FREE But donations Martin County accepted. Click above WEDNESDAY, “Celebrating the rich history of Martin County and the APRIL 9, 2014 people who make it great.” JOYear 5U, Issue 15 • MarRtin County, IndNiana • Thirteen pAages L www. martincountyjournal.com • [email protected] • Cell: 812-259-4309 • Fax: 888-380-2761 • PO Box 148 Loogootee IN 47553 Humane society dinner, auction this Saturday at LHS The Martin County Humane Society will hold their fourth annual dinner and auction Saturday, April 12 at Loogootee High School’s Cafeteria. The dinner will consist of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw, chips, drinks and dessert for just $5 per person and will be serving from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The live auction will begin at 7 p.m. but all items up for auction will be dis - played throughout the dinner for viewing. Noel Harty will serve as auctioneer again this year. Humane Society President Josh Hughett said, “This annual event provides the soci - ety with a few months of operation costs, I’ve got a golden ticket such as dog food, vet care, and shelter ex - -Photos by Courtney Hughett penses. We rely on it to be a success every Students from Loogootee Jr.-Sr. High School performed the year to keep helping as many dogs and cats musical Willy Wonka last Friday and Saturday night. In the as we can.” photo above, at far left, are Charlie’s grandparents: Some items included in this year’s auc - Grandma Georgina (Ella Donnersberger), Grandpa George tion are four tickets to Walt Disney World (Patrick Allbright), Grandma Josephina (Shania Swigler), in Orlando, tickets to Holiday World, Kings and Grandpa Joe (Tayler Smith). On the right of the photo Island, Kentucky Kingdom & Hurricane are Charlie Bucket (Dylan Jones) and Charlie’s mom, Mrs. Bay, Six Flags, Indiana Beach, Coney Is - Bucket (Kylie Hall). In the photo on the left are Mrs. Willy land Sunlite Pool and Classic Rides in Wonka (Matty Jones) and Charlie (Dylan Jones). The hour Cincinnati, Mesker Park Zoo, Columbus and half performance featured many recognizable songs in - Zoo & Aquarium, Big Splash Water Park in cluding “Cheer Up, Charlie”, “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket”, French Lick, and Indianapolis Zoo. Also, in and the famous songs by the Oompa Loopas each time one sports are tickets to games with the follow - of the children touring the chocolate factory misbehaved. ing teams: Indiana State University Men’s Those children were Agustus Gloop (Jamison Hennette), Mike Teavee Basketball, Evansville Purple Aces Men’s (Carson Rayhill), Violet Beauregard (Sara Bailey), and Veruca Salt (Hannah Walters). Basketball, Evansville Otters, Indianapolis Indians, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, (See ‘AUCTION’ continued on page two) Council approves employee raises GriefShare Support By COURTNEy HUGHETT Elected officials, since they can’t have I think all the employees will be happy,” Martin County Journal Publisher salary changes mid-year, would get com - said Roush. Employees who opted in to Group offered to the pensated completely in their health savings health insurance chose between two plans At a joint meeting between the county accounts. The commissioners and county depending on whether they wanted a single local community council and commissioners recently, em - council are included in the increases. or family plan. Single plans come with a Community members who have experi - ployee raises were discussed. A committee Roush said they also felt that employees $3,000 or $6,000 deductible; family plans enced the death of a family member or was then formed to go over the budget and should again receive extra money in their are $5,000 or $10,000. The compensation friend are invited to register for the Grief - see what could be done. Auditor January health savings accounts to offset the high employees will receive will depend on Share program to be held at Loogootee Roush, who served on the committee, told deductibles on the insurance. The total which plan they chose but will range from United Methodist Church. the Martin County Council at their meeting amount to be given for the five percent $2,000 to $3,000. Those who chose not to This non-denominational program fea - Monday night, April 7 that they came up raises would total $79,568 and the total take insurance this year received $4,000 in tures Christ-centered, biblical teaching that with the option to give employees a five extra given for health savings accounts a payout. That amount will now be in - focuses on grief topics associated with the percent raise across the board plus money would be $93,000, to come out of the EDIT creased by $1,250. death of a loved one. The videos features added to their health savings accounts. (See ‘RAISES’ continued on page two) fund. “I think this is a pretty good start and nationally respected grief experts and real- life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was seen on the DVD. Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Past participants have related how helpful the information and follow-up dis - cussions were to them. Your bereavement experience may be re - cent or not so recent. You will find encour - agement, comfort and help in grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, other family member or friend. No matter what the cause of your loved one’s death, this is an opportunity to be around people who understand what you are feeling. You -Photo by Bill Whorrall, www.billwhorrall.com will learn how to recognize the symptoms Slight flooding of being stuck in grief and that you do not While the area has seen much worse flooding, the White River has swelled quite a bit lately due to the rains that have pounded need to live in bondage as a slave to certain the area. A flood warning is still in affect for the White River at Shoals until further notice. At 10:30 a.m. yesterday, the river emotions. You will learn valuable informa - was at 24.6 feet. Flood stage is 20 feet. The river will continue to rise near 25.6 feet by tonight and then start falling. (See ‘GROUP’ continued on page two) page 2 Martin County Journal Wednesday, april 9, 2014 5K run, walk April 19 to RAISES (Continued from page one) to $12,300. promote autism awareness Roush explained that the money will be Regarding giving money to the city pool I honor of autism awareness, a 5K run liced, and has ample water stations. There given to employees all at once in one check project that was also discussed at the coun - and walk will be held Saturday, April 19 will be mile splits. No dogs are allowed in and will be taxed. cil and commissioner work session, council starting at the Loogootee City Park. Regis - the race. The five percent raises and additional member Hawkins said that what was pro - tration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and both the Awards will be presented to the first two money for health savings accounts is in ad - posed does not have to be what the council run and walk will start at 9 a.m. Those who places in each division of the male and fe - dition to a $500-across-the-board raise al - approves. pre-register will receive a t-shirt. Those reg - male categories of the run. Also, an award ready given to employees this year. Council member Lynn Gee said she istering after April 11 will receive a shirt will be presented to the overall winner in Clerk Julie Fithian said yes, the employ - would be in favor of giving $40,000 a year while supplies last. the male and female categories. Divisions ees will be happy with the salary increases but not the $100,000 the first year as pro - The entry fee for both the run and walk for men and women are: 0-14 years of age, but noted that last year employees were posed. is $15 before April 11 and $20 after that 15-20, 21-29, 30-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61 told that raises and health savings accounts Hawkins said that it was decided at the date. Children age 12 and under can enter and over. could not be given because the county did - work session that the employee salaries for $10. Children in strollers are free. To Autism Awareness & Action is dedicated n’t have the money. “The only way we would be settled first and then the pool register early, fill out the below form and to raising awareness about the many aspects found out about this and the only reason we pledge could be discussed. He said he does - mail with payment to 440 Wood School of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The 2014 are getting this is because the pool asked n’t want the issue being tabled for months, Road, Loogootee IN 47553. You can pick annual event will include resource booths, for money,” she said. She said maybe next but felt that it should be put on next up your registration packet the morning of guest speakers, a one-mile Autism walk, time the council think about the employees. month’s agenda to give the park board, the the race. light refreshments, an inflatable jump house “We feel you didn’t care about us,” she mayor, and Commissioner Dan Gregory, The run includes rolling, paved city with slide, an art raffle, free giveaways, a said.