North Judson Truck Driver Honored to be Guest at White House Rose Garden Event, Finds Hoosier Ties in D.C.

Vice President/Former Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Jeff Tetzloff

A North Judson native was chosen from thousands of truck drivers to represent his profession and his company at an event in the White House Rose Garden last Thursday.

Jeff Tetzloff has been a truck driver for 34 years and has been an employee of Crete Carrier for the last 27 years. He has over three and a half million miles of safe driving under his belt, has won driver of the year multiple times and serves as trainer and mentor.

Because of his impressive resume, the CEO of Crete Carrier Tonn Ostergard approached Tetzloff with a unique opportunity to attend an event with “senior government officials.” He said it wasn’t until he received an email from the White House that he realized he would be attending an event where the president would be speaking. Continue reading

Current Healthy Indiana Plan Extended Through the End of February

The current Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) program, which was originally set to expire today, has received an extension to continue operations through February 28th.

The extension was granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Governor Eric Holcomb stated that as a result, the more than 400,000 HIP participants will see no change in service, for now. Continue reading

Hoosiers Can Resume Collecting Unemployment Benefits

Hoosiers are now eligible to resume collecting the federally funded unemployment extensions. Approximately 90,000 Hoosiers who exhausted or were at risk of losing benefits have become eligible again.

In order to qualify for these retroactive benefits, Hoosiers will need to complete their weekly vouchers through Uplink, Indiana’s online filing system. Hoosiers will need to complete a voucher for each week of benefits they want to collect.

About 30,000 Hoosiers saw an interruption in their benefits due to Congressional delay.

There is no increase in the number of potential weeks of benefits. Ninety-nine weeks remains the maximum length of time someone can collect.

State Health Officials Offer Tips for Removing Snow Safely

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers uses a snowblower during a January winter storm

Snow can be fun to play in, but removing it can pose a risk to safety. State health officials are urging Hoosiers to exercise caution when shoveling snow, using a snow blower and walking on snow and ice this winter.

Injuries can happen while shoveling snow, including sprains and strains, particularly in the back and shoulders.

The good news is that shoveling snow can actually be good exercise if done correctly. Here are some simple tips that can prevent injury when clearing the way:
* Warm up by stretching and doing a few exercises before shoveling.
* Avoid smoking or eating a large meal before shoveling.
* Dress warmly in layers with a hat. Be sure to cover your neck.
* Wear shoes or boots that have slip-resistant soles to avoid falls.
* Plan before shoveling snow. Shovel heavy snow in stages. Start by skimming off the snow from the top, and then remove the bottom layer. Don’t overload the shovel.
* Avoid a rush and allow enough time to do the work. Follow a slow and steady pace and take frequent breaks to stand up and stretch.
* Watch what you are shoveling/blowing. Don’t let a hat or scarf block your vision. Watch for ice patches and uneven surfaces.
* Use a shovel that’s comfortable for your height and strength. Don’t use a shovel that’s too heavy or too long for you. Space your hands on the tool grip to increase your leverage.
* Push the snow instead of lifting it. If you must lift, do it properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent, and back straight. Lift with your legs. Do not bend at the waist.
* Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side as it could stress your back.
* Breathing cold air dehydrates the body, so drink water during breaks.

For more information about winter weather safety, including health tips and helpful links, visit the Indiana State Department of Health website.