Gosport Police Report

12/22/2008 - Marshal Steve Williams investigated a theft of CD’s from a vehicle on Walnut Street in Gosport.

 12/31/2008 - Deputy Marshal Michael Browning recovered a stolen vehicle on South Seventh Street in Gosport.

 01/01/2009 - Reserve Deputy Marshal Randall Browning arrested Mark. A. Brewer of Gosport for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Owen County Community 

Foundation Announces Awards

By Maggie Burton

Spencer - Fourteen local non-profits received annual grants in 2008 to support their operations as a result of permanent funds set up by donors at the Owen County Community Foundation. Grants totaling $50,620 were paid out to local groups earlier in the year just as the donors who established the funds requested when they made the original permanent gifts. 

“We can work with donors to set up a fund in just about any way they want,” said Mark Rogers, OCCF executive director. “In the case of these fourteen funds the people or group that established the fund asked that a grant be paid out to the same organization each year.”

These permanent funds can be established by an individual or by a non-profit group to provide regular support to a cause they want to support. For these grants the recipient group does not need to fill out an application or enter into competition with other groups to receive funding.

The designated grants for 2008 were made from the following funds to the designated charitable group.

The Owen County Community Foundation is committed to helping Owen County communities become better places to live, grow, and work. Questions about gifts to or grants from the OCCF should be directed to Mark Rogers or Maggie Burton at 812-829-1725 or via email at info@owen countycf.org.

Opportunities Available 

at the Owen County YMCA

By Scott Monnett

Spencer - With the New Year, comes new resolutions, and with resolutions, comes an increase in activities and programs at the Owen County Family YMCA.  Due to the projected increase in programming, membership and partnerships that have created more opportunities the Owen County Family YMCA has a few volunteer and employment positions available.

“We expect an increase in participation that typically follows the New Year,” said Scott Monnett, CEO.  “We have set a goal to increase our volunteer opportunities at the YMCA in 2009.  Volunteerism is what the YMCA was founded on and we want to bring that spirit to the Owen County Family YMCA.”

If you have a specific talent, art, crafts, interest in sports, helping youth or adults, dance or tumbling or just have a passion for helping out, the YMCA may be the place for you.  The YMCA is seeking volunteers to teach a variety of classes and programs, and looking for individuals to just help out with the daily operations.  “Volunteering is a great way to get involved at the YMCA, we also have special benefits that our volunteers get to take advantage of,” said Scott Monnett.

Volunteering is not the only option at the YMCA.  Due to a partnership reached with the Spencer-Owen Community School systems the Owen County Family YMCA takes the lead role in the Before and Afterschool Care (B.A.C.) program offered at all the elementary schools.  The YMCA is seeking individuals ages 16 and older to assist in this program.    “We need leaders for all sites, Gosport, Patricksburg, McCormick’s Creek and Spencer Elementary school.”  The YMCA B.A.C. program will be offered daily in order to support working moms and dads with childcare.  Youth will have the opportunity to take advantage of homework help, arts and crafts projects, wellness programs and open play on a daily basis.

Other employment opportunities include:  Personal Trainers/Wellness Coach, Lifeguard, Swim Instructor or Building Assistant.

For more information about volunteer and employment opportunities at the Owen County Family YMCA please contact Scott Monnett at (812) 828-9622, or visit the YMCA to complete an employment or volunteer application.

Gosport New Year's Eve Fire Deemed as a Total Loss 

By Kyle Hall

Gosport - The Gosport Fire Department responded to a structure fire just outside of Gosport on New Year’s Eve, but despite their best efforts, the home was deemed as a total loss.

The fire broke out at Forrest Trisler’s residence, located a mile and a half outside of Gosport on Culross Road, just before 11:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

The fire was initially reported to the Owen County Sheriff’s Department just an hour before the start of 2009, with the dispatch for Gosport Fire Personnel coming at 10:57 p.m.

Due to the call being a possible structure fire with severe smoke coming from the house, Owen Valley Fire Department in Spencer was also dispatched to assist at 11:02 p.m. 

Less than 10 minutes after being originally dispatched, the first unit for Gosport arrived on scene at 5792 Culross Road carrying two firefighters to start the effort.

Owen Valley Fire Personnel arrived at 11:20 p.m. to continue the efforts. After surveying the size of the fire, firefighters on scene requested additional manpower, and a dispatch went out to Bean-Blossom Township Fire Department (Stinesville), as well as Paragon Fire Department.

  The cause of the blaze was determined to be an electrical fire in the ceiling by the chimney. Information was not immediately available as to how many people were residing in the home, but according to Gosport Firefighter, Michelle Curl, she believed only two occupants were living in the single-story house.

According to the department, Gosport dispensed 11,000 gallons of water to douse the flames, with Owen Valley using their own water as well.

Gosport Fire Department informed the Owen County Dispatcher that the fire was completely out and terminated at 2:13 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

In total, six Gosport Firefighters responded to the fire, taking two fire trucks with them as well, Engines 191, and 196. Owen Valley Fire Department responded with three fire trucks, Engines 41, 45, and 48, while Bean-Blossom came with one, Engine 64. It was unclear if any Paragon Fire Apparatus responded, but Gosport’s Fire Department did note they received mutual aid from them as well.