Volume 1, Issue 21 - Free Edition, September 12, 2026

Council Closes Out Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program

Noelle Maxwell

Greensburg City Council closed out their owner-occupied rehabilitation program Spetember 8. The program started in February 2025, after the city received a $350,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Over the course of 18 months, the funds were used to assist 21 homeowners with various needs. It covered 13 roof repairs or replacements, 16 heating and cooling systems, eight water heaters and provided two ADA accessibility modifications to home thresholds. Ten of the 21 homes that received grant funding were worked on by local contractors.  Homeowners assisted included nine elderly homeowners, four disabled homeowners and eight single parent households – which includes grandparents taking care of grandchildren.

Public hearings for Resolution 2026-07 and Resolution 2026-08 were held. There were no public comments. Resolution 2026-07 covers the 2027 City of Greensburg budget and Resolution 2026-08 covers the Greensburg Community Schools budget.

Resolution 2026-15, covering the termination of a tax abatement for property owned by Jeff Whittaker, was approved. City Attorney Chris Stephen explained that the abatement related to property that was expected to become the Pizza Craft Restaurant. The abatement was up for renewal last year, at which time the renewal required the restaurant to be open by July 1, 2026 to be in compliance with state laws.

Whittaker spoke during the meeting, noting the building has been constructed but not opened. “With the current state of available labor,” he said, “I just felt like its chance of success would be much greater if I waited until we get the hotel finished.” Whittaker owns the land where a hotel is being constructed. The site expected to become Pizza Craft Restaurant is 1414 W. Veterans Way, Greensburg and the hotel is to be located across the street. Whittaker elaborated that he doesn’t believe the timing is right to open Pizza Craft “because I don’t think it’s sustainable with what the labor force is. There’s other restaurants,” locally, “that struggle with help. It’s not quite there and I do think that once the hotel is complete and there’s more of a captive audience that will work fine.”

The council asked Whittaker when he expected the hotel to be finished. He said “we should be done probably in the first quarter” of 2027. When asked about an anticipated opening date for the restaurant based on when the hotel would be operational, he said, “just a few more months,” after the hotel began operations.

Meet the Candidates: Larry Heger

Noelle Maxwell

Larry Heger is the Republican candidate for Decatur County Council, District Four. District Four covers Adams, Clay, Fugit and Saltcreek townships. Heger responded to all questions via email.

Decatur Independent: Why are you running?

Heger: “I am running because it is time for me to play a more significant role. A lifelong advocate of the philosophy, ‘don’t just complain about your government if you aren’t personally involved.’”

Decatur Independent: What do you consider to be the top five issues facing Decatur County and how, as a council member, would you address them?

Heger: “Budget, tax rates, tax abatements, county employees salary structure, public communications, all these listed above are the roles of County Council.”

Decatur Independent: Why should voters choose you?

Heger: “Years of involvement with several of the local govt. departments including the council and commissioners.”

Decatur Independent: What is your position on data centers?

Heger: “Position on industrial solar, wind, data centers, battery storage BESS and carbon sequestration wells. Firmly against them.”

Heger combined responses to question four and question five in a single response on the original list supplied. Question five was: “What is your position on renewable energy? (Solar, wind, etc.)”

Community Events

The Greensburg-Decatur County Animal Shelter announced this morning that it will be re-scheduling its Paws in the Patch Adoption event for dogs due to weather. The event was scheduled for August 12. The shelter is still operating during normal business hours and accepting adoptions. They have not yet announced a new date or time for the event. SOURCE: Greensburg-Decatur County Animal Shelter Facebook page.

Appreciate what we do? Show your support with a one-time payment or a full subscription! Why? Because it takes time and costs money to bring you the information you need about Decatur County.

To make a one-time payment via tipping, click here.

To subscribe to the paid edition and gain access to additional features stories each month, such as local business and local arts coverage, click here.