We're "ON" It! - The Owen News

Nicole VanDerMoere – R

My name is Nicole VanDerMoere, and I am running for the office of Owen County Recorder. During my professional career I have gained a variety of experience from several fields of employment which will suit me well as your Owen County Recorder. I have extensive working knowledge of the Owen County Government, with more than 15 years of employment as a Deputy Auditor in the Owen County Auditor's Office.

One of my many responsibilities is the transfer of property from one owner to another. I work with the recorder's office to complete these transactions. Having an established working relationship with the recorders has given me a head start to master the responsibilities of recorder to which I am dedicated.

The responsibilities of recorder are numerous, but customer service and attention to detail are chief among them. Recorders perform several functions which are essential to citizens and the government such as: recording instruments, providing copies of recorded instruments, keeping cash receipts of transactions and on occasion assisting parties searching for recorded liens. Former recorders, Peggy Robertson and Loretta Foster have worked hard to bring the recorder's office into the 21st century by digitizing the records. This allows anyone to search for records on their schedule. I plan on maintaining their work and expanding it where I can.

My work experience, dedication to professionalism and customer service are tailor-made for the position of recorder. I kindly ask for your support and vote in the upcoming elections. I look forward to serving our great county as your next recorder.

Bio

I have been a resident of Owen County for more than 16 years and consider it home. I was part of the original members of Christmas on the Square when the event took place in the courthouse. I helped to collect funds for Christmas lights, found sponsors for providing sugar cookies and used my own money to supply sprinkles and icing. I was one of the members who helped put together the community picnic. I also belonged to Owen County Civic Theater where I was a backstage manager and acted in one play. I stopped volunteering when my son was born so I could devote my life to his upbringing. I would like to see the return of the community picnic, as it is a way of thanking the public for allowing me to work for them. I have a wonderful life here, and while it may not be perfect, it is my home.

Additional Candidate:

Joseph Newman (D) - the mailing for Joseph Newman was returned undeliverable.

Sam Hobbs – R

How will your experience serve you in this position? Why are you the best candidate?

I want to thank God for His love, mercy and grace made new for all every day and for God providing the opportunity to run for Sheriff again. I am a man of faith, integrity and perseverance. I have a heart for my community. I successfully served Owen County as sheriff for two consecutive terms – 2015 through 2022.

I am the best candidate for this position because I am a Sheriff for the people, the badge worn represents the people, not my personal accomplishments.

The Sheriff's Office worked hand in hand with the community at the Crime Watch programs at Cunot Cataract and Coal City during my terms. The Crime Watch programs provided much needed information to the sheriff's office as the people are the eyes and ears of the community. The volume of drug related arrests, prosecutions and convictions were at an all time high during my terms. We utilized K-9 officers and their dogs on all three work shifts; they were a vital part of drug detections during traffic stops. We maintained a zero tolerance for sex offenders to be out of compliance. It was paramount to me that all officers, including myself, were accessible to the community and visible on all roads throughout our county during my terms.

What issues do you hope to address and how?

We are going to re-energize the crime watch programs at Cunot Cataract and Coal City by attending the monthly meetings and renewing the programs that have been abandoned. We will bring all sex offenders into compliance by mandating the sex offender officer maintain compliance daily. We will install a drug task force that will oversee narcotic buys. The drug task force, in hand with the K-9 program, will equip us with the ability to search and find the drugs as well as hold those accountable for the dealing and distribution of drugs. Working with programs such as the DART program, we want to establish a solid foundation to help those with addictions and mental illness. Also relying on and working with recovery services such as the Hamilton Center, Centerstone, the Indiana Dream Team and former Dottie's House to bring continuing recovery.

What else should the public and voters know?

I am a community involved Sheriff, working with and for the community. I am easily accessible and visible. Being a part of the community to me is more than traffic stops and citations. I believe in a personal touch, listening and responding to those that reach out to me. I look forward to being a part of the chili dinner during trick-or-treating, visiting with each of you and working together with you. I much enjoyed working with the sheriff's office to bring Christmas to those in need. Being a sheriff is more than wearing a badge, it means community involvement. I am thankful for the support I had from the community during my first two terms as Sheriff. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I seek this office again. Thank you for your support at the May 5 primary voting. God's blessings to you and your families.

Ryan T. White – R

How will your experience serve you in this position? Why are you the best candidate?

My 29 years of experience has provided me with the opportunity to have my hand in every aspect of law enforcement. There is nothing that I have not seen or done regarding this job. I am the best candidate for this job because of my experience and that I am the only candidate that is a certified police officer. Today's law enforcement is complex, and it will take knowledgeable leadership to navigate today's challenges that our deputies face. I am also the only candidate that has completed the FBI leadership academy. This provides me with the tools necessary to lead my team and complete our tasks.

What issues do you hope to address and how?

One issue that we consistently face is the public's lack of knowledge of how law enforcement operates. This is no fault of their own but rather television has misled the public about what really transpires in this job. I plan to establish a "Citizens Police Academy," where we can educate the public about all the aspects of law enforcement. This program will include dispatch, police, jail, prosecution, probation and the courts. I believe that this informational program will provide a better understanding of today's legal processes and better community relations.

What else should the public and voters know?

The primary responsibility of the sheriff's office is to respond to emergencies and enforce criminal law. Some have said that I am not out in public much. I want the citizens to know that I am using my job experience and knowledge to assist my agency with investigations. I am doing the job for which they elected me to do, which is to respond to emergencies and enforce criminal law. Everything else is secondary and will always take a back seat to serve the public when tragedy strikes or they are victimized. I will not serve in this position as only a figurehead; I will actively work to serve the public in the best law enforcement service possible.

My name is Ryan White; I grew up in Owen County and graduated from Owen Valley High School. After graduation, I attended Indiana Wesleyan University where I continued my education and athletic activities. In 1997, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a Military Police Officer. In 2001, I was accepted into the Indiana State Police where I served the citizens of Indiana for 21 years. In 2023, I took office as your Owen County Sheriff where I have proudly served the citizens of this great community where I grew up.

Tom Arthur – R

Tom is an educator and public servant with a career that spans classrooms, city government and financial services. He began his career as a math teacher, working in both rural and urban school settings, which shaped his belief that all students deserve strong instruction and real opportunities, no matter their zip code. He later served as Mayor of Brazil, Indiana, where he focused on practical solutions, fiscal responsibility and community collaboration. Tom also brings experience from the private sector, having worked as a financial advisor.

For the past seven years, Tom has served as a school administrator and is currently in his third year as principal of Owen Valley Middle School in Spencer, Indiana. He also holds a Commercial Driver's License and regularly drives a school bus for his district, staying closely connected to students and the day-to-day realities of school operations. In this role, he is committed to supporting teachers, strengthening academic outcomes and building partnerships that benefit students and families. In 2026, Tom will be a candidate for the Indiana House of Representatives, continuing his commitment to public service at the state level.

Outside of work, Tom serves as a Board member of the Owen County YMCA and Cory Community Church. Tom is also a member of the Legislative Committee of the Indiana Association of School Principals. Tom's hobbies include hiking, traveling and staying active through fitness.

How will your experience serve you in this position? Why are you the best candidate for this position?

My career has prepared me to serve District 46 with practical experience and a strong commitment to our communities. I have worked as a math teacher, served in the mayor's office in Brazil, worked as a financial advisor and currently serve as a school administrator. In the classroom, I developed strong problem-solving skills. In local government and school leadership, I have worked directly with the laws and policies that impact our communities every day. These roles have required me to listen, lead and deliver results for students, families and constituents.

I have lived, worked, worshipped or studied in every county within District 46. This gives me a unique understanding of the challenges facing our farmers, small businesses and growing communities. I understand the importance of supporting local economies while maintaining responsible, common-sense governance.

Additionally, my service on local boards, along with my background as a financial advisor and local official, has given me real-world experience managing budgets and safeguarding taxpayer dollars.

I believe my broad experience, local roots and commitment to conservative principles make me the best candidate to represent District 46.

What issues do you hope to address and how?

I am focused on five key principles: strengthening public schools, supporting local units of government, creating an environment where businesses and families can thrive, being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and providing community-focused leadership.

To achieve these goals, I will support policies that raise standards and accountability across all forms of education while empowering, not restricting, our classrooms. We must prioritize directing resources into the classroom and avoid burdensome, unfunded mandates that limit educators' ability to do their jobs effectively.

Supporting local government is equally important. The communities that make up District 46—large and small—face unique challenges that deserve attention. I will advocate for policies that ensure they have the resources they need while maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability. Local officials must be equipped to serve, but also held responsible for meeting their obligations.

I will also work to foster a pro-growth environment that supports small businesses, encourages job creation and helps families succeed. This includes reducing unnecessary regulations and promoting responsible economic development.

Finally, I am committed to protecting taxpayer dollars through transparent, efficient budgeting and commonsense conservative leadership that puts our communities first.

What else should the public and voters know?

Voters should know that I bring a strong work ethic, practical experience and a commitment to finding real solutions. I was raised in Owen County by two hardworking parents who instilled in me the values of faith, responsibility and providing for your family. My father worked more than 40 years in the limestone mills of Monroe County, and my mother retired from Cook in Spencer. Those principles continue to guide me today, and I will work just as hard for the people of District 46.

As a former math teacher and not a career politician, I approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset. I understand that as one member of the Indiana General Assembly, I will be one voice among many, but I am committed to working collaboratively to deliver results.

Our state faces important challenges, including school and local government funding, teacher shortages, affordability and infrastructure needs like road conditions. I believe we must take a thoughtful, commonsense approach—identify the problem, evaluate the data and implement responsible solutions that improve the lives of Hoosiers while respecting taxpayer dollars.

I am committed to serving with integrity, accountability and a focus on the needs of our communities.

Bob Heaton – R

Bob Heaton is a longtime public servant and Republican member of the Indiana House of Representatives, where he has served District 46 since 2010. His west-central Indiana district includes Owen County, southern Clay, southeast Vigo and two townships in western Monroe County.

Heaton was raised on a multigenerational family farm in Clay County, shaping his understanding of rural communities and their needs. He graduated from Clay City High School and attended Indiana State University, where he played with Larry Bird and the legendary 1978-79 Sycamore Men's basketball team in its historic performance at the NCAA championship.

Before entering politics, Heaton worked in the insurance industry, where he continues to manage Heaton Financial Services. A free-market conservative, he has focused on prioritizing taxpayers in the Indiana House. His principled positions have created a pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, pro-business voting record.

Heaton serves as a key member of the House Republican Leadership, working closely with Speaker Huston and serving on the influential Financial Institutions Committee and the Ways and Means Committee that crafts the biennial state budget.

Known for his accessibility and commitment to local concerns, Heaton has repeatedly won the confidence of voters in HD46. He remains engaged with residents through community outreach and legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening Indiana's economy and quality of life.

Heaton is a proud father and grandfather, and resides in southern Vigo County. He and his wife, Jane Ann, have been married for 45 years.

How will your experience serve you in this position? Why are you the best candidate for this position?

Since I was first elected in 2010, I have worked on the major issues of state budgeting—education and health care, economic development and infrastructure. I now serve as a member of the majority leadership and the budget-crafting House Ways and Means Committee.

My experience has given me a strong understanding of how state decisions affect local communities. For example, the Community Crossings Grant program is one I helped establish to provide funding for local infrastructure needs.

I bring a strong background in business and lifelong ties to west-central Indiana. I understand the challenges facing residents in HD 46 because I have lived them—from farmers to small business owners to working families.

I've spent my life and my time in office listening to residents and working with other lawmakers to help Hoosiers, and I want to continue that work next year.

What issues do you hope to address and how?

We still have work to do to address the state's property taxes, and I'm hopeful we will see reduced bills coming out soon. I'll use that information to continue to lead on common sense policies that put taxpayers first.

I know a lot of folks, including homeowners, seniors and working families, are feeling increased financial pressure. So I'll continue to prioritize affordability by addressing burdensome regulations and the freedom people need to thrive.

I'll also focus on supporting economic development with an eye on free and open markets that increase competition and growth. And of course, maintaining a balanced budget and the state's AAA credit rating is essential in that work.

What else should the public and voters know?

The voters of Owen County know me. I'm an open book, and I have enjoyed getting to know people from all walks of life. A lot of people might not know that I had a terrible accident as a young boy on the family farm. It nearly destroyed my arm—the same arm I used to sink the game-winning shot we needed to go to the Final Four when I played for ISU. Like most people in my district, I've used hard experiences to learn and grow and win. If I get the chance to serve another term, I will continue working with that same grit and drive.

Additional Candidates

• ‍James H. (Jimmy) Pittsford, III (D) did not submit a questionnaire response.
  

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Joseph Baughman – D

My name is Joseph Baughman. I am 47, married to my beautiful wife, Karen, for 14 years, with four children and five grandchildren and a follower of Jesus. I was born in Sullivan and lived there until 2008, serving in both the Sullivan Sheriff's Department and the Sullivan City Police Department between 1999 and 2004, moved to Linton for 17 years and recently relocated my family to Vincennes. I started on the factory floor 22 years ago and worked my way into engineering and quality, which is what I do today.

How will your experience serve you in this position? Why are you the best candidate?

Manufacturing and law enforcement have been two of the biggest influences in my adult life. In both of those professions, you learn to listen to the smallest of details, investigate systems and attempt to find a solution with the evidence. That's my approach to being a representative of the people and how I believe serving those people should be handled. Right now, we have a system in Indianapolis that's not working for any of the people that sent them there and this is what we must fix in, not only the near term, but for the future of our children and grandchildren as well.

What issues do you hope to address and how?

There are several issues that I would like to address, first among them being an audit of the power companies. We are always hearing in the news cycle that a power company is going before the regulatory commission for a rate hike to fix the grid. They get their rate hikes and use the added revenue for stock buybacks while our grid crumbles. We have got to stop them from strangling Hoosiers. I want to pass legislation that stipulates a certain percentage of profit must go back into the grid as well as help offset customer rates. This will need to be done with bipartisan support as well as further input from constituents.

What else should the public and voters know?

I am no more, no less than your next door neighbor. I don't make a large salary and could just as easily be the person reading this in the paper trying to decide whom to vote for. I am running because I don't like the direction our state or federal governments have taken. I want something different than the status quo or the "new" status quo that is forming, and I think the people do too.

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Additional Candidates

• Tanner Bouchie - R
• Jeff Ellington - R
• Kristi Risk - R

Walking a small pedestrian street in Lucerne, Switzerland, I was stopped in my tracks. Not because I saw another unimaginable work of an ancient stone mason or because I caught the delicious smell of fresh bread being baked.

I lost my breath for a second because there, in a basket mixed with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, was a bushel of morel mushrooms for sale. Immediately, my dinner plans changed.

In speaking to the woman at the market, through her broken English and my nonexistent German, I was able to discern the morels were foraged in Turkey. This is a long way from the Midwest, where I put dozens of miles on my boots each spring hunting for the same fungus folks are after on the other side of the world.

It made me feel so much more connected to the region knowing people who speak a different language, look different and have different beliefs find joy and value in the same outdoor pursuit I do. I bought 100 grams for 7.90 francs, and my wife made exquisite pasta in our chalet overlooking Interlaken.

Morel mushroom hunting is something I eagerly await each year. I could eat morels until I made myself miserable. Fried with a light breading is good, but I prefer them simply rinsed, halved and dropped in a pan with butter.

Pile a heap of those on top of a medium-rare venison filet, and you'll understand why mushroom hunters don't share their secret spots.

Finding a place to hunt morels isn't hard. There are tens of millions of acres of public land open to mushroom hunters in the Midwest, giving you far more room to roam than you could ever cover in a lifetime. The challenge isn't having access to land for mushroom hunting. It's knowing when and where to look.

You'll hear plenty of advice from people who claim to have it figured out. Look for dead elm trees. Check old apple orchards. Focus on south-facing slopes. Pay attention to soil moisture and temperature.

I've tried to follow all of it, and I can tell you with confidence there is some truth to all those tips, but the best tip of all is to just be out there looking wherever you can.

I've walked straight to the exact conditions the experts describe and come up empty. Then I've stumbled into a patch in a place that didn't make any sense at all. Over time, I've settled on a simpler approach. Go for a long, slow walk and keep your eyes on the ground. You never know where you're going to run into a patch of morels.

There are a few basics worth knowing. All true morels are hollow from stem to cap and have that distinct honeycomb look. That part matters because there are look-alikes out there called false morels that can make you sick or worse. If you're not sure what you've found, don't eat it. Having a good mushroom guidebook with you in the woods is a solid idea.

As for additional gear, you don't need much. A walking stick helps you push aside leaves without bending over every step. A small knife is useful for cutting mushrooms at the base instead of pulling them out. Some say this helps sustain future growth.

A mesh bag is a good idea, too. The theory being that as you walk, spores fall through the bag and help spread more mushrooms across the woods. Is it true? I don't know, but it feels good to believe it is.

There's nothing quite like the taste of a morel mushroom. They have a distinct, rich, nutty flavor. It's like you can taste the Earth, in the best way imaginable. You may be able to buy a few morels on the roadside. I've yet to see them at a market in the U.S. like I did in Switzerland, but no matter what, you can't buy the experience of finding them yourself. Effort is the only path to the reward.

Thankfully, you don't have to travel around the world to find morels. If you live in the Midwest, then there's a great chance they're growing near your home. Right now, the woods are waking up. The ground is warming, and morels are beginning to push up through the leaves.

The unexpected treat I picked up in Switzerland was all I needed to motivate me to lace up my boots and hit the woods next weekend.

See you down the trail…

For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.

"I've always liked creating things with my hands, whether it's woodworking or taxidermy. My dad was a carpenter who was very particular. I take after him I guess."

Jamie Switzer is a 53-year-old lawman functioning as a Patrol Lieutenant for the Clay County Sheriff's Office, in charge of the officers on the road and busy covering a variety of trouble spots. He got his love for hunting from his dad. After some disappointing experiences with taxidermists, he decided he could do better. After examining his work with my grandson Walker's trophy deer, now suitably framed over my son Aaron's fireplace, I can attest that he is a craftsman who takes a lot of pride in his work. The detail on this animal is amazing.

"I've been doing mounts for about 15 years but just got into body mounts about five years ago," Jamie said.

He learned his craft through deer school in Wisconsin, then a more in-depth school in Missouri and has an in-depth turkey school under his belt as well.

Jamie says the biggest challenge for him is dealing with an animal that hasn't been properly cared for after the kill.

"Some people like to drive around for three days with the deer in the bed of the truck. I get that. They want to show it around," he said. "Very understandable. But the deer will soon develop a bacteria which will make the skin develop 'slippage', a condition extremely hard to correct because hair soon starts falling out."

He's seen some very slipshod care taken with customers' deer, even to the point of having beer cans and other trash inside the carcass. The proper care is to get it to a taxidermist immediately. Lacking that, a processor can also remove the head and freeze it, or the hunter himself can do that if it can be done correctly.

"Whatever Aaron and Walker did was correct because that deer was in perfect shape for me to work with," Jamie said. "It turned out well."

Aaron commented that conditions were ideal for hunting and for maintaining the deer intact.

"We had it caped at the processor," Aaron explained, "and then we put it in a bag in the refrigerator. This was a youth hunt at the end of September. Chilly in the morning but warm in the afternoon. The very beginning of the rut left him unscathed, and we didn't have to drag him through the mud."

Jamie says that a basic mount costs around $750, the standard shoulder on the wall. Discounts are available for law enforcement and the military. If the hunter desires an open mouth look, such as the animal chewing on a corn cob, that can run a little more. If the back of the deer is exposed in the mount, that can run higher.

"Right now, I'm working on a four-by-four scene that involves a turkey strutting in a field, with a whiskey barrel and a deer in the rear, with barbed wire and cattails," Jamie said. "It's a big, complicated scene, but it's going to look great."

Jamie will also do other animals, such as bobcat, coyote and fox. He doesn't do birds or fish.

If Jamie wasn't busy enough, he and his wife have taken on the responsibilities of fostering five youngsters, ages seven, six, five, four and three. They have a grown daughter, 25, and two grown sons, aged 25 and 28, two of which help with the taxidermy business. The older kids gave their parents their blessing and support for taking on this task. You can see a well-done video of this special foster family on Facebook, and you can view some of Jamie's mounts by searching for Wallhanger Taxidermy.