March 2007 Archive

 

The Versailles Republican - March 29, 2007

Crash on 421 near Rexville claims life of one, badly injures two others


Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer
According to Indiana State Police, a 1998 green Ford Explorer, driven by 21-year old Timothy J. Halfhill of Taylor Mill, Kentucky was traveling southbound on US 421 on the morning of Wednesday, March 28 at around 8:10 a.m. when he lost control on wet pavement. The vehicle slid sideways south of CR 800S, leaving the roadway on the east side. The Ford Explorer then jumped a ditch and struck a telephone pole in the yard of 8055 S US 421.

INDOT tells commissioners no federal money available until 2014


Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

The Ripley County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 26. Commissioners Robert Reiners and Chuck Folz plus County Attorney Neil Comer and County Auditor, Mary Ann McCoy were present. Lawrence Nickell was on vacation.

 

Foreclosure rate in Ripley County soars

Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

Up until the late 1990’s, the foreclosure rate in Indiana was below the national rate. However, since 2000 the number of foreclosures in the Hoosier state has climbed precipitously, attaining the dubious distinction of the highest foreclosure rate in the country in 2002. At that time, Indiana posted a 2.38% average while the national number was less than half that at 1.15%.

 

 

Osgood Journal - March 27, 2007

JCD, SR students named scholars
RCCF announces Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship
recipients

 

Two Ripley County students have been named recipients of full, four-year scholarships as the Ripley County Community Foundation 2007 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Tyler Hensley and Leslie Brancamp will receive full tuition to the Indiana College of their choice and an $800 stipend for required books and equipment.

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Family, friends mourn the passing of community leader, Daren Baker

Daren Baker, 79, a tireless community servant who was affectionately referred to as the “Mayor of Milan,” died suddenly on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, OH.

Volz's Mountain Horses to show at Hoosier Horse Fair

Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

Jason and Christi Volz of Osgood, along with two-year old son, Blake, and Jason’s parents, John and Theresa Volz, raise, breed and show Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses. They have 19 of the horses on John and Theresa’s farm just outside Osgood, and are expecting four foals this spring.


The Versailles Republican - March 22, 2007

Action may signal beginning of grim findings
Bodies exhumed at Grandview


Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer
Chains, straps, wires, an earthmover and men wearing HazMat suits tugged a stainless steel casket out of a grave filled with water. A steady stream poured from the coffin where the lid joined the sides. A woman covered her mouth and sobbed. It sounds like the description of a scene from a horror film. Sadly, that is not the case. This was a rescue mission.

Six families affected by fire

Wanda English Burnett- Editor

Six families who live in an apartment building at 305 N. Walnut Street in Osgood, were affected by a fire that started in a one-story portion of the building on Monday afternoon, March 19.

 

Principal named at Milan

Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

The Board of Trustees for the Milan Community School Corporation met in regular session on Monday, March 19. All members were present. The February minutes were read and approved unanimously.
The first order of business was to introduce the new high school principal, Richard Healy. Healy and his wife, Gail, are originally from Mishawaka and are in the process of moving to Milan. Superintendent Andrew Jackson noted that Healy was hired following an extensive process that included online assessments and interviews. Healy stood and was warmly welcomed.

 

 

Osgood Journal - March 20, 2007

Police arrest five suspects
Missing woman was murdered


Wanda English Burnett- Editor

Police say a Madison woman who has been listed as missing is now the victim of murder. According to information from Sgt. Noel Houze Jr. of the Indiana State Police, Ashley Robinson, 23, was murdered and five people have been arrested and charged in connection with the crime.

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Osgood to take over Napoleon gas dept.

Cathy May - Contributing Writer

If all goes as planned, the town of Osgood will be taking over the gas department for the town of Napoleon in the next few months This was discussed at the March meeting of the Napoleon Town Board. In the past two years, Napoleon’s gas department has lost more than $35,000.

Holton board makes plans to spruce up park

Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

The Holton Town Board met in regular session on Tuesday, March 13 at 9:00 a.m. Board President, Bob Furst and members, Wilma Myers and Ron Palmer were all present. Attorney Larry Eaton and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, Peggy Furst were also in attendance. The February minutes were read and approved.

The Versailles Republican - March 15, 2007

Economic Development Director gives input
Milan Council discusses future growth


Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

The Milan Town Council met in regular session on Monday, March 12. Council Members, Paul Hildebrand and Robert Branigan were present. Matt Huffman was not in attendance. Town Marshal Gary Skaggs, Town Clerk Gladys Moody, and Town Attorney Larry Eaton were also present. Town Manager, John Ingram, was on vacation.

From Versailles to China and back
Author's local connection showcased in new release

Wanda English Burnett- Editor

Inspiration for Linda Furiya’s first published book came from her childhood memories growing up in Versailles. The new release titled "Bento Box in the Heartland: My Japanese Girlhood in Whitebread America", is a story about a girl trying to balance the outside world of Midwestern America with the Japanese traditions of her home life.

 

Water issues resolved

Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

In the past few months two legal notices concerning the drinking water in the Town of Versailles have been published in local newspapers. An explanation of what these notices mean for Versailles residents is as follows:

 

 

Osgood Journal - March 13, 2007

Surveyor will continue to maintain maps

Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

The Ripley County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 12. Commissioners Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz and Lawrence Nickell, plus County Attorney Neil Comer and County Auditor, Mary Ann McCoy were present.

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Lady Raiders bring home the nets

Gary Franklin Photo

See photo and details inside...

Baby to benefit from concert

Wanda English Burnett - Editor

“If we didn’t have to buy gas, vehicles and equipment, we’d just do it for free all the time,” noted Barry Beverly, lead vocalist in the One Brick Shy Band. What they do is provide a blend of country, 50’s & 60’s and some light rock music for fans in the county, surrounding counties and other states.
One Brick Shy is comprised of Beverly of Cross Plains, John Lawburgh (drummer) of Holton; Gary Walston (lead guitarist) and Dennis Gaither-Baker, (bass player) both of Osgood. The local men just enjoy making music together and sharing their talents with others. While they do have to get paid sometimes to keep them on the road, they do a lot of benefit concerts. “We just enjoy helping others,” noted Beverly, who has had his share of grief, losing a son. “We know people have situations they can’t help and if we can do something, then that’s what it’s all about,” he told the Osgood Journal recently.

The Versailles Republican - March 8, 2007

It's time to move clocks ahead, again


On the morning of March 11, time will “spring ahead” in Ripley County for only the second time since 1949. That was the year that the Indiana Senate passed a bill outlawing daylight savings time. In those days, rural legislators held sway arguing that “fast time” was unnatural and “unhealthy for cows.” Communities that wished to honor daylight savings time simply ignored the law.

Mission of local author to be completed

Wanda English Burnett- Editor

Carrying out the mission of his beloved wife is something Richard Lengerich intends to do. His wife of 49 years, Ruth or Rudy as she is known in her books, died in December of last year. She had several books in the works and had already published three. Richard vowed to carry out her love of books and continue with the publishing. “I couldn’t do it without my daughter-in-law, Megan,” he noted in an informal interview last week.

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney gives presentation
How safe are children on the Internet?

Wanda English Burnett- Editor

In our society, 16 seems to be a ‘magical’ number.

It’s the age when one can obtain a driver’s license, perhaps start dating and, according to Indiana State Law, make the decision to become sexually active legally.

 

 

Osgood Journal - March 6, 2007

Lawsuit settled, county to get money from Belterra

Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

The Ripley County Council met in regular session on Thursday, March 1. All members, except Dephane Smith, were present along with Attorney Neil Comer and County Auditor Mary Ann McCoy.

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Eagles avenge last year's loss!

Gary Franklin Photo

See photo and details inside...

Laws in place to protect animals

Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The problem of animal abuse and neglect signifies a much deeper issue - one that can affect the quality of life in a community, according to equine expert Anthony R. Caldwell, president of the Animal Protection Coalition, Inc./Indiana Horse Rescue organization.

 

The Versailles Republican - March 1, 2007

Tempers flare at BZA meeting

Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

It was the first time Maureen Sheets chaired a meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals. Likewise, it was Andy Scholle’s first evening as a member of the board. It was an evening that would test their mettle. Sheets welcomed a standing-room only crowd of neighbors divided on the only issue on the agenda for the February 27 meeting. That issue was:

Head on collision injures two

Wanda English Burnett- Editor

An accident on US 421 just north of Versailles had the road shut down for about two hours Tuesday evening, February 27, while emergency crews worked to free both drivers from their vehicles.

 

Possible regional water district discussed

Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer


The Ripley County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 26. Commissioners Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz and Lawrence Nickell were present. County Attorney Neil Comer and County Auditor Mary Ann McCoy were also present.