The Clinton County & 4-H Fair is inviting community members, families, organizations and businesses to help kick off fair week by participating in the annual Clinton County Fair Parade on Sunday, July 12.

This year’s parade theme is “Mooovin’ and Groovin'” and celebrates the fun, music and community spirit of the Clinton County & 4-H Fair.

The parade begins at 2 p.m., with participants asked to line up starting at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Frankfort Public Library. The lineup will proceed down Washington Street toward Gillman’s.

No prior registration is required to participate in the parade.

Those with questions may email clintoncofair1701@gmail.com.

Indiana Conservation Officers are searching for a 54-year-old Indianapolis man who went missing after a canoe capsized in a retention pond.

The man and three family members were canoeing yesterday evening on a retention pond in The Willows housing addition on the northwest side of Indianapolis when their canoe overturned, throwing all four occupants into the water. Three of the individuals were rescued, and two were transported to local hospitals. Both have since been released. The fourth occupant remains missing.

Search crews are using side-scan sonar, underwater cameras, and scuba divers in an effort to locate him.

Responding agencies include the Pike Township Fire Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

As Hoosiers head outdoors this summer on golf carts, ATVs, dirt bikes and other special vehicles designed for sport and leisure activities, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is reminding buyers and sellers to check registration and titling requirements before hitting the road or trail.

Knowing which vehicles require registration or titles can help prevent fraudulent sales, ensure compliance with Indiana law and avoid unexpected issues when purchasing or operating a vehicle.

Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) are increasingly gaining popularity in some communities and must be titled and registered. Unlike golf carts, LSVs are electrically powered vehicles that do not exceed 25 mph and are equipped with many of the same safety features required for passenger cars.

Off-road vehicles (ORVs) must be registered and, if purchased after Dec. 31, 2009, must also be titled. ORVs include:

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) which include three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and six-wheelers
Dirt bikes
Minibikes
Recreational off-road vehicles (ROVs)
Snowmobiles
Motor Driven Cycles (MDCs), commonly known as mopeds or scooters, must be registered, but they do not require a title. MDCs are defined in Indiana law by their cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters.

There are many commonly purchased vehicles for leisure activities that are exempt from being registered or titled in Indiana. These vehicles include:

Golf carts (Some municipalities require registration of these vehicles if they are operated on local roadways. Check with your county or municipality to see if such a registration is required. These registrations would not be completed with the BMV.)
Electric scooters and wheelchairs
Electric personal mobility or assistive mobility devices (like hoverboards or segways)
Go-karts
Motorized bicycles and tricycles (not to be confused with motor driven cycles)
Motorized coolers

Additionally, all watercraft operating on Indiana waterways must be titled and registered with the BMV and should display valid watercraft decals unless otherwise exempt. Find a list of exempt watercraft here. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources requires permits for watercraft for many properties. Watercraft operators can find more information on those requirements here.

For full details on how to register and title your vehicle, visit the BMV’s website which includes an interactive walk-through guide on required documents. Plus, a quick reference guide with some information on how to operate these vehicles safely from our partners at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is available here.

Attorney General Todd Rokita today announced that his office has played a key role in a major nationwide enforcement action against doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals for alleged participation in healthcare fraud schemes.

The Indiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has conducted multiple criminal investigations into alleged Medicaid fraud, leading to charges in connection with the nationwide initiative. As of June 23, eight cases have been filed in various counties.

Since taking office in January 2021, Attorney General Rokita’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has secured more than $100 million in taxpayer funds lost to provider welfare fraud through nearly 100 separate civil and criminal recoveries.

“Medicaid exists to protect our most vulnerable Hoosiers — not to line the pockets of greedy providers,” said Attorney General Todd Rokita. “When unethical professionals steal from these programs, they don’t just commit fraud — they betray taxpayers and hurt the very people who need help most. My office will continue to partner with the Trump Administration and others to hunt down these criminals, recover every dollar possible, and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The Indiana Attorney General’s MFCU investigated licensed healthcare professionals, medical offices, and providers where suspected illegal activity occurred.

In all the mentioned cases, Attorney General Rokita’s attorneys are prosecuting the alleged crimes with assent of the local prosecutors’ offices in the counties where the alleged crimes occurred. These investigations are part of a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Below are summaries of the cases involving Indiana’s MFCU investigations. In each case, the fact that a person has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and these individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

State v. Brandy Rifner 48C05-2606-F6-001532 

Brandy Rifner, 42 years old, of Fishers, IN, was charged by a charging instrument with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deceit, a Level 6 Felony and Furnishing False or Fraudulent Information a Level 6 Felony in connection with the alleged diversion of fentanyl, a controlled substance. As alleged in the charging instrument, Rifner, allegedly diverted fentanyl and furnished false or fraudulent information or omitted information. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General, Kimberly Savoie of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

State v. Courtney Schaefer 19D01-2606-F6-000554 

Courtney Schaefer, 40, of Bristow, IN, was charged by Probable Cause Affidavit with three counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud/ Deceit and Failure to Make, Keep, or Furnish a Record, all Level 6 Felonies, in connection with drug diversion of 13 tablets of Hydrocodone, 3 tablets of Pregabalin, and 3 tablets of Clonazepam. As alleged in the Probable Cause Affidavit, Schaefer, a Licensed Practical Nurse, diverted the controlled substances from a Dubois County nursing home and did not make controlled substance records as required by law. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kyle Sprunger of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

State v. Ki’Andreia James 49D23-2606-F6-017341 

Ki’Andreia James, 39, of Indianapolis, IN, was charged by Probable Cause Affidavit with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deceit (Level 6 Felony) and Failure to Make, Keep, or Furnish a Record (Level 6 Felony) in connection with diverting at least 186 hydrocodone tablets. As alleged in the Probable Cause Affidavit, James, a Registered Nurse, diverted these narcotic drugs in the course of her work at a local nursing home. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kyle Sprunger of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

State v. Mackenzie Leigh Deyer 02D04-2606-F6-000794 

Mackenzie Leigh Deyer, 26, of New Haven, Indiana, was charged by criminal charging information with Count 1: Fraud, a Level 6 Felony; Count 2: Fraud, a Class A Misdemeanor; Count 3: Fraud, a Level 6 Felony; Count 4: Theft, a Level 6 Felony; Count 5: Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor; Count 6: Theft, a Level 6 Felony; Count 7: Identity Deception, a Level 6 Felony; Count 8: Identity Deception, a Level 6 Felony; and Count 9: Identity Deception, a Level 6 Felony in connection with a series of alleged actions involving improper use of other people’s debit cards. As alleged in the charging instrument, Deyer was employed as a Home Health Aide at Evergreen Village, an assisted living facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she allegedly obtained access to several residents’ debit card information that she used to obtain property without the residents’ consent. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Georgeanna Teipen of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

State v. Paula McCarthy 32C01-2606-F6-000402 

Paula McCarthy, 50, of Mooresville, IN, was charged by Probable Cause Affidavit with Obtaining a Controlled Substance with Fraud/Deceit, Furnishing False or Fraudulent Information, and Forgery, all Level 6 Felonies, in connection with drug diversion of oxycodone. As alleged in the Probable Cause Affidavit, McCarthy, a Registered Nurse, diverted this narcotic drug from a Hendricks County nursing home and then forged the signature of another nurse on a controlled substance record in an attempt to cover her tracks. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kyle Sprunger of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

State v. Tamara Smart 29D04-2606-F6-005237 

Tamara Smart, 51, of Indianapolis, IN, was charged by Probable Cause Affidavit with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deceit (Level 6 Felony) and Failure to Make, Keep, or Furnish a Record (Level 6 Felony) in connection with drug diversion of oxycodone. As alleged in the Probable Cause Affidavit, Smart, a Licensed Practical Nurse, diverted the narcotics from a Hamilton County nursing home and did not make Controlled Substance Records as required by law. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kyle Sprunger of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

State v. Pecola Simpson 65C01-2606-F6-000355 

Pecola Simpson, 50, of Evansville, IN, was charged by Probable Cause Affidavit with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deceit (Level 6 Felony) and Failure to Make, Keep, or Furnish Records (Level 6 Felony) in connection with drug diversion of over 30 units of hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and lorazepam. As alleged in the Probable Cause Affidavit, Simpson, a Licensed Practical Nurse, diverted the narcotics from a Posey County nursing home and did not make legally required Controlled Substance Records. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kyle Sprunger of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

State v. Teresa Waltz 65C01-2606-F6-000356 

Teresa Waltz, 54, of Newburgh, IN, was charged by Probable Cause Affidavit with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deceit (Level 6 Felony) and Failure to Make, Keep, or Furnish Records (Level 6 Felony) in connection with drug diversion of over 60 units of hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, lorazepam, and tramadol. As alleged in the Probable Cause Affidavit, Waltz, a Registered Nurse, diverted the narcotics from a Posey County nursing home and did not make legally required Controlled Substance Records. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kyle Sprunger of the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

Attorney General Rokita expressed gratitude to the investigators and attorneys of his Indiana MFCU team, as well as federal partners, for their hard work on these important cases.

The Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a federal grant. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of Indiana.

One of Boone County’s favorite summer traditions is back as the 2025 Ole Hickory Days Festival returns to downtown Colfax on Friday and Saturday, August 1–2. This year’s theme, “A Stroll Down Memory Lane,” celebrates the community’s rich history while bringing together residents and visitors for two days of family-friendly entertainment, food, and hometown fun.

A full schedule of activities is planned, including a community parade, fish fry, truck and tractor pull, live entertainment, and events for all ages.

Festival highlights include:

• Friday, August 1
  • Festival activities begin with food, entertainment, and community events.
  • The popular Truck and Tractor Pull returns, drawing competitors and spectators from across the region.
• Saturday, August 2
  • The annual Ole Hickory Days Parade takes center stage, with parade registration beginning at 1 p.m.
  • Visitors can enjoy festival food, games, local vendors, historical exhibits, and family activities throughout the day.
  • Community favorites, including the traditional fish fry, help make the weekend a memorable hometown celebration.

Local organizations and businesses, including the Colfax Historical Society and Colfax Pizza King, help make the festival a special community tradition.

Whether you’re returning to relive cherished memories or visiting Colfax for the first time, the 2025 Ole Hickory Days Festival offers a weekend filled with small-town hospitality, community pride, and summer fun.

Everyone is invited to visit Colfax on August 1–2 and take “A Stroll Down Memory Lane” during one of central Indiana’s most beloved community festivals.

HOWARD COUNTY, Ind. — The Indiana Department of Transportation announces alternating lane closures are planned next month on U.S. 31 for concrete patching in Kokomo.

Alternating lane closures will begin on or after Monday, July 6 on northbound and southbound U.S. 31 between County Road 600 N. and State Road 18. Work is expected to continue through the end of August.

Crews began concrete repairs on U.S. 31 in Kokomo last summer, reopening the road in the late fall. The remaining work will be performed this summer under alternating lane closures to minimize the impacts to traffic.

INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and use extra caution while traveling in and around work zones. All work is weather-dependent, and schedules are subject to change.

Frankfort’s signature summer event is set to return with new attractions, expanded entertainment, and continued emphasis on safety, according to Frankfort Main Street Director Kim Stevens.

The 2026 Frankfort Hot Dog Festival will be the weekend of July 24,25,26 rain or shine.  The festival is typically scheduled for the last full weekend in July.

Speaking on WILO and Boone 102.7 FM’s Party Line program, Stevens highlighted several additions to this year’s Hot Dog Festival, including a large-scale dinosaur exhibit designed to attract families and younger attendees.  “We’ve got some really great, exciting things happening for the Hot Dog Festival,” Stevens said. “We are bringing in the dinosaur takeover, and there will be a dinosaur museum. There will be a 50-foot dinosaur that will be appearing, and there will be some that will be roaming around.”

New Attractions and Family Focus
The dinosaur exhibit is part of a broader effort to expand free, family-friendly activities at the festival. Stevens said organizers are prioritizing experiences that are both engaging and accessible.   “It’s not only fun and exciting for the kids, but it’s also educational,” she said. “We’re really kind of looking at how we get the young people involved and things that are not going to be costing them anything to do.”

Additional new features include live wood carving demonstrations and a glass blower performing throughout the weekend. Traditional favorites such as dock diving dogs will also return, drawing participants from across Indiana and beyond.   “That’s going to be a staple of the Hot Dog Festival for years to come because they just bring so much fun and excitement,” Stevens said, noting that some participants travel long distances to compete.

Expanded Entertainment and Participation
Organizers are also expanding the festival’s entertainment footprint. Two stages will be active throughout the event, including the Farmers Bank Performance Center and a secondary stage on Clinton Street.   “Both of those will be full of activity and fun for the entire family,” Stevens said.

The full entertainment schedule is expected to be released soon, with additional acts still being accepted in the coming weeks.  “If there’s something that you want to see, please don’t hesitate to give us a call,” she said. “We still add some things up to about two weeks before.”

Safety Planning a Top Priority
With large crowds expected, Stevens emphasized that safety planning remains a central focus. Volunteers undergo regular training, including coordination with local law enforcement and emergency services.   “We spend a lot of time on the training of our volunteers,” she said. “You cannot be too prepared for that.”

The festival operates under a detailed emergency action plan that covers scenarios ranging from severe weather to lost children. Stevens pointed to last year’s storms as an example of preparedness in action.

“We were able to get people to the emergency shelters as quickly as we could,” she said. “Everybody was safe, nobody got hurt, and we were able to go right back to the festival.”
She added that volunteers are trained to respond calmly and prioritize public safety rather than take unnecessary risks.

“You’re not there to be the hero,” Stevens said. “You’re there to get as many people out of the way as possible.”

Broader Downtown Efforts
Stevens noted that the Hot Dog Festival is just one part of a larger effort to bring people downtown and support local businesses. Events like Thursday Thunder concerts and movie nights are designed to showcase the community while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
“We are inviting folks to come to our community—we want to show you what our living room looks like,” she said.

An upcoming Thursday Thunder event on July 2 will help kick off Independence Day celebrations and the nation’s 250th anniversary, featuring live music, food vendors, and a veterans memorial display at Prairie Creek Park.

How to Participate
Stevens encouraged community members, performers, and vendors to get involved as planning continues.   “They can give us a call at the office… or reach out to us on either our social media site or our FrankfortMainStreet.org website,” she said.

The annual Kirk’s Crossing Festival kicks off tomorrow, bringing with it two community-focused events aimed at helping others while bringing residents together.

A community blood drive and Dan’s Fish Fry will be held Thursday, June 25, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The blood drive will take place aboard a Versiti Blood Center blood bus located at the Kirklin Public Library, 115 N. Main St. The blood bus will be stationed on the north side of the library building.

The blood drive will coincide with the KVFD fundraiser, Dan’s Fish Fry, taking place at the Kirklin Fire Department across from the library.

Community members are encouraged to schedule an appointment and support the effort to maintain a stable blood supply. Every blood donation has the potential to help patients in need and strengthen local communities.

Appointments can be scheduled through Versiti.

BOONE COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures that will impact U.S. 52 near Lebanon.

Beginning on or after Tuesday, July 7, INDOT contractors will close one lane at a time on U.S. 52 over Prairie Creek, located just north of County Road 250 N. The purpose of construction is to waterproof the bridge. Work is anticipated to last through July but is weather-dependent and subject to change.

INDOT encourages drivers to use caution and reduce speed while traveling in and around work zones.

Red Barn Summer Theatre is gearing up for its first showing of the thriller “Wait Until Dark” tonight, June 24 to continue its 58th season.

“Wait Until Dark” opens tonight, Wednesday, June 24, and will run Wednesdays through Sundays for two weeks. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m., except for Sunday matinees, which start at 2 p.m.

“Wait Until Dark” stands as a thriller with twists and turns that engage all audiences through its developing characters and lighting cues. The show exhibits lighting techniques new to many audiences as they attempt to see the action, relying on their hearing and spatial awareness to truly understand and experience some scenes unraveling before them. The lighting techniques are utilized to increase the thrilling atmosphere while paying tribute to the leading lady’s main character identification–blindness.

“Wait Until Dark” was written by Frederick Knott and adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher; however, through the direction of Director Luke McLaughlin, the show has taken on a new form at the Red Barn Summer Theatre. Originally based upon the classic suspense film starring Audrey Hepburn, the show utilizes classic theatre tropes and cues paired with innovative storytelling techniques to enthrall audiences of all ages.

“Wait Until Dark”:

In 1944, in Greenwich Village, Susan Hendrix, a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by a pair of men in her own apartment. As the climax builds, Susan discovers that her blindness might be the key to her escape, but she and her tormentors must wait until dark to play out the chilling conclusion of this classic thriller. This new adaptation modernizes the brilliant tension of Knott’s original play and builds on the 1967 film starring Audrey Hepburn.

Throughout the show, Susan is consistently doubting her abilities to function by herself due to consistent factors acting against her abilities that she has developed despite her condition. Through the aid of unsuspecting suspects, Susan formulates a plan that plays to her own strengths, weakening those who have not experienced the same challenges she faces on a daily basis, to overcome her own self-doubt and showcase her resilience to those she loves.

Cast:

“Wait Until Dark” features a smaller, six-person cast who fill the stage with their presence. With the cast ranging from fresh faces at the Red Barn to seasoned cast members, including Artistic Director Michael Taylor, the dynamics present on stage are electric.

Eloise Brown – Susan

Aaron Moon – Roat

Abi Hampton – Gloria

Michael Taylor – Mike

Matthew Reich – Carlino

Ben Brickner – Sam

Pre-show favorites:

Tonight, Wednesday, June 24, the Opening Night celebration of “Wait Until Dark” will feature the talented Frankfort musicians Jason and Gibson Wells on the Heather’s Flowers Music Stage from 6:15 p.m. until showtime at 7:15 p.m. This year, there will be music on the Heather’s Flowers Music Stage every evening except Sundays. Additionally, the Cellar is open before the shows and also during intermission, serving Whyte Horse wine and Sun King beer. “Wait Until Dark” has been brought to the community by Zachary Confections.

Get tickets:

Tickets for “Wait Until Dark” may be purchased on the Red Barn website at redbarntheatre.net or visit or call the Red Barn Box Office at 765-659-1657 Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. or Sunday 12p.m. to 2 p.m. Red Barn Summer Theatre is located 2120 E. County Road 150 S. in Frankfort.