The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1478973
Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg LOCAL The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, September 14, 2022 A-3 Don L. Hurd - New Owner of The Press-Dispatch and South Gibson Star-Times By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net Don Hurd started deliv- ering newspapers when he was 11 years-old. He now has added owning The Press-Dis- patch and South Gibson Star- Times newspapers to the list of accomplishments he has achieved since he was a young boy riding his bicycle out in the countr y, to deliver news- papers. "Even in the winter I had to use my bike," Hurd said. "I had 40 customers and I made sure each one got their news- paper. In junior high I started an underground newspaper that my classmates loved. I charged 25 cents and sold out each time. In high school, I was the sports editor of the school newspaper, so I guess you can say I've been in news- papers all my entire life. But if I had to assign a number, it would be 54 years. Wow, I'm old." Hurd owns 22 weekly news- papers, several magazines and special publications, and a commercial printing plant. The key to Hurd's success is simple. "I hire mature, respon- sible people, who take owner- ship in what they do," Hurd said. "They follow my vision of what a local community news- paper should be, and they exe- cute the plan. I don't like to mi- cro-manage my staff. As long as they believe in providing strong local journalism, then I don't have to micro-manage." When asked why he pur- chased The Press-Dispatch and South Gibson Star-Times, Hurd respected what the Heu- ring Family has done for the community since 1898. It was then that A.J. Heuring began the Winslow Dispatch news- paper, which merged with the Pike County Democrat news- paper in the early 1940's. In 1967, the Heurings purchased the Petersburg Press and it be- came the The Press-Dispatch, the only publication ser ving Pike County. "I love community journal- ism and I knew the Heuring family had a strong reputation of producing a quality newspa- pers," Hurd said. "When the opportunity arose to purchase Pike Publishing, I felt it was a good fit for our organization to continue to grow." Hurd plans to oversee the production and content of the newspapers for awhile. "Gen- erally, if the staff is commit- ted to hyper-local journalism, they will be on their own," Hurd said. "That is why I hire staff members who are on the same page as I am, with the direction of the newspaper. Once I feel comfortable with the staff, I'll cut the strings and bow out." Hurd's main focus for The Press-Dispatch and South Gibson Star-Times is for it to remain what people have al- ways expected from their local newspaper. "I feel it's extreme- ly important that a community have a local newspaper," Hurd said. "I believe a local newspa- per should be a cheerleader, watchdog and historian for the community. My formula for success is to give the commu- nity a newspaper that is filled with local names and local fac- es. A newspaper that I would want to read to learn about the community. Mainly, my news- papers are filled each week with information they can't get anywhere else. To me that is hyper-local news. Or I also call it 'refrigerator journalism.'" What I mean by that is, my parents would always cut out any articles I was in our local newspaper, and post it on the refrigerator." The plan for Hurd is to have the right people in place to carr y out his expectations for community journalism. "Plus, I will meet with local officials and readers, to find out what they expect from their local newspaper," Hurd said. One of Hurd's favorite hob- bies is to power walk. "I've done over 500 5K, half-mar- athons and marathons, "Hurd said. "It clears my head. I've come up with some of my best ideas while power walking. I also love photogra- phy and collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia." When it comes to any spare time Hurd may have, his motto is "Don't die until your dead," Hurd said. "So, with that said, I own four conces- sion stands at Indiana Beach. I love the amusement industr y. You meet some really great people. Perhaps, I'm a car- nie at heart." Hurd also loves fruitcake with an ice-cold glass of milk. "Weird I know, but it tastes so good," Hurd said. "I still read Mad Maga- zine. I guess that's the kid in- side me." Hurd's true heart lies with the newspaper industr y as his top priority. "I've loved the newspaper industr y for over 54 years," Hurd said. "I just feel if a local community loses its local newspaper, it's a terrible blow to ever yone in that community. That's why I'm committed to keep local journalism alive and vibrant in Pike and Gibson Counties, and elsewhere in Indiana." As far as Hurd's own career goes in journalism, he has won more than 75 newspaper excellence awards from state and national organizations. Hurd has ser ved on many newspaper boards and com- mittees, and has been on the Hoosier State Press Associa- tion Board for more than 25 years, ser ving as Secretar y, Vice-President, and President. "I've been ver y blessed in my life," Hurd said. "I'm ver y proud to have mentored hun- dreds of employees who have gone on to be successful in their industr y careers." Hurd has been married to his wife Tina for 44 years. He has a son, Kyle, who is a musician, and a daughter, Dr. Madison Hurd Brand, who is a psychologist. Hurd has one grandson, Wyatt Hurd, (Po- pi's Prince), and his beloved 18 year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Opie. If you would like to reach Hurd, he may be contacted at president@hoosiermedia- group.com. SR 358 closure planned for Sept. 21 State Road 358 near Pla- inville is scheduled to be closed on September 21 near Plainville, according to the Indiana Dept. of Trans- portation. Beginning on or around Wednesday, September 21, State Road 358 will close west of Plainville. This will allow crews to per form a culver t replacement. The closure is expected to take a day to complete, depend- ing on the weather. The official detour for this closure is State Road 57 to State Road 58 to State Road 67. Local traffic will have ac- cess up to the point of closure. Indiana Military Museum to recognize Viet Nam Vets By James Capozella Press-dispatch News news@pressdispatch.net The Indiana Militar y Museum in Vincennes will have a Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day on Sat- urday, October 15. Cole- man-Stewar t VFW Post 3587 will provide free ad- mission for any honorably discharged Pike County Veteran. The VFW will also have a bus available for transpor tation to the event, leaving at 8:30 a.m. Satur- day and returning at 3:30 p.m. Gates open at 9 a.m. and at 10 a.m. a Huey and Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Sam- my Davis will arrive on the grounds. Rides on the Huey start at 10:30 a.m. as does book signing by Sgt. Davis. There will be a 12:15 break for lunch with rides resum- ing at 1:15 p.m. A battle sce- nario for the public including Huey battlefield extraction takes place at 2:30 p.m. The outdoor events are free to the public and the indoor museum fee is $7 paid by the VFW for all Pike Coun- ty veterans. Food vendors, militar y artifact vendors and living histor y exhibits will be a part of the day-long activ- ities. To sign up for the trip, contact Jim White at 812-354- 6551 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Deadline to sign up for the trip is October 8. Someone you should know Don Hurd started delivering newspapers when he was 11 years-old. He now has added owning The Press-Dis- patch and South Gibson Star-Times newspapers to the list of accomplishments he has achieved since he was a young boy riding his bicycle out in the countr y, to deliver newspapers. Monroe City woman arrested for OVWI By James Capozella Press-Dispatch News news@pressdispatch.net A traffic stop on Septem- ber 3 at 2:30 a.m. resulted in a charge of OVWI for Faith Nicole Brinker, 46, 7924S SR61, Monroe City. Petersburg police officer Chad McClellan obser ved a Ford pickup cross the SR 61 centerline three times and then go of f the right side of the roadway twice before being stopped near River Road. Officer McClellan noticed Brinker slurred her words, had water y bloodshot eyes and had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Brinker staggered from the vehicle and leaned against it for balance accord- ing to the report. Brinker failed three field sobriety tests and measured .125 BAC on a portable breath test (PBT). A chemical test result at the Pike County Jail read .119 BAC. I love community journalism and I knew the Heuring family had a strong reputation of producing a quality newspapers," -Don L. Hurd Bird Hunter Youth Day is Oct. 8 By James Capozella Press-Dispatch News news@pressdispatch.net The 16th Annual Pike County Bird Hunters' Club Youth Day is Saturday, Octo- ber 8. Starting at 8 a.m. a free breakfast will be ser ved for all youth, followed by archer y, muzzle loader, BB gun, darts, .22 rifle marksmanship, trap shooting and Chukkar hunt- ing (over dogs). The club welcomes all 4-H Shooting Spor ts youth, Scouts and all other youth interested in the great out- doors. The new clubhouse is locat- ed five miles south of Peters- burg and two miles west on Division Road. All youth ages seven through 18 are wel- come. For more information contact Chris Kinman at 812- 789-3125. No firearms are to be brought to the club. All fire- arms, ammunition and equip- ment will be provided. After the club provides lunch, a K-9 demonstration by Pike Coun- ty Deputy Sheriff Buck Seger and K-9 Bleck will take place. A random drawing for more than $4,000 worth of rifles, shotguns and archer y equip- ment follows the K-9 demon- stration. HEATING AND AIR 812-789-3065 tdavis@alltradeheatingandair.net or admin@alltradeheatingandair.net THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN CLEAN AIR, BUT DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recognizes CleanEffects® as asthma & allergy friendly® David Wayne & His Opry Gang Huntingburg Event Center 110 S 14TH ST., HUNTINGBURG ADVANCE TICKETS: $20 Doors open at 6 p.m. • Show Starts at 7p.m. Nashville Grand Ole Opry Star Bobby G. Rice Gayle Parks as Cousin Minnie Curt Petry at Buddy Holly Isaac Corley • Elvis Back for One Big Night! SATURDAY, OCT. 15 TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE https://bit.ly/3ADCfq9 or by phone 812-683-2221 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 812–743–2393 or Jerry Coonrod at 812–887–4182 Parade: call Gene Williams at 812–639–8117 Pageant: call Jenn Candler at 812–677–1217 Vendors: call Marlis Day at 812–890–1736 Check our Facebook page for further information Blue Jeans Center 1242 MAIN STREET • MONROE CITY Family Fun & Entertainment THURSDAY, SEPT. 15 5:00pm Food Trucks 7:00pm King and Queen Pageant in the Gym FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 5:00pm Delicious Food* Vendors and Inflatables South Knox PTO Chicken Noodle or Beef Manhattan Dinner 7–8pm Half Pot Drawing 7–11pm Music in the Pavilion by Ricochet SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 9:30am Beech Hills Bar–B–Que by Cow Muck Cookers 10:00am Pet Show and K9 Demo by Knox County Sheriff 's Dept. 11:00am Delicious Food* Noon Inflatables and Vendors 1:00pm Garden Tractor Pull 1–3pm Kids' Games 5:00pm Tacos by Church of God 7–8pm Half Pot Drawing 7–11pm South Knox High School Reunion SUNDAY, SEPT. 18 10:00 am Church Service in the Gym 11–1pm Fish Fry by Jeff Black and Crew Noon Delicious Food* Noon–5pm Inflatables and Vendors 2:00pm Parade 3:00pm Half Pot Drawing South Knox High School Band Concert All proceeds to benefit the Blue Jeans Community Center *DELICIOUS FOOD ALL WEEKEND Hamburgers, Brat and Homemade Ice Cream by Walnut Grove Methodist Church Coneys, Hot Dogs and Funnel Cakes by the Reed Family PLUS: SEE SPECIAL EVENTS IN SCHEDULE ABOVE. net edition pressdispatch.net/edition Web, Smartphone, Tablet Streamline the Headline! 812-354-8500 • 820 Poplar St., Petersburg, IN • ads@pressdispatch.net Life Milestones made free CALL: 812-354-8500 Put a free photo with write up on Births or upcoming Card Showers.