As cooler temperatures move in tonight and tomorrow, our area may see snow or wintry precipitation. To stay safe, remember these essential tips:
Travel Safely
When on the roads, slow down and allow extra stopping distance on wet or icy surfaces. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, including a blanket, flashlight, snacks, water, and a phone charger. Before heading out, check the latest road conditions to plan your route.
Home Heating Safety
If you’re using space heaters, keep them at least 3 feet away from anything flammable. Never leave heaters unattended or running overnight, and ensure proper ventilation if you’re using a fireplace or wood stove. Don’t forget to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Protect People, Pets, and Pipes
Bring your pets indoors or provide a warm, safe shelter for them. To prevent frozen pipes, let your faucets drip slightly. Check on your elderly neighbors or anyone who may need assistance during this time.
Stay informed with the latest weather updates and road advisories. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and share updates as necessary.
Snow has started falling at the Indianapolis airport, marking the beginning of a winter weather event in the area. Over the next few hours, snowfall rates are expected to remain relatively low, resulting in minimal accumulations. However, as temperatures continue to drop, snow is anticipated to start accumulating more noticeably tonight and into early tomorrow morning.
Governor Mike Braun has declared November 9-15, 2025, as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana, urging residents to take proactive steps to safeguard themselves, their loved ones, and their property from the dangers of severe winter weather.
To help Hoosiers prepare, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and its partners will share valuable tips and resources daily throughout the week. These will cover essential topics such as assembling emergency kits, ensuring heating safety, taking travel precautions, and staying informed during weather emergencies. For more information and to get prepared, visit getprepared.in.gov.
In September, a sudden electrical fire broke out behind our restaurant, forcing us to close our doors for almost two weeks. Unfortunately, rumors have been circulating that we were shut down by the health department, which couldn’t be further from the truth. To set the record straight, we have never been closed by the health department and have always maintained a perfect record of passing health inspections.
Thankfully, the incident didn’t result in any injuries, and our restaurant itself suffered no internal damage. However, the electrical meter and wiring were destroyed and required replacement. We worked diligently with NIPSCO and the City of Gary to ensure that all repairs were made safely and efficiently before reopening.
We’re deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from our community, who checked in on us, shared kind words, and patiently waited for our reopening. The closure was undoubtedly tough on us and our employees, who rely on their jobs for income. We’re thrilled to be back in operation, serving the community we love.
LET’S GO BULLDOGS!!! We’ve got your back and are cheering you on all the way! Show your small town pride and let’s bring home a win for the town of Lapel. Remember to celebrate responsibly – with the local burn ban in effect, let’s skip the bonfires and find safer ways to cheer on our team. #smalltownpride #bulldogproud #letswinthis #townoflapel #localburnban #dontcelebratewithabonfire
Lapel families continue reporting yellow/brown tap water, clogged filters, and foul smells. State and local officials say discoloration is often tied to iron/manganese and system disturbances, but residents want clearer answers and a concrete fix timeline. Wastewater (sewer) rates are proposed to rise ~40% over two years, with a key public meeting scheduled Nov. 20, 2025, 7:00 p.m., Lapel Lions Club. Bring questions and documentation (photos, dates, addresses).
What’s happening to our water?
Residents all over town have shared photos and samples showing tea-colored water that stains sinks and quickly loads up whole-house filters. (See the new vs. used filter images above.) Many families say they avoid drinking from the tap and are worried about bathing kids and pets.
This isn’t just a Lapel story anymore. The situation has attracted state and regional attention, including a detailed piece in The Brockovich Report highlighting ongoing discoloration reports in Lapel and similar concerns across Madison County. The article points to aging infrastructure, confusing communication, and rising costs shouldered by customers.
Statewide coverage from the Indianapolis Star and national syndication also note officials’ explanations (iron/manganese and flushing) alongside residents’ frustration with the persistence and severity of the discoloration.
Is discolored water “safe”?
According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), discolored water can be caused by iron/manganese deposits stirred up by pressure changes, hydrant flushing, or operational issues (including incorrect chemical dosing). IDEM says discolored water “needs to be investigated,” and provides steps residents can take (running cold water, avoiding hot water use until clear, documenting events, and contacting the utility).
Important: Discoloration alone is not proof of a health violation, but IDEM emphasizes that systems must meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and that events should be reported and addressed. If you’re seeing sudden changes, odors, grit, or persistent color, document it and notify the utility and IDEM.
Why are rates rising?
Separate from the color issue, wastewater (sewer) rates are slated for a substantial increase (about 40% over two years) tied to system improvements. A Nov. 20, 2025 public meeting is listed on the town website (Lions Club, 7 p.m.). Bring your questions about: project scope, milestones, financing, consumer protections, and how improvements will be measured.
Across Madison County, nearby Anderson is planning major water-system investments (about $130 million) and has discussed phased water rate increases to pay for bond costs—part of a broader regional pattern of aging infrastructure and rising utility bills.
What residents are asking for
From dozens of emails, posts, and meeting comments we’ve reviewed, Lapel residents are broadly aligned on a few goals:
Clear diagnostics: Source-of-discoloration analysis with public data (iron/manganese levels, turbidity, hydrant flushing schedules, treatment adjustments) in plain language. A repair plan with dates: What’s being fixed, when, who’s doing it, and how success will be measured (before/after sampling, color/turbidity targets). Rate transparency: How every dollar of proposed increases is allocated (engineering, pipes, pumps, treatment, contingency), and what performance milestones trigger releases of funds. Communication: A standing public dashboard (updated weekly) that shows complaints, sampling locations/results, and current work orders.
These requests mirror themes raised in outside reporting: aging pipes and treatment equipment, confusing or conflicting official statements, and households left to fend for themselves with filters and bottled water.
What you can do right now
1) Document problems.
Take timestamped photos/videos of discolored water, affected fixtures, and filters (inside/outside). Note date, time, and whether hydrant flushing or pressure changes were occurring nearby. Keep receipts for filters/bottled water.
2) Report it.
Contact the town/utility with your documentation, and also file with IDEM Drinking Water Branch (the agency that enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act in Indiana).
3) Show up and speak up.
Public Meeting: Nov. 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., Lapel Lions Club. Ask for the investigation summary, sampling results, and the sewer-rate project plan with timelines and KPIs.
4) Ask specific questions.
What are the measured iron, manganese, and turbidity levels by neighborhood and date? What operational changes (e.g., chemical feed, hydrant sequencing, valve isolation, tank cycling) are being made to minimize color? What infrastructure fixes are funded first, and when will residents see before/after results at the tap? What relief (credits, filter stipends) is available when water is visibly discolored?
Context: this is bigger than Lapel
Communities across Indiana are grappling with aging infrastructure and rising costs. Anderson’s large-scale plan and multi-year rate proposals show how expensive catch-up can be—and how crucial transparency is for public trust.
Our position
Residents deserve clear, safe water and honest answers. Rates should follow results. Increases must be tied to a published plan, schedule, and public metrics (color/turbidity, iron/manganese, complaint volumes). Communication must improve. A weekly dashboard and routine town updates would go a long way.
LiveInLapel.com will continue collecting resident reports and publishing updates as official information becomes available.
Sources & further reading
The Brockovich Report: Who’s In Charge Of The Water In Madison County, Indiana? (Sept. 24, 2025). IDEM: Discolored Drinking Water Event factsheet; Boil Water Advisories & Discolored Water Events; Community Drinking Water – Madison County. News coverage: Proposed Lapel sewer-rate increase; statewide reporting on Lapel’s brown water complaints. Regional context: Anderson infrastructure plans and rate discussions.
Want your experience included?
Email us with your photos, address (block level only), date/time, and whether you contacted the utility/IDEM. We will aggregate community data to press for answers and share it back with residents.
Editor’s note: Photos of filters and discolored water used in this article were shared by residents with permission. If you’d like your image removed or updated, please contact the editor.
Indiana high school football: IHSAA sectional final playoff schedule, brackets, broadcasts, scores, rankings and statistical leaders
Passing Yards – Team Reports•Nov 4, 2025Football Game Preview: Lapel Bulldogs vs. Triton Central TigersFootball Preview: Lapel Bulldogs vs. Triton Central Tigers
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A new traffic signal is now operational at the intersection of State Road 13 and County Road 800 S in Ingalls, marking a significant upgrade from the previous two-way stop signs. The primary goal of this new signal is to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes at this intersection. To learn more about this improvement and its expected impact, visit: bit.ly/4o0T8AF
[Image: New traffic signal at the intersection of State Road 13 and County Road 800 S in Ingalls]
[Image: Closer view of the new traffic signal]
It’s time for #ThrowbackThursday, and we’re taking a look back at the Lapel Volunteer Fire Department. Check out these classic photos showcasing the department’s history and dedication to serving the community. From training exercises to community events, these images highlight the tireless efforts of the Lapel Volunteer Fire Department. Take a trip down memory lane and appreciate the hard work and commitment of these brave men and women.
Carbon monoxide is notoriously known as the “invisible killer” because it’s odorless and invisible, making it impossible to detect without warning. To protect yourself and your loved ones from this silent threat, it’s crucial to take proactive measures.
Start by installing carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home. This ensures that you’ll be alerted in the event of a carbon monoxide buildup, regardless of where you are in the house.
Regular maintenance is also key. Test your carbon monoxide alarms monthly to ensure they’re functioning properly and can detect any potential leaks. By taking these simple steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and create a safer living environment.
