The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1267169
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 PIKE PUBLISHING VOluMe 150, nuMBeR 28 $1.00 24 PaGes TWO seCTIOns TWO InseRTs PeTeRsBuRG, In 47567-0068 SAVE $ 4 NOW + BEAT THE INCREASE! See page A-3 for details NEWS TIPS Phone: ���������������������812-354-8500 Email ����� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE THIS ISSUE Local ������������������������������� A1-9 Classifieds ���������������������� A10-11 Sports ��������������������������������� A12 Church ���������������������������� B1-3 Opinion ���������������������������B4-5 Home Life ��������������������������B6-8 Obituaries ����������������������������B10 History ��������������������������������B11 USPS 604-34012 Speak out on Pike County's SOLAR FUTURE Editorial on page B-4 See PATOK A on page 2 Steve English Editor's note: (The following is a news release submitted by Capital Dynamics and Tenaska) A 150 -megawatt (MW ) solar field proposed for Pike County is anticipated to bring con- struction jobs, tax revenue, landowner lease payments and other economic benefits to Pike County. The project under development by the Clean Energy Infrastructure (CEI) business of Capital Dynamics and Tenaska represents an estimated $128 million investment in the area economy. "There is a growing demand for solar in the Midwest, and we are excited to bring the Ratts 1 Solar Project and these many economic ben- efits to Pike County," said Tiago Sabino Di- as, executive vice president of development of Arevon Energy Management, the CEI plat- form's dedicated energy solutions business. "We intend to be part of the local business community for many years to come." Capital Dynamics, an independent global private asset management firm, is the sec- ond-largest owner of solar facilities in the Unit- ed States. It has a relationship with Tenaska, one of the largest private independent energy companies in the country, to develop nearly 8,000 megawatts of solar projects. The Ratts 1 Solar Project in Pike County is located on roughly 1,200 acres in Jefferson Township. Construction is anticipated to be- gin in 2021 and last for 12 to 18 months. Once operational in 2023, the solar field will deliv- er renewable power to Indiana utilities and/ or electrical cooperatives. A study conducted by Gnarly Tree Sustain- ability Institute, in collaboration with Dr. Ken- neth Richards of Indiana University's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental A ffairs, reported that the Ratts 1 project would bring broad economic benefits to Pike County, in- cluding: Direct Construction Jobs: Employment of varying durations for up to 350 people within the county, or the equivalent of 188 full-time jobs for an entire year. Direct Operations Jobs: Full-time employ- ment for 4 workers overseeing operations and maintenance for the expected 35 -year proj- ect life. Local Goods and Services: Annual expen- ditures on goods and services in excess of $ 350,000 per year for 35 years. Gross Domestic Product: Contribution of $19.3 million to Pike County Gross Domes- tic Product during construction, with an ad- ditional $ 800,000 per year during operation. Economic Ripples: Additional jobs and spending as an indi- rect outcome of eco- nomic activities creat- ed by the project, in- cluding an additional 42 full-time, full-year jobs during the construc- tion phase and an additional five jobs for the next 35 years of operations. Ashley Polen Willis, executive director of Pike County Economic Development Corpo- ration, said: "This project holds tremendous opportunity for Pike County. It is a $128 mil- lion investment that will continue to pay div- idends to the people of our county. Not only will it provide hundreds of construction jobs during these difficult economic times, but it also will pump nearly $1 million per year into our county GDP for the next 35 years. Over the life of this project, Pike County will gain approximately $28 million in revenue. This is a win-win for Pike County." The demand for renewable energy within the Midcontinent Independent System Oper- ator (MISO) market is expected to grow from 8 % today to 30 % by the end of the decade. Re- cent transactions by Indiana utilities illustrate that solar is becoming a preferred technolo- gy based on its competitive price and an en- ergy profile that aligns with periods of peak demand. Solar provides state and community leaders an opportunity to diversify their elec- tricity sources while addressing environmen- See related editorial on B-4 and Letter to the Editor on B-5 By Andy Heuring Winslow's Town Marshal for 33 years was laid to rest Monday after- noon as large group of friends, fami- ly, firemen and fellow police officers filled Sunset Cem- etery for his grave- side ceremony. Steve En- glish, 65, died on Wednesday, Ju- ly 1. He had been Winslow's Town Marshal since 1986. He retired in 2019 due to health issues. "He was a good guy and a good friend," said Winslow Town Coun- cilman Dick Brewster. Brewster, a multi-term councilman, said En- glish was the Town Marshal for all the years he served on the council until his retirement. During the graveside ceremo- ny, Pike County's Central Dispatch blared over the police radios a call for 52 three times. English's call number was 52. The dispatcher then said it was the final call for 52. "I'm an old softy, I cry at old car- toons, but it really got to me," said Brewster. "I looked down the row of policemen and everyone of them had tears in their eyes," said Brewster. "I don't think I have ever seen so many people at a graveside ceremo- ny at Sunset (Cemetery) in all my years." Former town marshal remembered Clog the Patoka 2020 set for Saturday The Fourth Annual Clog the Pa- toka float is set for this Saturday, Ju- ly 11. This year's event will face three hurdles: COVID-19, a very low riv- er and a closed bridge at the put-in point. Organizer Chris Clement said due to the low river level, air-filled floats are unsafe, since they can be snagged and torn by debris and other items near the surface. On- ly boats, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and solid, unsinkable flota- tion devices should be used. Concerning COVID-19, there should be plenty of room for so- cial distancing, with the exception of the shuttle ride back to the Sur- vant ramp. Winslow Miller's Field will be donated by the Winslow American Legion and will be used as a camp- ground, free of charge, from Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12. There will be no electric or wa- ter hook ups, but campers are still welcome. Fires are permitted with a portable fire pit, because the Le- gion does not want burn spots on the grass field. If camper hookups are desired, the nearest two campgrounds are Prides Creek Campground & Lyn- nville RV Park. See SOLAR on page 2 Delicious dinners delivered at Otwell celebration Several workers took orders and handed out take home dinners to a deluge of people in line four cars wide during the Ot- well Fourth of July chicken and rib dinner on Saturday. It took a crowd of people cooking and preparing dinners. See addition- al photos on page A-5. James Capozella photo Tenaska touts benefits of solar farm project School to start on time with mandatory masks CR 900 at Pikeville closed Indiana State Department of Transportation work on Cup Creek bridge on SR 64 east of 257 has caused the county to close CR900E, due to the heavy truck traffic being diverted onto the narrow one-mile stretch. Pike County Highway Assistant Superintendent Josh Byrd reports that the state marked CR900E as the detour route. It was recently paved and will not handle semi-tractor trailer traffic. He said the county is running traffic around via CR 700S to CR 1000E in order to preserve CR900E. Both 700S and 900E are in the middle of the Pikeville curve. James Capozella photo By Andy Heuring Pike County will start school on time this Fall and it will be with masks. Tuesday night, Pike Schools Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Blake went over a letter being sent to school parents about the return to school. The letter has 15 bullet points. It starts with all students and teachers returning on Au- gust 12. The second point is students and staff "will be required to have a mask with them at all times. "There will be times during the day when masks must be worn and times when so- cial distancing other factors support removing the masks. Students will have the option to attend school in person or online. "You have the option to attend school in per- son or e-learning. There has to be a stipulation that a child can't decide they don't want to go to school on Wednesday and is allowed to do e-learning for that day," said Board member Chris McKinney. "There has to be a commitment for a length of time," said Board president Steve Potter. "That is part of what we are still working on, and asking other corporations about. Some cor- porations are doing a survey to see how many are requesting e-learning." She said many are asking for a commitment for a minimum of nine weeks. "We have a concern that a full semes- ter commitment might be off-putting to some families and students," said Blake. She added this year the online learning will be different than last year. "We have to be clear to families, what this See SCHOOL on page 2