Former mayor honored for work

The former mayor of Franklin was honored for his work as an advocate for mass transit.

Joe McGuinness, who resigned as mayor to lead the Indiana Department of Transportation, was one of three people named an Outstanding Transit Advocate on Transit Day at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday.

McGuinness was nominated by Becky Allen, director of Access Johnson County, the county’s public transportation service, because of his work as mayor and on the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority board, where he supported mass transit in central Indiana, according to a news release.

Also honored were Teresa Torres, executive director of Everybody Counts Center for Independent Living, who has guided the organization into relationships that support transit, and Indianapolis resident Joanne Hamilton, who has ridden IndyGo for all of her 73 years and began advocating for dedicated funding for transit in 1991.

Downtown Franklin businesses offering passport program

During the month of February, downtown Franklin and area businesses are encouraging residents to shop locally with a passport program for restaurants, shops and service providers.

Cards can be picked up at a participating business. When making a purchase, get the card stamped and turn in your card to be entered into a drawing held at the end of the month.

The prize drawing will take place by noon March 3. Winners will be announced on Facebook and notified by phone and email. Prizes will be picked up at Toodleydoo Toys.

To learn more, visit the Love Local Passport page on Facebook.

Relay for Life team planning daddy-daughter dance

The Relay for Life Cancer Stinks team will host a Daddy Daughter Dance on March 4 at Indian Creek High School.

The dance will be 6 to 9 p.m. and will include dancing, finger food, drinks, complementary pictures, a princess crowning and silent auction.

Tickets are available at First Merchant Bank, 110 State Road 135, Trafalgar, and are $20 per couple and $5 per extra child pre-sale. At the door, tickets will be $25 per couple and $5 per extra child.