The Community Foundation of Clinton County awarded $30,000 in scholarships and grants Thursday evening during a community celebration held at Prairie Creek Park in Frankfort, in partnership with the City of Frankfort.

The event featured live music, nonprofit booths, food trucks, and community activities, culminating in a series of live drawings for three $5,000 scholarships and three $5,000 grants.

Organizers said the special one-night program was designed to create a broad community impact outside of the foundation’s regular funding cycles. “We’re going to give away $30,000 in grants and scholarships on Thursday,” said Emily Hemersbach, a foundation representative. “These are all outside of our normal cycles… special drawings that night.”

The scholarships were open to a variety of applicants, including traditional students, adult learners, and individuals pursuing trade education. Applicants submitted materials in May and were required to check in at the event to be eligible for the random drawing.

Scholarship Recipients

The three scholarship recipients announced at the event were:

• Haley Smart
• Michael Watson
• Jade Carbajal

Grant Recipients

The three organizations selected for grant funding were:

• Wesley Manor
• Abilities Services, Inc. (ASI)
• Clinton County Extension Homemakers

Foundation representatives said the goal of the program was to make a meaningful impact through both educational support and community investment. “Our board really worked hard to think about what would be impactful,” Hemersbach said. “We wanted these to be impactful scholarships and impactful grants.”

WILO Radio also broadcast live from the event, with winners announced shortly after the drawings took place.

Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers to over 40 recalled products during the month of May. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission listed recalled items in multiple areas, from furniture, to sporting equipment, to children’s toys, and more.

“With summer coming and the weather warming up, a lot of us are eager to get outside and enjoy being active,” said Attorney General Rokita. “That’s exactly why it is so important to make sure the products we’re using — whether it’s outdoor furniture, sports gear, kids’ toys, or even water bottles — are safe. A few quick checks can help keep the fun going without any serious risks.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports the following products were recalled in May:

Furniture:

• Joy Furniture Recalls Talan and Royce Living Room Furniture Sets Due to Risk of Serious Injury from a Fire Hazard: The power switch on the sofa, loveseat, or recliner can malfunction and overheat posing a risk of serious injury from a fire hazard.

• Walmart Recalls Mainstays 9-Drawer Fabric Dressers Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Tip-Over and Entrapment Hazards; Violates Mandatory Standard for Clothing Storage Units:  The recalled dressers are unstable if they are not anchored to the wall, posing tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in risk of serious injuries or death to children. The dressers violate the mandatory safety standard as required by the STURDY Act.

• Giantex Recalls Lounge Chairs Due to Amputation Hazard: Consumers can place their fingers in a pinch point, when adjusting the lounge chair, posing an amputation risk.

• PandaEar Recalls Portable Hook-On Chairs Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fall Hazard; Violates Mandatory Standard for Portable Hook-On Chairs: The recalled portable hook-on chairs violate the mandatory standard for portable hook-on chairs because the crotch restraints can be removed without the use of a tool and infants can fall through an opening, posing a deadly fall hazard.

• World Bright International Limited Recalls Agio Menlo Woven Patio Swings Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fall Hazard; Sold at Costco: The swing seat can detach from the frame while in use, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fall hazard.

• Minka Lighting Group Recalls Bardon Series Pendant Light Fixtures Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from an Impact Hazard: The recalled light fixture’s frame can detach from the pendant downrod during installation, posing a risk of serious injury or death from an impact hazard.

• Svnntaa Bed Rails Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Asphyxiation Hazards; Violates Mandatory Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails; Sold on Amazon by Eokeanon: The recalled bed rails violate the mandatory standard for adult portable bed rails because users can become entrapped within the bed rail or between the bed rail and the side of the mattress, posing a serious entrapment hazard and risk of death by asphyxiation. The bed rails do not meet structural stability or retention strap requirements, posing a fall hazard. Furthermore, the bed rails’ push pins and push pin holes are incorrectly sized, posing a laceration hazard.

• EVLWZL and Gunugu Mattresses Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fire Hazard; Violates Mandatory Standard for Mattress Flammability: The mattresses violate the mandatory flammability standard for mattresses, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire.

Sport:

• Missry Associates Recalls Misco Sports Light-Up Racket Sets Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Toys: The racket sets violate the mandatory standard for toys because the screw on the racket used to secure the battery compartment does not remain attached when opened, and the button cell batteries in the shuttlecock can be easily accessed by children. If button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns, and death.

• Missry Associates Recalls Misco Sports Badminton Toy Sets Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violates Mandatory Standard for Toys: The Misco Sports Badminton Toy Sets violate the mandatory safety standard for children’s toys because the shuttlecocks contain button cell batteries that can be easily accessed by children. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns and deaths.

• Multi-Purpose Helmets Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Head Injury; Violates Mandatory Standard for Bicycle Helmets; Sold on Temu by Foubeaka and Geniuss: The recalled helmets violate the mandatory safety standard for bicycle helmets because the helmets do not comply with the positional stability and certification requirements. The helmets can fail to protect the user in the event of a crash, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to head injury.

• BRP Recalls Can-Am All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) Due to Risk of Serious Injury and Death from Crash Hazard: The ATV’s speed limiter control can malfunction, causing unexpected speed and acceleration, posing a serious risk of injury or death from crash hazard.

• Amazon Recalls Amazon Basics 55 Lbs. Adjustable Dumbbells Due to Impact Hazard: The weight plates can fail to engage completely during weight adjustment and dislodge from the dumbbell handle when used, posing an impact hazard.

• Resistance Bands Recalled Due to Serious Injury from Impact Hazard; Imported by HomeProGym: The recalled resistance bands can forcefully separate from the handle during use, posing a risk of serious injury from impact hazard.

• Favoto Bicycle Helmets Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Head Injury; Violate Mandatory Standard for Bicycle Helmets; Sold on Amazon by Favoto: The recalled helmets violate the mandatory safety standard for bicycle helmets because they do not comply with the positional stability, labeling and certification requirements. The helmets can fail to protect the user in the event of a crash, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to head injury.

Toys/Equipment:

• MiniWarGaming and Primal Horizon Disc Magnets Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Magnets; Imported by MiniWarGaming: The magnets violate the mandatory safety standard for magnets because the high-powered magnets fit within CPSC’s small parts cylinder and are stronger than permitted, posing a deadly ingestion hazard to children. When high-powered magnets are swallowed, the ingested magnets can attract each other, or other metal objects, and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting, and/or blockage of the intestines, blood poisoning and death.

• Daoen Recalls Zen Magnetic Promotional Ball Sets Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Magnet Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Toys: The recalled magnetic balls violate the mandatory standard for toys because they are loose high-powered magnets, posing an ingestion hazard to children. When high-powered magnets are swallowed, they can attract each other, or other metal objects, and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting, and/or blockage of the intestines, blood poisoning and death.

• Lil Pick Up Recalls Youth All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Crash and Burn Hazards; Violates Mandatory Standard for ATVs: The recalled youth ATVs violate the federal mandatory ATV safety standard, posing a risk of serious injury or death. The youth ATVs fail to meet mechanical suspension requirements, and the reverse indicator light fails to illuminate, posing a crash hazard. The parking brakes fail to hold, posing a collision hazard. Additionally, the surfaces near the footwell can reach high temperatures, posing a risk of severe burns.

• ABC Trading Recalls Children’s Toys Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violates Mandatory Standard for Toys: The recalled children’s toys violate the mandatory standard for toys because they contain button cell batteries and the compartments that hold the batteries can be easily accessed by children, posing a deadly ingestion hazard to children. When button cell and coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns and death.

• Orb Funkee Squeeze Toys Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Asbestos Exposure; Imported by The Orb Factory: The recalled Orb Funkee squeeze toys may contain fibrous tremolite (asbestos) in the sand, which can cause adverse health issues if inhaled

• Cosyland Children’s Tower Stools Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury and Death from Entrapment and Fall Hazards; Imported by Cosyland Official: The recalled tower stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child’s torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death due to tip over, fall and entrapment hazards.

• Guidecraft Children’s Standing Towers Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury from Fall Hazard: The platform inside the recalled tower can loosen over time, causing it to become unstable or detach, and ultimately posing a fall hazard to young children.

• Tiyol Pull String Teething Toys Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Choking; Violates Mandatory Standard for Toys; Sold on Amazon by ZW Creations: The recalled teething toys violate the mandatory standard for toys because the silicone strings are smaller and longer than permitted. The silicone strings can reach the back of the throat and become lodged, posing a risk of respiratory distress and becoming a deadly choking hazard.

• ZMC Group Recalls Multiple Light Up Toys Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Toys: The recalled toys violate the mandatory safety standard for children’s toys because the toy contains button cell batteries that can be easily accessed by children. If button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns, and death.

• Rainbow Wall Toys Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Choking Hazard; Violate Mandatory Standard for Children’s Toys; Sold on Amazon by Justforjoyful:  The recalled toys violate the mandatory safety standard for children’s toys because the drumstick that is attached to the xylophone component has a spherical end that can pose a choking hazard.

Electronics:

• Tzumi Electronics Recalls SLF Sauna Blankets Due to Fire and Burn Hazards: The recalled sauna blankets can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

• Lithium Coin Batteries Recalled Due to Battery Ingestion; Violates Federal Statute for Child-Resistant Packaging of Coin Batteries; Imported by Proudly American Store, of Canada: The recalled coin batteries are not in child-resistant packaging and do not bear the warning labels required under Reese’s Law. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, and death.

• Bethlehem Lights Recalls Bethlehem Lights 10-inch Illuminated Ribbon Spheres Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fire Hazard; Sold by QVC: The LED lights on the recalled illuminated spheres can overheat, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fire hazard.

• Lithium Coin Batteries Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violates Federal Statute for Child-Resistant Packaging of Coin Batteries; Imported and Sold on Amazon by LiCB: The recalled coin batteries are not in child-resistant packaging and do not bear the warning labels required under Reese’s Law. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, and death.

• EEMB USA Recalls Battery Pouches Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violate Federal Statute for Child-Resistant Packaging of Coin Batteries: The lithium coin batteries are in pouches that are not child-resistant as required under Reese’s Law. If a child swallows button cell or coin batteries, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death.

Outdoor:

• Giantex Recalls Giantex and Costway Portable Steam Saunas Due to Burn Hazard: The sauna’s steam diffuser can be positioned too close to a consumer’s body, allowing hot steam to come in contact with user, posing a burn hazard.

• Petzl America Recalls ASTRO BOD FAST, ASTRO SIT FAST and CANYON GUIDE Harnesses Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fall Hazard: The recalled harness’ D-ring can release, allowing the attachment point to open, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fall hazard.

• Petzl America Recalls SIMBA and SWAN EASYFIT Harnesses Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fall Hazard: The recalled harnesses are missing rivets in the FAST LT PIN-LOCK buckles, causing the buckles to open, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fall hazard.

• Superbobi Pool Drain Covers Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Drowning Hazards; Violates Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act; Manufactured by Remy&shop:  The recalled drain covers violate the entrapment protection standards of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA), posing entrapment and drowning hazards to swimmers and bathers.

• Generac Power Systems Expands Recall of Generac and DR Power Electric Start Pressure Washers Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Carbon Monoxide Hazard; Includes Additional Models: The electronic start/stop button on the pressure washer can malfunction and self-start, posing a risk of serious injury or death due to carbon monoxide poisoning, if the unit is in a confined space.

Accessories:

• Luminous Fidget Spinner Balls Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violates Mandatory Standard for Toys; Sold on Amazon by Anzmtosn: The recalled toys violate the mandatory safety standard for toys because the mini flashlight included with the fidget spinner balls contains button cell batteries that can be easily accessed by children. If button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns, and death.

Drinkware:

• ABC Trading Recalls WSDZ Light-up Glasses Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Consumer Products with Button Cell Batteries: The recalled glasses violate the mandatory standard for consumer products with button cell and coin batteries because the button cell batteries can be accessed easily by children, posing an ingestion hazard. Additionally, the packaging and product do not have the warnings required under Reese’s Law. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, and death.

• ZWILLING J. A. Henckels Aktiengesellschaft Recalls Electric Water Kettles Due to Risk of Serious Injury Due to Burn Hazard: The kettle’s handle can loosen and separate from the kettle, causing hot contents to spill, posing a risk of serious injury due to a burn hazard.

• Analemma Water Bottles Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Laceration and Ingestion Hazards; Imported by New Earth Technologies d.o.o.:  The recalled water bottle’s inner glass liner can break, posing a risk of serious injury or death from laceration and ingestion hazards.

• Natural Pigments Recalls Rublev Colours Gum Turpentine and Mineral Spirits Bottles Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Child Poisoning; Violates Mandatory Standard for Child-Resistant Packaging:  The gum turpentine and mineral spirits contain turpentine and low-viscosity hydrocarbons, respectively, which must be in child-resistant packaging, as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The bottles are not child-resistant, posing a risk of serious injury or death from poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.

Clothing:

• Allura Imports Recalls Youth Sweatshirts with Bobcat Logo and Drawstrings Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Strangulation Hazard; Violates Federal Regulations for Children’s Upper Outerwear: The drawstrings in the recalled clothing can get caught on objects and cause death or serious injury to children from strangulation. The sweatshirts are in violation of the federal regulations for children’s upper outerwear and present a substantial product hazard.

If you believe you recently purchased a recalled product, stop using it, and check its recall notice (linked above for all products). Then follow the notice’s instructions, including where to return the product, how to get the product fixed, how to dispose of the product, how to receive a refund for the product, or what steps must be taken to receive a replacement product.

To view recalls issued in May, visit the Consumer Protection Safety Commission website.

Residents can expect a beautiful end to the workweek and a warm Saturday before showers and thunderstorms move back into the area late in the weekend.

Sunny skies and comfortable temperatures will dominate Friday, with afternoon highs reaching around 79 degrees. A west-northwest breeze of 10 to 13 mph, with occasional gusts up to 18 mph, will provide pleasant conditions for outdoor activities.

Clear skies are expected Friday night as temperatures fall to around 60 degrees. Winds will become light and variable during the evening, setting the stage for another warm day on Saturday.

Saturday will feature abundant sunshine and warmer temperatures, with highs climbing to approximately 83 degrees. South-southwest winds of 5 to 11 mph will help usher in the warmer air, making for ideal conditions across the region during the daytime hours.

However, the weather pattern will begin to change Saturday night as the next storm system approaches. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected before 2 a.m., followed by a greater likelihood of showers and thunderstorms through the overnight hours and into early Sunday morning. Forecasters are calling for a 70 percent chance of precipitation, with rainfall totals generally ranging from one-tenth to one-quarter inch, though heavier amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

The unsettled weather is expected to continue into Sunday. Showers will likely persist during the morning before becoming more scattered throughout the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may also develop before conditions gradually improve later in the day. High temperatures will be cooler, reaching near 73 degrees. Northwest winds of 11 to 16 mph, with gusts up to 24 mph, will accompany the cooler air moving into the region.

By Sunday night, drier conditions are expected to return as skies become partly cloudy. Temperatures will cool considerably, dropping to around 53 degrees under light northwest winds.

A Frankfort police officer assigned as a K-9 handler is facing criminal charges after an investigation conducted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Ethan Cunningham with Official Misconduct, a Level 6 Felony, and Animal Cruelty, a Class A Misdemeanor. Authorities said Cunningham surrendered himself at the Boone County Jail without incident following the filing of charges.

The case stems from an animal cruelty complaint involving Cunningham and a Frankfort Police Department K-9. The investigation was handled by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office after the Lebanon Police Department requested an independent review due to a potential conflict of interest.

According to officials, detectives conducted an extensive investigation that included reviewing video evidence, interviewing witnesses, gathering records, and following up on information from multiple sources.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges after presenting the findings of its investigation to the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

In a statement, sheriff’s officials thanked the Frankfort Police Department, the Lebanon Police Department, the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office, and others who assisted investigators throughout the case.

Because the matter is now pending before the courts, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said it will not release additional details regarding the investigation.

The criminal charges mark the beginning of the judicial process. Under Indiana law, all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Information regarding future court proceedings is expected to become available through the Boone County court system

A powerful line of severe thunderstorms swept across Indiana, leaving widespread damage and causing thousands of residents to lose electricity as crews continue restoration efforts.

According to Duke Energy’s latest outage reports, significant numbers of customers remain without power in several central Indiana counties. As of the latest update, approximately 2,489 customers in Howard County were still without electricity, while 1,576 customers remained affected in Tippecanoe County. Clinton County reported 551 outages, and Carroll County had 103 customers still waiting for power restoration.

The storms produced damaging straight-line winds that toppled trees, downed power lines, and damaged structures across numerous communities. Emergency crews and utility workers have been working around the clock to assess damage and restore service.

The National Weather Service reported a total of 19 tornado sightings across several states during the severe weather outbreak. Indiana accounted for five of those sightings, with reported tornado activity occurring in Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties in the northern part of the state. Storm survey teams continue to evaluate damage to determine the strength and track of any confirmed tornadoes.

While northern Indiana experienced potential tornado activity, many counties throughout the state were impacted by the long line of powerful thunderstorms that generated strong winds capable of causing significant damage. Fallen trees and debris blocked roadways in some areas, while power outages affected homes, businesses, and public facilities.

Utility companies continue to urge residents to stay clear of downed power lines and to report outages through official channels. Local emergency management officials are also reminding residents to use caution when cleaning up storm debris and to remain alert for additional weather updates.

Restoration efforts are expected to continue until all affected customers regain power. Officials encourage residents to monitor local forecasts and utility updates as recovery operations move forward.

The severe weather event serves as another reminder of the destructive power of both tornadoes and straight-line winds, which can produce widespread damage and prolonged power disruptions across large areas of the state.

The following photos, courtesy of Cindy Loveless, provide a look at some of the storm’s impact in and around the Kirklin area. From downed trees to storm-related damage, these images capture the power of the weather system that moved through the region and the challenges faced by local residents during the cleanup and recovery efforts.

KIRKLIN, Ind. — U.S. Highway 421 through the town of Kirklin has reopened to traffic following a temporary closure caused by storm damage.

KIRKLIN, Ind. — Motorists traveling through Clinton County are being advised to seek alternate routes after storm damage forced the closure of Highway 421 in the town of Kirklin.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a Tornado Warning for portions of central Indiana, including parts of Boone, Clinton, Hamilton, and Tipton counties, until 10:30 p.m. EDT Thursday.

At 9:51 p.m. EDT, meteorologists detected a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Frankfort. The storm was moving east at approximately 55 mph and exhibited radar-indicated rotation, prompting the warning.

The warning specifically includes:

• Southern Clinton County
• Northeastern Boone County
• Northern Hamilton County
• All of Tipton County

According to the National Weather Service, the storm poses a risk of tornado development, with potential impacts including dangerous flying debris, significant damage to mobile homes, destruction of roofs and windows, vehicle damage, and downed trees.

Communities in the warning area include Frankfort, Tipton, Windfall, Arcadia, Kirklin, Atlanta, and Kempton. Motorists traveling on Interstate 65 between mile markers 148 and 156 are urged to remain alert to rapidly changing weather conditions.

Immediate Shelter Recommended

Residents within the warning area should seek shelter immediately in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Those in mobile homes, vehicles, or temporary structures should move to a more substantial shelter without delay.

Weather officials stress that tornadoes can develop quickly from rotating thunderstorms, leaving little time to react once one forms.

Affected Counties

The Tornado Warning includes portions of the following Indiana counties:

• Boone County
• Clinton County
• Hamilton County
• Tipton County

The warning remains in effect until 10:30 p.m. EDT, and residents are encouraged to continue monitoring weather alerts, local news outlets, and official National Weather Service updates throughout the evening.

Emergency management officials advise the public to take all tornado warnings seriously and remain sheltered until the threat has passed.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of central, north-central, and west-central Indiana until 10:00 p.m. EDT Thursday, as a fast-moving line of powerful storms sweeps across the region.

At 9:27 p.m. EDT, meteorologists reported severe thunderstorms extending from near Brookston to Lafayette and southward toward Newport. The storm line was moving east at approximately 70 mph and was capable of producing damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.

The warning covers the following counties:

• Boone County
• Carroll County
• Clinton County
• Fountain County
• Hendricks County
• Howard County
• Montgomery County
• Parke County
• Putnam County
• Tippecanoe County
• Tipton County
• Vermillion County

Forecasters warn that the strongest storms could cause damage to roofs, siding, and trees, while scattered power outages are also possible due to strong winds.

Communities within the warning area include Lafayette, West Lafayette, Kokomo, Frankfort, Crawfordsville, Lebanon, Delphi, Rockville, Newport, Flora, Rossville, Shadeland, Thorntown, Dayton, Battle Ground, Mulberry, Russiaville, Montezuma, Ladoga, and Jamestown.

The severe weather threat also impacts major travel routes, including Interstate 65 between mile markers 139 and 184 and Interstate 74 between mile markers 17 and 55.

Tornado Threat Remains Possible

Although the primary hazard is damaging straight-line winds, the National Weather Service emphasized that tornadoes can develop quickly within severe thunderstorms. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 2:00 a.m. EDT for portions of central, north-central, and west-central Indiana.

Residents are urged to remain alert and be prepared to take immediate shelter if a tornado warning is issued or a tornado is spotted.

Safety Recommendations

Emergency officials advise residents to:

• Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
• Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
• Monitor local weather alerts and trusted news sources.
• Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
• Seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued or a tornado is observed.

The National Weather Service continues to monitor the storm system and will provide updates as conditions evolve throughout the evening.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has issued a Tornado Warning for portions of central and west-central Indiana, including parts of Boone, Clinton, Montgomery, and Tippecanoe counties, effective until 10:00 p.m. EDT Thursday.

According to the NWS, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was detected at 9:29 p.m. EDT approximately nine miles northwest of Crawfordsville. The storm was moving east at 60 mph and showed radar-indicated rotation, a key sign of possible tornado development.

Forecasters warned that the storm poses a significant threat to residents in its path. Potential impacts include dangerous flying debris, damage to mobile homes, destruction of roofs and windows, vehicle damage, and widespread tree damage.

Communities impacted by the warning include Frankfort, Thorntown, Mulberry, Linden, Colfax, Clarks Hill, and New Richmond. Motorists traveling along Interstate 65 between mile markers 148 and 164 are also urged to remain alert and seek shelter if conditions worsen.

Emergency officials advise residents within the warning area to move immediately to a basement, storm shelter, or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Those in mobile homes or vehicles should seek more substantial shelter as quickly as possible.

The warning remains in effect until 10:00 p.m. EDT, and residents are encouraged to monitor local weather updates and emergency alerts for the latest information.

Safety Reminders

• Seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued for your location.
• Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
• Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including weather radios and mobile devices.
• Do not attempt to outrun a tornado in a vehicle if safe shelter is nearby.

The National Weather Service continues to monitor the storm and will provide updates as conditions evolve.