IN|Whitley County Dec. 7, 2017

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December 7, 2017

SGCS maps out funding woes

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia�com

CHURUBUSCO — Smith-Green Community School’s administrators called a public forum Monday to discuss the financial future of the district.

The district is operating in the red, and

Large crowd turns out for Monday’s public forum changes will be made by next summer one way or another — either through a tax increase or by cutting staff and programming.

SGCS Superintendent Dan Hile called

the meeting to involve the community with the district’s financial issues. Hile and Business Manager Jodi Royer took over their positions in July and, after assessing the financial state of the

district, called the meeting to inform the community of the situation, and start a discussion about SGCS’s future.

“I hope you know I am very transparent and open — I want it on the

Live, grow, heal Locally owned counseling service grows, relocates

By Nicole Minier

Staff reports

WHITLEY COUNTY — On Sept. 19, the Whitley County Assessor Rita Sauders tendered a resignation letter taking effect Dec. 31.

As a result, the Whitley County Assessor office will be a vacant elected position come the New Year.

To fill the vacancy, the Whitley County Republican Central Committee is holding a caucus of the Whitley County Republican Precinct Committee 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Whitley County Government Center in meeting room C, located at 220 West Van Buren St., in Columbia City.

The caucus is open to the public.

Three qualifications are required, in addition to being a registered voter, to run for Whitley County Assessor: See ASSESSOR, Page 5

INFORMATION INWhitley County 123 N. Main Street, Churubusco, IN 46723

Telephone: (260) 693-3949

Vol. 1 No. 36

Bringing it home

Boggs left a larger practice in Fort Wayne to start her own business in Columbia City. At that time, she was the lone full-time private practitioner in town. In 2014, her daughter, Christy Garau, joined her.

See HEAL, Page 4

NICOLE MINIER

The mother-daughter duo of Jan Boggs and Christy Garau lead their team of seven therapists who currently provide counseling services to about 150 local families. They are pictured in one of several child therapy rooms at Choices & Changes.

See SGCS, Page 3

S. Whitley approves rate hike

By Tyler Roebuck troebuck@kpcmedia�com

SOUTH WHITLEY — Water utility rates in South Whitley are going to rise as the town seeks a $2.5-million investment in better water quality.

Some residents, however, fear the cost may be too great.

At the Nov. 28 Town Council meeting, Water Operator Ron Anderson explained that the investment will be in a new treatment facility to better control iron in the water system.

“Our biggest problem is the rust in homes and plugging the lines,” he said. “We’re looking for it with our infrastructure in mind. Over the long term, this is going to be very beneficial to the community. Your water quality will go up.”

Steve Carter, a financial consultant aiding the See S. WHITLEY, Page 5

Best outcome achieved with Courthouse crisis

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia�com

COLUMBIA CITY — “I hope to think the stars were aligned that night — that everything that happened was for a reason.”

Columbia City Police Chief Tony Hively reflected on last Tuesday’s crisis with thankfulness that everything worked out to a positive outcome — the female juvenile safely came down from the 50-foothigh rooftop of the Whitley

County Courthouse after scaling the exterior scaffolding and threatening to jump.

It was a matter of right place, right time circumstances that eventually led to the safe ending.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday night, Columbia City’s Common Council held its regular meeting with a short agenda, lasting only about 15-20 minutes compared to its typical hour-long meeting. Due to the short

INWhitley County

Caucus set for County Assessor

COLUMBIA CITY — A former medical building is now a place to heal and grow, as Choices & Changes counseling service expands in Whitley County.

Jan Boggs started Choices & Changes in 2010 in Columbia City. In the past year, the practice has boomed and now has seven therapists and an ever-growing client base, making it the largest locally-owned private practice in Whitley County.

The innovative practice helps families and children through life’s struggles — whether life changes or traumatic events.

123 North Main Street,Churubusco, IN 46723

888-616-1159

nminier@kpcmedia�com

table,” Hile said. “It’s very important to have everyone here together to hear this information, we really need some input.”

Several times, Hile reiterated that no decisions would be made this week or even this month, but

agenda, city department heads, such as Hively, were not required to attend the meeting, but Hively came to discuss one topic with the council — otherwise, he likely would not have been in downtown Columbia City at that time of day.

Following the meeting, Hively went to his office to catch up on email before going home, and Councilwoman Jennifer Romano stayed after the meeting for about 10 minutes to discuss a topic with IN|Whitley County Editor Nicole Minier.

When Romano left City Hall that evening, she heard unfamiliar noises coming from the area of the Courthouse.

“Downtown Columbia City at night is usually quiet, the noises were

NICOLE MINIER

Columbia City Police Chief Tony Hively speaks with a firefighter after a female juvenile was safely talked off the ledge of the Whitley County Courthouse roof last Tuesday night.

something out of the ordinary,” Romano said.

That’s when she spotted the teenager atop the courthouse and called 9-1-1 for help. Hively, just across the street at City Hall, quickly made contact with the girl, while other law enforce-

ment officers scaled the scaffolding, which was also used by the girl, to get onto the roof.

“My hands felt tied and we only had one option — using our verbal See CRISIS, Page 3

A2 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

SOUTH WHITLEY’S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

From left, Alexica Smith, Aubrey Sexton, Hailey Landry and Hunter and Landon Smith watch in awe as the South Whitley Elementary choir sings Christmas carols.

PHOTOS BY TYLER ROEBUCK

Santa stands by as Lily Reid and Caitlin Beer read a Christmas poem, “It’s Christmas in South Whitley.”

All through the town, poles and other public structures - including the water tower - are adorned with lights and other festive decorations.

A large crowd of South Whitley residents, from infants to retirees, were in attendance to ceremoniously light the Christmas tree at the gazebo in town.

Santa arrived to the cheers of children in the lawn next to Town Hall.

Santa arrived at the gazebo in style via a Cleveland Township fire truck.

A large Santa and his companion Rudolph sit beside Town Hall, awaiting Christmas day and bringing the holiday spirit into town.

A group from the South Whitley Grace Brethren Church came decked out in matching hoodies to enjoy the evening’s festivities.

Hipp Drug provided ornament making for all ages in its store.

Attendees enjoyed carols as well as small activities put on by businesses throughout town.

Jami Platt directs a children’s choir from South Whitley Elementary as they sing familiar Christmas carols at the gazebo.

The gazebo in South Whitley before Santa turned on the lights.

INwhitleycounty.com • A3

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

CRISIS from Page 1 communication skills,” Hively said. “Thankfully, she was listening to what we were saying and we were able to delay her until the professionals got here.”

Law enforcement, paramedics and first responders quickly arrived to the scene as the Whitley County Sheriff’s deputy and conservation officer atop the roof talked to the girl until professional negotiators arrived. Additionally, police had help from a representative of the Bowen Center next door.

“They started a conversation and tried to get her focused on something else, to distract and delay until the proper people came,” Hively said.

Meanwhile, representatives from two local businesses, B&J Rental and Performance Rental, brought inflatable bounce houses to put on the ground near the

Courthouse.

A team of six negotiators from the Allen County Police Department worked together to talk the child off the ledge — nearly 1.5 hours after the 9-1-1 call — and a sigh or relief was let out by all involved.

“I never want to see something like that again,” Hively said.

“There is nothing worse than feeling so helpless and hoping you’re saying and doing the right thing.”

Although he’s never had an incident like this in his 20 years as a police officer in Columbia City, Hively said the police and fire departments are looking into further training and equipment that could assist with future situations.

“We achieved the best outcome in this situation, but we will utilized this moment to

better prepare ourselves in the future,” Hively said. “We will map out a strategy to not only help people in that situation, but also make sure our personnel are safe from risk of injury.”

Romano commended the work of all who responded, and is calling the community to action about mental health in Whitley County.

“I am incredibly proud of the work of our police department and negotiators, and especially Tony,” Romano said. “As hard as this situation is and as powerless as a lot of us felt, this situation has presented us with some things to think about as a community going forward.

Primarily is the issue of mental illness in our community and being real about what we need to do as a community. We have kids and adults who are strug-

gling — I don’t know that all the mechanisms are in place to help them. That was a very loud cry for help to this whole community, we need to look into mental illness and we need to look into what we can do as a community to help those who are struggling.”

The Columbia City Police Department was assisted by Columbia City Communications, Allen County Police Department negotiators, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Whitley County Dispatch, Columbia City Fire Department, Columbia City Utilities, Parkview Whitley EMS, Bowen Center, B&J Rental, Performance Rental and Whitley County Courthouse Security.

NICOLE MINIER Exterior construction scaffolding Crews clean up after police safely was erected for recent repairs to talked a girl off the ledge of the the Whitley County Courthouse. courthouse roof.

SGCS from Page 1 administrators want to hear from the community on what it wants to see in the future.

The numbers

For the past two months, SGCS has contracted with Umbaugh and Associates to predict the financial future for the district based on enrollment, funding per child and long term factors.

Since 2011, school funding has decreased at Smith-Green, due to both changes in state funding and decreasing student enrollment. Much of school funding is based on the number of students enrolled at the district on its enrollment count day — Sept. 15.

Demographers predict enrollment will continue to decline based on the district’s demographics — there aren’t as many school-aged children in Smith and Green townships.

SGCS has been relying on rainy day fund money to get by, and that money is now depleted. Currently, the district has a cash balance of $279,218 — which wouldn’t cover half of one month’s expenses.

The consultant from Umbaugh offered three scenarios for referendum funding — one that would barely get the district through 2026, one that would provide 15 percent cash reserves and one that shows the maximum amount of money needed.

In scenario one, about

$1.7 million in revenue would be generated — the extra funds would be depleted by 2026 based on projections. In scenario two, $1.9 million in revenue would be generated and, by 2026, there would be $1.4 million in cash reserves. Scenario three generates $2.5 million in funding and would fund the deficit completely. By the end of 2026, there would be $6.65 million in cash reserves.

What does that mean to taxpayers? The average home value in Churubusco is $138,000. In the first scenario, the cost would be $27.65 per month per average household and 89 cents per acre of farmland. The second scenario comes at a cost of $30.19 per month per average household and 97 cents per acre of farmland. Scenario three is about $39.84 per month per average household and $1.28 per month per acre of farmland.

The reality

“The first time I saw this information my eyes got bigger,” Hile said.

“But I’m a lay-it-on-thetable kind of person. I want you to see what I see and help us with the next step.”

Hile explained that the district has made significant cuts over the past five to 10 years, including a staff cut of $450,000 per year. Hile reported that 40 percent of districts in 2016 spend more money than Mon. - Fri. 10 AM - 3 PM

NICOLE MINIER

Superintendent Dan Hile speaks to the crowd at Churubusco Jr./Sr. High School’s auditorium Monday evening.

they received, and rural schools are especially struggling to stay afloat.

“We can’t stick our heads in the sand and say it will be OK — it won’t be OK,” Hile said. “Something has to change.”

Hile asks the community to review the referendum options — or a version of them — and consider if it will be a viable option to residents.

Otherwise, some major changes will come to SGCS. “We will have to make some very, very deep cuts,” Hile said, offering a prediction of $600,000 this

summer, and more cuts every year thereafter.

Eventually, SGCS likely wouldn’t be able to stay afloat, and bigger changes could be made — but consolidation is not what Hile wants to see.

“Are we consolidating?

I hope you hear where my heart is on this — no,” Hile said, followed by a round of applause by the audience. “It’s not what I want, but again, I will put it on the table. If we have an option, that’s Option Z, only if we have nothing left. I will fight and do everything to avoid that option.”

ANGELS • THROWS FLORALS • WINDCHIMES LANTERNS • PLANTS

However, Hile addressed the reality of the funding. If SGCS continues on its current trajectory and cuts to staff and programming have to be made, the district will be less appealing and parents could choose to send their children elsewhere. Currently, 174 students transfer into Smith-Green — they live outside the school district boundaries.

“They come here because of the great things we do — we want to keep that going,” Hile said. “Making cuts would reverse that trend the other way.”

Hile noted several accomplishments from Smith-Green’s programming, such as its successful athletic programs, fine arts and FFA programs, as well as academic accomplishments. Over 30 percent of students graduate with honors diplomas and Churubusco High School has a graduation rate of 96 percent. Churubusco offers the same number of dual-credit courses as Southwest Allen County Schools, and 30 percent of CHS graduates walk out

of CHS with 17 college credits.

“Do we want to survive, or do we want to thrive?”

Hile asked. “We have a lot of great things going on and I don’t want to see those leave.”

If SGCS does have to dissolve, Hile predicts that all students wouldn’t be going to the same school.

Whitley County residents would likely transfer to Whitley County Consolidated Schools and Noble County students would either to go Central Noble or East Noble.

“Not only does that scare me at losing our Churubusco programs and traditions, but when you step back and see all the things I love about this community, it would be split — it’s not the same.”

Many questions were written down on note cards and answered at the end of the forum. All questions will be answered on a “Frequently Asked Questions” page on the school’s website.

To watch the Churubusco News’ video of the forum, visit the Churubusco News’ Facebook page.

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A4 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

HEAL from Page 1 “We have shared values and a passion for helping families heal,” Garau said.

Those shared values carry through with Nicole Trier, who joined Boggs and Garau in 2015. Choices & Changes brought on several newer therapists in the past year — Brittany Prater, Lyndsay Hayes, Stephanie Hammer, Michelle Beard and Dr. Lisa Wooley.

“As far as who has joined us, it feels like the right person at the right time,” Garau said. “All of us are from this community and we’re all really invested in the families of this community.”

Boggs didn’t expect the practice to grow into what it is today.

“I was on my own when I first started and I didn’t intend to grow,” Boggs said. “I was the janitor, bookkeeper and therapist — and was very happy.”

But as the needs of the community grew, so did Choices & Changes.

“There were more families than we were able to help,” Boggs said. “We can only do what we can handle, but we don’t want to turn people away.”

The practice was previously located on Diplomat Drive and had four therapy rooms. The new location on North Oak Street has seven therapy rooms with room to grow — which appears to be a real possibility, as new clients are added on a regular basis. The former medical office was empty for about a year as most doctors moved to the new Parkview Whitley Hospital and away from the hospital’s previous location on North Oak Street.

With the addition of new therapists, Choices & Changes is currently assisting about 150 clients.

Since 2010, Boggs estimates the practice has served more than 600 clients.

Private advantage

Being a private practice allows therapists to have their own focus, which provides variety in services to help people with all needs, including individual counseling, family counseling, play therapy, group therapy and classes for parents looking to hone their skills.

Overall, as mental health in Whitley County is improved, life in Whitley County is improved.

Mental health issues have a ripple effect on others in the family and the community.

“I think most of our problems inter-personally are because we feel misunderstood or someone has hurt us and we haven’t known how to respond to or address that,” Garau said.

Unaddressed trauma and hurt can be expressed in many ways. Some people turn to drug and alcohol abuse, others aren’t able to properly care for their

The family model

PHOTOS BY NICOLE MINIER

Choices & Changes offers sand tray therapy for both children and adults. The therapy can provide valuable insight into a client’s unconscious mind.

Choices & Changes recently relocated to a former medical office building on North Oak Street in Columbia City.

children and the cycle of trauma is continued through another generation.

“When people get counseling and that pain gets released, they don’t need to run from it anymore,” Garau said. “Someone is there to hold it with them and it breaks the cycle.”

In some instances, parents simply want to learn how to become better parents, but don’t know the next step. Choices & Changes works with many parents to establish co-parenting relationships that are beneficial for all involved.

“We emphasize that families have the strength to make the changes, and we can guide them to look at the healthy choices,” Boggs said.

When to seek help

One step in improving overall mental health of the community is knowing when to seek help. Sometimes, signs can be more easily seen in children, who may display regressive behavior, have difficultly sleeping or an increased frequency of meltdowns and anger.

Some children, however, don’t show outward signs of stress. Anytime a child has experienced trauma or a major life change, it can be helpful to meet with a counselor.

Trauma can take many forms, such as divorce, parent incarceration, abuse, change in caregivers, death and moving.

“Working with a child earlier if there’s trauma gives them much more resilience as they go through life,” Boggs said.

“Sometimes you have to readdress that trauma, but

With a larger practice, Choices & Changes now as an office manager, Lauren South.

it’s not nearly what it is if you wait until adulthood.”

Adults with unaddressed trauma may face depression and anxiety issues, which in turn could affect their children.

“If mom is depressed, the child is likely picking up on that and trying to sort that out,” Garau said.

“Mom might not have the energy to do things with them.”

Just because a child doesn’t talk about a traumatic event doesn’t mean it doesn’t bother them.

“Whether or not you’ve talked to your child about it, they most likely know something,” Garau said. “If you don’t want it passed on to your child, bring them in. Some show it, and some internalize it — they look perfect on the outside but they’re hurting on the inside.”

Most adult clients at Choices & Changes have unaddressed trauma or undiagnosed issues, such as ADHD, that have followed them into adulthood, Boggs says.

“Most adults say their lives would have been better if they had therapy as a child,” Boggs said.

“Some have lives full of impulsive behavior and difficulty with relationships and money.”

In the end, Choices & Changes seeks to provide a safe place for healing and life improvement.

“We value developing a safe relationship with our clients,” Boggs said. “We want families to come in, feel respected and take ownership in what they need to do to improve their lives. We coach, we guide, we give advice — we want people to leave feeling more equipped. Live. Heal.

Grow.”

Where to start

If interested in seeking Choices & Changes services, call 244-0264.

Choices & Changes accepts most commercial insurance policies, as well as Hoosier Healthwise and the Healthy Indiana Plan. Choices & Changes is located at 360 N. Oak St., Columbia City.

Mental health therapy looks much different than the days of laying on a couch and talking to a counselor, and Choices & Changes has implemented therapy techniques to best serve all clients, children and adults alike. The practice has a unique approach, especially when helping children and families — a model designed by Garau, that has shown strong success for local families.

Garau, who is also a parent of a child with special needs, designed Choices & Changes “family model” through both her experience as a therapist and as a mother.

“In my own personal journey of seeking help for my child, I realized how important it was for us (parents) to learn,” Garau said. “I know how hard it is as a parent, being worried about your child and their struggles and wanting to do something about it, but needing some other input.”

In the family model, rather than starting a child in counseling immediately like traditional therapy, counselors have sessions with parents to gain a better understanding of the child and other life circumstances.

“Working with the whole family is more beneficial than just working with the child,” Garau said. “A child’s problem is not just one incident that has happened or that child’s personality. In a child showing extreme signs of stress, there are many factors that contribute to that — some the parents have control over and some they don’t.”

In traditional therapy, oftentimes contributing factors are not addressed. Therapists could spend much time working with a child who continued to show signs of struggle due to other circumstances in their lives.

“We stepped back and said, ‘let’s involve the family from the beginning,’” Boggs said. “And that’s how Christy started the family model. It’s really changed the whole practice.”

While counselors have conversations with the adults in the child’s life, therapists take a different approach with children, who often express their feelings in other ways. Play therapy helps counselors understand what’s going on with the child, even if the child isn’t interested in talking.

“In play therapy, you’re not asking the child a lot of questions like you do with adults, like how or why things happened,” Garau said. “In play therapy, children use play to express their thoughts, feelings and attitudes about themselves, others and the world.”

In addition to the play therapy, therapists continue to gain background information from the parents, such as learning more about the family’s history, values, discipline and what they want to pass on to their children.

“We want to find out about what’s important to each family,” Garau said. “It’s not about our values, but helping to support their values.”

After assessment, therapists can then offer advice on how caregivers can continue to help their child in addition to therapy. Sometimes, a caregiver may have one value that they want to impart on their child, but they’re contradicting that value with their parenting style.

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INwhitleycounty.com • A5

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

OBITS Richard L. Baxter COLUMBIA CITY — Richard L. Baxter, 87, of rural Columbia City, died at 2:50 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 201,7 at Renaissance Village. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Burial will be in Nolt Cemetery. Calling will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials are to The Warehouse church.

Eric Lee

COLUMBIA CITY — Eric David Lee, 29, of Columbia City, died Thursday Nov. 30, 2017.

Arrangements are pending at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Obituary Policy INWhitley County does not charge for death notices that include notice of calling hours, date and time of funeral and burial.

An extended obituary, which includes survivors, biographical information and a photo, is available for a charge.

Deadline for funeral homes to place obituaries is 9 a.m. Tuesday. The email address is: obits@ kpcmedia.com.

For information, contact Kathryn Bassett at 260-347-0400, ext. 2526.

ASSESSOR from Page 1 • Have resided in county for at least one year before the election; • Must own real property located in the county upon taking office; and • If the individual has hot held the office of county assessor, they must attain a level two assessor-appraiser certification but, if they have, they must have attained a level three certification.

To be a candidate in the caucus besides fulling the above qualifications one must file a CEB-5 declaration of candidacy for a vacant local office form with the Republican Party Chairman Matt Boyd no later than 72 hours before the start of the caucus.

These forms are available in the Clerk of the Courts office in the Whitley County Courthouse and by emailing Boyd.

Current Deputy Assessor Kim Erdly has already submitted her CEB 5 Declaration of Candidacy so there is one person running in the caucus so far.

No party affiliation is required to be a candidate. Boyd can be contacted at 417-0247 or mattboyd@centurylink. net.

Caring for Christmas trees For those who buy real Christmas trees, you certainly have a desire for that tree to retain a healthy appearance through the Christmas holiday season.

Maintaining a healthy tree should start by selecting a fresh tree.

Of course, nothing beats choosing and cutting your own tree. That’s about as fresh as you can get. But, steps can also be taken to maintain as much freshness as possible from pre-cut trees.

Daniel Cassens, professor emeritus of forestry at Purdue University and a tree farmer, said fresh trees are the best bet for beauty and safety during the holidays.

Cassens suggested selecting a good tree: full all around, and the proper size. Trees in the field don’t look as big as they will in a living room.

“We like to joke that the trees tend to grow as they go through the front door,” Cassens said.

“A fresh tree’s branches are not crumpled or drooping, the needles are tight and the color is good.

And, a fresh tree isn’t dried out so it’s safer.”

A good test for freshness is to grab the needles and gently pull them toward you. On a fresh tree, the needles will stay on the tree. Some businesses can put the tree in a shaker to dislodge all of the dead and loose needles on the inner parts of branches.

In addition to selecting a fresh tree, proper care at home can keep it looking festive. If the tree is not set up immediately, it’s a good

idea to place the trunk in a bucket of water.

“When you get the tree don’t let it sit in the sun or wind – those things will dry the tree out quickly,” Cassens said.

“Don’t tie the tree to the top of a car if you’re driving long distances, JOHN E. as it can WOODMANSEE dry it out quickly.

Also, covering a tree with plastic can bake it if the sun comes out.”

Instead, Cassens suggests having the tree bundled at the site and placed in the trunk, or in the back of an SUV or truck.

Selection of a good tree stand is also important.

The bigger the tree, the stouter the stand should be.

Just before putting the tree in its stand, Cassens said a fresh cut should be made about one-half inch from the bottom of the trunk.

“Since pitch tends to seal the trunk off, this opens up new wood and the tree can absorb the water,” he said.

The tree stand should hold one quart of water for every inch in diameter at the bottom of the trunk.

Plain water is best and should be added daily.

Cassens said commercial and other homemade additives may actually increase water loss.

Use guy wires attached

CONTRIBUTED

Full moon

The Whitley County Courthouse created a beautiful setting for photos of Sunday night’s Super Moon. This photo was taken in the alley on the west side of the courthouse, between City Hall and the Clugston Senior Apartments.

to nearby window frames to ensure stability. Many have had the unfortunate opportunity to right a fallen Christmas tree more than once, and also clean up the watery mess on the floor.

Guy wires may be the answer to your problem.

As a personal note, I’ve learned this the hard way.

There is little risk to having a Christmas tree in your home.

“A tree doesn’t just burst into flames,” he said.

“It has to dry out and be exposed to a flame to catch fire.”

To ensure safety, Cassens suggests placing both real and artificial trees away from heat registers,

drafty areas, space heaters, fireplaces and other heat sources. Fires are rare, and many of those that do occur are caused by overloaded outlets or faulty wiring.

Purdue Extension has a first-time buyer’s guide, which includes tree care tips, available at extension. purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/ FNR-423-W.pdf.

When festivities are over, Christmas trees can add value to birds through the winter. Birds can use the tree for cover in your backyard. Be sure to remove all tinsel and other non-recyclable ornaments from the tree. You can even provide birdseed in

various types among the old branches. Make sure you have the tree anchored well, or winter winds will roll it away. Your neighbor may not be as enthusiastic about providing shelter and food for birds as you are.

After winter, you can recycle the tree into mulch by chopping or grinding branches into wood chips, or by stripping the needles and using them as mulch. Smaller branches and needles can also be chopped and added to a compost pile for use later on.

John Woodmansee is an extension educator in Whitley and Noble counties.

parts of the town, but we haven’t given it any consideration recently,” Town Council President Randy Cokl said.

Ultimately, Councilman Les Hoffman moved to pass the utility hike.

At the meeting • Christine Scroggs of the Whitley County Salvation Army visited to make sure South Whitley knew that the nonprofit has services available for rural Whitley County commu-

nities.

“We do help with utility assistance if needed,” she said.

• The town awarded Advanced Disposal for its five-year waste removal contract.

S. WHITLEY from Page 1 town laid out some of the changes the project will bring. In order to complete the project, the town will have to take out a $2.5 million dollar bond to be repaid over the course of 20 years. With a 2 percent interest rate, the town will pay $192,000 per year.

The proposed increase has to cover that difference, by law.

As it stands, the current minimum monthly payment to use South Whitley utilities is $15.60 per month, and an average 4,000-gallon-permonth user pays $28.14.

With the new rates, the minimum rises to $21.85 and a 4,000-gallon user pays $39.41, a respective increase of $6.25 and $11.27.

The council held a public hearing on the issue, which was met by several concerned residents in the area. Residents in the Starlite Estates manufactured housing subdivision on the south side of town raised

concerns. Because Starlite is not technically part of South Whitley, residents there pay an additional 50 percent for use of the town’s utility service.

Dixie Rensboro, a resident of Starlite Estates, already struggles to pay the current bill, she said.

“My water is getting to where it’s my most expensive utility,” she said. “I’m paying $100 a month for one person just for water and sewage.”

One solution to the additional amount the housing development pays is for the town to annex it, but Kathy Marburger does not want annexation.

“The reason I chose to live out there is that I am not interested in being part of the town,” she said. “If you annex, I’m going to move.”

However, annexation appears unlikely at this time.

“There have been discussions for the past year of annexing different

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A6 • INwhitleycounty.com

OPINION

Your view

Are mental health needs being met?

IN|Whitley County posed the following question on its Facebook page: Do you feel mental health needs are being met in Whitley County? What can be done to improve our community?

Here are your responses: Meghan Kelly: No they are not. I need to see someone but I can’t afford it, so my mental issues really don’t matter to this town.

Kayla Enyeart: As a parent with a child with mental health issues it takes a army to help them! …there should be classes to help parents with warning signs for suicide and everything, and if they are out there then publish them more.. give classes to help parents help their children with different mental health needs!

Kelly Kilander: Might be worth looking into, we have an almost brand new hospital without a lot of resources to go with it. We need occupational therapy for children with autism. More support and information for families and children with special needs. More help with mental illness. What good is a brand new hospital if I have to drive to Fort Wayne for everything? Not everyone has the gas money or time for that. Defeats the whole reason for building a new hospital.

Kinda like it’s just for looks not for helping us.

Elisha Koher: I 100 percent agree Kelly Kilander!

One in 10 children have autism. What resources do we have?! We have a brand

new hospital, but not one that specializes with our autistic children! Schools and teachers also need proper training! Kids should be our main priority, and we are failing those with special needs!

Dusty Blackburn: My daughter has high functioning autism and we definitely need more resources. Dr. Bystricky is amazing and got my daughter diagnosed early.

Driving to Fort Wayne all the time for support and resources stinks.

Nancy Butcher Shopteese: The real answer is Jesus. He is still in the healing business. Spirit. Mind. And body. Best counselor ever.

Jon Strack: How about accepting help from volunteers who are willing to assist in suicide prevention and bullying awareness? Several organizations have been overlooked or pushed to the side from certain individuals in the community who are supposed to care for the well-being of our school children. To only hide behind the programs presented and available by the Bowen Center because they partner with them.

Give these children another option. Those kids getting picked on or are thinking about killing themselves that doesn’t involve faculty and actually is organized by a group of individuals who care and will volunteer their time and efforts to make sure that another tragedy does not happen within the WCCS community.

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

Mental health — are we doing enough?

Last week’s incident involving a person atop the Whitley County Courthouse raises a question for many in the community — is the community doing enough in regards to mental health?

From 2011-2014, 15,797 people in Indiana attempted suicide, and from 2011-2015, 4,696 Hoosiers died by their own hands. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the state, according to a report by the Indiana State Department of Health.

Last week’s courthouse situation ended with a positive outcome, but not all similar situations do. Just two days later, a young man committed suicide in Whitley County.

In many cases, out of respect to family members and the those involved, local media does not report on suicides and attempted suicides. While we believe this practice should be continued, we also worry that the community at large may not realize how many neighbors are coping with serious mental health issues, especially given the stigmas surrounding mental health in general.

In this week’s article,

Jennifer Romano summed it up well by saying that we need to “be real about kids and adults struggling in our community.”

Mental illness is often suffered alone. According to Mental Health America, one-in-four people in Indiana suffer from a mental illness in a given year. Are we as a community doing enough to help our fellow residents?

Places such as Choices & Changes in Columbia City, also featured in this week’s publication, are an excellent resource for those who need help, but not everyone is getting the help they need. According to Whitley County Coroner Randy Dellinger, about six people have committed suicide so far in 2017, and six people committed suicide in 2016 in Whitley County.

We all should ask ourselves the following questions, posed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: • What does mental health mean to our community?

• What are the challenges and factors we should consider?

• How can be best support the mental health of young

Our view

people?

• What steps do we want to take in our community?

Having counseling services such as Bowen Center and Choices & Changes are helpful, but, as a whole, our community could work to provide a more positive and encouraging atmosphere for those struggling with mental health.

In many social media post comments, particularly posts about controversial subjects, you’ll find someone being negative or rude to another person — and, in many cases, the people are strangers.

Last week, the community addressed the right things to save the young woman’s life.

But we must ask ourselves if, as a community, we’ve addressed everything that can bring a person to that

point? Bullying or a lack of a support system can exasperate someone who is already struggling.

We encourage everyone to talk to their kids about bullying, think twice before posting something rude on social media and know the signs of someone who is suicidal.

Some of those signs include: • Major changes to sleeping patterns • Loss of interest in personal hygiene or appearance • Alcohol or drug misuse • Self-harming • Uncharacteristic risktaking or recklessness • Quitting activities that were previously important Someone who is talking about suicide or death; putting their affairs in order, such as giving away their belongings; or writing goodbye letters are considered to be at serious risk for suicide and should get help immediately.

We believe we live in a good-hearted community and look forward to seeing all residents taking it upon themselves to help each other in regards to mental health.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Thankful for the community Dear Editor, At a time when there are so many troubling things happening all around our world, it is encouraging to know about all the great people doing great things in our small community. Many

in our area were happy to lend a hand to make the Annual Community Thanksgiving meal a reality. We are so thankful for all the businesses and individuals who made donations of cash and food items, or who gave of their time for this event.

The volunteers were citizens of all ages who came

together to prepare and serve 200 delicious dinners to anyone living in our school corporation. It was heartwarming to see the kindness extended to everyone who was served that day. Thank you to our guests who came out in the extremely rainy weather to join in the fun.

Both the guests and the

volunteers seemed to have a great time.

Words cannot express the gratitude we feel towards all those who made this event possible. It truly was the community who made this wonderful day a huge success.

Thank you all so much!

Marta Hawkins South Whitley

A cultural revolution sweeps America (with toast) You had to think that at Thanksgiving dinner tables across Indiana and the nation for that matter, a number of women were pondering the notion of running for the General BRIAN Assembly HOWEY or Congress.

The reasons emanate from Alabama, Congress and the White House. The nation is in the midst of a social upheaval, or to put it in more

stark and dangerous terms, a cultural revolution, fueled by an array of sexual harassment allegations that began in Hollywood with perv mogul Harvey Weinstein and have radiated out across newsrooms, boardrooms, Congress and even 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. In the latter stages of the 2016 presidential race more than a dozen women accused President Trump of sexual harassment or assault.

It has claimed the careers of news anchors Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose, actor Kevin Spacey, comedian Louis C.K., and others. It is threatening the political careers of U.S. Sen. Al Franken and U.S. Rep. John Conyers. In Alabama, there is Judge Roy Moore, the Repub-

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lican nominee for U.S. Senate, who has been accused of either sexual assault or harassment years ago, with at least one of them just 14 years old at the time.

The race has seeped into the Republican Indiana Senate race, with the three main candidates – U.S. Reps. Todd Rokita and Luke Messer, and former legislator Mike Braun – all saying Moore should step aside. Messer said, “That would be the best thing for the state of Alabama and our country.”

U.S. Sen. Todd Young has also called on Moore to step aside, saying, “After giving Roy Moore ample time to unequivocally deny the disturbing allegations against

him, those allegations remain far more persuasive than the denials. Roy Moore should immediately drop out of the race.”

Vice President Mike Pence’s Great America Committee PAC began making contributions to three gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates last week, but not to Moore.

Rokita, who has aligned his “defeat the elite” campaign rhetorically with Moore, and Braun are reportedly seeking the support of Steve Bannon of Breitbart, a former aide to Trump and a backer of Moore who is seeking his own “revolution.” This comes in contrast with congressional Republican leaders from Speaker Paul

Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who have said they not only want him to resign the nomination, but if he wins, won’t allow him to be seated.

President Trump has tweeted support for Moore.

Prior to Thanksgiving, Trump said, “He denies it. He says it didn’t happen. And look, you have to look at him also.” Hey, that strategy worked for Trump in 2016.

Scott Jennings, a Republican strategist close to McConnell, explained the Moore dilemma to Axios: “Either we’re saddled with a Democrat in a seat that ought to be Republican, or we’re saddled with a brand anvil that’s going to drag down the president, drag down the

Senate, drag down the party and plunge the Senate into immediate turmoil when he gets there.” If you need evidence of that “anvil,” look at what happened in the Virginia House of Delegate elections earlier this month.

Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake said in a hot mic moment, “If we become the party of Roy Moore and Donald Trump, we are toast.”

A number of Hoosier women might be asking on the campaign trail next year, “Would you like some humble pie with your toast?”

— Brian Howey is publisher of Howey Politics Indiana at www.howeypolitics. com. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @hwypol.

CHEERS, JEERS AND WHATABOUTS To submit to this column email the editor at nminier@kpcmedia.com CHEERS to Kilgore’s for fixing the Columbia City Fire Department’s truck s free of charge. It took them two days to fix it and they had to build a special part. The Columbia City Fire Department appreciates Kilgore’s generosity.

— Columbia City Fire Department.

INwhitleycounty.com • A7

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

Hernandez-Dominguez pleads guilty, risks deportation

By Tyler Roebuck troebuck@kpcmedia.com

COLUMBIA CITY — In Whitley County Circuit Court Monday, Luis Hernandez-Dominguez, 23, of Glenview, Ill., pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, a level 6 felony, and operating while intoxicated, a level 6 felony.

As a non-citizen, Hernandez-Dominguez could potentially face deportation for his guilty plea, according to Judge Matthew Rentschler.

On Jan. 7, Officer Joseph McLaughlin pulled Hernandez-Dominguez over after someone called 911 reporting a possible intoxicated driver, according to police reports. When McLaughlin approached the vehicle, he, “immediately detected a moderate odor of raw marijuana

and an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle,” the report states.

He also noticed that Hernandez-Dominguez’ eyes were bloodshot, and he saw a baggie with “an off-white powder substance.” A later search of the vehicle also allegedly produced a “hand-rolled cigar that contained a green plantlike material.”

Hernandez-Dominguez denied having had anything to drink since the previous night, according to the report, but a test reported his blood-alcohol content at 0.114, above the legal limit of 0.08.

Hernandez-Dominguez is in the U.S. with a temporary visitor license and, because of his guilty plea, Immigration and Customs Enforcement may pursue deportation. He currently has a

job in Chicago and, in accordance with his plea agreement, will face up to two years incarcerated.

His sentencing hearing is Jan. 16, 2018.

Alma charged with strangulation

Michael Alma, 47, of South Whitley, was arrested Nov. 20 after an alleged victim appeared at the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department alleging an attack by Alma.

The alleged victim had “visible abrasions under [the] right eye and across the bridge of [the] nose,” court documents state.

After arriving at Alma’s home to assist a child with schoolwork, Alma allegedly refused to let the alleged victim leave.

According to documents, Alma allegedly took the alleged victim’s keys and when the person tried to move around him

to escape, he allegedly “pushed [the person] to the ground and pinned [the person]’s arms down with his knees.”

He then allegedly began hitting the person with one hand while pressing a gun against theneck with the other, police reports say.

When Deputy Chris Bachelder arrived at Alma’s residence, Alma consented to a search during which officers were unable to locate the alleged gun. Alma said that the alleged victim had threatened and assaulted him, saying the alleged victim “had hit him couple times on the head,” according to court documents.

“I could not see any visible marks or redness on his head,” Bachelder reported.

Alma is charged with criminal confinement, a

level 3 felony; strangulation, a level 6 felony; and domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor. If convicted, a level 3 felony carries a sentence of three to 16 years.

In other Whitley Circuit Court news

• Jordan Fairchild, 21, of Columbia City, appeared for an initial hearing on multiple charges of dealing in and possession of methamphetamine, level 4 and 6 felonies, respectively. If convicted, Fairchild could face between two to 12 years.

The court appointed Anthony Churchward to defend Fairchild, and set his bond to $50,000 surety. His next hearing is Jan. 2, 2018.

• Katlynn Shrader, 21, of Fort Wayne, admitted to violating probation with a positive test for mari-

juana on Nov. 20. Shrader has had prior violations of probation, and so Judge James Heuer revoked the remaining 349 days of her suspended sentence.

Because Shrader is pregnant, her sentence will be initially served at the jail but eventually at work release or on home detention, after she is screened and approved to do so.

• Bonnie Smith, 37, of Columbia City, and Joshua Fritz, 31, of Columbia City, violated their conditions of home detention by testing positive for prescription drugs and methamphetamine, respectively. Both had their sentences modified to the Whitley County Work Release facility.

• Jacob Martin, Zachary Long and Aung Oo had their respective pre-trial conferences continued to later dates.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Noshavember raises $750 for Whitley County Relay for Life Last Thursday, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department presented a check for $750 to the American Cancer Society’s Whitley County Relay for Life today. The check was made possible with contributions from the department’s Noshavember fundraiser where officers contributed funds to be permitted to grow a beard. Each officer donated $25 or more and was allowed to grow a beard during November. Participants included: Sheriff Marc Gatton, Chief Deputy Jason Spencer, Tony Helfrich, Sergeant Todd Cook, Detective Sergeant Bill Brice, Scott Schmitt, Detective Sergeant Cory Patrick, Brandon Smith, Sergeant Billy Maddox, Kory Bailey, Dustin Auer, Jon Stoffel, Chris Bachelder, Scott Geist, A.J. Westerman, Justin Yeagle, Jail Commander and Reserve Deputy Sean Martin, Reserve Deputy Brent Trammel, Ron Glassley, Reserve Deputy Jake Schrader and Commissioner George Schrumpf. Pictured above are participants in the fundraiser at left, and Reserve Deputy Brent Trammel getting his beard shaved by Sheriff Marc Gatton.

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Whitley County • December 7, 2017

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INwhitleycounty.com • A9

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

Helfrich presents ‘Let’s Celebrate: Extravagance’ Staff reports

WHITLEY COUNTY — At its November meeting, the Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Eta Fine Arts Sorority featured a program by member Mary Helfrich titled “Let’s Celebrate: Extravagance.”

Helfrich told the story of a 25-year-old bachelor who built a 250-room bachelor pad, the largest domestic dwelling ever constructed in the U.S. The bachelor was George W. Vanderbilt III, and the house is the Biltmore, which opened for Christmas Eve in 1895.

The estate originally consisted of 130,000 acres near Asheville, N.C. Today, 8,000 acres remain with a large farm and winery on the premises.

Helfrich also shared a Power Point presentation

of pictures from her visit there last September.

The Biltmore was modeled on the Chateau de Blois in France’s Loire Valley. Rooms featured include the winter garden, banquet hall, and library on the first floor; Mr. Vanderbilt’s bedroom and Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom on the second floor and guest rooms on the third floor. The basement housed a heated and lit swimming pool, changing and exercise rooms for guests, and the servants’ quarters.

Kitchens and laundry rooms were extensive.

Outdoor gardens and the conservatory provided numerous pictures of flowers. Highlighted were orchids of many types and colors.

Helfrich ended her program featuring a variety

of gargoyles, statuary, and fountains found in the front of the house.

President Janelle Smith conducted the business meeting. She and the chapter applauded Kris Richey for her work compiling the recent “Sigma Items.” Richey will serve as the national parliamentarian. New national directories were distributed to members unable to attend convention.

The Social Committee extended invitations for “A Simple Country Christmas” in December.

Hostess Mary Lou Fries served an apple cake, cheeses and crackers, chocolates and nuts.

BrewHa coffees were featured. Assisting her were her daughter, Mary Catherine, and granddaughter, Olivia.

CONTRIBUTED

The Biltmore House in Asheville, N.C., is the largest domestic dwelling ever constructed in the U.S. with 135,280 square feet of living space.

WHITLEY COUNTY JAIL BOOKINGS The following people were booked in the Whitley County Jail: • Ryan Bettinger, 36, of Warsaw, was arrested Nov. 26 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

• Drenya Driver, 24, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Nov. 27 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and false informing.

• Raymond Harris, 61, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Nov. 27 by the Indiana State Police, charged with possession of marijuana.

• Dontee Green, 26, of Joilet, Ill., was arrested Nov. 28 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of marijuana.

• Jacob Slain, 33, of Columbia City, was arrested Nov. 28 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Marie Marks, 44, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Nov. 28 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with driving while suspended.

• Fe Ra, 37, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Nov. 29 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with operating while never licensed.

• Joshua Fritz, 31, of Columbia City, was arrested Nov. 29 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with violation of home detention.

• Robin Hopson, 22, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Nov. 22 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with

possession of methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

• Jordan Fairchild, 21, of Columbia City, was arrested Nov. 29 by the Indiana State Police, charged with dealing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.

• Bonnie Smith, 37, of Columbia City, was arrested Nov. 29 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with violation of home detention.

• Jesse Deen, 24, of Bluffton, was arrested Nov. 30 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with theft.

• Anna Jane Smith, 22, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Nov. 30 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• David Francis, 55, of Columbia City, was arrested Nov. 30 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Daniel Barker, 26, of Columbia City, was arrested Nov. 26 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of paraphernalia.

• Clay Carper, 18, of Auburn, was arrested Dec.

1 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

• Katlynn Schrader, 21, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Dec. 1 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Kimiya Brooks, 37, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Dec. 1 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Benjamin Sherill, 34, of Winona Lake, was arrested Dec. 1 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI neglect of a dependent.

• Austin Blocher, 19, of Columbia City, was arrested Dec. 1 by the Columbia Citay Police Department, charged with minor in possession of alcohol.

• Patricia Gyasi, 29, of South Bend, was arrested Dec. 1 by the Indiana State Police, charged with possession of paraphernalia.

• Gwen Keller, 31, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Dec. 1 by the Indiana State Police, charged with her second OWI and OWI per se.

• Mark Shepherd, 20, of Mentone, was arrested Dec. 2 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department,

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charged with probation violation.

• Cory Young, 38, of Goshen, was arrested Dec. 2 by the Indiana State Police, charged with violation of specialized driving privileges.

• Jmar Ldin, 21, of Dallas, was arrested Dec.

2 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI, OWI per se and reckless driving.

• Erica Fountain, 25, of Columbus, Ohio, was arrested Dec. 3 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI neglect of a depen-

dent, OWI per se controlled substance, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of marijuana.

• David Rathburn, 59, of Columbia City, was arrested Dec. 3 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department for a body attachment (civil matter).

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A10 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

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SPORTS Delay of game

A12 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

Whitley County feels heat of referee shortage

By Travis Stahl

for the Churubusco News

WHITLEY COUNTY — It would appear based on all of the businesses currently displaying help wanted signs, that the economy in Indiana is booming.

Fast food restaurants, retailers and even factories are having a difficult time finding employees. There just aren’t people who want to perform those jobs.

The same goes for officiating high school sporting events. Schools across Indiana are finding it more and more difficult to find officials for games.

It would seem logical that finding qualified officials in specialized sports like soccer or wrestling

would be a challenge. But athletic directors across the state are running in to the same problem.

Nobody wants to be an official right now. Most schools even use assigner services, companies which charge a fee to find officials from across the state.

The fear is, it won’t be long before even the more attended sports like football and basketball face the same crunch.

“We need more adults who want to officiate,” said Columbia City athletic director Khelli Leitch. “It will become a bigger challenge in the future. The writing is on the wall.”

Leitch said older officials only want to do junior varsity games and

there just aren’t enough young people becoming officials now to replace them. That is especially true in football and basketball where older officials specifically request the reserve games.

Churubusco head football coach Paul Sade echoed those same concerns and said it was a major topic of discussion at some recent state coaching meetings.

“We have a major shortage in football,” said Sade. “There are a lot of guys retiring and there just isn’t anybody to replace them.”

Sade said the lack of officials may force schools to abandon playing football games on Friday nights. As it becomes

more difficult to find officials high school teams may have to start playing varsity games on Saturday afternoons when more of the older officials are willing to do games.

Becoming a sanctioned official through the Indiana High School Athletic Association is considered easy to achieve. All a person has to do to become an official is pay $50 to take the test in their interested sport and then pass an open-book test with a score of 75 percent or higher. After passing the test, the individual then joins the officials association of whatever sport you have become licensed in. Licensed officials are required to attend a rules

interpretation meeting then once every year.

Leitch said he can’t pinpoint an exact reason why there are few people becoming officials, but he has heard some feedback from older referees.

“Officials say the crowd culture is different now,” said Leitch. “Our crowds are pretty good here but other places have issues.”

Whitko athletic director Josh Mohr agreed. Mohr said fans in the stands are more emotional now then in years past.

“People are more emotional about the games now,” said Mohr. “It gets people carried away at times.”

Mohr does have one solution to the problem.

When he encounters

a fan or former player who he feels has the right demeanor, he will encourage them to become an official.

“It can be very rewarding for some people,” said Mohr.

The decreasing number of officials is a major problem not just for the schools in Whitley County but across the state. As the more experienced officials in every sport begin to retire, the IHSAA just can’t find enough willing applicants to fill the need.

In preparation for the unknown future, Leitch has already begun to line up officials for Columbia City games for the 2022 season. And even then those officials may no longer be working games.

Young Eagles keep chins up through early losses

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

CHURUBUSCO — Three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior took the court against an experienced Leo team last Wednesday, falling 68-51. Despite deficits in size, strength and experience, Churubusco’s boys basketball team held its own through most of the game and showed promise for what’s to come this season.

“You can tell they’re young, but they’re just going to keep getting better, and better, and better,” head coach Chris Paul said. “People talk about their inexperience, and they are, but they’re scoring points — we’re

lacking in size and strength — we have it sitting over there and it will be back soon.”

The Eagles’ three inside players are out — but expected to start returning to the lineup this month. Garrett Horn, who severely broke his leg in the first game of the football season, returned to the athletic arena at the Leo game, getting his first playing time in months.

Though not fully up to speed, the crowd was excited to see the senior take the floor again.

“It meant a lot to get Garrett Horn on the floor,” Paul said. “To go through what he went through and be back on the floor already — emotionally it

gives us a lift. He’s just going to get better.”

The Eagles trailed 20-13 in the first quarter after a flurry of Leo 3-pointers, four in total. However, ’Busco freshmen Luke McClure and Jackson Paul each scored four points to keep the game close.

Eli Foote and Paul scored back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the second quarter to bring the Eagles within two points, 25-23, but Leo’s experience showed and the Lions extended their lead to 31-25 at halftime.

Four different Eagles connected on 3-pointers in the third quarter — Paul, NICOLE MINIER

See EAGLES, Page 13

Churubusco’s bench celebrates after Eli Foote scored a 3-pointer.

FOLLOW WHITLEY COUNTY SPORTS Thursday, December 7 Churubusco wrestling at Garrett, 6:30 p.m.

Whitko boys basketball at West Noble, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 8 Columbia City girls basketball hosts Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Churubusco girls basketball at West Noble, 7:30 p.m.

Whitko girls basketball hosts Manchester, 7:45 p.m.

Whitko boys basketball at West Noble, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 9 Columbia City swim at Wawasee Invitational, 10 a.m.

Columbia City boys basketball hosts Carroll, 6:15 p.m.

Columbia City wrestling at Leo, 9 a.m.

Churubusco boys basketball hosts West Noble, 7:30 p.m.

Whitko boys basketball hosts Wawasee, 7:45 p.m.

Whitko wrestling at Bishop Luers, 9 a.m.

Monday, December 11 No events scheduled

WhitleyCounty County Whitley wc wc

inwhitleycounty.com

inwhitleycounty.com

Tuesday, December 12 Columbia City girls basketball hosts Warsaw, 6:15 p.m.

Churubusco boys basketball at East Noble, 7:30 p.m.

Whitko girls basketball hosts West Noble, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, December 13 Whitko wrestling at Churubusco, 6:30 p.m.

Columbia City wrestling at Norwell, 6:30 p.m.

Churubusco girls basketball at Garrett, 7:30 p.m.

Submit your sports stories or photos to Nicole Minier at nminier@kpcmedia.com

SPORTS

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

INwhitleycounty.com • A13

PREP SPORTS BRIEFS BOYS BASKETBALL River West achieves 1,000 points

SOUTH WHITLEY — Whitko’s River West passed the 1,000 point mark for his basketball career with the Wildcats.

West was presented with the game ball last Friday.

He is the son of Jerry and Lana West.

Whitko 46, Bellmont 42

SOUTH WHITLEY – Whitko’s boys basketball team picked up another win last week by defeating Bellmont, 46-42.

Spencer Sroufe led the Wildcats with 18 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. River West had 10 points and seven rebounds. Brian Collins also scored 10 points for Whitko.

The Wildcats had a

15-10 lead after the first quarter and a 29-21 lead at half.

Wabash 73, Whitko 59

SOUTH WHITLEY — After having a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats were unable to hold off Wabash, which outscored Whitko in each of the next three quarters. River West led the Wildcats with a double-double, scoring 27

points and collecting 10 rebounds. West also had two steals and an assist.

Brett Sickafoose scored 11 points and had six rebounds; Spencer Sroufe tallied 10 rebounds and had nine points, two steals, two assists and a block. Other scorers for Whitko were Brian Collins with seven points, Drake Lewis with three and Cade Bechtold with

This week in sports

JUSTIN HUNTER

Whitko wrestler Kyle Reed looks to make a move on his North Miami opponent last week.

two points.

SCORES

Columbia City 42, Northrop 39

GIRLS BASKETBALL Churubusco 46, Adams Central 42

CHURUBUSCO – Churubusco’s girls basketball team won its first game of the season by defeating Adams Central 46-42 last week.

The Lady Jets had a

McClure, Zane Burke and Gage Kelly; however, the Lions managed to extend their lead to 51-37 heading into the fourth quarter, and pulled ahead further in the fourth to win the game 68-51.

The Eagles were led

by Paul with 24 points and Burke with 11 points.

Other scorers included McClure with eight, Foote with three, Kelly with three and Jake Fulk with two.

Churubusco dropped its third game of the season to Westview last week as well, 86-50.

The Eagles started the 2016-17 season with losses in their first three games before beating county-rival Columbia City. That team went on to win seven of its next nine games — and Paul expects similar results from this team, which shows strong potential.

TOPEKA — Churubusco freshman Zane Burke led the Eagles with 27 points in the Eagles’ loss at Westview Friday.

Burke also led the team in rebounds with seven Other leading scorers for Churubusco were Gage Kelly with 12 points

PHOTOS BY NICOLE MINIER

Joe Rennaker takes down his Angola opponent.

Ben Geise prepares to lift Maddie Richards for a pre-game cheer at a Churubusco game.

Zane Burke listens as assistant coach Bruce Patterson offers him words of advice.

Westview 54, Churubusco 20

CHURUBUSCO — Churubusco’s girls See BRIEFS, Page 14

EAGLES from Page 12

Westview 86, Churubusco 50

Garrett Horn played in a game for the first time since his severe leg injury in the first game of the football season in August. His performance was met with a round of applause from the crowd.

narrow lead at the end of the first quarter, 8-6.

Churubusco took the lead back by halftime, 20-18. The Lady Eagles outscored Adams Central in the third and fourth quarter to secure their first win.

and Luke McClure with five.

GIRLS BASKETBALL Churubusco 46, Adams Central 42

CHURUBUSCO – Churubusco’s girls basketball team won its first game of the season by defeating Adams Central 46-42 last week.

The Lady Jets had a narrow lead at the end of the first quarter, 8-6.

Churubusco took the lead back by halftime, 20-18. The Lady Eagles outscored Adams Central in the third and fourth quarter to secure their first win.

Westview 54, Churubusco 20

CHURUBUSCO — Churubusco’s girls basketball team hosted and lost to a strong Westview team, 54-20.

The Lady Warriers shut out Churubusco in the first quarter, taking a 16-0 lead. ’Busco got on the scoreboard in the second quarter, but Westview still held a strong, 27-8 advantage at halftime.

Churubusco’s offense had a more productive second half, but the Lady Eagles ended the game with the 54-20 loss.

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SPORTS

A14 • INwhitleycounty.com

Wildcat grappler Jordan Courter works on his opponent from the top position against North Miami last week.

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

KPC

Whitko’s wrestling team walks out onto the mat in a meet last week.

BRIEFS from Page 13 basketball team hosted and lost to a strong Westview team, 54-20.

The Lady Warriers shutout Churubusco in the first quarter, taking a 16-0 lead. ’Busco posted pointed to the scoreboard in the second quarter, but Westview still held a strong, 27-8 advantage at halftime.

Churubusco’s offense had a more productive second half, but the Lady Eagles ended the game with the 54-20 loss.

North Miami 65, Whitko 29

KNIGHTSTOWN —

Whitko’s Lady Wildcats had the opportunity to play in the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, a gymnasium made famous by the movie “Hoosiers.”

Despite the hot shooting of Anna Ousley, the Lady Wildcats fell to Three Rivers Conference foe North Miami, 65-29.

Ousley scored five 3-pointers to lead the team, finishing with 15 points.

“It was great to see her shoot well,” said Whitko head coach Rick Bragg.

Ellis Snep added six points and pulled down 15

rebounds.

Despite the loss, Bragg was excited the his players had the opportunity to play in the Hoosier Gym. “I am grateful to the administration of our school who helped organize this awesome opportunity for our team.

I also am thankful to the Wildcat Nation that made the trip to the Hoosier Gym to see the game and the historic site.,” Bragg said. “Despite the loss, I hope this day is something the kids will remember for a long time.”

SCORES

Bishop Dwenger 57, Columbia City 45 Leo 45, Columbia City 43

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SWIMMING CC boys 116, Bellmont 63 CC girls 112, Bellmont 63

DECATUR – The Columbia City swimming teams raced against Bellmont last week. The boys team defeated the Braves 116-63, and the girls also won 112-63.

The boys team of Telly Varga, Maxwell Joseph, Noah Johns and Brian Fix won the 200-meter freestyle. Matt Webber won the 200-meter freestyle

YOUR

and 100-meter butterfly, Noah Jones came in first place in the individual medley.

Charlie Varga won the 50-meter freestyle.

Ryan Devito came in first in the 100-meter butterfly and 500-meter freestyle. The Eagles also won the 200-meter freestyle relay with Aaron Fix , Varga, Devito and Webber. Fix also won the 100-meter backstroke.

Joseph Maxwell won the 100-meter breaststroke.

The Eagles also won the 400-meter freestyle relay with Fix, Varga, Devito and Webber.

The girls team also won many races. Columbia City won the medley relay with Sophia Hatcher, Mykaela Crowell, Shauna Young, and Lauren Liston. Hatcher won the 200-meter freestyle. Crowell was first in the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter breaststroke.

Caroline Klimek won the 50-meter freestyle and the 100-meter freestyle for the Lady Eagles. Liston won the 500-meter freestyle.

The Lady Eagles won the 200-meter freestyle relay with Young, Evin Devito, Lindsey Hoskins and Klimek. Hatcher won the 100-meter backstroke.

The Lady Eagles came in first in the 400-meter

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A division of

freestyle relay with Hoskins, Devito, Liston and Klimek.

CC boys 122, East Noble 61

KENDALLVILLE — Columbia City’s boys swim team took a dominating win over East Noble last week, 122-61.

The 200- and 400-yard relay teams of Aaron Fix, Charlie Varga, Ryan Devito and Matt Webber won both their relay events. The medley relay team of Telly Varga, Maxwell Joseph, Noah Johns and Brian Fix also placed first.

Individually, Webber won the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events; Devits won the 100-yard butterfly and 500 freestyle; Aaron Fix won both the 200 individual medley and 100-yard backstroke; Charlie Varga placed first in the 50-yard freestyle; and Joseph won the 100 breaststroke.

Telly Varga came in second in diving.

East Noble girls 91, Columbia City 85 KENDALLVILLE — Columbia City’s girls swim team lost a close meet with East Noble, 91-85.

The Lady Eagles had four first-place events, three of which Mykaela Crowell had a hand in.

Crowell won the

200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke, and was also part of the winning medley relay team with Lauren Liston, Shauna Young and Sophia Hatcher.

Carolyn Klimek won the 50-yard freestyle and placed second in the 100-yard freestyle.

Liston placed second in the 500-yard freestyle, and Young came in second in the 100-yard butterfly.

Columbia City’s 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay teams placed second.

WRESTLING North Miami 40, Whitko 12 SOUTH WHITLEY – Whitko’s wrestling team fell to North Miami last week, 40-12.

Kyle Reed had a strong performance for Whitko with a dominating win over North Miami’s Keaton Spear. Reed finished with a pin in the second period.

Logan Busz was the other point-scorer for Whitko, picking up a pin in the first period for what the Whitko coaching staff called a “great start to his senior season.”

Compiled by Nicole Minier

SPORTS

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

Whitley County’s Casey Craig chases after the puck.

Whitley County’s Mike Petersen makes a move down the ice rink.

INwhitleycounty.com • A15

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Whitley County’s Cory Dear guards the goal.

Local hockey players give back to their heroes

By Justin Hunter jhunter@kpcmedia.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It was much more than a game for three Columbia City hockey players.

The Northeast Indiana Warbirds played a game in Washington, D.C., Nov. 19. The Warbirds played the USA Warriors team that consists of wounded U.S. military personnel. The Warbirds won the game 7-3, but most importantly raised money for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Mike

Petersen, Casey Craig and Cory Dear were Columbia City residents who played in the game.

The Northeast Indiana Warbirds, formally the Whitley County Warbirds began their third season of play in September.

The Warbirds raised $17,000 during the past two seasons for military and Whitley County charities. The Warbirds have put in 200 hours of community service in the county.

“Everything we receive is donated,” said Warbirds president and

captain Casey Craig.

“That’s why we need the community’s support. We do have some sponsors who help us out, because hockey is an expensive sport.”

Craig spends his time finding other hockey teams to play both in Fort Wayne and on the road. Their team consists in players ranging from their lower 20’s to 60 years old. The teams they play are similar in age.

“It’s a lot of fun. We form relationships with teams, and talk shit over Facebook leading up to

CONTRIBUTED

Schmitt qualifies for Boston Whitley County resident Tim Schimitt earned his spot for the Boston Marathon in April after posting competitive times in both the Veterans Marathon in Columbia City and the Flying Pig race in May in Cincinnati. He finished the 26.2-mile race in 3:05:06 in the Flying Pig race, and just over 3:12 in the Veterans Marathon. He is pictured with his son, Chase, on race day in Columbia City last week.

the games,” Craig said.

The trip to the nation’s capital was particularly a great experience for the Warbirds.

“It was unbelievable,” he said. “We took in all the sites and landmarks, and spent Saturday sight-seeing. It was a humbling experience to see all that stuff, and they (the USA Warriors) took us to a Washington Capitals game that night.

We chilled out, watched some NHL and talked

trash with each other. It’s crazy out there. It isn’t Columbia City, that’s for sure.”

The game between the Warbirds and the USA Warriors was at the Washington Capitals practice facility. The highlight of the trip was forming relationships with the USA Warriors.

“Going out there to play these guys, they’re all wounded, Purple Heart recipients or retirees,” said Craig.

“You take them in a whole different way than just another hockey team. We look at them as heroes. I get emotional about those guys. They fight for us and the least we can do is play hockey and raise money for them. It’s heartwarming, and all about respect.”

The next game the Warbirds play will be against a similar military team Jan. 6 against the Michigan Warriors in Fort Wayne.

A16 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

WCCS updates immunization records

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

COLUMBIA CITY — At last week’s school board meeting, superintendent Dr. Patricia O’Connor applauded the work of Whitley County Consolidated staff for updating student immunization records.

Nearly all students in the district are either immunized or have exemptions on file.

“This is a very chal-

lenging job,” O’Connor said. “I thank the staff for their attention to getting this done.”

School nurses, administrators and even the School Resource Office worked together on this project, which will ensure the health safety of all students in the district.

“If something happens and we have some sort of epidemic, we will have this data and can identify students who may be at

risk,” O’Connor said.

Having updated immunization records is a requirement by the state, but not all school districts are successful in getting parents to comply.

Indian Springs Middle School, Coesse Elementary School and Little Turtle Elementary School all have 100 percent of their records updated.

Mary Raber Elementary is at 99 percent, Northern Heights Elementary at 98 percent and Columbia City High School/Eagle Tech Academy is at 97 percent.

Several students are exempt from having up-to-date immunization records, whether for health or religious reasons.

Those with medical exemptions must have a written statement from their doctors, provided yearly, according to Indiana law. Religious exemptions must be made in writing as well.

In total, 80 students have been verified as exempt: 34 at the high school, 29 at ISMS, three at Coesse, seven at Little Turtle, seven at

Mary Raber and none at Northern Heights.

Also at last week’s board meeting: • The school board accepted nine bid packages for the new high school, including items such as general trades, grandstands for the football field, interior and exterior glazing, auditorium seating and lockers.

Those projects were re-bid after prices came in high the first time. O’Connor reported that the school district remains on-budget for the construction of the new high school, which is

expected to be completed by 2020.

• Construction of the new school continues, as workers attempt to get as much work done as possible before winter.

Most of the foundation work is completed and walls are being constructed in the gymnasium area. Utility work continues as crews put in water, sewer and storm drain lines.

• The board received an update on the food service program, which serves an average of 319 breakfasts and 1,879 lunches per day.

Churubusco News receives RE/MAX 5 state journalism awards Integrity KPC NEWS SERVICE

INDIANAPOLIS — KPC Media Group Inc. newspapers won 32 awards Saturday in the annual Hoosier State Press Association Better Newspaper Contest — five of which were awarded to the Churubusco News.

Editor Nicole Minier received first place for her article written about Sharon Jones, an Olympic swimmer who

lives in Churubusco.

She also earned second place in the same category, sports features, for an article written about Stacia Fester, who overcame adversity after back surgery.

The Churubusco News received second place for newspaper design; second place for an article written about Randy Jones, a Churubusco native who earned a directing role with

the Travel Channel; and third place for headline writing.

The Churubusco News compete in the division for small non-daily papers with circulation less than 3,000.

The Churubusco News won first for a sports feature about 1968 summer Olympics 100-meter breaststroke winner Sharon Jones sharing her story at the local library.

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welcomes Wigent Staff reports

COLUMBIA CITY —RE/MAX Integrity recently announced the addition of a new Realtor — Kayla Wigent, as an associate broker.

Wigent has been in the real estate industry since 2012, working as an administrative assistant and marketing director. In 2015, Wigent became a real estate broker with Orizon Real Estate in Columbia City.

She has served clients in Whitley, Allen, Noble and other surrounding counties, and is experienced in residential real estate, bare land and new construction.

“I am excited to join the RE/MAX Integrity team,” Wigent said. “I believe that I will now be able to better serve my clients with not only the No. 1 real estate brand but with all of the cutting edge technology, groundbreaking marketing programs and increased web visibility — while still providing the same hometown service. I truly believe that my experience coupled with the RE/MAX brand and my first hand knowledge of our local market is going to blow my clients away.”

Wigent has nearly completed her Council of Residential Specialists designation and is only a few credits away from her bachelor’s degree in marketing. She participates in the Young Professionals Network with UPSTAR Board of Realtors, volunteers during the United Way Day of Caring and has a passion for sponsoring and supporting downtown Columbia City and its events.

INwhitleycounty.com • A17

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

Photo gallery of children seeking adoptive families stops in Columbia City Staff reports

COLUMBIA CITY — The Indiana Heart Gallery is a traveling photo exhibit featuring compelling portraits of children in need of adoptive families and has made a stop at Brewha Coffee House in Columbia City.

The Indiana Department of Child Services created the Heart Gallery in 2007 with the goal of sharing the beautiful, professional portraits along with stories about children in foster care in Indiana. This initiative helps put a face on a sometimes invisible need and reminds families that adoption changes lives.

The goal of the Heart Gallery is to increase awareness of the DCS foster youth available for adoption and encourage the community to learn more about the foster to adoption process. With the help of all of the Indiana adoption programs and

partners, including the Heart Gallery, more than 1,000 Hoosier foster kids found permanent homes in state fiscal year 2014.

“On average we are actively recruiting adoptive homes for about 200 youth statewide,” says Sonya Rush, DCS adoption program manager.

“Every child needs a family they can call their own. We need families that are not only willing to love our children, but are also prepared to commit to them, claim them as their own and hang in there through their ups and downs.”

Nationally, there are nearly 400,000 children in foster care and more than 100,000 are legally available for adoption. For some children in foster care, getting adopted can mean the difference between homelessness or incarceration and transitioning successfully into adulthood.

CONTRIBUTED

This gallery will be at Brewha in downtown Columbia City through Dec. 11.

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Mail picking up for holidays in CC

Patricia “Po” Brooks has retired as a rural mail carrier after 28 years of service. Brooks started her career in Columbia City. She looks forward to a long, enjoyable retirement with her husband and their family.

With the busy holiday season underway, mail volume is increasing and the Columbia City Post Office is seeing more cards, letters and packages being delivery every day. Residents can expect to see letter carriers delivering packages earlier in the morning and later in the evening, including Sundays. Columbia City Postmaster Lisa Costin said the postal service is doing this to better serve the community and provide a good holiday experience.

Chamber Focus on the Arts: Teresa Carrano Staff reports

COLUMBIA CITY — South Whitley resident Teresa Carrano is December’s featured artist for the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center’s “Focus on the Arts” initiative.

Carrano’s work will debut in an artist’s reception 3-6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 7, and remain on display through the end of December. The artist’s reception will be held in conjunction with the Chamber’s open house event.

Carrano’s exhibit features several pieces of her quilting work as well as paintings.

“As a career journalist I’m one of those lucky people who starts with a blank

page every day,” said Teresa Carrano, editor of the Tribune-News, based in South Whitley, and staff writer for the Times-Union.

“However, sewing was my first form of creativity and I began quilting two years ago.”

In the exhibit room of the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center throughout December, Carrano presents a number of large and small quilts.

“How hard can cutting fabric into squares and sewing them together be?

Well, I’ve yet to make the perfect quilt and I probably never will.

It’s a lot of sewing, though, and I’ve discovered that as

long as I’m sewing something, I’m pretty happy,” Carrano said.

Also on display are a couple of paintings, just to make the small exhibit space cozy.

“I’ve always painted and drawn, too,” she said. “Just come on in and make yourself at home.”

The exhibit is also available for viewing 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. The Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center is located at 128 W. Van Buren St., on the courthouse square, in downtown Columbia City.

For more information, contact the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center at 248-8131.

CONTRIBUTED

Carrano

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Whitley County • December 7, 2017

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INwhitleycounty.com • A19

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

Community Calendar Include news of your group, too

16

Send news of your group to nminier@kpcmedia.com. Items will be selected and edited as space permits.

Dec.

7

8

9

10

Dec. 7

• The Churubusco Lions Club will host its annual Christmas dinner for the senior citizens of the Churubusco area. The annual dinner will be served at noon in the Fellowship Hall at the Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main St. The holiday meal menu is turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, rolls and butter, ice cream and a beverage. Entertainment will follow the meal, including a visit from Santa Claus. To make a reservation, call Herb Gaff at 498-2285 or 341-2205 by Dec. 4.

• A Christmas Open House, 3-6 p.m., hosted by the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce, will feature hors d’ oeuvres and holiday cheer as the Chamber celebrates the beginning of its 99th year. RSVP by Dec. 1 at office@whitleychamber.com or call 248-8131.

17

Dec. 8

• Santa will be at the South Whitley Town Hall from 5-8 p.m.

• Silly Safari’s North Pole Animals, including a live reindeer, will be at the South Whitley Community Public Library at 6 p.m.

One of Santa’s elves will talk about the different animals living at the North Pole, and perhaps divulge some secrets from Santa’s workshop.

People of all ages may pose with the reindeer for a photo • The Walk of Trees is 5-8 p.m. at the Clugston Senior Apartments in downtown Columbia City. Raffle tickets may also be purchased for a chance to win one of the decorated trees.

Tickets are $1 or six for $5, and will be available at the door. Proceeds from the event benefit low-to-moderate income residents. The raffle drawing is Dec. 9. Need not be present to win.

Dec. 9

• The Whitley County Historical Society’s Victorian Christmas Dinner is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Whitley County Historical Museum on North Main Street in Columbia City. The cost is $25 per person, and period clothing is preferred but not required. Call the museum at 244-6372 to register. The meal will be catered and served

by Jill Daniel Catering. All guests must register

by Dec. 1.

• A Christmas Festival and Market is 3-8 p.m. at Community of Hope Church in downtown Columbia City.

• Breakfast with Santa, hosted by the Columbia City Main Street Association, takes place at the Van Buren center at 8 a.m. Tickets are required for attendance, and are available for purchase at www.eventbrite.com/e/breakfastwith-santa-tickets-37398043555.

• The Walk of Trees is 5-8 p.m. at the Clugston Senior Apartments in downtown Columbia City. Raffle tickets may also be purchased for a chance to win one of the decorated trees.

Tickets are $1 or six for $5, and will be available at the door. Proceeds from the event benefit low-to-moderate income residents. The raffle drawing is Dec. 9. Need not be present to win.

• The Festival of the Hanging of the Greens takes place at the Churubusco United Methodist Church 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The festival will feature readings of Christmas traditions, music by local talent and a live nativity scene.

Dec. 10

• The Merriam Christian Chapel Choir will present “Christ was Born for This,” a musical presentation based on the familiar carol, “Good

18

CONTRIBUTED

Rudolph and other animals from the North Pole will be a the South Whitley Community Public Library Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.

Christian Men Rejoice.” The free event starts at 7 p.m.

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Dec. 11

• The Churubusco Public Library Board meets at 6 p.m. The board meets on the second Monday of each month.

• The Alzheimer’s Association will host a cargiver’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbia City United Methodist Church in the Wesley Room. The association meets the second Monday of every month.

Dec. 12

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• The final Carols by the Fireplace concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. when the Columbia City United Methodist Church Bell Choir uses several octaves of bells to play holiday favorites.

• South Whitley Town Council will host its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

• Columbia City Municipal Board of Works and Common Council will hold their regular meetings at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers in Town Hall.

Dec. 14

• A blood drive will be hosted at Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco, 9251 E. State Road 205, 1:30-6:30 p.m. Schedule your donation at redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS. • Books and Booze meets at Downtown on the Square to discuss the book “Seven Brief Lessons on Physics” by Carlo Rovelli at 7 p.m.

The club is for persons 21 and over, and no library card is required.

• A Childrens Christmas Party will be held by the Tri Lakes Lions Club from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

• Churubusco Chamber of Commerce will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at noon in the Masonic Lodge. The chamber meets on the second Thursday of the month.

Dec. 15

• “Death by Dessert,” Churubusco High School’s winter play, will be shown at 7 p.m.

SEND YOUR PICTURES WITH SANTA TO NMINIER@KPCMEDIA.COM

31

Tickets are $7 Dec. 16

• Santa will be at the South Whitley Town Hall from 5-8 p.m.

• Santa’s workshop will be open at 1 p.m. for children to create last-minute gifts. Join Mr. Logan and Ms. Courtney for an afternoon of holiday crafts that will become treasured family memories. There is no fee for this program, but pre-registration is requested in order to ensure enough materials are available • “Death by Dessert,” Churubusco High School’s winter play, will be shown at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $7.

• Snowcoming at Churubusco Junior/Senior High school comes between the junior varsity and varsity boys basketball game. Snowcoming is winter homecoming, where a king is crowned instead of a queen.

Dec. 17

• Holiday Pops, performed by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and hosted by First Church of God in Columbia City, begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12, and are available for purchase online at fwphil. org, by calling the Philharmonic Box Office at 481-0777, or at First Church of God, STAR Bank, DeMoney & Grimes Funeral Home or at the door prior to the concert.

Dec. 18

• The Whitley County Drainage Board holds its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Whitley County Government Center. The board meets the third Monday of each month.

• Whitley County Commissioners hold their regular meeting at 1 p.m. in the Whitley County Government Center. The commissioners meet the first and third Monday of each month.

• Smith-Green Community School Board will hold a regular meeting at 7 p.m. in the Administration Building.

Dec. 20

• Churubusco Town Council holds its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall. The council meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Dec. 25

• Merry Christmas to all from the IN|Whitley County Staff!

Dec. 28

• South Whitley Town Council will host its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

• Columbia City Municipal Board of Works and Common Council will hold their regular meetings at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers in Town Hall.

Dec. 31

• The brick sale for the Russel and Evelyn Fahl Aquatics Center in Columbia City will continue through Dec. 31. Engraved bricks can be purchased at fundraisingbrick.com/columbia city.

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A20 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • December 7, 2017

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