I&M proposes increase, upgrades

Indiana Michigan Power last week submitted its Powering Our Future program plans, including a rate increase, to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

I&M is asking for a 6.8% rate increase, which it says would generate $116.4 million annually. If approved, the new rates would be phased in over two years.

The Powering Our Future program plans call for:

•Replacing old equipment, trimming tries and installing new technology to improve service reliability

•Providing more bill payment options

•Utilizing technology to shorten customer service call times, allow better access to account information and improve communication

•Starting the process of evaluating the future of Cook Nuclear Plant, for which licenses expire in the mid-2030s

•Seeking federal grants 

“I&M understands that our customers are feeling the effects of inflation and higher costs of goods and services,” said Steve Baker, I&M president and chief operating officer, in a press release. “We have carefully reviewed the plans that are necessary for us to improve reliability of service and deliver a better customer experience. The Powering our Future plan is critical for I&M to continue to meet our customers’ expectations.”

Career day scheduled

Purdue Extension will host its inaugural Jay County Career Fair on Sept. 7 at Jay County Junior-Senior High School.

Businesses are being invited to participate in the event that will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the school’s auxiliary gym. Representatives will get to speak with students about their fields, share education advice and provide tips about local opportunities in their industries.

Those interested in taking part should contact Allison Keen at [email protected]. For more information, call (260) 726-4707.

Classes scheduled

John Jay Center for Learning is continuing to offer ServSafe training.

The courses for those in the food-service industry are scheduled for Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 30 and Nov. 27. Each runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at John Jay, 101 S. Meridian St., Portland.

For more information, call (260) 729-5525.

Collecting supplies

First Financial Bank is holding a cleaning supplies drive at its 112 N. Meridian St. location in Portland.

The bank will accept unopened and unexpired cleaning supplies at all of its locations from Aug. 21 through Sept. 1. Donations will be delivered to local organizations to help community members in need.

“First Financial has always recognized the importance that housing plays on our overall well-being, and we are excited to be working collaboratively with our communities to ensure that after our neighbors get into their dream home, they can keep it just as beautiful as it was on move-in day,” said Roddell McCullough, chief corporate responsibility officer for First Financial Bank, in a press release. 

New GM hired

Ghyslain Chocolatier of Union City has hired Pablo Rodriquez as its general manager of operations and pastry chef.

Rodriguez, a Puerto Rican national, most recently served as an executive pastry chef at the Setai Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. He studied international baking and pastry at Instituto de Banca y Comericio, Puerto Rico.

“We are delighted to welcome Pablo to the Ghyslain Chocolatier family,” said Ghyslain Maurais, founder of Ghyslain Chocolatier, in a press release. “His culinary journey, marked by achievements and recognition, aligns perfectly with our mission to provide our customers with delightful indulgences. We are confident that under Pablo’s guidance, our team of culinary artisans will continue to create memorable experiences for our cherished patrons.”

Rodriguez has also worked at Rosen Hotels and Resort in Orlando. He was a contestant on Food Network’s “Holiday Wars” season four.

Teaming up

McDonald’s of Greater Indiana and Southwest Michigan is teaming up with the Indianapolis Colts to offer a buy one, get one free deal.

For every game (including preseason) in which the Colts make a field goal, customers will be eligible to buy one Big Mac and get one free the next day via the McDonald’s mobile app.

McDonald’s will also be offering a Colts Bundle Box, which will include two Big Macs, a 20-piece order of McNuggets and two medium fries. The blue Colts box will be available beginning Aug. 22.

Suit filed

Indianapolis drugmaker Eli Lilly is facing a lawsuit from another firm.

Nektar Therapeutics last week sued Eli Lilly, accusing the company of undermining prospects for a drug they were developing together to treat autoimmune diseases, Reuters reported. They had been in partnership to develop and commercialize the drug — rezpegaldesleukin — since 2017. The deal was terminated earlier this year, with Nektar regaining all rights to the drug.

Eli Lilly is being accused of breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, unfair competition and other issues via the complaint filed in federal court in San Francisco.

Cutting publications

An Indiana newspaper chain announced last week that it will be reducing its days of publication in order to put more focus on its digital product.

AIM Media Indiana announced that its daily newspapers in the state — The Daily Journal (Franklin), The Republic (Columbus), The Daily Reporter (Greenfield) and The Tribune (Seymour) — will be changing their print publication schedules beginning next month. The Daily Journal will cut Mondays from its print publication schedule, dropping from six days to five. The other three papers will reduce to printing just twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday. E-editions will also be available only on those days.

The company said content will not be cut because of the changes, but rather would be available on the website daily.

AIM Media Midwest announced similar changes to its five Ohio newspapers earlier this year.

Training available

Indiana Chamber of Commerce will offer two safety courses in August.

The chamber will offer 10- and 30-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration courses beginning Aug. 22. They will be held at the chamber of commerce conference center in Indianapolis.

Participants in the workshop can receive credits toward their Safety Compliance Specialist Certificate.

Other upcoming courses include Safety Leadership Principles on Sept. 21 and 22, Safety for Maintenance and Machine Operators on Oct. 4 and Forklift Safety: Train the trainer on Oct. 5.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (800) 824-6885.