Anderson Indiana News & Madison County

City of Anderson Dedicates New Water Well

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:43:57 -0800

Project Will Provide Capacity to System, Ensure Future Development

ANDERSON, IN - City leaders dedicated a new water well today on the grounds of the Madison County Equestrian Club. The well is expected to produce 2 million gallons of water per day, bringing excess capacity to 3.5 million gallons per day.

"It is true that everything that grows needs water, and that holds true not just for plants and animals, but for cities. Our city is poised for future development with the water utility capacity provided by this new well”, Mayor Kris Ockomon announced to those assembled; “by making an investment in our infrastructure, we are making an investment in our future.”

The well was named the Hanna Well, after 43 year water department veteran employee James Hanna, whose family attended the dedication ceremony and unveiled a plaque honoring Mr. Hanna for his dedication to public service.

The Hanna Well is a tubular type well, reaching 125 feet deep and measuring 24 inches in diameter. It has a full propane powered auxiliary generator, which eliminates the risk of groundwater contamination from traditional diesel fuel generators. The Hanna Well was designed by Robert E. Curry and Associates and constructed by M.K. Betts Engineering for a total bid price of $313,414.00.

Diva BMX Wins Team Of the Year Title

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:04:31 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - Diva Racing is an all girl BMX race team that was started in August 2009 as a way to get girls into the sport of BMX and to bring to light that girls could compete in a sport that is mostly dominated by males.

The team consist of 6 riders ranging in ages from 6 years old to 16 years old who come from various parts of the United States. They travel across the nation competing fiercely in their respective classes to win various titles.

The Diva Racing team is owned by Jenny and Heather Wilson, who are both former racers for Wallace BMX Team of Anderson. They have won their first team of the year title as Team Owners at Metroplex BMX in Desoto, TX.

"We have to give a huge thanks to Steve Wallace of Wallace BMX for showing us everything we needed to win races and championships and how to run our own successful BMX team."

Steve has been an inspiration to me and my sister Heather, Jenny said in a press release. Both girls are former champions as racers.

Free Children's Safety Program

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:25:03 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - Madison County Prosecutor Thomas Broderick Jr. announced that his office will be offering a free children’s safety program on Tuesday December 1st at the PAL Club located at 101 E Oak Street in north Anderson. It is being hosted by the Anderson Parks Department.

The program will consist of safety information for youth and adults along with various techniques for self defense. The program “will include role playing and will be a hands-on, activity-based skill development program empowering our children with options, not fear”, according to Prosecutor Broderick. The program is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 13. One parent/guardian must attend the class with their child. The program will be from 6pm to 7pm.

Prosecutor Broderick stated, “the purpose of this program is teach children how to stay safe. We often tell our children to stay safe, but sometime forget it is important to teach them how to be safe. The proactive techniques that we will offer can be effective at protecting our children and avoiding would-be abductors.” Broderick stated, “We only need to turn on the television briefly to recognize potential dangers in the world today. This program will help our children recognize, avoid and if necessary respond appropriately to potential danger.”

Anyone interested in the class should call the Prosecutor’s Office Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm and registered for the program.

Proper Leaf Disposal in Anderson, Indiana

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:43:45 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - Fallen leaves are accumulating on the lawns, sidewalks, and streets of the City. The proper way to dispose of those leaves is simple and good for the environment!

Leaves are to be placed either in biodegradable paper bags or waste receptacles placed curbside with the lid left open.
Leaves will be picked up the day after regular trash collection, beginning at 5am.
Leaf pickup will continue until December 15.
Citizens may dispose of leaves, grass clippings, weeds, bushes, and branches under 3” in diameter. Branches must be bundled and tied in lengths not over four feet long.

Please contact Best Way Disposal at 649-7272 with additional questions regarding Fall Leaf Pick Up. Also consider using The City’s Yard & Garden Recycling Center, which accepts clean leaves and grass. Recycling woody debris, leaves and grass keeps these items out of landfills and out of our storm water system. Limbs and brush can be dropped off at a fee of $15 per pickup truck load. Yard wastes must be loose, in biodegradable bags, or free of trash.

The Yard and Garden Recycling Center offers specials on high-quality mulch and compost. Leaf compost can be used as organic mulch on the soil surface in place of peat moss or straw to control weeds and keep soil moist and friable. Compost is produced by a natural decomposition of leaves brought in from homes in our community. Because we work with large piles, heat is generated during the decomposition which kills insects and weed seeds. We add nothing to enhance the product or hasten the process. The mulch is made from limbs and small trees dropped off at the center, then ground twice and screened. Prices are: Mulch $10.00/cubic yard; AAA leaf compost $ 10.00/cubic yard.

The City’s Yard and Garden Recycling Center is located at the former Emge site, located at 2000 West 8th Street, in Anderson. The center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 8am-2pm (closed for lunch from 11am-noon). Call 648-6399 with any questions about the Yard and Garden Recycling program.

ACS Celebrates Two Successful Years in Anderson

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:38 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - Two years after announcing it would locate a new facility in Anderson, ACS has created more jobs than originally promised and delivered them a year ahead of schedule. Today ACS employs approximately 700 people in Anderson who answer approximately 400,000 calls a month.

The first hires and training class were in January 2008. The facility answered its first call March 10, 2008.

The Anderson site is successful because of the talented and committed employees who make this one of the company’s best performing sites in the country. Employees’ dedication is rewarded with job promotions, contests and activities designed to create a fun atmosphere.

ACS continues to hire and train customer care agents. Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.acs-inc.com.

ACS is an award winning leader in the customer care industry, providing quality service to clients around the world for more than 20 years. With more than 34,000 agents in 150 customer care centers around the world, ACS employees handle in excess of one million customer interactions every day in 20 different languages. ACS employs 76,000 people worldwide.

Lapel Community Band to ‘Fill the Paramount’

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:08:37 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - The sixty-five member wind ensemble known as the Lapel Community Band and their guests, the 100 member choir of the First United Methodist Church of Noblesville present ‘Fill the Paramount’ (with music, people and joy) a holiday concert at the Paramount Theatre in Anderson on Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. The program, varied in musical style, includes audience favorites such as Sleigh Ride, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Up On A Housetop and Christmas on Broadway .

Tickets are $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for ages 6-16 and $1.00 for children 5 and under. Price of admission includes both the ‘Festival of Trees’—beautifully decorated Christmas trees located in the ballroom and the concert. Tickets are available at the Paramount Box office and from members of the Lapel Community Band.

The Lapel Community Band recently donated $200 to the Paramount Theater in support of continuing restoration of the seventy-five-year-old, art-deco theater. A large part of the concert revenue will go to the Paramount organization toward restoration. According to John Parshall, LCB Director , “the band members are working hard to fill the Paramount for the holiday concert. They love to play concerts in this beautifully restored theater that has hosted so many wonderful performers during its seventy-five year history. Not only does the band sound great in the Paramount, they’re dedicated to giving back to the community by helping to generate dollars for the Paramount restoration fund”.

The Lapel Community Band, formed in the year 2000, is dedicated to providing top-level musical entertainment to its audiences and presenting an opportunity for individual musical expression, enjoyment and growth among its members.

Experienced players, the members are serious about their performance standard and come from Alexandria, Anderson, Carmel, Chesterfield, Cicero, Fishers, Fortville, Lapel, Marion, Muncie, New Castle, Noblesville and Pendleton.

Indiana State Police Warn Citizens of Jury Duty Scam

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:14:15 -0800

PENDLETON, IN - The Indiana State Police would like to warn citizens of a jury duty scam that has now been reported in 11 states. The scam begins with a telephone call.

The caller claims to be the jury coordinator for that particular jurisdiction and advises the victim they failed to appear for jury duty. When the victim advises they were not summoned the caller asks for their social security number and date of birth.

The caller advises they need the social security number and date of birth to cancel the arrest warrant that had been issued for their failure to appear for jury duty. The information given by the victim is then used to steal the victim’s identity.

This jury duty scam uses intimidation over the telephone by impersonating someone from the court system. Never give out personal information over the phone!

Steps to prevent Identity Theft

Release your social security number only when absolutely necessary
Do not have your social security number printed on your checks
When you order new checks have them delivered to your bank and not your home
Order your social security earnings statement once a year to check for fraud
Cross-cut shred your credit card receipts, bills, and other financial information
Order your credit report once a year to check for inaccuracies and fraud
Do not leave envelopes containing bill payments in your mailbox
Do not carry credit cards, social security cards, birth certificates, and passports in your wallet
Do not create PIN numbers by utilizing your house address, date of birth, or consecutive numbers

United Way of Madison County/JobSource 3rd Annual OPERATION: Weatherization

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:28:12 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - On Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 62 homes will be weatherized in Madison County. Approximately 200 volunteers of all ages will assist in the event, in the process donating approximately 1000 volunteer hours.This means that 12 more homes will be weatherized than in 2008 in the communities of Alexandria, Anderson, Elwood and Pendleton.

Operation Weatherization is targeted at low-income households to help reduce winter utility bills and provide more energy efficient households. Homes were pre-selected from the JobSource weatherization database based on energy assistance need.

Committee members include: Michael Collette, Anderson University & Chair of the event, Jack Elliott, JobSource Weatherization Manager, Starla Eaglin, JobSource Project Specialist, Nancy Anderson, United Way of Madison County, Nich Caughell, Lowes of Anderson and State Representative, Terri Austin.

Weatherization will include caulking, weather-stripping, covering windows with plastic, replacing furnace filters, installing energy saving light bulbs, smoke and CO2 detectors. Volunteer group leaders are asked to bring small ladders, screwdrivers, cordless drill, hairdryer (for plastic window sealing), scissors and gloves.Projects are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. regardless of weather conditions.

REGISTRATION SITE LOCATIONS

All sites open at 10 a.m.
Volunteers must pre-register prior to event with the United Way office.
Volunteers will receive “LIVE UNITED” t-shirt (if registered by October 10) with work orders and supplies upon registration.
Sites locations include:

o Alexandria Community Center, 315 S. Harrison Street, Alexandria

o Anderson Fire Department, 44 W. 5th Street, Anderson

o Pendleton Community Library- 595 E. Water Street, Pendleton

o Elwood Police Department, 1505 S. B Street, Elwood

VOLUNTEERS

The following organizations/businesses have registered volunteer teams: Lowes of Anderson, Anderson Kiwanis Club, Youth Leadership Academy, First United Methodist Church, Saint John’s Health System, State Farm Insurance, Anderson University Service Clubs, Community Hospital Anderson, Pendleton Lion’s Club, City of Elwood, Pendleton Community Library, Fredericks, Inc., Nestle, JobSource, Dietzen Heating & Air, Elwood Police Department, Anderson Fire Department, Elwood High School, Fall Creek Township Trustee Office and Alexandria Community Center.

SPONSORS

Saint John’s Health System, St.Vincent Mercy Hospital and Medical Staff, Vectren Foundation and Lowes of Anderson

Shadyside Activities Center Restrooms to Close for Winterizing

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:45:38 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - According to sources at Anderson City Hall, the Anderson Parks & Recreation Department will be closing and winterizing the restrooms at the Activities Center at Shadyside Recreation Center effective on November 16, 2009.

Local walkers and other users of the trail system should note that the restrooms will not be available until mid April, 2010.

Breakfast with Santa

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:37:53 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - Highland High School Choral students will host the 4th Annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 5th, 8:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. in the Commons of Madison Park Church, 67th & Columbus Ave. ( Just West of Meijer-Anderson.)

This event is a community service and fundraising event for the choirs. Activities include a pancake and sausage breakfast, a holiday craft, a picture with Santa, Story-time (The Christmas Story), Face-Painting, Caroling and Singing led by Choir Students.

HHS Choral Boosters and Students are seeking sponsorship for under-privileged children to attend and are working with local agencies and organizations to identify eligible sponsor recipients.

Business and individual contributions and sponsorships are needed to make this possible.

Register to attend or sponsor a child and parent for $15.00 or a Family of up to 5 for $25. Extra pictures and children in same pic may be added to each package, or Adult Breakfast may be purchased for $5.00.

For more information contact any choir member, Rhonda Cantrell at (765) 425-7638, or Laudron5@aol.com Advance Registration and Payment Required.

Bob Highsmith Senior Expo Planned for Geater Center

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:01:51 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - The Anderson Police Department proudly announces the first Bob Highsmith Senior Expo, which will take place on Saturday, November 7, at Geater Center (1611 Chase St) from 11am-3pm.

The Expo will celebrate not just getting older, but getting better! Health Screenings and Informational Booths will fill Geater Center.

Current exhibitors planning to attend the Expo are: Saint John’s Health System, Community Hospital Anderson, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic Services, Victim’s Advocates, Social Security Administration, Suds Express Laundromat, Senior Legal Services, Guardian Medical Monitoring, Minority Health Coalition, CATS/Nifty Lift, Animal Care and Control, Neighborhood Crime Watch, Senior Living facilities, Madison County Health Department, Medical Supply, Triad, Weed and Seed, LifeStream, Adult Protective Services, Senior Shoppers, YMCA, Dental Services, Vision Services, Red Cross, and Retired/Senior Volunteer Program.

In addition to these exhibitors, light refreshments will be provided and transportation is available upon request by calling 648-6709. For additional information or to become involved in the Expo, contact Steve Denny with the Anderson Police Department at 648-6774.

Local Songwriter Comes Out Of Retirement

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:31:20 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - Songwriter Steve Wallace picked up the European Country Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award for his many achievements in the music industry over the years. Wallace who retired from the music business earlier this year has come out of retirement to help former Anderson Singer/Songwriter Jenny Wilson with her career.

"I have many songs I have yet to release and want to help Jenny with her career," Wallace said in a press release.

Wallace's song "Sometimes" which he wrote in 1990 will be released to radio worldwide on Oct. 27.