January 2011 Archive

The Versailles Republican - January 27

Milan schools welcome new superintendent

Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

The Milan School Board welcomed new Superintendent Dr. Thomas Reale at the regular meeting on Monday, January 17. “I am very excited to be back in Milan,” Superintendent Reale said. “My wife and I want to stay here and be a part of the community.”

Meeting dates for February and March were changed by the board due to school not being in session on the regularly scheduled meeting dates. The board will meet on Monday, February 14 and on Monday, March 14, at the same time and location.

Three businesses opening soon


See details inside...

Local newspaper classified advertisers beware:


A scam has been brought to our attention that affects our newspaper classified advertisers.

It has been reported to the newspaper that people who are advertising in our classified section have received a phone call from someone identifying themselves from Ripley Publishing Co. saying there is a problem with the billing. They then ask for the advertiser's credit card information.

Osgood Journal - January 25

Winter storm brings beauty

See photo coverage inside...


Dumped animals cause for concern

Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

Dee Dee Holliday, Ripley County Humane Society, presented a concern regarding the dumping of dogs and cats at the shelter to the Ripley County Commissioners at their regular meeting on Monday, January 10.

According to Holliday, some of the animals being dumped are sick. She explained that the shelter cannot handle sick animals due to the lack of isolation areas. She noted that the shelter is also working with Safe Passage to hold animals of the families being served by the organization until they are able to get back on their feet.

Council hears requests to revisit county nurse's salary

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Several people attended and spoke in support of county health nurse Vickie Powell at the first regular council meeting of the year held January 19.

Dr. Harley Robinson, president of the Ripley County Health Board, said the board was disappointed at the council’s decision to reduce Powell’s salary by $7,000. He noted that she has had increasing duties and workload and has formed positive relationships with several entities including Margaret Mary Community Hospital, the EMS and fire communities.

The Versailles Republican - January 20

Fernbach to be sentenced in February
 Jury's verdict: guilty,
but mentally ill


Wanda English Burnett
Editor

It took the jury less than three hours to render a guilty, but mentally ill, verdict in the case of State vs. James Fernbach Jr. on Tuesday, January 18.

The 12-person jury listened intently, took extensive notes, and considered the evidence presented by both sides to come to their decision that made the prosecutor’s team believe they had thoroughly presented their case..

Versailles VFD ends 2010 as the busiest fire station in the county


Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has announced that the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department was again the busiest station in Ripley County in 2010, according to information from Ben Sieverding, chief.

Statistics provided from the department are as follows:

• 422 responses

Police look into death of Batesville school bus driver


Wanda English Burnett
Editor

When a school bus driver did not show up for work for two days straight, authorities began to get concerned.

Peter A. Sturm, 46, a school bus driver for the Batesville School Corporation didn’t come to work on Monday, January 17, nor did he call in. On Tuesday, January 18 when he didn’t come or call school authorities became concerned for his welfare, since he was a dependable employee.

Osgood Journal - January 18

Closing arguments in trial set for today
Fernbach's mental health questioned

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Was James Fernbach Jr. capable of understanding right from wrong when he shot two people in Batesville in April of 2009?


Anyone can learn to turn

Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

There were about a dozen men and one lone woman gathered at Gerald Williams’ workshop outside of Holton on a cold January morning, all with one goal in mind: to learn how to turn wood on a lathe and create beautiful works of art.

Milan man is found guilty on several charges

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Douglas Norman, 53, of Milan, has been found guilty on several felony charges in Dearborn County Superior Court.

The Versailles Republican - January 13

Trial begins for man accused of shooting two people in Batesville

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

A jury trial got underway this week in Ripley County Circuit Court with prosecutor Ric Hertel asking the jurors to listen to the witnesses and find James L. Fernbach, Jr., 36, of Batesville, guilty, but mentally ill.

Defense attorney Mark Jones said “my client regrettably did shoot two people...we can’t undo what happened.” But, Jones argued when Fernbach committed those acts he was legally insane.

SR uses Nixle to inform of changes

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

A program recently offered to South Ripley students and parents was put to the test on Tuesday when officials closed school early due to the weather.

Nixle - a web based service used to pass time sensitive information - has been implemented at South Ripley schools, according to Dan Goris, transportation director for the corporation.

Planning commission grants two requests

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The Ripley County Planning Commission at the regular meeting on Tuesday, January 3 considered a variance request for driveway width. The application also requested approval to use the existing drive.

According to Sue French of Jeff French Land Survey, representing Brian Huber, the existing drive is 30 feet wide, installed prior to the change of current code requirement of 50 feet.

Osgood Journal - January 11

Versailles woman arrested
Abduction claim false

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The alleged abduction of a Versailles woman now has a new twist. Tammy J. Gross, 53, of Versailles, the alleged victim, now has been charged for False Reporting, according to information from the Indiana State Police.


Icy roads blamed for Sunman woman's death

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Lois Kimball, 64 of Sunman, lost her life after she lost control on an icy roadway last week.

Dearborn County authorities say Kimball was on State Road 46 West of State Road 1, when she hit an icy patch in the roadway and lost control of the GMC Envoy she was driving. The SUV went off the roadway and overturned on its top.

You can make a difference!
Connect with youth

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

A sequence of numbers such as today’s date, 1/11/11, is being used to highlight the success formula for mentoring: one adult, mentoring one child, for at least one hour, at least once a week for at least one school year.

As National Mentoring Month celebrates its 10th anniversary this month, some Ripley County people have been working hard to get on board.

The Versailles Republican - January 7

State level budget cuts hit home

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

State budget cuts will impact Ripley County residents who have been getting their Hepatitis A&B vaccines from the county health department.

At the quarterly meeting of the Ripley County Health Department held Tuesday, December 4 nurse Vickie Powell explained that the department will no longer be getting the vaccines for free from the state. “This is unfortunate because we’ve done a lot of these,” noted Powell.

SR takes proactive stand
Suicide in youth is preventable

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Youth suicide is the silent epidemic that is claiming 100 young people each week in our nation.

Statistics such as this were presented by Joni Irwin, a representative of The Jason Foundation Inc. (TJFI), at an in-service for South Ripley teachers on Monday, January 3.

Irwin’s personal experiences were riveting as she told about her son’s attempted suicide and then the ordeal that nearly claim her own life.

Osgood Journal - January 4

New Year's Eve crash claims life of Osgood man

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Bart E. Sayler, 54, of Osgood, lost his life in a single vehicle crash New Year’s Eve night, according to information from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office.

Police say Sayler was southbound on Delaware Road about 10:22 p.m. when for unknown reasons his vehicle left the right side of the roadway and struck several trees head on.


The flu can be serious, even deadly

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Some people call it the “creeping crud” or “the yuck”. It can bring a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, coughing, and/or a sore throat. It could be the flu.
Influenza or more commonly referred to as the flu, is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that can be fatal.

The first case of death cause by the flu in Indiana for the 2010-2011 flu season was reported just before Christmas. “This is a sad reminder influenza can be very serious and even deadly,” noted Dr. Gregory Larkin, State Health Commissioner.

Holton approves 2011 sewer budget

Karen Reynolds
Contributing Writer

At the regular December meeting of the Holton Town Council the 2011 sewer budget was approved.

Theresa Brading from the North Vernon USDA Rural Development office assisted the town clerk treasurer Gretchen Moore in filling out the new 2011 sewer budget. The budget is for $107,103.00 in revenue and $82,558.00 in expenses. Members voted unanimously to pass the sewer budget as presented.

 

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