UCCCJSD looking to add pickup points in Liberty and College Corner for town students

By John Estridge

Schools are going to start having buses pick up town children to get them to school.

Union County College Corner Joint School District Board of Trustees heard about the situation for Liberty and College Corner students.

According to UCCCJSD Superintendent Aron Borowiak, Union County Transit is unable to pick up the students in town where the parents want the students to ride in a transportation vehicle to school rather than walking. Borowiak said the school district’s transportation head is going to dispatch buses to take over those duties.

He said the buses will stop in a couple of spots in each town to pick up riders.

Due to the number of students who are taking online classes and those who find other ways to schools, there should be enough vacancies on school buses to make this scenario work.

However, Borowiak does not want the system to get overwhelmed. Parents are asked to call the schools and/or the administration building to request the transportation. He said they will not just stop and pick up students on rainy days.

He said if this becomes a popular item, the board members may have to look at purchasing more buses and hiring more bus drivers.

Some athletes have tested positive at Union County school system

By John Estridge

Union County College Corner Joint School District (UCCCJSD) Superintendent Aron Borowiak said there have been positive COVID-19 tests among athletes, and some students will have to start the school year under quarantine and/or isolation.

School board member Jessica Jones said it is her understanding the positive test results have come from athletes who are not in fall sports, but they are working in off-season workouts. She asked if that is something that should be curtailed at this time.

Those conversations were part of the monthly UCCCJSD Board of Trustees meeting Monday evening, August 10. UCCCJSD first day of school is Thursday, August 13.

During the superintendent’s comments near the end of the meeting, he said there has been an uptick in the county’s COVID-19 positive test results. Indiana State Department of Health reported on Monday Union County has 41 positive test results. He said the number is actually 43. There is a lag from when the ISDH acquires local numbers.

Borowiak said he has been working with the Union County Health Department and others with contact tracings and has found there are gray areas. The Centers for Disease Control’s definition for a close contact is someone who is within six feet of someone else who is positive for 15 minutes or more. However, officials are calling other things near contacts. He did not elaborate on the definition of a near contact, but said some of those near contacts may have to be isolated.

“We’re working through this,” he said. “It’s not cut and dried.”

However, Borowiak said the UCHD said schools are safer than many other places the students find themselves in where social distancing is not enforced.

Those comments led to questions and conversation among the board members. Jones asked Borowiak what is the tipping point for closing schools or the whole school system down and having everyone go to distance learning.

Borowiak said the rule of thumb with the flu is 20 percent absentee rate.

Board president Mary Eversole asked if the UCHD would be in contact with contiguous counties in Ohio as students to the school system come from the Buckeye state and at least two different Ohio counties. Also, there are some students in different programs who come from contiguous counties in Indiana. Borowiak said the health departments communicate among themselves concerning other populations when doing the contact tracings and other subjects concerning the virus.

Board member Mike Sims asked about the monetary value placed on students with remote learning compared to the students in the brick and mortar schools.

Borowiak said in normal years, a person learning from a remote location would get 85 percent funding from the state while the students inside the school would get 100 percent. But this year that has been waived, and all students will receive the 100 percent funding. He said Gov. Eric Holcomb clarified that situation again earlier on Monday.

Eversole said with the board members, it has always been a given that education is very important, but this year, especially, it is education and safety, which are important.  

Good COVID-19 report for Franklin and Union counties

By John Estridge

This was a good day for Franklin and Union counties in the daily COVID-19 report issued by the Indiana State Department of Health.

No new COVID-19 deaths were reported in Franklin and Union counties. Franklin County’s number of COVID-19 positive test results increased by just one to 243. Union County’s number of positive results remain at 41. FC’s COVID-19-related deaths is 14, with no increase, and UC is still at zero.

Franklin and Ripley counties conducting school bus safety patrols

Press release from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department

Franklin/Ripley County Traffic Safety Partnership, which consists of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and the Batesville and Brookville Police Departments will be working to safeguard students as they get on and off the bus this fall. Over the next couple of months, officers will be positioned along bus stops and routes looking for stop-arm violations and motorists driving dangerously.

The overtime patrols are part of the state’s Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) program, which was developed by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute last year, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As part of the effort, officers will work with local school corporations and bus drivers to identify problem areas where the highest number of violations occur.

“We take these violations very seriously and personally, as they jeopardize the safety of every child on that bus,” said partnership coordinator Sergeant Adam Henson. “Pay attention to the road, and if you see a bus with flashing yellow lights, that means slow down and get ready to stop — not go faster. As drivers, we’re all responsible for school bus safety.”

In 2019, thousands of bus drivers in Indiana participated in an annual survey and reported more than 2,500 stop-arm violations in a single day. Taking that one-day total as an average, that means an estimated 450,000 violations could have occurred during the 2019 school year.

In Indiana, it’s against the law for motorists to pass a bus that’s stopped and has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended. This applies to all roads, with one exception. On multi-lane roads divided by a physical barrier or unpaved median, vehicles traveling the opposite direction of the bus may proceed with due caution.

“Always err on the side of caution when it comes to school bus safety. If you’re not sure what to do, just stop,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI executive director. “The best way to think about it is to drive like it’s your child boarding or riding that bus.”

The following is a list of school bus safety tips provided by NHTSA.

  • Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
  • Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
  • When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
  • Don’t drive distracted or impaired.
  • Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
  • Be prepared. Knowing how to drive when buses are around is critical.
    • Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
    • Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

To learn more about agencies within the Franklin/Ripley County Traffic Safety Partnership, please visit the agencies on Facebook.

ABOUT THE SAVE PROGRAM

Launched in 2019, the Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) program works to provide safe transportation routes for students going to and from school in Indiana. Grants are awarded to law enforcement agencies to conduct high visibility patrols along school bus stops and routes, which are identified by coordinating with local school corporations, bus drivers and other key officials. SAVE is funded by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

UC woman’s trial continued from August 24 to October 19

By John Estridge

Union County resident Carola J. Antrim’s trial is scheduled for 9 a.m., Monday, October 19. It was originally scheduled for August 24.

Antrim is charged with two counts of Theft, one as a Level 5 Felony and one as a Class C Felony.

According to Information filed by Special Prosecutor David M. Daly on July 6, 2018, Antrim is accused of taking at least $50,000 between July 1, 2014 and December 6, 2017, and at least $100,000 from March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2014.

She is accused of taking money from a trust fund set up for a young male who received grievous injuries in an explosion.

Randolph County Superior Court Judge Peter Haviza is the special judge in the case. A special prosecutor and a special judge were needed in the case as Antrim worked for an attorney in the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and her attorney, Mark Cox, is the brother of Union Circuit Court Judge Matthew Cox.

Daly is the prosecuting attorney in Randolph County.

If convicted of a Level 5 Felony, Antrim could receive a sentence of one to six years in prison. A Class C Felony conviction carries with it a sentence of two to eight years in prison.

Information from the Union Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and Mycase.in.gov.

New Alsace Conservation Club annual golf outing is September 12

From a press release by Dale Back, secretary

New Alsace Conservation Club (NACC) is holding its 14th annual Golf Outing on Saturday, September 12, at the North Branch Golf Course in Greensburg.

Proceeds from the golf outing will benefit fifth and sixth graders by giving them the opportunity to attend a one-week camp at the Karl E. Kelly Memorial Officer’s Conservation Youth Camp at Ross Camp in Tippecanoe County.

After last year’s event the NACC was able to send nine children to camp.

Golfers will play 18 holes with four-man teams. There will be Skins, Morning breakfast sandwiches and a Prime Rib Dinner. Also, awards for Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin. Cost for the event is $260 for the four-man team. A $65 deposit is required to reserve a team. Tee off is 8 a.m.

Following the golf outing, the awards dinner follows at the NACC clubhouse at 25216 Jacobs Road, New Alsace.

For more information, contact chairman Rob Seig at 812-209-9099. His email is robseig@seigsurveying.com.

The NACC website is www.newalsaceconservationclub.com for the golf outing and map for the location.

FC girls golf team finishes just four strokes out of championship at Greensburg Invitational Saturday

From a Franklin County High School press release

Franklin County’s girls golf team fell just four strokes from winning the Greensburg Invitational Championship Saturday, August 8.

Shooting a 363 as a team, the Lady Wildcats took third place.

Camryn Brewer led the Wildcats with an 84. And Nicole Mears shot an 88.

FC plays host to always tough Richmond Monday evening, August 10.

FC Scores

Camryn Brewer 84

Nicole Mears 88

Gracie Graf 93

Crystal Calihan 98

Kelsie Brackney 103

FC Real Estate Transfers from Jan. 29-Feb. 12

Supplied by the Franklin County Recorder’s Office

January 29 through February 12

Quit Claim Deed: Robert Ray McDaniel Jr. to Wilhelmina C. Perkins McDaniel; two tracts, both land in Posey Township.

Sheriff Deed: Peter Cates, sheriff, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust 2006-HE4, and Grover R. Brown to Deutsche Bank National Trust Company and Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust 2006-HE4; Lots 69-70, Riverview.

Transfer on Death Deed: John Kerr and Lynn M. Kerr to Jamie Kerr and Ryan T. Kerr; land in Springfield Township.

Personal Representative Deed: Amber McMillin Orozco and Thomas Reuss to Miles J. Rosenberger and Lindsey A. Rosenberger; land in Brookville Township.

Affidavit of Transfer of Real Estate: Marlin Leo Gabbard and Leo Gabbard to Scott Gabbard; Four tracts, Tracts 1-3, all land in Whitewater Township, Tract 4, Lot 35, John Allen’s Addition.

Warranty Deed: Leo Gabbard Holding LLC, Leo Gabbard and Scott Gabbard to Scott Gabbard; land in Whitewater Township.

Warranty Deed: Scott Gabbard to SKM LLC; Tract One, land in Whitewater Township and Lot 35, John Allen’s Addition.

Warranty Deed: Ryan D. Lovins and Brittany N. Lovins to Marina Lampe; Lot 13, Autumn Oakes Estates Subdivision.

Affidavit of Transfer to Real Estate: Bert Eversole to Independence Title & Escrow Company; land in Brookville Township.

Warranty Deed: Michael L. Selm to Michael L. Selm and Irene M. Selm; land in Brookville Township.

Corporate Deed: Farmington Estates Inc. to Beacon Builders LLC; Lots 165-166, Farmington Estates, Phase 7.

Personal Representatives Deed: Amber McMillin Orozco and Thomas Reuss to Jerald L. Hesselbrock; Three tracts, all land in Brookville Township.

Personal Representatives Deed: Amber McMillin Orozco and Thomas Reuss to Kevin Brackney and Melissa Brackney; two tracts, all land in Brookville Township.

Personal Representatives Deed: James Cox and Ronald G. Cox to James Cox; Lots 12-17, William F. Smiester’s Addition.

Quit Claim Deed: Mary M. McCroskey to Martin A. McCroskey; land in Springfield Township.

Quit Claim Deed: Dennis P. Miller and Barbara S. Miller to Barbara S. Miller; Lots 216-219, Phase I, Section III, Lakeshore Resort.

Warranty Deed: Lana Deen LLC and Dorn Byg to LAC Properties LLC; Lots 53-54, McWhorter’s Addition.

Warranty Deed: Kristopher Crouch and April Crouch to David Chase Bryant and Morgan L. Bryant; Lots 9-11, Arthur Henries Plat.

Warranty Deed: Darrell Canada and Linda Canada to Justin C. Denier and Katharine M. Denier; land in Springfield Township.

Warranty Deed: Deborah J. Metcalf to Jamie R. Metcalf and Michelle L. Metcalf; land in Metamora Township.

Warranty Deed: Mack H. Metcalf and Deborah J. Metcalf to Jesse D. Metcalf and Katherine Metcalf; land in Salt Creek Township.

Warranty Deed: Karen Dole, Leroy L. Wiwi and Mildred Rose Wiwi Trust, Leroy L. Wiwi and Mildred Rose Wiwi to Joshua Grimmeissen and Stacy R. Grimmeissen; Tract 8, land in Whitewater Township.

Warranty Deed: JK Development LLC to Craig A. Paul and Christina L. Paul; Lot 4, Strohmier Estates.

Warranty Deed: JK Development LLC to Charles L. Hatfield and Michelle A. Hatfield; Lot 20, Strohmier Estates.

Warranty Deed: Bill Roberts to Lester Beesley and Tonya Beesley; Lots 6-8, New Fairfield, Section I.

Warranty Deed: Kathy Harper to Linda Canada; Lot 19, Brookville National Bank.

Sheriff Deed: Peter Cates, sheriff, James M. McKinney and First Financial Bank to Preferred Property Investment Inc.; land in Laurel Township.

Sheriff Deed: United States Department of Agriculture, Angela R. Jones, Peter Cates, sheriff, Rural Housing Service and United States of America to Preferred Properties; land in Butler Township.

Warranty Deed: Stephanie Browning and Stephen D. Browning to Joe Hale and Jay Hale; land in Laurel and Posey townships.

Warranty Deed: David W. Williams to David W. Williams and Sheri L. Williams; land in Ray Township.

Transfer on Death Deed: David W. Williams and Sheri L. Williams to Jamie Lamping, Crystal Peters and Keith Williams; Lot 14, Lake of the Woods Estates Phase I.

Transfer on Death Deed: David W. Williams and Sheri L. Williams to Jamie Lamping, Crystal Peters and Keith Williams; land in Ray Township.

Personal Representatives Deed: Karen Griffith and Kenneth R. Konradi to Jamison G. Woolson and Ashley M. Mentz; land in Salt Creek Township.

Trustees Deed: Helen H. Bradley and Helen H. Bradley Trust to Michael F. Murray and Valerie M. Murray; Lot 2, Paul J. Wiwi Subdivision, Block C.

Warranty Deed: William J. Weber and Melissa K. Weber to Kristopher Crouch and April Crouch; land in Brookville Township.

Warranty Deed: Jody L. Biltz to Jacob L. Biltz and Joel C. Biltz; Two Tracts, Tract One, Lots 1-2, William H. Eads, Town of Brookville, Tract Two, Lot 2, William H. Eads, Town of Brookville.

Quit Claim Deed: Alesha Sue Lohrey to Timothy R. Lohrey and Debbie Sue Lohrey; Lot 66, Amos Butler.