OLD The Owen News -- April 3, 2026 (Vol. 3, Issue 4)

Council OKs land purchase

County drops land swap, moves to buy new jail site despite cost

By Nicole DeCriscio Executive Editor

County officials voted to pursue a new site for the proposed jail last month, abandoning a previously discussed and criticized land swap in favor of purchasing

approximately 17 acres near Walmart. President of the Board of Commissioners Sam Hobbs presented the request during the March 9 County Council meeting. He began the proposal by reiterating that the county has discussed

trying to build a new jail for more than a decade and the deplorable conditions of the current jail.

The county was considering a potential land swap of 96 acres owned by the county on Franklin Road and

State Road 43S for 10 acres at the quarry behind Walmart and the Owen County Family YMCA owned by Brett Franklin. Because of the cost difference, the swap needed to be completed by the county’s Redevelopment

SAVING THE SENTINELS

Storm damages monument in Riverside

Lions rally to help restore Civil War cannon

By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent

The Spencer Lions Club is calling on the community to help restore a symbol of local and national history. On Saturday, April 18, the club will host a fundraiser

meal at the Lions Club Building to raise funds for the restoration of a historic Civil War-era cannon at Riverside Cemetery.

The fundraiser, running from 4 to 7 p.m., features a menu of hot dog and fish meals. Every dollar raised is dedicated to the “Riverside

Cemetery Cannon Restoration” project. The urgency of the event follows a recent storm that sent a large tree crashing onto one of the memorials, damaging the historic stone support and dislodging the heavy iron barrel.

of Mother Nature. TRAVIS CURRY |THE OWEN NEWS

Election challenges drive up legal costs

County Council approves $20k additional appropriation for clerk’s office

By Nicole DeCriscio Executive Editor

A series of election challenges from the end of February is costing the county thousands of dollars in legal fees, with more expenses expected as additional hearings move forward. Owen County Clerk Diane Stutsman made

concerns

Commission. Two environmental studies have already been completed on the quarry property.

Hobbs said he reached out to Tilden Keith to inquire about

| PAGE 12

The Owen News is publishing with this issue, a special election section, which includes candidate responses and paid political advertisements, as part of our commitment to informing the community ahead of the upcoming election.

The views expressed in candidate responses and political advertisements in either the special section or the normal paper are those of the individuals or organizations who submitted them and do not reflect the views of The Owen News Publication of this content should not be interpreted as an endorsement of, or support for, any candidate, campaign or political party.

COLUMN

Another year in ink

By Travis Curry President, ON Board of Directors

In early 2024, the Board of Directors for The Owen News set an ambitious, perhaps even “cosmic” goal: to launch our first print edition just in time for the total solar eclipse.

We saw the irony and

the request before the Owen County Council during their March 9 meeting.

“I’m here to request money to pay for an attorney for our county election board. We have a bill in front of us for $5,625 that was spent the week that we had our hearings and our findings,” she said.

Those hearings were reported on in the March issue of The Owen News. They spanned two days, with nine candidate challenges. Seven of the nine challenges came from Pam Rogers, while the other two came from County Republican Chair Kristi Risk. Councilman Joe Frye

asked what caused the unexpected legal bills.

Stutsman said that it was the review of the Indiana Code for the challenges in February.

“So we had to get an attorney to represent [us], to help us go through the process,” CHALLENGES | PAGE 14

NEWS IN BRIEF ON finalist for four SPJ Indiana awards

The Owen News is a finalist for four awards in the Indiana Pro Chapter of The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) 2025 Best of the Best in Indiana contest.

BRIEF | PAGE 7

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Annual Purdue Extension Dinner is May 14

By Cassie Linville 4-H Youth Development Educator

Purdue Extension–Owen County invites community members to an evening of fun, fellowship and meaningful connection at its annual dinner, “Game On with Purdue Extension,” taking place Thursday, May 14.

The event will begin at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., and will be held in the Spencer First Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall.

This year’s theme brings a playful twist

to a meaningful evening, combining classic games, engaging activities and community conversation around the importance of gathering together.

“Game On with Purdue Extension” is designed to celebrate the role shared meals and community connections play in overall well-being, while also highlighting the work of Purdue Extension and its partners in Owen County.

One of the highlights of the evening will be the 4-H Cook-Off, provided by

the Owen County 4-H Council. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of recipes and cast votes for their favorites through monetary donations. The recipe receiving the most donations will be crowned the winner, making this a fun and interactive way to support local 4-H programming while enjoying delicious food.

The evening will also feature a keynote presentation by Joyce Miles, titled “Gathering Matters: The Research Behind Shared Meals and Community

Government Meeting Calendar

April 6

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

April 8

Spencer Redevelopment Commission, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

April 9

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.

April 13

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.

April 14

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

April 15

Spencer Economic Development Commission, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

April 16

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

Correction

In last month’s Owen News Carolyn Livingston’s name was misspelled in our list of Columnist Champion and above members.

April 20

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.

April 21

Owen County Advisory Plan Commission, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

Well-Being.” Miles will explore how shared experiences— especially around the table—strengthen relationships, build trust and improve quality of life in communities. The presentation connects research with practical examples that resonate with families, organizations and local leaders alike.

Adding to the excitement, the event will include a Game Show Challenge, where members of the Owen County Board of Commissioners

DINNER | PAGE 9

April 27

Spencer Parks and Recreation Board, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

April 28

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

May 4

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

Community Events Calendar

April 3

Watercolor Class, 2 to 3 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Owen County 4-H Fishing Team, 6 p.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds in Spencer. Divisions will include ages 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and handicap.

Rescue Recovery of Owen County meeting, 6:30 p.m. at 156 E. Market St., Spencer. Come connect with others walking the same journey; find support, strength and hope to break the chains of addiction. Free childcare and coffee available.

April 4

Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. on the Owen County Courthouse lawn in downtown Spencer. Open to children aged two to 12. Bring your own basket. Sponsored by the Spencer VFW Post #1405.

Sixth Annual Cloverdale Community Youth League (CCYL) Easter Egg Hunt; ages 0-5, 11 a.m. at the football field in Cloverdale; ages 6-10, 11:15 a.m. at the Little League field; and ages 11+, 11:30 a.m. at the Nature Trail in Cloverdale. For more information, call Kristen at 765-720-7432.

Easter Egg Hunt, noon in Gosport Town Park. Age groups: 0-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10 and older. Hosted by the Gosport VFW Post #7850 Auxiliary.

Easter Egg Hunt at Crossroads Ranch, 2 to 3:30 p.m., 6740 McFarren Rd., Gosport. Photos, cookies and crafts. Egg hunt begins at 3 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend. Free admission. Donations are encouraged.

April 5

Easter breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt at the Spencer First Church of the Nazarene, 126 E. Market St., Spencer. Breakfast begins at 9 a.m. and the egg hunt at 10 a.m. Worship service will follow at 10:30 a.m. Spencer Pride general meeting, 4 p.m. at the commUnity center, 17 E. Franklin St., Spencer.

April 6

Mini Art Open Studio, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Light snacks provided.

April 7

Writing Workshop with Julia Karr, 6 p.m. in the Community Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Open to teens and adults.

Owen County Farm Bureau board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Farm Bureau Insurance office, 743 E. Franklin St., Spencer.

April 8

Harrison Homemakers meeting, noon at the Purdue Extension-Owen County office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer. Free showings of the movie “The King of Kings,” 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Sponsored by the Grace Place Worship Center.

Incoming Seventh and Eighth Grade Family Night at Cloverdale Middle School, 5 to 7 p.m. in the CMS cafeteria.

April 9

College, Career and Military Fair, 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Owen Valley High School, 622 S.R. 46W, Spencer. Presented by OVHS Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). Register online at https://FORMS. GLE/DXIODHYMJCGAS8GR9.

After School Lego Club, 3 to 5 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Gosport Farmers’ Market vendor meeting, 4:30 p.m., Lighthouse Fellowship Church parking lot, 5392 S.R. 67, Gosport. Make plans to attend to learn more about the upcoming market season.

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

April 10

After School Craft Club, 3 to 5 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Tale Trail Book Club, 5:15 p.m. at the MyPath Tale Trail adjacent to the Owen County Soil & Water Conservation District office, 788 Pottersville Rd., Spencer.

An Evening of Scenes/Theatre Arts Class Performance, 6 p.m. in the Owen Valley High School Auditorium, 622 S.R. 46W, Spencer.

April 11

White River Poultry Club Spring Poultry Show, 9 a.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds, 364 S. East St., Spencer. Free admission.

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

Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park Native Plant Sale, 9:30 a.m. to noon at the MCSP Nature Center. Plants will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Receive a free American plum tree sapling with a donation to the Friends group.

Weed Wrangle at MYPath, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 788 Pottersville Rd., Spencer. Help remove invasive plants. Bring loppers, gloves, and your own drinking water. For more information, email owenswcd@gmail.com or call 812-229-3539.

Owen County Farmers’ Market vendor meeting, 3 p.m. at the Purdue Extension-Owen County office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer. Make plans to attend to learn more about how you can participate in the farmers’ market.

April 12

Wildflowers at the Waterfalls hike, 10 a.m. at Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, 2605 N. Cataract Rd., Spencer. Join David Mow, Invasive Specialist and Master Gardener Instructor, for a moderate, 1.5 mile hike and observe the different habitats along the creek as staff help to identify flowers along the way.

Join Forest Ecologist Megan Creceliu at 4 p.m. at the OwenPutnam State Forest office, 2153 Fish Creek Rd., Spencer, for a wildflower hike on Popular Top. This hike is a 1.2-mile, moderate hike with scenic views

of a wildlife pond and waterfall. Limited parking is available.

April 13

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

April 14

Braysville Homemakers meeting, 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Elevator access is available. For more information, call 812-829-5020.

Cupcakes & Canvas, 6 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Call 812-829-3392 to reserve your spot.

April 15

Euchre Youth Night, 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Open to youths and teens.

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

April 16

Cloverdale High School Student Council Blood Drive, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the CHS gymnasium lobby, 205 W. Market St., Cloverdale. To register, visit donateblood.versiti. org/.../drive_schedule/11620140.

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

Trivia Night with host Rance Fawbush, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Owen Valley Winery & Bistro, 491 Timber Ridge Rd., Spencer. Polymer Clay, 6 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. McCormick’s Creek Elementary School STEAM Night, art show, and book fair, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at MCES, 1601 Flatwoods Rd., Spencer. Don’t miss this chance to explore, create, and be inspired in a fun, engaging environment.

April 17

Pat Otto, Spring Music Series, 4 to 5 p.m. at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

April 18

Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park 5k Run/Walk, 8:30 a.m. at MCSP. Register online at runsignup. com/Race/IN/Spencer/ FriendsMcCormicksCreek5k. All proceeds benefit MCSP. This race is part of the Mag 7 Race Series. Community Baby Shower, noon to 2 p.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds, 364 S. East St., Spencer. Educational materials, community resources, safe sleep education/training, free resources, and more. This free event is being hosted by the Owen County Health Department. Healthy Kids Day, 2 to 5 p.m. at the Owen County Family YMCA, 1111 S.R. 46W, Spencer. Vendors, games, swimming, food trucks, three-point contests, and more. Free and open to the public.

Chili supper, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

at the Freedom Community Center, 5552 Freedom-Arney Rd., Freedom. Free-will donations appreciated. Proceeds will benefit the Freedom Community Center’s parking lot expansion project.

Karaoke Night, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Cloverdale American Legion Post 281, 501 S. Main St., Cloverdale.

April 21

Teen Chef, 4 p.m. at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. This interactive program is designed just for teens and focuses on building practical cooking skills, learning kitchen safety and preparing a flavorful recipe they can recreate at home. It’s a great opportunity to gain confidence and independence in the kitchen. Space is limited. Open to ages 12-18. Call 812-8293392 to register.

Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds, 364 S. East St., Spencer. A supportive, welcoming space to learn about the emotional side of pregnancy and life after baby. This event is open to parents, partners, healthcare professionals and community members. A light meal and beverages will be provided. Register by April 17 at forms.gle/tK7hp6BQxP6JTH3B8. Owen County Democratic Party monthly meeting, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Democratic Party Headquarters, 152 E. Jefferson St., Spencer. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m.

April 22

Junior Chef, 3:30 p.m. at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Young cooks will learn basic kitchen skills, food safety and create a simple, tasty recipe in this hands-on program designed to build confidence in the kitchen. Open to ages 8-12. Space is limited. Call 812-8293392 to register.

April 23

Porch Swings & Patio Blooms Senior Dinner Pitch-In, 4 p.m. at the Spencer United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (old IGA building), 95 W. Franklin St., Spencer. Open to all senior citizens. A main dish will be provided. To register, call 812-829-5020, email lowder0@ purdue.edu, or call the Area 10 Agency on Aging at 812-3254814.

April 24

Spaghetti supper, cabaret and silent auction, 6 to 9 p.m. at Owen Valley High School, 622 S.R. 46W, Spencer.

April 25

Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department Sausage and Pancake Breakfast, 6 a.m. to noon at the Cloverdale American Legion Post #281, 501 S. Main St., Cloverdale. Proceeds benefit the VFD. Sixth Annual Tailgate Sale on the Square, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on East Market Street, Spencer. Shop among the dozens of sellers at this “junk in the trunk” event. Food by Steve Withem and “Baby.” Live music. The rain date is May 2. Sponsored by Spencer Main Street, Inc.

Jail Bookings

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

3-4

Larry Anderson, Jr., 52, Spencer, preliminary charge of domestic battery. Arrested by Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Deputy Brennan Clark.

3-5

Richard Olessker, 64, Spencer, preliminary charges of domestic battery and disorderly conduct. OCSD Deputy Luke Wright was the arresting officer.

Robert Greene, Jr., 44, Spencer, preliminary charges of domestic battery and disorderly conduct. Arrested by OCSD Sergeant Torrey Wallace.

3-6

Kendall Michael, 41, Bloomington, preliminary charge of invasion of privacy.

OCSD Deputy Tony Stevens was the arresting officer.

3-8

Cherise Booher, 38, Freedom, preliminary charge of theft; receiving stolen property. Arrested by

OCSD Deputy Elijah Volrich.

3-9

Philip Dennison, 60, Spencer, preliminary charges of possession of paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a firearm by a domestic batterer, pointing a firearm, intimidation, failure to appear, possession of paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, possession of methamphetamine, theft, and use of private land without consent. Spencer Police Department (SPD) officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer.

3-10

Adam Bean, 40, Spencer, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe, and failure to appear. Arrested by SPD officer Bryce Brock. Brent Shelton, 41, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of dealing in methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, neglect of a dependent; child selling, possession of a firearm by a serious felon, possession of methamphetamine, and dealing in marijuana, has oil, hashish, or salvia. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer. Daniel Featherston, 50, Gosport, preliminary charges of theft (two counts) and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle

Food Inspections

Routine food inspections were conducted by the Owen County Health Department during the month of March 2026. Reported below are the no violation, critical and non-critical comments left for

(two counts). Arrested by OCSD Deputy Elijah Volrich.

3-11

Bryan Riley, 32, Spencer, preliminary charge of operating while intoxicated. SPD officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer.

3-12

Alysia Cottingham, 29, Dugger, IN, preliminary charges of violation of specialized driving privileges, and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by SPD officer Bryce Brock.

3-13

Joseph Fair, 45, Gosport, preliminary charge of theft. OCSD Deputy John Lowder II was the arresting officer.

3-17

Travis Hodge, 42, Spencer, preliminary charges of domestic battery and interference with the reporting of a crime. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Luke Wright. Steven Levay, 46, Martinsville, preliminary charges of probation violation and driving while suspended with a prior charge. SPD officer Zach Brock was the arresting officer.

Grant Daughtery, 31, Freedom, preliminary charges of burglary and probation violation. Arrested by SPD officer Bryce Brock.

Caleb Brewer, 31, Gosport, preliminary

these establishments:

3-12

Burger King, 873 W. Morgan St., Spencer. Routine inspection. Shelving in the walk-in cooler found to be soiled; walk-in cooler walls,

charge of theft; receiving stolen property. OCSD Major William Snodgrass was the arresting officer.

3-18

Guan Maxie, 52, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated, domestic battery on a person less than 14 years old, and possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Luke Wright. Jessica Rogers, 37, Spencer, preliminary charges of identity deception and probation violation.

OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

3-19

Marvin Machado, 39, Beech Grove, preliminary charge of driving without a license. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Luke Wright.

3-23

Allen Buis, 49, Spencer, preliminary charges of dealing in methamphetamine and probation violation. OCSD Deputy Brennan Clark was the arresting officer.

3-24

Dale Hall, Jr., 41, Solsberry, preliminary charge of sex offender registration violation. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.

walk-in freezer floor mat, and the floor beneath the fryers soiled; insufficient lighting observed in the walk-in cooler; char-broil filters and fire suppression nozzles soiled; and cushioned bench seats in

3-26

Michael Bevington, 44, Bloomfield, preliminary charges of disorderly conduct and domestic battery. OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller was the arresting officer.

Brent Sowers, 62, Bowling Green, preliminary charge of failure to appear on an original charge of possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia. Arrested by OCSD Major William Snodgrass. Berduo Weider Ibbed, 29, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of false government issued identification and driving without a license. SPD officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer.

3-28

Toby Chandler, 30, Spencer, preliminary charges of strangulation and domestic battery. Arrested by SPD officer Ashton Banks.

3-30

Michael Bevington, 44, Bloomfield, preliminary charges of disorderly conduct and domestic battery. OCSD Deputy John Lowder II was the arresting officer.

3-31

James Cazee, 56, Bloomington, preliminary charge of failure to appear on an original charge of theft. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Cory Poland.

dining room cracked and with exposed foam (not smooth and easily cleanable). Corrections must be made no later than 90 days after the inspection.

Spencer Council approves project bid, commercial records ordinance

By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent

The Spencer Town Council moved forward with a significant infrastructure investment during its regular meeting on March 16, awarding a multi-million dollar bid for the first phase of a local wastewater project.

Drew Flamion of Commonwealth Engineers presented the council with four bids received Feb. 17 for Phase 1 of the wastewater project. The council voted to accept the lowest bid of $7,777,777 from Graves Construction, pending final funding.

Additionally, the council approved an amendment to the project scope that removed certain wetland requirements while adding the necessity of securing easements on BBP Water Corporation property. This adjustment is expected to result in a net savings of $2,000.

In legislative action, the council unanimously passed Ordinance 2026-04, which prohibits the use of public records for commercial purposes. While

the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) grants citizens the right to inspect government information, state law also allows municipalities to restrict the use of these records if they are being leveraged for profit.

The council determined that fulfilling commercial requests—such as those intended to sell merchandise or solicit services— exhausts significant taxpayer money and administrative resources without serving an essential function of representative government. Under the new regulations, the Town of Spencer now has the authority to refuse a records request if officials reasonably believe the information will be used for commercial gain. However, the ordinance carves out specific protections for the public interest; these restrictions do not apply to the preparation or publication of news, nonprofit activities or academic research. This measure ensures that while commercial entities cannot profit

from public data, transparency remains intact for journalists, researchers and charitable organizations.

Passed unanimously on March 16, the ordinance supersedes any previous conflicting local laws. It remains in full effect following its adoption and official publication by the town clerk-treasurer. Any legal rights or penalties incurred prior to this adoption will still be handled under previous ordinances, ensuring a clear transition as the town implements these new privacy and resource protections.

The council also addressed property management, approving a corporate warranty deed to transfer the former Riddle Tractor Sales property parcels located along West Morgan Street. These properties will be transferred from the Town to the Spencer Redevelopment Corporation.

Julie Coffin appeared before the council to coordinate upcoming Spencer Main Street activities.

The Sixth Annual Tailgate Sale on the Square is scheduled

for April 25 (with a rain date of May 2) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. East Market Street will be closed between Main and Washington streets to accommodate the event.

Coffin also raised concerns regarding approval for the garden “triangle” at East Morgan Street and North Fletcher Avenue.

Although Coffin said she had provided all the required documents to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), she was told by the state agency that similar requests usually come from municipalities. Council President Jon Stantz noted he would contact INDOT to help move the request forward.

Spencer Police Department Chief Terry Sips received council approval for an appointment letter to serve on the Owen County Community Correction Advisory Board and the Juvenile Recidivism Advisory Committee.

Acting on a recommendation from Sewer Department Superintendent Ryan Klaassen, the council approved an $8,319 quote from Indiana

Pump Works to replace a pump at the State Road 43S lift station.

Street Department Superintendent Tony Floyd reported the loss of two town trees due to recent windstorms and noted a hazardous, halffallen tree on South East Street. He also informed the board that the street sweeper was involved in an accident.

Regarding the Owen Valley Fire Territory, a salary ordinance pertaining to the Fire Territory was officially accepted.

Looking ahead, councilman Stantz reported that Mainstream Fiber Networks is expected to begin installing fiber in the area around Aug. 1, with a completion goal of Dec. 31. The council also began preliminary discussions regarding the future of town parking meters, seeking feedback on whether to maintain or remove them.

The Spencer Town Council will meet again on Monday, April 6 and Monday, April 20. Both meetings will begin at 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.

Spencer Council moves forward on sewer improvements, property transfers

By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent

The Spencer Town Council met March 2 to address a heavy agenda focused primarily on municipal infrastructure and wastewater improvement projects.

The meeting, held at 90 N. West St., saw all board members present, including council president Jon Stantz, vice president Evan McKalip and member Ginger Kohr.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the town’s ongoing wastewater system improvement initiatives. The council took several formal actions to advance these projects:

Labor standards: The board approved a labor

standards contract presented by Southern Indiana Development Commission (SIDC) Executive Director Greg Jones related to the wastewater system improvements project. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote.

Engineering invoices: Two invoices from CEI regarding the wastewater improvements project, totaling $158,053.69, were approved for payment. The motion passed 3-0.

Legal and advisory services: The council approved a $16,000 invoice from Hickam & Lorenz for services related to the wastewater project and an engagement letter from Barnes & Thornburg for bond counsel services, which included a $47,500 invoice.

Municipal financial advisory: Engagement letters from LWG CPAs and Advisors for municipal advisory services and a rates study were also approved.

The council also addressed local land use and inter-agency transfers, including the following:

Trillium Woods: The council signed mylars for a property division for Trillium Woods, which had previously received approval from the Planning and Zoning Board.

Real estate transfer: The council passed Resolution 2026-03, authorizing the transfer of interests in real estate from the Town of Spencer to the Spencer Redevelopment Commission. This transfer, previously approved by the Redevelopment Commission

on Feb. 25, passed the council with a 3-0 vote. Resolution 2026-02: The council voted twice to consider and pass an amended and restated ordinance in a single meeting. Both procedural votes passed 3-0.

In departmental reports, Street Department Superintendent Tony Floyd received council approval for a $1,805.82 painting quote from Sealmaster.

Chief Terry Sips provided a report on the Spencer Police Department, and Evan McKalip provided an update for the Spencer Parks & Recreation Committee.

The sewer department, fire territory, planning and zoning and redevelopment commission had no items to report.

CCSC moves toward leadership transition

By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent

The Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees balanced a full agenda during its March 9 meeting, tackling everything from property annexation and policy updates to the upcoming search for a new district leader.

With all seven board members in attendance, the session served as a pivotal bridge between routine administration and future planning.

Under routine matters, the board voted to approve meeting minutes for executive and regular sessions held on Feb. 9, as well as a work session that took place Feb. 21.

Superintendent Greg Linton presented the latest claims and financial reports, which totaled $3,428,406.62. This figure includes two payroll cycles since the board’s previous meeting on Feb. 9.

Also under routine matters, the board voted unanimously to approve Board Policies Volume 38, No. 1.

In a unanimous 7-0 vote, the board approved the voluntary annexation of school-owned property by the Town of Cloverdale. The request involves a portion of the bus barn parking lot and the north parking lot adjacent to Cloverdale Elementary School (CES).

Superintendent Linton noted that the move is largely administrative.

“Since the school corporation does not pay property taxes, there is no financial issue to consider,” Linton said, adding that these parcels were the only remaining school lands not officially within town limits.

An early retirement benefit for a non-collective bargaining employee was also approved.

“One of our employees who is not a part of the collective bargaining agreement is nearing retirement,” Linton explained. “This benefit is similar to others we’ve had for employees in similar [situations].”

The council also voted to approve Cloverdale Middle School (CMS) Homebound Instructors; special education (SPED) teacher stipends; an additional special education

teacher at CMS; a CES, CMS Summer Stipend Day for ILEARN teachers; and donations to CMS and Cloverdale High School (CHS).

Additionally, approval was given to declare the old CHS softball fencing as surplus.

The most significant news of the evening was centered on the district’s top office.

Board President Vivian Whitaker announced a formal update to Board Policy 12-2020 to align with Indiana Code 20-26-5-4.3, a move necessary for the hiring of a new superintendent.

Linton, the current superintendent, recently announced he will step down from the role [retire] to lead the Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy (CDLA).

“We will be hiring a new superintendent in May to begin work on July 1st,” explained board president Vivian Whitaker. “Our current policy is out of date. The current code allows us to, at least 10 days before we hire a new superintendent, host a meeting where we can allow comments from the public concerning the terms of the contract. It does not allow [the public] to vote on whether you like the terms.”

The board expects to officially name Linton’s successor during the May 11 meeting.

The board also took time to celebrate excellence within the district:

Students of the Month: Charlotte Page (CES), Gage Green (CMS), and Ella Dicken (CHS).

Staff Member of the Month: Karen Bessell, instructional assistant at CES.

Citizens of the Month: Kori Mescall and Kaiden Eggers, recognized by School Resource Officer (SRO) Roger Tonna.

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

Professional Leave Requests

Feb. 10 – Carolyn Hall, ACRS, CMS.

Feb. 17 – Jamie Nees, Educating Exceptional Children, Bloomington.

Feb. 20 & 27 – Megan Schroeder, professional leave plan, CMS.

Feb. 26 – Nicole Campbell,

Beyond Survival Workshop, Area 30 Career Center.

March 3 – Heather Clingan, Plant, Plug and Greenhouse Supplies Auction, Rockville.

March 6 – Megan Schroeder, professional leave plan, CMS.

March 10 – Kelley Tyler and Sarah Fuhrman, Snails to Trails planning day, CMS.

March 13 & 20 – Megan Schroeder, professional leave plan, CMS.

April 1 – Karl Turk, JAG field trip, Indiana University Indianapolis.

April 3, 10 & 17 – Megan Schroeder, professional leave plan, CMS.

April 14 – Megan Puckett, IN Summit on Out of School Learning for Knoy, Plainfield.

April 20 & 24 – Megan Schroeder, ILEARN testing, CMS.

April 21 – Nicole Campbell, Chronic Disruptive Behavior K-12 Training, Central Indiana Educational Service Center, Indianapolis.

April 21 & 23 – Tori Maldonado, ILEARN testing, CMS.

April 24 – Carolyn Hall, Praxis, Terre Haute.

April 24 & 28-30 – ILEARN testing, CMS.

April 27-30 – ILEARN testing, CMS.

April 28-30 – Jamie Steffy, ILEARN testing, CMS.

June 15-18 – Indiana FFA State Convention, Fishers.

Field Trips

April 1 – Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) students, Indiana University Indianapolis.

April 10 – CHS juniors and seniors, Area 30 Career Center, Greencastle.

April 23 – CMS seventh grade class, Indianapolis Indians game, Indianapolis.

May 7 – CMS sixth grade class, Bogeys Family Fun Center, Terre Haute.

May 15 – CMS fifth grade class, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

May 15 – CMS eighth grade class, Chicago, Illinois.

May 26-28 – FFA chapter officers, Indiana FFA Leadership Center, Trafalgar.

June 3 – FFA students, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, IN.

June 15-18 – FFA students, FFA State Convention, Fishers, IN.

Facility Use

Feb. 24 – Parent/player team meeting, Cloverdale Community Youth League (CCYL), CMS library.

March 14 –Youth Camp, Cloverdale baseball, CHS auxiliary gymnasium.

April 1 – Family Night for incoming freshmen, CMS cafeteria.

April 8 – Family Night for incoming seventh and eighth graders, CMS cafeteria.

April 9-10 – Pictures, CCYL, CES.

April 29 – National Honor Society Induction Ceremony, CHS cafetorium.

May 15 – FFA Banquet, CHS cafetorium.

Additional personnel matters receiving board approval included:

Resignations

Tamera Moy – CMS cafeteria.

Lori Halloran – CMS eighth grade team lead and Student Council sponsor.

Christianey Williams – CMS instructional assistant.

Employment

Nancy Collins – CES temporary support.

Beth Williams – CMS temporary support.

Sarah Fuhrman – Snails to Trails co-sponsor.

Kelley Tyler – Snails to Trails co-sponsor.

FMLA

Gwen Stattner – CHS secretary.

Maria Skiles – CHS teacher.

Termination

Savannah Smith – CMS instructional assistant.

Coaching Hires

Aubree Branigan – CMS boys’ track coach.

Ken Schnepp – CHS assistant cross-country coach.

The Cloverdale School Board—consisting of Vivian Whitaker, Katrina Lewis, Donna Fidler, Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, Joe Mann and Mike Rightmyer II—is scheduled to meet again on Monday, April 13, at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale.

BRIEF | FROM PAGE 1

The annual contest celebrates journalism from newsrooms across the state.

The Owen News is a finalist in the following categories: Coverage of Children’s Issues, Coverage of Government or Politics, Criminal Justice Reporting and Features Writing.

“We’re proud of the work that we do and are honored to play a crucial role in keeping our community informed and sharing our community’s story. That is what defines success for us,” Executive Editor Nicole DeCriscio said.

“We’re focused on providing the highest quality journalism that we can, and winning awards, especially in a wide variety of reporting categories helps display our overall commitment to excellence and is an affi rmation of the quality of the work we produce

to serve our community.”

The awards contest is judged by journalists from another SPJ chapter, located outside of the state of Indiana.

“We’re thankful that we get to serve the community in this way, and we couldn’t do this work without the support of our community though volunteers, donors, advertisers and readers,” DeCriscio added.

The placement of the award finalists will be announced at the SPJ Indiana Pro Chapter’s annual banquet on April 17. The Owen News’ Facebook page will post information immediately following the banquet, and The Owen News website, theowennews.org, will have a story announcing the results in the next issue.

The Owen News, which began printing a monthly newspaper in April 2024, is Indiana’s first nonprofit newspaper.

ON named in statewide news ecosystem report

A new statewide report from Indiana University’s Media School examining the health of local journalism in Indiana has been released, and The Owen News is among the outlets specifically recognized.

The Indiana News Ecosystem Report analyzes more than 200 news organizations across the state and highlights key trends, including persistent gaps in local news coverage, particularly in rural communities, and the growing role of nonprofit and independent outlets in filling those gaps.

The report highlights both the challenges and opportunities for local journalism in Indiana. While one of the takeaways is the inequality of local news coverage between urban and rural communities, The Owen News is listed as a specific

Saturday, April 25 • 9 AM to 2 PM [RAIN DATE: MAY 2 ] MARKET

exception to this statewide trend.

The full report is available to read online through Indiana University’s Media School website.

Fish Creek Watershed 319 Grant

The Owen County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proud to announce the official commencement of the Fish Creek Watershed 319 Implementation Grant. This initiative marks a significant step forward in local efforts to protect and restore water quality throughout the region through the implementation of conservation practices that specifically address nonpoint source sediment, nutrient, and E. coli issues.

To kick off the program, the SWCD will host the first Advisory Committee meeting on April 27 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Owen County Public Library, located at 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

A primary goal of the upcoming meeting is to establish CostShare Program Guidelines. These guidelines will determine how financial incentives are distributed to local landowners who implement conservation practices on their property.

For more information about this initiative, visit watershedalliance.org or owencountyswcd. org. You may also visit the Owen County SWCD office at 788 Pottersville Rd., Spencer.

Gosport History Museum

‘til

opens in May

The Gosport History Museum will open the first weekend in May. At present, spring housecleaning is in progress, moving items, working on stored collections and general sprucing up for the new season.

New displays being considered feature the Gosport Community Building, which will have its 60th anniversary, and the Gosport

Volunteer Fire Department, which has a long and interesting story.

As always, volunteers are needed, and anyone interested in being a docent, or serving in other functions may call Debbie Wampler at 812-821-3007.

Family researchers and other history buffs are invited to browse the museum’s vast collection of documents and records of all things Gosport, Harrison and Wayne townships. After opening the museum will welcome visitors on Fridays and Saturdays or by special appointment. The museum is located at 19 N. Fourth St., Gosport.

DAR honors S-OCS students

SpencerOwen Community Schools recently recognized two students who were honored by the Bloomington chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

McCormick’s Creek Elementary School student Rob Anderson received the National Defense Committee Youth Leadership Award, while Owen Valley High School senior Sadie Neff was recognized with the DAR Good Citizen Award.

Rob is the son of Robert and Becca Anderson of Gosport, while Sadie is the daughter of Anton and Shannon Neff of Spencer.

Sparks to compete in All-Star Futures Game

Aubrey Sparks, a sophomore at Owen Valley High School, was recently named to the South roster for the 2026 IndyStar Indiana Girls’ All-Star “Futures Game.” The game, set for June 1, will feature 24 (12 on each team) of the top freshmen and sophomores from across the state.

Players and coaches for the All-Star Futures Games are selected by a Futures Games committee co-chaired by

games director Mike Broughton and Bill Zych, a retired coach who amassed a 478-375 record over 37 seasons while a head coach at Winamac, Rensselaer Central, Jay County, Center Grove, Shelbyville, Perry Meridian, Pike and Southport.

The Futures Games, one each for boys and girls, are a fourth-year part of the Indiana All-Star basketball program. The Futures Games will pair teams of current Indiana freshmen and sophomores in a North-South format. The fourth annual Futures Games doubleheader will be held at a site to be determined. The girls’ game is set for 6 p.m., and the boys’ game will follow around 8 p.m.

National Technical Honors Society inductees

The following Cloverdale High School students were recently inducted into the National Technical Honors Society at the Area 30 Career Center: Keith Atkerson, Madison Shumaker, Kaylee Butler, Jace Gardner, Colby Sinclair, Skye Golson, Trevin Pease, Rylee Green, Jason Withrow and Mackenzie Finchum.

Honored returning students included: Kaidence Salsbury and Mackenzie Farmer.

2026 ISSMA State Solo & Ensemble Contest

Cloverdale students Blake Atkerson, Felicity Knight, Ethan Luthe, Baye Montgomery and Kendra Titus recently performed at the 2026 ISSMA State Solo & Ensemble Contest at North Central High School.

Titus and Luthe both received gold ratings for their solos.

Atkerson earned a silver rating for his solo, while the saxophone trio of Titus, Knight and Montgomery also received a silver rating.

DINNER | FROM PAGE 2

and Owen County Council will face off in a lighthearted competition. This activity promises laughter, friendly rivalry and a unique opportunity for community members to see local leaders in a fun and engaging setting.

Guests can also enjoy classic board games, browse vendor booths and participate in activities designed for all ages. The evening is intentionally structured to encourage conversation, laughter and connection, making it a welcoming event for individuals, families and community groups.

Those who register before April 23 will be entered into

a raffle, adding even more incentive to sign up early. Registration is required and can be completed by calling 812-829-5020 or by emailing owences@purdue.edu.

Community members needing special accommodations are encouraged to contact the Purdue Extension office prior to the event.

“Game On with Purdue Extension” promises an evening filled with fun, learning and community spirit—all in one place. With games, food, education and entertainment, this annual dinner continues to be a highlight for Owen County residents looking to connect, support local programs and make lasting memories.

Submitted Content

Owen Valley Varsity Guard 86.180, First Place

Carmel JV Guard 85.780, Second Place

The Owen Valley High School Winter Color Guard competed March 14 at Decatur Central as part of the State Finals for the Indiana High School Color Guard Association (IHSCGA). The team secured the prestigious recognition of state champion with the highest performance score of the 14 state-wide finalist teams in the Medworth Division.

Westfield RA 81.280, Third Place

Mooresville High School Color Guard 78.960, Fourth Place

Franklin Central Regional A 77.820, Fifth Place

Warsaw Varsity Winter Guard 74.380, Sixth Place

Bloomington HS South Winter Guard 72.020, Seventh Place

DeKalb Junior Varsity 71.480, Eighth Place

Mater Dei HS Winter Guard 70.000, Ninth Place

Congratulations to the team and their directors, choreographers and coaches. Spencer-Owen Schools are proud of their commitment to exemplify one of the many artistic, academic and athletic opportunities offered throughout the Owen Valley school experience. Job well done and again congratulations to the student performers.

Class A- Round Medworth Division Final Results:

Vincennes Lincoln High School 66.380, 10th Place

Homestead High School

Regional A 63.320, 11th Place

Connersville HS Crimson Guard 62.560, 12th Place

Decatur Central High School Regional A 61.600, 13th Place

New Haven Winter Guard 59.280, 14th Place

FFA pet vaccination clinics to take place in April and May

Staff Report

The Owen Valley High School (OVHS) FFA and Ag Boosters pet vaccination clinics are back.

This year’s locations and times include:

Tuesday, April 28: Freedom Fire Department (Walk-up clinic) 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 30: Patricksburg Elementary School (Walk-up clinic) 5 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 2:

Owen Valley High School (Drive Thru Clinic, back parking lot) 8 to 11 a.m.

Tuesday, May 5: McCormick’s Creek Elementary School (Walk-up clinic) 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 7: Bowling Green Fire Department 5 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 9: Owen Valley HIgh School (Drive Thru Clinic back parking lot) 9 to 11 a.m.

Tuesday, May 12:

Gosport Elementary School (Walk-up clinic) 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 14: Owen Valley High School (Drive Thru Clinic back parking lot) 5 to 7 p.m.

The following canine vaccinations will be available: rabies (must be at least 12 weeks of age) $20, puppy combo (distemper, hepatitis, coronavirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza) $20, adult canine distemper (distemper, hepatitus,

leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) $20, canine lyme $30 and canine bordetella (kennel cough) $15. Heartworm tests, which are canine only, are $15.

The following feline vaccines will be available: rabies (must be at least 12 weeks of age) $10, feline distemper (rhinotracheitis, calcifiers, chlamydophila,

distemper) $15 and feline combination (distemper and leukemia) $25. Payment can be made via credit/debit card, cash and checks. Checks should be made payable to Owen Valley Ag Boosters. Questions should be directed by phone at 812-8292266 or via email at esweddle@socs.k12. in.us or jschonfeld@ socs.k12.in.us.

Owen County Farm Bureau supports FFA jacket programs

Press Release

The Owen County Farm Bureau (OCFB) continued its commitment to agricultural education and youth development with recent donations to two local FFA chapters.

The organization contributed $400 to Owen Valley FFA and $250 to Cloverdale FFA to support

their FFA jacket programs.

Indiana Farm Bureau has been advocating for Indiana agriculture and rural communities since 1919. At the local level, the Owen County Farm Bureau is proud to carry that mission forward and is excited to support area FFA programs.

“It is our mission to protect and enhance the future of agriculture and

our communities,” OCFB President Tom Erney said.

FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. A key symbol of that experience is the iconic blue FFA jacket—recognized

nationwide as a beacon of pride, achievement and community.

As part of the FFA Official Dress, the blue jacket plays an important role in helping students fully engage in the organization and its opportunities. Through the generosity of sponsors like OCFB, more students are able to receive jackets and

participate fully in FFA activities.

These contributions help ensure that deserving FFA members at both Owen Valley and Cloverdale have access to this meaningful tradition and the experiences it represents.

For more information about supporting local FFA programs, contact your local chapter.

WHY???

Our County Surveyor may NOT perform surveys required to be completed by a Registered Surveyor. Instead, their duties are identified by State Law, which includes administrative duties to protect & perpetuate critical land records as well as direct involvement with responsible land development, stormwater & water quality management and environmental stewardship.

Lack of financial and administrative accountability & transparency.

Taxpayer $$$ are being spent but the work is not being done.

Have you ever met with this County Surveyor in their office? Allegedly the surveyor is a NO-SHOW elected official, who is paid a salary, benefits, and retirement but who has NOT set hours at the Courthouse to meet the public in her office, on a regular basis.

The Owen County Surveyor has NOT

Transparency in Government.

Establish Citizen Advisory Committees for involvement in Plan Commission & county duties of the office.

Ensure taxpayer funded & statutory duties/projects are completed.

Safeguard land, water, & infrastructure (AKA our roads).

Perpetuate & protect critical land records.

Develop stormwater management ordinaces.

Establish web page resources to provide transparency & access to ALL Plan Commission & Surveyor records.

Contact Pam Rogers for specifics @ irogers42@yahoo.com

You may know me from my years of effort in public engagements to hold our government accountable, demanding transparency, and implementing pathways to improve our County & community, as a taxpayer. If elected, I promise to support actions to have the Office of the Surveyor audited and to take steps to correct the years of deficient and neglected

JAIL | FROM PAGE 1 the property west of Walmart, between the Walmart and YMCA and in front of the quarry property. The property is approximately 17.4 acres and is owned by Susan Sherfield and Deborah Harkrider.

The cost is $90,000 per acre, amounting to approximately $1.5 million.

If the county wants to purchase the property, they will be responsible for the survey, zoning requirements, the environmental study and two-percent commission paid to Keith in addition to the price per acre.

The sellers are responsible for the title insurance policy.

“It’s a lot of money to purchase a piece of property. We understand that, but the utilities are on the property,” Hobbs said. “And we also gain seven acres.”

Though it later was shared that the only sewer utility cost savings is the difference between running sewer another 300 yards to the quarry property. The vast majority of the approximately $2 million in sewer upgrades comes from increasing the capacity of the lines to the lift station through a 12inch sewer main.

Hobbs said the new property would also allow for future expansion or the addition of other county services on the property such as the coroner’s office and the health department.

“I think it’s definitely in the best interest of the county to move forward with the purchase of this property pending core drilling, environmental study and the samples that need to be done because it’s going to save us a lot of money right out of the get-go,” Hobbs said. “Just to get an easement on the property is very expensive, plus routing the utilities to the quarry would be very expensive, so the cost savings.”

Hobbs didn’t provide dollar amounts for the cost savings, but Council President Chesser did. She said that with the quarry property, there is a cost of $200,000 for an easement and $400,000 for retaining walls, leading to a cost savings of $600,000.

“Basically the negotiations on this was that they would even sell it, that they would even consider selling it because they’ve been approached several times on this, and it wasn’t even in the ballpark whatsoever,” Keith said of the property.

He then said he pulled information from various sales of the properties across the street over a period of time.

“But when they got down to $90,000 an acre, I mean you’re $50,000 less than the average acre was on a smaller acreage back between 2006 and 2018 across the road,”

Keith said, adding that the owners have been approached about the property multiple times. “At this time, that is the least that they would be willing to take per acre. No doubt about it.”

Hobbs urged the council to take action and referenced an executive session in which an insurance agent told the county that insuring the current jail would be a challenge and costly.

“I’ve said this term for many years, and I’m going to say it again whether people like it or not, the county is wasting hundreds and thousands of dollars polishing a turd. To refurbish this jail would cost us $15 million to refurbish, and it doesn’t gain the sheriff any more bed space,” Hobbs said.

Chesser said that refurbishing the jail would only gain about another 10 years of use out of the current jail.

County Councilman Joe Frye said that he would have liked to have seen some solicitation asking if others would like to sell property for a jail.

“I don’t think there’s a better piece of land than what you guys are talking about tonight. But moving forward, if there’s ever a time where we need to purchase more, a solicitation should be issued in my opinion,” Frye said, which Hobbs agreed.

Frye also acknowledged that there is a need for at least two access points for the jail from a safety perspective. He also asked if there was a possibility of selling the 96 acres on Franklin Road.

“We’re money ahead with the money that we’re going to save right out of the gate,” Hobbs said.

Frye voiced a concern about the purchase raising property taxes and asked that there be an effort to not have it impact property values. It was noted that that could happen if the property was sold at all, and Frye said he didn’t want the county to be the cause of it.

“I do understand, but the fact of it is the taxpayers are paying for a turd right now. We’re spending taxpayers’ money on a jail that we cannot do nothing with,” Hobbs said.

“And you’re right, we’re using taxpayers money here, but 99 percent of taxpayers in the county are funding something they will never use, which is a jail. It’s the largest cost to our county, and it’s not an asset to anybody in this room,” Frye said.

Sheriff Ryan White also spoke about the burden to taxpayers.

“I will say that if we get a lawsuit in the jail, and they win the lawsuit, then everyone’s property taxes are going to go up too. The longer we wait, the jail keeps getting more and more expensive, about $1.5 million per year that we wait,” White said. “The jail is going to

Jail Site Cost Comparison: Land Swap vs. New Land Purchase Before Breaking Ground

COST CATEGORY

* The cost for the sewer main upgrades are roughly the same. The quarry property includes an additional 300 yards of sewer to reach the property from the road.

** This cost does not include the potential for loss in the exchange of the property or the cost of the additional 300 yards of sewer to be added to the property.

get more expensive, if we don’t find something sooner than later. We’re not going to get any richer as a county anytime soon. It’s not like we’re going to just find tons of millions of dollars out of the sky.”

Hobbs requested that they move forward with the transaction pending the environmental study.

He also reiterated that the land swap has not already taken place.

“I think we’re in the absolute best possible situation we can be in right now,” he said.

Councilman Nick Robertson said that he believes that it is the best deal they’ve been offered and that they are at a place where they need to proceed. He moved to approve the request, pending the environmental study results, and Councilman Steve Carrell seconded the motion.

It was then opened for discussion.

Councilman Anton Neff said that while it is a great location, he always asks about the net cost changing toward the county’s favor.

“It’s absolutely not going to change any net cost. It’s going to cost us more money when we already were over our financial capacity before this discussion even occurred. So now we’re moving in the wrong direction in my opinion,” he said.

He explained, saying the cost for the sewer is the same, save 300 yards.

“So of that I’m just going to say $2 million, throw an easy figure out there, most of that $2 million was that. Now yes, you save 300 yards; that is some money to our favor. The retaining walls, $400,000, excellent. No easement, $200,000, excellent,” Neff said. “But even if you subtracted that out, we’re still talking another million dollars in cost for a project that still does not have a clear end point in terms of whether we can financially pay for it or not. That concerns me.”

He said that to him it signals the need to scale back the project, which is already at a bare minimum design.

“I just am not

comfortable with this at all,” Neff said.

Councilman Daniel Browning asked if they could list the 96 acres on Franklin Road for sale ASAP to help with the cost.

Since the meeting, a notice of a public hearing of the county plan commission was placed in the Spencer Evening World on March 25. It says that a request made by the Owen County Commissioners to rezone nearly 87 acres on Franklin Road from agricultural to light industrial.

While the public notice says a copy of the petition is on record and could be requested from the Owen County Building and Planning Department, when asked for a copy of it, department administrator Heather Huntington said she did not have a copy of it.

She added, “The cart was placed before the horse, and the notice was advertised before any proposal was submitted. If a proposal becomes available, I am happy to share that with you. That proposal and meeting date has been cancelled.”

During the council meeting, Hobbs said the current jail site and the county owned storage units will help save most of the money for the project.

“The million that we’re going to spend for the property is child’s play as far as I’m concerned because we’re going to save almost a million dollars out of the gate,” Hobbs said, adding that he is working with the Town of Spencer to see if they can get the sewer upgrade bonded so the county could pay it back over time.

Hobbs said selling the land that the current jail sits on was the priority.

“If it’s already the minimum project, there is no way you’re going to cut back any costs. Plus the property that the current jail is on, we were already banking on that sale to cover the year two payment for the bond, a bond based on $27.5 million,” Neff said. “So we were already banking on the value of that sale financially in

the big picture. You can’t double count it or count it up front now to offset the cost of the property and claim to save money with it. It doesn’t work that way.”

Hobbs said that he did not know that the property had to be sold to make the payment in year two, and Neff said it was talked about with Peters Financial.

“It’s going to be what it’s going to be here. We’re at the crossroads. We’re at 14 years of rebuilding a jail,” Hobbs said. “I can’t sit here and agree that the taxpayers should fund a bill, a payment on a turd.” Neff stressed that the project was already something the county couldn’t afford and that he wasn’t suggesting they pay to refurbish the old jail.

“Now we’re going to have another $1.5 million on top of all this,” he said. “We’re going in the wrong direction in terms of cost. That’s all I’m saying.”

Frye suggested that they could build on the back half of the property and resell the prime commercial spot near the road if needed.

It was unclear as to whether or not resale would be restricted in the purchase agreement.

Robertson called for a vote.

“I think we got an opportunity tonight to buy something that is absolutely beneficial to this project and to this county,” he said.

Frye said he had more discussion on the matter, and that is when County Attorney Tony Overholt chimed in.

“Having represented the sheriff’s department for 30 years and been involved in these kinds of fights over jail construction and building new jails and over capacity claims and things like that, as you think about all this, remember delay is not your friend,” Overholt said.

Frye said it was hard to agree to anything without a clear purchase agreement.

Carrell asked about the cost of building a jail in 2020, which was approximately $21 million. He spoke about

How to contact your elected officials

Owen County Board of Commissioners

• Leonard “Sam” Hobbs, President; Represents: District 2 (Washington, Clay & Franklin Townships). 812821-3828; sam.hobbs@ owencounty.in.gov

• David Risk, Vice

CALENDAR

| FROM PAGE 3

April 25

Native tree giveaway, 10 a.m. at the MYPath Shelter, Cooper Commons, Spencer. Free pin oak, river birch, pecan, bald cypress, American plum, elderberry and white oak saplings. While supplies last. Sponsored by the Spencer Parks and Recreation Board and Owen County SWCD.

Annual Owen Valley Band Program Mattress Fundraiser, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the auxiliary gymnasium at Owen Valley High School,

President; Represents: District 3 (Lafayette, Morgan, Marion & Jefferson Townships). 765-712-0131; david.risk@ owencounty.in.gov

• Norman Warner III; Represents: District 1 (Jackson, Harrison, Jennings, Taylor, Montgomery & Wayne Townships). 812-5857693; norman.warner@ owencounty.in.gov

622 S.R. 46W, Spencer. Financing will be available. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the school’s concert and marching bands.

Bluebird Nest Box Building Workshop, 1 p.m. at the Nature Center inside McCormick’s Creek State Park. $10 per box. Preregistration required. Register at b4bluebird@ gmail.com. Presented by the Brown County Bluebird Club.

Live music by the Cabin Row Band, 8 to 11 p.m. at the Gosport VFW Post #7850, 159 E. Main St., Gosport.

JAIL | FROM PAGE 12

the rising costs, the lawsuits in Vigo County and the insurance information the county received.

Owen County Council

• Polly Chesser, President; Represents: At-Large (county-wide). 812-821-2914

• Anton Karl Neff, Vice President; Represents: District 2 (Washington Township). 812-829-4254

• Nick Robertson; Represents: District 1 (Harrison, Montgomery, Taylor & Wayne Townships); 812-829-6708

April 26

Owen County Community Foundation Scholarship Awards, 1 p.m. in the Owen Valley High School Auditorium, 622 S.R. 46W, Spencer.

April 27

All Ages Board Game Night, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Snacks will be provided. Spencer Main Street Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the Viquesney Room at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer. Open to the public.

Chesser said that the RDC looked at it and that they are not sure the quarry property would work for a jail. She

60 E Market St. Spencer, IN 47460. At the Owen County Community Foundation. Yellow & Grey morel (sponge) varieties only. Collect in paper bag (no plastic or soaking).

• Steve Carrell; Represents: District 3 (Jackson, Jennings, Lafayette & Morgan Townships); 317-507-9468

• Verl Keith; Represents: District 4 (Clay, Franklin, Jefferson & Marion Townships); 812821-1211

• Dan Browning; Represents: At-Large (county-wide); 812-8281006

• Joe Frye; Represents:

April 28

Evening of Jazz, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Owen Valley High School, 622 S.R. 46W, Spencer.

April 30

Spirit Paranormal Presentation, 6 p.m. in the Community Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Open to all ages. Owen Valley High School JROTC Annual Awards, 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 622 S.R. 46W, Spencer.

May 1

Under the Northern Lights, Owen Valley

called it “problematic.”

Carrell urged the council to take action.

“Since I’ve been on this council, we’ve kicked this can, and I remember when I first got here, [the project] was in the $20 to $22 million [range]. This can is going to get larger and larger till it’s a damn oil drum, and we’re not going to be able to kick it,” he said.

The council took a vote on the motion, which passed 5-1-1, with Neff voting no and Councilman Verl Keith abstaining.

County Auditor Sheila Reeves asked for better communication from the council and commissioners, to which Chesser and Hobbs agreed.

“It’s going to take all of us working together for this to work,” Chesser said.

The topic of the jail came up again during the council comments portion of the meeting. During that time, Neff suggested that it might be cheaper to “get out of [the jail

At-Large (county-wide); 812-821-1239

Spencer Town Council

• Jon Stantz, President; jon.stantz@spencer.in.gov

• Evan McKalip, Vice President; evan.mckalip@ spencer.in.gov

• Ginger Kohr; ginger. kohr@spencer.in.gov

(Source: www.owencounty.in.gov and www.spencer.in.gov)

High School JuniorSenior Prom, 8 to 11 p.m. at the Woolery Mill, 2250 W. Sunstone Dr., Bloomington. Post-prom will be held at Hoosier Alley, 11:15 p.m. To 1:15 a.m., 2424 S. Walnut St., Bloomington.

May 3 Spencer Pride general meeting, 4 p.m. at the commUnity center, 17 E. Franklin St., Spencer.

May 5 Owen County Farm Bureau board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Farm Bureau Insurance office, 743 E. Franklin St., Spencer.

business] entirely.” It was pointed to the fact that Benton County does not have its own jail and houses inmates elsewhere.

Chesser pointed out that there were no other facilities wanting to take Owen County’s inmates.

“Quite frankly, I just do not see at the current trajectory no matter how hard we try on reducing cost and the size of the building and all, that I don’t see how we’re going to be able to, I don’t know how we’re going to fund this just on income tax alone, and we’ve been saying for years, no property tax, work within our means,” Neff said. “But we keep going deeper down this path where we’re not within our means and we’re not going to be able to avoid property tax and so on. And that concerns me. I’m just not comfortable with that. I just think we need to think about as many alternatives as we can think about to avoid a financial issue.”

OWEN RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES

Mushrooms must be found in Owen County. Winner Announced in June Issue.

CHALLENGES | FROM PAGE 1

she said of the election board.

Council President Polly Chesser asked how much the clerk’s office needed in total.

“We’re going to have a lot more,” Stutsman said.

She asked for an additional appropriation for $20,000 because there are additional hearings that she said would be coming up.

Frye asked if they could see reimbursement on attorneys fees for unfounded or unsubstantiated challenges.

“My understanding is no,” Stutsman said.

“Because that’s a citizen’s right to be able to challenge,” Chesser added.

Frye asked, “So devil’s advocate here, somebody goes and just challenges every single one of them, whether there’s right or wrong, you’re just kind of toast on it?”

Stutsman confirmed

saying, “We have to do it.”

Councilman Verl Keith asked if the commissioners’ attorney could handle the legal work, and Stutsman said County Attorney Tony Overholt could not. She said it has to be outside legal representation because Overholt is hired by the commissioners who are elected officials and candidates.

“And we have more coming,” Stutsman said.

County Auditor Sheila Reeves said that if it led to a legal battle, Overfholt could not represent both sides. She provided some options as to where the funding could come from within the county’s budget.

“I personally think she ought to ask for $25,000, but she’s going to be back if you don’t,” Reeves said.

County councilman Anton Neff suggested that the funding come from the county’s

Riverboat Fund.

County councilman Nick Roberts made a motion to do the additional appropriation from the Riverboat Fund and to create a legal line item in the general fund for the clerk’s budget. The motion was seconded by Frye.

Commissioner Norm Warner spoke up during the discussion portion, while the motion was being considered.

“I was told, you know how that is, that the person that challenged us was also sitting with the lawyer,” he said. “How much money that is spent on that, on the representation of the challenger? Or correct me if I was incorrect.”

Stutsman said there were responses that went back to the individual.

“The attorney did respond to the questions that were asked,” she said.

“We’re just spending a lot of money from, you

know, people trying to ruffle feathers or be thorns or something, and it’s to the tune of you’re talking, like you could fund a part-time person with that,” Frye said.

Reeves added that the clerk’s office “desperately needs a full-time person.”

The motion passed 6-1 with Keith voting against it.

Stutsman also asked for an additional part-time person in the election office.

“We have timelines on these public requests and hearings, and it’s taken away from us doing our webinars and setting up everything for the election. I personally was down there for almost six hours one day pulling files,” she said.

She said it would be the same job description as the fulltime person, just with fewer hours. She was asking for 21 hours per week.

front of them, as it was the first time the need for someone specifically in the election office was brought to them.

“I don’t want to be adding positions on the fly,” Neff said.

Robertson moved to hold off until the April meeting. Reeves said that with the state’s process for additional appropriations, it would not be approved until May, after the primary election.

Neff said he thought it was a general need and seconded Robertson’s motion.

The motion to wait until the April meeting for consideration passed 5-2 with Frye and councilman Daniel Browning voting in opposition.

“I just think it’s March,” Frye said.

The council wanted a proposal to be in

The council will meet again at 6 p.m., April 13 in the Commissioners’ Room on the second floor of the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

You can submit the form online or pick up one at the Riverside Cemetery Office.

Riverside Cemetery Office: (812) 829-2840 https://www.facebook. com/RiversideCemeter ySpencer

schedule and pay online: bit.ly/OCheastoneform

Riverside

Restore clarity and dignity to your loved one’s memorial. Headstone restoration is available at any cemetery in Owen County.

REVIEW: ‘Godspell’ shines with a distinctly Spencer twist at the Tivoli

By Tyler DeFord Guest Columnist

A week ahead of Easter, “Godspell” graced the stage at the Historic Tivoli Theatre during the rare fifth weekend of March. This incarnation of the evergreen 1971 musical about the life and times of Jesus Christ was staged by the Owen County Theatre & Arts Alliance (OCTAA) and featured four showings over the weekend.

Like most productions of “Godspell,” all the “disciple” characters go by the names of the actors playing them.

Unlike every other production of “Godspell,” this one took place in Spencer, Indiana. A painted backdrop for the stage included landmarks from around town like the Big Chicken at the fairgrounds, the Pride Center, and even the road sign from Babbs

a lot of productions of “Godspell” simply mirror the flower-power costumes of the movie version or try to make the scenery overtly modern-day, setting the scene specifically in Spencer with colorful patterns based on quilts gives the show a look that is uniquely Owen County.

“Godspell” can be a logistical challenge for a stage as compact as the one at the Tivoli. The play consists of 10 characters who are all onstage during the entire show. This, along with set dressing, props and other parts of the set tend to hinder the ability to have dynamic movement.

However, some inventive choreography and stage direction allowed the players to make use of the depth and height of the stage in novel ways. A large movable wooden platform, a riser along the back of the stage and use of milk

And the people on stage were mesmerizing. I would be remiss not to pick out each individual tree in this particular forest, as each cast member was present, distinct and a wonderful singer. It may be a bit of a cop-out to say that I didn’t have a favorite solo because they were all so wonderful in their own way, but I am saying it anyway. When everyone sang together in ensemble numbers, I would put their sound up against anything you would hear at any theater in the state.

It is tricky to stand out in a crowd of characters who, even though written to be different, are essentially all goofy hippyadjacent caricatures. The performance and personality of the actor is what can make or break a character as intentionally waferthin as the ones in “Godspell.”

I am, however,

singing, dancing or just standing and listening. I found myself occasionally scanning the background and finding additional character moments that really deepened the whole show for me.

Of course, it was difficult to tear your eyes away from Jesus in the first place: played here by Wyatt Tucker. Tucker projects a warmth and subtle happiness that evokes a kindly elementary school teacher: always friendly and caring, but never guileless. The moments when he snaps into genuine anger are authentically frightening, and his portrayals of frustration and despair were truly heartbreaking.

During Tucker’s final solo, the exhibition of emotion filled the theatre up to the rafters. While some eyes might have stayed dry for that song, I can tell you two that did not—my own.

onstage even breaking character. The other was a small technical issue during the final song. The microphone that Jesus was using was either losing signal or had some kind of interference that caused it to intermittently cut out.

In this case, however, the microphone itself was fading out just as Jesus was dying. Nobody wants to have tech issues during a production, but this one in particular almost felt like providence.

“Godspell” is a musical without much irony, something that many contemporary productions rely on a lot. Because of this, the whole cast and crew need to be committed to the premise or the entire effort can just come off as naive or callow. But this production actualized the tone and delivered a glorious show.

CANNON

| FROM PAGE 1

“We have two eightinch caliber Rodman cannons, used by the Union Army during the Civil War (1862-65),” explained Keith Bucklew, President of the Riverside Cemetery Board. “The cannons were emplaced at Riverside in 1905 and face to the south. These early model field artillery cannons were cast in 1861 by the Fort Pitt Foundry, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each cannon weighs 8,600 pounds. The work to restore the [damaged] cannon to its position will also require a new limestone slab. We have a plan to get the situation fixed, but it will take a few weeks.”

While many envision cannons on wheeled wooden carriages, the “silent sentinels” at Riverside are mounted on a cannon “plinth,” also known as a monumental carriage base. These permanent stone structures were specifically designed for stationary display. In architectural terms, the plinth is the heavy stone

the

base or platform upon which the monument sits, while the specific top portion of the stone carved to cradle the “trunnions”—the cylinders on the side of the barrel— is referred to as the trunnion bed.

As the inscription on the side of the damaged plinth notes, the barrel itself was “Loaned by War Dept. U.S.A.,” while the stone base was provided by the Gettysburg Post No. 93 G.A.R. and W.R.C. No. 108 in 1905. This display style was reportedly a popular way for communities in the early 1900s to

display surplus Civil War ordnance, bypassing the need for highmaintenance wooden carriages in favor of a lasting limestone tribute.

The cannons are a central feature of the Soldiers Memorial Pavilion, a site deeply woven into the fabric of Spencer’s heritage. Dedicated on May 30, 1939, the pavilion was erected through the efforts of the Women’s Relief Corps of Spencer. It serves as a permanent tribute to those who served the United States, housing the names of local

heroes and providing a solemn backdrop for annual Memorial Day observances.

The pavilion and its surrounding grounds were designed by famed sculptor and Spencer native E.M. Viquesney. Best known nationally for his “Spirit of the American Doughboy” statues, Viquesney lived and worked in Spencer, often donating his artistic vision to local projects. His handiwork is visible in the design of the pavilion, which was intended not only as a memorial but as a gallery for his “Spirit of America” plaque.

The Lions Club invites the public to “eat for a cause” at 59 N. Main St., Spencer, to help repair the storm damage and ensure these monuments stand for another century.

The menu includes:

• Spencer hot dog meal ($10): Includes “all the fixins,” side, dessert and drink.

• Fish meal ($10): Includes side, dessert and drink.

• à la carte: hot dogs ($1), fish sandwiches ($6), and ice cream cups ($1).

Sides for the meals include a choice of coleslaw, chips or macaroni salad.

S-OCS partners with School Smiles dental program

By Kris Samick S-OCS Director of Communications

Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) is proud to highlight the success of its recent partnership with School Smiles, a nationwide program dedicated to providing on-site, comprehensive dental care to children.

This year, 90 Spencer-Owen students participated in the program, gaining access to essential dental services in a safe, familiar and welcoming school environment.

School Smiles is committed to ensuring that every child receives quality oral healthcare, regardless of financial circumstances. The program serves both insured and uninsured students, and no child is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. This inclusive approach reflects SpencerOwen’s dedication to supporting the overall well-being of every

student and family in the district.

Through the program, students received a wide range of services, including dental exams, cleanings, dental X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants and Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). Additional care such as fillings, crowns and extractions are also available when needed. Each participating student went home with a free toothbrush, toothpaste and other oral hygiene items to encourage continued care beyond the school setting.

Dental health plays a critical role in a child’s overall health and academic success, especially at the elementary level. Preventive care is essential in reducing the risk of tooth decay, which remains one of the most common chronic conditions among children. Left untreated, dental issues can lead to pain, infection, difficulty eating and trouble concentrating in the

classroom. In fact, an estimated 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related problems.

Programs like School Smiles help address these challenges by bringing care directly to students, removing barriers such as transportation, scheduling conflicts and access to providers. Notably, the program maintains a referral rate of less than 4 percent to outside dentists. This is largely because School Smiles returns to participating schools to provide necessary followup care, including restorative treatments like fillings, crowns and extractions.

There is no cost or long-term commitment required from S-OCS to participate in the program, making it an efficient and impactful resource for the district. By offering consistent, highquality dental care on-site, School Smiles supports both student

health and educational outcomes. Spencer-Owen Community Schools remains committed to fostering a healthy learning environment where students can thrive. The district is grateful for its partnership

with School Smiles and looks forward to continuing this valuable program in the fall. For more information about this program, please contact S-OCS Corporation Nurse Sarah Wall, BSN, RN, NCSN at 812-829-2249.

Owen Valley High School Sports Calendar

April 4

11 a.m. – Varsity softball vs Southmont at Southmont.

Noon – Junior varsity softball vs Southmont at Southmont.

April 6

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs South Vermillion at South Vermillion.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity softball vs North CentralFarmersburg at North Central-Farmersburg.

7 p.m. – Junior varsity softball vs North CentralFarmersburg at North Central-Farmerburg.

April 7

5 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Bloomfield at Owen Valley.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Eminence at Eminence.

7:30 p.m. – Junior varsity softball vs Eminence at Eminence.

April 9

5 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs North CentralFarmersburg at North Central-Farmersburg.

5 p.m. – Varsity co-ed track & field vs Northview, Clay City, and South Putnam at South Putnam.

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.

April 13

5 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs LintonStockton at Owen Valley.

April 14

4:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ tennis vs Edgewood at Edgewood.

April 15

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Brown County at Owen Valley.

April 16

4:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs Brown County at Brown County.

April 18

Noon – Varsity baseball vs Shakamak at Shakamak.

Noon – Junior varsity baseball vs Shakamak at Shakamak.

April 20

4:30 p.m. – Varsity girls’ tennis vs North Daviess at Owen Valley.

April 21

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

5 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Northview at Owen Valley.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Northview at Northview.

7 p.m. – Junior varsity baseball vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

7 p.m. – Junior varsity softball vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

April 22

4:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs Terre Haute South at Owen Valley.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity softball vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

7 p.m. – Junior varsity baseball vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

April 23

5 p.m. – Varsity girls’ tennis vs West Vigo at West Vigo.

5 p.m. – Varsity co-

Cloverdale High School Sports Calendar

April 4

10 a.m. –Varsity baseball vs Mooresville Christian Academy at Mooresville Christian Academy.

April 6

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs UnionDuggar at UnionDuggar.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity softball vs UnionDuggar at UnionDuggar.

April 7

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Eminence at Cloverdale.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity co-ed track & field vs North Putnam at Eminence at North Putnam.

6 p.m. – Varsity softball vs White River Valley at White River Valley.

April 9

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Clay City at Clay City.

April 11

10 a.m. – Varsity baseball vs White River Valley at Cloverdale.

10 a.m. – Varsity co-ed track & Field at Patriot Challenge at Terre Haute North.

10 a.m. –Varsity softball vs Traders Point Christian Schools at Cloverdale.

1 p.m. –Varsity boys’ golf at Northview Invitational at Forest Park.

April 13

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs West Vigo at Clover Meadows.

5 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Monrovia at Monrovia.

April 14

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs West Vigo at Cloverdale.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity softball vs West Vigo at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Varsity co-ed track & field vs White River Valley and Lighthouse Christian Academy at White River Valley.

April 16

5 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs LintonStockton and North Central-Farmersburg at Sullivan Elks.

5 p.m. – Varsity softball vs South Putnam at South Putnam.

April 18

9 a.m. – Varsity boys’ golf at Edgewood Invite at Cascade Golf Course.

10 a.m. – Varsity boys’ baseball at Putnam County Tournament at Cloverdale.

10 a.m. – Varsity softball at Putnam County Tournament at Cloverdale.

April 20

ed track & field vs South Putnam at Owen Valley.

April 24

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs Clay City at Clay City.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Eastern Greene at Owen Valley.

7 p.m. – Junior varsity baseball vs Eastern Greene at Owen Valley.

April 25

Noon – Varsity baseball vs Clay City at Clay City.

2 p.m. – Junior varsity baseball vs Clay City at Clay City.

April 27

5 p.m. – Varsity co-ed track & field vs Eastern Greene at Owen Valley.

April 28

5 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

5 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

7 p.m. – Junior varsity softball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

4:30 p.m. –Varsity boys’ golf vs Shakamak at Clover Meadows.

5 p.m. –Varsity softball vs Mooresville Christian Academy at Cloverdale.

April 23

4 p.m. –Varsity boys’ golf vs Monrovia at Monrovia.

5 p.m. –Varsity baseball vs Northview at Northview.

5 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Northview at Northview.

5 p.m. – Varsity co-ed track & field vs South Putnam, Lighthouse Christian Academy and Owen Valley at Owen Valley.

April 24

5 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Shakamak at Shakamak.

Owen Valley Middle School Sports Calendar

April 6

6 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Batchelor at Batchelor.

April 7

7 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs Eminence at Eminence.

April 8

5:30 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade baseball vs Eminence at Owen Valley.

5:30 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

April 11

8:30 a.m. – Co-ed track & field at Patriot Invitational at Owen Valley.

11 a.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball at Early Bird Tournament.

April 13

5 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Linton-Stockton and Shakamak at LintonStockton.

April 14

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs North Daviess at North Daviess.

April 15

5:30 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs North Clay at Owen Valley.

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade baseball vs Bedford at Bedford.

April 16

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs White River Valley at White River Valley.

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade baseball vs John Wooden Middle School at John Wooden Middle School.

April 20

5:30 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade baseball vs Edgewood at Owen Valley.

5:30 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs South Putnam and Greencastle at South Putnam.

April 22

5:30 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade baseball vs Greencastle at Owen

April 29

5 p.m. – Varsity girls’ tennis vs South Vermillion at South Vermillion.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Greencastle at Greencastle.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Greencastle at Greencastle.

7 p.m. – Junior varsity baseball vs Greencastle at Greencastle.

April 30

5 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Clay City at Owen Valley.

5 p.m. – Varsity girls tennis vs Brown County at Brown County.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.

7:30 p.m. – Junior varsity softball vs Clay City at Owen Valley.

May 2

Noon – Varsity softball vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.

2 p.m. - Junior varsity softball vs Monrovia at Owen Valley.

April 25

9 a.m. – Varsity boys’ golf at Bob Arnett Invitational at Rea Park.

10 a.m. – Varsity co-ed track & field vs Edgewood at Edgewood.

April 27

4:30 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs North Putnam at North Putnam.

5 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Bethesda Christian at Cloverdale.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Bloomfield at Cloverdale.

April 28

5 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.

5 p.m. – Varsity co-ed track & field vs North CentralFarmersburg at Cloverdale.

Valley.

5:30 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Eastern Greene at Eastern Greene.

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs Batchelor at Owen Valley.

April 27

5 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield.

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade baseball vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley.

April 29

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs Edgewood at Owen Valley.

April 30

April 30

5 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs Parke Heritage at Parke Heritage.

5 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Parke Heritage at Parke Heritage.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity co-ed track & field vs Cascade and TriWest at Tri-West.

May 1

5 p.m. –Varsity softball vs Greencastle at Coverdale.

May 4

5:30 p.m. –Varsity softball vs Owen Valley at Owen Valley.

5 p.m. – Varsity boys’ golf vs South Putnam at Clover Meadows.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity baseball vs South Vermillion at South Vermillion.

5:30 p.m. – Varsity softball vs Clay City at Cloverdale.

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs Batchelor at Batchelor.

May 4

6 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Edgewood at Owen Valley.

May 5

6 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs Edgewood at Edgewood.

May 7

5:30 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade softball vs Greencastle at Greencastle.

5 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Owen Valley at Cloverdale.

5:30 p.m. – Seventh and eighth grade baseball vs Greencastle at Greencastle.

Outdoor Type: Bringing competition quality work to the everyday hunter

Larry LaGrange Guest Columnist

“I’ve always liked creating things with my hands, whether it’s woodworking or taxidermy. My dad was a carpenter who was very particular. I take after him I guess.”

Jamie Switzer is a 53-year-old lawman functioning as a Patrol Lieutenant for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, in charge of the officers on the road and busy covering a variety of trouble spots. He got his love for hunting from his dad. After some disappointing experiences with taxidermists, he decided he could do better. After examining his work with my grandson Walker’s trophy deer, now suitably framed over my son

Aaron’s fireplace, I can attest that he is a craftsman who takes a lot of pride in his work. The detail on this animal is amazing.

“I’ve been doing mounts for about 15 years but just got into body mounts about five years ago,” Jamie said.

He learned his craft through deer school in Wisconsin, then a more in-depth school in Missouri and has an in-depth turkey school under his belt as well.

Jamie says the biggest challenge for him is dealing with an animal that hasn’t been properly cared for after the kill.

“Some people like to drive around for three days with the deer in the bed of the truck. I get that. They want to show it around,” he said. “Very understandable. But the deer will soon develop a bacteria which will make the skin develop ‘slippage’, a condition extremely hard to

correct because hair soon starts falling out.”

He’s seen some very slipshod care taken with customers’ deer, even to the point of having beer cans and other trash inside the carcass. The proper care is to get it to a taxidermist immediately. Lacking that, a processor can also remove the head and freeze it, or the hunter himself can do that if it can be done correctly.

“Whatever Aaron and Walker did was correct because that deer was in perfect shape for me to work with,” Jamie said. “It turned out well.”

Aaron commented that conditions were ideal for hunting and for maintaining the deer intact.

“We had it caped at the processor,” Aaron explained, “and then we put it in a bag in the refrigerator. This was a youth hunt at the end of September. Chilly in the morning

but warm in the afternoon. The very beginning of the rut left him unscathed, and we didn’t have to drag him through the mud.”

Jamie says that a basic mount costs around $750, the standard shoulder on the wall. Discounts are available for law enforcement and the military. If the hunter desires an open mouth look, such as the animal chewing on a corn cob, that can run a little more. If the back of the deer is exposed in the mount, that can

run higher.

“Right now, I’m working on a fourby-four scene that involves a turkey strutting in a field, with a whiskey barrel and a deer in the rear, with barbed wire and cattails,”

Jamie said. “It’s a big, complicated scene, but it’s going to look great.” Jamie will also do other animals, such as bobcat, coyote and fox. He doesn’t do birds or fish.

If Jamie wasn’t busy enough, he and his wife have taken on the responsibilities

of fostering five youngsters, ages seven, six, five, four and three. They have a grown daughter, 25, and two grown sons, aged 25 and 28, two of which help with the taxidermy business. The older kids gave their parents their blessing and support for taking on this task. You can see a well-done video of this special foster family on Facebook, and you can view some of Jamie’s mounts by searching for Wallhanger Taxidermy.

Trailing or Leading: MYPath wildflowers guide your way

By Kyle Hannon Project Manager, MYPath Trail System

Anyone who has needed to purchase flowers for a wedding, funeral, Mother’s Day or as an “I’m sorry” offering knows that flowers are expensive. It is understandable, because flowers are beautiful, delicate and they don’t last long. What if I told you flowers can be enjoyed from spring until late fall, for free. Just don’t pick them.

All along MYPath, a variety of flowers come out to show off and attract pollinators. Each week during our Wednesday

walks, we take note of what new flowers are blooming and what others have stopped blooming for the year. And whether or not we have seen a monarch butterfly on one of them.

McCormick’s Creek State Park hosts a Wildflower Weekend so visitors can experience the floral offerings spring provides. It is fun to take part in a guided wildflower walk in the park. There are areas near the canyon that have slightly acidic soil, which produces completely different flowers than other parts of the park. Did you know different colors attract different kinds of pollinators? Other flowers bloom near the ground because their main pollinators are beetles that crawl, rather than fly. The

variety of flowers is staggering.

This year, McCormick’s Creek Wildflower Weekend is Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12. Check out the schedule of activities from the park. Please note that the Friday, April 10 event is NOT at McCormick’s Creek. The first wildflower walk of the weekend will be led by me, on the MYPath Trail System. Join us at 5:30 p.m. at the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District headquarters, 788 Pottersville Road.

McCormick’s Creek and MYPath have had this partnership for many years. I think we realize we will one day be connected, so why not practice sharing events now? I really look forward to it.

The challenge comes from when the actual flowers bloom. There is no button to push at either McCormick’s Creek or MYPath to make flowers come out and perform. Flowers blossom on their own schedule. As I am writing this column at the end of March, the only things blooming are dandelions. Dandelions are still an important early food source for any pollinators that have emerged. But I am pretty sure nobody comes to a wildflower event to look at dandelions.

Each year we have hosted the wildflower walk on MYPath, I spend the month fretting because I don’t see anything of note. But then, on the week of the hike, the flowers start popping out. I try to make a list of what I have seen. During the walk on Friday,

with the help of the participants, we often find even more.

Something participants will see this year are the new wayfinding signs along MYPath. Trail users may have noticed unpaved side trails. These side trails were established long before the path was paved. You may have heard us refer to the “wetlands loop,” or the “tree tube trail.” Visitors will now feel a little more comfortable trying one of the side trails because there is a sign marking where it starts. The signs will be installed in early April.

The exciting thing about our wayfinding signs is that they incorporate wildflowers. Sign designer Bruce Morgan asked which wildflowers

are prevalent on MYPath. Each sign includes a silhouette of wildflowers, based on the flowers you will see along MYPath. Come out to MYPath to enjoy the wildflowers. Then, come out the next week and enjoy different wildflowers. And if you venture onto one of the side trails, you will see even different flowers than along the paved trail. New signs will help guide your way.

Kyle Hannon is the Project Manager for the MYPath Trail System. He has served in many community development and trail connection roles throughout the state. On many weekends, he serves as an Interpretive Specialist at McCormick’s Creek State Park.

Driftwood Outdoors: Foraging for morel mushrooms

By Brandon Butler Guest Columnist

Walking a small pedestrian street in Lucerne, Switzerland, I was stopped in my tracks. Not because I saw another unimaginable work of an ancient stone mason or because I caught the delicious smell of fresh bread being baked. I lost my breath for a second because there, in a basket mixed with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, was a bushel of morel mushrooms for sale. Immediately, my dinner plans changed.

In speaking to the woman at the market, through her broken English and my nonexistent German, I was able to discern the morels were foraged in Turkey. This is a long way from the Midwest, where I put dozens of miles on my boots each spring hunting for the same fungus folks are after on the other side of the world. It made me feel so much more connected to the region knowing people who speak a different language, look different and have different beliefs find joy and value in the same outdoor pursuit I do. I bought 100 grams for

a

I eagerly await each year. I could eat morels until I made myself miserable. Fried with a light breading is good, but I prefer them simply rinsed, halved and dropped in a pan with butter. Pile a heap of those on top of a mediumrare venison filet, and you’ll understand why mushroom hunters don’t share their secret spots.

Finding a place to hunt morels isn’t hard. There are tens of millions of acres of public land open to mushroom hunters in the Midwest, giving

It’s knowing when and where to look.

You’ll hear plenty of advice from people who claim to have it figured out. Look for dead elm trees. Check old apple orchards. Focus on south-facing slopes. Pay attention to soil moisture and temperature. I’ve tried to follow all of it, and I can tell you with confidence there is some truth to all those tips, but the best tip of all is to just be out there looking wherever you can.

I’ve walked straight to the exact conditions the experts describe

Cloverdale Middle School Sports Calendar

April 6

4:30 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Brown County and St. Charles at Brown County.

April 13

5 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs South Putnam, Lighthouse Christian Academy and Indy West Christian School at Cloverdale.

April 20

5 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Eminence, North Putnam and Southmont at Cloverdale.

April 27

5 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Clay City, LintonStockton and North CentralFarmersburg at North Central-

and come up empty. Then I’ve stumbled into a patch in a place that didn’t make any sense at all. Over time, I’ve settled on a simpler approach. Go for a long, slow walk and keep your eyes on the ground. You never know where you’re going to run into a patch of morels.

There are a few basics worth knowing. All true morels are hollow from stem to cap and have that distinct honeycomb look. That part matters because there are lookalikes out there called false morels that can make you sick or worse. If you’re not sure what you’ve found, don’t eat it. Having a good mushroom guidebook with you in the woods is a solid idea.

As for additional gear, you don’t need much. A walking stick helps you push aside leaves without bending over every step. A small knife is useful for cutting mushrooms at the base instead of pulling them out. Some say this helps sustain future growth. A mesh bag is a good idea, too. The theory being that as you walk, spores fall through the bag and help spread more mushrooms across the

Farmersburg.

April 30

5 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs Owen Valley at Cloverdale.

May 7

5:30 p.m. – Co-ed track & field at Putnam County Meet at Greencastle.

woods. Is it true? I don’t know, but it feels good to believe it is.

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a morel mushroom. They have a distinct, rich, nutty flavor. It’s like you can taste the Earth, in the best way imaginable. You may be able to buy a few morels on the roadside. I’ve yet to see them at a market in the U.S. like I did in Switzerland, but no matter what, you can’t buy the experience of finding them yourself. Effort is the only path to the reward.

Thankfully, you don’t have to travel around the world to find morels. If you live in the Midwest, then there’s a great chance they’re growing near your home. Right now, the woods are waking up. The ground is warming, and morels are beginning to push up through the leaves. The unexpected treat I picked up in Switzerland was all I needed to motivate me to lace up my boots and hit the woods next weekend.

See you down the trail…

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

May 11

5:30 p.m. – Co-ed track & field vs North Clay and South Putnam at Cloverdale.

May 16

8:30 a.m. – Co-ed track & field at WIC Meet at Owen Valley.

INK | PAGE 1

the opportunity—starting a new physical newspaper in today’s digital-first world is nearly as rare as the moon blotting out the sun. We wanted every visitor stepping into our community to see that Owen County has a local legacy worth printing, sharing and preserving.

Looking back on our April 2024 debut, we see more than just a successful business launch; we see a testament to the power of a community that refuses to let its story go untold.

When we began this journey, the board faced a mountain of unknowns. Could a nonprofit model sustain a local paper? Would the community still value the weight of news in their hands? At the time, we didn’t have

all the answers. All we had was faith—faith that our neighbors would recognize the vital importance of local journalism and the trust that Owen County would rally behind us.

The response was overwhelming. While we are still navigating the path to total financial sustainability, we are light years ahead of where we stood in April 2024. That progress is a direct result of the “all-in” attitude that defines our county.

The Owen News holds a unique distinction: we are Indiana’s first nonprofit newspaper. Our success doesn’t belong to a corporate office in a distant city; it belongs to the people of Owen County. We are here because of a collaborative ecosystem that believes in

BRIEF | FROM PAGE 7

Track chairs coming to State Parks

Visitors to Indiana State Parks with limited mobility will soon have a free tool available to help them get outside and explore trails, with state-of-the art track chairs coming to all Indiana State Parks throughout the state, including McCormick’s Creek.

A track chair is an all-terrain, electric-powered wheelchair that helps people with limited mobility safely explore rugged, off-road environments.

Purchase of 45 track chairs was made possible by $1 million in funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc. The funds were part of a $50 million grant the foundation

our mission.

The journey of The Owen News has been a testament to what is possible when a community refuses to let its voice go quiet.

We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the Owen County Community Foundation and the Owen County Chamber of Commerce, whose foundational belief in our mission provided the bedrock upon which we stand.

To our countless financial supporters, your contributions are more than just donations; they are an investment in the transparency and connectivity of our home.

And to our readers— those of you who pick up the paper at a local shop or share a story with a

made to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in 2024 to support new development and upgrades across the Indiana State Park system. The track chairs will be distributed statewide for use at each Indiana State Park and Indiana State Park Inn. The new chairs supplement the 13 powered mobility chairs that are currently available at Indiana State Parks.

“DNR works daily to ensure Indiana’s public lands are accessible to all,” said Alan Morrison, DNR director.

“Whether it’s traversing a trail, viewing wildlife, enjoying the beach, fishing, hunting, or other outdoor pursuits, our DNR properties are open and

neighbor—you are the reason behind what we do.

Your faith in Indiana’s first nonprofit newspaper has turned a bold ambition into a living reality, proving that local journalism doesn’t just survive in Owen County—it thrives because of you.

Two years in, we’ve proven that when we rally together to better the lives of our neighbors, incredible things happen. But this is just the beginning. We have big goals for the future of local reporting, community engagement and storytelling.

If you have questions about our mission or want to be part of our next chapter, we want to hear from you. Reach out to us at info@theowennews. org to learn how you can support local news.

welcome to Hoosiers of all interests and abilities. With support from Lilly Endowment, we’re proud to be the national leader in track chairs at our state parks.”

Caregiver support group to have April meeting

Area 10 Agency on Aging and Dementia Friendly Owen County facilitates care partner support groups at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St. in Spencer, on the fourth Thursday of each month.

The morning support group offering is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the evening support group offering is scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. The next support groups are

From all of us at The Owen News, thank you, Owen County, for proving that even in a digital age, some things are worth the ink.

Here’s to many more years of sharing our stories together.

You can support The Owen News by becoming a monthly member, with tiers starting as low as $5 per month. These memberships offer the convenience of having the print edition mailed directly to your home, ensuring you never miss a local story. Beyond home delivery, supporters gain access to exclusive perks such as membersonly merchandise and public recognition on our website or in the print edition. To learn more, visit theowennews.org.

scheduled for April 23.

Questions may be directed to Julia Mauder by calling 812935-2582 or emailing jmauder@ area10agency.org.

Cook Group supports Backpack Buddies

Cook Group recently supported the Backpack Buddies Program at Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS). A food drive at Cook resulted in over 200 jars of peanut butter and 5,571 nonperishable food items to support this important cause.

Donations to the Backpack Buddies Program enable S-OCS to create food bags to send home weekly with students experiencing food insecurity.

Understanding perinatal mental health

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

I like to say I get to be in the “real life” business. Whether it’s figuring out what’s for dinner, navigating family life, stretching a budget or taking better care of ourselves, I get to walk alongside our community through it all.

Welcoming a new baby is often pictured as one of life’s happiest moments—tiny fingers, sweet snuggles and lots of love. And while that is certainly part of the story, it’s not always the whole story. For many families, the time during pregnancy and after a baby arrives (called the

perinatal period) can also bring unexpected stress, worry and emotional ups and downs. Here’s something important to know—you are not alone. According to Postpartum Support International, one in five women and one in 10 men experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. That means in almost every community, there are families quietly navigating feelings like anxiety, overwhelm or sadness during a time that’s “supposed” to feel joyful.

Perinatal mental health includes more than just postpartum depression. Anxiety is one of the most common experiences, but it often flies under the radar. This can look like constant worry, racing thoughts, trouble sleeping (even when the baby is sleeping) or feeling like something might go wrong. Some people even experience physical symptoms like a pounding heart or shortness of breath.

And here’s the key message from Purdue Extension and researchbased programs: These feelings are common, they are treatable, and they do not define you as a parent.

There are many reasons why this time can feel overwhelming. Hormonal changes, lack of sleep, big life adjustments and trying to care for a newborn (while still taking care of yourself) can all add up. For some, especially in rural communities, it can feel even harder due to limited access to resources or simply feeling isolated.

You may have heard of the “baby blues,” which can include mood swings or tearfulness in the first couple of weeks after birth. That’s very common and usually short-lived. But when those feelings stick around longer, get stronger or begin to affect daily life, it may be something more—and that’s when extra support can make a big difference.

One of the biggest

challenges? Stigma. Too often, parents feel like they have to “hold it all together” or that asking for help means they’re not doing a good job. The truth is just the opposite. Talking about perinatal mental health openly helps normalize these experiences and makes it easier for others to speak up, too.

Let’s start shifting the conversation:

It’s okay to not feel okay all the time.

It’s okay to ask for help.

It’s okay to talk about it. Support can come in many forms—talking with a healthcare provider, connecting with a support group, reaching out to a friend or simply having someone listen without judgment. Postpartum Support International offers resources and support options for families navigating this journey.

We can all play a role in supporting one another. A simple checkin, offering a meal or

sitting with someone for a conversation can go a long way. When we create a community where people feel safe to share, we reduce stigma and build stronger, healthier families.

Purdue Extension is committed to bringing awareness and education to topics just like this— because when we know better, we can support each other better.

If you’re interested in learning more or want to be part of the conversation, I will be offering a class on Understanding Perinatal Mental Health on April 21. Be sure to check out the Community Calendar section of this newspaper for more details.

Let’s keep the conversation going— because no one should have to navigate this season alone.

The Purdue ExtensionOwen County office is located at 180 S. Washington St., Spencer and can be reached by calling 812-829-5020.

2026 4-H Project of the Year and electricity workshop

By Cassie Linville 4-H Youth Development Educator

Project of the Year, highlighting hands-on learning, problem-solving skills and real-world applications that help youth better understand how electricity powers everyday life.

To kick off the project year, 4-H will host a Project of the Year Electricity Workshop designed to engage members of all ages while building confidence with electrical concepts and tools.

The workshop will

take place on Saturday, May 2, from 3 to 7 p.m., and is open to all Owen County 4-H members. While attendance at the workshop is not required to complete the Electric Project, it offers a valuable opportunity for youth to learn how to assemble their project kits, ask questions and receive guidance from knowledgeable volunteers in a supportive environment. Participants will work with age-appropriate electrical kits tailored to their project level. Mini 4-H members will have options such as a wind turbine fan, simple circuit board or wind-powered car. Level 1 and Level 2 members who are in their first or second year of completing the Electric project may choose between a circuit board or a magnetic-powered flashlight. Level 3 and

above members who have completed at least two prior years in the Electric project will work with more advanced kits, choosing between a trouble light kit or an extension cord kit. These hands-on activities are designed to reinforce STEM concepts while encouraging creativity and critical thinking.

Thanks to the generous support of the Indiana 4-H Foundation and Premier Companies, every 4-H member who attends the workshop will receive a free electric kit of their choice. Space and supplies are limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged.

Registration must be completed by April 3 to guarantee participants receive their preferred kit and correct T-shirt size.

In addition, any 4-H member who completes the Electric Project—

whether or not they attend the workshop— will earn a free 2026 Project of the Year T-shirt. This incentive celebrates the hard work and dedication of youth who explore electricity throughout the year.

Registration is currently open on 4-H Online under the Events tab. Families are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible to ensure availability.

Owen County 4-H is also seeking adult volunteers to help make this workshop a success. Individuals who are knowledgeable about electricity, wiring or assembling electrical kits are invited to get involved. Volunteer support is essential for guiding youth safely through the projects and providing hands-on assistance during the workshop.

Anyone interested

in volunteering is encouraged to contact 4-H Educator Cassie Linville to begin the volunteer enrollment process. Adults with experience in wiring, basic electrical work or mechanical assembly are especially needed, and no previous 4-H volunteering experience is required.

This Project of the Year offers an exciting opportunity for young people to learn valuable skills while exploring how electricity works in the world around them. With the support of volunteers, sponsors and families, Owen County 4-H looks forward to an engaging and educational year ahead.

For more information, registration details, or volunteer opportunities, contact the Purdue Extension-Owen County office at 812-829-5020.

What happens at the library when you’re not looking

By Brittany Van Hook OCPL Director

Most people think of the library as a quiet place filled with books. While that is certainly part of what we offer, a typical day at the Owen County Public Library (OCPL) is much more active than many might expect. From early morning readers to evening programs, the library is constantly serving the community in different ways

throughout the day.

The day often begins with some of our earliest visitors arriving shortly after the doors open. Many come to read the morning newspaper, check their email or spend a little quiet time browsing the shelves. Some patrons stop on their way to work, while others enjoy using the library as a peaceful place to start their day.

As the morning continues, the building gradually fills with activity. Adult education classes may be meeting in the Lifelong Learning Center, where students are working toward their High School Equivalency or developing new career skills through certification courses. At the same time, others

may be using library computers, studying in quiet corners or meeting with friends over a good book.

By early afternoon, another wave of visitors arrives. Parents and young children often stop in to pick out new books, attend story programs or spend time in the children’s area exploring the library’s collection. For many families, the library is a regular stop during the week and an important place where young readers begin to develop a love of books.

After school, the energy in the building shifts again. Students arrive to work on homework, use computers or simply relax after a busy

school day. The Teen Hangout Room becomes a popular gathering space where teens can spend time together in a safe and welcoming environment. Some may be gaming with friends, while others are studying or participating in one of the library’s regular teen programs.

As evening approaches, the library continues to serve as a gathering place for the community. Meetings, classes and special programs bring people together to learn new things and connect with one another. From educational workshops to community groups, the library remains active well into the evening hours.

What many people

may not realize is that all this activity happens every day. The library is more than a place to borrow books—it is a place where people learn, connect and spend time together. So, the next time you drive by the library, remember that inside those walls something new is always happening. Whether it’s a quiet morning with a newspaper, an afternoon filled with students or an evening program bringing neighbors together, the Owen County Public Library is always at work serving the community. The OCPL is located at 10 S. Montgomery St. in Spencer and can be reached by calling 812829-3392.

Second annual ON morel mushroom contest

Staff Report

Is it the thrill of the hunt, or the taste of the magnificent morel that drives Owen Countians wild? Whether foraging in the woods or frying up a batch of flavorful fungi is your favorite part of the annual spring tradition, The Owen News is pleased to announce the return of our annual Morel Mushroom Contest!

In addition to “Sweet Owen” bragging rights, the mushroom hunter who finds the largest morel (length + width) will receive $50, while second place will be awarded $25 and third place $10.

The contest is open to Owen County residents only and will officially close at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 29. Entries are free this year and are not limited, so keep hunting as the season progresses.

The winners of the second annual contest, which is sponsored by A Fungus Amoung Us, LLC, will be announced in our June 2026 issue.

The contest is limited to yellow or gray morel (sponge) mushroom varieties. All entries must have been found in Owen County.

All entries must be measured at the Owen County Community Foundation, 60 E. Market St., Spencer, during their normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

As a reminder, morel mushrooms typically start to emerge when the soil temperature reaches around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer air temperatures in the 60s and 70s during the day and no lower than 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

For the best longevity and to prevent mushrooms from going bad, mushrooms should be stored in a brown paper bag or lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Storing them in plastic traps moisture, leading to a slimy texture and creates the potential for mold growth. The best way to harvest morel mushrooms is to cut them at the base with scissors or a knife, or

pinch them off at the base with your fingers. Cutting or pinching ensures that the mushroom is removed without damaging the mycelium, which is the underground network that helps the mushrooms grow.

Using a mesh bag is also recommended because it allows the spores to fall back to the ground as you continue your hunt, potentially helping to maintain or increase the morel population.

Morels are found in various habitats, often near dead or dying trees such as elms, poplars and ash trees, as well as in old apple orchards. Morel mushrooms are considered to be mycorrhizal, meaning they form a mutualistic relationship with the roots of trees. This relationship benefits both the fungus and the tree, with the fungus receiving carbohydrates from the plant and the plant gaining access to more water and nutrients from the soil due to the increased surface area provided by the mycelium of the fungus. This dual nature of morels— being both mycorrhizal and saprotrophic— explains why they can be found in a variety of environments, including around dead or dying trees.

Good luck and happy hunting!

OVHS celebrates winter Patriot Award winners

Ramblings: Signs of spring are all around us

By Annie Bright Guest Columnist

It is usually necessary to have an ending before we celebrate a beginning. I celebrated the end of winter with a visit to McCormick’s Creek State Park this week. My trip to the park created this poem. “Farewell” I hear the songs of the spring peepers.

I feel the warmth of the sun.

I smell the awakening earth. I taste the sweet rain

of spring. I see the tiny green leaves. Winter has ended *** Today I celebrate the first day of spring. Mother Nature has been playing tricks on us this past week. One day the temps are near 80; the next day we plunge to 20 degrees. Living in Indiana, we should be accustomed to this behavior from Mother Nature. Spring is my favorite season. The earth bursts awake with such energy she spurs me to go rambling. I want to see what is happening in the gullies, along the cliffs and in the fields. My eyes scan the skies for returning birds. My eyes search the ground for tiny shoots of green emerging from

the damp ground. I was not disappointed with my short hike along trail 9 at the park. Tiny heart-shaped leaves of violets grew beside the moss. The moss is the greenest thing in the forest now. The new growth is a bright green. The ferns are lush with new shoots. Those dreaded multiflora roses created a mist of green throughout the forest. Some of the trees showed swollen buds; they are about to don their green gowns. I didn’t see many birds, but I did hear the call of a bird I could not identify. It was hiding in the top of one of the tall trees. I think the bird was a bit upset that I was invading its territory.

The park was full of families the day I visited. Several schools were on Spring Break. The sound of children filled the air near the playgrounds. The parking lot by the Nature Center was full. This made me very happy. I believe children need to spend time in the natural world. They need unscheduled time to just ‘be,’ without a screen to occupy them. Adults need that too, in my opinion.

April is the time to celebrate Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated in the U.S. in 1970. The idea caught on. Now 192 countries celebrate Earth Day. The idea is to encourage everyone to help create a healthy, sustainable

environment. If you are looking for something to do in April, the Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park has organized Wildflower Weekend April 1012. The event offers several activities and guided hikes in the park and one at each of the following: MYPath, Cataract Falls, Green’s Bluff and the Owen-Putnam State Forest. There is a Native Plant Sale planned for Saturday, April 11. More information can be found on the Friends’ Facebook page. I haven’t decided which hike I am doing. I’d like to do them all, but these old knees would protest.

See you on the trail! Annie

It’s Just a Country State of Mind: Call of the whippoorwill

By Susan Anderson Guest Columnist

young, I lived out in the country with my family. I can still recall the sound of a strange bird every evening after the sun started to set. It was a whippoorwill, though I didn’t know it at the time. Later, my parents told me that I could remember its name by the sound it makes.

The whippoor-will makes the same sound as its name. That’s how you can distinguish its call from other bird calls. It might interest you to know that the hyphenated

version of its name is the standard in ornithology and in formal bird guides. The one-word version is frequently accepted in dictionaries.

The bird has even been the inspiration for several quotes, homes and stories. The famous essayist Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “The note of the whippoorwill echoing across the fields is the voice that the moon and moonlight use to woo me.”

A few years back, a friend of mine asked if I had heard any whippoorwills while out in the forest. I had to think about it. They come out at night to forage. Their favorite meals are moths and other insects, so naturally I wouldn’t hear them unless I was

out in the woods at night.

Whippoorwills are migrating birds and they go south for the winter. They come back to Indiana between March and April. I was on a mission to find the answer to this question. When it was time for them to return, I made a point to be out in different forests just to see if I could hear these elusive birds. In all my experiments, I never heard one. That does not mean that there weren’t any, it just means that I didn’t hear them.

So, I did a deeper dive in my studies. The whippoorwill has a distinct look. They are about 10 inches in height, and they are spotted with brown feathers, which makes them hard to see in a heavily wooded area. Their habitat

is normally in the eastern and central United States. The female of the species lays two eggs among the leaves on the ground. You won’t see these birds at a bird feeder. They are rather a reclusive lot. They like to be heard and not seen.

I can still remember as a child having my bedroom window open and listening to the sound of their calls in the night. When I was out camping in the Missouri Ozark, I heard them at night. In fact, every time I’ve camped there, I have heard them. It thrilled my heart to hear a sound from my childhood as I lay under the stars in my tent. It was a bit of nostalgia for me, remembering those early days when it was a nightly event to hear them in the

Indiana forests back home.

When the sun rises, the whippoorwill becomes silent, blending into its surroundings by lying on a tree branch. The whippoorwill lies flat and parallel on the branch, camouflaged by its beautiful plumage. They spend their days resting on the tree limbs.

So finally, after returning from one of my camping trips to the Ozark, I researched some articles to find out why they weren’t as prevalent in Indiana. What I found out was a little bit alarming. These birds are in significant decline in Indiana with their range having dropped roughly 60 to 70 percent over the past 50 years. They are considered a species of special concern in Indiana due to habitat loss,

specifically due to the maturation of forests and the reduction of young, open-canopy forest habitats. Conservation efforts have been made, particularly by the Indiana Audubon Society, who are now focusing on their remaining breeding habitats. One such place is at Indiana Dunes. This lightened my heart quite a bit to read this. There are others who are working on their conservation as well. So, to answer my friend’s question, I have to say no, I haven’t heard any whippoorwills lately, at least not in Indiana. But I am hopeful that I will hear them again one day.

Have you heard any whippoorwills lately?

Happy spring!

— Susan

OVHS making plans for Alumni Military Honor Wall

Owen Valley High School plans

By Kris Samick

S-OCS Director of Communications

Owen Valley High School (OVHS) is proud to begin a new initiative to recognize and honor OVHS graduates who have answered the call to serve our country. We are working to create a permanent display that celebrates alumni who have enlisted and honorably served in any branch of the United States military. Our goal is to build this tribute from the very beginning of Owen Valley High School’s history. While this is a meaningful challenge, we believe

in the strength of our community and the power of our alumni network to help make it possible. As Owen Valley continues to support students in exploring all post-graduation pathways, including military enlistment, this display will stand as a lasting symbol of

service, sacrifice and pride. If you are an OVHS graduate who has served in the military, we would be honored to include you. Please share the following information:

*Name *Branch of Service

*Rank Attained

*Years Enlisted

You can submit your information by contacting OVHS Principal Robert Boltinghouse at rboltinghouse@socs. k12.in.us or by calling 812-829-2266. Please help us spread the word and ensure that every Patriot who has served is recognized.