By Emma Rausch

On Jan. 22, the Beki Brindle Band took to the stage at the Eagles Theatre as the first of four performers in the Thursday Night Blues series lineup.

Since she was discovered at Indiana University, Hoosier-born lead singer Beki Brindle has performed internationally, sharing the stage with members of U2, Joe Lewis Walker, and Johnny Mars. In 2014, she was honored with induction into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.

Before she began her first song of the evening, Brindle welcomed the audience to enjoy her music and dance if they want to, because she was “pretty sure that’s not illegal.” Blues lover Mimi Snyder made the most of her front row seat and took up the singer’s invitation, grooving to Brindle’s beats to her heart’s content. Synder said it was worth seeing the show Thursday night, even though it was a work night.
 

By Emma Rausch

On Feb. 13, comedian Brian Regan returns for his third visit to Wabash's Honeywell Center's stage to entertain friends and family with his nationally acclaimed stand-up.

Throughout his career, Regan has made 27 appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” has been featured on Jerry Seinfeld’s web series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” made his film debut this past December as an engineer in the Chris Rock comedy “Top 5,” and was nominated for 2014 American Comedy Award for Best Concert Comic.

Touring nonstop since 2005, Regan’s stand-up takes him to nearly 100 cities in the U.S. and Canada per year. However, through the steady lineup of gigs, Regan never stops creating new jokes to crack on the next stage, eventually resulting in an entirely new show after about two years.

Two men were injured, one critically, in a one-vehicle accident at 5:53 a.m. Tuesday.

The accident took place on County Road 550 N, east of CR 700 W.
 

The care of the Dr. Ford Historic Home and Charley Creek Gardens will be transferred to the Honeywell Foundation after Charley Creek Foundation's founder Richard Ford made the request prior to his death last year. (Photo Provided)

by Emma Rausch

The Charley Creek Foundation and the Honeywell Foundation announced in a Jan. 19 press release the transfer of ownership of the Charley Creek Gardens and the Dr. James Ford Historic Home from the Charley Creek Foundation to the Honeywell Foundation.

Additionally, the Honeywell Foundation will oversee Charley Creek ArtsFest and the WaBass Institute.

By Joseph Slacian

Voting in the 2015 Municipal Elections for residents in Lagro and LaFontaine will have a slightly different feel this year.

The town boards in those two communities notified Wabash County Clerk Elaine Martin in November that the communities would no longer operate on a town convention format. Rather, the Wabash County Election Board will oversee the municipal elections for the next 12 years.

In the past, positions such as the town clerk-treasurer and the town board were selected at town conventions. This year, should races be formed, they will be decided in the May Primary Election or the November General Election, or both if warranted.
 

DILLON'S BAR & GRILL in Lagro caught fire in the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 11. The building is described as a total loss, and the fire remains under investigation by the state fire marshal. “I’ll be honest with you, I think everything burnt inside of that except for the sign hanging out in front of that building,” said owner Marcella Dillon. (photo by Eric Stearley)

by Eric Stearley

LAGRO -- Dillon's Bar & Grill hosted an all-holiday reopening party here on Jan. 10 following a brief hiatus. At 3:30 a.m. Jan. 11, the Lagro Township Fire Department responded to heavy smoke and flames coming out of the bar's roof.

Lagro Fire Chief Scott Siders said that Urbana and Lincolnville fire departments also responded to the fire, which took more than an hour to put out. In the process of cutting power to the building, power to the much of the town was interrupted. No neighboring buildings were damaged, but Siders described the bar as a total loss. 

by Emma Rausch

Last week, the Wabash Sheriff’s Department released its yearly statistics for arrests in Wabash County. The statement reported a total of 80 drug arrests with 85 felony counts and 113 misdemeanor counts. In an interview, Wabash Police Department Drug Task Force Sergeant Matt Rebholz reported 80 arrests for 2014, all resulting in felony charges. It is unknown how many arrests were made through collaboration of the two departments.

For the Sheriff’s Department, these statistics have increased since 2013, when the department made 61 drug arrests, resulting in 58 felonies and 54 misdemeanors. Sheriff Land said that these cases have been one of the department’s main tasks, but he has no “good” answer for why there was an increase over the last year.

The cast of the Manchester Church of the Brethren’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Performances will be on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 at the church. (Photo provided)

By The Paper Staff

NORTH MANCHESTER – The Manchester Church of the Brethren Youth Group will perform the rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar” at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 in the church’s sanctuary.

Both performances will be preceded by a dessert buffet from 6 to 6:45 p.m.