News in Brief - March '26

Albany man found guilty of felony charges

On Jan. 18, 2024, Victor Holding of Albany, IN was charged with multiple felonies, including two counts of intimidation with a deadly weapon. The State also filed a notice of intent to seek habitual offender status.

According to information released by the Owen County Prosecutor's Office, a jury trial was held Feb. 17 to Feb. 20. The jury found Holding guilty on both charges.

Following the trial, Holding admitted the allegations contained in the State's notice of intent to seek habitual offender status.

Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, March 20 in the Owen County Circuit Court I.

Prosecutor Benjamin Kim and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock represented the State. Owen County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) Lieutenant Clint Wampler served as the State's designated witness at trial.

The prosecutor's office issued special thanks to the officers of the OCSD, Indiana State Police and the Indiana State Police laboratory for their "dedication and service in helping secure this guilty verdict and for keeping the community safe."

Defendant sentenced for child molesting

Heath Eli Bennett of Clayton, IN pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 in Owen County Circuit Court I to a Level 4 Felony charge of child molesting. According to information released by the Owen County Prosecutor's Office, the terms of the plea agreement allowed Bennett to be sentenced in the court's discretion with a maximum sentence of eight years at the Indiana Department of Correction.

The court also sentenced Bennett to lifetime sex offender registration and a $500 sexual assault victims' assistance fee and $100 child abuse prevention fee as required by law.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Parker Trulock represented the State in this case.

The prosecutor's office extended its appreciation to the Owen County Sheriff's Department, Owen County Department of Child Services and Susie's Place Child Advocacy Center for "helping secure justice in this case."

EPA to host public meeting March 17

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a public meeting as an update to the Franklin Street Groundwater Superfund site.

The meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on March 17 at the Historic Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer.

The EPA will present the data that has been collected so far. The presentation will be posted online after the meeting.

Public testing for vote machines is March 24

MicroVote machines used for the primary election in Owen County will be tested at 9:30 a.m. on March 24.

This is a process in which the election board selects individuals to test the function of the machines to ensure they work properly ahead of the start of early voting.

The public is welcome to observe this process, which will take place on the first floor of the Owen County Courthouse, 60 S. Main St., Spencer.

GoFundMe established to help family

Rev. Bill Pursell and his wife Lillian are receiving community support after a fire tore through their rural Freeman Road home on Saturday, Feb. 7, leaving them displaced. The couple was not injured, and their home was reportedly insured. They were also able to evacuate their pets from the home unharmed.

Bill serves as Pastor of the Cloverdale Church of the Nazarene. Both he and Lillian are also well-known locally for their many years of volunteer service as 4-H leaders/volunteers, Owen County Fair Board officers and White River Poultry Club officers/volunteers to name a few. Bill also owned and operated Area Realty Key Associates near downtown Spencer.

As of March 1, a Go-Fund Me page set up for the family had generated 42 donations for a total of more than $3,500.

The GoFundMe page is accepting donations to help the family with immediate needs and recovery costs. Neighbors and friends are encouraged to share the fundraiser and offer support as the family begins to rebuild. Visit https://gofund.me/323d4a95a.

Daylight Saving Time begins March 8

It's almost time to "spring forward." Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.

Digital devices, including computers, TVs and cell phones, will automatically update to the new time at 2 a.m., but all other clocks should be manually changed before going to bed on the night of Saturday, March 7, turning them ahead by one full hour.

Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday of November each year. This year the clocks will "fall back" an hour on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m.

Owen Valley Fine Arts Festival

The first-ever Owen Valley Fine Arts Festival is scheduled for Sunday, March 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. This exciting, free community-wide celebration will take place throughout the Owen Valley High School Commons, café, main gymnasium and auditorium.

Be inspired by incredible artwork from talented OVHS students on display in the Commons, including special Senior Showcases you won't want to miss.

The day's performance lineup will include:

1 p.m. -- State Send-Off Performances (Patriot Hall). Cheer on the Owen Valley Winter Guard and Indoor Drumline as they perform their State Finals routines before heading into competition season.

2 p.m. -- Big Band Live in the Café. The Owen Valley Big Band will perform their ISSMA setlist and more, featuring everything from classic swing to modern funk.

3 p.m. -- Choir Q3 Concert. The Owen Valley Choir Program will take the stage for their Quarter 3 Concert. Come support the school's travel choirs and enjoy music that's sure to move you. (Please note: This concert has a $5 admission fee).

Keep your ears open throughout the day for solo and ensemble performances happening in the hallways.

This festival is set to be a celebration of the amazing talent, dedication, and creativity within the Owen Valley Fine Arts Department. Bring your friends, bring your family and spend the afternoon supporting the arts in our community.

SES students win Patriot's Pen competition

Spencer Elementary School students Mia Freeman and Bentley Ward recently received second and third place, respectively, in the recent Patriot's Pen essay competition organized by the Spencer VFW Post #1405.

Mia, a sixth grader at SES, is the daughter of Shane and Stephanie Freeman.

Bentley, also a sixth grader at SES, is the son of Daniel and Crystal Ward.

The awards were presented by Sharron Barger, President of the VFW Post #1405 Auxiliary.

The Patriot's Pen is a nationwide youth essay competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Its goal is to encourage students to think about and express their views on patriotism, American history and civic responsibility.

MCES student builds box for U.S. Flag

Rob Anderson, a fourth grader at McCormick's Creek Elementary School (MCES), recently donated a handmade, one-of-a-kind storage box to the school. Each day Anderson proudly raises and lowers the school's flags with care and respect. There was just one small problem, however; MCES did not have a proper place inside the school to store the flags.

Rob, never one to shy away from a problem, would soon come up with the solution to build a storage box. He went on to work with his dad, Robert, to make it happen!

According to the MCES, thanks to Anderson's "initiative, teamwork and craftsmanship, our flags have a safe and respectful home. We couldn't be more proud of his leadership, responsibility and heart."

Anderson is the son of Robert and Rebecca Anderson of rural Gosport.

Firefighter visits Patricksburg Elementary

Third graders at Patricksburg Elementary School were treated to a special visitor on Feb. 19.

Retired firefighter Gary Brandt took time out of his schedule to speak to the students about his previous career with the Carmel Fire Department and his past service with the Indiana Task Force 1 / Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue Team.

Brandt now serves as a volunteer with the Patricksburg Community Volunteer Fire Department.

OVMS hosts Madam Mayhem

Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) hosted one of the first and largest girls-only wrestling tournaments in the state of Indiana on Feb. 21.

The Madam Mayhem brought together female wrestlers from 25 schools across Indiana, showcasing strength, grit and sportsmanship. Teams traveled from as far as Jasper and Indianapolis to compete in an event that continues to grow the sport of wrestling for young women.

NED Show comes to GES

The NED Show entertained students at Gosport Elementary School on Feb. 23. Teaching three critical skills, the story of a loveable cartoon character NED® is designed to give students the tools they need to become champions at school and in life. NED's name serves as an acronym that makes the message easy to remember -- Never Give Up, Encourage Others and Do Your Best®.

GES students enjoyed an engaging performance that focused on the importance of persistence, kindness, diligence and excellence. Humor, audience participation, storytelling and amazing yo-yo tricks all combined to make it a truly NEDucational experience.

For information about The NED Show, visit theNEDshow.com.

Safe Sitter® program is March 20

The nationally recognized Safe Sitter® program is coming to the Purdue Extension-Owen County office, 180 S. Washington St. in Spencer, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20. This program prepares students in grades 6 to 8 to be safe, responsible and confident babysitters.

Participants will learn essential skills including basic childcare, safety and injury prevention, first aid and how to handle emergencies. The class also covers behavior management and tips for running a successful babysitting business. Space is limited. Register by calling 812-829-5020. Cost is $20 per person.

Annual C.A.R.E Cornhole Tournament

The third annual Cops Applauding Recovery Efforts (C.A.R.E.) Cornhole Tournament and Family Cookout is set for Saturday, June 13 beginning at noon at the Owen County Fairgrounds in Spencer. The registration deadline is April 24. Signup online at https://forms.gle/yN4iKej9oXTeqELy5. This event is hosted by the Owen County Drug and Alcohol Resource Team (DART). The meal will be catered by Scott Huffman.

Like to sing? Join the Community Choir

Come raise your voice with the Owen County Theatre & Arts Alliance Community Choir. The choir meets every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene, 126 E. Market St., in Spencer.

Singers of all experience levels are welcome. For more information, contact Michael Grubb at mjgrubb@gmail.com.