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Tuesday, May 26, 2015
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Volume 135 Edition 21
Farmersville called on ‘red’ carpet for QMIS award By Lois Mittino Gray Some tread lightly down the red carpet, some beamed and waved at their teachers. and some ran as fast as they could with their eyes on the ground to get by the cheering gauntlet of admiring adults. As photographers snapped pictures and TV cameras whirred, students entered their school knowing it was a special day for all of them. It was Red Carpet Day at Farmersville Elementary School on Tuesday, May 19 to celebrate its win as the southwestern Indiana 2015 Quality Matters Initiative School. The welcoming gauntlet was a double line of cheering teachers, school board members, the principal, school superintendent and special guests, including State Senator Jim Tomes, clapping and waving pompoms as the young Farmersville Falcons got off the bus or arrived by car. Farmersville was one of three schools in the state to win the honor awarded by the Institute for Quality Education. The other two winners were northern Indiana‘s LaSalle Intermediate Academy in South Bend and Heritage Christian Elementary in Indianapolis, representing central Indiana.
“Teachers, principals, parents, legislators and community members submitted over 150 nominations statewide for this honor,” explained Sarah Milligan, the Southern Indiana Outreach Coordinator for IQE. The offices for the group are in Indianapolis, but she traveled down for the celebration from her home in Washington, Indiana. This is the second year the group gave the award to three schools, one from each sector of the state. Farmersville Elementary was nominated for the award by teacher Cammie Rogers who was told about it by the principal, Elizabeth Johns. “There were six topics I could write a paragraph blurb on about the school so I chose testing to drive instruction,” Rogers said. “I just wrote my thoughts and sent it in.” Milligan explained that the paragraph written responses to the questions and the accountability ratings from the Department of Education are the criteria used in choosing the three winners from the many nominees. Farmersville has an A rating and is a four star school.
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State Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville, second from right) congratulates Farmersville Elementary School personnel on Tuesday, May 19 for receiving a Quality Matters award. The Institute for Quality Education (IQE) received more than 150 nominations, and recognized three schools from the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of the state with this award. Pictured left to right, are teachers Cammy Rodgers and Connie Upshaw, Principal Dr. Beth Johns, Tomes, and Superintendent Dr. Tom Kopatich. Photo submitted
NH school could house WMI Missing funds at St. Philips Club By Valerie Werkmeister Two members of the New Harmony Town Council took a giant leap of faith last Thursday by agreeing to make a commitment to convey the former New Harmony School property to the Working Man’s Institute (WMI), provided they ask for it. The vote did not come easy as council members Karen Walker and Linda Warrum both voted in favor of WMI’s request while Andrew Wilson and president Joe Straw created a tie by voting against it. In Don Gibb’s absence, the tie-breaking vote fell to clerk-treasurer, Karla Atkins, who voted yes. The vote came before the council on May 21, based on a presentation during a special town council meeting held in late April. A special WMI committee represented by former New Harmony Town Council
attorney, Nathan Maudlin, presented their idea for the school’s reuse. They proposed the building space could be used by craftsmen and artisans, for vocational and youth programs as well as entrepreneurial use. They intend to carry on New Harmony’s rich cultural tradition in knowledge-based programs. The committee also felt the gym and some of the grounds around the 31-acre property could be used for youth sports programs. They proposed the school would be renamed the William Maclure Conservatory. Maudlin carefully explained that WMI was not yet ready to lay claim to the school property. They only wished to get a com-
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lead to charges of embezzlement By Dave Pearce The investigation initiated on May 6, 2015, A rural Posey County man has been ar- as the St. Philip Conservation Club board of rested and charged with the embezzlement directors met to discuss a theft which they of a large sum of money from had reported. the St. Philip Conservation Club. According to the probable While the investigation is concause affidavit, Schenk admitted tinuing and a final total has not during the Feb. 25, 2015 meeting been figured, officers believe the of the board of directors, that he embezzlement to be in excess of was taking the club’s money and $37,000. using it for personal use. Posey County Sheriff’s DeAccording to the affidavit, partment Detectives worked the Schenk began writing checks for case and arrested David Schenk, cash on June 6, 2012, and continDavid Schenk 58, on Tuesday May 19, at apued to steal monies various ways proximately 12:15 p.m. Schenk was arrested Continued on Page A3 at his home without incident
Lisanby charged with PTR Justin C. Lisanby, age 32, of uties earlier in the day and was able Mount Vernon, was arrested Sun- to escape arrest. Deputies searched day evening, May 17, 2015, by throughout the afternoon and were Posey County Sheriff’s able to capture Lisanby Deputies, at 5:20 p.m. hiding on the floorboard Lisanby was charged of a farm truck that was with a PTR for one count parked on property beof Residential Entry and longing to his family. Resisting Law EnforceLisanby remains lodged ment. in the Posey County Jail, Lisanby Lisanby fled from depunder a $100,000 bond.
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Open House to be held at new Wellness Clinic location An Open House at the new Wellness Clinic location will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 4-6 p.m., with a ribbon cutting scheduled at 4 p.m. sharp. The clinic location is inside Hedges Central School at the corner of Seventh and Canal Streets in Mount Vernon, Ind. All interested staff, family, and community members may enter through the South entrance, just to the right of Door 1 - You can’t miss it.
Outstanding Community Volunteer nominations sought New Harmony’s Tri Kappa and Kiwanis Club are looking to recognize a special someone who has generously given of their time for many years to help other people. It is important to nominate someone who deserves recognition as only those nominated will be considered. Nomination forms are available at community locations or by contacting committee members Kenyon Bailey, Carol Scarafia, Paul Allison or Krista Wilson. Consider those who help their neighbors, youth leaders, organization leaders and especially those who tirelessly work in the background and are rarely noticed. The nominations must be in the committees hands by June 22, 2015. Nominations should be sent to: Carol Scarafia, 5301 Pfister Road, New Harmony In 47631, 812-682-3656.
MV Wrestlers to hold car wash May 30 MV Wrestlers will be washing cars to help raise money to attend the Wabash Little Giant Wrestling Camp this summer, they are hoping to raise enough to pay their entire entry fee. The event will be held Saturday, May 30, 2015 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts on Fourth Street in Mount Vernon, Ind. All donations accepted.
St. Matthew PTA Rummage Sale scheduled The St. Matthew PTA Rummage Sale will be June 5, 6, and 7, 2015 in the St. Matthew Gymnasium. Friday, June 5, is an early bird sale with $5 admission from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, June 6, the sale will be from 7 a.m. -1 p.m. Sunday, June 7, 10 a.m. 12 p.m. and then from 12 - 1 p.m. there will be a ‘fill the bag for $1’ Sale.
Brittlebank Pool opens for season Brittlebank Pool opened May 23 for the season. Hours are as follows: Monday thru Thursday 12-5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday 12-6 p.m. Swim Team Starts June 1, 2015 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Swim Lessons start June 1 at 10 a.m. Swim exercise class Waterwalking begins June 1, and will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m on Monday and Wednesday and from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. If more information call 838-4586.
PCPP hosting bus tours PC Pound Puppies will now be hosting bus tours. From September 13 until September 19, we will be going to New Orleans.The cost of the trip is $579. The trip will include a tour of New Orleans, a Louisiana Plantation, the WWII Museum, and a riverboat trip on the Mississippi River. The down payment of $75 is totally refundable until two weeks before the trip, with no obligation. According to organizers, for every 40 individuals who go on this trip, PC Pound Puppies will receive $1,000. Organizers urge residents to take an autumn trip and help the puppies at the same time. Sign up by calling Cathy Powers for more information at 812-963-3890.
Retrospective........A4 Legals.................B5-6 Classifieds ...... B9-10 Community...........A5
Retired NE teachers gathered at the Silver Bell in St. Wendel. Seated left to right are: Diana Lee Marvel Thompson, Karen Davis, Ruby Hutchinson, and Jeaneene Hildebrandt. Standing: Lori Wassmer Motz, Kay Taylor Rudolph, Lana Krietenstein Elpers, Yvonne DeCorrevont Lottes, Shannon Gengelbach, Ron Baysinger, Barbara Lamble, Doris Buecher, Gerri Wagner and Rebecca Nottingham. Photo by Cathy Powers
Retired NE teachers catch up in May By Cathy Powers A group of former teachers from North Elementary gathered on May 19, at the Silver Bell for lunch. Remaining good friends, even in retirement, they meet at least once a month for a meal and the enjoyment of each other’s company. Although all members of this group cannot always attend, there is usually a nice crowd. They have many memories and favorite stories to tell,
as well as just keeping up with each other’s lives. Many students, as well as their parents, remember them fondly and in appreciation of how much they enriched their lives. Undoubtedly, some must be wondering what they are doing with their lives now. Jeaneene Hildebrandt taught Sixth Grade and Reme-
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New buildings could be in Posey future By Valerie Werkmeister The Posey County Commissioners have set their sights on constructing two new buildings for county use. President Carl Schmitz discussed plans for the buildings during Tuesday’s May 19, meeting. One building proposal includes space for autopsies to be conducted in the county. The ‘Coroner Building,’ as it has been termed, will be constructed behind the
jail on the site of the former Boys’ Home. It will be approximately 3,100 square feet and the plans include an autopsy room, cooler, conference room, evidence room for the Posey County Sheriff’s Department and storage. Currently, autopsies are conducted in Vanderburgh
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Graduating senior charged with arson Special to the News lighter to ignite the plastic soap dispensA Mount Vernon High School student er,” said Tom Kopatich, the superintenwas arrested Tuesday morning, May 19, dent of the Metropolitan School District 2015, after a small fire broke out in one of of Mount Vernon. Kopatich said teachers the school’s bathrooms. were able to put out the fire with an extinThe student was identified as Clay C. guisher, and that the incident caused “very Siesky, 18, a senior at the school. Authorilittle damage.” The school was evacuated ties were called to the school at 9:09 a.m., for about 15 minutes. according to a Posey County emergency During his arraignment a judge ruled dispatcher. Investigators believe a soap Siesky had probable cause for arson and dispenser was set on fire. set his bond at $50,000 surety or $5,000 Clay Siesky Siesky has preliminarily been charged cash on Thursday. with arson, according to the Mount Vernon Police DeThe condition of bond states Siesky cannot step foot partment. on the property of Mount Vernon High School. “Siesky confessed to starting the fire by using a His next court appearance is set for June 10.
Deaths .................... A3 Church...................A6 Social .....................A5 School ....................A7
Sports ............... B 1 - 4 Bus/Ag .................A8 Opinion ................A11 TVGuide.............B7-8