The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/60506
A-6 Wednesday, March 14, 2012 The Press-Dispatch Travis Cochren exercises with other members of his ROTC detachment. Cochren wins gold to 'get people to know me' By Alden Heuring Pike Central graduate Travis Co- chren only finished basic training a few months ago, but he's already a hero to his ROTC detachment. Cochren, who is a business student at UE, joined the USI detachment this semester and has al- ready won gold at a regional ROTC compe- tition, along with two others from his de- tachment. The competition, called the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, was a grueling physical trial. First, the contes- tants had to swim 200 meters in six min- utes or less. If they passed, they got to sleep—briefly—before getting up early for an entire day of events. First thing in the morning: a 5k run, to be completed in 23 minutes or less. Next, the soldiers did a first aid test and a pistol shoot, then moved to a track and field to finish up. There, they did a 100 meter sprint, a long jump, and a shot put. After their scores on each event had been tallied, Cochren ended up with a gold rating—the highest possible. But, his fel- lows were no slackers themselves. "Four other guys in my detachment did the competition, and about 15 or so de- tachments sent 4 or 5 guys each," Cochren said. "Two others from our detachment got golds, one got silver, and one got bronze." Cochren and his four friends from the USI detachment were selected after their detachment tryouts. Many volunteered for tryouts, and Cochren was one of the top five performers. "A bunch of us volunteered," he said, "and the events they had us do were basi- cally the same as the competition." Since Cochren just joined up with the USI detachment at the start of this semes- ter, he thought the German Proficiency Travis Cochren, in his dress uniform after graduating from basic training. Share your story online and read about Pike County residents getting in shape. Visit the blog at HealthyPikeCounty.Wordpress.com Winslow municipal credit card approved By Alden Heuring The Winslow Town Coun- cil unanimously approved a municipal credit card for use by town employees and elected officials during their Monday night meeting. Right now, the clerk-trea- surer, town marshal, super- intendent, and fire chief can use the card for town busi- ness and travel expenses while attending training for their jobs. For example, the clerk-treasurer could use it for gasoline and a hotel room while attending a na- tional convention for clerk- treasurers. There is also the possibility of approving oth- er town employees to use it in the future. There are several re- strictions on what exactly the card can buy, and how holders must use it: again, it is for town business on- ly, and cardholders must pay even the sales tax on items bought on the card. Cardholders must keep and turn in all receipts for items bought on the card, and must get all purchases approved by town hall. The card is to be used for gaso- line, hotels, and meals, and cardholders are not allowed to purchase alcoholic bever- ages on the card. The town-wide water line project's completion date has been moved to July 31 of this year, from April 31. Winslow Water Depart- ment superintendent Todd Williams assured the board that the project would not end in a mess for Winslow residents. "People have been won- dering about this, whether they'll be able to mow and such with spring on the way, and everyone's streets and yards will be put back in- to their previous shape and re-seeded," Williams said. "This construction compa- ny is above and beyond in terms of service." Williams noted since the project is adding 26 new fire hydrants, totalling about 75 or 80 for the town, Win- slow's fire safety rating might improve as a result of the project. This in turn could lower insurance pre- miums for home owners. Other Business • Councilmen made an addendum to the town em- ployee insurance policy, which was approved 3-0. The town pays 75% of town employee insurance. The ad- dendum states, "the town shall only be responsible for employees who choose to enroll in the town group insurance policy through Anthem." • Made an addendum to the town zoning ordinance regarding campers, which was approved 3-0. The ad- dendum states no one will be allowed to live in town in a camper or similar vehicle. • Town Marshal Steve English reported the recov- ery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of "the two boys that did it." • Fire Chief Travis Mc- Candless said the fire de- partment demolition derby would be on Saturday, May 12. •Animal Control Officer Terry Strobel reported 31 cat tags have been sold as of Monday. He reminded res- idents untagged cats found wandering Winslow will be held for five days then euth- anized. • The board paid claims totalling $18,056.90 and set its next meeting for Monday, March 26 at 7 p.m. Blue Jeans Center Sunday dinner The Blue Jeans Commu- nity Center in Monroe City will host Sunday dinner, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu will include Johnny Marezze- Badge "would be a good way to get peo- ple to know me." "I'm actually going to the University of Evansville for business," he said, "but my ROTC meets at USI and is considered the USI detachment." Of course, it seems unlikely that some- one would just breeze through basic train- ing (Cochren took his over the summer) and come out at the top of his detachment. But Cochren has been in shape his entire adult life. During his years at Pike Cen- tral, he played soccer in the fall, swam through winter, and did track and field in the spring. Between high school and col- lege, he ran—a lot. "I'd run about four to six miles most days during the summer, and once or twice I ran from Ayrshire to Swifty's, which I think is about 15 miles," he said. Why, you ask? "I didn't have a job, and I needed something to do," he laughed. Healthya Pike County TOP 5 REASONS to put your ad in the newspaper 1 2 3 Distributed to over 5,400 locals in Pike and surround- ing counties each week! We allow you to indicate a preferred section for targeted advertising placement. Quick turn around. Our ad deadline is Noon every Tuesday before publication. 4 5 * Flexible sizes allow us to work with your needs AND your budget for effective ads. Inserts allow consumers to com- pare prices. If you don't play the game, you can't win. Consistent advertising is more ef- fective than sporatic advertising. Stay connected with clients. READY TO ADVERTISE ? PO Box 68, Petersburg, IN ti, (hamburger noodle cas- serole), mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, creamed corn, lettuce salad, yeast rolls and dessert. 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