SEE PAGE A9 FOR ‘AROUND THE COUNTY’ PHOTOS
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“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Posey County’s locally-owned newspaper
(USPS 439-500) Volume 133 Edition 33
Posey County man faces sentence following conviction on sex charges Special to the News A Posey County man was found guilty of rape and incest as well as additional charges of a habitual offender as the result of a conviction this week. On August 9, 2013, a jury of 12 Posey County residents convicted Orley Yarber of the Rape and Incest of his 34-year-old female family member. Following the conviction, Yarber admitted to the additional charge of being a ‘Habitual Offender.’ Yarber will face up to 50 years in prison on the convictions and will be sentenced by Posey Circuit Court Judge James Redwine on September 11, 2013. Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers stated that the charges stemmed from a June 4, 2012, incident where Yarber, who was 59 years old at the time, Spotter and Bingo, Hazel Tepool and grandson Jared Tepool, enter- forcibly attacked and raped a fetain at the National Night Out event recently held in Cynthiana. See male family member, who was more photos on page A9. Photo by Theresa Bratcher out for an evening walk.
Orley Yarber During the trial, jurors heard testimony from the victim, as well as Detective Alan Sherretz of the Indiana State Police, Shawn Brown, a Sexual Assault Nurse, and DNA experts from the Indiana State Police Lab. Brown testified that she performed a Sexual Assault Kit when the victim was brought
to the hospital and then all evidence was turned over to Detective Sherretz. This evidence was then given to DNA experts who found the defendant’s semen and DNA on the victim’s underwear, as well as on swabs collected in the Sexual Assault Kit. Yarber, who was represented by Mount Vernon attorney William Gooden, took the stand and testified that he was in Illinois at the time the crime occurred. Clowers thanked the Jury for their time and attention to the case, and commented that ‘Detective Sherretz conducted an excellent investigation, which led to a strong case.’ Clowers further stated that it took ‘courage on the part of the victim to come forward and to be willing to confront her attacker’ and that his office will continue to ‘stand-up and fight for those who are victimized in this community.’
Mount Vernon residents question school transfer policies By Lois Mittino Gray Mount Vernon School Superintendent Tom Kopatich told school board members at the August 5 meeting that the past week was ‘a really tough one for me.’ Citing kindergarten as an example, he explained that transfer vouchers into the district caused him to juggle class size numbers and that resulted in denying internal transfers within the district to some families. “In all cases, my main goal is to keep class size small and about the same number all through the district,” he assured the board. He explained that Marrs had
seven new kindergarteners transfer in from out of district so he went from two to three classes there, adding a teacher. “It made 52 students and I allowed four internal transfers so there are 56 at Marrs with a class size of 18 each,” he said. There are three kindergarten classes at West and two at Farmersville. The Farmersville enrollment started to get a little high at 48 students with internal transfers which would give 24 to each class, so he had to nix transfers from West to there. “Right now every kindergarten class in the district is under 20 students and that is a good low number.” West also has
two kindergarten aides to help with Title 1. Heidi Blackburn addressed the Board about the situation expressing her concern for a friend who was denied an internal transfer to Farmersville. “Do people know that out of district transfers get preference? Does my friend have to move to Evansville to get into Farmersville?” she asked. Kopatich explained that he understood her concern, but he respectfully disagreed with that statement. ‘Everybody who goes to a district school will be treated fairly. There is no sleight, but balance in class size is my goal.’
Board Member Beth McFadhigh. At the senior high. Amandin Higgins asked Kopatich if he da McMillian will teach Family was following the policy as writand Consumer Science and Jean ten and he said yes. She went on to Curtis will be the Cheerleader say that “Every school we have is Sponsor. Junenna Helt and Maa good school. Within the district, rissa Reidford are Teacher Asthey are all good quality.” Board sistants and Leigh Latshaw will member Brian Jeffries questioned be the head coach of the senior why most people want to transfer high boys’ cross country team. schools internally and was told it Kendra McClarney is the Route is for easier access to babysitters. 35 bus driver and a temporary In other board action: contract was given to Trista An• Several new personnel were gel as a Speech Pathologist. hired. Melanie Potts, De’Shea • The retirement of Debra Vavra Lintzenich, and Amy Beshears as a kindergarten teacher was are elementary teachers and accepted. Extra duty rosters for Kristen Dutkiewicz is a special Continued on Page A10 education teacher at the junior
Posey commission agrees to pay MV project right on schedule $40K in disputed consulting fees By Valerie Werkmeister Posey County Commissioners voted to approve a settlement to a lawsuit dating back to 2009 during their Tuesday, August 6, meeting. Commissioner president Carl Schmitz stated the lawsuit involved a dispute with United Consulting Engineers, who filed against the county for approximately $76,000. They claimed they were hired by the county to do surveying and engineering work on Lamont Road for a potential exit from the port. The commissioners and their attorney, Jeremy Dilts of Bloomington, combed through documents and county minutes and maintained they had entertained United Consulting’s bid, but never approved it. United Consulting claimed the county owed them for three months work, which had never been paid. The suit would have gone to trial this fall if a settlement had not been reached. The commissioners agreed to pay United Consulting $40,000. The commissioner’s insurance company will pay the attorney’s fees and $5,000 of the settlement. They
intend for the remaining $35,000 to come from the highway department budget. “They said it was a 50/50 chance, and we could win or lose, because there were too many ands, ifs and buts,” Schmitz said. “It’s not that we wanted to throw county money away, but if we lost the case, we were going to throw a lot more county money away.” Commissioners Jerry Walden and Jim Alsop agreed the case was too risky to take to trial. “It’s one of those unfortunate situations that we inherited and we needed to get off the books,” Schmitz said. The commissioners also discussed the former jail/boys home demolition during Tuesday’s meeting. Commissioner Walden advised he had recently learned a potential grant from Brownfields could pay for the demolition costs, but if they awarded the bid for demolition, it would exempt them from the grant. They agreed to table awarding the bid until they receive more
Continued on Page A10
By Lois Mittino Gray Progress continues on the new shared emergency services building as the Mount Vernon Common Council appointed three members to the Mount Vernon Police and Fire Safety Building Corporation at its August 8 meeting. William Osborne, Mel Levin, and Jerry Rutledge will be the trio overseeing the building finances. The Council passed resolution 13-18 approving a Form of Lease for the Acquisition, Construction, Installation and Equipping of a New Police and Fire Station by this Mount Vernon Public Safety Building Corporation. It also authorizes the publication of notice of a public hearing on the financing plan, slated for some time in September. Attorney Beth McFaddin Higgins explained that this is the next step in the financing. Clerk-Treasurer Christi Sitzman received a petition of at least 50 Mount Vernon taxpayers stating that the station is needed. The County Auditor will now verify the names on the list as certifiable landowners and call for a public hearing. The financing will close early to mid November and this should coincide nicely with the release of bid packets for work to be done. “Our timeline appears to be working right on schedule,” Higgins remarked.
Along with a discussion on new structures was one on old dilapidated houses and buildings. Councilman Andy Hoehn said this is the subject he gets most asked about. He inquired if a list could be generated of those houses in concern with an idea of money involved and a timetable of action. As an example, he questioned the ‘meth house’ under the Mulberry Water Tower. He said the home has been an eyesore for years and it appears ownership keeps changing hands. “These ‘meth houses’ should be addressed as soon as possible,” he noted. Hoehn said he wondered if these ‘meth properties’ weren’t a different animal and perhaps they could look at cutting the time allowance down to deal with them. Councilman Bill Curtis asked if there were different ‘levels’ of meth labs and the means to then take down. “I know it’s very expensive to bring them to standard” he said. Attorney Higgins replied it depends on the chemicals involved and if there was exposure or if it was contained. It was agreed that Code Enforcement Officer Sue Willlis will initiate a notice and start the process of inquiry. Councilman Steve Fuelling said as an ex
Continued on Page A10
St. Wendel students to meet new principal, new challenges By Dave Pearce While new students will be finding their way around St. Wendel School this week, they will not be by themselves. Another very important person will be doing the same right along with them. The school has a new principal. Hallie Denstorff accepted a ‘call’ to become the head administrator to St. Wendel School. And while she may not be completely familiar with everything going on at this particular building, her surroundings will be familiar. “I am a west sider and attended West Side Catholic,” she explained. “I went to Mater Dei and then to Murray State. I moved back and taught fifth and sixth grade at Holy Rosary Catholic School.” While Denstdorff was teaching at Holy Rosary, she enrolled at the
The PCN
University of Southern Indiana and earned her masters degree. And what she describes as a ‘wonderful opportunity’ has opened up for her. “I told God I was willing to do whatever he wanted me to do but he was going to have to show me what he wanted me to do,” she said sincerely. “And he did.” Ron Pittman, the long-time principal at St. Wendel, moved to a new school in the Lafayette area so his skills as a bilingual principal could be put to better use. Therefore, the St. Wendel opening was there. “Now, God has called me here to this new and wonderful place,” she said with an infectious smile. “I want to see and experience firsthand all the things this school and community have to offer.” Denstorff has jumped into the
position with both feet and is making every effort to meet all the parishioners and students. “Everyone I have met here so far has just been a blessing to me,” she said. “This place is amazing and it is our own special little jewel here on the edge of Posey County. I am loving every bit of it.” Denstorff has served as the varsity swim coach at Mater Dei High School so she is familiar with both the academic and athletic sides of school life. That should endear her even more to the competitive community of St. Wendel. “St. Wendel is not my home parish but I am familiar with the things they have publicized,” she explained. “And we have many goals, one of them being to show-
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Hallie Denstorff, new principal at St. Wendel School, is almost excited as her kindergartners to get the new school year underway. St. Wendel students began school on Monday. Photo by Dave Pearce
INSIDE THIS EDITION Retrospective ................... A4 Community .......... A5 Social ...................... A6 Legals .......................... B4-5 Deaths ................ A3 Sports .................. B1-3 Classifieds .................. B7-8 Church .................. A7 Bus/Ag ................... A11
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