The first time Shyla "Streetz" Burnett saw a tattoo, she was hooked.

She was a sophomore in high school and, according to her, she became intrigued with the notion that someone would let someone else put art on skin. 

Since then, Burnett has worked everyday at her craft and took a chance with a former tattoo artist of opening a business in New Palestine. A little over a year ago, that chance became reality as 6 Streetz Tattoo opened at 28 East Main St., New Palestine. 

Burnett told Giant FM it has been an amazing endeavor despite her initial thoughts.

Ever since the opening, Burnett and her staff have been delivering piercings and tattoos to people and forming a bond with people, especially those looking to remember a loved one with art.

And, they've tried to change the mindset of what a tattoo shop is and what takes place inside one. She tells Giant FM, she's heard all the stereotypes in her four years in the industry, and none of them are accurate. She said many professionals, including doctors and firefighters have tattoos and piercings. In addition, she said her shop is 100 percent vegan with everything it uses from the inks to aftercare products. 

Burnett said her shop is striving to find ways to reach out, not only to garner new customers, but to also give back to the community. 

"Once a month, we give out free tattoos. You spend $100, a name goes into a customer of the month. You're name gets drawn, you get a free tattoo. We do memberships. We constantly run deals. I find a lot of people don't get to the tattoo shops because of prices. Ever since I picked up my machine, I vowed I would never take advantage of someone because of price. I want you here because I want to do your artwork," she told Giant FM.

Recently, 6 Streetz Tattoo welcomed Santa and opened the doors to all ages to see Santa. 

Burnett also tells Giant FM her shop will always be involved with initiatives surrounding children.

"We are also a safe haven for children. We do a lot for children here. We are inside the art foundations inside the elementary, middle and high schools. We are also inside their yearbook foundation. We also happen to be part of the non bullying foundation. If there's anything I can do to help a child, I'm all for that," Burnett said. 

6 Streetz Tattoo is open six days a week. Hours are:Monday and Tuesday Noon to 7; Wednesday and Thursday Noon to 8; and Friday and Saturday Noon to 10 p.m. They can be found on Facebook. 

Jesse Hicks, 21, of Indianapolis was arrested by the Greenfield Police Department with the assistance of Hancock County Community Corrections after a long-term investigation involving methamphetamine sales inside of Hancock County.

Greenfield Police Department narcotics detectives had conducted an investigation on Jesse Hicks who came to Hancock County on multiple occasions and sold methamphetamine to individuals which included undercover police officers.

Hicks was charged with Level 2 Felony Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, and Level 5 Felony Possession of Methamphetamine.

Hicks is currently in the Hancock County Jail with a $20,000 cash bond.

In recent years, the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation has been a leader in Indiana when it comes to STEM education.

And, this year is no different, as Dr. Jack Parker’s district continues to pave the way.

“STEM is very important in all curricular content areas of all of our buildings from pre-kindergarten to 12^th grade. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. However, there are also the 4C’s of STEM education: Collaboration, Creativity, Communication and Critical Thinking. Each of the 4Cs can and should be interwoven in all content areas including non-STEM specific courses like reading at the elementary levels and English at the middle school and high school levels. Our teachers have been trained in the 4Cs and incorporate them in all courses,” Parker told Giant FM.

The district’s STEM buy-in has been so strong, it became the first district in Indiana to become STEM certified in all grades. Several STEM specific courses offered to students include: a middle school robotics course, middle school technology education course, a high school intro to engineering and design course, a high school intro to housing and interior design, as well as an aviation course.

The distinction has also helped the district land a partnership with 1^st Maker Space and the creation of a maker space room. The room allows students a hands-on opportunity to design, experiment, build and invent in courses like agriculture, art, language, family and consumer sciences, math, technology, business, social studies, JAG, English and science.

“We have a formal maker-space at our high school and our middle school and Fortville Elementary School have makerspaces incorporated in our media centers.  Teachers and students have access to the makerspaces to enhance their lessons or enhance student projects to capture their learning of the content,” Parker told Giant FM.

Parker said the district continues to look for new ways to incorporate STEM for students.

“All of our educators are continuously looking to incorporate innovative and engaging lessons and activities for our students.  STEM related lessons and activities are some of the most innovative and engaging; therefore, we are always looking to add as many STEM opportunities as possible.  Specifics of future opportunities are difficult to pinpoint, but we are looking to be able to offer additional Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses at the high school including Project Lead The Way courses,” Parker said.

Around 3 p.m. Friday a Randolph County Deputy, along with the Lynn Marshall and Lynn Deputy Marshall, responded to a residence at 817 W. Church St. in Lynn for a report of a domestic situation between a man and his wife. As the officers arrived at the home and stood outside speaking with the man’s wife, they were fired on by a man inside the home with a rifle.

The officers retreated, with one officer getting hit with shrapnel from one of the rifle rounds.  As other officers from surrounding agencies arrived and set a perimeter around the home, the suspect continued firing at officers, with officers returning fire. The suspect fired several rounds into the police vehicles that had been left outside his home.

Two other officers were hit with shrapnel from rifle rounds fired by the suspect. All three officers that were injured by shrapnel were considered to have minor non-life threatening injuries. Around 4:15 p.m. the suspect stopped firing.

Around 8 p.m., after having negative contact with the suspect, SWAT entered the home and located the suspect, John Resetar, age 44, upstairs in the home suffering from a gunshot wound.  Officers immediately rendered first aid and summoned EMS.

Resetar, who was unconscious, was transported to a local hospital.  This is all the information available for release at this time, as Indiana State Police Investigators will be working throughout the night at the scene gathering facts and evidence.

The Indiana State Police, Randolph County and Lynn Units were assisted at the scene by officers from Delaware County, Hancock County, and Wayne County, IMPD as well as several units from surrounding cities and towns. 

What started off as a hobby in a garage has become not only a labor of love, but a business venture for two New Palestine area firefighters.

Andy Drake and James Wolsiffer are not only firefighters and brothers-in-law, they are also co-owner of Axe Head Threads, 50 West Main St., New Palestine, where they are a provider of custom embroidered and screen printed shirts, hats, hoodies and more.

Drake told Giant FM a night of conversation turned into a business venture.

And have come a long way from working out of Wolsiffer's garage a few years ago, according to Drake.

While the business specializes in fire department, police department, EMS, and military themed items, fans of the New Palestine Dragons can also find plenty of gear on the shelves. 

Drake said the bulk of business comes from online orders and Facebook, and they have shipped items to all 50 states, as well as customers in Canada, Ireland and Switzerland. 

Drake said the opportunity to have a store front in New Palestine has been special.

And, despite the business success, Drake tells Giant FM, he and Wolsiffer are shocked every day when new orders roll in.

Axe Head Threads is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The business can be found on Facebook, Instagram and at www.axeheadthreads.com. 

The New Palestine Town Council, the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County and INDOT have been busy lately with the hope of making improvements to a crosswalk on US 52 near School Street in New Palestine.

The improvements come in the wake of an accident last month where a New Palestine High School student was struck by a vehicle as he rode his bicycle to school.

Since then, there have been many discussions about what to do. At a New Palestine town council meeting following the accident, officials with INDOT stated they were going to install flashing lights at the crosswalk.

However, the partnership will result in more.

Beginning next month, town officials and INDOT will work to move the crosswalk east of its current location to Depot Street with the belief that moving it will be safer for pedestrians. In addition, rectangular, rapid flashing beacons will be placed at the crosswalk. The beacons will be triggered by pedestrians. 

In a statement, school officials said they are “grateful” for the collaboration and decisions.

“The district will continue to offer bus service to all students in the district, including those homes immediately adjacent to NPHS. Local law enforcement and the district both believe taking the bus to school is the safest option for families that live near any CSCSHC school building. If families chose not to use the bus, the school district encourages them to make the safest possible decision to get their students to and from school each day,” the district wrote in a release. 

Original story of student struck - November 11, 2019

Officials with the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County confirmed one of their students was struck by a motorist this morning on U.S. 52. 

Wes Anderson, director of community relations and communications, confirmed to Giant FM the victim is a New Palestine High School student. Anderson said counselors will be available for students.

The student was transported by ambulance from the scene with serious injuries, according to a press release from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. The juvenile was transported to Riley Children’s Hospital with internal injuries and head trauma and is in critical condition, but is expected to survive.

The release states a 14-year-old was struck while crossing U.S. 52 on a bicycle by a Ford F-250 truck driven by John Bundy, 52, of New Palestine. Officials with the Sheriff’s Department said the student’s family was notified and Bundy cooperated with police, who do not believe speed, drugs or alcohol are a factor.

Thanks to the efforts of a local resident, there is a little more Christmas cheer this season in New Palestine.

For Kayla Reddington, her love of lights has turned into a full-blown Christmas lights and music show at her house.

“We decided to take a chance and attempt to do the lights with music this year. My house was in perfect placement, and we decided we would love to spread cheer in New Pal and go all out,” Reddington said.

Reddington told Giant FM multiple people worked around the clock to help get her house ready, in addition to working their regular jobs for Heffernan’s Home Services.

For Reddington, her love affair with Christmas lights goes back to her childhood.

“I remember being a kid and going to a light show and watching it over and over. I want kids to remember this one as well and for it to be a memory for their Christmas,” she told Giant FM.

The house, located at 2097 South Woodgrove Way, New Palestine, will feature the lights and music Monday through Thursdays from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Those attending can turn their radio on to 90.3 to enjoy the music.

Reddington tells Giant FM in addition to the lights and music, she is also looking to help out the homeless and is asking anyone who comes out to bring coats, blankets, hats and gloves and put them in the totes on her porch.

“We hope people see this and feel happiness. Christmas is a hard time for some, and we figure what better way to brighten their day than with thousands of lights on one house,” Reddington told Giant FM.

Since becoming a member of the Indiana Senate, Mike Crider has always tried to get common sense legislation centered around mental health passed. 

His efforts haven't gone unnoticed, as the Republican Senator from Greenfield recently earned the Government Leadership Award from Mental Health America of Indiana. 

Crider told Giant FM, it was an honor to be noticed. 

"It's always an honor to have someone notice the effort you put in. We don't do this for awards or recognition, but it does validate the effort when others agree with the goals of the legislation. I have worked since elected to help with mental health because I know how drastically it impacts society from my time working at the hospital. In a room full of real hero's who are working directly with patients, this award is special," Crider said. 

Crider said he has seen up close the impact mental health can have on an individual, both personally and professionally. 

"I have family members and many of my acquaintances have family members who struggle with some aspect of this disease so my hope is that by focusing on it we can reduce the stigma around the subject. I speak about it often during my presentations and the topic resonates with many in the crowds so I know it is prevalent," Crider told Giant FM.

Professionally, Crider saw issues when he oversaw security at Hancock Regional Hospital, further pushing his desire to help.

"My real interest began during my stint at the hospital, where often I was in the ER dealing with people in crisis, and I would listen to their stories and see how it impacted them and their families. You can see that it doesn't matter how rich or poor the patient is or how prominent their family is, the disease whether mental health or addiction know no boundaries," he told Giant FM. 

With the 2020 legislative session rapidly approaching, Crider has a slew of bills centered around mental health he is working on.

One bill pertains to schools, he said. 

"This next session, I will be carrying a follow up bill to my grant program we passed last year that requires schools that apply for the grant funds to have an established relationship with a mental health provider or community mental health center," Crider said.

But, that's only the beginning. 

"Another bill attempts to address parity in insurance coverage for mental health services as compared to physical health challenges. The third bill seeks to create a mental health commission to review the mental health system from top to bottom to determine what is working and what areas need attention. Things like where and how is the money allocated and are we capturing all of the federal dollars possible, how can we strengthen local resources to the point that a person in crisis can get services as quickly and locally as possible. A big topic and likely a long project, but one that will produce action items we can act on during coming sessions," Crider said.

He told Giant FM, he will always fight for mental health legislation.

"I guess the point is that much of my past legislation has been focused on this topic and so long as I am re-elected, I intend to keep working on it as long as I am fortunate enough to serve," he said. 

A mother and son were killed in a two-car collision Monday morning in Hancock County.

Amy Cox, 54, and Isaac Cox, 24, of New Palestine were traveling on County Road 200 West neat 200 South when it appears Cox lost control and drove into the path of an oncoming Ford pickup.

Amy and Isaac Cox died at the scene.  The driver of the truck, Dawson Andrews, of Missouri, was not seriously injured.

Slick roads are believed to be a factor in the accident.

Police in Greenfield are still looking for whoever prank called police which led to a SWAT situation on the west side of Greenfield Tuesday night.

Deputy Chief Matt Holland with Greenfield PD says they got a call from someone saying they had shot someone along Main Street near the intersection with Broadway. That call was a case of "swatting", according to Holland, which is where someone prank calls police into sending first responders to someone else's address.

He added that "it's unfortunate that someone thinks it is funny or gets a thrill from making a false report."

He said they are investigating the origin of the call.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today announced Marie D. Castetter as his appointment to the Hancock County Superior Court.

Castetter will succeed Judge Terry K. Snow who will retire Dec. 31.

Castetter currently serves as chief deputy prosecutor in Hancock County. She has been with that office since January 2015. She previously served in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and has been in private practice.

Castetter earned a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and her law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.     

Castetter will be sworn in as judge of the Hancock County Superior Court on a date to be determined.

The Fortville Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Melissa Vaughn, a 52 year old white female, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 196 pounds, blond hair with blue eyes, last seen wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and wearing glasses.

Melissa is missing from Greenfield and was last seen on Tuesday, December 3, at approximately 10:15 am.  She is believed to be in danger and may require medical assistance.

If you have any information on Melissa Vaughn, contact the Fortville Police Department at 317-477-4400 or 911.