VOL. 3, ISSUE NO. 9
WWW.THEOWENNEWS.ORG
FRIDAY, AUG. 7, 2026
Porter trial results in conviction
Jury finds Bloomington man guilty on all counts By Chloe Oden Correspondent Most nights, Malik Darea Sims played video games with his friends. They would play Call of Duty, Fortnite or an edition of NBA 2K. On the night he went missing, he wasn’t online. His username didn’t show up as active. The night he went missing, on July 14, 2024, he had made plans with a girl. But as the day went on, she stopped receiving messages from him. Everyone did.
The next day, Jennifer Hawkins was driving along a gravel stretch of Stephenson Road, near the Owen-Monroe county line. She looked into the field and saw what appeared to be someone laying on their left side, head down. She called 911. Sims was found dead, about 20 feet from the road with a black plastic bag tied over his head, covering up a single gunshot wound. He was barefoot, wearing just a pair of red shorts. His knees and thighs were covered in light-colored dust. The last person he was seen
with was Quentin Lamont Porter Jr. Porter was found guilty for murdering Sims on July 29, 2026, at the end of a seven-day trial. The 12-person jury also found him responsible for four other charges: auto theft of Sims’ car, identity deception, theft of Sims’ phone and theft of Sims’ credit cards. Each day on the third floor of the Owen County Courthouse, the prosecution and defense made their cases, presenting evidence, calling up witnesses and urging the jury to vote in their favor, all
while Porter sat at the defense table, watching and listening. The jury heard from Sims’ friends, Porter’s family, detectives and other law enforcement, forensic experts and other witnesses who swore — right hands raised — to tell the truth. In just over two weeks, Porter allegedly bought a Taurus 9-millimeter handgun, killed Sims, stole his car, cleaned the evidence, spent hundreds on the victim’s credit card and was arrested for murder.
CONVICTION | PAGE 6
State Police seek help in 30-year old case By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent Staff Report For Owen Valley High School’s new principal, Jake Steinmetz, leading the school isn’t just the next step in his career; it’s a homecoming. After 13 years in school administration and a career shaped by mentors, educators, and diverse leadership experiences, Steinmetz has returned to the place where his journey in education began. His connection to Owen Valley runs even deeper than his first teaching position. His mother once served as a special education teacher at Owen Valley High School, making his return especially meaningful. “I started my teaching career at OV, so I am excited to come full circle and be able to lead the building into the future,” Steinmetz said. “I am looking forward to starting the school year and seeing how the students grow this school year.” Education has long been part of Steinmetz’s family’s
STEINMETZ | PAGE 14
County agrees to purchase land on S.R. 46W for new jail location By Tyler DeFord Interim Editor After a three-hour joint meeting of the Owen County Council and the Owen County Commissioners on July 27, the county officials voted to purchase 18 acres of land at 909 W. State Road 46 for $1,652,675. This land is slated to be the site of a brand new county jail, but many specifics about costs, exact locations
of road access, sewer lines, and even building placement are still being determined. “I, myself, and I know the rest of the council and the commissioners, have spent hours and hours studying this and making sure that your tax dollars are put in the best possible way,” assured councilwoman at-large Polly Chesser during the opening remarks. Information presented about the land
Dustin Frye from Build BW in Indianapolis began with a presentation to the joint assembly with details about the progress, design and costs related to the jail project. Patriot Engineering conducted environmental testing, and no issues were reported at the site in question. A geotechnical report including analysis
JAIL | PAGE 10
State investigators are renewing their call for public assistance as this July marked 30 years since the unsolved murder of Bryan Edward Haltom. Haltom, 18, was shot and killed in the early morning hours of July 17, 1996, along U.S. 231, just north of Spencer. The cold case remains open, with investigators and Haltom’s
HELP | PAGE 6
White River Poultry Club prepares for 2026 Fall Show By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent Poultry enthusiasts, exhibitors, and youth showmen will gather at the Owen County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 5 as the White River Poultry Club hosts its annual Fall Show. Located at 364 S. East St. in Spencer, the daylong event will feature open and junior exhibition
POULTRY | PAGE 7
NEWS IN BRIEF Veteran Service Officer earns IDVA accreditation
Phillip Davis, Owen County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO), has achieved official Service Officer
BRIEF | PAGE 5
2
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
TRUSTED NEWS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY
HOW TO CONTACT US MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 64 SPENCER, IN 47460
PHONE
812-210-4662
INFO@THEOWENNEWS.ORG
WWW.THEOWENNEWS.ORG OUR BOARD PRESIDENT
TRAVIS CURRY
VICE PRESIDENT AARON LAGRANGE
BOARD MEMBERS JESSICA BRINSON SUZANNAH COUCH CAROLINE RILEY STEFAN WELSH
OUR STAFF INTERIM EDITOR TYLER DEFORD
PRODUCTION, ADVERTISING & BUSINESS MANAGER VICTORIA ARTHUR
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT TRAVIS CURRY
BUSINESS INTERN KATELYN SHELLEY
A note to our readers By Travis Curry President, The Owen News Board of Directors Every meaningful journey is built upon the vision of those who step up when an idea is still just a sketch on a notepad. As we look back on the founding of The Owen News, it is impossible not to recognize the individuals who helped turn a shared vision for local community journalism into a tangible reality. Today, we want to extend a sincere thank you to Nicole DeCriscio for her service to The Owen News. From the very beginning, Nicole played a key role in laying the groundwork for this publication. Building something from scratch is no small feat. It requires countless hours, relentless effort, and an enduring belief in the importance of keeping our community connected and informed. Nicole excelled at surrounding herself with individuals who shared that same vision: a commitment to local journalism that highlights the people, places, and events of Owen County, helping to fill the void and eliminate what had become a local news desert. She brought a journalistic passion and belief in the power of the press to that foundational work, helping us lay the groundwork for everything we have accomplished since. As organizations grow and evolve, there come moments when paths shift. As part of this transition, the board has selected Tyler DeFord to step into the role of interim editor to guide our editorial operations. Tyler will work alongside me as I continue serving the paper as senior correspondent and consultant, as well as fellow board members Aaron LaGrange, Jessica Brinson, Suzannah Couch, Caroline Riley, and Stefan Welsh, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining our ongoing commitment to thorough local reporting. Every single member of our board lives right here in Owen County, deeply rooted in the area and fully dedicated to seeing our local communities thrive, connect, and continue to grow. The story of The Owen News’ success is, above all, a story of community partnership and trust. Together, we have restored dedicated local reporting focused on our governmental boards and offices, schools, and community milestones. We have expanded our reach while continuing to build a steadily growing, engaged audience across Owen County. Most importantly, we have fostered deeper community connections by giving local events, civic groups, and everyday neighbors a dedicated voice. Because of the hard work put into building this strong base, the future of The Owen News looks bright. We are especially excited that the newspaper will soon open its own dedicated office space on E. Franklin St., on the north side of the square in downtown Spencer, a physical home that will allow us to serve you even better. We remain steadfast in our mission to deliver honest, thorough, and engaging coverage to our readers, and we are excited about these new initiatives and growth opportunities ahead.
Government Meeting Calendar
EDITORIAL INTERN CHLOE ODEN
PICKUP LOCATIONS BABBS SUPERMARKET MILLGROVE COUNTRY MART SPENCER PRIDE
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ABOUT THE OWEN NEWS THE OWEN NEWS IS THE PRINTED NEWSPAPER OWNED BY THE OWEN NEWS PROJECT, INC., A NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION. AT THE OWEN NEWS PROJECT, WE ARE COMMITTED TO DELIVERING RELIABLE AND UNBIASED LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION TO EMPOWER OUR READERS AND BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY. THE OWEN NEWS IS A MEMBER OF THE HOOSIER STATE PRESS ASSOCATION (HSPA). SINCE 1933, THE HSPA HAS BEEN INDIANA’S TRADE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATING FOR THE FREE PRESS, PROMOTING HIGH STANDARDS OF JOURNALISM, AND PROVIDING SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO ITS MEMBER NEWSPAPERS. THE OWEN NEWS IS ONE OF THE FIRST NONPROFIT NEWSPAPERS TO JOIN THE HSPA.
AUGUST 10
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. AUGUST 11
Gosport Town Council, 7 p.m. in the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport. AUGUST 13
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. Board work session/budget workshop. Owen County Board of Zoning Appeals, 7 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer. AUGUST 17
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. AUGUST 18
Owen County Advisory Plan Commission, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer. AUGUST 19
Spencer Redevelopment Commission, 6 p.m. in the
Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer. AUGUST 20
Owen County Board of Commissioners, 6 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer. AUGUST 24
Spencer Parks and Recreation Board, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer. AUGUST 25
Spencer Plan Commission & BZA, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer. Gosport Town Council, 7 p.m. in the Gosport Community Building, 301 N. Ninth St., Gosport.
AUGUST 26
Spencer Economic Development Commission, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer. AUGUST 27
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. SEPTEMBER 3
Owen County Board of Commissioners, 6 p.m., Commissioners’ Room, Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer. SEPTEMBER 7
Spencer Town Council, 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.
3
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Community Events Calendar AUGUST 8
center, 17 E. Franklin St.,
Trio, 5:30 p.m. at Owen
Gosport Farmers’ Market, 3 to
Franklin St., Spencer. A
Friends of the Library Book
Spencer. Designed for
Valley Winery, Vineyard
6 p.m. in the parking lot of
group for people who
Sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
all people of all abilities.
& Bistro, 491 Timber
the Lighthouse Fellowship
quilt, scrapbook, paint,
in the Community
No experience required.
Ridge Rd., Spencer. Free.
Church, 5392 S.R. 67,
decoupage, etc. Bring
Room at the Owen
AUGUST 13
AUGUST 16
Gosport.
your own supplies to
AUGUST 22
work on a project while
County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.
Live music by He & Harmony, 5:30 p.m. at Owen Valley Winery, Vineyard & Bistro, 491 Timber Ridge Rd., Spencer. Free. AUGUST 9
StoryTime with Bobbi Lancaster, Rainbow Sunday Circle, 4 10 a.m. in the Youth
p.m. at the Spencer Pride
Live music by Happy Accident
Services Department at
commUnity center, 17
Duo, 5:30 p.m. at Owen
the Owen County Public
E. Franklin St., Spencer.
Valley Winery, Vineyard
Library, 10 S. Montgomery A group for people
SpencerPride.org.
Ridge Rd., Spencer. Free
AUGUST 29
Gosport Farmers’ Market, 3 to
peaceful, joyful, and
AUGUST 24
Sale on the Square, 9 a.m. to
Spencer Main Street, Inc.
2 p.m. on Franklin Street
6 p.m. in the parking lot of
loving life.
Live music by Marty Barrow,
Church, 5392 S.R. 67,
of Kings” as told by Charles
1 p.m. at Owen Valley
Gosport.
Dickens, 7 p.m. at the
Winery, Vineyard &
Polymer Clay, 6 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Owen County
AUGUST 10
Public Library, 10 S.
Jolly Homemakers meeting,
Montgomery St., Spencer.
1 p.m. at the Freedom
Open to teens and adults.
Community Center, 5558
White River Beekeepers
Freedom-Arney Rd.,
contact Terry@
who wish to live a more
Free showing of “The King
Rd., Spencer. Free.
For more information,
St., Spencer.
the Lighthouse Fellowship
Bistro, 491 Timber Ridge
& Bistro, 491 Timber
others do the same.
meeting, 6:30 p.m. in
board meeting, 6:30 p.m., Viquesney Room, Historic Tivoli Theatre,
Historic Tivoli Theatre,
24 N. Washington St.,
24 N. Washington St.,
Spencer. Open to the
Spencer. Doors open at
public.
6:30 p.m. Presented by Owen County Christian Programs, Inc. AUGUST 17
AUGUST 25
Free senior adult lunch, 12:30 p.m. at the Gosport United Methodist Church,
Nature Art, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
119 N. Seventh St., Gosport. If you are a shut-
on the courthouse square in downtown Spencer. A “junk in the trunk” event every last Saturday of the month, May to October. Reserve a spot for $20; we refund $10 when you set up. Sign up and sell your yard sale stuff. And bring your shopping friends, because it’s always free to shop!
Freedom.
the Community Room
in the Activity Room
VFW Post #1405 Comrade
at the Owen County
at the Owen County
in and need delivery, call
and Auxiliary meeting, 6
Public Library, 10 S.
Public Library, 10 S.
765-860-4719.
p.m. at the Post, 78 E.
Montgomery St., Spencer.
Franklin St., Spencer.
Current and prospective
All Comrades and
beekeepers are welcome
and adults.
Auxiliary members are
to attend.
AUGUST 18
788 Pottersville Rd.,
encouraged to attend.
Spencer Masonic Lodge #95
Spencer Lions Club meeting,
Spencer. Open to the
AUGUST 11
stated meeting, 7:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. in the Lester
public.
Braysville Homemakers
at the Lodge, 361 N.
F. Litten Community
AUGUST 26
meeting, 5:30 p.m. in
Harrison St., Spencer.
Building, 59 N. Main St.,
the upstairs meeting
AUGUST 14
Spencer.
Iris Youth Group meeting, 5
room at the Historic
Craft Night, 5 to 7 p.m.
AUGUST 19
commUnity center, 17
Tivoli Theatre, 24
at the Spencer Pride
Adult Euchre Night, 6 to 8
E. Franklin St., Spencer.
N. Washington St.,
commUnity center, 17 E.
p.m. in the Community
A group for LGBTQ+
Spencer. Elevator access
Franklin St., Spencer. A
Room at the Owen
teens and allies (10-19)
is available. For more
group for people who
County Public Library,
to connect, support each
information, call 812-
quilt, scrapbook, paint,
10 S. Montgomery St.,
other and have fun.
829-5020.
decoupage, etc. Bring
Spencer. Open to adults
Cupcakes & Canvas, 6 p.m.
AUGUST 12
your own supplies to
age 18+.
in the Activity Room
SEPTEMBER 3
Harrison Homemakers meeting,
work on a project while
Spencer Pride Board of
at the Owen County
Spencer Exchange Club
others do the same.
Directors meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Public Library, 10 S.
meeting, noon at the
For more information,
at the Spencer Pride
Montgomery St., Spencer.
Owen County Family
contact Terry@
commUnity center, 17 E.
Open to teens and adults.
YMCA, 1111 W. S.R. 46,
St., Spencer.
SpencerPride.org.
Franklin St., Spencer.
Call 812-829-3392 to
Spencer.
Iris Youth Group meeting, 5
AUGUST 15
AUGUST 20
p.m. at the Spencer Pride
Coal City Community Volunteer
Spencer Exchange Club
commUnity center, 17 E.
Fire Department Annual Car
meeting, noon at the Owen
Franklin St., Spencer. A
Show and Fish Fry at the VFD,
County Family YMCA,
group for LGBTQ+ teens
4212 Main St., Coal City.
1111 W. S.R. 46, Spencer.
and allies (10-19) to
The car show is set for 1
connect, support each
to 6 p.m. with a $20 per
Calico Homemakers meeting,
other and have fun.
car entry fee. The fish
Community Yoga, 6:15 to
fry follows from 4 to 7
noon at the Purdue Extension-Owen County office, 180 S. Washington
7:15 p.m. at the Spencer
p.m.
Pride commUnity
Live music by Deep Country
Montgomery St., Spencer. Open to teens
4 p.m. Meetings are held
Owen County SWCD Board of Supervisors meeting, 4:30 p.m. at the SWCD office,
p.m. at the Spencer Pride
reserve your spot.
Our Own Personal Story with Cathy Wyatt, 1 p.m. in the Community Room at the Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer. Open to all ages.
Live music by The Natural Causes, 5:30 p.m. at Owen Valley Winery, Vineyard & Bistro, 491 Timber Ridge Rd., Spencer. Free. SEPTEMBER 1
Spencer Lions Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the Lester F. Litten Community Building, 59 N. Main St., Spencer.
Gosport Lions Club meeting,
AUGUST 27
6:30 p.m. at the Gosport
Gosport Farmers’ Market, 3
Community Building,
to 6 p.m. in the parking
301 N. Ninth St.,
lot of the Lighthouse
Gosport.
Fellowship Church, 5392
SEPTEMBER 5
S.R. 67, Gosport.
Live music by Blue-Eyed
at a different restaurant
AUGUST 28
Reverie, 5:30 p.m. at Owen
each month. For more
Craft Night, 5 to 7 p.m.
Valley Winery, Vineyard &
information, call 812-829-
at the Spencer Pride
Bistro, 491 Timber Ridge
5020.
commUnity center, 17 E.
Rd., Spencer. Free.
4
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Jail Bookings EDITOR’S NOTE: Booking information is provided by the Owen County Security Center. These are preliminary charges and may change as cases are processed through the circuit court system. To follow a court case, search the state’s court records at mycase.in.gov. This information is public record. All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
7-16 Rusty Button, 30, Crystal, MI, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine and failure to appear. Arrested by OCSD Special Deputy Levi Miller.
7-17 Tyler Shatto, 36, Scottsburg, IN, preliminary charges of residential entry, criminal mischief, and battery resulting in bodily injury. 7-13 OCSD Sergeant Torrey Taylor Mras, 31, Wallace was the arresting Gosport, preliminary officer. charges of possession of Jeremy Walker, 48, paraphernalia, possession Terre Haute, preliminary of a controlled substance, charges of possession of pretrial release violation, paraphernalia, criminal and possession of mischief, possession of marijuana, hash oil, a controlled substance, hashish, or salvia. and possession of Arrested by Owen County methamphetamine. Sheriff’s Department Arrested by OCSD Deputy (OCSD) Major William Tony Stevens. Snodgrass. Robbie Cornwell, 52, Gosport, preliminary charge of criminal 7-14 mischief. OCSD Deputy Melissa Montgomery, Cory Poland was the 46, Cloverdale, arresting officer. preliminary charge Brittany Lake, 36, of operating while intoxicated. OCSD Deputy Bloomington, preliminary charges of theft, auto William Browne was the theft, and possession arresting officer. of methamphetamine. Arrested by Spencer 7-15 Herman Baker, Jr., 28, Police Department (SPD) officer E.J. Westgate. Shelbyville, preliminary charges of intimidation 7-20 and probation violation. Heather RainsArrested by OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler. Maxwell, 37, Mooresville, preliminary charges of Brittany Daniels, 32, Spencer, preliminary unlawful possession of charges of theft, a syringe and probation unauthorized entry of violation. OCSD Sergeant a motor vehicle, and Torrey Wallace was the criminal trespass. OCSD arresting officer. Lieutenant Clint Wampler Mauricio Peralta, 34, was the arresting officer. Spencer, preliminary charge of operating
while intoxicated endangering a person. Arrested by OCSD Major William Snodgrass. Izayah Webb, 24, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of invasion of privacy (two counts). OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler was the arresting officer. 7-21 Travis Stephens, 49, Gosport, preliminary charge of failure to file as a violent sex offender. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Elijah Volrich. Joshua Shumaker, 44, Quincy, preliminary charges of failure to appear and theft. SPD officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer. Geovanni Antonio, 29, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement (two counts), leaving the scene of an accident, criminal recklessness, reckless driving, and disorderly conduct. Arrested by SPD officer Ben Muncie. 7-22 Joseph Pattison II, 35, Poland, IN, preliminary charge of intimidation. OCSD Deputy Ryan Bonebrake was the arresting officer. 6-11 Evan Rice, 29, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of probation violation and attempted residential entry. Arrested by SPD officer Zach Brock. 7-23 Christian McCurdy, 24, Pendleton, preliminary charges of disorderly
conduct, domestic battery, strangulation, and pretrial release violation. Arrested by OCSD Sergeant Torrey Wallace. Raymond Moore, 77, Spencer, preliminary charge of invasion of privacy. OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler was the arresting officer. 7-24 Justin Seitz, 41, Poland, IN, preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement and driving while suspended with a prior charge. Arrested by OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler. Heather Blackwell, 38, Bloomington, preliminary charge of domestic battery. OCSD Lieutenant Clint Wampler was the arresting officer. 6-18 Brooke Neal, 47, Unionville, preliminary charges of driving while suspended with a prior charge, failure to appear (two counts), possession of paraphernalia, and possession of methamphetamine. Arrested by SPD officer Bryce Brock.
charges of domestic battery and resisting law enforcement. OCSD Deputy Elijah Volrich was the arresting officer. 7-31 Gus Linne, 64, Spencer, preliminary charges of pointing a firearm (two counts) and intimidation. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Cory Poland. 8-1
Meranda Lovell, 38, Bloomington, preliminary charge of battery resulting in bodily injury. OCSD Deputy Ryan Bonebrake was the arresting officer. 8-3
Jerad Gilliland, 43, Greencastle, preliminary charges of driving while suspended with a prior charge and probation violation. Arrested by OCSD Deputy Stephen DeWitt II. 8-4
7-29 Donovan Jackson, 52, Poland, IN, preliminary charge of driving while suspended with a prior charge. Arrested by OCSD Sergeant Brandon Gasparovic.violation and criminal trespass. Arrested by OCSD Major William Snodgrass. 7-30 John Compton, 38, Needham, IN, preliminary
Brooklen Whyde, 29, Indianapolis, preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, and false identity statement. SPD officer Bryce Brock was the arresting officer. Kathleen Hendershot, 54, Freedom, preliminary charge of failure to appear. Arrested by OCSD Deputy John Lowder II.
Owen County teen’s double murder trial set to begin this month By Chloe Oden Correspondent Jeremiah Dill will be tried as an adult on Aug. 18 at the Owen County Courthouse as he faces two counts of murder for allegedly killing his father and great uncle on Aug. 9, 2025, when he was 15 years old. Dill is accused of killing Grantham Chandler, 43, and Jeffrey Fauber, 61, in the driveway of a home in Quincy. Owen County Dispatch received a call at about 3:42 p.m. that day, concerning a gunshot victim. After allegedly shooting them, Dill turned himself in at the Martinsville Police Department, according to a probable cause affidavit. He said “I killed my parents,” and told an officer that “The guns are in the car.” Dill also was reported to have said “I’m fighting demons.” Owen Circuit Court I Judge Don VanDerMoere II previously cited Dill’s history of mental health interventions and commitments, noting that his guardians were unable to control him at home. Just 10 days before Dill
allegedly killed his family members, he told a Bloomington Police Department officer that he was going to kill his father. Afterwards, he was admitted into Valle Vista, a mental health clinic, from which he was released on Aug. 7, 2025, according to the affidavit. In the hearing that VanDerMoere ruled Dill would be tried as an adult, Prosecutor Benjamin Kim had to prove that the defendant was at least 12 years old, probable cause of the crime occurred and that the juvenile was involved and charging as an adult was in the best interest of the juvenile and safety of the community. Public defender Megan Schueler had argued that the juvenile system was best, due to the services and structure it provides for rehabilitation. She claimed the system had failed Dill. In the hearing, VanDerMoere claimed Dill had been “lying in wait” and gave details alluding to Dill’s motive. “They took your damn Xbox,” he said. VanDerMoere ordered Dill held without bond. He
also approved a motion for
to a mental disease or defect.
psychiatric evaluations to be
“This investigation is tragic,
performed on Dill. Earlier this
and I am at a loss for words on
year, the court granted a request
such a horrendous violation to
from the defense related to the
these two victims,” Owen County
state’s legal statute defining the
Sheriff Ryan White said at a press
insanity defense — IC 35-41-3-6.
conference held last year at the
That code means a person is not responsible for the
courthouse. Prosecutor Kim has issued
prohibited conduct they engaged
a reminder that all persons are
in if they were unable to
presumed innocent until proven
understand its wrongfulness due
guilty in a court of law.
5
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
BRIEF | FROM PAGE 1 Accreditation from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA). Davis was presented with an accreditation certificate and a specialized IDVA challenge coin by IDVA Director Jake Adams and agency leadership during the opening of the department’s annual training event at the Johnson County Armory. The accreditation program is part of a pioneer statewide effort aimed at setting standardized, high-quality support guidelines for County Veteran Service Officers across Indiana. The initiative ensures CVSOs are fully equipped to assist local veterans and their families in navigating complex state and federal benefit systems. “Achieving accreditation marks a milestone for our County Veteran Service Officers, signifying a new era of service excellence for Indiana’s veterans,” said IDVA Director Jake Adams. Owen County veterans seeking assistance with claims, benefits, or resources can contact the local CVSO office at 812829-5158, email phillip.
davis@owencounty. in.gov, or visit the state department online at in.gov/dva.
Sew for a cause: Unraveled plans annual Quiltathon
Lace up your sneakers and thread your needles! The Unraveled Quilt Store, located at 381 Fletcher Ave. in Spencer, is hosting its high-stamina Quiltathon starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 8, and continuing until 2 a.m., August 9. Quilters and sewists of all skill levels are invited to set up their machines under a giant outdoor tent in the store’s parking lot for a full 16-hour marathon day of stitching to support local animal rescues. Participants collect hourly or lump-sum pledges from friends and family prior to the event. A $35 registration fee covers the tent space, plus all-day meals, snacks, and drinks provided by Unraveled, ensuring every dollar raised goes straight to this year’s beneficiaries: Compass Rose Farm Sanctuary and The Sanctuary at Browning Farms. Together, these organizations provide
medical care and lifelong safe havens for over 250 rescued farm animals and pets. Setup begins at 9 a.m., with the official marathon kicking off at 10 a.m. Non-sewists can still get involved by sponsoring a participant or dropping off donations of Friskies wet and dry cat food to help support feed costs. To reserve your table or learn more about sponsorships, call Unraveled at (812) 8210309.
Structure work closes portion of U.S. 231
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) crews recently closed a stretch of U.S. 231 near Spencer to begin a small structure replacement project. The closure, which took effect in late July, affects U.S. 231 between Hancock School Road and Dunn Road. Work is expected to continue through the end of September, depending on weather conditions. The official detour route utilizes State Road 46, State Road 59, and State Road 54. Local traffic retains access up to the point of the closure. INDOT reminds
motorists to reduce speeds, exercise extra caution, and stay alert for workers and changing traffic patterns in active construction zones.
Chip seal work underway on S.R. 67
INDOT maintenance crews recently began chip seal operations along State Road 67. Work has been underway on the stretch of S.R. 67 between U.S. 231 near Gosport and State Road 39 near Martinsville. Motorists traveling through the area should continue to watch for lane closures, loose aggregate, and flagging operations. The routine maintenance process involves applying liquid asphalt to seal pavement cracks against water damage, followed by a layer of aggregate. Once cured, crews complete the project by fog sealing the driving surface and reapplying permanent pavement markings. INDOT reminds drivers to use caution, reduce speeds, and stay alert for workers in active work zones.
New OVHS assistant principal
Owen Valley High School (OVHS) has announced the appointment of Dr. Gretchen Morgan as its new assistant principal. Dr. Morgan brings more than two decades of educational leadership experience to OVHS. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Indiana University and has served in various roles across Indiana schools, including as a principal, assistant principal, curriculum director, and classroom teacher. Throughout her administrative career, Dr. Morgan has focused on leading curriculum initiatives, supporting teacher development, and improving student achievement through collaborative leadership and instructional excellence. School officials welcomed Dr. Morgan to the Owen Valley High School community, citing her extensive experience and dedication to supporting students, staff, and district families.
BRIEF | PAGE 13
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THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Thanks, readers! By Chloe Oden Correspondent To the readers of The Owen News, thank you for welcoming me with open arms. Before beginning my 10-week internship, I had no idea the hours I’d spend in the courthouse for commissioners and county council meetings (and for a couple weeks, a murder trial). I didn’t know how thankful I’d be that the parking meters on the square don’t work, the way the county takes a pause for fair week or how good a latte from Main Street Coffee is. I got to learn about the things important to you, the things that make you happy, the things you wish were different. I learned so much from writing and reporting on this county.
CONVICTION | FROM PAGE 1 In an interview with detectives at the Bloomington Police Department (BPD) on July 24, 2024 — the day he was arrested — Porter recounted the way he claimed Sims’ death unfolded. He said he was only trying to get a ride home that day, when Sims drove from Bloomington to Owen County, “making a play,” Porter said. Investigators verified the location the two traveled using Snapchat records, historical cell-site analysis, business surveillance footage and Flock Safety camera images. On the way to Stephenson Road, Sims had sent a message to the girl he had plans with, saying “QP got me going through some bullsh*t.” Porter said Sims was shot by someone in a white SUV, while he sat inside Sims’ 2012 Audi A4. At the trial, Porter’s public defender Megan Schueler claimed that he was scared for his life. The detectives tried to get Porter to say more about what they were doing there, who the people in the SUV could’ve been. They asked if it was related to marijuana, which Sims sold. “This looks like you killed a kid and left him out like trash,” BPD Detective Jeff Rodgers said in the interview. “Tell me how something else happened. Tell me how I explain this, to his mom, to his family.” Rodgers asked Porter why he put the bag over Sims’ head. “Were you ashamed of what happened?” he asked. The day Sims was killed was
HELP | FROM PAGE 1 family continuing their search for answers and justice three decades later. The Indiana State Police (ISP) Bloomington District is asking anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the person or
Whether I was venturing out to Cataract Schoolhouse or trying to understand the jail project, the people of Owen County made my internship an experience I won’t forget. I learned how much you care about each other, and how much everyone is somehow connected. I learned how Gosport came together when an EF-3 tornado hit, and how the county is working to make a difference by working to adopt a Mobile Integrated Health program. Some of my favorite memories were sharpening my photography skills while taking pictures of the animal shows at the Owen County Fair and helping package the newspaper on Friday mornings every few weeks. Even though it was 9 a.m. and I had to wake up early to get to Spencer from
a hot one. The temperature reached 90 degrees and it was just as hot the afternoon he was found. Less than 24 hours passed after he was killed before Hawkins called the police, but he was unable to be identified by his face, and his tattoo of a lion wearing a crown was used to establish his identity. After Sims was shot, by a gunshot wound that entered near his left temple and exited near the right, Porter didn’t call 911, he didn’t take Sims to a hospital, he didn’t notify anyone of what had happened. He claimed that he tried to get Sims into the vehicle but wasn’t able to and that the bag put over his head was to contain or stop the heavy bleeding. After allegedly killing Sims, Porter drove to his grandparents’ house in Indianapolis. During the trial, the prosecution, led by Owen County Prosecutor Benjamin Kim and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock, built their case against Porter with a collection of receipts and bank records. Porter, with Sims’ card, bought seat covers from O’Reilly Auto Parts and used them to cover bloodied seats in the Audi A4. On the fourth day of the trial, Sgt. Ian Matthews, an Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigator, shared photos from inside the car, including ones showing red staining along the seat stitching and streaky metallic silver spray paint. He noted smelling cleaning solvent inside the vehicle as well. Matthews said the closest description for the blood
can be directed to Detective Kent Rohlfing at the ISP Bloomington Post. Information can be provided anonymously. For additional background on the case, read the full retrospective featured in the July 17, 2026 edition of The Owen News: Three decades of
persons responsible to step
silence: The unsolved murder
forward.
of Bryan Haltom | The Owen
Tips
News.
Bloomington, I enjoyed looking at the finished product, putting the address labels on and seeing how many people support this local news organization. Thank you to everyone who let me badger them for an interview, helped me learn how things work, and answered my follow up questions. Thank you to courthouse security, who let me in even though I set off the metal detector every time. I am glad that I got the chance to write for an organization so connected with the people it works to inform and deliver the truth to. As I begin my senior year at Indiana University and work as an editor for the Indiana Daily Student, the things I learned at The Owen News will stay close by. Thank you for trusting me with your stories this summer, Owen County.
pattern in the vehicle was pooling, with blood saturating toward the bottom of the seat. While in Indianapolis, Porter used Sims’ card and name to rent a Nissan Sentra from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. He later used a stranger’s phone to try and tow the Audi back to Bloomington, also in Sims’ name. Before the JL Transport Towing and Recovery driver could pick up the car, police had already towed it away. After learning that Sims was missing, his friends Jayden Street and Kevin Mimms used Find My iPhone to track his phone’s location. Street showed up at the scene while police were beginning their investigation, after seeing that Sims’ location had been in one play for about 22 hours. Later, another friend’s phone showed that Sims’ phone was in Indianapolis. Mimms drove up and searched for the vehicle. He found it with a trash bag covering the driver’s seat window, but confirmed it was Sims’ with the license plate number. He called the police. When police processed the Audi, they found Porter’s backpack. Inside was the semiautomatic pistol, which was found to have red staining on the tip of the gun and on other areas. On July 18, 2024, Porter took Sims’ credit card to the College Mall in Bloomington. He spent nearly $1,000 on diamond earrings from KAY Jewelers and bought a black New York Yankees hat from Lids. A few days later, he purchased an iPad from Best Buy. Porter was arrested without
incident on July 24, 2024 at a convenience market located at the corner of 17th and Dunn in Bloomington, with the help of Bloomington Police Department’s CIRT or Critical Incident Response Team. “The evidence proves that Quentin Porter murdered Malik Sims,” Trulock said on the last day of the trial. “The state asks that you hold the defendant accountable for his actions.” ***** About 20 people sat in the gallery of the courtroom on July 29,2026, waiting for VanDerMoere to take the jury’s decisions out of a manila folder. Porter stood while the judge read the word “guilty” again and again. The gallery was silent, full of both Sims’ and Porter’s family and friends. Some propped their heads up with their hands, some buried their heads in them. Porter sat down after the decisions were read. Schueler rubbed his back. “I accept the verdicts and I remand you to the custody of the Owen County Security Center,” VanDerMoere said. After Porter was escorted from the room, Sims’ mother hugged Kim and Trulock. Sims’ other supporters shook their hands. Some cried. VanDerMoere announced Porter’s sentencing would take place at 1 p.m. Aug. 26, 2026. Visit theowennews.org to read more detailed daily trial coverage. Nicole DeCriscio contributed to this reporting.
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THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Spencer Town Council focuses on history, blight, and utilities By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent The Spencer Town Council met July 20 for a wide-ranging session that blended historic preservation with practical municipal decision-making, ultimately approving every action item on the agenda with unanimous votes. The evening opened with routine business, including the swift approval of the previous meeting’s minutes and monthly claims, setting a tone of cooperation that lasted throughout the night. A centerpiece of the meeting was the screening of a
documentary exploring the history of Boone Cave and Spencer’s early black community. The film highlighted the migration of the Boone family and the life of Zila, a formerly enslaved woman who became a free black landowner in Spencer. Her legacy laid the foundation for a vibrant neighborhood complete with its own church, school, and cemetery. The documentary also covered indigenous history and local Underground Railroad lore, earning high praise from council members for its educational value and cinematography. In a related and
POULTRY | FROM PAGE 1 classes for bantams, large fowl, and waterfowl. This year’s show holds special significance for the organization, as it is dedicated to the memory of Tom Chandler (1937–2026) and continues to honor Larry Lawrence (1948–2023). Exhibitors can begin cooping their birds on Friday, Sept. 4, from 3p.m. to 9 p.m., with all birds required to be cooped in by 9 a.m. on show day. Official judging starts promptly at 9 a.m. under American Poultry Association (APA) and American Bantam Association (ABA) rules. The Open Show will feature a slate of regional and national judges, including Jackie Koedatich of Florida, Ben Porter of
emotional presentation, historian Elizabeth Mitchell addressed the council regarding the deteriorated condition of the Walden/Walder Wilson Cemetery, a historic burial ground for early black residents and Civil War veterans. Mitchell urged the town to assist in restoring dignity to the site by installing a new historical sign and supporting an unveiling ceremony planned for October. The council voiced strong support, discussing post installations and public outreach before unanimously approving the sign placement and municipal assistance for
Kentucky, and Mike Wasylkowski of Delaware. Top awards for the Open Show include plaques for Grand Champion Overall and Reserve Grand Champion Overall, as well as Champion and Reserve Champion honors across the Large Fowl, Bantam, and Waterfowl categories. Rosettes will be awarded to all class champions and reserve champions. The show will also host specialty and club meets for several national breed organizations, including the International Waterfowl Breeders Association, Polish Breeders Club, Plymouth Rock Club of America, Rhode Island Red Club of America, American Silkie Bantam Club, Cochins International, International Cornish Breeders Association,
the event. Attention then shifted to a longstanding nuisance property at 270 W. Market St. Council members Jon Stantz, Evan McKalip and Ginger Kohr reviewed photographs detailing worsening structural decay, pest infestations, and overall neglect. Although property taxes remain current, attempts to reach the owner have been stymied by a complex network of LLCs. Council members agreed that remediation efforts must proceed under proper legal channels regardless of owner participation.
and the White Face Black Spanish Club. Youth exhibitors aged five to 18 will compete in a dedicated Junior Show. Designed to foster independence and skill in young poultry handlers, the junior division operates under a strict “eyes on and hands off” policy for parents, requiring youth exhibitors to coop in, feed, and care for their birds themselves. Junior awards include plaques, rosettes, and specialty poultry show boxes for top champions. An optional Showmanship competition will also take place in the junior barn. Interested participants must sign up at the show table before 9 a.m. on Saturday and bring a separate bird not entered in the main show. Rogier Poultry Supplies will be
The council also tackled paperwork regarding a redevelopment-linked loan still in the town’s name despite past shifts in property ownership. With new parties expressing interest in the location, the council voted unanimously to extend the loan agreement to avoid delays as the site is prepared for listing. The Spencer Police Department (SPD) presented a comprehensive operational report, noting a strong applicant pool for open positions
COUNCIL | PAGE 11
set up on site to offer equipment and feed for both exhibition breeders and backyard flock owners, while on-site concessions will be available for spectators and exhibitors. All mail-in and email entries must be postmarked or received by Friday, Aug. 21, with an entry fee of $5 per bird. Paper forms can be mailed to Emmy Lineweaver at 926 Ridgeline Rd., Spencer, IN 47460 with checks payable to the White River Poultry Club. Email entries and PayPal payments using the Friends and Family option can be sent to Emmyn74@gmail.com. Camping with electric and water hookups is also available on the fairgrounds for $50 per night. For more information, visit the White River Poultry Club on Facebook.
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THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
OCPL plans to bolster ADA features, renovate elevator, add commercial kitchen By Chloe Oden Correspondent The Owen County Public Library (OCPL) is moving toward major renovations to add accessibility features and a commercial kitchen for community use. At the July 13 Owen County Council meeting, library director Brittany Van Hook requested approval to use a total of $322,090 in money earned in interest over longstanding investments from the library’s Rainy Day and improvement funds. The library is looking to modernize the elevator with a complete mechanical rebuild, costing $115,000. The money would also go toward making the Read and Feed patio more ADA accessible and accommodating for strollers, Van Hook said. The renovation would also extend to the library’s Community Room. Water stains from a leak in January have continued to surface on the carpet and new flooring and paint would be installed to avoid mold. Additionally, OCPL is looking to renovate its pavilion, add a largeformat printer and build a
commercial kitchen. Van Hook said the community would be able to rent it out. “We have a lot of interest from that from local organizations and a lot of youth groups that want to be able to teach their kiddos how to have healthy meals at home,” Van Hook said. Council member Nick Robertson asked if companies in the county would have the opportunity to bid on the construction. Van Hook said all bids for the project are from Owen County vendors aside from the elevator, which will be rebuilt by TK Elevator Robertson made a motion to grant the use of funds. Council member Dan Browning seconded the motion and it passed 6-1, with council president Polly Chesser casting the single dissenting vote. Sheriff Ryan White came to the council asking for an appropriation of $89,998.95 to cover medical costs for an inmate. The inmate underwent emergency care last year for about four weeks, requiring four surgeries. According to White, the government is responsible for inmates’ medical care while they’re
in custody. White also said Quality Correctional Care was able to negotiate the cost down hundreds of thousands of dollars from what it originally was. “One way or another we gotta pay it,” Council Vice President Anton Neff said. He then made a motion to advertise the money out of Fund 1170, the Local Income Tax (LIT) Public SafetyCounty Share for up to the maximum amount requested. Steve Carrell seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Owen County Circuit Court I Judge Don VanDerMoere II presented an appropriations request of $10,000 for contracted psychological services. “The sheer number of individuals that our police are encountering that have very obvious psychological issues are increasing in our county,” VanDerMoere said. He told the council he is required to appoint two or three disinterested, or impartial, psychiatrists on felony cases level six and above and at least one doctor to admit the assessments for cases level six and below. VanDerMoere also requested $20,000 in appropriations for jurors.
“Due to the sheer number of jury trials that we’ve been having over the last several years, we need access to funds to support our juries,” VanDerMoere said. “We are inundated with jury trials.” A motion to advertise the funds from the county general fund passed unanimously. Emergency Management Agency Director Jack White presented a request of $9,919.14 for tornado siren batteries and padlocks. He said the batteries need replaced every three years and that over time, the padlocks on the tornado sirens become rusty or difficult to take off. Purchasing the new padlocks would be in anticipation of the old locks needing to be cut off to access the sirens, he said. The request was unanimously approved, with the money to be advertised out of the Riverboat Fund. Tammy Bingham, Executive Director of the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District, returned to the council to request $3,500 for the design and engineering part of the district’s Lake and River
Enhancement (LARE) Riverfront Restoration Project. At the June council meeting, Bingham presented the project to the council, explaining she identified four critical sites that need to be stabilized and reinforced to preserve the White River bank’s integrity near Cooper Commons and the MYPath Riverfront Trail. At the July meeting, Bingham said she is working with BBP Water Corporation and Community Natural Gas on the preservation of a portion of the river bank. The utilities companies will pay for two old, unused pipes to be removed from the river. Neff’s motion to advertise the money out of the Riverboat Fund passed 4-3, with Carrell, Robertson and Chesser voting against it. “The thing I like is that it’s creative in getting partners together,” Neff said. “I think she has done a good job whittling these dollar amounts down.” Chesser said she voted against the funding because she would like to see the Town of Spencer “put a little bit of skin in the game.”
DNR presents ‘Small Town Big Trees’ grant opportunity to Spencer Council By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent Infrastructure investments and municipal housekeeping led the agenda as the Spencer Town Council approved over $175,000 in wastewater improvement payments and accepted bids for surplus police vehicles during its regular meeting on July 6. Vice president Evan McKalip and council member Ginger Kohr were in attendance, while council president Jon Stantz was absent. Clerk-Treasurer Cheryl Moke attended in person, and town attorney Richard Lorenz joined by phone, though connection issues required Lorenz to follow up with a written report. The council opened the meeting by considering the approval of the official minutes from the previous meeting as well as the presented docket of claims. Following a motion and second, both the minutes
and claims were approved unanimously in a 2-0 vote. In public issues, Amy Rhodes from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) delivered a presentation regarding “Tree Canopy Grants” available under the DNR’s Community Urban Forest Program. Rhodes explained that funding ranging from $500 to $5,000 is available through the “Small Town Big Trees” program. During the meeting, Rhodes was introduced to Colleen Minnemeyer, representing the Spencer Parks Department, and Kovenant Liby from Planning and Zoning. Both departments will follow up with Rhodes to evaluate potential tree canopy enhancements across Spencer prior to the September 11 grant application deadline. The council next considered an event request submitted by the American Legion Post #285 for an activity scheduled on July 18, between 2 and 9 p.m. The
Legion requested the temporary use of public parking spaces directly in front of its building, with no additional municipal support required. A motion to approve the request was made, seconded, and passed 2-0. Infrastructure matters followed, as the council reviewed three invoices from Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. (CEI) for Phase 1 Wastewater Improvement services. The invoices included Invoice 65732 for $155,750, Invoice 65733 for $9,683, and Invoice 67230 for $9,761. McKalip moved to approve all three invoices, and Kohr seconded the motion. The vote passed 2-0. Bids were subsequently opened for two surplus police vehicles. The town received one bid for each vehicle: a bid of $1,260 for a 2016 model and a bid of $1,555 for a 2018 model. McKalip made a motion to accept the bids, which was seconded by Kohr and approved 2-0.
In addition, closing documents were presented for signature by the council president. McKalip moved to accept the closing paperwork, seconded by Kohr. The motion passed 2-0. Stantz was expected to sign the paperwork upon his return. During departmental reports, Spencer Police Department Chief Terry Sips provided an update on department operations. Sips informed the council that 35 employment applications had been distributed, and four completed applications returned. He also briefed the board on active facility repairs currently underway. No reports were submitted by the sewer, street, parks, planning and zoning, redevelopment, or fire department.
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THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Owen County identifies roads in disrepair, alters records request process By Chloe Oden Correspondent The work to address Owen County’s deteriorating roads has continued throughout the summer, and may speed up with the addition of an injection hole patcher and a plan to get quotes for some repairs. Commissioner Sam Hobbs said the county has some extra money to put toward paving roads. Money from the Community Crossing Matching Grant the county received cannot be used to fix the roads in question. Those funds can only contribute to a hard surface road, Highway Superintendent Chad Walker said. To address paving in the county, Hobbs and the other two commissioners, Norman Warner and Dave Risk, read a list of roads for Walker to assess and seek repair quotes from contractors. These include: District 1: Oak Grove Church Road West Dam Road Fertig Road
Cherokee Pass Clark Road Hickory Road Hudson Hill Road Front Street Millgrove Road Keeler Road Smith Road School House Road Jones Road Baseline Road Buffalo Road District 2: Sherfield Road Franklin Road Macville Road White Road Vilas Road Bakers School Road Rocky Hill Road Texas Pike District 3: Graham Road Six Mile Road Mount Zion Road Bucklew Road Hubbell Station Road Also at the meeting, County Auditor Sheila Reeves said the county is working to make changes to the current public records request procedures. She said the current request form, which is accepted by email or in person, will still be accepted. The changes follow HEA 1360, alterations to the state Access to Public Records Act (APRA), which focuses
on reducing the strain that bulk requests from seemingly automated sources put on public agencies. The changes “modernize the public records process and set reasonable limits to protect agency resources,” the act reads. It includes authorization for agencies to establish an electronic portal for requests that can screen and track sources. Additionally, it lets agencies prioritize requests from state residents and those submitted for civic, journalistic, academic or personal purposes, among other changes. The county is still working with its IT and webpage manager to add instructions to the request page and alter the submission process, Reeves wrote in an email. The county also is in the process of replacing the emergency transmitter tower in Patricksburg, one of the county’s repeater sites, leaving the old one to become surplus. These towers are used by emergency responders for radio contact. County EMS Director
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Cris Lunsford said the repeater picks up the radio signal, boosts it and then rebroadcasts it. A taller tower and higher antenna expands the signal range. “We’re having problems with coverage,” Lunsford said. “What they decided was if they went up 180 feet instead of the 80 feet, they would get a tremendous amount of coverage and would take care of our problem.” To install the new tower, the former had to be taken down, which happened on July 16. In the meantime, Lunsford said EMS will dispatch from the Freedom, Indiana tower. As a back-up, the county also identified a portable tower it could rent if needed. Emergency service employees also created a cell phone group chat to ensure they can stay in touch. However, at the time of the meeting, Lunsford wasn’t able to say what the impact of the missing tower would be yet. He said EMS could run into problems with missing radio traffic. Certain parts of the department may not be able to hear where a team has been
dispatched. “We do have three safeguards in place and hopefully we won’t have any problems,” Lunsford said. “If those don’t work, then we’re going to get that [portable] tower out.” Lunsford said the new, taller tower should be up by the end of August. Although, with a new tower comes a new radio and repeater system that has to be installed, which could make it September before the new system is set. Lunsford said the new tower cost between approximately $80,000 and $90,000. The entire radio project, including acquiring new handheld subscriber units and the mobile radios in EMS vehicles, is expected to total about $1.3 million. At the meeting, the commissioners also scheduled an executive meeting for 4 p.m. July 30. Hobbs said it would be a “lengthy” meeting related to litigation, highway, building maintenance and the custodian.
10 JAIL | FROM PAGE 1 of the water table and land structural capacity found that the site will support the proposed building using conventional foundations. “There’s no special foundations or deep foundations that would need to be completed to support this structure, which is extremely positive and a cost savings to the project because the previous sites that we had looked at would have required additional money be spent on the foundation system,” said councilman Joe Frye. “Ultimately, from that perspective this land and site is clear and ready to support the project here.” Details about the building, including highway access, parking, square footage and additional traffic analysis required by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) were also clarified. Clarification of Funding Information Funding for the entire jail project itself is slated to come from cash reserves and the issuance of a municipal bond. The expected 20-year bond
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 issue is to be funded through a previously approved county income tax increase and backstopped by property tax funds. “The convention to get you the lowest interest cost is to at all times if possible utilize the property tax as the final backstop. But again that doesn’t force you to use property tax. Your intention since you passed the local income taxes years ago was never to use property tax. We don’t envision that we’re going to use property tax,” explained Jeff Peters, a financial advisor for the county. The final estimated price tag for the jail project is $38.6 million. However, the building itself is not the only cost that a new jail will bring. Owen County Sheriff Ryan White pointed out that the design of the new jail would require additional staffing. “You have to have somebody that can respond if there’s someone injured or someone having a medical issue, so you have to have one booking, one on floor, and one in control,” White said. “Right now we only need two because of the way our jail is designed. It’s a
linear design. That one would require three. So we would need five extra positions because of days off and stuff like that.” According to estimates by county councilman Anton Neff, these costs would amount to an additional $365,000 per year. According to White, these costs are necessary to maintain proper staffing levels regardless of the requirements the new jail brings. “For the last 10 years, we’ve known that we do not have the jail staffing that is required, according to the jail staffing survey that we had as a county, done,” White said. “We have been told for many years we are understaffed, and we are required to have more, and we have failed to do that for a long time.” “We still need to make sure we’ve identified that cost in these estimates because that may affect decisions and what we do in the building and that kind of thing. So, just want to make sure we don’t lose sight of that cost,” Neff replied. Extensive Public Questions For nearly two hours, county officials
answered questions raised by the public. Responding to local resident Denise Sudol, commissioners Sam Hobbs and David Risk affirmed their intentions to stay in office until the end of their respective terms. Questions for the real estate agent facilitating the land transaction, Tilden Keith, instigated an impassioned defense. “I’ve been really slaughtered recently on social media, which is a very poor thing to be drug through as far as that goes,” Keith said. “I can attest to everything I do… because I tell you everything’s down. There’s nothing been hid. Nothing at all.” While Tilden Keith is related to councilman Verl Keith, councilman Keith had previously filed a conflict of interest statement with the State of Indiana and abstained from voting on any motions related to the land purchase undertaken that evening. “We want to make sure that this is above board even though, legally, he might be able to vote, he is going to abstain,” councilwoman Chesser said. “We do not want to even have the appearance of doing
something that’s not not correct.” More comments throughout the night included support for the new jail project, pointing out how long the county has been working toward replacing its current dilapidated structure. “You know what else doesn’t look good is wasting away thousands of dollars, taxpayer money every day that we sit and wait to do something about this. That’s what doesn’t look good to me.” said Spencer resident Kevin Wright. “So council members, commissioners, I’m asking y’all buy this land tonight and let’s start building this jail. We can talk about the cost of jail and the upcoming steps. This is about the land tonight. Let’s get this land bought. Let’s move forward.” Questions For the Future There is also still no clear answer about where the building is to be placed on the purchased property. Initial diagrams show the jail being built at the front of the property, but debate at a previous meeting involved members of the county
JAIL | PAGE 11
Commissioners release statement on jail concerns By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent Following years of debate, rising construction costs, and recent public questions surrounding land acquisition, the Owen County Board of Commissioners issued a press release on Aug. 3 addressing community concerns over the planned Owen County Jail project. Submitted by commissioner David Risk on behalf of the entire board, the statement emphasizes that constructing a new facility is an unavoidable necessity rather than a luxury. “The core fact is simple: This is not a project the county wants to undertake, it is one we must undertake,” the commissioners stated in the release. The push for a new facility stems from long-standing operational and structural deficiencies at the current Owen County Security Center. For years, county officials, the Owen County Sheriff’s Department, correctional staff, and external professionals have documented the deteriorating condition of the existing facility. In addition to structural issues, including a crumbling foundation and sinking structure, the current jail is situated within a flood plain and lacks the space required to expand to meet current safety and legal standards. Previous efforts to resolve the facility crisis included evaluating various sites and alternative
arrangements, such as a 2024 proposal to exchange countyowned land near a former landfill for property near a local quarry. More recently, in July 2026, the Owen County Commissioners and the Owen County Council held a joint meeting where both governing bodies approved a $1.62 million purchase agreement for an 18-acre site located along W. State Road 46 in Spencer, situated between Walmart and the Owen County Family YMCA. The planned project calls for a 112-bed facility designed to centralize operations and bring local correctional infrastructure up to code. Despite the joint approval, the land acquisition sparked public debate during community meetings regarding site evaluation, real estate representation, and overall project costs. In their August 3 release, the commissioners countered criticisms by warning that further delay would exacerbate financial burdens on local taxpayers. Operating an outdated facility leaves the county vulnerable to costly litigation over jail conditions, which could siphon resources away from road maintenance, public safety, and other vital services. “Delaying this project doesn’t make the need go away. It only makes it more expensive,” board vice president Norm Warner said. “Every day we wait, construction costs increase, legal risks grow, and taxpayers could ultimately pay far more than
they would by addressing this responsibly today.” Addressing questions regarding site selection and ethics, the board noted that the selected 18-acre property was evaluated based on overall value, existing infrastructure, and longterm operational requirements rather than purchase price alone. The commissioners also affirmed that no member of the Owen County Board of Commissioners or Owen County Council holds any personal financial interest or stands to receive financial gain from these decisions. Acknowledging broader skepticism toward local government decisions, Risk emphasized the board’s commitment to transparency. “We understand that trust in government has declined across our country, and we recognize why people ask hard questions,” he said. “But decisions involving public resources must be evaluated based on facts, transparency, and the responsibilities entrusted to elected officials. Throughout this process, we’ve remained committed to accountability and serving the people of Owen County with integrity.” The commissioners stressed that all applicable public meeting requirements have been met throughout the planning process and urged community discussions to remain grounded in fact. Board president Sam Hobbs reiterated that elected officials must prioritize public safety and
long-term fiscal responsibility over short-term popularity. “No one wants to ask taxpayers to fund a new jail. But ignoring a known problem would be a failure of our responsibility,” Hobbs said. “The people of Owen County elected us to make difficult decisions, not easy ones. Our duty is to protect public safety, be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, and address problems before they become even more costly. That’s exactly what we’re doing.” As public debate continues following the recent joint meetings and site evaluation discussions, county leaders reiterate their commitment to an open process. Denying any financial conflicts of interest, commissioners Hobbs, Warner, and Risk maintain that the decision to replace the deteriorating facility is driven solely by public safety and fiscal responsibility. The board’s statement reinforces that ignoring the current jail’s space deficiencies and structural flaws would be a failure of leadership. As the commissioners noted, “Ultimately, the question before the county is not whether a new jail is desirable, but whether Owen County will address a known problem today or leave a larger burden for future taxpayers tomorrow,” urging residents to evaluate the project based on long-term necessity rather than short-term convenience.
11
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Gosport to accept town marshal applications, addresses recent water tower vandalism By Chloe Oden Correspondent
The town of Gosport hasn’t had a town marshal in about six years. When one of the town ordinances needs enforced, residents seek help from the Owen County Sheriff Department (OCSD), but it can’t always help. Town council member Michael Miller said the ordinances are written to designate the marshal to administer the rules, and the OCSD won’t try to overrule the ordinances. Owen County Sheriff Ryan White confirmed this in an email, saying the department can only uphold county ordinances, and can’t enforce Spencer or Gosport ordinances. “It’s just starting to pile up,” Miller said. To address the issue, the town is accepting
applications for the full-time town marshal position, which can be picked up at the Gosport Town Hall at 3 E. Main St., Gosport. At the July 14 town council meeting, the council members passed a motion to begin holding interviews and begin the hiring process. According to Indiana Code 36-5-7-4, the town marshal acts as the “chief police officer of the town and has the powers of other law enforcement officers in executing the orders of the legislative body and enforcing laws.” The marshal can also make arrests, execute search and arrest warrants and can pursue and jail those who commit offenses. At the meeting, the council members also approved a motion for the town to begin discussing establishing a fire territory. On July
COUNCIL | FROM PAGE 7 alongside several training and maintenance requests. The council approved three separate training items, including $360 to cover a cost increase for the Terrorism Liaison Officer program, $750 to certify two officers as pepper-spray instructors, and $175 for department-wide digital investigation training focused on social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok. The SPD Chief Terry Sips also reported ongoing repairs to officer Chester Richardson’s truck, new engine issues in an older patrol car, lock and doorway repairs, and a lighting fix tied to a loose air duct. Drivers were reminded
10, the town council hosted a work session to discuss what it would mean for Gosport to join a fire territory with at least one other contiguous taxing unit. The motion, made by council president Marian McGee, tasked town attorney Terry English with contacting the trustees for Wayne, Harrison and Montgomery townships to “determine their interest in the formation of a territory.” Fire territories are often formed in order to pool local resources to more effectively allocate firefighting resources. Currently, the area in question is served by a volunteer fire department. Due to an upcoming absence , the town approved a motion for town employee and laborer Troy Stallsmith to hire someone to fill in for his duties as needed
that the department’s mobile speed sign will be posted near the local school zone ahead of the upcoming academic year. The sewer department presented urgent maintenance challenges, starting with a 20-year-old screening unit that requires cutting and welding for internal inspection, for which the council unanimously authorized $2,725. Additionally, two of the plant’s three blowers are out of service, with one requiring immediate repair. Discussing past flooding that led to state inspections, officials noted ongoing efforts to negotiate fine reductions within an agreed order, adding that state inspectors commended the town’s proactive crisis
JAIL | FROM PAGE 10 commissioners considering a build at the rear of the property instead. “Nothing is set in stone. At this time it has to be up front and could be moved to the back, to the other side, stuff like that. But those will be
during and after he undergoes surgery in four months. Stallsmith also attended the meeting and gave an update regarding a vandalism incident that occurred around 3 a.m. July 3. He said a town resident saw water running down the street and notified the town utilities department. A now-identified man, who McGee said was drunk, had opened the fire hydrants near the water tower, draining an estimated 70,000 gallons. Town ClerkTreasurer Don Hall said 90,000 gallons were pumped to fill the tower back up. The town was placed under a 48 hour boil water advisory due to the incident. “I hope the prosecutor can do their job and serve justice,” Stallsmith said. At the meeting,
response. To help department management handle sudden equipment emergencies without administrative delays, the council voted unanimously to raise the sewer department head’s spending limit from $1,200 to $3,000. The street department reported an orderly county fair week with zero reports of vandalism. Crew updates noted a part-time worker away on National Guard duty, ongoing tree removal, and the removal of over 200 obsolete parking meters, with safety caps placed over the remaining posts. The council unanimously granted permission for the department to bring its new backhoe to the Back-to-School Expo for
decisions that we’ll probably make within the next 90 days,” Hobbs added. What is currently known, however, is that as of July 30, 2026, Owen County now owns the 18 acres of property at 909 W. State Road 46 (between the Owen County Family YMCA and Walmart) and plans for the new jail project are officially moving forward at
English said the townowned property at 122 W. North St. was sold at public auction for $6,300, the opening bid set to reimburse the town for the amount spent in attorney fees and site restoration to bring the property to marketable standards. English said only one bidder attended the auction and within the next 14 to 21 days, the town should be able to convey the property and recoup the renovation costs. The town council also scheduled a work session to discuss how the town will execute the Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) program funds and which streets to focus on. At the same meeting, which will be held at 9 a.m. July 24 at the Gosport Town Hall, the council will also hold its budget work session.
the “Touch-a-Truck” event. Preparations are also nearly complete for a September Community Crossings Grant (CCMG) submission covering proposed paving on North Main, South Main, Demarcus Street (alleyway that runs east-west from the Historic Tivoli Theatre to S. Main St. behind VFW Post #1405, H&R Block, Spencer Pride, etc.), Circle Drive, Bob Babbs Drive, and Middle Street, carrying an estimated project cost of $184,584 and requiring a local match of $37,000. Meanwhile, another breakdown of the department’s Chevrolet Colorado truck sparked initial discussions regarding longterm fleet replacement plans versus ongoing repair costs.
this location. Previous reporting about the jail project can be found online at theowennews.org. A full meeting recording can be found on the Owen County Government YouTube channel: youtube.com/@ owencountyingov.
12
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Annual Back-to-School Beach Bash Expo
��live music + free fireworks�� PHOTOS BY AARON LAGRANGE. More photos can be found online at theowennews.org
Date: Saturday, SEPTEMBER 12th Time: Concert starts 6 PM | Firework Show at 9:30 PM Location: Tier 10 Music & Sports Park
6:00PM-7:30PM 8:00PM-9:30PM
��
CONcERT DETAILS Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders American Made: A Toby Keith Tribute Gates open free to the public
9:00PM 9:30PM
Fireworks Display
Admission:
Tickets for the concert will be available for purchase at the gate or tier10tickets.com
Thank You To Our Donors!
Owen County State Bank American Legion Auxiliary Post 285 Sons of American Legion American Legion Post 285 Babbs Supermarket Spencer Exchange Club Amberly Drescher Spencer Save-A-Lot Bonnie Fraser Sweet Owen Convention & Visitors Bureau Insurance Services, Inc. Whitley Grace Boutique Anton Neff Thank you to our sponsors and donors for making this event possible. Enjoy the show, have fun, and stay safe!
13
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Gosport Town Council approves fall event, discusses making ordinances accessible By Chloe Oden Correspondent
whether it or the resident is responsible for replacing sidewalks. The council also The Town of approved a Pumpkins in Gosport may soon the Park event for Oct. make efforts to make 10 at the Gosport Town their ordinances more Park. In past years, accessible. the event has included At the July 28 town a silent auction, council meeting, deputy concessions, games, clerk Wanda White pumpkin painting, said the town needs to bounce house, potato “make a concerted effort sack races and more. to bring together all of Additionally, Marian our ordinances in one McGee and Michael place and have those Miller, the two council accessible.” members present, White said the approved three water physical copies of the adjustments for a bad ordinances are difficult meter reading and two to parse through and pool adjustments. find what she is looking Town employee and for, such as what the laborer Troy Stallsmith reported that the streets town has to say about
BRIEF | FROM PAGE 5 S-OCS welcomes new educators
Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) kicked off the upcoming academic year by welcoming 18 new teachers and counselors during the district’s New Teacher Orientation. The day began with opening remarks from Superintendent Andy Cline, who outlined the district’s vision and expectations while emphasizing S-OCS’s commitment to supporting new staff.
were in “pretty good shape,” and said a large hole on Main Street had just been patched. “You guys did a good job on that,” McGee said. Finally, the town council discussed a property at 246 E. South St. that town attorney Terry English said “was essentially full of debris and refuse and weeds, burned up, this and that. It’s not only an eyesore but a health hazard.” English sent a letter to the property owner on July 20, 2026, requiring that the rubbish be cleaned up immediately and by Aug. 3.
Throughout the orientation, educators representing the elementary, middle, and high school levels explored curriculum standards, instructional technology, and district resources. Training sessions were led by Instructional Technology Coordinator Betsy Breedlove, Curriculum Director Matthew Taylor, and Principal/Director of Communications Kris Samick. The Spencer-Owen Education Association (S-OEA) Leadership Team also welcomed the incoming group by providing lunch
we treat people like people. because, they’re people. simple human sense
SPENCER
“This letter shall advise you that the violation set forth above must be remedied by the date set forth above or the Town will begin assessing fines against you,” the letter reads. English previously sent a letter to the property owner on July 21, 2025, with a similar mandate, but no action was taken. “It’s just as bad now as it was a year ago,” he said. Town resident Ron Neibel said the owner started to clean up around the house, cutting the grass and throwing debris into the house. The town council
(812).829.4853
agreed that the house is unrepairable due to fire damage and needs to come down. English said a council member should visit the property before the next meeting to report back on the property conditions. The next step would be filing a lawsuit to collect the fines accumulated since the last letter and requesting interest onto the property by the town, English said. A ruling would likely be required to determine if the town could start the cleanup process at the owner’s expense.
and gift bags. District leaders expressed enthusiasm for the new cohort as they prepare to serve local students and school communities in the school year ahead.
Vendors sought for OVPC ‘Harmony Market’
Vendor registration is now open for the second annual “Harmony Market” Vendors Faire and Flea Market, hosted by the
BRIEF|PAGE 20
14
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
STEINMETZ | FROM PAGE 1
Rather than viewing himself as the expert in every subject, Steinmetz sees his role as removing obstacles story. His father was a professor at Indiana University and ensuring educators have the tools they need to help before serving as a college students succeed. administrator at several “The biggest thing I can do institutions, while his mother dedicated her career to helping is give teachers what they need to be successful and then let students with special needs at Owen Valley. Although he grew them do what they do best,” he said. “I want to be their biggest up surrounded by educators, cheerleader.” it wasn’t until college, through His priorities for the coming volunteering in schools and school year center on three coaching, that he realized key areas: strengthening teaching was the path he community partnerships that wanted to pursue. expand work-based learning Since then, Steinmetz opportunities; ensuring has spent more than a students have access to the decade serving in school leadership roles, learning from resources they need to pursue their goals; and supporting experienced administrators and working alongside talented teachers as they continue helping students reach their educators. full potential. “I have been fortunate Those goals reflect to work with a lot of great Steinmetz’s belief that every administrators through student’s path after graduation the years,” he said. “Those deserves equal support. experiences have allowed me Whether a student plans to learn a lot by working in to attend college, enter some really great schools with the workforce, enlist in the great teachers.” military, or pursue technical As he begins his first year training, he believes Owen leading Owen Valley High Valley has a responsibility to School, Steinmetz describes prepare them for success. himself as a collaborative “We have a path forward leader who believes the for a student no matter best schools are built by what their interest may be,” empowering teachers and Steinmetz said. “We have staff. great partnerships within the “I try to work with teachers community, and we’ll continue and staff to help put them in the best position possible to be making connections to ensure successful in their classrooms,” students get the experiences they need to reach their goals.” he said. “Getting the right He also hopes students people in the right spots is take advantage of everything critical to having a successful Owen Valley has to offer school.”
beyond the classroom. “My hope is that our students are excited to start the school year and are ready to maximize their opportunities,” Steinmetz said. “We have so many amazing opportunities within the school that I hope each can find something they are passionate about and are willing to try.” Strong schools, Steinmetz
continue to see success across the school.” When he’s away from school, Steinmetz enjoys balancing quiet evenings at home, often with a good book or music, with opportunities to travel and attend sporting events. “I try to balance those two things throughout the year,” he said. “It’s nice to relax, but
“Mr. Jake Steinmetz is a valued and welcome addition to the OVHS leadership team as he is promoted to Principal. Jake has always led with ‘students first’ in his mind and the decisions he has made in the past and will continue to do so into the future are driven by that. He will bring additional perspective and the chance to improve upon the great things already taking place in our high school.” - Superintendent Andy Cline believes, depend on strong partnerships with families. “Parents and families are absolutely critical to everything that happens in the school,” he said. “Communication is key. As long as parents, families, and the school continue communicating and focusing on students’ goals, we can work together to make success possible.” Although every school faces challenges, Steinmetz sees tremendous opportunity at Owen Valley because of the people who make up the school community. “Owen Valley is full of amazing people who are focused on helping students reach their full potential,” he said. “If we keep student success at the center of everything we do, we’ll
it’s also nice to always have something to look forward to.” As the school year begins, Steinmetz hopes students, parents, teachers, and the community will come to know him as someone who is approachable, welcoming, and committed to helping every student succeed. For Steinmetz, returning to Owen Valley is more than accepting a new position. It is an opportunity to lead the school where his own career in education began and to invest in the next generation of Patriots. “The Owen News welcomes Owen Valley High School’s new principal and wishes him, the staff, students, and families a successful 2026–27 school year.”
15
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Superintendent welcome letters Beginning our CCSC journey together Dear Cloverdale community and CCSC families, As the anticipation for the new school year builds, I am delighted to welcome every student, family and staff member back to Cloverdale Community Schools. I am honored to begin my journey as your new Superintendent. I can’t wait for the halls of our schools to be filled with the energy of our students, their curiosity and the excitement that a new school year brings. I am also eager to collaborate with the dedicated staff and
families who make this community so special. To help you get to know the leader guiding your district this year, I’ll share a few details about my background. Over my 30 years in education, I have served as a teacher, coach, principal, director of secondary education, and assistant superintendent. These varied experiences have prepared me to lead CCSC with heart and intention. I am particularly excited to immerse myself in the traditions that define us and to uphold the
‘CLOVER WAY’ alongside all of you as we support our students’ growth. On a personal note, I am married to Travis, a middle school teacher, athletic director, and basketball referee. We are proud parents to three grown children: Chloe, Caden, and Carly. We just welcomed our new son-in-law into the family as well. We enjoy spending time together as a family whenever possible. My husband and I are certainly eager to add Clover athletics and extracurricular activities to our list of things to do!
While I look forward to cheering on our students outside the classroom, my primary focus remains within the classroom, ensuring every student gains the skills and education they need to thrive. Alongside our Board, we will work as a team to set ambitious goals across all academic and educational areas. To serve as our guide, we are committed to the development of a strategic plan that will reflect your input and our shared vision for the future. Through meetings
and conversations, we will foster a spirit of collegiality as we embark on this next chapter together. In closing, I look forward to seeing our students excel in the classroom, on the field, on the court, and in every extracurricular endeavor they pursue. Let’s make this our best school year yet! Sincerely with Clover Pride, Dr. Stacy Mason Superintendent, Cloverdale Community School Corporation
Welcome back, Spencer-Owen families! As the summer days begin to wind down, we are filled with excitement and anticipation for the start of the 2026-2027 school year at Spencer-Owen Community Schools. Our halls will once again echo with laughter, learning, and the energy that only the start of a new school year can bring. We are proud to welcome back our students, staff, and families on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Spencer-Owen Community Schools serve as the heart of
our rural community, where four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school come together to educate, support, and inspire our young people. Whether your child is stepping into kindergarten for the first time, entering their final year of high school, or anywhere in between, we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and enriching environment for every student. Over the summer, our dedicated staff have been
preparing classrooms, planning engaging lessons, and ensuring our buildings are ready for learning. We’re also continuing to focus on academic growth, improvement to school facilities, and further fostering strong connections between school and home. This year, we look forward to continuing the strong traditions of SpencerOwen while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation. We encourage families to stay connected, get
involved, and partner with us throughout the school year. Together, we can help every student thrive. On behalf of the entire Spencer-Owen Community Schools team, we wish everyone a successful, joyful, and inspiring school year. We can’t wait to see you on August 5! Respectfully, Andy Cline Superintendent, Spencer-Owen Community Schools
Cloverdale Middle School Sports Calendar CO-ED CROSS COUNTRY
Monrovia at
August 16
6 p.m. vs Eastern
August 24
at Edgewood.
August 15
Cloverdale.
6 p.m. vs West Vigo
Greene at
6 p.m. vs Eminence
September 3
10 a.m. at Puckett
September 8
at Cloverdale.
Cloverdale.
at Eminence.
6 p.m. vs Owen
Invite at South
5:30 p.m. vs
August 20
7TH & 8TH GRADE
August 25
Valley at Cloverdale.
Putnam.
Edgewood at
6 p.m. vs Riverton
VOLLEYBALL
6 p.m. vs Monrovia
September 8
September 1
Cloverdale.
Parke at Riverton-
August 18
at Monrovia.
6 p.m. vs Brown
4:30 p.m. vs John
7TH & 8TH GRADE
Parke.
6 p.m. vs Greencastle August 31
County at Brown
R. Wooden and
FOOTBALL
August 27
at Greencastle.
6 p.m. vs Edgewood
County.
Cloverdale High School Sports Calendar CO-ED CROSS COUNTRY
Putnam at
Valley.
Valley and North
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
August 27
August 22
Cloverdale.
GIRLS’ GOLF
Putnam at North
August 13
5:30 p.m. vs West
9 a.m. at Harrier
September 5
August 11
Putnam.
6 p.m. scrimmage
Vigo at Cloverdale.
Classic at Brown
10 a.m. vs Owen
5 p.m. vs Riverton
August 25
vs Bloomfield at
September 1
County.
Valley at Cloverdale.
Parke at Riverton
5 p.m. vs
Bloomfield.
6 p.m. vs Bloomfield
August 29
VARSITY FOOTBALL
Parke.
Greencastle and Clay August 17
at Bloomfield.
9 a.m. at Riverton
August 14
August 17
City at Cloverdale.
7:30 p.m. vs North
September 3
Parke Invite at
7 p.m. at Putnam
4 p.m. vs South
August 27
Central-Farmersburg
7:30 p.m. vs
Riverton Parke.
County Jamboree at
Putnam at
5:30 p.m. vs
at North Central-
Greencastle at
September 5
Greencastle.
Cloverdale.
Shakamak at
Farmersburg.
Greencastle.
6 p.m. at Clay City
August 21
August 18
Shakamak.
August 18
September 5
Invitational at Clay
7 p.m. vs
5 p.m. vs White
September 1
6 p.m. vs South
9 a.m. at Lions
City.
Greencastle at
River Valley and
5 p.m. vs South
Putnam at South
Classic at Lighthouse
JUNIOR VARSITY
Cloverdale.
Bloomfield at
Vermillion and
Putnam.
Christian Academy.
FOOTBALL
August 28
Cloverdale.
Southmont at
August 24
September 7
August 24
7 p.m. vs North
August 22
Southmont.
7:30 p.m. vs South
7:30 p.m. vs
6 p.m. vs
Putnam at North
9 a.m. at Western
September 2
Vermillion at South
Northview at
Greencastle at
Putnam.
Indiana Conference
4:30 p.m. vs
Vermillion.
Cloverdale.
Greencastle.
September 4
meet at Forest Park.
Greencastle and
August 25
August 31
7 p.m. vs Owen
August 24
Monrovia at Tiger
7:30 p.m. vs Clay City
6 p.m. vs North
Valley at Owen
4:30 p.m. vs Owen
Pointe.
at Cloverdale.
16
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Owen Valley Middle School Sports Calendar CO-ED CROSS COUNTRY August 20 5:30 p.m. vs Seven Oaks Classical School at Owen Valley. September 2 5:30 p.m. vs
Edgewood at Owen Valley. 7TH & 8TH GRADE FOOTBALL August 20 6 p.m. 7th grade football vs Jackson Creek at Owen
Valley. 7 p.m. 8th grade football vs Jackson Creek at Owen Valley. August 27 6 p.m. vs Tri-North at Owen Valley.
September 2 6 p.m. vs North Clay at Owen Valley. GIRLS ‘VOLLEYBALL August 20 vs Clay City at Owen Valley. August 24
6 p.m. vs St. Charles Borromeo at Owen Valley. August 26 6 p.m. vs Edgewood at Edgewood. September 1 6 p.m. s North
Clay at North Clay. September 2 6 p.m. vs LintonStockton at Owen Valley. September 3 6 p.m. vs Cloverdale at Cloverdale.
September 5 11 a.m. vs Vincennes Lincoln at Vincennes Lincoln. JUNIOR VARSITY VOLLEYBALL August 13 12 p.m. vs North Daviess at Owen Valley. August 17 6 p.m. vs Shakamak at Owen Valley. August 19 6 p.m. vs Monrovia at Owen Valley. August 20 6 p.m. vs Cascade at Owen Valley. August 24 6 p.m. vs Vincennes Lincoln at Owen Valley. August 27 6 p.m. vs North Putnam at North Putnam. September 1 6 p.m. vs Brown County at Brown County. September 2 6 p.m. vs West Vigo at West Vigo. September 3
6 p.m. vs Clay City at Clay City. VARSITY VOLLEYBALL August 13 7:30 p.m. vs North Daviess at North Daviess. August 17 7:30 p.m. vs Shakamak at Owen Valley. August 19 7 p.m. vs Monrovia at Owen Valley. August 20 7 p.m. vs Cascade at Owen Valley. August 24 7:30 p.m. vs Vincennes Lincoln at Owen Valley. August 27 6 p.m. vs North Putnam at North Putnam. September 1 7 p.m. vs Brown County at Brown County. September 2 7 p.m. vs West Vigo at West Vigo. September 3 7 p.m. vs Clay City at Clay City.
Owen Valley High School Sports Calendar CO-ED CROSS COUNTRY August 22 9 a.m. at Cardinal Invite at Bloomfield. August 26 6 p.m. vs Lighthouse Christian Academy at Owen Valley. September 1 6 p.m. at Mustang Invitational at Edgewood. September 5 9 a.m. at Clay City Invitational at Clay City. JUNIOR VARSITY FOOTBALL August 24 6 p.m. vs Brown County at Brown County. August 29 11 a.m. vs Southmont at Owen Valley. September 5 10 a.m. vs Owen Valley at Cloverdale. VARSITY FOOTBALL August 14 7 p.m. vs North Daviess at North Daviess. August 21
7 p.m. vs Brown County at Owen Valley. August 28 7 p.m. vs Southmont at Southmont. September 4 7 p.m. vs Cloverdale at Owen Valley. GIRLS’ GOLF August 10 4:30 p.m. vs LintonStockton at LintonStockton. August 11 5 p.m. vs Terre Haute South at Owen Valley. August 18 5 p.m. vs Terre Haute North at Owen Valley. August 22 9 a.m. at WIC Tournament at Owen Valley. August 24 4:30 p.m. vs Owen Valley and North Putnam at North Putnam. August 26 5 p.m. vs Edgewood at Owen Valley.
August 27 5:30 p.m. vs South Vermillion at South Vermillion. BOYS’ SOCCER August 15 12 p.m. vs Vincennes Lincoln at Vincennes Lincoln. August 19 6:30 p.m. vs Monrovia at Owen Valley. August 26 5 p.m. vs vs Sullivan at Sullivan. August 27 11 a.m. vs Lighthouse Christian Academy at Owen Valley. August 29 10 a.m. vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield. September 1 6 p.m. vs Mitchell at Owen Valley. September 3 5:30 p.m. vs North Knox at North Knox. GIRLS SOCCER August 15 10 a.m. vs Vincennes Lincoln at Vincennes
-Anonymous -Anonymous -Anonymous -Babbs Supermarket -Compass Rose Farm Sanctuary -Dave Davies -Lee & Karen Huss -Insurance Services Inc. -Don & Marilyn Jackson -Maureen Kipp -Aaron & Sarah LaGrange -Bob & Carolyn Livingston -Verl & Debbie Keith
Lincoln. August 19 5:30 p.m. vs Monrovia at Owen Valley. August 26 7 p.m. vs vs Sullivan at Sullivan. August 29 12 p.m. vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield. September 1 5:30 p.m. vs Bedford North Lawrence at Owen Valley. BOYS’ TENNIS August 19 5:15 p.m. vs West Vigo at Owen Valley. August 26 5 p.m. vs LintonStockton at Owen Valley. August 27 5 p.m. vs Edgewood at Edgewood. September 2 4:30 p.m. vs Bloomfield at Bloomfield. September 3 5 p.m. vs Brown County at Brown County.
-Marilyn A. Hart -Anton & Shannon Neff -Tony & Victoria Neff -John & Sheila Reeves -Kurt & Jill Rosenberger -Janet Rummel -Ronald Sample -Spencer Presbyterian Church -The Harmon-Welsh Family -Trippin with Michelle -Doug & Judy Tucker -Darrell & Loretta White
17
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
CCSC Board approves personnel, grants ahead of new 2026-2027 academic year By Travis Curry Senior Correspondent The Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees took significant steps to prepare the district for the fastapproaching academic year during their July 13 meeting, addressing everything from key staffing authorizations to major capital improvements. The evening marked the official debut of newly appointed Superintendent Dr. Stacy Mason at the helm of the school corporation. “It’s been a wonderful start,” Dr. Mason told the board. “Everyone has been so kind and helpful, from the administrative staff to some of the teachers that I’ve already met. They’ve all answered my questions and have offered helpful ideas and solutions as I’ve started in this position. It’s been really nice to take everything in and put the pieces together to what is Cloverdale Community School Corporation.” CCSC Board President Vivian Whitaker praised the new superintendent’s swift transition,
noting Dr. Mason was put to work almost immediately. “You’ve passed your first test,” Whitaker remarked with a laugh. “Something that really shows the type of person that Dr. Mason is, I got an email from her about a week ago saying we had a pipe burst right in front of the elementary school. It was her first week on the job and she handled it very well. She even came to work on a holiday, so she already knows how to put in extra time.” Administrative and Financial Approvals In administrative business, the board approved an agenda amendment granting Dr. Mason the authority to hire certified and noncertified staff members between the July meeting and the board’s next session in August. The proactive measure ensures all classroom and operational roles are filled before students return. Financial business saw the ratification of routine claims and payroll totaling $2,687,284.75, alongside the formal ratification of employment agreements for school bus drivers for the 2026–2027 term. The corporation
received positive news on the financial front with the acceptance of a grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation designated for the local program, in addition to approving an independent contractor agreement with Apex Education Services LLC. Under the Apex agreement, former Cloverdale Superintendent Greg Linton will serve as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of the Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy. Infrastructure, Handbooks and Technology District leadership addressed ongoing facility projects, specifically the construction at the high school football field and track facility. Due to monetary adjustments, the board authorized Dr. Mason to publish updated notices regarding the revised project timeline. Updated student handbooks for pre-K, elementary, middle, and high school levels were approved for the upcoming school year. Mrs. Ames noted that these revisions were driven by new legislative mandates and operational updates, while also previewing the upcoming back-to-
school bashes and open houses scheduled for August 3 across all three district buildings. On the technology front, district personnel introduced Carolyn Myers, who joins the team to manage approximately 1,800 student Chromebooks. District officials noted they are also actively searching for a new technology support specialist following the resignation of Mr. Braden from FiveStar, who is leaving his position to serve in the U.S. Air Force. Personnel Matters High School Principal Sonny Stoltz introduced Carolyn Meyers as CHS’s new special education teacher. “Carolyn has a really strong background in special education and Ag,” Stoltz said. “She’d tell you she’s ready to start teaching right now. We left no stone unturned in this search, and we certainly found a gem in Carolyn, so I just want to welcome her to the Clover family.” In additional personnel actions, the board approved: New Hires Aubree Grundloch – CMS special education teacher Desiree Baxter – CMS special education teacher
Carolyn Meyers – CHS Special education instructor Kennedy Clark – CES instructional assistant to Neuro Lab support staff Tammy Dulworth – CMS full-time custodian Deborah McPeak – Bus aide Coaching Resignation Jason Frye – CHS assistant varsity football coach Coaching Hires Aubree Branigan – CHS head junior varsity volleyball coach Christian Conkling – CHS assistant football coach Coaching Volunteer Chase Haltom – CHS boys’ basketball volunteer assistant coach The board concluded the public meeting with facility maintenance updates before adjourning to an executive session. The Cloverdale School Board— which includes Vivian Whitaker, Katrina Lewis, Donna Fidler, Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, Joe Mann, and Mike Rightmyer II—is scheduled to reconvene for its next regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building.
S-OCS approves Chromebook parental control software, Gosport Elementary renovations By Chloe Oden Correspondent
schools are required to give parents more control over the use of student devices, like Chromebooks, at home by Jan. The Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation 1, 2027. To adhere, the S-OCS board (S-OCS) Board of School approved the Lightspeed Trustees approved a request Systems security and impact to seek proposals to repair bundle agreement for 2026 the shingle roof at Gosport to 2029. Lightspeed is an Elementary School (GES) at the educational technology July 16 meeting. software that gives schools S-OCS Superintendent student monitoring, Andy Cline said the shingle management and safety tools. vendor determined that a This would allow parents manufacturing issue caused “that choose to use this if the cracked shingles, which they want to lock down a are still under warranty. The Chromebook even more than district will not have to pay the filtering process already the repair costs, Cline said, does then they have that but because it will cost more choice to do so,” Cline said. than $150,000, the district is The change would save required to seek public bids. costs, Cline said, as the district The request was sunsets GoGuardian, another unanimously approved. educational software company, The board also approved a over three years. $105,860 The board also approved GES HVAC demolition the following: project. The project includes $2,075 donation from removing the abandoned unit New Beginnings Pregnancy ventilators. Cline said it would Resource for the Owen Valley be an energy management Backpack Buddies improvement. $5,000 donation from Cook Incorporated for Patriot Due to Senate Bill 159,
Manufacturing Kelly Services $5 substitute teacher daily rate increase A one-time stipend for OVHS assistant principal and principal duties HFI VAV controller replacements and repairs 2026-2027 school year handbook updates for the classified, transportation and technology handbooks At the board’s previous June 11 meeting, the members discussed the possibility of ending free breakfast for elementary schoolers. S-OCS Food Service Director Balinda Wagner said the district’s reimbursement rates haven’t kept up with inflation and U.S. Department of Agriculture cuts have left the district to reevaluate if it can sustain the program if the surplus costs are left to the district to pay. At the July 16 meeting, Cline shared some data related to school meal costs and the impact of continuing to offer free breakfast. He said the district could “potentially go into the negative” roughly $81,000.
Elementary school students who receive reduced price meals and get breakfast every day would end up paying $1.50 per week. Students who pay full price would end up paying an extra $7 per week. Cline asked the board to consider the information and said they will continue to consider free breakfast during the board retreat and potentially have a business item to decide. The board also approved two adjunct instructor licenses and contracts, nine resignations and 13 employment requests. “I just have one comment just to thank all of the folks who’ve been involved in the hiring over the summer,” board president Derek Morgan said at the meeting. “It’s been, I know, a lot, but it sounds like we’re in a pretty good spot going into the year right now.” Adjunct instructor license/ contract 2026-2027 Matt Beckwith
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THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Spoiler-free review: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ By Nathan Young Guest Columnist To get lost in a good movie is a special thing. Lost in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” I certainly became. Spider-Man largely excels in its quieter moments. It has me thinking a lot about the Disney-run Marvel universe. Not to get too deep in the weeds, but I haven’t cared about Marvel movies since “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019 (and in an interesting box office note, Spider-Man just bested “Endgame’s” first-day sales record). Spider-Man is giving us what the other Marvels are not: sincerity. We are in a cynical age. Where being “cringy” is the biggest crime in culture. Spider-Man’s feelings for his friends run deep. Other superheroes
in his universe can’t help giving a wink and a nod as if to say “I know this is silly.” I prefer my characters to be invested and to care,because if they don’t, why should I care? Cynicism has a chokehold on popular filmmaking and, in turn, culture at large: nothing being more uncool than caring, genuine emotion and expression. This movie, and its massive success, signal that chokehold relaxing. “Brand New Day” tries to give compelling reasons to watch other Marvel movies. But I am simply left looking forward to the next installment of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, not the universe at large. The only times I checked out of SpiderMan were during foreshadowing of future non-Spider-Man projects. These asides leave behind the ick of
a friend trying to sublet their time share or sell you on a groupon for botox injections. Those moments are thankfully brief and short-lived The previous SpiderMan entry heralded the return of the moviegoing experience post pandemic. Injecting a much needed shot in the arm for the art form I so love. Garnering just under two billion dollars worldwide. This, just after Christopher Nolan’s pandemic gamble to save movie theaters with 2020’s “Tenet,” returned the closest thing to box office failure he is likely to ever see. So, six years later, Nolan, with “The Odyssey,” and SpiderMan are back in theaters. The overlap is all the more fascinating because the cast of both these current films share not one, but three major actors–Tom
Holland, Zendaya and Jon Bernthal–playing their parts well in both blockbusters. Why do I point to the box office returns so much in this review? Because you very much vote with your hard earned dollar. Hollywood is notorious for not learning the right lessons. “Obsession” turned a $750,000 budget into a $4 million phenomenon. “Backrooms” similarly turned a relatively small $10 million into another blockbuster. And now Spider-Man is about to be one of the biggest movies of the year. I fear Hollywood’s takeaway will be that big-budget superhero movies are back. What if, instead, the lesson learned was that you could make 200 small handcrafted films for the cost of just one Spider-Man? The success of “The Odyssey” is its loving,
handmade feeling, not just its spectacle. In this fourth entry of the Tom Holland SpiderMan saga, we find film culture at an interesting crossroads. The old is new with Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” and Disney’s Marvel juggernaut is limping. Large, tentpole movies do have their place, and I’m glad to see earnestness return in pop culture. On a local note, the Historic Tivoli Theatre’s new 4k laser projector is a big upgrade over the 2k that served us so well over the last decade. Go slap your five dollar bill down at our Historic Tivoli Theatre, and see “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” playing for the second weekend August 7-9, 2026. Or, if you prefer, it is also playing at the Cinema 67 DriveIn near Gosport this Friday and Saturday.
Owen County Public Library: Everything we are By Brittany Van Hook OCPL Director
and opportunities to explore their creativity in a safe and welcoming environment. Teens have their own place to learn and connect through clubs, volunteer When most opportunities, people think of the gaming events, library, they think makerspace of books. And while activities, and books remain at programs designed the heart of what specifically for we do, the Owen their interests. We County Public strive to create Library (OCPL) is so a space where much more than young people feel shelves and stories. welcomed, valued, Every day, our staff and encouraged to works to provide grow. opportunities that Adults also educate, connect, find countless inspire, and support opportunities at the our community library. Whether from infancy you’re looking for through retirement. your next great At OCPL, we novel, attending believe that a a workshop, library should be participating in a a place where book discussion, everyone belongs. exploring local For our youngest history, or simply visitors, that enjoying a quiet journey begins with place to work, OCPL story times that offers resources that enrich build early literacy everyday life. skills and foster One of our a lifelong love of reading. As children greatest points grow, they discover of pride is our Adult Education hands-on STEAM Program. Through activities, engaging free classes, GED summer reading preparation, programs, crafts, educational events, English language
instruction, workforce certifications, digital literacy training, and career readiness services, adults across Owen County are gaining the skills they need to build brighter futures. Every diploma earned and every certification completed represents a life changed, and we are honored to be part of those journeys. Need a place to work or meet? Our community rooms, study rooms, and meeting spaces are available to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, homeschool groups, and civic organizations. Last year alone, these spaces were reserved more than 1,000 times, demonstrating just how valuable they have become to our community. Technology has become an essential part of daily life, and OCPL is committed to making it accessible to everyone. Visitors have access to public computers,
high-speed Wi-Fi, printing, copying, scanning, faxing, mobile hotspots, and technology assistance from knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re applying for a job, completing homework, filing taxes, or connecting with family, we’re here to help. Our collection extends far beyond traditional books. Library cardholders can borrow eBooks, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, Wi-Fi hotspots, museum passes, and other unique resources that make learning and entertainment available wherever life takes them. Behind the scenes, our Outreach Department ensures that library services extend beyond our walls. We partner with schools, senior living communities, childcare providers, community organizations, and local events to bring books, programs, and educational opportunities directly to the people we serve. We know that
sometimes the best way to serve our community is by meeting people where they are. Throughout the year, OCPL hosts hundreds of free events for all ages. From nationally recognized authors and educational presenters to local performers, community celebrations, family events, workshops, and special programs, there is always something happening at your library. Every program is designed with one goal in mind: strengthening our community through learning and connection. Perhaps the most important service we offer can’t be found on a shelf. We offer a welcoming place. A place where children discover new worlds through books. A place where students finish homework. A place where job seekers build resumes. A place where entrepreneurs start businesses. A place
where neighbors gather. A place where lifelong learners continue asking questions. A place where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Libraries continue to evolve because communities continue to evolve. At Owen County Public Library, we are constantly looking for new ways to meet the changing needs of Owen County while remaining true to our mission of providing free access to information, education, and opportunity. Whether you visit every week or haven’t been in years, we invite you to stop by and rediscover everything your library has to offer. Because OCPL isn’t just a building filled with books. It’s education. It’s technology. It’s workforce development. It’s community. It’s opportunity. It’s discovery. It’s everything we are.
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THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Owen County Fair celebrates successful week of youth, projects, and community By Cassie Linville 4-H Youth Development Educator
As the summer season continues, Owen County is reflecting on another successful Owen County Fair, held July 5–11 at the Owen County Fairgrounds. With fair week now complete, the community can look back on days filled with learning, excitement, and pride as 4-H members showcased the results of months of hard work and dedication. The fair once again served as a centerpiece for Owen County 4-H, offering the public an opportunity to see youth learning come
to life. Throughout the week, visitors explored the 4-H Exhibit Hall, which was filled with projects representing a wide range of interests and skills. From artwork and photography to foods, sewing, woodworking, science, and technology, exhibits reflected the creativity, effort, and problemsolving abilities of local youth. Each display told a story of learning by doing and highlighted the pride members take in completing and presenting their work. Livestock shows were another major highlight of the fair. 4-H members showed beef, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, and rabbits, demonstrating not only animal science knowledge but also responsibility and commitment. Behind every animal in the show ring were weeks
and months of daily care, early mornings, and countless lessons in time management, patience, and perseverance. The confidence shown by youth during livestock shows reflected the growth that 4-H encourages through hands-on experiences. Fair week was also filled with special events that brought 4-H members together and celebrated their accomplishments. One of the most meaningful moments took place during Senior 4-H Member Recognition, when older members were honored for their years of dedication to the program. Several seniors were recognized for completing ten years of 4-H, marking a significant milestone and showcasing the lasting impact the program can have on
S-OCS | FROM PAGE 17
Employment and educational credential assessments Savanna Robison Esther Taylor, SES firstResignations grade teacher Aleta Boltinghouse, OVMS Francesca Baglivi, OVHS inclusion teacher Colton Sample, OVHS math biology teacher Leslea Cunningham, teacher and assistant football GES/PES art/music/physical coach education teacher Elizabeth Lowry, OVHS Drake Bowen, OVMS custodian custodian Blair Kannely, OVMS Cheyenne Correll, SES special education instructional instructional assistant assistant Morgan Bewley, PES Holly Murray, SES instructional assistant instructional assistant Mary Lynn Wright, SES Troy Cockrum, OVHS girls secretary soccer coach Emily Conatser, SES cook Levi Clark, OVHS interim Teena Oliver, MCES cook head coach baseball coach and Luther Koehler, OVHS assistant baseball coach maintenance II Jennifer Hart, OVHS junior Crystal Wilson, OVHS class sponsor cosmetology teacher Kristen Portteus, OVHS junior class sponsor
S-OCS|PAGE 22
CATARACT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
John 4: 13-14 13 Jesus Replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become
thirsty again. thirsty again.
14
But those who drink the water I give will never be
INTERIM PASTOR NICK ROBERTSON SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE 10:30 AM Phone: 812-829-6708
SPRING REVIVAL
young people as they grow from elementary youth into leaders. Following senior recognition, clubs came together for the annual 4-H Spirit Night, a favorite tradition that blends friendly competition with teamwork and fun. Community clubs competed in a variety of games designed to encourage cooperation, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm. Laughter and cheers filled the fairgrounds as clubs earned points for bragging rights, strengthening friendships and club pride along the way. Beyond the ribbons, awards, and competitions, the 2026 Owen County Fair highlighted what 4-H is truly about— growth, learning, and community involvement. Fair week provided
countless opportunities for youth to set goals, receive feedback, build confidence, and celebrate accomplishments alongside family members, friends, volunteers, and community supporters. As the fairgrounds return to their quieter routines, the impact of the Owen County Fair continues. The experiences gained by 4-H members this summer will carry forward into school, future careers, and everyday life. Owen County 4-H extends appreciation to exhibitors, families, volunteers, sponsors, and fairgoers who helped make this year’s fair a success and looks forward to building on that success in the year ahead.
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THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
It’s Just a Country State of Mind: The space in between By Susan Anderson Guest Columnist
They say that you can’t go home again. But sometimes it sure is a nice place to visit. I was raised in the country at the far edge of Monroe County between Stinesville and Gosport. Most of my childhood centered around the town of Stinesville. I attended elementary school there and my grandparents lived there as well. I moved to Owen County when I was 16 years old and I’ve lived here pretty much since that time. I have accumulated a lot of memories of those old days, but surprisingly some of those memories did not resurface until I started revisiting some of the old familiar places.
I recently felt compelled, maybe even driven, to search through my past. Perhaps by being a member of the baby boomer generation, I needed to get in touch with myself by finding my roots. So, on a sunny Saturday morning, I headed over to the old town to see if I could find anything familiar. At first, I just drove around up and down the streets. I passed by people sitting out on their front porch, drinking lemonade of all things. Some things never change. And there was still that same old yellow dog that likes to sleep in the middle of the road. A person still must drive at a snail’s pace to allow the old yellow dog the time it takes to move to the other side of the road. There’s still that little kid with the brown tussled hair, riding his bike up and down the road in the old neighborhood. He still wore that dirty old white T-shirt and grungy blue
jeans with grass-stained knees. And the old woman down the road with the old, wrinkled hands, who worked out in her garden, and who wore the old, faded dress with a bandana around her head, has been replaced with a younger version of herself. The pole beans, tomatoes, and the onions are still growing there, and are still being carefully tended by loving hands that are less wrinkled but are still loving all the same. All the old houses were still there but most of them have been remodeled over the years. And new houses had sprung up where there used to be empty fields. Most of the old folks who live there in the neighborhood had either passed on or moved away. But there were still a couple of families there that remembered the grown-up little girl and warmly welcomed her back for a visit. She was offered some iced
BRIEF | FROM PAGE 13
a generous $2,000 donation from local bioethanol producer Owen Valley High School Choir POET Bioprocessing – Cloverdale. Boosters. The contribution will be The event will take place used to purchase books for Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the front parking lot at Owen the school’s book vending machine, an innovative Valley High School. Proceeds program designed to from the market directly encourage a love for reading support the Owen Valley through positive reinforcement Patriot Choirs (OVPC). Local and meaningful student small businesses, artisans, rewards. crafters, and flea market POET, a global leader sellers are invited to reserve in biofuel and sustainable booth space. Parking-space-sized vendor bioproducts, operates a bioprocessing facility in spots (approximately 17.5’ Cloverdale that processes by 8.5’) are available for $25, millions of bushels of locally with additional spots priced at grown corn each year into $10 each. Vendor set-up runs renewable energy and from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., with agricultural co-products. In tear-down from 2 to 4 p.m. Participating vendors will have addition to its agricultural access to restrooms, a booster- and economic impact in Putnam County, the sponsored hospitality area, company maintains an active and volunteer assistance from commitment to supporting Patriot Choir members. local education and community Cash, checks, or money orders payable to “OVHS Choir initiatives. School officials expressed Boosters” can be dropped deep gratitude for POET off at the OVHS main office Cloverdale’s partnership and during normal school hours. Payment and registration must investment in student literacy, be submitted to secure a spot. noting that community support The deadline to sign up is of this kind plays a vital role in Wednesday, Sept. 10. creating inspiring educational For additional details, opportunities for young search for the “2nd Annual readers. Harmony Market” event page on Facebook. Trail 5 bridge rebuilt at
CES benefits from POET donation Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) is expanding its literacy initiatives thanks to
tea and a seat on the honored back porch that had always been reserved for only the most special of guests. The afternoon was sharing stories of “remember when,” and the time went by too quickly as time often does, and it was soon time for the grown-up little girl to return back to her present life. It was a strange journey that I had embarked upon by revisiting some of the places of my embattled youth. It had been a time of struggle for me back in those days, which most of us find ourselves in at some point in our lives. But it had been a happy time for me as well. The visit left me with mixed emotions. It was like finding a piece of myself again that was lost that I had never even realized was missing. It reminded me of some of the lyrics from an old Jackson Browne song, Looking into you. In that song, he talks about going back to the old house that
the Trail 5 bridge.
he grew up in for a visit to see where “his beginnings have gone.” I guess that’s sort of what I had been doing at the place I am at in my life. During my journey through time, I learned that the past is not so very far away from any of us. It’s always present just below the surface in our subconscious minds. We can choose to let it come up into our consciousness, or we can leave it neatly packed away in our subconscious in a box that we call our memories. And the truth of who we were lies somewhere in the space between the two. So, in revisiting my past, I found a lot more than I had bargained for. And it really wasn’t all that bad. They say that you can’t go home again. But sometimes it sure is a nice place to visit. And if you are lucky, while you are there, you might get a glass of iced tea! Enjoy the rest of summer, Susan
A Christmas Carol, adapted
The original structure was
by Brian Walsh, directed by
destroyed in March 2023 when
Stephen Jones, and produced
a devastating EF-3 tornado
by Jessica Turnbull. A wide
swept through Indiana’s first
variety of principal and
state park, causing extensive
ensemble roles are available
tree and infrastructure
for actors eager to share
damage.
this heartwarming story of
The replacement effort
redemption and holiday cheer.
was powered by a coalition of
While not required, actors
local and statewide partners. The Indiana Parks Alliance contributed $5,000 through its Trails for Tomorrow Fund and facilitated the bridge’s design using a retired DNR engineer to reduce project costs. Key support was also provided by Owen Valley High School students, the Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park, the Owen County Community Foundation, and numerous community contributors. While the Wolf Cave parking lot and the initial segment of Trail 5 remain closed, park visitors can now access Wolf Cave via a loop connecting Trail 8 from the Nature Center to Trail 5. For updates on park access and recovery efforts, visit on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp.
Audition for A Christmas Carol in Spencer
are strongly encouraged to submit an early virtual audition video featuring a short monologue by Sunday, August 9, to assist the director with pairing candidates for scene readings. Prospective cast members for Tiny Tim, Fezziwig, Mrs. Fezziwig, or a Caroler role should also include a 30-second vocal selection. Email video links directly to octheatreandartsalliance@ gmail.com. In-person auditions will take place at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, located at 24 N. Washington St. in Spencer, on Sunday, August 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Monday, August 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees should bring a current headshot. Following a full cast read-through on August 30, mandatory rehearsals begin November 2, leading up to tech week and performance
Get ready to bring a
MCSP
dates running December
holiday classic to life! The
3 through December 6.
A major step in the ongoing recovery at McCormick’s Creek State Park (MCSP) is complete following the reconstruction of
Owen County Theatre & Arts
Contact the theater alliance
Alliance is seeking performers
at owencountycivictheatre@
of all experience levels for
gmail.com for audition forms
its upcoming production of
and complete details.
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THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Trailing or Leading: Slide into the Limestone Ledge on the MYPath Trail By Kyle Hannon Project Manager, MYPath Trail System
Maybe I was a bit too eager to show off the new trail. But there it was, the Limestone Ledge, a remarkable feature at the river’s edge. Between me and the ledge was three feet of steep trail. Surely my heel would grip the hill and let me step down. It didn’t. So, my feet slid down the steep trail, and I landed on my rump, in the mud. More specifically, I landed on my new coat on the muddy hill. A month later, I was showing the new trail to a visitor from the Eppley Institute for Parks and
Public Lands. I was explaining that we were trying to coordinate a workday to make steps so people could step down onto the Limestone Ledge more comfortably. I like to think I cautioned her to “Be careful,” before she slipped. Nevertheless, she slipped and landed, just as I had. Between the time we announced that MYPath had acquired property to extend the trail and now, I wonder how many folks’ first impression of the Limestone ledge was from the sitting position. Thanks to the work of two great volunteers, Derek Morgan and Brian Gessler, the trail to the Limestone Ledge now has steps. Don’t think of a grand staircase. Think of large stones, from the ledge itself, as steppingstones down to the shore. Morgan and
Join us for the third year of the MYPath 5K Run/Walk on our beautiful course. The 3rd annual MYPath 5K is on Saturday, September 12th at 8:30 a.m. The race will start and finish at the Owen County Fairgrounds and will travel over portions of the MYPath trail. This is a flat, fast course that uses both paved and unpaved
Gessler used a trailmaking tool, known as a “Rogue Hoe,” to cut out spots for the stone steps. At the other end of the ledge, they used the Rogue Hoe to dig a gradual trail climbing away from the river. We still have some trail adjustments to make before we announce an open house for the new trail. Several people have experienced the new section already, including a mother and child who were down there on bicycles, even before the addition of the steps. I have no idea how they got bicycles down there. Do not try that yourself. The Limestone Ledge is remarkable. It is a state-park-worthy feature. It is a shelf of limestone, about eight to ten feet wide and as long as two football fields. For years, people have been using it
as a great spot for fishing. It is rocky, not smooth. So don’t bring your rollerblades… or bicycles. From the end of the paved MYPath Trail at River Road, follow the footpath along the river. I just fenced off a super-steep connection to the ledge that was potentially hazardous to the hikers and the trail. Keep walking along the trail until you get to a natural switchback that will lead you to the Limestone Ledge without sliding, thanks to the new steps. Continue along the ledge until you see a gradual trail back up the slope. Soon, that will connect to the DNR boat ramp. You can see the boat ramp from the ledge. It is important to note that this section is a hiking trail. It is different from the ADAaccessible paved trail
sections of MYPath. It’s a beautiful route along the White River, over a wonderful bridge, and through the Tree Tube Trail. Race-day check-in and onsite registration starts at 7 a.m. All proceeds from our event is used for MYPath trail creation, expansion, and maintenance.
that the community has been enjoying for nearly three years. I would rate it as a “moderate” trail, by state park standards. And there is a lot of poison ivy along the trail. Please, please, please, turn around if you get uncomfortable with any part of the trail. There is no shame in staying safe. As you know, the White River floods. Do not use the trail if it’s wet or underwater. If you are ready for a new MYPath experience, try the Limestone Ledge trail. You may see flowers that you don’t see on other parts of the trail. You may find a new favorite spot for photos. You will admire the high school students who hauled an abandoned sofa from the trail. And you will wonder how the woman and her son got their bikes down to the ledge. Mostly, you will have a nice experience.
REGISTER HERE
Indiana Conservation Partnership releases annual report for calendar year 2025 ISDA Press Release
conservation tillage. While the term conservation The Indiana Conservation practices can mean many Partnership (ICP) announced things, in Indiana, some of the its 2025 conservation most common conservation accomplishments. The best management practices ICP works with Hoosier are cover crops, nutrient landowners to provide management, residue technical or financial assistance and tillage management, for the implementation of conservation cover, early conservation projects. In 2025, successional habitat landowners supported by the development/management ICP installed more than 44,800 and grassed waterways. new conservation practices. “Conservation work The Indiana Conservation isn’t easy, but it pays off,” Partnership report showed said Lt. Governor Micah that over the last year Beckwith, Indiana’s Secretary landowners helped prevent of Agriculture and Rural over 2.1 million tons of Development. “Every acre sediment, over 4.5 million of cover crops planted, and pounds of nitrogen and every ton of soil kept in place over 2.2 million pounds of is a win for our farmers phosphorus from entering and for Indiana’s future. I’m Indiana waterways. proud of the work the Indiana In 2025, Hoosier farmers, Conservation Partnership with ICP assistance, planted and our farmers are doing more than 242,000 acres of together.” cover crops, and implemented As a farmer, Indiana State Department of Agriculture over 217,000 acres of
director Don Lamb recognizes the challenges that come with installing new conservation initiatives but sees the opportunities these practices can create. “Change on the farm doesn’t happen overnight, and I know firsthand the challenges landowners face when adopting new conservation practices,” said Director Lamb. “But the numbers in this report tell a clear story — Hoosier farmers are putting in the work, and it’s paying off for their land, their bottom line and the water we all depend on. I’m proud of what our ICP partners and our producers accomplished in 2025, and I’m confident that momentum will only grow.” The ICP is made up of public and non-profit groups, along with landowners, that work together for the betterment of soil health and water quality. ICP organizations include,
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ISDA, Indiana State Soil Conservation Board, Purdue Extension, USDA-Farm Service Agency and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Indiana Conservation Partnership is a crucial part of Indiana’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which illustrates the continued success and challenges of conservation and serves as a tool to help set watershed priorities and reduction targets, manage conservation resources and to further stakeholder involvement across Indiana. To view the full report and find more information on soil and water conservation in Indiana in 2025, visit https:// www.in.gov/isda/divisions/soilconservation.
22
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
State Fair debuts new attractions, entertainment and more family fun State Fair Press Release The 2026 Indiana State Fair is knocking it out of the park with an exciting lineup of brand-new attractions, immersive exhibits, live entertainment, and family experiences that make this year’s Fair one of the biggest yet. Each year the State Fair brings in new, exciting attractions to enhance the overall experience and adding value, while continuing to deliver lifelong traditions. Celebrating Indiana’s rich baseball tradition in partnership with the Indianapolis Indians, this year’s Fair offers new ways for guests of every age to play, explore, laugh, and create lasting memories. The Indiana State Fair runs August 7 through August 23, closed Mondays. REWIND: A VHS Revival Travel back to the video store era while experiencing this new featured exhibit: REWIND. A VHS Revival. This world-renowned traveling exhibit makes its debut in Indiana this summer at the State Fair. The experience includes celebrating iconic movie poster artwork from the 1980s through the early 2000s while
All aboard! One of the largest additions to this year’s Fair
More New Entertainment
of the Indiana History Train
Around Every Corner
The Electric Railway: Indiana’s
is the brand-new ride called
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime
Interurbans. Free with paid fair
the State Fair Train. This new
experience with Tortoise
admission and open daily in the
experience plays a nod to the
Feeding. Daily near Goat
historic transportation bringing
Mountain.
Meijer Family Fun Park.
generations of guests to the fair
Don’t miss the opportunity to
annually. Don’t miss this narrated
cuddle a calf in the Meijer Family
ride throughout the north side
Fun Park. Open daily.
of the Fairgrounds, offering a
Break A Boyz brings an
relaxing way to experience the
energetic mix of breakdancing,
sights, sounds, and history of
comedy, and street performance
the Indiana State Fair. This new
to Main Street with multiple daily
family attraction operates daily
shows.
for just $5 per ride.
Marc Dobson’s One Man
Schumacher Stadium (Wiffle
Band turns one performer into
Ball Field)
a full musical experience while
Baseball fans of all ages can take the field inside Meijer
entertaining guests throughout the Fairgrounds.
Family Fun Park at Schumacher
PBS KIDS favorites Daniel
Taste your way around the Fair with nearly 50 new food items featured this year. Part of the Taste of the Fair, presented by Pepsi, food competition taking place throughout the Fair. “The Indiana State Fair has always been a place where generations come together to make memories,” said LeRoy Lewis III, Director of Community and Media Engagement for the Indiana State Fair. “This year we’re adding even more reasons
Stadium. Named in honor of
Tiger and Dinosaur Train
not to miss out. We’ve invested
longtime Indianapolis Indians
characters make special
in experiences that families can
executive Max Schumacher,
appearances for family photos
only find here, from an all-new
this interactive attraction invites
in Meijer Family Fun Park on
train ride and immersive exhibits
guests to swing for the fences,
Saturdays at the fair.
to exciting entertainment and
play with family and friends,
Guests can also enjoy an up-
interactive attractions. Every visit
and celebrate Indiana’s baseball
close tortoise feeding experience
offers something new to see,
tradition every day of the Fair.
at Goat Mountain.
do, and share, and we can’t wait
Enjoy free play time, take in
The Oscar Mayer
a tournament or two, meet
Wienermobile visits Meijer Family
celebrity players and more.... all
Fun Park August 15 and 16 with
part of the State Fair baseball
photo opportunities and fun
theme in partnership with the
hot dog-themed games and
Indianapolis Indians!
activities.
An All-New Big Top Circus
Fans of the reality show stars
to welcome everyone back this August.” Advance discount tickets, schedules, and complete attraction information are available at IndianaStateFair. com.
The Big Top Circus returns
Amy Slaton as well as Chris and
adding new surprises around
with an entirely new lineup of
Brittany Combs can meet them
every corner. Guests can enjoy
thrilling performances inside a
during a special appearance on
a baseball movie theater, the
world-renowned air-conditioned
August 22.
Moulin Rouge Speakeasy, an
tent. From breathtaking
official Indianapolis Indians
acrobatics to laugh-out-loud
popular Mullet Competition,
gift shop, and the return of the
comedy, each show lasts 45
making its Indiana State Fair
legacy. For comprehensive
popular Indy CD & Vinyl pop-up
minutes and offers FREE family
debut as young contestants
event information, ticket details,
store. REWIND is open daily and
entertainment three times daily,
compete for the title of best
and attractions, be sure to visit
free with paid fair admission.
with premium seating upgrades
mullet.
our official website at www.
The State Fair Train - New Ride
available.
BRIEF | FROM PAGE 17 Ashley Bault, OVHS assistant cheerleading coach Jozee Staley, OVHS boys crosscountry coach The next S-OCS Board of School Trustees meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Mike Wells Memorial Board Room at Central Office, 205 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer. The board is also holding its annual retreat from about 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 23.
A youth category in the
Take in the new exhibit part
About the Indiana State Fair The Indiana State Fair, known as the state’s premier multi-day event, is a vibrant celebration of the Hoosier spirit and agricultural
indianastatefair.com.
NRC seeks input on proposed wildlife rule change State Fair Press Release The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened its second public comment period for proposed changes to the bobcat season rule. This is the last comment period before the NRC votes to adopt, reject, or modify the proposed changes. Proposed changes include adding hunting in addition to trapping and increasing the season quota to 400 bobcats. Public comments can be submitted online through Aug. 27 by going to IN.gov/
to: Natural Resources Commission, C/O Indiana DNR Legal Division, 402 W. Washington Street, Room W-261, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The deadline for public comments during this second public comment period is Aug. 27. The second public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27 from 2 - 4 p.m. ET in the Roosevelt Room at the Fort Harrison Inn, 5830 N. Post Road, Indianapolis. The public can attend in person or online anytime during the timeframe. The public hearing
nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket and clicking on
will also be webcast live at IN.gov/nrc/rules/
the link to submit comments under “Rule
rulemaking-docket and viewers will be able
Name: Hunting of Bobcats and Increase in
to comment during the webcast. Sign up for
Statewide Season Quota.”
updates at on.IN.gov/dfw-rule-changes.
Comments can also be mailed
23
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
Driftwood Outdoors: Keep a few fish for the frying pan By Brandon Butler
populations. In
you would catch a
Guest Columnist
such populations,
largemouth bass.
growth of fish is
The problem is
much diminished
that every single
relative to the
fish was the same.
potential of the
They were all about
species. A variety of
12 inches long. It
factors has already
didn’t matter what
been suggested
I threw at them.
to explain the
I tried my largest
phenomenon of
rubber worms, big
stunting. These
spinnerbaits, and
factors include
topwater plugs
intraspecific
half the size of the
competition due to
fish I was catching.
overcrowding, low
Those little guys
food availability,
hit whatever I
and an increase in
presented. I even
survival rate.”
caught largemouth
A friend told me he caught an eightpound largemouth bass out of one of the farm ponds on his property. With permission to fish at will, I thought this could be my chance to finally catch a bass weighing double digits. My theory
The pond I was fishing is about
being, if he released three or four acres. It’s surrounded an eight-pounder
that jumped out of the water to strike a bare hook dangling mere inches above the surface.
in there a few
by native prairie
years ago, there’s
grasses, so the
a good chance
water is very
improve this
the fish is over 10
healthy. There is
fishery, a number
good reasons for catch and
pounds today. Well,
no runoff reaching
of the bass have
release fishing, sometimes
Farm pond fishing is
if that bass is still
the water from
to be removed.
the best thing you can do
one of my favorite outdoor
swimming, he’s
surrounding
There is too much
for a fishery is keep a few
activities. The action is
competition for
fish for the frying pan.
available resources.
Especially from a small body of water. There is no issue
In order to
sharing the water
agricultural fields.
with way too many
It has great water
10-inchers. The
quality. It’s clear,
When the desire is
population is clearly
and around the
for larger fish in a
stunted. Meaning,
shoreline there’s
body of water, then
the fish aren’t
ample, appropriate
more is not better.
growing beyond a
aquatic vegetation.
In fact, more fish
small size.
You would think
is the enemy of big
the fish population
fish.
In a 1979 study by Burrough
would be just as
and Kennedy,
healthy, but it’s not.
Catch and release has become
The fishing
such a mainstay
“Stunted growth
was incredible,
in modern fishing,
is a frequently
if you are only
especially bass
observed
considering
phenomenon in freshwater fish
they state,
If you want to grow big largemouth bass in small lakes and ponds, you need to remove some of the smaller ones. SUBMITTED PHOTO | DRIFTWOOD OUTDOORS While there are certainly
with removing 100 or more stunted bass from a coupleacre pond. This makes for a great opportunity to take others, especially children, fishing. I think we have come up with a solution that is going to be fun, rewarding, and good for this little fishery. Gather
hopefully enjoy the reward of eating them too.
usually hard to replicate on a large reservoir. To keep the fish populations of ponds and small lakes healthy, you need to remove some fish. Otherwise, they are likely to become stunted. It may seem counterintuitive, but if you want to grow big bass, introduce some smaller ones to your fish fryer. See you down the trail…
some friends and family to
For more Driftwood
catch a big mess of stunted
Outdoors, check out the
fishing. People
largemouth, then have a big
podcast on driftwoodoutdoors.
numbers. On
rarely consider
fish fry. The children will have
com or anywhere podcasts are
nearly every cast,
keeping them.
fun catching the fish and will
streamed.
Big news is coming: Exciting things are on the way
24
THE OWEN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026
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