The Press-Dispatch

January 18, 2023

The Press-Dispatch

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$1.00 28 PAGES FOUR SECTIONS TwO INSERTS PETERSBURG, IN 47567-0068 Wednesday, Ja nua ry 18, 2023 PIKE PUBLISHING VOLuMe 153, nuMBer 3 NEWS TIPS Phone: ����������������������������������� 812-354-8500 Email ��������������������� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE Local �������������������������A1-6 Sports ������������������������ B1-4 Home Life ������������������������C1 Obituaries �����������������������C2 History ����������������������������C3 School �����������������������������C4 Classifieds ������������������������C5 Legals ������������������������������C6 Church ��������������������� D1-2 Opinion �������������������������� D3 USPS 604-34012 SPORTS B1 Morton goes off for 17 in 3rd as Chargers beat Wood See OLYMPIA on page 5 2023 PIKE CENTRAL BASKETBALL INSIDE C3 Former Pike resident prepares for 2023 Mr. Olympia By Mendy Ross Correspondent news@pressdispatch.net some of 212 Mr. Olympia derek Lunsford's biggest fans are right here in Pike County. Lunsford's mother, Javona Mill- er, grandmother, Carol arvin, and other family members strive to attend every competition. "I think my mom (Carol) has been to all except one early on, and she always shows up in a shirt she has had printed with a photo of der- ek right on the front," said Mill- er. Lunsford recently won second place for the 2022 title of Open Class 212 Mr. Olympia. according to his mother it was in 2013 that Lunsford said, "I am going to be a bodybuild- er and be Mr. Olympia one day, the best in the world; like ar- nold schwarzenegger." she knew it was a lofty goal, but watched her son have the strength and will power to do it, and she be- lieved in him. "I can say that it is very exciting to watch each step of the way and how quick- ly it has happened," said Mill- er. "The first year he compet- ed (2015), he won the welter- weight class. The next year he was crowned Jr. national Over- all winner (2016). Two years later (2017), he became Mr. usa, won his first Pro show, placed fifth in the 212 Mr. Olympia and received rookie of the year." Miller add- ed "Wow, now that was a very ex- citing year to say the least. We knew that it was just a matter of time and in 2021 he won the ti- tle of 212 Mr. Olympia. This year (2022) felt like we were watching him at the Olympia for the first time again with him moving up to Open Class. and wow, again, to watch it come down to him and Hadi for first place was so excit- ing. I still believe it is just a mat- ter of time before he is crowned Mr. Olympia." Hadi Choopan, 35, from Iran, won first place for 2022, third place 2021, fourth place 2020 and third place 2019 in this competition. Throughout Lunsford's youth, he watched his mother contend with yo-yo dieting and aerobic videos. "a fter he began work- ing out in the gym, he always en- couraged me to give up the aer- obics and try lifting weights," said Miller. "In 2015 he took me to the refinery Gym in Cham- paign, Ill. where he was a regu- lar, while holding down a man- agement job at GnC there. I fell in love with it, came home, encour- aged my bestie, who was also my coworker, to sign up for a mem- bership at the Zone and we be- gan weightlifting. I knew nothing about it, but derek encouraged me to follow people on social me- dia that I wanted to look like; to watch what they do and imitate From left: 212 Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford and his mother, Javona Miller, working out at The Zone. "He has grown so much physically, mentally, and spiritually since he started his career in bodybuilding," Miller said. "I know his goal was to win the 212 Mr. Olympia and he did that in 2021." Lunsford recently won second place for the 2022 title of Open Class 212 Mr. Olympia. Council re-elects Jon Craig as President, Willis as VP By Sherri Griffin editor sherri@pressdispatch.net during the first Pike County Council meeting of the year a unan- imous vote to retain Jon Craig as President of the Council and elect Greg Willis as Vice President was made at the start of the meeting. In old business, annita Henson was approved to the Library Board. at the december 13 meeting, Joe smith was appointed to the alcohol- ic Beverage Board, duane sanders was appointed to the County Park & recreation Board, Max elliott was appointed to the solid Waste Board, Todd Meadors was elected to the Wabash Valley Community Correc- tions board and dennis Bishop was appointed to the Growth Council. Meadors was also appointed to the region 15 Planning Commission, along with Marcia Hill to the region- al Mental Health Center advisory Council. Cindy ridao was appointed to the Tri-Cap Board, with Travis Troutman appointed to the soil & Water Conservation Board. randy Harris was appointed to the Petersburg economic devel- opment Board, with Greg Willis and Bishop appointed to the rede- velopment Commission. Carl Bri- an simpson was appointed to the P TaBOa (Board of review), along with Meadors being appointed to the Courthouse security Board. Max elliott was reappointed to the Pike County Technology Committee. In other business, the council approved transfers allowed by the auditor, Judith Gumbel above $500, which included a variety of depart- ment requests. Gumbel also spoke to the Council about five pages of 2022 encumbrances into 2023, which were all legal encumbrances that the auditor is required to keep four references for every encumbrance listed. an oversight that took place when the Council worked on the wage and salary ordinance for the 2023 budget was discussed. an amendment was made to the ordinance to include the Jail Matron and Jail Commander wages. The new Pike County sher- iff, Jason McKinney requested the Matron and Jail Commander's pay rate for 2023 be adjusted to comply with Indiana Code 36 -8 -10 -5, which moved both employees salaries up to $22.44 per hour. The salary of Veterans service Officer, dennis Weitkamp, was also discussed during the Council meet- ing, with the goal to pay Weitkamp as a salaried employee, earning the maximum amount allowed by social security standards. Based on those calculations, the Council approved Weitkamp to make $816.92 per pay period. Vice President Willis said Weitkamp's rate of pay is still less than his predecessor. Craig said in the future, the Council needs to put extra money in the budget to accommodate changes to the posi- tion's pay. Pike County emergency Medi- cal services director Chris young asked for transfers to cover group health insurance increases and told them that health insurance increas- es are just going to get worse as time goes on. young reminded the Council that insurance can be paid with arPa money and Craig said they will keep doing what they are currently doing, by having the money come out of those funds. The transfer requests by young were approved unanimously. Pike County Library director stephanie rawlins spoke to the Council during the public portion of the meeting about big plans ahead for the Winslow Public Library loca- tion. rawlins said an architect has been chosen and there will be a new parking lot installed at Center and Main streets, with outdoor seating and wifi service available. a new en- trance and a spot to put outdoor lock- ers will also be part of the revamp. a mural picture of old Winslow is also planned for one side of the building. an ada compliant door on the front and on bathroom knobs will also be added. at the end of the meeting Willis questioned how the Council was handling additional appropriation requests in regard to the policy they originally discussed. "We have asked for departments to have representation when there are additional appropriations over $1,000 and it is slipping," Willis said. "We have approved (additional appropriations) regardless. Is it the See COUNCIL on page 7 Winslow community set to open new bike park Park looking for donations of fill dirt By Sherri Griffin editor sherri@pressdispatch.net Winslow Parks has some excit- ing news in the mix as they work to establish a bike park to add to the baseball field area of Winslow. according to alexis rusch, Winslow Parks director, the woods around the old mud bog area and part of the mud bogs themselves, are being developed, but the park needs dirt to fill in the area. "Clay is the best fill, but we will take any type of fill dirt," rusch said. "We need dump trucks of it. If you know a contrac- tor or someone that would have this amount, let us know." sunday was the first official work day and groundbreaking for the bike park. approximately two dozen vol- unteers from Pike, Gibson, Warrick, dubois, and surrounding counties came to help support the Winslow park. a total of 760 feet of trail was cleared and completed on the first day. This is roughly 10 percent of the trail system. The new trails will be a total of 5,390 feet. a professional ren- dering/drawing will be available to the public soon. everyone is invited to go out and enjoy the new trails just completed. In fact, the more they are used, the better they will pack down and complete. The trails are for bi- cycles and foot traffic only. no four wheelers, side by sides, or anything with a motor is allowed. The same people that designed the bike park in Jasper and Boon- ville, are designing the bike park for Winslow, according to rusch. "They came out sunday and showed us plans," rusch said. "This will be on ongoing volunteer project for several years. We will have new dumping ar- eas probably every six months." The overall park will include cross-country mountain bike trails, toddler pump track, advanced pump track, gravity zones with dirt jumps, and slalom trails. The trails can also be used for walkers and runners. a 5 -year plan will include a small outdoor theater and camping area with electric and water hook up for campers. also included in park plans are that Pike County Middle school soccer will be putting in two fields at the top part of the park where the large softball field is currently at. Pike County Little League will still have baseball on the remaining three fields. If you would like to volunteer, fol- low progress, or just cheer along, visit the Facebook page called "Winslow Parks and recreation". MEETINGS The Winslow Parks and rec- reation Board meets the third Wednesday of every month in the old town hall building at 7 p.m. all are welcome!! Here are the meeting dates for the 2023 year: January 18 February 15 March 15 april 19 May 17 June 21 July 19 august 16 september 20 October 18 november 15 december 20 This is a good time to come hear what the park board is planning, help them plan, voice a concern, or give an idea. On the left, Owen Lick, from Huntingburg, digs out a trail with a Rhino tool, which clears out small trees and briars to the root, as Eli and Lance Pfaff, sons of Jared Pfaff look on. Jared Pfaff, who owns Pfaff Construction in Jasper, came to Winslow to use chainsaws and help clear trails.

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