The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1477658
4-way stop added at dangerous bus stop in Otwell By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net Due to close calls involving students waiting for the bus and people running through stop signs and speeding, Pike County Highway Department placed a four way stop at the in- tersection of 400 East and 1000 North in Otwell on Tuesday. "We have had numerous close calls at this intersec- tion with kids waiting for the bus and people blowing stop signs," said Josh Byrd, Pike County Superintendent. "I've lived here all my life and it's always been a problem. We had quite a few phone calls this year about the issue and a few weeks ago, a kid was almost hit by a car." The Highway Depart- ment installed stop signs and "School Bus Stop Ahead," signs to alert drivers of the need to slow down and come to a complete stop at the inter- section. "Officers will work the area now that the signs are up to notify people it is a four-way stop," Byrd said. $1.00 20 PAGES FOUR SECTIONS ONE INSERT PETERSBURG, IN 47567-0068 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 PIKE PUBLISHING VOLUME 152, NUMBER 34 NEWS TIPS Phone: ���������������������812-354-8500 Email ����� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE Local ����������������� A3-6 Obituaries ���������������A5 Sports �����������������B1-3 Home Life ��������������� C1 History ������������������� C2 Opinion ������������� C3-4 Classifieds ���������� C5-6 Church �������������� D1-3 School ��������������������D4 USPS 604-34012 SPORTS B1 SCHOOL D4 WEISMAN WINS, WHITEHEAD 7TH AT INVITATIONAL BACK IN CLASS The School section returns in this edition. Mullises petition court to suppress evidence found on their phones By Andy Heuring Press-Dispatch Editor editor@pressdispatch.net A rural Petersburg couple who are suspects in a fatal hit- and-run case and have been indicted on drug charges are asking for information found on their cellphones to be sup- pressed. Wes and Tara Mullis of 4769 E. CR575 N, Peters- burg were both indicted by a Pike County Grand Jur y in December of 2021 on drug charges. Tara was indict- ed on six counts of dealing in schedule I, II or II con- trolled substance and Wes was indicted on one count of dealing in a schedule I, II or II controlled substance conspiracy, both are Level 6 felonies. During a more than 2-hour hearing the Mullises' attor- ney, Dawnya Taylor argued a search of the Mullises' cell- phones' text messages more than a year prior to when Omer Garretson was killed, had gone beyond the scope of the warrant issued and that the warrant issued was too broad. Owen "Delmar" Garretson was found on June 16, 2021 lying in a road side ditch across from his home on CR575 N. Taylor claimed State Po- lice Det. Tobias Odom had requested and received a warrant to search both Tara and Wes Mullis' phones to search for evidence in a "hit- and-run fatality." She said the warrant stated a hit-and-run fatality, not a homicide. , She claimed police should not have been looking at text messages on their phones all the way back to December of 2020. Det. Odom, testifying during the hearing, said when state police pull data from a cellphone, they pull all the data on that cellphone. So it goes back however far that is. Odom said often people who commit crimes will a few days later text someone about and tell them what they have done. United Way seeking volunteers for Day of Caring By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net If you aren't busy on Wednesday, September 23, and want to be involved in helping your community, the United Way Day of Caring takes place in Pike County on that day and they are looking for volunteers. Day of Caring will start with a free breakfast, provided by Randy's Americana at 7 a.m., with most jobs and projects ready to begin at 8 a.m. There will be a free lunch provided by Amber Manor Care Center from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Most work days last until lunchtime, but var y on the projects and agencies involved. Some of the past projects include landscaping, painting (bleachers, playground equip- ment, picnic tables), cleaning, sorting files, cleaning flower beds and weeds. Volunteers range from students to retir- ees. Projects var y from year to year. The projects are based on what the nonprofit agen- cies could use help with at this time. Pike County's new Execu- tive Director of United Way, Krista Robinette, is excited to get things back on track this year after having the COVID-19 pandemic cancel the last couple of years for safety issues. "I was born and raised in this wonderful county and this is truly such an amazing effort that our citizens give to this community, especially when help is needed," Robinette said. "The Day of Caring is no different. Being the Executive Director of the United Way of Pike County is ver y reward- ing. It is such a great feeling to be able to help our commu- nity in any way possible and the Day of Caring is one of those days. We've had many volunteers in the past and I really hope that many show up to help this year also. This will be my first Day of Caring as the Executive Director, and I am ver y excited to be able to coordinate and be a part of such a wonderful event and community." Robinette sees the Day of Caring as a great way to give back to the community. "I al- ways hear people say they wish they knew how they could give back to our com- munity, or they don't know how, and this is a great way," Robinette said. "This is a day where volunteers, businesses and agencies all come togeth- Pike County's new Ex- ecutive Director of United Way, Krista Robinette, is excited to get things back on track this year after having the COVID-19 pan- demic cancel the last cou- ple of years Day of Caring event, for safety issues. See UNITED on page 2 See COURT on page 2 Pike County Highway Depart- ment employees Chandler Parks and Roger McCandless install a new stop sign at 400 East and 1000 North in Otwell on Tuesday morning. Due to numerous close calls involving students waiting for the bus almost be- ing hit and people blowing stop signs and speeding, the intersection will now be a four-way stop. School Bus Stop Ahead signs were also being installed. Police will be working the area to make sure people stop at the intersection. Five file for school board just before deadline By Andy Heuring Press-Dispatch Editor editor@pressdispatch.net Five candidates flocked to the courthouse Friday morn- ing to file for school board just before the noon deadline. County Clerk Lana Grif- fith said as of Thursday at the close of the business day no one had filed, but on Fri- day morning five candidates showed up. School board districts 1 and 2 are on the ballot this Fall. The candidates filing for District 1 are Stephanie McKinney, Josefa Wade and Carla Willis. District 2 candidates are incumbent David Waltz and Steven Hamilton. The District 1 seat is currently held by Howard Knight, who is not seeking re-election. All precincts in Pike Coun- ty vote for each District seat, but a candidate must live in the district for which they are running. Fire damages Glezen home on Sunday Neighbors of Chris- topher Franklin, 1382 W CR 125 South in the Glezen community noticed smoke from the home on Sunday evening near 5 p.m. Patoka Township Fire Dept. was notified and responded with three engines and two tankers. They assisted by Peters- burg Engine 41. When the fire department arrived, they noticed light smoke coming out of the eaves of the residence. They found a single room and contents inside on fire, through a small window leading to the basement. Firemen ex- tinguished the fire through a small window leading to the basement and entered the residence to check for the homeowner, but found no one inside.