Stories from Tuesday, February 25, 2020

INDIANAPOLIS –The individual tax season is upon us and while that may sound scary, dealing with a ghost tax preparer is downright frightening. Ghost tax preparers are individuals who pose as trusted tax professionals, but mislead innocent taxpayers to unknowingly commit tax fraud. Often, ghost preparers promise a big refund or charge fees based on the percentage of an inflated refund, by claiming fake deductions or filing false information – all so they make a quick profit...

Dorothy F. Lawson, age 67, of Linton, passed away at 10:16 am on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at Oak Village Nursing Home. She was born in Indianapolis on Nov. 16, 1952, the daughter of Lloyd V. and Ivory M. (Dixon) Lawson. She was a homemaker and enjoyed ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, being one of the leaders in raising numerous funds. ...

Russell “Rusty” Eugene Miller, Jr. 62, of Linton, passed away at 4:28 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 at the Villages at Oakridge in Washington. Born May 23, 1957 in Greene County, he was the son of Russell Eugene Sr. and Marilyn (Newman) Miller. He was a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union. He was a member of the Switz City Masonic Lodge and enjoyed basketball and watching NASCAR...

On Feb. 22, 2020, shortly after 10 p.m., a masked assailant entered into the Country Porch gas station, located on the west side of Linton, according to a press release from the Linton Police Department. The perpetrator displayed a firearm and threatened the cashier, demanding that the cashier provide money from the register. The perpetrator then exited the store and fled...

Frederick Ray Ridge, Jr., MD, age 71, passed away surrounded by family, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 at Greene County General Hospital in Linton, following an 11-month battle against Cholangiocarcinoma. He was born Jan. 23, 1949 in Mt. Clemens, Mich. to the late Frederick Ray Ridge, Sr. and Helen Mae Tower Ridge...

Dwight L. Hauser, age 94, of Coal City in Owen County passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Meadowood Health Pavilion in Bloomington. He was born in Coal City on March 7, 1925, son of the late Selma Dayhuff Hauser and William Henry Harrison Hauser...

"We have been blessed by being able to serve the Worthington area for 20 years through the SonShine Shop," said Rick Pressel, Pastor of Folsom Memorial United Methodist Church. "This ministry began with a few people seeing the need and the vision to establish a food pantry and thrift store to serve those in need. It has grown from the basement of Folsom Memorial United Methodist Church to three combined storefronts in downtown Worthington. It is governed by representatives from five area churches."

White River Valley senior Samantha “Sammie” Oliver and MSD Shakamak senior Abbi Gamble were surprised Monday morning as they learned of their selection for Indiana State University’s President’s Scholarship. Of 300 applicants for the four-year, full-ride scholarship, only 18 are selected to receive the prestigious award...

The No. 11-ranked Bloomfield Cardinals hosted Bloomington Lighthouse in the final game in Glover Gymnasium for the season. ‘Senior Night’ was met with another big story, the return of Cardinal senior Turner Royal to the starting lineup after missing the last five Bloomfield games due to a lower body injury...

Eastern Greene 61 Springs Valley 55 Shakamak 53 Cloverdale 62 “A slow start in the fourth did us in,” Shakamak head coach Nate O’Neall said. “Cloverdale went on a 17-5 run in the first four minutes and it was too much to overcome. I loved our kids’ effort despite the loss. I thought they all played hard the entire game.”...

Infant Hunter William Neff, of Jasonville, passed away at 1:04 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 in Sullivan County Community Hospital in Sullivan. Survivors include his parents, Caleb J. Neff and Tiffany N. (Hedden) Neff of Jasonville; siblings, Isabella G. ...