July 2009 Archive


The Versailles Republican - July 30, 2009

Clean up begins at old Sunoco station

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Moores Hill family loses second child to H1N1 virus

Wanda English Burnett
Editor


The small community of Moores Hill has received another devastating blow with the news that the McIntosh family has lost a second child to the H1N1 virus, only the third death in the entire state of Indiana.

Melinda Gayle “Mindy” McIntosh, 26, lost her battle after fighting it since the first part of July. According to Ripley Publishing Co. files, her brother, Matthew, died July 5, also at the University Hospital in Cincinnati, from complications from the H1N1 virus. He was the first death from the virus in the state that was originally known as the Swine Flu.

 

McGuire sentenced to 10 years with four suspended

Wanda English Burnett
Editor


Nearly five years after a nine-year-old was molested, her perpetrator was brought to justice.

Justin McGuire, 25, of Versailles responded to the charge of Child Molesting, a Class B Felony with a guilty plea in May of this year, just days before a jury trial was set to begin. He was sentenced Tuesday, July 28 to the minimum allowed by law, ten years with four suspended to probation.


Osgood Journal - July 28, 2009

Grand Champion beef steer brings $2,000

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Milan School Board hear about new laws

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Interim Superintendent Stephen Gookins updated the Milan School Board of changes in the state law regarding criminal history checks on new employees at the regular meeting held on Monday, July 20. According to Gookins, this check will be on all employees who have direct contact with students including teachers, non-certified personnel, and lay coaches.

Dream of citizenship becomes reality for Osgood resident

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

What was just a dream as a young boy in Turkey has become a reality for Osgood resident Behzat Turut on Thursday, July 23 when he took the oath of allegiance and became a United States citizen.

Turut came to America in December of 1989 as a visitor with Don Rice, who at that time was a teacher at one of the schools in Istanbul. According to Turut, he fell in love with the country, as well as the Rice family who had treated him as a son. “Ida and Hartsell were just like a mom and dad to me,” he said.

“Ever since I was nine or ten years old, I have been reading about America,” Turut continued. “I just fell in love with the country. It is so beautiful.”


The Versailles Republican
- July 23, 2009

Giving blood is easy to do

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State honors former Milan EMT

Wanda English Burnett
Editor


A chance meeting between a former Milan EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and a member of the State Emergency Medical Services Commission, set the wheels in motion for the EMT to receive recognition she never expected.

Irene Godsey was honored Friday, July 17 in Batesville at a meeting of the State Emergency Medical Services Commission for her years of dedicated service as an EMT in Milan.

 

Trial postponed due to deputy error

Wanda English Burnett
Editor


A jury trial ended before jury selection could begin Tuesday, July 21 when discovery was made that the defendant was seated in the courtroom, still handcuffed.

The accused, Johnny R. Sandlin, 28, of Cross Plains, was escorted from the Ripley County Jail for the proceedings by Deputy Jason Dickerson, who failed to remove Sandlin’s handcuffs. According to witnesses, the defendant arrived just minutes before the trial was set to begin.



Osgood Journal
- July 21, 2009

Position still open on park board
Milan resident raises concerns over dog incidents

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

At the regular meeting of the Milan Town Council held Monday, July 13 Milan resident Joe Deaton expressed his concern over incidents with a dog. According to Deaton, a pit bull mix dog has attacked two children and one adult during the past several months.

Deaton said one incident occurred during the winter and involved his young daughter while sledding. Other incidents include a laborer mowing a neighbor’s yard and a child riding a bike, according to Deaton.

4-H King, Queen crowned Sunday night

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Milan teen air lifted to hospital following crash

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

A Milan teen sustained multiple trauma after she was involved in a crash at the intersection of S.R. 101 and U.S. 50 Friday afternoon, July 17.

According to information from Sgt. Noel Houze Jr. of the Indiana State Police Versailles District, Ashley Yates, 19, of Milan, was southbound on S.R. 101. After stopping at the intersection, she proceeded to pull onto U.S. 50 into the path of a westbound vehicle being operated by Sabrina Lazenby, 19, of Holton.

Yates was driving a 2000 Toyota Celica when she was broadsided by a 1998 Dodge Durango, operated by Lazenby, who was traveling westbound on U.S. 50.


The Versailles Republican
- July 16, 2009

Company looks to come to Milan

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Residents of Milan had the opportunity to learn about a business interested in planting roots in Milan at a special meeting of the Milan Town Council on Tuesday, July 14 at the Milan Elementary School cafeteria.

Pike Lumber Company, based in Akron, Indiana, and with another regional plant in Carbon, near Indianapolis, has been working with the town council and the Ripley County Economic Development for the past year to find a site to build a sawmill facility. The prospective employer would employ approximately ten workers with the potential to increase to 20 within two years.

Small Grant applications not accepted by RCCF

Wanda English Burnett
Editor


The board of the Ripley County Community Foundation (RCCF) has decided that Small Grant applications ($500 or less) for 2009 will not be accepted. That announcement was made by Jennifer Darnold, RCCF Grants Committee Chair at the annual meeting held July 8 at the South Ripley Elementary School. The RCCF will grant in the normal Fall Grant cycle, with a limit in the grant request amount of $2500 and will give priority to grants that relieve human suffering, according to Darnold.

For those organizations interested in applying for a grant, they should contact the RCCF for Intent to Apply forms. These forms are due by August 14 with grant applications mailed to qualifying organizations by August 28 and due back to the RCCF by September 11.

 

Local Farm Bureau partners with RCHS

Wanda English Burnett
Editor


Ripley County Farm Bureau President Paul Anderson put a check behind his pledge to support the local Ripley County Humane Society (RCHS) recently showing teamwork between the two county agencies.

While Farm Bureau has taken a stand against the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), local officials wanted to make it clear they are not against local humane societies such as the well-organized one in Ripley County.


Osgood Journal - July 14, 2009

Sidell named Miss Ripley County

Wanda English Burnett
Editor


As young ladies vying for the 2009 Miss Ripley County title held their breath, Kathryn Sidell of Batesville, was named the winner by Rob Vestal, co-emcee for the evening.

“I was just shocked,” Sidell told the Osgood Journal following the pageant. “I heard all the other girls’ names called, but when it was time for the queen, I didn’t expect to get it.”

Parents, Larry and Tammy Sidell were on stage immediately following the pageant congratulating their daughter. “You can call me the Queen Mum,” Tammy joked.

First Indiana H1N1 death declared

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The shocking news that the first death from the H1N1 Influenza in Indiana was a resident of a county adjoining Ripley, was made last Friday evening, July 10 from the Indiana State Department of Health.

“I would like to extend my sympathies to the family for their loss,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe.

The Versailles Republican - July 9, 2009

Ripley County 4-H Fair July 19 through July 25
Get your free ice cream at the fair

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The only thing better than ice cream at the county fair on a hot summer day - is free ice cream!
Well, the ice cream is not entirely free, but almost. According to Mary Schmaltz everyone who gives blood at the Hoxworth Bloodmobile will get a free ice cream cone courtesy of the Farm Bureau. Those donating will also be registered to win one of two Reds ticket packages.

The blood drive will be held Tuesday evening, July 21 from 2-8 p.m. at the Ripley County Fairgrounds Park where the 4-H fair will be in full swing. To make an appointment you can call Schmaltz at 812-654-3949.

Fire completely destroys barn and contents

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Local veterinarian celebrates 30 years in business in Ripley Co.

Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer


The desire to help animals started at an early age for Dr. Harley Robinson, veterinarian and owner of the Laughery Valley Veterinary Hospital near Versailles. “I’ve always liked science and animals,” he said. “It was a natural choice.” Robinson decided to continue his studies in veterinarian medicine while in college at Indiana Central, later graduating from Purdue University in 1979.


Osgood Journal - July 7, 2009

July 4th celebrated

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Commissioners hear about energy savings

Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

The Ripley County Commissioners learned of a program that will assist in energy savings at the regular meeting held on Monday, June 29. Oliver E. Nelson, of Energy Systems Group, a subsidiary of Vectrin, explained how the company will examine the buildings, heating and cooling systems, and utility bills to determine if the county is as energy efficient as possible.

According to Nelson, savings can be realized on service contracts and simple changes such as changing the type of light bulb used. Also, Energy Systems Group will make suggestions for upgrades.

 


The Versailles Republican
- July 2, 2009

Osgood business denied permit by BZA

Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

William Fuchs, owner of the Neal’s Salvage Yard in Osgood, presented an appeal to reverse the decision to deny the renewal of a salvage yard permit at the regular meeting of the Ripley County Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday, June 30. Fuchs was represented by attorney Larry Eaton.

According to Tad Brinson, Director of the BZA, Fuchs presented an application to renew the permit in August of 2008. After looking into the matter, Brinson learned that the permit had lapsed 13 months prior, as well as found that there were no utilities hooked up to the property. He determined that there was no business being conducted on the property, and refused to sign the permit application as per the current zoning ordinances. Because of the lapse, the property lost its “grandfather" right to keep the original zoning.

Sheriff cracks down on sex offenders

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

After the 2nd Annual Sex Offender Round-Up by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, two offenders who did not fully comply found themselves in jail.

According to Sheriff Tom Grills, the event was a success for the second year in a row. With over 50 offenders processed, only two had not fully complied with the registry laws.

 

Recent findings show alcohol, drug abuse

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

One of the best holidays can turn quickly into one of the worst memories when teens and alcohol mix.

Paula Goodpaster coordinator for the Ripley County Local Coordinating Council Against Substance Abuse (LCC), has concerns about the use of alcohol and other drugs among youth in the county. Her concerns have merit based on the latest statistics released through the 2009 Local Epidemiological Profile.