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Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Volume 142 Edition 29
Castlen to bring facility here By Trisha L. Lopez Posey County Council voted to approve a three year real property tax abatement for a Kentucky-based company looking to add a riverfront facility in Mount Vernon at Tuesday’s meeting at Hovey House. Matt Castlen, owner of Castlen Enterprises LLC., told members that the $9.45 million 1000 S Old Highway 69 location would be the company’s third facility and add to its distribution network in Owensboro and Bowling Green, Ky., at the June council meeting. The project will bring six full time and two part time jobs upon completion at an average hourly rate of $20 for full time workers and $17 for part time workers. No one spoke for or against the project during the public portion of the hearing on Tuesday. A company representative said that “we look forward to being here” and said that they are “30 days closer to coming over.” In new business, council approved an additional for $49,529 to cover vaccine administration costs split with Deaconess Hospital. Donnie Martin, head of the Posey County Health Department, told members that “Covid Selected queens of the four pageants held on Saturday evening at the Posey County appears to be rearing its ugly head again in the Fair are, left to right, Kyra Rainey, Jenna Veatch, Olive Muller, and Karter Lynn Green. county.” “We don’t have really good numbers bePhoto by Dave Pearce
cause of all of the home tests, but we had about 50 that came through that we know about last week. I know for certain that it hit our office pretty severely,” Martin said, explaining that several staff members have been out with the virus. “Just be aware.” He said the office has a significant amount of home tests available. He said most positive cases have presented with “somewhat mild” symptoms thanks to vaccines and boosters. He urged residents to be careful with the fair approaching and said that no mask or social distancing mandates have been issued. Additionals were also approved for the prosecutor, Emergency Medical Services and the highway department. Posey County Sheriff Tom Latham told members that the jail currently houses 38 Vanderburgh inmates, 17 Department of Correction inmates and 87 Posey County inmates. June billing for Vanderburgh County was $44,550. Council President Heather Allyn asked Latham about possible changes to DOC numbers. “We had a change in law. Basically anytime a Level 6 was sentenced to Posey County or sentenced to Department of Corrections, de-
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MV woman is charged with arson By Dave Pearce Chief Korben Sellers, he indicated that he had Sarah A Mount Vernon woman has been arrested and Mann detained. charged with arson as the result of an investigation by Mann stated that “Joey” had raped her and owed her the Mount Vernon Police Department. money, according to the affidavit. According to information from Posey County ProsAccording to investigators, there were two areas of ecutor Thomas Clowers, investigators determined that origin for this fire located. One area of origin is located a fire occurred on July 14, 2022, to a detached garage along the west exterior wall, the other area of origin is along the southside of the 916 East Fifth Street prop- located along the south part of the garage door along erty belonging to Frank Kirk. the east exterior wall. According to the Probable Cause An investigator then met with Sarah Affidavit, prior to the fire occurring, Mann at the Mount Vernon Police Dethe homeowner stated that Sarah partment and conducted an audio/video “Tolliver” Mann was knocking on his recorded interview with her. During the door. He did not wish to speak to her interview, Mann initially denied any inand his son (Frank “Joey” Kirk) was volvement in the fire, but later acknowlnot home so he locked the doors. He edged her involvement. Mann stated stated that she sat down on his swing that she used gasoline and a lighter to in the back yard, and he then went and ignite the garage fire at the property. laid in his bed. Based on that information, police arApproximately 10 minutes after rested Sarah Antonette Mann on charglaying down he heard an explosion es of knowingly and intentionally using Sarah Tolliver Mann outside and went to investigate and an open flame device to ignite an ignitnoticed his garage on fire. Sarah Mann is seen on video able liquid causing damage to the property of another camera in the area at this time in an alley between Sec- person without their consent. ond and Water streets near Owen Street. This is a violation of IC 35-43-1-1(3). A person Upon the arrival of the Mount Vernon Police De- who, by means of fire, explosive, or destructive department, Posey County Sheriff’s Deputies had Frank vice, knowingly or intentionally damages property Martha Waldvogel from Holland, Michigan spends a few moments “Joey” Kirk detained and it was stated that “Joey” was of another person without the other person’s consent tuning her harp before the pop-up concert, part of the New Harmony involved in an altercation with a female. if the pecuniary loss is at least five thousand dollars Music Festival, at The Atheneum in New Harmony on Saturday afterUpon speaking to acting Mount Vernon Police ($5,000) a level 4 felony. noon. Photo by Theresa Bratcher
M-Club aces first poker run
One of the first poker run teams to finish on Saturday consists of Geoff Kimmel, Krystle Anderson, Ryan McDurmon, Lindsey Kimmel, Anna McDurmon, Emma-Sue McDurmon, and Dominick Kimmel. Photo by Dave Pearce
By Trisha L. Lopez A rainy Saturday morning gave way to a sunny and warm day for the more than 80 riders participating in the first annual Mount Vernon M-Club All In Point Poker Run in southern Posey County. The M-Club, a group of Mount Vernon alumni and former athletes developed to support Wildcats athletics, planned the event to help cover the cost of summer athletic camps for Mount Vernon youth. “It is the desire of the Mount Vernon M-Club to garner enough funding to provide every student in the Mount Vernon School District the ability to attend the high school summer athletic camps of their choice…completely free of
charge,” according to the group’s event flier. “This effort is to remove the potential financial barrier to the students and families of the Mount Vernon community while providing healthy and safe activities for student involvement in the summer.” Ashton Wagner, Mount Vernon track coach and event volunteer, said summer camps are important to build community relationships and support kids. “By building those relationships early on, our teams grow in the culture we want to bring to our community through athletics. Sports camps help to give kids the tools to develop
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First ‘Dog Days of Summer’ thrives By Trisha L. Lopez The inaugural Dog Days of Summer event hosted by Newlife Rescue and Adoption drew crowds as animal lovers traveled to Brittlebank Park in Mount Vernon on Saturday to raise funds for Posey County’s homeless animals. Attendees were treated to demonstrations by Posey County Deputy Chris McKinney and his K9 partner Basco, trainer Josh Jones with Alpha K9 Handling, agility trainer Shelby Buono, face painting and treats by 3 Chicks Fudgery and D&T Treats. Adoptable dogs from PC Pound Puppies were on hand. Tables were set up for microchipping and education about heartworm prevention and the importance of spaying and neutering pets. Lucy Steinhart, event volunteer, said they wanted to host a fun fundraiser that could showcase a variety of
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pet friendly services for area residents. “We thought it would be fun for the local community,” Steinhart said. “Obviously we want to raise money. We are looking to build a building that will house Posey Humane and PC Pound Puppies that will become our New Life rescue and Adoption. We have a lot of fundraising to do. But this event is more about trying to get the word out about what we are trying to do as a community, with our two groups.” Mike Harshbarger of Mount Vernon said he attended the event to support the Posey Humane Society and PC Pound Puppies as they merge into one organization and build their new facility. “We’re animal lovers. We adopted a cat recently. We’re trying to support the community and do what
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Posey County Canine Deputy Kris McKinney and Basco during the K9 Raffle.