News in Brief - Dec '25

Firewood permits available at MCSP

The public is invited to cut and remove certain downed trees at McCormick's Creek State Park for firewood through Mar. 20, 2026.

Eligible trees, located along roadsides or in public areas such as picnic areas, have fallen naturally or were dropped by park staff for safety reasons.

A $10 permit is required for each load, defined as an eight-foot standard pickup truck bed without any modifications including sideboards. Additional charges will be incurred for a larger truck and trailer load.

Permits are available at the park office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Firewood is for personal use only and cannot be sold.

All proceeds will be used for resource management and restoration efforts at the park, including replacement of trees.

Merry Commons Light Up

A holiday light display is coming to Cooper Commons on E. Cooper St. in Spencer. A wide variety of Christmas lights and decorations will transform the park into a holiday wonderland beginning Dec. 6 and continuing through Jan. 11.

Initiated by the Spencer Parks & Recreation Board, donations to support this project can be made to the Town of Spencer Parks & Recreation Fund at the Owen County Community Foundation. To learn more, call 812-829-1725 or visit owencountycf.org.

Drawing held for state fair queen program competition

A drawing was held Oct. 3 to determine the contestant order for all 82 counties entered into the 2026 Indiana State Fair Queen Program Competition.

Owen County, represented by 2025 Miss Owen County Fair Queen MiaRose Hess, was selected for the 39th position. The 2026 Indiana State Fair Queen Program Competition will be held Jan. 3 and 4 at the Corteva Coliseum, located on the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

Owen Valley Fire Territory receives DHS grant

The Owen Valley Fire Territory was recently awarded a grant from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The grant enabled the department to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

According to the website startinghearts.org, an AED is a compact, battery-powered medical device used to treat individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). AEDs help restart the heart during a sudden cardiac arrest by analyzing the heart's rhythm through sticky pads placed on the chest. If the device detects a dangerous rhythm like ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) it delivers a controlled electric shock that can reset the heart's electrical activity, restore a normal rhythm and potentially save the person's life.