During the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 2, a criminal investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Josh Rozzi resulted in the arrest of Earnest T. Hurt, 41, 608 South Miami Street, Wabash. Hurt was incarcerated in the Wabash County Jail to face two felony charges for child molestation and two felony charges for sexual misconduct with a minor.

Detective Rozzi started an investigation after receiving information from the Miami County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services that a Miami County boy had possibly been molested. Detective Rozzi’s investigation revealed that Hurt had allegedly committed sexual acts with a then 13-year-old Miami County boy. The sex acts purportedly occurred on multiple occasions from 2011 until June 2013.

Hurt was arrested at his residence when Wabash County Sheriff’s deputies served him with a Wabash Circuit Court arrest warrant alleging two counts of child molestation and two counts for sexual misconduct with a minor.

Detective Rozzi was assisted with this investigation by Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Art Stouffer.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Indiana American Water will conduct water main flushing in the Wabash service area Sept. 8 – 30, 2014 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The company conducts the annual maintenance program to assure high-quality water service and to ensure fire hydrants are operational.

According to Wabash District Superintendent Ryan Smith, “Water main and fire hydrant flushing is an important part of a regular maintenance program for water distribution systems. Indiana American Water consistently meets or exceeds all drinking water standards.”

No interruptions in water service are anticipated as a result of the work.  Customers may experience a slight drop in water pressure or temporary water discoloration while this program is underway. Customers should refrain from doing laundry during the time of day the flushing program is taking place in or near their neighborhood.

If tap water is discolored, Indiana American Water recommends allowing several cold-water faucets to run for a short time until the water runs clear. Using more than one faucet allows the water to clear more quickly.

Customers who have questions regarding hydrant flushing may call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-492-8373.

The water main flushing will be performed by Indiana American Water crews. They will be working out of trucks identified with the company logo. All employees will also have photo ID badges.

The Wabash County Christmas Spirit is excited to announce the release of their new website, www.wabashcountychristmasspirit.com. Registration began Sept. 1, and runs through Nov. 1, for the 2014 Christmas season. Through the website, businesses and individuals will be able to view information concerning volunteer and donation information. 

Wabash County Christmas Spirit’s mission is to receive all of Wabash County’s gifts – their time, energy, and charity– repackage it, and distribute it as hope to all of those families in need in Wabash County. By this gift of hope, they wish to build neighborly love throughout the community and to maintain Christmas Spirit all year long. 

If your family is in need of assistance this holiday season with the purchase of gifts for your children ages newborn through high school, make sure to visit their website or go to the following locations for a paper form: Wabash County Chamber of Commerce, North Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Wabash County YMCA, Lighthouse Missions, Bowen Center, F.I.S.H., Wabash Christian Church, Christ United Methodist Church, First Farmers Bank & Trust, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, The Access, or Living Well in Wabash County.

Fall clean up in Wabash will begin the week of Sept. 8, according to Scott Richardson, Wabash Street Department superintendent.

Pick-up will be divided into four sections, following the same route as weekly trash. Items will be picked up from lawns and along city streets only. No pick-ups will take place in alleys.

Items for pick-up need to be in place by 7 a.m. on the day of pick-up or the items will not be picked up. Piles of items for pick-up can be no larger than 4 foot by 8 foot. Also, items for pick-up have to be separate from brush piles. Brush will not be picked up the week of fall cleanup.

Items that will not be picked up are: batteries, paint, petroleum products, household chemicals, tires, appliances with Freon (appliances with red tags to denote Freon that was professionally removed, will be accepted), shingles, drywall and plaster, televisions, computers and other electronic devices.

“If residents miss their pick-up time, they have the option of taking it to a City-provided dumpster at the Wastewater Treatment Plant or taking it back inside,” Richardson said.

The dumpster at the wastewater treatment plant, 700 S. Carroll St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The dumpster will be manned, and those wishing to leave items will be asked to provide proof of residence in the City.

Residents can take chemicals, tires, appliances, batteries, paint, petroleum products, televisions, computers, and all other electronic devices, to the Wabash County Solid Waste Management District located at 1101 Manchester Avenue (between Speedway Redi Mix and Family Physicians). This is a free service for residents of Wabash County. There is a small fee for business services.

The district’s normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For questions regarding what may be taken to the District, please call 260-563-7649.

The district will host a special clean-up day on Saturday, Sept. 13. Residents can drop off items from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

by Emily Armentrout

emily@thepaperofwabash.com

The Roann Covered Bridge Festival begins Thursday evening and runs through Sunday evening, with events for all ages throughout the weekend. Events ranging from tractor pulls to cake walks and skillet throwing to kid’s bicycle rodeo can be enjoyed by all in Roann.

Vendors and amusement rides open Thursday evening at 5 p.m. with an antique tractor show running all weekend. The festival officially begins with a welcoming ceremony at 5:45 p.m. The weekend will also be full of entertainment with bands ranging from gospel to country rock’n’roll. Livin Forgivin will be playing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday at the North Stage, with The Bulldogs playing at 8 p.m. at Center Stage. Be sure to take part in the raffle for the signed poster of the Bulldogs. Red Roots will be playing Friday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at Center Stage, and you can catch Flyin Blynd at South Stage Saturday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Hannah Anders Band was supposed to play Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., but due to an illness, the band has been replaced with Justin Blazer, who also is a country singer. You can catch Justin Blazer at Center Stage.

Be sure to visit Center Stage on Thursday evening to see the Prince and Princess crowned, along with the Cutie King and Queen, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Little Girls and Ladies Skillet throwing will take place at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively, on Friday, Sept. 5. This event was so large last year, the committee had to split ages this year.

by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

In 2012, Collin Tennant won the Wabash County Showmanship Round Robin and was named Supreme Showmanship Champion. This took many by surprise, as the soon-to-be eighth grader was in only his 5th year of 4-H. This year at the Indiana State Fair, Collin was the youngest contestant in the Showmanship Round Robin field, and once again, he defied the odds and was named Supreme Showmanship Reserve Grand Champion.

At the state fair, the top two showmen in cattle, sheep, and swine compete for the Supreme Showman title. In his first round robin at the state fair, Tennant didn’t think he had much of a chance to win.

“These kids that were in there with me knew what they were doing, because it’s the state fair, and everybody knows the people that win at the state fair just don’t mess around,” said Tennant. “I was really nervous going into it, and when I got out there, I kind of loosened up a little bit and did what I was supposed to do.”

Tennant said he’s been in the barn ever since he could walk. His parents, Brad and Kim Tennant, showed animals in their youth and taught Collin and his sister, Chaynee, how to work with animals.

As a former county round robin champion, Collin is ineligible to compete for the county title, but still had an impressive run at this year’s county fair, showing the Grand Champion Market Lamb. Chaynee appears to have a bright future as well, showing the Grand Champion Ewe, Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, and bringing home the Junior Supreme Sheep Showmanship title at the county fair.

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of nine articles outlining each of the proposed projects included in this year’s Stellar Communities application.

by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

The Stellar Communities program is all about revitalization and community rebirth. Many of the projects are focused on bringing money into the area. A newly remodeled theatre will attract visitors interested in the arts. Connectivity improvements will make it easier for everyone to access the city’s many assets. The neighborhood owner-occupied rehabilitation projects is unique in this way; rather than investing in public spaces, this project will directly help current residents make improvements to the homes they own.

“This program will essentially help these homeowners make necessary repairs to their homes,” said Wabash Marketplace Executive Director Patrick Sullivan. “It’s not going to be aesthetics, it’s going to be, ‘Hey, we really have these major issues.’”

Marketplace reached out to homeowners in the area through a number of avenues, including a partnership with Living Well in Wabash County. Information on the grants was distributed at the senior center and during food bank tailgates. This year, 50 applications were requested, and of those returned, 17 homeowners qualified for the program.

“In this client acquisition process, we’ve really found that there’s a major need for this in Wabash,” said Sullivan. “Everything from calls from people who haven’t had a water heater in three years. This is Indiana. You can’t survive without a water heater.”
 

Wabash Area Community Theater is excited to announce their all-star cast for the upcoming fall production “Carousel”. “Carousel” will be performed at the Ford Theater in the Honeywell Center on Sept. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. 

The cast includes:  Rex Tharp, Alyssa Lehman, Amanda Lehman, Lauren Millspaugh, Eric Seaman, John Minkler, Bob Wade, Josie Wade, Sandy Ploss, Todd Dazey, Ware Wimberly, Amira Siddiqui, Susie Jones, Alex Peterson, Kasey Neuman, Megan Smith, Erik Ziner, Zayne Hunter, Diane Eshelman, Molly Dazey, Madeline Dazey, Samantha Kramer, Eric Reichenbach, Bruce Rovelstad, Charly Dye, Lee Arwood, Jeremy Neuman and Casey Reaves. 

The production team includes:  Marsha Vermillion, director; Judy Ward, musical director; Ham Sadler, stage manager; Jenny Steele-Payne, costumes; Chynna Fry, choreography; Marilyn Mason, lighting; Eileen Dye and Jane Willmert, rehearsal pianists; Mike Higgins, set design; Gary Dale and Mark Sapusek, set construction; Lisa Rice and Lindy Griffith props; Mandi Shull, assistant stage director; Beth Miller, Bev Vanderpool and Cindy Rich, producers.