Eastern Hancock High School Archives

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — Wednesday will be an e-learning day for Eastern Hancock Schools due to “very high absence and illness numbers,” the district announced on Facebook.

The day will be used to clean the elementary, middle and high schools, Superintendent David Pfaff told News 8.

Staff and students have experienced bronchitis, strep, Influenza A and Influenza B, the district said.

All after-school events except boys basketball and a county wrestling match were canceled Tuesday night. All events for Wednesday are canceled.

(WISH) — A siege of cameras followed her every step inside Hope Academy in Indianapolis.

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was on the fourth day of a six day tour. She was visiting schools across the country; she called it “Rethink School” tour.

DeVos first visited the 21st Century Charter School in Gary, Indiana. She then headed south to Hope Academy. The public charter school is one of 38 schools in the country that teaches teens battling drug and alcohol addictions.

Once inside the academy she talked with a educators she listened to their concerns and challenges. She then toured the school, and finally students at got a chance to address DeVos.

During the conversations DeVos didn’t say much; she listened. After the discussions were over, DeVos headed to Eastern Hancock High School in Charlottesville. The big rivalry game between Eastern Hancock and Knightstown kicked off at 7 p.m.

Before the game, she grabbed a bite to eat and talked with parents inside the school.

DeVos made it clear her multistate tour is designed to discover innovative ways to educate tomorrow’s leaders. The tour took DeVos to Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado.

24-Hour News 8 asked DeVos what will happen with the information she gathers from Indiana.

“We are going to highlight new and innovative approaches to doing education and hope that schools at a local level will take the opportunity to re-examine what they are doing,” Devos said.

During the interview, DeVos said she wanted to empower parents so they can make the right choices for their children’s education.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP/WISH) — U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will visit a high school football game Friday night in Hancock County after stopping by an Indianapolis charter school.

It’s the conclusion of her “Rethink School” tour.

Her first Indiana stop will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. at 21st Century Charter School at Gary, Indiana. From there, she will stop from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Hope Academy in Indianapolis before going to the Eastern Hancock vs. Knightstown football game in Charlottesville. She will be at Eastern Hancock High School from 6:10 to 8:30 p.m.

The Department of Education said one goal of DeVos’ tour is highlighting “unique” ways around the county that schools and teachers are “meeting the needs” of students.

DeVos’ is coming to Indiana after visiting schools in Kansas City, Missouri, earlier Friday.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) – For some addicts, sharing their story of addiction helps keep them sober.

That’s why Aaron Miller decided to visit some students at Eastern Hancock High School Monday. Miller told English students his journey of survival and redemption.

Years ago, Miller remembers sitting in a similar classroom listening to an addict sharing their story.

“When I was in high school I didn’t think the guy knew what he was talking about,” explained Miller.

Today, the recovering drug addict and alcoholic is 11 months and 16 days sober.

“I’m just here to tell them it can happen to anybody, a disease and an addiction doesn’t discriminate,” said Miller.

It wasn’t just heroin that Miller tried. He admits to snorting Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet and Fentanyl. The addiction led to a daily habit of looking for anywhere he could buy black tar heroin. He didn’t use alone.

“My best friend got me high for the first time. He died August 9, 2009 while I was in prison. He was my best friend and when he died he was all by himself,” explained Miller.

Miller sees these speaking engagements as a way to serve the community as well as keep him sober.

“It’s pretty powerful. I felt like they cared, that I might have got through to somebody,” said Miller.

Aaron is now working construction and has teamed up with Overdose Lifeline, Inc. The organization teaches high schoolers about the dangers of opiates in prescription medications and heroin.

Tune in to 24-Hour News 8 on Thursday, Feb. 4 as we put the spotlight on Indiana’s struggle with heroin with our special Heroin at Home: Heartache and Hope.

Join us for a special half-hour at 6:30 p.m. where one state lawmaker will share her family’s story of heroin and how she is trying to put a stop to addiction.

We’ll also have a panel of experts who will examine the problems and offer solutions to those who may need help.

Howe defeats Eastern Hancock 34-13.

HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – The man who police say was driving a church bus that crashed on Interstate 70 over the summer is expected in court Friday morning.

A hearing is scheduled in Hancock County for Charles Goodman. Goodman was driving the bus on I-70 near Greenfield when it went off the road and struck two trees, flipped and caught fire, resulting in the death of a six-year-old boy and injuring at least 10 others in July.

Prosecutors originally charged Goodman with reckless homicide. Friday’s hearing deals with a newer charge of operating while intoxicated.

According to investigators, toxicology reports found Goodman had traces of cocaine in his system at the time of the crash.