News
Benefits held and planned for Carthage family
Community ready to help during rebuilding process
In the days and weeks that have followed the tragic Jan. 2 fire which claimed the life of Carthage youth, 5-year-old Braden E. Westmoreland, benefits have been held with more planned for the survivors: Josh Davis, Ashley Watkins and their 5-month old child who escaped the blaze.
The benefits are being held in an effort to help rebuild the family’s lives.
Carthage hosted a chili cook-off and bake sale Saturday in the rural northwestern Rush County community and an unconfirmed report indicated that more than $1,000 was generated from the effort.
A local fundraising effort will be held Feb. 9 at the Westside Bar, 715 West Second Street, Rushville.
The local establishment will play host to two bands, Lost Kauze of Indianapolis and House Arrest of Metamora. The $10 admission cost for a couple ($7 for a single admission) will include a hog roast dinner and other activities, with all proceeds going to the young family.
Davis and Watkins are in their early 20s, and if losing a child was not tragic enough the couple also lost their home and all personal belongings.
Collection of household items, hygiene items, non-perishable food, bedding and clothing are currently underway.
The family escaped with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
Immediate needs include baby boy clothes sizes 12 to 18 months and diapers size 3 to 4.
The parents are in need of clothing items as well. Watkins, large tops, pants size 14 and shoes size 8 1/2 and Davis, 2X shirts, 38x34 pants and shoes size 12 to 13.
A trust fund for those in a position to financially assist the family was set up in the days that followed the fire at First Financial Bank with branches in Carthage and Rushville.
Additional information regarding the February benefit can be obtained from Mary Messer (765) 938-1485 or Michele Durham (765) 932-2130.
Rushville Mayor Merv Bostic recently relayed information that two individuals — Gary Ralston and Mike Gibson of the Carthage area — are raising funds to demolish and rebuild the home destroyed by the fire.
According to Bostic, the pair, with the assistance of others, are in the early stages of lining up contractors and are in the process of procuring lumber and other needed supplies for the project. Bostic has also put out a request to city employees to help with this project on their own time if they are so inclined and able to do so.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
- News
-
-
ISP closes Connersville Post
The Indiana State Police Post serving our area relocated from Rushville to Connersville in 1938. Since that time, the post known as “Old Post 6” has been a fixture south of Connersville on State Road 1.
- Labor Day signals end of summer Labor Day weekend represents the unofficial end of summer for many people. By early September, the kids are back in school, crops are maturing and soon the fall harvest will be in full swing.
- Commissioners to ban “K2” Mark Fields of the Rush County Probation office, Rush County Sheriff’ Jeff Sherwood and RCHS assistant principal Rob Hadley, representing the Local Coordinating Council, attended Monday’s county commissioner meeting and requested a countywide ban on what is marketed as a incense and known as Spice or K2.
- First Friday heating up downtown Rushville is heating up for this Friday’s “First Friday” event.
- All the ladies (not just the single ones)! The Rush County Players announce auditions for their upcoming production of The Daughters of the Lone Star State.
-
Orme makes history at State Fair
What has one young lady accomplished that has never before been accomplished by a Rush County 4-H member?
- RMH Brian’s Cause walk raises $18,000 In late 2006, lifelong Rushville resident and 1981 RCHS graduate Brian Conner was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
-
Board approves new attorney in RPD’s Lane firing
The Rushville Board of Public Works and Safety approved hiring outside legal counsel in the dismissal of Patrolman Chris Lane’s litigation at a special meeting Tuesday at City Hall.
- Franklin County manufacturer to expand Rubber products producer, Sperry and Rice Manufacturing Co. LLC, has announced it is expanding its manufacturing operations here, creating up to 40 new jobs by the end of 2010.
- Franklin County manufacturer to expand Rubber products producer, Sperry and Rice Manufacturing Co. LLC, has announced it is expanding its manufacturing operations here, creating up to 40 new jobs by the end of 2010.
- More News Headlines
-






