The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1392557
A-8 Wednesday, July 14, 2021 The Press-Dispatch 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 County awaits $6.53M in COVID-19 funds By Janice Barniak Gibson County has un- til 2024 to create a plan for the $ 6.53 million of Ameri- can Rescue Funds allotted for COVID-19 recovery and awarded to Gibson by the federal government. County Commissioners discussed the composition of the committee that will plan for the money; it will likely in- clude a county council mem- ber, a commissioner and a community member. While the first half of funds were supposed to ar- rive mid-May, the county has not yet received the initial in- stallment. Commissioner Mary Key wasn't worried about the de- lay, however. "That's still on time as far as the federal government," she quipped. Unofficial covered bridge keepers request help By Janice Barniak Marilyn and Dennis West maintain Severns and Red Bridge, and have for the last four years, though the county has bought the cou- ple paint to cover graffiti and weedkiller. A fter knee surgery, how- ever, Marilyn West told County Commissioners July 6 she and her husband could no longer do everything. "We're doing this on a budget with your supplies and our hands...why am I even doing this? I can do this because I love those bridges—" "—I do too—" said Com- missioner Ken Montgomery. "—I, like you, love these bridges. Who took care of it before we came along? " asked West. The couple covers graffi- ti, and hauls out everything from trash to microwaves to refrigerators. "I mean, a big black re- frigerator...we took care of that." This year, weedkiller is too expensive, she said, and while the couple takes pride in their work, not having the supplies from the county in a timely manner has caused them to get behind on wee- deating to the point West doesn't know if they will be able to do it. "Who will do this when I can't be there, when I can't do this? " West asked. Moreover cameras at the site don't work either be- cause they're not positioned well, or because need repair. The County Commission- ers plan to take funds from the highway department bridge fund to help with maintenance. Extension educator meets commissioners By Janice Barniak Purdue Extension's An- drew Hays, the Health and Human Science Educator, introduced Gibson County Commissioners to new Ag Extension agent Maegan Hollis during their regular meeting July 6. Hollis, who grew up on a crop farm in Kentucky, has been in the position since June 1; her husband, Andy, is originally from Gibson County and she shared the couple has bought a home in the area. She brings bache- lor's and master's degrees in animal science at the Uni- versity of Kentucky in 2013 and 2015, respectively. She also has a PhD in an- imal science from the Uni- versity of Illinois Urba- na-Champaign. Since then, Hollis has been an assistant professor of animal science at Middle Tennessee State University. Her research in- terests have been primarily focused on dairy cattle nu- trition, health, behavior and well-being, but she has a di- verse background in sever- al different areas of produc- tion agriculture. "We're hoping to put down roots and grow lon- gevity in this position," she said. Jail on track for June 2023 completion By Janice Barniak Gibson County Commis- sioners heard from jail con- sultant Byron Sanders last week about progress on the Gibson County detention center and agreed to hire Garmong as the construc- tion manager on the project. Architects gave the jail committee six options for moving forward using the county's existing proper- ties, including the current jail site, and Brumfield and Emerson properties. Concerns included not disrupting the existing jail during the building pro- cess, and working straight through without having to stop. Sanders said the jail com- mittee would like to stay on the current block where the jail is moving south, and they hope to have plans by the end of the month. "If we don't get some things done at least by Oc- tober, we could jeopardize that (completion date)," said Sanders. While three firms rose to the top, Garmong stood out because of their previ- ous work with RQAW, their leverage with local contrac- tors, and their pledge to re- turn 100 percent of their sav- ings to the county should they come in under budget, whereas other contractors wanted to split the savings, said Commissioner Warren Fleetwood. Commissioner Mary Key said of the three, Garmong would not have been her choice, preferring Coryd- on-based Shireman. "I'm not going to second because they were not my personal choice," said Key. "I don't have anything against Garmong." Commissioners: Use regular budget for padded cell By Janice Barniak Sheriff Tim Bottoms asked commissioners for direction in June about getting a pad- ded cell that took damage replaced at the jail; while he was leading children's camp during the board's July 6 meeting, he reiterated the request through Commis- sioner Mary Key. The cost would be $ 6,800, and Bot- tom's equipment budget for the jail was depleted by a wa- ter softener and other large expenses. "They need it, he wants us to put EDIT money towards it," said Key. "He needs to know how to move forward on this." "He said his budget's real- ly gotten down," said Com- missioner Kenneth Mont- gomery. "I think I would recom- mend he continue to use his budgeted money," said Com- missioner Warren Fleetwood adding that was with the un- derstanding commissioners may have to help him out with other expenses later this year. Gracy Key wins Miss Gibson County By Janice Barniak Gibson County Fair crowned Gracy Key, daugh- ter of Ross and Shannon Key, who starts as a freshman at Wabash Valley College this fall, as the 2021 Gibson Coun- ty Fair Queen in a pageant Fri- day at the Princeton Commu- nity Middle School. "This is my last year. We had a great group of girls, ev- ery single one was deserving. It went very smoothly, and I was absolutely stunned I got it out of this amazing group of girls," she said. "I've nev- er been more shocked in my life." Key, who is a member of Key Club, National Honors Society, Varsity Soccer, Var- sity Basketball and Senior Ad- visory is a 10 -Year 4-H Mem- ber who volunteers at Princ- eton Community Intermedi- ate School and is a member of Bethel Memorial Church. Besides being fair queen, she has also won 2021 Win- ter Homecoming Queen, was two-time Most Valuable Player in Soccer, received the PCHS Basketball Tiger Award, was on the A-Hon- or Roll, 2018 Gibson Coun- ty Sweetheart and Academic All-State. Also winning were: first runner-up Avery Jones-Tay- lor, second runner-up Jour- ney Booker, third runner-up Brooke Berry, and fourth run- ner-up Reagan Cochren; how- ever, those places shuffled over the weekend when pag- eant organizer Crystal Schil- linger Binhack sent a mes- sage that second runner-up Booker was "not able to ful- fill her duties," due to unfore- seen circumstances. This made the court placings as fol- lows: third runner-up Reagan Cochren, second runner-up Brooke Berry, first runner-up Avery Jones-Taylor. Cochren is the daughter of Mike and Celena Cochren and a senior at Princeton Commu- nity High School. She's in the National Hon- or Society, is the Junior Class President, on Student Coun- cil, in Key Club, and plays Golf, Soccer and Basketball, as well as being a nine-year 4- H member. She's won Junior Sheep Showmanship award, was on the A-Honor Roll, was Golf Rookie of the Year 2019 and Sheep Rookie of the Year 2019. Second runner-up Berry, daughter of Bob and Kathy Berry, is a junior at Universi- ty of Southern Indiana and is in the USI Honors Society and USI Spanish Club. "It's weird being here, you always look up to the girls onstage, and now we're one of them." She volunteers with Shop with a Cop and is a member of Owensville United Method- ist Church. She is on the USI Dean's List, USI Honor's Men- tor, recipient of the David L. Rice Merit Scholarship, and was previously crowned 2019 Miss Candy Cane. Avery Jones-Taylor, daugh- ter of Dean and Autumn Tay- lor, will be a junior at Univer- sity of Southern Indiana, and was involved in PCHS Drama Club, Student Council, Bas- ketball, Cross Country, and Track and Field. At USI, she is a member of a study group for nursing students, which she created. She attended Deaconess Student Nurse Academy, First General Baptist Church, is a Princeton Tiger Youth Bas- ketball coach, a 10 -year 4-H member and a member of Ju- nior Leaders. She is a four-time state qualifier for 400 -meter dash, and a PCHS 400 -meter dash and 4x400 -meter relay re- cord holder, 2019 Athlete of the Year, won the Don Deck- er Good Shepard Award, and was a Gibson County Fair Su- preme Showman. SWEETHEART TITLES In the 2021 Gibson County Sweetheart contest, Aubree Davis took the title, with first runner-up as Jordan Speedy, second runner-up as Alyssa Naas, and third runner-up as Katharine McDonald. Davis, the daughter of Bri- an and Jerica Davis, will be a sophomore at Gibson South- ern High School, where she is a member of Sunshine So- ciety, Student Council, Skills USA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Varsity Golf and Freshman Basketball. She is a member of First Christian Church Youth Group, Owens- ville Boys and Girls 4-H Club, Gibson County 4-H Junior Leaders, South Gibson repre- sentative for 4-H Junior Lead- ers, and made Distinguished Honor Roll 2020 -2021, was voted Best Hair in the OCS Class of 2020, won the Miss Gibson County Princess sec- ond runner-up in 2017, and won the Watermelon Festi- val Little Miss 2013. She has earned Champion and Re- serve Champion 4-H Exhibit awards in Leadership, Crafts and Photography. First runner-up, Speedy, is the daughter of Tim and An- gela (Collins) Speedy, and a senior at Gibson Southern High School. She participates in Archery Club, Sunshine Society, FFA and FCCL A, as well as 4-H and Junior Lead- ers. She's won the Academ- ic Archer Award three years for archery, and a Jr. Leaders achievement award. Second runner-up Naas, daughter of Lora and Stephen Naas, is a junior at Gibson Southern High School, and plays Soccer and Lacrosse. She's a member of Art Club, Youth Group and works for a local food truck. She's won the Most Improved in Soccer award. Finally, third runner-up was Amy McDonald, daughter of Jim and Mary Francis McDon- ald, a freshman at Princeton Community High School, who plays Basketball, Volleyball, and competes on the Speech team. She volunteers with Breakfast with Santa, sings in Choir, and has helped with chicken dinners, Strawberry Festival and more. Other sweetheart contes- tants were: Bailey Draper, daughter of Glyn and Amie Draper; Kendall Harris, daughter of Vanna Harris; Katherine McDonald, daugh- ter of Jim and Mary Francis McDonald; Ainsley Sheffer, daughter of Beckee Hadley and Brent Sheffer; and Glori- anna Spindler, daughter of Ja- son and Roseanne Spindler. Gracy Key won the Miss Gibson County title Friday at Princeton Community Middle School. She was crowned by 2019 Queen Renee Bower and 2019 Sweetheart Kymberly Reeder. County queen winners included, from left: third runner-up Reagan Cochren, second runner-up Brooke Berry, 2021 Miss Gibson County Gracy Key, and first runner-up Avery Jones-Taylor. Sweetheart winners included: 2021 Gibson County Sweetheart Aubree Davis, first runner-up Jordan Speedy, second runner-up Alyssa Naas and third runner-up Katharine McDonald.