Panel OKs changes to farming ordinance
GREENFIELD — Despite protests from neighbors, the Hancock Area Plan Commission gave the nod to send proposed changes to the county’s agribusiness ordinance on to county commissioners for final approval.
After nearly an hour of discussion Tuesday, the plan commission voted 5-2 in support of the changes, which generally give more freedom to farmers to expand their businesses by offering year-round events and services related to agriculture.
A handful of residents who addressed the board left the meeting disappointed, expressing concerns they weren’t given the chance to provide more input before the revised ordinance was drafted.
Board members contend they can revisit the issue if the changes create more conflict or don’t create adequate guidelines for farmers.
Mail carrier faces theft charge, pleads not guilty to taking gift cards from letters
MCCORDSVILLE — A mail carrier pleaded not guilty to theft Tuesday amid allegations he stole gift cards out of greeting cards he was charged with delivering in McCordsville.
Brett A. Teeters, 34, of Pendleton, faces charges of official misconduct and three counts of theft: one Level 6 felony and two a Class A misdemeanors, according to court documents. He also faces charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after investigators found drugs while searching his residence for mail, court documents state.
Law enforcement agents working within the U.S. Postal Service began investigating Teeters after receiving a call from a Missouri resident who complained the letter he mailed in early April was never delivered to his son in McCordsville.
Eastern OKs safety policies, district’s first overhaul since 1999
CHARLOTTESVILLE — In conjunction with ongoing security updates across the district, officials at Eastern Hancock have rewritten the school district safety plan. It was the first overhaul since 1999.
The document, which lays out plans to keep students from harm’s way in a number of safety scenarios such as bomb threats and bad weather, was compiled by Lisa Hagan, district school safety specialist, and recently was approved by the Eastern Hancock School Board.
School officials declined to release details but said the revamped plan better addresses how teachers should respond in various situations that affect student safety.
