During the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County board meeting on Tuesday, May 26, select teachers and staff members were highlighted from each facility as teacher and staff members of the year.

Those recognized were:

Metro North Elementary - Teacher of the Year: Angela Herring, Staff Member of the Year: Jodi Roser.

Sharp Creek Elementary - Teacher of the Year: Charles Bair, Staff Member of the Year: Amanda Lyons.

The Moon Cats will kick off the 2020 version of the Honeywell Center’s summer concert series on June 10.

However, there are some changes this year to the series, most notably the time and location of the concerts.

Usually scheduled to take place on Thursday evenings at the Honeywell Center Plaza, the concert series will now take place on Wednesdays at the 13-24 Drive-In.

The Drive-In Summer Music Series will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays from June 10 to July 1.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer live entertainment at the Drive In, which will bring arts and music into our community’s lives while still abiding by social distancing measures,” said Tod Minnich, President/CEO of The Honeywell Foundation.

Making a return to the music series, The Moon Cats consist of Mark Most on vocals, Scott Herzog on drums, Michael Miller on lead guitar and Matt Butler on bass.

The Wabash City Council approved applying for a Community Development Block Grant to be used for the COVID-19 response program.

The funds would come from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and would be used for a grant program to businesses to retain low to moderate income jobs. The money is designed to be an economic recovery project for businesses within the city limits.

The city, according to Mayor Scott Long, received requests for $250,750 in funding from 48 local businesses. Those requests must be approved by OCRA.

“We anticipate that one or two may or may not be approved by the state,” he said.

Republican incumbent Suzie Lewis and challenger Ken Brown are vying for the party’s nomination for Wabash County Coroner in the June 2 Primary Election.

The coroner’s race is the only contested race for Wabash County seats in the primary. There also are races for the Second District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for both parties, as well as races for the 18th District Indiana House of Representatives seat for both parties.

The Paper of Wabash County submitted a series of questions to the two candidates. They were given a 100 word limit to respond.

The 13-24 Drive-In is a staple in Wabash County and has been a big part of many people’s lives and continues to be nostalgic and offer entertainment to the community.

As with many other changes, the drive-in experience will be different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The opening night of the drive-in was Friday, May 22, but the familiarity of the evening hot-spot has seen some changes.

“This year has been particularly challenging for everyone as we try to navigate these ever-changing unchartered waters,” Afla Irani, Vice President of Hospitality at The Honeywell Foundation, told The Paper of Wabash County. “Having said that, we still need to move forward and try to have some sense of normalcy and use the information that we have, recommendations given by the health officials, and understand the data provided to make sure that as we open we make sure all our guests and staff are safe.”

Once again, the Wabash City School board met virtually for their meeting. During this meeting, the details of some important events were discussed.

Wabash High School graduation will take place at the Ford Theater at the Honeywell Center on July 31 at 7 p.m.; Wabash High School Prom will be August 1 at 8 p.m., outdoors in front of the high school building.

Another event that has come about due the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic is a High School Senior Parade which will happen on May 29 at 5 p.m.

The Honeywell Pool will not open this summer.

The Wabash Park Board voted 4-2 on Wednesday, May 13, to keep the pool closed due to safety concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board, during a lengthy discussion, heard several options to open the pool. However, each had their pluses and minues.
If the pool were to have opened, it wouldn’t be until July 4, when the fifth step of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s five-step plan to re-open Indiana, would take effect.

Doing that would have meant the pool would have been opened for just about one month. Board members wondered it it was worth the expense of chemicals and other needed supplies to keep the pool open for such a short time.

The late opening, Park Superintendent Adam Hall said, would significantly cut into the attendance figures this year.

At the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County board meeting on May 12, Steve Holley, maintenance director gave an update on the renovation projects happening within MSD.

Facility updates at Southwood and Northfield Jr. Sr. High Schools are progressing well and are probable to be finished ahead of schedule. Several other projects are planned to take place during the summer months.

Students and staff spotlights were also shared as follows:

MSD - Parent Cindy Harlow nominated Principal Mr. Jay Snyder for the MSD Staff spotlight, noting Mr. Snyder has a great talent for working with the children.