Also, IU Kokomo hosts College Goal Sunday; Flu-Lapalooza offers free vaccines
This article is brought to you by Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region. Ivy Tech welcomes area high school students to its Kokomo Campus, Fri., Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., in celebration of MFG Day (National Manufacturing Day), offering an opportunity to see programs offered in technical and industrial fields as well as a chance to learn about careers with employers from the area.
Area high schools and career centers are encouraged to register to bring juniors and seniors to the event by contacting Tashawnda Brown-Weston, director of admissions and enrollment, at 765-252-5534 or tlbrown@ivytech.edu.
Michael C. Beeman, 50, was apprehended Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, after escaping from an inmate road crew, prompting a search involving the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Kokomo Police Department, and Indiana State Police.
Beeman was assigned to a trustee position on the inmate road crew. Road crew members perform work throughout the community and were mowing at the Howard County Public Library south location when Beeman escaped.
The road crew supervisor reported the escape at approximately 1:45 p.m. At approximately 3:16 p.m., Deputy Cardenas and Deputy Browning located and apprehended Beeman near the 4500 block of South 50 East, approximately 1.6 miles from the library in a straight line.
Beeman had been held on three counts of Level 6 felony theft. Following his apprehension, he was returned to the Howard County Jail and booked on the following additional charges:
- IC 35-44.1-3-4: Escape, Level 5 Felony
- IC 35-44.1-3-1: Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
The case remains active and under investigation by Detective Myers #34-93. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact him directly at 765-614-3493, or by submitting a tip through the Howard County Sheriff’s Office mobile app or at www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov. The Howard County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the filing of the information is merely an allegation, and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
IU Kokomo hosts College Goal Sunday
Students and families can access scholarships and financial aid to make college affordable, with free assistance available at College Goal Sunday, October 4.
Financial aid experts will be available from 2 to 4 p.m. in the IU Kokomo Library, 2300 S. Washington St. Kokomo, to help families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, many scholarships, and federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The event is open to all students who may attend college for the 2027 to 2028 academic year.
Meredith Dittfield, IU Kokomo assistant director of financial aid and scholarships, said the event is about more than completing the FAFSA — it’s about helping students and families feel confident about paying for college.
“The IUK financial aid department hosts this event each year because we get to sit down with families, answer questions, clear up confusion, and help make the financial aid process feel a little less overwhelming,” she said. “Sometimes having someone there to walk you through the process is all it takes to make that next step feel possible. IUK is proud to support students and their families as they take an important step toward their college goals.”
IU Kokomo is one of 35 sites statewide participating, offering expert help to complete the form. It must be filed by April 15, 2027, to be eligible for Indiana financial aid.
Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parent(s) should bring completed 2025 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms, and other 2025 income and benefits information. Students who worked should also bring their income information. Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their completed 2025 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form, or other 2025 income and benefits information. Students and parent(s) are encouraged to set up their U.S. Department of Education StudentAid.gov account at studentaid.gov before coming to the event. Volunteers will be available to assist with the online form and answer all families’ individual questions during College Goal Sunday. All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and many have Spanish interpreters available.
Now in its 37th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 98,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA).
Students who attend College Goal Sunday and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for one of five $1,000 scholarships. The winners will be notified, and scholarships will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.
Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.
Free flu shots from Meridian
Meridian Health Services will offer free flu shots as part of its regional “Flu-Lapalooza” clinics on Thu., Oct. 8, from 1-5 p.m. The community is welcome to participate at its Kokomo office, located at the Western School Corporation, 2699 S, CR 600 W, Russiaville.
No appointments are necessary, and walk-ins are welcome. Meridian is offering the free vaccinations for anyone ages 6 months and up.
Flu-Lapalooza also encourages Halloween costumes to be worn to the event, and there will be candy offered. Participants also can register to win a $50 grocery gift card.
For more information, call 866-306-2647 or visit MeridianHS.org/Flu-Lapallooza