The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1277609
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, August 12, 2020 A-7 EAST GIBSON Submit East Gibson news items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: egnews@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Trisha Minnis gets ready to take an order under a canopy outside the Petersburg VFW on Saturday. The Shri- ners sold more than 200 BBQ chicken dinners between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. James Capozella photos Right: The Shriners had a big day cooking chicken and packaging dinners this past Saturday at the Peters- burg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3587. David Hoover, Brent Craig, Jamie Williams, Donnie Boger, Trisha Minnis, Dan Mayes, Ray Montgomery, Jake Burkhart, Mike Western, Jared Traylor and Corbin Traylor com- bined their talents and teamwork for a very successful and delicious fundraiser dinner. James Capozella photo SHRINERS DINNER AT PETERSBURG VFW birth- enrolling, three-month Thomas Home dedicated this past Monday By James Capozella Gibson County Habitat for Humanity executive director Greg Goodson had the timing perfect on a rainy Monday evening, avoiding a drench- ing rain to dedicate a Madison Street home for Danny, De'asia, D'Andre and Daniel III Thomas. In addition to celebrating the completion of the build, they were also recognizing Daniel's Fort Branch Community School graduation. A crowd of more than 75 friends, neighbors and officials were on hand for the dedication of the seventh completed Habitat for Humanity home on Madison Street alone. Danny Thomas want- ed those attending the dedication to know how the family felt, saying, "I would like to thank ev- eryone who volunteered their time and gave do- nations to help me build this home for my family. Without you, this would not have been possible. My kids and I are very grateful and thankful for each and everyone of you. When I was first ap- proved for the Habitat program, I was told that this was a 'hand up' not a 'handout.' This has stuck with me through the whole process. Thanks for everything." Goodson, along with members of the Gibson County Chamber of Commerce, conducted the ribbon cutting, with Danny Thomas doing the honors. Ann Hyneman made the introductions and house blessing, and the opening prayer was by Goodson. Construction superintendent Lar- ry McConnell presented the key to Thomas, and Goodson named donors and gave a Habitat up- date. Rev. Floyd Edwards read scripture and present- ed Danny with a Bible. The Thomas home is a part of a string of more than 25 new builds and rehabs completed by the Gibson County Habitat for Hu- manity. In addition to Goodson and McConnell, board members Karen Beghtel, Jim Stephens, Chuck Klus, David Chamberlain, Ann Hyneman, Nick Brown and Hannah Turner were on hand. Gibson County Habitat for Humanity relies on donations and fundraising from individuals and organizations for support. About 60 organizations and individuals have made it possible to build and rehab more than 25 homes since 1995. In addi- tion to the Thomas home dedication, there was a mortgage burning for Vicki and John Mouck, al- so a Gibson County Habitat for Humanity build on Madison Street in Princeton. Danny Thomas cuts the ribbon dedicating the family's new home on Madison street in Princeton, with a crowd of onlookers rep- resenting individual donors, businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and Gibson County Habitat for Humanity. James Capozella photos Rev. Floyd Edwards read scripture and also presented Danny Thomas with a Bible during dedication ceremonies for the Gibson County Habitat for Humanities home on Madison Street last week. Commissioners pass agreement with ACLU By Janice Barniak Attorney Jim McDonald rec- ommended Gibson County Commissioners pass an agree- ment with the ACLU that sets a timeline for the jail renovation or new jail build. McDonald told commission- ers that the lawsuit over the overcrowding would not be go- ing away, and it was better to reach an agreement with the ACLU than to have a federal judge mandate the county's ac- tion. The agreement gives the county until Oct. 13 for the ar- chitect to research green field vs. renovation options, nine months to design the renova- tion or new jail, then 18 months for construction. McDonald said the ACLU and federal attorney fees can get steep if the county continues to delay, and it goes before a judge. "It's not going to go away. We can't write a letter to the judge and tell them to leave us alone." County passes stormwater ordinance By Janice Barniak County Commissioners moved Tuesday to advertise a stormwater ordinance 19 years in the making. County Surveyor Scott Mar- tin said state law requires an or- dinance, and up until now, Gib- son County has been non-com- pliant with state standards, which can affect their ability to win grants. The ordinance will set post-construction standards for stormwater for any construction larger than one acre—projects Martin said would require an engineer anyway. Copies of the ordinance are in the surveyor's office, and the county will advertise the fees as- sociated with it, which will cov- er the cost of contracting some- one to do the post-construction checking. Two projects in the last year would have been affected by the stormwater ordinance. "I think we've got something really good here," Martin said. Oakland City library takes virtual tour of American Art Museum Thursday The Oakland City-Columbia Township Pub- lic Library will be having the next destination in the adult learning series "Armchair Travel- ing." The library will be taking people to the Smithsonian American Art Museum to attend the live, interactive "American Indians" virtual tour on Thursday, August 13 at 2 p.m. American Indians are part of the past, present and future of the United States. Attendees will explore histories and cultures of some American Indians as captured by both Native and non-Na- tive artists. Participants will also be able to dis- cuss the influence of geography, tradition, and tribal affiliation on contemporary Indian artists. The free event will be online using the Zoom platform and the library will have very limited seating for attendees with no internet. Regis- tration is required and no library card is nec- essary. Call the library at 812-749 -3559 to re- serve your spot.