Monticello

Snow and rainfall have raised Lake Freeman back to normal after it dropped several feet during 2020's drought, which the prompted water releases to safeguard federally endangered mussels.

The seasonal economy along Lake Freeman is feeling a pinch as the lake continues to shrink following weeks of scant rainfall and water releases required to protect federally endangered mussels.

The federal lawsuit, filed last week by eight teachers who taught at Meadowlawn Elementary School in Monticello at the time of the January 2019 incident, names as defendants the White County Sheriff's Department, four deputies and the department's current and former sheriff.

Chicago businessman Gene Staples is purchasing Indiana Beach from Apex Parks Group after the company decided to shut down the park due to financial problems.

California-based Apex Parks Group, which owns Indiana Beach Amusement & Water Park Resort in Monticello, said in a statement that no deal has yet been made but that potential buyers have shown interest in acquiring the vacation destination.

The gathering comes almost two weeks after the amusement parks current owners, Apex Parks Group, announced its closure.

Businesses near Indiana Beach are trying to figure out whats next after the amusement and water park announced it's closing.

The northwest Indiana park has been open almost 100 years. Local officials in Monticello were told about the closing Tuesday afternoon.

Indiana's methamphetamine problem isn't going away - though it's not in the headlines as much as the heroin and opioid epidemic. Indiana legislators are considering a bill that would give pharmacists the power to decide whether someone was eligible to buy its essential ingredient -- pseudoephedrine -- over the counter.