Provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department
July 23
Franklin Bowen, Ashland City, Tennessee, was operating a vehicle at 12:50 a.m. He was coming into a curve along U.S. 52 when a deer jumped over the guardrail on the side of the road and went in front of his vehicle. Bowen was unable to avoid striking the deer. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Tyler Ford investigated the accident.
July 24
Thomas Schrank, Indiana 229, Batesville, at 11:10 a.m., was operating a tractor and was turning left into the driveway and as he was beginning to turn, a vehicle operated by Justin Ison, Cupps Chapel Road, Metamora, attempted to pass Schrank’s tractor. Schrank had a forklift on the front. Ison’t vehicle collided with the forklift portion of the tractor, causing damage to Ison’s vehicle on the passenger side. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jason Robinson investigated the accident.
Provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department
July 19
Jason L. Milbourn, 42, King Fisher Lane, Brookville, was arrested at 3:49 p.m., at Kingfisher Road, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jason Robinson for Out of County Warrant Hold.
Myron L. Weston, 43, East 425 South, Connersville, at 3:45 p.m., was arrested at Franklin County Security Center by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Steve Stirn on an Arrest Warrant.
July 20
Bharatkumar K. Patel, 49, Arlington Drive, Batesville, was arrested at 8:30 p.m., at Batesville Kroger by Batesville Police Department Officer T. Cook for Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated and Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated Endangerment.
Steven L. Power, 62, Duck Creek Road, Laurel, was arrested at 8:34 p.m., at Brookville, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Arin Bowers for Battery.
July 22
Andrea J. Houston, 25, Westview Road, Brookville, was arrested at 3:15 p.m., at the Franklin County Probation Department by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Major Gregory Mehlbauer on an Out of County Warrant Hold.
July 23
Duane Steele, 53, Indiana 121, Laurel, was arrested at 6:08 p.m., at his residence by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Kyle Hartman for Domestic Battery.
Jodie A. Winters, 40, Whitcomb Road, Brookville, was arrested at 7:21 p.m. at High Street in Brookville, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Adam Henson for Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated.
I am doing fine. Well, I have done better. It seems like I was having a much better time living here in Brookville before you, Curtis, became a president, and you, Brooke, became a vice president or male dictator and female dictator. Really, what is in a title?
Prior to 2021, things were good. I think they can be again.
Let’s start with something positive: 21 in 21.
Wow!!! Great idea!!!
I know it’s summer and school is out, but let’s have a little quiz: Do you know why 21 in 21 was such a good idea? Well, I will tell you. Both of you ASKED YOUR CONSTITUENTS what they wanted. And what they wanted THEIR MONEY to be spent on, if anything.
And they responded. They had great ideas. And you saw they had great ideas. And you are trying to put all of those great ideas into action, into reality.
Next time I see you, I will give each of you a gold star. It was that good, really. The gold stars are for being good town council members in that instance.
But see, you had a really bad idea when you TOLD YOUR CONSTITUENTS they could no longer speak at YOUR MEETINGS. And, Brooke to compare YOUR CONSTITUENTS to clowns, bad form. Do you know the definition of MEAN GIRLS? Check out the Urban Dictionary. The definition is too long to cut and paste, but here is a link: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mean%20girls
Just a reminder, this is not middle school. Being a MEAN GIRL is no longer cool.
We may get back to that later.
But the whole “Do not speak at OUR MEETINGS” fiasco should have been a teaching moment for us and a learning moment for both of you. You should not demean YOUR CONSTITUENTS. When you two do anything it is with THEIR MONEY.
No gold stars, even though each of you had the sense to back off that big mistake. And I had hoped it had been a teaching/learning moment, but I was wrong because we moved somewhat immediately into the NEW TOWN HALL fiasco.
Bad idea.
I like the word fiasco. Again, summer school time: fiasco means “a thing that is a complete failure, especially in a ludicrous or humiliating way.”
With the NEW TOWN HALL fiasco you TOLD YOUR CONSTITUENTS what they wanted to have done with THEIR MONEY.
A second reason the NEW TOWN HALL fiasco was wrong is you did it in secret. Not good in America. Maybe, we should bring Civics back into the curriculum.
Now, we are not going to have a NEW TOWN HALL, but we are going to have a NEW STREET DEPARTMENT building and a NEW POLICE STATION.
Pop quiz time: Why is this still a bad idea? You did not ASK YOUR CONSTIUENTS what they wanted to do with THEIR MONEY.
Maybe, YOUR CONSTITUENTS do not want more empty store fronts on Main Street. Maybe YOUR CONSTITUENTS do not want to spend THEIR MONEY on a place that seems too large and probably too expensive for the result.
Just a guess here, but maybe you should ASK YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
Again, no gold stars.
Do you see the difference in these examples? ASKYOUR CONSTITUENTS as opposed to TELL YOUR CONSTITUENTS especially in cases where you are talking about spending a lot of THEIR MONEY. If you need me to get into definitions for ask and tell, I can but really I do not want to be condescending to you as you seem to be to us.
Condescending is a big word. I will give the definition to that: “having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority.”
There are so many more subjects we are going to talk about in the near future: forced annexation, buying a golf course, how to treat constituents when they come to your meetings and code police.
We are going to have so much fun.
Kumbaya Curtis and Brooke
John
An open letter to Cathy, Eric and Chuck
Dear Cathy, Eric and Chuck
How are you? I am doing well, well maybe not as well as the beginning of 2021 and this new town council member configuration.
But you could each change that. You do not have to do everything Curtis and Brooke tell you to do. I know they can be intimidating, but I really do believe you three know the difference between TELL YOUR CONSTITUENTS as opposed to ASK YOUR CONSTITUENTS especially when it is about spending THEIR MONEY.
Please have Curtis and Brooke share my letter to them about good ideas and bad ideas.
You guys can have your own ideas. You can speak up. I know it is much easier to play follow the leader, but look and listen to whom your leaders are and where they are taking you. And when I say you, you understand I am saying us, THE CONSTITUENTS.
To paraphrase my now departed dear mother: “If they told you to jump off a cliff, would you?”
I do not think any one of you three want to be condescending to YOUR CONSTITUENTS. If you three start thinking for yourselves, I will give each of you gold stars, also. I promise.
Two Franklin County men were arrested and charged with three felonies regarding meth and theft.
Zachary J. Burkhart, 29, and Trevor L. Ruble, 24, were charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine, as a Level 2 Felony; and Possession of Methamphetamine, as a Level 4 Felony. Burkhart was also charged with Theft, as a Level 6 Felony.
According to an Affidavit for Probable Cause, written by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Arin Bowers, this started with the theft of catalytic converters.
Catalytic converters are stolen because “they contain precious metals, like platinum, palladium or rhodium, that are valuable to metal dealers,” according to allstate.com.
Bowers said he received a tip on Monday night, July 26, Zachary Burkhart was in possession of three catalytic converters that were stolen in the 24 hours prior to that night. The tip also said Burkhart may be in the Laurel area. Thus, Bowers was patrolling in that area.
He saw a red Ford F-150 turn onto Dam Road.
“The vehicle had a leaky, altered or deteriorated muffler,” Bowers said in the affidavit.
Thus, Bowers initiated a traffic stop. And the driver was Burkhart. Bowers said Burkhart seemed nervous with shaky hands. The passenger was not wearing a seat belt so Bowers asked the passenger’s identity and found it to be Ruble. Ruble had a writ of body attachment.
According to Tippecanoe.in.gov, a writ of body attachment is “a court order to the Sheriff to arrest a person and hold them in custody. The court will often issue a writ if a party who was ordered to attend a court hearing fails to show up.”
Bowers spotted two catalytic converters in the truck’s middle seat and a third on the passenger floorboard. Also, there was a sawzall-like tool on top of a tool bag. Sawzalls can be used to cut off catalytic converters from vehicles.
When Bowers questioned Burkhart about the catalytic converters, he said he purchased them that day, but he thought they might be stolen. Bowers removed the catalytic converters from the truck.
Another deputy, Ryan Geiser, arrived with a vehicle where the catalytic converter had been stolen. Bowers compared the cut patterns, and they seemed to match. Burkhart was also placed into custody.
Later, Burkhart said Ruble was not involved in the catalytic converters.
Bowers then did a vehicle inventory of the F-150 prior to the tow.
According to the affidavit, Bowers discovered a camouflage bag on the left side of the passenger floorboard with a scale in plain view in a side pocket. The camouflaged bag was easily within reach of both pickup occupants.
“The bag contained a black plastic container which was found to hold multiple plastic baggies,” Bowers wrote in the affidavit.
Three of the baggies were found to hold a white and clear crystalline substance, which was later field tested and was positive for meth. It had a weight of about 20 grams or nearly an ounce. Burkhart denied knowledge of both the camouflaged bag and its contents; however, he identified several items within the bag that he said belonged to him, including a torch lighter.
Ruble’s parents arrived on the scene. They both identified the bag as belonging to Trevor Ruble. However, in subsequent questioning, Ruble denied the bag belonged to him.
Still doing the inventory for the tow, Bowers discovered a black Kyocera cellphone sitting face up on the seat. It lit up multiple times. A message was left and someone offering a certain amount of money for a ‘g.’
Burkhart and Ruble were then taken to the Franklin County Security Center for processing.
If convicted of a Level 2 Felony, the pair could each face 10 to 30 years in prison. A Level 4 conviction could result in a sentence of two to 12 years in prison. A Level 6 conviction is from six months to 2.5 years.
Burkhart has another Level 2 Felony charge in Franklin County for Dealing Methamphetamine, which was filed on February 4. It is pending. He was charged with Rape and Sexual Misconduct with a Minor in 2010. He pleaded guilty to the Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, as a class C felony, and was sentenced to four years in prison with one year suspended to probation. In 2011, he was charged with Sexual Misconduct with a Minor and Public Indecency in Rush County. He pleaded guilty to Public Indecency.
Ruble was found guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine on Nov. 6, 2019, and received 114 days in the FCSC. On April 8 of this year, he pleaded guilty to two counts of Battery by Bodily Waste on a Public Safety Officer and Resisting Arrest, all as Level 6 Felonies, and was sentenced to 514 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. In the same case, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of Driving while Intoxicated and Disorderly Conduct, and his sentences were suspended. He pleaded guilty to Theft, as a class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 120 days in the FCSC on Nov. 22, 2019.
Charges in 2017 of Criminal Trespass and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident were dismissed.
On Feb. 14, 2020, Ruble pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Illegal Taking of a Wild Animal and received a sentence of 90 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation.
Ruble has misdemeanor charges of Conversion, Possession of Paraphernalia and Leaving the Scene of an Accident pending.
Constance Sue (Connie) Wesseler, 61 years old, passed away on July 27, 2021, in West Chester, Ohio surrounded by family. Connie was born to Bernard and Janet Wesseler at Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville. Connie graduated from East Central High School, The Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati, and The Chamberlain College of Nursing. Connie was a critical care nurse in the hospital intensive care unit, and eventually became a director at a major managed care company. Connie and Jim met 41 years ago when Connie was a student at Good Samaritan Hospital and Jim was a student at The University of Cincinnati.
Connie loved being with family, reading novels, and mentoring co-workers and direct reports. After becoming a patient of Oncology Hematology Care, Inc. (OHC), Connie crocheted several hundred hats and donated them so others who lost their hair could cover their heads. Connie loved going on fun adventures with her son Phillip, or just having dinner at her favorite Mexican restaurant, El Vaquero. Family members would refer to Connie and Phillip the dynamic duo as they loved to do everything together including camping and going to the zoo.
Connie will be dearly missed by her husband James (Jim) Grafe, son Phillip Wesseler, father Bernard Wesseler, brother Bernie (Jennifer) Wesseler, sisters Anita Boppeler, Lori (Rich) Sweeney, and her beloved Nieces, Nephews, and Great Nieces. Connie was preceded in death by her mother Janet Wesseler and brother-in-law Ben Boppeler.
Visitation for Connie will be held on Friday, July 30, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, All Saints Parish, 9788 N. Dearborn Road, Guilford, IN 47022. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. with Father Jonathan Meyer presiding. For those not able to attend, mass will be lived streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Burial at St. Paul’s Cemetery will immediately follow. Memorial donations can be made to Family Wishes and checks can be made payable to Jim Grafe. Memorials will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed directly to Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home at 25615 State Rt. 1, Guilford, IN 47022. Please visit www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com to sign the online guest book or offer condolences.
Rita J. Amberger, age 89, of St. Mary’s, died Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Ripley Crossing in Milan. Born April 9, 1932, in Dearborn County, she is the daughter of Emma (Nee: Bischoff) and Jacob Krieger. She married Robert Amberger September 12, 1959, at St. Martin’s Church in Yorkville. Rita worked in the payroll department for Fernald for seven years, five years for Nolte’s Pharmacy, and as a teller for 15 years at People’s Bank.
A member of St. Mary’s of the Rock Church, Rita generously donated her time and talents. She was a longtime member of the church choir, took care of always having fresh flowers in church and managed the carryout at the annual church picnic. She also took great pride keeping her flower beds around home blooming and looking beautiful. Rita loved her dog Max, was a member of the Red Hat Ladies, enjoyed playing solitaire – at least her version of it and to the amusement of her family, collected bird houses and souvenir bells from the bus trips she and Robert took over the years. As any good grandmother would do, Rita made sure her grandchildren had all the junk food their hearts desired and was always happy to make them “homemade” bread. Also, her cinnamon rolls will be sorely missed by family and neighbors alike.
Rita is survived by her husband Robert; daughters Janice (Roger) Lamping of Hamburg, Joyce (Doug) Gagne of Sunman, Judy Smith of St. Mary’s; 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren with two on the way. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her son Kenny; sisters Sylvia Tebbe, Anne Merkel, Dolores Voegele; brother Elmer Krieger; son-in-law Glen Smith; granddaughter Corinne Lamping and great granddaughter Adalynn Miller.
Visitation is Friday, July 30, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Family Church in Oldenburg with Rev. Carl Langenderfer officiating and burial in St. Mary’s of the Rock Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Preservation Society or Corinne’s Believers Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Edith Helen (Smith) Zimmer, 87, of Batesville, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at Manderley Health Care in Osgood. Edith was born at her family’s home in Milan, on August 16, 1933, to Harvey and Velma (Howadel) Smith.
Edith married the love of her life, Wilbur R. Zimmer, on December 23, 1955, at the Methodist Church in Batesville, where she was a member. Wilbur survives. From this union came their three children: Julie (Gary) McIntosh, Kathy (Jeff) Braun Gerbig, and Raymond (Fran) Zimmer.
After spending many years working at Krueger Maddux Greenhouse in Sunman, Edith eventually retired. However, she still remained active in her community. Edith was a member of both the Happy Heart home economics club and the Post Teens home economic club. She was a member of the Morris Fire Department Auxiliary for 25 years and enjoyed working all of the chicken dinners and pancake breakfasts. Edith loved to collect salt and pepper shakers and had an extensive collection of more than 1,000 sets collected.
Edith and Wilbur loved to travel and made many memories on their tour bus rides all over the country. In her free time, she could often be found quilting, playing bingo, or spending time with her grandchildren who she loved dearly. In Edith’s most recent years, she won a contest at Manderley where she was named Queen. Her prize was complete with both a tiara and a queen sash which Edith adored.
Edith is survived by her husband, Wilbur; her children; grandchildren Benjamin Braun, Kayla Bright, Amanda Meyer, Abby Zimmer, and Brent Bowling; great-grandchildren Emily Braun, Michael Braun, Lexie Meyer, Stetson Stutz; step great-grandchildren Sam and Caden Bright; brother Leslie (Virginia) Smith; step sister Roberta Breazeale; and sister-in-law Judy Smith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Paul Smith, granddaughter, Heather Wells, and son-in-law, Paul Braun.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021, with 1 p.m. funeral services immediately following, all at Meyers Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Batesville Methodist Cemetery.
Memorials in honor of Edith can be given to the Morris Fire Department by bringing to services or mailed to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
Ervin H. Spreckelson, 92, of Batesville, passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2021, at Margaret Mary Health. The son of George and Hilda (Spreckelson) Gartenman was born on March 7, 1929 in Ripley County.
Ervin proudly served in the United States Army and spent time in Korea. In 1992, he retired from Hill-Rom after 30 years. Ervin had many hobbies and enjoyed bowling, hunting, and fishing. He was a lifetime member of the Sunman Legion Post #337. Ervin was a big fan of the Cincinnati Reds and loved to watch their games when he had the opportunity. He collected baseball cards, coins, and stamps. In addition, Ervin was an exceptional gardener. He enjoyed traveling and often spent time in Renfro Valley, Kentucky.
He will be deeply missed by his nieces and nephews, especially Martha DeHoff, Amelia Short, Carlene Riehle and April Dickman. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Martha (Napier) Spreckelson, and his second wife Jean Pepper- Spreckelson.
Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021, with 1 p.m. funeral services immediately following, all at Meyers Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Rossburg Cemetery in New Point, with graveside military honors conducted by the Sunman Legion Post #337.
Memorials in honor of Ervin can be given to the Sunman Legion Post #337 by bringing to services or mailed to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
Maitland Marie Cox, of West Harrison, was born on July 25, 1997, in Cincinnati, a daughter to Paul Cox and Tina Bolser Freeman. She was a graduate of Franklin County High School and later went on to serve her country with the United States Marine Corps. Maitland was a member of St. John Catholic Church in Harrison. In her free time, Maitland enjoyed camping, hiking, crafting, and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. On Monday, July 26, 2021, at the age of 24, Maitland passed away unexpectedly at home.
Those surviving who will cherish Maitland’s memory include her parents, Paul Cox of West Harrison and Tina Bolser Freeman of Brookville; five siblings: Tatiana, Maline, Mayla, Landon, and Kika; paternal grandparents: Lucille and Nelson Cox; maternal grandparents: Mike and Marcia Bolser, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, August 6, 2021, at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home, 929 Main Street, Brookville, from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. Burial with military honors provided by American Legion Post #77 will follow immediately after in Drewersburg Baptist Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project by going to their website, support.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate and selecting donate and then selecting, “Make this a gift in honor or memory of an individual,” and enter Maitland’s name or by making the donation at the funeral home.
To sign the online guestbook or to leaver personal memories, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Maitland Cox.
Franklin County Commissioners notice of executive session
Franklin County Commissioners and Brookville Town Council are going to meet in a joint executive session at 3 p.m., Friday, July 30 in the Commissioners Room at the Franklin County Government Center, which is directly behind the current Town Hall.
The purpose of the meeting is “The purchase or lease of real property by the governing body up to the time a contract or option to purchase or lease is executed by the parties under Section (a)(1)(D).”
Brookville Town Council held an executive session for the same reason prior to its meeting Tuesday night, July 27.
Convened under the Authority of the Franklin County Commissioners and the Brookville Town Council
To Be Held in the Commissioners Room, 1010 Franklin Ave,
