SPECIAL INSIDE: POSEY COUNTY HONOR ROLL
“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.”
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Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN Posey County’s locally-owned newspaper
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
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Volume 133 Edition 16
Shamo faces 24 charges in oil well scam Hacienda to help Hacienda will hold a “gives back” Fundraiser at Hacienda West on April 22 to help support the family of Jerry Williams. Jerry, Kim, and the two boys continue to struggle financially and with understanding as Jerry continues to fight cancer. Please present the coupon and a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Williams family. Customers must present the coupon by printing or showing a photo of it. Gift cards can also be purchased on that day with a portion of proceeds also going to them. The coupon can be found on Facebook under Team Williams.
Evansville man allegedly sold unlicensed investments to Posey individuals
Espenlaub Reunion set The Espenlaub Reunion will be held on Sunday April 28 at Zion United Church of Christ on Ford and Copperline roads, (9000 Copperline Road East) in Mount. Vernon, with a basket dinner at noon. For more info, contact Ruth Redman at 812-673-4627.
Famous Artist Discusses Plein Air Paint Out Workshop Instructors, C.W. Mundy of Indianapolis; Carolyn Anderson of Havre, Mont.; Kenn Backhaus of Robersonia, Pa.; and Frank Serrano of Montrose, Calif., will hold a panel discussion on art as a “Visual Language” on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at the Atheneum Visitors Center. The public is invited and admission is free. These acclaimed artists will be conducting art workshops during the “First Brush of Spring.” For more information contact Maggie Rapp at (812) 459-9851.
John Shamo
By Dave Pearce An investigation by Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson’s Prosecution Assistance Unit (PAU) led to the filing of criminal charges by Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers against John M. Shamo of Evansville. He was arrested late last night for allegedly selling unregistered investments in oil wells. Shamo is charged with selling the investments in Posey County, Indiana and Jefferson County, Illinois through his company Hopper Resources, Inc. “Gas and oil schemes are some of the most common forms of investment fraud that come across my desk,” said Secretary of State Connie Lawson. “I hope this case serves as a reminder to check with
my office to ensure the investment is registered before investing. “I would also like to thank (Posey County) Prosecutor (Travis) Clowers for his work,” Lawson said. “This arrest would not be possible without him.” Shamo solicited more than $134,000 from three brothers in Posey County who owned the land where the oil wells are located. He told them he would use the money to create an investment opportunity and guaranteed it would produce a profit. Instead of using the money as promised to his clients, Shamo used the money for his personal gain. Prosecutor Clowers filed charges focused on Shamo’s deceit of the three brothers, but investiga-
tors believe there may be as many as 17 other victims in the Posey County area. “I would like to thank the Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Investigator Charles Williams, and Attorney Diana Moers for their investigation which ultimately lead to the arrest of John Shamo,” said Travis Clower, Posey County Prosecutor. “The Honorable Judge Redwine of the Posey County Circuit Court reviewed charges and set a $1.2 million professional bond or 120,000 cash for Shamo.” This is still an ongoing investigation. The counts described are allegations. Shamo is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Shamo remains lodged in the Posey County Jail.
Cynthiana neighbors told to air manure complaints at court house
By Valerie Werkmeister Feuding neighbors aired animal nuisance complaints to Cynthiana Town Board members during last Tuesday’s, April 9, meeting. Courtney Wathen filed a complaint against her neighbors, Rick and Tara Davis, claiming the Davis’ dogs’ constant barking was a nuisance. She also complained about the odor Field to Finish Reception set from rabbit fecal matter in the Davis’ pole barn. The annual “First Brush of The Davis’ contended the barn Spring” Field to Finish juried is cleaned each week and the smell exhibit is scheduled for Wednesis not bothersome. The Davis’ felt day, April 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hoosier Salon New Harmony the complaint was retaliatory due to a lawsuit the Davis’ filed against Gallery, 507 Church Street. The Field to Finish event is open to Wathen over the death of their dog. the public. Exhibit awards will be The two parties exchanged barbs represented at 6 p.m. garding the lawsuit until they were instructed by town board members Poseyville town-wide yard sale to discuss the matter in court. Get your closets and the garage Board members discussed whethcleaned out. The St. Francis Relay er the county’s nuisance ordinance for Life team is sponsoring the would be applicable with town attown-wide yard sale in Poseyville torney, Jeff Ahlers. He advised he on May 11. There will be multiple would need to review the most resales throughout the town and cent ordinance update to determine the surrounding areas. Maps will if the Davis’ are out of compliance. be available in the Posey County The Davis’ invited town board News and at the usual locations. members to inspect the property folGet your address on the map for lowing the meeting to determine if $4 by contacting Katie Mayes an offensive rabbit droppings’ smell at 457-0469 or Brenda Garris at existed and if it warranted a viola781-9001 by Wednesday, May 1. All addresses on the map must be tion under a nuisance ordinance. Board members determined proppre-paid. Monies benefit the North erty complaints filed against Laura Posey Relay for Life. Johnson at 10226 Evansville Street Deputy positions open and Terry Penner at 10237 EvansPosey County Sheriff Greg ville Street had been resolved. Both Oeth has announced that applica- parties cleaned up the outside of tions are being accepted for the their property and it was satisfactory position of deputy at the Posey to the board. County Sheriff’s Department. Clerk-Treasurer Greta Mounts reBasic qualifications include a ported she had been asked if the use high school diploma, a U.S. citizen, and 21 years of age with Continued on Page A3 a valid drivers’ license. Applications may be picked up at the Posey County Sheriff’s Office at 1200 O’Donnell Road in Mount Vernon. Applications will be acBy Valerie Werkmeister cepted until April 26. Poseyville’s new town hall is in the final completion stages and Azalea sale is planned Poseyville Town Council memThe Mount Vernon Azalea Trail Committee is sponsoring an bers are anxious to show it off. A Azalea Sale at the Mount Vernon special open house and dedication Riverfront on Saturday, April 20, ceremony has been planned for 1 p.m. until sold out. Saturday, April 27, from 2 p.m.One-gallon containers of Karen 4 p.m. The public is welcome to and Girard Azaleas, and threecome and view the new facility gallon containers of Autumn Sun- and enjoy some refreshments. set and Autumn Amethyst Encore “We are very excited about this Azaleas will be available. great addition to the town,” council president Bruce Baker said. Schmitt Family Relay event set In other business, Town MarThe Schmitt family Relay for shall Doug Saltzman asked for Life team is planning a special council members’ input regarding fundraiser night at Red Wagon the use of prisoners for community in Poseyville on Tuesday, April 16, from 4 p.m.- 9 p.m. Present a service projects within the town. The council was enthusiastic about special ticket to your server and the idea and advised Saltzman to a portion of your meal total will be donated to their team. Contact coordinate projects with town employee, Ken Gorbett. Deb Schmitt at 874-3482, Mary Peach at 483-0848, Judy Baehl Continued on Page A3 at 568-3988, or any committee member for tickets.
Members of the 29th Annual Mount Vernon M-Club Hall of Fame inductees are, left to right, Kayla Hoehn, Brian Wahl, Rebecca Warner, Coach Steve Britt, Carley Ellard, and Andrea Guerin (represented by her father, Pat Guerin). Photo by Dave Pearce
Vaughn faces 12-year drug sentence Special to the News On April 10, 2013, Lillian E. Vaughn appeared before the Honorable Judge Redwine in the Posey County Circuit Court in Cause no. 65C01-1210-FA-473 for plea and sentencing. Vaughn pled guilty to Two (2) counts of dealing, the first for dealing methamphetamine, the second was for dealing Oxycodone, a prescription pain medication. Vaughn was sentenced to (12) years of prison on each count, with the counts to run concurrent. Vaughn’s charges stemmed from
a long term investigation conducted by the Posey County Narcotic’s Unit. The investigation, called “Operation Fair Warning”, culminated in the arrest of over 30 individuals last fall. Travis Clowers, Posey County Prosecutor, stated, “I would like to thank the Narcotics Unit for a very thorough investigation; their work lead to a very strong case and a lengthy prison sentence. This is another example of my office’s continued fight against drug dealing in Posey County.”
Lillian Vaughn
‘In Harmony Way’ documentary set
Special to the News Interested parties are cordially invited to the film showing of ‘In Harmony’s Way: The Battle to Save a Bridge’, on Saturday, April 20, at 6 p.m. at Events of Harmony, 515 S. Main St. in New Harmony, Ind.. This documentary film covers the history of the closed toll bridge in New Harmony and was produced by Dave Black through the University of Southern Indiana’s Department of Communications. The one hour program traces the construction of the bridge, it’s changes in government oversight, and the recent efforts led by former university president David Rice
to find a long-term solution to its survival. The video features interviews with bridge experts, political leaders, and area residents discussing the governance of the bridge and its importance to the southern region of Indiana and Illinois. For seat reservations, please RSVP to Events of Harmony at 682-3310 or via email to robin@eventsofharmony.com. Reserved seats must be claimed by 5:45 or will be released so that others may have the opportunity to view this interesting story. This free showing is sponsored by the Kent and Laurie Parker Family Foundation.
Poseyville to celebrate opening of Town Hall
ThePCN
Work on the new Poseyville Town Hall is nearing completion. An open house has been planned for April 27 from 2 until 4 p.m. so residents can get a look at the new state-of-the-art facility. The building was done by local contractor ECI, Inc. Photo by Dave Pearce
Inside this issue... Retrospective ................... A4 Community ........... A5 Social ...................... A6 Legals ............................... B5 Deaths ................ A3 Sports .................. B1-4 Classifieds ............ A10, B6-7 Church .................. A6 Bus/Ag .................. A7
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