Vol. 37, No. 44
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. January 7, 2015
Car-train accident kills teen by The Paper Staff An 18-year-old Wabash man was killed early Monday afternoon in a car-train accident at the Norfolk Southern railroad crossing on Bond Street. Wabash County Coroner Carol Whitesel said the driver’s name would not be released until next of kin had been notified. That had not happened by The Paper’s deadline. According to Wabash Police Sgt. Matt Benson, the department’s Public Information Officer, an investigation showed that at approximately 12:17 p.m., a 2004 silver Ford sports utility vehicle was northbound on Bond Street and failed to yield for the eastbound train. Whitesel pronounced the driver dead at the scene. He was the only person in the vehicle. An investigation into the crash continues pending the results of a blood test on the driver, Benson said. Investigating the accident were Wabash Police Sgt. Jerry Honeycutt and WPD officers Jeff Whitmer and Scott Long. The Bond Street crossing does not have a crossing arm, Benson said. However, Norfolk Southern crews are currently installing the arms, he added. Assisting at the accident were personnel from the Wabash Fire Department, Wabash County EMA and the Norfolk Southern Railroad Police.
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County officials sworn into office
WABASH COUNTY CLERK ELAINE J. MARTIN is sworn in by Judge Robert R. McCallen, III on Tuesday, Dec. 30 in the Honeywell Center’s Honeywell Room. Martin was one of several members of local government to be sworn in to office following a landslide victory by the Republican Party in November. (photo by Eric Stearley) by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com The 2014 elections marked a big victory for Republicans, both nationally and locally. In Washington, Republicans took control of the Senate and increased their majority in the House of Representatives. In Wabash County, Republicans swept every contested race. The election cycle was also notable for its low voter turnout. Indiana saw just 28 percent of registered voters make it to the polls, a lower percentage than any other state.
On the heels of their November victory, the Republican Party of Wabash County ushered in the New Year with a number of inductions, as elected and reelected representatives were sworn in at the Honeywell Center on the evening of Dec. 30. Following prayer, Circuit Court Judge Robert R. McCallen, III called re-elected Superior Court Judge Christopher M. Goff to the front of the Honeywell Room to be sworn in. Repeating after McCallen, Goff said: (continued on page 5)
title, topping Northfield 31-24. Twenty minutes later, the Manchester Squire JV boys team took battle with Northfield, holding on for a 44-38 win. After two varsity consolation games, the Wabash and Northfield varsity girls took the court
with the Lady Apaches coming out on top, 43-36. The Manchester and Northfield boys rounded out play for the night, with Manchester taking home the crown 65-55. (more photos on page 16)
Squires, Lady Apaches take county titles
Gary Andrews Tuesday was championship day at the Wabash County basketball tournament with four champions being crowned. The Wabash Lady Apaches started out the day by winning the girls junior varsity
LEFT: BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL COUNTY CHAMPIONS: front row, from left: Levi Hicks, Kane Gable, Branden Scott, Cameron Brandenburg, and David McAtee; back row, from left: Chainey Zolman, Chase Fierstos, Heath Dierks, Koehl Fluke, Keelan Norwood, Braydon Sewell, Bailey Ness, and Adam Byers. RIGHT: GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL COUNTY CHAMPIONS: front row, from left: Bailey Yoakum, Madi Barden, Kristin Cromer, Shelby Stone, Claire Cromer, Jaycee Parrett; Middle row: Assistant coach Brooklyn Guenin, Assistant coach Heather McKee, Manager Payten Keffaber, Sydni Mullett, Katie McCauley, Sarah Ritter, Sarah Puckett, Abby Stein, Assistant coach Jenny Tyner; Back row: Assistant coach Joey Till, Head coach Matt Stone. (photo by Gary Andrews)
Primary election filing to begin Wednesday by Joseph Slacian joe@thepaperofwabash.com Filing for the 2015 Municipal Elections will begin at 8 a.m. today in the Wabash County Clerk’s office, Clerk Elaine Martin announced. The filing will continue until noon on Friday, Feb. 6. Martin said the Wabash County Election Board and her office will oversee the elections in the City of Wabash and the towns of North Manchester, Lagro and LaFontaine. The town of Roann, she continued, will have its own town convention when needed. The deadline for filing for the Roann convention is noon Monday, Aug. 3. Those interested in filing for election may pick up a candidate packet at Martin’s office, located in the Wabash County Judicial Center, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Also, potential candidates can download the needed forms at the website, www.in.gov/sos/elections. “All candidates must fill out the appropriate forms and file here in my office no later than Feb. 6, 2015, at 12 noon,” Martin said. Offices up for election in the City of Wabash are mayor, clerk-treasurer and all seven City Council posts. North Manchester, Lagro and LaFontaine all have the clerk-treasurer and town council seats up for election. The Primary Election is Tuesday, May 5, in those communities. In lieu of a primary in Roann, the chairs of the Republican and Democrat parties will have conventions in that community to choose candidates for the post of clerk-treasurer and the three town council seats. If races come about following the town conventions, those seats will be decided during the Nov. 3 General Election, just as they will be for the other four communities, Deputy Clerk Teresa Ehret said. The deadline to register to vote in the May 5 Primary Election is 4 p.m. Monday, April 6, at the clerk’s office. (continued on page 2)
Wednesday, Jan. 7th Swim Meet Manchester @ Wabash 5:00pm
Friday, Jan. 9th Boys Basketball Wabash @ Southwood 7:30pm