The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1388456
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, June 30, 2021 A-5 Elle Readle and Kinley Catt are ready to hit the stage in their summer activity wear. Bristynn Houtsch pauses for a picture with one of her biggest fans. DNR reports black bear sighting in Tri-State DNR biologists have con- firmed a black bear sighting that occurred in northeast Vanderburgh County before sunrise Sunday, June 27. The closest town to the location is Elberfeld, in Warrick County. Biologists confirmed the bear from photos taken by the land- owner. "This is Indiana's fourth confirmed black bear," said Brad Westrich, DNR mam- malogist. "With expanding bear populations in neighbor- ing states, this is expected." The other three confirmed bears in recent history were located in northern Indiana in 2015, and southern Indiana in 2016 and 2018. J. B. Brindle, DNR Com- munications, said typically these sightings happen after a young male ventures into new territory looking for food and female bears. When he realiz- es there are no female bears in the area, he will leave the area. "Black bears once ranged across Indiana, but were ex- tirpated by the late 1800s," said Bradford J Westrich, Non- game Mammalogoist for Indi- ana DNR. "Human-bear conflicts can be avoided if you remove or secure potential food sourc- es from your yard. Bears can smell food from more than a mile away." Black bears are considered a species of greatest conser- vation need under Indiana Ad- ministrative Code 312 IAC 9 -3- 18.8, which prohibits the kill- ing of a black bear except with the successful application for a Nuisance Animal Control Permit (312 IAC 9 -10 -11). "If a bear is on a person's property, they should not con- front it. They should give the bear space to allow it to leave naturally. If the person comes upon the bear while outdoors, it is advised to make yourself appear larger by waving your arms or raising items above your head, combined with making yourself very loud by yelling, banging items togeth- er, setting off car alarms, etc. In the event of imminent risk to human life, a bear can be killed to preserve that life." Westrich said black bears are rarely aggressive toward humans and gave the follow- ing advice if you see a black bear: do not feed it, observe it from a distance and do not climb a tree. Advertise your presence by shouting and waving your arms and backing slowly away. Report bear sightings to the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife at https://www. in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/ wildlife-resources/animals/ report-a-mammal/. Most problems occurring with bears arise when bears associate food sources with humans and lose their fear of people. More guidelines for reduc- ing or eliminating the poten- tial for bear-human conflicts: Remove bird feeders and bird food if a bear is reported in your area. Clean and store away grills after use. Eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. Pick ripe fruits and vege- tables as soon as possible or place an electric fence around them to ensure bears cannot reach them. Consolidate beehives you may have and place an elec- tric fence around them. Don't leave pet food outside overnight. Don't add meat or sweets to a compost pile. Don't climb a tree if you en- counter a bear; wait in a vehi- cle or building for the bear to leave the area. More information on black bears is at https://www.in- .gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/ wildlife-resources/animals/ black-bear/. Charger Brigade prepares for parades Pike Central's marching band braved the 90-degree heat this week as they started practice on Monday evening to get ready for the Fourth of July parades. Band director Chris Ashworth said they will have band camp for the fall marching band competitions beginning July 26. Above are: Jeremy Peer, Mariah Recker, Alex Edrington, Riley Bolin and Olivia Miller. READER GUIDE Subscriptions: Change of address: subscrib- ers changing addresses will please give old address as well as new one along with phone number. We cannot guaran- tee prompt change unless this is done. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Press-Dis- patch., P.O. Box 68, Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 or e-mail to sub- scribe@pressdispatch.net. Subscription rates: One year: $35 for Pike County and all 475/476 zip codes; $38 in the state of Indiana; $55 elsewhere in the USA. Paid in advance. Subscriptions taken after noon on Friday will not receive a pa- per until the second edition af- ter their subscription date. About us: Andy Heuring and John B. Heuring, Publishers Andy Heuring, Editor John B. Heuring, Adv. Mgr. Eric Gogel, Production Mgr. Monica Sinclair, Office Mgr. Cindy Petty, Adv. Sales Pam Lemond, Adv. Sales Brakston Farrar, Adv. Designer Matthew Haycraft, Sports • Published every Wednesday by the Pike County Publish - ing Co. Phone: 812-354-8500 820 E. Poplar St., P.O. Box 68, Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 • Entered in the Post Office in Pe- tersburg, Indiana for transmis- sion through the mails as Peri- odical Mail, postage paid at Pe- tersburg, Indiana – published weekly. (USPS 205-620) Contact us: Phone: .............. 812-354-8500 Fax: .................. 812-354-2014 Andy Heuring, Editor editor@pressdispatch.net Advertising ads@pressdispatch.net General News news@pressdispatch.net Circulation subscribe@pressdispatch.net DUBOIS COUNTY 4-H FAIR 18 USC 707 4157 SR 162, Huntingburg extension.purdue.edu/dubois LARK RANCH RIDES Open: Monday-Friday from 5-10pm Saturday, July 10 8 p.m. – JD Shelburne Concert – Admission:$10 bleachers, $20 in pit WBDC Country Showdown Opening Act at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 11 10 a.m. – Horse Performance Show 4 p.m. – Dairy Show/Showmanship All Week Monday-Friday 5-10 p.m. – Lark Ranch Rides 5:30-9:30 p.m. – 4-H and Open Class Exhibit Buildings Open 6-9:30 p.m. – Comm. Exhibit Building Open Monday, July 12 9 a.m. – Goat Show/Showmanship 5 p.m. – Grand Opening Celebration 6 p.m. – Swine Show/Showmanship 6:30 p.m. – Jr./Sr. English Horse Show 6:30 p.m. – Grupo Guanaco 7 p.m. – Garden Tractor Pull Admission: FREE Tuesday, July 13 Noon-1 p.m. – Goat Yoga 6 p.m. – Sheep Show/Showmanship 6 and 8 p.m. – Jerry Frasier – Magician 6-9 p.m. – Karen Kovich Caricature 6:30 p.m. – Junior Gaming Horse Show 6:30-9 p.m. – Hot Air Balloon Rides 7 p.m. – Kiddie Pedal Pull Wednesday, July 14 2 p.m. – Cat Judging 2 p.m. – Beef Showmanship 5 p.m. – Beef Show 5:30 p.m. – Public Speaking/Demonstration 6 p.m. – Leukemia Foundation 6-8 p.m. – Education Station by Purdue Ext. 6-8 p.m. – Hunter Ed Archery Range 6:30 p.m. – Paws and Pals Demonstration 6:30 p.m. – Senior Gaming Horse Show 6:30 p.m. – ATV/SxS/Car/Truck Flat Drag Racing – Admission: $10 7 p.m. – Brandt Carmichael Thursday, July 15 6:45-9 a.m. – Fishing Contest at South Lake 9 a.m. – 4 H Dog Obedience Judging/Agility/Agility Course 12:30 p.m. – Supreme Showmanship 5:30 p.m. – 4-H Awards Ceremony Program 5:45- 6:45 p.m. – Goat Yoga 7 p.m. – The Hiding 7 p.m. – Tug of War Friday, July 16 12:30 p.m. – Showman of Showmen 5 p.m. – Tractor Pull – Admission $10 5 p.m. – Horse and Pony Fun Show Saturday, July 17 6 p.m. – Lawnmower and Car Demo Derby – Admission $10/$20 Pit Pass Sunday, July 18 Noon – Motocross Racing (Reg. 9 a.m.) Admission: $10, No Pit Pass MISS FIRECRACKER PAGEANT The 2021 Little Miss Firecracker court, (l to r): Peyton Bush, Director's Award, the daughter of Colton and Mariah Bush; Mylee Pride, first runner-up, the daughter of Kevin Acton and Lacy Drew; Azalin Vennard, Little Miss Firecracker Queen, the daughter of Jonathan Vennard and Ash- lee Willis; Maisie Leinenbach, second runner-up, the daughter of Jeff and Christie Brooks; and Bristynn Houtsch, Miss Photogenic, the daughter of Andrew and Danielle Houtsch. The 2021 Junior Miss Firecracker Court, (l to r): Addison Wibbeler, Director's Award, the daughter of Andrew and Candance Wibbeler; Kinley Catt, second runner-up, the daughter of Kev- in Catt and Chanda Foster; Chloe Howard, Jr. Miss Firecracker Queen, the daughter of Luke and Megan Howard; Emiley Riker, first runner-up, the daughter of Adam and Star Riker; and Elle Readle, Miss Photogenic, the daughter of Jenny Deffendoll and Matthew Readle. Jayden Mathena was ready to show off her summer wear. Harper Houchins introduced her- self proudly on stage for her first time. Haiyden Goeppner rocked it on stage.