LOGANSPORT - The better than 700,000 dollar Northeast Area Stormwater Improvement Project in Logansport. is ahead of schedule, and is going to cost less than originally anticipated. Jim Jackson, the water and wastewater manager with Logansport Municipal Utilities, passed along the information Thursday to the stormwater management board...

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In fact officials indicate that it is over 100,000 dollars under budget...

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Jim Jackson says the homeowners in that area, have been pleased with the work that has taken place.

INDIANAPOLIS - Thursday, the Division of Mental Health and Addiction, part of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, announced a plan to improve access to community-based care for specific patient populations. This will have a significant impact on the Logansport State Hospital. Marcus Barlow is Director of Communications for the Indiana Family and Social Services Agency...

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Barlow talks about why these decisions were made...

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These changes are part of FSSA's efforts to ensure that individuals who can benefit from community-based services are given that opportunity. So again, D-M-H-A estimates this will result in the eventual layoff of 355 employees in Logansport and 106 employees in Richmond. Employees laid off will be given priority consideration for recall and for open positions approved at other state hospitals.

This transition will occur gradually over the next several months, and hospital capacity will only be reduced as patients transition to appropriate community settings capable of providing the treatment and care required. It is anticipated that these changes will be completed by March 1, 2011.

LAFAYETTE - The 3rd annual job fair hosted by Congressman Steve Buyer is set to take place in the gymnasium of Lafayette Jefferson High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, July 19th. The gymnasium is located on 1801 South 18th Street, Lafayette.

Fifty-six businesses are already signed up to participate, offering 900 employment opportunities to Hoosiers throughout the state. The job fair is free and open to all businesses, job-seekers and to those who may be searching for new opportunities.

CASS COUNTY - Wednesday night was an important one for the 14 young ladies who will be taking part in the Queen Contest Sunday, at the Cass County 4-H Fair. At the fairgrounds, they went through the program, and even got some tips from the reigning state fair queen Denae Pyle, who also talked about what it was going to be like when she would give up her crown...

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The Queen contest takes place Sunday evening in the Exhibition building.

INDIANAPOLIS - After two days of interviews involving 34 candidates, the Judicial Nominating Commission has narrowed the list of candidates to fill an upcoming opening on the State Supreme Court to nine semifinalists. Logansport Attorney. Donald Tribbett was on the initial list, but is not one of the semifinalists.

The Commission is led by Chief Justice Randall Shepard. More interviews will take place on July 30, with three nominees being sent to Governor Mitch Daniels, who will appoint a justice to succeed retiring Justice Ted Boehm.

LOGANSPORT - As early as the upcoming Fall semester, I-U-K may be offering some classes on the campus of Ivy Tech in Logansport. Kevin Bostic, the Vice Chancellor/Dean at Ivy Tech in Logansport, talks about what is happening now...

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According to Bostic, more discussions will be taking place...

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Kevin Bostic.

CASS COUNTY - A major step towards establishing a fire district, involving Clay, Eel and Noble Townships was taken Tuesday afternoon, when the Cass County Commissioners approved an ordinance that would allow the district to be formed. Eel Township Trustee Tom Knepper...

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Now the fire district board needs to be formed. Clay Township Advisory Board member Tom Weatherwax talks about who can, and can not serve on that board...

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Dave Arnold, a member of the Cass County Commissioners talks about how important it is to move forward now...

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The fire district needs to be operational by the first of the year. A location for the station has not been determined yet.

LOGANSPORT - The Logansport City Council has formally approved a new animal control ordinance. Jeremy Ashcraft, the Chairman of the public works committee explains the need for the updated ordinance...

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Ashcraft talks about the grandfather portion of the ordinance...

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The vote to approve the ordinance was 7-0 on Tuesday.

CASS COUNTY - People had a variety of choices Sunday, if they wanted to enjoy 4th of July festivities. One of them was Riverside Park in Logansport. Parks and Recreation Department Administrator Jan Fawley notes that the annual event continues to be extremely popular, with the switch being made this year from Fairview to Riverside...

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The 12 Mile 500 took place Sunday afternoon, and spokesman Mark Lowe notes how much the event has grown...

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There was a parade, lots of food, music and fireworks in Walton, according to Carol Woolever, who talks about what the event means to her...

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And for the most part, mother nature cooperated with lots of sunshine early, temperatures in the 90's, and just a few scattered showers late in the day.

LOGANSPORT - The City of Logansport will be recognized by the state as a Featured Community for the efforts of local leaders in community and economic development. OCRA, or the Office of Community and Rural Affairs website highlights the success stories of communities throughout the Indiana. State officials are expected to be in Logansport later this month, to interview Mayor Mike Fincher, and other community leaders to include in Logansport's story. Mayor Fincher says he first found out about the honor, through an e-mail.

Mayor Fincher sees this as a big plus for the community, and one that has come about as the result of a lot of work from a number of people and organizations...

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Logansport Mayor Mike Fincher. The information is expected to be posted on the OCRA web site at some point late this month.