Fine Art Show & Sale, Gallery Walk, Wine Tasting, Fine Food, Outdoor Entertainment, Per for mances by A l Brown & Car michael
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Charley Creek Creek Gardens Gardens / 551 N. Miami St.
THE PAPER
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2011 Wabash County 4-H Auction to be held July 15, 3 p.m.
June 22, 2011
Texting ban begins July 1 Thanks in part to a national campaign sponsored by the A m e r i c a n A u t o m o b i l e Association (AAA), the act of composing, reading or sending electronic text messages while driving will become illegal in Indiana effective July 1. Indiana joins 33 other states in enacting this legislation, which prohibits behind the wheel texting via handheld telecommunication devices such as cell phones and laptop computers. Under Indiana law, texting while driving will be classified as a primary offense, which means you can be pulled over and ticketed based on a text messaging offense alone. Violators will face a fine of up to $500 per offense. This welcome reform stems from a groundswell of public support punctuated by the National Highway Traffic S a f e t y (continued on page 6)
In Memoriam
Phyllis Bowman, 78 Helen Evans, 89 Dorothy Copeland, 96 Donald Harlan, 51 Ronnie Jackson Jr., 42 Dana Jones, 57 Ruth Kulb, 90 Richard Rider, 76 Rose Wagoner, 70 Donal Zentz, 90 Elmer Zimmerman, 97
Index Classifieds................31-35 Community News ............21-26 D & E .......................19-20 Weekly Reports ........12-14 Vol. 34, No. 14
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Farmers’ Market makes changes for new season by Amanda Hoff The Wabash Farmers’ Market, started in 2006 by Wabash Marketplace Inc., is experiencing some changes this year and one of them affects more than the farmers and their customers. For five Saturdays during the market’s season, which runs June 4 through Oct. 15, the vendors will be moved to a different location. While it is normally set up every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Elks/Honeywell parking lot, on June 18, July 9, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15 the market will relocate. “Thanks to the cooperation of city officials, local businesses and our participating vendors we have the exciting opportunity to close off Miami Street between Market Street and Canal Street and conduct the market there,” said Abby Hoy, executive assistant to Bill Konyha at the E c o n o m i c Development Group
of Wabash County. Unfortunately, this means that no cars can be parked along that section of the street. “Signs will be put up the day before and, at 6 a.m., the City Police Department will begin the process of relocating any cars that are parked [there],” Hoy said. “Vehicles whose owners can not be found will be towed at the owner’s expense.” It is important that people in the community realize that the market is not trying to inconvenience them. The Elks needs use of the lot that the market is normally located in on those five days for events they are holding. “Considering they let us use the lot for free, we can’t really complain,” Hoy added. For those in the Wabash area who have not been to the Farmers’ Market, now might be the perfect time to go. “During these five dates, local businesses, such as Modoc’s Market and Charley
A VARIETY OF OPTIONS: While the Wabash Farmers’ Market is known for offering produce, many might be surprised to know it also has a variety of flowers and other plants available. As the market expands, customers will have a wider array of fruits and vegetables to choose from along with entirely new items, including arts and crafts. (photo provided) Creek Inn, will be doing specials and participating in the market with our vendors,” Hoy said. This year the market has done more than change location on a few days, they have also added new vendors and a wider variety of items.
Other than the fresh and locally grown produce, new vendors will be offering items such as Adirondack homemade chairs, woodcrafts, jewelry, artistic items and furniture. A few others will have cider and homemade wine for sale.
The setup of the market itself has also changed. “We have a new layout that makes the market flow much nicer,” said Jill Ross, market master and Wabash County Farmers’ Market committee member. Based on input from communi-
ty members and the vendors that participate, the market has made several changes that they feel will better suit the community. “The committee is working on entertainment,” Ross said. “We are adding new ideas (continued on page 6)
County Surplus Auction raises nearly $8,000 by Danielle Smith The recent County Surplus Auction was successful in raising a total of $7,900, as was reported at the June 20 meeting of the Wabash County Commissioners. Wabash County Sheriff Bob Land informed the Commissioners that Wabash County Jail is currently housing 76 inmates. Three Wabash inmates are being housed in Miami County Jail; Land is considering transferring them back to Wabash assuming the jail population here remains
low. Wabash County E m e r g e n c y Management Agency (EMA) and Central Dispatch Director Bob Brown will be displaying “If you see something, say something” posters in various public places including the local law enforcement agencies and schools. These posters are part of the Department of Homeland Security’s initiative to encourage citizens to report behavior indicative of criminal activity. C o u n t y Coordinator Jim Dils relayed information
regarding damage to a Wabash County Health Department vehicle as a result of a collision on June 10. The estimated total damage was $2,577.44, and the County must pay a $1,000 deductible to the insurance company. Dils also informed the Commissioners that he was approached by a group of graduate students from Howard University who requested permission to shoot a film in Wabash for a school project. The students had also approached various
other local officials. Heartland Career Center painted three cars for use in the film, and city officials gave the students permission to shoot the film as long as names of certain agencies were not included in the film itself. This will take place during the first part of July. The meeting continued as Wabash County Auditor Jane Ridgeway presented the certificate of tax distribution. From the June settlement, $144,536.78 went into the CCD fund, and $2,145,165.72 went into the General Fund.
Ridgeway then presented a review of the Commissioners’ recent 2012 Budget Workshop Session. The review reflected a two-percent salary increase across the board, a .75-percent increase in Public E m p l o y e e s ’ Retirement Fund (PERF), the addition of the Sheriff ’s Pension Fund actuarial and trustee fees and various other additions and changes. Ridgeway also informed the Commissioners of a need for malpractice insurance for Dr. James Rudolph,
incoming county health officer, as he is only covered by Wabash County Hospital for the emergency room. County Attorney Steve Downs will further investigate this matter. The meeting was concluded by Jody Lundquist, who presented concerns regarding ditches on CR 100 S and CR 50 S. This information will be reviewed by the Drainage Board and the Highway Department.