It is time to take a look back on some of the big happenings from this year.

Now that the year is coming to an end, it’s time to reflect on some of the big events of 2025. 

Carroll Cropper Bridge Repair Project

(Petersburg, Ky.) - Steel repairs on the I-275 Carroll Cropper Bridge started in January of 2025. 

This bridge repair project followed a federally required inspection of older bridges across the country built with “T-1” steel – a high-strength, quenched and treated steel known for being highly amenable to welding and machining. 

During a 2023 inspection on the Carroll Cropper Bridge, engineering firm Michael Baker International tested 600 welds and identified 15 locations that would need future repairs but posed no immediate safety issues.  These repairs will ensure the bridge can be safely traveled well into the future.

In December 2024, KYTC bridge engineering analysis showed that other repairs – unrelated to T-1 steel issues - would be needed for an expansion joint and floor beam. 

Once the floor beam repairs are completed, and the overall T-1 steel repair project is finished, crews will reopen all westbound lanes from Kentucky to Indiana by Wednesday, December 31. Only the eastbound lanes of the bridge, from Indiana to Kentucky, will need to remain closed during the length of the zone painting project expected to be completed by March 31, 2026, weather permitting.

Manchester Elementary School Closes

(Manchester, Ind.) - The South Dearborn School Board voted in April (6-1) to close Manchester Elementary School. 

The primary reasoning for the closure was due to declining enrollment and rising operating costs. 

At the time of Manchester Elementary's closing, the school served 140 students when it was designed to serve 400. By closing the school, the corporation will save approximately $1 million. 

All teachers and staff were promised a position within the corporation following the closure. 

This is the second time a South Dearborn School has closed in the past five years. Moores Hill Elementary School closed in 2021.

Dearborn Co's Four Living WWII Veterans Gather for George Klopp Sr's Birthday

George Klopp Sr. (left) with Clarence Cook, JC Lewis and George Lingg. Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The last four living World War II veterans in Dearborn County were all under one roof in April. 

Clarence Cook, JC Lewis and George Lingg gathered at the Lawrenceburg Eagles to celebrate the 99th birthday of George Klopp Sr. 

Of the four heroes, Lingg turned 100 in August. Cook and Klopp are 99, while Lewis is the youngster of the group at 98 years old. 

Liberty Theater Gets New Blade Sign

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The City of Lawrenceburg’s 132-year-old Liberty Theater received a new, iconic look with the addition of a vertical blade sign.

The design is influenced by the past and compliments our community’s historic streetscape. Over 250 exposed light bulbs shine “LIBERTY” 20 feet into the air with LED stripe tubing accenting the sign’s vertical rise with a red glow.

The new blade sign was turned on for the first time at “The Big Turn On” event that was held on November 14. The project was funded by Dearborn County Convention and Tourism Bureau to help promote business, encourage tourism, festivals and economic development in Dearborn County.

Administrative Changes at Batesville Community Schools

(Batesville, Ind.) - After nine years of service as Superintendent of the Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC), Paul Ketcham will depart Batesville to become the Assistant Secretary of Education for the State of Indiana.

Ketcham, the 2025 Indiana Superintendent of the Year, will assist Dr. Katie Jenner in advancing the state's strategic priorities for K-12 and higher education, ensuring that Indiana students are prepared for lifelong success. 

He begins his new role on January 5, 2026.

Batesville High School is also losing its principal. Andy Allen will assume his new role as Superintendent of Plainfield Community School Corporation on January 1. 

Former Batesville Middle School principal and boys varsity basketball head coach Mel Siefert will serve as interim principal of Batesville High School for the second semester of the 2025-26 school year. 

BCSC hopes to identify the next permanent BHS principal early in the second semester, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.

Longtime Lawrenceburg Fire Chief Retires; Pat Myers Named New Fire Chief

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Johnnie Tremain called it a career in December after 39 years with the Lawrenceburg Fire Department. 

Over his nearly four-decade career, Tremain served in various roles, including becoming the first-ever, full-time Fire Chief for the City of Lawrenceburg. 

Earlier this year, he was named the Citizen of the Year at Lawrenceburg Fall Fest. 

Pat Myers, a 30-year veteran of the Lawrenceburg Fire Department, has been sworn in as the new fire chief. Myers has held every position within the department and has spent the last 10 years as Deputy Fire Chief (second in command). 

(Greendale, Ind.) – St. Elizabeth has plans for a new hospital campus in Greendale.

Groundbreaking was expected in 2025, but an announcement was made on in early October that construction will be postponed. 

The decision was made due to the following factors:

“First, there has been an enormous increase in construction costs since we initially made the decision to build a new hospital. Second, we have seen changes in how our patients seek care to pre-pandemic state which was a trend to outpatient care versus inpatient stays. With these shifting trends, we need to take the time to plan a facility that will meet needs for generations to come,” reads a statement from St. Elizabeth.

Until a new campus is constructed, St. Elizabeth will continue to serve the community at their hospital campus in Lawrenceburg, along with the Cancer Center and Urgent Care in Greendale, and more than 16 physicians’ locations.

The original anticipated opening date was 2027. It is unknown when the facility may open with the delay in construction. 

Jeff Wyler Rebuild Ongoing After February Fire

Demolition took place in September at Jeff Wyler Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Lawrenceburg. 

The car dealership sustained damage in a fire in early February, causing damage to the service area and smoke damage to the front office and show room. 

Remarkably, the Jeff Wyler team was back to work the next day after the fire and has since moved into a temporary office. 

The new facility is currently being constructed, which includes a new, state-of-the-art service building, which is currently up and running, and eventually, a new showroom. 

The timeline for a grand re-opening was estimated to be five to six months away at the time of the groundbreaking. In the meantime, Jeff Wyler of Lawrenceburg is open for sales and service. 

Margaret Mary Health Foundation Successfully Completes Fundraising Campaign

Photo by Margaret Mary Health.

(Batesville, Ind.) - In September, the Margaret Mary Health Foundation announce it successfully completed its fundraising campaign, exceeding the $10 million goal set for building a new replacement hospital.

The "Ensuring Generations of Care" campaign raised an impressive $10.6 million for the new state-of-the-art facility, which is scheduled to open in early 2026.

The fundraising efforts, which kicked off mid-2024, aimed to secure $10 million by December 2026. Thanks to the incredible support of donors, community partners and dedicated volunteers, the goal was exceeded more than a year ahead of schedule. The Health Foundation presented the check to the hospital during its annual gala on Saturday.

It was late May when site work began on the $115 million project at Six Pine Ranch on State Road 229 near the Interstate 74 interchange in Batesville. 

The site being developed is adjacent to the Margaret Mary Physician Center and Margaret Mary Outpatient and Cancer Center and will span approximately 23 acres, including the 124,000 square foot hospital, expanded walking trails and green spaces to promote community wellness. 

Ralph Meyer Added to National Fallen Firefighters Memorial

(Napoleon, Ind.) - Ralph Meyer's name will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial (NFFM) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 

Meyer passed away on December 4, 2024 at the age of 72 after suffering a heart attack, just hours after serving at a structure fire. He is among 70 firefighters who died in 2024 and 70 in previous years who will be honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial this weekend.

Meyer was a life member of the Napoleon Fire Company, having been active on the roster for 58 years in various capacities, including arson investigator, emergency medical responder, driving instructor, and fire chief. 

His final act of service was to be an organ donor. Based on his donation, he was able to help an estimated 100 to 150 people. 

You can read Meyer's full NFFM bio by clicking here.

Milan Unveils Basketball Themed Water Tower

Photo via Milan '54 Museum.

(Milan, Ind.) - When you have the basketball history that the Town of Milan has, it is no coincidence that an idea to make a new water tower look like a basketball has come to fruition. 

It was March of 2024 when demolition of an aging 300,000-gallon tank was completed to make way for a new water tower on N. Warpath Drive. 

The new water tower, which reads "Milan Basketball Town USA" was completed in June. Other updates have been made to water mains, hydrants, valves, and water service lines.

The Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (SIRPC) says the design will help further brand the Town of Milan by strengthening its identity as a “basketball town”.

You can read about Milan's basketball history by visiting 1954 State Champions - Milan Indians - Milan 1954 Museum.