Vol. 38, No. 26
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. August 19, 2015
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Officials investigate E. coli outbreak By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com Six cases of E. coli are currently under investigation in Wabash, Marshall and Fulton counties, according to Pam Pontones, Indiana State epidemiologist. In collaboration with the health departments from the three counties, Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) officials are investigating possible cases of E. coli 0157:H7 in northern Indiana, according to Department of Health press release. On Friday Aug. 14, the ISDH briefed the media outlets in a conference call on details
regarding the investigations with some restrictions on the provided information. “We are going to focus here on the facts. We’re not going to speculate,” said Jennifer O’Malley, ISDH director of public affairs. “There are some things we cannot discuss now due to privacy laws and those include details about specific cases, ages, names, locations, things like that we’re not going to get into today. “We’re also not going to name any facility that is part of this investigation because we are still gathering information. So to do anything else would be premature.” Since the investigations
began on Wednesday, Aug. 5, factual information and misinformation has been circulating, according to Dr. Jerome Adams, Indiana Sate Health commissioner. “Please understand that it is ongoing and there are many questions that we simply do not have the answers to right now and I hope today to tell you what we do know, what we do know and when you leave, knowing our plan going forward,” he continued. The ISDH was notified of these E. coli cases “late in the day” on Tuesday, Aug. 4, Pontones said. “We began collaborating with
Facts about E. coli While the Indiana State Department continues its investigation of E. coli in Wabash, Fulton and Marshall counties, here are some facts about the illness to keep in mind. E. coli is a diarrheal illness. Specifically, E. coli 0157: H7 infection is a contagious illness that is spread through contact with feces, according to Dr. Jerome Adams, Indiana State Health commissioner. Symptoms include bloody or non-bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, little or no fever, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms often being three to four days after exposure, but can start in as soon as two days and last approximately five to 10 days, according to the ISDH. A person can catch E. coli by swallowing untreated waters, touching stool of infected animals, not washing hands after touching stool from a surface or item that has the bacteria and ingesting foods such as uncooked beef, unwashed raw fruits, veg-
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White’s receives Century Certificate By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson presented White’s Residential and Family Services with the first ever Century Certificate on Wednesday, Aug. 12, honoring the organization’s 165 years of service to children and families in need. The Century Certificate is a new document that “highlights” businesses that have been in good standing for at least 100 years, according to Lawson. This year, 12 businesses will be presented the certification. During her 16 years in the Indiana Senate, Lawson helped establish the Department of Child Services. If she ever had to pass a bill regarding mental health access or care providers, “I always heard from (Wabash County’s) legislators about how that legislation would affect White’s residents,” Lawson told the audience during the ceremony. “So I always knew that it was an important part of your community, but being here today has really opened my eyes and made me appreciate so much more of what you do,” she continued. “The state appreciates what White’s does because you’re taking care of our most valuable assets and
For the third straight year, firefighters from around Wabash County will pay tribute to their fallen New York City comrades on Sept. 11. Firefighters locally will be climbing stair step machines at the Wabash County YMCA the equivalent of 110 flights in the World Trade Center. In addition, the group will try to raise at least $1,100 to be donated to the Indiana Burn Camp in Battle
Blue-green algae found at reservoirs By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
Secretary of State Connie Lawson (right) presents Dee Gibson, CEO of White’s Residential and Family Services, with the Century Certificate, honoring the school’s 165 years of service to Indiana. Photo by Emma Rausch that’s our kids. So I just want to say thank you so much for what you do.” Lawson told The Paper of Wabash County that it was special for her to present White’s with the certificate. “First of all, the work that I’ve done in the past regarding the establishment of the Department of Child
Services and my work on the mental health commission and other commissions I’ve worked on … it’s always been a passion of mine,” she said. “I came from a large family and I know that families can have bad things happen. Good families can have bad (continued on page 6)
Firefighters to honor fallen comrades, help others By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
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Ground. The target goal is the equivalent of sending one youngster to the camp. The tribute began in 2013 with two firefighters, Dennis Vigar and Jeff Krom. “Basically it was just a little friendly get-together between Jeff and I saying ‘You want to do something to honor the guys in New York?’ We just did it on our own, and it gets you in shape. That was kind of the motivation behind it, too. “Then it just grew from there as far
as guys showing interest.” Last year, at least one representative from every fire department in Wabash County participated in the event, which lasted throughout the day. The YMCA opens at 5 a.m., and someone was using the machine every hour until it closed. “It’s almost two and a half miles, all on steps,” Vigar noted, adding that it takes about 35 to 40 minutes. “One of the things you have to understand,” Wabash Fire Chief Bob (continued on page 8)
Mississinewa Lake is under a blue-green algae “Advisory” alert, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, may produce toxins that are dangerous to pets, small children or those who may ingest the water, according to an Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) press release. Although blue-green algae is common, when the algae’s levels are high, toxins may be fatal if swallowed or may cause rashes on human skin. In July 2012, two dogs died after a visit to Salamonie Lake from blue-green algae toxins. At the time, the DNR had been handing out fliers and posting warnings on its website, however the family did not receive the notice. This year, due to flooding throughout June and July, “a significant nutrient load” flowed into Salamonie and Mississinewa lakes during that time. With the addition of standing water for over a month, the environment was conditioned for the algae to grow, the DNR release stated. As floodwaters receded in recent weeks, evidence of blue-green algae “mats” appeared along the lake’s shorelines, Mississinewa Lake posted to its Facebook page on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Water samples from Mississinewa and Salamonie lakes were collected from the beaches’ shorelines on Wednesday, Aug. 12. On Friday, Aug. 14, the DNR announced that Salamonie Lake’s beach tested in the “Low Risk” alert category. However, due to drying blue-green algae along the shoreline as water levels continue to drop and some evidence of toxins in those drying algae mats, Salamonie Lake is on an advisory alert. Mississinewa Lake’s beach will remain closed due to high water. “Swimmers, boaters and pet owners can enjoy water based recreation, but should be on the lookout for evidence of harmful algal blooms (HABs),” according to the IDEM release. During a “Low Risk” alert, park-goers are advised not to drink the water and to shower after swimming in the lake. Mississinewa’s Lake “Advisory” alert permits swimming and boating but cautions patrons to avoid contact with algae, avoid swallowing water while swimming, do not use lake water for cooking or bathing and do not allow pets to swim or drink water where algae are present.