The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, January 30, 2013 A-5 Fertilizer application rule protects farmers, water By Jennifer Stewart Purdue University A new set of fertilizer application regulations from the Office of the Indiana State Chemist helps ensure proper nutrient management and protects farmers and the environment, a Purdue Extension beef specialist says. The rule, which goes into effect Feb. 16, includes staging and application restrictions for both inorganic, or commercial, fertilizers and manure. It applies to anyone who uses fertilizer for the purpose of producing an agricultural crop, with the exception of those who apply less than 10 cubic yards in a year. While large permitted livestock operations that perform liquid nutrient applications already fall under the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Confined Feeding Operation laws, the new Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC) rule extends to smaller producers who would mostly apply solid manure, Ron Lemenager said. "This is really a commonsense approach to nutrient management and preserving the environment," he said. "Most of our livestock producers already are doing these things, so the rule shouldn't be a significant burden." The new rule requires both inorganic fertilizers and manure to be staged at least 300 feet away from surface water, water wells and drainage inlets. Neither can be staged in a waterway, floodway or standing water. Manure must also be staged at least 100 feet from property lines and public roads, and 400 feet from residen- tial buildings. Inorganic fertilizers cannot be applied directly to water, from a public road or to saturated ground. M a nu re appl ic at ion comes with setback restrictions that depend on manure type and application method. For example, solid manure applied via singlepass incorporation would have to be applied 500 feet from public water supplies, 25 feet from surface waters, 25 feet from sinkholes, 50 feet from water wells and 5 feet from drainage inlets. Another important component of the rule, according to Lemenager, is recordkeeping. "It's in the best interest of the farmers to keep records in case some sort of dispute arises - whether it's legal or neighbor relations," he said. "Records also offer some protection if you apply or stage manure, then an act of God causes something to leach into the water." Record keeping can be as simple as recording whether setbacks were followed, where and how much manure was applied, the number of acres covered and whether a soil test was completed recently to adjust any commercial fertilizer applications. Lemenager and his colleagues created a quick reference and record-keeping sheet, which is available for free download at http:// www.thebeefcenter.com The full details of the new fertilizer rule along with a setback table and a list of frequently asked questions are available through the OISC at http://www.isco.purdue.edu/fertilizer/ fer t _pdf/fer t _use_info_ sheet_06-25-12.pdf American Heart Association 'Wear Red Day' Feb. 1 In celebration of the 10th National Wear Red Day on February 1, Go Red For Women is asking all women across America to join us in making America Go Red and save women's lives. National Wear Red Day is a national observance created by the American Heart Association. Thousands of people, including employees at more than 10,000 companies across the country, will wear red to support the start of American Heart month. Feb. 7-14 is Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week. Congenital heart defects affect nine of every 1,000 births and are one of the leading causes of death for infants less than one year of age. With years of research and medical advancements, many congenital heart defects can be fixed. It's time for women to stand together in the fight for their lives. Because heart disease is their No. 1 killer, affecting more women than men. Because it's more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. Because women we love are dying and many more are impacted every day. But the strength of mothers, sisters, daughters and friends fighting side by side is more powerful than any killer. For 10 years, women have been fighting heart disease individually and together as part of the Go Red For Women movement. They have worn red, shared stories of survival and begun to understand the truth about women's hearts and how heart disease can be prevented. More than 627,000 women's lives have been saved. Why join the fight? Heart disease is the number one killer of women, yet only one in five American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat. It is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease causes one in three women's deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute. An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease. Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and the gap between men and women's survival continues to widen. While one in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, heart disease causes one in three deaths each year. Heart disease in women requires more attention, more research and swifter action. Women comprise only 24 percent of participants in all heart-related studies. Women are less likely to call 9-1-1 for themselves when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack than they are for someone else. Heart Attack warning signs for women Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most of them start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often the people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening: • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or pain. • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. • Shortness of breath. This feeling may occur with or without chest discomfort. • Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. If you or someone you are with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than five minutes before calling 9-1-1. Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive—up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. If you're the one having symptoms, and you can't access emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. Don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option. Four car pile-up in Petersburg Everyone escaped injury in a four car crash Wednesday afternoon following school. Petersburg Police Sgt. Chad Tharp said Molly McBeth, 20 of Locust St., Petersburg was driving north on Highway 61 and had stopped at Locust St. waiting on traffic to turn left. Carly A. Elmore, 19, of 2282 N. CR525W, Petersurg stopped behind McBeth and Tyler C. Garland 18, of Main St. Petersburg stopped behind her, but Tailor C. Green, 16, of CR225 W. Petersburg failed to get stopped and slammed into Garland's pickup truck, knocking him into Elmore and Elmore into McBeth. Green's Mitsubishi Eclipse was wedged under Garland's truck. No one was injured, but damage was estimated at between $5,000 and $10,000 damage in the 3:26 p.m. accident. H Schools facing deep financial problems Continued from page 1 al fund. "A comparison of the revenue to expenditures for the past five years shows that expenditures began to exceed revenue in 2009 and has steadily increased since then. Changes in the state funding formula, along with a reduction in the amount of investment income have contributed to this trend," said Blake. Another factor contributing to financial woes was the split of the Pike-Gibson-Warrick Co-op for special education. When the co-op dissolved, Pike and the other corporations had to continue to provide the services. She said it was anticipated the county would get an increase of revenue from the state for the services being provided, and they would balance out the increased expenses. But those revenues were less than anticipated. "It cost us about a half-million more than was anticipated," said Blake. She said when the co-op existed, the school was able to pay some of those costs from funds other than the general fund, but when those employees were absorbed by the corporation, the costs came strictly from the general fund. "In 2012, the corporation used inter-fund loans, the Rainy Day fund and a temporary bank loan to maintain cash flow during 2012." She said similar steps will likely be required in 2013. In Wednesday's meeting, Consultant Marvin Ward will be talking with the school board about their finances. Blake said Ward has worked with the Indiana Association of School Business Officials for about 30 years and specializes school finances. "He is considered one of the top people and is highly recommended," said Blake. Cathy Farmer, who teaches at Petersburg Elementary School and is that school's union representative said, 'We are just going to all try to come up with ideas to save the corporation money, and keep the school as good as it is now." "I think it stems from the state. A lot of changes were made at the state level," said Farmer. She said the teachers want to pitch in and try to come up with ways to help. "It isn't her (Blake's) fault this has happened. It has happened over the years," said Farmer. Farmer said teachers are already paying for things like school supplies, and a fee if they have a refrigerator in their rooms. "I think everyone is positive and we are in it to help. We are told to give suggestions to help. Hopefully we can work it out. We are all here for the kids," said Farmer. Waltz said he thought it has been perceived by the community that the schools were in good financial position. "Obviously our spending was more than funding from the state in 2009 and years to follow. (It's) large- ly a result of cuts from the state. As a result, it turns out we are in a deficit. We are just now devising a plan to get out of it," said Waltz. "We are looking for the low-hanging fruit," said Waltz talking about making the most obvious cuts. He said last week they made changes with the lighting that will reduce costs by $12,000. "We are trying to do everything we can to keep programs and all our people in place," said Waltz. Blake said she thought when she started as Superintendent her primary focus would be to work to strengthen communications and school partnerships within the community to benefit students. "I didn't expect to be dealing with budget concerns this quickly." She also said she is encouraged by the cooperation from the staff and school board to try to work together and get through this. McDonalds employee arrested for criminal mischief after argument Amanda M. Morton, 20, of 6344 N. SR57, Petersburg, was arrested after she damaged a computer and headset, according to police. Petersburg Cpl. Chad Tharp said he responded to a complaint of a disturbance at the McDonalds restaurant at about 6:20 p.m. Sunday. Cpl. Tharp said he talked with the assistant manager, who said Morton had gotten angry and threw her headset at the computer screen of a cash register, breaking the glass and headgear. According Tharp's report, Morton told police she had gotten into an argument with the assistant manager and threw the headgear at the computer screen. Cpl. Tharp said the Dis- trict Manager placed the value of the damage at $4,000 and said he wanted to press charges. Morton was taken into custody and preliminarily charged with criminal mischief. fits in your POCKET and your budget Sign up today Just $5 per year additional to current paper edition subscribers or $35 per year for NETedtion only. edition net pressdispatch.net/edition Web, Smartphone, Tablet www.pressdispatch.net/subscribe