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INDIANAPOLIS – Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles, adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard, announced that Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wendy Robinson, of Roachdale, will become command chief warrant officer for the Indiana National Guard in September, following the retirement of Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ronald L. Baird Jr.

As command chief warrant officer, Robinson will advise the adjutant general on all warrant officer matters including training, discipline, morale, policy and well-being.

“I am looking forward to Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wendy Robinson stepping into this role and joining our command team.” said Lyles. “Her years of experience and strong leadership development skills are an asset to our organization.”

Robinson, who began her military career in 1990, most recently held the commander position for the Warrant Officer Candidate Accession Program.

Robinson has held multiple command and staff positions including with the 113th Support Battalion, 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 38th Division Support Command, 138th Quartermaster Company, 519th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 38th Infantry Division logistics staff, and Indiana National Guard headquarters. Robinson has also held various roles with the Reserve Component Warrant Officer Candidate School since 2006.

“I am excited to take on this new role and look forward to taking on new responsibilities and challenges,” said Robinson, who will be the Indiana National Guard’s sixth command chief warrant officer. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me and I am honored to work hard on behalf of the Indiana warrant officer cohort.”

Robinson deployed as part of Task Force Indy to Iraq in 2006 and with the 38th Infantry Division to Kuwait in 2019.

Robinson will replace Baird who’s held the role since May 2020, following his deployment to the Middle East supporting Operation Spartan Shield as the 38th Infantry Division’s senior maintenance warrant officer.

“I would like to thank Maj. Gen. Lyles for this opportunity over the past four years,” said Baird. “Command Chief Warrant Officer Robinson is a great servant leader, and I am excited for her to take on the senior leader responsibilities of our organization.”

Baird, of Scottsburg, has served in the Indiana National Guard for more than 37 years. During his career he’s also served as a leader at every level from company to battalion to brigade and division.

Baird plans to retire from military service and remain as a civilian employee of the Indiana National Guard.

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An illegal immigrant who killed another man in Columbus, Indiana, in exchange for $3,200 must continue serving a 55-year sentence after Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s legal team prevailed at the Indiana Court of Appeals.

“Our office works hard to keep Hoosiers and their loved ones safe from a wide array of wrongdoers, ranging from white-collar crimes to outright killers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “A big part of that work includes keeping dangerous lawbreakers off the street through our handling of criminal appeals. In this case, we’re dealing with someone who broke our laws from the very start by entering our country illegally. Then, as happens far too often, this offender proceeded to commit a violent crime.”

The killer, Eliel Avelar, appealed, asking the appellate court to review his sentence. He argued that his mental health issues called for a lower sentence. The appellate court did not find this persuasive.

“[H]e does not explain how these mental health issues render his sentence inappropriate,” the Indiana Court of Appeals stated in its ruling

The court also found that his immigration status did not reflect well on his character. “Moreover, Avelar ignores that he was in the United States illegally,” the court stated. The court cited past precedent affirming that a “defendant’s unlawful immigration status is a valid aggravating factor because it demonstrates a disregard for the law.”

In 2020, Avelar agreed to accept $2,000 from another man who wanted someone to harm his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. Two weeks after agreeing to physically harm the new boyfriend, Avelar went beyond the agreement and murdered Leobardo Flores, fatally shooting him.

Avelar then demanded and received more money for the slaying — to the tune of another $1,200.

Three others confessed to playing roles in the crime.

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INDIANAPOLIS – Most people look at the day’s forecast to determine how to dress or whether to carry an umbrella, but knowing the air quality forecast can be just as important when planning the day.

That’s why the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) recently upgraded its SmogWatch Air Quality Forecast website, SmogWatch.IN.gov, to provide more straightforward information when an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) is forecasted within Indiana.

“This improved site allows Hoosiers to use one central resource for air quality information and data,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “We encourage all Hoosiers, especially those who are more sensitive to air quality conditions, to visit the new SmogWatch.IN.gov and sign up for alerts.”

IDEM announces AQADs when agency meteorologists forecast ozone or fine particulate matter levels in Indiana that are at or above the U.S. EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) range for unhealthy for sensitive groups.

IDEM encourages Hoosiers to take to take the following actions on AQADs:

• Take appropriate health precautions by reducing or avoiding exertion or heavy work outdoors;
• Follow the pollution prevention tips for ozone and particulate matter provided by IDEM; and
• Follow advisories from appropriate authorities, including local health departments.

Website improvements include a new design and a modern look allowing users to view air quality monitor readings and forecasts for the current and the following day on one screen. Additionally, a colored banner appears whenever IDEM forecasts an AQAD. Pop-up windows with additional information keep the screen decluttered while allowing users access to more details. The new website is also mobile-friendly.

Starting this year, AQAD announcements will be easier to read and refer Hoosiers to a new fact sheet that contains expanded information and suggested actions everyone can take to improve air quality on AQADs and beyond. Hoosiers can sign up for air quality alerts and download the factsheet at SmogWatch.IN.gov or download the fact sheet directly at on.IN.gov/aqadfacts.

IDEM forecasts Air Quality Action Days year-round for fine particulate matter and March 1-Oct. 31 for ozone. Other factors may influence overall air quality.

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Twelve Indiana FFA members from across the state are preparing for the opportunity to serve as an Indiana FFA state officer for the upcoming year. After a week of engagement during the 95th Indiana FFA State Convention June 17-20 in West Lafayette, seven individuals will be selected to fulfill the roles of president, secretary, northern region vice president, southern region vice president, treasurer, reporter and sentinel.

The candidates will participate in a rigorous interview and selection process, with the chosen candidates being announced on the final day of the convention, Thursday, June 20.

“Indiana FFA students represent our state so well, it is a pleasure to see so many students that strive for excellence,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I look forward to working with the seven individuals selected to lead Indiana FFA this next year.”

Once selected, the newly-elected officers will embark on a year of service, providing direction and overseeing the development of the student-led organization, which has more than 14,000 members statewide.

Along with promoting FFA, agriculture and agricultural education, a majority of their responsibilities include conducting FFA chapter visits, facilitating leadership conferences, and hosting career and leadership development events, to name a few.

“There are so many well-qualified individuals vying to represent Indiana FFA on the state level,” said Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. “It will be a difficult task trying to choose just seven students to lead this state. I wish them all the best of luck on representing Indiana FFA.”

The 12 Indiana FFA State Officer candidates are:

• Stephanie Berenda, South Newton FFA
• Rylan Cooper, Warsaw FFA
• Noah Butler, Prairie Heights FFA
• Ethan Wolheter, Prairie Heights FFA
• Kira King, Lebanon FFA
• Makayla Hitt, Sullivan FFA
• Cale Williams, Terre Haute South FFA
• Sienna Alexander, Monrovia
• Garrett Bolin, Indian Creek FFA
• Camille Thopy, Southwestern Shelby FFA
• Christina Caldwell, Connersville FFA
• Kyatalin Baker, Switzerland County FFA

The 2024-2025 Indiana FFA state officer team will be announced on June 20 on inffa.org and on Indiana FFA’s social media channels.