Missing person – Carmel police are asking the public for assistance in locating Bettina “Tina” Carlita Rippy, 36, last seen at approximately 12:20 p.m. June 28 in the 7000 block of Hopewell Parkway. Rippy is described as a black female, 5’10”, 250 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing jean shorts with a short sleeved pink and purple shirt and was carrying a Walmart bag. She is known to drive a maroon 2010 Honda Pilot with license plate 779RSR. Anyone with information about Rippy’s whereabouts is asked to contact Carmel police at 317-571-2500 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. Reference CPD case number 2023-46915.
Felix appointed to Court of Appeals – Gov. Eric Holcomb selected Hamilton County Judge Paul Felix, a Carmel resident, as the next member of the Indiana Court of Appeals. Felix will replace retiring Judge Margret G. Robb. Felix was born and raised in Elkhart. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a law degree from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Following graduation, Felix joined the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office, where he was a deputy prosecuting attorney until 2006. He then served as a city court judge in Carmel. In 2008, he was elected to serve as the Hamilton Circuit Court Judge, where he has served for 14 years.
Homemade pie contest – The Hamilton County Extension Homemakers will host a homemade pie contest during the Hamilton County 4-H Fair. Entries will be accepted from 1 to 2 p.m. July 22 in the Exhibition Center Hall B at the fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. Individuals are asked to submit a homemade pie from a recipe handed down through generations and include the recipe with directions. No pies needing refrigeration will be accepted, while entries must also include 50 to 100 words telling how the pie became part of your family history. Judging will begin at 2 p.m. with prizes awarded to the winner. For more, call 317-776-0854.
Learn about Assistance League – Learn more about membership in the Assistance League of Indianapolis at an informational coffee meeting set for 10 a.m. Aug. 17 at the ALI chapter office, 1475 W. 86th St., Suite E, in Indianapolis. Membership in ALI, an all-volunteer philanthropic nonprofit, is open to residents in Indianapolis and surrounding communities. RSVP to Janine Bercovitz, vice president of membership, at [email protected]. Learn more at ALIndy.org.
Veteran services grants awarded — The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs recently awarded more than $400,000 through the Grants for Veterans’ Services program in support of organizations providing direct services to veterans. Among the grant recipients is the Pets Healing Vets program run by the Humane Society for Hamilton County. Other recipients are Family Service Association of Howard County, Hope Southern Indiana, Indiana Legal Services, Inc., Indy Warrior Partnership, InteCare, Lafayette Transitional Housing Center, Liberty Place, Muncie-Delaware County Area Senior Citizens Council, Inc., Reach Services, Inc., Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, Veterans Life Changing Services, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, YMCA of Indianapolis and Veterans Impact Services, Inc.
Golf tournament fundraiser – The fifth annual Evan R Hansen Legacy Foundation Golf Tournament is set for July 29 on both 18-hole courses at Pebble Brook Golf Club in Noblesville. The foundation plans to use the proceeds to begin sponsoring nationally known mental health speaker presentations at local high schools as well as other causes related to its mission. For more, visit erh32.org.
Golden Hoosier nominations – Nominations are being accepted for the 2023 Golden Hoosier Award, which honors senior Hoosiers for their lifetime of service and commitment to their communities. Since the start of the program, more than 200 Hoosiers have been honored. To be eligible, the nominee must currently be an Indiana resident, age 65 or older and have been a volunteer in the community for the past three years. The deadline for submitting applications is July 9. Nomination forms can be accessed at in.gov/lg/lt-governor-initiatives/golden-hoosier-award.
Nature Keepers – Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is offering a new youth program this summer called Nature Keepers. This half-day nature program will be led by the CCPR Parks & Natural Resources team and hosted at different parks each week to provide an immersive, hands-on experience. Nature Keepers is designed for ages 5-11. Morning sessions are for ages 5-7, while afternoons are for ages 8-11. Each four-day Nature Keepers session runs Monday through Thursday and features a different theme. This summer’s themes include weather, water, wildlife, and wilderness survival. Each session is $100 per participant. The program will run weekly through July 27. Learn more and register at anc.apm.activecommunities.com/carmelclayparks/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=nature%20keepers&viewMode=list.
Website connects residents to resources – The Hamilton County Community Foundation, Duke Energy, the Hamilton County Trustees Association and Good Samaritan Network have partnered to launch Help4HamiltonCounty.org to provide residents with a one-stop resource for support services. The new resource offers connection in the areas of aging and seniors, food assistance, medical and mental health, youth and families, housing and education and employment.
Kindergarten registration – Registration is open for the Carmel Clay Schools kindergarten class for the 2023-24 school year. Early registration helps CCS prepare for anticipated staffing needs and allows families to begin the kindergarten assessment process and receive communication from the district. Register for the Class of 2036 at ccs.k12.in.us/services/curriculum/kindergarten.
Monthly beekeepers meeting – The North Central Beekeepers Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st St. in Westfield. Meetings are free to attend by all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.
Most Purchasing Power – SmartAssest released its annual study on the places with the most purchasing power. The study measures the places where average living expenses are most affordable for people living there by measuring the cost of living relative to local income in each county. According to the study, Hamilton County has a $54,165 cost of living and a median income of $98,173, ranking it first in Indiana with a purchasing power index of 91.70.
Merchants Bank hire – Carmel-based Merchants Bank has hired John Douglas as assistant vice president in the bank’s Correspondent and Warehouse Lending divisions. Douglas will join this growing segment of Merchants’ lending platform remotely in New Jersey. Prior to joining Merchants Bank, Douglas served as president and CEO of eWise Home Lending, a company he founded. Douglas is an active member of the New Jersey Mortgage Broker/Banker Association and has participated in several MBA committees. He is a graduate of Catholic University.
Free home repair services – The Patch Boys of Northeast Indianapolis, a locally owned and operated home repair services provider, is offering free home repair services to an immediate family member of a fallen soldier in the area. The family will be selected based on the scope of repairs needed and the impact it would have on the family. Submissions will be accepted until May 26, and the winning family will be selected on or before Memorial Day. Learn more at thepatchboys.com/northeast-indianapolis.
Eliminate period poverty – Carmel Middle School student and Girl Scout Cadette Maren Sander wants to eliminate period poverty in her community. She has made it her mission to make sure no girls go without feminine hygiene products at her school. Carmel Middle School’s Pantry Packs program helps feed Carmel Middle School students that would otherwise go without. Select students are sent home with food for their families each Friday and over extended breaks. With Sander’s help, each pack will now include period products once a month. Sander has so far collected 43 boxes of tampons and 18 boxes of pads. If she collects enough, she could provide hygiene products for Clay and Creekside Middle Schools as well. An Amazon wish list has been set up for those interested in donating to the project. Access the list at rb.gy/6szm0.
My Healthy Baby – The Indiana Dept. of Health and Indiana Family and Social Services Administration have completed the rollout of My Healthy Baby, the state’s obstetrical navigator program that is designed to improve health outcomes for both mother and baby. Launched in January 2020, My Healthy Baby connects pregnant women who are enrolled in Medicaid with free home visiting services and support in their communities during their pregnancy and throughout their baby’s first year of life. Since its inception, the program has referred more than 12,000 women to local support through programs such as Nurse-Family Partnership and Healthy Families. Eligible women can be referred to My Healthy Baby by a provider or can refer themselves by visiting myhealthybabyindiana.com or calling 844-624-6667.
Hospice volunteers needed – Brighton Hospice in Carmel is looking for volunteers to help office staff perform a variety of office duties such as organizing admission paperwork, filing, preparing and sending mail, answering phones, stocking supplies and helping with special projects and events. Hours and days for this volunteer opportunity are flexible and training will be provided. To learn more, contact Katresha Taylor, volunteer coordinator, by calling 317-798-2160 or by email at [email protected].
