Local News
Spanish comes in handy
There is a new addition to the dispatching team at the Washington City Police station. Sonia Gaither, born in Cadiz, Spain, married Washington local Chief Petty Officer Matthew Gaither and moved to Washington in August 2009.
After searching for positions where her bilingual ability would be beneficial, Gaither was contacted about her application at the police station. After a couple of interviews, Gaither was offered the job and accepted it less than two months ago.
“I like the job. It’s very hard,” she said. “It’s more than answering a phone.”
Gaither doesn’t take lightly the responsibility of her position.
“We have to make them (the officers) aware of what is going on and if there is a situation that will put them in jeopardy,” Gaither said.
With the growing population of Hispanic people in the community, Police Chief Steve Riney believes Gaither’s bilingual ability is a huge asset and was needed in the city.
“We have already used her interpreting services on a few occasions,” Riney said.
Gaither remembers how frustrating a communication barrier can be. When she moved to the U.S., about 15 years ago, she didn’t speak English.
“When I start speaking Spanish, they (Hispanic people) feel relieved. It’s nice to know there is someone who can understand them and help them,” she said.
Gaither is honored to be serving the Washington community at the police station.
“This is like my home in Spain,” she said. “Everybody says hello to everybody. Neighbors come out and talk to each other. People walking on the street, even with they don’t know each other, they say ‘hi.’”
“I didn’t think there would be any place like my home, then I found Washington,” Gaither said.
- Local News
-
-
$6.6M grant to help project at Crane tech park
A federal grant will pay most of the costs for an $8 million conference center that officials hope will help attract business to a technology park near the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center in southern Indiana.
-
Summer musical this weekend
Get in out of the heat and drift away to an exotic paradise this weekend.
-
Delph gets experience on national stage
Washington High School sophomore Keinon Delph won’t reach “American Idol” status through the popular Fox TV show, but his mom said he’ll continue to pursue a singing career through other channels.
-
Neighbors object,zoning board rejects
Three requests were denied Wednesday by the Washington Board of Zoning Appeals after neighbors objected.
-
Washington man, wanted on multiple charges, caught in Vincennes
Washington resident Eddie Wayne Grisham, 35, was arrested Tuesday afternoon by Knox County Sheriff’s Department officials.
-
Elnora is place to be this weekend
Step back in time and enjoy some free entertainment at the Elnora Quasquicentennial this weekend.
-
Loogootee schools design traffic patterns for students’ safety
Mike Tippery presented a preliminary map to the Loogootee School Board Tuesday night showing the dismissal schedule and proposed traffic patterns for Loogootee Junior/Senior High School and Elementary West.
-
Shaw leaves big shoes to fill in Martin County
The Martin County Commissioners started the difficult task of replacing a man that has served the county tremendously over the past few years, Gene Shaw.
-
County approves using Reclamite on roads
At the Daviess County Commissioners meeting Monday night, County Highway Superintendent Larry McLin recommended the board accept a bid from Rejuvtec to use “Reclamite” to rejuvenate 19 miles of the county’s asphalt roads, and the board accepted his recommendation.
-
Plans for I-69 underway at city
In the near future when I-69 is built, ownership of Business 50 and SR 257 may go to the city of Washington.
- More Local News Headlines
-
$6.6M grant to help project at Crane tech park
