Though he may have clashed at times with administrators over school policies, Sam Chattin could be trusted at all times to have the welfare of his legions of students first and foremost in mind.

Sam died at age 75 on Monday, June 5, in Scottsburg.

Throughout his professional life, Sam served as an excellent example of how to effectively get kids involved with the subject matter he presented. He taught for nearly 50 years, first as a teaching assistant at DePauw University in 1963, then as a biology instructor at Vincennes Lincoln High School. He was to teach that same subject at Scottsburg High School (SHS) in 1969 and continued on in the sciences at William H. English Middle School, now Scottsburg Middle School, from 1974 until he retired in 2011. He kept enthusiasm levels in his classes high, no mean feat.

Sam was born to the late Dr. Herbert and Edna McCallister Chattin in Mobile, Al., and grew up in Vincennes active - and excelling – in sports, including football. He earned a bachelor degree in zoology at DePauw, where he lettered three years in track and football. DePauw University honored him in 1998, inducting him into its Athletic Hall of Fame.

He went on to earn a master’s degree in kinesiology in 1965 from Indiana University in 1965.

He established the first football program in 1969 at SHS, and his crew of eager student athletes and dedicated coaches resulted in a 24-14 record during the four years he served as head coach.

When he moved to the middle school in 1974, Sam and more dedicated students created ARK, Animals Rehabilitating Kids, which received international recognition as the largest wildlife rehabilitation facility in Indiana at the time. Sam received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching in 1991. That honor was followed by others, all of which were given to him because of his dedication to his students and to teaching. It’s doubtful in all of his career that he ever missed a chance to emphasize a teaching principle and humane treatment for all creatures.

His family, friends, fellow teachers and former students gathered on Saturday morning, June 10, at the Collins Funeral Home in Scottsburg, not to say goodbye but to recognize and celebrate a luminous life of a good father and loving husband and a wonderful teacher whose efforts have influenced others.

Burial was in Lexington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the family are requested and may be arranged through the staff of the funeral home.

On-line condolences may be expressed by visiting www.collinsfuneralhome.net.

A homeless man and a Scottsburg woman are among recent drug-related arrests, according to police reports filed.

Michael A. Durbin, 33, was taken into custody by Sgt. Rodney Watts of the Scottsburg Police Department on Wednesday afternoon, June 7.

Sgt. Watts related in the man’s probable cause affidavit that he was dispatched to Lake Iola in Scottsburg about possible drug activity. He found Durbin there and ran a “check” on him. Once he found out Durbin was wanted in Clark County, Sgt. Watts placed him under arrest.

While Durbin was being processed at the Scott County Security Center, he was asked several times by jail staff if he had any “needles” (hypodermic syringes) in his possession. Reportedly, each time he was asked, Durbin said he did not. A jailer who put his hand in the man’s backpack to inventory its contents was accidentally stuck with an uncapped needle. He will undergo testing for several weeks to determine his health status.

A small amount of methamphetamine (meth) was purportedly found in Durbin’s backpack.

Consequently, Durbin’s charges included possession of meth within 500 feet of a public park, a Level 5 felony in Indiana, and a Level 6 felony of unlawful possession of a syringe.

His trial date is September 5, and he was provided with the services of a public defender. Bail is set at $45,000 by corporate surety bond or 10% cash.

Christie M. Rarick, 43, was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and meth by Deputy Rex Herald in the early morning hours of Friday, June 9.

In a probable cause affidavit, Deputy Herald said he pulled into the Pioneer Village convenience store to check the business while on patrol. He said he noticed two vehicles parked outside the closed store. In one, he could see an individual.

When he went up to the driver’s door, the deputy said he could smell burnt marijuana. He directed Rarick to get out of the car. When she complied, he said the woman pulled a small bag of what appeared to be marijuana from a pocket.

As she walked away from the car, Deputy Herald said another baggie fell from her, landing on the ground. The baggie turned out to be a little over seven grams of meth. The marijuana weighed 3.41 grams.

Rarick was placed into custody and transported to the Scott County Security Center. She appeared before Judge Jason Mount on Friday for her initial hearing on one count each of Level 5 felony possession of meth and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

After her preliminary plea of not guilty, Rarick was assigned an initial jury trial date of September 5. Her bail was set at $45,000 by corporate surety bond or $4,500 cash.

Rarick was released on bond Sunday night, June 11. She will reappear on Friday, June 16, to advise the court if she plans to employ an attorney to represent her in the case.