Tipton Briefs

Correction
The FFA Dairy Foods Contest Chairman has informed Tipton High School that there was an error in scoring of a recent Dairy Foods Career Development contest that had not been noticed until Monday regarding the Tipton FFA Dairy Foods Team. The team actually place 23rd, not first as originally reported.

Free wellness checks
Miller’s Merry Manor in Tipton will host wellness checks on the first Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Blood pressures and oxygen levels for local residents will be checked at no charge.

Sweets tasting
Join the IU Health Tipton Diabetes Center for a “Sweets to Win Your Heart” Open House. Information and tasting will be available on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at 405 Fairgrounds Road in Tipton. Free recipes will be provided, all are welcome to attend. Call ahead to register, 675-8208.

Special meeting
Tipton County Board of Commissioners will conduct a special meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the John Tipton Meeting Room on the second floor of the Tipton County Courthouse.

Invasive Plants Workshop
Purdue Extension-Tipton County invites you to join the Master Gardeners at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ex-tension Education Center for a workshop presentation on invasive plant identification, early detection-rapid res-ponse and control measures. Robert Eddleman, retired NRCS employee, will discuss identification of the more common invasive plants in central Indiana and the kinds of damage each causes. He will also cover control methods and techniques and touch on restoration with native Indiana plants. You do not have to be a Master Gardener to attend, all are welcome. Call the Extension Education Center at 765-675-1177 for more information.

Severe weather
information line
A severe weather information line has been established for Tipton County. The information line will give weather updates, such as current weather advisories especially for winter weather levels and also tornado/severe weather for Tipton County. The phone number is 675-0721.

Screenings/Blood Pressure Checks
Tipton County Health Department will provide cholesterol screenings and blood pressure checks every Thursday during February from 8 a.m. to noon by appointment for a small fee. For more information or to register for an appointment, call the health department at 675-8741.

Women’s heart health awareness
Join Indiana University Health Tipton Cardiology Services for "Women, Take Charge of Your Heart Health" on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Community Classroom at IU Health Tipton Hospital. In celebration of the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign, area women of all ages are invited to a special discussion. Dr. Nathan Lambert, a board certified cardiologist, will discuss awareness, prevention, and treatment of cardiac issues. Free blood pressure checks and A1C (diabetic screening) will be available to all attending. Six free cholesterol screenings will be given away as door prizes (provided by Tipton County Health Department). For more information,call 675-8575.

Food needed
The Humane Society of Tipton County is in need of dry dog food and wet cat food. For more information or to set up a pick-up or delivery time, call 675-1692.

Hoosier State
applications
Tipton High School juniors may apply for Hoosier State. Applications are available online under "Guidance" at the THS website or in the guidance office. Applications are due by noon on Feb. 17.

Host families sought
AS Student Exchange is currently accepting applications for families to host international high school exchange students for the 2012-2013 school year. Interested families may request more information at www.asse.com or phone 765-437-0300.

Walk or run
on Saturdays
The Elwood YMCA will begin a running/walking program every Saturday at 8 a.m. The first group run will be Feb. 4. Included is a training program for the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, but anyone interessting in meeting other runner/walkers is welcome. Call 552-9808 for more information.

Spay/neuter
Need low cost spay/neuter for your cat or dog? Call the Humane Society of Tipton County at 675-1692.

Indian Artifacts
Tipton Indian Artifacts help teach children. A local collector who does hands-on demonstrations for local school systems is looking for anyone who would like to donate or sell any Indian artifacts. For more information, call 765-271-0151.

Classes offered
Free adult education, GED and college prep classes are being offered in Tipton, Elwood and Alexandria through Hinds Career Center. Morning, evening and internet classes are available. Call 552-9881, ext. 1523 for information.

Winter Reading Club
Stop by the Tipton County Public Library and share your passion for reading. It’s easy and fun to participate in the Winter Reading Club. To participate listen to or read a book, magazine, newspaper and write the title on an entry form and you’re entered in the weekly prize drawings.

Children’s Story Times
Tiny Tot Tales at 10 a.m. Thursdays. Toddler Time at 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Book Buddies at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays or 1:30 p.m. Thursdays. Call the Tipton County Public Library children’s department at 675-8761 to register or for more information.

Free radon
test kits
Free radon test kits are now available at the Tipton County Health Department. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is typically found in basements and up to the first two stories of homes. Call 675-8741 to claim your kit.

Comprehensive plan
Persons interested in the city comprehensive plan can visit the Houseal Lavigne website at www.hlplanning.com/tipton for up-to-date documents regarding the plan. Also, there is a survey for resident or business owner that can be completed. There will be an interactive map later on that will allow people to leave comments about specific locations.

Tipton County WIC
Tipton County WIC (Women, Infants and Children) provides help to pregnant women, infants and children. Call (765)252-1052 to make an appointment or to receive more information.

Collecting eye
glasses
Tipton Lions Club is collecting eye glasses (all kinds, any condition) and keys of all kinds. The eye glasses will help the sight impaired throughout the world and the key material is used to generate funds for cancer programs. Both can be dropped off at Marsh Hometown Market or The Side Street Mall. For more information call Lion Earl Thomas at 765-963-5856.

Wall of Fame
In an effort to honor former students of Tipton High School and to encourage the current students to strive for high honors, TIpton High School has established the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame, Academic Wall of Fame and the Freedom Shrine Wall of Honor. Applications for nomination for these honors are available at the high school office. Deadline is March 1. For more information, call 675-7431, ext. 100.

Free lap swimming
Tipton High School aquatic center will be offering free lap swimming every Monday and Wednesday morning from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Check the facebook page "Tipton High School Aquatic Center" or call Steven Thompson at (765) 675-7431 ext. 127 for more information.

Food items needed
Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Tipton is in need of canned and boxed food items to restock their pantry. Donated food can be taken to Second Blessings Thrift Store, located across from the Diana Theater in Tipton.

Letter Writing Campaign
Tipton County residents are encouraged to write a letter of thanks to our military troops overseas. Drop-off boxes are located at all Tipton County schools, American Legion Post 46 and the Tipton County Public Library. For more information, visit http://www.tiptoncf.org/letters.htm

Prescription drug
discount cards
The Tipton County Health Department currently has prescription drug discount cards. The cards are free to use, never expire and ready for immediate, unlimited use. The cards are accepted at approximately 80 percent of all pharmacies in the United States.

Pantry hours
The Good Shepherd Food Pantry is open the first and third Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. and the second Wednesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The pantry is located at 120 Fourth St. in Tipton. Visits are limited to one per month. For more information, call 675-6227.

Encore Food Pantry
The Encore Center Food Pantry is increasing it's availability to help serve those in Tipton County. The Food Pantry will be open every Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.; also every Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. Donations can be made Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pantry is located in the C.W. Mount Building, 341 W. Jefferson St. Call 675-4746 with any questions.

Attention Veterans
If you are suffering from a service connected health problem and can verify the condition, contact the Veterans Service Officer on the third floor of the Tipton County Courthouse. If you are receiving VA compensation for a service connected health problem that may be getting worse, also contact the service officer. Gulf War Veterans that are suffering from service connected health problems can now apply for VA Compensation by contacting the service officer at 675-2221 for an appointment.

Bundle of Blessings
Bundle of Blessings is a ministry outreach through Rock Prairie Baptist Church. The organization looks to seek the needs of teen moms in Tipton County. For more information, call 675-4588.

Attention Veterans
The VA will now presume herbicide exposure for any veteran who served between April 1, 1968 and Aug. 31, 1971 in a unit determined by VA and the Department of Defense. If you have operated in an area in or near the Korean DMZ where herbicides were applied, contact the Veterans Service Officer on the third floor of the Tipton County Courthouse or call 675-2221. (Need a copy of DD214).