Bridging The Gap

10/14/2026

Kentucky has a growing black bear population and, with that, a regulated bear hunting season!

Hunters can pursue bears by archery, crossbow, fi***rm, or by dog, with specific dates for three zones and seasons.

Speaking of which… archery/crossbow season starts next week (Oct. 24) for Zones 1-3!

As with every season, hunters must obtain the ​necessary permits and adhere to regulations regarding fi***rms, baiting, and bag limits.

For more on black bear hunting in Kentucky, including zones and season dates, refer to the 2026-27 Hunting Guide, available here:https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Documents/huntingguideentire.pdf

10/14/2026

Jefferson County Public Library - Madison and Hanover Announces JCPL Author Fair

Madison, IN, Celebrate Writers with Jefferson County Public Library’s Author Fair.
On Saturday, November 7, the Jefferson County Public Library will be opening its doors to the public to experience the JCPL Author Fair. The Fair will be held in the Madison Public Library’s Auditorium from 1pm – 3:30pm.

Author and educator JoAnne Spiller will welcome authors and guests at 1:00pm. Authors will give brief presentations of their work between 1:15 and 2:15pm.

JCPL’s free, public event will showcase authors who write for all ages and across a variety of genres. Browse author tables, meet the writers, discover new reads, and support local voices. Many authors will speak about their works and process, and will have books available for purchase and signing. Whether you are a lifelong reader and aspiring writer, or just looking for a fun literary outing, the JCPL Author Fair is a great opportunity to connect with the creative community.

“We are once again honored to host the JCPL Author Fair! Last year, we sponsored our first event, and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” says Director Judi Terpening. “It is our pleasure to provide a venue in which regional authors can share their works and experiences with readers and other writers. We look forward to meeting and supporting authors who work in or write about Jefferson County and Southern Indiana.”

Authors participating in the Fair are: Debbie Abbott, Children (Hanover); David R. Austin, History (Bloomington, IN), Carla Beard, Young Adult & Adult (Connersville, IN); Melody R. Fields, Inspiration (Osgood, IN); Julian Guy, Young Adult Graphic (Madison); David Kummer, Adult Fiction (New Albany, IN); Jennifer Leach, Young Adult (Flat Rock, IN); Lisa Griffin Moore, Children (Bedford, KY); Ruth Nalio, Adult Dark Paranormal Romance (Madison); Ashley Perrotta, Fantasy & Romance (Madison); Carol Preflatish, Women’s Fiction (Jeffersonville, IN); Nan Reinhardt, Contemporary Romance (Indianapolis); Vicki Rhodes, Young Adult & Adult (Austin, IN); Nancy Rodgers, Children (Madison), Kamra Smith, Inspirational Self-Help (Madison); JoAnne Spiller, Art & Design (Madison); Jennifer Spredemann, Christian Romance (Cross Plains, IN); and Anne WestWood, Adult (Hanover).

About Jefferson County Public Library
Jefferson County Public Library was founded in 1818 and provides the community with a vibrant and enriching resource where people are welcomed, included, and inspired. In addition to books and movies, the Library offers community meeting spaces, cultural and educational programs, entertainment, one-on-one computer assistance, outreach services to homebound and children, JCPL Bookmobile, genealogy and local history research assistance, early literacy programs and reading and viewing suggestions. Libraries are located in Madison and Hanover, Indiana.


Contact: Ann Inman
Programming Coordinator
[email protected]

10/09/2026

Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
East wind 3 to 5 mph.

Saturday
A slight chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
East wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5am.
Low around 59. East wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 80%.
New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers after 8am. High near 70.
East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Chance of precipitation is 80%.
New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

10/09/2026

INCIDENT RELEASE: Seymour Police Department

On October 7, 2026, at approximately 9:56PM, emergency services responded to the area of Broadway St and the railroad tracks in reference to a pedestrian who had been struck by a train.

Upon officers’ arrival, they located the pedestrian who was still underneath the train and had sustained significant injuries. The pedestrian was removed from under the train and transported to Schneck Medical Center where life saving measures were provided, but the pedestrian was ultimately pronounced deceased.

The Seymour Police Department’s Serious and Fatal Crash Investigation Team, along with the Seymour Investigations Division, responded to the scene of the incident.

Currently, the name of the pedestrian is being withheld until positive identification can be confirmed and notification of family.

Assisting at the scene were the Seymour Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, Jackson County Emergency Management, and the CSX Police Department.

URGENT PUBLIC SERVICE NOTICE:
As a reminder, it is a crime to be on the right-of-way of a railroad company. The Seymour Police Department urges folks to avoid walking on or near railroad tracks. Remember, “see tracks, think train.”

IC 8-3-15-3 Riding, driving, or walking on right-of-way or yard a misdemeanor; definitions, exceptions:

Sec. 3. (a) A person who rides, drives, or walks on or along the right-of-way or yard of a railroad company at a place other than a public crossing commits a Class B misdemeanor.

(b) "Right-of-way" means the track or roadbed owned or leased by a railroad which is located on either side of its tracks and which is readily recognizable to a reasonable person as being railroad property or is reasonably identified as such by fencing or appropriate signs.

(c) "Yard" means a system of parallel tracks, cross-overs, and switches where cars are switched and made up into trains, and where cars, locomotives, and other rolling stock are kept when not in use or awaiting repairs.

(d) This section does not apply to:

(1) passengers on trains or employees of a railroad company while engaged in the performance of their duties;

(2) picketing by railroad employees in the vicinity of entrances to railroad company property;

(3) an authorized representative of the railroad employees;

(4) a person going upon the right-of-way or into the yard to save human life or to protect property;

(5) a person being on the station grounds or in the depot of the railroad company as a passenger or for the purpose of transacting business;

(6) a person, or the person's family or employees going upon the right-of-way for the purpose of crossing from one (1) part to another part of a farm the person owns or leases, where the farm lies on both sides of the right-of-way;

(7) a person having written permission from the railroad company to go upon the right-of-way;

(8) representatives of the Indiana department of transportation;

(9) representatives of the federal Surface Transportation Board; or

(10) a professional surveyor or a professional surveyor's employees who are on the right-of-way or in the yard for the purpose of making land surveys.


Lieutenant Michael Cooper
Seymour Police Department

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

ATTENTION!!!!! HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT

Scott County Sheriff's Office Achieves Highest National Accreditation Level for Jail Operations.

There are only two other jails in the State of Indiana that have achieved this Award

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office announced today that the Scott County Jail has officially earned Level I Accreditation, the highest level achievable—from the National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO).

This achievement recognizes full compliance with NIJO’s Legal-Based Jail Guidelines®, a rigorous framework grounded in constitutional standards, federal and state statutes, and industry best practices. Level I Accreditation represents the gold standard in correctional management, requiring high operational compliance across hundreds of core safety, administrative, and security benchmarks.

The accreditation evaluation process involved an extensive 100 plus hours/multi-phase review:

Policy & Procedure Audit: Verification that departmental operational policies align with current legal mandates and constitutional protections.

Historical Documentation: Examination of records, incident logs, and training history to ensure established policies are consistently executed in daily practice.

On-Site Inspection: Comprehensive physical evaluation of facility safety, security protocols, and cleanliness, accompanied by interviews with staff and leadership.

"Earning Level I Accreditation reflects the hard work and dedication our corrections staff put into maintaining a safe, and legally compliant facility every day," said Scott County Sheriff. "Achieving NIJO’s highest accreditation level proves to our community that we operate with transparency, professionalism, and accountability." There are only two other jails in the state of Indiana that have achieved this status.” “If this award was a sport, it would be like winning a state championship.”

The National Institute for Jail Operations provides specialized legal-based resources for detention facilities nationwide. Adherence to NIJO standards enhances safety for staff and inmates, minimizes risks, and promotes operational efficiency throughout the facility. Along with insurance reductions, lawsuit compliance records and employee professionalism.

More to follow.
Pictured below: Chief Deputy Joe Guarneri, Sheriff Jerry Goodin, Assistant Jail Commander Patti Combs, NIJO Inspector John Young and Jail Commander Doug Herald.

-30-

Goodin

10/02/2026

MADISON LAUNCHES MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL TO ENGAGE LOCAL STUDENTS IN CITY GOVERNMENT
Madison, Indiana (October 2, 2026) — The City of Madison is launching the Mayor’s Youth Council, a new student-led civic organization that will give local high school students an opportunity to learn firsthand how city government works while bringing their ideas and perspectives to the table.

The Mayor’s Youth Council was established in alignment with the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) Youth Council Network, which connects communities across Indiana with opportunities to engage young people in local government and civic leadership.

“Some of the best ideas for our community can come from the people who will help shape its future,” said Mayor Bob Courtney. “The Mayor’s Youth Council will give Madison students an opportunity to learn about their city, share their ideas, and get involved in projects that make a difference. I look forward to working with these students and seeing what they bring to the table.”

Applications for the Mayor’s Youth Council are being accepted through Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 4 PM. Eligible applicants must be high school sophomores, juniors or seniors (Grades 10–12) who attend a school located within Madison city limits. Homeschooled students must reside within Madison city limits.

Membership will be limited to 10 students, with selected members serving on the council through their high school graduation.

Working alongside Mayor Courtney, Youth Council members will learn more about local government, participate in community projects, and take part in City events and activities. Members will develop real-world skills in public speaking, decision-making, teamwork, leadership, and civic responsibility while contributing to efforts that help keep Madison Clean, Safe, and Beautiful.

The council will meet monthly, providing members with an opportunity to discuss issues affecting their community, share ideas, and work together on projects that benefit Madison.

Erica Cline, Project & Grant Manager and Executive Assistant to the Mayor, will serve as the program liaison and coordinate and supervise Youth Council activities.

Students interested in serving on the Mayor’s Youth Council can review program information and complete the application at madison-in.gov/youthcouncil.

10/02/2026

The City of Milton will reopen at 9:00 AM, Monday, October 5, 2026.

10/01/2026

Madison Auto Service Specialties & Services:
• Certified repairs handled by expert ASE-certified technicians utilizing high-grade NAPA parts.
• Authorized installer and feature provider of quality JASPER engines and transmissions.
• Comprehensive automotive care ranging from routine preventive maintenance and oil changes to complex engine diagnostics, suspension work, tire services, and complete brake maintenance.

605 Clifty Ct, Madison In 47250