Tonight, areas of frost are anticipated across most of central Indiana, with the exception of the far northeastern regions, which will be slightly more shielded due to increased cloud cover and stronger winds. To prevent damage, it’s a good idea to take protective measures for sensitive vegetation if necessary.
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Indiana Fire Departments Receive $453,386 in Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants
Lapel Stony Creek Twp. Fire Territory is thrilled to announce that it has received a $3,000 award from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. This funding will be used to purchase new sets of fire gear, enhancing the team’s ability to combat wildland fires and ensuring their safety while on duty.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has awarded a total of $453,386 to 100 rural and volunteer fire departments across 54 counties in Indiana. These awards, known as Volunteer Fire Assistance Capacity (VFC) grants, are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
The grants will be utilized for various purposes, including training, purchasing radios, and acquiring essential firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires. Recipients were selected based on factors such as population density, acres of public lands protected, and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters. As in previous years, projects focused on fighting wildfires were given priority.
The awarded grants range from $1,090 to $5,000, and the funded projects fall under several categories, including Safety, Wildland Firefighting Assistance, Water Handling, Communication, and Fire Prevention/Education.
Some of the fire departments that received the 2024 VFC grants include:
* Poe VFD, Allen County, $2,500, Safety
* Southwest Bartholomew County VFD, Inc., Bartholomew County, $5,000, Safety
* Montpelier VFD, Blackford County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Brown County VFD, Brown County, $3,050, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Galveston VFD, Cass County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Twelve Mile First Responders, Cass County, $2,500, Water Handling
* Charlestown VFD, Clark County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Monroe Twp. FD (Henryville), Clark County, $5,000, Safety
* Forest VFD, Clinton County, $5,000, Communication
* Kirklin VFD, Clinton County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Michigan Twp. VFD, Clinton County, $1,366.50, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Marion Twp. VFD (Greensburg), Decatur County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Garrett VFD, DeKalb County, $3,958, Safety
* Albany-Delaware Twp. FD, Delaware County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Daleville – Salem Twp. FT, Delaware County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Dubois VFD, Dubois County, $4,962.50, Safety
* Haysville Community Vol. Fire Dept., Dubois County, $4,900, Safety
* Ireland-Madison Twp. VFD, Dubois County, $5,000, Communication
* Schnellville VFD, Dubois County, $5,000, Water Handling
* St Anthony VFD, Dubois County, $5,000, Safety
* Cleveland Twp. FD, Elkhart County, $2,500, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Jefferson Twp. VFD, Elkhart County, $2,555, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Bentonville VFD, Fayette County, $4,900, Safety
* Brookville VFD, Franklin County, $5,000, Safety
* Eagle Fire Co. of Oldenburg, Franklin County, $2,500, Water Handling
* Laurel VFD, Franklin County, $5,000, Communication
* Metamora FD, Franklin County, $1,250, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Aubbeenaubbee Twp. FD, Fulton County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Kewanna / Union Twp. VFD, Fulton County, $4,000, Water Handling
* Center-Jackson Twp. FT, Greene County, $4,999, Water Handling
* Linton Fire Dept., Greene County, $5,000, Safety
* Taylor Twp. VFD, Greene County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Stilesville Fire and Rescue, Hendricks County, $4,400, Water Handling
* Greentown VFC, Howard County, $5,000, Safety
* Mount Etna VFD, Huntington County, $5,000, Safety
* Hamilton Twp. VFD, Jackson County, $5,000, Safety
* Owen Twp. VFD, Jackson County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Seymour FD, Jackson County, $4,098, Water Handling
* Bryant VFD, Jay County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Campbell Twp. VFD, Jennings County, $5,000, Safety
* Vernon Twp. VFD, Jennings County, $5,000, Communication
* Edwardsport VFD, Knox County, $5,000, Safety
* Freelandville VFD, Knox County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Vincennes Twp. FD, Knox County, $5,000, Safety
* Winona Lake FD, Kosciusko County, $2,475, Safety
* Howe VFD, Lagrange County, $3,715, Communication
* Lagrange VFD, Lagrange County, $5,000, Communication
* Lake Station VFD, Lake County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Lacrosse VFD, LaPorte County, $5,000, Communication
* Lincoln Twp. VFD (Walkerton), LaPorte County, $5,000, Safety
* Noble Twp. VFD (Union Mills), LaPorte County, $5,000, Safety
* Scipio Twp. VFD, LaPorte County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Springfield Twp. VFD Inc, LaPorte County, $5,000, Safety
* Westville VFD, LaPorte County, $5,000, Fire Prevention/Education
* Marion Twp. Rural FD (Mitchell), Lawrence County, $5,000, Safety
* Shawswick VFD, Lawrence County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Lapel Stony Creek Twp. FT, Madison County, $3,000, Safety
* Argos VFD, Marshall County, $5,000, Safety
* Bremen Community Fire Dept., Marshall County, $2,450, Water Handling
* Ellettsville FD, Monroe County, $5,000, Safety
* Waveland VFD Inc, Montgomery County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* A Twp. VFD, Morgan County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Monroe Twp. FD (Monrovia), Morgan County, $5,000, Safety
* Albion FD, Noble County, $5,000, Safety
* French Lick FD, Orange County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Clay Twp. VFD, Owen County, $2,200, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Owen Valley FT, Owen County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Bridgeton VFD, Parke County, $5,000, Safety
* J.U.G.A. (Bellmore) VFD, Parke County, $5,000, Communication
* Rockville-Adams Twp. Fire & Rescue, Parke County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Central Perry VFD, Perry County, $5,000, Water Handling
* Jefferson Twp. FD (Otwell), Pike County, $5,000, Safety
* Petersburg FD, Pike County, $5,000, Safety
* Beverly Shores FD, Porter County, $2,500, Water Handling
* Kouts FD, Porter County, $5,000, Safety
* Washington Twp. VFD (Valparaiso), Porter County, $1,090, Safety
* Francesville VFD, Pulaski County, $5,000, Training
* Medaryville-White Post FD, Pulaski County, $4,000, Safety
* Jefferson Twp. VFD, Putnam County, $4,900, Water Handling
* Lynn Fire Dept., Randolph County, $4,850, Safety
* Saratoga Ward FT, Randolph County, $5,000, Organization
* Batesville Vol. Fire & Rescue Dept. – EMS 10, Ripley County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Manilla VFD, Rush County, $4,517, Communication
* Posey Twp. VFD (Arlington), Rush County, $5,000, Safety
* Johnson Twp. VFD, Scott County, $5,000, Safety
* Vienna Twp. VFD, Scott County, $5,000, Safety
* Chrisney VFD, Spencer County, $5,000, Safety
* Liberty Twp. Fire, St. Joseph County, $5,000, Safety
* Knox-Center Twp. Fire Dept., Starke County, $3,250, Water Handling
* Koontz Lake VFD, Starke County, $5,000, Safety
* San Pierre Twp. VFD, Starke County, $5,000, Safety
* Angola VFD, Steuben County, $5,000, Safety
* Fremont VFD, Steuben County, $5,000, Safety
* Metz FD, Steuben County, $5,000, Safety
* Wildcat Twp. VFD, Tipton County, $5,000, Safety
* Perry Twp. VFD (Evansville), Vanderburgh County, $5,000, Communication
* Jackson Twp. VFD (Palmyra), Washington County, $5,000, Communication
* Livonia Vol. Fire & Rescue, Washington County, $5,000, Wildland Firefighting Assistance
* Fountain City / New Garden Twp. FD, Wayne County, $5,000, Safety
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Winter Safety Essentials: Protect Your Home and Family from Heating Hazards
As the temperatures drop and we start using our heaters and fireplaces for the first time this season, it’s essential to review some crucial safety tips to ensure your home and family remain safe.
When using your heater for the first time this season, consider the following precautions: have a professional inspect your furnace or heating system to ensure it’s working properly. Keep all flammable materials, such as blankets, curtains, and furniture, at least 3 feet away from heaters. Additionally, never use your oven or stove to heat your home, as this can be extremely dangerous.
For space heater safety, always plug them directly into a wall outlet, avoiding the use of extension cords or power strips. Make sure to turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to sleep. Opt for models with automatic shut-off in case they tip over, providing an extra layer of safety.
Carbon monoxide safety is also vital during the colder months. Check your CO detectors and replace the batteries to ensure they’re functioning correctly. If you don’t have a CO detector on every level of your home, consider getting one. Be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning, which include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and fatigue. Never run a generator or grill inside your home or garage, as this can lead to dangerous CO buildup.
In terms of general cold weather fire safety, test your smoke alarms monthly to ensure they’re working properly. Before using fireplaces or wood stoves, clean your chimneys and vents to prevent any potential fire hazards. Develop a fire escape plan and make sure everyone in the household is familiar with it, so you’re all prepared in case of an emergency.
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Breaking News and Alerts from Local Authorities
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Bulldogs Remain Undefeated: Small Town Pride Soars to New Heights
Way to go Bulldogs. The team remains undefeated, and the community is beaming with pride. The small town is rallying behind their beloved Bulldogs, showcasing the unmistakable spirit of small town pride.
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Celebrating Community Spirit: A Fun-Filled Day of Public Education
Another fun day of public education in our community today. We’re excited to share a glimpse into the action, check out this photo from today’s events.
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Blast from the Past: LaPorte Volunteer Fire Department Throwback Thursday
It’s Throwback Thursday and we’re taking a look back at the Lapel Volunteer Fire department. Check out these classic photos from the team. The Lapel Volunteer Fire department has a rich history of serving and protecting the community, and it’s great to see some of the familiar faces and old equipment that have helped shape the department into what it is today. From training exercises to community events, the Lapel Volunteer Fire department has always been dedicated to keeping the community safe. Take a trip down memory lane and see how the department has evolved over the years.
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Heating Fire Safety: Preventing Home Fires with Simple Precautions
Heating fires have been trending downward since the early 1980s, yet they remained the second leading cause of home fires in 2021, with an estimated 32,200 incidents reported to US fire departments. These fires resulted in significant losses, including approximately 190 deaths, 625 injuries, and $442 million in property damage.
To minimize the risk of heating fires, it’s essential to keep anything that can burn at a safe distance – at least 3 feet – from all heat sources, including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters, and candles. Additionally, never use an oven to heat your home, as this can be a serious fire hazard. When using space heaters, make sure to turn them off when leaving the room or going to bed to prevent accidents.
Regular maintenance of heating equipment and chimneys is also crucial. Have them cleaned and inspected annually by a professional to ensure they are in good working condition and function safely. By following these simple precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of heating fires and keep your home and loved ones safe.
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Fire Safety Fun: Lapel Stony Creek Twp. Fire Territory Visits the Caterpillar Class
The Caterpillar Class had an exciting day with a special visit from the Lapel Stony Creek Twp. Fire Territory! The firefighters came to talk to us about fire safety, and we all gathered in the sanctuary to hear a story and learn more about their important work.
We got to see the uniform that a firefighter wears, which was really cool, and then we took a tour of the fire truck and ambulance. The kids were thrilled to get up close and personal with the vehicles and learn about all the equipment on board.
As a special treat, each child received their very own fire hat and coloring book, which they were all thrilled about. We want to extend a big thank you to the fire department for taking the time to visit us and teach our students about fire safety. This is an annual event that the kids look forward to all year, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to learn from these brave men and women.
[Images of the event]
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Lapel Firefighters Fill the Boot for Muscular Dystrophy Association Today
Fill the Boot for MDA!
Join Lapel Stony Creek Twp. Fire Territory as we participate in the Fill the Boot campaign, benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Our firefighters will be at the intersection of SR 32 & Pendleton Ave today, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, collecting donations and raising awareness for this incredible cause.
By supporting MDA, we’re helping kids and families living with muscular dystrophy. Every dollar counts, and your contribution can make a significant difference in their lives. Take a moment to stop by, say hello, and help us fill those boots!
We appreciate your support, Lapel! Let’s come together to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by muscular dystrophy.
#FillTheBoot #SupportMDA #LapelFire #CommunityStrong #FirefightersForACause
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