April 2009 Archive

The Versailles Republican - April 30, 2009

Versailles State Park is home to majestic birds
Bald Eagle captured in photo


Karen Reynolds
Contributing Writer

The majestic spirit of the great American Bald Eagle has been captured through the lens of a camera belonging to Jo Ann Stewart of Union, Kentucky, and hangs in the Tyson Library in Versailles.

When Louise Mitchell of Versailles was having some of her art framed in a store in Kentucky to enter in the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild show, she met Stewart, who was picking up a photograph of a bald eagle she had framed.

Scenic Road Rally showcases Ripley County


Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

What is part Sunday afternoon drive and part scavenger hunt?

The answer is the Ripley County Spring Road Tour sponsored by the Ripley County Tourism Bureau and the Scenic Road Rallies in Sunman. The event held on Saturday, April 25 gave teams from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana the chance to see the unusual or unknown in their own backyards while competing for prizes such as a gift certificate to Ertel Cellars, an overnight stay at the Newman-Vollmer Bed and Breakfast in Osgood, tickets to the Lore of the Laughery and a Versailles State Park pass.
 

Osgood Journal - April 28, 2009

State officials closely monitoring situation
Swine flu not in Ripley County

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

 As news of the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus spreads, state officials in Indiana say they are closely monitoring human cases.

While there are no cases of the swine flu in Ripley County, and no confirmed cases in Indiana as of press time, local officials are working with others to be ready at a moment’s notice, according to Pat Thomas, Ripley County Health Department Director.


Milan Community School treasurer to be honored

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“She has done an outstanding job for us at Milan,” Interim Superintendent Gene Pitts told the Milan School Board at their regular meeting held Monday, April 20. He was referring to Gretchen Berger who will be honored on May 15 by the Indiana Association of School Business Officials as Treasurer of the Year for her hard work and dedication to the Milan School Corporation.

The Versailles Republican - April 23, 2009

Born Again and others, Grascals to perform this weekend
Milan musical talent to be showcased


Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Whether you like bluegrass or gospel music, Milan is the place to be this weekend to hear both.

Two Milan natives, Jamie Johnson, who now performs with the nationally known contemporary bluegrass group, The Grascals, and Matthew Johnson, who performs with Born Again, a well-known group on the gospel circuit, are no relation, but they both have God-given musical talent that makes one think they could be brothers.

Council denies request to change retirement benefits


Wanda English Burnett
Editor

 A great portion of the Ripley County Council’s meeting Monday night was taken up with discussion on changing the years a merit employee is vested at the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Tom Grills proposed that employees have to be employed with the sheriff’s office for 10 years instead of the present 8 years, to be vested and be eligible for retirement benefits at the age of 50.
 

Osgood Journal - April 21, 2009

Former marshal accused of assault
 Resident speaks out at Sunman mtg.

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Armed with a copy of the Osgood Journal, dated April 14, 2009, Jason Arnoldy addressed the Sunman Town Council at their regular meeting April 16.

Arnoldy referred to a front page article about former Sunman Marshal Steven Noble being incarcerated for battery in Franklin County. “He did the same thing to me...he deprived me of my life, liberty and justice,” he said. “Now he did it to a 19-year-old kid.”.


JCD meets state AYP standard

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

 According to Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School Principal Leanna Phillippe, the state has officially declared that JCD Elementary has met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). “We will be considered to be in improvement until we have met AYP for two years,” she told the school board at the regular meeting held April 15. Phillippe stated that a few changes will be implemented in the coming year to ensure the students are prepared for state testing.

The Versailles Republican - April 16, 2009

Dorothy Thompson Craig celebrates 90th birthday
Newspaper career holds appeal for 75 years

 


Wanda English Burnett
Editor

 The front office of the newspaper business is the heartbeat of the operation.
It’s the place where the fast, sometimes hectic, pace changes at the ring of one of the four phone lines or with the presence of the open door. It’s often the place where the first tip for a news story is given, where advertising is generated and revenue tallied.

Dorothy Craig knows the business better than anyone, since she’s calmly perfected the art of front office procedures for 75 years. You might say she has “ink in her blood” as her family has owned the Osgood Journal and The Versailles Republican for nearly 150 years. “My granddad owned the paper, then daddy,” she noted. Her grandparents were Charles and Ida Thompson. The Thompsons bought the Milan Commercial and it was consolidated with The Versailles Republican in 1926.

Versailles residents urged to obey animal leash laws


Wanda English Burnett
Editor

 As spring brings people out and about, it also brings pets out, according to Versailles Town Marshal Joe Mann. At the regular meeting of the Versailles Town Council, the marshal requested a reminder be put on resident’s utility bills that their animals be contained. He noted he has already had several complaints of animals tearing up property and getting into trash cans etc.
 

Osgood Journal - April 14, 2009

Former Milan officer begins jail time

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

 A former Milan deputy marshal began a sentence in Franklin County Security Center after his involvement in a battery that occurred last summer at Happy Valley, a campsite in Franklin County.
Steven R. Noble, 38, of Sunman, was sentenced recently by Judge J. Steven Cox, Franklin Circuit Court Division I. The initial charge of Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Class C felony, was reduced to Battery, a Class A misdemeanor as Noble’s attorney struck a plea agreement with the court.
Noble was sentenced to one year of incarceration with six months of that time suspended.

Commissioners congratulate JCD Eagles on their accomplishment

Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

 The Ripley County Commissioners recognized the Jac-Cen-Del Eagles boys basketball team on their accomplishment for winning the Class 1A State Championship at their regular meeting held on Monday, April 6. “They did a great job,” said Commissioner Rob Reiners. “We’re proud of them.”
2009 Ripley County Basketball Hall of Fame class is inducted


See photo and information inside...

The Versailles Republican - Apri 9, 2009

Judge sets bail at $2M for Fernbach

 


Wanda English Burnett
Editor

 Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel petitioned the court to set the bail for James L. Fernbach Jr., 32, of Batesville, at two million dollars. He said investigators have not yet determined a motive for Fernbach shooting two people outside a Batesville store on Saturday, April 4 and believes there is “danger not only to the individuals who were shot, but the community at large,” unless a high bail is imposed.

Twin daughters serve in the US Army
Sunman family has double blessing


Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Mirror images of each other, the McIntire twins - Julie and Jenna, 23 - are serving in the US Army and are both First Lieutenants, according to their parents, Roger and Barbara McIntire of Sunman.
The girls were always very close growing up and according to their mother, it didn’t take Jenna long to sign on for the ROTC program after her sister Julie did.
 

Osgood Journal - Apri 7, 2009

JCD senior loses life in accident
Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The mood was somber at Jac-Cen-Del High School last Friday as the news of the tragic death of senior Victoria R. Richards, spread. Principal Johnny Budd told the Osgood Journal they called all the students together first thing Friday morning, April 3. “It was very sad, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends,” he noted.
Active in school activities, Richards was a member of the National Honor Society, a five-year member of the Flag Team, member of the Art Club and Drama Club where she had been cast for a part in an upcoming production. She was also a member of the Tree County Players for several years. She was a member of the St. Maurice Catholic Church in Napoleon.

Lilly Scholar recipients both from JCD



This year both of the Ripley County Community Foundation 2009 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars were seniors from Jac-Cen-Del High School.

Gerald Hardesty and Valorie Wagner were surprised on Monday morning, April 6 when representatives from the Ripley County Community Foundation swept into the school and made the announcement. They will both receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Two shot at B'ville store

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

 According to Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel two charges of Attempted Murder have been filed against James L. Fernbach, Jr., 32, of Batesville. The charges stem from a shooting at the Marathon Gas Station, more commonly known as the Day & Nite East on Highway 46 in Batesville, on Saturday, April 4. Attempted Murder is a Class A Felony that carries a penalty of 20-50 years imprisonment, if convicted


The Versailles Republican - Apri 2, 2009

US Highway 50 closed for
3 hours following semi, car collision Tuesday evening


See details inside...

Ripley County EMA works hard for county, towns


Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

At anytime day or night, during severe weather or accidents with spills harmful to the environment, the office of the emergency management agency will be called to assist those in need. “I enjoy doing all I can to help people,” said Ripley County EMA Director Wayne Peace.

According to Peace, the EMA works with the towns and local authorities during incidents, coordinating resources within the state. For example, when a car accident or an overturned semi spills materials that can contaminate the surrounding ground, the EMA office will call in IDEM for assessment and help with cleanup.