Indiana’s Sixth District Congressman has introduced legislation he says will help to “ensure integrity in federal elections.”

Rep. Luke Messer, a Republican, has introduced the Election Integrity Act of 2017, H.R. 2090. The bill would require voters to present a valid, government-issued photo ID in order to vote in federal elections beginning in 2020. Messer’s office says that if an individual is unable to pay the cost of obtaining a government-issued photo ID, the bill requires states to provide it free of charge.

Congressman Messer says that H.R. 2090 is modeled after Indiana’s voter identification law enacted in 2005 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2008. Messer says that he helped advance Indiana’s voter identification law while serving in the Indiana General Assembly.

According to the Congressional Research Service, Indiana is one of 18 states that currently requires a photo ID for in-person voting. Eighteen other states and the District of Columbia do not require a voter to provide any ID to vote.

“Many Hoosiers are surprised to know voters in some states don’t have to show any form of identification to vote in national elections,” Messer said. “This legislation is a common-sense fix to provide consistency in voter ID laws, uphold the integrity of our federal elections and improve voter confidence in the process. It also ensures voters who genuinely can’t afford a photo ID can obtain one without charge to them.”

Under Messer’s bill, if an individual does not present a photo ID at the time they are voting, they may cast a provisional ballot and present their ID within 10 days.

States like Indiana that already have similar photo ID laws in effect can be exempted from the law.

A proposal put fourth by a Jackson County lawmaker meant to keep guns out of the hands of illegal aliens has been signed into law. Gov. Eric Holcomb recently signed the law, sponsored by Republican State Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour, that will make the possession of a firearm by an illegal immigrant a Level 6 felony.

Senate Enrolled Act 344 establishes that a person who is unlawfully in the United States and knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm will be convicted of a Level 6 felony.

“This law allows prosecutors to charge these individuals with this felony,” Lucas said. “I believe if they are unwilling to take the necessary steps to become a citizen, then they may also be unwilling to follow laws associated with being a responsible gun owner.”

A Level 6 felony can carry a sentence of six-months to two-and-a-half years in prison, along with a fine of up to $10,000.

The new law is effective immediately.

The Bartholomew County Soil and Water Conservation District is inviting you to take advantage of an Arbor Day program meant to help plant trees throughout the community. Organizers say that the sixth-annual tree giveaway will be Friday, April 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Community Building at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds. Approximately 1,300 trees will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who take part can take up to five trees. Among the tree species offered will be Redbud, Silky Dogwood, Norway Spruce, Bald Cypress and Black Oak.

During the tree giveaway, there will be a fish fry put on by the Conservation Club. In addition, rain barrels will be for sale. Organizers say that the barrels normally cost $65, but will only be $25 for county residents thanks to a cost-share program. Children who attend will also have the opportunity to make their own pine cone bird-feeders.

Purdue Polytechnic Columbus will be holding an open house for those interested in learning more about applying for admission in the fall. The “All Aboard Open House” will be held on April 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

High school and transfer students, parents, and community members are invited to attend to learn more about the school. School officials say there will be demonstrations of 3D printing, virtual reality, robotics, and facility tours. Free food will be provided by the Purdue Columbus Booster Club. Faculty and staff will be available to meet guests and share about the degree programs offered.

In addition, school officials say the Annex Student Housing will be hosting a companion event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Annex is located across the street from Purdue Polytechnic Columbus. You are invited to stop in and view the accommodations offered to students wishing to live near school. You can RSVP online at polytechnic.purdue.edu/columbus/open-house.

For more information about degrees and programs at Purdue Polytechnic Columbus, visit purdue.edu/Columbus.

A teacher who retired to Nashville, left a surprising inheritance to the Brown County Public Library — more than $2.3 million dollars. The library board announced this week that the gift from the estate of Tesh Wickard is the largest in the library’s history. Wickard taught business courses at Hauser High School.

Officials at the library say that Wickard would stop by the library every morning, reading newspapers and magazines by the fireplace. “Tesh valued the importance a library plays in the community. This kind gesture is a gift to all of Brown County, not just the library,” said Stori Snyder, director of the library.

The donation is set up as an endowment, with the interest going each year to the library. The spending of the gift will be overseen by both the library board and an endowment board. The money can only be used for maintenance and building expenses such as carpeting, roof replacement, heating and air-conditioning or reserve emergency funds. Officials say that one of the first projects planned is to modernize and revamp the checkout area at the front of the library.

Wickard died in October 2014 and the endowment was set up last summer. A celebration event will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 23rd with a presentation at 2 p.m.

The Education and Training Center in North Vernon is about to lose another tenant. City officials announced this week that they had received a letter from the Indiana Region 9 Workforce Board that it is terminating its lease at the building, located at 1200 West O&M Ave., effective the end of May.

Officials with the Workforce Board say that their funding, provided largely by the state, has been diminished over the past two years. According to the letter, the organization remains “committed to serving the workforce needs” of the area. The Workforce Board says that it would like to remain in the facility, but unless better terms can be offered by the city, they would need to relocate.

This is the latest in a run of bad news at the ETC. Ivy Tech pulled its offices out last year, leaving the campus largely empty. The city council briefly discussed options for the facility, which Councilman Jerry Lamb says is quickly becoming a “money-pit.”

Council took no action on the matter, but they are expected to discuss it further at the next meeting on April 24th.

Nearly $50,000 was raised for an organization dedicated to protecting children in the legal system. Organizers for “Crooners for CASA” say the event entertained approximately 250 guests at The Commons in downtown Columbus, in support of Advocates for Children. Officials say this event, now in its fourth year, has raised approximately $200,000 since its inception.

Crooners for CASA, a karaoke-styled event, is held each year at the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Money raised support work on behalf of area children who have been the victims of abuse and neglect.

“Between 2012 and 2015, the annual number of abuse and neglect cases in the State of Indiana rose by 40,000,” said Rick Scalf, Advocates for Children’s Community Outreach Coordinator. “Seventy children in our state enter the child protection system every single day. Every one of these children deserves a steady adult by their side, helping to guarantee that the child’s best interest is always front and center.”

Advocates for Children provides this assistance through the work of volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and staff Guardians Ad Litem (GAL). Last year, the agency served 841 children in Bartholomew, Decatur, and Jennings counties. Scalf says that the money raised at these events assist with the work on behalf of these children, along with the 305 children remaining on the waiting list.

Advocates for Children is currently accepting application for its next training session for CASA volunteers, which is scheduled to begin in May. If you are interested in learning more, visit apowerfulvoice.org or call the office at (877) 604-9402.

A North Vernon was recognized this week for her efforts in self-improvement.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development and its WorkOne Career Centers hosted their biennial WorkOne Achievement Awards on Tuesday at the Statehouse. The ceremony recognized the success of Hoosier employees and employers who have received services through WorkOne. Priscilla Jackson received an individual award for “overcoming several employment barriers and personal challenges, and for pursuing a better life for herself.” Jackson was nominated for the award by her local WorkOne center.

Officials say that Jackson’s nomination came about after she enrolled in the WIOA youth program as a 23-year-old single mother of two boys. Her case manager set up a six-week work experience with a local daycare provider. After completing the work experience, Jackson was hired on full-time, and is currently employed there. WorkOne staff say that Jackson is currently in the process of buying a house, with the hope that she will be able to open an in-home daycare next year.

Authorities have released the name of the victim of Wednesday afternoon’s plane crash near Hartsville.

Jay Frederick, Bartholomew County Chief Deputy Coroner, says that the pilot, 77-year-old Ren Sagaert, of Shelby Township, MI, was declared dead at the scene by Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting. Frederick says that Sagaert was the only person in the plane, which crashed in the area of 20950 East County Road 200 North, just east of Anderson Falls. Investigators with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department say that they believe that the plane was attempting to take off when it crashed.

Nolting’s office says that an autopsy has been scheduled to be performed by a forensic pathologist on Thursday.

The crash itself is being investigated by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Lobsterfest, an annual fundraiser organized by the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, returns to downtown Columbus on Saturday, May 13th. Sponsored by Old National Wealth Management, the event takes place along Fifth Street between Franklin and Washington Streets in the Columbus Arts and Entertainment District.

The authentic New England clambake and lobster boil, catered by Foster’s Clambakes and Catering, begins at 6 p.m. for a Happy Hour complete with a cash bar and for a Happy Hour complete with a cash bar and live music provided by Dan and Linda Mustard. A Philharmonic Youth Ensemble, one of the programs benefiting from proceeds raised, has a special musical presentation just prior to dinner.

“Lobsterfest will have some new features this year,” said Margaret Powers, Executive Director of the Philharmonic. “The Lobsterfest committee, led by Tracy Haddad, has several ideas to extend the party after dinner including live music and lobster races. Race details, including which type of toy lobster to use and the means of propelling them around a track, are in the works.”

Lobsterfest tickets are divided into two levels: $100 Patron and $150 Patron Plus. Food will be prepared on-site in a lobster boil built on Fifth Street specifically for the occasion.

Proceeds from this event will help support the Philharmonic’s concert and music education programs that reach more than 13,000 adults and children each year in South Central Indiana. Additional support provided by Johnson Ventures, Hutch & Kevina Schumaker, Tracy L. Haddad Foundation, Enkei America, and Agresta, Storms & O’Leary.

To make reservations, call the Philharmonic Box Office at 812-376-2638, x1 or visit the Philharmonic website at www.thecip.org.