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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The Pekin Community Betterment Committee, lead by Shelby Lain Whitaker, is planning a mural for the exterior of the shelter building in Pekin Park, in conjunction with Center for Rural Engagement. The IU Center for Rural Engagement will be designing the mural.

Nicole Vasconi , the IU Hoosier Quality Place Liaison, gave a presentation Thursday May 2, at the shelter house. Assisting her was Sara Marshall, Rural Placemaking Fellow.

Graham Phillips and Quincy Scott are in charge of comprehensive design. They work in tandem with IU ServeDesign Center at the Eskenazi School of Art.

The initial discussion of the meeting covered Pekin community assets. Categories included education, employers and employment, political, public services, natural resources, leadership, social networks, housing, food services and health and wellness.

Attendees were asked to consider a hypothetical question “What if Pekin Park because a gem of southern Indiana.” One thing mentioned was the Monon Trail as a natural asset. Whitaker’s statement was, “Upgrade things without stepping on toes and preserve history.” The driving focus should be to bring out the strengths of the community.

More information can be found at PekinFourthofJuly.com/PCBO. Indiana University will create the design and Pekin Community Betterment Organizations’ Shelby Whitaker will be in charge of fund-raising and finding an artist. Several designs will be submitted to before one is chosen.

In attendance was the Pekin Town Manager, Jaden Stone. The Washington County Community Foundation was represented by Judy Johnson, executive director, and Lindsey Wage-Smith. Resenting Washington County Tourism were Susan Lloyd and Laurie Jackson.

Pekin Park is used for many events including weddings, Easter egg hunts and, of course, the playground.

Pekin is noted for its Fourth of July Parade. This year will be the town’s 194th annual parade.

Staff photos by Jerry Curry

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Indiana’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened a second public comment period for proposed changes to Indiana’s deer hunting rules before it votes on final adoption of the proposed changes. Most proposed changes intend to simplify Indiana’s deer hunting rules to make them easier to understand.

Public comments can be submitted online at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket via the “Submit Comments Here” link in the Rulemaking Docket for the Deer Hunting Amendments. Comments can also be mailed to:

Natural Resources Commission
Indiana Government Center North
100 North Senate Ave., Room N103
Indianapolis, IN 46204

The deadline for submitting public comments is May 20. A public hearing will be held on May 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area, 7970 S. Rowe St., Edinburgh, IN 46124; you can attend in person or online during that timeframe. There will also be an in-person-only open house immediately before the hearing, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. ET at the same location. To attend the public hearing online, starting at 5:30 p.m. on May 20, go to Microsoft Teams and enter Meeting ID 213 479 076 835 and Passcode Ack2vu.

Proposed changes include:

A statewide bag limit of six antlerless deer as well as a newly created county antlerless bag limit instead of season antlerless bag limits. Because of this change, the bonus antlerless license would be the multiple-season antlerless license that could be used in the archery, muzzleloader, and firearms seasons.
Hunters would not be able to harvest an antlerless deer on Fish & Wildlife properties with a firearm.
The use of crossbow equipment would be allowed under the archery license.
The minimum caliber for a muzzleloader would be reduced from 0.44 inches to 0.40 inches.
If a deer is unfit for human consumption, DNR staff would be able to issue an authorization to take an antlerless deer in its place that will not count toward the statewide bag limit or county limit.
Adding the deer reduction zones and county antlerless bag limits.
Removing the special antlerless firearms season.

For more information on the proposed rule changes, visit wildlife.IN.gov/rule-regulation-changes/

Questions about the proposed deer regulation changes should be directed to 812-334-3795 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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By: Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Dejaune Anderson, 38, presently being held at the Washington County Detention Center on Murder, Obstruction of justice and Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death charges for the death of her son, Cairo Jordan, continues to file motions.

The latest two filings concern removing Judge Larry Medlock as the presiding judge. She continues to refer to herself as "Prince Califia Haton Tupak Bey the 2nd representing the entity of Dejaune Anderson." She based the motion and an affidavit on violation of constitutional rights.

Anderson cited the 5th and 14th amendment to the United States Constitution and abuse while in jail. She claims she has been denied law books and her court-appointed attorney does not have her best interests in mind.

She wrote, “I felt the court should move my case to Federal courts due to the lack of scope dealing with national, foreign intelligence.” No rulings on any of her motions have been answered by the court.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Summer is here and so are free meals at East Washington Elementary School. They will begin their Summer Food Program.

All children 18 years old or younger can have a free nutritious breakfast and lunch.

Meals will be served Monday-Friday May 28 through June 28 and July 29 through August 2. Times for breakfast are 8-8:45 a.m. Lunch is 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The meals are served at the East Washington Elementary School Cafeteria at 1020 N. Eastern School Rd. Pekin. Enter the building through Door 3.

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By:

Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Salem Fire Department received a call Friday at approximately 6:30 p.m. concerning a fire at 132 E. Eastern Hills Blvd., Salem.

The home is the residence of retired local attorney John W. Mead and his wife Mary. The Mead’s were on vacation at the time.

When Salem Fire Department arrived, the house was fully involved. Salem fire officials called Campbellsburg and Pierce-Polk fire departments for use of their water tanks. The house is constructed of brick, but it has been reported that the interior received extensive damage.

Fire departments were active at the scene until midnight putting out hot spots.