SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Volume 136 Edition 24
‘Second effort’ lands accused robber in Posey Jail By Dave Pearce A rural Georgetown, Ind., man has been arrested and charged with the September 24, 2015, robbery of the Community State Bank of Southwestern Indiana’ Cynthiana branch. According to Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth, Patrick Leo Sandmann, 25, was arrested after being recognized by a clerk at the St. Wendel branch of the same bank on June 8. “We got the call shortly after 10:30 a.m.,” Oeth explained regarding the arrest. “Employees had been watching this individual off to the side of the bank in a gravel parking lot. When he came into the bank, he is 6-foot-8, one of the ladies who had been in the branch at Cynthiana at the time it was robbed, she was at the counter and she immediately recognized him as the individual who had robbed the bank on September 24.” Oeth went on to say that as she saw the man approaching the bank, she alerted Assistant Vice President Chris Herr who was on
duty at the branch, who had already started patch trying to keep them informed as to toward the front counter. what was going on and where they were.” “When the guy game in, we feel that he Somewhere near Emge Road, Sandmann sensed that there an issue managed to brake and did a about his identity and what he 180 degree turn in the road was up to so he asked them if and came back in the direche could use the bathroom,” tion of the bank. Herr turned Oeth explained. “Chris told around and followed. They him that there was no public passed the bank again and restroom in the bank. The man Herr followed Sandmann’s turned and went out of the vehicle onto County Line bank and got into his car.” Road. Meanwhile, Herr exited a Posey County Sheriff’s different door of the bank and Deputy Andy Porath just got into his automobile. Herr happened to be in Cynthiana began following the Sandmaas dispatch was receiving Sandmann nn vehicle down Cynthianainformation that the man apSt. Wendel Road. peared to be the same man who had robbed “Speed began to pick up and although the the Cynthiana branch in September. guy had a paper tag in the back of his car, “Andy started south of Cynthiana and he had no visible license plate,” Oeth said. Chief Deputy Tom Latham and I just hap“Chris was on the phone with our 911 Dis- pened to be on the Interstate at about the
15 mile marker and we headed that way,” Oeth continued. “I just happened to be on the phone with Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding. Dispatch let us know that the man’s vehicle had left the roadway into a cornfield after coming off an embankment and a driveway. His vehicle was airborne and the front of his vehicle crashed into the edge of their driveway and the vehicle spun into another 180. He got out of the car and began trying to engage Chris (Herr) into conversation although Chris was stopped a good distance away from where the vehicle had come to rest. Sandmann then fled into a treeline on the other side of the driveway and Porath was there within seconds while Tom and I were coming in right behind Andy.” As the officers began to take positions surrounding the wooded area, a fourth officer, State Policeman Brad Miller arrived and the
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Creation of bypass funds OK’d By Valerie Werkmeister Posey County officials crossed another item off their preparations checklist of things to complete before construction begins at Midwest Fertilizer in Mount Vernon. During their meeting last Tuesday, the Posey County Commissioners approved an ordinance that established a mechanism to create $27.5 million in funds for the construction of a bypass around Mount Vernon. Attorney Rick Hall explained the establishment of an Economic Improvement District is part of an incentive package offered by the county to Midwest Fertilizer last year. A special tax assessment will incur funds that will be set aside to fund the bypass construction costs. Hall stated that no county entity will be assessed any special taxes or pay any funds toward this proj-
ect. Once Midwest Fertilizer is ready to break ground, the bonds will be sold and the special assessment will be levied next year. Hall stated that the bonds would most likely be sold later this year. County officials are anxious for the deal to be completed. Local residents are anxious to learn the official path the bypass will take. Survey work is still being completed. The ordinance also created a board to administer the special assessment. Kyle Haney, Bret Moye and Carl J. Redman were appointed to the board by the commissioners. They held a special meeting following the commissioners’ meeting to pass a resolution to establish the special assessment that will finance the construction bonds for the bypass. It was the first step in a two-step process. Later this
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Former North Elementary School principal Terri WaugamanRebeck was chosen as the 2016 North Posey Relay for Life Courage award winner. Leeanna Wassmer submitted a letter that she read during the presentation. Pictured are Leeanna, Terri, her son Todd and husband Matt Rebeck in back. Photo by Valerie Werkmeister
Poseyville July Fourth picnic debuts this year By Valerie Werkmeister The Town of Poseyville hopes to engage the community by hosting a Fourth of July celebration this year. They are offering a community picnic on the community center lawn from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bring your own picnic or purchase food from any local non-profits that would like to sell food or drink items that day. No alcohol is allowed at the community center grounds and no electricity will be provided. Form your own team for a game of tug-of-war or a relay race. Local businesses, charities, fire departments, sports teams or any group interested are encouraged to participate. City leaders are also hosting an
essay contest for ages six to 12 and 13-18 about what the Fourth of July means to them. Prizes will be awarded to a winner from each age group. They will also have the opportunity to read their essay during the ceremonies at the community center. Essays must be submitted to the town hall by June 30. For more information, contact the town hall at 812-874-2211. A retirement open house will be held for town marshal Doug Saltzman who has announced his retirement at the end of June, after 33 years of police service. The open house is scheduled for Friday, June 24, from 2 – 6 p.m. at the
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Knowles reminds farmers to fill out form Greg Knowles, Posey County Executive Director, would like to remind farmers that if they have prevented planted corn they need to come into the Posey County FSA Office between June 6 and June 20 to fill out a FSA-576 form. Seed and chemical receipts are required. Also be sure to certify your Spring seeded crops by July 15. Planting dates are required. If you have any questions, please contact the Posey County FSA Office at 812-838-4191, ext. 2.
Open House to honor Marshal Doug Saltzman’s retirement Marshal Doug Saltzman is retiring after 33 years of service to the town of Poseyville. An Open House will be held in his honor on Friday, June 24 from 2 - 6 p.m. at the Poseyville Community Center. Please stop in to wish him well and share your memories.
MV Community Center Roller Derby cancelled The roller derby program planned at the Community Center in Mount Vernon, Ind. on Wednesday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. has been cancelled.
Festival volunteers wanted The 5th Annual New Harmony Music Festival begins one month from today. They are excited to bring a week of great music and fun to New Harmony, but need some help. They are seeking volunteers to assist in making this the best festival yet. Tuesday, June 14 from 6 to 7 p.m. there will be a short volunteers meeting. The meeting will be held at Christopher Layer’s house, 304 Church Street, New Harmony, Ind. 47631. All are welcome but attendance is not mandatory to volunteer. Refreshments will be served. Contact Zach Watson, zjwatson@yahoo.com, for more info. And keep an eye on the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ NewHarmonyMusicFest, for festival updates.
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Posey County emergency responders answer the Cleveland Road call on Friday night of a side-by-side colliding with a mini-van. All three involved sustained injuries.
Three hospitalized in Posey wreck By Dave Pearce A 16-year-old Posey County youth has been arrested and faces a myriad of charged following a Friday evening accident that landed one three individuals at Evansville Hospitals. According to Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth, Zachary Allison of Poseyville was injured in the accident which involved a sideby-side vehicle and a minivan. The accident occurred on Cleveland Road between Poseyville and Cynthiana. According to the accident report, the side-by-side crashed into
a vehicle being driven by Lindsay Mackey of Evansville. Mackey was taken by ambulance to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville for non life-threatening injuries. A passenger on the side-by-side, Paul Szubinski, 19, was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville as the result of his injuries. His injuries were assessed early on by deputies as severe but not life-threatening. Allison was also injured. Investigators working under Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth have forwarded the information to the Posey county Prosecutor’s
office. Preliminarily, charges involve Operating a Motor Vehicle while Endangering a Person, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated, and Operating a Vehicle Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Having Never Received a License, and Operating Left of Center. The owner of the side-by-side has been identified as Franklin J. Bender of 9000 Cleveland Road, Poseyville. The case is in the hands of Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers.
Hospitality lands 2nd fishing tourney By Lois Mittino Gray Jeremy Coe, Cabela’s King Kat Fishing Tournament Director, appeared before the Mount Vernon Common Council at its June 9 meeting to sing the praises of a city that welcomed participants with open arms. “Even though it was Mount Vernon’s first time to host one of our tournaments, many fishermen thought it was the number one spot city-wise that we go to of the twenty events a year we sponsor,” he told the audience. “Let’s do it again next year.” The city agreed to sponsor another tournament in 2017 on the third Saturday in May. Coe will meet with City Attorney Beth McFadin Higgins very shortly to have a contract drawn up. The fee is $5,000 to sponsor the tournament. Next year’s tournament will be three days in length and Mayor Bill Curtis assured Coe that they would be working on parking issues in the interim. This year’s May 21 tournament had 46 teams registered from nine states. “One team drove 1,200 miles from the other side of Kansas to participate,” Coe said.
Jeremy Coe, Cabela’s King Kat Fishing Tournaments Director, spoke at the Mount Vernon Common Council Meeting about the success of the city’s May 21 event while Mayor Bill Curtis listened. Photo by Lois Mittino Gray “The weather could have been better. When it turned to chocolate milk, we all got scared, but we got through
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