Teresa Witkoske teaches class at Metro North Elementary School on Wednesday, May 10, as Capt. Cash, a financial literacy character to teach children about saving money and one of many programs Witkoske has overseen since joining the Purdue Extension – Wabash County office. She will be retiring from her positions at the office as of May 31. Photo by Emma Rausch

By Emma Rausch

Teresa Witkoske, director of the Purdue University Extension – Wabash County, is retiring.

As of May 31, Witkoske, who also serves as the health and human sciences educator, will be stepping down from her roles, which she has undertaken for more than a decade, to pursue new endeavors.

Jeanettah Lyons, Wabash County Habitat for Humanity bookkeeper, (left) helps volunteers roll a dilapidated doghouse to a disposal pile during the county’s Women’s Build day on Saturday, May 13. Photo by Emma Rausch

By David Fenker

NORTH MANCHESTER -- Those traveling State Road 13 between North Manchester and Urbana recently may have noticed activity at the house located at 9124 N. SR 13.

The house is currently owned by Wabash County Habitat for Humanity, which originally built it around 20 years ago, and is in the process of being remodeled for a new Habitat family to move in.

“This home was previously built by Habitat,” County Habitat Executive Director Maggie Wimberly said. "Unfortunately, after working with the last family for five years, we had to foreclose on their mortgage.  Tyler and Shailea fell in love with the bones of the house and are eager to live in the country with their 3 young children.  We will add on about 300 square feet to accommodate the size of their family.”

By Emma Rausch

Three Wabash County high schools ranked in the U.S. News & World Report 2017 Best High Schools of Indiana with two also receiving national rankings.

Manchester Junior-Senior High School (MHS), Southwood Junior-Senior High School (SHS) and Wabash High School (WHS) each placed in the top 70 schools of Indiana for their college readiness and Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores.

The annual report ranks schools based on the school’s overall performance on standardized tests and internationally available exams on college-level course work, such as AP classes, as well as the school’s ability to prepare students for the exams and college.

Heartland Career Center students listen as Carmel Police Department Officer Nick Striker (center) shares some of his experiences in the law enforcement field. Striker joined law enforcement officers (back row, from left) Devin Bechtold, Hunter Law and Parker Stouffer to exhibit the importance of the Heartland class’s teachings and how they will remain important even into professional careers. Photo by Emma Rausch

By Emma Rausch

Four law enforcement officers returned to their former Heartland Career Center classroom Monday, May 8, and provided current criminal justice students a glimpse into their possible futures in the profession.

Officers Nick Striker, Hunter Law, Parker Stouffer and Devin Bechtold, all Southwood High School graduates, shared their experiences in the law enforcement field. However, their stories weren’t the primary reason for their return to Heartland, according to Leroy Striker, criminal justice course instructor.