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By Joseph Slacian

 

Emily Gardner is the new director of Wabash Marketplace Inc. (WMI), the organization’s board of directors announced on Tuesday. She will begin July 6.

 

Gardner brings six years of business and retail development experience with a specific focus in marketing and operational execution. For the last three years, Gardner has worked for the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce.

 

“The amount of impact WMI is committed to generating within this community, paired with the increased programs offered by the organization requires a director with relational and organizational skills,” WMI Board President Jason Callahan said. “Emily (Gardner) was an ideal candidate because she already has strong relationships in downtown Wabash and with her experience at the Chamber, she has a strong knowledge of the various organizations that serve Wabash and their missions.” 

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By Joseph Slacian

 

Wabash County Commissioners on Monday agreed to seeking a full-time Veteran Service Officer (VSO) for the county.

 

To do so, they must include it in the proposed 2016 budget, which is ultimately decided upon by the Wabash County Council.

 

The action came in light of two straight weeks of complaints from a group of veterans and their supporters who are dissatisfied with the help they are currently receiving from the Veteran Service Office.

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By Joseph Slacian

 

The Wabash City Council approved an additional appropriation of $1.235 million on Monday, June 8.

 

The appropriations, which will be used for a variety of different projects, was unanimously approved, but not without a debate of nearly 40 minutes.

 

The largest bulk of the appropriation -- $500,000 – will be used for the city’s pledge to the Stellar Program. The council, in May 2014, pledged the funds should the city be named a Stellar Community. It received the designation in August 2014.

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Christine Flohr gives a speech to celebrate phase one of Wabash County Historical Museum’s caboose restoration project. Flohr is the interim executive director of Wabash Marketplace, the organization the museum partnered with to get a grant for the project. Photo by Adam Smith

 

By Adam B. Smith

 

Driving up State Road 13 through downtown Wabash, visitors pass by a big red caboose sitting on a piece of track next to the Wabash County Historical Museum.

 

The train’s journey from active service to its current resting place has been a long haul, and the museum celebrated the completion of phase one of their restoration project Friday June 5.

 

Wabash Circuit Court Judge Robert McCallen III said the caboose went on its last ride sometime between 1906 and 1923 and found its way to a farmer’s field. He said his father saw the caboose while driving one day and asked about purchasing it, but the farmer told him it wasn’t for sale.

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Daryl Evans (right) presents David Vigar with a plaque commemorating his 45 years of work at Miami-Wabash Paper. Cigar has worked at the paper coating company since he graduated high school in 1970. Photo by Adam Smith

 

By Adam B. Smith

 

A lot happens over 45 years. New ownership, a new name and a new building at a new location, David Vigar has seen it all since he stepped into Wabash Paper Coating on June 5, 1970, for his first day of work.

 

The company, now Miami-Wabash Paper, commemorated Vigar’s longtime service Monday, June 8, by presenting him with a plaque and a check.

 

Daryl Evans, Vice President and General Manager of Miami-Wabash Paper, said he thinks its unheard of for someone to work one job since graduating high school like Vigar. He said Vigar’s knowledge, efficiency and dependability in the workplace have made him enjoyable to work with.

 

“People like him just don’t miss work because they’ve got a runny nose,” Evans said. 

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By Emma Rausch

 

The Wabash County Health Department received notice June 5 of a gasoline release, spill or overfill at the Wabash district office of Duke Energy, according to a press release from the local department.

 

Duke Energy had removed an underground fuel storage tank at its Wabash facility located at 1200 Manchester Ave., according to Angeline Protogere, communications manager.

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A young boy shows his displeasure as Sasha Tetzlaff of the Fort Wayne Zoo shows a redknee tarantula to youngsters and adults at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library’s Summer Reading Program event June 10 at the Honeywell Center. Photo by Joseph Slacian

 

By Joseph Slacian

 

More than 300 people gathered Wednesday morning, June 10, to learn about wildlife as part of the Wabash Carnegie Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.

 

Sasha Tetzlaff of the Fort Wayne Zoo brought five different animals to the Honeywell Center’s Legacy Hall for young and old alike to see, discuss and feel during his hour-long presentation. Tetzlaff also took the program to the North Manchester Public Library for its summer reading program, as well.

 

 Tetzlaff brought with him a Mexican redknee tarantula, as well as a fire-bellied frog, an indigo snake, a Senegal parrot and a ferret. He also showed the exoskeleton of a tarantula.

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Kyle Lafferty receives the oath of office from Mayor Robert Vanlandingham. Photo by Joseph Slacian

 

By Joseph Slacian

 

Kyle Lafferty and Jason Mooney were sworn in Monday night as probationary policemen with the Wabash Police Department during the Wabash City Council meeting.

 

Lafferty is a 2008 Wabash High School graduate who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2008-13. He is the son of Curtis Lafferty and Kimberly Lafferty.

 

A Peru native, Mooney graduated from Peru High School in 1996 and served with the Peru Police Department from 2000-15.

 

He and his wife, Mandy, have two children ages 1 and 3 years.

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