January 2009 Archive


The Versailles Republican - January 29, 2009

Milan students recognized at mtg.

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Milan student Billy Bruns was congratulated on being selected to receive the Indiana Career and Technical Education Award for Excellence at the regular board meeting of the Milan School Board on Monday, January 19. Bruns was nominated by the teachers at the Southeastern Career Center where he attends part of the day.

SCC Director Bradley Street noted, “Billy is an excellent student.” According to Street, Bruns was chosen from thousands of students in the state. “The award is based on scholarship, character, leadership, and proficiency,” said Street. Bruns will be recognized in the Indiana State Senate during a public ceremony on February 20.

County earns less in interest


Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

The Ripley County Commissioners, acting as the board of finance, heard the annual financial report from Ripley County Treasurer Earline Copeland, at the regular meeting held on Monday, January 26. According to Copeland, the treasurer’s department utilizes the resources of several local banks for the investment of funds.

 

Osgood Journal - January 27, 2009

Town of Osgood and the county partner
Working together saves money



Wanda English Burnett, Editor

An idea and some research led two local entities to the right solution to save money when treating roadways for snow and ice. It’s called brine.

Osgood approves joint venture with county highway

Beth Rumsey, Stafff Writer

The proposal for the joint purchase of salt brine equipment between the Town of Osgood and the Ripley County Highway Department was unanimously approved at the regular session of the Osgood Town Council on Tuesday, January 20.

According to Town Attorney Mary Ann Gay, the equipment will be housed at the county highway garage, with the county and Osgood each paying 50% of the costs of purchase.
Gay noted that the brine equipment will be available to other municipalities with the proceeds going into a fund to be used by the street department for maintenance on the brine equipment. “It’s a great idea,” said board member Norman Kappes.

.

The Versailles Republican - January 22, 2009


Dual Credit Program offered at South Ripley


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Dual credit will now be offered at South Ripley Jr. Sr. High School, according to Dr. John Mehrle, assistant superintendent, who said he is “very pleased with the expansion.”

The classes are offered through the school’s Dual Credit Program, letting students earn college credits and high school credit at no cost to the student. The dual credit courses are designed to enhance the educational opportunities for all students and enable them to meet the new graduation requirements for the Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas.

Been laid off? Looking for a career change?
Local college cooperative offers options


Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

The current economic downturn has many wondering about the future. Several businesses are cutting back on employee hours and laying off workers in order to stay afloat. While some people will find a job quickly, many others may find that their skills need to be refreshed to be competitive in the job market. Those who are employed may even consider a career change or improve job skills to increase their pay scale.

 

Osgood Journal - January 20, 2009

170 positions eliminated from Batesville plant
Hill-Rom to cut 300 positions nationwide


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Recently the decision was approved by Hill-Rom’s Board of Directors to make some changes in the company, one of which will impact local jobs.

According to information from a press release, the reduction in capital spending being seen by US hospitals has caused their company, which is a leading worldwide manufacturer of medical technologies and related services for the health care industry, to take another look at how they structure their business.

Osgood Town Council has new president

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer


The Town of Osgood held an organizational meeting on Thursday, January 8 with Attorney Mary Ann Gay giving the oaths of office to Clerk/Treasurer Tamara Wilhoit and new council member Vickie (DeDee) Holliday. Linda Krinop was unanimously elected as the town council president.

 

The Versailles Republican - January 15, 2009

Council agrees to not support sewer proposal


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

The request of Sunman resident Donna McCool for the Ripley County Council to revisit a decision the council had made initially supporting the proposal of the Sunman Regional Sewer District was honored at the meeting Monday, January 12.

Commissioner Robert Reiners was in attendance at the meeting and noted that the commissioners never supported the proposal of a sewer district. He said they felt there was never a need shown to them for the district in the first place. Other things that had them question the validity of the project, was how the route of the sewer lines had been changed several times and the burden it would place on property owners in the area. “Why force something on someone when they don’t want it and the need hasn’t been shown?” he questioned.

B'ville brothers again in finals for Super Bowl ad that could win them $1M

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Super Bowl XLIII is anxiously anticipated by many football fans, especially Joe and Dave Herbert of Batesville. But the brothers are not hoping their favorite team will win on February 8. On the contrary, they are hoping that their homemade Doritos commercial will air during the event.

 

Osgood Journal - January 13, 2009

Holton hires new employees for sewer dept.

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Board member Paul Hughes was unanimously elected as president of the Holton Town Council at their first meeting of 2009 held on Thursday, January 8. The motion for all members of the council to serve as the board of finance, with Ryan Lauber as president, was unanimously approved.

Hughes introduced Sarah Hildebrand as Clerk/Treasurer pro tem. According to Hughes, if Krista Bartoz, who was re-elected as the Holton Clerk/Treasurer in the November elections, is not sworn in office or resigns the office, another person will be appointed by the Ripley County Republican Party or by town appointment. (According to Ripley Publishing Co. files, this is what happened with the last election in 2007, when Bartoz was elected, but then resigned and Misty McNeelan filled that position.)

Icy bridge contributes to accident

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

It’s that time of year when the weather can change as the temperature falls causing roadways to become icy and treacherous in a hurry.

Last Wednesday, January 7, two drivers became victims of Indiana’s icy weather conditions as they were traveling on US 50 near the Jennings County line.

The Versailles Republican - January 8, 2009

SR student headed for 44th Presidential Inauguration


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

South Ripley junior, Kelly Borter, will be among those at the prestigious Presidential Inauguration on January 20, when President Elect Barack Obama, will take the oath of the highest office in the country and become the 44th President of the United States.

“This is a once in a lifetime experience for me, and I am so grateful that I am able to be present amongst millions of individuals to watch history take its course,” Borter noted.

Versailles firefighters, town council members, break ground for new fire station


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

The site of the new Versailles Fire Station was cause for celebration recently as members of the Versailles Fire Department and the town council gathered for a ground breaking ceremony. The new station will be located just south of Versailles on US 421.

According to information from Ben Sieverding, second assistant chief, the new station will serve the citizens of Versailles and the surrounding areas well into the future. The department is the busiest in the county, according to Sieverding, who said they responded to 457 emergency calls in 2007 and 384 emergency calls in 2008.

 

Osgood Journal - January 6, 2009

B'ville man faces attempted murder charges

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

One Batesville man is in jail and another in the hospital following an incident that occurred Saturday night, January 3 at a residence on Hunter’s Lane.

Officers from the Batesville Police Department responded to a 911 call from the residence about 10:30 p.m. saying a man had been shot. When police arrived they found Philip Voegele, 45, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the Margaret Mary Community Hospital and then air lifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where his condition is unknown.

A well-stocked pantry saves time, money
What's for supper?

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

We’ve all been there. Standing in front of the refrigerator contemplating the contents all the while wondering, “What’s for supper?” And what could be more frustrating than to be in the middle of meal preparations and discover you are out of a key ingredient for the recipe?

“Having a well-stocked pantry is important for several reasons,” said Louann Menchhofer, Consumer and Family Science Educator for the Ripley County Extension in Osgood. Menchhofer says the pantry can save time, money, and provide the opportunity to make healthy, home-cooked meals. Having the ingredients on hand for several quick and easy, as well as nutritious, meals prevents the cost of eating fast food or take-out or even using lots of convenience foods.

The Versailles Republican - January 1, 2009

Father, son, share joy of seeing their babies


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Holding his first born for the first time made coming home a little sweeter for a Ripley County soldier.

“It’s perfect,” was Sgt. Jeremy May’s reply when asked how it felt to hold his five-month-old daughter, Peyton.

RSRF awards $397,952 in new grants


The Rising Sun Regional Foundation announced that it has awarded a total of $397,952 in 16 new grants for its 2008 fourth quarter grants cycle. These grants included:

• $7,000 to the Oldenburg Academy toward upgrades to the stage rigging system in its auditorium.