November 2007 Archive

The Versailles Republican - November 29, 2007

Family Connections celebrates 25 years

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

December marks Family Connections 25th anniversary of service to Ripley and surrounding counties. Through programs such as Start Healthy, Healthy Families, Prenatal Substance Use Prevention Program (PSUPP), and free pregnancy tests, Family Connections has been able to provide resources and support to help families maintain healthy environments for their children.

Local families take part in horse-drawn carriage parade

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“I thought ‘this is the coolest thing!’” exclaimed David Sams of Sunman, when he and his family first attended the Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade in Lebanon, OH, three years ago.

“It’s something else when you see all the Clydesdales pulling the carriages,” said wife Amy. The following year, David and Amy with their son Dustin, returned to participate in the parade. Ten-year-old Rascal, their miniature pony, pulls the decorated and lighted wagon along the parade route past thousands of spectators. The Sams’ wagon was manufactured in Osgood nearly 40 years ago by the Comer Wagon Works.
 

$9 trillion national debt has local impact

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

The national deficit has escalated in just six years from $5 trillion to $9 trillion, according to U.S. Representative Baron Hill and it concerns him greatly. “The deficit is $9 trillion and growing with the interest paid being the second largest budget item, second only to military spending,” the congressman shared as he made a stop in Versailles on Tuesday of this week.

 

Osgood Journal - November 27, 2007

Work Release prisoner on the run for two years
Fugitive on sheriff's most wanted list is caught

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 After being sentenced to a work release program through the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office in 2005, Carl W. (Billy) Lay, 35, of Milan, simply walked away after serving about six weeks.

A dozen students face disciplinary action after police sweep through South Ripley


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

 Last week students at South Ripley Jr. Sr. High School got a surprise visit from Versailles Town Marshal Joe Mann and other officers when they brought in the canine units to search for drugs.

“We found a very small amount of marijuana,” noted Marshal Mann, which belonged to two 18-year-olds.

Project Lead the Way introduced at Milan

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

The first order of business for the November meeting of the Milan School Board was information on Project Lead the Way. Project Lead the Way, a national not-for-profit organization, assists schools in providing curriculum in engineering and technology. According to Superintendent Andrew Jackson, Milan School Corporation has received two grants totaling $50,000 to offset start-up costs. “It’s a good program,” stated Superintendent Jackson. He also mentioned that he knew of three students who went through the program and received full scholarships to Rose-Hulman College. Student interest surveys will be sent out in December. Board members will be provided with more information at the December board meeting.
 

The Versailles Republican - November 22, 2007

Sheriff holds out for more money
 Rebate checks for homestead credit discussed
Cathy May, Contributing Writer

The Ripley County Council has offered Sheriff Tom Grills a contract for $73,000 for 2008, but Grills refused to sign the contract because he wants more. In addition to his salary, Grills also wants the money garnered from tax warrants which would add another $12,000 to $15,000 to his salary. By state statute, the sheriff has to be paid 60% of what the prosecutor is paid, but the state pays the prosecutor’s salary, not the county.

RCRC asks for $150,000 from county

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

The Ripley County Commissioners met on Monday, November 19. Three members of the Ripley County Redevelopment Commission (RCRC), Brad Buening, Ted Spurlock and Jeff Volz, came to ask for $150,000 from the Economic Development Income Tax Economic Development Fund to purchase the Hanson property in Osgood for an industrial park.
 

Sunman mother works through her grief to help others
Benefit for HLH research set for Dec. 12 at Milan VFW
Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Facing the holidays without her son is something a Sunman mother hoped would never happen. But it did. A rare disease, Hemophagocytic Lympho Histiocytosis, (HLH) ravaged David Madison’s 17-year-old body last Thanksgiving and claimed his life just months later on March 31.

“Thanksgiving without my first born son...” April Borders clasped her hand to her mouth while tears coursed down her face. The thought is horrifying to her, but she refuses to idly sit by and let the disease claim more lives without a fight.

 


Osgood Journal - November 20, 2007

Holton to host Jingle Bell Jubilee


Cathy May, Contributing Writer

The Holton Town Board met on November 13 at 9:00 a.m. It was announced that the Jingle Bell Jubilee will be held on Saturday, December 1 starting at 6:00 p.m. Hoosier Hills Bluegrass will play at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Tri County Harmonizers and the Mellow Tones. Refreshments will be served.

Extension homemakers help Santa with his list


See details inside...

Kellie Collier recognized at SR mtg.

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

The South Ripley School Board met on November 12 with six school board members present: Robert Garcia, Gil Landwehr, Keith Mathews, Randy McIntosh, Ralph Miller, and Tim Taylor. Superintendent Ted Ahaus and Attorney Merritt Alcorn were also present.
 

 

The Versailles Republican - November 15, 2007

Local soldier enjoys life while stationed in the tropical paradise of Guam
Most people are drawn to the tiny Pacific island of Guam for the warm weather, pristine coral reefs and lush tropical flora. Japanese honeymooners flock there. This U.S. territory is closer to Japan, the Philippines and Australia than to its closest American neighbor, Hawaii. Because of its location in the western Pacific and west of the international dateline, it’s the first place on American soil to see the sun rise each morning.

Pit bull issue continues in Versailles

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

An emotional Jason Conert pled his case for his beloved pets that are pit bulls at the November 8 Versailles Town Board meeting. “I’m a responsible owner,” said Conert, “I’m just trying to save my dogs.”

Conert brought in a three-page petition of names to keep pit bulls from being banned in Versailles. But, Karen Bastin, who was one of the people who asked for the ban on pit bulls in the first place, said, “I’m not going to live in fear.” She did say, “I can live with the current ordinance (on vicious dogs) as long as it is enforced, but, I don’t want to wait until someone is bitten.” The Versailles Town Board said they would continue to study the matter.
 

Book highlights school days at VHS
Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

From early beginnings as subscription schools, to the creation of Versailles High School and before the consolidation of the Holton and New Marion schools in 1966, “School Life”, a three year project, retraces the history of public education in Versailles and is full of anecdotal history, photos and remembrances.

 



Osgood Journal - November 13, 2007

Large crowd enjoys Taste of Home cooking school event


See photo and information inside...

Osgood Town Marshal dismissed

Wanda English Burnett - Editor

At a special called meeting for the town of Osgood, the termination of Rodney Stepleton, marshal for the town, was announced. The minutes read, “With the Town Council setting as the Safety Board for the Town of Osgood, Mary Ann Gay read the Finding of Facts. Rodney Stepleton violated rules, regulations and policies of the Town of Osgood.”

Butlerville man charged with Child Molesting

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

David Columbus Nantz, 40, of Butlerville, was arrested last Wednesday, November 7 on charges of Child Molesting.

The arrest was made without a warrant due to ISP Investigator Jan Graves’ belief that the child would be put at further risk if the arrest was not made immediately.
 


The Versailles Republican - November 8, 2007

Republicans sweep the races in Holton for the first time
Election brings changes in town leaders


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

In Ripley County, Decision 2007 saw Republicans sweeping the house in the town of Holton which has predominately been governed by Democrats. The upset came with newcomers Paul Hughes being the front runner for town council with 134 votes, Ryan Lauber, 133 votes, and Angi Farrell with 120 votes to unseat the present democratic board by a double margin.

County's health insurance rates projected to rise

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

There will be an increase in the cost of the county’s insurance premium for its employees this year. Just how much is yet to be decided.
 

Versailles and Osgood American legions to host programs

The Versailles American Legion invites all veterans, legionnaires, auxiliary and S.A.L. members to join them at any or all of the programs as they pay tribute to the men and women who served our country in the United States Armed Forces. These programs will be held on Monday, November 12 as follows:

 

Osgood Journal - November 6, 2007

Farm Bureau President praises meat cooperative
Locally grown meat served in area restaurants


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Due to food scares, which are “entirely too frequent occurrences,” Ripley County Farm Bureau President Paul Anderson says homegrown natural meats are the taste of the future in Ripley County.

Versailles man injured in motorcycle crash

See photo and information inside ...

Brookville bank robber arrested

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Last Wednesday, October 31 tellers at the First Financial Bank in Brookville were shocked to see a man enter the bank and demand money. While he did not display a weapon, he managed to get away with an undisclosed amount of money.
 

The Versailles Republican - November 1 , 2007

Chamber honors local residents at annual meeting
Lt. Governor praises local economic efforts


Cathy May, Contributing Writer


Lt. Governor Becky Skillman spent part of October 30 in Versailles. First, Skillman took part in the ground breaking ceremony of the new 100 acre upscale business park. Ripley County accomplished what few others have, putting together a shovel ready park in only 18 months.

General election set for Tuesday


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Residents living in the towns of Batesville, Holton, Milan and Versailles will have the opportunity to vote in the general election next Tuesday, November 6. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
 

Moore sentenced to probation


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Billey J. Moore, 39 of Holton, was sentenced in Ripley Circuit Court on October 22 to four years probation. He was found guilty by a jury on the charge of Prohibited Sales or Transfers of Ownership or Possession of a Firearm, a Class C Felony.