(1) A federal lawsuit was filed against the Switzerland County School Corporation and superintendent Tracy Caddell. The lawsuit, filed by Susan Jill Cord of near Vevay, contends that her First Amendment rights to free speech were violated when she was suspended from her teaching job by the superintendent after a meeting that she had as a concerned citizen to address some issues about the schools.
The school corporation later responded officially to the lawsuit, disputing the claims set forth.
(2) Wayne Daugherty was sworn in as the newest member of the Switzerland County School Board – a position he used to hold. Following Wilma Swango’s resignation from the board to accept the position of corporation treasurer – a job she used to hold, the remaining board members interviewed candidates to replace Wilma Swango, and settled on Wayne Daugherty, who served on the board previously for four years.
(3) School corporation employees Ivan Green, Connie Ingels, and Larry Gault were honored at a meeting of the school board for having perfect attendance during the previous school year.
(4) Switzerland County teachers Bonnie Fancher and Cynthia Griffith were honored as the District Educators of the Year by the American Legion. At the American Legion’s state convention, both teachers were honored, with Bonnie Fancher also being named as the State Secondary Educator of the Year.
(5) The Switzerland County Council and Commissioners announced that the new county jail and the courthouse addition have been paid off. The note was paid off ahead of schedule using riverboat revenue sharing funds – with no taxpayer dollars going to either project.
(6) Dru Morgan and Daniel Welch were crowned as the Princess and Prince of the 2007 Swiss Wine Festival. The festival was held in August, with large crowds again coming to the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park for four days of fun and activities.
(7) The Ridge Winery was awarded three medals at the Indy International Wine Competition, the largest win competition in the country. The Ridge Winery’s “Wild Cherry Wine” earned the competition’s prestigious “Concordance Gold” medal.
(8) Both political parties in Vevay held caucuses to determine candidates for the Vevay Town Council. The Republicans nominated Tye Sullivan, Ben Schoenhoft, and Kirk Works; while the Democrats nominated George Altepeter, Pete Furnish, and Jamie Hayes.
(9) Charlie Jester of near Moorefield was honored by being named as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Grand Festival Parade at the Swiss Wine Festival. He led the parade with his team of draft horses.
(10) Among those winning other titles at the Swiss Wine Festival were: Carrie Truax, Teen Princess; Emma Jae Sullivan, Little Miss Swiss; and Kara Hudson was named the Female Swiss Ambassador.