T
P C N SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Volume 138 Edition 7
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Underage tattooing sparks regulation talk By Lois Mittino Gray The Posey County Commissioners met on Tuesday, February 6 at the Hovey House to consider two ordinances, hold two public hearings, renew two contracts, hear department reports and conduct routine business. Denny Schaffer, Posey County Health Department Administrator, presented an ordinance to the commission concerning the regulation of tattoo parlors and body piercing businesses. He explained that the need for this ordinance was brought to the forefront when it was discovered that a 15-year-old boy at a local school tattooed at least thirty kids off school property. “This is against the law and should not be allowed. The ordinance I’ve given you to look at is one used in a number of counties across Indiana. It
is extensive and may take you until the next meeting to go over it,” he observed. The commissioners agreed saying that, while they encourage young entrepreneurship, this is unacceptable and needs to be regulated. It was tabled until the next meeting. Another ordinance was passed to put a three way stop in at the intersection of Springfield and Donner Roads in Center Township of the county. The third stop sign will be put in on Springfield Road, facing south where it makes the big curve. County Attorney Trent VanHaaften was asked to prepare the ordinance which must be advertised for two weeks before action is taken. Commission President Jim Alsop opened an ad-
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Owensville man killed in Poseyville accident By Dave Pearce A Monday morning accident in Poseyville has left an Owensville man dead and two others hospitalized. According to Posey County Chief Deputy Sheriff Tom Latham, witnesses along with evidence at the scene indicated 81-year-old Danny Newton of Owensville was driving a black Chevrolet truck and was leaving Hutson John Deere. He was traveling onto Frontage Road when he drove into the path of a white Ford truck being operated by 49-year-old Danny Frey of Evansville. Frey along with Danny Newton were transported by ambulance to Deaconess Midtown to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash. Danny Newton later died at the hospital. Newton’s brother, 80-year-old Joe
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Duncan sentenced to 15 years for dealing
Anna Newton, Alyssa Sanders, Hadley Burgdorf and Maci Lannert dressed in their mismatched outfits for Tacky Day during St. Philip Catholic School’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Photo submitted
fenses, were arrested as Special to the News part of a Posey County On February 7, 2018, Narcotic’s Unit drug raid a sentencing hearing was called “Operation Gray held in the Posey Circuit Ghost.” The undercover Court in which Michael operation targeted indiDuncan was sentenced viduals who were selling to fifteen years in prison illegal narcotics – espefor Dealing Methamcially methamphetamine phetamine. Duncan had – in Posey County. previously appeared beAccording to police refore Judge Redwine and cords Duncan delivered pled guilty without a plea approximately 17 grams agreement from the ProsMichael Duncan of methamphetamine to ecutor’s Office. a confidential police inDuncan was arrested on April 21, 2017, at his home in formant. Travis Clowers, Posey County Evansville with the help of FBI officers, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Prosecutor, handled the sentencing Deputies and Evansville Police Of- hearing and called Detective Kenficers. Duncan, along with numerous Continued on Page A9 other persons charged with drug of-
MV school board tackles snow days Wadesville man arrested Committee being formed to explore virtual lessons By Lois Mittino Gray Two members of the Mount Vernon School Board enjoyed the benefit of participating electronically in the regular meeting on Monday, February 5. Although they were actually in St. Croix and San Antonio, Mark Isaac and Beth McFadin Higgins could participate using Macbooks, but not make a motion or vote. This procedure was made official in January when it was approved that out of town members could do this and be paid. Higgins said “calling in was pretty seamless.” School Superintendent Tom Kopatich discussed the “hot issue” of cold and snow days.
Briefly Hall of Fame tickets on sale: North Posey Hall of Fame will be held on February 24, at the North Posey High School Cafeteria at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $15/person by calling the Posey County News Office at 812-682-3950.
Ribeye Dinner and Auction: RGRG February 24, 4:30 p.m. Ribeyre Gymnasium, NH Meet the Candidates: Posey County Democrats February 24, 10 a.m. Democratic HQ, MV Storytime with live animals: Alexandrian Public Library February 27, 6 p.m. 115 West Fifth Street, MV
More information on these and other events inside today’s Posey County News
(USPS 439-500)
“We already have been out five days this year, so we will use our five built in snow dates on the school calendar. Students will go to school on February 19, April 2, April 27, April 30 and May 24. What will we do if we have another one? Students will have to go on Friday, May 25, the day of graduation,” he explained. (Since the meeting, there was another snow cancellation this past week.) “We have not yet received official word from the state on applying for waivers. In the past, one day is made up for every two we are out. We also have the option of looking into virtual school lessons,” he said. Kopatich said a committee is being formed now to explore developing virtual lesson plans in nine areas for snow days. He observed that one member of the
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in child pornography case
several electronic devices Special to the News that belong to Williams. On February 9, 2018, A search warrant was obDetective Jeremy Fortune tained for the devices and was able to obtain an arlater searched, it was disrest warrant for 54-year-old covered there were over Michael Wayne Williams of 150 photos of child porWadesville. nography on the devices. Chief Deputy Tom Williams was booked at Latham said, “The Posey the Posey County Jail for Sheriff’s Office received the 10 counts of Possession of complaint against Williams Child Pornography, a level on January 26 of this year. 5 felony. Williams is being Through the investigation Michael Williams held on a $500,000.00 cash it was discovered that Wilbond. liams had allegedly posThe Posey County Sheriff’s Office is sessed child pornography,” said Latham. A family member came forward with continuing the investigation.
Melody of matrimony Mount Vernon couple’s love of music anchors marriage By Pam Robinson Mount Vernon husband and wife musical duo Craig and Melanie Edling cannot settle on just one song as “our song.” Instead, they must sing, “Hey, baby, they’re playing our songs” (with apologies to the Buckinghams). “We don’t have one song. We used to listen to Todd Rundgren in college. We would listen to his stuff in the car,” Melanie recalls about the couple’s early days as college sweethearts. “That’s the thing about playing with a band. We don’t have a song. We have many songs.” Director of Wolfgang Orchestra, Melanie met Craig when the two were students at Ball State University, or BSU. They both played trombone in the BSU Marching Band. In addition, they participated in Drum Corps International,
or DCI, a worldwide competition for students. Craig and Melanie played baritone bugle with the Guardsmen for this prestigious competition. The soulmates married while in college on October 16, 1982. “I got a degree in music whereas Craig got a degree [in industrial arts] to make some money,” Melanie says, grinning. After earning their degrees, the young northern Indiana natives moved with Craig’s work: first, to Indianapolis for four years; next, to New Jersey for four years; then, to Buffalo for four years. “We were in Buffalo for four Super Bowl losses,” Craig laments. During this time, career and family became the focus of the Edlings’ lives.
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Craig and Melanie Edling met when they were students at Ball State University and have spent their lives together in musical harmony. Photo submitted