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Solsberry

I-69 opponents dominate hearing

by Greene County Daily World on Aug.27, 2010, under Solsberry

Friday, August 27, 2010
Greene County Daily World

SOLSBERRY — A public comment hearing Thursday night at Eastern Greene Middle School on the proposed Interstate 69 expansion from U.S. 231 south to State Road 37 near Crane NSA brought out 750 concerned citizens.

A majority of those who spoke opposed the new highway, citing financial and environmental worries.

“Everybody else in every other state knows it is irresponsible to build new highways,” said Stanford’s Brian Garvey. “The majority of the people will be using the secondary roads, and there’s no money for repairing them.”

The debates are not new, as the road’s been discussed and planned now for about two decades. However, as construction nears, opponents of the highway say the fight’s not finished.

“This is not over,” said Clark Sorensen, organizer of Monroe County Against I-69, suggesting the fight could now shift to the federal government. …<more>

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Problem at Solsberry substation cuts power to school, others

by Greene County Daily World on Aug.12, 2010, under Solsberry

Thursday, August 12, 2010
Greene County Daily World

It was anything but a normal first day of school for Eastern Greene students Thursday morning.

After getting to school and preparing for their first day, the lights went out.

Literally.

A problem inside and outside the Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC’s Solsberry substation caused low power and power outages throughout that area.

The problem occurred at 8:42 a.m., and power was completely restored by 11:05 a.m.

“We had a piece of wire go bad (outside the substation),” Shane Smith, manager of operations and engineering for UDWI REMC, explained. “(Workers) really couldn’t spot a reason why it went bad. It doesn’t appear to be the (hot) weather. It didn’t overheat.”

At 9:50 a.m. partial service was restored, but Eastern Greene’s power didn’t return until 11:05 a.m.

Eastern Greene Superintendent Ty Mungle said UDWI REMC kept him updated throughout the outage. …<more>

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Warrant issued following July wreck near Solsberry

by Greene County Daily World on Aug.02, 2010, under Solsberry

Monday, August 2, 2010
Greene County Daily World

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jessica Purtlebaugh, 24, Bloomington, a driver in an early morning crash in July on State Road 43, north of Solsberry, involving only one vehicle.

Purtlebaugh’s two children were passengers and Purtlebaugh was suspected of driving while intoxicated.

After the accident, a sample of the driver’s blood was obtained by the Greene County Ambulance Service. It was then sent to AIT Laboratories in Indianapolis for analysis.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, the test results are back — Purtlebaugh is accused of driving with a .35 percent BAC (blood-alcohol content), more than four times the legal limit of .08. …<more>

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Sculpture Trails to host ‘Picnic in the Park’ throughout July

by Greene County Daily World on Jul.07, 2010, under Solsberry

Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Greene County Daily World

SOLSBERRY — Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum near Solsberry is hosting Picnic In The Park every day in July.

Iron will be poured at 4 p.m. every Saturday during the month — rain or shine.

The park, which features 2 1/2 miles of walking trails and more than 40 large sculptures crafted by artists from around the world, is open daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for all families, Cub Scouts, Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA field trip groups, church camps or any group that would like to come out to enjoy our outdoor sculptures and make one of their own to take home if they desire,” park director Gerard Massa said. “It is completely free to watch and enjoy the day at the Trails. It only cost $20 to make an Iron Scratch Block if they want to. Purchase is not required, but will be desired. …<more>

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Solsberry man faces charges

by Greene County Daily World on Jun.21, 2010, under Solsberry

Monday, June 21, 2010
Greene County Daily World

A Solsberry man faces trouble after allegedly slashing a tire and interfering with the reporting of a crime.

Preliminary charges filed against Robert Eugene “Gator” Goodman in Greene County Superior Court on June 17 include: Interference with the reporting of a crime, a class A misdemeanor; and criminal mischief, also a class A misdemeanor.

According to the court document, Goodman, 32, was at a party on June 8 at Pinewood Village when he got into a verbal argument and fight with Michael Noel — who attempted to leave.

A witness told police officers that Noel got into his vehicle and started to drive off when Goodman jumped onto the hood of the vehicle, slashed a tire and tried to stop him from leaving.

The witness also told officers that he called 9-1-1 because things started to get out of control. …<more>

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Yoho named Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International

by Greene County Daily World on May.25, 2010, under Solsberry

Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Solsberry resident Lavon Yoho was named a Paul Harris Fellow at the Bloomfield Rotary Club’s Annual Honors Night Dinner on Monday.

The Paul Harris Fellow is the Rotary Club’s highest honor and is given in appreciation for service to the club, contributions to the community, public service and support of the Rotary Foundation’s charitable and educational programs.

A Paul Harris Fellow is an individual who contributes $1,000 or in whose name that amount is contributed.

The award is named in honor of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International and formed the world’s first service club organization in 1905.

Contributions to the Paul Harris Society go to Rotary International in support of humanitarian programs, such as Polio Plus, which is working for the eradication of polio throughout the world. Rotary also helped with aid to the recent Haiti earthquake by providing shelter boxes, Rotary Club President Norman Sullivan said.

The Bloomfield Rotary Club is making the contribution in Yoho’s name, according to Sullivan, who made the surprise presentation to Yoho.

In making the presentation, Sullivan said, “At one time he drove a school bus. He owned a restaurant. He worked with his family in a general store. At about the age of 13 he was filling in for his father who was off fighting in World War II.”

Yoho, the former Greene County Republican chairman for more than three decades, was touched by the award.

“It’s a great honor,” he said.

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Two arrested on marijuana charges by task force

by Greene County Daily World on Feb.05, 2010, under Solsberry

Friday, February 5, 2010
By Anna Rochelle, Staff Writer
Greene County Daily World

Two people, who were arrested when officers from the Greene County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at their Solsberry home on Monday, appeared in Greene Circuit Court on Friday afternoon on numerous felony drug charges.Jonathan A. Robertson, 30, has been charged with three counts of dealing in marijuana, all class D felonies, and possession of marijuana, maintaining a common nuisance and neglect of a dependent, all class D felonies for a total of six felony counts.

Robertson’s live-in girlfriend, Tori A. Bell, 35, has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, a class D felony, and possession of marijuana, also a class D felony.

Robertson has been the target of an investigation into ongoing sales of marijuana to numerous individuals. At times when his residence was under surveillance, officers noted multiple vehicles arriving and then leaving after a short period of time.

The arresting officer in the case was Deputy Marshal Jordan Hasler of the Bloomfield Police Department but the investigation involved officers from Bloomfield, Linton, Worthington and Jasonville Police Departments, the Indiana State Police, the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office and Greene County Sheriff’s Department in a county-wide Drug Task Force effort.

The probable cause affidavits prepared by Hasler indicates police have evidence that Robertson allegedly sold a quantity of marijuana in three specific transactions since Jan. 26. In one of those transactions, Robertson’s young son was allegedly present.

A search warrant was requested and when executed, police reported finding plastic baggies containing marijuana as well as a “brick” of marijuana that weighed in excess of 30 grams.

Robertson was present at the time of the search and was taken into custody.

Bell arrived at the home during the search. Officers asked her for consent to search her vehicle but she refused. A search warrant was requested and more marijuana was reportedly discovered in her vehicle.

According to an affidavit, while waiting for the warrant, Bell allegedly made an attempt to dispose of a small baggie that contained methamphetamine but an officer was watching and retrieved the baggie.

Bell was also taken into custody.

Both were booked into the Greene County Jail where Robertson’s bond was set at $16,000. He was later released on bond. Bell was held without bond pending her appearance in court.

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Woman hospitalized after vicious attack by pit bull

by Greene County Daily World on Jan.04, 2010, under Solsberry

Monday, January 4, 20109
By Anna Rochelle, Staff Writer
Greene County Daily World

A 52-year-old Solsberry woman was hospitalized late Saturday morning after she was viciously attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull dog in eastern Greene County.

The attack was ongoing until Greene County Sheriff’s Reserve Deputy Jeffery Payton arrived on the scene and shot and killed the dog.

Rhonda Patton, the victim, received emergency medical treatment by personnel from the Greene County Ambulance Service then was transported to Bloomington Hospital.

As of mid-day Monday, Patton’s condition was listed as “fair.” According to a hospital spokesperson, fair condition indicates the patient’s vital signs are stable but the patient is uncomfortable with minor complications.

Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Terry L. Wade said as a result of this attack, Patton received numerous punctures and bites on her arms, legs, left side of her head and her back.

Wade, who is investigating the incident, said he was able to interview Patton in the hospital Sunday.

Patton was apparently walking toward a neighbor’s house when she was met by three dogs and attacked.

The attack occurred on the neighbor’s property, owned by Charles Mulvey on Route 2, Solsberry, in Woodview Hills addition north of Timber Trace addition off State Road 45. County Road 375N leads from the highway into the Woodview Hills area.

Wade said Mulvey owned two of the three dogs on the property, a Great Dane and a mixed breed.

But the pit bull dog which was attacking the woman when the officer arrived was owned by Brandon Artis who also resides on the Mulvey property.

Wade said he was first told the attacking dog was a bull mastiff mixed breed but according to veterinary records, the breed of the dog was pit bull.

Veterinary records also indicated the pit bull was current on all vaccinations including rabies.

The two dog owners were reportedly inside the residence when the attack occurred.

Greene County Sheriff’s dispatchers received the call for help at 10:19 a.m. from another neighbor who lives across the street from the Mulvey property. She said she heard the woman’s screams for help and called 911.

When officers responded, Deputy Payton, who lives in the area, was closest to the scene and was first to arrive.

Wade said when the deputy arrived, the one dog was actively attacking the victim and the other two dogs were nearby.

The report states Payton shouted at the dogs in an attempt to scare them away from the victim, but then the one dog turned and became aggressive toward the officer.

The officer then fired one round from a weapon, striking and killing the animal owned by Artis. The other two dogs, owned by Mulvey, then retreated from the area and the ambulance service was called to get medical assistance for the victim.

Center Township Fire & Rescue also responded to assist on the scene.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing but could be completed late Monday.

Wade said as soon as the investigation wraps up, the information will be forwarded to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for review regarding potential criminal charges.

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Teen injured when his dirt bike was hit by a truck

by Greene County Daily World on Jan.02, 2010, under Solsberry

Monday, January 4, 20109
By Anna Rochelle, Staff Writer
Greene County Daily World

A Solsberry teen was hospitalized with a small skull fracture after the dirt bike he was riding was hit by a pickup truck on Thursday afternoon.

Payton Heist, 14, was riding a Yamaha dirt bike on County Road 735E near CR 575N in Beech Creek Township when the accident occurred at 3:30 p.m.

Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Deckard responded to the scene and reported Heist suffered head and leg injuries and was transported to Bloomington Hospital by the Greene County Ambulance Service.

An update on Heist’s condition was included in a press release issued by the Sheriff’s Department late Friday.

The release stated, “As of today’s (Friday) date, a family member advised that Payton had a small skull fracture and required three stitches in his leg, but is set to be released from the hospital on Saturday.”

Deputy Shane Smith also responded to the scene along with the Ambulance Service and the Eastern Fire Department.

Heist was reported to have been southbound on the county road with a 1994 Ford pickup truck also traveling south behind him.

Adam Ganz, 16, Solsberry, was driving the truck.

The report says Ganz was attempting to pass Heist on the left side of the roadway while Heist was in the left side of the roadway.

When Heist made an abrupt left turn into a private drive, the truck struck the bike and caused Heist to fall of the dirt bike.

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Solsberry men behind bars following break-in

by Greene County Daily World on Dec.17, 2009, under Solsberry

Thursday, December 17, 2009
By Anna Rochelle, Staff Writer
Greene County Daily World

When a burglar alarm went off inside an eastern Greene County business early Thursday, two sheriff’s deputies responded and had two suspects behind bars before daybreak.

Gary Sturgeon-Morris, 19, and Jarrod L. Westfall, 18, both from Solsberry, were booked into the Greene County Jail on preliminary charges of burglary, attempted theft and criminal mischief.

Deputy Jeremy Inman and Rick Marques responded to an active alarm inside the Solsberry Mini-Mart at approximately 12:43 a.m. on Thursday.

Upon their arrival, the officers reported finding a metal window vent cover had been taken out of a window and the inside piece of the window cover was busted out of the window.

Inman reported they located a bag of tools, used in the burglary, that was still inside the store.

The deputies continued to investigate and after talking to Sturgeon-Morris and Westfall, the two were taken into custody and transported to jail.

Inman said the alarm system was checked and they determined the alarm was activated before the suspects made it into the main part of the store. He said when they walked into a doorway, a motion sensor activated and set off the alarm.

The bond for both suspects was set at $15,000 after they were booked in at 3:50 a.m.

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