Erika Malone 0:00

This week on Beyond the Headlines, a water tower mural project moves forward in Franklin. District leaders share updates as a new school year begins, a new senior living project advances in Whiteland, and Trafalgar gets a new mural. From the Daily Journal, this is Beyond the Headlines, a local news podcast focused on story shaping Johnson County.

SPEAKER_01 0:40

Hello, I'm doing good. I'm it's been a long week, so I'm a little tired, but I'm ready for the weekend.

Erika Malone 0:46

Yeah, I'm also ready for the weekend. Uh we had lots of news this week, uh, you know, school back in session, um, and some arts going on too. So yeah, yeah, let's uh let's talk about what's going on in Franklin.

SPEAKER_01 1:00

A water tower mural project is uh moving forward in Franklin. If you drive in on Walnut Street, uh there's this Indiana American water tower, and it's I I would say it's kind of a beige off-white color.

Erika Malone 1:12

Um, but pretty big, you can't miss it.

SPEAKER_01 1:14

Yeah. Uh city officials have described it as quite the eyesore. So they're now taking steps, or they're finally taking steps, uh, to uh transform it into a public art installation. Uh so the city received uh $275,941 in ready grant funding, uh, which is a state program focused on quality of life and community development projects. Uh and the Franklin City Council approved using those funds uh for startup costs related to the mural project.

Erika Malone 1:46

That's awesome. I know uh ready funds are a good source for any type of additional projects for municipalities to use, but yeah. Um why the water tower and how long has this kind of been in the making?

SPEAKER_01 1:57

Yeah, so uh Franklin's uh arts commission and city staff, they've been pursuing this idea since uh 2021. Um a previous effort to secure a Lily Endowment grant was unsuccessful, making this new funding a second chance. Uh, like I said, the tower sits near um Young's Creek Park at Jefferson and Walnut Streets, uh, and it kind of is the background when you're at the amphitheater. Like that's the thing that's kind of looming over in the distance. So Franklin got the money by receiving additional ready funds after other projects and other communities fell through. Uh, and they were rewarded these funds uh because of the city's successful track record with completing previous ready projects on time, and that includes the uh improvements to the Active Adult Center. Nice. So this is kind of reimbursement for for that.

Erika Malone 2:45

Awesome. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:46

So the city will also use uh $50,000 remaining from an Amer Indiana American Water Foundation grant. Uh that initially helped fund Young's Young Creek Park splash pad.

Erika Malone 3:00

Interesting, yeah. So um with it being as big as it is, uh, I'm curious how much is this going to cost and uh what's kind of the timeline?

SPEAKER_01 3:07

Yeah, so the current estimated cost is uh $600,000, uh, with $200,000 of that being uh used to prepare the water tower itself. Um apparently there is a lot of work that goes into prepping the water tower for painting, uh, but then uh $400,000 of that is for the mural itself.

Erika Malone 3:24

Gotcha. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 3:26

Uh there's still fundraising for the project, uh and that's expected to continue through 2026 through the rest of this year. Uh, but the city hopes to complete painting by the end of 2027.

Erika Malone 3:37

Nice. So what's kind of what's kind of their vision there? But like what are what can people expect to see on that in the future?

SPEAKER_01 3:44

Yeah, so the artist hasn't been decided yet. Um, but Indiana American Water supports the project and they will have an input on selecting the neural design. But the goal is to create artwork that uh celebrates Franklin's history, character, and identity. And as much as officials would like to have a local artist, um, not just anyone can paint a water tower.

Erika Malone 4:04

Yeah, they're probably you kind of be like strapped in, probably. It's it's kind of tall.

SPEAKER_01 4:10

So when I was looking at pictures of um some year old artist um that officials had used as like reference photos, uh they had like those I don't even know what they're called, like the lifts that you see like on construction sites or something.

Erika Malone 4:24

Um like scissor lifts.

SPEAKER_01 4:25

Yeah, yeah. So yeah, I imagine that's gonna it's gonna be tricky. Yeah. But officials also they hope to uh attract a recognized artist whose work could become a regional attraction, uh, because city leaders also say this mural is more than decoration, but a way to draw in visitors, boost tourism, and enhance quality of life.

unknown 4:46

Nice.

SPEAKER_01 4:46

So the mayor's youth leadership council and the Franklin Public Arts Advisory Commission will work together on the project. Uh so high school students will help with fundraising, artist selection, and design decisions. Uh but overall the goal is to fund the project without relying on uh taxpayer dollars. So that's always good for people. Yeah.

Erika Malone 5:04

Well, it sounds like a great project, and uh I'd like to I'd like to see what's uh would be considered Franklin's history, character, and identity of what we might see on there. Um it could be anything. I think it really could be anything. Uh, you know, Franklin Grizzly Cubs obviously might make you know, might see something on there or you know, but yeah, I'm I'm curious to know what kind of stuff we're gonna see on there in the future. So we're gonna take a quick break and be right back. Want your business to reach our listeners in Johnson County and beyond? Reach out to the Daily Journal by calling 317-736-2730 to ask about our advertising opportunities. And we're back, and uh schools also uh went back this yeah, just that time of year. Yeah. Um, so the schools are back in session. Clark Pleasant went back last week, and then Greenwood, Centergrove, Franklin, Indian Creek, and Edinburgh all went back this week. Greenwood went back Tuesday, and then the rest went back on Wednesday. So we were out and about Wednesday morning. Yes, we were. Uh yeah, taking first day of school photos, which are always fun.

SPEAKER_01 6:11

Um I felt like I was going back to school myself with getting up that early.

Erika Malone 6:15

Yeah. Yeah. So uh school leaders are balancing academics, uh, new laws and facility upgrades as well, and uh budget pressures to a lot of things on their plate. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:25

Um, so what are the biggest changes uh state and countywide?

Erika Malone 6:29

Yeah, so statewide, um, obviously the new bill to build south one ban, I've talked about it quite a bit. Um, students must keep uh phones, smartwatches, and other devices put away throughout the school day. And districts are also preparing for financial impacts from Senate and Hold Act One, which affects local government and school revenues as well. Um, as you know, you covering local governments. Yep. Um, and then some countywide trends, uh, some several districts are noticing smaller incoming kindergarten classes more than expected. But overall enrollment remains relatively stable.

SPEAKER_01 7:02

Wonder why the that is with the kindergarten clauses.

Erika Malone 7:05

Yeah, not sure yet. There there won't be official numbers until uh October around that time. Um, but yeah, just something some districts are noticing is the smaller kindergarten cohorts. So um, yeah, but schools are also increasing opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, focusing on those graduation pathways.

SPEAKER_01 7:25

Um all good paying jobs.

Erika Malone 7:27

Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 7:28

Um, so what are some uh new things going on in each school district?

Erika Malone 7:31

Yeah, so uh I'm gonna kind of try and go through this as briefly as I can.

SPEAKER_01 7:36

We got five to go.

Erika Malone 7:36

So yeah, but Center Grove, uh, they welcomed a new super inconnetir install bomb uh to Center Grove, and she brings 20 years of education experience. Um, the high school also now has more parking, and sophomores can now obtain parking permits before it was just juniors and seniors.

SPEAKER_01 7:53

Parking has always been an issue, yeah. Um no matter where you go.

Erika Malone 7:56

Yeah. So uh renovations also continue at the middle school, and the district said SCA1 will create some challenges, but they're they're working ahead of them right now uh with their energy saving projects. They have two uh elementary schools that are run by solar power. Uh so those are technically our net zero schools when it comes to utility costs, um, which is pretty amazing.

SPEAKER_01 8:19

Yeah, I mean, when you think about how much electricity schools use.

Erika Malone 8:23

Yeah. And utility costs are only rising. So uh over in Greenwood, ISEM and Westwood elementary schools are being renovated during the school year to update at least 20 classrooms and AUKUS spaces. The high school also got a new track. Uh, the superintendent said uh Ely's the nicest track in the accounty. Well, we'll have to see. Yeah, we'll have to see that for ourselves. They also launched a wooden virtual academy for students needing a flexible learning alternative. So uh virtual schools are becoming a popular thing for students who might just uh would rather, you know, learn uh in a different setting rather than the brick and mortar classroom.

SPEAKER_01 8:58

Yeah. Uh I know that's not some students don't learn the best in those environments. So that's that's great that they're providing that option.

Erika Malone 9:05

Yeah. Um, they're also looking into possibly a $20.6 million bond to focus on roof repairs and utility savings using solar energy. So similar to what Cynergruv did with their elementary schools, of looking to just kind of offset those um those impacts that SCA1 is going to bring by uh reducing those utility costs. And then also their free breakfast and lunch is gonna continue for another year for state. Um, and then down in Indian Creek, uh the intermediate school will see an expansion of five new classrooms, larger restrooms, and an outdoor classroom as well. Um, that'll be the second outdoor classroom in the county. I believe Clark Pleasant also has one. And how would those work? So those um actually they're kind of like little just outdoor classroom spaces, like uh I know Clark Pleasant has, you know, some seating. There's also like a a weatherproof kind of like chalkboard out there. So they can just, you know, you think when the weather's nice, um you're kind of more uh ready to learn.

SPEAKER_01 10:05

Yeah. So I mean, I know if um when I was in school, if it was a really nice day outside, I'd look out the window and just be like, I want to be out there right now.

Erika Malone 10:13

Yeah, absolutely. Um, and then there also uh a new administration building is being built with a dedicated board meeting space. Uh they currently, the schoolwork currently meets in the middle school LGI room. So when uh when they get that new board meeting space, that'll pre-up uh some activities for middle schoolers to do um after school as well. Uh and then they also created a new healthcare pathway in partnership with Johnson Memorial Hospital for students interested in nursing careers. And the district has a goal to have the highest academic results in the county and potentially the state. So it's a pretty it's a pretty high goal.

SPEAKER_01 10:51

Um, I wish them luck with that. That's the lofty goal.

Erika Malone 10:55

Yeah. And then um in Franklin, uh Cub Academy Preschool Center is now open. So that's another preschool option for families as well. The agricultural center is nearing completion for that ag pathway. Um, and the district launched the new Franklin Schools Police Department while continuing partnerships with the local law enforcement too.

SPEAKER_01 11:15

So that's always good to get some uh with some weight off of the local law enforcement back. Um, but how is that uh police department gonna work?

Erika Malone 11:23

Yeah, so they're they're more instead, they're also besides just keeping um, you know, the campus safe, um, you know, and things like that and deterring bad behavior, they're also meant to just kind of be a resource for people too, a person for students to come talk to and just kind of be there in the community as well. So awesome. Yeah. In the fall, the district is also seeking voter support through a referendum to help offset revenue losses connected to SEA1. So voters, um, you will see that on your ballot in November. And then the goal, um, they have also have a goal of exceeding 95% on uh their IRE literacy scores.

SPEAKER_01 12:00

Also a lofty goal.

Erika Malone 12:01

Yeah. Uh way down in Edinburgh, they're doing some interesting stuff this year. Um, no e-learning days this year. Oh, really? Yeah. So they're kind of going back to the traditions of pre-COVID, and they're gonna have makeup days built into the calendar. I think they have like seven built into the calendar. Um that's great that uh they're gonna have snow days again.

SPEAKER_01 12:21

Yeah.

Erika Malone 12:22

Um, they're also gonna renew focus on handwriting skills, you know, like cursive, things like that, penmanship. Um, I remember doing that in third grade me too. Too.

SPEAKER_01 12:32

So um and I know a lot of people have been saying it's like kids don't even know how to write in cursive these days. Well, maybe Edinburgh's gonna be ahead of the game with that.

Erika Malone 12:40

Yeah, yeah. They're uh they're really focusing on just going back to the basics, which I think is an interesting approach. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:46

Um I mean that never hurts.

Erika Malone 12:48

Yeah. And then um there also the elementary schools are introducing no tech Tuesdays. Um, so that means no no technology, no Chromebooks out. Um, this is more instruction using books, papers, and direct teaching. And this goes for both students and staff. Um, teachers obviously can still use technology to take attendance or for communication purposes, but yeah, it's meant to kind of again just kind of go back to that traditional tea teaching method.

SPEAKER_01 13:17

So yeah, I wonder how that's gonna how that's gonna work. Because I know when I was in school, they had um like teachers had big desktop computers. So I'm wondering if I wonder if they still have those in classrooms though. Now that there's more like portable things like Chromebooks.

Erika Malone 13:32

I think some do maybe, or they might have a a Chromebook or something, but those will just have to be shut off and yeah, or they can turn them on to take attendance and then they can't use them during instruction time. Yeah.

unknown 13:43

Yeah.

Erika Malone 13:43

Well we'll see. We'll see. There's all they also renovated the tennis courts, which now supports tennis and pickleball for not just students, but for the whole community to use. So that'll be nice to see. And they're also uh installing some new HRAC systems and LED upgrades um throughout the whole district, too.

SPEAKER_01 14:01

Awesome. All right, all right.

Erika Malone 14:03

Well, what's up next? I know there's some things going on in Whiteland.

SPEAKER_01 14:06

Yes, so a uh new senior living project is advancing in Whiteland. Developers are proposing a mixed-use project called the Grove at Whiteland on nearly 21 acres near US 31 and Whiteland Road. Uh so the Whiteland Plan Commission, they've recommended approval, and the proposal is now heading to the town council for consideration.

Erika Malone 14:25

Interesting. So, what exactly is being proposed?

SPEAKER_01 14:28

So it's essentially two developments in one. So it's a senior housing community for residents age 55 and older, and a commercial district featuring neighborhood businesses and services. Uh so the project aligns with Whiteland's comprehensive plan, which encourages diverse housing options and mixed-use growth along the US 31 corridor. So it's designed for active seniors with 54 cottage style units across 14 buildings. So unfortunately, we in Erica, if we wanted to live there, we we couldn't.

Erika Malone 14:55

No, not old enough yet.

SPEAKER_01 14:57

Nope, not yet.

Erika Malone 14:58

I'm getting up there though. My birthday's coming up soon.

SPEAKER_01 15:00

Oh, yay. Then then you can.

Erika Malone 15:02

Yeah, you can. Then we can live there. We're gonna be 26, not 55.

SPEAKER_01 15:06

But we're all gonna be there someday. Yeah. Um, most of those buildings um will contain four units, and one building will contain two units. These buildings will include attached garages, covered front entries, um, and then outside the buildings, they'll have walking paths and green spaces, private drives, uh, a clubhouse, and an event space.

Erika Malone 15:27

Oh, nice.

SPEAKER_01 15:28

Uh developers Real America um say that these uh are intended as long-term homes. Uh, they're emphasizing quality construction because the company plans to retain ownership and management of the property.

Erika Malone 15:41

Okay. What's kind of going in this uh commercial district?

SPEAKER_01 15:45

So some of those conceptual businesses uh they include medical or professional office spaces, restaurants, coffee shops, uh, and a fitness center. But no businesses or tenants have been announced. Uh this is the commercial component remains conceptual right now. So gotcha.

Erika Malone 15:59

So what won't be allowed in this space? And I know the uh, you know, the commissioners and the town officials kind of like uh have some stuff in there that they don't want to see.

SPEAKER_01 16:09

So yeah, so they're recommending restrictions that would prohibit car dealerships, auto repair and body shops, uh car washes and detailing businesses, and self-storage facilities.

Erika Malone 16:19

There are a lot of those in that area.

SPEAKER_01 16:21

Yeah.

Erika Malone 16:21

So it makes sense.

SPEAKER_01 16:23

Yeah, they don't want to saturate the market. That's the word I was looking for.

Erika Malone 16:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 16:26

Uh their goal uh appears to be creating a more pedestrian-friendly and attractive gateway development.

Erika Malone 16:32

Yeah. So did the did they have any uh other concerns, possibly?

SPEAKER_01 16:36

Yeah. Uh the sewer plan access, uh, that could create a challenge. Uh part of the property borders the access road to Whiteland's wastewater treatment facility. I believe the the road leading up to that facility is the road that they're wanting to use, like to get onto that development.

Erika Malone 16:52

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_01 16:53

Um, and heavy trucks regularly use that route. Um, officials also want stronger security measures to prevent people from accidentally entering the sewer plan. Um, so they're requesting um that real America install and pay for uh electric security gates, because right now there's just a manual one on the property. Uh, and upgrades to the road serving the treatment facility. They'll also have to do that uh and dedicate that road to Whiteland uh and coordinate on future wastewater tree wastewater system improvements. Okay. Um acceleration and deceleration lanes will likely also be required along US 31 uh to safely handle traffic entering and exiting the development too.

Erika Malone 17:33

Well, it sounds like an interesting development, probably well needed because I think uh there's a lot of senior housing that um still needs to be developed uh a pretty big game accounting to and I think it's a good area for it.

SPEAKER_01 17:44

Yeah. Right along 31.

Erika Malone 17:46

Yeah, absolutely. It can't get any more accessible than that. Yeah. Um we're gonna take a quick break and be right back with our round table. Like listening to this podcast, you can help support it. Subscribe to the daily journal at subscribe.dailyjournal.net to support your local newspaper and this podcast. Your support helps make everything we do possible. And we're back with our round table, and we got some uh some organizations that are needing some help from the communities. You can talk a little bit about those. Um, the Johnson County Senior Services, uh, they recently lost two transportation vans due to major mechanical failures, but just creating an urgent challenge for one of the agency's most critical programs, which is transportation for local seniors to provide rides to medical appointments, dialysis treatments, pharmacies, grocery stores, and just social activities too. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 18:39

Yeah. And I imagine not just any car can transport them. Yeah.

Erika Malone 18:42

They need a large van for, you know, uh wheelchairs or walkers or things like that, and also just to transport many of them at once. So, and the the transportation, it's a like line for uh local seniors, and the AGC provides more than 360 dialysis treat uh trips each month. Wow. Yeah, a lot. Um, so this reduced fleet uh threatens seniors' access to healthcare, independence, and just social connection to um but luckily Uplift Johnson County has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to help replace the vans. Um, all donations go directly towards vehicle replacement, and Uplift will match the first $15,000 donated.

SPEAKER_01 19:23

How much are they looking to raise?

Erika Malone 19:24

Yeah, so the fundraising goal is $50,000, and a large community effort could make a difference. Um supporters can donate to the cause at Upliftjoco.org slash JCSS or donate to the Johnson County Senior Services Director.

SPEAKER_01 19:41

So listeners go out there and help help our seniors get around.

Erika Malone 19:44

Yeah. Um, but you there's another program that needs some help, so take it away.

SPEAKER_01 19:49

Yeah. So uh Johnson County Casa is sounding the alarm uh over a severe volunteer shortage.

Erika Malone 19:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:55

Um leaders are saying that the number of advocates is the lowest they've seen in years.

Erika Malone 19:59

So what is CASA?

SPEAKER_01 20:01

Uh they are uh court-appointed special advocates. Uh they're trained volunteers appointed by judges to represent the best interests of children involved in abuse and neglect cases.

Erika Malone 20:11

Okay. So they played a really important role in that.

SPEAKER_01 20:14

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Volunteers serve as a consistent voice for children, navigating the court and foster care systems. They meet regularly with children, review case information, uh, communicate with families, schools, and service providers and attorneys. Uh, they provide reports and recommendations to judges to help inform decisions affecting a child's future. Um, many children experience turnover among caseworkers, uh, which makes a CASA volunteer one of the few stable adults in their lives.

Erika Malone 20:41

Oh, yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_01 20:42

So uh Johnson County CASA is launching After Hours with CASA, which is a series of informal evening information sessions designed to attract new volunteers. Uh the program provides an overview of CASA's mission, volunteer expectations, training requirements, and the impact advocates have on children's lives.

Erika Malone 21:00

Nice. So what are some requirements?

SPEAKER_01 21:01

Yeah. So volunteers must be 21 or over, uh, have a high school diploma or equivalent. Uh, they must complete required CASA training uh and generally commit about five to ten hours per month. Uh Casa asks for a minimum two-year commitment.

Erika Malone 21:17

Okay. And five to ten hours out of your month really isn't that bad. Yeah. Well, um, speaking of more murals, Trafalgar is also getting uh a new mural as well. A lot of murals. Yeah. Um theirs is uh its newest color the county mural continuing in Johnson County tradition that has helped bring public art to communities across the county since 2016. Already 10 years. So yeah, 10 years in the making. Uh the winning artist, Isabella Fresh Hour, is a Morgantown resident and a uh Harrow's school of art and design student. Awesome. Yeah, so her design uh features a series of postage stamps uh highlighting recognizable scenes and symbols of Trafalgar and Johnson County. Um so this Merrill will also include Cornfield Sunsets, which is you have to have that classic, uh Rolling Hills, a Monarch Butterfly, a motorcycle, interesting, and some other images too.

SPEAKER_01 22:14

So all three nature and then motorcycle, but there's always there's gonna be some more in there, so who knows?

Erika Malone 22:20

Um, so and then she wanted to use postage stamps to symbolize a journey through Trafalgar and Johnson County, allowing multiple parts of the community to be showcased in a single design. So um this mural is gonna be painted on the side of Hadwell Hardware in Trafalgar. And uh during the painting of it, uh volunteers and local residents were able to help using a paint by numbers approach, making the project accessible to all ages and artistic abilities, which paint by numbers is pretty fun.

SPEAKER_01 22:49

Yeah, who doesn't like paint by numbers?

Erika Malone 22:51

Uh I'm not that artistically gifted, so uh paint by numbers sounds like a fun way to get involved in a mural check. Yeah. For sure. Um, but art kind of runs in the family here. Uh so Isabella's mother, Mandy, she actually won the Color the County Mural competition in 2024 and designed the mural at Tom's barber shop in Greenwood.

SPEAKER_01 23:11

Yeah, quite the family connection name. Runs in the family, like you said.

Erika Malone 23:15

Yeah. And uh this will be the 16th Color the County Mural uh completed since the initiative launched. Uh the program was created by the community foundation to celebrate its 25th anniversary and has since expanded into a countywide public art movement. It's awesome. That's pretty cool. I'm excited to see what it uh see what that looks like.

SPEAKER_01 23:34

Yeah, who knows where it'll be in the next 10 years. Yeah.

Erika Malone 23:37

Lots of lot more mural for sure. Definitely. Yeah, so well, thank you all so much for tuning into this episode of Beyond the Headlines. And let us know what you would like to hear by submitting your thoughts to news tips at dailyjournal.net and follow us wherever you get podcasts, and we hope you leave a review. And uh we hope you tune in next time.

SPEAKER_01 23:56

Yep, see you then.