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Veteran Groups Sponsor Easter Egg Hunt
Happy Easter
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Franklin County Observer
News and Events from Franklin County, Indiana
| | | | Jaylynn and Joseph Kuntz with Easter Bunny | | | |
L-R: Event Organizers: American Legion Post 77 Commander Ron Myers, VFW Post 2014 Commander Keith Allen, Easter Bunny Kenny Jones, Legion Post First Vice Commander and Adjutant Faith Jones.
“This is the second year for the Legion doing the Easter egg hunt. This year the VFW joined in with us. It has been an extreme success with many children. We hide 3,000 eggs and the Easter Bunny made an appearance. The event was open to the community and we are very pleased to see all these people here,” said American Legion Post 77 First Vice Commander and Adjutant Faith Jones. VFW Post 2014 Commander Keith Allen added. “It was an honor to join with the American Legion this year and it turned out to be pretty nice. I’m glad we were able to help.”
Reported by Bynum Henson
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Fish Fry Volunteers
Here are photos of volunteers who were on duty at two of the several Good Friday fish frys in Franklin County, Indiana. They wish you a Happy Easter.
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Brookville Knights of Columbus
Photo: L-R: Fred Steiner, Jeff Jonas, Brad Lecher, Bob Jonas, Ron Feller, Nick Schuck, Carol Lanning, Tim Smith, Greg Mehlbauer, Donnie Webb III, Dave McKinney, Jon Schuck and Chris Huerkamp.
Photo by Bynum Henson
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New Trenton Volunteer Fire Department
People were in a good mood and busy chatting with friends and neighbors. The line of people seldom stopped for the first two hours and briefly reached out the door to the parking lot, which was full.
Photo: L-R: Serving food are Roger Angelo, Zach Maucher, Rodney Evans, Fire Chief Don Maucher, Eric Clanahan, Don Greer, Brian Roleson. Not pictured: Steve Clark, Mike Graves, Nathan Huddelston, Kyle Wahl, Brendon Angelo, Jesse Angelo, Alice Greene and more.
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Photo of future firefighters: L-R: Baby Hudson, parents Jordan and Kurt Fox (firefighter); Baby Keston, parents Logan and Zach Maucher (firefighter); grandparents Dawn and Donald Maucher. Hudson’s t-shirt says, “My Daddy is my Hero.”
Photos by Sara Duffy
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Main Street Brookville Events Scheduled
County Commissioners April 1, 2026
- Main Street Brookville events were approved for the courthouse lawn.
- A privately-owned picnic shelter was approved in historic Metamora.
- A Metamora flea market proposal was rejected.
In less than 15 minutes, the commissioners completed their agenda. They approved a request from Christina Craig, Executive Director for Main Street Brookville for use of the courthouse lawn on the following dates:
May 29 for Music on Main
June 26 - July 8 for America’s 250th celebration. Events include canoe races, cruise-in, art fair, parade, fireworks, DAR presentation, handbell choir concert and planting a live maple Liberty Tree.
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September 12 for Chicken Festival & Fry Off Contest
November 21 for November Noel
Other events not on the courthouse lawn:
May 2 – Derby Day Pie Auction
August 28 – Music on Main
October 8 – Haunted Spirit Walk & Tour
December 12 – Holiday Historic Homes Tour
Privately-owned Metamora Picnic Shelter
The commissioners quickly approved a request for a picnic shelter in historic Metamora from Alan Stenger. He plans to install an 18-foot by 15-foot vertical roof between two buildings he owns at 19054 and 19056 Main Street to create a picnic shelter and a place for people to sit while waiting for train rides. Other uses are for student field trips.
Metamora Flea Market Idea Rejected
The commissioners questioned Alan Stenger about a recent request from David Bowser for permission to hold a flea market on June 26-28, 2026, in Metamora. They wanted to know how many Metamora groups schedule events in order to avoid possible conflicts.
Mr. Stenger mentioned three groups: Metamora Merchants, the non-profit I Love Metamora that he leads and Historic Metamora that owns a church in Metamora. Mr. Stenger was against the idea: “We do not want to become a flea market town.” Currently, only Canal Days in October allows outside vendors to operate. More events would take away customers from the established businesses in town, said Mr. Stenger.
Going forward, the commissioners agreed that they would not approve any new event in historic Metamora unless it was approved by I love Metamora and other established Metamora groups.
The next commissioners’ meeting will be April 15, 2026, at 10 am at the government center. Links for online viewing of meetings via Zoom and YouTube are available at https://www.franklincounty.in.gov/commissioners/.
Reported by Sara Duffy
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Two Projects Approved for Grant Money
Bill Schirmer had good news for the Franklin County Redevelopment Commission (FCRC) during their March 31, 2026, meeting. Two projects in Franklin County have been approved for funding. However, no funds have yet been distributed.
Under the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 program, the Beneker Family Farm is expanding their existing Food Hub to include more local producers. They received a $200,000 grant, which is only a fraction of the cost of the expansion. The Benekers will start construction of a new building in 2026 to add “shared use kitchen spaces” that will accommodate more home-grown food items from other producers.
| Approved for $2 million in funding from the Lilly Foundation for blight elimination is the application from S&W Homes, LLC. to rehabilitate 30 housing units and 30 business locations including the former Rosenberger Market in Brookville, which sat vacate for eight years. (See photo below.) The total project cost is estimated at $10 million to $11 million. | |
In other news, a “Heritage and Harmony Marketing Program” is being considered for Lilly Foundation grant money. It would promote multiple locations in southeastern Indiana that offer art or cultural events. The applicants would have to pay for any improvements in advance and wait to be reimbursed, which Mr. Schirmer said is discouraging to some non-profit organizations.
Metamora Indiana
“It isn't yet finalized,” said Mr. Schirmer about promised state funding and a matching Lilly grant for a total of $14 million in repairs to the Metamora State Historic Site, canal and aqueduct. State officials have visited Metamora to look at the problems.
FCRC member Tim George raised a concern about saving a canal lock and the Whitewater Canal Trail after recent flooding changed the path of the Whitewater River. He said that the riverbank is undercut and the river is very close to the lock and the trail. FCRC member Brian Patterson replied that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is aware of the situation. However, their first priority is to stabilize the riverbank around existing high tension electric poles.
Photo below shows part of the canal trail underway in March 2026. The tree in the foreground used to be alongside the trail.
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Investment
Mr. Patterson is researching how to invest FCRC’s cash on hand of roughly $328,000 in order to earn interest.
There was an initial glitch in that the meeting was not being broadcast or recorded by Zoom. It was corrected when this reporter mentioned the problem. Monthly meetings for 2026 will be at 3:00 pm on the same dates as county council. Watch for a schedule to be published.
Reported by Sara Duffy
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Reservoir Road Sewer Fees Set - $85 Per Month
Last month, the three county commissioners convened as the Franklin Conty Sewer Board and proposed an $85 per month rate for household sewer service and commercial rates based on usage for the Reservoir Road Sewer Project. Also, there is a one-time capacity fee of $3,565 for each new user that is being charged by the town of Brookville. Homeowners can pay it in full or make monthly interest-free payments of $59.42 over five years. For those who did not sign up during the initial offering, there is a one-time tap in fee of $7,500.
There were no comments or questions about Sewer Board Ordinance 2026-01 at the public hearing on April 1, 2026. Click to read the document.
Attorney Steve Unger explained that the rates were set based upon a study performed by Reedy Financial Group. Also spelled out are tap-in fees, payment requirements and a past-due collection process. With no opposition, the commissioners passed the ordinance.
There was some initial confusion on Zoom over the starting time of the sewer board meeting. The commissioners started at 10:35 am, paid a bill for $408,178 to sewer project contractor Brackney, Inc. and approved meeting minutes. At the published time of 10:45 am the sewer board opened the public hearing.
Sewer Contract
The original project timeline in the sewer contract was as follows:
Construction Start 3/20/2025
Substantial Completion 4/13/2026
County Accepts Ownership of Sewer System 5/28/2026
However, the timeline was pushed back. The county commissioners were holding informational meetings and registering customers in September 2025. At that time there was no charge for equipment and no charge for connection for customers who signed up before construction passed their house. A new schedule was announced with a construction start of October 6, 2025
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Photo of Covalen's E/One grinder pump.
In a recent interview, Brackney’s Project Manager Cory Boggs reported that the main sewer line has been installed under roads or in easements alongside the following roads: Reservoir, Brookview Court, Hogan, Rebecca and Spaeth. Keeler Road is still to be completed. Grinder pumps for approximately 40 homes will begin to be installed around May 1. Mr. Boggs appreciated the cooperation of residents during construction traffic delays. His number one priority is the safety of workers and the public.
The project will be substantially completed by July 24, 2026, said Mr. Boggs. No final date has been set for turnover of the sewer system to county ownership.
Reported by Sara Duffy
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County Council March 31, 2026
In a very brief meeting, county council approved transfers totaling $5,000 in funds between expense categories. They moved $7,746 in remaining cash from a 2020 bond issuance to make a payment on the county’s 2023 general obligation bond, which has a balance of approximately $590,000, according to state records. Council also paid $5,001 to Reedy Financial Group for its monthly bill.
Reported by Sara Duffy
| | 2026 Quilt Batts Quilt Show | | |
This year's quilt show will be held May 15, 2026 from 10 am to 5 pm and May 16, 2026 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Franklin County Fairgrounds 4-H Expo Hall at 11225 County Park Road in Brookville, Indiana. The Challenge Quilt theme is Come Fly With Me. Applications will be accepted from April 5 to May 7, 2026. Click to view an application.
Submitted by Dotti Roleson
Photo selected by The Observer from a prior show.
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Choose from five workshops for a full day of learning. $99 for a full day for registration before April 12, 2026. Use code MAND2026. Make a reservation for the evening show with the Don Julin Trio.
2026 Highlights
Bluegrass Series: March to November on the 3rd Saturday
Hoosier Voices: Songwriters in the Round - 3 shows planned
Music Festival: Labor Day Weekend, September 5-6
Plus, visiting artists Mark Dvorak, Andy Cohen, and more.
Acoustic Final Fridays will begin April 24, 6 PM
Grist Mill Jams: first Sundays from 1 to 3 PM, April to Sept
Submitted by Metamora Performing Arts
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Spring Fish Sale
Order by April 14 at 4 pm
The Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District holds its Spring Fish Sale. Payment is due with order. Delivery is April 23 at 10 am. Call 765-647-2651, ext. 3 for more info.
From Franklin County SWCD Newsletter
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Metamora Opry Barn
Reservations available on our website.
Vern McIntyre April 18
Bluegrass Season Pass
Reserve your table for all nine shows in the Bluegrass Series.
$200 for a table for two. $400 for a table for four.
Submitted by Metamora Performing Arts
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The Whitewater Canal Trail is proud to partner with the Central Indiana Trout Unlimited Chapter for a special Earth Day celebration on April 18th. Volunteers of all ages are invited to come together to help clean up the Whitewater River and surrounding roadways. As part of this event, collected trash can be disposed of free of charge at the Transfer station until 3 pm (Please note that no tires will be accepted). Join us at 8 am at the Yellow Bank Trailhead (US Highway 52 and Yellow Bank Road). Supplies will be provided.
Submitted by Shirley Lamb
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Drug Take Back – April 18
April 18 from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM in the parking lot of Brookville United Methodist Church. Join community partners in keeping prescription medications out of the wrong hands. If you have expired or unused medications in your home, it may be time to get rid of them.
Submitted by Bethany Luers
File photo by The Observer
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April 18, 2026 9 am – 1 pm
Lucas Fledderman, NRCS Indiana District Conservationist, Brookville Service Center, is one of the presenters.
Click for more information.
From Greenacres Michaela Farm Education Center
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LEGO Expo returns to Brookville Library on April 18 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. See the LEGO builds, watch a LEGO movie, test out your LEGO knowledge with trivia, and vote on your favorite creative builds! The Creative Build Competition will be for all ages to display their own custom builds. Trophies and prizes will be awarded at the end of the show. Check with the libraries for drop off and pick up information.
And if you still need more LEGO in your life, we’re having a mini version at Laurel Library on April 21 at 5 p.m. Bring your favorite LEGO build to show off, test your LEGO knowledge, and win LEGO prizes!
Like all of our library events, this is free to the public, and you do not have to be a Franklin County resident to attend.
Submitted by Makenna Mays
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Plant a Tree for Arbor Day - April 24
The 15th Annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway & Canned Food Drive is April 24, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the office. Bring canned good items or a cash donation in exchange for 5 free trees to Franklin County SCWD, 10165 Oxford Pike, Brookville. Canned goods and cash will be donated to RedLife Food Bank in Brookville. Trees include white pine, northern white cedar, persimmon, scarlet oak and redbud.
From Franklin County SWCD Newsletter
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On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish the state's public waters. All other rules such as seasons, bag, and size limits apply.
Free Fishing Days are an excellent opportunity to learn how to fish, take your family fishing, or introduce a friend to fishing. To see what properties are hosting events, go to the DNR Calendar. Prefer to learn on your own? See Fishing Tips and Videos.
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The Franklin County Observer
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