The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1269344
Wednesday, July 15, 2020 PIKE PUBLISHING VOluMe 150, nuMBeR 29 $1.00 28 PaGes FOuR seCTIOns ThRee InseRTs PeTeRsBuRG, In 47567-0068 NEWS TIPS Phone: ���������������������812-354-8500 Email ����� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE THIS ISSUE Local ����������������������������� A1-B5 Classifieds ������������������������� B2-3 Sports ���������������������������������� B5 Church ���������������������������� C1-4 Obituaries ������������������������������C5 Opinion ��������������������������� C6-7 History ��������������������������������� D5 Home Life �������������������������� D1-6 USPS 604-34012 Wednesday, July 15, 2020 PIKE PUBLISHING VOluMe 150, nuMBeR 29 $1.00 28 PaGes FOuR seCTIOns ThRee InseRTs PeTeRsBuRG, In 47567-0068 SAVE $ 4 NOW + BEAT THE INCREASE! See page D-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 See WINSLOW on page 2 Winslow cedes control of Community Center Park & Recreation board to assume operation By James Capozella A long list of agenda items and talking through protective masks didn't impede run- ning through a great many of Winslow Town Council concerns and changes, including the expiration of an extended Winslow Communi- ty Center director contract for Henry Nelson. Recent insurance ramifications, legal issues and grant stipulations brought Winslow Town Council president Josh Popp, and council members Debra Lamb and Dick Brewster, to a vote where the directorship of the Winslow Community Center would shift from an indi- vidual to the Park and Recreation Board. Nelson, who has been the community cen- ter director for eight years, addressed the board with questions concerning specifics regarding benefits of being director. He said "My heart is with the center," although he had moved out about two weeks ago. He said he was troubled with the decision and his treat- ment over property, and the "need for a bet- ter definition" of his situation. Nelson was concerned about the lack of someone taking care of lights, trash and oth- er issues that come up at the community cen- ter. He voiced disapproval of what happened to him and also concern about property of his still at the center. Her said there were lots of things that need- ed to be taken off to the landfill, but his main concern was the vulnerability of the facility with no one on site. He also reported that the Winslow Community Center was $5,000 in the red at this time. The pandemic conditions brought on by the coronavirus has adversely affected almost every bottom line of business and government in 2020. Popp explained to those in attendance how the insurance carrier, legal questions and fu- ture grants for the center factored into the change at the center. He said that the private use of the facility could beg the question of who can have access to the facility, saying "we can't let everyone." Nelson voiced concern over potential break- ins at the center and also asked the council if they thought they could "find someone" to do what he has been doing for eight years at the center. He said he was not mad at anyone, but was not happy about the situation. SPEED BUMP ORDINANCE Council member Debra Lamb explained the speed bump ordinance before the first read- ing, stating there is a process by which a deci- Police seize guns, drugs, explosive devices By Andy Heuring A rural Otwell man was ar- rested on illegal weapons and drug charges after police con- ducted a search of his home at about 2 p.m. Sunday. Mark Jonathan Hand, 50, of 4465 N. CR850E, Otwell was arrested on charges of posses- sion of meth less than 5 grams, a Level 6 felony; possession of meth while in possession of a firearm; possession of a fire- arm by a domestic batterer; possession of destructive de- vices, a Level 5 felony; pos- session of paraphernalia, ille- gal possession of a sawed-off shotgun; carrying a handgun without a permit; possession of marijuana; maintaining a com- mon nuisance, a Level 6 felony; possession of a controlled sub- stance, a Level 5 felony. Pike County Deputy Sher- iff Jared Simmons obtained search warrants for Hand's residence and two of his prop- erties. On Sunday police saw Hand driving toward Peters- burg from his River Road res- idence near the Dodge City community. It was one of two residences Hand owns. They pulled him over at Hornady Park and took him into custody. Hand told police he had a pistol in his back pocket. Po- lice removed it and found it was loaded. They also found a knife pouch on Hand's side in a small green case that had a crystal-like substance which field-tested positive for meth. According to a probable cause affidavit, Hand told them it was "a little bit of meth." In Hand's pick-up police lo- cated another pistol in a fanny pack, which was also loaded. Hand told police there were "booby traps" at the locations they were going to search. Po- lice found foothold traps at a lo- cation on River Road and anoth- er at the Club House property. Sheriff Kent Johnson said two were set so if you reached inside the door to unlock it, the foothold traps would snap onto your hand. When police went to the Club House property, they found homemade gun sup- pressors, a cylindrical-shaped object wrapped in tape with a wick attached, that police be- lieved to be a homemade ex- plosive. Hand was then taken to his residence, a house trail- er at 4308 N. CR850 E. Otwell. Police found a 1911 .45 caliber pistol fully loaded,a 12 gauge shotgun loaded, a guitar case full of pistols and ammo, a suit- case of 5th Column ledgers, an Armscor .45 cal pistol, three glass smoking devices, a Ruger Mark 2 pistol, numerous boxes of ammo and a Colt AR15 on a footstool. Pike County Prosecutor Da- rin McDonald said the devices that appeared to be explosive devices are being tested by the Indiana State police lab. Hand arrested on multiple drug, weapons charges Pike County 58 Sales • See page A-4 Y ard S ale An outdoor graduation for Pike Central High School Class of 2020 has been can- celled. They had a virtual graduation in May, but hoped to have an outdoor one this sum- mer. Pike Schools Superintendent Dr. Su- zanne Blake said the school surveyed the kids to see if they were going to attend, and see how many family and friends would be at- tending. The numbers were low so they decid- ed to cancel it. Due to COVID-19, the traditional grad- uation was cancelled. Pike Central's High School gym is also in the process of having new bleachers installed. Pike Central graduation exercises cancelled County-wide Yard Sale is Saturday The County-wide Yard Sale kicks off Satur- day morning. There are 58 participants listed and mapped on pages A4-A5 to assist shop- pers and bargain hunters where to find each sale. The event traditionally is on Mother's Day weekend, but was postponed to July 18 due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions. Shoppers can pick up a copy of the paper with the map and sale listings at many stores and locations in the county. Petersburg: JayC, CVS, Casey's, Hucks, Su- noco, Kangaroo, Petersburg Hardware, Ran- dy's Americana Cafe, Marge's Hallmark and The Press-Dispatch office. Otwell: Circle A and Otwell Mercantile. Oakland City: Pick & Pump, Chuckles, Hometown IGA and Dollar General. Winslow: Quick Pick, PC-ww1 Stop and Winslow Liquors. Papers may also be purchased at area Dol- lar General stores. Clog floats on despite COVID-19 Dean Foster, Jenessa Brannum and Kirstin Gladish carry a boat across the Old Iron Bridge to take part in the Fourth An- nual Clog the Patoka event on Saturday. More than 600 people participated despite a low river and COVID-19. See more pho- tos on page B-1. County Council hears opinions concerning solar farm Senior's final ride Lily Rice, a Pike Central senior, hangs onto a slowly bucking mechanical bull during the After Prom on Saturday night at Pike Central. It was the final event for the Pike Central Class of 2020. They had the prom earlier in the night. The event, traditionally held in April or early May, was moved to July due to COVID-19. See more photos on page A-6. By Andy Heuring More than 55 people attended a public hear- ing about a proposed 1,200 -acre solar farm proposed to be located in Jefferson and Wash- ington townships. The Pike County Council voted 7-0 to table a request to finalize a resolu- tion creating an Economic Revitalization Area (ER A) in the proposed 1,200 acres. A project has to be located in an ER A to be eligible for tax abatement. Two other resolutions, an Economic De- velopment Agreement and resolution for tax abatement, were also tabled by the council in the same vote. Councilman Travis Troutman moved to ta- ble the matters until their next meeting, which is scheduled for August 11. "I think this is a good project. But let's make sure we do it right," said Councilman Max El- liott. He added, "I don't want there to be any woulda, coulda, shouldas on this. It is too big of a project for Pike County." About 25 people spoke on the matter during the nearly four-hour long meeting. Pike County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Ashley Willis went over some of the benefits of the project for Pike County. (She covers those extensively in a Let- ter to the Editor on page C-7). Willis said, in this position, she has been tasked with bringing jobs and assessed val- ue to Pike County. "I'm proud to bring a proj- ect to you that brings jobs and taxable reve- nue to the county." She said it will create 350 construction jobs during its estimated 18 months of construc- tion, with four to seven permanent jobs with a minimum of $70,000 a year wages. She said it will add $24 million to the assessed value and pay more than $28 million in taxes over the 35 -year life span. Willis emphasized how important this is in light of IPL's proposed shutdown. IPL is the largest taxpayer and employer in the county. See WINSLOW on page 2 See SOLAR on page 7 Winslow cedes control of Community Center Park & Recreation board to assume operation By James Capozella A long list of agenda items and talking through protective masks didn't impede run- ning through a great many of Winslow Town Council concerns and changes, including the expiration of an extended Winslow Communi- ty Center director contract for Henry Nelson. Recent insurance ramifications, legal issues and grant stipulations brought Winslow Town Council president Josh Popp, and council members Debra Lamb and Dick Brewster, to a vote where the directorship of the Winslow Community Center would shift from an indi- vidual to the Park and Recreation Board. Nelson, who has been the community cen- ter director for eight years, addressed the board with questions concerning specifics regarding benefits of being director. He said "My heart is with the center," although he had moved out about two weeks ago. He said he was troubled with the decision and his treat- ment over property, and the "need for a bet- ter definition" of his situation. Nelson was concerned about the lack of someone taking care of lights, trash and oth- er issues that come up at the community cen- ter. He voiced disapproval of what happened to him and also concern about property of his still at the center. Her said there were lots of things that need- ed to be taken off to the landfill, but his main concern was the vulnerability of the facility with no one on site. He also reported that the Winslow Community Center was $5,000 in the red at this time. The pandemic conditions brought on by the coronavirus has adversely affected almost every bottom line of business and government in 2020. Popp explained to those in attendance how the insurance carrier, legal questions and fu- ture grants for the center factored into the change at the center. He said that the private use of the facility could beg the question of who can have access to the facility, saying "we can't let everyone." Nelson voiced concern over potential break- ins at the center and also asked the council if they thought they could "find someone" to do what he has been doing for eight years at the center. He said he was not mad at anyone, but was not happy about the situation. SPEED BUMP ORDINANCE Council member Debra Lamb explained the speed bump ordinance before the first read- Police seize guns, drugs, explosive devices By Andy Heuring A rural Otwell man was ar- rested on illegal weapons and drug charges after police con- ducted a search of his home at about 2 p.m. Sunday. Mark Jonathan Hand, 50, of 4465 N. CR 850 E., Otwell, was arrested on charges of posses- sion of meth less than 5 grams, a level 6 felony; possession of meth while in possession of a firearm; possession of a fire- arm by a domestic batterer; possession of destructive de- vices, a level 5 felony; posses- sion of paraphernalia; illegal possession of a sawed-off shot- gun; carrying a handgun with- out a permit; possession of marijuana; maintaining a com- mon nuisance, a level 6 felony; and possession of a controlled substance, a level 5 felony. Pike County Deputy Sher- iff Jared Simmons obtained search warrants for Hand's residence and two of his prop- erties. On Sunday, police saw Hand driving toward Peters- burg from his River Road res- idence, near the Dodge City community. It was one of two residences Hand owns. They pulled him over at Hornady Park and took him into custody. Hand told police he had a pistol in his back pocket. Po- lice removed it and found it was loaded. They also found a knife pouch on Hand's side in a small green case. It contained a crystal-like substance, which field-tested positive for meth. According to a probable cause affidavit, Hand told them it was "a little bit of meth." In Hand's pick-up, police lo- cated another pistol, which was also loaded, in a fanny pack. Hand told police there were "booby traps" at the locations they were going to search. Po- lice found foothold traps at a lo- cation on River Road and anoth- er at the clubhouse property. Sheriff Kent Johnson said two were set so if you reached inside the door to unlock it, the foothold traps would snap onto your hand. When police went to the clubhouse property, they found homemade gun suppressors and a cylindrical-shaped ob- ject wrapped in tape with a wick attached, which police believed to be a homemade ex- plosive. Hand was then taken to his residence, a house trail- er at 4308 N. CR 850 E., Otwell. Police found a fully loaded 1911 .45 caliber pistol, a loaded 12 gauge shotgun, a guitar case full of pistols and ammo, a suit- case of ledgers of 5th Column (a motorcycle gang to which Hand belonged), an Armscor .45 cal pistol, three glass smok- ing devices, a Ruger Mark 2 pistol, numerous boxes of am- mo and a Colt AR15 on a foot- stool. Pike County Prosecutor Da- rin McDonald said the devices that appeared to be explosive devices are being tested by the Indiana State police lab. Hand arrested on multiple drug, weapons charges