New Bicycle Factory Coming to Indiana

Seymour, IN (May 20, 2022) - Guardian Bikes announced it would build a highly automated factory to move production of its safety-focused kids’ bikes to the United States. Guardian has selected a site at the Freeman Field Industrial Park in Seymour, Indiana, where the company expects to invest nearly $7 million and employ around 100 workers by 2026.

 

Guardian Bikes mock up of first U.S. bike factory in Seymour, Indiana. Photo: Guardian Bikes

Guardian Bikes makes children’s bikes with a patented Sure Stop brake system that prevents head-over-handlebar accidents, and was featured on Season 8 of Shark Tank. According to the company, approximately 11 million kids’ bikes are purchased in the U.S. annually, and 10.5 million of them (96%) are imported from China.

“Guardian’s vision is to challenge this status quo in every way. We’ve said NO to disposable unsafe kids bikes, and instead, make the safest bikes, ones kids LOVE to ride, and soon will be built right here in the USA,” Brian Riley, CEO and Co-Founder, Guardian Bikes wrote in a company statement.

“By moving production of our bikes to the USA, and then fulfilling our bikes straight from our U.S. factory floor direct to your door, we begin to create a sustainable supply chain system, which allows us to not only be a Guardian for the kids in your family with the safest bikes available for them, but also be a Guardian for the future of the planet they will grow up on,” added Riley.



ABOUT: Guardian Bikes

Founded in Irvine, CA, Guardian moved to Austin, TX in 2020. The company’s transition to U.S. production will happen in several phases: Phase 1 will involve final assembly of parts and frames, which will begin in June of this year.



To support the Seymour, Indiana project, the Seymour Redevelopment Commission has approved a four-year $100,000 ECLIPSE loan. The Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation (JCIDC) developed the ECLIPSE program to provide a cash loan to help offset startup costs based on job creation. 

Loan proceeds come from tax increment finance or economic development income tax funds, and the amount of the loan is tied directly to the number of permanent, full-time jobs and wages. The Seymour City Council also approved a $275,000 tax abatement for Guardian’s initial investment for equipment and machinery.

SOURCE: Guardian Bikes  

Man Arrested on Child Molesting Charges

Crown Point, IN (October 20, 2020) - A man is expected to make his first court appearance today on charges filed more than seven years ago alleging he sexually abused a girl when she was between the ages of 4 and 10. Fermin B. Rosales, 20, of Joliet, Illinois  recently was extradited from El Paso County, Texas, to Lake County.

Rosales is accused of repeatedly molesting the girl when they lived in the same home in Hammond between March 2003 and March 2009. Rosales' initial appearance was scheduled for today before a Lake Criminal Court magistrate, online records showed. 

The girl first disclosed the alleged abuse in early 2012, after she was admitted to a mental facility for treatment, court records state. Rosales was charged in June 2013 with nine felonies, including three counts of child molesting.

The girl told police Rosales repeatedly touched her inappropriately when she was between the ages of 4 and 6, documents state. When she was 10 years old, Rosales began forcing her to have intercourse and oral sex, court records allege.

The girl told police Rosales punched her in the stomach or face if she refused to do as he ordered, and he threatened to kill her if she told anyone. The girl's mother told police Rosales' father was deported to Mexico for sexually abusing a female child, records state.

SOURCE: North West Indiana Times

Need help? Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Zip Line For Socially Distanced Halloween

Garden City, MI (September 24, 2020) - Woodworker Matt Thompson of Thompson Woodworks constructed a delightful contraption to help keep the trick-or-treat dream alive for his town. He built a social-distancing safe zip-line so he can hand out candy to kids who come by.

He used a cable and some pulleys to create a line that runs from his porch to a decorated pole near the sidewalk. That way kids can safely take some candy from the attached ghost without having to get close to the house.

But the best part is that this is not just a candy delivery service. It also includes a beer caddy so Thompson can send out some grownup treats too. He hauls it back in with a fishing reel, in a system we’d like to see used on every holiday.



This isn’t the first device someone has come up with to make Halloween 2020 possible. The Wicked Makers YouTube channel released a video for a DIY candy tube.

It’s been a long year, and no matter your age we can all use some treats this Halloween.

New Dates For Marion County Fair

Indianapolis, IN (May 22, 2020) BGI — Save the dates, the 90th Marion County Fair will be held July 4-12 at the Marion County Fairgrounds located at 7300 East Troy Avenue. It was originally scheduled for June 19-28, but officials decided to postpone the fair until July, when the county would likely will be nearly completely re-opened.

Purdue Extension, which oversees the state’s county fairs, has prohibited in-person meetings and events until July 1. They issued a statement that allows counties to open fairs if that county reaches the final stages in the Back on Track plan issued by state officials. They have also developed virtual models for counties that may not meet the state’s requirements for Stage 5.



Accordingly, county fairs would have to maintain required physical distancing , offer daily health screenings for all employees and volunteers, and increase their hand sanitizing stations and cleaning stations. The Marion County 4-H continues its partnership with the fair, and the chapter has participated in physical distancing events, including scheduled webinars.

Right now, admission to the fair is only $5.00 per day, and a 10 day pass will set you back just $25.00.

Tickets can be purchased HERE

History of the Marion County Fair

The Marion County Fair was established in 1930 as a street fair in New Bethel or Wannamaker. Following several moves in the Wannamaker area, it was relocated onto 123 acres of land at Troy Avenue and Fisher Road. There are presently 17 permanent buildings on the grounds.

SOURCE: Marion County Fair

Homework Help For Students

Terre Haute, IN (April 19, 2020) - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology extended its tutoring helpline for home bound middle and high school students struggling with math or science homework.

The Terre Haute-based school added more daytime hours in March to the AskRose program as it responds to the pandemic. The site also offers more than 500 resources available through videos and downloadable reference materials.

“We want to help students affected by these challenging times continue learning essential math and science skills,” says AskRose Director Susan Smith Roads.

Even though the tutors, who are students at Rose-Hulman, are themselves doing remote learning due to the coronavirus, the program was able to find enough tutors who can do their teaching remotely.

The homework help is available from noon to 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) through a phone call, email or chat session. Services also are available during normal service times: Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 -10:00 p.m.

Connections can be made at 877-ASK-ROSE (877-275-7673) or the AskRose website, AskRose.org. The services are available at no-cost to 6th-12th grade students or parents. AskRose will operate through the month of May.

Rose-Hulman says student privacy is always protected, and students are never asked for their last name or telephone number.

SOURCE: Rose-Hulman

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Perry Township Schools Honored

Indianapolis, IN (April 14, 2020) - The Indiana Department of Education has announced the recipient of the 2019-2020 Title III Distinguished Indiana School District Award.

Perry Township Schools was chosen to receive this distinction for demonstrating a commitment to English Learner success through strategic programming, rigorous instruction, inclusive school culture, and beneficial partnerships with families and the community.

“I applaud the dedicated work of the students, families, staff, and communities of Perry Township Schools,” said State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick. “Under the leadership of Director Whitney Wilkowski, Perry Township Schools represents the vision of working together for student success by ensuring English Learners, and all children, have opportunities to succeed.”

Perry Township Schools was selected after a review of English Learner performance data from all public school districts and charter schools, followed by a two-part interview process, including an on-site visit.

For more information on Title III funding, click here.

SOURCE: WBIW

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Help for Kids Stuck at Home

Beech Grove, IN (March 24, 2020) — In the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Audible is offering hundreds of titles children ages 0-18 completely free of charge.

Divided into four different age groups (Teen, Tween, Elementary, and Littlest Listeners,) these titles have been hand selected by Audible's team of editors specifically to entertain, engage, and even educate young people who are stuck at home because of school closures and quarantine efforts.

The Audible Stories collection is an impressive one which, although centered around younger readers, has something for everyone. The collection is especially useful for anyone who has young readers to keep entertained as the folks over at Amazon curated an extensive roster of titles for young readers and kids, which feels really necessary with schools currently out. According to a message on the collection website:

“For as long as schools are closed, we’re open. Starting today, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids.”

The selection includes: kids classics like Peter Rabbit, The Reluctant Dragon, The House at Pooh Corner, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; literary faves featuring Anne of Green Gables, White Fang, Brave New World, and Frankenstein; as well as brilliant YA fantasy including The Bone Witch, The Near Witch, and the Ms. Peregrine series.

If you want to get into something really immersive and unusual they also have an impressive collection of folklore and fairytales from around the world! Speaking of which, the service is also offering audiobooks in multiple languages. Another great thing to note is that some of the titles are exclusives read by amazing actors, like Frankenstein narrated by Dan Stevens and Jane Eyre narrated by Thandie Newton!

Audio books really are a perfect distraction for this time and we’re really happy that so many are now available for free for anyone who can connect to the internet! Hopefully you can find something that makes your day better with this huge new selection.

To start listening, download the free app to your phone or visit the site.

Dog Adoption Fee Waived

Southport, IN (February 13, 2020) — If you want a valentine who will give you unconditional love forever, and you’re ready for a full-time commitment, you may want to adopt a dog.

And if you do, Coors Light beer company will pay your adoption fee of $100. The brewing giant launched a new program called the “Coors for Canines Offer.”

You can use that money toward food, toys, a cool bed, your dog’s first vet visit, or reimburse yourself the adoption fee.

Here’s the scoop: You have to adopt a dog between February now and February 21, 2020.


The fine print says, “the offer is only redeemable while supplies last,” and the first 1,000 accepted entries will be eligible for the cash.

So get down to your local shelter, or contact your favorite rescue group, adopt a dog that suits you and your lifestyle, and get your paperwork in quickly.

• You don’t have to buy any beer.
• You do have to adopt a dog.
• You have to be old enough to drink.

Once you’ve got your pooch, take a picture of your paperwork proving adoption, and text the photos(s) to 28130, and enter the keyword: “COORS4K9.” You do need a Venmo account to get your $100.

Here’s the proof Coors needs to see to be considered for the payout:

• Adoption receipt showing Adoption cost
• Name of Adoption shelter
• Adoption location/state
• Date of adoption (Adoption must occur between February 4, 2020, and February 21, 2020)
• Animal type (Offer only valid for dog Adoption)

For some reason, if you live in California, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, you’re not eligible. That’s unfortunate because some of those states euthanize a whole lot of dogs in their shelters. But the legal eagles at Coors must have some reason for the exclusion.

There are more rules, terms, and conditions; you should check out on the Coors website.

Why the payout for a pooch?

Coors Light says, “Each Winter, we witness a cultural phenomenon where people couple up to stave off the weather-induced blues; better known as Cuffing Season. Valentine’s Day is the pinnacle of Cuffing Season, and according to a new survey from Coors Light, a majority of young legal drinking age millennials (58%) find it overrated. That’s why Coors Light encourages you to skip the cheesy Valentine’s traditions and spend the day with a fur-ever friend.”

Rules and regulations can be found HERE

Fountain Square library could close

Fountain Square, Indianapolis (February 11, 2020) — The Fountain Square branch of the Indianapolis Public Library could be closing and moving to a bigger facility.

The neighborhood’s first library opened in 1896 as Branch #3, the third oldest in the system. Subsequent moves occurred in 1906, when it became known as the Prospect Branch, as well as in 1941 and 1969.

In 1994, the library moved to its current location on the ground floor of the historic Fountain Block Building in the heart of the Fountain Square Business District and was renamed the Fountain Square Branch.


A panel of Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees proposed moving the library to the western part of Perry Township. The decision still has to be approved by the full library board on February 24.

Its current location will be taken over by the nonprofit Indy Reads adult literacy organization. The last day of service at the Fountain Square branch would be May 8.

SOURCE: WISH TV

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Slime Making Class for Kids

Southport, IN (February 11, 2020) — Children and teens ages 6 – 17 are invited to create their own slime with Ripple Mobile Arts. You can add beads, foam, clay or even sand. choose a cool color, and practice many fun exercises with your new slime.

Register at the below links: 

Slime Class for Kids
Monday, February 17: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Garfield Park Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Thursday, February 20: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
East 38th Street Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Saturday, February 29: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Michigan Road Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Saturday, February 29: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
West Indianapolis Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Wednesday, March 04: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Franklin Road Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Tuesday, March 17: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
East Washington Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Tuesday, March 24: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Southport Branch

Slime Class for Kids 
Wednesday, March 25: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Beech Grove Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Thursday, March 26: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Decatur Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Saturday, March 28: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Fountain Square Branch

Slime Class for Kids
Monday, March 30: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Central Library

SOURCE: Indy With Kids

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Former Ice Cream Shop Owner Sentenced

Greenwood, IN (February 10, 2020) — The former owner of a popular Greenwood ice cream shop pleaded guilty to child pornography charges and learned his sentence Monday.

John Cassin, 75, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography. He received three years on probation, with the first year being on home detention. Prior to the plea, he had been facing one to six years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

Cassin was the owner of the popular Mrs. Curl Ice Cream Shop in Greenwood. Following his arrest in April, the shop said new ownership was put in place in January of 2019 due to Cassin’s age and pending retirement. The company remained open and Cassin gave up any further role at the establishment.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case, the investigation began in October 2018 after police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about child pornography, specifically a sexually explicit photo of a juvenile.

Former owner of Greenwood ice cream shop gets probation in child pornography case https://t.co/sZyTiZEMdF via @fox59

— Zach Myers (@ZachMyersNews) February 10, 2020

Investigators tracked the IP address to Cassin’s home in Whiteland and obtained a search warrant for all computers and related electronics at the home, along with all electronic media, accounts and associated passwords.


Investigators executed the search warrant on March 20. When police went to Cassin’s home, he told them he had a desktop computer that he used to read news and look at pornography.

He told investigators they would “probably find child pornography activity on the computer dating back to its purchase.”

Cassin told police they’d find search terms about juveniles on the computer. He visited different internet chan boards/image boards to look at images of child pornography, court documents said.

He denied ever engaging in sexual activity with a juvenile.

SOURCE: Fox59

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Beech Grove sex offender arrested

South Bend, IN (January 29, 2020) — Seventy-year-old James F. Renick was arrested at the Rolfs Aquatic Center simply for being there. As a registered sex offender for life, it is a felony for Renick to so much as set foot on the property of any school.

Notre Dame police took Renick into custody after a report that a suspicious individual was taking pictures of participants at the Shamrock Invitational swim meet Friday.

Upon questioning, police learned that Renick pleaded guilty to molesting two boys under the age of 10 in 1996 At the time, a report in the Allentown Morning Call said a search of Renick’s home turned up “thousands of photographs of young boys naked and in bathing suits.”

Renick’s arrest at Notre Dame marks his second in the past 17 months. In August of 2018, Renick was arrested after taking pictures of juveniles age 14 and younger who were participating in a swim meet in Geneva, Ohio.

Renick lives in Beach Grove near Indianapolis. His bond has been set at $2,000 cash, and at last check he was still being held at the St. Joseph County Jail.

View his profile on the Marion County Sex Offenders List HERE

The University of Notre Dame released the following statement about the incident:

"Notre Dame police officers were made aware Friday, January 24, of an individual in the spectators' section of the Rolfs Aquatics Center taking photos of swimmers competing in an invitational meet. He was arrested and also received a no trespassing notice. The case was referred to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office. This individual has no affiliation with Notre Dame and does not reside in this part of the state. " 

SOURCE: WNDU
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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

In 1897, an 8-year-old girl from Manhattan, Virginia O’Hanlon, wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. The reply, written by Francis P. Church, the editor of the newspaper, was titled, "Is there a Santa Claus?”

The editorial took on a life of its own over time and is reportedly one of the most widely reprinted editorials in history. It also has been memorialized in books, movies and songs.

Today, we are publishing Virginia’s letter and the editor’s famous response.

Dear Editor:

I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon

115 West Ninety-Fifth Street

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except (what) they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little.

In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.

There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal life with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?

Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.

Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond.

Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
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Deadline approaching to get letters from Santa

Beech Grove, IN (December 8, 2019) — The United States Post Office is helping children get a personalized letter from the big guy — complete with a North Pole postmark.

Follow these steps to ensure your children get a response letter from Santa:

1. Have your child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.
2. Later, when alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response. To save paper, write the response on the back of the original letter.
3. Insert the response letter into an envelope and address it to the child.
4. Add the return address: SANTA, NORTH POLE to the envelope.
5. Affix a First-Class Mail stamp, such as a new Winter Berries Forever stamp to the envelope.
6. Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope — preferably a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope — with appropriate postage and address it to:

North Pole Postmark
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Drive
Anchorage, AK 99530-9998

Greetings from the North Pole Post Office must be received by the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than Dec. 13. Santa’s helpers at the Postal Service will take care of the rest.
• When responding as Santa, make the response as personal as possible by highlighting your child’s accomplishments over the past year, for example, helping around the house, receiving good grades in a particular subject at school or participating in community service activities.
• This is a great activity to do that the whole family can enjoy, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other caregivers.

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