The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1490839
Front Wednesday, Januar y 25, 2023 The Press-Dispatch A-2 and Mcdonnell from any ob- ligations and liability to the closing and/or use of the roads under road use agree- ment 2021-03, dated October 18, 2021. Pike County High- way supervisor Josh Byrd confirmed that all work had been done to the roads per the agreement. Coleman and nelson also approved advertising for Com- munity Crossings Matching Grant bids for materials in- cluding hot mix including #11 surface, #9 Binder and #5 Base tho be picked up at the asphalt plant. according to the request, ae-90 and #53 rock need to be delivered to the Pike County Highway department. This material will be used for road resur- facing and road conversion projects awarded by the 2022 call 2 Community Crossings Call for Projects. Bids will be opened by the Commissioners at their scheduled meeting on February 21. Commissioners discussed the eck Mundy 2023 Man- aged services Contract, which covers all technology issues at the courthouse. They approved the signing of the same contract as last year, but Coleman asked if it would be possible to run a re- port on all IT outsourced and the costs spent in 2022, with the possibility of considering adding an IT person to the Courthouse employee roster. Gumbel said courthouse employees are not supposed to have overtime and it has become an issue when it has to be paid because it was not budgeted. It was suggested that comp time be paid out for everything over 80 hours. Coleman suggested they leave the policy as written and re- mind department heads of this issue. The next meeting is 8:30 a.m. Monday, February 6, in the courthouse basement. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings. EMPLOYEE Continued from page 1 In June 2022, Winslow had its first 5K "which was very exciting and successful," rus- ch said. "I have a great board behind me and I couldn't be successful without them. I have been a part of other boards and groups." "There is something special about our current park board. We all get along and work really well together. This is why we are able to get things done." The park board was also able to buy new playground equipment last January, with installation last June. They cleaned up the tennis courts and have nets that will be in- stalled this spring. as presi- dent, she leads monthly meet- ings, makes agenda items, delegates tasks and contacts businesses for help or quotes. "It's a long list of duties," rus- ch added. she attends every town council meeting because she wants the residents to know she is dedicated to the park's board, as well as the town. "I think part of being a leader is being visible and willing to communicate with people," rusch said. rusch wants to see her lit- tle town thrive. "I would love to see businesses moving in and being successful," rus- ch said. "I want to see public spaces that are used by indi- viduals and families, new wa- ter lines, less trash, vibrant murals, properties cleaned up, etc." "data and research shows towns with trails, parks and green spaces have healthier and happier residents. I want this for Winslow." some things she hopes to see very soon is new mulch or rubber chips down at the park for their new playground equipment, new gravel for the muddy parking spaces and signs for the new trails. rusch also searches for and applies for grants for the parks board and for her school. recently she received a grant for Owensville Com- munity school from Indiana arts Commission and Indiana department of education. she enjoys hobbies such as photography; making art and tie dye; spending time with her nieces and family; hunt- ing, jeeping and kayaking; gardening and growing sun- flowers; as well as going to Holiday World. she is also a part of the Be the Match reg- istry and an avid blood donor. according to rusch, when the Park Board did their first fundraiser two years ago, their slogan was Put the Win Back in Winslow. "after all this work and dedication, we finally feel that we have some traction," rusch said. "now we say Winslow Wins Now. People from Pike County al- ways say to me that 'nothing ever gets done' and 'there's nothing to do around here.' Well, if you want change, you have to be the change. We need to invest in our youth, volunteer our time and believe in the good things coming. and remember, things don't happen overnight." ALEXIS Continued from page 1 one," seger said. "He will take his toy to anyone also for a chance to play fetch, which he does for hours. When my youngest was smaller, she would climb all over him when he was lying on the floor and he was never bothered. Bleck is very much like a regular dog that loves people, until given the command to not be friendly anymore. I always enjoyed when we had K9 trips for our certifications. This last year, we were in Ohio and at our certification, a local sky diving company allowed han- dlers to sky dive for free. It was a very memorable expe- rience as I had never done it before." Bleck is living the good life at home now. He has two dog siblings. They are both fe- male Weimaraners. accord- ing to seger, they are always wrestling around, play fight- ing, and stealing toys from each other. "Bleck has become a house dog now, and he has a doggie bed beside my wife and my bed and he prefers to sleep on her side," seger said. "We snapped a picture one night of him sleeping on his back with his paws up in the air which was hilarious. He was sleep- ing well." seger still has not gotten used to Bleck not being in his car with him. "When my radio would key up, or if I turned on my lights he would make his presence known," seger said. "He would bark until I told him to knock it off so I could hear what was being said, or pay attention to where I was going. He isn't a very vocal dog outside of work, but when he was in the car you certain- ly knew it. every day when I leave the house, he usually tries to squirt out the door to come with me. He isn't quite used to our new routine just yet. He always loved to go to work, so I imagine that its go- ing to take some time." "Bleck is a high energy dog. He loves to play fetch, or tug. My wife and I try to get him outside as much as we can to let him burn off some of his energy. He also likes to chase our other dogs around outside if they steal his ball." Pike County sheriff's de- partment is in the process of getting a new K9. Pike County sheriff's deputy Bri- ar Meadors will be the next handler. Meadors will attend the evansville K9 academy within the next few weeks, and will continue to train in the sIPCa training group down at evansville. That is the training group Bleck and seger were in, which is mul- tiple departments around southern Indiana. There is a lot of experience and knowl- edge in the group so it helps to make them better teams. "I am extremely grateful for the Pike County sheriff's Office allowing me to become the first K9 handler that the department had," seger said. "It was an opportunity that I didn't take for granted and always tried my best to repre- sent not only the Pike County sheriff's Office, but also the citizens of Pike County the best I could on the road, and in competitions and certifi- cations." "I am thankful for the busi- nesses, individuals who donat- ed money, and the grants we received to start our K9 pro- gram. I am also thankful for Chief deputy dallas Killian's help with starting the pro- gram, and also always being willing to take a bite when I was in my early stages learn- ing the ropes of how to be a good handler. RETIRE Continued from page 1 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. 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Winslow resident Alexis Rusch, President of the Winslow Park and Recreation Board, works at Winslow Park with other volunteers during one of their cleanup days. Petersburg opens paving bids By Andy Heuring Press-dispatch editor editor@pressdispatch.net The Petersburg City Coun- cil opened bids for paving sev- eral streets and discussed an approved contract for a boost- er station for the new water tower, but hoped they will cancel that contract, during their meeting last Tuesday. The three paving bids ranged from e&B Paving's bid of $184,796.16 to Calcar's bid of $192, 287.16 and JH ru- dolph's bid of $194,108.64. The city council voted 3-0 to take the bids under advise- ment. scott Jenkins and Jody Hoover were not present at the meeting. It was moved to Tuesday because of Martin Luther King day. Petersburg received a Crossroads Community grant through the Indiana depart- ment of Transportation to pave, for the following street paving projects: • Knox st. from spruce street to the city limits; • Fourth st. from spruce to Birch sts.; • Birch st. from Fourth to Fifth sts.; • Locust st. from 12th to 18th sts.; • Fourteenth st. from Main to alford road; • sycamore st. from 12th to 18th st.; • Maple st. from 16th to 18th sts.; • Tenth st. from Poplar to spruce sts.; • seventeenth st. from Main to alford road. Mayor r. C. Klipsch said Petersburg has been so suc- cessful with the Community Crossroads program they have paved nearly every street in Petersburg. "We are run- ning out of streets to pave," said Klipsch. They expect to accept a bid at their next meeting and for paving to start in late spring. BOOSTER STATION NEEDED TO FILL NEW WATER TOWER HAS COMPLICATIONS a booster station needed to pump water into the new water tower on Highway 57 south of Petersburg is run- ning into complications. Mayor Klipsch said a grant was received for the project in 2019 during an expansion of a waterline to the river Birch project. However, they had complications getting the land for the project, causing delays. They eventually pur- chased different ground. In 2019, the projected cost was $384,000, but since mas- sive inflation hit, the recently opened bids were between $750,000 and $900,000. an- other problem is a pump need- ed for the project is expected to take 50 weeks to receive. Klipsch told council mem- bers he had talked with rural development and they may be able to add the booster station project to Petersburg's $19 million water project, which would help with the added costs. But until then, Klipsch rec- ommended the city approve an amendment to the original contract and approve the bid for the booster station. He said if they get approval from rural development they can cancel the contract and move it to the water project. Klipsch said while talking with rural development he also discussed expanding the city's sewer lines. "We have already expanded to Cr300. so we are getting closer to Pike Central," said Klipsch. He said rural development is interested in Petersburg expanding their sewer sys- tem similar to Lynnville ex- panding their system out to spurgeon. He also said Pike Central officials have expressed in- terested in trying to work out something to get those schools on Petersburg sewer system. Klipsch explained that in the past with the old sewer plant, Petersburg was at their limit, but with the new sewer plant being built they would be able to add customers. One of the areas being add- ed soon is the new housing subdivision near Hornady Park that will be up to 150 new houses. In other business, Peters- burg Police Chief Kyle Mills said they received a grant from Winenergy to put fire extinguishers in all their po- lice vehicles. "They will be very handy. I have needed fire extinguishers several times and haven't had one," said Mills. The next Petersburg City Council meeting is sched- uled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, February 6.