The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
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TITANS RETURN NEWS TIPS Phone: ������������� 812-753-3553 Email ����editor@sgstartimes�com INSIDE Local ����������� A1-8 Obituaries ������ A3 Home Life ����� A6-7 Sports ���������� B1-2 History ������������ B3 Church ��������B4-5 Opinion �������B6-7 Legals �������������� B7 Classifieds ������� B8 Two Sections • No Inserts Fort Branch, IN 47648-0070 (USPS #205-620) See SCHOOL on page 2 See PAGEANTS on page 2 See NON-PROFITS on 3 $1.00 20 PAGES TuESDay, auguST 9, 2022 VOLUME 68, NUMBER 6 South Gibson SPORTS B1 Festival provides opportunities for non-profits By Janice Barniak Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Owensville's Watermelon Festival did more than pro- mote town pride over the weekend. It's an important part of annual fundraising and outreach efforts for local non-profits. For Gibson Southern's band, for example, Director Brent Winstead said Titan mu- sicians returned selling food at the event after a two-year COVID hiatus. Their fish, rib- bon fries and more have been a tradition since the early 1990s, making it an important part of their year "Community response has been really good. Last night we actually sold out of our fish and our nacho cheese and COLLINS WINS QUEEN By Janice Barniak Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Owensville continued a tradition that has awarded more than $12,000 in scholarships to local students — the Watermelon Festival pageants, which saw the return of the Junior Miss and the Little Mister contests this year. This year in the Watermelon Queen Pag- eant, Paige Collins won Watermelon Queen, Jazlynn Cates was first runner-up, Kendall White was second runner-up and Jacie Huey won Miss Congeniality. Collins, a USI sophomore, modeled pedi- atric nursing scrubs in her personality wear competition. She's a Vertical Church mem- ber pursuing a nursing degree while volun- teering with her sorority and raising money through the Riley Dance Marathon. She's currently a nursing assistant at River Oaks. Cates, 20, who works at Hair Hero in Princ- eton, is a Gibson Southern grad who had a 4.0 during her cosmetology program and one day hopes to open her own salon. She's the daughter of Jennifer Johnson and David Cates. Gibson Southern grad White, 18, is a Princ- eton lifeguard with 12 life-saving rescues. She'll attend USI for social work this fall. Huey, who wants to pursue a psychology degree, represented her family business Hueyz Handcrafted during the competition. Gibson Southern Tennis player Rebecca Smith, 17, also competed for the title. In the Junior Miss, last year's Little Miss winner Aubrey Riggs placed first, first run- ner-up was Ramsie Grigsby, second run- ner-up was Kaylee Sokeland and the girls voted Kailee Prater Miss Congeniality. Riggs, 9, is the daughter of Steve and Kim Riggs and wants to be a dentist when she grows up. She competes nationally in dance, enjoys sports and goes to Owensville Com- munity School. Ten-year-old Grigsby, the fifth grade daughter of Bridget Grigsby, wants to be a Gibson County Sheriff's Deputy when she grows up and volunteers with the Craw- leyville Crawl. Owensville student Sokeland, the 13-year- old daughter of Jamey and Shelly Lashbrook told judges she wants to be a lawyer one day. OCS student Prater, 11, is the daughter of Gary Prater and Melonie Pollard and wants to grow up to be an actress. Tayleigh Neufelder, Shannon Prater and County looks at opioid funding The county still seeks details on what re- strictions money from a multi-state opioid settlement will have, according to County Attorney Jason Spindler, but at least some of it will be unrestricted for county purpos- es. Gibson County is estimated to receive a total amount of $197,126.62 that the coun- ty can use for anything, and then another $459,962.05 that will have specific purpos- es or guidelines for the county to meet as part of a 46 -state litigation case negotiated over the past three years with companies that produce opioids. The amount Gibson County is receiving was calculated by the number of opioid deaths in the county, the amount of opioids distributed here, and the number of people who have opioid use disorder. The settle- ment is distributed over 18 years. "The funding outlined below will be a catalyst for providing solutions to those who are battling addiction in our great county," Commissioner Warren Fleetwood wrote in an announcement to the press. "God bless and may Gibson County contin- ue to be the county that looks out for citi- zens of all diversities and demographics... The only time we should look down on a citizen is to give them a hand up. May we continue to lift each other up in all we do for our greatest blessings come from help- ing others." According to information from Todd Rokita's office, the first- and second-year payments will be transferred to the county sometime early this fall along with the ac- celerated third through fifth year payment for the Johnson & Johnson settlement only. Once all payments for the year have been received by the state from the set- tlement administrator for each year then the distribution to local units will be made. Payments for the combined settlement will continue for 18 years. The State of Indiana receives 50 percent of the restricted settlement funds. This money is distributed to the Indiana Fam- ily and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Details about the state's use of these funds will be shared by FSSA once they are available. The settlement requires that subdivi- sions report information regarding the use of the abatement (restricted) funds to FSSA. Details will be shared by FSSA once they are available. WATERMELON FESTIVAL Glenn Mayer leans out of the Titan band booth where he took orders Saturday. The band sold out of many items Friday night. Paige Collins is crowned Watermelon Queen by last year's Queen Bobbie Jo Allen. Hunter Neufelder would like to be a race car driver when he grows up. During the personality portion, he joked "how many race car drivers does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None. They can only turn left." Back-to-school safety tips It's that time of year again when parents get excited and students are looking for- ward to going back to school! The Jasper State Police Post would like to pass along some safety tips to help make sure that this school year is safe for everyone! DRIVING SAFETY TIPS ALWAYS watch for stopped school bus- es in the morning hours and afternoon hours. Watch for children walking to and from school and waiting at bus stops. ALWAYS keep your eyes on the road and be patient driving behind school bus- es. SCHOOL ZONE DRIVING SAFETY TIPS Be on the lookout for school zone sig- nals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits. When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws. ALWAYS stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children. Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals. Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, and in school parking lots. NEVER pass other vehicles while driv- ing in a school zone. NEVER text while driving in a school zone. Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone. WALKING TO SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS Leave home early enough to arrive at ■ Titan football has first public scrimmage ■ Blackard places 23rd in AJGA Junior golf tourney ■ Watermelon Fest Run/Walk Results Fall Sports Preview coming next edition