(1) Robert Lee Buchanan of Markland Pike was arrested in connection with bomb threats that were called in to local schools; and also the armed robbery of the East Enterprise branch of the MainSource Bank. School officials at Switzerland County and Rising Sun received warnings that there were bombs in the school buildings, and shortly thereafter a masked gunman entered the bank and demanded money. An investigation led authorities to the home of Robert Buchanan, where evidence was discovered linking him to the crimes.
(2) Discussions were ongoing about what to do with the alignment of the county’s elementary schools. Public meetings were held about whether or not the county should build a new elementary school to take the place of Jefferson-Craig; and if districts should be redrawn in order to better balance the enrollment of the two elementary schools.
(3) The Switzerland County Pacer boys varsity basketball team captured the championship of the Rivertown Classic tournament, which also featured South Dearborn, Lawrenceburg, and Rising Sun. Senior Travis Webster was honored as the tournament’s MVP.
(4) The Switzerland County School Board welcomed two new members and welcomed back one returnee. After moving the school board elections from the primary election to the general election, members Virgil McKay, Vern Waltz, and Andy Truitt were sworn in at a January meeting. Andy Truitt began his second term on the board, while Virgil McKay and Vern Waltz were elected for the first time.
(5) Jack Ranz and Kenny Griffin were both honored by the Switzerland County School Endowment Corporation in recognition of their work and dedication to the endowment. The endowment uses riverboat revenue sharing funds to support activities and programs at county schools.
(6) Amanda Hon and Zach Knaus were crowned as the Queen and King of the 2007 Homecoming at Switzerland County High School. First runners up were Anna Bell and Bryan Levell; second runners up were Ashley Bright and Aarron Woeste; and other candidates included: Sara Craig, Hannah Findley, Brenna Green, Jill Hazeldean, Kayla Konkle, Sydney Pike, Sammi Smith, Kris Hetrick, Jordan Hinman, Aaron Moore, T.J. Sefton, Joe Spoores, Chris Tobias, and Travis Webster.
(7) The Patriot Town Council was busy coordinating improvements to the Patriot Water Company. Warm weather in January had pushed the improvement project ahead of schedule.
(8) In a scheduling quirk, Switzerland County played two varsity basketball games at the same time on the same day. After Southwestern was forced to reschedule its home game with the Switzerland County boys team because of a wrestling meet conflict, the only solution was to move the game to a Tuesday night – which happened to be the same night and time that the girls varsity team was hosting Jac-Cen-Del.
(9) The Dow Corning Foundation awarded a grant to the Switzerland County High School science department for use in purchasing equipment and supplies for science classes. On hand for the presentation were Scott Niswonger and Steve Crabtree from Dow Corning; as well as science teacher Bonnie Fancher, principal Candis Haskell, and superintendent Tracy Caddell.
(10) The Community Foundation of Switzerland County welcomed three new members to its board of directors: Joy Briggs, Roger Parrott, and Rita Sullivan. The board also elected officers for 2007: president Cindy Welch, vice president Sandy Althoff, secretary Jennifer Scudder, and treasurer Darin Gullion. They join current board members Craig Bond, Bobbi Marksberry, Rose Monjar, and Helen Parks.