The Press-Dispatch
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75¢ Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Volume 147 Number 44 Phone (812) 354-8500 Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 (USPS 604-34012) Four sections 40 pages Six inserts Local ........ A1-14 Obituaries....... A3 Sports .........B1-3 Classifi eds .. B8-10 Church ........C1-3 Health..........C4-5 Opinion .......C6-8 History ........... C9 Health..........D1-6 WHAT'S INSIDE: CONNECT WITH US: NetEdition ...pressdispatch.net/edition Facebook.....facebook.com/pressdispatch E-Mail .........news@pressdispatch.net Phone:.................. 812-354-8500 Fax: ...................... 812-354-2014 E-Mail . editor@pressdispatch.net NEWS TIPS: PIKE PUBLISHING Continued on page 9 Continued on page 2 Honor your loved one's sacrifice for our country in the November 11 issue of e Press-Dispatch. See page A-8 Honor your Early deadlines for Veterans Day issue All deadlines for the Nov. 11 issue of The Press-Dispatch will be moved ahead one day, due to an early publication schedule. Since there will be no mail delivery on Wednesday, Nov. 11, The Press-Dispatch will be published one day earlier. Local sub- scribers will receive the issue on Tuesday. NetEdition subscribers will also see their issue on Tuesday. Church news deadline will be 9 a.m. on Monday. All classified advertising, retail advertising and news submissions must be received by noon Monday to insure publi- cation. R.C. Klipsch (R) Mayor John Melhiser (R) City Council #2 Bertis Jenkins (D) City Council #3 Fran Lewis (D) Council-at-Large Richard Brewster Winslow Ward #1 Terry Strobel Winslow Ward #3 Beth Bennett Clerk-Treasurer Incumbents retain seats in Petersburg, Winslow Greg Simmons Winslow Ward #2 By Ed Cahill Petersburg residents who violate the city's open burning ordinance may soon be finding their wallets a little bit lighter. During a meeting of the Petersburg Common Council on Monday, Nov. 2, May- or R.C. Klipsch reported that he had recent- ly discovered that many residents do not understand what they can and cannot burn on their property within the city's limits. "It is sticks and leaves in a container – a properly vented, sealed container – is what the ordinance says," Klipsch told the coun- cil. "As I was driving around today, there are situations where people are burning household trash in these barrels." "That is a big no-no," Police Chief Chuck Baumgart said. "I think we need to start issuing fines for that, make it very clear that you can- not burn household trash in a barrel in the city limits," Klipsch continued. "You see the plastic trash bag stuck in the burn bar- rel, what do you think's happening? I think you might call that to the attention of some of the guys as they travel around, because I saw that today. That's not good." "It's not only bad for the environment, it's bad for your neighbors," Baumgart added. "It is also a fire hazard. I mean, if you don't have a proper barrel with a cover on top of it, that stuff can fly up and spark some- where else. Then we've got a mess at your neighbor's house." According to the city's ordinance, open burning on private residential property is restricted to wood products – including veg- etation such as leaves – that are not coat- ed with stain, paint, glue or any other coat- ing material; and charcoal or clean petro- leum products. Burning is permitted only in a non-com- bustible container that is sufficiently vent- ed and has enclosed sides and an enclosed bottom. No burning is permitted on the ground. Fires must be attended at all times and until they are completely extinguished, and burning can only be conducted during day- light hours. All fires must be extinguished prior to sunset. If, at any time, a fire creates a pollution problem, a threat to public health, a nui- sance or a fire hazard, it shall be extin- guished. No burning may be conducted during unfavorable meteorological condi- tions such as high winds, temperature in- versions or air stagnation; or when a pol- lution alert or ozone action day has been declared. In addition, adequate fire fighting equip- ment must be on-site for extinguishing pur- poses during burning times. Burning is prohibited in apartment and condominium complexes, and mobile home Petersburg burn ordinance to be enforced By Andy Heuring An SUV crashed through Jordan Park in Spurgeon early Sunday morning, causing significant damage to several units of the kids' play area. Police were called at 8:44 a.m. about a red 2008 Buick Enclave that had run off the road and gone into the park, crashing into one of the wood ships and running over a teeter-totter. Pike Co. Deputy Dallas Killian said the engine was still running when he arrived, and it appeared to have been disabled and had to be towed. "It still had a piece of the ship in its windshield. They just left and left it (vehicle) running," said Killian. He said at about the same time central dispatch received the report of the crash in the park, they received a report of the vehicle being stolen. It was owned by Kimberly Miller, of Pe- tersburg. Deputy Killian said the crash remains under investigation. He asked if anyone saw the crash or has information about it, they should call the Pike County Sheriff's De- partment at 812-354-6024. Killian said he was going to estimate the damage at between $25,000 and $ 30,000, including the vehicle, but as of Monday, he didn't have a cost estimate from the parks board. The wooden ship with a plaque of the SS Spurgeon was a climbing toy for chil- dren. Jordan Park playground damaged Sunday morning By Andy Heuring United Minerals LLC, of Huntingburg, has sent out a warning that they are antici- pating a permanent reduction of their work force by 138 employees. United Minerals LLC operates a mine in southern Pike County along Meridian Road, near the Pike-Warrick county line. They have a road usage agreement with Pike County for Meridian Road. A notice from United Minerals LLC, of Huntingburg, to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development states they "antici- pate a permanent reduction in force at all of its locations, which include Vanderburgh, Warrick, Dubois, Gibson and Pike counties. This will impact as many as 138 total em- ployees and is anticipated to occur between December 31, 2015, and January 13, 2016." United Minerals is a non-union mine. The letter states all employees have been notified of the impending action. "The drastic reduction in force is being contemplated due to a reduction in coal sales and anticipated ongoing reduction in demand for coal sales," the letter stated. Local mine sends notice of reduction Bargain Period extended The October Bargain Period has been extended to allow time for Social Securi- ty recipients to renew after receiving their monthly benefit. Anyone may renew. Simmons, Strobel win seats vacated on Winslow council H e alth & W ellness C4-5 A6-A7 D1-6 PIKE COUNTY Planter Planter Press-DispatcH pping sh WITH THE Entire Petersburg administration remains in office By Ed Cahill Democrats narrowly retained a one-seat majority on the Petersburg City Council as all five incumbents – including two who had no opposition – were re-elected dur- ing a municipal election held on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In addition, Republican R.C. Klipsch, who was appointed mayor following the resignation of his predecessor, Frank Cole- man in December 2014, won re-election, defeating his Democratic challenger Sta- cy Mosby, 337-167. The closest council race occurred in District 3, where Democrat Bertis Jenkins edged his Republican challenger, Gary Ev- ans, 254-229 by a margin of just 25 votes. "It was pretty close," a jubilant Jenkins said after winning his fourth consecutive term. "I think the last time around, it end- ed up about the same way." Evans, who was making his first bid for public office, said he appreciated everyone who voted for him. "I'm a little disappointed, but congratu- lations to Bertie," said Evans. "He's an in- cumbent and people know him. Four years from now, we'll give it another shot." "It was just very enjoyable to see every- one and have them come out and cast their vote for me," Evans added. "Twenty-five is a very, very close margin for the first time running for that office." Democrat Fran Lewis, meanwhile, won re-election to a sixth consecutive term as the council's at-large representative, out- polling Republican Rick Ross 305 -191. "I was a little concerned," Lewis said. "I was told I didn't have anything to wor- ry about, but I think, as a person running, you're always a little bit concerned. I just think it's my personality that I don't take things for granted." By Andy Heuring Winslow will have two new town council- men next year. Incumbents Beth Bennett for Clerk-treasurer and Richard Brewster were re-elected, while Greg Simmons in Ward 2 and Terry Strobel won in Ward 3. Richard Brewster in Ward 1 and Strobel in Ward 3 both had tight races, as both won by less than 30 votes. Brewster in Ward 1 was the only incumbent in the council races. He won with 93 votes in the four- way race. Rick Mathias with 70 votes and Norm Sweet with 68 votes were close on his heels. Jeff Downey was a distant fourth with 27 votes. "I had no idea how it would come out. This is the first time I have been in an elec- tion when I didn't have any feel at all for the outcome," said Brewster of his four- way race. "I guess more people knew me than the others, or they liked what I said more than the others," said Brewster about why he won. Norm Sweet said he wanted to thank all of his supporters. "I'm glad it is over," said Sweet. "I hope the town gets moving in the right direction. Hopefully, the town will do well and make the right corrections. I will support the winning candidates. I know it is tough to beat an incumbent, but I'm happy with my first time out," said Sweet. In the other four-way race for Ward 3, Terry Strobel won by 27 votes over second place Mick Aldridge, who is a former town councilman. Another former councilman, Robert Brewster, had 51 votes and Kavin "Squeak" Gayhart had 49 votes. "I didn't know what to expect. It has been an eventful day," Strobel about his win. "Lots of people came out and lots of people were at the polls. I had people ask A 2008 Buick Enclave was abandoned in Spurgeon's Jordan Park on top of a teeter totter early Sunday morning. It hit and destroyed USS Spurgeon before running over the teeter-totter. Pike County Deputy Sheriff Dallas Killian said the Enclave's engine was still running when he arrived. Its owner Kimberly Miller reported it stolen. Continued on page 9