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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
(USPS 439-500)
Tuesday November 29, 2011
Volume 131 Edition 49
County Sheriff’s Department deputies. “This whole case is a prime example of local law enforcement, specifically the Posey County Sheriff’s Department working with federal agents, the Alcohol and Tobacco and Firearms agents,” Clowers said. “They acted on information obtained from the informant. This was just very proactive.” Clowers went on to say the officers who worked the case deserve the credit for the arrest. “It is a pleasure working with officers who will go the extra mile and because of that, we now have charges pending in state court,” Clowers said. “There is also a federal warrant that was served on Mr. Greathouse while he was in jail. A
was apparently babysitting Greathouse’s young child. “She admitted to snorting meth that morning as well as when she was booked in, she had meth in a syringe in her possession,” Clowers said. Oeth reported that the search of the residence yielded precursor chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia, sulfuric acid and other instruments used in the manufacturing process of Methamphetamine. Several firearms including assault rifles and handguns were also seized as officers conducted their investigation. Oeth stated that both Arnold Wyatt and Kathy Wyatt were arrested at the site. Both
Fugitive Greathouse found in Ill., faces local, federal charges By Dave Pearce The lines of communication between law enforcement and the citizens of Posey County have paid off again, according to Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers. Roger A. Greathouse, Jr., was arrested in Illinois on Tuesday on outstanding warrants from the Posey County Sheriff’s Department as well as federal charges. Greathouse remains lodged in the Posey County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond. Clowers said that a federal charge would keep Greathouse detained even if he were able to come up with the $50,000 cash bond. The Posey County charges stem from an arrest warrant served on October 20 at Greathouse’s resident on Old Beech Road near New
Harmony. Currently, Greathouse faces charges of Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon and a federal grand jury will be looking at charges relating to weapons, as well. According to Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth, on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at approximately 3 p.m., law enforcement officers armed with a search warrant converged on the rural Posey County residence. The search warrant was issued through information obtained by an officer of the Posey Roger A. Greathouse, Jr. County Sheriff’s Department. The informant was working through federal agents as well as the Posey
federal grand jury will be held next week to see if there will be a federal indictment on him.” Clowers said that the proactive approach being taken by his office and Posey County officers in general “puts us a little out of our comfort zone sometimes but we continue to work together to do that. The officers are willing to do this, as well.” Back on October 20, two individuals were encountered as officers entered the residence under the authority of the warrant. Arnold D. Wyatt and Kathy G. Wyatt were found in the residence which is the property of Greathouse. When officers approached Kathy Wyatt, they found she was holding a one-month-old infant. The woman
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Poseyville is Young Posey men attain Eagle Scout rank able to recoup Mathew builds stolen funds, cemetery sign possibly more By Valerie Werkmeister The Town of Poseyville recently recovered some of the funds that were allegedly stolen by former clerk-treasurer Chris Lupfer. It has been almost a year since a discrepancy was found in the Town of Poseyville’s account books during a routine audit. Lupfer resigned last December following an investigation that eventually led to her arrest earlier this year. Town Council President Bruce Baker informed the council during a meeting last Wednesday, November 9, that $45,000 in funds had been received from the bond company Lupfer was insured through. Baker also stated that the town hopes to receive an additional $8,700 from another insurance company soon. The funds were returned to each of the budget accounts they were stolen from. Lupfer’s next scheduled court appearance is November 22. Baker and council members Steve Ahrens and Ron Fallowfield discussed concerns about the rails being taken up and the discarded railroad ties along the old railroad. The rails were not removed at each railroad crossing and the signs remain. Baker noted that although the rails do not exist on either side of the crossing, school buses will still be required to stop while the signs are present. He stated he has contacted the Indiana Department of Transportation regarding the matter. The town is also hoping to obtain the rights-of-way along the former railroad. He indicated that Superintendent Dr. Todd Camp may also need to be involved in voicing concern regarding the crossings. Baker stated he had also contacted Camp in regards to the matter. Roger Rutledge of Wabash Valley Service Company presented an option for the town to purchase gas in a pool. Rutledge explained that gas rates might be cheaper if purchased under this option, but it all depended on how the markets performed. He advised there was a 500-gallon minimum purchase requirement. Council members agreed to try Rutledge’s recommendation and will purchase 50-percent of what they currently use, which Rutledge estimated to be appoximately 1,800 gallons. In other business: •Julie Mayo of the utility office reported that a gas report would be mailed in an envelope along with the December billing to help save additional postage. •The fire department reported that the new rescue truck chassis is currently being built. It should be delivered in December to Farrar, the company that is building the new truck. The new truck costs total $264,337. A $150,000 Community
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ThePCN
By Rhys Mathew On Sunday, Nov. 20, Tristan Mathew was awarded Boy Scout’s highest rank, the rank of Eagle Scout, at a ceremony at the St. Phillip’s Conservation Club. This award is the result of years of hard work and achievements. “I joined scouting as a Tiger Cub when I was seven years old,” Mathew explained. Tiger Cubs starts boys out with small requirements to earn activity beads while working toward advancing in rank. While in Cub Scouts, Mathew earned belt loops for specific activities, such as swimming and archery. “One of my favorite activities as a Cub Scout was the Pinewood Derby,” Mathew said with a smile. “ It was always a family effort to build a fast car with a cool design.” After working through Bobcat, Wolf and Bear ranks, boys enter Webelos to prepare them for Boy Scouts. “Webelos means ‘We’ll be loyal scouts’ and gave us more of the Boy Scout experience,” Mathew explained. “ Boy Scouts allows the boys to take over the majority of the workload as opposed to Cub Scouts, where the parents do a lot of the work.” As a Webelo, Mathew also earned the Arrow of Light award, which recognizes boys who are prepared to cross over into a Boy Scout Troop. Mathew then crossed over into Boy Scout Troop 390. Scouts advance through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, Frist Class, Star and Life before beginning their Eagle Scout project. “One of my favorite parts of scouting was the spelunking trip we took with Venture Crew,” he said. During his time in Troop 390, Mathew was also nominated by scouts and leaders for the Order of the Arrow, a society that recognizes scouts who embody the characteristics encouraged by Boy Scouts of America. After earning Life Scout, boys
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Kurt Seibert and Tristam Mathew show off their new Eagle Scout medals. Photo by Rhys Mathew.
Seibert builds new benches for Posey fairgrounds By Rhys Mathew On Sunday, Nov. 20, Kurt Seibert was awarded Boy Scout’s highest rank, the rank of Eagle Scout, at an Eagle Scout Ceremony held at St. Phillips Conservation Club along with his friend, Tristan Mathew.. Seibert joined scouting as a first year Webelo in Cub Scout Pack 396 out of St. Phillips while attending St. Phillips School. “I really enjoyed the trips we took because they sparked my interest in continuing scouting,” Seibert said. Seibert mentioned a caving trip as one of his favorite outings. “Webelos was a great experience because it gave us a taste of what we would be able to do in Boy Scouts. It takes a lot more dedication to stick with Boy Scouts because of the added requirements,” he explained. Seibert crossed over into Boy Scout Troop 397, and worked
through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life. Seibert then moved to Troop 390 where many of his friends were scouts. Seibert was also voted into the Order of Arrow, a society for scouts who embody the characteristics encouraged by Boy Scouts of America. Seibert began planning his Eagle Scout project early in his sophomore year of high school because of a rule made by his grandfather Glen Parker; “We weren’t allowed to get our drivers’ license until we had completed our Eagle Scout project,” explained Seibert. Seibert planned the construction of four picnic tables for the Posey County Fairgrounds for his project, and specifically chose the fairgrounds because his brother Anthony built bleachers for the Keck-Gonnerman pulling track for his Eagle Scout project. It was a unique opportunity for the brothers
pantry is expanding its hours to better serve its growing number of clients. In 2011 the pantry has averaged nearly 600 individuals served a month, compared to only half that number only three years ago. The pantry has been located at First Presbyterian Church for quite a few years now. While the church has embraced the pantry being in its basement, it is evident the growth of the pantry has far exceeded its actual physical space. The move is bittersweet for the church. It has enjoyed being able to offer space to the food pantry as it serves an important mission within the com-
munity. While they realize that in order to reach our even further in serving clients, a move to a larger location is necessary, they will miss the weekly hustle and bustle going on downstairs. With the move comes even more exciting changes as the distribution format will also change. Currently pantry workers give every household coming in for assistance a “standard” box of food with a few extras. This is a system that came into being for food pantries in the 80s, and most pantries have gone away from this format. It can waste food, as you are giving clients food
to be able to contribute to a facility that is enjoyed by many community members. “I stayed after school to use a program called Inventor to design the picnic tables, which took most of a semester,” he explained. After planning the details, Seibert presented his project to an approval board made up of scouting leaders, parents and other community members who were not from his own troop. After his project was approved, Seibert was able to start gathering materials and set a date for his project. “The Fair Board and Keck-Gonnerman Antique Machinery Association donated the funds for the picnic tables, and Lowes offered a discount on the materials because of the nature of the project,” he said.
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Food pantry to offer choices in new, larger location By Dave Pearce The motto of the Mount Vernon School Corporation is “Learning Takes Place Here.” But on January 2, something just as important, if not moreso, will take place in the Hedges Central School building in Mount Vernon. The Food Pantry will join the ranks as tenants in the building. “The new year will bring lots of new changes for the pantry,” said director Erin Hollinger. “First, as of Janury 2, the pantry will officially open it’s doors at its new location, in the Hedges Central building. In addition to the new location, the
Inside this issue... Retrospective ................. A4 Legals.............................. B6 Classifieds ................. B7-8
their family may not even eat. Instead, the pantry will now go to a shopping format where clients will come in and shop for what they need and will eat. There will be limitations but essentially they will get what is needed. “This will reduce waste in that they will take only what they will actually use. We can offer more food choices this way, and keep things stocked that are picked the most,” Hollinger said. “This allows clients to maintain their dignity as they are getting what they need,
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Go to www.poseycountynews.com Community ........... A5 Social ...................... A6 Deaths ................... A3 Sports ................... B1-6 School.................... A8 Bus/Ag.................... A8
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