The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1388456
B-2 Wednesday, June 30, 2021 The Press-Dispatch When he signed up for the Airborne team and started diving, he had no idea what it would lead to in the near fu- ture. A fter his training in Geor- gia, King was sent to Fort Richardson, near Anchorage, Alaska. King said it was a great ex- perience. "When I was a kid, we would watch hunting or fishing shows about trips in Alaska and thought I would love to go there. . . Then I drew assignment there on dumb luck. I definitely ran with that as hard as a could." "It is insanely gorgeous. The wildlife is massive. The first night there, going from the airport to the hotel, a big moose was just walking down the other side of the highway," said King. He spent 30 months in Alas- ka. He said in the area he was in, the weather wasn't a lot more severe than here, but the winter season lasted a lot lon- ger. "It is just something you get accustomed to." He did some bear hunting and fishing. "I had more luck engaging bear while I was on training missions than when I was hunting them." Then he got an unsuspect- ed surprise. "The Army was doing a pro- gram trying to reach out to get more enlisted people interest- ed in West Point." He said his brigade leadership picked him and another guy out to tryout for West Point. "Com- ing from here, it is just a place we learned about in history class with Mr. ( Jarrod) Gide- on. It was a pretty surreal op- portunity." He talked with his leader- ship about it. "Essentially if you want to do the most for the most folks it is the best way to go," is the advice he got. King said he decided to sign up and "see where it went. Making it from the en- listed side, I was ready to get after it." When he called home to tell his dad, Don King, he had been accepted into West Point, it was a high moment for him. "Pops was super excited for me, as excited as I was." He said he was sent to one year of prep school, because he had been out of high school for three years. He stated the prep school was a year of aca- demics, physical training and learning discipline. "I had pretty much decided when I got out of high school and enlisted, my academic ca- reer was over. So I was glad to have the year of prep school." He said after three years of being out of high school, it helped him prepare for the ac- ademic demands, while others with no military experience, it helped them get used to the discipline and frenetic pace of West Point. King graduated from prep school in 2017. "It was a big transition. Prep school was definitely needed." He said he went straight from Prep school to West Point and started in the sum- mer. "It is definitely not your nor- mal college," said King. He ex- plained, "The Corps. is by ca- dets for cadets. It is a leader- ship academy. Every year, you are in leadership capacity for different people and responsi- ble for the people under your leadership." "It was all very impressive. When someone commits an infraction, they need some type of correction, wheth- er that is push-ups, squats or whatever, it is appropriate to get people to listen to the rules a little more closely." He said the first day was to shell shock the incoming ca- dets. "It was very fast paced. You are grabbing your stuff and getting into what being at at- tention is." He said they smashed them into a bus and took them to an- other site, where they went through medicals, where they had blood taken and filled out paperwork in very tight spaces and at break neck speed. They were given new uniforms and 20 seconds to change into them. "Everyone failed." They went through physi- cals, with physical tests such as push-up and pull-ups, and were taught how to march in facing forward position. "There was no room for slack." At the end of the day, they were going to have to march. Another portion of their first day, they met their squad leaders. He said they had to march backward toward them, do an about face and then recite a script they were given just minutes before. If they didn't recite it correctly, they started all over, including the marching backward until they got it right. Once that was done, they had to run up six flights of stairs to their rooms, where again they had to recite a See ZACH KING on page 6 ZACH KING Continued from page 1 Thursday, July 1 5:00 pm Grounds, Midway, Rides Open 7:00 pm T.T.P.A.I. Garden Tractor Pull – on the track – FREE Admission – ey will show their stuff at pulling just like the big ones. Friday, July 2 5:00 pm Grounds, Midway, Rides, Ice Cream Stand Open 7:00 pm Firecracker Truck & Tractor Pulls – on the track $25 Hook Fee and NO Double Hooks for the Local Class • 12,000 lb. 10 mph Tractor Class – Local Class • ITPA 4x4 Pro Stock Gas Truck Class – Sanctioned Class • 12,000 lb. 14 mph Tractor Class – Local Class • 2 Wheel Drive Truck Class – Local Class Saturday, July 3 10:00 am Parade – Bring a lawn chair and come early to get a viewpoint so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of an old fashioned Fourth of July parade, and there's always plenty of candy for the kids. Parade Grand Marshal is River Harbin. 11:00 am Grounds, Midway, Rides, Ice Cream Stand Open 11:00 am Jefferson Township Ruritan's Famous BBQ Chicken and Rib Dinners begin – ese will be available for LUNCH ONLY. Take out or dine in the air-conditioned dining room. Two serving lines and a separate take-out line to shorten waiting time to a minimum. 1:00 pm Firecracker Baby Contest – Otwell Community Center Gym – Multiple contests for the little ones, ages newborn to 5 years old in the air-conditioned gym. Admission is $2. Ages 6 and under are FREE. 1:00 pm 4th Annual Firecracker Volleyball Tournament (teams present at 12:30 p.m.) – Ruritan Ground Grass Parking Lot – is year will feature the 6 vs 6 coed division. Cost to register a team is $5 per player due the day of the event. For more information and to pre-register, call or text 812-789-3705. Saturday, July 3 (continued) 2:00 pm Children's Pedal Pull – Just to prove the adults aren't the only people that can enjoy the spirit of a good pull; the little ones put their pedal tractors and strength to the test. Takes place on the west side of the Otwell Community Center Gym. 2:00 pm BINGO – Otwell Community Center Dining Room. 6:00 pm 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament – Otwell Commu- nity Center Gym – is year will feature a division for participants that are age 16 and older. Cost to register a team is $5 per player, due the day of the event. For more information and to pre-register, call or text 812-789-3705 or 812-354-4729. 7:00 pm Firecracker Truck & Tractor Pulls – on the track $25 Hook Fee and NO Double Hooks for the Local Class • OVTPA 9500 lb. 510 Limited Pro/Hot Farm Trac- tors – Sanctioned Class • Non Aspirated Tractor Class – Local Class • Open Diesel Truck Class (2.5's, 2.6's, 3.0's) • 11,500 lb. Pro Farm Tractor Class Sunday, July 4 3:00 pm Flag Football Tournament – Ruritan Grounds Grass Parking Lot – is year will feature a division for participants that are age 16 and older. Cost to register a team is $10 per player, due the day of the event. For more information and to pre-register, call or text 812-789-3705 or 812-582-0005. 5:00 pm Grounds, Midway, Rides, Ice Cream Stand Open 6:00 pm Special Musical Entertainment – Free Admission – Outside Community Center Gym – Bring your chairs or blankets and enjoy some music while wait- ing FOR the fireworks and enjoying the evening. 7:00 pm Cornhole Tournament – Ruritan Shelter House – is year will feature a cornhole tournament for all ages competing against each other. Cost to register a team is $5 per player, due the day of the event. For more information and to pre-register, call or text 812-789-3705. Dark FIREWORKS We will be encouraging social distancing and mask usage while attending our events outdoors this year. For any dining and events that take place indoors, mask usage will be enforced unless eating, drinking or socially distanced. Thank you for your understanding. 4th of July 4th of July Jefferson Township Ruritan Club Jefferson Township Ruritan Club Celebration 4th of July 4th of July 4th of July Jefferson Township Ruritan Club Jefferson Township Ruritan Club Jefferson Township Ruritan Club 4th of July 4th of July 4th of July Jefferson Township Ruritan Club Jefferson Township Ruritan Club Jefferson Township Ruritan Club Celebration Celebration July 1 – July 4, 2021 For information, registrations or schedules, go to our Facebook: Otwell 4th of July Celebration BOX Blessing ESSENTIAL ITEMS Toothpaste, Shaving Cream, Shampoo, Cleaners and Non-Perishable Food Items FREE TO ALL IN NEED! Located next to the driveway of JESUS CHRIST OUR FIRM FOUNDATION 1415 N. Vincennes Ave., Petersburg Donations Accepted Maintained by JCOFF Youth Group Pedestrian bridge opening delayed indefinitely The Old Iron Bridge sits much like it has since it was put in place in the spring, due to delays in getting materials needed to finish the project. The 145 -year-old bridge was moved from its original location over the Patoka Riv- er on CR 650 E., near the Pike State Forest, to Cherry St. in Petersburg over Prides Creek. The bridge was rehabbed and set in place on April 22. How- ever, trouble getting materi- als for the side rails and wood floor have delayed its opening. County Highway Superin- tendent Josh Byrd said he was notified by the contractor of the delays. Byrd said original- ly the bridge was supposed to have White Oak side rails, but they are not available. He said a change order to install Red Oak rails has been approved. The wood deck floor is more of a problem. Byrd said the deck requires a lot of resins, which, due to COVID, are hard to get. Byrd said a date for when the floor materials will be available and installed has not been set. He added, the contractor is being given an extension on the proj- ect because the materials are not available. The refurbished Iron Bridge that was recently installed on Cherry Street will not be opened for an indefinite period, due to lack of finishing materials and oak boards needed for the bridge floor. Slater charged with domestic battery, marijuana possession By James Capozella A report of a possible do- mestic battery on June 22 at Sixth and Poplar Sts. result- ed in the arrest of Joanie Slat- er, 26, of 502 N Fifth Street, Petersburg, for domestic bat- tery committed in the pres- ence of a child less than 16 years, domestic battery com- mitted with a deadly weapon, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Petersburg Police Officer Scott Arnold was patrolling in Petersburg when an off-du- ty fireman reported hearing breaking glass and yelling occurring around 6 p.m. at Sixth Street and Poplar. Ar- nold spoke with Cody Slater at 502 North Fifth Street, who advised his wife had attacked him with a knife. Arnold not- ed Cody Slater had a scratch mark down his neck and that Joanie had bruising on her up- per arms. Arnold reports that Joanie told Deputy Mike Willis she grabbed a knife and tried to cut Cody. Joanie admitted to having mental health issues and that Cody restrains her when this happens. A fter a consent to search, marijua- na and paraphernalia were found in the residence that the Slaters and Tina White- head share, according to the report. Officer Arnold stated in his report that he would also be requesting charges against Cody Slater through the Pros- ecutor's Office. Eliason charged with neglect, possession and contributing By James Capozella A Peru woman faces multi- ple charges after not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. Jillian Engonette Elia- son, 30, of 68 1/2 N. Broad- way, Peru, was charged with neglect of a dependent, pos- session of marijuana and con- tributing to the delinquency of a minor. Petersburg Office Scott Ar- nold pulled Eliason over after noticing the Kia she was driv- ing did not come to a complete stop at Fifth and Spruce Sts., according to the police report. Arnold detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed glassy, bloodshot eyes of the driver and a 13-year-old passenger. Eliason advised there was marijuana in the car, and she and the passenger stated that they had just finished smok- ing marijuana together, ac- cording to the report. Eliason told Officer Arnold they had smoked one joint and that it was her marijuana inside the console and glove box. Arnold contacted the De- partment of Child Services (DCS) and was advised by DCS that the 13-year-old's grandparents had custody. Eliason was transported to the Pike County Jail. Deputy Cody Jones stayed with the ju- venile and also conducted an inventory of the vehicle. Arnold then transported the 13-year-old to the Pike County Sheriff's Office to meet with Ronald and Mi- chelle Riley. Joanie Slater, the juvenile's aunt, arrived at the police sta- tion and advised Arnold that she had given permission for Eliason to take the juvenile to go look at a cat down the street from their work, Ca- sey's General Store, in Peters- burg. Slater said she allowed Eliason to take care of the ju- venile since she and Eliason worked together. Text messages between the two confirmed that Eliason was not to pick up any drugs with the juvenile in the car. Since Arnold knew that Elia- son knowingly gave marijua- na while caring for the juve- nile, he arrested Eliason for neglect of a dependent child, possession of marijuana and contributing to the delinquen- cy of a minor. WARRANTS Continued from page 1 J.R. Meadors told police he often mowed Garretson's yard and had mowed it on June 16 in the early evening, from about 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. He said he saw a dark full- sized truck towing a camper turn onto CR 575 N. from CR 500 E. The affidavit said the war- rant was seeking evidence in the case of leaving the scene of an accident (resulting in death), a level 4 felony.