June 2008 Archive

The Versailles Republican - June 26, 2008

Relay for Life has record breaking year

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Ripley County came together like never before when 16 new teams entered the Relay for Life event this past weekend at the Batesville High School. Sponsorships were up and the most money ever was raised being $150,472.68 to date. This is nearly $20,000 more than last year’s, which was also a record breaker. “I’m just on cloud nine!” exclaimed B.J. Myers, who chaired the event for her first time. She was quick to say it wasn’t her that made the difference, but the “collective effort of the committee, her co-chair Tonya Marsee, and the dedication of a community who worked together.”

Versailles family wonders why pet was shot by deputy

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Two sides to a story don’t quite match and the only definite is that a Versailles family’s pet was shot to death last week.

Sometime after 8 a.m. last Wednesday, June 18 the Oney family at 126 North Adams Street, Versailles, were awakened by a commotion outside. “The dogs were going crazy,” remembers Glenda Oney, who said it was one of the worst days of her life. She continued by telling that when she went outside she found one of their pets, a golden retriever/yellow lab mix, had been shot in their yard by an officer.
 
 

Osgood Journal - June 24, 2008


FEMA offers help to local residents

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were seen throughout the county last Friday, June 20, handing out fliers and also meeting with Ripley County Emergency Management Agency’s director Wayne Peace.

Sun Bonnet Sue, Straw Hat Sam named at Holton Jamboree

See details inside...

Versailles man injured in car fire

Wanda English Burnett, Editor


 Members of the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department got an early wake-up call last Friday, June 20, when they responded to a car fire at 6:13 a.m.

“When we arrived the passenger side was fully engulfed,” noted Chuck Gunter, a spokesperson for the fire department. Gunter said the car was sitting in the Intersection of Cavehill and Signor Hill roads, just outside of Versailles.


The Versailles Republican - June 19, 2008

Sunman sewer district discussed at commissioners' meeting

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“We don’t want this particular sewer district,” Donna McCool, Sunman, told the Ripley County Commissioners at the meeting held on Monday, June 16. McCool, along with other residents within the area of the proposed Sunman Regional Sewer District, have signed a petition against the formation of the sewer district. “We want it permanently stopped,” she said. Along with signing the petition, McCool has asked that those who sign, also mail a form letter opposing the sewer district.

NMLRA shoot in full swing
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Copper thefts cause several thousand dollars of damage

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 A complaint of stolen tractor weights sent Versailles Marshal Joe Mann on a search that turned up multiple cases of burglary and theft.

 

Osgood Journal - June 17, 2008


What to do with house owned by town brings controversy
Holton Town Board members, public disagree

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

What to do with the house the Town of Holton owns seemed to be a bone of contention between members of the public and town board members at the regular meeting of the Holton Town Board on June 12. The house is located next to the community park on Versailles Street.

Cavehill academy student is sharp shooter

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

 “It was really awesome,” said Jena Feller, 16, a junior at Cavehill Christian Academy. She won first place in Freestyle Archery at the International Student Convention held in Warrensburg, Missouri on May 24-26. According to Feller, there were about 20 competitors in the Freestyle Archery competition. The Versailles resident broke the record score of 224 points that was set in 2002, earning a score of 228 out of possible 240 points.

B'ville woman arrested on felony charges

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 According to Batesville Police Chief Stan Holt, a three week investigation resulted in the arrest of Rosa V. Arthur, 30, of Batesville, for felony crimes of forgery, fraud and identity deception.

The Versailles Republican - June 12, 2008

Local Vietnam war heroes remembered

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Preserving history is done through the art of story telling, whether it is verbal, written, or recorded on some electronic device. It is much more than an art to P.G. Gentrup of Rising Sun, who is passionate about the legacy Vietnam War veterans leave behind, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. “They are the true American heroes,” he told The Versailles Republican this week. He puts all veterans who have given their all in the same hero category, no matter what war they served in.

Gentrup knows about war first hand, he served in Vietnam. He also knows the grief of losing someone to the cause, he lost two school buddies in that war. “You always wonder why you came home and they didn’t,” he noted. Knowing he’ll never find the answer to that question, the veteran has set out to do something to honor and remember the deceased.

Finishing touches put on Damm Theatre
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Area festivals offer a variety of entertainment

 

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

If you’re wondering what to do this weekend or next - wonder no longer. The next two weekends you can travel a short distance and enjoy some home town fun.

This weekend, June 13 and 14, don’t miss the Sunman Firefighter’s Festival in downtown Sunman. The annual event that boasts fish and chicken dinners with all the trimmings, will have a new twist this year. A mechanical bull will be offered to those brave enough to take the ride. You can go slow or fast or faster, according to organizers, and just see how long you can stay in the saddle!

 

Osgood Journal - June 10, 2008

Who will be crowned the 50th Miss Ripley County?
Contestants gather for Queen's Tea

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

The most contestants ever - 32 - will vie for the coveted title of Miss Ripley County as the pageant celebrates its golden anniversary this year.

There was a buzz of excitement as the girls gathered Friday evening, June 6, for the traditional Queen’s Tea/Slumber Party event at the Versailles Baptist Church. “This is the most contestants we’ve ever had,” noted Erin Menchhofer, chair of the event, who was equally excited with the turnout. She has worked, along with others, several years to pull together the anniversary event that promises to unite past queens with the contestants this year and eventually the queen and her court.

Columbus Regional Hospital evacuated
Storms wreak havoc state-wide

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Ripley County received minimal damage from last week’s storms when you consider what neighboring Decatur and then Bartholomew counties went through over the weekend.

According to Jason Smith, EMS district manager, patients at the Columbus Regional Hospital, were evacuated after enormous volumes of rain pounded the area on Saturday, June 7.

New businesses proposed


Cathy May, Contributing Writer

The Ripley County Area Planning Commission gave a favorable recommendation at their June 3 meeting to a father and son, who plan on bringing some new businesses to Ripley County.

Levi Beiler asked to have five acres rezoned from Agriculture-2 to Roadside Business at 5123 W. County Rd. 550 S, Holton. The property is located near New Marion. Beiler plans to put up a hardware store and lumber yard at the site. The commission granted a rezone of only three acres saying five were too many to rezone for what Beiler wants to do.

The Versailles Republican - June 5, 2008

Friendships grow as the muzzles blast
NMLRA set to celebrate 75 years

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Nestled along the Laughery Creek lies the small town of Friendship, population of nearly 100. According to Mildred Kamman, former postmaster for 31 years, “It’s a quiet town where everyone knows each other.”

But, twice a year, in June and again in September, the population of Friendship dramatically increases as nearly 20,000 visitors arrive to participate in the National Muzzle Loader Rifle Association’s (NMLRA) national shoots or to visit the flea markets. This year’s shoot is especially poignant as this marks the 75th anniversary of the NMLRA. The organization was formed in 1933 in Portsmouth, Ohio, by 30 people who wanted to preserve a vanishing part of the American heritage. Later, the NMLRA moved to its current location in Friendship in the 1950’s according to Jim Lemon Sr., a lifetime resident of Friendship. In fact, the original 52 acres where the event takes place, was sold to the NMLRA by Lemon’s father.

FEMA grant discussed at commissioners' mtg.
Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

The Ripley County Commissioners discussed the application details for a FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive (PDMC) grant at their regular meeting held on Monday, June 2. Manual Johnston, Indiana Department of Homeland Security said, “It is not a quick process.”
 

Storms cause lots of tree damage

 

See front page photo coverage inside...

 

Osgood Journal - June 3, 2008

Osgood postmaster says goodbye

Wanda English Burnett, Editor


Last Friday, May 30 Ken Harlemert reported for work for the last time as a postal employee before retiring. He has been the postmaster at Osgood since 1987, and has been with the service since 1970. His first appointment as postmaster was at Holton in 1978.

JCD and SR teams are regional bound

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Interim marshal named at Osgood


Cathy May, Contributing Writer

The Osgood Town Board held a special meeting on Saturday, May 31 to hire John Hegge as their interim town marshal. Hegge was hired on a 16-233k contract and will work 40 hours a week.