August 2008 Archive

The Versailles Republican- August 28, 2008

Indiana Farm Bureau president visits county
Farmers discuss tax bills, food prices

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

About 75 local farmers gathered at a Farm Bureau “toolshed” meeting Monday evening, August 25 at the Geisler residence south of Versailles. State officials for Farm Bureau in attendance were Don Villwock, president; Randy Kron, vice-president and Isabella Chism, second vice president and director at large.

Judge sentences Dobbs to 40 years


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

On behalf of the state, Prosecutor Ric Hertel asked the court to sentence James Dobbs, 33, of Osgood, to 40 years in prison for dealing drugs.

Judge Carl Taul came close to that request when he handed down 40 years with only five suspended and 370 days credit for actual time served in the local jail.
 

Osgood Journal - August 26, 2008

Red Cross helps 5 displaced families in Milan
3 teens injured in 8 alarm blaze

Wanda English Burnett, Editor


Three Milan High School students said they felt lucky to be alive after fire swept through the apartment building they were in last Friday evening.

Jamie Altieri, 18, suffered second degree burns after he saved two sisters, Tiffany Higgins, 17, and Rhonda Montgomery, 14 who lived in an upstairs apartment at 116 W. Carr Street, Milan.
Altieri was visiting when the girls said they smelled smoke. He told the Osgood Journal he went downstairs to “check it out” and discovered the building was on fire. He ran back up the stairs yelling for the girls to get out. The three ran from the burning building but did not escape unharmed. They all suffered burns from melted dripping tar and were taken to Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville, where they were treated and released the same evening. “I’m so glad Jamie was there, we probably would have been too scared to go downstairs,” noted Tiffany.


Marshal hired full time at Osgood
Cathy May, Contributing Writer

Osgood now has a full time marshal. John Hegge, who had been hired as interim marshal, was given the permanent position at the August meeting of the Osgood Town Council effective August 18. Hegge came to Osgood from Dillsboro.

A motion was made to expand the reserve officer program and Chuck Snelling and Eric Roush were approved as reserve police officers for the town. Snelling will serve as the Ordinance Enforcement Officer.

 

The Versailles Republican- August 21, 2008

Versailles Town Board on the move

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Members of the Versailles Town Board are literally on the move. Meetings to discuss the town’s business are now held in the new community building (Tyson gym).

Recently, the board members and others from the town participated in a clean up day, picking up trash.

New projects were discussed at the regular board meeting held August 14. From ball fields to a ballroom, those in attendance heard how the town board is taking the requests of the people and moving forward. Since the recent purchase of the old school building, phone lines have been buzzing, people have been talking, and grants have been applied for to enhance the building to make a state-of-the-art community center for the area.

Sunman Sewer District hot topic at council meeting

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

At the August 18 meeting of the Ripley County Council, Donna McCool again brought up the issue of the Sunman Sewer District. She and other Sunman residents are opposed to the district fearing they will be forced to hook up at their own expense. McCool said she has a new septic system and can't afford to hook up to a sewer system. She also explained there are a lot of senior citizens like her who are living on fixed incomes and cannot afford to hook up either. McCool is asking the council to reverse their decision on the petition they signed to approve forming a sewer board, which is the first step in the process to having a sewer district.

 

Osgood Journal - August 19, 2008

Man found guilty of scamming elderly lady

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Robert L. Herrin Sr., 68, of Homer, was found guilty last Friday, August 15, after a Ripley County Superior Court jury heard how he had scammed an elderly victim on a home improvement deal.

Holton town to purchase property
Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

A letter of acknowledgment from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation concerning a grant to purchase property on the corner of Downey and Versailles Street was read by board member Ryan Lauber at the regular session of the Holton Town Board meeting held on Thursday, August 14. The board unanimously agreed to purchase the property.

 

The Versailles Republican- August 14, 2008

Railroad crossings to have stop signs


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

The need for stop signs at certain railroad crossings in the county was discussed at the commissioners regular meeting on Monday, August 11. According to Commissioner Robert Reiners, stop signs will be placed on county roads 800E, 600E, Spades Road and 1350.

Parking dilemna resolved at South Ripley

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Many hands make light work proved true when a collective group came together to solve a parking problem at the South Ripley Jr./Sr. High School due to the ongoing construction.

At the regular meeting of the South Ripley Board of Trustees held August 11 (one week earlier than usual due to school starting August 13), Superintendent Ted Ahaus noted that several people worked on a new parking lot for students since the one they had is not usable due to the construction project. He noted that Brad Street, director at the Southeastern Career Center, was extremely helpful, providing the needed poles and an asphalt roller. South Ripley Board member Gil Landwehr was thanked for donating equipment and his time. Also Tim Demaree Trucking and Sam Copeland hauled in stone to the new parking area for students located between the baseball field and Benham Road just south of the high school building. There are 75 spaces in the new lot and 15 in one across the road at the elementary school.

 


Osgood Journal - August 12, 2008

Five Kodiak bears to be featured at Stapp's Circle S Ranch
'Grizzly' discovery made near Greensburg

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Five grizzly bears were getting settled in their new home in Decatur County last week. “They’re not quite used to it yet,” explained their owner/handler Jeff Watson. The bears moved in August 2.

A professional bear handler for over 20 years, Watson made the decision to join forces with Jim and Theresa Stapp at their Circle S Ranch located just outside of Greensburg on Hwy. 46.

On Friday, August 8 Jim told the Osgood Journal that was their second day to be open to the public with a general admission charge.

Milan graduate hired as first female police officer at B'ville

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Batesville Police Chief Stan Holt has announced that Jamie Straber has been selected to join the police force.

Straber was one of 25 applicants competing in the 12-week hiring process. During the process, applicants were subjected to various forms of background checks, physical fitness testing, written aptitude testing and interviews.

 

The Versailles Republican - August 7, 2008

Traps in place to monitor pesky little beetles
Emerald Ash Borer not welcome here

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Tracking the movement of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is important to the survival of the ash tree, according to officials from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. These little beetle types can quickly destroy a tree, and the ash tree is their preferred choice.

This summer, rectangular purple boxes (traps) began appearing in trees throughout southeastern Indiana. A DNR representative stopped at the home of David and Karen Reynolds of Holton and told them about the situation asking to place a purple box (trap) in their ash tree. The couple’s home is located next to a sawmill, so it met the criteria to participate in the survey.

School buses will roll next week


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Tuesday, August 12, the familiar sight of the big yellow school bus will be seen on roads in Ripley County. That’s when Jac-Cen-Del students begin their 2008-2009 school year. They will be followed by more buses as Milan and South Ripley students join them on Wednesday, August 13, which is their first day back.

With the beginning of school in mind, Sgt. Noel Houze of the Indiana State Police, reminds motorists to be extra cautious. The early morning and afternoon commuters should be prepared for extra traffic on local roads not only including school buses, but the many high school students who are now driving to and from school, along with teachers and other staff members.
 

Osgood Journal - August 5, 2008

2+2 could equal 50 years
Osgood man faces 50 years in prison after being found guilty in two separate drug trials

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Two trials rendering two guilty verdicts in less than three weeks could add up to 50 years in prison for James A. Dobbs, 33, of Osgood.


Batesville officer receives distinguished national forensic award

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Jerry Taul, a Batesville police officer, has won the coveted “William Bass Award,” according to Batesville Police Chief Stan Holt. The award was presented on July 18 by the National Forensic Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Holt said Officer Taul distinguished himself for outstanding achievement in what is recognized as the most prestigious Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) course in the entire nation. He further noted that the award was based on “overall achievement.”