The Press-Dispatch
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Vincennes Ave., Petersburg Karan Thacker, AFSP Owner THACKER TAX SERVICE 906 Blackfoot Drive Fort Branch, IN 47648 812-615-0071 (offi ce) 812-789-3852 (cell) kthacker01@gmail.com Front Wednesday, Januar y 11, 2023 The Press-Dispatch A-2 MEETING Continued from page 1 FCA Continued from page 1 Mayor Klipsch suggested the council consider ways to help retain their officers. Mills said it was going to get worse in the near future, because the Indiana state Po- lice will soon get a huge raise. He said he didn't think any of their officers were going to leave to go to the state police. But their new applicants were going to be affected because of the increased pay of state Police in the near future. In other business City ser- vices Manager ross elmore said they were able to get through the extreme cold snap better than he expect- ed. He said they only had one main water line break and it was along Highway 57 just north of the Petersburg city limits. He said a gas line was installed to the city's sewer wastewater building just one day before the extreme cold hit. "That was cutting a little close," said elmore. The head works building was opened in the summer, but a gas line had not been run to the building so it didn't have heat. elmore at the previ- ous meeting if they didn't get the gas line they would have to drain the building to pre- vent freezing. Councilman Jenkins asked if the city should go back to using radios to contact em- ployees while they are work- ing. "I have talked about it a few times . We are going to have to start all over from square one at this point," said elmore. He said the city no longer holds any radio licenses. Mayor Klipsch said Clerk-Treasurer Tammy sel- by has had a few problems be- ing able to communicate with city workers using their cell- phones. Councilmen asked elmore to look into the cost of going back to radios. In other business, Mayor Klipsch said long-time park board member silas ashley had resigned from the Park and recreation board. also John Burns, who Klipsch ap- pointed, had resigned from the park board as well. Mayor Klipsch said he was going to keep all of his ap- pointments the same for 2023. Those include: Fire Chief: ross elmore Police Chief :Kyle Mills, Water Board: Jon Welch and Jim Gaskins Board of Works: John Mel- hiser and scott Jenkins alcoholic Beverage Board : Marge Leavitt solid Waste advisory Board: alan Tegmeyer, Wabash Valley Correction regional Board: Kyler Henry redevelopment Commis- sioner sandy Talley and Kyle Mills plus a vacant seat Fire Territory Board: Bill Traylor unsafe Building Officer: david Henson revolving Loan Board: Bri- an Mahoney plus a vacancy to be filled The next Petersburg City Council meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 17. PARKING Continued from page 1 Introducing new Pike County Purdue Extension Agent Mandy Hannah By Jill Hyneman Correspondent news@pressdispatch.net Mandy Hannah, the new ag and natural resources and 4-H youth development extension educator, started her first day at the Pike Coun- ty Purdue extension Office on January 5. as a Purdue educator, Hannah will help improve the life of current and fu- ture residents. In this role, Hannah will collaborate with local county agencies, area organizations, businesses, and schools, partnering with these organizations to ana- lyze needs, develop, imple- ment and oversee educational programs, provide resources and expertise to the local community. "Transitioning into Purdue extension seems like a nat- ural fit for me, as I am able to continue my love for edu- cating, communicating, and interacting with the youth of the community," Hannah said. "I have been in a ser- vice-led field for many years and truly appreciate helping others reach their full po- tential." "We are excited to have Mandy join the Pike County Purdue extension Office," Chris Burkhart, Purdue extension Board President, said. "she brings a strong 4-H and farm background from neighboring daviess County. she also has many years of experience as an ed- ucator and a heart for devel- oping youth." Hannah is a lifelong resi- dent of Washington, where she grew up on a farm in southwestern daviess Coun- ty, owned and operated by Mark and Tony Barber. The Barbers produce Black angus cattle and a grain operation. "I grew up in a rural community and feel most comfortable in this setting," Hannah said. "I look forward to becoming an integral member of the Pike County community and lead- ing others to success." Hannah is the mother of two children, sydney (8) and alexander (12). Hannah enjoys helping her children learn how to show swine. In Hannah's free time she reads and flower gardens. a graduate from Purdue university with a B.a. in english education and an M.a.e. in school Counseling from Indiana state universi- ty, Hannah is proud of her education at Purdue. Throughout the past twen- ty years, she has enjoyed a varied and fulfilling career as a high school english teacher, school counselor, coach and sponsor of several extra-curricular clubs. Han- nah enjoyed coaching Junior High Volleyball, Junior High Boys Tennis, Junior High Girls Tennis, and Girls Var- sity Tennis. Hannah was a sponsor for student coun- cil, the Junior Class and the Beta club. "This is a position that has intrigued me for many years and I am most look- ing forward to meeting the members of the community," Hannah said. "I am excited and passionate about Purdue extension and the program- ming that it offers and look forward to sharing with Pike County." "We are so excited to have Mandy join our team here in Pike County," Brooke Goble, Pike County extension di- rector said. "she will be a great asset to our office and county. I am excited to see what ideas and opportunities she will bring to Pike County and our youth." To learn more about Pur- due extension or their new educator Mandy Hannah, call 812-354-6838. Mandy Hannah, Ag and Natural Resources and 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator quested amended transfers for end-of-the-year correc- tions, which the Commission- ers approved unanimously. emergency Medical ser- vices director Chris young also requested transfers for a new television to replace the old T V that quit working. Commissioners approved the request unanimously. young said there were 2,391 runs for 2022, which was 567 more than 2021. young also said the number of runs has already doubled for this year from 2022. appointments for 2023 were approved unanimous- ly for Josh Byrd, Kristi dischinger, Chris young, Val Fleig, ryan Benner, and den- nis Weitkamp. Other county appointments were tabled to the next meeting when the commissioners would have more time to review docu- mentation. The next meeting will be 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan- uary 17 in the Pike County Courthouse. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings. depending upon the group," said nalley. "In the past we have packed shoe boxes at Christmas for Operation Christmas Child and donated them to samaritan's Purse. We have bought Christmas items for local families who needed assistance. We have participated in other local events at the fairgrounds and we have shared our faith with our fellow students by par- ticipating with floats during Homecoming and hosting a prayer tent during riley dance Marathon." The FCa sponsors also help pay for members to go to the annual FCa Leader- ship camp at Camp Illiana in Washington, Indiana. They have had one or two students go each summer for the past couple of years. The FCa has been approached to par- ticipate in a color run with a local church, however plans have not yet been made. They are still planning on a date for this year's annual rally. For more information on FCa, contact nikki nal- ley, or visit https://swindi- anafca.org/ Petersburg's board of public works and safety vot- ed 5-0 to hire a new police officer. Petersburg Po- lice Chief Kyle Mills recommended Aaron Sutt. The board two weeks ago approved him as a reserve offi- cer. At the time, Mills said Sutt wanted to eventually be a full-time officer. Miss Pike County Jordan Schatz competes in Indiana State Fair Queens Pageant By Jill Hyneman Correspondent news@pressdispatch.net Jordan schatz who is the 2022-2023 Miss Pike County, departed Thursday January 5 for her three-day pageant event. "Let the festivities be- gin," schatz said. "This calls for a great weekend!" Friday morning started off early with check-in and reg- istration at 8:30 a.m. at the Indiana state Fair discovery Hall where schatz stayed in their dorms. "The dorm life was fun," schatz said. "I nev- er got the chance to really go to camp. so, the camp style sleep arrangements were so cool. We had bunk beds and were in a room with a bunch of other queens. I enjoyed every minute of it. The atmo- sphere was great, and every- one was super helpful. We all packed enough to wear that we could have probably clothed a small army. But we all helped each other out whether it was in the dorm rooms or the dressing room. everyone was super great to work with." Friday morning also in- cluded orientation that was followed by lunch. Then came the private interview portion of the competition and prepared speeches. The interview portion is 45 per- cent of the scoring. schatz had three-minute interviews with each of the three judg- es individually, answering impromptu questions. The prepared speech is 15 percent of the scoring and was deliv- ered on a stand in profession- al wear and the speech could be no longer than one minute. Later came rehearsals and dinner. saturday morning, schatz had breakfast and then free time. schatz and all the Queens attended the Queens Luncheon with family and friends. a fter lunch, schatz had more rehearsal time and then the Public Preliminary Judging on the big stage. The pizza party that eve- ning and gift exchange where a great part of the day. "One of my favorite memories would be when right before we went out on the stage sat- urday, one of the girls sug- gested that we pray," schatz said. "so, we all got in a big circle and joined hands. That was by far one of my favorite memories." schatz had an amazing time, but it did not come without challenges. Combi- nation of nerves and anxiety made schatz worry about re- membering her speech that she would give to the judg- es. The other challenge was quietly walking in her heels and not sound like she was stomping across the wood- en stage. even with the few challenges, they did not com- pete with the experience of getting to meet other county queens and coming together to create lifelong friendships. "even though Pike Coun- ty didn't make it to the top 16 I am still grateful for the opportunity not only to meet and spend an entire weekend with some wonderful girls, but to have also been given the opportunity to represent Pike County at one of the most exciting pageants in our state," schatz said. "as an eight year 4-H member of the Pike County 4-H, I can't put into words how honored I feel to have been chosen to represent our county not only on that big stage this week- end but also just being Pike County's Queen. I have tried my best to use my platform to inspire the young kids of my community. I would tell the girls of my county to just take the risk and never say no to new opportunities. no matter if you win or lose just enjoy every moment of it." "I think Jordan represent- ed Pike County very well at the Pageant, she has a strong 4-H background and being named Miss Pike County has enhanced her public speak- ing skills," summer roelle, Pike County 4-H Pageant Committee Chair said. "It also allowed her to interact with our community in dif- ferent ways has really boost- ed her confidence." "all the girls did a great job," said Kim Haycraft, Pike County resident that attend- ed the Indiana state Fair Pageant. "They made new friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Jordan did a wonderful job representing Pike County and we should all be so proud of her." Jordan Schatz, Miss Pike County attends the Queens Luncheon for the Indiana State Fair Queens Pageant last weekend. "Even though Pike County didn't make it to the top 16 I am still grateful for the opportunity not only to meet and spend an entire weekend with some wonderful girls, but to have also been given the opportunity to represent Pike Coun- ty at one of the most exciting pageants in our state," Schatz said.