Belletech to delay start up

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Police say ice and snow covered roadways contributed to a fatal accident and another serious one last week.

Thursday morning, February 19, South Ripley school teacher Sandra Michelle Riggle, 26, of North Vernon, lost her life in a crash that occurred about 7:40 a.m. on US 50 west of Holton.

According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Riggle was eastbound on US 50 driving a 2001 Chevy Cavalier passenger car when she lost control in a curve and crossed into the westbound lane of traffic. At that time Timothy L. Mills, 55, Versailles, was traveling westbound operating a 2001 Dodge 4x4 pick up truck, and could not avoid the Riggle vehicle. She was struck in the passenger side and was pronounced dead at the scene by Ripley County Coroner Ron Buchanan.

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Results of the fact finding regarding the collective bargaining process between the Jac-Cen-Del Community School Corporation and the Jac-Cen-Del Educators Association, JCDEA, were released on Friday, February 13. In this report, James Dworkin, fact finder for the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board (IEERB), gave his recommendations for matters such as salary, retirement contributions, and health insurance, in which both parties were at an impasse.

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Census 2010 - the count begins

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“This is a wonderful example of how Batesville residents pull together and make things happen,” said Batesville Mayor Richard Fledderman, at the Herbert Brothers Appreciation Day event on Thursday, February 12. The event was held to honor brothers Joe and Dave Herbert for the accomplishment of winning the Doritos sponsored “Crash the Super Bowl” competition as well as placing number one in the USA Today’s ad meter poll, ousting Anheiser-Busch after holding the number one spot for ten years.

The commercial featured an office worker with a snow globe that answers the question, “Will there be free Doritos at the office today?” Titled “Free Doritos”, the commercial was filmed on location at the Batesville YMCA and featured actors from the tri-state area. “They are some of the most talented people in Southeast Indiana,” said Joe Herbert.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

According to information from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Travis W. Simers, 21, of Osgood, lost his life in a traffic accident on Saturday night, Feb. 14.

Lt. Randy Holt responded to the accident just before 10 p.m. about 2 1/2 miles west of Napoleon on Brownstown Road. Officers found a silver 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, operated by Simers, had been traveling east on Brownstown Road, had apparently ran off the roadway on the right, overcorrected, causing the vehicle to overturn, coming to rest on its top.

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SRHS to celebrate Valentine's Day in new gym

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

According to information in a press release from Batesville Tool & Die, the company laid off 58 full-time associates recently as a direct result of the economy.

Jody Fledderman, president of the Batesville facility, noted that sales in their industry was off by nearly 40 percent.

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

An idea that grew out of frustration is paying off big for a former Napoleon resident. Mike Schutte has invented and patented an electrical outlet cover that holds cords secure. He has launched his own company, StayConnect LLC.

Schutte, a 1988 graduate of Jac-Cen-Del, now lives in Cornelius, NC, with his wife Tracye and daughter, Victoria, 7. Tracye is the daughter of the late John and Eva Everage of Versailles.

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Wanda English Burnett, Editor

David Rayner, or better known over the air waves as (A19D) of Milan, was honored with a plaque by the Ripley County Repeater Association R.C.R.A. (an amateur radio organization) for his outstanding service as severe weather net controller. He is also the weather operations officer for the Ripley County Emergency Management Agency.

Rayner has served as the severe weather net controller for Ripley County and the Tri State area for 17 years, from 1992-2009. He also served four years as an official weather spotter.

Karen Reynolds, Contributing Writer

Agencies who provide a myriad of assistance for citizens in the area came together with the newly formed Ripley County Coalition recently to brainstorm on how they can work together to become even more effective.

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Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

In true David vs. Goliath tradition, brothers Joe and Dave Herbert of Batesville, accomplished the nearly impossible. As one of five finalists in the Doritos sponsored “Crash the Super Bowl” commercial competition, the brothers won $25,000 as well as America’s vote and had their entry “Free Doritos,” aired during the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 1. The commercial featured a crystal ball.

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

IWhat do you do if you or your spouse loses a job drastically reducing the amount of dollars going into the bank account each week? Or perhaps a family member is diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes, and you need to learn how to correctly cook meals according to their dietary restrictions. Where can one go to learn how to stretch a limited grocery budget to purchase the healthy foods your family needs?

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