Indiana conservation officers recognized ICO Jay Baker, ICO Deland Szczepanski and civilians Mark Wallace, Thomas Weidner, Bill Poe and Matt Bochnowski at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources awards ceremony recently. These men were honored with the Meritorious Service Award for their extraordinary conduct and heroism in the rescue and recovery efforts of Jeffery Corning and Edward Sako at Turtle Creek Reservoir in Sullivan County during the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 3.
The day began at Turtle Creek Reservoir in Sullivan County with single-digit temperatures and prevailing winds in excess of 25 miles per hour. ICO Baker and ICO Szczepanski were off duty and were planning a morning of goose hunting on the lake. They recognized that the high waves along with the extreme cold temperatures did not provide for safe boating conditions on the lake. They were in the check station along with several other hunters waiting for conditions to improve.
A pair of hunters, Jeffery Corning and Ed Sako, chose to venture onto the lake in a small boat. Shortly afterward, calls for help were heard in the distance over the high winds.
Despite not being properly equipped for a water rescue in these conditions, the men immediately launched a boat and began a search.
Near the dam, they discovered a capsized vessel lodged against an ice shelf. One of the hunters, Jeffery Corning, was found clinging to the boat’s engine and suffering from hypothermia. He was transported without delay to the boat ramp for assessment and treatment by responding EMS personnel.
After safely delivering Corning, they set out onto the lake again in an attempt to locate Edward Sako. Sako was discovered a short time later floating facedown among the waves buoyed by the neoprene chest waders he wore.
The devotion to duty and commitment to the preservation of human life by these men, while facing significant personal risk, resulted in one life being saved and a swift resolution of the events for anxious family members of both victims.
III
Indiana Conservation Officer Lt. Kent Hutchins was chosen to receive the 2009 Director’s Leadership Award. Hutchins, of Parke County, is responsible for overseeing operations of District Five, which encompasses an eight-county area including Clay, Greene, Parke, Putnam, Owen, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties. These counties include more than 70,000 acres of state-owned public recreation areas and patrolled by 16 officers and a first sergeant. Hutchins was honored by the IDNR Division of Law Enforcement for his outstanding leadership abilities. He was chosen from a pool of more than 40 staff members.
Valley Life
Conservation officers recognize officer, civilians for conduct and heroism
- Valley Life
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Terre Haute museums keeping history alive
Even if you don’t have a mystical Egyptian tablet that brings museum inhabitants to life at sunset like character Larry Daley in the “Night in the Museum” movies, history can come alive for you, your friends and family at the many museums in the Wabash Valley.
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ANNIVERSARIES: Feb. 12, 2012
• Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Jackson
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Learn brief history of Social Security at Brown Bag
Join Amy Long, Social Security operations supervisor, for a brief history of Social Security, including why and how Social Security was created, changes over the years and information on the future at 12:10 p.m. Thursday at the Vigo County Public Library for a Brown Bag.
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Terre Haute’s litter leads to trashy look, feast for crows
Dear My Fellow Hoosiers,
Why do you litter? When I moved here in April 2007 there were two things that I noticed right away about the Wabash Valley. -
PAW PRINTS: Enjoy a pet-friendly Valentine’s Day
Every year, the poison control experts see a rise in pet cases around Feb. 14, with many involving chocolate and lilies (a flower that is potentially fatal to cats).
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Greene’s Goose Pond offers Marsh Madness, March 2-4
Special to the Tribune-StarWildlife Area’s annual Marsh Madness bird festival takes place March 2-4 at multiple locations around Greene County.
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WEDDINGS: Feb. 12, 2012
• McBride Menestrina
• Baer-Marshall
• Miller-Lunsford
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ENGAGEMENTS: Feb. 12, 2012
• Archer-Cooper
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VIDEO: On the Banks of the Wabash far away …
Paul Dresser left Terre Haute a niche in history.
Opportunism, squabbling and fading memories gradually washed that gift away, like the unending flow of the Wabash River he immortalized in song.
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Vectren cautions public about snow, ice removal
Vectren Energy Delivery wants to remind customers to proceed with caution when removing snow and ice around natural gas meters at their homes or businesses this winter.
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Workshop to emphasize basics of alpaca farming
A one-day seminar on the fundamentals of alpaca farming is planned for Saturday at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
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Genealogy Society offers free forum
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society is offering a free educational forum titled “Brick Wall Hurdling” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in rooms A, B and C of the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
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PAW PRINTS: Want to adopt a pit bull? Here are some helpful hints
Despite the bad publicity, pit bulls can be very lovable and loyal family dogs. There is a great deal of confusion associated with the label “pit bull.” The most accurate definition refers to two breeds: the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier. Some people include other breeds in this group because they share similar head shapes and body types.
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Purdue Extension to offer diabetes cooking school
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service-Parke County is offering a diabetes cooking school starting Feb. 27.
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Pepsi Community Caps Program to benefit charities
Refreshment Services-Pepsi will kick off its 2012 Community Caps Program on March 1. The Community Caps Program will benefit several charitable organizations and schools in Clay, Parke, Vermillion and Vigo counties in Indiana and Edgar County in Illinois.
- Special Occasions: Feb. 5, 2012
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Serve as 4-H judge, volunteer
The 2012 4-H Bi-State Judges and Leaders Clinic will be Feb. 18 at Ivy Tech Community College’s Main Campus, at 8000 S. Education Drive.
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BRIDGE COLUMN : Feb. 5, 2012
With January now history we can report new faces in both master point races, male and female.
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Tried 'n' True: Upside Down Pizza calls for crescent rolls
When our boys were young, we went every Sunday evening for pizza in Charleston, Ill. When they got to be older and they were working on the farm, I would make pizza from scratch.
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Extension to offer basic food preservation workshops
Purdue University Extension will be offering basic food preservation workshops at Clabber Girl Culinary Classroom in Terre Haute. Two sessions will offer different methods.
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GRAPE SENSE: Trips open my eyes to new wines in new regions
The wine industry spends a lot of money worldwide to promote brands, regions, and wine tourism. One of the many ways the wine industry invests is press trips.
Depending on when you read this column, I’m either in France or just returned from a press trip.
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Clay Habitat plans open house
Habitat for Humanity of Clay County will stage the dedication ceremony and open house for the Mary Ann Hofmann family home from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at 518 E. Ridge St. in Brazil.
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Born to perform: Terre Haute South senior to sing in Carnegie Hall
Soon, the domed ceiling of Carnegie Hall and the archway in the Hayes family kitchen will share a special connection.
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8th District Rep. Bucshon visits CASA volunteers
The U.S Representative of the 8th Congressional District, Larry Bucshon met with CASA volunteers earlier this month to learn more about the Vigo County Court Appointed Special Advocates.
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Paw Prints: Animal protection law ranking hits home
The Humane Society of the United States released the 2011 “Humane State Ranking” of all 50 states and Washington D.C.
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Tried 'n' True: Here's a recipe for all you chocolate lovers
This recipe is for all you chocolate lovers.
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Soybean farmers build state fair building
Since 98 percent of Americans no longer live on farms, Indiana soybean farmers are going to bring the farm to the public in a new exhibit building at the 2012 Indiana State Fair.
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Sign up now for Rockville Public Library’s ebook class
Rockville Public Library will have free demonstrations on how to use ebook readers with its downloadable ebook service, Overdrive.
- Weddings, Anniversaries: Jan. 29, 2012
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Sullivan Foundation looking for Volunteer of Year
The Sullivan County Community Foundation is currently seeking nominations for its “Volunteer of the Year” award to be announced March 29.
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