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The Washington County Family YMCA is delighted to share
it has received a generous grant from the Washington County Community
Foundation to support Substance Free Alternative Events. This grant will enable the
YMCA and our Washington County Drug Free Coalition to provide the community
with these fun-filled events for another year.

The grant, totalling $14,500, will be instrumental in planning and hosting Substance
Free Alternative Events, which are social and recreational events for people of all
ages that specifically exclude the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. These
events are a fun way for families to bond with each other, as well as to engage with
members of the community, for free. The YMCA plans to use these funds to provide
a Substance Free Alternative Event each month. With the support of community
partners, individuals will be able to enjoy a wide variety of events, such as Movie
Nights, Paint Nights, Healthy Kids Day at the Y, and many more.

“We are deeply honored to receive this grant from the Washington County
Community Foundation,” said Gavan Doane, Prevention Assistant at the YMCA.
“This funding will allow us to further support our vision of a healthier, more
supported Washington County. Events like these remind us that we can still have
fun, without the presence or use of substances. We are excited about the
possibilities this grant opens up and the positive impact it will have on the future of
youth and families in our community.”

The YMCA has seen much success with the implementation of Substance Free
Alternative Events. A few recent events include Bingo Night at the Campbellsburg
Community Center, a Family Paint Night in which guests learned how to paint a
leprechaun, and Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA. Of course, these would not have
been possible if not for the generous support of the Y’s many community partners.
It is their unwavering commitment that allows the Y to host these events each
month and contribute to the well-being of everyone in the community. With this
new funding, the YMCA believes the future is bright for Substance Free Alternative
Events and will open up to new and exciting opportunities.

The next Substance Free Alternative Event will be a Free Family Movie Night. In
partnership with the Salem Parks and Recreation Department, families will be able
to enjoy a showing of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental,” a film set in Element City, in
which Fire-, Water-, Land- and Air residents live together. The event will take place
on Friday, August 16, beginning at 6 p.m. with the movie beginning at 8 p.m.
It will be held at the Salem Community Park, 1104 E, Hackberry Street, Salem, on Field 4.

The event will include free admission, free popcorn, a bounce
house, concessions provided by Salem Parks and Recreation, and much more.

The YMCA bestows heartfelt thanks to the Washington County Community
Foundation for granting the resources that makes programs like Substance Free
Alternative Events possible. It is through their generosity and commitment to the
well-being of the community that fun, inviting events like these can be enjoyed by
people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through
youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA relies on the
time, talents and treasures of the community to offer valuable programs and
services.

For more information about Substance Free Alternative Events, please contact the
Washington County Family YMCA at 812-883-YMCA, visit us at 1709 N. Shelby
Street, Salem, IN 47167, or email Gavan Doane at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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IPA recently announced its 2024 project grant awards to six state park friends groups. IPA is proud to be able to help these organizations and their dedicated members improve the visitor experience at each of their properties.

Falls of the Ohio Foundation-$1,050 for interpretive signage on the Woodland Loop at Falls of the Ohio SP Trail; focused on Shawnee tribe presence
Friends of Brown County SP-$2,080 to rehab the Nature Center West Sitting Area; replant native trees and wildflowers, and purchase site furnishings
Friends of Clifty Falls SP-$1,200 for Wireless Tour Guide System; allows large groups to hear the interpretive naturalist when large crowds/single file lines are on trails
Friends of Hardy Lake-$1,000 to revitalize the Centennial Pollinator Garden
Friends of Spring Mill SP-$2,490 for trail system counters
Friends of Versailles SP-$565 for the purchase of metal bulletin boards to replace bulletin boards in the campground

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Law enforcement agencies across Indiana are working to keep everyone on the road safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding, urging drivers to obey speed limits.

From July 10 through July 31, participating law enforcement agencies will conduct a high-visibility enforcement campaign targeting speeding drivers. The campaign is funded by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Throughout the campaign, law enforcement officers will issue citations for those driving above the posted speed limit and raise awareness about the deadly consequences of speeding and aggressive driving.

“Speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities in Indiana,” said James Bryan, ICJI’s Traffic Safety Director. “Obeying the posted speed limits will reduce the number of deaths and serious bodily injuries that occur on Indiana roads.”

Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to maneuver safely around another vehicle, hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. As speed increases, so does the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries for the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.

National statistics show that young people, especially male drivers, represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related vehicle crashes. ICJI encourages parents to talk to their teens about the dangers of speeding and ignoring the rules of the road.

Drivers who encounter someone speeding or following too closely should safely steer out of the way, allowing the person to pass. Motorists are encouraged to call the police if they believe a driver is following or harassing them.

For additional safety information on speeding, click here or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

About the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is the state planning agency for criminal justice, juvenile justice, traffic safety and victim services. ICJI is designated as the state administering agency for distribution of federal funds and as the state Statistical Analysis Center for research. ICJI is responsible for coordinating and collaborating with local, state and federal entities to identify, assess, plan, resource and evaluate new and emerging issues facing the criminal justice and public safety spectrum. Visit www.cji.in.gov to learn more about the agency.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The Washington County Community Foundation recently awarded Home Stretch Foundation a $6000 grant.

Home Stretch Foundation is a grassroots program started by president and founder Maria Burks. She has 45 years experience as a licensed professional counselor.

The program is a bridge for young adults to have a smooth transition into a successful adult life. The organization will match a high school student who is at least 18 years old into a host home that will see them through graduation and into adulthood.

Each student will take a skills assessment test. The host family and student will fill out applications.

This is a short-term placement for students that may be at risk to not graduate because of their home environment or other road blocks leading to a high school diploma.

The host family will provide a stable, loving, safe and accepting home environment.

The organization is presently active at the West Washington school district. Plans are to cover all high schools in the area.

More information can be obtained by visiting the new website Homestretch-foundation.org/contact.

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By:

Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

There will be a community update meeting concerning the Monon South Trail on Wednesday, July 17, 5-6 p.m. at the Depot Railway Museum, 206 S. College Ave., Salem. Updates on the project and future plans will be announced.

The proposed 57-mile trail will stretch between the Clark/Floyd county border to Mitchell. It will connect with eight communities Clark, Washington, Orange and Lawrence counties.

In addition to the beautiful scenery that will be encountered along the trail, it has been reported that there will be connections to state parks, recreation facilities and other destinations.

The public is invited to attend.

Also, there will be a ground-breaking ceremony for the trail at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, in Borden.