News

Volume 1, Issue 16 - Free Edition, August 7, 2026

Noelle Maxwell

Noelle Maxwell

— 6 min read
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A cracked Storywalk panel along the path between Rebekah Park and the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library. Library staff believes these panels were intentionally vandalized.
A Storywalk panel along the path between Rebekah Park and the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library. Library staff believe these panels were vandalized in late July. This photo was shared by the library on social media and is used here with their permission.
Three black weighted vests in sizes XS, S and M lined up with blue drawstring bags, resource folders and a social story sheet describing how weighted vests are used to the person who will be using them. Photo provided by the library.
Weighted vests available as part of the sensory kits donated to the library by The Arc of Decatur County and Emmit's Sense of Wonder. Photo provided.

Sensory Kits Available at Library

Noelle Maxwell

Last month, the Greensburg Decatur County Public Library shared that sensory kits were available to patrons. Each themed kit contains sensory toys, books and other useful items for disabled or neurodivergent children. Any library patron can check out a sensory kit and, said Youth Services Director Amy Swihart, the kits “are aimed at helping families try out different sensory items to see what best suits the needs of the child.” Kit themes available include calming, weighted and autism. Sensory vests are also available with each kit – these vests are weighted and available in sizes extra-small, small and medium.

An American Sign Language kit, one of several types of sensory kits available at the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library. The kit contains an ASL resource folder, at least two sets of ASL flash cards, a copy of "101 Easy Signs for Nonverbal Communication: American Sign Language for Kids," by Rochelle Barlow, a copy of "Emma Every Day, Going on a Field Trip," a copy of "Izzy Goes to the Farm, a Sign Language Adventure," by Dr. Mandy Jairell DC. The kit comes in a lavender drawstring bag with an image of a green square outline. Inside the green square outline is a depiction of a multi-racial group of children and the words "American Sign Language (ASL)" in green text. Photo provided.
An American Sign Language themed sensory kit available at the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library. Photo provided.

These kits were donated by the Arc of Decatur County in partnership with Emmit’s Sense of Wonder. Emmit’s is a non-profit specializing in preparing sensory kits to be donated to libraries, schools, daycares and more. Swihart said that the two organizations saw a “need for these kits” and chose to collaborate and donate them to the library. “The library is extremely grateful for the generous donation,” said Swihart, “and the kits have been very well received by library patrons. The Greensburg Decatur County Public Library is very happy for this addition to the library catalog as yet another way that the library can offer services to the community.”

Patrons can check out one kit at a time for up to three weeks with their library card. Each kit contains sensory toys, books and other items that fit the theme.

Decatur County Seeking Comprehensive Plan Feedback

Noelle Maxwell

Decatur County is hosting a review and public comment open house for the 2026 Decatur County Comprehensive Plan, Wednesday, August 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. The open house will be at the county annex, 315 South Ireland Street, Greensburg. A draft of the comprehensive plan can be viewed at: https://www.plandecaturcounty.com/

The Decatur County Comprehensive plan is designed to serve as a 15 to 20 year strategy covering land use and infrastructure development with a focus on the unincorporated areas of the county and the towns of St. Paul, New Point, Millhousen and Westport. Greensburg is not included in the Decatur County Comprehensive Plan – the city has its own comprehensive plan. The 2026 Decatur County plan’s purpose is threefold:

1.      Modernize the 2016 Decatur County Comprehensive plan to better reflect current conditions and future demands.

2.      Establish a proactive framework for industry regulation. Industries specifically mentioned in the plan include data centers, small modular reactors and utility-scale solar. The plan noted these industries weren’t anticipated in the 2016 plan.

3.      Commit to preserving Decatur County’s agricultural identity and rural character with an emphasis on protecting productive farmland, supporting long-term agricultural viability and ensuring new forms of development are thoughtfully integrated into the existing landscape.

The plan’s goal is to equip county officials, elected leaders and staff with data-driven insights as they balance preserving the county’s agricultural strength with thoughtful growth. This plan was developed in partnership with residents, business owners and regional stakeholders. It was funded via a $60,000 Comprehensive Planning Grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, with the project launching in November 2025, development spanning February to May 2026. Planning is currently in the review phase with adoption expect in September 2026.

Public engagement has been crucial to the process so far, with three public workshop sessions held, along with an online survey that was open from December 2025 to March 2026 and received 235 responses from county residents. Results from the workshops and survey showed a consensus that the goals of the 2016 comprehensive plan, specifically those related to agricultural preservation and targeted economic development, remain relevant.

Online survey results indicated 80% of respondents, or approximately 188 respondents, agree Decatur County is an excellent place to raise a family. Over 70% of respondents were opposed to utility-scale solar facilities, citing concerns about environmental impact and the county’s rural identity. Over 73% of respondents indicated there’s a demand for affordable housing instead of upscale options. Respondents also expressed a need for balanced, transparent development prioritizing local interests, improved infrastructure maintenance and more diverse recreational opportunities for youth.

Members of the Decatur County Comprehensive Plan Committee are: Chris Bierhaus, President of EDC of Greensburg/Decatur County; Jay Hatton, JT Ag Enterprise, INC.;  Larry Heger, Sales Manager; Roxanna Metz, Honda Plant Lead; Matt Mobley, Hulsborsch Farms LLC; Joe Moorman, President/CEO of Napoleon State Bank; Doug Orr, County Park Board Member; Tim Ortman, Highway Department Assistant Superintendent; Jeremy Pasel, County Commissioner President; Danny Peters, County Council President; Robert Pumphrey, President of AgPro; Byran Robbins, Director of Greensburg/Decatur County EDC; Melissa Scholl, Attorney; Lora Williams, Attorney and Owner of Williams Law Office.

A cracked Storywalk panel along the path between Rebekah Park and the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library. Library staff believes these panels were intentionally vandalized. The story displayed was "Stuck" by Oliver Jeffries. The illustration beneath the cracked panel depicts a blue page with two boys illustrated in a cartoon style in lighter blue. One boy is holding a light bulb up in his right hand, the other boy is pointing upwards with his right hand and has a lit light bulb over his head. This photo was posted by the library on social media and is being used here with their permission.
A Storywalk panel along the path between Rebekah Park and the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library. Library staff believe these panels were vandalized in late July. This photo was shared by the library on social media and is used here with their permission.

Storywalk Allegedly Vandalized

Noelle Maxwell

The Greensburg Decatur County Public Library shared on social media August 5 that they discovered alleged vandalism to the Storywalk path connecting Rebekah Park to the library on July 23. Clear acrylic sheets covering the panels were apparently smashed. This was discovered by library staff when they went to switch the current story panels, displaying “Stuck” by Oliver Jeffries out to a new story, which will be “Goodnight Little Blue Truck,” by Alice Schertle.

According to library director Brenda Campbell, it will cost $250 to replace the smashed sheets and funds will come out of the remaining funds in the Sally Crane Memorial Fund used for the initial storywalk project.

Replacement panels have been ordered and “should arrive any day and will be installed immediately,” Campbell said. “Goodnight Little Blue Truck” will be displayed in the panels once they arrive.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the library expressed their hope that this “will be a one-off occurrence,” but urged the public to report any future damage they may see to the Storywalk so that staff can act sooner.

Skatepark Renovations Underway

Noelle Maxwell

Photos of the Decatur County Skate Park which is currently closed while ramps are repainted.

Ramps are being painted at the Decatur County Skate Park. All photos by Noelle Maxwell

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Update: We forgot to include photos of the ramps at the Decatur County Skate Park when we first posted this issue of the Decatur Independent. We added these photos at 8:51 PM Eastern, August 7, 2026.

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