The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1464271
A-6 Local Tuesday, April 12, 2022 South Gibson Star-Times Police suggest Sommerfest security improvements By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Sommerfest will see a secu- rity upgrade this year in the form of barricades, probably water or concrete based, to stop cars from being able to drive through the Sommer- fest area. "It's getting crazier these days," said Clerk Treasurer Bonnie Wagner. In the past a police car has been placed in the area, but sometimes those are dis- patched to a different location. "Unfortunately plowing through crowds is common in domestic terrorism," said Haubstadt Town Marshal Jer- emy Volk. The town will borrow or purchase barriers. The Sommerfest contract hasn't changed since last year, ex - cept of course, the dates, and was approved by the Town Council April 4. Sommerfest will be June 16 -18. 'Old Big Jake' retires from water dept. By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Water superintendent Bry- on Will told Haubstadt Coun- cil that "Old Big Jake," their longtime water break truck, will retire. "The clutch has been ad- justed all the way out. I don't think we should put money in- to it," he said. He'll look for a used tandem truck for $50,000 or less as a replacement, al- though he doesn't know how likely he is to find one. "It goes to every water break. It's got holes in the floor," he said. The council approved searching for a replacement truck. Francisco looks for road improvement help By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Francisco Town Council President Steve Krieg told Gibson County Commission- ers he would attend commis- sioners' meetings making re- quests until Peabody Coal was required to pave Francisco roads he said they agreed to take care of at the beginning of mining activity. He specifically asked for CR 50, Division Road and CR 725 improvements, adding that Francisco wants a share of county money to put those roads back. "I'm going to be here at ev- ery meeting you've got until we get some action on this," he said. We're detouring peo- ple around on gravel roads to get them around town. We're talking semis...I've pulled people over. They don't even speak English. They don't have a clue where they're at or what they're doing." He said because of current highway construction, people are having difficulty turning around and are mowing down stop signs and children-at-play signs. He said people are not using the official detour. "If you still had a town mar- shal you could get some of that taken care of," said Commis- sioner Kenneth Montgomery. He referred to a June 2020 decision the town council made to abolish the police de- partment made up primarily of Marshal Michael Collins, who they said was not sitting at the elementary school during drop off and pick up hours. At the time, many community members protested the move to the board in a public hear- ing that ended in removal of some members of the public. "You don't know everything about that issue...I guarantee you wouldn't have hired him. Look around. No one else will hire him either," Krieg said. Commissioner Mary Key said the commissioners would look for the documentation of the promise to put the roads right. The Center ribbon cutting Above: Gibson County Cham- ber of Commerce and the non-prof- it Center for Se- niors partnered to house an open house and ribbon cutting to cele- brate upgrades at the Center. Left: Kevin Coleman, Marga- ret Thomas, and John and Kathy Gross check out the fundraising si- lent auction at the Center for Seniors of Gibson County. Star Riders 4-H club met The Star Riders 4-H club met on March 27. During the meeting, Way- lon Kruse demonstrated how to draw a tractor. Meredith Mann demonstrated how to pin a bug and read a devotion. Then the club sang two songs and Jack Williams, Waylon Kruse and Henry Mann had a game for the club to play. The next meeting will be at the end of April.