The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
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NEWS TIPS Phone: ������������� 812-753-3553 Email ����editor@sgstartimes�com INSIDE Local ����������A1-12 Home Life �����B8-9 School �������� A7-9 Church �����A10-11 Sports ���������� B1-7 History ������������ B8 Opinion ����B10-11 Legals �������������B11 Classifieds ������B12 Graduation ������C-D Four Sections • One Insert Fort Branch, IN 47648-0070 (USPS #205-620) See SUBDIVISION on page 5 See HUMBAUGH on page 5 $1.00 32 PAGES TuESDay, May 24, 2022 VOLUME 67, NUMBER 48 South Gibson Neighbors apply to intervene in Southern Hills suit By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com SPM Developments, will appear in court with the county's attorneys June 8 after the county filed to have neighbors appear in court and SPM filed a response May 12 re- questing they not be allowed to intervene. Meanwhile, in the county commissioners' regular public meeting May 17, commission- ers delayed adopting the proposed findings presented by attorneys about Southern Hills Crossing. Commissioner Warren Fleetwood wanted to be sure that it addressed sewer, drainage and road concerns. Southern Hills Crossing is a subdivision of 41 homes proposed off US -41 behind Full Metal Armory. Commissioners denied the approval of the subdivision after neighbors said the road and drainage wouldn't sustain the additional strain, and because it would be the county's first cluster septic system. On May 13, county representatives filed to have those neighbors appear in court to talk about the development including Darla Dewig-Kiesel; Aaron Kiesel; Lonie Burns; Kelly Burns; Kelly Ingler; Jennifer Ingler; Tim Dewig; Chris, Timothy, Angela and Pa- tricia Pohl, Scott and Diane Hasenour; Don- ald, Steve Gayle and Sharon Pohl; Melvin and Kathleen Ziliak; Clint and Megan Campbell; Donald and Debbie Gries; Jeremy and Rebec- ca Mann; and Richard and Lish Pohl. In their opposition to the neighbors speak- ing, SPM wrote, "The issue in this case is very straightforward: Does the primary plat for the Southern Hills Crossing Subdivision (the "Plat") that SPM filed with the Gib- son County Board of Commissioners (the "Board"), comply with the concrete stan- dards of the Gibson County Subdivision Con- trol Ordinance (the "SCO"). If it does, then the Board is compelled to approve the Plat." The opposition response filed argues the neighbors are not entitled to intervene in the matter; the court will likely decide June 8 whether the neighbors can intervene in the lawsuit. The county commissioners tabled the find- GCSO looks to recognize 1912 murdered officer By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Deputy George Ballard told Gibson County Commissioners May 17 the department is search- ing for relatives of fallen railroad police detective Harry Murphy, so they can participate in remem- bering him on the fallen officer memorial on the Gibson County Courthouse lawn. Murphy, murdered April 29, 1912, was sent from St. Louis, Mo., to Princ- eton by the railroad to investigate fires being set by tramps. He was shot with a .45 caliber weapon through his heart and leg. The railroad sent another de- tective to investigate, and that officer had a suspect who ad- mitted to burning cabooses and houses, as well as stealing hand- guns and chickens. The suspect was not charged with Murphy's murder, however, as he did not confess to that. "Hopefully we can get them and do a dedication and let them know that this per- son is not forgotten. We recognize police of- ficers do get killed in the line of duty in Gib- son County." Commissioners approved adding Murphy's name to the monument; while the exact cost to update the monument isn't known, when they've added names before costs haven't been very large, Ballard told commissioners. Ballard also told commissioners in the same meeting they could expect recommen- dations on the jail in the June 7 meeting; they'll likely combine internet lines with the new probation building being constructed across the street from the current jail. Commish: Railroad blocks improving Commissioners said the railroad blocking the CR350E crossing has slowed after contin- uous communication with Norfolk Southern. "Right now, where we are as commission- ers and a county is we want to keep working with them," said County Commissioner War- ren Fleetwood. "There have been some im- provements,...I don't think we're completely satisfied yet." In previous meetings local first respond- ers complained about trains blocking the im- portant thoroughfare for extended periods of time. Neighbors have recorded overnight and eight hour stretches blocking the road. Most recently, EMS services were delayed reaching a stroke patient as they took a less direct route after finding the shortest way blocked. Stormwater ordinance tweaked By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Gibson County's stormwater ordinance, in the works for 14 years, had been previ- ously approved but commissioners approved tweaks to the wording on May 17, including language to acknowledge the few areas of town zoning in the county. "Did you really feel we looked out for the small guy? " Commissioner Warren Fleet- wood asked County Attorney Jason Spindler. Spindler said the average person would not disturb enough ground to trigger stormwa- ter ordinance regulations. "The threshold is sufficient to address those concerns," said Spindler, who attend- ed the meeting while in the hospital with his wife, who had just had a baby. GeorgieKate, a five pounder born five weeks early just that afternoon, who was duly shown to commis- sioners. They welcomed the new citizen to her first county meeting. SPECIAL SECTION C-D Humbaugh retires as SGSC superintendent By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com This winter at 5 a.m. on snowy mornings Dr. Stacey Humbaugh will be where most lay- people are—in bed, instead of driving local roads, trying to determine if they're safe or if the school needs to call off. As she ended her 17th year as superinten- dent, and retired to a large send off by students and staff Friday, it was her judgment calls over the years people remembered. Principal Jon Adams credited her with pro- viding for the students. "I've worked with Stacey the last 14 years and I can honestly say as many meetings as I've been in with her, she's always looking out for what's best for the students. That is a fact. The things that we have here—the facilities, the nice uniforms, it's because of her vision and her leadership. I would say there were times we would disagree on things. But it al- ways seemed like a week later or so, she was right." Asst. Supt. Tim Armstrong said Humbaugh foresaw COVID could close schools and be- gan planning as early as February, while oth- ers thought it couldn't happen. "They (school principals) probably left the meeting thinking she was crazy, but she fore- saw that," he said. "Dr. Humbaugh flew into this school corpo- ration like a packet of TNT and she's been run- ning fast ever since. She's dragged us along and pushed us to be the best we could be. I would be surprised if there's a kid here who doesn't have her personal cell phone number. She knows them by name. This is her fifth class she's seen from kindergarten to grad- uation." School tech guru Matt Bilderback remem- bered 8 -9 years ago, when Humbaugh decid- ed to move to one-to-one Chromebooks for the Supt. Stacey Humbaugh talks with friends at an after-school retirement party Thursday. Students honored her at an as- sembly. Storms damage softball fields Gibson Southern softball fields sustained significant damage along with the main gym roof, the FFA barn, greenhouse, baseball field, ticket booths and track and field equipment. While staff was able to administer final exam, the main gym roof was being assessed by a structural engineer to ensure its safety during commencement Friday. Gibson Southern had to pass on hosting the 3A softball sectional due to the damage. Maintenance has put in long hours along with volunteers to clean up the school. Tecumseh will host the sectional. See additional storm damage photos on A-4.