Duke cuts $20k check to help low-income families
The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding a $20,000 grant to the South Central Community Action Program to provide support for low income families impacted by the storms that hit the Hoosier State June 25th. The Bloomington Based nonprofit, serves Monroe, Morgan, Owen, and Brown counties. Of the approximately 115,000 power outages across Duke Energy’s system from the storm, roughly half were in Monroe County.
New Indiana Laws
For the first time in nearly 40 years, Indiana establishments that sell alcohol on premises are able to offer a Happy Hour. A new law that took place on July First allows bars and restaurants to lower prices on drinks for a brief period of time during the day and return the price to normal after that advertised stretch. The same law also states that no retailers are allowed to operate any games that are determined by the quantity of alcoholic beverages that are consumed, nor award anyone with alcohol as a prize
Indiana House Bill 1142 was made an active law on July first. It establishes the Hoosier first responder medal of honor (medal). Now the department of homeland security (department) may determine an Indiana first responder is eligible for award if he or she distinguishes themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an act of public service.
Coach Ron Helmer dies, at 77
Thoughts are with the family of Coach Ron Helmer, a legend in the world of Track and Field who passed away last week at the age of 77. He coached over 200 Big East Champions at Georgetown and more than 50 Big Ten Champs in his 15 years as the Director of Indiana University Track & Field.
14 investigations lead to charges amid national push to halt health care fraud
The Indiana Attorney General’s office played a key role last week in a major nationwide enforcement action against licensed medical professionals who allegedly participate in fraudulent health care schemes. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) conducted 14 criminal investigations into alleged Medicaid fraud, leading to charges against 14 individuals.13 of the 14 cases, are being prosecuted with assent of the local prosecutors’ offices in the counties where the alleged crimes occurred.
Bloomington Downtown Library, Discardia Mending Day
This coming Friday, July 13th, from 12–4 PM, Drop in and bring any clothes or other textiles in need of repair, make sure they are cleaned first. Discardia will be on-hand to show you how to mend them or do it for you.
This Week in Hoosier History
1941 – Don McPherson, R&B singer Everybody Plays the Fool, born in Portland, Indiana. McPherson was the Lead Singer for a group called The Main Ingredient – the name came from a Coca-Cola bottle. They reached the R&B Top 30 for the first time in 1970 with “You’ve Been My Inspiration”. A cover of The Impressions’ “I’m So Proud” broke the Top 20, and “Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love)” went into the Top 10. In 1971, they scored again, with the McPherson-penned black-power anthem “Black Seeds Keep on Growing,” but tragedy struck that year. Don McPherson, who had been suddenly taken ill with leukemia, died unexpectedly on July 3, 1971, at age 29.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson