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May 3, 2018

Town on edge as primary election nears

BY NICOLE MINIER

nminier@kpcmedia.com

CHURUBUSCO — “This issue is a pretty big one.”

Smith-Green Community Schools Superintendent Dan Hile addressed a crowd of over 100 people at a community meeting last week in the Churubusco Scout Building.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the referendum and address

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their concerns.

“For those who live here and have neighbors, family and friends here — the last thing we want to see is someone paying more in taxes than what is absolutely needed,” Hile told the crowd.

“The district is at a crossroads right now.”

The SGCS Board of Trustees approved a resolution to put the referendum on the May 8 primary election ballot for residents of Smith Township in Whitley County and Green Township in Noble County. Including SGCS, there are 11 referenda on the May 8 ballot and there have been 164 referenda since state

NICOLE MINIER

Over 100 people attended a Q&A session with Superintendent Dan Hile, who spoke about the referendum, which will appear on the May 8 primary election ballot in Green Township in Noble County and Smith Township in Whitley County.

funding changes in 2008.

“That’s a lot of schools that are finding themselves in a situation because of these

changes,” Hile said. “There are several others in our area that will probably go on the November ballot. This is not

just a Smith-Green issue.”

School funding changes Hile broke down school funding for those in

attendance, explaining that certain funds, such as capital improvements and transportation funds, receive money from property taxes, and that the general fund is supported by state dollars.

Money allocated for one fund cannot be spent in another. For example, extra money leftover in the transportation fund, cannot be used to pay teacher salaries.

“Schools receive different amounts based on a formula that has variables,” Hile said. “I know there is some confusion about how the money is spent.”

Prior to the school funding SEE REFERENDUM, PAGE 4

Cooler weather causes few issues for construction projects

BY NICOLE MINIER

nminier@kpcmedia.com

COLUMBIA CITY — The unseasonably mild temperatures in April may have been a spirit downer for local residents, but it didn’t cause any delays for crews working on Columbia City’s two multimillion-dollar projects — the new city aquatics facility and Columbia City High School.

Tom Smith, from Skillman, the CCHS construction

management team, said that although the team would have appreciated warmer temperatures, they didn’t count on good weather.

“Historically, we cannot plan on the weather being much better than the amount of rainfall and cooler temperatures we have seen,” Smith said.

Columbia City saw snow as late as April 19 and even saw patchy frost in late April.

The average high temperature

in April in Whitley County is 60 degrees, but Columbia City didn’t see many days over 60 last month.

As for the Russel and Evelyn Fahl Aquatics Center, the weather did not impact construction, and crews continue to make quick work of the project, with a projected opening this summer.

“The construction guys have been working right through the rain, wind and snow,” said Park Director Mark

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Crews are continuing to make progress on the construction of the new Columbia City High School, south of Columbia City on State Road 9. Above is a photo of the school from the physical education area, looking toward the academic wing, which is being constructed in the background.

Green. “At times it is a very muddy mess over there.”

The pool’s construction

was set back a few weeks from the outset, as an unexpected SEE CONSTRUCTION, PAGE 4

CHS students learn valuable lesson

260-482-8503 Information •

Churubusco Police Officer Dustin Papenbrock simulates a series of tests for intoxicated drivers during the mock accident.

Churubusco Town Marshal Mike Engle, right, speaks to a student during Churubusco High School’s mock accident, hosted by SADD, Friday afternoon. The entire school looked on as first responders reported to the school for the crash.

The event is put on as a lesson for students prior to prom night.

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NICOLE MINIER

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‘A Cause for Paws’

BY KPC NEWS SERVICE COESSE — Fifth graders at Coesse Elementary School held a fundraiser for the Whitley County Humane Society, raising $545.01 in cash and donating two laundry baskets full of toys, treats, food and other items.

“Before leaving fifth grade, we wanted to give back to the community,” a letter from the class said. “As a class, we decided that we all care for animals.”

Last year, the fifth grade collected milk jugs and plastic to create a Buddy Bench.

The activity from last year motivated this year’s class to do something special as well.

“A Cause for Paws” was launched in March, selling March Madness brackets for $1 apiece. They also took donations for food, litter, toys and other needs for the shelter. The student with the most accurate bracket

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Coesse fifth graders make donation to humane society

CONTRIBUTED

Fifth-grade students at Coesse Elementary School collected money and items for the Whitley County Humane Society.

received a coupon book full of fun things to have during the school day.

Each grade level also competed. The one that earned the most money received a pajama day, movie and extra recess. The second-

place class received extra recess and a movie, and the third-place class earned an extra recess.

Fifth graders worked together to create advertisements, the proposal and collect money.

“This has been a big and important project for our class,” the letter said. “We wanted to spread the word about giving back to the humane society and maybe motivate others to give back as well.”

CONTRIBUTED

Fifth-grade teacher James Lanham holds a check for $545.01, which was given to the Whitley County Humane Society after a fundraiser by the fifth-grade class.

Shellman named Huntertown town manager

BY LOUIS WYATT

lwyatt@kpcmedia.com

HUNTERTOWN — Huntertown’s long-time search for a town manager came to an end during the April 23 meeting of the Town Council.

Former Albion town manager Beth Shellman will join Huntertown’s staff beginning May 7.

Town attorney Dave Hawk notified Shellman of the offer last week, and council member Mike Aker made a recommendation April 23, on behalf of the personnel committee, that the council vote in favor of

the hire.

During the council’s previous meeting, the hiring committee announced it had narrowed the decision down to Shellman and current Churubusco Clerk-Treasurer Madalyn Sade-Bartl. The council voted unanimously to hire Shellman.

“I’ve been interested in this position as town manager for four years.

When the discussion first came up, I was interested because I have an attraction to the town based on my heritage,” Shellman said, adding that she spent a lot of time in Huntertown as a

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child, as her grandparents lived on Shoaff Road and both her parents graduated from Huntertown High School in the 1950s. Her other grandparents lived in the White Swan area.

“I spent a lot of time in this area as a child,” Shellman wrote in a letter to the Northwest News. “I have watched Huntertown grow over the past several decades and currently have friends and relatives who live in Huntertown. I am excited to be a part of the continual growth by utilizing my skills to assist the Town Council/ Utility Service Board and employees in working with developers, business, industry and residents.”

Shellman attended junior high in Churubusco before graduating from Central Noble High School.

She served as Noble County’s plan director from 1987-2003 before becoming the town manager of Albion — a position she held from 2003 until January 2016, when Albion’s town council decided to terminate its

contract with her.

Then Albion Town Council President John Morr was quoted in a Jan. 12, 2016, article in the Albion New Era as stating, “We’re not on the same page,” in reference to the council’s relationship with Shellman.

“Either we change, or the person in charge has to change. It was a hard decision. Beth, in many ways, is an asset to the community. She has been important to Albion,” he continued.

Asked about her relationship with the former employer, Shellman told the Northwest News she foresaw herself leaving Albion years in advance.

“I was working with a council that had a different management style than I did and I needed to leave,” she said. “I knew that about three years before I left.”

Through meeting with town officials, Shellman believes Huntertown will be a better fit.

“I’ve had four interviews,

basically, for this position, so I’ve had an opportunity to meet with all the council members and all the [Utility Service Board] members and I look forward to working with them,” she said.

Shellman will leave her current position as an office manager in Whitley County.

As town manager of Huntertown, she will be working in Allen County for the first time. Her current position is the first she has held outside of Noble County.

“I miss being a town manager, and I did it for a little over 12 years in Albion,” she said. “A lot of the things that I have been talking with the council about initiating are things that I’ve done in Albion.”

Her resume from Albion includes creating a 50-50 façade grant program for commercial properties; reconstruction of a four-block area around the courthouse square; bond refinancing, expansion and creation of a new tax increment financing

area; upgrading water and wastewater facilities; constructing a new water tower and water main; constructing and upgrading tornado sirens; complete street and regulatory sign replacement; consolidating all town services into one facility and constructing a new salt shed; and annexation of property into corporate limits, among other accomplishments.

As Noble County plan director, Shellman implemented the county’s house numbering/address system and updated the zoning and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plan.

Many of those experiences will inform her business in Huntertown — with the help of the council.

“I’m not going to come in here thinking everything is going to change for the town on May 7,” she said.

“It’s going to take some priorities and I want the council to direct me on which direction they want me to go first.”

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Thursday, May 3, 2018

IN Whitley County

LWC celebrates Class 17 CONTRIBUTED COLUMBIA CITY – Local nonprofit organization Leadership Whitley County, a program of the Whitley County Economic Development Corp., recently celebrated the graduation of LWC Class 17.

Since 2001, more than 300 diverse participants have graduated from the LWC program. LWC is a seven-month experiential learning program designed to empower individuals to serve and become better leaders, engage individuals in the workplace and community, and connect them with resources to continue growing as a leader at home, in the workplace and in the community.

“There were 15 different organizations and businesses represented, along with student representation from Churubusco, Columbia City and South Whitley, in this year’s cohort,” said LWC Director Carrie Meyer.

“We had several organizations come together to help sponsor the program this year, from individual scholar-

ships to program and event funding. This is a beautiful demonstration of servant leadership and collaboration in our community–people coming together for the good of the community, and the good of the people within it.”

Patrick Buesching, LWC Class 12 alumnus and 80/20 Inc. CEO was the guest speaker for the evening.

He shared his insights on servant leadership and why servant leadership is not about “me” but always about “we” and how leaders can be of service to others. He shared that while it’s easy to talk about being servant leaders — it’s much more challenging to truly practice servant leadership and live it. Buesching shared several workplace examples.

“Surround yourself with a diverse team, people that aren’t exactly like you,” he said. “Share your vision as a leader, but then lean on your team and let them go do it.”

He shared insightful real-world examples, and left the class with some key takeaways, a couple including: the importance

of building a strong and diverse team, and leaning on one another; and as a leader, knowing when to tackle small challenges before they become big problems.

LWC Class 17 graduates included: Thomas Beck, C&A Tool Engineering Inc.; James Beer, Fort Wayne Metals Inc.; Emma Bulmahn, Churubusco High School student; Beverly Flanagan, Whitley County Economic Development Corp.; Chad Graves, Micropulse Inc.; Tamela Hamilton, Whitley County government; Michelle Hecht, Churubusco Child Care Center; Lindsey Horvath, J&K Communications; Machele Howard, Fox Products Corp.; Beth Igney, City of Columbia City; Maren Lehman, Whitko High School Student; Khelli Leitch, Whitley County Consolidated Schools; Kylee Longenbaugh, Columbia City High School student; Roderick Perry, Fort Wayne Metals Inc.; Rachel Saggars, Passages Inc.; Jordan Schinbeckler, 80/20 Inc.; Natalie Spain, freelance

marketer; Jacie Stahl, B.A.B.E. of Whitley County; Jennifer Stephenson, Whitley County government; Sheena Stewart, the Community Foundation of Whitley County; Rodney Strack, 80/20 Inc.; and Stephanie Walpole, STAR Financial Bank & Insurance.

The EDC and LWC would like to extend a special thank you to the signature celebration sponsors, 80/2 Inc. and Fort Wayne Metals, and supporting sponsors STAR Financial Bank & Insurance and J&K Communications; and sponsors for the 2017-2018 program year, Micropulse Inc., the Community Foundation of Whitley County and Ultra Electronics-USSI. “With only being in Whitley County for the past five years, Leadership Whitley County has been a really neat program for me to meet a very diverse group of leaders from different backgrounds and businesses around Whitley County,” said class member, Stephanie Walpole. “My knowledge

Pictured above is Class 17 at its retreat in September.

3

Contributed

of non-profits in this area has grown significantly and has opened my eyes to the volunteer opportunities that are consistently available.

The LWC program has shown me how to handle conflict in the workplace as well as how to manage teams. These are both skills I will use in the growth I hope to have in my career. It has been a really enjoyable experience.”

LWC is now accepting applications for Class 18 for the 2018-2019 year.

Applications can be found on the EDC website or can be picked up at the Whitley County EDC office at 220 W. Van Buren St., Suite 102,

in Columbia City. Email completed applications to lwc@whitleyedc.com.

“As we continue to grow our community we will need to increase our number of leaders. Leadership Whitley County has and will continue to provide us with those thoughtful servant leaders that we need,” said EDC President Jon Myers.

The “early bird” application deadline is May 30 and the deadline for all applications is June 30.

More details about early bird pricing is included on the application. Contact LWC Director Carrie Meyer with additional questions at lwc@ whitleyedc.com or 244-5506.

marijuana.

• Dalton Anspach, 25, of Fort Wayne, was arrested April 27 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department,

charged with possession of a narcotic drug, alteration of a handgun’s identifying marks, OWI and possession of paraphernalia.

Whitley County Jail bookings

BY NICOLE MINIER

nminier@kpcmedia.com

KPC News Service The following people were booked into the Whitley County Jail: • Christopher Padgett, 32, of Columbia City, was arrested April 20 by the Whitey County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and visiting a common nuisance.

• Alex Wobrock, 28, of Goshen, was arrested April 20 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI. • Travis Reiff, 33, of Larwill, was arrested April 20 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with domestic battery and intimidation.

• Alexus McKinzie, 23, of Columbia City, was arrested April 20 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Dominick Campos, 39, of Columbia City, was arrested April 20 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with invasion of privacy, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement.

• Desiree Soto, 38, of Fort Wayne, was arrested April 20 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with domestic battery, disorderly conduct and possession of paraphernalia.

• Corean Sanders, 24, of Fort Wayne, was arrested April 21 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of marijuana.

• Nicholas Cook, 31, of Roanoke, was arrested April 21 by the Indiana State Police, charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

• Elizabeth O’Dell, 20, of LaPorte, was arrested April 21 by the Indiana State Police,

charged with OWI controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

• Abigail Mathias, 35, of South Whitley, was arrested April 21 by the South Whitley Police Department, charged with OWI and OWi per se.

• Wallace Wilson III, 33, of South Bend, was arrested April 22 by the Indiana State Police, charged with possession of marijuana.

• Jerome Wilhelm, 60, of Fort Wayne, was arrested April 22 by the Indiana State Police, charged with theft.

• Moitry Roy, 21, of Niles, Mich., was arrested April 23 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with OWI endangering a person and OWI per se.

• Parker Shepard, 23, of Fort Wayne, was arrested April 23 by the Indiana State Police, charged with OWI controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

• Kristina Webb, 40, of Columbia City, was arrested April 23 by the Whitley

County Sheriff’s Department, charged with violation of suspended sentence.

• Shasta Stutzman, 40, of Larwill, was arrested April 24 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, for a body attachment (civil matter).

• George Madix, 70, of Columbia City, was arrested April 24 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with being an habitual traffic violator.

• Joseph Lambert, 26, of Muncie, was arrested April 25 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with theft.

• Ricky Bradley, 40, of Churubusco, was arrested April 25 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI. • Amber Puckett, 35, of Columbia City, was arrested April 25 by the Indiana State Police, charged with OWI, OWI per se and leaving the scene of a property damage crash.

• Gregory Leech, 55, of Gas City, was arrested April

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26 by the Columbia City Police Department, charged with OWI and OWI per se.

• Brittany Osborne, 29, of Wabash, was arrested April 26 by the Whitely County Sheriff’s Department, charged with theft.

• Gregory Scott, 46, of Kendallville, was arrested April 26 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with probation violation.

• Franklin Demaree, 46, of Churubusco, was arrested by the Churubusco Police Department, charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

• James Layman, 50, of Columbia City, was arrested April 27 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with OWI and OWI per se.

• Daniel Barrera, 29, of Columbia City, was arrested April 27 by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, charged with possession of

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REFERENDUM: Hile says says the community’s work isn’t done if the referendum is approved on May 8 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

changes in 2008, some local money was allocated for the general fund, but that’s not the case anymore, leaving many school districts short on funds.

When the recession hit in the late 2000s, the state cut $300 million from its education budget.

“Now, were out of the recession and the funding has never been restored,” Hile said.

In 2009, SGCS received $6,688 per student. The next year, it dropped to $6,035 per student, and even in 2017 that amount was only $6,091.

If SGCS would have received the 2009 rate in 2017, that would have been an additional $700,000 in the general fund.

“It’s affecting a lot of schools — pretty much every school,” Hile said. “Year over year, what used to be the amount to fund our school has been reduced and not replaced.”

Student enrollment A demographer predicts the population of student-age children will continue to decline in the next eight years, which will present even more funding issues for SGCS, as funding in the general fund is based on student enrollment.

At a recent community meeting, officials discussed ways to encourage new housing and opportunities for young families to move to the Smith-Green area, but officials are meeting roadblocks as there are not many open lots for new housing construction.

Due to the current demographics in Churubusco, much of the new housing is being purchased by senior citizens. The average age of residents in Thresher’s Ridge, an area of new construction in Churubusco, is over 60 years old.

The current enrollment is about 1190 students, and demographers predict that number will drop to 1113 in 2025 based on birth rates and other variables.

On the bright side, SGCS has many transfer students from other districts, which generates funding — full tuition support for each student. In 2017-18, 174 transfer students added approximately $1 million to the general fund.

Most transfer students come from Northwest Allen County Schools — 45.4 percent. About 12.6 percent transfer from Central Noble,

20.7 percent from Fort Wayne Community Schools, 8.6 percent from Whitley County Consolidated Schools and 6.3 percent from East Noble.

“When you factor the number of students who come in versus who leaves, we’re the only district in Noble, Whitley or Allen counties that has a positive number of students coming in,” Hile said. “That reinforces to me that we’re doing some things right.”

Cuts already made Significant cuts have been made to address the budget deficit at Smith-Green since the funding change in 2008. In staffing: • In 2008, there were seven school administrators. Now, there are four • There were six non-certified employees in the administration office in 2008, now there are four.

• There were 86 teachers in 2008, now there are 74.

• There were 57 non-certified staff members in 2008.

Now, there are 53.5.

“Reductions have been made to supply budgets, utility costs, benefit providers, extra curricular salaries and professional development for staff,” Hile said. “Teachers who leave the district are replaced with new teachers who are low on the pay scale, when possible.”

About 88-90 percent of the general fund budget is used for teacher salaries.

“People are our business,” Hile said. “We want our resources to pay for our teachers — that’s what we do and they are the most valuable resource we have. But because so much our general fund budget goes to staff, that also means that’s where the cuts will have to happen.”

Hile said he felt it was not fair to continue cutting the budget, which would have more visible effects in the coming school year, without first informing the public of the severity of the situation.

“It’s not fair to go on the path of cutting and cutting without coming to the community, talking about a possible solution, and what we would like to do to come together to solve this,” Hile said. “It’s a major decision.

It’s extra money out of our pockets and it has been stressful to talk about, but it’s also been very important to talk about.”

In Indiana, an operational referendum is the only option

available to increase money in the general fund.

Some have suggested charging additional fees only for families who have students that attend Smith-Green, or other various options. Others have suggested a property tax cap so the impact won’t be as severe on certain demographics in the district, but none of these options are allowed under state law.

If approved, what’s next?

If the referendum is approved on May 8, the community’s work isn’t done, Hile says.

A town hall meeting was held between the Chamber of Commerce and Town Council to discuss the future of Churubusco as a whole — how the community can grow and be a place that encourages young families to live in the area.

“That’s just the starting point,” Hile said. “The school is the school, but it is part of the community as a whole.

We’re all one. What affects one, affects the other.”

The district will still work to look for potential cuts and reductions to save money without affecting the quality of student education, “to ensure that we are using your tax dollars prudently,” Hile said.

“Our goal and the goal of our community will be to do everything we can to make sure those projections do not come true.”

Additionally, the school board is not required to use all of the 62.8-cent increase. Each year, the board can approve up to 62.8 cents — meaning, if the additional funding is not needed, the board can set the rate at a lower amount.

Even if the referendum is approved, Hile will not stop advocating for a funding change at the state level.

“When this is all over, whether it passes or not, I will continue that fight,” Hile said. “I have spoken with all of our local legislatures.

They acknowledge that it is a problem and they see the schools struggling. I ask them, ‘what are you going to do to fix it?’”

Hile is calling on the whole community to reach out to local legislatures and express their discontent with the state of school funding in Indiana.

“My voice is only one and I would really like to have you with me,” Hile said. “Our elected representatives will

CONSTRUCTION: Accessibility is biggest challenge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

issue was found after removing the old Burnworth Pool.

“The only thing that set the construction back was the unsuitable soil that was lying under the old pool,” Green said. “The soil had to be moved completely off the premises.”

The goal is to open the pool by the end of June after staff has the opportunity for training and equipment is in place. However, registration for the park department’s summer swim team is underway. Those interested can contact Jacob Johnson at 248-5180, and memberships are being sold at the park office.

CONTRIBUTED

Exterior brick is being set on the baseball/softball building at the high school construction site.

As for the high school, which is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020, Smith said construction is on schedule and progressing well.

“We monitor and manage the weather all year long,”

Smith said.

The biggest challenge is accessibility around the site.

“Ideally, we’re able to grade off and sheet drain water away from our work areas,” Smith said. “Having machinery running around our clay site that is getting rained on as quickly as it dries up causes rutting.”

The rutting holds or blocks water, which means crews have to re-grade the site continually throughout construction.

“Even with this, we knew the site was clay and that it would be a challenge during any rain event, regardless of the time of year.”

NICOLE MINIER

Smith-Green Community Schools Superintendent Dan Hile addresses a croud of residents who attended a Q&A at the Churubusco Scout building last week. A full video of the event can be viewed on the Churubusco News Facebook page.

pay more attention when it’s more than the educators.”

If not approved, what’s next?

“Significant cuts will have to happen immediately,” Hile said.

A minimum of $600,000 would need to be reduced from the budget before next school year, meaning teachers, staff and programs would be lost and tax sizes would increase.

“Because of these realities, it will become increasingly likely that students will leave our district to attend schools that can still provide,” Hile said.

If one student per grade level is removed from the elementary school level, class sizes would jump to about 30 students per class, as many as 34 per class for the incoming sixth-grade class.

Currently, class sizes are in the low 20s. By law, teachers must be cut between May 1 and July 1. Additionally, some course offerings could be removed.

“Pass or fail, we’re going to do what we have to do to right the ship,” Hile said.

Though major program cuts wouldn’t be immediate, there is the possibility that programs such as dual credit and AP courses, which provide opportunities for students to earn college credits while in high school, the elementary school science program, and music programs could be lost in years to come.

“As a former choir director, it is tough to say, but music is not required,” Hile said. “It would be a sad day in ’Busco if that happened, we have had phenomenal

successes in music.”

Athletics and extra-curriculars likely wouldn’t have the same fate, as those activities are self-funded and the loss of those programs would have a far-reaching effect on enrollment.

“What kid or family wants to go to a school without those activities?” Hile asked.

Many fear the cuts would cause a domino effect, as more students leave the district, more per-student funding would be lost.

“Due to funding being directly tied to enrollment, additional cuts would happen each year,” Hile said.

Though Hile has made a point to say he’s not talking about the district closing at the moment, it is a reality the community should keep in mind.

“It’s not on the table, but it could be a reality,” Hile said. “There is a tipping point.

That’s why it is important we have this conversation to decide if this is the path we want to go to, or address another solution.”

Additional information If the referendum is approved, the potential tax increase cannot be extended past eight years.

“If this passes, it cannot go on forever,” Hile said.

Additionally, money collected from the referendum will not go to the state but will remain at Smith-Green and Smith-Green only.

“The exciting thing is, the money stays right in our community,” Hile said. “Every penny comes back to our school and our community.”

Compared to other districts in Indiana, Smith-Green has

a below-average amount of debt. As of Dec. 31, SGCS has $8.604 million in debt.

The average in the state of Indiana is $47.524.

“I guess when I look at that, we’re in pretty decent shape. Debt is an unfortunate reality for schools,” Hile said.

Including the district’s bond payments, including one taken out last summer to overcome the funding deficit, the tax rate for the school is currently $0.8857 per $100 of assessed value. Comparatively, the rate will be $1.20 for WCCS after the new high school is constructed.

One community member asked the following question?

Why not live within your budget? Hile said, “We have to, that’s the question of the day. I’ve shone you what the numbers say, where we’re headed and what’s at stake.

If that’s what we need to do, we will do it. I just want to make sure the community understands what that will mean — what the cost will be to us, beyond money.”

Tensions rising In recent weeks, many have noted the hostility growing between community members, especially through social media. A Churubusco Elementary School teacher, Janet Lantz, spoke out about the hostility.

“I have been in ’Busco all of my career. I seek first to understand. I have loved educating your children. When your children are in my class, I do my best to teach them to disseminate facts, not spread rumors,” Lantz said. “Dan (Hile) is such an upstanding person. To listen to the things he has been put through these last few days — enough is enough. I hear things and see things on Facebook, and hear people making comments that aren’t true about that man (Hile) and that woman (Jodi Royer, business manager), up there. You have a wonderful small town here. If you keep the rumors up, I’m not sure what’s going to happen. This has been eating people alive in our district. I recommend you do what we want our children to do — find out the facts.”

Lantz’s comments were met with a round of applause, however, one community member responded, indicating that some community members will have to go without heat and food and make major changes to their lifestyles if the referendum is passed.

Additional DYW orientation meetings scheduled CONTRIBUTED COLUMBIA CITY — Additional orientation meetings for the 54th Distinguished Young Woman Program have been scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Monday, May 7, and Tuesday, May 8, in the board room of the Community Foundation of Whitley County, 400 N. Whitley St., Columbia City.

Prospective contestants need only attend one meeting.

Those eligible for the program are young women who will graduate in 2019 and who reside or attend high school in Whitley County. Home school seniors who will graduate in 2019 are also eligible.

Details of the local program will discussed in the 1.5-hour presentation.

More information about the national, state and local programs can be found on the Distinguished Young Woman website. Besides information about the

categories of competition, rules and regulations of the program will be discussed.

In addition, the Be Your Best Self program, a copyrighted program, will be highlighted.

The 54th program is 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, in the Newell Rice Auditorium of Columbia City High School. Alexia Aung of Churubusco High School, the local 2018 winner and “Top 10” finalist will be present at the meeting.

kpcnews.com

Thursday, May 3, 2018

CCHS student’s artwork featured in Chamber’s Focus on the Arts exhibit CONTRIBUTED COLUMBIA CITY — The Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center displayed Columbia City High School student Madison Cook’s artwork for the March-April Chamber Focus on the Arts project.

Cook’s art was on display through the end of April at the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, 128 W. Van Buren St., in downtown Columbia City. An artist’s reception was held for local residents to meet Cook and view her art 4 to 5 p.m. April 25 at the Chamber.

Cook’s love of art

has been lifelong.

“I have always been into art. When I was just a little kid, I took art classes with Joni Walker at the library,” Cook said. “In my freshman year, I started mandalas and different zentangle designs.

Now, I experiment with a little bit of everything from graphic design, watercolor painting, zentangles and mandalas.”

Studying the intricate angles and designs, Cook’s work is elegant and inspiring, but she finds her inspiration in the work of others.

“I am inspired by the many artists around me,” Cook said. “Social

media has opened up a new way for people to see artwork. I like to see all of the different types of art that people love to create.”

Viewing her work, it is clear that a great deal of time goes into her projects. But just how long does it take?

“It all depends on how big something is and how many minute details it has.

A small piece can take anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours,” she said. “My biggest piece to date took around 13 hours to complete.”

Cook said she enjoys sharing her art at least as much as she enjoys creating it.

“I love to see the smiles that my artwork can bring to people’s faces,” she adds.

“Inspiring and exciting people is one of my favorite things about creating art.”

Recently, several art shows featured Cook’s work, including the South Whitley Art in the Alley and during the Small Business Saturday events last fall.

She plans to attend Grace College and pursue a degree in environmental science.

She’s quick to add that she still plans to work on her art while in college even though it doesn’t directly relate to her career path.

was an eminent naturalist who worked in New Harmony, Indiana in Posey County, and is considered the Father of American Entomology.

Fireflies, also known as lightningbugs, have fascinated young and old alike on warm summer days. I used to take my son and daughter into the yard for some “catch and release” JOHN E. fun with lightning- WOODMANSEE bugs. I think the exercise helped my children become less fearful of insects, as many young children tend to be. We would put them in a glass jar for a while to watch them alternately produce their bright, yellow light and then

•

let them go. Fireflies are beneficial insects native to Indiana, with a light produced by some fascinating science.

The immature larvae are called “glowworms.”

They actually glow, and unlike the adults, their lights stay on.

Glowworms feed on soft-bodied insects, slugs and snails. They are commonly found in damp areas, such as near ponds and streams.

Indiana DNR said the Say’s Firefly is one of the earliest emerging fireflies in Indiana.

It may be seen from early May through mid-July. There are about 43 species of fireflies in Indiana. Of those species, 31 are lightningbug fireflies, those that flash. The others are called dark fireflies because they do not flash.

Incidentally, the reason we run the words “firefly” and

“lightningbug” together, instead of each being two separate words, is that this insect is actually a beetle, neither a fly nor a bug. Turpin explained: “A scientifically correct common name would be ‘fire beetle’ or ‘lightning beetle,’ written as two words. Because the insect is not a fly – a member of the order Diptera – that common name is correctly written as the single word ‘firefly.’ It is also not a true bug in the order Hemiptera, thus lightningbug would be the correct way to spell that name.” According to Turpin, about half of insect enthusiasts use the term firefly, and the other half prefer the term lightningbug.

According to the website, in.gov, we find the following symbols our state has adopted that relate to living and growing things:

5

Obituaries •

Larry Lancaster

Cook

“That doesn’t mean that I am giving up on art though. I plan on taking a few different kinds of art classes along with my other classes,” she said.

For more information on the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center Focus on the Arts monthly artist showcase, call 248-8131 or email office@whitleychamber.com.

New Indiana state symbol adopted

BY JOHN WOODMANSEE Indiana has a state flower, a state tree and a state bird. Most recently, we now have a state insect. Say’s Firefly, Pyractomena angulata, became Indiana’s state insect when legislation proclaiming it as such was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb on March 23.

Purdue entomologists, including retired Purdue entomologist, Tom Turpin, have been pushing for Indiana to adopt a state insect, as most other states have done, for years. This year, with the added urging of some dedicated elementary school students and others, it finally happened. Gov. Holcomb signed the bill at Cumberland Elementary School in West Lafayette.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources wrote on its website: “According to Turpin, having an insect as a state symbol is as important has having a state flower or bird — maybe more important, based on insects’ important role in the environment. He says an insect should be a state symbol because insects are important cogs in the environment in many ways such as herbivory, predation, recycling and pollination. The firefly is representative of insects because they are so visible and do not cause problems in any way.”

They said the official effort to make the Say’s Firefly the state insect began in 1996, when a bill was placed before the Indiana Legislature.

It was approved by the House but never came up for vote in the Senate.

Thomas Say, who lived from 1787-1834,

IN Whitley County

State flower: The peony (Paeonia) was adopted as the state flower by the 1957 Indiana General Assembly.

State tree: The tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), also known as yellowpoplar or tulip-poplar, was adopted by the 1931 Indiana General Assembly.

State bird: The cardinal (Richmondena cardinalis) was adopted as the state bird by the 1933 Indiana General Assembly.

Read more about our new state insect at Indiana Department of Natural Resource’s webpage, from which I have sourced some of the above information: https://www.in.gov/dnr/ entomolo/9718.htm.

JOHN WOODMANSEE is an extension educator in Whitley and Noble counties.

SOUTH WHITLEY — Larry Rex “Butch” Lancaster, 81, of South Whitley died at 3:18 p.m.

Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Parkview Randallia Hospital, Fort Wayne.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at Smith & Son Funeral Home, Miller Chapel in South Whitley. Burial will be in the South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the Cleveland Township Fire Department or Oak Grove United Methodist Church.

Smith and Sons Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Betty Anderson

COLUMBIA CITY — Betty J. Anderson, 95, of Columbia City, died at 1:46 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. The funeral service was Wednesday at the Troy Presbyterian Church, 6465 W. Lincolnway, Columbia City. Burial was in the Adams Cemetery.

Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, assisted with arrangements.

Preferred memorials are to the Whitley County Historical Society or the American Heart Association.

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.

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IN Whitley County

A referendum message from the superintendent To my friends, family and community members of Smith-Green, I want to thank each and every one of you for your unending support of our school district.

As a member of the Churubusco community for the past 15 years as a resident, teacher, administrator and most importantly as a parent, I have always felt so blessed to live and work in such a wonderful community.

As you know, Smith-Green Community Schools has placed a referendum on the May 8 ballot. This question asks our community to consider giving SGCS permission to use property tax revenue to generate additional operational funding, which would be used to support our academics and programs. So that our community members are able to make a confident decision at the voting booth, I would like to summarize a few key points.

The deficit we are facing is a direct result of changes made to school funding by Public Law 146 in 2008. Prior to that change, public schools received financial support from both state sources and local property taxes. With the change, the state assured everyone that while property taxes would be removed, sales tax would increase to keep school funding constant.

Unfortunately, this did not happen; looking specifically at SGCS, in 2017 our school district received $597 less per student than in 2009 (the last year we received state and local support).

If per student funding had stayed at the level used in 2009, SGCS would be receiving an additional $705,654 this year. A similar deficit has existed each year since 2009, leading to an enormous amount of decreased revenue.

To adapt to these changes, Smith-Green made many cuts and reductions over the past eight years, to the tune of well over $1 million.

Teachers, administrators and course offerings have been lost, forcing school staff to do more with less. In spite of this, costs continue to rise, and because state funding has not kept up with inflation, the deficit remains.

Last July, I accepted this position knowing that we had a major

OPINION

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challenge ahead. We analyzed our expenses and revenues, and ran projections for future years. It became clear that SGCS only has two options: either we must make another round of drastic cuts to teachers, staff and programs, or generate additional revenue. The only legal option in the state of Indiana that allows public schools to generate additional revenue for operational expenses is through a property tax referendum.

While the proposed referendum rate cannot exceed $0.628, it can be set lower. As required by law, if approved by our taxpayers, the referendum rate will be reviewed every fall during the budget cycle, and will be set based on an analysis of expenses, revenues and enrollment.

The budget process occurs each year over a series of public school board meetings. The goal of everyone involved will be to keep taxes as low as possible, while still providing our children with quality academic programs and opportunities. Most importantly, we will continue the level of transparency used during this process, so that our community can see how their tax dollars are used.

Without additional referendum funding, significant cuts must happen within the next few weeks. Teacher and staff positions which support our children’s academics and programs will be lost. There will be immediate and long-term consequences, as it will become increasingly likely that our students will choose to attend another district that is able to provide the things we will have lost.

As our funding is now tied directly to student enrollment, additional cuts will be necessary in the years ahead. While I have been very clear that the school closing is not a current consideration, it is not hard to imagine that day may come if SGCS is forced to make cuts year after year.

This request is not taken lightly. I understand that one of the largest concerns is one of trust, and whether or not the school will be good stewards of this additional funding.

While I cannot go back in time and correct any issues that may have occurred in the past, I hope that throughout this process we have shown our commitment to total transparency and communication

Letters to the Editor •

with our community.

This commitment will continue.

I ask that you please consider voting “yes” on May 8. I am committed to this community, and everything that it means to all of us who are fortunate enough to call Churubusco our home. I am excited to chart a new path together for SGCS; there are many exciting things on the horizon for our community, our schools, and most importantly, our children.

I am asking you as a neighbor, friend and educator to join me, as we decide together what we want for the future of Smith-Green Community Schools.

— Daniel G. Hile Superintendent

Vote yes for ‘our’ kids My name is Jeanne Raines, and I am one of those who have been knocking on doors in the hope of enlisting support for the referendum to generate sufficient funding for our Smith-Green schools to continue providing quality education to our community’s children.

Doing this – knocking on doors and talking to my neighbors, whether they are not yet informed about the issue, supportive or against the referendum – has given me the opportunity to reflect on some of the things that are important to me, but that I don’t usually bring into focus as clearly as they are now.

My parents are both WWII veterans, and I think that it is especially their service that grounded in me a deep commitment to this country, along with a really fundamental belief that one of the most important foundations of what makes us “us” is our strong commitment to good, quality public education, and to the community schools that provide that education. This is the bedrock of “us” and that is why we support our schools. I’ve heard several people say that they’re supporting the referendum because their children are in school.

I’ve heard others say that they no longer have children or grandchildren in the schools, so they have no reason to support it. There are others who say that they send their children to private schools, so they don’t need to support public education. I don’t understand any of that.

My children are out of school, and I’ll likely not have grandchildren who

will go to Smith-Green schools, but that makes no difference. If we want this country to remain strong and its citizens well-woven as “us,” then we will do what we need to do at our local level to support our children – “our” children, and we will support the public schools that educate them. That is just exactly the way we should be seeing this referendum – what do “our” children need in order to get a quality education so that they can become the leaders our community and our country need?

I attended the Q&A meeting at the Scout building on Thursday, and the thing I heard that bothered me the most is that the school has made cut backs in staff salaries and will aim to do more in that direction, even if the referendum passes, in order to cut expenses. I don’t want that – I want our teachers to be paid well, to be supported beautifully, to have all the resources they need to teach “our” children well. When our schools have come to the place that they believe that in order to curry our favor, they have to jeopardize the quality of education that they are providing to “our” children, then we have served them very, very poorly; and, in the long run, we have served our community and country poorly. We should never be putting our schools on a subsistence budget, starving them on half-rations. Of course, we should expect fiscal accountability and responsibility, but first and foremost in importance is the quality of education that “our” children are receiving.

What do “our” children need in order to get a quality education so that they can become the leaders our community and our country need?

Please vote yes on the referendum. “Our” children need you.

— Jeanne Raines Churubusco

EDC president writes about referendum Dear editor, My name is Jon Myers and I am the president of the Whitley County Economic Development Corp. Although I am not a resident or taxpayer in the Smith-Green Community School system, I am an advocate of and responsible for the economic development and economic future of the Town of Churubusco and the economic success of the families that make their

homes in and around the community.

Although some may disagree with me, it is my belief that the pending proposal regarding the increased funding of the Smith-Green Community School system is the number one economic development priority facing those of you who live and pay taxes in the school system. This may sound harsh, but it is my belief that the residents of the Churubusco are simply spinning their wheels and wasting the economic development income tax dollars if they focus solely on bringing high-paying jobs to the community.

The town must also be a place where young families want to life and raise their children. It is not enough to attract good-paying jobs, if the new employees of those companies drive south and east every evening so they can raise their children and pay property taxes in the Carroll and Homestead school districts.

Again, I cannot presume to tell the taxpayers of Smith-Green Community Schools how to vote in the upcoming referendum or that raising taxes is good in all situations. However, I would suggest that raising tax revenues is appropriate in this instance, because that revenue is being invested in a prosperous future that will ultimately benefit all of the families in the community.

— Jon Myers Whitley County Economic Development Corp. President

Johnsons support referendum Dear editor, Although we are not happy about the need for more funding, the upcoming referendum needs to pass to give the current administration the opportunity to turn the situation around. If we do not make these financial sacrifices now, the alternative could mean losing our school and possibly our town as we now know it.

Having had several conversations with the current superintendent and business manager, who have inherited this problem, we are convinced that they are committed to our school and community and have their best interests at heart and will work in a responsible way to ensure our students receive the best education possible.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

In 2010, the state changed the funding formula for public schools, and this has made it extremely difficult for small schools to survive, forcing schools to depend on their communities for needed funding.

Voting “no” on the referendum means negatively impacting the current quality of education by loss of teachers, increased class sizes and loss of extra-curricular activities. Voting “yes” on the referendum gives us the opportunity to see that our grandchildren have the same chance to receive a quality education that we enjoyed. Inaction accomplishes nothing; to have a strong community, we must have a strong school. We encourage you to put our students’ academic future foremost and vote yes on the referendum.

— Ron and Sherry Johnson David and Jann Johnson Churubusco

Banks off the mark in WOTUS comments In a recent opinion piece in the Churubusco News, Rep. Jim Banks attacked the Waters of the United States, WOTUS, rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, resorting to hyperbole, calling them “the worst of unaccountable bureaucracy,” “egregious overreach,” and ” disastrous.” He then doubled down with fear-mongering, invoking images of both faceless bureaucrats in Washington telling farmers what to do and of EPA officials “knocking on their door to regulate nearly every aspect of their operation.“ He concluded by saying a permanent repeal of these rules would be “Hoosier common-sense.”

Actual information was in short supply in Banks’ column. He provided one sentence describing what WOTUS is and ended it by saying WOTUS is detrimental to farmers. He supplied no examples of how farmers have been or could be harmed by WOTUS. Finally, in the absence of any facts or ideas, Rep. Banks resorted to flag-waving, saying farmers “should have the freedom to focus on their work, which provides food and jobs for Hoosier families.” You could practically hear

SEE LETTERS, PAGE 7

OPINION

Thursday, May 3, 2018

LETTERS: Letters: Citizens speak out about supporting local referendum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” playing in the background.

While Rep. Banks trust in us farmers is flattering, it’s not based in facts.

Here are some facts.

Lake Erie has algae blooms so thick it shuts down their water plant. At the mouth of the Mississippi River, where the runoff from my farm ends up, there is an 8,000-squaremile hypoxia zone that disrupts marine life.

Grand Lake St. Marys in Ohio has been so polluted signs were posted on it warning you not to touch the water.

The city of Des Moines spends millions of dollars to remove nitrates to make its drinking water safe.

Rep. Banks doesn’t think there’s a problem with our waters, so he offers no solutions.

Personally, I think water you can’t drink, can’t touch and kills shellfish is a problem, so I’ll offer a few courses of action.

Fertilizer runoff from farm fields is a major contributor to these problems. But it’s not the only one. Sewage overflow from cities is a contributor, runoff from suburban lawns is a contributor and runoff from golf courses is a contributor.

This problem needs to be studied and we need to understand what causes the water to be undrinkable. Is it the city of Fort Wayne dumping a billion gallons a year of untreated sewage in the Maumee a major part of the problem? Or are my neighbors and me putting too much nitrogen on our corn a bigger problem?

We don’t know. You can’t fix a problem until you know what’s causing it. That’s “Hoosier common-sense.”

Once we understand the problem we need to implement incentives and regulations to solve it. The free market is never going to provide the incentives or regula-

tions here in northern Indiana to not engage in practices that render the Maumee or the Mississippi undrinkable. That responsibility falls rightly on federal incentive programs and regulations. That’s “Hoosier commonsense.”

I don’t like regulations any more than the next person. But I like clean water, and I’m willing to put up with a little inconvenience so my neighbors and I can have it.

That’s Hoosier common-sense, Mr. Banks.

— Chuck Zumbrun Churubusco

Supporting our school I am writing to ask voters to join me in voting “yes” for the referendum to support Smith Green Community Schools. Our family is not originally from Churubusco. When we were looking for a place to build our home, prior to our oldest child beginning kindergarten, we chose Churubusco.

We never would have considered building in Churubusco if there had not been a reputable school with reasonable class sizes.

Both of our children benefited tremendously from small class sizes and the individual attention they were able to receive from teachers and school staff. Our school afforded them with wonderful opportunities to not only focus on academics, but also to participate in extra curricular activities.

Unlike so many larger

schools Churubusco students, in most cases, are not forced to chose between athletics and fine arts or other activities like FFA. Coaches and school staff work with students to allow participation in desired activities. Both of our children participated in Soundmasters, athletics, New Era show choir and theatre. Our daughter was also fortunate enough to participate in Destination Imagination from elementary school through high school.

Destination Imagination is an amazing international program that focuses on developing life long skills in creative problem solving, teamwork, innovation, diversity, respect, ethics, courage, service and cultural tolerance while focusing on projects in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, fine arts and service learning. I cannot begin to describe how much DI impacts participating students. DI gives them self confidence, the ability to think on their feet and teamwork skills they are able to draw upon every day in both their personal and work lives. Our school has had tremendous success in DI at regional, state and international competitions. Without the dedicated staff at our school, this program would never have started and would not have achieved the success it has today.

So why am I supportive of the referendum when I no longer have children

Benefit Breakfast hosted by the Columbia Twp. Fire Dept.

at the school? If the referendum fails, the school will be forced to cut teacher and staff positions as well as programs. Fewer teachers will result in increased class sizes which impacts the quality of the education children in our community will receive.

As remaining teachers retire or leave for other school districts, it will become increasingly difficult for the school to attract new teachers given large class sizes and less than competitive compensation packages.

Cuts to extra curricular programs will reduce or eliminate opportunities for students to be team players, to manage multiple priorities and develop life long skills that translate to the workplace.

As I think back to our situation over 20 years ago, we might not have chosen to establish our home in Churubusco if the school was known for large class sizes and a lack of special programs and activities. Regardless of your view on this issue, it is important that all registered voters participate in making this important decision as it will impact the long term vitality of both our school and our community.

— Val Eakins Churubusco

•

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IN Whitley County

Remember, there’s life after the election It was only three years ago that residents of Whitley County Consolidated Schools faced a similar situation — a polarized community at odds over a question on the ballot: Should we raise taxes to support our school systems?

The answer to that question is for you to decide.

We do have one message for everyone, as emotions are running high and changes are at stake — there is a life after the election.

Just as the WCCS community was polarized over the new construction referendum a few years ago, the Smith-Green community is facing similar challenges now.

Friendships are broken, neighbors are at odds.

Yes, this is a serious question that should be taken seriously, but remember that a few years from now, negative words will linger.

Unfortunately, the structure of our current funding system is putting communities across Indiana, particu-

Our View larly rural ones, in this same situation. Whitley County has seen two of the 164 referenda that have been held statewide since school funding changes in 2008.

We encourage everyone to respectfully listen to others’ opinions.

Agree to disagree. Don’t respond to that comment on social media that upset you. Whether the community chooses to vote “yes” or “no,” we all still have to live with each other when this is said and done.

The best thing you can do with your opinion is take it to the ballot box on May 8. Not only is there an important decision to be made in Churubusco, but there are several contested local government races: County Commissioner, County Council, County Clerk and multiple township trustee positions.

Good luck to all local candidates, and be kind to each other!

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8

OPINION • Yesterday •

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IN Whitley County

One year ago Whitley County would begin offering free opioid overdose kits to Whitley County residents. Narcan, a brand of Naxolone, has been used by law enforcement in Whitley County for some time, and would now be available to residents through a program between the Indiana Department of Health and Whitley County Department of Health.

Dave Gatwood retired from the Churubusco Post Office after 33 years of experience.

Churubusco’s softball team won the Northeast Corner Conference in the program’s history after losing three conference games.

The Whitley County Jail

OK’d a $13,770 study to replace the jail chiller, which was expected to cost between $150,000 and $200,000.

The Columbia City Police Department partnered with the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce to offer active shooter workshops for local business owners, managers and human resource professionals.

Carson Gatton and Nash Wood signed to play football for Trine University, and Jacob Eyer and Trey Springer signed with the University of Saint Francis for track and field.

15 years ago Chris Crance, Jan Boggs, Grace Lotter and Aubrey Smith received Heart of Gold Wards from the Whitley

County Community Foundation. Each recipient received $1,000 from the Foundation to give to a charity of its choice.

Northeastern REMC announced it would spend $5.5 million on a new headquarters in Park 30 Industrial Park in Columbia City.

Officials prepared for the fourth year of the Columbia City Farmers’ arket. The outdoor market for local fresh plants, produce and crafts would be held every Saturday morning starting in May. Churubusco senior Josh McBride set a school record with four home runs in one game. In the same game, the team hit eight home runs total, another school record.

25 years ago The Smith-Green School board voted unanimously to ban corporal punishment in the school system. Howard Hull, superintendent, made the request, noting he talked with the principals in both schools prior to the meeting,

Thursday, May 3, 2018

and they were also in favor of banning corporal punishment. Hull noted that no corporal punishment had been administered since he came to the district in 1988.

The Churubusco Police Department was sponsoring a bike rodeo, which would involve bicycle inspections, bicycle safety videos, obstacles, certificates and bicycle registrations.

The Churubusco News was holding its first annual mushroom contest, with prizes for the largest mushrooms by size and weight. The mushrooms must have been found in Whitley County. The first-place prize was $25.

50 years ago The Churubusco Plan Commission received the initial draft of a proposed zoning ordinance for Churubusco. The ordinance would set up zones of agriculture-residential, residential, business and industrial.

Rev. Ross Richey, of First Methodist Church of

Churubusco, planned a smelt fry with the hundreds of smelt brought back from the north country by the men of the church the previous week.

Bonnie Hazen was named “Girl of the Year” by the Theta Phi Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Columbia City.

The award was given each year to the girl who had been the best asset to the chapter.

Charles Jones was elected president of the Churubusco Area Jaycees. Other officers elected were Dan Imbody, external vice-president; Tom Roberson, internal vice-president; Willard Gilbert, secretary; Bob Egolf, treasurer; Max Myers, Don Meredith, Herschel Arrowsmith, Wayne Yager, Ron Dicke, Mike Harrold and Dave Lucas, board of directors.

Thirty-three Whitley County boys and girls participated in a 4-H movie filmed by the Walter J. Klein Company from North Carolina. The filming was

done at the 4-H Community Center. The movie was titled, “The Green City.”

The Whitley County Health Department offered advice on cleaning septic tanks. According to the health department, septic tanks should be cleaned before too much sludge or scum approaches too closely to the bottom of the outlet device.

Particles would be scoured into the disposal field and clog the system.

The Whitley County youth crusade began with a “singspiration” at Oak Grove Church of God. The series was sponsored by the Christian School Youth Organization of Columbia City.

Churubusco Super Dollar offered five one-pound cans of pork and beans for 89 cents, a four-roll package of toilet tissue for 35 cents, six pot pies for $1, four packages of cake mix for $1, beef rib steaks for 99 cents per pound and chaise lounges for $5.49 each.

Alpha Zeta hosted March meeting CONTRIBUTED COLUMBIA CITY — Alpha Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International met March 3 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbia City.

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by President Roxanne Thomas, who welcomed members

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and guests. Karen Hedrick, Stacey Foreman, Michelle Anspagh, Jordan Sparks, Judy Kehmeyer, Trish Hinen, Vicki Hinen, Natheda Mills and Amanda Webber were guests. Also introduced by Donna Ott was the Esther Mae Ashley Scholarship recipient, Emily Savage and her mother. Sue Corbin presented the guest speaker, Kimberly Schroeder.

After Roxanne offered prayer and members enjoyed a continental breakfast, Sue Corbin introduced the program New Spin on Early Elementary Education, presented by Kimberly Schroeder of the Dekko Foundation. The foundation assists with networking for early education teachers and administrators in childcare centers to help them understand child development and learning. The foundation has three books available to help understand different age groups. They are available at dekkofoundation.org/ resources.

The Esther Mae Ashley Scholarship was presented by

Donna Ott to Emily Savage.

Angie Grable announced grant-in-aid recipients were Cassie Bradberry of Huntington County and Taylor Daniel of Whitley County, neither of whom were able to attend the meeting.

The minutes of the Jan. 27 meeting and treasurer’s reports were both accepted as printed.

Trisha Hinen, Natheda Mills, Emily Hare and Vicki Hinen were voted in as members and will be initiated at a later date.

Sue Corbin noted that the May 5 program will be a Founder’s Day presentation.

There will also be initiations for new officers and new members and a pound auction to raise funds for grantsin-aid.

Members were reminded that the 70th birthday will be held during the summer at the Hotel LaFontaine in Huntington.

The budget for 2018-2019 was accepted.

The slate of officers was accepted with President Sue

Corbin, First Vice President Darlene Bockelman, Second Vice President Karen Kinney, Recording Secretary Margaret Wilson and Corresponding Secretary Susan Keefer. The Nominating Committee was accepted with Chairman Jadean Barnes, Donna Myer, Brenda Landis, Toni Brewster and Ruth Moreland.

The hostess committee of Chairman Barb Overdeer, Toni Brewster, Angie Grable, Trisha Goholski and Myra Schmidt were thanked for their delightful breakfast and decorations.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. with the singing of the Delta Kappa Gamma Song.

Members that attended from Whitley County were Karen Bandelier, Sue Corbin, Joyce Easterday, Angie Grable, Trisha Groholski, Emily Hare, Lori Heuer, Trisha Hinen, Vicki Hinen, Natheda Mills, Donna Ott, Barb Overdeer, Kathaleen Reese, Myra Schmidt, Linda Sutton, Karen Swineheart, Roxanne Thomas, Dani Tippmann and Janet Vesa.

e t o V

Cindy (Auer) Doolittle FOR WHITLEY COUNTY CLERK

• 22 YEARS OF DISCIPLINED, COMMITTED COUNTY GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE • FORMER TWO TERM CLERK • COMMITTED, DEPENDABLE, HONEST PAID BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT CINDY DOOLITTLE FOR CLERK

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Thursday, May 3, 2018

IN Whitley County

9

NICOLE MINIER

Churubusco Police Officer Dustin Papenbrock simulates a series of tests for intoxicated drivers during the mock accident.

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Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Bachelder, among other first responders, look over a potential “victim” in the crash.

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A crash scene was set up in the parking lot of Churubusco Jr./Sr. High School Friday afternoon.

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Smith Township firefighters prepare to extricate patients from the vehicles.

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Local law enforcement officers converse during the incident. From left, Churubusco Town Marshal Mike Engle, Officer Dustin Papenbrock and Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Yagel.

A “dead” student is loaded into the back of a Sheets & Childs Funeral Home hearse by Owner Miles Wilson, among Smith Township firefighters.

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A coroner takes photos of a “body” at the scene of the crash.

Local firefighters prepare to use the “jaws of life” to pop open a door and extricate a trapped patient.

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A paramedic walks a patient, wearing a prom dress, to one of several Parkview Whitley ambulances that was at the scene.

EXTRA! EXTRA! NICOLE MINIER

Kyle Walters narrated the events as they took place.

Saturday, May 5th 8 AM-3 PM Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church 709 W Business 30 Columbia City, IN 46725

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A paramedic speaks to students prior to the start of the event.

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SPORTS

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Schmitt runs in Boston Marathon

BY TRAVIS STAHL

adjustment of 3 minutes, 25 seconds made his time fast enough to qualify for Boston.

“Since I started running, Boston was always my goal,” said Schmitt.

Schmitt grew up an athlete in Columbia City and played basketball for the Eagles in high school before moving on to play at Grace College. As he got older, he still wanted to compete athletically, which led him to running. Schmitt trains by running four or five days a week and enjoys that he not only gets to compete against other runners, but also against himself by continuing to better his times.

The trip to Boston was the first for Schmitt. His wife and children made the journey with him, along with his mother Carla Schmitt. While they enjoyed seeing historic Boston, when Schmitt woke up the morning of the race the city was not a good sight.

The temperature the day of the race in Boston was in

for IN|Whitley County

BOSTON — The distance from Columbia City to Fort Wayne is just over 21 miles.

In other words, it is a few miles shy of the distance it takes to run a full marathon, which is 26.2 miles.

Marathons are grueling, exhausting events and require months of training to complete successfully. Columbia City’s Tim Schmitt knows exactly how difficult it is to compete in a marathon, as he just completed running in the Boston Marathon for the first time.

Runners must qualify to run in Boston. Schmitt started out running half-marathons and worked his way up to the full distance. Schmitt ran the Veterans Marathon in Columbia City twice, and the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. In his second running of the Flying Pig last May, Schmitt ran a time of 3 hours, 10 minutes and an

the mid-30s. It had rained for hours and a strong wind blew.

Schmitt said he woke up at 4 a.m. to make sure he got to the transport bus at 6:30 a.m.

Schmitt was scheduled to run in Wave 1, so he arrived at the athletic village at 7:45 a.m. where he had to wait for the race to kick off at 10 a.m.

Schmitt said the waiting was the toughest part of the day. Especially because other runners had wrapped their feet in plastic wrap, a trick Schmitt was unaware of.

“It was brutal,” said Schmitt. “Everything was soaked.”

When Schmitt finally hit the course, he faced a wind that was blowing right in his face most of the time.

The highlight of the race for Schmitt was mile 13. Mile 13 of the race is referred to as the Scream Tunnel. That is where some of the girls from Wellesly College line the streets and scream as the runners pass. Schmitt said his

ears were ringing by the time he cleared the 13th mile.

Despite the rain and wind, Schmitt kept running trying to record a time that would qualify him for the marathon for next season.

“Turning down Boylston Street (the finish line), the crowd was amazing,” said Schmitt.

Schmitt crossed the finish line with a time of 3:15.12, which wasn’t quick enough to qualify for next year. With another adjustment coming next year, Schmitt felt he would have needed a time closer to what he ran in Cincinnati to qualify again for next year. But that doesn’t mean he is out of chances.

The goal now for Schmitt is to get ready to run a qualifying marathon in Grand Rapids, Mich. The race in Grand Rapids is another chance for a qualifier for runners to get into Boston.

That race will be held Oct. 18, which gives Schmitt a

CONTRIBUTED

Tim Schmitt is pictured with his family. From left, Tenley, Mindy, Tim and Chase Schmitt.

few months to keep training.

Schmitt said he has adjusted his training a little bit, as he is now following the training plan from the Boston Marathon website which bases running strategies based on the course in Boston.

Schmitt wasn’t the only Columbia City resident running in Boston. Laken

CONTRIBUTED

Columbia City High School graduate Tim Schmitt competed in the Boston Marathon last month.

(LeFever) Elston also ran the marathon in Boston this year.

Along with trying to qualify for Boston, Schmitt is also considering starting to run more difficult, 50-mile races.

Ottoki provides unique martial arts experience

BY TRAVIS STAHL

had no intention of growing the martial arts program quickly. Instead, Serafini wanted to concentrate on slowly building the school by adding only a few students at a time to ensure it was a personable experience.

“From the get-go we tried to grow slowly,” said Serafini.

“It’s always been about qualify first.”

Ottoki currently has 18 kids enrolled in classes and 10 adults. The program over time has been able to add new equipment and move into a new facility that better suits it’s needs and those of the students. Three or four times a year, the students will participate in competitions for a chance to see how their skills are developing and to have some fun.

for IN|Whitley County

CHURUBUSCO — In the world of martial arts, the tiny island of Okinawa is an important place. There are hundreds of different styles of martial arts that have originated from Okinawa and continue to be taught across the world.

One of the more rare styles of Okinawan karate is Matsumara Seito Shorin Ryu. There are few schools that use Matsumara Seito Shorin Ryu, but one happens to be in Churubusco where teacher Dan Serafini has built a strong program.

Serafini and his wife Rachel founded Ottoki Martial Arts in ’Busco about 5.5 years ago with an unusual business model. The couple

Serafini, like a lot of people who grew up in the 1980s, loved the movie “The Karate Kid.” After seeing the movie, Serafini fell in love with karate. He said it took him a while to get involved with martial arts, but once he did, it became more than just something to do in his free time.

“It becomes a part of who you are,” said Serafini.

“This is much more lifestyle driven.”

Serafini has been teaching for 20 years. He started out teaching Taekwondo before migrating over to the new Okinawan style.

One thing Serafini has started to notice about martial arts is that athletes from other sports are now participating in classes during their off

seasons. The athletes use martial arts to stay active, improve their foot coordination and develop better hand-eye coordination. Those skills then help them once they return to the athletic field.

“There are positives and health benefits for those who are active in other sports,” said Serafini. “It helps complement other sports.”

Serafini pointed to his son Anthony as an example of this. Anthony participates in classes at Ottoki. But he also plays football at ’Busco and is on a hockey team.

Now that the school is in a better location, Serafini said the goals remain the same.

They will try to continue to grow slowly, adding a few more students at a time. He wants to remain cautious of

growing too big, too quickly and instead focus on the strengths of the program.

“Our goal is the have the right number of students in the right number of classes,” said Serafini.

Bigger isn’t always better.

Serafini recognizes NICOLE MINIER that philosophy and Ottoki members pose for a it has paid off. The photo. Front, from left: Ryan Ottoki Martial Arts school has been able Stahl, Rachel Serafini and to build a successful Anthony Serafini. In back: Steve Leffel, senior student; Steve program because VanCamp, instructor; Adam it connects with its students. Instructors Schaaf, black belt student; and Dan Serafini. build relationships with the students while students Serafini knows the teaching the skills of program will continue to Okinawan karate. Based on develop. the good experiences of the

FOLLOW WHITLEY COUNTY SPORTS Thursday, May 3

Friday, May 4

COLUMBIA CITY TENNIS AT NEW HAVEN, 5 P.M. COLUMBIA CITY GOLF HOSTS HOMESTEAD, 5 P.M. CHURUBUSCO SOFTBALL HOSTS HAMILTON, 5:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO BASEBALL HOSTS HAMILTON, 5:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO TENNIS HOSTS WEST NOBLE, 4:30 P.M. WHITKO SOFTBALL HOSTS WAYNE, 5:30 P.M. WHITKO GOLF HOSTS NORWELL, 4:30 P.M. COLUMBIA CITY BASEBALL AT NEW HAVEN, 5 P.M.

COLUMBIA CITY BASEBALL AT BISHOP LUERS, 6 P.M. COLUMBIA CITY TENNIS AT NEW HAVEN (NE8), 4:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO BASEBALL AT NEW HAVEN, 5:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO TENNIS AT NORTHROP, 5:15 P.M. WHITKO SOFTBALL AT OAK HILL, 5:30 P.M. WHITKO BASEBALL HOSTS BELLMONT, 5 P.M. WHITKO TRACK AT KELLY RELAYS (BOYS), 5:30 P.M.

Saturday, May 5 COLUMBIA CITY GOLF WARSAW (JV INVITE), 7:30 A.M. CHURUBUSCO SOFTBALL HOSTS NORTHROP (DH), 10 A.M. WHITKO TENNIS AT ANGOLA TOURNEY, 9 A.M. WHITKO GOLF AT NORTHFIELD INV., 8:45 A.M.

WhitleyCounty County Whitley wc wc

inwhitleycounty.com

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Monday, May 7 COLUMBIA CITY SOFTBALL EAST NOBLE, 5 P.M. CHURUBUSCO SOFTBALL LAKEWOOD PARK, 5:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO BASEBALL HERITAGE, 5:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO TENNIS HOSTS LAKELAND, 4:30 P.M. WHITKO TENNIS HOSTS CENTRAL NOBLE, 4:30 P.M. WHITKO SOFTBALL HOSTS PERU, 5:30 P.M. WHITKO BASEBALL HOSTS PERU, 5:30 P.M. WHITKO GOLF HOSTS TIPPECANOE VALLEY, 4:30 P.M.

Tuesday, May 8 COLUMBIA CITY GOLF HOSTS EAST NOBLE, 5 P.M. COLUMBIA CITY BASEBALL HOSTS EAST NOBLE, 5 P.M. COLUMBIA CITY TENNIS HOSTS EAST NOBLE, 5 P.M. CHURUBUSCO SOFTBALL HOSTS PRAIRIE HEIGHTS, 5:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO BASEBALL HOSTS PRAIRIE HEIGHTS, 5:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO TENNIS HOSTS PRAIRIE HEIGHTS, 4:30 P.M. WHITKO BASEBALL TRITON, 5 P.M. WHITKO TRACK TRC (IWU), 5 P.M.

Wednesday, May 9 COLUMBIA CITY SOFTBALL HOSTS LEO, 5 P.M. CHURUBUSCO BASEBALL CANTERBURY, 5:30 P.M. CHURUBUSCO TRACK NECC GIRLS (ANGOLA), 5 P.M. CHURUBUSCO TENNIS SNIDER, 5 P.M. WHITKO TENNIS A WAYNE, 5:30 P.M. WHITKO SOFTBALL HOSTS NORTH MIAMI, 5 P.M. WHITKO BASEBALL HOSTS NORTH MIAMI, 5 P.M.

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

SPORTS • Prep sports briefs

Thursday, May 3, 2018

TRACK ‘Busco track splits Garrett

CHURUBUSCO — Churubusco’s boys and girls track teams split a meet against Garrett, with the girls falling 77-54 and the boys winning 89-42.

Mason Anderson won both the 100-meter dash and 110-meter high hurdles for the Eagles.

Cody Murphy placed second in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Gage Kelly won the 200.

Sam Wood placed second behind Anderson in the 110-meter hurdles.

Wood won the 300 hurdles, followed by Tom Richards in second.

Sam Keilly led the Eagles in distance running, winning the 3,200-meter run.

Bryce Kolvoord finished

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2018

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second in the 1,600-meter run and fifth in the 800.

Eli Lantz came in second in the 800 and Ricky Duncan took third.

Brandt Parsons earned second place in the 400-meter run and Joe Leazier placed third.

Churubusco’s boys swept the field events, winning every event.

Wood won both the high jump and pole vault. Wood cleared 5 feet, 10 inches in high jump and 12 feet, 6 inches in pole vault.

Kolvoord took second in pole vault.

Kelly won the long jump, leaping 18 feet, 5 inches.

Brayden Simmons won both throwing events, tossing the shot put 51 feet, 4.5 inches and the discus 158 feet, 2 inches.

Garrett Horn came in second behind Simmons in both events, and Tanner Allen finished third in shot put.

Garrett’s girls won all running events excluding the hurdles, which were both won by Churubusco’s Audrey Zeigler. Zeigler finished the 100-meter hurdles in 17.91 and the 300-meter hurdles in 52.83 seconds. Zeigler also finished second in high jump.

Maggie Burrita won the pole vault, clearing nine feet, and Sierra Prezmiliski won high jump by 1.5 inches, leaping 14 feet, 1.5 inches.

The Lady Eagles dominated the throwing events. Chassie Gallmeier won the discus and placed second in shot put behind teammate Madison Gaff.

Kilah Smith finished third in shot put, discus and high jump, and Gaff took fourth in discus.

Kate Schumann came in third in long jump.

In the running events, Churubusco placed second, third and fourth in the two-mile run. Allie Basinger came in second, Kaitlynn Gaerte in third and Burrita in fourth.

Gaerte finished second

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IN Whitley County

NICOLE MINIER

Columbia City’s Gabby Fry and Macy Hill run the 400-meter dash.

NICOLE MINIER

Churubusco senior Brien Gross hands off to junior Miranda Mallott in the 400-meter relay.

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A Whitko thrower delivers the shot into the pit.

in the 1,600-meter run and Basinger took third.

Gaerte also placed third in the 800-yard run. Breanna Lehman came in fourth and Mckenzie Tonkel finished fourth.

In the 400-meter run, Brook Konger finished third, Kate Schumann fourth and Madeline Richards fifth.

Miranda Mallot took third in the 200-meter and fourth in the 100-meter dashes.

Prezmiliski came in fourth in the 200 and fifth in the 100.

Brien Gross led the Lady Eagles in the 100, placing third.

Wildcats win four-way meet

SOUTH WHITLEY — Whitko’s boys track team won a four-way meet against second-place Manchester, Northfield and last-place Lakeland Christian Academy April 24.

Alex Wilson led the Wildcats, winning the 100and 200-meter dashes, long

NICOLE MINIER

Columbia City head coach Bob Fahl talks to some of his athletes during the meet.

jump and was part of the winning 400-meter relay team.

Shad Ebbinghouse won the 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, was on the 400-meter relay team and the winning 1,600-meter relay team.

Also winning for Whitko were Cameron Snapp in discus, Chase Castillo in shot put, Zack Freel in the 400- and 1,600-meter relays.

Brett Sickafoose and Collin Bross were also part of the 1,600-meter relay, and Dominick Moseley ran a leg in the 400-meter relay.

Columbia City boys win EN relays

KENDALLVILLE — Columbia City’s boys track

team won the John Reed Relays track invitational at East Noble High School in Kendallville Saturday.

Doug Hill won the 100-meter dash. Landon Wakeman and Nathan Mills placed third and fourth, respectively, in the John Reed mile.

Columbia City’s 800-meter relay team placed first, as well as the 1,600-meter relay team, 800 sprint medley and distance medley teams.

Alex Scharpenburg finished second in high jump, clearing 6 feet, 4 inches.

Jacob Wigent and Jacob Bolt finished third and fourth, respectively in the SEE SPORTS, PAGE 12

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SPORTS: High school sports briefs continued CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

110-meter hurdles.

The Eagles’ 3,200-meter relay team came in fifth.

Braden Baker took third in pole vault, clearing 10 feet.

Liam Hesting won the shot put with a throw of 50 feet, 10 inches.

Noah Judd and Jon O’Dell finished sixth and eighth, respectively, in long jump.

Seven schools competed.

Listed in order of placing: Goshen, Columbia City, Bellmont, Angola, East Noble, DeKalb and Lakeland.

Columbia City girls second at EN relays

KENDALLVILLE — Columbia City’s track team placed second to host East Noble in the John Reed Relays Saturday in Kendallville.

Columbia City’s 400-meter relay team placed first, as well as the 800-meter sprint medley team.

The Lady Eagles’ 800-meter relay team took second, the 3,200-meter relay team came in second, the distance medley team placed second and the 1,600-meter relay team finished third.

Cassidy Burdge jumped 4 feet, 10 inches to place second in high jump, followed by Mackenzie Martin who tied for eighth.

Maddy Hull finished third in pole vault, followed by Mariah Schaefer, who tied for fourth.

Macey Hill and Sarah Pepple finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 100-meter dash.

Bailie Brown came in fifth in the John Reed Mile, followed by teammate Ally Willson in ninth.

Cassidy Burdge placed sixth in long jump and Sarah Pepple finished ninth.

Schaefer took fifth in the

100-meter hurdles.

Taviona Foster placed eighth in discus.

Eight teams competed in the girls meet. In order of placing: East Noble, Columbia City, DeKalb, Goshen, Central Noble, Bellmont, Eastside and Lakeland.

BASEBALL Lakeland 13, Whitko 3

LAGRANGE — Whitko’s baseball team suffered a 10-run loss to Lakeland April 20, 13-3.

Austin Hollowell took the loss on the mound for the Wildcats. River West, Hollowell and Evan Wilson all added hits for Whitko.

Carroll 10, Columbia City 0

HUNTERTOWN — Columbia City’s baseball team lost a difficult game to Carroll High School in Huntertown April 23, 10-0.

Despite the loss, the Eagles garnered six hits to Carroll’s 10, including two

by Tanner Clark.

The Chargers scored two runs in the first inning, one in the third, three in the fourth, one in the fifth and three runs in the sixth to enact the 10-run rule.

Others who recorded hits were T. Urban, J. Lee and B. Roberts.

Lee pitched five innings for the Eagles, tallying two strikeouts and three walks.

Northfield 11, Whitko 1

WABASH — Whitko’s baseball team dropped a 10-run game to Northfield, 11-1.

Both teams were scoreless until the seventh inning, when Northfield scored seven runs. Whitko answered, scoring a run in the top of the court, but the Norsemen scored another in the fourth and three more in the fifth to end the game by the 10-run rule.

Spencer Sroufe took

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SPORTS •

Thursday, May 3, 2018

the loss on the mound for the Wildcats. Sroufe retired the first seven batters he faced before the Norsemen executed their game plan, making adjustments to the line-up and scoring their seven third-inning runs.

Evan Wilson and Zakk Neer each recorded a hit for Whitko. Neer had the lone RBI, batting in Wilson on a single.

Bellmont 12, Columbia City 2

DECATUR — Columbia City’s baseball team suffered a 10-run loss in Decatur April 24, 12-2.

Bellmont started the game with bats swinging, taking a 6-1 lead in the first inning.

Columbia City scored a run in the third, attempting to come back, but the Braves scored three runs in the third, then rattled off three more runs to win 12-2.

The Braves tallied 11 hits to Columbia City’s five. The Eagles committed four errors to Bellmont’s one.

Tanner Clark and Cam Harris scored the Eagles’ runs. Clark and M. Nodine earned the Eagles’ two RBIs. Clark led the team in hits with two. Others with hits were Nodine, J. Lee and B. Roberts.

Clark pitched 3.2 innings for Columbia City, striking out one and walking two.

Z. Platt pitched one inning, striking out one and walking one.

Huntington North 6, Columbia City 5

HUNTINGTON — After taking a lead in the first inning, Columbia City’s baseball team lost a close game to Huntington North April 26, 6-5.

The Eagles scored two runs in the top of the first inning. It wasn’t until the bottom of the third that Huntington North tied the score at two.

The Vikings scored four runs in the fourth frame to take a 6-2 lead. Columbia City scored three runs in the top of the fifth, but both teams were scoreless the rest of the game, ending with the one-run Columbia City loss.

The Eagles out-batted Huntington, recording eight hits to the Vikings’ seven.

B. Schaper tallied two urns and two hits. Other run-scorers were Tanner

NICOLE MINIER

Tanner Clark throws a ball to the infield from the outfield.

Clark, Dalton Bell and Zach Lonsbury.

Cam Harris tallied two hits. Clark, M. Nodine, Bell and B. Roberts each had one hit.

Clark led the team in RBIs with two, followed by Harris and Nodine with one apiece.

Jordan Lee pitched four innings, striking out one and walking four.

Z. Platt pitched two innings with one strikeout and two walks.

NICOLE MINIER

Head coach Rob Bell talks to an assistant coach during a game on the Eagles’ home field last month.

Columbia City JV 9, Whitko 7

SOUTH WHITLEY — Columbia City’s junior varsity baseball team beat Whitko April 23, 9-7.

The Eagles came back after a deficit that continued until the sixth inning.

The Wildcats took a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

Columbia City scored one run in the third, but Whitko answered by scoring three more runs in the fifth frame to lead 7-1.

Columbia City rallied at the end of the game, scoring three runs in the sixth inning to make the score 7-4 going into the final inning.

The Eagles scored three runs to tie the game, sending it to extra innings, when Columbia City scored two unanswered runs.

Ivan Smith and A. Huston each recorded three hits.

Huston led the team in runs with three, followed by A. Bauer with two. Other scorers for Columbia City were A. Korus, C. Smith, T. Lomont and Ivan Smith.

A. Hunter led the team in RBIs with three. Koreas also had two RBIs. Others

NICOLE MINIER

Columbia City pitcher Zach Platt delivers a pitch.

recording RBIs were Ivan Smith, Lomont, Huston and Bauer.

Hunter pitched six innings, striking out nine batters and walking four.

Lamont pitched two innings, striking out two.

Columbia City JV 8, Central Noble 6

COLUMBIA CITY — A game that got off to a slow start ended on a high note for Columbia City’s junior varsity baseball team, which beat Central Noble April 25, 8-6.

Columbia City scored one run in the second inning and another in the third to take a 2-0 lead going into the fourth inning.

The Cougars tied the score in the top of the fourth, but Columbia City responded by scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Central Noble narrowed the Eagles lead to 7-4 after scoring two runs in the fifth

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inning.

Columbia City scored a run in the bottom of the sixth. The Cougars scored two in the top of the seventh, ending the game at 8-6.

Both teams recorded four hits apiece.

T. Lomont scored three runs for the Eagles, along with Austin Heiden with two, T. Ebersole with one, A. Hunter with one and P. Henschel with one.

Lomont also led the Eagles in hits with two and RBIS with two. Heiden and Hunter each had one hit apiece.

Henschen, L. Markins and Hunter each recorded one RBI. T. Urban pitched four innings, earning six strikeouts and giving up one walk.

Ivan Smith pitched 2.2 innings, striking out two and walking one.

Bellmont JV 14, Columbia City 1

COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City’s junior varsity baseball team suffered a difficult loss to Bellmont April 24, 14-1.

P. Henschen scored the Eagles’ lone run.

Bellmont scored three runs in the second inning and one in the fifth, then rattled off 10 runs in the top of the sixth to end the game.

Henschen scored his run in the bottom of the sixth.

T. Lomont earned the Eagles’ lone run against Bellmont.

Lomont pitched five innings, earning seven strikeouts.

Huntington North JV 16, Columbia City 2

COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City’s junior varsity baseball team fell to Huntington North Saturday, 16-2.

SEE SPORTS, PAGE 13

Thursday, May 3, 2018

SPORTS: High school sports briefs continued

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Columbia City had a 2-0 lead in the first five innings, until Huntington North went on a scoring barrage, scoring 16 runs in the top of the sixth.

Recording hits for Columbia City were L. Markins, A. Hunter and C. Smith. Hunter had the team’s lone RBI. Marlins and T. Lomont scored runs for Columbia City.

Markins pitched five innings, striking out six and giving up three hits.

Carroll JV 13, Columbia City 3

HUNTERTOWN — Columbia City’s junior varsity baseball team lost to Carroll Friday, 13-3, in five innings.

Carroll took an 8-3 lead in the first inning, and the Eagles were unable to score for the rest of the game.

Scoring for the Eagles were T. Lomont, P. Henschen and L. Markins.

Henschen, Martins and T. Urban had Columbia City’s three hits. Markins, Urban and A. Hunter had one RBI apiece.

D. Bell pitched 3.2 innings, striking out two and giving up six hits.

Churubusco 3, Manchester 1

NORTH MANCHESTER — Churubusco’s baseball team won a low-scoring game over Manchester Saturday, 3-1.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning, when the Eagles put one run on the

board. Churubusco scored two more runs in the sixth to take a 3-0 lead. Manchester scored one run in the bottom of the sixth, ending the game at 3-1.

Brenden Hilkey led the game in hits with two.

Dalton Blessing and Isaac Smith also each recorded a hit.

Colton Anderson led the Eagles in RBIs with two.

Jake Fulk pitched five innings, earning six strikeouts and throwing 13 first-pitch strikes.

Smith also pitched two innings, earning two strikeouts.

Fremont 10, Churubusco 2

CHURUBUSCO — Churubusco’s baseball team struggled to score against Fremont April 26, falling 10-2.

The Eagles scored its two runs in the seventh inning after Fremont tacked on 10 runs of its own.

Fremont tallied 10 hits to Churubusco’s five, and the Eagles struggled with nine errors.

Blake Trostel pitched 3.1 innings, striking out three.

Central Noble 2, Churubusco 0

ALBION — Central Noble’s defense shut out Churubusco in the Eagles’ road loss to their Albion rivals April 23, 2-0.

The Cougars scored one run in the first inning and one in the fifth, and tallied 10 hits to Churubusco’s one.

Jake Fulk pitched six

SPORTS •

innings for Churubusco, striking out three and throwing 19 first-pitch strikes.

GOLF Columbia City 162, Huntington 189

NICOLE MINIER

Hayley Urban makes a move off first base in a Lady Eagle game last month.

Hall shot a 48.

Other junior varsity players were: Logan Campbell (50), Nick Hull (53), Cameron Smith (62) and Telly Varga (66).

COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City’s boys golf team posted a strong score, beating Northeast 8 Conference foe Huntington North, 162-189.

Spencer McCammon was the match-medalist, scoring a 37 on the par-35 course.

Nick Decker and Zach Harker each scored 40s.

Lawson Hahn shot a 45, and Wyatt Krider finished in 47 strokes.

“It’s great to see two events in a row with more consistency throughout the lineup,” said head coach Andrew Thompson.

Daniel Shively led Huntington North with a 44.

In junior varsity action, the Eagles scored a 183 to the Vikings’ 208.

Tyler Barnhart led the JV with a 41. Evan Hochstetler scored a 44, and Cameron

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Whitko wins four-way

SYRACUSE — Whitko’s golf team won a four-way match at South Shore Golf Course in Syracuse April 26.

NICOLE MINIER

Anna Weigold earned several wins as a pitcher for Columbia City this season.

The Wildcats scored 176, followed by Manchester with 177,

SEE SPORTS, PAGE 16

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Thursday, May 3, 2018

Community Calendar

2. May 2

• A Movie Matinee: hosted by South Whitley Community Public Library, will feature “A Walk in the Woods.” The film is about Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) who returns to the U.S. after spending two decades in England. He decides the best way to reconnect with America is to hike the Appalachian Trail with his best friend, Steven (Nick Nolte). The movie begins at 12:15 p.m.

• Family bingo: is 6:30 p.m. at South Whitley Community Public Library.

3. May 3

• A Red Cross Blood Drive: will be 1:30-6:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 9251 E. S.R. 205, Churubusco.

Visit redcross.org to schedule your donation, or call 1-800-REDCROSS. • Asbury United Methodist Church: will be participating in the Albion Townwide Garage Sale. The church is located at 605 E. Main St., and will be open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thursday and Friday and 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday. On Saturday, the church will offer fill-a-bag for $1. Lunch will be available on Thursday and Friday.

• The Primitive Craft Class: hosted by South Whitley Community Public Library, is 6 p.m. This month’s project is a spring flower pot. The cost is $20, which includes everything needed to create the decoration. Pre-registration is required.

Participants should bring scissors and a hot glue gun.

• The Master Gardeners of Whitley County: will host their education session at 7 p.m. at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Classroom B. Virginia Faulkner from Ace Hardware will speak, and present tools to use to make a beautiful garden.

Some products she will discuss include Stihl, Scotts, Miracle Grow, Home Defense, Roundup and Garden Weasel.

• A one-day book sale: will be held at Peabody Public Library, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

4. May 4

• “Once on This Island:” the musical, will be performed

by Churubusco High School’s theater department, 7 p.m. in the Jason Smith Auditorium at Churubusco High School. Tickets are on sale for $9 apiece. Contact any cast member for tickets or reserve tickets by calling 693-1682. Tickets will also be available at the door.

5. May 5

• The Whitley County 4-H Bicycle Club’s annual bike repair day: is 8:30 a.m.-noon under the canopy at the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbia City. The bicycle club offers bike inspections, advice, repairs and laughts.

Labor is free, the only cost is replacement parts. The event is a community service projct for the club and kids are taught about bike repair and maintenance, but there are also experienced mechanics who make sure the repairs are correct. For more information, contact Eric Blank at 248-6390.

• An all-you-can-eat sausage and pancake breakfast: hosted by the Whitley County Council on Aging, is 6:30-10 a.m. The cost is $7 for adults, $3 for children and six and under is free. The breakfast will be served at the Woodlands Senior Center in Columbia City.

• “Once on This Island:” the musical, will be performed

by Churubusco High School’s theater department, 7 p.m. in the Jason Smith Auditorium at Churubusco High School. Tickets are on sale for $9 apiece. Contact any cast member for tickets or reserve tickets by calling 693-1682. Tickets will also be available at the door.

• The Iron Turtle Run: hosted by the American Legion Riders, begins at 11 a.m. at Churubusco Post 157, 115 S. Main St. The cost is $5 per person, and the last bike is in by 4 p.m.

There will be a dinner provided, a taco bar, for $5 per person, 3-6 p.m. Cars and the public are also welcome.

• The second annual Health and Wellness Day: a free event for the entire family, is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 8962 N. County Road 300 West, at the Noble/Whitley county line in Ormas. There will be freebies, pet adoptions, safety demonstrations, blood donations, and more. The event is sponsored by the Ormas Baptist Church.

• Free airplane rides for children: will be offered with Experimental Aircraft Association members. Come to Gate 7 at the DeKalb County Airport, 2710 County Road 60, Auburn, 9 a.m.-noon. Parents/guardians must be present to complete registration forms. The goal is to spark an interest in aviation in the children who attend. For more information, visit VAA37. org.

• Memories of Mom: presented by Visiting Nurse in southwest Allen County at the Peggy F. Murphy Community Grief Center, 5920 Homestead Road. The day-long retreat is offered at no charge to any daughter who has experienced the loss of her mother. It is a day for daughters to reflect, remember

and reminisce about their mothers. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program running 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The program will feature presentations on grief, the mother-daughter relationship, grief yoga and healing through music with Visiting Nurse’s Music Therapist Emily Paar. Lunch will be served and there will be time to focus on self-care. Seating is limited register by May 2 by calling 435-3261.

• The family history lab: is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at South Whitley Community Public Library. Use the library’s free resources to start or continue family history research.

Trained staff will be available to help during the come-and-go workshop.

• Free Comic Book Day: will be celebrated by South Whitley Community Public Library. Free comic books will be given away, courtesy of BE Comics. There will also be a trivia contest to win a gift certificate to BE Comics.

• Noah’s Ark Teddy Bear Workshop: is 1 p.m. at South Whitley Community Public Library. Parents and children work together to create a keepsake teddy bear. The cost of the kit is $10. Pre-registration and payment are required for the event.

• A lasagna and spaghetti dinner: is 4:30-7 p.m. at Jefferson Chapel church, 7067 S. C.R. 500 East, Columbia City. The meal, craft and bake sale is to raise money to send children to camp for Jefferson Chapel and Coesse United Methodist Church. There will also be a talent show and variety program at 4:30 p.m.

• Faith Christian Academy will host a Nelson’s Chicken & Pit ‘Tators fundraiser: in the Walmart parking lot, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

7. May 7

• Churubusco United Methodist Church: will offer a free 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.

• McTeachers Night: at Columbia City’s McDonald’s is 5-8 p.m. Faith Christian Academy will receive 20 percent of all orders, even drive-thru.

8. May 8

• Shop for Paws, a fundraiser for the Whitley County Humane Shelter: is at the shleter, 951 S. Line St., 4:30-6:30 p.m. There will be products from LuLaRoe, thirty-one, Mary Kay, Old World Fudge, Perfectly Posh, Norwex, tastefully simple, Scentsy, JJ Boutique and Papered Chef. Each will donate a percentage of sales to the shelter.

10. May 10

• Power of the Purse, will be hosted by the United Way of Whitley County: at the Union 12 Event Center, 7563 E. Lincolnway, Columbia City. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for visitors to look over the purses. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

Guests must register to attend through a Facebook event page titled “United Way of Whitley County Power of the Purse 2018.”

12. May 12

• Opening day for the Whitley County Farmers Market: begins at 8 a.m. on the Whitley County Courthouse Square with a ribbon cutting. See local growers, crafters, artists and vendors who offer their locally produced products. The market will be open every Saturday through October.

• An all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast: sponsored by the Green Township Community Center, is 6-10 a.m. at the community center, which is west of County Road 300 East on County Road 300 South in Noble County. Drinks include coffee, tea • Free airplane rides for children: will be offered with Experimental Aircraft Association members. Come to the Smith Field Airport, 426 W. Ludwig Road, Fort Wayne, 9 a.m.-noon.

Parents/guardians must be present to complete registration forms. The goal is to spark an interest in aviation in the children who attend. For more information, visit EAA2.org.

• A pancake breakfast and blessing of the boats: is 7:30-10:30 a.m. at West Point Trinity Church, 4989 N. Etna Road.

19. May 19

• The annual Spring Flea Market at St. John Bosco Catholic Church: 216 N. Main St., Churubusco, is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $5 to reserve a space. Bring a dish to share in the pot luck lunch. If interested in a space, call 693-2429.

IN Whitley County

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Items will be selected and edited as space permits.

22. May 22

• The Whitley County Educational Forum: hosted by the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center at The Center for Whitley County Youth in Columbia City, allows attendees to hear from local school superintendents about issues facing their school corporations this year and in the years ahead. The cost is $15 per person and includes lunch. RSVP to office@whitleychamber.com.

25. May 25

• The CCHS Honors Convocation: begins at 8:30 a.m. at Columbia City High School.

29. May 29

• The Columbia City Tree Board: will conduct a meeting in the Mayor’s Conference Room of Columbia City Hall at 4 p.m. Items on the agenda include updates on grants and ideas from the Department of Natural Resources.

31. May 31

• The Pond and Wildlife Management Twilight Meeting: at Northeast Purdue Agricultural Center is 6:30-9 p.m. Topics covered include fish stocking, fish habitat, managing harvest, managing field edges for wildlife, forest management for deer and turkey, and cover crops. To register, call Purdue Extension in Whitley County, 244-7615. NEPAC is located at 4821 E. C.R. 400 South in Whitley County.

For more information, contact Extension Educator John Woodmansee at jwoodman@purdue.edu.

2. June 2

• St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church’s ice cream social: is 4-7 p.m. There will be eight different kinds of homemade ice cream served, as well as sandwiches, desserts and drinks, all for a free-will offering. The church is located at the corner of State Road 9 and County Road 500 North.

23. 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.

• The Whitley County Farmers Market: is every Saturday from May through October, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the Whitley County Courthouse Square. Meet local farmers and artisans for homegrown, homemade products.

• 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 2018-2019 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.

• VFW Post 5582 hosts a fish fry: the first and third Fridays of each month, 5-6:30 p.m. The post is located at 415 E. Chicago St., Columbia City.

16

IN Whitley County

kpcnews.com

SPORTS: High school sports briefs continued CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Wawasee with 179 and South Bend Riley with 193.

Cade Bechtold led the Wildcats with a 39 on the par 36 course.

Kaleb Busz scored a 43, Kylar Bryant a 47, Dale Reiff a 47 and Jonathan Strayer finished in 58 strokes.

Carroll 163, Columbia City 168

FORT WAYNE — Columbia City’s golf team lost a close match to Carroll April 26, 163-168, at Autumn Ridge Golf Course.

The Eagles were led by Spencer McCammon, who scored a 38 and was the match-medalist.

Nick Decker and Wyatt Krider each scored 43s. Zach Harker and Lawson Hahn scored 44s.

Carroll was led by Ben Rudolph and Ben Jackson, who each scored 39s.

The junior varsity team was also defeated by Carroll, 177-211.

The Eagles were led by Cameron Hall, who shot a 45. Tyler Barnhart scored a 48 and Logan Campbell finished in 49 strokes.

Other JV scores were: Evan Hochstetler (57), Nick Hull (60) and Michael Johnson (61).

Whitko second in three-way

ROCHESTER — Whitko’s golf team (199) split a three-way match with Rochester and North Miami April 25, beating North Miami (231) and falling to Rochester (190).

Kaleb Busz led the Wildcats with a 46, followed

by Cade Bechtold and Kylar Bryant with 47s. Dale Reiff shot a 59 and Jonathan Strayer a 68.

Columbia City 167, Bellmont 181

DECATUR — Columbia City’s golf team earned another conference win against Bellmont on a cool, rainy evening at Cross Creek Golf Course in Decatur April 24, 167-181.

“We got a good conference win on a rainy night,” said head coach Andrew Thompson. “It wasn’t our best score, but on a night like this, we just survive and get through it.”

Spencer McCammon and Nick Decker each scored 40s. Zach Harker shot a 41 and Wyatt Krider finished in 46 strokes. Lawson Hahn carded a 47.

Belmont’s Chance Bressler was the match-medalist with a 39.

Columbia City’s junior varsity squad lost to Bellmont, 187-192.

Cameron Hall led the Eagles with a 46. Other Eagle scorers were: Tyler Barnhart (48), Evan Hochstetler (48), Michael Johnson (49), Logan Campbell (50), Nick Hull (56) and Telly Varga (80).

Columbia City fourth at Wawasee Inv.

SYRACUSE — Columbia City’s golf team finished fourth at the 15-team Wawasee Invitational Saturday, scoring 334 in 18 holes.

Chesterton won the event with a score of 310.

Homestead placed second and Warsaw third. Whitko finished 10th overall.

Spencer McCammon led the Eagles with a score of 80, tying for ninth.

Nick Decker tied for 15th with an 83, and Zach Harker tied for 18th with an 84.

Lawson Hahn shot an 87 and Wyatt Krider finished in 99 strokes, tied for 50th.

Churubusco 179, North Side 206

FORT WAYNE — Churubusco’s golf team beat North Side April 23 at McMillen Park, 179-206.

Wyatt Johnson was the match medalist, scoring a 42 on the par 32 course.

Cole Hart scored a 44 and Jaymin Longardner shot a 45.

Other scorers for Churubusco were Taylan Yontz (48), Tyler Miller (52), Evan Pisarsky (58) and Alan Resler (62).

Michael McKenna and Sage Bone led North Side, each scoring 44s.

Manchester 183, Churubusco 201

CHURUBUSCO — Churubusco’s golf team lost to Manchester at Eel River Golf Course April 20, 183-201.

Wyatt Johnson led the Eagles, scoring 46. Cole Hart and Taylan Yontz each scored 49s, and Tyler Miller and Jaymin Longardner each finished with 57 strokes.

Manchester’s Harley Kruschwitz was the match-medalist, scoring 39.

TENNIS Whitko 3, Columbia City 2

SOUTH WHITLEY — Whitko’s tennis team topped county-rival Columbia City April 23, 3-2.

Whitko’s Jackie Wrestler won at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-4. Junior Kayla Schipper had a competitive match at No. 3 singles, winning 6-2, 7-6 (9-7).

Whitko’s No. 2 doubles due of sophomores Katherine Ousley and Izzy Rayner won 6-3, 7-5.

In junior varsity action, Whitko’s Lilly Owsley won 8-3.

Wabash 3, Whitko 2

WABASH — Whitko’s tennis team dropped a close match to Three Rivers Conference foe Wabash April 26, 3-2.

Winning for the Lady Wildcats were Natalie Iholtz at No. 2 singles, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, and the No. 2 doubles duo of senior Blair Creamer and junior Lilly Owsley, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

SOFTBALL Whitko 6, Northfield 3

WABASH — Whitko’s softball team earned a Three Rivers Conference win over Northfield April 23, 6-3.

Ellie Snep garnered the win on the mound for Whitko in the Lady Wildcats’ opening conference game.

Shi Bradley hit a double, Anna Ousley had a sacrifice bunt that brought in two runners, and Lexi Hall hit three singles. Emmy Duggis hit a single, Snep hit a single, Augusta Garr added a single, and Reannon Hopkins tallied three singles.

“It was a nice, damp

SPORTS •

evening, but the team worked together and pulled out a good win,” said Whitko Head coach Michelle Garr.

Northfield opened the game with a 1-0 lead. The game was scoreless through the fourth inning, when the Lady Wildcats scored three runs. Northfield tied the game in the sixth inning, scoring two runs, but Whitko finished off the final frame with three runs to make the final score 6-3.

Whitko tallied 10 hits to Whitko’s six. Both teams recorded two errors.

Columbia City 8, Huntington North 5

COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City’s softball team downed Northeast 8 opponent Huntington North 8-5 April 25.

The Lady Eagles started off the first inning with a home run by Bella Ross, scoring three runs for Columbia City in the Lady Eagles’ six-run inning.

The early lead carried the Lady Eagles through the rest of the game, as Huntington North battled to get back in the game.

Columbia City collected 12 hits on the game, led by Ciara Ivy with three hits on four at-bats. Others who had multiple hits were Ross, Jada Conrad and Felicity Clawson.

Anna Weigold earned the win on the mound, striking out six, allowing eight hits and four runs over five innings. Brooke Ebersole pitched two innings in relief.

Bellmont 5, Columbia City 1

COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City’s softball team lost to a strong Bellmont team April 23, 5-1.

Bellmont opened the game scoring two runs in the first inning. The Braves went on to score another run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, taking a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning. Columbia City scored one run in the bottom of the fifth, but was unable to overcome the deficit.

Anna Weigold was the losing pitcher for the Lady Eagles. Bellmont tallied nine hits to Columbia City’s three. Columbia City had the game’s lone error.

Whitko 10, Manchester 3

MANCHESTER — Whitko’s softball team used a steady attack to beat Manchester April 25, 10-3.

The Lady Wildcats scored one run in the first and three in the second, taking a 4-1 lead after two innings.

Whitko added two more runs in the top of the third, but Manchester responded by scoring two unanswered runs of its own, making the score 6-3.

In the final three innings, the Lady Wildcats rattled off four unanswered runs to make the final score 10-3.

Whitko had 14 hits to Manchester’s five.

Ellie Snep earned the win on the mound with nine strikeouts. Shi Bradley hit a single, a double and a sacrifice bunt. Anna Ousley hit a single and a double, and Lexi Hall had two

Thursday, May 3, 2018

NICOLE MINIER

NICOLE MINIER

Columbia City’s softball team took an impressive win over Northrop this week, 22-7.

sacrifice bunts.

Emmy Duggins hit her first career home run, and Snep hit a single and a double.

Reunion Hopkins also hit her first career home run. Harley Bradley had a sacrifice bunt, and Augusta Garr hit two singles.

“It was a nice team win and a way to fight,” said head coach Michelle Garr.

Whitko 5, Huntington North 4

SOUTH WHITLEY — Whitko’s softball team came back to beat Huntington North April 24, 5-4, in South Whitley.

The Lady Vikings opened the game scoring two runs in the first inning. Whitko didn’t get on the scoreboard until the first inning, scoring one run. The Lady Wildcats tied the game in the fourth frame.

Both teams scored two runs in the seventh to send the game to extra innings, in which Whitko scored two runs and held Huntington scoreless.

Augusta Garr got the start on the mound, pitching seven innings, the Ellie Snep came in the eighth inning to finish the win.

Shit Bradley hit a single, Snep hit a single and a double, Harley Bradley hit a single, Lexi Hall hit a single, Emmy Duggis hit a triple and Garr hit a single.

“I loved the fight,” said head coach Michelle Garr.

Homestead 4, Columbia City 3

FORT WAYNE — Columbia City’s softball team lost a close game to Homestead in Fort Wayne April 24, 4-3, despite the Eagles recording four more hits than the Lady Spartans.

Columbia City held a 2-0 lead through the fifth inning. Homestead scored in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 2-1, but the Lady Eagles scored again in the top of the sixth to make the score 3-1.

Homestead finished the sixth and seventh frames by scoring three unanswered points. Felicity Clawson hit a home run for Columbia City.

Bishop Dwenger 11, Columbia City 1

FORT WAYNE — Columbia City’s softball team scored a run early, but didn’t score again for the rest of the game,

while Bishop Dwenger ran away with 11 runs in the remaining five innings.

Brooke Ebersole pitched four innings for Columbia City, throwing 18 first-strike pitches and two strikeouts.

Columbia City 5, Bishop Dwenger 4

FORT WAYNE — Columbia City’s softball team beat Bishop Dwenger in a close, 5-4 game in Fort Wayne Saturday.

Dwenger started the game with a run, but Columbia City responded with two runs in the top of the second to take the lead.

The Lady Eagles scored another run in the fifth, but Dwenger took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs to make the score 4-3 going into the final frame.

The Lady Eagles sent two runners home in the top of the seventh to take the 5-4 win.

Ciarra Ivy tallied three hits and one RBI. Delaney Stahl led the team with two RBIs. Anna Weigold pitched 5.1 innings, striking out three and throwing 18 first-pitch strikes.

Columbia City 22, Northrop 7

FORT WAYNE — Columbia City’s softball team took a blow-out win in a high-scoring game against Northrop Friday, 22-7.

The Lady Eagles scored three runs in the first inning and three runs in the second to take a 6-0 lead through the third inning, when Northrop got on the scoreboard with a run.

The Lady Eagles traded runs with Northrop in the fourth and fifth innings, but added an impressive 12 runs in the seventh to earn the win.

Ciarra Ivy tallied five hits, Allison Conrad had three hits and Bella Ross added two.

Conrad and Ivy each recorded five RBIs and Felicity Clawson added four RBIs. Brooke Ebersole pitched 3.2 innings with three strikeouts and Anna Weigold pitched two innings with three strikeouts.

Central Noble 10, Churubusco 0

ALBION — Churubusco’s softball team fell to Central Noble, 10-0.

Madison Simmons and Darian Manth each had hits for the Lady Eagles.

Anna Weigold enjoys a quick break with the first-base coach between pitches.

Kara Williams pitched for Churubusco, striking out two, walking two and giving up 13 hits.

Churubusco 5, Eastside 3

BUTLER — Churubusco won a competitive game over Eastside, 5-3, April 26, in extra innings.

The teams each scored two runs in the first inning, but Churubusco took the lead in the second, scoring a run. The Lady Eagles’ lead held through the fourth inning, when Eastside tied the score with a run.

Churubusco scored two runs in the eighth to win in extra innings.

Eastside tallied 13 hits to Churubusco’s seven.

Churubusco had one error to the Blazers’ two.

Mariah Hosted led the team in hits with two.

Brianna Baughman led the team in runs with two.

Others who recorded hits were Melanie Geiger, Kirsten Clark, Jamie Ziegler and Abigail Erwin.

Others who scored runs were Hosted, Clark and Ziegler.

Kara Williams pitched eight innings, striking out two, walking one and giving up eight hits.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ISMS golf 199, Central Noble 262

COLUMBIA CITY — Indian Springs Middle School’s golf team continued its winning ways, beating Central Noble 199-262 on April 20.

Leading the way for the Eagle Stars were Kam Hoag and Brendan Cook, who both shot 46. Jacob Reiff followed them with a solid round of 49, and Sam Eberly shot a 53.

Other scores were Tobey Krider with a 54 and Taelor Robinson with a 60.

ISMS golf 173, Westview 181

LAGRANGE — Indian Springs Middle School’s golf team topped Westview Middle School April 25, 173-181, at Heron Creek Golf Club in LaGrange.

The match was the closest of the season for the Eagle Stars, who improved to 3-0 with the win.

Alex Hedrick led the Eagles, scoring 41. Sean Bledsoe shot a 43 and Andrew Hedrick scored a 44.

Tobey Krider finished the match in 45 strokes, Brendan Cook shot a 47 and Kam Hoag finished with a 51.