News in Brief - June 2026

S-OCS Legacy Award recipients named

Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) celebrated its educators recently during the corporation’s annual End of the Year Staff Celebration, highlighting the 2026 Legacy Award recipients. This year's honorees were nominated by Owen Valley High School (OVHS) seniors, who selected educators who made a lasting impact on their journeys through elementary, middle and high school.

The distinguished 2026 honorees include: Jeanne Gee (Patricksburg Elementary School), Matt Cazzell (McCormick’s Creek Elementary School), Brad Garrison (Spencer Elementary School), Shelly Roofe (Gosport Elementary School), Marc Ruble (Owen Valley Middle School) and Cathy Woodruff (OVHS).

GES teacher named Indiana D.A.R.E. Teacher of the Year

Shelly Roofe, a teacher at Gosport Elementary School (GES), was named D.A.R.E. Indiana Teacher of the Year. Roofe was honored at an awards ceremony held at the Governor’s Residence on May 13.

The award is presented by D.A.R.E. Indiana to an educator who demonstrates exceptional dedication to fostering student safety, teaching drug abuse resistance and who consistently goes above and beyond in implementing D.A.R.E. lessons to positively influence young students.

D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

OVHS Band earns ISSMA All-Music Award

The Owen Valley High School (OVHS) Band has officially earned the prestigious ISSMA All-Music Award for the 2025–2026 school year. Presented by the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA), the award recognizes music programs that achieve exemplary "Gold" ratings across all major sanctioned musical events.

This latest accolade keeps a historic streak alive: OVHS has captured the honor every single year since the award’s inception in 2018–2019. With this achievement, Owen Valley remains part of an elite group, standing as one of only nine schools in the entire state of Indiana to maintain a perfect, uninterrupted streak of All-Music awards.

U.S. 231 drainage improvement project

Work is officially underway on a $2.6 million drainage improvement project on U.S. 231 south of Spencer. Drivers traveling between Old Highway 67 and Goose Creek Rd. should expect delays, as Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Crider and Crider, Inc. has reduced lanes to a strict 10-foot width limit in both directions.

The project, which began late last month, is scheduled to run through late July, weather permitting.

Sidewalk project underway in Freedom

Construction is officially underway on a sidewalk improvement project along U.S. 231 in Freedom. Drivers traveling between County Road 550 West and Freedom-Arney Rd. should expect delays, as Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Crider and Crider Inc. has implemented a strict 10-foot lane width restriction for both northbound and southbound traffic.

The ongoing project is part of a $2.6 million contract awarded in February 2026 and is slated for completion in late July, weather permitting.

‘Serving Owen County Together’

The sixth annual "Serving Owen County Together" community outreach event will take place June 27 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for June 28 from 12 to 4 p.m. if needed.

The event is a collaborative partnership between Servant's Heart, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, For Bare Feet, Changing Footprints, and numerous local clubs, groups and churches. Together, they aim to share free resources with community members in need.

Attendees can access a wide variety of free items, including non-perishable food and drinks, clothing, socks and shoes, furniture and bedding, hygiene products and infant supplies. All items are free to those in need, and members of the community are encouraged to attend.

The event will take place in the front parking lot of the Owen Valley Middle School/High School complex. Parking will be available on the side and back of the schools.

Owen County Fair Baby Contest

Get ready for some serious cuteness! The 2026 Owen County Fair is hosting its annual Baby Contest on June 27 inside the 4-H Building. Embracing this year's patriotic fair theme, "America 250," the event kicks off at 10 a.m.

The contest is open exclusively to Owen County residents and features six different age groups ranging from newborns up to 35 months. Little ones will take the stage throughout the morning and early afternoon, with special awards up for grabs in each group for "Best Costume" and "Best Personality."

Parents, please note that registration takes place 30 minutes prior to your child's specific age group slot, and judging will begin promptly at the posted times. For the full schedule of age brackets or for general inquiries, visit the Owen County Fairgrounds Facebook page or call 812-828-7476.

Owen County Fair Little Miss & Mister Contest

The search is on for the next Little Miss and Mister of Owen County! The 2026 Owen County Fair has officially announced its annual pageant, which will take place July 5 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Show Arena. Held in conjunction with the Owen County Fair Queen Contest, this year's event embraces the patriotic fair theme, "America 250."

The contest is open exclusively to Owen County residents who are between the ages of five and seven (as of June 29, 2026). Parents looking to enter their children should note that pre-registration is required, along with a $15 entry fee. The hard deadline for turning in registration forms is 4 p.m. on June 15.

For more information or to request a registration form, call 812-821-1141.

Vintage Round-Robin Competition

An exciting showcase of showmanship is coming to the 2026 Owen County Fair. The Vintage Round-Robin Competition will take place July 9 at 8:30 p.m. inside the Show Arena.

This unique competition will challenge contestants to show 10 different animal species: cows, dairy cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, horses, dogs, cats and poultry. Participants will compete for a grand cash prize of $100.

Space is highly limited, as only the first 12 contestants to register will be allowed to compete. The registration fee is $20. Those interested in securing their spot should call 812-322-4322 to register today.

Annual Beach Bash Expo

Mark your calendars! The Owen County Health Department and Owen County Chamber of Commerce will host a Beach Bash Expo on July 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This exciting community event will take place at Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS), located at 626 IN-46, Spencer.

The expo is packed with incredible, free resources for local families, including vaccines and hearing screenings, backpacks filled with supplies, haircuts, clothing, socks and hygiene products (children must be present at the event to receive a backpack). The expo will also feature bounce houses, games, prizes, refreshments and a "Touch a Truck" experience.

Come out to connect with community partners, access vital resources and kick off the back-to-school season with some beach-themed fun!