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During Internet Safety Month, we raise awareness about Internet safety and provide resources to keep individuals, families and organizations safe online.

In the ever-evolving digital age, remaining safe on the Internet involves a variety of issues in various forms. Internet safety can involve securing personal information, protecting against cyber attacks, and setting safeguards for our children. Families, businesses and institutions alike must consider how to keep themselves and their information safe online.

“Staying safe on the Internet has quickly become an issue that demands our attention," says Sheriff Brent Miller. “As a community, we must work together and take steps to protect all community members, including the most vulnerable, from attacks and schemes online.”

Between 2021 and 2023, the Identity Theft Resource Center found a 72% increase in online data breaches. To secure devices, individuals and organizations should lock all technology with a passcode, turn on ‘Find My Device’ features and set up recovery account information. 

Additionally, the FBI found business email compromises accounted for $2.7 billion in losses in 2022. Organizations are encouraged to train employees on Internet and email security, frequently update passwords and consider using two-factor authentication on company devices.

In the home, parents should establish trust around device and app usage with children and maintain open communication to keep kids safe online. It is important to be vigilant of techniques kids or teens may use on phones that create additional security risks, especially in an age where children may know more about their devices than adults. Parents should encourage children to show and teach them new technology. By staying up to date, parents and guardians can effectively guide their children on how to best interact with people and features on the Internet.

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The Pekin Methodist Church will be hosting Vacation Bible School Wednesday through Friday, June 24-26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The church is located at 244 S. Shorts Corner Road, Pekin.

Activities will include class, crafts, music, snacks and games.

The public is invited.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

It seems it's that time of year were deer want to cross the road without any warning.

In Indiana there are 14,000 deer-vehicle collisions reported annually. The likelihood of seeing a deer varies with time of day and month. Unfortunately, they are likely to appear when people are commuting to and from work. 

Generally, the motorist is most likely to come upon a deer at dawn and dusk. September through December, and particularly October and November during the mating season, the chances of running into a deer may increase. Areas to watch out for are agricultural fields and forest land. In urban area where deer hunting is illegal, deer maybe plentiful.

Remember, it’s better to hit the deer than to swerve into oncoming traffic or running into a deep culvert off the road.

Braking and blowing your horn continuously maybe your best defense. Never assume that there is only one deer.

An Indiana government website sites states, “Don’t rely on novelties like deer whistles. Whistles, fences, and reflectors are ineffective at deterring deer. “  

Don’t drive too close to other cars as they may hit the deer sending it over their car and into yours.

Deer may hit a vehicle in the front end as well as a side door costing thousands of dollars, personal injuries as well as death. The worst possible scenario is for the deer to enter the car interior and still be alive.

A recent accident happened in Washington County where a deer vs. motorcycle accident happened on June 11. The motorcycle driver was ejected from his seat. He was transported to University Hospital by Air Methods with non-life-threatening injuries.

If you hit a deer, pull over and turn on the hazard lights. Call the police or county sheriff.  Do not approach the deer, as it maybe still alive and very unpredictable. Deer can survive a direct hit and still be alive.

As a consolation you have the right to keep the deer for your own use. Deer meat can not be sold in the state of Indiana. A proper permit may be obtained from local police, state trooper, DNR conservation officer, DNR district or DNR property manager. 

Parts of this story were obtained through DNR Indiana department of Natural Wildlife website.