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No figure looms larger in my childhood than Mr. Tim Curry.

My sister,cousin and I sat resplendent before our grandmother’s RCA tube television set, and we slid in the first of two VHS tapes of “IT" (1991) into the VCR. When tape two drew to a close, we were changed. No longer the children we once were, we were stranger, both more grown up and a little more ghoulish. In the coming month, without sleep, I had a lot of time to think (when I wasn’t sprinting to the bathroom and staying well away from what lurked under the bed). Amid those restless nights, I discovered I loved being scared. They say the first cut is the deepest and Tim Curry cut deep indeed.

Hollywood will be remaking “IT” for the next century. Mr. Curry’s Pennywise will be the Pennywise against whom all will be judged. Not to mention his incredible work in  “Legend,” “Clue,” “Congo” and“FernGully: The Last Rainforest” (a high point in countless voice performances).

As soon as you think he can only give big performances, he’ll toss a toned down “Hunt for Red October” supporting role in your lap. He had so much more to give than what you suspected. We were robbed of 20 years of his craft. Regardless, his work is totemic, running through generations of pop culture veins.

At sixteen, I discovered “Rocky Horror." From the opening song “Science Fiction/Double Feature” I knew the “Rocky Horror” poster on my wall was written in the stars. I drove around in my 1978 Pontiac Catalina blaring the soundtrack ad nauseam. I’ve seen it countless times: introduced it to countless friends. I had the joy of seeing a proper sold-out live production at the Tivoli by the traveling group Flustered Mustard (shout out to Jessica Turnbull for spearheading the event). To say we lost an icon recently in the passing of Mr. Curry isn’t bestowing the fields of flowers the man is entitled to.

The core theme of Rocky is that found family can reveal who you are. That it’s okay to be odd. That in fact, it’s your oddity that makes you who you are. There is no more welcome message to an awkward teen (and to be Frank-N-Furter a sometimes awkward adult).

And found my family, I have. Spencer didn’t have a lot going on when I was a teenager, but over the last 20 years we’ve been coming up in the world. The Pride Center is an absolute gift, bestowing much needed services, events and activities to our humble commUnity(sic). The arts are alive and well with the Owen County Theater and Arts Alliance (OCTAA) putting on real deal community theater, the Manhattan Short film festival at the Tivoli September 29^thand Owen County’s own Blue Box Film Festival coming to the Tivoli this April and Blue Box Film Club holding monthly private screenings(currently seeking new members).

Civilian Brewing Corps sharing a wall with the Tivoli is magic manifest. To gather with friends and family over a shared giant pretzel in anticipation of a film is where I really live. You have a vantage point to see the right moment to get in line to still get your favorite seat. It’s knowing when you exit the theater, you have a proper place for a film debriefing. So much going on in Spencer to mention but I have Owen News HQ breathing down my neck about word counts.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is playing at our Tivoli Oct. 10^th. $15 admission to give Mr. Curry his flowers.

At 9:00 on Saturday morning, Sept. 5, 1,684 birds, 169 exhibitors, and several vendors descended upon the Owen County Fairgrounds. By 2:30 that same afternoon, all that remained were a few stray feathers. What caused this acceleration of avian activity? The 51^st Annual White River Poultry Club’s Fall Show.

Around 2,000 people from around the area and state brought their birds to compete for Best in Show and awards in their breed categories as well as showmanship. Poultry are judged Best in Show according to the American Poultry Association’s Standards of Perfection. While you may see an odd duck or a funny old bird elsewhere, the poultry on exhibit at this show are championship material. Readers familiar with the American Kennel Club’s Dog Show have a good idea of the framework of a show like this, but the American Poultry Association had already been established for 11 years before the American Kennel Club was even founded. Poultry exhibitors have the same enthusiasm for their breeds as canine exhibitors have for theirs.

“This show brings in people from all over the country, " said Bill Pursell, Vice President of the White River Poultry Club, and self described “volunteer floater” of the White River Poultry Club’s Fall show. “Go around and take a look at some of the license plates, you’ll see them from everywhere.”

The White River Poultry Club’s shows attract around 4,500 people each year. In the state of Indiana, only four American Poultry Association and American Bantam Association sanctioned poultry shows remain and Spencer hosts two of them. The White River Poultry Club’s Spring Show is traditionally the first show of the Midwest region’s poultry show season and their Fall Show kicks off the Midwest’s fall season. Pursell has been here to see it all, being one of the White River Poultry Club’s founding members in 1976.

“We were founded by two 16-year-old kids with $100 from the Chamber of Commerce,” Pursell recalled. “The first year we did the show we had 410 birds and had no idea what to do. At one point [along the way] we were borrowing cages from seven different county fairs.”

Since then, the show has quadrupled in size to become one of the top poultry shows in the state. Pursell has noticed a lot of changes since then, mainly, the state of the poultry exhibition landscape.

“When we first started, a lot of [the shows] were competing with each other to get the most attendance. Now we all mostly work together to promote the whole hobby,” he said.

The number of poultry shows has dwindled over the years, mostly due to local poultry clubs aging out and folding. Pursell noted that the White River Poultry Club has stayed relevant and thriving with constant youth outreach. The fall show in Spencer has a separate youth show that had many exhibits this year.

“Different members of ours each work with their own 4-H clubs in their counties and encourage all the 4-H showers to come out and do this too,” Pursell said. “I think it’s critical to bring in young people and show them what we do and get them involved.”

The poultry shows bring a lot of guests into Owen County but their influence ripples outwardly, too. Members of the White River Poultry Club worked with researchers at UC Davis to breed frizzle chickens to help determine what in their genetics causes their unusual feather growth. Locally bred frizzle chicken eggs were shipped to California from Owen County to give researchers examples of frizzle chickens for genetic testing.

But perhaps the most famous chicken in Owen County is tightly integrated with the history of the Poultry Show. The Big Chicken at the Owen County Fairgrounds ended up at its current roost through its connection to the Poultry Show. The big chicken used to watch over the former Frosty Drive-In along N. Fletcher Ave./U.S. 231N. Since the chicken was such a prominent fixture in Spencer, the White River Poultry Club had used its likeness as part of their advertising. Jim Vance, founder of Boston Scientific, purchased the chicken when the land that the Frosty Drive-In was located on was purchased for the construction of Boston Scientific.

“Jim had the chicken, and he had wanted to put it down in Cooper Commons,” Pursell said. “The park board at the time didn’t want it there but Jim did. We [the poultry club] wanted to keep it around because we were so associated with it. I reached out and asked him if he would want to put it in the corner of the fairground, overlooking the park instead, and that’s where it’s been ever since.”

Spencer’s big chicken is most likely a white leghorn, but it would not place very well in the poultry show. According to Pursell it’s downward sloping tail would knock it out of contention in any competition.

“The nice thing about the poultry circuit is that people are competitive but they are also cooperative,” Pursell said. “We are all striving for that standard of perfection, that no bird can ever reach but the process of trying to get there is what it’s all about.”

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What started 22 years ago as a "wild idea" has officially become a cherished small-town institution, bringing together students, staff, and residents for a morning of community pride.

Gosport Elementary School (GES) Principal Carol Watson recalled the inception of the event during her second year at the helm. Two teachers, Shelly Roofe and Cindy Sichting, approached her with the concept of marching students through the streets of Gosport.

"To be completely honest, I thought they were crazy," Watson shared. "I remember telling them, 'This is going to be an absolute disaster!' Luckily, they were persistent, and I was young enough and willing enough to give it a try. And look at what we have done!"

Now, that initial leap of faith has evolved into one of the most anticipated days of the school year. The excitement builds well before the parade begins, with students crafting banners, preparing chants, and receiving new school shirts purchased annually by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The Gosport VFW Post #7850 also contributes by supplying handheld American flags for the children to carry along the route.

When parade day arrives, the entire community steps forward to support the school.

"As the principal of Gosport Elementary, seeing our community show up year after year is one of the things that makes me most proud," Watson said. "There is something to be said about a small town that comes out on a random Friday morning in September to line the streets, wave, cheer, and celebrate their hometown elementary school."

For Watson, watching the students march behind her evokes a powerful emotional response that reaffirms her dedication to education.

"I honestly can't describe the feeling I get when I look back and see all of those kids marching behind me through the streets of Gosport. It always makes me smile, and it makes my heart incredibly proud," Watson noted. "For about 45 minutes, the world seems to slow down. The everyday stresses disappear, everyone is smiling, and things just seem right. I truly have the best job in the world… and on parade day, I am reminded of exactly why."

Sustaining a 22-year tradition requires extensive collaboration among local agencies and volunteers. School leadership expressed gratitude to the Owen County Sheriff’s Department, School Resource Officers Daniel “Opie” Rhienhart and Ryan Bonebrake, the Gosport Volunteer Fire Department, and community volunteers. Special thanks were also extended to Casey Neal of Hometown Transmissions for providing a trailer to transport prekindergarten and kindergarten participants.

GES currently serves 162 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade across northern Owen County. While the student body may be small, Watson emphasizes that the impact of their collective presence is profound.

"One hundred sixty-two students may not sound like a lot to some schools,” she said, “but when those 162 students walk through the streets of Gosport surrounded by teachers, families, community members, waving flags, banners, cheers, and smiles, they make a big statement: ‘This is Gosport. This is our school. This is our community.’

What began two decades ago as an improbable suggestion has steadily transformed into a cherished fixture of the small town, proving just how powerfully a simple "wild idea" can unite the close-knit community of Gosport.

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On a hot and humid, but beautiful late-summer afternoon, community members, local veterans, and families gathered in Gosport Town Park for the annual Patriot Day celebration hosted by the Gosport VFW Post #7850. Attendees came together to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, and recognize the generation of service members who answered the nation's call in the decades since, with a ceremonial presence provided by the Owen County Honor Guard and the Morgan County Young Marines.

The ceremony opened with master of ceremonies Joanna Wall, Auxiliary Vice President of the 7th District and Auxiliary President of Post #7850, who spoke movingly about the Gold Star family members in attendance and the enduring sacrifices borne by military families. Following the presentation of the colors, Kelly Jo Rooney performed the National Anthem, and minister Michael Wall delivered the invocation.

Honoring service and sacrifice

Post Commander David Cornett took to the podium to reflect on the historical weight of Sept. 11 and the profound bonds shared by veterans of foreign wars. He emphasized that commitment to service does not end when a uniform is put away, highlighting the ongoing duty to support returning service members and welcome them back to small-town communities like Gosport.

7th District Junior Vice Commander Mike Oaks also addressed the crowd, paying tribute to specific local and national fallen heroes, including U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jonathan Kyle Price, U.S. Army Private First-Class Brett Everett Wood, and U.S. Marine Sergeant Justin A. Harris. Oaks underscored the importance of keeping their memories alive and supporting Gold Star families.

Major General Timothy N. Thombleson

The keynote address was delivered by retired Major General Timothy N. Thombleson, a veteran with 40 years of service in the Indiana Army National Guard who concluded his career as Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard, 5th Corps at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Addressing the crowd, Thombleson reflected on the foundation of the nation's military excellence.

"One of the things I became quite confident in is there are two reasons the United States military is the strongest in the world, second to none,” he said. “The first, very strategic: our ability to project power, to use aircraft carrier groups, to use cargo aircraft, to move troops and to sustain them for a fight, at a very strategic level. But at a more tactical level, our strength, unequal to no other army in the world, is the strength of our noncommissioned officer corps."

Reflecting on the Global War on Terrorism, Thombleson praised the bravery of the nearly three million Americans who enlisted following the attacks on the World Trade Center, noting the difficult choices faced by those answering the call.

"Those young men and women, maybe the hardest thing they had to do was go down and raise their hand, because the brotherhood that they joined would help them out from there on forward," he noted.

Thombleson walked the audience through the evolution of conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, noting the grueling conditions and enduring bonds formed during deployments. He emphasized that while military engagements shift, the primary mission now is welcoming veterans home safely and integrating them back into supportive local communities:

"Our job now is to welcome them back and to transition them back safely into these beautiful small-town communities that we have here in Indiana and around the world," he said.

Concluding his remarks, Thombleson read a personal roll call of fallen service members who left an enduring mark on his life, including Army Cpl. Darrel Smith, Army Specialist William Jeffries, Army Sergeant First Class Craig Boling, Army Sergeant David Davis, and Army Sergeant Gary Henry, before offering a final blessing to the veterans, families, and the nation.

Community members, veterans, and local officials gathered Sept. 11 on the Owen County Courthouse lawn for the annual POW/MIA and 9/11 Remembrance Day ceremony, marking the solemn 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The event honored the nation's fallen, prisoners of war, those missing in action, and the victims of that tragic day.

The evening program featured ceremonial traditions, military honors, and heartfelt addresses from veteran leaders who reflected on the high cost of freedom and the enduring resilience of the American spirit.

The ceremony opened with a welcome by VFW Post #1405 Commander Brian Nash. Introductions were then led by VFW Auxiliary Post #1405 POW/MIA Chairwoman Sharron Barger. The invocation was delivered by Post #1405 Chaplain Charlotte Broerman, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by VFW Auxiliary Post #7850 President Joanna Wall. County councilwoman Polly Chesser performed the National Anthem.

Following the opening presentations, VFW Post #1405 Past Commander Ted Mangin served as the guest speaker and challenged how administrative language coldly labels captives, emphasizing the human beings behind the terms.

“POW/MIA, acronyms describing the current state of being held captive or having been lost to effects of combat operations,” Mangin said. “Terms very efficient for administrative and forensic accounting, yet so insensitive and impersonal. I prefer using, respectfully, the full wording when describing our men and women, living or deceased, who waited, or are waiting to be repatriated.”

Detailing the harrowing environments prisoners often face, Mangin spoke about inhumane confinement and intense interrogation.

“You cannot imagine what many faced in captivity. Usually, confinement is less than humane or comfortable, with many more hardships possible as time goes on, such as torturous interrogation, sometimes ending in all-out torture,” he explained.

Recognizing the ongoing mission to bring service members home, Mangin praised the military and government support provided to veterans.

“Our government and military continue to locate our confined and lost brothers and sisters of service and return them home, providing the support needed for any health-related issues or making adjustments for their return to a normal life,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Mangin offered a prayer for the peace of missing service members and a blessing for Owen County.

“I make a thankful plea that our beloved prisoners of war and those missing in action, upon ending their time with us in this world, may find peace and comfort in the outstretched arms of our Lord after experiencing time in hell,” he said. “God bless you for supporting our troops like you always do in Owen County. God bless the men and women in uniform who are serving and protecting this great Republic we call home."

Continuing the program, a folding of the flag was presented by the Owen Valley High School Air Force Junior ROTC. The Missing Man Table followed, featuring a presentation by VFW Auxiliary Post #1405 President Sharron Barger and table pointer duties handled by Post #1405 Quartermaster Gabriel Del Fierro.

The keynote 9/11 address was then delivered by U.S Army veteran James Rooney of the Gosport VFW Post #7850. Rooney, who served on active duty for almost nine years, three of those years spent in Iraq, reflected on his own service and the purpose of fighting overseas to protect the homeland.

“We fought for years so this wouldn't happen here,” he said. “When I went over myself, that's what I thought. I'm going there so it's not here. That's what we go there for. That's what we do as Americans, as citizens, as soldiers, Marines, airmen, Navy, our new Space Force. We're doing this for all of you.”

Shifting his focus to the extraordinary heroism displayed amidst the tragedy of 9/11, Rooney underscored the courage of the first responders who rushed toward danger.

“In the darkest hours of the day, we witnessed the absolute best of human spirit,” he said. “While the towers burned, first responders, firefighters, police officers, and medics ran towards the danger. They didn't ask who the person next to them was. They only knew they had a duty to save them.”

Highlighting how the tragedy redefined service for military members, Rooney spoke of the grief and resilience that followed in the wake of the attacks.

“That same call to duty rippled across the entire nation, for those of us who wore the uniform or who put on the uniform in the days and years that followed, 9/11 redefined our service,” he said. “We honor every veteran who answered that call, who stood watch, and sacrificed pieces of their minds, bodies, and hearts to protect our freedoms. The true legacy of September 11th is not just found in the tragedy we endured, but in the resilience that followed. America was struck, but we did not bow.”

Concluding his address, Rooney offered a message of remembrance to affected families and closed with a blessing.

“To the families who still bear the empty seat at the dinner table, and to the veterans and the first responders carrying lingering burdens and health struggles from that day, your nation remembers you,” he said. “We stand with you today and always. Let us carry forward the unity, the selflessness, and the profound courage of September 11th into our everyday lives.”

Following the keynote, a memorial poem was read, wreath layers honored WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf Wars, All Other Wars, and 9/11, and Chesser sang "God Bless America."

Military honors continued with a 21-gun salute by the Owen County Honor Guard and the playing of Taps, performed on a ceremonial bugle by Ed Roy. Closing remarks were delivered by Nash, and the benediction was offered by VFW Post #1405 Chaplain Warren Havenor. The formal program concluded with a candle lighting at the Owen County War Memorial wall.

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To many across Owen County, Richard Lorenz was the quintessential small-town attorney who never truly retired, simply because he loved the work too much. Yet beneath his commanding presence and half-century tenure with the county’s oldest law firm lay a deeply layered life. Whether he was serving as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, embarking on globe-trotting adventures with his wife, Nancy, or offering behind-the-scenes guidance to local government boards, Lorenz lived a story defined by long-term commitment and quiet excellence.

Lorenz arrived in Spencer in 1973, carrying a newly minted law degree and an appointment as deputy prosecutor. Over the ensuing decades, he evolved into far more than a mere legal fixture across Owen County. He became a steady architect of local growth, a trailblazing partner at the historic firm of Hickam and Lorenz, and a cherished community presence alongside Nancy, his wife of nearly 57 years. When Lorenz passed away on Aug. 13 of this year at the age of 80, he left behind a profound legacy defined by civic dedication, enduring friendships, and an unwavering love for his adopted hometown.

“He loved the practice of law and its ability to affirmatively impact the lives of individuals and our community. Richard [Lorenz] was a teacher at heart and his approach to mentorship was not only intended to develop new legal advocates that strengthened our profession as a whole but to also instill the desire to help people who could not advocate for themselves, and to make our community a better place for all of us.” - Attorney Jack Woodruff, Hickam & Lorenz

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Roots, education, and arrival in Spencer

Born in Shelbyville in 1946, Lorenz’s early life was marked by a passion for music and science. Encouraged by his aunt, Dr. Phyllis J. Fleming, he attended the University of Notre Dame to major in chemistry, laying the groundwork for a disciplined, analytical mind that would later serve him well in the courtroom and boardroom. His path to Spencer was intertwined with Nancy, whom he met in Indianapolis after borrowing a pencil in a summer school class.

After marrying in 1969 and living on the Indiana University Bloomington campus while Lorenz completed his MBA and law degrees, the young couple moved to a home on Hillcrest Drive in Spencer in ‘73. They would cherish and maintain that residence for the next five decades.

Expanding upon that early chapter, Lorenz went on to build an extraordinary municipal and federal career. His public service footprint included serving as the Owen County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1973 to ‘74, Owen County Attorney from 1977 to ‘78 and again from 2005 to ‘18, Trustee in Bankruptcy for the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Indiana from 1979 to 2016, and Attorney for the Town of Spencer from 2004 until his passing. After leaving the county prosecutor’s office to launch his own practice, Lorenz achieved a rare professional milestone by accepting an invitation to join Hickam & Hickam, located on the northwestern corner of S. Main and W. Franklin streets in Spencer, becoming the firm's first non-family member to enter the oldest family law partnership in the state.

A pillar of the legal community and government

Known today as Hickam & Lorenz, the firm was his professional home for more than fifty years. He practiced bankruptcy and corporate law with relentless enthusiasm, famously taking a client call just two days before his passing. Beyond private practice, his deep commitment to public service shone through his long tenure as attorney for the Town of Spencer.

As Spencer Town Council President Jon Stantz reflected on how Lorenz’s legal guidance shaped the town over his years of service, he noted that Lorenz preferred to stay out of the spotlight.

“Richard always wanted to be involved… mostly behind the scenes and quietly,” he said. “His legal acumen reached well past anything the town or the county needed; that was apparent in his time with other legal endeavors.”

When asked what motivated Lorenz’s dedicated commitment to public service, Stantz pointed to his ability to anticipate the community's long-term needs.

“I would say that Richard was always interested in making Spencer and Owen County a better place,” he said. “He could see the future better than most, looking twenty, thirty years ahead.”

Describing their personal bond beyond the professional realm, Stantz added a concluding thought on their friendship.

“He may have been an attorney to a lot of people,” Stantz said, “but he was a friend to me. I miss him.”

Town councilwoman Ginger Kohr, who served alongside Lorenz during his final year, observed how thoroughly prepared he remained across multiple municipal bodies.

“His perspective was always valued and I was relieved every time he walked into the town council meetings or to any of the various other meetings in which he was involved, the Redevelopment Commission, for instance, and Planning and Zoning, because you could count on him to be up to date on our issues, and on current laws and proposed laws that pertained to what we were doing or considering,” she explained. “I know that his many years of experience gave him a thorough background, but it was his grasp of all things current that amazed me. How did he find the time to keep up with the ever-changing field of state and county legislation while doing all that he did for us week by week, month by month? I was dazzled by his intelligence and comforted that we had his knowledge to rely on.”

Town councilman Evan McKalip also reflected on Lorenz's enduring impact when asked about the underlying motivation of his public service.

“I think that public service was just a key element of Richard’s personality and values,” he said. “The work that he chose to do was always focused on public service to some end, whether you look at his military service or his legal work, we were just lucky enough to have him working here in Spencer.”

Detailing Lorenz’s working style and dedication during deliberations, McKalip emphasized his visionary approach to local development.

“Richard was always thoughtful and deliberate in his advice and recommendations,” he said. “When he would speak about development and growth for Spencer or Owen County, you could tell that he had long-term plans and hopes for improvements. He always worked so hard and was very passionate about the town.”

Owen County Councilman Anton Neff also reflected on Lorenz’s administrative impact and dedication to county governance.

"Richard had always been a dependable source of knowledge on any subject,” Neff said. “We didn't always agree on the approach to tackling some issues, but I could always count on him sharing his perspective and respected his insight. He became our county attorney following a difficult and challenging situation involving a former one. He was calm and deliberate when working with us. Outside of county government work, Richard (and his wife, Nancy) had always been generous community philanthropists, of which we will forever be grateful."

A legal renaissance man and mentor

Within the legal community, Lorenz’s legacy is equally profound. Attorney John McKay, his brother-in-law and law partner, described Lorenz’s unique approach in private practice.

“Richard was truly a legal Renaissance man. His approach to most problems went far beyond a standard nuts-and-bolts stock response,” McKay said. “Richard could almost always look outside the parameters of a problem and craft a solution that was unique.”

Discussing what it was like to work alongside him day-to-day; McKay highlighted Lorenz’s role as a trusted colleague and educator within the firm.

“Richard was a sought-after sounding board for many attorneys across Indiana. His thoughts and opinions were widely respected,” McKay said. “He was a mentor to several associate attorneys who started with our firm. And he was a mentor and a source of advice to me for the past nearly 36 years that I have practiced with him. I always took it as a hugely high compliment that Richard would tell me that he enjoyed working on legal matters and pleadings with me, and that he sought and valued my input on his drafts.”

When asked about a moment that captured his professional essence, McKay observed that his uniform treatment of every client defined his career.

“Richard treated every client with the same kindness, courtesy, and respect, and I feel in many instances Richard was the only attorney who could have helped some of the folks we have seen,” he said.

Reflecting on what the community should remember most, McKay summarized the breadth of his life outside the courtroom.

“That he was so much more than an attorney. He was a philanthropist, a volunteer, and an advisor to groups and individuals on myriad matters outside the law,” he said. “Richard was also my brother-in-law, and through the years we enjoyed discussions and debates, Notre Dame football and IU basketball, trips together, Dilbert and Far Side cartoons, the movie Forbidden Planet, holiday gatherings, and musical performances. Richard was an excellent clarinet player in the Notre Dame Marching Band, both undergraduate and alumni iterations, and a singer of no mean talent. Many were the times he would lead the office in a round of Christmas carols or break into a rendition of one of his favorites, ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ from Oklahoma!”

Adding further depth to Lorenz’s professional legacy, Jack Woodruff, a veteran attorney at Hickam & Lorenz who joined the firm in 1998, reflected on what truly set his colleague apart as a legal mind.

“I practiced law in Owen County for 11 years prior to joining with Richard at the Hickam Law firm in ‘98. I will acknowledge that during that time I always found him to be a tough but respected and respectful adversary who required you to bring your best game,” Woodruff said. “No doubt I will be echoing others’ sentiments, but what really stood out to me after joining the Hickam firm was Richard’s constant reminder to all of us to ‘look at the global picture.’ Although it was not unusual for us to tease Richard about his constant use of this catch phrase, it was his innate ability to successfully see or predict future consequences that really set him apart. I learned to respect his unique ability to look beyond what most of us see. It was almost like he had his own crystal ball; and in most cases it keep him three steps ahead of the rest of us.” 

Describing the daily reality of sharing an office with Lorenz and witnessing firsthand how he invested in the next generation of attorneys, Woodruff shared his perspective on mentorship and daily collaboration.

“Richard never hesitated to share his wealth of legal, business, financial and technical knowledge. I believe he relished every opportunity to mentor young attorneys,” he said. “He loved the practice of law and its ability to affirmatively impact the lives of individuals and our community. Richard was a teacher at heart and his approach to mentorship was not only intended to develop new legal advocates that strengthened our profession as a whole but to also instill the desire to help people who could not advocate for themselves, and to make our community a better place for all of us. That was his approach to the practice of law and to life in general.”

Looking at the broader picture of how the community should remember his decades of service, Woodruff offered a heartfelt tribute to Lorenz's character and selflessness.

“I hope the local community will remember Richard as a man with a huge heart who loved his community,” he said, “who generously gave of himself and his resources to make our corner of the world a better place; and that he was willing to be a voice for those who thought they could not be heard even at the cost of his own reputation.” 

Finally, reflecting on the transition from professional adversary to trusted partner, Woodruff shared a personal memory highlighting Lorenz's sharp wit, diverse intellect, and unforgettable humor.

“Richard was an extremely funny man, with great wit and a wicked sense of humor,” Woodruff said. “I will always cherish my memories of Richard walking into my office to give advice, seek advice, shoot the bull, to discuss local and world politics, to share his latest tech toys, to discuss art, literature and history, and to inevitably share his latest ‘dad joke’ which in most cases was not funny but always resulted in my hearty laughter because Richard cracked himself up every time telling the joke. After more than 28 years practicing with Richard and sharing life in and out of the office, he was my brother and I will miss him greatly.” 

A rewarding personal life and deep connections

Lorenz’s impact also extended to civic institutions like the Owen County Community Foundation, the Area 10 Agency on Aging, and the Boys and Girls Club. Behind his professional accomplishments was a rich personal life anchored by his partnership with Nancy. Though they had different personalities, they viewed those differences as strengths, proofreading each other's work and building a life of mutual respect.

Lorenz’s service ethic extended far beyond the courtroom. He led a local Girl Scout troop in his early years in Spencer and embraced new technology with the enthusiasm of a lifelong learner. Whether he was traveling the globe with Nancy, cheering for Notre Dame football, or welcoming students to their home, Lorenz lived a life of vibrant curiosity and deep devotion to others.

In a twist of remarkable serendipity, Lorenz spent a year of his military service stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, a post named in honor of Horace Meek Hickam, the son of a Spencer attorney. Years later, that very military connection would mirror his civilian destiny, as Lorenz joined the historic firm founded by the Hickam family, eventually lending his own name to the practice.

Horace Hickam tragically lost his life in a 1934 night-landing accident in Texas and now rests at Arlington National Cemetery. Decades after these intertwined paths first crossed, the newly minted Hickam & Lorenz law firm received the Indiana Lieutenant Governor's Century Business Award in 1999, cementing its proud legacy as the oldest family law partnership in the state of Indiana.

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Lloyd Stephen Cooksey, 81, of Spencer, passed away on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Redcrest Hospice House in Bloomington, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on June 11, 1945, in Greencastle, he was the son of Frank Cooksey and Melissa “Lucille” (Cook) Cooksey. Lloyd graduated from Spencer High School with the class of 1963. On December 18, 1964, he married Peggy Arthur Cooksey, with whom he shared many wonderful years.

Lloyd dedicated his working career to the Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation, serving as a custodian for many years prior to his retirement. Known for his dependable nature and strong work ethic, he will be fondly remembered by his community, friends, and family. Outside of work, Lloyd found great joy in following baseball and cheering on Indiana University sports.

He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Patterson, Kim (Chris) Campbell, and Stephanie Sare; grandchildren, Megan Elmore, Luke Patterson, Doug Patterson, Drake (Caitlynn) Patterson, Aidan Campbell, Delaney Campbell, Anna Sare, Christian Sare, and Jeffrey Sare; and great-grandchildren, Branson Elmore, Aila Elmore, and Silas Cox.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Peggy Cooksey; and brother, Don Cooksey.

Private family services were entrusted to West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home in Spencer.

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Eighteen students of all ages met at the Owen County Fairgrounds on Sept. 12 for a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hunter Safety Education course. With deer season beginning Sept. 15 in Indiana, Conservation Officers Caleb Hutchison and Matt Mauder went through a free safety presentation, including actual firearms, crossbows, and hunter safety equipment. The class is meant to cover the safety essentials that every Indiana hunter should know and goes over everything that an aspiring hunter needs to earn their Hunter Education Certificate, a necessity for anyone born after 1986 to legally hunt in Indiana under normal circumstances.

Hutchison and Mauder estimate they have given hunter safety training classes at least 15 times. They give their free class to the public before the Spring and Fall hunting seasons begin and also facilitate a seventh grade class at Owen Valley Middle School.

But hunter safety is not something to learn just to pass a test. DNR officers like Hutchison and Mauder often have to respond to calls from people that started out from someone not following proper safety protocols.

“Probably the thing we see the most is people not using a proper hunter safety system and then falling out of a treestand,” Hutchison said. “A lot of times people even have their safety system on but don’t clip in properly and then they fall anyway. If you fall with the harness on, you might be bruised but it beats falling 30 feet to the ground.”

Mauder also stressed the importance of vigilantly checking the direction you are aiming and not firing until you are sure that it is safe. He recalled an incident where someone accidentally shot their own father with an arrow thinking that he was a deer.

“It’s important to practice [with your weapon],” he stressed. “The more comfortable you are, the less likely you will make a mistake when you are all keyed up and the adrenaline starts flowing.”

For many people, this is the first and last time that they will ever take a class like this. Hutchison said that most people take the class as a kid and won’t sit in the class again until they bring their own kids.

“It’s probably [worth sitting in] class again every so often, even if it's not required,” Hutchison said. “A lot of things change, usually every year and you need to know what is different.”

Mauder reiterated the importance of knowing the regulations.

“Don’t be afraid to ask a question, don’t assume,” he said. “There is a 24-hour dispatch that you can call and if you are in our area, you will get routed to someone who can help answer your question. It’s always best to ask if you aren’t sure about something.”

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The first Saturday in October will bring Spencer’s 20th Annual Pride Festival, marking two decades of the event in the community.

The festival will run from noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 3 and feature a full day of family-friendly activities throughout downtown Spencer.

The Historic Tivoli Theatre will host performances throughout the day, including drag shows, the Quarryland Men’s Chorus, Tipsy Teasdale and several other regional performers.

Civilian Brewing Corps will serve alcoholic beverages during the festival and will be joined by more than 130 vendors, local businesses and food trucks.

Family activities will include WonderFest from Bloomington’s WonderLab, the outdoor Iris Fun Area, a Birdy scavenger hunt and other outdoor activities.

The festival schedule also includes a community yoga class, line dancing party, poetry writing workshop and tabletop gaming. Author Josh Vidmar will lead a discussion, while educator Ace Schwarz will give a presentation on supporting youth. Rainbow Birders will offer a birdwatching presentation titled “Looking for Birds in All the Wrong Seasons.”

Health resources available during the festival will include a community blood drive and free STI testing provided by local health partners.

For those traveling from outside Spencer, parking will be available at Boston Scientific, with free shuttles running throughout the day to transport festivalgoers downtown. Parking and shuttles will be accessible to people with disabilities. Additional accessibility services will include sign language interpreters and a designated low-sensory area.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to celebrate, connect, and build community,” said Elisabeth Solchick, Spencer Pride vice president and accessibility lead. “As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re continuing to strengthen accessibility throughout the festival because inclusion only works when everyone can participate.”

After the festival concludes at 7 p.m., visitors 18 and older can continue the celebration at the Spencer Pride After Party in the ballroom of the Spencer Pride commUnity Center, featuring entertainment from Justin Teague.

While the festival officially begins at noon, some activities will start earlier in the day. The complete schedule is available on the Spencer Pride website.

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The Owen News is excited to host a free, open-to-the-public "Meet the Candidates" event on Monday, Oct. 19. The forum will be held at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, located at 24 N. Washington St. in Spencer, just ahead of the upcoming Nov. 3 general election. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the official program getting underway at 6:30 p.m.

With voter turnout in Owen County historically running low, this event organized and moderated by The Owen News aims to help boost overall community interest and increase participation in the democratic process. The gathering gives residents a direct line to local candidates to hear firsthand about their visions and plans for the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and connect with neighbors.

Any candidate appearing on the local ballot is encouraged to RSVP at info@theowennews.org by Wednesday, Sept. 30th. This invitation includes township trustees and candidates running unopposed.

For additional election-related resources, sample ballots, or registration details, you can visit the Indiana Secretary of State Election Division and the Indiana Voter Portal.

Early voting and Vote Center locations

Early voting is available from Oct. 6 through Oct. 30 at the Owen County Courthouse from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Additional early voting opportunities include Saturday, Oct. 24, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. at both the courthouse and the Freedom Community Center; Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at both the courthouse and Faith Baptist Church in Cunot; and Monday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. until noon at the courthouse.

Registered voters who want to request an absentee ballot in Indiana must do so before Oct. 22. The deadline to turn in your completed ballot is 6 p.m. on election day, Nov. 3. You may apply online or with an application form. Restrictions apply. Visit https://indianavoters.in.gov/ for more information.

The 2026 General Election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at each of the following seven local vote center locations: Faith Baptist Church (11612 S.R. 243, Cloverdale), Family of God Church (2018 S.R. 67, Spencer), Clay Township Fire Department (5663 S.R. 43, Spencer), Freedom Community Center (5552 Freedom-Arney Rd., Freedom), Jefferson Baptist Church (4019 Main St., Coal City), Garrard Chapel Church (7410 W. S.R. 46, Bowling Green), and Spencer Christian Life Center (126 E. Market St., Spencer).

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Leonard Ernest White, 84, of Bowling Green, IN, passed away on Sept. 14, 2026, surrounded by his family at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Bornon Nov. 28, 1941, in Owen County to Ernest and Ilabelle (Schroer)White, Leonard dedicated his life to farming. He found deep fulfillment in the outdoors, hunting, and a lifetime of honest, hard, work. He will be fondly remembered for his devotion to his family, his strong work ethic, and his love for the quiet joys of rural life.

He is survived by his children, Patricia (Joe) Dubree, Katie Williams,and Leonard (Renee) White II; grandchildren, James (Karlie) Robert,Ashley Dubree, Rebecca Dubree, Luke (Anna) Williams, Megan Williams, Shawn (Amanda) White, Emily (Dilan) Daniel, Connor White, and Ian White; and great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Robert, Elijah Robert, Kylie Robert, Elliot White, Amelia White, Rowan White, and Roslyn Daniel. He is also survived by his sister, Trela (Gerald) Clark.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Irene White and Thelma Brinson; and brothers-in-law, Richard Brinson and Pete Campbell.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at the West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service Inc., in Spencer. Visitation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, and again from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Sept. 22.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.westparrishpedigo.com.

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September has arrived, and if you are anything like me, you may still be trying to figure out how summer went by so quickly! School is back in session, fall activities are filling the calendar, and suddenly the holidays don't seem quite so far away. Before we know it, we will be talking turkey, making Christmas lists, attending holiday gatherings, and wondering how December got here so fast.

The good news? You don’t have to wait until December to figure out how you’re going to pay for it all. September is a great time to make plans.

Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences encourages individuals and families to take a closer look at where their money is going, identify spending habits, determine priorities, and create a spending plan that fits their goals. A budget isn’t about never having fun or saying “no” to everything. It’s about telling your money where you want it to go instead of wondering where it went!

Start with what matters most

Before you start making a shopping list, think about what you want your holiday season to look like.

Is it important to have a big family meal? Do you want to travel? Are there certain traditions your family looks forward to every year? Do you want to purchase gifts for a large group of people?

Write down the things that matter most and build your budget around those priorities. When you know what is important, it becomes easier to decide what you can skip.

Give yourself a holiday spending limit

Look at your income and regular expenses and decide how much you can realistically set aside for holiday spending.

Then break that amount into categories such as: gifts, food and special meals, travel, decorations, activities and entertainment, charitable giving, and other holiday expenses.

Don’t forget those expenses that tend to sneak up on us. Wrapping paper, teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, baking supplies, party food and last-minute purchases can turn into a surprisingly large bill.

Watch for “spending leaks”

Purdue Extension uses the term “spending leaks” to describe money that can slip away through unplanned or thoughtless purchases. In Purdue Extension programming, participants have identified spending leaks and then used that information to make changes that better fit their financial goals.

This month, pay attention to where your money is going.

Are you making extra trips through the drive-thru? Ordering things online because they are on sale? Buying something simply because it’s a good deal?

A sale isn’t really saving money if you don’t need the item in the first place!

Try the “wait before you buy” rule

Holiday advertising is designed to make us want things, and want them right now. Before making an unplanned purchase, give yourself some time to think about it. Ask yourself:

- Do I need it?

- Do I want it?

- Does it fit my holiday budget?

- Would I still buy it if it weren’t on sale?

Sometimes a little time is all we need to decide that something can stay on the store shelf.

Start saving now

Even small amounts can help. If you have a specific amount you want to spend during the holidays, divide that amount by the number of weeks you have left and start setting that money aside.

The goal isn't perfection. The goal is preparation.

A little planning now can mean less stress later, and hopefully fewer January credit card surprises.

Most importantly, remember that the holidays aren't measured by how much money you spend. Some of the best traditions are free: watching Christmas movies together, playing games, baking as a family, driving around to look at lights, volunteering, or simply spending time together.

And if you need a little help putting the brakes on those “I deserve this!” purchases, stay tuned! I will be presenting a program in October called “Curb Your Urge to Splurge” on October 19. More details will be coming soon, so keep an eye out and get ready to take a closer look at your spending habits and your financial goals!

Until next time, remember: A little planning today can save you a lot of stress tomorrow!

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In my previous column I related how my dad at a fairly advanced age could recall every car or truck he had ever owned. That got me thinking about boats I’ve owned. In my youth my bass fishing nut father climbed the watercraft ladder first with a ten-foot aluminum boat, then a 14-foot v-hull we carried on top of our car. Eventually in the seventies dad made a trip to Tyler Boats near Rockport and returned with a real bass boat, a 16-foot fiberglass model. It was a convenient fishing machine for us, solid, heavy, very comfortable and fairly sleek, that is until disaster struck.

We were out on Glendale (Dogwood Lake) in the very early spring, way before cell phones. Mid-March provided a pleasant day, and we caught a couple of small bass near the ramp.  Then we headed out for the shallow east end of the lake, where from past experience we knew the territory inside and out. In order to get to the far side, a boater must navigate a short but treacherous obstacle course of small stumps that lay just below the water line. We had traveled this route many times before and had usually come through unscathed. If the boat got hung on a stump, we would rock the boat and even both sit at one end. That usually dislodged us and we could proceed.

On this day we were motoring smoothly through the maze when we hit a stump and stuck. We did our usual thing. Soon we slid off and proceeded on our way, until we hung on a second stump. All our efforts could not remove us from that aggravating hunk of wood. We tipped this way and that, moved to one end, rocked back and forth, went in circles, all to no avail. Around 15-20 minutes of trying everything we knew resulted in nothing. What the heck? Then we noticed it. Water was slowly filling up the bottom of the boat. The stump had punctured the bottom. That’s why we were unable to move. Our boat had been stabbed, shish kabobed. Now what?

We looked around to see if another boater might help us. Nope. Nothing in sight. Too early in the season. The boat continued to slowly but gradually fill, and we were in a jam. I thought about diving in, swimming to the bank, and heading to the reservoir office to see if they could assist us. Would they even be around? In March the water is cold. I wasn’t sure if I could make the 50-yard or so swim to the bank, then the half mile walk to the office.

  Just about then, we heard the lovely sound of a motorboat headed our way. We hailed the owner, who came over for a look. Our boat continued to fill. The fisherman headed off to get help. Soon the property manager appeared in his boat with a pulley and set of chains. Maybe this had happened before here? We transferred ourselves and our equipment to his boat, and then he hooked up a rope system anchored to a tree that effectively snatched our sinking craft off the stump. That done, now there was a race against time to tow the sinking vessel back to the ramp before the boat would completely fill. Water rushed in as soon as the hole was cleared. 

Thankfully we got back in time to load the boat onto our trailer and head home. I’m forever thankful to that manager for saving our behinds and our boat. Unfortunately, Tyler personnel looked at the damage and convinced us that a new aluminum 17-foot Tracker might be a good idea. That new boat was our companion for several years, but it had an outboard that was delicate. If it hadn’t been run for a while, it just didn’t want to operate smoothly. I took my wife out a couple of times in it and both times we had issues. She lost faith and I did too. After dad passed, I took it to Outdoor World in Washington, where they sold it for me. They told me the new owner put a new engine on and was happy with his purchase. 

In 2015 I was in the market for my own bass boat. I liked one I saw on a website and headed down to Kentucky to check it out. It was a 16-foot Tracker that appeared to be in good shape. The tires weren’t great, but other than that it was what I was looking for. The owner gave me a bit of a sob story about his financial situation, and my soft heart resulted in my paying a few hundred more than I should have. But I proudly towed it home and it still sits in my garage. I’ve tweaked it several times, with anchors, decent graphs, and new trailer tires, among other things. What I’ve most appreciated about the four-stroke 40-horse Mercury on the back is the ease of starting and the smoke-free, trouble-free running. That is until I hit a sandbar at Turtle Creek Lake a couple of years ago. Sediment got into the water intake and fouled up the works, causing the engine to overheat. This issue has resulted in painful, expensive, frequent trips back to Port of Jasper to keep flushing out the debris. It seems that any time my lower unit brushes against the lake bottom, more junk is sucked up, causing the overheating alarm to go off. Believe me, that is not a pleasant sound when one is trying to enjoy a day on the lake. Lately the issue seems to have been resolved.

BOAT: Bring Out Another Thousand. Yes, maintaining a watercraft is pricey. Industry figures say the average annual maintenance on boats runs the gamut from $1,000 to $10,000 and more. Is it worth it? Most boat owners would say that it is. I would agree.

I have been fighting a losing battle all summer with a plant. My little patio was invaded in the spring by a culprit named “Creeping Charlie.” That is the name my mom used. He has many aliases. Culpepper calls him “alehoof.” Some call him “gill-over-the-ground” or “ground ivy.” I call him a nuisance and a formidable foe. He stretches his long tentacles out in all directions and makes himself right at home.

“Alehoof” is an attractive plant. Two scalloped leaves are attached to the long slender vine. Many leaf bearing shoots emerge from the vine. They snake across the ground, soon creating a thick mat. In spring two small purple-blueish blooms emerge at the juncture of vine and leaf. Bees love it. The problem is he smothers any plant in his vicinity. He has smothered the sedum with the pretty yellow blooms that once covered the gravel along my patio. Now he is making his way to the lawn. I’ve sprayed him with vinegar; I’ve ripped him up by the roots. He persists. 

Glechoma hederacea is not native to North America. Like many plants it came with the settlers crossing the Atlantic. The plant belongs to the mint family and has many uses. The Saxons used it to flavor their ale. For centuries, the leaves were made into tea and used as a tonic. The leaves contain protein and can be eaten as salad. The plant also contains vitamin C, phosphorus, potassium, copper, ink, and calcium. Before modern medicine people used plants to heal their ailments. That is why we have so many wild non-native plants. The people that lived here before the white invasion also knew how to use plants to heal. 

Years ago, a big patch of “Creeping Charlie” grew along the foundation at the back of my house. A friend of mine, a Blackfoot brave, participated in the Sun Dance in Brown County. The Sun Dance ceremony takes many days. The spiritual aspects are profound. It is also a grueling physical experience. He knew about the benefits of this plant I considered a weed. He asked me if he could harvest some to make tea. He explained to me the benefits of drinking the tea to replenish his body. Of course, I said yes. I even pulled it up for him.  

The knowledge he had about this plant I had considered a nuisance was useful. Foraging for wild things has been a lifelong habit. My mother and her mother took me foraging when I was still a toddler. I could identify and use many ‘wild’ things. I never imagined this plant I considered a nuisance had so much to offer. Modern day herbalists collect the plant in late spring when the flowers are still fresh. They use it for many things, from kidney disease to eye problems. Mixed with chamomile flowers and made into a poultice it is also used to heal abscesses.  

I do want to add a caution. Foraging for wild things can be dangerous. Please do not ingest any plant based on my description.

‘til next time,

Annie

Community members will soon have an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing investigation into local groundwater contamination as federal environmental officials prepare to visit Spencer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled a public meeting and presentation regarding the Franklin Street Groundwater Superfund Site. The site was designated to address local groundwater contamination stemming from Tetrachloroethene (PCE), a chemical compound historically and widely used across industries for dry-cleaning and degreasing, which was first detected in local drinking water samples about a decade ago. While the BBP Water Corporation previously implemented mitigation measures to ensure safe drinking water processed through its facilities, the official Superfund designation has opened the door to dedicated federal resources focused on locating and remediating the precise sources and underground concentrations of PCE.

Since releasing its Community Involvement Plan in January 2024, developed with input from residents, the EPA and its contractors have been conducting groundwater, soil, and sewer water testing along public rights-of-way throughout Spencer. Agency officials are now finalizing a Remedial Investigation (RI) report. The upcoming report will deliver a comprehensive analysis of groundwater and vapor intrusion data collected since 2023, while defining the full extent and nature of the contamination. Following the RI report, the agency will launch a Feasibility Study to analyze potential cleanup and remediation options for the community.

The public meeting will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., in Spencer. Agency representatives will present the latest findings on soil, groundwater, and vapor intrusion sampling, as well as outline the next steps in the investigation process.

Residents who have questions or require special accommodations are encouraged to contact Ruth Muhtsun, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, by phone at 312-886-6595 or via email at muhtsun.ruth@epa.gov. Complete project documentation, resources, and contact information remain accessible on the EPA's project website.

The Cataract Volunteer Fire Department buzzed with the activity of residents and several guests, including Indiana District 37 State Senator Rodric Bray and a representative from Indiana preservations. Cataract resident Michelle Roy led the meeting. 

Cataract is in the process of pursuing National Historic Registration status for the Cataract General Store, the historic Cataract Schoolhouse, or perhaps a whole district that includes both buildings. Noah Noble from Indiana Preservations spoke at length about the process involved for a site to become a National Historic Place. Paperwork has been filed for the three proposed sites in Cataract and will go through an initial review before moving on to another selection round. If these sites become National Historic Places they will be listed on a national register, and grant funds will become available for those locations. If the whole district is approved as a historic district, even residential homes in the area could qualify for federal grant funds for qualifying home improvements. If the initial review is approved, the process to be added to the National Register can take from 12 to 18 months.

“I’m here for my constituents, but I do live in a house built in 1870, so historical preservation is close to my heart,” Bray said.

Roy also detailed the success that the Cataract Schoolhouse had with its first year of field trips. The schoolhouse hosted 130 kids from Owen County schools. Through a partnership with the Owen County Theater and Arts Alliance, students step back in time and experience school like it was in the 1800s. Field trips are currently on hold while the schoolhouse undergoes renovations.

The Cataract General Store may also find itself with a new owner. While still in the early preliminary stages, Riley Guyer, the prospective buyer, spoke at the meeting about his plans for the store if his plan to purchase goes through.

“I’ve been in the area for seven years,” he said. “I want people to be able to walk in and see the same general store that I have been going to for years.”

More discussion included plans for the Cataract Bean Dinner, plans for collaboration with the Friends of Lieber State Recreation Area (SRA), and suggestions for more frequent smaller events to keep people coming to visit Cataract. Roy stressed that the Bean Dinner should be the big event but that smaller events, like musical guests, could happen more often that would keep a consistent stream of visitors coming to the area without overwhelming the community.

People interested in getting involved with the historic preservation efforts in Cataract or that would like to volunteer with the schoolhouse or at the Bean Dinner can reach out to Cataract Schoolhouse or Historic Cataract Indiana on Facebook or email cataractschoolhouse1886@gmail.com.

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The Spencer Town Council moved efficiently through a wide-ranging agenda during its Sept. 8 meeting, tackling infrastructure financing, upcoming budget preparations, and local department updates.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Council members Evan McKalip and Ginger Kohr were present alongside town clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke and town attorney John McKay. Council president Jon Stantz was absent. Minutes from the previous meeting and claims were approved unanimously.

The focus quickly shifted to major infrastructure investments with a unanimous vote to approve a $152,853.74 payment for Phase 1, Pay Application #2 for Graves Construction, following a review and recommendation by Commonwealth Engineering. Three additional sewer project engineering invoices from Commonwealth, totaling $49,617.20, $3,759.66, and a third task-order invoice, were also unanimously approved, all funded through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program. Additionally, two contractor invoices from Steve Egemo received unanimous approval: $5,250 for ADA-compliant work on Jefferson St. and $8,985 for sidewalk replacement on N. East St., which is split between the town and participating homeowners.

Community events and financial planning shared a major portion of the evening. The council unanimously approved the annual MYPath 5k run/walk scheduled for Sept. 12, noting it required police notification and minimal town involvement. Following a public hearing that drew no objections, the council approved additional appropriations. Moke also reported that data entry for the 2027 budget is nearly complete, setting the stage for public hearings ahead of the Nov. 1 statutory deadline.

Departmental reports covered a variety of municipal updates. In Spencer Police Department (SPD) Chief Terry Sips' absence, the council reviewed updates regarding SPD reserve officer training, completed repairs on a 2013 Dodge Ram and a 2023 Dodge Durango, upcoming taser instructor training, and pending facility repairs.

Reporting via email, Spencer Sewer Department Superintendent Ryan Klaassen noted steady sewer plant construction progress, planned concrete rehabilitation for sewer basins three and four, updated job descriptions, and a request to consider appointing an assistant superintendent.

Spencer Street Department Superintendent Tony Floyd reported that a recently rebuilt street section finished slightly over budget, highlighted a new car wash owner’s offer to pave a nearby alley at no cost between West Morgan and West Franklin streets, and discussed managing multiple sewer backups, including one requiring rented equipment.

Park department updates featured completed playground repairs, a pending purchase for digger-scoop playground equipment, and preparations for a bike ride and costume contest fundraiser.

Meanwhile, planning and zoning discussions centered on a Spencer Plan Commission vacancy requiring a Republican town resident, a near-complete accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance, resolved final plat issues for Trillium Woods, and general updates to zoning language.

In redevelopment news, officials noted that requests for qualifications (RFQs) for the former Riddle Tractor Sales property were due the following day, with two already received, and the council reaffirmed its commitment to avoiding realtor conflicts of interest. Council members also weighed two competing Main Street grant proposals, expressing a stronger preference for a smaller, downtown-focused option over a larger project that would require substantial local funding.

The meeting concluded with public commentary addressing several neighborhood challenges. A resident reported a fall at the end of a newly-installed N. East St. sidewalk, raising questions about liability and ADA compliance, while ongoing driveway obstructions prompted suggestions for clearer pavement markings and increased police patrols.

The Spencer Town Council regularly meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, located at 90 North West Street. These meetings are open to the public.

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The Town of Gosport is considering an ordinance that aims to thwart data center development by restricting the access potential developers have to local resources.  

At the town council’s Sept. 8 meeting, town attorney Terry English introduced a reading of the proposed ordinance, with the council members approving its addition to the Sept. 22 meeting agenda for consideration. 

English said that although the town does not have the power to enact an outright ban of a lawful business operating within town limits, it can create ordinances for the good of the town.  

“We don't have the ability to do that by law,” English said. “However, the public health and welfare does give us the ability to oversee construction of processes or buildings and such things. (It) also gives us the power to restrict what they can do and how they can operate if they do in fact locate in the town of Gosport.” 

According to the proposed ordinance, its purpose is to “ensure that such facilities are compatible with local land use, to minimize environmental impacts, to protect natural resources, to contribute positively to the community, and to encourage transparency, efficiency, and public accountability.” 

The ordinance devised three main regulations. First, any data centers in the town of Gosport must be completely independent of the local electrical grid. This section of the ordinance emphasized that the center can have “no negative impact on power availability or cost to the residents of the town of Gosport.” 

Bloomberg reported that near significant data center activity, electricity costs grew to up to 267% more for a single month, compared to five years ago.  

Additionally, the ordinance requires that data centers be independent from local water resources — such as wells, town water, lakes, rivers, ponds and streams — and have tanked water brought to the site. It also requires that the water is managed by a closed loop non-evaporating system. This type of system involves reusing water used to cool the computer systems to avoid daily water discharge.  

A medium-sized data center has the capability to swallow up around 300,000 gallons of water each day, equating to usage from about 1,000 United States households, NPR reported.  

The proposed ordinance also looks toward the future, stipulating that data centers in the town must abide by all the town’s current and future regulations. Any violations of the ordinance are subject to a $2,500 fine per day, per parcel of land.  

“We are sort of ripe for them to come in and do something,” English said. 

This ordinance follows other efforts to give local Owen County government control over data center development. At the Aug. 20 Owen County Board of Commissioners meeting, Michael Broach, local resident and Marion Township Trustee candidate, explained the impact of data center development on Boone County, his former home.  

Broach said the LEAP facility construction, including a Meta data center, caused mass construction that ruined his life. Residents dealt with constant traffic, he said. Data center campuses can span hundreds of acres, and have brought up concerns over noise pollution and land conversion. 

The commissioners also discussed data centers at the Aug. 6 meeting, according to meeting minutes. In this meeting, commissioner Sam Hobbs said he acknowledged the concerns related to data center development but also recognized economic development benefits.  

According to the Georgia Institute of Technology, data centers can bring a 3.5 percent increase in employment and five percent increase in wages within the county.  

Right now, no developers are known to be planning data center construction in Owen County, but local residents have shared concerns that without a temporary moratorium or outright ban, development could strike at any moment. 

Gosport budget hearing 

At the end of the meeting, the council moved to recess for a 2027 budget hearing. The adoption meeting will be held Sept. 22 at 301 N. Ninth St.  

Council president Marian McGee read off each budgeted amount, starting with the estimated civil max levy, which is $109,093. The property tax cap credit estimate is $7,800. The general fund budget estimate is $269,184. The local road and street budget is $12,500, and the motor vehicle highway budget is $126,359.

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The Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) Board of School Trustees meeting on Sept. 10 was a swift 32 minutes, featuring no public comments or non-unanimous votes. The Sept. 10 meeting was the official meeting for public comments on the annual budget, but as no public comments were made the public budget hearing was closed. The 2027 S-OCS budget adoption will occur on Sept. 24, 2026.

Approval of additional appropriations

Appropriations of $146,502.72 for School Resource Officers (SRO) were approved, a slight increase over the previous year’s cost. A school safety grant will pay $73,751.36, 50% of the cost, with the other 50% being paid for by the school district.

A one-time stipend of $13,510 was approved for Kris Samick. This is to compensate Samick for the additional work she does as S-OCS Communications Director in addition to her role as Principal at Patricksburg Elementary School (PES).

An approval was also passed for bus driver Rick Shields to perform certain minor repairs to school buses for a compensation of $20 per hour for up to five hours per week. This arrangement has the potential to save money by avoiding an official request to mechanic services for minor repairs.

Other information

The 2027 graduation date has been set for May 22 at 10 a.m. in the high school gymnasium.

The board also approved a $1,000 grant from the Owen County Community Foundation to help send Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) teachers to the National Council of Teachers of English National Convention in Philadelphia, PA.

Finally the board approved a $4,000 donation to Backpack Buddies from the The Owen County Alliance.

Personnel updates

Leave, resignations and Employment were approved with one motion with the following employment changes.

Resignations

Vickey Blake - Owen Valley High School (OVHS) custodian

Laban Clark - OVHS assistant basketball coach

Employment

James (Kyle) Jennings - OVMS PC teacher and OVHS basketball coach

Brandy Pittman - S-OCS behavior tech

Dan Bixler - McCormick’s Creek Elementary School custodian

TIffany Byerly - PES special needs instructional assistant

Jenny McGuire - PES two days per week instructional assistant

Ethan Jennings - OVMS assistant football coach

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Preparations are officially underway for the 57th annual Cataract Bean Festival, inviting the community to downtown Cataract in northwestern Owen County from Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4. As the single largest annual fundraiser for the Cataract Volunteer Fire Department, this beloved three-day autumn tradition supplies the bulk of the department's operating budget, making it the essential lifeline that keeps station doors open and emergency trucks pumping water.

The department relies on the annual Cataract Bean Dinner for 60 percent of its funding year-to-year, with most of the annual operating budget coming directly from this first weekend of October event. The next largest source of revenue comes from a portion of community tax dollars equal to $18,000 a year. Covering 1,750 residents, this tax allocation averages out to about $10 a year per person, according to information found on the department’s website. These vital funds are required to keep station doors open, maintain water-pumping trucks, and support community outreach and education, with organizers emphasizing that a successful event is essential for the department to continue assisting the community during emergencies.

The festival features fire department serving hours on Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The traditional menu includes over 850 pounds of ham and beans, along with on-site vendors selling items such as BBQ, ice cream, burgers, pizza, kettle corn, tacos, coneys, fried vegetables, and Mexican food. The event also hosts over 125 vendor booths featuring tools, crafts, art, antiques, jewelry, and shirts, alongside a shuttle service running for 2026.

Organizers are actively seeking additional vendors and sponsors for the upcoming festival. Individuals interested in becoming a vendor, securing a sponsorship, or volunteering can find more information by visiting the official website at www.cataractfire.com, contacting the department via email at cataractbeandinner@yahoo.com, or calling 765-720-8178.

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Important property tax information for seniors

Qualifying Indiana seniors may be eligible for two valuable property-tax relief options for taxes payable in 2027. The Over 65 Credit provides an annual property-tax credit of up to $150. Additionally, the Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit generally limits year-over-year homestead property-tax liability increases to two percent, including increases resulting from referendums, after other applicable credits are applied.

Income limits for the Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit are set at $61,680 or less for single taxpayers and $71,960 or less for married couples filing jointly, based on 2025 federal AGI. Recent legislative updates removed the previous $240,000 assessed-value cap, and eligible taxpayers are permitted to receive both senior benefits simultaneously.

These property-tax credits are not applied automatically. Seniors who meet all eligibility requirements must submit State Form 43708 to their county auditor by Jan. 15, 2027. Local residents can reach the Owen County Auditor's Office in Spencer by calling 812-829-5000.

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Patriot Touchdown Club scores $1,000 mini-grant 

The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) recently awarded a $1,000 Board of Directors Mini-Grant to the Patriot Touchdown Club, a local booster organization supporting the Owen Valley Football Program.

Presented by OCCF Board of Directors member Marcus Robinson, the mini-grant will help fund new equipment and gear for the team, as well as team-bonding events that foster camaraderie among the players throughout the season.

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OCCF awards Rapid Response Grants

Recent funding from the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) is bringing new energy to local arts and youth sports through a pair of Rapid Response Grants.

The Owen County Art Guild (OCAG) received a $1,000 grant to successfully transform a storage area into a bright, clean room ready to house essential art supplies. Guild representatives expressed deep appreciation for the OCCF's ongoing commitment to local culture, noting that the upgrade lays the groundwork for numerous upcoming projects and community art initiatives. With physical improvements completed, the OCAG looks forward to stocking shelves and welcoming members to create new works that enrich the region's artistic landscape.

Additionally, youth sports received a boost as the Spencer First Church of the Nazarene was awarded a $500 grant to support its Upward Soccer program. Designed to give local kids a fun, low-pressure environment to learn and play, the program provides an accessible recreational option for area families.

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Gosport Town Park updates

New improvements are now visible throughout Gosport Town Park, made possible by a 2026 Community Investment Grant. Earlier this year, the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) awarded a $5,000 grant dedicated to installing new trash receptacles and benches.

The additions are part of an ongoing initiative to revitalize the park, helping to keep the grounds clean and providing comfortable seating for families and residents.

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Local crafters stitch hope, warmth at OCPL

Community members looking to unwind, make new friends, and give back to the local area gather for the Knit and Crochet Club every Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Owen County Public Library (OCPL) in Spencer.

This dedicated group meets weekly to craft cozy hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, socks, and blankets for local school students and neighbors in need. Their hard work recently caught the attention of Cloverdale Community Schools, which expressed gratitude on social media, writing, "Thank you to this close 'knit' group of ladies, including our very own Kathleen Glaser (retired middle school counselor), who knitted 100 hats to donate to Cloverdale Clothe-a-Child. What a great way to give back to the children of our community!"

Participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies, enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks, and put leftover yarn to good use. While formal instruction is not currently available, all experienced knitters and crocheters looking for a welcoming, positive space to craft are invited to attend.

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Tenderloin clash at Cataract Lake 

The Cataract Lake Country Market will host the Indiana Tenderloin Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 19, bringing together local restaurants to compete for bragging rights and a coveted state title.

Competitors will prepare their signature pork tenderloins on-site as they vie for a $1,000 cash prize. Participating restaurants can reserve competition space for a $100 registration fee, which is fully refundable upon arrival and participation in the contest.

Community members and food enthusiasts are invited to attend and watch the culinary action unfold. Additional details about the event and the Cataract Lake Country Market, located at 2831 N. Cataract Rd., Spencer, are available online at www.cataractlake.com or on the market's Facebook page.

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Paranormal presentation coming to OCPL

Are you brave enough to step inside one of Indiana’s most notoriously haunted landmarks?

On Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., the Owen County Public Library (10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer) will host a spine-chilling, must-see event: "Paranormal Presentation: Randolph County Asylum History and Hauntings."

Presented by Spirit Indiana Paranormal Investigators, the 45-minute lecture dives deep into the grim history and active haunts of the 1899 Randolph County Asylum and Infirmary in Winchester, IN. Attendees will uncover the tragic stories of former residents, the site's dark past, including a shocking historic murder committed on the grounds, and exclusive audio and visual evidence gathered during recent 2025 and 2026 field investigations.

The event concludes with an interactive Q&A session, giving locals a chance to ask the investigators their burning questions. Whether you are a history buff or a seeker of the supernatural, this is an evening you won't want to miss.

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Free fishing and youth hunt days

Indiana residents have upcoming opportunities to experience the state's outdoor traditions without a license, starting with the year's final Free Fishing Day on Sept. 26. On this date, all Hoosiers can fish public waters across the state without purchasing a fishing license or state stamp, an accessible way to try the sport at local city parks and urban fishing spots stocked by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Young hunters will also have one last chance to get out in the field this season during the final Free Youth Hunting Days on Nov. 28–29. Indiana residents 17 or younger can hunt any legal game in season, such as deer, quail, and waterfowl, without a license, HIP number, or state stamp (though Federal Duck Stamps are still required for those 16 or older hunting waterfowl). Participating youth must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old and holds a valid hunting license. Accompanying adults must remain close enough to provide direct supervision and instruction; they may help call game, but they cannot carry a firearm or harvest game themselves.

For full details on guidelines and regulations, visit on.IN.gov/youth-hunts.

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Owen-Putnam State Forest plans open house

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host an open house at the Owen-Putnam State Forest (OPSF) on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the property office, located five miles west of Spencer and less than a mile north of State Road 46 at 2153 Fish Creek Rd.

The event gives residents an opportunity to learn about outdoor recreation, speak with professional foresters about long-term forest management, and share feedback. A guided hike will kick off at 5 p.m. starting from the forest office; participants should gather there beforehand.

For more information, call the OPSF office at 812-829-2462. Written comments can also be submitted online at https://in.accessgov.com/dnr/Forms/Page/forestry/forestry-comment/0.

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Pumpkins in the Park and Chili Cook-Off

Bring the family out to Gosport Town Park on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. for the annual Pumpkins in the Park event and silent auction, benefiting the Gosport Lazy Days festival. Admission is $10 and includes a full afternoon of fall festivities, including pumpkin painting, a bounce house, face painting, games, piñatas, wagon rides, storytime, and potato sack races.

Got a winning chili recipe? Enter the Pumpkins in the Park Chili Cook-Off for a chance to win a $100 prize! Check-in and set-up run from 3 to 3:30 p.m., with judging taking place at 4 p.m. Entry forms can be picked up at the Owen County State Bank in Gosport.

For attendees looking for a bite to eat, $5 concessions will feature your choice of a bowl of chili and a drink, a chili dog and a drink, or two hot dogs and a drink. Don't miss out on good food, great fun, and community spirit!

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Coal City is preparing to welcome residents and visitors alike as C Little Big Town, Inc. presents the 2026 Coal City Old Grouch Festival from Sept. 11–13. The three-day celebration promises packed schedules filled with demonstration events, live music, food vendors, games, crafts, and family fun under the banner, “Come be a part of the Happy Folks!”

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Festivities kick off on Friday, Sept. 11, with the information booth opening (3 p.m.) and a solemn 9/11 remembrance & prayer (5-5:15 p.m.). Guests can enjoy a campfire cookout dinner (5:15-9:15 p.m.), followed by a ventriloquist performance (6-7 p.m.). Evening activities include open practice for 3-on-3 basketball (7-8 p.m.) as well as corn hole, horseshoes, and disc golf (7-9 p.m.). Visitors can also join a euchre tournament (7-10 p.m.) or cake walk contest (7:30-8 p.m.). The night wraps up with a free outdoor movie featuring Buster Keaton’s silent film “The General” (9-10:30 p.m.), DJ entertainment (9 p.m.-12 a.m.), and campfire s’mores (10:30-12 a.m.).

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Saturday, Sept. 12, starts early with an American flag raising ceremony & prayer (7-7:15 a.m.), and a sponsored breakfast (7:15-9:15 a.m.). Runners can register (7:30-8:30 a.m.) for the Old Grouch Fun 5K Run/Walk (8:30-9:30 am), while the American Legion Auxiliary serves coffee and pastries (8-10 a.m.). Morning highlights feature a living statue coal miner (8-10 a.m.), antique tractor display (8 a.m.-2 p.m.), artisan craft vendors (8 a.m.-4 p.m.), and the crowning of the Old Grouch Contest Winner (9-9:15 a.m.). Spectators can enjoy a cake walk (9:15-9:45 a.m.), a lumberjack contest featuring crosscut saw, tomahawk throwing, and log splitting (9-11 a.m.), 3-on-3 basketball practice (9 a.m.-2 p.m.), a skilled labor job fair (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), Abraham Lincoln appearances (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), a car show (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), and the Coal City Train Depot Museum (9 a.m.-3 p.m.). Open practices for all outdoor sports run throughout the day (9 a.m.-6 p.m.).

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Late morning on Saturday brings a Pageant Contest (9-11:30 a.m.), Queen City Stunt Circus Trapeze (10-10:30 a.m.), and children’s activities including foam pit, clown balloon art, and face painting (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). Food trucks serve lunch and dinner (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) alongside a Single Action Shooters performance (10:30-11 a.m.) and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (11-11:15 a.m.). Afternoon events kick off with parade line-up (12:15-1 pm) and the main parade (1 p.m.), followed by a second trapeze show (2 p.m.), Swinging Mates Square Dancing (2:30-3 p.m.), a homemade ice cream contest (3 p.m.), and the Owen County Homemakers Baking Contest (3-4 p.m.). The day closes out with the Jackson Township Community Band (3:30-4:30 p.m.), a third trapeze show (4-4:30 p.m.), the Old Grouch Auction fundraiser (4-5 p.m.), more square dancing (4:30-5 p.m.), another cake walk (5-6 p.m.), The James Family Singers (6-6:30 pm), fireworks (7-9 p.m.), and evening s’mores (9:30 p.m.-12 a.m.).

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Sunday, Sept. 13, opens with information booth operations (10 a.m.) and food vendor trucks (12-5 p.m.). Stage entertainment includes Miss Janene’s Puppets and Flannel Graph Stories (12-12:30 p.m.), followed by gospel music from the Evangelist Jimmy Gilbert Family Singers and Calvary’s Cause Band (12:45-1:45 p.m.). Officiated tournament action takes over the afternoon, starting with corn hole (1:30-2:30 p.m.) and continuing with horseshoes, disc golf, 3-on-3 basketball, baseball/softball, and volleyball (2:30-4:30 p.m.).
For more information, visit C Little Big Town, Inc. on Facebook or email clittlebigtowninc@proton.me.

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Prepare a loaf of your favorite toast, as Spencer’s Apple Butter Festival kicks off Sept. 19-20. The event is organized by the Spencer Lions Club, who are celebrating their 97th year serving the people of Owen County.
Saturday is set to begin with an Apple Butter contest featuring an apple nacho bar at the Historic Tivoli Theatre from 9 a.m. to noon in partnership with the Owen County Extension Homemakers. Categories to enter include Quick Bread, Cinnamon Rolls, Cakes, Cookies, and Miscellaneous. All entries must contain apple butter and will be judged on taste and presentation and must be submitted in a disposable container with a recipe card.

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Vendor booths open starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday after an opening ceremony featuring patriotic songs.

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Meanwhile, on the courthouse square, beginning at 9 a.m. the Apple Butter Royalty Contest will commence. A Prince, Princess, King and Queen will be selected and have cash prizes donated to their respective school classrooms. Entrants must be either six or seven years old at the time of the contest and entries should be submitted by Sept. 16.

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This all leads up to the Apple Butter Festival Parade at 1 p.m. Starting at Cooper Commons and running all the way down Main Street in Spencer. The Grand Marshals of the parade are set to be George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Betsy Ross to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

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After the parade, at the Owen County Public Library’s Tom and Kay Erney Pavilion, look out for a Community Choir concert starting at 3 p.m. and a Princess Sing-A-Long at 6 p.m.

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The Owen County Heritage and Culture Center will have an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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There will also be a cruise-in classic car show, bouncy castles for the kids, an antique farm machinery show and touch-a-truck featuring emergency vehicles from around Owen County.

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The Spencer Lions Club will have an information tent where you can find out more about the festival, the Lions Club, and pick up some all-important apple butter.
You can enjoy all the Apple Butter Festival has to offer from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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An Owen County jury convicted Kelsey Jo Nicole Wright, 31, of Coal City, on felony charges of aggravated battery and criminal recklessness on Aug. 20 following a three-day trial. The verdict was publicly released by the Owen County Prosecutor’s Office on its official Facebook page.
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The jury returned a mixed verdict for Wright, convicting her of Level 3 felony aggravated battery and Level 6 felony criminal recklessness, while acquitting her of Level 5 felony battery with a deadly weapon and two Class A misdemeanor theft charges. Judge Don VanDerMoere II accepted the findings, formally entered the convictions and acquittals, and ordered Wright remanded to the Owen County Sheriff’s custody.
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The legal penalties for the convictions carry potential prison time. A Level 3 felony carries a sentence of three to 16 years with a nine-year advisory sentence, while a Level 6 felony carries six months to two and a half years with a one-year advisory sentence, alongside potential fines of up to $10,000 per count.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on March 27, 2024, at approximately 11:04 p.m., law enforcement with the Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) responded to a shooting complaint in western Owen County along rural Patricksburg Road where a resident reported hearing a single gunshot and someone saying "whoa" near a truck parked in the roadway before its lights were turned off.
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The affidavit details that upon arriving, OCSD Sergeant Torrey Wallace checked the area after observing dogs running across the road and located a female sitting in a field on the north side. The officer observed that she had dried blood from her nose to her upper lip and a small drop of blood on her sweatshirt. The court document notes that the female initially refused to answer questions or identify herself but agreed to sit in the officer's patrol vehicle. She denied needing an ambulance, noted she was not driving, and repeatedly stated she did not know why her nose was bleeding or how it happened. According to the affidavit, she also recalled seeing someone walking outside with a light from a nearby residence.
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While the officer spoke with her, radio traffic indicated that a male victim had arrived at the Owen County EMS facility with a gunshot wound. Spencer Police Department officers responded to the facility, where the victim stated that a female named Kelsey Wright had shot him. When asked, the female confirmed her name was Kelsey. Detectives later noted in the affidavit that the officer smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage on Wright, and she admitted to consuming a couple of beers and a few shots at a friend's house.
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After learning Wright had an active warrant out of Monroe County, Sergeant Wallace took her into custody. As noted in the probable cause affidavit, as they left the scene in the patrol vehicle, Wright mentioned that "there was a 22 mag out in the field." Other officers remaining on the scene subsequently located the firearm.
While Wright was being transported, OCSD Detective Nathan Martin spoke with the victim at IU Health-Bloomington Hospital. According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim stated that he and Wright had been in an off-and-on dating relationship for five years (though Wright later estimated six months to investigators) and were returning home to the Coal City/Patricksburg area from Bloomington after drinking. The affidavit states he reported they got into an argument in the truck and Wright "jumped out of the truck with my gun and my phone." As outlined in the charging document, the victim explained that the truck engine was running with the headlights facing west when he stopped and walked around the driver's side toward the back to see where she went. Wright then shot him from about 30 yards away using his bolt-action .22 magnum rifle equipped with a clip. The victim heard the gunshot, fell to the ground, and was shot in the "kneecap area." He reportedly crawled back to his truck and drove away to seek help.

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The affidavit further details that at the Owen County Sheriff's Department, Sergeant Wallace read Wright her Miranda rights using an Advice of Rights form, which she agreed to sign with an "X." Wright stated that she lived with the victim and recalled lying in the field about 30 to 40 yards from the truck with a bloody nose. She reportedly acknowledged retrieving his green Ruger .22 mag rifle from the front of the truck and taking it into the field, though she claimed she had never fired it before, despite having experience with similar bolt-action rifles. OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler requested that the officer briefly wait to interview Wright until Detective Dan McBride arrived at the OCSD.

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According to the probable cause affidavit, once Detective McBride arrived, Wright was re-read her rights and interviewed again by both officers. Wright recalled seeing the victim walk toward her, feeling "terrified and scared to death" that he was going to drag her back to the truck, and telling him not to come any closer. She stated she often has "blackout modes" during major events and could not remember the argument, how her nose started bleeding, or getting out of the truck. When asked directly if she shot the gun, she replied "apparently," but maintained throughout questioning that she had no recollection of loading the weapon, disengaging the safety, pointing it at the victim, or firing it. Following the interview, Wright was formally placed under arrest.

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Judge VanDerMoere will sentence Wright during a hearing scheduled for Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.

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Prosecutor Benjamin Kim and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock represented the State of Indiana, supported by lead investigating officer Sergeant Wallace of the OCSD. The investigating team also included Lieutenant Wampler, Detective McBride, and Detective Martin of the OCSD, as well as officers with the Spencer Police Department.

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Defense attorney Ashley Fleetwood of the Gibson Law Office represented Wright.
The Owen County Prosecutor’s Office expressed gratitude to both the Owen County Sheriff’s Department and the Spencer Police Department for their work on the case.

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A planned arts and recreation park along the White River in Spencer will move closer to reality with a $1 million investment through the state’s READI 2.0 program.

The funding will support the first phase of the Sweet Owen County (OC) Arts Park, a project intended to transform an underused portion of Spencer’s riverfront into a destination combining public art, recreation, nature and economic development.

Plans for the first phase include an Arts Market Pavilion, an updated MyPath Trailhead, bird sculpture garden, a Follow the River-themed playscape and scenic overlooks of the White River.

“This project is about recognizing what has always made Owen County special: the river, our natural landscape, our artistic heritage and our people, and bringing those assets together in one place,” said Marce Johnson, CEO of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation. “Sweet OC Arts Park will give residents a place to gather, give artists a place to create and give visitors another reason to experience Owen County.”

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Celebrating Owen County artists

The park’s design draws inspiration from three artists with strong Owen County connections: author James Alexander Thom and artists T.C. Steele and Ken Bucklew.

Thom, who was born in Owen County, is best known for historical novels including ”Follow the River.” His work and its connection to the region’s history inspired the planned ”Follow the River”-themed playscape.

Steele, one of Indiana’s best-known painters, frequently depicted the state’s landscapes and spent time painting in Owen County, including areas surrounding what later became McCormick’s Creek State Park.

Bucklew, an Owen County artist and naturalist, is known for detailed paintings of Indiana birds and wildlife. His work provides inspiration for the park’s planned bird sculpture garden and its emphasis on the area’s natural environment.

Together, the three provide themes that park planners hope will help tell the story of Owen County through its history, art and landscape.

Designing a park that can flood

The park’s riverfront location presents an unusual design challenge: periodic flooding from the White River.

Rather than attempting to isolate the park from the river, planners say the site is being designed with flooding in mind. The location and construction of structures, landscaping and other features are being considered based on their ability to withstand or recover from high water.

Native and flood-tolerant vegetation will be incorporated into the landscape, while structures and other site features will be positioned with periodic flooding in mind.

“Part of what makes this project so unique is that we are not pretending the river isn't going to flood,” Johnson said. “It is a riverfront. It is going to flood. Instead of designing around that reality, we are designing with it.”

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Connecting downtown to trails and parks

The project also seeks to strengthen connections between downtown Spencer, the White River, MyPath, and McCormick’s Creek State Park.

Improvements to the MyPath Trailhead at the park will serve as part of the developing trail network connecting Spencer with the state park and other recreational destinations.

“This project is an example of how we can build on the assets we share across the region: our trails, parks, waterways, arts and natural resources, to create experiences that benefit both residents and visitors,” said Kyle Hannon, director of MyPath and the Owen County Nonprofit Alliance.

The Arts Park is also envisioned as part of a broader network of arts and cultural destinations throughout the Indiana Uplands region.

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Creating opportunities for artists

Economic development is another component of the park plans, particularly through the proposed Arts Market Pavilion.

The pavilion is intended to provide a permanent venue where artists can exhibit and sell their work, lead workshops, and participate in markets and other events.

Programming developed through the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and EDC is expected to help local artists develop entrepreneurial skills and create opportunities to generate income from their work.

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Years of planning behind project

Although the READI 2.0 funding represents a major step toward construction, plans for developing Spencer’s riverfront have been discussed for more than a decade.

The Town of Spencer’s 2015-2019 Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified the riverfront property as a priority for future development.

During the past two years, the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and EDC worked with Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group to develop an architectural framework and artistic vision for the Sweet OC Arts Park.

A $10,000 grant from the Indiana Arts Commission helped establish the Sweet OC Arts Commission, a nonprofit organization governed by a board and involving local artists.

The Arts Commission has hosted community events, gathered public input and worked with the EDC on public meetings related to the park. Ideas contributed by residents and other participants have addressed public art, programming, native plants, and environmental features.

The project has developed into a public-private partnership involving the Town of Spencer, Owen County leaders, businesses, nonprofit organizations, artists, conservation and environmental organizations, and regional economic development partners.

In addition to the $1 million READI 2.0 investment, project partners are expected to contribute matching funds, expertise, volunteer labor and in-kind support.

Once developed, organizers envision Sweet OC Arts Park as both a community gathering place and a destination that encourages visitors to move between the riverfront, downtown Spencer, MyPath and other attractions throughout Owen County.

The Owen County Council spent two days reviewing departmental spending plans for 2027, with discussions ranging from employee compensation and health insurance to road funding, staffing, and the effects of reductions in state funding.
The budget workshops followed the council’s Aug. 26 regular meeting and continued the following day, with council members reviewing budgets from nearly every county department.

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While dozens of individual line items were discussed, several broader issues emerged as the council worked toward a proposed 2027 county budget.

Road funding prompts concern
Road funding generated some of the most significant discussion during both the regular meeting and budget workshops.
During the Aug. 26 meeting, the council agreed to advertise requests for an additional $500,000 from each of three road funds: a total of $1.5 million for road projects.

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Council members questioned whether spending those funds could leave the county short if its Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) funding is less than anticipated.

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County officials said current projects include approximately $425,000 for several roads, a roughly $56,000 culvert on Rattlesnake Road, and work associated with approximately 200 road culverts. Officials also said they were uncertain whether anticipated federal reimbursement for the Rattlesnake Road project would materialize.

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The discussion continued during the budget workshops, when officials considered how much the highway department can realistically spend in 2027 while maintaining adequate cash balances.

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Commissioner Sam Hobbs described 2027 as a potential “breaking point” for the highway department if additional resources are not identified, saying the county currently has $500,000 or less annually available for road improvements and emphasizing the cost of preparing roads, including ditching and culvert work, before paving.

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No final decisions on all highway spending were made during the workshops.

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Council chooses approach to employee raises
One of the longest discussions centered on compensation for county employees.
The county has been working to move employee salaries toward target wages established through its compensation study rather than simply providing the same percentage increase to every employee.

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Officials presented several scenarios. Merely accounting for longevity increases would cost approximately $76,800, while immediately bringing employees all the way to the compensation study midpoint would cost approximately $622,300.
Council members ultimately selected a proposal that moves employees who remain below their target wage 20% closer to that target while providing a one-half percent cost-of-living adjustment to employees who would not otherwise receive an increase.

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Under that scenario, many employees who remain below the midpoint would receive increases of approximately four percent to five percent, while elected officials and some employees already at or above their target would receive the smaller cost-of-living adjustment. The estimated overall cost was approximately $306,000.

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Health insurance remains a concern
Employee health insurance also received considerable attention.
The county currently pays approximately 94% of employees’ health insurance costs, a benefit council members said they would like to preserve if financially possible. However, officials acknowledged that rising insurance costs could eventually require reconsidering how those costs are shared.
For budgeting purposes, officials estimated approximately $12,500 per full-time employee for insurance and related benefits.

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Council members also discussed reorganizing the way insurance expenses appear in the county budget. Instead of maintaining group insurance line items in numerous departmental funds, the council is considering placing the expense in one central account under the commissioners’ budget.
The council directed officials to study the change and return with more information, potentially at the Sept. 14 meeting.

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State cuts shift community corrections costs to county
Another significant issue surfaced during the review of probation and community corrections.

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Owen County’s community corrections program is dealing with a reduction in Indiana Department of Correction grant funding. Officials said the department has experienced approximately $122,000 in grant reductions over two years, including nearly $88,000 in the latest reduction.

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The department requested county assistance with employee insurance costs as one way to absorb the reduction without cutting additional positions.
Officials told the council that community corrections departments statewide are experiencing similar reductions as the Department of Correction shifts funding away from community supervision and toward correctional facilities. The earliest potential change in how those grants are administered would be 2028, leaving counties to address the funding gap in 2027.

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Veterans service position could become full-time
The council also spent time discussing whether the county’s Veterans Service Officer (VSO) position should become full-time.
The position has been budgeted at approximately 20 hours per week, but officials discussed increasing it to 35 hours. The estimated annual cost of making the change, including benefits and payroll expenses, is approximately $30,800.

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Council members also supported increasing the position’s hours for the remainder of 2026, without adding benefits, so the office can provide additional service to local veterans.

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The permanent change for 2027 remains among the items the council must consider as it finalizes the budget.

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Other staffing questions remain
The workshops also included discussion about adding or restructuring administrative and human resources duties within county government.
Rather than immediately creating a position, council members discussed defining the county’s human resources needs, developing a job description and determining an appropriate classification and salary. A separate administrative position could potentially be full- or part-time depending on what the council ultimately decides to do with HR responsibilities.

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Those positions were left among the council’s “wish list” items for further consideration.

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Regular meeting includes appropriations, mileage change
Before beginning the budget workshops Aug. 26, the council conducted its regular meeting.

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Among the more notable actions was a $36,000 transfer within the 911 budget to cover overtime. Officials said two full-time positions were vacant and discussed using available group insurance funds for the transfer.

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The council also agreed to advertise several additional appropriations for consideration in September, including the $1.5 million in road funding. The council authorized advertising up to $45,000 for the CentralSquare public safety software system and $9,600 for WTH Technology expenses.

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Council members also approved updating the county’s mileage reimbursement ordinance to match the state rate of 64 cents per mile.
Budget work continues

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By the conclusion of the workshops, the preliminary 2027 spending plan totaled approximately $23 million. Officials cautioned that the figure represents expenditures and does not account for revenues available to support those expenses.

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Despite increases in several areas, council members said the preliminary numbers appeared manageable, although several “wish list” items remain to be considered before the budget is finalized. Those items are expected to return to the council for decisions at an upcoming meeting.

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The Owen County Council will hold its next regular meeting Monday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.

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The council will meet again Tuesday, Oct. 13, with a public hearing on the proposed 2027 budget at 6 p.m. The council’s regular meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m. Each of these meetings will be held in the Commissioners’ Room, located on the second floor of the Owen County Courthouse.

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Doris Scully’s favorite time of year is during the fall.  She harvests corn while the sun sets, driving a combine through the field, watching the yield monitor go up.  
She thinks about the hard work she’s done to get to this point — planning, paying, spraying.

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“You finally get to reap your reward there for harvest,” she said.

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In July, Scully earned national recognition for her dedication and sustainable agriculture practices. She was named one of four finalists in the Farm Progress Women in the Field: Producer of the Year Award.

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The award recognizes women who “exemplify excellence in production ag, demonstrate innovation and serve as leaders,” according to the Farm Progress website.  
Scully operates Sips Family Farms in Spencer and manages 1,350 acres of land used for crops, hay, pasture and forest. The farm is home to beef cattle, corn and soybeans, all while implementing no-till farming and growing cover crops.

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The Owen County farmer retired almost two years ago from a 37-year-long career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). But, for about as long, Scully and her husband worked full-time while raising their three sons and operating the farm.
In her position, Scully gave technical and financial assistance to agriculture producers. She spent her time visiting farmers and teaching them about soil health and best management practices, among other topics.

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Historically, farmers have tilled their soil to prepare it for planting, control weeds and incorporate fertilizer, according to the USDA. But this practice releases carbon in the soil into the atmosphere, Scully said. Tilling compacts and finely breaks up the soil. So, when it rains, earthworm and root holes are clogged, and the water doesn’t get into the soil. No-till agriculture prevents erosion and allows the soil to soak up the rain.  

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Scully also champions her work in implementing cover crops on her farm. Cover crops are planted to protect soil from erosion, weeds, pests and diseases during off seasons, according to the USDA. The roots and plant matter above ground goes back into the soil and improves organic matter, benefiting the farm long-term, Scully said.

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It’s an investment that leads to diverse microbiology and can fight the effects of climate change.

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The organic matter stores water and nutrients in the soil for when it gets dry, and the soil is more able to handle severe changes, Scully said.
“We’re having what you call weather pattern changes and extreme temperatures, really hot, really cold,” Scully said. “Everything comes from the soil, and you’ve got to improve that soil.”

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Scully emphasized the benefit of diversifying cover crops as well. She said monocultures only benefit one thing, and mixing up the crops feeds microbes in different ways.

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Throughout her career, Scully has used what she’s learned about soil health to benefit other women in farming like herself. She’s worked with the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District to host Women4theLand Learning Circles. This group of about 25 women meets to learn and connect with each other. Scully focuses on empowering them and teaching them about soil health and how to care for their land.

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“I love to share knowledge,” Scully said. “I love it.”
Educating across Indiana and with other women in farming is one of the reasons Scully’s former NRCS coworker and district conservationist Don Donovan nominated her for the award.

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“She practices what she preaches on the farm and learns there so she can bring some of that knowledge back to us,” Donovan said. “She’s innovative, she’s wanting to teach people how to farm in a better manner and support the sustainability and the regeneration of our soils. She’s taught a lot of people and spoke to a lot of people.”

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Scully has also passed down her love and expertise for farming to her son, Mike Scully. Mike Scully grew up on the farm much like his mother, who was feeding chickens and gathering eggs from a very young age.

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“We can’t get him off of it,” she said. “I think he’s the whole reason that we just keep plugging away and doing it, because he’s got that love of the land and I want to help him grow.”

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When Doris Scully and her husband were both working full-time, they spent nights and weekends tending to the farm, doing all they could do.

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“She (Doris Scully) set a very good example as far as work ethic and getting everything done,” Mike Scully said. “She’s a very timely worker. She’s on task at all times.”
To stay motivated working and caring for the farm, Doris Scully said her faith kept her going.

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“I think God just puts a love of the land in your heart and you just do what you can do,” she said. “Knowing the end game that we wanted, what we wanted in the end was a better life for our kids. There’s nothing better than farm life.”

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Mike Scully said being considered for an award recognizing Doris Scully’s work has been “a long time coming.” He said she’s earned it, and that soil health has been her life.

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The award nominees were scheduled to be announced during the Farm Progress Show at 3 p.m. EST Sept. 2 in Boone, Iowa, however, stormy weather disrupted the ceremony.The nominees were instead honored in a smaller ceremony inside, under cover, where Wendy Johnson from Charles City, Iowa took home the top prize.

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Doris Scully said she was humbled to hear about the nomination.
“I was surprised to even be nominated because I just do what I do because I like it and I love it and I live it,” Doris Scully said.

The Aug. 20^th meeting of the Owen County Board of Commissioners started off with a warning: everyone stay civil, everyone stick to their three minutes, if they don’t they will be removed. Commissioner Sam Hobbs recalled the Aug. 6 meeting, where decorum was harder to come by, and apologized on behalf of himself and the other commissioners for letting the previous meeting get out of hand.

“We aren’t always going to agree on everything, and we can disagree, but we don’t have to get nasty about it,” Hobbs said.

Public comments stayed civil, but the opinions of nearly every resident were similar. Nine residents expressed their support for either a temporary moratorium on data center development in Owen County or an outright ban. Concerns stated were noise, excessive water use, electricity costs, and property value decreases. 

While there are currently no plans from any developers to build data centers in Owen County, many residents expressed their concerns that without a formal prohibition, data center development could happen at any moment.

Local resident Mike Broach has seen the results of this development come to pass in his former home of Boone County. The LEAP facility including a Meta data center began construction two miles from his former home near Lebanon. He moved to Owen County last December from his family home to get away from the mass construction that he says disrupted his life.

“We had started noticing infrastructure changes: a lot of construction, basically on our front doorstep,” he recalled. “The main highway into town changed from a two land road into a four lane road.”

Broach also remembers the constant traffic that was involved. 

“They had specific construction routes, but those routes were busy and congested, so those guys would juke these routes . . . and so that puts construction traffic driving right by the places they shouldn’t be driving. . . one of those places was my home,” he added.

Another concerned citizen, Judy Morris took it upon herself to investigate the data center issue after hearing about devastating effects on other rural communities. At this point, she told The Owen News that she would rather be enjoying her retirement, but she is concerned about what the future would bring if a data center came to Owen County.

“Just looking at stuff, how could we bring [this] stuff into our county without messing up our farmland, messing up all this rural beauty that we have around us and just what everybody's here for,” she said. “You're gonna run everybody out with it.”

Her investigations led her to send three messages to the Owen County Board of Commissioners citing sources from government reports around the state. The first email contained information about data center water usage and the effects on groundwater, the second information about the effects a data center build can have on farmland and the third, information about environmental impacts of a so-called “closed-loop” water cooling setup.

The State of the State

Data center development is accelerating across the state and the scale of some projects is staggering. 

According to market research firm Cleanview, Indiana currently has 23 operating data centers with an electrical capacity of 1352 megawatts. The largest operating data center, a Meta-owned facility in Jeffersonville, consumes 108 of those megawatts alone. In comparison, the planned Takanock-owned facility in Elkhart County is estimated to consume a whopping 1500 megawatts alone. According to Cleanview, there are 130 planned data centers for Indiana with a total estimated capacity 10 times higher than current consumption. 

If all these data centers are built, their total electricity usage at full capacity would account for 13.2% of the entire state of Indiana’s total 2024 electricity use (an estimated 13,140,000 mWh for the data centers vs 99,219,607 mWh of state electricity use per a 2024 EIA report.) 

At an EDC Access meeting on Aug. 21 at the Owen County Methodist Church’s In God’s Arms (IGA) building, State Treasurer Daniel Elliot spoke at length about how much data centers could benefit Indiana residents and how, in his opinion, short-sighted that it is to try to ban them.

“I'll give you a perfect example,” he said to a crowd of community leaders and local government officials. ”Indianapolis said, they were gonna do a data center, and they said, no, we're not gonna do it–too much heat, too many people get mad at us. They made a bad business decision based on politics. Morgan County, where I'm from, they were already in the middle building one. They said, okay. We'll just make this one bigger. So who benefited? Morgan County did.”

Elliot was most likely referring to a proposed Google project in Franklin Township near Indianapolis that Google cancelled due to strong local backlash, and an approved 390 acre Google-backed project near Monrovia in Morgan County.

Keeping up with the neighborhood

According to 2025 reporting from the Morgan County Correspondent, there was strong local opposition to the development due to non-disclosure agreements signed by county officials with Google and the same concerns about utility use and property value decline cited by Owen County residents. Morgan county officials went through with the proposal despite its unpopularity citing the increases in income tax and the deal they made with Google to provide donations to local charities in lieu of higher tax rates. Officials there stated that even if they were voted out of office due to the unpopularity of their plan, they considered the additional income coming into the county to be worth the sacrifice.

2025 Reporting from Fox 59 details a similar story in the rural Franklin Township of Marion County: local officials signing non-disclosure agreements, farmland getting rezoned for data center use, and local residents voicing grievances. If Google hadn’t formally withdrawn their proposal, Franklin township likely would have had their own 460 acre Google data center to contend with.

On Aug. 19, 2026, Marion County banned all new data center construction through Dec. 31, 2027. Marion County data center projects already in progress can still continue, but new construction cannot begin until at least January of 2027.

Meanwhile, back in Owen County

Broach brought example legislation before the commissioners at their Aug. 6th meeting. The draft he presented was based on a Marshall County ordinance that bans all data center development in the county. Since that meeting, he also presented example ordinances to the Gosport Town Council and the Spencer Town Council.

Broach’s proposal is not the only one being considered by the county. The first, a moratorium on data center development based on a similar Putnam County ordinance and the second is the total ban on data center development first presented by Broach.

“I’m not asking [them] for a moratorium, I’m asking them to ban it,” he said. “People are concerned that with a ban it can’t be undone. . . essentially a ban can be overturned at any time. With a moratorium it guarantees it’s going to be undone.”

The process to pass either ordinance requires a legal review from county officials, the ordinance to be passed by the Owen County Plan Commission, and finally a motion to pass the ordinance by the commissioners.

In response to worries about transparency in relation to land development, all three commissioners promised at their Aug. 20th meeting to avoid signing any non-disclosure agreements with any potential future data center developers.

Almost half of Indiana counties currently have ordinances that prevent new data center development but state legislation has the ability to override them.

The 2026 Indiana State Legislative Session included House Bill 1333 that would allow developers to use property zoned as farmland for data center development. If that bill had been passed, data center developers could buy farmland directly from the owner and begin construction, bypassing any rezoning process that has prevented construction in other counties. While most residents are in favor of a county ordinance that would prevent data center construction, a state law like House Bill 1333 or a state law preventing data center bans would supersede it.

“The problem is, if they go down [that road] then we can moratorium and resolution all we want and it won’t matter,” commissioner Norm Warner said.

Alternative ordinances such as water use limits for business use, noise ordinances or electricity use limits were suggested at the meeting as ways that Owen County could be made inhospitable to data center development without creating a ban that would be overturned at the state level.

Still, most concerned residents want to see official county action taken to stop data centers now.

Judy Morris plans to continue her pleas to the commissioners to keep data centers out of Owen County.

“[The benefits of data centers] all seem great until you've got no more clean water to drink,” Morris said. “I’m hoping that more people will get involved and that I won't be up there by myself.”

Broach feels similarly and thinks the aggressive pace of datacenter buildout is excessive.

“I think that the destruction outweighs the benefit heavily,” he said. “At the very least I think we should slow down and think [about] what we are doing.”

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Lois Gertrude (Simpson) West, 103, a longtime resident of Spencer, IN, passed away on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Byron Center, MI. Born on Sept. 1, 1922, in Daviess County, IN, she was the daughter of the late Bert and Ada (Ault) Simpson. On Nov. 26, 1942, she married Ballard West, with whom she built a life centered on family and devotion until his passing.

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Lois dedicated much of her career to public and community service, working for many years in the accounting department at the Indiana University Student Health Center in Bloomington. Following her time at IU, she continued her professional life at the Macy’s department store in Bloomington. She was a faithful member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Bloomington.

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She is survived by her son, Larry West, and his wife, Suzanne, of Alto, MI; two grandsons, Chris West and his wife, Ashley, and Andy West and his wife, Maggie; six great-grandchildren, Norah, Isaac, Joseph, Tucker, Molly, and Jillian; and her brother, Gary Simpson.

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In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Ballard, Lois was preceded in death by her sister, Maxine Henson; and four brothers, Lowell Simpson, Paul Eugene Simpson, Robert Simpson, and Kenny Simpson.

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Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at the West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home in Spencer. Friends and family may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer.

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Arrangements are under the direction of West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service Inc. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lois’s memory to Faith Hospice, 8214 Pfeiffer Farms Drive SW, Suite 200, Byron Center, Michigan 49315. Union Carolina Cemetery.

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Perry Lou McClain, 70, of Atkinsonville, Indiana passed away peacefully on Monday, August 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Perry was born on January 12, 1956, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Oral Wright and Olive E. (Ervin) Wright. Perry proudly served his country in the United States Army stationed in Germany. He worked in the logging industry for over thirty-five years, having retired in 2025. Perry spent 30 years building a wonderful life with his true love, Mary L. (Cassida) McClain, finally tying the knot on June 28, 2013. Perry loved the outdoors, spending time with his family, sharing laughter, and hanging out in his garage.

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Perry is survived by his wife; children, Annie (Phillip) Walden-Danniel, Sara Tate, and Kata Teuton; grandchildren, Mitchell, Ethan, Mason, Evan, and Halyn; siblings, Oral W. “Huck” Wright, and Peggy Wright; and many nieces and nephews.

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Perry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert Wright, Clifford Owen “Butch” Wright, and Richard Larry McClain, Jr.; and sister, Sharon Hurt.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the New Union Carolina Church, Atkinsonville, IN. Fred Ervin will officiate. Military rites will be provided by the Owen County Honor Guard.

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Perry will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Union Carolina Cemetery.

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Richard Wayne Lorenz, 80
Richard Wayne “Rich” Lorenz, age 80, of Spencer, Indiana passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Redcrest Hospice House in Bloomington, Indiana with his wife and family at his side.
Rich was born on July 7, 1946, in Shelbyville, Indiana to Helen (nee Fleming) and George Lorenz. He loved music and participated in band at Shelbyville High School and was involved in solo vocal competitions around the state.  As a young man he was mentored and supported by a beloved Aunt, Dr. Phyllis J. Fleming of Wellesley, Massachusetts. Aunt Phyllis fostered in Rich a love of science and helped finance his way to The University of Notre Dame where he majored in Chemistry.
Richard met his future wife Nancy at a summer school class in Indianapolis when he borrowed a pencil from her.  Nancy was an undergrad at Indiana University in Bloomington and for the next three years, until his graduation in 1968, Nancy and Richard took the bus back and forth to visit each other.  
In 1968 Richard enrolled in a graduate program at Indiana University. He took a leave from the program to enlist in the US Air Force and was sent to Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. At the end of his active duty, he joined the reserves at Grissom Air Force Base in Kokomo, Indiana. As logistics officer, he led his unit for many years to summer camp in Wisconsin and then one year to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. A highlight for him was transporting and billeting his unit to Aviano, Italy where his unit participated in joint operations with the Italian Air Force. He retired from the reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1994 after 27 years reserve duty.
After Richard returned from Lackland Air Force Base, he and Nancy married on August 23, 1969 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Richard and Nancy had a good life together.
They had very different personalities, but they used that difference to their advantage. They thoroughly discussed everything they did together and made decisions based on mutual respect and understanding. They proofread each other’s work. Richard and Nancy were true partners in life. They would have been married for 57 years this month.
After the wedding, Richard and Nancy lived on campus at IU Bloomington where Nancy worked and supported their family while Richard completed his Master of Business Administration and law degrees. He completed his law degree in 1973 and took his first job as Deputy Prosecutor of Owen County under Vern Petri.  This job required the young couple to live in Spencer where they bought a house on Hillcrest Drive and where Richard and Nancy lived happily for over 50 years.
Richard left the prosecutor’s office and started his own firm and eventually was invited to join the law firm of Hickam and Hickam, the oldest family law firm in Indiana.  Rich was the first non-family member to be invited into the practice which was a great honor for him.  Now the firm is called Hickam and Lorenz, and he practiced there for over 50 years right up until his passing. Of special note are his relationships with his law partners John McKay, Jack Woodruff, Tom Spencer and Maryann Williams.  He worked with them for over 30 years, and they have been true friends to Nancy and him.
Richard was a general practitioner who specialized in bankruptcy and corporate law. His life’s work was advising people and helping them with legal matters. He loved his job so much he never retired and was on the phone with a client two days before he died.
He was the town of Spencer’s attorney also until he passed.  His greatest pride and joy was advising the town government. He loved working with the council and helping elected officials and community stake holders work together to meet the needs of the growing and changing population.  He enjoyed supporting community groups like Owen County Community Foundation, Area 10 Agency on Aging, and Boys and Girls Club.
Rich loved technology. He was always the first one to adopt a new gadget or electronic device. He loved IU basketball, Notre Dame Football, and the Notre Dame Marching Band. Most of all he loved doing things with Nancy and he supported her in her work with IU students. Richard helped Nancy host pool parties and welcome events for students and staff at their home. For many years they led an annual trip to New York City for students, and he had very fond memories of helping lead a Spencer Girl Scout Troop early in his time in Owen County.
Later in life Richard loved attending The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Marching band reunions. Rich and Nancy also traveled all over Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and various US and Canadian ports of call by ship.  Richard appreciated crossing into the Arctic Circle from Greenland and especially loved going to Russia which they visited three times.
Nancy and Richard never had children of their own but had many loving nieces and nephews who were a great joy to them. They took them to drive-ins, parades, Indy 500 race parties, neighborhood fireworks, and many family celebrations. They loved watching movies and eating sliced apples during special evenings with their siblings’ children.
Richard is survived by his wife Nancy (McKay) Lorenz, brother Robert “Bob” (Gloria) Lorenz, brother-in-law John (Sandra) McKay, sisters-in-law Carol (Nolyn) Taylor, and Barbara (the late David) White.  Nieces and Nephews Brian Lorenz, Kandice (Allan) McBride, Andy (Bri) Strouse, Jocelyn (Patrick) Barone, Jennifer Fiocca, Gavin (Jenn)Taylor, Seth (Deonna)Taylor, Brooke (Chad) McDonald, Adam White, and numerous great nieces and great nephews. Richard was predeceased by his parents, his Aunt Phyllis, and nephew, Jason Lorenz.
Richard’s graveside service will take place on Friday, October 23rd at 5:30 pm at Chambersville Cemetery in Spencer, Ind. The next day, in the spirit of Richard’s affinity for fall football weekends, please join the family in a Celebration of Life which will be held at a time and location to be announced.  If you have one, wear your favorite football jersey. Tailgate food will be served.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Owen County Community Foundation, Area 10 Agency on Aging, Boys and Girls Club of Owen County, The Nancy McKay Lorenz and Richard W. Lorenz Scholarship Fund at IU, or the University of Notre Dame Marching or Jazz Bands.

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Imagine you live in a neighborhood that is on the edge of a big, empty ditch. Every year, when a large rainstorm moves through town, the ditch fills with water. But most of the time, the ditch just sits there, empty.

Community leaders might be tempted to build more houses in the ditch. After all, it rarely fills with water. They could add some dirt and build the houses on top of that. Or they could add piles of dirt on each side to try to keep rainwater out. The community benefits from the jobs to build the houses. Plus, there are new taxpayers to help fund schools, police, and firefighters. Everybody wins.

Then it rains again. In fact, a huge rainstorm crosses the community. Worst storm in ten years. Usually, the water collects in the empty ditch. But the ditch isn’t empty, so it fills the new houses instead. Plus, because the houses take up space, there is leftover water. That water goes into the neighboring houses too.

Now, think of the same story. But instead of an empty ditch, there is a giant sponge. The giant sponge is squeezed dry, then paved over. When the big rainstorm comes to town, there is nothing to soak up the water, except the houses.

You have probably figured out that I’m talking about floodplains and wetlands. Floodplains and wetlands are annoying barriers when you are trying to develop a community. But watching the devastating, and deadly, flooding in Indiana this week, I can’t help but wonder if there were places along the swollen rivers that could have held more rainwater if they weren’t paved and developed.

As I write this column, the same deadly flood is reaching Owen County. It is not predicted to be as bad as it was upstream. It is not predicted to top last year’s major flood. Still, as I am writing, the floodwaters are starting to cross MYPath.

That is okay. MYPath floods every year. It flooded this past March. The trees in the reforestation project are happy to drink as much of the floodwater as they can. Sometimes the flood leaves a mess, but it doesn’t really hurt anything. I’m saying this as the person who is responsible for getting the trail cleared. Still, I would rather hold as much water as possible on MYPath, The Wetlands Loop, and the Pollinator Garden, if it prevents tragedy and damage in the community.

Sure, a flooded trail is an annoyance. We are going to have to re-route the Wednesday walk this week. That’s okay. We’ll still laugh at corny jokes and look at interesting things.

Think about that for a moment. Owen County has created a trail through a floodplain that brings people together. And as we have talked about in previous columns, it provides an economic benefit to the community. We don’t hike the trail when it is underwater, but we still gather and the community still benefits.

We are about to do it again. Hopefully you have heard that the Owen County Chamber of Commerce was awarded a major grant to help build an arts park in Cooper Commons. Will it flood? Yes. The park will include artistic works, an arts market pavilion, parts of MYPath, and more. It will also hold floodwater when needed. It is designed for that. And it will have an economic benefit from visitors when it is dry, most of the year.

As communities around the state and nation continue to evaluate the August 2026 flood, I hope they turn to Owen County. We have learned to accept the floods. And we have learned that parks and trails can turn flood-prone areas into recreational and economic generators.

Welcome to Stella’s View. As Stella goes on her walks, she gets a unique dog’s eye view of several neat things all around Owen County.

We know what Stella saw, but what else can we find out.

What Stella sniffed:

• A flagpole
• Picnic Tables
• A Grill
• A slide

What Stella heard:

• Squirrels and Chipmunks
• School Buses (faintly)

If you know where Stella went for this week’s dogs-eye-view, take this issue of the paper, take a photo there yourself, and send it to stella@owen.news. The first person to submit a photo with this paper in the correct location will receive a free The Owen News tote bag.

Jerry has retired, his hometown has fallen on hard times and his marriage has lost its spark. At a loss for purpose, enter our true hero of the picture: Math! One equation to rule them all in a scheme to exploit a flaw in a lottery. Based on a true story, “Jerry & Marge Go Large” is playing at our Historic Tivoli Theatre on September 10th. Admission is free.

Why is the depiction of math on screen so entertaining? We’ve seen it visualized in so many ways: from the tried-and-true chalkboard to a ‘galaxy brain’ rush of equations flowing around our hero’s head. Here they use a pairing of both handwritten and floating equations. Free of the burden of excelling at high level math, I come to the sport solely as a spectator. These scenes always work for me.

What is the innate appeal in ostensibly showing your work on a tricky equation? In “Jerry & Marge” they use math to game the system and bring prosperity to their small town. In “Good Will Hunting” (which is my favorite representation of math on screen) Will Hunting uses math to pull himself out of a low income situation. In “Moneyball,” Billy Beane uses math to change what is most valued in baseball to on base percentages. In all three cases, the heart of the story is the underdog turning conventional knowledge on its head and winning against all the odds. And who doesn’t love that?

Pairing a math movie with a heist format is a winning combination. While not a traditional heist, in that no laws are being broken, the tropes are there. The setup, building a team, the unforeseen force at odds and the reveal. Here the formula is so simply and directly told it sidesteps the main pitfall to the genre: predictability.

The term “programmer” is a classic movie term for a mid-budget production that is almost lost today. This category of film has essentially been relegated to the Netflix farm. Where every movie is designed to be watched with a phone in your hand. “Jerry & Marge” is a movie perfect for a lazy Sunday 2 p.m. cable viewing (or a 7 p.m. September 10th Tivoli viewing {Nudge Nudge}). It’s not your prestige picture, but it’s also not your B picture. “Jerry and Marge” nestles beautifully in this category.

Directed competently by David Frankle, who directed the programmer turned cultural phenomenon “The Devil Wears Prada” (and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” released earlier this year). Here he turns in the biting wit of Prada for the kindness and warmth reminiscent of your favorite middle school math teacher.

The cast all puts in good work. Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening carry the majority of the load here in a real two-hander. The small town is riddled with an eclectic cast of character actors. Michael McKean, a real “When is he bad?” performer, always elicits a smile while on screen. Another stand-out in the cast is Uly Schlesinger who plays sniveling like it owes him money.

In summation: Do you like popcorn? If so, I recommend “Jerry & Marge Go Large.” If not, why are you reading this?

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at the Owen County Public Library! Readers of all ages are invited to join us on November 4th for a special visit from the New York Times bestselling author Roland Smith.

If you have ever dreamed of exploring the Amazon rainforest, surviving an incredible adventure, or meeting the author behind some of your favorite action-packed books, this is an event you will not want to miss!

Roland Smith is the author of “The Wildes: The Amazon” and “Thunder Cave,” along with numerous other popular novels for young readers. His books take readers on thrilling journeys filled with adventure, wildlife, mystery, and unforgettable characters.

Both “The Wildes: The Amazon” and “Thunder Cave” are available to check out at the Owen County Public Library and digitally through Libby, making it easy to read them before the event.

The Read-n-Feed experience will bring the pages of both “The Wildes: The Amazon” and “Thunder Cave” to life with specially themed rooms designed around each book. Visitors can explore the Amazon-themed room inspired by “The Wildes” and step into the African Savanna of “Thunder Cave” through interactive activities, games, special themed snacks, and other book-inspired experiences. Each Read-n-Feed room is designed to make readers feel as though they have stepped directly into the adventures Roland Smith created. Whether exploring the Amazon or facing the mysteries and dangers of Thunder Cave, visitors will have the chance to experience the stories in a whole new way.

But the excitement does not stop there. Roland Smith will be giving a special presentation in the evening, giving the community an opportunity to hear directly from the author, learn more about his books and adventures, and ask questions. The Read-n-Feed rooms will also be open for visitors to explore and experience throughout the event.

The Read-n-Feed program is designed to encourage young people to discover the excitement of reading while connecting books to real-world experiences. For the full Read-n-Feed experience, readers are encouraged to read “The Wildes: The Amazon” and/or “Thunder Cave” before November 4th. Knowing the characters, adventures, and details of the stories will make exploring the themed rooms and meeting Roland Smith even more exciting. Instead of simply reading about an adventure, individuals get the chance to step inside the story and experience it for themselves.

Whether you are already a huge Roland Smith fan or have never read one of his books, this is the perfect opportunity to discover a new favorite author.

Mark your calendar for November 4th and get ready for an adventure!

Roland Smith is coming to the Owen County Public Library, and you won’t want to miss the adventure!

This is yet another story about my father. He made life interesting for me when I was a kid. I hope that you enjoy this one.

When I was young, about 13 years old, my dad had some health issues and had to stay home one summer to recuperate. My mother was working or gone most of the time after he came home and it fell to me to cook his meals. The whole summer after I turned 13, my dad started teaching me to cook!

I sit and laugh when I think about those lessons. I didn’t have a clue how to even boil water. I had lived a happy, carefree existence up until this point. There was no time for cooking. I was out playing or riding my bike. That was the summer that I learned a bit about responsibility.

My first lesson in cooking was learning how to work the gas stove in our kitchen. That first lesson ended with me burning my hair off my arm. Dad settled for cheese and crackers that day. But, while slicing the cheese, I cut myself. Dad looked at me and said, “this is gonna take a while.” They didn’t have meals on wheels back then. No Door Dash to call. It was just me.

He was as patient with me as he could be and I soon mastered spaghetti, grilled cheese, BLTs, egg sandwiches, cinnamon toast… simple things. By the end of that summer, I had learned to cook enough to keep me and him from starving. When I went back to school in the fall, I made his breakfast before I left and made a tray of snacks for his lunch. Then I came home to make dinner. You see my dad was the breadwinner in the family and my mom was working two jobs to make ends meet. So again, it was just me and dad as my older brother was in college and my younger one stayed with my grandparents.

It was a big change in all our lives, but looking back, I realize now how hard it was on him to have lost so much, and he was only in his late 30s. My cooking lessons eventually ended and all my domestic lessons, laundry, cleaning, cooking, reading lessons, memorizing poems, learning to sew a button on a shirt, all came to an end. I had to learn all the rest on my own over the next few years.

My dad and I would never be that close again. But during that time, he was my teacher and cooking instructor. I was a kid. I didn’t understand any of it. But now, I wish I could go back one more time to fix my dad a grilled cheese sandwich. I have perfected the art! I would like to think that I’m a connoisseur of sorts when it comes to grilling cheese sandwiches. After all, I had a great teacher.

I think he would be proud of me! He has been gone quite a while now, but every time I make a grilled cheese sandwich, I think of him. I have not lost my touch when it comes to making grilled cheese.

My dad was a good teacher. I am so glad that I was paying attention. Pay attention to the little things! Those are the moments that make up our lives! And during it all, you just might learn how to make a great grilled cheese sandwich.

Bon appétit!

Susan

One of the biggest challenges facing hunting and fishing today is access. It doesn’t matter how interested someone is in becoming a hunter or angler if they don’t have a reasonable place to go. Certain parts of the country have enormous swaths of public land, and some don’t have much at all. More public opportunities have been needed, and the federal government just acted on it. Once implemented, more than 92 million acres of the National Wildlife Refuge System will be available for hunting. That represents more than 95 percent of the system.

The Department of the Interior claims to have just completed the largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The new rule will add 1,488 hunting and sport-fishing opportunities at 111 Fish and Wildlife Service locations across 32 states. Those include 107 national wildlife refuges and four national fish hatcheries.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which represents state fish and wildlife agencies across North America, applauded the announcement.

“Hunting and fishing are vital conservation tools that connect people to nature while sustaining wildlife, habitats, and local economies,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and Association President. “As primary managers of these resources, state fish and wildlife agencies are essential partners in delivering responsible, science-based opportunities tailored to local communities.”

A strong partnership between federal and state wildlife managers is essential. Wildlife doesn’t recognize property boundaries. So, when a deer walks from private property onto a national wildlife refuge, it doesn’t change ownership. It always belongs to the citizens of the United States. Regulations, however, do recognize boundaries.

Hunters and anglers sometimes face different rules depending on who manages the land beneath their boots. Something legal under state regulations may be prohibited on neighboring federal property. For experienced sportsmen, navigating these differences can be frustrating. For someone just beginning to hunt or fish, it can be enough to discourage participation altogether.

Having more regulations aligned between state and federal agencies makes management more effective and the public more satisfied. Successful wildlife management requires cooperation among federal agencies, states, private landowners and conservation organizations. The new rule attempts to address some of that confusion by updating regulations at individual federal properties and better aligning them with state hunting and fishing regulations.

“We appreciate this latest expansion of opportunities, and also the directive from USFWS Director Brian Nesvik to ensure consistency between federal and state hunting and fishing seasons and regulation,” Johansen added. “Lack of access, opportunity and regulatory complexity have been identified as barriers for those looking to participate in hunting and fishing. This rule and efforts to work collaboratively with states will help to facilitate increased participation by both seasoned and novice hunters and anglers.”

For years, the outdoor community has talked about recruiting, retaining and reactivating hunters and anglers. It’s called R3. We have programs designed to introduce kids to fishing. Organizations host mentored hunts. State agencies have youth seasons and spend significant resources trying to convince people to buy licenses and participate. Those efforts matter, but most important is ensuring those people have places to go.

Many longtime hunters grew up with access to a family farm, a neighbor’s property or a local piece of ground where permission was relatively easy to obtain. Those days are gone for most Americans. Land ownership has changed. Leasing is the norm. Development continues to consume habitat. In many places, gaining access to quality hunting ground has become increasingly difficult and expensive.

Public land helps fill that void. But it, too, is becoming overcrowded. As private land access shrinks, public land becomes the only option. National wildlife refuges were created first and foremost for wildlife conservation. Hunting and fishing must remain compatible with the biological purposes of individual refuges. But where those activities can responsibly occur, sportsmen should have access. It’s great to see hunting being used as a tool for conservation.

Hunting and fishing are both part of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Our unique system has successfully restored countless wildlife populations. Hunters and anglers fund conservation through licenses, excise taxes and direct contributions. Participation creates personal connections to wildlife and wild places, and in many people, a desire to give back.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies says the rule should be published in the Federal Register before this year’s hunting season. Opening more land is a good start. Making regulations easier to understand is another. If we want future generations to care about wildlife conservation, we need to give them opportunities to participate in it. At the core is providing the next generations with places to hunt and fish.

See you down the trail…

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

The start of October marks the beginning of a brand-new year for Owen County 4-H, bringing exciting opportunities for youth to learn, lead, serve, and grow. The 2026-2027 4-H program year officially begins on Oct. 1, 2026, and families are encouraged to prepare for enrollment as the new year gets underway.

Oct. 1st is an important date for all current and prospective 4-H members because it serves as the annual reset date for 4-H enrollment. Every year, enrollment begins fresh, which means that all youth who wish to participate in 4-H activities, clubs, events, and projects must complete enrollment for the new program year.

Returning members should note that enrollment does not automatically transfer from one year to the next. All current 4-H members must re-enroll for the 2026-2027 year in order to remain active and participate in upcoming programs and activities. New members interested in joining 4-H for the first time are also welcome to enroll beginning Oct. 1.

Owen County 4-H offers opportunities for youth in kindergarten through grade 12 to explore interests, develop life skills, and make lasting connections. Through hands-on learning experiences, members can participate in a wide variety of project areas, including animal sciences, agriculture, STEM, arts, communication, leadership, health, and more.

Each year, 4-H helps young people build confidence and independence while learning valuable skills that prepare them for future success. Members have opportunities to engage in project work, community service, public speaking, leadership development, competitions, workshops, and local events that encourage personal growth and learning.

The start of the new 4-H year is an exciting time for both returning families and those considering joining the program for the first time. Enrollment on Oct. 1 opens the door to a year filled with educational experiences, friendships, and opportunities to discover new interests.

In addition to enrollment opening, Owen County 4-H is preparing to launch another exciting year of programming. Local staff and volunteers are currently planning activities designed to engage youth of all ages and interests throughout the coming year.

Families should also keep an eye out for information regarding the county’s annual fall kickoff event.

Details for Owen County 4-H’s October Kickoff event will be announced soon, and families are encouraged to stay tuned for more information. The kickoff event will provide an opportunity to celebrate the start of the new 4-H year, learn about upcoming programs and opportunities, connect with other 4-H families, and get excited about everything planned for the year ahead.

As Oct. 1 approaches, families are encouraged to mark their calendars and complete enrollment early. Whether a young person is interested in science, animals, leadership, crafts, community service, or trying something completely new, 4-H offers something for everyone.

The 2026-2027 4-H year officially begins on Oct. 1, 2026, and all members must enroll or re-enroll to participate. Watch for enrollment information and announcements about the upcoming October Kickoff event as Owen County 4-H prepares to welcome members for another exciting year of learning, growth, and opportunity.

Harvest Moon Winery & Farms is getting ready to roll out the orange carpet for its third annual PumpkinFest, running from Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 13. Beyond the fall traditions, this year’s festival marks a major milestone, the official launch of the winery’s very own in-house wine labels.

The destination rests on land with deep local roots. CEO and owner Billy Williams grew up on the Gosport property, which was originally purchased by his grandfather, Col. Gene Williams, in 1947. Inspired by visiting a farm winery in 2009, Williams envisioned turning his portion of the family land into a community gathering place. Drawing on his background in construction, he milled timber salvaged directly from the property to hand-build the site’s signature barn in 2015, incorporating personal historic touches like the front door from his childhood home and an antique windmill turned chandelier. Today, the working farm features vineyards, orchards, live entertainment, and seasonal attractions alongside its rustic tasting space.

Williams revealed that six inaugural wine varieties will be available for the new label, covering both sweet and dry profiles. The initial lineup includes Brianna, La Crescent, Marquette, Marquette Rosé, Twister Red Blend—named in honor of a tornado that passed directly in front of the farm earlier this year—and Willow Dog White, a dry white blend named after the farm’s longtime hound.

While the official grand opening and Owen County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11 at noon, visitors to the farm on Saturday, Aug. 29th were treated to an unexpected sneak peek.

“We actually soft-launched six of them on Saturday night,” Williams said. “I was held up waiting for labels to come in, and all of a sudden they just appeared Saturday night. So, we hurried up and labeled two cases of each and took them back out to the barn and almost sold out.”

In addition to the new wine launch, PumpkinFest will feature a robust lineup of free, family-friendly attractions. Visitors can expect hayrides, a corn pit, food trucks, and a U-pick pumpkin field right at the entrance of the property.

“It was a great event last year. We ran about 1,000 people through there that weekend, and I’m looking for quite a few more than that this year,” Williams said. “We’re trying to make everything a community event, a family-friendly event, and make it to where families can afford to come out and have fun.”

Harvest Moon Winery & Farms is located at 3925 Williams Rd., Gosport. For additional details regarding event schedules, activity ticketing, and winery hours, visit the farm’s website, www.visitharvestmoon.com, or its official Facebook page ahead of the festival weekend.

Health problems affect more than life expectancy and quality of life. For employers and communities, chronic illness and preventable health conditions can also translate into higher medical spending and, eventually, pressure on health insurance costs.

Recent data show Owen County faces several health challenges that could contribute to greater use of medical care.

The 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment prepared by IU Health Bloomington Hospital found that Owen County ranked 71st among Indiana’s 92 counties for overall health outcomes in the 2023 County Health Rankings and 72nd for health factors.

Of 41 health indicators examined, 30 placed Owen County in the bottom half of Indiana counties, 19 were in the bottom quarter and four were among the bottom 10.

Among the concerns were smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. County Health Rankings data included in the IU Health assessment estimated 24.3% of Owen County adults smoked, compared with 20.2% statewide. Adult obesity was estimated at 39.1%, compared with 37.2% statewide, while 28.4% of adults reported no leisure-time physical activity, compared with 25.6% statewide.

Access to care is another challenge. The assessment reported only 38.8% of Owen County residents had adequate access to locations for physical activity, compared with 76.8% statewide. The county also had one primary care physician for every 10,420 residents, compared with one for every 1,520 residents statewide.

Those statistics take on additional significance following recent discussions about health insurance for Owen County government employees.

At an Aug. 6 meeting of the Owen County Commissioners, insurance adviser Ron Remak reported that three major insurance carriers declined to quote coverage for the county. Remak said the county had experienced claims totaling more than twice the premiums paid during the preceding year.

That does not mean every Owen County resident pays higher insurance premiums because of the county’s health statistics.

Under Affordable Care Act rules, Indiana is divided into 17 geographic rating areas for individual and small-group insurance. Owen County is part of Rating Area 13 along with Brown, Johnson, Lawrence and Monroe counties. Insurers may consider geography when establishing premiums, but an individual applicant cannot be charged more because he or she has diabetes, obesity, heart disease or another pre-existing health condition.

Employer health plans are different. The claims experience of an employee group can affect what insurers are willing to charge, or whether they are willing to offer coverage at all. For Owen County government, unusually high claims have already become part of that equation.

Improving community health is therefore about more than lowering a number on a health ranking.

Reducing tobacco use, increasing opportunities for physical activity, improving access to primary and preventive care, and helping residents manage conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can potentially prevent more serious and more expensive health problems later.

Owen County residents can also take advantage of local preventive services. The Owen County Health Department offers vaccinations, blood pressure and blood glucose checks, A1C screenings, tobacco cessation assistance and other services.

The connection between community health and insurance premiums is complicated, and no single year of insurance claims proves that Owen County’s broader health statistics caused the county government’s insurance difficulties.

But the two tell a related story: Poor health carries costs for individuals, families, employers and ultimately the community, while investments that make healthy choices easier may pay dividends far beyond the doctor’s office.

References if you would like to learn more

• IU Health Bloomington Hospital’s 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment
• County Health Rankings & Roadmaps’ Indiana data page
• Information related to regional health insurance rates: CMS and Indiana Department of Insurance ACA filings page
• Aug. 21 issue of The Owen News
• Owen County Health Department

Starting a teaching career is an exciting milestone, but stepping into a classroom for the first time also comes with plenty of questions, challenges, and opportunities to learn. At Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation (S-OCS), new teachers don’t have to navigate those first experiences alone.

Through the district’s New Teacher Mentor Program, beginning educators are paired with experienced teachers who provide encouragement, guidance, and practical support as they begin their careers with S-OCS.

Throughout the first semester, new teachers and their mentors meet monthly to learn together, share ideas, ask questions, celebrate successes, and work through some of the challenges that naturally come with being new to the profession.

The goal is simple: make sure new teachers know they have people in their corner.

Providing strong support during the early years of teaching can help new educators build confidence, develop effective classroom practices, and feel connected to their school community. Mentors also provide something that can’t always be found in a handbook or professional development session…the perspective and reassurance that come from experience.

As part of the program, new teachers and mentors are reading and discussing “What Great Teachers Do Differently” by educator and author Todd Whitaker. The book focuses on the practices and mindsets that distinguish highly-effective educators.

Among its central themes is the importance of relationships. Great teachers understand that how they interact with students matters and that treating every student with respect helps create a classroom where children feel valued and ready to learn. Whitaker also emphasizes that effective teachers focus on the things they can control, maintain high expectations, and consistently make decisions based on what is best for students.

Another important message is the power of consistency and intentionality. Great teachers don’t simply rely on programs or strategies to create successful classrooms. They recognize that their daily actions, attitudes, expectations, and relationships have a tremendous influence on the culture of their classrooms and the success of their students.

Those ideas provide a starting point for meaningful conversations between Spencer-Owen’s new teachers and their mentors.

The monthly meetings, however, are about much more than discussing a book. They provide an opportunity to build relationships among educators and create a network of support across the district. New teachers can talk openly about what is going well, ask for advice when something isn’t working, and learn from colleagues who have experienced many of the same challenges.

The program also gives veteran educators an opportunity to share their knowledge while encouraging the next generation of teachers.

At Spencer-Owen Community Schools, supporting new teachers is an investment that reaches far beyond the individual educator. Teachers who feel supported and confident are better equipped to create positive classrooms, build strong relationships with students, and focus their energy on teaching and learning.

Local farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and concerned community members are being given a direct opportunity to shape the future of environmental and conservation funding in Owen County. The Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), in partnership with the Indiana USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will host a public forum titled the “Locally Led Working Group Q&A” on Friday, Sept. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. The meeting will take place at the Owen County SWCD’s River House, located at 788 Pottersville Rd., Spencer.

The primary goal of the session is to evaluate local agricultural, forestry, and environmental needs across the county. An NRCS District Conservationist will be present to answer community questions, discuss natural resource concerns, and gather input through a brief public survey. Feedback gathered from attendees will directly determine where federal USDA conservation program dollars are allocated locally, ensuring that public resources are aligned with community priorities for soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitats.

NRCS programs provide voluntary, science-based technical assistance and grants to help agricultural producers and forest managers conserve vital natural resources. Organizers emphasize that these programs benefit both individual landowners and the broader environment, supporting local agricultural sustainability and economic viability.

Community participation is central to the decision-making process, and all local land managers and residents are encouraged to attend. For additional information regarding the meeting or survey, contact Tammy Bingham, Owen County SWCD Director, by phone at 812-829-2605 or 812-606-6505, or via email at owenSWCD@gmail.com.

Members of the Spencer Redevelopment Commission met Thursday, Aug. 20, working through municipal procurement decisions while taking time to honor a long-serving colleague whose decades of dedication left a deep, lasting imprint on the local community.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence to remember attorney Richard Lorenz. With over two decades of public service, including roles as attorney for the Town of Spencer since 2004 and attorney for Owen County across multiple terms, his deep expertise in municipal law helped shape and guide the town’s growth for years. Commission members in attendance were Evan McKalip, Ginger Kohr, Wally DeFord, Ed Hines, Gary Brinson, and ex-officio member Andy Cline, Superintendent of Spencer-Owen Community Schools. Tiffany Chapman, an executive assistant with Hickam & Lorenz, Attorneys at Law, was also present.

Once preliminary matters concluded, including the routine, unanimous approval of prior meeting minutes and the monthly claims package, the commission turned its focus to securing real estate services for pending redevelopment projects.

While Lorenz had previously suggested holding direct interviews with prospective real estate firms, the commission ultimately decided to shift to a seven-day solicitation window for quotes. Because real estate consulting is categorized as a professional service rather than a public works construction project, formal public bidding is not legally mandated under Indiana law.

However, board members highlighted the importance of transparency, noting that several local agents had already voiced interest in helping guide town property transactions. Rather than picking a single firm out of the gate, the commission agreed to distribute a standardized questionnaire to ensure every applicant provides consistent operational and pricing details.

This standardized approach aims to maintain fairness and give all local professionals an equal shot at the contract. The board unanimously approved a motion to draft and issue the request for quotes, scheduling its next public session for Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building (90 N. West St.) to review responses. This timeline accounts for member availability while fitting within the seven-day submission period.

Lastly, the board clarified that the town’s long-standing legal representation remains intact. The firm Hickam & Lorenz will continue serving as legal counsel for the Town of Spencer, as the municipal contract is held directly with the firm rather than an individual attorney, ensuring uninterrupted guidance following Lorenz’s passing.

Owen County Preservations is pleased to announce an exciting new chapter for the Tivoli Theatre and its operations. As part of an effort to strengthen community involvement and provide greater focus to the Tivoli’s programming and future, Owen County Preservations will be separating its organizational responsibilities from the day-to-day operations of the Tivoli. Under the new structure, Owen County Preservations will retain ownership of the Tivoli building, while a newly established nine-member Tivoli Board will oversee the direction of Tivoli operations and work closely with the Tivoli Director.

The new board will be organized around three key areas of focus:

• Volunteer Recruitment and Retention: Three board members will focus on building and strengthening the Tivoli’s volunteer base, helping recruit new volunteers and create opportunities that encourage continued involvement.
• Non-Movie Programming: Three board members will focus on developing and expanding events and programming beyond regular movie offerings, helping make the Tivoli an even more active community destination.
• Grant Writing and Donor Relations: Three board members will focus on identifying grant opportunities, strengthening donor relationships, and supporting the long-term financial sustainability of Tivoli operations.

While members will have specific areas of responsibility, all nine board members will participate in fundraising efforts and contribute to the overall success of the Tivoli. The board will meet monthly and members will also be expected to participate in special events and activities throughout the year.

Serving on the Tivoli Board will require a commitment of approximately three to four hours per month, along with a willingness to support the Tivoli’s mission and work collaboratively with fellow board members, volunteers, staff, donors, and the community.

“This new structure provides an opportunity to bring even more community involvement and dedicated leadership to the Tivoli,” said Robert White, Owen County Preservations board president. “We are excited about what this next chapter can mean for the Tivoli and look forward to working with community members who are passionate about preserving this important local landmark while helping create new opportunities for the future.”

Community members interested in serving on the Tivoli Board are encouraged to apply. Applications are available online at www.owencountypreservations.com. Applications will be accepted thru October 31, 2026 with interviews conducted in November. Owen County Preservations looks forward to building this new partnership and continuing to preserve the Tivoli while supporting its role as a vibrant gathering place for the Owen County community.

About Owen County Preservations

Owen County Preservations is dedicated to preserving and maintaining historic properties and landmarks in Owen County while helping ensure they remain meaningful and accessible community assets for generations to come.

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.

8-18

Bryan Hammond, Jr., 31, Spencer, preliminary charges of invasion of privacy and probation violation. Arrested by Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Deputy Elijah Volrich.

Matthew Tussey II, 18, Terre Haute, preliminary charges of burglary (four counts). OCSD Major William Snodgrass was the arresting officer.

Robert Wheeler, Jr., 51, Gosport, preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Cory Poland.

8-20

Jeremy Frye, 51, Bloomington, preliminary charge of dealing in methamphetamine. Arrested by Spencer Police Department (SPD) officer Seth Givans.

8-21

Sheryl Stiddom, 61, Gosport, preliminary charge of theft; receiving stolen property. OCSD Deputy Mitchell Fleetwood was the arresting officer.

8-23

Darrell Brewer, 47, Gosport, preliminary charge of intimidation. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Elijah Volrich.

David Mitchell, 28, Poland, IN, preliminary charge of writ of attachment. OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer.

8-24

John Jennings, 51, Spencer, preliminary charges of criminal trespass and residential entry. Arrested by OCSD K9 Deputy Charles Hallam.

8-26

Trenton Steele, 35, Paragon, preliminary charges of driving while suspended with a prior charge and probation violation. OCSD Sergeant Brandon Gasparovic was the arresting officer.

Whitney Kelly, 36, Bowling Green, preliminary charges of auto theft, invasion of privacy, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson.

8-27

Sharon White, 59, Spencer, preliminary charge of possession of methamphetamine. OCSD Deputy Cory Poland was the arresting officer.

Austin White, 32, Spencer, preliminary charge of driving while suspended with a prior charge. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Cory Poland.

Jeffrey Walters, 63, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a serious felon, dealing in methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. OCSD Sergeant Brandon Gasparovic was the arresting officer.

Rachel Warner, 26, Spencer, preliminary charge of public intoxication. Arrested by SPD officer Bryce Brock.

Albert Kelsey, 77, Freedom, preliminary charges of failure to appear and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. OCSD Deputy Luke Wright was the arresting officer.

8-28

Sheri Mosley, 62, Spencer, preliminary charges of domestic battery and failure to appear. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

U.S. 231 improvements and active detours

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is advancing work on two major U.S. 231 infrastructure developments in Owen County, bringing one project near completion while initiating a temporary road closure for another.

In Freedom, crews working on the $2.6 million improvement project along U.S. 231 were executing final striping operations as of Aug. 25th between County Road 550 West and Freedom-Arney Road. The project, which includes brand-new sidewalk installations, will be largely complete once the striping work is finalized.

Meanwhile, construction has officially commenced on a small structure replacement project near Spencer to swap out two pipes between Hancock School Road and Dunn Road. Following initial delays caused by recent heavy flooding, U.S. 231 is now closed in that area and is scheduled to stay closed through the end of September, pending weather conditions.

An official detour has been established directing traffic along State Road 46, S.R. 59, and S.R. 54. Local traffic will continue to have access up to the exact point of the closure. INDOT transportation officials remind all drivers to slow down, exercise extra caution, and avoid distractions when traveling in and near active work zones.

Quentin Lamont Porter sentenced to 60 years for murder of Malik Sims

A years-long legal process including postponement, a mistrial and finally a seven-day legal proceeding, led to the murder conviction of Quentin Lamont Porter. On Aug. 26th, the Owen Circuit Court I handed down its sentence: 60 years.

Porter was convicted on five counts related to the killing of Malik Darea Sims including theft and identity deception, but the sentences for each would be served concurrently, making the 60-year sentence for murder the maximum time served.

While Judge Don VanDerMoere II handed down the sentence, the proceedings in this case are not yet over. Porter and his public defender have filed an appeal, and new public counsel will now be provided to Porter as he seeks to appeal his case in the Indiana Appellate Court. If the appeal is granted, Porter’s public defender would need to prove that there was a mistake in the legal proceedings that convicted and sentenced him. If the appeal is denied, Porter will report to an Indiana Correctional facility to begin serving his sentence.

CCSC approves 2027 budget

The Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees held a rapid public hearing on Aug. 24, officially approving the corporation’s 2027 budget in a meeting that wrapped up in just two minutes.

Gaveling the session to order at 7 p.m. with six of seven members present, the board quickly approved the agenda before moving straight to the evening’s sole item of new business: the 2027 budget public hearing.

With no members of the public in attendance and no board discussion following the preliminary presentation two weeks prior, the trustees moved straight to a vote. Board members unanimously approved the 2027 budget as presented.

Following the vote, Superintendent Dr. Stacy Mason offered brief closing remarks, noting that the board will reconvene for its next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 14.

Spotlight on Julia Wright at Art Guild

The Owen County Art Guild (OCAG) is presenting a solo exhibition featuring recent works by artist Julia Wright throughout the month of September. The exhibition highlights Wright’s latest creations and offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to view her work locally.

Community members are invited to celebrate the showcase during an opening reception Saturday, Sept. 5th, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event and exhibition will be held at the OCAG, located at 199 W. Cooper St. in Spencer.

S-OCS Transportation Center open house

Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation (S-OCS) invites students, families, staff, and area residents to celebrate the opening of its newly completed Transportation Center.

An open house will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at 1441 Flatwoods Rd., Spencer. Community members are encouraged to tour the new facility and explore this key addition to the school district before heading downtown for the Apple Butter Parade at 1 p.m.

OV grad receives scholarship from AIC

Sadie Neff, daughter of Owen County Councilman Anton Neff and wife Shannon Neff, recently received a $500 scholarship from the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC). This scholarship is awarded to four students across the state that graduated high school in 2026, are attending an Indiana college, and are either Indiana county employees or children of Indiana county employees.

Neff was awarded her scholarship on Aug. 20 at the Owen County Courthouse. Representatives from the AIC, SRI Inc., her mother, father, and grandfather Tony Neff all joined Sadie for the presentation.

Sadie Neff is attending the O’Neal School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University this fall.

Cloverdale FFA Golf Outing

The Cloverdale High School FFA invites local golfers and supporters to tee it up for a great cause at the Cloverdale FFA Golf Outing on Sunday, Sept. 20, hosted at Clover Meadows Golf Course in Cloverdale. Every swing helps make the holiday season brighter for children in the community, as all proceeds directly benefit the Cloverdale FFA Toy Drive in December.

Check-in and lunch begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by tee-off at 2 p.m. In addition to an afternoon on the green, participants can enjoy a provided lunch and bid on gift baskets during a silent auction.

Entry fees are $75 for individual players or $300 for four-player teams. Local businesses and community members can also support the cause through a $100 hole sponsorship, which includes a custom sign displayed on the course, an announcement during lunch, and business recognition before and after the event.

To register a team or sponsor a hole, contact Drew Boyette at 765-712-5301 or Heather Clingan at 765-719-2462.

YMCA 2026 Fall Benefit & Auction

The Owen County Family YMCA, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, will host its 2026 Fall Benefit & Auction on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Owen Valley Winery, located at 491 Timber Ridge Rd., Spencer.

The evening features live music, light refreshments, and a community auction, with all proceeds supporting YMCA programs and community operations. Tickets are $35 for an individual ticket or $65 for a pair. Each admission includes appetizers and one complimentary beverage choice of tea, water, soda, or wine.

To reserve your spot, call 812-828-9622 ext. 101 to purchase tickets.

Spencer Lions Club serves over 7,500 free meals

The Spencer Lions Club (59 N. Main St.) wrapped up a highly successful Summer Food Service Program, serving over 7,500 free, balanced meals to Owen County youth aged 18 and under.

In partnership with the Indiana Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the initiative ensured local children maintained access to vital nutrition during the school break. Each menu provided healthy, complete servings of proteins, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Generous support from community donors, partner organizations, and dedicated club members allowed the program to enhance its food offerings throughout the season. In a comment shared on the Spencer Lions Club Facebook page, organizers extended their deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making a positive impact on local families, adding that they look forward to welcoming youth back again next summer.

Fueling student success at S-OCS

As students return to the classroom, Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation (S-OCS) is receiving crucial support from Keystone Propane through the company’s Propane with Purpose initiative.

S-OCS is one of 34 school corporations selected to receive funding from the program, which is distributing a collective $177,450 to local schools and rural communities. The donated funds are designated to remove barriers to student success by directly reducing school lunch debt and addressing regional food insecurity.

The initiative operates through community-driven contributions: Keystone Propane donates $0.50 to the Propane with Purpose fund for every delivery stop made. These everyday contributions pool together to create significant relief for families, helping fulfill students’ fundamental needs so they can focus on their education.

S-OCS officials expressed deep gratitude for community partners like Keystone Propane, emphasizing that meeting basic student needs plays an essential role in classroom achievement. Keystone Propane’s investment in local families helps ensure every child in the Spencer-Owen community has a seat at the table.

OCCF highlights local grant recipients

Over a series of recent individual posts on its official Facebook page, the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) highlighted several grants issued to support non-profit organizations, community groups, and local initiatives throughout Owen County. Through these individual spotlights, the OCCF showcased how its Community Investment and Rapid Response grants continue to invest in local infrastructure, youth development, arts, and human services.

Infrastructure and youth engagement led the featured announcements. The Freedom Community Center received a $5,000 Community Investment Grant to execute a major parking lot expansion, increasing its limited 10-car footprint to approximately 50 spaces to better serve visitors. Meanwhile, the Owen County 4-H Poultry Club received a $5,000 Community Investment Grant to purchase new poultry cages and materials for custom storage boxes, ensuring safe housing for animals during competition and protecting the equipment for years to come.

Local arts and downtown vitality also gained significant momentum in the OCCF’s spotlight series. The Owen County Art Guild was awarded a $5,000 Community Investment Grant to repair and upgrade its HVAC system, providing a comfortable environment year-round for their wide array of adult and children’s classes. Down the road, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #1405 received a $2,000 Community Investment Grant to help fund production expenses for a newly commissioned mural in downtown Spencer, designed to celebrate community spirit and honor local veterans.

The showcase rounded out with targeted assistance for community support services. Spencer Pride received a $4,000 Community Investment Grant for its Holigay Holiday Assistance Program, which supplies food, hygiene items, and gifts to LGBTQ+ individuals and families during the holiday season. Additionally, New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center received a $1,000 Rapid Response Grant, enabling the program to supply specialized, name-brand diapers to infants requiring them for sensitive skin, allergies, or other medical needs.

To keep up with future grant announcements and see what the OCCF is doing in our area, residents are encouraged to follow the Owen County Community Foundation Facebook page or visit their website at www.owencountycf.org.

SCCAP Energy Assistance Program

The South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) will officially launch its 2026–2027 Energy Assistance Program (EAP) on Oct. 1st, providing eligible households with a one-time benefit to help pay winter fuel bills.

Applications become available to the public and the online portal opens on Oct. 1st, with all submissions due by April 30th, 2027, at 5 p.m. Households enrolled in the 2025–2026 EAP will automatically be mailed an application, while new applicants can request one by emailing their full name and mailing address to eap@insccap.org.

Program eligibility is based on household income limits: $34,635 for a one-person household, $45,292 for two persons, $55,949 for three persons, $66,607 for four persons, and $77,264 for five persons.

For program updates, to apply online, or to find more details, visit www.insccap.org, follow @insccap on social media, call 812-829-2279, or visit the office at 205 E. Morgan St., Suite D, Spencer. Anyone needing immediate utility support before the application launch can call 211, text 898-211, or reach out to their local township trustee.

Annual Arts in the Park & Classic Car Show

The Sweet Owen Arts Commission invites the community to the 2nd Annual Arts in the Park & Classic Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cooper Commons in Spencer. This free-admission family event features an all-day lineup of live performances, headlined by The Indiana Boys, alongside an art fair showcasing local and regional vendors, live art demonstrations, food trucks, kids’ activities, and a collaborative community quilt project.

Car enthusiasts can show off their rides at the Classic Car Show for a $5 registration fee, with awards presented across four categories at 3:30 p.m. All registration proceeds directly benefit the Sweet Owen Arts Commission and its mission to support the arts across Owen and surrounding counties.

Whether you are hunting for unique local art or admiring vintage horsepower, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.

To learn more about the Sweet Owen Arts Commission, visit www.sweetowenarts.org.

Correction note:

A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Sims and Porter in the third paragraph.

A years-long legal process including postponement, a mistrial and finally a seven-day legal proceeding, led to the murder conviction of Quentin Lamont Porter. On Wednesday, the Owen Circuit Court I handed down its sentence: 60 years.

Porter was convicted on five counts related to the killing of Malik Darea Sims including theft and identity deception, but the sentences for each would be served concurrently, making the 60-year sentence for murder the maximum time served.

While Judge VanDerMoere II handed down the sentence, the proceedings in this case are not yet over. Porter and his public defender have filed an appeal, and new public counsel will now be provided to Porter as he seeks to appeal his case in the Indiana Appellate Court. If the appeal is granted, Porter's public defender would need to prove that there was a mistake in the legal proceedings that convicted and sentenced him. If the appeal is denied, Porter will report to an Indiana Correctional facility to begin serving his sentence.

Read 7 days of Owen News trial coverage:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

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Trial Summary

Owen County families will soon have another option for child care, with a new state-approved facility expected to open in Spencer this fall and focus primarily on serving infants and toddlers.

The Owen County Childcare Coalition, Uplands Smart Start and South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) partnered to apply for Indiana’s Child Care Micro-Facility Pilot Program in response to the county’s need for greater access to high-quality early care and learning opportunities.

On Aug. 7, the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) notified the partners that their proposal had been approved. The award includes $49,999 to help establish the program, which must be open and operational as a state-approved micro-facility by Oct. 31.

The new facility will be located on the grounds of the Owen County Public Library in the building currently occupied by Owen County Adult Education.

What is a child care micro facility?

Indiana created the Micro Facility Pilot Program as a new approach to expanding child care, particularly in communities where families have limited access to care.

Under the state program, a micro facility is a smaller child care program operating in a non-residential setting and serving between three and 30 children at a time for more than four hours per day.

Unlike a traditional stand-alone child care center, a micro-facility operates as an extension of an established child care provider. This allows the smaller location to share resources, staff and administrative support with the larger provider.

The model also uses streamlined regulations designed to reduce some of the costs associated with opening and operating a child care center while continuing to meet health and safety requirements. Indiana officials have identified community locations such as libraries, schools and shopping centers as potential sites for micro facilities.

The state’s goal is to make it easier for established providers to expand into communities where opening a larger traditional child care center may not be financially feasible.

For Owen County, that model created an opportunity to bring an established early childhood provider into an existing community building.

Library provides home for new program

The micro facility will be housed in the building currently occupied by Owen County Adult Education on the grounds of the Owen County Public Library.

Adult Education is expected to move into a new location this fall. Recognizing the need for additional high-quality early care and learning opportunities in Owen County, the library’s board of directors agreed to make the building available for the new child care program.

Much of the renovation work needed to prepare the building has already been completed. Installation of fencing and additional outdoor improvements are expected to begin soon.

The facility has been approved to serve children from infancy through preschool. However, organizers plan to focus primarily on infants and toddlers, an age group for which finding child care can be particularly challenging for families.

Specific information about the number of available spaces, hours of operation, tuition and the enrollment process is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Experienced provider to operate facility

SCCAP will operate the Spencer micro-facility.

The Bloomington-based nonprofit serves families throughout Brown, Monroe, Morgan and Owen counties and has more than 55 years of experience providing programs and services to families in south-central Indiana.

SCCAP already operates several early childhood programs in Monroe County, including Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Its Early Head Start programming serves children from six weeks through age 3 and focuses on early childhood development and family support.

By partnering with an established provider rather than creating an entirely new child care organization, the micro facility model allows Owen County’s new site to draw upon SCCAP’s existing early childhood expertise, staffing resources and administrative infrastructure.

The Spencer location will also demonstrate the type of partnership envisioned by Indiana’s Micro Facility Pilot Program: an established child care provider, local organizations and an existing community space working together to create additional child care capacity without the expense of constructing a traditional child care center.

Additional information about enrollment and the opening of the new Owen County micro-facility will be announced as plans are finalized.

I recall a discussion I had 60 or so years ago with my dad on the way to Kentucky Lake. We had plenty of time to chat on the six- or seven-hour ride down to our beloved fishing hole. Once we were discussing cars, and he at age 50 proceeded to recall every vehicle he had ever owned, the color, make, and other details. That was a list of perhaps a dozen or more. Checking his accuracy was impossible, but as he rattled off car after truck after car, he had the assured tone of a confident memory. There’s little doubt he was nearly right on the money.

Most of my cars and trucks are brain stored, but my memory gets vague on a few. My wife would do better at it. She occasionally reminds me of what happened to this car or that, and I nod and conjure up dusty recollections of them. An issue here is that I’m not a car guy. To me a car is a service contraption, a utility device. I clean them at fairly regular intervals, these days at car washes. When there’s a problem, the service department jumps to my aid. Some of my friends are really into their rides, and I’m sure they could easily spout off their vehicle history.

I do recall being very proud of a used blue Ford LTD my wife and I bought in the ’80s. To us it was luxury vehicles. I fondly remember the salesman’s great line: “Dictators in third world countries drive cars like this.” Good enough for the LaGrange tribe! Actually, we did like that car with its plush seats, smooth ride, and dependable air conditioning. “The boat” was terrible on snow or ice, and once or twice that was a problem.

I got to thinking about actual boats I’ve owned or had access to, and it brought back some pleasant and not-so-pleasant memories. While growing up and frequently a guest at my grandparents’ farm, I recall my uncle’s old wooden boat parked on the nearby Oil Creek bank. It gave us an opening to fish a stretch of the creek that was otherwise inaccessible. Man, that thing was heavy, but it served the purpose.

Then there was a 10-foot aluminum boat my dad had, but someone stole it right out of our yard. Dad was boiling mad about the theft and thought he knew the guilty party. I remember riding with him from our Perry County home over to a nearby tiny town and him bravely marching up to a ramshackle house way out in the boondocks. I was truly concerned for his life, not being sure of what would happen when Dad accused the occupants of thievery. We didn’t get that boat back, but I believe Dad felt somewhat appeased that he faced the alleged culprits, had his say, and walked away unharmed.

Dad soon acquired a pretty much identical ten-footer, which was handy for the little ponds and strip pits we fished. We stored it in the trunk of our car with a red flag adorning the pooched-out rear, carted that thing over hill and dale, and got a lot of use from it, even with its confined quarters. Next might have been a 12-foot Sears v-hull that we toted on top of his car, tied down at the front and back. That boat was present in the ’70s when my father and I caught a giant string of early spring bass at Lake Lemon, near Bloomington, but it was a pain to transport.

While I was at Indiana State a friend and I bought a ten-footer that we used in the strip pits around Terre Haute. The little aluminum craft was one I took my new wife out in, once keeping her overly long. She says I refused to stop fishing long enough to let her use the bathroom. That one has been hard for me to live down. I take my wife’s word that it’s true. Yes, it sounds like something I might do, depending on how the fish were biting. We also took my one-year-old son out in it, tying him to a small chair with a thick life preserver stifling his every move. It’s no wonder he didn’t want to go boating or fishing after that. On the back of a photo my wife took is the caption: “Nathan’s first fishing trip, March 30, 1973 at Raccoon Lake. Didn’t catch anything.” Eventually the boat ended up in my middle son’s care, and he affectionately dubbed it “the sinker.” Its bottom was a patchwork of black tar patches covering the dents and holes.

After moving to Jasper, I bought a blue 14-foot jon boat that serviced my fishing needs for a few years. It had a real trailer, padded chair seats, and a small outboard, a big step for me. I once took my wife out on Patoka Lake in this boat. The water was choppy, someone zipped by, and waves started coming into the boat. That was it for my wife and this too-little vessel, unless we were on small waters.

In his later years, Dad acquired a real bass boat, a heavy, fiberglass 16-footer, from Tyler Boats down near Rockport. Crystal clear is the ’80s memory of that boat’s nearly sinking at Dogwood Lake (Glendale). We were out on the lake in March, rushing the season a bit but struck with cabin fever. The water was ice cold and very few boats were on the lake, but it was a pleasant day.

We motored down our usual path to the lake’s east end through the maze of cut trees that frequently lurked just below the water line. Suddenly we were stuck on a stump of the many that lurked right at the surface, which was a common occurrence. We maneuvered this way and that, shifting our weight here and there, and eventually we slid off and proceeded on our way. We thought we were in the boat lane that was relatively free of obstructions, but not so. Soon we were hung again. That experience proved to be a real adventure. Tune in next time for “the rest of the story.”

One of my favorite songs is Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” He wrote those words in 1940 as the Great Depression ended. The original name was “God Blessed America for Me.” Some of the original lines have been replaced with softer less critical words. Now we sing a softer version. My Dad was a big fan of Woody Guthrie and other singers from the 1930s, like Jimmy Rogers, Burl Ives and Lead Belly. Dad had a great voice and loved to sing. He was a young rambling man himself during the 1930s, ’til he met my Mom and got married in 1938. I grew up listening to them sing the ‘old’ songs. My parents were hippies long before the 1960s came along.

This column is not about my parents. It is about “YOUR lands.” Abe Lincoln set aside land in Yosemite Valley in 1864 to hold it in public trust and protect it. President Grant created the first National Park, Yellowstone in 1872. On August 25, 1916, President Wilson signed an act that established the National Park Service to support the conservation and preservation of lands for future generations.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources was established in 1965. Who was responsible for the state forests and state parks and other state lands before that? I will need to dig deeper. McCormick’s Creek State Park, established in 1916, was the first state park. In 1903 Clark State Forest, the first state forest was established with 2,000 acres. The purpose was forest research, tree nursery and scientific forestry experimentation. The Division of Forestry now manages 15 state forests with 160,250 acres. Purposes now include watershed protection, recreation, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, and timber.

Unfortunately, the current political situation has put our public land, nationally and locally, in jeopardy. Nationally, several federally held lands are in danger. In Utah, land sacred to native people, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase National Monument, was reduced in size by over a million acres. They have been opened to coal, mineral and energy exploration. Your lands have been given to the highest bidder.

The same thing happens to our state forest. Timber buyers look at a stand of mature trees and see board feet, not a natural environment for the creatures that inhabit the forest. Recently, the Rattlesnake Campground area was logged. Go visit and see the results for yourself. Logging does not bring a huge amount of funds to the DNR. Logging does destroy habitat for birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, pollinators, and other insects. Logging causes erosion of topsoil. It also causes soil compaction and injures younger trees. Trees are the lungs of this planet. They cleanse the very air we breathe. I want my great-grandchildren to walk through a forest of huge trees with awe in their eyes.

The responsibility for protecting our public land falls on our shoulders. Our descendants deserve wild places to roam. The politicians will bend to a man with dollar signs in his eyes every time, unless their power is in jeopardy. Visit a state forest. There is a wonderful one right here in Owen County. Let the politicians know how you feel. Call them, email them, join a protest, VOTE!

’til next time,

Annie

The school supplies are bought, the backpacks are packed, the first day pictures have been taken, and everyone has officially settled into the school routine, or at least we’re pretending we have!

Now that we’re about two weeks into the school year, the reality of those busy evenings is starting to sink in. Homework, sports practice, meetings, appointments, church activities and work schedules can make the hours between school and bedtime feel like a race against the clock.

And somewhere in the middle of it all comes the question: “What’s for dinner?”

When you’re feeding a family, especially a larger family, dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be nutritious. In fact, some of the best busy night meals are the ones that are simple, affordable, filling and easy to customize.

Instead of searching for a complicated recipe every night, think about building a meal with three basic components: Protein + Produce + Grain or Starch. For example, scrambled eggs + fruit + toast; taco meat + lettuce and tomatoes + tortillas; or chicken + frozen vegetables + rice.

This approach makes it easier to use what you already have and adjust the amount depending on how many hungry people are sitting around your table.

Five Busy-Night Dinner Ideas

Taco Bar: Brown several pounds of ground beef, turkey or chicken and put out tortillas, shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, salsa and other favorite toppings. Everyone can build their own meal, and leftovers can become taco salads or quesadillas later in the week.

Pasta Night: Cook a large pot of pasta and serve it with your favorite sauce, meatballs or browned ground meat and a frozen vegetable. Add fruit on the side. It’s inexpensive, filling and easy to make in a larger quantity.

Loaded Baked Potato Bar: Bake a big batch of potatoes and set out toppings such as shredded cheese, broccoli, chili, leftover meat, salsa or plain yogurt. Everyone gets to create their own combination.

Sandwich Night: Sandwiches don’t have to mean boring! Offer several choices of bread, lean meats, cheese and vegetables. Add fruit or vegetables and a simple side such as yogurt or popcorn. This is especially handy on those nights when everyone is eating at different times.

Breakfast for Dinner: Eggs, whole-grain toast, fruit and a side of vegetables can make a quick, affordable meal. Pancakes or waffles can also be part of the fun, just add some protein and produce to round out the meal.

Have a “We’re Out of Time” Plan

Every family needs a few emergency meals for those nights when practice runs late, someone has a last-minute project, or nobody remembers to check the calendar.

Keep a few quick staples on hand: eggs, pasta, canned or frozen vegetables, tortillas, rice, canned beans, bread and fruit. Frozen vegetables and canned foods can be nutritious, convenient options and can save you time when fresh ingredients aren’t available.

Another simple strategy is to cook extra when you can. If you’re already making a large batch of taco meat, pasta or rice, prepare enough for another meal. Larger families can especially benefit from cooking once and using the leftovers as ingredients rather than expecting one meal to stretch for days.

And don’t forget to check your pantry, freezer and refrigerator before grocery shopping. Planning around what you already have can help reduce food waste and stretch your grocery budget.

So as the school year gets busier, remember simple meals aren’t taking the easy way out, they’re using a smart strategy for busy family life!

Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences provides research-based education to help individuals and families make healthy choices that fit into real life. For more information about upcoming Purdue Extension-Owen County programs in Food, Family, Finance and Health, contact the Purdue Extension-Owen County office at 812-829-5020 or email lowder0@purdue.edu.

A wet and windy start may have delayed the opening ceremonies, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd that gathered on Thursday, Aug. 13 to kick off the 2026 Gosport Lazy Days festival.

The Outstanding Citizens of the Year, chosen by the Lazy Days Committee were Shelly Leonard and Craig Brighton.

The Senior Citizens of the Year were Linda Holsapple and Ernie East.

Little Miss and Little Mister went to Knox Truesdel and Chloe Fauber, respectively.

Festivities continued into the night with music on the town park bandstand.

Friday continued the activities with the Tim Dittemore Memorial Car Show, the Gosport VFW Fish Fry and three musical acts on the bandstand.

Saturday started early with the Gosport Lions Club 5k Race and continued with the annual Bike Race, Baby Contest and Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest.

One o’clock began the Gosport Lazy Days Parade with floats representing organizations from Gosport, greater Owen County and beyond.

The parade’s end brought what may be Gosport Lazy Days’ most signature event: the Main Street Bed Races.

For the uninitiated, the Bed Races consist of two teams of five, four of whom pull an old wheeled hospital bed without a mattress, and one of whom lies flat on the bed and holds on for dear life. The first makeshift sleigh-bed team across the finish line wins the race and a double-elimination tournament determines the champion of the event.

This year, the Bed Races were renamed in memory of the longtime host of the event, Kip Seidenstucker. In his place this year was his daughter Kassie Smithey, who recalled how much her father enjoyed hosting the Bed Races each year and how much he would have appreciated the event being named in his honor. The champions this year were a team drafted from the crowd by the Indiana Dinosaur Museum of South Bend, IN.

The Spencer Main Street Board of Directors welcomed members, volunteers, community partners, and guests to the organization’s 2026 Annual Meeting on Aug. 10 at Civilian Brewing Corps Brewpub. The evening celebrated downtown Spencer’s continued revitalization, recognized those who continue to contribute to its success, and looked ahead to future opportunities. The gathering also marked a welcome return to the historic courthouse square after several years of holding the annual meeting outside of downtown. Spencer Main Street Director Ronda Stogsdill served as emcee in the absence of board president Julie Coffin, who was unable to attend due to illness.

Guests enjoyed a meal prepared by Steve Withem and his smoker, Baby, along with Ben and Kylene Williams, owners of Civilian Brewing Corps. Desserts were provided by Kathy Balash and Debbie Bolin. During the business portion of the meeting, members reelected Ronda Stogsdill, Ben Williams, and Steve Withem to serve three-year terms on the Spencer Main Street Board of Directors. Secretary Sally Elmore and treasurer Jace Elmore were recognized for their leadership and continued service, along with the other members of the board of directors. Board vice president Steve Withem also provided a lively update on VentFest, an international ventriloquism and performing arts festival sponsored by Spencer Main Street. The festival has become a signature community event, drawing performers and visitors from around the world while showcasing Spencer’s welcoming spirit and vibrant downtown.

The evening highlighted the many projects and events Spencer Main Street creates, cultivates, and supports throughout the year. With the help of countless volunteers, businesses, and community partners, the organization works diligently to preserve the character of downtown Spencer while fostering opportunities for residents and visitors to gather, shop, and connect. Ongoing efforts to beautify and bring people downtown include hanging flower baskets, flower beds along the railroad, tailgate sales, seasonal window painting, advertising banners, tribute benches, and events such as the annual Spencer Christmas at the Square. Presented in partnership with downtown businesses, local organizations, and the Historic Tivoli Theatre, Christmas at the Square provides a magical holiday experience for children and the young at heart, free of charge. Spencer Main Street also partnered with VFW Post #1405 for this year’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Held on Washington Street in front of the Historic Tivoli Theatre, the celebration was spearheaded by Civilian Brewing Corps.

Design Committee Chair Jacob Balash leads the installation of the flowering hanging baskets, coordinates the volunteers’ watering schedule, and oversees the decorating of downtown streetlamps with Christmas ornaments. Special recognition was given to the volunteers whose dedicated time and energy keep the baskets looking glorious throughout the summer. Three watering teams maintain 28 baskets around the courthouse square, 10 baskets along Morgan Street, and additional planters belonging to the Owen County Garden Club. Volunteers recognized included Evan McKalip, Shelley Harriman, Janet Rummel, Connie Murphy, John Corbin-Settle, Patti Cowin, and Shea Finnigan. Community partners and volunteers were also thanked for contributing their time, talents, and support to downtown Spencer, including representatives of the Spencer Town Council, Owen County Community Foundation, Owen County Chamber of Commerce, and Spencer Pride.

Attendees received an update on Spencer Main Street’s proposed entryway arch, an ambitious project intended to encourage those traveling along busy Morgan Street to turn toward the historic courthouse square and discover the downtown area the community is so proud of. Although significant fundraising remains ahead, the organization continues to build partnerships and explore funding opportunities. Spencer Main Street plans to begin the extensive application process for a Stellar Pathways grant, which is intended to support transformative community projects such as the proposed arch. The project would build upon years of investment, collaboration, and perseverance in downtown Spencer. A 2009 Spencer Comprehensive Plan questioned downtown’s short-term viability as a location for new businesses. Seventeen years later, the courthouse square has become a destination filled with local businesses, community events, and renewed energy.

Spencer Main Street’s mission is “community collaboration dedicated to preserving and revitalizing downtown Spencer to enhance living and business.” Through beautification efforts, signature events, business support, and strategic partnerships, the organization remains committed to ensuring downtown Spencer continues to thrive. Membership is vital to this work because dues directly support the nonprofit organization’s efforts to preserve and revitalize downtown. Annual membership dues are $10 for individuals, $15 for families, and $50 to $150 for businesses based on the number of employees. Members receive the annual newsletter and voting privileges, as well as opportunities to serve on the Board of Directors or committees, participate in projects, and help create a positive impact throughout the community.

To become a member or learn more about Spencer Main Street and its volunteer opportunities, visit www.spencermainstreet.org. Follow Spencer Main Street on Facebook for event information, news, and updates.

After months of determination, community support, and grassroots fundraising, the Historic Tivoli Theatre is proud to announce the successful installation of a new state-of-the-art 4K laser projection system, marking a major investment in the future of moviegoing in Owen County.

The journey began in December 2025, when the Tivoli’s aging digital projection system began experiencing intermittent technical failures, including color distortion, image instability, and unexpected interruptions during screenings. While temporary repairs allowed the theatre to remain open, it became increasingly clear that the projector had reached the end of its reliable service life.

Rather than waiting for a complete failure, the Historic Tivoli Theatre launched its “Projecting Better Days” fundraising campaign to ensure the community could continue enjoying high-quality films and events for years to come.

On June 22, 2026, that vision became a reality when the new 4K laser projection system was installed.

Through grassroots fundraising efforts, grant funding, and the extraordinary generosity of a benefactor who helped close the remaining funding gap, the campaign raised an incredible $103,956.01.

The success of the campaign allowed the Tivoli to do far more than simply replace its projector. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the theatre was also able to invest in several critical upgrades that will enhance the moviegoing experience and improve long-term reliability. These improvements include:

• Installation of a new 4K laser projection system;
• A new projection computer to support the upgraded system;
• Two new amplifiers to power the main left and right speakers and the subwoofers;
• An upgraded 4k compatible HDMI board for the AP20 audio processor;
• A new 4K DVD/Blu-ray player for repertory films, classic movie programming, and private rentals.

Together, these improvements modernize the Tivoli’s presentation systems while preserving the charm and history of one of our treasured historic theatres.

“This project represents what can happen when a community believes in preserving something special,” said Andrea White, Director of the Historic Tivoli Theatre. “Every donation, every grant, every word of encouragement, and every person who shared our campaign played a role in making this possible. This isn’t just a new projector, it’s an investment in the future of the Tivoli and the countless memories that will be made here for generations to come.”

The Historic Tivoli Theatre extends its sincere gratitude to every individual, family, business, organization, and foundation that supported Projecting Better Days. Whether through a financial gift, grant award, fundraising event, or simply sharing the campaign with others, every contribution helped make this project a success.

The Tivoli would like to recognize the following partners and donors whose generosity made these improvements possible:

• The Cook Group
• Steve Withem
• Joyce Cathell
• Ed & Diana Curry
• Spencer Exchange Club
• Tony Neff Family
• Withem Donor Advised Fund
• David Friedel & Ann Mahrdt
• Cluce
• Wally & Kathy DeFord
• Insurance Services
• Sons of the American Legion
• Owen County Community Foundation (grant funding)
• Owen County Preservations
• Owen County Theatre & Arts Alliance – Community Choir
• Amanda Knight
• Bethany Harriman
• Clifton, Jr. and Janna Hocker
• Devota Sheffield
• Elizabeth Wheby
• Jo Kimmel
• Kent Messmacher
• Mark & Diane Riggins
• McKay Gifts (Kevin McKay)
• Michele Kelmer
• Michelle David
• Stephanie Warner
• Pip Chamberlien
• Susan Easton
• Tiffany Morgan
• Karen Elbin
• Joyce Smidley
• Stanley Griffith
• Freedman Family
• Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
• Pavich Family
• Gary & Kim Brandt
• Tatum Dyar
• Les & Deb Jordan
• Laura Brinson
• Beth Guerrettaz & Family
• Ethan Payne
• Spencer Elementary School Student Council

Because of this incredible support, every guest who walks through the Tivoli’s doors will experience brighter images, richer colors, improved sound, and greater reliability for years to come.

As the Historic Tivoli Theatre approaches its 100th anniversary, this milestone ensures that the magic of the movies will continue to inspire, entertain, and bring the community together for generations to come.

About the Historic Tivoli Theatre

Owned and operated by Owen County Preservations, Inc., the Historic Tivoli Theatre has served Spencer and Owen County as a center for entertainment, education, and community gathering for nearly a century. Through first-run films, classic movies, live performances, educational programming, and community events the Tivoli continues its mission of preserving history while creating new memories for future generations.

Routine food inspections were recently conducted by the Owen County Health Department, including the following:

7-27

Sweet Valley Ice Cream, mobile food truck. Preoperational. No violations.

7-30

Spencer Lions Club, 59 N. Main St., Spencer. Routine inspection. No violations.

7-30

Sweet House Café, 52 Vandalia Ave., Spencer. Follow-up inspection.

7-31

The Flying Flamingos, mobile food truck. Preoperational inspection. No violations.

Addressing both routine municipal projects and major budget concerns, the Spencer Town Council met Aug. 3 at the Spencer Municipal Building. Council members Jon Stantz, Evan McKalip, and Ginger Kohr were joined by clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke as the council reviewed sidewalk replacements, park updates, and a funding shortfall facing local emergency services.

Following routine approvals for claims and meeting minutes, the council gave unanimous backing to a 250th anniversary community project set for Cooper Commons. The initiative, presented at no cost to the town, includes tree planting and commemorative signage. Council members welcomed the proposal, highlighting the rare occasion of the national milestone.

In street infrastructure news, the council approved a $15,800 expenditure for complete sidewalk replacements handled by contractor Steve Egemo, operating under a 50-50 cost-share split between the town and participating homeowners.

The council also approved two event and street closure requests: a special event permit for Home Team Properties behind 16 N. Main St. scheduled for Aug. 4, and a 45-minute closure of parking spaces near the Owen County War Memorial Wall along S. Main St. for an annual POW/MIA ceremony on Sept. 11.

Additionally, the council formally approved two engineering invoices from Commonwealth Engineers for Phase 1 wastewater improvements, totaling $20,110.36 and $5,730.85.

Spencer Police Department (SPD) Chief Terry Sips provided updates on department hiring, equipment, and operations. Out of roughly 36 applications for a replacement officer position, the applicant pool had been narrowed down to four top candidates, including two lateral transfers. The council also approved a $3,845.31 repair estimate from Summit Auto Repair for a 2013 Dodge Ram pickup truck requiring new lifters. Chief Sips noted the truck, with an odometer showing less than 50,000 miles, remains a valuable fleet asset for a future trade-in or continued use.

In street department news, superintendent Tony Floyd reported that crews were freshening crosswalks ahead of the 2026-2027 school year. He also presented the preliminary breakdown for the 2026 Community Crossings matching grant street projects, which carries a maximum town match of $52,497 out of a total project cost of $209,987.

Following a recent incident at Cooper Commons involving a damaged playground structure, street crews inspected and subsequently removed the unsafe equipment. The council approved $500 for lumber and materials to reconstruct the wooden playground platform. To replace older removed equipment and revitalize the area, the council unanimously approved purchasing two commercial-grade digger/excavator toys for approximately $2,212 to be installed in the pea gravel area of the playground. The council also discussed ongoing maintenance issues with fence ties at the pickleball courts caused by children climbing the back fence to retrieve lost balls, with potential plans to install a back gate in the future.

Owen Valley Fire Department Chief Lee Freeman presented a detailed breakdown of the Owen Valley Fire Territory’s growing operational demands and projected funding shortfalls for the 2027 budget cycle. Current coverage relies on five full-time firefighters working 40 hours a week, seven part-time weekend staff, and 10 volunteers. Station staffing covers only about 50 percent of the total hours, Freeman said, forcing remaining calls to rely on off-duty personnel responding from home. Emergency calls have nearly doubled from 596 calls in 2020 to 1,189 calls in 2025, with 690 calls already logged to date in 2026. On-station response averages seven minutes, whereas off-duty response from home takes 15 minutes or longer. To achieve dual-firefighter station coverage 24/7, the territory proposed a $727,718 budget for 2027, leaving a projected budget shortfall of $162,718. Hiring three full-time firefighters for $18/hour would allow round-the-clock coverage.

Chief Freeman requested the town consider assisting with the shortfall. Council members acknowledged the critical service provided by firefighters but highlighted severe ongoing financial pressures on municipal budgets, upcoming state property tax restructuring, and the potential loss of public safety tax funds.

Council members and department heads later agreed to coordinate attendance at upcoming county-level meetings to discuss public safety funding strategies. Additionally, the council voiced no objections to a request from the Owen Valley Sports Complex to burn a brush pile cleared during tree removal for a new entrance parking lot, provided proper burn permits are acquired.

Council members noted that downtown parking meters have officially been removed. However, the mounting posts will remain temporarily while the council reviews post office loading zone restrictions, time limits, and overall parking signage to prevent abandoned vehicle issues.

The Spencer Town Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St.

The Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees opened the new academic year Aug. 10 with a full agenda that included academic updates, a required public hearing on major athletic facility improvements, a detailed financial presentation, and approvals across district operations. All seven board members were in attendance for the meeting.

A major portion of the meeting centered on a legally required public hearing regarding proposed improvements to the district’s football field and track. Superintendent Dr. Stacy Mason outlined the necessity of the project, pointing to persistent drainage problems on the football field and an aging track surface.

“Our current football field faces significant drainage challenges,” Dr. Mason said. “Transitioning to a synthetic turf field will resolve the drainage issues and eliminate ongoing costs.”

She added that the current track had “exceeded its functional life expectancy,” explaining that combining both renovations into a single project would reduce overall costs.

A statement and PowerPoint presentation from Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., the district’s underwriter, outlined the financing plan for $4.895 million in bonds, with $4.5 million allocated directly for construction. Dr. Mason emphasized that the net tax impact on residents would remain less than five cents per $100 of assessed property value.

Following the public hearing, attorney Stacy Barclay with Sutherlin, Zeiner & Barclay, LLC of Greencastle, presented five project-related resolutions to the board. The trustees approved the main Project Resolution by a 7–0 vote, while unanimously passing the Reimbursement Resolution, the Resolution Determining Need for the Project, the Lease Amendment Resolution, and the Reapproval of Building Corporation Formation.

Greg Linton, former CCSC superintendent and current Chief Financial Officer for the Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy (CDLA), later delivered a comprehensive budget workshop, highlighting that district enrollment grew by 53 students last year. While the district’s virtual program saw a decrease of 97 students, Linton noted that the program remains “very robust.” Though cash balances continue to climb, Linton cautioned the board about rising utility expenses, increasing insurance rates, and circuit breaker revenue losses.

To help offset facility project costs, the district plans to transfer $1.5 million from its Rainy Day Fund.

“We’re always wanting to do the very best we can for students,” Linton said, “but that’s always done in a tone of very conservative, fiscally responsible [planning].”

The board voted unanimously to advertise the 2027 budget, capital projects plan, and bus replacement plan.

Curriculum Director Cathy Ames opened the evening’s academic presentations with updates on statewide testing and upcoming legislative mandates. Ames noted that IRead results were expected the following day and that ILearn scale scores were already available to administrators, though state proficiency cut scores had not yet been released. She outlined new state legislation requiring individualized math plans for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and commended recent upgrades to the state’s TIDE testing platform, which will now grant teachers access to real-time student data.

Reflecting on the return to classrooms, Ames said, “A lot of great things [are] starting out our school year, and I know it will continue to be a successful year.”

Moving into routine and operational business, the board voted unanimously to approve the meeting agenda, while the July 13 meeting minutes were approved 6–0 with one abstention. Claims and financial reports totaling $1,133,972.17 passed unanimously, and no public comments were submitted during the meeting.

The board then addressed several operational, personnel, and policy changes. Members unanimously approved changing the district’s Medicaid billing provider to Relay, adopted the SuperEval superintendent evaluation tool, and approved stipends for CDLA co-directors and the guidance secretary. Middle school coaching staff appointments passed by a 6–1 vote, while new hires and adjunct teacher contracts were approved unanimously. Trustees also unanimously approved an increase in the IRS mileage reimbursement rate to 76 cents per mile, as well as all submitted professional leaves, facility use requests, and student transfers.

As part of the approved field trips, trustees gave the go-ahead for 14 FFA students to attend the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 13, 85 sophomores to attend the Area 30 Career & Academic Programming Exploration on Nov. 23, and 120 juniors and seniors to visit the Area 30 Career Fair on April 9, 2027.

The board also formally approved the complete personnel agenda, acknowledging several resignations, employment changes, and coaching updates:

Resignations

• Christina Bessell (CES instructional assistant)
• Cathy Ames (Director of Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy)
• Brittany Jacobson (part-time custodian)
• Ashlee Burnham (CES instructional assistant)
• Jason Frye (CHS instructional assistant)

Employment

• Aubree Grundlock (reassigned from CMS Special Education teacher to CMS seventh grade English/Language Arts teacher)
• Ron Lyon (promoted from substitute bus driver to full-time)
• Cathy Tipton (bus aide)
• Kiersten Wade (Knoy part-time Instructional Assistant)
• Dani Cummings (transferred from CMS instructional assistant to CES instructional assistant)
• Jenny Dicken (CES instructional assistant)
• Rae Stout, Ashley Wells, Laura Anderson, and Sherry Flory (CMS four-hour cafeteria staff)
• Samantha Hollcraft (CMS 5.5-hour cafeteria staff)
• Holly Howard, Jaci Maynard, and Whitney Wilkerson (CMS instructional assistants)
• Dorothy Austin (moved from CMS four-hour cafeteria staff to substitute)
• Britney Manuel (CHS part-time custodian)
• Kayla Parrish (moved from full-time bus driver to substitute)

Athletic personnel actions included the resignations of Sara Howard (CMS head track coach) and Ken Schnepp (assistant track coach), the hiring of Bambi Wiley (CHS fall cheer coach), and volunteer approvals for Jamie Steffy (CHS girls’ golf volunteer assistant), and Cooper Neese (CHS boys’ basketball volunteer assistant).

Acceptance of local grants and donations also received unanimous support, including a $2,000 gift from POET Biorefining for book vending machines at Cloverdale Elementary School and $2,767 from Drew Boyette for the football program.

Concluding the meeting, Dr. Mason commended district staff and students for a smooth return to school, noting early compliance with the district’s new cell phone policy.

Board members echoed praise for the maintenance and custodial staff for their hard work readying campus facilities for opening day and acknowledged recent donations supporting the district’s neuroscience lab and local contributions to Dollars for Scholars.

CCSC Board members Vivian Whitaker, Katrina Lewis, Donna Fidler, Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, Joe Mann, and Mike Rightmyer II will meet again on Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building.

During a marathon 3.5-hour session held Aug. 6, the Owen County Board of Commissioners heard public comments regarding datacenters, made plans for repaving roads, made a worrying discovery about county employee health coverage, and approved a new director for the 911 Dispatch Center.

The Commissioners’ Room was full, and extra chairs were brought in with standing-room-only space available for the first part of the meeting.

County Health Insurance Coverage

Ronald Remak, from Bill C. Brown Associates presented health insurance options for county employees to the three commissioners. The county sought bids for health coverage for its employees from three major insurance providers, all of which declined to provide quotes. According to Remak, this was a result of overall low health in the State of Indiana and more specifically that in the last year the county had more than double the amount of payouts as they paid in premiums.

“When you have a situation where an insurance company has that big of a payout with that little money coming in, it’s just not profitable for them to provide coverage,” Remak said.

Commissioners Hear From Citizens About Datacenters

County resident Mike Broach presented a draft ordinance to the commissioners that recommends banning all data centers of any kind in Owen County. He cited similar ordinances passed by the board of commissioners in Marshall County. His proposal also included prohibitions on wind, solar and industrial scale battery farms anywhere in the county.

Public comments about these datacenters also took up a fair chunk of the meeting with most in attendance being strongly against having datacenters of any kind in Owen County. The most support the idea of a datacenter received was from a few people who wanted the ban to be temporary and not permanent.

New 911 Director Approved

After hearing from the public, the commissioners considered the appointment of Alyssa Heaslet as Owen County 911 Dispatch Director, following a recommendation from the Owen County 911 Board. The meeting included nearly two hours of contentious debate, during which former dispatcher Alan McBride voiced strong objections and made unverified claims.

During the nearly two hours of public comment, McBride called into question the commissioners’ commitment to public safety, Heaslet’s professional qualifications, and the experience of the 911 Board to make the recommendation. Heaslet defended herself and her experience saying that if McBride had any proof to his accusations, she would like to see them. Heaslet and other 911 employees in attendance admitted that there were several issues that would need to be addressed by a new director.

Heaslet was ultimately confirmed as the new 911 Director by a 3-0 board vote, with conditions for a 90-day review and a report being submitted to the commissioners every two weeks.

Regarding issues at the 911 Dispatch Center, commissioner Norm Warner stated, “I would like this to be the last time, for however long I am insane enough to sit in this chair, that I have to hear about 911 and all the problems down there. I would like to hear that we’ve fixed a few of them.”

Additional Discussion

The commissioners also heard from a representative of the 2026 Hilly Hundred bicycle tour to ask for an officer to help the more than 1,200 bicycles cross State Road 46 in Owen County.

Chad Walker, Deputy Superintendent of the Owen County Highway Department presented quotes to replace culverts on Sherfield Road and MacVille Road before road surface repair can begin. Repairs are also slated to come to Hyden and Howard roads.

The lease for the county armory building was extended for the next five years at $2,600 per month. The current and future tenant, Kathleen’s Gymnastics, has occupied the building for several years. Commissioner Sam Hobbs pointed out that there were some repairs that the building needed and that the proceeds from the rent should go toward making those repairs.

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 http://mycase.in.gov. This information is public record. ALL PEOPLE ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

8-5

Jayson Tatlock, 47, Seymour, preliminary charge of child seduction. Arrested by Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Deputy John Lowder II.

Shawn Sondergard, 45, Mitchell, preliminary charge of unlawful possession of a syringe. OCSD Major William Snodgrass was the arresting officer.

8-6

Toby Chandler, 30, Spencer, preliminary charges of invasion of privacy (three counts) and intimidation. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Cory Poland.

Nathaniel Jones, 45, Martinsville, preliminary charge of invasion of privacy. OCSD Deputy John Lowder II was the arresting officer.

Austin Holmes, 29, Linton, preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement and probation violation. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Cory Poland.

8-7

Matthew Miller, 23, Spencer, preliminary charge of driving without a license. OCSD Sergeant Brandon Gasparovic was the arresting officer.

Travis Bland, 48, Bloomington, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine and violation of home detention. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson.

Johnathan Goleman, 30, Bloomfield, preliminary charge of commitment order. OCSD Major William Snodgrass was the arresting officer.

8-8

Brian Merriman, 31, Freedom, preliminary charges of disregarding a stop sign, criminal vandalism, domestic battery, resisting law enforcement, auto theft, criminal confinement, and exceeding urban speed limit (30 mph). Arrested by OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson.

Robert Orman, 57, Spencer, preliminary charge of driving while suspended with a prior charge. Spencer Police Department (SPD) officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer.

8-9

Chrishaun Matthews, 18, Ellettsville, preliminary charge of theft. Arrested by SPD officer Ryan Combs.

8-11

Aaron Deaton, 34, Spencer, preliminary charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a domestic batterer. OCSD Sergeant Brandon Gasparovic was the arresting officer.

8-13

Amber Beam, 35, Spencer, preliminary charge of writ of attachment. Arrested by SPD officer Ryan Combs.

Former Spencer Town Council member and Spencer resident Mike Spinks was honored by Spencer Main Street with a new memorial bench between the Historic Tivoli Theatre and Civilian Brewing Corps. A small crowd of Spencer Main Street representatives, family, and friends helped dedicate the bench in Spinks’ memory.

Due to overwhelming feedback from our readers, we have revised our obituary policy. Beginning with our September 4th issue, obituaries of 250 words or less will be published at no cost. A black and white photo may be included if the resolution meets our minimum requirement of at least 500 px x 500 px. If you would like us to print a longer obituary and/or include a color photo, please reach out to our Advertising Manager, Victoria Arthur at ads@theowennews.org.

Obituaries of any length can be submitted for publication on The Owen News website at no cost.

The deadline for submitting obituaries is 12:00 p.m. on the Friday before the paper is published. The name and phone number of the funeral home must accompany the submission.

Please send all obituary requests to obit@theowennews.org.

‘The Odd Couple’ comes to Spencer

Can two freshly single men share an apartment without driving each other to complete madness? Local theatergoers are about to find out as the Owen County Theatre & Arts Alliance presents Neil Simon’s legendary comedy, “The Odd Couple.”

The curtain rises on a hilarious domestic showdown when neurotic, clean-freak Felix Ungar gets dumped by his wife and lands on the doorstep of his best friend, Oscar Madison. Oscar is a notoriously messy sportswriter who thrives in chaos, making him the exact opposite of the obsessively organized Felix. What starts as a generous rescue mission rapidly dissolves into an outrageous battle of lifestyles, fueled by routine poker games, quirky neighbors, and constant nagging.

This timeless favorite runs for one weekend only at the Historic Tivoli Theatre in Spencer, taking the stage from Friday, Aug. 28th through Sunday, Aug. 30th. Audiences can choose from four showtimes: Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., or the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $12 for adults and $5 for youth.

Water Day is Aug. 29 at Farmers’ Market

Residents will have an opportunity to explore water conservation, safety, and local environmental stewardship during Water Day on Saturday, Aug. 29. Co-hosted by the Owen County Soil & Water Conservation District and BBP Water Corp, the event runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Owen County Farmers’ Market, located in the Babbs Supermarket parking lot at 459 W. Morgan St.

The family-friendly event will feature interactive educational activities, rescue boat displays, market vendor booths, and a community duck race. Organizers will also serve complimentary hot dogs and brats to attendees throughout the morning.

Water Day aims to highlight the ecological and practical importance of local water resources while offering practical tips on how community members can help protect watersheds. For more information on district programs and upcoming initiatives, visit the Owen County Soil & Water Conservation District website at www.owencountyswcd.org.

Booming Beach Bash at Lieber SRA

Celebrate the end of summer with a Booming Beach Bash and Fireworks Show at Lieber State Recreation Area (Cagles Mill Lake), 1317 W. Lieber Road, Cloverdale. The Friends of Lieber SRA and park staff will be hosting the park’s annual fireworks show and festivities on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will include games, a cornhole tournament, DJ/music, and will conclude with fireworks at 9 p.m.

All activities and fireworks will be located at the Lieber SRA beach. Parking is first come, first serve so be sure to plan accordingly. The Friends of Lieber SRA will have hot dogs, chips, and soda for sale. All proceeds benefit the park.

Gate entrance fee applies. Be sure to check in at the Nature Center or Camp Gate to learn about other Labor Day Weekend programs and activities. To learn more about Lieber State Recreation Area visit https://on.in.gov/caglesmill

OCCC to host evening Micro-Farm Tours

The Owen County Chamber of Commerce (OCCC) will host its Micro-Farm Tours on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 5:15 to 8 p.m., offering attendees an opportunity to explore local agriculture and connect with community growers. Featuring nine unique micro-farms represented across two distinct routes, the evening tours highlight handcrafted local wines, vibrant flower fields, farm animals, and regional vendors. Both tours depart from the OCCC office at 120 S. Main Street in Spencer.

Tour A includes stops at Sunset Ridge Berries & Bloom for pick-your-own flower bouquets, and Owen Valley Winery for wine tasting and charcuterie. Participating vendors for Tour A include Compass Rose Farm Sanctuary, Celtic Glen Heritage Livestock, and Hickory Hills.

Tour B features stops at Harriman Farms & Greenhouse to shop fresh produce and meet local vendors (including Copper Cataract Homestead and Crossroads Ranch), Harvest Moon Winery & Farms for wine tasting and charcuterie, and a visit to Compass Rose Farm Sanctuary.

Tickets are $25 per person and include transportation, refreshments, wine tastings, and networking opportunities. Space is limited. Tickets can be purchased online at myowencountychamber.com or by calling the OCCC at 812-829-3245.

MYPath 5K is Sept. 12 in Spencer

Help connect our local community trail system directly to the state park! The third annual MYPath 5K Run/Walk takes place Saturday, Sept. 12, with the official race starting at 8:30 a.m. On-site registration and check-in open early at 7 a.m.

The event starts and ends at the Owen County Fairgrounds (364 S. East Street, Spencer). Designed for both runners and walkers of all levels, the flat, fast course loops over paved and unpaved portions of the trail system, offering scenic views along the White River, a bridge crossing, and a stretch through the Tree Tube Trail.

Advance registration is $25 (available through Sept. 11), and race-day registration is $30. To sign up, volunteer, or learn more about the fundraising effort, visit https://ow.ly/fsjC50Z9yBP.

First Responder Dodgeball Tournament

Dodgeball, water balloons, and community connection are on the schedule for Saturday, Sept. 12, as the Cataract Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) hosts its annual First Responder Dodgeball Tournament. The Cataract VFD invites firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and community members to join in on the fun at 2794 S. Cataract Rd.

The tournament kicks off promptly at 11 a.m. with specialized first responder rounds, followed by open games where community members can play alongside or against local heroes. Kids can cool off after the tournament with water balloon fights. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

Arts, Blues & BBQ Fest returns to MCSP

Head to McCormick’s Creek State Park (MCSP) on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the annual Arts, Blues & BBQ Festival. Presented by The Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park and The Whirlwind Agency, this year’s community celebration features live music, regional art, delicious food, and local refreshments set against the scenic backdrop of Indiana’s oldest state park.

The day-long music lineup kicks off at 11 a.m. with Jesse Beals, followed by Tim O’Malley at 11:30 a.m. Gravy Bird takes the stage from 12:15 to 1 p.m., followed by Your Favorite Blues Band from 1:15 to 2 p.m. The afternoon continues with the Steve Houk Band from 2:15 to 3 p.m., Piney Woods & The Harrodsburg Horns from 3:15 to 4 p.m., Big Dog from 4:15 to 5 p.m., and headline act Dicky James closing out the event from 5:15 to 6 p.m.

Beyond the music, visitors can browse unique works by on-site artists and indulge in mouthwatering barbecue, classic sides, ice cream, and craft local beer provided by community sponsor Civilian Brewing Corps. Additional support for the festival is provided by the Sweet Owen Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

The event takes place at McCormick’s Creek State Park, located at 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd., Spencer. Admission to the festival is included with standard park gate entry, which is $7 per vehicle for Indiana residents and $9 per vehicle for out-of-state visitors. For full details, visit www.friendsmccormickscreek.org or www.thewhirlwindagency.com.

Art Guild to host Plein Aire Painting Contest

The Owen County Art Guild (OCAG) will host its second annual Plein Aire Painting Contest on Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the annual Arts, Blues & BBQ Festival at McCormicks Creek State Park. Artists of any medium are invited to participate, though attendees must bring their own outdoor painting supplies. Canvases and paper can be picked up at the check-in desk located near the Nature Center.

Festival patrons will serve as judges for the contest, with prizes awarded to the top three artists: $65 for first place, $35 for second place, and an art gift for third place. Entry cost is $10 per person. Interested artists can register or get more information by calling 812-829-1877 or emailing owcoartguild@gmail.com.

Annual Patricksburg VFD Fish Fry

The Patricksburg Community Volunteer Fire Department, which has been proudly serving the community since 1971, will host its Annual Fish Fry on Sept. 12 starting at 4 p.m. at 1480 Chestnut St., Patricksburg.

Attendees can purchase a full Fish Dinner for $14, which includes two pieces of fish, one cold side, one hot side, one dessert, and a drink with free refills. A Kids Meal is available for $6 and features a choice of one hotdog or one piece of fish, served with one side and a drink with free refills. Additional menu items and side options are also available a la carte, ranging from $2 to $4.

All proceeds will support the VFD.

PES to host ‘Picnic in the ’Burg’

Patricksburg Elementary School (PES) invites families to trade cafeteria tables for fresh air at the annual “Picnic in the ’Burg” on Friday, Sept. 18. The event will take place on the school lawn at 9883 State Road 246, featuring lunch for all grades from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. followed immediately by recess from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and must pack their own lunches. All attending adults who are non-S-OCS employees must submit a volunteer form along with their RSVP by Friday, Sept. 11.

Guests are asked to plan their travel carefully and arrive no later than 11:10 a.m. The school’s back parking lot will be open from 10:45 to 11:10 a.m., after which it will close until 12:15 p.m. to allow for car rider movement; anyone arriving late or needing to leave early will need to park elsewhere. The event will run rain or shine, moving inside the school building if inclement weather occurs.

24th Annual Jim Fulford Golf Open

The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) will host its 24th Annual Jim Fulford Golf Open on Thursday, Sept. 17 at Rolling Meadows Golf Course near Gosport. Recognized as Owen County’s premier golf tournament, all proceeds from the outing benefit the OCCF to support its local philanthropic initiatives.

Players and sponsors can register online at bit.ly/2026OCCFJFO. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities can also participate to have their name or business featured. Team registration is $500 and Individual registration is $125.

For more information or to register directly, contact Karah Bobeck via email at karah@owencountycf.org or by phone at 812-829-1725.

CES receives grant for Neuroscience Lab expansion

Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) has been awarded a $4,684 grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF). The generous funding will allow the school to expand its neuroscience lab by purchasing two additional pieces of equipment, providing enhanced learning opportunities for students.

School officials expressed deep gratitude to the PCCF for its continued investment in local children and ongoing support of nonprofit organizations throughout Putnam County.

Neff reappointed to NACo leadership roles

Owen County Councilman Anton Neff has been reappointed to national leadership positions with the National Association of Counties (NACo) for the 2026–2027 term. In an appointment letter dated Aug. 6, NACo President George Dunlap selected Neff to continue serving as Vice Chair of the Membership Standing Committee, as well as a member of both the Healthy Counties Innovation Council and the Rural Action Caucus (RAC).

The appointments align with NACo’s presidential spotlight initiative, “Building Better Futures,” which focuses on investing in opportunities for young people.

Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with local government leaders nationwide, Neff noted that it remains an honor to represent Indiana’s 92 counties and especially his home community of Owen County.

Vendors applications open for Apple Butter Festival

The Spencer Lions Club is accepting vendor applications for its annual Apple Butter Festival, taking place Saturday, Sept. 19 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 20 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Regular 10’x10’ booth spaces are available for $100 for the weekend, while food, boutique, trailer, and truck spaces are priced at $15 per linear foot. Electrical hookups and water access are also available for additional fees.

Vendor setup begins Friday, Sept. 18, and all booths must be ready by 9 a.m. Saturday. The event will run rain or shine.

Completed forms and payment should be mailed to: Spencer Lions Club, Attn: ABF Vendor, 59 N. Main St., Spencer, IN 47460.

For questions, contact Jim Query at pccjim.query@yahoo.com or call 812-322-8950.

Owen Valley Haunted Wine Run 5k

Lace up your running shoes and raise a glass! The Owen Valley Haunted Wine Run 5k is coming to Owen Valley Winery, located at 491 Timber Ridge Rd. in Spencer, on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. Whether you are a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or simply a wine enthusiast, this event offers a perfect blend of fitness, flavor, and autumn scenery. Participants will navigate a chip-timed 5k cross-country route—or an optional 1.5-mile walk—winding through the winery’s picturesque vineyards, which are known for their artisanal, farm-to-glass wine production.

Every registrant receives a full lineup of race swag to remember the day. Your entry includes a soft ring-spun cotton t-shirt (with an option to upgrade to a warm hoodie), a souvenir plastic wine glass, a finisher medal that doubles as a functional wine stopper, free downloadable race photos, and a complimentary pour of wine waiting for you at the finish line. The race is professionally timed and scored by J3 Timing, with full results posted online at www.J3Timing.com. Best of all, your participation supports a great cause, as this year’s event proudly partners with the YMCA to benefit the local Owen County community.

To sign up or learn more, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Spencer/OwenValleyWineRun5k.

Cataract VFD announces call for festival vendors

The village of Cataract will host the 57th Annual Cataract Volunteer Fire Department Bean Dinner Festival from Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4. The tradition features 850 pounds of ham and beans alongside a variety of festival favorites including barbecue, kettle corn, burgers, and ice cream. Attendees can browse vendor booths offering tools, crafts, art, antiques, jewelry, and apparel throughout the weekend.

Organizers are currently seeking additional vendors and volunteers to support the event. Booth spaces are available for $30. Interested vendors, volunteers, or attendees seeking more information can call 765-720-8178, email cataractbeandinner@yahoo.com, or visit cataractfire.com.

Vendor applications open for Arts in the Park & Classic Car Show

Vendor applications are open for the Second Annual Arts in the Park & Classic Car Show, returning to Cooper Commons park in Spencer on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The Sweet Owen Arts Commission invites artists, food vendors, and non-profit organizations to participate in this vibrant community celebration, which offers a prime opportunity to showcase work, grow local businesses, and support the arts across Owen and surrounding counties.

Artist and food vendor booth fees are set at $50, while space is available free of charge for non-profit organizations. Due to limited availability, prospective vendors are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible before the Oct. 10 deadline.

Interested applicants can secure their spots online by visiting www.sweetowenarts.org. For questions or additional information regarding the event, call 317-331-6716 or email info@sweetowenarts.org.

New children’s book published by Owen County author

Freedom author Azariah Keith published a new children’s book on Aug. 10th titled “Gift From a Stranger.” The book also features illustrations from local mural artist Israel Hogan. The book tells the story of a little girl who dreams of one day having her very own toothbrush. The book is now available to purchase online at Amazon and westbowpress.com.

OCCF expands resources for nonprofits

To support nonprofit services in Owen County, the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) has upgraded its online support for any agency working with Owen County residents.

“The Foundation has been providing important grants to nonprofit organizations for years,” said OCCF President and CEO Janet Rummel. “We want to provide information to help our nonprofits with grant applications to our Foundation or any other granting agencies.”

The new web page shares information about networking with the recently formed Owen County Nonprofit Alliance. In addition, the page makes it easier to learn about Foundation grants. Links are shared to help organizations find the community and state demographic data that are frequently required for most grant applications.

The resources can be found at www.owencountycf.org/nonprofits.

Last year, the Owen County Community Foundation awarded $590,773 to 82 organizations across Owen County. Rummel said the OCCF is committed to continuing its impact in the community.

Whether walking through the doors of Spencer Elementary School (SES) or taking a leisurely stroll past the shopfronts of downtown Spencer, residents across Owen County have undoubtedly encountered the vibrant, detailed brushwork of artist Steve Adams.

A longtime Spencer resident who recently completed his latest mural at SES, Adams has spent countless hours turning blank brick, plaster, and glass into cherished public landmarks. His journey spans commercial success as a long-time book illustrator, a deep passion for historical preservation, and a familiar presence along local backroads on his daily bicycle rides.

Reflecting on how he originally landed in Spencer, Adams recalled a period of transition after returning to the States from living abroad in Belize.

“I grew up on the northwest side of Indianapolis, near Eagle Creek Park,” Adams said. “I went to college in Bloomington and wanted to live down this way. When we came back from Belize, I didn’t have a job, and we just needed a place that I could buy for cash. We found this house, liked it enough, and could afford it. So, we ended up here.”

His affinity for drawing began long before setting up roots on the south side of the town of Spencer. Like many artists, the drive to sketch emerged early in his childhood.

“I’ve always liked to draw,” Adams said. “It’s mostly what I did in school when I was supposed to be paying attention to the teachers.”

That childhood inclination was fostered by a creative household and inspiring educators.

“Everybody in my family does some kind of artwork as a hobby,” he noted. “And I had some great teachers in junior high and high school.”

That foundation led Adams to Indiana University in Bloomington, where he majored in art, ultimately turning his lifelong passion into a nearly two-decade career in commercial publishing.

“I was a book illustrator for 18 years at AuthorHouse,” Adams said. “All kinds of children’s books, book covers, all original artwork. I wouldn’t even guess how many books I’ve been a part of through the years.”

It didn’t take long for Adams’ illustration work to expand onto larger community canvases around Owen County, starting with SES.

“The first one at Spencer Elementary was about 20 years ago,” Adams recalled. “That was the big mural in the cafeteria showing the courthouse dome and different scenes around town. I’ve talked to adults now who remember watching me paint that when they were kids.”

Working in high-visibility environments naturally draws curious onlookers, a dynamic Adams warmly embraces, especially when young kids stop to watch him create.

“Some people get really nervous about painting in public, but I’m fine with it,” he said. “I just try to be friendly and interact a little bit with the kids. Maybe it gets them interested in art outside of the normal workaday world.”

Those spontaneous interactions often leave lasting impressions across generations.

“When I’m outside painting storefront windows around the [courthouse] square, I like to give a kid the brush and let them paint a little bit,” Adams shared. “It lets them feel like they’re a part of it.”

Creating public art requires a balance of audience consideration and precise preparation.

“If I’m creating something for the school, I work up the design, submit it, and let administrators go through the process of letting me know what changes they want, keeping it lighthearted and kid-friendly,” Adams explained. “If I’m doing window art around the square, a lot of times I’ll look at ideas online, and for Christmas especially, I like to look at vintage holiday cards for inspiration.”

Translating a hand-drawn sketch onto a massive wall requires patience and geometry, a stage Adams considers the most labor-intensive part of the job.

“The most time-consuming part is making the grid and transferring the design on there to get it all right,” he said. “I draw the grid on the wall and use that as a guide.”

When asked about the total time investment required for a large mural, Adams smiled.

“I’m really terrible with tracking time,” he laughed. “I’ll spend two or three hours doing an initial sketch, an hour or so making revisions, and after that, it might take 12 to 18 hours or so to paint the final mural depending on the scale.”

Near the tail end of the 2025–2026 school year, Adams put the finishing touches on a massive gymnasium mural at Spencer Elementary School featuring the iconic SES Wildcat. More recently, he’s been spotted in the community of Gosport, adding his signature painted artwork to storefront windows for several local businesses.

When he isn’t holding a paintbrush or a grid pencil, Adams is an avid cyclist who logs serious mileage on two wheels.

“I used to ride back and forth to work every day that the weather would allow it; that was always the best part of the day,” Adams recalled. “Now, every day I try to ride out around McCormick’s Creek State Park and back, or out toward Owen Valley Winery. I ride about 15 miles a day, but I’d really like to do more.”

That dedication to cycling frequently translates into long-distance touring trips.

“I’m heading out on a bike ride up to Lake Michigan and back, starting from my mom’s house in Indianapolis,” Adams shared. “It’s about 150 miles up there and takes about five days. I pack my tent and camp wherever I can find a spot. A couple of years ago, I did a similar route from Dayton up to Lake Erie and over to Cleveland.”

To wind down at home without picking up a pencil, Adams turns to music.

“I like to sit around and play my guitar,” he said. “I took that up again while working as an illustrator because it was nice to come home and do something creative without having to draw. I took lessons as a kid, put it away for 50 years, and then got back to it. I really enjoy it.”

Looking ahead, Adams remains particularly drawn to projects that help honor and restore local heritage.

“I really like anything that has to do with preserving history, like old ghost signs or building lettering that needs to be touched up,” Adams expressed, mentioning past restoration work inside the Spencer Pride commUnity center in downtown Spencer. “Anything that helps preserve the historical fabric of the town is something I’m passionate about.”

At home, Adams shares his life with his wife, Emilia. Together, they have two daughters and three granddaughters.

Even after decades of creating, completing a major work brings a familiar mix of self-critique and quiet pride.

“When I finish, I mostly look at all the flaws,” Adams admitted with a laugh. “That’s pretty much what I see first. But it’s also satisfying to see the finished work out in the world. It’s the end of an adventure before moving on to the next one. You learn a few things along the way.”

For aspiring young artists across Owen County hoping to follow a similar path, Adams offers straightforward, practical advice:

“Just practice, enjoy the process, and draw a lot,” Adams advised. “Go outside, draw what interests you, copy comics, or study artwork you love. It’s the best way to learn.”

Drivers on N. Fletcher or E. Hillside avenues may have noticed a big white tent occupying the parking lot of the Unraveled Quilt Store on Aug. 8. Underneath it, they would find 32 women quilting for charity. The event under that tent: The 7th Annual Unraveled Quilt-a-Thon.

“It started after COVID when we could start getting together again,” recalled Lisa Stantz, owner of Unraveled Quilt Store, “I always liked the charm of having it in the parking lot under a tent.”

The event started as a way for quilters to get together in an outside setting due to the social distance restrictions during the Covid 19 pandemic. Now, over six years later the Quilt-a-thon has raised over $46,000 for charities in Owen County and beyond. This year’s Quilt-a-thon beneficiaries are two local animal shelters: Compass Rose Farm Sanctuary and the Sanctuary at Browning Farms. The Quilt-a-thon works like a walk-a-thon or a dance marathon. Participating quilters get sponsors from individuals or businesses that donate to the event’s chosen cause based on how many hours that the participant spends quilting.

“We start at 10 a.m. and go until 2 a.m.,” said Stantz, “We start with 32 people at 10 a.m. and we only have about five left at 2 a.m.”

She said that the 2 a.m. limit had to be set because otherwise the marathon would never end. The first Quilt-a-thon ended at noon the day after it started.

“The first year we started at 4 p.m. and I thought ‘Great,’ because people would be tired, but by the next day I had to say ‘Girls, I’m calling it. I don’t know how long they would have sewn if I had just let them go.’”

The event brings in quilting enthusiasts from around the county, and even around the country like Columbia, Maryland resident Annette Hannah who flew in just for the Quilt-A-Thon. Hannah discovered the Unraveled Quilt Store many years ago, when she was helping her son move to Indiana for a new job at Crane Naval Base. She remembers a frustrating car ride that led her to seek out some quilt-therapy.

“I was going to kill him, because he was driving me nuts,” Hannah recalled, “So I went looking for a local quilt store and this was the closest one.”

She kept coming back, she says, for the amazing quilting community that she found here in Spencer.

“Even though I’ve flown 600 miles, this is my local quilt store,” she said.

Dedication to quilting and to the local quilting community is something that everyone at the event shared. Spencer resident Amber Brooks-Wolfe didn’t let a foot injury stop her from quilting at the event. She replaced her normal foot pedal with a switch that she works with her hand instead.

“I was not going to miss it this year, even with a broken foot,” she said. “It’s a little harder because you don’t have both hands to feed the fabric but I’ve been doing it now for six weeks and I haven’t sewn my fingers yet.”

It was 10-year-old Lilly Brinson’s third Quilt-a-thon event. She learned to sew three years earlier at an Unraveled Future Quilters event.

“I just like sewing with other people,” she said.

At 10:30 that night while many others had gone home, Lilly was still working on her quilt along with her mother Stephanie Brinson.

The 2026 event raised over $7,000 for the two charities, something that Lisa Stantz is very proud of.

“I’ve lived in Owen County all my life. Doing this event is a way for me to give back to our community,” Stantz reflected. “Being able to bring people together for the greater good is a great feeling.”

Results are organized by Department, Division and Class, followed by Exhibitor Name: Class Ribbon; Class Awards.

BEEF

Beef Heifer

Any Other Registered Breed (Contact Extension Office)
Hudson Rice: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Payton Worland: Blue; Champion

Chianina Heifers
Kenzi Bixler: Blue; Champion

Crossbred Heifers
Fletcher Abrell: Green
Jayven Bradley: Blue; Champion
Jayven Bradley: Red; Reserve Champion
Madeline Hauser: Pink
Silas Hauser: White
Payton Worland: Yellow

Hereford Heifers
Kale Dunning: Red; Reserve Champion
James Jennings: White
Jacob Salyers: Blue; Champion

Maine Anjou Heifers
Kallai Hamilton: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Shorthorn Heifers
Silas Hauser: Blue; Champion

Simmental Heifers
Silas Hauser: Blue; Champion

Beef Showmanship

Advanced Showmanship, Previous Senior Winner
Madeline Hauser: Red; Reserve Champion
Carter Salyers: Blue; Champion

Junior (Grade 3-5)
Kallai Hamilton: Red; Reserve Champion
Silas Hauser: Blue; Champion

Senior (Grades 9-12, and prior year Intermediate winners)
Kenzi Bixler: Red; Reserve Champion
Jacob Salyers: Blue; Champion

Cow/Calf Pair

Cow/Calf Pair
Fletcher Abrell: Blue; Champion

Feeder Calves

Feeder Calves
Rowan Cooper: Blue; Grand Champion
Addilynn Hutchison: Red; Reserve Grand Champion

Market Beef

Charolais Steers
Kenzi Bixler: Blue; Champion
Zachary Rush: Blue; Champion

Chianina Steers
Zachary Rush: Blue; Champion

Crossbred Steers
Fletcher Abrell: Pink
Rowan Cooper: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Madeline Hauser: Yellow
Silas Hauser: Red; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion
Anthony Rush: White

Hereford Steers
Zachary Rush: Red; Reserve Champion
Carter Salyers: Blue; Champion

Maintainer Steers
Anthony Rush: Blue; Champion

Simmental Steers
Payton Worland: Blue; Champion

CAT

Cat Costume Contest

Cat Costume
Deanna Cain: Yellow
Parker Curtis: White
Wyatt Curtis: Pink
Meilynn Hess: Red; Reserve Champion
Aubrey Poindexter: Blue; Champion

Cat Decorated Cage Contest

Decorated Cage Junior, Grade 3-5
Felicity Arthur: White
Deanna Cain: Blue; Champion
Aubrey Poindexter: Red; Reserve Champion

Decorated Cage Intermediate, Grade 6-8
Ily Swan: Blue; Champion
Silus Wheeler: Red; Reserve Champion

Decorated Cage Senior, Grade 9-12
Parker Curtis: Pink
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Champion
Meilynn Hess: White
Marla Lippert: Red; Reserve Champion

Cat Exhibition

Adult Long Hair / Adult Long Hair - Senior Exhibitor
Parker Curtis: White
Wyatt Curtis: Red; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Meilynn Hess: Pink
Rowan Newman: Yellow

Adult Short Hair / 01: Adult Short Hair - Junior Exhibitor
Deanna Cain: Red; Reserve Champion
Aubrey Poindexter: Blue; Champion

Adult Short Hair / 02: Adult Short Hair - Intermediate Exhibitor
Ily Swan: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Ily Swan: Red; Reserve Champion
Silus Wheeler: White

Adult Short Hair / 03: Adult Short Hair - Senior Exhibitor
Meilynn Hess: Red; Reserve Champion
Marla Lippert: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Cat Knowledge

Junior Knowledge Test, Grade 3-5
Felicity Arthur: Blue; Champion
Joel Arthur: Pink
Deanna Cain: White
Aubrey Poindexter: Red; Reserve Champion

Intermediate Knowledge Test, Grade 6-8
Ily Swan: Blue; Champion
Silus Wheeler: Red; Reserve Champion

Senior Knowledge Test, Grade 9-12
Parker Curtis: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Wyatt Curtis: Pink
Meilynn Hess: Red; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion
Marla Lippert: White
Rowan Newman: Yellow

Cat Showmanship

Advanced Showmanship, Previous Senior Winner
Parker Curtis: Blue
Meilynn Hess: Red

Beginner (Grade 3-5)
Deanna Cain: Blue

Intermediate (Grade 6-8, and prior year Junior winners)
Aubrey Poindexter: Red
Silus Wheeler: Blue

Senior (Grade 9-12, and prior year Intermediate winners)
Wyatt Curtis: White
Marla Lippert: Pink
Rowan Newman: Red
Ily Swan: Blue

DAIRY CATTLE

Dairy Cows and Heifers

Ayrshire / Intermediate Senior Yearling (Dec. 1 – two calendar years prior to Feb. 28 – calendar year prior)
Anthony Rush: Blue; Champion

Brown Swiss / Summer Junior Yearling (June 1 to August 31 – calendar year prior)
Addilynn Hutchison: Blue; Champion

Holstein / Intermediate Senior Yearling (Dec. 1 – two calendar years prior to Feb. 28 – calendar year prior)
Anthony Rush: Blue; Champion

Jersey / 2 yr. old cow (Sept. 1 – three calendar years prior to fair to Feb. 28 – two calendar years prior)
Kallai Hamilton: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Jersey / 3 yr. old cow (Sept. 1 – four calendar years prior to fair to Aug. 31 – three calendar years prior)
Zachary Rush: Blue; Reserve Champion

Jersey / Intermediate Senior Yearling (Dec. 1 – two calendar years prior to Feb. 28 – calendar year prior)
Zachary Rush: White

Jersey / Senior Yearling (Sep. 1 to Nov. 30 – two calendar years prior to fair year)
Zachary Rush: Red

Milking Shorthorn / 2 yr. old cow (Sept. 1 – three calendar years prior to fair to Feb. 28 – two calendar years prior)
Anthony Rush: Red; Reserve Champion

Milking Shorthorn / Senior Yearling (Sep. 1 to Nov. 30 – two calendar years prior to fair year)
Elias Wood: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Dairy Steers

Ayrshire Steers
Anthony Rush: Blue; Champion

Brown Swiss Steers
Anthony Rush: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Guernsey Steers
Anthony Rush: Blue; Champion

Holstein Steers
Anthony Rush: White
Zachary Rush: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Elias Wood: Red; Reserve Champion

Jersey Steers
Zachary Rush: Blue; Champion

Milking Shorthorn Steers
Zachary Rush: Blue; Champion

Showmanship

Advanced Showmanship, Previous Senior Winner
Anthony Rush: White
Zachary Rush: Red; Reserve Champion
Elias Wood: Blue; Champion

Junior (Grade 3-5)
Kallai Hamilton: Blue; Champion
Addilynn Hutchison: Red; Reserve Champion

DOG

Dog Agility

Advanced Agility
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Champion

Beginning A Agility
Hudsyn Biggs: Red; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion
Aleah Martin: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Rowan Newman: White

Beginning B Agility
Amelia Biggs: Blue; Champion
Marla Lippert: Red; Reserve Champion
Remy Shrum: White

Dog Obedience

Class 1A (no experience for dog AND no experience for 4-Her)
Hudsyn Biggs: Pink
Kallai Hamilton: Red; Reserve Champion
Aleah Martin: White
Rowan Newman: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Class 1B (no experience for dog or no experience for 4-Her)
Marla Lippert: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Remy Shrum: Red; Reserve Champion

Class 2A Obedience
Amelia Biggs: Blue; Champion

Class 5B Obedience
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Champion

Advanced Showmanship, Previous Senior Winners
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Marla Lippert: Red

Intermediate (Grade 6-8, and prior year Junior winners)
Amelia Biggs: Blue; Champion

Junior (Grade 3-5)
Hudsyn Biggs: White
Kallai Hamilton: Blue; Champion
Aleah Martin: Red

Senior (Grade 9-12, and prior year Intermediate winners)
Rowan Newman: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

EXHIBIT HALL - COUNTY

Animal Education

Beef Poster, Grade 3-5, Beginner
James Jennings: Blue; Champion

Beef Poster, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Autumn Self: Blue

Cat Poster, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Silus Wheeler: Blue; Champion

Cat Poster, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Goat Poster, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Xavier New: Blue; Champion

Horse Poster, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Marla Lippert: Blue; Champion

Poultry Poster, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Zanna Caldwell: Blue; State Fair, Champion

Poultry Poster, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Zepha Caldwell: Blue; State Fair, Champion

Arts & Crafts (ALL)

Ceramics, Grades 3-5, Beginner
Sophia Kropack: Red
Kendra Pietz: Red
Payton Serna: Blue; Champion

Ceramics, Grades 6-8, Intermediate
Zane Harrell: Blue; Honor, Champion

Ceramics, Grades 9-12, Advanced
Zoey Harrell: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion
Marla Lippert: Blue; Honor
Rowan Newman: Blue

Construction and Architectural Replica, Grade 3-5, Beginner
George Cooley: Blue
Kannon Hardin: Blue; Champion
Sampson Long: Blue
Payton Serna: Blue
Nathan Srinivasan: Blue
Knox Suitors: Blue
Lincoln VanDerMoere: Blue
Winston Zigler: Blue; Reserve Champion

Construction and Architectural Replica, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Landon Abbitt: Blue
Stormie Knight: Blue
Cooper Wood: Blue; Reserve Champion

Construction and Architectural Replica, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Parker Curtis: Blue
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Reserve Champion
Autumn Knight: Blue
Rowan Newman: Blue
TJ Rice: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Champion
Vincent Rush: Blue
Charlotte Wood: Blue

Fine Arts, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Rayah Abbitt: Red
Fletcher Abrell: Blue
Felicity Arthur: Blue; Honor, Champion
Joel Arthur: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Kendra Pietz: Red

Fine Arts, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Zanna Caldwell: Blue; Reserve Champion
Zanna Caldwell: Red
Rose Glidden: Blue; Champion
Oliver Smith: Blue
Quinn Suitors: Blue
Savanna Warner: Blue
Savanna Warner: Red

Fine Arts, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Zepha Caldwell: Blue
Parker Curtis: Blue; Honor
Elise Delp: Blue; Honor
Elise Delp: Blue; Honor
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Honor
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Honor
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion
Marla Lippert: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Vincent Rush: Red

General Arts and Crafts, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Rayah Abbitt: Blue
Fletcher Abrell: Blue
Sadie Eisele: Red
Leona Hooie: Blue
Kendra Pietz: Blue

General Arts and Crafts, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Cecilia Arnold: Red
Lucas Arnold: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Lucas Arnold: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion
Rose Glidden: Red
Griffin Hooie: Blue
Simon Hooie: Blue
Hephtsibah McDaniel: Blue
Quinn Suitors: Blue

General Arts and Crafts, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Parker Curtis: Blue
Wyatt Curtis: Blue
Elise Delp: Blue; Reserve Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue
Simeon McDaniel: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
TJ Rice: Blue

Gift Wrapping, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Ellee Walker: Blue; Champion

Gift Wrapping, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Aasha Srinivasan: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Gift Wrapping, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Parker Curtis: Blue
Raegan Greene: Blue; Reserve Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Honor, Champion

Gingerbread Creation, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Aleah Martin: Blue; Honor, Champion

Model Craft, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Kaiden Abbitt: Red
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Gloria Chandler: Blue
Grace Chandler: Blue; Champion
Noelle Cooley: Blue; Reserve Champion
Savanna Warner: Red

Needle Craft, Grades 9-12, Advanced
Zepha Caldwell: Blue
Parker Curtis: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue
Marla Lippert: Blue

Scrapbook, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Hazel Collenbaugh: Blue; Champion

Scrapbook, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Raegan Greene: Blue; Champion

Collections

Collections, Grades 3-5, Beginner
Hazel Collenbaugh: Blue
Jasper Glidden: Blue; Reserve Champion
Aleah Martin: Blue
Lane Page: Blue; Champion
Justus Reeves: Blue
Rose Glidden: Blue
Hadassah Reeves: Blue; Honor, Champion
Silus Wheeler: Blue; Reserve Champion

Collections, Grades 9-12, Advanced
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion
Ethan Wright: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Reserve Champion

Communications (ALL)

Creative Writing, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Noelle Cooley: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion
Ily Swan: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion

Creative Writing, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Parker Curtis: Blue; Honor
Caleb East: Blue; Honor
Rachel East: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Zoey Harrell: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Reserve Champion

Demonstration, Individual, Grade 3-7, Junior
Kendra Pietz: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Crops

Corn
Kale Dunning: Blue; Reserve Champion
Hudson Rice: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Molly Wampler: Blue

Grass Hay
Vincent Rush: Blue
Zachary Rush: Blue
Fletcher Abrell: Blue

Mixed Hay
Zepha Caldwell: Blue
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue
Anthony Rush: Blue; Champion
Vincent Rush: Blue
Zachary Rush: Blue; Reserve Champion

Soybean
Kale Dunning: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Hudson Rice: Blue
Anthony Rush: Blue; Reserve Champion
Vincent Rush: Blue
Zachary Rush: Blue
Molly Wampler: Blue

Strawberry
Parker Curtis: Blue; Champion
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Reserve Champion
Ily Swan: Red

Wheat
Valerie Davies: Blue; Honor
Anthony Rush: Blue; Champion
Vincent Rush: Blue; Reserve Champion
Zachary Rush: Blue

Cupcake Decorating

Cupcake Decorating, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Fletcher Abrell: Blue; Honor, Champion
Kendra Pietz: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion

Cupcake Decorating, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Parker Curtis: Blue; Honor, Champion
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion

Decorate My Life

Decorate My Life, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Rayah Abbitt: Blue; Honor, Champion
Nathan Srinivasan: Blue
Ellee Walker: Blue

Decorate My Life, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Ily Swan: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Decorate My Life, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Parker Curtis: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Wyatt Curtis: Blue
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Hobbies

Hobbies, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Ivan Hershberger: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion
Ily Swan: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Hobbies, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Zepha Caldwell: Blue; Champion
Emily Weddle: Blue; Reserve Champion

Little Critters

Aquatic & Reptiles
Marla Lippert: Blue; Honor
Parker Newman: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Rowan Newman: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion

Outdoor Photography

Outdoor Photography, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Rayah Abbitt: Blue; Reserve Champion
Sophia Kropack: Blue; Champion
Aleah Martin: Blue

Outdoor Photography, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Kaiden Abbitt: Blue; Champion
Piper Daniel: Blue
Gavin Mann: Blue
Molly Wampler: Blue; Reserve Champion

Outdoor Photography, Grade 9-12, Advanced
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion
Autumn Knight: Blue
Rowan Newman: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Reserve Champion

Shooting Sports Events

Archery
Landon Abbitt: Blue
Fletcher Abrell: Blue; Beginner, Champion
Hudsyn Biggs: Blue; Beginner, Reserve Champion
Jennifer Daniel: Blue
Piper Daniel: Blue
Jasper Glidden: Blue
Rose Glidden: Blue; Intermediate, Reserve Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Advanced, Reserve Champion
Gunner Huntington: Blue
Maciee Kinser: Blue
Stormie Knight: Blue; Intermediate, Champion
Samual Logsdon: Blue; Grand Champion, Advanced, Champion
Elijah Mann: Blue
Aubrie Morgan: Blue
Tommy Morgan: Blue
Easton Page: Blue
Charlotte Pavich: Blue
Ily Swan: Blue
Declan Williams: Blue

Rifle
Landon Abbitt: Blue
Fletcher Abrell: Blue; Beginner, Champion
Eliza Chambers: Blue
Isabella Chambers: Blue
George Cooley: Blue; Beginner, Reserve Champion
Kale Dunning: Blue
Caleb East: Blue
Zane Harrell: Blue; Intermediate, Reserve Champion
Zoey Harrell: Blue
Meilynn Hess: Blue
Gunner Huntington: Blue
Samual Logsdon: Blue; Advanced, Reserve Champion
Ian Parrish: Blue; Grand Champion, Advanced, Champion
Riley Parrish: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Intermediate, Champion
Aasha Srinivasan: Blue
Nathan Srinivasan: Blue

Sports & Fitness

Sport & Fitness, Grade 3-5, Beginner
Aleah Martin: Blue
Kendra Pietz: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Ellee Walker: Blue; Reserve Champion

Sport & Fitness, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Oliver Smith: Blue
Aasha Srinivasan: Blue; Reserve Champion
Quinn Suitors: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Table Presentation

Table Presentation, Grade 3-7, Junior
Hephtsibah McDaniel: Blue; Champion

Table Presentation, Grade 8-12, Senior
Parker Curtis: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion
Rowan Newman: Blue

Welding

Welding, Grade 6-8, Intermediate
Kale Dunning: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

GOAT

Dairy Goat

Dairy Breeding Does / Nigerian Dwarf Senior does dry (over 2 years old)
Sadie Eisele: Red

Sadie Eisele: Blue; Reserve Champion

Dairy Breeding Does / Nigerian Dwarf Yearling Doe
Charlotte Pavich: Blue; Champion

Dairy Breeding Does / Nubian Doe - 2 years and under 3 years (milking)
Lucas Lamoureux: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Dairy Breeding Does / Nubian Doe - 3 years and under 5 years (milking)
Amelia Biggs: Red
Charlotte Wood: Blue

Dairy Breeding Does / Nubian Intermediate Doe
Lucas Lamoureux: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion

Dairy Breeding Does / Nubian Senior Doe
Lucas Lamoureux: Blue

Dairy Breeding Does / Nubian Senior Does Dry - 2 years and under 3 year
Lucas Lamoureux: Blue
Charlotte Wood: Red

Dairy Breeding Does / Nubian Yearling Doe
Tanner Wood: Blue

Dairy Goat Showmanship / Advanced Showmanship (Previous Senior Winner)
Josey Mobley: Blue

Dairy Goat Showmanship / Intermediate (Grades 6-8, and prior year Junior winners)
Tanner Wood: Blue

Dairy Goat Showmanship / Junior (Grades 3-5)
Charlotte Pavich: Red
Declan Williams: Blue

Dairy Goat Showmanship / Senior (Grades 9-12, and prior year Intermediate winners)
Anthony Rush: Red
Charlotte Wood: Blue

Dairy Market Wether or Doe / Market Nubian Wether or Doe
Josey Mobley: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Lincoln VanDerMoere: Pink
Cooper Wood: White
Tanner Wood: Red; Reserve Champion

Dairy Market Wether or Doe / Market Oberhasli Wether or Doe
Declan Williams: Blue; Champion

Dairy Market Wether or Doe / Market Recorded Grade Wether or Doe
Josey Mobley: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Other Dairy Goat Classes / All Breeds Best 3 Females
Lucas Lamoureux: Blue

Other Dairy Goat Classes / All Breeds Mother and Daughter
Lucas Lamoureux: Blue

Other Dairy Goat Classes / All Breeds Produce of Dam
Lucas Lamoureux: Blue

HORSE AND PONY

Contesting

Barrel Race 56” & under Junior
Addilynn Hutchison: Blue

Barrel Race over 56” Senior
Kenzi Bixler: White
Josey Mobley: Red
Josey Mobley: Blue

Barrel Race over 56”Junior
Miley Amick: White
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue
Viola Jackson: Pink
Remy Shrum: Red

Flag Race over 56” Junior
Miley Amick: Red
Akaydia Beckwith: White
Viola Jackson: Pink
Remy Shrum: Blue; Champion

Flag Race over 56” Senior
Madilynn Amick: Blue; Reserve Champion
Kenzi Bixler: Pink
Josey Mobley: Red
Josey Mobley: White

Keyhole Race over 56” Junior
Miley Amick: Blue; Champion
Viola Jackson: Pink
Blaklee Lakes: White
Remy Shrum: Red; Reserve Champion

Keyhole Race over 56” Senior
Madilynn Amick: Blue
Kenzi Bixler: Red
Josey Mobley: Pink
Josey Mobley: White

Pole Bending over 56” Senior
Kenzi Bixler: White
Josey Mobley: Blue
Josey Mobley: Red

Pole Bending over 56” Junior
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue; Champion
Viola Jackson: White
Remy Shrum: Red; Reserve Champion

Speed & Action over 56” Senior
Madilynn Amick: Blue; Champion
Kenzi Bixler: Pink
Josey Mobley: Red; Reserve Champion
Josey Mobley: White

Speed & Action over 56” Junior
Viola Jackson: Red
Blaklee Lakes: Blue

English Halter

Adv. showmanship Hunter Type (past Sr Winner)
Madilynn Amick: Blue

Gelding Hunter Type over 56” & under 5-10yrs Jr. & Sr.
Laylah Belcher: Blue

Gelding Hunter Type over 56” & under 0-4yrs. Jr. & Sr.
Josey Mobley: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Gelding Hunter Type over 56” 11 yrs & older Jr& Sr.
Akaydia Beckwith: Red
Meilynn Hess: White
Viola Jackson: Pink
Makayla James: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion

Int Showmanship Hunter Type 6, 7 & 8th grade
Miley Amick: Yellow
Akaydia Beckwith: Red
Laylah Belcher: Pink
Viola Jackson: White
Makayla James: Blue

Mare Hunter Type Over 56” 11 years & Older Jr. & Sr.
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Mare Hunter Type Over 56” 5-10 years Jr. & Sr.
Josey Mobley: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion

Sr. Showmanship Hunter Type 9th -12th grade
Madilynn Amick: Blue
Meilynn Hess: White
Josey Mobley: Red

English Performance

All Ages Charity Walk Trot 2$ entry
Madilynn Amick: White
Miley Amick: Yellow
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue
Laylah Belcher: Pink
Makayla James: Red

Gaited English Pleasure All sizes, All ages, Jr and Sr
Laylah Belcher: Blue
Hunt seat equitation on the flat 10th grade and above
Madilynn Amick: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Hunt seat equitation on the flat 6th & 7th grade
Makayla James: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Hunter Under Saddle over 56 10th and above
Madilynn Amick: Blue

Hunter Under Saddle over 56” Jr 6th & 7th grade
Makayla James: Blue

Western Halter & Showmanship Senior Exhibitors

Adv. Showmanship (Sr. winners from previous years)
Madilynn Amick: Red; Reserve Champion
Kenzi Bixler: Blue; Champion

Sr Western Type Gelding 50-56” All ages
Madilynn Amick: Blue; Champion

Sr Western type gelding over 56” 11 yrs & older
Madilynn Amick: Pink
Kenzi Bixler: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Zepha Caldwell: GreenLight
Meilynn Hess: White
Makayla James: Red

Sr Western type gelding over 56” 4 - 10 yrs old
Josey Mobley: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion

Sr Western type mare over 56” 11 yrs & older
Jennifer Daniel: Red

Sr Western type mare over 56” 4-10 yrs old
Josey Mobley: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion

Sr. Showmanship 9, 10, 11, 12th Grade
Kenzi Bixler: Blue; Champion
Zepha Caldwell: Pink
Jennifer Daniel: Yellow
Meilynn Hess: Red; Reserve Champion
Josey Mobley: White

Western Halter and Showmanship Junior

Intermediate Showmanship 6th, 7th, 8th
Miley Amick: Pink
Akaydia Beckwith: Red; Reserve Champion
Laylah Belcher: White
Piper Daniel: GreenLight
Viola Jackson: Blue; Champion
Makayla James: Yellow
Remy Shrum: Green

Jr Western type mare over 56” 11 yrs & older
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Laylah Belcher: Pink
Kinsley Wallace: White

Jr Western type mare over 56” 4-10 yrs old
Piper Daniel: Red
Remy Shrum: White

Jr. Showmanship at halter 3rd, 4th, & 5th
Addilynn Hutchison: Blue; Champion
Kinsley Wallace: Red; Reserve Champion

Jr. Western Gelding over 56” 11 years and older
Miley Amick: Brown
Akaydia Beckwith: Green
Viola Jackson: Yellow

Jr. Western Mare 50-56” All ages
Addilynn Hutchison: Blue; Champion

Western Performance

JR. Charity Walk Trot $2.00 Entry
Akaydia Beckwith: Red
Viola Jackson: Pink
Remy Shrum: White

Ranch Pleasure All sizes Jr. & Sr. Exhibitors
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue
Remy Shrum: Red

Sr. Charity Walk Trot $2.00 Entry
Kenzi Bixler: Blue
Josey Mobley: Yellow

Trail Class all sizes Junior Exhibitor
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue
Remy Shrum: Red

Trail Class all sizes Senior Exhibitor
Kenzi Bixler: Blue

Western Horsemanship Ex. 6th and /or 7th grade
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Remy Shrum: Red; Reserve Champion

Western Horsemanship Senior ex 10th & above
Madilynn Amick: Blue

Western Horsemanship Senior exhibitors 8th or 9th
Kenzi Bixler: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Western Pleasure Beginning Rider (eligible for walk trot & trail no other riding classes at Western Show) Jr & Sr
Addilynn Hutchison: Red
Kinsley Wallace: Blue

Western Pleasure Horse 5 and under Jr & Sr rider
Josey Mobley: Blue

Western Pleasure over 56” 6th & 7th grade
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue
Remy Shrum: Red

Western Pleasure over 56” Sr. exhibitors in 8th or 9th
Kenzi Bixler: Blue

Western Reining all sizes Junior & Senior Exhibitor
Akaydia Beckwith: Red
Remy Shrum: Blue

Western Riding all sizes Junior Exhibitor
Akaydia Beckwith: Blue
Remy Shrum: Red

POULTRY

Market Eggs

Brown shell chicken eggs (CC)
Deanna Cain: Blue; Champion
Zanna Caldwell: Red
Zepha Caldwell: Red
Addalynn Coon: Blue
Ivy-Jean Coon: Red
Brenton Cooper: Blue
Alexandria Fisher: Red
Wyatt Fisher: Red
Gunner Huntington: Red
Aleah Martin: Red
Parker Newman: Blue
Easton Page: Red
Elliott Page: Blue; Reserve Champion
Lane Page: Red
Quinn Suitors: Blue
Colton Warner: Red
Savanna Warner: Blue

Green shelled eggs (CC)
Deanna Cain: Blue; Reserve Champion
Addalynn Coon: Red
Ivy-Jean Coon: Blue
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Gunner Huntington: Blue

Duck Eggs
Gunner Huntington: Red

Bantam Eggs
Marli George: Red
Ily Swan: Blue

RABBITS

4-Class

Blue Holicer
Parker Newman: Blue; Champion

Dutch
Ily Swan: Blue; Champion

Florida White
Arabelle Sulinski: Blue; Honor, Champion
Arabelle Sulinski: Blue; Reserve Champion

Harlequin
Jennifer Daniel: Blue
Jennifer Daniel: Blue
Jennifer Daniel: Blue

Himalayan
Piper Daniel: Blue; Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue

Holland Lop
Silas Hauser: Blue
Silas Hauser: Blue; Reserve Champion
Shelby Ranard: Blue; Champion

Lionhead
Valerie Davies: Blue; Champion

Mini Lop
Piper Daniel: Blue
Piper Daniel: Blue
Ginsie Hazel: White
Aleah Martin: Blue
Ily Swan: Blue
Ily Swan: Blue
Ily Swan: Red
Ily Swan: Blue; Reserve Champion
Ily Swan: Blue; Champion
Cash Weaver: Red

Mini Rex
Lane Page: Blue
Lane Page: Red
Lane Page: Red
Charlotte Pavich: Blue
Colton Warner: Blue; Champion
Colton Warner: Blue; Reserve Champion
Savanna Warner: Blue
Karlee Whitaker: Blue

Netherland Dwarf
Easton Page: Blue; Reserve Champion
Easton Page: Blue
Easton Page: Blue; Champion

Polish
Rowan Newman: Blue; Champion

Rex
Jennifer Daniel: Blue; Champion

Silver Marten
James Jennings: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
James Jennings: Blue; Reserve Champion
James Jennings: Blue

6-Class

Champagne D’Argent
Ily Swan: Blue; Champion

Checkered Giant
Rowan Newman: Blue; Champion

English Lop
Parker Newman: Blue; Champion

French Lop
Silas Hauser: Red
Liam Myers: Blue; Champion

New Zealand
Arabelle Sulinski: Blue; Champion

Palomino
Brooke Hazel: Blue
Ily Swan: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Ily Swan: Blue
Ily Swan: Blue

Silver Fox
Savanna Warner: Blue; Champion

Meat Rabbit

Meat Pen
Ily Swan: Blue; Champion

Rabbit Showmanship

Advanced (Previous Senior winners)
Meilynn Hess: ; Champion
Ily Swan: ; Reserve Champion

Intermediate (Grade 6-8, and prior Junior winners)
Savanna Warner: ; Reserve Champion

Junior (Grades 3-5)
James Jennings: ; Reserve Champion
Lane Page: ; Champion

SHEEP

Breeding Ewe

Commercial Black-Faced Ewe Lamb
Ily Swan: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Commercial Natural Colored Ewe Lamb
Raegan Greene: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Raegan Greene: Red; Reserve Champion

Commercial White-Faced Ewe Lamb
Silas Hauser: Blue; Champion

Yearling Commercial Black-Faced Ewe
Gunner Huntington: Blue; Champion

Yearling Commercial Natural Colored Ewe
Gunner Huntington: Blue; Champion

Yearling Hair Sheep Ewe
Ivy-Jean Coon: Blue; Champion

Market Lamb

Market Lamb 110-129 lbs.
Rowan Cooper: Red; Reserve Champion

Market Lamb 130 lbs. and Above
Raegan Greene: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Raegan Greene: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Raegan Greene: Red; Reserve Champion
Samual Logsdon: Red; Reserve Champion
Samual Logsdon: White

Market Lamb 79 lbs. and Under
Brenton Cooper: Blue; Champion
Parker Newman: White
Rowan Newman: Pink
Rowan Newman: Yellow

Market Lamb 80-109 lbs.
Kaiden Abbitt: Blue; Champion

Ram Lamb White-Faced Ram
Silas Hauser: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Showmanship

Advanced Showmanship, Previous Senior Winners
Samual Logsdon: Blue; Champion

Intermediate (Grade 6-8, and prior year Junior winners)
Kaiden Abbitt: White
Ily Swan: Blue; Champion

Junior (Grade 3-5)
Rowan Cooper: Red; Reserve Champion
Silas Hauser: Blue; Champion

Senior (Grade 9-12, and prior year Intermediate winners)
Raegan Greene: Blue; Champion

STATE GARDEN

Herb

Basil
Parker Curtis: Blue
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue
Ily Swan: Blue

Catnip
Jennifer Daniel: Blue
Coriander or Cilantro
Ily Swan: Blue

Dill
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue
Ily Swan: Blue

Mint
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue

Parsley
Piper Daniel: Blue; Reserve Champion

Beans, snap, green, or wax
Parker Curtis: Blue
Wyatt Curtis: Blue
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion

Beets
Valerie Davies: Blue

Cabbage, Chinese type (napa cabbage)
Parker Curtis: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Cabbage, Round, flat or pointed type
Rowan Newman: Blue

Carrots
Valerie Davies: Blue; Reserve Champion

Cucumbers, Dill pickling
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue

Cucumbers, Slicing with seeds
Isabella Chambers: Blue
Wyatt Curtis: Blue
Valerie Davies: Blue
Rowan Newman: Blue; Reserve Champion

Onions, Red, yellow or white
Meilynn Hess: Blue
Simeon McDaniel: Blue

Peas, Edible pods (snow peas, etc)
Parker Curtis: Blue

Peppers, Bell type
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue

Peppers, Jalepeno type
Jennifer Daniel: Blue
Piper Daniel: Blue; Honor, Champion

Potato
Meilynn Hess: Blue
Simeon McDaniel: Blue

Rhubarb
Hephtsibah McDaniel: Blue

Squash, Straight or gooseneck (summer squash)
Anthony Rush: Blue
Zachary Rush: Blue

Squash, Zucchini or cocozelle
Valerie Davies: Blue
Anthony Rush: Blue
Zachary Rush: Blue

Tomato
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue
Rowan Newman: Blue

Any Other Vegetable
Valerie Davies: Blue

Tomatoes, Small cherry or pear (TM )
Meilynn Hess: Blue

STATE PROJECTS

Aerospace

Beginner
Hudsyn Biggs: Blue
Gabriel Lane: Red
Tommy Morgan: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Charles Sluss: Red
Madelyn Sluss: Blue; Honor
Winston Zigler: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion

Intermediate
Alexandria Fisher: Blue
Wyatt Fisher: Red
John Thomson: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Molly Wampler: Blue; Reserve Champion

Advanced
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Beekeeping

Poster or Display
Ivan Hershberger: Blue
Charlotte Pavich: Blue

Extracted Honey
Meilynn Hess: Blue
Marla Lippert: Blue
Quinn Suitors: Blue

Two-Honey Product
Yisrael McDaniel: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Cake Decorating

Beginner
Anyston Mann: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Blakely O’Neal: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Beulah Reeves: Blue
Justus Reeves: Blue

Intermediate
Hadassah Reeves: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Alaina Staletovich: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion

Advanced
Autumn Knight: Red
Natasha Neibel: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion
Vincent Rush: Red

Child Development

Level A
Ellee Walker: Blue; Grand Champion, State Fair, Champion

Computer

Beginner
Fletcher Abrell: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Knox Suitors: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion

Advanced
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Construction and Architectural Replica

Beginner
Colton Warner: Blue; State Fair

Intermediate
Landon Abbitt: Blue; State Fair
Kale Dunning: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Consumer Clothing

Beginner
Aleah Martin: Blue; Reserve Champion
Beulah Reeves: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Intermediate
Hadassah Reeves: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Creative Writing

Beginner
Aleah Martin: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion

Electric

Level 1
Aleah Martin: Blue
Xavier New: Blue
Lane Page: Blue; Honor, Champion
Justus Reeves: Blue
Payton Serna: Blue
Nathan Srinivasan: Blue
Knox Suitors: Blue
Colton Warner: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Winston Zigler: Blue; Honor

Level 2
Fletcher Abrell: Blue
George Cooley: Blue; Honor
Kale Dunning: Blue; Honor
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Elijah Mann: Blue; Honor
Easton Page: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Champion
Aasha Srinivasan: Blue; Honor

Level 3
Molly Wampler: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Entomology

10 Insect Collection
Hudsyn Biggs: Red
Aleah Martin: Blue
Easton Page: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Fashion Revue, Consumer Clothing

Beginner
Aleah Martin: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Beulah Reeves: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Intermediate
Hadassah Reeves: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Ily Swan: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion

Fashion Revue, Sewing

Grade 8-12, Informal or Casual Wear
Piper Daniel: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion

Grade 8-12, Suit or Coat
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Grade 8-12, Separates
Arabelle Sulinski: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Fine Arts

Intermediate
Alexandria Fisher: Red

Advanced
Rowan Newman: Blue

Floriculture

Level A, Floral Display
Aleah Martin: Blue
Aubrie Morgan: Blue
Blakely O’Neal: Blue; State Fair, Reserve Champion
Ellee Walker: Blue
Adeline Worland: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, State Fair, Champion

Level B, Floral Display
Joel Arthur: Blue
Rowan Cooper: Blue; Grand Champion, State Fair, Champion
Alaina Staletovich: Blue

Level C, Floral Display
Raegan Greene: Blue; State Fair, Champion

Level D, Floral Display
Parker Curtis: Blue
Meilynn Hess: Blue; State Fair, Reserve Champion
Rowan Newman: Blue

Foods, Baked

Level A
Gabriel Lane: Blue
Aleah Martin: Blue
Charlotte Pavich: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion
Hudson Rice: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Nathan Srinivasan: Blue

Level B
Lucas Lamoureux: Blue
Lucas Lamoureux: Red
Molly Wampler: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion
Tanner Wood: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion

Level C
Wyatt Curtis: Blue; Honor
Aasha Srinivasan: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion
Cooper Wood: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion

Level D
Parker Curtis: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Rylynn Meinert: Blue

Foods, Preserved

Level D
Rylynn Meinert: Red
Parker Curtis: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Reserve Champion

Forestry

Intermediate
Ventus Wheeler: Red

Advanced
Haley Amador: Blue
Parker Curtis: Blue
Ethan Wright: Blue

Genealogy

Division 3
Molly Wampler: Blue; Champion

Geology

Beginner
Hazel Collenbaugh: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Payton Serna: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Advanced
Ethan Wright: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Health

Beginner
Ellee Walker: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, State Fair, Champion

Intermediate
Oliver Smith: Blue; State Fair, Champion

Advanced
Ethan Wright: Blue; Grand Champion, State Fair, Champion

Lawn and Garden Tractor Operator Skills (LO)

Junior
River Allen: Blue
Wyatt Fisher: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Gunner Huntington: Blue
Xavier New: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Champion
Senior
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Champion

Model Craft

Beginner
Jasper Glidden: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, State Fair, Champion
Easton Page: Blue
Lane Page: Blue; Reserve Champion
Colton Warner: Blue

Intermediate
Savanna Warner: Red

Advanced
Elliott Page: Red

Needle Craft

Advanced
Alex Freeman: Blue; Honor

Photography

Beginner, Color Prints
Aleah Martin: Blue; Reserve Champion
Aubrie Morgan: Blue
Winston Zigler: Blue; State Fair, Champion

Beginner, Black & White Salon Print
Aleah Martin: Blue; Champion

Beginner, Color Salon Print
Beulah Reeves: Blue; Champion
Payton Serna: Blue; Reserve Champion

Intermediate, Black & White Prints
Piper Daniel: Red

Intermediate, Color Prints
Eliza Chambers: Red
Piper Daniel: Red

Intermediate, Black & White Salon Print
Zanna Caldwell: Blue

Intermediate, Color Salon Print
Zanna Caldwell: Blue
Hadassah Reeves: Blue; Champion
Molly Wampler: Blue

Advanced, Black & White Prints
Meilynn Hess: Blue; State Fair, Champion

Advanced, Color Prints
Parker Curtis: Blue; Reserve Champion
Wyatt Curtis: Red
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Champion
Rowan Newman: Blue
Shelby Ranard: Red

Advanced, Black & White Salon Print
Zepha Caldwell: Blue; Reserve Champion
Parker Curtis: Blue
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Advanced, Color Salon Print
Zepha Caldwell: Blue
Parker Curtis: Blue
Wyatt Curtis: Blue
Alex Freeman: Red
Madeline Hauser: Red
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Champion
Rowan Newman: Red
Shelby Ranard: Blue
Elias Wood: Blue; Reserve Champion

Advanced, Creative-Experimental Digital Salon Print
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Public Speaking

Senior
Kendall Freeman: Blue; Reserve Champion
Elias Wood: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Rabbit Ambassador

Grade 3-4, Novice
Lane Page: Blue; Champion

Grade 7-8, Intermediate
Ily Swan: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

Grade 11-12, Master
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Sewing Construction, Non-Wearable

Grade 3
Charlotte Pavich: Blue
Charlotte Pavich: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion

Grade 4
Deanna Cain: Blue
Leona Hooie: Blue
Kendra Pietz: Blue
Aubrey Poindexter: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion

Grade 6
Piper Daniel: Blue
Hephtsibah McDaniel: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Grade 7
Amelia Biggs: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion

Grade 8-12
Jennifer Daniel: Blue
Alex Freeman: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Reserve Champion
Marla Lippert: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Rowan Newman: Blue

Sewing Construction, Wearable

Grade 3
Charlotte Pavich: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Arabelle Sulinski: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Grade 6
Piper Daniel: Blue; Honor, Champion

Shooting Sports Education

Intermediate
Oliver Smith: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Soil and Water Science

Advanced
Haley Amador: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Sport Fishing

Intermediate
Kaiden Abbitt: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Advanced
Haley Amador: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Ethan Wood: Blue; Reserve Champion

Veterinary Science

Beginner
Ellee Walker: Blue; State Fair, Champion

Intermediate
Hephtsibah McDaniel: Blue

Advanced
Parker Curtis: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion
Ethan Wright: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Reserve Champion

Weather and Climate Science

Intermediate
Luke Wood: Blue; Honor, State Fair, Champion

Advanced
Haley Amador: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Reserve Champion
Ethan Wright: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, State Fair, Champion

Wildlife

Beginner
Hazel Collenbaugh: Red

Intermediate
Griffin Hooie: Blue

Advanced
Haley Amador: Red

Woodworking

Level A
Charlotte Pavich: Blue; Honor, Reserve Champion
Knox Suitors: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Level B
Simon Hooie: Blue; Reserve Champion
Quinn Suitors: Blue; Grand Champion, Honor, Champion

Level D
Alex Freeman: Blue; Champion

Zero-Turn Radius Mower Operator Skills

Grade 3-7, Junior
River Allen: Blue
Wyatt Fisher: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Gunner Huntington: Blue
Xavier New: Blue

Grade 8-12, Senior
Madeline Hauser: Blue; Reserve Champion
Meilynn Hess: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion

SWINE

Breeding Gilts

Berkshire Gilts
Rowan Cooper: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion

Chester White Gilts
Kale Dunning: Blue; Champion

Crossbred Gilts
Bryson Cooper: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Bryson Cooper: Red; Reserve Champion

Duroc Gilts
Rowan Cooper: Blue; Champion

Hampshire Gilts
Kale Dunning: Blue; Champion
Silas Hauser: Red; Reserve Champion
Elias Wood: White

Poland China Gilt
Sadie Eisele: Blue; Champion

Spot Gilt
Blakely O’Neal: Red; Reserve Champion
Elias Wood: Blue; Champion

Yorkshire Gilt
Kale Dunning: Blue; Champion

Market Hogs (Barrow or Gilt)

Berkshire Barrows and Market Gilts
Silas Hauser: Red; Reserve Champion
Kendall Reno: Blue
Cole Ross: Blue; Champion
Anthony Rush: Pink
Alaina Staletovich: White

Crossbred Barrows and Market Gilts
Bryson Cooper: Blue; Reserve Champion
Bryson Cooper: Red
Bryson Cooper: Blue
Alyssa Livingston: Blue
Camdyn Livingston: White
Blakely O’Neal: Red
TJ Rice: Blue; Grand Champion, Champion
Cole Ross: White
Anthony Rush: White
Vincent Rush: Red
Bailey Snodgrass: Red
Alaina Staletovich: White

Duroc Barrows and Market Gilts
Bryson Cooper: Blue; Reserve Grand Champion, Champion
Kannon Hardin: Red; Intermediate, Reserve Champion
Kendall Reno: White
Arabelle Sulinski: Pink

Hampshire Barrows and Market Gilts
Akaydia Beckwith: White
Kale Dunning: Red; Reserve Champion
Hudson Rice: Blue; Champion

Hereford Barrows and Market Gilts
Kannon Hardin: Red; Reserve Champion
Hudson Rice: Blue; Champion

Spot Barrows and Market Gilts
Sadie Eisele: Red; Reserve Champion
Olivia Halfacre: Blue; Champion

Tamworth Barrows and Market Gilts
Hudson Rice: Blue; Champion

Yorkshire Barrows and Market Gilts
Madeline Hauser: Red; Reserve Champion
Hudson Rice: Blue; Champion

Swine Showmanship

Advanced Showmanship, Previous Senior Winner
Bryson Cooper: Blue; Champion
TJ Rice: Red; Reserve Champion

Intermediate (Grades 6-8, and prior year Junior winners)
Akaydia Beckwith: Red; Reserve Champion
Kale Dunning: Blue; Champion
Zachary Rush: Pink
Alaina Staletovich: White

Junior (Grade 3-5)
Rowan Cooper: Red; Reserve Champion
Hudson Rice: Blue; Champion
Arabelle Sulinski: White

Senior (Grade 9-12, and prior year Intermediate winners)
Alyssa Livingston: White

Meilynn Hess, 10-year member

Meilynn Hess, a 10-year 4-H member, did 62 projects this year, including her favorites: shooting sports, cat showing, archery, shooting, photography, goat showing, sewing and aerospace. She first got involved in 4-H when her mom was referred by a family friend.

“My sister and I just fell in love with it,” she said. “We loved doing the projects, and we formed some friendships, and I think, really, the projects that we loved doing, and the friends that we did it with, really kept us sticking to it.”

During the years she’s spent in 4-H, Hess is proud of her performance during Round Robin, where winning showmen from each livestock species compete and present animals from all species, including those they don’t normally show.

Hess said she won the traveling trophy for the competition for the third year during the 2026 Owen County Fair. Her favorite memory from being in 4-H involves how she prepares for Round Robin. Hess, her sister and a growing group of other members would teach each other how to do showmanship with their animals.

“It’s just brought a lot of camaraderie,” Hess said. “It was all of us sharing our knowledge. I think that was what 4-H was about, was being able to share with each other and teach each other.”

Hess also said being in 4-H taught her to try new things and work on new projects each year.

“I would say what I learned was just to do my best in everything,” Hess said. “I didn’t think there was a point for me to do a project unless I was gonna give it my all.”

Next, Hess plans to attend Cedarville University in Ohio to study communications and visual design, with plans for a career involving photography and travel.

Rain Newman, 10-year member

Rain Newman is a 10-year 4-H member, and spent this year working on showing poultry, rabbits, sheep, dog, cat, and little critters.

Newman first got involved in 4-H because her family has been involved for a few generations.

“I think it’s fun, and I think it’s really rewarding,” Newman said. “For one, you gotta spend a lot of time with the animals, which is really fun. And getting to watch animals grow, and knowing that you did that, is always really, really amazing.”

Newman also said she has enjoyed meeting people she wouldn’t have otherwise and learning things about animals.

Her biggest accomplishment is winning the top dog award at the fair this year for her dog, Fidough, a mini poodle. This was her first year showing a dog. Newman said she worked with Fidough every day in preparation.

Being in 4-H taught Newman discipline, she said, learning what it takes to take care of animals and make sacrifices to do so.

Her favorite memory took place when she showed a cane toad.

“The judge had told me, ‘You know what? I can tell that you know everything there is to know about this animal. I want you to stop talking to me and turn around and tell the audience about it,’” Newman said. “It made me feel really cool and it made me just feel really smart.”

For people just starting out in 4-H, Newman’s advice is to try everything.

“Try everything and learn everything you can, and make sure you talk to people that are above you, because you can learn so much and you can meet so many amazing people,” Newman said.

Zepha Caldwell, 10-year member

This year, at the Owen County Fair, Zepha Caldwell, a 10-year member, chose to show poultry and her horse. She also had some projects in the Exhibit Hall.

Unlike many 4-H members, Caldwell wasn’t brought in through family. She learned about the program through her school and was interested in learning more about her animals.

“It’s just so fun to be in during the summer,” Caldwell said.

Her proudest accomplishment is watching her projects make it to the state fair and seeing them place. One of her favorite memories was when she got her first “big trophy” for showing poultry. It encouraged her to keep showing them, she said.

“I learned that even when not placing well, it’s alright, you have fun along the way,” Caldwell said.

She plans to try and still be involved in the 4-H community and one day maybe become a club leader, urging young kids to participate and enjoy it. Even so, she’ll miss having her animals at the fair and teaching people about them.

“If it gets hard, don’t let that stop you, because in the end, it’s worth all the hard work,” Caldwell said.

Next, she plans to enter the workforce, looking for jobs in auto collision repair.

Caleb East, 10-year member

Caleb East’s greatest accomplishment in his 10 years in 4-H was the work he did to secure and execute the 4-H Youth Engaged Service grant for the Owen County Pathfinders Club he was president of.

“I had a lot of support from our club leaders, but it was really cool to be such a big part of that,” East said. “It was definitely a growing experience, getting to lead them.”

This year, East participated in creative writing and did rifle club for the first time. In the past, he’s completed projects in pottery, construction, crafts and more. His favorite memory from 4-H was participating in spirit night.

Being in 4-H taught East the importance of communication.

“Being able to communicate clearly and healthily with other people is very key,” East said.

He said he’ll miss his friends the most after 4-H ends this year and encouraged new members not to be afraid of making mistakes. He had great experiences and growth through trying new things.

Next, East plans to attend Taylor University to study musical theater.

Anthony Rush, 10-year member

For Anthony Rush, a 10-year 4-H member, participating in the organization led to his future career goals. After showing dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, dairy cows, rabbits and goats, Rush decided to pursue a career in agriculture.

This fall, he plans to attend Purdue University to study agricultural engineering and return to the fair after joining the 4-H livestock judging team.

“This community has done so much to build me up,” Rush said. “I want to give back as I become my own person as an adult.”

Rush’s stepdad is a farmer and introduced him to farm animals, teaching him about crops and how to work in a garden. Rush said he came to really enjoy working with the animals, understanding their personalities and becoming part of the 4-H community.

Unlike typical 4-H accomplishments, like winning showmanship, Rush said he’s most proud of winning hog wrestling with his brothers last year.

“I had a blast and I’ll remember that forever,” Rush said.

Being in 4-H taught Rush how to put himself out there, get out of his comfort zone and work hard, he said.

“I used to be so introverted, and I’m still not the most extroverted person, but when you’re out in an arena with an animal that’s fighting against you, with hundreds of eyes on it. We just gotta learn to be confident and to own it,” Rush said. “Then you go out and you make friends who do the same thing and you start to enjoy yourself.”

Elise Delp, two-year member

In her second year of 4-H, Elise Delp entered three art projects. One, with a vintage feel, another with an eye and one about her relationship with her mom.

She first got involved in 4-H because she was interested in the community and opportunities it offered. She wanted to meet people with the same interests as her.

“I found that everyone in this community is really kind and helping and I met a lot of people with the same interests as me,” Delp said.

Through the community, Delp learned to have more confidence in her abilities.

“I grew a lot as a person while in 4-H,” Delp said. “I got better at art, I got better at socializing and I got more confident in submitting my pieces to 4-H.”

Now, Delp plans to go to Ivy Tech Community College, with plans to be in the medical field. She wants to continue to be in 4-H as an adult and improve at art, sewing and creative writing.

For someone just starting out, Delp said that being nervous is normal. It goes away, and you can always improve, she said.

Bryson Cooper, 10-year member

Bryson Cooper has been showing pigs since he was about 5 years old. This year, he decided to cut back the amount of projects he normally does and just focus on showing swine.

For Cooper, 4-H and taking care of animals is generational, and it was the reason he first got involved. Even though Cooper has traveled around the country to different shows, he measures accomplishments through the other exhibitors he’s impacted.

“Just by being there whenever there’s some problem, I’m willing to step in there and help them, and if they ask me any questions I’m willing to help them find the solution as efficiently and as fast as possible.”

Cooper’s favorite memories from 4-H are competing in the different showmanship and round robins.

“I like to see other people win too and I like to celebrate with them,” Cooper said. “Seeing my cousin get reserve grand this year, that brought joy to myself, so that’s kind of neat.”

4-H taught Cooper to be willing to ask questions. He said first-year members should try to be observant and open their ears and eyes.

In the fall, Cooper plans to attend Black Hawk College East in Kewanee, Illinois, to judge livestock and get an associates degree. Afterwards, he plans to transfer to a four-year school, continue to be on a livestock judging team, and study animal science or agribusiness.

The information for the following sections is attributed to the Owen County 4-H - Indiana Facebook senior spotlights posts.

Samuel Logsdon, 10-year member

Samuel Logsdon is a 10-year 4-H member, with experience completing projects in archery, rifle, shotgun and sheep.

Logsdon said the projects he’s completed in 4-H have taught him patience, determination, integrity and kindness.

“One of my proudest accomplishments has been raising and showing sheep and using the earnings from livestock auctions to save and invest in my college education,” Logsdon wrote in his senior spotlight post.

Logsdon also works as a Junior Leader and has served on the board of a local food pantry.

His advice for young 4-H members is to not be afraid to try new projects and step outside of their comfort zones.

“The more you put into 4-H, the more you will get out of it,” he wrote. “Stick with your projects, learn from both your successes and your mistakes, and take advantage of the leadership and service opportunities that 4-H offers.”

In the fall, Logsdon plans to study computer science, with a goal to work in the technology field.

Malachi James, 9-year member

Malachi James, a 9-year 4-H member, began his time in the organization in Noblesville, Indiana. Throughout the years, he’s participated in the clogging club, archery, dogs, fishing and goat showing projects.

“Some of my biggest achievements include learning how to catch fish, mastering archery and earning a championship in dog agility with my dog, Padame,” James wrote in his senior spotlight post.

His advice for younger 4-H members is to try new things.

“You never know what you might discover about yourself or what you may grow to love,” James wrote.

In the future, James plans to study education and become an elementary or middle school teacher. He wants to move to Korea to teach English, learn about the culture and study the Korean language.

Madi Amick, 10-year member

Madi Amick says she grew up in 4-H, following in the footsteps of her older sister. She’s been in the organization for more than 10 years including Mini 4-H and has participated in horse, goat, poultry and swine projects.

Amick is the 2026 Club President of the Owen Valley River Riders 4-H Club. She said one of her greatest accomplishments is competing at the state fair in the horse contesting competition.

Her advice for younger 4-H members is to enjoy every moment.

“Even when it doesn’t feel like it, your time will go by faster than you think,” she wrote in her senior spotlight post. “Don’t be afraid to ask older members questions—we were once in your shoes, too. 4-H is a place to grow, learn and dream big. Take every opportunity and make the most of it.”

Amick also was the 2023-2024 Miss Owen County Princess.

In the fall, Amick plans to attend Ivy Tech Community College in Terre Haute, Indiana, to earn an associate’s degree in agricultural science. After, she plans to transfer to a four-year college to study agribusiness, before attending law school with the intention to become an agricultural attorney.

Rylynn Meinert, 9-year member

Rylynn Meinert was in the Freedomaires Club for seven years and has been with the Owen County Pathfinders for the past two years as secretary.

She has completed projects in swine, foods and cupcake decorating, among others. Her favorite is swine, because she enjoys learning about animal care and showing the animal at the fair.

4-H taught her responsibility, leadership and confidence, and she thanks those who have supported her throughout her time in 4-H.

In the fall, Meinert plans to attend college.

Carter Salyers, 10-year member

Carter Salyers is a 10-year 4-H member, with experience in doing projects in shotgun and beef cattle.

He first entered the 4-H world in first grade, when he made posters about cattle because he was too young to show them.

Over the years, as he was able to show cattle, he learned how to pick a good steer or heifer, growing as a showman and working his way up to advanced showmanship.

“One of the things I enjoy most is raising and caring for my family’s cattle while also managing a show steer at the same time,” Salyers wrote in his senior spotlight post.

His advice to younger 4-H members is to not give up when something feels too hard or overwhelming.

“Pushing through challenges is what helps you grow as a person,” he wrote.

Salyers’ plans for after high school include starting out as a groundman and eventually working his way up to becoming a lineman.

For participating 4-H members, months of early mornings and rigorous care led to one final walk around the ring on July 10 at the 2026 Owen County Fair. A total of 85 sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, poultry, and beef entries went up for bid during this year’s 4-H Livestock Auction. Assisted by veteran ring men Bill Williams, Kevin Cooper, and Dusty White, auctioneer Mike Edwards set a celebratory tone for an auction that highlighted exceptional livestock and earned strong financial backing from local supporters.

The swine division kicked off the auction with 20 entries, raising a total of $29,600. Bryson Cooper secured the evening’s overall highest bid, bringing in $6,000 for his 284-pound entry through a joint effort from 3D Guttering, Spencer Trailer Sales, and Hey Bo Garage Door Service. Cooper was also honored with the Swine Barn Herdsman Award. Bids for the remaining 19 swine entries ranged from $700 to $3,100.

In the goat barn, 27 entries brought in a combined total of $24,500, headlined by a three-way tie for the top bid of $1,200. Levi Maxfield earned $1,200 for a 70-pound Boer goat, matching the top price fetched by Lincoln VanDerMoere for a 51-pound Nubian and Charlie Wood for a 51-pound dairy cross. The remaining 24 entries sold between $700 and $1,100, while Declan Williams received the 2026 Goat Barn Herdsman Award.

The small animal sales maintained strong momentum as well. Ily Swan presented the sale’s sole rabbit entry, earning $800 for her grand champion meat pen from winning bidder Bob Jones.

In the poultry division, 20 total entries raised $10,050. Ten-year 4-H member Meilynn Hess captured the top poultry price when The Peoples State Bank placed the winning $1,300 bid on her broiler class entry, while the remaining 18 lots brought between $300 and $800. Savanna Warner was recognized with the 2026 Poultry Barn Flock Award.

Bidding proved particularly competitive during the beef sale, which generated $30,700 across eight entries. Rowan Cooper led the category, fetching $4,600 for a 1,380-pound crossbred steer—the week’s Grand Champion—thanks to a combined bid from Cooper Sales & Service and the Marvin Morris Group. The other seven beef lots ranged from $3,400 to $4,100. Fletcher Abrell earned beef rate-of-gain honors with a 1,185-pound crossbred steer averaging 3.14 pounds of daily gain, while Eli Wood took Dairy Barn rate-of-gain recognition for a 1,090-pound Holstein dairy steer that averaged 2.29 pounds per day.

Rounding out the livestock sales were nine sheep entries, which raised $7,000 in total. Ten-year 4-H member Samual Logsdon commanded the division’s highest price, bringing in $1,800 for a 151-pound black face cross. Kaiden Abbitt earned the Sheep Barn Herdsman Award, and Kayden Greenwell captured rate-of-gain honors with a 110-pound black face cross. The remaining eight sheep entries ranged in price from $300 to $1,000.

To top off the successful sale, local businesses added special financial support for the participants. Insurance Services, Duling Insurance, and Babbs Supermarket – In Memory of Charlie Hamilton partnered to present each 10-year 4-H member with an extra $100 award. Additionally, Farm Bureau, Inc. demonstrated its ongoing support by pledging an extra $40 bonus to every 4-H member who participated in this year’s livestock auction.

In an exciting bonus round at the conclusion of the 2026 Owen County Fair Livestock Auction, community generosity took center stage with a special extra sale. Chip Hamilton of Chip’s Outdoor Services generously offered eight ricks of split and delivered firewood to support the fairgrounds. A spirited bidding war ensued, culminating in a winning $1,100 bid from Bixler Bulldozing. All proceeds from the special donation will directly benefit future capital improvements to the Owen County Fairgrounds.

This year’s total list of buyers at the livestock auction included the following:

Swine – 20 entries
3D Guttering (1/3)
Spencer Trailer Sales (1/3)
Hey Bo Garage Door Service (1/3)
Spencer VFW Post #1405
Big Creek LLC (3)
District 46 State Representative Bob Heaton
In Memory of Jim Rice
Babbs Supermarket
Dan Lindsay (2)
Fender 4-Star Meat Processing
District 37 State Senator Rod Bray (2)
Spencer Save-A-Lot
H&B Cattle Company
KMSJ Services
Tim and Sandy Wallace
Duling Insurance
Nate and Megan Fair
Town & Country Veterinary Clinic – Bloomington

Goats – 27 entries
Babbs Supermarket (2)
Bob and Carolyn Livingston
Harry Miller Farms
Dan Lindsay (2)
Owen County Democrats
Wood Angus Farms
Cook Medical (2)
Owen County Republicans
Spencer Hardware & Lumber Company (4)
Fender 4-Star Meat Processing (2)
Concord Construction, Inc. (1/2)
Abrell Family Farms (1/2)
Bixler Bulldozing
Corbin and Kaitlin Abrell
Town & Country Veterinary Clinic – Bloomington
KMSJ Services
Western Indiana Credit Union (2)
Owen County State Bank
Mike & Nannette Edwards
Warner Family

Rabbits – 1 entry
Bob Jones

Poultry – 20 entries
Deckard Show Pigs
The Peoples State Bank (3)
Gosport Dental
Cook Medical (2)
Cooper Farms (2)
Phil Myers Family Farm
Town & Country Veterinary Clinic – Bloomington
Mike & Nannette Edwards
KMSJ Services
District 37 State Senator Rod Bray (2)
Kevin and Ann Cooper & Family (2)
Rick Lineweaver
Warner Family
Seth Sears Buddie Foundation

Beef – 8 entries
Davison Hardwood Quality Specialist (H.Q.S.) (1/2)
British Swim School of Bloomington (1/2)
Tim and Sandy Wallace
Becks Hybrids
Gosport Dental
Woods Electric
Bixler Bulldozing
H&B Cattle Company
Cooper Sales & Service (1/2)
Marvin Morris Group (1/2)

Sheep – 9 entries
Concord Construction, Inc. (2)
Town & Country Veterinary Clinic – Bloomington (2)
Owen County State Bank (2)
Cook Medical
Bixler Bulldozing
KMSJ Services (1/2)
Mike & Nannette Edwards (1/2)

PHOTOS BY CHLOE ODEN | THE OWEN NEWS

PHOTOS BY TRAVIS CURRY | THE OWEN NEWS

PHOTOS BY TRAVIS CURRY | THE OWEN NEWS

PHOTOS BY TRAVIS CURRY | THE OWEN NEWS

PHOTOS BY CHLOE ODEN | THE OWEN NEWS

PHOTOS BY TRAVIS CURRY | THE OWEN NEWS

PHOTOS BY NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Ily Swan poses with her Reserve Grand Champion winning ewe following the Sheep Show at the 2026 Owen County Fair. SUBMITTED PHOTO | ILY SWAN

Reagan Greene earned Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Ewe honors at the 2026 Owen County Fair. SUBMITTED PHOTO | REAGAN GREENE

A proud Silas Hauser poses with his four awards. SUBMITTED PHOTO | FAMILY OF SILAS HAUSER

Silas Hauser participates in the Beef Show at the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

A moment in time captured in the covered show arena at the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Payton Worland leads his Beef Show entry around the covered show arena during the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Tanner Wood interacts with the judge during the Round Robin showmanship competition at the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Zachary Rush is pictured with his Holstein entry, which earned Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Steer honors at the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Anthony Rush poses for a photo after winning Grand Champion Dairy Steer and Champion Brown Swiss honors at the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Hudson Rice poses for a photo in celebration of his Grand Champion Beef Heifer at the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Zachary Rush is shown with his Reserve Grand Champion Owen County Born & Raised Steer at the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Anthony Rush earned Grand Champion Owen County Born & Raised Steer honors at the 2026 Owen County Fair. NICOLE DECRISCIO | THE OWEN NEWS

Most nights, Malik Darea Sims played video games with his friends. They would play Call of Duty, Fortnite or an edition of NBA 2K. 

On the night he went missing, he wasn’t online. His username didn’t show up as active. 

The night he went missing, on July 14, 2024, he had made plans with a girl. But as the day went on, she stopped receiving messages from him. 

Everyone did. 

The next day, Jennifer Hawkins was driving along a gravel stretch of Stephenson Road, near the Owen-Monroe county line. She looked into the field and saw what appeared to be someone laying on their left side, head down. She called 911. 

Sims was found dead, about 20 feet from the road with a black plastic bag tied over his head, covering up a single gunshot wound. He was barefoot, wearing just a pair of red shorts. His knees and thighs were covered in light-colored dust. 

The last person he was seen with was Quentin Lamont Porter Jr. 

Porter was found guilty for murdering Sims on July 29, 2026, at the end of a seven-day trial. The 12-person jury also found him responsible for four other charges: auto theft of Sims’ car, identity deception, theft of Sims’ phone and theft of Sims’ credit cards. 

Each day on the third floor of the Owen County Courthouse, the prosecution and defense made their cases, presenting evidence, calling up witnesses and urging the jury to vote in their favor, all while Porter sat at the defense table, watching and listening. 

The jury heard from Sims’ friends, Porter’s family, detectives and other law enforcement, forensic experts and other witnesses who swore — right hands raised — to tell the truth. 

In just over two weeks, Porter allegedly bought a Taurus 9-millimeter handgun, killed Sims, stole his car, cleaned the evidence, spent hundreds on the victim’s credit card and was arrested for murder. 

In an interview with detectives at the Bloomington Police Department (BPD) on July 24, 2024 — the day he was arrested — Porter recounted the way he claimed Sims’ death unfolded. He said he was only trying to get a ride home that day, when Sims drove from Bloomington to Owen County, “making a play,” Porter said.  

Investigators verified the location the two traveled using Snapchat records, historical cell-site analysis, business surveillance footage and Flock Safety camera images. 

On the way to Stephenson Road, Sims had sent a message to the girl he had plans with, saying “QP got me going through some bullsh*t.”

Porter said Sims was shot by someone in a white SUV, while he sat inside Sims’ 2012 Audi A4. At the trial, Porter’s public defender Megan Schueler claimed that he was scared for his life. 

The detectives tried to get Porter to say more about what they were doing there, who the people in the SUV could’ve been. They asked if it was related to marijuana, which Sims sold. 

“This looks like you killed a kid and left him out like trash,” BPD Detective Jeff Rodgers said in the interview. “Tell me how something else happened. Tell me how I explain this, to his mom, to his family.”

Rodgers asked Porter why he put the bag over Sims’ head.

“Were you ashamed of what happened?” he asked.

The day Sims was killed was a hot one. The temperature reached 90 degrees and it was just as hot the afternoon he was found. Less than 24 hours passed after he was killed before Hawkins called the police, but he was unable to be identified by his face, and his tattoo of a lion wearing a crown was used to establish his identity. 

After Sims was shot, by a gunshot wound that entered near his left temple and exited near the right, Porter didn’t call 911, he didn’t take Sims to a hospital, he didn’t notify anyone of what had happened. 

He claimed that he tried to get Sims into the vehicle but wasn’t able to and that the bag put over his head was to contain or stop the heavy bleeding. 

After allegedly killing Sims, Porter drove to his grandparents’ house in Indianapolis. During the trial, the prosecution, led by Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock, built their case against Porter with a collection of receipts and bank records. 

Porter, with Sims’ card, bought seat covers from O’Reilly Auto Parts and used them to cover bloodied seats in the Audi A4. On the fourth day of the trial, Sgt. Ian Matthews, an Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigator, shared photos from inside the car, including ones showing red staining along the seat stitching and streaky metallic silver spray paint. He noted smelling cleaning solvent inside the vehicle as well.

Matthews said the closest description for the blood pattern in the vehicle was pooling, with blood saturating toward the bottom of the seat.

While in Indianapolis, Porter used Sims’ card and name to rent a Nissan Sentra from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. He later used a stranger’s phone to try and tow the Audi back to Bloomington, also in Sims’ name. Before the JL Transport Towing and Recovery driver could pick up the car, police had already towed it away.

After learning that Sims was missing, his friends Jayden Street and Kevin Mimms used Find My iPhone to track his phone’s location. Street showed up at the scene while police were beginning their investigation, after seeing that Sims’ location had been in one play for about 22 hours. 

Later, another friend’s phone showed that Sims’ phone was in Indianapolis. Mimms drove up and searched for the vehicle. He found it with a trash bag covering the driver’s seat window, but confirmed it was Sims’ with the license plate number. He called the police. 

When police processed the Audi, they found Porter’s backpack. Inside was the semi-automatic pistol, which was found to have red staining on the tip of the gun and on other areas. 

On July 18, 2024, Porter took Sims’ credit card to the College Mall in Bloomington. He spent nearly $1,000 on diamond earrings from KAY Jewelers and bought a black New York Yankees hat from Lids. A few days later, he purchased an iPad from Best Buy. 

Porter was arrested without incident on July 24, 2024 at a convenience market located at the corner of 17th and Dunn in Bloomington, with the help of Bloomington Police Department's CIRT or Critical Incident Response Team. 

“The evidence proves that Quentin Porter murdered Malik Sims,” Trulock said on the last day of the trial. “The state asks that you hold the defendant accountable for his actions.”

***

About 20 people sat in the gallery of the courtroom on July 29,2026, waiting for VanDerMoere to take the jury’s decisions out of a manila folder. Porter stood while the judge read the word “guilty” again and again.

The gallery was silent, full of both Sims’ and Porter’s family and friends. Some propped their heads up with their hands, some buried their heads in them.

Porter sat down after the decisions were read. Schueler rubbed his back.

“I accept the verdicts and I remand you to the custody of the Owen County Security Center,” VanDerMoere said. 

After Porter was escorted from the room, Sims’ mother hugged Kim and Trulock. Sims’ other supporters shook their hands. Some cried. 

VanDerMoere announced Porter’s sentencing would take place at 1 p.m. Aug. 26, 2026. 

Nicole DeCriscio  contributed to this reporting.

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This story first appeared in our August 7, 2026 print edition.

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Next week, from Aug. 13 to 16, downtown Gosport’s annual Lazy Days Festival will return to the town with vendors, live music and a range of competitions. The Gosport John Brighton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7850 is set to present the colors during the opening ceremony, host a fish fry and provide cheeseburgers. 

Festival leaders will provide chalk for a free to enter sidewalk chalk art contest. The most creative and best “Come Together” themed designs will receive prizes. 

At the festival, the winners of the Little Miss and Mister contest will be announced during the opening ceremony and be placed in the parade lineup. 

Meineke Car Care is sponsoring the Tim Dittemore Memorial Car Show, where judges will award cars prizes in categories such as best vintage car, sports car and custom car. 

To round out the weekend, on Sunday the Gosport Baptist, Christian and Methodist Churches, Eminence Baptist Church, Family of God and Mount Olivet Christian Church will sponsor a community church service in the park, followed by a community pitch-in. The churches will provide fried chicken and attendees with the last name first initial A-G are encouraged to bring a side dish, H-N bring dessert, O-U bring drinks and V-Z bring bread/rolls.

Here’s the full festival schedule:

Thursday, Aug. 13

• 5 p.m. - Vendor booths open
• 5 p.m. - Registration for free sidewalk chalk art contest
• 5:30 p.m. - Sidewalk chalk art contest begins
• 6 p.m. - Opening ceremonies, with a prayer by Darren Fauber, presentation of colors by the Gosport VFW Post 7850, national anthem by Rose O’Neal, committee introduction by Lazy Days President Chris Wesley, announcement of outstanding senior citizens and outstanding citizens and presentation of Little Miss and Mister
• 6:30 to 9 p.m. - The Fab Four on the Bandstand

Friday, Aug. 14

• Gosport History Museum open
• 4 p.m. - Tim Dittemore Memorial Car Show
• 5 p.m. - Vendor booths open
• 5 to 7 p.m. - Gosport VFW Post 7850 auxiliary fish fry
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. - Kid’s games
• 6 p.m. - Car show judging
• 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Bad Penny on the Bandstand
• 9 to 11 p.m. - Ellie Grayce Band on the Bandstand

Saturday, Aug. 15

• Gosport History Museum open
• 6:45 to 7:15 a.m. - Gosport Lion’s Club 5K registration
• 7:30 a.m. - 5K begins
• 8:30 a.m. - Bike race registration, children 13 and under
• 9 a.m. - Bike race begins
• 9:30 a.m. - Baby contest sign in, pre-registration required
• 10 a.m. - Baby contest begins
• 10 a.m. - Kid’s games
• 11 a.m. - Vendor booths open
• Noon to 1 p.m. - Parade line up and registration at the Gosport Community Building
• 1 p.m. - Parade
• 2 p.m. - Bed race
• 3 p.m. - Journey wrestling
• 3 p.m. - Kappa Kappa Sigma raffle
• 3 to 7 p.m. - Kid’s games
• 5 to 7 p.m. - Gosport VFW Post 7850 cheeseburgers
• 5 to 7 p.m. - Eastern Wing Band on the Bandstand

Sunday, Aug. 16

• 10 to 10:45 a.m. - Community Church Service gospel sing at the park
• 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. - Sermon
• Noon - Community pitch-in

To get lost in a good movie is a special thing. Lost in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” I certainly became.

Spider-Man largely excels in its quieter moments. It has me thinking a lot about the Disney-run Marvel universe. Not to get too deep in the weeds, but I haven’t cared about Marvel movies since “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019 (and in an interesting box office note, Spider-Man just bested “Endgame’s” first-day sales record).

Spider-Man is giving us what the other Marvels are not: sincerity. We are in a cynical age. Where being “cringy” is the biggest crime in culture.

Spider-Man’s feelings for his friends run deep. Other superheroes in his universe can’t help giving a wink and a nod as if to say “I know this is silly.” I prefer my characters to be invested and to care, because if they don’t, why should I care?

Cynicism has a chokehold on popular filmmaking and, in turn, culture at large: nothing being more uncool than caring, genuine emotion and expression. This movie, and its massive success, signal that chokehold relaxing.

“Brand New Day” tries to give compelling reasons to watch other Marvel movies. But I am simply left looking forward to the next installment of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, not the universe at large.

The only times I checked out of Spider-Man were during foreshadowing of future non-Spider-Man projects. These asides leave behind the ick of a friend trying to sublet their time share or sell you on a groupon for botox injections. Those moments are thankfully brief and short-lived.

The previous Spider-Man entry heralded the return of the moviegoing experience post pandemic. Injecting a much needed shot in the arm for the art form I so love. Garnering just under two billion dollars worldwide. This, just after Christopher Nolan’s pandemic gamble to save movie theaters with 2020’s “Tenet,” returned the closest thing to box office failure he is likely to ever see.

So, six years later, Nolan, with “The Odyssey,” and Spider-Man are back in theaters. The overlap is all the more fascinating because the cast of both these current films share not one, but three major actors–Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jon Bernthal–playing their parts well in both blockbusters. Why do I point to the box office returns so much in this review? Because you very much vote with your hard earned dollar.

Hollywood is notorious for not learning the right lessons. “Obsession” turned a $750,000 budget into a $4 million phenomenon. “Backrooms” similarly turned a relatively small $10 million into another blockbuster. And now Spider-Man is about to be one of the biggest movies of the year.

I fear Hollywood’s takeaway will be that big-budget superhero movies are back. What if, instead, the lesson learned was that you could make 200 small handcrafted films for the cost of just one Spider-Man? The success of “The Odyssey” is its loving, handmade feeling, not just its spectacle.

In this fourth entry of the Tom Holland Spider-Man saga, we find film culture at an interesting crossroads. The old is new with Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” and Disney’s Marvel juggernaut is limping. Large, tentpole movies do have their place, and I’m glad to see earnestness return in pop culture.

On a local note, the Historic Tivoli Theatre’s new 4k laser projector is a big upgrade over the 2k that served us so well over the last decade. Go slap your five dollar bill down at our Historic Tivoli Theatre, and see “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” playing for the second weekend August 7-9, 2026. Or, if you prefer, it is also playing at the Cinema 67 Drive-In near Gosport this Friday and Saturday.

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened its second public comment period for proposed changes to the bobcat season rule. This is the last comment period before the NRC votes to adopt, reject, or modify the proposed changes.

Proposed changes include adding hunting in addition to trapping and increasing the season quota to 400 bobcats.

Public comments can be submitted online through Aug. 27 by going to IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket and clicking on the link to submit comments under “Rule Name: Hunting of Bobcats and Increase in Statewide Season Quota.”

Comments can also be mailed to: Natural Resources Commission, C/O Indiana DNR Legal Division, 402 W. Washington Street, Room W-261, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

The deadline for public comments during this second public comment period is Aug. 27.

The second public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27 from 2 - 4 p.m. ET in the Roosevelt Room at the Fort Harrison Inn, 5830 N. Post Road, Indianapolis. The public can attend in person or online anytime during the timeframe. The public hearing will also be webcast live at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket and viewers will be able to comment during the webcast. Sign up for updates at on.IN.gov/dfw-rule-changes.

After a three-hour joint meeting of the Owen County Council and the Owen County Commissioners on July 27, the county officials voted to purchase 18 acres of land at 909 W. State Road 46 for $1,652,675. This land is slated to be the site of a brand new county jail, but many specifics about costs, exact locations of road access, sewer lines, and even building placement are still being determined.

“I, myself, and I know the rest of the council and the commissioners, have spent hours and hours studying this and making sure that your tax dollars are put in the best possible way,” assured councilwoman at-large Polly Chesser during the opening remarks.

Information presented about the land

Dustin Frye from Build BW in Indianapolis began with a presentation to the joint assembly with details about the progress, design and costs related to the jail project.

Patriot Engineering conducted environmental testing, and no issues were reported at the site in question. A geotechnical report including analysis of the water table and land structural capacity found that the site will support the proposed building using conventional foundations.

“There’s no special foundations or deep foundations that would need to be completed to support this structure, which is extremely positive and a cost savings to the project because the previous sites that we had looked at would have required additional money be spent on the foundation system,” said councilman Joe Frye. “Ultimately, from that perspective this land and site is clear and ready to support the project here.”

Details about the building, including highway access, parking, square footage and additional traffic analysis required by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) were also clarified.

Clarification of Funding Information

Funding for the entire jail project itself is slated to come from cash reserves and the issuance of a municipal bond. The expected 20-year bond issue is to be funded through a previously approved county income tax increase and backstopped by property tax funds.

“The convention to get you the lowest interest cost is to at all times if possible utilize the property tax as the final backstop. But again that doesn’t force you to use property tax. Your intention since you passed the local income taxes years ago was never to use property tax. We don’t envision that we’re going to use property tax,” explained Jeff Peters, a financial advisor for the county.

The final estimated price tag for the jail project is $38.6 million. However, the building itself is not the only cost that a new jail will bring. Owen County Sheriff Ryan White pointed out that the design of the new jail would require additional staffing.

“You have to have somebody that can respond if there’s someone injured or someone having a medical issue, so you have to have one booking, one on floor, and one in control,” White said. “Right now we only need two because of the way our jail is designed. It’s a linear design. That one would require three. So we would need five extra positions because of days off and stuff like that.”

According to estimates by county councilman Anton Neff, these costs would amount to an additional $365,000 per year. According to White, these costs are necessary to maintain proper staffing levels regardless of the requirements the new jail brings.

“For the last 10 years, we’ve known that we do not have the jail staffing that is required, according to the jail staffing survey that we had as a county, done,” White said. “We have been told for many years we are understaffed, and we are required to have more, and we have failed to do that for a long time.”

“We still need to make sure we’ve identified that cost in these estimates because that may affect decisions and what we do in the building and that kind of thing. So, just want to make sure we don’t lose sight of that cost,” Neff replied.

Extensive Public Questions

For nearly two hours, county officials answered questions raised by the public. Responding to local resident Denise Sudol, commissioners Sam Hobbs and David Risk affirmed their intentions to stay in office until the end of their respective terms.

Questions for the real estate agent facilitating the land transaction, Tilden Keith, instigated an impassioned defense.

“I’ve been really slaughtered recently on social media, which is a very poor thing to be drug through as far as that goes,” Keith said. “I can attest to everything I do… because I tell you everything’s down. There’s nothing been hid. Nothing at all.”

While Tilden Keith is related to councilman Verl Keith, councilman Keith had previously filed a conflict of interest statement with the State of Indiana and abstained from voting on any motions related to the land purchase undertaken that evening.

“We want to make sure that this is above board even though, legally, he might be able to vote, he is going to abstain,” councilwoman Chesser said. “We do not want to even have the appearance of doing something that’s not not correct.”

More comments throughout the night included support for the new jail project, pointing out how long the county has been working toward replacing its current dilapidated structure.

“You know what else doesn’t look good is wasting away thousands of dollars, taxpayer money every day that we sit and wait to do something about this. That’s what doesn’t look good to me,” said Spencer resident Kevin Wright. “So council members, commissioners, I’m asking y’all buy this land tonight and let’s start building this jail. We can talk about the cost of jail and the upcoming steps. This is about the land tonight. Let’s get this land bought. Let’s move forward.”

Questions For the Future

There is also still no clear answer about where the building is to be placed on the purchased property. Initial diagrams show the jail being built at the front of the property, but debate at a previous meeting involved members of the county commissioners considering a build at the rear of the property instead.

“Nothing is set in stone. At this time it has to be up front and could be moved to the back, to the other side, stuff like that. But those will be decisions that we’ll probably make within the next 90 days,” Hobbs added.

What is currently known, however, is that as of July 30, 2026 Owen County now owns the 18 acres of property at 909 W. State Road 46 (between the Owen County Family YMCA and Walmart) and plans for the new jail project are officially moving forward at this location.

Previous reporting about the jail project can be found online at theowennews.org.

A full meeting recording can be found on the Owen County Government YouTube channel: youtube.com/@owencountyingov.

Every meaningful journey is built upon the vision of those who step up when an idea is still just a sketch on a notepad. As we look back on the founding of The Owen News, it is impossible not to recognize the individuals who helped turn a shared vision for local community journalism into a tangible reality. Today, we want to extend a sincere thank you to Nicole DeCriscio for her service to The Owen News.

From the very beginning, Nicole played a key role in laying the groundwork for this publication. Building something from scratch is no small feat. It requires countless hours, relentless effort, and an enduring belief in the importance of keeping our community connected and informed.

Nicole excelled at surrounding herself with individuals who shared that same vision: a commitment to local journalism that highlights the people, places, and events of Owen County, helping to fill the void and eliminate what had become a local news desert. She brought a journalistic passion and belief in the power of the press to that foundational work, helping us lay the groundwork for everything we have accomplished since.

As organizations grow and evolve, there come moments when paths shift. As part of this transition, the board has selected Tyler DeFord to step into the role of interim editor to guide our editorial operations.

Tyler will work alongside me as I continue serving the paper as senior correspondent and consultant, as well as fellow board members Aaron LaGrange, Jessica Brinson, Suzannah Couch, Caroline Riley, and Stefan Welsh, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining our ongoing commitment to thorough local reporting. Every single member of our board lives right here in Owen County, deeply rooted in the area and fully dedicated to seeing our local communities thrive, connect, and continue to grow.

The story of The Owen News’ success is, above all, a story of community partnership and trust. Together, we have restored dedicated local reporting focused on our governmental boards and offices, schools, and community milestones. We have expanded our reach while continuing to build a steadily growing, engaged audience across Owen County. Most importantly, we have fostered deeper community connections by giving local events, civic groups, and everyday neighbors a dedicated voice.

Because of the hard work put into building this strong base, the future of The Owen News looks bright. We are especially excited that the newspaper will soon open its own dedicated office space on E. Franklin St., on the north side of the square in downtown Spencer, a physical home that will allow us to serve you even better.

We remain steadfast in our mission to deliver honest, thorough, and engaging coverage to our readers, and we are excited about these new initiatives and growth opportunities ahead.

August 11
5 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Riverton Parke at Parke County Golf Course in Rockville.

August 13
6 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball scrimmage vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.

August 14
7 p.m. – Varsity football at Putnam County Jamboree at Greencastle.

August 17
4 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs South Putnam at Clover Meadows.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs North Central-Farmersburg at North Central-Farmersburg.

August 18
5 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs White River Valley and Bloomfield at Clover Meadows.
6 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

August 21
7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Greencastle at Cloverdale.

August 22
9 a.m. – Varsity co-ed varsity cross country at Harrier Classic at Brown County.
9 a.m. – Varsity girls' golf at Western Indiana Conference meet at Forest Park in Brazil.

August 24
4:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Owen Valley and North Putnam at Twin Bridges Golf Club in Danville.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs Greencastle at Greencastle.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs South Vermillion at South Vermillion.

August 25
5 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Greencastle and Clay City at Clover Meadows.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Clay City at Cloverdale.

August 27
5:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Shakamak at Phil Harris Golf Course in Linton.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs West Vigo at Cloverdale.

August 28
7 p.m. – Varsity football vs North Putnam at North Putnam.

August 29
9 a.m. – Varsity co-ed cross country at Riverton Parke Invite at Riverton Parke.

August 31
6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs North Putnam at Cloverdale.

September 1
5 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs South Vermillion and Southmont at Crawfordsville Country Club in Crawfordsville.
6 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.

September 2
4:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Greencastle and Monrovia at Tiger Pointe Golf & Event Center in Greencastle.

September 3
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Greencastle at Greencastle.

September 4
7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.

September 5
9 a.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball at Lions Classic at Lighthouse Christian Academy.
10 a.m. – Junior varsity football vs Owen Valley at Cloverdale.
6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed cross country at Clay City Invitational at Clay City.

September 7
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Northview at Cloverdale.

For Owen Valley High School's new principal Jake Steinmetz, leading the school isn't just the next step in his career; it's a homecoming.

After 13 years in school administration and a career shaped by mentors, educators, and diverse leadership experiences, Steinmetz has returned to the place where his journey in education began. His connection to Owen Valley runs even deeper than his first teaching position. His mother once served as a special education teacher at Owen Valley High School, making his return especially meaningful.

"I started my teaching career at OV, so I am excited to come full circle and be able to lead the building into the future," Steinmetz said. "I am looking forward to starting the school year and seeing how the students grow this school year."

Education has long been part of Steinmetz's family's story. His father was a professor at Indiana University before serving as a college administrator at several institutions, while his mother dedicated her career to helping students with special needs at Owen Valley. Although he grew up surrounded by educators, it wasn't until college, through volunteering in schools and coaching, that he realized teaching was the path he wanted to pursue.

Since then, Steinmetz has spent more than a decade serving in school leadership roles, learning from experienced administrators and working alongside talented educators.

"I have been fortunate to work with a lot of great administrators through the years," he said. "Those experiences have allowed me to learn a lot by working in some really great schools with great teachers."

As he begins his first year leading Owen Valley High School, Steinmetz describes himself as a collaborative leader who believes the best schools are built by empowering teachers and staff.

"I try to work with teachers and staff to help put them in the best position possible to be successful in their classrooms," he said. "Getting the right people in the right spots is critical to having a successful school."

Rather than viewing himself as the expert in every subject, Steinmetz sees his role as removing obstacles and ensuring educators have the tools they need to help students succeed.

"The biggest thing I can do is give teachers what they need to be successful and then let them do what they do best," he said. "I want to be their biggest cheerleader."

"Mr. Jake Steinmetz is a valued and welcome addition to the OVHS leadership team as he is promoted to Principal. Jake has always led with 'students first' in his mind and the decisions he has made in the past and will continue to do so into the future are driven by that. He will bring additional perspective and the chance to improve upon the great things already taking place in our high school." – Superintendent Andy Cline

His priorities for the coming school year center on three key areas: strengthening community partnerships that expand work-based learning opportunities; ensuring students have access to the resources they need to pursue their goals; and supporting teachers as they continue helping students reach their full potential.

Those goals reflect Steinmetz's belief that every student's path after graduation deserves equal support.

Whether a student plans to attend college, enter the workforce, enlist in the military, or pursue technical training, he believes Owen Valley has a responsibility to prepare them for success.

"We have a path forward for a student no matter what their interest may be," Steinmetz said. "We have great partnerships within the community, and we'll continue making connections to ensure students get the experiences they need to reach their goals."

He also hopes students take advantage of everything Owen Valley has to offer beyond the classroom.

"My hope is that our students are excited to start the school year and are ready to maximize their opportunities," Steinmetz said. "We have so many amazing opportunities within the school that I hope each can find something they are passionate about and are willing to try."

Strong schools, Steinmetz believes, depend on strong partnerships with families.

"Parents and families are absolutely critical to everything that happens in the school," he said. "Communication is key. As long as parents, families, and the school continue communicating and focusing on students' goals, we can work together to make success possible."

Although every school faces challenges, Steinmetz sees tremendous opportunity at Owen Valley because of the people who make up the school community.

"Owen Valley is full of amazing people who are focused on helping students reach their full potential," he said. "If we keep student success at the center of everything we do, we'll continue to see success across the school."

When he's away from school, Steinmetz enjoys balancing quiet evenings at home, often with a good book or music, with opportunities to travel and attend sporting events.

"I try to balance those two things throughout the year," he said. "It's nice to relax, but it's also nice to always have something to look forward to."

As the school year begins, Steinmetz hopes students, parents, teachers, and the community will come to know him as someone who is approachable, welcoming, and committed to helping every student succeed.

For Steinmetz, returning to Owen Valley is more than accepting a new position. It is an opportunity to lead the school where his own career in education began and to invest in the next generation of Patriots.

The Owen News welcomes Owen Valley High School's new principal and wishes him, the staff, students, and families a successful 2026–27 school year.

Get to Know Owen Valley's New Principal

Coffee or tea? Unsweetened tea
Favorite school subject growing up? History
Favorite book? The Catcher in the Rye
Favorite sports teams? The Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and any Indiana University team
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
Favorite local restaurant? Crossroads 46 Diner ("Breakfast is my favorite meal!")
If you weren't an educator, what career would you have chosen? Lawyer
Fun fact: Although he's lived in Indiana most of his life, he was born in Michigan and also lived in Ohio and California before moving to Indiana.

August 10
4:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Linton-Stockton at Phil Harris Golf Course in Linton.

August 11
5 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Terre Haute South at Rolling Meadows Golf Course.

August 13
12 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs North Daviess at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs North Daviess at North Daviess.

August 14
6 p.m. – Varsity football vs North Daviess at North Daviess.

August 15
10 a.m. – Varsity girls' soccer vs Vincennes Lincoln at Vincennes Lincoln.
12 p.m. – Varsity boys' soccer vs Vincennes Lincoln at Vincennes Lincoln.

August 17
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs Shakamak at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Shakamak at Owen Valley.

August 18
5 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Terre Haute North at Rolling Meadows Golf Course.
5:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' soccer vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity boys' soccer vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.

August 19
5:15 p.m. – Varsity boys' tennis vs West Vigo at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.
7 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.

August 20
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs Cascade at Owen Valley.
7 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Cascade at Owen Valley.

August 21
7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Brown County at Owen Valley.

August 22
9 a.m. – Varsity co-ed cross country at Cardinal Invite at Bloomfield.
9 a.m. – Varsity girls' golf at WIC Tournament vs Northview at Forest Park Golf Course in Brazil.

August 24
6 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs Brown County at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs Vincennes Lincoln at Owen Valley.
7:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Vincennes Lincoln at Owen Valley.

August 25
5:30 p.m. – Varsity boys' tennis vs North Daviess at Owen Valley.

August 26
5 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Edgewood at Rolling Meadows Golf Course.
5 p.m. – Varsity boys' soccer vs Sullivan at Sullivan.
5 p.m. – Varsity boys' tennis vs Linton-Stockton at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed cross country vs Lighthouse Christian Academy at Owen Valley.
7 p.m. – Varsity girls' soccer vs Sullivan at Sullivan.

August 27
11 a.m. – Varsity boys' soccer vs Lighthouse Christian Academy at Owen Valley.
5 p.m. – Varsity boys' tennis vs Edgewood at Edgewood.
5:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs South Vermillion at Geneva Hills Golf Course in Clinton.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs North Putnam at North Putnam.
7 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs North Putnam at North Putnam.

August 28
7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Southmont at Southmont.

August 29
10 a.m. – Varsity boys' soccer vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.
11 a.m. – Junior varsity football vs Southmont at Owen Valley.
12 p.m. – Varsity girls' soccer vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.

September 1
5:30 p.m. – Varsity girls' soccer vs Bedford North Lawrence at Owen Valley.
6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed cross country at Mustang Invitational at Edgewood.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs Brown County at Brown County.
6 p.m. – Varsity boys' soccer vs Mitchell at Owen Valley.
7 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Brown County at Brown County.

September 2
4:30 p.m. – Varsity boys' tennis vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.
5 p.m. – Varsity girls' golf vs Sullivan at Sullivan Elks Country Club in Sullivan.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs West Vigo at West Vigo.
7 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

September 3
5 p.m. – Varsity boys' tennis vs Brown County at Brown County.
5:30 p.m. – Varsity boys' soccer vs North Knox at North Knox.
6 p.m. – Junior varsity girls' volleyball vs Clay City at Clay City.
7 p.m. – Varsity girls' volleyball vs Clay City at Clay City.

September 4
7 p.m. – Varsity football vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

September 5
9 a.m. – Varsity co-ed cross country at Clay City Invitational at Clay City.
11 a.m. – Varsity boys' tennis vs Vincennes Lincoln at Vincennes Lincoln.
12 p.m. – Junior varsity football vs Cloverdale at Cloverdale.

The 2026 Indiana State Fair is knocking it out of the park with an exciting lineup of brand-new attractions, immersive exhibits, live entertainment, and family experiences that make this year’s Fair one of the biggest yet. Each year the State Fair brings in new, exciting attractions to enhance the overall experience and adding value, while continuing to deliver lifelong traditions.

Celebrating Indiana’s rich baseball tradition in partnership with the Indianapolis Indians, this year’s Fair offers new ways for guests of every age to play, explore, laugh, and create lasting memories.

The Indiana State Fair runs August 7 through August 23, closed Mondays.

REWIND: A VHS Revival

Travel back to the video store era while experiencing this new featured exhibit: REWIND. A VHS Revival. This world-renowned traveling exhibit makes its debut in Indiana this summer at the State Fair. The experience includes celebrating iconic movie poster artwork from the 1980s through the early 2000s while adding new surprises around every corner.

Guests can enjoy a baseball movie theater, the Moulin Rouge Speakeasy, an official Indianapolis Indians gift shop, and the return of the popular Indy CD & Vinyl pop-up store. REWIND is open daily and free with paid fair admission.

The State Fair Train - New Ride

All aboard! One of the largest additions to this year’s Fair is the brand-new ride called the State Fair Train. This new experience plays a nod to the historic transportation bringing generations of guests to the fair annually.

Don’t miss this narrated ride throughout the north side of the Fairgrounds, offering a relaxing way to experience the sights, sounds, and history of the Indiana State Fair. This new family attraction operates daily for just $5 per ride.

Schumacher Stadium (Wiffle Ball Field)

Baseball fans of all ages can take the field inside Meijer Family Fun Park at Schumacher Stadium. Named in honor of longtime Indianapolis Indians executive Max Schumacher, this interactive attraction invites guests to swing for the fences, play with family and friends, and celebrate Indiana’s baseball tradition every day of the Fair. Enjoy free play time, take in a tournament or two, meet celebrity players and more.... all part of the State Fair baseball theme in partnership with the Indianapolis Indians!

An All-New Big Top Circus

The Big Top Circus returns with an entirely new lineup of thrilling performances inside a world-renowned air-conditioned tent. From breathtaking acrobatics to laugh-out-loud comedy, each show lasts 45 minutes and offers FREE family entertainment three times daily, with premium seating upgrades available.

More New Entertainment Around Every Corner

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Tortoise Feeding. Daily near Goat Mountain.

Don’t miss the opportunity to cuddle a calf in the Meijer Family Fun Park. Open daily.

Break A Boyz brings an energetic mix of breakdancing, comedy, and street performance to Main Street with multiple daily shows.

Marc Dobson’s One Man Band turns one performer into a full musical experience while entertaining guests throughout the Fairgrounds.

PBS KIDS favorites Daniel Tiger and Dinosaur Train characters make special appearances for family photos in Meijer Family Fun Park on Saturdays at the fair.

Guests can also enjoy an up-close tortoise feeding experience at Goat Mountain.

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile visits Meijer Family Fun Park August 15 and 16 with photo opportunities and fun hot dog-themed games and activities.

Fans of the reality show stars Amy Slaton as well as Chris and Brittany Combs can meet them during a special appearance on August 22.

A youth category in the popular Mullet Competition, making its Indiana State Fair debut as young contestants compete for the title of best mullet.

Take in the new exhibit part of the Indiana History Train The Electric Railway: Indiana’s Interurbans. Free with paid fair admission and open daily in the Meijer Family Fun Park.

Taste your way around the Fair with nearly 50 new food items featured this year. Part of the Taste of the Fair, presented by Pepsi, food competition taking place throughout the Fair.

“The Indiana State Fair has always been a place where generations come together to make memories,” said LeRoy Lewis III, Director of Community and Media Engagement for the Indiana State Fair. “This year we’re adding even more reasons not to miss out. We’ve invested in experiences that families can only find here, from an all-new train ride and immersive exhibits to exciting entertainment and interactive attractions. Every visit offers something new to see, do, and share, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back this August.”

Advance discount tickets, schedules, and complete attraction information are available at IndianaStateFair.com.

About the Indiana State Fair

The Indiana State Fair, known as the state’s premier multi-day event, is a vibrant celebration of the Hoosier spirit and agricultural legacy. For comprehensive event information, ticket details, and attractions, be sure to visit our official website at www.indianastatefair.com.

The Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) announced its 2025 conservation accomplishments. The ICP works with Hoosier landowners to provide technical or financial assistance for the implementation of conservation projects. In 2025, landowners supported by the ICP installed more than 44,800 new conservation practices.

The Indiana Conservation Partnership report showed that over the last year landowners helped prevent over 2.1 million tons of sediment, over 4.5 million pounds of nitrogen and over 2.2 million pounds of phosphorus from entering Indiana waterways.

In 2025, Hoosier farmers, with ICP assistance, planted more than 242,000 acres of cover crops, and implemented over 217,000 acres of conservation tillage.

While the term conservation practices can mean many things, in Indiana, some of the most common conservation best management practices are cover crops, nutrient management, residue and tillage management, conservation cover, early successional habitat development/management and grassed waterways.

“Conservation work isn’t easy, but it pays off,” said Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Every acre of cover crops planted, and every ton of soil kept in place is a win for our farmers and for Indiana’s future. I’m proud of the work the Indiana Conservation Partnership and our farmers are doing together.”

As a farmer, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director Don Lamb recognizes the challenges that come with installing new conservation initiatives but sees the opportunities these practices can create.

“Change on the farm doesn’t happen overnight, and I know firsthand the challenges landowners face when adopting new conservation practices,” said Director Lamb. “But the numbers in this report tell a clear story — Hoosier farmers are putting in the work, and it’s paying off for their land, their bottom line and the water we all depend on. I’m proud of what our ICP partners and our producers accomplished in 2025, and I’m confident that momentum will only grow.”

The ICP is made up of public and non-profit groups, along with landowners, that work together for the betterment of soil health and water quality. ICP organizations include, Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ISDA, Indiana State Soil Conservation Board, Purdue Extension, USDA-Farm Service Agency and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Indiana Conservation Partnership is a crucial part of Indiana’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which illustrates the continued success and challenges of conservation and serves as a tool to help set watershed priorities and reduction targets, manage conservation resources and to further stakeholder involvement across Indiana.

To view the full report and find more information on soil and water conservation in Indiana in 2025, visit https://www.in.gov/isda/divisions/soil-conservation.

Veteran Service Officer earns IDVA accreditation

Phillip Davis, Owen County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO), has achieved official Service Officer Accreditation from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA).

Davis was presented with an accreditation certificate and a specialized IDVA challenge coin by IDVA Director Jake Adams and agency leadership during the opening of the department’s annual training event at the Johnson County Armory.

The accreditation program is part of a pioneer statewide effort aimed at setting standardized, high-quality support guidelines for County Veteran Service Officers across Indiana. The initiative ensures CVSOs are fully equipped to assist local veterans and their families in navigating complex state and federal benefit systems.

“Achieving accreditation marks a milestone for our County Veteran Service Officers, signifying a new era of service excellence for Indiana’s veterans,” said IDVA Director Jake Adams.

Owen County veterans seeking assistance with claims, benefits, or resources can contact the local CVSO office at 812-829-5158, email phillip.davis@owencounty.in.gov, or visit the state department online at in.gov/dva.

Sew for a cause: Unraveled plans annual Quiltathon

Lace up your sneakers and thread your needles! The Unraveled Quilt Store, located at 381 Fletcher Ave. in Spencer, is hosting its high-stamina Quiltathon starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 8, and continuing until 2 a.m., August 9.

Quilters and sewists of all skill levels are invited to set up their machines under a giant outdoor tent in the store’s parking lot for a full 16-hour marathon day of stitching to support local animal rescues.

Participants collect hourly or lump-sum pledges from friends and family prior to the event. A $35 registration fee covers the tent space, plus all-day meals, snacks, and drinks provided by Unraveled, ensuring every dollar raised goes straight to this year’s beneficiaries: Compass Rose Farm Sanctuary and The Sanctuary at Browning Farms. Together, these organizations provide medical care and lifelong safe havens for over 250 rescued farm animals and pets.

Setup begins at 9 a.m., with the official marathon kicking off at 10 a.m. Non-sewists can still get involved by sponsoring a participant or dropping off donations of Friskies wet and dry cat food to help support feed costs.

To reserve your table or learn more about sponsorships, call Unraveled at (812) 821-0309.

Structure work closes portion of U.S. 231

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) crews recently closed a stretch of U.S. 231 near Spencer to begin a small structure replacement project.

The closure, which took effect in late July, affects U.S. 231 between Hancock School Road and Dunn Road. Work is expected to continue through the end of September, depending on weather conditions.

The official detour route utilizes State Road 46, State Road 59, and State Road 54. Local traffic retains access up to the point of the closure.

INDOT reminds motorists to reduce speeds, exercise extra caution, and stay alert for workers and changing traffic patterns in active construction zones.

Chip seal work underway on S.R. 67

INDOT maintenance crews recently began chip seal operations along State Road 67.

Work has been underway on the stretch of S.R. 67 between U.S. 231 near Gosport and State Road 39 near Martinsville. Motorists traveling through the area should continue to watch for lane closures, loose aggregate, and flagging operations.

The routine maintenance process involves applying liquid asphalt to seal pavement cracks against water damage, followed by a layer of aggregate. Once cured, crews complete the project by fog sealing the driving surface and reapplying permanent pavement markings.

INDOT reminds drivers to use caution, reduce speeds, and stay alert for workers in active work zones.

New OVHS assistant principal

Owen Valley High School (OVHS) has announced the appointment of Dr. Gretchen Morgan as its new assistant principal.

Dr. Morgan brings more than two decades of educational leadership experience to OVHS. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Indiana University and has served in various roles across Indiana schools, including as a principal, assistant principal, curriculum director, and classroom teacher.

Throughout her administrative career, Dr. Morgan has focused on leading curriculum initiatives, supporting teacher development, and improving student achievement through collaborative leadership and instructional excellence.

School officials welcomed Dr. Morgan to the Owen Valley High School community, citing her extensive experience and dedication to supporting students, staff, and district families.

S-OCS welcomes new educators

Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) kicked off the upcoming academic year by welcoming 18 new teachers and counselors during the district’s New Teacher Orientation.

The day began with opening remarks from Superintendent Andy Cline, who outlined the district’s vision and expectations while emphasizing S-OCS’s commitment to supporting new staff. Throughout the orientation, educators representing the elementary, middle, and high school levels explored curriculum standards, instructional technology, and district resources.

Training sessions were led by Instructional Technology Coordinator Betsy Breedlove, Curriculum Director Matthew Taylor, and Principal/Director of Communications Kris Samick. The Spencer-Owen Education Association (S-OEA) Leadership Team also welcomed the incoming group by providing lunch and gift bags.

District leaders expressed enthusiasm for the new cohort as they prepare to serve local students and school communities in the school year ahead.

Vendors sought for OVPC ‘Harmony Market’

Vendor registration is now open for the second annual “Harmony Market” Vendors Faire and Flea Market, hosted by the Owen Valley High School Choir Boosters.

The event will take place Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the front parking lot at Owen Valley High School. Proceeds from the market directly support the Owen Valley Patriot Choirs (OVPC). Local small businesses, artisans, crafters, and flea market sellers are invited to reserve booth space.

Parking-space-sized vendor spots (approximately 17.5' by 8.5') are available for $25, with additional spots priced at $10 each. Vendor set-up runs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., with tear-down from 2 to 4 p.m. Participating vendors will have access to restrooms, a booster-sponsored hospitality area, and volunteer assistance from Patriot Choir members.

Cash, checks, or money orders payable to “OVHS Choir Boosters” can be dropped off at the OVHS main office during normal school hours. Payment and registration must be submitted to secure a spot. The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, Sept. 10.

For additional details, search for the “2nd Annual Harmony Market” event page on Facebook.

CES benefits from POET donation

Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) is expanding its literacy initiatives thanks to a generous $2,000 donation from local bioethanol producer POET Bioprocessing – Cloverdale.

The contribution will be used to purchase books for the school’s book vending machine, an innovative program designed to encourage a love for reading through positive reinforcement and meaningful student rewards.

POET, a global leader in biofuel and sustainable bioproducts, operates a bioprocessing facility in Cloverdale that processes millions of bushels of locally grown corn each year into renewable energy and agricultural co-products. In addition to its agricultural and economic impact in Putnam County, the company maintains an active commitment to supporting local education and community initiatives.

School officials expressed deep gratitude for POET Cloverdale’s partnership and investment in student literacy, noting that community support of this kind plays a vital role in creating inspiring educational opportunities for young readers.

Trail 5 bridge rebuilt at MCSP

A major step in the ongoing recovery at McCormick’s Creek State Park (MCSP) is complete following the reconstruction of the Trail 5 bridge.

The original structure was destroyed in March 2023 when a devastating EF-3 tornado swept through Indiana’s first state park, causing extensive tree and infrastructure damage.

The replacement effort was powered by a coalition of local and statewide partners. The Indiana Parks Alliance contributed $5,000 through its Trails for Tomorrow Fund and facilitated the bridge’s design using a retired DNR engineer to reduce project costs. Key support was also provided by Owen Valley High School students, the Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park, the Owen County Community Foundation, and numerous community contributors.

While the Wolf Cave parking lot and the initial segment of Trail 5 remain closed, park visitors can now access Wolf Cave via a loop connecting Trail 8 from the Nature Center to Trail 5.

For updates on park access and recovery efforts, visit on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp.

Audition for A Christmas Carol in Spencer

Get ready to bring a holiday classic to life! The Owen County Theatre & Arts Alliance is seeking performers of all experience levels for its upcoming production of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Brian Walsh, directed by Stephen Jones, and produced by Jessica Turnbull. A wide variety of principal and ensemble roles are available for actors eager to share this heartwarming story of redemption and holiday cheer.

While not required, actors are strongly encouraged to submit an early virtual audition video featuring a short monologue by Sunday, August 9, to assist the director with pairing candidates for scene readings. Prospective cast members for Tiny Tim, Fezziwig, Mrs. Fezziwig, or a Caroler role should also include a 30-second vocal selection. Email video links directly to octheatreandartsalliance@gmail.com.

In-person auditions will take place at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, located at 24 N. Washington St. in Spencer, on Sunday, August 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Monday, August 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees should bring a current headshot.

Following a full cast read-through on August 30, mandatory rehearsals begin November 2, leading up to tech week and performance dates running December 3 through December 6. Contact the theater alliance at owencountycivictheatre@gmail.com for audition forms and complete details.

A friend told me he caught an eight-pound largemouth bass out of one of the farm ponds on his property. With permission to fish at will, I thought this could be my chance to finally catch a bass weighing double digits. My theory being, if he released an eight-pounder in there a few years ago, there’s a good chance the fish is over 10 pounds today.

Well, if that bass is still swimming, he’s sharing the water with way too many 10-inchers. The population is clearly stunted. Meaning, the fish aren’t growing beyond a small size.

In a 1979 study by Burrough and Kennedy, they state, “Stunted growth is a frequently observed phenomenon in freshwater fish populations. In such populations, growth of fish is much diminished relative to the potential of the species. A variety of factors has already been suggested to explain the phenomenon of stunting. These factors include intraspecific competition due to overcrowding, low food availability, and an increase in survival rate.”

The pond I was fishing is about three or four acres. It’s surrounded by native prairie grasses, so the water is very healthy. There is no runoff reaching the water from surrounding agricultural fields.

It has great water quality. It’s clear, and around the shoreline there’s ample, appropriate aquatic vegetation. You would think the fish population would be just as healthy, but it’s not.

The fishing was incredible, if you are only considering numbers. On nearly every cast, you would catch a largemouth bass. The problem is that every single fish was the same. They were all about 12 inches long.

It didn’t matter what I threw at them. I tried my largest rubber worms, big spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs half the size of the fish I was catching. Those little guys hit whatever I presented. I even caught largemouth that jumped out of the water to strike a bare hook dangling mere inches above the surface.

In order to improve this fishery, a number of the bass have to be removed. There is too much competition for available resources. When the desire is for larger fish in a body of water, then more is not better. In fact, more fish is the enemy of big fish.

Catch and release has become such a mainstay in modern fishing, especially bass fishing. People rarely consider keeping them. While there are certainly good reasons for catch and release fishing, sometimes the best thing you can do for a fishery is keep a few fish for the frying pan. Especially from a small body of water. There is no issue with removing 100 or more stunted bass from a couple-acre pond.

This makes for a great opportunity to take others, especially children, fishing. I think we have come up with a solution that is going to be fun, rewarding, and good for this little fishery. Gather some friends and family to catch a big mess of stunted largemouth, then have a big fish fry. The children will have fun catching the fish and will hopefully enjoy the reward of eating them too.

Farm pond fishing is one of my favorite outdoor activities. The action is usually hard to replicate on a large reservoir. To keep the fish populations of ponds and small lakes healthy, you need to remove some fish. Otherwise, they are likely to become stunted. It may seem counterintuitive, but if you want to grow big bass, introduce some smaller ones to your fish fryer.

See you down the trail…

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

Maybe I was a bit too eager to show off the new trail. But there it was, the Limestone Ledge, a remarkable feature at the river’s edge. Between me and the ledge was three feet of steep trail. Surely my heel would grip the hill and let me step down.

It didn’t.

So, my feet slid down the steep trail, and I landed on my rump, in the mud. More specifically, I landed on my new coat on the muddy hill.

A month later, I was showing the new trail to a visitor from the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. I was explaining that we were trying to coordinate a workday to make steps so people could step down onto the Limestone Ledge more comfortably.

I like to think I cautioned her to “Be careful,” before she slipped. Nevertheless, she slipped and landed, just as I had. Between the time we announced that MYPath had acquired property to extend the trail and now, I wonder how many folks’ first impression of the Limestone ledge was from the sitting position.

Thanks to the work of two great volunteers, Derek Morgan and Brian Gessler, the trail to the Limestone Ledge now has steps. Don’t think of a grand staircase. Think of large stones, from the ledge itself, as steppingstones down to the shore.

Morgan and Gessler used a trail-making tool, known as a “Rogue Hoe,” to cut out spots for the stone steps. At the other end of the ledge, they used the Rogue Hoe to dig a gradual trail climbing away from the river.

We still have some trail adjustments to make before we announce an open house for the new trail. Several people have experienced the new section already, including a mother and child who were down there on bicycles, even before the addition of the steps. I have no idea how they got bicycles down there. Do not try that yourself.

The Limestone Ledge is remarkable. It is a state-park-worthy feature. It is a shelf of limestone, about eight to ten feet wide and as long as two football fields. For years, people have been using it as a great spot for fishing. It is rocky, not smooth. So don’t bring your rollerblades… or bicycles.

From the end of the paved MYPath Trail at River Road, follow the footpath along the river. I just fenced off a super-steep connection to the ledge that was potentially hazardous to the hikers and the trail. Keep walking along the trail until you get to a natural switchback that will lead you to the Limestone Ledge without sliding, thanks to the new steps.

Continue along the ledge until you see a gradual trail back up the slope. Soon, that will connect to the DNR boat ramp. You can see the boat ramp from the ledge.

It is important to note that this section is a hiking trail. It is different from the ADA-accessible paved trail that the community has been enjoying for nearly three years. I would rate it as a “moderate” trail, by state park standards.

And there is a lot of poison ivy along the trail. Please, please, please, turn around if you get uncomfortable with any part of the trail. There is no shame in staying safe. As you know, the White River floods. Do not use the trail if it’s wet or underwater.

If you are ready for a new MYPath experience, try the Limestone Ledge trail. You may see flowers that you don’t see on other parts of the trail. You may find a new favorite spot for photos.

You will admire the high school students who hauled an abandoned sofa from the trail. And you will wonder how the woman and her son got their bikes down to the ledge. Mostly, you will have a nice experience.

They say that you can’t go home again. But sometimes it sure is a nice place to visit.

I was raised in the country at the far edge of Monroe County between Stinesville and Gosport. Most of my childhood centered around the town of Stinesville. I attended elementary school there and my grandparents lived there as well.

I moved to Owen County when I was 16 years old and I’ve lived here pretty much since that time.

I have accumulated a lot of memories of those old days, but surprisingly some of those memories did not resurface until I started revisiting some of the old familiar places.

I recently felt compelled, maybe even driven, to search through my past. Perhaps by being a member of the baby boomer generation, I needed to get in touch with myself by finding my roots.

So, on a sunny Saturday morning, I headed over to the old town to see if I could find anything familiar. At first, I just drove around up and down the streets. I passed by people sitting out on their front porch, drinking lemonade of all things. Some things never change.

And there was still that same old yellow dog that likes to sleep in the middle of the road. A person still must drive at a snail’s pace to allow the old yellow dog the time it takes to move to the other side of the road.

There’s still that little kid with the brown tussled hair, riding his bike up and down the road in the old neighborhood. He still wore that dirty old white T-shirt and grungy blue jeans with grass-stained knees.

And the old woman down the road with the old, wrinkled hands, who worked out in her garden, and who wore the old, faded dress with a bandana around her head, has been replaced with a younger version of herself.

The pole beans, tomatoes, and the onions are still growing there, and are still being carefully tended by loving hands that are less wrinkled but are still loving all the same. All the old houses were still there but most of them have been remodeled over the years. And new houses had sprung up where there used to be empty fields.

Most of the old folks who live there in the neighborhood had either passed on or moved away. But there were still a couple of families there that remembered the grown-up little girl and warmly welcomed her back for a visit.

She was offered some iced tea and a seat on the honored back porch that had always been reserved for only the most special of guests. The afternoon was sharing stories of “remember when,” and the time went by too quickly as time often does, and it was soon time for the grown-up little girl to return back to her present life.

It was a strange journey that I had embarked upon by revisiting some of the places of my embattled youth. It had been a time of struggle for me back in those days, which most of us find ourselves in at some point in our lives. But it had been a happy time for me as well.

The visit left me with mixed emotions. It was like finding a piece of myself again that was lost that I had never even realized was missing.

It reminded me of some of the lyrics from an old Jackson Browne song, Looking into you. In that song, he talks about going back to the old house that he grew up in for a visit to see where “his beginnings have gone.” I guess that’s sort of what I had been doing at the place I am at in my life.

During my journey through time, I learned that the past is not so very far away from any of us. It’s always present just below the surface in our subconscious minds. We can choose to let it come up into our consciousness, or we can leave it neatly packed away in our subconscious in a box that we call our memories. And the truth of who we were lies somewhere in the space between the two.

So, in revisiting my past, I found a lot more than I had bargained for. And it really wasn’t all that bad. They say that you can’t go home again. But sometimes it sure is a nice place to visit. And if you are lucky, while you are there, you might get a glass of iced tea!

Enjoy the rest of summer,
Susan