The Press-Dispatch

news briefs United Way Annual Dinner May 15 United Way of Pike County, Inc. is having its sponsored Annual Dinner on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. The dinner will be hosted by and served at Amber Manor Care Center on Illinois Street in Petersburg. This event is to thank the donors, volunteers and community for supporting Pike County. RSVP by calling Denise Kinney, execu- tive director, by May 9 at 812-789-2557. Little Miss Firecracker applicants being accepted Applicants are now being accepted for Little Miss Firecracker 2014, for ag- es 5 -7 on or before July 1, 2014. For more information and to sign-up, contact Shanna Hallett 317-460 -3907. Petersburg to flush hydrants Petersburg City Services Manager Gary McCandless announced this week that city workers will be flushing hy- drants on Thursday, May 15, and Fri- day, May 16. McCandless said that hydrants on the north side of the city will be flushed on Thursday, May 15, and that hydrants on the south side of the city will be flushed on Friday, May 16. "We're asking that everybody be pa- tient those two days with the washing machines," McCandless said. "Every- thing will run smooth." For more information, contact Peters- burg City Hall by calling 812-354-8511. Bird Hunters offering dinner The Pike County Bird Hunters Club is offering racks of ribs at $20 and whole smoked chickens for $10. Orders are due by May 1 and can be picked up or delivered on May 10. Contact any mem- ber or President Chris Kinman (812- 789-3125), Vice President Jeff Barton (812-779-8431), Treasurer Donna Wat- kins (812-386 -7027) or Secretary Dar- lene Robinson (812-457-5184). A picnic, campfire and benefit auc- tion is set for May 17. For more infor- mation or to join the club, contact Chris Kinman or come to the 6 p.m., May 8 meeting. Is it time for your next eye exam? 8–7 . Mon. 8–noon . Tues. 10–7 . Wed. 8–5 . Thur. 8–5 . Fri. Now Locally Owned and Operated Dr. Clint Shoultz 715 S. 9th St., Petersburg 354-9400 • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU Retirement Appreciation Colleen and I have had the opportunity to work with many employees, customers and family over 80 years of combined service with AB Onyett & Sons Welding, then Onyett Welding & Machine and now Onyett Fabricators. Now that we are retiring and moving onto the next chapter of our life, we want to say THANKS to the whole community for the support, loyalty and the relationships we have acquired over the years. We have learned that it is the people more than the operators that make a successful business. We certainly appreciate serving a community that supports its own. We will run into you time and time again as we go along and will look forward to seeing you. God Bless You All, Bobby & Colleen Onyett anessas Mother's Day Coupon SALE All coupons may be used on single item or mul- tiple items purchased on the same sales check. Only one coupon per sales check. All coupons will be applied to total purchase before tax on regular priced merchandise only. May not be used in conjunction with any other coupon. Excludes previous purchases. MUST BRING COUPON. Coupon valid through 5/10/2014 SAVE... $ 5 OFF purchase of $25 or more. $ 10 OFF purchase of $50 or more. $ 20 OFF purchase of $100 or more. $ 50 OFF purchase of $250 or more. $ 100 OFF purchase of $500 or more. 213 Main St., Vincennes, IN 47591 Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm 812-882-6888 Great Mother's Day Gift Ideas Thursday- Saturday: 9am-5pm 812-789-3046 Taking orders for Saddles, Vases and Baskets Silk Designs 816 E. Main St. PETErSburg • Music Boxes • Lanterns • Luminara ® Fireless Candles • Windchimes • Flags • Angels • Stones Just arrived! DaVinci Jewelry BUY 4, GET 1 FREE! BUY 7 BEADS, GET 1 FREE BRACELET! "Forever In My Heart" Necklaces and Charms BUY 4, GET 1 FREE! By Ed Cahill Otwell Elementary School fifth grade teacher Kim Vaughn was not very happy when she was told that her students were acting up in the school's library on Fri- day, May 2. Vaughn was on her way to the library to, in her words, "help straighten them out" when she was intercepted by interim principal Jim Isaacs, who re-directed her to the school's gymnasium. That's where Vaughn found not only her own class, but the entire student body – along with her parents, Rick and Connie Houchin – primed and ready to cele- brate Vaughn being named a Peabody Energy Leader in Education. "I didn't have a clue," Vaughn said. "I was told I was coming down here be- cause my kids were not be- having in the library, so I wasn't in a good mood com- ing down the hallway. It was a pleasant surprise." As part of the celebration, Maureen Moore, director of Peabody Energy's Leaders in Education program, pre- sented Vaughn with a check for $1,000 "for her dedica- tion and commitment to stu- dents." Before doing so, however, Moore asked Vaughn's stu- dents why she was going to give Vaughn "a big check." "Because she's a great teacher," one student re- plied. "That's right," Moore said. "Tell me a few things about what makes her such a great teacher." "When she teaches, she's very clear," one student said. "She likes to do fun activ- ities," said another. "She's nice and makes sure we cooperate togeth- er," a third student replied. "She helps you with your homework when you need help," another student said as Vaughn struggled to hold back tears. "So she's pretty darn cool, isn't she? " Moore asked. "She's awesome," one of Vaughn's students replied. "So she's awesome, she helps you with your home- work, she's clear," Moore said. "What else? " "She cares," a student re- plied. "She cares," Moore repeat- ed. "So you know what? She's pret- ty much what we're looking for at Peabody Energy, be- cause she is a leader in educa- tion, isn't she? " Moore then asked Roni- ca Hegeman, a human resourc- es assistant at Peabody Ener- gy's Francisco Mine, to pres- ent Vaughn with a gift bas- ket containing – along with a mug and an assortment of coffees and teas – a voucher good for a pair of tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals game, compliments of KMOX. "I love the Cardinals," Vaughn said afterward. "My husband will be excit- ed about that." Moore, emphasizing that education is all about team- work, gave a quiz to the stu- dents that, if they answered correctly, would result in Vaughn receiving $1,000. Of course, they aced it. "What do you think? " Moore asked. "Should we give her $1,000? " "YESSSSS !!!! " the stu- dents replied in unison. "Mrs. Vaughn, congratu- lations, because you are our Peabody Energy Leader in Education," Moore said. "Congratulations and thank you from Peabody." Vaughn, who was nomi- nated for the honor by first grade teacher Kim Russell, thanked her co-workers. "I work with a great team in the greatest school in the county," Vaughn said. "I've always been proud to work here and I love the people I work with because it's like family. I love that my daugh- ter went here and got the best education she could. "And I want to thank my class for saying nice things today, because they might have wanted to say other things today," Vaughn add- ed. Vaughn said afterward that she really appreciated the $1,000 check that came with the honor. "As a teacher, I spend a lot of my own money on re- wards, treats, things like that," Vaughn said. "So it's nice to be rewarded with money. Because I will use it." According to a press re- lease issued by Peabody En- ergy, Vaughn "sets high ex- pectations for her students and finds that they usually strive to reach them. She is also co-sponsor of the school's student council, teaching students to help others, and is on the school improvement committee, working closely with other faculty and staff. Vaughn fo- cuses on collaboration with other teachers and students to continuously grow as a teacher and provide a sup- portive learning environ- ment for her students. "What we look for are people who are going above and beyond, because any- body that goes into educa- tion we already recognize as doing it for the love of the students," Moore said. "But with the love of the stu- dents, helping inspiring stu- dents to want to do better, to succeed, to be able to step up just a little bit further in front to reach their goals – we look for those types of ed- ucators." The Peabody Energy Leaders in Education pro- gram rewards dedicated education professionals – from teachers and coaches to librarians and counsel- ors – who inspire youth to succeed. Award recipients are selected throughout the school year by a committee of top educators and busi- ness leaders. "We are grateful for the inspiration Kim Vaughn pro- vides to her students, and we applaud her leadership with- in the school community," said Greg Boyce, chairman and chief executive officer of Peabody Energy. "Mrs. Vaughn is to be commend- ed as an individual who ex- cels at her profession and we are pleased to recognize her as a Peabody Energy Leader in Education." As part of being named a Peabody Energy Leader in Education, Vaughn and a guest – along with Isaacs and a guest – will attend an awards gala honoring Lead- ers in Education recipients from Indiana and southern Illinois at the Evansville Country Club on Aug. 23. "The President of the Americas will come in and be there to actually honor and present each honoree from throughout the year with a special gift," Moore said. "Then, at the end of the eve- ning, somebody, from this region, will be named Edu- cator of the Year ... and the Educator of the Year will be awarded with a $5,000 gift." The Leaders program was developed in Missouri in 2009, and reflects Peabody's commitment to make a pos- itive impact in the commu- nities where the company's employees live and work by honoring those who inspire students. The 2013-2014 award program is continu- ing to accept nominations and is open to education- al professionals of public, private and independent schools in designated com- munities where Peabody Energy employees live and work. Nominations may be made at www.PeabodyEner- gyLeadersInEducation.org. Honorees are selected from a diverse group of ed- ucators. They can range from veteran teachers to individuals in support staff roles such as administra- tors, coaches or counselors. OES's Vaughn named Peabody Energy Leader in Education otwell elementary school fifth grade teacher Kim vaughn was recognized as a Peabody ener- gy leader in education during a program at the school on friday, May 2. Ed Cahill photo otwell elementary school fifth grade teacher Kim vaughn was recognized as a Peabody energy lead- er in education during a program held at the school on friday, May 2. Pictured above, front row, left to right, are: Peabody energy francisco Mine hr assistant ronica hageman, charlotte Dudenhoeffer, emma leighty, jaylynn carpenter, vaughn, Kayla cannon, Maddi Williams, emma camp and Maureen Moore, Peabody energy leader in education program director Maureen Moore. second row: brean- na smith, Gracie jones, Makayla stanley, blayne Mayhew, collin hopper, lars Utterback, jayden bush and Dr. james isaacs, otwell elementary school interim principal. third row: jonathan Wamser, samu- el haycraft, nathaniel Melvin, connor young, hunter traylor, noah russell, brandon hawthorne, Gage blount and logan Murfin. fourth row: stephen Krieg, colton White, hunter capehart, jaden Guth, Mal- aki Gladish, sammy ballard and jace shepard. Ed Cahill photo 1 Mile South of Winslow off Highway 61 (812)789-5428 Sunday: 7am to 2pm Monday: Closed Tuesday: 7am to 2pm Wednesday: 7am to 2pm Thursday: 7am to 2pm Friday: 7am to 8pm Saturday: 7am to 4pm EXPANDED FlEA MArkEt Booths & table Space Available CALL TODAY! Ask for Tom Friday Plate lunch—$6.99 ($5.99 half) 11 am to 2 pm • beef & noodles, green beans, coleslaw, hot roll. The TRADING POST RESTAURANT • flea markeT ConsignmenT CenTer Friday Night Buffet—$8.99 ($5.99 kids) 4 pm to 8 pm • meatloaf, baked pork chops, salad bar, veggie bar, dessert bar. Sunday Buffet—$8.99 ($5.99 kids) • Breakfast Buffet 8 am to noon (w/breakfast items) dinner buffet - noon to 4 pm fried chicken, baked ham, salad bar, veggie bar, dessert bar. Saturday 7am-4pm free outside flea market call for information. serving open menu! • Breakfast Buffet 8 am to noon (w/breakfast items) open menu - 11am to 4 pm By Ed Cahill A project to repair dam- age to Petersburg's storm water drainage system is nearing completion. During its regular meet- ing on Monday, May 5, the Petersburg Common Coun- cil approved payment of $ 82,918.80 to Koberstein Contracting, Inc., of Princ- eton, which, according to Brian Bullock of Midwest- ern Engineers, has received 79 percent of its contract amount of $ 311,381. "They're finishing up on the culvert work on 7th Street and they're over on Walnut Street as well, work- ing," Bullock informed the council. "They've still got one of the culverts to fin- ish up, I believe, on Matil- da Street. There was a gas conflict there we didn't an- ticipate so we're waiting on Vectren to come back and relocate that gas main." Bullock also present- ed the council with an in- voice from Midwestern En- gineers for $19,000 "for gen- eral ob(servation) and in- spection." The Storm Water Drain- age Project is being funded by a $1 million grant that covers the full cost of con- struction and design for the repair of damage caused by storms from 2008 to 2010. Petersburg Mayor Frank Coleman told the council that he and Codes Enforce- ment Officer R.C. Klipsch had driven around town during the recent rains to observe the effectiveness of the work already com- pleted. "We had a few neighbors that were complaining; they didn't think the way it was laid out would work," Cole- man said. "But as we drove around, everything seemed to be working fine." "I guess the people that are in those affected areas need to understand that the ground and things will set- tle yet, and there may be times where the contractor will have to come back and maybe add some dirt here and there to try to make things level or even or flow right, whatever the case may be," Coleman added. "So just because you see the equipment leaving and you think they're done, they're not done. If there's prob- lems, they're going to come back and take care of it." In addition, Coleman an- nounced that the city will soon begin the process of obtaining the necessary easements to extend sewer service to the Interstate 69 interchange. "We'll be getting those easements within the next few weeks or start making those attempts at contact- ing people," Coleman said. "Hopefully, that goes well and we can move the proj- ect ahead on schedule or ahead of schedule." Coleman reported that work on the external water tank and the water plant had been completed, and that the city would soon be soliciting quotes on a cover for the external water tank. "I think we originally had contacted Rex Alton, out of Vincennes," Coleman said. "He has failed to get back with me. Brian, have you gotten any updates on him yet? " "No," Bullock replied. "He's not gotten back with me, either." "There's another compa- ny that works with Anchor Industries out of Evans- ville that makes those type of covers, and they're inter- ested in coming up and giv- ing us a quote. So I talked to them this past week and they're going to get back with me and schedule a time where they can come up and actually see what we want done." Bullock said that he would like to meet the com- pany on site. "It's kind of a unique situ- ation, and we want to make sure it's going to meet IDEM's requirements," Bullock said. "The IDEM lady had been out there a couple of weeks ago after some of the repairs were done and she was pleased with what had been done, but was still pushing for us to do more," Coleman said. "So we told her we were going to try to get that wrapped up by the end of this year anyway, and come into compliance." Coleman also announced that Deen Rogers with Um- baugh and Associates will be present at the Peters- burg Water Company's meeting on Monday, May 19, "to discuss the financial ... state of the water compa- ny, and what we're looking at for the future." Police Chief Chuck Baumgart announced that the Azalea Festival on Fri- day, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, was a complete suc- cess. "It was really great," Baumgart said. "We had a great turnout, it appeared." Baumgart, tongue firm- ly planted in cheek, told the council that he was going to ask for additional compen- sation for council member Gary Leavitt, whose aid was enlisted to direct traffic during the Azalea Blossom Run on Saturday, May 3. "We had to cover so ma- ny intersections and we on- ly had so many people, and Gary made the mistake and told me, 'If there's any- thing I can do for you, let me know,'" Baumgart said. "So he grabbed an intersection for me, and I appreciate it. I really do." Petersburg's storm water drainage project nearing completion GABC reports first quarter performance German American Ban- corp Inc. recently reported another period of strong fi- nancial performance dur- ing the first quarter of 2014. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, German American's reported net in- come of $ 6.3 million, which was an increase of approx- imately 9 percent, on a re- ported net income basis, above the net income of $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2013. Net income per share in the current quarter in- creased by approximately 4 percent to $ 0.48 versus $ 0.46 for the comparable period of 2013. As compared to the first quarter results in the prior year, this year's earnings were positively affected by a $2.0 million, or approxi- mately 12 percent increase in net interest income. This net interest income improve- ment was driven primarily by growth within the Com- pany's loan portfolio, as end of period total loans, exclu- sive of loans held for sale, in- creased by $171 million, or approximately 14 percent, in 2014 relative to loans out- standing as of March 31, 2013. A-4 Wednesday, May 7, 2014 The Press-Dispatch The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, May 7, 2014 A-5 continued on page 10

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