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The Awareness Washington County Board announced that the 8th annual Chili Cook Off will be held Saturday, March 8, from 4-7 p.m., at Southern Hills Church,1645 Hwy. 135, Salem.

Competition is open to anyone interested, and cash prizes will be awarded in several categories. There will be a prize for the judged Best Red Chili, as well as the judged Best White Chili. In addition, there are People’s Choice awards for Best Chili and Best Decorated booth. Other features of the event are the famous dessert auctions and the cookie cart. There will also be items available in the Silent Auction and the Bag Raffle.

Admission to the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children. All-you-can-eat chili and crackers are included in the admission price, along with ballots to vote for your favorite chili and best decorated booth.

Sponsorships for the event are available as well. Sponsors will be recognized in the media, on the AWC website, on table tents at every table at the event, and on social media. There will be several hundred people attending.

Interested chili cooks can register by contacting Marji Morris on Facebook, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 812-216-6505. A registration form for cooks or potential sponsors may be found at https://www.awarenesswashingtoncounty.org/.

“The event has become a social occasion,” said Morris. “Many people come at 4 p.m. and stay until the end to see who wins, although you don’t have to do that.” She continued, “Having a booth allows businesses to get themselves and their products or services in front of the public, just for the cost of their chili ingredients.” There will be a maximum of 12 teams so sign up soon, and guests can sample as many of the chilis as they can handle.

Rules for Chili Cook-off

Prizes awarded for People’s Choice Best Chili, Best decorated booth, Judges’ choice best red chili and best white chili.
Teams are to provide 3 crock pots (or equivalent) of the same chili.
Typed list of major ingredients. (For those with food allergies--Exact recipe not required. You don’t have to give away your secrets.)
Decorating limited to a 6 ft table space with 1 ft. additional space on both sides and 4ft. behind the table. Decorating is not required, but it is part of the fun. Tables are provided.
Set up may begin at 10 a.m. Chili should be in place no later than 2:30 p.m. for judging. Teams may leave after set-up and return by 3:45 p.m.
Collectively the team is allowed free admission for 2 adults and 2 kids. After that, tickets are adults $10/children $5.
There is no entry fee, but we are limiting participation to 12 teams.

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management today announced it is taking applications and nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. This marks the 32nd year the awards have been given to celebrate innovative projects with measurable environmental benefits.

Presented annually since 1994, the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence has become one of Indiana’s most prestigious environmental awards.

This year, IDEM and Governor's Office will present seven awards, one in each of the following categories:

Energy Efficiency/Renewable Resources
Environmental Education/Outreach
Five-Year Continuous Improvement
Greening the Government
Land Use/Conservation
Pollution Prevention
Recycling/Reuse

The Greening of the Government category is designed to shine a light on communities and/or government agencies that are making significant strides towards building greener, more sustainable communities or their operations. IDEM recently updated the award criteria to include a wider range of projects that would allow state, county and local government agencies of all sizes the opportunity to have their successful programs recognized.

Do not miss this opportunity for your business, organization, government office or an individual to get this recognition and honor. Citizens, government agencies, businesses, organizations, and educational institutions are invited to submit nominations on behalf of others. Self-nominations (applications) are encouraged. Eligible projects must have occurred in Indiana and been implemented in 2023 or 2024.

The deadline for nominations is March 7, 2025. Awards will be presented in September. A panel of conservation, environmental, and academic professionals review nominations. The awards will be based on project innovation, measurable results, and transferability. Nomination forms and instructions are available at idem.IN.gov/partnerships/governors-awards-for-environmental-excellence.

About IDEM: IDEM (idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens to protect Hoosiers and the environment.

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By Master Trooper Hensley, Indiana State Police

A second person has been charged after investigators believe he participated in assisting the suspect wanted in the shooting of an Orange County Deputy Sheriff on January 3rd, 2025.

On January 3rd, just before 1 a.m., Orange County Deputy Sheriff Zac Andry stopped to check on a disabled vehicle in the roadway at US Highway 150 and State Road 56. During the interaction with the driver, Austin Schepers, Schepers shot Deputy Andry multiple times and fled the scene. Hours later, Schepers fled to a residence in the 1800 block of Market Street in New Albany.

Through their investigation, State Police Detectives Clay Boley and Steven Peyton believe 37-year-old James Adams of Commiskey had arrived at the apartment on Market Street on January 3rd at the request of Schepers. Investigators believe that Adams was of full knowledge of the situation that Schepers was in, and that he was instrumental in helping Schepers get to Craig Street in Louisville. Craig Street is one block west of Wheeler Avenue, where Schepers was ultimately found on January 4.

Adams was already incarcerated in the Scott County Jail on unrelated charges. The warrant for his arrest through Floyd County was served on Adams at the Scott County Jail.

The Indiana State Police insists that those responsible for assisting criminals within their efforts to elude capture by law enforcement will be investigated and charged for their actions.

Arrested and Charges:

James Adams, 37, Commiskey, Indiana

Assisting a Criminal, Level 5 Felony
False Informing, Class B Misdemeanor

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Indiana National Guard soldiers will travel to Washington D.C. today, January 17, to provide support for the 60th U.S presidential inauguration scheduled for Monday.

Indiana Guardsmen will join approximately 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories. Soldiers will provide crowd management, manage traffic control points, civil disturbance response and sustainment operations.

"National Guard soldiers and airmen are uniquely qualified to provide support in both state and federal activations," said Brig. Gen. Larry Muennich, the Indiana National Guard adjutant general. "Hoosier Guardsmen are always ready and always there – today and every day. I’m proud of the sacrifice these soldiers make to serve their state and their nation.”

The National Guard plays a vital role in presidential inaugurations, and militia members have provided support to inaugurations since the first one in 1789.

The Indiana National Guard also supported the presidential inaugurations in 2017 and 2021.

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Indiana Arts Commission Accepting Applications for Two Grant Programs

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and its Regional Arts Partners announced today the opening of applications for two grant programs: Fiscal Year 2026 Arts Project Support and Fiscal 2026-2027 Arts Organization Support.

"Arts and creativity are an essential component of the vibrancy, connectedness, and economic development of Indiana's communities," said Miah Michaelsen, IAC Executive Director. "We are pleased to offer these two grant programs, which create opportunities for Hoosiers to strengthen the fabric of their communities and improve quality of life for all."

About the Arts Project Support Program

Arts Project Support grants provide nonprofit organizations and public entities with funding to support a specific arts activity, such as a one-time event, a single production, an educational workshop, or a series of related arts activities such as art classes or training sessions.

The goal of the Arts Project Support grant program is to provide Indiana's people and communities with access to arts experiences.

In Fiscal Year 2026, this competitive program will be offered twice. The spring application cycle, for projects taking place between 7/1/2025-6/30/26, is open now and will close on March 4, 2025. The fall application cycle, for projects taking place between 1/1/2026-12/31/26, will open on July 8, 2025, and will close on September 9, 2025. Applicants are only eligible to receive oner Arts Project Support grant in FY2026.

About the Arts Organization Support Program

Arts Organization Support grants provide stable and consistent funding to arts organizations across varied geographies and budget sizes. This competitive program is open every odd calendar year, and applicants funded in the program will be funded for two fiscal years (FY2026 and FY2027).

The goal of the Arts Organization Support program is to provide an opportunity for a wide range of the state's arts organizations to make high-quality artistic experiences available to both residents and visitors through equitably distributed and meaningful grant awards.

Applications for Arts Organization Support are due March 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time through the IAC's online grant system.

To apply for a grant or more information go to in.gov/arts.