Franklin County Sheriff’s Department press release
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department announced today that they will be bringing National Night Out back to Brookville this year.
The event will be on Tuesday, August 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event includes a free cookout by area law enforcement, as well as free admission to the Brookville Aquatic Center during that time thanks to grant funding provided by Stayin’ Alive LCC.
According to the National Night Out website, www.natw.org, “National Night Out culminates annually on the first Tuesday in August.” The website continues, “National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”
The Sheriff’s Department, in partnership with Stayin’ Alive LCC, first participated in National Night Out in the late 2000s. At that time, the event was held in Brookville, at the Heap Memorial Pool and upper town park area. In 2012, F.C.S.D. began alternating the annual event around the various Franklin County communities, including Laurel, Oldenburg, Cedar Grove, New Trenton, Andersonville, Blooming Grove, Metamora and Mt. Carmel. The decision to bring National Night Out back to Brookville, coincides with the opening of the new Aquatic Center earlier this summer.
For more information on National Night Out, please visit www.natw.org. Information for the local event can be found on the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page.
Thomas E. Wise, 64, of Dayton, died on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Miami Valley Hospital.
Thomas was born in Milan, on April 1, 1957, to Albert E. and Wille Mae Maney Wise. He married Barbara Wright on August 11, 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and they enjoyed more than 36 years together. Thomas served as an Associate Pastor for the Valley View Church in Englewood. He was also active in men’s ministry, the National Day of Prayer, and was the Ohio Representative for the National Governors’ Prayer Team.
In addition to his wife, Thomas is survived by two daughters: Elizabeth Wise of Cincinnati and Martha Wise of Dayton; one sister: Susan Stogner; one brother: John Wise; and nieces and nephews: John Wise, Melinda Wise, Will Stogner, Edward Stogner, and Elizabeth Stogner.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Sunman with Rev. John Jaffe officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paul United Methodist Cemetery. Friends may visit at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.
For more information, send condolences or sign the online guest book go to, www.cookrosenberger.com.
The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Thomas Wise.
The family is requesting that those attending the funeral service wear a mask.
Jerry Wayne Sandlin, age 70, of Richmond, died unexpectedly Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Reid Hospital in Richmond.
Born November 12, 1950, in Cincinnati, Ohio he was the son of the late Robert H. Sandlin and Stella J. Grimes. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam era.
Jerry was retired, having worked in the railroad industry for many years.
Survivors include a son, Jerry (Amber) Sandlin Jr. of Columbus, Indiana; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Ellar Sandlin of Brookville; a brother-in-law, Ray Mullins of Brookville, as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Sandlin, as well as a sister Paulette Mullins.
Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Monday, August 2, 2021, by the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion, at Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.
The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sandlin family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.
Betty Lou Garrison, 92, of Connersville passed away Friday, July 23, 2021, at Reid Health of Richmond following a short illness.
She was born at the family home in Connersville on December 25, 1928, one of four daughters of Fred Willis and Charlotte Pearl “Sweetie” Huber Cole.
Betty was a graduate of Laurel High School and later she graduated from the Anderson Beauty School in Richmond.
On February 14, 1947, Betty was married at the 4th Street Presbyterian Church in Connersville to William Howard Garrison Jr. Mr. Garrison passed away unexpectedly on October 14, 1952. After her husband’s death, she became both a devoted mother and father to her children.
For 25 years, Betty owned and operated Betty Lou Beauty Salon on Virginia from 1955 until 1980. She then managed the J. C. Penney’s Salon in Richmond for 11 years. Betty later was employed for five years with Advantage Home Health and retired at the age of 84 from Residential CRF where she was employed as a house parent.
Betty enjoyed painting and doing word search puzzles but most of all enjoyed spending time with her family. In her later years, she loved going to Roberts Park to feed the squirrels.
Survivors include her daughter, Deborah Montgomery, of Connersville; three grandchildren, Jan Montgomery, Melissa (Frank) Romano and William “Bill” (Natalie) Garrison IV; five great grandchildren, Anna (Douglas) Turner, Gina (fiancé, Benjamin Nofsinger) Romano, Katelyn Garrison, Erica Montgomery and Morgan Garrison; a great-great granddaughter, Janis Deboard; three sisters, Peggy Clevenger, Rosemary Bentley and Linda (Rodney) McGuire, all of Connersville. Betty is also blessed to have a caregiver who was like a second daughter to her, Debbie Force. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her husband and her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her son, William H. Garrison III, who died August 26, 2003; a brother-in-law, David Clevenger; nieces and nephews, Chad McGuire, Eric McGuire, Paula King, Doug Bentley, Carol King, and Jenna McGuire.
A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held at a later date with burial in Dale Cemetery. Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Friends may also leave condolences at millermosterrobbins.com.
Mildred Painter, 69, of Milan died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 15, 2021, while on vacation in Florida.
Mildred was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 27, 1951, to Theodore and Mildred Klein Riegelsberger. She married Edgar Painter on December 31, 1987, in Cleves, Ohio. Mildred was a homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her family.
Mildred is survived by three children: Craig Bays of Indiana, Cindi Mather and Michael of Ohio, and Jeffery Painter and Megan of Ohio; nine grandchildren; one sister: Carolyn Burns and William of Cincinnati; a sister-in-law: Mary Riegelsberger of South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.
Mildred was preceded in death her parents; her husband, Edgar, on December 14, 2020; one sister: Anna Riegelsberger and one brother: John Riegelsberger.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12 noon on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home ~ 107 Vine Street, Sunman. Interment will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Sunman. Friend may visit at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
For more information, send condolences or sign the online guest book go to www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mildred Painter.
Leaving the politics and pains of the world behind, John Paul Miles, 63, of Connersville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 17, 2021. He was born on February 7, 1958, in Richmond, and was the son of Hearl Miles and Glenna Wilson Miles Oatman. On August 21, 1986, he married Karen Peak of Connersville.
John worked for Fayette County Schools as a custodian for 30 years, and also of Grand Avenue Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church, for many years.
He enjoyed fishing and had a great interest in politics. He loved spending time with his grandkids, who knew him as “Poppy”.
Along with his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Katey (Ronnie Elliott) Miles; two sons, Anton (Anna) Miles and Mitchell (Samantha Favorite) Miles; two sisters, Mary Jane (Wayne) King, and Geanna Williamson; a brother, David (Sharon) Miles; and grandchildren, Jackson, Ronnie III, Noah, Allison, and a girl expected in December, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Chuck Oatman; two brothers, Charlie and Danny Miles; a niece, Christine Miles, and his father-in-law, Deryl Peak.
Visitation for John will be held on Friday, July 23, 2021, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, Connersville. A graveside service will follow at Dale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, school supplies or monetary donations may be made to Connersville Middle School in support of the children to whom John devoted so many years.
Peggy Fields, 76, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Birmingham, Alabama. She was born on February 4, 1945, in Maysville, Kentucky, and is the daughter of Walter Yates and Elenora Howard Yates.
On February 22, 1962, she married Hobert S. Fields in Liberty.
Peggy was a 45-year Eastern Star member. She was a past mother advisor of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and achieved the Grand Cross of Colors for the Rainbow for Girls.
Along with her loving husband of 59 years, she is survived by a daughter and son in law, Melissa (John) Hadder; a granddaughter, Hope Hadder; a sister, Ruth Fairchild; a niece, Nancy Shelley; and several nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Louise Grimes and Evelyn Chasteen, Maxine Gore and Charlotte Purcell and a brother, Wayne Watson.
Visitation for Peggy will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, Connersville. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., at the funeral home, with Pastor Rob Judd officiating. Burial will follow at Dale Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Florida 33607.
The Bible says God talked face to face with Moses. A few verses later it says we die if we see God’s face. Which is it?
A:
Great question! First, let’s get a couple of those scriptures out in front so we may review what the Bible says exactly: “When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would stand and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. So the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.” (Exodus 33:10, 11, NASB) Then, “God further said, ‘You cannot see My face, for mankind shall not see Me and live!’” (Exodus 33:20) These verses seem to illustrate why people accuse the Bible of being filled with errors. Why would God contradict himself on such an important matter?
He isn’t. Like all biblical arguments, there are numerous factors involved such as language-translation, Hebrew meanings of words, Jewish oral histories, and above all, context. Context, in my view, is the most important component of scriptural discussions. Context is the sticking point when discovering the true meaning of things; the broader, more authentic understanding of a subject or idea. We must consider the context surrounding the words, “face to face.”
Here’s how context works: a blind man, for example, asks you to describe a daisy. Your description of the flower itself may be academic in terms of color, texture, etc. But describing that daisy in the context of a meadow of flowers in morning sunshine, versus, a single stem in a vase on your kitchen table, makes all the difference in how the blind man experiences that daisy. Context brings to us the emotion, the passion, the feel, the atmosphere; filling-in critical details. We must never view the Bible in a purely academic way. We must consider it scene-by-scene in context to the whole picture.
Moses was the man anointed by God to set up the Jewish faith in terms of doctrine, bylaws, services, calendars, priesthoods and meeting places with God. This man engaged God in all kinds of venues through intense, close-encounters. Moses responded by embracing God’s methods of interaction without question, which promoted him, spiritually, into broader venues. He began first with a desert bush, a voice and a flame. God met with him, we would say, face-to-face…up close and in person…on that first day at the burning-bush. Moses then encountered God in royal courts and private homes; on mountain tops, pathways, beaches and deserts often in dramatic, thundering storms. Finally, when Moses’ obedience to the construction of the tabernacle was completed, God and Moses met inside it, consistently, thereafter. “And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent that all the people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent. Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the Lord would speak with Moses” (Exodus 33, 8, 9.) In context, we see that the presence of the Most-High God met with Moses face-to-face. What is the difference between meeting with God’s presence and meeting with him in person? Is the essence of God different from his physical being?
Yet Moses was human and he wanted more. He challenged God to appear to him as more than a holy mist or a pillar of fire. Moses said, “Show me your glory!” (Exodus 33:18) He had already met God’s glory on numerous occasions. So what did he mean? Perhaps he meant, “Show me everything. Your form…your being…” To that, God was forced to respond: “You cannot see my face and live.” The Lord kindly explained that it wasn’t possible. You see, God’s power in the natural realm—his awesome, pulsing, weighty, tonnage of raw omnipotence would obliterate a human being, if fully unleashed. It isn’t that we are forbidden to see the face of God, it’s that we would not survive it. In his kindness, he meets us with his presence and comes as close as he can. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (James 4:8.)
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.
At least three Brookville Town Council members, especially the council president, disparaged a county employee and the Franklin County Commissioners in an open meeting without asking questions or seeking their input but just relying on an analysis of timecard information.
This occurred near the end of the Brookville Town County July 13 meeting.
Commissioners were seeking help paying for the Small Animal Control Officer when he is answering calls in incorporated towns within the county, especially when the calls constitute overtime. BTC President Curtis Ward said county attorney Grant Reeves broached the subject to him. After that, BTC member Brooke Leffingwell and her sister, Paige, did an analysis of the SAC officer’s timecards.
“It’s pretty enlightening,” BTC President Curtis Ward said.
Ward said the commissioners are saying overtime hours are coming from SAC’s actions in Brookville. Ward said he was looking at the time cards from Jan. 1 to present. Ward said there were but two hours of overtime and 10.5 hours in all in Brookville.
“What I did find enlightening was most of his time spent non-call related time in cleaning up the pound or picking up the food,” Ward said. “He had 56 hours compared to our 10.5 hours: 27.5 hours picking up food, driving to Wal-Mart, driving to Tractor Supply. And I would not be bringing this up were it not for the commissioners cited that.”
Bridget Hayes, who is the Observer reporter, said the county does not buy or provide food at the animal shelter, but that is done by residents. She said the county does not allocate any money for animal food.
“I think there’s another issue,” Ward said. “All the time sheets say ‘I went to Wal-Mart; I went to Tractor Supply; I went to Rural King.’ We wouldn’t have looked into the timecards except for the fact they alleged Brookville was utilizing all his overtime. So I looked into it wanting to make sure we were paying for our fair share of it. That guy works 40 hours a week and his out-of-office hours are roughly 13.5. So, out of his 40-hour weeks, he is roughly doing work … he is leaving the office 13.5 hours cleaning the pound plus getting food for the animals.”
Ward said he went to the July 13 commissioners’ meeting, but commission president Tom Linkel was not there so it was not discussed. He asked and received the support and a motion from the other BTC members to go to the commissioners and confront them with the data and to tell them Brookville residents are county residents and already pay for the SAC with their county tax money.
After the vote, member Chuck Campbell suggested Ward talk to the commissioners about their spending habits, which resulted in laughter from those present at the meeting.
Volunteer: “a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.”
The definition for the noun “volunteer” does not adequately describe Jim Hodapp.
There should be a different word for volunteer for people like Jim, because he took volunteering to a new level.
Jim drove for Brookville EMS-2 for 20 years almost until his death in 2018. According to his wife, Margie Hodapp, Jim wished he had started volunteering 20 years before he began driving for EMS.
“He absolutely loved it,” Margie said.
And in those 20 years on EMS, Jim put down a remarkable record. He drove more than 200 runs per year in multiple years.
Think about that.
He is a volunteer, and he makes an average of four runs per week for the entire year and did it in multiple years. He ran during heavy snows, ice storms, middle of the nights, weekends and holidays.
While many people ate Thanksgiving dinner and relaxed, Jim’s Thanksgiving meal might get cold because he would be called to someone’s home or to a terrible accident to take someone else to the emergency room.
On average, a run will take between two and two-and-a-half hours to complete. Those on EMS, especially the driver, usually have to report to the squad room, drive to wherever the patient is. The patient must be cared for, carried to the ambulance and then driven to a hospital. And in most of Franklin County, hospitals are around 30 miles away. Then, there is the trip back to the squad room and finally back to home.
At four runs per week times 2.5 hours per run, equals 10 hours per week, at least and to extrapolate that further, that is more than 500 hours per year, about 25, 24-hour days per year in a volunteer capacity.
Margie said Jim loved to make the runs.
“He wanted to help others,” Margie said. “He liked doing for other people. He felt like he was making a difference.”
Margie got him into EMS. Margie worked at Val’s. One of her coworkers, Brenda Davidson, was on EMS. Brenda talked Margie into volunteering and then Margie and Brenda talked Jim into taking the plunge also.
“The two of us drug Jim into it,” Margie said.
That was the old days before GPS. However, Jim possessed a photographic memory, according to Margie. His GPS was already invented, because it was in his head. He could remember individual runs that happened 10 years ago. During those pre-GPS days, people on runs would call Jim at home and ask him how to get to an address.
“Sometimes they would call at 3 or 4 in the morning and ask where a road was,” Margie said. “And Jim always knew.”
There’s a family story where Jim’s parents moved from a farm near New Haven to a farm off Farm Hill Road. Jim was 4. He had been from his old farm to the new farm once. Then, after that one trip, he rode with his two uncles from the old farm to the new farm, and was able to tell his uncles each turn to take.
When the bad winter weather hit, Jim would often stay at the squad room, not taking a chance on a trip from his home to the squad room taking too much time. Margie said the snow and ice were so bad one time after driving down the interstate to Batesville, they had to walk a patient across an overpass to the waiting Margaret Mary Hospital ambulance.
There was a period where he and Margie would run all the holidays and Jim would call in to offer services anytime he found out EMS-2 was out of service. That was because he could not stand the EMS being out of service.
It takes a special kind of person to work on EMS as those volunteers see so much tragedy and despair. Several runs were very poignant for Jim and some he never got over. The way Jim coped with the bad that occurred was caring and training his dogs. He ran foxhounds and coonhounds. He also cared for rabbits.
“That’s what he did to handle the emotional end,” Margie said.
Terminal cancer finally put a halt to his EMS driving days. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer on January 20, 2018. His last run was the second week of March of that year. And the reason he had to quit then, was because of his immune system was compromised. His oncologist was afraid Jim would catch something from one of the patients, and Jim’s body would not be able to fight it off.
“He really hated stopping,” Margie said. “He did it under protest.”
In the Memorial Day parade that year, Jim was asked to ride in the ambulance, and he did.
“They will never know what that meant to him,” Margie said. “He was delighted he got to ride the parade route with them. He rode with a grin on his face from beginning to end. That meant a lot to him.”
His earthly end came on June 19, 2018. He was 79.
Franklin County EMS purchased a picnic table and placed it at Brookville Town Park. A small plaque with Jim’s name on it is attached to the table.
“The Hodapp family appreciates the recognition of the faithful service Jim gave for almost 20 years to the EMS and the devotion he felt for the Brookville community and the people who live here,” Margie said.
Jim Hodapp’s memorial picnic table is at the Brookville Town Park across what once was Ninth Street from the aquatic center
