By The Paper staff

A new, state-of-the-art MRI and next-generation 64-slice CT scanner will be among the new equipment at the new Parkview Wabash Hospital.

The new facility will also include a full-service emergency department, diagnostic imaging, an inpatient medical and surgical unit and enhanced women's health services.

"This is a new chapter for healthcare in Wabash and we couldn’t be more excited to see this hospital come to life," said Marilyn-Custer Mitchell, president, Parkview Wabash Hospital.  “The community, as well as our team, is really looking forward to this service expansion."
 

By The Paper staff

Ron White will return to the Honeywell Center on Thursday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m.  Corporate sponsorship is provided by Market Street Grill.

White, also known as “Tater Salad,” is known as the cigar smoking, Scotch drinking funnyman from the Blue Collar Comedy phenomenon. His stories relay tales from his real life, ranging from growing up in a small town in Texas to sharing stories of his daily life to becoming one of the most successful comedians in America.
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

A Manchester University class is collaborating with the City of Wabash and Grow Wabash County (GWC) to study a section of East Market Street in downtown Wabash.

From the study, the students in Dr. Leonard Williams’ class will create a policy analysis and report their findings to Mayor Scott Long and GWC President Keith Gillenwater.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the Wabash community to have a bright group of minds come in and present us with some ideas on potentially redeveloping a section of our Market Street corridor,” Long said in a news release. “We are looking forward to working with Professor Williams and his students.”
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

A major change is taking place in Wabash’s Blessings in a Backpack program.

Founder and program coordinator Jenny Wilson is resigning her position at the end of this school year. She will be replaced by Megan Henderson, whom she introduced to the volunteers.

Wilson made the announcement during a sometimes emotional address during a dinner to honor those who have volunteered or have supported the program in its first seven years of existence.

Blessings in a Backpack provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

The concept of Genius Hour got its start with Google.

The company allows its engineers to spend 20 percent of their time working on pet projects, with the philosophy being that if people work on something they’re interested in, productivity will go up.

Sixth grade students at Sharp Creek Elementary have taken up the concept, and Thursday, March 8, showed off their finished products to judges made up of retired teachers and Metropolitan School District of Wabash County administrators.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Eric Seaman has noticed something about people as time progresses. The modern generation is buying less and less material things, opting to spend their disposable income on experiences.

Seaman’s experience in the Wabash Area Community Theatre has enriched his life, he says, making friends who are seemingly family now.

The rapport will be on display as WACT puts on the adult comedy Neil Simon’s “Rumors” at O.J. Neighbors Elementary School March 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. and March 18 at 2 p.m.
 

By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com

Wabash County Animal Shelter services have not been restored to North Manchester after being discontinued Feb. 1.

In February, the North Manchester Town Council offered the shelter a six-month, $6,000 agreement – half of the $12,000, one-year donation the shelter requested at the council's January meeting. After the six months (retroactive from January to June) ended, the council proposed a re-evaluation of the agreement, with the opportunity for an additional $6,000 in funding available for the shelter for the rest of the year.

At the council's March 7 meeting, Council President Chalmer “Toby” Tobias announced that the shelter's board declined the proposal, and that the town is considering other options.
 

By The Paper staff

Charley Creek Gardens is gearing up to launch a string of gardening-related topics for the 2018 season of the Lunch & Learn Series.

The first session, entitled “Succulents,” on Wed., March 21 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., will take place in the Education and Resource Center at 551 N. Miami St. The Lunch & Learn Series is free and open to the public.