By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

One by one Friday night, Wabash High School seniors walked across the Honeywell Center’s Ford Theater stage, shook hands with school officials, received their diplomas and prepared, in the words of Salutatorian Kiley Stone, begin a new chapter in their lives.

Ninety-eight students became the newest alumni of Wabash High School in front of a theater filled with family, friends, teachers and others who have made an impact on their lives.

The students listened to words of advice from Valedictorian Kaitlan Tracy and the aforementioned Stone, watched a slide show, shared memories and, yes, even shed a tear or two.
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

A new three-way stop sign will soon be placed at the intersection of Pike Street, Mill Creek Pike and Yankee Road.

The Wabash City Council approved on two readings an amendment to a city ordinance allowing the placement of the stop sign.

Two sides of the three-way stop sign are within the city limits, while the third is outside the limits. Because of that, the Wabash County Commissioners had to approve the stop sign, which they did earlier this year.

Mayor Scott Long, when he broached the idea of the stop sign in March and again on Monday night, said he has received numerous complaints about vehicles speeding through the intersection. Some vehicles, he said, have damaged local lawns while at least once a building near the site was hit by a vehicle.
 

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

In a quick, 5-minute meeting Tuesday morning, May 28, the Manchester Community School Board of Trustees announced the names of the new school superintendent, Dr. Teresa L. Gremaux, and the new member of the board, Craig Haecker.

Gremaux comes to MCS from North White School Corporation where she has been superintendent the past four years.

“I really wanted a quality corporation, and Manchester seemed to fit that bill,” she said. “Also, I have seven grandchildren born in the last four years. I've been at North White, and they are all in the Fort Wayne area, so I wanted to get closer to family. It was a good win-win on both parts.”
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

MSD of Wabash County Superintendent Mike Keaffaber announced at Tuesday night’s school board meeting that Northfield and Southwood High Schools were named recipients of a pair of awards.

The first award is a College Success Award from GreatSchools.org.

The College Success Award, Keaffaber explained, is awarded to schools who stand out based on school-level college readiness and postsecondary data collected, which gauges whether students enroll in college, are ready for college-level coursework, and advance to a second year of college.

Both schools also received mention in the U.S. News and World Report Best High School rankings.

That award recognizes the schools’ ability to help students succeed at state assessments and prepare for college.
 

An athlete takes his turn competing in the softball throw in the Special Olympics meet at Wabash High School on May 11. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

Thirty-five athletes from the Wabash County Special Olympics will be headed to Terre Haute this weekend to participate in and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Indiana’s summer games.

The games will be June 7-9 at Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

The local athletes will participate in numerous running events, as well as shot put and bocce ball, according to coaches Katelin Lloyd and Doug Adams. In addition, athletes from around Indiana will participate in volleyball, bowling and swimming.

Special Olympics Indiana was founded in June 1969, one year after the inaugural Special Olympics International Games in Chicago. The program uses year-round sport, health, education and leadership programs to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities.
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

Summer food programs will be available at eight sites around Wabash County from June 3 through July 19.

Three of the eight sites will offer both breakfast and lunch, while seven will offer lunch and one will offer supper.

Locations, hours and offerings are as follows:

Wabash Middle School, 150 Colerain St., Wabash: Breakfast 7:45-9 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

O.J. Neighbours Elementary School, 1545 N. Wabash St., Wabash: Breakfast 8-9 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.-Noon.

Wabash County YMCA, 500 S. Cass St., Wabash: Breakfast 9-10 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Fire Station Park, 1470 Vernon St., Wabash: Lunch 11:55 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Living Faith Church, 242 S. Huntington St., Wabash: Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Roann United Methodist Church, Adams & Arnold streets, Roann: Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

LaFontaine United Methodist Church, 2 W. Kendall St., LaFontaine: Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Access Youth Center, 74 W. Canal St., Wabash: Supper 3:45-5 p.m.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Arc of Wabash County CEO Jeff Patton was on hand at the Tuesday, May 28, Wabash County Commissioners meeting to make a 2020 budget request.

Patton asked for a 5 percent increase in the annual request, for the amount of $71,662.

The Commissioners explained that they will take the request to the County Council during budget hearings for approval.
Living Well in Wabash County CEO Beverly Ferry was also on hand, to present documents related to the 5311 Public Transportation Grant for signature.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Farmers in this area normally start getting into fields to plant their crops in the middle of April to late April.

But, due to the copious amounts of rain that has fallen in North Central Indiana this spring, farmers have been able to do only a minute amount of planting so far this season.

“They’ve planted up around the Eel River where we have some sandy ground,” said Curt Campbell, Wabash County Purdue Extension educator. “I’m guessing, less than 5 percent of the ground has been planted. We normally, by this time of this time of the year, are wrapping things up for corn.”