The Owen News -- Sept. 5, 2025 (Vol. 2, Issue 9)

Gosport shooting deaths investigated

Juvenile detained; name, charges not released

By Nicole DeCriscio Executive Editor

A juvenile person of interest has been detained following the shooting deaths of two adult males in northeastern Owen County last month.

Owen County Dispatch received a call at approximately 3:42 p.m. on Aug. 9 concerning a gunshot victim at a home in the 1500 block of Truesdel Road.

Upon arriving at the scene, Jeffrey Fauber, 61, and

Grantham Adam Chandler, 41, were found deceased from gunshot wounds.

Owen County Sheriff’s Department, Owen County Coroner’s Office, Indiana State Police, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Owen County EMS, Bloomington Police Department and Owen County Prosecutor’s Office personnel all responded to the scene.

“This investigation is tragic, and I am at a loss for words on such a horrendous violation to

these two victims. It is sad, but the good thing that comes from all of this is all of the law enforcement units that come together to help get justice for the people and the victims,” Owen County Sheriff Ryan White said at a press conference held at the Owen County Courthouse. “Although this is a tragic event and our hearts and prayers go out to the family and the victims, it is heartwarming to see law enforcement officers and public servants come

together for the good of the people, and that is what we had here today.”

White noted several officers and agencies went above and beyond by coming in to assist on their day off.

The press conference took place at 9 p.m. on Aug. 9.

The person of interest, whose name has not been released, was located in Morgan County.

The Martinsville Police Department posted to their Facebook page that at

| PAGE 10

‘The heart

of the building’

Kris Samick named interim PES principal

By Hannah Amos Correspondent

With Patricksburg Elementary School (PES)

Principal Mike Robison on medical leave, SpencerOwen Community Schools (S-OCS)

Superintendent Andy Cline had a quick turnaround to find an interim principal. Looking for

HEART | PAGE 10

White verdict upheld

By Nicole DeCriscio Executive Editor

A Spencer man sentenced to 60-years in the shooting murder of Elizabeth “Bizzy” Stephens filed an appeal in his case last fall.

Jay White was found guilty of murder and obstruction of justice in April of last year and sentenced on May 30, 2024.

“The trial court erred in failing to overturn the jury verdict, as no reasonable jury could find the State proved Jay White guilty beyond a reasonable doubt due to the lack of sufficient evidence mishandled evidence and the overwhelming evidence entered by the defense that proved the State’s theory of murder was an impossibility,” the nearly 50 page appellate brief reads.

“The trial court’s error was compounded when it erred in failing to overturn the verdict from a jury

| PAGE 10

Spencer Council approves fiber proposal

By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent

Spencer Town Council members Jon Stantz, Evan McKalip and Mike Spinks met in regular session Aug. 18, along with clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke, town manager Hunter Stogsdill and town attorney Richard Lorenz. Following approval of the Aug. 4 meeting minutes, the council approved invoices from Commonwealth

Engineers totaling $297.84 for on-call miscellaneous services and $11,000 for preliminary design work for sewer improvements related to the ongoing wastewater improvement project. Council approval was also given for a Brett Wood Memorial Day event to be held on the courthouse lawn and at Cooper Commons on Sept. 14, sponsored by the Spencer VFW Post #1405.

The council also heard and approved a request to hold

an Arts in the Park event at Cooper Commons on Oct. 25. The event will require the closure of park entrances beginning the day prior to the event.

Mike Wilson with Mainstream Fiber Networks was in attendance to further discuss the possibility of bringing fiber internet service to the town of Spencer. Wilson oversees governmental affairs for the

The Owen News , a non-profit newspaper launched in 2024 to serve the residents of Owen County and surrounding communities, has officially joined the Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA), marking a significant milestone in its mission to

New Interim PES Principal Kris Samick enjoys seeing what students are doing each day in class. Fifth-grader Annabell Hopkins is pictured listening to an online story. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY KRIS SAMICK.

TRUSTED NEWS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY

HOW TO CONTACT US

ADDRESS:

114 S. MAIN ST. SPENCER, IN 47460

EMAIL:

INFO@THEOWENNEWS.ORG

WWW.THEOWENNEWS.ORG

OUR BOARD

PRESIDENT

TRAVIS CURRY

VICE PRESIDENT

AARON LAGRANGE TREASURER

KURT ROSENBERGER

BOARD MEMBERS

JESSICA BRINSON

SUZANNAH COUCH

NICOLE DECRISCIO

TYLER DEFORD

CAROLINE RILEY

STEFAN WELSH

OUR STAFF

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

NICOLE DECRISCIO

ADVERTISING & BUSINESS MANAGER

LOLA GARRISON

CORRESPONDENTS

HANNAH AMOS PICKUP LOCATIONS

BABBS SUPERMARKET

MILLGROVE COUNTRY MART SPENCER PRIDE

CORRECTIONS POLICY

WE AIM FOR AS CLOSE TO PERFECTION AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. PLEASE SEND CORRECTIONS TO INFO@THEOWENNEWS.ORG.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

WE WELCOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR UP TO 300 WORDS. OUR FULL POLICY CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE.

HOW TO DONATE

WE BELIEVE THAT OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES ACCESS TO RELIABLE, RESPONSIBLE AND ETHICAL NEWS. OUR MODEL IS RELIANT UPON DONATIONS MADE BY OUR READERS. ONLINE DONATIONS CAN BE MADE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE, BY USING THE QR CODE BELOW OR THROUGH THE OWEN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. CASH OR CHECK DONATIONS CAN BE MAILED TO US AT THE ADDRESS ABOVE.

ABOUT THE OWEN NEWS

THE OWEN NEWS IS THE PRINTED NEWSPAPER OWNED BY THE OWEN NEWS PROJECT, INC, A NONPROFIT 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION. AT THE OWEN NEWS PROJECT, WE ARE COMMITTED TO DELIVERING RELIABLE AND UNBIASED LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION TO EMPOWER OUR READERS AND BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY.

Marriages and Dissolutions

The following marriage licenses were issued since the last issue of The Owen News. Please note that this information is based on the applications. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from when they are issued, and the information below does not reflect whether or not the two individuals followed through with a marriage or if the signed marriage license was returned to the Owen County Clerk’s office.

8-4

Anna Grace Lunsford (age 19) & Benjamin Blaydes Teipen (age 19)

Robert Douglas Dennison (age 58) & Micah SUsanne Burnette (age 47)

8-6

Kathryn Mazzie Tritle (age 24) & Braxton Allen Yeryar (age 28)

Joey Trent Hawks (age 63) & Cynthia Diane Hawks (age 65)

8-8

Jefferson B. Dai (age 28) & Tiffany Kong (age 31)

8-11

Shayla Lorene Welch (age 29) & Michael Hanks Jimenez (age 37)

8-12

Carrie Alene Sipich (age 48) & James Thomas Powell (age 60)

Katelynn Lenee Stoops (age 32) & Joseph Michael O’Neal (age 30)

8-15

Tami Diane Jones (age 64) & Luanne K. Turner (age 61)

Brittany Lynn Chapman (age 26) & Danny Eli Hollingsworth (age 24)

8-19

Jean Marie Terrell (age 52) & Garry Steve Lewis (age 66)

8-21

Louann Collier (age 60) & Mark W. Williams (age 66)

8-22

Dylan Fluet (age 27) & Mollie Jones (age 21)

Charles David Marlett (age 43) & Chrystal Lynn Fishel (age 43)

8-26

Shelby D. Martin (age 21) & Christopher R. Sluss (age 37)

8-28

Casey Jennifer White (age 32) & Logan L. Clements (age 30)

Nikki Wood (age 35) & Olivia

Government Meeting Calendar

Aug. 4

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

Sept. 8

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.

Sept. 9

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

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

Sept. 11

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

Sept. 15

Owen County Public Library Board, 5 p.m. in the OCPL Vault Room, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

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

Sept. 18

Owen County Board of Commissioners, 6 p.m. in the Commissioners Room of the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Sept. 23

Spencer Plan Commission & BZA, 6 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

Crose (age 26)

Jayden Thomas Payne (age 23) & Taylor Marie Yanta (age 25)

8-29

Brittany R. Easterday (age 36) & Joshua A. Stark (age 35)

Erin Grace Truax (age 32) & Bradan Casey Bybee (age 37)

The following dissolutions of marriages were filed since the last issue of The Owen News in Owen County Circuit Court 2.

8-7

Lori A. Thompson & Anthony Q. Thompson

8-13

Debbie Rae Tate & Travis Tate

8-18

Michael J. Wolford & Carol Wolford

8-19

Trevor Lindemeyer & Vanessa Lindemeyer

8-22

Taylor Wilkie & Wesley Hall

8-25

Christopher M. Heavener & Tricia Ann Heavener

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

Sept. 25

Spencer-Owen Community Schools Board of Trustees, 7 p.m. at McCormick’s Creek Elementary School, 1601 W. Flatwoods Rd., Spencer.

Oct. 2

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

Community Events Calendar

Sept. 5

Kingdom Quest, a weekly kids program, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Spencer First Church of the Nazarene, 126 E. Market St., Spencer. For an hour every Friday, kids will enjoy worship, a game and a Bible lesson. Signup online at https://forms.gle/ GPvjqY3eVFiQgW2x5.

Sept. 6

Owen County Farmers’ Market, 8:30 a.m. to noon, 459 W. Morgan St., Spencer. Live music by Rikki Jean.

Chamber’s Chester Chicken Chuck, 10 a.m. to noon on the south side of the Owen County Courthouse lawn.

Arts, Blues & BBQ Festival at McCormick’s Creek State Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park entry fees apply.

The Coal City Shire’s Farmers Market, 1 to 5 p.m. at 3939 Beech Church Road, Coal City on the old high school property (corner of State Road 157 and Beech Church Road).

Sept. 8

Jolly Homemakers meeting, 1 p.m. at the Freedom Community Center, 5558 Freedom-Arney Rd., Freedom.

Sept. 9

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.

Sept. 10

Harrison Homemakers meeting, noon at the Purdue Extension-Owen County office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer.

Sept. 11

Spencer Elementary School (SES) Family Literacy Night, 4:30 to 6 p.m. at SES, 151 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer.

White River Beekeepers meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Current and prospective beekeepers are welcome to attend.

Spencer Masonic Lodge #95 stated meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge, 361 N. Harrison St., Spencer.

Free showing of “Guys and Dolls,” 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Sponsored by Spencer Pride.

Sept. 12

Owen Valley 1992 football sectional champs recognition night and tailgate, 5:30 p.m. in the grassy area between the football field parking lot and the school’s main parking lot. All former players, managers, coaches and cheerleaders are encouraged to attend. The team will be recognized at halftime of the night’s varsity football game vs Edgewood.

Sept. 13

Owen County Farmers’ Market, 8:30 a.m. to noon, 459 W. Morgan St., Spencer. Live music by Billy Owens and Naomi Williams.

Water Day at the Owen County Farmers’ Market, 8:30 a.m. to noon, 459 W. Morgan St., Spencer. Free hotdogs, brats, chips, popcorn and water. Water-themed activities, education and goodies including the popular rubber duck race. Sponsored by the Owen County SWCD and BB Water Corp.

The Friends of the Library monthly book sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Room of the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

Third annual Owen County Classic Cruisers Cinema 67 DriveIn Car Show, 1 p.m. at Cinema 67 Drive-In. Special evening showings of “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Bullitt.”

The Coal City Shire’s Farmers Market, 1 to 5 p.m. at 3939 Beech Church Road, Coal City on the old high school property (corner of State Road 157 and Beech Church Road).

Annual Patricksburg Community Volunteer Fire Department fish fry fundraiser, 4 to 7 p.m. at the VFD, 1480 Chestnut St., Patricksburg.

Owen Valley High School class of 1995, 30-year reunion, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hard Truth Distilling, 418 Old S.R. 46, Nashville, IN. Register and purchase tickets online at eventbrite.com/o/ shawna-lake-63314318393.

Sept. 14

Spencer Pride annual meeting, 4 p.m. at the commUnity center, 31 E. Franklin St., Spencer.

Sept. 16

Owen County Democratic Party monthly meeting, 5:30 p.m. at the Democrat Headquarters, 152 E. Jefferson St., Spencer. Dinner and social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., with the meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Spencer Lions Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Lester F. Litten Community Building, 59 N. Main St., Spencer.

Sept. 17

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

Sept. 18

“Food Labels: What’s in There Anyways?,” 11 a.m. at the Purdue Extension-Owen County office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer. Learn how to read and understand food labels so you can make smarter choices at the grocery store and at home. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 812-829-5020.

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

Calico Homemakers meeting, 4 p.m. Meetings are held at a different restaurant each month. For more information, call 812829-5020.

Trivia Night with Rance Fawbush, 6 p.m. at Owen Valley Winery, Vineyard & Bistro, 491 Timber Ridge Rd., Spencer.

Sept. 19

The annual Gosport Elementary School Back-toSchool Parade begins at 9 a.m.

Sept. 20 & 21

2025 Spencer Lions Club Apple Butter Festival in downtown Spencer.

Sept. 20

Annual Junk in the Trunk event, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds, 364 S. East St., Spencer.

Owen County Farmers’ Market, 8:30 a.m. to noon, 459 W. Morgan St., Spencer. Live music by Tammy Pate & Friends.

The Coal City Shire’s Farmers Market, 1 to 5 p.m. at 3939 Beech Church Road, Coal City on the old high school property (corner of State Road 157 and Beech Church Road).

Sept. 21

Rescue Rumble car audio competition charity event, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 10756 U.S. 231, Cloverdale. Free gate entry: bring a bag of pet food or supply. Tickets can also be purchased for $25, with $5 from each ticket sold to also benefit the Owen County Humane Society. Presented by Team Royalty Audio Club and hosted by Kingpin Lithium. Spencer Pride general meeting, 4 .m. at the commUnity center, 31 E. Franklin St., Spencer.

Sept. 22

Spencer Main Street board meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the Viquesney Room at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer.

Sept. 23

“Cooking for 1 or 2”, 11:30 a.m. at the Purdue Extension-Owen County office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer. This program will share tips, tricks, and simple recipes to make mealtime easier and more enjoyable when cooking for smaller households. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 812-829-5020.

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

Sept. 25

Free showing of “North by Northwest,” 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Sponsored by Sandra Butts.

Sept. 27

Owen County Farmers’ Market, 8:30 a.m. to noon, 459 W. Morgan St., Spencer. Live music by Hummingbird and The Beating Hearts.

54th Annual Spencer High School Old Grads Day, noon to 5 p.m. in the main gymnasium at Owen Valley High School, 622 W. SR 46, Spencer.

Harvest Moon Festival, noon to 6 p.m. at the Owen Valley Winery, Vineyard & Bistro, 491 Timber Ridge Rd., Spencer. The Coal City Shire’s Farmers Market, 1 to 5 p.m. at 3939 Beech Church Road, Coal City on the old high school property (corner of State Road 157 and Beech Church Road).

Sept. 28

Annual Freedom Reunion at the Freedom Community Center, 5552 Freedom-Arney Rd., Freedom. Doors open at noon with the pitch-in dinner to start at 1 p.m. Please bring a covered dish. Drinks will be provided. All are welcome to attend.

Sept. 29

Estate Planning program, 7 p.m. at the Purdue ExtensionOwen County office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer. This program will cover the basics of estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and how to make decisions that protect your family and assets. Free and open to the public. For more details, and to register, call 812-829-5020.

Oct. 2

Free showing of “Dog Day Afternoon,” 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Sponsored by Janet Rummel. Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park board meeting, 4 p.m. in the Program Room inside the MCSP Nature Center. Open to the public.

Gosport Lions Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport. Coal City Crime Watching meeting, 7 p.m. at the Jefferson Baptist Church, 4019 Main St., Coal City. Open to the public.

Oct. 3

Blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Open Class Building, Owen County Fairgrounds, 364 S. East St., Spencer. Hosted by the Owen County Extension Homemakers, Owen County Fair Board, and the American Red Cross. Register online at redcross.org. Enter the Spencer zip code, 47460, to find the drive held in Owen County.

Oct. 3 to 5

2025 Cataract Bean Dinner Festival in Cataract.

Oct. 4

18th annual Spencer Pride Festival, noon to 7 p.m. Owen Valley High School Alumni Reunion, 6 p.m. at Harvest Moon Farms, 3925 Williams Rd., Gosport. Hosted by the classes of 1985 and 1986. Admission is $10 per person. For more information, call 812-340-0475 (1985), 317-

Jail Bookings

EDITOR’S NOTE: Booking information is provided by the Owen County Security Center. These are preliminary charges and may change as cases are processed through the circuit court system. To follow a court case, search the state’s court records at mycase.in.gov. This information is public record. All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

7-31

Jason Tinsley, 40, Paragon, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe, resisting law enforcement, possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia, and pretrial release violation. Arrested by Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Special Deputy Levi Miller. Alvin Shields, 81, Spencer, preliminary charge of battery. Spencer Police Department (SPD) officer Ryan Combs was the arresting officer.

John Carpenter, 43, Spencer, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine (two counts), possession of a firearm by a serious felon, and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Stephen DeWitt II.

8-1

James Blankenship, 40, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of reckless driving, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe,

possession of a controlled substance, resisting law enforcement, and unlawful carrying of a handgun. OCSD Deputy Jordan Hardey was the arresting officer. Samantha Mayhew, 32, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of battery and theft. Arrested by OCSD Sergeant Torrey Wallace.

8-5

Ernest Hunter, 25, Gosport, preliminary charges of criminal mischief and theft. OCSD Major William Snodgrass was the arresting officer. Nicole White, 43, Mitchell, IN, preliminary charges of unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of methamphetamine, neglect of a dependent; child selling, maintaining a common nuisance, dealing in methamphetamine, and probation violation. Arrested by Bryce Brock. RA Khai, 48, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of leaving the scene of an accident, operating with a blood alcohol content of .08 to .14, and failure to appear. SPD officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer.

8-6

Molly Harvey, 45, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of failure to appear and public intoxication. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Riley Pardue. Brant Lawson, 25, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of burglary and theft. OCSD Deputy Cory Poland was the arresting officer. Jeremy Devylder,

46, Gosport, preliminary charges of disorderly conduct and domestic battery. Arrested by OCSD Sergeant Torrey Wallace.

8-7

Chris Ruggles, 46, Spencer, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, and operating a vehicle without financial responsibility. OCSD Sergeant Torrey Wallace was the arresting officer.

8-8

Samantha Branam, 37, Cloverdale, preliminary charge of false informing. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson.

John Todd, 35, Spencer, preliminary charges of disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement, and intimidation. OCSD Deputy Jordan Hardey was the arresting officer.

Salem Crecelius, 46, Poland, IN, preliminary charge of operating a motor boat while intoxicated. Arrested by Indiana Conservation Officer Kaley McDonald.

8-11

Christian Cummings, 28, Poland, IN, preliminary charge of driving while suspended with a prior charge. SPD officer Ashton Banks was the arresting officer.

8-13

Anne Wood, 67, Sullivan, IN, preliminary charge of operating with a blood alcohol content of .15 or more. Arrested by

SPD officer Zachary Brock.

Brent Hobbs, 42, Bloomington, preliminary charges of disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, residential entry, and domestic battery. Brandon Gasparovic was the arresting officer.

Tarin Medley, 39, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of driving while suspended with a prior charge, failure to appear, and theft. Arrested by OCSD Sergeant Brandon Gasparovic.

Brian Merriman, 30, Freedom, preliminary charge of theft. OCSD Deputy Jordan Hardey was the arresting officer.

8-15

Travis Bland, 47, Bloomington, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine (two counts), possession of paraphernalia, and probation violation. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson.

Thomas Stewart, 22, Spencer, preliminary charges of criminal recklessness and probation violation. OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson was the arresting officer.

Austin Holmes, 28, Linton, preliminary charges of reckless driving, resisting law enforcement, and failure to appear. Arrested by OCSD Major William Snodgrass.

8-17

Meredith Enkoff, 37, Spencer, preliminary charge of criminal trespass. SPD officer Seth Givans was the arresting officer.

8-19

Scott Taylor, 45, Shelbyville, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, and probation violation. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Riley Pardue.

Jack Goldman, 45, Bloomington, preliminary charge of domestic battery on a person less than 14 years old. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Jossely Martinez, 20, Davie, Florida, preliminary charges of leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Cory Poland.

8-21

Kyle Jackson, 33, Freedom, preliminary charge of possession or use of legend drug or precursor. Indiana State Police Trooper Robert Martin was the arresting officer. Shelby Seals, 43, Avon, preliminary charges of theft and criminal mischief. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Riley Pardue.

8-24

Ashley Hodge, 31, Spencer, preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and auto theft. OCSD Deputy Elijah Volrich was the arresting officer.

Zachary Karch, 29, preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and neglect of a dependent; child selling. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark.

8-25

Jayden Payne, 23, Gosport, preliminary charge of driving while suspended with a prior charge. SPD officer Bryce

Brock was the arresting officer.

8-26

Taylor Mras, 30, Paragon, preliminary charges of possession of paraphernalia, dealing in methamphetamine, pretrial release violation, and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler.

Brandon Allen, 34, Ellettsville, preliminary charge of invasion of privacy. OCSD Deputy Jordan Hardey was the arresting officer.

8-27

Haley Pruitt, 32, Beech Grove, preliminary charges of pretrial release violation failure to appear, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe, and probation violation failure to appear. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

8-31

Nicky Wright, 56, Freedom, preliminary charges of theft; receiving stolen property, use of private land without consent (two counts), harvesting out of season (two counts), and resisting law enforcement.

OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer. William Allan, Jr., 69, Freedom, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by Indiana Conservation Officer Caleb Hutchison.

Owen County Preservations Presents

SATURDAY Oct 18

SWEETEST DAY

COMPETE Ready. Set.

Anyone and everyone is invited to impress our judges in the Cho Challenge—featuring five delicious categories: Cakes/Cupcake, Cookies/Bars, Candies, Anything Goes, Cooking by Kids (ages 12 under).

Entry Fee: $5 per category

Prizes: Cash prizes for 1st place in each category, plus a Best of Show Prize Winner! Each entry gets a tasting ticket.

Bring two entries per category: One for the judges and one for public tasting and your recipe to the Let chocolate be your inspiration—and may the best treat win!

Entry forms available at the Tivoli Theatre or Hammond’s Floris owencountypreservations.org

EAT & VOTE Yum. Chocolate.

Chocolate Lovers—This One’s For You! Taste the Chocolate Challe

For just $15, you’ll get a treat box to fill with as many challenge entries as you want—plus 5 voting tickets to choose your favorite Sweet non-profit guest chocolate dish.

Support local bakers, sample incredible creations, and cast you for the sweetest non-profit champion!

Five (5) Sweet Owen non-profit organizations will be featured a tasting looking for your votes on their chocolate dish - so the bragging rights of the Best of Sweet Owen.

Tasting and Judging will be from 1:00p to 2:00p with award cere at 2:30p at the IGA Building, 60 S Main St. in Spencer. Come hungry. Leave happy.

WHY THE CHOCOLATE CHALLENGE MATTERS FOR OWEN COUNTY PRESERVATION

The Sweet Owen Chocolate Challenge isn’t just about treats—it’s preserving Owen County’s past. Proceeds support desired Owen County Preservations projects like:

*Restoring the Soldiers Memorial Pavilion * * Maintaining the Tivoli Theatre * * Honoring preservation leaders. Every bite helps protect the places and stories that make Owen County special.

From left, Troy Lantz and Brad Salsbury pose for a photo. They were caucused in on Aug. 15 to serve as the township trustees for Harrison and Jackson Townships, respectively. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

CCSC Board holds workshop for proposed 2026 budget

By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent

The Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees heard a budget presentation Aug. 11 for the 2025-2026 budget, presented by CCSC Superintendent Greg Linton during the board’s regular monthly meeting.

“Education, Operation, Debt Service, Pension Bond and Rainy Day are the five funds that we have at Cloverdale Community Schools that we submit to the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) for budget approval,” Linton explained.

Average daily membership, Linton noted, is what drives the Education portion of the corporation’s budget.

“All of the other funds that are listed –if they have revenue going into them –are tax-driven,” he said. “Debt, Pension and Operation are the three funds that are tax-driven. The Education fund is driven primarily by attendance and the foundation formula that the state uses to send money to us.”

Linton highlighted the fact that CCSC’s student enrollment only declined six students between the 2023-2024 and 20242025 school years.

“That’s not bad for a small rural school district,” he said. “Most school districts are losing a higher percentage, so we felt like that was good news for us and our brick-and-mortar school attendance. What was even better for our budget is when you look at Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy, in January 2020 we started with 179 kids, and we ended last year with 2,150 kids. These students are enrolled from across the state of Indiana, and for those students we receive 85-percent funding of the foundation amount of what we receive for our brick-and-mortar kids.”

The Education fund, Linton said, is the corporation’s largest

fund and drives a lot of its financial decisions.

“We’ve been steadily since 2020 building our cash balance in this (Education) fund,” Linton said. “Last year was a good year, and we increased the cash balance in this fund by almost 1.8 million dollars. Some of the assumptions that are used when we build the budget are that efforts will be made to maintain responsible staffing levels for positions that are supported by the Education fund. We budgeted a 10 percent increase for utilities, 15 percent increase for propertycasualty insurance and a decline of 12 brickand-mortar students for this school year. The budget is based off of Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy not growing; we ended last school year with 2,150 students. I think we’ll probably exceed that number considerably, but to keep a conservative budget, we (didn’t factor in any growth in the CDLA).”

Linton commented on the impact of circuit breaker funds on the corporation’s budget. Circuit breaker funds provide financial assistance to public school districts, helping to offset costs. Additionally, property tax caps, often linked to circuit breaker credits, can lead to revenue losses, affecting overall school funding.

“Our Circuit Breaker impact went up substantially, but it’s still not very high compared to a lot of neighboring schools who are at $700,000 and $800,000,” Linton explained. “Our tax cap is at $177,000, which went up from $72,000 last year, which is still a very manageable number.”

Regarding the tax levy, Linton explained, “Our tax levy history has dropped every year since about 2019, and one of the primary indicators for that rate going down is the Owen County and Putnam County assessed value has gone up substantially over the last couple of years. This past year we dropped below $1 to $0.95.”

The corporation’s Education fund budget

is based on 18 months, the last half of 2025 and all of 2026.

“You can see that we are projecting revenue of a little over 40 million dollars,” Linton said. “In 2014 it was 14 million dollars, so you can see that things have changed a lot in the last few years at Cloverdale.”

Regarding Debt Service, Linton noted “the local property taxes that we know we’ve got coming in the remainder of this year and all next year is $860,000. You can see our expenditures (total) 2.4 million dollars – that number is substantially higher than what it will actually be because we have the new facility that we are going to start building so we’ll sell bonds later this year. We projected that first payment to be $1.25 million, but it will probably be far under that amount. We just want to make sure we cover our expenses on debt payments to our lenders.

Linton requested the board approve a levy of $1,859,917 with a tax rate of a little over $0.58, which is lower than last year when it was over $0.60. “It will actually come in a little lower,” he said, “because they (state) always give you a lower rate than what you are asking.”

The corporation’s Pension bond includes a zero levy and a zero rate.

“The reason we do that is Indiana code will allow you to use your LIT (local income tax) dollars to be able to pay for that so what we do is we use revenue that we already have coming in so that we don’t tack on an additional rate to the taxpayer,” Linton said. “It’s one way that we can lower the tax rate compared to other districts that don’t have LIT coming in.”

Regarding the corporation’s Operations fund, Linton said the corporation’s project revenue for the next 18 months will be just under $9 million.

“We’re projecting almost 15 million dollars in expenses, which again is most likely much higher than what we will probably spend,” he said. “We’re

requesting a levy in 2026 for $6,494,710.00 with a rate of just a little over $2. Because the Education fund is carrying such a good cash balance, we are able to transfer some of those dollars, up to 15 percent of the revenue that goes into our Education Fund to the Operations fund each year. A month or so ago, we did an additional appropriation for the Education fund in the amount of 2.8 million dollars. Because our Education fund is doing well, it allowed us to transfer into our Operations fund. That 2.8 million dollars will count as an additional expense in the second half of this year so that’s one reason the expenditures are at least 2.8 million dollars more than we’ll actually spend. I don’t anticipate our Operations fund being any higher than it’s ever been, but because of that additional appropriation, it will kind of skew our number for the second half of this year.”

In summary, Linton told the board, “If you look at our advertised versus our actual rate since 2017, you can see that what we’ve advertised is always substantially higher, but within reason to what we actually get and 2026 will be no different.”

The board approved advertising the budget as presented by Linton. Members of the public also had an opportunity to make comments and discuss their concerns at a public hearing held Aug. 25. The board is expected to move to adopt the 2026 budget at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 9.

In addition, the board approved the following professional leave, field trip and facility use requests:

Professional leaves Aug. 13 – Heather Clingan, Indiana State Fair Experience Day, Indianapolis.

Aug. 20 – Ivy Oberkrom, ONT new IIEP system training, ONT.

Aug. 25 – Heather Clingan, MI-BAT mentor training, Hendricks County Fairgrounds.

Field trips

Aug. 13 – FFA, Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis.

Sept. 6 – Emerald Command Marching Band, Brownsburg High School.

Sept. 20 – Emerald Command Marching Band, Greenwood High School.

Sept. 20 –Horticulture Team, Purdue University.

Oct. 4 – Emerald Command Marching Band, Southport High School.

Facility use

July 31 to Aug. 1 – CHS gymnasium, auxiliary gymnasium and café; volleyball team bonding, practice, and lock-in.

Aug. 9 to Sept. 6 – Football field and concession; Cloverdale Community Youth League (CCYL), youth league games, football and cheer.

Aug. 18 – CMS Media Center, CMS PTO; fall meeting.

Sept. 16 – CHS gymnasium, auxiliary gymnasium and café; FFA, District VII KickOff.

Additional personnel matters receiving unanimous board approval included:

Resignations

Hannah Beaman –CES instructional aide.

Employment

Courtney Lary – CES medical instructional aide

Kirsten Vaughn –Knoy part-time sub. Kayla Parrish – Bus driver, full-time.

Rhonda Trueblood –CMS café, part-time. Patricia Sipes – Café long-term sub.

FMLA

Sara Zaring –deputy treasurer.

Coaching volunteer Payton Asbury –CHS wrestling coach.

The Cloverdale Community School Board will meet again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9 in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale. Members of the board include Vivian Whitaker, Katrina Lewis, Donna Fidler, Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, Joe Mann and Mike Rightmyer II.

‘A reason to turn at the light’

Spencer Main Street hosts annual banquet, unveils archway design

By Nicole DeCriscio Executive Editor

At the start of the Spencer Main Street annual membership banquet, President Julie Coffin took the audience on a trip.

That trip, while being descriptive while folks attentively listened during Coffin’s opening remarks, was along State Road 46 from Bloomington to Spencer.

“You’re moving in a generally westerly direction. You just left a populated area, and you’re starting to enjoy the rolling countryside, and you’re getting the town. And you hit the first stop light, and you think, ‘Wow, that town must have a bang up Garden Club, because look at that…’” Coffin began before being interrupted with applause.

She continued.

“So then the light turns green, and we move on,

and we get to the second stoplight. And it’s red, of course, and you’re sitting there thinking, ‘Well, there’s nothing particularly scenic there, right?’ So you wait there, and the light turns green,” Coffin continued.

“And because I’m an optimist, I say the third light is green, so you roll on through. You say, ‘Oh, look, this town has a Walmart, just like everybody else does.’ And you’re done with this little town.”

Coffin wanted to paint a different vision of Spencer.

“But wait, what if it could be different? Let’s rewind. Go back to the first stoplight. Admire the garden again, ooh ahhh great garden, right? As you begin to approach the second stoplight, you look down at the table in front of you, and you turn over your placemats, and you see the most fantastic entryway arch you’ve ever seen,” she said, as folks unveiled the photo of the arch as their placemat.

In this version, folks leave

Morgan Street.

“Your turn signal is on, and you’re thinking, ‘It’s a good thing that that arch is there so that I knew to turn at the light. So once you turn, you find this charming historic downtown area. It meets every single one of your needs. You can eat at any time of the day. You have multiple absolutely one-ofa-kind shopping sequences. You have a historical theater for entertainment. You have a public restroom, and you

have a bench to sit on to enjoy the most fantastic hanging baskets.”

Coffin then painted a vision for the future.

“Wouldn’t that be great if everybody who was driving on Morgan Street knew that there was a reason to turn at the light?” Coffin asked. She then said they have been working with the town council to get a design and that they are working on finding a way to fund the archway to the downtown.

The rendering of the proposed archway, which was unveiled at the Spencer Main Street Annual Banquet is shown. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SPENCER MAIN STREET. RENDERING BY RUNDEELL ERNSTBERGER ASSOCIATES.

Code/IT Academy opens free tech training applications for Fall 2025

Press Release

Code/IT Academy is now accepting applications for its fall 2025 session.

This free, fast-track training program prepares Hoosiers for high-demand careers in technology, offering certification-based courses, career support and direct connections to employers.

Fall offerings include CompTIA Fundamentals.

Classes begin Oct. 7 and run through Dec. 9 in a hybrid format, combining online learning with inperson support. Applications are open now through Sept. 27 at codeitacademy.org. The class will be held twice per week at the Owen County Community Foundation located at 60 E. Market St., Spencer.

“This program is a launchpad for people looking to pivot into tech or level up their careers,” said Haley Pritchett, Program Manager at Code/IT Academy. “Our pathways are designed to quickly build the skills employers want and connect students to real opportunities in the local job market.”

Code/IT Academy is a partnership between The Mill, Ivy Tech Bloomington and the City of Bloomington, with funding from the City’s Recover Forward initiative. The program is open to all Owen County residents

and surrounding counties and is completely free to participants.

In addition to technical training, students receive career coaching, mentorship, job placement assistance and wraparound support to help them succeed. No previous experience in tech is required—just a commitment to completing the course.

Learn more and apply at codeitacademy.org.

About Ivy Tech

Ivy Tech Community College is home to over 70 programs. We offer a wide variety of not only Academic Programs, but also a large number of certification options are available. Which one is right for you? Visit us at the link below or call 812-883-6989. ivytech.edu/ locations/sellersburg/

About The Mill

The Mill is the heart of southern Indiana’s startup ecosystem and its largest coworking space. A 501(c)3 nonprofit, its mission is to spark Bloomington’s innovation economy by launching and accelerating startups, and its vision is to become Indiana’s center of gravity for entrepreneurship. For more information, visit dimensionmill.org /

About Regional Opportunity Initiatives

organization with a mission to advance economic and community prosperity in the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands (Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington counties). ROI is growing potential and possibility through a focus on advanced industry sectors, regionalism, transformative school and workforce redesign, and placemaking strategies. To learn more about ROI’s programs, visit regionalopportunityinc.org/.

About the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) in the Indiana Uplands

In May 2021, Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) launched the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), a transformational initiative with $500 million in state appropriations to promote strategic investments to make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth.

Through READI, regions worked collaboratively to create visions for the future, with programs, initiatives and projects critical to retaining talent and attracting the workforce of tomorrow. In the Uplands

included participation from hundreds of stakeholders and organizations and leadership from a steering committee with 17 members representing regional anchor institutions and regional organizations.

Seventeen regions, including the Indiana Uplands, developed plans that outline strategies focused on improving the quality of place, quality of life and quality of opportunity. The Indiana Uplands plan, entitled “A Region on the Rise,” can be accessed on the ROI website at regionalopportunityinc.org/ readi

To help regions achieve their goals, the IEDC awarded READI funds to accelerate the implementation of regional development plans and the programs and projects identified that will catalyze economic and population growth. In December 2021, the Indiana Uplands was awarded $30 million in READI funds for our “Region on the Rise.” Regions are expected to provide a 4:1 match in support of projects and programs. This includes a required 1:1 match from local public funding and a recommended 3:1 match from private and philanthropic sources.

For more information and announcements on Indiana Uplands READI projects, please visit

Cooper’s Park expansion has ground-breakng

A ground-breaking ceremony for the Cooper Commons Expansion Project last month. The project encompasses the construction of two pickleball courts, a basketball court and a public restroom facility.

Pictured from left is Michelle Hobbs, Shelby Wilson, Colleen Minnemyer, Kristen Portteus, Bobby Hall, Evan McKalip and Mike Spinks. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY HUNTER STOGSDILL.

Chamber prepares for annual banquet this month

Staff Report

The Owen County Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for their annual banquet.

This year’s event is celebrating the chamber’s 100th birthday.

The annual banquet will take place on Sept. 30 at the Christian Life Center, located at 157 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Doors open at

5:30 p.m., and dinner and program is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m.

The chamber will also honor awards in the following categories: Small Business of the Year, Heart of the Community, Educator of the Year, Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Nonprofit of the Year.

Ridgeline Veterinary Services and Harriman Farms are the nominees for Small

Business of the Year.

For Business of the Year, West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home and Henry Holsters were both nominated.

JH Landscaping, A Fungus Amoung Us and Sweet Escape Baking Studio LLC were all nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year.

The Nonprofit of the Year nominees are Crossroads Ranch, Owen County Boys & Girls Club and the Historic

Tivoli Theater. Cathay Woodruff and Matthew Latta were nominated for Educator of the Year.

There are three nominees for the Heart of the Community award: Janet Rummel, Tom Wallace and Sawyer LaGrange. Tickets can be purchased on the Owen County Chamber of Commerce website.

Every minute counts: The power of attendance for student success

By Kris Samick S-OCS Director of Communication

Punctuality and consistent school attendance are more than just routines, they’re the foundation of lifelong learning, strong social connections and future success.

At Spencer-Owen Community Schools, teachers, staff and administrators understand that when students arrive on time and attend regularly, they are better positioned to thrive personally, academically and socially.

When students are in class every day and on time, they stay connected with lessons, maintain academic continuity and avoid falling behind. Missing even a single day can disrupt learning; frequent absences can erode engagement and weaken the habits and skills that lead to longterm achievement.

Research shows that chronic absenteeism (missing 10 percent or more of the school year or roughly 18 days) is a major early warning sign. Children who are chronically absent in kindergarten or firstgrade are significantly more likely to struggle with reading and other core skills, putting them at risk for lasting academic setbacks. When students fall

behind early, they are more likely to disengage, and in high school, poor attendance strongly correlates with a higher dropout rate.

Indiana has clear laws designed to keep students in the classroom and support families along the way:

If a student misses five or more unexcused days within a 10-week period, schools must notify parents and develop an attendance plan, which may include wrap-around services, counseling, mentoring or academic support.

Students who accumulate 10 or more unexcused absences in a school year are considered habitually truant, and schools must report the matter to the local prosecuting attorney. However, prosecutors are not compelled to file charges, and they may offer supportive interventions instead.

More broadly, students who miss 10 percent or more of instructional time (chronic absenteeism) now have a standardized measurement across Indiana, and schools are encouraged to monitor attendance monthly and intervene early, even before truancy thresholds are met.

Spencer-Owen is committed to working with families to make attendance a positive, achievable

priority. If your student begins to miss multiple days (even excused absences), our teachers and administrators stand ready to help with strategies like mentors, outreach, attendance plans or connecting you with helpful services.

To minimize disruptions and ensure your child gets the most learning time:

Whenever possible, schedule doctor’s and dentist’s appointments after school or, if needed during the day, late in the afternoon.

Establish a consistent morning routine, ensuring children are ready and at school on time.

Communicate proactively with school staff if appointments, travel, or family needs might affect attendance. Every day of school is an opportunity for connection, growth, learning and building the habits that shape futures. At SpencerOwen Community Schools, we believe every student can thrive with reliable attendance and punctuality, and we’re here to partner with your family every step of the way.

Attendance matters every day. Every tardy, early check-out, and absence adds up to missed instruction in the classroom. SUBMITTED GRAPHIC.

HEART | FROM PAGE 1 someone to be the heart of the building, as well as having the qualifications, Cline spoke to consulting groups — who specialize in short-term and interim principal placements — other superintendents and other principals for guidance for the best solution.

As the first day of school marched closer and closer, Cline found a natural fit for the position and the school in Kris Samick.

“The elementary principal, like all principals, should be the ‘heart’ of the building,” Cline said via email. “This should be an individual who can quickly and easily assess the needs and culture of the community they are serving. It should also be someone who is willing to take that information and enact positive change, which will support, challenge and empower our students and staff. [Samick] has done that.”

Samick has worked 31 years in the S-OCS system, serving various roles as a teacher at both Spencer Elementary School and PES, and as S-OCS Director of Communications. Now she’s adding PES Interim Principal of the 2025-26 school year to her roster.

S-OCS School Board President Derek Morgan shares Cline’s sentiments about what a principal should be, adding that the principal should have an understanding of the school

PRESS | FROM PAGE 1 deliver independent, community-focused journalism.

Founded with the goal of reviving local news coverage in an era of shrinking newsrooms and disappearing small-town papers, The Owen News has quickly become a trusted source for civic reporting,

VERDICT

| FROM PAGE 1

trial rife with prosecutorial misconduct, wherein the prosecutor engaged in mischaracterization of evidence, failed to account for lost evidence, failed to process and test evidence, and the prosecution misused incompetent polygraph evidence to obtain a wrongful conviction and an unjustly long sentence in light of the factors provided at

and the community.

“[Samick] is very familiar with that school,” Morgan said. “Patricksburg being a smaller elementary school that is a close-knit community … I think she fits in really well.”

Along with teaching at PES for 17 years, Samick’s daughters also attended the school, showing her “firsthand the powerful impact this school community can have on a child’s life.”

With her combined personal and professional background, Samick feels like she has built a solid foundation that led her to the principal role.

“My path to becoming a principal was built on a foundation of classroom teaching, advanced education and a commitment to taking on leadership roles,” Samick said via email. “Early in my career, my years as a classroom teacher provided invaluable experience and a deep understanding of pedagogical best practices, student needs and the challenges educators face daily.”

With her first day at, what she lovingly calls, the ‘Burg being July 31, she started two days before teachers started and four for students, giving her some time to prepare for the school year.

To start a smooth transition, she started by doing what she’s known for, organizing. Beyond cleaning the office and taking inventory of staff,

cultural features and public service announcements. Its membership in the HSPA connects it to a statewide network of publications committed to journalistic integrity, press freedom and professional development.

“To be one of, if not the first non-profit newspaper to join the Hoosier State Press Association is more than a symbolic gesture—it’s a

sentencing.”

The brief, filed in late October 2024, goes on to say that the court “egregiously erred” by failing to sustain the defense’s motions to exclude the stipulated polygraph. It argues that there was a breach of contract, an onerous nature of the stipulation and an inability for the polygraph examiner to provide answers to “foundational questions regarding the readings a polygraph provides,

SHOOTING | FROM PAGE 1

approximately 4 p.m.

“Martinsville Police Officers were notified of a male that entered the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department lobby, advising there was an incident in Owen County that was criminal in nature.

schedules and hiring needs, she focused on one of her main priorities, making sure curriculums were ready and her staff had the necessary training to implement it.

To help assist with Samick’s transition and her time in the position, she has the support of the other S-OCS elementary principals, providing a resource to bounce off ideas with, Cline said.

Along with the principals, Cline himself has been a resource for Samick. He meets or calls with her daily, and he plans to continue to do so.

As Samick has been working and settling into her new position, Cline and Samick have created a running joke between them of “whose going home first?”

“I have been calling at 6 to 6:30 each evening before I leave the office, telling her to head home,” Cline said via email. “I think she has stopped taking my calls when she sees my name pop up on the phone.”

Cline said this shows her level of commitment and dedication to the success of Patricksburg, while she also is continuing her work as the communications director.

Moving from the district office, where Samick focused on the whole corporation, she’s shifting her focus to be more singular, focusing on one building.

With this shift, she plans on creating a positive school culture by being visible and approachable to her

commitment to the values that define responsible journalism. As a non-profit newsroom, we believe in transparency, accountability and the power of local storytelling,” said Travis Curry, President of The Owen News Project Board of Directors. “HSPA provides us with the valuable resources and support we need to thrive and continue to protect

any empirical studies showing a direct correlation between the physiological responses detected by a polygraph device and deceit, as well as the appropriateness that a candidate may have given a brain injury, such as the one Jay White sustained.”

The state responded with their brief on Feb. 26, which was also approximately 50 pages.

In April, the Indiana Court of Appeals issued a Memorandum

Martinsville Police Officers identified and detained the juvenile male.”

White said that Owen County residents do not have anything to worry about and that there is no further threat that residents need to be concerned about at this time.

staff, her students and their parents.

“I believe in positive and consistent communication with everyone who walks through the doors of Patricksburg Elementary,” she said via email. “My challenge to myself and the staff is to approach each day with the focus of ‘How can I help our students be successful today?’ Likewise, when a parent has a question or concern brought to me, I like to start the conversation with ‘How can I help you today?’ Students, parents and staff must work together to ensure a successful academic year.”

On top of her shifting focus, she’s also appreciated how generational the school is, teaching the children of students she taught while being a teacher at Patricksburg.

As she settles into her position, starting her days off with her students and teachers with a corny joke over the intercom, she hopes to show students that school can be fun and that they’ll enjoy coming to learn.

She wants the Patricksburg community to know she is “100 percent invested in the success of PES,” and that she believes it’s “important to look for solutions to problems, be understanding of different situations that our students face on a daily basis, and help students realize that education is something to be valued.”

the public’s right to know.” The HSPA, established in 1933, advocates for Indiana newspapers on issues ranging from open government to advertising law and offers training and legal guidance to its members. The Owen News ’ inclusion signals its growing role in the state’s media landscape and its dedication to journalistic excellence.

Decision.

“The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it admitted the results of the polygraph exam or the testimony of the polygraph examiner. In addition, the prosecutor did not commit any acts of misconduct, let alone acts that either individually or cumulatively amounted to fundamental error. And the State presented sufficient evidence to support White’s murder

Prosecutor Benjamin Kim would like to remind the public that all persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

What charges the juvenile would face and whether or not they will be charged as an adult has not been made

conviction. We therefore affirm his convictions,” the Memorandum Decision reads.

White’s public defender, Megan Schueler then filed a petition for rehearing, which the appellate court denied in June.

In July, Schueler then petitioned the appellate court to transfer the case to the Indiana Supreme Court, and that petition was denied on Aug. 26.

public. A court hearing was scheduled for Aug. 28 to determine whether or not the juvenile would be tried as an adult, at which point their name would be made public. That hearing was continued until Oct. 27.

Food Inspections

Routine food inspections were conducted by the Owen County Health Department during the month of August 2025. Reported below are the critical and non-critical comments left for these establishments:

8-2

Native Foods, food stand, temporary, at Gathering of the People Powwow. No violations.

A La Cart, drink stand, temporary, at Gathering of the People Powwow. No violations.

Ice Creams LA Michoacana, food truck, temporary, at Gathering of the People Powwow. No violations.

Lake’s Food, food stand, temporary, at Gathering of the People Powwow. No violations.

Aura’s Lemonade, drink stand, temporary, at Gathering of the People Powwow. No violations.

8-9

Mille McGee’s Gosport Diner, 23 E.

FIBER | FROM PAGE 1

company, which works to bring fiber service to unserved and underserved areas. The town’s commitment would be $250,000 to be paid over five years.

Two local business representatives were in attendance to explain how current internet service negatively impacts their business. Both noted how they currently utilize internet-based payment services to aid customers. Both have experienced occasions when the internet has gone offline and they have been unable to finalize transactions or have had to switch to cash-only purchases.

The council also shared concerns they have heard from other parties in town and how there does not appear to be a plan for future upgrades to existing internet infrastructure in town.

Regarding cost, Wilson said the average price for 150 megabits per second (mbps) symmetrical signal service is estimated at $35 per month and stand-alone gigabit service $90 per month. It was stated that

Main St., Gosport. No violations.

Gosport Tavern, 130 E. Main St., Gosport. No violations.

Weenie Wagon, food truck, temporary, at Gosport Lazy Days Festival. No violations.

The Dog House Concessions, food truck, temporary, at Gosport Lazy Days Festival. No violations.

8-20

Hopper’s Hut, food truck, pre-operational inspection. No violations.

150 mbps service is already faster than the current internet speed serving many homes in Spencer.

Stanz made a motion for the Town to enter into a contract with Mainstream for $250,000, which would be paid utilizing $50,000 per year out of Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds available in the town’s budget. The motion was approved, 3-0.

“This will affect people, 20, 30, 40 years down the road, we hope in a positive way,” Stanz said. “We are spending taxpayers’ dollars; we want to make sure we are doing it right.”

McKalip added, “I’ve talked to a lot of people, and people are very excited and positive. I didn’t hear one person say no, don’t spend taxpayer money on this. No, they all said do it.”

Next, the council heard from the festival safety coordinator of this year’s upcoming Spencer Pride Festival concerning coordination with the local railroad during the festival. It was noted that during coordination with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD) the railroad suggested they contact Operation Lifesaver,

8-23

Sparrow’s Ice Cream, food truck, temporary event at Tier 10 Music & Sports Park. No violations.

Pizza Inferno, food truck, temporary event at Tier 10 Music & Sports Park. No violations.

Thelma & Louise, food truck, temporary event at Tier 10 Music & Sports Park. No violations.

Gather Around BBQ, food truck, temporary event at Tier 10 Music & Sports

a national organization that provides education and training. It was discussed that the council would assist with reaching out to Operation Lifesaver to assist in coordinating training for local partners, first responders, etc.

Spencer Pride is working on its contract for the Pride Festival with the INRD and will provide the Town with the preliminary contract with the railroad, along with the final documents when available.

Marce Johnson, CEO of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce, later reported on the Riverfront Commons project. She explained that the arts commission has pursued funding and received a portion of the design dollars for an amphitheater in Cooper Commons. Design is now finalized, and public hearings have been held.

Moving forward, plans call for the full proposal for grant funds to be submitted in October 2025. Johnson is working to make sure the proposal matches the most recent priorities and goals for funds.

Johnson requested the Town’s assistance with covering the final $8,500 match for project design. Any funds the Town spends on design and current construction projects underway will count toward the 20 percent match required for the construction phase for the amphitheater.

McKalip made a motion to approve the $8,500 request, but the Town tabled the request until the council’s next meeting to allow time to explore which fund could best be utilized.

Next the council heard from Stogsdill whose update included efforts to add items to the town’s strategic plan for the years 2029 and 2030. He also noted the Town has met with FEMA to discuss the costs incurred during the most recent flood. Stogsdill

Park. No violations.

Fried on Q, food truck, temporary event at Tier 10 Music & Sports Park. No violations.

Outlaw BBQ, food truck, temporary event at Tier 10 Music & Sports Park. No violations.

Mr. Taco, food truck, temporary event at Tier 10 Music & Sports Park. No violations.

The Rolling Stoves, food truck , temporary event at Tier 10 Music & Sports Park. No violations.

said FEMA is going to work with the Town to try and get reimbursed for 75 percent of all costs incurred from the flood.

In departmental reports, the Spencer Police Department (SPD) provided updates on personnel and equipment, along with information concerning 37 cats housed on a South Main Street property. While the cats have now been spayed and neutered, they still need to be rehomed with assistance from the SPD.

Sewer department superintendent Ryan Klaassen later provided the board with an update, noting the department planned to televise the sewer main going toward the effluent outfall at the river. The quote from Fluid Waste Services was approved for this service totaling $6,260.

Klaassen also noted that on West Hillside Avenue, west of Pine Hill Road, a sewer main was jetted due to complaints and he would be obtaining quotes to fix this portion of sewer and to install a manhole.

Street department superintendent Tony Floyd noted that a new backhoe would soon be delivered. He also presented a quote for disaster services from Chip’s Outdoor Services. In the event of a storm, this contract would ensure the Town has services needed for maintenance and cleanup. Stantz made a motion to approve the contract, which received unanimous council approval.

In other business, Spinks proposed the Town dispose of the former Riddle Tractor Sales property and utilizing those funds to aid with other projects. The Town will discuss this proposal further at a future meeting.

The Spencer Town Council will meet again at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St.

Trace Adkins performs in

Country music star Trace Adkins performed at Tier 10 Music and Sports Park on Aug. 23. Diamond Rio, Dillon Carmichael and Jake Hoot also performed. The event was organized by RD Productions, LLC. This is the inaugural season for the new outdoor music venue. Approximately 7,000 attended the concert. AARON LAGRANGE | THE OWEN NEWS.

Lazy Days parade and bed races

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Owen Valley High School (OVHS) Color Guard leads the OVHS Marching Band in the Gosport Lazy Days’ Parade on Aug. 9. // The OVHS Varsity Football Team competes against the OVHS Varsity Cheer Team in the Gosport Lazy Days’ Bed Race Aug. 9. // A Gosport Lions Club member throws a handful of candy to children in the Gosport Lazy Days’ Parade. // Spencer Exchange Club member Mike Weaver hands out flags during the Gosport Lazy Days’ Parade. HANNAH AMOS | THE OWEN NEWS

Owen Valley High School Sports Calendar

Sept. 5

7 p.m. – Varsity boys’ football vs Cloverdale at Cloverdale.

Sept. 6

9 a.m. – Co-ed cross country vs Terre Haute North at Terre Haute North.

Sept. 8

5 p.m. – Varsity girls’ golf vs Greencastle at Greencastle.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

Sept. 9

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ tennis vs Sullivan at Sullivan.

6 p.m. – Co-ed cross country at Clay City Invitational.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

Sept. 10

5:30 p.m. –Varsity boys’ tennis vs Martinsville at Martinsville.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.

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

Edgewood.

7:30 p.m. –Varsity girls’ soccer vs Edgewood at Edgewood.

Sept. 11

6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ soccer vs White River Valley at White River Valley.

6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ tennis vs South Vermillion at South Vermillion.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Edgewood at Edgewood.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Edgewood at Edgewood.

Sept. 12

7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Edgewood at Owen Valley.

Sept. 13

8:30 a.m. – Coed cross country at Eagle Classic at South Putnam.

Sept. 15

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ tennis vs Indian Creek at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs Edgewood at Edgewood.

6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ soccer vs Cascade at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Linton-Stockton at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Linton-Stockton at Owen Valley.

Sept. 16

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ tennis vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ soccer vs Brown County at Brown County.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ soccer vs Brown County at Owen Valley.

Sept. 17

6 p.m. – Co-ed cross country at Chad Smith Scholarship Invitational at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Eastern Greene at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Eastern Greene at Owen Valley.

Sept. 18

5:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ soccer vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ soccer vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.

Sept. 19

7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Northview at Northview.

Sept. 20

9 a.m. – Co-ed cross country at Tiger Cub Invite at Greencastle.

10 a.m. – Varsity

Cloverdale High School Sports Calendar

Sept. 5

7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Owen Valley at Cloverdale.

Sept. 6

8:30 a.m. – Boys’ and girls’ cross country at Terre Haute North.

9 a.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Lighthouse Christian Academy at Lighthouse Christian Academy.

Sept. 8

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Northview at Northview.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Northview at Northview.

Sept. 9

5 p.m. – Varsity girls’ golf vs Shortridge at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Boys’ and girls’ cross country at Clay City Invitational.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.

Sept. 10

5 p.m. – Varsity girls’ golf vs Parke Heritage at Parke Heritage.

Sept. 12

7 p.m. – Varsity football vs North Central at Cloverdale.

Sept. 13

9 a.m. – Varsity girls’ golf at Putnam County Tournament at North Putnam.

9 a.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball at Putnam County Tournament at North Putnam.

10 a.m. – Varsity boys’ and girls’ cross country vs Cascade at Cascade.

Sept. 15

4:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ golf at Putnam County Match at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Southmont at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs North CentralFarmersburg at North Central-Farmersburg.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Southmont at Cloverdale.

Sept. 16

4:45 p.m. – Varsity girls’ golf vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Riverton Parke at Riverton Parke.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Riverton Parke at Riverton Parke.

girls’ soccer vs North Putnam at Owen Valley.

12 p.m. – Varsity boys’ soccer vs North Putnam at Owen Valley.

Sept. 22

4:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ tennis vs White River Valley at Owen Valley.

5 p.m. – Varsity girls’ soccer vs White River Valley at White River Valley.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Sullivan at Owen Valley.

7 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Sullivan at Owen Valley.

Sept. 24

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ tennis vs Northview at Northview.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Indian Creek at Indian Creek.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Indian Creek at Indian Creek.

Sept. 25

5:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ soccer vs Eastern Greene at Eastern Greene.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Mitchell at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Mitchell at Owen Valley.

Sept. 26

7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Sullivan at Owen Valley.

Sept. 27

9 a.m. – Co-ed cross country at Shakamak Invitational.

10 a.m. – Varsity girls’ soccer vs Indian Creek at Indian Creek.

11 a.m. – Varsity boys’ soccer vs Lighthouse Christian Academy at Lighthouse Christian Academy.

Sept. 29

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Northview at Northview.

7 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Northview at Northview.

Oct. 1

5:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ soccer vs Northview at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Eminence at Eminence.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Eminence at Eminence.

Oct. 2

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ tennis sectionalopener.

6 p.m. – Varsity boys’ soccer vs Indian Creek at Indian Creek.

Oct. 3

7 p.m. – Varsity boys’ football vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

Sept. 18

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs North Vermillion at Cloverdale.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs North Vermillion at Cloverdale.

Sept. 19

7 p.m. – Varsity football vs North Daviess at Cloverdale.

Sept. 20

9 a.m. – Varsity boys’ and girls’ cross country at Greencastle Invitational.

Sept. 22

6 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs North Montgomery at North Montgomery.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs North Montgomery at North Montgomery.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs Cascade at Cloverdale.

Sept. 23

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Brown County at Brown County.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Brown County at Brown County.

Sept. 25

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ and girls’ cross country three-way meet at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Junior varsity

girls’ volleyball vs North Putnam at North Putnam.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs North Putnam at North Putnam.

Sept. 26

7:30 p.m. – Varsity football vs South Decatur at South Decatur.

Sept. 27

10 a.m. – Varsity boys’ and girls’ cross country at Putnam County Meet.

Sept. 29

6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs South Decatur at Cloverdale.

Sept. 30

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs Edgewood at Cloverdale.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs Edgewood at Cloverdale.

Oct. 2

6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls’ volleyball vs White River Valley at Cloverdale.

7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs White River Valley at Cloverdale.

Oct. 3

7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Brown County at Brown County.

MYPath 5k returns for second year

Press Release

The MYPath 5k run/ walk is returning for a second year Saturday, Oct. 18, at 8:30 a.m.

The course begins and ends at the Owen County Fairgrounds, 364 S. East St., in Spencer. The course uses both paved and natural surface trails as it winds around the fairgrounds, through Cooper Commons, and along the MYPath Riverfront Trail. It is considered a “fast course” because it is mostly level. Registration is $25 plus a sign-up fee and includes a T-shirt. There will be prizes for the fastest times. After Oct. 16, registration increases to $30. To register, visit runsignup.com and search for MYPath 5k.

Direct questions to mypathspencer@ gmail.com.

Proceeds from the event are used by the Friends of MYPath, Inc. for development and maintenance of the trail.

Could regional trail be key to county’s economic future?

By Kyle Hannon Project Manager, MYPath Trail System

The MYPath trail is bringing economic, social and health benefits to Owen County, and the more the trail expands, the greater those benefits will be.

That was the finding of an intensive study by Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate students and the IU Center for Rural Engagement.

The final study was entitled MYPath, Our Community: The Future of Trail Systems in Owen County, Indiana. The report was shared at an Aug. 8 community meeting at McCormick’s Creek State Park.

Based on the impact of similar trails around the

state and country, local users of MYPath spend between $7.21 and $11.33 per daily trail visit. Non-local users spend between $13 and $70.50 per day trip. Overnight visitors spend between $98 and $176.98. By expanding the trail, the economic impact will increase because more people will be attracted to MYPath for both day use and overnight visits.

In addition, the study determined that trails like MYPath increase property values and attract both business and residential development. Social and health benefits have also been recorded with similar trails. Long-term discussions to connect MYPath to McCormick’s Creek State Park, and then to Ellettsville and Monroe

County trails would increase all these benefits as even more, as more people use the trails.

The study also outlined considerations for trail expansion. They recommended the creation of a Trail Expansion Advisory Group of local stakeholders to identify routes and funding possibilities.

The third

section of the study focused on communication strategies. It encouraged participating in more public events and inviting more people to use the trail. With increased trail use, more stakeholders are created. The study was created when the Owen County Community Foundation and the Regional Trail Advocates group

Cloverdale Middle School Sports Calendar

Oct. 4

9 a.m. – Seventh and eighth grade football vs North Putnam at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Ascher

9:30 a.m. – Seventh and eighth grade girls’ volleyball at Western Indiana Conference tournament (first round) at Indian Creek. Oct. 6 6 p.m. – Western Indiana Conference

had asked the Center for Rural Engagement (IUCRE) for assistance in determining the economic impact of MYPath and regional trails and for strategies for trail expansion. Through the IUCRE, 11 O’Neill School graduate students from around the country, completing their IU Masters of Public Affairs degree,

volleyball tournament championship. Oct. 9 6 p.m. – Seventh and

spent weeks studying MYPath and surrounding trails. The course culminated in an intensive week visiting MYPath and the community. Their result was shared with community members on Aug. 8 at McCormick’s Creek State Park. If anyone would like to see the entire 107-page study, contact mypathspencer@ gmail.com

eighth grade football vs North CentralFarmersburg at North Central-Farmersburg.

Indiana University graduate students and volunteers tour MYPath as part of their study of trail impacts on the community.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY KYLE HANNON.

Outdoor Type: It’s the little things

who resides out of town and who loves golf was coming for the day. I decided Country Oaks Golf Course and West Boggs Lake would make a nice combo, wrapping up with a bountiful meal with our wives at Stoll’s Restaurant right on the water. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Golf and fishing are similar in that to be successful, one must pay attention to the details. A slight tweak can make a

big difference. It was my first time at Country Oaks. According to the pro shop guy, this course rates as one of the top 25 toughest in Indiana. Having played very little around the state, I’d take his word for it after my round. It’s a tough layout, all right, even when you play from the senior tees. The course is a monster from the back tees.

On the front nine, I kept struggling with my putts. Nothing unusual there. Finally, I discovered that zone when you stand over your ball, eye the line and feel confident that it’s going in or at least it will be close. All it took was a slight adjustment to my stance, and the ball started dropping more often.

On my drives, all it took to get more roll distance was a slight upward angling of my shoulders, like the guy in Golf magazine said to do. I gained maybe five to 10 yards. Every little bit helps.

I shot a better score on the back nine than I did on the front, which shocked me. I thought that after four hours of golf I’d wilt in the afternoon sun, but instead I found a rhythm and employed those small changes, and the result was a decent score for me.

Hitting Boggs about four o’clock, we were after the lake’s big bluegill. I knew a place where we could be in the shade and still catch something, I hoped. The July sun was bearing down.

We arrived at

the spot, I rigged up and soon began catching fish, although not the size I had seen in the spring. Still, there was action. My friend rigged up and cast out in the same area. I caught a bluegill. He continued to sit and watch his bobber. I caught another, and another, and another. Most were non-keepers, but still it was fun.

Now, here’s the dilemma. Do I tell him what to do to correct the problem, or just let it go? He wasn’t asking me for advice. He was just watching his large bobber sit motionless, or so he thought.

Earlier on the golf course, I had made a suggestion about his putting that seemed to help. That was with his permission. Now, I wasn’t sure that I should give advice

when none was asked for.

Finally, I couldn’t stand my success and his lack of it any longer. I offered to look at his rig and see what the problem was. He complied, somewhat reluctantly. He had caught bluegill before with this same setup, and he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t catching them now.

One difference in our fishing styles was that he cast his bait out to one spot and waited. I would cast, wait a few seconds, pull the rig very slowly about a foot, wait a few seconds, and repeat. Fish tend to move in and out of an area, unless it’s spawning time. Covering more water just makes sense, and the moving bait gets more attention.

Another issue

was his waiting until he saw the bobber go completely under before he would react. Often these bluegills would only slide my bobber one way or the other a few inches, alerting me to set the hook. Very few of them took it all the way under, even the larger ones. Bluegill fishing is relaxing, yes, but one must be alert to what the bobber is doing in order to catch more fish.

Next time I’ll get into some more techniques for bluegill that can help you get a few more bites. It’s early fall, and fish are biting. The weather will gradually become more pleasant, and there’s less competition. And when the colors come out, it’s really special.

Driftwood Outdoors: DingellJohnson Act celebrates 75 years

By Brandon Butler Guest Columnist

The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, known as the DingellJohnson Act, was passed by Congress in 1950. We’re celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and the more than $12 billion the act has generated for the conservation and restoration of sport fish species and their habitats.

Under the DingellJohnson Act, an excise tax is collected on sport fishing equipment including rods, reels, tackle, lures, lines, motorboat fuel and import duties on fishing equipment. The money is deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funds are then distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies through a formula based on each state’s land and water area and the number of licensed anglers.

The program requires states to match federal funds with revenue from fishing licenses and other local sources. This structure ensures anglers and boaters, the people who most directly benefit from the resource, are

also the primary investors in its management. Oversight provisions in the act strictly prohibit states from diverting the money to other purposes.

The impact of the funding is visible across the country. More than 9,000 public boating and fishing access sites have been built or improved with Dingell-Johnson money. Over 320 state fish hatcheries receive support, producing more than a billion fish annually for stocking in public waters. States use the funds to restore aquatic habitats, conduct biological research and support law enforcement activities related to fisheries. Millions of Americans have participated in aquatic education programs financed through the act, learning the basics of fishing, boating safety, and aquatic ecology.

“We couldn’t do our job without Sport Fish Restoration dollars,” said Michael Bednarski, Chief of Fisheries for Virginia DWR. “The amount we get is substantial—about $3.5 million a year coming from the excise taxes on fishing tackle and boat fuel. I really believe in it.”

Bednarski added some of the greatest, most lasting impacts of Sport Fish Restoration

money in Virginia are the 37 public waters such as Lake Robertson that exist around the state. Those fishing waters were purchased via Sport Fish Restoration money.

The 1984 WallopBreaux Amendment was a major turning point for the program. By adding excise taxes on motorboat fuel and expanding the base of taxed equipment, the amendment significantly increased revenue. It also broadened the list of eligible projects, allowing states to invest in boating infrastructure and safety initiatives in addition to fisheries restoration.

For anglers, the results have been incredible. Improved fish populations, healthier waters and more public access to lakes and rivers have resulted.

In many rural areas, projects funded by Dingell-Johnson dollars have created economic opportunities by drawing visitors and tourism dollars. Providing both an economic return and intrinsic value.

As the 75th anniversary of DingellJohnson is celebrated in 2025, federal and state agencies, as well as conservation organizations, have issued releases highlighting its

legacy. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released figures showing the scope of the program: billions of dollars invested, thousands of facilities built and millions of people educated. Leaders of the angling and boating community described the law as a cornerstone of modern conservation policy.

Representative Debbie Dingell, whose late father-in-law John Dingell Sr. co-authored the original legislation, noted the act has provided “critical resources for conservation, restoration, boating safety and education, and fishing access for generations of Americans.”

Congressional leaders introduced a bipartisan bill in 2025 to reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through 2030, ensuring its continuation into the future.

A statement released by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation says, “These excise taxes, combined with fishing and hunting license revenues, constitute the American System of Conservation Funding, a model unlike anything else in the world. These funds are derived from those who hunt, fish, and boat and the industries they support for one purpose – to make sure we have access to healthy fish and wildlife resources.”

The success of the Dingell-Johnson Act reflects a simple principle: when those who use natural resources contribute financially to their management, the results benefit everyone. Fish populations are sustained, habitats are restored, access is expanded, and the tradition of fishing is passed on to future generations.

Seventy-five years after its passage, the act remains one of the most important conservation achievements in American history. By tying together federal leadership, state responsibility, and user investment, the DingellJohnson Sport Fish Restoration Act created a model of sustainable funding that continues to keep America’s waters healthy and accessible. See you down the trail…

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

Trailing or Leading: MYPath was worthy of the study

By Kyle Hannon Project Manager, MYPath Trail System

I like to talk, a lot, about the way MYPath benefits our community. But what if an independent group studied our trail? What would they think?

As I have reported in this column previously, MYPath is part of a regional group, trying to connect trails across Owen and Monroe counties and beyond. When the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement (IUCRE) offered services to rural communities, we decided to ask if they could help us understand our

economic impact and strategies for expanding our trails. IUCRE found a class at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs who would take on our project as an intensive course.

I got to know their instructor, Dr. Trent Deckard, as he described the class and the students. These were graduate students in the Master of Public Affairs program. They were IU students, but they came from around the country and met online throughout the summer. However, for one week, Aug. 4 to 8, they would be on-site in Owen County and at IU to get a groundlevel look at our community. I also want to point out that these were students who

had been in the workforce for a while before digging into grad school. In that way, they were more like peers than students.

On their first day in town, we met at McCormick’s Creek Canyon Inn. They interviewed four focus groups: trail users, community organizations, trail experts and property owners. Then we took them to Jit’s for lunch, followed by a tour of the Tivoli. Then I led them on a tour of MYPath. The idea was to give them a feel for the community and the trail.

For the next few days, they would send me questions, and I would send them answers. I met them one evening in Bloomington, where we shared beer, and I

answered more questions. On Thursday, I met them for lunch, to answer questions and react to their draft of what they wanted to talk about on Friday.

Friday was the big day. The class that had been meeting online for months, had just been meeting inperson and on-site for a week. Now, they were going to present the results of their work to us. Volunteers and community members were invited to hear what they had to say. Dr. Deckard remarked that he has been working on projects like this for many years, and our group of interested community members was the largest, by far, that he had ever witnessed.

The study was

titled MYPath, Our Community: The Future of Trail Systems in Owen County, Indiana. They divided it into three sections: economic impact, trail expansion strategy and community engagement and awareness. It’s hard to describe how on-target their report was.

It’s a 107page report. Here is a very brief summary: MYPath is providing a benefit to the community. The more we expand trails, the more benefit we get. To expand the trail, we should form a trail-expansion committee. To get more people involved with the trail, we should reach out to them. If you want to read the entire report, or serve on the trail expansion committee,

email me at mypathspencer@ gmail.com.

After lunch at the Canyon Inn, I gave them a MYPath T-shirt and led them on a brief hike to the McCormick’s Creek falls, because that is what I do. I think the class enjoyed visiting our community, and I enjoyed getting to know them. Their report is going to help guide our trail to great places.. 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.

Purdue Extension educator retires after decades of service

Submitted Content

After a distinguished career spanning several decades and multiple counties across Indiana, Jim Luzar has retired from his role as the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Educator with Purdue ExtensionOwen County. His retirement marks the conclusion of a remarkable journey dedicated to agricultural education, natural resource stewardship and community service.

Luzar’s work with Purdue Extension began long before his time in Owen County. Over the years, he served in various counties throughout Indiana, building a reputation as a knowledgeable, approachable and

deeply committed educator. His expertise in crop production, soil health, forestry and wildlife management made him a trusted resource for farmers, landowners and residents across the state.

In Owen County, Luzar became a cornerstone of the local Extension office, offering practical solutions and educational

empowered individuals and strengthened the community. His ability to connect with people and provide meaningful guidance has left a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come.

“Jim has been a pillar of Purdue Extension and a tremendous asset to Owen County,” said Cassie Linville, County Extension Director.

“His retirement is wellearned, and while we will miss his presence, we celebrate the legacy he leaves behind.”

Though Luzar is stepping away from his official duties, the Purdue Extension-Owen County office remains fully committed to providing the services and support associated with the ANR position. Residents are encouraged to continue reaching out with questions or concerns related to agriculture and natural resources.

“We want to assure everyone that ANR support is still available,” Linville emphasized. “If you call or visit our office, we will connect you with another ANR educator who can assist you. Our commitment to serving

Owen County remains as strong as ever.”

Jim Luzar’s retirement is not just a farewell—it’s a celebration of a career that helped shape Indiana’s agricultural landscape. His contributions have empowered countless individuals to make informed decisions about their land, their livelihoods and their communities. His work has left a lasting legacy, and his influence will continue through the ongoing efforts of Purdue Extension educators across the state.

For more information or to access ANR services, contact the Purdue Extension-Owen County office at 812829-5020 or visit the office at 180 S. Washington St. in Spencer.

From GED to creativity: Lifelong learning for all

By Brittany Van Hook OCPL Director

programs the Owen County Public Library is proud to offer the community is the Lifelong Learning Center, our

adult education program.

The center provides a welcoming environment where adult learners can expand their knowledge, develop new skills and pursue their educational and personal goals with confidence. We offer a wide variety of courses designed to meet different

interests and needs. Whether you’re looking to gain new job skills, explore creative maker projects, earn a career certification or complete your high school equivalency diploma, chances are we have a class for you, often at little to no cost.

We are best known for our High School Equivalency

(HSE) program, often referred to as the GED. To better serve our students, we proudly offer these classes twice a day to fit a variety of schedules. Last year alone, 21 students successfully graduated from the program. Since 2010, the center has celebrated more than 380 HSE graduates, and we look forward to watching that number continue to grow in the years ahead.

In addition to GED classes, we offer a variety of industryrecognized certification courses for those looking to strengthen or expand their skills. Currently, our programs include certification in Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks. This year, we are excited to expand

our offerings with three new options: CompTIA A+, Salesforce and HVAC.

If you’re looking for a more creative outlet, our maker classes may be just what you need. We offer hands-on learning in sublimation printing, laser engraving, 3D printing and digital design with Cricut. These classes not only spark creativity but also give you the opportunity to explore and master some of today’s most exciting creative technologies.

The Lifelong Learning Center is more than just a place to take classes—it’s a community where adult learners are encouraged, supported and empowered to achieve their goals. With programs that span academic achievement, career development and creative exploration, the center provides opportunities for growth in every area of life. No matter your interest or experience level, the Lifelong Learning Center is here to help you learn, create and succeed—often at little to no cost. We invite everyone in the community to take the next step in their learning journey with us. To enroll in one of our courses, students must be at least 16 years old and no longer enrolled in school. To learn more about our programs, email our Adult Education Coordinator, Jamie, at jamieh@ owenlib.org, or call 812-829-3392 ext. 212.

A spoonful of sweetness: Tackling diabetes

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

Here in Owen County, we love our pitch-ins, family dinners and sweet treats (who can say no to dessert?). But sometimes our health needs a little extra TLC, and diabetes is one of those things we can’t ignore. The good news? Taking charge of your health doesn’t mean giving up flavor or fun. In fact, with a few smart swaps and fresh ideas, living healthier can be just as tasty as that homemade pie at the church social.

What exactly is diabetes?

Think of your body like a car engine. Food is fuel, and insulin is the key

that helps the fuel power the engine. For people with diabetes, the “key” doesn’t always work the way it should. Sometimes the body doesn’t make enough insulin, and sometimes it doesn’t use it properly. That leaves too much sugar in the blood, which, over time, can wear down the body like bad gas in a car.

There are two main types:

Type 1 diabetes: the body doesn’t produce insulin at all.

Type 2 diabetes: the body makes insulin but doesn’t use it effectively

The good news? While there’s no cure, diabetes can be managed with healthy meals, exercise and lifestyle choices. And that’s where we, as a community, can make a difference.

Why it matters here in Owen County

Here at home, the numbers tell us we’ve got some work to do. Owen County reports higher-than-average rates of obesity and physical

inactivity, which feed directly into diabetes risks. Add in barriers like limited access to healthy food and fewer exercise options, and it’s clear why this health issue needs attention.

But statistics don’t tell the whole story. Behind every number is a neighbor, a friend or a family member trying to live well with diabetes.

Enter: Purdue Extension

The good news is, we don’t have to tackle this alone. Purdue Extension is here to help. Through programs like Dining with Diabetes, families can learn how to shop smarter, cook healthier and still enjoy food that tastes amazing.

It’s not about giving up your favorites — it’s about reimagining them in a way that supports health and keeps meals fun.

Yes, dessert is still on the table

One of the biggest myths about diabetes? No dessert. Thankfully, that’s not true! With a little

creativity, sweets can still be part of the plan. Here are a few tasty ideas: Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark Creamy yogurt, fresh strawberries and dark chocolate chips — frozen and broken into bark for a sweet, crunchy snack. Apple-Oat Crumble Warm apples with a cinnamon-oat topping that delivers cozy comfort without the sugar overload.

Peanut Butter Banana “Ice Cream” Frozen bananas blended with a spoonful of peanut butter = smooth, creamy and surprisingly indulgent.

Berry Parfaits Fresh berries layered with vanilla Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of nuts. Pretty to look at, fun to eat!

Pumpkin Spice

Muffins

Whole-wheat flour + pumpkin puree + warm spices = a treat that feels decadent but is packed with nutrition.

The takeaway

Diabetes may be a serious health concern in Owen County, but small steps can make a big difference. With the support of Purdue Extension’s programs and a few creative kitchen swaps, living well with diabetes doesn’t mean saying goodbye to flavor — it just means discovering new ways to enjoy it.

Because sometimes, the sweetest solutions come from working together.

Want to learn more about Dining with Diabetes? Call the Purdue Extension-Owen County office at 812-829-5020. Looking to bring a program to your group? From food and health to family and finance, I’ve got you covered! Shoot me an email at lowder0@ purdue.edu and let’s make it happen.

And don’t forget — you can always spot my upcoming programs on our Facebook page, or our website extension. purdue.edu/county/ owen/hhshome.html.

4H: Two youth programs to launch this fall

By Cassie Linville 4-H Youth Development Educator

take part in monthly activities that blend education with fun.

of two engaging youth programs designed to spark creativity, curiosity and hands-on learning for local students.

Beginning this October, both regular 4-H members and Mini 4-H participants will have the opportunity to

The first program, Minds in Motion, is open to all current Owen County 4-H members in grades three through 12. This dynamic initiative will meet on the second Monday of each month from October through May, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Purdue ExtensionOwen County office meeting room.

Minds in Motion is designed to get young minds moving through a variety of STEMbased activities. Participants will explore topics like robotics, chemistry, engineering and

biology in a handson, interactive environment. Planned activities include building LEGO robots, experimenting with junk drawer robotics, fluid power robotics, extracting DNA from fruit, making slime and oobleck, creating electric circuit boards and much more.

This program is all about encouraging curiosity and problemsolving in a fun and supportive setting. We want our 4-H members to explore how things work, ask questions and get excited about learning.

The second program, Mess Makers, is a

returning favorite for Mini 4-H members in grades kindergarten through second. After a successful run last year, Mess Makers is back—and better than ever— with more meetings and even more messy fun! This year, the program will meet on the fourth Monday of each month, also in the Purdue ExtensionOwen County office meeting room, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Mess Makers is designed to let Mini 4-H members explore their creative and messy sides through playful, hands-on activities. From crafting and experimenting to sensory play and

simple science projects, each session will offer a new opportunity for discovery and fun.

Our Mini 4-H program is all about letting kids be kids. We want them to explore, create and enjoy the process of learning through play.

Both programs are free to current Owen County 4-H and Mini 4-H members. Families interested in participating are encouraged to ensure their children are enrolled in 4-H for the 2025–2026 program year. Event registration is available on 4-H Online after the program enrollment

process is complete. Enrollment information and assistance are available through the Purdue ExtensionOwen County office. With these exciting offerings, Owen County 4-H continues its mission to provide meaningful, educational experiences that help youth grow into confident, capable and curious individuals. For more information or to enroll, contact the Purdue ExtensionOwen County office at 812-829-5020 or visit us at 180 S. Washington St., Spencer.

Gathering of the People Powwow comes to Cataract

PHOTOS BY NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

48th annual Apple Butter Festival takes place this month

By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent

The Owen County Courthouse square will soon come alive with the familiar sights and sounds of the annual Apple Butter Festival, returning for a 48th year Sept. 20 to 21.

Presented by the Spencer Lions Club, this year’s event will again be chock-full of family fun, featuring royalty and apple butter contests, a parade, fun zone, classic car cruise-in, antique tractors and much more. Over 100 vendors selling homemade, handmade or store-bought treasures and food will help bring the festival to life.

The fan-favorite festival parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, featuring this year’s grand marshal, well-known area radio personality Tony Kale.

Kale has spent 38 years gracing the local radio airwaves, and the last 37 of those have included doing

play-by-play for Owen Valley and other area high school sports. He was the 2009 Marv Bates Award winner from the ISSA and is approaching nearly 1,400 career games called, including six state championship appearances. Kale also handles numerous Edgewood broadcasts and hosts a popular morning show on WCLS 97.7.

Kale was among those inducted into the Indiana Sports Writers and Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame for 2025 during a ceremony held earlier this year at the Valle Vista Country Club in Greenwood.

A demolition derby will be held at the Owen County Fairgrounds on Sept. 20, beginning at 7 p.m.

For more Apple Butter Festival information, visit The Apple Butter Festival on Facebook or the website theapplebutterfestival.com. step forward in that commitment.

Owen Valley Middle School Sports Calendar

Sept. 10

5 p.m. – Co-ed cross country vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs Eastern Greene at Eastern Greene.

Sept. 11

5 p.m. – Co-ed cross country vs Cloverdale at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs Martinsville at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Seventh-grade football vs Edgewood at Owen Valley.

Sept. 15

5 p.m. – Co-ed cross country vs Brown County at Brown County.

6 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs Greencastle at Greencastle.

Sept. 17

6 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs White River Valley at Owen Valley.

Sept. 18

5:30 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.

5:45 p.m. – Co-ed cross country vs Jackson Creek at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Seventh-grade football vs Sullivan at Owen Valley.

7 p.m. – Eighth-grade football vs Sullivan at Owen Valley.

Sept. 20

9 a.m. – Co-ed cross country at Eagle Classic at South Putnam.

Gosport VFW Post 7850 www.gosportvfw.com • 812-879-4230 159 E Main Street, Gosport

Saturday, Sept. 13 • Gosport VFW

Sept. 23

5:30 p.m. – Co-ed cross country vs Sullivan at Owen Valley.

Sept. 24

6 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.

Sept. 25

5:30 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs Eminence at Eminence.

6 p.m. – Seventh-grade football vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.

7 p.m. – Eighth-grade football vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.

Sept. 27

9 a.m. – Co-ed cross country vs Shakamak at Shakamak.

Sept. 29

6 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs Jackson Creek at Jackson Creek.

Sept. 30

6 p.m. – Seventh-grade football vs Brown County at Brown County.

6 p.m. – Girls’ volleyball vs Batchelor at Owen Valley.

Oct. 2

5:30 p.m. – Co-ed cross country at WIC meet.

6 p.m. – Seventh-grade football vs Cloverdale at Cloverdale.

7 p.m. - Eighth-grade football vs Cloverdale at Cloverdale.

4 p.m. - Speaker(Ret) Brigadier General, Michael J. Osburn

4:30-5:30 p.m. - Mingle 5:30-7:30 p.m.Pulled Pork Dinner

8-11 p.m.Indiana Country Boys Band

10:30 a.m. - Brett Wood’s platoon will meet in front of the Memorial Brick Wall at the Courthouse, proceed to visit his grave at Riverside, with lunch and program at Cooper’s Park

4:30 p.m. - Program at Spencer VFW with Dinner

- Spencer VFW

Open House every Thursday and Sunday Everyone welcome, do not have to be a member! Dinners

Sept. 11 - Country Fried Steak Sept. 18 - Ribs Sept. 25 - Brats, Burgers and Dogs Sept. 27 - Karaoke, our famous tenderloins and the monthly drawing. Commuinity Room is No Smoking!

Open House every Friday and Saturday Everyone welcome, do not have to be a member! Pool Tournaments - Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 Got It! - Fridays Doors open at 6, Cards go out at 6:30 and game starts at 7 (it’s Bingo with playing cards)

To be eligible to join the Post, you must be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force or Coast Guard) and have served in a foreign war, insurrection or expedition recognized by a U.S. campaign or service medal. Additionally, service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. Receiving hostile fire or imminent danger pay also qualifies. To be eligible to join the Auxiliary, you must have an immediate family member who qualifies/qualified to join the post. Call us or come in to the post anytime to discuss!

Ramblings: Summer’s end

By Annie Bright Guest Columnist

This morning while dusting one of the many bookcases that clutter my home, I discovered a tiny book of wisdom.

“A Year of Good Cheer” was created by Delia Lyman Porter and published in 1906. The book is a collection of quotes from famous and not so famous writers and philosophers. It begins with a quote from Emerson: “Write on your hearts that every day is the best

day of the year.” The book devotes a page to every week of the year filled with wisdom and advice on how to live a good life. The book includes writings from Robert Louis Stevenson, Emerson, Wordsworth, Helen Keller, Goethe and many people I have never heard of. One such individual is Carl Hilty. I am going to do some research on him. Ms. Porter quotes him often.

The page for the last week of August gives the following advice from Mr. Hilty: “The best way to have permanent peace with the world is not to expect much of it; not to be afraid of it; see the good in it; and to regard the evil as something powerless and temporary which

will soon defeat itself.” These words that were written over a century ago are meaningful today. For me they bring some comfort, a connection to those who survived dark times in the past. I hope, dear readers, they have a positive effect on you. Here is another quote from the book. These words are from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “But in the mud and scum of things, there alway, alway something sings.” I so want to put an ‘s’ on the end of those always, but Emerson didn’t. I dare not edit his work. Now on to those things that sing.

We are about to enter the most glorious time of the year – autumn. The

natural world is already showing signs of the coming glory. The heat has forced some trees to drop leaves. Others appear to have faded from the vibrant green of summer. The few small sunflowers I managed to coax to life have gone to seed. Purple ironweed blooms wave in the breeze along the country roads. The pink surprise lilies bloomed on cue a couple of weeks ago. The bare stalks remain in some gardens. Silent testimony to the fleeting beauty of these lilies.

The hummingbirds have been busy lately. Their survival depends on their ability to fly thousands of miles to their winter home. Part of their journey is across the Gulf of

Mexico. They empty the feeder daily putting on a layer of fat. The male that entertained me last year is back. He sits on the nearby shepherd’s hook and declares ownership of the feeder. The sunshine glints off the tiny feathers on his head. The patch of red beneath his bill glows like a precious ruby. He permits some fellow hummingbirds to dine; others he chases away with a fierce flight. I would not want him to dive bomb my head. I have always suspected that the birds he allows to visit the feeder are his mate and young ones. They will all leave soon. I will await their return with much anticipation.

‘til next time, Annie

It’s Just a Country State of Mind: My mother’s old Maytag

By Susan Anderson Guest Columnist

a child, I used to sit and watch my mother wash the laundry in her Maytag wringer washer. The washer came with two tubs used for rinsing and for wringing out the water from the clothes. Even though there were other brands available, my mother was a Maytag woman. Maytag washers typically lasted for about 10 years. They were known for their durability. They first started making them in 1907 and stopped making them in 1983.

It was common to find one of these washers in every household. Ours was in our kitchen, back in the corner. We had a pretty big kitchen that was called a farmhouse kitchen, which pretty much had room for everything. My mother stayed home with me until I started school, and Mondays were wash days at our house. After the clothes were washed, they were carefully hung out on a clothesline to dry. So, every week I watched my mother wash the clothes in the wringer washer. Usually, she had to hook a hose up to the kitchen faucet to fill up the washer. Then plug it in and start it up. The clothes sloshed back and forth inside the tub for an appropriate amount of time or

until my mother thought they were clean. Then she would drain the water from the washer back into the sink and then began to put the clothes through the wringers. Our washer was an electric one and so the wringers worked by electricity. There was a lever to turn them on. There was also a release bar that you could push if the clothes got stuck in the wringers or if a hand happened to get stuck in the wringers. My mother had cautioned me many times about not getting my hands near the wringers.

One day, our phone rang, and my mother had to go answer it. She paused the wringers and went to take the call. She left me in the kitchen by myself. I could hear her

talking in the other room. I looked into the washer and saw that there was still some laundry that needed to be run through the wringers. I decided to surprise my mother and help finish some of the clothes. So, I hit the button that started the wringers, picked up a shirt, and began to guide it through as I had watched my mother do countless times. Only it didn’t just wring the shirt. My fingers somehow got in the way and began to go through the wringers. I started to scream and cry and tried to pull my fingers out of the death grip that the washer had on me. But the harder I pulled, the worse it got. I continued screaming until suddenly I heard my mother running towards me. She pushed the release

button that stopped the wringer, and it opened up. I was able to pull my fingers out. After my mother consoled me, checked out my hand and applied an ice pack, the lecture began. I thought to myself that having my hand stuck in the wringer was punishment enough.

With my mother, a lecture always followed any act of disobedience in her children. I can tell you it was a long time before I went around the wringer washer again. In fact, it wasn’t until I was a grown-up, and I wanted to buy one for myself, that I used one again. By this time, those Maytags were a novelty. I had a regular washer as an adult.

One day, I found an old Maytag at an auction. When I got home, I decided

that I would try to do a load of laundry in it. That old childhood trauma of having my finger stuck in that thing came back right at that moment. But I was very careful, and I’m proud to say I got every piece of laundry wrung out without incident.

Nostalgia can be a good thing. And to this day, every time I see a Maytag washer, I think about those days. I sure miss that old Maytag.

And I miss the days of sitting at my mother’s feet while she did the laundry. I don’t miss those wringers at all. They say that facing childhood fears is a good thing.

Maybe so. But I think not getting your fingers stuck in an old Maytag washer is a much better thing. Yep! Those Maytags really were the best!

Susan

—