The Owen News -- Dec. 6, 2024 (Vol. 1, Issue 9)

Contract creates controversy

Commissioners approve, rescind attorney agreement

By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent

Last month, the Owen County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the same contract for county attorney services –almost.

At the first meeting of the month, Board President Gary Burton brought the topic up, as the current contract ends at the end of 2024.

“We cannot go into a new business year with no county counsel, and I mean that by a county attorney,” Burton said, acknowledging that there would be new commissioners on the board. “We cannot start a new year without legal counsel for reorganization.”

Except that’s not true.

Despite it being common sense and

best practice, Indiana law doesn’t require that county commissioners commissioners have an attorney. Rather, Indiana Code 36-2-2-30 states, “The executive may employ and fix the compensation of an attorney to represent and advise the executive.”

It provides the same for county councils in Indiana Code 36-2-3-10. Burton continued.

“With that being said, it is a two-year agreement, same as it’s been for the last several years. The pay rate is the same for 2025,” he said. “There is a 2026, five percent increase which would be discussed at budget hearings. Other than that the agreement is the same as it was when we signed this to bring Dana [Kerr, the current county attorney] on.”

Except it wasn’t.

The new contract provided a clause requiring payment for the remainder of the year’s annual fee, or $160,000, if the contract is terminated by the county. This includes if the two incoming commissioners, Sam Hobbs and David Risk, take official action to

Staff Report

Last month, we announced that we would be participating in NewsMatch 2024 and that we would begin offering memberships which would offer the premium amenity of having The Owen News mailed directly to our members.

We’re halfway through the campaign and halfway to our goal, but The Owen News needs your help.

What is NewsMatch?

ON hopes to raise $15k for match

made to The Owen News. It also provides certain goal-based bonuses. NewsMatch will match monthly pledges at the amount for the full year. For example, a recurring donation set up at $10 per month would be matched at $120 for the entire year.

By Travis Curry Correspondent

A two-year investigation recently culminated in the arrest of 24-year-old Kenron Laing of Crown Point, Indiana. Laing was arrested on a warrant in connection with the 2022 murder of Gildardo Garcia Salinas, 39, in northern Owen County.

Detectives from the Indiana State Police (ISP) Bloomington Post traveled to Fort Liberty, northwest of Fayetteville, North Carolina on Nov. 14 where they were joined by Army Criminal Investigation Division agents in arresting Laing, who authorities say was taken into custody without incident.

NewsMatch is collective, matching campaign through November and December for member publications of The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), of which The Owen News is part of. NewsMatch provides a 1:1 match for any donations or memberships

By Travis Curry Correspondent

“We are braver and wiser because they existed, those strong women and strong men… We are who we are because they were who they were. It’s wise to know where you come from, who called your name.”

– Maya Angelou

All of us at The Owen News were deeply saddened to learn

Additionally, The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) is providing a local match of up to $20,000, creating a 2:1 match. This means that every dollar donated to support local, independent journalism will be tripled, helping us to fulfill our mission to be Owen County’s leading source of reliable and unbiased local news in order to foster an informed and engaged community.

IMPACT | PAGE 7

Fort Liberty, formerly known as Fort Bragg, is one of the largest military installations in the world by population, with over 52,000 military personnel.

of the recent passing of one of our founding board members, Laura Wilkerson.

Laura’s dedication and leadership in the early days of our not-for-profit organization were instrumental in shaping our mission and success.

Although Laura chose to step aside from the board a few months after The Owen News was created due to health reasons, she remained a strong supporter of our organization

A tribute to founding ON member Laura Wilkerson

and a continued vocal champion of local news.

She touched countless lives both locally and across the country throughout her 28-year career at the Owen County Public Library, where she was employed as the library’s Genealogy Specialist.

As the late poet Maya Angelou so elegantly wrote, Laura helped patrons better

According to an article published in the Nov. 20, 2024 edition of Stars and Stripes, a daily newspaper reporting on matters concerning members of the United States Armed Forces, Laing enlisted in the Army in August 2023, about 10 months after Salinas was killed.

Private First Class Laing was identified by Stars and Stripes as a petroleum supply specialist assigned to the 82nd Airborne’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

After waiving extradition, Laing was transported from the Cumberland County Jail where he had been awaiting extradition to Owen County to stand trial.

An initial hearing was held on Nov. 21, where Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim said Laing was advised of the charges against him and his constitutional rights as an accused facing criminal charges.

A public defender was appointed by the court to represent Laing, who remains in custody without bond at

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Government Meeting Calendar

Dec. 6

Owen County Commissioners, special meeting to approve Radio Tower vendor, 1 p.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Dec. 9

Owen County Council, 6 p.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Owen Valley Fire Territory Board, 6 p.m. at the Owen Valley Fire Department, 401 Walnut St., Spencer.

Cloverdale Community School Board, 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale.

Dec. 10

Owen County Commissioners, regular meeting (rescheduled from Dec. 4), 9 a.m. at The Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Gosport Town Council, 7 p.m. in the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport.

Dec. 12

Spencer-Owen School Board, 7 p.m. in the Mike Wells Memorial Board Room at Central Office, 205 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer.

Dec. 16

Spencer Town Council, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

Dec. 17

Joint meeting of the Owen County Plan Commission and Owen County Plan Commission UDO Steering Committee, 6:30 p.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Dec. 18

Owen County Board of Commissioners, 9 a.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Owen County Redevelopment Commission Public Hearing (Jail Project), 6 p.m., Owen Valley High School, 622 West SR46, Spencer.

Spencer Redevelopment Commission, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

Dec. 19

Owen County Board of Zoning Appeals, 7 p.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Dec. 23

Owen County Council special meeting, 6 p.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Dec. 24-25

The Owen County Courthouse is closed due to the Christmas holiday.

Letters to the Editor

Thankful for Community Support

Dear Owen News Editor, On behalf of the residents of Jefferson Township, we wish to thank the individuals who sacrificially gave toward the Coal City Community Bible Church. The church building was a total loss due to a direct lightning strike on April 2 to the roof and

Obituaries

Coming soon!

Our community, through the Needs Assessment completed as part of the Large Impact Planning Grant, resoundingly said that obituaries are a priority.

At The Owen News, we strive to get obituaries into the print product. However, the nature of a monthly paper means that printed obituaries can never be the main way to share this information with our community.

Our goal is to have our website be the go-to place for obituaries and to have this space, in our printed paper be a space of rememberance of those who have passed.

Jan. 6

Spencer Town Council, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

Jan. 9

Spencer-Owen School Board, 7 p.m. in the Mike Wells Memorial Board Room at Central Office, 205 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer.

Jan. 13

Owen Valley Fire Territory Board, 6 p.m. at the Owen Valley Fire Department, 401 Walnut St., Spencer.

Cloverdale Community School Board, 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale.

Jan. 14

Gosport Town Council, 7 p.m. in the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport.

Jan. 15

Spencer Redevelopment Commission, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

Jan. 20

Spencer Town Council, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

Jan. 28

Gosport Town Council, 7 p.m. in the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport.

a subsequent attic fire that spread through the rafters. This was a township-led fundraiser, and we appreciate everyone who donated. We are pleased to announce that a total of $9,330 was collected and a check was presented to the church. Although this was a physical loss, we are very thankful nobody was injured

and for the strong community support provided to the Coal City Community Bible Church family. The church is in the process of rebuilding.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill

Respectfully, Daryl Kasper

THE OWEN NEWS 3

Community Events Calendar

Dec. 5

Spencer Exchange Club meeting, noon at the Owen County Family YMCA, 1111 S.R. 46W, Spencer.

Dec. 6

Cookies & Hot Cocoa with Santa, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Canyon Inn, McCormick’s Creek State Park.

Inaugural Spencer Elementary School Family Movie Night and Silent Auction, 6 p.m., in the SES gymnasium. Doors and silent auction open at 6 p.m., followed by the movie “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” (1964) at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $1 per person. Refreshments available for purchase. The first 50 attendees will receive a free red foam nose.

Dec. 7

Christmas at the Library, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Stop by for selfies with the library dragon, free books and more.

Christmas at the Square, noon to 5 p.m. on the Owen County Courthouse Square, Spencer. All vendor types are welcome. This is an outdoor event. Hosted by Spencer Main Street. For more information, email spencermainstreet@gmail. com.

Owen County Heritage & Culture Center Christmas Open House, noon to 5 p.m., at 110 E. Market St., Spencer. Check out the history museum, coffee shoppe and gift shop. Enjoy holiday refreshments. Free admission. For more information, visit www. owencountyindhistory.org.

Whoville Winter Wonderland, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Owen County Chamber of Commerce, 120 S. Main St., Spencer. Crafts, holiday treats and photos with the Grinch during Christmas at the Square.

Open Mic Night by the Owen County Art Guild, 4 to 6 p.m. at 199 N. Cooper St., Spencer. Show off your talent or come enjoy the show, all are welcome. Artists have at least five minutes to perform original or cover pieces. See their Facebook page for rules. A $2 to $5 donation is requested.

Christmas in Cloverdale Lighted Parade, 6 p.m. in Cloverdale. Sponsored by Cloverdale Main Street. Santa at the Icehouse, 6:30 p.m., 53 Market St., Cloverdale. Have your photo

taken with Santa and tell him your Christmas wishes. Hosted by Cloverdale Main Street.

Dec. 9

Jolly Homemakers meeting, 1 p.m. at the Freedom Community Center, 5558 Freedom-Arney Rd., in Freedom. For more information, call 812-8295020.

Dec. 10

Braysville Homemakers meeting, 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Elevator access is available. For more information, call 812-8295020.

Christmas Celebration at Patricksburg Elementary School, 6 to 7:30 p.m., 9883 S.R. 246, Patricksburg. The evening will feature Christmas carols sung by students, an art gallery, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, live reindeer and one of Santa’s elves! Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies.

Dec. 11

Harrison Homemakers meeting, noon. at the Owen County-Purdue Extension office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer. For more information, call 812-8295020.

Free showings of “Christmas in Connecticut,” 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 7 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Sponsored by Exceptional Getaways.

Dec. 12

Spencer Masonic Lodge No. 95 meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Spencer Masonic Lodge, 361 N. Harrison St., Spencer.

Dec. 13

Owen County Center for Women’s Ministries’ Annual Bake Sale, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 9 N. Crane Ave., Spencer. For more information, call 812821-2433.

Santa Night at McCormick’s Creek Elementary School, 6 to 8 p.m., at 1601 Flatwoods Rd., Spencer. Join the MCES PTO for a night filled with holiday cheer. Take a selfie with Santa, sip hot cocoa, decorate a Christmas cookie, play Christmas themed games and more.

Dec. 14

Holiday Quilts at the Creek, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Hosted by the Friends of McCormick’s Creek State

Park and the Unraveled Quilt Store. Quilts, wall hangings, and table runners can be submitted from Nov. 23 to Dec. 7. All quilts will be judged by people’s choice. For more information, visit the Unraveled Quilt Store’s Facebook page.

The Friends of the Library monthly book sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Breakfast with Santa, 9 to 11 a.m. at the American Legion Post 281, 501 S. Main St., Cloverdale. Free photo with Santa, crafts, books, and a small gift for children under age 12. Hosted by Cloverdale Main Street.

Gosport Holiday Festival, 1 to 5 p.m. in Gosport Town Park. Enjoy an afternoon of holiday festivities, including Santa’s arrival, vendors, WRE cookie walk, snowball drop, and costume and decorating contests.

Coal City Community Christmas at the Coal City American Legion Post 141, 4188 Main St., Coal City. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. Santa arrives via fire truck between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Gifts for infants to teenagers. Sponsored by Post 141 and Auxiliary Unit 141.

Dec. 15

Owen County Republican Party Christmas Party, 3 p.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds, 400 S. East St., Spencer.

Dec. 16

Free showing of “Shark Tale,” 6 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Open to the public. There will be door prizes and a children’s coloring contest. Coloring sheets can be picked up in advance at the Tivoli.

Dec. 17

Owen County Health Department’s Christmas Movie Night, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Free showing of the movie “Annabelle’s Wish.” One free small popcorn and drink per child, along with a goodie bag. Free hygiene products, socks, clothes, shoes, laundry soap, diapers, and more.

Spencer Lions Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Lions Club, 59 North Main St., Spencer.

Dec. 18

Free showings of “The Polar Express,” 1 p.m. and

7 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Sponsored by the Hensley family.

Spencer Pride Board of Directors meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Spencer Pride CommUnity Center, 17 E. Franklin St., Spencer.

Dec. 19

Spencer Exchange Club meeting, noon at the Owen County Family YMCA, 1111 S.R. 46W, Spencer. Calico Homemakers meeting, 2 p.m. Meetings are held at a different restaurant each month. For more information, call 812-8295020.

Dec. 22

Free showing of “The Star,” 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer.

Jan. 1

First Day Hike, 10 a.m., at Lieber State Recreation Area, 1317 W. Lieber Road, Cloverdale. Meet at the Hilltop Shelter. Length of the hike is approximately one mile. Hiking boots are recommended.

First Day Hike, 2 p.m., at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Meet at the Canyon Inn.

Jan. 2

Coal City Crime Watch meeting, 7 p.m. at the Jefferson Baptist Church, 4019 Main St., Coal City. Open to the public.

Jan. 6

Cloverdale Community Schools students return to the classroom following Christmas Break.

Jan. 7

Spencer-Owen Community Schools students return to the classroom following Christmas Break.

Jan. 9

Spencer Masonic Lodge No. 95 stated meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Spencer Masonic Lodge, 361 N. Harrison St., Spencer.

Jan. 13

Owen County Heritage & Culture Center board meeting, 4 p.m. at the OCHCC, 110 E. Market St., Spencer. Open to the public.

Jan. 28

Owen County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors meeting, 4:30 p.m. at the SWCD office, 788 Pottersville Rd., Spencer. Open to the public.

Cloverdale School Board hears diploma update

By Travis Curry Correspondent

November’s regular meeting of the Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board found members Melissa Carrell, Donna Fidler, Emily Haltom, Katrina Lewis, Joe Mann, Mike Rightmyer II and Vivian Whitaker addressing key personnel matters, as well as hearing an update on the ongoing redesign of Indiana’s high school diploma options.

The meeting began shortly after 7 p.m. with the board approving meeting minutes for the executive and regular sessions held October 14, as well as the latest claims and financial reports.

Next, three deserving students were recognized as the corporation’s newest Students of the Month. Those honored for the month of November included Cloverdale Elementary student Caydee Johnson, middle school student Jolene Taylor and Cloverdale High School student Emma Wynia.

Cloverdale Town Marshall Adam Hull, who has also taken on the role of School Resource Officer, was in attendance to award the department’s firstever “Good Citizen Award.” Fourth-grader Kenley Fidler and eighth-grader Ella Bailey were the inaugural award recipients, with Hull noting the students were recommended by CCSC faculty and administration for displaying “acts and services that resemble what a good citizen should be.”

Cathy Ames, CCSC Director of Curriculum and Instruction, later provided the board with an update regarding the new high school diploma requirements being proposed by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).

“Our overall goal is, by the first of the year we’d like to have a plan in place for new class offerings and potential partnerships for the 2025-26 school year,” Ames explained. “Again, this does not have to be totally in place by next year, but when you think about it, our eighth-graders this year, this is what they are going to be graduating by, some form of this new diploma so we can’t wait. We are thinking ahead, trying to see what we need to do for our Clovers to make these changes beneficial for them and for their graduation.”

Ames shared data showing how the current high school diploma has not been significantly updated in Indiana since the late 1980s.

In an effort to better prepare students for the future, the IDOE believes schools must allow them the flexibility to experience work-based learning, earn a credential and personalize their journey to achieve their unique goals.

Ames outlined how the second draft of the proposal to redesign high school diplomas, released by the IDOE in midAugust, incorporated significant updates following months of stakeholder feedback, including feedback provided by CCSC staff.

While the first draft proposal, presented to the State Board of Education (SBOE) in March, included two diploma options, Ames said the revised proposal has been streamlined and simplified to include one base diploma with minimum

requirements for every student, as well as the opportunity for students to earn readiness seals aligned with their uniquely chosen path.

The proposed base diploma includes increased flexibility and course options for earning credits in core content areas, such as English, math, science, social studies, physical education and health. In addition to these core content areas, Ames said students will also take personalized electives which can include a variety of courses, such as career and technical education (CTE courses), performing or fine arts and/or languages.

To help students focus their coursework in core content areas and electives, Ames said they will have the option to earn readiness seals in enrollment, employment and/or enlistment.

The IDOE reportedly worked with external stakeholders to develop two levels for each readiness seal:

Enrollment honors and Enrollment honors plus seals - Developed with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, in conjunction with colleges and universities.

Employment honors and Employment honors plus seals

- Developed with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and insights from Ascend Indiana’s work with employers, in conjunction with the business representatives across multiple industries.

Enlistment honors and Enlistment honors plus seals - Developed with the Indiana National Guard, in conjunction with representatives from each military branch, as well as public safety officials.

The proposed honors seals are similar to the current academic honors designation. According to the IDOE, the honors plus seals are designed to increase skill development, work-based learning experiences and opportunities for students to increase their educational attainment by earning a credential of value. Under the proposal, students who earn a readiness seal will automatically fulfill all Graduation Pathways requirements. Students who do not earn a seal must still complete components two and three of Graduation Pathways.

Per statute, Indiana’s current graduation requirements will sunset Oct. 1, 2028, making final requirements effective for all students beginning with the class of 2029, or students currently in eighth grade. As proposed, schools may opt-in beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Indiana will also continue to offer the federallyrequired alternate diploma, which is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

In other new business, the board voted unanimously to approve the contractual agreement between CCSC and the Cloverdale Education Association, 7-0.

An eight-percent pay increase for all non-certified employees also received board approval, 7-0, with the exception of instructional assistants who will receive a $2 per hour pay increase.

CCSC Superintendent Greg Linton noted the board approved increasing the

substitute teacher pay a few months ago, explaining the additional $2 per hour increase will enable the corporation’s substitute teacher pay to remain competitive with other area school districts.

Additionally, the board cast unanimous votes to approve an eight-percent pay increase for administrators, as well a resolution to transfer monies from the Education Fund to the corporation’s Operation Fund.

“By State statute, school corporations are permitted to transfer a maximum of 15-percent of the revenue we receive into our Education Fund,” Linton explained. “That revenue comes from the number of students we

have enrolled in our school corporation. Due to the continued increase in our CDLA (Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy) program - our online school - I am requesting the board to increase our 15-percent transfer from $2,696,208 to $3,000,000 by the end of the calendar year.”

A stipend for the corporation’s executive secretary, Heather Stokes, also received board approval, 7-0. Stokes will receive a $50.76 stipend for each monthly school board meeting.

“She does a great job as the executive secretary , and she also drives a bus, so we are required by the State Board of

DIPLOMA | PAGE 6

Gosport Holiday Festival

Saturday, Dec. 14th Noon – 5

Recognized as CCSC Students of the Month for November were, left to right: Cloverdale Elementary student Caydee Johnson, Cloverdale High School student Emma Wynia and Cloverdale Middle School student Jolene Taylor. SUBMITTED PHOTO / CLOVERDALE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION.

Christmas festivities in Spencer, Gosport

Staff Report

The holiday season is in full swing! Here in Owen County, Christmas at the Square returns to downtown Spencer on Saturday, Dec. 7 from noon to 5 p.m.

Sponsored by Spencer Main Street, this year’s event will feature a holiday market, Merry Meter contest, food vendors and more. Children

can visit with Santa from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer.

To learn more, visit Christmas at the Square on Facebook.

The Christmas cheer continues on Saturday, Dec. 14 when the Gosport Business Association hosts its annual Holiday Festival at Gosport Town Park. This year’s theme is

“Olde Towne Christmas.”

Featuring the annual arrival of Santa Claus, vendors, a cookie walk, snowball drop, free children’s events, best decorated house contest, costume and decorating contests and more. This year’s event takes place from 1 to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit the Gosport Holiday Festival on Facebook.

Exchange Club selling trees, offering hints

Submitted Article

The Spencer Exchange Club is again offering Christmas trees for sale at Babbs SuperValu on West Morgan Street/ SR46.

The trees are from northern Michigan and are fresh-cut. They range in size from six to eight feet. The price will be $40 with your choice of tree. Come early as the number available is limited.

All of the revenue from the tree sales is used by the Club for local projects including providing scholarships for Owen County students, funds for law enforcement and the fire department, prevention of child abuse, installation and maintenance of Freedom Shrines and other miscellaneous local projects.

Trees were available for purchase beginning on Nov. 29. They can be purchased at the extreme West end of

the Babbs parking lot and throughout the day by paying at the office located in Babbs SuperValu.

Caring for your tree is easy. The most important thing to remember is that real trees need water.

The Exchange Club offers these helpful hints for caring for your trees:

1. To keep it fresh, store it in a bucket of warm water in a cool environment such as an unheated garage until it is ready to be brought indoors.

2. Cut one inch from the stump before setting up the tree to aid in water intake.

3. After you set the tree up in the house, keep plenty of warm water in the base (at least three inches) and check it daily as the fresh tree will absorb water rapidly. Don’t let the water level drop below the fresh cut on the base of the tree. If this happens, a new seal will form and the tree will not take up any more water.

4. Consider buying a tree bag or placing an old blanket under the base of the tree as it makes cleanup easy and gets rid of many of the needles that have dried out.

5. Avoid placing the tree near warm or cold drafts, including radiators, heating vents, fireplaces, other heat sources, doorways and even televisions. These heat sources can prematurely dry out your tree. Your tree will last much longer if it is placed in a cool room with a constant temperature under 70 degrees.

6. To protect against the threat of fire, commercial fire retardant sprays may be applied directly to the foliage.

7. Check all electrical lights and connections before decorating your tree. Don’t use lights with worn or frayed cords. Don’t overload electrical circuits.

8. Finally have a safe Christmas by making sure you do not plug in too many lights

in only one outlet, turn off all decorations before retiring at night and never leave your tree lights on when you are not at home.

Make the best environmental choice. Go green with a real Christmas tree, and when the holidays are over place it outside for use by the birds and wildlife. Thanks for all the donors who contributed to our Bikes for Tykes project again this year. Happy Holidays from the Spencer Exchange Club.

Bikes for Tykes

The Spencer Exchange Club is seeking donations for its 24th annual Bikes for Tykes project that provides many bicycles to needy Owen County children every year.

Donations may be sent to Spencer Exchange Club, P.O. Box 103, Spencer, IN 47460 or delivered to the law office of John J. Fuhs, 59 E. Franklin St., Spencer.

OCHCC to host Christmas open house during festival

Staff Report

The Owen County Heritage & Culture Center (OCHCC) will host a Christmas open house on Saturday, Dec. 7, from noon to 5 p.m. during Christmas at the Square. Make plans to stop by and browse the museum, which features a variety of displays showcasing the history of Owen County. Visitors can

TRIBUTE | FROM PAGE 1

understand “where they came from” through her dedicated and caring research.

To say her presence at the library and in our community will be missed would be an understatement. Laura leaves behind a lasting legacy, both through her genealogical research and in her commitment to this newspaper’s early existence and guiding principles.

Thank you, Laura, for your friendship and for lending your time and talents to this publication and its board of directors, even if only for a short time.

In tribute to Laura, we have chosen to publish her full obituary

as prepared by West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home and published online at www.legacy. com: Laura Michele Wilkerson (Hamilton) died on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

In passing she is missed by her husband of 43 years, Jay; her sons, Max and Jaymes; her grandchildren, Audrey Jeffries, Jaycob, Samantha, and Joseph; and her cats, Nick, Mario, Tipper ManBearPig, and Poppy. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jamison Jeffries; her father, Thomas Hamilton; her mother, Caroline Webster (Whitacker); and her cats, Kilgore Trout, Nipper, Marley, Sting, Freak-A-Cat, and Buttons.

She was born in 1963

also relax in the coffee shoppe while enjoying free holiday treats, such as homemade cookies and persimmon pudding, coffee, tea and apple cider.

The OCHCC gift

and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky where she met and married Jay. They moved to Bloomington, Indiana in the eighties and to Spencer, Indiana in 1996.

Laura served the Owen County community for 28 years as the genealogy librarian at the public library. She also researched and wrote the Through the Years column for the Spencer Evening World for 15 or so years.

Laura received research scholarships for her work on the lives of women executed in the United States since colonial times. She also was invited to creative writing workshops at Stanford University and Notre Dame University. She published a few items in

shop is also stocked with books by local authors, greeting cards, and prints of sketches and paintings by renowned local artist Ken Bucklew.

Housed inside the historic Spencer

print and often online, with her work ranging from Michel Foucault and information theory, to local and national politics, culture, and beyond. Her research and organizational skills were incredible as was her ability to analyze and synthesize information.

Laura was a great listener and proved it by knowing exactly what to give people for birthdays, Christmas, and just-because gifts. Laura collected Archer cards, antique Valentines that featured children who looked like her grandkids Samantha and Joseph, and antique postcards of cats.

Laura’s landscaping filled her yard with hundreds of daylilies, roses, hydrangeas, Hostas, a grape arbor,

Carnegie Library building, located at 110 E. Market St., admission to the OCHCC is free. For more information, visit owencountyindhistory. org.

columnar apple trees, a Marian garden, and assorted bushes.

Laura didn’t want a service, so close friends and family are celebrating her life and grieving her passing by telling stories in the living room, a process that we will continue during the rest of our lives. One thing we all agree on, Laura cared. She put her heart into everything she did and lived according to Matthew 5:10: “In the same way your light must shine in people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven.”

If you would like to do something to pay tribute to Laura, adopt a cat or contribute to your local animal shelter. Shine on Laura, you were loved.

From left, Ann Henk, Sue Ciresi, Angie Fender and Joan Staubach work on the Owen County Garden Club’s entry for the Merry Meter Contest Wednesday afternoon ahead of Christmas at The Square. Members not present but that worked on the entry include Joann Neal and Nancy Knapp. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

MURDER | FROM PAGE 1

the Owen County Security Center pending a trial by jury, which is slated to begin on Aug. 11, 2025.

Fatal shooting

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case by ISP Detective Ian Matthews, authorities from the state police were contacted on Nov. 2, 2022 to initiate an investigation following the shooting death of Salinas. The shooting happened at Salinas’ residence in the area of North Cataract Road and U.S. 231.

Authorities with the Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) were first on the scene, having been notified via a 911 phone call received at approximately 8:25 p.m., the probable cause affidavit indicates. The caller reported gunshots had been fired and a male had been shot.

Police arrived shortly thereafter to find Salinas deceased outside of his home from apparent gunshot wounds.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Salinas, his wife Brandy Pocasangre, and her 14-year-old daughter were inside the home when they heard noise coming from the kitchen door on the home’s east side.

before she “yelled from inside the home and walked toward the east side door as she heard numerous gunshots,” the probable cause affidavit explains. Now armed with a handgun that had been retrieved from inside the home by her daughter, Pocasangre reportedly opened the door and saw the same black male that her husband had confronted at the door fleeing on foot from the south side steps of the porch to an awaiting vehicle parked to the north of the home.

The victim’s wife later described the shooter to authorities as a “black male wearing black/dark clothing with a hoodie, balaclava-style mask covering his chin area, skinny, dark complexion, wide nose, black hair in front with fuzzy braids or Afro, possible whiskers, ‘peach fuzz’ on face.” He appeared to be in his early to mid-20s, she told police, and stood approximately six feet tall.

“She stated that after hearing the noise they realized that a black male was attempting to push his way into the door, prompting (Salinas) to grab his shotgun that was nearby in the kitchen, holding it horizontally across his chest to block the male from coming inside,” the probable cause affidavit notes.

Salinas was reportedly able to “nudge” the intruder outside the door, with the door closing behind them. Once outside, the probable cause affidavit details how Salinas engaged in what his wife later advised sounded like a “struggle or fight on or near the outside porch.”

Fearful, Pocasangre told authorities how she waited for a short time

Although the suspect had been wearing what appeared to be a balaclava-style mask when he initially confronted her husband at the door, Pocasangre described to authorities how it was “pulled down below his chin, allowing her to see his full face.”

She also recounted to authorities how she attended to her injured husband after the vehicle fled, noticing he had a “gunshot wound to the upper forehead and additional gunshot wounds around his chest and abdomen,” according to the probable cause affidavit.

Pocasangre attempted to administer CPR and lifesaving measures until authorities arrived, the probable cause affidavit reveals, while also checking on the welfare of her daughter and instructing her to call 911 for help.

DIPLOMA| FROM PAGE 4

required by the State Board of Accounts to use a blended (pay) rate,” Linton explained. “We were running into a situation where the two hours she receives for (each) board meeting was complicating (matters), so I’m requesting the board meetings be separated and paid as a stipend.”

A $7,500 stipend for the corporation’s newly-created director of guidance position also received unanimous board approval.

“I asked our administrative team to get together to take a look at our guidance program, knowing that we probably needed to get a little bit more organized with the new high school diploma and the requirements that will create,” Linton explained. “We added the ninth grade to our CDLA program this year and plan to add one additional

When deputies arrived on the scene, they encountered Salinas laying in the grass near the east side door of the home. The injured man was still moving, the probable cause affidavit details, which prompted authorities to call for emergency medical technicians (EMT), who upon arrival also attempted lifesaving measures before Salinas succumbed to his injuries. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

Phones recovered at scene

During the investigation that followed, detectives learned from Pocasangre how Salinas had discovered an abandoned black bag in the courtyard of an Indianapolis-area motel. Salinas was employed by a landscaping company, authorities would discover, and had been on the hotel grounds that day with a landscaping crew.

Contained inside the bag were drugs and drug paraphernalia, according to the statement given to authorities by Pocasangre, along with an iPhone. She told authorities how her husband had sent her a picture of the motel courtyard and showed her a video of him “stomping out the drugs,” stating to her that the drugs could hurt someone, “especially a child.”

Salinas brought the bag and iPhone home with him after leaving work later that day, according to the probable cause affidavit, showing his wife the iPhone and its case before reportedly telling her he planned to return the phone to his workplace the next day.

Further details provided by Pocasangre would lead authorities to believe the suspect, later identified as Kenron Laing, had attempted to enter the home after tracking the phone to the couple’s northern Owen County residence.

In total, two discarded iPhones would be discovered at the scene. The first was located in a gravel area, the probable

grade each year until we have a K-12 program. That will require a substantial amount of additional work, so I’m requesting to essentially create a Director of Guidance position and for Ms. Sara Howard to fill that position with an additional $7,500 stipend for that role and the additional responsibilities that she will assume.”

Other new business addressed and unanimously approved by the board included the acceptance of three donations for Cloverdale High School, as well as cash transferins related to the addition of nine students who enrolled in the corporation since the board’s previous meeting in October. Linton noted CCSC has seen a total of 16 additional students enroll since the start of the 2024-25 school year.

The board also voted in favor of 16 professional leave requests, three field trip requests and nine facility use

cause affidavit indicates, approximately 15 to 20 feet east of the victim’s body. Identified as a black iPhone housed in a clear case, the phone appeared to authorities to have been “wiped” or factory reset. Although the screen read “The iPhone has been locked,” an associated Gmail account would reportedly help police determine the phone belonged to Laing.

According to the probable cause affidavit, authorities with the ISP Cyber Crimes Unit were able to uncover identifying information from the phone which was used to gather subscriber information and records from both Apple and AT&T. The subscriber of the phone and associated service, authorities would discover, was listed as “Mr. Kenron Laing.”

The second phone, described as a darkcolored iPhone housed in an orange, clear case was recovered by authorities after it was spotted by Pocasangre after she had moved Salinas’ truck from where it had been parked in the couple’s driveway. This was the same phone, Pocasangre advised authorities, that Salinas brought home with him that day, along with the bag in which it had been found. Salinas had shown her the phone and its case, the probable cause affidavit recounts, while the two of them had been standing in the driveway.

Following the discovery, the victim’s wife reportedly advised police how she felt the phone had possibly “been tracked” by the individual who ultimately killed her husband.

The culminating investigation led authorities to conclude both phones belonged to Laing, the probable cause affidavit details, with police making the connection through verified phone numbers and email addresses.

Murder weapon

Through a series of interviews and surveillance video, authorities were also able to determine that Laing had been staying at the Indianapolis-area motel

with his sister, identified in the probable cause affidavit as Kennisha Laing, then age 20. Police later applied for and were granted a search warrant for the AT&T cell phone records associated with Kennisha’s phone, discovering that it too had traveled a similar path as Kenron Laing’s cell phone from the motel to the area of the crime scene on the date and time of the murder.

The investigation would ultimately take an even deadlier turn when on July 28, 2023, authorities learned Kennisha Laing had been booked into jail in Cook County, Illinois on charges of first-degree murder.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case against her brother, Kenron, Kennisha Laing reportedly shot and killed a 16-year-old juvenile female at a hotel in South Holland, Illinois, before barricading herself in the room and eventually being arrested.

Once in police custody, authorities say she described the revolver handgun she used in the crime, identified as a Taurus model 856 “38 Special +P,” as belonging to her brother, Kenron Laing.

Two fired bullets collected from the many fired by the Illinois State Police Laboratory during their investigation of the firearm were later requested and obtained by local authorities. Those bullets, the probable cause affidavit advises, were tested by the Indiana State Police Evansville Laboratory for comparison against a bullet retrieved from the spine of Salinas during an autopsy conducted on Nov. 4, 2022 at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

The test, authorities say, identified the two items as having been “fired in the same firearm.”

The case remains under investigation, and Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim has issued a reminder that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

requests.

Additional personnel matters receiving unanimous board approval included: Resignation

Michael Richards, Cloverdale High School (CHS) Student Council sponsor.

Employment

Tyce Jackson, Cloverdale Middle School (CMS) part-time athletic director.

Grayce Burdette, Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) special education instructional assistant.

Grayce Burdette, CES art teacher, 2025-26 school year.

Tori Maldonado, Knoy Resource Center part-time teacher.

Sonny Stoltz, CHS Student Council sponsor.

Brent Sailor, CHS Student Council sponsor assistant. FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)

Holly Watkins, CMS medical instructional assistant.

Lori Halloran, CMS teacher. Sandi Price, CES teacher. Debra Warfel, music teacher. Coaching Resignations

Kim Bailey, seventh grade basketball coach.

Paige Glassburn, varsity volleyball coach.

Ken Schnepp, girls’ track coach/assistant cross country coach.

Michael Glassburn, girls’ junior varsity basketball coach. Coaching Hires

Debbie Steffy, CMS eighth grade girls’ basketball coach. Autumn Lewellen, CHS junior varsity girls’ basketball coach.

Kiley Cope, CHS assistant softball coach.

Volunteer

David Moore, CHS wrestling volunteer assistant coach.

The Cloverdale Community School Board will meet in regular session at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Center, 310 E. Logan St., in Cloverdale.

Kenron Laing

Fidler, Lewis, Mann win reelection to Cloverdale School Board

By Travis Curry Correspondent

The 2024 General Election found incumbents Donna Fidler, Katrina Lewis, and Joe Mann being reelected to the Cloverdale Community School Board.

Fidler led the way,

earning 1,956 votes. Lewis finished with 1,689 votes, Mann 1,546, and challenger Aragon Gould 1,352. The Jackson Township, Owen County, seat on the board was also due for election this year, though no candidate filed. Mike Rightmyer II currently holds the Jackson

IMPACT | FROM PAGE 1

What is our goal?

The Owen News specifically has the goal of raising enough funds to hire an inaugural Executive Editor and other staff. We can do this if we qualify for the full $15,000 match.

“Moving beyond our volunteer-only model will allow The Owen News the opportunity to expand coverage and increase our print frequency. There is so much more that we want to do and cover that is restricted by our reliance solely on volunteers” Board President Nicole DeCriscio said. “Volunteers are, and still will be essential to the long-term sustainability of The Owen News, but we need key staff positions to build capacity.”

What is a membership with The Owen News?

In conjunction with the NewsMatch campaign, The Owen News is also launching membership tiers, which includes the ability for The Owen

Township seat and will reportedly continue in that capacity for a new four-year term.

Lewis serves as the current vice president of the board and Fidler as secretary.

Fidler, Lewis, Mann and current board president Vivian Whitaker hold the four Cloverdale

News to be mailed directly to members. As part of NewsMatch, the donation portion of the individual sponsorship or membership tier will both count toward the fundraising goal and will be considered tax deductible.

The membership tiers and benefits are as follows:

- Friends of The Owen News ($5 per month/ $60 per year): Benefits include: mailed print edition of The Owen News, access to members-only merchandise that will have an exclusive annual design, a monthly e-newsletter with behind-the-scenes insights, and recognition on The Owen News website.

- Headline Supporter ($15 per month/ $180 per year): Benefits include: all Friends of The Owen News benefits and an Owen News tote bag.

- Columnist Champion ($25 per month/ $300 per year): Benefits include: all Headline Supporter benefits, an Owen News mug, your name listed in the printed edition of The Owen

Township seats on the board, while Melissa Carroll holds the Jennings Township (Owen County) seat, and Emily Haltom the Taylor Township (Owen County) seat.

The new terms for Fidler, Lewis, and Mann will begin on Jan. 1.

School board members are non-

News, and a special invite to an exclusive quarterly virtual Q&A session with the editorial team.

- Editor’s Circle ($50 per month/ $600 per year): Benefits include: all Columnist Champion benefits, an Owen News travel mug, and special recognition in the annual member guide and report.

- Publisher’s Partner ($100+ per month/ $1,200+ per year): Benefits include: all Editor’s Circle benefits, an Owen News t-shirt, and a ¼ page ad for individual use (subject to The Owen News’ ad policy).

“One of the most asked for amenities concerning The Owen News is the ability to have the paper mailed directly to them. We hear those requests, and introducing the sponsorship tiers is the answer to that. We believe quality local news should be accessible to our entire community. As such, these sponsorship tiers and the addition of mailed copies of The Owen News does not replace our current at-will donation, pick-up

partisan elected positions. Putnam County reported an overall voter turnout of 65.1 percent in the 2024 General Election, while Owen County reported a strong, but slightly lower voter turnout of 63.4 percent.

model. Our newspapers will still be available for pick-up at local businesses,” DeCriscio said.

Those interested in making a donation or becoming a member can do so through OCCF at bit.ly/ OwenNews.

Individuals interested in volunteering with The Owen News should email volunteers@ theowennews.org. Volunteers are needed in several areas including as trained correspondents, fundraising and staffing festival booths to name a few.

“The non-profit news model allows us, first and foremost, to be a community partner in our community. But most importantly, by being a nonprofit, The Owen News will forever be owned by our community,” DeCriscio said. “At the end of the day, the success of The Owen News thus far is a testament to the strength of our community, and we’re relying on community support to capitalize on this important fund-matching opportunity.”

CONTRACT | FROM PAGE

terminate the contract at the initial January meeting. The two newcomers would have a 2-1 majority over the only incumbent commissioner, Burton.

1

“The County recognizes that Attorney has given up the vast majority of his clients to serve the County and that, as a solo practitioner, Attorney will need sufficient time to rebuild the Attorney’s practice,” the contract reads. “Therefore, the annual fee is determined to be earned on the first day of the year and any termination by the County that becomes effective before the expiration of this agreement, County shall pay any balance due on the annual fee.”

“I don’t feel that it’s my responsibility to determine who is going to be counsel in the future,” current commissioner Joel Lowe said, acknowledging that the board needed counsel at the start of the year.

Commissioner Bob Curry moved to approve the contract, and Lowe seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-1, with Lowe abstaining.

Except that wasn’t the end.

At their next meeting two weeks later, the topic came up again

following comments and questions from citizen Allan McBride.

Lowe clarified why he abstained.

“This is based on my opinion, my thoughts and my feelings, not personal. I didn’t feel it was the business of the two commissioners leaving the position to have any say as to who was going to represent [the Board of Commissioners] into the new administration,” Lowe said before adding, “I personally looked at the contracts, and they were stated as being the same as last year. They were not the same.”

Lowe held up copies of the contract.

He added that he had “issues with the way that our county attorney has conducted business with the county.”

“I believe that our attorney was placed in positions that he didn’t need to be placed into, morally and ethically,” Lowe said.

Lowe claimed that he had shared with Curry and Burton that he was not on board with the contract.

“I’m an individual commissioner. I’m allowed to think and respond how I see fit. That’s why I abstained,” he said.

Except Lowe’s actions inadvertently and unintentionally halted the contract, possibly making it null and void.

Lowe signed the contract “when I should not have in confusion,” he said.

“I didn’t list my signature as a nay, yay or abstained. I signed it. Owen County Auditor Sheila Reeves will not attest that contract. She’s told me so. The document’s no good,” Lowe said. “These gentlemen have the right to bring forth a new contract, most certainly they will. But I don’t stand on the fact that I have any business dictating who is going to be the attorney for the new incoming executive body. It’s not my place. “ He continued.

“I was misled to believe that we have to have an attorney, or that the board of commissioners of Owen County have to have an attorney present the first day, the first meeting. I have yet to find any, and Dana, you’re welcome to provide it to me if you’ve got it, any legal documentation, saying anything of that sort. I was misled to believe that.”

Hobbs said that he “isn’t there to run anyone out,” but affirmed that it is something that should be addressed with the new board.

“I’ve spoken to you,” Lowe said. “I’ve talked about an easy transition. My thoughts, [on] how I wanted to see the rest of the year go

was to deal with the onhand emergencies and daily business. I surely didn’t need to see or anticipate ordinances, resolutions, contracts shoved through.”

Lowe also pointed to the potential conflict of interest created by Kerr writing a new contract that pertains to his legal services.

Curry stated that he thought that Lowe agreed with the contract.

Burton said that a 30-day extension of the current contract that is set to expire at the end of December is feasible. He added that in the six years he has served on the board, there has been three different sets of commissioners.

“Whatever contracts were in place never got changed, they just rolled over,” Burton said. “Now if you want to make that decision once the new board is established, that makes sense, but I don’t know that it’s good sense not to have an attorney because everything we do here, [there] could be legal ramifications if the wrong decision is made.”

Lowe then added how he hopes the next board will address the matter.

“I want to make sure that Mr. Kerr has the appropriate time to establish himself,” Lowe said. “And I’m just going to say it’s poor human behavior to throw

somebody onto the street so I think that’s a serious consideration. I would hate to be sitting here and asked to leave a job with no pay, no benefits… We don’t just throw people out on the street.”

Hobbs pointed out that there is a current contract, which has a 30-day notice provided to terminate it.

Burton said they would honor the old contract.

“I’ll be honest with you, It sounds to me like you’re saying there’s a lot of dishonesty and…” McBride began before being interrupted by all three commissioners who spoke over one another.

“Listen…” Lowe started.

“No,” Curry said.

“There’s been none, zero,” Burton said. Except when the contract was presented, it was said that it was the same as the previous contract, aside from a possible rate increase for 2026.

Hobbs asked the board to clarify that they are rescinding the contract and extending the current contract for 30 days.

Ultimately, the board unanimously rescinded the new contract, which Lowe said he believes is null and void because Reeves will not attest to it with his signature.

Browning, Chesser, Frye win contested council seats; Risk wins commissioner

By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent

For the general election last month, two county-level races were contested. Those races included the commissioner seat for district three and the three at-large county council spaces.

This year, Owen County saw more walkin absentee or early voters than voters on election day. There were a total of 5,241 absentee ballots cast, with 420 being paper or mail-in absentee. On election day, 4,504 residents voted, leading to 9,945 or

63.4 percent of the 15,685 registered voters voting in this election. There were 2,924 straight party Republican Party votes, 627 straight party Democratic Party votes, one straight party Libertarian Party vote and one straight party We The People Party votes in Owen County. Both incumbents for state senator and state representative in Owen County retained their seats.

State Senator for District 37 Rodric Bray (R) beat Kimberly Schofield (D), and State Representative for District 46 Bob

Heaton (R) beat Kurtis Cummings (D).

Incumbents Judge Donald VanDerMoere II and County Auditor Sheila Reeves both ran unopposed.

Republican Sam Hobbs ran unopposed for county commissioner in district two after winning the party bid in the primary against incumbent Bob Curry.

Republican David Risk, who secured the party bid against incumbent Joel Lowe during the primary, beat Democrat William Jennings. Risk had 6,845 votes or 72.61 percent, and Jennings had 2,582 votes or 27.39 percent.

The county council race had six candidates for the three atlarge positions open this year. Only one incumbent, current council president Polly Chesser, ran. The candidates included Daniel Browning (R), Sandra (Wood) Calvert (D), Dustin Combs (Lib), Chesser (R), Joe Frye (R) and Chad VanRyn (Lib). All three Republican candidates were elected to the council. Browning had 5,098 votes or 25.28 percent; Chesser had 4,829 votes or 23.95 percent; Frye had 4,833 votes or 23.97 percent; Calvert had 2,394 votes or

11.87 percent; Combs had 1,409 votes or 6.99 percent; and VanRyn had 1,601 votes or 7.94 percent.

There were no contested school board races for Spencer-Owen Community Schools for the four spots available. Incumbents Chad Cooper, Rick Smeltzer and Derek Morgan were elected to districts one, four and five respectively. Newcomer to the board Deana Stickels secured the second seat allocated to district five.

Two businesses, Exchange Co-working center recognized

Press Release

Economic progress doesn’t just happen by chance. It’s the product of hard work, strategic planning and a shared commitment to growth. Owen County is living proof of this, with its thriving entrepreneurial community leading the way. Over the course of 2024, the county has seen a remarkable 33 percent increase in startups and entrepreneurial ventures—a continuation of the positive trends initiated in 2023 and showing no signs of slowing down as we look toward 2025.

The Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, whose unwavering focus on fostering local business success has created a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs. Initiatives like the Business Mentoring program, First Steps, Next Steps, Business Buildout, free workshops and The Exchange, Owen County’s economic gardening and coworking space, all work in harmony to empower

businesses to thrive.

Celebrating Excellence in Entrepreneurship

The Chamber proudly celebrates two outstanding local business members recognized by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for 2024: Maverick Electrical Solutions was named the Women-Owned Business of the Year and featured in the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Entrepreneurship Indiana 2024 publication. This honor highlights

the company’s leadership, innovation and dedication to excellence.

Henry Holsters earned recognition as a standout entrepreneur in the same prestigious publication, showcasing the innovative spirit that defines Owen County businesses.

The Exchange: A Hub of Innovation The Exchange was recognized as one of Indiana’s Top 25 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. This acknowledgment underscores the pivotal role played by the Chamber’s Business Buildout

program, which has helped several entrepreneurs take their ventures to the next level.

These achievements not only celebrate the success of individual businesses but also shine a spotlight on the collaborative efforts that make Owen County a hub for innovation and growth.

“Owen County is a great place to start, grow, and do business,”

said Marce King –CEO of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development. “We’re thrilled by the progress we’ve

seen and excited about what’s yet to come. The collaboration of our various community and support organizations, to empower local businesses, is seen in these successes.

As the county looks ahead, it’s clear that Owen County’s strategy, dedication and community-driven approach will continue to set the stage for even greater economic achievements. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, Owen County offers fertile ground for success.”

Putnam County Dollars for Scholars selected for award

Submitted Content

Dollars for Scholars of Putnam County [Cloverdale Community Dollars for Scholars, Greencastle Alumni Dollars for Scholars, North Putnam Alumni Association Dollars for Scholars, South Putnam Dollars for Scholars] is excited to announce that it has received a Dr. Irving Fradkin Legacy Student Support Award of $15,000 from Scholarship America, the nation’s largest provider of private scholarships. With the cost of attending college continuing to rise, the grant will help the Dollars for Scholars affiliates support students by providing opportunities to explore careers

and educational pursuits beginning in middle school and continuing throughout their high school years.

Scholarship America created the Dr. Irving Fradkin Legacy Awards to give outstanding Dollars for Scholars more opportunity to provide impactful student support, honoring organization founder Irving Fradkin’s bold vision for communities to join together, and fund local scholarships. Dollars for Scholars of Putnam County is one of just four programs across the nation selected for a 2024 Fradkin Legacy Award.

The Dollars for Scholars of Putnam County was selected for the Award because its work best exemplified two

vital principles on behalf of students:

Delivering impactful student support

Building and expanding community partnerships

Vivian Whitaker, secretary and scholarship administrator for the Cloverdale Community Dollars for Scholars, spoke on behalf of the local affiliates, noting their sincere appreciation of this award.

“It will help us provide: mentoring services to our students, college and trade school visits, scholarship/FAFSA nights for parents and students, and increased scholarship applications,” Whitaker said.

“These opportunities will make our local scholarships even

more impactful and help lessen a student’s financial worries so they can spend more time focused on their studies.”

For more than 60 years, Scholarship America has helped community groups and organizations across the nation establish and operate Dollars for Scholars. This network of locallybased scholarship providers helps hometown students access and complete their college degrees, certifications or career preparation.

With 80 percent of American families saying scholarships make it possible for their students to attend college, these local awards are a critical piece of the financial aid puzzle—reducing student debt, filling

in funding gaps and letting them know their community is behind them as they strive to achieve their academic goals.

Scholarship America is a nonprofit organization that helps students pursue their dream by eliminating barriers to educational success. Since it was founded in 1958, Scholarship America has distributed $5.4 billion to 3.1 million students, making it the nation’s largest private scholarship provider. The organization runs their own national and communitybased scholarship programs and works with partners wishing to establish scholarship and support programs. They empower an America where those

with the most need have the opportunity to thrive through equitable pathways to education and training. Learn more at scholarshipamerica. org.

For more information, visit the following websites: Cloverdale Community Dollars for Scholars: Cloverdale. DollarsforScholars. org Greencastle Alumni Dollars for Scholars: GreencastleAlumni. DollarsforScholars. org North Putnam Alumni Association Dollars for Scholars: NorthPutnam. DollarsforScholars. org South Putnam Dollars for Scholars: SouthPutnam. DollarsforScholars. org

In memory of Laura Wilkerson

By Ginger Kohr OCPL Director

In October of this year, The Owen News carried an article written by Dixie Richardson about the Genealogy and Local History Department of the Owen County Public Library, and about library genealogist, Laura Wilkerson, specifically.

Ms. Richardson had no idea when she wrote her article, just how timely it would be, or how fortunate it was that it was published in time for Laura to read it.

Laura Wilkerson passed away just a little over a month later, on Nov. 9, 2024. The article was a fitting tribute to Laura who had worked at the library since 1996.

Since becoming the library genealogy specialist, there is no telling how many people she has assisted in learning about their family history, as well as answering reference questions on an unbelievably wide range of topics. She received a great deal of correspondence by mail and email, as well as by phone and in person, and she faithfully answered each request with as much information as she could find for them, with a great deal of attention to the accuracy of the information she shared.

Her file is full of notes of appreciation, some of which I will quote:

“Thank you so much for all the

effort you put in. You definitely went above and beyond… thanks again for all you have done. You are a true professional.” K. R.

“Laura, my goodness, you are a gem. How rare and wonderful you are. To be so helpful from such a distance, and to have so much information. I give you a standing ovation. I am so thrilled.

Thank you so much, sincerely.” H. in Canada

“You have exceeded my expectations in all the information you were able to gather, and you are one of the finest that I’ve ever encountered in the analysis of the data. I really appreciate your effort… you have cleared up a lot of (family) questions for us.” T. H. San Jose, California

least part of it:

“Thank you for your valuable time. You are an asset to your library and your county.” H. W.

“Thank you for the printed copies. There is a lot to go through… I really appreciate the work you did. I find the fee… not nearly enough for the work involved.” B.K.

“I am so very grateful for all your help… Most of us who write for help really don’t know what we need, and I found that you go way beyond what you have to do. It’s people like you that makes this such a wonderful world, and make genealogy so much fun…” L.H.

The next one is longer, but so beautifully written that I have to include at

“Dear Laura, As a landscape architect/ builder, I am often told that I have changed lives, transformed spaces that have transformed people. I see it, I feel it, and I am humbled by the idea of it, the actions of one altering the actions of many. So, when I have my life changed, transformed for the better by another, I have to acknowledge it and give thanks. I don’t know how you think of yourself, but to me and my family, you are a change agent, a very positive change agent. You have sprinkled the dust of history into the blocks of stone that are our lives, and in so doing, have anchored us a little bit closer to the earth… I am proud of my family, those living and those long dead. In so many pictures, they have stared out

at me through sepiatoned eyes, asking to be recognized, asking to have a name and a time for their lives yet I never had the facility to do anything to further that wish… until receiving your post. Filled with names, places, starting points for further exploration and context… I now have untold hours of research ahead of me fueled by the pages you’ve sent… we… hope someday to come that way… and to be able to meet and thank you in person. Until then, please accept my thanks from the entire… family.” R.R. Many of our library patrons will remember seeing Laura at her desk, or rummaging through the files of the genealogy vault, or studiously examining the contents of a newspaper on microfilm, and

probably had no idea how professional and far-reaching her influence has been; how many peoples’ lives she has touched both near and far away.

Though her demeanor was most often quite serious, we, her co-workers, always enjoyed when she graced us with a smile, a laugh, or a rare personal story. She sometimes unexpectedly would surprise a co-worker with a small gift that demonstrated a very sweet thoughtfulness, and the attention she had paid to the persons’ likes and interests.

The empty chair at her desk will be a sad reminder of her absence, and she will be missed and thought of with fondness by her patrons, and we, the staff at OCPL.

Laura Wilkerson, shown at work in the Owen County Public Library’s genealogy room on Sept. 30 of this year, was also a founding member of The Owen News Board of Directors. TRAVIS CURRY | THE OWEN NEWS

WOMAN OF THE YEAR! ongratulations ANIELLE

Congratulations DANIELLE CONNER

Indiana Bankers Association

ndiana OMAN

WEN

OWEN COUNTY STATE BANK WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A CONGRATULATIONS TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT - RISK MANAGEMENT, DANIELLE CONNER FOR WINNING INDIANA BANKERS ASSOCIATIONS

CONGRA R TULATIONS R

CELEBRA R TES

“WOMAN OF THE YEAR” AWARD THIS AWARD CELEBRATES A WOMAN IN BANKING WHO EXCELS AT HER PROFESSION, IS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTS OTHER FEMALES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL – WHETHER IN BANKING OR OTHER FIELDS

COMMUNITY SUPPORT R S OTHER TO

BOARD OF T E R THE

SUPPORT R ER SERV R ED THEIR DANIELLE WELL CENTRA R L MORT R GAGE MORT R GAGE SERV R ICE PROVIDERS BUSINESS S

DANIELLE HAS BEEN WITH OCSB FOR 25 YEARS. IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY, DANIELLE WAS ON THE BOARD OF THE LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE LONGEST ALLOWABLE TERM AND STAYS INVOLVED THE OWEN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HAS INCLUDED HER ON THEIR BOARD SINCE 2023 – SHE HAS BEEN A SUPPORTER MUCH LONGER THAN THAT THE LOCAL YMCA ALSO SOUGHT HER OUT FOR THEIR BOARD IN 2023. SHE’S A SUPPORTER OF SPENCER MAIN STREET AND HAS ALSO SERVED ON THEIR BOARD. DANIELLE IS WELL KNOWN AT SCIMBA (SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION), AND BY MORTGAGE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

CONGRA R TULATIONS DANIELLE

CONGRATULATIONS TO DANIELLE FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD AND WE THANK DANIELLE FOR HER CONTINUOUS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND UPLIFTING WOMEN!

COMMUNITY UPLIFTING

OCPL dedicates Tom and Kaye Erney Pavilion

By Travis Curry Correspondent

The Owen County Public Library (OCPL) hosted a dedication ceremony on Nov. 2 for the new Tom and Kaye Erney Pavilion, named in honor of the project’s primary benefactors.

OCPL Director Ginger Kohr began the afternoon program by detailing how the project, sparked by an initial idea presented by community member Tammy Bingham, steadily grew and persevered despite setbacks resulting from a global pandemic and early funding shortfalls.

In addition to the generous support provided the Erneys, the project benefitted from a $25,000 grant awarded by the Owen County Community Foundation, donations made by The Friends of the Owen County Public Library, Hoosier Energy, Farm Bureau, the Owen County Farmers’ Market, Insurance Services and other supporting businesses and individuals.

A plaque featuring the names of

contributing individuals and businesses will soon be on display inside the pavilion, along with a separate plaque honoring the Erneys and recognizing members of the library’s board of directors, project contractors and managers.

Featuring an array of amenities, including a poured concrete floor, elevated stage, WiFi connectivity, security cameras and lighting, the outdoor pavilion is truly a project built by the community for the community.

While the library plans to utilize the pavilion as the host site for many of its popular programs, the pavilion will also be available to the public to use. Much like the community meeting rooms inside the OCPL, the Tom and Kaye Erney Pavilion will be available to be reserved by groups and individuals, including for picnics, reunions, open-air concerts, plays, celebrations and more. For additional information or to schedule a reservation, contact the OCPL at 812829-3392.

TOP: The OCPL

Tom and Kaye Erney Pavilion on Nov.

Taking part in the celebration were, front row, left to right: Frank Coffin, Pavilion Building Committee member and former president of the OCPL Board of Directors; Ginger Kohr, OCPL Director; Tom and Kaye Erney, main project benefactors; Dodie Schinske, committee member; and Tammy Bingham, project idea originator. Back row: Don Taylor, Jr., committee member; Derrick Raymer, current OCPL Board of Directors President; and Scott Winders, project manager.

Owen County S.O.U.N.D.S. (Students Opening Up New Doors with Strings) entertained the crowd during the OCPL’s recent pavilion dedication. Pictured are, left to right: Meilynn Hess, Avian King, Dylan Harley, and instructor Melody King.

In addition to hosting programs, events and celebrations, the OCPL’s recently dedicated Tom and Kaye Erney Pavilion will be open for public use through a reservation process. TRAVIS CURRY | THE OWEN NEWS

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Cost-saving tips for the holiday meals

By Jamie Jo Lowder Health and Human Sciences Educator, Purdue Extension-Owen County

here writing this column, the snow has already begun to fall, and it is feeling a lot like winter. It is that time of year where we are in the thick of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It is that time of year where we get together with family and friends. We would like for you to be safe over this holiday season and would like to help in any way we can. If you have questions or would like classes on nutrition, stress management, budgeting or food safety over the holidays, or any time, reach out and let me know.

Here are some tips from the University of Minnesota Extension for how to plan your holiday meals with the everrising costs at the

grocery stores this season:

Families may be worried about how inflation will impact their holiday meal plans with increased prices.

As the holiday season unfolds, families may be worried about how inflation will affect their holiday plans with increased prices for festivities, gifts and especially holiday meals.

If you’re worried about money when preparing a holiday meal this season, consider the following tips from Susie West, Extension health and nutrition educator:

What guidance do you have for people when organizing their holiday meals this season?

Plan your menu in advance and split up your holiday grocery purchases across several visits so you don’t end up with a huge grocery bill for special holiday purchases on top of your usual shopping. Grabbing some canned, frozen or shelf-stable ingredients well in advance of your

holiday meals can also help you make the most of sales.

With rising grocery prices, how can families use flexibility to their advantage this holiday season?

It can be a really great opportunity to reassess traditions and reconsider what food items we make each year but don’t get eaten or those we just don’t enjoy!

One of my favorite holiday meal traditions that my family changed was opting for each family to bring a soup to the gathering instead of doing the typical holiday spread. It was so fun to try a bunch of different types of soups. We even did a chili competition one year, which was a blast. It also spread out the cost of the meal more evenly since everyone was tasked with bringing something comparable.

I’d like to acknowledge that sometimes holiday traditions like meals are difficult to adjust, change or reconsider because of cost. Also, some holiday

traditions and foods may be too important to alter. I would encourage folks to seek out food assistance for their families if they need it. Most food shelves offer traditional holiday staples this time of year.

How can families share a comforting and nutritious meal with their loved ones that is costeffective?

Some of my fondest memories of the holidays are not about eating the food but revolve around the preparation of the food and cleaning up afterward. Yes, the meal is important, but when the leftovers are gone, the memories of making that meal will remain.

I will never forget making oyster soup with my Grandma Jane on Christmas Eve, listening to “The Nutcracker’’ while trying my hand at cracking walnuts with Grandpa Paul or having dishwashing competitions with my cousins after everyone was finished eating.

I would encourage families to take an active part in making meals together,

dancing, singing, making messes and cleaning up together.

Upcoming programs with Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences:

- Dec. 9, Strategies for Estate Planning, 6 p.m., at the Owen County-Purdue Extension Office. Learn about estate planning goals, the difference in wills and trusts, advance directives and their importance, and organizing your important documents.

- Dec. 10, Empower Me to be Clutter Free, 2 p.m., at the Owen County-Purdue Extension Office. The new year is approaching and you can start it off with more organization. Creating order in your living space will bring some order to many different areas of your life.

- Dec, 12, Parents Forever, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Owen CountyPurdue Extension Office. This is an education program for families experiencing divorce, separation, a change in child custody or just

wanting to learn how to parent better together.

- Jan. 21, Dining with Diabetes, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Heritage Baptist Church in Coal City. This is a series of four classes and the participation fee has been paid for everyone by the Owen County Health Department (dates for this program are Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11).

- Feb. 25, Matter of Balance, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Heritage Baptist Church in Coal City. Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning evidence-based fall prevention program designed to help older adults manage their concerns about falls and increase activity levels (meets on Tuesdays, Feb. 25 through April 15, 2025).

Come and join these wonderful programs! Please pre-register for these programs by calling 812-8295020 or emailing me at lowder0@ purdue.edu.

Hunter Education course offered next month

Staff Report

A two-day Indiana Hunter Education course is being offered in the new year. The instructional sessions will be held in the gymnasium at Patricksburg Elementary School, 9883 State Road 246, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 18 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 19.

Indiana Hunter Education courses provide instruction in the areas of safe firearm use and handling while hunting, as well as in the home, hunter ethics and responsibility, game identification, and conservation management.

State law requires all hunters born on or after Dec. 31, 1986 to complete hunter education certification before purchasing a

hunting license in Indiana. Hunter Education classes are offered by knowledgeable volunteer instructors and Indiana Conservation Officers. In order to be certified, students must attend the entire class including all sessions.

Attendees under 11 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at every session. Additionally, at the first

session, those under 18 years of age are required to provide the instructor with a signed, completed liability release form. The release form, available at the online link below, must include the parent or guardian’s signature.

For more information or to register for the course, visit register-ed.com/events/ view/216751.

Purdue Extension - Thank you, Owen County

By Jim Luzar

mechanism to share some of the resources Purdue University provides to the state. I enjoyed meeting and working with the Owen County Fair Association and Owen 4-H Council during the preparation for the 2024 county fair. I work with a great office team, and we really have some big plans for 2025. I am grateful for the Owen County government’s fiscal support for providing us with new phones and funding to get our work done. So much to be thankful for!

Pollinator Program

Did you know that your backyard can be enhanced to improve support for pollinating insects?

Come join us on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Owen County Extension Office meeting room. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. Floyd County ANR Extension Educator Gina Anderson will share several ways to help you attract more pollinators. Call the Owen County Extension Office at 812-829-5020 to register for this free program. Special thanks to Owen County SWCD for co-sponsorship of this event.

PARP Program

Any farmers needing another PARP credit for their private pesticide applicator license can attend a program at the Putnam County Fairgrounds on Dec. 9. Program time is 6 to 8:30 p.m. I am planning for a PARP event in Owen County during the first couple months of 2025.

Horse Pasture/Hay Program

Attention all horse owners: a special program is planned for you to attend and gain more information on improving your

horse pasture in the coming spring and review hay quality considerations. This program will take place in the Owen County Extension Office meeting room on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. I know most people owning horses require an evening meeting, so we will hit the highlights and answer any questions you have about your pasture soil and fertility, weed control challenges and pasture management.

Master Gardener Program Series

It has been several years since it was offered, but we are launching a new training program for master gardeners. The program will be an evening program that will start on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 and run each Thursday evening through the end of April. Class times will be 6 to 8:45 p.m. at the Clay County Fairgrounds. I have a special discount for the first 12 persons who register for the program that reduces program cost to $120 per person. This program fee and time spent for the class are not minimal, so I will work to make the weekly

program the best it can be. Each class will cover a gardening topic, ranging from vegetable gardening to soils to garden pest management. Register by contacting the Purdue ExtensionOwen County Office at 812-8295020, providing us with contact information, and we will provide the discount to first-come-first served.

Farm Succession Planning Series for Women in Agriculture

A new multi-state program will be offered to women in agriculture that addresses strategies to evaluate and improve farm estate and transition plans. The program is going to be four sessions at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Class dates are Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11. Program time is 6 to 9 p.m.

The program fee for all sessions is $60, with dinner provided to enhance the network of women in rural areas. More information about this program can be provided by contacting me on my cell at 812-236-6039.

4-H enrollment open: fun and learning awaits

for an engaging and educational experience for your child? Look no further than 4-H!

Enrollment is now open for the upcoming 4-H program year inviting all community members to embark on a journey filled with hands-on learning, leadership opportunities and lasting friendships.

4-H, a global network of youth organizations, encourages young people to learn by doing. With a history spanning over a century, 4-H empowers youth with essential skills that will last a lifetime. Participants can explore

diverse programs in agriculture, science, health, and citizenship, developing critical life skills, confidence, and a strong sense of community.

Benefits of Joining 4-H

Hands-On Learning: 4-H offers a wide range of projects and activities that allow kids to explore their interests. From gardening and robotics to photography and cooking, there’s something for everyone.

Leadership Development: Participants have the chance to take on leadership roles within clubs, organize events and engage in community service projects, building confidence and preparing for future challenges.

Community Connection: 4-H fosters relationships, allowing kids to meet peers who share their interests and work together to positively impact their community.

Expert Guidance: With

the support of dedicated adult volunteers and county Extension staff, participants benefit from mentorship and resources that enhance their learning experience.

Competitions and Events: From county fairs to statewide competitions, 4-H members can showcase their hard work and achievements, gaining valuable experience in public speaking and presentation skills.

How to Enroll Enrolling in 4-H is straightforward. Here’s how to get started:

Learn More About Owen County 4-H: Check out details about Owen County 4-H on Facebook at Owen County 4-HIndiana or by going to our website at www. extension.purdue.edu/ county/owen.

Contact Our local Extension office: Reach out to your Owen County Cooperative Extension office for details on

enrollment, club meetings, and upcoming events. Our number is 812-829-5020. We can also be reached by emailing owences@ purdue.edu or stopping by to see us MondayFriday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 180 S. Washington St., Spencer.

Register for 4-H: Head to v2.4honline.com to register for 4-H. This is where you create a profile to tell us about yourself, select your club, and select which projects you are interested in.

Join a Club: Once registered, your child can select which club aligns with their interests and your schedule. Clubs typically meet monthly, providing a supportive environment for learning and fun. A list of the eight community clubs offered here in Owen County can be found online or by contacting the Extension Office.

Important Dates

Enrollment Period:

Enrollment is open now! We encourage you to enroll prior to January 15th in order to receive the benefits of a full 4-H program year. However, enrollment is open until May 15th.

Events: Follow us on Facebook at Owen County 4-H - Indiana to stay up to date on events, schedules, programs, and more! Get Involved Today

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity for your child to grow, learn, and enjoy themselves in 4-H. Whether their interests lie in agriculture, science, arts, or community service, 4-H has something to offer everyone. Enroll today and watch your child thrive in a nurturing and enriching environment. For more information, please visit extension. purdue.edu/county/owen. The 4-H family is eager to welcome you and your child!

Owen Valley High School Sports Calendar

Dec. 6

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

Dec. 7

10 a.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs LintonStockton at Owen Valley.

Dec. 9

6 p.m. – Freshmen

boys’ basketball vs Monrovia at Monrovia.

Dec. 10

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Bloomington North at Bloomington North.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Bloomington North at Bloomington North.

Dec. 13

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Brown County at Brown County.

6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Brown County at Brown County.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Brown County at Brown County.

7:30 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs

Brown County at Brown County.

Dec. 14

9 a.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs WestvilleIllinois at Westville-Illinois.

10:30 a.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball at South Vermillion Border Battle.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Cascade at Cascade.

Dec. 16

6 p.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs West Vigo at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed swimming and diving vs Edgewood at Edgewood.

Dec. 17

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Linton-

Cloverdale High School Sports Calendar

Dec. 6

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Edgewood at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Edgewood at Cloverdale.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Edgewood at Cloverdale.

Dec. 7

9 a.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling at Cascade 5-way Duals.

9 a.m. – Varsity co-ed wrestling at Cascade 5-way Duals.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys. basketball vs Southmont at Southmont.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity

boys’ basketball vs Southmont at Southmont.

Dec. 10

6 p.m. – Varsity coed wrestling vs Indiana School for the Deaf at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling vs Indiana School for the Deaf at Cloverdale.

Dec. 13

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Cloverdale (auxiliary gym).

6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Cloverdale.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Cloverdale.

Dec. 17

6 p.m. – Varsity coed wrestling vs Brown County at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling vs Brown County at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

Dec. 20

6 p.m. – Varsity

Owen Valley Middle School Sports Calendar

Dec. 6

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Dec. 4

6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

7 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

Dec. 9

6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Clay

City at Owen Valley.

Dec. 10

6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs TriNorth at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball vs TriNorth at Tri-North.

6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Shakamak at Shakamak.

Dec. 17

6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs Clay

City at Owen Valley.

7 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball vs Clay City at Owen Valley.

Dec. 18

6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs White River Valley at White River Valley.

7 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball vs White River Valley at White River Valley. Varsity girls’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

Cloverdale Middle School Sports Calendar

Dec. 9

6 p.m. – Boys’ basketball (7th/8th) vs Clay City at Clay City.

Dec. 14

2 p.m. – Boys’ basketball (7th/8th) at Patriot Invitational at Owen Valley.

Dec. 16

6 p.m. – Boys’ basketball (7th/8th) vs Edgewood at Cloverdale.

Dec. 17

6 p.m. – Boys’ basketball

(7th/8th) vs North Putnam at North Putnam.

Dec. 19

6 p.m. – Boys’ basketball (7th/8th) vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

Jan. 7 6 p.m. – Boys’ basketball (7th/8th) vs Eastern Greene at Eastern Greene.

Jan. 9

6 p.m. – Boys’ basketball (7th/8th) vs Monrovia at Cloverdale.

Stockton at LintonStockton.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs LintonStockton at LintonStockton.

Dec. 18

7 p.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs Cascade at Cascade.

Dec. 19

6 p.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs Danville at Danville.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Terre Haute North at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Terre Haute North at Owen Valley.

Dec. 20

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.

Jan. 3

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Covenant Christian at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Covenant Christian at Owen Valley.

Jan. 4

Noon – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs Decatur Central at Owen Valley.

girls’ basketball vs Brown County at Brown County.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Brown County at Brown County.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Brown County at Brown County.

Dec. 21

9 a.m. – Varsity co-ed wrestling at Greencastle Holiday Invitational.

9 a.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling at Greencastle Holiday Invitational.

Noon – Varsity girls’ basketball vs South Vermillion at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Junior

6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

varsity boys’ basketball vs Riverton Parke at Cloverdale.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Riverton Park at Cloverdale.

Dec. 23

6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball at State Farm Northview Classic.

Jan. 7

6 p.m. – Varsity coed wrestling vs South Putnam at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling vs South Putnam at Cloverdale.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. –Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

Trailing or Leading: Stand up and be counted

By Kyle Hannon Project Manager, MYPath Trail System

When leaders from the Owen County Community Foundation, YMCA and McCormick’s Creek State Park first dreamed of the MYPath Trail System, they thought it would be a great asset for the community. They envisioned walkers and cyclists being able to enjoy the town of Spencer and Owen County while going to the state park and back. MYPath does not connect to the park yet. But on Sept. 27, we held a ribboncutting ceremony for the first section of new trail, the first step toward the park. Would people use the new trail, even if it is less than a mile long? Wouldn’t it be nice

to know how many people are using the new trail? Can we install a turnstile and make all the trail visitors walk through it?

Well, we are not going to install a turnstile. But we have the next best thing. In April 2023, thanks to a grant from the Greenways Foundation, we purchased trail counters that I personally installed in three locations along the trail. These are not cameras and have no resale value or recording ability, other than that something has passed. Your privacy is safe, because they don’t identify you in any way, even as a species. But let’s look at how many times something has passed by the counters.

To start, let’s look at the counters. The Trailhead counter is near the beginning of the trail, near the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District building. The New Meadow counter is on the other side of

the Elliston Creek ravine. The Wetlands Loop is not on the main trail, but it has been used to cross a wet area on a boardwalk and loop back to the main trail instead of crossing the creek.

In August of 2023, the Trailhead recorded 444. The New Meadow recorded 157. And the Wetlands Loop recorded 322. We were pleased with these counts, because it showed MYPath was being used.

In August of 2024, the trail had new pavement. It did not go all the way to the future bridge site, but it opened trail use to bicycles and strollers. While there was still some construction activity being counted, most of the traffic came from trail users. The Trailhead recorded 1,401, and the New Meadow recorded 472. The Wetlands Loop, which is not good for bicycles or strollers, recorded 256. September 2023 recorded 556 at the

Trailhead, 117 at the New Meadow and 261 on the Wetlands Loop.

On September 18, 2024, a new bridge was set in place, allowing walkers to cross Elliston Creek. By the end of the month, the pavement was completed to the bridge, opening both sides of the creek to bicycles, strollers and wheelchairs.

The Trailhead recorded 1,910. The New Meadow, which included pre-bridge numbers, was 754. The Wetlands Loop, which was out of the excitement of the bridge, still recorded 252.

October 2023 had beautiful fall colors and nice walking temperatures. The counters recorded 742 at the Trailhead, 248 at the New Meadow and 328 at the Wetlands Loop.

October 2024 was the first full month of a completely paved, ADA-accessible path, across Elliston Creek, to River Road. The Trailhead recorded

1,838. The New Meadow welcomed 1,532. The numbers recorded by the counters, while exciting, have limits. The counter doesn’t differentiate between a person, bicycle, deer or Bigfoot. We don’t know that YOU were out here. We just know something was out here. It counts the same person going out and back, both times. If two or three people are walking side-by-side, they might count as only one. Not everybody comes back through the Trailhead since we opened the Tree Tube Trail at the end of May. In fact, the 70 people who participated in the MYPath 5k only went by the Trailhead once.

The Wetlands Loop counter was a good control counter, because it was along the boardwalk, where people walked single-file and were only counted once. But not every visitor goes through the

non-ADA compliant Wetlands Loop. And that counter was stolen sometime in October.

Despite the limitations, we are thrilled with the numbers. The trail counters show that MYPath is being used, a lot. They show that pavement increased use. The installation of a bridge increased use even more. This helps us plan for trail expansion. Every month, I share these numbers with the Department of Natural Resources. Now I am sharing them with you. Imagine how much usage will increase when we take the next step toward McCormick’s Creek.

Kyle Hannon is the project manager for the MYPath Trail System. He has served in many community development and trail connection roles throughout the state. On many weekends, he serves as an interpretive specialist at McCormick’s Creek State Park.

Outdoor Type: Winter means more TV outdoor shows

for outdoorsmen and women. Many Hoosiers often stay hunkered down next to the fireplace or heating vent, perhaps looking over the TV schedule to see who’s enjoying themselves catching fish or having a good hunt on the tube. I recall last winter saying something to myself like, “If I see one more big fish caught on TV, I will scream.” A nasty case of cabin fever had set in. It’s like watching a

video of someone eating chocolate cake. Torture. Legendary fishermen Bill Dance and Roland Martin still have televised outings that are well done. I recall attending a Clinton, Indiana Conservation Club’s event in the early 70s. Afterdinner speakers in addition to Bill and Roland were Forrest Wood of the Ranger Boat Company and Tom Mann of luremaking and bass tournament fame. I can still recall those guys poking fun at each other and telling fish stories. Mann’s famous Jelly Worm product got a lot of ribbing, and he responded to the jabs in his pleasant Alabama drawl. Dance was and still is hilarious. Roland was a little stiff and serious, but still interesting. It

was a fine evening of food, whopper tales and bass tips from guys whose livelihoods depend on catching fish. Wood created the Ranger Boat Company about the time Ray Scott was starting tournaments in the mid-60s, needing to design a better boat to navigate the White River near his home. He became an icon in the bass boat industry by seeing a need and having the guts to start filling it. Ranger Boats are at or near the top of the industry. Sadly, both Wood and Mann have passed. I recall a TV segment back in the 80s involving Tom and Jerry McKinnis of The Fishin’ Hole fame throwing a small but hefty tailspinner lure called the Little George in

Gadabout Gaddis was the original television fisherman, flying all over the country looking for angling adventures. SUBMITTED PHOTO.

Alabama’s Lake Eufala. Gracious, what a load of big bass they caught. I figured ‘Bama must be the Holy Grail of bassing. It may still be, with so many fine lakes down there. With his easy firesidetype narration, Jerry’s show ran from 1980 to 2007 on ESPN.

The earliest fishing show I recall watching was “The Flying Fisherman” with host Gadabout

Gaddis. He would climb into his Piper Cherokee and tool all over the country looking for angling adventures. He had started with showing home movies of his exploits. He soon graduated to Outdoors with Liberty Mutual, which was carried on 73 stations in the late 40s, had another less successful show in the 50s, then created the very successful The Flying Fisherman in the early 60s, also sponsored by Liberty Mutual.

Gad only had one photographer, and the shows were filmed without sound. He would add his take on the proceedings with his folksy voice, making you feel you were watching a home movie in his living room.

Not all of his shows featured big fish catches.

Once at a Colorado lake Gaddis filmed for five days without catching anything at all, a definite reality show. But he still aired the program, focusing on the scenery and the sheer joy of angling, even when one is not catching fish.

A few years ago, I fished at Reelfoot for two days in the fall without catching a single fish, or even getting a bite. At least that misadventure wasn’t being filmed for public showing. Lesson learned: If you go to Reelfoot and it’s not prime spring season, better hire a guide. It’s usually a tough lake for newbies.

Part two of the story next month. Happy Holidays.

Driftwood Outdoors: A century of change

By Brandon Butler Guest Columnist

Firearms seasons for deer are about to open across the Midwest. As families and friends make plans for annual deer camps, a common excitement resonates through all hunters joining the orange army on opening day. Yet, amongst these millions of hunters, measures of success vary.

I was talking to another hunter the other day and mentioned I shot a good buck with my bow. I have trail camera pictures of the buck from the last three seasons, so I know it was at least fiveand-a-half-years-old. Which, by longevity of life standards for Missouri bucks, is an old deer. The other hunter wouldn’t have shot it.

He went on to explain his philosophy on bucks in our area needing to reach seven-and-a-half or eight-and-a-half-years-old to be fully mature. He brought the sentiments of another hunter to the table by saying that guy has only killed five bucks in 20 years, because he’s so selective about which ones he’ll kill.

When I started hunting in the early 1990s, no antlered deer were safe. You must remember, there was a total reset of game populations in this country less than 100 years ago. Generations of Americans never saw a deer. Now they’re found in just about every square mile of the Midwest. There have been multiple resets of thinking towards hunting whitetail deer.

Settlers exercised unregulated harvest. They consumed all they could eat and sell. Killing game animals by the millions in a rush to make as much money as possible before the resource vanished, the first generations of hunters in these United States drove wildlife populations to decimation, extirpation and extinction.

Minds began to change around the turn of the 20th century. In 1907, Theodore Roosevelt, often called our “Conservation President,” said, “The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem, it will avail us little to solve all others.”

More conservation leaders like Aldo Leopold, Gifford Pinchot, John Muir and Franklin Roosevelt emerged and brought desperately needed attention to the continuing downward slide for wildlife in our country. Not only did they rally citizens to stop the slide, they also began a wildlife rebound that has led us to times of abundance once more. Regarding many species of wildlife, we

are currently living in the best of times.

As the turnaround began, hunting was banned in many states. Some states didn’t have to ban seasons, because there was no game left to hunt. Wildlife was to be protected to procreate and restore the population naturally. It worked. Take Missouri for example. In 1935 it was estimated there were 400 deer left in the entire state. Today, the estimated population is around 1.3 million deer. A half-million Missourians will hunt this fall. There is reason to celebrate where we are today by honoring those who missed their turn while giving wildlife the opportunity to multiply.

As seasons were established and hunters returned to the woods, just seeing a deer was a major success. If you got a buck, you were the talk of the town. As time went by, more and more hunters began filling their tags, but if you got a big buck, one that had maybe made it to three-years-old, then you hung your picture on the bragging board at the local sport shop. This progression went on through the 1980s. In 1988, the Quality Deer Management Association was formed “to ensure the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitats and ethical hunting practices.” This is a good marker for the beginning of a new era of private land management and heightened expectations of the deer herd.

Hunting television and videos exploded in the early 2000s. Seeing the wild success of hunting videos being sold in stores, networks were born to feature hunting and fishing shows exclusively. Explosive growth in the sales of products geared towards deer hunting spawned a whole new hunting industry. One where boundaries have been pushed, commercialization has occurred, and messaging to the masses has shaped the mentality of today’s hunters.

Some of today’s hunters are all about our public lands. They pride themselves on being able to harvest a public resource from a public resource. There are hunters only in it for the meat. Then there are subcategories of meat hunters who grind all their venison in a utilitarian manner and others who are into venison osso buco as a delicacy.

Many hunters today enter the woods with the goal of only killing a buck with giant antlers. Used to be, big buck contests were won by hanging the heaviest buck on the pole. Today, if you tell someone you shot a 180, their eyes will light up because they think you are referring to 180-inches of antler. I find nothing wrong with

setting your sights on a certain deer or class of deer, but the problem I’ve experienced with most “horn hunters” is they’re always mad because not everyone is on the same page. And by the same page, they mean their page.

I still go hunting because I love the thrill of the entire experience. I want to get my buck every year. I’m looking for what I was raised to believe is a mature buck, which is a four-and-a-half-year-old or older. When I was young and learning to hunt, those were bucks we dreamed about seeing. Seeing one today still makes my heart skip a beat, and once or twice a year I still feel the emotion when I decide to draw down on one.

Now, 35 years into this deer hunting game, I like where I’m at, and I hope you can say the same thing. I still suffer from buck fever from time to time. I enjoy using trail cameras, but nothing beats a big buck showing up I’ve never seen before. I hunt each year with the goal of shooting a buck I can be proud of. I enjoy venison, and especially appreciate opportunities to share it with others. The sharing of meat within a community gives hunting its true purpose.

Socially, the bar continues to rise on what constitutes a great buck. I appreciate the hunter who won’t shoot a deer unless it’s seven-and-ahalf or eight-and-a-half-years-old with a big rack. Good for them. They are certainly not hurting anyone. To have that goal for yourself is great. And as more and more hunters do, maybe someday we’ll see seven-year-old bucks regularly.

Or, maybe because hunting under such competitive and tight guidelines may feel more like sorting prized cattle than hunting, interest will wane in the next generations, and with little interest we’ll have little participation leaving no one to stand up for our rights, which will then be done away with. Thus, once more returning us to a time of little value placed on wildlife.

If you take to the woods this season, go forth with an attitude of thankfulness for the chance to participate in the continuance of a legacy as old as mankind. Be ethical and moral in your decision-making. Your choice on what deer you fill your tag with is yours and yours alone. When you make your decision, be proud of what you have accomplished. As a hunter, in this modern world, you are of a small tribe. Represent us well.

See you down the trail…

For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.

Ramblings: Winter solstice, resilience, and hope

By Annie Bright Guest Columnist

It is difficult to comprehend that December’s darkness is about to descend upon the earth. As I write we are preparing for our Thanksgiving feast. The weather this autumn was strange. Many days the temperature was more like June.

My peppers and tomato plants are still blooming! Many plants were confused this year. Some bloomed early; some bloomed twice. The hummingbirds stayed with us longer than usual.

The feathered visitors from the north are arriving. The trees stand guard like skeletons, void of leaves. The earth tries to keep the schedule regardless of humans. Darkness comes earlier each night. The earth will have winter.

The natural world rests during the dark days of winter. It is not dead. Some creatures migrate to warmer climates, some hide deep in the soil, some hibernate in caves or burrows. A few hardy animals and plants relish the cold, snowy days. For most, it is a time to rest, restore, recreate. The ancient cycle continues. Humans could learn from the natural world.

The winter solstice teaches us about resilience and hope in the face of darkness. It reminds us that the sun rises again even after

the longest night. The return of the sun brings new beginnings and brighter days. This dark time is for resting and reflecting on our own inner light and our place in the tapestry of life. To establish our role, our tasks, in the continuous cycle of growth and renewal. We can’t just stay home all winter to hibernate like a bear. We can make time to reflect on our life, reassess our goals, restore our spirits, rest our bodies and our minds. Prepare for the coming rebirth of the earth.

The darkness of winter has challenged humans since the beginning of time. The winter solstice has long been the reason for celebrations to bring back the light. This year with so many questions and worries about the future of our planet,

celebration is needed. Put up those Christmas lights, decorate the tree, gather with friends and family, sing the old carols. The ancient people of the Northland celebrate yule with huge fires and feasts. The solstice was celebrated with joy, hope and light by humans across the globe. Let us continue those old traditions.

The forest in the winter is a wondrous place. Walking in the forest when the snow falls gently from the sky is an experience that calms the spirit. I am hopeful we all have the opportunity to do that soon.

Lo and behold! I wrote these words yesterday morning before I went to Bloomington for my radiation treatment. Now as I finish, snow is falling from the sky. Not my favorite big fluffy

flakes, these are small, wind-driven particles. The dark skeletons of the trees are covered in white. The green grass is disappearing beneath a blanket of white. The tree line by the river has disappeared in a light gray mist. The fallen cornstalks crisscross the snow-covered ground. Several birds are at the feeder beneath the old pine tree. I am glad I filled them up earlier this afternoon.

I will leave you, dear readers, with this old Solstice blessing: May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night. That each day forward is blessed with more light. That the cycle of nature, unbroken and true, brings faith to your soul and well-being to you.

‘til next time, Annie

It’s Just a Country State of Mind: A Brown County Christmas

By Susan Anderson Guest Columnist

When I was a little girl, my grandparents lived out in the country in Brown County. They lived in a beautiful, rustic cottage on a piece of property that used to be known as the “Underwood Stables.” It was known as a horse farm. But to me, it was the place where I spent the holidays with my grandparents. My grandfather worked for the Underwood family, taking care of the horses. Their cottage overlooked a lake on the property, which was quite visible through the picture windows in their living room. The walls of the cabin were made of knotted pine, and the floors were made of pine as well. It was a pleasant experience for me when I entered their house. The aroma of my

grandmother‘s pumpkin pie baking in the oven permeated the air and mixed with the smell of the pine. It was the scent of Christmas.

One particular memory I have is of a Christmas Eve when I was five-years-old. It was a considerable drive to get from my family’s house to my grandparents’ house. I was rather small for my age, which meant that I could barely see out of the windows of the backseat of my father‘s car as we made our way past the wooded landscape. The ground was layered with fresh Christmas Eve snow and everything was white. It was a picture that was worthy of a painter’s brush.

What I remember most about that Christmas was our arrival at my grandparents’ house. My grandmother met us at the door and ushered us into their warm living room, where we were greeted by other family members. A Christmas tree stood in the corner of the room, decked out with lights and colors and was loaded with packages and surprises underneath.

The extra beds were made up for the grandchildren to sleep in, and my grandmother always gave her granddaughters a new set of flannel pajamas to keep them warm on the cold, winter nights.

The grandchildren were allowed to open some presents on Christmas Eve. The anticipation was too much for us, and we would not leave the adults alone until we were granted permission. “Just one,” we would say.

Later in the night, sleep would be long in coming as cousins lay side-by-side, whispering quietly into the night. But soon the natural inclination for sleep would finally take over, and the household would grow silent in the cottage. Early the next morning, on Christmas Day, I was awake before the others and had the privilege of accompanying my grandfather to the stables to feed the horses. I can remember the smell of the horses and my grandfather brushing the horses’ manes. My grandfather lifted me up on his shoulder so I could

see the horses better.

When we returned to the house, we had breakfast, and we all just enjoyed the presence of one another’s company. It was there, in that little cottage, where I first learned about family, tradition and of the importance of both.

In those early days, my grandparents helped provide me with a sense of security by sharing their love, and by teaching me the value of family togetherness. Later, they would move from their Brown County home to Monroe County to live closer to their grandchildren. But I will never forget those early memories of Christmas.

Now, when I think of Brown County, I think of my grandparents and the presents under their Christmas tree. I think of the turkey, with all of the trimmings and fresh pumpkin pie. I think of the memories from my childhood of Christmases past. I think of coming home.

Merry Christmas to all!

Have a great November!

- Susan

S-OCS earns Indiana Purple Star Designation

By Kris Samick S-OCS Director of Communications

The Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation (S-OCS) is proud to announce that all six of its school buildings have been awarded the Indiana Purple Star Designation.

This prestigious honor recognizes the district’s deep and unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans and their families.

The designation reflects the schools’ efforts to create a welcoming and supportive environment where military-connected students and families can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

The Indiana Purple Star Designation is not given lightly. Schools must demonstrate a comprehensive approach to supporting military families through meaningful initiatives and programs.

S-OCS has proudly established a range of efforts to earn this recognition, including:

A Dedicated Point of Contact (POC): Each school has a POC who has undergone specialized training to support militaryconnected students and their families effectively.

Online Resource Access: A dedicated webpage provides easy access to resources for military families, offering guidance and support to help them navigate transitions and challenges.

Annual Military Recognition Program:

Each year, S-OCS hosts a program to honor and celebrate the contributions of service members and veterans in the community.

Public Military Display: Schools have created permanent displays to honor those who serve, ensuring that the sacrifices of military personnel are recognized and appreciated by students and the community.

Job Opportunities for Military Families:

The district provides job interview opportunities for military service members and their families, supporting their professional needs.

These initiatives reflect S-OCS’s steadfast dedication to honoring and supporting the brave men and women who serve our country and their families.

Honoring Veterans Across the District

In addition to the Purple Star recognition, S-OCS celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with heartfelt programs in each of its school buildings.

From breakfasts and drive-thru parades to Patriotic convocations, the schools found unique ways to honor local veterans.

One of the highlights was a special event hosted by Owen Valley High School’s JROTC program, featuring guest speaker Retired Major Andy Miller. A distinguished veteran, Major Miller is a 1982

graduate of Edgewood High School.

military career includes earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Indiana University and a Master of Science Degree from Troy State University. Major Miller’s training spans several elite military programs, including the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Air Assault School, U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School and U.S. Army Ranger School.

Major Miller’s impressive list of awards and decorations includes the Bronze Star, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Expert Infantryman’s Badge. His inspiring speech reflected on his time in the Army, offering valuable insights and personal stories that resonated with students and community members alike.

A Commitment to Excellence

The Purple Star Designation is more than a badge of honor—it is a testament to the values of SpencerOwen Community Schools. It underscores the district’s commitment to providing a nurturing environment for military families while fostering a deep sense of respect and gratitude for their sacrifices.

As S-OCS continues to grow and evolve, the district remains steadfast in its mission to support and uplift

the military families who enrich our community. By earning this prestigious designation, S-OCS reaffirms its dedication to honoring the service of those who protect our country and ensuring their children receive the highest quality education and care.

Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation is honored to stand with the brave men and women of the military and their families, serving them with the same dedication and resilience they have shown to our nation.

FROM TOP:

A seat of honor was provided at the OVHS JROTC program in memory of two special Veterans. Lt. Col. Dave Allen and 105-year-old Melvin McCutcheon passed away earlier this year. // Superintendent Andy Cline and Retired Major Andy Miller are pictured together following the annual OVHS JROTC Veterans Day Program. SUBMITTED PHOTOS.

20 Veterans Day: A day of remembrance and thanks

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Owen County Honor Guard members Terry Laverty, Clyde Fishburn, and Matthew Fetcher (left to right) stand at attention while presenting the American Flag during the annual Veterans Day ceremony held on the courthouse lawn. // Owen County Honor Guard members Preston Leaderbrand, Bill Daniels, Mark Anderson, Roger Daniel, and Bill White (left to right) took part in the annual Veterans Day ceremony held on the Owen County Courthouse lawn, providing a 3-volley rifle salute. Commander Ed Roy is shown in the background with a ceremonial bugle, which enabled him to symbolically play “Taps.”// Spencer VFW Post 1405 Chaplain Warren Havenor (foreground) addresses the crowd during the recent Veterans Day ceremony held on the Owen County Courthouse lawn. Shown in the background are, left to right: Spencer American Legion Post 285 Commander John Bailey, Spencer VFW Post 1405 Auxiliary President Laura Goldman, and Past Department President and current Post 1405 Auxiliary Secretary Sharron Barger. Commander Bailey later provided the ceremony’s closing remarks, saying, “To all veterans: you have done your duty… to your families, to your communities, to your fallen comrades, and to your country. You have honorably served your nation with great distinction and we can never say enough for your service in (times of) war and peace.” // Owen County Honor Guard Commander Ed Roy and Spencer VFW Post 1405 Auxiliary President Laura Goldman prepare to lay ceremonial wreaths at the base of “The Spirit of the American Doughboy” statue. The ceremony took place on Veterans Day on the northwest lawn of the Owen County Courthouse.

TRAVIS CURRY | THE OWEN NEWS