The coronavirus outbreak has been big business for scammers. First it was fake masks, then fake government grants, then fake COVID-19 tests. Every catastrophe brings out both the best in people and — and sadly, the worst. Since the pandemic began in late winter, the Better Business Bureau has been tracking numerous reports of “official-sounding” scams attempting… Continue reading.

Hendricks County is one of the state’s fastest growing counties, mostly because Marion County/Indianapolis is its neighbor to the east. But the county’s two largest towns are joining in the downtown revitalization boom to keep the young local folks at home. Both Brownsburg, along the I-74 spoke out of Indianapolis, and Plainfield, along the I-70… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling It was dark. The only light flickered through the globes of coal oil lamps. Food was prepared on wood stoves. Washing was done by hand and scrub board. And farm chores were tackled without the assistance of electrical equipment. This was living in the country 85 years ago. And living wasn’t easy… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling They look innocent enough: tiny, smooth, brightly colored, sweet nuggets that rest so invitingly in Easter baskets amid cellophane “grass.” Why then do they threaten me so? Evil shouldn’t lurk within a jelly bean! OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit when I say “evil.” But since I remember when the only dangers… Continue reading.

If you’re inside during a tornado Take shelter in a windowless, interior room; a storm cellar; or the lowest level of the building. Stay away from glass doors and windows to avoid debris from heavy wind. Crouch down and make yourself as small of a “target” as possible. If you can, get under a piece… Continue reading.

Top 3 responsibilities in a day: Provide direction. I lead the superintendents and forepersons who oversee our tree crews. Purchase. I make sure our crews have the resources they need to run safely and efficiently like personal protective equipment, tools and equipment.  Budgeting. I set and maintain a consistent budget for the required scope of work…. Continue reading.

Long before electric cooperatives began stringing silver strands of singing wire across rural America in the 1930s, the rhythmic chatter of windmills performed many of the tasks needed to make America grow. Every farm, ranch and railroad stop had those mechanical marvels of wood and steel blades and fins to pump water and do other… Continue reading.

Does your dog jump, shake, tense up, cower, become anxious or crawl under a bed with an approaching storm? If so, your dog might be suffering from anxiety or phobias related to storms or loud noises. Just as in humans, some unusual behaviors in dogs may not ratchet up to the point of concern. But… Continue reading.

Story and photos by Richard G. Biever Hilaria Chub stands nearly silhouetted just inside the kitchen entryway beside her cooking stove where she is baking. A small wood fire, centered atop a piece of corrugated sheet metal, fills the dusky room with gray smoke that envelops her before escaping through the door and openings in… Continue reading.

Four years ago, the world stopped turning for Clayton Wilson. While fighting a virus, the Martinsville sixth grader inexplicably suffered something akin to an anaphylactic shock. He required emergency room treatment. He then began experiencing a series of severe ailments: aches and pains, anxiety, brain fog, fatigue, and even loss of consciousness. The ailments forced… Continue reading.

Most all of Indiana’s 92 counties are named after a person, Native American peoples or other places. But only one is named quite simply for the largest geographical feature that touches Indiana. That’s Lake County … the state’s northwestern-most county named for the giant body of water that dimples Indiana’s upper left corner. Lake Michigan’s… Continue reading.