• City of Salem
• Business

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

This year has seen two new occupants in the JF Helsel Commerce Park and more could be coming.

Angie Buchanan, director of the Washington County Economic Growth Partnership, gave a year-end report to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

To retain and encourage the expansion of local businesses, Buchanan said she has assisted business owners obtain and complete the annual compliance requirements of tax abatements; met with representatives of the county’s major employers, like Kimball International; and helped businesses find financial help through sources like grants.

Buchanan also worked to attract new businesses to Washington County through her networking with groups such as the regional development authority, by attending conferences, and by seeking an Economic Developer certification through Ball State University.

Improving the county’s “quality of place” is another aim adopted by the Partnership, with Buchanan saying her office offered assistance and planning during the solar eclipse, provided housing project support, and supported the City of Salem’s and the county’s READI project applications, which resulted in a total award of $7.9 million.

As for her 2025 goals, Buchanan said she wants to develop a social media plan, to investigate all possible uses for the commerce park, and to align her office with the county’s Tourism Board to help boost awareness of what the county has to offer.

In other business:

*Washington County has been named a “StormReady” community. Deni Stempowski, the county’s Emergency Management director, said the designation will lead to more grant opportunities. StormReady is a free voluntary program offered by the National Weather Service. To qualify, the county had to meet certain communication, mitigation, and preparedness requirements.

*Structure Point presented the updated comprehensive plan they developed for the county. The plan details goals for the county like workforce development, business retention, entrepreneurship, tourism, and quality of life. It was noted a grant paid for most of Structure Point’s fee for the work.

*Lori Gilstrap was approved as a member of the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.

*Outgoing Commissioner Rick Roberts thanked the county’s residents for allowing him to serve on the Commission. “It’s been an honor,” he said.

• Pekin
• Business

By Jerry Curry, Writer

The Feed Store in New Pekin has been passed to new hands. After 34 years in business, Jim and Demma Sanders, who are in their 70s, have decided to retire. Having a great love for the business, they wanted someone to take it over and continue their famous hometown style of service. When Whitney Smith’s father mentioned his daughter had always wanted the business, a bridge was formed to the new owner.

Will and Whitney Smith took up the challenge to continue service with a smile and hometown hospitality. They took over the store on November 1 with Jim hanging around as a mentor. The store continued with a few tweaks, like accepting credit cards, goat feed and a Christmas Tree. However, the process of handwritten orders continued on.

The Smith’s are juggling a lot. On top of the new Feed Store, they have two boys in the 4th and 6th grades at East Washington Schools, and Will still has his night job at UPS as a mechanic. Whitney, however, had previously worked ten years as a teacher's assistant at East Washington Middle School. They will be married for 15 years in May. Whitney is a lifelong resident of New Pekin and said, “I always wanted to own a store here.” They also have plans for a face lift of the building.

You can find nearly everything here. They offer bird, dog, bones, chicken, rabbit, hog, fish, horse, cat and goat food. Most of these products come from Danville, Kentucky and are the Formax Feeds brand. Plus, they also offer cedar and pine shavings and pet supplies. Customers can buy anywhere from one bag to a ton of food. Thankfully, they have a forklift for loading products along with a delivery service at an additional price.

One of their more popular items are their concrete figurines which tend to sell fast. Whitney hand paints each figure and applies a sealant to preserve the finish. She also makes a bird seed ring shaped with a bundt cake mold that sells for $10.

Once Spring rolls around, the Feed Store will offer plants for sale in addition to their usual products. These are all locally grown by the Amish.

Located at 76 IN-60, New Pekin, the new store hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. More information can be found on The Feed Store LLC Facebook Page or by calling (812) 967-3333. There is also a review that can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNi2oHMNp6E by Chase Stanfill. Be sure to pay The Feed Store a visit!

Will and Whitney Smith.

Photos by Jerry Curry.

• Pekin
• Communities

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Blessings From Above is collecting donations of food and providing food distribution points at three locations in the Pekin area.

Telemedia, a local internet and telephone provider, has teamed up with Blessings from Above to support those in need in the Pekin area. In the business’s lobby at 105 E. Railroad St. in Pekin, they are collecting food.

Telemedia customers can show their receipts for the groceries at the Telemedia office. For every $10 spent, $10 will come off of the customer’s bill.

These savings are available in ten dollar increments only. There is no limit for this offer, but it does end January 3, 2025. Any amount that exceeds the total amount of a monthly bill will be carried over to the next month.

Tony Fraley and wife started Blessings from Above two and a half years ago. They lost their daughter, age 24, due to a heart problem. This was during the COVID-19 lock-down, and their daughter was unable to seek medical assistance. When she finally got medical help, she died three hours later in a hospital.

After this shock had worn off, Blessings From Above was started. The organization distributes food from cabinets in local locations.

Pekin City Hall is one site to donate or pickup food in a well-made cabinet. The other location for food pickup can be found at The Country View Senior Apartments at 280 S. Shorts Corner Rd. in Pekin.

The Fraley's can be reached at 812-725-6219.

Telemedia is offering discounts to customers who donate food items. 

Skylar Day stands beside the generous number of items provided by customers. 

Pekin Town Hall has a Blessings From Above cabinet outside of the building. 

This plaque at Pekin Town Hall recognizes supporters of the project. 

Country View Senior Apartments is helping with the effort. 

• Salem
• Fundraisers
• Special Events

This year’s 5th annual “Cram the Cruiser” food drive was a fantastic success. Thanks to community efforts, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department collected 1,600 pounds of food and $857 in cash. Since beginning this tradition 5 years ago, the Sheriff’s department has collected more than 20,000 food items and more than $7,239 for our local food bank.

Thank you to Captain Joe Keltner, Coroner Shawnda Keltner, Washington County Fair Queen Bailey Hardwick, Reserve Officer Dan Libka, West Washington School Resource Officer Aaron Dennis, Maverick, Corrections Officer Roger Morin, Layla Morin, Pekin 4th of July Queen Lila Blevins, Trenton Miller, Chase from Paw Patrol and Detective Brad Naugle for donating your time and helping with the food drive!

Photos by Nathaniel Smith and the Washington County Sheriff's Department.

State supporting more Hoosier families than ever before with On My Way Pre-K, CCDF

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is re-implementing a waitlist for new Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) voucher applicants due to significant growth in both programs.

At this time, the waitlist will impact new child care voucher applicants. Vouchers support low-income families who make less than 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is about $45,000 for a family of four, and have a service need including employment, seeking employment or enrollment in an education or training program.

OECOSL will continue to re-enroll children already receiving vouchers as long as funding permits. The office will reassess the waitlist at the start of the next federal fiscal year in October.

The re-implementation of a waitlist for the first time since 2018 is due, in part, to efforts to improve access, affordability and quality of child care programs. Those efforts have included:

• The Indiana General Assembly increased CCDF and OMWPK eligibility to 150% of the FPL, up from 127%, which made more families eligible to participate in a voucher program.
• The state provided $35 million in Child Care Expansion and Employer-Sponsored Fund grants, both of which added new programs and grew existing programs, increasing access to child care programs.
• The state maximized an infusion of federal funds that started in 2018 and continued through the pandemic to invest in a high-quality child care system.

As a result, more than 30,000 additional children have participated in the voucher program in the last two years.

“The state’s continued efforts to improve access, affordability and quality of child care programs led us to supporting over 70,000 children with vouchers, allowing more families to work or go to school, and improving the state’s economy,” said Courtney Penn, Director of the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. “We will continue the important work of ensuring families have access to affordable, high-quality programs near their homes and workplaces.”

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly have prioritized early child care and education by creating a more sustainable early childhood workforce and supporting more Hoosier families with vouchers. Both CCDF and OMWPK programs have grown substantially. OMWPK peaked last year, enrolling nearly 8,000 children, up 167% from just 3,000 children in 2019, the first year for the statewide program. CCDF has grown to more than 70,000 children this year, up 43% since 2019. 

Once a new CCDF application is submitted, a child is placed on the waitlist. Priority is given to:

• On My Way Pre-K applicants
• Families who earn below 100% FPL
• Children of child care workers

All other applicants will receive vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis, as available. 

Information is available to support families and providers as they navigate the transition:

• Child Care Waitlist FAQ
• Families can call 211 for their local eligibility offices and Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) specialist’s contact information, and for help identifying child care options.
• Providers can call the SPARK Help Desk at 800-299-1627 for their local eligibility office’s contact information, and to ask general programming questions.India

• Salem
• Fundraisers
• Wellness
• Christmas

By Jerry Curry, Writer and Nathaniel Smith, Editor

It seems the fact that there is a Friday the 13th this December has sparked something in Salem… Have you noticed the unusual and eerie creature on the square? It can usually be found prowling from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., but just what is it? Well, this horned, half-goat, half-demon creature is known in legends and lore as Krampus.

Occasionally appearing with a long beard, Krampus has a large tongue, long tail and wild eyes. Covered in fur and adorned with menacing teeth, this German folklore legend is said to go alongside Saint Nicholas as he rewards well-behaved children. Krampus, however, is known to beat misbehaved children with birch rods, and it is even said that he takes children away to be tortured and worse… never to be seen again.

But don’t worry, the Krampus lurking on the square has a different intent entirely. The friendly face under the costume, made by his wife Melissa, is Joshua Calvin. Joshua and Melissa (Mel) are raising money for Stephanie Pike, who is a local cancer patient. Stephanie's monthly medical bills reach heights of $16,000 after insurance, and Joshua and Mel thought this would be a great way to help out as well as drum up excitment for the upcoming Christmas season.

The Calvin's are also making and selling jewelry and candles. Please consider making a purchase or giving a donation to help ease the financial burden for Stephanie during the holidays. If you would like to contribute, contact Mel Calvin on Facebook, and come get your picture with Krampus! He will be on the square this week from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday.

• Salem
• Special Events
• Christmas

The Square in Salem was bustling with activity this past Saturday, December 7 for the Christmas Magic in Salem event. From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Salem residents and visitors alike were greeted with food, crafts, vendors and more.

The Corydon Dulcimer Society and choirs from Westview Christian Church and the county elementary schools were present to provide music during the festivities, and Santa and Mrs. Claus were there as well for photos and stories. You could even go on a horse and wagon ride courtesy of the Grinch! This event was a fantastic way to get the community in the Christmas spirit and a great time for the whole family.

You can find photos and video from Christmas Magic in Salem below!

Corydon Dulcimer Society Performing in the Salem Apothecary:

 East Washington music teacher Allison Hein directing the EWES Choir

Mrs. Claus preparing to tell Christmas stories in the Apothecary.

Hunter's Ridge Winery.

Shephards Bluff Dairy Goats soap.

Photos and video by Nathaniel Smith.