The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1316377
NEWS TIPS Phone: ���������������������812-354-8500 Email ����� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE Local ����������������� A1-8 Shopping������������ A4-5 Obituaries ��������������� A7 Sports �����������������B1-6 School ��������������������B5 Church �������������� C1-3 Classifieds ���������� C4-5 East Gibson ������ C6-7 History ������������������� C8 Home Life ������������D1-6 Opinion �������������D4-5 USPS 604-34012 Wednesday, december 9, 2020 PIKE PUBLISHING VOLUme 150, nUmber 50 $1.00 28 PaGes FOUr secTIOns Three InserTs PeTersbUrG, In 47567-0068 See COUNCIL on page 2 See COVID on page 3 Salvation Army Bell Ringers Shelby Ridao and Grace Brandle, members of the Pike Central National Honor Society, rang bells together for the Salvation Army on Saturday afternoon. The Pike Central National Honor Society volunteered to take care of ringing bells all day at the Dollar General Store. Petersburg and Pike County were notified Tuesday morning they were receiving more than a quarter mil- lion dollars for paving. Pike County will receive $221,165 for paving, while Petersburg will re- ceive $ 62,650 as part of the Commu- nity Crossroads grant. Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transpor- tation Commissioner Joe McGuin- ness announced on Tuesday 241 In- diana cities, towns and counties re- ceived a combined $101 million in state matching funds for local road projects through Community Cross- ings, a component of the Governor's Next Level Roads program. "As we navigate through the chal- lenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we're as committed as ever to improving and building our state's infrastructure. I'm incredibly pleased that we're able to fund all of the high-priority local road proj- ects submitted in this round. Taking care of our local roads is key to mak- ing sure our communities remain at- tractive places to grow businesses and create careers," said Holcomb. The Community Crossings Initia- tive has provided more than $ 830 million in state matching funds for construction projects. In response to revenue uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, INDOT moved this call for projects, origi- nally scheduled for July, to Septem- ber. The $101 million award is fund- ed by the balance available in the state's local road and bridge match- ing grant fund at the end of the 2020 fiscal year, as well as revenue col- lected so far in the 2021 fiscal year. "This is a tremendous win for our local partners," INDOT Commis- sioner Joe McGuinness said. "Our continued partnership with Hoo- sier communities will deliver more high priority local road projects in the coming year, many of which have been in planning for months or even years and wouldn't be able to move forward now without the state's funding commitment." To qualify for funding, local gov- ernments must provide local match- ing funds, 50 percent for larger com- munities or 25 percent for smaller communities, from a funding source approved for road and bridge con- struction. tThey must also submit an IN- DOT-approved asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. State law requires an- nually that 50 percent of the avail- able matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or few- er. State lawmakers identified long- term funding for Community Cross- ings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in April 2017. Petersburg, county to receive $283,000 in paving grants Concrete truck overturns An IMI concrete truck tipped over into a ditch on a rural Pike County road as it tried to back up Friday afternoon. Pike County Deputy Sheriff Cody Jones said Phillip Kern, of Jasper, was on his way to the new bridge project over the Patoka Riv- er near Survant. He was driving west on CR 250 S. and his GIS navigator quit working in the remote area. Instead of turning left to go south to the bridge project, he turned right. But just north of CR 250 S., there is a bridge with a three-ton weight limit on it. So he started backing up and tried to back onto CR 250 S., but the right side of the road gave way and the concrete truck loaded with about 30,000 pounds of concrete overturned. Deputy Jones said it turned over slowly and Kern was not injured. It took three semi-truck tow trucks to get the concrete truck upright. Despite COVID and in some cases because of COVID, there are several Christmas activities still taking place this year. VFW AND MOOSE OFFERING SANTA'S POST OFFICE Petersburg Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 3587 and Petersburg Moose Lodge will host a Santa's Post Office this Sunday, December 13. Santa will be at the VFW on Main Street from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., where kids can drop off a letter to Santa's mail box and come away with a gift bag of goodies. They then can head to "The North Pole" at the Moose Lodge, where Santa and his Elves will be from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. They can receive anoth- er bag of goodies brought to your car or truck. WINSLOW COAT WRAP ON FOR SATURDAY The Winslow Coat Wrap is scheduled for Satur- day, December 12. Winslow Town Council mem- ber Debi Lamb said the volunteers have collect- ed new and slightly used winter coats. They will be wrapping them around light poles and traffic signs along Main St. The coats are for anyone who needs them. Lamb said if a person sees a coat wrapped around a pole, they are welcome to find the one that fits and take it. Lamb said it is a new group of volun- teers this year and they wish to remain anony- mous. The coats will be there beginning at dawn on Saturday and remain out until they are all gone. CANCELLATION Mrs. Claus at the Brenton Cabin in Hornady Park is cancelled this year. Mrs. Claus normal- ly has cookies for children in the Brenton Cab- in beside the fireplace. She helps children make ornaments to put on the Christmas tree and has stories for them. But due to COVID, it is cancelled this year. She said she hopes to be back next Christmas. Some Christmas activities still on the calendar By Andy Heuring Petersburg City Council and May- or R.C. Klipsch made their appoint- ments for 2021 during their Monday night meeting. The council met vir- tually instead of in-person. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS Redevelopment Commission: Bri- an VanMeter and Gary Leavitt; Fire Territory Board: Gary Leavitt; Board of Zoning Appeals (4 years): Tom Hunt; Plan Commission (4 years): Ky- ler Henry; Solid Waste Board: Gary Leavitt; Advisory Commission: Alan Teg- meyer; Petersburg Revolving Loan Board (4 years): David Holmes; MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS ABC Board: Marge Leavitt; Region 15 Plan Commission: Jody Hoover; Redevelopment Commission: Council makes appointments for 2021 By Andy Heuring Pike County is moving to the red zone on Wednesday. Pike Coun- ty Health Nurse Amy Gladish said Tuesday afternoon she was noti- fied by the Indiana Department of Health that Pike County was mov- ing to Level 3 on COVID infection rate, which is shown in red on the Indiana COVID map. It is the high- est level and carries several restric- tions with it. No gatherings of more than 25 people are allowed. Gladish said if there was an event that couldn't be cancelled, that group would have to submit a plan for COVID mitigation to the Pike County Health Depart- ment seven days in advanced. Spectators at sporting events will be limited to immediate fami- ly members now. Church services are not affected; however, Gladish said other events at churches, such as dinners and re- ceptions, are limited to 25 people. Gladish told the county commis- County moved to high COVID alert