Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch presents checks to SEI Communications and Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corp. last week. SEI Communications received $12,997,889 for four broadband projects impacting 3,237 households, 285 businesses and 90 anchor institutions in Ripley, Dearborn, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio and Switzerland counties. Jackson County REMC received $431,582 for two Jennings County broadband projects to expand broadband to 281 unserved locations in Jennings County.

Last week three Jennings County residents were arrested and charged with Neglect of a Dependent and Criminal Confinement charges.

After a seven-month investigation by detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles District, John E. Staples, 54, and Rose-Kathryn F. Staples, 54, were arrested, along with Trudy N. Henry, 47 of North Vernon.

According to organizers of the Brick Street Halloween Rage event, Osgood’s famous Brick Street is busy again. Plans are underway for a gigantic pumpkin carving on Wednesday, October 28. The lighted pumpkins will be on display on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday on the Halloween weekend (October 29, October 30 and October 31).