Bourbon Town Council Approves Plan Commission/Zoning Contract

The Bourbon Town Council recently approved 2-1 the Plan Commission / Zoning Contract with Chuck DeWitt for a period of six months. Vice President Les McFarland and Councilman Terry Clemens approved; President Ward Byers voted against. McFarland said that he thought the communication has improved, but he wanted to evaluate again in six months. Clemens echoed the improvement in communication and agreed with the six month reevaluation.

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Sen. Donnelly Care Package Looks to Increase Mental Health Services

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is looking to provide additional mental healthcare services to members of the armed services.

During a conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon, Donnelly said the “Care Package” legislation – which is part of the broader National Defense Authorization Act – aims to increase access to healthcare services provided through the Department of Defense and community healthcare providers.
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Charbonneau Focuses on Indiana’s Water Resources

State Senator Ed Charbonneau is touting two bills that received unanimous approval in the Indiana Senate.

Both bills attempt to analyze and secure the Hoosier State’s water resources. Senate Bill 473 requires the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to monitor water resources and provides an avenue for volunteers to conduct the work. It would focus on areas where water withdrawals could exceed the natural replenishing rate.
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Indiana Failing To Make The Grade On Tobacco Control

The American Lung Association says the state of Indiana needs to do more to enact tobacco control policies.

The “State of Tobacco Control 2015” report evaluates tobacco control policies at the state and federal level. It says Indiana failed to enact any policies that the American Lung Association believes will save lives. That led the state to receive a failing grade in tobacco prevention, taxes, and access to tobacco cessation services.
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Indiana AARP Hoping to Influence Retirement Savings, Caregivers

Two bills are being pushed by the AARP in Indiana during this session of the General Assembly and they look to help two different issues.

About half of Americans aged 50-years and older have less than 25-thousand dollars in retirement savings. To help solve this problem, the AARP is proposing the Hoosier Employee Retirement Option, otherwise known as the “HERO Plan.”
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