Batesville, In. —
Batesville, Margaret Mary Health team for new city park
The City of Batesville and Margaret Mary Health (MMH) hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking of a new park on the east side of Six Pine Ranch Road on Friday, September 14.
MMH donated the three-acre parcel of land to the City for development of the park which is projected to open in 2019. The park will feature a walking trail, playground sites, picnic tables and benches, an observation deck, and parking areas. The trail will connect to the existing walking path behind the Margaret Mary Outpatient & Cancer Center.
“At MMH we are passionate about improving the health and wellness of our community and one way to support this is by creating more access to parks and recreation. The ability to contribute to the development of an additional park is exciting and we are proud to work with the city on such an important project,” said Tim Putnam, CEO and President of Margaret Mary Health. “We hope it will provide additional families safe access to quality park facilities and further enhance the work that has already been completed at our campus with the walking trail.”
The City has contracted with HWC Engineering for the planning and design of the park. Construction is expected to begin in early 2019.
“This partnership with Margaret Mary Health shows us again why Batesville is such a great place to live and raise a family,” said Mayor Bettice. “This shows us how private and public entities can join together for the benefit of our entire city while providing a natural recreational experience for people of all ages.”
In addition to the hospital’s land donation, approximately $25,000 has been donated from private citizens. The Batesville Parks Department is still accepting monetary donations for the purchase and installation of amenities at the park. Contact the Parks department at (812) 212-0603 for more information.
“Any donated item will have a small plaque attached indicating the donor if requested,” said Parks Commissioner Mike Baumer. “Items can be donated by individuals, groups, businesses or items donated in memory of loved ones.”
Here is more information about making a donation:
Juvenile faces adult charges in murder of siblings
Ripley County prosecutor Ric Hertel has announced two counts of felony murder have been filed against Nickalas Kedrowitz, 13. Court documents allege Kedrowitz suffocated his 23-month old half sister Desiree McCartney. Eighty-one days later, court documents say he murdered the son of his mother’s boyfriend, Nathaniel Ritz.
Reports indicate as of May 2017 Nickalas Kedrowitz shared a home in Osgood with his stepmother Christina McCartney, her children Desiree, Abigail and Nathaniel, and her boyfriend Stephen Ritz and his son Nickalas Kedrowitz.
On May 1 the Indiana Department of Children’s Services and Indiana State Police began an investigation when units responded to a report of an unresponsive child. Desiree McCartney was taken to Margret Mary Health and ultimately to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where she died five days later.
There are unconfirmed reports that sometime between the death of Desiree and July of 2017 Kedrowitz was allowed back into the home by either DCS or a CHINS petition that was administered by the court.
On July 20, 2017 first responders were called to the home again for an unresponsive child. On that occasion, Nathaniel Ritz, 11 months, was found unconscious at 11:12 p.m. and was taken to Margaret Mary Health in Batesville. He was pronounced dead due to Asystole at 12:12 a.m., a dire form of cardiac arrest.
As the investigation continued police learned Kedrowitz confided about the killings to family members. On two occasions in the month of December Kedrowitz allegedly told family members he killed both Desiree and Nathaniel by placing a heavy blanket on their faces and pressing hard where the nose and mouth would be.
Kedrowitz told detectives in December of 2017 he has a conversation with God about Desiree and Nathaniel but couldn’t talk about the content. When pressed the probable cause affidavit says Nickalas told police he was freeing the two from hell and chains of fire and had help from an angel to free them.
Later, his mother appeared on the Dr. Phil Show to talk about her son and the two deaths.
Ripley County Celebrates 200 years
The Ripley County Bicentennial was observed with many events throughout the year.
The Bicentennial year started with an art show in Napoleon that drew residents through the month of April. The exhibit included work by Ripley County’s talented artists such as Phyllis Miller, Lois Thompson, and Ursula “Sula” Spencer from the past, current local artists Debi Black and Bonnie Hertel, and internationally known artist Nancie Scott Davis, among others. Davis displayed art that had never before been viewed by the public.
The Art Show was moved to the Ripley County 4-H Fairground for the kickoff on Sunday, April 15. The show was organized by the Ripley County Tourism Bureau and included music performed by area high schools; a Taste of Ripley County featuring samples from several county restaurants; Ertel Cellars Wine and beer from Lil’ Charlie’s Restaurant and Brewery; a display by the Ripley County Homemakers; displays by the F.A.R.M. Club; demonstrations by the Southeastern Indiana Wood Turners; booths of items made in Ripley County; and several presentations. And a children’s activity center by the Kids Discovery Factory.
During the year the Central House hosted a Royal Tea Party, Garden Party, Vintage Fashion Show, office and medicinal herb tour, Murder/ Mystery Dinner and photos with Santa.
The year was also an opportunity to relive the stories of Violet Toph, Col. James H. Cravens, Maj. Joh O. Cravens, Jonathan Gordon, Samuel Ball and Jasper Bilby to name a few.
Greensburg Airport expansion project on track
The Greensburg Airport expansion project continued to move forward. Officials received Two Airport Improvement Program grants from the Federal Aviation
The first grant for about $102,500 is intended for preliminary engineering, design, surveying and appraisal was approved following the approval of the Environmental Assessment. After federal and state reimbursement the services will cost the airport about $5,000. The second grant of about $450,000 has also been approved. This grant will fund the design, plans and specifications for the project.
Surveys of property considered for the expansion have begun and members of the airport board say property owners should expect initial offers for land by March of 2019.
Whitewater Canal flows again
The Whitewater Canal in Metamora began to flow again and the Ben Franklin canal boat began running on the hour from noon to four, Wednesday through Sunday into, under and through the Duck Creek Aqueduct.
The Metamora Grist Mill was placed on the National Historic Register in 1973 and the Whitewater Canal was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark 1992.
The Whitewater Canal Trail, Inc. is seeking community partnerships. Membership levels are $25 for the Individual Level, $50 for the Family Level and $100 for the Business or Sustainable Level membership.
For more information go online here or mail to P.O. Box 126, Brookville, In 47012.
