South Gibson Star-Times

South Gibson Middle School Snowball Dance 2023 By: Elizabeth Elpers South Gibson middle schoolers descended upon Haubstadt Community School Friday night, Januar y 20, for the annual Snowball Dance. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade stu- dents from Haubstadt, Fort Branch Communi- ty School, Owensville Community School, Holy Cross Catholic School (Fort Branch) and St. James Catholic School (Haubstadt) were invit- ed to attend this special night. Cars lined Gibson Street from Carriage Inn restaurant to Highway 41 in Haubstadt, with parents waiting to drop their children off for a night of dancing, socializing and lots of pic- turing-taking. An abundance of money, time and energy is spent by students and their parents in prepa- ration for dances like this, and the dresses, outfits, makeup and hair did not disappoint. Many students like to go out to a fancy dinner beforehand with their dates and friends. They often choose local restaurants like Haub's Steakhouse, Carriage Inn or R'z (Fort Branch), while others prefer to avoid all of the fuss and choose to keep it simple. Putting on an event like this takes a great deal of time and effort. Eighth grade students from Haubstadt Community School spent part of their Friday decorating the gymnasium for the dance. Many parents, teachers, and other staff members volunteered their time to take the $5 admission fee as students entered the school or worked as chaperones for the dance. Their dedication certainly helped make the event fun and safe for all in attendance. For sixth grade students, this was their first school dance, and for the eighth graders, it would be their last middle school dance. The good news is they will have high school homecomings, Sweetheart and prom to look for ward to, where stakes (and money spent) only get higher. The dance only lasted from 6:30-8:30 p.m., but the memories will be sure to last a lifetime. Sts. Peter and Paul School: Third Quarter PTO Meeting By Elizabeth Elpers Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School Parent Teacher Organization had its quarterly meet- ing on Januar y 19. A number of items were discussed, including the success of the fall "Free Dress" fundraiser, which, according to PTO president, Tricia Conklin, raised approx- imately $3,500. Normally, students are required to wear school uniforms. However, students were able to purchase passes to allow them to wear reg- ular clothes for a school day. The fundraiser was such a hit with students that the PTO has decided to do it again next school year. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and Church had a number of fundraisers through- out the year to help support not only the school but the parish, as well. Some of the popular fundraisers in the coming weeks and months include the annu- al Rummage and Bake Sale on March 11, the Die Kirche Auktion Fest the weekend of April 15-16 and the Dewig Meats and Judy Schmitt Fundraisers (dates have yet to be determined). The school's fundraisers support the nu- merous activities the PTO organizes through- out the school year. For example, "Project Fill Their Cup," provides teachers with special treats each month, Christmas party supplies for students, new recess equipment and new games for classrooms, among other things. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School Prin- cipal, Megan Howington, reminded attend- ees of some important dates: Come and See Open House Night on Februar y 2, the Dad- dy+Daughter Night on Februar y 7 at 6 p.m. and the Mother+Son Night on Februar y 9 at 6 p.m. Not to be forgotten, Catholic Schools Week will commence on Monday, Januar y 30. Cath- olic schools within the diocese will participate in various activities and theme days throughout the school week. This year's theme will focus on community, family, students and staff. Also, in obser vance of President's Day, there will be no school on Monday, Februar y 20. These young ladies were photo ready. Like this group of handsome young men, many students chose to attend the dance with friends. Evansville man missing since Dec. 10 found in wrecked car under bridge near Princeton A State Trooper found an Evansville man missing since December 10 in a wrecked car under a bridge on Old Highway 41 at about noon on Friday. Brian Colbert, 47, of Evansville was em- ployed at Toyota Boshoku in Princeton. He was last seen at a coworker's residence in Prince- ton on December 9, driving his maroon 2017 Toyota Avalon. Family members reported him missing to the Evansville Police Depart- ment on December 10, but the investigation into his disappearance was turned over to In- diana State Police since Colbert was last seen in Princeton. On Friday, January 20, at approximately 12 noon, Indiana State Police Detective Toni Walden was searching along Old US 41 south of CR 150 South when she located Colbert's 2017 Toyota Avalon under a bridge. A male matching the description of Colbert was lo- cated inside the vehicle. The bridge was lo- cated between the Princeton Country Club and Princeton High School. On Saturday, January 21, Gibson County Coroner Barrett Doyle identified him as Bri- an Colbert, 47, of Evansville. An autopsy was also conducted, but results are pending. Indiana State Police believe that sometime during the evening on December 9, Colbert was traveling south on Old US 41 south of CR 150 South when he drove left of center, left the roadway on the east side, dropped down into a deep ravine, overturned, and entered Pigeon Creek near the bridge. Anyone traveling on Old US 41 would not have been able to see the vehicle. Detectives also believe when the creek level increased due to recent rainfall, the ve- hicle moved under the bridge making it even more difficult to see. Family members reported Colbert missing on December 10, 2022. The Toyota Avalon barely is barely visible under a bridge on Old Highway 41 near CR150S between the Princeton Country Club and Princeton High School. Toni Walden with the Indiana State Police was seraching the area when she found it at about noon. The body of Brian Colbert, 47, of Evansville was found in the vehicle. Like this group of handsome young men, many students chose to attend the dance with friends. See additional photos on A2. $1.00 24 PAGES TuESdAy, JAnuARy 24, 2023 VOLUME 68, NUMBER 29 NEWS TIPS Phone: ������������������������812-753-3553 Email ��������������� editor@sgstartimes�com INSIDE Classifieds �������������� A7 Sports ��������������� A9-10 Opinion ������������A11-12 Church ����������������A5-8 History ����������������A5-8 Two Sections • No Inserts Fort Branch 47648-0070 (USPS #205-620)

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