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Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN
(USPS 439-500)
Tuesday March 20, 2012
Posey County’s locally-owned newspaper
Volume 132 Edition 12
Cynthiana residents want trailers cleaned up Abandoned trailers, park leave council wondering how to best go about process
Red Wagon to help Scouts
By Valerie Werkmeister Cynthiana residents voiced concerns about conditions at the trailer park in town during last Tuesday’s town board meeting. Residents complained about tall weeds and abandoned trailers that have been stripped of their aluminum leaving exposed shells. Residents say bits of insulation blow throughout the neighborhood and many are concerned about the hazards these structures may pose. Citizens questioned board members to see what has been done regarding the situation. Clerktreasurer, Greta Mounts, stated she has made numerous calls to try and
Boy Scout Troop 387 in Poseyville will be sponsoring a fundraiser at The Red Wagon in Poseyville on Wednesday, March 21, from 4 - 9 p.m. Present a coupon along with your dinner receipt and The Red Wagon will donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the scouts. Troop 387 is in need of a new concession stand in order to continue offering their popular barbecued ribs, pork and chicken sandwiches.
Sock Hop Food Drive Sock Hop Food Drive will be held March 23 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Catalyst Church, 3232 Claremont Ave. To enter you must bring in four non-perishable food items per person. Hosted by Curves West 812468-9999.
track down the property owners. She stated that Posey County Assessor records show that John and Deva Spillers are currently listed as the owners. However, both are deceased and it is unknown if they have any descendants. Mailed rent checks from the few remaining trailer park renters have also been returned. Mounts added that the assessor’s office indicated that the property would be included in an upcoming sheriff’s sale, but was unsure of the date. Attorney Jeff Ahlers stated that the town could try to clean the property or ask for volunteer as-
sistance. Many stated that debris is hidden from overgrown weeds and would pose a hazard to equipment. The town could clean the property at their own expense and add a tax lien to the property. However, as Ahlers advised, the town may not ever recover those expenses. Board members asked Mounts to check with the assessor’s office to see when the upcoming sheriff’s sale will be held. Leanne Schmitt and Jody Cumbee inquired about a possible grant from Toyota to help fund improvements at the Cynthiana ball park. Town board president Scott Cox stated that a form would need to
Continued on Page A3
Jury finds Posey man guilty in sex assault trial
New Harmony talk slated Dr. Donald E. Pitzer, a retired USI professor of history, will present a public talk on his recent book New Harmony Then and Now (Indiana University Press, 2012) at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Kleymeyer Hall in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center at the University of Southern Indiana. The book is a photographic and historic celebration of the two great American Utopian communities founded in New Harmony, with images by Darryl Jones and text by Pitzer, who has edited and written multiple books on historic and contemporary communal societies. Following his talk, Pitzer will be available to sign copies of his book. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the USI Center for Communal Studies at 465-7150.
Officers of the Poseyville Fire Department stand in front of the department's new rescue truck. From left are: Captain Sean Hopf, Captain Steve Williams, Deputy Chief Jeff Droege, Assistant Chief Sam Martin and Chief Chris Neaveill. Photo by Valerie Werkmeister
Poseyville firemen show off new truck
Henryville donations
By Valerie Werkmeister Members of the Poseyville Fire Department are as happy as kids on Christmas morning. They recently unveiled their new rescue truck that is now in service. It took three rounds of tries at a grant, an entire community of support and lots of input from the members themselves to make the dream become a reality. The truck cost approximately $260,000 and
Mount Vernon Fire Department is collecting donations for the victims in Henryville. Items needed; Baby Items, Storage Totes, Personal Hygiene Items, Household Cleaning items, Non perishable foods, and Geriatric items. Drop off donations at the Mount Vernon Fire Department between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. For more information call 838-3447.
Demo Club Meeting The Posey County Democratic Women’s Club will meet at the Gym Annex in New Harmony on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend and meet local Democrat candidates.
be completed including a scope of work. The trio will work on paperwork in hopes of completing it in time for the next round of grant approvals. A town-wide yard sale will be held July 14. Residents expressed the need for a spring clean-up prior to the sale. Board members hope to learn they are the recipients of a grant that will provide materials to spruce up the park shelter house. Mounts stated the results should be announced on May 18. Board members added they will need volunteer
$150,000 was funded through the grant. The town of Poseyville and Robb Township split the remaining $110,000. Last Wednesday, the department recognized some of the key people that helped make the truck possible. They presented plaques to Seib Brothers Farms, who donated money; Alvey Signs, who did all the decal work; Debbie Bennett-Stearsman of Southwest
Indiana Economic Development Coalition, who helped administer the grant and Pete White, General Manager of Kenworth who supplied the truck. The new truck features a new light tower on top of the truck that is remote controlled and can extend or rotate to illuminate dark highways at night. The extrication
Continued on Page A3
NHS students to say, ‘Thanks for memories’
Meet your Legislator set The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana will host its annual “Meet your Legislator” event on Saturday, March 24, 2012, in Mount Vernon, Ind. This event will allow residents to meet with area legislators, Senator Jim Tomes and Representative Wendy McNamara. The event will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the Alexandrian Public Library, Mount Vernon, Ind.
Police make 17 arrests Friday and Saturday night, between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m., Indiana State Police at Evansville conducted saturation patrols throughout the entire district targeting impaired and dangerous drivers. Troopers issued 229 traffic tickets, 389 warnings and arrested 17 impaired drivers.
Relay meeting is March 22 The next meeting of the Relay for Life of Mount Vernon’s 2012 event will be held March 22 at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon at 6 p.m. The meeting will include team info, committee reports, event planning, videos and more. All interested in being a part of Relay for Life are invited to attend. Contact Marissa Priddis at 363-0381 (theloudlibrarian@yahoo.com) or Tiffani Weatherford at 2048968 (TWeatherford@ccswin. com) for more information.
By Pam Robinson Student council officers at New Harmony School, or NHS, understand the loyalty and love expressed in the new school slogan and displayed proudly on many t-shirts: “Forever a Rappite—Always bleed blue.” At the same time, they are encouraging their classmates to embrace the change once NHS closes its doors on May 22. “It has been a tough year,” admits student council president Kendall Morris, “but I think it’s getting better. I think everybody is adjusting. I just don’t want people whenever they go to North Posey or Mount Vernon or wherever to not try and make new friends or actually get involved in the school where they are going.” Likewise, freshman Jessica Deckard-Mills, student council treasurer, encourages her classmates “to get involved and make new friends” while freshman Kendall Wilson, student council secretary, believes NHS students can better move on if they allow their memories to empower them. “I want people to be able to move on and make new friends, but always
Pictured are the officers of New Harmony School's student council (from L to R): Vice President Madison Worman (sophomore), President Kendall Morris (junior), Secretary Kendall Wilson (freshman) and Treasurer Jessica Deckard-Mills (freshman). Photo by Pam Robinson remember what they did some to Mount Vernon, school through grade 12, here and what fun they and a couple are thinking most look forward to the had here,” Wilson says. about Signature School festivities planned for All agree with stu- and New Tech School Tuesday, May 22, their dent council vice presi- in Evansville. Student last day of school. dent Madison Worman, council president Ken“We didn’t want to just a sophomore, that their dall Morris expressed take our tests and say, new schools will pro- her appreciation for the ‘It’s over,’” comments vide more opportunities warm student welcome student council president for academic and ath- at Mount Vernon High Morris. letic achievement. Each School during a recent The day is being deof them contributes to a day-long open house and signed to leave everyone recitation of specific of- tour. She says students with good memories of ferings unavailable at are looking forward to NHS, home of the RapNHS—honors classes such an event at North pites. Organizers want in a variety of subjects Posey as well. In addi- to discourage sadness, and football, high school tion, North Elementary so they are staying away cheerleading, track, soc- students paired with NHS from ceremonies. Instead, cer, girls’ golf. elementary students at under consideration for The student council a dance recently to help the day’s activities are officers note that most students become better games, such as tug o’ war students have chosen to acquainted. See Page A3 relocate to North Posey, All NHS students, pre-
Inside this issue...
ThePCN
Retrospective ................. A4 Legals.............................. B6 Classifieds .................. B7-8
By Dave Pearce A two-day jury trial conducted in Posey County Circuit Court has resulted in a guilty verdict of the crime of Attempted Rape, a Class B Felony. Results from DNA testing by the Indiana State Police lab led to the arrest of 20-year-old Michael O’Brien of Poseyville about a month ago. According to Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers, juvenile charges from O’Brien’s record could not be entered Michael O’Brien against him during the trial but may now be considered during the sentencing process. Clowers said O’Brien faces between six and 20 years in prison as a result of the guilty verdict. Sentencing has been set for April 16 at 1:30 at Posey County Circuit Court. Clowers also indicated that O’Brien must now register as a sex offender. “Detective Thomas Latham did a great job of investigating and gathering information and presenting a case,” Clowers said of the Posey County Sheriff’s Deputy. “His efforts helped us at trial to cover our bases and be successful. This was thoroughly investigated.” According to the Probable Cause Affidavit, the charges stem from an incident which occurred on New Year’s Eve at a residence at 424 N. St. Phillips Road. According to court records, O’Brien was attending a New Year’s Eve party at the home when the sexual assault took place. Witnesses statements indicate the incident occurred at around 2 a.m. Police were called at around 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2012, after Posey County Dispatch was notified by St. Mary’s Hospital that a sexual assault had occurred in Posey County. According to reports, the victim had been drinking and had passed out on a sofa in the back of the home when the incident occurred. Reportedly, friends of the victim walked in as the assault was occurring. The friends indicated they yelled at O’Brien and attempted to awaken the victim but that she did not awaken at first. Eventually, friends woke the girl and at that point, with the help of several witnesses who gave depositions at the trial, she realized that the assault had taken place. The victim spent the night in the home asleep in a living room with several others while O’Brien reportedly spent the remainder of the
Cards for Virgil North Posey High School athetic director Virgil Ferguson. got the call last week that he has been waiting on. Virgil underwent a liver transplant late last week. The prognosis is good but cards may be sent to Virgiol Ferguson at 546 Hilton Court, Evansville, IN 47711.
Go to www.poseycountynews.com Community ........... A5 Social ...................... A6 Deaths ................... A3 Sports ................... B1-5 School.................... A8 Bus/Ag.................... A9
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