Bloomfield News Blog

Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Greene County Daily World

The Bloomfield Police Department has a full-time opening and is now accepting applications for a deputy marshal.

The Bloomfield Town Council on Tuesday night accepted the resignation of Jordan Hasler, effective late last month. Hasler left the department to accept a position with the Bloomington City Police Department.

He’s been a member of the police force since 2008. …<more>

Monday, September 6, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Two rural Bloomfield residents are behind bars after members of the Greene County Drug Task Force took down a working methamphetamine manufacturing lab Friday at a residence located at 4601 E. Olive Branch Road.

Neal A. Burton, 44, and Heather A. Hayes, 47, are both being held in the Greene County Jail without bond.

An ongoing drug investigation, led by detectives Josh Goodman of the Linton Police Department and Ryan Van Horn of the Jasonville Police Department, resulted in a search warrant being issued for the residence of the two suspects on Friday.

It was executed Friday afternoon and members of the Task Force including officers from the Linton and Jasonville Police Departments and the Indiana State Police spent the afternoon and evening hours on the scene processing evidence and dismantling a clandestine lab.

When officers arrived at the home, the two suspects were present as well as two young children. The Department of Child Services (DCS) was contacted and the children were released to the custody of DCS caseworkers. …<more>

Friday, September 3, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Are you the parent of an adorable tot? If so, then the Apple Festival’s baby/children contest may be of interest to you.

It’s been a tradition of the Bloomfield Order of the Eastern Star to annually sponsor the contest.

“Last year we had approximately 60 participants … I actually had to turn some away because they were trying to enter the day before the contest,” explained Rhea Dawn Gadberry, worthy matron of the Bloomfield Order of the Eastern Star.

Any child who is a resident of the county can participate, she noted. The age categories are: newborn to 12 months, 13 months to 23 months, 2-3 years of age, 4-5 years of age and 6-8 years of age.

The winners of the 6-8 year old category will reign as Little Miss and Mister in the Apple Festival parade but must provide their own transportation, Gadberry said. Both will also receive trophies or medals. …<more>

Friday, September 3, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Look for the 19th annual Joe Edwards Show to land in the Bloomfield Town Park on Labor Day with several special guests.

This year Bob Hardy of Yuma, Az., will return to the Labor Day event, said Marcus “Red” Oliphant, who is the event organizer.

Uncle Bob Hardy is remembered for his television show in the early 1950s “The Hayloft Frolic.” He was also instrumental in the careers of Joe Edwards, Bruce Osbon, Bobby Helms, Sammy Smith and several others, Oliphant said.

“Uncle Bob has been here twice before and can still get the audience to clapping and stomping with his music,” he said.

The annual music event also spotlights the talents of Joe Edwards — who was a member of the Grand Ole Opry Staff Band for 32 years.

Edwards is fond of Bloomfield and its residents. …<more>

Friday, September 3, 2010
Greene County Daily World

State officials have not moved to close a transitional housing facility for women and children in downtown Bloomfield that is facing foreclosure.

HOPE Housing, Inc. owes $577,000 to the Indiana Housing Finance Authority. The money was used in the renovation of the historic 17,800 square foot, two-story brick building that spans nearly a half block on the north side of West Main Street.

On Tuesday, HOPE House Executive Director Kelly Harding told the Greene County Daily World that state officials are wanting an updated repayment schedule.

“The state has not moved forward with the foreclosure; I don’t think that they actually want to take this building from us. … They just have to follow protocol for legal notification of delinquent accounts,” Harding stated. “They have asked me for an updated repayment plan and we are trying to work out a revised payment schedule that will still retire the debt in a timely manner.” …<more>

Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Most roosters crow at the sunrise, but Saturday night proves the exception to the rule.

As the sun sets over Linton Music Festival attendees will witness a festival mainstay and one of the most potent local rock bands around, the Little Red Roosters.

Playing at 9 p.m., the raucous local bar band intends to serve up a crowd-pleasing set of covers.

“It’s hard to categorize what we play,” said lead singer and guitarist John Danner, whose music lessons have spurred many local musicians into their own groups. “Just rock and roll, and all its logical extensions.”

Danner works a day job at the Greene County Recycling Center, and once ran a downtown curiosity shop known variously as Tapdancin’ Bats and Danner and Co. where he also taught guitar, showing students nimble fretwork as he drew from an array of influences as vast as the vinyl collection he once vended, racks of rock records spanning five decades. …<more>

Saturday, August 28, 2010
Greene County Daily World

The Bloomfield American Legion Post No. 196 Color Guard won the national championship in competition staged Saturday morning in Milwaukee, Wis.

The competition was part of s part of the 92nd annaul National American Legion Convention that is being held at the Frontier Airlines Center.

The convention, expected to draw about 10,000 veterans, continues through September 2. …<more>

Friday, August 27, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Officials won’t know for sure until the numbers are tallied in early September, but it looks like student enrollment is up in the Bloomfield School District.

Superintendent Dan Sichting reported to the board that as of Thursday enrollment stood at 1,043 students. That’s up from 1,019 that were enrolled at the end of last school year.

However, the superintendent cautioned that the numbers could change before the official Average Daily Members (ADM) count day Sept. 17.

Sichting said he know the district will lose two students from a family that is transferring out because of job relocation. He also is unsure about the status of three elementary aged students who live at HOPE House, a temporary shelter in Bloomfield that is facing possible closure. …<more>

Friday, August 27, 2010
Greene County Daily World

No one showed up to comment Thursday night at a brief public hearing on Bloomfield School District’s proposed $10.5 million 2011 budget.

The board conducted a brief public hearing on the proposed 2011 budget, Capital Projects Fund Plan and School Bus Replacement Plan.

The total advertised budget amounts to $10,578,348.

This includes: General Fund, $7,685,687; Debt Service $722,355; Bond Debt Service, $233,733; Capital Projects $1,065,963; Transportation $694,610; and Bus Replacement $176,000.

The complete budget was published in the Aug. 6 and Aug. 13 editions of the Greene County Daily World.

The budget and plans are scheduled to be adopted Sept. 16 in a special board meeting at 7 p.m.

The board approved a expenditure goals as mandated by state officials.

The goals include: …<more>

Thursday, August 26, 2010
Greene County Daily World

A Bloomfield woman faces charges after allegedly pointing a gun at her boyfriend and threatening his life.

Donna S. Stidd-Krepps was arrested for intimidation with a deadly weapon, a class C Felony, and pointing a firearm, a class A misdemeanor, by Greene County Deputy Jeremy Inman on Monday.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in Greene County Superior Court on Tuesday, the incident occurred in the late evening hours on Sunday at a residence near Stark Street in Bloomfield. …<more>