Intro

Erika Malone 0:00

This week on Beyond the Headlines, Whiteland High School will offer virtual school this fall. Johnson County Senior Services Pantry Runs Low. A local woman wishes for peace amid Iran conflict. And a look ahead at some upcoming events set for next month. From the Daily Journal, this is Beyond the Headlines, a local news podcast focused on story shaping Johnson County. Hello everyone and welcome back. This is Erika Malone here with Noah Crenshaw, my news editor. How are you doing, Noah?

Noah Crenshaw 0:29

I am good. It's weird being back. I didn't expect to be back so soon.

Erika Malone 0:34

Yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 0:34

Behind the mic.

Erika Malone 0:35

Yeah. Well, Elissa's gone and now she's at IBJ, so now you're my new podcast buddy.

Noah Crenshaw 0:40

Well, I hope she's having fun. I'm still getting used to this, so forgive me.

Erika Malone 0:45

I know we don't have anyone uh in the morning uh asking us if we want to get uh coffee every single morning, so that's definitely a change, but um my wallet is happier. Yeah, my wallet is definitely happier.

Noah Crenshaw 1:01

Um but you know how about you? What's how's what's going on with you?

Erika Malone 1:05

I'm doing good. I'm going uh to see some family this weekend. This week has also been very busy as well, which what week is not busy for us, honestly. Um, we had lots of good stories out. So um I'd say you agree with that you've been uh busy as well.

Noah Crenshaw 1:21

Oh yeah.

Erika Malone 1:22

Yeah. Well, let's get into it. I think we should, right? Yeah. Okay.

Clark-Pleasant plans virtual school

Noah Crenshaw 1:27

One of the stories that happened this week actually comes from you, Erica. Um, you know, Clark Pleasant uh is planning a virtual school. Do you mind uh talking to us a little bit about what's going on with that?

Erika Malone 1:37

Yeah, I actually went to um school board meeting uh last week, I believe. Um, and they approved the creation of the Weyland County Virtual School. Um, and it's expected to launch this coming fall for high school students grades nine through twelve. So, and um this actually isn't the first virtual school the county has had. Franklin launched one a few years ago, and this is starting to pop up a lot more. Um, I don't know if you uh if you remember in high school, uh, would did you ever have to do any virtual stuff? I remember like that was kind of like the start of like virtual stuff.

Noah Crenshaw 2:15

So I went to Franklin High School. Um I didn't have to do virtual stuff, but I know there were some students who had the option. It was still kind of early. Because it was like I don't want to say I guess early to mid 2010s. So, you know, it wasn't like like we got Chromebooks when I was in school. I remember that, and everyone was freaking out. Chromebook school.

Erika Malone 2:40

Um but um, yeah, I mean, I guess that would be the closest I could say to like virtual, but I do know there was also some students had the option of like fully virtual, but it wasn't like a full virtual school, like what we're yeah, this is this is like a full on, like you can take classes online and get your diploma at the end. Um, so uh Clark Pleasant, you know, school leader, superintendent uh Tim Edsel said that this move is kind of in response to family seeking more flexibility or alternatives to the traditional brick and mortar classroom. Um, you know, they've noticed that in student enrollment has been a big driver of this, um, kind of like the decrease in that. Um, they actually have showed some data that uh 247 students transferred to virtual school this fall, and 243 uh students went virtual in the spring last school year. So about like 500 students.

Noah Crenshaw 3:41

And so when you say they went virtual, is that I'm assuming it wasn't like with Clark Pleasant, right? It was just another virtual school in the state somewhere.

Erika Malone 3:48

It it could have been um outside the district that so those students could have been going to a virtual school, it could have been outside Johnson County, it could have been just outside Clark Pleasant, um, wherever they saw that flexibility that that family was wanting. So essentially this was taking students out of their school district, regardless. Um, so that's kind of prompted the concern about keeping students and funding back into the the district. Um, and superintendent uh Tim Ensill said the goal is to kind of retain those students who might lead the district entire entirely for virtual education elsewhere. So um big change. Um and then uh who are they doing this with? They're partnering with uh Indiana Online Academy. Um they're actually pretty well known around the state. Um, they have a lot of uh it's like full-time online coursework taught by Indiana certified teachers. So it's not teachers from a different state or country that are teaching, you know, students these different courses. They have math, science, social studies, all of your core subjects. Um and it's interesting because this could expand to the middle school in the future if this does well.

Noah Crenshaw 5:03

So you know, that's interesting because I guess when I think of virtual schools, I always thought about high school. I've never thought of it outside. But I guess I if I remember right, Franklin's the one they launched a few years ago is K-12 as well, if I remember right.

Erika Malone 5:16

Yes, actually the uh Franklin's online school, uh they have expanded to the elementary as well, um, which is interesting. Um, you know, that's that's not something that you've seen of as lately, but a lot of um a lot of schools are looking more into a virtual option just because, you know, for flexibility and students are learning different nowadays, you know, sometimes the traditional classroom isn't the right environment for certain students, so they are seeking other alternatives that that are better for them to learn. So yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 5:50

And so I guess you just mentioned, you know, schools, but you know, what about uh students and families? You know, what does it really say about students and families today that so many are starting to choose a virtual school option rather than a traditional public school, especially after, you know, everyone kind of having to do online classes during the pandemic.

Erika Malone 6:13

Right. Yeah. So I I mean, just from personal experience, I remember the before COVID, because I graduated in 2019, so b pre-pandemic, they did some like virtual like days, you know, kind of like testing the waters of like, oh, if we have a snow day, we could still do classwork. And it was completely different to what I'm seeing now, as far as like you're on Zoom with a teacher, like actually going through the lesson and having like that one-on-one time with a teacher and learning that success, then you know, maybe how it was pre-pandemic when they were like, How do we do this? You know. Um, so I think a lot of this is saying now for post-COVID when a lot of stuff was online. I think some, you know, maybe some students succeeded um in that environment. So now um I think school districts are learning, like, hey, you know, this is a way for us to cater to all students and how they're um how they succeeded in in their education and what's best for them. So that's what they're kind of looking towards now.

Noah Crenshaw 7:23

So and so one question I guess I have, and I'm sure a lot of people have, and you may not have the answer. It's still very early in this. Um, and I'm sure I will hopefully be addressed is you know, a big part of schools, especially with middle and high school, is the like five questions from the afterschool activities, you know, extracurriculars, sports, clubs, you know. We just said a story a few weeks ago about the Clark Clause and Middle School's esports team, you know. Yeah, that was so that was yeah, like stuff like that, you know. With a virtual school, how does that work? Like, like, like, can you still take part? Like, like, do they know? Are they still working it out? Does it depend on the district? Do you know anything about that?

Erika Malone 8:07

Yeah, so they actually talked about this a little bit. Um, so the cool thing about a virtual school, especially you know, and this was kind of brought up with uh, you know, Whitelin, is that even though the whatever students are in that that taking those virtual courses, they are still Whitelin students. So the they're not really treated any different than regular students who come into the classroom. They can still participate in ban, in choir, and extracurricular clubs, intramural sports, though they could go to prom still. So that's um, you know, even for maybe homeschool kids who want that more social aspect, this is another opportunity for them to get involved in those things. The only caveat is is that the IHSAA, um, currently uh there's some like limitations on on sports and stuff like that as far as being a virtual student. You can't really be a virtual student and participate in those IHSSA. Wait. Sorry, the acronym is crazy. Um IHSAA. Not U S.

Noah Crenshaw 9:21

Um Okay, there's a lot of acronyms in our yes.

Erika Malone 9:24

Um but yeah, those sanctioned sports, um, unfortunately for virtual students are able to participate in, but that could change in the future depending on what that organization but like club sports or stuff like that. Yeah, club sports they can still participate in. They can still participate in. So, like I said, it's really not much of a change. They can still participate in those social activities and clubs that they want to, even if they're taking virtual classes online.

Noah Crenshaw 9:56

And this is kind of connected, but I just find it interesting that, you know, we have this is the second public school district in Johnson County to do this. I mean, there's some other ones in the state. But it's just the timing of it is intriguing to me because, you know, at the state house this past session, they had that Bel-de-Band, or not Bel-de-Band, the Bell the Bells cell phone ban, like with very few restrictions, like resorted to your work, like like a work um based learning experience. And you know, one of the big arguments with that was like, you know, how technology they state lawmakers feel like technology was kind of taken away from the education experience. Um, kids weren't really communicating like they used to, in state lawmakers' opinions. So it's kind of interesting. I'm I'm interested to see like as these virtual schools, like more public school districts start doing that, like what the state lawmakers may think about that, especially in light of like con the concerns that they express about technology and education.

Erika Malone 10:56

Yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 10:56

I don't I don't have I don't know what's gonna happen with that, but I think it's something interesting that people who are interested in this space should watch out for.

Erika Malone 11:04

Right. And also I think it'll be interesting if AI is incorporated in any of everyone's.

Noah Crenshaw 11:11

Everyone's favorite buzzword idea.

Erika Malone 11:13

I had to put AI in there because I wanted to ruffle some feathers, but yes, school uh b believe it or not, schools are are looking into different how AI can be incorporated into education. So who knows? Well, we'll see here.

Noah Crenshaw 11:36

I hate to say this, I wasn't alive when internet came out technically. Um but but you know, um, that was a big revolution. It revolutionized so much and made us where we are today, and now we're living through another one in such a short amount of time. It's gonna be crazy to see what happens.

Erika Malone 11:54

Yeah. So we'll see. But what do you got for

Johnson County Senior Services food pantry runs low

Erika Malone 11:57

us?

Noah Crenshaw 11:57

Well, I have a story that I didn't write, but our reporter, senior reporter Ryan Trairos did, which is about a very critical need from Johnson County Senior Services. Right. Um, so they're based off New Island, but they cover the whole county. They even go out and, you know, deliver food to older adults and seniors in need. Um, and they have a food pantry, but the food pantry is kind of run critically low. Um you know, they have bare shelves where, you know, staple items like potatoes, rice, mac and cheese, and canned veggies would normally be like fairy-filled. Um, but right now a lot of the shelves are bare. Um Kimberly Smith, she's the executive director over there, and um, she noted that this is happening at at a time when older adults are the fastest growing age group in Johnson County.

Erika Malone 12:52

Oh, wow.

Noah Crenshaw 12:53

Um, you know, and there's increasing demands for food assistance, you know, prices are up, you know, there's a lot of reasons behind why more people need food assistance, and seniors are especially vulnerable.

Erika Malone 13:06

Yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 13:06

Um and this isn't a short-term issue from what I from what we understand. It's uh a sign of what's gonna be a continuing long-term thing as we continue to have more and more older adults, people aging that category. You know, we have always have a new senior living development or something up. There's one under about to be under construction soon in Greenwood here in the next few um I don't want to say months, but like in the next few years off um There's a lot more senior housing, yeah, being developed. So Yeah, there's especially the farther north in the county you go, yeah. And I know Greenville at South is doing a big expansion. It's like this is isn't a problem that's going away.

Erika Malone 13:49

Yeah, it's not like well, food insecurity in general is like a problem that's Oh yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 13:55

You know, it affects it affects all age groups, but this age group is particularly vulnerable.

Erika Malone 13:59

Yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 13:59

Um, you know, and you know, in November and December of last year, the senior services they did get a strong amount of donations, which was great. Um, but now they've issued a public plea, they posted on Facebook, we did a story about it. Um, you know, about how difficult it's been to meet uh quote uh urgent food needs. Um and you know, this is a serious uh situation, so they're needing donations. Um they do get donations from like there's but there's a lot of food pantries in this county, everyone tries to work together, but when the food and security need is so high, there's only so much that can go around.

Erika Malone 14:42

Yeah. Well, let me ask you, how do kind of these fixed incomes that senior citizens are living on um and adding to rising food costs contribute to food insecurity among senior citizens?

Noah Crenshaw 14:57

I mean, I feel like the question kind of answers itself in a way a little bit.

Erika Malone 15:01

I I did answer my own question to my butt.

Noah Crenshaw 15:07

But because like obviously it's a fixed income. Like you let's say, for example, you retire. Um, you have a pension. Your pension usually doesn't change by manage. If you're on social security, you get like an annual cost of living increase, but like it's I think the last one's like 30 something percent, which like is a decent number. But when you think about we're dealing with higher utility bills, you know, there's been the utility regulatory commission's holding hearings for like the first time, I think, ever about energy affordability.

Erika Malone 15:39

I've seen we haven't we've haven't seen that.

Noah Crenshaw 15:42

Yeah, I think uh senior SAHOS reporter um Nikki Kelly, she said, I think this is the closest we've gotten to a congressional hearing in Indiana. Um, you know, we're dealing with, like, for example, right now, gas prices are spiking because of what's going on in the Middle East, which we'll talk a little bit more about later. Yeah. Um, you know, there's this inflation, there's all sorts of yeah, housing prices are crazy. Rental prices, senior living prices, you know. There's currently health care affordability issues in the state that a lot of people have talked about that the State House has tried to address the last few years. You know, there's all these different, and that's just a Sophia, like there's like a thousand. You know, there's a thousand different pinpoints of pressure, I guess I would say, that's pressing on everyone. And when you're on a fixed income makes it ten times worse because it's like that's you have to some people have to decide between do I pay so I have power or do I get groceries.

Erika Malone 16:44

Right. Yeah. Uh or do I get my medications or do I get food?

Noah Crenshaw 16:50

I remember um not not necessarily with this particular story, but um like senior services also does like um pet food for seniors too, because a lot of time they'll rather than some seniors will feed their animals because they're on the fixed income, rather than pay for get their own food, they want to make sure their animals are fed, so they'll starve and give it to their get their animals pet food. And it's another issue with the fixed incomes, anyway. All this is just creating such a multifaceted situation that is just making it worse for a lot of people right now.

Erika Malone 17:31

Do you think the population outweigh um kind of outweighs what current programs Johnson County already has?

Noah Crenshaw 17:38

Like the senior population or population in general?

Erika Malone 17:41

Senior population, because I like I said, it's the fastest growing. So yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 17:46

I think it might. I'm not I don't have I'm not an expert on this, obviously. I would have to talk to an expert. I think it's definitely a possibility. I haven't seen any particular data. Um but I mean if seniors I guess the best way to show it is if senior services is having this issue now and they're thinking it's gonna be long term, you know, I think that shows that what the future might be without additional additional resources, additional donations.

Erika Malone 18:21

Yeah. Well, and speaking of community help, how can people donate?

Noah Crenshaw 18:25

Well, people can donate in a few ways. Um senior services has an Amazon wish list on their Facebook page. So if you look up Johns County Senior Services on Facebook or their website, I know they have a link to that. Um but for those who don't like Facebook or maybe don't want to go to their website or just because you're listening in a car, listening to this, or whatever, um, you can mail monetary donations to them at their office. It's uh their address is 36 West County Road 600 North, Whiteland, Indiana for 6184.

Erika Malone 19:03

Um yes, the zip code is important.

Noah Crenshaw 19:05

Yes, for the mail. Um, you know, you can also drop off stuff there too directly. Yeah.

Erika Malone 19:12

So if you're listening in the car and you're on your way to Walmart or something, pick up a couple things.

Noah Crenshaw 19:18

But um, if you do drop stuff off, you should let them know just so they can be prepared and so that it's not just sitting out there. I think that was a problem a few years ago. Oh, okay. Um, and they're also only open 8:30 to 4 30 p.m. Monday through Friday. So if you are trying to drop off a donation, keep that in mind. Um, but another way you can help is you can also volunteer. Like volunteering is also helpful because if the need's gonna be going up, they're gonna need more people. And you know, volunteering is what makes a lot of food pantries, a lot of these places thrive and be able to help as many people as they can. Um so if you're interested in that, you can call them at 317-738 uh 4544. And if you have any questions about what they might need, donations, all that, I'm sure they'll answer that too. I think I'm pretty sure that's their main line. Um but um yeah.

Erika Malone 20:15

Yeah, well, well, hopefully they they receive some donations. Um I know food insecurity, especially at this time, is kind of hard. So especially right after the holidays, too. Um, you know, and I mean it was a few months ago, but like hey, I'm still in the Christmas spirit.

Noah Crenshaw 20:32

I was giving her a look when she said holidays for the record.

Erika Malone 20:36

Valentine's Day's a holiday. Come on.

Noah Crenshaw 20:39

Um, it is March 27th when we're recording this. Uh St.

Erika Malone 20:43

Patrick's Day. St. Patrick's Day. Yeah, it's a holiday.

Noah Crenshaw 20:46

Um anyways, um let's talk

Woman wishes for peace amid Iran conflict

Noah Crenshaw 20:50

now about something I mentioned a few minutes ago, which was Iran. Um Iran.

Erika Malone 20:56

Remember, we got a we got okay. So we had a debate in the office earlier this week about when I was working on this story, because I kept saying Iran, and then he was saying Iran. So which is just the the country way to say it, which I don't blame you. Oh it's Iran.

Noah Crenshaw 21:15

Yes, Iran. But um, you spent a few weeks working on a story about a local impact. Do you want to talk a little bit about that?

Erika Malone 21:24

Yes, which um I honestly was not expecting um that the Daily Journal would ever have to write about Iran. Um, but here we are. So uh a local woman, uh, she uh kind of reached out to us uh and told us that you know she was originally from Iran, uh lived there for uh for most of her life. Um and then with the recent uh clashes between Iran, Israel, and the US, which has kind of made international headlines, um, she told Us kind of about um as a Franklin resident that her family is still inside Iran amid the war going on. Um Sherry Cole um is her name. Her mother um is still stuck over in um a small village about 20 minutes from where all the conflict is happening in Tehran. That's called Khaj. Um and she hasn't been able to speak to her mother in weeks. Um so let's wow, yeah. It was um I talked to her a couple weeks ago over Zoom um and just kind of like wanted to know about like her experience growing up um under the uh Iranian government, which a lot of people refer to the government over there as the regime. Um and she talked about her experiences as as a child being arrested, um, being forced to kind of disrespect um, you know, like the American patriotism um and kind of living under constant surveillance. Um and then I kind of wanted to bring another perspective into it as far as the context of like how you know what because I think a lot of I mean, and at least for me, I you know, I think a lot of us might not know what how different uh governments operate, you know, democracy doesn't exist everywhere, unfortunately. This story kind of dives into how the uh Iranian government operates. Like, you know, um, I think a lot of us might not understand that there are different uh democracy doesn't exist everywhere. Um so this story kind of dives into how that they operate over there, the struggles of the Iranian people, and then kind of the perspective that international crises don't stay international. Um I talked to Dr. Midland uh Takar. He's an associate professor of international relations at UND, which is your alumater.

Noah Crenshaw 24:02

Yes.

Erika Malone 24:02

Um, did you ever have him?

Noah Crenshaw 24:04

Um, I did not have him as a professor, but our editor.

Erika Malone 24:07

Yeah, editor, yeah, Leanne did. Um, she said he was a really good professor. Um and he kind of noted that Iran's government is a theocracy, which if people don't know what that is, it's a government um made up of religious leaders. So they have very limited democratic elements um and kind of uh historically suppressed dissent. Um, and I just want to uh quote Takar here. He said that you know, the Iranian government uh doesn't pretend to be a democracy.

Noah Crenshaw 24:41

Um and so, you know, what did he think about how recent events with the conflict with the US and Israel and Iran, uh how has that impacted the people's feelings of their government? Because there was some protests, anti-government protests. So actually at the end of last year, well, beginning of this year, and now here we are, when I say beginning, I mean January, like two months later basically, and the situation's changed, right?

Erika Malone 25:10

Yeah, there's um I think the story posed um different perspectives because Sherry um she shared about when she was over in Iran during the protests. She even participated in it. Um and seeing the amount of viol like the amount of violence that she saw, they killed over 40,000 of their own people um due to, you know, due to these protests against um, you know, the uh like there a lot of them were uh against, you know, like the coverings of like the hijab, and then um, you know, the economy was falling and things like that. So a lot of them were just you know not happy with their own government. So that's what led to the protests. Um so then once the uh Israel and US came in with Operation Epic Fury and killed the Supreme Leader there, I'm not I don't want to butcher his name because it's like it I I'm not sure.

Noah Crenshaw 26:14

Yeah, they killed the um Yes.

Erika Malone 26:17

He's the Supreme Leader.

Noah Crenshaw 26:18

Yeah, yeah, they killed the Supreme Leader, and now I think I believe it's the son who's in charge.

Erika Malone 26:23

Yes. Um, so once Operation Epic Fury kind of began to happen, there was a lot of, you know, there's a lot of combat going on right now. Um, so this kind of uh Takar gave an interesting perspective as despite being priorly unpopular, this war has temporally increased domestic support for the regime um as citizens rally against foreign attacks. Um and this was kind of noted by Tukar as well as that with the US and Israel coming in um as kind of foreign countries, this is kind of binding Iranian people together um as they would rather have maybe a an unpopular regime over the chaos of war. So um, and both of Sherry and Takar brought up interesting points because Sherry, you know, saying that being depressed for so many years, she she thought, you know, one of her thought beliefs is that war was their only choice. And Takar had a kind of a counterpoint that war was is not the only choice here. So I think the story brought an interesting perspective to kind of see both like more of a personal experience and a um more of an academic uh historical perspective of it as well.

Noah Crenshaw 27:51

And so let's let's talk about that. You know, why do you think it was important in a story like this? Or just not just in stories like this, but like in stories in general, you know, to include try to include, you know, the personal lived experience of a subject along with an academic analysis, which is what you did in this story.

Erika Malone 28:13

Yeah, I um I think with a sensitive topic like this, um, and having someone re uh initially reaching out to us, wanting to share their story about, you know, my family is over there, um, you know, kind of trapped, uh, you know, and kind of wanting to share her personal experience of living under um a government that is oppressive. Um I and then combining that with okay, how did it get that way? Um, and kind of sharing how the uh Iranian government came to be that way and what this kind of brings together. Um I think it's important to include both of those um kind of experiences so the reader can get a full understanding um of what's going on, you know, and how sometimes this this uh war, this conflict isn't just something over in the Middle East that we don't need to, you know talk about, you know, this is this is affecting people in our county.

Noah Crenshaw 29:30

So yeah. And so you know, how do you avoid oversimplifying a conflict like this with such massive implications? Especially this one, which has decades of historical context going back not just to the revolution that happened in the the Islamic Revolution in the 1970s, but you know, our history in the region, the British had history in the region before that, you know.

Erika Malone 30:01

Yeah, uh there's a lot of historical context there that that all plays into where we're at currently. Um I and wanting to simplify that for the readers, you know, that with making sure that you highlight what you know how you got there, what's what's going on, um those kind of main points without including, you know, maybe context that might not be as relevant, um, I think is is important. So simplifying it is definitely important, especially since you're bringing it to such a local level, but also making sure that people know that this isn't like, you know, where did this come from? So having that historical context is also so important in um kind of stories like this when you're talking about foreign affairs. So yeah. It was um it was a big story, and I feel so honored um that this couple was vulnerable enough to share their uh their thoughts and experiences with me and Dr. Dakar for kind of sharing his knowledge on the subject as well. I think it was a very well-rounded story, um, just in my opinion. Uh, and I hope a lot of people took something from it. So yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 31:24

Um, let's uh shift a little bit.

Erika Malone 31:28

Yeah, you want to go on maybe something a little more uh more positive we

Roundtable: Liberty Tree planting in Franklin

Erika Malone 31:33

could talk about uh let's go on to our round table.

Noah Crenshaw 31:35

Yeah, yeah. So the first thing on a round table today um is a lot closer to home. Um Liberty Trees. Have you heard of a Liberty Tree?

Erika Malone 31:45

I have not heard of a Liberty Tree, so tell me all about it, Noah.

Noah Crenshaw 31:48

Okay, so um Franklin's gonna be planning for Liberty Trees uh later this year. Um, and it's a callback to our nation's founding, as you guys a lot of people are probably aware by now. Um this is the 250-year anniversary of the United States. Um, it'll take place in July.

Erika Malone 32:09

July's the official date, but our country's getting out there in age, don't you think?

Noah Crenshaw 32:14

Yeah, but we're still one of the youngest countries in the world, which is to think about.

Erika Malone 32:18

That is that is true.

Noah Crenshaw 32:19

Not like young, young, but like I would say in the history of the world.

Erika Malone 32:23

We're like the middle child.

Noah Crenshaw 32:26

I was gonna say we're probably like I would say approaching middle age in a way, depending on that's fair.

Erika Malone 32:33

That's a that's a kind of way to put it.

Noah Crenshaw 32:36

Anyway, until yeah, um, so in April, around and coinciding with Arbor Day, because you know, Arbor Day is always around April 20th. Um you know, the city of Franklin's gonna plant four Liberty trees, which um these trees will be American elm hybrids. We'll be planted across several our four Franklin parks or three Franklin parks, I apologize. Um but you know, and I'll explain a little bit more about that.

Erika Malone 33:00

Yeah, tell me what what a Liberty Tree is.

Noah Crenshaw 33:04

So Liberty trees, when I say they date back to like our founding, I'm being they literally do.

Erika Malone 33:11

Yes, yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 33:12

So the Liberty Tree, one singular, um, was a gathering point for colonial resistance against the British. Um Holly Johnston, uh, who is the recreation director for Franklin Parks and Recreation. Uh, she told our reporter and hers, and also he did some uh research with uh, let me make sure I get the name of this organization right. Uh, he did some research looking at an article from the American Battlefield Trust, too. Um, and so the original Liberty Tree was an elm tree. It was a very large elm tree. It was planted in Boston in 1646. So before the US, we were still a British colony.

Erika Malone 33:54

Oh wow.

Noah Crenshaw 33:55

Um it's located near the Boston Common. Um, it was located. I don't think that the original tree is still up. I'm not 100% sure. Um but this implies it says was. Uh in modern day Boston now, it's where two streets, Washington and Essex street intersect. Um, and in the 1760s, so let's see, this is about 100 years after the tree was planted, like a little more about 120 years after the tree was planted. Um, it served as a popular meeting place of Boston citizens, as it was on a main artery into and out of the town. Um, and so the Sons of Liberty, which were at the time a secret society of men who advocate for the rights of colonists, would meet at the tree and stage protests there to protest British taxation and rule. And, you know, in the 1760s, 1770s, anti-British sentiment was roiling. It kept getting reaching a fever pitch. And the Liberty Tree continued to be a meeting place for protest demonstrations to mock executions. And um Dang. Yeah, and when it says mock executions, I'm pretty sure it's like of the British, not Oh, well, yeah. Because it was the uh the people who become Americans protesting British rule. I just want to make it.

Erika Malone 35:13

They really did not like the British Um and also Boston, you know, Boston Tea Party. Boston was a great, um, not great, but it was kind of the heart of like the revolution. The revolution, yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 35:25

Like a lot of the major events happen in around Boston.

Erika Malone 35:28

Yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 35:28

Um in the initial days. Um but um and it kinda because word spread about what was happening via the press, via word of mouth, you name it, other towns and cities across colonial America started planting their own liberty trees and designated them as places of protests to British taxation. And so, you know, that's where the Liberty Tree comes from. Wow, right and um but fast forward to today all things and uh why this matters uh locally in the context of like what Franklin's doing is they're planning four of them. Uh they're gonna be at two at Young's Creek Park, one at Blue Heron Park, and one at a small pocket park on East Jefferson Street. Um, and that some of these trees will get ribbons and they're gonna be planned ahead of time uh throughout the month of April. They're gonna get some ribbons and so people can So people can go out and find them.

Erika Malone 36:35

Yeah. That's cool.

Noah Crenshaw 36:36

The public is invited for the fourth planning, which is also gonna take place at Young's Creek Park. Um, I'm not entirely sure where, but I just know the planning's happening. The ceremony for the planning is happening at the Drivehubler.com amphitheater on April 25th at 10 a.m. Almost said PM. Please do not show up at PM. Show up at 10 a.m. Yourself. You're gonna really miss the event if you call at 10. You might fight in the tree, but you won't see any of the excitement. Um so the event coincides with Arbor Day and it'll feature a bugler. The Boy Scouts will present the flag colors, and it'll be remarks from city leaders, including uh Franklin Mercy Barnett, I imagine, who, if you weren't listening to last week's episode, you should go back and listen. He was here. He was here for Elissa's goodbye officer, talked about a lot of stuff happening in Franklin.

Erika Malone 37:26

And there's even more stuff, so he had fun. He told us afterwards that he had so much fun.

Noah Crenshaw 37:31

So um, and you know, this event also kicks off the city celebrations of America's 250th birthday. Um and there's some other stuff coming down the line. Uh, the annual uh Norman uh blank and ship uh fireworks show that happens every July.

Erika Malone 37:50

I've not been able to experience that yet since I've worked here, so I'm excited.

Noah Crenshaw 37:54

Um, well, you can experience it this year. Yeah. Um that's gonna be especially a big one because obviously that's around the fourth. But um, they're actually gonna add a laser show, which I'm curious to learn more about as it gets closer and see how that works. Because you know, a lot of places start adding drone shows to events. We're gonna add some. Barbasol had some last year too. So a laser show is interesting.

Erika Malone 38:19

That'll be cool to see, I think.

Noah Crenshaw 38:21

Um and they're also gonna and to clarify, as part also of the 250th celebration, not necessarily the July 3rd event, there's also gonna be a letter lighting, a letter writing campaign for troops down at Camp Atterbury.

Erika Malone 38:36

Oh, that'll be nice.

Noah Crenshaw 38:37

Which I think is also a well-touching way to mark the anniversary of like thank you for your service and just send some messages to the troops.

Erika Malone 38:46

Yeah. Yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 38:47

Camp Atterbury, it is an international guard facility or installation, but it it isn't just Indiana people there. There's people from beyond too. So I you know, there's some people who are far probably far from home, and just having a thank you note could probably uh definitely cheers people up.

Erika Malone 39:06

Well, the laser show definitely sounds good, and I'm excited for the liberty trees, so I can exercise my life liberty in pursuit of happiness. See what I did there?

Noah Crenshaw 39:16

Yeah, yeah. Um, and speaking of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, uh, let's talk about prom.

Roundtable: JCPL Project Prom

Erika Malone 39:23

Did you go to prom?

Noah Crenshaw 39:25

I did not.

Erika Malone 39:26

You did not, you didn't go to prom?

Noah Crenshaw 39:27

I didn't really care for it. This is not my thing. I don't really like dances.

Erika Malone 39:32

Oh, I won't I won't blame you for that. I went my junior and senior year, and one year I went with friends, and another year I went with a date, and I had way more fun with my friends. So if you're going to prom, go with your friends.

Noah Crenshaw 39:46

Or do what you want. Or do what you want, but like to be clear, this is not this is not an order, this is just commentary.

Erika Malone 39:53

This is just my uh this is just my personal experience.

Noah Crenshaw 39:56

The the Daily Journal is not staking this position, it's just Erica staking.

Erika Malone 40:00

Yes, I'm I'm stating this position. Go with your friends.

Noah Crenshaw 40:03

But I and even though I didn't go to prom, I do like the idea of what uh Project ProM is at the library. So can you talk a little bit about what's going on with that?

Erika Malone 40:11

Yeah, so uh Johnson County Public Library, they've done this uh program, I believe, for a while. Um, and they offer teens free prometre with no library card required and no residency limits.

Noah Crenshaw 40:26

Um the no residency limits. I didn't even know that.

Erika Malone 40:29

Yeah, you don't even have to live in Johnson County to get prometre. So this is yeah, this is kind of open to beyond that. Um the this uh pop-up shop is kind of is open this weekend, um and several days next week inside the book barn at the Franklin Library. So today at 10 a.m. Saturday, two, five p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Then next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from three to five. Yeah. And uh teens can choose one dress or suit plus shoes and accessories, all donated by the community and local businesses.

Noah Crenshaw 41:08

So um I guess this would be clear. So it's not just like um girls who can go, like boys can go.

Erika Malone 41:15

Boys can go too. Yeah, there's tuxes there, there's suits. Um, I believe last year they provided about 66 suits and like 230 some dresses.

Noah Crenshaw 41:25

Oh wow. Yeah. So I I think that's interesting because you know, we've covered this, I mean, for a while. And you know, it always seemed like when we get the pictures submitted, it always seems like I only see girls. So I do think it's interesting that there's the boys can get some stuff too. I think the word should be spread a little more that hey boys, you guys can go get some stuff too.

Erika Malone 41:47

Yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 41:48

Because I mean, hey, we all like free stuff.

Erika Malone 41:51

Right, and it's free.

Noah Crenshaw 41:53

And also it can help someone in need who wants to be able to go experience that. Like, yeah, I didn't go to my crom. I had the option to, I didn't, but that was my choice. But some people want to go and they may not have the stuff for it. So I think it's really nice that there's a way that you can get something. And plus it's not the formalware isn't just for prom. You can use it for like dog interviews.

Erika Malone 42:16

Um yeah, it's it's formalware. And the cool thing about this too is uh especially for prom dresses, uh, you can wear it and then you can bring it back, actually. If you want, you can re donate it.

Noah Crenshaw 42:27

Oh.

Erika Malone 42:27

Yeah.

Noah Crenshaw 42:28

That's cool. So it's kind of this like a rental yeah, like a rental thing. But free.

Erika Malone 42:33

But free, which is great because who wants to pay those dress prices and suit prices, which I know you didn't go to prom, but I know renting and tucks can be kind of expensive.

Noah Crenshaw 42:43

Buying a suit can be expensive. I'm in the process of buying trying to get some new suits because I haven't gotten some in a while. And if you want something good that will last, you have to pay a pretty penny.

Erika Malone 42:55

Yeah, yeah. Well, and the also the cool thing about this uh program is donations are accepted year-round, so you don't have to wait just during prompt season to donate. And they can you can drop off any um dresses, suits, shoes, accessories. They can be dropped off at um any uh JCPL library branch. Um, and they currently have a special need for plus size attire and formal wear for young men.

Noah Crenshaw 43:22

Um is the plus size attire just both genders or both sexes?

Erika Malone 43:27

I I believe so. Um it's it um I think uh the one of the on staff over there just said plus size attire. So if you have like suits for um, you know, for plus size men or um women, you know, bring it on down so it can be used. So but yeah. Um and then kind of leading to uh something that we have coming

Roundtable: Voter forum coming up

Erika Malone 43:55

up uh here soon, um the voter form.

Noah Crenshaw 44:00

Yes, about that. Yes. Um, we have our voter forum coming up. Um the spring 2026 uh Johns County Voter Forum is set for April 15th. It'll be about two hours from 6 30 to 8 30 p.m. inside the Brandigan room at Franklin College in Franklin.

Erika Malone 44:20

I'm so excited. We're probably gonna be working it, but um yeah, we're definitely working it. Uh that's Noah saying yes, you are.

Noah Crenshaw 44:29

Your name is already next to the story.

Erika Malone 44:31

My name is already next to the uh next to the story.

Noah Crenshaw 44:33

So um and you know, for those who aren't familiar, um this event is put on by the Daily Journal in partnership with the League of Women Voters, Johnson County, Borges Alliance, and Franklin College's Department of Political Science. Um, so what should you expect? Um, you know, you're you voters are invited to learn from local experts who will speak about community funding, childcare, recent legislation, and other topics. Um, and candidates from both the Democratic and Republican primary ballots for Johnson County have been invited to attend. You'll also be able to meet with them and they'll be able to speak to people as well. There's usually a kind of a QA portion. Um, and then you know, we candid being greeted at the end. Um and it's always interesting because you never know what to really expect in a way. I don't mean that in a negative way. I'm just saying like it's it's really an interesting event because you never till you're there, like you don't really know what's gonna and then you could have a conversation with the candidate, take out a conversation. You can learn a lot about people, you can see them in their natural environment. Because you know, with especially with campaigning, you know, it's always a lot of pitches and stuff, but this is a chance for you to hear it from them directly so you can judge yours judge for yourself, you know, if you think they're the right can candidate for you or anything like that.

Erika Malone 46:06

Yeah. Well, that sounds really fun, and I can't wait to cover it. Um so, but yeah, what uh what do you got uh playing this weekend, Noah?

Noah Crenshaw 46:16

Um I'm working on Saturday, most likely.

Erika Malone 46:20

Oh yes, you and Leanne are covering um some No Kings protests. Yeah. Um which that that should be interesting. We'll see what happens with that. Anyway, thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of Beyond the Headlines. And let us know what you would like to hear by submitting your thoughts to newstips at dailyjournal.net and follow us wherever you get podcasts and leave a review. We hope you tune in next time.

Noah Crenshaw 46:46

As Alyssa would say, you better.