Warning! Fish fry ahead! Indiana homeland security officials have warned Vermillion County to stop using electronic emergency message boards to advertise fish fries, spaghetti dinners and other events, the South Bend Tribune reports. Homeland Security, which bought the 11 signs for $300,000, said the county could risk losing federal money. The county has stopped using the signs for the community announcements, and commissioners plan to discuss the matter in the coming week. Local officials said the signs do get people's attention. Ramon Colombo, director of Vermillion County Emergency Management, said sponsors of a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and an elementary school carnival reported larger-than-normal turnouts after message board ads. The Cayuga volunteer fire department used the messages to promote its fish fry.
