Lapel Library Nears Completion of Green Space Project to Enhance Community Engagement

LAPEL – The Lapel Public Library is nearing the completion of a green space project aimed at enhancing the community’s options for activities and family gatherings.

Edra Waterman, Director of the Anderson Public Library, shared on Wednesday that the project has been in the works for several years.

“We envision the green space becoming a central part of our services and facilities in Lapel,” Waterman stated. “This project marks our first step toward improving services at the branch, which will also include extended hours.”

Waterman explained that the new space will host story times and other events, incorporating interactive elements for children to enjoy.

A community survey conducted by the South Madison Community Foundation revealed that local residents desired a space specifically for family gatherings in Lapel, according to Waterman.

Fredericks Construction has been working on the concrete portions of the project, which are nearing completion, and Hitchcock Design Group is set to handle the landscaping. Plans include the installation of play structures and a pavilion, anticipated to be finished this fall.

“We’re optimistic that the project will be wrapped up by the fall,” Waterman added. “It’s going to be a fantastic addition.”

Lapel Town Council President, Chad Blake, mentioned that the library consulted with the town council to discuss what the community needed. Initially, the town had considered purchasing the property for additional parking, but with the library’s expanded parking facilities, alternative uses for the space were explored.

“We already have parks in Lapel, but no dedicated area for people to relax outdoors and read,” Blake said. “This green space will be a great enhancement to the downtown area.”

Blake also expressed the hope that the new space will encourage more residents to visit the library.

Melanie Bishop, manager of the Lapel library, shared her excitement about the project’s potential.

“The possibilities are tremendous,” Bishop said. “The pavilion will be able to host entertainment, and the green space will add purpose to how the library is used by the community.”

The library is currently conducting a survey to gather feedback on its hours of operation, programming ideas for various age groups, and suggestions for additional services. New operating hours are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 2, and Bishop noted that the library is in the process of hiring a full-time children’s librarian.

The Herald Bulletin. “Lapel library adding interactive green space areaThe Herald Bulletin, Sep. 20, 2024,

Photo Credit Crystal Ake 2024

Update on Lapel’s Water Project: Insights from Brian Robertson

In recent weeks, Brian Robertson, Vice President of the Lapel Town Council, shared an important update on the town’s ongoing water project. The council held two public meetings to address significant developments in the project. One meeting was a special session, while the other was a regular council meeting, both of which were open to the public and extensively advertised.

Reasons for Recent Changes

Brian Robertson explained that government agencies are required to accept the lowest reasonable bid for projects. Initially, the plan was to use a boring method to install new water lines. However, this method proved to be extremely challenging due to difficulties in locating some of Lapel’s utilities using outdated maps. After five months of negotiations and planning, a new approach was agreed upon. The project will now proceed with an “open cut” method, which is expected to better address the unique challenges of the town’s infrastructure.

Project Timeline

According to Robertson, the project is scheduled to restart on or before September 15, 2024. The major completion date for the new water lines, which must be installed and supplying customers, is set for March 31, 2025. The total completion date, which includes final touches, is targeted for April 30, 2025.

Ensuring Timely Progress

Brian Robertson has been assigned the task of conducting weekly meetings with both the engineering team and the contractor to ensure the project remains on schedule. A town utility employee will serve as the primary point of contact and will be on-site daily, reporting any issues directly to Robertson. He will then provide progress reports to the council during their regular monthly meetings.

Focus on Water Quality

Robertson has also been in touch with the water department to explore ways of taking water samples directly from the water meter. The goal is to ensure that the water quality being supplied is up to standard. The town is responsible for water quality up to the meter, while anything beyond that point falls under the property owner’s responsibility. Although there are acknowledged issues with the town’s aging water supply system, Robertson emphasized that the project aims to significantly improve the oldest sections of this system.

Moving Forward

Brian Robertson hopes that this update sheds light on the council’s efforts to enhance Lapel’s water system. He also expressed openness to sharing this information to keep the community well-informed.

Madison County Tornado: NWS Confirms EF2 Damage

Here’s a revised version of the article:


Tornado Hits Madison County, Ind., Causing Severe Damage

MADISON COUNTY, Ind. — A tornado struck Madison County on Monday night, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

On Tuesday morning, NWS teams conducted a damage survey and confirmed that the extent of the destruction was consistent with a tornado. Sam Lashley, warning coordination meteorologist with NWS Indianapolis, indicated that while the tornado’s exact path is still being determined, it appeared to have moved erratically from near the Hamilton/Madison county line to its final location.

“The debris pattern is strongly indicative of a tornado,” Lashley explained. “We observed circulating patterns, lifting, and lofting of debris, which we use to verify and assess the appropriate wind speed ratings.”

The NWS later confirmed that the tornado was an EF2, with peak winds estimated at 130 mph. It originated in Hamilton County as an EF0 before intensifying as it crossed into Madison County.

The tornado caused significant damage to the Frankton-Lapel Community Schools Administration Building at 7916 W. 300 North. The storm tore the roof off the gymnasium and displaced it 150 yards to the north. The tornado also uprooted trees and traveled across a cornfield before hitting the building.

“There were no injuries reported as the building was unoccupied at the time,” Lashley said. “However, the impact is still considerable for those connected to the school. We strive to provide timely warnings to ensure safety.”

Lashley noted that predicting tornadoes, especially with short lead times, remains challenging. Nevertheless, the NWS managed to issue a warning approximately five to ten minutes before the tornado struck.

Tom Ecker with the Madison County Emergency Management Authority confirmed that the school administration building sustained extensive damage to its roof and at least two walls. Ecker also reported damage to at least two homes in the Perkinsville area.

In addition, tornado damage included concrete blocks being torn from walls and deposited on several school buses. One bus had a metal support driven through its frame.

Images of the damage showed significant destruction to around a dozen school buses, which could impact school operations as the new term approaches. Jessa Ashton, public information officer for the Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department, stated that the cost of the damage to the building and buses has not yet been estimated.

The Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Department noted that the storm led to the collapse of the building’s original gymnasium walls and roof. Multiple emergency services, including the Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department, Madison County EMA, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, assisted at the scene. Hamilton County EMA deployed a drone to assess the damage from above.

Most of the reported damage has been north of Perkinsville, around County Road 300 North and County Road 600 West. Tornado warnings were issued across several counties including Delaware, Henry, Madison, Franklin, Butler, Wayne, Fayette, Union, and Henry throughout Monday night. The NWS had previously reported a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Anderson at 10:44 p.m.

The NWS received over a dozen damage reports from Monday night’s severe weather, including wind damage in Centerville, Brookville, and Daleville, and storm damage in Lebanon and Wilmington, Ohio.

Town Of Lapel Natural Gas Price Update

Winter 2022-2023

Source: http://www.lapelindiana.org/news.asp?id=258&P=1

There are several factors impacting natural gas prices. First and foremost, natural gas prices have been impacted by the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Russia has limited deliveries of natural gas to Europe via the Nordstream pipeline. As of August 31st, Russia is delivering no gas via Nordstream with no date to resume service which should send European price skyrocketing if the outage continues. This has driven natural gas prices for Winter for Europe past $40/Mcf after trading over $100/Mcf…more than ten times the US price! The US is making up some of the shortfall via LNG exports to Europe and other countries. The US can export more than 12 Bcf/day when operating at capacity. Every cubic foot of natural gas that can leave this country will due to the high price overseas market. Natural gas storage is 7.4% (223 Bcf) below last year due to the US using significant natural gas consumption for power generation to meet cooling demands. Natural gas production which most had anticipated to reach 97 Bcf/day, or higher this year has not reached that point. Natural gas production is currently at its highest for the year at/near 96.5 Bcf/day and it just reached these levels after lingering below 94 Bcf/day for most of the year. These factors have allowed natural gas prices to reach 14-year highs.

It’s not all bad news for US buyers. The Freeport LNG plant which produces 2.2 Bcf/day remains offline and is currently projected to be back in service no sooner than mid-November and will likely be off longer. That pushes 2.2 Bcf/day into storage until its restart, gas that otherwise would have left the country. The next several weeks we should see strong injections into storage. NOAA just posted their updated forecast on 9/15 forecasting well above normal temperatures for November into December for most of the highly populated (high gas consumption) regions. This would push additional gas into the ground as well and could push prices lower. 

The natural gas market remains volatile and we anticipate natural gas costs will be higher than last winter. Prices have somewhat decoupled from the European price and are currently trading well off the recent high prices with only January 2023 delivery trading over $8.00/Mcf on 9/16. It was only a few days ago all of winter was trading over $9.00/Mcf. The long-term outlook depends mostly on the weather trend. We will need a winter of above normal temps as a whole to bring prices down significantly.  We will keep you posted on natural gas price expectations as winter nears.

The Town’s Christmas Lights Display Is Now Up and Shining Brightly

Lapel, Indiana is a small town with a big holiday spirit! The town’s Christmas lights display is now up and shining brightly, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The display consists of a variety of lights and decorations, all of which are sure to bring a smile to your face. The lights range from traditional string lights to more unique and whimsical designs. No matter what your holiday style is, there’s something for everyone in Lapel!

What’s more, the town’s residents are incredibly friendly and welcoming. So if you find yourself in the area during the holidays, be sure to stop by and check out the Christmas lights display in Lapel, Indiana!