The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1480050
South Gibson Star-Times Tuesday, September 27, 2022 A-5 Council will look at 'jake braking' By Janice Barniak Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com A concerned citizen told For t Branch Town Council during their Wednesday meeting tr ucks aren't slow- ing at railroad tracks and are using 'jake brakes' in town. While engine breaking is not allowed by Fort Branch ordinance, the town does not regulate traffic on the state highway, Ind. 168, where it is common. The citizen said the pipes people are using are straight and loud, and he hopes the council will approach the state of Indiana about the is- sue. "We'll check into it and see," said Council Member Sandy Birch. Beatnik Books debuts Oct. 2 By Janice Barniak Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Casey Meier of Princeton has always loved books. "If I had it my way I would be a librarian. But school is expensive," she said. Last year, as a new mom, she had the idea to start a used bookstore. "I don't think a new book- store would thrive, in a small town particularly," she said. Roughly seven months later she's launching at the Down- town Princeton Inc. fall ven- dor's market Oct. 2, her one- year old at her side. "He also loves books. He may just chew them, but I say he's absorbing the knowledge either way." She began buying books by the trunkful, and was putting them into her grandmother's former office until a fami- ly member moved into the space. So she's decided to take her business on the road and sell books at vendor events under the name Beatnik Books. Her favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. "I've read it hundreds of times." She said popular books right now are influenced by the trends on the TikTok app, which are currently on a mod- ern romance streak. "There's this bookstore in Kentucky called Poor Rich- ard's. I've had the smell of that bookstore in me for 20 years. You ever just crack open a book and —" she demon- strates a large inhale on a copy of "Phantom of the Opera." "I love the smell of books." Circus returns to Fort Branch By Janice Barniak Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Haubstadt Knights of Co- lumbus will again host a cir- cus, back for the first time post-COVID, as the planners work on the 2023 event. The Fort Branch Town Council approved the circus for April 24 at Fort Branch Park, including an early morning tent raising, two 90-minute performances with clowns, acrobats and aerialists among other circus performers. Two tigers are currently travelling with the circus, and will hopefully still be on board in April. The guests will likely ar- rive in the park the night before, April 23, on their 100-town, nine-state tour out of Oklahoma, and will leave the following morn- ing. They'll use the park's wa- ter and trash containers, though Knights of Columbus will also help clean up the next day. The town plans to mark utilities so the circus knows where to drive the 8-10 foot stakes into the ground for the big top. As the non-profit has never been charged a rental fee in the past, the council voted to again allow them to use the park for free. 'Town Dog' turns to theft By Janice Barniak Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com A dog locals call "the town dog" has turned to a life of crime as of Saturday morning. According to craft vendors Angela Col- clasure, who sells wreaths, and Amanda Tindle, who sells wax melts at the Ow- ensville Farmer's Market, most Saturday mornings they see a friendly dog that en- joys playing with children and attending the farmer's market on the town square, but this Saturday the dog entered the Owensville Dollar General, and after a few minutes, exited with a new bone he presented to vendors hoping they'd un- wrap the plastic. The bone was returned to the Dollar General where employees told vendors that the "town dog" has learned where to stand to open the electric doors and oc- casionally sneaks in and lays down unno- ticed to enjoy their air conditioning. Town Marshal Rodger Leister was not contacted to arrest the first-time offend- er, who looks to be a juvenile — in human years at least. Owensville's "Town Dog" enjoys pets on the square from Sarah Tindle and Makenzie Bush Saturday morning. Casey Meier kicks off her new business, Beatnik Books, on the town square in Princeton Saturday. From left, Bruce Vanoven, Patty Vanoven and Mike Watkins judge The Center for Senior's pie baking con- test. Rita Dougan won first with Derby pie, and third place went to Jeff Bates' cherr y pie. Clay Fortner's apple pie won second place, though he's not pictured. Senior Center pie baking contest winners A delicious line of pies showed off lattice, crumble crust and ever ything in between. Zucchini pie was likely the most unusual entr y.