The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1463185
NEWS TIPS Phone: ���������������������812-354-8500 Email ����� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE Local ����������������� A1-8 Obituaries ���������������A5 Sports ��������������������A6 History ������������������� A7 Home Life ������������B1-6 Opinion ������������� B2-3 School ��������������������B3 Sports Preview � C1-8 Church �������������� D1-3 Classifieds ���������� D4-6 USPS 604-34012 $1.00 28 PAGES Four SECTIoNS oNE INSErT PETErSBurG, IN 47567-0068 SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS WEdNESdAy, MArCh 30, 2022 PIKE PUBLISHING VoLuME 152, NuMBEr 13 See WINSLOW on page 2 New councilman, IDEM mandates discussed at Winslow meeting By Sherri Sebella While the hot topic of the evening for those Winslow residents who attended the town council meeting was the replacement of Josh Popp, former President of the coun- cil, who resigned after last month's meeting, Town Council members Debra Lamb and Dick Brewster, tabled that decision to their next meeting. Both Lamb and Brewster assured the crowd that they have three very good can- didates they are talking to about replacing Popp, but they needed more time and dis- cussion among themselves before making a decision. Lamb said a decision would be an- nounced at the next meeting. Winslow residents were not happy when Brewster told them that under Indiana codes, the remaining council members decide who replaces Popp. Many in the audience thought that an election should be held and the peo- ple of Winslow should get to choose who re- places Popp. Brewster assured the crowd that under Indiana codes, the remaining council members will decide who the replacement is and a decision will be announced at the April 11 meeting. Winslow resident Frank Taylor voiced his concerned to the council about trash issues the town faces, with people not cleaning up their yards. "The same guy we discussed about burning trash before, is now burning after dark," Tay- lor said. "I am concerned about plastics being burned and toxins in the air. What can the town do about this problem? " Brewster said the town enforces anyone illegally burning, and if anyone sees someone burning trash they should call the Town Marshall, Steve Nelson, and he will issue a citation. Lamb also said the town has a $500 solid waste credit and they want to have a Winslow Clean-Up Day, where dumpsters will be avail- able for residents to get rid of their trash. The date is yet to be determined. A public hearing was then held regard- ing the Wastewater Preliminary Engineer- ing Report and subsequent funding through Multiple agencies respond to 100+ acre brush fire Petersburg Fire Department was one of several Southwest Indiana departments assisting Patoka Township Fire on an out-of- control, 100+ acre brush fire in Southern Pike County for hours Monday afternoon off Old State Road 64. Assisting Patoka were Petersburg, Jefferson, Lockhart, Spurgeon, Holland, Huntingburg, Ireland and Princeton. The large response placed other neighboring departments on standby to help cover committed departments' primary re- sponse areas. On Tuesday morning, a call came in of a rekindle from the same location at 8:38 a.m. but responders who went to the loca- tion said the area was under control. By Andy Heuring Locally COVID cases are still showing up, but only occasionally. Pike County went sev- en days without a reported case as there were no new cases reported on the days beginning March 18 to March 24. Then on March 25 there were three cases reported. Since then, there has only been one case reported in Pike County through March 28. State-wide the number of new cases dropped below 200 a day for most of the last seven days. There were 201 on March 22 and 221 on March 24. But that dropped to 168 on March 25 and was down to 78 on March 27. There were 13 new COVID deaths on the seven days between March 22 to March 28 with a high of three on March 22 and March 23. Hospitalizations also continue to decline. There were 360 people hospitalized with COVID on March 22. That number dwindled to 302 on March 27. State-wide the 7-day all test positivity rate was 2.2 percent on March 28 and in Pike County it was 2.92 percent. COVID cases continue to decline in county By Andy Heuring Pike Central Principal Brian Holland has accepted the Principal's position at Washing- ton High School. Holland has been principal at Pike Central for six years. He was hired to the position after a year of teaching business at Pike Central. Holland said he was not actively seeking to leave Pike Central but when the Washing- ton position opened up it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "My wife, kids, and I live in Washington. I am a graduate of Washington High School. The Washington principal position opened this year. A fter discussing this position with my family, we decided it was certainly an op- portunity to be at my alma mater as the high school principal," said Holland. "I have truly enjoyed my time at Pike Cen- tral High School. The students and staff are really great. I believe PCHS has exciting op- portunities for our students and their eager- ness to learn," said Holland. He added, "I have built many lasting friend- ships while at Pike Central. I will miss the stu- dents and staff. Though I was not thinking about leaving PCHS, this was an opportunity for my family to be back home. The time here has been a pleasure and I want to thank the families and staff for the support throughout the six years. I will cherish the opportunity given to me to serve this community." Dr. Suzanne Blake, Superintendent of Pike County Schools said, "We've been very fortu- nate to have Mr Holland as the High School Principal since 2016. He worked closely with our technology department to implement our 1:1 initiative and various other programs to benefit our students. We wish him all the best as he returns to his alma mater." Blake said Holland had submitted his let- ter of resignation to the corporation and talk- ed with his staff about the move. "My plan is to get the official posting out early next week," said Blake about replacing Holland. Holland resigns to take Washington principal position Local police to compete in Guns and Hoses By Sherri Sebella The boxing gloves are coming out between firemen and police during next week's Guns and Hoses event, being held in Evansville on Saturday, April 9. Local Pike County Sheriff Deputies Bryce Manning and Jared Simmons, will be participating in the chari- ty boxing event. Guns and Hoses is a charity fund raiser organized by 911 Gives Hope. 911 Gives Hope is a group of Police Officers, Firefighters and Paramedics dedicated to improving the lives of children and people with disabilities in the local community. 911 Gives Hope is a non-profit corporation. No members of 911 Gives Hope receive any type of salary and all proceeds go directly to local charities that involve children and people with disabilities. Manning will be representing the Pike County Sheriff's Depart- ment in his third Guns and Hoses match. Manning got his first win last year against a crowd favorite, Rob "Butterbean" Ralph. Manning is hungry for another win this year as he goes up against Chad "Donk" Emsweller. "It's really for a good cause," Manning said. "We're raising money for local charities. This is my third fight. My first was in 2019 and I lost by a split decision. In 2020, the event wasn't held due to COVID, and then in 2021 I won. The guy I'm fighting this year, Chad Emsweller, is an Evansville fireman. It's his 14th fight. He's been doing it every year since they started. They try to match everyone up as best as they can by weight class. He is bigger than me. Last year he weighed in at 299 pounds, I'm not sure what he is going to weigh in at this year. I weigh 245 pounds." Manning just got involved in box- ing when he and Simmons decid- ed to participate in Guns and Hoses. "I wrestled all through high school, so that's where my interest comes from," Manning said. "I wanted to continue doing some- thing like that." Manning and Simmons have been training hard for the upcom- ing match since November. "We train down at the old courthouse in Evansville on Tuesdays and Thursdays," Manning said. They set up a location for us all to train with a boxing gym. Jared and I train locally also. I'm enjoying it. I'm a little nervous, but I think I'll do well." Simmons background comes from MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighting. Simmons does not have an easy match ahead of him, as his opponent, Baumberger, who has a record of 5 -0, all by way of technical knockouts. Simmons is feeling confident in his upcom- ing match and is training as hard as he possibly can. "I wouldn't expect anything less (going up against someone un- defeated), I feel pretty confident," Simmons said. "You can train as hard as you possibly can, but it all comes down to that night. A few years ago, Bryce (Manning), asked if I wanted to do it, so we started participating every year. I was an MMA fighter for five years, but once we started participating in Guns and Hoses, I switched to boxing." This is Simmons second fight and his on- ly loss was to Mike Dovan, who is one, if not the best Guns and Hoses fight- ers, according to the 911 Gives Hope charity. To date, 911 Gives Hope has raised over $1,320,000 for local children's charities. 911 Gives Hope has two major projects that it supports in addition to donat- ing to over 40 other organizations. They are also raising money and awareness for persons suffering from Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). 911 Gives Hope is also committed to main- taining Mickey's King- dom in Evansville. For more in- formation vis- it https:// 911givesh- ope.sport- Pike County Deputy Sheriff Bryce Manning Pike County Deputy Sheriff Jared Simmons