Operation of motorized watercraft restricted at some area lakes

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Lt. Erick Bolt, District Two Commander of Indiana Conservation Officers in Northeastern Indiana, recommended to Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Robert E. Carter Jr. that due to high water levels on certain lakes in the area, operation of motorized watercraft will have some restrictions until further notice.

Director Carter has signed an emergency order to that effect on the following lakes:

Noble County: Waldron, Steinbarger, Tamarack and Jones. (NON-MOTORIZED ONLY)

Lagrange County: Dallas, Witmer, Westler, Hackenberg and Messick. (IDLE SPEED ONLY)

N-B Video: Norwell helps Indiana defeat Ohio in annual Border Wars basketball game

Norwell Coach Randy Hawkins and players Cam Denney, Paige Frisch and Taylor Wilson share their thoughts after helping Indiana sweep Ohio in the annual Nancy Rehm Border Wars All-Star series. Learn more in the Monday, April 29, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Outdoor Indiana magazine features historic fire towers

Outdoor Indiana magazine’s May-June issue features a cover article on the state’s historic fire towers.

With modern technology, the fire towers have emerged as a tourist attraction rather than a fire-detection tool.

The 48-page full-color magazine also includes a removable eight-page insert on Versailles State Park, one of the state’s top mountain biking destinations. That article continues the magazine’s series in which one state park or reservoir property will be portrayed through 2016, the 100th anniversary of Indiana state parks. To view a short video on fire towers and Versailles State Park, see the Outdoor Indiana playlist at youtube.com/idnrvideos.

Outdoor Indiana is available now at most DNR properties and Barnes & Noble stores in Indiana for $3 a copy. Save 33 percent off the cover price when you buy a one-year, six-issue subscription for $12.

To subscribe or read excerpts from the May-June magazine, go to OutdoorIndiana.org. Subscriptions also can be purchased by calling (317) 233-3046.

Grants available for field trips to state parks and reservoirs

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Educators interested in students, grades K-12, on field trips to an Indiana state park or reservoir in the 2013-2014 school year can receive financial help through a new program of the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation.

The Discovering the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is for public, private, parochial or home-school educators.

“We are proud to be a partner in improving school access to our state’s natural and cultural resources through field trip grants for all types of educators and students across Indiana,” said Bourke Patton, director of INRF.

The fund was established in memory of Tom Huck, a long-time DNR employee who was an ardent supporter of outdoor experiences for children.

Indiana has 24 state parks and eight reservoirs eligible for field trip funding. Field trips to parks and reservoirs engage students in learning about Indiana's fish, forest, wildlife, natural habitats and conservation.

"Field trips to our state parks and reservoirs give children a sense of place,” said Ginger Murphy assistant director for stewardship for the DNR Division of State Parks & Reservoirs. “These trips let them understand how previous generations viewed the significance of Indiana's natural and cultural resources, and at the same time let them make great memories that they will carry into adulthood.”

The maximum grant award is $250 per application.

Applications are accepted from May 1 – June 30 prior to the school year for which the grant is requested. Applications must be postmarked no later than June 30.

Applicants will be notified by Aug. 1 regarding potential grant awards.

Ouabache SP hosts cooking workshop, cornhole tourney, May 4

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Ouabache State Park in Bluffton will host a cooking outdoors workshop and a cornhole tournament on May 4 in recognition of Welcome Back Weekend for Indiana’s state parks and reservoirs.

Welcome Back Weekend is May 3-5 and is a chance to celebrate the arrival of spring with special outdoor recreation events and hands-on programming at Indiana’s 24 state parks and eight reservoirs.

Winners of the cornhole tournament win a free weekend of camping at Ouabache. Entry forms will be at the gatehouse. Competition will be divided between youths, age 12 and younger, and adults, age 13 and older.

The double-elimination tournament will be on the campground comfort station lawn between A and B.

At 4 p.m., “A Taste of the Outdoors” cooking workshop will be presented by the Kokomo Kookers. This hands-on opportunity is a chance to create dishes alongside seasoned outdoor chefs. Cost per person is $10 or $30 per family.

For more information, contact Upper Wabash Interpretive Services at (260) 468-2127.

Nester Wins Modified Race After Wild Final Lap

From the Anderson Speedway:

For 41 laps Brian Nester chased Scott Coe for the point in the Top Speed Modified feature at Anderson Speedway, but emerge as the winner after wild last lap incident.

Coe, the fast qualifier, started fifth in the field but used the outside line to take the lead in seven laps. Nester moved into second on lap eight and the chase for the lead was on during Madison County Storm Water Quality Night.

Several times Nester attempted to bump Coe out of the low groove to no avail. But with a lap remaining the two leaders closed on the third place car of Jerry Hammond.

Both Coe and Nester got sideways on the back straight with the two spinning in turn three and collecting the cars of Hammond and Herb Johnson Jr.

Nester was able to continue across the finish line followed by Tim Burkett, Coe, Chris Jennings and Mark Bott.

“I admit I got into Scott and backed off,” Nester said. “We both got sideways on the back straight.”

Both drivers struggled to maintain control of their cars when they entered turn three with Coe battling a flat right rear tire.

Martinsville driver Danny Trent said he was competing in the McGunegill Engine Performance Late Model Division at Anderson Speedway to record wins and accomplished that feat in his first appearance of the year.

Trent inherited the lead when leader Keith Sterkowitz was spun in turn four by Josh Cave on lap 23. Cave was trying to bump Sterkowitz out of the low groove.

The caution flag waved on lap 25 when Rob Noel spun in turn two. On the restart Jeff Williams and Jeff Marcum bumped on the front straight which dropped Williams from third to fifth.

Sterkowitz and Cave passed Marcum on laps 27 and 28 and started to close on Trent, who held on the victory by .391-seconds.

“I was a little lucky tonight,” Trent said. “I’ve had good cars here and didn’t win.”

Early in the race Sterkowitz used the outside groove on a restart to get around leader Ronnie Rose and remained in front until the spin on lap 23.

In Front Wheel Drive action Jerry Dane returned to action with a victory in the car driven the first two weeks of the season by Nick Warner.

Dane used an inside move to get past Trevin Henson. Henson was passed by Chris Jennings and Elliott McKinney in the final five laps to claim podium positions.

Racing returns to Anderson Speedway on Saturday, April 27 with the first appearance of the CRA Street Stocks. The racing lineup also showcases WMDH ThunderCars along with Front Wheel Drives on the Oval and Figure 8. 

He shoots, he scores, he donates

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck recently gave Norwell graduate and Indianapolis Colts teammate Chandler Harnish $8,000 to the charity of his choice in exchange for his jersey number after Harnish made a half-court shot. Learn more in the Wednesday, April 17, News-Banner.