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Body Wrapped in Plastic Found in Brown County Home
Brown County Sheriff’s Department has arrested 54-year-old Michael Hazelgrove and 36-year-old Alicia Bustle on murder charges. Deputies were called on to check a home on Hicks Road in Nineve h on Monday morning, only to find a man’s body wrapped in plastic in a bedroom. The man apparently died gunshot wound, although an autopsy is scheduled for today to determine the victim’s identification and to confirm the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact local authorities.
Many complain about a spike in utility costs
During the winter months, it is inevitable for utility costs to rise. Now that many are spending additional time at home due to the health emergency, the reality of increased costs will soon be felt by most Hoosiers as the January billing cycle has concluded. Duke Energy has published the following list of ideas to help save money on energy bills:
- Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. If you have a heat pump, maintain a moderate setting or use a programmable thermostat specifically designed for use with heat pumps.
- Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun to warm the house. Close them at night to help insulate your home.
- Have the heating and air conditioning system checked regularly to maintain performance. Duke Energy offers qualified customers rebates to help offset the cost of replacing older HVAC units with more energy-efficient ones.
- Replace standard incandescent bulbs with light-emitting diodes (LED). LEDs are more efficient while giving off the same amount of light.
- Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction, which pushes warm air back down into the room.
- Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a heating system work harder, which uses more energy.
- Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees to help you reduce your monthly water heating bills.
Community Nonprofits and Institutions Invited to Apply for Solar Grants
The City of Bloomington is providing support for organizations to improve building efficiency through projects such as solar installation, appliance and lighting upgrades, and weatherization with the goals of reducing utility costs and saving energy. Through a partnership with CDFI Friendly Bloomington and the mission-driven lender IFF, the 2021 Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan (SEEL) Program will provide support through low-interest loans financed by IFF, grants from the City of Bloomington, and City-funded commercial energy audits. Prospective funding applicants to the SEEL program are invited to learn more about the program by attending a webinar on Thursday, February 11 at 1 p.m. The Zoom link to the webinar is available by emailing one’s name and organization name to sustain@bloominton.in.gov.