SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Volume 136 Edition 27
Fireworks came early for Posey County residents
This transformer was downed on Fletchall Street in Poseyville during the storms that passed through Sunday, July 3, 2016. No personal injuries were reported, however, there was major tree damage and flooding as the county was deluged with five to seven inches of rain. The inset photo shows Jim Alsop of New Harmony helping to clean out the drains after Monday mornings rainfall. Photos by Theresa Bratcher and Betty Barnett
By Lois Mittino Gray Sixty mile an hour winds hit the northern end of Poseyville like a hammer Sunday night uprooting at least a dozen large trees, knocking down power lines and poles and causing electric and cable television outages all around the shaken community. Fortunately, Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth and Emergency Management Agency Director Larry Robb said no personal injuries were reported to either of them. Dennis Webb was riding back from Stewartsville on a tractor when the winds started to blow up, so he went to his 89-year-old father’s home in Poseyville to check on John. “I told dad to stay put and go down in the basement, but he kept looking out the west windows and searching for a flashlight. When it was over, he wanted to go out and drive around and check on his friends to make sure everyone was okay,” he said. Webb and his father observed at least twelve massive trees totally uprooted lying down on the ground. “Luckily, they seemed to spare the houses around them, falling in the nearby alley or on awnings and lawns causing no structural damage. The worst tree was about fifty yards from North Elementary School and it fell on Fletchall Street taking a light pole and transformer out with it.” Webb also noted that a treetop was twisted off at about forty feet high, indicating possible rotating winds. “Some say they saw rotation or the makings of a possible funnel cloud. Some odd things happened like the top of a tree twisted off, but no actual tornado on the ground was confirmed,” according to Bruce Baker, Town Council President. The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky called the event ‘straight line winds’ with no reports of excess damage, according to Dave Purdy, NWS Meteorological Technician. Byron Douglas, Channel 14 meteorologist said the area recorded five to six inches of rain during the storm and its aftermath and possibly had a ‘microburst’ of wind. Duke Energy representatives reported that they were still assessing damage, but had 358 customers affected by outages at 20 locations at 4:50 p.m. By 5:01 p.m. the number was down to 279 customers in 16 locations. Some residents
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MSDMV staff changes progress By Lois Mittino Gray Summer break brings interviews for new staff positions as administrators work to get a full docket of teachers, coaches and support staff for the upcoming school year.. Mount Vernon School Superintendent Tom Kopatich reported to the Mount Vernon School Board at its June 20 meeting that the process is in full swing right now. “We have a large number of applicants for our open positions and we are interviewing this week for three elementary teachers. We will have to check our registration numbers as they come in and may have to add additional teachers as summer progresses,” he said. Current new hires confirmed at the meeting are Amanda Coleman Wilson as principal at West Elementary School, replacing Paul Swanson Greta Mounts, left, stands in front of the mural as artist Jamie Rasure makes a few touch ups. Photo and Karen Burke as the junior high school science teacher, replacing by Cathy Powers Thomas Heckman. Ashton Fuelling was appointed the head coach for high school girls’ cross country, while Charles Seifert will head up the high school girls’ track team. Three assistant coaches were hired: Alexa
Site changes but sights nearly same
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Safe Exchange zone created to aid public By Lois Mittino Gray New signage on two old issues was the main topic of a very short June 23 Mount Vernon Common Council meeting. This meeting, combined with the Water Utility Board meeting, lasted a total of 15 minutes, with not a whole lot of department head reports or business. Councilman Larry Williams thanked Street Superintendent Max Dieterle for getting the metal sign made and erected designating a Safe Exchange Zone at the new public safety building. The zone is an innovative idea to have a safe location near the police department for child custody exchanges and internet purchase transactions. It was noted that many people purchase things on Craigslist, for example, and have
never met the buyer, so they need a safe public place to meet. The sign warns that any persons bringing illegal items onto the property for exchange may be subject to arrest and prosecution. The safe area is alongside the building’s north wall facing Fourth Street and ready for use. Mayor Bill Curtis has arranged to have a sign made that may alleviate the problem of large heavy trucks going through the Lawrence Addition subdivision on their way to three major industries. It seems that GPS systems are routing drivers through the subdivision on streets not made for heavy duty loads. Curtis received permission from the three companies: Country Mark,
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Briefly Posey County Fair announces 2016 schedule Please see page B3 in today’s edition for a complete fair schedule, photos of Queen, Princess, and Duchess contestants, and information on free rides offered Tuesday through Thursday evenings. Friends of Harmonie, Heritage Federal announce Luau The Luau presented by the Friends of Harmonie and sponsored by Heritage Federal will be held on July 16, 2016. The meal of pulled pork, sides, drink and dessert will be served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. followed by a free swim and attendance prizes. The cost is $10 for adult, $5 for children four-10, three and under free. All proceeds are used to support Harmonie State Park and especially the planned Outdoor Education Pavilion. Tickets can be purchased and reservations made at the Harmonie State Park front gate or from Sherri Allen at campsite 110. Reservations or questions contact friendsofharmonie@ gmail.com or on the Friends of Harmonie Facebook page. Camping reservations can be made at www.reserveamerica.com.
$1.00
(USPS SPS 4 439-500) 3 9 5 00
By Cathy Powers When Greta Mounts first learned that Cynthiana, Indiana’s town hall was being relocated to a new modern building, she wasn’t sure she was happy to leave the historic place where it had been for many years. As the town’s clerk treasurer for 27 years, she felt continuity in the old drug store building, and especially liked the view of the town park across the street. She considered herself a selfappointed guardian of the park and especially kept a watchful eye on the children who played there. Having grown up in Cynthiana, she had good memories of all that had gone on in the park. Although the old play-
ground equipment had been removed for safety reasons, it was still the place where another generation of Cynthiana’s young people continued to spend many happy hours. As Greta went about her daily duties, she was happy to be able to glance across the street at the park with its historic gazebo and the idea of a new office with no view was not something she was looking forward to having. However, the old building had many issues, and it had been decided to build a new office just down the street. It is located just a little further West, on the corner of Main and Evansville Street, where the Wagon Wheel Tavern stood for years. It was torn down after a fire.
A resident of Cynthiana, who prefers to remain anonymous, heard about this, and decided that having a mural painted on the walls of Greta’s new office would be the perfect solution. He supplied the funds to make this happen. Jamie Rasure, a Posey County artist, was contacted and she was happy to take on this project. After taking a few photos, and planning out an inviting depiction of the modern view of the park, she set to work. The mural is painted on four panels and is 8’ by 16.’ Instead of painting it permanently on the wall, the panels can be taken down if necessary and put back up later. The fo-
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Huck is NH ‘Volunteer of Year’ Special to the News It has been the tradition of the New Harmony Kiwanis, along with Tri-Kappa, to present the Volunteer of the Year Award at the annual Fourth of July picnic. As the accolades of this person are listed, you will recognize Charles Huck almost immediately.. A native of New Harmony, he is a veteran of the Korean War and served on the aircraft carrier Tarawa. He has been a member of the New Harmony Kiwanis for the past 50 plus years and is the longest serving member of the Kiwanis. He has volunteered and served on countless boards including: The Working Men’s Institute; Posey County Farm Bureau; Kiwanis; Jacob’s Village; St. Stephen’s Church; and VFW. A true patriot, he is rarely seen without his Tarawa hat, which he proudly wears. He served as the Commander of the American Legion for years. Where he organized many dances and parties, and is the first to be called when there is a Military Funeral to arrange, as well as taking care of the Color Guard. He has also just been named as one of Indiana’s Bicentennial Torch Bearers. He was also in charge of the Granary Docents, back in the day. He is known as the ‘Go To Guy’ around town in an emergency and is always available to take friends to Doctor appointments. He is always available for community projects. And he is the Ice Cream Man for all Kiwanis dinners and the annual Independence Day Party.
Charles Huck, pictured with wife Sally, was named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by the New Harmony Kiwanis, along with Tri-Kappa at the annual Fourth of July event on Monday morning. Photo by Zach Straw It is an honor and a pleasure to call this gentleman, friend, and fellow Kiwanian – Mr. Charles Huck.