● Orchard places in cider competition
GREENFIELD — Tuttle Orchards earned a third-place award in the Illinois Specialty Crops conference National Fresh Cider contest.
The contest takes place annually in January and is open to orchards across the United States. Sweet cider is judged based on a 25-point rating scale for quality characteristics.
“The award-winning batch of cider was made from a unique mix of eight different apple varieties,” said Thomas Roney, fourth-generation orchard operator and cider maker. “We use a continuous cloth press and make it in small batches of approximately 800 gallons to ensure a good mix of flavor and quality.”
Tuttle Orchards makes more than 20,000 of gallons of cider each year. The business is owned and operated by third- and fourth-generation family members.
Visit tuttleorchards.com for more information.
● Expedite refunds by filing online
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Revenue is encouraging residents who are eager to receive tax refunds to file returns electronically.
Returns that are filed through the website are processed and refunded in 12 to 14 days on average, while paper-filed returns take about 12 weeks for the same service, according to a release from the department.
To check the status of a tax refund, visit secure.in.gov/apps/dor/tax/ refund or call 317-233-4018.
For more tips, visit in.gov/dor.
● Chamber seeks nominations
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the annual Community Walk of Fame awards dinner. Nominations are being accepted for:
Businessman of the year
Businesswoman of the year
Community hero
Nonprofit community service of the year
Entrepreneurial spirit
Chamber service
Chamber champion
Nomination forms and more information about the awards can be found on the organization’s website, greenfieldcc.org.
● State jobless rate drops in December
INDIANAPOLIS — Hancock County unemployment figures fell to 3.8 percent in December, a 1.3 percent improvement over the previous year.
Hancock County has the 15th-lowest unemployment rank in the state. The statewide average unemployment rank is 4.6 percent, according to a report issued by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
