Martin County JOURNAL ~An online newspaper committed to providing quality journalism~
Year One, Issue Twenty-Eight Wednesday, September 8, 2010 14 Pages Sheriff wants synthetic marijuana “K2 Spice” banned from the county By Courtney HugHett The commissioners presented three dif - Martin County Journal Publisher ferent drafts of ordinances from other coun - ties to County Attorney Dave Lett and Martin County Sheriff Tony Dant recom - asked him to bring back Martin County’s mended to the commissioners Tuesday version at the next commissioners’ meeting night, September 7 that they draft an ordi - in two weeks. Sheriff Dant said that having nance banning the sale and possession of the ordinance would allow anyone selling K2, the herbal incense product being sold or in possession of the herb to as synthetic marijuana around the US. be cited. The substance, often called Attorney Lett said that he “Spice,” “Genie,” or felt the Indiana legislature -Photo provided “Zohai” is sprayed with a would be acting on banning Martin County Commissioner Dan gregory stands behind the sign at the en - synthetic compound chem - K2 statewide in January but trance of his family farm on Lumpkin road. Dan’s parents, Joe and Hazel gre - ically similar to THC and until that time he felt it was gory bought the farm in 1953. mostly made in China. It’s proactive for the commis - smoked in joints or pipes and sioners to go ahead and Sheriff Dant said that it has take action. Dan gregory - getting to been reported to affect the res - In other business the com - piratory system and the heart missioners put a hold on a claim to Loo - and can cause panic attacks and gootee Collision Center for $1,800. The know one commissioner hallucinations. One death in Indianapolis claim stated it was for repairs to a road crew has been linked to the substance. truck that was assumed to be from commu - Commissioner Dan Gregory. Sheriff Dant said he is not aware of any nity correction. The commissioners ques - By Courtney HugHett businesses selling the product in Martin Martin County Journal Publisher Aside from being a commissioner, tioned the insurance deductible and Dan also serves on the Martin County County, and says the nearest place he knows requested that Auditor Nancy Steiner look The county commissioners are the ex - Redevelopment Commission, the Martin it being available is in Lawrence County. into the claim and report back. ecutive body of the county. The commis - County Solid Waste Board, the Southern He said the product is a problem from a law Highway Superintendent Jim Williams sioners are elected county-wide, in Indiana Development Commission, the enforcement standpoint. (‘SHerIFF’ continued on page 3) staggered terms, and each serves a four- Martin County Alliance for Economic year term. The commissioners are Growth, and the Martin County Plan charged with executing the acts legis - Commission. lated by the council, collecting revenue, Dan was born in Dubois County and and managing the day-to-day functions moved to Martin County when he was of the county government. Do you know one-year-old. He said he considers him - who your commissioners are? In an ef - self a life-long Martin County resident. fort to help you get to know those indi - In 1953, his parents Joe and Hazel Gre - viduals who run our county or make a gory bought the farm he still lives on. He difference in our day to day lives, this is graduated from Loogootee High School the third part of the Martin County Jour - in 1970 and married his high-school nal’s “Getting to Know” series. This time sweetheart Barbara (Walker) in 1971. you will get to know Martin County (‘gregory’ continued on page 2) Chambers’ Music Store comes to Loogootee, lessons offered
By Courtney HugHett Martin County Journal Publisher -Photo provided A new music shop is now open in Loo - Country Lace Flowers and gifts is located on tommy george road in Shoals. own - gootee – Chambers’ Music. The shop is co- ers Cletus and Linda Bauer will be hosting an open house this weekend. owned by Jeremy Chambers and Brandi and Jason Hennette and is located Country Lace Flowers and gifts Chambers’ Music is a full-working music store. There will be inventory, music les - sons, and the ability to order anything. Ac - remodeled and now open in Shoals cording to Chambers, everything is business took off and they were so busy that reasonably priced. By Courtney HugHett finding time for family was impossible. Chambers has been playing music profes - Martin County Journal Publisher Determined they needed to change direc - sionally for 10 years. He is a graduate of Cletus and Linda Bauer started Country tions, they closed the shop and did craft Springs Valley High School and his family Lace Flowers and Gifts in 1990 after losing shows. Recently the couple has remodeled now lives in the French Lick area. “I have their son Greg in a car accident in 1988. Country Lace. The store has fall and every been around music all my life,” he said. His With their daughter moved away and their day décor and gifts. dad, a musician for 35 years, is his inspira - youngest a senior in high school preparing The couple plans to have a few open tion. “He gave me my start,” he said. for college they decided they needed some - houses a year. The next scheduled open Lessons will be provided in guitar, drums, thing to keep busy so that their children house and girls’ night out is scheduled for (‘CHAMBerS’ continued on page 2) JereMy CHAMBerS wouldn’t worry so much about them. The (‘Country LACe’ continued on page 3)
www.martincountyjournal.com • [email protected] • 812-259-4309 • Fax: 877–471–2907 page 2 MArtIn County JournAL Wednesday, September 8, 2010 gregory (Continued from page 1) enjoy my family and friends!” he said. portunities that never existed before. “I advice. My wife continues to give me the “We have made our home on Lumpkin As far as public service, Dan says he would like to see more of those high-wage best advice; Barb is very wise. We talk Road for the past 39 years,” said Dan. feels like he has always been involved in it jobs held by our local citizens. We need to quite a bit and she certainly influences The Gregory’s have three children, in one way or another. “I suppose it is my properly prepare our Martin County resi - some of my actions,” he said. David, who now manages Gregory Farms; own sense of duty and desire to give back dents to compete for the jobs available. I Something many may not know about their son Mark is a loan officer with Fifth to my community,” he said. think Martin County has a tremendously Dan is that he has been hearing-impaired Third Bank in Lafayette and is married to Several of the boards he serves on as a bright future if we seize the opportunities all his life. “I think a lot of people with this Carina (Johannson). Mark and Carina have county commissioner are new to him, he as they present themselves and help make condition are afraid to get involved in var - one daughter. Dan and Barb’s daughter says, but most of his life he served on them happen. I think elected officials ious aspects of life due to embarrassment. Kristi is married to Josh Ausbrooks, and boards involved with agriculture, youth, should speak of the positive aspects of I decided not to let it become a stumbling they have three children. and other civic or private organizations. Martin County at every opportunity,” he block for me, but to fix it as best I could Dan said he has always been involved Dan thinks Martin County is one of the said. and not use it as an excuse not to get in - with Gregory Farms, where the family best places to live and raise a family that Dan said that the best thing about serving volved,” he said. He said he learned how to raises turkeys, hogs, cattle and hay. He one could hope to find. “Certainly we need as a county commissioner is working with cope, but occasionally it makes communi - served in the Indiana National Guard from to work on areas of weakness, but that is the people. “I really don’t mind talking cation more difficult. “There are a lot worse 1971-1977 as a communications specialist. true of any community,” he went on to say. with people about issues or problems that things to contend with,” he added. He also served as the first executive direc - “Our strengths are our people and their affect their life. The flip side is that many “Being a county commissioner is an tor of the Martin County Community Foun - skills.” times it is outside the capacity of the county honor for me. I never had a burning desire dation from 2001-2007 and resigned that Looking towards the future, Dan said he to fix all the issues people have. Resources to be in the political arena, but now that I position to join Farbest Farms, Inc. At can envision Martin County remaining a are limited and we are being asked to do am it feels right and natural.” Farbest, he manages a new Martin County thriving rural community with economic more with less,” he said. He said he wishes that more people turkey farm where they produce 600,000 diversity. He said that the county’s unem - He said that being a county commis - would run for public office. He noted that turkeys per year. ployment rate is consistently among the sioner could be considered an intense part- it has moments when you wish you had Dan has continued his education at Vin - lowest in Indiana, and Martin County has time job. The hours it requires vary widely stayed away from it, but those are few. cennes University and the Martin County the highest wage per job in the state. He from week-to-week as does the skill re - “The main requirements are a willingness Community Learning Center over the went on to say that the Westgate @ Crane quirement. “I average 10-15 hours a week to listen and learn, along with problem- years. “I love life in Martin County and project continues to deliver job growth op - on county business. It is a rare day that I solving skills. My work with Farbest Farms don’t do some business or have a conver - involves managing human resources, bio- sation about the county,” he said. security, mechanical and computerized sys - Dan has attended seminars for county tems, and animal husbandry. Every day is CHAMBerS commissioners but says most of the “train - different and it is an exciting and challeng - ing” he has had come through life experi - ing career,” he said. ences. He said he thinks a person should When asked about a possible run at a sec - have good math abilities and a healthy dose ond term as commissioner, Dan said that he of humility. “In Indiana there are three is mid-way through his first four-year term commissioners in each county and between and at this point is undecided as to seeking us there is a wide variety of skill sets to ac - a second term. “I would be 64 when a sec - complish our goals,” he said. ond term would end. If my health is good Dan also noted that his calendar is fairly and I still believe I have something to offer full of meetings associated with the county. the community, I would likely seek re-elec - He is a member of the Saint Vincent de tion,” he said. Paul Society and serves as their treasurer. On a final note Dan said, “Those of us in “Between Gregory Farms, Saint Vincent de the political arena can’t possibly know all Paul responsibilities, serving as a county the answers to the questions that come up. commissioner, and being an involved Getting elected does not change us as a per - grandpa, this is about all I can handle,” he son or make us any smarter; governing is noted. sometimes messy work and you do the best -Photo provided Dan said he has had several mentors in you can. But, public officials cannot be While still in the process of adding inventory, Chamber’s Music has in-stock mer - his life and continues to seek advice and in - afraid to make decisions. Government, chandise and provides lessons on a variety of instruments. formation wherever he can. “I have a short even at the local level, was meant to be per - list of people I can call and know they will formed by ordinary people, elected by the (Continued from page 1) rate depends on which instrument is being hold it confident, as well as give me honest majority. I think that fits me pretty well.” bass guitar, piano, and singing and voice taught. Although Jeremy said hours will de - lessons. pend on specific customer needs, the cur - Jeremy said he got to know the Hennettes rent set hours for the store are Monday when he gave their son, Jamison, drum les - through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sat - sons at a former establishment. After he left urday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and closed ! that position, the Hennettes asked him to Sunday. continue the lessons with their son. Later “I want to provide the community with an on, they told Jeremy that they had space affordable, dependable, and professional ! " # $ available if he would want to start his own store,” said Jeremy. “All needs will be sat - store. “It will help my family as well as the isfied based on what the customer wants; I Hennettes make some extra money,” he am a firm believer that the customer is al - said. ways right.” All lessons will be given on an appoint - Jeremy added that the store will also buy, ment basis with a flat half-hour rate. The sell, and trade merchandise. + !'#$ %$ $( "% # %! " #( %( "% # "!( %(&&$ %! " )"# #*& %'** ! " " ! ( !# ! !$ ) &##%! % Wednesday, September 8, 2010 MArtIn County JournAL page 3 Calendar of Events Obituaries Shoals School Board The Shoals School Board will meet to - Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. –Matthew 5:4 morrow night, September 9, at 5:30 p.m. the White River Humane Society. Nursing Center and retired from Loogootee garden club meeting rAMonA WALton Ramona D. Walton died at 2 a.m. on Au - Online condolences may be sent to the Nursing Center. The Martin County Garden Club meets gust 21, 2010 at her home. A resident of family at www.fergusonlee.com. She is survived by one son, Phillip Dun - each month on the 3rd Tuesday at 1 p.m. Bedford, she was 63. bar of Washington; a granddaughter, Beth The September meeting will be at the She was born May MAry HAWKInS and her husband Nathan Gabhart of Loo - Tranquil Inn in Shoals hosted by Deanna 13, 1947, in Martin Mary Elizabeth Hawkins passed away gootee; a grandson, Andy and his wife Amy Bauernfiend. If you would be interested in County, the daughter of peacefully at her home on September 2, Dunbar of Cannelburg; great-grandchildren, joining, the dues are $5 per year. You can Leo and Roma (Taber) 2010 at 11:45 p.m. A resident of Shoals, she Kaitlyn, Ashley and Ethan Gabhart, all of come to the meeting or for more informa - Young. She married was 91. Loogootee, and Sydney, Tyler, Kalel, T.J. tion call Wyveda Philbert at 247-2088. Clarence Walton on She was born on July 21, 1919 in and Kloee Dunbar, all of Cannelburg; and a Humane society meetings June 3, 1974, and he Koehler, New Mexico; the daughter of sister and brother-in-law, Ann and John Mc - The Martin County Humane Society survives. Louie and Antonia (Butorac) Starkovich. Call. meets on the third Tuesday of the month at She was a retired Mary Elizabeth married John Grover Her husband, Wilbert Dunbar, whom she Loogootee Municipal Building, at 7 p.m. To hairdresser. Hawkins on January 4, 1947 in Yuma, Ari - married July 10, 1943, died May 1, 1991. become a member, contact Martin County rAMonA She was a graduate of zona, and he preceded her in death on Au - Sisters, Helen Grow, Agnes Lamb, Juanita WALton Humane Society, P. O. Box 537, Shoals, In - Loogootee High School gust 23, 1976. She was a homemaker, a Wuepper and Ruby Warner, and brothers, diana 47581, call Don at 296-0952. and was of the Catholic faith. member of St. Mary of The Immaculate Herman, Russell and Charles Joe Lashley, She loved animals, was kind to strangers Conception Catholic Church in Shoals, and are also deceased. recovery support group in need, was an avid mushroom hunter, was served faithfully as a member of the Altar The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today, The Overcomers Recovery Support Group passionate about displaying her holiday Society. Wednesday, September 8, at Gill Chapel. meets every Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the lights for the community and working with She is survived by one son Bruce Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Martin County Community Learning Cen - her flower gardens outside. Hawkins of Shoals; five daughters Nova ter. Surviving with her husband, Clarence Jean Shiavone of Kalamazoo, Michigan, rItA A. Sutton youth football meetings Walton of Bedford; are two sons, Richard Charlotte Poulos of Phoenix, Oregon, Bev - Rita A. Sutton died at 11:27 a.m. Friday, Martin County Youth Football League L. Jewell of Orleans, and Martin R. Tow of erly Mattingly of Morgantown, Indiana, September 3, 2010, at Jasper Memorial meets on the first Wednesday of the month Dover Hill; two sisters, Katie Hellums of Carol Grace Hawkins-Buschmann of Eu - Hospital. A resident of Loogootee, she was at Pizza Junction at 7 p.m. Questions, call Loogootee, and Susan Sons of Indianapolis; reka, CA, and Mary Ann Bach of Indi - 73. Audrey Robinson at 295-4773. one brother, Charles L. Young of anapolis; nine grandchildren; two sisters She was born August 19, 1937, in Martin Cloverdale; and lifelong special friend, Ann Bryan of Raton, New Mexico, and County, she; the daughter of Frank and Soil and Water meetings Alice Boyd of Shoals. Zora Wheeler of Amarillo, Texas. Mary (Kidwell) Madden. A homemaker, The Martin County SWCD meets the She was preceded in death by her parents; She was preceded in death by her parents, she was a member of St. John Catholic third Monday of the month at the SWCD three brothers; and two sisters. her husband, two brothers George and Church in Loogootee. office located at Martin County Learning A memorial service was held on Saturday, Johnny Starkovich, and a son-in-law Albert She is survived by three daughters and Center. Office hours for the district are 8 September 4, at the Ferguson-Lee Funeral Schiavone. sons-in-law, Donna and John Heshelman of a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays except Thursdays Home in Bedford with Deacon Dave Reis - A Mass of Christian Burial was held Odon, Lisa and Chris Donnersberger of when it is closed. Visit www.martinswcd. ing officiating. Monday, September 6, at St. Mary of The Loogootee, and Brenda and Chris Norris of com or call at 295-3149. Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loogootee; one sister, Catherine Matthews Shoals. of Indianapolis; eight grandchildren; seven Expressions of sympathy may be made to great-grandchildren; and several nieces and SHerIFF the Hoosier Uplands Hospice or St. Mary’s nephews. Catholic Church. Her husband, William “Bill” Sutton, (Continued from page 1) whom she married May 28, 1955, died Feb - presented the commissioners with a change may be in the immediate BertHA DunBAr ruary 21, 1991. Her parents, two sisters, order for work to Brooks Bridge. According future. They requested that residents be Bertha Lena Dunbar died at 6:15 p.m. Thelma Perry and Virginia Arvin, and three to Williams the paperwork was never safe and smart with burning leaves, etc. Saturday, September 4, 2010 at Washington brothers, Charles, Thomas and Bill Mad - signed and he received word from Bob The commissioners also approved a res - Nursing Center. A resident of Washington, den, are also deceased. Faulk with Barker Engineers that the year- olution of respect for the late Gene Shaw. she was 95. A Mass of Christian Burial was cele - old paperwork needed to be signed off on The resolution, which will go to the county She was born February 28, 1915, in brated Tuesday, September 7, at St. John so they could be paid for work completed. council for approval on Monday, acknowl - Montgomery; the daughter of Charles and Catholic Church in Loogootee. Burial was Williams also reported that dust control edges Gene for his tireless commitment to Ava (Melvin) Lashley. She attended Mont - in St. John Catholic Cemetery. had been sprayed in the Rutherford area. the county and the legacy he will leave be - gomery schools and had worked as a certi - Online condolences may be made at Dale Tedrow, a resident, came before the hind. fied nursing assistant at Washington www.brocksmithfuneralhomes.com. board with issues on his road. He said that the dust control that was put down has been eliminated by semis coming up and down the road up to 20 times per day. The commissioners told Mr. Tedrow that due to the lack of rainfall it was difficult to tell if the road needed another coat or if the dust would settle. They told him that they would wait until after the next rain to access the situation.
EMA Director Monte Wolf, who was not present at the meeting, left word with Au - ditor Steiner to report to the commissioners about the high fire danger due to the lack of rainfall. Although no burn ban has been issued at +-% +/,.*"2 /$%".. this time, the commissioners said that it !+/,.*"2) ,.&*!+/*.2'+/,* (!+) '+-%) ,.&*!+/*.2'+/,* (!+) Country LACe #% !& %) !%# $%#%! $% $ # %) (Continued from page 1) &"% )!&