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2024 Owen County Fair
SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
Cowboy Boots
HORSE SHOW RESULTS PAGE 16
Country Roots
VOL. 1, ISSUE NO. 5
FRIDAY, AUG. 2, 2024
WWW.THEOWENNEWS.ORG
Arrest made in Sims murder
By Travis Curry Correspondent
Authorities with the Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), with assistance from the Bloomington Police Department (BPD), have
arrested and charged 25-year-old Quentin Porter, Jr. of Bloomington in connection with the murder of Malik Darea Sims. The body of Sims was discovered off of Stephenson Road near
the Owen-Monroe county line by a passerby on July 15. An autopsy later revealed the cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to the head. The death was ruled a homicide by the
examining pathologist. Porter, who had been sought on an arrest warrant issued by the Owen County Circuit Court, faces charges of murder and auto theft in connection with the death of Sims.
Authorities have not said what they believe may have led to the shooting. According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case, at
MURDER | PAGE 8
JAIL PROJECT UPDATE
RDC given land in first step Email suggests $100K difference in appraisals not including timber value By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent
Humane society, partners take in nearly 350 animals By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent
T
he Owen County Humane Society and several partner rescues took in nearly 350 animals from a residence on Truesdel Road. The residents, Cody Wood and his wife Amanda Simpson, were both charged in relation to the condition of the animals. Wood was charged with a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to an animal on July 2. Simpson was also charged on July 2 with a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to an animal and a felony charge of failure to properly dispose of a dead animal. Charges
are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. The probable cause affidavit is written by Owen County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Musgrave. Musgrave wrote in the affidavit he was notified of a colt “that was being neglected and malnourished.” He first went to the property with Deputy Jordan Hardey on July 2. “When we arrived, farm animals were uncontained on the property including chickens, ducks, cats and a dog,” the affidavit reads. It also said that nobody answered the door.
ANIMALS | PAGE 15
A property on Truesdel Road where nearly 350 animals were deemed to show signs of neglect is shown. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS
If you’ve always wanted to see the inside of the David Enoch Beem house or otherwise known as “the house on the hill” you’re in luck.
This year marks 150 years since the house was built, and the current owners, Stefan Welsh, his wife Quinn Harmon and their son Mylo, are opening their home to the community
on Aug. 17 as part of a day-long festival to celebrate the milestone anniversary. “It’s just a day that we’re inviting folks from all across the community to take a look at the house
JAIL PROJECT | PAGE 4
Lazy Days Festival this month Staff Report
Beem mansion celebrates 150 years By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent
The idea of swapping county-owned land on State Road 43 in exchange for land owned by Brett Franklin first was discussed during a joint council and commissioners meeting in April. At the time, Commissioner’s President Gary Burton suggested the county consider a swap of 107 acres from the county that would allegedly cost $9 million to bring sewer to, for 30 acres owned by Franklin. The goal was simple: acquire land for the jail project without cutting into the $25 million allocated for the project. Now, the proposed deal is for the county to swap 96 acres of county-owned land south of Franklin Road, including between five and
and enjoy other local businesses,” Welsh said. The festival, which is being called Hill Fest 150, will include approximately 40 vendors and several food trucks
BEEM | PAGE 11
The annual Gosport Lazy Days Festival is just around the corner. This year’s theme is “Come Together,” and the festival will take place from Thursday Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 11. This year, there is a first annual golf scramble at Rolling Meadows at 11 a.m. on Aug. 3, ahead of the festival. The full festival schedule
LAZY DAYS | PAGE 10