HIDDEN GEMS IN THE 765: SNOW HILL COVERED BRIDGE
Snow Hill Covered Bridge was built over Johnson's Fork Creek in 1895 by local residents John H. Horn and William H. Butts. It was designed using a Howe Truss Design by John Burkhart and was an essential passageway to Cincinnati markets.
The bridge is named in honor of landowner Lemuel Snow, a Revolutionary War veteran. Private Snow enlisted at the age of 16 from Boston, Massachusetts, and served continuously until the end of the war. He was promoted to Lieutenant at the age of 18. He participated in several significant battles, spent the entire winter at Valley Forge, witnessed the execution of Major Andre, the British evacuation of New York, and was with the Army at Newburgh when George Washington disbanded it. He was discharged in October 1781. Snow died on Sept. 3, 1824, at 65, in Whitewater Twp. He is buried at Snow Hill Cemetery in Franklin County.
The 75-foot-long bridge features a gable roof, is clad in board-and-batten siding, and has an open clerestory. Stone abutments with wing walls support the bridge, which includes X-braced framing. It is further reinforced with iron bolts and vertical iron rods.
Deemed unsafe in 1986 and closed to traffic, this bridge underwent a community-supported restoration project in 1987, replacing the roof, wood flooring, and other elements. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, and a restoration and construction project began in 2000. Now, it makes a perfect destination for a scenic drive.
Snow Hill Covered Bridge is located at 2011 Snow Hill Rd, West Harrison, IN 47060.
Reported by Cassie Garrett
County Line Bridge
County Line Bridge is located on CR 900 E and spans the Big Blue River, providing passage for the north-south road that connects the Hancock and Rush County lines. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Franklin County resident in desperate need of a kidney transplant
Rhonda Farmer's Fight for a New Kidney: A Story of Hope and Resilience
Franklin County resident Rhonda Farmer was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2002. Then, in 2020, Rhonda was diagnosed with stage 3c Ovarian Cancer, contributing to her severe health problems.
Rhonda has been on Dialysis for almost seven years, which keeps her alive, but. the only thing that will help Farmer improve is a new kidney. Rhonda's friends and family hope that by sharing her story on social media, others will share it and help Rhonda find the donor she so desperately needs.
If you or someone you know are interested in becoming a kidney donor for Rhonda scan the QR code in the video or comments to start the process. For more information on becoming a donor, visit https://www.uchealth.com/en/treatments-and-procedures/living-kidney-donation or email questions to [email protected].
Reported by Cassie Garrett
Report for Severe Weather on May 7, 2024
RUSH COUNTY
Multiple supercells impacted south central Indiana during the evening hours of Tuesday, May 7. According to Rush County EMA, the storms produced numerous reports of hail and tornadoes.
Damage surveys found five separate tornadoes based mainly on tree damage and some minor structural damage. Video footage also aided in the survey process. The survey was complex due to several supercell thunderstorms moving across the same area, each producing weak tornadoes. The tornadoes for this event may have been on the ground for longer ranges, but large expanses of open farm fields inhibited the survey team from extending its tracks.
Witness reports indicated that some tornadoes were small, rope tornadoes bouncing across the landscape. Five of the severe storms and three of the tornadoes struck in Rush County. Two were in the Moscow area, and one was northeast of Richland.
EF-1: Southwestern Rush County; 110 mph max winds.
EF-1: Southwestern Rush County; 110 mph max winds.
EF-U: Southeastern Rush County; unknown max winds.
Rush County EMA also reported that earlier in the day on May 7, a lightning strike in Rushville affected Communications, Phones, and the Internet. IT technicians were in the process of trying to repair and restore the systems when the storms occurred. While the Dispatch centers did activate the system to set off the Tornado Sirens, it is believed that the communications issues caused the failure for the sirens not to sound. Technicians are still working to repair the systems as soon as possible.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
The weather service office in Wilmington, Ohio, determined that EF-1 damage occurred north and east of Brookville.
Reported by Cassie Garrett, Regional Director & Correspondent, Whitewater Publications
Tracie Conley shared a video she took from her backyard of a tornado northeast of Richland, Indiana, on State Road 244.
Conley shared, "I was terrified and excited at the same time. I was making sure that it wasn't headed in my direction as I do live in a mobile home. I was scared for my neighbors and family. Thankfully, we are all OK. The straight-line wins that came through after were definitely more terrifying. My power is currently out."
View additional photos and videos submitted in the comments.
International pen pals who have been writing for 43 years come together for Total Solar Eclipse in Metamora
International pen pals who have been writing for 43 years come together for Total Solar Eclipse in Metamora
The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse attracted people from all over the world to the small town of Metamora, Indiana. Among the visitors were Wendy Day and her husband Martin who came all the way from Yately, England not only to experience the eclipse, but to see Wendy's longtime pen pal, Sue McKinney, from Plymouth, Indiana.
13-year-old Allison Steinard of Connersville sings National Anthem at Reds game
At just 13 years old, Allison Steinard of Connersville had the experience of a lifetime when she sang the National Anthem at the Cincinnati Reds Game on Wednesday, April 10.
"My mother sent in an application and audition video on February 24 without me knowing," Allison said. "The video was from when I sang in the Spartan Bowl. They emailed her on March 29 and said that they watched my video. They said I had an amazing voice, and they wanted me to sing for them."
Allison and her family arrived at the stadium to meet the staff and receive the special access stickers needed to go under the stadium to prepare to sing. However, it was raining, and when they reached the tunnel to the field, the staff informed them there would be a rain delay.
"After they had told me and my parents about the delay, I was worried the game might get canceled and I wouldn't get the chance to sing the National Anthem," Allison said. "About an hour later, they notified us the game would start at 8:30 p.m. At that point, my excitement returned, and I was relieved of all my worries. When they took us back down to the tunnels, and we walked onto the field, it hit me how amazing this opportunity was. The moment I actually stepped up to home plate and sang our National Anthem, I felt it inside my heart."
As Allison began to sing, the entire stadium could feel the power of her voice in their heart as she belted out the National Anthem, bringing cheers of response and tears to the eyes of the audience.
"Afterward, my heart was beating so fast, and it felt so cool to know that I just sang our National Anthem at a Major League Reds baseball game, Allison said. "I felt pretty good about it when we were leaving because I knew I had just done something that most people don't even get the opportunity to do. Another one of my favorite parts was being able to share this experience with several of my family members. I can't thank the Cincinnati Reds enough for this great opportunity."
Allison first s
Tin Foil Hat Competition
A tin foil hat is made from one or more sheets of tin foil, aluminum foil, or conventional headgear lined with foil. It is often worn in the belief or hope that it shields the brain from threats such as electromagnetic fields, mind control, and mind reading.
With the upcoming total solar eclipse, the "Darkside of the Moon Festival" organizers thought a tinfoil hat competition would be a fun and appropriate way to kick off the three-day festival at Gateway Park in Metamora.
Contestants of all ages from various states paraded across the stage, each wearing a unique tinfoil masterpiece. Judges graded the contestants on creativity and humor. It was a tough competition, but ultimately, two winners were selected to receive the trophy shaped like an alien.
Tom, a camper from Virginia, won the Funniest trophy for his hat, which was a crowd-pleaser due to its display of random items on top, such as Snoopy and antennas. Caroline, a little girl from Centerville, IN, was awarded the Most Creative trophy for her large queen crown with intricate designs etched in the foil. Shirley Lamb of Brookville received an honorable mention for her "Jiffy Popcorn" tin foil hat (photo in comments).
Reported by: Cassie Garrett, Regional Director & Correspondent
Whitewater Publications
Dark Side of the Moon Festival Metamora, In.
In celebration of the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, Brookville's Main Street is featuring a live plant mural of the eclipse. The mural is 8' x 16' and features 1800 plants.
"Brookville was fortunate enough to fall within the 115-mile wide path of totality that sliced through the country, spanning from Texas to Maine," said Main Street Brookville Executive Director Christine Craig. "MSB was eligible to apply for grant funding due to a partnership between Main Street America and The Simons Foundation. The Simons Foundation granted funding to Main Street Brookville for the foundation's ‘In The Path of Totality’ initiative. The core goal of the grant was to create a science-based event to accompany the total eclipse. Drawing from the community's basis in the science of agriculture, the mural idea was born."
Rae Kunkel, the lead graphic designer at Whitewater Publications, created the design, then transferred that artwork onto a color-coded grid. Franklin County Middle School science teacher Beth Brown and a team of her students and the ColorWorks crew, used the grid to transfer the mature, blooming flowers one by one into the design.
On April 8, the Franklin County Courthouse lawn will be transformed into a hub of excitement and learning. “Mooned on Main” is not just about the mural; it's a full-fledged event that promises fun and engagement for all. From music and food vendors to a bounce house and interactive science centers for kids, there's something for everyone. The Main Street shops will be open, so you can explore and enjoy the event to the fullest.
Learn more about "Mooned on Main" and other Brookville and Franklin County events at https://franklincountyin.com/events/eclipse-2024/.
Reported by: Cassie Garrett
Brookville is undergoing an exciting transformation as seven historic building facades along its Main Street receive much-needed renovation work. OCRA's $2 million Preserving Main Street Façade Grant, awarded to Main Street Brookville, makes the renovations possible. The renovations will repair and preserve original brickwork and reopen bricked-in windows, window frames, doors, cornices, and painted surfaces.
Today, as the renovations began at 515 Main Street, now the location of Daily Scoop and Rachel Vanoven Photography, an important piece of Brookville's history was discovered. The building was formerly Popper Co. clothing store, a well-known establishment in the area for many years. As workers removed the boards from the front of the building, they uncovered the old glass window transoms with "Popper" painted on them. These transoms will be preserved as a testament to the building's historical significance. The General Contractor doing renovations is Poole Group.
Read more about these historic transformations in next week's edition of the Brookville American/Democrat.
This afternoon, Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto made a special stop in Brookville, IN, for a great cause.
Gatto was passing through the small town on his way to perform a show at Emens Auditorium in Muncie when he saw a Girl Scout Cookie stand in front of A&R sales on Brooville's Main Street. Morgan Shoemaker, along with her daughter Brantleigh Schmitz, Ema Bowling, and Sophia Sturgell, were representing Girl Scout Troop #3258, selling cookies, when a nice dark grey SUV pulled up.
"The girls were taking turns helping customers," Shoemaker explained. "It was my daughter's turn, so I was looking at her to tell her it was her turn, and when I looked at her, her jaw was on the ground."
When Shoemaker turned around, she saw why her daughter was so surprised: Gatto was at their table to purchase cookies.
"Then my jaw was on the ground," Shoemaker laughed. "We watched Impractical Jokers together all the time with my husband, Ryan, (her dad). She was absolutely shocked."
In fact, her ten-year-old daughter was so shocked she said she dropped the sign she was holding when she saw him.
"I was starstruck, Brantleigh said with a big smile. "When I saw him, I was holding a sign, and I dropped the sign and immediately ran to him, and he shook my hand. I was just so excited because he's like really, really, really famous, and like it was really exciting."
Gatto purchased the last 13 boxes of cookies, totaling $78. He gave the girls $100 and told them to keep the change. Shoemaker shared that not only was the gesture kind, but so was Gatto.
"The interaction was great! He was super nice and definitely a joker in person," Shoemaker said. "I realized I had our Sharpie on me, so the girls took their cookie signs over to him, and he signed them for them. We feel absolutely honored to meet Joe Gatto! We are big fans at our house."
However, not only did Gatto make the girl's day, but he also made Shoemaker's husband very happy.
"I was on video chat with my husband because
Wishing you a safe and happy New Year!
Christmas is a festive season in Indiana’s historic canal town, Metamora, as it turns into a Winter Wonderland during its annual Christmas Walk. Christmas Walk began the weekend after Thanksgiving, but families can still experience the magic of Christmas today, Sat, Dec. 16, and tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 17, while finishing holiday shopping.
Today, shops will be open until 10 p.m., and tonight, Santa will be visiting with children from 5 to 9 p.m. next door to Grannies Ice Cream and Cookie Jars. Old-fashioned carriage rides will be available from 6 to 10 p.m.
Tomorrow shops will be open from 12 to 5 p.m.
The following statement was issued by the Rush County Sheriff’s Office immediately following the media conference held at 2 p.m.
Arlington, IN - Rush County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Rushville Police Department, United States Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation, discovered a body while executing search warrants associated with the disappearance of Valerie Tindall, yesterday Nov. 28. Tindall was reported missing by family on June 8. She was 17 years old at the time.
Substantial investigative activity resulted in discovery of a body buried at 2366 N. Oak St. in Arlington. The property belonged to Patrick Scott who was identified early in the investigation as a person of interest. The Rush County Coroner was dispatched to the scene to begin the process of positively identifying the remains and determine the cause of death.
Following the discovery of the body, Scott was arrested without incident and booked into the Rush County Jail for Murder.
“This is not the outcome we had hoped for,” said Allen Rice, Rush County Sheriff. “This case is still under investigation to ensure those responsible are successfully prosecuted.”
Rush County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation in light of recent developments. The public may contact the Sheriff’s Office at (765) 932-2931.
All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Updates will be provided as they become available.
Chili, soup and cookie benefit will be held for beloved Rushville resident with terminal cancer
Rushville resident Kevin Dolan is inviting the community to come out on Saturday, Dec. 2, for a chili, soup and cookie benefit for his long-time friend and 1987 RHS graduate Susan Snider, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Not only is Snider a long-time friend to Dolan, but she is basically friends with everyone in Rushville, as Snider's larger-than-life personality is hard to resist.
For example, she was challenged to do the “Whipcream Challenge” and happily obliged. The video below of Susan completing the challenge is the perfect example of her positive attitude and a true testament to who Susan is, and something she wants to share to make people laugh.
Less than a year ago, Susan shared she wasn't feeling well. She went to the doctor and was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. When she went for her most recent scan, doctors discovered Susan also has B-cell lymphoma. That’s when doctors delivered the devastating news: Susan's cancer was terminal.
"Her latest doctor visit was not encouraging," Dolan shared. "She and her wife Susan don't know nor want to know how long she will be on this Earth. She loves Christmas and food. We want to give her a good time and show our appreciation for her community spirit, love of children and general kindness to every human being."
Although, Snider's last visit would leave most hopeless, not Snider. Instead, she is living life fully (as she always has), checking things she wants to do off her bucket list, giving people a hard time and embracing her friends, family, and the community she loves. She decided not to know how much time the doctors say she has left because she says who knows how much time she has, and she won’t sit around thinking about it instead of making every moment count.
Susan’s wife, Susan Osman-Snider, shared, “It was devastating at first, but I've been getting better. She is my soulmate
UPDATE: Georgie is home!
UPDATE: The crew on scene was able to see Georgie and have determined he is no longer stuck and is likely scared to come out. The owners left food and a bed for him and are hoping he will calm down and come out.
UPDATE: Carolyn Stemmler of Brookville is desperately trying to rescue her cat, Georgie, who has been stuck in a drain pipe under 3rd St. in Brookville since last Thursday.
Stemmler turned to Facebook with a plea for help as she fears Georgie will soon die from starvation or hypothermia.
In response, volunteers and the Brookville Police Department are on the scene trying to rescue Georgie.
We will provide more updates as we have them.
Reported by Cassie Roth (Garrett)
Regional Director & Correspondent for Whitewater Publications
UPDATE: Georgie is home!!
Carolyn Stemmler of Brookville is desperately trying to rescue her cat, Georgie, who has been stuck in a drain pipe under 3rd St. in Brookville since last Thursday.
“Georgie was dumped in the yard in May; people know my mom would take care of a stray,” Stemmler said. “He's a super friendly, talkative, inquisitive little ginger who just is an eating machine and knows his name very well.”
Stemmler believes Georgie is about eight ft. down the pipe, and something is impeding his way out because he’s super friendly, and she thinks he would come out if he could. Stemmler shared she has done everything she can to rescue Georgie, including her and her mother digging buckets of dirt out of the drain pipe to no avail.
Stemmler turned to Facebook with a plea for help as she fears Georgie will soon die from starvation or hypothermia.
“We located Georgie, stuck in a drain pipe,” Stemler posted. “We can't get him out. I called the police and fire department; they did all they could. Everything has been exhausted. Only a miracle can help now. Please help my cat.”
If anyone can assist in getting Georgie out, message Carolyn Stemmler on Facebook or email her at [email protected].
