Lafayette Post-Six new Indiana State Troopers have finished their rides with their trooper trainers and will start patrolling in the Lafayette District after receiving their cars. They have been riding with their trooper trainers for approximately 17 weeks. This has concluded their initial training phase before heading out on their own.
On April 2nd, 2019, fifty-one probationary troopers from the 78th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy class were issued their state police cars at the Indiana State Police Youth and Education and Historical Center in Indianapolis. Five of the officers are assigned to the Indiana State Police Lowell Post and start solo patrol in the district which covers Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton, Jasper, Starke and Pulaski counties. The probationary officers recently completed a three month field training period with veteran troopers. They will serve a one year probationary period before attaining permanent status as a trooper.
The Indiana Chapter of The Wildlife Society recently honored Scott Johnson, wildlife science program manager for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, with the Hoosier Wildlife Award.
Lampreys are one of the first fish species to spawn each spring as streams start to warm. Though they lack jaws and some of the fins of other fish, they use their sucking disk and body to move rocks, clearing out small depressions in gravelly areas to lay their eggs. When actively spawning, several of these snake-like fish will be seen squirming together.
The barn owls are back and nesting season is well underway. The female recently laid two eggs. Barn owls lay six eggs on average, so check back to see if she lays more. This year, the first egg was laid on March 19. Check out the barn owl webcam at https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/8183.htm.
If you are looking for ways to promote conservation, look no farther than your own backyard. Manicured turf grass is a common sight in many backyards, but its short roots can create a surface that doesn’t allow water to move through the soil. This causes stormwater and other water to flow directly into our water bodies, taking many pollutants with it.
Photo: Before (top) and after (bottom) planting native plants.
Crosley Lake at Crosley Fish & Wildlife Area will be closed for dam renovations beginning April 2019. Work is expected to be completed in fall 2020.
The birds and the bees are active again and that can mean only one thing: baby animals. If you encounter a young animal, remember that adult animals rarely abandon their young.
Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness today announced 189 Indiana cities, towns and counties received a combined $115 million in state-matching funds for local road projects through the Next Level Roads: Community Crossings Initiative.
The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) encourages all Hoosiers to do their due diligence before donating to any charitable organizations to not only ensure the organization is legitimate, but that their contributions go where intended. As customers file their taxes this season, several are unfortunately realizing some of their charitable giving did not qualify for tax deductions. Why? Because the organization never existed.
