This past week, the Wabash County 4-H Fair took place differently than past years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many aspects of the fair were compromised to stay in line with the state’s social distancing guidelines.

For example, the livestock shows were done on a “show and go” basis, meaning that 4-Hers brought their animals only for the day that they were showing, and then took them home after the show was complete.

NORTH MANCHESTER -- In a ceremony a month and a half in the making, 144 Manchester High School graduates said good-bye to classmates, teachers, and friends and hello to the future.

With a limited audience of four guests per graduate at the Manchester Junior-Senior High School football field and stadium Friday night, July 17, Student Council President Devin Marcum welcomed those in attendance.

“One Friday we were told we would miss two weeks of school,” Marcum said. “Little did we know we would never return. Little did we know we would never play our final game, we would never sing our final song, or take our final bow. But tonight, that all changes.

“In one historic ceremony to complete one unique year, we take one final stand as the Manchester High School Class of 2020.”

Salutatorian Caleb Stout addressed the senior class and talked about the journey they have endured.

About 250 people gathered at the Wabash County Courthouse on Wednesday, July 8, for a salute to law enforcement rally.

The rally, organized by Barb Pearson and Laura Cole, featured nine speakers including Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill.

"We appreciate you so much coming out tonight, giving up your time and showing support for local law enforcement," Cole said in opening remarks. "It means so much."

Among the speakers was State Sen. Andy Zay, who called himself"a broken and confused public servant."

"Never in my life, would I have thought that I would have to come to a rally for the men and women of the law enforcement community," he said. "Simply state, I support you, I love you and I respect you."

He then spoke about Indianapolis Police Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty on April 9.

Selected guests were invited Wednesday to a VIP Trolley Tour by officials of Visit Wabash County.

Visit Wabash County and the City of Wabash took possession of the trolley, dubbed Trolley No.85, earlier in June.

On Tuesday, guests were invited to take a ride from the Visit Wabash County office on South Miami Street to White Rock Recreation where they were treated to wood fire pizza.

While en route to White Rock, riders learned about some of the details the new trolley has to offer.

“We now have a wheelchair lift that actually works,” Tourism Manager Jennifer Long-Dillon told those on the ride. “We can actually get two wheelchairs in here.”

Two of the back benches in the trolley lift up to make room for the wheelchairs.

A group of LaFontaine area residents are upset with Wabash County officials at what they say is a lack of response by the county to repair a bridge between that community and Somerset.

Bridge 144 on Wabash County Road 1050 S was washed out in February 2018 following heavy rains. At that time, erosion caused land and the road around the bridge which crosses Grant Creek to erode away, leaving a giant hole on either side of the bridge.

At that time, then County Highway Superintendent John Martin told The Paper of Wabash County the roadway would be closed for at least six months, noting that “it serves as kind of a cut through road between (State Road) 13 and LaFontaine.
However, several residents believe it is more than that. The locals dub the road the LaFontaine-Somerset highway, and say it cuts down travel time between LaFontaine and Wabash and other points in the county.

Sen. Mike Braun is the first to admit he’s not met many of the goals he’s had after being elected to the U.S. Senate.

“A lot of things are taking away from what I was most interested in doing her, and that is to reform a broken healthcare system,” he said during a ZOOM meeting with various businesses and individuals on Tuesday, June 30. “It impacts all businesses. It’s the most expensive thing in our federal budget. It seems to be uncontrollable in terms of keeping federal costs down.”

Braun’s talk was sponsored by Grow Wabash County.

“We were starting to catch stride, but I the last year it’s been impeachment, COVID and now police reform,” he continued. 

“We will get through all of that. I doubt any of it will we get back to before the election.”

Wabash County community members Laura Cole and Barbara Pearson have organized a blue rally to show support for the police force.

This rally will take place on Wednesday July 8 at 6:30 p.m., on the steps of the Wabash County Courthouse.

“We have a desire to show our support and appreciation for law enforcement and believe it’s always a good time to do just that,” said Cole.

On Thursday, June 25, volunteers gathered at the Interpretive/Nature Center at Salamonie Lake for a Volunteer Work Day, from 4-7 p.m.

The Paper of Wabash County spoke with interpretive naturalist Teresa Rody to find out what the work day consisted of.

“We send out something looking for volunteers once a month here at the reservoir, and those volunteers help us with projects that we get behind on,” said Rody. “We get behind some because we end up taking care of everyday recreational items for the public. There’s always another project that you just don’t get to.”