www . goBEACONnews . com PUBLISHED MONTHLY SINCE 1994 November 2017

Alzheimer ' s Cruise-In

Ripley Crossing recently hosted their Fourth Annual Classic Cruise-In for Alzheimer ' s .

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21,000 distribution & growing ! To advertise , call 812-637-0660

The viability of Lawrenceburg and Aurora becoming the site of the fourth port in Indiana has moved one step closer . The Ports of Indiana Commission entered into an agreement to purchase 725 acres of land to be the potential home of the fourth state port . The Commission has until the end of 2018 to finalize the purchase of the site .

“ While we ’ re only beginning this process , it ’ s hard not to be excited by the prospect of a fourth port in Indiana ,” stated Gov . Holcomb . “ The economic benefits to the region and the state as a whole would be game-changing — providing new jobs and development opportunities .”

The Ports of Indiana is a self-funded enterprise whose mission is to generate economic growth and tax dollars for Indiana . The entity receives no tax dollars from state or local governments . All of the port revenue is reinvested into infrastructure .

The Ports of Indiana has been evaluating multiple locations in southeast Indiana for potential port development and has chosen the Tanners Creek facility as a favorable site for further analysis . The next step in the purchasing process is for the Ports of Indiana to conduct studies evaluating the economic and environmental viability of the site . If the location meets the state ' s environmental and economic viability study process , the purchase of the property will

move forward and could be finalized by December 2018 .

" This announcement that plans for the port are moving forward is big ," said Aurora Mayor Donnie Hastings . " But I do know that it ' s going to take some time to create a fully built out port . The result will be a lot of good-paying jobs ." Mayor Hastings sits on the Southeastern Indiana Regional Port Authority and was chairman of the committee for two years .

Currently , three ports are located in Indiana in Bruns Harbor on Lake Michigan , and on the Ohio River in Mt . Vernon and Jeffersonville . The Tanners Creek site would complete the span of port locations on the southern border of Indiana .

The concept of a fourth port for Indiana was broached by then-governor Mike Pence during his final State of the State Address . Indiana ' s last port was completed in 1985 , over three decades ago . The ports in Indiana are important

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Salute to Our Veterans

BEACON readers share stories of area veterans .

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Reindeer and Cheer

Whitetail Acres share their beautiful reindeer with neighbors . Pages 19

Puppy Therapy

A once-homeless dog new helps others read . Page 13

PRSRT STD U . S . POSTAGE

PAID DAYTON , OHIO Permit No . 41

This life-sized mock pachyderm sits on the edge of State Route 262 in Dillsboro . Learn more in Dillsboro ' s community column on page 17 .

Unique sculptures and items are located throughout our communities . Many have very interesting stories behind them . Visit the correspondents ' articles to learn more about each of these fun landmarks .

This arrow hit the spot in Bright . See page 16 .

By Susan Ray

The spirits of the pioneers who came to fell trees , haul field stones , and build a future have been carried through time by stories shared over family meals , and in well-worn letters handed from parent to child . These connections to the earliest settlers in Dearborn County remain as tangible as stone churches and as steady as the ticking of an heirloom clock .

On Saturday , Oct . 14 , families from around the corner and across the country are invited to learn about the settlers who lived along the banks of Tanner ’ s Creek . During this free , day-long event , the public can interact with costumed guides and take tours of historically significant places such as the West Fork Cemetery , the Angevine Cabin , and the Ewbank ancestral home . They can also listen in on a conversation between Jacob Blasdel and John Ewbank .

“ There ’ s a rich history here in Dearborn County of pioneers ,” says Gary Gellert , president of the Lt . Jacob Blasdel

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For years , this donkey has popped up in various spots in Manchester . Read about his history on page 20 .

An interesting item has become an historic icon for travellers in Bear Branch for almost five years .

The Dearborn County Redevelopment Commission reviewed several significant proposals and approved a number of changes in TIF districts throughout Dearborn County during their recent meeting . One Dearborn executive director , Terri Randall presented updated plans for St . Leon , West Aurora , and West Harrison . Ms . Randall has been amending area redevelopment plans and supporting documents that had not been revised since 1999 and 2006 respectively . The process for approval of the revised TIF Plans began at the Sept . 21 meeting where the Redevelopment Commission approved a Declaratory Resolution for the amendments of the TIF ' s . Approval of the Resolution must then be given by The Board of Commissions , after which public hearings will be held . The final step is for the Board of Commissions to approve a Confirmatory Resolution .

The St . Leon Economic Development Plan states that the Commission will respond to opportunities to improve the marketability of the St . Leon Economic Development area as funds become available through tax revenue or other sources . They plan to continue efforts to obtain land that is marketable for building sites . Each site will be evaluated based on the investment needed to grade and fill the sites to buildable status and marketability for the proper projects .

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John Ewbank decendant , Robert Ewbank pointed out the size of his ancestors ' hands in this photograph , remarking that those were the hands of hardworking people

THE BEACON PO Box 4022 Lawrenceburg , Indiana 47025

Covering Dearborn , Ripley , Franklin and Ohio Counties in Indiana and to nearby Ohio communities .