The Press-Dispatch
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$1.00 20 PAGES FOUR SECTIONS ONE INSERT PETERSBURG, IN 47567-0068 Wednesday, Ja nua ry 25, 2023 PIKE PUBLISHING VOLuMe 153, nuMBer 4 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 LOCAL A3 Commissioners discuss employee handbook modifications By Sherri Griffin editor sherri@pressdispatch.net With Pike County Commissioner President Mark Flint absent from the last meeting, Vice President Jeff nelson chaired the January 17 meet- ing, where a large portion revolved around changes to the employee handbook. Kristi dischinger, Commission- ers' assistant, said there were many items throughout the handbook that need to be clarified. "We need to clear up the wording in several areas," dischinger said. "There is some confusion and it is hard to keep track of sick bank time." The question was raised as to whether employees could use time left over from december for their January 2023 sick bank. Judy Gum- bel, auditor for Pike County, said everything must be documented and some of the issues that needed addressed could not be tabled. Commissioner ryan Coleman suggested keeping things the same until the new computer system is in place. "every department has to let their employees know if they can pull from their sick bank," Gumbel said. "If everyone is on the same page, it will clear any confusion," Coleman said. Commissioners Coleman and nelson approved employees using one day of personal time off for their sick bank in January of 2023. "We will revisit this when the new sys- tem is in place," Coleman said. In other business, Burns and Mc- donnell requested that the Com- missioners release Bond #09390487 and road usage agreement 2021-03, pertaining to portions of County roads 350e, 750n, and 425e in Washington and Jefferson Townships. Commissioners Coleman and nelson approved releasing Burns Pike County Sheriff's Department retires K-9 Bleck Bleck living his best life with Pike County Sheriff SRO Buck Seger By Sherri Griffin editor sherri@pressdispatch.net Pike County sheriff's deputy Buck seger has had some major changes in his life since the new year. seger has worked with Pike County sheriff's department K-9 Bleck, for approximately six years at the department. Bleck has been retired and seger is now the Pike County High school student re- source Offer (srO). Bleck is retiring at seven, which is close to normal working time. "We had planned to work him until eight, which is about average for a larger framed dog," seger said. "However, it was apparent that the strain of our certification was getting to him and he had some issues with his shoul- der and hips. That combined with us wanting to have me in the school setting made our decision for us as a department. I had originally worked Chief devine at Washington Pd. He was my partner when we worked nights together. He was a K9 han- dler for them so I was around it early in my career. I have always been a dog person, so the idea of working with one every day was exciting to me." seger is the srO at Pike Central High school now. "I have been a coach for youth football for the past nine years, and also coach soccer, softball, and help with baseball at the youth level," seger said. "Work- ing with the kids comes naturally to me which is a large part of the re- sponsibilities of a school resource officer." a school resource officer is re- sponsible for school safety, but is also a mentor, counselor, and helps to connect kids with a positive view of law enforcement. seger has also become a dare instructor, so he will be teaching dare to the fifth grade students in Pike County. "Following in sheriff McKinney's shoes as the srO is tough," seger said. "He was an excellent srO and was great with the students. It will take a lot of work to be as good as he was, but I'm excited for the challenge." seger said working with Bleck was very rewarding. "He was an out- standing narcotics dog so it was al- ways fun to see how fast he could lo- cate the drugs," seger said. "Where other dogs sometimes struggled, I knew he was going to nail their hides because he was just that good at it." "I remember our first certification being so stressful. I didn't sleep well for weeks leading up to it, but he did what he always did, and went out and did a great job and we passed easily." One thing that always surprised people when they meet Bleck, or were around him, is how friendly he is, according to seger. Most people have the idea that police dogs are mean and aggressive or dangerous to be around. With Bleck, that was not the case. "He loves to get pets from any- Pike County Sheriff's Deputy Buck Seger had some major changes in his life since the new year. Seger worked with K-9 Bleck for approximately six years at the Department. Bleck has been retired and Seger is now the Pike County High School Student Resource Offer (SRO) Pike Central shows their homecoming spirit By Jackie Berry & Jill Hyneman Correspondent news@pressdispatch.net Pike Central High school Home- coming spirit Week was filled with fun from dressing up, volleyball, a pep rally, and finished with a dance. student Government put on the entire week's events. "student Gov- ernment meets on Fridays at 7:50 am. "We discuss possible options for spirit days and then we vote on the ones we want," Tessa Vinnedge, student Government President said. "We want to make sure everyone has a voice in the matter." "I enjoyed participating in this spirit week by wearing themes that the student government gave us," said Brenton Fryrear, student Gov- ernment representative. Tuesday was salad dressing day. seniors were ranch dressing, so they dressed in cowboy and cowgirl attire. Juniors were Thousand Is- land dressing with tropical outfits. sophomores were Caesar dressing, and togas were the apparel. Fresh- men were Blue Cheese dressing so they wore blue that day. staff was House dressing, so they wore the Charger colors of Burgundy and Gold. Wednesday was red Flag day. students wore red shirts with their red flag warnings written on them. These warnings could be anything like, "I have a flirty personality" to, "I am a bad driver". Then on Thursday, it was disco day taking it back to the 70s. Meaning flared high-waisted paints, platform shoes, tie-dye, and bell bottom jumpsuits. Finally on Friday was neon day to represent the Charger's bright fu- ture at the homecoming game. Beachless Volleyball Wednesday was a fun night for those who par- ticipated. each class had a team rep- resented. Juniors and Freshman were first to compete for Beachless Volleyball Champions. Juniors won the first set 15 -9 but the Freshmen came back to win the second set 15 - 10. The third set was a hard-fought set volleying back and forth, but the Juniors won 23-21. next up was the seniors vs the sophomores. The seniors took down the sophomores with ease in 2 sets both sets seniors won 15 - 11. Then came the champi- onship finals with the seniors vs the Juniors. The Juniors won the first set 15 -13 but the seniors came back to stomp the Juniors in the second set 15 -4. The third set was closer but the seniors came out on top with a 15 -10 win. "My favorite event this week was the pep rally", Brylee Walker, stu- dent Government representative said. "I love seeing everyone in one place happy and excited to support our team." The Pep rally Friday, January 20, kicked off with the school pep band playing the Char- gers school song to get everyone in a great and pumped-up mood. The first competition was on who can keep their bare feet in a bucket full of ice water the longest. "My favorite part was playing High school students participating in the snake game at the pep rally. SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW Alexis Rusch, Winslow Parks president, photographer By Mendy Ross Correspondent news@pressdispatch.net someone you should know is alexis rusch. rusch is the Presi- dent of the Winslow Park and rec- reation Board and also has a photogra- phy business. This is her third year as an art teacher at Owensville Communi- ty school in south Gibson school Corpo- ration, where she teaches first through eighth grade. Prior to this, she held various university positions, includ- ing professor for about eight years. For the two years prior to being president, she served as secretary of the park board. she has just fin- ished her first full year as president. as president, she organizes volun- teer days by getting supplies, mak- ing sure there are residents who can volunteer, and showing up to help out herself. she also helps coordinate and puts together fundraising ideas. In fact, she does a fundraiser each year for a business or a scholarship through her photography business. There are lots of changes happen- ing at Winslow's park. "One of my main focuses for the last two years has been trying to get something to go into the old mud bog area of our park," rusch said. "We finally broke ground on our new bike park on January 15." she has met with and talked to different people about ideas and possibilities. she added about the project, "it's ex- citing to finally get this going." See EMPLOYEE on page 2 See ALEXIS on page 2 See RETIRES on page 2 See SPIRIT on page 5 Leaking propane heater explodes in Glezen By Sherri Griffin editor sherri@pressdispatch.net If neighbors around the Glezen community heard a loud explosion this past weekend, they weren't imagining things. On saturday, Jan- uary 21, Petersburg Fire depart- ment was called to the area of 75n and Highway 57 to James and Linda Willis' property. One of Petersburg firefighters, al- ex Like was injured in the explosion and taken to the hospital for burns to his face and hands from the flash fire. "It was only a flash fire, so we were very lucky," ross elmore, Pe- tersburg Fire Chief said. "alex is back home now from the hospital and most of his burns are minor. He is very sore from the blast wave, which destroyed the building." It was a small 30x40 pole barn that the explosion took place in. no further information is available at this time. On Saturday, January 21, Pe- tersburg Fire Department was called to the area of 75N and Highway 57 to James and Linda Willis' property after a propane heater exploded. Alexis Rusch Charger wrestlers place 5th in PAC It's Greek to me