Sept. 3, 2014
Because I like planes and blue skies and golden fields.
Aug. 20, 2014
Firefighters suspect a lightning strike sparked a fire that destroyed a 150-year-old barn near Elizabethtown at about 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Owner Joyce Bolton said she was in disbelief as she watched the firefighters attempting to save the barn at 7561 S. County Road 750E. By 7:30 p.m., the structure was flattened, with only blackened farm equipment in the rubble. She said she didn’t know what the family would do next. Volunteer firefighters from six area fire departments worked together to haul in 200,000 gallons of water that was poured on the barn for nearly five hours. Firefighters were still at the scene at 7:30 p.m., working to put out remaining hot spots in the smoldering barn.
July 14, 2026
Jon Repp of Milhon Air releases fungicide from a crop dusting plane over Gary Meyer’s corn field recently in Elizabethtown. The Columbus resident, a licensed pilot since 1993, used to fly freight and has been crop dusting for two years. The key to this sometimes dangerous task, Repp says, is flying six to ten feet above the tops of the corn, all the while maneuvering around obstacles like trees and power lines. “Any higher, and (the spray) can drift,” he said. “Fly too low and it splatters.”
July 9, 2026
Melanie Hasler navigates poles with horse Twister as she competes in the Horse and Pony Contesting event Monday, July 7, 2014, at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair.
July 7, 2026
Columbus firefighters work to extinguish a blaze outside the Faurecia plant Monday morning, July 7, 2014.
March 29, 2026
A few of my light painting illustrations of local artist Faye Ann Morris and her craft appear in today’s spring edition of Columbus Magazine. Many thanks to Faye Ann and her husband Ron for being tremendous sports for this little experiment, which required them to sit in their darkened home for a couple hours while I jumped around with flashlights, laser pointers and light-up children’s toys. I thought this photographic technique matched well with Faye Ann’s artistic style and brilliant spirit.
Feb. 22, 2014
The birds of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators
Part of the mission of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators is to treat and release native Indiana wildlife back to its habitat. Some animals, however, must remain in captivity if they are no longer able to survive in the wild. If comfortable and cosmetically sound, these animals begin a new career as educators to help teach the public about local wildlife. “You want people to be impressed with the beauty of these animals,” said Kathy Hershey, who heads the center and gives presentations across the state. There are approximately 30 birds at Utopia, and some of their back stories are just as interesting as their appearances.
Parker, a turkey vulture sometimes lovingly referred to as “Parker Boo Jellybean,” is the center’s celebrity bird. He is “malimprinted” and was captured because he was harassing people by untying their shoelaces. He occasionally vomits in the presence of company.
Gareck, an eastern screech owl, was hit by a car and suffered detached retinas. He can see a little, but not well enough to hunt.
Princess Arabella, a peregrine falcon, is a former falconry bird raised in captivity. She has a large personality and is exceptional as an educational bird, but she does not mix well with members of her own species. She has killed two of them.
Squeaky Pete (left), a broad-winged hawk, was raised by humans and is “malimprinted,” which means he does not identify himself as a hawk. Instead, he thinks he’s a person, so he would never be able to have a wild mate. Kiki (right), an American kestrel, was also hit by a car. Although she regained her strength at the center, her flying abilities are restricted. After rehabilitation, birds are tested in an outdoor enclosure with live prey to see if they are eligible for release. “She flunked mouse college,” said Hershey.
Roswell, a barn owl, came to the center at 2 days old from a zoo. Wild adult barn owls do not behave well in captivity, so zoos breed them specifically for educational purposes.
