Vol. 38, No. 52
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. March 2, 2016
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Bruss, Pilgrim get new positions By The Paper staff Matt Bruss and Bob Pilgrim have taken over as Wabash City Police Department chief and assistant chief, respectively. The pair received the oath of office on Monday, Feb. 22, from Mayor Scott Long. They didn’t take office until Tuesday, March 1, when former Chief Larry Schnepp’s retirement took effect. “I am privileged that Mayor Long has appointed me as the Chief of Police,” Bruss said. “I look forward to maintaining a professional department and continuing to serve the citizens of Wabash well.” Bruss was born and raised in Wabash, and is a 1989 graduate of Wabash High School. He attended Indiana University Bloomington and graduated in 1993. Bruss earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. He was appointed as a patrolman in 1994 with the Wabash City Police Department. Patrolman Bruss graduated the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in class 94-119. He was a patrolman until 2003 when he was promoted to sergeant. In 2010, Bruss was promoted to Captain, and worked uniform patrol for 20 years working all three shifts in the department. In 2014, Bruss was promoted to Major, which is the Assistant Chief ’s position. Bruss has many hours of law enforcement training including IDACS/NCIC, Datamaster, Supervisors school, annual state mandates, and will be (continued on page 8)
Randy Curless (second row, far left) and his family were named the 2015 Farm Family of the Year by the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce. Randy’s family includes (front row, from left) Addison Dale, Doug Yoeckel, Katie Yoeckel, Missy Lambrecht, (second row, from second to left) Ryan Curless, Anne Curless, Larry Curless, Paul Lambrecht, Jim Lambrecht, (third row, from left) Debbie Curless and Cindy Lambrecht. Photo provided
Curless family honored as 2015 Farm Family of the Year By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com The Randy Curless Family was named the 2015 Farm Family of the Year by the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce. The family was honored for its contributions to agriculture and the community, Wabash County Chamber of Commerce
(WCCC) officials announced. Randy is the president and owner of Liberty Swine Farms, Inc., and Curless Farms Inc. The Curless family is “extremely deserving” of this award, according to Mark York, Wabash County Indiana Farm Bureau president, local pork producer and the first-honored Farm Family of the Year. “He’s in the barns every sin-
gle day doing his job caring for the animals, fresh feed, fresh water,” York said. “Animal care is paramount in Randy’s eyes (as well as) food safety. Those are all things the freshness of the food, the freshness of the water, the environment, the facilities and that comes at a cost to Randy’s industry as well. So food safety is paramount to Randy as well.
“He’s contributed a lot back to the community and I’d also like to thank Randy for his advocacy toward agriculture in Wabash County.” In addition to honoring the family for their farming practices, Randy and his father Larry will both be recognized for their contributions to the community and pork produc(continued on page 4)
Karsyn’s fundraiser to continue with new name By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com Karsyn Bratch’s legacy will continue this year as organizers prepare for the third annual Kick It for Karsyn kickball tournament. Karsyn, 12, of Wabash, passed away on Oct. 25, 2015, after she lost her fight with pediatric cancer, but not before raising approximately $60,000 for the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. To continue her legacy, Kick It for Karsyn, formerly Kick it With Karsyn, will return for its third year on Sept. 17 at the Morrett Sports Complex Field of Dreams in Wabash.
She knew the importance of pediatric cancer research, according to Larry Graff, national Kick It event organizer and pediatric cancer advocate. “She knew that every dollar raised brought us closer to a cure for pediatric cancer,” Graff told The Paper of Wabash County. “She cared very deeply about pediatric cancer research and continuing the event continues her legacy for pediatric cancer research.” Karsyn raised the funds by hosting Kick it With Karsyn tournaments in 2014 and 2015. This year’s tournament was renamed Kick It for Karsyn in honor of her memory. “This is her event,” Graff said. “This event (continued on page 8)
Karsyn Bratch, 12, gives a thumbs-up for a photo opportunity with her mother Linette Burchett at the second annual Kick It with Karsyn kickball tournament. Karsyn passed away in October. Photo provided