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Owen County voters cast 6,069 ballots in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election, a turnout of 39.7% of the county’s 15,283 registered voters, according to the Indiana Election Division. Of those, 3,218 voted in person on Election Day and 2,851 voted absentee.

Below are results for every race on Owen County ballots, from Congress and statewide offices to county offices, township trustees and boards, and school boards. For races that reach beyond the county, Owen County’s vote is shown next to the district or statewide total. Results are unofficial until certified.

Owen County results are as reported in the Nov. 6, 2026 print edition of The Owen News and checked against Indiana Election Division data. District and statewide totals and turnout figures are from the Indiana Election Division as of 4 p.m. Nov. 10, 2026. Percentages are each candidate’s share of the votes cast in that race.

Young anglers ages seven to 14 put their casting, pitching and flipping skills to the test Oct. 24 at the John J. Fuhs Memorial Casting Kids Contest at the Owen County Fairgrounds. The free contest is presented by the Spencer Exchange Club, Sweet Owen Bassmasters, and VanDerMoere & Co. Family Farms.

Trick-or-treaters turned out across Owen County on Halloween night, Oct. 31, from downtown Gosport, where local businesses handed out treats, to the Beem Mansion and decorated homes in Spencer.

Owen Valley football closed its season with a 55-27 loss to Sullivan, finishing 4-6, an improvement over last season’s 2-9 record. Both Owen Valley cross country teams reached regionals: the boys went as a team for the first time since 1998, and Payton Lukowski broke the Owen Valley girls 5K record.

Good luck at football sectionals, Cloverdale!

MYPath supporters gathered at 1375 River Road to celebrate the acquisition of a 2.77-acre property that extends the MYPath Trail System to the DNR boat launch on River Road. With this latest addition, MYPath is one step closer to its goal of connecting Spencer to McCormick’s Creek State Park, now just over a mile away from the park gatehouse. Features of the property include the “limestone ledge,” a natural surface trail next to the White River.

A trail has to start somewhere. Even well-established, popular trails were once only thoughts and maybe some crushed gravel in a field. I’m proud to be a part of the early stages of the MYPath trail, mostly because I can see how this will grow.
Last week an acquaintance sent me an old photo. It was a picture of me and my wife, with our kids on our shoulders, walking on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail in Elkhart County. It was taken in 1997. I used to live in Elkhart, about fifteen miles east of Notre Dame and five miles south of the Michigan state line. At the time, Pumpkinvine was a new rails-to-trails project that faced opposition and policy battles. But it kept growing, a little at a time. Now it is one of the iconic trails in Indiana.
The photo was sent to me by Joe Dits. He used to be a nature and outdoor activity writer for the South Bend Tribune. Currently he writes “Joe Dits on the Outdoors” on Substack. You should check it out. He and I have stayed acquainted, sharing info on trails and adventures. He is certainly aware of our efforts on MYPath.
When I lived up north, I enjoyed visiting the Pumpkinvine. I remember when it opened. It was a relatively short trail, on crushed stone, through a cornfield. Now, it connects Goshen, IN to Shipshewana, through beautiful Amish countryside. A tunnel under U.S. 20 was constructed so Pumpkinvine users could get from one side of the highway to the other. Let me say that again. A tunnel was dug under a U.S. highway for the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.
The city of Elkhart worked with the county and Goshen to develop the Mapleheart Trail, to connect Elkhart to the Goshen Pumpkinvine trail. Get it? Goshen is the Maple City and Elkhart has “hart” in its name. City with a heart.  Mapleheart. Halfway between the cities is Oxbow Park, which is a really nice county park along the Elkhart River.
The dream of MYPath has always been to connect the Owen County Family YMCA on the west edge of Spencer with McCormick’s Creek State Park. Get it? Y for YMCA. M for McCormick’s Creek State Park. And then we are hoping one day to connect with a trail from Ellettsville. Connect Spencer to Ellettsville, Bloomington, and beyond with a park, McCormick’s Creek, in the middle.
I appreciate Joe Dits sending me the photo of our family walking along the Pumpkinvine trail. It brings back a lot of good memories. Maybe more importantly it reminds me of how great trails have simple beginnings. Just fourteen years ago, on Oct. 27, Mark Rogers from the Owen County Community Foundation, Darrell White from the Owen County Family YMCA, and other interested people conducted the first exploratory hike on what would become the MYPath Trail.
Look how far we have come in those 14 years. We can use existing sidewalks to get from the YMCA to downtown Spencer. Then we can cross the bridge and access the paved trail at the Owen County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) office. Then we can leave the paved trail and connect with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources boat ramp.
People are using MYPath and people are taking photos. Someday, one of us will send a MYPath photo to a friend, and it will trigger memories about how a trail can become an iconic trail in Indiana.

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It’s easy to get lost in the wonderment of white-tailed deer during November in the Midwest. Few scenes are more exciting than a heavy horned buck bird-dogging a doe across a field of corn stubble at dawn. When he stops for a moment and you see his warm breath penetrating the frosty morning air, you’re reminded of why you crawled from under the covers of your cozy bed to sit motionless outdoors for hours on end.
Yet deer hunting is far from the only adventure offered to sportsmen and women this month. Many bird seasons come into play, and waterfowl is at its peak in certain states. Fishing is still going strong, too. As northern states begin to enter winter patterns, southern tier Midwest states are still fishing the fall bite.
As the last falling leaves hit the dirt and Old Man Winter begins to appear, Midwest outdoor activities are plentiful enough to draw all sorts of hunters and anglers off the couch and out the door. Take advantage of these last days of fall. It’s going to be really cold soon.

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Indiana – Hoosier National Forest Whitetails  

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Northern Indiana has little public land but is home to a majority of the state’s population. The southern half of the state, however, is flush with state forests, and the 202,814-acre Hoosier National Forest, which is home to some giant whitetails.
“Since Indiana instituted the one-buck rule back in 2002, our state has been producing more and more world class whitetails. You hear a lot about the big cornfield bucks up north, but I hunt exclusively in the hardwoods of Southern Indiana, and come November, there is nowhere I would rather be in pursuit of a big buck,” said longtime Hoosier deer hunter, David Ray.
Indiana’s 2026 firearms season runs Nov. 14-29. Don’t use the excuse there’s nowhere to go. The Hoosier National Forest makes that statement untrue.

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Minnesota – St. Croix River Smallmouth

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The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway lives up to its name in terms of scenic beauty. But more importantly to anglers, the smallmouth fishing can be exceptional during the late fall. The St. Croix is a top destination to don your favorite flannel shirt and get after some lunker bronzebacks.
“Smallmouth fishing is not a numbers game in November, but you can catch some giants over 20-inches. Use big stuff and fish deep. Especially along drop-offs,” said Evan Griggs, a guide at Bob Mitchell’s Fly Shop in St. Paul. “Above Taylors Falls, many of the fish have migrated by now and are hanging out in the Wild River State Park section.”
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Iowa – Pheasant

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When it comes to pheasants, Iowa may not be the Dakotas, but there are still plenty of birds out there to make hunting roosters worth the walk. With a long season running from Oct. through Jan., there’s ample opportunity to put some birds in the ol’ game bag, but why wait. Early November is going to give you first crack at fresh roosters. The daily bag limit for pheasants in Iowa is 3 and the possession limit is 12. Shooting hours are a bit strange, running from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. You need a hunting license and habitat fee, and must wear blaze orange.
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Ohio – Ohio River Catfish

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While hunters are flocking to forests, fields and wetlands throughout the Buckeye State in November, fishermen experience a special kind of solitude with many waters all to themselves. Including, the vast namesake river coursing the entire southern border. Most don’t associate cold weather with catfish, but Captain Dale Broughton, who operates Dale’s Guide Service out of Cincinnati, says November is a fine time for flatheads, blues and channels. Book a trip with him and enjoy the comfort of his boat’s enclosed cabin in between reeling in river monsters.
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Missouri – Public Land Duck Hunting

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Epic duck hunts can be few and far between on public lands and waters, but if you are looking for a great shot at lots of shooting on a public area, then look no further than the 15 Missouri Conservation Areas managed for waterfowl. Columbia Bottom, Grand Pass, Fountain Grove and Ted Shanks being four top destinations. There are different rules at different locations, so be sure to check access opportunities on the Department of Conservation website. Duck season opens in the North Zone on Oct. 31 and the Middle Zones on Nov. 7. You can only hunt the South Zone in Nov. from 26 through 29. Throughout the entire month, you can duck hunt somewhere in Missouri.
See you down the trail…

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

The Owen County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $75,000 economic development contract for 2027 but postponed action on a proposed ordinance prohibiting county officials from signing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) during its Oct. 22 meeting.

The decisions prompted extensive discussion about government transparency, the public's right to know about proposed developments and the county's need to attract investment and expand its tax base.

Commissioners David Risk and Norm Warner attended the meeting; commissioner Sam Hobbs was absent. The board ultimately agreed to delay consideration of the NDA ordinance until all three commissioners could participate.

Economic development contract approved

Marce Johnson, representing the Owen County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), presented a proposed 2027 contract requesting $75,000, the same amount provided in each of the previous two years. She said the organization submits quarterly reports to the commissioners and holds monthly economic development committee meetings, with commissioner Risk serving as the county liaison.

The commissioners approved the contract before opening the floor to public comments, drawing objections from several residents who wanted restrictions on NDAs included in the agreement.

Residents questioned whether public funds provided to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) are sufficiently separated from Chamber of Commerce activities and whether the organization provides adequate public reporting.

In response, Johnson explained that the chamber and economic development operations have separate oversight groups, including a 12-member chamber board and a 21-member economic development committee. She said a certified public accountant prepares financial reports quarterly and that those reports are available for review.

One resident disputed the characterization of the organizations as separate entities, asserting that they operate under a common corporate registration. The commissioners did not resolve that disagreement during the meeting.

Another resident, Jeff Marks, urged the commissioners to require the EDC and Owen County Plan Commission to meet publicly at least twice annually to coordinate economic development and land-use planning.

"The plan commission works off of one set of notes. The EDC works off of another set of notes," he said. "That's not planning. That's not economic development. That's chaos."

The commissioners supported pursuing a contract amendment requiring semiannual meetings between the two groups. Johnson agreed to take the proposal to the EDC committee in November. The original contract approval remained in place.

Residents call for prohibition on NDAs

Mike Broach presented a proposed ordinance prohibiting county elected officials from signing NDAs involving county business or major development projects.

Broach, who said he moved to Owen County from Boone County because of concerns about a proposed data center project known as Project Domino, argued that confidentiality agreements can prevent residents from learning about developments until decisions are effectively made.

He emphasized that the proposed prohibition should extend beyond elected officials to organizations receiving county funding, including the EDC.

"Any entity that we're funding needs to have an NDA clause in their contract," Broach said.

Broach acknowledged that he did not have an example of another county government that had adopted a similar prohibition, but said the commissioners could establish a precedent.

The discussion highlighted competing concerns about transparency and economic development.

One commissioner questioned whether a blanket prohibition could discourage investors who want their identities or business plans kept confidential during preliminary discussions. He presented a hypothetical situation in which an investor would refuse to bring a major project to Owen County without an NDA.

Broach responded that he would rather lose that investment than allow public officials to enter agreements preventing them from discussing projects affecting residents.

The commissioner said he regularly hears from residents who want additional development and tax revenue, even though those viewpoints may not be represented among the people attending meetings.

"We have got to build Owen County's tax base because if we don't, you're not going to get your roads fixed," he said.

Broach maintained that economic development should not require secrecy and that public officials have an obligation to remain accountable to residents.

Fiber expansion cited as example of useful confidentiality

At the commissioners' request, Johnson described how confidentiality agreements helped competing telecommunications providers collaborate on expanding broadband service in Owen County.

She said that in 2020, only approximately 33% of the county had fiber coverage. Economic development representatives brought together Smithville, South Central Indiana (SCI) REMC and Endeavor, three competing providers, to share maps identifying existing service areas and gaps.

According to Johnson, confidentiality protections allowed the companies to share proprietary information without concern that competitors would use it against them.

She credited that collaboration with helping increase county fiber coverage to 99.58%.

"To me, that is an example of when a confidentiality agreement can be useful," she said.

Broach challenged whether that example justified allowing government officials or taxpayer-funded organizations to sign NDAs. He argued that private companies could protect their proprietary information through agreements among themselves without restricting public officials' ability to communicate with constituents.

The exchange also raised questions about whether an NDA prohibition should distinguish between protecting legitimate trade secrets and concealing the existence or details of proposed developments.

Other residents supported Broach's proposal, arguing that restrictions should cover elected officials, county employees and organizations receiving public money. One resident said the concern extended beyond the current commissioners to future officeholders who might make different decisions. Another said the central issue was public trust, particularly following controversies involving development proposals in neighboring communities.

A commissioner responded that the county should not be held responsible for an NDA reportedly signed by the Town of Spencer, noting that town government is a separate entity. He said he had not signed an NDA and did not recall the county commissioners entering one. He also pointed to the commissioners' rejection of a proposed unified development ordinance and their action on a data center moratorium as examples of following through on commitments to residents.

The discussion grew tense at times, with commissioners defending their records and residents continuing to press for written restrictions rather than verbal assurances.

Ultimately, the board took no action on the proposed NDA ordinance. With one commissioner absent, the commissioners agreed to table the matter until all three could participate. The proposed ban therefore remains under consideration, while the 2027 economic development contract has been approved without the NDA restriction residents requested.

Commissioners address bridge emergencies and replacement projects

In other business, the commissioners declared Bridge 135, located off Precinct Road, an emergency after a large vehicle or piece of equipment struck the structure and a state inspector ordered it closed. Owen County Highway Department Deputy Superintendent Chad Walker explained that the closure left one residence without normal road access. A neighboring property owner permitted a temporary crossing, but officials warned that heavy rain could make that route unusable for residents and emergency vehicles. Repair estimates are expected to be under $50,000, although formal quotes have not yet been obtained. The emergency declaration is intended to allow the county to move more quickly on repairs. Officials said a repair could potentially extend the bridge’s useful life while avoiding the much longer timeline for full replacement.

The commissioners approved a $276,130 bid from CLR for the replacement of Bridge 104 on Hubble Station Road. The project will replace a one-lane bridge with a two-lane structure, complementing planned road improvements.

A proposed replacement of Bridge 162 on Thompson Rd. near Porter Ridge Rd. was postponed because of budget concerns and the unexpected expense of Bridge 135. Commissioners indicated they could revisit the project early next year.

The highway department also reported that paving work under the 2026 Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) program was nearing completion.

Other county business

The commissioners directed the county attorney to revise documents establishing a building corporation associated with the county jail. Following concerns that the proposed language was too broad, the board voted to remove Section 7 and make the corporation’s purpose more specifically related to the jail. Revised documents will return for consideration.

The commissioners also voted to establish an ordinance directing armory rental revenue into the Future Building Fund and allowing that money to be used for county-owned buildings. A resident questioned whether earlier records might impose restrictions on the fund’s use. Commissioners agreed to review any documentation before the ordinance is finalized.

Jennifer Abrell, College and Career Readiness Specialist for Indiana 4-H, asked the county to consider allowing employees one paid hour per week to mentor students at Owen Valley Middle School. The program currently serves about 12 to 15 students and seeks five or six additional mentors. Commissioners expressed interest but requested information about the cost to taxpayers before making a decision.

Commissioners also reported progress toward hiring a new planning and building administrator, as the vacancy has delayed several pending development matters. A candidate has accepted the position, pending completion of remaining employment requirements.

During later public comments, residents again questioned economic development spending and urged closer coordination between the EDC and Plan Commission. Commissioners acknowledged the county’s financial and infrastructure challenges while emphasizing the need to encourage investment and improve long-term planning.

Owen County Council Budget Hearing

After weeks of work and public hearings, on Oct. 29, the Owen County Council voted to approve the 2027 budget. Council president Polly Chesser began the meeting by reiterating her strong opposition to government employees signing nondisclosure agreements and urged the commissioners to pass the ordinance banning NDAs.

I recently drove to the southern part of Missouri to visit family that lives there and was greeted with a wonderful home cooked meal of fried chicken and all the trimmings. I also took a nice walk around their property, which just happens to be at the backdoor of the Mark Twain National Forest and two sections of the Ozark Trail.

To add to my first day (as if that wasn't enough), we did some rock and fossil hunting on their land. I found a few nice pieces for my collection. And, to make things even better, I got to stay in their backyard Airbnb: a family-sized tent located within a shelter, complete with a comfortable air mattress, electricity, an open-face electric fireplace, small camp stove, and the sounds of nature outside my tent. I think it’s called “glamping,” which is just a fancy word for camping.

I was here for a visit with family, but also to check out the lay of the land and to explore this wilderness place. I also wanted to visit a local river in the national forest during my visit. Usually this late in the fall I could only dream of doing something like this, but the weather was great. It was the end of October, beginning of November, and the high temperature during my stay was 70 during the day with 50 degree temperatures at night.

The nearby Mark Twain National Forest was officially opened in the 1930s. It consists of 1.5 million acres in 29 counties in Missouri. Officially, it’s supposed to cover three million square acres.

November is one of my favorite months to walk in the woods. It’s a transition month between seasons. The fall season is winding down, but winter hasn’t quite made its appearance. The landscape this time of year is made up of earth tone colors of brown, yellow, orange, and red. Some leaves still cling to the tree branches, but most are scattered around on the ground. Every season and month of the year has its beauty, but there is just something about November.

I decided to go for a river walk and spend the day exploring. The Current River was designated as an Ozark National Scenic Riverways and was the first national park area dedicated to a river system. When I made it to the river, I was amazed by its beauty. This 184-mile river is spring-fed and has some of the cleanest river water I had ever seen. The sunlight reflected off the surface of the water, causing a sparkling effect. The water level was down a bit, exposing a sand bar which was covered with river rock. I was in my element.

I spent time walking the sand bar, looking for rocks and listening to the sounds of the current, moving the waters downstream. I was in a section of the river that was surrounded by the national forest. I felt at home in this wild area.

I have finally faced the fact that being out in nature is in my blood, as well as backpacking, camping, rock hunting, just to name a few. They all kind of go together.

I am writing this in my tent, under the light of my small lantern with a big smile on my face. Life has once again given me a reprieve, a respite of sorts, and has reminded me of how good the moments can be. I will commit this experience to memory. When I am older, I hope that my mind has a full memory bank to draw upon when I think back to these moments. But for tonight, my view of the Missouri stars will have to do.

Adventure awaits! Make sure to enjoy your moments!

Happy November,

Susan

As the days get shorter and the temperatures begin to cool, fall is the perfect time to find a good book and settle in for a little reading. Whether you enjoy a mystery, a historical novel, a romance, or a book that teaches you something new, the Owen County Public Library (OCPL) has plenty of options to help you find your next great read.

One of the best things about visiting the library is discovering a book you might not have picked up otherwise. Maybe you stop by looking for a particular title and leave with something completely different that catches your attention. Sometimes, those unexpected finds turn out to be our favorite books.

If you aren't sure what to read next, ask one of our library staff members for a recommendation. We are always happy to help you find something based on your interests. You can also browse the shelves, check out new releases, or pick up a book by an author you already know and enjoy. With so many choices, there is always something new to discover.

Don't have time to sit down with a physical book? Your library card gives you access to digital resources, too. Through Libby, you can borrow e-books and audiobooks to enjoy on your phone or tablet. Kanopy also offers streaming movies and documentaries. These resources make it easy to enjoy a good story, even when you can't make it to the library.

Fall is also a great time to make reading part of your daily routine. Set aside a few minutes before bed, read while enjoying your morning coffee, or listen to an audiobook on your commute. You don't have to read for hours at a time to enjoy the benefits of reading. Even a few minutes a day can give you a chance to relax, learn something new, or take a break from your busy schedule.

And remember, reading should be enjoyable! If you start a book and find that it just isn't for you, it's okay to put it down and try something else. There are too many good books out there to spend your time reading something you don't enjoy.

At the Owen County Public Library, we want everyone to find something they love to read. So, as you enjoy the changing leaves and cooler weather, stop by the library and see what you can find. You might just discover your next favorite book.

This fall, take some time for yourself, explore something new, and fall into a good book!

The OCPL is located at 10 S. Montgomery St. in Spencer.

Kylie Robert | Patriot Paper SES

Mr. LaGrange’s favorite breakfast is biscuits and gravy, favorite lunch is ham pizza, and favorite dinner is steak and potatoes. The book that he is reading right now is Spearfingers. His favorite movie to watch is Jaws and it is the first one. His favorite TV show is Seinfeld. His favorite animal is a Black Bear. His favorite subject when he was in school was Art. His favorite hobby to do in the fall is hunting deer. Mr. LaGrange’s favorite style of music in the fall is jazz and country. His favorite place to go in the fall is the Smoky Mountains. His favorite meal on Thanksgiving is turkey and mashed potatoes. His favorite thing to do on Thanksgiving is cooking and making food for his family. Mr. LaGrange is thankful for families getting together again on a holiday. Stay tuned for more fun facts for teachers!

The Patriot Paper is a monthly newspaper made by and for the students of Spencer Elementary School. Once a month, the Owen News highlights one of their articles in our paper.

The Owen County 4-H community gathered Oct. 25 to celebrate another outstanding year of youth development, project excellence, leadership, and volunteer service during the 2026 Owen County 4-H Awards Program. The event recognized the hard work and dedication of 4-H members, volunteers, alumni, and supporters who have helped make the local program a success throughout the year.

The awards ceremony began by recognizing recipients of the prestigious Project Pin Awards. These awards are unique because they are not based solely on top project placings. Instead, recipients are selected for their knowledge, dedication, work ethic, and commitment to learning within their chosen project areas.

Several members received special project and achievement honors. Meilynn Hess earned the Achievement Award for having the best Record of Achievement and was also recognized with both the Photography Award and Shooting Sports Award. Anthony Rush received the Agriculture Award, while Silas Hauser was honored with the Beef Award. Other project award recipients included Ily Swan (Cat Award), Payton Serna (Citizenship Award), Wyatt Curtis (Communication Award), Kallai Hamilton (Dairy Award), and Rain Newman (Dog Award).

Additional project area winners included Easton Page (Electric Award), Marla Lippert (Expressive Arts Award), Parker Curtis (Foods Award), Madeline Hauser (Goat Award), Madi Amick (Horse Award), and Jennifer Daniel (Horticulture Award). The Leadership Award, recognizing outstanding service in the Junior Leader Club, was presented to Samual Logsdon.

Other project award recipients included Luke Wood (Wildlife Award), Elliott Page (Poultry Award), Piper Daniel (Rabbit Award), Charlotte Pavich (Sewing and Fashion Review Award), Raegan Greene (Sheep Award), Parker Newman (Small Animals Award), Hudson Rice (Swine Award), Ellee Walker (Veterinary Science Award), and Quinn Suitors (Woodworking Award).

Two members received the highly respected Lamp of Knowledge Award. This recognition honors members who have excelled in their project work, expanded their knowledge, and shared what they have learned with others. The 2026 recipients were Elliott Page and Parker Curtis.

The national I Dare You Leadership Award was presented to Rain Newman and Samual Logsdon. This prestigious award recognizes young people who demonstrate integrity, balanced living, leadership potential, and a commitment to making a positive difference in their communities.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the 2026 Top Ten 4-H Members, each of whom earned a $100 scholarship. This year’s honorees were Meilynn Hess, Rain Newman, Marla Lippert, Aleah Martin, Ily Swan, Jennifer Daniel, Parker Newman, Piper Daniel, Parker Curtis, and Easton Page.

Outstanding 4-H Member honors were awarded to Aleah Martin as the Outstanding 4-Her in grades third through seventh and Meilynn Hess as the Outstanding 4-Her in grades eight through 12th. Both members were recognized for their exceptional involvement, leadership, and service throughout the year.

The program also honored dedicated adults who continue to support the 4-H program. Outstanding 4-H Alumni Awards were presented to Nicholas Heck, Errin Logsdon, and Kala Biggs for their continued commitment to investing in future generations of 4-H youth.

Volunteer service was also celebrated during the event. Christine Slough was recognized for reaching 10 years of service as an Indiana 4-H volunteer. The evening concluded with the presentation of the Owen County 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award to Jason Daniel. Nominated by community members and selected for his dedication to youth through the Bullseye Archery Club, Daniel exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that helps make the Owen County 4-H program thrive.

The 2026 Owen County 4-H Awards Program showcased the tremendous talent, leadership, and service that exists within the local 4-H community. Congratulations to all award recipients for their hard work and accomplishments, and thank you to the volunteers, families, and supporters who continue to help Owen County 4-H fulfill its mission of making the best better.

Presented by the Sweet Owen Arts Commission, the 2nd Annual Arts in the Park & Classic Car Show held Oct. 24 drew visitors to Cooper Commons in Spencer for a day celebrating local creativity, culture, and craftsmanship. The free admission event featured continuous live performances, alongside an art fair showcasing regional vendor booths, live art demonstrations, food vendors, kids' activities, and a community quilt project.

Car enthusiasts also gathered to display their rides in the classic car show, where four award categories were judged and prizes were awarded, with all vehicle registration proceeds directly benefiting the arts across Owen and surrounding counties. Additional community groups, such as the Owen County Theatre & Arts Alliance, participated with booths and activities like advance sales for their planned summer 2027 fundraising “duck race.”

Property transfers processed by the Owen County Recorder’s Office in late August and throughout the month of September 2026 reflected a broad cross-section of local real estate activity, ranging from standard residential sales and family trust reorganizations to foreclosures and sheriff's deeds. For actual selling prices, refer to the Sales Disclosure Forms filed through the Owen County Assessor's Office:

471 Fifth Ave., Spencer: Scott A. Newforth and Deborah A. Newforth to New 4th Ave LLC, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 25, 2026.

1516 S.R. 46W, Spencer: Scott A. Newforth and Deborah A. Newforth to Das Wald Revocable Living Trust, Scott A. Newforth Trustee and Deborah A. Newforth Trustee, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 25, 2026.

79 W. Morgan St., Spencer: Scott A. Newforth and Deborah A. Newforth to 79 West LLC, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 25, 2026.

647 Concord Rd., Gosport: Tyler E. Fauber and Savannah S. Fauber to Isaac Carpenter and Elizabeth Johnson, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 25, 2026.

2443 Mangus Rd., Poland: Larry D. Walker and Sandra A. Walker to Todd L. Borders and Lisa D. Borders, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 25, 2026.

Concord Rd., Spencer (vacant – unplatted lot): Richard Carl Rumple Jr. to Helee Six LLC, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 25, 2026.

3483 Rattlesnake Rd., Spencer: Timothy D. Hall-O'Brien to Karen L. Hall-O'Brien, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 25, 2026.

5233 Adel Rd., Spencer: Kothe Holdings LLC to Elizabeth A. Prine and Orbin R. Prine Sr., $1.00, recorded on Aug. 26, 2026.

Stevens Dr., Freedom (vacant land): Clinton C. Stevens Jr. to Joey Madewell and Christina Madewell, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 27, 2026.

Sandlick Rd., Freedom (vacant land): Phillip F. Merk and Jacqueline A. Merk to Sycamore Land Trust Inc., $10.00, recorded on Aug. 27, 2026.

452 Lovers Ln., Spencer: Darrell Arthur to Leonard E. White, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 27, 2026.

334 Elliston Ln., Spencer: Bradford Eiler Lemmons and Michele Rena Lemmons to Bradley Hawn and Krista Hawn, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 27, 2026.

9561 Newport Rd., Bowling Green: Danny R. Hause and Joshua L. Hause to Gregory Finnerty and Tina M. Finnerty, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 31, 2026.

Jordan Village Rd., Poland (parcel split): Jeffrey A. Merrick and Teresa Merrick to T. Keith Blankenship, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 31, 2026.

310 Garden Park Pl., Spencer: Sherry Tucker, Kathy Spinks, and Michelle Watrin to Richard Alan Whiteman and Sherry Lynn Whiteman, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 1, 2026.

8095 Lehman Rd., Worthington: Daniel D. Bowman and Naomi C. Bowman to Samuel L. Swartzentruber and Heidi Swartzentruber, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 1, 2026.

8670 Owen Park Rd., Spencer: Larry E. Snyder to Steven V. Mader and Lynn A. Mader, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 1, 2026.

168 E. Morgan St., Spencer: Leonard E. White to Harding Enterprises LLC and Harding Enterprises (168 E Morgan St) LLC, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 1, 2026.

1557 Fox Run Ct., Spencer: Carolyn Amber Walls (NKA Carolyn Amber Holley) to Jasper Conrad and Cecelia Bartholomew, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 2, 2026.

6590 Rudy Ln., Gosport: Diane Winship to Kenia Himely, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 2, 2026.

6070 Vilas Rd., Spencer: Joanne McFarland (Affiant), Karen S. Carmichael (Deceased), and Ronald G. Carmichael (Deceased) to Kellie Gardner and Joanne McFarland, $0.00, recorded on Sept. 2, 2026.

6934 Switchboard Rd., Spencer: Paul R. Staggs to Evangelyn B. Gallucci, $0.00, recorded on Sept. 2, 2026.

13300 Orman Rd., Coal City: Matthew T. Lohmiller, Cherish M. Lohmiller, Anthony L. Binter, and Kimberly K. Binter to Kimberly K. Binter, Anthony L. Binter Jr., and Anthony L. Binter Sr., $0.00, recorded on Sept. 2, 2026.

2849 Hickory Hills Rd., Spencer: Michael Wood and Susan H. Wood to Tucker West and Julia Grant-West, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 3, 2026.

4677 Straight Line Rd., Spencer: Charles Andy Hodge to Nancy Wiesen-Smith, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 4, 2026.

5158 Orange Grove Rd., Gosport: Tamara Baumgartner Moore and Thomas Moore to Terrie Burrell, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 8, 2026.

Reynolds Rd. and Coal City-Arney Rd., Coal City (vacant land): Anchorpoint Equity Group LP to Leon Hershberger, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 8, 2026.

3430 S.R. 46E, Spencer: Patty A. Price to David B. Faith, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 8, 2026.

11961 Catt Rd., Coal City: David Eric Coppock and Lillian Sophie Coppock to Matthew T. Lohmiller and Cherish M. Lohmiller, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 9, 2026.

386 N. Main St., Spencer: Tricia M. Hogan (Trustee), G. Ronald Beatty and Gloria J. Beatty Irrevocable Living Trust, Beatty G. Ronald and Gloria J. Beatty Irrevocable Living Trust, G. Ronald Beatty (Life Estate), and Gloria J. Beatty (Life Estate) to Vanessa L. Cloe and Ryan M. Cloe, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 9, 2026.

11088 Camp Otto Rd., Cloverdale: Mark Hess and Suzanne Hess to William Whitman and Michelle Whitman, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 9, 2026.

1120 Cedar Ln., Spencer: U.S. Bank Trust National Association (Trustee) and LSF9 Master Participation Trust to OC Rentals LLP, $99,000.00, recorded on Sept. 9, 2026.

6412 Jones Rd., Gosport: Cheryl Riddle and Barry Riddle (Deceased) to Carlos Jackson, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 11, 2026.

744 Fox Run Dr., Spencer: Leonard E. White to Gary Lane Yeley, Devon Joe Yeley, and Deidre Ann Stephens, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 11, 2026.

1933 Rey Cemetery Rd., Freedom: Danny A. Lamb and Pamela S. Lamb to Heritage Community Development Corp, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 11, 2026.

891 S. Byerly Rd., Freedom: Emily Beth Sowers and Ronald Truman Sowers (Estate of) to Misty Sky Counts and Robert Scott Kilgore, $0.00, recorded on Sept. 11, 2026.

112 Goss St., Gosport: Matthew T. Wolf to Ryan Williams, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 14, 2026.

10383 Pine Ridge Rd., Poland: Sheriff of Owen County, Owen County Sheriff, and Christopher J. Scott to Newrez LLC, $98,045.60, recorded on Sept. 14, 2026.

933 Candlewick Ln., Spencer: Emma Louise Orman to Debra Keith, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 14, 2026.

2854 Hickory Hills Rd., Spencer: Kevin A. Cooper and Ann M. Cooper to Brockton Caleb Dickison and Alexis Dickison, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 14, 2026.

Park Hill Dr., Spencer (vacant - platted lot): Jay D. Gatrell and Kristina S. Donovan to Jennifer R. Tamillo and Jared W. Livingston, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 14, 2026.

2501 Quincy Rd., Quincy: Donald Gillum and Emily Gillum to James Staley and Jessica Staley, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 16, 2026.

702 Johnson Rd., Spencer: Christana Lynn Dittemore and Robert R. Dittemore Jr. to Troy D. Horn (Trustee), Lori J. Horn (Trustee), and Troy D. and Lori J. Horn Living Trust, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 16, 2026.

5815 S.R. 42, Poland: Annie Koeum, Tracy L. Stanfield (Estate of), and Larry C. Stanfield (Deceased) to Patricia D. Burdine, Lisa Ritter, Miranda White, Benjamin Freeman, Mike Taylor, and Wendall Jack Taylor, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 18, 2026.

951 Oberholtzer Rd., Clay City: Ronald Killion to Autumn Rosella Drake and Ronald Killion (Life Estate), $1.00, recorded on Sept. 21, 2026.

7425 Jordan Village Rd., Poland: Owen County Sheriff, Sheriff of Owen County to Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB (Trustee) and Discovery Mortgage Loan Trust, $71,500.00, recorded on Sept. 21, 2026.

Hudson Hill Rd., Spencer (vacant land): FFCIC/TL LLC (FFCIC TL LLC) to Robert B. Webb, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 21, 2026.

2025 Rey Cemetery Rd., Freedom: Christopher D. Young and Shelly J. Young to Isabella Hamilton and Colby Young, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 21, 2026.

550 N. Fletcher Ave., Spencer: Zachariah S. Pursell to Charles Davis Pursell, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 21, 2026.

4360 Gilmore Rd., Spencer: Laura I. Roberts (FKA Laura I. Chandler) to Ronald N. Schwartz III and Jenna LaRoche, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 21, 2026.

2434 U.S. 231N, Spencer: Zachary Carter to ZTC Properties LLC, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 22, 2026.

11136 Ficus Cemetery Rd., Coal City: Andrew B. Crawford, Jane A. Crawford, Phyllis C. Crawford (Estate of), and Phyllis Crawford to RRG Properties LLC, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 22, 2026.

7472 Stogsdill Rd., Bloomington: Brian K. Campbell, Jennie Shimkus, and Tamera Robertson (FKA Tamera White) to Lauren Hamilton, $0.00, recorded on Sept. 24, 2026.

6190 North Dr., Poland: Karen Peed, Margery Nichols (Estate of), Margie Nichols, and Eugene Nichols (Deceased) to Alexis Chase, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 24, 2026.

Hale Hill Rd., Poland (vacant – unplatted): Wendell E. Winks Jr. and Kathy J. Winks to David W. Ogles and Deborah K. Ogles, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 24, 2026.

1674 Deer Haven Court, Spencer: Jason Christopher Barnes and Charity Faith Barnes to John Callahan and Candace Callahan, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 24, 2026.

124 Walnut Rd., Spencer: OC Development LLC to Kevin A. Cooper and Ann M. Cooper, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 25, 2026.

718 White Oak Rd., Spencer: OC Development LLC to Kevin A. Cooper and Ann M. Cooper, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 25, 2026.

67 S. Sunnyside Ln., Spencer: Landon E. Rector and Alyssa M. Rector to Zachariah S. Pursell and Tonya Marie Heston, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 25, 2026.

4839 Cataract Courts Dr., Cloverdale: Matthew Langdon and Dominique Langdon to Laurie A. Duke and Robbie Duke, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 25, 2026.

982 E. Porter Ridge Rd., Spencer: Ramona K. Hobbiebrunken to Martin W. Bougher and Whitney A. Bougher, $10.00, recorded on Sept. 28, 2026.

3251 Hyden Rd., Spencer: Sheriff of Owen County, Owen County Sheriff, and Zebulon T. Shrum to Carrington Mortgage Services LLC, $97,100.83, recorded on Sept. 29, 2026.

710 Concord Rd., Gosport: Alice F. Ambrozaitis to Brandon Sowders, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 30, 2026.

1829 Rey Cemetery Rd., Freedom: Danny A. Lamb and Pamela S. Lamb to Leroy Graber and Darvin Devon Graber, $1.00, recorded on Sept. 30, 2026.

6665 North Dr., Poland: Amy Sammarco to Teresa Deutsch and Eric Deutsch, $1.00, recorded on Oct. 1, 2026.

9185 Buffalo Rd., Poland: Owen County Sheriff, Sheriff of Owen County, Jeremy M. Kraay, and Larissa Elizabeth Webb to Federal National Mortgage Association, $154,300.00, recorded on Oct. 1, 2026.

302 E. Lewis Ln., Spencer: Barbara L. Chambers (Affiant), Geneva C. Dick (Deceased), AKA Geneva J. Dick (Deceased), to Barbara L. Chambers, and William E. Dick, $0.00, recorded on Oct. 1, 2026.

75 E. Franklin St., Spencer: Doris Anna Herring to Doris Anna Herring (Trustee), Lee Lysander Lincoln (Trustee), Diane Rachelle Newton (Trustee), and Wayne Herring and Doris Anna Herring Revocable Living Trust, $0.00, recorded on Oct. 5, 2026.

7048 Hudson Hill Rd., Gosport: Doris Herring and Wayne Herring (Deceased) to Doris Anna Herring (Trustee), Lee Lysander Lincoln (Trustee), Diane Rachelle Newton (Trustee), and Wayne Herring and Doris Anna Herring Revocable Living Trust, $0.00, recorded on Oct. 5, 2026.

4447 Newport Dr., Spencer: Nathaniel R. Myers and Stacia L. Myers to Sarah Peden and Philip Peden, $1.00, recorded on Oct. 5, 2026.

523 E. Market St., Spencer: Joshua W. Sanburn to Hope E. Hobbs, Heath R. Patterson, Matthew E. Lantz, and Holly A. Lantz, $10.00, recorded on Oct. 5, 2026.

4401 Garrard Chapel Rd., Bowling Green: Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC to Douglas Blakley, $133,400.00, recorded on Oct. 5, 2026.

Infrastructure across Owen County and neighboring communities is set for a substantial boost following a statewide funding announcement from Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). Governor Braun recently joined INDOT officials during the 43rd Annual Indiana MPO-IARC Conference in Kokomo to award nearly $110 million in state matching funds to 346 communities across Indiana through the Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) program.

In total, approximately $18.9 million was allocated within INDOT’s Southeast District alone to support vital local road and bridge improvements.

Locally, Owen County and surrounding municipal governments secured a combined total of $1,501,734.44 in state matching grants during the FY 2027 call for projects. Among the local recipients, Owen County was awarded $593,368.38, while the Town of Cloverdale received $384,828.86. Additionally, the Town of Gosport was awarded $362,108.80, and the Town of Spencer secured $161,728.40 to support municipal roadway upgrades.

“Good roads and bridges are essential to strong communities and a growing economy,” said Governor Braun during the announcement. “This funding ensures hundreds of Indiana communities have the necessary resources to make improvements that Hoosiers will see and use every day. What makes Community Crossings work is that local governments have skin in the game. They’re investing alongside the state to get these projects done, making roads safer, supporting local businesses, and creating more opportunities for communities across Indiana to grow.”

Funding for the Community Crossings program originates from the state’s local road and bridge matching grant fund, established by the Indiana General Assembly under House Enrolled Act 1002 in 2017. Since the program's inception in 2016, more than $2 billion in matching funds has been awarded statewide for local road enhancements. INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, noting that Community Crossings is a testament to the strong partnerships between INDOT and local communities that help provide safe, efficient transportation infrastructure for cities, towns, and counties.

Following recent legislative adjustments, the program maintains a matching grant cap of $100 million per year, with an annual cap of $1 million per local unit of government per state fiscal year. However, cost favorability has allowed INDOT to exceed the baseline annual cap over the past two fiscal years to meet infrastructure demands.

Local officials will utilize the awarded funds to advance upcoming road paving, repair, and bridge maintenance projects designed to improve everyday travel safety and support long-term regional development.

A complete list of all communities receiving matching funds across the state and additional program details are available through INDOT.

When Spencer resident Doris Hammond found out she had pancreatic cancer, she was afraid that the diagnosis was a death sentence. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 19%. Hammond underwent a specialized procedure called the Whipple surgery in 2025 to remove the cancer at the end of an almost yearlong treatment and recovery process, Hammond now finds herself cancer-free.

Many people aren’t lucky enough to hear those words after such a critical diagnosis, and since her recovery, Hammond had been thinking about what it took to get through, and what others in her place might have done or been able to do. Finally, she decided to found a support group in Spencer. The group, Hope Starts Here, had their first meeting on Oct. 19 and plans to meet every first and third Monday of the month at the Spencer Lions Club’s Lester F. Litten Community Building, 59 N. Main St., in Spencer.

Hammond’s intent is to create a place of support and education for any who attend, as well as encourage patients to advocate for themselves during their own appointments.

“If you don’t think [your doctor] is doing anything, move ahead. Nowadays, you don’t have to have referrals to specialists and you can call on your own. That’s what I did, and I am so grateful I did,” Hammond said.

Her own experience with cancer diagnosis started with a mis-diagnosis of pancreatitis by an emergency room doctor after feeling faint enough to report there on her own. She was put on a strict diet meant to help ease the inflammation of her pancreas but after a month without improvement she made another doctor’s appointment where a biopsy revealed cancer. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for three months later.

“They said ‘an oncologist will call you,’ and they did, but they said ‘we will see in three months,’ but I [knew myself] and that I might not be here in three months because I was very ill and I knew it,” Hammond said. “So I called Simon Cancer Center and talked to a very knowledgeable RN and they said ‘we can see you in three weeks,’ and that made a big difference.”

After reaching out to the local Chamber of Commerce and finding out that nothing like what she wanted to start existed in Spencer, Hammond knew she wanted to be the one to start it.

In their first meeting, attendees heard from individual’s experiences with eye cancer as well as from working RN’s about signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Hammond is looking for other medical experts that would be willing to share their knowledge with the group. Others invited to the group are those with cancer, people supporting those with cancer and even people simply interested in gaining more knowledge about cancer or the treatment process.

“We need supporters,” Hammond said. “Three of the people that shared at our first meeting had cancer. . .but we need people who are wanting to help others, and you don't have to physically do anything. Just send cards or talk to them on the phone or anything you can come up with. . . I’d love to have anyone [come to our meetings] that’s interested.”

Hammond also encourages people to come to the meetings and share their stories, both to help others in a similar situation and to get support from others.

“You don’t have to share it, it’s a very personal thing. . .[But] it is nothing to be ashamed of,” she said. “You can’t help it if you get cancer, so anything you can do to help yourself get through it [is worth doing].”

The main reason that Hammond started the group though, is simply from a sense of gratitude for her own health and her desire to help others. Her original goal was to stay alive long enough to see the birth of her 17th great-grandchild. Now, having recently celebrated her 87th birthday, her goal is to start and maintain this new group.

“If I can save anybody, one life, this program will be well worth it,” Hammond said.

Veteran service organizations, local schools, and community partners across Owen County are joining forces to host a full schedule of commemorative events, ceremonies, and complimentary meals on Nov. 11, honoring local military veterans and their families.

The morning will begin in Spencer with a free breakfast hosted at Spencer American Legion Post #285 from 8 to 11 a.m. The menu features biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, sausage, potato casserole, and additional breakfast favorites.

Starting at 8:30 a.m., Gosport Elementary School will host a special Drive-Thru Veterans Day Parade. Local service members are invited to drive through the school’s front parking lot at 201 N. Ninth St. in Gosport, where students will line the path with posters, banners, and cheers. Participating veterans will also receive a complimentary drive-thru breakfast as they pass through. While reservations are not strictly required, organizers request that veterans call 812-879-4694 in advance to help estimate attendance numbers.

Students at Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) will also hold their annual OVMS Veterans Day Program starting at 10:30 a.m. The program will feature a flag folding ceremony presented by the Owen Valley High School Air Force JROTC, guest speaker Owen County Sheriff Ryan White, and patriotic musical selections performed by the OVMS Choir. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the school will recognize veterans who are family members of OVMS students and staff.

Following the school observances, the countywide Owen County Veterans Day program will get underway at 11 a.m. at Gosport Town Park. This year’s ceremony is hosted by Gosport VFW Post #7850 in collaboration with Spencer VFW Post #1405 and Spencer American Legion Post #285. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Joy Koester will serve as the keynote speaker.

Immediately following the program at Gosport Town Park, attendees are invited to a complimentary lunch at the Gosport VFW, featuring spaghetti, salad, and dessert.

The day’s observances will conclude in the evening with a free dinner at the Spencer VFW, beginning at 6 p.m. The menu will include turkey, noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, salads, rolls, and dessert.

All scheduled meals, school events, and community ceremonies are open to veterans, their families, and the public. Additional details and updates can be found on the official Facebook pages for the Gosport VFW, Spencer VFW, Spencer Legion, and local school districts.

Note: Additional Veterans Day activities may be taking place across Owen County that were not reported to us prior to press time.

History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day traces its origins back to the end of World War I. Major hostilities officially ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the Allied nations and Germany signed the Armistice. One year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as "Armistice Day" to honor the heroism of those who served in World War I.

In 1938, Congress officially made Nov. 11 a legal federal holiday. Following the military mobilizations of World War II and the Korean War, veteran service organizations urged Congress to broaden the scope of the holiday. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation officially changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, expanding the focus to honor American veterans of all wars and peacetime service. Unlike Memorial Day, which commemorates service members who lost their lives in defense of the nation, Veterans Day pays tribute to all living and deceased military personnel who served honorably in the United States Armed Forces.

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.

10-14

Timothy Bryant, 40, Bloomington, preliminary charge of nonsupport of child. Arrested by Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Major William Snodgrass.

Ronald Stone, Jr., 33, Columbus, IN, preliminary charges of probation violation and invasion of privacy. OCSD Major William Snodgrass was the arresting officer.

10-19

Randall Walker, 41, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of failure to appear and intimidation. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

10-20

Christopher Pittman, 54, Greencastle, preliminary charges of failure to appear and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Whitney Kelly, 36, Bowling Green, IN, preliminary charges of failure to appear, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, invasion of privacy (two counts), and criminal trespass. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson.

10-23

Brittany Daniels, 32, Spencer, preliminary charge of invasion of privacy. OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer.

Kevin Miller, 54, Spencer, preliminary charge of operating with a schedule I or II controlled substance. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

David Padgett, Jr., 32, no address given, preliminary charge of writ of attachment. OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer.

Seth Folden, 38, Spencer, preliminary charges of interfering with custody of a child and resisting law enforcement. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Luke Wright.

10-25

Deric Smith, 37, Cloverdale, preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident. OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer.

Phillip George, 37, Poland IN, preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, failure to appear (two counts), battery, and criminal mischief. Arrested by OCSD Major William Snodgrass.

10-26

Wayne Adams, 53, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of dealing in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson was the arresting officer.

Raymond Moore, 77, Spencer, preliminary charges of invasion of privacy (two counts). Arrested by OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler.

10-29

Umello Betts, 35, Terre Haute, preliminary charge of failure to appear on an original charge of possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Christopher Franklin, 50, Cloverdale, preliminary charges of probation violation and driving while suspended with a prior charge. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Cory Poland.

10-31

Dustin Brown, 35, Spencer, preliminary charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Spencer Police Department (SPD) officer Zachary Brock was the arresting officer.

Jaclyn Smith, 40, Freedom, preliminary charge of operating while intoxicated. Arrested by SPD officer Edson Westgate.

11-2

Carson Bradlee Terrell, 28, Spencer, preliminary charges of attempted residential entry, criminal trespass, resisting law enforcement, and disorderly conduct. OCSD K9 Deputy Charles Hallam was the arresting officer.

Krystal Shepard, 40, Freedom, preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent. Arrested by OCSD Sergeant Torrey Wallace.

Mychal David Doering, 48, of Bloomington, went home to his Lord and savior on Oct. 23, 2026. Raised in Ellettsville, Mychal graduated from Edgewood High School (EHS), attended Manchester College on a football scholarship, and earned a Business degree from WGU.

A man of deep faith, compassion, and boundless love, Mychal spent his life serving God and mentoring youth. He coached Upward sports, EHS football, basketball, and track, and worked as a career coach at EHS and Owen Valley High School. His mantra was to always be "Thankful for the Day."

Above all, Mychal was a devoted family man. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sarah Nicoll Doering; children, Izaiah Christopher and Henry Edward; parents, Debbie Hubbard, and Jim Doering (wife Marti); brother, Mark (Michele) Patton; and many extended family, friends, and mentees.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Chuck and Marion Doering, Edward and Lillian Euers, Virgil and Martha Liebrandt; and brother, Matthew Allen Patton.

A celebration of life was held Oct. 31, 2026, at Zion Community Church of the Nazarene in Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for medical expenses or to a cause dear to Mychal's heart.

Brian Lee Merchant, 64, of Spencer, passed away on Oct. 22, 2026, at home, surrounded by his family.

Born in Greenfield, IN, on July 5, 1962, to Harold “Bud” and Arlene (Davis) Merchant, Brian graduated from Cloverdale High School and worked at Boston Scientific in Spencer. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, driving demolition derby cars, attending his grandchildren’s activities, and spending time with loved ones.

Brian is survived by his mother, Arlene Merchant; sons, Tony (Kayla) Merchant and Adam (Hannah) Merchant; brother, Don (Tracy) Merchant; and grandchildren, Tori Merchant, Jackson Merchant, Maddison Evans, Lani Merchant, Kennedy Merchant, Lydia Abbott, Piper Merchant, Maverick Sturgeon, Madison Sturgeon, and Mason Sturgeon.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold “Bud” Merchant.

A graveside service officiated by Pastor Andy Minnick was held on Oct. 27, 2026, at Hudson Hill Cemetery on Hudson Hill Road in Gosport.

Arrangements were entrusted to West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service, Inc. in Spencer.

Ricky Lee Isenburg, 66, of Cloverdale, formerly of Spencer, passed away at home on Oct. 21, 2026.

Born May 23, 1960, in Franklin, KY, he was the son of Charlie and Lizzie Jane (Neighbors) Isenburg. He married Sandra Sue Isenburg on April 16, 1988. Ricky served with Indiana University and the Indiana National Guard until his retirement. He enjoyed watching westerns, bowling, and cherished spending time with his family.

Ricky is survived by his children, Becky (David) Isbell, Lisa Cannady, Brianna Isenburg, and Brooke (David) Norris; grandchildren, Cheryl Cross, Dallas Isbell, Levi Isbell, Malisha Phillips, Zoey Isenburg, Lucas Ison, David Norris, and Marsha Bieber; great-grandchildren, Ryder Dishman, Miya Isbell, Jade Isbell, Raylee Isbell, Hero Isbell, Atreus Isbell, and Leon Isbell; and siblings, Mary Kirkwood, Gale Cox, Sandy Nixon, Brenda Nixon, and Carl Isenburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sandra; daughter, Crystal Gayle Isenburg; and siblings, Joe, Johnny, Randy, and Henry Isenburg, and Janice Maddox.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service Inc. in Spencer.

Leland "Max" Floyd, 74, of Spencer, passed away on Oct. 26, 2026, in Bloomington, with family by his side. He was born Sept. 6, 1952, the son of John Floyd and Marcella (Newport) Floyd.

Max graduated from Patricksburg High School in 1971 and never shied away from hard work. He worked at General Electric, and then 17 years at Otis Elevator, both in Bloomington, and then 11 more years at Heartland in Greencastle. He was the kind of man who showed up, did the job right, and took pride in providing for the people he loved.

Max always said his loves came in a certain order: his family, his motorcycles, and his Polar Pops. Nothing made him happier than time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. After that, he was happiest on the open road with the wind in his face. And you could almost always find him with a Polar Pop close by.

He leaves behind his soulmate, Bessie Downes; children, Tony (Kim) Floyd, Spencer (Vanessa) Mattox, James (Chelsea) Ray, and Wendy (Andy) Goss; grandchildren, Tori Floyd, Travis (Sierra) Floyd, Trevor Floyd, Logan (Tommy) Stutsman, Joseph (Kirsten) Goss, Laraeha Ray, and Cam Mattox; great-grandchildren, Tessa Floyd, Lucas Stutsman, and Charlotte Goss; and siblings, Keith (Debbie) Floyd, Belinda Floyd, and Jennifer Floyd.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Marlene South and Vicky Cesinger.

Online condolences may be shared at www.westparrishpedigo.com.

Gerald "Gerry" G. Sips, 83, of Freedom, passed away peacefully at home Oct. 30, 2026. Born May 7, 1943, in Splinter Ridge near Spencer to Walter and Caretta (Harlan) Sips, he graduated from Patricksburg High School in 1961.

Gerry served 26 years as a police officer, including 18 as Chief of Police, retiring in 1992. A jack-of-all-trades, he also worked in construction, auto repair, and farming. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, trips to Montana, and riding horses alongside Sandra, his wife of over 47 years.

Gerry is survived by his wife, Sandra S. (Fiscus) Sips; children, Eric (Leslie) Sips, Terry (Shanel) Sips, and Rachel (James Devlin) Lynch; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Tresa Sips and Sue Sips; and dearest friend, George Knapp.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Walter Sips, Jr. and Fritzi Sips.

The family will gather soon to celebrate his life. Arrangements are in the care of Welch & Cornett Funeral Home in Worthington (a division of Walton Funeral Service).

Online condolences may be shared at www.welchcornett.com.

Tony Nelson Davis, 84, of Spencer, formerly of Indianapolis, passed away on Oct. 24, 2026, at his residence.

Born on Dec. 22, 1941, in Hazard, KY, Tony was the son of Robert and Mildred (Kiewitt) Davis. A machinist by trade, he owned and operated D & B Machine in Indianapolis for 50 years before his retirement. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time working in his machine shop.

Tony is survived by wife, Sherril Davis; sons, Anthony Davis and Robert (Liza) Davis; daughter, Rebekah (Robert) Townsend; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and sister, Eleanor (Randy) Jones.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service, Inc. in Spencer. Family and friends may visit from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

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

Marilyn Miller Morin, 88, of Spencer, passed away peacefully Oct. 27, 2026, at Hearthstone Health & Rehab in Bloomington.

Born in Owen County on Nov. 16, 1937, to Harry C. and Gladys (Dorsett) Miller, Marilyn graduated from Spencer High School in 1955 and attended Indiana University. On March 29, 1958, she married Paul Morin in Spencer. She was a homemaker and assisted Paul with their accounting business.

Marilyn was a member of First Christian Church, Eastern Star, Tri Kappa, and served as the first Worthy Advisor for the Spencer Assembly of Rainbow for Girls. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, crocheting, reading, cards, Scrabble, and birdwatching.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Lisa Morin, Matthew (Tara) Morin, and Paula Morin-Summitt; sister, Carolyn (Bob) Livingston; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; and son, Ron Morin.

Funeral services were held Nov. 4, 2026, at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home in Spencer. Burial followed at Riverside Cemetery.

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

John Alan Hackworthy, 90, of Spencer, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Mill Pond Health Campus in Greencastle, Indiana.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 15, 1936, John was the son of Alan and Theresa (Umhoefer) Hackworthy. He graduated from Edgewood High School in Madison, Wisconsin and was a 1962 graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. John served in the United States Army. On September 5, 1964, he married the love of his life Cynthia “Cindy” Scidmore. They built a life together that lasted 59 years.

John moved to Spencer in 1963 and took ownership of Stello Products, which he operated until his retirement in 2007.  After retiring, John sold Stello Products to his son-in-law Todd Zellers and daughter Deb keeping his legacy in the family. He continued to work on special projects for the company well after "retiring".

John was a friend to everyone. His bellowing laugh, infectious whistle, ability to tell a joke or a story was loved by all. He was invested in everyone he met, asked questions intently about their life and remembered every detail. A devoted family man, he raved about his children, children's spouses, and grandchildren's career, academic and athletic accomplishments.

An avid sports fan, John enjoyed cheering for Indiana University basketball and football, the Green Bay Packers, and the Atlanta Braves. He also proudly supported the DePauw University volleyball team, coached by his daughter, Deb. Over the years, he attended numerous Super Bowls and NCAA Final Four events. Above all, he treasured watching his grandchildren participate in their sporting events. He also enjoyed golfing, cooking, and trips to the casino.

John’s legacy of service touched many parts of the Spencer and Owen County communities.  He was a founding member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Spencer, and his commitment to faith, family, and community remained central to his life.  He served on the Owen County Community Foundation board for 10 years and was a 30-year member and past chairman of the Owen County IU Varsity Club. His leadership with the YMCA included serving as chief fundraising officer, treasurer, and president of its board of directors.

He also served as president of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Spencer Exchange Club, and was honored as Owen County Citizen of the Year. He was a member of the Spencer American Legion and VFW, a trustee of the Spencer Moose Lodge, and a member of the Spencer Town Board from 1967 to 1971.

John’s dedication extended to his work as Owen County chairman of the Red Cross, a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts, Owen County’s representative on the Bloomington Hospital Board, and a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor. Through SCORE, he helped mentor new businesses in Owen County.

His enthusiasm for local athletics was equally enduring. In the 1960s, he led fundraising efforts to establish the Owen Valley High School football program. He volunteered as the clock operator for OVHS basketball for 30 years and also served as a football handler for the OVHS football team.

John is survived by his daughters, Susan (Tony) Williams, Deb (Todd) Zellers, and Amy (Brian) Stephenson; his grandchildren, John (Rachel) Williams, Joe Williams, Anna Zellers, Ben Zellers, Emily Paul, and Alex Paul; and his great-granddaughter, Ruby Lynn Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Cindy; and his brother, David Hackworthy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service, Inc., 105 N. Montgomery Street, Spencer, Indiana 47460.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 300 W. Hillside, Spencer, Indiana 47460. Additional visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Entombment will follow at Chambersville Cemetery in Spencer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Hackworthy Family Community Grant Fund at the Owen County Community Foundation or to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Spencer.

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

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Anna Mae (Weatherwax) Wells, 95, passed away on Oct. 27, 2026, at Owen Valley Health Campus in Spencer.

Anna and her husband, Glenn R. Wells, owned and operated the Lighthouse Truck Stop and Glenn Wells Oil Corporation in Bloomfield until their retirement in 2006.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Geneva Verniece (Smith) and Leonard Weatherwax; husband, Glenn R. Wells; and son, Michael Glenn Wells.

She is survived by her daughter, Amy L. Casebeer (Greg Melton) of Coal City; daughter-in-law, Karen Wells (Michael) of Freedom; sisters, Elizabeth Louise Martin (James F.) of Freedom and Connie Lynn Hamilton (Ron Fellwock) of Evansville; grandsons, Aaron Wells (Amanda) of Freedom, Benjamin Wells (Kristen) of Greencastle, and Judson Casebeer (Jackie) of Bloomington; and granddaughters, Carissa Colvin (Christopher) of Linton, Annalese Stewart (Robert) of Spencer, Shelby VanDerMoere (Don) of Spencer, and Sarah Melton of Spencer.

Anna found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved writing poetry, arranging beautiful bouquets of freshly picked wildflowers, playing the piano, and reading books of every genre. Above all, she had a special talent for finding joy in the hunt for a bargain. Whether it was a yard sale, thrift shop, or antique store, Anna was always ready to see what treasures she might discover.

A celebration of life will be held Nov. 15, 2026, at the Worthington Community Building from 2 to 4 p.m.

Patriot Band & Guard Senior Send-Off, Community Night

The community is invited to pack the stands and celebrate the Semi-State Finalist and Gold Rated Patriot Band & Guard during their Senior Send-Off and Community Night on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at Patriot Field, Owen Valley High School. The evening will feature senior recognition and the band’s final home turf performance of their marching show, "Scorched," along with energetic pep tunes.

Attendees can enjoy a full lineup of family-friendly activities, including interactive games like a Drumline Showdown, Color Guard Challenge, "So You Think You Can March?" and a band-themed selfie station. Food available for purchase includes chili, hot dogs, chili dogs, chips, baked goods, and drinks. The event will also feature raffles with prizes donated by local businesses, as well as the chance to take home marching history with uniforms, flags, and show shirts available.

There is a suggested donation of $10 for adults (student admission is free) at the door, with all proceeds directly supporting the local band program. Everyone is welcome to attend. For questions, contact dcramer@socs.k12.in.us.

Annual NBPRC Fall Fundraiser Banquet

Community members are invited to mark their calendars for the New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center’s (NBPRC) Annual Fall Fundraiser Banquet, themed "Lasso Life," taking place Nov. 12 at the Abram Farm Event Venue east of Spencer. Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner served shortly after at 6:10 p.m. Guests will enjoy a delicious catered meal featuring pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, and dessert.

This year’s event features keynote speaker Heather Lawless, founder and CEO of Reliance Ministries. A national speaker, leadership coach, and author of “We Do Talk About It,” Lawless has spent over a decade equipping leaders and restoring hope to families in crisis. Her passionate work is deeply rooted in her personal story of redemption and faith, driving programs that offer holistic healthcare, maternity housing, fatherhood mentorship, and job training.

Admission to the banquet is complimentary, though seating is limited and honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Dress for the evening is business casual, though guests are welcome to wear boots and jeans to embrace the rustic "Lasso Life" theme. To reserve your seat, call 812-829-2229, email director.nbcpc@gmail.com, or visit online at newbeginningsowen.org.

Annual Tri Kappa Christmas Bazaar

Community members are invited to jump-start their holiday shopping during the Annual Tri Kappa Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 14. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Owen Valley Middle School, 626 S.R. 46W, in Spencer.

Attendees can gather with friends and family to shop a variety of local craft and gift vendors. In addition to holiday shopping, a delicious buffet lunch will be available for attendees to enjoy.

MCSP to close for deer management hunts

McCormick’s Creek State Park (MCSP) will temporarily close to the general public this November and December to facilitate two scheduled deer management hunts. These firearms-only hunts are conducted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to reduce overbrowsing and protect the park’s natural vegetation.

To ensure public safety, the park will close to all non-hunting visitors starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, and reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, for the first hunt period. The park will close a second time at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29, and reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, following the conclusion of the second hunt.

For drawn participants, the hunts will take place on Nov. 16–17 and Nov. 30–Dec. 1, with daily hours running from one-half hour before sunrise until 4 p.m. An informational open house for hunters will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at the park’s Nature Center. Hunters must enter and exit through the Main Gate off State Road 46 while presenting a photo ID and valid hunting license. All harvested deer must be brought to the service area check station by 5 p.m. for biological data collection before leaving.

Participants may take up to three deer per hunt period, with a maximum of one antlered deer. This is strictly a firearms-only hunt, meaning archery equipment and crossbows are prohibited. Full hunter orange gear, including a head covering and outer garment, must be worn at all times.

OVCF to host free Community Thanksgiving Meal

Owen Valley Christian Fellowship (OVCF) will host a Free Community Thanksgiving Meal on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The in-person gathering will take place at the Spencer Lions Club, located at 59 N. Main St. in Spencer.

In addition to dine-in seating, delivery and curbside pickup options will be available while supplies last. Anyone requesting delivery or curbside pickup is asked to call 812-828-9840 by Monday, Nov. 23 to place an order.

OCCC to host "Jumanji" themed Small Business Saturday

The Owen County Chamber of Commerce (OCCC) is bringing a jungle-themed adventure to local shopping for Small Business Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 28. Community members can support local Chamber member businesses while competing for over $400 in local gift cards.

Shoppers can earn raffle tickets towards local gift cards by making purchases at participating Chamber member businesses and leaving online Google reviews for local merchants. Each saved receipt and completed review counts as an entry.

To collect raffle tickets, participants must bring their receipts and proof of Google reviews to the Chamber office, located at 120 S. Main St. in Spencer, between Monday, Nov. 30 and Wednesday, Dec. 2. While at the office, shoppers will get a chance to roll the "Jumanji" dice for bonus prize entries, including a shot at a $100 gift card. All prize drawings will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3.

For more information, a list of participating Chamber members, or event details, call 812-829-3245 or visit myowencountychamber.com.

Marce Johnson named Ivy Tech 2026 Distinguished Alumna

Owen County Chamber of Commerce (OCCC) Executive Director and CEO Marce Johnson has been honored as Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington’s 2026 Distinguished Alumna. Johnson, alongside Benefactors of the Year Connie and Steve Ferguson, was celebrated at a statewide Ivy Tech Foundation ceremony in Indianapolis.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the college’s highest honor for graduates, recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact through professional achievement, community leadership, and philanthropic dedication. Since taking leadership of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce, Johnson has championed local small businesses, expanded workforce opportunities, and fostered key partnerships to drive economic development and improve quality of life across the region.

Reflecting on the honor, Johnson credited the college with reshaping her trajectory.

"Ivy Tech opened a door I thought had closed and helped me find a path forward," Johnson said. "It gave me the confidence, skills, and opportunities that changed the trajectory of my life. Thank you, Ivy Tech, for believing in people, investing in our communities, and continuing to open doors for so many."

Matching grant opportunity triples donations

Donors have an opportunity to triple their support for the community. Through the Lilly Endowment’s GIFT IX initiative, every $1 donated to a new or existing Community Impact Fund at the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) will be matched with $2 through June 2028.

These Community Impact Funds support local needs today while establishing a lasting investment for future generations. Past contributions have directly funded community initiatives, such as a Large Impact Grant awarded in May 2024 to La Campagne Ministries for the Boys & Girls Owen County Club launch. That grant funded facility upgrades, including a new furnace, air conditioning, and windows, allowing the site to host over 200 members with a safe, engaging space for local youth.

Residents interested in making a matched contribution or viewing a list of eligible funds can visit bit.ly/OCCFcommunityfunds.

Book Buddies at S-OCS

Thanks to a generous grant from the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF), kindergarten students across Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) are discovering the joy of reading through the impactful Book Buddies program.

Each month, dedicated volunteer readers visit every kindergarten classroom across the district to share an inspiring story. A key highlight of the program is its emphasis on positive male role models, showing young learners that reading is for everyone while boosting literacy skills and building confidence.

To make the experience even more special, every kindergarten student receives a personal copy of the featured monthly book to take home and add to their home library. S-OCS recently took to social media to recognize and thank dedicated volunteer Book Buddies Bill Grandi (Spencer and Gosport elementary schools), Ryan East (McCormick's Creek Elementary School), and Larry Hensley (Patricksburg Elementary School) for their time and commitment.

CCSC students selected for IBA Honor Bands

Six Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) students have been selected to perform with the Indiana Bandmasters’ Association (IBA) Honor Bands this year.

Melanie Elison was selected for the All-District Honor Band, playing clarinet.

Five students were named to the All-Region Honor Band: Brooke Stwalley on flute, Patrick Hennis on clarinet, Myles Sawyer on alto saxophone, Addison Mustaine on baritone saxophone, and Zanna Caldwell on euphonium.

Both honor ensembles will showcase their talents during a special concert scheduled for November.

Indianapolis Colts’ mascot visits CES

Students at Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) recently enjoyed an action-packed morning as “Blue,” the official mascot of the Indianapolis Colts, visited the school to present "Blue’s Chaos Lab."

The interactive educational event brought real-world science concepts to life through hands-on experiments, interactive demonstrations, trick shots, and even a hovercraft ride. Students participated in energetic games and contests alongside the NFL mascot, filling the gymnasium with Colts spirit and laughter.

‘Holiday Quilts at the Creek’

The Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park and Unraveled Quilt Store are joining forces to present "Holiday Quilts at the Creek" on Saturday, Dec. 12. The display will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Canyon Inn inside McCormick's Creek State Park.

Visitors can view a variety of holiday-themed quilts and creative fiber projects on display throughout the inn. Awards for first, second, and third place in each category will be decided by a public vote, with voting tickets available for purchase at $5 for six tickets.

Quilt makers interested in exhibiting their work can enter for a $5 fee per entry. Projects must be dropped off between Saturday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 5, at Unraveled Quilt Store, located at 381 N. Fletcher Ave. in Spencer. For rules, questions, or details on how to participate, call Unraveled Quilt Store at 812-821-0309.

2026 Merry Meter Contest

Spencer Main Street is calling on local residents, families, organizations, and businesses to get into the holiday spirit and help make the historic Owen County Courthouse square merry and bright for the annual Christmas at the Square celebration. The popular Merry Meter Contest invites participants of all kinds to transform the town's parking meter poles into creative, festive holiday displays. Entry is open to everyone, including individuals, classrooms, clubs, and local businesses, for a $10 fee per meter that directly supports Spencer Main Street, Inc.

Participants can begin installing their creations on Saturday, Nov. 28, with all meter décor required to be completely finished by 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Decorators are asked to keep designs fun, festive, and strictly holiday-themed without any political messaging. To ensure safety and preservation, decorations must not use direct adhesives like glue or tape on the poles, must not exceed four feet in total width or three feet above the meter head, and must be securely fastened against winter winds.

Contest awards include a $50 People’s Choice prize judged on Dec. 5, as well as a $50 Judge’s Choice prize selected by an impartial judge no later than Dec. 8. All display materials must remain up through the holiday season and be removed by Jan. 9, 2027.

To reserve a meter pole and sign up online, visit https://wix.to/uTM7JBo. For general questions or to register by check, reach out to Sachi at sachi.sometimes@gmail.com or send mail to Spencer Main Street, PO Box 540, Spencer, IN 47460.

By Tyler DeFord
Interim Editor

In 2026, as of Oct. 30, the Rural Transit service provided 5,748 rides to individuals in Owen County. In 2027, however, the picture is slightly less clear. As of this writing, the Rural Transit service provided by Area 10 Agency on Aging is still $30,315 short of their proposed 2027 operating budget in Owen County. Without contributions of $100,059 from Owen County partners, the Rural Transit service is in jeopardy of reducing service for not just Owen County, but three other counties being served by the program.

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A regional initiative

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The Rural Transit program is a program of Area 10 Agency on Aging. The program covers Owen, Monroe, Lawrence, and Putnam counties. Funding for the program falls into one basket, with each county contributing funds proportional to each county’s use. Owen County accounted for 19.11% of ridership, so their proportion of the overall budget amounts to $100,059 for 2027. The budget for the program also includes a 50% match from the Federal Transit Administration 5311 Grant. Any shortfall from Owen County also lowers the grant match for the four-county area that Rural Transit serves.
“I’m getting concerned that we’re not going to get the match required to pull down the [federal] money to serve, and it doesn’t just affect Owen County because it’s a grant for all four counties,” said Amy Guerrettaz, Area 10’s Executive Director.

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A solitary holdout

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For 2027, Owen County is the last county that has yet to properly allocate funding out of the four-county group. According to Guerrettaz, Owen County is often either late to allocate funding, or has trouble providing it at all. In the other three counties, government entities, including towns and counties, create a line item in their respective budgets to fund the Rural Transit for their area. This allows Area 10 to start its federal grant application as soon as the “local match” has been promised.
In Owen County, the funding process has often been more time-consuming. In the past, some funding has come from county and town governments with additional funding coming from several smaller private entities such as Sweet Owen Industries and Stone Belt. In the past some funding came from the Owen County Health Department as well.
So far for 2027, most of the previous funders have pledged their contributions including the Town of Spencer. However, the Owen County government itself still hasn’t made it clear how much they are contributing, if any at all.
A resolution in limbo
In April, the commissioners approved a resolution confirming their support for the Rural Transit program. The resolution did not specify any specific amount or allocation, only that the county was in support of the program. Since then, Guerrettaz has had less and less luck getting responses from the commissioners.
“While Owen County did sign an authorizing resolution, they didn’t commit to a specific amount, which is what led me to go before the county council leading up to their budget meeting and the finalization of their budget requesting money for this public transportation,” she said. “They did not [end up putting] it in their budget.”

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A future in jeopardy

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The majority of Rural Transit riders are low-income, senior citizens, or both. Many riders rely on the transit to get them to the grocery store each week or take them to necessary medical appointments. Many riders don’t have the ability to drive or don’t have reliable transportation. Disabled adults from Sweet Owen Industries and Stone Belt also take advantage of the Rural Transit.
“The most dire thing that I think about is the people who rely on us for things like dialysis,” Guerrettaz said.

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A potential way forward

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Owen County Council Vice President Anton Neff noted that county funding for the Rural Transit had previously come from a community grants program but that grant program was stopped several years ago.
According to Neff, “The council is in the process of exploring having a local grant program like that again which would be of benefit to Rural Transit and other similar groups, but that has not been fully developed or adopted yet. Stay tuned.”
County Commissioner Norm Warner expressed support for the program, stressing that it was an important program that many in the county utilize and that while there is no budget line item in place, additional appropriations could be utilized to provide funding to the program.
In the meantime, the Rural Transit program is still in need of $30,315 to keep operations going at the same rate.
“We’ll keep fighting for the people of Owen County because we know our riders and we know that they rely on us for vital things that they otherwise wouldn’t have transportation for,” Guerrettaz said. “We would just keep trying, but ultimately if we [don’t] keep up with [the funding] we’ll have to decrease the service in some way because we won’t be able to afford to operate it.”

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Budget reconciliations, personnel policy updates, and infrastructure concerns dominated the evening as the Spencer Town Council met in regular session Oct. 19. Council president Jon Stantz, vice president Evan McKalip, and board member Ginger Kohr were present for the meeting, alongside town clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke and town attorney John McKay of Hickam & Lorenz.

The session kicked off with a proposal from Ronald Remak and Warren Havenor of Bill C. Brown Associates. The representatives delivered a presentation requesting to serve as the town’s agent of record for group medical and ancillary benefits. Remak outlined the firm’s extensive background with local municipal entities and presented potential benefit plan alternatives through providers such as Anthem and United Healthcare, aiming to offer enhanced coverage for town personnel. Later in the meeting, the board unanimously approved a motion authorizing a letter of record, allowing Bill C. Brown Associates to prepare and submit a formal quote for future council review.

Considerable discussion was devoted to reviewing and passing the proposed 2027 town budget. Moke detailed the ongoing learning curve and operational challenges associated with navigating the state’s newly automated budget portal. While the council ultimately voted to pass the 2027 budget resolution as presented, members openly acknowledged remaining gaps between proposed departmental expenditures and projected revenues. To address these discrepancies, the council scheduled a follow-up working session for Oct. 29, with a heavy focus on reconciling public safety funding and specific departmental line items.

In other financial matters, the council voted to pay a $10,412 civil penalty invoice issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The fine stems from a previous local flooding incident.

The council later unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-07. The measure retroactively amends Section 509 of the town’s personnel policy, formally establishing a dedicated clothing allowance for Spencer Police Department (SPD) officers.

In public works actions, the council reviewed bids for an upcoming sewer and drainage improvement project, voting to accept the lowest bid submitted by Dirty Butt Excavating in the amount of $6,000.

Residents brought forward pressing neighborhood concerns during the open floor portion of the meeting, including concerns regarding a proposed residential development on East Street, highlighting historical neighborhood flooding, steep site density, and potential access bottlenecks. Another resident urged the council to evaluate the need for a new stop sign at a nearby intersection to curb speeding and enhance safety for pedestrians.

Department heads also delivered routine monthly updates to the board. SPD Chief Terry Sips reported on department fleet status, noting that ongoing vehicle repairs were being covered under warranty while highlighting upcoming community outreach and safety preparations for Halloween festivities. Public works and park board representatives noted routine seasonal maintenance updates across town properties and outlined preliminary plans for upcoming holiday community events.

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.

Managing a public state forest requires balancing ecological stewardship, infrastructure maintenance, and public accessibility. For Phillip Jones, property manager at Owen-Putnam State Forest (OPSF), that balancing act was put to an immediate test. Taking the helm of the property in May 2026 after managing Greene-Sullivan (2008–2011) and Morgan-Monroe (2011–2026) state forests, Jones had been on the job barely a month when disaster struck.

On June 17, 2026, at 9:44 p.m., an EF3 tornado packing 140 mph winds touched down two miles north of Spencer. The storm carved an 18.5-mile path that reached a half-mile wide at its peak, ripping through portions of Owen and Monroe counties. Within Owen-Putnam State Forest, over 852 acres were directly impacted.

Reflecting on his unexpected start, Jones emphasized how steering the early cleanup has reinforced his vision for property resilience and public communication.

"Stepping into this role just weeks before the tornado was certainly unexpected, but it really underscored the importance of being adaptable and staying focused," Jones said. "Working through such a significant recovery effort has strengthened my commitment to keeping the forest resilient—both in its natural systems and its infrastructure—and to maintaining clear communication with the public as we move forward."

Emergency Response and Collaborative Clearing

The immediate hours following the storm required rapid coordination among multi-agency first responders, law enforcement, area county agencies, and Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel.

"The initial emergency response involved much more than just DNR staff—law enforcement, first responders, and several county agencies were all part of those first critical hours," Jones said. "Our immediate priorities were making sure everyone was safe, addressing any medical needs, and reopening key roadways. Since then, I’ve been the only Owen-Putnam staff member directly assisting with the salvage operations at Morgan-Monroe, but I want to highlight the great work happening back home. Our office manager and two part-time laborers [Ruthie Speas, Justin Oldham, and Nowell Threat] have really stepped up and gone above and beyond to keep the property running smoothly while I’ve been away. Their support has made it possible for me to help out with the tornado recovery efforts."

Salvage Logging and Ecological Regeneration

Salvage operations at Morgan-Monroe have relied on clearcutting heavily damaged and downed timber to clear hazards and reset the forest floor. Addressing public concerns regarding the stark initial appearance of these clearcuts, Jones explained the long-term ecological necessity of creating young forest habitats to support forest health and wildlife.

"The tornado damage itself created areas that look like clearcuts, even before any salvage work began," Jones said. "What we're doing now is focused on removing downed and hazardous trees to make the area safe again. While the immediate appearance can be stark, this kind of large-scale disturbance actually creates young forest habitat that will support a wide variety of wildlife over the next couple of decades."

According to forestry management data, newly sunlit areas promote fast-growing canopy species such as yellow poplar (tulip tree), black cherry, bigtooth aspen, and American sycamore. Looking ahead at forest regeneration, Jones discussed what signs of natural wildlife benefits and returning bird species he and his team have observed.

"Once salvage work is finished, we’ll continue and even expand our monitoring efforts," Jones said. "These newly sunlit areas create great opportunities for early-successional species, and we expect increased bird and wildlife activity as regeneration continues. As data comes in, we’ll have a clearer picture of how different species are using the space."

Infrastructure Upgrades and Facility Modernization

Beyond storm recovery, recent upgrades across the forest’s 6,688 acres include a new tornado siren on Keene Road, facility maintenance, and ongoing trail repairs.

Highlighting major 2026 infrastructure projects, including a new RV dump station and advanced wastewater management system at Fish Creek Campground, Jones emphasized how vital equipment assistance from Yellowwood State Forest and Jackson-Washington State Forest has been during site preparation.

"Support from our neighboring forests has been a big help this year," Jones said. "While I haven’t yet used the stump grinder in the future septic field, I have used it at the Rattlesnake Road residence and throughout the campgrounds. The initial clearing for the new septic field at Fish Creek was done using a Fecon-type mulching head on a Bobcat skid steer that Jackson-Washington State Forest loaned to us. Their assistance allowed us to get the site opened up efficiently so we could move on to the next stages of the project."

Jones noted the upgraded wastewater design modernizes infrastructure while keeping options open for the future.

"The new system will replace the old dump station and office septic setup with one modern, efficient system that meets current requirements," Jones said. "One of the advantages of the design is that it allows for the possibility of future campground expansion if that’s ever pursued. I should note that I haven’t seen any plans for expansion at this point, but the infrastructure is being built in a way that won’t limit the property in the future."

Upcoming interior updates at the Rattlesnake Road residence, including a second bathroom, dedicated laundry room, and new white oak flooring, are designed to improve practical usability for caretakers.

"Like any long-serving structure, the residence needs updates to stay functional and comfortable," Jones said. "Adding a second bathroom, dedicated laundry space, and durable flooring will make the home more practical for staff or caretakers. When major components like the water heater need replacement, that’s often the best opportunity to bring things up to code and improve overall usability."

Addressing ongoing risk-tree removals and utility safety, Jones highlighted why tackling specific hazards remains a priority.

"Addressing risk trees and making trail and road improvements is something we focus on every year, but the storm damage has made those efforts especially important right now," Jones said. "We’re also taking care of some interior safety issues at the Rattlesnake Road residence, including relocating the water heater. The existing unit is positioned under the central stairwell and uses a single-wall flue pipe, which isn’t an ideal setup and can create a fire hazard over time. Moving it to a safer location is part of our overall effort to reduce risks and ensure the residence stays safe and functional for staff."

Setting Priorities for the Future

Reflecting on recent accomplishments, Jones shared his core operational priorities for the property moving forward.

"My priorities are to continue managing the forest sustainably, maintain and enhance recreation opportunities, and ensure that trails, roads, and facilities are safe and enjoyable for everyone who visits Owen-Putnam," Jones said.

Concluding with a look ahead, Jones offered final thoughts on keeping the public informed about upcoming developments.

"We have several projects in the planning stages that continue to focus on forest health, infrastructure improvements, and enhancing the visitor experience," Jones said. "As these projects develop, we look forward to sharing updates with the public and highlighting the positive progress happening throughout Owen-Putnam State Forest."

Established in 1948, Owen-Putnam State Forest encompasses landholdings across Owen and Putnam counties, offering primitive camping, hunting, fishing, and over 15 miles of trails amid rolling hardwood hills and sandstone bluffs.

Owen County residents will now be able to seek nutritional and breastfeeding services closer to home with the county’s newly opened Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office.

The office opened Sept. 11 inside the New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center at 189 S. Main St. in Spencer. It’s the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.

The WIC office offers a range of services, specifically aimed at “improving access to nutritious foods and promoting healthier eating and lifestyles,” according to its website.

Samantha Branning, coordinator for the Morgan and Owen County WIC offices, said the center offers nutrition and health screening assessments, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding education and support, referrals to other Indiana Health family and social service providers and supplemental healthy foods “designed to meet special nutrition needs.”

The Owen County WIC office is operated under IU Health and opened this year after closing in 2025, Branning said. The office offers all WIC services provided by locations statewide. However, Branning said as the Owen County program settles in, future developments could look like expanding its hours and service availability.

WIC funding is based on office caseloads, Branning said, and before the old county office closed, it served around 275 participants. Moving forward, the newly opened office will keep data on the participants getting enrolled, which could lead to more employees and days it's open.

Right now, the office has one clerk, two nurses or dieticians and three breastfeeding team members.

Stacy Kristoff, director of New Beginnings, said having a local office for Owen County families is valuable because of the group of people it is designed to serve. According to the Indiana Department of Health, to be eligible for WIC benefits, applicants must be Indiana residents and be “categorically eligible.” This includes pregnant or breastfeeding women, non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants and children under 5.

Additionally, the applicant must be “at nutritional risk” and “income eligible.” The nutritional risk requirement is determined through the health and dietary assessment performed at the time of certification. The income-based requirement includes families receiving Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. Others may meet the income requirement based on their income in accordance with household size.

“Some of these people who need those services and with the price of gas, they were having to go to Greencastle or Bloomington to have their WIC appointment,” Kristoff said. “If we can have that service right here in our county and save those families every little bit that we can and make sure that these babies have the food and care that they need, I think that’s the value.”

Branning seconded this, saying the rural population in Owen County already often must drive to other counties for services, and the families served at WIC offices already are facing higher barriers than others. Having an office in the county is closer and can provide resources for families at little to no cost.

“I love WIC,” Kristoff said. “I think it’s a fantastic resource for our community.”

New Beginnings and the WIC office, although housed at the same location, operate independently, with the IU Health office being open on Fridays, the weekday the pregnancy center is closed. The WIC office uses the center’s lobby, restroom and two offices.

However, Branning said WIC refers some of its clients to New Beginnings, one of the ways the two collaborate because they share clients in the same stages of life.

The office also makes referrals to healthcare providers, food pantries, Head Start, immunization programs and other needs.

Branning said the center is working to transfer people who were traveling for services into the Owen County office. To start receiving assistance at the new office, people can call 765-813-7828.

“We definitely have the capability to continue taking on new clients and hope to continue to grow our caseload and the impact that we can make in Owen County,” Branning said.

Nov. 9

OWEN COUNTY COUNCIL, 6 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

OWEN VALLEY FIRE TERRITORY BOARD, 6 p.m. at the Owen Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 401 Walnut St., Spencer.

CLOVERDALE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale.

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Nov. 10

OWEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

GOSPORT TOWN COUNCIL, 7 p.m. in the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport.

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Nov. 12

SPENCER-OWEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 7 p.m. in the Mike Wells Memorial Board Room at Central Office, 205 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer.

OWEN COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, 7 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

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Nov. 16

OWEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD, 5 p.m. in the OCPL Vault Room, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

SPENCER TOWN COUNCIL, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

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Nov. 17

OWEN COUNTY ADVISORY PLAN COMMISSION, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

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Nov. 23

SPENCER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

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Nov. 24

OWEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

SPENCER PLAN COMMISSION & BZA, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

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Dec. 7

SPENCER TOWN COUNCIL, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

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Dec. 8

OWEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

GOSPORT TOWN COUNCIL, 7 p.m. in the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport.

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Dec. 9

SPENCER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

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Dec. 10

SPENCER-OWEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 7 p.m. in the Mike Wells Memorial Board Room at Central Office, 205 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer.

OWEN COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, 7 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

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Dec. 14

OWEN COUNTY COUNCIL, 6 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

OWEN VALLEY FIRE TERRITORY BOARD, 6 p.m. at the Owen Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 401 Walnut St., Spencer.

CLOVERDALE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale.

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Dec. 15

SPENCER PLAN COMMISSION & BZA, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

OWEN COUNTY ADVISORY PLAN COMMISSION, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

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Dec. 16

SPENCER REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

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Dec. 21

OWEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD, 5 p.m. in the OCPL Vault Room, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

SPENCER TOWN COUNCIL, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

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Dec. 22

OWEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

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Dec. 28

SPENCER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

Contested races for the 8th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and Owen County prosecutor highlighted a candidate forum in Spencer Monday night, Oct. 19.

About 50 people gathered at the historic Tivoli Theatre to hear from candidates on the local ballot in the Nov. 3 general election. The forum was sponsored by The Owen News and moderated by Interim Executive Editor Tyler DeFord.

Incumbent U.S. 8th District Rep. Mark Messmer, a Republican, joined his opponent, Democratic challenger Mary Allen, on stage to kick off the event. After shaking hands, Allen and Messmer each had two minutes to introduce themselves before answering two questions posed by DeFord.

During their introductions both spoke about their backgrounds. Allen, a member of the Evansville City Council, said she is a small-business owner and wants to get to know district constituents. Messmer said he is a business owner in Jasper and served as a state legislator before being elected to Congress in 2024. He emphasized his faith and a desire to protect the founding principles of the U.S. Constitution.  

Both candidates were asked what they will do for Owen County if elected. Messmer said he will strive to lower taxes and give more freedom to constituents. Allen said she will work to address the major issue of high costs in rural communities. She said she also supports investment in local economies and businesses.

In response to a question about current issues, Allen said she opposes the Iran war, which was launched by President Donald Trump in February. She said she believes the war is wrong and that she would always favor diplomacy first in such instances. She also said the war is having a negative effect on fuel and other costs.

Messmer defended the war, saying it is necessary to address threats posed by Iran and it will benefit the U.S. and the world in the long term. He also said high costs can’t be blamed totally on the Iran war and that prices will come down eventually.

In the contested race for prosecutor, Republican Ashley Fleetwood was joined on stage by Democrat Kristin Szczerbik. Fleetwood defeated the incumbent prosecutor in May’s Republican primary election.

Both candidates talked about issues they would address if elected. Szczerbik said mental health is a major issue confronting the criminal justice system that needs attention locally. She also said she would work on rehabilitating juvenile offenders to give them a better future. Fleetwood agreed that mental health is a big issue and added she wants to put more resources toward felony cases with victims.  

Owen County has several contested races on the ballot, but not all candidates attended the event. Some who did not attend submitted written statements which were read by DeFord when their races were featured. Candidates who did attend took their turns on stage to give an introduction and answer questions. Uncontested candidates were also invited to participate.

Anton Neff is an uncontested candidate for county council in district 2. Although unopposed, he still decided to attend the forum and speak.  

“I love interaction with the public, so for me attending this is definitely a yes,” Neff said. “No way around it whether I have an opponent or not.”  

During his time on stage with Norm Warner, an unopposed candidate for county commissioner, Neff addressed the upcoming county jail project. Following the forum, he said the project is one of the main focuses for the council right now as it will be a big financial commitment.  

School board seats are also on the ballot. Candidate Jacob Zeunik is running for the district 5 seat on the board of the Spencer-Owen Community School Corp. He is an Owen County native and has two children attending schools in the district.

Zeunik said he came to the forum to get his name out more. He also said he was seeking an opportunity for people who he may not already know in the community to learn what he is about and how he will approach school matters.  

“Number one, the top priority is the students … that’s why we’re here, that’s why we’re doing this,” Zeunik said. “Second is to take care of our teachers, take care of staff, you know, do whatever we can for the longevity of the corporation itself.” 

Attendees of the forum heard many topics discussed and heard candidates’ opinions on issues such as data centers and Flock cameras.  

John Schrock attended and said he appreciated hearing Sheriff Ryan White’s opinions on Flock cameras, which photograph license plates at several locations in the county and are used in criminal investigations. He said he liked knowing why the sheriff wanted the cameras, especially due to recent controversies surrounding the surveillance technology. Schrock said he ultimately came to the event because he finds it important to know the candidates running for different races. “We need to be more informed, and that’s on us,” he said. 

The candidate forum was video recorded and is available on Facebook for anyone to view. Early voting started Oct. 6 and will run through Oct. 30, with additional early voting opportunities taking place on Oct. 24, 31 and Nov. 2.

Stella Klaus is a student reporter with the Indiana Newsroom, a learning lab designed to give Indiana University students practical experience in community journalism and provide news coverage to areas where reliable local news is limited or nonexistent. It is funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County and housed at The Media School in Bloomington.

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Some films are so deeply ingrained in American culture it’s hard to know why the almighty zeitgeist swoops down and chooses a movie to rise above the rest. In the case of this holiday staple, we do know why and it’s fascinating.

Director George A. Romero and John A. Russo titled their film “Night of the Flesh Eaters”. At the eleventh hour the film’s distributor, Walter Reade Organization, changed the title to the indelible “Night of the Living Dead”. In the rush to change the title card, they forgot to add a formal copyright statement. No big deal, right? We all make typos (save yours-truly, word-perfect every time). In steps The 1909 Copyright Act, which states that publishing a work without a proper copyright notice means it forfeits copyright protection. AKA don’t pass go, go straight to the public domain. For context, Mickey Mouse’s debut short “Steamboat Willie” enjoyed 95 years of raking in cash, where “Night of the Living Dead” immediately lost its ability to charge license fees.

Here enters the double-edged sword. The filmmakers make $0 when the film is shown. That’s the bad news. The good news is, at the same time, television enters its teenage years, and it does what teenagers tend to do: stay up late, and push boundaries.

Almost every region had its own late-night horror host. We had ours: the legendary Sammy Terry and his Nightmare Theater. These were all ramshackle local productions, made all the more endearing with their handmade costumes, sets, and “Show Must Go On” attitudes. So get played, “Night of the Living Dead” did.

These shoestring productions received a golden gift in the “Living Dead”, it was free to air. Not only that, it wasn’t the rubber monster picture where all zippers are seen. It was an F-I-L-M, capital ‘F’, film. Compared to the typical B-movie fare shown alongside it, “Night of the Living Dead" must have seemed revelatory. Romero claiming he lost out on tens of millions isn’t exactly true. His film wouldn’t have played nearly as often if it had cost money to play (and also wouldn’t have gotten him out of filming industrial instructional videos as a day job.) Sometimes, mistakes pay.

In the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, just five years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, the hero of a widely played, genre defining film is a black man. There isn’t anything overt in the casting. Duane Jones's Ben is just the hero of the movie. I’m drowning in leading men that are 5’ 7” with a goatee, so I can’t imagine what that representation meant to so many for nearly 60 years.

Still to this day, the film delivers chills. If you’ve seen it, the quote “They’re coming to get you, Barbara!” instantly recalls the iconic voice, hair and spectacles of actor Russell Streiner. It’s in our cultural bones. Just look what it spawned: a major sub-genre in horror, the zombie flick. Run down your own mental list of what came after. It’s too long to list here.

On Oct. 22, “Night of the Living Dead” will be playing free at our Tivoli Theatre, sponsored by Civilian Brewing Corps. So come on down and get your popcorn, it’s going to be a scream.

Indiana has received $13,582,593 in federal funding through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program to continue providing voluntary home visiting programs that support parents and improve outcomes for families and young children.

Nationwide, this represents the largest-ever amount of dedicated federal funding for home visiting services to children and families. In Indiana, this year’s federal grant represents a $1,077,830 increase over last year. The additional federal funds were unlocked by the state’s investment of non-federal matching funds at a rate of $1 in state funding for every $3 in federal funding received. Indiana Department of Health oversees MIECHV-funded home visiting in Indiana.

“MIECHV reflects a simple idea: supporting parents early gives children a stronger start. Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher, and by giving them the tools and support they need, we help create a strong foundation for children to thrive,” said Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Tom Engels. “These awards will help states and jurisdictions provide pregnant women and families the support they need during the critical early years of a child’s life. Home visiting is a key pillar of the Trump Administration’s work to Make America Healthy Again. When children receive the support they need early in life, we’re promoting their development and laying the foundation for better health throughout their lives.”

Home visiting offers parents voluntary, evidence-based assistance from trained family support professionals for guidance during pregnancy and early childhood. Home visitors serve as trusted partners for families, helping bridge the gap between parents’ goals and the resources to which they have access.

Research shows a family’s relationship with a home visitor improves birth outcomes, strengthens early development, increases school readiness, and reduces the risk of child abuse and neglect.

Some parents begin working with a home visitor before birth, while others enroll later in early childhood, but all are supported in their role as their children’s first and best teachers, with more confident parenting and kids who arrive at kindergarten ready to learn.

MIECHV is the only federal funding source dedicated to home visiting, supporting grants to 50 states, the District of Columbia, five territories, and 53 Tribes. MIECHV’s evidence-based models have a research-backed track record of improving health, behavioral, and economic outcomes for children, mothers, and families. Through a collaborative, personal approach, trained home visitors work alongside new parents to identify parenting goals and establish healthy, development-focused strategies. MIECHV also empowers parents to pursue further education, job training, and financial and housing stability, all of which are key to individual, family, and community well-being.

For more information about how home visiting is working for families in Indiana, visit the MIECHV data dashboard or learn more about home visiting in Indiana here: https://www.in.gov/health/mch/program-initiatives/maternal-infant-and-early-childhood-home-visiting-miechv/.

About ASTHVI

The Association of State and Tribal Home Visiting Initiatives (ASTHVI) is the professional organization of state, Tribal, and territorial officials who oversee home visiting programs across the country, including those funded by federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) grants. Together, ASTHVI members advance the effective implementation and continuous improvement of voluntary home visiting programs that support parents and improve outcomes for families and young children. Learn more at: www.asthvi.org.

Established in 1948 with most of its landholdings purchased as smaller non-contiguous tracts in the 1950s and ’60s, OPSF now encompasses over 6,600 acres of forested land featuring hiking and horseback riding trails, as well as primitive campgrounds operating on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration booths.

At the annual open house, community members can connect with professional foresters to discuss long-term management, offer input, and discover outdoor recreation options across the forest.

The OPSF office is located five miles west of Spencer and less than a mile north of S.R. 46 at 2153 Fish Creek Rd.

Medieval Day is a free annual event hosted by the Owen County Public Library. Guests can see medieval weaponry up close, meet deadly birds of prey courtesy of Take Flight Wildlife education, and take part in medieval pastimes.

A lot of people might ask what’s so interesting about beans and cornbread, but Cataract has made an entire three-day festival out of it, drawing in dozens of vendors and hundreds of visitors every year. In its 57th year, the Cataract Bean Dinner Festival has done it again. Started in 1969 as a simple fundraising dinner to raise money to create a Cataract Volunteer Fire Department, the event has grown into a full-blown community festival.

The roots of the event run deep and haven’t changed as the festival has grown. The titular beans of the bean dinner are still served, now out of three gigantic cast iron pots with proceeds from the sales funding a significant amount of the Cataract Volunteer Fire Department’s budget. During lunch and dinner time, the line for the beans stretches over 100 feet from in front of the Cataract fire house where the beans are served.

The man serving those beans was firefighter Clint Galloway. He has been cooking them for the last 15 years and assisting for the last 17.

“Ed Rawlings, who used to fix the beans, passed the baton up to me and ‘It’s all yours now’,” Galloway said. “So that’s what you get for helping, more responsibility,” he said, chuckling.

Each pot of beans takes 12 hours to prepare: six hours of soaking and six hours of simmering. Preparation begins late at night the day before the festival and continues throughout the three days of the festival. The Cataract Volunteer Fire Department spearheads the festival organization, but volunteers from all over Owen County chip in to make the festival a success. This year, Millgrove Diner volunteered to bake the cornbread that was served at the festival. In previous years, dozens of volunteers each baked the cornbread in their own ovens.

“We’re always a little short handed, but somebody always steps up,” Galloway said. “Elected officials step up, law enforcement steps up, community members step up… everybody here is a volunteer.”

Beans aren’t the only thing on the menu, though. This year’s event also brought down chef Carlos Dorantes from Indianapolis. He says that his uncle, who lives in Cataract, told him about the event and convinced him to come down and put on a fish fry at the Historic Cataract Schoolhouse. Dorantes studied at the Culinary Institute of America and served breakfast sandwiches during the festival mornings and fried whiting and served coleslaw for lunch. He had a very busy day on Saturday and was impressed by the turnout.

“[Saturday] was a busy, busy, day,” Dorantes said. “We had a little bit of hiccups [early on] but managed to work through them and had a fun time here and made quite a good impression on the people here.”

For Galloway, the people are also a big part of what makes the festival worthwhile.

“[It’s] fun for me because as I get older, I’ve seen a dozen people I went to school with that I haven’t seen other than here [at this event],” he said. “You see family here, you see people that you haven’t seen for years.”

And Galloway’s number one trick to make a delicious pot: “Don’t stir the beans!”

Cataract Bean Dinner Festival by the Numbers

Extrapolated based on bean chef Clint Galloway’s count of the number of beans in one 1-lb bag of great northern beans.

• 850 pounds of beans
• 13 servings/lb
• 94 beans per serving
• 188 beans per bowl
• 1,032,750 beans cooked over the whole weekend
• 5,494 bowls of beans served
• 720 boxes of cornbread seasoning
• 720 eggs
• 100-125 pounds of beans per pot
• 200 pounds of onions for the weekend
• 110 pounds of ham for the weekend
• 37 pounds of jowl bacon for the weekend

Council considers public concerns while refining proposed 2027 budget

Concerns about government transparency, road maintenance, economic development and the use of taxpayer dollars dominated public comments during the Owen County Council’s Oct. 13 meeting, which included a public hearing on the proposed 2027 budget.

Several residents questioned whether county government is providing sufficient information about spending decisions and following established procedures.

Pam Rogers urged the council to make updated budgets and monthly financial reports available on the county’s website. She also questioned whether the commissioners had complied with state requirements to identify planned road and bridge projects, including their locations and estimated costs, in budget submissions.

Rogers argued that without this information, residents cannot meaningfully comment on which roads and bridges should receive funding.

She also questioned the status of $100,000 previously designated for replacement of Bridge 15 near Millgrove. Auditor Sheila Reeves explained that the allocation had been eliminated because the highway department’s cash balance could not support its 2026 budget. Rogers maintained that earlier council records appeared to restrict those funds to the bridge project and requested further review.

Resident Jerry Reynolds echoed concerns about road maintenance, questioning the commissioners’ prioritization of projects, sale of highway equipment, and adherence to public meeting procedures. He urged council members to use their budget authority to hold the commissioners accountable.

Armory lease raises questions

Rogers also questioned the county’s proposed five-year extension of the armory lease without a rental increase, particularly because the county pays utilities and may be responsible for significant repairs.

Reeves explained that although commissioners had approved the extension, a new lease had not yet been completed. The Future Building Fund, which receives armory rental payments, had a balance of approximately $222,400.

Later, commissioners requested permission to advertise a $100,000 appropriation for building maintenance, including potential armory repairs.

Council members agreed to advertise the request but expressed reluctance to approve the expenditure without reviewing the lease, the ordinance governing the fund, and an itemized list of needed repairs. Councilman Anton Neff said he was uncomfortable approving a “$100,000 blank check” without documentation.

Residents question economic development and NDAs

Dodie Sheffield expressed concerns about the county’s $75,000 contract for economic development services, calling for stronger restrictions on nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) involving public officials and taxpayer-funded organizations.

Other speakers echoed her concerns, citing controversies involving proposed data centers in neighboring counties. Residents urged the council to withhold economic development funding until protections against NDAs are established.

Council members discussed potentially adding restrictions to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) contract. An NDA ordinance and the proposed EDC contract were expected to be considered by commissioners at their Oct. 22 meeting.

Phillip Sheffield questioned why taxpayers fund both economic development and Chamber of Commerce activities. Discussion followed about whether the county could bring economic development services in-house by hiring a county employee rather than contracting with the EDC.

Tourism also received attention. Dodie Sheffield argued that Owen County could do more to promote its natural attractions, comparing its potential to neighboring Brown County. Phillip Sheffield suggested developing bicycle routes, horse trails and outdoor recreation opportunities to strengthen tourism and generate revenue.

Convention and Visitors Bureau board member Beth Wood explained that the CVB receives innkeeper’s tax revenue and invited residents to learn more about its activities.

Council adjusts proposed 2027 budget

Following public comments, Neff proposed reducing the amount budgeted for county employee health benefits from $12,500 to $12,000 per employee, based on updated cost estimates. The council unanimously approved the adjustment, potentially reducing the proposed budget by approximately $50,000, while leaving some cushion for unexpected expenses.

The council also considered converting an existing deputy auditor position into a combined human resources and administrative position.

Compensation consultant Waggoner, Irwin, Scheele & Associates recommended an additional $5,043 annually based on the revised responsibilities. Reeves argued that the increase was insufficient, suggesting approximately $10,000 more would better reflect the position’s duties.

The council approved the consultant’s recommended increase, establishing an annual salary of approximately $46,410, with the possibility of reconsidering compensation as the position develops.

Because Highway Department and jailer employees already received midyear compensation increases, the council also voted to eliminate their proposed additional 0.5% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027, saving approximately $12,657.

Council members additionally discussed ensuring that CentralSquare, the public safety software used by county emergency services, is properly funded in the 2027 budget rather than requiring repeated additional appropriations.

The council is scheduled to continue its budget process at an Oct. 27 meeting before final adoption.

This morning, I spied a small brownish bird slowly creeping up the trunk of the pine tree that stands outside my kitchen window. The bird blended into the trunk so well that I would not have seen it, if it hadn’t moved. The bird was finding insects for breakfast. I knew it wasn’t a woodpecker; they come down the trees, not up. It did not look like any of the woodpeckers I know. Mystery solved, my visitor was a Brown Creeper. The five-inch birds are well camouflaged. They are a mix of browns with a white belly and no marks to distinguish them. They have a curved bill that comes in handy for digging insects out of tree bark. They are common in wooded areas.

The visit of the Brown Creeper made me think of woodpeckers. I love the noisy, brightly colored birds. Seven species of woodpeckers live in Indiana. They do not fly south for the winter. Twenty-two species of woodpeckers inhabit the United States. Globally there are 240 species of woodpeckers. Of the seven that live in Indiana, one only comes to spend the winter. That is the yellow-bellied sapsucker, a native of Canada. The six that stay here all year are the downy, hairy, red-bellied, red-headed, Northern Flicker, and the pileated. Four of the Hoosier woodpeckers are black and white with some splashes of red.

The Northern Flicker is a large bird with striking plumage. They have a brownish barred back, lighter spotted belly, and a black breast band. Both sexes have a red crest on the nape of their necks. Unlike other woodpeckers, they are ground feeders. Their favorite food is ants.

The red-bellied woodpecker, which is common in mature deciduous forests, also has a black and white barred back, a light belly with a faint wash of red, and a red nape. They are also about nine inches long.

My favorite woodpecker, the strikingly colored red-headed woodpecker, has a completely red head, black shoulders and tail, white underbelly, and black and white wings. They are also about nine inches long and prefer old trees for nesting.

Two woodpeckers that often get confused are the downy and the hairy. The smaller downy is about seven inches long. The hairy measures nine inches. They are a mixture of black and white feathers with white underbellies. The males have a red patch on the back of their heads. These birds are uncommon in mature forests. They prefer younger trees and bushes. They are common visitors here at the edge of the small town where I live.

The largest woodpecker to inhabit our area, the pileated, is an unforgettable bird. It is huge at 19 inches and looks like it could have lived with the dinosaurs. The black and white birds have a red crest that looks like Woody the Woodpecker. The guidebooks say they are uncommon. However, in my experience, they are common in Owen County. When I lived on my Ridge near Atkinsonville, they would perch in the tall trees and laugh at me when I worked on my flowers. They have several calls, all of them loud. They chisel large oval holes in trees, looking for food. Small wrens build their nest in those cavities. Their loud drumming echoes through the mature forest.

How many of these fascinating birds have you seen? Hopefully, on your next hike you will be rewarded with a glimpse of one of these beautiful creatures.

‘til next time,

Annie

With election season officially underway, Owen County voters have several avenues available to make their voices heard at the ballot box this fall.

The Owen County Clerk’s Office has released its full schedule for the upcoming General Election, detailing early in-person voting times, satellite sites, and absentee ballot procedures. In addition to planning their trip to the polls, residents in certain areas will also find updated County Council representation on their ballots following recent precinct redistricting.

For residents wishing to vote early in person, opportunities are available at the Owen County Courthouse, located at 60 S. Main St. in Spencer, through Oct. 30. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Voters should keep in mind that while voting remains open during these hours, other courthouse offices close for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Anyone voting at the courthouse must enter through the main northside door and present a valid government-issued photo ID.

To accommodate busy work schedules, local officials are offering extended weekend hours. On Saturday, Oct. 24, early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both the Owen County Courthouse and the Freedom Community Center, located at 5552 Freedom-Arney Rd. in Freedom. Another satellite opportunity takes place on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the courthouse and Faith Baptist Church, 11612 S.R. 243, in Cloverdale. The final opportunity for early voting will be on Monday, Nov. 2, at the courthouse from 8 a.m. until noon.

Voters who prefer or require alternative voting methods also have options under Indiana Code. Registered voters who meet statutory qualifications can request a mail-in absentee ballot, with applications required by Oct. 22 at 11:59 p.m. All completed mail-in ballots must be turned in to election officials by 6 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. For voters who qualify and require direct physical assistance, a traveling board can bring a ballot packet directly to their home upon written request submitted by Nov. 2 at noon. Special requirements, qualifications, and forms for military and overseas voters can be accessed online through the state voter portal at indianavoters.in.gov.

In other election-related news, voters in two specific parts of the county will see changes to their County Council district choices on this year’s ballot. The Owen County Commissioners implemented these boundary changes last year to remain compliant with Indiana Code regarding balanced population numbers across all four council districts, replacing district boundaries that had remained unchanged for decades. The Clerk’s Office has already updated voter registration records to reflect these new districts, and whoever is elected will take office on Jan. 1, 2027.

The first change affects registered voters in the Marion 2 Precinct, which includes Patricksburg. This area was previously part of County Council District 4 but has now been moved into County Council District 3. The candidates competing for this seat are Republican Lynda Sands and Democrat Mark Snapp.

The second change affects the Washington 2 Precinct. This area includes the portion of the town of Spencer situated west of Main Street, as well as areas outside town limits located west of Rocky Hill Road and north of S.R. 46. Previously designated as part of County Council District 2, this precinct is now in County Council District 1. The candidates on the ballot for this district are Republican Loretta Foster and Democrat Sandra K. Calvert.

On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Owen County uses a Vote Center model, allowing any registered voter in the county to cast their ballot at any of the seven designated locations. These voting locations include Faith Baptist Church at 11612 S.R. 243 in Cloverdale, Family of God Church at 2018 S.R. 67 in Spencer, Clay Township Fire Department at 5663 S.R. 43 in Spencer, and the Freedom Community Center at 5552 Freedom-Arney Rd. in Freedom. Additional sites are Jefferson Baptist Church at 4019 Main St. in Coal City, Garrard Chapel Church at 7410 W. S.R. 46 in Bowling Green, and the Spencer Christian Life Center at 126 E. Market St. in Spencer.

Sample ballots for every precinct, as well as voter record searches, are accessible through the Indiana Secretary of State’s portal at indianavoters.in.gov. Residents with questions regarding voting, registration, or poll locations can reach Linda Roy, Deputy Clerk of Elections and Voter Registration, on the first floor of the Owen County Courthouse in Spencer, by phone at 812-829-5028, or via email at linda.roy@owencounty.in.gov.

October has arrived, and with it comes some of my favorite things: cooler weather, changing leaves, football, fall festivals, Halloween and, of course, food.

Chili cook-offs, pitch-ins, soup suppers, tailgating, fall parties, trunk-or-treat events, and family gatherings: somewhere, at almost every one of these events, is a crockpot that has been sitting on the table for several hours while everyone politely asks: “Do you think that’s still good?”

This is where a little food safety knowledge can save the day, and possibly save your stomach. Food safety is one of the many areas where Purdue Extension provides research-based education. And honestly, food safety isn’t just something to think about during the holidays. It matters every time we prepare, cook, serve, store, and reheat food.

Temperature Danger Zone

Bacteria grow quickly when food is kept at unsafe temperatures. The “danger zone” is generally between 40°F and 140°F. That means cold foods need to stay cold, and hot foods need to stay hot. If you’re serving chili, soup or another hot dish at a gathering, don’t assume that because it starts hot, it will stay safely hot all afternoon. Use a food thermometer to check temperatures rather than relying on whether the food “feels warm.” And yes, I know. Nobody wants to be the person standing at the family pitch-in with a food thermometer. But that person might also be the reason everyone goes home happy instead of spending the evening regretting the potato salad.

The Two-Hour Rule

One of the most common food safety questions is how long food can safely sit out. Perishable foods generally shouldn’t sit at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature outside is above 90°F, that window drops to one hour. That leftover chili may still smell perfectly fine. Unfortunately, your nose does not come with a bacteria detector. When in doubt, follow food safety guidelines rather than relying on smell, appearance or the classic family test of, “We’ve always eaten it.”

Leftovers Need a Plan, Too

Fall cooking often means leftovers, and I’m completely in favor of leftovers. The trick is storing them properly. Divide large amounts of food into smaller, shallow containers so they cool more quickly. Refrigerate leftovers promptly, and when you’re ready to reheat them, make sure they reach a safe temperature. This is especially important with large pots of soup, chili and casseroles. Putting a giant, steaming pot straight into the refrigerator may not allow it to cool safely.

Where Extension Can Help

You don’t have to figure all of this out on your own. If you have questions about food preparation, food storage, food preservation, nutrition, or food safety, ask me! We have research-based resources that can help answer those “is this still safe” questions before you must make the difficult decision between wasting food and taking your chances. And sometimes, throwing something away is the right answer. I know -- nobody wants to hear that. Food waste is frustrating. Foodborne illness is worse.

As we head into a season filled with gatherings and good food, take a few extra minutes to think about how food is being prepared, served, and stored. Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold, use a thermometer when needed, refrigerate leftovers promptly, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Because fall should be remembered for beautiful leaves, football, family, and good food, not for figuring out who gets the bathroom after the pitch-in.

As always, watch the community calendar section of this newspaper for upcoming Purdue Extension programs and other local activities. You can also follow Purdue Extension-Owen County on Facebook. If there is a Health and Human Sciences topic you would like to see offered here in Owen County, I would love to hear from you.

Until next time, enjoy the fall weather, enjoy the food, and please, when in doubt, don’t eat the questionable chili.

Deciding on a vacation destination, especially at year’s end, is a tough call. A lot of details go into the preparation—location, weather, budget, travel methods, entertainment options, and on and on. I’ve been blessed to visit some beautiful destinations in my life, but when kids are in the mix, it gets doubly difficult. No offense to my three boys, but I clearly recall the first extended time my wife and I spent away from our precious threesome; it was our 30th anniversary and we loved slowly tooling around Wisconsin’s Door County. On arriving home, I remarked that I never realized a vacation could actually be relaxing! It makes a difference when all you have to look out for is each other.

One year with family we opted for Disney World, and it went ok. The two older lads, now teens, could wander on their own, and for the most part we just had to manage the little one. After all the sights and sounds and remarkable treats of Disney, the boys’ clearest memory of that trip was the spider that occupied our off-the-property, inexpensive motel bathroom. They all exclaimed more or less at once, “You’ve got to see this spider, Dad! It’s gigantic!”

They were right. It was huge, the size of a navel orange, and it was fast. Hair spray finally slowed the beast down enough to quash it. Apparently, Florida grows some really big insects. That memory and the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we shared in our car at lunchtime in the park were treasured times. Hey, finances were tight then. The boys had to purchase their own park entrance tickets from their paper route money. The wife and I later went to Disney over Christmas, just the two of us. Ahh, peace, tranquility, and unworried and unhurried fun.

Recently, she and I had opted to visit the Boston and Cape Cod area with family, but reality set in. It would involve plane travel for six of us, counting our son’s family, driving a large rental van, constant movement to fully see what’s there, and crowds of people, not to mention a ton of cash spent. With my wife’s health being something we needed to watch, that East Coast idea was risky. After further thought, we decided to head west to Branson, Missouri, a place we’d been to multiple times but, all in all, it seemed a good choice for our situation. Jenny’s beloved sister-in-law lives in Springfield, about an hour north. We could spend a day there visiting her family and perusing Bass Pro Shop’s original store and perhaps the adjoining remarkable Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) Museum. Two birds—one stone. WOW is pretty amazing—an earlier column detailed some of its features. Lots of creative displays to enjoy, incredible taxidermy, a first-rate aquarium, and a large section devoted to bass fishing’s elite are a few of its pluses.

An advantage of Branson would be staying in one place for the week. That would enable both of us old folks to head to the condo for a rest when needed, and that’s important when you hit your upper seventies. We would be traveling with our son Aaron, his wife Sarah, and their two teenage lads all in their own vehicle, so one group would not be tied down by the other. Locating the right housing was imperative. We finally decided on a condo in the Point Royale complex, a few minutes south of the city. It had the right sleeping arrangements, which was a challenge to find. The website showed a nice kitchen area for some meals, especially breakfast. We stayed there several years ago with my oldest son and his family, and things worked out. It sits on a golf course, a large swimming pool and activity center are available, and Lake Taneycomo is nearby.

Selecting Branson performances is also challenging. Approximately 100 live shows are presented more or less daily, from music of all types, to magic to acrobats to comedy. The holiday shows are abundant. Also, there is Silver Dollar City theme park, ziplines, a huge Ferris wheel, and much more, including opportunities for fishing and general outdoor fun. Check availability if you decide to make a late fall or winter trip.

Arranging show tickets through an agent can be tricky. Some of these folks are compensated by timeshare and other property companies that would like for you to attend a “presentation.” On one of our past Branson trips with just the two of us, we purchased our show passes at a ticket center and were lured into attending one of these sessions, thinking we would pocket an easy $150. Long story short, it was not a good experience. If you’re interested in time share properties, do a lot of homework and understand the pluses and minuses of the program. It should be concerning when you see so many ads for timeshare cancellations.

Regarding show tickets, I spoke to an agent I noticed on Facebook. I phoned and was told they were not affiliated with any other organization; they simply sold tickets at a discount. Should I believe them?? After some thought and at my wife’s suggestion, I decided to just contact each venue separately. Tickets would be available on will-call, but more than likely we would pay more for them since we would miss out on the “deals” that agents offer. How will it work out? A post-trip review follows in the next column.

The Owen County Fairgrounds was abuzz with activity Oct. 7 as fourth graders from Spencer, Gosport, Patricksburg, and McCormick’s Creek elementary schools attended Ag Safety Day. The event, organized by the Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) Agriculture Department with the help of Owen Valley FFA, showcases various agriculture related careers as well as safety information provided by local businesses and first responders. The event is meant to give students the opportunity to interact with aspects of these fields up close.

“The idea from our side was to bring different industries, different people, professionals that interact with different levels of safety that they might interact with in their daily lives, so it’s more applicable to them,” said Owen Valley agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Josh Schonfeld.

Students started off their morning with a demonstration from South Central Indiana (SCI) REMC. Several demonstrations of the dangers of high voltage electricity were shown using a model of typical power lines hooked up with actual powerline voltages. REMC linemen roasted hot dogs with electricity arcs, burned an orange from the inside out and set a tree branch on fire to the awe and excited murmuring of the attending students.

The students then separated into groups to hear from representatives from the Owen Valley Fire Territory, Owen County EMS, All Pro Tree & Land Service, Frye Towing and Recovery, the Department of Natural Resources, Strouse Farms & Trucking, and Diana Curry of Curry Farms.

The Owen Valley FFA was also on hand, volunteering as group leaders and helping to coordinate the fourth graders.

“We have a really involved FFA and we are trying to build on that,” said Owen Valley Middle School agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor Emili Weddle.

She also noted that a lot of different parts of the community had to come together to make the day a success.

“We have been planning and making phone calls and reaching out to our teachers, and community members,” she said. “They say it takes a village, and it literally does.”

The event is a variation of traditional “Ag Day” events hosted in the past that usually involved some sort of farm animal petting zoo. Now, instead, “Ag Safety Day” is a broader showcase of jobs within the agriculture field and safety demonstrations.

“Historically it’s been more of an education of agriculture in general,” said Schonfeld. “In my prior county, the safety aspect was always the focus because a lot of times [the kids] would already have pet an animal, they may have animals, but [they] may not know how to act around the greater aspects [of ag technology]. Most likely they are interacting with at least one industry professional safety item that they’ve probably never been around before.”

For a fourth grader, a field trip where they get access to heavy machinery and watch people interact with electricity is pretty exciting. At least Weddle thinks so.

“Every student loves a good field trip, especially a fourth grader,” she said, “but we just want them to be really involved, so to see the smiles on the kids, and for them to look at each demo… to see their smiles and to learn the information and the ag safety that we really want them to see…[to] kind of spark those interests and excitement.”

Local agriculture-related businesses that would like to participate in next year’s Ag Day event should contact the Owen Valley High School office at 812-829-2266 and ask to speak to the Ag Department.

The Owen County Public Library sponsored the 29th Annual Manhattan Short Film Fest. Bringing current film-making culture to Owen County for a sixth year. It played, in full, three times -- once at the library, and twice at the Tivoli. I attended both screenings at the Tivoli.

One of the fun attributes of this festival is that the audience is the judge. In years past, they have had celebrities judge the festival, including titan of independent film, Roger Corman. For the uninitiated, his productions were an incubation chamber for the greatest filmmakers of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, including but not limited to Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, James Cameron, and John Sayles. His influence is incalculable, and his participation piqued my interest.

The people have spoken, and the 2026 Gold Medal winner went to “Life Goes On” from the United Kingdom. A time-loop drama/comedy set in a hospice where a grumpy old man perfects his final day. Lead actor David Bradley (most will recognize him as the caretaker of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films) is genuinely hilarious. A great short but it wasn’t my personal vote.

I went with two friends. I will give them aliases: Fin and Flex. Flex agreed with my vote, which I find a very becoming trait in a friend. Fin, as always, went his own way -- very unbecoming. But I must say on a second viewing, I really locked into the ever trailblazing Fin’s take. Not good news for Flex. His stock dropped, and we are hopeful for a turnaround in the fourth quarter.

Flex’s and my vote for best short film hails from South Africa, Dian Weys’ “Vultures.” In a near dystopian future, tow truck drivers must fight tooth and nail for the most vulnerable clients. While trying to secure his job, he neglects the most in need. A truly powerful performance by Edwin van der Walt here.

Fin’s vote, and my second place, hails from Moldova: Vlad Gradescu’s “Hai Davai”. A young woman moving out of her small village is escorted to the bus by her grandmother. Along the way, superstition supersedes in the form of a black cat crossing the road. A touching comedy about the journey not the destination. Another stellar performance here by Paula Macovoz.

Lastly, I must make mention of Nash Edgerton’s “Candy Bar” hailing from Australia. The second to shortest film on the bill, coming in at six minutes. It is a simple set up and payoff to one of the hardest laughs I’ve had in theaters in years. I did consider it as Best Short Film, but ultimately it nestled nicely into third position.

The inherent rush of short film festivals is like Roger Corman once was -- an incubation chamber for future filmmakers, featuring fledgling artists that show promise in their film careers. I can’t be at a screening of “The Big Shave” (1967) and not know who Martin Scorsese is, or experience the subsequent thrill of witnessing his filmography blossom in real time. Mr. Scorsese needs me as a champion like the ocean needs another drop of water, but I did take my seat and cast my vote for the promising Dian Weys with his short “Vultures.”

Additional infrastructure projects in Gosport are moving forward conditionally, dependent on receiving Great Lakes Grant monies.

At the Gosport Town Council’s Sept. 22 meeting, officials approved using grant funds to replace water mains in three locations, projects expected to cost about $198,000, contingent upon the grant being awarded. Building on that momentum, at the Oct. 13 meeting, the council approved the selection of a bid for continuous remote wastewater lift station monitors, another project that will likely only move forward if the grant monies are secured.

One of the key focuses of the Great Lakes Grant program is providing financial assistance to rural and remote areas facing environmental and public health challenges, according to its website.

Adam Hershberger, asset management specialist for Alliance of Indiana Rural Water, presented two bid options to the town council, one through Bynum Fanyo Utilities for $21,000 and one through Indiana Pump Works for $15,739 — both including equipment and labor.

The project includes monitoring equipment for three lift stations and one for the wastewater plant.

“These are continuous monitoring of your wastewater lift stations,” Hershberger said. “If the high-level alarm goes off, it’s going to call someone and let them know instead of it just running out down your ditch. If a pump motor trips out, it’s going to call Bynum Fanyo or someone here at the town, whoever you set up for it to call, it will call.”

Hershberger also reassured the council that both options fulfilled Build America, Buy America Act requirements. This has a few components, including one stating “all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in covered infrastructure projects are produced in the United States.”

One of the most notable differences between the two bids was the more advanced AI features the Bynum Fanyo Utilities option included, Hershberger said, which could help predict impact from weather and rain events.

The town council moved to approve the Indiana Pump Works bid, pending final grant approval. Hershberger said considering the time it may take for the company to order parts and have the availability to come to town, the project can be expected to be completed in one to two months.

The council also decided to add a preliminary discussion about forming a fire territory to the agenda for the next meeting. Fire territories are fire service consolidations that bring together two or more contiguous taxing units into one fire protection district.

The council discussed the possibility of forming a territory at a July 10 work session, with the priorities of giving the town fire protection by increasing revenue for fire protection services, and keeping decisions about funding it with tax rates with local leaders.

Town attorney Terry English told the council at the Oct. 13 meeting that for him to start drafting the documents necessary for the council to make a decision, discussions about the territory would need to begin.

“Otherwise, we’re just going to flat run out of time,” English said.

The window to begin collecting money in 2028 requires the town to have finished the paperwork between Jan. 1 and March 31.

Additionally, the town approved a $3,000 purchase of a utility truck and a $1 per page fee for copies of documents requested from Town Hall. The town hopes to soon codify town ordinances, which would make many more easily accessible online.

At the meeting, the council also approved a few dates for the fall season. First, the leaf pickup dates this season are set for Oct. 26 to Nov. 25. The council also approved Halloween hours, from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Congratulations Jaren, Akaydia, and Claira, Middle School State Cross Country Qualifiers! Good luck!

Pictured: Akaydia Beckwith, Kendra Collier and Claira Jackson; and Jaren Neibel.

Wastewater upgrades, upcoming holiday festivities, and a proposal to boost government transparency topped a busy agenda for the Spencer Town Council during its Oct. 5 meeting.

Council members Jon Stantz, Evan McKalip, and Ginger Kohr were present for the hour-long session, alongside clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke and town attorney John McKay of Hickam & Lorenz.

The council made significant headway on local infrastructure, approving an $840,035.74 pay application to advance ongoing improvements to Spencer’s sewer system.

A representative from Commonwealth Engineers updated the council on the wastewater rehabilitation efforts, reporting that tanks three and four have been successfully taken down at the sewer plant. Structural engineers inspected the infrastructure and found the tanks to be in surprisingly good condition given their age. While some residents have noted a slow pace on the ground, engineers explained that the timeline is governed by necessary equipment lead times, with digging operations expected to ramp up soon. The council also approved professional and design fee invoices associated with the project.

In additional utility business, the council authorized the $3,135 purchase of a replacement grinder pump system to keep the White Oaks lift station running smoothly. Spencer Sewer Department Superintendent Ryan Klaassen also noted that the department was investigating a recent line blockage potentially linked to third-party fiber optic installation work.

Stepping forward to champion local government openness, Jill Hudson and Heather Huntington introduced a proposal that, if considered and approved, would prohibit the town from using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in future economic development deals.

The presenters emphasized that prohibiting NDAs is critical to maintaining public trust and protecting taxpayer funds. Council members expressed support for the concept, voicing their own frustrations with past requests for nondisclosure agreements. The board agreed to work with McKay to refine the ordinance language ahead of a future vote.

Holiday planning is also officially underway in Spencer. Spencer Main Street President Julie Coffin presented an event application for the organization’s annual “Christmas at the Square” celebration, which will transform downtown into a seasonal market featuring Santa’s traditional location. The council approved the event and directed the Spencer Street Department to coordinate necessary traffic barricades.

Coffin also updated the council on a transformative entryway project, proposing a Stellar Pathways program application with the Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA) centered on streetscape improvements around the town’s proposed entryway arch. After discussing the parameters and local budget alignment, the council voted to move forward with the application.

The Stellar Pathways program is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative led by OCRA. The program works with communities and regional partnerships on a shared vision for community and economic development, promotes local collaboration and assists in implementing sustainable solutions to challenges Indiana’s rural communities face. Interested applicants may apply as either a single local unit of government or as a self-determined region and partner with other local units of government, including county governments, municipalities and townships.

Additionally, the council approved a street closure request from Harvest Church for a Community Day celebration on Oct. 31 affecting Lincoln St. and Indiana Ave. from noon to 10 p.m. The event will feature free food, a pie eating contest, cornhole tournament, candy for kids, and a bounce house maze. The church is located at 691 W. Indiana Ave., at the corner of Indiana Ave. and Lincoln St.

In departmental reports, Spencer Police Department Chief Terry Sips reported that the recent Spencer Pride Festival concluded safely and without incident, while also updating the council on personnel training initiatives, including officers Zach Brock and Ryan Combs completing taser instructor certification.

Street Department Superintendent Tony Floyd noted that underground fiber installation boring crews have finished their main work phase, allowing the department to shift focus to a punch list of patching, repairs, and street cleanup.

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.

Photos from Owen Valley’s homecoming: the 2026 court, student section, cheerleaders, Patriot Band and Guard, and a 19-14 win over West Vigo.

Congratulations to Jaclyn Wheeler for making it to golf regionals!

Lots of fun was had at Gosport’s 12th annual Pumpkins in the Park. Led by community member Shelly Leonard, recognized at Gosport Lazy Days as Gosport’s Outstanding Citizen for 2026, the event featured a bounce house, hay rides, face painting, games, pumpkin painting, story time, sack races, piñatas, and more. Proceeds raised at Pumpkins in the Park fund future community events in Gosport.

The 2026 Chamber Banquet held at Abram Farms hosted HGTV-featured artist Shellie Phelps and presented awards to businesses and individuals in Owen County. The 2026 theme was “A Night at the Movies” where attendees were encouraged to dress as their favorite movie characters.

From students earning monthly accolades to discussions on facility leases and district growth, the Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees packed a busy agenda into their regular monthly meeting Oct. 12 at the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Center. Four of the seven board members were present, with Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, and Mike Rightmyer II absent from the meeting.

Before turning to its regular business, the board paused to celebrate community standouts by honoring students and staff for their positive impact on the district. This month’s honorees included Students of the Month Brynlee Dorman from Cloverdale Elementary School, Austin Vermillion from Cloverdale Middle School (CMS), and Thomas Hamilton from Cloverdale High School (CHS). Rounding out the recognitions, CMS teacher Megan Schroeder was named Staff of the Month.

In routine matters, the board voted 3-0-1 to approve minutes from the pre-bargaining public hearing held Sept. 9 and executive and regular sessions held Sept. 14.

Acting on a request from CCSC Superintendent Dr. Stacy Mason, the board approved claims totaling $2,934,147.06, along with two payrolls amounting to $3,697,570.67.

The board also updated its district guidelines by conducting its second reading of Board Policies Volume 36, No. 2, Volume 38, No. 2, the Special Update from July 2025, and the Special Update on Artificial Intelligence from June 2026. The board voted unanimously to approve the updated policy package.

In new business, the board held official public hearings concerning district finances, opening the floor for community input on a proposed lease and additional appropriations. Following the hearings, where no one in the audience requested to speak, board members moved to adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the lease.

Additionally, the board unanimously approved a resolution assigning construction bids and contracts to the building corporation once received, a resolution approving a supplement to the master continuing disclosure undertaking, and an additional appropriation resolution for the Education Fund totaling 6.5 million dollars.

“Although these funds are currently available within the Education Fund’s cash balance, formal authorization is required to expend them for anticipated year-end obligations,” Dr. Mason explained.

“It’s my understanding that we do not plan to use the entire 6.5 million dollars, probably less than a half million [dollars] at best, but so that we don’t have to come back and have future hearings and resolutions we have gone to the max on this one,” board president Vivian Whitaker added.

The board also accepted the 2026-27 High Ability Grant in the amount of $40,601.25.

On the operational side, trustees approved two homebound instructors for CMS and authorized an additional student worker position within the Clover Café.

“Student workers play a vital role in ensuring that the coffee shop and café at the high school remain successful and sustainable,” Dr. Mason explained. “We recommend compensating student workers at a rate of $30 per shift with a maximum of one shift per day. This specific student will be working in the café as part of a work-based learning experience.”

The board also formally accepted three donations/grants for CHS totaling $1,000 and approved several routine professional leave requests.

Trustees reviewed and approved several upcoming field trips for district students. Scheduled excursions include the Forestry and Wildlife Management class visiting Spring Mill State Park and Greencastle on Oct. 20-21, freshmen attending an experience at Area 30 on Oct. 21, and FFA students traveling to Indianapolis from October 21-23. Additional approved trips feature the Digital Photography class visiting the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Center Point on Oct. 22, the CMS Spell Bowl team heading to the regional competition on Nov. 4, and FFA students bowling in Greencastle on Nov. 13.

The board additionally processed a slate of facility use requests for district spaces. Approved facility uses include the CMS PTO holding a fall meeting in the media center on Sept. 28, and the Cloverdale Community Youth League (CCYL) hosting a basketball coaches meeting and draft in the library on Oct. 1, as well as a fall sports awards and pizza party in the high school cafetorium on Oct. 5. Later facility use approvals cover a teacher painting party in the CES cafeteria and a student council Halloween dance in the CMS gym on Oct. 28 and Oct. 30, CCYL boys’ youth basketball games in the CHS gym and auxiliary gym on Nov. 7 and Nov. 14, CCYL championship games in the CMS gym on Dec. 12, and CCYL girls’ basketball events in the CHS gym and auxiliary gym on Jan. 16, 2027.

The board also approved several personnel requests, including resignations, new hires, and a termination. Resignations were accepted for Aliyah Maldonado as a CMS instructional assistant, Wanda Thompson as a part-time four-hour café worker, and Britney Manuel as a part-time CHS custodian. On the hiring front, the district welcomed Kyle McComas as CHS Spanish instructor and Katie Gillaspy as a part-time Knoy teacher. The board also approved the termination of bus driver Abbie Kenworthy.

In athletic and coaching assignments, the board noted the resignation of CMS cheer coach Sydney Campbell. To fill athletic vacancies and bolster programs, trustees approved Anthony Vermillion as CMS football coach, Amanda Hull as the seventh grade girls’ basketball coach, Jason Flory as the eighth grade girls’ basketball coach, Chloe McGhiey as the seventh and eighth grade cheer coach, and both Mcguire Lee and JT Yoho as CHS boys’ basketball volunteer assistants.

The Cloverdale School Board will hold its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building. Board members include Vivian Whitaker, Katrina Lewis, Donna Fidler, Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, Joe Mann, and Mike Rightmyer II.

Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) is getting an esports team thanks, in part, to a $5,000 donation from Boston Scientific. The official scholastic esports league for Indiana is the Indiana Esports Network (IEN) rather than the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) that covers traditional high school athletics. Middle school esports participants can compete in eight different games, and have both fall and spring seasons.

“I know our kiddos are going to have such a good time with that program. It’s going to be awesome, especially now that a lot of colleges are having those esports programs,” said Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) Board of School Trustees member Elizabeth Bixler.

The school board also accepted a grant of $5,000 from the Owen County Community Foundation for the Book Buddies program at S-OCS. Book Buddies is similar to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and allows free books to be given to all S-OCS kindergartners. The program was previously funded by the State of Indiana, but budget cuts threatened the continuation for the 2026 school year. The program costs around $8,000 per year to remain operational.

Patriot Manufacturing was recognized at a recent Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) meeting at French Lick Resort. ROI also recognized S-OCS as a good example of a school pushing the “Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment” initiative for graduating students.

During fall break, lots of maintenance is set to take place at the various school corporation buildings, including OVMS floor repairs, food service equipment installations, and HVAC repairs at Gosport Elementary.

Curriculum director Matthew Taylor went over his and Mrs. Betsy Breedlove’s long-running initiative to meet with all of the new S-OCS teachers to discuss classroom management tips and other important things happening across the corporation.

“Breedlove and I are kind of a traveling road show. We go out to the different schools and have enjoyed getting an opportunity to visit with them and provide some additional resources,” Taylor said.

Board members finalized the 2027 school calendar, voted to approve the purchase of two Mohawk school bus lifts for the new transportation facility at a quoted price of $38,996, and approved an overnight field trip to the FFA camp site in Trafalgar.

The meeting was followed by an executive session that was not open to the public in which no decisions can be voted on or approved. School board meetings can be watched in their entirety on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@socsschoolboard.

Agendas and minutes can be found online at https://www.socs.k12.in.us/school-board.

Resignations

• Hailley Maynard, Spencer Elementary School (SES) instructional assistant
• Kirstin Richardson, SES instructional assistant
• Ashley Medonis, OVMS instructional assistant
• Katherine Gregory, OVMS archery coach

Hires

• Alivia Arthur, OVMS custodian
• Christina Polston, SES instructional assistant
• Hevin Jarrett, SES instructional assistant
• Jeannie Francalancia for Lisa Szymanski’s FMLA leave Oct. 5-Nov. 6. Then Leah Taylor from Nov. 9-24, with the potential to extend into Dec. 2026.

Leaves

• Crystal Wilson, Owen Valley High School (OVHS) cosmetology instructor
• Matt Latta, OVHS music teacher

Changes to Indiana Code require veterans to submit a new application to take advantage of disabled veteran property tax relief deductions and credits. Even veterans who had received property tax benefits in the past are required to file State Form 51186 by contacting the Owen County Veteran Services Office. Qualified veterans may receive 100% property tax deductions and up to a $600 tax credit if they meet eligibility requirements.

Benefits are for veterans with a current VA Service Connected Disability rating of 10% or higher and who are the owners of their own property where the property tax would be assessed. Surviving spouses may also claim these benefits if their deceased spouse satisfied the same eligibility requirements at the time of their passing. Surviving spouses who did not own property at the time of their qualified veteran spouse’s passing may still qualify if the surviving spouse has since become the owner of a property.

What to do if you qualify or think you may qualify?

In order to take advantage of the property tax credits, veterans should contact the Owen County Veteran Services Office in order to get State Form 51186 completed and submitted to the Owen County Auditor’s office. Qualifying individuals should submit their documentation before December 30, 2026 in order for the benefits to apply on their 2027 tax bill. Get more information at https://www.owencounty.in.gov/departments/veteran-services/ or by calling 812-829-5158.

Property transfers processed by the Owen County Recorder’s Office in August 2026 reflected a broad cross-section of local real estate activity, ranging from standard residential sales and family trust reorganizations to foreclosures and sheriff’s deeds. For actual selling prices, refer to the Sales Disclosure Forms filed through the Owen County Assessor’s Office:

4401 Garard Chapel Rd., Bowling Green: Sheriff of Owen County and Starr Ann Herring (deceased) to Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, $121,020.25, recorded on Aug. 4, 2026.

9190 W. S.R. 46, Bowling Green: Sheriff of Owen County, Zoe A. Devylder, and Zoe A. Eller AKA to Federal National Mortgage Association, $105,500.00, recorded on Aug. 4, 2026.

1138 N. U.S. 231, Spencer: Sheriff of Owen County, Toni Latchaw, Estate of Patricia Lynn Kennedy, Michael Kennedy (deceased), Kaytlyn Monday, Scott David Kennedy, and Charles Kennedy, Jr. to Newrez LLC, $147,000.00, recorded on Aug. 4, 2026.

2180 N. Timberview Ln., Spencer: Sheriff of Owen County and Lorne Bixler to Federal National Mortgage Association, $197,003.06, recorded on Aug. 4, 2026.

15 N. 7th St., Gosport: Holden Paulus to Evan J. White, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 4, 2026.

71 Phyllis Dr., Spencer: Sheriff of Owen County and Scott A. Byerly to Newrez LLC and Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, $215,989.31, recorded on Aug. 4, 2026.

7863 Moore Rd., Gosport: Debra E. Brown to Cari Houston and Quinton Houston, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 4, 2026.

Chandler Dr., Poland (vacant - platted lot): Susan E. Nichols and Reese L. Nichols (deceased) to Joshua Helms and Subrena L. Martin, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 4, 2026.

10877 McCracken Dr., Poland: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Louis Edwards, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 5, 2026.

W. S.R. 46, Spencer: Deborah C. Harkrider and Susan J. Sherfield to Owen County Commissioners, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 5, 2026.

Ohio St., Spencer (vacant - platted lot): John A. White and Deanna J. White to Owen Valley Sports Complex, Inc, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 5, 2026.

359 S. East St., Spencer: Connor Real Estate LLC to Wagner Property Group LLC, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 5, 2026.

4341 Dunn Rd., Freedom: Debrah A. Wilson and Steven E. Wilson Estate to THK Investments, LLC, $1.00, recorded on Aug, 5, 2026.

1921 Country Club Rd., Spencer: John R. Williams (AKA John Russel Williams) to Carolyn Williams, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

1844 Hillcrest Dr., Spencer: Richard W. Lorenz and Nancy Ann Lorenz (AKA Nancy A. Lorenz) to Richard W. Lorenz Trustee, Nancy A. Lorenz Trustee, and their respective Revocable Living Trusts, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

51 S. Main St., Spencer: Nancy A. Lorenz to Nancy A. Lorenz Trustee, Richard W. Lorenz Trustee, and their respective Revocable Living Trusts, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

10 S. Main St., Spencer: Ten South Main Street Partnership to Richard W. Lorenz Trustee, Nancy A. Lorenz Trustee, and their respective Revocable Living Trusts, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

6305 Bittersweet Rd., Spencer: Paula J. Perron and Gerald O. Perron Deceased to Jeffrey Robert Ewer and Amanda Nicole Ewer, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

15210 Orman Rd., Clay City: YDL Homes 01, LLC to Jesse Lewis and Robert Grundmann, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

3504 Hardscrabble Rd., Spencer: Morgan R. Richardson to Matthew Tyler Truesdel and Kaitlynne Truesdel, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

500 Red Maple Rd., Spencer: Geoffrey Poudrier to Alexander Poudrier, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

3722 Megan Ct., Spencer: Seth M. Givans, Nicole Givans (FKA Nicole J. Collins) to Gregory Sico, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 10, 2026.

Lakeside Ct., Cloverdale (vacant - platted lot): Andrew Nelson to James M. Rightmyer II and Angela M. Rightmyer, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

2517 Timber Ln., Spencer: Gary Lee Adkins and Janice E. Adkins to Jill Dehart Trustee, Gary and Janice Adkins Irrevocable Trust, and with Life Estates for Gary Lee Adkins and Janice E. Adkins, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

3708 Megan Ct., Spencer: Christopher Blair Paquette and Kimberly K. Paquette to Joshua Terrell and Ashley L. Burton Terrell, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

3103 Freedom Rd., Spencer: Robert L. Metz to John W. Thacker and Debra L. Thacker, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

269 S. Harrison St., Spencer: Ron W. Frye and Amanda Y. Frye to Michele Ann Kelley and Mary Jane Burks, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

9175 Coal City Arney Rd., Worthington: Edward J. O’Keefe IV to Melvin M. Frey and Danny R. Wood, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

1526 Freeman Rd., Spencer: James Owens and Morgan Owens to Sandra Halcomb, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

31 E. Main St, Gosport: Paul A. Mendenhall, Jr. to Alicia Gabriel, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

3149 Horse Farm Dr., Spencer: Katrina M. Thomas and Susan A. Groomer (deceased) to Robert Stasek Trustee, Svitlana Stasek Trustee, and their Family Trust, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

1373 Lanes South Dr., Spencer: US Bank National Association to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 11, 2026.

6472 N. U.S. 231, Spencer: Eric D. Sips to Jeffrey S. Stevens, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 12, 2026.

3381 Pottersville Rd., Spencer: Billie Travis White, Cynthia White to Robert Mayfield, and Lanette Mayfield (real estate agreement), $150,000.00, recorded on Aug. 14, 2026.

1162 W. Thornridge Way, Spencer: Ryan W. Keene and Katie L. Keene to Amanda Lefaure and Christian Lefaure, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 14, 2026.

New Jersey St., Spencer (vacant - platted lot): Chris Hawkins to Collin Kaliber and Samantha Klaiber, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 17, 2026.

8017 Elderberry Lane, Bloomington: Kimberly A. Musgrave and Jeffrey S. Musgrave (deceased) to Emily Kay Goad, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 17, 2026.

River Rd., Spencer (vacant land): Shawn Mitchell, Shane Michell, and Stephen J. Barker to Nicholas J. Cummins and Angela E. Cummins, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 18, 2026.

New Jersey St., Spencer (vacant - platted lot): Chris Hawkins to Samantha Klaiber and Collin Klaiber, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 19, 2026.

1784 Parkview Dr., Spencer: Richard M. Roberts and Donna S. Roberts to Richard M. Roberts Trustee, Donna S. Roberts Trustee, and their Revocable Trust, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 19, 2026.

Park View Dr., Spencer: Richard M. Roberts and Donna S. Roberts to Richard M. Roberts Trustee, Donna S. Roberts Trustee, and their Revocable Trust, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 19, 2026.

1026 W. Thornridge Way, Spencer: Christopher L. Bault and Angie S. Bault to Ryan W. Keene and Katie L. Keene, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 19, 2026.

1198 N. U.S. 231, Spencer: HB7 LLC to Justin R. Doss, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 19, 2026.

7000 S. U.S. 231, Spencer: James Paul McBee Sr. and James Paul McBee Jr. to Angela S. Bailey, Cary S. Bailey, and Judith Gagnon, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 20, 2026.

1012 W. Acres Dr., Spencer: Raul Varela to Lori R. Hipskind, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 20, 2026.

Hudson Hill Rd., Gosport (vacant land): FFCIC/TL LLC to Steve Ferguson and Elizabeth Ferguson, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 21, 2026.

2192 Parkview Dr., Spencer: Tim Mercer and Melissa Mercer to Timothy L. and Melissa R. Mercer Revocable Living Trust, $0.00, recorded on Aug. 21, 2026.

981 Denali Dr., Spencer: Jayson A. Tatlock and Lisa M. Tatlock to Gary Scott Trueblood and Julie Anne Trueblood, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 21, 2026.

2919 Schooling Rd., Spencer: Ronald D. Foster, Shannon Ellis, Cary Foster, Elsie Foster, Tracy Foster, and Tammy D. Brittain to Kevin W. Petty and Lesle L. Petty, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 21, 2026.

5373 Mobley Dr., Spencer: Brayton P. Thompson to Joseph Allan Weber and Michelle Josephine Weber, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 24, 2026.

869 Maple Dr., Spencer: Phillip O. Reid and Jean Ann Reid to David Edward Roberts and Connie Joyce Roberts, $10.00, recorded on Aug. 24, 2026.

3402 W. Moore Rd., Spencer: Charles Michael Collins to David Savage and Angela Savage, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 24, 2026.

5086 Evergreen Lane, Gosport: Gary Potter and Judy Potter to Joshua Fuller, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 24, 2026.

123 N. Third St., Gosport: Jerry Ellis to Kimberly Brewer, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 24, 2026.

5210 Orange Grove Rd., Gosport: Minnie Lou Mosteller to Wendell Brewington, $1.00, recorded on Aug. 25, 2026.

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

9-19

Jay’s Kitchen, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Rye’s Concessions, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

The Flying Flamingos, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Wever’s Smoke Eaters BBQ, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Lainey’s Watering Trough, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Plot Twist, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Shakin Things Up, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Serena’s Food Hut, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Jiffy Treat, Apple Butter Festival. Temporary. No violations.

10-2

Larry’s Pizza, Cataract Bean Dinner Festival. Temporary. Observed scoops to pork rinds and BBQ seasoning stored in an unsafe manner with handles touching products. Cross-contamination possible.

Carlson Concession, Cataract Bean Dinner Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Mr. Taco, Cataract Bean Dinner Festival. Temporary. Observed precooked food in a metal container for steamers on the counter without date marking and times.

Savage Sodas, Steele’s Campground. Temporary. No violations.

10-3

Big Bear Shaved Ice, Spencer Pride Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Sip Happens Y’all, Spencer Pride Festival. Temporary. No violations.

Hens and Chicks, Spencer Pride Festival. Temporary. No violations.

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.

9-29

James Featherston, 59, Spencer, preliminary charges of residential entry and invasion of privacy. Arrested by Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Sergeant Brandon Gasparovic.

John Dillard, 62, Spencer, preliminary charges of failure to file as a violent sex offender and sex offender registration violation (two counts). OCSD Deputy Cory Poland was the arresting officer.

Krystal Shepard, 40, Freedom, preliminary charges of disposal of dead animals required and cruelty to an animal. Arrested by Spencer Police Department (SPD) officer Bryce Brock.

9-30

Jayden Payne, 24, Coal City, preliminary charge of driving while suspended with a prior charge. SPD officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer.

10-1

Brayden Pemberton, 23, no address given, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, and failure to appear. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

Jessica Rogers, 37, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of probation violation and identity deception. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Christopher Crumpton, 31, Spencer, preliminary charges of battery against a public safety official, residential entry, public intoxication, and criminal trespass. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Luke Wright.

Haley Pruitt, 33, Beech Grove, preliminary charge of theft. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Connie Weddle, 62, Coal City, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, dealing in methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by OCSD K9 Deputy Charles Hallam.

10-2

Dustin Stahl, 40, Bowling Green, preliminary charges of kidnapping and probation violation. OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer.

Sharon White, 60, Spencer, preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler.

10-3

Nathaniel Pruett, 19, Spencer, preliminary charge of invasion of privacy. SPD officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer.

10-4

Jason Burton, 46, Gosport, preliminary charges of failure to appear, cruelty to an animal (two counts), and disposal of dead animals required. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Stephen DeWitt II.

10-5

Karson Smith, 25, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of domestic battery (two counts), intimidation, and aggravated battery. OCSD Deputy Luke Wright was the arresting officer.

10-7

Michael Swindell, 23, Bloomington, preliminary charges of battery against a public safety official, resisting law enforcement, disorderly conduct, and pretrial release violation. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

Brenda Jay, 35, Spencer, preliminary charges of battery and criminal trespass. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Heather Blackwell, 38, no address given, preliminary charges of failure to appear and domestic battery. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

10-8

Israel Rehmel, 51, Spencer, preliminary charges of official misconduct and conversion. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Kimberly Wolford, 65, Spencer, preliminary charges of official misconduct, domestic battery on a person less than 14 years old, and disorderly conduct. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

Brent Hobbs, 43, Bloomington, preliminary charges of residential entry, criminal trespass (pretrial release violation), domestic battery, and disorderly conduct. SPD officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer.

Nicky Wright, 57, Freedom, preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, harvesting out of season, and use of private land without consent (pretrial release violation). Arrested by SPD officer Bryce Brock.

10-12

Terance Ware, 45, Terre Haute, preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and driving without a license. SPD officer Ben Muncie was the arresting officer.

10-13

Dayton Brown, 24, no address given, preliminary charges of obstruction of justice, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to appear. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark.

Darrell Moore, 42, Lyons, preliminary charges of dealing in methamphetamine and probation violation. OCSD Major William Snodgrass was the arresting officer.

Braiden Hinshaw, 25, Poland, IN, preliminary charge of domestic battery. Arrested by OCSD Major William Snodgrass.

Alberta Jean Tucker, 95, of Bloomington, passed away Sept. 28, 2026, at Stonecroft Health Campus. Born in Quincy to Harold and Elma (Cooksey) VanDeventer, Alberta lived a long, meaningful life centered on hard work and family.

For over 25 years, she was a dedicated and dependable employee at RCA in Bloomington. Outside of work, Alberta cherished spending time with her family, sewing, quilting, and enjoying the companionship of her beloved dog.

She is survived by her children, Gene (Heidi) Tucker, Gary (Debbie) Tucker, David (Ruthie) Tucker, and Leanna McKnight (John Naylor); six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Alberta was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 63 years, Merle Edgar Tucker; sister, Lavonne Livingston; and brothers, Eugene and Gayle Lee VanDeventer.

Arrangements were entrusted to West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Owen County Humane Society. Online condolences may be shared at www.westparrishpedigo.com.

Edward (Ed) May passed away at his home in Holiday, Florida on September 30, 2026 from complications due to an illness. He was born in Bloomington on December 4, 1952. He lived in Spencer for several years and graduated from Owen Valley High School in 1970. He later moved to Washington, Indiana, where he lived before moving to Florida.

He is survived by his daughters, Taylor May and Jessica Waggoner, granddaughter, Malia and grandson, Lucas. He is also survived by his sisters, Dottie (Bill) Greene, Brenda Hutton, Jill Oliver, Phyllis Brown, Brenda Pawluk and Iris Porter; and brothers Alan (Janie) Love, Jr. (Kim) Love, Rich (Karen) May, and John (Christy) May. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Phillip May, step-mother, Charlotte, mother, Paula Love, step-father, Weaver, grandparents, Pk and Edith May, and Dorothy Hawkins; two nephews and one niece.

Beulah Faye (Duncan) Stierwalt, 74, of Gosport, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Redcrest Hospice House in Bloomington. She was born on Sept. 15, 1952, in Oneida, TN, to Betty Lou (Duncan) Jones.

Beulah retired after 23 years of dedicated service in the laundry department at United Hospital Services. She attended the Family of God Church near Spencer and enjoyed crafting, Sudoku and word search puzzles, and collecting elephants, eagles, and coal oil lamps.

She is survived by her children, Sandra (Mitchell) Lakes of Salem, MO, and Brian (Krissy) Stierwalt of Paoli, IN; grandchildren, Jameson (Cassidy) Lakes, Mickaella (Bo) Burkett, Rosemary (Timothy) Shanks, Roy Saucerman, D. Rex Morgan, Chantay Long, and Brycen Long; seven great-grandchildren; and siblings, Norman Jones and Patsy Morgan.

She was preceded in death by her mother; sister, Reba Ann Duncan; granddaughter, Sahara Noel Lakes; and grandson, Rubuen Allen Saucerman.

Graveside services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Chambersville Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service Inc. Online condolences may be shared at www.westparrishpedigo.com.

Rose Marie Dwyer, 87, of Spencer, passed away on Sept. 28, 2026 at The Waters of Martinsville. Born in Linton on April 5, 1939, to George and Geneva (Stephen) Cullison, Rose lived a life defined by hard work, generosity, and deep family devotion.

Throughout her life, Rose took great pride in serving others. She worked as a custodian and lunch lady at Spencer Elementary School, worked in the deli at Babbs Supermarket, served as a cashier, worked at IGA, and owned and operated The Furniture Place. Outside of work, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, word searches, and cooking for her family.

Rose is survived by her sons, Donald Scott Dwyer and Steven (Jessica) Dwyer; grandchildren, Anastasia Denny, Stephen Dwyer, Seth Martin, and Luke Martin; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald C. Dwyer; six siblings; and one grandchild, Genna.

A celebration of life was held Oct. 11, 2026, at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home in Spencer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be shared at www.westparrishpedigo.com.

On Oct. 1, the Spencer Exchange Club joined other community members and the Fuhs family to unveil a bench in John’s memory. The bench is placed along E. Franklin St. in front of John’s long-time law office, which now serves as the new home of The Owen News.

Patriot Band & Guard heads to Semi-State

The Owen Valley Patriot Band & Guard is semi-state bound! Following back-to-back weekends earning prestigious Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Gold Ratings, the Patriots have officially qualified for the ISSMA Semi-Finals.

The band and color guard will bring their performance, titled “SCORCHED,” to Decatur Central High School on Saturday, Oct. 24. Congratulations to the students and directors on this outstanding achievement, and best of luck at Semi-State!

Town of Spencer hosting Trash Clean-Up Day

The Town of Spencer has announced it will host a Trash Clean-Up Day on Nov. 7, running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The clean-up event will be held at the former Riddle Tractor Sales lot on W. Morgan St., located across from Babbs Supermarket. Organizers note that this service is exclusively for town residents. Workers will be on-site throughout the day to assist participants with unloading and disposal.

Please note that tires, televisions, and paint will not be accepted.

$5,000 grant for Spencer first responders

The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) has awarded a $5,000 Community Investment Grant to the Town of Spencer to support mental health services for local first responders.

The grant funds will assist with onboarding new responders and help establish accessible resources and information pathways to professional mental health care. The initiative aims to prioritize wellness and support for the emergency personnel who serve and protect the community every day.

CCSC Board president earns Gold Seal Certification

Vivian Whitaker, President of the Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees, recently earned the Indiana School Boards Association’s 2026 Board Presidents’ Gold Seal Leadership Certification. This prestigious professional development program is designed to enhance governance and leadership skills among school board presidents across the state.

The certification program equips leaders with advanced strategies in critical areas, including fiscal oversight, public transparency, and student achievement goal setting. Participants engage in a comprehensive year-long series of professional learning experiences, which include regional discussions, specialized training sessions, peer networking opportunities, and seminars.

CCSC Superintendent Dr. Stacy Mason praised the achievement, emphasizing that effective leadership demands a commitment to continuous learning and growth.

“Effective leadership requires a commitment to continuous learning and growth,” Mason said. “By earning the ISBA Presidents’ Gold Seal Leadership Certification, Ms. Whitaker has demonstrated a dedication to serving our students and community at the highest level.”

In her role as board president, Whitaker collaborates with district leadership and fellow board members to establish the vision for the school corporation, ensure the responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, and champion educational opportunities for every student.

CCSC hosts first ‘Coffee & Conversation’ event

Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) recently welcomed community business leaders, local partners, and residents to Cloverdale High School for its first-ever “Coffee & Conversation” event.

Guests enjoyed coffee alongside students while hearing presentations from all school buildings highlighting programs, initiatives, and opportunities designed to support student achievement, performance, and overall well-being. Superintendent Dr. Stacy Mason noted that the event showcased initiatives spanning every grade level across the corporation.

Middle and high school students shared details on student-created programs aimed at improving the school atmosphere and enhancing daily experiences for both students and staff. Additionally, elementary school faculty highlighted the early benefits of the new NeuroBalance Project at Cloverdale Elementary.

Organizers emphasized the vital role community involvement plays for a small rural school corporation, expressing appreciation to everyone who attended. School officials hope to host a similar gathering again in the spring to continue building strong connections between the schools and the community.

PES staff raises over $800 during McTeacher Night

Patricksburg Elementary School (PES) staff recently traded their lesson plans for Happy Meals to host a successful McTeacher Night at the Spencer McDonald’s.

With a packed lobby and a drive-thru full of cars, the PES Bulldogs raised $802 while serving countless smiles to local families and supporters.

School organizers expressed gratitude to Spencer McDonald’s for hosting the event, as well as to the patient employees who trained, supervised, and guided the teachers throughout the busy evening.

GES teacher honored as B97 ‘Teacher Feature’

Gosport Elementary School (GES) kindergarten teacher Gabby Corder was recently selected as a B97 & IU Credit Union “Teacher Feature” for the positive impact she makes on her students and school community.

Teachers are nominated by community members to receive this recognition. Ms. Corder was surprised with a special Teacher Feature sign, celebrating with her kindergarten students over ice cream treats. Known for bringing kindness, patience, and enthusiasm to her classroom daily, Ms. Corder helps her young students feel ready and excited to learn.

The Spencer-Owen Community Schools family celebrated the achievement, expressing pride and gratitude for her dedication to the students at GES.

OVHS coach and six players earn all-star selection

Owen Valley High School (OVHS) is celebrating a major milestone for its boys’ soccer program, with six Patriot players and their head coach selected to participate in the upcoming Indiana Elite All-Star North vs South Soccer Game on Nov. 7.

Head coach Stephen Jones has been chosen to lead the team from the sidelines, guiding a strong contingent of Patriot standouts. The Owen Valley players named to the all-star roster are Brodi Wood, Luke Deppe, Armando Escalante, Kayden Spencer, Edward Winkle, and Jace Miller.

This exceptional representation highlights the strength and talent of the OVHS soccer program this season.

Wells sets new OVHS volleyball record

Owen Valley High School (OVHS) volleyball standout Abree Wells has etched her name in the Lady Patriot record books. Wells recently broke the school record for kills, solidifying her status as one of the top offensive powerhouses in the Owen Valley volleyball program.

Wells’ impressive milestone has drawn praise from the school and local sports community as the Lady Patriots celebrate her hard work and athletic achievements on the court.

OVHS band students named to IBA Honor Bands

Ten talented musicians from the Owen Valley High School (OVHS) band program have been selected to prestigious Indiana Bandmaster Association (IBA) Honor Bands.

The accomplished OVHS students earning these honors include Eli Bridges on trombone, Alexander Davies on baritone sax, Simon Dennison on tuba, Trevor Floyd on trumpet, Zoe Kyle on clarinet, Keith Hyser on tenor sax, Norah Lott on flute/piccolo, Austin Minor on trombone, Lucas Minor on trumpet, and Tatum White on bass clarinet.

This impressive representation highlights the dedication and musical excellence thriving within the Owen Valley band program.

OVHS freshman earns Girl Scout Silver Award

Owen Valley High School freshman Cecilia Arnold, daughter of Clark and Melissa Arnold, has successfully completed her Girl Scout Silver Award project, the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can earn.

To achieve the Silver Award, Cadettes in grades six through eight must complete a Cadette Journey, identify a community issue they care about, develop a plan, and take action through a meaningful project that creates a lasting difference.

For her project, Arnold constructed a community puzzle and game box located behind Gosport Elementary School. Her goal was to encourage children and families to step away from electronics, spend more face-to-face time together, and connect through talking, laughing, and playing.

Arnold expressed gratitude to the family members, friends, and local businesses whose generous donations made the community project possible. Community leaders praised her accomplishment as a wonderful example of leadership, service, and dedication to giving back.

New Beginnings receives $1,000 grant

The Indiana Uplands Realtors Association Fund has awarded a $1,000 donor-advised grant to the New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center through the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF).

The funding will directly support the center’s ongoing mission to provide vital resources, education, and compassionate care to individuals and families throughout the local community.

Representatives from the OCCF expressed their gratitude for the continued generosity of local funds, highlighting how donor-advised contributions create meaningful, direct impacts for local organizations and the residents they serve.

‘Falloween’ at MCSP is Oct. 23–24

McCormick’s Creek State Park (MCSP) is getting into the autumn spirit by hosting a packed lineup of family-friendly “Falloween” events on Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24.

The weekend kicks off Oct. 23 with a leaf-pounding bandana craft at the Nature Center Amphitheater at 4 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy free face painting, a visit from the Owen County Book Mobile, and a spooky craft in front of the Canyon Inn from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The evening continues with a G-rated family movie night featuring free popcorn and cookies in the Canyon Inn lobby at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 1.4-mile Night Owl Prowl hike starting at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24, features a full day of activities beginning with “Buck’s Dead and Breakfast” in the Nature Center parking lot from 9:30 a.m. to noon, where cash-only purchases of spider donuts and hot drinks will benefit the Friends of McCormick’s Creek. Pumpkin carving will also be held at the Nature Center Amphitheater from 10 a.m. to noon for $5 per pumpkin, limited to the first 50 guests.

Later in the day, a park naturalist will host a live “Ssssnakes” program at 3 p.m., followed by the popular Pumpkin Parade hike from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., where guests can wear costumes, walk an accessible path to view carved Jack-o-Lanterns, vote for favorites, and collect a treat bag. The festivities conclude with a live nocturnal animal presentation by WildCare from 8 to 9 p.m. in the Nature Center Auditorium, featuring a silver-haired bat and a southern flying squirrel.

For more information on these events and future park activities, visitors can check online at on.IN.gov/mccormickcreek.

YMCA hosting Spooky Tour & Trick-or-Treat event

The Owen County Family YMCA is inviting families to join in on some holiday fun by hosting a free Spooky Tour & Trick-or-Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The event will take place at the YMCA located at 1111 W. State Road 46 in Spencer. Attendees can enjoy a free, spooky indoor tour of the facility while children trick-or-treat. Local businesses and organizations will be on-site participating in the festivities and handing out candy to community members.

Franklin Township Community VFD hosting chili supper

The Franklin Township Community Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual Chili Supper on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The event will take place at the Freedom Nazarene Fellowship Center, located at 5504 Jefferson St. in Freedom. Admission includes all-you-can-eat chili, a drink, and one dessert for $7.50 for adults and $5.00 for kids, with all proceeds directly benefiting the volunteer fire department. For those who prefer to eat on the run, chili-to-go options will also be available.

Royer Veterinary Services to host pet vaccine clinic

Royer Veterinary Services of Worthington will be at the Spencer Save-A-Lot, located at 42 Bob Babbs Drive, on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to host a pet vaccine clinic for dogs and cats.

A variety of affordable canine and feline vaccinations and health services will be available during the event. Canine options include a rabies vaccine for $10, canine distemper for $20, puppy vaccine for $20, Bordetella for $15, Lyme vaccine for $30, and a heartworm test for $15. Feline services include a rabies vaccine for $10, feline distemper for $15, and a feline distemper with Leukemia combo for $25.

Free breakfast, live music at Freedom Baptist Church

Freedom Baptist Church is inviting the community to two upcoming events this fall, located at 5773 Main St. in Freedom.

The first event is a free breakfast scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 to 11 a.m. While the meal is free, donations are welcome to support the church’s community outreach.

The following week, the church will host a special music event on Saturday, Nov. 7, beginning at 6 p.m. The evening will feature a live performance by the High Sierra Band. All are welcome to attend both community gatherings.

Annual VCPA Chili Fest is Nov. 1

The Vandalia Community Preservation Association (VCPA) will host its Annual Chili Fest on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. The event will take place at 5471 Vandalia Road in the historic village of Vandalia, located six miles west of Spencer.

Beginning at 1 p.m., visitors can gather in the historic one-room schoolhouse to enjoy home-made chili and dessert. The festivities continue at 2:30 p.m. inside the chapel with live musical entertainment featuring the Lloyd Wood Show, highlighting performances by Lloyd Wood and his talented musician friends.

Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children aged 10 and under. All proceeds from the event will go directly toward the preservation and ongoing maintenance of the historic Vandalia chapel and schoolhouse.

Art Guild to host Tim Lewis art show

Art lovers and community members are invited to a special exhibition featuring renowned watercolor artist Tim Lewis, hosted by the Owen County Art Guild on Nov. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Lewis grew up in Spencer and attended Purdue University. Community members are invited to attend the exhibition, enjoy refreshments, and chat with the artist during this special event.

The exhibition will take place at the art guild, located at 199 W. Cooper St., Spencer.

Reserve your booth for ‘Christmas at the Square’

Spencer Main Street has officially opened its vendor call-out for crafters, artisans, and food vendors interested in participating in the upcoming “Christmas at the Square” market.

The outdoor holiday event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. Organizers are welcoming a wide variety of vendors to help fill the seasonal market. Vendor spaces are available for a 10x10 booth at a cost of $10.

Interested participants can reserve their space online by visiting www.SpencerMainStreet.org.

Humane Society seeks volunteers

The Owen County Humane Society is currently inviting animal lovers in the community to join its volunteer team.

Prospective volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Daily volunteer responsibilities help support shelter operations and animal care, including walking dogs, doing laundry, washing dishes, and cleaning cat and dog kennels (which may require lifting over 15 pounds). Volunteers also help bathe cats and dogs, and most importantly, spend quality time with animals in need.

The shelter, located at 2014 W. Romona Rd., is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. north of Spencer. Those interested in helping out can fill out an online application by visiting www.ochumane.org/volunteer, or pick up a form in person during open hours.

New support group for those affected by cancer starts in Spencer

Founded by Spencer resident Doris Hammond after her battle with pancreatic cancer, the new group is meant as a way for people with cancer, survivors, or those supporting someone with cancer to work together, share resources, and support each other.

The first meeting of the group will take place Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lester F. Litten (Lions Club) Community Building, 59 N Main St., Spencer. The meeting is open to anyone interested in attending.

Community invited to visit new MYPath expansion

The community is invited to experience the newest section of the MYPath Trail on Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 1375 River Rd.

In May of this year, the Owen County Community Foundation purchased the property at 1375 River Rd. to connect the MYPath trail to the Department of Natural Resources’ boat ramp located at the public access site off of River Rd. The new trail includes a feature called the Limestone Ledge, a section of limestone at the edge of the White River. Since the purchase, volunteers have been upgrading the trail. Hikers are advised that the new trail is a natural surface with uneven footing, not like the paved section of MYPath.

Visitors to the trail event are welcome to enjoy a hot dog while walking on the new trail section. In addition, they are invited to visit the building on the property and offer suggested uses.

Substitute teacher Kimberly Wolford, 65, of Spencer, has been arrested and charged with official misconduct, battery on a person less than 14 years old, and disorderly conduct, the first two of which are Level 6 felonies.

According to WTHR.com, the arrest warrant stems from a Sept. 7, 2026 incident at Spencer Elementary School. Police were called after Wolford allegedly screamed in a fifth grade student’s face and shoved them. Wolford denies touching the child.

The school’s statement on the issue is as follows:

“School administration was made aware of concerns involving a Kelly Services substitute on September 16 at Spencer Elementary School and responded immediately. The substitute was removed from the classroom, and her employer, Kelly Services, was contacted regarding the reported incident.

“We are aware that a parent has pursued charges related to the matter. Because this involves a student, personnel matters, and an ongoing legal process, the school corporation cannot comment on the specific allegations or circumstances. We will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities as requested.

“Our priority remains providing a safe, supportive learning environment for every student in our care.”

Kelly Services is a temporary staffing agency with offices in 80 countries around the world.

In the state of Indiana, substitute teachers are only required to be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma. Any other requirements for hire at SES are set by either Kelly Services or the substitute teacher’s school corporation. Spencer-Owen Community Schools requires applicants to complete a background check before being hired.

Wolford’s trial is set for April 20, 2027. Owen County Public Defender Jacob Fish will represent Wolford during the proceedings. As with all charges, individuals should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Owen County Board of Commissioners meeting began Oct. 6 with a volley of questions regarding the new building LLC being established for the new Owen County Jail project. Questions about the scope of the building permit were raised by a resident, while county attorney Tony Overholt assured attendees that the LLC’s incorporation was standard for an undertaking of its size.

The commissioners also discussed the sale of county property, namely several derelict pieces of equipment formerly used by the street department.

Plan Commission Clash

Next, Bill Pursell, representing the Owen County Plan Commission stepped forward to chastise the commissioners for what he claimed was the repeated disregard of plan commission proposals.

“We sit there and it’s like, if nothing’s going to happen, there’s no reason for us to spend an hour at a meeting discussing proposed changes,” Pursell said. “I don’t know where the breakdown is.”

A back and forth discussion ensued. Pursell expressed frustration over the lack of commissioner action on plan commission ordinance proposals, while commissioner Sam Hobbs pointed out that following the recent resignation of building administrator Heather Huntington, the commissioners have had trouble keeping up with email requests.

Pursell pointed out – a claim backed by Auditor Sheila Reeves -- that without official action from commissioners, decisions from Planning and Zoning cannot be enforced, allowing builders and developers to operate without county approval. Pursell then implied that the board of commissioners was intentionally letting Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) items fall through the cracks.

“What sense would it make for the board of commissioners just to say, ‘we’re doing away with planning and zoning, just go out there and do what you want,’” Hobbs questioned.

“It looks like you guys are just letting it die a natural death, and we need first aid for it,” Pursell replied.

Hobbs agreed, but noted that a job posting put out by the county for a new building administrator has still received no applicants. Pursell noted that during the previous meeting, there had been discussion about hiring Huntington back on a part-time basis until a permanent replacement could be found, and he inquired about the status of that process.

Hobbs then pulled out his cell phone to call Huntington during the meeting, remarking, “No time like the present,” and, “I wonder if she’s watching on YouTube?” Huntington did not answer, and Hobbs left a voicemail. Later in the meeting, Huntington called back and, according to Hobbs, offered to help in some capacity going forward.

Overholt also clarified that the county surveyor should serve as an advisor to the county plan commission only, rather than as a voting board member.

After a lengthy discussion, Democrat Colin Rotella was appointed by the commissioners to the plan commission board, filling a seat left vacant by Donna McIntyre.

Printer and Copier Woes

Communications and service have been lacking from county printer vendor Toshiba. Performance issues regarding broken printer/copiers at the sheriff’s office, veteran services office, and the courthouse were highlighted during the meeting.

“I would suggest Larry [the Toshiba representative] come to the next meeting if they want to discuss future business,” Hobbs said.

“There’s other people out there that do that kind of work. If that’s what we’ve got to do, that’s what we’ll do,” commissioner Norm Warner added.

Opioid Funds Released

Funds totalling $10,960.87 from the Unappropriated Fund - earmarked by previous commissioners for Owen County EMS laptops - were approved for release by the board.

Funds totalling $16,323.99 earmarked for the coroner’s office were also released, with the caveat that none of the funds be spent on dog food for coroner Shelby Hershberger’s personally owned therapy dog until the previous administration’s fund approvals can be reviewed.

Bridge Bids Tabled

The decision to accept a bid for two separate bridge repairs was tabled until highway department deputy superintendent Chad Walker can be present to review the quote at the next meeting.

In Other Business

Rob White has officially stepped down from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Sandra Calvert was appointed in his place.

To meet new ADA requirements at county facilities, $13,000 was appropriated from the Local Income Tax (LIT) Fund.

A $100,000 appropriation from the Future Building Fund was made to cover expenses for building repairs and maintenance for the county-owned armory building.

A part-time janitor contract was approved for 15 hours per week at $18 per hour.

Commissioner meeting recordings are available online at https://www.youtube.com/@owencountyingov

Agendas and minutes are available at https://www.owencounty.in.gov/departments/commissioners/

A lot can happen in 20 years, and for Spencer Pride, it’s hardly an exception. The Spencer Pride commUnity center moved from the south side of the square to the north side. The center expanded into the building next door and added an elevator, a library, and a meeting room. The Pride Festival that once took place on the Owen County Courthouse lawn in June, now wraps around the Spencer town square on Main, Franklin, Market, and Washington streets and takes place in October. In 2026, the Pride Festival brought with it Spencer Pride’s first-ever executive director in Jake Taylor.

Taylor has had a long career working in nonprofit organizations, starting after they graduated from Bloomington High School South and attended Indiana University where they studied journalism and gender studies.

“I interned at several nonprofits and then after college, I think I was frustrated with how hard nonprofits work, with what can feel like small potatoes, like you’re working really hard for small wins,” Taylor said.

After college Taylor joined AmeriCorps NCCC, and led a team of seven that assisted the U.S. government with COVID relief and flood relief in Queens, NY among other things. This experience led them to eventually join the Peace Corps and move to Togo, West Africa where they continued their efforts to improve quality of life.

“I felt really honored to work in that space,” Taylor said. “[I made] really unique friendships and worked on different community projects, including a women’s gardening cooperative initiative. I worked with the middle school [where] I taught many, many, many students.
[I helped with a] gardening club, English learning groups, [and] lots of farming, cooperative work.”

Taylor sees their work in West Africa as broadly similar to what their duties will be as executive director of Spencer Pride, namely, reaching out to local community aid organizations and bringing people together in order to improve the community for everyone.

While working in West Africa, Taylor rediscovered their interest in queer and gender studies issues and began additional study in Helsinki, Finland where they earned a master’s degree in intercultural encounters. By then, a desire to be closer to family and the opportunity to work as the executive director of Spencer Pride brought them back to the area.

“I was in Finland, and I was looking through jobs, four jobs in Finland, in Europe, in D.C., in bigger cities in the states. And then obviously here in Indiana, just because I had that experience and family was here,” Taylor said. “And so I moved for it. I was looking everywhere, but I think the main draw was the work, but another draw was certainly that I’m from here.”

Taylor is excited to work with Spencer Pride on what they see as a group that has established itself as an integral part of the community.

“I think it’s really important for queer kids, LGBTQ folk, especially rural folk, to have representation, and one thing [Spencer Pride has] done especially well is being visible. You are right on the square, if you become a part of a community where you’re watering the plants, where you are volunteering for other organizations, like [Spencer] Main Street, when you’re working with the Chamber, with the Owen County Community Foundation, it just really shows that you’re not, you’re not [just] in this for the LGBTQ folk. You’re in this for the community,” Taylor said. “We’re making it a space where everyone feels welcomed and included.”

Taylor sees the transition from a fully volunteer-led organization to one led by a paid employee as being a potential challenge on the horizon for Spencer Pride, comparing it to the challenges of growing up.

“I think we are in a really special moment for Spencer Pride’s history. If you think about the development of nonprofits, it normally starts with a few people and a really good idea,” Taylor explained. “So that’s like conception, and then you get into infancy or childhood, where you are learning a lot and growing a lot . . . but then you get to a point where a lot of leaders are taking on so much responsibility. We’re at this time that’s exciting because they’re going from all-volunteer, to having a staff person who isn’t working full-time on anything else. So it can invest the time and energy into [its] goals. It’s a really interesting transition to go from something volunteer led to staff led . . . [sometimes] it’s a little bit awkward, as we redefine what roles look like and how we can best support each other.”

Coming into Spencer Pride with a 20-year legacy behind it, Taylor hopes that they can take what Spencer Pride has done and add their own skills to help the organization thrive in the future.

“I feel really honored [and] I think often fearful. A lot of LGBTQ folk, we have this idea of elders. These are people who kind of created the landscape for the current youth to survive. I think I have directly benefited from others who have paved a way for me,” Taylor explained. “I’m 27, so 20 years ago I was seven years old, and I recognize how every generation has kind of built on each other, and I’ve been really lucky to get to know some older professionals, retired folk, and people who’ve been in this community to tell me what has happened, [and] share their histories and their experiences. I feel really lucky that they have worked this hard for themselves, but also for me. I think stepping in, I come humble, but also with some confidence. I want to continue the fight and I think I have the skill set and the means to do so. My dream is to be [that] elder for some little kid. So I’m excited to continue on with that legacy.”

The 2026 Spencer Pride Festival on Oct. 2 brought its usual crowd, from local vendors and artists to other charitable organizations from around the area to visitors from all over the state. Their theme, Changed for Good, is meant to represent their commitment to changing things for the better, something Taylor hopes is in store for Spencer Pride and the community as a whole.

“I want [people] to know, you’re welcome with us,” Taylor said. “Joy is a real power and a real strength and I think, especially right now, I’ve been focusing on how I can exhibit that joy and welcome people in . . . we want to know you, to understand your concerns, and [we] move forward together because the mission of Spencer Pride is to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ people and rural people. That includes all of us.”

Get to know Spencer Pride’s Jake Taylor (they/them)

• Favorite movie: Currently, “9 to 5”
• Favorite TV show: “Parks and Recreation” (love Amy Poehler)
• Favorite book: “Beloved” by Toni Morrison
• Favorite thing to do outside of work: Hiking
• Favorite band or musician: Beyoncé, all the way back to the Destiny’s Child days

On a bright, sunlit Saturday afternoon, community members, historians, and descendants gathered Oct. 10 for a solemn and uplifting unveiling ceremony at the historic Walden Cemetery. Set against a tranquil backdrop of early autumn trees, the gathering marked a milestone in local historic preservation.

The afternoon program highlighted the deep historical significance and decades-long preservation efforts surrounding the sacred grounds, located just west of Spencer along Hillcrest Drive.

A Sacred Resting Place

Historian and documentarian Elizabeth Mitchell opened the formal presentations by reflecting on the spiritual weight of the property and the urgent need to reclaim its history from the ravages of time.

“This cemetery is more than a piece of ground. It is a sacred resting place. It is a record of lives lived, families formed, hardships endured, as well as contributions made to the history of Owen County,” Mitchell said. “The people buried here were part of the foundation of a community and deserved to be remembered with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, over time this cemetery has been neglected. When a cemetery is neglected, the memory of the people buried is placed at risk. Headstones, names, family histories can fade away from public awareness.”

Rather than leaving the site to decay, Wilson framed the current efforts as a crucial turning point to reclaim its history.

“With care, recognition, and action, we can restore honor to this historic site,” Wilson explained. “This site is historically notable for being the resting place of several Civil War veterans who served in the United States Colored Infantry and the United States Colored Troops. It is one of the few historically documented African American burial grounds in Indiana. Very few visible headstones are left; the rest have been desecrated. Your presence here today is a step closer in recognizing and remembering the community members buried here who were once a significant part of this county and our country.”

A Tumultuous Era

Videographer Bob Appleman, who collaborated with Mitchell on a documentary project for The Nature Conservancy, spoke next about the volatile political and social climate that greeted Black pioneers settling in Owen County during the early 1800s.

“Studying the history of this area, especially the Black families who helped develop this area in the 1830s, you don’t realize how tumultuous the time period was before the Civil War,” he said. “You had the federal government doing one thing, and then the state governments doing another that was absolutely opposed. So, to be a Black in this area was a pretty tenuous existence. But one thing that I found in studying the history [of the area] was that the Spencer community was one of the largest communities in the state because there was a sense of the culture and respect for the culture. This cemetery, and the fact that it could exist, is a statement to the group of people that were living here at that time.”

Walden Legacy and Civil War Sacrifice

Local historian, author, and former newspaper reporter Dixie Kline Richardson stepped forward next to trace the migration of free Black families, such as the Waldens, from North Carolina to Indiana decades before the outbreak of the Civil War.

“The Waldens were among a large group of Black families migrating from North Carolina to Indiana and were in Owen County three decades before the Civil War,” Richardson began. “Seven Walden men are listed as landowners in Owen County Deed Book 1, including Richard Walden, on whose land we are gathered. He gave this ground for a cemetery for his family, including the Wilsons, and his friends in 1842.”

Richardson highlighted the military service represented in the cemetery by focusing on one soldier’s story.

“Let me have Joseph Walden represent the veterans of the war whose bodies were buried here,” she said. “He was living in Orange County in 1860, where several families had settled, and there he enlisted in the United States Colored Troops in 1863. He was 25.”

Pointing to a blank headstone nearby, Richardson noted the mystery surrounding his final resting place.

“Joseph didn’t leave much of a paper trail, and here stands his stone with no inscriptions, evidently identified by someone who knew,” she explained.

Through research at the National Archives, Richardson uncovered key details of Joseph’s wartime service and its lasting personal toll.

“His unit, Company D, 28th Infantry, fought in some of the worst battles, including the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, and the Battle of the Crater, when the dynamiting for a tunnel went wrong and killed troops in a friendly fire tragedy,” Richardson recounted. “He was discharged as a corporal in the field because deafness from the shelling from gunboats rendered him unfit for service.”

Following his military discharge, Joseph made his way back to Owen County.

“I don’t know if Joseph married. I don’t know when he came to Owen County—surely, it was to reunite with relatives,” Richardson reflected. “I don’t know much more about Joseph. I don’t know what caused his death when he was 34. I do know that he lived out those last eight years of his life in silence.”

Closing her remarks, Richardson reflected on the broader meaning of the sacred grounds and the enduring debt owed to those buried there.

“We don’t know the individual life experiences of those interred in this cemetery, but we do know by these markers that they existed,” Richardson said. “Their lives had meaning, and we need the visual testimonies that they were here.”

Ancestral Pride

Vivian Bridgewater, a direct descendant of the Wilson family, addressed the gathering to express deep gratitude for the renewed public recognition of her ancestors and their enduring contributions.

“I just want to thank all of you for being out here this afternoon. I am a proud descendant of John and Adeline Wilson. They also have roots in Owen County and the Lick Creek settlement that you spoke about, Mr. Walden coming up from that area,” she said. “I’m proud, especially in today’s environment, to be able to stand here as a surviving descendant of these families and these veterans, Civil War veterans, World War veterans, in my family on the Wilson side and on the Thomas side. There’s been so much said to belittle the contribution of African Americans that it does my heart good to see people stand out here and recognize not just where they lay, but what they contributed.”

Uncovering Hidden History

Owen County Historian Dr. Tony Neff later shared his ongoing amazement at the rich tapestry of local Black history that continues to surface through archival and community research.

“I’m really proud of what’s going on here,” Neff said. “I’ve been [researching] the history of Black Americans in Owen County for some time, and it always surprises me when some new thing comes up. Like years ago, I didn’t know we had a school or we had a church. And then, I found out about [this] cemetery and one of the first things I did was come here, try to figure out what was going on, and find ways to bring it back to life and get recognition.”

Preserving the Archival Record

Jason Kinney of the Owen County Historical & Genealogical Society (OCHGS) opened his remarks by expressing gratitude to Mitchell for securing the Indiana Cemetery Heritage sign and organizing the day’s program. Kinney then paused to honor the late Roger Peterson, who served for many years as the Owen County Historian and Archivist and remained an active member of the OCHGS from 1990 until his passing in 2003.

“Roger was instrumental and a driving force in organizing the old county records into the Owen County Archives,” Kinney said. “A special interest of his was researching the African American history of Owen County. Roger said, ‘African Americans were among the pioneers of Owen County and did their share in contributing to the development of the county.’ He felt it was important that their story be told.”

Kinney recounted how Peterson’s extensive local research began in 1990 while searching for a serious research topic. A chance encounter with Coy D. Robbins, president of the Indiana African American Historical & Genealogical Society, while waiting at a copy machine at Kinko’s in Bloomington sparked a pivotal collaboration. Sharing Peterson’s own account, Kinney noted:

“During the conversation the thought occurred that I might have found the subject. I made a preliminary search of Owen County records and thought such an investigation might be fruitful. I then asked Coy if he would like me to research Owen County records for references to African Americans. He responded affirmatively and during a few meetings he coached me as to things I should look for. I then began a search for every reference I could find, in every record book, in the courthouse to discover what the research would reveal.”

Following this deep dive into county records, Peterson published his findings in a book, as well as in the local newspaper and the historical society’s magazine. Kinney pointed out that years ago, Peterson and the historical society originally installed a historical sign about Walden Cemetery, which has now been carefully recreated to be reinstalled soon.

Decades of Community Stewardship

Nancy Lorenz, a well-known local resident and former educator who lives across from Walden Cemetery, spoke about her decades of collaboration with students from Indiana University’s Atkins Living-Learning Center to protect the burial site. The Atkins LLC is a residential community at IU Bloomington focused on academic excellence, leadership, and African American history and culture.

Reflecting on her four decades at the university and her long-standing collaboration with students, Lorenz explained that introducing them to the cemetery was a vital part of their personal and academic development. She frequently welcomed students to her home and brought them to the historic site at the start of each academic year to impress upon them its significance. Although many of the original headstones have vanished, Lorenz preserved a collection of historical headstone rubbings created by her students over the years, adding invaluable documentation to the site’s ongoing legacy.

Summing up her deep personal connection to the hallowed grounds, she reflected that while she does not own the property, she has always felt like its dedicated “caretaker.”

Lorenz also highlighted the creation of a new entrance sign—a recreation of one her father had built years earlier—by friend Mike Bruner. The sign is constructed out of 200-year-old poplar wood from New Harmony, IN, featuring an official 1860s coin-reverse eagle emblem.

Libation Ceremony and Roll Call

The afternoon’s events culminated in a traditional African libation ceremony, officiated by Mitchell’s cousin, Carolyn Tillman, who was visiting from California. Following the African proverb that “people who lack knowledge of their past are like a tree without roots,” cool water was poured into the earth to purify and nourish souls while invoking the ancestors. After each name was called, the audience joined in unison with the Swahili affirmation, “Asé” (pronounced Ah-Shay, meaning “So be it”):

• E. L. B. (1848 – unknown)
• John Boon (1810 – unknown)
• Ellen Burnett (March 1846 – unknown)
• Leonard O. “Len” Burnett (Nov. 24, 1855 – Jan. 21, 1919)
• J. C. Cline (1842 – April 21, 1908) — Co. D, 28th United States Colored Infantry
• Clorenda Evans (Aug. 1, 1847 – April 1, 1892)
• Nettie Evans (Dec. 14, 1865 – March 18, 1872)
• Sarah A. “Sadie” Cole Hayes (May 26, 1856 – Sept. 8, 1909)
• William Hayes (1856 – unknown)
• Mary Magazine (Aug. 8, 1856 – April 2, 1864)
• Baby Powell (Oct. 2, 1841 – Oct. 2, 1841)
• Elizabeth “Betsey” Walden Powell (1810 – Oct. 2, 1841)
• Lincoln “Link” Reid (Aug. 16, 1860 – Aug. 6, 1905)
• Leanna Walden Scott (1819 – unknown)
• Charles Wagstaff (April 13, 1862 – Oct. 25, 1930)
• Hannah Garlits Wagstaff (Feb. 10, 1869 – Feb. 10, 1910)
• Morton Wagstaff (Nov. 16, 1869 – Oct. 22, 1966)
• Jesse Walden, Sr. (1795 – unknown)
• Joseph Walden (1838 – Feb. 17, 1872) — Co. D, 28th United States Colored Troops
• J. M. Wilson — Co. D, 28th United States Colored Troops
• J. T. Wilson — Co. H, United States Colored Infantry

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Sometimes when I am walking through a city, I see white tennis shoes hanging from the power lines. Somebody took the time to tie the shoes together, aim, and toss them high, hoping they would get caught and dangle from the lines. It seems like a complete waste of time and money. I’ve heard it is a signal for illegal purposes. But maybe it is something bigger.

I have always enjoyed attending talks by naturalists. It is entertaining and educational to go to our parks and participate in a presentation about birds, trees, bugs, or any kind of topic about nature and the world around us.

In recent years, I have received training to be a Certified Interpretive Guide and lead those types of park programs. In 2024, I worked part-time at McCormick’s Creek State Park where I led a variety of programs and helped feed snakes (but that’s another story).

Interpretation is more of an experiential kind of presentation. The audience gets to touch things, talk about things, and gain a better understanding of the natural world around them. When I talked about bobcats, I shared a bobcat skull and explained the predator’s eye sockets and shape of their teeth. When I talked about sinkholes, I provided a chance to stand in a sinkhole for perspective. When we looked for invertebrates in the creek, we put on boots, stood in the creek, and turned over rocks.

The recognized leader of the interpretation movement was former newspaper reporter, Freeman Tilden who wrote “Interpreting our Heritage” in 1957. He promoted talking about nature in a way that made people feel it while they were learning about it. “The chief aim of interpretation is not instruction, but provocation,” he said. His style of talking about nature became the standard for our National Park Service.

Now, let’s go back to McCormick’s Creek State Park. In 1923, an artist from Indianapolis was spending a lot of time in the park. Lucy Pitschler began walking through the park, pointing out different plants and animals and helping visitors notice the relationships and changes going on in the natural world. People started following her. The schedule for these hikes was exhausting, but visitors loved it.

And the crowds kept growing. In 1926, after she had been leading these popular nature walks for three years, the State of Indiana paid Lucy to keep doing naturalist programs at McCormick’s Creek. In 1927 the state hired naturalists to lead programs at Turkey Run and Clifty Falls. And it kept growing. By 2005 nearly every park and reservoir had at least one interpretive naturalist and multiple naturalist aids.

And it all started, at McCormick’s Creek, with Lucy Pitschler, the “little lady in the white tennis shoes” (because that is how we referred to accomplished women in the 1920s). Today, when Indiana park naturalists gather for their annual conference, held at McCormick’s Creek, they present the White Shoes Award to the outstanding naturalist of the year. It is quite an honor to be chosen from all the talented naturalists and interpreters in Indiana.

Indiana was one of the leaders in interpretive programs. It was a national movement that started at McCormick’s Creek State Park. But now I fear Indiana no longer holds that position. In 2025, state budget cuts eliminated part-time, seasonal interpretive positions, including mine. That is okay, I still volunteer and help when I can. But those positions have not come back. Unfortunately, funding is being cut for our national parks too.

So, when I see white tennis shoes hanging from a power line, I think somebody is making a statement. Remember Lucy Pitschler! Remember the power of nature walks! Remember the importance of our parks!

As autumn begins to settle across Owen County, local property owners are reminded of the upcoming Nov. 10 deadline to submit fall property tax installments.

Operating under Indiana's market-based property tax system, current bills reflect assessed values as of Jan. 1 of the preceding year, 2025. County officials have noted that while overall property values have climbed and tax rates have ticked downward, the net amount billed for individual parcels fluctuates based on a complex mix of factors. These variables include assessment adjustments, corrections, deductions, exemptions, circuit breakers, and recent legislative shifts from the state level. Residents seeking a deeper dive into the mechanics of the tax system can consult the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance's Citizens Guide online.

Taxpayers have several avenues to submit their payments ahead of the upcoming cutoff. Traditional methods include mailing payments to PO Box 600, Spencer, IN 47460, or visiting the Owen County Treasurer’s Office on the first floor of the courthouse, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. For after-hours convenience, a secure drop box stands just outside the north door and main entrance of the courthouse. Digital options are also available around the clock; residents can pay online or via phone at 812-562-5258 using a credit card, debit card, or e-check, though vendor fees will apply.

County offices remain open to field questions regarding the billing process. For statements and payment concerns, residents can contact Treasurer Shelly Townsend's office at 812-829-5011 or check records via the Low Tax Info website. Inquiries regarding assessments and appeals should be directed to Assessor Dusty White at 812-829-5018, with public records hosted on the WTH Think GIS platform. For questions concerning exemptions and deductions, Auditor Sheila Reeves' office is available at 812-829-5000.

Parke County, IN is home to beautiful, covered bridges and even more beautiful natural resources. Fall is a favorite time to visit because of the explosion of vibrant colors as the leaves change. It’s also when the Covered Bridge Festival occurs, which by all accounts is one of the largest and best fall festivals I’ve ever attended.

Known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World,” Parke County is home to 31 historic covered bridges. They are scattered across the region. Some are out in the middle of nowhere, some are in small towns, but my favorites are the few you float under on Sugar Creek. When cool October mornings arrive, the hardwoods turn red, orange and gold, gliding a canoe through mist rising off the water beneath a century old, covered bridge is one of the prettiest sights to behold in the Midwest.

I came to know this country well during my years at Purdue University. Back then, I was looking for outdoor adventures to fit a college student’s budget. Sugar Creek quickly became one of my favorite destinations. Canoeing, camping and fishing provided escape for little cost. The scenery made Parke County feel much farther from civilization than it really was. All these years later, the region remains one of my favorite fall destinations.

Sugar Creek flows through Shades State Park and Turkey Run State Park. These are two of Indiana’s most outstanding public properties, both offering camping and direct access to the creek. My favorite way to experience the fall foliage is from a canoe or kayaking. Depending on the stretch you float, paddlers can pass beneath multiple covered bridges. The Narrows Covered Bridge and Cox Ford Covered Bridge still span Sugar Creek near Turkey Run. Seeing one of these old wooden structures appear around a bend while floating beneath a canopy of fall color is a uniquely Indiana experience.

Sugar Creek offers excellent fishing, especially for anglers who enjoy moving water. Smallmouth bass are plentiful and some grow to trophy size. A canoe or kayak allows you to cover water, then stop and work promising holes, runs and rocky banks. This is a great water to try your hand at fly fishing. Fall also brings relief from the heavy summer crowds.

The camping opportunities are equally impressive. Turkey Run and Shades state parks provide excellent bases for exploring the region, with hiking trails and easy access to Sugar Creek. There are also numerous privately operated campgrounds around Parke County and the Sugar Creek corridor, making it possible to turn a day trip into a long weekend.

Another option is Raccoon Lake, or as it is officially known, Cecil M. Harden Lake. The 2,060-acre reservoir offers boating, camping and excellent fishing. Indiana DNR surveys have identified striped bass, black crappie and channel catfish among its top fishing opportunities, with largemouth bass and bluegill also present. Raccoon State Recreation Area offers hundreds of campsites and multiple boat ramps.

Big Raccoon Creek below the dam deserves attention, too. Compared with the number of paddlers on Sugar Creek, Big Raccoon can feel really quiet. The wooded banks, moving water and historic bridges give it character all its own. My old route began below the dam and continued toward Mansfield and Bridgeton, passing through some of the prettiest areas in Parke County.

Fall always offers another reason to return. The 2026 Parke County Covered Bridge Festival runs October 9 through October 18. Billed as Indiana’s largest festival, the 10-day celebration spreads across communities throughout the county. Visitors come for arts and crafts, food, small towns, fall foliage and, of course, the 31 covered bridges. Rockville serves as festival headquarters.

My suggestion is to experience the festival, but don't spend the entire trip on pavement. Pack a tent or camper. Bring fishing rods. Rent a canoe or kayaks and spend a lazy day on the water floating Sugar Creek or take out a fishing boat on Raccoon Lake. Spend a day wandering through festival towns, then spend the next.

Covered bridges are beautiful when viewed through a windshield. They are even better when you paddle beneath one with a fishing rod beside you and October leaves floating on the water.

See you down the trail…

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

There is always something happening at Owen County Public Library (OCPL), and this fall is no exception. From educational opportunities and community programs to special events and new services, the library continues to expand the ways it serves the Owen County community.

One of the library’s growing areas of service is Adult Education. Through its Adult Education program, OCPL offers opportunities for adults to gain skills and certifications that can help them in the workplace, including CompTIA A+, QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, and HVAC-R training. The program continues to explore additional opportunities to expand the classes and certifications available to residents.

The library is also preparing for a special event on Nov. 4, when award-winning author Roland Smith will visit Owen County. Students from Spencer-Owen Community Schools will have the opportunity to hear Smith speak about his books, including “The Wildes: The Amazon” and “Thunder Cave.” The library is also bringing back its immersive Read-n-Feed experience, allowing a limited number of students to step into scenes inspired by Smith’s books while enjoying a meal and activities connected to the stories.

The community is invited to join Smith at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the OCPL for a special community presentation and walk-through of the immersive book scenes. Books will be available for purchase and signing, giving local readers an opportunity to meet the author and learn more about the stories that have inspired the event.

While special events bring excitement to the library, much of OCPL’s work happens every week through its regular programs and services. Tai Chi is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., and the Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The library also continues to offer resources and programs designed to connect residents with information, technology, education, and community support.

The Library of Things continues to grow as well, with increasing interest from patrons in borrowing items beyond traditional books. The library’s private meeting spaces are another popular resource, with the rooms being reserved more than 1,000 times in the past year by community members and organizations.

OCPL is also excited to add wide-format printing as a new service for patrons. The service will allow community members to print larger materials such as posters, signs, presentations, artwork, and other projects without having to travel outside of Owen County. Wide-format printing will be offered at a minimal cost, making it an affordable and convenient option for individuals, families, students, organizations, and local businesses.

Looking ahead, OCPL is also working on its next long-range plan. The library is gathering input from patrons, staff, and the community through surveys as it looks toward the future and considers how the library can continue meeting the changing needs of Owen County residents.

The library’s partnerships throughout the community remain an important part of that work. OCPL works with local organizations, schools, businesses, and community groups to provide programs and services that reach beyond the library walls.

As the library continues to grow, its goal remains the same: to provide a welcoming place where people can learn, connect, discover something new, and find the resources they need.

Whether you are looking for a class, attending a program, borrowing a book, using a meeting space, taking advantage of a new service, or simply looking for a place to spend some time, there is a good chance you will find something happening at Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., in Spencer.

Community members, school officials, and local families gathered Sept. 19 to tour the new Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) Transportation Center located at 1441 Flatwoods Road. The modern facility, designed to streamline operations and better serve the district's extensive bus fleet, opened its doors to the public to showcase its comprehensive upgrades and capabilities.

Reflecting on the history of the project and what ultimately led the district to this milestone, S-OCS Superintendent Andy Cline shared details regarding the initial vision behind the facility.

"Prior to my arrival in 2021, the Board of Trustees had been studying the placement and construction of a transportation center to take care of the needs of the school district," he said. "There are 16 corporation routes and 21 contractor routes that provide bus service for our students during their a.m./p.m. routes for a majority of the county on a daily basis. On top of that, there are several additional school buses that provide transportation for students throughout the day who are on shortened schedules based on their academic needs.”

The primary vision for a transportation facility, Cline noted, was to provide a space where all buses could be stored, serviced and maintained for the district, providing efficiency and room for growth.

“The previous building, which has been transitioned into the facility and maintenance building, did not provide the space to work on a fleet of school buses this size," he explained.

Selecting the right site for a project of this magnitude required careful consideration of county geography, existing infrastructure, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds. When asked why 1441 Flatwoods Rd. was chosen as the ideal location, Cline explained the practical advantages of the property.

"The property was/is owned by the school district, which provided immediate cost savings to the community and taxpayer base," he said. "The ground provided a suitable building site. Other school-owned property and private property that had been looked at earlier in 2021 did not meet suitable building conditions based on geo-tech studies received by the board. The Flatwoods Road location was reviewed in 2023 and provided a suitable building site. It also afforded us the opportunity to connect to existing water, sewer connections, and allowed us to extend existing fiber/Internet connectivity to the new site, again saving taxpayer dollars."

For years, S-OCS struggled with logistical hurdles caused by scattered parking and a lack of indoor workspace. To address these challenges and improve financial efficiency, Cline explained how the new facility eliminated past space constraints while unlocking new operational capabilities.

"The school district did not have an established location to house all buses in order to provide on-site mechanical service and inspections," he said. "We were parking buses in the middle school parking lots and up near the tennis courts at the high school and middle schools when they were not in use. The facility construction also has allowed the district to begin cutting costs by buying service materials in bulk. For example, air filters, oil filters and wiper blades. We had nowhere to store those materials and were purchasing them at retail versus wholesale (bulk) prices. Also, the Indiana State Police inspection process and mechanic/maintenance processes have been much easier to complete and provided in a timely and frequent manner."

Visitors touring the open house had the opportunity to examine the building's specialized interior layout, built to accommodate both heavy mechanical work and staff needs. Detailing the core features and amenities included in the construction, Cline noted the thoughtful use of space.

"The new facility provides two mechanic bays which are used throughout the year for various repairs and scheduled maintenance for the buses," he said. "There is also a wash bay to clean school buses, which has come in handy during our first winter in the building in particular. There are parking spots and heating tapes to take care of up to 50 full-size school buses with additional space for activity buses and parking for drivers and visitors in the front of the building. In addition, the interior of the building houses offices, a break room for drivers, restrooms, and a training room for updating drivers on new requirements. The perimeter fence provides a means to secure the buses when not in use throughout the school year, during holiday breaks and the summer recess as well.”

Utilization of space was also taken into consideration with the creation of additional storage space in the mezzanine above the offices, restrooms, and a breakroom for the drivers.

“The board and employees who would be using the space on a daily basis took the time to carefully plan out the design and use of space,” Cline explained. “We also created a dedicated room to house all the blueprints and working documents for the district as well. It had been found that those items were spread across buildings. The inclusion of the ‘blueprint’ room allows for those items to be stored in one place, and they become easily accessible for review."

Operating across Owen County presents unique geographical demands, spanning over 380 square miles and hundreds of miles of local roadways. Discussing how a centralized hub impacts daily routes and scheduling, Cline emphasized the strategic advantages of the location.

"The facility and its location has provided a reasonably centralized transportation hub given the roughly 387 square miles that make up the county and the 635 miles of roads that have to be maintained by the county which we travel on a daily basis throughout the school year," he said. "The facility provides a space that will be prepared to handle the potential growth of homes and opportunities for Owen County families and their students."

Safety compliance and vehicle upkeep are vital components of daily student transportation. To support these efforts, Cline detailed the new transportation center's dedicated maintenance and training provisions while highlighting a valuable partnership with state officials.

"All inspections, maintenance, training, and repairs are now primarily done at the new facility," he said. "It provides a single space for work to be done in a controlled climate. We also are now able to host training/education sessions for folks interested in obtaining their school bus (CDL) license. The Indiana Department of Education has been very appreciative of being able to provide training sessions for folks in this part of the state. Recently, they completed a training session with 17 possible drivers for the surrounding counties. This is a positive collaboration that will hopefully help to curtail the driver shortage that so many school districts are now facing, including us. We are still looking for two more drivers."

Effective communication between drivers, mechanics, and administration is essential for maintaining smooth daily operations. To support this, Cline explained how the new facility enhances administrative oversight and strengthens safety protocols.

"The construction/use of the facility provides a single point of communication and maintenance oversight for drivers to their director and mechanic staff," he said. "Materials can be left and reviewed there, whether it be paperwork or bus videos to review stop arm violations or student behavior. School buses are maintained and inspected on site as well, providing a quick turnaround on service and/or repairs."

Bringing a project of this scale from concept to completion involved coordinated financial planning and dedicated local leadership, Cline noted, while outlining the project's timeline, funding, and key partners.

"Total costs for the facility were 4.3 million dollars, funded using lease bonds in conjunction with the improvements completed at Owen Valley Middle School and improvements at Spencer Elementary School," Cline explained. "The staff took occupancy of the transportation building during the 2025-2026 school year. Weather delayed earlier completion and occupancy of the building and campus."

Cline also acknowledged the professional teams responsible for the physical execution of the building.

"The Board of Trustees and school team worked with The Stenftenagel Group to oversee the project," he said. "In addition, Three i Design from Evansville, IN provided architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, planning, and design as the lowest, most responsible bidder."

Looking ahead, school leaders view the completion of the transportation center as a cornerstone for future community development and educational stability. Summarizing the long-term impact of the facility, Cline shared his outlook for the corporation.

"The construction, opening and utilization of the new facility provides a long-range and forward-thinking opportunity to house and provide school bus services for Owen County families well into the future," he said. "As contractors fade away and are no longer able to be replaced, the school system will have the facility and infrastructure in place to take on the full responsibility of buses and their storage and maintenance in order to provide a safe ride to and from school for our students on a daily basis."

As a lasting marker for future generations, a time capsule was integrated directly into the structure during construction.

"Mark July 1, 2050 on your calendar," Cline added. "As part of construction, a time capsule has been created and placed in part of the block walls. That capsule is scheduled to be opened in 25 years."

The Cataract Lake Community Center reopened about a year and a half ago, with hopes to build trust and offer meaningful resources to the community.

The center offers monthly free community dinners, emergency food assistance and free resources, such as hygiene products, diapers, formula, clothing and mobility aids like crutches and walkers. The building is also open for people to come hang out and play and hosts regular events like ice cream socials and LEGO® nights.

The monthly dinners are held on the third Wednesday of each month from 5-7 p.m., drawing anywhere between 45 and 100 attendees. The center’s board president, Patricia Chappell, said the dinners are a chance for all people to come together for a meal.

One of the center’s greatest impacts, she said, is showing respect. The center opens its doors to “people who are already struggling, who are already in a situation of uncomfortableness, who are being judged, who are being looked down upon, who are leery,” Chappell said.

Focusing on being non-judgmental, the center aims to avoid the stigma or ridicule faced by people who are living in poverty or dealing with addiction.

“I wish people understood that they’re good people,” board vice president Christal Perrine said. “They deserve to have things as well. They deserve food. They deserve kindness. They deserve people to be friendly to them.”

Chappell said the center is important in giving aid to community members in need but is in “desperate” need of food and hygiene donations and involvement. Chappell said she wants to see more people come to the monthly dinners, join as volunteers and tell the center what resources, services or events they want to have.

The center tries to cater to those who may be experiencing homelessness or don’t have the resources to cook in a kitchen by offering food items that can be easily made over an open pit or with boiling water. It also opens up during tornados or extreme warm or cold weather as a place where people can find shelter.

“Last year we stayed open,” Chappell said. “There was about five days where it was extremely cold. My family actually stayed up there for three days straight. We slept on the floor to keep the building open for people to come in and provided coffee and soups and different things in case people were cold.”

Chappell said her goal is to have organizations like the IU Health Owen County Women, Infants and Children office, Division of Family Resources or local health department come to the center and provide outreach and services to the “really underserved area.”

Transportation is a large barrier for some, she said, and some kind of shuttle to take those without their own transportation to the grocery store, a job interview or doctor appointments would help people get on their feet.

“You’d be really surprised how many people don’t have internet,” she said. “They don’t have a home. They’re living in tents in the woods, so they don’t have cars. They don’t have a means to apply (to jobs) or obtain services outside that little bitty area.”

Working with and volunteering for the center has changed the way Chappell thinks about the underserved people in the community, she said. Learning just how many are facing generational poverty, homelessness and addiction was “heartbreaking.”

“There's a lot of children, an enormous amount of children in that area that nobody knows about, that are living in the woods, that are living in tents, that are not going to school, that are hungry, covered in sores,” Chappell said.

Not only does center leadership hope to attract more volunteers, as the most current ones are the seven board members, but also more users of the community building. Chappell said the center has tried some programs that haven’t quite taken off. Perrine said more people are starting to come to the dinners and use the center, but she wants to know what the community wants.

In the future, Perrine said she would like the center to be open at least five days a week. With more volunteers, donations and community members offering resources, programs and events for the center, Chappell hopes the facility will have the stability it needs to be open and stay open more often.

“If we had more resources and more ability to get resources out there, I do believe that people would see a change,” Chappell said of the underserved community.

The nonprofit leases the building from the Jackson Township Trustee in Owen County, who currently covers rent and helps with utility bills. But, in March 2027, the center will fully fund itself and needs donations to last.

Perrine and Chappell both want the community to know that it’s not the same center that’s been open off and on for five to 10 years and broke the community’s trust with a lack of transparency. It has new leadership.

“Our main goal is a community,” Perrine said. “We’re not doing this for us, we’re doing this for the community. We want them to come in. We want them to know that we’re there for them.”

The center is open from 3-7 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. Fridays, 7-10 a.m. on the first and third Saturday of each month and 4-6 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, according to its website.

The center, located at 5530 State Road 42 in Poland, IN, regularly posts updates and events on its Facebook page.

“I want to see that place full of people,” Perrine said. “I want to see kids in there playing. I want to see seniors in there enjoying coffee, playing cards. I want to see adults socializing, everybody just getting together.”

I can still remember the time when I was camping and heard strange, eerie sounds coming from deep in the forest. I was in my tent, and it was pitch dark outside. It was the middle of the night. A bird or animal made several high-pitched calls that sounded like I was in the middle of the jungle instead of a national forest. But then I heard the familiar call of a barred owl. A sigh of relief came over me.

Their normal vocalization sounds like: “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all?” But, they also make those loud calls that make the little hair on the back of your neck stand-up. I finally got back to sleep that night, but it sure took me a while.

Indiana is home to at least eight species of resident and migratory owls. On more than a few of my hiking adventures and explorations, I have come across an owl from time to time.

Some facts about owls: An owl’s diet consists mostly of rodents, though they do eat snakes and frogs as well. Owls can rotate their heads 270 degrees. They can fly almost silently. They have amazing hearing and they can see in the dark.

Owls are often associated with Halloween because of their habits such as hunting at night, turning their head around, their startling night calls…well, you get the picture.

They are amazing creatures and I love owls. It’s very rare to see one during the daytime as they are nocturnal but sometimes, they are out in the daylight hours.

Out of all the owls that can be found in Indiana, the barred owl is one of my favorites. These owls are found throughout the state. They are also the most common owl in the state. They can grow to as much as 20 inches in height with a wing span as wide as 43 inches. They are very vocal owls, and this is one of the reasons I like them.

Another favorite of mine is the great horned owl. This owl is among the largest owls in Indiana. They are also year-round residents to the state. They’re easily recognized by their large size, their ear tufts, and yellow eyes. They can grow to be 18 to 24 inches tall with a wingspan of about 4.6 feet.

I also got to see one of these wonderful birds of prey at another time when I was camping. It was nighttime, and there was a full moon that illuminated the whole forest. The branches on the trees made eerie shadows on the ground. I was having trouble sleeping, so I laid there with my tent open and looked up at the sky to watch the moon. Suddenly, a large creature with big wings flew over my tent and startled me. At first, I didn’t recognize it as an owl, but once I heard it hooting, the call it made, I knew what it was.

Some other owls found in Indiana are the barn owl, Eastern screech owl, long-eared owl, and short-eared owl.

There have been many superstitions about owls throughout history. Some cultures used to believe that if you saw an owl, it was a harbinger of bad luck. Other cultures associated owls with wisdom. Owls are also classic symbols of Halloween because of their nocturnal habits, eerie calls, and centuries of folklore linking them to the supernatural. Perhaps they’ve gotten a bad rap.

I like owls, but I have got to tell you, when I’m sound asleep in my tent, deep in the dark forest, they can still make those small hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I hear those loud, startling calls in the dead of night.

In reality, owls are awesome birds of prey that live in our forests and help with keeping the rodent population down.

In closing, I’ll leave you with a quote about owls: “The wailing owl screams solitary to the mournful moon.” – David Mallett

“Who cooks for you?”

Happy Halloween!

Susan

In “Heart of the Beast,” a retired soldier finds the fight of his life in the Alaskan wilderness.

I don’t know if Brad Pitt is a good actor, but he is certainly a movie star. He has never worn his good looks comfortably. His best roles are always, if not undercutting how handsome he is, at least commenting on his attractiveness. He is captivating in stillness. Director David Fincher, of “Se7en” and “Fight Club” fame, was key in unlocking Mr. Pitt’s super power: being a character actor. He is much more interesting being just left of center frame. From there, he reliably draws your eye.

Apart from a memorable scene with the towering J.K. Simmons and a few war flashbacks, this is a true two-hander. A boy and his dog. Being a boy who happens to have a dog myself, this was a fastball right down the center of the plate for me. The deep connection we have with these loyal and sometimes silly creatures is beyond my vocabulary to describe. How many of us can handle violence against our fellow humans in film, but the second a filmmaker comes for our furry friends, we revolt? I’m certainly one. I’ll tear all the curtains down while pitching my righteous fit.

Here once again, Mr. Pitt finds himself in the supporting role to a German Shepherd named Odin. Odin is actually portrayed by four dogs. Chiefly by a retired search-and-rescue dog named Uber and his three sons Seeka, Ryker and Hondo filling in as his stunt doubles. Only Mr. Pitt has enough presence to draw your eye from this shepherd. With his battle scarred face, artificial leg and titanium teeth, he gives even your goodest boy at home a run for their money (please don’t read this to my goodest boy Sutter Cane). Can a non-human win a best actor Academy Award? If so, I can’t think of a more deserving actor this year.

Another clear stand out character is Alaska herself. The vistas shot in this film drew gasps from my chest. Putting a puddle-jumping airplane in a movie set in Alaska is a must. From the snow-capped peaks down to the thicket of lush undergrowth, the views make you realize you need a good friend in the travel industry.

The director here, David Ayer, is a director I’ve been on the fence about for quite some time. He made his name initially as a screenwriter. Right out of the gate he wrote “U-571”, a solid WWII submarine movie, “The Fast and the Furious” and the great “Training Day”. That is quite the start to a career. As he transitioned into the director’s chair, he has missed more than hit for me. In “The Heart of the Beast”, his tough guy style has matured into a ruminative, straightforward look at survival.

“Heart of the Beast” will be playing at our Tivoli October 2-4.

I’d like to take a moment to make a statement of intent for the “Watch Local” column. For you dear readers that have kept up with my few articles (and hopefully the many to come) you might be wondering if I like every movie I’ve ever seen. I have not. In fact, I can be quite cutting to what I dislike. And I’d happily wax poetic in person. My main goal with this column is to champion what is playing in our community. To help drive film appreciation, not dissuade theater attendance.

As always, thanks for reading.

Owen County EMS is the first emergency medical services team to receive a new quarterly recognition from the IU Health Bloomington Cardiac Cath Lab for outstanding care of heart attack patients.

The Owen County team was recognized for its response to a patient experiencing a STEMI, a serious type of heart attack caused by a blocked coronary artery. EMS personnel identified the heart attack in the field and activated the hospital’s cardiac catheterization team before arriving at IU Health Bloomington.

The American Heart Association benchmark is to open a blocked vessel within 90 minutes of a patient’s first contact with a medical professional. In this case, the Owen County patient’s blocked vessel was opened in just 63 minutes. Once the procedure began, the Cath Lab team needed only 13 minutes to place a stent and restore blood flow.

The case demonstrates the importance of identifying a heart attack quickly and activating the Cath Lab while the patient is still being transported. It also highlights the role of equipment such as cardiac monitors and onboard communications systems that allow EMS crews to transmit EKG results from the field.

A banner recognizing the Owen County EMS team and documenting the response is now displayed in the ambulance bay at IU Health Bloomington.

The Owen County 4-H program is excited to announce Forestry as the 2026 Project of the Year, offering youth an engaging opportunity to explore the outdoors while learning valuable skills related to tree identification, forest stewardship, conservation, and natural resource management. This year-long focus will introduce members to the fascinating world of forests and the important role they play in our communities and environment.

Through a variety of hands-on activities, workshops, and educational experiences, 4-H members will discover how forests provide wildlife habitat, clean air, water protection, recreation opportunities, and sustainable natural resources. Participants will learn to identify common tree species by examining leaves, bark, seeds, and growth patterns. Youth will have opportunities to collect, preserve, and display leaves while creating their own forestry collections and gaining a better understanding of the diversity found in local woodlands.

A major component of the project will be forestry stewardship. Members will explore what it means to be responsible caretakers of natural resources by learning about healthy forest management practices, invasive species, wildlife conservation, and environmental sustainability. Through interactive lessons and outdoor exploration, participants will gain a greater appreciation for the importance of protecting forests for future generations.

The project will also highlight forestry-related careers, exposing youth to professionals who work in conservation, environmental science, natural resource management, wildlife biology, urban forestry, and the forest products industry. By connecting members with experts in the field, Owen County 4-H hopes to inspire future career interests while helping youth understand the many opportunities available within the forestry sector.

In addition to educational programming, members can look forward to exciting activities such as tree and leaf identification challenges, nature hikes, forestry demonstrations, project exhibits, and creative conservation projects. These experiences will encourage youth to develop observation, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.

The Forestry Project of the Year was selected because of its ability to combine science, environmental education, outdoor recreation, and leadership development into a meaningful learning experience. Whether a member is new to forestry or already enjoys spending time outdoors, the project offers opportunities for youth of all ages and experience levels to learn, grow, and make a positive impact in their community.

Owen County 4-H looks forward to helping members discover the beauty and value of forests throughout the coming year. By encouraging stewardship, conservation, and hands-on learning, the Forestry Project of the Year will empower youth to become knowledgeable leaders who understand the importance of preserving one of our most valuable natural resources. Community members are encouraged to follow Owen County 4-H throughout the year to learn more about upcoming forestry events, activities, and educational opportunities.

Patricksburg Elementary School (PES) recently welcomed a crowd of special guests on Friday, Sept. 18 for their Lunch on the Lawn, a tradition that brings students, families, and the school community together for an hour of food and fun.

Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles arrived at PES carrying picnic lunches (and plenty of McDonald’s and Wendy’s bags) to enjoy with their children. Families spread out under the shade trees and gathered in the shelter house, taking time to relax and enjoy lunch and recess together.

Following lunch, guests had the opportunity to watch their children enjoy recess on the playground and soccer field. Students also received a special visit from the Patricksburg Community Volunteer Fire Department, which brought a fire truck to the school. Students enjoyed getting an up-close look at the truck and learning more about the important role local firefighters play in their community.

Events like Lunch on the Lawn are about much more than sharing a meal. They provide an opportunity to strengthen the connection between home and school. Building positive relationships with families is an important part of creating a school community where students feel supported and connected.

PES appreciates the tremendous turnout and is grateful to the many family members who took time out of their day to join their children at school.

With plenty of laughter, playground fun, and time spent together, the Lunch on the Lawn served as another reminder that some of the best school days are the ones shared with family and friends.

The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) is proud to announce six outstanding local students as finalists for Owen County’s 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, which is one of the most prestigious scholarship opportunities in the state of Indiana.

This year, ten Owen County students applied for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, which provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 annually for books and equipment for four years of undergraduate study at an eligible Indiana college or university.

Following a competitive first round of evaluations, six students advanced to the second phase of the selection process, which included in-person interviews with the OCCF Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Committee.

The 2027 Owen County finalists are:

• Blake Atkerson – Cloverdale High School
• Enoch Brothers – Owen Valley High School
• Zoe Kyle – Owen Valley High School
• Riley Martin – Owen Valley High School
• Macy Mullin – Edgewood High School
• Isabelle Sylvester – Owen Valley High School

One finalist will ultimately be nominated by the Owen County Community Foundation to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) for final selection. The 2027 Owen County Lilly Scholar will be announced in December 2026.

“We’re proud to recognize this year’s Owen County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists,” said Janet Rummel, OCCF President & CEO. “Each has worked hard to reach this point, and we look forward to learning more about their goals during the interview process. We’re grateful to Lilly Endowment Inc. for making this opportunity available to students across Indiana.”

Next Opportunity for Students: OCCF Scholarship Application Opens Late November

Local students will soon have another opportunity to pursue scholarship funding through the Owen County Community Foundation. OCCF’s 2027 Scholarship Application opens in late November, offering more than 60 local scholarships totaling over $155,000 for students who reside in Owen County or attend Owen Valley High School.

Applications must be submitted by January 16, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Students can apply at bit.ly/OCCFscholarship and can learn more at owencountycf.org/students.

About the Owen County Community Foundation: The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) is a public charity founded in 1994 as a resource to connect caring individuals with causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. Since its founding, the OCCF has been able to grant more than $12.9 million to area nonprofit and charitable organizations in our community, and over $3.4 million in early childhood – adult education funding since 1994. The OCCF is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Owen County, now and for generations to come. For more information, visit owencounty.org or call (812) 829-1725.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5.5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

The Patriot Band & Guard perform their half-time show “Scorched” with music from Celine Dion, Igor Stravinsky and Manuel De Falla. The Patriot Band & Guard placed second place in ISSMA Class C at the Decatur Central Contest of Champions on Sept. 19th, also earning first place in Visual. The Band & Guard will face off in several competitions throughout the month, including the Bands of America Indy Super Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Oct. 16.

Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have released formal plans for a modernized, expanded campground at McCormick’s Creek State Park (MCSP) east of Spencer. The announcement marks a major milestone in the recovery of Indiana’s first state park following the devastating EF-3 tornado that struck the property in March 2023.

“As Indiana’s first state park, McCormick’s Creek has been a place where families and friends have gathered and created memories for more than a century,” Governor Braun said in a news release. “The tornado in 2023 was a heartbreaking moment in the park’s history, but we are now ready to rebuild this campground stronger, more resilient, and better suited for today’s visitors. We look forward to welcoming campers back to camp once construction is complete.”

The late-night storm on March 31, 2023, packed peak winds of nearly 150 mph and cut a destructive 400-yard-wide path through roughly 282 acres of the park. The campground suffered catastrophic damage, toppling most of the surrounding mature trees and destroying over 90% of the sites in key loops, alongside all three campground shower houses. Following extensive multi-year debris removal, root ball extraction, and site cleanup, the grounds are finally clear and prepared for rebuilding.

The newly designed campground will feature a larger footprint spanning 65 acres, housing 192 modern campsites equipped with full hookups for electricity, water, and sewer. Measuring approximately 32 by 40 feet, the modern sites are built to comfortably accommodate larger recreational vehicles. Additionally, 32 primitive campsites will remain available for tent camping, and the park’s existing group camps will continue to welcome visitors.

To enhance the overall visitor experience, the $25 million project also includes building a new gatehouse, a camp store, and three modern comfort stations equipped with adjacent playgrounds. Substantial landscaping and tree planting initiatives are integrated into the master plan to restore the natural forest character of the campground area. True to local roots, the Indiana DNR Division of Forestry will supply timber used for constructing the new gatehouse and camp store.

“McCormick’s Creek State Park holds a special place in the hearts of so many Hoosiers, and the loss of the campground in the 2023 tornado was felt across our entire state,” added Brandt Baughman, Director of Indiana State Parks. “Our team has worked thoughtfully and carefully to design a new campground that honors the park’s history while creating space for future generations to explore, connect, and make memories.”

Construction bids for the infrastructure, including buildings, electrical grids, water lines, and sewer systems, are scheduled to open on Oct. 20. State officials anticipate that the newly rebuilt campground will officially open to the public in the late summer of 2028.

Detailed information regarding the 2023 tornado and ongoing recovery efforts can be found online at on.IN.gov/McCormicks-Recovery, while general park details are available at on.IN.gov/McCormicksCreek.

The Owen News and the Spencer Evening World have a new competitor in the newspaper game. The Patriot Paper, created and published by Spencer Elementary School (SES) sixth graders, is now here to supplement the news landscape of Spencer. The Patriot Paper’s inaugural 2026 edition features profiles of teachers and students, Owen Valley sports reports, advice and environmental columns, animal facts, and comics.

The Patriot Paper is published by students in an enrichment period for selected sixth graders at SES. These students pick their own topics to pursue, such as sports, teacher interviews, or animal fact reports based on a framework created by SES teacher Shelby Sego. The framework is meant to give students ideas about what they should write about, mainly profile stories and sports coverage, but students are also free to pursue topics that they find interest in. Sego noted that, this year some students have branched out from the typical topics seen in the Patriot Papers of the past.

“This year we actually had some [students] that wanted to do research on pollution and how that affects local ecosystems. So it was kind of neat to see that,” she said. “As long as [they] can show me that [they] can back this up then they can write about it. They even had an advice column about how to handle stress.”

The Patriot Paper has existed in some form for the last several years but is back this year after a 2025 school year hiatus. Sego has been overseeing it for the last four years.

“Over the years, I will say they've gotten better and a little bit more creative,” she said. “They’ve gotten a lot more polished.”

Sego says that even though the paper is “by students, for students,” some of their biggest fans are the other teachers at SES.

“We'll double check, make sure everything looks good, and then share it to the whole faculty so they can take a look,” she said. “A lot of these students [faculty] had in previous years, so they get to see their stuff, they get to see their writings and see how they've grown. And it's also kind of fun just to look back and say, ‘Oh yeah, I remember [that] student.’”

The Owen News staff looks forward to hearing more from the Patriot Paper and wish the students luck covering the halls of SES and beyond!

Artist Christina Hollering recently brought vibrant color and community spirit to 9 E. Market St. in Cloverdale as part of the Putnam County Mural Project. Her stunning new mural at Shady Dale Studio hair salon features a vibrant display of butterflies and wildflowers painted across the building's exterior.

To celebrate the finished artwork before the local football game at nearby Cloverdale High School, Shady Dale Studio hosted a "Meet Me at the Mural" event on Sept. 25.

The Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees met Sept. 14, navigating a full agenda covering critical financial votes, policy readings, and community recognitions.

A key focus of the evening was fiscal management, highlighted by the unanimous approval of the proposed 2027 budget, capital projects plan, and school bus replacement plan. Recommended by CCSC Superintendent Dr. Stacy Mason, the approval included authorizing the submittal of Form 4 to the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) to request advertised levies for debt service, pension bond, and operational funds.

The board also unanimously approved a series of routine financial and administrative items. These included the formal adoption of the evening's agenda, alongside minutes from the Aug. 10 executive and regular sessions and the Aug. 24 public budget hearing. Additionally, the board approved financial reports and payroll details presented by Dr. Mason, accepted the 2026-2028 Title IV grant, and authorized various community donations supporting schools and the football team.

Board members also advanced the first reading of board policy volumes (36 #2 and 38 #2), July 2025 updates, and a June 2026 artificial intelligence update. They also handled routine personnel items, including hiring a homebound instructor, setting Clover Café student worker compensation, and approving transfer-in students, professional leaves, field trips, and staff hires.

The meeting reserved significant time to spotlight local achievements across the district. Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) students Kason Parrish and Liam Bernard were honored as Students of the Month, as were Cloverdale Middle School (CMS) student Zoey Bond and Cloverdale High School (CHS) senior Ryan Walker, who was celebrated for academic growth and extracurricular success. CES teacher Chelsea Beatty was recognized as Staff of the Month for her dedicated service to the district. In addition, students Orion Monnett and John Freeman were recognized as the Cloverdale Police Department’s Citizens of the Month for their positive attitudes and community service.

Dr. Mason later shared several updates on district activities as the autumn semester picks up pace. She noted that iLearn checkpoint testing is currently underway across the district, and College Go Week was rapidly approaching. The high school's Emerald Command Marching Band was congratulated for capturing a first-place victory at Brownsburg, and community members were invited to attend the upcoming one-hour "Coffee and Conversation" event on Oct. 7 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the CHS Clover Café.

In addition, the board approved the following field trip requests: the Emerald Command Marching Band visiting Brownsburg High School on Sept. 12; eighth graders traveling to Ivy Tech in Terre Haute on Sept. 18; the marching band performing at Noblesville High School on Sept. 19; the marching band at Southport High School on Sept. 26; seventh graders visiting the Putnam County Fairgrounds on Sept. 27; FCCLA students visiting the Innovation Center in Indianapolis on Sept. 29; chemistry and physics students visiting IU Bloomington on Oct. 9; the high school band performing at the Martinsville Fall Foliage Festival on Oct. 11; preschool students visiting Beasley's Orchard on Oct. 19; and first graders visiting the Terre Haute Children's Museum on April 8, 2027.

Additional personnel matters receiving board approval included retirements, resignations, and new employment. Under retirement, the board accepted actions for staff members. Resignations included Todd Rightmyer as CMS football coach. Employment actions covered various long-term substitutes, teachers, instructional assistants, and cafeteria personnel, including Ken Schnepp as CHS Spanish teacher, Sally Bush at CMS Café, Sherry Flory as part-time CMS Cafe staff, Lori Halloran as CMS sixth grade teacher, and Andy Tyler as CMS athletic director substitute.

Further employment approvals included Beth Ann Williams as CMS teacher long-term substitute, Roy Bowers as CMS sixth grade teacher, Reagan Ladd as CES instructional assistant, Jenna Lanham as Knoy teacher, Brian Siddons as CMS athletic director long-term substitute, Dana Sawyer as CES instructional assistant, Jean Raney as CMS cafeteria part-time four-hour worker, Jesse Hornaday as CHS special education classroom instructional assistant, and Wanda Thompson as CMS cafeteria part-time four-hour worker.

Coaching volunteers were also approved by the board including Damon Slaton as CHS boys’ basketball volunteer assistant, along with girls’ basketball volunteer assistants Kristin Kukman, Kiersten Wade, Kassie Wade, Veronica Carter, Autumn Halloran, Anna Linton, Paige Glassburn, and Emily Mann.

The Cloverdale School Board, which includes Vivian Whitaker, Katrina Lewis, Donna Fidler, Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, Joe Mann, and Mike Rightmyer II, is scheduled to convene for its next regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building.

The Sept. 15 Blue Bash event hosted by the Owen County Democrats and the Sept. 26 Lincoln Day Dinner event organized by the Owen County Republicans brought many state legislators and legislative hopefuls to Owen County to fundraise for their respective parties and to energize their respective bases in the lead-up to the Nov. 3 midterm election.

The Democrats’ Blue Bash was held at Abram Farms east of Spencer. Speakers at the event included Indiana State Minority Caucus Leader Shelli Yoder, Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum, U.S. 8th District Congressional candidate Mary Allen, Indiana House District 46 candidate Jimmy Pittsford, and Indiana State Treasurer candidate Coumba Kebe.

The Republicans’ Lincoln Day Dinner was held at the Christian Life Center in Spencer and featured several speakers including former Indiana Secretary of State Ed Simcox, District 37 State Senator Rodric Bray, State Treasurer Daniel Elliott, State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla, and Indiana House District 46 Representative Bob Heaton.

In a rare example of bipartisanship, both events were catered by Cassie Britton.

As the midterm elections draw nearer, both parties are doing what they can to rally their bases before Election Day. Both events featured speakers emphasizing how important it is to vote and to get as many people to the polls as possible.

The Democrats often focused on the fact that people in Indiana are having trouble making ends meet and that the Republican supermajority at the state level wasn’t doing enough to address issues that people are experiencing. State Representative Matt Pierce pointed out that the number of Democrats running in Indiana has increased dramatically during this midterm election, something he sees as a reaction to these issues.

“Just looking around and seeing what’s happening, the state going in the wrong direction, people’s basic needs not getting addressed; so people are basically saying, ‘I’ve gotta get out there and get our state on the right path,’” he said.

Republicans focused heavily on state financial wins, often describing Indiana’s balanced budget and the fact that 24 years ago, the state found itself less financially solvent than during the succeeding Republican tenure.

“There was a time when we ended the year with six cents in the bank when the democrats were in leadership in this state, owing millions of dollars,” said Indiana Republican Chairwoman Lana Keesling. “Today, we have a AAA credit rating and are one of only 16 states with economic growth.”

Midterm elections often bring in a fraction of the voters that a presidential election cycle does, often due to the fact that there are not as many high profile candidates on the ballot. The 2020 election brought out 69% of registered Owen County voters, while the 2022 midterms only saw 42% participation.

At the state level, Owen County voters will have their choice of Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, and Indiana House District 46. There is only one national race Owen County can vote on, the 8th District of the U.S. Congress, between Mary Allen and incumbent Mark Messmer. There are, however, 42 separate races at the county level on the ballot this November. Many of these races are unopposed or have the exact number of people running as there are open seats, but 18 races are contested and will be decided by constituents on Election Day. With historically lower voter turnout, each vote has a much higher ability to swing a race one way or another.

The ballot box is calling, Owen County, and local election officials have drawn your road map to the polls. With the Nov. 3 General Election fast approaching, the Owen County Clerk’s Office has unveiled a comprehensive slate of early voting opportunities, satellite locations, and absentee options designed to ensure every eligible voice is heard.

For residents wishing to vote early in person, the Owen County Courthouse located at 60 S. Main St. in Spencer will open its doors starting Tuesday, Oct. 6. Voting will continue Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., though voters should note that while voting remains available during these hours, other courthouse offices close for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Additionally, the courthouse will be closed on Oct. 12 for Columbus Day. Voters must enter via the main northside door and bring a valid government-issued photo ID. To accommodate busy schedules, extended Saturday hours will be offered at the courthouse on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the final day of early voting taking place on Monday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to noon.

In addition to courthouse voting, satellite locations will open on specific Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for in-person voting requiring a valid photo ID. Residents can visit the Freedom Community Center located at 5552 Freedom-Arney Rd. in Freedom on Saturday, Oct. 24, or the Faith Baptist Church located at 11612 State Road 243 in Cloverdale on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Voters who prefer or require alternative methods also have several options. Ballot packets can be mailed to voters who meet specific statutory requirements allowed by Indiana Code and submit a written request. Applications are currently available at indianavoters.in.gov/MVPHome/PrintDocuments, with a mail-in application deadline of Oct. 22 at 11:59 p.m. For voters who qualify under Indiana Code and require direct assistance, a traveling board can bring a ballot packet directly to them upon written request, with applications due by Nov. 2 at noon. Meanwhile, military and overseas voters can find special actions, qualifications, and required forms by visiting the state voter portal online.

The 2026 General Election will officially take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Election Day, voters may cast their ballots at any of the seven local vote center locations across the county. These include Faith Baptist Church at 11612 S.R. 243 in Cloverdale, Family of God Church at 2018 S.R. 67 in Spencer, Clay Township Fire Department at 5663 S.R. 43 in Spencer, and the Freedom Community Center at 5552 Freedom-Arney Rd. in Freedom. Additional locations are Jefferson Baptist Church at 4019 Main St. in Coal City, Garrard Chapel Church at 7410 W. S.R. 46 in Bowling Green, and the Spencer Christian Life Center at 126 E. Market St. in Spencer.

Anyone with questions can contact Linda Roy, Deputy Clerk of Elections and Voter Registration, located on the first floor of the Owen County Courthouse in Spencer. She can also be reached by phone at 812-829-5028 or via email at linda.roy@owencounty.in.gov.

At the Sept. 14 Owen County Council meeting, the council members held public hearings for additional appropriations from the Aug. meeting and conducted a 2027 budget workshop review.

The council heard and accepted the following appropriations:

• Fund $3,300 to 1170-22300 Tires
• Fund #1000-County General Cash $10,000 to 1000-235-39800 Care of Patients
• Fund #1176/#1173/#1169-Cash $500,000 each Fund to Road Projects -30101
• Fund #1000-County General Cash $10,000 to 1000-232-37000 Contract Services
• Fund #1191-Riverboat Cash $45,000 to 1191-30100 Other Service
• Fund #1150-Auditor Endorsement Cash $9,600 to 1150-30100 Other Services
• Fund #1000-County General Cash $4,000 to 1000-012-11200 Wages
• Fund #1000-County General Cash $1,797 to 1000-003-20100 Supplies

Owen County Commissioner Sam Hobbs spoke to the council regarding the appropriations for the road projects.

“We got so much work going on that we're going to have to have contractors to help us,” he said. “We can’t get around it. And while we have the money available without depleting our funds because we want to make sure we have enough in December, we have the greatest opportunity right now to get this work done while we have the funds.”

In terms of the plan for the road projects, auditor Sheila Reeves reminded that the list is an outline, subject to change.

“I do not want (the council, commissioners and highway department) beat up, nor do I want the 10 of them to be beat up when there might be a road that changes or has to be changed or an emergency comes up,” Reeves said. “There will be some adjustments. Please try to be flexible and understand. They're trying to figure out how to make everything happen with as little as much they have to work with.”

On other additional appropriations listed under new business, the council moved to advertise the following, to be voted on at the next meeting:

• Sheriff's Dept. 1170-Cash $3619.00 to -30100 Other Services
• Sheriff's Dept. 1170-Cash $2400.00 to -37000 Contract Services
• Sheriff's Dept. Fund #4913 $7000.00 to -22200 Gas-Oil-Lube

The council members also discussed a request to give funding to Rural Transit, an Area 10 Agency on Aging public transportation service that gives door-to-door service to anyone, regardless of age or ability, for $3 a ride. It’s the only form of public transportation in Owen County.

Council vice president Anton Neff said the council has three options, creating a grant fund with a certain dollar amount for it, adding a line item for Rural Transit in the budget and taking no action, not giving Rural Transit funding.

“It is taxpayer money and I don’t like giving it away,” council member Steve Carrell said. “There’s stuff we have to do. Let’s do the have to-dos.”

None of the council members made further motions to take action.

The council additionally discussed the building department and its current financial standing. Reeves said when the commissioners first created it in 1992, they said the building department could be cut if it is not self-supporting.

The department has attempted to gain more revenue by raising the price of building permits, but as stated at the meeting, it is too early in its enactment to calculate the long-term impact.

Reeves said following the change, in August, the department brought in $12,000, as opposed to the average $7,500 it had been bringing in each month. She expects the department will bring in enough to maintain the budget this year, but is concerned with what it will start with in January and have moving forward.

The council also made decisions on a couple positions, changing a courthouse custodian position from part-time to full-time, giving her benefits. The council decided to finalize her pay at a later date.

“A lot of people really say that whoever this is, they’re very pleased with what she’s doing. She does a good job,” council member Nick Robertson said.

A vote to accept a part-time position within the election office ended in a tie between the six present council members, with Neff and council members Joe Frye and Dan Browning voting in favor, and council president Polly Chesser, Robertson and Carrell voting against it. The tie resulted in a remaining status quo, with no added position.

“I absolutely would have been for that if it had been an election year,” Chesser said.

Frye said he thinks the repercussions of the vote will be “significant.”

“We have a current part-time employee in there that does the work of a full-time,” he said. “I think there’s value to having somebody that is experienced in that role. By skipping a year, I think we’re going to lose that experience and that employee, and we’ll have to retrain somebody.”

In a rare surge of attendance at the Sept. 22 Gosport Town Council meeting, applause filled the community building after an ordinance stymying data center development near and around the town was passed.

The ordinance, introduced at the Sept. 8 meeting, restricts potential developer access to town resources, such as water and electricity, in an attempt to make it “uncomfortable” for one of the sprawling facilities to establish, town council member Michael Miller said.

“I don’t know how you guys feel, but I don’t want one,” council president Marian McGee said at the meeting.

The ordinance mandates that violators be subjected to a $2,500 fine per day, per parcel of land.

Although Gosport is only about 0.4 square miles, just over the size of the average data center site in 2024, Miller said the ordinance would also address the potential for large plots of land, like farmland, to be annexed into the town.

Just a day earlier, at its Sept. 21 town council meeting, the Town of Spencer passed Ordinance 2026-07, which established a 12-month moratorium on data centers.

And just about an hour before the Gosport meeting, the Owen County Commissioners passed their own suspension, Ordinance 2026-011 authorizing a moratorium on data centers in the county.

“No one that I know of has asked to put one in Owen County yet, but we’re going to try to get out in front of this with this moratorium which gives us a year to figure ourselves out, to do a little more research,” commissioner Norman Warner said at the commissioners’ Sept. 22 meeting. “What we don’t want to do is just kind of leave ourselves hanging in the wind and then somebody swoops in and takes advantage of us.”

At the meeting, commissioner Sam Hobbs said the county plan commission will continue researching and working on a more permanent regulation to present to the commissioners.

Public records request dispute

The town council reviewed a public records request made by Gosport resident Dusty Paris-Trisler, who asked the town for records in more than 35 categories from Jan. 1, 2024, to Sept. 21, 2026.

From the start of the conversation, town attorney Terry English recommended the request be denied. He cited the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, which requires reasonable specificity.

Paris-Trisler said the request was filed the day prior and was nearing the 24-hour mark. The public records code, IC 5-14-3, notes that records requested in person or by phone require a response within 24 hours, or the request is deemed denied. Those made by other means, like through email for example, have a seven-day window.

The records requested do not have to be produced by the end of that day, but the request must be acknowledged, which signifies that the agency received it.

“All we’re going to do is promote the transparency and the municipal government establishes consistent procedures,” Paris-Trisler said. “That is not out of the ordinary for people to request records. If you want to tell us what you are willing to provide, we are more than happy to review that.”

English responded that he doesn’t have an issue providing records according to law, however, manpower is limited in Gosport government.

“The fact is that with a two-member town clerk’s office, we can’t stop the operation of the town clerk’s office in order to comply with your records request,” English said.

Town Clerk-Treasurer Don Hall officially denied the request on the grounds that it was excessive. He, like English, said the few office personnel don’t have the bandwidth to take boxes of physical records and make copies of each claim and invoice. Paris-Trisler agreed to reduce her request and resubmit.

Water main project

Using money from a Great Lakes Grant, the Town of Gosport plans to replace water lines in three spots. One of the program’s focuses is giving money to rural and remote areas facing environmental and public health challenges, according to its website.

“It’s supposed to help us pay for water, so we have a lot of old water lines still underground and trying to get bids together to come up with a solution where we can replace some of the older lines that are breaking more often,” Miller said.

The town intends to replace lines on Eighth Street between North and Lafayette streets, on Main Street between Seventh and Ninth streets, and on Main Street between Second and First streets.

The council approved the three projects, which are expected to cost about $198,000, McGee said. She said construction should start as soon as possible.

Also at the meeting, the town council moved to delay 2027 budget approval because the council didn’t have enough information, McGee said. The council instead planned a special meeting for 9 a.m. Oct. 2 at Gosport Town Hall.

The next town council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Gosport Community Building at 301 N. Ninth St. in Gosport.

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.

9-15

Denise Helton, 41, Nineveh, IN, preliminary charge of failure to appear. Arrested by Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Special Deputy Levi Miller.

9-16

Christopher Prine, 30, Freedom, preliminary charges of possession of child sexual abuse material (two counts) and sex offender registration violation (two counts). Owen County Prosecutor’s Office Investigator Brayton Wyatt was the arresting officer.

9-18

Christina Simpson, 31, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine and probation violation. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Elijah Volrich.

Garry Hammond II, 48, Spencer, preliminary charge of domestic battery. OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson was the arresting officer.

9-19

Michael Hunter, 42, Terre Haute, preliminary charge of operating while intoxicated. Arrested by Spencer Police Department (SPD) officer Bryce Brock.

9-21

Simon King, 44, Terre Haute, preliminary charges of probation violation and operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic violator (HTV). OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Gary Borer, 44, no address given, preliminary charge of domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Elijah Volrich.

9-22

Brandie Rogers, 46, Spencer, preliminary charge of conversion. OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer.

9-23

Michael Kays, 30, Spencer, preliminary charges of probation violation and operating while intoxicated. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

Tonya Ferguson, 37, Bloomfield, preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and neglect of a dependent; child selling. OCSD Deputy Jacob Williamson was the arresting officer.

9-24

Brennen Somes, 29, Spencer, preliminary charge of battery. Arrested by SPD officer Zachary Brock.

Melvin Lones, Jr., Gosport, preliminary charge of possession of child sexual abuse material. Owen County Prosecutor’s Office Investigator Brayton Wyatt was the arresting officer.

Gary Rousseau, 57, Gosport, preliminary charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, domestic battery, neglect of a dependent, and dealing in marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

9-25

Derek Snapp, 40, Terre Haute, preliminary charge of writ of attachment for nonsupport of a child. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Helen Fleschner, 24, Terre Haute, preliminary charge of failure to appear on an original charge of possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

Jeremy Skinner, 45, Spencer, preliminary charge of failure to appear. OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer.

9-27

William Hardy, 46, Bowling Green, preliminary charges of theft (two counts), possession of methamphetamine, and possession of paraphernalia. Arrested by Indiana Conservation Officer Nicholas Hartman.

9-28

Donald Kerby, 37, Cloverdale, preliminary charge of theft. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Coty Parsley, 34, Lyons, preliminary charge of probation violation. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

The Spencer Town Council met Sept. 21 for a comprehensive session addressing critical municipal operations, infrastructure projects, and legislative updates. Board members Jon Stantz, Evan McKalip, and Ginger Kohr were all in attendance, alongside clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke.

Following the opening roll call, the council swiftly moved through routine administrative duties, approving previous meeting minutes and authorizing payments for town claims. In a move to clear longstanding financial obligations, members voted to settle two outstanding invoices from Commonwealth Engineers totaling $40,510, resolving a backlog dating back to April of this year.

Community events and infrastructure management also took center stage during the meeting. The council granted an event permit to Civilian Brewing, authorizing them to serve craft beer at the second 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. The event is being hosted by the Sweet Owen Arts Commission.

Turning to broader public works, the council discussed a revised Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) agreed order for the town sewer plant and approved funding applications for the Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG). To secure the grant for local road improvements, the town committed $41,867 in matching funds.

A substantial portion of the evening was also dedicated to collaborating with county representatives regarding a $4 million sewer expansion project required to support a new jail facility, with the council emphasizing the necessity of clear budget figures from developers before moving forward.

Legislative actions shaped much of the meeting's agenda, highlighted by the approval of four significant ordinances. Most notably, the council approved a 12-month moratorium covering data centers, solar fields, and battery energy storage systems, which will allow the town sufficient time to formulate permanent ordinances. Members also passed an ordinance providing re-zoning regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units within town limits, authorized the re-authorization of Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) agreements, and formally approved the revised IDEM agreed order.

Department reports highlighted ongoing progress across town operations, with Spencer Police Department Chief Terry Sips reporting the successful completion of field training for new personnel alongside necessary facility maintenance, including entry door repairs.

The sewer department shared news of a successful lab audit alongside updates on basin cleaning and blower repairs, while the street department reviewed ongoing signage and sidewalk maintenance projects.

Addressing public safety and community concerns, the council tackled property abandonment issues on W. Market St. and noted local parking complaints on Walnut St. for follow-up with the police department.

On a festive note, officials confirmed that official trick-or-treat hours in Spencer will be held on Halloween night, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 8:00.

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.

Michael L. Smith, 82, of Gosport, passed away on Sept. 17, 2026, at I.U. Health Bloomington. Born on Jan. 14, 1944, to Harold and Eva (Hart) Smith, Mike was a lifelong pillar of his community.

After graduating from Cloverdale High School in 1962, Mike attended Purdue University and Indianapolis Business College. Before returning to Cloverdale in ‘65, he applied his talents at Holcomb and Holt Engineers in Indianapolis and IBM. Upon his return, he took ownership of Cloverdale Hardware and Lumber Co., preserving its legacy as Indiana's oldest operating hardware store, established in 1887.

He proudly served in the National Guard for seven years and dedicated his time to numerous civic organizations and roles. He was a member of the Quincy Masonic Lodge, a Lions Club member, a volunteer with the Cloverdale Fire Department, an E.M.T. for Putnam County Operation Life, and past president of Invest Putnam Stardust Hills. He also held an Indiana Real Estate License.

Mike is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Marsha (Harrah) Smith; his sister, Ellen (Smith) Davies; several nieces and nephews; many good friends and loyal customers; and his cherished cats, Bella and Inky.

He was preceded in death by his sister, La Vaughn Patten; and his four brothers, Harold "Red" Smith, Delmas "Joe" Smith, Max Smith, and Elvin "Epp" Smith.

Funeral services were held Sept. 24, 2026, at Whitaker Funeral Home in Cloverdale. Burial followed in Mannan Cemetery. Condolences may be shared online at www.whitakerfunerals.net.

Betty Jane “Jane” (Vest) McCollum, 83, of Spencer, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Redcrest Hospice House in Bloomington.

Jane was born Jan. 22, 1943, in Freedom, to Harold and Edna (Bales) Vest. A 1961 graduate of Freedom High School, she began a life centered on family, friendship, service, and her community. On May 17, 1963, she married Kenneth “Kenny” McCollum, with whom she shared many treasured years.

Jane worked for many years as manager and partner of Ideal Credit Corporation in Spencer. She was deeply involved in the organizations and community she loved, including the Order of the Eastern Star, Delta Theta Tau Sorority, where she was a devoted member for more than 50 years, and the Freedom Community Center Board. Jane was also a longtime member of Freedom United Methodist Church.

A loyal Indiana University sports fan, Jane followed IU athletics with enthusiasm and pride. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family and friends, creating memories that will remain a lasting source of comfort to those who loved her.

Jane is survived by her children, Kim (Tom) Frazier of Spencer, Mark (Kaylee) McCollum of Brazil, and Lisa (Shane) Bassett of Borden; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Marilyn Walters.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenny McCollum; her brother, James Vest; and her sister, Sandra Truax.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home of Walton Funeral Service Inc., 105 N. Montgomery Street in Spencer. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ken and Jane McCollum Memorial Fund at the Owen County Community Foundation.

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

John Fuhs Memorial Casting Kids Contest

Get ready for a morning of outdoor fun and friendly competition! The Spencer Exchange Club and Sweet Owen Bassmasters Club invite young anglers to cast their lines at the upcoming John Fuhs Memorial Casting Kids Contest. The exciting community event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds, specifically in the west end of the Commercial Building.

Designed for kids in age groups 7–10 and 11–14, the contest challenges participants to showcase their precision through casting, pitching, and flipping to a target. Best of all, there is no entry fee, and rods and reels will be provided, making it an easy and accessible way for youth to test their skills and make a splash.

Organizers have spots available for a total of 10 kids in each of the two age groups. Walk-ups will not be accepted. Email vandermoere@live.com to secure your child’s spot.

Cataract Bean Dinner Festival

Excitement is building across northwestern Owen County as plans are finalized for the 57th annual Cataract Bean Dinner Festival, scheduled for Oct. 2 through Oct. 4 in Cataract.

Beyond its status as a cherished autumn tradition, the three-day festival serves as the critical financial backbone for the Cataract Volunteer Fire Department. Supplying a remarkable 60 percent of the department's yearly operating budget, this major fundraiser generates the revenue necessary to keep station doors unlocked and emergency water-pumping trucks ready for action.

Visitors can enjoy the department's famous dining hall 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 menu features more than 850 pounds of slow-cooked ham and beans, accompanied by a bustling lineup of food trucks and vendors offering everything from BBQ and burgers to kettle corn, tacos, and sweet treats.

Shoppers will also find plenty to explore with over 125 vendor booths showcasing handmade crafts, artwork, antiques, apparel, and tools, while a dedicated shuttle service will help visitors navigate the weekend's festivities.

Join Girl Scout Troop #2682

Calling all girls in grades first through sixth: Girl Scout Troop #2682 is inviting new members to embark on a journey of friendship, leadership, and fun. Meetings are held every other Tuesday after school at Patricksburg Elementary School, located at 9883 S.R. 246, running throughout the school year from September to May.

Members will have the opportunity to make new friends, explore the outdoors, earn badges, learn new skills, do fun crafts, help the community, and participate in the classic Girl Scout Cookie season. Building girls of courage, confidence, and character, the troop offers a supportive environment where girls can be kind, be brave, and be themselves.

For more information on joining Girl Scouts, contact troop leader Rebecca Chinn at 812-585-0912.

OVMS secures grant for new wrestling mat

Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) recently shared a note of appreciation following a generous $5,000 donation from the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF). The funds contributed toward purchasing a brand-new wrestling mat, covering approximately one-third of the total cost.

The upgraded mat will benefit athletes of all ages, serving students at OVMS, Owen Valley High School, and local community wrestling clubs for practice and competition. School leaders expressed gratitude for the OCCF’s continued investment in local youth, noting that partnerships of this kind help expand opportunities for student-athletes throughout the community.

Patriot Band & Guard shine at Contest of Champions

Congratulations to the Owen Valley Patriot Band & Guard on a solid performance at the recent Decatur Central Contest of Champions.

Competing in ISSMA Class C, the ensemble brought home an impressive second place overall finish, as well as capturing first place in Visual.

PES goes ‘Gaga’ over new recess addition

Recess at Patricksburg Elementary School (PES) just got a major upgrade. Students are trading standard playground games for a high-energy craze, thanks to the arrival of a brand-new Gaga Pit.

Made possible by a generous donation from the Owen County Boys & Girls Club, the octagonal pit has quickly become the school's most popular spot. Blending the elements of dodgeball and handball, the fast-paced game challenges students to run, jump, duck, and slap a soft ball while keeping it below opponents' knees, all without picking it up.

Celebrate the Class of 2027 with personalized yard signs

Owen Valley High School (OVHS) is offering custom graduation yard signs to help families honor and celebrate seniors in the Class of 2027. Each full-color, two-sided, and waterproof sign is personalized with the graduate's name and photo and is proudly manufactured by OVHS Patriot Manufacturing students.

Signs cost $40 each, and all proceeds directly benefit student activities at the high school. Orders and payments are due by Friday, April 9, 2027. Checks should be made payable to OVHS, and cash payments are accepted in the OVHS Main Office. To place an order or learn more details, visit https://forms.gle/pqaAzeKkznqeebyM9.

Owen County Alliance Christmas Assistance Program

Making Christmas magical for kids in Owen County, the Owen County Alliance Christmas Assistance Program is ready to help local families. Sponsors will provide Christmas gifts for children ranging from newborns up to 18 years old.

Enrollment for the program opened Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 31.

Families who apply by Oct. 31 are guaranteed to have their child sponsored. Applications can be completed online by visiting https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/6t5YfjUJ2g.

Gift pick-up will take place at the Owen County Fairgrounds in Spencer during the week of Dec. 14. Parents and guardians will receive a call when their child's gifts are ready for collection. For more information or assistance, contact Amanda Knight at 812-821-7310 or Angie Temples at 812-829-7905.

Gosport’s annual Pumpkins in the Park

Mark your calendars for an afternoon of autumn festivities at the upcoming Pumpkins in the Park event, taking place Oct. 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. in Gosport Town Park.

For just $10 per child, kids can enjoy a wide array of activities, including a bounce house, face painting, pumpkin painting, story time, games, wagon rides, piñatas, and potato sack races.

In addition to the children's activities, the event features a silent auction and a chili cook-off, where the winner will take home a $100 cash prize. Entry forms for the cook-off are currently available at the bank in Gosport.

Concessions will also be available for purchase, with a $5 meal option that includes a drink and your choice of a bowl of chili, a chili dog, or two hot dogs.

Come out and support the community while enjoying a fantastic fall day!

Get carving for annual MCSP Falloween Event

McCormick's Creek State Park (MCSP) is calling on local businesses, organizations, and artists to showcase their creativity by donating a Jack-o-Lantern for this year's Falloween Event. Participants will compete for a chance to win a 2027 Annual Entrance Pass to Indiana State Parks.

Registration is due by Friday, Oct. 16, and interested participants can sign up by emailing Jfiler@dnr.IN.gov. When registering, remember to send a logo for your business or organization so it can be displayed next to your pumpkin. Pumpkins must be dropped off at the Nature Center between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Oct. 23, and participants are asked to label the bottom of their pumpkin in permanent marker.

The Jack-o-Lanterns will be on display during the Pumpkin Parade event on Oct. 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., where guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design. Additionally, all Jack-o-Lanterns will be shown on the DNR Facebook page. Enter if you dare!

Unearth your roots at Genealogy Day Lock-In

Whether you are a seasoned family historian or just beginning your journey, the Owen County Public Library (OCPL) invites community members to join the second annual Genealogy Day Lock-In on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

Presented in collaboration with more than 80 libraries across the country and originally organized by The Genealogy Center at the Waco-McLennon Public Library in Texas, this premier event connects fellow family history researchers and enthusiasts for a day of discovery.

Participants can choose to attend either on-site or virtually to enjoy six expert-led programs recorded exclusively for the event. Topics range from organizing your digital files and learning advanced search techniques to researching your Scottish or Revolutionary War ancestors. For more information, call the OCPL at 812-829-3392.

Annual Arts in the Park & Classic Car Show

Join the Sweet Owen Arts Commission for the second 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 offers a full day of entertainment and community activities, including all-day live performances headlined by The Indiana Boys, an art fair featuring local and regional vendors, live art demonstrations, a collaborative community quilt project, various food trucks, and kids' activities.

Car enthusiasts are invited to showcase their vehicles for a $5 registration fee. Awards will be presented across four categories at 3:30 p.m., with all registration proceeds directly benefiting the Sweet Owen Arts Commission to support its mission of promoting the arts throughout Owen and surrounding counties.

Whether you are hunting for unique local art or admiring vintage horsepower, there is something for everyone to enjoy. To learn more about the Sweet Owen Arts Commission, visit www.sweetowenarts.org.

Trail and staircase improvements at MCSP

Visitors to McCormick's Creek State Park (MCSP) will soon enjoy improved accessibility and enhanced trail conditions, thanks to generous funding from the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) and the Indiana Parks Alliance. Earlier this spring, the park was awarded two separate grants to help fund these vital infrastructure updates.

Work has been ongoing along Trail 3 to improve the surface and drainage, as well as making the trail fully ADA accessible from the Canyon Inn parking lot. In addition to the trail renovations, repairs have also been completed on the stairs leading from the main road parking area down to the falls.

MCSP extended its sincere thanks to both organizations for their continued support and investment in the park.

Nominations being sought for Owen County SWCD Supervisors

The Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is now accepting nominations for two positions on the Owen SWCD Board of Supervisors, through Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.

SWCD Supervisors are appointed and elected officials of the Indiana government, responsible for the management of Indiana’s soil and water resources and the environment in which we live. Serving on the SWCD Board is a great responsibility but also is an opportunity for a person to make a difference in their county. Any qualified person interested in serving a three-year term may be nominated.

Minimum qualifications require a nominee to be of voting age, an occupier of a tract of land in Owen County, and to maintain their residence in the County.

Nominations must be submitted on the nomination form and received by close of business on Oct. 16, 2026, at 4 p.m. Forms are available online at owenswcd.org, on Facebook, or at the River House Office, 788 Pottersville Road, Spencer.

Appointment and Election of Supervisors will take place at the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District 2026 Annual Dinner, Meeting, and Expo, Feb. 25, 2027.

For more information, please contact the Owen SWCD office at 812-829-2605 or 812-606-6505, or email owenSWCD@gmail.com.

G.L. Chandler, Jr., 83, of Ellettsville, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. Born April 30, 1943, in Madisonville, KY, G.L. dedicated his life to kindness, humor, and service.

A licensed funeral director for 63 years, G.L. began his work in Indianapolis at Conkle Funeral Home, where he served as a funeral director intern and also drove ambulances for the funeral home. He later moved to Monon, IN, where he worked as a director at Kellogg Funeral Home and served as Coroner for White County for two terms. His career also included time with Whitaker Funeral Home in Greencastle and Gosport, where he continued to build the reputation for care and integrity that would define his life’s work. In 1976, he built his own funeral home in Ellettsville, where he served the community for more than 50 years. He purchased Whitaker Funeral Home in Gosport in 1986 from the Whitaker family and continued the tradition of compassionate service there as well.  He returned to Greencastle and opened Chandler-Hays Funeral home there also owning that funeral home for several years.

Deeply devoted to his community, G.L. was a member of local Masonic lodges, the Lions Club, Scottish Rite, Shriners, and Elks Lodge. He served as president of the Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce and Babe Ruth Baseball League and spent 11 years on the Ellettsville Town Council. He enjoyed NASCAR, MLB games, and the beach, but most of all cherished his family.

He is survived by his son, Jeff Chandler (Terri Richardson); grandchildren, Laura (Michael) Roberts, Grant Pickett, Chloe Chandler, and Ellis Chandler; great-grandchildren, Laina and Colson; sister, Pam (John) Marks; and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, G.L. Sr. and Beatrice Chandler; and sister, Phyllis Patterson.

Funeral services were held Sept. 24, 2026, at Chandler Funeral Home in Ellettsville, with a Masonic Service. Interment followed at Chambersville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the G.L. Chandler Scholarship Fund for Dollars for Scholars at any Peoples State Bank location.