Bloomfield News Blog

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

A Linton man died Tuesday evening in a mine at Triad Mine in northern Knox County near Freelandville.

Brian Mason, 25, was driving a large surface mine truck that drove off a high wall and toppled to the ground and landing on its top about 5:15 p.m., according to Freelandville Volunteer Fire Chief Patrick Reynolds.

“He was in one of those mine dump trucks, one of those huge ones, and we don’t know exactly what happened, but he went over a high wall, somewhere between 100 and 125 feet straight down to the ground. He was trapped in it,” Reynolds told the Greene County Daily World.

Emergency crews had to cut Mason out of the truck, a process that took about 35 minutes, according to Reynolds. …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

WORTHINGTON — Saturday is yard sale day in Worthington.

For one day a year, this quiet, peaceful town becomes a mecca for shoppers hunting for trash and treasures at sales set up all over town.

Sponsored by the Worthington Lions Club, the date of the annual sale is easy to remember. It’s always on the calendar for the Saturday before Labor Day.

Started in 1992 by Jean Ingersoll and Lessalee Pickard, who have both passed away, it is one of the oldest, largest and most successful community yard sale events in the state.

The day starts early at 6 a.m. when the Lions Club starts serving breakfast in the Town Hall of the Municipal Building, located on State Road 67 downtown on the Triangle.

Lions Club President Glen Cundiff said they’ll be open until 10 a.m. and will charge $5 for adults or $2.50 for children. The menu includes pancakes and sausage, biscuits and gravy, milk, juice and coffee. …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

With thousands of people expected to be strolling and driving on the streets of Worthington for yard sale day, the Worthington Police Department is suggesting a few tips for an enjoyable and safe day for residents and shoppers.

Town Marshal Dennis Conaway said the streets are always congested on yard sale day and the most important thing to remember is to slow down and be respectful of others.

Besides calling 911 in case of emergency, Conaway said police officers and rescue personnel will be on duty.

“Officers or members of the fire department will be around the Muncipal Building where the fire and police stations are located alongside Town Hall,” said Conaway. “If any children get separated from parents, they could go, or be taken, there for help. Parents can also instruct children to go to the bank or any other business or the nearest yard sale activity to ask for help.” …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

CRANE — Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane helped fight this season’s blood bank shortages by hosting the largest blood drive in Indiana so far this summer on July 28-29.

Employees donated more than 275 units of blood during the two-day blood drive, surpassing the command’s goal by nearly 50 units.

In a note to Capt. LaSota, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Skillman congratulated NSA Crane on this record-breaking accomplishment.

“Crane is always heads above the rest in reaching the community through impressive measures, and I am always proud of the accomplishments that Crane makes,” Lt. Gov. Skillman stated.

Giving blood during summer months can be especially critical to keep resources out of short supply. …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Two-year-old Westin LeDune watches Peabody Coal Company’s dragline move earlier this week near the former Storybook Village near Dugger. His daddy is an underground coal miner in Petersburg. He is the son of Dusty and Merry LeDune of Linton. Westin’s grandparents and great grandparents used to own …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

The Triple H Gun Club in rural Linton was hit with a burglary during the early morning hours on Monday and reportedly had several guns stolen.

Suspects forced entry into the building, forced entry into the gun safe and several guns were stolen from the safe, explains a Greene County Sheriff Department news release received Wednesday afternoon. …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

The case where an off-duty police officer was out mushroom hunting last spring, and instead of finding mushrooms found three men suspected of being in the woods to do some “cooking” in a clandestine methamphetamine lab, is coming to a close.

Stephen C. Wood, 35, one of the suspects, was sentenced this week to 18 years in prison.

Michael A. O’Banion, 24, another suspect, was sentenced last week to 10 years with six years suspended.

The third suspect, David I. Johnson, 30, was scheduled to be sentenced this week but that hearing has been continued until October 13.

All three were originally charged with two counts each, all class B felonies — attempted dealing in methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit dealing in methamphetamine.

Both O’Banion and Johnson entered guilty pleas to the count of attempted dealing in methamphetamine and under the terms of their two separate negotiated plea agreements, the second counts of conspiracy to commit dealing in methamphetamine were dismissed. …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

In Tracy Hunt’s view, a person can never be too careful with their finances, especially their online bank and credit card accounts.

The 43-year-old Linton woman had the horrible experience last week of finding out her checking account at Crane Federal Credit Union had been nearly cleaned out after a series of unauthorized transactions were made out of Mexico using a forged debit card.

Within three days, she lost $397 to 12 separate purchases made at grocery stores and restaurants thousands of miles from her home in Greene County.

After the bogus transactions, Hunt had $14.83 left in her account. …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

As the sixth annual Linton Music Festival prepares to kick off Friday evening, city officials and business representatives are gearing up for a busy weekend.

Linton Mayor Tom Jones says there is no doubt that the festival creates additional business and generates tourism in the community.

“I think over the years we’ve noticed quite a bit of dollars being spent in the community. After talking to some of the business owners, it (that weekend) has made a huge impact on their businesses,” Jones said. “I think any time we do festivals like this it makes a huge impact on the area. You know it’s hard to measure tourism. Any time you bring from 5,000 to 10,000 people into a community, you know there is going to be increased sales. I think all of these festivals we do, whatever happens here is a huge tourism boom for the community. It’s all plus business and most of those are outside dollars that come in here and it’s money that probably wouldn’t be spent here locally on a normal basis.”

Jones said he appreciates the efforts of the many volunteers who pitch in to make the weekend a success. …<more>

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Rust Communications has elevated three of its veteran group publishers to roles as regional vice presidents, working with Rust newspaper publishers in different regions of the country.

Randy List, based in Indiana, has added responsibilities in central Tennessee and Iowa.

List has served as publisher/part owner of the Brazil Times, Greene County Daily World/The Shopper, and Greencastle Banner Graphic. He has over 37 years of experience in the newspaper business.

Ron Kemp, based in Arkansas, has added the responsibilities of papers in southwest Missouri, central Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Idaho.

Bud Hunt, based in southeast Missouri, has added responsibilities there as well as in western Tennessee.

The announcement was made Tuesday by Rust Communications co-presidents Rex Rust and Jon K. Rust. …<more>