ON awaits records request
By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent
One hundred and seventy-six days – that is how long The Owen News has been waiting for a response to a public records request that still has not been denied or fulfilled.
As a result, The Owen News filed an informal complaint seeking the opinion of Indiana’s Public Access Counselor, Luke Britt. Britt issued that informal opinion earlier this week.
On July 11, following the county’s Redevelopment Commission (RDC) meeting concerning the jail project and the potential land swap that is being routed through the RDC, The Owen News fi lled out a
public records request form.
The request asked for “Within the last year, all emails to and from any current Owen County Commissioner concerning appraisals of potential jail sites, concerning the jail project and concerning
NAMING A LILLY SCHOLAR
Vishwa Patel awarded Owen County Lilly Scholarship
Submitted Article
The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Owen County – Vishwa Patel of Owen Valley High School. Lilly Endowment Community
Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character and leadership.
“It is an honor to award this exceptional student the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Vishwa’s unwavering dedication to academics and
LILLY SCHOLAR | PAGE 3
Owen County’s 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient Vishwa Patel (center) poses for a photo with family and representatives from The Owen County Community Foundation. The scholarship provides full tuition, fees and a yearly book stipend to any Indiana 4-year college. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY OCCF.
Brinson retires from S-OCS board
By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent
Sonia Brinson celebrated her last meeting on the Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) Board of School Trustees after 16 years of service on Dec. 12.
Prior to being on the board, Brinson was a S-OCS employee, bringing her total years of service to the corporation close to 50.
“I do want to thank the board. You have been so supportive all the time,” Brinson said.
The board reflected on Brinson’s
public comment in relation to the jail or jail project. This does not include actual appraisals themselves.”
The paper request was handed first to County Auditor
RDC hosts hearing, rejects bid
By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent
The Redevelopment Commission (RDC) held the rescheduled public hearing concerning the land swap for a prospective jail site on Dec. 18.
The county is considering trading 96 acres of countyowned property on State Road 43, south of Franlin Road for a little over nine acres on a former quarry behind the Owen County YMCA and Wal-Mart.
The hearing was originally scheduled for September but was postponed as the RDC sought additional information.
At the start of the public hearing, RDC President Craig Coffman explained how the hearing would work. He offered a memo with some frequently asked questions and the information that the RDC has considered thus far. He also said that folks would get three minutes to speak. He added that they might answer some questions but that there would not be a back and forth.
ON new year, exciting future Staff Report
There are several exciting The Owen News as we ring in the new year. announced that we would begin to offer memberships to have the paper mailed directly to the homes of those who signed up. Because it was in conjunction with our end-of-year giving campaign, NewsMatch, anyone who signed up between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 had their contribution included in the match. In addition, new monthly recurring donations were matched for the entire NewsMatch Campaign is happy
to announce that we’ve not
From left, Sonia Brinson accepts a commemorative clock from Spencer-Owen Community Schools Board of School Trustees President Derek Morgan (center) and S-OCS Superintendent Andy Cline. Brinson has served on the board for 16 years and has worked for the corporationi for nearly 50 years. . NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS
TRUSTED NEWS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY
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Elected officials sworn in for 2025
Government Meeting Calendar
Jan. 6
Spencer Town Council, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.
Jan. 9
Owen County Board of Commissioners, 9 a.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer. 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 County Council, 6 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Room of 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.
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. 16
Owen County Board of Zoning Appeals, 7 p.m. at
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.
the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.
Jan. 20
Owen County Courthouse closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Owen County Public Library Board of Directors, 5 p.m. in the Library Vault, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.
Jan. 21
Spencer Town Council, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.
Owen County Advisory Plan Commission, 6:30 p.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.
Jan. 22
Owen County Board of Commissioners, 9 a.m. at the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.
Jan. 28
Gosport Town Council, 7 p.m. in the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport. Spencer Plan Commission & BZA, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.
Feb. 3
Spencer Town Council, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.
From left, newly sworn-in elected officials Judge Don VanDerMoere II, county commissioner David Risk, county council member Daniel Browning, county council member Polly Chesser, county auditor Sheila Reeves, county council member Joe Frye and county commissioner Sam Hobbs pose for a photo together following the Dec. 27 swearing-in ceremony. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS
THE OWEN NEWS 3
Community Events Calendar
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.
Spencer Lions Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Lester F. Litten Community Building, 59 N. Main St., Spencer.
Jan. 8
Harrison Homemakers meeting, noon. at the Owen County-Purdue Extension office, 180 S. Spencer.
Jan. 9
Spencer Masonic Lodge No. 95 stated meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Spencer Masonic Lodge, 361 N. Harrison St., Spencer.
extracurricular pursuits, along with her genuine passion for learning, embody the spirit of this prestigious award. We are confident that Vishwa’s ambition and talent will enable her to achieve her goal of becoming an engineer and make a meaningful impact in her field,” said Ronda Stogsdill, 2025 Committee Chair of the nominating OCCF Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Committee. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for fulltime undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from
Jan. 12 4-H Project Fair, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. Come learn about the wide range of 4-H projects possible and register for 4-H.
Jan. 13
Jolly Homemakers meeting, 1 p.m. at the Freedom Community Center, 5558 Freedom-Arney Rd., Freedom.
Owen County Heritage & Culture Center board meeting, 4 p.m. at the OCHCC, 110 E. Market St., Spencer. Open to the public.
Jan. 14
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 812-829-5020.
Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.
“This scholarship allows me to study stress-free without having to worry about financial complications. It will keep me motivated for my future studies. I am grateful to have achieved this scholarship,” said Vishwa Patel, 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar for Owen County. In determining Owen County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given but not limited to, the following criteria: eligibility, academics, leadership and accomplishments, and interview by the OCCF Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Nominating Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of the scholarship recipient.
“This year we saw a deep field of scholarship applicants filled with students on their way to doing great things. Our Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship
Jan. 16
Calico Homemakers meeting, 2 p.m. Meetings are held at a different restaurant each month. For more information, call 812-8295020.
Owen County Homesteaders, 5-7 p.m. at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.. Combating Multiflora Rose, hosted by the Owen County Soil & Water Conservation District, 6 p.m. at the Purdue ExtensionOwen County Office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer.
Jan. 18
Legislative Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship, 338 S.R. 43S, Spencer. Sponsored by Owen County State Bank and hosted by the Owen County Chamber of Commerce.
application process requires students to demonstrate academic excellence, communitymindedness, leadership and communication skills, and we were thrilled with the quality of applications and interviews. These students are excellent role models for our communities, and they all demonstrate great potential in leading the next generation,” said Janet Rummel, President & CEO of the Owen County Community Foundation.
Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 199798 school year. Since then, grant funding in excess of $490 million has supported more than 5,300 Indiana students who have received scholarships through the program.
The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business,
Jan. 21
Spencer Lions Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Lester F. Litten Community Building, 59 N. Main St., Spencer.
Jan. 22
Free showing of “The Egg and I,” 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer.
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.
Have we missed your event? Email us at info@ theowennews.org. Events must either be free and open to the public or hosted by a nonprofit organization.
governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
About the Owen County Community Foundation
The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) is a public charity founded in 1994 as a resource to connect caring individuals with causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. Since its founding, the OCCF has been able to grant more than $12 million to area nonprofit and charitable organizations in our community. The OCCF is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Owen County, now and for generations to come. For more information, visit owencounty.org or call (812) 829-1725.
About Lilly Endowment Inc. and ICI
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolisbased private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from
the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.
The Magnificent Seven (1960). Sponsors: Sandra Butts & Janet Long The Egg & I (1947)
LILLY SCHOLAR | FROM PAGE 1
Cloverdale School Board wraps up 2024
By Travis Curry Correspondent
Cloverdale’s seven-member school board required less than 30 minutes to wrap up its 2024 calendar year during a meeting held Dec. 9 in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Center.
The evening began with recognition of the corporation’s latest Student of the Month honorees, which included Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) student Aubrey Fidler, Cloverdale Middle School (CMS) student Bella Patton and Cloverdale High School (CHS) student Celeste Terrell.
CMS PE/health educator Brian Siddons was recognized as the latest Staff Member of the Month.
Under new business, Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Superintendent Greg Linton addressed the board with a request to approve an additional appropriation for the corporation’s Education Fund in the amount of $3,100,000.
“The additional cash is in the Education Fund as cash, but I need the authority to use it for end-ofyear expenditures,” Linton explained. “This is directly related to the extensive growth of the program.”
Board member Donna Filder made a motion to approve
the request, with Mike Rightmyer II seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Next, the board unanimously voted in favor of a request to approve Teacher Appreciation Grant funds, distributed to school corporations each year by the Indiana Department of Education. The funds are awarded to teachers based on the prior year’s performance evaluations.
“Teachers receiving a Highly Effective or Effective on their 2023-2024 evaluation are eligible to receive the stipend,” Linton said. “I am requesting the board to award the same stipend amount to administrators, which will be paid out of the Education Fund. The amounts of this year’s stipends are $1,275.52 for certified staff members receiving a four (4) on their evaluation, and $1,020.41 for certified staff members receiving a three (3) on their evaluation.”
Rightmyer made a motion to approve the request and board member Melissa Carrell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
A request to approve an additional instructional assistant for Cloverdale Middle School (CMS) was also approved, 7-0. CMS Principal Chelsey Meluch submitted the additional
personnel request, noting the position would primarily work with special education students in providing access to their accommodations in general education classrooms.
The school’s special education department is currently serving 74 students, which amounts to 26-percent of the school’s student population.
The board also unanimously approved the corporation’s 2025-2026 school calendar, which begins Aug. 5 for students and is scheduled to end on May 20. Graduation is slated for May 22.
Acting on a request from CCSC Food Service Director Billy Boyette, the board unanimously approved a request to pay equal wages, $14.46 per hour, for three- and four-hour café positions. “Both are crucial positions and perform the same duties,” Boyette noted in his request.
The board later voted 7-0 to approve a request to declare wrestling mats as surplus at CMS. The mats were purchased in 1999 and have reached the end of their useful life.
“We have been blessed with two newer mats in the last few years and now have three competition mats that are tapeless,” CCSC Athletic Director James Wade explained. “We no longer need the 25-year-old CMS mat that requires
tape that sometimes damages the gym floor.”
The board also cast 7-0 votes to approve end-ofthe-year purchase orders that would not be ready for payment until after the board’s Dec. 9 meeting, as well as a request to approve an updated RainyDay Resolution for the 2025 annual budget.
“The original resolution that was submitted contained an incorrect date and the DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance) representative asked me to have a corrected resolution approved by the board,” Linton noted.
The board later approved 11 professional leave requests, two field trip requests, and four facility use requests.
Field Trips
May 9 – Seventh/ eighth grade honor roll students, Bogey’s Family Fun Center, Terre Haute.
May 15 –Seventh/eighth grade students, Indianapolis Indians baseball game, Indianapolis.
Facility Use
Nov. 15, 2024 – Cloverdale Community Youth League (CCYL), youth basketball photos, CES gymnasium.
Dec. 12, CCYL board meeting, CMS library.
Jan. 13, 2025 –CMS Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) winter meeting, CMS media center.
Feb. 8 – CHS
junior class, father/ daughter dance prom fundraiser, CMS gymnasium. Additional personnel matters receiving unanimous board approval included:
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Morgan Barley –CES teacher.
Dawneen
Hardwick –CMS medical instructional assistant.
Resignation
Nicole Campbell, junior varsity/varsity head cheerleading coach.
Hire
Camille Garcia, CHS winter cheerleading coach. Eddie Byrns, CHS girls’ wrestling coach.
Kiersten Wade, CMS girls’ basketball coach.
Volunteer Pedro Perez, Jr. – CHS volunteer wrestling coach.
Zach Thomas – CMS boys’ basketball volunteer assistant.
Dustin Cummings – CMS boys’ basketball volunteer assistant. The Cloverdale Community School Board will meet again on Monday, Jan. 13 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale. Members of the board include Vivian Witaker, Katrina Lewis, Donna Fidler, Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, Joe Mann and Mike Rightmyer II.
Jury trial for Sims murder set for late January
Staff Report
The jury trial for a man accused of the murder of Malik Darea Sims is scheduled to begin on Jan. 21 at 9 a.m.
The body of Sims was discovered off of Stephenson Road near the Owen-Monroe county line by a passerby on July 15.
An autopsy later revealed the cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to the head. The death was ruled a homicide by the examining pathologist.
Quentin Porter, Jr., 25, of Bloomington, was arrested in July for Sims’ murder.
In addition to the murder charge, Porter
FUTURE | FROM PAGE 1
only met but exceeded our campaign goal. Our goal was to raise $15,000 with at least 50 new donors.
“This newspaper exists because of our community rallying together, and our inaugural NewsMatch campaign is no different,” Board President Nicole DeCriscio said. “We’re incredibly thankful for our community’s generosity and support of local news. We’re able to be a pioneer in the way of rural nonprofit news in Indiana because of our community.”
The successful NewsMatch campaign will result in $23,500 in funding being given to The Owen News from outside of the community.
December’s newspaper was mailed out thanks to The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF).
Additional Grant Support From OCCF
is also facing a Level 6 Felony for auto theft, a Level 5 Felony for attempting to escape and a Level 5 Felony for battery against a public safety official. The latter two charges were filed on July 31, after Porter’s July 25 initial hearing for the auto theft and murder charges.
The case log for
In addition to a successful NewsMatch campaign, OCCF has awarded The Owen News a multi-year $300,000 operational grant. OCCF will grant The Owen News $150,000 for 2025, $100,000 for 2026 and $50,000 for 2027, as we move toward sustainability.
“Through surveys, focus groups and community listening sessions, the Community Foundation discovered that residents overwhelmingly identified the lack of an objective and trustworthy source of local news and information as the greatest need in Owen County. The all-volunteer board and staff of The Owen News have done a wonderful job; but we know that they need paid staff to take the paper to the next level. Thanks to our generous donors, the Foundation was able to provide funds to make this happen,” said Janet
Porter’s Aug. 1 initial hearing for the escape and battery charges reads, “Court would note for the record that defendant is being uncooperative. Defendant refused to watch the video explaining his rights, and officers had to bring him to the hearing. He sat in the chair with head down, unresponsive.”
Rummel, OCCF President & CEO.
“This level of support from a community foundation isn’t common in the nonprofit news world, and words cannot express how thankful we are that OCCF is dedicated to seeing The Owen News succeed,” DeCriscio said. “While we had an extremely successful NewsMatch campaign, the financial jump to having paid staff would not be possible without OCCF.”
The grant agreement provides that OCCF shall be able to appoint one board member to The Owen News Board. The Owen News retains all editorial control and independence.
Hiring Staff
As a result of the additional support from OCCF and the successful NewsMatch campaign, The Owen News is pleased to announce that DeCriscio has
Porter will be represented by public defender Jacob Fish. Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim issued a reminder that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
been hired as the inaugural Executive Editor to oversee The Owen News full-time.
DeCriscio has served as Board President since The Owen News’ creation in July 2022. She will remain on the board but not in the role of Board President.
“I’m thankful that I get to do what I love in a community that I love. I fell in love with Owen County when I worked for The Spencer Evening World , and I’m constantly finding new things to love about this community,” DeCriscio said.
DeCriscio will manage the day-to-day operations and lead the editorial coverage for The Owen News . She will start Jan. 13.
In addition to hiring DeCriscio full-time, Ad Sales Consultant Lola Garrison has been promoted to serve as the part-time Advertising and Business Manager, starting Jan. 6.
RDC| FROM PAGE 1
Only a dozen people showed up for the hearing, but comments concerning the land swap took place for nearly an hour and a half.
“We were just looking at the site itself. We’re not in charge of how the jail is going to be built. We’re not in charge of the budget for the jail. We were just looking at the site,” Coffman said.
The summary of site data created by Coffman was created for an executive work session held in November and shared with those in attendance at the public hearing.
“Elevatus Architect Greg Wehling has confirmed a bare minimum of six acres is needed depending on the shape of the lot, arrangement of building, drives and detention base,” the three-page document reads.
The document notes that Owen County Sheriff Ryan White would like the potential site to have at least seven acres to be able to consider future expansion.
“Greg [Wehling] also commented that the 9.5 acre site allows more options with building location, especially when there are still many unknowns about the site such as location for a detention basin, depending on whether all areas are buildable. ‘Given the proximity to the quarry, I would assume it is all stone and more than adequate to support this structure. However, soil boring and a topographic survey will need to be obtained right away to confirm bearing capacity and natural drainage. My assumption is that it is stone which generally requires blasting or other costly methods if there is a need to have it removed. If there is no rock, then spread footings should work well. On site detention will need to be located within the property lines,’ [Wehling was quoted]. We can ask Greg to elaborate more now that the rock sounding report has been completed,” the report reads.
The report also addressed the appraisal discrepancy.
The appraisals themselves are not a matter of public record under Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act.
“The two independent appraisals average $205,000 for the 9.57 acre site while the two independent appraisals average $337,500 for the 96.38 acre site at Franklin Road,” the report reads. “It was noted that the 96.38 acre site was not discounted to account for the landfill, but did take into account the general value of timber. Since then, we have found comparable acreage at commercial sites near the proposed jail site are priced significantly higher on the market.”
The appraisals were conducted by Figg Appraisal Group and Hopkins Appraisal Services LLC. Both businesses are located in Bloomington.
The report also includes information about an environmental study.
“Regarding the environmental study on the Quarry Property, everything appears to be ‘clean’
based on related background checks by attorney Dana [Kerr]; all history only reflects materials being taken out and nothing being put in the ground (such as fuel tanks, etc.) Shared by Dana at the previous Executive Work Session in September,” the report reads.
During the hearing, citizen Pam Rogers asked if the environmental study would be made available to the public.
“The study was reported to the RDC under land acquisition, so if you would like a copy of it, file a public records request for the RDC. I’ll tell you here publicly, you can do that through the auditor’s office, since the RDC doesn’t have an office, and it will be responded to,” Kerr said.
The Owen News filed a public records request for the environmental study on Dec. 21.
On Dec. 23, county auditor Sheila Reeves responded that the request was received and that she did not have a copy of the environmental study. The Owen News has not received the records or a status update.
The report written by Coffman also references a rock soundings report from Patriot Engineering and Environmental.
“Architect Greg Wehling commented ‘The structural engineer has no issue with what he is seeing. We will probably have some borings done and get compaction tests done as we move forward.’ So far the proposed site does not appear to be one that will have ground settling issues,” Coffman wrote.
The report also addresses bringing utilities to the proposed jail site.
“Preliminary feedback from BBP Water indicates the current 4-inch line will need to be upgraded to an 8-inch water line to provide sufficient service to address FPE service requirements for implementing a secondary line, etc. The cost is in excess of $150,000,” the report reads in reference to bringing water to the proposed site.
The cost for the sewer was also cited in the report.
“Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. provided a rough estimate of the cost to expand the current sewer reaching the area of the proposed jail site to handle the anticipated flow needed by the jail. The cost to handle 250 gpm [gallons per minute] for the new jail is estimated to add another $550,000 to $850,000 bringing the total estimate up to $1.95 million to $2.75 million if the Fifth Street lift station is dealt with at the same time to handle the future flow,” the report reads.
Coffman also had a section for future use of the neighboring quarry to the prospective jail site.
“We were able to obtain the following disclosure from Spencer DePoy, VP of Indiana SMA Rogers Group, Inc. via his email to Gary Burton on Sept. 13, 2024,” the report from Coffman reads. “To confirm the details of our conversation earlier this week related to the Rogers Group limestone quarry just outside of Spencer. This location is not active. Our plant has been removed. We leased our sales yard to Tri-State Timber. We access the site monthly to
monitor our property for safety and security. We still own and lease limestone reserves on this property. Those minerals are all to the north and west of your proposed location. Our Bloomington location has the production capacity [to] cover our sales needs in Owen County. We own additional reserves in Owen/Morgan County as well. We still have some inventory on site. We reserve the right to sell that material and may do so.”
The report also addresses floodplain issues.
“Although some preliminary findings on other sites for sale near Spencer seemed to offer a reduced cost in sewer and water utility upgrades required due to closer proximity, these sites, like the current jail site, are in the floodplain,” the report reads.
It also says that the cost of flood insurance for these sites would be cost prohibitive, and it cites concerns of future structural issues due to ground shifting if soil was brought in to raise the areas within the floodplain.
It also says that one potential site in the floodplain was across the railroad tracks, which raised concerns about being cut off from access to the jail in case of an emergency due to a train and the additional wear and tear on the vehicles from going over the tracks more frequently.
The report also addresses that the current jail site is not large enough, even with additional land purchases and that Sheriff White estimates an additional cost of $1.8 to $2.4 million to house the inmates elsewhere while rebuilding in the current location.
“There are currently lawsuits in other counties, such as Vigo, that resulted in failure to act on jail site overcrowding and related issues. Our current jail is not in compliance with state standards and failed its last inspection. The cost of not making a decision for a viable site to build the new jail in the near future could be quite extensive in comparison to the costs identified with the current proposed site,” the report reads.
Coffman ended the report with the following, “While the above may not cover everything, I hope it will help us decide if we have enough information to proceed with a public hearing and enable us to openly share our thoughts, concerns and other questions regarding the evaluation of the proposed jail site in relation to the proposed land swap. Thanks to all on the OC RDC who have provided questions, input and feedback to help identify and list all the items above.”
Citizen Tom Abrell raised concerns about the value of the timber on the county-owned 96 acres on State Road 43S.
“I’m not opposed to this… It’s just there’s a business way of doing things that needs to be followed and knowing the value of what you have is very, very, very important. And I don’t think you know the true value of that property on 43, and it’s simply based upon, you don’t have any idea the value of the timber on that property,” Abrell said. He said that he questions it
based on a 12-year conservative logging cycle on property that he owns. He wondered if the county could sell the timber and purchase the nine acres outright.
According to commissioner and RDC member Gary Burton, the county-owned property hasn’t been logged in 30 years.
“I hope you understand where I’m coming from. It’s strictly a business thing. It’s not that this isn’t necessary, that this isn’t a good idea. I personally think that property up there for the new jail is an excellent one,” Abrell said.
Rogers asked about the process if the county rejects a bid for the county-owned property on SR 43S.
“The RDC has an absolute legal authority to reject any bids received in response to its offer to dispose of the property. In the event that those bids are rejected, the redevelopment commission cannot dispose of the property for less than the amount that was required in the proposal form for a period of 30 days. After that period of 30 days, the redevelopment commission is permitted to dispose of the property by negotiation for any price acceptable to the redevelopment commission,” attorney Dustin Meeks said. Meeks is from Barnes & Thornburg and has been brought in to assist the RDC through this process.
The RDC opened and rejected a bid proposal from Pam Rogers for purchase of and use of the property on SR 43S and moved forward with three resolutions. Rogers’ bid was the only bid submitted for the county-owned property. Burton had moved to deny the bid, and Hunter Stogsdill seconded the motion. Meeks interrupted saying that he had a resolution that addressed the rejection of bids, and the motion was withdrawn.
The first was resolution number 2024-005, Resolution of the Owen County Redevelopment Commission Confirming an Amendment to the Declaratory Resolution for the St. Rd. 43 Corridor Economic Development Area and the Economic Development Plan for Said Area and Related Matters. Stogsdill moved to approve the resolution, and Burton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The second was resolution number 2024-006, Resolution of the Owen County, Indiana Redevelopment Commission Authorizing the Acquisition of Certain Real Property. Burton moved to approve the request, and Stogsdill seconded the motion, which also passed unanimously.
The third and final resolution was resolution number 2024007, Resolution of the Owen County, Indiana Redevelopment Commission Authorizing the Disposition of Certain Real Property, and Related Matters. It is within this resolution that the RDC rejected all bids on the county-owned property. Stogsdill moved to approve the resolution, and Bobby Hall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
FRIDAY, JAN. 3, 2025
BRINSON | FROM PAGE 1
service, including her desire to have the ditch outside of Owen Valley High School (OVHS) cleaned up.
“I’ve always looked to Sonia for advice,” fellow board member Jack White said.
“Similarly to what Kris [Sammick] said, Sonia, it’s been my pleasure to work under your purview while you’ve been on the board. It’s been wonderful seeing you advocate for all the students and staff from my level to any level below,” McCormick’s Creek Elementary School (MCES) Principal Matt Cazzell said. Brinson was celebrated after with cake and punch, and superintendent Andy Cline presented her with a commemorative clock. Cline thanked Brinson for having a nearly three-hour conversation on what is and what could be for the district and taking a chance on him as superintendent.
“You’ve watched over me,” Cline said.
“You are great people. You work for this community. I appreciate you so much, and I appreciate all our principals and our students, everybody. You do such a great job,” Brinson said.
All of the seven board members were present at the meeting – White, Lizz Bixler, Rick Smeltzer, president Derek Morgan, Brinson, Chad Cooper and Mark Rogers.
The meeting started with Gosport Elementary School (GES) custodian Dale Brown being recognized for the You Make A Difference Award. He was nominated by Maintenance Director Jeff Mauder.
“Dale is dependable, knowledgeable, and most importantly, trustworthy. He gets along well with his coworkers and students. Dale is an asset to my team and to the GES students and staff,” Mauder said.
Mauder then read comments from GES Principal Carol Watson, “Mr. Dale (as he has become known to his kids at GES) has become a true leader to our community and students at Gosport. He might look like a tough military guy, but under that exterior lies the heart of a lion and a true champion for kids. I have watched him grow, play and lead with the toughest of kids, and I have watched him gain
the respect of these kids at the same time.”
Two OVHS Air Force Junior ROTC cadets, AnneMarie Arthur and Maddison Moats, led the Pledge of Allegiance at the meeting.
The board first considered their consent agenda, which
-A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Centerstone for counseling and social services;
-A MOU with Hamilton Center for counseling and social services;
-A grant from the Owen County Community Foundation for a OVHS professional development conference in June 2025;
-An out-of-state, overnight field trip for the OVHS band to Kings Island;
-An overnight field trip for the OVHS girls’ wrestling team to go to sectionals at Mount Vernon;
-Contract bus services through the 2026-2027 school year with an increase of 20-percent for the daily rate;
-Reopening position control number 12314, an instructional assistant position
maintenance agreement with Harrell-Fish Inc. for $157,640 for one year.
The board also approved the following personnel items:
Resignations
- Calinda Ennis, cook for OVHS
- Lynn Traylor, route driver 32 for S-OCS
-Brittnie Henry, Behavior Tech for S-OCS
Leaves
- Mike Robison, PES Principal, request for intermittent FMLA
- Jennifer Livingston, secondgrade teacher at MCES, request for intermittent FMLA
- Gina Boyd, preschool teacher at Spencer Elementary School, request for intermittent FMLA
Employment
- Adriana Dow-Vaugn,
- Orion Gladson, instructional assistant at MCES
- Morgan Bewley, instructional assistant at PES
ECA Positions
- Hiring of Natalie Goodwin, OVHS assistant girls’ wrestling coach
- Hiring of Dana Hauser, OVHS head girls’ wrestling coach
- Resignation of James Hendrickson, Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) head boys’ track coach
- Hiring Adam Smith, OVHS Percussion (Choral)
- Hiring Zach Turnbull, OVHS Staff Lighting (Choral)
The board will meet again for reorganization at 7 p.m. on Jan. 9 in the Mike Wells Memorial Board Room at Central Office, 205 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer.
Column: I’m thankful I get to serve Owen County
By Nicole DeCriscio *Future* Executive Editor
“Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” was said a lot.
And when I graduated nearly a decade ago, I did so with the same lofty dreams of all recent college graduates pursuing a career in journalism – I was going to become a war correspondent in the Middle East, work for The New York Times or better yet, do both.
And naturally, I was disappointed when my first newspaper job was in none other than neighboring Martinsville. But I learned a lot, then left for a design job in Columbus, Indiana. I learned a lot more, then left, taking a job, here in Spencer, at The Spencer Evening World I learned some more, but this time, I stayed.
There’s just something special about Sweet Owen.
I was devastated when I was laid off from The Spencer Evening World in 2019, and for several years, I freelanced,
desperately wanting to remain connected to journalism and to the event, I had a conversation with Marce King, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. I was excitedly telling her about an investigative piece that I was working on. I’m sure I had that spark, that glimmer that true news junkies get when they’re on the verge of a fix.
Marce indulged me, and then she asked me a question that has forever changed my life, and unknowingly, yours too. She asked, “What would it take to have a robust online-only news outlet that had a flyer with the recent headlines and instructions on reading it online?”
I had no clue, both in the answer to the question Marce asked me, and in what would be in store for me. I told her I’d look into it, and she told me to create a business plan.
I knew nothing about making a business plan, so I researched it, found a template and made a really bad first attempt. In my research, I stumbled across the idea of forming a nonprofit news outlet. At first, the naive idea of
RECORDS | FROM PAGE 1
Sheila Reeves, who passed it to County Attorney Dana Kerr.
After seeing the request, Reeves submitted two email chains that she had been copied on in an effort to fulfill the request from her office. The auditor’s office does not maintain emails outside of the ones sent to their office.
On Aug. 27, The Owen News followed up with Kerr in regard to the request, asking for the records or an update on the status of the request.
“While an update was requested in August, the county attorney cited an unfortunate family circumstance for a delay, of which you graciously accepted as a rational justification for the wait. Nonetheless, further status update requests went unanswered, and you turned to this office for guidance and sought this informal inquiry,” 24INF-7 written by Britt reads.
On Sept. 24, The Owen News once again asked for a status update via email. Kerr did not respond.
there being tons of operational grants (which shows you how little I knew about grant writing) and the tax status seemed alluring. But the more I sat with it, I realized the most important reason that nonprofit news works, especially in small, closeknit communities – nonprofits are owned by their board of directors, comprised of members of the community. It makes nonprofit news owned by the community it covers.
A simple conversation led to what has become The Owen News.
Marce took my bad, half-baked business plan to Janet Rummel at the community foundation, and Janet connected me with two key folks – Laura Wilkerson and Travis Curry. Travis, Janet and I met, and Janet encouraged us to apply for a Large Impact Grant to serve as a planning grant to research nonprofit news models, to survey the community and to create the foundation of what would become The Owen News
That July, we had the first, unofficial board meeting with Niki Gessler, Aaron LaGrange, Darrell White, Laura, Travis and I.
And later,
On Oct. 11, The Owen News filed an informal complaint with Britt’s office after the request for a status update remained unanswered.
In November, in passing Kerr stated he had received the requested emails from the county’s IT department, but no further update and no written update has been received.
Britt’s opinion addresses the timeliness requirement of the Access to Public Records Act (APRA).
“Given recent legislation limiting the ability of the public access counselor (PAC) to define the myriad of ambiguous statutory terms in the access laws by utilizing traditional legal writing methods, the PAC still provides guidance outside of the formal complaint process, including through informal inquiry responses like these,” the informal opinion reads.
The Owen News contacted Britt’s office at least twice throughout August and September in an effort to explore other options to encourage a response to the records request
Ale Young, Kurt Rosenberger, Ashley Fleetwood, Larken Seymour and Stefan Welsh joined the board.
We brought back all of the wonderful columnists from the old Spencer Evening World (Annie Bright, Susan Anderson and Dixie Richardson) and brought on new columnists and columns from local stakeholders and leaders (Kyle Hannon, Jason Kinney, Ginger Kohr, Jim Luzar, Jamie Lowder, Wendy Moler and Cassie Linville).
We hired an independent contractor Ad Sales Consultant in Lola Garrison, and we hosted our first (unpaid unfortunately) intern, Hannah Amos. Hannah’s mom, Margaret Amos, has also been a staunch supporter and one of our volunteers. Some have stayed, some have had to leave for various reasons, but each has left their mark on this project. It truly takes a village to put out a newspaper, and I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone unintentionally. Please accept my apology now!
It’s not lost on me that my fellow founding board members and those who joined before we started printing in April 2024 did so with nothing more
than the belief in the imporance of local news, faith in me and most importantly, love for Owen County.
The ways that this community shows up and so completely never ceases to amaze me.
When I needed to find board members, folks stepped up, going all-in.
When we were spinning our wheels, the Chamber came out with their business buildout program and helped us build our foundation.
When we needed a place, the Exchange coworking space was being created.
When we wanted to have a ribbon cutting and wanted to provide lunch, Steve Withem, Spencer Main Street and of course, Steve’s smoker Baby came to the rescue.
When we needed to raise $15,000 for our NewsMatch campaign, folks signed up to have the paper mailed to them in droves.
And now, when we’ve needed the ability to grow and make this sustainable, the Owen County Community Foundation and generous donors throughout the community have said, we value local news.
When we need help, this community steps up and goes all-in.
from Kerr on behalf of the Owen County Commissioners.
“The subjective and ambiguous term ‘reasonable time’ is not defined by APRA; and thus, it falls to this office to decide on a case-by-case basis whether an agency responded within a reasonable time,” the informal opinion reads.
When considering whether or not the response is timely Britt’s office considers the size of the public agency, the size of the request, the number of pending requests, the complexity of the request and any other operational considerations or factors that may reasonably affect the public records process.
“Herein lies the current issue. Your records request was delayed due to a family circumstance of the county attorney. Notably, attorneys often handle public records requests – and rightfully so — as they frequently trigger legal analysis regarding disclosability. Therefore, the incapacity of a lawyer for personal reasons is not problematic if it causes a slight delay – something you
This newspaper exists because of our community. It succeeds because of our community. It is special because of our community. I often think about whether or not what I do is “work,” and with time, I’ve learned it’s not just what you do.
That saying is only partially true. I get to do what I love and what I’m passionate about. But I’ve worked as a journalist before, and I’ve had jobs even outside of the industry that I loved.
What the saying is missing, and what really makes a job no longer feel like work is doing what you love in a place that you love with people that you love. Then, and only then are you not working. I feel so honored that I get to serve this community, my community, in this way. I’m excited about this new chapter for me and for The Owen News because I get to do what I love, where I love, in a community that I love.
Nicole DeCriscio is the soon-to-be inaugural Executive Editor of The Owen News. Her first day will be Jan. 13.
DeCriscio serves on the national board of directors for The Society of Professional Journalists.
seemingly value considering your Aug. 28 email to the county attorney,” the informal opinion reads. “Your point is well taken, however, that after a time of three months without an update, even upon seeking one, you still have not received the records. Simply put, the ARPA does not answer the ‘how long is too long’ question, or what circumstances justify delays such as these.”
Britt also shared in the informal opinion that when coaching public officials, he uses 30 days as a benchmark for reasonable timeliness.
“Taking the human element into account, an excess of 30 days would have been justified in this case. But a 90-day delay for a request such as yours is indeed likely longer than the legislature meant by ‘reasonable time,’” Britt wrote.
As of The Owen News’ press deadline, there has not been a response to the records request. Britt’s full informal opinion can be read online at theowennews. org.
Owen Valley High School Sports Calendar
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.
Jan. 8
6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed wrestling vs Bloomington South at Owen Valley.
Jan. 9
6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed wrestling vs Greencastle at Greencastle.
Jan. 10
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Clovedale at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Clovedale at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.
Jan. 11
9:30 a.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball at John Foutch Memorial Tournament at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Northview at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Northview at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Northview at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Northview at Owen Valley.
Jan. 13
6 p.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs Bloomington North at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Clay City at Clay City.
6:45 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Clay City at Clay City.
Jan. 15
6 p.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.
Jan. 16
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs Edgewood at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Edgewood at Owen Valley.
Jan. 17
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Edgewood at Edgewood.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Edgewood at Edgewood.
Jan. 18
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Clay City at Clay City.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Clay City at Clay City.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs South
Owen Valley Middle School Sports Calendar
Jan. 7
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Tri-North at Tri-North.
Jan. 8
6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs Batchelor at Batchelor.
6 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball vs Batchelor at Batchelor.
Jan. 9
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Bedford at Owen Valley.
Jan. 11
9 a.m. – Boys’ wrestling at Edgewood Colt Invitational.
Jan. 14
6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs Linton-Stockton at Linton-Stockton.
6 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball vs Linton-Stockton at Linton-Stockton.
Jan. 15
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs White River Valley at White River Valley.
6 p.m. – Boys’ wrestling vs John Wooden Middle School at John Wooden Middle School.
Jan. 16
6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs St. Charles Borromeo at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs St. Charles Borromeo at St. Charles Borromeo Middle School.
7 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball vs St. Charles Borromeo at Owen Valley.
Jan. 21
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Linton-Stockton at Owen Valley.
Jan. 22
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Eastern Greene at Eastern Greene.
Jan. 23
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.
Jan. 25
9 a.m. – Boys’ wrestling at Franklin Middle School Super 16.
Jan. 27
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Batchelor at Batchelor Middle School.
6 p.m. – Boys’ wrestling vs Batchelor and Seven Oaks at Owen Valley.
Jan. 29
6 p.m. – Boys’ wrestling vs Jackson Creek at Jackson Creek.
Jan. 30
6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs Bedford at Bedford.
6 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball vs Bedford at Bedford.
Cloverdale Middle School Sports Calendar
Jan. 6
6 p.m. – Boys’ basketball (7th/8th) vs North Putnam at North 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.
Jan. 13
6 p.m. – First round of the Putnam County Tournament at Greencastle.
Jan. 15
6 p.m. – Finals of the Putnam County Tournament at Cloverdale.
Jan. 18
10 a.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball, first round of WIC Tourney at Owen Valley.
10 a.m. – Eighth grade boys’ basketball, first round of WIC Tourney at Edgewood.
Jan. 21
6 p.m. – WIC Tourney championship game at Cloverdale.
Jan. 23
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball (7th/8th) vs White River Valley at Cloverdale.
Jan. 25
9 a.m. – Eighth grade girls’ basketball vs Sarah Scott Middle School at Sarah Scott MIddle School.
Jan. 27
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball (7th/8th) vs Monrovia at Cloverdale.
Jan. 30
6 p.m. – Boys’ wrestling (6th8th) wrestling vs North Clay at North Clay.
Feb. 1
9 a.m. – Boys’ wrestling (6th8th) wrestling at White River Rumble at North Clay.
Feb. 3
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball (7th/8th) vs Eminence at Cloverdale. Feb. 4
6 p.m. – Boys’ wrestling (6th8th) wrestling vs Southmont at Cloverdale. Feb. 6
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball (7th/8th) vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.
Putnam at Owen Valley.
Jan. 20
6 p.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs Clay City at Clay City.
Jan. 21
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs White River Valley at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs White River Valley at Owen Valley.
Jan. 22
6 p.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs Mooresville at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Varsity coed wrestling vs South Vermillion at South Vermillion.
Jan. 24
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs North Putnam at North Putnam.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs North Putnam at North Putnam.
Jan. 25
6 p.m. – Junior varsity
Feb. 1
9 a.m. – Boys’ wrestling at White River Rumble at Owen Valley.
Feb. 3
6 p.m. – Seventh grade boys’ basketball vs Shakamak at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.
7 p.m. – Eighth grade boys’
boys’ basketball vs LintonStockton at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs LintonStockton at Owen Valley.
Jan. 28
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ basketball vs White River Valley at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs White River Valley at White River Valley.
Jan. 29
6 p.m. – Freshmen boys’ basketball vs North Knox at Owen Valley.
Jan. 31
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs North Putnam at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs North Putnam at Owen Valley.
Feb. 6
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Sullivan at Sullivan.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Sullivan at Sullivan.
basketball vs Shakamak at Owen Valley.
Feb. 4
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Monrovia at Monrovia.
Feb. 6
6 p.m. – Girls’ basketball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Boys’ wrestling vs TriNorth at Tri-North.
Trailing or Leading: Is MYPath for the birds?
By Kyle Hannon Guest Columnist
I’m not a bird guy. I like birds. They can be pretty. I like to listen to them. But I’m not very good at identifying them, either by sound or sight.
That is almost okay. You don’t have to be an expert on birds to be a contributing member of society. My problem is that I am a seasonal naturalist at McCormick’s Creek State Park. The bigger problem is that my mom is very good at birds.
Joanne Hannon used to write a column about birds and things for the Spencer Evening World. I should be better at identifying
and understanding our feathered residents.
Fortunately, I work on the MYPath Riverfront trail. I have access to more birds than anywhere I have lived before. One of our regular visitors says there is something about the curve of the river right next to our wooded trail that attracts a wide variety of birds.
Vern Wilkins can be seen on MYPath with a camera that has a lens the size of the Hubble telescope. Vern is a regular contributor to the MYPath Hotspot on the eBird web page. In fact, Vern and other contributors have recorded 155 bird species along our trail.
Another local group that uses MYPath to find unique bird species is Spencer Pride. Jonathan Balash
has led the Rainbow Birders on birding expeditions along MYPath. For the uninitiated, a birding expedition is NOT a hunting expedition with rifles. It is an opportunity to look for and identify birds. If you are fortunate, you may see a bird you have never seen before.
For people like me, I have found tremendous assistance using the Merlin bird ID app. It comes to us from the great ornithology school at Cornell University. If a bird is singing, turn on the Merlin app, and it will identify what kind of bird it is. I am getting to the point where I can identify the birds, and I just use Merlin to confirm. Merlin can identify pictures of birds too, if you can take a good one.
Side lesson:
Ornithology is the study of birds. A Merlin is a type of bird. It is a small hawk that eats other animals. Merlins are really cool, and they have been seen on MYPath.
Even though I like birds and am getting better at identifying them, I’m not likely to join a birding expedition any time soon. My wife and I attended a New-Years bird count several years ago in a different community. I discovered that I talk too much. The other birders were glaring at me because I might have been (it was never proven) scaring the birds away.
In a similar situation, I am likely to start laughing out loud when some birds are identified. For example, a couple days ago I was listening to a
Cloverdale High School Sports Calendar
Jan. 7
6 p.m. – Varsity coed wrestling vs South Putnam at Cloverdale.
6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling vs South Putnam at Cloverdale.
Jan. 9
6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling vs West Vigo at Cloverdale.
6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed wrestling vs West Vigo at Cloverdale.
Jan. 10
6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.
6:30 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.
Jan. 11
9 a.m. – Varsity co-ed wrestling vs Covington at Covington.
9 a.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling vs Covington at Covington.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Greencastle at Greencastle.
Jan. 14 6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed wrestling vs Sullivan at Sullivan.
6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling vs Sullivan at Sullivan.
6:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs West Vigo at West Vigo.
Jan. 16
6:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Crawfordsville at Cloverdale.
Jan. 17
7:30 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Cascade at Cascade.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Cascade at Cascade.
Jan. 18
9 a.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling at WIC Championships at South Putnam.
9 a.m. – Varsity coed wrestling at WIC Championships at South Putnam.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs White River Valley at Cloverdale.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs White River Valley at Cloverdale.
Jan. 21
6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Eminence at Eminence.
pretty bird song. I pulled out Merlin and learned it was a Yellow-rumped Warbler. How am I supposed to keep from snickering?
Another side lesson: Your knowledge of birds might impress a potential date, but not if you refer to them as a Yellowrumped Warbler.
I hope you enjoy birds. And I encourage you to bring your curiosity to MYPath. Right now, because the leaves are down, you can see a bald eagle’s nest across the river near the fairgrounds. They regularly fly over MYPath, and one of our volunteers knows where they hang out. He has gotten several great photos.
At MYPath I have really learned a lot about birds. I can have knowledgeable conversations with
Jan. 23 6 p.m.– Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs North Putnam at Cloverdale.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs North Putnam at Cloverdale.
Jan. 24
6:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs Sullivan at Sullivan.
Jan. 25
9 a.m. – Varsity boys’ wrestling at Bob Hasseman Super Six at Plainfield.
9 a.m. – Varsity coed wrestling at Bob Hasseman Super Six at Plainfield.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Clay City at Clay City.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Clay City at Clay City.
my bird-expert mom. And I feel more confident helping visitors at McCormick’s Creek. Check out the MYPath Riverfront Trail Hotspot on the eBird web page. You will see a list of birds from the common cardinal to the indigo bunting to the osprey. Better yet, visit MYPath in person to see what you can find. Bring your binoculars, your Merlin app and a guidebook. Or just sit and listen. That’s okay too.
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.
Jan. 28
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ wrestling vs Eminence at Eminence.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity co-ed wrestling vs Eminence at Eminence.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ basketball vs North Daviess at Cloverdale.
Jan. 30
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Northview at Northview.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Northview at Northview.
Feb. 1
6 p.m. – Junior varsity boys’ basketball vs Eastern Greene at Cloverdale.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ basketball vs Eastern Greene at Cloverdale.
Outdoor Type: Memorable outdoor TV shows
By Larry LaGrange
as Roland Martin, Bill Dance, Forrest Wood and Jerry McKinnis, of The Fishin’ Hole fame, lure maker Tom Mann, and the original TV angler, Gadabout Gaddis, the Flying Fisherman.
If you remember Gad, you’re an old dude like me. The winters can
be long, and outdoor TV programs help fill the bill until warmer temps arrive.
Speaking of Jerry McKinnis, I recall his coming to a Jasper boat dealer for a seminar, maybe in the eighties. Patoka Lake was fairly new, but the honeymoon was over, and bass fishing had gotten more difficult.
Jerry had previously aired an episode of fishing Patoka, and he made it look easy, landing nice bass right and left. An audience member asked about how that great catch came about. McKinnis said something like, “Well, my camera guy and I were passing through the area on our way to another lake. We had heard about Patoka, we had a little
time, so we gave it a try one afternoon. I looked around as we motored along, saw an island (the one visible from the beach), and thought there might be some bass around it. I just started casting and hit a nice school.” He made it sound as if catching that kind of fish at Patoka was not really that big a deal.
Someone in the audience, maybe me, groaned. Sometimes you just get lucky. Regardless, Jerry produced and starred in a fine fishing program, a big step up from Gadabout in technical quality but still featuring Jerry’s homespun narration.
One of the outstanding televised fishing shows today is the Bassmasters tournament
program. Hosts Tommy Sanders and former pro Davy Hite and guests narrate the adventures of Elite anglers as they try to get the most bass weight in three or four days of grueling competition, vying for the $100,000 first place prize. The top anglers qualify for the Classic and its windfall of $300,000. The film work is outstanding, and the locales are diverse, from California, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, to New York State. The program’s drama gets intense as the four days unfold. Consult the Bassmaster website for specific TV times.
The Bass Pro Major League Fishing show is also excellent and perhaps more interesting in that there’s less
time between catches. Of course, there are many other options out there to watch outdoor programs. Youtube is loaded with them, and many are available if you stream. For a good laugh, check out Bill Dance’s flub videos. That guy is hilarious, and we fishermen can all relate to some of his misadventures.
In the winter it’s nice to watch someone else land a fish or hunt game even if we can’t, but take heart. Spring will arrive before you know it. Outdoor shows on television help January and February go by a little more quickly. Happy watching.
Driftwood Outdoors: ACE Reauthorization Act
By Brandon Butler Guest Columnist
Policy-focused conservation organizations are applauding the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act. Having already passed the House of Representatives, ACE now heads to the President’s desk where it is
expected to be signed into law.
There are many legislative acts and rules that benefit conservation and natural resources in our country. But ask a few sportsmen to name a few, and chances are you’ll find little public knowledge of the crucial means by which our way of life is protected, funded and regulated.
ACE includes the reauthorization of one
government initiative sportsmen and wildlife enthusiasts nationwide should be especially interested in, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The NAWCA bolsters fish, wildlife and habitat conservation, and protects access for anglers across the nation.
According to Ducks Unlimited, since its enactment
in 1989, NAWCA has conserved almost 32 million acres and created an average of 7,500 new jobs annually. It is a voluntary matching grant program that leverages non-federal and federal funds for wetland restoration. Every dollar spent by the federal government, on average, receives a $3 match from program partners like DRIFTWOOD | PAGE 13
Purdue Extension — Looking forward to a good year in 2025
justify the county
expenditure. If you have items you would like to see provided by Purdue Extension-Owen County, please contact me at luzar@purdue.edu or call 812-829-5020. Client Visits I want to visit more farms, landowners and homesteads in 2025. This may involve identifying causal factors of plant and animal problems, identifying opportunities such as farm succession or new enterprise development. I may
have to reach out to a campus specialist, but I am the “boots on the ground” to make contact in the field. There is no charge for a farm visit. Your tax dollars help support this service!
I have a few new tools in the office to assist clients: soil probe, compaction tester, bush honeysuckle puller and forage probe. Many of these items can be checked out like a library book. Purdue on the Farm On-farm
applied research is useful to address issues like nutrient management, pest control and cropping practices. Purdue on the Farm is a clientbased program that tracks crop progress through the growing season. I would like to cooperate with two farmers in Owen County in 2025. Again, this program is not fee based.
Indiana Master Naturalist Program
I plan on hosting a class series in April/May of 2025 in Spencer. Class time will be 9 a.m. until noon. Please let me know if you are interested and would like more information.
Owen County 4-H Program
My goal is to assist Cassie Abrell and the complement of 4-H volunteers with subject matter materials
and educational support. I will be demonstrating the garden and floriculture projects for the 4-H Project Fair set for Jan. 12. See Cassie’s article for more details.
Field Days I want to promote an on-site field day each quarter of 2025. Pond management, woodland stewardship, pasture management and conservation practices are topics that clients have expressed interest in.
These projects have a natural partnership with the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District and Owen County Farm Bureau. Again, if you have ideas, please let me know.
With respect to customer service, I want to be the best Extension educator in agriculture Owen County can access.
My goal is to return emails and phone calls each week and not “drag out” response time. If I need to secure additional intel, I promise to be as prompt as possible.
January Ag Dates Jan. 7 – IBCA Area 5 Beef meeting at Hilltop Restaurant. Jan. 14 – Backyard Poultry Program at the Brazil Public Library.
Jan. 16 –Owen County Homesteaders, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Owen County Public Library.
Jan. 22 – Purdue Small Farm Resources Lunch and Learn, 11 a.m. to noon, in the Purdue ExtensionOwen County Office meeting room.
Jan. 30 – Purdue Extension Master Gardener Class starts, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Purdue
New Year, new Purdue Extension programs offered
By Jamie Jo Lowder Health and Human Sciences Educator, Purdue Extension-Owen County
The hustle and bustle of the holidays has drawn to an end, and we are now embarking on a new year. There are many slogans out there such as “New Year, New You,” “New Year, New Beginnings,” “Seize the New Year” and “This is the Beginning of a New Chapter.”
Each year individuals set out to make this coming year better than the last. They set goals, or resolutions, for what they would like to accomplish. They give themselves a word to live by or an expectation to live by that year. Many times, only to give up before we even hit summer. This year I was reading an article called “Tips for managing New Year’s resolutions and staying mindful in 2025,” written by Samantha Harden in the Virginia Tech News. She explains that when we make a resolution it is usually something so extreme
that we set ourselves up for failure. She suggests that instead of making a resolution you do an honest evaluation of yourself and focus on one area that you would like to make a change in. Harden suggests, ‘“The most important thing is to change your mindset about where you are, what’s feasible, what’s realistic, and what environmental support you need to get you there.” The article goes on to say, “To help keep these goals feasible and realistic, Harden recommends honing in on what aspect of your life needs improvement most: mental health, hobbies, finances, social interactions, spiritual wellbeing or physical health? When you focus on that area of improvement, you can set short-term goals for something soon and long-term goals for something this time next year and find the ‘why behind your why.”’
We want you to have a successful New Year here at Purdue Extension, and we will be ushering in some programs that might be able to help you do that. I have some programs that I would like to get started, so if you are an organization or individual that would be interested in any of these programs please reach
out and let me know.
Our Strengthening Families Program: for Parents and Youth ages 10 to 14 is an evidencebased parent, youth and family skills-building curriculum that reduces teen substance abuse and other behavior problems, strengthens parent/ youth communication skills, increases academic success in youth and reduces violence and aggressive behavior at home and at school. If you, as an organization or individual families, would like to be a part of this wonderful program please let me know.
Another program that I am working on is a Get Walk’IN coming up in the spring. This will be a program/challenge that we will do around the courthouse from noon to 1 p.m. Anyone is welcome. Stay tuned for more information.
Here are some programs that I already have on the schedule for this winter and heading into spring:
Safe Sitter – Jan. 25 at Patricksburg Elementary School, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $30/ person, and we will have CPR certification included in this class. This is for children in grades 6 to 8. This program is designed to prepare students to be safe when they’re home
alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The instructor-led class is filled with fun games and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use mannequins to practice rescue skills like choking rescue.
Dining with Diabetes – Jan. 21, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church in Coal City. This is a free program sponsored by the Owen County Health Department. Nutrition and physical activity are keys to managing your Type 2 Diabetes. But where do you start? The Dining with Diabetes program can help! Dining with Diabetes consists of four sessions and a reunion. Adults with Type 2 Diabetes (or who are at risk) are invited to participate as well as family members, caregivers, and support people. You must preregister for this class at https://cvent.me/N0aody. If you have any questions or need help registering, please call the office at 812-829-5020.
Parents Forever – Feb. 13 from 1-5 p.m. at the Owen County-Purdue Extension Office. This is an educational program for families experiencing divorce, separation, a change in child custody or who are just wanting
to learn how to parent better together. Please pre-register for this event by calling 812-829-5020 or emailing lowder0@ purdue.edu.
Matter of Balance – Weekly from Feb. 25 to April 15 – Matter of Balance – from 10 a.m. to noon 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 evidencebased fall prevention program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. This is a free program for those 60 and older thanks to the Area 10 Agency on Aging. For those younger than 60 who would like to participate there is a $25 fee. There is limited seating available for this program and pre-registration is required. The link for this program is https://cvent. me/9x5RwV. If you have any questions or need help registering, please call the office at 812-8295020.
If there is a program that you would like to see in the areas of food, finance, family and/or health please reach out to me and let me know what you are interested in: lowder0@purdue.edu.
Openings, tax service and board meetings
By Ginger Kohr OCPL Director
A new year is a good time to try new things, start a new occupation, form new interests and make new friends.
The Owen County Public Library could be the place to begin for two or three people, as we are currently accepting applications for a clerk’s job and for some unique and interesting positions on our staff.
Does it seem like you know almost everyone
By Cassie Linville 4-H Youth Development Educator
get involved in 4-H, mark your calendar for the 4-H Project Fair set for Jan. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the 4-H Exhibit Hall at the Owen County Fairgrounds. This event is designed to introduce local youth and their families to the exciting world of 4-H and provide
in Owen County? Do you enjoy stories about things that have happened here in the past? Do you think it is important to keep track of current events in the county because they will someday be history?
Do you enjoy looking up the answers to questions?
If so, you might be the person we are looking for to fill our Genealogy position. Would you enjoy creating and/or hosting programs that would help people of all ages grow, learn, express their
hands-on experience with a wide variety of 4-H projects. At the project fair, attendees will have the opportunity to explore interactive displays and demonstrations that highlight the many projects available through 4-H. From arts, crafts and photography, to science, technology and agriculture, there’s something for everyone. The event will give kids the chance to see how they can get involved in these projects, learn new skills and find areas that spark their interests. A special focus of this year’s event will be the 2025 Project of the Year: Entomology. The
DRIFTWOOD | FROM PAGE 11
Ducks Unlimited. NAWCA grants totaling more than $2.1 billion have leveraged over $4.3 billion for NAWCA projects through matching funds. The ACE Act reauthorizes NAWCA at $60 million a year until 2030.
“America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act impacts many of North America’s foundational conservation programs,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “From national initiatives like NAWCA to
creativity, solve problems and enjoy themselves? You might be right for our Programmer position. Are you looking for your first job? A new job? A post-retirement job? Would you like to join our staff as a circulation clerk?
Training is provided for all these positions. Come in and ask for an application. See our Facebook page for more details.
OCPL will once again provide the Vita Free Tax Service this year and will be making appointments
entomology display will introduce young visitors to the fascinating world of insects, with project guidelines, fun facts and handson activities with Purdue Universities Entomology Department. Attendees can learn about the life cycles of insects, their roles in the environment and how studying them connects to larger fields of science. For kids interested in biology and ecology, entomology offers a unique and engaging way to explore the natural world. Special incentives will be shared at our Project Fair for completing the Entomology Project at the 2025
regional partnerships like the Chesapeake Bay Program, this bill will strengthen our ability to conserve wetlands and other waterfowl habitat in all 50 states. Its passage indicates a strong finish for the 118th Congress, and we thank Reps. Wittman and Thompson and Sens. Carper and Capito for their leadership. We look forward to carrying this bipartisan momentum for conservation into the new year.”
ACE was a priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Made up
later in January. Please watch for notice when we begin taking appointments. The tax service will run from Feb. 4 through April 12; Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We are accepting volunteers to serve as greeters for those coming to get their taxes prepared. We need greeters on Tuesdays and Saturdays. A short training session is
Owen County 4-H Fair.
In addition to discovering new 4-H projects, families can also enroll in 4-H at the event. Those who sign up during the event will receive a $5 discount on the 4-H enrollment fee. This makes enrollment for mini4-H members in grades K-2 FREE for the program year and regular 4-H members in grades 3-12 only $15 for the year! Volunteers will be available to guide families through the enrollment process and help new members choose their projects for the year.
Adult volunteers interested in serving as a 4-H volunteer
provided for the few duties of the greeter. There is a deadline for training completion. Please call 812-829-3392, option 2.
The Board of Directors meetings of the Owen County Public Library will continue to be held in the Library Vault in 2025. Meetings will begin at 5 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. Check postings in the library for any changes.
Season’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year!
this year can also get assistance with signing up as a volunteer and completing the enrollment process. This is an excellent opportunity to get a head start on the 4-H year and ensure your child can participate in their favorite projects. We encourage enrollment by Jan. 15 to enjoy the full program year of activities, events and workshops!
The 4-H Project Fair is a great way to learn about the many opportunities available through 4-H and get inspired for the upcoming year. Whether a child is interested in animals, arts, robotics or community service,
of legislators at the national and state levels, CSF works tirelessly for sportsmen and women in Washington, D.C. and in statehouses nationwide, regardless of the political landscape, to pass legislation beneficial to fish and wildlife, and our rights and privileges to hunt and fish.
“CSF thanks the Congressional Sportsmen’s caucus members who were instrumental in seeing the ACE Reauthorization Act clear Congress and head to the
the fair will provide a glimpse into the diverse activities that make 4-H such a rewarding experience.
For more information about the 4-H Project Fair or to learn how to get involved in 4-H, visit the Owen County 4-H Facebook page or contact the 4-H Youth Development Educator, Cassie Linville, at 812-8295020 or cassiel@ purdue.edu. Join us on Jan. 12 for an afternoon of discovery and fun – and take the first step toward a year of growth and learning through 4-H!
President’s desk for his signature. This legislation demonstrates yet again that conservation and issues of importance to sportsmen and women continue to be bipartisan issues across Congress,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “We look forward to the President quickly signing this bill into law to deliver on-the-ground, meaningful conservation for fish and wildlife as well as a key protection for our nation’s anglers.”
The ACE Reauthorization Act
DRIFTWOOD | PAGE 16
Ramblings: Winter woodpecker visitors
By Annie Bright Guest Columnist
Gray clouds rode low over the cornfield; tiny flakes of snow swirled in the chilly morning air. I was snug in my living room as I watched the small crew of starlings fight over the suet cake. Starlings are not what I had hoped to attract when I put the suet cake in the gum ball tree. Sturnus vulgaris, the European starling, is a common bird that many consider a nuisance. The breed was introduced to North America in the
It’s
late 1800s in New York. They are now one of the most common birds throughout the country. They will take up residence wherever humans live. They will eat anything… garbage, worms, insects, seeds and fruit. They have a straight tapered bill and very strong muscles in their necks. They usually travel in large flocks. Luckily, the flock that is devouring the suit cake is small.
The midsize black birds will nest just about any place – crevices in buildings, or trees or birdhouses meant for other birds. They are easy to spot as they do not look like other birds. Their fat little bodies waddle about the ground searching for bits of corn or seeds that have fallen from the suet cake.
The starlings have
short, square tails. This morning their feathers are fluffed up to hold the air for heat, making them look even fatter. Their black bodies are sprinkled with white spots. The adult breeding males have a spot of iridescent on their shoulders and neck. If the sun were shining it would be glistening. Their voice is a harsh chatter mixed with gurgling hiss. They can imitate other birds’ calls. They flit about the suet cake fighting each other for a beak full of the seed filled suet. I do not begrudge them their breakfast. It is cold, and they need to eat.
I was wishing for a visit from the little brown creeper or the downy woodpecker that has been visiting me. The downy woodpecker, Picoides pubescens, is often confused
with the larger hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus. Downy woodpeckers are only about six or seven inches long. The small black and white bird is common in any wooded habitat. They are very common in the town of Spencer. Probably because of all the trees that line the streets and alleys and the White River that winds around the south edge of town.
The downy is more common than the hairy. Other than size there are very few ways to distinguish the two species. Both males have red spots on the back of their heads. Both have white bellies. When flying the underside of their wings show black and white stripes. Both have black beaks. The small differences are not very noticeable; the downy
has a small tuft of nasal bristles. They also have a short, slow drum. The Hairy is about nine and a half inches long. They are not as common as their smaller lookalike. They prefer the safety of mature woods. Their call is a sharper, stronger peek. They drum extremely fast and for a longer time. They often visited the feeders on the Ridge during the cold days of winter.
Both species are fun to watch scamper up and down trees as they search for food. The presence of the little black and white visitor makes me happy. I am hoping he will return when the starlings leave. It is wise to appreciate nature in all forms, so I will enjoy watching while the starlings have their breakfast.
‘til next time, Annie
Just a Country State of Mind: What’s in your lunch box?
By Susan Anderson Guest Columnist
When I was in first grade, the small school I attended didn’t have a hot lunch program. We all had to bring our lunches. You could say that lunchtime was our social time of the day.
There were two groups of lunch kids: those who carried their lunch in a brown bag, and those that carried a lunchbox.
I was a brown bagger myself. My mother must not have believed in lunchboxes because I always carried those brown paper bags
to school. Only a few of the elite kids had lunchboxes. Probably 90 percent of the class were brown baggers. We were ranked by the kind of lunch container we used. The lunchbox kids sat together at one table, and the brown baggers at another. It was a fun time at lunch to compare our lunches: what we brought and how much. It was almost like a competition at times to see who had the best lunch. A lot of trading and bargaining went on as well. If you didn’t like what your mother packed for you, if you were lucky, you could pawn it off on some unsuspecting victim.
When my family went to the grocery store, my mother would let me pick out what I wanted to take for my lunch.
I always picked the same things. Pickle Pimento loaf sandwiches, bananas, fig bars and potato chips. I was a creature of habit. I didn’t have too many takers on my lunch selection, but I did not want to trade anyway. Most of the sandwiches offered up consisted of some sort of lunch meat or peanut butter and jelly. Occasionally someone would break up the monotony.
One day a kid named Ralph brought an unusual sandwich to school. He bragged about how good it was. I always thought during my whole six years of existence that eggs were for breakfast. But when the egg sandwich surfaced out of his brown bag,
all the boys lit up. Excitement rang out in their voices and trades were being offered. A Twinkie for an egg sandwich? How about an apple? It still made no sense to me. Finally, the coveted egg sandwich would find its way to a new owner while Ralph on the other hand ended up with the motherload of some kid’s lunch. The lucky winner of the egg sandwich held his prize for everyone to see.
Later on down the road, I would learn the truth. It turned out that Ralph was smarter than most of us. You see he really didn’t like those egg sandwiches that his mother made for him. But he pretended to like them. Ralph went on about those old sandwiches like
they were made of gold. After a while, everyone started believing him. Soon, everyone wanted Ralph’s sandwiches. His sandwiches became legendary. To win one from him was the highest reward. That’s what I would call good marketing. He was a natural salesman. In the order of things, I would say that Ralph had arrived. He had found his niche early in life. He was head of the hierarchy of the first-grade lunches. He was king of the brown paper bags. He had a great run that year.
That is until the following year. That’s when the school started serving hot lunches and that pretty much did away with our lunch trading program. From then on, most of us bought our lunches. We were
all served the same thing every day so there was nothing left to trade.
Those first-grade years are long gone but every now and then, when I eat a Fig Newton bar, I remember that small classroom of long ago. We were all entrepreneurs in the making. And we were in the presence of genius and didn’t even know it. Sometimes I still think about Ralph and wonder if he is out there somewhere, still pedaling those egg sandwiches. He might even have his own fast-food chain by now. Guess I will never know. But the real question here is, “What’s in your lunchbox?”
Happy New Year!
Susan
S-OCS hosts annual career expo
By Kris Sammick
S-OCS Director of Communications
Spencer-Owen Community Schools
(S-OCS) recently held its highly anticipated Annual Fifth Grade Career Expo, off ering students a unique opportunity to learn about a wide range of careers. This event served as a platform to inspire students, broaden their horizons and encourage them to start thinking about their future paths.
The importance of early career exposure cannot be overstated. At this pivotal stage in their development, fifth graders are naturally curious and eager to learn. By introducing them to various careers early on, they gain a better understanding of the possibilities that lie ahead. Events like the Career Expo help students connect classroom learning to real-world applications, giving them a sense of purpose and motivation to pursue their dreams. Community Volunteers: The Heart of the Expo
The success of the Career Expo would not have been possible without the incredible support of our community volunteers. These dedicated professionals took time out of their busy schedules to share their experiences, educate students about the training and education required for their jobs, and emphasize the importance of essential workplace skills.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the following volunteers who made this event truly special:
Andrea Miles –Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Mike Robison –Principal
Shelby VanDerMoere – Mobile Health Program Manager
Cassie Linville – 4-H Youth Development
Cory Bougher –
Remote Instructional
Designer
Crystal Minnick & Vickie Dibbern –Respiratory Therapy
Joey Miles –Cybersecurity
Ashley Fleetwood –Attorney
Larry Hensley –Director of Finance
Nicole DeCriscio –Newspaper Reporter
Eric Reno – Safety Manager
Dr. Grant Minnemeyer –Veterinarian
Crystal Heidrick –RN, Case Management
Jamie Neibel – Emergency Management
Rick Smeltzer –Engineer
Jarrod Jacobs –Preacher
Mychal Doering –Career Coach
Samantha Carver –Real Estate Professional
Heather Gott –Workers’ Compensation Claims Adjuster
Jasmine St. John –Proactive MD
Opie Rhienhart & Ryan Bonebrake – School Resource Offi cers
Kim Stahl – IU Health Quality Management
Matt Floyd –Transportation Director
Stephanie Hoadley & Carmen Wall –Insurance Services
Cassie Arthur –Registered Nurse
David Elmore –Retired Army Veteran
Melissa Arnold – QA Documentation (BSC)
Brandi Wright & Ashley Hollows –Engineers (BSC)
Kelly McVicker – BSC Planning
Melissa Gillenwater – OVHS JAG Instructor and Students
Steve and Deanna Stickels – Community Leaders Learning Beyond Careers
In addition to learning about specific career paths, students were introduced to the critical “soft skills” needed for success in the workplace. These skills, including communication, teamwork, problemsolving and adaptability, are essential for thriving in any profession.
Many volunteers shared their personal career journeys, emphasizing the importance of determination, hard work and continuous learning. By hearing these real-world stories, students gained valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of pursuing
Shop with a cop
(TSCA). Despite efforts by the environmental community, the EPA has consistently reaffirmed that they do not have the authority to regulate lead tackle under TSCA.
ACE will fund projects and programs nationwide. For most state fish and game agencies, federal funding is crucial for management and upkeep of public resources.
“These programs are indispensable to the scientific management of our natural resources, empowering state agencies to ensure abundant fish and wildlife, healthy habitats, and
steward these resources and the millions of hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists across the country, we thank Chairman Carper (D-DE), Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) and the entire Senate for once again passing this bill unanimously.”
The original co-sponsors of ACE were Senators Boozman (RAR), Cardin (D-MD), Mullin (R-OK), Padilla (D-CA), Van Hollen (D-MD), Whitehouse (D-RI) and Wicker (R-MS).
See you down the trail…
For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.
The Owen County Community Foundation partnered up again with the Spencer FOP and staff from Spencer’s Walmart to help support over 80 kids in need in Owen County. Families were able to bring their children to come shop with local officers for clothing, winter coats and a special toy for each child. PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY AARON LAGRANGE.