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As VSO, Mr. Wyatt makes home visits and helps veterans apply to the Veterans Administration for financial support, medical care and disability benefits including claims for exposure to Agent Orange, asbestos or contaminated water at Camp LeJeune. He works with Franklin County Public Transportation to provide rides for veterans to medical appointments. He participates with Margaret Mary Health in a new program for veterans that started in 2023. “Veterans want to talk to another veteran about what they need,” said Mr. Wyatt.
Mr. Wyatt also assists family members with cutting through red tape to get survivor’s benefits. County Commissioner Tom Wilson disclosed that Mr. Wyatt aided his deceased brother-in-law’s family with receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration. County Commissioner John Heis also praised Mr. Wyatt for his good work.
Mr. Wyatt educates veterans about benefits that the state of Indiana offers including reduced property taxes, help with prescription drug expenses and tuition assistance at Indiana state colleges for children of qualifying veterans. Click to learn more about free or discounted tuition.
“Sam is in this job for the right reason. He is not in it for the pay. He is in it for the cause - to take care of our brothers and our sisters,” said Indiana State District Veterans Service Officer Ron Higgins.
Mr. Higgins was invited to a special session held by the county commissioners on November 8, about hiring a new VSO. Mr. Higgins said that the ideal candidate is first and foremost a veteran. Also eligible to apply is a non-veteran with two years of administrative experience in the VSO program. The commissioners invited Mr. Higgins to participate in candidate interviews shortly, because the job has already been advertised.
A VSO has to be nationally accredited in order to file benefit claims with the federal Veterans Administration, said Mr. Higgins. He will assist the new VSO with online and on-the-job training. He compared the level of training to becoming a paralegal. There will be continuing education as the laws change. He estimated that it takes five years for a new VSO to become proficient in all aspects of the program.
Mr. Wyatt is fully accredited with VA and also with the American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Mr. Higgins suggested that the commissioners consider having a full time VSO. Currently, Franklin County employs a part time VSO for 1,000 hours per year. The commissioners asked questions, but made no decisions about changing the part time status of the VSO. There is no required minimum salary for VSOs in Indiana. County council budgets money each year for the VSO program and for transportation for veterans.
Mr. Wyatt felt “bittersweet” about retirement as VSO. “It has been my honor and privilege to do this job. It’s a very rewarding job to get back pay for veterans’ benefits.” He offered to come back and train a new person without being paid. He will continue working as a maintenance man for the Sisters of St. Francis at Oldenburg. He volunteers with the Brookville American Legion Post 77 Honor Guard.
Mr. Wyatt had a range of experiences in his military career. He served a total of 22 years and 7 months in the military. During his 14 years with the Navy from 1982 to 1996, he deployed overseas four times to Somalia, Beirut, Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He served in the Indiana National Guard from 1997 to 2005 and was assigned to a Stabilization Force (SFOR15) on a peacekeeping mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina. He completely retired from the military reserves in 2022.
Thank you Sam Wyatt for your service to your country and to its veterans.
Reported by Sara Duffy
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Franklin County
Purple Star Schools
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced schools receiving the Purple Star designation for their significant display of commitment to service members, veterans and students and families connected to our nation’s military. Included were
- Franklin County High School
- Franklin County Middle School
- Brookville Elementary School
- Laurel Elementary School
- Mt. Carmel Elementary School
Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education said, “It is an honor to award the Purple Star designation to these Indiana schools for their recognition, celebration and support of our military families, as well as our students who may be considering a future in military service."
Submitted by Superintendent Tammy Chavis
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Are you interested in learning more about farm opportunities during the 2024 Solar Eclipse? Join us for a panel discussion with farmers, tourism experts, and more to find out how your farm could be leveraged for this opportunity. Speakers include Sam Lashley - National Weather Service Indianapolis, Sarah Wolfe – Eclipse Director for Knox County, and Linda Baird – Cornucopia Farm. You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Nov. 14, 2023, at 3:00 PM.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Click to register in advance for this meeting.
Submitted by Veronica Bullock
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Batesville Music Boosters Hosts
Oldies & Appetizers Event
On Tuesday, November 14, at Romweber Party Place, 7 S. Eastern Avenue, Batesville. Gather friends and family to experience a night of impressive entertainment. Doors open at 5:30pm. Music begins at 6:00pm. Oldies from the '50s, '60s and '70s will be performed by Batesville band and choir students from 6:30-8:30pm. The evening concludes with a performance by the Gyil Ensemble. Enjoy appetizers, a dessert auction, and cash bar. Optional - dress for your favorite "oldie" decade! Proceeds benefit Batesville music students. To purchase tickets, sponsor, or explore other ways to support this exciting event, visit www.OldiesAndApps.com.
Batesville Music Boosters, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We provide educational opportunities, uniforms, competition experiences, and more to our students.
Submitted by Amber McGuire
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Burn Ban
Franklin County Indiana is under a burn ban due to drought conditions and/or high winds as of 2:30 pm on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. See attached order.
From Franklin County Commissioners
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November Noel
November 18
11 am Free Madcap Puppet Show "Twas The Night Before Christmas" at Brookville KofC Hall sponsored by Franklin County Arts Council.
1 - 4 pm Visit with Santa at the Courthouse Lawn Gazebo sponsored by Brookville Indiana Main Street.
Submitted by Patti Wilhelm
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Metamora
Christmas Tree Lighting
November 18
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Join us in the annual celebration of the start of the Holiday Season. The tree lighting event will take place at the Gazebo at 6:00. Gather around the fire barrels as you listen to live holiday music, sing-alongs, enjoy the Christmas Story and warm up with free hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies and at the right moment we will light up the tree.
From Historic Metamora
File photo by The Observer
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Whitewater Memorial State Park
to temporarily close for deer management hunts
Select Indiana State Park properties will close temporarily for controlled deer management hunts in the coming weeks.
Each hunt runs two days. The first hunt is Monday, Nov. 13, and Tuesday, Nov. 14. The second is Monday, Nov. 27, and Tuesday, Nov. 28. The participating state park properties will close to the general public on the evening before each of the two hunts.
The state park will re-open the morning after each two-day hunt. All other Indiana state park properties will be open and operate under normal hours. Only individuals selected from the draw may participate at any site. Click to read about other state park properties closing for the hunts.
From Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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BHS Awarded $500,000 Grant
The celebrations have turned into strategy sessions as Batesville High School (BHS) begins to make decisions about how best to allocate the $500,000 it will receive as the top recipient of the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) Excellence in Next Level Educational Experiences and Opportunities grant. As one of three state finalists for this award, BHS was guaranteed $250,000, which was subsequently matched dollar-for-dollar by the state after the results of an online voting competition resulted in Batesville receiving the most support. Click to learn more.
Submitted by BCSC Communications
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Join Franklin County Community Foundation in the Annual, Nationwide Celebration to Recognize the Local Impact of Community Foundations
Franklin County Community Foundation will join in a nationwide celebration, November 12-18, 2023, to recognize the increasingly important role that community foundations play in strengthening localities and mitigating social issues.
For more than a century, philanthropic institutions have served as a trusted partner and resource whose effect can be seen in the lives of millions and in the vibrant neighborhoods that continue to thrive through their mission-driven work. During this annual celebration, community foundations convene to share and reflect on their work.
“Community foundations have the reach, expertise, and relationships to address some of the most pressing issues impacting individuals and families nationwide,” said Shelly Lunsford, FCCF Executive Director. “We are more determined than ever to collaborate with partners to deliver the innovative and lasting solutions that will help our communities to thrive.”
Community foundations are independent, public entities that steward philanthropic resources from institutional and individual donors to local nonprofits and represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy.
As community foundations find solutions for communities large and small, urban and rural – it is the collective work of these organizations that will have the most profound impact. Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush to recognize the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address community problems.
Submitted by Shelly Lunsford
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Laurel, Indiana: L-R- FCSD Deputy Jason Lovins, Laurel Police Officer Nick Brown, and FCSD Sheriff Peter Cates.
Franklin County Sheriff Peter Cates released the results of the four remote prescription medication take back events. Deputies collected a total of 109.6 pounds of unwanted, unused, or expired medications for proper disposal between the four events.
“Keeping that amount of drugs out of the wrong hands has a tremendous impact on our community,” said Sheriff Cates. “We are grateful to our community for helping make Franklin County a safer place to live and visit,” continued Sheriff Cates.
Deputies would like to remind citizens that there is a permanent drop-off collection container in the lobby of the Franklin County Security Center where any unwanted, unused and/or expired prescription medications can be dropped off for proper disposal. Deputies ask that no needles or liquids be dropped off.
Disposed medications are incinerated. FCSD receives a grant from Stayin’ Alive, LCC to fund the take back events as well as the disposal of collected medications.
Deputies would like to also thank our community partners:
Laurel and Oldenburg Police Departments, Franklin County E.M.S., the Village Store of Oldenburg, Brookville United Methodist Church, and Stayin’ Alive, LCC.
Submitted by Deputy Jason Lovins
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FFA Fruit Sale
Franklin County FFA 2023 annual fruit sale has fruit, nuts, various house plants, poinsettias (in various colors) and bags of mixed fruit, giving customers more variety and choices when ordering. Orders are due to the Ag Department at Franklin County High School by November 17 at the latest. Contact a FFA member to place an order or Mrs. Teri Hornberger at (765) 647-4101 at Franklin High School or email thornberger@fccsc.k12.in.us. Delivery will be around December 4 -7 and more information will be provided at that time.
Submitted by Teri Hornberger
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Punkin Holler Boys - Nov. 18
Those fun guys from Punkin Holler are rolling into Metamora to make our final show for 2023 a great one! Doors at 6, show begins at 6:30. Food available from the Blue Umbrella Bistro & Bakery. Table reservations on line. Tables to seat two or four. https://www.metamorampa.org/
Acoustic Final Friday - Nov. 24
To help you recover from your turkey day food coma, there is one more Final Friday, on Nov. 24. Head out to the Opry Barn and show us what you can do. Or just come and listen to everyone else. Doors at 6, music starts at 6:30. Food by Tracey Pennington & Friends.
Submitted by Metamora Performing Arts
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Submitted by Margaret Mary Health
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Submitted by Kathy Bauman | |
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Mt. Carmel School 2023
Winter Craft Show
Saturday, December 9, 10:00 - 3:00
Cookies with Santa 11-1
6178 Johnson Fork Rd, Cedar Grove, IN 47016.
Click to see vendor setup information. Spaces cost $25 each. All proceeds from this event will benefit Mt. Carmel School. If you have questions, or for more information, please call or email: mcs.apples@gmail.com or Brittany Westerfeld (812) 212-8645. Sponsored by The MCS APPLES.
Submitted by Brittany Westerfeld
Southeast Indiana Health Center - Free Clinic
We provide No-Cost, primary care services to residents of Franklin or Ripley County, Indiana on Tuesdays at our permanent location in Batesville and on Thursdays in our mobile clinic. No appointment needed. Call 812-932-4515 for times and locations.
1st Thursday of the month Brookville
2nd Thursday Versailles
3rd Thursday Laurel
4th Thursday Milan
Submitted by Bev Metze
Redlife Food Bank in Brookville
Open every second and fourth Thursday from 4 pm - 6 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am - 12 noon. Please bring your own containers.
Submitted by Judy Drake
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