DARREN BOSTON darren@townepost.com (317) 716-8812
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.
tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
SHELTER TO SERVICE
PLAINFIELD OFFICER TRANSFORMS
RESCUED DOGS INTO POLICE K9S
It’s safe to say Senior Canine Handler for the Plainfield Police Department Rob Prichard and K9 Jocko have been instrumental in advancing police and community partnerships. The two have routinely participated in Make-A-Wish days with children diagnosed with a critical illness, volunteered at the local animal shelter, and partnered with businesses and schools.
Most recently, Prichard has found a new way to work with dogs — and help police departments across the country in the process.
K9s are trained to track criminals, locate drugs, find children and elderly individuals who are lost, and serve as a de-escalation tool.
“We are way more likely to apprehend someone quicker and safer if a K9 is present,” Prichard says. “They know this dog will bite, though they often don’t have to, and it keeps everyone safer — both the officers and the suspect. They are fantastic to have on a police force.”
Most police departments would say the
Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Amy Payne
K9 program within their department is invaluable. However, a trained K9 can cost upward of $15,000, and many departments simply can’t afford one. Thanks to a new program led by Prichard, that’s all about to change.
“I liked dogs before I got Jocko, but he really made me fall in love with dogs,” he says. “We started volunteering at the animal shelter, and I noticed the world often looks at dogs in a shelter like you can’t work with them. They don’t have the same bloodline or lineage of police working dogs. I was working with these dogs and started thinking, maybe everybody has these guys wrong.”
He says not all of the dogs could undergo the training, but some, Prichard felt, were perfectly capable.
“They often have horrible backstories,” he says. “They’ve been beaten and neglected, but they’re still willing to give people a chance — and most people go through their lives never finding that kind of redemption or a second chance.”
A stray Malinois, Echo, came to the shelter nearly frozen to death.
Prichard says many would label him “too much.” He was large and full of energy, but Prichard saw something different.
“I started training him every day and saw that Echo was born to do this,” Prichard says. “He’s a super sweet dog, too. After training Echo with his current handler, he’s gone on to serve with the Plainfield Police Department. In fact, he was recently a part of one of the largest drug
Rob Prichard
seizures in the department’s history.”
He did it again with Newt, a boxer mix and victim of animal cruelty. The K9 and her handler serve at Plainfield High School and were just awarded the Giraffe Award, given to people (or dogs) who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
With two success stories under his belt, Prichard decided to move forward on a bigger scale.
He created the nonprofit program Redemption Ranch.
“We have a wonderful veterinarian partner, and I’m training the dogs alongside the new handler for free and giving the police department the dog for free,” Prichard says. “To date, 13 dogs have gone through our program. These dogs now have a home and a family, and our communities are safer.”
Those 13 K9s have gone to police departments across the state, from Tipton to Madison and towns in between.
Their next class will include dogs and handlers headed to Tennessee and Kansas, with more to come.
Prichard says in addition to providing police departments with a much-needed asset, he hopes communities will look at their animal shelter when they’re ready for a new four-legged member of the family.
“Everyone wins here,” he says. “The department wins, the dogs win, the taxpayers win. I hope people will walk into their local shelter and you’ll see what I’m talking about. They know you’ve pulled them from a shelter. They’ll show you gratitude for a lifetime. These dogs are not beyond reach. If you take them and genuinely care for them, spend time with them and invest in them, it’s worth it.”
Right now, Redemption Ranch is operating out of Prichard’s home, but
with the support of the community and volunteers, he hopes to eventually open a permanent training facility.
“We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and operate solely off donations. No one on our board gets paid. I don’t get paid for this,” Prichard adds. “We’re currently operating on a case-by-case basis. We get the order for a police department, and I go out and scout one dog at a time. But eventually, I hope we can grab the dogs as they come through and maybe have multiple trainers and sites across the country. It’s going to take the volunteers, the funds and the awareness to make it happen.”
It also can’t be done without the law enforcement agencies interested in the service. Interested parties can apply at redemptionranchk9.com. Each course is 160 hours of training completed in three weeks on average.
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HEROES AMONG US
SUSIE’S PLACE HONORS COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AT ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Writer / Melissa Gibson
They play a critical role in investigating child abuse and neglect, providing forensic interviews for children in a child-first facility. They also work to promote prevention, justice and healing for young victims of abuse and violence.
At Susie’s Place, you can imagine the number of staff, partnerships and volunteers it takes to make the muchneeded service a reality. This fall, they’ll once again celebrate those heroes — law enforcement, prosecutors, volunteers and others — at their annual Superhero Celebration.
“This event started around 15 years ago when we were doing a masquerade gala with the Avon Kiwanis Club, but as it grew, it became our largest fundraiser of the year,” says Founder and Executive Director Emily Perry. “In the past five or six
years, I think it’s become a signature event for Hendricks County.”
It may have started with a masquerade ball theme, and the superhero title might have you thinking about a favorite Halloween costume, but that’s not the type of event they’re putting on. Instead, it’s cocktail attire and celebrating the everyday people who have become superheroes to youth in the county.
“It takes an entire community that cares about kids to come together when we see these acts of kindness that end up as superhuman things,” Perry says. “We’re making such a difference in the lives of kids in big and small ways that eventually make a big impact.”
The Crane Bay’s Crystal Catering will provide a sit-down, served dinner to guests. There will be unique items and experiences offered at the live and silent auctions. One of the
packages up for auction this year is a private dinner with former Colts Coach Tony Dungy at Cunningham Restaurant Group’s Vida.
In addition, the popular Dessert Dash will return.
“We are the originator of the Dessert Dash,” Perry says. “We have beautiful cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more donated from bakeries all around central Indiana. There are about 50 of them on display in the middle of the room, and our guests bid for the dessert they want. That alone raises between $25,000 and $35,000 each year. It’s a huge part of our event and a little healthy competition. It’s fun and interactive for everyone.”
Later that evening, guests can enjoy another popular offering — a bourbon and cigar tasting in the outdoor area.
“It has a little bit of a speakeasy vibe to it, and I think it’s a fun part that many look forward to throughout the evening,” Perry says. Most of all, those at Susie’s Place want to recognize the familiar faces of those they work with all year long.
“These people have stepped up in meaningful ways through donations or volunteering or through the work that they do,” Perry says. “Our local law enforcement, for example, have truly dedicated their lives to protecting our children.”
While the Superhero Celebration is a platform to recognize these important people, it’s also a fundraiser for the nonprofit.Very few individual tickets are available, as most tables
Executive Director, Emily Perry addresses the audience
are purchased through sponsorship packages. “We only release around 30 individual tickets, but we know some people like to snag those up, so we make them available as the event date gets closer,” Perry says.
Proceeds from ticket sales, the Dessert Dash and the silent auction provide the nonprofit with general operating funds for all three advocacy centers each year.
The Avon location opened in 2009, Bloomington opened in 2011 and Terre Haute opened in 2017.
Of course, financial support is always needed, but Perry says there are other ways the community can help.
“One of the things we’ve really been trying to inspire in the community is to get educated,” she says. “We need people willing to come to community trainings and outreach so they can be those superheroes for kids. If a kid needs help, if they are scared or in danger, so few adults are prepared or equipped for that moment. We’d love to see our community
members hosting these conversations at their church groups, moms’ clubs, civic clubs and others.”
Perry says the dangers of young people’s interactions online, as well as hands-on abuse and maltreatment, have created staggering statistics. Susie’s Place is seeing the need for educated volunteers grow.
They’re also looking for volunteers and groups to help clean, organize or restock at the facility. Groups can schedule a one-time event or develop an ongoing relationship with the
In 2024, Susie’s Place served 1,306 children across its three locations who were victims of crimes. They also worked with more than 100,000 children in their K-12 educational programs in schools across Hendricks County and beyond.
The Superhero Celebration at Crane Bay Event Center in Indianapolis is Oct. 4. Table sponsorships are available now, and individual tickets will be on sale soon. Visit susiesplace. org/events for more information.
staff to share their gifts and talents.
SEPTEMBER
Submit Your Events!
3
EVERY WEDNESDAY WILD WEDNESDAYS
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, 10267 US Highway 136
Want to go fast? Want to see how your vehicle compares to others? Wild Wednesdays are open to all makes and models. Just bring your favorite car. visithendrickscounty.com
5
INDIANA FEVER VS. CHICAGO SKY
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 N. Pennsylvania St. 7:30 p.m.
Cheer on the Fever for Opening Night of an exciting season. ticketmaster.com
SPECIAL EVENT: COREY HOLCOMB
Helium Comedy Club, 10 W Georgia St.
Biography Video Website Click Showtime To Purchase indianapolis. heliumcomedy.com
6 BILLY CURRINGTON & KIP MOORE: LIVE IN CONCERT
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St. 7 p.m.
COLTS 5K
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Avenue 8 a.m.-noon
Celebrate the Return of Football and Finish on the 50! The 13th annual Colts 5K
SPECIAL EVENT: COREY HOLCOMB
Helium Comedy Club, 10 W Georgia St. Biography Video Website Click Showtime To Purchase indianapolis. heliumcomedy.com
7
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS VS. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Avenue 1 p.m.
14
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS VS. DENVER BRONCOS
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Avenue 4:05 p.m.
19
CODY JINKS - THE HIPPIES AND COWBOYS TOUR
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St. 7 p.m.
20 PLAINFIELD SKY DANCE
Hummel Park Performing Arts Center, 5373 Sugar Grove Rd.
7-9 p.m. townofplainfield.com
25 IU INDIANAPOLIS JAGUARS WOMEN’S SOCCER VS. WRIGHT STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
Carroll Stadium, 1001 West New York Street 7 p.m.
2025 IU Indianapolis Jaguars Women’s Soccer Season. Tickets are digital only and it is recommend all fans purchase in advance through Ticketmaster or IUIndyJags.com/tickets.
LEE BRICE: WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT TOUR 2025
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St. 7 p.m.
Everwise Amphitheater has the following clear bag policy: we will allow clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and/or small clutch bags (6” x 9”).
26 THE MURAT SHRINE CIRCUS
Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. Noon, 7 p.m.
ACROSS
1. “Space Oddity” major
4. Radiate
8. Bank offering
12. “___ momento!”
13. Double agent
14. Disco do
15. Dog holder?
16. Kid’s transport
17. Burgoo, e.g.
18. Covert comments
20. Babysitter’s charge
22. Causing a pucker
23. Latched, in a way
27. Rob Roy, et al.
29. Whistle-blower
30. Ecol. watchdog
31. Anecdotal history
32. Assist the waiter
33. All hands on deck?
34. Fossey subject
35. Fee follower
36. Queens, for example
37. Retired, with “down”
39. For Pete’s ___!
40. Cookbook direction
41. Rich, as foods
44. Naval base?
47. Panache
49. Mad Hatter’s drink
50. Colorful mineral
51. Cheese off
52. Be fallible
53. Glimpse from afar
54. Broke a limit
55. Hibernation spot
DOWN
1. Marching-band burden
2. Difficult duty
3. Recorded (progress)
4. Fading memories
5. Like a good cake
6. Sort
7. Cuts canines
8. Doesn’t fall apart
9. Frequent, to Keats
10. A word with you?
11. When, for an eager beaver
19. Time line inclusion
21. Big galoot
24. Pervaded
25. Tool for a duel
26. Vampire’s curfew
27. Bacon buy
28. Get along
29. French way
32. Sotheby’s patrons
33. Popular pop
35. Bureau member
36. On notice
38. Loiter
39. Cartographer’s concern
42. Scarcely enough
FULL-THROTTLE FUN
ANNUAL 4-WHEEL JAMBOREE REVS UP IN A NEW LOCATION
Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Jeff Luckey
Monster trucks, 4x4s, custom trucks or the daily driver – if you have something with four-wheel drive, you can join the fun at the annual 4-Wheel Jamboree this September.
If you don’t, don’t let that stop you. There’s plenty to see for spectators too.
The 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals will come to the Hendricks County Fairgrounds and Complex Center for the first time this fall after more than 30 years at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Chief Revenue Officer at Events Inc., Andy Knapp, says to think of it as a motorsports event meets a truck show meets the world’s largest tailgate party.
“This event is really for anyone who likes an outdoor festival,” he says. “By September, the festival season is starting to slow down, and it’s like an end-ofsummer celebration at an incredible venue.”
Monsters of Destruction (M.O.D.) will be on hand with seven monster trucks and
four shows over the weekend.
On Friday, monster trucks will qualify for the racing brackets and compete in a Best Trick competition. Saturday will feature monster truck racing rounds up to the semifinals, followed by all seven trucks competing in Freestyle. Sunday will cap off the
event with the final round of monster truck racing, followed by two-truck
On Saturday, the Indiana Pulling League and Indiana Truck Pullers Association will showcase four classes of big machines and compete for a full pull and a spot in the Pull-Off finale.
With multiple events happening over the three-day weekend, perhaps what’s most unique is that the average truck enthusiast can get involved too. Register beforehand if you want to see just what kind of power your truck or 4x4 has compared to a competitor.
“The Mud Bog is a four-foot, soupy mud pit. We do six different types of truck classifications throughout the weekend, and the goal is to get all the way through it with your vehicle and also to be the fastest,” Knapp says.
The Tuff Trucks competition invites drivers to try their hand at the monster truck course with their own truck. Both Stock and Modified Stock will compete. Competitors make a timed qualifying pass in each lane, with those times setting the field for eliminations.
The Side X Side racing is popular too. Bring your UTV and test your equipment and driving skills against another Side X Side in two-seat and four-seat classes.
Monetary prizes will be awarded for the Tuff Trucks and Side X Side competitions, but that’s not all.
“We have a burnout competition sponsored by Yokohama and Tire Rack, and that’s always fun,” Knapp adds.
“People
burn out their tires down to nothing for a chance to win a set of tires.”
For those who don’t want to burn out their tires or drag their truck through the mud, there’s a category for you too – the Show-N-Shine.
Awards include Best Make, Best Interior, Best Paint, Best Engineered and more.
great food + great service
Not only is it fun to show off your favorite four-wheel-drive vehicle, but all of the events your average truck enthusiast can join come with some sort of recognition and can even lead to cash prizes.
“People enjoy participating in the events because they can go home with money or trophies or in-kind products,” Knapp adds. “We have a lot of merchandise vendors and companies that donate prizes too.”
With all of the events testing the limits of vehicles both professional and amateur, there’s another entire show going on outside of the arena.
Car fans can check out the most recent developments in restoring, modifying and caring for the vehicle you own or hope to own someday among the dozens of specialty vendors set up all weekend long, or you may just enjoy the food and entertainment.
“There will be 60 different vendors with all kinds of fair-like food,” Knapp says. “There are always more than 2,000 trucks on display. Some of them are $100,000 trucks or more, and others are the typical daily driver. All of those are professionally judged. Visitors will be able to check out the latest and greatest in manufacturers. It’s the best of both worlds.”
All 4x4s are welcome, even if you don’t want to participate in a competition or the Show-N-Shine. A cruise route is established, and throughout the day, hosts expect to see trucks cruising around all weekend. Think of it as a parade of off-
road enthusiasts.
In addition, visitors and participants can camp at the fairgrounds over the weekend. With easy access to the live shows and vendor row, it’s an entire weekend full of fun and 4-wheels.
Knapp says the hosts at Events Inc. are looking forward to the change in venue and believe fans of the event will enjoy it too.
“One of the reasons we moved to the Hendricks County Fairgrounds was the absolutely beautiful, shaded property,” he says. “I think, if anything, we’ll increase our attendance numbers. We’re really excited to be here in 2025.”
The 44th annual 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals is Sept. 19-21 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds and Complex Center. Visit 4wheeljamboree.com/event/fall/ for a complete schedule or to register for your favorite event.
DARREN BOSTON DARREN@TOWNEPOST.COM
(317) 716-8812
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