The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/213813
Three sections 30 pages Three inserts 75¢ Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Volume 145 Number 47 Phone (812) 354-8500 Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 (USPS 604-340) Satterfield trial jury hears first testimony By Alden Heuring The murder trial for Andrew Satterfield began Tuesday in Pike County Superior Court. Satterfield is charged with the murder of his mother, Kathy Satterfield, attempted arson, and the arsonous destruction of their shared home in rural Petersburg. He has admitted to these acts, but is pleading insanity. On Tuesday, Pike County Deputy Prosecutor Noah Schafer laid out the facts of the case, which the defense has already conceded. According to the prosecution, on the night of December 7, 2011, Andrew Satterfield brought a can of gasoline into his and his mother Kathy's home, with the intention to burn the house down. When Kathy confronted him about it, he shot her, and as she fled, he chased her and continued to shoot at her, finally bringing her down in the bathroom, where he stood over her and shot her repeatedly. He then poured gasoline all over the house, lit it and badly burned himself in the process. The next morning, stripped to his briefs, Andrew appeared in the health pavilion of Good Samaritan Hospital and asked to be treated for third-degree burns, but would not answer any questions from nurses or officers at the hospital. Meanwhile, as fireContinued on page 2 Late night fire destroys outbuilding A fire reported just before midnight destroyed a rural Petersburg resident's outbuilding Friday. Petersburg Fire Chief Rich Coan said the outbuilding was owned by Robert Mason, of 1855 N. CR 575 W., Petersburg. Chief Coan said a neighbor noticed the flames and reported the fire. Firemen were able to extinguish the blaze before it spread, but the building and its contents were destroyed. Coan said the cause could not be determined. Holiday parades, activities set for coming months By Andy Heuring The Winslow and Petersburg Christmas parades will highlight a long list of Christmas and Thanksgiving activities this year, including a proclamation honoring Hornday Park's 100th anniversary during the lighting of Christmas in the Park. The Christmas parades are scheduled for Saturday, December 7. Petersburg parade set for 3 p.m. Petersburg's parade will start at 3 p.m., which is later than normal. This year's parade will feature the Hadi Shriners, which will have multiple units. Line up is at 2 p.m. on Walnut St., in Petersburg. Prizes of $100, $50 and $25 will be given to the three units in the parade best exhibiting the Spirit of Christmas. The prize money is sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Petersburg Professional and Business Association. All units participating in the parade should present organizers with the name of their unit and a contact number. Winslow parade starts at 10 a.m. The Winslow parade is scheduled for 10 a.m., with line-up at 9 a.m. near the Fire Department on Union St. The parade will run from Union St. north on Main St. to the Little League park. Santa Claus will be at the fire department following the parade. Special opening to honor 100th year of Hornady Park A special opening of Christmas in the Park on Friday, November 29, is scheduled. Petersburg Mayor Frank Coleman will read a proclamation before the lights are officially turned on in Hornady Park. The park, which was a donation from the Hornady family, is 100 years old on November 28, which is Thanksgiving this year. The Hornady farm was donated to the city on November 28, 1913. Volunteers will be working Saturday morning to help final preparations for Christmas in the Park. They will begin at 8 a.m. Anyone interested can call Wes Garris at 582-3483. Holly Walk set for Saturday, Dec. 14 The annual Holly Walk is scheduled Continued on page 2 City hires firm to begin work on I-69 sewer line extension By Ed Cahill Petersburg's Board of Public Works and Safety voted unanimously to hire Midwestern Engineers, Inc., to begin the design and preliminary engineering for the extension of sewer service to the Interstate 69 interchange during its meeting on Monday, Nov. 18. Mayor Frank Coleman informed board members Fran Lewis and John Melhiser that the County Council had approved $50,000 of the $850,000 requested by the County Commission during its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12. "They felt $50,000 would get the project started," Coleman said. "They didn't want to delay the project, so they went ahead and approved $50,000 to start the project." Coleman said that he had spoken earlier with county commissioners' assistant Melissa Bryant, who said that the commissioners had not yet signed the interlocal agreement with the city. "They have not signed off on the agree- ment because they're trying to figure out some internal switching of funds," Coleman said. "But she felt confident they were going ahead and approving the $800,000 when they get the internal problems worked out." Coleman subsequently made the motion to hire Midwestern Engineers, Inc., and that the city submit the invoice to the county "as a construction draw for payment." "Since the county has not signed off on it yet, should we not just say 'contingent'?" Melhiser asked. "They have already voted to set aside the $50,000 . . . so that money actually was appropriated just for that particular reason," Coleman replied. "So we do have the $50,000." "They have already approved the $50,000," Melhiser said. "I thought I understood that they hadn't signed . . ." "They haven't signed off on the entire $850,000," Coleman said. "But they have for the engineering fees?" Continued on page 2 Jury names drawn for 2014 Winslow hears Community Center is busy By James Capozella A brief Winslow Town Council meeting covered all the bases in about 35 minutes, including an extensive report of activity at the Winslow Community Center. Community Center Director Henry Nelson presented two pages of documentation concerning recent use of the Winslow Community Center rooms and gym. The learning center, donkey basketball and other uses of the building, along with donations, spelled a positive note for the facility according to Nelson. Council President Don Bolin and Councilman Richard Brewster approved a request by Nelson to waive the $100 monthly fee for the learning center due to a lack of a grant. Nelson said it was too late for the operator to apply for a grant and instead of him moving the program, opting to waive the fee would be a good choice. The online system in place at the community center now will save the town at least that much each month instead of installing their own internet service. Without the waiver and continuation of the contract, the internet would not be available for the trustees, marshal's office and other users in the Winslow Community Center. Nelson explained user fees, walker donations, the donkey basketball and other donations and fees are currently a positive note; however, he cautioned that the upcoming two months would be difficult due to less use and the Continued on page 2 PIKE PUBLISHING By Andy Heuring One thousand people in Pike County received notices they will be prospective jurors in 2014. Clerk of Pike Circuit Court Carol Austin said each year they draw 1,000 names. It is from that list jurors for the calendar year will be selected. Austin said prospective jurors names are now drawn from several sources, such as property owners and utility customer lists. Previously names were mostly taken from voter registration lists. She said sometimes kids whose names might be listed on property will be drawn on a prospective juror list. However, they will not be chosen. Those people whose names were drawn have received questionnaires that must be returned within 10 days. Even though people 75 years of age or older can opt out of serving as a juror, they are still required to return the questionnaire. Christmas in the Park prep begins Crews were in Hornady Park on Saturday setting up light displays and getting ready for the November 29 opening of Christmas in the Park. It is sponsored by the Pike County Ministerial Association. Above, Charlie Mathias places a light display on a utility pole, as Steve Miller operates the lift and Bill Zenthoffer hands the display up to Mathias. Other volunteers worked on wiring and replacing about 2,500 incandescent lights with LED lights on the displays. Volunteers are being sought to help with set up this Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. in Hornady Park. WHAT'S INSIDE: Local ..........A1-8 Classifieds B10-12 Shopping....C6-8 Obituaries ......A3 Church .......C1-6 History ...........C9 Sports ........B1-5 Opinion..........C2 NEWS TIPS: Phone:........................354-8500 Fax: ............................354-2014 E-Mail . editor@pressdispatch.net Leaf pick-up in Petersburg The City of Petersburg is offering curb-side pick-up of bagged leaves on Monday, Nov. 25 through Wednesday, Nov. 27. Residents should call City Hall at 354-8511 to arrange pick-up. No household trash will be accepted. CONNECT WITH US: NETedition ... pressdispatch.net/edition Facebook .... facebook.com/pressdispatch E-Mail .......... news@pressdispatch.net