The Press-Dispatch
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NEWS TIPS Phone: ���������������������812-354-8500 Email ����� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE Local ����������������� A1-6 Sports �����������������B1-2 Classifieds ���������� B4-6 Home Life ������������C1-6 History ������������������� C3 Opinion ������������� C4-5 Church �������������� D1-3 School ���������������� D4-5 East Gibson������������D5 Obituaries ���������������D6 USPS 604-34012 $1.00 24 PAGES Four SECTIoNS Two INSErTS PETErSBurG, IN 47567-0068 SPORTS B1 LOCAL A6 PCMS swimmers place fourth in PAC Kids get crafty at 4-H Day Camp wEdNESdAy, MArCh 23, 2022 PIKE PUBLISHING VoLuME 152, NuMBEr 12 See RESIGNS on page 2 See STREETSCAPE on page 2 FFA Throwdown Ruby Salee, a sophomore at Pike Central, does her best to throw a hay bale at the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Throw- down during Ag Week on Friday, March 18, prior to Spring Break this week. Ag Day recognizes and celebrates the contribution of agriculture. See additional photos on page D-6. Sheriff's Dept. assists in high speed chase By Sherri Sebella The Pike County Sheriff's Department as- sisted multiple agencies in a high-speed chase on Sunday, March 13, including Petersburg Police, resulting in the arrest of Toddrick Og- burn, 37, of Evansville. On March 13, at 12:56 p.m. Central Dis- patch was notified by the Indiana State Police, that there was a Chrysler 300 southbound on I-69, traveling more than 130 MPH. Officers with the Washington Police spot- ted the vehicle at the Washington exit. A short time later, officers ob- served the vehicle travel- ing southbound on I-69 at a high rate of speed. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued to flee. The pursuit ended a short time after spike strips were utilized in Pike County by Indiana State Police and Pike County Sheriff's Office. Also assisting was the Petersburg Police Department. Ogburn attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody without incident. During a search of the area where Ogburn was tak- en into custody, police located more than two pounds of pills with markings consistent with Oxycodone. Police also located marijuana and cash in Ogburn's vehicle. Ogburn was transported back to Daviess County Security Center on charges of Deal- ing a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Re- sisting Law Enforcement, and Habitual Traf- fic Violator. On Monday, March 14, Officers with Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force (DEA) con- tinued the investigation into Henderson, Ken- tucky, with assistance from Henderson Po- lice Department and the Henderson County Sheriff's Office. A search warrant was applied for and grant- ed to search Ogburn's residence. Officers reported locating approximately 300 more grams of pills with markings consistent with Oxycodone, marijuana, and a small amount of cash. The pills from both incidents will be sent to a laboratory to be further tested for Fentanyl. See related photos on page 2. Toddrick Ogburn By Andy Heuring Bids for the Streetscape project to redo sidewalks, curbs and light poles along Main St. Petersburg came in lower than expected and the project is scheduled to begin in May or June. During the Peters- burg City Council meeting Monday night, Mayor R. C. Klipsch gave an update on the Streetscape and oth- er major water projects recently bid and awarded. The Streetscape project was origi- nally designed as one of several proj- ects for Petersburg's Stellar applica- tion in 2013. Petersburg was a final- ist two years in a row for the Stellar project, but did not receive it either year. However, it was eventually picked up by the Indiana Department of Transportation. Last week they opened the bids. Klipsch said because it was IN- DOT's project he didn't have the ex- act numbers on the bids, but the low bid was about $1.1 million, which was below the estimated $1.8 mil- lion bid. "I know they (INDOT) were hap- py with the bid and the contractor. They have worked with the contrac- tor before," aid Klipsch. City Councilman Gary Leavitt ex- pressed concern about the bid com- ing in about $700,000 less than the estimated bid. "It still worries me it came in low," said Leavitt. Two weeks ago Klipsch warned the council the bid might exceed the cost estimate because of inflation, similar to Petersburg water project bids. They had an estimated cost of less than $10 million, but the low bid was more than $17 million. "I can tell you a story," said Klipsch about the Streetscape bid. He explained the original design was done for the Stellar project and the engineering firm put a "really high" estimate on it. He added that he had removed some items includ- ing "bump outs" from the original design. Klipsch said bump outs were areas at the end of each block that came out into the street. "They are nice, but they cut into your parking," said Klipsch. The Streetscape and Petersburg water improvement projects are in- tertwined because of a new main wa- ter line that is going to be installed down Main St. New service lines from that main will have to be run to each water customer on both sides of Main St. So that project needs to be done before the Streetscape project, which is going to put in new sidewalks. Klipsch said there will be a proj- ect manager on site everyday during City Streetscape project could begin in May Commissioners seek bids for cemetery upkeep during brief meeting By Sherri Sebella With a small agenda planned for their Monday, March 21 meeting, commissioners met briefly to dis- cuss any unfinished business for the month. County Commissioner President Mark Flint, along with Ryan Cole- man were present for the meeting, and Jeff Nelson was absent. Minutes of the March 7 meeting were approved, along with all claims submitted to the Commissioners. Kristy Dischinger, Commis- sioners' Assistant, said they have not received any bids for ceme- tery mowing this year. "We will run a bigger ad and I will send out letters to those who have do- ne it in the past to see if we get any response," Dischinger said. I can also send out letters to local companies to see if we can find someone." The Emergency Management Services Insurance quote was tabled to the next meeting and no further discussion was had on that topic. The Auditor's office asked the Commissioners for a credit card during Monday's meeting. "We have not operated with a credit card in the past, but we are doing so much busi- ness with Amazon because of their one-day delivery, it might be bene- ficial to have a credit card," Judith Gumble, Auditor, said. The Commis- sioners approved Gumble's request. Dischinger also discussed the change in commercial insurance claims procedures. "We won't be turning in claims automatically any- more," Dischinger said. "Unless the claims are over $2,000, or over their deductible, if it's more than $2,000, we have so many claims we're turn- ing in, we're hoping it helps lower our premiums doing it this way." Dischinger also told commission- ers that she wanted to hire David Pasquinoas part-time, trash site at- tendant. Commissioners approved Dischinger's request. Pike County Health Nurse Amy Gladish was absent Mon- day, so Dischinger gave a CO VID update, which has two active cases, 3,721 cumulative cases, a sev- en-day positivity rate of 2.2 percent and 5,144 fully vaccinated residents of Pike County. County highway superintendent Josh Byrd gave commissioners an update and said that his crew is cur- rently working at Dodge City, where the roads got torn up from flooding, and they would be there a couple of days, fixing the roads. The next Pike County Commis- sioner's meeting will be Monday, April 4, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Pike County Courthouse. Fire destroys outbuilding in Oatsville area A building owned by Benny Sanderson at 3651 N, 850 E, in the Oatsville area, was a total loss after trash burning close to the building was carried by the wind, to the building. Gibson County Fire Department gave the call to Pike County Fire De- partment who responded, along with Patoka and Hazleton Fire Departments. Winslow council president resigns effective immediately By Andy Heuring Winslow's Town Council president has re- signed, effective immediately. Josh Popp sent a letter of resignation to fellow council mem- bers Debra Lamb and Dick Brewster last week informing them of his resignation. The email stated it was with sincere regret and added, "My reasons are personal and shall remain as such." Popp was elected in 2018. His term ends on December 31, 2022. "He really worked hard for the town and was always looking a for a way to better the town," said council vice-president Debra Lamb. She said he was researching a way for the town to get a better ISO score, which would have lowered homeowners insurance premiums for Winslow residents. "I'm disheartened and heartbroken for him. I don't think people realize how hard he worked for the town," said Lamb. Councilman Brewster, who often sparred with Popp on issues, praised Popp's intellect and hard work on the council. "He was an ex- tremely intelligent guy and he really worked hard for the town," said Brewster. Popp didn't return The Press-Dispatch's re- quests for comment. Selecting a replacement for Popp falls to the remaining council members. Lamb said she is checking into the details about it. Brewster said the two of them have to get together and