The public is invited to Brown County State Park on Nov. 15 for a dedication celebrating the addition of Weed Patch Trail, a 2.4-mile mountain bike trail constructed in partnership with the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA).

The ceremony will start at 11 a.m. near the park office and fire tower. Guests may bring mountain bikes for a ride on the trail after the dedication, or join a guided hike on the trail. Light refreshments will be provided after the dedication, courtesy of the park’s Abe Martin Lodge.

Weed Patch Trail will provide an integral connection between the campground, the Limekiln Trail, and the rest of Brown County’s existing 36-mile mountain bike trail system. With its flowy descent, approachable climbs and limited technical elements, the new trail provides access for intermediate level riders and offers a unique riding experience not found elsewhere in the park.

The trail was constructed by Spectrum Trail Design with the support of volunteers from HMBA, Cummins, and Salesforce.

Funding for the project includes a Next Level Trails grant to HMBA, who is providing the required match dollars. The NLT grant includes Weed Patch and two other new mountain bike trails in the park, which will total 7.5 miles of new trail by 2021. The new trails will provide connectivity with existing trails and park amenities such as the campground, park office, and Hesitation Point.

Mountain bike trails in Brown County State Park are multi-use and are open to hiking as well as cycling. Riders should obtain a $5 daily or $20 annual off-road cycling pass before using park mountain bike trails. Passes can be purchased at gates, the park office or online at ShopINStateParks.com.

The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) designated Brown County as a Bronze-level Ride Center in 2015, and riders visit from many parts of the country to enjoy the trails, the park, and the community of Nashville.

Major General Dan Colglazier will be the featured speaker at the Veteran’s Program on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11a on the northwest courthouse lawn. 

A free lunch will be served by the American Legion Auxiliary immediately after the program at the American Legion Hall, 209 South Main Street. 

“Everyone is urged to attend in support and honor of our Veterans,” said Kevin Bateman, Washington County Veterans Service Officer. “In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the American Legion on South Main Street.”

MASTER OF CEREMONIES—————–KEVIN BATEMAN CVSO

ATTEND THE FLAG—————————SCOUT TROOP 4029

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE——————-EVERYONE
INVOCATION———————————- SERGEANT MAJOR RICHARD WHEELER.
. (RET)

PRESENTATION OF COLORS—————AMERICAN LEGION

PLACING OF WREATHS——————- AMERICAN LEGION  VFW AUXILIARIES and DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

MUSICAL SALUTE—————————-EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR

INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER———— KEVIN BATEMAN CVSO

SPEAKER————————————– -MAJOR GENERAL DAN COLGLAZIER (RET)

PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR FALLEN————VFW FIRING SQUAD
TAPS——————————————— AMERICAN LEGION

DISMISSAL————————————–KEVIN BATEMAN CVSO

SOUND SYSTEM——————————–PROVIDED BY WSLM

An Indiana agency has advised regulators to deny Duke Energy’s request to increase average monthly charges by as much as $23 per customer.

Indiana’s Office of Utility Consumer Counselor Bill Fine has recommended that the utility instead reduce its average charges by nearly $8 a month.

Duke Energy in July asked the state Utility Regulatory Commission to approve a 15% rate increase over two years that would boost its annual revenue by about $395 million.

The Indianapolis Star reports Thursday that consumer groups say the company hasn’t been transparent about how it determined the proposed rate increase.

Duke Energy says it provided the necessary paperwork and disagrees with the counselor’s recommendation. The utility says the proposed increase is to accommodate customer growth, update a grid and transition to cleaner energy.

The city of Salem Offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2019, in observance of Veterans Day. 

Washington County Offices will be closed as well. 

The fall installment of property taxes would typically be due on Nov. 10 but since that’s on a weekend, they would be due on Nov. 11. Since that’s on Veteran’s Day, the taxes will be due on Tuesday, Nov. 12 by 5p. (see another story about payment locations and methods)

All Monday trash routes will be picked up as regularly scheduled.

Retail services at Post Offices throughout Indiana will be closed on Monday, in recognition of Veterans Day.

Regularly scheduled mail delivery, PO Box and caller services will also be suspended for the holiday.  Mail will be delivered as scheduled on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Post Offices also will resume regularly scheduled retail lobby hours on Nov. 12.

All Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) branches are closed beginning Saturday, Nov. 9 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

All branches resume regularly scheduled business hours on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Preservation advocates in Greenville are hoping to save a
a significant 19th-century landmark in the community that recently went on the market.

The Greenville Historic Preservation Commission is publicizing information related to Civil War Veteran Jesse N. Smith,
and his former home located at 9569 US 150.

Word of the historic home for sale prompted the town’s historic preservation commission (HPC) to research the former owner Jesse Smith.

“We love history in all its forms”, states HPC Chairman Matt Uhl. “Buildings like this are a foundation to build a greater understanding of our community, our citizens, and how we have a role in building our country. We would love to gain control of the property and see the house rehabilitated for community use.”

The house is presently on the market for $95,000 and is listed through the Julie Gamble Group. The house is presently not protected from demolition.

The 1860s-era home has ties to Indiana’s Civil War past and one of the town’s earliest families.

A son of Greenville doctor Reuben Smith, Private Jesse Smith joined the Indiana 17th infantry regiment in 1861 at the age of 19.

His older brother Marion served in the 23 rd Infantry, rising to the level of Captain. Jesse eventually rose to the rank of Corporal before exiting service in 1864 during the Atlanta campaign.

In between, the Indiana 17th saw action at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Munfordville, and other battles in the
Southeast and Appalachia. Smith returned home, marrying his wife Anna shortly after the war’s conclusion.

Along the way, they purchased the center-passage; plan home in 1871, and used its location along US 150 to sell groceries, general merchandise, and even jewelry.

Their son Otto took over the business until his passing in 1928.

“We understand a town of our size may not have the resources larger cities have for preservation”, Uhl comments. “But that doesn’t erase Corporal Smith’s service and the impact he contributed to our local history, and what his home means as a potential touchstone for future generations.”

The HPC has submitted a National Register eligibility assessment to the Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation and
Archaeology.

National Register listing could aid with grant funds should the preservation commission or another local non-profit group be able to purchase the property. Indiana Landmarks has been providing guidance to the group.

“Preservation is about ensuring that our urban landscape reflects more than just profit margins or the whims of developers and real estate speculators,” said Andy Lemon, Greenville Town Councilman.

“It doesn’t make sense to recycle cans and paper but to not recycle buildings.”