Five volunteer fire departments in FC receive $6,000 each from county council; two did not apply

By John Estridge For the volunteer fire departments in Franklin County that applied for PSIC money, they were awarded $6,000 each. But not every volunteer fire department in the county applied. Franklin County Council members divided up the $30,000 available in the Public Safety Income Tax money the county receives. The bulk of the money …

FC county council members hear impassioned plea for more money for county health nurse, but council members say there’s no money for increases in pay for anyone

By John Estridge Franklin County Council just finished a budget workshop for the 2021 budget where no county employees received raises and many council members expressed relief no one was laid off. Why, is a two-edged sword: falling revenue due to the pandemic and former councils who raided the county’s Insurance Fund for several years …

ISP initiating Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over program from now through Labor Day weekend

ISP press release In an attempt to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities during this upcoming holiday weekend, the Indiana State Police will be participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. Now through Labor Day, Indiana State Police will be conducting overtime patrols seeking out dangerous and impaired drivers. These patrols are supported with …

Economic Recovery Task Force is meeting in FC trying to make sure government entities, small businesses and organizations have what they need during pandemic

By John Estridge A group of people is meeting once a month in the Franklin County Commissioners meeting room in order to make sure businesses, organizations and government entities in Franklin County are getting as many grants and low-interest loans as is possible through the COVID-19 pandemic. Meeting on Wednesday, August 26, were EMA Director …

Obituary for Lawrence Andrew Steele

LAWRENCE ANDREW STEELE Lawrence Andrew Steele, 90, of Brookville, passed away early Tuesday morning, September 1, 2020, at his residence. He was born December 7, 1929, in Connersville, one of nine children of George G. and Phema (Parsons) Steele. A proud veteran, Lawrence served in the United States Army for the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion …

Fayette County has one more death attributed to COVID-19

By John Estridge from ISDH data Union County went up one in COVID-19 positive test results and now stands at 65. Franklin County was unchanged in both positive test results and deaths with the numbers at 276 and 25, respectively. UC is still at zero deaths. However, Fayette County’s number of COVID-19-related deaths went up …

For those traveling on I-74 there is more construction beginning next week

From an INDOT press release DECATUR COUNTY — Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. plans to begin milling and paving on Interstate-74 next week in Decatur County as part of a $9.7 million asphalt resurface contract. Daytime lane closures will be in place starting on or after Wednesday, Sept. 9, and continue through the fall. Overnight closures …

Wildcats fare well in tough cross country invitational on Saturday, August 29

By Stacey Nobbe, FCHS cross country coach On Saturday, August 29, the Wildcat Girls Cross Country Team traveled to the Moore’s HillInvitational, which replaced the cancelled Rushville Invitational. The girls came in fifth place, but each runner had her fastest time of the season. Senior Lauren Kelley was the first Franklin County runner to cross …