VOL. 1, ISSUE NO. 4
WWW.THEOWENNEWS.ORG
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2024
Disaster declaration made
Storm damage leads to extended power outages By Hannah Amos Correspondent
the storm to be a local disaster. The earliest storm report was at 2:50 p.m. in Thunderstorms Prairie Creek, Vigo County swept across central by a trained spotter, Indiana on June 25 according to NWS, as well causing widespread tree as throughout central and powerline damage, Indiana, it’s estimated according to the National 60,000 people lost power. Weather Service (NWS). Other counties In some areas, winds affected, according to reportedly reached up to NWS, were Monroe, Clay, 70 mph. Jackson, Knox, Marion, According to the Boone and Brown. NWS, Owen County The Owen County sustained thunderstorm Highway Department wind damage and thanked Spencer had a delayed report, McDonald’s and sounding at 3:27 p.m. by Councilwoman Amy emergency management. Casebeer for donating Trees were down west of sandwiches to crews Spencer. on June 29, as well as Owen County Board of volunteers helping clear Commissioners President roads. Gary Burton declared For those impacted
by the storm, the Owen County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has a direct line for disaster assistance. Volunteers with the Owen County Community Organizations Active in Disaster will be assisting callers. If your property was damaged by the storm that occurred on June 25th and you need help, call 812-829-5026. If you or your organization can offer help, call 812-829-5026. If you would like to make a monetary donation to local disaster relief efforts, contact the Owen County Community Foundation at 812829-1725 or online at owencountycf.org.
Damage to Owen County resident John Strouse’s property can be seen following a severe thunderstorm on June 25. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JACK WHITE
‘FIRST LINK IN THE CHAIN OF
PUBLIC SAFETY’
JAIL PROJECT UPDATE
County to swap 96 acres for 9.64 By Nicole DeCriscio Correspondent
Cherie Anderson hired as Owen County 911 Director By Hannah Amos Correspondent
S
ince the age of 15, Cherie Anderson has always known she wanted to be involved in public safety. Originally aiming to be in law enforcement, she fell into firefighting in southern California. Now, she’s putting out different types of fires in Owen County in the 911 Communications Center, where she has served as “the first link in the chain for public safety” since March. She brings her passion for public safety and a fresh set of
Once you’ve been in public safety so long, you just really can’t imagine doing anything else. — Cherie Anderson Director, Owen County 911 eyes to her work for the county. “I truly love this position, and I feel very fortunate to be here,” she said. “I feel like all of my jobs
PUBLIC SAFETY | PAGE 8
911 Communications Director Cherie Anderson sits in her office at the Owen County Emergency Medical Services building. Anderson, a former California firefighter and 911 dispatcher, has 28 years of public safety experience and started the position in March. HANNAH AMOS| THE OWEN NEWS
The With the foundation of the current jail crumbling and sinking while construction costs rise, Owen County is looking for a location to build a new jail, and soon. The concern is that failure to do so could lead to a lawsuit that would bankrupt the county while forcing them to the same result — building a new jail. The location of the current jail will be within the flood plain and size could not accommodate the four-acre facility planned to bring it up to code. The county specifically purchased storage units on an adjacent property to the current jail when they were for sale with the intention of building the new jail there. Furthermore, bringing sewer services to the countyowned property on State Road 43 has been estimated to cost $9 million, which would be almost a third of the $26 million that the county council has determined the county can afford. In order to cut out the cost of purchasing additional land, in a joint council and commissioners meeting in April, it was proposed that the county trade part of the land, including the former county landfill, for part of the property in and around the quarry currently owned by Brett Franklin, owner of Tri-State Timber, LLC. In that meeting, it was proposed that the county trade between 90 and 107 acres for 30 acres owned by Franklin. Throughout the month of
JAIL PROJECT | PAGE 14