The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1232982
A-12 Local Wednesday, April 8, 2020 The Press-Dispatch DNR continues statewide fish stocking efforts Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife recent- ly began spring fish stock- ings at locations across the state. Biologists from state fish- eries will coordinate state- wide with city and coun- ty parks to gain access for stocking purposes. DNR is striving to ensure the safety of the public and staff. As stocking trucks are on the road and stock- ing fish, remember to prac- tice social distancing. Some egg collection ef- forts have been canceled for this year. Each year, DNR staff collect walleye and muskellunge (muskie) eggs from wild sources to sustain populations across the state. Though nearly all of Indiana's walleye wa- ters are sustained through stocking, missing one year of stocking should not sig- nificantly impact wall- eye fishing. Saugeye and muskie fishing also look positive. Muskies are a long-lived species, and their lifespans temper the effect of missed stockings. For more information on fish stocking efforts, visit wildlife.IN.gov/5457.htm. For the most up-to-date information regarding DNR and COVID-19, visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19. To view all DNR news re- leases, see dnr.IN.gov. www.UebelhorGM.com Jasper • 1-800-937-8721 CHEVROLET Packet pickup at Winslow Elementary Caleb Cherry, Emily Cherry and Kristy Murphy are ready for the next vehicle with the homework pack- ets sorted and ready to hand out. Volunteer staff at Winslow Elementary helped pass out packets to par- ents. The process went smoothly and safely with the vehicles lining up and taking their turn as the staff donned masks and gloves to pass out new homework They also accepted completed assignment packag- es. Remaining finished homework can be placed in the drop-off box in front of the school at any time. Photos contributed Resource teacher Caleb Cherry hands a home- work packet to a parent. Cafeteria worker Amanda Hickman passes a lunch bag to one of the Winslow parents. Staff are scheduled to distribute lunch bags to parents of Winslow Elementary students every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the elementary school. Bridge work on SR56 near Otwell begins Monday State Road 56 in Pike County will have a lane restriction due to bridge work next week. The Indiana Depart- ment of Transportation an- nounces lane closures for a bridge deck rehabilita- tion project on State Road 56 Near Otwell. Beginning on or around Monday, April 13, contrac- tors will close one lane of the S.R. 56 bridge span- ning Little Flat Creek, just more than a mile east of the intersection with S.R. 257. During this project, work- ers will repair and resur- face the bridge deck. One lane of the bridge will be closed at all times, with traffic being con- trolled by temporary sig- nal. Lanes will be restrict- ed to 11 feet; wider loads should seek an alternate route using the nearest numbered state, U.S. or Interstate route. Work is expected to last until the beginning of May, depending upon weather conditions. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews. LANE CLOSURE ON SR 64 INDOT also announced lane closures for pavement operations on State Road 64 in Princeton. Beginning on or around Wednesday, April 8, con- tractors will close the east- bound driving lane to per- form deep patching opera- tions in Princeton between the U.S. 41 interchange and the signalized intersection near the shopping centers west of the interchange. Deep patching repairs ar- eas of pavement below the surface that have weak- ened over time. This could be caused by many differ- ent variables, including normal traffic conditions and drainage issues. During this operation, one lane of traffic will re- main open, with traffic be- ing controlled by flaggers when needed during the operation or to accommo- date loads wider than 12 feet. Workers will be on site from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and expect the operation to take two days, depending upon weather conditions. No one was injured in crash No one was injured in a crash last Thursday eve- ning near Otwell. Kim Goeppner, 49, of 2100 N. SR 257, Otwell, was driving a 2013 Toyo- ta Sienna south on High- way 257 when she stopped at the intersection with Highway 356 and attempt- ed to turn east. Pike Coun- ty Sheriff Kent Johnson said Goeppner saw a first vehicle, but didn't see the second vehicle and hit the second vehicle driven by Derek McCandless, 25, of 9463 E. Oak St., Velpen, in a 2002 Ford Focus. Damage was estimat- ed at $5,000 to $10,000 for the two vehicles in the 7:18 p.m. crash. Woman stalls vehicle in flood waters on CR 625 W A woman was able to walk out of her vehicle af- ter it stalled out when she tried to drive through wa- ter on CR 625 W. Sheriff Kent Johnson said Mon- day afternoon a woman tried to drive through wa- ter out of the Dodge City ar- ea, but her car stalled. She called for help. He said the deputies were not able to get to her, but she was able to walk out to them. "She was lucky she was able to walk away not hurt. We beg people to not drive through roads covered with water," said Sheriff Johnson. He added, it will proba- bly be a couple of days be- fore she is able to get the vehicle out. She said the water was up to the floor level of her car. Pike County NRCS announces new conversationalist By Andy Heuring Pike County has a new FDA NRCS District Conser- vationist. Ashley Hammock started in the Pike County position on March 2. The Alabama native said he fol- lowed a torturous path with his career in soil science. He got his undergraduate degree from the Universi- ty of Arkansas and his mas- ters from Auburn and a PhD from Washington State. Up- on graduation Washington State, he moved his family to Lafayette, where he took a job at Purdue University working in Ag Research. However, after a two-year appointment, a federal hir- ing freeze ended the posi- tion. He then took a job in Iowa. "Being away from my family was hard. I tried to get back to Indiana as quick- ly as I could. "I'm in the mode of train- ing and learning how to get these programs adminis- tered," said Hammock. "We are an organization that promotes conserva- tion practices and encour- ages farmers to do that. We have money available to help them. We support people do- ing conservation practices on their own with resources, technical and money, when it is available." He added, "There are a lot of boxes to be checked. My job is to make sure all the boxes get checked and make sure they have a proj- ect that is going to get tech- nical and financial support through cost sharing," said Hammock. "My goal is to have every one of these rivers to run clear. That is my goal." He encouraged people to stop in and talk once the CO- VID-19 restrictions are lift- ed. "I'm easily approach- able and not hard to talk to. I love to talk about this kind of stuff. I love doing my job. I'm doing this because I want to make a difference," said Hammock. Hammock is going to be a columnist for The Press-Dis- patch. His column starts this week on page A-7. CREATIVITY. OUR SPECIALTY. The Press Dispatch PIKE COUNTY'S NEWS NETWORK Design by two of Indiana's top designers is included with every ad purchase. Call today! 812-354-8500 OR ADS@PRESSDISPATCH.NET