After 24 years presiding over Jennings Circuit Court, Judge Jon Webster is stepping down.
"I didn't think I would be here this long," the 63-year-old attorney said, but after four six-year terms, it is time to call it quits. While it may sound stereotypical, Webster says he plans to spend more time with his family as well as pursue outdoor interests, especially on land the family owns in the Zenas area, and perhaps become more involved at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Investigators with the Jennings County Sheriff's Office arrested Buddy Wayne Woods, 22 of North Vernon, Monday, Dec. 14 on the charges of battery of a juvenile under the age of 14 resulting in serious bodily injury, neglect of a dependent, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Thursday, December 17, 2020
The Area Plan Commission is on the verge of becoming much more responsive to community needs if proposed amendments to its governing ordinance go through.
The public will have a chance to discuss and hear more about these proposals Monday night, Dec. 7, at the APC's Zoom meeting. The proposed changes were last discussed in November 2019 with the APC voting 6-2 to proceed with modifications that are designed to clarify language in the zoning ordinance; to speed up and make more efficient the processes whereby the APC addresses violations; to adjust fee schedules; to make some modifications to easements and subdivision ordinances; and to adjust zoning of some properties which are in conflict or do not comply with adjacent properties.
Tyler Stock, local realtor and member of the APC, headed up the ordinance review committee of Brian Hatfield, representing North Vernon; John Post, representing Vernon; Charlie Weber, County Council; Bob Steiner, JC Commission-ers; Nita Hicks and Susie Hall, local businesses; and APC Director Marie Shepherd.
"Most of the changes are cleaning up language and gray areas in the ordinance," explained Stock. "That's the main reason as well as violations and how they are handled, which should help speed up some of the determinations. Wednesday, December 2, 2020
A new campground, new 911 radios, upgrades at the county fairgrounds and new patrol cars for the sheriff are all included in the new $1.2 million general obligation bond the county is in the process of issuing.
Amazingly, the four projects were chosen from a pile of projects totaling over $2.5 million after commissioners asked their county department chiefs for their "wish lists" the bond could fund. The list was compiled into a document pages long and contained a hodge podge of requests for articles ranging from computers to new elevators at the courthouse and government annex.
Only an update from Jerry Shepherd, Director of JC Emergency Management, saved the commissioners and county councilors from hours of deliberations on how to divvy up the $1.2 million among the various departments. Wednesday, November 18, 2020
The following was posted to Facebook by JC Superintendent Teresa Brown:
November 12, 2020 Dear JCSC Families,
As you know in Jennings County, we have been experiencing an increased number of COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks. Keeping kids in school for face to face instruction continues to be our goal. We know it is best for kids. However, with the pandemic ramping up, and it being expected to continue on this pathway for the next few months, we are making some changes to allow us to function safely.
We have had to close Hayden and North Vernon Elementary until November 30th due to widespread close contacts of positive COVID cases and a shortage of staff. With the exception of one school, we have every building experiencing large numbers of student and staff absences. We now have 28 staff members out due to COVID or close contact reasons (not counting JCHS or Hayden). With JCHS and Hayden included, we have 48 staff members out for COVID related reasons. When speaking with our health department today, I was told the community spread is significant, and it is "escalating at a high rate".
Therefore, beginning Monday, November 16th, we will be moving the entire district to virtual learning until November 30th. This is actually for seven school days due to Thanksgiving Vacation. We will allow sports/ECAs to resume on November 16th for JCHS, so teams can begin getting in practices etc... (with strict protocols being enforced). JCMS and elementary schools will wait until November 30th to resume sports/ECAs. Friday, November 13, 2020
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fall from a tree stand that occurred Saturday evening on Oct. 31.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., responders were dispatched to the 9000 block of North County Road 125 East in Jennings County for a hunter who fell approximately 14 feet from an elevated tree stand. Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Jennings County went 'Red' last week with the GOP winning big time. Now, the county is positioning to go red again, but this time it has nothing to do with politics.
It has everything to do with health and it's not good news for anybody. "The amount of Covid cases are going up drastically," reports JC Health Department manager Peggy Roe.
"That's why we are anticipating the worse."
That "worst" would be for the Indiana Department of Health to elevate Jennings' COVID-19 status to Red, from the Orange level it was raised to last week. Wednesday, November 11, 2020
If there was ever any doubt Jennings is "Trump Country," the 2020 election results erased them.
The Trump candidacy received a nod from a total of 9362 local voters for a total of 77.47 percent.
In contrast, Joe Biden received 788 votes or 18.23 percent and the libertarian candidate garnered 50 for just over 1 percent (1.16). Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Due to three positive COVID cases and several staff members being considered close contacts with these positive cases, Jennings County High School has moved to virtual instruction for a two week shutdown starting on Nov. 3 and will return for in-person instruction on Monday, Nov. 16. Athletics and extracurriculars will also follow this schedule. Wednesday, November 4, 2020
At the time of this writing, Purdue Extension Specialists were advising producers about the potential for aflatoxin in the 2012 corn crop. Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The Indiana Blood Center will be at the Jennings Healthcare Center on Friday, Sept. 14 to take donations of the gift of life. Wednesday, September 12, 2012
