More News Category

Home
More News Category

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Sometimes a real hidden talent is discovered on America’s Got Talent. So was the case of Richard Goodall.

Goodall, 55 years old, is a janitor in the Vigo County school system in Indiana, and would sing as he worked. He has been a janitor for 23 years.

The middle school students where he worked noticed his talent and greatly encouraged him to tryout on AGT.

The first time he tried out in 2009 in Chicago, he didn’t get past the first audition. He would wait some 15 years before trying again and this time with different results.

He made it to the stage of AGT in front of the Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and the sometimes “hard” judge Simon Cowell. Nervously he took the stage and introduced himself. After a pause to collect his composure, he began to sing. He sang a really appropriate song, “Don’t Stop Believing,” a song made popular by Journey in 2005.

It wasn’t long before the audience was standing, clapping and dancing to this song.

The judges were taken away with him. At that point he got the total approval of the judges and the roaring applause of the audience. This greatly humbled the 55-year-old janitor in to tears, but the great finale of this performance was yet to come.

Heidi Klum, so taken by his performance, hit the Golden Buzzer, showering the stage with golden graffiti.

She said, “Richard, Richard, Richard! You are living proof that we should never ever stop dreaming, believing, and singing! I cannot wait for America to fall in love with you like I have. It’s an honor to hit my Golden Buzzer for you.”

The Golden Buzzer sends the contestant directly to the Live rounds.

This year there are four stages: Audition, Live Quarterfinals, Live Semifinals, and a two-week Finale event.

Howie Mandel said, “You just cleaned up.”

Cowell chimed in with “You are my hero.”

Of course, he made it to the Live Semi Finals, where he sang “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You,” originally performed by Michael Bolton.

Goodall said he started singing along with his Radio Shack stereo. He is also in a band called “ ManOpause.”

Richard said, “This was not on my radar, and I never had been on a plane before.”

At a local send-off at the Vigo County Fairgrounds, country music star Walker Hayes gave Goodall a brand-new Buick. Mullen’s Dressing had their own gift for Goodall: a lifetime supply of dressing.

To get to the finals he sang “Eye of the Tiger,” then Faithfully.” He definitely was a favorite of the four judges. 

Tuesday Sept. 24, was the finale. All contestants performed for the last time. To add to the show’s drama, each performer was eliminated one at a time. Finally, there was only one left, and that was the singing janitor from Terre Haute, humble Richard Goodall.

In the final performance, he was accompanied by Neal Schon and members of Journey as he again sang “Don’t Stop Believing.” Richard said, “Somebody pinch me.”

Goodall had just married his girl, Angela Vanoven.

The prize money is an annuity paid over 40 years at approximately $25,000 per year, or the winner can receive a reduced lump sum.

Indiana Proud!

Goodall with his new bride, Angela.

Country music star Walker Hayes presented Goodall with a new car.

Write a comment

The Indiana State Police are now accepting applications for their spring 2025 internship program. These internships are offered statewide with multiple positions available.

Interested students must:

• Be a U.S. citizen;

• Be at least 18 years of age;

• Have at least one year of college and a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;

• Have a valid driver's license; and

• Have no juvenile or adult criminal arrests or convictions.

This coveted internship program offers a number of opportunities for college students interested in a career in law enforcement. Interns can gain on-the-job training, administrative and field experience, and engage in a ride-along program.

The Indiana State Police internship sets itself apart from others with its flexibility and the latitude afforded to its interns as they are in the field and not in an office all day. Students will earn college credits as they are immersed in various facets of ISP.

For more information or to apply, click here. The deadline to apply is Oct. 6, 2024.

Write a comment

With Child Passenger Safety Week just having wrapped up, Sept. 15-21, parents and caregivers are reminded to keep children safe in vehicles.

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than a third of children who died while riding in passenger vehicles were not buckled into a seat or car seat. To mitigate danger to children, drivers should ensure passengers under age 13 are buckled in the back seat and children under age 8 are buckled in the appropriate car seat or booster seat. It is also crucial to make sure car seats and booster seats are installed correctly before driving.

For more resources on car seat recommendations and types, visit www.nhtsa.gov/CarSeat.

Write a comment

The Derby Dinner Playhouse Children's Musical Theatre is presenting "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" in October and November.

During the performance, the audience will get to be the jury as the Big Bad Wold goes on trial in this clever and funny musical based on the best-selling book. The show is suitable for children ages 3 to 12.

Breakfast and Luncheon shows are available for the following days

Saturday,Oct. 5

Saturday, Oct. 12

Monday, Oct. 14

Saturday, Oct. 19

Saturday, Oct. 26

Saturday, Nov. 2

Saturday, Nov. 9

Tickets are $20-$25 each for the show and a kid-friendly breakfast or lunch buffet (and dinner buffet on Oct. 14).

For Breakfast shows, doors open at 9 a.m. for the buffet, and the performance is 10-11 a.m. For Luncheon shows, doors open at 12 noon, and the performance will be 1:15-2:15 p.m.

There will be one Dinner performance on Monday, Oct. 14. Doors will oben at 5:45 p.m. for a dinner buffet, with the show running 7-8 p.m.

For tickets, please call the Derby Dinner box office at 812-288-8281. Tickets for the show are not currently available for online sales.

Write a comment

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Creating Avenues for Student Transformation (CAST) held a fundraiser called “A Night At Salem Speedway,” on Saturday, Sept. 21. Ninety people attended the event, and approximately $4,000 were raised to support the dyslexia tutoring program.

CAST is a group that provides structured, multi-sensory, explicit tutoring based upon the science of learning. The routines are particularly effective in engaging long-term memory.

This service was free last year, but the government grants that enabled financed the program were discontinued post-Covid. CAST is now relying on local contributions to support the program’s expenses. Funds needed are approximately $40,000.

This year, CAST has helped over 140 students. Reading skills were up +21%, Spelling up+18% and Math Skills up +35%.

Those attending enjoyed a catered dinner and a great view for racing from the comfort of the air-conditioned tower overlooking the grandstands.

One of the speakers was Micah Gilliam, who recently joined as CAST as their Dyslexia Resource Center Coordinator. She spoked about the success of the group. Gillam is also a second grade teacher at East Washington School Corporation.

Cassie Corp, CAST Executive Director, said, “I’m so grateful that our local community is dedicated to investing in our kids.”

Corp also sold tickets for the organization’s other fundraiser, “The Most Magical Raffle on Earth.” The raffle features a grand prize of $2000 in Disney gift cards; a second prize of local gift cards; and third prize of four “Big Splash” tickets in French Lick. The winning tickets will be drawn on Monday, Sept. 30, at the CAST office.

CAST staff thanked those who helped sponsor the evening’s event. The Banner Sponsor was Jeans’ Extrusions, Inc.

Donations can be sent to CAST, 1707 N. Shelby St. #107, Salem, IN 47167. The website is www.castwashco.org/ . Contributions are tax deductible.