July 2008 Archive


The Versailles Republican - July 29, 2008

Area schools gear up for the year

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Now that the excitement of summer vacation is almost over, area schools are preparing for the 2008-2009 school year which starts on Wednesday, August 13 for South Ripley and Milan, and August 12 for Jac-Cen-Del schools.

BZA grants request with restrictions

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“I don’t want a junk yard on 421,” said Linda Krinop, Osgood Town Council member at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Tuesday, July 29. This was in regards to a special exception request made by Osgood business owners Carl and Susan Mullikin.

 

Osgood Journal - July 27, 2008

Council discusses funds for park

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

The Ripley County Council meeting was going smoothly last Monday, July 21 until a $3,066 additional appropriation for a truck to be used at the Ripley County Fairgrounds Park was brought up. An auction had been held previously where unwanted items were sold in order to pay for the truck. But, several council members were concerned because the money was coming from the highway department funds when county highway employees have had their hours cut back.

Grand Champion Steer brings in $2700 at 4-H fair auction

See details inside...

 

The Versailles Republican - July 24, 2008

School year will begin on schedule
SR board hears construction update

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

School will start on time for South Ripley students. That announcement was made at the South Ripley School Board meeting held Monday, July 21. “Contrary to rumors we will be starting on time,” noted Superintendent Ted Ahaus. That date for students is August 13, with teachers reporting on August 11.

There have been some delays with the construction project due to the wet spring. However, architect Hal Kovert of KovertHawkins architects, the firm hired to oversee the $17 million addition and renovation project, reported that they are only about three weeks behind schedule. That will not affect the start time for students in the fall.

New firehouse in sight for Versailles volunteer firemen

A $350,000 grant has propelled the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department that much closer to their goal of building a new fire station.

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman awarded the grant recently with Tracy Moore, chief, and Ben Sieverding, assistant chief, on hand to receive it. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) administers the grants, which are funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Versailles was one of 33 communities that received grants totaling more than $14 million.
 

Osgood Journal - July 22, 2008

Storm halts fair activites after royalty is named

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 Severe thunderstorms swept through the county Sunday evening halting activities at the Ripley County 4-H Fair not long after the official ribbon cutting took place.

The strong winds caused damage to some vendors’ tents and about six vehicles sustained damage, according to Deputy John Lord of the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, who provided security for the event.

JCD gets organized, changes meeting day

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

 At the regular meeting of the Jac-Cen-Del School Board held July 8, which was the organizational meeting for the year, school attorney Tim Day administered the oath of office to Paul C. Hardy and William Roberts, recently elected board members. Board President Charles Hughes turned the reins of office over to Hardy, who was elected president for the coming year. It was Hughes’ last meeting as a board member. Superintendent Bill Narwold presented Hughes with a plaque in appreciation of his 16 years of service as president. Hughes thanked the board for their support. He stated it was a pleasure serving with all the members throughout the years.

4-H King and Queen named

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The Versailles Republican - July 17, 2008

Options discussed for Tyson Auditorium

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

 “I feel very comfortable to have this building as part of the community,” said Versailles Town Council President John Holzer at the regular meeting of the Versailles Town Council on July 10 at the Tyson Auditorium.

Holzer introduced engineer Jerry Firestone, Triangle Design of Noblesville, who presented a layout of Tyson Auditorium and discussed what would be needed to bring it up to code.

Life in America is great, just ask Ai

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 Life in rural southeastern Indiana is definitely different for Ai Brown, from her life growing up near Yokohoma, Japan.

“I love it here!” Ai exclaimed as she talked about how she thought she might get homesick when she first moved to Versailles with her military husband, Kris. Her eyes lit up as she talked about the vast, open spaces Indiana provides compared to her home in Japan, which was crowded. The first time she saw lightning bugs was a real treat. “I thought, it’s so wonderful here,” she told The Versailles Republican in an interview where her uncle (by marriage) Wayne Peace, also attended to help with the language barrier.
 

Osgood Journal - July 15,2008

50th Miss Ripley County is crowned

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 Amidst a frenzy of flashes the 50th Miss Ripley County was crowned Friday night, July 11 at the Batesville High School auditorium with Jordan Clements of Holton, taking the coveted title. Clements is the daughter of Bill and Christine Clements and a student at South Ripley High School. “It just doesn’t seem real,” she told the Osgood Journal, following the pageant.

Madison couple die in motorcycle/car crash

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The Versailles Republican - July 10, 2008

Police find body of gunman after six hour stand-off
Apparent murder/suicide leaves two dead


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 The exact details of why an Aurora man killed another and then himself in Sunman Monday night, July 7 are under investigation by a number of agencies.

Police responded to a 911 call Monday about 7:00 p.m. when the Dearborn County sheriff’s dispatch took the call that a shooting had occurred in a trailer court at 11600 North Hogan Road near Aurora. True to the call, officers found Brian Lacey, 30, of Aurora, dead of an apparent gunshot wound when they arrived at the mobile home.

South Ripley graduate interns at prosecutor's office

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

 “I like it,” said Liz Hall, Milan. The 2002 South Ripley graduate is spending her summer as an intern at the Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office. “I’ve learned a lot,” she said.
 

Osgood Journal - July 8, 2008

650north to tour with Seven Mary Three
Osgood talent being heard

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 There’s something to be said about being in the right place at the right time. It also helps to have natural talent, as four boys from Osgood, who are known as the 650north band do.

The band is comprised of Matt Schuerman, 24, vocals/guitar; Andrew Vollmer, 22, guitar/vocals; Chris Bultman, 22, bass/vocals; and Josh Lohrum, 22, drummer.

$50,000 worth of drugs stopped, bail set at $1million

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

According to information from Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel, felony charges have been filed and over $50,000 worth of drugs have been taken off the streets following a traffic stop on I-74.
A 2008 Chevy with Georgia plates was stopped on July 2 by Indiana State Police Trooper James Wells, after he received a report of a stolen car. When Trooper Wells made the stop, he found much more than a stolen vehicle. During the search, the officer located more than 2000 pills in the trunk. Initial testing showed the pills were Ecstasy (MDMA), a Schedule I Controlled Substance.

Need help with your mortgage?
Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

 “We know it is something our counties need,” said Patty Jackson, program manager and certified intervention specialist for the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network. Jackson, along with Mary McCarty, Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, work with homeowners who have missed mortgage payments, to keep their homes.

The Versailles Republican - July 3, 2008

Course prepares officers for multiple shooting incidences
Sheriff's office stands ready


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The Biblical question from the story of Cain and Abel thousands of years ago can be answered in one word, “Yes.”

Sheriff Tom Grills learned how important it is to watch the actions of others and then act on what you see, when he went through intensive training to be a certified instructor in the Response to the Active Shooter course.

Mini-4-H'ers enjoy day at fairground

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Osgood Journal - July 1, 2008

Runners kick off events on the square Saturday

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No majority vote tables BZA decision

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

At the June 24 meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Carl and Susan Mullikan applied for a special exception to permit storage of disabled vehicles in the Local Business District. They presently own a garage and auto sales at 930 S. Buckeye Street in Osgood.

Radio operators prove you don't need electricity

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

The ease of communicating with others has become as commonplace as the flick of a button or a simple voice command “call home.” Mobile phones make it possible to talk 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere, or nearly anywhere, in the world.