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Tuesday, November 3, 2015
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Volume 135 Edition 44
Posey woman arrested as result of Tenn. shooting By Dave Pearce Two people, one with strong Posey County ties, have been arrested in connection to the search for a man accused of shooting an Algood, Tenn., police officer and firing shots at a Kentucky State Police trooper. The shooting and subsequent manhunt was the subject of national news this past week. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, investigators pulled over a vehicle at a gas station in White House, Tenn., around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. When officers approached the vehicle, the driver reportedly hit the gas and hit two patrol cars.
The driver nearly hit a member of the U.S. Marshals Task Force. This officer fired a single shot, but the bullet did not hit any-
Katie McCarty
one. The car kept going, crashing into a fence about three miles down the road. The suspects then got out and ran. Several other agencies, including the FBI, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office and Metropolitan Nashville Police Department helped surround the perimeter and even called in two helicopters to assist with the search. Someone spotted 35-year-old Katie McCarty, who was hiding in a field, and she was later taken into custody. McCarty was wanted in Arizona for conspiracy to commit
murder. A homeowner led police to 50-year-old Troy Wayne. A woman called for help after she saw a stranger outside her house. Both McCarty and Wayne are believed to be associates of Floyd Cook, who has been on the run since Saturday afternoon, when he allegedly shot Officer Ahscari Valencia during a traffic stop in Algood, Tenn. About an hour after the first shooting, a Kentucky State Police trooper spotted Cook’s truck on a Burkesville highway. During the pursuit, police said Cook
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Retirement treat awaits Mary Griggs
Mary Griggs enjoys portraying her favorite local character Jane Dale Owen Fauntleroy, Robert Owen’s daughter, at Historic New Harmony programs. Photo submitted.
By Lois Mittino Gray On Halloween day, Historic New Harmony interpreter Mary Griggs had to be tricked to attend her retirement party, but oh was she in for a wonderful treat! Because it was a surprise party, Mary was called from her post at the Gift Shop in the Atheneum Visitor Center under the pretense that she needed to come look at some research papers at the office, the SchneeRibeyere House. Waiting for her there were family members, current staff, townspeople and friends, and two retired interpreters Velma Hein and Pat Culley, who came back for the special occasion. “I was absolutely so surprised,” Mary gushed excitedly. “This is one of the most wonderful days that I’ve had for a long time. My brother and his wife even came in from Owensboro, Kentucky.” The afternoon party guests enjoyed refreshments and delicious cake, looked at photos, and listened to tributes to Mary and her work. She started in March 1988 and has worked 27 years in a part-time seasonal position leading tours, talking to tourists, teaching stu-
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Briefly
The New Harmony branch of Community State Bank of Southwestern Indiana opened for business Friday, October 27, 2015. The bank, located inside The Old Mill Mart on Church Street, offers all aspects of banking including a night deposit and ATM. Operating hours are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Saturday. Pictured above are left to right, Courtney Garcia, teller, Nancy Jessie, head teller, and Marilyn Marshall, Chief Operating Officer. Photo by Theresa Bratcher
Jail gets backing, clean-up begins
Keck Gonnerman to hold annual Harvest Dinner and Dance Keck Gonnerman will hold their annual Harvest Dinner and Dance on November 14, 2015 at the Posey County 4H Fair Community Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a Fried Chicken Dinner provided by St. Matthews Men’s Club beginning at 6 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by The Works with Katie Beste York. Cost is $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at Hawg’N’Sauce and Silverwood or by contacting Richard Kaufman 812-480-4733, Jody Kaufman 812-480-9167, Katie Hoehn 812-457-4713, Candy Morlock 812-550-3316, Brian Pierce, and Kim Dyehouse 812-455-1789 in downtown Evansville. Must be 21-years-old or older and ID will be required.
St. Philip Ladies Club Card Party set for November 4 The St. Philip Ladies Club Card Party is on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 in the St. Philip Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.; the doors will open at 6 p.m. There will be a Tasting Table with desserts, appetizers and entrees. The Kitchen will serve Chicken Salad and Ham Salad sandwiches, breadsticks, fruit and veggies with dip and desserts. There will also be a Special Raffle, Chinese Auction, Half Pot Raffle, Quilt Raffle and Table Prizes with a Christmas theme. For tickets or information call Sue At 812-985-5082 or Carla at 812-985-9177. License # 136254
Nominations sought for Torchbearers Indiana’s 200th birthday is next year, and a torch relay celebrating this achievement is coming to Posey County in September 2016. The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay was created to honor Hoosiers who have demonstrated exceptional public service, achievement, acts of heroism and/or volunteer service to their neighborhood, community, region or state. Patterned after the Olympic Torch Relay, Indiana’s version will pass through all 92 of the state’s counties, cover 2,300 miles over a five week period, while averaging 72 miles per day. Posey County is one of the few counties where the torch will stop twice, in Mount Vernon and New Harmony. In addition, Posey County will have a maximum of 20 torchbearers. The torch will pass through Posey County on Sunday, September 11, 2016. Torchbearers must be nominated by another person, self-nominations are not allowed. Once all the nomination forms are collected, a juried nomination process will be employed in each county to select torchbearers. Nominations are due December 31, 2015. For more information about the torch relay and for nomination forms, visit http://www.indiana2016.org/torchrelay/ or ask for them at the New Harmony town hall.
By Dave Pearce As the result of the meeting of the Posey County Commissioners on Tuesday, some Posey County buildings will be coming down in the near future while officials take a look at adding new buildings in the county. Members of the Posey County Council voted to grant their support for the continuation of progress into the building or renovation of the Posey County Jail. By virtue of the support from the financing arm of county, the commissioners voted to give the OK for the first of four stages of drawings for the proposed Posey County Jail changes. Representatives from RQAW, the consulting company, were on hand and are anxious to get to work on the drawings. A timeline of the project was presented in last week’s council meeting. But the initial drawings will help determine how much the county can afford to spend on the facility. While the county was looking at adding new buildings, members were also looking at ridding some of the county of some blighted buildings.
MVCC - Black’s Chapel Chicken Supper to be held November 7
MV Elks hosts annual Make It Bake It Fake It Auction The Elks will have its annual Make It Bake It Fake It auction on Saturday, November 7 at 7 p.m. We will have dinner at 6 p.m. Andy Winiger will be the auctioneer. The event is open to the public.
PC Pound Puppies to hold Holiday Craft and Gift Show
Bus/Ag .................A9 Classifieds ........ B 7 - 8 Community...........A4 Church...................A7
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Blevins to be honored Nov. 8
Mount Vernon Community Church - Black’s Chapel UMC will host their annual Chicken Supper on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 4 - 7 p.m. The menu includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, chicken and dumplings, green beans, corn, cole slaw, homemade desserts and drinks. Adults will be $10, children under 10 will be $5. Carry outs will be available. A country store will be featured. MVCC - Black’s Chapel is located at 1800 West Fourth Street, Mount Vernon.
The Sixth Annual PC Pound Puppies Holiday Craft and Gift Show will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the historic Ribeyre Gym and Annex in New Harmony, Indiana. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds of the Craft Show benefit PC Pound Puppies (PCPP) and are used to pay for the medical costs of rescued dogs. The Craft Show will feature 40+ booths of high-quality crafts and gift items. Several new vendors have already signed up but spaces are still available. Breakfast and lunch will be available. The menu includes our popular homemade soups, Homemade Barbecue from Team Cameron of Mount Vernon, plus coffee, soft drinks, and desserts. The event is free and open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to bring along a donation that PCPP can use for homeless dogs. Suggested items include new collars and leashes, new dog toys, new or gently used dog crates (wire or plastic – especially large sizes), flea and heartworm preventives like Advantix and Heartgard, paper towels, and spray cleaners (409, etc.). For more information about the Craft Show or to inquire about booth rental, contact Cathy Powers at 812-963-3890 or 812-499-6413 or garnetmist@aol.com.
Debbie Bennett-Stearsman was on hand to let county officials know that grant moneys to rid the county of several eyesores has become available. Each building will have its own budget and that money will be spent at work is completed. In an effort to make sure the process goes smoothly, officials decided to use a total of four properties to serve as ‘test sites.’ The first site to be leveled is located at 701 Third Street in Mount Vernon. The majority of the properties on the blight list are in the Mount Vernon area. The Mount Vernon addresses involved are 318 East Third Street, 1218 North Mulberry Street, 1137 East Second Street, 1015 East Water Street, 110 Barter Street, 631 West Third Street, 1217 Locust Street, 411 West Fourth Street, 711 West Seventh Street, 909 West Second Street, 517 East Second Street, 419 East Second Street, 909 West Second Street, 930 Mill Street, 918 Mill Street, 701 West Third Street, 621 West Second
Jonah Blevins stands in front of the cross and fire symbol that is the focal point of his Eagle Scout project prayer garden at Johnson United Methodist Church in New Harmony. The congregation invites the public to the garden’s dedication ceremony on Sunday, November 8 immediately after the 10:30 a.m. service. Photo by Lois Mittino Gray
Deaths .................... A3 Legals ...................B4 Opinion ................A10 Retrospective........A5
By Lois Mittino Gray Jonah Blevins is delighted that he said ‘yes’ in fifth grade to an invitation to attend a Boy Scout troop meeting in New Harmony. From that small gathering with just a few boys, Jonah started down the trail to Eagle and now he is basking in the glow of a job well done. For his Eagle Scout work project, Jonah planned and supervised the development of a prayer garden at Johnson United Methodist Church in New Harmony, complete with a large metal cross and flame symbol of the denomination. Although Jonah is not a member of the congregation, the inspiration for the idea came from Reverend John Adams in a conversation with Jonah’s mother, Jennifer and she passed the idea on to her son. An Eagle Scout Project requires the candidate to not do all the work himself, but to demonstrate leadership by organizing the project, budgeting, getting donations, and coordinating other workers and work days. Nix Welding of Poseyville donated welding skills for the cross and flame and Tom Helfrich made the metal edging for the garden beds. Gayle and Don Williams generously supported the project with funds for the cross and flame. Long time scout supporters Todd and Tim Wiley and Tom Smith aided the project in so many ways. “All of this area between the church and the office was just grass. Todd helped apply weed killer to kill the grass. Then we fertilized the area, tilled it up, put in many PVC pipes for proper water drainage and then planted the beds,” Jonah explained. There are two Hydrangea bushes in front and eight crepe myrtle shrubs down the sides, all accented by black mulch.
School ....................A8 Social .....................A6 Sports ...... .........B1-3 TV Guide...........B5-6
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