March 16
In 2002, southbound lanes of State Street (State Road 9) south of Interstate 70 were closed for four hours when a tractor-trailer rig filled with paper products rolled onto its side.
In 2020, Hancock Regional Hospital opened a COVID-19 triage clinic in Brandywine Plaza to screen and test for the novel coronavirus. The hospital also set up a COVID-19 hotline for people to call in with questions about the disease.
March 17
In 1930, twenty men with tractors began stripping the sod off the site of what would become Riley Park Pool.
March 18
In 1968, Pfc. Elvin W. Gose of Cumberland was killed in action at Quang Tri, Vietnam.
March 19
In 1958, the Hancock County 4-H Junior Leaders decided to sponsor a “county queen” at the Hancock County 4-H Fair; the first local fair queen contest took place at that year’s fair.
In 2016, New Palestine High School graduate Patrick Feeney helped Team USA capture the gold medal in the 4×400-meter relay during the IAAF World Indoor Championships. He ran in one of the relay heats, helping the USA to the fastest heat time. Teammates finished the work in the finals the next day. Feeney competed at the Olympic trials that year; after not qualifying for the games in Rio, he retired to focus on medical school.
March 20
In 1943, Greenfield Mayor L.W. Eikenberry said he had found someone with a small tractor to break up ground for Victory Gardens for a nominal charge. Those without the means of having their garden plowed were encouraged to fill out a form in the Daily Reporter and return it to the mayor’s office. It was part of an effort “toward the planting of every available lot.”
In 1995, Mt. Vernon School Board approved the idea of a foundation that would offer mini-grants to teachers for special projects and speakers.
March 21
In 1968, Cpl. Michael L. Ebert of Greenfield was killed in action at Thua Thien, Vietnam.
In 1978, Greenfield City Cab Co. closed. It had received word from the Federal Communications Commission that its transmitter for radio communications between cabs and headquarters was registered to the company’s former owner, so it had to stop radio communication or pay a $10,000 fine.
In 2020, Hancock County confirmed its first COVID-19 case in a county resident.
March 22
In 1964, a chapel was dedicated at Hancock County Memorial Hospital.
In 1978, Hancock County Council voted to establish a countywide Economic Development Council.
