Livestock disaster program enrollment opened on April 15. These disaster programs are authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill as permanent programs and provide retroactive authority to cover losses that occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011.

To expedite applications, all producers who experienced losses are encouraged to bring records documenting those losses to their local FSA Office. Producers should record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:

•Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses

•Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts

•Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures

•Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed

•Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records

The Wabash County Historical Museum will be extending its hour for the summer months. “We are so proud of our facility,” said executive director Mitch Figert, “and we want to engage as many guests as possible. We’re hoping that extended hours will allow greater accessibility to the museum.”

Beginning May 13, the Wabash County Historical Museum will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. It will remain open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The extended hours will give visitors more opportunities to see “Doug Konkle’s Miniature Circus,” which received some unique local additions. The DeLong Sisters (Augusta, Malvina, and Emily) were an acrobatic team that traveled the world with the Ringling Brothers Circus, performing across the country and around the globe from time they were early teens. They even performed in Germany to great acclaim, with a pre-World War II Hitler in attendance. When they retired from the circus, each of the sisters married and settled in the Wabash County area.

by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

Wabash County residents headed for the polls on May 6 to cast their ballots in the 2014 Primary Election. When the voting centers closed, a total of 4,104 county residents had exercised their right to vote, representing 18.35 percent of those registered. While this number was significantly lower than the 5,609 who made it to the polls during the 2012 primary, (which represented 25.28 percent of registered voters) the low turnout was typical of midterm election cycles, which typically garner only 70 percent of the ballots that presidential election cycles bring.

When the votes were tallied in the most notable primary race, it was clear that Sheriff Robert E. Land came out ahead in the republican primary race for Wabash County sheriff. Land received 2,567 (72.21 percent) of the 3,605 votes cast in the race. Opponent Walter W. Woods received 24.66 percent of the votes, totaling 889, with Tim Eubank pulling in 149 votes, or 4.13 percent. The magnitude of this win surprised Sheriff Land.

“I thought it would be closer than what it was,” said Sheriff Land. “I’d like to thank everyone that supported me, and I’m asking for that support in November.”

No candidate filed to run for Wabash County Sheriff in the democratic primary.

Other notable races in the Republican Primary included:

-County Council District 1, where Claude Markstahler received 69.38 percent of the 565 total votes over Anthony DeLaughter;

-County Council District 2, where Jeff Dawes took 52.61 percent of the 825 total votes over Philip L. Dale;

-County Council District 3, where Matt Dillon took 60.65 percent of the 887 total votes over James Kaltenmark;

-Lagro Township Trustee, where Andrew DeLong took 56.69 percent of the 381 total votes over Gary Knable;

-Lagro Township Board Member, where four candidates were vying for three positions. Of the 1,023 votes cast in the race, Deb Schenkel received 29.91 percent, Lee Ann Pefley received 27.86 percent, and Rob Cole received 23.95 percent, beating out Lou Studio, who received 18.28 percent of the votes.

-State Convention Delegate, where the following 11 delegates were chosen from a field of 18 candidates in a very close race: Matt Dillon, Bonnie Kay Corn, Rob Cole, Laura Cole, Gary Nose, Dee M. Byerly, Louella J. Krom, Todd Dazey, Sandra Ferguson, Jack Ferguson, and William J. Ruppel. Ruppel beat out John W. Brunn by just 6 votes.

In the race for United States Representative for District 2, the only contested race of the democratic primary, Joe Bock beat out three opponents with 34.07 percent of the 405 total votes cast.

Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1, Brandt’s Harley-Davidson will host the inaugural Freedom Rally in support of past and present military.

Our men and women that have served and are currently serving are the backbone of our country, and this Freedom Rally will be hosted not only as recognition of service, but also to bring our troops together in support of each other. Joining the Freedom Rally will be many respected organizations on-site that benefit the military and their families, including: Tunnel to Towers Foundation from New York, Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, Operation Troop Aid from Tennessee, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America from New York, US War Dogs, Troops First Foundation, Vohne Liche Kennels, Marine Moms, Two Wheels for Warriors from Michigan, Quilts of Valor, Indiana Patriot Guard, and the Freedom Riders.  There will be free, live music on Friday night, as well all day Saturday, and many other events, as well!

By Shaun Tilghman

When Manchester Marketplace (137 E. Main St.) opened for business in December 2012, owner Gary Long’s goal was to provide the local community with good products at good prices. Now, just a year and a half later, he has taken that goal one step further by expanding the bulk food & discount grocery store to include a fresh deli section.

“We opened Manchester Marketplace on Dec. 15, 2012, and on Feb. 27, 2014, we expanded and added the deli,” said Long. “It’s something we’ve been trying to do for a while now and we’ve been looking forward to offering this to the people of North Manchester and surrounding communities. It’s going really well and I’m excited about the products – we’ve gotten really good compliments so far.”

Basically, they’re just striving to continue in their effort to offer good products at good prices, according to Long.

“We even have several products in our deli that are gluten-free and have no MSG,” he added.

by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

Precious Gems & Metals, a retail shop located at 3 East Canal Street, will close its doors for good on May 22.

Precious Gems & Metals has been in the business of buying and selling quality jewelry, precious metals since 1979. The company has built its business on going into communities for short periods of time and buying up vintage and estate jewelry at competitive prices. Word spread over the years and past customers brought more jewelry, as well as friends and family interested in selling pieces. As much as 90 percent of the items purchased are melted down and sold as gold and silver bullion. A few years ago, owner Stan Walter opened a retail store in downtown Wabash to sell high quality items that he didn’t want to scrap.

With the recent drop in the prices of gold and silver, jewelry owners are less willing to sell their items. With fewer items available for Walter to purchase, there has been a notable decrease in the supply of qualities items to sell in the downtown store.

Comedian Ron White returns to the Honeywell Center on Saturday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. to entertain audiences with his new show “Nutcracker.” Tickets went on sale Friday, May. 9. The corporate sponsor is Market Street Grill and associate sponsors are D & J Radabaugh Construction and Louis Dreyfus of Claypool.

Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White first rose to fame as the cigar-smoking, funnyman from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon, but now as a chart-topping comedian and a feature film actor, Ron White has established himself as a star in his own right. He has sold over 14 million albums, received two Grammy nominations, and, over the past nine years, has been one of the top three grossing standup comedians on tour in America.

Beginning May 5 and running through May 30, soybean producers are being given an opportunity to decide if they want to be offered a referendum on the Soybean Check-off program.  Producers who marketed soybeans between Jan. 1, 2012 and Dec.31, 2013 and paid an assessment are eligible to participate in the request for referendum. 

Producers who would like to be offered a referendum on the soybean program should contact their local FSA office for additional information or to complete a request form.  Completed forms must be returned to the FSA office by the May 30 deadline. 

In addition to the completed form, producers must submit proof that an assessment was paid in either 2012 or 2013.  In most cases copies of settlement sheets should include the required proof of assessment being paid.

The current Soybean Check-off Program became effective on July 9, 1991 and the first assessments began Sept. 1, 1991.  The Soybean Check-off Program is administered by the United Soybean Board, which has 70 members representing 30 states.  Funds from the current check-off program are used to advance soybean marketing, promote technology and develop new uses for soybeans.