Ulerich-Elkins

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November 6, 2016

Craig Ulerich and Ondréa Elkins were married May 21, 2016, in a 1:30 p.m. ceremony conducted at The Ridge by Pastor Randy Gilbert.

The couple reside in Columbus.

The groom is the son of William and Julie Ulerich of California Street. He is an engineer at Cummins Inc.

The bride is the daughter of Jeffrey and Angela Elkins of Sunland Road. She is employed in learning and development at Cummins Inc.

Katherine Stevens of Nashville, Tennessee, was matron of honor and Michelle Richer of Noblesville, Stephanie Roberts of Franklin and Jenna Malinsky of Columbus were bridesmaids.

Andrew Massey of Columbus was best man and Jeremy Harden, Jordan Elkins and Matt Malinsky, all of Columbus, were groomsmen.

Madison Roberts of Franklin was flower girl and Jasper Elkins of Columbus was ring bearer.

Haza-Montgomery

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

Kevin Michael Haza and Joette Montgomery were married Oct. 9, 2016, in a 3 p.m. ceremony in the garden at the home of the bride in Chandler, Arizona. Julia Bishop officiated.

A reception followed the ceremony.

The couple reside in Chandler.

The bride is the daughter of the late Joseph and Jeannette Horowitz. She is the retired owner of an office equipment service business.

The groom is the son of the late Eugene and Naomi Haza, formerly of Columbus. He is a purchaser in the aerospace industry.

McFall-Doty

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

Elizabeth Wren McFall and William Jacob Doty, both of Scipio, announce their engagement.

Ms. McFall is the daughter of Theodore and Shannon McFall of Scipio. She is a 2016 graduate of the University of Indianapolis and is employed by PTA.

Mr. Doty is the son of Joyce Smith of Scipio. He is a 2014 graduate of Jennings County High School and is employed by Sonoco.

The wedding will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at Jennings County Community Building in North Vernon.

Jim and Nancy Miller

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

Jim and Nancy Miller of Scipio planned to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with family.

Mr. Miller and the former Nancy Rector were married Nov. 5, 1966, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Aurora, by the Rev. William Cooper.

Mr. Miller owns and operates Miller Enterprises.

Mrs. Miller retired from Sharpnack, Bigley, David & Rumple.

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The couple have three children, Debbie (Brian) Talkington, David (Barbara) Miller and Doug (Julie) Miller. They also have eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Despite the propaganda, Indiana is not thriving

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

’Tis a dreary day indeed when our senior politicians behave like politicians rather than the wise men they could be. It saddens me to see the short and narrow view extolled over a long and broad perspective on our state’s economy.

To argue that Indiana’s economy is thriving is to ignore reality in favor of blatant partisanship to influence an election.

True, we have enjoyed the bounce back from the depths of the recession.

Where our economy took a greater plunge than the nation, our recovery does look strong. It resembles the temporary, exhilarating upswing of the roller coaster after a heart-stopping fall. But such turmoil leaves many emotionally and fiscally sick in its wake and cannot be considered thriving.

The broadest measure of the economy is Gross Domestic Product. Economists and politicians of all persuasions agree GDP has not grown with the vigor we desire. Those desires are based on our understanding and experience with more ordinary recessions since World War II. This downturn was more like the great depression, a financial trauma where conservative fiscal and monetary policy was insufficient to accelerate recovery.

In the downturn (2007 to 2009), U.S. GDP declined at an average annual rate of 1.6 percent; Indiana’s GDP fell at a 3.5 percent annual rate, the sixth hardest-hit state in the nation.

In the first three years of the recovery (2009 to 2012), Indiana had the 12th strongest performance at 2.2 percent (U.S. was 1.8 percent). Thereafter (2012 to 2015), we slipped to 17th place and a 2.0 percent annual growth, while the nation advanced slightly to a 1.9 percent growth rate.

Thriving? Exemplary? Robust? Please, get real.

We have been misled by our political leadership for many years. Democrats, Republicans, it does not make a difference. When convenient, employment figures are used. When advantageous to the incumbent administration, data are cited isolated from time and context. Since what date to what date? And how were other states doing in the same period?

Evidence from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is taken at face value. Does no one look at the face of the IEDC? It is a contorted mask, a creation of the government and private businesses designed to evade public scrutiny. Distinguished appointees, instead of acting in the full light of openness, hide in the shadows behind the “need for confidentiality.”

This is the same dodge used at the county level throughout the state. “We can’t tell you what we are doing; it might cause potential businesses to turn away from us.” “We cannot give you verifiable information; it might infringe on the competitive positions of firms.” “Trust us; we act responsibly on your behalf, whether or not you can judge based on what we tell you.”

As a recent letter in an Indianapolis newspaper proclaimed, “Hoosiers deserve a factual representation of Indiana’s economy.” Where are they expected to get it when press releases are foisted on the public as economic news and letters to the editor offer a whitewashed truth? Here, but where else?

Morton Marcus is an economist, writer and speaker who may be reached at mortonjmarcus@yahoo.com.

Festival of Lights parade reverses course on route

By

Brian Blair

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November 6, 2016

Columbus’ 26th annual Festival of Lights parade will run literally in reverse of its flow in previous years to adjust to curb extensions on Brown Street, organizers said.

That has been part of the staging area, along with the Cummins Inc. parking lot, for the parade since it began.

Running the Dec. 3 event in the opposite direction — south on Brown (the opposite of normal traffic flow), east onto Third (again, the opposite of normal traffic) and then north onto Washington Street and then west onto Eighth Street — will help the staging, Joyce Lucke said.

She’s a member of the parade committee that coordinates the 100-entry event that always closes with Santa Claus’ float.

Lining up larger vehicles such as firetrucks and other city vehicles would be tougher if the direction remained the same with the new curb extensions, Lucke said. Reversing the direction alleviates those problems.

“It not only will work out better for the staging,” Lucke said. “It also will help in getting people and their entries on and off the parade route.”

Parade attendees will notice no other significant changes, she said.

“Everyone still can sit in their favorite place to see the parade,” she said. “And they still can easily reach The Commons for the Festival of Lights Christmas Village.”

Meanwhile, the free family oriented Christmas Village, an event that has drawn up to 2,000 people, returns from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 3.

The Columbus Area Railroad Club will have model train displays, and children’s activities, games and music are also planned, said organizer Shanda Sasse, who is working with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department in planning the event.

“As always, there should be plenty of fun for the whole family,” Sasse said.

The 6 p.m. QMIX Christmas Musical Fireworks will follow the parade.

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Organizers of the annual Festival of Lights Christmas Village are seeking more area craft vendors to participate. Deadline for registering is Nov. 18.

Information: 812-376-2681.

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Viewpoint Books’ bestsellers

By

Brian Blair

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November 6, 2016

*Asterisk denotes a local author or Indiana connection

Children and Young Adult

1. “Tales of the Peculiar,” Ransom Riggs

2. “Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 2: The Hammer of Thor,” Rick Riordan

3. “Bob Books First!” Bobby Lynn Maslen

4. “Wonder,” R.J. Palacio

5. “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed,” Eileen Christelow

6. “Lick!” Matthew Van Fleet

7. “Thomas and the Pirate / The Sunken Treasure,” Random House Books for Young Readers

8. “Hotel Bruce,” Ryan T. Higgins

9. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” Ransom Riggs

10. “Magic Tree House #55: Night of the Ninth Dragon,” Random House Books for Young Readers

11. *“Halloween Scare in Indiana,” Eric James

12. “Frozen Music Player Storybook,” Disney Publications

13. “Weird But True Gross: 300 Slimy, Sticky and Smelly Facts,” National Geographic Kids Publishing

14. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” J.K. Rowling

15. “Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children,” Ransom Riggs

Adult Non-Fiction (H for hard cover, P for paperback)

1. *“Move Your Chair,” Rick Weinheimer (P)

2. “The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now,” Meg Jay (P)

3. “Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences …” John Burke (P)

4. “The Magnolia Story,” Chip Gaines (H)

5. “To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings,” John O’Donohue (H)

6. *“Columbus Then and Now,” Tamara Stone Iorio

7. “S.P.Q.R.: A History of Ancient Rome,” Mary Beard

8. “A Dog Named Jimmy,” Rafael Mantesso (H)

9. *“The Cathedral Builder,” Charles E. Mitchell Rentschler (H and P)

10. “Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape and the Making of Winston Churchill,” Candice Millard (H)

11. “The Quiet Mind: Sayings of White Eagle,” White Eagle (P)

12. “Killing the Rising Sun: How America Vanquished WWII Japan,” Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard (H)

13. *“Hoosiers: A New History of Indiana,” James H. Madison (P)

14. “The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey,” Rinker Buck (P)

15. “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking,” Susan Cain (P)

Adult Fiction (H for hard cover, P for paperback)

1. “Girl on the Train,” Paula Hawkins (P)

2. “The Homesman,” Glen Swarthout (P)

3. “Commonwealth,” Ann Patchett (H)

4. “Secret Chord,” Geraldine Brooks (P)

5. “Little Paris Bookshop,” Nina George (P)

6. “The Paris Winter,” Imogen Robertson (P)

7. “Marriage of Opposites”, Alice Hoffman (P)

8. “Two by Two,” Nicholas Sparks (H)

9. “Sarah’s Key,” Tatiana De Rosnay (P)

10. “Underground Railroad,” Colson Whitehead (H)

11. “The Vanishing Year,” Kate Moretti (P)

12. “The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules,” Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg (P)

13. “A Gentleman in Moscow,” Amor Towles (H)

14. “Milk and Honey,” Rupi Kaur (P)

15. “Man Called Ove,” Fredrik Backman (P)

Police patrols increasing for holiday

By

Kaitlyn Evener

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November 6, 2016

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department will increase patrols for the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, Nov. 11 through Dec. 4, to encourage drivers and passengers to drive sober and buckle up for safety.

Local deputies will join more than 250 state and local enforcement agencies in conducting high-visibility patrols.

Increased enforcement during the Thanksgiving holiday period is an annual statewide effort supported by federal funding allocated to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department from the traffic safety division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Sixteen officers will work overtime to conduct sobriety patrols, checkpoints and seat belt patrols around the clock.

“With Thanksgiving being a major travel time each year, it’s important we stay vigilant in keeping Indiana’s roadways safe for drivers and their passengers,” Jennings County Sheriff Gary M. Driver said.

The sheriff added that if motorists see something unsafe on the roads to call 911 and report it.

Journey ends for Bull Dogs in sectional final

By

Ted Schultz

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November 5, 2016

After digging itself a 19-0 hole Friday night, Columbus North gave itself a glimmer of hope when it got on the board with a touchdown midway through the second quarter.

Russ Yeast and his Center Grove teammates put those comeback hopes to rest.

Yeast, who last week committed to Louisville, scored two long touchdowns in the final 3:45 of the first half to give the Trojans a 34-7 halftime lead in what would become a 41-14 sectional final victory.

“We sure dug a hole, and that’s disappointing,” North coach Tim Bless said. “But our kids are a resilient bunch and fought back there a little bit. We just couldn’t get back off the field soon enough to give our offense another opportunity.”

Yeast was a one-man highlight reel for the Class 6A No. 3 Trojans (10-1). He carried 10 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 114 yards and two scores. All of his receiving yards and all but 14 of his rushing yards came in the first half.

The backbreaker was a 90-yard touchdown run with 1:04 left in the first half after a Mark Salle-Tabor punt pinned Center Grove at its 10-yard line.

“To have a chance against a team this athletic, you have to make them earn everything,” Bless said. “Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case tonight. They blasted us with multiple big plays in the first have and really opened up the game.”

After putting together an 11-play, 69-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard run by Yeast, to start the game, the Trojans used quick strikes to score the next two times it had the ball. Jack Kellums found a wide open Kaleb Hennessy 15 yards behind the defense for a 66-yard touchdown and a 13-0 lead.

Then after Center Grove threw Mitchell Burton for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-1 from the Trojans 44, Kellams threw a swing pass to Yeast on the right sideline. Yeast made a couple of moves and broke back to the left and ran into the left corner of the end zone for a 19-0 lead with 2:37 left in the first quarter.

After stopping Center Grove on its next possession, the 6A No. 6 Bull Dogs (9-2) got on the board. On third-and-goal from the 5, Triston Perry was pressured, rolled out to the right, looked back to his left and found a wide-open Burton in the end zone.

The Trojans then answered when Kellums found Yeast behind the defense for a 62-yard scoring strike.

“When you take things away from us, you’ve got to give us other things,” Center Grove coach Eric Moore said.

North couldn’t pick up a first down and punted. Yeast then went 90 yards to give the Trojans a commanding halftime lead.

Center Grove put the game on ice on the first series of the second half when Parker Ferguson returned an interception 17 yards for a score.

North put together an 11-play, 86-yard drive to score its second touchdown. Burton took it the final yard.

“We moved the ball tonight,” Bless said. “The points probably don’t match up to the number of yards, and that’s a tremendous defense we went against tonight. You get past midfield, you need to be able to finish drives, and especially in the scoring zone. Their defense buckled down and made the plays when they needed to.”

Burton finished with 122 yards on 30 carries. Perry completed 20 of 36 passes for 149 yards, with Trey Vincent catching a career-high nine passes for 72 yards.

“They were stopping our offense,” Burton said. “We just tried everything we could and came up a little short.”

Olympians rout Warriors, prepare for regional

By

Staff Reports

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November 5, 2016

With both Columbus East and Whiteland lighting up the scoreboard in a frenzy, it was a matter of which team would stop the other first.

It happened to be the Olympians.

In the fourth quarter, Ethan Summa blocked a field goal that led to a Jamon Hogan touchdown and a key interception by T.C. O’Neal late in the fourth quarter that put the game away for good to make East sectional football champions with a 56-31 victory.

The Class 5A No. 4 Olympians move on to face Zionsville, which defeated Plainfield 33-28, in the regional at Zionsville. This is East’s first sectional championship in 5A.

“We will enjoy this win for a while,” East coach Bob Gaddis said. “We’ll get back to work quickly, though, and come back and get ready to play next week.”

East quarterback Josh Major threw two interceptions on his first two throws. He settled in, though, and got the Olympians on the scoreboard with a 2-yard run to tie the game at 7-7.

The Olympians got a break when the Warriors bobbled up the ball on a pitch play, and Charlie Burton was there to recover the ball. Following the fumble, East capped off the drive when Major added a second rushing touchdown nine yards out for a 14-7 lead.

Whiteland countered in a hurry when Djimmon Ogega returned the kickoff 89 yards to even the game at 14-14.

East responded right back when Hogan found room on the right hand side of the field. He kicked it into high gear and outran the defense for a 42-yard score to put the Olympians back on top 21-14.

The Warriors came right back and answered again with the run game. Ryan Hammond got some nice blocking and finished off a 53-yard run to tie the game.

Whiteland added a field goal to go ahead 24-21. When the Warriors took possession again, quarterback Jace Carpenter had a miscommunication with his receiver, and Jonah Wichman returned the interception 26 yards to give East a 28-24 lead at halftime.

The Warriors scored first in the second half with a 22-yard run from Hammond to go ahead 31-28.

On the ensuing possession, Hogan took over. His first carry in the second half went for a 79-yard touchdown to put the Olympians back in front 35-31.

Hogan added two more touchdowns runs, and the East defense and special teams stepped up and made the big plays necessary to secure the win.

“We showed a lot of resiliency,” Gaddis said. “Our kids showed a lot of good character and class. Coming into it, we thought it would be a back and forth battle and our guys kept their composure and took care of the ball in the second half.”

Hammond and Hogan both went over 200 yards rushing for the game. Major added 104 rushing yards for East.