Obituary for Matthew Ryan Williams

MATTHEW RYAN WILLIAMS Matthew Ryan Williams, 40, of Laurel, passed away October 18, 2020 at his residence. He was born in Rushville, on January 6, 1980, a son of the late Linda Sue (Williams) Swain. He was the husband of Michelle Lee (Wewe) Williams whom he married on November 2002, in Brookville. He was a roofer by …

Obituary for Mary Elinor Bertch

MARY ELINOR BERTCH Mary Elinor Bertch, 91, of Richmond, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2020, at Forest Park Health Campus in Richmond. She was born on March 12, 1929, in Richmond, and is the daughter of Herbert and Thelma Snow Bulach. After graduating from Richmond High School, she attended Earlham College and Ball State University. On …

FC Commission President Tom Linkel made an announcement about the recent uptick in COVID-19 positive test results

By John Estridge from Tom Linkel Franklin County Commission President Tom Linkel usually gives a COVID-19 update during a Franklin County Commissioners meeting. However, this week the commissioners moved their twice-monthly meeting from Tuesday, October 20, to Tuesday, October 27. Thus, with the large increase in positive test results in Franklin County, Linkel made an …

Fayette County has another 19 COVID-19 positive test results for Monday, October 19

By John Estridge from ISDH data Fayette County had 19 COVID-19 positive test results out of 88 given for a 21 percent positive rate. Franklin County had four more positive test results, and Union County had one. That makes the totals for the three counties: Fayette, 575; Franklin, 363; and Union County, 102. There were …

Some entertainment acts for the UC Bicentennial are announced

By John Estridge Melissa Spillers went before the Union County Commissioners Friday, October 16, to seek permission to go to the Innkeepers Tax Board for some funding for the planned Union County Bicentennial. Set for June 27-July 11, 2021, the preparations are in full swing. To this point, three nationally known entertainers have been booked …

Old Guy Rant: principle vs. politics

By Larry Wiwi If you had a chance to watch the confirmation hearings of Judge Amy Coney Barrett or for that matter the hearings of Judge Kavanaugh what you saw on full display was the contrast of principle versus politics and it is very instructive about how to think about this election. The Constitution is …

Commissioners approve replacing courthouse belfry for more than $250,000

By John Estridge It will cost more than a quarter of million dollars to fix the belfry on top of the Franklin County Courthouse, as well as a bevy of cranes. FC Commission President Tom Linkel recently spoke about the different quotes the county has received. The first action will be to remove the bats …

Fayette and Union counties’ have 15 percent each of COVID-19 tests come back positive for the October 18 daily update

By John Estridge from ISDH data Fayette County had an additional nine positive test results while Union County had four more on the ISDH daily report on Sunday, October 18. Fayette County now has 556 positive test results and Union County has 101. Union County’s four positive test results came on 26 given, which means …

FC property damage accidents from October 7 through October 11

Information provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department October 7 Mandy McQueen, New Trenton Road, West Harrison, at 9:40 p.m., was operating a vehicle westbound on New Trenton Road, when she noticed deer grazing on the north side of the road. One deer jumped onto the road in front of her vehicle, and she was …