Local News

Singer to perform at First Presbyterian

Concert artist, recording studio vocalist, and oratorio singer, Leah Crane, will sing at the First Presbyterian Church in New Castle at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 28 at the worship service. A personal friend of Pastor Rod Smith, she has regularly appeared as a so

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, 2208 Broad St.

Interns help reorganize local reuse center

Intern Lauren Ayers (left) teams with Henry County Solid Waste District Assistant Brenda Bockover in removing an old television set from a pick-up truck recently at the downtown office. Another intern, Makenna Beaudry-Giddings (right), stands by for back-up if needed.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com What do you get when you task a couple of New Castle High School seniors with reorganizing hundreds of items at a reuse center? Henry County Solid Waste Management District Director JoAnne McCorkle and her assis

Knightstown Council discusses annexation

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Knightstown, like its northwestern Henry County counterpart Middletown, has growing pains these days. Last week, the town council discussed possible annexation of certain areas. One resident, Roger Hamilton, sought i

FOR THE RECORD

POLICE Arrest information, including the name, age, address and criminal charges, are obtained from police media reports. All suspects are presumed innocent until found guilty in court. July 20 Blake Lewis, 23, was arrested on preliminary charges of resisting law i

Wind farm could help local community budgets

The Big Blue River Wind Farm, owned by Calpine Corporation, recently released its updated tax projections based on its proposed 38 wind turbine layout. The wind farm is anticipated to provide more than $20 million in tax revenues to Henry County’s schools, to

New Castle man accused of sending nude photos to children

Courier-Times Staff Report A New Castle man remained in jail Monday for allegedly sending naked pictures of himself to two children under the age of 14. New Castle police arrested Alan J. Allison, 21, Thursday during an interview at the police statio

Jail locked down over weekend for 'disciplinary issues'

Courier-Times Staff Report Henry County Jail went into full lockdown around midnight Sunday morning. “There were disciplinary issues in every block, so they (jail staff) locked them down,” Sheriff Ric McCorkle told The Courier-Times Monday. Mc

Local Briefs

Hospital board meets Friday The Board of Trustees of Henry Community Health will meet in executive session at 7:30 a.m. Friday, July 26 in the HCH administrative boardroom. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss medical peronnel matters, non-medical personnel mat

NEW CASTLE 15U ALL-STARS WIN STATE

Players and coaches on the New Castle Babe Ruth League Baseball 15s All-Star Team display their medals and hold the banner after Sunday’s 8-5 victory in eight innings over Logansport to win the Northern State Tournament championship at Denny Bolden Field. The NC 15s wonfive straight games over three days, including defeating Logansport twice on Sunday, to win the championship and advance to the Ohio Valley Regional in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. All five game stories and more photos are in today’s sports section.

NEW CASTLE 15U ALL-STARS WIN STATE

Knightstown library helping digitize The Banner archives

Courier-Times Staff Report The Knightstown Public Library and Historic Knightstown will soon have free access to digital archives of The Banner. The library board learned earlier this month microfilm of The Banner was mailed to Newspapers.com for dig

BEST OF THE BEST

Shelbey Day had the Grand Champion Overall Holstein Steer, which sold for $4,300, pulling in the highest price during the Sale of Champions. Shelbey isa daughter of Justin and Shannon Day of Middletown. More photos from the Henry County 4-H Sale of Champions can be viewed on The Courier-Times’ Facebook page.

BEST OF THE BEST

CADIZ COMMUNITY DAY

You didn’t need a driver’s license to enjoy the 9th annual Cadiz Community Day car show Saturday at the Harrison Township Community Building. Along with classic cars on display, there was a bounce house, dunk tank, display by the Cadiz Fire Department and much more for the community.

CADIZ COMMUNITY DAY

Memories of the moon landing, 50 years later

A 1947 picture of Earl Thompson at his Westwood home, west of New Castle. The next year, he hit a hole-in-one at American Legion Golf Course in New Castle.

By DONNA CRONK - dcronk@thecouriertimes.com Editor’s note: This is second in a two-part series about Earl Thompson, a 1945 New Castle graduate who helped put a man on the moon. After a childhood interest in mechanics, a talent with math, a fine wo

Holcomb requests agricultural disaster designation for Henry, other counties

Courier-Times Staff Report INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb recently announced the state of Indiana is requesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretarial disaster designation for 88 counties – including Henry County – due to losse

Small pets have their day at the fair

Grace McDonald, left, and her older sister, Emma, of New Castle, entered their guinea pigs in the Henry County 4-H Fair Cats & Small Pets Show Wednesday. The girls have nice things to say about raising these pets. Grace’s is Poppy and Emma holds Fluffy.

By DONNA CRONK - dcronk@thecouriertimes.com While many kitties in the Cats & Small Pets show at the 4-H fair waited their turn, they cuddled inside blankets or huddled in cages. But a Spiceland cat named Lincoln was all chill as she lounged on her hum

FOOD INSPECTION REPORTS

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The Environmental Public Health Office of the Henry County Health Department conducted two temporary inspections during the second week of July. County inspectors identified zero violations during that time

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 Memorial Park Board: executive

Mooreland Free Fair just around the corner

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Aromas of foot-long hot dogs, ham and beans, elephant ears. A kaleidoscope of bright lights moving and flashing in all directions. Screams of delight, cheers for contestants and the roar of tractor engines. 

The day Gen. William Grose died

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com It was a late Monday afternoon in July 119 years ago when a well-known New Castle soldier fought his last battle. Gen. William Grose, the Civil War hero who worked under such legendary names as Gen. William Tecumseh

Process begins to reorganize Middletown, Fall Creek Twp.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com Officials in the Middletown area have started the ball rolling to make local government more efficient. The answer for northwestern Henry County may be less government. But not necessarily the way lawmakers in Indianapolis

Man pleads not guilty in car chase

Courier-Times Staff Report A Knightstown man has pled not guilty after allegedly leading multiple police agencies on a high-speed chase Monday through three counties along US Hwy 40. Henry County deputies were conducting a welfare check in

FOR THE RECORD

POLICE Arrest information, including the name, age, address and criminal charges, are obtained from police media reports. All suspects are presumed innocent until found guilty in court. July 18 Bradley Kuhlman, 31, was arrested on a preliminary charge of possession

Country band to perform July 25 at public library

Blue River Band will perform at 7 p.m. July 25 at New Castle-Henry County Public Library.

Blue River Band, based out of Greenwood, will share country music during a free concert Thursday at the New Castle-Henry County Public Library. The performance begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25, in the library’s auditorium. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. and a

Local Briefs

Back To School Festival is July 29 The annual Back To School Festival is 12 p.m. Monday, July 29 in the Arts Park Pavilion in downtown New Castle. The event offers local families the chance to get free school supplies and other information before the school year be

Lake announces bid for Congress in 6th District

Jeannine Lee Lake announced on Independence Day that she will be seeking the Democratic nomination to become the first United States Congresswoman representing Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District. A longtime community leader who chairs the Feed My Sheep ch

Well-rounded youth emerge from Round Robin event

The best of the best competed Thursday in the Henry County 4-H Fair Round Robin contest. Pictured from l-r are Josie Day, dairy beef; Hannah Mefford, dairy; Olivia Lovett, meat goats; Jessie Lanzer, horses; Clara Kendall, sheep; Ashton Harvey, beef; Auburn Harvey, swine; and Stella Dearing, dairy goats.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Getting a farm animal that weighs a lot more than you do to move in the right direction is hard enough when it’s your own and you’ve worked with it every day. Imagine trying to do it with an animal you

What a ride: Putting men on the moon

The Thompson siblings celebrate their paternal grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversaryon Sept. 11, 1952in the grandchildren’s childhood homein Westwood near New Castle. Sitting on the floor, from left, Charles and Kathleen; second row, Francis, Edward, Norma Jean and Earl. Top row, from left, Mary Louwith grandparents Bessie and Lon.

By DONNA CRONK - dcronk@thecouriertimes.com Editor’s note: This is first in a two-part series about 1945 New Castle graduate Earl Thompson who helped put the first man on the moon. Part two appears tomorrow. You’ve heard of Wilbur Wright. Bu

In Brief

Park board executive session Monday The Henry County Memorial Park Board will meet in executive session at 5 p.m. Monday, July 22 to discuss personnel performance. The meeting will be held in the basement of the Henry County Justice Center, 

Procedures set for wind farm meeting

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The Henry County Planning Commission has announced the planned procedures for the Tuesday’s public meeting at Bundy Auditorium. The meeting is to consider a commission approved use (CAU) request for the Big Blue Rive

FOR THE RECORD

POLICE Arrest information, including the name, age, address and criminal charges, are obtained from police media reports. All suspects are presumed innocent until found guilty in court. July 16 Justin Prince, 35, was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of

3 arrested on drug charges after traffic stop

New Castle police arrested three people early Wednesday morning during a traffic stop near the police station and county jail. Officers stopped a car near the intersection of N. Main Street and Vine around 1:10 a.m. Wednesday for failure to dim bright lights and im

LifeLine's impact felt years later by family

Holly Dishman joins her son, Landon, in getting an up-close look at an IU Health LifeLine Helicopter Wednesday at Marlatt Field. It was part of a celebration event that brought the Dishman family together to thank LifeLine officials, who helped save a then two-year-old Landon who had suffered serious injuries in a fall.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Landon Dishman earned some red ribbons showing his goats Tuesday at the Henry County 4-H Fair. The ribbons, while nice, paled in comparison to the mere fact that he was able to participate at all. Eleven years a

RACING THROUGH FARMERS' OLYMPICS

The emcee makes sure a 4-H’er on one of the teams “helps mom hang the wash” using clothespins during Wednesday night’s 4-H Farmers’ Olympics in Frank Schuler Arena at Memorial Park. Hanging the wash was the third of seven activities teams had to complete to win. The others were eat breakfast, feed the hogs, riding lessons, feed the cows, wheelbarrow race and fire brigade.

RACING THROUGH FARMERS’ OLYMPICS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY AA: 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church. AA: 9 p.m. First Baptist Church. Al-Anon: doors open 6:45 p.m., 7 p.m. meeting. Lasts to 8 p.m. At First Christian Church, 2000 Bundy Ave., New Castle. Mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected

A family affair

Avery Gibson, 15, stands with her horse, Doc, a Tennessee Walker. Gibson is from the Blue River area and her family had four horses at the Henry County 4-H Horse and Pony Show.

By KATIE CLONTZ - For The Courier-Times In her stall, Dixie whinnies and paces around. She can’t see her boyfriend, Boogie, who is in the stall next to her. And she isn’t happy about it. “Horses get very attached to each other. They’re pastu

Hearing set to discuss Beard bond issue plans

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com August will be a busy and important month for the Charles A. Beard School Corp. While students return to school for the start of the 2019-2020 year, administrators and board members are looking several years behind t

OUT ABOUT FAITH

Henry County Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-noon, Saturdays until October, 1400 Plaza. 4-H Fair: Through July 19. Memorial Park. For His Glory Women’s Ministry Ladies Jewel Cafe: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 20, First Baptist Church, 709 S. Memorial Drive. Carry-in

Secretary of Career Connections to speak in Henry County

Indiana’s Secretary for Career Connections and Talent Blair Milo will speak in Henry County July 26. RSVPs are due by Saturday.

Courier-Times Staff Report Blair Milo, Indiana’s Secretary for Career Connections and Talent, will be in New Castle next week to talk about programs for Hoosier workers and employers. Secretary Milo will visit with Henry County stakeholders during a

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY Henry County Writers Group: 1-3 p.m. Meets every Thursday, Jack’s Donuts. Information: 928-530-1233, Annette. Open to writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. AA: 7:30 p.m. Kennard Friends Church, 101 N. Vine St. Kennard. AA: 7:30 p.m. St. Anne Paris

Library, United Way hosting 'Listen & Learn'

Courier-Times Staff Report The New Castle-Henry County Public Library and the United Way of Delaware & Henry Counties are co-hosting community Listen & Learn sessions on July 26 and July 30. NCHCPL Director Winnie Logan said the purpose of these conversatio

Choose Henry grant opportunities

Shari Neal, center, and her friends from Agape Learning Center received a Spring 2019 Community Grant from “Choose Henry” for furnishings and educational materials for their infant room. Agape provides one of the few options for childcare and early learning in Henry County. HCCF’s 2019 fall grant workshop will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7at the NC-HC Public Library.

The Henry County Community Foundation (HCCF) will be hosting the Fall Grant Workshop at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7 in the New Castle-Henry County Public Library auditorium. The workshop is for Henry County nonprofit organizations wishing to submit an application f

Local Briefs

Property tax appeals board meets Wednesday The Henry County Property Tax Board of Appeas will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, in the County Assessor’s conference room, third floor, Henry County Courthouse, 101 S. Main St., New Castle. — Information p

New principal hired at Knightstown Intermediate School

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Sara Stevenson remembers running in cross country meets at Knightstown when she was a Centerville High School student. When school starts next month, she will be back in Knightstown running something else – the

Ruffling some feathers

New Castle resident Sydney Fellers, 13, is pictured with her dad, Brad Fellers. Sydney brought four meat chickens to Monday’s poultry and pigeon show at the Henry County 4-H Fair.

By KATIE CLONTZ - For The Courier-Times Have you ever given a chicken a bath? Sydney Fellers has. “They don’t like it,” she said. “Two of my little ones jumped out and splashed me. But it’s OK.” Sydney, a 13-year-old New Castle r

MORE FROM FREEDOM DAYS

Virginia Cripps, center, received the first ever “Citizen of the Year Award” during Spiceland Freedom Days this past weekend. Spiceland residents nominated Cripps for the award. Freedom Days volunteers Kylie Green and Samantha Bales made the presentation.

MORE FROM FREEDOM DAYS

Got their goats

Hunter Coleman of Knightstown gives his meat goat, Chick, a bath before the meat goat show at the Henry County 4-H Fair Wednesday.

By DONNA CRONK - dcronk@thecouriertimes.com This is the first year that Carley Smith of Middletown, 12, showed a goat at the Henry County 4-H Fair. Her guinea pig – er – goat was Halsey, who was entered in the dairy goat show Wednesday morning. 

THE SECRET'S IN THE SAUCE

Two teams competed Sunday afternoon in the Henry County 4-H Fair Adult Grilling Competition. Pictured in back, from left, are Kurtis Clontz and Dustin Reed of New Castle, as well as Angela Wiggs and Justin Wiggs of Muncie. Pictured in the front row are Aurora and Luke Wiggs. The brother team composed of Clontz and Reed took home the grand championship trophy. Their winning menu consisted of grilled chicken stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in bacon and topped with a spicy BBQ sauce. Their side dishes were loaded baked potato bombs and grilled corn on the cob. They also prepared a grilled squash and zucchini salad topped with sliced cherry tomatoes, cheese sprinkles and a homemade strawberry dressing. Dessert was an apple cinnamon bacon crisp.

THE SECRET’S IN THE SAUCE

Career Center designated 'Early College' site

New Castle Career Center has been endorsed by Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning(CELL) as an Early College site. Pictured from left are NCCC Assistant Director Mackenzie Jackson, NCCC Director Chris Lamb and CELL Director of Early College Sandy Hillman.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The New Castle school district has a lot to be proud of this month. The New Castle Career Center and Eastwood Elementary School Principal Jacob White were both presented with special recognitions this week during the July

Council action enhances 'Safe And Welcome' goals

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com City officials are excited about the possibilities that may come with a Stellar designation, but they aren’t waiting in their efforts to make New Castle and Henry County “Safe and Welcome.” Monday n

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY Henry County Writers Group: 1-3 p.m. Meets every Thursday, Jack’s Donuts. Information: 928-530-1233, Annette. Open to writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. AA: 7:30 p.m. Kennard Friends Church, 101 N. Vine St. Kennard. AA: 7:30 p.m. St. Anne Paris

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. Information: 529-5132. BNI PrimeTime: noon, Montgomery’s Steakhouse. THURSDAY Henry County Writers Group: 1-3 p.m. Meets

4-H members compete with their hogs for top honors

Daniel Chapman, a 10-year 4-H Club member, shows his 238-pound pig in Class No. 4 during Sunday afternoon’s 4-H Hog Show at Memorial Park. His hog was best in its class and Chapman indicated one needs to devote the proper time and attention to raise a prize-winning hog as he or she would for any worthwhile endeavor.

By DAVID RISLEY - drisley@thecouriertimes.com Because more than barrows were shown Sunday afternoon at Frank Shuler Arena in Memorial Park, the official name of the event was the “2019 Henry County Born, Bred, and Raised and Market Hog Show.” It was a h

Q Avenue speed limit ordinance fails 4-3

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Signs will not be changing on Q Avenue regarding speed, but all involved in a New Castle City Council debate that’s gone on for several meetings – and multiple years – hope motorists and pedestrian

Local briefs

Academy Place Knightstown lands grant KNIGHTSTOWN – Academy Place Knightstown is recipient of a grant from the White Family Grant administered through the Hancock County Community Foundation. The $1,500 grant will help fund a landscape design study

Back-to-school briefs

Back-to-school bash at Open Arms Church A Back-to-School Bash is planned from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Open Arms Church, 1618 Broad St., New Castle. There will be backpack giveaways, dunk tank, face painting, KYS Kreations Food Truck, free haircut vouchers, co

Michigan singers performing in New Castle Sunday

On Sunday, July 21, South Memorial Drive Church of God will host the Michigan Singers in concert at 10:30 a.m. This is the third time the 60-member group has been in New Castle in the last five years. This year they are focusing on faith, hope and trust in a God wh

Party like a rock star

Haelyn Walker, 13, New Castle, brushes her pig, Rock Star, Monday before the Henry County 4-H Swine Show.

By KATIE CLONTZ - For The Courier-Times Maddy Dishman celebrated her 17th birthday Monday at the Henry County 4-H Fair. And her party guests behaved like pigs – literally. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I brought the whole barn,” joked t

Ruffling some feathers

Brooklynne Corn, 12, New Castle, showed several different breeds of pigeons Monday at the Henry County 4- H Fair.

By KATIE CLONTZ - For The Courier-Times Have you ever given a chicken a bath? Sydney Fellers has. “They don’t like it,” she said. “Two of my little ones jumped out and splashed me. But it’s ok.” Sydney, a 13-year-old New Castle r

Mini 4-H group un-furr-getable

Mini 4-H Rabbit Judge George Raisor admires a poster made by Lukas Davidson Sunday at the Henry County 4-H Fair just for the occasion.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Jarrett Pentecost’s mom showed him ribbons and a trophy she won when competing in Henry County 4-H Fair the night before he was to take his rabbit, “Frances” into competition. When Sunday’s Mi

MORE FROM FREEDOM DAYS

Virginia Cripps (center) received the first ever “Citizen of the Year Award” during Spiceland Freedom Days this past weekend. Spiceland residents nominated Cripps for the award. Freedom Days volunteers Kylie Green and Samantha Bales made the presentation.

MORE FROM FREEDOM DAYS

Fair open show highlights community skills

Jane Pidgeon of New Castle looks over the jacket she entered in the recycling category of the Henry County Open Show at the 4-H fair. She won a blue ribbon for her efforts.

By DONNA CRONK - dcronk@thecouriertimes.com Jane Pidgeon loves to sew. As a result, she has a stash of fabric. So she gave herself a goal: “I like to challenge myself to use up what I have,” she says.  To that end, her efforts at cleverly recy

School supplies still needed for Back-To-School Day

Provided by HOPE Initiative School supplies are still being sought for this year’s July 29th school supply giveaway, sponsored by the Christian Love Help Center and HOPE Initiative. Supplies being collected are plastic school boxes, Crayola Crayons (24 count)

New fund lets community donate to New Castle Fieldhouse

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The Fieldhouse in New Castle was born from a community effort some 60 years ago. New Castle school officials hope the community today will help put the Fieldhouse back on top as the “largest and finest” of

Hosting Holcomb big win for Hoosier gym

Former Knightstown Town Council President Terry Guerin was among the big crowd at Hoosier Gym Saturday for Gov. Eric Holcomb’s re-election announcement. Guerin, a resident of Anderson, was part of a crowd that featured someone from each ofIndiana’s 92 counties.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Gov. Eric Holcomb could have announced his re-election plans on the steps of the Indiana Statehouse or in his birthplace town of Vincennes. He could have staged it along a Hoosier highway, referencing his “Next

FOR THE RECORD

CORRECTION A story in Tuesday’s paper about the upcoming Henry County Planning Commission meeting had the incorrect start time for the public meeting. The planning commission will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 in Bundy Auditorium. The Courier-Times reg

THE SECRET'S IN THE SAUCE

Two teams competed Sunday afternoon in the Henry County 4-H Fair Adult Grilling Competition. Pictured in back, from left, are Kurtis Clontz and Dustin Reed of New Castle, as well as Angela Wiggs and Justin Wiggs of Muncie. Pictured in the front row are Aurora and Luke Wiggs. The brother team composed of Clontz and Reed took home the grand championship trophy.Their winning menuconsisted of grilled chicken stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in bacon and topped with a spicy BBQ sauce. Their side dishes were loaded baked potato bombs and grilled corn on the cob. They also prepared a grilled squash and zucchini salad topped with sliced cherry tomatoes, cheese sprinkles and a homemade strawberry dressing. Dessert was an apple cinnamon bacon crisp.

THE SECRET’S IN THE SAUCE

SWINE CLUB DINNER

Henry County 4-H Swine Club families gathered in the show arena Sunday afternoon for a pulled pork dinner and door prizes. Club organizers estimated there are swine 75 presenters this year, not including Mini 4-H’ers.

SWINE CLUB DINNER