Indiana Department of Administration sent this bulletin at 05/17/2024 08:00 AM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. May 19 - May 25 This Week in Indiana History   May 22, 1905 Work began on the Tulip Trestle east of Bloomfield in Greene County. Finished in December of 1906, the 2,307 foot-long steel-girded railroad bridge is one of the longest in the world still in use.  May 23, 1824 Ambrose Burnside, American soldier, politician and industrialist who popularized sideburns, born in Liberty Indiana.   May 23, 2007 The West Baden Springs Hotel reopens, after a $400 million Restoration May 24, 1992  Al Unser, Jr. won the closest Indianapolis 500 race in history, beating Scott Goodyear by .043 seconds. The largest margin of victory was won in 1913 when Jules Goux came in over 13 minutes ahead of the second car driven by Spencer Wishart.    Our Where in Indiana? from last week was taken in Logansport, of the Logansport Cass County Dentzel Carousel. This hand-carved carousel is over 100 years old. Where in Indiana? Do you know where this photograph was taken? Visit us on Instagram to submit your answer. Follow us on Instagram: @instatehousetouroffice The south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse has been in bloom with our beautiful State flower, the peony. Indiana Statehouse Tour Office Indiana Department of Administration Guided Tours of the Indiana Statehouse are offered Monday through Saturday.  For more information, contact us.   (317) 233-5293 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Indiana Quick Quiz 1. Who won the 1911 Inaugural Indianapolis 500 mile race? 2. What is the name of the winning car at the 1911 inaugural Indianapolis 500 mile race? 3. In 1909, what was the first kind of race at the Speedway? 4. Who was the first woman to drive the pace car for the 500-mile race? Answers Below  For more activities              in IN              https://www.visitindiana.com/ Answers 1. Ray Harroun 2. Marmon Wasp 3. Hot-air-balloon 4. Model Elaine Irwin Mellencamp, wife of John Mellencamp NEWS In memory of Jim Johnson, previous editor of Hoosier History Highlights, we will be featuring weekly Hoosier Quotes. The Hoosier Quotes will serve as a way to celebrate the Hoosier Spirit via quotes from historical figures who represent the very best of who we are as human beings, state citizens, and good neighbors. Last week, we introduced you to Reginald "J.R." Edwards. Not only is he a notable Hoosier, he is a member of our Indiana Statehouse Tour Office and Education Center staff. With J.R.'s pride of being a Hoosier Native, it was only fitting for him to be a weekly contributor to Hoosier History Highlights. Please send your favorite Hoosier quotes to J.R. for possible publishing.  Hoosier Quotes   By: Reginald "J.R." Edwards This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember." Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States who lived in Indiana 1816-1830 Indiana Capitol Tour Office http://www.in.gov/idoa/2371.htm

TIPPECANOE COUNTY – IDEM Emergency Response (ER) has continued to monitor the area around Flint Creek over the past week. Field screening was conducted at multiple locations, including the initial tributary, Flint Run, and Flint Creek. Each test returned non-detectable levels (ppm) of ammonia nitrogen. Additionally, aquatic activity was observed at the testing locations, showing no signs of distress.

With water conditions returning to normal, IDEM is canceling the public advisory affecting Flint Creek.

The tank and secondary containment structure have been emptied and appropriately offloaded at the property where the fertilizer leak occurred. Two remaining tanks containing fertilizer on the property have also been emptied. All heavily impacted soils were removed to minimize leaching. 

TIPPECANOE COUNTY – Following the discovery of a large fish kill, IDEM is advising the public to stay out of the waters around Flint Creek in Tippecanoe County.

Sunday afternoon IDEM Emergency Response was dispatched to a report of a significant number of dead fish in West Point, Ind. after notification from conservation officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The IDEM On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) noticed the fish kill stretching approximately 10 miles starting in a tributary to Flint Run in the area of 7700 S. 700 W. Flint Run connects to Flint Creek, where dead fish were also observed. Flint Creek flows into the Wabash River, which is being evaluated for immediate impacts.

Elevated levels of ammonia nitrogen were detected at the initial site. The OSC determined the source to be a leak from a large (30,000 gallon capacity) tank at the nearby Scott Miller Farm containing liquid nitrogen fertilizer. IDEM has contacted the property owner, who has implemented containment measures to stop the fertilizer leak.

IDEM and DNR will monitor the area and is recommending that the general public and animals stay out of the tributary to Flint Run, Flint Run, and Flint Creek while mitigation efforts are ongoing.

IDEM will continue to monitor the situation and compliance staff will thoroughly investigate the cause of this incident.

WASHINGTON — Last night, the Senate unanimously passed the Mark Our Place Act—bipartisan legislation introduced by Sen. Mike Braun, Sen. Jon Tester and Sen. Sherrod Brown to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to honor all Medal of Honor recipients with a headstone, grave marker, or medallion. Currently these memorial honors are only available to Medal of Honor recipients who served after 1917.

“Our Medal of Honor recipients are the best America has to offer. I was proud to introduce this bill to memorialize the valor of all Medal of Honor recipients, and I’m so proud to see it pass the U.S. Senate on its way to become law.” – Senator Mike Braun  

“Our brave Medal of Honor recipients deserve a final resting place that honors their incredible service and sacrifices—no matter when they served. Our commonsense bill will ensure we’re preserving these heroes legacies by rightfully memorializing all Medal of Honor recipients, and I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly take action on this legislation.”—Senator Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee

“Yesterday we moved one step closer to ensuring that all Medal of Honor recipients have their legacy preserved and their memories honored. We will never forget the debt we owe our veterans, and we’re humbled by their commitment to service.”— Senator Sherrod Brown

“I’d like to thank everybody involved in the Mark Our Place Act. This is a great bill to recognize the recipients of America’s highest medal for valor, the Medal of Honor, and I fully support it.” – Sergeant First Class Sammy Davis, Medal of Honor recipient 1968

This bill now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.