Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Saturday, May 26 was a day of ceremony, pomp and circumstance for many throughout the county. The day began with graduation exercises at the Milan High School with a welcome by Michael L. Parks, principal. Both Parks and Superintendent Andrew Jackson presented diplomas to students. It’s time for Moving On by Don Besig was performed by the Milan High School Concert Choir accompanied by Senior Christine Lawburgh. The change of tassel ceremony was led by Zachary Baker, class president. The class motto was “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count it’s the life in your years,” by Abraham Lincoln.

"The next guy who comes in here asking for money and gets it, I am going to file a discrimination suit because that's how I feel." These were the words of frustration spoken by Ripley County Clerk Ginger Bradford to members of the Ripley County Council.

Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

The Ripley County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 21. Commissioners Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz and Lawrence Nickell, plus County Attorney Neil Comer and County Auditor, Mary Ann McCoy were present.

Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

The South Ripley School Corporation Board of Directors held a public hearing concerning a bond issue for construction of facilities on Monday, May 21, 2007. All members of the board were present.

Board president, Jim Miller, began, “Never has quality education been more important than today.” He continued, “Our mission in our schools and in our community should be to help students reach their potential.” Miller noted that South Ripley schools barely meet state requirements for graduation and that the school corporation must institute corrective action.

A capacity crowd gathered on Sunday, May 20 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds to hear from lawyers involved in the Grandview Memorial Gardens debacle. Attorneys Richard Shevitz and Vess Miller of Cohen and Malad in Indianapolis were present to explain the legal side of a class action lawsuit filed regarding missing money and trust funds at Grandview.

Anthoney E. Mayberry, 41, and John J. Mayberry, 37, were both found guilty of Attempted Theft, Class D Felony, by a Ripley Superior Court Jury on May 18. After a three day trial, the jury found that the brothers tried to steal a Volkswagen dune buggy from Nathaniel Moore's property located outside of Osgood on 425 North. Anthoney Mayberry was represented by Mark Dove, Attorney at Law, North Vernon, and John Mayberry was represented by Bruce MacTavish, Attorney at Law, Brownstown. The state's case was presented by Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ryan J. King.

Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

State Representatives Cleo Duncan and Dave Cheatham held a press conference on Monday, May 14 at the Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg to announce a $10 million appropriation by the State of Indiana to fund water systems for Ripley, Jennings and Decatur counties. Duncan said that the state budget was passed on April 29 and included a line item granting the three counties the monies through the Build Indiana Fund. These grants will allow the counties to hire professionals to investigate and propose solutions to local water problems, then take actions to improve the availability and distribution of water.

Screaming victims, multiple casualties and the fallout from a nuclear detonation inundate the once peaceful atmosphere of a local shopping mall. Victims flee from a department store, deafened by the explosion and unable to hear police instructions. A few miles away, the Indiana National Guard’s 53rd Civil Support Team snaps into action.

Due to a decision made by the Indiana legislature to allow slot machines at Indiana horse tracks, Belterra Casino has decided not to go ahead with a planned $45 million expansion of its hotel. The expansion would have added 250 rooms. According to The Madison Courier, casino owner, Pinnacle Entertainment, cited the legislation in its decision to postpone the expansion..

South Ripley teachers, Jenna Smith and Karen Hafft were each honored as Community Teacher of the Year by the Aurora and Madison Wal-Mart stores. The surprise presentation took place at a school assembly on May 8 on Honor Your Teacher Day. Managers from both the Madison and Aurora Wal-Marts commented on the unlikelihood of teachers from one school being selected to receive awards from two stores.

From the time Sharon (Cox) Klusman was diagnosed with cancer, she had one hope - to see both of her small sons, Nicholas and Christopher, graduate from high school. That was in 1993. Recently, Seymour High School Principal Greg Prange upped the graduation date just a few weeks for her youngest son, Christopher, and in a private ceremony from her hospice bed, she was granted that wish.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

‘ “I gained new relationships with girls throughout the county that I still talk to today. I gained new people skills, and it became much easier for me to initiate conversations with strangers. I gained self confidence. I saw myself in a new light, and it is now much easier for me to believe in myself.” Those words came from Miss Ripley County 2006, Amanda Harmeyer.

Wanda English Burnett - Editor

This week the antics of circus clowns were seen around town as the big day approaches for the Kelly Miller Circus to come to Osgood. Sunday, May 6 the excitement of the Big Top Circus will begin with the raising of the tent by elephant power. This will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. and is free. Then two spectacular performances will be given at 2:00 and 4:30 p.m. at the Ripley County Fairgrounds.

Don’t be confused by the Notice of Assessment you received in the mail last week, the hype coming from some lawmakers, or the panic induced by local radio station WSCH concerning your property taxes. That’s the message from Ripley County Assessor Shawna Bushhorn.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

‘ It didn’t take the jury long to come back with a guilty decision after a three day trial for David C. Pratt of Milan. He had been charged with Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, a Class C Felony.