July 12, 2022 - The Posey County News

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Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Volume 142 Edition 28

Despite weekend rain, hot, dry weather prompts burn ban By Lois Mittino Gray The Posey County Commissioners signed an emergency ban on open burning due to drought conditions in the county at their July 6, morning meeting at the Hovey House. Emergency Management Director Larry Robb appeared before the Commissioners to propose the ban stating “the weather is not looking real good here.” He said the last open burning ban enacted in the county was in October, 2019. Robb said that all nine fire chiefs of established county stations approved the ban request. “The ban falls under the Emergency Management Disaster Law of Indiana State Code. It can be lifted at any time and the fire

chiefs will determine when to lift the ban together,” he explained. Exceptions may be made by appealing to the fire chief of the locale involved. Robb used the example of Harmonie State Park. “They could ask their area fire chief for a special use exemption to have fires in their campground because there is someone on duty to patrol the campground and the fires must be put out at a certain time.” Gas and charcoal grills may be used, the ban mainly pertains to wood fires and no burning of farm fields and debris. Law officers can enforce burning violations as a Class B misdemeanor. County Attorney Joe Harrison told Director Robb

to keep the Commissioners apprised of the status of the declaration if it is lifted. EMS Director Paul Micheleti gave the Commissioners a staffing update stating he still has one full time medic slot that needs to be filled and he is “aggressively pursuing it.” He requested that Commissioners consider a $2500 one-time signing bonus. Commissioner President Bill Collins said that the idea was “not bad”, but it will have to wait until a thorough salary study now underway is completed by the County Council. Micheleti was asked to get figures together on what the accident that totaled an ambulance will cost to replace with insurance, rewrapping the exterior, and all sup-

plies and extra equipment. The new director said the accident occurred on May 25 at the stop sign intersection of the Keck Bypass and Tile Factory Road. A driver did not stop and struck the ambulance. “It will take at least two years to replace that ambulance,” he noted. He said Gibson County has three backup ambulances and is letting Posey County use one now in the interim. “We need to consider getting one backup,” he urged. Under Unfinished Business, two bids were opened for work on the Smith School Road Bridge Number 103. The contract

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Reynolds faces seven-year term Special to the News Reynolds bit an officer in the leg. A Mount Vernon man will serve prison time for At sentencing, Reynolds admitted that is he a battery on a jail officer in Posey County. habitual offender under Indiana law. Specifically, On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 6, Wil- Reynolds has previously been convicted in Posey liam Dallas Reynolds, age 38, appeared in the County of the following felony offenses: OperatPosey Circuit Court where he was ing a Vehicle While Intoxicated sentenced by Judge Craig Goedde in 2020; Auto Theft and Battery to seven (7) years in prison after Resulting in Moderate Bodily Inpleading guilty to multiple chargjury in 2018; Criminal Trespass es, including battery resulting in in 2015; and Residential Entry in bodily injury to a public safety of2014. ficial, resisting law enforcement, Posey County Prosecutor Thomas well as the habitual offender as Clowers commented, “Thankenhancement. fully, no confinement officers or As part of his guilty plea, Reyninmates were seriously injured olds admitted to biting a Posey during this incident. Our jail ofCounty Jail confinement officer ficers have an incredibly difficult on November 1, 2021. An invesjob as it is. I know Sheriff (Tom) Dallas Reynolds tigation was conducted by Posey Latham is not going to tolerate this County Sheriff’s Office Detective Kyle Reidford. type of behavior in the jail. Thanks to the work of Police records show that Reynolds was being Detective Kyle Reidford and Chief Deputy Proshoused at the Posey County Jail on an unrelated ecutor Georgianne Mastison, Mr. Reynolds was matter when he began arguing with another in- held accountable for his actions.” Reynolds will be mate. When confinement officers intervened to transported to the Indiana Department of Correcde-escalate the situation, Reynolds became bel- tion to serve his sentence. ligerent. While officers attempted to restrain him,

Nola Wolfe seems to be enjoying her pancakes during the Smith Township Fire Department Annual Breakfast held Saturday morning in connection with the Cynthiana Town-Wide Yard Sale. Nola is the 4-year-old daughter of Shawn and Samantha Wolfe. Photo by Theresa Bratcher

Mount Vernon man faces charges after shooting into home By Dave Pearce According to information gathered on the A Mount Vernon man remains in the probable cause affidavit, members of the Posey County Jail without bond Mount Vernon Police Deand faces charges of Criminal partment responded to the Recklessness and Intimidation, Coronado Drive home on both Level Five Felonies. June 24, 2022, following a According to information 911 call from Thomas where released by Posey County Prosshe stated that Hack had ecutor Thomas Clowers, Robert “busted out” the windows of Lee Hack, 69, of 313 Washingher home and was attemptton Ave., in Mount Vernon was ing to gain re-entry into the arrested following an incident home. Hack had allegedly at the home of his ex-wife, been staying with Thomas Marilyn Thomas, at 334 Corofrom time to time over the Robert Lee Hack nado Drive. The incident inpast month. volved firing a .38 caliber gun Thomas told police that several times into the home and making ver- she had left the residence earlier to visit a bal threats. friend for a few minutes. When she returned

to the residence, Hack began asking her questions as to why she spent to much time at her friend’s home and began throwing things in the house. She said Hack then went to the basement to retrieve his clothes and went out to put them in his truck. She stated that once Hack was outside, she locked the front door. Hack then attempted to get back inside the residence but Thomas had deadbolt locked the door. Hack then proceeded to the rear of the home with a gun. She indicated she could see him through the glass doors at the rear of the home. She called 911 and was instructed to go to the bathroom to get away from Hack. When police arrived, they found Hack in the front driveway of the home and police gave verbal commands to Hack to show his

hands. He displayed a firearm in his right hand pointed toward the ground. Several verbal commands were given for Hack to drop the weapon but he refused. Hack then told police “you’re going to have to shoot me,” The officer took concealment behind a parked car next door to the home and continued to give commands. Two other officers arrived at the home and Hack came from behind the vehicle and tossed the weapon toward the ground. Hack was detained and taken to the Posey County Jail and police began talking to Thomas. Police indicated that Thomas was distraught during the 911 call and for a while

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Paul Allison is honored as NH ‘Volunteer of the Year’ By Ella Galvin In a community based on volunteerism and full of volunteers, Paul Allison was named New Harmony’s Outstanding Community Volunteer for 2021 on Saturday at the New Harmony Fourth of July Celebration. When looking around New Harmony, many people of all ages are watched as they do various duties to improve the look of the town, help neighbors in need, keep organizations growing, and be there when needed as a helpful individual. Each year the Kiwanis and Trip-Kappa of New Harmony give out the New Harmony Outstanding Community Volunteer award. This year the clubs had great nominations made and the decision was difficult. All persons nominated are truly seen throughout the community wearing many hats, but they can only honor one individual. This individual is a part of the following: President of Ford Home Board of Directors; President Elect for Posey County Retired Educators; Past President of New Harmony Kiwanis; Past President of Garden Club of New Harmony; second Vice President for United Way of Posey County; Co-director of New Harmony Food Pantry; Playtopia Playground

(USPS 439-500)

Committee; Bicentennial Commission ion 2014; Garden Club Coordinator, Redbud Park Improvement; and New Harmony Ministry Association Board. In addition to these he is also a part of the following: Johnson UMC, lay delegate to annual conference, Church Council, and Trustee; Plain Air Paint Out, Art Sale Co-chair and food delivery coordinator; US Postal Service New Harmony Annual food Collection Coordinator; Kunstfest Volunteer, multiple organizations; Spring Art Festival New Harmony volunteer; New Harmony Theater Usher; Working Men’s Institute book sale volunteer; election poll worker in New Harmony; New Harmony Community Choir; and Mesker Park Zoo Docent. Paul is a retired teacher from the MSD of Mount Vernon. He has lived in New Harmony for 20 years with his wife Tammy. They have two children, Carrie and Luke. Paul Allison said, “I am beyond honored to have received this award. I am also honored to join the list of the past and future people who have received this award and who are more than deserving of this award. New Harmony is a volunteer community and that is what helps to make New Harmony special.”

During the Fourth of July celebration in New Harmony, Tri-Kappa representative Carol Scarafia presents Volunteer of the Year award to Paul Allison. Photo by Dave Pearce


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