphic: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What to do if you feel sick

Not everyone who develops a tick-borne illness remembers having a tick bite. If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of outdoor activity, see your health care provider. Be sure to tell him or her about the nature of your outdoor exposures at home and during travel.
How to reduce ticks in your yard
While it is not possible to eliminate ticks from grassy, brushy, or woody areas, there are steps you can take to reduce the number of ticks in your yard, including:
- Promptly remove dead leaves.
- Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
- Place a three-foot wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
- Mow the lawn frequently.
- Stack wood neatly and in a dry area to discourage rodents.
- Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees.
- Construct fences to discourage unwelcome animals (such as deer, raccoons, and stray dogs) from entering your yard.
- Remove old furniture, mattresses, or trash from the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.
In severe cases, a single application of insecticide can be effective in reducing ticks on the lawn or in other outdoor areas. Consult with a licensed pesticide applicator before taking this step.
How to prevent ticks on pets
Dogs are susceptible to tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Dogs and cats can also bring unattached ticks into your home, placing you at risk for tick bites even if you have not spent any time outdoors. For these reasons, it’s important to use a tick prevention product on your pets.

Talk to your veterinarian about:
- How tick-borne illnesses could affect your pets’ health
- The best tick prevention products for your pets
To further reduce the chances that a tick bite will make your pet sick:
- Check your pets for ticks daily, especially after they spend time outdoors.
- If you find a tick on your pet, remove it right away.
- Reduce tick habitats in your yard.
Note: Cats are extremely sensitive to a variety of chemicals. Do not apply tick prevention products to your cats without first consulting with your veterinarian.

Graphic: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The importance of mental health is recognized today more than ever. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an important time set aside to spotlight mental health issues, combat stigmas surrounding mental health conditions and to assess the status of one’s own mental health.

“Paying attention to our mental health is a practice we all need to develop,” said Sheriff Brent Miller. “The fact is, mental health is every bit as important to our well-being as physical health.”

Mental Health Awareness Month began as a national observance in 1949 with the goal of raising awareness of the importance of mental well-being.

While great strides have been made regarding attitudes toward mental health, the truth is many Americans don’t have access to the care they need. Here are some sobering statistics regarding mental health in America from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing:

• 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year.

• Only 47.2% of adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021.

• 1 in 20 adults experience serious mental illness each year.

• Only 65.4% of adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2021.

• 1 in 6 U.S. youth have a mental health condition, but only half receive treatment.

• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14 and 75% by age 24.

“Millions of Americans struggle with mental health issues each year,” said Sheriff Miller. “It’s important to foster dialogues and approach the issue with empathy and understanding. There should be no guilt or shame associated with mental health conditions which are common, manageable, and treatable.”

The 2024 theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World.”

Mental Health America notes that the world is constantly changing, and it can be overwhelming to deal with everything going on around you.

MHA stresses that it is never too soon to seek treatment for your mental health. Getting help early saves lives.

The following are important mental health resources:

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a 24/7 treatment referral and information service

• Mental Health America Screenings provide a free, anonymous way to determine if someone is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Take the test at mhascreening.org