IN|Whitley County Feb. 8, 2018

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By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

COLUMBIA CITY — For the past several years, several Whitley County entities have worked together to recruit new residents to Whitley County to help fill the needs of expanding businesses and grow the community.

They recently found out their wishes were granted, as about 20 new families have moved to Whitley County in the past three weeks, and more are expected in the

coming year.

Zimmer Biomet, a Kosciusko County-based medical device company, offered several employees the opportunity to transfer from its facility in Puerto Rico to Warsaw following the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

“We have a number of open skilled positions in our Warsaw manufacturing facility that these individuals were uniquely qualified to fill and they had expressed interest in relo-

cating,” Monica Kendrick, vice president of corporate communications for Zimmer Biomet, said in an email to IN|Whitley County’s sister publication, the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly.

Due to housing shortages in Kosciusko County, many of the families are moving to Whitley County. The relocations are expected to be permanent, according to Kendrick.

Not every transferred family is coming to Whitley

bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

In 2014, a fatal car accident tore a hole in three Whitley County families and left the community reeling.

In this and the next two editions, we will bring you the stories of these families – what has helped them heal and how they are keeping their loved ones’ memories alive.

BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ

Colton (left) and Braden (right) fill propane tanks at Cider Mill Propane.

On a frigid January morning, Braden Coffelt, 24, entered the office of Cider Mill Propane in Columbia City. His younger brother, Colton, a senior at Columbia City High School, walked in moments later.

Bleary-eyed, Braden made a beeline for the coffeemaker.

“I didn’t get to bed until about 3 o’clock in the morning,” he explained.

See COFFELTS, Page 4

Senior center plans outdoor living park

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

COLUMBIA CITY — Leaders of the Woodlands Senior Center in Columbia City want to bring a new outdoor living park to its seniors and all members of the Whitley County community.

The approximately $250,000 project includes a screened-in pavilion, raised gardens, shuffleboard, fire pit, picnic area, water fountain and playgrounds.

Thor Hodges, president

of the Whitley County Council on Aging, said the project is geared toward improving quality of life for seniors especially, but their families as well.

Some senior facilities in Whitley County don’t provide many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

“It’s said to walk through the facilities and see some of them just laying there with nothing to do,” said Ron Myer, of the Council on Aging.

“It’s a tough situation.”

Seniors can ride the

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

This preliminary design of a proposed outdoor living park at the Woodlands Senior Center on Opportunity Drive in Columbia City offers a variety of activities for Whitley County seniors, families and children alike.

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county’s public transportation, Whitley County Transit, to the senior center, anytime Monday through Friday.

The new facility will offer more variety to the programming that already takes place at the senior center, such as bingo, affordable meals and educational experiences.

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Telephone: (260) 693-3949

of partners in our community,” Romano said. “People are clearing their calendars for this. It’s great how many Whitley County residents have come forward to help — they’re willing to help in any way.”

Romano has a long to-do list of items, such as preparing for the new resident resource and job fair at Coesse Elementary School 9-11 a.m. Feb 12; compiling

Carrying on a father’s legacy

bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

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February 8, 2018

County, but local officials are pooling resources to provide an inviting environment.

Headed by Whitley County Chamber Director Jennifer Romano, entities such as the school district, Mayor Ryan Daniel and the Whitley County Economic Development Corp. are working together with others, such as medical and public safety officials, to make sure Whitley County is prepared for the influx of residents.

“I’m glad there are a lot

By Bridgett Hernandez

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Whitley County recently received a check from a company that had received incentives to create jobs and failed to follow through.

On Jan. 2, county attorney Matt Shipman presented the commissioners with a check for $12,877.12 from Solstice Medical – about 51 percent of what it owes the county.

In 2011, the county awarded Solstice Medical $50,000 from county economic development income tax, or CEDIT, funds to support the company’s plan to lease office and ware-

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Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Jail incident sends 24 to hospital

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

COLUMBIA CITY — An incident at the Whitley County Jail sent 24 inmates and sheriff’s department staff to the hospital Monday.

Sheriff Marc Gatton was one of those sent to the hospital after a “substance” contaminated the intake processing area of the jail.

At about 12:30 p.m., sheriff’s dispatchers called for decontamination assistance from the Columbia City Fire Department after the substance was reportedly released into the general booking area,

which was occupied by several Whitley County Jail confinement officers and other inmates of the jail, according to a news release.

Indiana State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Ron Galaviz told KPC News partner WANE-TV that a state trooper arrested two people, a male and female, on U.S. 30 in Whitley County after they fled police at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.

When the female was being patted down by a confinement officer at the jail, she reportedly grabbed two baggies of a white powdered substance and

threw them in the air.

The Fort Wayne Fire Department Hazmat, Whitley County Emergency Management, Whitley County Health Department and Parkview Whitley EMS also responded to the scene.

During clean up, the area of Main Street and West Market Street was closed to traffic. By 6 p.m., the jail was operational and open again.

Officials said there was no public safety risk and there were no major medical issues associated with the contamination, other than rashes and eye irritation.

NICOLE MINIER

Crews from multiple agencies worked together to clean up a harmful, powdery substance that was released into the jail by a woman who was in the process of being booked into the jail. The incident left 24 injured and caused portions Main and Market streets to be closed Monday.

FFA, 4-H teams win national judging contest KPC News Service DENVER — Columbia City’s livestock judging teams traveled to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, winning both the FFA and 4-H national contests during the National Western Round-Up in January.

The teams won the state title at Purdue University in May 2017 to earn the trip to Denver.

In the national contest, the groups judged 12 different species of livestock with each class consisting of four different animals.

Those 12 classes consisted of cattle, sheep, meat goats and pigs. Then, the judges gave six sets of oral reasons, defending themselves in terms of why they placed the classes they way they did.

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The two teams practiced twice a week after school through the end of October when they competed in the Stockman contest, which was held by Roger Carr and the Clinton Central FFA chapter in Michigantown.

After the teams won the Stockman contest, the judges were given time to relax before the national contest, before starting back up the week after Thanskgiving.

“We practiced a lot to prepare for this contest,” said FFA Advisor Skylar Campbell.

The teams practiced even more when they arrived in Denver, stopping at a feed lot and then traveling to a farm with highquality show heifers.

Then, they spent a day at Colorado State University and did a 12-class workout the CSU coach and members prepared.

“That practice gave all of the kids a

All

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Abbi Schrader brought home the honors of High Individual on the FFA side of the national contest.

true look at how the contest was going to be set up the next day,” Campbell said.

“The kids worked hard and took this opportunity very seriously. A lot of time and dedication was put into this contest and we had lofty goals.”

The teams hope the 2018 judging season ends as successfully as the year has started.

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Columbia City’s national 4-H contest winning team poses for a photo. From left are coach Greg Rupert, Evan Pettigrew, Brad Johnson, Devin Baker, Maddie Schroeder, assistant coach Jacquelyn Werstler and FFA advisor Skylar Campbell.

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Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Purdue Extension – a Youth center looking to add STEAM programming reliable information source

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

A Whitley County nonprofit is bringing new programming to area middle and high school students in 2018 as part of its outreach.

The Center for Whitley County Youth started in 2005 and hosts a variety of youth development programs throughout the week for local students.

It first started engaging young people by offering high school students a safe place to hang out after football games. Since then, The Center has started a variety of programming, including after-school programs.

These programs are designed to create a connection between students and caring adults, said executive director Jeff Wike. Students are mentored, get homework help, play games, have a healthy snack and do creative activities. Last year, The Center served more than 400 students from 18 schools.

Wike has been with The Center since the beginning and has found it to be a good fit for him.

“I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to reach young people. You constantly have to keep reinventing things and figuring out ways to tweak and grow and improve,” he said.

One of the ways The Center is hoping to tweak its programming this year is to offer students more STEAM activities. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

The Center is exploring ways to add one to two STEAM activities per week to its after-school programs.

Wike wants to bring in people from the community to engage students in fun, hands-on activities that incorporate STEAM. The Center is

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Students Faith Wagner and Sierra Elliott learn cash management, bank depositing and checks and balances at The Center’s Down Under Cafe.

looking to build partnerships with others in the community to offer these activities. So far, community partners 4-H and Blue River Digital have stepped up to participate in the programming.

The Center would also like to start offering coding and is looking for people who might be willing to lead coding activities.

Offering students more STEAM activities, like coding, is important because skills like these will be valuable in the future job market, Wike said. Equipping students with tools to succeed can open up opportunities for students while helping bridge the skills gap that local employers are struggling with, he said.

This year, The Center is also exploring ways to offer its after-school programming to students in Churubusco and South Whitley by either transporting students to Columbia City or reproducing a version of the programs in these communities, Wike said.

This fall, The Center is launching a new program called The Landing.

Described as “a judgement-free place for teens grades 6-12 to be real and deal with struggles such

as fear, addiction, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, perfectionism, and any other hurts, habits and hangups,” The Landing is a national faithbased program with a pilot in Fort Wayne. Wike said he’s been trying to bring The Landing program to The Center for three years.

“The idea is it’s creating this safe place for students who are struggling with loneliness, addiction, depression, suicidal thoughts, divorce or family struggles. A lot of times, kids don’t have an outlet where they’re not getting judged for their problems,” he said.

The Landing’s launch in Columbia City this fall is made possible by funding from the Lutheran Foundation.

Wikes said The Center is always looking for volunteers to serve in a variety of roles to help maximize the impact of its programming.

More than 60 adults from the community volunteer at The Center at least weekly or monthly, but closer to 90 volunteers are needed, he said.

For more information, call The Center at (260) 248-4977 or visit www. thecentercc.com.

Information. With the internet, there is plenty of it available these days. So, with all this information available, how does a person sort out reliable information from misinformation?

According to Buckminster Fuller’s “Knowledge Doubling Curve,” until 1900 the total amount of human knowledge had doubled roughly every century.

Around 2013, that figure was estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of every 12-13 months, and it was estimated by IBM to eventually be about every 12 hours.

I don’t know what the facts are at this moment – after all, I found this information on the internet.

I’m reminded of the television commercial that shows a girl speaking to a friend and she said she found her new boyfriend on the internet.

“He’s a French model,” she said. Just then, the guy comes walking up and says in the most obvious middle-American dialect, “Bonjour.”

Where can we find reliable information? There are probably a number of answers to that question, but if a question involves science, family or youth, my suggestion is to start with Purdue Extension.

What is Purdue Extension, anyway? Well, I plan to answer that question more fully in coming weeks. For now, just think of us as your local connection to Purdue University research. I would suggest that it is reliable information.

In short, research is conducted at Purdue University, and Purdue Extension helps local residents access and understand that research as it relates to their lives and livelihoods.

On a practical level, let’s say you want to know the going rate for custom farm operations, you have cock-

roaches in the house, or you want to know proper canning methods.

Purdue Extension has researchbased information and publications that can help JOHN E. you make WOODMANSEE a more informed decision as you move forward or deal with the situation.

If it’s a question we don’t immediately have access to through our extensive library of information, we can consult a specialist at Purdue to shed more light on the issue. If Purdue doesn’t have the breadth of information we need, sometimes we can gain additional reliable information from neighboring land-grant institutions within U.S. Department of Aagriculture’s Cooperative Extension

System.

In short, Purdue Extension “extends” the research-based knowledge of the university to local people.

Many times local residents have called the Purdue Extension office because they just needed a place to start.

That’s OK, too. Sometimes, rather than answering the full extent of your question, it is appropriate for us to refer your question to another institution or professional, such as it may be with legal or specific health-related issues.

If you want a quick suggestion for doing internet searches that have a greater likelihood of producing research-based answers to these types of questions, add “edu” or “Purdue” in the search bar after your key words.

So, you have questions, we have answers. Give your local Purdue Extension office a call. In Whitley County, the number is 244-7615.

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

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Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Schrumpf running for re-election for County Commissioner Contributed WHITLEY COUNTY — Whitley County Commissioner George Schrumpf will run for re-election for County Commissioner in the Republican primary election on May 8.

Schrumpf is a resident of Tri-Lakes where he’s lived for the past 19 years. In addition to serving as Commissioner for District 2 for the past four years, Schrumpf is co-owner of local business Wings Etc.

in Columbia City.

Schrumpf is passionate about the community and believes being servant-leader minded is key to putting the needs of residents first.

“As a commissioner, the decision-making process must be dictated by extensive due diligence, but also the ability to be open-minded in keeping everyone’s best interests in mind,” Schrumpf said. “I want to continue our efforts to control spending,

and be proactive and reactive to the concerns of the residents who call Whitley County home.”

As part of the Whitley County Redevelopment Commission, Schrumpf was involved in supporting the construction of the new Columbia City High School, which will open its doors in 2020.

“It’s crucial to support improvements to our infrastructure, and provide support

for projects that promote economic growth in the county,” Schrumpf said.

He also believes a great way to better understand the challenges and needs of our community is to dive in to the community and get involved.

Schrumpf volunteers his time with a number of nonprofit organizations in Whitley County.

He serves as the executive chairman of the board of directors for Passages

Inc., serves as the Whitley County representative on the Parkview Whitley board and is also a board member for the Community Foundation of Whitley County.

“I enjoy serving in different areas of the community. Whether I’m gaining knowledge from serving as commissioner, a business owner or a volunteer, I can use all of these experiences to better serve the people of this county,” Schrumpf said.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Schrumpf

COFFELTS from Page 1 The night before, he had to make a run to Ohio for business and didn’t get back until late.

Both brothers began working for the family business before high school graduation – Braden when he was a junior and Colton when he was a freshman.

Their father, Perry “Joe” Coffelt, founded the company in 2011 after 20 years in the propane business. Joe had always told his sons that the company would be theirs someday, but someday came suddenly on Nov. 28, 2014 – Black Friday.

Three years ago That night, the Coffelts received a call about a car accident on their road. They could see the flashing red and blue lights less than a half mile from their home.

Joe had taken his red Mustang convertible on one last joyride before storing it for winter. His three passengers included Braden’s girlfriend Savannah Labenz, 19, and friends Eric Hoffman, 19, and Breanna Waugh, 19.

The car was traveling northbound on County Road 300 East when the single-car accident occurred, just north of Hartman Road.

According to the crash report, the car left the east side of the road for an unknown reason. It struck several trees on the east side embankment and then flipped end over end, coming to rest on its top.

Joe, Savannah and Eric

BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ

Braden and Colton Coffelt carry propane tanks for a customer.

were pronounced dead at the scene. Breanna, the sole survivor, was taken to a hospital for her injuries.

The fatal accident tore a hole in the community.

The loss is still deeply felt, Braden said.

“You’re always going to wake up and say, ‘Where are they at?’” he said.

Big shoes to fill After the accident, a relative managed the family business while Braden, Colton and their mother Lori grieved with family and friends.

After the funerals, Braden, who was 21 at the time, went back to work.

Having something to do helped him work through his grief.

“It saved me – that and family. It kept my mind off of things,” he said.

Stepping into his father’s shoes was daunting at first, but Braden soon realized that his father had already taught him everything he needed to know. “[Dad] had me involved

in everything – the paperwork, the customer service, the gas haul, everything. I used to get mad at him making me do everything, but now it makes sense. He prepared me for the worst,” Braden said.

Colton, who was 15 at the time of the accident, had only recently started working for the company.

These days, he might work a six-hour shift on a school day, pulling longer shifts on school breaks. After he graduates this year, he plans to work in the family business full-time.

“It’s kind of nice thinking that you’re going to follow in your dad’s footsteps,” he said.

A bonding experience Braden said losing their father forced him and Colton to grow up quickly.

“I never fully got to be a kid – and that’s fine with me. I don’t mind it. Dad prepared me for the worst.

I am who I am today because of that,” he said.

BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ

Braden Coffelt (left), Abby Wigent (center) and Colton Coffelt (right) share a laugh at the office. A picture of Joe Coffelt hangs above Abby’s desk.

He recalled a line from a TV show where a father says to his son, “The day your grandpa died was the day I became a man.”

It resonated with him.

“I was like, ‘Holy smokes!’ When Dad was here, I didn’t necessarily know how to take charge.

Since he’s been gone, I’ve had to. Until you’re thrown into the moment, you don’t really know what to do,” he said.

The accident didn’t just force the brothers to grow up – it forced them to grow close, Colton said.

They didn’t always get along and there was the age difference.

“We didn’t get along at all for a long time,” Colton said. “Then, I think we finally got to know each other a lot better after the accident.”

paying off creditors, distributing any remaining assets to the partners or shareholders and then dissolving the business.

It’s unlikely that the county will get the remaining $12,000 Solstice Medical owes. The company had obligations of about $800,000, and its assets totaled about half of that, so that puts its creditors in a “take this or nothing” situation, Shipman said.

InWelligent lawsuit Solstice Medical is not the only company that has failed

to follow through after being awarded incentives.

In 2013, the county awarded InWelligent Healthcare $80,000 from CEDIT funds to support the establishment of its administrative office in Churubusco. The town of Churubusco also awarded the company $5,000 from CEDIT funds to support the project, according to town council president Frank Kessler.

According to the agreement, the company was required to purchase and redevelop the then-vacant building at 203 N. Main St. It

was also required to create 55 jobs within five years.

According to county officials, InWelligent entered into a land contract with the property owner but never closed on the property due to a disagreement between the company and the property owner.

After the company defaulted on the agreement, it repaid the town, but it still owes the county $80,000.

Shipman filed a lawsuit against the company in November. After the See COUNTY, Page 5

shared. Last year, Colton’s Christmas present to her was a name plate for her desk that reads “Wabby Wigent.” It’s the first thing customers see when they walk in the door.

Abby has watched Braden step into his father’s role as company president.

“For this much being thrown into his lap at such a young age, he’s done a real good job,” she said of Braden.

Taken aback by the compliment, Braden asked her, “How do those words taste?”

Pretending to gag, she laughed, “I need a drink of water.”

Randy C. Mitchell, CEO/Publisher S. Rick Mitchell, CFO Terry G. Housholder, President

A father’s legacy

COUNTY from Page 1 house space in Columbia City to relocate its operations in Whitley County.

According to the agreement, Solstice Medical was required to retain its six employees and create 10 additional positions. The company defaulted on the agreement when it didn’t meet all of the requirements.

After paying back some of the money and agreeing to a repayment plan, Solstice Medical owed the county $25,000.

Shipman said the company is in the process of “winding down” – selling its assets,

Everything about the business reminds them of their father. A large photo of Joe hangs in the office.

He’s a figure that continues to inspire their work ethic, and they still want to make him proud.

They can still remember him saying, “Be a leader, not a follower.”

Joe was serious, but he also loved to have fun. His sons have continued his legacy of good-natured teasing in the office, said Abby Wigent, Joe’s cousin and the company’s secretary.

Abby received the nickname “Wabby” from her cousin Joe because of an inside joke they

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PHONE (260) 693-3949 (USPS 009-385) Periodical Postage Paid at Churubusco, IN 46723 Nicole Minier, Editor

Articles appearing in the INWhitley County do not necessarily represent the views of this paper.

free paper for local businesses and residents, we do charge a mail subscription fee to those out of our area. This fee must be paid in advance and is as follows: InState $26 one year, Out-of-state $39 one year.

You may also call our office during regular business hours to subscribe at (800) 717-4679.

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INwhitleycounty.com • A5

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

OBITUARIES John Phillips III

MiJa Stangland

COLUMBIA CITY — John G. “Jack” Phillips III, 75, of Columbia City, died at 5:36 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.

A private graveside service will be held at Greenhill Cemetery.

Memorials are to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home.

Arrangements are by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

COLUMBIA CITY — MiJa Stangland, 73, of Columbia City, died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018.

Services were Tuesday at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Burial was in Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

Preferred memorials are to Parkview Home Health and Hospice.

Robert Lancaster SOUTH WHITLEY — Robert H. Lancaster, 86, a lifelong resident of South Whitley, died Sunday morning, Feb. 4, 2018.

Calling will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley, where written memories will be shared.

Burial will take place at a later date in South Whitley Cemetery.

Memorials are to Boy Scouts of America.

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.

Submitted obituaries must contain the name and phone number of the funeral home.

For information, contact Kathryn Bassett at 260-3470400, ext. 2526.

WHITLEY COUNTY JAIL BOOKINGS KPC News Service

The following people were booked into the Whitley County Jail: • Kevin Stepherson, 20, of South Bend, was arrested Jan. 26 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of marijuana, visiting a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia.

• Karen Lopez-Ramirez, 22, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Jan. 26 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and maintaining a common nuisance.

• Yi Zheng, 27, of Lexington, Ky., was arrested Jan. 29 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with theft.

• Randall Jenkins, 31, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Jan. 29 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, for a bond revocation order.

• Tiffany Doctor, 37, of Columbia City, was arrested Jan. 29 by the

Risk and reward The Whitley County Economic Development Corp. Investment Board reviewed and made recommendations to award CEDIT funds to both Solstice Medical’s project in 2011 and InWelligent’s project in 2013.

EDC President Jon Myers, came to the EDC three years ago. He said it’s not clear what factors contributed to the board at that time recommending the projects.

He said it’s possible that the board was “a little more aggressive” in attracting busi-

ness because the economy wasn’t doing as well as it is today.

Since coming on board, Myers has implemented a stricter cost/benefit analysis of projects to make sure the local governments aren’t giving out more than they’re taking in.

“If you cross over that point, then it’s just a business welfare program,” he said.

Myers said he wants to make sure the community gets a return on the investment of public tax dollars.

Whenever he considers awarding CEDIT funds to a project, he weighs the possible risks and rewards.

“Is it going to make more jobs or increase pay and make life better for everybody?” he asks himself.

Myers said the redevelopment commission has gotten creative in how they award incentives in recent years by offering some businesses dollars for training new employees rather than tax abatements.

Whitley County’s unemployment rate is 2.5 percent and, in that employment environment, skilled workers are just as valuable as new business investment, Myers said.

The training incentive is a win-win for the employer and the community, he said.

Even if the business packs up and leaves, “we’ve [still] got trained people who aren’t likely to pack up and leave that have the skills and can either start their own business or work for someone else,” he said.

WELCOME from Page 1 a list of translators and gathering resources for new residents, such as packets of information on local businesses and nonprofits.

“We’re thinking — how would it be if we were moving to a completely different place? We’re looking for doctors, dentists, lawyers — a list of all the services we use in our daily lives,” Romano said. “They will be making those decisions right now. Is there anything we can bring in here that would make it better for them?”

Some Zimmer Biomet employees will also bring spouses and children who could be looking for jobs themselves.

Sheriff’s Department, charged with failure to comply.

• Joshua White, 30, of Churubusco, was arrested Jan. 31 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of methamphetamine.

• Macen Long, 25, of Wawaka, was arrested Jan. 31 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with domestic battery.

• Michael Raber, 31, of Columbia City, was arrested Feb. 1 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Stephen Reed, 30, of South Whitley, was arrested Feb. 1 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of paraphernalia, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct and conversion.

• Joe Rodriguez, 27, of South Whitley, was arrested Feb. 2 by the South Whitley Police Department, charged

with possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and operating while intoxicated.

• Michael Galligher, 36, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Feb. 2 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with OWI and OWI per se.

• Machael Fitts, 33, of Kokomo, was arrested Feb. 2 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with theft.

• Kyle England, 27, of Fort Wayne, was arrested Feb. 2 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Mitchell Hall, 46, of Warsaw, was arrested Feb. 3 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI controlled substance, OWI per se, possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, driving while suspended prior and resisting law enforcement.

the usefulness of a viable senior program.

“This fits in with the overall mindset of what our community is doing to grow as a whole,” Hodges said. “Those projects are keeping senior’s families closer to them, Whitley County is a place where people want to live. This is our piece in the puzzle — recognizing what’s going on as a whole

inner community, and continuing to have a good quality of life for our seniors.”

There is not expected completion date, as the project will be completed only if funds can be raised.

Those interested in donating to the project should contact the Woodlands Senior Center at 248-8944.

SENIOR from Page 1

COUNTY from Page 4 company failed to respond, a judgement was entered against the company Jan. 22 in Whitley Circuit Court. County officials are discussing what steps to take next.

Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of marijuana and visiting a common nuisance.

• Crystal Gehrett, 34, of Berne, was arrested Jan. 30 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Jason Woods, 31, of South Whitley, was arrested Jan. 30 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with failure to comply.

• Steven Asher, 63, of Churubusco, was arrested Jan. 31 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of methamphetamine.

• Frances White, 53, of Churubusco, was arrested Jan. 31 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia.

• Darnell Tobar, 44, of South Bend, was arrested Jan. 31 by the Whitley County

“We have a lot of really excited businesses that are ready to hire whoever might be available,” Romano said.

“We have a lot of jobs that are unfilled here.”

From a economic perspective, businesses can expect to see more customers. There will also be more residents who are part of the tax base, which could provide improvements for all.

“It’s exciting every time we get new residents, but it’s not every day that we grow this much this fast,” Romano said. “It’s exciting for so many reasons.”

Mayor Daniel hosted his monthly “Lunch with the Mayor” live Facebook video last week, where he

encouraged residents to be welcoming to their new neighbors, and put their concerns at ease.

“There’s a lot of things that are happening, and this isn’t a threat to anything — it’s an opportunity — and I hope you’ll see it that way,” Daniel said.

pate it starting to grow,” Hodges said.

Although the facility would be open to all residents, it was designed with seniors in mind.

Raised gardens will allow for seniors to have a fulfilling hobby, the pavilion will be screened in to allow for fresh air while keeping away bugs, and other areas, such as the pergola, will give seniors a place for partial shade.

About 1,000 seniors per month already visit the facility and the number of retirees in Whitley County is growing, Myer said.

“We’re looking at what would be best for Columbia City and Whitley County. We think this would help make their lifestyles more active and pleasant—make life more enjoyable,” Myer said.

Whitley County has continued to see growth over the past several years. With the construction of the new Columbia City High School and the Russel and Evelyn Fahl Aquatics Center, young families are choosing to stay local rather than move away, furthering

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A6 • INwhitleycounty.com

OPINION

Purdue Extension – a reliable information source Information. With the internet, there is plenty of it available these days. So, with all this information available, how does a person sort out reliable information from misinformation?

According to Buckminster Fuller’s “Knowledge Doubling Curve,” until 1900 the total amount of human knowledge had doubled roughly every century.

Around 2013, that figure was estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of every 12-13 months, and it was estimated by IBM to eventually be about every 12 hours. I don’t know what the facts are at this moment – after all, I found this information on the internet.

I’m reminded of the television commercial that shows a girl speaking to a friend and she said she found her new boyfriend on the internet. “He’s a French model,” she said. Just then, the guy comes walking up and says in the most obvious middle-Amer-

ican dialect, “Bonjour.” and understand that Where can we find research as it relates to reliable information? their lives and liveliThere hoods. are On a practical level, problet’s say you want ably a to know the going number rate for custom farm of operations, you have answers cockroaches in the to that house, or you want to quesknow proper canning tion, methods. Purdue JOHN E. but if a Extension has researchquestion WOODMANSEE based information and involves publications that can science, help you make a more family informed decision as or you move forward or youth, deal with the situamy tion. If it’s a question suggestion is to start we don’t immediately with Purdue Extension. have access to through What is Purdue our extensive library Extension, anyway? of information, we can Well, I plan to answer consult a specialist at that question more fully Purdue to shed more in coming weeks. For light on the issue. If now, just think of us as Purdue doesn’t have the your local connection breadth of information to Purdue University we need, sometimes we research. I would can gain additional relisuggest that it is reliable information from able information. neighboring land-grant In short, research is institutions within U.S. conducted at Purdue Department of AagriUniversity, and Purdue culture’s Cooperative Extension helps local residents access See WOODMANSEE, Page 2

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Best is yet to come for Whitley hoops Basketball is in rare form in Whitley County this season.

For the first time in a long time, potentially all six high school varsity teams could end the season with losing records.

The three girls teams finished their seasons this week with a combined record of 15-56, led by Columbia City at 9-16. Last year, the girls’ teams had a total of 47 wins — nearly triple this season.

The county’s three boys teams are faring slightly better, with a combined record of 21-33 at the time the column was written.

We know these records aren’t representative of Whitley County basketball throughout history, but we have five words for hoops fans — “Hold. On. To. Your. Seats.”

Columbia City’s girls program is an excellent example of what’s to come.

The Lady Eagles’ have conference championship winning teams coming up in the next two years, and had many key players who were underclassmen playing varsity this season.

Head coach Amy Shearer just finished her eighth season as head coach of the Lady

Our view

Eagles, and the fruits of her program’s labor at the youth and middle school levels will soon pay dividends for Columbia City athletics.

Churubusco boys head coach Chris Paul led the team to its first ever sectional title last season, but lost many key players to graduation. This year, three freshmen and a sophomore are in the Eagles’ starting lineup. Though their youth has shown, it’s apparent that the young Eagles have great potential in the coming years — especially players such as Zane Burke, Luke McClure, Jackson Paul and Gage Kelly, who all have at least two more seasons in their high school careers.

Whitko’s and Churubusco’s girls teams had first-year coaches this season. Wildcat coach Rick Bragg took on the task of rebuilding a program

that was 21-5 last season and graduated all its key players.

Churubusco girls coach Nate Zastrow is also looking to build a program of his own.

Columbia City’s boys have a strong sophomore class and only five upperclassmen.

Sophomores Mitchell Wilson and Michael Sievers will score many more points in the years to come.

Our teams’ records might not be what fans want or expect, but we should all support our players and coaches and remember the reason for youth athletics — teamwork and cooperation, encouraging positive mentors, learning leadership skills and time management. Yes, it’s great to win, but lessons can also be learned in losses as well.

It’s important to keep in mind that only a small percentage of student-athletes go on to play in college.

Nationwide, it’s only 3.1 percent.

Not to fear, hoops fans, the winning days of coaches Wayne Kreiger and Bill Patrick will return to Whitley County — they may come sooner than you think.

Trump’s optics would have made the fellas proud Hoosier Democrats can brood and stew all they want about the demise of the hate crimes bill in the General Assembly or the shelving of an indeBRIAN pendent redistricting HOWEY commission. But the 2018 mid-term election is going to be about one main thing: President Donald J. Trump.

There may be some other topical issues that will surface, but this will be a referendum election. On the face of it, the conventional wisdom is that Democrats have been dealt a pretty good hand, further evidenced

by U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy becoming the ninth House chair to announce he won’t seek reelection. So much so that there is talk about a blue wave, or a pink wave.

Predicting a wave had been a fairly reliable thing in the past. Howey Politics began publishing with the 1994 Republican wave. Since then, we’ve forecast correctly several others: Democrats in 2006 when they picked

up three congressional seats here, and the Republican/ Tea Party wave of 2010 that provided their super majority foundation.

And then there was 2016, where we sensed a Democratic wave developing in June, only to have it break the other way for Donald Trump in November. It was akin to Lt. Col. Billy Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now,” where we goaded California surfing legend Lance B. Johnson to surf in a Viet Cong-infested coastline because the waves split in two directions. “It’s unbelievable, it’s just tube city,” Lance says, while glancing at the tree line for Viet Cong snipers. Kilgore snaps, “Charlie don’t surf!”

But in 2016, “Charlie” – i.e. Donald Trump – was surfing both waves. He could insult ethnic groups, threaten to shoot someone on 5th Avenue, target Gold Star mothers and POW legends, then surf to the greatest upset in American presidential history.

So on Tuesday night, I borrowed a page from President Reagan’s “fellas,” in this case the triumverate of James Baker, Edwin Meese and Michael Deaver, the latter who knew that optics could more profoundly impact voters than words. There’s the legendary example of a

bad news day on CBS news for the Gipper at the lips of chief tormenter Dan Rather.

But the volume was turned down, and Deaver delighted in the images.

I watched the first half of President Trump’s first State of the Union with the volume mute, and Tom Waits playing on my Pandora. This is a president with a 35% approval rating addressing a Congress with about 9% popularity. I saw an African-American family seated near First Lady Melania, overcome with emotion as they were honored. There were military chief petty officers praised, a cop and his wife who adopted the son of a heroin addict lauded.

And the motherlode, the North Korean defector who survived a dash through a bullet-riddled DMZ to freedom. As the House chamber erupted, he waved his crutches.

“Well I’ll be damned,” I thought. Deaver would be proud.

About 45 minutes in, I turned on the volume of the speech that would last 75 minutes. What I saw was Donald J. Trump, reality TV president, holding court.

He was in his zone as Vice President Pence and Speaker Ryan looked on approvingly. This was reality TV.

The sphinx-like Melania was there in a white suit.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi looked distraught when the president called for Washington “to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer looked like a card shark sizing up “Doc” across the poker table. These optics were sensational for Trump, and bad for Democrats. Even U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy, who delivered a decent rebuttal in front of a muscle car, seemed to be weirdly frothing from the mouth. And there were four more rebuttals.

So much for Democratic unity.

Jimmy Kimmel would interview porn starlet Stormy Daniels later in the evening, but this was a tiny little subplot that drew scant attention on Wednesday’s morning shows. Stormy had released a statement denying Donald Trump had ever had sex with that woman. A friend tweeted, “Never trust a porn star.”

Earlier in the day, Gallup put out new Trump approve/ disapprove numbers in all 50 states, and here in “Importantville,” Trump stood at 44/51%. Bad numbers here in Indiana. But watching the optics and knowing Hoosiers

so well, Trump wouldn’t play well in Hammond, Gary and South Bend, and large parts of downtown Indy below the 22nd floor GOP headquarters. But in “outer Indiana,” in Connersville, Seymour, Warsaw, Monon and Versailles, the base was lapping up the optics.

He’s tellin’ it like it is. He’s draining the swamp and sticking up for the little guy.

A year and a half earlier, Trump declared in Cleveland that “I alone” can stop crime.

In his inaugural address a year ago, he described “American carnage” in an address widely described as “destopian.” On Tuesday, after 11 school shootings across the U.S. in January, President Trump was cunning enough to realize that the audience was bigger than his 35% base. The Las Vegas and Texas church massacres were far off in the rear viewmirror. So he discarded the steel wool he had been using to scour every American bruise, nick, cut and laceration for a year, and preached “unity.” The reality president still preached divisive immigration policy and issued ominous rhetoric on North Korea, and at one point intoned, “Americans are dreamers, too.” That played well across Hoosier Trump country.

Republican pollster Frank Luntz, a frequent Trump critic, observed: “This speech represents the presidential performance that Trump observers have been waiting for – brilliant mix of numbers and stories, humility and aggressiveness, traditional conservatism and political populism.” New York Times columnist Frank Bruni warned that somewhere between the wolf in Grandma’s frock, Pinochio and the AT&T sales guy, “Our president lives in a world of sand and wind and make-believe, where the merest gust can alter the shape of everything, and Tuesday night’s remarks – especially his appeal for ‘common ground’ and his vision of ‘all of us together’ as ‘one American family’ – should be seen in that shifting, swirling, fantastical context.”

Yes, the words still lie, but the optics deceive. If you’re a Democrat, Tuesday’s optics weirdly glistened. There was little unity. There may be a wave, but we don’t know which way it will break, and whether Charlie will be surfing or shooting.

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

INwhitleycounty.com • A7

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

YESTERDAY 1 year ago Churubusco greeted a local soldier who returned home from an historic Air Force mission. Adam Nereiter served in Iraq, repairing a “strategically crucial” airfield that was left in shambles by ISIS. A 10-year-old boy who went missing for 16 hours in southern Whitley County was found safe.

Churubusco High School hosted its first basketball sectional in eight years. South Adams won the girls basketball sectional, ousting the Lady Eagles in the first round.

The town of Churubusco High School renewed its contract with Smith-Green Community Schools for the school resource officer program. Chad Fulkerson was the school resource officer for Smith-Green.

Churubusco High School’s class of 1956 celebrated its 60th class reunion.

10 years ago C&A Tool Engineering announced an expansion to Auburn.

The new investment would total about $10 million and bring about 50 new jobs in the first phase. The company employed 440 in its Churubusco facilities and had experienced substantial growth since its founding in 1969.

15 years ago A fire caused $10,000 damage to Churubusco Auto Electric. The cause of the fire was still under investigation.

A murder trial in Whitley Circuit Court

was set for Ronrico Hatch, of Fort Wayne.

Hatch faced multiple charges in connection with the murder of James Piatt, 20, of Fort Wayne, whose decomposed body was found in a rural Churubusco cornfield August 2002. Hatch was also charged in Allen County for the murder of a 17-year-old woman.

His trial was set for July.

A benefit auction in memory of slain teacher Kenny Beck was planned at Washington Center Elementary School in Columbia City. Beck was killed Sept. 11, 2002, when he tried to come to the aid of a woman in a domestic dispute.

Churubusco High School was named one of the state’s Best Buys by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. In an annual report, the Indiana Chamber listed the schools which gave taxpayers the most in education for the amount of tax dollars spent.

David Hill won the sectional championship at 103 pounds, which started with a six-second pin in his first match of the tournament.

20 years ago The latest mediation to settle the Smith-Green School Corporation’s teachers contract ended without a signed contract.

Paul and Barbara Keister celebrated their 50th anniversary with a trip to Wisconsin.

25 years ago Smith-Green schools

were awarded $10,000 as the recipient of the Indiana School Incentive Award. The school received the check for improving ISTEP scores ad both the elementary and high school levels.

Boy Scout troops across Whitley County raised money for local food banks. Their work netted a gift of $2,200. The Whitley County Community Foundation agreed to match the funds raised, 50 cents on the dollar.

35 years ago Dana announced the decision to move the Oil Seal Plant.

Operations were to be transferred to other Dana facilities starting in March and completed by July. There were 192 employees at that time.

Wilma’s Health Care held an open house to introduce products offered, natural foods, vitamins, supplements, herbs, teas and aloe vera products.

Churubusco merchants were concerned with police not providing 24-hour protection. The department was reduced to three. The community depended on assistance from the State Police in Fort Wayne and the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.

David and Naomi Miller announced the birth of their daughter, Lisa Kay. Jeff and Penny Braun announced the birth of their son, Michael David.

50 years ago Flooding at Blue Lake caused sanitation issues. Whitley County sanitarian Lowell Burnworth warned lake residents to boil their water wherever high water covered sewage treatment tanks and treatment beds, and private wells. The level of the lake was estimated to be 4-5 feet above normal.

Doris Martin was named as the head of the Whitley County Heart Fund drive by Henry Wilhems, executive director of the Northeastern Indiana Heart Association.

A fire discovered at about 3 a.m. nearly destroyed the building of the Tri-Lakes Bait Store on the north side of Little Cedar Lake.

Loss to the building and equipment was estimated at $10,000.

Two National Home mobile units were approved by the Whitley County Council for Retarded Children Inc. for use by the Opportunity School in Columbia City. The units would contain classrooms.

About 130 people attended the 1968 wheat and feed grain information meeting in Columbia City.

The meeting was led

by Chairman Robert Adams.

60 years ago Robert J. Sloffer retired as president of the Indiana Well Drillers Association Inc. The Churubusco Town Board passed an

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ordinance to establish a Plan Commission for Churubusco.

A total of $256.66 was collected during “Mothers March on Polio.”

The Woman’s Cultural Club elected Mrs. James Kirtley as president. Mrs. Eugene Darr as vice-president and Mrs. Joseph Bates as secretary-treasurer.

The Tri-County Truth was awarded a Citation of Merit by the Muscular

Dystrophy Association of America Inc. in recognition of distinguished service in the search to find a cause and cure of MD. “The Tin Star,” starring Henry Fonda and Betsy Palmer, was playing at the York Theater.

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Ohlwine announced the birth of their son.

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Myer announced the birth of their son, Ernest Arthur.

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A8 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Several individuals appear on drug-related charges Sheriff’s Association

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

Several drug-related convictions were made in Whitley County Circuit Court Jan. 29.

Laura Koze, 23, of Ligonier, was sentenced to 18 years after pleading guilty to dealing in and possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.

Public defender Zach Baber, asked Judge Matthew Rentschler to consider rendering a more lenient sentence that would allow Koze to get the substance abuse counseling that she needs, presenting photos of a younger Koze before her alleged addiction began.

Prosecuting attorney D.J. Sigler argued that the charge represented an escalation in criminal behavior because she was convicted of dealing in methamphetamine in Elkhart County just a month prior to being charged for the same crime in Whitley County. At the time of her arrest, she was in possession of 27 grams of the drug.

Koze was ordered to serve 14 years of the 18 year sentence at the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Judge Rentschler said that she might be able to request a modified sentence in the future for good behavior.

Aaron Petelle, 42, of Columbia City, was sentenced to 10 years for burglary, a level 4 felony.

According to Sigler, Petelle’s criminal history includes 26 misdemeanor charges and a history of violating probation.

Sigler said he was likely to reoffend.

In his defense, Petelle said his past offenses have been related to his addiction to drug and alcohol.

“I’m not a criminal – I’m an alcoholic,” he told the court.

Judge Rentschler disagreed with Petelle’s characterization. He told him that he needed to take responsibility for his actions.

“I understand what you’re trying to say – you’re trying to say that ‘It’s not me doing these horrible things, it’s the alcohol.’ I reject that. Even if the alcohol is a contributing factor, it’s you becoming intoxicated and engaging in this activity,” he said.

Petelle was ordered to serve six years

of his sentence and the DOC and the remaining four years on probation. He was also ordered to enter a drug and alcohol program.

Tyler Neal, 25, of Huntington, appeared in court facing multiple charges, including possession of methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement, false informing and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to serve 2.5 years in the Whitley County Jail.

Defense attorney Anthony Churchward ask that the court consider that Neal was accepting responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty. He also provided a document supporting his client’s eligibility for employment.

Sigler said that Neal’s history of criminal behavior and substance abuse constituted as aggravating factors and that he was likely to reoffend.

Upon issuing the sentence, Judge Rentschler said, “What’s frustrating is that you have the ability to work and take care of your dependents and lead a law abiding, productive life and you

throw it away.”

He added that Neal that he might be able to request a modified sentence in the future for good behavior.

Danny Lakes, 32, of Riverdale, Ill., also appeared for sentencing for possession of cocaine, a level 4 felony. He was sentenced to six years to be fully executed.

Judge Rentschler also told Lakes that he might be able to request a modified sentence in the future for good behavior.

“Establish a record of rehabilitating yourself and this court may be convinced to modify your sentence prior to you serving that six years,” he said.

Whitney Tackett, 26, of Rome City, appeared in court to enter a plea of guilty on charges of possession of methamphetamine and operating while intoxicated. In accordance with her plea agreement, she could serve up to five years.

Tackett will appear in court again Feb. 26 for formal sentencing.

Gavin Ulshafer, 20, of Liberty Mills, also appeared in court to enter a guilty plea.

Ulshafer pleaded guilty to burglary, a level 5 felony. He will also appear in court Feb. 26 for formal sentencing.

develops church safety training KPC News Service WHITLEY COUNTY — The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association convened a group of sheriffs and sheriffs’ personnel from across the state, including Whitley County Sheriff Marc Gatton, to develop training materials that will help places of worship create security plans to keep citizens safe.

“In today’s world we must continue to make our citizens in our communities feel safe, no matter where they travel,” said Gatton.

The group was established by Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowe, 2017 president of the ISA, at the suggestion of Steuben County Sheriff Tim Troyer, 2017 ISA 1st vice president, as a result of recent attacks at community gatherings and in places of worship in the U.S. and abroad.

“The training program will create an awareness and prioritize safety for each individual. Never in my law enforcement career did I envision offering places of worship with this

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kind of training,” said Gatton.

The group’s goal was to prepare materials to be used by sheriffs and their personnel to train places of worship to develop security plans designed to minimize harm done in the event of an active shooter.

“When you’re a sheriff, you have to be prepared for many different types of events in order to effectively protect the citizens that you serve. In light of the most recent attack in a Texas church, sheriffs have received requests to provide training at churches and other places of worship regarding appropriate security measures,” said Bowen.

ISA Church Security Group is working to develop materials that all sheriffs’ offices in Indiana can use to provide training, upon request, to places of worship in their county. The training is designed to teach church personnel and members how to attempt to prevent critical incidents and how to react if a critical incident occurs during worship services.

Topics discussed in the training materials include: • Conducting a Security Risk Assessment • Developing a Place of Worship Security Plan • What to do during the critical incident • What to do immediately after the critical incident • The need to provide Crisis Intervention Stress Management afterward “The sheriffs of Indiana are dedicated to assisting the churches and houses of worship in their counties with security and safety training to improve public safety across our state.

A place of worship should be a place of peace and a safe haven,” said Bowen.

The training materials were distributed to all 92 Indiana sheriffs for their use locally in their counties.

Leaders of churches and places of worship who wish to learn more about the training that is available in our county should contact Deputy Brandon Smith at the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office at 244-6410.

SPORTS

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

ISMS 7th graders win conference title

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

BLUFFTON — Indian Springs Middle School’s seventh-grade basketball team’s storied season ended on a high note last week.

The Lady Eagles used outstanding free throw shooting to beat Norwell in the conference championship game, 26-24.

ISMS was the underdog of the tournament, starting at the bottom of the bracket.

The Lady Eagles had to win four games to win it all — and that they did.

The cards were stacked against them — they had to play all four games on the road, and had to beat two teams they lost to earlier in the season.

“They’re tough kids and they worked their butts off,” said coach Todd Fry. The Lady Eagles started the season with a 2-2 record, then slowly improved to 5-3 and 6-4.

Then ISMS went on a nine-game win streak.

Norwell was the team’s last loss, 22-20, before the Lady Eagles went on their win streak.

“We knew we could beat them,” Fry said.

The Lady Eagles trailed 8-3 at the end of the first quarter and 10-9 at halftime. Norwell led 15-13 going into the final quarter, when Mackensy Mabie won the game at the freethrow line, connecting with 11 of 12 attempts.

As a team, the Lady Eagles were 19 of 25

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Indian Springs Middle School’s seventh grade girls conference championship team poses for a photo after beating Norwell. Front row, from left: Hannah Harris, Gracie Hurst, Mackensy Mabie, Madison Stonebraker and Mikaela Austin.

In back are Coach Todd Fry, Lauren Adkins, Lindsay McCammon, Mariah Adkins, Maddie Straub and coach Garry Harris.

from the charity stripe, scoring nearly all of their points from the free-throw line.

“We shoot free throws every day, even with the junior league,” Fry said.

Lauren Adkins scored the team’s lone field goal in the fourth quarter.

She was recruited to the team after tryouts because the team’s numbers were low.

“I needed bodies,” Fry said.

Atkins is an ISMS volleyball player, but agreed to give basketball a try. In the championship game, she led the

team in rebounds.

“She played the game of her life,” Fry said.

Fry said a large part of the team’s success can be attributed to his assistant coach, Garry Harris. Harris was on the high school coaching staff last season.

“He has been phenomenal,” Fry said. “No way we would have done it without him.”

The coaching duo focused on several key points, which led to the girls’ win streak.

“They bought in on our defense, we really spent a lot of time on that in practice,” Fry

said.

The team also focused on blocking out — not giving up rebounds and limiting their opponents’ opportunities.

“We were almost always the shortest team on the floor, but out of 19 games, we were only out rebounded two to three times,” Fry said.

The win was the Lady Eagles’ second seventh grade conference title in a row, and Fry expects this year’s sixth-grade class to be equally successful next season.

Fry has been a coach in Whitley County since 1994.

INwhitleycounty.com • A9

Engle wins two straight state titles

By Travis Stahl for IN|Whitley County

COLUMBIA CITY — None of the great Columbia City High School athletes have accomplished what Mallory Engle did recently. Engle just completed her senior season on the Columbia City wrestling team by winning her secondstraight individual female state championship.

Girls wrestling is not currently sanctioned through the IHSAA. Instead, it is sanctioned by the Wrestling Coaches Association. Engle wrestles against boys throughout the regular season and then, in the tournament, she only wrestles against other girls.

Engle was 6-0 against other girls in the tournament last year and grappled her way to a 7-0 record for the title this season.

“It means quite a lot,” said Engle of winning another title. “I’ve worked hard for it.”

Engle started wrestling in the third grade. She said she saw a flyer for the sport and brought it home to her parents. Ever since then, she has been on the mat and said wrestling has been a great experience for her.

“It taught me a lot of life skills and how to treat people in real life, off the mat,” said Engle of her wrestling experiences.

Engle was a four-year varsity letter winner for the Eagles. In the boys tournament, Engle was only one win away from qualifying for regional all four years. That

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Engle

toughness, according to Columbia City head coach Blane Culp, is what the other wrestlers have come to expect from Engle.

“That’s what we see out of her,” said Culp of Engle’s spirit on the mat. “In one word, she is ‘feisty.’”

Culp said the other wrestlers enjoyed watching Engle once she would enter in to the girls tournament at the end of the season. The Eagles coach said other girls don’t know how to approach Engle once they step on the mat with her.

“They’re very timid,” said Culp of Engle’s opponents. “They try to stare her down, but it never worked.”

Engle said her favorite part of wrestling is being with the rest of the team.

Going to the tournaments on the weekends was a fun part of her high school experience, she said.

Both Culp and Engle agreed the magnitude of her accomplishments haven’t set in yet. But at some point, Engle will realize that what she has accomplished may never be equaled at Columbia City High School.

FOLLOW WHITLEY COUNTY SPORTS Thursday, February 8

Friday, February 9

Saturday, February 10

Monday, February 12

Tuesday, February 13

Wednesday, February 14

No events scheduled

Churubusco boys basketball at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.

Columbia City boys basketball hosts Leo, 7:30 p.m.

Churubusco boys basketball hosts South Adams 7:30 p.m.

Whitko boys basketball at Manchester, 7:30 p.m.

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

Churubusco boys basketball hosts Garrett, 7:30 p.m.

No events scheduled

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

SPORTS

A10 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Col. City Lady Eagles basketball wrap up season Luers ends Lady Eagles’ season in semifinal KPC News Service DECATUR — Columbia City’s girls basketball season came to a close in the Bellmont Sectional semifinal Friday in Decatur.

The Lady Eagles faced a strong opponent in Bishop Luers, falling 60-27 after the Lady Knights had powerful second- and thirdquarter performances.

Columbia City only trailed 8-4 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady Knights went on a 31-9 run in the second and third quarters to pull ahead 39-13 going into the fourth quarter.

Bishop Luers capitalized on Columbia City turnovers, scoring

2017-18 results

KRISTY DITTMER

NICOLE MINIER

Carly Mabie makes a full-court pass in the Columbia City girls’ basketball game against Northrop.

Nicole Minier

18 points off turnovers compared to Columbia City’s four.

The teams were nearly even on rebounds, with Columbia City collecting 19 defensive boards to Luers’ 18; however, the Lady Knights had more offensive rebounds, 13-8.

Carly Mabie led Columbia City in scoring with 10 points.

She also had three steals and two rebounds.

Skye Roberts goes up for a shot against New Haven earlier this season.

NICOLE MINIER

Hayley Urban looks for an open teammate during a Lady Eagles’ home basketball game.

Gabby Fry led the team in rebounds with nine. She also tallied four points, along

NICOLE MINIER

Olivia Shearer shoots a free throw during warmups before a home basketball game.

with teammate Olivia Shearer.

Other Columbia City scorers were Hunter Alles (3), Madison

Nov. 4 Carroll L 38-56 Nov. 7 at West Noble L 41-53 Nov. 10 at WhitkoW 48-18 Nov. 14 Fort Wayne Snider L 45-56 Nov. 17 at Marion L 38-47 Nov. 21 at Goshen W 51-48 Nov. 24 at Fort Wayne Luers L 35-44 Nov. 28 Fort Wayne Dwenger L 45-57 Dec. 2 at Leo OT L 43-45 Dec. 8 Norwell L 44-55 Dec. 12 Warsaw L 22-32 Dec. 16 East Noble W 50-42 Dec. 18 Fort Wayne Concordia L 33-49 Dec. 29 NorthWood L 44-59 Dec. 29 South Bend Adams W 48-35 Dec. 30 Lake Central L 21-43 Dec. 30 Andrean W 67-58 Jan. 2 at Churubusco W 35-25 Jan. 5 at Bellmont L 28-54 Jan. 9 Wawasee W 39-36 Jan. 13 at Huntington North L 44-53 Jan. 19 DeKalb W 59-51 Jan. 23 Fort Wayne Northrop L 52-75 Jan. 26 at New Haven W 56-29 Feb. 2 Fort Wayne Luers L 27-60.

Woodward (2), Hayley Urban (2) and Grace Cotter (2).

Bishop Luers went on to be sectional

Lady Wildcats’ season comes to a close

By Chris Reed creed@kpcmedia.com

ALBION — Prairie Heights’ 59-52 overtime win over Whitko in its opening game of the Central Noble Sectional mirrored much the way its season went, said head coach Brian Beebe.

“Sometimes we can make this game look so easy, but other times we make it so hard,” he said.

When the Panthers were making it look easy, they were opening up a 10-4 lead in the first quarter, or holding the Wildcats to over five minutes without a field goal with outstanding halfcourt pressure. But the other times, when Beebe’s team started to

hurt itself — such as letting Whitko stay in the game late with fouls in the fourth quarter — they made the plays that needed to be made. And that made all the difference.

“There were times when Amy (German) made some huge threes for us,” Beebe said, “or Shelby (Fish) would grab a key rebound or steal.

They made plays when they needed to. I’m very proud of these girls.”

Fish led Heights with 17 points in the game.

The senior forward also became just the ninth player, male or female, to score 1,000 career points in Prairie Heights history.

“We really wanted to be able to gove her a win when she accomplished it,” Beebe said. “She just does everything for this team. She leads us in scoring, rebounds and plays very good defense.

You cannot understate what Shelby Fish means to this team.”

Lexi German added 13 points, the only other Panther to score in double figures.

Heights never trailed in the first half. The Panthers led 14-9 after the first quarter, but Whitko fought back in the second. The Wildcats tied the game four different times in the stanza, with point guard

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runner-up after falling to Marion, 56-53, on Saturday.

The Lady Eagles finish the season 9-16.

Whitko falls to Prairie Heights

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Prairie Heights’ Shelby Fish drives in for a layup during the first half of Tuesday’s sectional game played at Central Noble.

Emalee Duggins and forward Ellie Snep each tallying four point during

the run.

Fish and Liz German each scored in the final

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minute of the half to give Heighst a 24-20 lead at the break.

Leading by a point, 36-35, entering the fourth quarter, Whitko outscored Heights 12-11 in the game’s final stanza, including a three from Anna Ousley with just seconds remaining to send the contest to overtime.

The Panther defense allowed just one basket in the extra period, as the team sunk its claws into the opposing Wildcats.

Lexi German sealed the win with five points from the free throw line down the stretch.

Heights advances to the semifinal round to square off against host Central Noble.

SPORTS

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

INwhitleycounty.com • A11

Churubusco edged by Adams Central

Churubusco Players fg-fga ft-fta pts reb ast stl Gross g 1-8 0-1 2 1 2 1 Hosted g 1-5 0-1 2 7 1 2 Lemper g 3-6 0-0 8 3 1 2 Bear f 1-6 0-0 3 2 0 1 Tonkel f 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 Hille 2-6 0-3 6 7 0 1 Nondorf 0-2 0-0 0 5 0 0 Peters 0-2 0-0 0 1 0 0 Fulkerson 2-5 0-0 4 5 0 0 Johnson 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 Totals 10-45 0-5 25 32 5 7

By Jeff Jones

jjones@kpcmedia.com

BUTLER — In a tight sectional game, one team grabbing late momentum usually comes out on top.

That’s what happened in Tuesday’s Adams Central-Churubusco contest in the Class 2A Eastside Sectional.

The Flying Jets edged the Eagles 26-25 in the opening game of the tournament.

Adams Central (5-18) faces Bluffton (15-7) at 6 p.m. Friday.

Eastside (15-8), which beat South Adams 46-41 in overtime in the second game, faces Canterbury (8-14) in Friday’s second game. Churubusco’s season ended at 3-20.

A three-pointer by Churubusco’s Isabelle Hille cut the deficit to 20-18, but the Flying Jets got inside scores from Lexi Smith and Carly Holley to extend the lead to six with 2:14 to play.

Myah Bear connected from long distance on the Eagles’ next possession to cut it to 24-21.

The next basket was going to be huge in the outcome, and Adams Central got it when Smith fed Madison Bebout in the paint for two with 23 seconds left. A scoop shot under the bucket by Churubusco’s Alayna Fulkerson kept hope alive.

With 11.6 seconds left, Adams Central’s Sage Hammond missed the front end of a bonus, and Churubus-

Adams Central 26, Churubusco 25

Adams Central Players fg-fga ft-fta pts reb ast stl Bebout g 1-8 0-0 2 10 1 0 Salway g 3-6 0-0 6 3 3 0 Smith f 2-8 0-0 4 2 1 1 Hammond f 1-4 1-2 3 6 0 1 Holley f 3-11 0-3 6 8 1 2 Lotter 1-3 0-0 2 6 0 0 Fisher 0-7 0-0 0 2 1 0 Sheets 1-3 1-2 3 2 0 0 Totals 12-50 2-7 26 39 7 4 Churubusco 7 5 3 10 — 25 Adams Central 7 3 10 6 — 26

JEFF JONES

Alayna Fulkerson drives to the basket in the Lady Eagles’ sectional game at Eastside last week.

co’s Callie Lemper went the distance for a layup. The Jets were able run out the clock however.

The teams played to a 7-7 tie after a quarter. Brein Gross

JEFF JONES

Isabelle Hille makes her way around a defender in the Lady Eagles’ first-round sectional game.

drove to the basket to score late in the second, giving the Eagles a 12-10 lead at the break. Adams Central scored the first six points of the third to take the lead, and held a

20-15 advantage with a quarter to play.

Lemper had eight points to lead Churubusco. Hille added six points in the loss. Adams Central got six points each

Three-point shooting: Churubusco 5-25 (Lemper 2-5, Hille 2-6, Bear 1-3, Fulkerson 0-1, Johnson 0-1, Nondorf 0-1, Tonkel 0-2), Adams Central 0-10 (Holley 0-1, Salway 0-3, Bebout 0-6). Team rebounds: Churubusco 4, Adams Central 5. Fouled out: None. Total fouls: Churubusco 11, Adams Central 12. Turnovers: Churubusco 15, Adams Central 15.

from Holley and Brooklyn Salway.

Churubusco was 10-of-45 (22 percent) from the field. Adams Central was 12-of-50 (24 percent) in shot attempts.

Jim Marcuccilli Chairman & CEO, STAR Financial Bank

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SPORTS

A12 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

SPORTS BRIEFS BOYS BASKETBALL

team in rebounds with 10, and also tacked on eight points.

Other scorers were Shad Ebbinghouse (3), Clayton Ebbinghouse (3) and Cade Bechtold (1).

Whitko 103, North Miami 44

SOUTH WHITLEY — Whitko’s boys basketball team rattled off 103 points against North Miami Feb. 1.

The Wildcats scored 26 points in the first quarter, 38 points in the second quarter, 22 in the third and 17 in the fourth.

Four players scored 17 points or more, led by River West who had 33 points.

West also tallied eight rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Brett Sickafoose scored 19 points. Micah Cokl made six 3-pointers to score 19 points.

Brian Collins tallied 17 points, six assists and five steals.

Spencer Sroufe led the

8TH GRADE BASKETBALL

Wabash 32, Whitko girls 28

LARWILL — Whitko Middle School’s eighth-grade girls basketball team lost a competitive game to Wabash Jan. 29, 32-28.

Wabash took a 9-4 lead after the first quarter, but the Lady Wildcats battled back in the second quarter to outscore Wabash 8-5, making the halftime score a competitive 14-12.

Whitko took over the lead in the third quarter, scoring

11 points to Wabash’s three to make the score 23-17 in favor of Whitko.

Wabash stole back the momentum in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points to come away with the 32-28 win.

Milford 31, Whitko girls 29

LARWILL — Whitko’s eighth-grade girls basketball team lost an overtime game to Milford Jan. 11, 31-29.

The Lady Wildcats fought in a back-and-forth competition.

Milford had a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Whitko came back to lead 14-9 at halftime.

Milford came out strong in the third quarter to cut Whitko’s lead to one, then outscored the Lady Wildcats by one to leave the game tied at the end of regulation.

In a low scoring overtime game, Milford scored two points to Whitko’s four.

Wawasee 35, Whitko girls 15

LARWILL — Whitko’s eighth-grade girls basketball team fell to Wawasee Feb. 1 35-15. Wawasee held the lead throughout the entirety of the game, 11-6 at the end of the first quarter, 19-7 at halftime and 31-9 going into the fourth quarter.

Maconaquah 39, Whitko girls 9

BUNKER HILL — Whitko’s eighth-grade girls basketball team lost to Maconaquah in Bunker Hill Jan. 30, 39-9.

The Lady Wildcats struggled offensively, never scoring more than three points in a quarter.

7TH GRADE BASKETBALL Wabash 33, Whitko girls 14

LARWILL — Whitko Middle School’s seventhgrade girls basketball team fell to Wabash, 33-14, Jan. 29.

The Lady Wildcats struggled at the start, trailing 16-0 after the first quarter. Whitko’s offense fired up in the following quarters, scoring a consistent 4-5 points each stanza for the rest of the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Wabash.

Whitko girls 26, Wawasee 15

LARWILL — Whitko’s seventh-grade girls basketball team beat Wawasee Feb. 1, 26-15.

The Lady Wildcats came

out on top of a low-scoring first quarter, 2-0, then took a 10-2 lead by halftime.

Wawasee outscored Whitko 9-6 in the third quarter, but the Wildcats scored 10 points to Wawasee’s four in the fourth quarter, making the final score 26-15.

Whitko girls 29, Maconaquah 8

BUNKER HILL — Whitko’s seventh-grade girls basketball team beat Maconaquah Jan. 30, 26-8.

The Lady Wildcats took an 8-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, then held down Maconaquah’s offensive efforts for the rest of the game, only giving up two points in the second quarter, two points in the third and shutting out Maconaquah in the fourth quarter.

Next Generation Dance Studio quickly growing

By Travis Stahl

move forward.

Last year, Jennifer Barron was thinking about opening her own dance studio. While eating at a Chinese restau-

for IN|Whitley County

COLUMBIA CITY — Sometimes you just need a sign in life to tell you how to

rant, she opened a fortune cookie that said, “You will do well to expand your business.”

That was all Barron needed to hear, and the Next Genera-

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tion Dance Studio was School. There will also established soon after. be two dance competi“It’s always been a tions in Fort Wayne and dream of mine,” said the studio will hold it’s Barron. “I heard Lois recital June 9 at ChuruEllen was closing so I busco High School. started to kick around Next Generation also the idea because I held a unique event knew kids would need this year to help the a place to go.” dancers cover some of PHOTO CONTRIBUTED their costs. The studio Barron set some Jennifer Barron, back center, leads realistic goals. She held a dance-a-thon hoped to have 50 kids Next Generation Dance Studio. She is followed by a lock-in pictured with some of the dancers in enroll for the first sleepover. her Thursday night classes. year of the program.

As successful as Barron and her family the first year has been, groups. Some dancers signed and friends spent all summer Barron believes there is only up for multiple groups renovating the third floor one thing to do now — keep including hip-hop and acroabove the Van Buren Center growing. batics. in downtown Columbia City.

“We want to help as many “Dance gives kids someThe renovations included kids as we can,” said Barron. thing to do, it keeps them new floors, painting and “Our goal is to keep prices busy,” said Barron. “We have putting up new walls. Barron low and keep having fun.” so much fun and the kids are also worked tirelessly over the Barron said she would making lifelong friends.” also like to be able to build summer to spread the word The Next Generation a new building for the studio about the new studio. dancers have a long list of in the future. Next GenerWhen it was time for upcoming plans. They will ation is always accepting enrollment, there was a be performing at the Whitley new dancers. Interested pleasant surprise for Next County Business EXPO on dancers can call the studio at Generation. Almost 150 kids March 10, 9:30-11 a.m., 426-1735 or email nextgenersigned up for the new studio, at Indian Springs Middle enough kids for 39 different ationsod@yahoo.com.

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INwhitleycounty.com • A13

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Sexton honored for musical performance

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

A Whitley County native recently received an award for his performance in community theatre.

Roy Sexton, a 1991 graduate of Columbia City High School, was named BroadwayWorld’s Best Actor in a Musical 2017 – Detroit.

He received the award for his performance in the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre’s production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”

The musical is based on the unfinished Charles Dickens novel and was written by Rupert Holmes, widely known for the 1979 hit single “Escape (The Piña Colada Song).”

Dicken’s mystery novel was never finished, so the audience gets to assign the characters different roles such as the murder.

Sexton played the part of John Jasper, a choirmaster who is addicted to drugs.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Sexton

“Every night, the audience for the musical got a different experience because depending on who they decided the murderer would be, it changed everything about the production, so it was a really fun challenge,” he said.

Sexton, who now resides in Saline, Mich., is the director of marketing at Detroit-based law firm Kerr Russell, where he leads marketing, business development, commu-

nications and strategic planning efforts. He also serves as the current treasurer-elect for the Legal Marketing Association’s Midwest Regional Board of Directors.

Sexton earned his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College, and holds two masters degrees,in theatre from the Ohio State University and in business administration from the University of Michigan.

He has been involved on the following nonprofit boards and committees: First Step, Michigan Quality Council, National MS Society, ASPCA, Wabash College Southeast Michigan Alumni Association, Penny Seats Theatre Company and the Spotlight Players.

His parents, Don and Susie Sexton, still live in Columbia City.

Sexton is an active participant and supporter of community theatre.

Bock named grand champion soloist Taylor Bock won grand champion in the solo competition at the Summit Show Choir Invitational hosted by Bishop Dwenger High School Jan. 27. Bock, a four-year Churubusco show choir member, is the sophomore daughter of Matt and Richelle (Ransom) Bock.

She studies voice with Mindy Cox at Talent Avenue Studios in Huntertown.

Balancing his full-time marketing career with his work as an actor can be challenging at times, he said. However, performing has benefited his career in a variety of ways. It has been a lesson in time management and has presented opportunities to network with other actors.

Performing has also provided insight into his audiences, both on and off the stage. “[Theatre] keeps my brain active and engaged.

I’m using different mental muscles than I do at work.

And when I come to work, I’m that much more attuned to what an audience might be thinking or reading or observing or understanding,” he said.

“As a marketing person, it’s really about affecting human behavior so that they buy whatever it is you’re selling and the theatre is a great training ground for that.”

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Extension System.

In short, Purdue Extension “extends” the research-based knowledge of the university to local people.

Many times local residents have called the Purdue Extension office because they just needed a place to start. That’s OK, too. Sometimes, rather than answering the full extent of your question, it is appropriate for us to refer your question to another institution or professional, such as it may be with legal or specific health-related

issues.

If you want a quick suggestion for doing internet searches that have a greater likelihood of producing research-based answers to these types of questions, add “edu” or “Purdue” in the search bar after your key words.

So, you have questions, we have answers. Give your local Purdue Extension office a call. In Whitley County, the number is 244-7615.

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

FREELANCE REPORTERS KPC Media Group is seeking freelance reporters to join its team of journalists covering northeast Indiana. KPC Media Group is a growing, successful, family-owned publisher of 18 award-winning daily, weekly and monthly newspapers focused on hyper-local coverage. Freelance reporters may cover local news, sports and/or feature stories.

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Whitley County • February 8, 2018

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Whitley County inwhitleycounty.com

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INwhitleycounty.com • A15

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Community Calendar Include news of your group, too

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

Feb.

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Feb. 7

• The Whitley County Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 8 a.m.

Feb. 8

• The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club’s general meeting is 6-8 p.m. in Community Rooms A and B of the Peabody Public Library in Columbia City. The program for the evening is about the pros and cons of the various HF, VHF and UHF amateur radio antennas, presented

by Ted Tahmisian W9WT. All WCARC general meetings are open to the public. For additional information, visit the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club Group Facebook page or contact Roger McEntarfer at n9qcl@arrl.net.

• Chamber on the Road will meet for a noon lunch at Riverside Cafe in South Whitley, put on by the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce. Attendees will have the opportunity to promote their business, nonprofit, community interests and network with others. Meetings are laid back, conversational and offer an opportunity to learn more about the community.

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Feb. 10

• Columbia City FFA will host its second annual fish and tenderloin fry 4-7:30 p.m. in the Columbia City High School cafeteria, 600 N. Whitley St., Door 3. Adults age 18 and older pay $10 for pre-sale tickets or $12 at the door. Children age 6-12 pay $6 for pre-sale tickets or $8 at the door. Children age 5 and younger eat free. The fish and tenderloin fry is all you can eat.

• Churubusco Youth League’s walk-in registration day is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Scout Building at Churubusco Town Park for spring and summer baseball, softball and soccer. Online registration is also available at tshq.bluesombrero.com/churubusco.

Feb. 12

• Welcome to Whitley County, a new resident resource and job fair, is 9-11 a.m. at Coesse Elementary School’s gymnasium.

The event is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Whitley County, Whitley County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s CEnter, Whitley County Economic Development Corp., City of Columbia City and Whitley County Consolidated Schools.

The event is open to any new resident of Whitley County and will feature booths with information for new residents, and a job fair.

Feb. 13

• Grace Lutheran Church’s tenderloin fry by Gaerte’s is an all-you-can-eat meal, 4-7 p.m. at the church, 204 N. Main St., Columbia City. The cost is $9.50 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and children under age 6 are free.

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Feb. 14

• Community Conversation, hosted by the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce, is 11 a.m. and will offer information on Junior Achievement. JA Program Manager Stacey Dumbacher, Development Manager Maureen Shippy and Baily Beiswanger, board member and classroom volunteer, will present information about services and volunteer opportunities. RSVP to the Chamber by calling 248-8131 or emial office@whitleychamber.com.

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Feb. 17

• Tri-Lakes Lions Club is holding a fish and tenderloin fry as a fundraising activity 4-7 p.m. at the Tri-Lakes Lions Hall on Colony Avenue. Adults eat for $10, children age 6-12 eat for $5, and children younger than 5 eat for free. The cost includes an all-you-can-eat dinner, beverage and dessert. Carryout dinners are also available. Proceeds benefit the Lions District projects and other local Lions’ projects.

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Feb. 20

• The annual Whitley County Soil and Water meeting is 6:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 204 N. Main St., Columbia City. The evening will begin with a catered meal followed by an election, report of the District’s activities, and this year’s speaker is Mike Werling from Decatur. Werling is a 20-year veteran no-tiller who farms 350 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and oats. He was recently recognized at the 2017 No-Till Conference for his Nutrient Management practice. The cost of the meal is $5 per person. Reservations need to be made by Tuesday, Feb. 13 by visiting or calling the SWCD office at 244-6266 ext. 101 or email nadean.lamle@ in.nacdnet.net.

• Kindergarten roundup at Faith Christian Academy is 5-6:30 p.m. at the school, located at 1550 E. State Road 205 in Columbia City. Parents who have children who will be five years old on or before Aug. 1 are invited. The roundup will take childen through a series of activities. There is also an open house for preschool students. For more information or to register, call 248-4872. Faith Christian Academy is an interdenominational Christian school that has been educating the youth of Whitley County for over 25 years.

Feb. 23

• A fish fry hosted by the Columbia City Knights of Columbus, Community of Hope and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, is 4-7:30 p.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Community Center, 315 S. Line St., Columbia City. Pre-sale tickets are $8 for age 10 and over and children ages 6-9 are $5. The day of the fish fry, adults pay $10 and children pay $8. Children age 5 and under eat free. Carryouts are available. All proceeds will benefit the Lighthouse.

March 1

• A Red Cross Blood Drive is 1-6 p.m. at Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main St., Churubusco. Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS to schedule your donation.

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March 2

• The 2018 State of the City Address, hosted by the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center, begins at noon, with lunch served at 11:30 a.m.

The luncheon will be held in the Robert Brittain Auditorium at Peabody Public Library in Columbia City. Topics presented

by Mayor Ryan Daniel will include the city’s increasing population and growth in the business sector, the new Fahl Aquatics Center and park expansions. Attendees will hear of the past year’s successes and future goals of Columbia City. The cost is $15 per person. RSVP before noon Feb. 27 by calling 248-8131 or email office@whitleychamber.com.

March 6

• The Columbia City High School Alumni Association will host its 2018 social luncheon in Sebring, Fla., at 11 a.m. at Homer’s Original Smorgasbord, 1000 Sebring Square, on the southeast corner of U.S. 27 and Sebring Parkway. Reservations are not required. The cost is $10 at the door. Jerry and Pam Begue, class of 1961, will host this year’s event. For more information, email jerrybegue@yahoo.com or call (941) 697-8776.

March 17

• A free presentation titled “Understanding Depression and How to Help Those Going Through It,” will be hosted

by Cross Connections and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Columbia City, 9-11 a.m. Guest speaker Megan Beeching is a licensed counselor at Cross Connections Counseling in Fort Wayne, and will cover basic information about depression, new genetic testing for depression, various ways to manage the symptoms of depression and how to best walk alongside those who are suffering. A light breakfast will be provided. Call the church at 244-3712 or email deaconessintern.stjohns.com by March 10 to RSVP. Ongoing

• Tickets are limited for the Father Daughter Winter Wonderland Dance.

There are two dances on Feb. 9 or Feb. 10 from 6-10 p.m. at the Whitley County 4-H Center. The cost is $20 per person. For a specific date, tickets must be purchased at the parks office (open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday). For more information, contact the Columbia City Parks Department at 248-5180.

• The Churubusco Lions Club meets every second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Papa’s Place at 6:30 p.m.

• Churubusco historical calendars are for sale at the Churubusco History Center, the Churubusco News, the Magic Wand Restaurant, Egolf’s IGA and Shroyers True Value. Calendars are $5 each and proceeds benefit the Churubusco Public Library and the History Center.

• AA and Al-Anon meetings Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. at the Churubusco United Methodist Church.

Woodlands Senior Center calendar All YOUR local

The following is the schedule of events and meals at the Woodlands Senior Center, located at 710 N. Opportunity Drive, Columbia City: Feb. 8 — 10: 30 a.m. exercise; 11:30 a.m. lunch, seven-layer salad with hot biscuits;

6 p.m. game night.

Feb. 9 — Senior Packs Day; 9 a.m.

Euchre; 11:15 p.m. lunch, tenderloins; noon Euchre.

Feb. 12 — 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Hear Ear; 8:30 a.m. foot care; 10:30 a.m. exercise; 11:30

a.m. lunch, cheeseburger, cheesy fries, root beer floats; noon Ren bingo.

Feb. 13 — 9 a.m.

Euchre; 11:15 a.m. lunch, pork steak and fried rice; noon Euchre, 1 p.m. dominoes.

Feb. 14 — 10 a.m.

MMM craft; 10:30 a.m. blood pressure; 11:30 a.m. monthly lunch, Salisbury steak and chocolate drizzled cherry delight; noon Valentine’s Day party with Judy Ruble; noon haircuts; 2 p.m. line dancing.

events FREE online

SUBMIT your own event or SEARCH the calendar at KPCnews.com Scroll down the page or click on the “Share News” tab to access calendar.

A16 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • February 8, 2018

Happy Valentine’s Day Steaks • Ribs • Pasta • Seafood

Fine Dining • Lunch & Dinner Full Bar with Daily Drink & Lunch Specials

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260-244-4011

Hours: Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

VOTED WHITLEY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR! Thank you to all of our employees and patrons!

WHERE FOOD AND FRIENDS BECOME FAMILY THURSDAY NIGHT All-You-Can Eat Spaghetti FRIDAY NIGHT All-You-Can Eat Fish SATURDAY NIGHT Dinner Specials Breakfast Served ALL DAY EVERYDAY 602 S. Main Street, Columbia City

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Thurs.-Sat. 5:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Sun. 5:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.