Local business owner and noted community activist, Rock Rice passes away
We have been made aware of the passing of Rocky Rice, long time local restauranter, most recently the owner of Rocky’s Pizza. While few details are known at this point relating to his death, it is believed that Rocky had deep depression, which grew over recent months. Thoughts are with the family and many loved ones of Rocky.
Rocky, 62, was a spirited individual with a passion for community service. He was a lover of horses, and often rode through town, fully equipped with a cowboy hat and side pistol. He will be missed by many . . .
Woman sentenced to over six years in Federal Prison for back-to-back bank robberies
Shamiya Hunt, 37, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 76 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to bank robbery and attempted bank robbery while on supervised release for a previous heroin trafficking conviction. According to court documents, on October 25, 2022, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Hunt entered a Chase Bank in Speedway, Indiana, approached the bank teller and gave her a note demanding that she put money in the bag, and if she did no one would get hurt. In response, the teller pressed her panic button alarm and walked away from her station. Hunt left the bank without receiving any money.
An hour later, Hunt entered the Regions Bank located at 86th Street in Indianapolis. Again, she approached the bank teller and gave her a note demanding that she put the money in the bag so no one will get hurt. After receiving the note, the teller gave Hunt $750 in cash. As she left the Regions Bank, an employee saw her get into the back seat of a maroon Honda Accord with body damage and a busted taillight. FBI agents located the getaway car approximately an hour later and arrested her. During questioning, Hunt admitted to the attempted robbery of the Chase Bank and the robbery of the Regions Bank.
Hunt was released from federal prison in March 2022, after serving a 10-year sentence for heroin trafficking. She was sentenced to 30 months in prison for violating the terms of her supervised release.
Franklin Community High School Teacher named Indiana Teacher of the Year
The Indiana Department of Education today announced that Eric Jenkins, an English teacher at Franklin Community High School, has been named the 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year. Jenkins teaches tenth grade honors/general English/language arts, as well as Indiana University’s Advanced College Project (ACP) Composition Course W131. Now in his thirteenth year of teaching, Jenkins began his career at the American Christian Academy in Ibadan, Nigeria in 2007, and moved back to the U.S. in 2008 to teach in Trussville, Alabama.
An Indiana native, Jenkins returned to central Indiana after receiving a Master of Science in Literacy from the State University of New York in 2013 to teach at Franklin Community High School. In addition to the completion of his Master’s work, Jenkins has a Master’s certificate in High Ability Education, and pursued additional training in order to strengthen his classroom instruction and teach W131 for dual credit.
As Indiana Teacher of the Year, Jenkins will work to help elevate the teaching profession in Indiana, as well as represent Hoosier teachers at the national level.
More information about the Indiana Teacher of the Year program is available here.
39th Annual Community Book Fair! Hoosier Hills Food Bank
October 12th through 17th at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
- This year’s book fair will fill two buildings with over 100,000 books, DVDs, CDs, LPs, games, puzzles and other items at affordable prices to support the food bank’s work. There will be a large selection of children’s books and collectible “Better Books,” which will also include a selection of vintage vinyl LPs.
- Thursday, October 12th, 9am- 7pm – $10 Admission. Veteran’s Appreciation Day – veterans and active duty military admitted free, Monroe County Veteran’s Services info table. Little Bowl Thai food truck, HHFB’s new truck.
- Friday, October 13th, 9am-7pm – FREE Admission. Free spooky t-shirt if you spend $50 while supplies last. Pili’s Taco Party food truck.
- Saturday, October 14th, 9am-6pm – FREE Admission. Curious George Day. Free Curious George Haunted Halloween book for kids while supplies last. B97 live remote broadcast with games and prizes. Arepa food truck.
- Sunday, October 15th, 9am-6pm – FREE Admission. Half-price Day! Heroes Day! All items half-price. Meet Monroe Fire District firefighters. Little Bowl Thai food truck.
- Monday, October 16th, 9am-6pm – FREE Admission. $10 Bag It Day. Fill unlimited bags for $10 each. Better Books $20 Bag It – limit one.
- Tuesday, October 17th, 9am-6pm – FREE Admission. $5 Bag It Day. Fill unlimited bags for $5 each. Better Books closed.Better Books and some other items are individually priced, but pricing for most items is consistent: Hardback Books $3, Paperback Books $1; Children’s Hardbacks $1, Children’s Paperbacks 50 cents; DVDs $2; CDs $1; LPs & VHS 50 cents.A food drive for HHFB will also take place during the entire fair. Bring a non-perishable food donation and receive a $1 book buck coupon. Kids under 18 who bring a food donation will receive a free book coupon.
Indiana State Park Inns booking for 25% off
Fall in LOVE 25% off SpecialNow through Nov. 22, 2023, stay 2 consecutive nights, Sunday through Thursday and save 25%. Certain restrictions may apply. (Blackout dates may apply to certain locations.)
This Week in Hoosier History
1862 – Pleasant A. Hackleman of Franklin County died at Corinth, Mississippi. He was the only Civil War General from Indiana to be killed in action.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson