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Written by Chandra Mattingly [Staff Reporter]
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Friday, 30 October 2009 |
 Dalton McMurray, 6, pets Tajardi right after the dog finishes an attack demonstration. McMurray is the son of Rodney and Jennifer McMurray.
Can a dog trained to attack someone also be gentle enough for a child to pet?
And what should a child trapped in a burning house do if he or she hears Darth Vader?
Youngsters at Moores Hill Elementary School learned the answers to these and other questions Friday, Oct. 9.
Coordinated by first grade teacher Krista Hensley and Moores Hill Town Marshall Brent Casebolt, the afternoon program replaced what usually is a first-grade field trip through town, said Casebolt. But because of rainy weather, the first graders instead gathered in the school gym with kindergartners and second-graders for demonstrations and information.
“We usually take them for a walk and they check out the bank and the post office, then we go to the fire department,” said Casebolt.
This year, the Moores Hill-Sparta Township Fire Department came to them, as did the Aurora Fire Department’s educational smokehouse, Indiana State Troopers Ben Bastin and Jeff Cumberworth, and Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department Captain Gator Hartsburg, Sgt. Jon Evans, Deputy Brian Janson, and K-9 unit Deputy Kenny McAllister and Tajardi.
Trooper Cumberworth was the first speaker, explaining to the youngsters both he and Bastin primarily do traffic patrol in their unmarked cycle and car. But Cumberworth also escorts the President on his trips to Indiana, as well as certain funerals and bicycle rides.
The Mustang is more suited to interstate patrol, and is “souped up” to catch speeders, said Cumberworth. Recently, Bastin stopped a motorcycle that was going 126 mph through Lawrenceburg, said Cumberworth.
Currently, Bastin is driving a blue Mustang, but that may change.
“We’ve got all colors, we’ve got red, black, blue ... so beware of the Mustang,” said Cumberworth. As soon as motorists become accustomed to one color and start watching for it, ISP switches Bastin to a different color car.
State, county and local police do a lot of the same functions, said Casebolt.
“We’ll work traffic, we’ll work thefts,” he said.
“When any of you need help, if you’re lost, if you’re in an accident, if you’re hurt ... we’re here to help you. ... Don’t be scared,” said Casebolt. The police have access to a national database to track missing children and senior citizens, as well as stolen cars, he said.
“Please don’t test it tonight!” he said. Then he reminded the children that dialing 911 will bring police, even if someone has dialed it in fun and hung up. Please don’t dial it unless help is needed, because it routes emergency personnel to respond, and may endanger someone else in real trouble at the same time, he said.
Both Casebolt and McAllister told the youngsters about Tasers, which provide an alternative to deadly force for stopping a suspect.
Then McAllister introduced his 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, explaining the dog was imported from the Netherlands at a cost of $10,000. Outfitting the animal and the cruiser, schooling costs and other costs added another $24,000, said McAllister.
The dog also has a protective vest, funded by a Manchester Boy Scout troop’s fishing derby, he said.
Tajardi is a dual-purpose K-9, able to track, to find narcotics and other drugs, and to attack, said McAllister. Yet he also is very social, and can be petted immediately after an attack.
“He knows the difference,” said McAllister, who then proceeded to demonstrate the dog’s abilities. Ron Cash, parent of a Moores Hill student, obligingly put on a bite suit and let himself be attacked by the dog, to the laughter of the children as Tajardi’s feet scrabbled for purchase on the slick gym floor.
Afterward, Tajardi was petted by several youngsters.
Later, fire department members spoke to the students about fire safety and emergency medical runs.
Introducing firefighter Bobbi Elza, firefighter George Arnes said, “She’ll come in like Darth Vader. She’ll call your name. ... Don’t be scared.” A kid who is trapped in a burning home should call out or go to the firefighter, even though the firefighter will sound and somewhat look like Darth Vader.
Then Derrick Stevens, both firefighter and emergency medical technician, told the kids they would most likely see him if they called 911. He and all the other MH-STFD EMTs are volunteers, he said.
“We love to do it,” said Stevens, adding sometimes life squads from Dillsboro and Aurora also respond to Moores Hill.
He reminded the youngsters to always wear their seat belts in a vehicle.
Then, with the rain down to a fine mist, the first graders got to tour fire trucks, an ambulance and the smokehouse, as well as pet Tajardi and inspect police cruisers with their lights flashing.
Casebolt said the field day event was started at least four years ago by first grade teacher Kelly Bridges, who now teaches at Manchester.
“It’s just carried on. ... The kids loved it and we’ve done it every since,” said Casebolt. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 13 November 2009 )
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Written by Register Staff
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Monday, 26 October 2009 |
Funeral services for Annie Hensley, 87, Harrson, were Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at Jackman Kercheval Meyers Funeral Home, Harrison, with burial in Napier Cemetery, at Bledsoe, Harlan County, Ky.
Mrs. Hensley died Monday, Oct. 19, in Cincinnati. She was a homemaker and a member of Auburn Old Time Holiness Church.
She is survived by her husband Bige Hensley; a daughter, Jean Lucas, Okeana, Ohio; three sons, Paul Hensley, Guilford, Blevins Hensley, Harrison, and Danny Hensley, Liberty, Ind.; a sister, Cinda Gordon, Arlington, Texas; four brothers, Frank Napier, Corbin, Ky., Donald Givens, Rosehill, Va., Dallas Givens, Illinois, and Arthur Givens, Anderson, Ind.; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 09 November 2009 )
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Written by Register Staff
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Monday, 26 October 2009 |
Funeral Services for Cora “Corky” Mae Stevens, 88, Dillsboro, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at Filter-DeVries Funeral Home, Dillsboro, with burial in Elizabethtown Cemetery. Visitation is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the funeral home.
Mrs. Stevens died Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Waters of Dillsboro. She worked for 35 years at Elizavethtown schools as a cook and loved flowers. She was a member of Dillsboro United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Earl Stevens; a daughter, Linda Starker, Aurora; two stepdaughters, Sharon Cutter, Aurora, and Debbie Graver, Enon, Ohio; three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Memorial may be made to Dillsboro United Methodist Church or the Dillsboro Life Squad.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 09 November 2009 )
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Written by Register Staff
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Monday, 26 October 2009 |
Funeral services for Hattie Louise Brady, 70, Rising Sun, were Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at Rising Sun Church of Christ. Markland Funeral Home, Rising Sun, was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Brady died Thursday, Oct. 22, Aurora.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 09 November 2009 )
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