THE PAPER sends its condolences to the families of those affected by the tragedy at the State Fair
THE PAPER August 17, 2011
Moose Lodge to host benefit for Alex Reed Women of the Moose is having a benefit for eightyear-old Alex Reed, who has underwent a bone marrow transplant. Funds are being raised to assist Alex’s parents, Randy and Julie, with medical bills and their lodging at Ronald McDonald House. They are currently on family medical leave and have no income. The benefit will be held Aug. 20, 1 p.m., at the Moose Family Center. It will include games, food and a bake sale. Anyone that wishes to make a donation for the event may bring it to the Lodge by 9 p.m. on Aug. 19.
In Memoriam George Barlow, 79 Naddalie Bell Michael Brown, 68 Miriam Cox, 83 Lawrence Dillman, 101 Frederick Moore, 81 Patricia Partenheimer, 75 Thomas Reahard, 61
Index Classifieds ........27-31 D & E ....................19 Weekly Reports..12-14 Vol. 34, No. 22
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Wabash soon to be home to ‘hotel style’ assisted living by Craig Brosman CBrosman@ thepaperofwabash.com
On Aug. 12, Bill Konyha, executive director of E c o n o m i c Development Group of Wabash County, along with Zeke Turner of Mainsteet Property Group and a plethora of other community leaders announced that Mainstreet will invest over $15 million dollars in a senior living facility in Wabash. Marilyn CusterMitchell also announced that the Wabash County Hospital will partner with Turner to help create a health campus off of U.S. 24 and Alber Street. Turner and the senior living campus will sit on 62 acres, while the hospital will lie on 25. The announcement ended the discussion of where the new hospital would be. The Mainstreet move will create 150 jobs and as many as 44 indirect jobs in the Wabash area. In addition to the workforce impact that Mainstreet will have in Wabash, the facility will add indirect and direct payroll that will exceed six million dollars and the total economic impact to Wabash will be in the range of $11.7 million dollars according to The Ball State University Center for Business
and Economic Research. Konyha has been working with and Turner Mainstreet for 14 months and was extremely excited to bring senior living and health care to opportunities Wabash. “This was incredibly important to Wabash County,” Konyha said. “We have brought 21st century jobs, 21st century opportunities, and 21st century income to Wabash and it helps in our transition from a 20th century economy to a 21st century economy.” The announcement is just the beginning of the transition in economic development in Wabash. Konyha and the Economic Development Group of Wabash County are continually looking for possible wins and jobs for Wabash County. “This is the first step to developing a health care campus that will set us apart from other communities,” said Konyha. “We have been having issues attracting young professionals to the area because of the amenities that we offer. This campus fulfills those needs and will help us build a critical mass of support so that we can continue
MAINSTREET PROPERTY GROUP announced its intent to bring an assisted living facility to the property on the southeast corner of the U.S. 24 and Alber Street intersection. Pictured at the announcement are (from left): Scott Long, Mayor Bob Vanlandingham, Zeke Turner, Ken Perkins, Brian Haupert, and Bill Konyha. (photo by Brent Swan) to grow.” M a i n s t r e e t President and CEO Zeke Turner had nothing but positive words about Wabash during the press conference at the Honeywell Center. The Marion native looked all over the United States for a business model and was not able to find one to base it off of so he had to build from the ground up around the health care industry and the hotel industry. After creating a selfcontained senior living center he looked at Wabash for the
SR 15 crash claims the lives of four Roann residents On Aug. 14, at approximately 8:55 p.m., the Wabash County Sheriff ’s Department was notified of a crash on SR 15 near the intersection of CR 1000 N. The crash involved two vehicles. The first vehicle was a southbound Mitsubishi Eclipse being operated by a Melissa Thornsbury, 42, Roann. Melissa’s vehicle traveled left of center and struck a
northbound vehicle head-on. Brandon Thornsbury, 20, Roann, was a passenger. Melissa and Brandon were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The second vehicle was a northbound Pontiac Grand Am being operated by Rodney Haupert, 41, Roann. Sarah Haupert, 21, Roann, was a passenger. Rodney and Sarah were pronounced
dead at the scene of the crash. The crash is still under investigation. The following emergency personnel were present on scene: Wabash County E m e r g e n c y Management Agency, Chester Township Fire Department, Pleasant Township Fire Department, Wabash County Sheriff ’s Department and Indiana State Police.
ABOVE IS THE PRELIMINARY site plan for the Mainstreet assisted living project off of Alber Street and U.S. Highway 24. It is unknown when the project will break ground, but the project is projected to bring in 150 jobs. (Photo provided) site of one of his Wabash was the ease “Then the thought of campuses. in which he was able a health care campus “We are passionate to communicate with energized the project about creating jobs elected officials. and I think it is great and changing how “Working with the for Wabash and now healthcare is deliv- mayor and Bill we will look at the ered to seniors,” Konyha was great site and assess where Turner said. “The they worked with to go from there.” campus we are look- every part of governThe choice to parting at is built for the ment in Wabash to ner with Turner was next generation of ensure that we were an easy one for seniors. We have taken care of,” said Custer-Mitchell and rejected how tradi- Turner. “I cant wait the hospital. tional assisted living to get a shovel in the “Zeke and Ed both is structured and ground its exciting.” are energetic, caring, delivered and creatC u s t e r- M i t c h e l l and great people,” ed our own.” explained that she Custer-Mitchell said. The campus will was approached by “Their values align offer fine dining, a Turner because it with the community salon, a spa and a was known that the and ours as well. number of other hospital was looking They are passionate social amenities as at the same site and about what they do well as short term they wanted to work and that made it easy and long term living with the hospital on for us.” and rehabilitation. the project. It is unknown at One of the big rea“We were looking this time when the sons why Turner at the land initially,” ground breaking will decided to come to Custer-Mitchell said. be for both projects.