Wabash Valley Correctional Facility

CARLISLE, Ind. - Recently the Emergency Squad (E-Squad) at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) showed their support for ending veteran suicide by joining the 22 Push-up Challenge. 

​The challenge was initiated by Darrin Chaney the Military Veterans Program Coordinator for the Hamilton Center in Terre Haute, Indiana.  The challenge was for a member of an organization to press out 22 push-ups and then challenge another organization.  When WVCF's E-Squad heard about the challenge they were very eager to participate.  They wanted to be a part of the challenge in hopes of raising awareness regarding veteran suicide. 
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E-Squad Field Commander Brett Vaughn said, "The WVCF E-Squad team has unmatched support for our military veterans.  We believe that showing awareness for our veterans is a necessity, especially with the veterans that serve in our agencies and the veterans on this very team."  He went on to say, "We would like to challenge the E-Squad at Michigan City." 

Warden Frank Vanihel said, "I'm very proud of how our E-Squad embraced this challenge.  I am a huge supporter of the military and all they do for our country."

Press Release

Yard signs will be available Wednesday at 330 S. 6th St., from 4 p.m until 6 p.m. 
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As the Nov. 3rd election approaches, Vigo County Democrats are seeking new ways to connect with voters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional campaign events like parades, in-person forums and rallies are still on hold, so the party and its candidates are getting creative:

— Candidates have organized "Democrat Yard Sign Drive Through Wednesdays”  through the end of September. Voters are invited to meet candidates and pick up Democrat yard signs, including a fresh batch of Biden Harris signs. This week’s co-chairs are County Council candidate Marie Belzile Theisz, Vigo Coroner candidate Dr. Janie Myers, and State Representative Tonya Pfaff. Look for the tents in the Swan Street tree row at Heartland Music, 330 S. 6th St., from 4 p.m until 6 p.m. Candidates will wear masks and practice social distancing at this outdoor event. “We had a great turnout at our inaugural Yard Sign Wednesday last week,” said Vigo County Clerk candidate Todd Nation. “We had many Democrat candidates on hand, meeting voters. Dozens of cars drove through for signs, and hundreds of signs were distributed. We’re looking forward to it growing every week"

— Vigo County Democrat Party chairman Joe Etling has been conducting weekly "Chat with the Chair” sessions at 7 p.m. each Tuesday evening on Facebook, which has introduced viewers to Democrat candidates (and Etling’s plaid campaign jacket) in a casual interview format.

— Vigo County Democrats have established an open-air headquarters in a garage at the Vigo County Fairgrounds, with plenty of space for social distancing. The headquarters is being used for meetings, phone banking and candidate fund raisers.

Political veterans like Nation, who has represented Terre Haute’s 4th District on the City Council for over 16 years, expect high voter turnout in the upcoming general election. “Choosing our President brings out the most voters in each four year cycle. I expect the Nov. 3 election to have a record number of ballots cast, even with the hurdles voters face due to the pandemic,” Nation said. “As local candidates, our challenge is to inform voters of who we are and what we want to accomplish here in Vigo County. While the presidency is important, I have always believed that the more local levels of politics — city, county and state — have the biggest impact on the day to day lives of my family, friends and neighbors here in the Wabash Valley."