Group to present plans for LEDO
PRESS RELEASE
posted January 19, 2012 at 4:18 p.m.

TIPTON –– The public is invited to an informational meeting on Monday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. at the Tipton County Foundation regarding plans to form a new local economic development organization (LEDO) in Tipton County.

Representatives from the City of Tipton, Tipton County and the local business community will present plans for a new LEDO at the meeting.

A group of volunteer community leaders began meeting in 2010 to discuss current and future economic development in Tipton County.

The group (the Community Volunteers in Support of a LEDO), used the Economic Development Vision and Strategic Goals that was developed by Ball State Building Better Communities in 2009 as the foundation for their discussions.

In May, 2011, the Tipton County Commissioners adopted “Proposals for a Sustainable Approach to Economic Development – Agreement in Principle and Funding for a Renewed Effort” as presented by the volunteer group, as the guiding document for organizing and structuring economic development.

Since then the Community Volunteers in Support of a LEDO have developed an Interlocal Economic Development Partners Agreement, which will be previewed at the Jan. 30 meeting.

The Tipton County Foundation is located at 1020 W. Jefferson Street on the Pioneer campus at the western edge of Tipton.

INDOT covers all routes
PRESS RELEASE
posted January 19, 2012 at 3:08 p.m.

GREENFIELD, Ind. –– The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) currently has drivers dispatched to every state highway and interstate route in the Greenfield District.

The drivers will maintain more than 5,300 lane miles and nearly 1,100 bridges on 179 snow routes throughout the district. INDOT will keep drivers on duty throughout the day until the snow and wind subside. If necessary, a second shift will replace drivers at midnight.

Winds have calmed in most areas and de-icing agents appear to be working well. Drivers should remain cautious, alert of their surroundings, and drive at a safe speed and a safe following distance—especially behind snow plow trucks.

To check highway conditions before departing, click here.

IU Health Tipton Hospital announces new board member
PRESS RELEASE
posted January 19 at 2:12 p.m.

TIPTON -- Officials of Indiana University Health have appointed Tipton County native Tamera Noble Brown to the Indiana University Health Tipton Hospital Board of Directors.

Brown will begin her three-year term effective this month.

“We are very pleased with her appointment,” stated board chairman Ben B. Hobbs. “Tami brings a wealth of experience in nursing, hospital operations and is an expert in electronic health records,” stated Hobbs.

Brown plans to remain involved with her family’s business, Ray Bros. Farms, Inc. in Hobbs, Indiana. Her extensive health care resume includes management positions at Welborn Baptist Hospital in Evansville and Memorial Hospital & Health Services in South Bend.

Brown earned a baccalaureate and master’s degree in nursing from the University of Evansville, and maintains a position on the adjunct faculty of the Indiana University School of Nursing in Kokomo.

In addition to serving on the hospital board, Brown also serves on the Board of Directors for the Tipton County Council on Aging.

“Tami brings a wealth of experience to the Board,” stated Mike Harlowe, president and CEO of IU Health Tipton Hospital. Harlowe pointed out that Brown will also serve on the board’s Quality and Patient Care Committee.

“It’s an honor to be asked to serve my home-town hospital,” stated Brown. “Working with the board, administration, and medical staff to assure our community high quality health care is a tremendous responsibility, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Tami lives in Tipton with her husband, Don Havens and has two (twin) sons currently enrolled at Indiana University.

Beck's Hybrids touts new research facility
PRESS RELEASE
posted January 19 at 2:10 p.m.

ATLANTA –– Beck's Hybrids announced last week the completion of a new state-of-the-art Research Building located at the Atlanta, Ind., headquarters.

Construction on the 100' x 305' Research Building began in April 2011 and features 13 offices, as well as the following areas devoted to research: a seed laboratory, climate controlled seed storage, automated seed processing equipment, and flat storage for equipment and experimental seed. A 400-person capacity meeting room will also be included in the facility.

"The new Research Building will allow for future growth in breeding and testing the latest innovative seed technologies and germplasm from suppliers worldwide," said Dr. Kevin Cavanaugh, director of research at Beck's Hybrids. "The new Research Building will provide the capacity to bring an increasing number of new, innovative seed products to our customers."

Along with the new Research Building, Beck's has added three new research positions - Craig Moore, corn product development manager; Curtis Wiltse, research manager; and Mark Beamer, assistant corn breeder. A fourth position for a new corn breeder will be filled by this spring.

Moore is a graduate from Purdue University and joined Beck's Hybrids nearly 10 years ago as a district sales associate. He most recently served as a district sales manager for Beck's in central Illinois.

Wiltse will oversee the corn breeding, testing and trait conversion within the research department. Prior to joining Beck's, he was a corn breeder at DeKalb, as well as a seed quality lead at Monsanto. He also sold spraying equipment for Red Ball and worked for an upstart biotech company as the senior manager in crop breeding.

Beamer was previously a production agronomist at Beck's. He has a strong passion for corn breeding and is currently finishing up a Masters in Crop Sciences from the University of Illinois with a major in plant pathology.

"Over the past 20 years, Beck's has seen 20 percent growth per year. As a result, we're committed to serving customers by placing the right people in the jobs they have a passion for," said Dr. Cavanaugh. "Not only are we excited about the new positions in the research department, but Craig, Curtis and Mark will continue to bring our customers the best in seed quality, field performance and service."

Police find meth lab near park
PRESS RELEASE
posted January 19, 2012 at 12:50 p.m.

TIPTON –– On Monday evening, Jan. 16, an officer with the Tipton Police Department received a complaint from a resident concerning a possible methamphetamine lab at Parkview Mobile Home Park.

Upon checking the creek bank behind the Mobile Home Park and directly east of the Tipton City Park, officers located five one-pot methamphetamine labs.

The Officers spoke with a resident at 104 Parkview Court concerning the suspected items located along the creek bank. A search warrant was obtained; more drug lab materials and methamphetamines were located. A gun was also located that had the serial number removed and is continuing to be investigated.

Officer’s with the Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Suppression Team assisted with the clean up and disposal of the hazardous materials.

Anthony L. Coffey, 45, was arrested on the following charges:

• Five counts of Illegal Possession of a drug lab less than 1000 feet from a park (C felony)
• Five counts of Manufacturing Methamphetamines less than 1000 feet from a park (A felony)
• Possession of Methamphetamines less than 1000 feet from a park (B felony)
• Maintaining a common nuisance (D felony)
• Resisting law enforcement (A misdemeanor)
• Battery on Law Enforcement (A misdemeanor)

This is the third methamphetamine lab located within the city of Tipton in the last six weeks. We continually encourage residents to contact law enforcement when they see suspicious activity so it can be investigated.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Tipton Police Department at (765) 675-2152 or the Tipton County Sheriff’s Crime Hotline at (765) 675-2233.