Greensburg Tree City Times

05/16/2024

This Saturday, May 18, the sixth annual Myla's Mission for Sturge-Weber Research and Awareness Fundraiser will be held in support of the Sturge-Weber Foundation (SWF), whose global mission is to improve the quality of life and care for people with Sturge-Weber syndrome and associated Port-Wine Birthmark conditions. The fundraiser kicks off with a 5K beginning at 9 a.m. at Lake Santee's main beach. Then, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Jeep/UTV ride begins. A silent auction will also be held. Registration and t-shirt pick up for the 5k starts at 8 a.m.

Myla Speer's family started the fundraiser after she was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber Syndrome when she was just eight months old. Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by a port-wine stain birthmark on the face, which is caused by an overabundance of capillaries near the skin's surface. This condition is also associated with abnormal blood vessel development in the brain, which can lead to seizures, developmental delays, and other neurological problems. Myla's mother, Molly, shared the events leading up to Myla's diagnosis.

"She was such a calm and self-comforting baby, and one night, she just was not being herself. We thought she was just being crabby or not having it that day, so we went ahead and put her to bed like normal," Molly said. "In the middle of the night, she began crying again, and we could not really console her. So I got up and was sitting up with her, and we both fell asleep. I went to put her back in her crib at around 2 a.m. and noticed things were not quite right. She didn't look okay and was not acting okay. That is when she had her first seizure, which lasted over 45 minutes."

Now Myla is seven and full of life, trying not to let her diagnosis affect her as she fights, but is still dealing with its side effects every day.

"She lets nothing get in her way," Molly said. "She fights through her seizures, and she works through her delays and disabilities. She does have seizures around one week out of the month, but she will have three to four in that period of time. Her seizures are more like strokes so they really affect her left side of her body. Whenever she has one she has to work back to her baseline and walking
sometimes is a struggle and her strength is a struggle as well. She does have these at school, so right now, at her age, they do not affect her, but I am sure as she continues to get older, it may have an effect on her day-to-day life at school. "

Despite Myla’s challenges she doesn't let anything bring her down and enjoys everything a 7-year-old would.

"She loves princesses, dolls, and all things dress up. She loves being with her family and all of her older and younger cousins, as they bring her joy and accept her so much for who she is!"

Molly shared why the event and supporting SWF is crucial, as SWF is funded entirely by donations and fundraisers.

"It is so important that we and others raise money for the foundation or else research would not be possible for Sturge-Weber patients. The current people that are diagnosed and for the ones in the future!"

09/01/2023

Valerie Tindall is still missing

08/09/2023

Earlier today, Aug. 9, the Rush County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) issued an update on the active missing person investigation for 17-year-old Valerie Tindall.

"We believe it is possible that Valerie has been receiving aid from individual(s) whose goal is to keep her hidden," RCSO stated in a press release. "The RCSO is asking that everyone remain vigilant and keep on the lookout for anyone matching Tindall's description."

Tindall was last seen on June 7, 2023, at 12:45 p.m., leaving her home in Arlington. She was last known to be driving a green 2000 Honda Accord with Indiana License Plate ZYK833. Valerie is 5'6" tall, weighs 162 pounds, and has brown hair with hazel eyes. However, RCSO noted that Tindall may have changed her appearance, such as her hair color or style.

Yesterday, Tindall's mother, Shena Sandefur, shared an update on her page, "As of Aug. 8, 2023, Valerie is still missing. No proof that she is alive. US Marshalls are now getting involved."

Sandefur also urges anyone with any information, even the smallest detail to call RCSO and report it. If you have any information on Valerie's whereabouts, please contact the RCSO at 765-932-2931 or call your local law enforcement agency.

07/24/2023

07/24/2023

DCEMA: A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF WEST CENTRAL DECATUR COUNTY THROUGH 5:15 PM. nixle.us/ELNHB Reply with a friend's # to forward

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY, WEST CENTRAL DECATUR AND NORTHEASTERN BARTHOLOMEW COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT... AT 441 PM EDT, DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A ...

07/24/2023

DCEMA: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL 10 PM FOR DECATUR COUNTY. nixle.us/ELNH7 Reply with a friend's # to forward

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 545 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS BARTHOLOMEW BOONE DECATUR HAMILTON HANCOCK HENDRICKS JOHNSON ...

07/16/2023

17-YEAR-OLD VALERIE TINDALL IS STILL MISSING

"We love her so much it hurts," said Shena Sandefur, Valerie Tindall's mother. "We cry ourselves to sleep and wake in tears. It is the worst pain you could ever feel. Not knowing why she left like that if she met up with someone and the worst happened."

The family of missing seventeen-year-old Valerie Tindall is desperate to find answers and bring Valerie home. Valerie has been missing since June 7, when her family last saw her leaving her home in Arlington, Indiana, around noon. According to her mother, they have no leads.

"She was in our home doing her laundry and listening to music when she came out with a big smile on her face and asked her dad if it would be OK if she went to work for a couple of hours," Sandefur said.

Shena explained that Valerie helped a neighbor mow lawns but didn't usually work on Wednesdays. Shena assumed something had come up and her boss needed her just this Wednesday. However, when it started to get late, Shena tried to call Valerie repeatedly. Each time with the same result, it went straight to voice mail.

Shena next called the neighbor and asked if Valerie was still working, to which he responded, "I didn't work her today?"

Immediately Shena was confused. Valerie had not only told her dad she was going to work, but also her siblings, best friend and another neighbor were all told the same thing by Valerie.

The following day Shena awoke hoping Valerie would pop in at any minute and say she had stayed the night at a friend's house, but the door never opened. The family quickly searched around and then called the police, as they began to fear every parent's worst nightmare.

"Then, on day three, I began to realize that maybe she had run away or something terrible had happened," Sheena said. "We do not have a single lead."

Sheena does have a heartfelt message to share with Valerie in case she sees this article.

"If you ran away, please, please come home. There is nothing we can't work on and fix as a family. We all miss you so much. From your mom and dad to your bullies. I have had people from all over message and ask if we found you and tell us they will pray."

And prayer is what Sheena is asking for.

"That is all I can ask of everyone else - to please just pray. Pray for her safe return. Pray that she realizes how much God, family, and friends love her. Her best friend is so torn up. She misses her so much. We all just miss her so much. Life just isn't the same. Our home is broken."

A silver Alert was issued for Valerie on June 10 and stated she is believed to be in extreme danger. The Rush County Sheriff's Office is still actively investigating Valerie's disappearance and asked the public for help in a press release a couple of weeks ago.

"We are asking the public to help find Valerie and her vehicle," the Rush County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. "We are requesting property owners between Shelbyville and Homer/Arlington that have deep creek beds, low-level fields, ravines, and properties off a roadway the vehicle could be hidden on or in barns or other buildings. Also, when you are traveling, be on the lookout for areas where the vehicle could have left the roadway and not be seen easily."

Valerie was last known to be operating a green 2000 Honda Accord with Indiana License Plate ZYK833. Valerie is 5'6" tall, weighs 162 pounds, has brown hair with hazel eyes, and was last seen wearing a light blue shirt, jean shorts, and sandals. It is believed that Valerie was wearing her glasses when she disappeared.

If you have any information on Valerie's whereabouts, please get in touch with the RCSO at 765-932-2931 or call your local law enforcement agency.

07/11/2023

Greensburg Community School Board welcomed Pirate Alumnae to pivotal roles and leadership positions. Mike Myers, GCHS Principal Collin Rigney, GCHS Dean of Students and Kyle Sellers, Radio and Broadcasting

07/11/2023

The Northern Lights could be visible on Thursday night from 17 U.S. states, including Indiana. However, as of today, the chance of Hoosiers seeing them is declining.

It is uncommon for the aurora to be visible in Indiana. Still, due to a higher interaction of solar particles with the Earth's magnetic field predicted, Hoosiers may get to see them around midnight Thursday. But, today, the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) released its three-day forecast, with a KP index of three to four forecasted for Thursday, after being predicted to have a KP index of six earlier in the week. The KP index measures how far south the aurora can be observed. If Thursday's KP values are in the three to four range, only a select few in the far northern U.S. will be able to see a faint glimmer of the lights on the horizon. Visibility also depends on other factors such as light pollution, altitude and weather conditions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center said people wanting to experience an aurora should get away from city lights. The best viewing times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

According to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, "auroral activity" in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine and Maryland is expected.

In one rare event in 1958, the Northern Lights were even visible from Mexico City.