IN|Whitley County Aug. 16, 2018

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August 16, 2018

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NICOLE MINIER

This is a photo of last Tuesday’s shelf cloud that produced an eery, slow-moving rotating cloud over the west side of Columbia City.

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Dawson replaces Childress as choir director

Board approves new choral position BY NICOLE MINIER

nminier@kpcmedia.com

CHURUBUSCO — Ryan Dawson has big shoes to fill — but he already knows that. Dawson is stepping up to take over as Churubusco choir teacher, filling the role left behind by Aaron Childress. Dawson has spent the past few years working with several choir programs as a choreographer and clinician in the Fort Wayne and surrounding areas. “As part of those experiences, Dawson has worked with both of our show choirs during the past few years, and has established relationships with our students SEE DAWSON, PAGE 2

Wacky weather Whitley County EMA was on its toes last week BY NICOLE MINIER

nminier@kpcmedia.com

COLUMBIA CITY — Unexpected, eerie weather last week provided for interesting social media photos, but it was also a good reminder of what to do during potentially dangerous weather. “It’s been a very interesting week,” said Ed Scott, deputy director of the Whitley County Emergency Management Agency. Last week: Monday, Aug. 6: A storm that brought a tornado to Kosciusko County passed through Whitley County, downing several trees, including one tree into a house in Columbia City. Tuesday, Aug. 7: Shelf clouds with rotation hung over Columbia City in the area of Lincolnway West and U.S. 30. Thursday, Aug. 9: There was heavy rain and a severe thunderstorm warning in Whitley County. Friday, Aug. 10: There

Park, north of U.S. 30 near Kroger. “I knew there was one afterward and because my truck started to elevate as I was driving, but it was raining and I didn’t see anything else,” he said. Last week, in addition to the tree that fell into a home in Columbia City, there were other trees that fell into roadways and some power lines down that caused power outages, but no other serious damage was reported to the EMA. The EMA was able to utilize photos and videos submitted from the public to better analyze the storms and share them with the National Weather Service. “We had gorgeous photos sent to us and a lot of good input,” Scott said. It was reports from the public and a sheriff’s deputy that first alerted the EMA to the pop-up storm with rotation on Tuesday. Conversations between Scott, local dispatchers and the National Weather Service prompted a tornado warning and the sounding of Columbia City’s early warning weather sirens. SEE WEATHER, PAGE 2

BY DAVE KURTZ

on the veterans’ issues, focus on the national defense issues … the AUBURN — Amid education issues,” Banks the swirl of events in said. “Maybe that makes Washington, D.C., me boring, but it means first-term Congressman that you’re able to get a Jim Banks said he is lot more done.” keeping “I’m proud of what his mind we’ve accomplished when on his it comes to growing the tasks. economy — the tax cuts, “It’s the effects that has had easy in not just on businesses, but Congress on families,” Banks said today about Congress. to get “I’m especially proud distracted Banks of what we’ve done to by the rebuild the military,” he tweet added. “What we’ve done of the day … the palace in a very bipartisan way intrigue of the White to support House,” our veterans Banks said in this during a visit Congress to DeKalb been County last I understand the has historic.” week. The concerns I’ve Banks, a House of Republican been hearing Representafrom Columbia from farmers all tives passed the 2019 City, over the district.” National represents Defense the 3rd — U.S. Rep. Jim Banks AuthoriDistrict of zation Act northeast on Friday. Indiana. Banks served on a “I’ve tried to focus on doing my job and focus SEE BANKS, PAGE 2 dkurtz@kpcmedia.com

Council, Commissioner discuss employee raises BY NICOLE MINIER

nminier@kpcmedia.com

COLUMBIA CITY — At the Whitley County Council meeting earlier this month, Commissioner George Schrumpf requested the council reconsider its approach to cost-ofliving raises for employees. Currently, the council

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was another storm that passed through Whitley County, delaying Columbia City’s football scrimmage. Tuesday’s storm was particularly interesting, as there was little to no warning — the storm developed Scott in Whitley County. It contained a funnel cloud that began west of Columbia City on U.S. 30 that “hung” over the area, moving slowly with no rain. “What was rare about Tuesday, we got to see something without much rain,” Scott said. “People actually got to see a defined shelf cloud without the rain blocking it, and nobody got hurt.” He recalled the last tornado in Columbia City, March 2009, which struck Countryside Moble Home

takes the overall payroll amount, increases it by 3 percent, then divides that by the number of employees to provide an equal amount increase to each employee. Last year, that increase was $1,700. Schrumpf asked the council to consider giving each individual employee a 3 percent raise. Meaning, those

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Congressman Jim Banks focusing on defense, veterans

Opinion .......................6 Community Calendar...................15

with larger salaries will receive a larger raise than those with smaller salaries. Schrumpf argued that current formula is narrowing the pay gap, as lower-wage employees receive a higher percentage increase than higher wage employees, and it would cost the county more in the long run. Some council members contended that the cost-of-living raise is to cover cost-of-living expenses, which are the same across all pay grades. “One making more money versus one making less will still pay more for a loaf of

bread next year rather than the year before,” Council President Thor Hodges said. “That’s there regardless of where you’re at on the pay scale. That’s where I’m at — it’s an end-ofyear raise, not based on merit, but based on being a qualified full-time employee for the county.” No decisions were made, but the discussion was held in consideration of upcoming budget decisions. “This gives us something to think about — thank you for your input George,” Hodges said. Also at the County Council meeting:

Commissioner Schrumpf reported that county met with its liability insurance company, which requested an appraisal of the county’s facilities. The county hasn’t had an appraisal in at least eight years, and they could get it done for $3,200 for all facilities. “That’s dirt cheap for any kind of business,” Schrumpf said. The council questioned why the county should pay for that expense, rather than the insurance company. “If it’s their request, I’m at a loss why it’s our responsibility,” Hodges said. The council asked Schrumpf SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 2


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IN|Whitley County Aug. 16, 2018 by KPC Media Group - Issuu