March 5

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of wabash county inc. www.thepaperofwabash.com March 5, 2014 Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977 Vol. 36, No. 48

Suspect in First Merchants Bank robbery arrested by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com One week after the Feb. 19 robbery of F i r s t Merchant’s Bank on Market Street, the suspect, William E. Dickerson, 24, Corydon, was arrested at a residence in Lincolnville. WILLIAM E. The suspect DICKERSON was arrested on Feb. 26 at 1:30 p.m. on a warrant from Harrison County. A witness observed the hooded suspect in the robbery leave the bank and walk in the direction of a vehicle. Video surveillance from Stinson’s Trading Post, 98 West Canal Street, Wabash, was used to identify the vehicle in which Dickerson left the scene. The owner of the vehicle was identified by Wabash City Police Chief Larry Schnepp and questioned at the police department. The owner of the vehicle stated that he let Dickerson borrow the vehicle. Detective Captain James Kirk had previously received a tip from a citizen who believed Dickerson to be the robber. Dickerson was questioned at the police department and placed in the Wabash County Jail on a 72-hour hold while paperwork concerning the bank robbery was completed. Police believe Dickerson to be the suspect in the armed robbery of CITGO gas station on Valentines Day as well. According to court records, Dickerson has a criminal history dating back to March of 2008 when he was charged with robbery, auto theft, theft, and residential entry, all felonies. He pled guilty to robbery and auto theft in October of 2008. The remaining charges were dropped. Dickerson was sentenced to 20 years for robbery and three years for auto theft, served concurrent, with 10 years suspended. According to the Harrison County Probation Department, he was released from the Indiana Department of Corrections on July 22, 2013 to begin serving 10 years probation. Originally from Corydon, Dickerson was arrested on a warrant from Harrison County issued Dec. 30 of last year. The warrant was issued after Dickerson’s suspended sentence was revoked. The Harrison County Probation Department said that the petition to revoke Dickerson’s suspended sentence was a result of multiple probation violations, including: missing appointments with probation, failure to report a change of address, failure to report a change of employer, failure to make any payments toward (continued on page 9)

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VanCleave returns to Northfield following life-threatening accident by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com Northfield High School Assistant Principal Max VanCleave is back at work after four and a half months of surgeries, recovery, and physical therapy following an automobile accident last October that nearly took his life. “It feels good,” said VanCleave. “I received a very warm welcome as I came in.” “We’re so lucky this man’s alive,” said Superintendent Sandra Weaver as she passed by his office. VanCleave finished physical therapy near the end of January, ahead of schedule. “That made me feel good, but it’s not about how tough I am, it’s about how God has assisted me and walked me through all this,” he was sure to note.

The accident and long recovery was a humbling experience for VanCleave. He noted how we take a lot for granted, like being able to walk, tie our shoes, and just to be alive. He wanted to be sure that everyone knew about the extensive support he was offered by the Northfield staff, the great job they did filling in for him, support offered through cards and kind words, and donation buckets put out by the athletic director during sporting events to help with his medical bills, which exceeded $1 million. He talked about the quality people he has the honor of working with on a daily basis more than he talked about his accident and injuries, but that’s just the kind of guy Max is – gracious. The remarkable odds he beat, however, cannot be ignored. On the morning of Oct. 2, VanCleave (continued on page 9)

NORTHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MAX VANCLEAVE sits in front of a “Welcome Back” banner in his office Feb. 28 after returning from a four month medical leave following a life-threatening automobile accident in October. VanCleave expressed his sincere thanks to the Northfield staff for their support during his recovery. (photo by Eric Stearley)

Woods responds to termination following work release violations by Emily Armentrout emily@thepaperofwabash.com On Sunday, Feb. 23, Sheriff Bob Land terminated Walter Woods, Reserve Deputy and Wabash County Sheriff candidate, from the Wabash County S h e r i f f ’ s Department. Following the termination, Sheriff WALTER WOODS Land issued a s t a t e m e n t explaining the action. After reviewing Sheriff Land’s statement with legal council, Woods issued a response. As both are candidates in the upcoming

Republican primary election for Wabash County Sheriff, Woods’ response has been included in full, just as Land’s statement was included in full last week. Woods responded as follows: “As a Republican candidate for Sheriff of Wabash County, I welcome this opportunity to address the circumstances surrounding the decision of the current sheriff, who is also seeking our party’s nomination in the upcoming primary, to discharge me from my role as a reserve deputy with the department; a position that I have held for approximately 12 years. “At issue is whether I acted improperly by permitting my work release employee to travel, in the course of his employment, outside the State of Indiana. I believe the evidence clearly shows that, given the facts known to me at the time, I (continued on page 8)

Bumgardner to be Chief Business Officer for Manchester Community Schools by Emily Armentrout emily@thepaperofwabash.com Wabash City S c h o o l s announced on Feb. 28 that S c o t t Bumg ardner, c u r r e n t W a b a s h Middle School principal and Lady Apache basketball head coach, will be leaving SCOTT the district at BUMGARDNER the end of the school year to become business manager for Manchester Community Schools. Bumgardner has been with Wabash City Schools for the past 13 years, beginning as a middle school social studies teacher and working his way up to principal. As the girls head basketball coach, he led the team to six straight sectional championships and became the district’s winningest basketball coach. “Scott’s opportunity to advance his career in education is bittersweet,” said Wabash City Schools Superintendent Jason Callahan in a press release from the school district. “Scott’s influence has meant so much to the students, faculty and the community of Wabash. I am sure his legacy will be felt for years to come. Although I am happy for he and his family for this new opportunity, his leadership and friendship will be missed.” “I am very excited about the school system, the leadership and the community,” Bumgardner told The Paper. “It is a great opportunity for me, but it is also bittersweet because of all the memories here and the great people and opportunity I was given here.” Bumgardner’s new position at Manchester Community Schools will revolve around finances and facilities. His responsibilities will no longer include coaching. “I will not be coaching in Manchester school districts. I will be totally focused on the business manager’s position,” added Bumgardner. Wabash City Schools’ Chief Business Officer Jan Roland, will be retiring at the end of this school year. This is a position for which Bumgardner was selected prior to his acceptance of the job in North Manchester. That position will see no vacancy, as current athletic director for Wabash City Schools, Matt Stone, will take over as chief business officer begin(continued on page 7)


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