Another death in FC attributed to COVID-19, bringing the number to 24; positive test results went up by five in FC and one in UC

By John Estridge from ISDH data Franklin County’s number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 went up by one to 24, while the number of positive COVID-19 test results increased by five to 270. Franklin County Health Department has always put out information on the gender and age of those whose deaths have been attributed to …

UCC ponders tax increase to pay for public safety and health insurance concerns

By John Estridge It was the proverbial good news/bad news scenario for Union County Council members at the prelude to the 2021 budgetary process. Elected officials and department heads in Union County government understood the financial situation for county government, which is usually austere, but with COVID-19 ramifications, may be even more austere for the …

Dove hunt draws for Salamonie Lake and Mississinewa Lake set

From an IDNR press release Salamonie Lake and Mississinewa Lake will host on-site dove hunting draws on their respective managed dove fields Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 1 and 2, beginning at 11 a.m. Only hunters drawn at that time will be able to hunt that property on those days. Draws will be conducted outdoors, with …

Franklin and Ripley county sheriff’s departments, police department teaming up for “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

From FCSD Sgt. Adam Henson Franklin/Ripley County Traffic Safety Partnership announced today its participation in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization. Now through Labor Day, officers will be conducting overtime patrols, seeking out drunk drivers and showing zero tolerance for anyone driving impaired. The patrols are supported with funds from the …

Semi overturned on 101 near Mounds entrance

By John Estridge Beware traveling on Indiana 101 Thursday morning, August 27. An overturned semi near the entrance to the Mounds Recreation Area is causing periodic road closures as people have to off-load the semi before wrecker services can get it uprighted and towed away. When the highway is not closed, it is down to …

Obituary for Julie Lynn Selm

Julie Lynn Selm, age 57, of Brookville, died Monday night August 24, 2020, at Columbus Transitional Care Center in Columbus, Indiana. Born December 20, 1962 in Oxford, Ohio, she is the daughter of Urban J. “Jack” Selm and Jane Bruns Selm. She had been very active in Special Olympics where she competed in swimming. She also …

FC employee wages frozen at 2020 levels; but cash reserves still needed to balance General Fund for 2021

By John Estridge For many years, Franklin County Council robbed Peter to pay Paul. Peter is the Insurance Fund, and Paul is the General Fund. That all changed this year as the county council economic advisor Gabe Gerth, of Reedy Financial Group, said the Insurance Fund needs extra cash, $689,000 more than was budgeted for …

Seven parking spaces planned for vacant lot off Sixth and Main streets

By John Estridge There will be seven parking spaces at the empty lot off Sixth Street near its intersection with Main Street. Brookville Redevelopment members discussed the situation at their most recent meeting. President Todd Thackery said the Cincinnati company of Abercrombie and Associates Inc. Civil Engineering and Surveying drew up plans for the parking …