On Monday, December 10, at approximately 10:40 a.m., Samantha J. Gaither, 25, of Jeffersonville, was eastbound on Port Road driving a 2001 Ford Mustang. Just east of Centennial Drive she drove over the center lane striking one of the rear axles on a semi tractor and trailer driven by James O. Casey, 61, of Salem. Casey was driving westbound and was not injured in the crash. The impact of the crash was so intense it knocked the wheel off of the trailer being pulled by the semi tractor. The wheel then rolled striking a red 2005 Chevrolet pickup driven by Shawn Pace, 24, of Charlestown. Pace was traveling westbound behind the semi tractor and trailer and was not injured in the crash.
    Gaither, the driver of the Mustang, was pronounced dead at the scene by a representative from the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
    This investigation is continuing.
    Agencies assisting at the scene were the Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Jeffersonville Fire Department, Jeffersonville Police Department, Yellow Ambulance Service and the Clark County Coroner’s Office.

  Officials at Charlestown High School are looking to contact some former Clark County female basketball players and coaches. With this being 32^nd year for the oldest girl’s tourney in the State with the same four teams, they would like to recognize some of the past players and coaches.
    The following is the list of players being sought:
    Past MVPs
1977- Rhonda Blanton, Silver Creek
1987- Stacy Hardin, Charlestown
1997- Treasure Miller, Charlestown
    Past All-Tourney Teams
1977- Janet Pop, Silver Creek, Deanna Gettlefinger, Providence, Jan Lilly, Providence and Lisa Goode, Clarksville.
1987- Joanne Eickholtz, Charlestown, Kelly Adams, Charlestown, Cindy Wiseman, Providence, Tracy Alexander, Clarksville and Beth Conley, Clarksville.
1997- Clarinda Hollenkamp, Clarksville, Lindsey Morgan, Providence, Kristin Hall, Charlestown, Crystal Judd, Clarksville and Hollie Whitsett, Silver Creek.
    Results
1977- Silver Creek 52- Providence 44. Winning Coach- Matt Thomas
1987- Charlestown 65- Providence 51. Winning Coach- Rhonda Smith
1997- Charlestown 63- Silver Creek 51. Winning Coach- Tony Hall.
    These women and gentlemen will be introduced between the first and second game on Friday, December 21.
    Please help CHS get in touch with these past players. Please call 256-7275 or e-mail the athletic department at dnull@gcs.k12.in.us with contact information for the past players listed within this story.

    Silver Creek Middle School will host the 13^th annual Chris Jones Memorial Basketball Tournament on Saturday, December 15. Basketball action will begin at 9 a.m. with the SCMS seventh grade boys playing Charlestown Middle School and the eighth grade will follow. A match-up between Sacred Heart and North Harrison seventh and eighth grade boys will tip approximately 11:30 a.m. Play will continue throughout the day with consolation and championship games. This is a great day of basketball and all proceeds benefit the Chris Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund.
    This scholarship fund was set up in honor of former SCJH/SCMS student Chris Jones to reward an outstanding SCHS male and female athlete. Criteria for awarding this scholarship are based on what made Chris such an outstanding young person: leadership, character, scholarship and citizenship. Chris excelled in cross-country, track and basketball while also volunteering in southern Indiana youth organizations.
    Chris was preparing to graduate from Bellarmine University in 1994 with a degree in education. While driving home from his student teaching assignment he was tragically killed in an auto accident. This scholarship is an attempt to remember this special individual by rewarding his positive attributes as modeled in others.
    Admission will be: $5 per adult for an all day pass or $3 per student, grades one through eight. Barbeque dinners, hot dogs, and other concessions will be sold throughout the day, and televisions in the Media Center will be available to watch your favorite college hoops between games. Please plan to visit Silver Creek Middle School and support the participating schools in this worthwhile scholarship tourney on Saturday, December 15.

     Charlestown Little League Board Members are excited to announce the beginning of major improvements to the Little League Park. As the result of successful community involvement, various local businesses including McCoy’s Landscaping, Earth First, Rose Seeding and Sodding and Clark Nickles Excavating, the first phase of major improvements to the park will get underway within weeks. Some of the improvements are to include improving rainwater drainage, adding walkways and professional landscaping. Clarksville Little League has generously donated field lights that will be used for the softball field. The Board is asking that area businesses and members of the community come together to help make this project a success for the children. A community workday is planned for January 5.
   Sponsorship information for the 2008 season will soon be distributed to various individuals/businesses in the area. If you would like a sponsorship packet in order to donate before the end of the year please call Michelle Stamper at 502-526-2753 and the information will be hand delivered to you.
   As a reminder, sign ups for the 2008 season are planned for January 12, 19 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the concession stand. Fees are one child is $60, two children is $95 and three or more children is $125. Financial assistance is available. At that time applications for general volunteers, coaches, umpires and concession stand helpers will be accepted.
   There is still a large amount of equipment from the 2007 season unaccounted for. Please contact the Little League to arrange for collection of these items.
   Charlestown Little League has a great website that will be updated regularly with news. Visit the website at www.charlestownll.com or contact Darrell Adams JR. at 256-5528 for more information.