Northfield High School students and families have an opportunity to join a 10-day trip to England and Scotland in June of 2016. 

Leaving on June 6, the group will visit London, Bath, Stratford, Stonehenge, Winchester Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, Edinburgh and much more.  Because the school group is traveling with Explorica, a leader in the student travel business, they will be able to see twice as much as those who travel there on their own.

The added bonus to this trip is that trip goers have a 99 percent chance of visiting Highclere Castle, also known as Downton Abbey, and the group would be the first to do so with Explorica.  

Planning this far in advance allows students to pay for this trip gradually through an online payment plan. 

Details can be found online at www.explorica.com/Stouffer-7536   or by emailing stoufferdenise@msdwc.k12.in.us. 

If students are interested, there is a $250.00 discount for signing up before Aug. 31, 2014. 

Rural and volunteer fire departments from 29 counties across Indiana have been awarded more than $194,000 in Volunteer Fire Assistance grants.

The Lagro Volunteer Fire Department, Wabash County, was award $5,000 to purchase radios. The Roann Volunteer Department, Wabash County, was award $4,506, also for radios.

The grants are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made available through the USDA Forest Service. DNR Forestry staff reviews grant applications and selects recipients on the basis of population density, acres of public wildlands protected, and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters.

As in years past, the Wildland Fire category was again highlighted, with departments purchasing equipment and gear to combat wildland fires.

Grants may be used for training, installation of dry hydrants, or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and personal protective gear in an effort to increase firefighting capacity and personnel safety.

Grants awarded ranged from $969 to $5,000 and were given to 44 departments in Indiana.

Fire departments interested in applying for VFA grant opportunities should contact Crystal M. Hunt, Program Coordinator, Fire Control Headquarters, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, 46151, or call 765-342-4701.

Cannonball Lanes is under new management as Mark Solloway and Kelsy Presl recently became new business partners in a great adventure, along with Mark’s wife, Cindy. They look forward to serving the bowlers in Wabash County and the surrounding areas.

Mark has owned Bowler’s Depot Pro Shop inside Cannonball Lanes since 2008. He is not new to the game. He started bowling at the age of 4 and knew right then he was hooked. Mark is a 25-year veteran of the bowling industry. “If I wasn’t in a bowling alley, I was building or remodeling homes. Some around town know me as Mr. Fix-it, a business I have been doing for the last 15 years in this area. My true passion is bowling. Whether it be bowling for fun or competition. I enjoy sharing my knowledge so that others can enjoy bowling as much as I do. Drilling bowling balls, coaching and working with the youth bowlers is my way of giving back to the game I love,” said Mark.

Kelsy’s bowling is not as vast as the Solloways but he too started bowling at an early age. Since the age of 6, he has been spending time with family and friends, enjoying the game. To Kelsy, the game of bowling is a common denominator for everyone to enjoy themselves no matter the skill level, and an effective way to entertain groups of people. Playing in weeknight leagues has been a great way for Kelsy to maintain and gain new friendships. “While I am not bowling, I work in the family sawmill business at Quality Hardwood Products in North Manchester. I am also the Technical Director at Manchester High School’s Performing Arts. I look forward to providing an entertainment environment to the community of Wabash and surrounding areas with Mark and Cindy.”

By Sandy Johnson

Downtown Wabash was hopping this weekend with the Kunkel Cruise-In, “Takin’ It to the Streets” Sidewalk Sales, the Herb Fest, and the Farmer’s Market. Friday night started the weekend for the first two events. Many found themselves drawn to admire the various cars, trucks, and motorcycles at the Honeywell Center parking lot.  Others perused the sidewalk sales outside several downtown businesses looking for that great deal.

On Saturday, the Herb Fest drew in crowds at Paradise Spring Historical Park where booths were set up for visitors to look at the variety of items vendors brought to town. In addition, the weekly summer Farmer’s Market continued on Miami Street, with booths full of fresh fruits and vegetables to purchase.

This year marked the 15th anniversary of the annual Kunkel Cruise-In, which showcased over 400 vehicles. The event began years ago after Dave Kunkel, a local car enthusiast, passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Dan Harvey, who worked with Kunkel, wanted to organize a car show to raise funds and awareness for ALS research. After 15 successful years, the Kunkel Cruise-In continues to bring in many car buffs from near and far alike, raising money for both ALS research and Vernon Manor Home for Children in Wabash.

Each day of the car show, cars, trucks and motorcycles were judged and winners were awarded prizes in different categories. Door prize drawings for those in attendance were also offered.

Garry Marion, president of Garmar Grain and co-owner of the Treaty and Speicherville elevators, announced recently that a lease agreement has been reached with Northern Ag Services (Norag), an agricultural entity based in Overland Park, Kan.

The Speicherville facility, which was closed this summer due to the expiration of its lease with FGDI, will resume operations next week. The Treaty elevator will experience no interruption in service during the transition to the new company.

“Over the last several months, I have searched to find a solution to the problem of how to continue to serve the farmers when the least with FGDI ran out. Norag operates facilities in Indiana as well as in other states, and it seemed to be the best fit for the community and for my employees,” Marion said. “In the off-season, Speicherville will be open two days a week and by appointment. It will be operated full-time during harvest. Treaty’s hours will not change.”

In addition to his duties as operations manager, Marion will be working as the grain merchandiser for both facilities.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Administrator Juan M. Garcia announced recently that farmers should start receiving notices updating them on their current base acres, yields and 2009-2012 planting history. The written updates are an important part of preparing agricultural producers for the new safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill.

"We're sending these reports to make sure that farmers and ranchers have key information as they make critical decisions about programs that impact their livelihood,'' said Garcia. "It's important that producers take a few minutes to cross check the information they receive with their own farm records. If the information is correct, no further action is needed at this time. But if our letter is incomplete or incorrect, producers need to contact their local FSA county office as soon as possible."

During the morning of Aug. 14, at approximately 10:30 a.m., a manhunt for Roy Purdon, 38, Kokomo, came to an end when Indiana State Police Master Trooper Vern Robinson took Purdon into custody on Strawtown Pike near Miami County Road 500 South.

Beginning at approximately 10 a.m. that day, officers from the Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department saturated the area near Strawtown Pike and County Road 500 South; they had received information that Purdon was observed in the area. Purdon was wanted on two felony arrest warrants. In addition to the warrants, he was also wanted for allegedly fleeing from a Miami County sheriff’s deputy last night. Due to the close proximity to the schools, Maconaquah School Corporation initiated lock down procedures for the safety of students and staff.

Master Trooper Robinson was searching for Purdon while riding an Indiana State Police Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle. Robinson observed Purdon walking on Strawtown Pike and was able to ride up to Purdon and take him into custody without incident.

“He did not immediately recognize the motorcycle as a police vehicle,” stated Trooper Robinson. “I was able to get to him before he thought about fleeing.”

Purdon was wanted for a felony parole violation warrant from Columbus, Ohio for armed robbery. He was also wanted from Howard County, Ind. for receiving stolen property. He is currently being held in the Howard County Jail with no bond.

On Friday, Aug. 15, a criminal investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Tony Frawley resulted in the arrest of Savannah M. Baermann, 25, North Manchester. Baermann is incarcerated in the Wabash County Jail to face a felony charge of battery.

Detective Frawley started an investigation after the Wabash County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services notified him that a four-year-old Wabash County boy had allegedly been battered by his mother. During the investigation, a video was provided to Detective Frawley. The video allegedly showed Baermann hitting her four-year-old son, repeatedly, with the backside and open side of her hand. The reported incident occurred in late July 2014, at Baermann’s North Manchester residence. The boy was placed into the care of his father, who does not live with Baermann.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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