Local News

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-Henry County Board o

Secret Families seeking volunteers for holidays

Ean Southerland, a personal banker at Citizens State Bank, took histurn in the dunk tank Wednesday during the bank’s community appreciation day. Proceeds from the dunk tank were donated to Secret Families of Henry County.

By KATIE CLONTZ - kclontz@thecouriertimes.com Secret Families of Henry County is hoping to help 60 families in need this holiday season.  And to make that happen, they need kind-hearted individuals with extra holiday cheer. A call-out meeting for volunteers is

Local briefs

Fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer’s Association The public is invited to Dine ‘N’ Donate at Primo Restaurant from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26. Primo, located at 1326 Broad St., New Castle, will donate 10 perce

CLIFFORD VISITS HAGERSTOWN

Clifford the Big Red Dog visited Hagerstown Elementary School Thursday evening during the annual Tiger Bazaar. The event was highlighted by a Scholastic Book Fair, inflatables, games, snacks and more. Pictured with Clifford are students Isaiah Torres, Ashlyn Claywell, Will Combs, Allison Stinson, Sydney Martindale, Brooklyn O’Neil, Garrett Mill and Crey Davey.

CLIFFORD VISITS HAGERSTOWN

Local Miracle League sends player to All Star Games

Hannah Brooks,right, is pictured with Bailey Rock, herAll Star buddy. Rock has a sister that plays for the Miracle League of Findlay.

By KATIE CLONTZ - kclontz@thecouriertimes.com Cindy Brooks started Miracle League 10 years ago so her daughter, Hannah, could play baseball and be a part of a team just like her three brothers.  The Miracle League is a baseball league for people with cognitive

FOOD INSPECTION REPORTS

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The Environmental Public Health Office of the Henry County Health Department conducted 12 routine and five temporary inspections during the first week of September. County inspectors identified five critical

Council takes action against 'death trap' property

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com One is “a death trap.” Another is overgrown to such an extent, poison ivy growing through a fence has infected a child living next door. They are eyesores to everyone but the property owners, three o

Artistry Annex turns 5 this year

Artistry Annex coordinator Loretta Wray cleans the windows of the downtown gift shop. The Annex is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Extended holiday hours begin in November.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com Looking to decorate your home with unique paintings and photographs? Visit the Artistry Annex at the corner of Broad and 15th streets in New Castle. Would you like some handmade jewelry or pottery for gift ideas? Stop

Church office catches fire

By KATIE CLONTZ - kclontz@thecouriertimes.com KNIGHTSTOWN — A Thursday evening fire caused significant damage to the office of Knightstown Friends Church on East Brown Street.  According to Knightstown Police Chief Chris Newkirk, the fire broke out at th

Federal jail death suit could go to court in November 2019

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The judge in a federal case against Henry County Sheriff Ric McCorkle and several jail employees has accepted a request from the plaintiff to move the court date back six months. Brian L. Gosser, 32, died March 4

For the Record

POLICE Sept. 20 Police stopped a vehicle for traffic infractions near 25th Street and D Avenue. New Castle Police K9 Axe indicated to the presence of illegal narcotics and police found methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, syringes, a glass pipe, scales and b

Knightstown canine effort on track

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com For the first time in a decade, Knightstown’s Police Department is back in the canine business. Thursday night, town council members unanimously approved official reinstatement of the canine program. Council me

ANNIVERSARY

Merl and Marge Robbins of New Castle will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Merl and the former Marge Kendall were united in marriage on Sept. 21, 1968 by the Rev. R.E. Pavy at the First Baptist Church in New Castle. She is the

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY AA: 7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church. AA: 9 p.m. First Baptist Church, 709 S. Memorial Drive. SATURDAY NA: 6 p.m. The Sanctuary. SUNDAY Celebrate Recovery: Middletown Church of the Nazarene. Phone: 765-354-2327. AA: 4 p.m. St. Anne Parish Center. MONDAY N

Historically speaking

Here’s a photo of Tom Allen, on the right, in action running with the football. When he was a player, Allen was on the field virtually every minute of the game, playing both offense and defense as well as serving as the team’s kicker. This photo, taken by Brian Drumm, was published in The Henry County News Republican in the mid-1980s.

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com He was all over the field. Some remember the Tom Allen who was a rugged runner during his playing days at New Castle. Others recall how aggressive of a tackler he was from his linebacker position. Still others reflec

More than 50 tons of fun for the environment

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com One could say the recent Henry County Solid Waste Management District “Tox-Away Day” was one “whale” of an effort. Actually, make that five whales. Official numbers from the Aug. 18 event show

PTO Holiday Bazaar is Nov. 3

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The parent-teacher organization at Shenandoah Elementary School is ready for the holiday season. The 2018 SES Holiday Bazaar is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 at the school building, 5256 N. Raider Road, Middletow

City council supports upgrade for emergency communications

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Another governing body has given a “10-4” on plans for a $1.3 million upgrade of emergency responder radio equipment. Monday night, it was the New Castle City Council’s turn to learn about and appro

Expo Center could be 'a game changer'

Local farmer Jay Cronk and his wife, Kim, look over plans for the new Henry County Expo Center. The Cronks watched their three kids go through local 4-H programs. Jay helped start the conversation four years ago to find a new permanent home for 4-H. That plan has evolved into an Expo Center the whole community can use.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com There was some sweet talk this week about the new project slated for Memorial Park. Business owners, farm families and people with a heart for Henry County gathered Wednesday night in the REMC community room for a des

For the Record

POLICE Sept. 19 Janeen Guffey, 45, was arrested and preliminarily charged with possession of a syringe and possession of paraphernalia.  Gary Robinson, 37, was arrested on a warrant for intimidation, resisting law enforcement, disorderly conduct and public int

Woman accused of battering four people

By KATIE CLONTZ - kclontz@thecouriertimes.com A New Castle woman was arrested after she allegedly battered four people: two juveniles, one senior citizen and another adult. Lisa Ann Archey, 61, New Castle, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with four counts of dom

PANTHER PRIDE

Members of the 1958 Knightstown High School sectional champion basketball team ride along with alumni representing the Panthers’ 1988 softball champions during Wednesday’s homecoming parade. Standing in the white shirt is Danny Vaughn. Sitting and facing the camera is Charlie Riggs. Blocked from view but pointing to someone is Bub Keen. For more photos from Knighstown’s Homecoming Parade, see page A3 of today’s newspaper.

PANTHER PRIDE 

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

The Knightstown High School Marching Band got Wednesday’s homecoming parade off to a rousing start.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

LOCAL BRIEFS

Church concert, dinner is Sunday Greensboro Church of the Nazarene will host Ann Downing Ministries in concert at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, with a pitch-in dinner to follow. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call Pastor Randy Perry at 317-464-7005. The chur

OUT ABOUT FAITH

Crushing Chiari Awareness Event & Car Show: Sept. 22, 3-8 p.m. Car show 3-7 p.m., National Guard Armory, 1537 Grand Ave. Food, vendors, fun. Rain or shine. Many awards in car show, $10 registration. Karaoke: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays; Saturdays: Stars & Str

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY League of Women Voters of Henry County: 5:30 p.m. First Friends Church, 503 S. Main St., New Castle. AA: 7:30 p.m. Kennard Friends Church, 101 N. Vine St. AA: 7:30 p.m. St. Anne Parish Center. TOPS: 5:50 p.m. weigh-in, CR 950 N, Middletown. New Castle-Henry C

Raises proposed for city employees

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com New Castle City Council members approved a raise for almost everyone except themselves Monday night. Council unanimously passed a first reading of the 2019 salary ordinance, which provides raises for department of fi

Vikings have new dual-credit options

Blue River Valley Jr./Sr. High School dual-credit student Samantha Burgess, left, with IU ACP Chemistry teacher Kirsten Brewer.

By SAMANTHA BURGESS - For The Courier-Times Blue River Valley High School students now have the option to attend college while still in high school. When students at Blue River Valley Jr./Sr. High School learned that dual-credit courses through the Indiana Uni

LOCAL BRIEFS

Food giveaway is Friday Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana will provide food for families in need at the monthly Second Harvest Tailgate Program from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21 at First Baptist Church, 709 S. Memorial Drive, New Castle. The distrib

Trash ordinance may be headed for the dump

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com It appears another city trash ordinance is headed, well, for the trash. Monday night, new Street Commissioner Lee Walker told New Castle City Council members the current ordinance as written “will not work̶

BUILDING A FIRM FOUNDATION

Henry County Commissioner Butch Baker, left, and community volunteer Steve Peckinpaugh, pour the new base Wednesday for Memorial Park’s “Spirit of the American Doughboy” statue. The pedestal is four feet wide at the bottom, narrowing to a three-foot square at the top. The basestands 5feet 6 inches above ground. Irving Materials, Inc. (IMI) donated the concrete. Memorial Park Superintendent Laurie Davis is pictured in the foreground communicating with IMI driver Brian Gard.

BUILDING A FIRM FOUNDATION

For the Record

POLICE Sept. 18 James Alexander, 46, was arrested on a warrant for three counts of invasion of privacy.  Lisa Archey, 61, was arrested and preliminarily charged with four counts of battery.  Angela Coulson, 45, was arrested and preliminarily charged

Thalls not seeking re-election

Henry County Council member Mike Thalls will not seek re-election in 2020.

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com Mike Thalls announced this week that he will not run for Henry County Council again when his term finishes in 2020. Thalls has served on the Henry County Council since 1992 and was re-elected six times. “I

Beard enrollment shows decline

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Declining enrollment is a concern for many school districts in this area, but for Charles A. Beard School Corporation Superintendent Jediah Behny, the bigger worry is the transient nature behind the numbers. Behny re

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 League of Women Voters of Henry County: 5:30 p.m. First Friends

FOOD INSPECTION REPORTS

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The Environmental Public Health Office of the Henry County Health Department conducted seven routine, one complaint and one pre-operational inspection during the final week of August. County inspectors identified

New buses on the way due to fed grant

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com Those who use the New Castle Transit System will be riding in style next year. During Monday’s New Castle Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, Transportation Director Doug Sloan announced the city has

Reminders for Indiana voters

Courier-Times Staff Report The Henry County League of Women Voters and the New Castle-Henry County Public Library are teaming up to ensure local citizens are registered to vote in the Nov. 6 mid-term election. From 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, members of

Local Briefs

Planning Commission meeting cancelled The Sept. 20 Henry County Planning Commission meeting has been canceled. All business that was to be before the planning commission will be considered at a later date. – Information provided Danielson Center ope

Convicted child molester plans to appeal sentence

By KATIE CLONTZ - kclontz@thecouriertimes.com A Greencastle man plans to appeal the 55-year prison sentence he received last week 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 yea

New life for old site?

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com A vacant New Castle factory site could become busy again. Monday night, city council members learned Beacon Industries of Edinburgh, Ind. is considering expanding to 2200 Troy Avenue, the former E-Coating Plus facili

LEARNING ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION

New Castle High School hosted the 2018 Henry County College Fair Monday evening to connect local high schoolers with college, career and military representatives. Pictured here, NCHS Senior Andre Martin, center, and his father, Dave, along with fellow New Castle Senior Kelly Zigler, left, hear information from Kristin Odom, director for new student recruitment at the University of South Alabama.

LEARNING ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION

'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' at Beef & Boards

After proposing to Milly (Krista Severeid), AdamPontipee (Tony Lawson) kisses her in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

By John J. Guglielmi - For The Courier-Times What happens when you meld together a group of socially inept brothers from the backwoods of 1850s Oregon, some pretty young ladies, a town full of mad single men, raucous music and spirited dancing? I am not sure,

Board gets update on building renovation, flag plaza

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com Volunteers have been the driving force behind recent efforts to improve Memorial Park. Hope Initiative Co-Director Cathy Hamilton gave the park board a list Monday evening outlining various projects that Hope members

Library participates in new state audit program

By TRAVIS WEIK - tweik@thecouriertimes.com The New Castle-Henry County Public Library has received a report from State Board of Accounts (SBOA) after being selected to participate in Indiana’s new “remote audit” program. “There wer

Back in the movie business?

By DARREL RADFORD - dradford@thecouriertimes.com New Castle might be back in the movie business down the road, with as many as eight to 10 film choices instead of just one. Local businessman Jeff Smiley confirmed to The Courier-Times Tuesday he has both a purchase

For the Record

CLARIFICATIONS Norma Mastin Dishman is a member of Citizens to Preserve Henry County Memorial Park. Her name was accidentally omitted in a list provided to The Courier-Times, which published in the paper on Tuesday, Sept. 18.  Robin Dutrow, 53, was arrested Se

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