Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann recently announced that The Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development have awarded six Indiana communities funding for quality of place initiatives under the Place Based Investment Fund.

Each community will receive grant funds ranging from $35, 000 to $50,000 to fund parks, public venues and other quality of place projects.

“Community gathering places are vital centers of activity for Hoosier cities and towns,” said Lt. Governor Ellspermann. “Our team looks forward to seeing these innovative projects completed and the long-term benefits they provide to the winning communities.”

Wabash Marketplace Inc. was one of the winners of this grant. Community organizations and leaders including the City of Wabash, Economic Development Group, Wabash County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The Honeywell Foundation, Inc., and the Wabash County Historical Museum have pledged support to make this grant a reality.

by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

On the afternoon of Monday, March 10th, officers from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department and the North Manchester Police Department investigated citizen reports of a methamphetamine lab at a residence in Liberty Mills. According to court records, the resident ultimately consented to a search of the location, which confirmed the officers’ suspicions, but not before three individuals fled through a back door. North Manchester Police Officer Nate Birch and his K-9 partner, Hawk, were called to assist other law enforcement personnel in locating the three individuals. The suspects led officers along the banks of the Eel River toward the Herbert L. Taylor Audubon Preserve. The chase resulted in the arrest of all three individuals. It also resulted in the shooting of two family pets, Newfoundland dogs belonging to Ernie and Janice Bradley.

In his report, Officer Birch stated that he put a tracking harness and 15-foot leash on K-9 Hawk to begin the track. Shortly thereafter, he met up with North Manchester Police Sergeant Jon Pace. K-9 Hawk tracked footprints north toward the Eel River then followed them back out toward a nearby field, where they tracked along the river and through the Herbert L. Taylor Audubon Preserve.

by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

Personal trainer Jakae Francis, owner of Wabash’s F.I.T. personal training, got the surprise of a lifetime when it was revealed that two of her most successful clients set her up for an appearance on The Steve Harvey Show.

“It was just so unbelievable,” said Francis. “It’s still so surreal that this even happened. I feel like I had tunnel vision. I don’t remember a lot of what I said or what Josh said to me.”

Josh Steele was the mastermind behind the surprise. A client for the past year and a half, he shed nearly half his body weight after deciding to get serious about losing weight two years ago.

“My starting weight was 579 pounds,” said Steele. “Basically, to sum it all up, I hated life. Just getting up in the morning, just doing normal activities that normal people take for granted like tying shoes, going up and down stairs, getting in vehicles. That kind of stuff, it was all a struggle for me every single day. I basically gave up all hopes of my dreams and passion for the future.”

by Emily Armentrout

emily@thepaperofwabas.com

Wabash Area Community Theater just finished its production of Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo. Moon Over Buffalo is a comedy set in 1953 Buffalo, New York, at the Erlanger Theater. Moon Over Buffalo marked Carol Burnett’s return to Broadway after 30 years according to Ludwig.

Traveling actors, George and Charlotte Hay, played by Gary Dale and Candy Russell, are currently putting on dual performances of Private Lives and Cyrano De Bergerac, with a small group of actors.

George and Charlotte find themselves drifting as George’s infidelity with Eileen, a young actress in the troupe, portrayed by Megan Smith, is brought to light and Charlotte receives an offer to run away with family friend and lawyer, Richard, played by Keith Martin.

The Tri-City Dart League is holding its second annual Linda Foote Memorial Steel Tip Dart Tournament on Saturday, March 29 at Elks Lodge #365, located at 122 N. Broadway, Peru.

The proceeds from this event will be donated to Deb Ross, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 Follicular Lymphoma.

The bar will be open to the public at 2 p.m., with food being served from 4-7 p.m. There will be raffles, split pot, tip boards, and triple out.

The first tournament will be men and women singles, with registration starting at 4 p.m. and the tournament beginning at 5 p.m. The second tournament will begin at 8 p.m. with registration at 7 p.m. and it will be a luck-of-the-draw, blind draw tournament.

The format for both tournaments is double elimination, 501/Cricket/Choice.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact John Renn at 260-377-9875.

Step right up to the Wabash County Historical Museum to see “Doug Konkle’s Miniature Circus”! This amazing collection of hand-carved circus figurines and memorabilia is the newest temporary exhibit on the museum’s second floor. This exhibit is accessible and entertaining for all ages. Guests will be amazed by the intricacy and detail of these carved pieces.

Doug Konkle has been carving miniature circus pieces since the mid-1980s. He carves and paints each piece by hand, builds tiny circus tents, and paints miniature circus and sideshow posters. The collection features specific real-life circus acts, such as Babe, the elephant whose big trick was to pick his trainer up by the head with her mouth.

by Kalie Ammons

kalie@thepaperofwabash.com

Superintendent of Public Instruction for Indiana, Glenda Ritz not only advocates that everyone reads, but is an avid reader herself, even keeping up with the popular young adult books students across the state immediately recognize.

Ritz addressed all the students at Manchester Jr./Sr. High School last Friday, encouraging students to read anything and everything while promoting the “Hoosier Family of Readers” initiative.

Ritz explained how reading helps not only your vocabulary and comprehension, but also improves your chances in the job market, especially when paired with a decent level of math.

This spring, the drama students at Southwood High School are taking you Back to the 80's.  Join the seniors of William Ocean High School as they live through their final year of high school, remembered and seen through the eyes of graduate Corey Palmer, now in his 30s. Watch the memories unfold as Corey's younger self tries to win the affections of his next-door neighbor, Tiffany Houston, who is too busy crushing on Michael Feldman, the most popular guy in school. Meanwhile, poor Eileen Reagan, the new girl, just wants to fit in, and resident nerd Feargal Bobby McFerrin III is busy perfecting both his karate and computer skills.