Owen County News in Brief - January 2026

Free tax service volunteers needed

Each year, the Owen County Free Community Tax Service helps residents prepare and file their taxes at no cost, putting critical dollars back into the hands of individuals and families who need it most. This year, additional volunteers are urgently needed to keep the program operating at full capacity.

Owen County typically has three certified tax preparers and three intake specialists, but due to health issues, the service is currently down to just two tax preparers and one intake specialist. If organizers are unable to fill these volunteer roles, they will unfortunately need to reduce the number of clients they can serve.

How You Can Help

Intake Specialists (No Tax Preparation Required!): Intake Specialists help welcome clients, collect information and assist with paperwork. You do not prepare taxes, and this role is a great, easy way to support an important community service.

Certified Tax Preparers: If you have tax preparation experience or certification, your skills are especially needed.

Volunteers can serve one to three shifts per week, depending on availability.

Program Details

Location: Owen County Public Library
Season: February through mid-April

Available Shifts: Tuesdays, 1 to 4 p.m.; Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon; Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Learn more and sign up here: tinyurl.com/TaxVolunteerInfo.

EPA plans Jan. 13 open house

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host an open house Tuesday, Jan. 13 to discuss your questions and concerns about the ongoing investigations at the Franklin Street Groundwater site. EPA will also share details about current and upcoming activities in Spencer.

The open house will take place at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St. in Spencer. If you have questions or need special accommodations, contact Ruth Muhtsun, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, at 312-886-6595, or email muhtsun.ruth@epa.gov.

For more information, visit epa.gov/superfund/franklinstreetgroundwater.com.

First Legislative Breakfast is Jan. 24

The Owen County Chamber of Commerce's first legislative breakfast of the 2026 calendar year is slated for Saturday, Jan. 24 beginning at 7:30 a.m. This event is sponsored by the BBP Water Corp. and will be held at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship, 338 S.R. 43S, Spencer.

These 90-minute events are meant to serve as a public forum where participants can learn about legislators' key issues, ask questions and discuss issues that are important to you and your business.

A second legislative breakfast event will take place Saturday, Feb. 28 at the same location, also beginning at 7:30 a.m. This event is sponsored by South Central Indiana REMC.

These legislative breakfasts are in no way intended to reflect an endorsement for, or opposition to, any candidate or political party.

Hunter Education course is Jan. 31

A one-day Indiana Hunter Education course is being offered in the new year. The instructional session will be held in the gymnasium at Patricksburg Elementary School, 9883 S.R. 246, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Indiana Hunter Education courses provide instruction in the areas of safe firearm use and handling while hunting, as well as in the home, hunter ethics and responsibility, game identification and conservation management.

State law requires all hunters born on or after Dec. 31, 1986 to complete hunter education certification before purchasing a hunting license in Indiana.

Hunter Education classes are offered by knowledgeable volunteer instructors and Indiana Conservation Officers. To be certified, participants must attend the entire class including all sessions.

Attendees under 11 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at every session. Additionally, at the first session, those under 18 years of age are required to provide the instructor with a signed, completed liability release form.

The release form, available at the online link below, must include the parent or guardian's signature.

For more information or to register for the course, visit register-ed.com/events/register/237252.

Owen County SWCD joins STAR

The Owen County Soil and Water District (SWCD) recently became an affiliate of Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources (STAR), a national non-profit organization established to develop and expand conservation practice evaluation, implementation and valuation.

The STAR framework inspires, guides and standardizes conservation practice adoption and implementation across a variety of agricultural production systems at scale through state level STAR affiliates. Designed and led by producers, the STAR Tool utilizes science and experience to target local solutions for local natural resource concerns and to support farmers on their conservation journey.

Learn more about this program online at starconservation.org or contact the Owen County SWCD at 812-829-2605.

Owen County sees flu uptick

The Owen County Health Department has issued a public health advisory concerning increased flu activity in the county. The department has seen an increase in influenza (flu) cases.

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe symptoms and may lead to serious complications, especially for young children, older adults, pregnant individuals and those with chronic medical conditions.

Common symptoms include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches and headaches, fatigue, and nausea or vomiting (which is more common in children).

To reduce the spread of the flu, it is recommended to do the following: Get your flu vaccine if you have not already done so; wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow; avoid close contact with people who are sick; stay home if you are ill until at least 24 hours after fever has resolved; clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces; and avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth.

For flu vaccination information, prevention tips or updates on local flu activity, contact the Owen County Health Department.

ON introduces walk-in office hours

The Owen News is excited to offer walk-in office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Jan. 6 as a way to stay connected and accessible to the community we serve.

These open hours are a chance for readers, advertisers, sources and neighbors to stop by without an appointment.

The hours will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. Any changes or cancellations to the hours due to inclement weather, illness or news coverage needs will be posted to our Facebook page.

"We believe strong local journalism starts with listening. Walk-in office hours are one more way we're creating space for conversation, transparency and trust," Executive Editor Nicole DeCriscio said. "Come say hello, share what's happening in your corner of sweet Owen County or learn more about how The Owen News works."