Rupert Miller, 74, of Cambridge City, passed away on Friday, August 27, 2021. He was born on May 7, 1947, in Wabash, to Rupert J. Miller and Jacquelyn Manning Miller.
In 1967, he married Sharon Isaacs in Connersville. Together, they raised two children, Rupert Jr. and Rachelle.
Rupert worked for the U.S. Government within the Department of Defense in labor relations. Upon leaving the Department of Defense, he was employed by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, for 21 years in corporate design. He was known at Ford for being the best dressed man in the company.
Rupert was a member of the Milton Masonic Lodge F&AM #108.
You could often find Rupert enjoying the great outdoors on the farm, whether he was clearing the land, cutting wood, or taking care of the animals. You never saw Rupert without his pipes; he never left home without them. Rupert was a true patriot. He loved his Lincoln LS and his dog, Buddy. Most importantly, Rupert adored his wife of 54 years and took great admiration and pride in his family.
Along with his wife, he will be greatly missed by his children, Rupert (Nancy) Miller Jr. and Rachelle Hamilton; grandchildren, Rupert Miller III, Evan Hamilton, Makayla Hamilton and Emily Miller; a brother, Randy Miller and sisters, Lorraine Campbell and Renee Long.
He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, China Higbie.
Visitation for Rupert will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, 513 W. 8th St. Connersville, Indiana 47331. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Greg Guffey officiating. Burial will follow in Dale Cemetery.
This is the first of a multi-part transcription of the August 24 Brookville Town Council meeting’s pertinent parts relating to Golf Course Purchase, Zimmer Building Purchase and Frisbee Golf Course. They are going to be printed in this series. I wanted to break this down into parts because it will be a very long piece, if I can even finish it. It takes a long, long time to go over and over a recording to do a transcription, especially with how fast and slurred Curtis Ward, BTC president, is when he begins talking about something that apparently excites him. Thus, this will be in parts. This is Part I.
Sometimes the best way to describe something is to let people tell it with their own words.
However, with this, it would be better to see the video images of the Brookville Town Council members texting, reading texts and looking incredibly bored as people poured their hearts out at the Brookville Town Council meeting, Tuesday, August 24.
Curtis Ward: “Next up golf course updates. I assume that’s why the majority of everyone is here tonight. So, we’ll open it up before we get into it. Alright I’ll open it for anyone who wants to address the board regarding the golf course purchase.”
EDITOR’S NOTE or EDITORIAL PARAPGRAPH: Curtis said “I’ll open it for anyone who wants to address the board regarding the golf course purchase.” It was already a done deal. Nothing anyone said or did could sway the council members’ opinions at that point. Curtis knew he had all the votes. Council held an executive session about the purchase of property 24 hours prior to Tuesday night’s meeting. In an executive session, council members are not to take votes. However, it appears that occurred as it has occurred several times in the past with these board members. Indiana code, apparently, is relevant just for the rest of the state outside Brookville’s town limits.
Curtis Ward: “Before you address the board please come to the podium and state your name and try to keep this as limited as possible since there are multiple people that have concerns.”
Bridget Hayes, Observer reporter: “Can you bring us up to speed where you’re at?”
Curtis Ward: “We’ll do the public portion first.”
Ken Murphy, retired Franklin County Sheriff and retired State Excise Police Lieutenant: “My name’s Ken Murphy. I’m a resident of Riverview Subdivision. I’m going to address these comments in the form of questions, two questions for the board.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: There was a short break as Brookville Clerk/Treasurer Gina Gillman asked Ken if the microphone at the podium was on. Ken turned the microphone on. It should be noted at this point in the meeting, all of the fans had been turned off in the Schilling Center so people had a better chance at hearing everyone. It was the first time the Schilling Center has been used for a Brookville Town Council meeting. It became stifling hot and humid in the Schilling Center during the meeting.
Curtis Ward: “Will you turn your microphone on, please.”
Ken Murphy: “I have documents with me that indicate on July 7 Curtis you purchased nine pieces of real estate on Par Drive next to the golf course.”
Curtis Ward: “That’s correct.”
Ken Murphy: “So, I’m asking is the sudden emergency to purchase the golf course in any way connected to this purchase of real estate by you?”
Curtis Ward: “No.”
Ken Murphy: “So, there’s no emergency on your purchase.”
Curtis Ward: “No.”
Ken Murphy: “So what is the emergency?”
Curtis Ward: “There is no emergency.”
LengthyFact check: (I feel like one of those WaPo’s fact checkers, but here goes)At the August 10 meeting, merely two weeks before council passed the resolution to purchase the golf course, Ward started talking about the golf course purchase. He said “A few of months ago the LLC reached out to me and they are reaching the end of the point they are allowed to hold the property for the town, and asked the town if we would consider going ahead with the purchase prior to annexation. So, at our last executive session, we did discuss the possibility of purchasing the golf course ahead of time, and we have been working with the LLC’s attorney in getting some language started on what they would like. So, what we’re looking for tonight I just wanted to recap the initial purchase agreement. So, they purchased the property for $1.1 million with the personal property, the real estate and all the improvements attached. We agreed to purchase the property back when the former board was on at the price of $1 million dollars at the time of annexation. We’ve already accomplished the two appraisal requirements and that would include the personal property they had purchased prior along with the initial purpose. They’re still willing to honor that initial purchase agreement even though it wasn’t — I don’t think it was ever written out, right Tammy? (town attorney Tammy Davis). They’re still willing to honor that initial purchase agreement. They want to take it a step further. They want to make sure the property remains with the same intent with what they purchased it as, which is to stay a golf course. So, they would like some language inside of the purchase agreement that would state the town board would agree to keep the golf course as an 18-hole, city-ran golf course for a period of not less than 25 years. They would also like to see, if for some reason the intent would change, if it’s statutorily acceptable, that that property would be given first right of refusal to that property so they can continue to save the golf course because of they do value the impact the golf course has been making in our community, and they want to see it remain a golf course for several years.What we would be doing tonight is not necessarily be approving the purchase, but it would give Tammy the authority to draft a purchase agreement to present to the LLC. One that we would determine to be beneficial to the town. Tammy could include language, which would protect the town from whatever she would think is best. And if they would accept that in the time being, we would make a motion to authorize Tammy to print that resolution to purchase the property.” (Skip ahead in that meeting as Tammy told them putting a caveat on property one is buying for a 25-year period is not good. Reporter Bridget Hayes then asked why the rush when prior to this, the LLC expected a resolution by the end of the year) “They have investors that invested in there with the expectation this was a two-to-three-year commitment, and we’re reaching the end of that. So, they locked up their investment on something that is not offering a return because they are reinvesting everything back into the golf course. I’m sure as an investor, they would prefer to invest that money elsewhere. That’s just my assumption. Also, it aligns with the fiscal year. One day into January changes the tax assessment of the property. Preferably, we would wait until after our annexation were to pass, Umm, you know we stated that before. This is the point we are at. We want to save the golf course. Umm, my decision has not changed on that. Umm, if the position of the board members has changed on that, it’s fine, but this is where we’re at.”
EDITORIAL COMMENT:Emergency? That is for you to decide. It sounded like it had to be done immediately to help those poor investors, and that is apparently the reality.
Ken Murphy: “There appears to be an emergency. We had to buy this immediately. Now, I’m going to ask the other board members if you knew this and you were aware of it. If you weren’t, you do now. If you do know it and you go on to proceed with it, the purchase of the golf course, then you’re complicit in this arrangement. Does that make sense?
Curtis Ward: “It was disclosed when regarding the purchase of the golf course.”
Ken Murphy: “Pardon?”
Curtis Ward: “I did disclose to the board, publicly, that I had a financial …”
Ken Murphy: “Did you disclose that with the State Board of Accounts?”
Curtis Ward: “We’re required to do that within 15 days of the contract which I have the document with me tonight, but I appreciate your concern.”
Ken Murphy: “OK, it is a concern. What I’m asking the board to do, on behalf of the citizens who are here tonight, to step back a minute and take a look at this and listen to the people who voted you into office, the constituents. Ask them what they want. Honor their wishes. Don’t rush into the situation. I’d like to see somebody take a look at the books. Do we know if this golf course is making any money?”
Curtis Ward: “We’ll get to that in a minute.”
Ken Murphy: “That’s not an answer. Do we know?”
Curtis Ward: “We do, and we’ll discuss that in a minute.”
Ken Murphy: “So, are we buying a pig in a poke?”
Curtis Ward: “We’ll discuss that in a minute.”
Ken Murphy: “Then, we’ll have follow-up questions?”
Curtis Ward:EDITOR’S NOTE: His response was too low for my tape recorder to pick up.
Ken Murphy: “Then, I agree to pursue that. Thank you very much.”
Curtis Ward: “Thank you for your time. Anyone else?”
Paul Chaney, former town council member and president and an avid golfer: “I’m Paul Chaney. I’m a resident of Hidden Valley Subdivision. My question is why in God’s name would the Town of Brookville want to own golf course that’s not even in city limits? Nobody knows what it costs to run the golf course. Nobody knows the condition of what the equipment is in. There is probably $2 to $3 million dollars worth of improvements that need to be done on the golf course. It’s playable now. In fact, I play on it two days a week. I’d like to see the golf course stay there, but I can’t fathom why the Town of Brookville would want to buy it when they don’t even know if it makes money. You have no idea what it’s going to take to make the improvements on it that it needs, and I’m wondering if everybody on the board is aware of these concerns?”
SEVERAL MOMENTS OF SILENCE
Paul Chaney: “Is that a yes or a no? Everybody’s aware of these concerns, and you still want to buy a golf course? Well, I’m sorry but to me that doesn’t make any sense. Thank you.”
Curtis Ward: “Thank you. Anyone else?”
Bernie Rosenberger, retired co-owner of Rosenberger’s Main Meat Market in downtown Brookville: “My name is Bernie Rosenberger. I’ve owned a business in this town my whole life. I recently moved to town a few years ago. And I’m concerned about the golf course consuming money you don’t have. The infrastructure they need to … and I’m not aware of this but does the town need to annex before they buy?”
Curtis Ward: “No.”
Bernie Rosenberger: “So, you want to buy property, a business that has been sold, as risk, because it wasn’t maintained. But my biggest concern is that the infrastructure you have to put in, if you want it in, it has been talked about so much before, the infrastructure that would be spent by the town to incorporate and annexation and the condition of our town works, our streets, our curbs, our sidewalks, our empty businesses on Main Street, which you do not address. With that expenditure, how much money will that take out of our plans to equip Brookville, the existing town. And I hope that is everybody’s concern. I mean you can look at the Valley where there are several streets in dire need, I mean in I’m looking for just direction. The sidewalks, the curbs. People parking on the sidewalk. People parking five feet from their front porch. People parking 10 feet. People parking where people should walk on the sidewalk. I’m just thinking about the future and the look of Brookville as what it is now. If we could spend that money (on town’s current needs). I still don’t think it’s worthy to spend a million dollars for a business that is not viable, not making money. Thank you.”
He received loud applause from most in the room.
Derrike Kolb, former first deputy in county auditor’s office, and he narrowly lost the Brookville Clerk/Treasurer race to current clerk/treasurer Gina Gillman at the last election: “It is getting rather late on the agenda. Do you want me to ask my questions now as they are time consuming?”
Curtis Ward: “If they pertain to the golf course, then yes.”
Derrike Kolb: “What is the town’s business plan for this golf course? And have you seen the LLC’s current financial plan and financial statement? I think they should be looked at before considering.”
Curtis Ward: “Yes. Yes.”
(Different people were murmuring and talking asking what the plan is)
Curtis Ward: “In answer to your second question, yes we have seen the financials. The plan is to continue operated, assuming we agree tonight, the next thing we will be doing is setting up a …”
(this was repeated because he had not been talking into his microphone)
Curtis Ward: “The next thing we will be doing is setting up a transition committee between the LLC that has been operating it for the last three years and the town.”
(Much later in the meeting, Ward said the transition committee would be composed of the LLC members and one or two town council members.)
Curtis Ward: “We value the improvements they’ve made. We value the experience and how they’ve scaled that business to what it was three years ago to now. There are improvements to be made like there would be with anything you would buy. However, we continue to work with them and it would be more of a benefit to utilize their business plan they have and adapt it to our use.”
Derrike Kolb: “Do you know what improvements need to be made?”
Curtis Ward: “We have a good idea. They did present the last three years what they have done to the course and what is left to improve. Obviously, we could continue to improve anything, as much as you want, is there priority projects? Yes. Are there things that necessitate you have to do before you open? No. They have proven that over the last three years, when they have taken a course that was in dire condition and transferred it … transformed it into the condition it is today. It’s much better than what they received it as.”
Derrike Kolb: “What is the approximate timetable for the town’s process for obtaining a bond on behalf of the taxpayers for the purchase of the golf course i.e. seeking of bond counsel, public hearings?”
(EDITOR’S NOTE AND SOME EDITORIAL COMMENT) (Through this part, Curtis talked so fast, even with my tape recorder directly in front of him, his words were so slurred together I could not get a complete transcription. For that, I apologize to my readers, but Curtis, I know you want to go at warp speed with everything, but please, especially in meetings, slow down your speech patterns.)
Curtis Ward: “So, this has been a three-year process. We started this before any of this. We actually have (sounds like “solidified draft in place”) so we could close out the bond at the end of the year as long as we started by the first meeting of September. Aggressive timeframe however it still was doable even though (sounds like “first time (something unintelligible”) back in 2019, Baker Tilly proposed – I’m sorry Umbaugh – (something like “hold a hearing for us” and then something more unintelligible) we would like to engage them again since they are doing the feasibility plan for the Town of Brookville annexation so we have (unintelligible).”
(EDITOR’S NOTE, EDITORIAL COMMENT and FACT CHECK AGAIN) Whew. I am worn out listening to that, but my tape recorder and my aged ears did pick up that Curtis said Baker Tilly, formerly Umbaugh and Associates, an advisory, tax and assurance firm, according to its website, was doing the town’s feasibility study for annexation. It was determined at the August 10 BTC meeting where we were all told the golf course had to be purchased RIGHT NOW (but, again now, it is not an emergency), the feasibility study has never been started even though Curtis said at almost every meeting in 2021, it is an ongoing study, and he again asserted it just now at the August 24 meeting that it is an actual study taking place as I type this. Clerk/Treasurer Gina Gillman admitted, at the August 10 meeting, her office has not received any claims from Baker Tilly for the ongoing (wink, wink, nod, nod) feasibility study. I have never known Baker Tilly to do pro bono work for municipalities and counties.)
Curtis Ward (continued): “And to get it done in the next two months. And to set it for 10 years.
Derrike Kolb: “So, are you planning on purchasing this before you have the actual funds from the bond?”
Curtis Ward: “We could do … maybe, it depends on the type of bond. You could bond (something) note. The ideal scenario is we pay off one bond by the end of the year, which is doable.”
Derrike Kolb: “How much of a tax increase is there going to be with buying properties for $1.6 to $1.8 million i.e $1.1 to $1.2 million for the golf course, $600,000 for the Zimmer property and $50,000 for the old INDOT property, and what’s the financial impact for the people who live in the town that put you in?”
Curtis Ward: “The taxes, it’s a complicated question because one, your assumption is we are going to borrow through a bond for all three properties, which is an assumption, probably not accurate. The $50,000 will be INDOT would likely come from other sources that we already have. The $600,000 to secured that property comes from the PPP process, which we used on the pool, and it will not raise the tax rate. It is not attached to a levy. The only thing we will be looking at through a levy at this point in time is if we approve to purchase the golf course, we need to approve the use of the bond by the first of September that will be the only thing attached to the levy.”
Derrike Kolb: “Which would be about $1.1 or $1.2 (million)?”
Curtis Ward: “We would purchase the project for $1 (million). The financial cost of that based on the 2018 total that they did for us was $175,000 bond issue cost for $1.2 (million). That would have about an 11 percent increase on your tax rate. Actually you having been an auditor, being the deputy auditor, that does not necessarily result in higher taxes for everyone. So, to put it like that is misleading in my opinion.”
Derrike Kolb: “I would venture to guess it will affect people in town more than people up on top of the hill?”
Curtis Ward: “It doesn’t affect the people up on the hill at all because the only rates that would increase would be the town rate, which will be the current town.”
Derrike Kolb: (to paraphrase Derrike’s next question because he also started talking fast is how will running the infrastructure to the area the town will annex up on the hill affect the people who live on the hill’s taxes because that would have to be bonded, too?
Curtis Ward: “You are lumping everything with a general obligation bond, which is simply not how it works. There are (and I will have to paraphrase again: sewer bonds and public service bonds) that are not attached to your levy. They come through other forms of payment. So, it doesn’t necessarily mean – when everybody says we have to put infrastructure up there and it will make your taxes go up that is simply not true.”
Harold Frederick William Bergman, 95, of Batesville, passed away August 27, 2021. He was born to William and Hilda (Timke) Bergman on September 13, 1925, in Batesville. Harold went on to marry the love of his life, Dorothy (Belter) Bergman, on January 26, 1950 in Indianapolis.
Harold was a lifelong farmer and a man who truly loved what he did. He could often be found driving his grain truck, coon hunting, or traveling. However, what Harold enjoyed most was time with his family and friends. Harold never missed an opportunity to play a good card game of 500 or dance with his loving wife. He never met a stranger and always seemed to be a friend to everyone wherever he went. Harold will be deeply missed.
Harold is survived by his wife, Dorothy Johanna Bergman; children Irene Mahan (Walter), Kathleen Laughner (Terry), Roger Bergman (Louise), Randy Bergman (Debra), Ricky Bergman (Rahe Ann), Darlene Roell, Ross Bergman (Debbie), Colleen Werner (John), and Ryan Bergman (Renee); 26 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and one on the way; sisters Wilda Becker, Geneva Engle, and Dolores Henry.
Harold was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, William and Hilda (Timke) Bergman, brother William Bergman, granddaughter Lindsey Marie Bergman, and many friends.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Meyers Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 30, 2021, at 10 a.m. with Pastor William Powlen officiating at Adams Lutheran Church with doors opening at 9:30 am.
Memorials in honor of Harold can be given to Adams Lutheran Church. They may be brought to services or mailed to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
Please feel free to leave a memory or a message of comfort for the Bergman family in the online guestbook.
Evelyn Eliton, 77, formerly of Connersville, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021, at her home in Richmond, where she had been a resident for the past five years.
One of five children of Foster and Nellie Simpson Davis, Evelyn was born in Hellier, Kentucky on July 11, 1944, and graduated from Hellier High School. She made Connersville her home in 1970.
A homemaker, Evelyn took pride in caring for her family and in her leisure time, enjoyed collecting duck figurines and travelling, especially to Japan.
Evelyn was a former member of the former Solid Rock Church in Connersville.
Survivors include two children, Stephanie (Seth) Selke of Richmond and Billie Jean (Anthony) Varner of Connersville; six grandchildren, Kristin (Ty) Day of Connersville, Jacob (Kendra) Gilley of Connersville, Zachary (fiancé, Gill McDonald) Weston of Connersville, Megan Selke of Richmond, Katie Selke of Union, Kentucky and Ashley (fiancé, Cody Rouston) Mack of Fountain City; seven great-grandchildren, Emerie Phelps, Ryan Day, Nora Gilley, Ada Gilley, Gracie Selke, Madison Mack and Alyssa Mack. She is blessed with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Besides her parents, Evelyn is preceded in death by four siblings, Glenn Davis, Aldean Davis, Ellen Gabbard and Baron Davis.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home with Pastor Ronnie Russell officiating. Burial will be in Springersville Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.
Sophia Allen Hunter, age 94, of Metamora, went home to be with the Lord on August 25, 2021, with her family by her side. Absent from her body but present with the Lord.
Sophia was born on April 29, 1927, in Metamora, a daughter to Bill and Ellar Ledford Allen. She married the late Ralph Hunter who preceded her in death on February 21, 2000. Sophia was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Metamora. In her spare time, Sophia enjoyed beautiful flowers, sitting on the front porch, sewing, and most of all, spending time with her family.
Those surviving who will cherish Sophia’s memory include two daughters, Bonnie Marcum of Laurel and Jill (Chet) Wyatt of Wapakoneta, Ohio; four grandchildren, Chad (Jennifer) Wyatt, Jodi (Dave) Reed, Pacer Marcum, and Colt (Krista) Marcum; eight great-grandchildren, Clay (Sarah) Wyatt, Michayla Wyatt, Caleb Wyatt, Jacob Wyatt, Sophia Reed, Zane Reed, Kolten Marcum, and Cora Marcum. Sophia was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband; three brothers, Clint, Buck, and Pete Allen; two sisters, Ethel Halcomb and Effie Duff; as well as one son-in-law, Denver Lee Marcum.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at Bible Baptist Church, 19101 US-52, Metamora, IN 47030, from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. Dr. Ron McCulloch will officiate the service and burial will follow immediately after in the Metamora Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Bible Baptist Church.
To sign the online guestbook or to leave personal memories, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sophia Hunter.
Franklin County Commissioners and the FC Health Board will announce the appointment of Dr. David Welsh as the county’s new health officer at a special joint meeting Tuesday afternoon, August 31.
Welsh is a surgeon who works out of Margaret Mary Health and also Decatur County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg. Also, Welsh is the Ripley County Health Officer.
Franklin County has been without a health officer for a short time. Dr. Scott Marsteller resigned in July because he did not support state COVID-19 guidelines to vaccinate children and teens. By Indiana Code, public health officers have to support state health department guidelines and mandates.
Dr. David Jetmore was appointed as the county’s new health officer during a special commissioners meeting on August 17. Less than four hours later, he resigned that position.
Welsh will be announced Tuesday, according to Franklin County Commissioners.
According to an article on the Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) website dated June 9, 2020, after graduating cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, Welsh earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency program at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati.
In June 2020, the ISMA announced Welsh, a past president of the ISMA, was re-elected to the American Medical Association (AMA) Council on Science and Public Health. In addition, Welsh has been named to the council’s executive committee.
The AMA Council on Science and Public Health consists of 12 physicians who advise on policies through scientific evidence that can improve patient care, promote medical progress and enhance public health.
According to the June 2020 article, Welsh serves as chair of the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section Governing Council and is a past chair of the Joint Commission Hospital Professional and Technical Advisory Committee. In 2014, Welsh represented the AMA at the World Medical Association Leadership and Advocacy meeting in Singapore.
Welsh has served as a governor of the American College of Surgeons, which honored his service with the Arthur Ellenberger Advocacy Award for Excellence in State Advocacy. He was elected president of the Indiana State Medical Association in 2008 and has also served on the ISMA Commission on Legislation and as chair of the Board of Trustees.
The article went on to say: “His nearly 40 years of medical training have been critical to his work serving the community as Ripley County health officer. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Welsh has been a leading voice in southern Indiana’s fight against the coronavirus.”
Welsh is a black belt and filmed videos for the Ripley County Health Department in 2020 concerning combating COVID using his black belt as a theme.
Jeffrey Scott Hicks, 50 of Connersville, passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He was born on August 2, 1971, in Indianapolis, to Everett Hunter and Sara Ethel Hicks Gaddis.
Jeffrey enjoyed playing video games and reading books. You can often find him watching movies, especially Smallville. When you walked into his house, you may hear him listening to old classic music. Jeffrey enjoyed his life and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Jeffrey is survived by his children, Apryl (fiancé, Jimmy) Hicks, Jeffery “Scotty” Hicks II and Ariel Hicks; the mother of his children, Virginia Cumbee Bailey; grandchildren, David Ison, Landen Hicks and a baby on the way, Aidan Michael; and a brother Michael Hicks.
Jeffrey was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John Hicks; a sister, Crystal Dawn Hicks; a grandson, Jaiden Alex and his father and mother-in-law, DeVaughn and Donna Cumbee.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family for Jeffrey. Urban Winkler Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
Ruby Dean Combs, age 73, of Brookville, died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at her residence in Brookville, following a long illness.
Born November 29, 1947, in Blair Branch, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Arlie and Sina (Adams) Caudill. On March 24, 1968, she was united in marriage to Fred William Combs, and he survives.
Ruby worked for 24 years at Avon Products in Springdale, Ohio; seven years at Square D in Oxford, Ohio and the last 10 years until her retirement at the Brookville Middle School. She attended Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brookville. She cherished her family, and loved time spent with her grandchildren. She also had a special place in her heart for animals and was very close to her pets.
Besides Bill, her husband of nearly 54 years, survivors include three daughters, Angie Combs, Tammy (Ryan) Hertel and Rhonda (Brian) Hoog all of Brookville, four grandchildren, Devin, Macey, Dylan Hertel and Madie Hoog. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-laws, Curtis Hogan, John and Phyllis Combs, Judy and Keith Sampson, Mary Ann and Mike Froman all of Brookville, Christine Caudill of Blooming Grove and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Cetrena Spurlock and June Rupe; a brother, Joseph Caudill; a nephew, Jonathan Spurlock; her in-laws, Fred and Ann Combs; a sister-in-law, Donna Hogan, and a nephew, Troy Combs.
Private services will be conducted for the family with burial in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.
Is a personal prophecy the same as a promise from God?
A:
There certainly is a lot of prophecy happening right now. If you’ve wisely made the leap to Christian news networks (like Newsmax; Greg Stephens’ Victory News; or Gene Bailey’s Flashpoint), you’re hearing all about our modern-day prophets who are speaking into the headlines almost daily.
Your question seeks to make a distinction between the prophecies and the promises of God. Are they the same? We must first set a backdrop in order to answer the question of personal prophecy.
Our Bible is packed full of prophetic books—whole tomes written by anointed men of God to speak for him on the earth during a specific time. Here are the prophetic books of the Bible: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Lamentations and Revelation. Since the Bible is made of up 66 books, this means that almost 30 percent of it is prophetic. What is prophetic? Simply put, God has made a way to speak to his people about their future. It is a supernatural utterance…a knowing or an understanding…that empowers the people of God with encouragement, education, prediction or correction.
Prior to Messiah’s arrival on earth, certain devout Jews were anointed with prophetic power and used to speak the will of God into all arenas of life: political, spiritual, personal, relational, financial, etc. New Testament Christians were given this same power through the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter two. These supernatural powers are listed for us in Paul’s writings: “The Spirit gives to one the gift of the word of wisdom. To another, the same Spirit gives the gift of the word of revelation knowledge. And to another, the same Spirit gives the gift of faith. And to another, the same Spirit gives gifts of healing. And to another the power to work miracles. And to another the gift of prophecy. And to another the gift to discern what the Spirit is speaking. And to another the gift of speaking different kinds of tongues. And to another the gift of interpretation of tongues. Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as he chooses for each believer” (1 Corinthians 12:8-11, TPT.)
In times of turmoil, tragedy, or political unrest, the Lord will stir up the Holy Spirit gifts in his people so they will be able to overcome difficulty. There is nothing more politically afoul than the nation of America right now. The proof of this is the catastrophic consequences of poor decisions being made via our government that are devastating national interests, destroying global alliances and decimating people groups. Political unrest always produces the rise of the prophetic community.
Thankfully, parts of the Body of Christ are able to embrace and thrive in the more unusual presentations of the Spirit. Charismatics and Pentecostals seem to operate in the prophetic most often; even to the degree of personal prophecies given to its congregants. Are these personal prophecies, promises from God? Are they declarations of guaranteed outcomes? Yes and no.
When the Lord tells us something about our future, he is looking for partnership. Whether he gives us a dream in the night, a spiritual nudge during a Bible-study, or a prophetic word from a fellow Christian, God is revealing his plan and his will. But we must embrace the journey to God’s declared-destination, through obedience. For example: a 400-pound person is finding success on a weight-loss journey at last. They attend a church service where the Holy Spirit, through a gifted minister, prophesies that this person will run marathons. Will they run marathons? Not in their current condition! The Lord is prophesying an outcome that requires partnership with him in order to occur. He is using a prophetic pronouncement to empower the one he loves, and to link his arm in theirs.
Do you have a question or comment for Pastor Adrienne? Send your inquiries to: info@adriennewgreene.com or write to P.O. Box 214, Harrison, OH 45030. For more information and resources, please visit www.askpastoradrienne.com or the “Ask Pastor Adrienne” YouTube channel for sermons and insights.
Provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and FCSD Sgt. Adam Henson
Labor Day weekend is coming up, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and the Batesville Police Department are warning residents against drinking and driving.
The department is taking part in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization to educate motorists about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. Now until Sept. 6, officers will be increasing patrols showing zero tolerance for anyone caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
“Driving under the influence can have severe and, in some cases, tragic consequences, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out celebrating,” said Sgt. Adam Henson. “These tragedies are preventable, and we don’t want to lose anyone this year.”
About 28 people die in the U.S. in drunk driving crashes every day. That’s approximately one person every 52 minutes and more than 10,000 annually, according to NHTSA.
In Indiana, drunk driving has been on the rise. Of the 898 traffic fatalities that occurred last year in the state, 151, or 17 percent, were alcohol related. That’s up from 130 in 2019. During Labor Day weekend alone, there were 12 fatal collisions with one involving a driver over the legal limit.
“Impaired driving continues to take a terrible toll on our state and nation,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI executive director. “While these overtime patrols are effective and will undoubtedly save lives, we can’t enforce our way out of this issue. It’s up to everyone to drive sober and make smart choices behind the wheel.”
In Indiana, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. In addition, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to one year.
However, impaired driving includes more than just alcohol. Drugs and even some over-the-counter medications can also cause impairment and can slow coordination, judgment and reaction times on the road.
Officers will be on the lookout for all forms of impairment, in which the consequences can include thousands of dollars in legal fees, increased insurance rates, loss of license, a criminal record and possible jail time.
To avoid those, plan a safe and sober ride home before going out. Even if only one drink is consumed, designate a sober driver or plan to use a rideshare service, public transportation or taxi. Motorists that encounter a drunk driver on the road are encouraged to call 911.
To learn more about Franklin County Sheriff’s Department or the Batesville Police Department, please visit us on Facebook or at franklincountysheriff.org or https://batesvilleindiana.us/departments/police-department/ .
