175 Years of Excellence

On Friday, August 29, 2008, the Harney Family, as publishers observed the 175th birthday of the Parke County Sentinel. Founded in 1833 as The Wabash Herald, it has been known by a variety of names since its founding. Through the years the format has changed, the names have changed but the continuous publication has never varied, not for one week.

Contact Us

The Parke County Sentinel
125 West High Street, P.O. Box 187
Rockville, Indiana 47872
Phone: 765-569-2033
Fax: 765-569-1424
Email:
News Items - sentinel@ticz.com
Advertising - pcsads@att.net

Office Hours 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday -Friday

Publishing Schedule - Every Wedenesday

Publisher: Mary Jo Harney
Business Manager: Kimberly White
Editor: Larry Bemis
Advertising Manager: Jane Kelp
Bookkeeper: Sheri Bishop
Circulation Manager: Tara Smith
Typesetters:
Lisa Wood & Tara Smith
Reporters:
Kay Timm, Tim Johnson,
Lisa Wood & Amy Newlin

175 Years of Newspaper Publishing To Be Celebrated

Purchased in 1970 by Dick and Mary Jo Harney, the newspaper has changed appearance and publishing methods drastically in the ensuing 38 years. Initially the Harney's purchased The Rockville Tribune, a Democratic newspaper, which was soon followed by the purchase of the The Rockville Republican in 1971. Through the years the family also owned The Kingman Star, and The Clay County Today papers. They also published the very popular "Parke Place" magazine.

In 1833, Indiana had 29 newspapers. One of them was the Wabash Herald published at Rockville. It was sold in 1835 and the name was changed to The Rockville Intelligencer. In 1839, the name was changed to The Olive Branch and in 1856 the name was changed to The Parke County Whig. Shortly after this the name was changed to the True Republican and in 1860 it became the Parke County Republican. In 1873, a name which would stick was given to the paper, The Rockville Republican and it remained that until the Harney's consolidated the paper with the Rockville Tribune and called the new publication The Parke County Sentinel. This was done in 1977, and the rest is history.

Dick and Mary Jo Harney and daughters Megan and Jessica moved to Rockville in October of 1970 having purchased their first newspaper, The Rockville Tribune from George and Dorothe Schwin. Shortly after, in February of 1971, they purchased The Rockville Republican from Billy Hargrave who had owned the paper for years with his father, A.A. Hargrave.

Harney had worked at newspapers in both Dekalb, Illinois and Elwood, Indiana and had also been the executive secretary of the Elwood Chamber of Commerce before moving to Parke County. In addition to publishing the newspapers, the Harney's became active in county affairs. He died in November of 1999, and the paper is currently being published by Mary Jo Harney.

Mary Jo Harney, current publisher is a graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and is also active in community affairs. Daughter Jessica lives with her family in Bloomingdale and was business manager of the paper for the past nine years. She is a graduate of Purdue University and has recently taken a position with Edward Jones. Daughter Megan, who lives with her family in Cincinatti is also a grauate of Purdue University and is presently employed with 4-C for Children.