INDOT Construction on SR 13 May Impact School Bus Routes

Lapel, IN — April 22, 2025 — The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is set to begin a construction and repaving project on State Road 13 (SR 13), starting as early as Monday, April 14. The project includes culvert repair and replacement in several key locations, and may temporarily impact school transportation services.

Construction Timeline & Locations

Beginning Monday, April 14: Work starts just south of the SR 13 and 53rd Street intersection. Thursday, April 24: Culvert repair at Hackberry Lane and SR 13. Monday, April 28 – Tuesday, April 29: Work at the intersection of 300 South and SR 13.

During these repairs, SR 13 will be closed daily from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Impact on Bus Routes

The Transportation Department advises that bus routes, pickup times, or pickup locations may be adjusted during construction. If a significant change is necessary, your bus driver will contact you directly.

Map of Affected Areas

![Map Placeholder — SR 13 Construction Zone]

An interactive map will be available on the school district’s website.

Stay Updated

For real-time updates on this project, visit the INDOT TrafficWise website or call 1-800-261-ROAD (7623).

Photo obtained from facebook group.

Indiana Woman’s Remarkable Survival After Six Days Trapped in Crash

A powerful story of human resilience has emerged from Newton County, Indiana, where a woman survived six harrowing days trapped in her crashed vehicle. Brieonna Cassell’s incredible determination to live is an inspiration to us all.  

On Tuesday, March 11th, Cassell was discovered by a passing equipment operator, Johnny Martinez, in a ditch off the roadway in Newton County, about an hour and a half south of Chicago. Martinez alerted his supervisor, the local fire chief, and together they found Cassell, the sole occupant of the vehicle, conscious and able to communicate.  

According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Cassell had suffered severe injuries to her legs, ribs, and wrist. She was swiftly airlifted to a hospital near Chicago for urgent medical treatment.  

The ordeal began on Wednesday, March 6th, when Cassell left her mother’s home and was on her way to visit a friend in Brook, Indiana. Tragically, she fell asleep at the wheel, causing her vehicle to veer off the road and into a deep, hidden ditch. “She had fell asleep and veered off the road and went into a very big, deep ditch. It couldn’t be seen from the road,” explained her father, Delmar Caldwell, to local news outlets.  

For six long days, Cassell was trapped, facing extreme conditions with limited resources. Her cellphone had lost power, leaving her unable to call for help. However, a nearby creek proved to be her lifeline.  

In an incredible display of resourcefulness, Cassell devised a method to obtain water. “She would take her hoodie and toss it, like she’s fishing,” her father recounted. “And bring it back and suck on it to have water.” This simple yet ingenious technique allowed her to stay hydrated and survive until help arrived.

This story is a testament to Brieonna Cassell’s unwavering resilience and determination. Her ability to find a way to survive against all odds is truly inspiring. We send our thoughts and well wishes to Brieonna and her family for a speedy and full recovery.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance while driving, especially when fatigued. We hope that Brieonna’s story encourages everyone to prioritize safety on the road and to appreciate the strength within us all.

Trial Set for Larry Savage in Ballot Case—Political Witch Hunt or Legitimate Charge?

ANDERSON — A trial has been scheduled for July in the case of Larry Savage, a former political candidate facing a felony charge for allegedly destroying or misplacing a ballot.

Savage appeared in Madison Circuit Court Division 6 on Friday, where Judge Mark Dudley set his trial for July 28 as the second choice for that date.

His attorney, Brandon Townsend, stated that plea negotiations failed to produce a resolution.

“I’m innocent, and my attorney will prove it,” Savage asserted in a statement after the hearing.

The 51-year-old was charged last year with a felony and a misdemeanor theft charge after he allegedly removed ballots during an Oct. 3 test of Madison County’s voting machines. Savage has strongly pushed back against the accusations, calling them a “political witch hunt.”

The machine test was conducted through the Voting System Technical Oversight Program hosted by Ball State University.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by David Peterson of the Indiana State Police, two test ballots were discovered missing. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Savage folding the ballots and placing them in his pocket before leaving the Madison County Government Center.

Shortly after taking the ballots, the footage also shows Savage whispering to Katherine Callahan, who later received a Facebook post from Savage stating that the test was three ballots short.

Savage, upon his arrest, claimed he didn’t realize he wasn’t allowed to take ballots marked “sample.” Indiana law requires that all ballots used in machine testing be sealed.

A search warrant was executed at Savage’s home, including a review of his cellphone. Investigators say his texts included a message to Callahan asking if anyone had mentioned the missing ballots.

Callahan reportedly texted back that officials were looking for them. Savage then responded, “I had three, how can they be one short?”

Despite the video evidence, Savage maintains the ballots were sample materials and not intended for actual use. He admitted he did not ask permission to take them but insists he did not intentionally commit a crime.

The political backdrop of the case raises some questions. Savage has run unsuccessfully for multiple offices, including mayor of Alexandria in 2019, an at-large seat on the Anderson City Council in 2023, and the Republican nomination for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District last year.

With his repeated election bids and his claims of political motivation behind the charges, it remains unclear whether this is a genuine case of election security enforcement or an overblown response to what Savage describes as a misunderstanding. His day in court may provide some answers.

Statewide Severe Weather Alert System Test Scheduled for March 11

Attention Lapel Residents,

Governor Mike Braun has declared March 9-15, 2025, as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana. As part of this initiative, the Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with multiple state and national agencies, will conduct a statewide and countywide test of emergency communication systems.

Test Details:

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025

⏰ Time: 10:15 AM EDT / 9:15 AM CDT

📢 Includes: Madison County EMA Outdoor Warning Alert Sirens

This test is designed to evaluate our preparedness and response capabilities in the event of severe weather. Madison County EMA will also conduct an internal drill at their Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to assess their ability to coordinate a severe weather response.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week aims to educate residents on the dangers of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes while ensuring that everyone knows how to respond when severe weather strikes.

Be Ready & Stay Informed

• Know the difference between a Watch and a Warning

• Understand Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, and Flash Flood Warnings

• Use this test as an opportunity to practice your severe weather plan

Although clear weather is expected, if conditions change, sirens will not be activated.

For more information, visit the Madison County Emergency Management & Department of Homeland Security website.

Stay safe and stay prepared, Lapel!

Lapel Varsity Football Game Results Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024

Football Recap: Lapel Takes a Tough Playoff Loss

Passing Yards – Eric Frantz•Nov 19, 2024Indiana high school football: IHSAA semi-state playoff schedule, scores, postseason brackets, state rankings and statewide statistical leadersIndiana high school football semi-state games, computer rankings, playoff brackets, statewide stat leaders, schedules and scores – live and final.
Receiving Yards –
Rushing Yards –

Next game:

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Christmas in Lapel: Reviving Tradition with a Modern Touch

Christmas in Lapel, the town’s beloved annual celebration, has deep roots in the community. Once known as the Lapel Community Association Christmas, the event took a multi-year break before being revived last year by Shellie Sears, the association’s president, and her dedicated team.

“This event had been a cherished tradition for years,” said Sears. “Residents looked forward to it and didn’t want to see it fade away.”

The revival came after overwhelming community support and nostalgic memories of past celebrations, including a live nativity scene. An organizational meeting in August 2023 drew significant interest, solidifying the decision to bring the event back to life.

“We managed to put the new version together in just a few months,” Sears noted.

This year’s Christmas in Lapel offers a mix of timeless traditions and new additions. Attendees can enjoy classic activities like a tree lighting ceremony, storytime, and the cherished live nativity scene. Meanwhile, modern updates include at least four food vendors, including a taco truck, and over 20 craft vendors.

“These vendors were introduced when we brought the event back,” Sears explained. “The original festival was smaller in scale, but the new additions have really enhanced the experience.”

Sears fondly recalled attending the festival as a child, describing it as a magical experience. “They used to light the streets with luminaries,” she said. “We’ve tried to recreate that nostalgic charm while adding fresh elements to keep it exciting.”

The Lapel Community Association remains dedicated to preserving the festival’s enchanting atmosphere while modernizing it for today’s residents and visitors. With its mix of tradition and innovation, Christmas in Lapel continues to be a heartwarming highlight of the holiday season.

Firefighters Respond to Blaze at Brockway-Owens Plant in Lapel

LAPEL — Early Sunday morning, firefighters from multiple departments joined forces to extinguish a fire at the Brockway-Owens glass manufacturing plant in Lapel.

Visible scorch marks were left along the north side of the building’s roof, with photographs capturing the intense effort as firefighters used aerial equipment to battle the flames.

Jason Renner, assistant chief of the Lapel/Stony Creek Township Fire Department, reported that the first emergency call came in at 6:45 a.m., alerting responders to the commercial fire.

“When crews arrived and saw flames in the roof, a second alarm was issued,” Renner said. “The fire was contained to the north side of the roof. Thankfully, there were no injuries, and we were able to limit damage to that section.”

Firefighters stayed on-site for about five hours, using an aggressive strategy to put out the fire and ensure no further damage occurred.

Several neighboring departments provided critical support, including South Madison Fire Territory, Anderson, Edgewood, Noblesville, Wayne Township (Hamilton County), Vernon Township (Hancock County), and the Madison County Emergency Management Agency.

Editor’s note: The image used with this article is an AI generated photo illustration.