HPD participates in Pink Patch Project in October
You may see a pink patch on the uniform of a Henderson Police Department officer during October.
HPD is participating in the Pink Patch Project throughout the month as a show of support for all who have battled cancer.
HPD will also be selling the special patches for $10. All proceeds will go to Chemo Buddies to help them assist cancer patients while receiving chemotherapy in the treatment room, said a release from the department.
Police say that patches can be purchased at the Henderson Police Department at 1990 Barrett Ct during normal business hours. Patches will also be available at the 6th Annual Chili Cook Off in Downtown Henderson on October 12.
Patches can also be purchased by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the HPD address listed above.
For more information about Chemo Buddies, visit www.chemobuddies.org.
Bolin introduces new PIO
Henderson Police Department Chief Billy Bolin introduced the department’s new public information officer, Officer Jason Cullum, to the Henderson City Commission at Tuesday’s special called meeting.
Bolin said he had been recruiting Cullum to join his department since the chief was hired in the summer.
Cullum previously worked eight years as a PIO for the Evansville Police Department when Bolin was the chief there.
While on EPD staff, Cullum took part in a six-month fellowship with the Department of Justice called the Community Oriented Policing Services in which he traveled to areas throughout the country to help improve community policing at police departments and sheriff’s offices.
Cullum retired from EPD in 2020. He most recently worked as a school resource officer in Princeton, Ind., he said.
He said that there’s been many societal changes since he left the field, and even further back, since he started as a PIO with EPD. For example, the use of social media has grown. When he started as PIO at EPD, he said about 1,200 to 1,300 people followed that department on Facebook. Now, some 70,000 people follow EPD on Facebook, he said.
He expects that his role in Henderson will be different than what he did in Evansville. There was much more police activity—arrests, etc.—there and he spent a great deal of his time getting information out to various media. There’s not as much activity in Henderson, and he said he’ll probably spend a lot of time at community events, speaking to residents one-on-one.
In his career, he said he’s learned that people are the same everywhere. “People are people,” he said, adding they all want to be treated with dignity and respect.
New homeless intervention and prevention office will hold open house Friday
After a year and a half of discussions with Henderson Homeless Coalition, the Daniel Pitino Shelter officially began operating a homeless prevention and intervention program in July.
Its location is 602 Eight St. and called the Henderson Daniel Pitino Homeless Intervention/Prevention Service Extension Office.
A community open house at the office will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, according to a release from the Henderson Homeless Coalition. There will also be a ribbon cutting hosted by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, and Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman will also be there for a short speech, said the release.
Henderson Homeless Coalition members rallied and collaborated with city of Henderson, Henderson County Fiscal Court, United Way of Henderson County, Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, the Housing Authority of Henderson, and many other Henderson nonprofits to make the office possible.
The Housing Authority of Henderson donated the use of a building, rent free, for the office for the next two years, said the release.
“Our relationship with Henderson Homeless Coalition is unique and innovative in nature to prevent, reduce, and/or end homelessness within Henderson County,” said Harry Pedigo, Executive Director, St. Benedicts & Daniel Pitino shelters.”Melissa Collier, our Outreach/Community Engagement Specialist, is providing services to those who are unhoused and/or at risk of homelessness in Henderson County. This includes services such as case management, resources, housing, referrals for substance use or mental health treatment, shelter referrals, transportation, utility and rental assistance. “
Community members are encouraged to attend the open house and ribbon cutting event. Light refreshments will be provided. For more details, questions, or ways to get involved please contact Harry Pedigo, Executive Director, St. Benedicts & Daniel Pitino Shelters by email at director@pitinoshelter.org.
Short-term lane restriction starting Wednesday on US 41, closure on Van Wyk Road
One lane of southbound US 41 will be closed from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon to accommodate work on the I-69 project, according to a release from I-69 Ohio River Crossing.
The closure will occur from US 60 to Audubon Parkway on the highway, said the release.
It will allow crews to remove the temporary concrete barrier, complete asphalt paving and install guardrail in the median, said the release.
Additionally, Van Wyk Road is scheduled to be closed this Thursday and Friday. Crews will be setting beams on the new southbound US 41 bridge over Van Wyk, said the release.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions.
Dates and scheduled work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen activities occur, said the release.
For more information, go to I69OhioRiverCrossing.com.
