Valley Life
Conservation officers recognize officer, civilians for conduct and heroism
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.
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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
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Terre Haute once built 'finest minor league baseball park'
Only a select few saw Memorial Stadium from Ernie Woods’ vantage. Under the summer sun, he roamed the outfield for the Terre Haute Phillies in 1950. The ballpark turned 25 years old that season.
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Military notes: March 14, 2010
Milissa Strickland Fowler of Cheyenne, Wyo., daughter of Bob and Mary Strickland, formerly from Clinton, was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant in the Wyoming Air National Guard on Jan. 21.
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‘The Aristocracy of the Plains’ on tap at library
Come to the Vigo County Public Library from 12:10 to 1 p.m. Thursday for the Brown Bag Program “The Aristocracy of the Plains: An Immigrant Experience.”
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Audubon Society meeting to Return to the Wild
The March 17 meeting of the Wabash Valley Audubon Society will feature six real live birds of prey from Return to the Wild.
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Bridge column: March 14, 2010
Most of our players have under 1,000 master points. Top player of this group this year is Tom Roberts, but his lead over Don Reuland is a scant 0.06.
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Engagements: March 14, 2010
- Waters-Stewart
- Edwards-Victory
- McKinney-Isbell
- Sutton-Burns
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Weddings: March 14, 2010
- Emmert-Kinnebrew
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GRAPE SENSE: Chenin Blanc dominated white wine scene until late ’70s
Specific wines come in and out of vogue every few decade. There’s been much debate about the movie Sideways’ impact on Pinot Noir and Merlot sales.
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Willa Cather comes to life at library brown bag
Betty J. Steinshouer will bring Willa Cather, this year’s Big Read author, to life at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday during the Vigo County Public Library Brown Bag Program.
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Bridge Column: March 7, 2010
Terre Haute Bridge Club president Joanna Hebermehl urges all members to attend the annual membership meeting on Tuesday. The evening starts with a potluck carry-in at 5, meeting at 6 and bridge game at 7.
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