Erika Malone 0:00

This week on Beyond the Headlines, JCPL plans to restart expansion of the White River Branch. Students honor a hero's legacy during 9-11, and officials call for contractors to speed up the US-31 project.

SPEAKER_01 0:15

From the Daily Journal, this is Beyond the Headlines, a local news podcast focused on story shaping Johnson County.

Erika Malone 0:43

I'm doing well. How are you doing? Good. It's it's been a busy week. Yeah. Um, you know, we've uh had we say that every week. Um, but you know, when is it not busy? So that is true. Yeah. Um lots of lots of stuff happened this week. So how about we just dive into it? That sounds great. Yeah. Um, so JCPL, they are planning to restart their uh White River branch project. Um, and they're back on track after being paused due to uncertainty around Indiana's new property tax reform laws, um, which you know we're uh all very aware of. Uh it's affecting municipalities everywhere. Uh White River branch, uh the plans would uh expect the branch to grow 37%, expanding from 23,000 square feet to 32,000 square feet. And some of the key additions include a new children's wing, a new front entrance, and a drive-up book drop, uh, larger meeting space uh with seating for 150, and expanded study areas with eight rooms and 28 seats as well.

SPEAKER_00 1:48

Okay. So now that the project's back on track, um, how much is it going to cost? And how much is the library going to pay for all of this?

Erika Malone 1:55

Yeah, the total project costs is uh a little over 11.5 million, uh, but nearly 6 million is already available from the sale of the old Clark Pleasant branch and library savings. Uh, to cover the remaining costs, JCPL is proposing a new bond that would replace existing debt uh from the Clark Pleasant project, keeping annual debt payments about the same and avoiding a tax increase. Library leaders say the project is more uh than about adding space. The 40-year-old building needs lots of updates, including HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, water filtration, accessibility features, and just general infrastructure as well.

SPEAKER_00 2:35

Yeah, so it sounds like there are a lot of needs. Um what's driving the expansion? Is it mostly those things you just listed?

Erika Malone 2:42

Yeah, um, a lot of this is uh driving uh significant growth within White River Township. Uh the population has actually grown from 28,000 in 1990 to an estimated 57,000 in 2025. Uh Center Grove schools are also projected to grow from uh 9,700 students uh today to about 14,000 by 2050.

SPEAKER_01 3:06

Oh, wow.

Erika Malone 3:06

Yeah, a lot. Um, and this new space, uh, it would support a lot of uh early literacy and kindergarten readiness programs, more community classes and workshops, additional study rooms for students, tutors, and remote workers, uh, technology and workforce development programs as well. Um, and yeah, just a lot of support for this uh new space and uh new programs. Um this project also comes as lawmakers have approved property tax changes that could reduce funding for libraries, creating financial uncertainty statewide as well. Um JCBL projects losses of about 900,000 uh this year and 400,000 in 2028 because of changes in state funding formulas and property tax laws. Well, yeah, it's a huge cut. It's a huge cut. Um library officials uh argue acting now is uh financially responsible because delaying could mean higher construction costs and potentially higher future debt service, too. So they really want to act now on this. Uh building a brand new library of similar size would cost more than $30 million, um, making renovation expansion to less expensive options. So versus just adding an expansion onto the existing building versus a whole new library, there's definitely a cost saving there. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense in those numbers. Um and if the bond is not approved by the Johnson County Council, the project would like likely be delayed rather than canceled. Um, the council is expected to consider the bond proposal in February of 2027. And if approved, design work would could begin shortly afterward. But the JCPL Foundation, they are also planning to help uh fund some enhancements beyond the poor project, including public art, uh an outdoor nature trail, which sounds fun, and uh additional community-focused amenities as well. For those interested in hearing more about the uh the expansion plans and how uh JCPL plans to fund this project, they are hosting um a series of public meetings uh this fall to gather feedback and explain project funding um before the formal approval process moves forward, and you can find that on their website.

SPEAKER_00 5:20

I'm excited to see this library expansion. Yeah.

Erika Malone 5:23

It's the library closest uh to where I live, and it's just a nice, quaint little library. So I'd love to see it expand even further. Uh 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. All right, and we're back, and uh we're filming this today on 9-11. Uh, you know, remembering uh all those that have lost their lives um during that tragic event. Clark Elementary um was doing something special uh today uh to kind of honor the uh a certain hero. So why don't you tell us about that, Kirsten?

SPEAKER_00 6:08

Yeah. So Clark Elementary School, fifth grade teacher Kelly Roy, has a unique September 11th lesson and that she does every year that's focused on heroism, courage, and selflessness rather than kind of focusing on the fear and the tragedy associated with 9-11. Um, students there watched The Man in the Red Bandana, which is a short documentary about Wells Randy Crowfer, a 24-year-old who rescued people inside the World Trade Center during the September 11th attacks.

Erika Malone 6:35

Yeah. And uh maybe this is just me, but I haven't heard about um this man in a very long time, probably since grade school myself. Um so it was nice to see that uh kids are, you know, kind of hearing about this man again, but who was he?

SPEAKER_00 6:53

Yeah, so Crowther was an equities trader who worked on the 100th four 104th floor of the South Tower, and he is credited with helping save 18 people before he lost his own life when the tower collapsed. Um so this film that is watched uh in the elementary school tells the story of Crowther's life, his volunteer firefighting background, and specifically the red bandana that he always carried, which kind of now acts as a symbol of his bravery.

Erika Malone 7:20

I could see that for sure.

SPEAKER_00 7:22

Yeah. So Roy has actually incorporated this document documentary into her curriculum for the past five or six years, and she uses it as a way to teach young students about 9-11 in an age-appropriate manner that's you know not quite as scary as some of the documentaries and footage that are out there. Yeah. Which I know that's when I was younger in school, we would watch documentaries that actually showed the footage. And so I remember how how frightening that could be as a young kid.

Erika Malone 7:51

Yeah, for sure. Especially for those young kids who maybe didn't um weren't alive during it, you know, to kind of understand or wrap your head around something as tragic as that.

SPEAKER_00 8:01

Yeah, it is difficult footage. And so um after viewing this film, every student actually receives a red bandana. And that just kind of serves as a reminder of Crowther's example and this idea that ordinary people can make these extraordinary choices in difficult situations.

Erika Malone 8:17

Yeah, that's really cool, actually. I like the um every student received a red bandana after seeing that. But um, what kind of lessons are the kids learning from this Phil?

SPEAKER_00 8:28

Um, you know, they're learning things like courage, kindness, service. And then this lesson has become a tradition at the school. Former students say they'll return years later to say that they still have their red bandanna. Oh, that's cool. Yeah. And apparently some kids have even worn their bandanas under football helmets or they bring them out for important moments. Um, they serve as sources of inspiration. And then uh, you know, uh these bandanas and uh this conversation actually helps kids in the classroom reflect on these themes of courage, sacrifice, gratitude, and service to others. Yeah. They really learn more about not taking life for granted. Um, and then they kind of uh highlight the impact of this lesson, uh, which is uh, you know, just doing your best to make a positive impact and help others when you can.

SPEAKER_01 9:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 9:19

So many described Crowther as brave and selfless, and others said that the story is heartwarming and inspiring. So Roy says that lesson helps a generation that was born after 9-11 who didn't experience it, understand both the tragedy and the heroism that came from that day.

Erika Malone 9:35

Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 9:37

Yeah, yeah. Rather than focusing solely on the attacks, um, this lesson in this movie kind of helps kids learn how individuals can choose to help others in crisis.

Erika Malone 9:48

Yeah, absolutely. And I mean, just kind of, you know, hearing that story and you know, seeing uh, you know, a lot of remembrance ceremonies and things um like that. Uh it's nice to remember those uh also who gave their lives or, you know, sacrificed a lot to, you know, to help others too during that uh during that tragic attack.

SPEAKER_00 10:10

Yeah. There's so many stories of heroism and people stepping up. Um, you know, like even the the people who are on flight ninety-three, I hear about, you know, flight ninety-three every year. And sometimes we forget these stories of people stepping up and helping others. Yeah. But I think those are important to think about too. Yeah.

Erika Malone 10:28

On this day. I recently just saw a video of the photographer from the Associated Press who took the famous uh photo of the falling man, if you remember. Um, and hearing how like the process of seeing of seeing like what was going on during ground zero and you know, in that moment of, you know, and taking that photo and then how it became like such uh a remembered photo afterwards was like interesting to hear. Yeah, well, uh we have some some other news going on uh this week. So um also uh regarding US 31, uh the road project uh is facing some major delays in Franklin. Uh and city officials are noticing uh Franklin's massive US 31 corridor project has fallen months behind schedule, with the current phase now expected to continue until June 2027 instead of the original August 1st uh 2026 target. The project is being led by NDA and milestone contractors under a $66.2 million contract, with the city contributing funding for sidewalks and decorative features, but having no direct control over the construction timeline. Uh the new projected completion date for phase three surprised city leaders and residents, uh, prompting audible reactions during a recent Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

SPEAKER_00 11:58

Yeah, wow. That's a huge delay. Yeah. So what happened during the meeting?

Erika Malone 12:05

Well, interestingly enough, um, Mayor Steve Barnett uh publicly challenged the contractor, uh, questioning how the project could miss its deadline by such a large margin and expressing frustration over the impact on businesses and public expectations, because you know, we've seen how it's impacted uh businesses, you know, uh, and it's a very large project. Um, according to milestone officials, the biggest cause of delays that they've um have said is utility relocation issues, material delays, weather challenges, coordination with subcontractors um as well. But Barnett noted that some contractors were not consistently working overtime or weekends, though Milestone said uh additional overtime and Saturday work has recently begun. So uh you will probably see some more overnight work. Um, the board actually approved a request allowing overnight work from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. this fall, so crews can install traffic signal infrastructure between Hospital Road and Lemmley Street. Uh contractors say the nighttime work should improve safety and help prepare the corridor for winter travel.

SPEAKER_00 13:10

Okay. So what's next in phase three?

Erika Malone 13:14

Yeah. Um, so phase three focuses on the stretch of US 31 between Franklin Lakes Boulevard and Westview Drive and North Main Street, and includes construction of several reduced complete intersections, also known as RCIs. Yeah, so RCIs are designed to improve safety by eliminating direct left turns across high-speed traffic lanes. Instead, drivers turn right first, merge into traffic, and use a designated U-turn lane and continue in their intended direction. Um, these are also commonly known as J-turns, um, but we prefer to use the term uh reduced conflict conflict intersection. Um RCIs are being installed at Hospital Road, Madison Street, West King Street, Banta Street, Mallory Parkway, Lemley Street, and additional improvements also include new lighting, pedestrian facilities, median U-turn lanes, restricted crossing U-turn lanes, um, as well. The next major milestone is paving outside lanes, following inside lane work, final asphalt surfacing, and roadway stripping, which remain heavily dependent on weather conditions. The corridor project spans uh 5.6 miles of US 31 through Franklin from South Main Street to Israel Lane with goals of improving traffic flow, driver safety, pedestrian access, overall connectivity. Um, and if you didn't know this, the project uh consists of six phases total, which is a lot. Um two phases have already been completed. We're on phase three now, which is um, you know, currently delayed a little bit. Um the other three phases have yet to begin, and future phases may need to be adjusted or combined to recover lost time. Uh the overall corridor project is still expected to be completed in 2028, but city officials are pressing in dot and contractors to accelerate work and minimize additional delays. Yeah, so uh hopefully uh you might see some more night work there. Um so hopefully they uh can still finish on time. Yeah, I hope so. It's definitely a big stress and headache for a lot of people who drive around. Yeah, we've included.

SPEAKER_00 15:24

Definitely. Yeah, yeah. We've heard from some businesses how they've struggled with some of the reduced traffic flow.

Erika Malone 15:29

Yeah, yeah, for sure. So uh we'll take a quick break and be right back. 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. Uh, and we have uh some more stuff happening uh regarding flock cameras. Um, and Kirsten, you've been all over flock cameras. You've been uh writing stories, you've been hearing from residents uh about their opinions on flock cameras. Uh but Greenwood Police is doing something interesting, so why don't you tell us about it?

SPEAKER_00 16:12

Yeah. So the Greenwood Police Department has launched a new online transparency portal, um, just kind of aiming to show how the department uses Flock and other ALPR cameras, which Greenwood mostly uses Flock. Um, but they just want to be more transparent about how they use the technology and help educate the public for what this means. So the portal shows the number of cameras in use, um search activity from the past 30 days, uh agencies that they share data with, um, as well as agencies that can receive Greenwood PD's data, uh, acceptable use policies, uh, public search audit results. So you can actually go on and download an Excel sheet that shows like all of the searches and it shows reasons and kind of categories for those searches. Oh, that's cool. Yeah. Yeah, it's uh it has a lot of information on there. So police chief James Ison said the goal is to just increase transparency and address some of the concerns around privacy and surveillance that have been brought up nationally and locally with these ALPRs. Yeah. The department is also implementing monthly AI-assisted audits um that'll just help flag potential misuse of the system and investigate suspicious searches.

Erika Malone 17:21

We've seen we've seen some uh some news of misuse lately, especially within law enforcement. Um so these monthly uh audits are interesting. Um I think it's also interesting that AI is gonna be an assistant to this. So I wonder how accurate it will be.

SPEAKER_00 17:38

Yeah. Um, so it's kind of an internal flock tool that is going to be uh processing these uh uh audits. But it seems like the goal is just to kind of see if there's anything on a place, you know, maybe a day officer that is doing a lot of night searches, or uh, you know, maybe someone looking up the same license plate, just an excel certain amount of times. Or, you know, any searches that don't have a specific reason tied to them, things like that. So the AO AI will be kind of sifting through um officers' use and seeing if anything looks out of the ordinary. And then, you know, uh Chief Ison did stress that uh everything will be reviewed from that. So it'll have human eyes on it.

SPEAKER_01 18:21

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_00 18:22

Um, and you know, Greenwood Police say this data is actually really helpful for them and uh it helps them locate missing people and vehicles, find wanted suspects, track vehicles that are connected to crimes. Um and Chief Ison emphasized that officers have to have a case number or specific reason to conduct these searches, and that any misuse uh will have consequences and could result in discipline up to or including termination.

Erika Malone 18:47

Oh wow, yeah. Well, that's uh interesting to see that they have a transparency portal, especially for plot cameras, with all the uh concern and controversy over them uh these past few months, it feels. So um yeah, uh I'm interested to see uh how it's how it'll be used by the public.

SPEAKER_00 19:07

Some too. You know, through social media comments, it seems like not everyone is appeased by this transparency portal. It seems like there's still more information that people would like to have, or um, some people have mentioned wanting police to have warrants to access this information, or just, you know, believing that flock cameras are a Fourth Amendment violation. So there's still a lot of concern and controversy around these cameras. Um, but we'll just kind of have to see if there are any additional court rulings or anything along those lines.

Erika Malone 19:38

Yeah. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out, especially um when uh the state house goes into session if uh how they deal with flock cameras.

SPEAKER_00 19:47

That's actually a really big question. I'm wondering too. Yeah.

Erika Malone 19:51

Yeah. Uh well, and some other news, uh kind of uh with one of the towns that I cover in Trafalgar, uh the their first town manager uh is resigning, um, which is uh kind of kind of kind of sad. Uh he's he's a pretty cool dude. Uh Brian Gregg, he's Trafalgar's first ever town manager, is resigning um effective October 3rd after more than two years in the role. Um he's leaving for a private sec sector position with uh Huston Electric, where he will serve as an account executive based in Franklin. Uh he said this decision was influenced in part by the financial uncertainty facing a lot of local governments due to the recent Indiana property tax and local uh government funding changes. And he said stepping aside gives Strafalgar greater flexibility to evaluate staffing expenses and priorities as it prepares for future budget challenges. Um not a not an easy decision to step down from what he's told me. Um you know, it's uh because he during his tenure, he secured more than one million in state funding for roads, advanced more than one million in federal water infrastructure funding, and obtained more than 300,000 in additional grants. Um he was also uh during his tenure, uh they the town completed its first amphitheater, uh purchased the Trafalgar Community Center property, and renovated the first Trafalgar community building as well.

SPEAKER_00 21:18

Wow. That's a lot of those are a lot of accomplishments.

Erika Malone 21:20

Yes. So uh he was busy for sure. Um uh town council president Ashley Cheney praised Greg's leadership and thanked him for his contributions to the community and the town officials, um, they will discuss next steps uh in filling the position, though the role could be restructured as leaders assess future financial needs.

SPEAKER_00 21:39

So yeah, I'm curious whether that role could be rolled into something else or potentially added to someone else's responsibilities.

Erika Malone 21:46

Yeah, uh it's definitely interesting and and we will see. But um uh I wish Brian the best. Uh he was great to work with, um, you know, as town manager, uh very helpful guy. Um, and yeah, I wish him the best. So some and some other news, voter registration. We have uh some news about that too. So take it away.

SPEAKER_00 22:06

Yeah, absolutely. The voter registration deadline is quickly approaching. Um, Indiana voters have until October 5th to register for this November's general election. And people can register online at indianavoters.in.gov or in person at the Johnson County Clerk's office. Um, Johnson County currently has about 120,754 registered voters, which is up from about 115,800 in 2022. That's pretty good. That seems like a pretty good amount, yeah. Yeah.

unknown 22:37

Yeah.

Erika Malone 22:38

It's always nice to get more registered voters for sure. It is.

SPEAKER_00 22:42

Yes. And the deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot for any voters who, you know, can't make it to the polls physically or would prefer to mail in a ballot is October 22nd. So election officials are expecting a strong turnout with more than 25 contested races, two public ballot questions, and multiple school board races on this use ballot.

Erika Malone 23:01

Yeah, we uh we got our work cut out for us, especially with all the election stories that we plan on doing.

SPEAKER_00 23:06

So Yes, there are just so many candidates this year.

Erika Malone 23:09

Yes, there are. It's hard to keep them straight. I think there's like seven or eight uh Center Grove school board candidates. Oh wow. Um yeah. Uh so that'll be they'll that'll be fun. I'm excited to uh speak with all of them.

SPEAKER_00 23:21

So absolutely. And still I'm excited to talk to all the statehouse candidates because I think I have seven or eight races for those.

Erika Malone 23:29

Yeah. So uh keep us in your thoughts while we during this election season because we're gonna be pretty busy.

unknown 23:36

Yeah.

Erika Malone 23:36

So but it'll be fun.

SPEAKER_00 23:38

It will. It's always fun to be on our toes.

Erika Malone 23:40

Yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_00 23:41

So Franklin and Clark Pleasant voters in particular are also going to weigh in on school referendum questions, um, which Erica is something you have your eye on.

Erika Malone 23:50

Yes. Uh covered those uh extensively. So uh it'll be interesting to see uh if those schools uh will get the referendum passed.

SPEAKER_00 23:59

Yeah. Well, early voting begins October 6th at the Johnson County Courthouse with additional voting locations opening later in the voting period.

Erika Malone 24:06

Yeah. So make sure uh you are registered to vote and uh go to the polls this election season. It's uh pretty important. Um lots of uh a lot of candidate races, uh lots of stuff on the ballot. So um make sure your vote is uh vote is heard. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:23

And if you have questions about the candidates, we will be writing about them and publishing their stances.

Erika Malone 24:28

Yeah, you will start seeing that um, I think throughout the month of October. All right. Uh thank you all so much for tuning into this episode of Be on the Headlines. And let us know what you'd like to hear by submitting your thoughts to news tips at dailyjournal.net and follow us wherever you get podcasts and leave a review. We hope you tune in next time.