Monroe County Sheriff’s Department equipping patrol vehicles with defibrillators
On January 25, 2024, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office gratefully received 60 Automatic External Defibrillators (AED). The purchase of the AEDs was made possible through a collaborative effort of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners and Monroe County Council utilizing the General Obligation Bond to fund the purchase. The funding provided was sufficient to equip every patrol deputy vehicle and jail transport vehicle with an AED and to place an AED on each floor of the Monroe County Correctional Center. Additionally, a trauma kit which includes additional first aid supplies, was purchased for each patrol deputy vehicle.
The AED order with Heart Reach Medical, who donated 5 additional Cardiac Science Power Heart G5 AEDs to further our reach to better serve our community. Heart Reach Medical is a sister organization of Bolt for the Heart (Heart Reach Carmel Inc.), an organization that focuses on equiping non-profits with lifesaving equipment. These AEDs have a 6-8-year battery life expectancy with replacement batteries available directly through Heart Reach.
Sheriff Marté stated, “These AEDs will allow Monroe County Sheriff’s Office personnel the ability to immediately begin lifesaving measures in the event they are first responders to a cardiac event. We are very appreciative of the Commissioners and Council for their supportive efforts in purchasing this very important equipment.”
The Sheriff’s Office is currently assigning these new lifesaving devices to our Deputies and Correctional Officers who are already trained in their use.
Violent Kokomo Felon sentenced to over five years in Federal Prison after posting Instagram pictures of himself illegally possessing a firearm
Bradley Morgan, 24, of Kokomo, Indiana, has been sentenced to 68 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, in March of 2021, investigators with the Kokomo Police Department Violent Crimes Task Force began an investigation into Bradley Morgan after becoming aware of Instagram posts by Morgan, showing him pointing firearms at the camera. Morgan was known to be a convicted felon, on probation, and had an active warrant at the time of the discovery.
On April 14, 2021, investigators obtained and executed a search warrant at Morgan’s East Taylor Street residence in Kokomo. During the search, investigators found Morgan hiding in the bedroom closet. In the same bedroom, investigators located a quantity of controlled substances, a .40 caliber Glock with a 23-round capacity extended magazine, and a 9mm Smith & Wesson. Morgan is prohibited under federal law from ever possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions for criminal recklessness and criminal recklessness with a dangerous weapon in Howard County.
“Multiple convictions for violent crimes were not enough to convince this offender to stop carrying a deadly weapon,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “The serious federal prison sentence imposed here should send a message to citizens returning to the community from custody: if you choose to possess a gun you will go right back to prison. Our office will continue to partner with the ATF and local task forces in Kokomo and all across our district to ensure that the most dangerous armed offenders are taken off our streets.”
Indiana’s Individual income tax season is here
The 2024 Individual Tax Filing season is here. The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR), along with the IRS, is processing 2023 individual income tax returns. You have until Monday, April 15, 2024, to file and pay state and federal tax returns.
DOR encourages taxpayers to use electronic filing, online payment and direct deposit for faster refunds and improved accuracy. INTIME offers direct messaging to DOR and payment plans, and you can request the status of your refund.
It’s important to wait to file until you receive all your official tax documents and wage statements.
Employers must provide Forms W-2 by Jan. 31. Using your end-of-year paycheck stub or other unofficial sources of tax information risks the need to file an amended return later or delay your refund. And you may need other documents to file an accurate tax return, including documents on freelance, gig or business income, investments, interest, or prize winnings.
Customers who wish to contact DOR directly can use INTIME’s secure messaging for the most efficient service.
This Week in Hoosier History
2013 – A headstone was placed on the grave of Dr. Samuel A. Elbert at Crown Hill Cemetery over 100 years after his death. He is considered to be the first African-American physician in Indiana.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson