News in Brief - Jul 17 '26

Expect delays: S.R. 46 construction continues

Motorists traveling near Vandalia are navigating ongoing delays following the start of flagging operations on State Road 46 earlier this month.

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractors initiated the traffic restrictions on or after Monday, July 6, between White Hill Road/Bixler Road and County Road 750 W. Crews are currently working to waterproof the State Road 46 bridge over Six Mile Creek.

As part of the ongoing project, drivers should also prepare for an upcoming one-day total road closure at the bridge site. The overall project is expected to last through August, though the schedule remains weather dependent.

INDOT continues to urge drivers to use extra caution and remain alert when traveling through the active work zone.

Daytime flagging operations underway near Carp

Local drivers are advised that daytime flagging operations began earlier this week on U.S. 231 near Carp.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and its contractors reduced traffic to a single lane over Branch Mill Creek—located just southeast of Rocky Hill Road—starting on Monday, July 13. Flaggers are currently on-site during daytime hours to direct motorists through the construction zone while crews work to waterproof the bridge.

The project is anticipated to continue through August, though the final timeline remains weather-dependent and subject to change.

OCSD seeking community support for K9 unit

The Owen County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) is calling on the community to help support its vital K9 program, which relies 100 percent on local donations to operate. The department’s two working K9s, Hank and Paya, serve a crucial role in the county by tracking down missing or wanted individuals and detecting illegal drug activity. To keep Hank and Paya trained, healthy and active on the streets, the department is currently seeking financial contributions for its dedicated K9 fund.

Community members looking to support the program can donate directly to the fund by calling the Owen County Sheriff’s Department at 812-829-5757 and connecting with Sheriff Ryan White, Chief Deputy Matt Miller, Deputy Daniel Rhienhart (handler for K9 Hank) or Deputy Charles Hallam (handler for K9 Paya).

AAFCS honors OVHS alumna and retired teacher

It was a historic, full-circle spring for Owen County education as Owen Valley High School alumna Lee Ann Dunning DeMoss (Class of 2000) and her former teacher, Brenda Duncan Davis, both received prestigious statewide honors.

DeMoss brought home a trio of accolades this spring, most notably being named the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Indiana Teacher of the Year. Currently an educator at Walker Career Center—located adjacent to Warren Central High School in Indianapolis—DeMoss also received the Walker Career Center Journey of a Graduate Award and was recognized as a Class of 2026 Warren Central Top 30 Award winner. Following her graduation from Owen Valley, DeMoss earned her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 2004 and later completed her master’s degree at Ball State University.

Outside of the classroom, DeMoss and her husband, Travis, reside in Cumberland, IN. Their daughter, Katie, will be a senior at New Palestine High School. Katie is highly active alongside her parents in the high school marching band program, as well as the Jazz and Concert bands, 4-H, and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).

Adding to the celebration, retired Owen Valley teacher Brenda Duncan Davis was also honored this year by the AAFCS. In a remarkable testament to the lasting impact of local educators, DeMoss was once a student in Davis’s high school child development preschool program at OV—proving that great teaching truly comes full circle.

Sign up by July 18 for Cataract Lake Back-to-School Event

The Cataract Lake Community Center has announced its upcoming Back-to-School Event, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the center located at 5530 S.R. 42.

Families interested in participating must register their children in advance, as space is limited to the first 50 children signed up, and children must be present at the event. The deadline for registering is July 18. To secure a spot, parents should email cataractlakecommunitycenter@gmail.com with the subject line “Back-to-School Registration” and include the child’s name, age, and grade.

The community center is also turning to the public for donations to ensure every child is equipped for the school year. The center is currently accepting new supplies, including backpacks, scissors, markers, crayons, erasers, glue sticks or bottles, hand sanitizers, and one gallon or quart-sized Ziploc bags.

Community members who can donate any of these items are asked to reach out via the center’s email address cataractlakecommunitycenter@gmail.com to arrange a meeting time at the facility for drop-off. For more information, call 765-276-7154.

Next ‘Sale on the Square’ is July 25

Clear out your clutter or hunt for hidden treasures at downtown Spencer’s next Sale on the Square, happening Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organized by Spencer Main Street, this monthly community event transforms Franklin Street into a bustling open-air market filled with “little yard sales.”

Whether you are looking to shop local deals or want to set up your own stand, there is a spot for you. Vendor spaces can be reserved for $20, with a $10 refund given right back to you upon set-up. Can’t make it this month? Mark your calendars for the remaining dates of the season: Aug. 29, Sept. 26 and Oct. 31.

Come out to sell, shop and enjoy everything Downtown Spencer has to offer!

For more information or to reserve your spot, visit spencermainstreet.org/events.

Back-to-School Beach Bash Expo is July 25

Area families can dive into preparation for the upcoming school year at the 12th Annual Back-to-School Beach Bash Expo. This free community event will take place on Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Owen Valley Middle School, 626 S.R. 46 in Spencer.

The expo is packed with free resources and essentials to help local students kick off the new school year. Attendees can receive free backpacks, school supplies, clothing, socks, shoes and hygiene products. Free haircuts, as well as vision and hearing screenings, will also be available on-site.

In addition to these resources, the event features plenty of family fun, including games, prizes, refreshments, a Touch-a-Truck display and information from various community partners. The entire family is invited to attend this free bash to get ready for a successful school year.

S-OCS releases 2026-2027 open house schedules

Spencer-Owen Community Schools have released the open house schedules for the upcoming 2026–2027 school year, providing students and parents the opportunity to visit classrooms, meet teachers and explore their schools before classes begin.

Owen Valley High School, located at 622 W. S.R. 46 in Spencer, will kick things off with self-guided tours running from Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily. Owen Valley Middle School, at 626 W. S.R. 46 in Spencer, will follow with its open house on Thursday, July 30, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Elementary school events are scheduled for early August. Spencer Elementary, located at 151 Hillside Ave. in Spencer, will open its doors on Monday, Aug. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. That same evening, Gosport Elementary (201 N. 9th St., Gosport) and McCormick’s Creek Elementary (1601 Flatwoods Rd., Spencer) will both host their events from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Patricksburg Elementary, located at 9883 S.R. 246 in Patricksburg, will round out the open houses on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Parents are also reminded to ensure their children are registered for the new school year in FinalForms by visiting spencerowen-in.finalforms.com.

Cloverdale announces back-to-school registration dates

Cloverdale Community Schools have announced key dates for families preparing for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. School offices are scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 20, to assist families ahead of the official enrollment period. Student registration will then formally open on Wednesday, July 22.

Parents seeking additional details or specific enrollment instructions are encouraged to call their child’s respective school building. For Cloverdale Elementary School (grades PreK–4th), call 765-795-4339. For Cloverdale Middle School (grades 5th–8th), contact the office at 765-795-2900. For Cloverdale High School (grades 9th–12th), registration inquiries can be directed to 765-795-4203.

Cloverdale Knoy After-School Program awarded $47,525 grant

Cloverdale Community Schools’ Knoy After-School Program has received a major financial boost to help support local students beyond the regular school day. The program announced it was recently awarded a $47,525.68 grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation.

According to program representatives, this generous funding will be used to enhance daily programming, provide valuable educational resources and create new, meaningful learning opportunities for participating students. The grant ensures the program can continue to deliver a safe, supportive and enriching environment for the children it serves.

Knoy After-School Program staff expressed immense gratitude to the Putnam County Community Foundation for investing in local students and for its ongoing commitment to supporting vital nonprofit organizations throughout Putnam County.

2027 Lilly Scholarship applications now open

The Owen County Community Foundation has announced that the application period for the prestigious 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is officially open. One life-changing scholarship will be awarded to a singular Owen County resident or Owen Valley High School student, covering full tuition and required fees for four years at any accredited public or private four-year college or university in Indiana.

The scholarship also includes a $900 annual book stipend, though it does not cover room, board or travel expenses. To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors graduating by June 30, 2027, and must either hold a permanent Owen County address or attend Owen Valley High School. Additionally, candidates must have achieved a minimum cumulative unweighted grade-point average of 3.75 and an SAT score of 1,100 or above (or an ACT equivalent of 21) by June 15, 2026. Financial need is not considered in the selection process.

The deadline to submit applications is Sunday, Aug. 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Interested students can find complete details and apply online by visiting bit.ly/OCCFscholarship.