The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1377505
SPECIAL SECTION C Wednesday, May 26, 2021 PIKE PUBLISHING VOLUMe 151, nUMBeR 21 NEWS TIPS Phone: ���������������������812-354-8500 Email ����� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE Local ����������������� A1-8 Obituaries ���������������A6 Sports �����������������B1-6 Church �������������� C1-3 School ����������������� C4 East Gibson������������ C5 Classifieds �����������C6-7 Legals ������������������C7-8 Home Life ������������D1-6 History �������������������D3 Opinion �������������D4-5 USPS 604-34012 $1.00 32 PaGes FOUR seCTIOns ThRee InseRTs PeTeRsBURG, In 47567-0068 Libby Stone, Valedictorian Hunter Russell, Salutatorian Lauren Young, Senior Address Chesser escapes injury in harrowing accident A Winslow woman was trapped in her vehicle, teetering above a small pit on the side of a steep embankment Thursday morning. Nicole Chesser, 48, of 305 E. Center St., Winslow, was driving west on Cato-Winslow Road when she ran off the right side of the road. Pike County Deputy Sheriff Brad Jenkins said there was slight drop off on that side of the road and she couldn't get back onto the road. She traveled about 100 feet, sideswiping two trees before striking a third tree with the top of her 2015 Dodge Journey and coming to rest on its side. Chesser was unable to get out of the SUV, which was on the side of a steep embankment. Pike Sheriff Kent Johnson said Chesser was unable to get out of the SUV and she was trying to get a door open the vehicle rolled back onto its wheels. He said she feared it was go- ing to roll down the bank into the body of water below. Sheriff Johnson said he and Deputy Dallas Killian and Deputy Jenkins arrived and Killian came up with the idea to hook a tow strap from his pickup truck to Chesser's vehicle to prevent it from going further down the bank. "It was kind of an impromptu deal that worked," said Johnson. He said she had some cuts and bruises was not taken to the hospital. Above: Sheriff Johnson retrieves some of Chesser's valuables from the SUV. The Dodge Journey, owned by Beverly Weitkamp, was a total loss. The accident happened at about 8:30 a.m. PC Class of 2021 graduation exercises to be Friday, May 28 Memorial Day observances County-wide Memorial Day ob- servances will be conducted by members of the Petersburg Veter- ans of Foreign Wars Post 3587 and the Winslow American Legion Post 115 on Memorial Day. Members of the Coleman-Stewart Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3587 will con- duct observances honoring veter- ans of all wars by visiting 13 cem- eteries and the Pike County Court- house on Memorial Day. Memorial Day services at Walnut Hills Cemetery begin at 10 :45 a.m., with a welcome by VFW Post Com- mander Chris Kinman. The Invoca- tion will be by Steve Hamilton and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Kin- man. Hamilton is the guest speaker and Tammy Selby will give the War Mothers Tribute. Kinman will direct the VFW Post 3587 Firing Squad to honor the departed by rendering a 21-gun salute, followed by Taps. Kin- man will close the observance ask- ing that we "Honor the dead by help- ing the living." The Winslow American Legion will visit 16 cemeteries, beginning at 7 a.m. with the Martin Cemetery. The Petersburg VFW begins with the Old Town Cemetery at 7:25 a.m. Honors rendered will consist of a de- votion, 21-gun salute and Taps. The 10 :45 a.m. Walnut Hills memorial program follows the first eight ob- servances performed by the Peters- burg VFW members. VFW Post Commander Kinman asks that residents take a few min- utes on the Memorial Day holiday to visit the grave of a veteran, fami- ly or friend. "It is a way to show grat- itude to the one who paid the ulti- mate price for our freedom." U.S. flags on poles should be flown at half mast in the morning on Memorial Day and then raised to the top of the pole at noon. Members of the Petersburg VFW Post 3587 cordially invite the public to attend the Memorial Day salute at any of the locations. Graveside flags are available at VFW Post 3587. Individuals and organizations can pick up flags for placement on veterans' graves By Andrea Preston The Winslow Town Council voted 3-0 Monday night to allow the new Fire Science Program at Pike Cen- tral High School to purchase some of the town's fire equipment at a dis- counted cost. Council President Josh Popp said Adam Vaal, chairman of the pro- gram at the high school, approached him about the town's surplus of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs). Popp told Vaal to submit a request in writing and he would discuss it. SCBAs are critical to fire- fighter safety and effectiveness, al- lowing firefighters to go deeper into dangerous environments while not breathing toxic fumes. During the meeting, Popp told council members the fire equip- ment, including 16 bottles, eight masks and four kits, was valued at an estimated $14,000. The request from Vaal asked to purchase the equipment for $ 8,000. "I think this is a great program for the students," said council member Debra Lamb. Pike Central's fire program is one of several programs operated through the Patoka Valley Career Winslow to sell fire equipment to PC Fire Science program Hwy 61 to close in Petersburg June 1 until October Motorists in Petersburg will be dealing with road restrictions for several months to come as High- way 61 will close north of Main St. until October and at the south edge of town, there will be lane restric- tions until August. The Indiana Department of Transportation announced a com- plete road closure for State Road 61 beginning on or about Tuesday, June 1, from Main St. to the area of Seventh and Abigail Sts. It is the first of three phases for the project that will be a complete road recon- struction. As a part of this project, the road will be dug out down to the sub grade layers and then complete- ly replaced with new layers and driv- ing surface. Phase I is expected to last un- til mid-October. The local detour is going to be Seventh St. to Main St. The official detour is expected to be Highway 57 to US 50 to High- See GR ADUATION on page 8 See TR AINING on page 4 See CLOSURE on page 2 See WINSLOW on page 3 See OBSERVANCES on page 2 By Andy Heuring Pike County is in the process of changing from a coal-powered county economically to a renew- ables-powered county. A collabora- tion announced Monday between Ivy Tech Evansville and the Elmer Buchta Entrepreneurship and Tech- nology Center to offer education and training to the area will help facili- tate that change. The tech center is located on I- 69 and serves not only Pike County, but also the surrounding counties. "Ivy Tech will work closely with Indianapolis Power and Light Pe- tersburg Generating Station, the Pike County School Corporation and other community partners to determine the workforce training needs, and create opportunities for local employers and residents," said Ivy Tech Chancellor Daniela Vidal. "These classes will focus on sup- porting both existing and emerg- ing industry in Southwest Indiana, including renewable energy." Ivy Tech officials said the renew- able curriculum would be one of the only programs in the state and Mid- west working with battery storage, as well as solar and wind curricu- Ivy Tech to offer workforce training at new Tech Center By Andy Heuring Pike Central High School will re- turn to a traditional graduation ser- vice this year. The Class of 2021 will have 136 graduate during their cer- emony at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 28. While being a traditional graduation service, it will be outdoors on the football field. Superintendent of Pike Coun- ty Schools Dr. Suzanne Blake said having it outdoors allows them the flexibility to meet any COVID pro- tocols that might be in place. Two weeks ago, Pike County was raised from the blue advisory level, which is the lowest, to yellow. Since then, the positivity rate has fallen below five percent, which is the trigger for the blue level. "We are going to closely have our eyes on the weather report for Fri- day," said Pike Central Principal Bri- an Holland. In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors. As of Tuesday morning, there was a 59 percent chance of rain in the morning, but not Friday evening. This year's ceremony will be dif- ferent as well in that it will include the awards day program usually held during the day at school. Hol- land said that is being incorporated into graduation. He said students' awards will be announced as they come forward to receive their diplo- mas. This year's ceremony will begin with the traditional playing of Pomp and Circumstance by the Pike Cen- tral band, Principal Holland will have a welcome, followed by the National Anthem. Senior Co-Presi- dent of Student Government Riley Morgan will lead the Pledge of Al- legiance, followed by senior Made- line Williams giving the Class of 2021 history. Co-President of Student Govern- ment Lily Willis will lead an invo- cation and the Pike Central Swing Choir will sing Friends. Libby Stone will give the Valedic- torian Address. Stone is the daughter of Trent and Tracy Stone, of Petersburg. She is a member of the National Honor So- ciety, Fellowship of Christian Ath- letes, a Hoosier Girls State Dele- gate and Key Club. Stone compet- ed in soccer, swimming, cross coun- try and track. She was named Most Valuable while running Cross Coun- try her sophomore and junior years, was a semi-state qualifier and re- ceived the Mental Attitude award. She plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana to study dental hygiene. The band will perform Dreams, which will be followed by Salutato- rian Heath Russell giving the Salu- tatorian Address. Russell is the son of Michelle White, Chris Hall and Jeff White. He participated in German Club, the vocational welding program and student government. He was also a member of the National Honor So- ciety and was a Hoosier Boys State delegate. Russell plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana to major in Mechanical Engineering. The Swing Choir will perform For Good prior to Lauren Young giving the Senior Address. Young is the daughter of Christian and Amanda Young, of Winslow. She