By Amanda Bridgman
abridgman@nmpaper.com

Wabash County Commissioner Scott Givens proposed a change to the county's employee handbook's sick days policy at the board's meeting Monday, Oct. 29.

Givens said he recently realized sick days don't include if the employee needs to take care of an elderly parent, and he asked the board to amend the handbook to vote to change that unless they need to have a conversation, but it's pretty “cut and dry.”

“That way they can use a sick day instead of a vacation day or have to lie to us,” Givens said.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Organizers for the 16th annual Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity Chili Cook-off knew it would be a success if the rain would just stay away.

It was cold throughout the day, but the precipitation held off long enough for the popular event to go off without a hitch.
Patrons flocked to the almost 90 chili booths to see who had the cream of the crop.

“There is a lot that goes into it, and we’re just really glad to see it come,” committee chair Todd Titus said. “We want to see people have fun and enjoy it. Weather looks good for right now.
 

By Amanda Bridgman
abridgman@nmpaper.com

NORTH MANCHESTER -- A political flyer about Manchester Community Schools referendum inserted in some of Tuesday, Oct. 16, editions of The Paper of Wabash County has drawn some fire. 
The flyer, titled “FACTS about the Manchester School Referendum” asks “Did you know?” and lists 19 bullet points about the hotly debated Fieldhouse project. The flyer ends with “Vote for Board Members who will respect and include the community. Kevin Kling, David Terflinger, Michael Dixon.” A disclaimer at the bottom of the flyer reads “Not paid for or endorsed by a candidate for office.”

According to the Indiana Election Division, the disclaimer identifies who paid for certain political material and whether any candidate approves of the material if the material is paid for by someone other than the candidate. Under state election code, “A disclaimer is required when the name, or a photograph or drawing of the candidate appears in the material or the identity of the candidate is apparent by unambiguous reference.” But exactly what language is required in the disclaimer depends on who authorized and who paid for the literature of material.
 

By The Paper staff

Voters in the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County will have two chances to hear from the candidates for the MSD school board next week.

On Oct. 29 at the Wabash County YMCA, candidates will gather for a meet and greet with the public.

The event will run from 5-8 p.m. and will allow MSD residents to meet one-on-one with the various candidates.

The following night, on Tuesday, Oct. 30, an MSD candidate forum will take place in the Honeywell Center’s Legacy Hall.
 

By David Fenker

Special to The Paper

NORTH MANCHESTER -- One year ago, siblings Gary Long and Rochelle Long took a leap of faith and relocated Manchester Marketplace away from North Manchester's Main Street.

The bulk food and discount grocery store, now located just south of town at 11659 N. State Road 13, expanded its selection with the move, which also made taking deliveries easier.

"We are very thankful for all the support shown from the community and the surrounding area," Gary Long said. “We are grateful for our customers from South Whitley, Wabash, Huntington, Bippus, Andrews, Silver Lake, and many more towns and cities.

“We look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.”

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

Bids from two firms to demolish three homes in Wabash were approved when the Wabash Board of Publics Works and Safety met on Thursday, Oct. 18.

Earth Works, Urbana, received the OK to demolish homes at 978 Mill St. and 131 E. Maple St., while Brainard Excavating and Snow Removal, Wabash, received OK to demolish a home at 610 High St.

Earth Works bid $4,150 for the Mill Street home and $5,450 for the Maple Street home.

Brainard bid $5,470 for the Maple Street home.

Hank’s Construction also submitted bids for the projects.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

After hearing his principals lay out the blueprints for school improvement plans, Wabash City School Superintendent Jason Callahan unveiled his corporation-wide goals for the 2018-19 school year at the Monday, Oct. 15 meeting.

Those goals were:

 Continue to grow enrollment.

 Increase post-secondary employment, employment at a living wage, and enlistment in military service.

 Maintain 8 percent cash balance in General Fund and grow Rainy Day fund by 15 percent.

 Further develop Career Pathway Partnerships

 Start at least one student business.

 Strengthen school safety plan.

 Increase the number of international students.

 Increase the number of students who hold a 529 College Savings Plan.

 Increase the number of students to the General Education Transfer Core Certificate.

 All teaching staff and Administration attend two levels of strengths training.

 Develop a building and grounds priority list

 Establish an Education fund.
 

By Amanda Bridgman
abridgman@nmpaper.com

It was a quick meeting of the Wabash County Commissioners Monday, Oct. 22, morning.

The purchase and installation of a $6,700 10KW Generac generator for emergency use at the county's newly bought coroner building was approved by the commissioners, pending checking the account balance for the excess dollars from the purchase of the building.