Local News

Return to Raintree County Ceremony planned Oct. 7

To commemorate the 1948 novel Raintree County and the 1957 film of the same name, special events are planned for Sunday, Oct. 7. Raintree County was written by Hoosier author Ross Lockridge, Jr. The screenplay was written by Millard Kaufman.  The

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY AA: 7 p.m. Middletown United Methodist Church. Knights of Pythias: 7 p.m. Pythias Hall. Noon Optimists: Mancino’s. Henry County Community Band: 7-8:30 p.m. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. NA: 6 p.m. Sanctuary Church Family Life Center. AA: 7:30 p.m. east

FOOD INSPECTION REPORTS

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The Environmental Public Health Office of the Henry County Health Department conducted 31 temporary inspections during the final week of August. County inspectors identified one critical violation and o

Father-daughter Demo duo

Mike Fleming is accompanied by his daughter, Sydney, in performing a song for those attending Saturday’s Henry County Democrat Meet and Greet event at Baker Park. Mike’s wife and Sydney’s mother, Robin Reno Fleming, is seeking re-election to her seat on the Henry County Council, District 2. Fleming will face challenger Chad Malicoat, a Republican. In addition to local candidates, those attending Saturday’s event had a chance to hear U.S. 6th District Congressional hopeful Jeannine Lake speak. Lake is opposing Republican Greg Pence, brother of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, for the open seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Luke Messer. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Father-daughter Demo duo

MIDDLETOWN FALL FUN FEST

Children gathered up close to watch magician Ian Tully perform his Flash Magic show Saturday afternoon at the Middletown Fall Fun Fest.

MIDDLETOWN FALL FUN FEST

For the Record

POLICE Sept. 14 Elizabeth Conyers, 56, was arrested and preliminarily charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, public intoxication and possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance.  Ronald McKinney, 29, was arrested and preliminarily charged with

2018 Chamber Cash Bonanza a hit

Members of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Events Committee served up root beer floats Saturday night during the 2018 Cash Bonanza. The tasty dessert drinks went quickly.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Cash Bonanza Saturday night at The Armory in New Castle. Around 300 people attended the event, the Chamber’s largest fundraiser of the year.

Memorial Park to be placed on historic registries

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com A group of local residents, Citizens to Preserve Henry County Memorial Park, has raised enough money to have Memorial Park placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Indiana Register of Historic S

Skate Park Jam scheduled Sept. 29

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The New Castle Action Sports Park just celebrated its first birthday by undergoing annual maintenance. Now that its back open, Poynter Bros. Pro Shop is hosting a massive BMX/skate session at the facility at 2 p.m. Sept. 2

Governor's plan for trails puts county in 'catbird's seat'

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Henry County is in the “catbird’s seat” when it comes to Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb’s new $1 billion investment in infrastructure projects announced last week. Unless you’re sitting be

Farmers market coming to Tractor Supply Saturday

Courier-Times Staff Report The New Castle Tractor Supply Company is hosting a community Farmers Market from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Saturday. Local farmers, crafters and artisans will be onsite selling homemade and homegrown goods at the store, 3000 S. Memorial Drive.

LOCAL BRIEFS

Allied invasion of Sicily coming to Middletown Sept. 22 Kelly Fields, historian and vice-president of the Middletown-Fall Creek Township Historical Society, will talk about “Operation Husky,” the Allied invasion of Sicily, at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the H

Who let the dogs out?

By KATIE CLONTZ - kclontz@thecouriertimes.com Who let the dogs out? Or rather why did someone let the dogs out is a better question.  Monday afternoon, staff at the New Castle-Henry County Animal Shelter found themselves scrambling to collect 13 dogs who escap

Cancer event raises $5,000

Liz Niles, left, and Laura Wood created lots of smiles in their superhero costumes Saturday at the Forest Ridge cancer event.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Merchandise on sale Saturday at Forest Ridge was worth a “Fortune.” Quite literally. When all was said, sold and done, approximately $5,000 was raised for the Forest Ridge Fortune Fund during SaturdayR

Public Meetings

This listing of government bodies meetings for the coming week is compiled from notices provided to The Courier-Times. People planning to attend may wish to contact the group first to be sure the meeting has not been canceled. MONDAY New Castle Utility Review Board

Local Briefs

Ceremony planned for Native American Indian Veterans  The Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission is hosting a ceremony on Nov. 3 at the Indianapolis War Memorial to honor all Native American Indian Veterans. The ceremony will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1

Peace Walk is Sept. 21

The fourth annual Peace Walk will take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Sept. 21 at Shelter No. 2 in New Castle’s Baker Park. The event will begin with music and a light supper, followed by a special speaker.  Katrina Mallory, program director of TRU Harbor, a

For the Record

POLICE Sept. 12 A school laptop was stolen from a vehicle in the 1000 block of D Ave.  A lawn mower battery was stolen from the 3000 block of Beechwood and the lawn mower was also damaged.  Sept. 13 Rico Crawford, 42, was arrested and preliminarily charge

Sidewalks surprise city

A stretch of blacktop sidewalk along S. Main Street crosses concrete driveways and ends at concrete curbs. The City of New Castle said it was surprised when workers started pouring asphalt. INDOT said that was the plan all along.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com Construction crews have been hard at work around Riley Road and S. Main Street in New Castle for the past three weeks. Before that, surveyors flagged a path from Southview Drive to Kovacs Drive. Neighbors along the route g

A company with good aptitude - and attitude

Adam Lingle, plant manager of Boar’s Head, talks about one of the New Castle area’s newest corporate citizens during Thursday morning’s New-Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation Board meeting. Lingle, a 1993 graduate of Ball State University who earned his master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, was previously plant manager for Weaver Popcorn in Grant County. He has been plant manager at Boar’s Head since December of 2014.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Conversation literally sandwiched around meaty topics during Thursday’s New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation board meeting. As Adam Lingle, plant manager of Boar’s Head, served as

'It's all about partnerships'

Community members write down programs they know of to help people addicted to drugs. The substance abuse coalition meeting Thursday also helped identify holes in local addiction support systems.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com A room full of passionate and energetic community members got together this week to talk about ways to battle the drug and alcohol problems that have oozed into nearly every aspect of life in Henry County. The me

HENRY COUNTY READS

New Castle-Henry County Public Library kicked off the 2018 Henry County Reads event Friday afternoon. This year’s novel is “Frankenstein,” and the library has 500 copies to give out free to community members. Head of Adult Services Mary Hammons, left, and Teen & Adult Services Librarian Krystal Stanich handed out copies of “Frankenstein” and cupcakes during the kick-off event. The Frankenstein display behind them was designed by Children’s Librarian Lynn Thomas.

HENRY COUNTY READS

Middle ground found in drainage dispute

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Middle ground has been found in a dispute between the county and Hissaydar Investments LLC concerning drainage issues on 145 acres of land near the corner of Ind. 103 and County Road 300 South. Wednesday night, Henry

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY AA: 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church. SATURDAY NA: 6 p.m. The Sanctuary. Sons of Legion: 1 p.m. 419 New York Ave. Grand Avenue Baptist Men’s Prayer Breakfast: 9 a.m. at the church. All men welcome. SUNDAY Celebrate Recovery: Middletown Church of the

Local briefs

Senior Living at Forest Ridge is planning free fall festival Senior Living at Forest Ridge is having a free fall festival from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 at the center, 2800 Forest Ridge Parkway, New Castle. The event is for all ages and includes an animal

Trial pushed back in alleged jail beating case

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com Court deadlines have been rescheduled in a federal lawsuit against Henry County Sheriff Ric McCorkle. Mooreland resident Wayne Houston claims the sheriff should be held responsible for a beating Houston

An emergency call from, not for, local responders

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com In an age of instant communication, Henry County emergency responders find themselves at a difficult crossroads – and a group that’s so accustomed to answering the call for help is now seeking it. Wednesd

Mosquitoes cause a buzz, but local budget limited

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The mosquito didn’t get quite enough votes to be named the Indiana State insect, but that hasn’t stopped the bloodsuckers from pestering Henry County residents. The bugs are most active around dusk an

For the Record

POLICE Sept. 10 An unknown male subject with a small shopping cart was at the southwest corner of the intersection at 9th Street and Indiana Avenue. A large, wooden box was in the cart. The man removed silverware from the box and put it in his clothing, then walked

FULL CIRCLE

U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Hessman and his family enjoyed Thursday’s sunshine on the merry-go-roundat Spiceland Community Park. Hessman, a 2012 Tri High School graduate, brought his family to Spiceland Wednesday night to visit his mom, Patricia Marqua. He is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where soldiers were given the option of fleeing from impending Hurricane Florence. He’s shown with, from left, sons Aren, Audric, Ares and wife, Adelin. Adam returned a week ago from a six-month deployment in Kuwait. The family will be here at least through Sunday and if the flooding is bad, maybe even through next week.

FULL CIRCLE

Changing the channel on TV disposal

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com A recent article in The Washington Post reported there are 338 million televisions in the United States, 15 million more than the entire population. What happens to those televisions after they no long

New Castle food pantries get financial assistance

Steve Slocomb of God’s Grain Bin spoke on Wednesday about the good that a donation of $5,000 in food products will do through that food pantry. Listening, left, is Rinda Kieffer, human resources manager at Dot Foods in Cambridge City, which made the donation.

By BOB HANSEN - Connersville News-Examiner CAMBRIDGE CITY — Steve Slocomb had a catch in his voice as he told about a recent experience at God’s Grain Bin, a food pantry he and other volunteers operate in New Castle.  An 80-year-old woman who

Confessed killer gets 63 years in prison

By KATIE CLONTZ - kclontz@thecouriertimes.com A wonderful husband, an exceptional father. A dedicated employee. An absolute asset.  That's how Michael Patterson's widow described her husband, who was murdered Aug. 18, 2008 at his Middletown home afte

OUT ABOUT FAITH

Henry Co. Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, parking lot at corner of Main and Race streets. Rain or shine. Reservations were due Sept. 6 for the Farm-To-Fork Dinner fundraiser, starting at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 13 at Whitetail Tree Farm. Tickets $50 each, locally-so

New Castle class of 1963 to reunite this month

Walter P Chrysler Memorial High School’s Class of 1963 will have the 55th class reunion Friday-Saturday, Sept. 28-29. At 5 p.m., Friday, Sept 28, there will be a get together at the home of Steve and Jean Ann Walls, 902 Ivywood Court, New Castle. Soft drinks

Club news

Town and Country Homemakers meet at Knightstown cafe/bakery KNIGHTSTOWN — On Aug. 21, the Town and Country Homemaker’s Club began their new club year with a dinner meeting at The Burch Tree Cafe and Bakery in Knightstown. Members Pam Bever, Sonnie Thomp

B.A.M.'S PLANS EXPAND

Believe & Achieve Mentoring (B.A.M.) Executive Director Ashley Huffman, left, and Casey Knight, program coordinator, celebrate Tuesday night after B.A.M. was voted winner of the $7,000 grant for expanding program services. The award came at the end of the Henry County Community Foundation’s sixth-annual Women’s Circle of Friends Grantmaking Gala. The money will be used to expand the Lunch Buddies Program, where childrenhave adult mentors dine with them at school weekly. Currently the program is an ongoing success at Parker Elementary School in New Castle. Runners-up who received $250 each in grant money are Tru Harbor and Hillcroft Services, both in New Castle. Full-coverage from the gala will appear on Sunday’s Neighbors page.

B.A.M.’S PLANS EXPAND

New assistant principal at Tri High

The South Henry School Board hired Shay Bonnell, right, Tuesday evening to be the new assistant principal at Tri Junior-Senior High School. Bonnell is pictured with Tri High Principal Scott Widner, left.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com A new face is coming to the halls of Tri Junior-Senior High School. The South Henry School Board approved Shay Bonnell as the new Tri High assistant principal during Tuesday’s board meeting. Bonnell comes to town fro

Nettle Creek communities getting Little Libraries

Students from the Hagerstown Jr./Sr. High Schoolwelding and small engines classes refurbished former newspaper kiosks and installed them throughout the community as part of the area’s “Every Child Can Read” program.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com Teens and teachers from Nettle Creek schools are working together to make it easier for families in the area to take part in the joy of reading. Students in Nathan Williamson’s welding and small engine

EASTWOOD 'WISH' KIDS

Eastwood Elementary recently recognized the August WISH kids of the month with a pizza luncheon. Students were nominated by classroom teachers for demonstrating Eastwood’s WISH: Working hard, Improving daily, Showing respect and Helping Others. First row, from left:Maddon Gonzalez, Colton Clark, Adisyn Chesher, Carly Ledfordand Gabriella Pitocco. Second row, from left:Imagen Grimm, Ashton Hunter, Daniel Taylor, Leah Eley and Kaylin Kennedy. Third row, from left: Shaylen Miller, Mason Laurie, Luke Logsdon, Dakota Woodruff, Conner Woodruff, Abe Thurman and Brady Baker.Not pictured, but also recognized as WISH Staff member of the month, Mrs. Ella Walker.

EASTWOOD ‘WISH’ KIDS

Fund set up for local accident victim

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com A special account has been established to help pay for ongoing medical expenses on behalf of former Henry County Republican Chairman Mike Gerrish, who was seriously injured in a recent Iowa automobile accident. The a

Property tax appeals: mixed bag of results

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com One yes, one no, one maybe. The Henry County Property Tax Board of Appeals held its first 2018 meeting last week and finished with a mixed bag of rulings. Board members agreed to lower the assessment on the property

For the Record

POLICE Sept. 11 Brandon Fannin, 19, was arrested and preliminarily charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and public intoxication. James Peterson, 45, was arrested and preliminarily charged with possession of a controlled substance.  Berry Manning,

Local Briefs

Middletown Library sale offers DVDs, CDs, books, puzzles The Middletown Public Library kicks off its largest sale of the year Friday. Included in the sale are DVDs, CDs, books and jigsaw puzzles. Most items are nearly-new. Among the books i

Dot Foods gives $10,000 to New Castle food pantries

Cambridge City — Dot Foods, the largest food industry redistributor in North America, announced the return of its Neighbor-to-Neighbor philanthropic program benefiting local efforts to fight hunger. Dot Foods’ Indiana distribution center, located in Cam

A new strategy for wind farm opponents

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Some Sulphur Springs residents say they do not believe New Castle or Henry County officials who have urged anti-wind protesters to “calm down,” who say “there is no cause for alarm” and who co

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY NA: 7:30 p.m. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. AA: 7:30 p.m. 47 E. Main St. Hagerstown. Breakfast Optimists: 6:30 a.m. Raintree Square. BNI Prime Time: noon, Montgomery’s Steakhouse. THURSDAY AA: 7:30 p.m. Kennard Friends Church, 101 N. Vine St. Kennard. A

Taking a big bite out of K-9 costs

Knightstown Police Chief Chris Newkirk accepts a $2,000 check from students and staff of Knightstown Elementary School, money that will help pay for a canine dog to assist the department there, particularly with drug-related cases. Kristin Crawford, standing next to Newkirk on the left, is a third-grade teacher whose students, pictured in front, won the “Jar Wars” competition by bringing in the most loose change to put in a jar for the fundraiser. At the right of Chief Newkirk is School Resource Officer Adrian Darling and Knightstown Elementary School Principal Danielle Carmichael. Thanks to the KES donation, Newkirk saidabout $23,000 has been raised for the dog. He said full deployment of the dog will probably begin at the first of the year. Donations are still being accepted to maintain the dog and its needs. They can be made in person at the utility office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday throughFridayor by mailing a check to 26 S. Washington St., Knightstown, IN 46148.

Taking a big bite out of K-9 costs

Two-Town Theater auditions are under way

Two-Town Theater Co. announces auditions for Fools, by Neil Simon, the first play in the 2018-19 season. Auditions are 6:30-8:30 p.m. today at Madjax, at the corner of Madison and Jackson streets in Muncie. New Castle auditions are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at

For the Record

POLICE Sept. 10 Briana Crumpler, 19, was arrested on a warrant for battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting law enforcement, domestic battery, disorderly conduct and illegal consumption.  Justin DeWitt, 37, was arrested and preliminarily charged with th

New Castle Class of 1968 celebrates 50-year reunion

Attendees of the New Castle Class of 1968 at the recent 50-year reunion.

The Walter P. Chrysler Memorial High School Class of 1968 had its 50th class reunion on July 28. 1968 was a pivotal year in American politics and war but it was also a pinnacle time in the muscle-car era. Class-member Debbie Wallace Scott decorated the VFW with a &

1400 Plaza plans impress preservationists

Mayor Greg York (standing) goes over the latest drawing for the 1400 Plaza project with New Castle Historic Preservation Committee members (left to right) Fred Daniel, Richard McKnight and David Nantz.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com The latest drawings of the downtown 1400 Plaza were shared with the New Castle Preservation Committee Monday night, which learned the time-honored saying “Everything old is new again” applies he

Local briefs

Clothing giveaway planned The Henry Township Trustee’s Office Fall Clothing Giveaway is 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Henry Township Community Center, 1201 Church St., New Castle. All Henry Township residents may take part. The giveaway is in the

Bond money could improve school security

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The New Castle School Board started the process Monday to pursue a new $2.5 million general obligation bond. New Castle Community School Corporation Business Manager Megan Bell explained that this new debt would be re

'Fiddling' with fun

Jimmy Melton, Denver Jesse and Ed Blevins (left to right) blend their musical talents with a band of others Monday night during another bluegrass music event at Baker Park. Bluegrass music is featured from 6 to 9 p.m. each Monday through the second week of October.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com They come from Hartford City, Anderson, Greenfield, Muncie and more. They bring their banjos, upright basses, fiddles and guitars. Each Monday night, Baker Park comes alive with bluegrass music. And for a little whil

'Pennies on the dollar compared to here'

Left, Amanda Keeler in Fall 2017. Right, Amanda Keeler ready for Fall 2018, six months after bariatric surgery in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com New Castle native Amanda Keeler had to fly to another country to save her own life. Keeler struggled with her weight for a long time. She has a family history of strokes and other health issues that come with obesity. Last

Child molester gets 55 years in prison

By KATIE CLONTZ - kclontz@thecouriertimes.com A Greencastle man received a 55-year prison sentence Tuesday morning after pleading guilty to two counts of child molestation.  Michael S. Lewis, 46, molested a girl under the age of 10 for more than a year.&#

West Nile virus confirmed in Henry Co.

The Henry County Health Department announced Tuesday that mosquitoes recently collected in Henry County have tested positive for West Nile virus. This brings the total in Indiana to 369 West Nile positive mosquito pools thus far in 2018. There has been three c