The Patriot Community Voice
News from Patriot/ Posey Township and Beyond
February 20, 2025 Column
By: Mike Jones
I hope more people will take the time to read the Patriot Community Voice. My goal is to incorporate my newspaper column with news around our community. We have, at least for now, lost our local newspaper, and I hope to fill part of that void with the Patriot Community Voice. If anyone would like to submit news or information for the public, please submit information to me. The Patriot Community Voice will come out every Thursday afternoon. It will be available online at the vevaynews.com website as well as the Patriot General Store and the Patriot Baptist Church. As I expand the publication, I hope to leave copies in other areas around the county. I would also welcome ideas and thoughts from readers on my publication going forward.
The Patriot Community Voice is officially registered with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office. Hopefully, more good news will come!
History of the Patriot Posey Schools Part IV. As written by Guy Harris
With the consolidation of all of the Switzerland County Schools. The Patriot High School students were transferred to Vevay in 1969. All of the elementary students were then moved to the former high school building. The original, old high school building was torn down after a century of use as a building for the education of Patriot/Posey Township youths. When the building was demolished, it was found that the walls were still straight, and the timbers were as sound as they were 100 years ago. (On a side note, I remember watching them tear that building down, and I can still feel the sadness that I felt that day.) The elementary students continued in the old highschool building until January 13, 1978, when the Patriot High School was destroyed by fire of unknown origin. At one time there were 11 schools in Posey Township including Patriot Quercus Grove, and the one-room schools in each community. So, after 165 years, Patriot and Posey Township have no school. During those many years, many boys and girls have received a very fine education plus moral attitudes that can be attended. Many students have gone out into the world into all professions and vocations.
Historical History (Incidental bits of history) of Patriot School Buildings as told by Guy Harris
From 1923-1925 Grades 1-4 attended school in the old Universalist Church Building Miss Dorothy Olcott taught her first class in this building, which was the graduating class of 1935. (Miss Dorothy was my 1st and 2nd Grade teacher- Mike Jones.) The church had a basement with a stage which was used for high school plays, and the Alumni Association presented plays each year there to raise money to buy things for the school. My grandfather, Marshall Cook attended school in the old Universalist Church Building.
I attended the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education in Plainfield this past week. Indianapolis has changed so much in recent years. The city has grown so much in its metropolitan area. One of the last parts to grow has been the southeastern area. The city/county built the new Justice Center in the Twin Aire neighborhood off Southeastern Avenue. The site was the former home of a large Citizens Gas power plant. It encompasses the Assessment and Intervention Center, a mental health and addiction treatment center, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Courthouse and other county offices. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the surrounding area as more workers and traffic will create a need for more amenities.
Posey Township Resident Remodeling Historic Hotel in Vevay
Alisha Detmer earns Honorable Mention All American at NKU
As I reported a few weeks ago, I reported that Allen and Michelle Detmer and family were the new owners of the historic Vevay Swiss Inn. They are doing lots of renovations on the rooms, which look beautiful! The Vevay Swiss Inn at one time was a popular destination for people in the tristate, offering rooms as well as a very popular steakhouse. Thanks to the Detmers for this investment in a historic business in our community. Alisha Detmer, a student at Northern Kentucky University and a member of the NKU Division 1 Triathlon Team, was named Honorable Mention All American, for her performance at the Nationals competition as well as earning a 4.0 GPA. Alisha is a Pre-Med Chemistry major at NKU. Congratulations Alisha!
Update on the 275 Carroll Cropper Bridge
If you commute across the Lawrenceburg 275 Carroll Cropper Bridge, you know that the bridge has been under repair with traffic delays for several weeks. The Kentucky Transportation Department recently released a statement that the work will continue through late summer, as more work is going to be required than was originally anticipated.
Georgetown College Visit
I enjoyed a trip to my alma mater, Georgetown College in Kentucky on Saturday to watch the men and women basketball teams play Campbellsville College. The men won their game, while the women lost after leading for most of the game. I enjoyed visiting with longtime friend, Happy Osborne. Happy coached at Georgetown College for 15 years with a record of 456-84, including an NAIA National Championship in 1998. He was also an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech University and head coach at Kentucky Wesleyan. Happy and his wife are both retired now and reside in Georgetown. Georgetown has changed so much since I started school there in the mid 70’s. Toyota came there in the early 1980’s and the city has grown enormously since.
Patriot Food Distribution Progress
The new Patriot Food Distribution project is progressing and will be opening soon. The Food Bank will be housed at the Town Hall. Watch for more news to come.
Patriot Post Office
The 45 Day window is still open to send comments to the USPS on the Patriot Post Office which has been closed now for several months. The owners of the previous and longtime location of the Post Office, Fehrman Realty of Lawrenceburg, recently told the Patriot Town Board that they have offered to renovate their building to return the Post Office to their building.
Indiana University Searching for new Men’s Basketball Coach
Indiana University is searching for a new men’s basketball coach after four year coach and former Indiana and NBA standout player, Mike Woodson, announced his retirement after the current season ends. Indiana is expected to make a decision quickly after the season due to the necessity of recruiting for the next season. Woodson is the fifth coach since longtime coach Bobby Knight left in 2000, after coaching at IU for twenty-nine years.
New School Board Member for Posey Township
The Switzerland County School Board of Education will choose a new member to represent Posey Township on the School Board at their meeting on Monday, February 23, 2025. Joe Bennett, who had served as the Posey Township Board member for several years, had to resign due to being elected to serve as a County Commissioner.
New Patriot RV Park Update
Work on the new Patriot RV Park has slowed down in recent weeks due to inclement weather. The goal for opening is still April. They will have 41 RV hook-up spots. A welcome addition to our town and commumity!
Posey Township Resident, Bryce Turner Off to a Great Start for Southwest Tennessee Community College!
Bryce Turner has started the college baseball season off with a bang! The team is off to a 9-2 start, and Bryce is currently 2nd in the conference in RBI’s with 17, and 3rd in Home Runs with 4. He was conference player of the week, with three home runs, one of them being a grand slam. Bryce is the son of Mike and Mindy Turner of Searcy Ridge, and the grandson of Larry and Ann Monjar, and Wayne and Sandy Ellegood. We will keep everyone posted as Bryce’s season progresses!
Switzerland County High School Wrestler Going to State Finals
Switzerland County High School Wrestler, Peyton Richards has advanced to the IHSAA Wrestling State Championships to be held in Indianapolis on February 22, 2025. Richards claimed his third straight regional crown this year and won his first semi-state competition. Good luck to Peyton in the state championship meet!
Cam Craig and Pacers Will Play Last Home Game on Friday
The Switzerland County Pacers will play Jac Cen Del on Friday night in their last home game of the season. Seniors will be recognized that night including Cam Craig, Kadyn Riley, Carson Griffith, Drew Wilks and Cooper Todd, as well as cheerleaders, Macy Cook, Amy Wendell and McKira Scudder.
Switzerland County Schools Last Day will now be May 23, 2025
Switzerland County Schools were on a Snow Day on Thursday. Superintendent Rod Hite announced that the make-up day will be on May 23, 2025. So, as of today, May 23 will be the official last day of school. That date could change if there are more cancellations due to inclement weather.
River Road Closed West of Vevay
State Road 56 is closed west of Vevay due to water being over the road. Hopefully the Ohio River will crest soon and the water level will recede.
That is all for this week’s edition of the Patriot Community Voice. Please send news to me to 812-290-3088 or mike1405@earthlink.net (mailto:mike1405@earthlink.net). Until the next time, in the words of the Glen Campbell song, remember to & try a little kindness and shine your light for everyone you meet.