The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1400710
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, August 11, 2021 A-3 LOCAL Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg ROAD Continued from page 1 INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST PHYSICIAN William Thompson, III, DO Family Medicine / Sports Medicine Now accepting new patients! Good Samaritan is excited to welcome William C. Thompson, III, DO to the organization. Dr. Thompson specializes in Sports Medicine and Family Practice. Born and raised in Monroe City, Indiana, Dr. Thompson went to Indiana University for his undergraduate degree and then later earned his doctorate from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. "I have always been surrounded by medicine," he said. "I grew up down the road from my father's practice and was always in the office speaking with patients and helping my dad. My time with my father in his office solidified my goal of being a family medicine physician." In his free time, Dr. Thompson enjoys hunting, fishing, gadgetry and anything involving IU Basketball. Petersburg Medical Clinic 611 N. Main Street | Petersburg, IN 47567 812-354-8426 GSHVIN.ORG Family Medicine Center for Therapy & Sports Performance 2020 S. Clearview Drive | Vincennes, IN 47591 812-885-8590 Sports Medicine HEATING AND AIR 812-789-3065 jmcdonald@alltradeheatingandair.net or admin@alltradeheatingandair.net THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN CLEAN AIR, BUT DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recognizes CleanEffects® as asthma & allergy friendly® The other option is to drop the project and be forced to pay back to INDOT $ 355,000 the county was reimbursed for design and engineering work done by RQAW and purchas- ing right of way. "So our choic- es are accept the $1.5 million or pay them $ 355,000? " asked council president Craig. "Is the $1.5 million contingent to building the road to High- way 61? " Britton said Pike County had to build it from the cul de sac to CR 175 N., a distance of a little more than one mile. "Where is the cul de sac? " asked Councilman Greg Willis. Britton said it is off of the portion of CR 175 E. that was left when I-69 was built. Britton said the county has a rough estimate of $790,000 to do the connection to High- way 61. However, she said that was a "rough estimate." She also said that is to build it to federal standards. But if they do the exchange, the county can build it to whatever specs they want. "Of course it is to handle industrial traffic, so we will want to build a good road," said Britton. She also said the county was told they would not have to pay an in- spection firm. "We could use Josh (Byrd, highway superin- tendent) for the inspection." Another cost is RQAW is saying it will cost the county $ 39,000 to redesign the plans to scale back on materials that would have been used in the connection to I-69. "What is the county's cost above the $1.5 million? " asked Councilman Dennis Bishop. "It depends on the estimate. We don't have the estimate yet," said Britton. "A lot of this has been caused by them not handling it correctly from the start," said Willis. Craig said, "No question the county is very dependent on consultant guidance." He added, "INDOT could very well walk away from this and leave us holding the liabil- ity to pay back the federal dol- lars. INDOT is being very gra- cious to Pike County." He explained INDOT was buying this project from Pike County and using it with an- other project. Britton said the total cost of the project was going to be more than $ 3 million. Craig asked if Pike County could pursue Crossroads pav- ing money to use on this project. "My understanding is we cannot. I can ask, but they said when they do this exchange it isn't eligible for any more fed- eral dollars," said Britton. "I know the commissioners have looked at exploring lia- bility issues," said Craig about the consulting and engineer- ing on the project. Craig asked if there was any action the council needed to take. Britton said the council and the commissioners would have to eventually approve the exchange deal to get the $1.5 million. Craig suggested they not take action until their next meeting in hopes of getting more information about the county's total costs. RIVER BIRCH HOLDINGS GIVEN COMPLIANCE WAIVER River Birch Holdings was given a compliance waiver by a 7-0 vote of the county council. River Birch failed to file the proper form that was re- quired by May 15, 2021, for a tax abatement. County Audi- tor Judy Gumbel said, "This is the first abatement I have dealt with. Only thing I know is you were supposed to apply 30 days after the assessment. My understanding is you were not aware of the timing issue." John Mandabach, of River Birch, said River Birch was supposed to submit an annu- al reporting form to the coun- ty on May 15. But they didn't meet that deadline. "It has been submitted, but it wasn't in the time for the May 15 deadline." "My understanding is you have to file it by 30 days of your assessment or within 30 days of receiving a notice from the assessor," said Craig. Assessor Mike Goodpas- ter said his office did not send out the notice. "Basically, it is a notice saying what their as- sessment is going to be," said Goodpaster. He said his office is not required to send out the warning notice and he chose not to because it costs between $12,000 and $15,000 to send it out. He said large counties like Allen and Marion send them out. Goodpaster explained by not sending out the notice, Riv- er Birch has until next year to file an appeal of their assess- ment. If Goodpaster had sent out the notice in April, then River Birch would have been required to make any appeal by May 15. "I think this sums up where we are. It is a first tax abate- ment for us and it may be one of the first for Pike County," said Mandabach. "Good news is we are set up now with the process," said Craig. He added, "I have talk- ed to (County Attorney) Val (Fleig) and he is fine with it." Councilman Willis asked Mandabach about the actual number of new jobs and the annual salary for the River Birch project which was con- siderably lower than they had estimated. He asked if that was be- cause the project had not been operating a full year yet. "I'm not the guy who can speak to that, but I can get you someone," said Mandabach. Willis said the estimated new jobs were 22, but the ac- tual were 17 and the estimat- ed payroll was $ 686,400, but the actual was only $ 372,010. "I'm not sure that is a full year," said Mandabach. Craig asked for a motion to approve the waiver. Bishop moved and Travis Troutman seconded, and it passed by a 7-0 vote. In other business, Craig an- nounced a new solar farm proj- ect is looking at the Cato area. He said Invenergy Solar had asked to be put on the agenda in the future. Craig asked for the council to form a commit- tee to review Invenergy's SB1 form, which is a request for tax abatement. Councilman Max Elliott suggested they should put a county commissioner on the committee since a lot of the issues involved roads. Craig agreed. Craig said they would ap- point a committee in the fu- ture. The council also approved $74,000 additional from the Local Road and Street fund as their match for the Crossroads paving grant. A fter adjourning their regu- lar monthly business meeting, the council went into a special budget hearing session to lis- ten to all the county depart- ment heads talk about their proposed budgets for 2022. The next county council meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21, which is a week later than normal. It will be followed by a two-day meeting to set the 2022 budget. Maxfield charged with invasion of privacy By James Capozella Jesse Sherman Maxfield, 40, of Winslow, was arrested for invasion of privacy, and Linda Ann Hubbard, 40, was arrested on a warrant out of McCracken County, Ky., by Winslow Deputy Marshal James T. Harrington on Au- gust 8. Deputy Marshal Har- rington received information from Winslow Deputy Mar- shal Michael McGregor that Hubbard was wanted in Mc- Cracken County, that her boy- friend was Jesse Maxfield and that they lived in a camper be- hind the old feed mill, accord- ing to the report. Maxfield was on probation in McCracken County and transferred to Pike County Probation, according to the re- port. Pike County Deputy Sgt. Buck Seger and Pike County Probation Officer Chris Yon were brought in to search for contraband and weapons. Har- rington also deployed canine Deny at the residence and the mill, who showed a secondary alert in the residence. It was reported that Maxfield had failed to report to the Pike County Probation Depart- ment on Tuesday, August 3. Winslow Marshal Steve Nel- son took Maxfield into custo- dy after Yon explained the cause for Maxfield's proba- tion and the no contact order for him regarding Hubbard. Harrington and Pike Coun- ty Deputy Mike Willis even- tually made contact with the couple. Matthew Tisdale pro- vided information regarding Maxfield, including breaking into his Lug Nutzs business, according to the report. Howard and Bayer arrested for possession By James Capozella Brian C. Howard, 33, of 4088 Manor Dr. # 605, Jas- per, and Madison Bayer, 23, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and par- aphernalia after Pike County Deputy Jared Simmons, Depu- ty Kane Osgatharp and Peters- burg Officer Bryce Manning were dispatched to a shots fired call next to the Buchta Office in Otwell. Three indi- viduals were found in a barn at 2350 N. Mechanics St. a lit- tle after 1 a.m. Monday eve- ning, according to the report. During the investigation, it was learned that the gun shot sound came from a potato gun that David Schutz had built for his grandson. Deputy Sim- mons found a partly hidden smoking pipe, which Bayer had placed, in plain view while doing a walk around the barn, according to the report. Paraphernalia and meth- amphetamine were found in plain view by Deputy Sim- mons and through question- ing of David Schutz, Brian Howard and Madison Bayer, Howard claimed the metham- phetamine was his. The mar- ijuana found in Bayer's vehi- cle would bring additional charges filed against her, ac- cording to the report. Howard was on probation in Daviess County and through a check by dispatch, it was learned that Howard had a warrant there. Winslow Elementary Open House Above: Incoming preschoolers play together while their parents get them signed up and their paperwork filled out at the Winslow Elementary Open House on Thursday, August 5. Below: Winslow Elementary parking lot was full on Thursday, August 5, with parents bringing their kids to the Open House.