The realities and time-consuming process of bridge building hotly discussed at FC Commissioners’ meetings

By John Estridge Bridges are not made over night. And state and federal regulations concerning the building of a bridge add years to any bridge project. That was the unfortunate reality for a River Road resident and other residents along River Road as they are enduring extensive detours because of a closed bridge on River …

Liberty nursing home opens up immediate family in-person visitation by appointment only

By John Estridge It took 13 weeks due to the COVID-19 shutdown, but Whitewater Commons is once again allowing immediate family in-person visits to its tenants. Melissa Spillers, her sister, Ginger Brown, and Melissa’s mom, Ginger Dearth, were able to visit Melissa’s grandma, Norma Paddock, on Monday, July 13. According to Spillers, that was the …

Cedar Grove VFD to have drive-thru chicken dinner Saturday, August 29

From the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department After much consideration the Cedar Grove Volunteer Firemen have made the decision to hold a drive-thru chicken dinner on Saturday August 29th in lieu of our annual festival. This will allow us to ensure we do our part to follow state guidelines while protecting the public and our …

Coffee is running amuck/amok in my life, but I really don’t care; or my “anyway” column

By John Estridge Luckily, for me, the worst thing that has happened to me in this pandemic, and it’s really not a bad thing, is my coffee addiction has gone amuck. Amuck, sometimes spelled amok, is one of the words I really savor, but I rarely, if ever, get to use it. If Godzilla ever …

UC commissioners say DNR inattention and its stingy ways have caused flooding to county road and county residents’ properties

By John Estridge With the development of Whitewater Memorial State Park and then the Brookville Lake, Union County lost 9,606 productive acres off the tax rolls, according to Union County commissioners. Not only do Union and Franklin counties not receive any tax money from the acres made into parks, the former with property purchased by …

FC court news

These are sentencings from Franklin Circuit Court Clerk’s office. Operating while intoxicated Dakota L. Burgess pleaded guilty as a Level 6 Felony and was sentenced to 18 months in the Franklin County Security Center (FCSC) with 17 months suspended to probation with the remainder to be served on work release if approved by the sheriff. …

Franklin County real estate transfers from Jan. 1, 2020 to Jan. 9, 2020

These are real estate transfers from the Franklin County Recorder’s Office. I want to give a thank you to FC Recorder Connie Bischoff. It begins with Jan. 1, 2020, and this installment ends on Jan. 9, 2020. More installments will be published in the near future. Karla Bauman, auditor, Michael Burkhart and Karen Burkhart to …