By Joseph Slacian

Michael Beauchamp was named a Tall Sycamore of the Wabash.

Beauchamp, a founding member of the Wabash River Defenders, received the award on Friday, Dec. 22, during a surprise presentation at Modoc’s Market.

He was lured to the business under the auspices of having a holiday celebration with other members of the Wabash River Defenders. When he arrived, he found about a dozen friends and fellow members of the group waiting for him.
 

By Joseph Slacian

Howard Kaler, general manager of Charley Creek Inn, was honored on Dec. 21 during Visit Wabash County’s end of the year board meeting at the Honeywell Center. 

Kaler, who served as Visit Wabash County’s board president during 2017 was presented with a Distinguished Leadership Award for his level of service and dedication to the organization.

Presenting the award on behalf of the full board of directors and staff was Jan Roland, incoming 2018 Board President for Visit Wabash County.

By Joseph Slacian

If the year 2017 will be remembered for anything in Wabash County, it likely will be two phrases: the Wabash River Trail and school consolidation.

Both topics dominated the headlines throughout most of the year.

By Emma Rausch

Wabash County three school boards failed to comply with the Open Door Law when each one individually met in executive session with the Community Foundation of Wabash County, according to Luke Britt, Public Access Counselor.

In September, Manchester Community Schools, MSD of Wabash County and Wabash City Schools met in executive session with the Foundation to discuss the Studies for Advancement, according to the advertised agendas.

The Foundation met with MCS and MSD on Sept. 12 while CFWC officials met with WCS on Sept. 18. Both MSD and WCS cited “School Consolidation (Studies for Advancement Presentation)” for the meeting’s purpose.

Meanwhile MCS cited “a local or economic development organization that is a nonprofit corporation established under state law whose primary purpose is the promotion of industrial or business development in Indiana or the development of entrepreneurial activities in Indiana.”

Since then, the MSD and WCS school boards have hosted multiple executive session citing School Consolidation in regards to Studies for Advancement on their agendas.

On Monday, Dec. 18, the Public Access Counselor (PAC) determined all three meetings did not comply with Indiana’s Open Door Law.
 

By Joseph Slacian

Beginning in one week, individuals will begin filing paperwork for the 2018 Primary Election.

There are 10 Wabash County seats up for election in 2018, while seven township trustees and boards also are on the ballot.

In addition, five state offices are up for election, as are two federal posts.
 

By Joseph Slacian

Work on Parkview Wabash Hospital is on schedule, officials from Parkview and Hagerman Construction agree.

“It’s schedule to be turned over to us April 1,” Parkview Wabash President Marilyn Custer-Mitchell told The Paper of Wabash County during a recent tour of the facility. “We’re scheduled to open June 27. We’ll do some open houses the beginning of June, and then we’ll open June 27.

“The biggest issue we’ll have from April 1 to June 27 is to train the staff. Number one, to learn the building and know where they’re going. Number two, we have, I think, over 23 new pieces of technology in the building so, especially the clinical staff, making sure they are trained and really know how to operate those things is really our focus.

“For the rest of us, it’s just figuring out where we are and how to get there.”

Debra Pyrah

By David Fenker

The North Manchester Chamber of Commerce will soon be under new leadership.

Executive Director Debra Pyrah, hired in February, is resigning, effective Dec. 29.

“We at the Chamber are grateful for Debra's dedication and commitment to advancing the vision of the Chamber of Commerce.  She's helped us get to a better place than the beginning of the year,” Chamber Board President Sebrena Cline said.

We are saddened by this turn of events but wish Debra the best.”

Pyrah's departure was announced in an email to chamber members dated Monday, Dec. 18. Her last day in the office was Tuesday, Dec. 19.