By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

While First Merchants Bank announced to customers last week its intention to close its downtown Wabash branch, Wabash City Schools on Monday, April 16, announced plans to purchase the building which will be vacated by the bank.

Wabash City Schools’ board paved the way for WCS to purchase the building, approving the commission of two appraisals Monday night, April 16.

Located at 189 W. Market St., the plan is to move WCS’ administrative offices downtown, and use the L.H. Carpenter Center, where the offices are now housed, as an early education center.

“Over the past few years we’ve been working on expanding our preschool options and our early childhood learning,” Wabash City Schools Superintendent Jason Callahan said. “We slowly have created more and more classrooms. As we’ve done that, we’ve squeezed ourself for space. In the process of that, we learned about this opportunity to acquire that property at a rate that’s going to benefit us financially, as well.

“The location is fantastic by all the traffic that goes by there. There’s great parking opportunities for the constituents coming into the central office. And, it’s right there by the Honeywell Center and Eagles (Theatre).
 

By The Paper staff

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces that bridge maintenance is planned for U.S. 24 in Wabash County on or after Monday, April 23, weather permitting.

Beginning Monday, motorists may experience shoulder closures and alternating lane restrictions on U.S. 24, in both directions, between C.R. N 300 E/Cement Avenue and C.R. N 400 E, over a branch of the Lagro Creek.

Drivers should be prepared for stopped traffic in the work zone. INDOT reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through an active construction zone.

Restrictions on the Lagro Creek bridges are expected to remain through late spring, weather permitting. The contract was awarded to Pioneer Associates for $999,000 and includes the rehabilitation and maintenance of various other structures throughout the Fort Wayne District.
 

By The Paper staff

NORTH MANCHESTER -- A National Day of Prayer service will be Thursday, May 3, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the North Manchester Police & Fire Department building on the front lawn.

The public is invited to join with local pastors, congregations and communities as they pray.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for our nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

Since its inception, this day has continually united Americans from all socio-economic, political, and ethnic backgrounds in prayer while also encouraging personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

Three local firms submitted bids on Thursday, April 19, for work on the East Fulton Street drainage project.

Submitting bids to the Wabash Board of Public Works and Safety were:

Brainard Snow Removal, $81,491.14

Eads & Son, $55,800.

Earthworks, $64,908.41

The board took the bids under advisement to allow a chance to review them.

Mayor Scott Long told The Paper of Wabash County following the meeting that the project is designed to upsize the size of the storm line.

The site has a 12-inch pipe, he said, and plans call to increase the size to 24 or 30 inches.
 

By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com

NORTH MANCHESTER -- Industrial Tech students at Manchester Jr.-Sr. High School will now be able to graduate with an additional set of machine shop skills.

MHS received a three-axis manual mill from Warsaw-based Instrumental Machine and Development Thursday, April 19.

North Manchester native and MHS alumn Todd Speicher, owner of IMD, delivered the machine, along with IMD employee (and MHS alumn) Evan Speicher.
 

By The Paper staff

Manchester University senior McKenzie Hare will perform a selection of songs at the Honeywell House on Tues., May 8, 2018 at 7 p.m.  She will be accompanied by violinist Elizabeth Smith, an adjunct faculty member at both Manchester and Huntington universities.

Hare has performed in many M.U. and Wabash Area Community Theater productions, including the lead role of Anna Leonowens in Wabash Area Community Theater’s 2016 production of “The King and I.” She will pursue a Master of Arts in Opera. 
 

By The Paper staff
 

Learn the basics of outdoor cooking and camping at Salamonie Lake’s Second Saturday program on May 12.

The program runs from 1 to 3 p.m. at Salamonie Interpretive Center. Build a shelter and take a beginner class on survival. Webelos Scouts can fulfill requirements for Castaway. There will be indoor and outdoor activities.

By The Paper staff

The Dr. James Ford Historic Home will soon feature a three-part series exhibit entitled “The Faces of Lincoln”. The series is sponsored by Mike and Sue Gray.

Each of the three exhibits will be on display Fri.-Sat. from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment on the dates listed below:

“Developing the Image” will be on display May 5-June 2.  The first installment traces the history of photography in the 19th century through some of the best and well-known photographs of Lincoln.