Vol. 40, No. 19
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. July 26, 2017
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
City OKs automobile dismantling business
Officials pleased with 2017 fair week By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com Wabash County 4-H officials were pleased with the 2017 edition of the Wabash County 4-H Fair. It was a good week, Angela Christopher, Purdue Extension Wabash County 4-H Youth Educator, and Jeff Michel, Wabash County 4-H Council President, agreed Friday night, July 21, during an interview with The Paper of Wabash County. “The kids have done a great job,” Christopher said. “We tweaked the schedule on a couple of things, and sometimes you think, ‘Hey, we’ve got this all figured out,’ but you never know for sure. “We’ll keep working to make it the best possible.” One glitch in the schedule was Thursday’s contesting portion of the 4-H Horse and Pony Show. The contesting portion of the show was postponed, with fair officials citing safety concerns in a letter sent to participants and the media. The letter noted that the midway rides were too close to the arena. Officials have promised to reschedule the contesting event. “I’m really proud of the kids and the work they’ve done, and their attitude this week,” Christopher said. “I like their attitude this week, especially with the heat and their efforts to take care of their animals.” She also praised the various volunteers who work to make sure the fair is a success. Their help hasn’t gone unno(continued on page 5)
By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
Participants in the Round Robin Showmanship program attempt to line up goats during the competition on Thursday.
Gottschalk captures title of Round Robin Showman By Joseph Slacian and Sarah Peters news@thepaperofwabash.com Noell Gottschalk was named the Grand Supreme Showman on Thursday evening, July 20, during the Round Robin Showmanship contest. Noell competed against five other Supreme Showman contestants to test their skills at handling animals with which they are familiar, as well as with which they may not be so familiar. The contestants were judged with the way they were able to control goats, swine, sheep, dairy cows, beef cows and horse and pony. Noell said her brother encouraged her to try her hand at the Supreme Showman contest during the swine show. She said the goat was the hardest animal to show during the contest, while swine was “obviously” her favorite. Others competing in the Round Robin Showmanship contest were: Audrey Wilcox, Supreme Showman in the Goat Show. Makenna Dawes, Supreme Showman in the Dairy Show. Addy Rosen, Supreme Showman in the Sheep Show.
Judge Jamie Buckland presents the Round Robin Showmanship award to Noell Gottschalk. Photos by Sarah Peters Corbin Rager, Supreme Showman in the Beef Show. Mason Roberts, Supreme Showman in the Horse and Pony Show. Noell is an eight-year member of 4-H.
An automobile dismantling and storage yard received a special exception on Thursday, July 20, from the Wabash Board of Zoning Appeals. The board approved the measure 4-0, with board member Todd Titus absent. The facility will be located at Metal Source, 1773 S. Wabash St. Attorney Josh Petruniw, representing Metal Source owner Ben Gebhart, said the dismantling and storage facility would be located on two parcels that are approximately 26 acres each, according to minutes from the meeting. The special exception, the minutes noted, was so Metal Source could purchase and recycle the vehicles. The business must obtain a state license for the work, but must first have the special exception from the city. He told the board the new venture is not intended to be a junkyard, per se, with old automobiles stacked around the grounds for weeks. The firm will dismantle the vehicles quickly. Questioned by board member Larry Hoover as to what dismantling of vehicles consists of, the attorney, according to the minutes, said the firm will scrape the metal from the vehicles to recycle it. Board member Doug Adams asked what happens to seats and other non-metal parts that aren’t recycled, the minutes show. Gebhart said those items will remain with the vehicle and sold to a shredder. However, he was not able to say how many cars would be at the facility at one time. At least two members of the public spoke about the matter. Paul McKnight asked about the noise level. According to the minutes, no response was given. However, City Attorney Randi Zimmerman-Irgang, who was filling in for regular BZA attorney Dough Lehman, said if the firm was to put a shredder in, it may have to reappear before the BZA for approval. Another area resident, Mike Hornsteen, asked how and where the vehicles would enter the facility. (continued on page 5)
Frosty and Friends to dedicate facility on Saturday By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
IJAMSVILLE — Frosty and Friends Exotic Bird Rescue will host an open house and dedication on Saturday, July 29. The rescue, which is now home to about 115 exotic birds, was located in a
former church building in Ijamsville since the fall of 2014. Founders Mark and Deb Henderson have spent the last several years raising funds and refurbishing a Morton building just north of the old church to serve as the sanctuary. It is at that building in which the open house and dedication will take place. The grand opening will take place from 2-4
p.m. Saturday, with the dedication ceremony at 3 p.m., Mrs. Henderson said. “Following that, we’re going to start being open to the public,” she continued. “We’re going to start probably just being open on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., just to get the birds used to people. “Then, hopefully, we’ll be able to be open more than that, depending on vol-
unteers.” The facility can also arrange private tours for various organizations wishing to see the facility. As for the former church building, Henderson said, “We’d like to have interns from the various colleges and universities. If we could make that a res(continued on page 5)