In|whitley county march 29, 2018

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By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia�com

CHURUBUSCO — A letter from Churubusco Youth Foundation President Miles Wilson was read at last week’s Town Council meeting,

expressing his strong concerns over the construction of the new playgrounds equipment.

The Churubusco Youth Foundation raised $200,000 for new, ADA-accessible

Community Calendar�������������15

equipment, but after recent meetings between Wilson and town officials, Wilson is upset.

“I was told I’d have the support of the town.

The community overwhelmingly supported

March 29, 2018

this project — now we’ve hit a crossroad,” he said in the letter, which was read by Clerk-Treasurer Madalyn Sade-Bartl. “If this is how the town will support the community,

we’re in trouble.”

Wilson was alluding to an apparent discrepancy about the location of the new equipment. Wilson said if the Youth Foundation and town can’t come to terms, he will seek

other locations for the new equipment, such as the school.

The councilmen haven’t had a formal meeting with the Youth Foundation, which See PLAYGROUND, Page 2

Alternative school settles into new home

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia�com

The TROY Center School for middle and high school students recently hosted an open house to show off its new space in Columbia City.

The independent accredited alternative learning school started 20 years ago as an after school program that grew into a day program and received accreditation in 2012.

The school helps students gain an education and earn a diploma at their own pace while supported by a team of teachers, counselors and support staff. TROY stands for “Teaching and Reaching Our Youth.”

Executive Director Nicole Trier said the school’s approach is about removing barriers to education.

“These obstacles are different for every student,” she said.

For some, it could be that they don’t have heat at their house, their water’s been turned off or there’s not enough food in the house. Others might need a proper mattress or winter

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

Telephone: (260) 693-3949

Vol. 2 No. 13

BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ

James Romano, 17, started campaigning door-todoor in March, starting with his neighborhood.

Romano, 17, in running for Whitley County Council

BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ

Students lounge in the break room at TROY Center School.

clothes.

Childcare might be an obstacle for young parents, so the school offers a teen parenting program and allows them to bring their baby to school.

For any crack a student could fall through, the TROY Center School wants to be there to catch them.

“Every kid deserves to have a team behind them that wants to see them succeed and loves them and cares about them …

So many of these kids have had people and institutions and programs give up on them and we’re just not going to give up,”

Trier said.

A new beginning While the educational services have been ongoing since 1997, the school’s location has changed a number of times due to financial considerations. Most recently, the school was located at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Last year, the school purchased a building at 1911 E. Business 30 in Columbia City with the help of grants from the Community Foundation of Whitley County and the McMillen Foundation.

On Feb. 20 and 27, the

TROY Center School held an open house for visitors to see its new home, which opened in January.

The school serves 36 students and, with the added space, it will be able to accommodate up to 50 students. The school has been operating with a waiting list, but the increased capacity will ensure students aren’t turned away, Trier said.

School features The new building also allows for separate spaces for middle and high school students. The school has several classrooms where students can See ALTERNATIVE, Page 2

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia�com

A 17-year-old Whitley County resident has thrown his hat into the running for County Council, third district.

James Romano, a senior at Canterbury High School, is seeking the Republican endorsement in the May 8 Primary Election. Republican candidate Timothy Kumfer and Democratic candidate Jamie Overdeer are also seeking nominations for the seat that Republican Glen LaRue has held for 11 years.

Early interest Romano’s interest in politics first began when he was in kindergarten. He remembers playing with presidential flash cards and being fascinated with the biographies and how each president left his mark on the country.

His favorite president is Abraham Lincoln because of Lincoln’s ability to pull the country together during See ROMANO, Page 3

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Whitley County • March 29, 2018

Nix running for Whitley County Council Contributed Columbia City – Chad Nix, of Jefferson Township, is running for Whitley County Council, District 4, which includes Cleveland Township (South Whitley), Columbia Township South, Washington Township and Jefferson Township.

“I am pleased and honored to announce my candidacy to run for Whitley County Council, Nix District 4. During

my eight years as Jefferson Township trustee, and 12 years as a Jefferson Township board member, I have gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of township, county and state government, including its capabilities and limitations,” he said.

PLAYGROUND from Page 1 Council President Frank Kessler spoke up about.

“There are things you need to talk to the council about before you start making steps without getting us involved,” Kessler said.

“Nobody has said, ‘no’ — but the decision will be made by the council,” Councilman Mark Pepple said.

Kessler said he wants to take care in selecting the location of the equipment, which could effect water drainage wherever it is installed.

“We want to be sure we’re putting it in the place it should be,” Kessler said. “The place they (Youth Foundation) have looked at might be fine and it may not.

There could be drainage issues there. I want

someone with experience to take a look at it first.

I don’t want us to build it there and find out later that it will cause more issues than it cures.”

Bartl, who is also part of the Churubusco Youth Foundation, said they want to put the equipment where the pavilion is located, then build another pavilion that is ADA accessible with restrooms.

The councilmen were taken aback by the letter.

“Miles said he wants it to be something we can all be proud of, and that’s the same thing I want,” Kessler said.

“Someone has jumped to conclusions here.”

Several officials present noted a heated meeting between Wilson and Park Director Rick

Krider, which they feel was the cause for the letter.

“We need to sit down with Miles,” Pepple said.

“Obviously we have some oil and water going on with Rick and Miles right now. It’s going to take us stepping up and coming up with a game plan. As far as I’m concerned, the council is 100 percent behind the project.”

The design of the equipment has not yet been finalized. The Youth Foundation approached three different companies for a design within the $200,000 budget.

After the companies give their ideas, students at Churubusco Elementary School will be involved in choosing their favorite.

“I believe in wise, common sense, conservative spending, that will balance Whitley County’s growth for the future. Most importantly, I want the voice of Whitley County to be heard.”

Nix is a lifelong resident of Whitley County.

He currently is a board

member of the Whitley County Water and Sewer District, a member of the Jefferson Center Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years, and a 4-H leader for the past 10 years.

Nix has had leadership roles within the fire department and 4-H which has given him the

experience of managing budgets and people. Nix works at Ultra Electronics in Columbia City as the Corporate Security Officer. He and his wife, Stephanie, have been married for 20 years and have two adult children, Sydney and Cole. Nix looks forward to serving Whitley County.

Local students aid in reporting school threats

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

CHURUBUSCO — If you see something, say something.

That was the motto given to students at Smith-Green Community Schools. That message was received loud and clear, as quick reporting resulted in quick action after two threats written on bathroom walls at Churubusco Jr./Sr. High School last week.

The first message was discovered Wednesday, and the second on Saturday.

The first message wasn’t on the wall long before it was reported,

which resulted in quick action by school administrators and law enforcement.

“We try to reinforce with our students and staff — if you see something, or hear anything, or have a bad feeling about something — anything that makes you uncomfortable or not safe — report it,” said Superintendent Dan Hile.

As of press time, the second threat remained under investigation, but the student who left the first message is receiving the “maximum allowable consequence,” Hile said.

Churubusco is among hundreds of schools

across the state who have had similar threats since the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., including Whitko High School, which has also received two threats in recent months. Hile said this information was reported at a recent state safety training in Indianapolis.

Hile said there was no merit to the first threat, but officials are still treating it as if it were real.

“Making a threat is a very serious situation,” Hile said. “We take it seriously. Any person who chooses to make a threat will face full consequences, regardless of See THREATS, Page 3

exploring career pathways in the community.

“If there’s anyone out there who wants to be involved with us or partner with us, we’re going to be on the lookout for that in the near future,” she said.

referrals. Students come from Whitley, Huntington, Noble, Kosciusko and Allen counties.

If a student is failing to thrive in a traditional classroom, Trier encourages the student and his or her family to see if the TROY Center School might be a good fit for them.

Sometimes students stay until graduation and other times students return to a traditional classroom after spending time in the therapeutic environment, Trier said.

Students are typically awarded some amount of tuition assistance ranging from partial to full scholarships. The school holds fundraising events for tuition assistance each summer.

The TROY Center School is in need of volunteers and there are many opportunities available from help with mailings, help in classrooms and help serving lunch, Trier said.

In addition, the school is also accepting donations of toilet paper, paper towels, copy paper and other office supplies, cleaning products and healthy snacks.

For more information about TROY Center School, visit troyalternativeschool.com.

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includes a breakroom where students can lounge on the couch, work on homework, socialize or meet with a case manager.

The TROY Center School has also partnered with Sweetwater to provide a music room with instruments where students can take lessons or engage in music therapy.

The school also offers opportunities for students to work with area employers to get career experience from job shadowing to intern-

ships to part or full time work experiences. Trier wants employers to know that when they take on a student, they also get the support of the school’s staff.

“We can work on the skills that they need so that they can be the best employees for these businesses. We want to know what needs there are in the community,” she said.

Community Engagement Coordinator Elizabeth Baxter said the goal is to build a bridge between the student’s education and career by

Reaching students The TROY Center School has partnerships with Whitko Community School Corporation and Smith-Green Community Schools that allow administrators to refer students directly and the alternative school also gets private

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Whitley County • March 29, 2018

Investigations net five accused drug dealers

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

Five individuals charged with dealing drugs appeared for initial hearings in Whitley County Circuit Court March 19.

The Whitley County Drug Task Force spearheaded investigations with the use of undercover officers and confidential informants that led to the arrests of the five individuals, who now face multiple felony charges.

The Drug Task Force is a county-wide effort involving law enforcement officials from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, the Columbia City Police Department and other local agencies.

Whitley County Prosecutor D.J. Sigler said the months-long investigations yielded upper level felony drug buys and drug busts.

“They did a very good job. It’s a good collaboration between the county

officials and all of our intelligence gathering,” he said.

Justin Downs, 20, of Fort Wayne, has been charged with two counts of dealing in cocaine, level 3 and 4 felonies, and two counts of possession of cocaine, level 5 and 6 felonies. He will appear in court again April 30.

Jasmine Partridge, 33, of Fort Wayne, faces identical charges. According to court documents, Partridge had a small child with her during

one exchange with a confidential informant. She will also appear in court again April 30.

Jeffrey Dammeier, 42, of Columbia City, faces eight felony charges, including dealing in methamphetamine, dealing in a narcotic drug and possession of both. The charges range from level 6 to level 3 felonies. Dammeier will appear in court again April 16.

Gregory Murphy, 47, of Columbia City, has been

charged with two counts of dealing in methamphetamine, level 4 and 5 felonies, and two counts of possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felonies. He will appear in court again April 6.

Lukas Kingslien, 20, of Bluffton, has been charged with two counts of dealing in a controlled substance, level 2 and 3 felonies, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a level 6 felony and class

A misdemeanor. He will appear in court again April 16.

Level 2 felonies carry a possible 10-30 year sentence; level 3 felonies are punishable by 3-16 years; level 4 felonies are punishable by 2-12 years; level 5 felonies are punishable by 1-6 years; and level 6 felonies carry a possible six month to 2.5-year sentence. A class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year of incarceration.

was a 2017 graduate of the American Legion’s Hoosier Boys State.

Romano is a member of the Whitley County Historical Society board of directors, has served as a counselor at Camp Whitley and a presenter at the Whitley County Historical Society’s Civil War Camp.

Additionally, he volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

encourage members of the community to get involved in the local political process and find solutions with the help of local government.

In March, Romano began campaigning door-to-door, starting with his neighborhood. Between houses, he said that you’d think neighbors would be easier constituents to campaign to, but in reality, they ask the toughest questions because they feel comfortable putting him on the spot.

And he’s OK with that.

“When I’m on the campaign trail, that’s what I want to hear,” he said.

“I want to hear the problems that you have. What changes or solutions do you have for issues in local government? What can we do to make a difference?”

He also wants to encourage young people to engage in the political process — from registering to vote as soon as they are eligible to researching candidates and becoming an active voice in shaping

local government through voting and dialogue.

“We live in an a day and age when we can see decision making happen live and can have an active voice in it,” he said.

55-plus-year-olds being mayor, there’s certainly a little bit of a hurdle that you have to get over,” he said.

“When someone says ‘mayor,’ they don’t think of a 27-year-old, red-headed kid. They think about a graying man of some sort.”

The biggest challenge for young candidates is overcoming this image, he said.

ask Romano is, “What are your plans after graduation?”

Indiana University in Bloomington is among his options, but whatever plans he commits to, he wants voters to know that he plans on staying close enough to make it back for council meetings or if duty calls.

“Ultimately, Whitley County is my first concern,” he said.

Information and updates on Romano’s campaign can be found on Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/ James-RomanoWhitley-County172034773405690/; on Instagram @JamesRomanoOfficial; and on Twitter @JRomanoOfficial.

ROMANO from Page 1 one of the most trying and politically divisive eras in America. Romano also admires that Lincoln, who spent his formative years in Indiana, was a self-made man who educated himself and was able to rise from a humble upbringing to the nation’s highest office.

His interest in local politics began at age 8 when he began attending local GOP events. Later, he encouraged his mother, now Columbia City Councilwoman Jenifer Romano, to run for office.

In recent years, he has worked as a volunteer on Congressman Jim Banks’ campaigns for Whitley County Council, Indiana Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

The high school senior serves as house leader (class president), is a member of the honor committee and is a fouryear member of the finance committee and Key Club, in addition to other extracurricular activities. He

What he wants to bring to the table Romano said the most important issue in Whitley County is maintaining the budget. He feels that it’s necessary to evaluate government spending and find solutions for bettering Whitley County programs.

Decisions being made today will impact future generations, he said.

“We need someone at the table making those decisions so that everyone’s best interests are in place,” he said.

He also wants to

Overcoming an image When Romano tells people he’s running for office, a lot of people don’t believe him at first.

“I just think that’s really unfortunate. I think that it should be the norm to have people of all ages running for different offices in government,” he said.

Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel encountered the same obstacle when he ran for the office as a 26-year-old.

When he was elected in 2015, at the age of 27, he became the second youngest mayor in the city’s history and the second youngest mayor in the state at that time.

“When you’re a 26-year-old in a community that has typically had

Moving forward Romano will turn 18 in August, making him eligible for the county council seat. He must register to vote and be 18 years old by the general election to vote or run for election.

One of the first questions Whitley County residents

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THREATS from Page 2 merit. It’s not acceptable.”

School administrators chose to send emails to parents to stay transparent about what’s happening at the school.

“We know how much anxiety and stress it causes to receive messages like this, but we’re trying to live up

Low Down Payments to our commitment to be transparent and communicate with parents,” Hile said.

The school district had a safety audit by the state Department of Education. Officials toured the facility and read through the district’s safety plan.

“We received very

complimentary feedback,” Hile said. “It is encouraging.”

Doors are kept locked during the school day, there are two secure entrances and a school resource officer is on site during the school day.

There are other parts of the plan, but not all safety

plans are shared with the public.

There will be an increased law enforcement presence on the two dates mentioned in the threats — April 9, the first day back from spring break, and April 27. Hile is unclear why April 27 was chosen.

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A4 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

Snapshots from the Rotary Auction

NICOLE MINIER

Kevin Rothgeb holds up his number to bid against a fellow Churubusco resident.

NICOLE MINIER

This children’s dollhouse was donated by Greg and Julie Veercamp. Above, it is displayed by Kira Creech.

NICOLE MINIER

A large crowd gathered for the annual Churubusco Rotary Club auction last Wednesday at the Churubusco Jr./Sr. High School cafeteria.

NICOLE MINIER

Brenda Saggars and Sheryl Dawson check out several jewelry items that were up for auction.

NICOLE MINIER

Rob Marr was one of many Churubusco Rotary Club members who volunteered, donated and purchased items at the event.

NICOLE MINIER

Rotarian Chuck Jones and Cora Pence carry a toy John Deere tractor into the auction area.

NICOLE MINIER

Callie Lemper and auctioneer Tim Holmes hold up a wooden rocking horse — one of many items auctioned off.

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

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Whitley County inwhitleycounty.com

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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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: INWhitley County, P.O. Box 39, Kendallville, IN 46755.

Published on Thursday throughout the year.

Located at 123 N. Main Street, Churubusco, Indiana 46723. www.inwhitleycounty.com

NICOLE MINIER

Katelynn Johnson holds up an item that sold at the Rotary auction.

NICOLE MINIER

Bryce Geiger holds up a bicycle for attendees to see.

The bicycle was donated by Shambaugh and Sons.

INwhitleycounty.com • A5

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

How to grow a lousy stand of corn As the title implies, most of the information shared below will be offered tonguein-cheek, and it origiJOHN E. nates from WOODMANSEE Purdue’s corn expert, Dr. Bob Nielsen.

As corn planting season nears, a lousy stand of corn is certainly what every farmer plans against.

Below are the ingredients to a recipe from Dr. Nielsen’s pen for what he calls a “crappy” stand of corn: • One field, level and poorly drained.

• Wait until the last possible moment to burn down any winter annual weeds or cover crops.

• Plant one or more hybrids of your choice, but preferably ones with poor seed quality and low vigor.

• Do not add any starter fertilizer to the recipe.

• However, an ample amount of starter fertilizer placed right next to the seed will add a little “zing” to the recipe.

OBITS Marilyn Nicodemus CHURUBUSCO — Marilyn Ann Nicodemus, 79, of rural Churubusco died at 11:15 p.m.

Monday, March 19, 2018 at Miller’s Oak Pointe, Columbia City.

Services were Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Memorials are to Heartland Hospice.

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 260-347-0400, ext. 2526.

• Add a dash of seed rot or seedling blight organisms.

• Add a pinch of wireworms or seedcorn maggots.

• Plenty of spring tillage to maximize soil compaction, though one pass with a disc will suffice if the soil is “on the wet side” when worked.

• Flavor with acetanilide or growth regulator herbicides as desired.

• Add a minimum of one inch of rain per week after planting to maintain saturated soil conditions.

• Top off with one or more severe frost events to provide a nice, crisp appearance to the plants.

Nielsen continues with his recipe: “Mix well and plant as early as possible no matter how cold or wet the soils. Maintain average daily soil temperatures at 50o degrees or less for three weeks or more after planting. Plant ‘on the wet side’ to ensure good sidewall compaction. Plant either excessively deep or excessively shallow. Plant as fast as you possibly can to ensure uneven seed drop. For best results, follow corn with corn, especially with minimal fall tillage. Top off with a thick soil crust and serve cold.”

Nielsen has a few other

clever quips added to his full article, which you can access at kingcorn.org/ news/timeless/CrappyStands.html.

For additional information on all things corn, and more on the serious side, visit Nielsen’s Chat ‘N Chew Café website at kingcorn.org/cafe.

Also, The Corn Growers’ Guidebook is available at kingcorn.org.

For timely information on all crops and pests, check out the Purdue Pest & Crop newsletter, published weekly through the growing season, at extension.entm.purdue.edu/ newsletters/pestandcrop/.

Finally, as nitrogen fertilizer is one of the significant and costly variable input products added to corn, it pays to be as efficient as possible with it. For guidance, Nielsen and colleague Dr. Jim Camberato updated their white paper in 2017 entitled, “Nitrogen Management Guidelines for Corn in Indiana,” available at agry.purdue. edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/NitrogenMgmt.pdf.

Good luck to all, and here’s hoping for a great corn crop in 2018!

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

Ice cream shop coming soon The scoop on the new business in Churubusco

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

A local business owner and his partner are breathing new life into a building that many refer to as “the old liquor store” on North Main Street in Churubusco.

Those passing by recently may have noticed some work on the building’s exterior: a colorful new awning and seasonal window decorations have gone up.

However, the real work is happening inside, where Rodger Hettinger and his fiancé Julie Collier are transforming the building into an ice cream shop.

The couple is still a few weeks away from installing signage, but the new business will be called Otto’s Ice Cream.

The name is a tribute to Hettinger’s grandfather, Otto. He remembers using a hand-crank ice cream maker to make ice cream with his grandfather.

“One of my fondest memories is him making ice cream under the walnut tree [where] we cracked the walnuts and put [them] in the ice cream,” he said.

Hettinger owns 1st Call Heating and Cooling, which has served Churubusco for 13 years. When he purchased the building

last year, he originally thought he might house his business there.

However, after seeing so many kids cut through the grass to the nearby Churubusco Community Park, he thought it might better serve the community as something related to the park.

After they replaced the dark cherry colored awning with green striped pattern, he thought it looked just like an ice cream shop.

“It was just screaming to be called something other than 1st Call Heating,” he laughed.

Otto’s Ice Cream will offer “super-premium ice cream” from a distributor in Madison, Wis., called the Chocolate Shoppe.

“In order to sell this kind of ice cream, you actually have to go to Wisconsin and they show you how it’s made and take you into the store and show you how it’s scooped out and how you store it and how you take care of it – all of the things that are important to scooping ice cream.

It’s a lot more than what you would think,” he said.

While Hettinger and Collier were at the Chocolate Shoppe, they got to taste as much as they wanted. He called their chocolate malt “the real deal” and said it brought

him back to the days of his youth working behind the counter at a drugstore soda fountain.

The ice cream shop will carry 32 flavors of ice cream, including lactose-free and sugarfree options. They will also rotate some of the flavors. The ice cream shop will also offer a few food items on their menu like hotdogs “to help out the hungry baseball players.”

Collier, who works at Castle Gallery Fine Art in Fort Wayne, is the creative mind behind the ice cream shop’s décor, Hettinger said.

“She’s the creative one, so all the pretty decorations in the window are all hers.

She’s the one who has that kind of talent. I have more of a building background,” he said.

The décor will have a 60s vibe with retro vinyl bar stools that Hettinger reclaimed from Atz Ice Cream Shoppe in Fort Wayne, which went out of business several years ago.

Churubusco residents can look forward to a grand opening in late spring.

“No matter if we have to pedal a bicycle to keep the generators running, we’re going to have that thing open by Turtle Days,” Hettinger said.

AREA EASTER SERVICES Area Easter church services are as follows: Beacon Light Chapel 8901 McComb Road, Churubusco Easter worship 10 a.m.

Blue River Church of the Brethren 3040 E. 700 N., Columbia City Holy Thursday Feetwashing, love feast and communion 7 p.m.

Easter SonRise and breakfast 6:30 a.m.

Worship 10 a.m.

Blue River Community Church 3360 E. C.R. 300 N., Columbia City Resurrection Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Columbia City Church of the Brethren 112 N. Washington St., Columbia City Maundy Thursday: Feetwashing, Love Feast and Communion 7 p.m.

Easter SonRise Service 7:30 a.m.

Breakfast 8:15 a.m.

Worship 10 a.m.

Columbia City United Methodist Church 605 Forest Pkwy., Columbia City Maundy Thursday 6 p.m.

Prayer Vigil 6 p.m.

Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday Good Friday 6 p.m.

Easter Worship 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Dunfee Missionary Church 818 W. County Line Road, Fort Wayne Maundy Thursday 6:30 p.m.

Good Friday Service 1:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church Easter Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Etna United Methodist Church 4255 W. C.R. 750 N., Columbia City Maundy Thursday : Supper at 6 p.m.

Tennebrae Service (Service of Darkness) following supper Easter Sunrise 7 a.m., followed by continental breakfast Grace and Hope Lutheran Churches (ELCA) 204 N. Main St., Columbia City Maundy Thursday 7 p.m.

Good Friday 7 p.m.

Laud Christian Church 2085 E. Taylor St., Laud Easter Sunrise Service, 7:30 a.m. with Jack Hierholzer preaching New Hope Wesleyan Church 971 N. County Road 400 W., Columbia City, IN Good Friday and Holy Saturday Easter Drama, “Christ Our King,” 7 p.m. each evening

Easter Celebration with Baptism, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Saturn Christian Church 6731 E. C.R. 800 S., Columbia City Maundy Thursday dinner and service of shadows 6:30 p.m.

RSVP at 396-2250 St. John Lutheran Church (LCMS) 2465 W. Keiser Road, Columbia City Maundy Thursday (with Holy Communion) 7 p.m.

Good Friday - Tenebrae 7 p.m.

Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m.

Breakfast 7:30-8:45 a.m.

Worship 9 a.m.

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church 1460 E. C.R. 500 N. (corner of State Road 9 and County Road 500 North), Columbia City, IN Maundy Thursday 7 p.m.

Community Good Friday Service 1:30 p.m.

Easter SonRise Service 8:15 a.m.

Easter Breakfast 9 a.m.

Easter Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Paul of the Cross Roman Catholic Church 315 S. Line St., Columbia City, IN Holy Thursday Parish Supper: 6:30 p.m.

Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 7:30 p.m.

Adoration: 8-30-10 p.m.

Reconciliation: 5-6 p.m. & 8:45-9:30 p.m.

Good Friday The Lord’s Passion: 1 p.m.

Confessions: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Stations of the Cross: 7 p.m.

Reconciliation: 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday Reconciliation: 10-11 a.m. and 3:45-4:45 p.m.

Easter Vigil Service: Mass 8 p.m.

Reception in the Church Hall for newly received into the church.

Easter Sunday Masses: 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

South Whitley United Methodist Church 6685 W. S.R. 14, South Whitley Good Friday Service 7 p.m.

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m.

Easter Service 9 a.m.

Easter egg hunt 10 a.m.

Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church 709 W. Business 30, Columbia City Maundy Thursday: Communion service, 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sonrise 7 a.m.

Breakfast 8-9 a.m.

Easter Service 9:15 a.m.

West Point Trinity United Methodist Church 4980 N. Etna Road, Columbia City Good Friday: noon Easter Celebration 9:30 a.m.

Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS) 101 E. North St., Columbia City, IN Maundy Thursday 7 p.m.

Good Friday 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday Sunrise 8 a.m.

Easter Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m

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A6 • INwhitleycounty.com

OPINION

LETTER TO THE EDITOR The motto of Smith Green Community Schools is “Superior Schools in a Supportive Community.” It’s more than words. I’ve seen our community support our school, both financially and with an amazing amount of volunteer hours. The academics and extra-curricular programs SGCS provides are exemplary, even competing with schools much larger than ours. Thank you community members for your commitment to our local, public education.

During these challenging times, when multiple school corporations have been forced to pursue referendums, seeking further taxpayer support in order to survive, I am grateful to serve in the SGCS district. No school is perfect but Busco is superior in many ways.

Many staff have given countless hours beyond their contracts to our children. Families are choosing to stay in our district because they know our staff cares and

that their children are part of a community that cares about each child and producing productive U.S. citizens for our community’s future. Our students are engaged in multiple activities and are excelling academically, receiving recognition and honors as they represent our community across the county, the state, and even the nation.

We have a great public education product and a town plan for a growing community with additional housing.

This combination is worth support. The state of Indiana has cut public school funding.

Since 2009, SGCS has operated conservatively; cuts have already been made in personnel and benefits. This January, I listened to a line-byline SGCS budget to determine whether more cuts were the answer to preserve our school’s success and future health. It was clear to me that more cuts in staff and services would negatively impact our students and our community.

So I will support, and am asking for support for, the referendum on the May 8 ballot. I understand it is a huge request for many landowners; I don’t take this lightly and my first preference would be not to have to ask.

Indiana’s public school funding has always relied heavily on land property owners — this does not go unnoticed by me, our kids and our community. I appreciate all of you and thank you for your consideration in voting yes for Busco schools.

My husband and I chose to raise our children in this small community because of the many opportunities and the caring people.

We are grateful for our SGCS education and that of our children.

Please contact me with your thoughts.

— Cathy Petrie Churubusco SGCS Board Secretary These opinions are the personal opinions of Cathy Petrie and are not from the SGCS Board as a whole

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

A lesson in communication A mishap in communication at Churubusco’s Town Council meeting last week showed the importance of communication between organizations and government entities.

Churubusco’s Youth Council did a fantastic job of raising $200,000 for new playground equipment at Churubusco’s Town Park.

The community is clearly behind this project, titled “Oscar’s Playland,” and wants to see it thrive. It’s that passion that brought this project to where it is today — fully funded and ready for construction.

However, it’s that passion that can also lead to miscommunication between all parties involved. The Youth Foundation completed the legwork for this project but, up until this point, the Town Council’s involvement has been minimal. Because the equipment will be erected on

Our view

town property, the council needed to be involved.

Youth Foundation President Miles Wilson wrote a distraught letter to the council, which was read at last week’s meeting. Wilson had been meeting with Park Director Rick Krider about the location of the new equipment, and the two have an apparent disagreement as to where the equipment should be located. However, the Town Council was left, from our understanding, out of the loop of conversation until the recent meeting.

Surely, there is a solution to this issue that can be resolved after the two

groups come together. Both are clearly excited about the project. Both clearly want what’s best for Churubusco as a whole. The Town Council must do its due diligence to make sure the location is best for drainage purposes — it’s the town’s property after-all. The Youth Foundation should make sure the equipment is in an ideal location to get the best use, considering so many local people generously donated to make the project possible.

Churubusco is blessed with passionate, intelligent leaders, and we expect an amicable resolution to this issue. Soon, our children will have a blast playing on the new equipment, no matter the location, and this issue can be put in the past. In the meantime, we hope town leaders will have respectful, productive conversations to keep this project moving forward.

CHEERS, JEERS & WHATABOUTS To submit to this column email the editor at nminier@kpcmedia.com.

CHEERS and our grateful appreciation to the American Legion for hosting the March 3 fish fry for Rob Ransom, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Thank you to Emily Munk for organizing the event and to the ladies’ auxiliary, and many old friends and new for donating, baking, volunteering and attending

the dinner. Rob would be overwhelmed by your generosity and his family is truly thankful.

— Jerry and Rita Ransom, for the entire family

Hoosier rural broadband proponents forge ahead NASHVILLE — A decade ago, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson ran on a platform vowing to save every Indiana BRIAN city and HOWEY town.

But there was skepticism.

Indiana is pockmarked with communities that died when we transformed from an agrarian to a manufacturing economy a century ago.

Dozens of Hoosier cities and towns face the same dilemma two decades deep into the 21st Century. Those that innovate will survive.

In my home of Brown County, survival means expanding rural broadband internet.

The afternoon of March 14 before bedlam overtook the Indiana General Assembly, Nashville Town Manager Scott Rudd sounded the alarm.

He had been working with Advance Indiana Municipalities and the Office of Community and

Rural Affairs on House Bill 1065, which would create a grant program to bring broadband to the “last mile.” It was floundering.

What should I do?

Then I thought, “What would President Trump do?”

So I went to the Twitter machine: “We’re hearing AT&T is trying to kill off HB1065, the bill that would help companies and REMCs bring high speed broadband to rural areas. Hell to pay if this is what’s happening.

Time for rural legislators to step up and fight for their economies and constituents.”

And then this: “On AT&T snuffing HB1065, the bill allowing REMCs and small companies to extend rural broadband to our rural Hoosier brothers and sister, my weekly column runs in Churubusco, Elkhart, Lawrenceburg, Crothersville, Hendricks County, Logansport, Kokomo … there will be HELL TO PAY if 1065 dies.”

I forgot to add the Trumpian, “SAD!” Minutes later, a source in the LG’s office reported my tweets were having an impact. Then I got a call from AT&T

Indiana President Bill Soards, who insisted, “We aren’t trying to kill it. We continue to try and make it tech neutral.” By that, Soards was seeking to make sure the operational costs would be there for all providers.

My interest in HB1065 stemmed from my service on the Brown County Broadband Task Force, which was founded by Rudd and includes members from the county school corporation, highway department, community foundation, citizen activists and smaller internet companies. The goal has been to expand access to that “last mile.”

A Federal Communications Commission report revealed that rural Indiana residents are lagging behind all adjacent states in high-speed internet access: Indiana 58.5 percent, Kentucky 68.8 percent, Illinois 63.5 percent, Michigan 66.4 percent and Ohio 71.1 percent.

State Sen. Erin Houchin picked up the effort in the General Assembly. House Bill 1065 had the support of REMCs, Comcast and several broadband innovation groups. “They

reached out and said, ‘Let us help craft something we can support’,” Houchin told me on Monday. “That was the first time that had happened.”

As most bills do, it morphs and evolves.

On eve of sine die, it appeared AT&T had gotten the operating expenses written into the bill, which Houchin believed would eat up funds to build out rural systems. She pressed the conference committee chairman, Rep. David Ober, R-Albion, to remove them. He initially refused, saying, “I guess your bill is dead.”

Houchin is from Salem and represents Washington County and adjacent areas. Ober is from Albion in Noble County in lake country.

Folks will tell you how fitful it is to get reliable, high-speed broadband in those locales. From AT&T’s perspective, the return on investment is too low. Folks should wait for wireless.

Houchin reached out to State Rep. Sharon Negele of Attica, got her to help with the changes, then pursued two Democrats — State Rep. Ryan Hatfield of

Evansville and Sen. Lonnie Randolph of East Chicago — to sign the deal. Ober, too, finally relented and it was filed just before chaos broke out. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed it into law on Wednesday.

“I’m especially pleased to see that we are making progress on ensuring equal broadband opportunities across rural Indiana,” Crouch said. The Indiana Farm Bureau’s Justin Schneider called it “a good first step” with a “mechanism to be able to fund applicants.”

During this whole process, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk sent the Falcon Heavy rocket into space, including two Starlink satellites.

Business Insider reports that Starlink will “bathe Earth in highspeed internet access.

The Starlink plan calls for nearly 12,000 interlinked satellites — many more than currently orbit Earth.” SpaceX’s Patricia Cooper explained, “The common challenges associated with siting, digging trenches, laying fiber and dealing with property rights are materially alleviated through

a space-based broadband network.”

But Musk explained, “We’re really talking about something which is, in the long term, like rebuilding the internet in space.” Even so, he said that 90 percent of local access will still come from fiber in terra firma.

The potential for a Starlink technology leap had been discussed extensively on the Brown County Broadband Task Force. Do we wait for cosmic leaps? Or forge ahead with existing technology?

Earlier last week, the Brown County Commissioners voted to create the first tax- and fee-free zone for rural broadband investment, designed to take advantage of the new law. “It’s a great step forward. Now we need to find money for the new rural grant program and go to work,” Rudd said.

Last week, Hoosier innovators made a decision not to just stand still. The future of Hoosier communities is at stake.

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

INwhitleycounty.com • A7

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

Peabody library offers ‘home goods’ items for checkout Contributed COLUMBIA CITY — Think libraries are just for reading and checking out books? Not quite.

Peabody Public Library recently expanded its offerings by adding home goods items, available for patrons to check out in the adult department.

Some of the items that will be available for check out are: tool sets, a sewing machine, assorted cake pans for baking and rubber stamping sets.

In addition to the home goods, the library will continue to offer items like lawn games, puzzles, electronic devices, children’s games and activities and more.

“Have you ever had a time when you started a project you thought would take five minutes but then it turned into hours because you didn’t have the right equipment? Well, the library hopes to help you with that predicament,” according to a Peabody Public Library statement.

“We have an assortment of tools and home goods available to checkout,” said Library Executive Director Mary Hartman. No more

buying something you are only going to use one time.

Save some money and stop by the library to check that item out. We even have a sewing machine to loan out.”

If you have additional questions about the items contact the adult department at the library at 244-5541 or Deb Lowrance at dlowrance@ppl.lib.in.us.

Want to stay up-to-date on events, classes and programming at the library?

Follow the library on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for event and class updates, and visit ppl.lib.in.us and click the “calendar” icon on the homepage to check out the library’s online calendar.

These items are available for checkout to patrons of Peabody Public Library in Columbia City.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

YESTERDAY One year ago Smith-Green Community Schools took out a $2 million bond to overcome budget shortfalls and complete projects.

Whitley County planned to establish a Regional Sewer District. The county commissioners were working with BCS Management and the Secant Group to create the district.

Educators and local business leaders met for the Whitley Works Summit. The program was formed because the unemployment rate in Whitley County was about 3.5 percent, and the group wanted to find ways to help students better understand their options before they graduate high school.

Churubusco volleyball coach Suzanne Taylor announced she would be leaving Churubusco for Columbia City High School’s open position.

Taylor coached Churubusco for three seasons and led the team to backto-back sectional runner-up finishes.

Local native Randy Jones earned a directing role at the Travel Channel.

Jones is a 1990 Churubusco High School graduate. He had previous experience with the Food Network, History Channel, DIY, HGTV, A&E, CBS, ABC and Animal Planet.

Columbia City’s Parker Hazen, Churubusco’s Jalen Paul and Dakota Barkley, and Whitko’s Nate Walpole were selected

to be on Indiana’s small school all-state list in boys basketball.

10 years ago Churubusco’s Town Council wanted to move forward with an annexation on the south side of the town.

The Churubusco Rotary Club held its annual auction, netting $18,500.

The Whitley County H.A.N.D.S. Foundation held its annual “Littlest Philanthropist Day,” to educate 3rd grade students.

The program allowed students to learn about philanthropy and give them the opportunity to become involved.

15 years ago Lea Ann Herron was named the Volunteer of the Year by the United Way of Whitley County at a ceremony in 2003. According to Candice Yeakle, director of United Way of Whitley County, “Lea Ann has a true passion for United Way. She’ll talk your leg off about the United Way if given the chance.”

“Anything goes” was the spring musical presented by the Churubusco High School Fine Arts Department. The production included six leading characters: Stephanie Clapper, Trisha McDowell, Ryan Gross, Amanda Moore, Corey Bonar and Brian Sheppard.

David Maugel, assistant principal at Churubusco High School, was in Washington, D.C. to receive the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a teacher:

The 2002 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Keith and Janet Ramsey celebrated their silver wedding anniversary at First Church of God in Columbia City.

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic performed for all of the Whitley County 4th and 5th graders in Larwill.

Churubusco High School hosted a lift-a-thon to raise $5,000 for weight room equipment.

25 years ago Five firefighters, including two from Thorncreek Township, were injured while fighting a massive fire that completely destroyed the home of Richard and Diane Schrader on the Noble-Whitley county line.

The family escaped the fire unharmed.

The theme chosen for the 2003 Turtle Days Festival was “Oscar Goes Hollywood.”

The Indiana Academy of Veterinary Medicine named 179 veterinarians as members in recognition of their commitment to excellence in health care of the state’s animal population.

Among local inductees were Dr. Donald Welsh, Churubusco; Dr. Michael Mawhorter, Columbia City, Dr. John McKibben, Rome City; and Dr. Timothy Martin, Wawaka.

Richard Conrow, president of C&A Tool Engineering, renovated the interior of what was formerly the Precision

Sharpening building at the corner of Coal and Mulberry streets. The company was in the middle of a $1.5 million expansion and employed 103 people at the time.

The Smith Hoosiers 4-H Club met at Churubusco High School with leaders Steve Mettert and Marie Hagerman, along with 30 4-H members.

50 years ago Seniors of the 1968 class at Churubusco High School would present a three-act comedy, “Get Rich Quick.”

An Indian exchange student spoke to the Women’s Cultural Club.

The student attended Columbia City Joint High School.

The Churubusco Area Jaycees were selling raffle tickets for a 23-inch Zenith color television.

Churubusco’s glee club, directed by Sharon Staup, received a second division, or “excellent” rating in the state contest of the Northern Indiana School Band and Vocal Association. The auditions were held at Columbia City.

Burglars struck the Churubusco Feed Mill, east of town on State Road 205. Sheriff Harold Taulbee said entry into the building was made through an office window.

Some candy money was taken and possibly some merchandise.

Several new possible projects for the Whitley

County Association of Churches were proposed in a meeting of the executive committee. Among the possible projects proposed as a “Society of Christian Neighbors” which would help involve church people in immediate community efforts; a center for individual and family counseling, in cooperation with other groups such as mental health.

Rev. Marvin Shroyer, of Columbia City, resigned his post as county commissioner because of health reasons. His term would have expired in 1971.

Aumsbaugh Flooring offered bedroom suites for $199, nylon carpet for $5.50 per square yard and bunk beds for $119.95.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR

CASAPALOOZA 2018 FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018 AT 6:30 PM SYLVAN CELLARS EVENT CENTER 2725 E. NORTHPORT RD., ROME CITY, IN

We invite you to join us for CASAPALOOZA 2018, our annual fundraising event to aid in the mission of advocating for the neglected and at-risk children in Northeastern Indiana.

FEATURING GREAT FOOD & DRINK FROM OUR SURROUNDING AREA PURCHASE TICKETS Tickets are $50.00 per person and can be purchased in person, by mail or online.

To purchase tickets online, go to www.neincasa.net and click on CASA PALOOZA 2018 under the Events link.

If you are unable to attend, donations may be sent to P.O. Box 111, Albion, IN 46701.

A8 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

Woman accused of battering elderly mother

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

An Albion woman accused of battering her elderly mother in the Walmart parking lot appeared in Whitley County Circuit Court for an initial hearing March 19.

Wendy Shanabarger, 58, of Albion, has been charged with domestic battery against an endangered adult resulting in bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.

The alleged incident took place in the parking lot at Walmart in Columbia City March 14.

Several witnesses called 911 to report a woman in a green Corolla hitting another woman in the car multiple times and that the driver was leaving the parking lot, according to court documents.

Columbia City Police Officer Robert Sands was able to locate the car shortly after it left the parking lot and made a traffic stop. Sands was joined by Sgt. Scott Leatherman, who investigated the alleged battery.

According to Leatherman’s report, Shanabarger was in the driver’s seat and her mother was sitting in the passenger seat. Leatherman developed probable cause to believe the mother was an endangered adult because she had dementia.

According to witnesses, while parked in the Walmart parking lot, Shanabarger was allegedly yelling at her mother to shut the passenger side door.

Witnesses said she then allegedly walked around the car, got in the driver’s

side, started screaming at the older woman, threw something on the dashboard and then hit the older woman in the head with a closed fist, according to the report.

According to witnesses, after being hit, the older woman “put her hands on the sides of her head and leaned forward crying.”

Witnesses said Shanabarger then allegedly hit the older woman again.

Witnesses told Leatherman that when a passerby told Shanabarger that she shouldn’t hit her mother, she allegedly told him to mind his own business and hit the older woman again before driving away.

According to Leatherman’s report, Shanabarger told the passerby, “I didn’t beat her – I slapped her upside the head.”

Whitley County Prosecutor D.J. Sigler said there has been a no contact order filed in the case.

“This defendant is not permitted by court order to have any contact with her mother,” he said.

Sigler said the abuse of the elderly is a silent epidemic.

“These are some of our most vulnerable citizens,” he said.

If convicted, Shanabarger could face enhanced sentencing because of the victim’s status as an endangered adult, Sigler said. A Level 5 felony is punishable by 1-6 years of incarceration.

Shanabarger will appear in court again April 16.

Ben Sheppard, 38, of Albion, appeared in court for formal sentencing after previously pleading guilty to strangulation, a Level 6 felony, pursuant to a plea agreement.

Judge Matthew Rentschler described the allegations as a “graphic representation of domestic violence.” However, he said that Sheppard’s case was unique compared to similar cases in that Sheppard had shown “genuine remorse” as well as an ability to reform himself and that he had been assessed as a low risk to reoffend.

Sheppard was sentenced to two years of incarceration at the Whitley County Jail with 180 days to be served and the remainder suspended.

Judge Rentschler said the court would consider

In other Whitley County Circuit Court news:

downgrading Sheppard’s felony conviction status to a misdemeanor in the future pending good behavior.

Frank Bailey, 42, of North Webster appeared in court for formal sentencing after previously pleading guilty to theft, a Level 5 felony.

He was sentenced to three years of incarceration.

Brooke Thompson, 36, of Ossian, appeared in court for formal sentencing after previously pleading guilty to theft. She was sentenced to 1 year of incarceration, all of which was suspended.

Hearings for Kathy Hill, Zachary Long and Travis Grams were moved to future dates.

WHITLEY COUNTY JAIL BOOKINGS KPC News Service The following people were booked into the Whitley County Jail: • Jaime Newsome, 35, of Fort Wayne, was arrested March 12 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with driving while suspended.

• Daymon Shipley, 24, of Columbia City, was arrested March 13 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with invasion of privacy.

• Justin Downs, 20, of Fort Wayne, was arrested March 13 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with dealing cocaine and possession of cocaine.

• Jeffrey Dammeier, 42, of Columbia City, was arrested March 13 by the Indiana State Police, charged with dealing in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, dealing cocaine and possession of a narcotic drug.

• Jasmine Partridge, 33, of Fort Wayne, was arrested March 14 by the Indiana

State Police, charged with dealing cocaine and possession of cocaine.

• Gregory Murphy, 47, of Fort Wayne, was arrested March 14 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with dealing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.

• Wendy Shanabarger, 58, of Albion, was arrested March 14 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with aggravated battery.

• Lukas Kingslien, 20, of Bluffton, was arrested March 14 by the Indiana State Police, charged with dealing a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

• Grant Mikel, 21, of Fort Wayne, was arrested March 14 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI and OWI per se.

• David Romero-Perez, 21, of Milwaukee, was arrested March 15 by the Indiana State Police, charged with operating while never licensed.

• Bryant Austin, 32, of Montgomery, Ill., was arrested March 15 by the Indiana State Police, charged with possession of marijuana.

• Tony Austin, 45, of Aurora, Ill., was arrested March 15 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of marijuana and OWI controlled substance.

• Kristina Webb, 40, of Columbia City, was arrested March 15 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with violation of suspended sentence.

• Anastasia Dumbacher, 18, of Columbia City, was arrested March 15 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with huffing.

• Dillon Alma, 19, of South Whitley, was arrested March 15 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of marijuana.

• Matt Clupper, 49, of Columbia City, was arrested March 16 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with theft.

• Stacy Tyrrell, 32, of Columbia City, was arrested March 16 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with dealing marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

• Frances White, 53, of Churubusco, was arrested March 16 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of precursors.

• Jierre Harper, 20, of Dolton, Ill. was arrested March 16 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

• Amanda Esterline, 36, of South Whitley, was arrested March 16 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI. • Deandre McCray, 21, of Ward, Ala., was arrested March 16 by the Indiana State Police, charged with carrying a handgun without a permit and possession of a controlled substance.

• Cassandra Williams, 27, of Columbia City, was arrested March 16 by

the Columbia City Police Department, charged with driving while suspended.

• Esteban Paredes, 19, of Warsaw, was arrested March 16 by the Indiana State Police, charged with possession of marijuana, reckless driving and OWI controlled substance.

• Emily Ringel, 28, of Columbia City, was arrested March 16 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with strangulation and domestic battery.

• Michael Ringel, 48, of Columbia City, was arrested March 16 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with criminal recklessness and domestic battery.

• Andrea Dauscher, 37, of Fort Wayne, was arrested March 16 by the Indiana State Police, charged with OWI and OWI per se.

• Jacob Hale, 22, of Rochester, was arrested March 17 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of marijuana, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of paraphernalia.

• Brittney Fields, 30, of Rochester, was arrested March 17 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with possession of marijuana, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of paraphernalia.

• Steven Asher, 63, of Kendallville, was arrested March 19 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with criminal trespass.

• Linda Bowers, 39, of North Manchester, was arrested March 19 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with violation of suspended sentence.

• Maczell Poindexter, 21, of Anderson, was arrested March 19 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with carrying a handgun without a permit, possession of controlled substance and OWI per se.

• Dominick Campos, 39, of Columbia City, was arrested March 20 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with failure to comply.

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INwhitleycounty.com • A9

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

National Puppy Day Photos posted to IN|Whitley County Facebook page last Friday

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Badger, posted by Joni Walker

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Milo, posted by Erin Auer

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Dwight, posted by Brittney Bireley

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Koda, posted by Angel Stultz

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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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SPORTS

A10 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

Much new for ’Cats in 2018

By Travis Stahl for IN|Whitley County

SOUTH WHITLEY — Change is a constant in high school sports. Players graduate, and the following year there are new athletes to take their place. Change has never been more prevalent than it is this year with the Whitko Wildcats baseball team.

Last year the ’Cats enjoyed a great season. The team won a sectional championship, had great pitching and a line-up full of big bats. That team graduated nine players and head coach Eric Hisner stepped down from his position on the bench. This year welcomes new head coach Mark Fisher, who was the junior varsity coach previously,

and a slew of new position players.

Whitko does have some experience back from last year’s sectional championship team. River West had a great season on the mound last year for the ’Cats. And when West wasn’t on the mound, he was solid at short stop. Austin Hollowell got a lot of plate appearances last year at the designated hitter position, and this year will be the team’s No. 2 pitcher. Whitko also has back last year’s starting first baseman Spencer Sroufe.

Sroufe has been working at pitching and when needed will be called on as the third pitcher.

After that, the entire line-up for the ’Cats will be brand new to the varsity

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The 2018 Whitko baseball team is pictured. Front row, from left: Landon Grable, Zach Neer, Austin Hollowell, Mason Lehman, Nate Smith, Evan Wilson and Colten King. Back row: coach Riley Anderson, coach Jorell Tucker, Kyle Knutston, Spencer Sroufe, River West, Clayton Grable, head coach Mark Fisher and coach Doug Fisher.

level.

Zach Neer will be behind the plate at catcher and fellow junior Nate Smith is going to see time at second and third base. There is also a quartet of talented sophomores Fisher is counting on. Mason Lehman, Landon Grable and Colten King will fill in part of the outfield positions depending on who is on the mound, and sophomore Clayton Ebbinghouse is starting in center field.

Whitko also received a nice surprise when players started coming out for practices this year. After taking a year off from baseball, Kyle Knutson rejoined the ’Cats, and the senior will provide depth at several positions.

Freshmen Evan Wilson has made a huge impact already on the Whitko team, and earned a starting spot in right field.

The Whitko schedule is filled with technically

sound opponents who will force the ’Cats to play smart baseball. Bluffton, Heritage, Columbia City and Churubusco highlight the out of conference schedule for the Wildcats. The Three Rivers Conference is quietly one of the better baseball conferences around. Peru, North Miami and Maconaquah have been the biggest threats to Whitko the last two seasons.

With a young team, the

first part of the season will be crucial for Fisher and the ’Cats to learn where all the pieces fit best. In the last few seasons, though, Whitko has transformed from a team that hopes to win to one game, to one that expects to win every time it hits the diamond. That mindset will continue under Fisher, and once the young players get some experience Whitko will again be a sectional contender.

Lady Wildcats look to follow 2017’s semistate run

By Travis Stahl for IN|Whitley County

SOUTH WHITLEY — It is the goal of every coach to put a team in the field that forms a cohesive unit and works together as one.

That is easier said than done in most cases, but last year the Whitko softball team was a collection of players who worked perfectly on the diamond together. As a result, the team advanced all the way to semi-state. Now, the Lady Wildcats are ready

to take that next step and punch a ticket to the state finals.

“The girls’ mindset has been one of wanting more,” said Whitko head coach Michelle Garr of how the team is coming into this season after the success of last year. “They don’t expect anything to be handed to them because of last season, and they are working hard for this season.”

What makes it so difficult for opponents to get a win against Whitko is that

the team is fundamentally sound, especially in the field. Last year’s starting pitcher Ellie Snep is back this year as a senior. Snep wasn’t an overpowering pitcher, striking out 15 batters per game — but she didn’t have to be.

As long as Snep and her catcher Emalee Duggins kept hitters from making good contact, the Whitko defense took care of the rest. Limiting mistakes in the field has become a way of life for the team.

“We work everyday

on our fundamentals,” said Garr. “We don’t do anything fancy.”

Returning to the field behind Snep are Reannon Hopkins, Anna Ousley, Shi Bradley and Lexi Hall who all started last season on the semi-state team. While Whitko lost some strong gloves and bats with graduation, there is some new talent coming in also. Madison Smith and Augusta Garr will be inserted into the line-up and counted on to produce.

“I am so proud of how my older girls are helping the younger girls in order to make the team better,” said Garr.

Good teams get that way because they play top talent throughout the season. Whitko again plays a schedule loaded with good teams. The Lady ’Cats will face county rivals Columbia City and Churubusco, as well as top teams like Carroll, Central Noble and Norwell. Whitko will also have to get through a

competitive Three Rivers Conference schedule that will again see them have to get past conference foe Oak Hill.

One of the things all the Whitko coaches and players keep in perspective is perhaps the most important thing to the growth of the program — having fun and working to get better every day, Garr says. This ensures players take the field loving the game each and every time which shows up in the win column.

FOLLOW WHITLEY COUNTY SPORTS Thursday, March 29

Friday, March 30

Saturday, March 31

Monday, April 2

Tuesday, April 3

Wednesday, April 4

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Whitko baseball at Marion (double header), 11 a.m.

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

SPORTS

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

INwhitleycounty.com • A11

Step-By-Step: Wappes making most of opportunities Contributed NORTH MANCHESTER — Manchester University had its first indoor sub 5:00miler, a member of the cross country program’s all-time top 10 fastest clockings in the 6K, and an individual ranked among the Black and Gold’s best 10 outdoors in the 400, 800 and 1,500 meters.

To think — all of this quite possibly could not have happened.

Up until her high school athletic career at Columbia City, Hannah Wappes kept herself involved on the soccer fields. It wasn’t until her freshman year that she was asked to try and track and field by Columbia City High School head coach Bob Fahl.

“In the beginning, it was mostly just sprint races,” she said with a grin. “(Coach Fahl) was one of my teachers,

and he kept talking to me about increasing the distances I ran, and eventually he spoke to me about trying cross country before my junior year.

It was very rare for anyone to do two sports (in the fall),” she added. “Fortunately, the athletic director agreed to it.

(The opportunity) was great … everyone worked together to ensure I could do this. I was blessed.”

Director of cross country and track and field Brian Cashdollar, and head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach Geoff Lambert are thankful for Fahl’s sage advice being heeded by Wappes. It led to the accolades mentioned earlier in the Spartans’ programs and enabled an impressive run of indoor national track and field

appearances.

A large scale of the sophomore’s success can be seen in her personality … cheerful, smiling and always willing to help others.

“The people I’ve been able to be around (during my athletic career) are why I enjoy doing this,” she admitted. “From coach Fahl to the coaches at Manchester University, my hometown and here on campus … everyone is so supportive.

My parents have been behind me throughout, too. It’s been amazing.

Running allows me to chase myself and set bigger goals each time (I compete),” she added. “The team component is there, too. If I’m doing my best, it’s what best (for the team). There’s been a learning curve from competing in the 800 to the

mile (in college). I struggled a little with the shorter distance, so (Coach Cashdollar) talked about having me try the mile.

It gives me more chances to fix things (in the race).”

That yearning for knowledge, competitive spirit and willingness to lend a hand has helped her grow off the course and track, too.

“Self accountability is important (to me),” she noted.

“I’ve always told myself ‘You have to get good grades to be able to participate in sports’ from middle school on up.

Someday, I’d like to work with children (and aid in their successes),” she added.

“I’m hoping to be a guidance counselor and possibly coach, too.”

Setting new standards in athletics and life — both areas Wappes enjoys success in.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Hannah Wappes is a Columbia City High School graduate and currently runs for Manchester University.

Baseball returns 8 Churubusco Eagles with varsity experience have sights set on NECC

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

CHURUBUSCO — Churubusco’s baseball team brings much experience back from last year’s 12-12 squad, but sports a new head coach in Jordan Turner.

The Eagles return Dean Stanley, Dalton Blessing, Isaac Smith, Brendon Hilkey, Parker Curry, Parker Sturtz, Colton Anderson and Jake Fulk, who all had varsity experience last season.

That doesn’t mean the team is without loss, however. Graduating last year was starting shortstop Brandon Jencks, who is now playing for Ivy Tech Fort Wayne, and starting center fielder Colin Mullins, who

is helping out as a coach this season.

This year’s squad has nine seniors who are expected to bring leadership to the team.

“We expect each one to contributed in some way, whether in a starting role, pitching or playing multiple positions,” Turner said.

The team was young and inexperienced last year, but that’s not the case this season.

“The team started to have more success at the end of last season,” Turner said.

“Our goal is to build upon that success. We want to keep improving each time we step on the field.”

The Eagles have nine players capable of taking the mound, which provides

many options for ’Busco.

“This depth will help with our full schedule and pitch count rules,” Turner said.

Joining the team this season are Blake Trostel as a sophomore and Levi McClure who is a junior transfer player. Trostle is expected to see “a lot of innings on the mound and playing time at multiple positions,” Turner said.

The Eagles’ new coach, along with his young coaching staff, will have the opportunity to prove himself, as the team will play nine games in 11 days in April. Churubusco has one of the youngest coaching staffs in the area, as Turner is 25 years old, and the assistant coaches are 24, 22 and 19 years old.

By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia.com

CHURUBUSCO — Churubusco track coach Zach Dock has his sights set on one major goal for the boys and girls teams, just as he does every year — winning a conference championship.

The teams return several key athletes from last year, including throwers Brayden Simmons (2017 state qualifier) and Garrett Horn, hurdler Mason Anderson, distance runner Sam Kiely, and state-qualifier Sam Wood in pole vault and hurdles on the boys’ team. For the girls, Heidi Zeigler returns in hurdles, Brien Gross in sprints, Maggie

Burrita in distance and Alayna Fulkerson in distance running.

The Eagles’ also have two incoming freshmen who are expected to make an impact: distance runner Eli Lantz for the boys and hurdler Audrey Zeigler for the girls.

Last year’s boys team was undefeated in the regular season and were the Northeast Corner Conference East Champions. The boys team lost 17 seniors to graduation and the girls’ squad lost two.

In order to be competitive this season, the Eagle boys are looking to improve their quarter-milers and distance runners, and the girls

need improvements in jumping events.

Dock said the girls’ biggest strength is their work ethic.

“All the girls are very hard workers and sport great attitudes,” Dock said.

The boys have strengths in several events.

“We have top-end throwers (Horn and Simmons). We also sport two good vaulters (Wood and Branden Koolvord).

We also have two good hurdlers in Wood and Mason Anderson,” Dock said.

Along with winning the conference, Dock hopes to send athletes to the state finals again this season.

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A12 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day March 29th Wilma’s Health Care Phone: (260) 693-6382

203 S. Main Street Churubusco, IN 46723

Fax: (260) 693-1942

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Whitley County’s ONLY Full Service Tire Store

Jerry’s Tire Service Inc. COMPLETE ON-THE-FARM SERVICE Since 1977 - Family Owned & Operated

(260) 244-5927 1045 EAST BUS 30

200 Diplomat Drive, Columbia City, IN 46725 Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

omlinson’s TShooting Supplies Northeast Indiana’s Largest inventory of firearms and reloading supplies Carry Optics, Cleaning Supplies and Ammo 8475 E. US 33 Suite G, Churubusco, IN 46723 260-693-2830

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260-385-0013

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INwhitleycounty.com • A13

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

Available online at www.INHelpWanted.com

To place an ad call 260-347-0400 Toll Free 1-877-791-7877 E-mail: inhelpwanted@kpcmedia.com

Open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Job Title: CNC Operator Class: Full time –Direct Hourly Responsibility: Operators load materials into CNC machines to be shaped. Once the

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• 0-2 years prior experience operating CNC machines • Knowledge of gauging equipment, including micrometers, calipers, depth gauges, etc.

• Must be a team player with the ability to communicate issues and problems to others • Must enjoy a fast-paced manufacturing environment, results, oriented and self-motivated • Committed to continuous improvement principles with the goals of the company in mind at all times • Detail Oriented with excellent eyesight • Capable of work that requires concentration and physical effort • Must be able to stand for long periods of time • Must be able to lift 50-100 pounds consistently and often

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Primary Responsibilities: • Locate and pull stock for outgoing Orders.

• Package finished product for shipping (shrink wrapping, boxing, and labeling).

• Use the computer system to locate products • Turn off and lock out equipment when not in use.

• Maintaining a safe work environment, per forming job functions in a safe manner and good housekeeping practices.

• Maintaining productivity related to standards based on assigned task.

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Tools & Equipment Used: Box Cutter, Tape Gun, Scanner

Minimum Requirements: • Must be at least 18 years of age / Co-Op • Basic Math Skills • Able to perform job duties while standing and walking throughout the duration of shift.

• Requires the ability to lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 pounds, including up and down warehouse ladder.

Education: • High School diploma or GED • Or participation in High School Co-op Program

Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently required to stand, reach, walk, stoop, or kneel for the entire length of their shift. The individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

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Whitley County inwhitleycounty.com

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A14 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

CLASSIFIEDS wc

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Check Your Ad Advertisers should check their classified ads in the 1st issue and report errors immediately.

No allowance can be made when error(s) do not materially affect the value of the ad.

KPC Media is not responsible for damages resulting from error(s). We reserve the right to edit, cancel, or deny any ad deemed objectable or against KPC ad policies. KPC assumes no liability or financial responsibility for typographical errors or for omission of copy, failure to publish or failure to deliver advertising.

KPC is not responsible for and you agree to make no claim for specific or consequential damages resulting from or related in any manner to any error, omission, or failure to publish or deliver.

■ EMPLOYMENT

Librarian The Peabody Public Library is seeking a full-time Youth Services Librarian to provide classes, programs, services and materials to the children and teens of the community. * The salary will be based upon experience, benefits included. * Schedule includes mornings, afternoons, 1 evening & every third weekend including Saturdays & Sundays.

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Whitley County inwhitleycounty.com

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INwhitleycounty.com • A15

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

Community Calendar hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. in Classroom B at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Bridget Johnson will speak about growing and using herbs. The public is welcome to attend this free, half-hour presentation. Johnson is considered as the “go to” person on the subject in the local Master Gardener club. Also as a reminder, the Master Gardeners’ Garden Walk of exemplary gardens is June 23. Tickets can be purchased at the Purdue Extension Office, 115 S. Line St.

Include news of your group, too

28

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

Mar.

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29 30 31 Apr.

2 3 4 5

March 28

• Indian Springs Middle School will host “Parent University” 6:30-8 p.m. The presentation will include information about cyber bullying, sexting, dangers of technology and social media.

The Indiana State Police’s cyber crimes unit specialist Cathie Bledsoe will deliver the presentation. Whitley County Consolidated School families and agencies are welcome to attend.

• The Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center will host a women’s lunch series “What can WEOC do for you?” at noon at the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce, 128 W. Van Buren St. The center offers women entrepreneurs business growth coaching, training and entrepreneurial education, connectivity and access to capital. The lunch is free, but space is limited, so RSVP to the Chamber at (260) 248-8131 or office@whitleychamber.com.

11 12

March 29

• The Whitley County Republican Forum will meet at 7 p.m. at the Whitley County Agricultural Museum and 4-H Learning Center, 680 W. Squawbuck Road in Columbia City. Voters will have a chance to meet candidates. This event is sponsored by the Whitley County Republicans and the Whitley County Republican Women’s Club.

14

March 30

• The Community Good Friday Service is 1:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, located at the corner of State Road 9 and County Road 500 North. The event includes communion and is coordinated by nine area churches.

• Thorncreek Fire Department’s fish fry begins at 4 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. The fire station is located at 821 E. C.R. 500 N. • The annual Churubusco mEEGa Hunt, a free community event, will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Churubusco Town Park. The event begins with games, prizes, face-painting, bounces houses, popcorn, cotton candy and more. The egg hunt begins at 3:30 p.m., with over 14,000 eggs for children to collect.

• At the Cottage Gift Shop, all proceeds from items purchased 10 a.m.-3 p.m. will go to The Impact Center Food Pantry. The gift shop is located at 500 W. Van Buren St. and is open Thursdays 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

April 2

• The Whitley County Commissioners will meet at 1 p.m. in the Whitley County Government Center, 220 W. Van Buren St. in Columbia City.

The commissioners meet on the first and third Monday of each month.

April 3

April 4

• The Churubusco Town Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Churubusco Town Hall on Home Avenue.

April 5

• Peabody Public Library’s one-day book sale is 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Proceeds will support the library.

• Master Gardeners of Whitley County will

April 11

• Churubusco United Methodist Church will present a seminar called “Aging in Place” 1:30-3 p.m. The seminar will give advice on how to make various modifications to homes so that residents can stay in them as long as possible.

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April 12

• The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club’s general meeting is 6-8 p.m. in Community Rooms A& B of the Peabody Public Library, 1160 E. S.R. 205, Columbia City. The program for the evening will be about grounding and lightning protection, presented by Ted Tahmisian, W9WT. April 14

• JFK and the Beatles at the South Whitley Community Public Library begins at 1 p.m. with a presentation by world-renowned Beatle scholar Aaron Krerowicz. The program is entitled “From the Shadows of JFK: The Rise of Beatlemania in America.”

• A spaghetti dinner will be held at West Point Trinity United Methodist Church, 5-7 p.m. at 4980 N. Etna Road. The meal will be provided for a free-will donation to benefit The Lighthouse.

• Precision Outdoors & Rentals will hold an open house 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Turtle Town Plaza, 8435 E. U.S. Hwy 33 in Churubusco. The event will feature a live wood-cutting demonstration, one-day deals and giveaways. There will be free pulled pork sandwiches from 11 a.m. until supplies last. For more information, call (260) 693-6233.

• Passages Inc. will host its 3rd Annual Spring 5K at Morsches Park. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. Participants may register early by visiting passagesinc.org/ passages-5k. The cost is $20 for early registration or $25 for registration after April 6. The event is a chip-timed race, and begins at the park pavillion. Morsches Park is located at 1035 E. S.R. 205. There will be prizes for the top male and female and awards for age-group winners.

• The First Annual Faith Christian Academy Trivia Challenge fundraiser will be held at Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Business 30 west of Columbia City. Registration begins at 6 p.m. and the questions begin at 6:30 p.m. Teams of no more than eight people can participate, with many teams from the different classes at Faith Christian Academy, preschool through 8th grade. The cost is $10 per team, and mulligan’s will be available for $1 a piece, but only one per round may be used.

May

7

June

March 31

• The Whitley County Council will meet at 8 a.m. in the Whitley County Government Center.

The council meets on the first Tuesday of each month.

line to RSVP is noon April 20.

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April 25

• Whitley County Chamber of Commerce will host a “Thanks a Bunch Lunch” for Administrative Professional Day at Eagle Glen Event Center. This event gives employers an opportunity to honor their administrative assistants, personal assistants, volunteers and others with lunch, door prizes and more. Tickets for this annual event are just $20 per person. To make reservations, contact the Chamber at (260) 248-8131 or office@whitleychamber.com. Dead-

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April 28

• Wine and Jazz will be held at the Old Train Depot in Pierceton, 6:30-9 p.m. The event is hosted by the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce, and will include a silent auction with items donated by the community. The Chamber will use funds raised for upcoming festivals, local parks and other town expenses. Tickets are available in advance for $30 each or $35 at the door. Email visitpierceton@yahoo.com or call (574)367-5069.

April 29

• Churubusco United Methodist Church will honor all police, sheriff, firefighters, EMTs, first responders and other public service officers in worship at the “Blessing of the Badges” services at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. Personnel are encouraged to attend and wear their uniform or bring their badge to worship.

• Churubusco United Methodist Church will offer an estate planning workshop and a free lunch 11:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop will cover developing a plan, what tools are available and how unexpected events might impact estate planning.

May 7

• Churubusco United Methodist Church will offer a seminar on personal finance 6:30-8 p.m. At “Personal Finance 101,” certified financial planner Brian Osner will review budgeting, insurance and financial jargon. All ages are welcome, but the program is geared toward younger parishioners.

June 23

• Whitley County Master Gardeners will present a “Garden Walk” of exemplary gardens in Columbia City. Tickets can be purchased at the Purdue Extension Office, 115 S. Line St. For more information, call (260) 625-3313.

Ongoing

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

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

• A support group for families of children with special needs meets 3-5 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at Choices & Changes, 360 N. Oak St., Columbia City. The meeting March 17 will focus on community supports.

The topic for April 20 is grieving and growing.

For more information, contact Chris Garau at (260) 255-0708 or Christy Garau at (260) 255-0707.

• C3 Youth Group meets with youth pastor Brad Millikan 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday at Christ Community Church, 316 N. Main St. in Churubusco. Students grade 6-12 are welcome to join.

• Churubusco Elementary School is registering all-day kindergarten students. Call (260) 693-2188 to schedule a registration time May 24 or 25 and a registration packet will be mailed to you. Students must be 5 years old by Aug. 1. The school is also accepting transfer students.

• Churubusco United Methodist Nursery School is accepting registration for the 20182019 school year. Children should be 3, 4 or 5

by Aug. 1. Enrollment is $50 and monthly fees will be $80 for the three-day program (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Morning sessions are 9-11:30 a.m. Afternoon sessions are 12:30-3 p.m.

For more information, call the office at (260) 693-2154.

’Busco United Methodist Church plans Golden Legacy celebration Contributed CHURUBUSCO — The excitement is building. Churubusco United Methodist Church will celebrate the 50th birthday of the United Meth-

odist denomination on Sunday, April 22.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble of the Indiana Conference will share the message “Who is the Greatest” based on Matthew 18:1-5 at

Churubusco United Methodist Church’s 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. services April 22. All are encouraged and welcome to attend. A carry-in luncheon will follow at 11:30 a.m.

The Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist denominations merged in 1968.

The Churubusco Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Churubusco Methodist Church

maintained separate congregations until their merger in 1971.

Since then, the Churubusco United Methodist Church has worshipped at 750 N. Main St. in Churubusco. You

can learn more about Churubusco United Methodist Church and the upcoming celebration at churubuscoumc. org. Watch for additional articles in the upcoming weeks.

A16 • INwhitleycounty.com

Whitley County • March 29, 2018

WHERE FOOD AND FRIENDS BECOME FAMILY

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602 S. Main Street, Columbia City

(260) 244-6388 Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Mon.-Wed. 5:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

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

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

Owners Heather and Gary Parrett