Batesville, In. —
The battle against drugs intensifies
The proliferation of narcotics continued in southeastern Indiana, with a trend change. Officials say the supply of very potent and relatively cheap crystal methamphetamine from Mexico began to surge.
As a result, efforts have been made to develop a “continuum of care.” Police continue to use all tools available to get drug dealers while providing feedback to lawmakers, care providers and peers to increase their efficiency.
State lawmakers also passed a bill that would fund a treatment facility within a one hour car ride from anywhere in the Hoosier state.
Rising Sun, Rabbit Hash Ferry back in business
For the first time in many years, the Rising Sun to Rabbit Hash Ferry reopened. Before the previous ferry, the Mildred sank in 1945, residents used the ferry to travel for work, shopping, church and to visit loved ones.
The ferry can take 10 vehicles per trip, three times an hour. The Rising Star Casino funded the estimated cost of about $1.7 million.
The ferry runs every 15 minutes, seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday – Thursday, and 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
- Rising Sun to Rabbit Hash – 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. (Sun – Thurs) and 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. (Fri – Sat).
- Rabbit Hash to Rising Sun – 8:15 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sun – Thurs) and 8:15 a.m. to 12 a.m. (Fri -Sat).
The cost per car is $5 one-way or $8 for round-trip. There are different rates for motorcycles, bicycles and larger vehicles.
Neighbors hit the ‘kill switch’ on Batesville racing venture
Infinite Speed owners, Eddie Perry and Steve Miller along with partners Shorty Whittington and John Whittington brought a new style of racing to the Batesville Airport for a short run.
One-half mile racing was conducted on the moth-balled runway featuring cars like Vipers, Corvettes, Porsches, Nissans and Lamborghinis. They all range from 500 to 2,000 horsepower. The cars are completely street legal in all cases. The cars range in value from $60,000 to $300,000.
The events had a spectator capacity of about 200 people but were stopped following public outcry about noise at the airport, safety and accessibility for neighboring property owners.
Changes, upgrades at the Batesville Fire Department
Officials in Batesville invested about $1 million in the fire department.
A fire early in the year, destroyed an ambulance and damaged the interior of the building. That led to the purchase of a new ambulance and a commercial cleaning of the inside. An insurance policy held by the city paid for the replacement of the ambulance.
City leaders approved the purchase of a low-profile apparatus to use south of the railroad tracks due to increased rail traffic.
About $600,ooo was allocated for a new roof and façade for the existing building and a new training and storage facility behind the fire station.
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Orange Barrels galore
There were millions of dollars in road construction completed.
The eastbound lanes of I-74 were completely reconstructed from New Point to Sunman. Crews removed the old asphalt and replaced the pavement with full-depth concrete pavement. The westbound lanes will be reconstructed in 2019. The total value of the project is $61 million.
Progress on the Lincoln Street reconstruction project In Greensburg was stymied by excessive summer rains and a pre-Thanksgiving blast of winter that left the city covered with a glaze of ice. Contractors continue to work as weather allows.
There was also paving, curb and sidewalk work in downtown as well as bridge work on U.S. 421 kept motorists on their toes.
