January 15, 2020

15 years ago

Jan. 12, 2005

Caesars Indiana expects to lose millions of dollars in revenue this week after closing its riverboat casino and 503-room hotel Friday because of rising Ohio River floodwaters. Unless more rain makes things worse, Caesars hopes to reopen sometime this weekend. Ed Garruto, the new general manager of the casino-entertainment-hotel complex at Bridgeport on the Ohio, said the casino shut down for only the fourth time since it opened in November of 1998.

The Harrison County Advisory Plan Commission has apparently taken the public’s displeasure with a new ordinance as a sign that it should do something about it. The commission unanimously agreed Thursday night to extend the grace period to obtain a permit for existing signs through the end of the month. The deadline to apply for a free permit for an existing sign was Jan. 6, but the commission agreed to extend it to Jan. 31.

Choosing paint colors for her new house was easy for Jody Pinnick. She went with what she likes: bright, happy colors. Pinnick got to show off her home — dubbed by some as the “Easter Egg house” — Sunday afternoon during a dedication service and open house sponsored by the Habitat for Humanity of Harrison County. Pinnick and her two children, Shawn, 10 and Josy, 2, are expected to move in about a week into the second Habitat house to be built in the county. Pinnick’s home is next door to the first Habitat house, dedicated in early February 2004, off Oliver Street in south Corydon. Both are 1,028 square feet and have a full basement.

An interest in emergency services helped a Lanesville resident land the newly-created position of Harrison County public health coordinator. Tony Combs, who turned 37 yesterday, said the position was established to help communities be better prepared in the event of a terrorist attack, hazardous material crisis, especially a biohazard emergency, or a natural disaster. Positions like Combs’s have popped up throughout the state following the release of a collaborative project by the Indiana Medicine and the Public Health Initiative.

The date on the calendar may have said the month was January, but no one would have known that by the action on the hardwood Friday in Lanesville. The usually-neighborly county rivalry between South Central and the host Eagles reached a feverish March-like pitch. All total, there were 77 free throws, 56 fouls, three technicals and one huge Southern Athletic Conference win for Lanesville. By the time the game ended, the hosts stood as nine-point winners over the Rebels, 75-66. This is the first time since the 1997-98 campaign that Lanesville has beaten South Central twice in the same season. The win also kept the Eagles in the hunt for their first league championship since the 1994-95 season.

Deaths: Ferne Totten, 88; Starr L. Windell, 57; Melissa I. Grant, 39; Dorothy J. Cissell, 94; Irene Timberlake, 94; Jessie F. Houchen, 82; Kathleen Terry, 60; Charles Bell Sr., 90; Leslie H. Skaggs, 85; James Amy, 60; Ralph A. Gettelfinger, 93; Mabel D. Atwood, 103; James Houghlin, 64; Mildred F. O’Rear, 81; John K. Edelen, 61; Louis E. Howard, 84; Dorothy P. Clark, 93; Fred Curtis Sikes, 60; Mary Baysinger, 69; Marjorie Rankin, 78; Dorothy Adams, 92; Nola M. Metzger, 89.

25 years ago

Jan. 18, 1995

A lot of communities couldn’t decide this year whether or how to celebrate the life and ideals of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King. Not here. In fact, some folks couldn’t wait for the celebration to begin Sunday night at Trinity Assembly of God Church southwest of Corydon. The Rev. Paul Greer said people started arriving one hour before the main program was to begin. The rousing warm-up music by the Trinity Singers and saxophonist Carl Woods of Louisville started ahead of schedule, a few minutes before 6 p.m., and the service began at 6:30 with an impressive three-choir processional. The estimated 350 people at the ninth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration in Corydon were not disappointed.

North Harrison teachers and administrators are playing a version of The $64,000 Question, and neither side appears to be winning. About 60 teachers attended Thursday’s school board meeting to let the five-member board know they are concerned about a stalemate that has developed slowly since their contract expired June 30. But board members said they stand firm with the administration’s negotiating team and declined to break the impasse. Teachers have asked for 3% raises and vision insurance. The administration team has countered with a 2% raise and a $400 yearly increase in teachers’ health insurance benefits, from $3,000 to $3,400.

Former Harrison County chief of police Randy Orme is suing the county and Sheriff Clyde R. Sailor in an attempt to get his job back. Orme, who was with the sheriff’s department for seven years, tried to avoid filing a lawsuit by resigning as chief last month. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Merit Board accepted the resignation Dec. 20, reinstating Orme to his previous position of sergeant. Orme was “laid off” Jan. 1 when Sailor’s term started. Kenneth Spencer took over as chief. Sailor’s position is that Orme gave up his merit status when he accepted the appointment as chief in 1992 by former sheriff Edward L. Davis Jr. Sailor said Orme would have the opportunity to apply for the first opening on the department.

Corydon Central and Milan have waged many a close battle on the wrestling mat in recent years. It should have come as no surprise that the two teams were separated by a scant half-point entering the championship round of Saturday’s Southern Indiana Wrestling Conference Tournament at Charlestown. Milan had collected 141-1/2 points to Corydon Central’s 141, but the Panthers had seven wrestlers in the finals to Milan’s five.

Deaths: Beverly A. Steenbergen, 68; Amzie H. Garbrough, 83; Clara Sieveking, 85; Gene R. Hanger, 69; Russell Duncan, 88; Jo Ann Deshane, 49; Mayme L. Poteet, 77; Claude Webster, 67; Dorothy Walls, 55; Nicholas P. Scott, infant; Luella Scott, 75; William Madden, 82; Robert Holmes, 57; Shannon Dunn, infant; Minnie K. Hughes Myhew, 69; Ruth E. Keen, 70; Ada Mae Jones, 81; Freda E. Cassady, 87; Leona C. Rake, 93; Wilma L. Rissler, 80; Ted Allen James, 32; Arie Johnson Jr., 54.

50 years ago

Jan. 14, 1970

Carl (Corky) Saulman has been appointed to the Corydon Town Board to replace Robert Kirkham, who resigned in December. Other board members are Darrell Faith, Earl Beckort, Arthur Weathers and Clella Kemp, secretary-treasurer.

The Stocklayer House, a Corydon landmark located at Elm and Walnut streets, will soon be torn down to make room for an annex to the Harrison County Court House.

R. Earl Miller, who has served as president of the Corydon State Bank since 1942, became chairman of the board at the directors meeting Thursday. Kenneth W. Miles succeeds Mr. Miller as president of the bank.

Larry Conrad, a native of Harrison County, resigns from Sen. Birch Bayh’s staff to resume his law practice in Muncie. He’s the son of Marshall and Ruby Conrad, formerly of Laconia.

Births: Boys — Carolyn Richardson, Mary Schumaker, Sandra Jones, Carolyn Cundiff; girls — Rita Adams, Mrs. James Vaughn, Mrs. Madelyn Hulsman.

Deaths: Lida Cromwell; Forest Gatrost; Clarence Strack, 75; Mrs. Jennie Davis, 68; Clarence Casey, 77; R. Cecil Snyder, 46; Rudolph Lind, 73; W.H. Erstine; William Hartman Sr., 83; Max Hale, 51; Noble P. Kingery, 70; Carl G. Dietrich; Ralph Cooley Sr., 75; Paul F. Reed, 79; Herbert Wolfe, 60; Nita Hendrich, 76; Marvin J. Litch, 54; Carl W. Hendricks, 48; Mrs. Lucille Hair, 67; Elmo H. Watson, 57; Mary Daily, 88.

65 years ago

Jan. 12, 1955

James R. Davidson was appointed by the Board of Directors of the Valley View National Farm Loan Association in New Albany to succeed the late Arvil H. Miles as secretary-treasurer of the company. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Colvin Davidson of Corydon.

Dr. Irvin H. Sonne Sr. of Louisville has purchased the old Jewish Hospital in that city, which will be used for a convalescent center and home for the aged. A retired physician, Dr. Sonne and his family lived in Corydon for many years.

Ira Simler, a native of Washington Township and now of Scottsburg, has bought the Pflanz Motor Co. from Stanley Pflanz. This is considered the oldest active automobile dealership in the county. Mr. Simler formerly operated the John Deere Implement Store in Corydon.

Miss Judy Ann Hercamp, a senior at Morgan Township High School, is county winner of the Good Citizenship contest, sponsored by The Hoosier Elm Chapter DAR. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hercamp of Palmyra.

Births: Boys — Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Eckart, Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Windell, Mr. and Mrs. Orrell Sauerheber, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cochran, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Timberlake, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Bickel, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Vaught; girls — Mr. and Mrs. Temple Real, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Adams.

Deaths: Herbert J. Habermel, 50; William Walters, 79; Eugene Keilman, 53; Bruce Farnsley, 56; John Bliss, 48; Neva Gilmore; Nancy Miller, 88; Fred Mills, 84.

75 years ago

Jan. 17, 1945

S. Sgt. William P. Paris, 29, was killed in action in Europe on Christmas Day; Sgt. C.J. Heuser was killed in action in France on Jan. 3; and Sgt. Lewis Shields was killed in action Christmas Day.

Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Renaker and daughters, Constance and Marilyn, are moving this week from Salem to Corydon. Mr. Renaker and Mrs. Baker of Bedford purchased Miles’ 5¢-$1.00 Store.

Births: Boys — Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Crone, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Berkenmeyer; girl — Mr. and Mrs. Warren Fisher.

Deaths: John J. Ehalt, 76; Alice Lambdin, 86; John G. Munger, 72; H.H. Purkhiser; the Rev. Andrew Scharf, 84; Lewis A. Garbrough, 43; Harry Rowley; Til Harrison, 67; Joseph Charlesworth, 79.

100 years ago

Jan. 21, 1920

Mrs. Lillie Kintner of near Elizabeth feels very grateful to the 20 or more men who came to her place recently and cut several cords of wood for her.

Charles F. Secrest has opened a shoe repair shop at New Middletown, one door east of the garage. His shop is always open Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Births: None.

Deaths: Mrs. Ada M. Davis, 40; Mrs. Amanda Thornbury; Dr. Stephen H. Hurst; Mrs. Elizabeth Adam, 67; David Deweese, 78.