Greenfield celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Riley Festival
Hancock County celebrates the 50th Riley Festival in honor of the birthday of the Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley. The community enjoys traditions dating back a half-century and longer during its largest community event. Greenfield-Central High School student Avery Spencer is crowned Riley Festival Queen, and over 900 children participate in the Parade of Flowers.
Cigar shop wins exemption from smoking laws
The Hancock County Board of Commissioners unanimously passes the first exemption to its 10-year-old anti-smoking law. The commissioners vote to permit shops predominantly selling tobacco or vape products to offer smoking lounges or similar amenities on their premises. The issue, first raised by the owner of a Fortville cigar shop, draws public comment both for and against the changes. The commissioners also passed tighter regulations on smoking in public places like parks.
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Greenfield-Central school officials were overpaid by $650,000
An audit finds three administrators in the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation were overpaid by a total of over $650,000 over a decade. Business manager Tony Zurwell; assistant superintendent Christy Hilton; and associate superintendent Ann Vail were overpaid for health insurance benefits and were asked by the Indiana State Board of Accounts to pay back the money. Superintendent Harold Olin says he reported the error as soon as he noticed it and said the district had put in place safeguards to prevent such issues from happening again. All three officials had already left the school corporation. At year’s end, an investigation still is pending by the Hancock County prosecutor’s office.
