Donna Kay Bechtel, age 69 of Batesville, passed away on Friday, May 21, 2021, at the Waters of Batesville. The daughter of Chester and Gladys (Strunk) Petrey was born on July 13, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She married Daniel Bechtel on November 26, 1972, in Cincinnati.
Donna worked as a line operator at Pri-pack for many years and served as a Union Rep there as well. Donna most liked working in her home taking care of her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and baby sat for all of them. Donna enjoyed cooking and collecting many different recipes to try and prepare for her family and friends. Daytime Soaps were another favorite of hers and she always tried to keep up with them.
She will be dearly missed by her daughters, Robin Hinds of Milan, Crystal Iles (John) of Milan; her son, Rondal Lee Petrey of Harrison, Ohio; her grandchildren, Gavin Hinds Jr., Amber Hinds, Ashlee Iles, Erika Iles, Raymond Petrey and Cheyenne Petrey; along with her great grandchildren, Oaklyn Hinds, Asher Hinds, Preston Iles and Rose Petrey.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel and siblings, Billy Joe Petrey, Jonny Anderson and Jackie Crank.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 25, 2021, from 12 – 2 p.m., with funeral service at 2 p.m., all at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville. Pastor Bill Lunsford officiating. Burial to follow in Holy Guardian Angels Cemetery in Cedar Grove.
Memorials donations may be made to Hope Baptist Church by bringing to services or mailing to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
Todd Marlin Siebert passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 20, 2021, surrounded by many friends and family. The son of Marlin Siebert and Carol (Kops) Siebert was born on October 7, 1969, in Batesville. He was 51 years old.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Tina; his daughters, Stacey Grieshop (David), and Mikayla Eckstein (Matthew); his parents, Marlin Siebert (Julia) and Carol Siebert; his five grandchildren, Matthew Siebert, Connor and Wyatt Grieshop, Maci and Madison Eckstein; four step-grandchildren, Dion, Damon, Devin and Darian Grieshop; and one brother, John Siebert (Jackie).
Visitation will be Friday, May 28, 2021, from 4-8 p.m., at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville with funeral services on Saturday, May 29, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Crossroads with Rev. Creighton P. Leptak officiating. Following services there will be fellowship at his home for family and friends.
Memorials may be given to ALS by bringing to services or mailing to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
There is so much to write about concerning Brookville’s Town Council and the members who make up council, well, at least some of them.
First, there is the ruling by the state’s Public Access Counselor on a complaint BTC was violating the state’s Open Door Law. He affirmed they were violating the Open Door Law.
Second, there is BTC President Curtis Ward’s speech at the end of the last council meeting, Tuesday, May 11.
Both things actually tie in together.
First things first: Carla Hacker filed a complaint with the state’s Public Access Counselor because the Brookville Town Council refused to respond to inquiries from people who live here, own businesses here and pay taxes here. It is an ongoing problem which actually extends back to prior town council configurations, but seems to have gotten much worse with this town council configuration.
This particular situation concerned the town’s appointment to the county’s Area Plan Commission.
Luke Britt, the state’s public access counselor, did everything but levy a fine against BTC. To see his quotes, go to the article about it on this blog. They are quotes taken directly from his published ruling (cut and paste). So to Curtis, Brooke Leffingwell, Chuck Campbell and Terry Mitchum: these quotes are not made up or manufactured. In fact, I have never done that. I encourage all things I have written, both in the past and now, be fact checked.
During that exchange when Ward was just a town council member and had yet to ascend to the council president throne, Ward really denigrated a person in the audience who had the audacity to apply for the APC position when no one else from the town had stepped up to volunteer for that position for more than six months.
Gary “Gig” Marmouze volunteered. And as it came to pass HOW DARE HE VOLUNTEER? Gig did not have the correct thoughts according to the Thought Police here. Gig is against annexation of Snob Hill. He is not alone in that opinion. He is more than likely part of the great majority, dare I say it “The Silent Majority.” That last reference was for old people like me.
Now, let’s skip to Ward’s speech that one person who heard it referred to it as Ward’s Kumbayah Speech. I have it in its entirety elsewhere on this blog so you can fact check my statements either there or on Ward’s personal Facebook page.
To paraphrase the first two paragraphs, he was shocked and saddened about the public response on social media concerning the tickets issued to the town’s residents for breathing air incorrectly out on Brookville’s streets.
We, the people, were nasty.
Ward was very saddened by our responses.
“I love the places and businesses, and I love the people. I did not love what I witnessed last week.”
He went on to say what we, collectively, did wrong.
“It seems to me that over the past few years that it’s become seemingly more popular to be divisive and critical of each others (I think he meant “other” here) and ideas. The notion of you can’t be right if i (I) feel I’m right prevails. There is no opportunity to have a healthy debate and simply agree to disagree.”
Let me just give the definition of hypocrite here: “a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion. 2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.”
This is Merriam-Webster, but I think the definition is pretty consistent across the board.
Again, don’t take what others feel is my tainted word for this: Go to the town’s Facebook page and watch the video and listen to the sound track if that is possible, sometimes it is not, for the different meetings in question.
In one of the meetings Hacker referenced in her complaint was when Marmouze had the audacity to volunteer. After that audacious display, Ward let him have it in front of council members, those in the audience and those watching on the video feed. Ward was not feeling the “love for the people” that night. And that last paragraph of his speech did not come to the forefront that night: “It seems to me that over the past few years that it’s become seemingly more popular to be divisive and critical of each others (I think he meant “other” here) and ideas. The notion of you can’t be right if i (I) feel I’m right prevails. There is no opportunity to have a healthy debate and simply agree to disagree.”
I called Gig after the meeting Ward treated him like a piece of crap, and I am not kidding here, I was almost in tears telling Gig I was so sorry for how he was treated by Ward. Gig and I are not besties, but I have known him for more than a few years and we were co-workers at one time and even attended the same church in the past.
One of Gig’s biggest faults that night was his public stance against annexation. What used to be considered a good American practice, actually allowed by the authorities, he was out front and public with his opinion.
Some of Ward’s comments at the meeting where he publicly berated Gig were in Hacker’s complaint letter: “Curtis didn’t like him because Marmouze was AGAINST the annexation and stated so publicly. Ward said that ‘since he had a predetermined opinion about the annexation that he obviously picked up from sitting close to the anti annexation people at the meetings,’ he didn’t want him to be the representative.”
That was Hacker. In the defense of the BTC to Hacker’s complaint, town attorney Tammy Davis directly quoted that night: “Mr. Marmouze questioned why he was being imposed to an interview and requested that Mr. (Mike) Biltz (then-BTC president) not interview him due to a previous interaction that occurred outside of the council meetings. Council Member Ward volunteered to serve instead. Mr. Marmouze continued questioning the interview process and overviewing his qualifications. As a result, Mr. Ward expressed that he did have reservations about appointing Mr. Marmouze citing his recent actions classified by Ward as ‘public outbursts’ and Mr. Marmouze forming opinions before searching for a factual basis.”
Let me tell you, that was the G rated version. And what one does not get to see or hear with printed words is the smugness and condescending nature of the one who is speaking from the front of the meeting room.
Now, the kicker is, the person eventually picked by BTC is an employee of Ward’s at Century 21 Real Estate. Ward was on the committee that picked her. (Footnote: It was a committee created to get around the Open Door Law, according to the Public Access Counselor.) Not only is the appointee Ward’s employee but she was very public about her opinion FOR annexation. For me, it is not wrong she publicly stated her opinion or what her opinion was, but Gig was derided and found unworthy as an appointee because Gig apparently had the wrong opinion. Let me paste Ward’s last paragraph in his Kumbaya speech again: “It seems to me that over the past few years that it’s become seemingly more popular to be divisive and critical of each others (I think he meant “other” here) and ideas. The notion of you can’t be right if i (I) feel I’m right prevails. There is no opportunity to have a healthy debate and simply agree to disagree.”
Just go back up to see the definition of hypocrite if you need to.
If Ward had just done this to Gig, it would have been bad but not unforgiveable, but just ask Hacker, Wayne Monroe, Earl Moore and I believe I am leaving 10 or 12 other people out concerning how Ward has treated them badly in public.
Another example of this town council and how we all have to be nice to each other is a one way street meant only for the taxpayers and not council is remarks on my WARNING WARNING WARNING editorial that is still on my blog. They were made by BTC member Chuck Campbell after Ward’s speech: “I am very proud to be a resident of this wonderful town. You must have a crystal ball by the way you predict things that are going to happen in the future, in your mind. Recently you submitted questions for the town council to answer. The questions did not pertain to anything we were discussing. You were “assuming “many things. Then to top it off, you couldn’t attend that meeting. I encourage all people to attend their town council meetings. I encourage participation. I do not encourage people to get the biased, agenda based information that you spin out. And yes, you do spin it. A dog sniffing another dog’s butt gets more information than from anything you spit out.”
Prior to the meeting, this was his response: “To put it as you did John….grow a set and come to the town meetings. Quit hiding behind a keyboard. Maybe you will learn a thing or two. You can sure stir the pot, can you eat what you fix? I thought you were different. I had hope for you. But you just disappointed me like the rest of them. Keyboard warriors.”
After reading those, I feel his love. I feel like we have bonded, and he respects my opinion even if it different from his own.
Provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department
Franklin County Sheriff Peter Cates has released a monthly report of activity for the month of April. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 687 calls for service, which is a 14 percent increase over the 592 calls in April of 2020. Among the calls of service investigated were:
Property Damage Accidents
27
Personal Injury Accidents
15
Fatality Accidents
1
Burglary/Theft
14
Residential/Business Alarms
12
Domestic Battery/Battery
22
911 Hang Up/Accidental Dial
81
Suspicious Persons/Vehicles
40
Traffic Stops
95
A total of 38 arrests were made by Sheriff’s Deputies on the following charges:
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
5
Battery/Domestic Battery
5
Possession of Marijuana
3
Possession of a Controlled Substance
2
Possession of a Syringe/Paraphernalia
1
Resisting Law Enforcement
1
Theft/Possession of Stolen Property
1
Driving While Suspended
2
Warrants
18
There was an average of 45 prisoners housed in the Security Center throughout the month of April. The maximum capacity of the Security Center is 75 inmates. Deputies drove a total of 22,854 miles. The Transport Officers drove an additional 3,955 miles for a total of 26,809 miles. The Transport Officer conducted 17 prisoner transports, transporting a total of 19 prisoners to and from the Department of Corrections facilities throughout the States of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. One piece of real estate was sold at Sheriff’s auction. There were 76 civil process papers served.
Citizens wishing to report illegal drug activity and/or other crimes may do so by calling 765-647-0755. Callers can remain anonymous. For real-time weather-related emergencies and crime information sign up for free text messaging at www.nixle.com. Like us on Facebook at Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Visit our webpage at www.franklincountysheriff.org.
Franklin/Ripley Counties, IN. — On any given day, more than 90 percent of motorists can be found wearing their seat belts. Unfortunately, the small percentage of people who choose not to buckle up make up a disproportionate amount of the fatalities that occur every year on Indiana roads.
It’s a concern that the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Batesville Police Department are working to address this spring by participating in the national Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign. From May 17 to June 6, officers will be out in greater numbers seeking to educate motorists about the importance of wearing a seat belt.
The high-visibility patrols are paid for with funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
“Part of our job as law enforcement is to educate and that includes reminding drivers and passengers that buckling up isn’t just a suggestion, it’s the law,” said Sgt. Adam Henson. “If these extra patrols wake people up to the dangers of not wearing a seat belt, we’ll consider our mission a success.”
Between 2015 and 2019, seat belts have saved more than 69,000 lives in the U.S., according to NHTSA. Despite knowing the benefits, people still refuse to buckle up, a choice that too often can end in tragedy.
Last year, more than 800 people were killed on Indiana roads, of which, 565 occurred in passenger vehicles. Sadly, 364 of those, or 6 out of 10, were not wearing seat belts.
Out of any age group, male drivers, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 34, were the most likely to be found not wearing a seat belt at the time of a crash. Additionally, individuals not wearing seat belts were three times more likely to get injured in a crash when the driver was speeding and seven times more likely when the driver was impaired.
“If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that life is precious,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “We expect more people will be venturing out and taking road trips this spring, and wearing a seat belt is still the best way to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.”
According to the department, officers will be writing citations and conducting high-visibility patrols during the day but especially at night, when unrestrained driving is at its peak (midnight to 4:00 a.m.). Under Indiana’s primary seat belt law, officers can stop and cite drivers and passengers just for failing to wear a seat belt.
Drivers can also be cited for each unbuckled passenger under the age of 16, and children under eight must be properly restrained in a federally approved child or booster seat.
Throughout the campaign, officers will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt enforcement, which means anyone caught not wearing one will receive a citation.
To learn more about Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and the Batesville Police Departments, please visit and follow both departments Facebook pages and visit: franklincountysheriff.org. Parents and caregivers can choose the safest car seat for their child by visiting TheRightSeat.com, or to find a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, who can inspect and assist with the installation of a car seat, visit www.childseat.in.gov.
Provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department
May 11
Anna Bruns, Raymond Road, Brookville, was operating a vehicle east on Oxford Pike at 3:21 p.m., and slowed her vehicle due to dogs being in the roadway. William Brown, Green Meadow Drive, Brookville, rear-ended the Bruns’ vehicle. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jeremy Noah investigated the accident.
Seth Swartz, Duck Creek Road, Metamora, operated a vehicle pulling a trailer east on Duck Creek Road at 5:52 p.m. April Beard, Duck Creek Road, Laurel, was operating a vehicle traveling west on Duck Creek Road. Due to the roadside culvert sections of Duck Creek Road are more narrow than other sections both the Swartz’ vehicle and Beard’s vehicle met in one of the narrow sections. They sideswiped mirrors. Also, Beard’s vehicle’s bumper hit Swartz’ trailer. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Kyle Hartman investigated the accident.
May 12
At 8 a.m., Regina Thalheimer, Holland Road, Brookville, was driving south on Indiana 1, and a deer jumped out in front of Thalheimer’s vehicle, causing damage. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jeremy Noah investigated the accident.
Terrence Hall Jr., Cincinnati, was operating a vehicle westbound on U.S. 52 at 10:34 a.m. He entered Orschell’s Curve, fully loaded, and was traveling too fast to negotiate the curve, The vehicle traveled over the center line and struck a second vehicle operated by Michael Geyman, Madison, In., in an opposite direction sideswipe. A third vehicle operated by Ashlyn Sawyer, Clover Drive, Brookville, observed the accident and drove off the right side of the road to avoid a collision, continuing off the roadway, hitting a tree. After striking the Geyman vehicle, Hall’s vehicle traveled west on U.S. 52 as it rotated counterclockwise, continuing down the eastbound lane, striking a fourth vehicle operated by Jason Cregar Jr., Elm Tree Road, Laurel. After striking Cregar’s vehicle, Hall’s vehicle struck a guardrail’s face, eventually going through the guardrail and overturning onto the driver’s side. U.S. 52 was shut down for quite awhile due to the accident. It was a Wednesday with Sale Barn traffic on the highway. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Major Greg Mehlbauer investigated the accident.
May 13
At 10:58 a.m., Laura Edwards, Spaeth Road, Brookville, was operating a vehicle on Wildcat Lane, Brookville and turning left into a parking spot next to a second vehicle. Edwards’ vehicle struck the passenger side of the second vehicle while turning, causing damage to both vehicles. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Andrew Voelker investigated the accident.
May 15
Thomas Steele, East 17th Street, Connersville, at 1:50 p.m., was operating a vehicle eastbound on Fairfield Causeway Road when he swerved to miss a pothole. This caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle went on its side, ejecting the driver. The vehicle kept sliding several feet before coming to rest. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Brad Lecher investigated the accident.
Provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department
May 12
Shawn M. Binion, 38, Kennard, In., was arrested at 7:55 p.m., at the Franklin County Security Center by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Adam Henson for Sexual Misconduct by Service Provider with Detainee.
May 15
Bryant A. Scott, 20, Franklin, Ohio, was arrested at 5:59 p.m., at Laurel by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dusty Hill for Minor Possessing Alcohol.
James W. Smith, 52, Wolf Creek Road, Brookville, was arrested at 4:40 p.m., in Laurel, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dusty Hill on two Arrest Warrants.
May 17
Dustin A. Buckhave, 32, Winn Road, Brookville was arrested at 9:10 a.m. at the BP Gas Station, by Brookville Police Department Officer Ryan Geiser on an Arrest Warrant.
Political column by Franklin County resident Larry Wiwi
Over the past couple of weeks you likely heard commander-in-thief Biden excoriating unvaccinated Americans and telling us getting vaccinated is our patriotic duty. I won’t give advice or an opinion about getting the vaccine since that is your personal decision to be made with or without your doctor’s advice and unlike Biden, I have high confidence you will make the best decision for yourself. That is how we operate in America, we have high faith and confidence in the individual, or at least we used to.
That said, exactly why would any of us take direction from Biden regarding any notion of patriotic duty? Yes, I know he occupies the White House and some refer to him as their president but let’s examine the track record:
Is he living up to his patriotic duty opening the borders and letting hordes of illegals invade the country, erode our culture, consume our public resources and depress wages for low-income Americans?
Is he living up to his patriotic duty when he allows those same illegals, many COVID positive, to be transported around the country, potentially infecting American citizens?
Is it his patriotic duty to erode our energy independence and destroy thousands of jobs with the killing of the XL pipeline? Some enviro-wackos might tell you that it was his duty to kill the pipeline to fight climate change but their logic is fatally flawed – the oil that would have been carried by the pipeline will instead be carried by trains and trucks that burn oil and have vastly more negative impact on the environment.
How about his patriotic duty to consider re-joining the Iran nuclear deal? Now that is good for America, lets help the world’s leading Islamic terrorist state acquire nuclear weapons
Is it patriotic of him to look the other way while his often wayward son earns many millions of dollars from the Chinese and Ukrainians among others as he trades on his father’s influence?
You are free for now at least, to take advice from whomever you choose, but if you are looking for advice on patriotic duty, maybe the current White House occupant should be avoided.
Linda R. Lockwood, 78, of Connersville, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Reid Health in Richmond. She was born on March 16, 1943, in Richmond, and is the daughter of the late Wilson “Bud” Abner and Zola Ethel Baine Abner.
Linda was a member of the Connersville Moose Lodge and the Red Hat Society. She was also very active with the Fayette County Senior Center in the Thrift Store and with transportation. She was a member of Higher Praise Worship Center. Together with her daughters, she owned her own thrift store, called the Unique Boutique in Cambridge City. Linda’s favorite way to spend her time was with her family, especially her grandkids and great grandkids.
She is survived by two daughters, Tonya (William Jr.) Rogers, of Connersville, and Melissa (Keith) Gulley, of Auburndale, Florida; her son, Eric Christopher Sheets, of Florida; her brother, Mark Abner, of Muncie; a brother-in-law, Archie Goins; nine grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Lockwood, who passed in 1999; a daughter, Angela Beth Brown; her sister, Pat Goins, and her brother, Terry Abner.
Per Linda’s wishes, a private Celebration of Life will be held by her family. Urban Winkler Funeral home is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
