By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com

The county commissioners denied a request to vacate an alley in Urbana after a public hearing at their May 21 meeting.
Aaron Mattern, representing Urbana Yoke Parish, presented the request to close the alley running parallel to State Road 13 and South Washington Street between Half and College streets as an effort to ensure the church's planned construction projects would not interfere with homeowners who need access to the alley.

According to Mattern, who provided photographs and renderings of the proposed addition, the alley has shifted from it original route.

“For the last 50-plus years or more … the church property has been used as the alley,” he said. “What has been used by everybody as the alley is actually church property. All we are wanting to do is use the church property to add a carport and a wheelchair ramp to make the church accessible on the west side …
“We're not wanting to cause any harm to any existing landowner or any of the public in Urbana … all we're stating is that we don't want that to be a public access.”
 

Robert Halderman drives the bell to its new location. 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

A bell dating back to the mid-19th century has a new home at the Wabash Presbyterian Church.

Perhaps it might be better to say that the bell -- forged in Cincinnati, Ohio, about 1846 by G.L. Hanks for the New School Presbyterian Church which was located in the middle of the block of Wabash Street, across from the Wabash County Courthouse – is back home.
 

By The Paper staff

Due to the recent retirement of Wabash Police Capt. John Burnsworth two officers have been promoted.

 
Chad Galligan was recently promoted to captain.  Patrolman Galligan joined the Wabash City Police Department in 2000, and was promoted to corporal in 2011, a post which he held until 2016.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 2016 which he held that position until 2018. 
 

By The Paper Staff

An automobile accident Saturday, May 5, on U.S. 24 West in Wabash sent three to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, at about 12:02 p.m. Saturday, Elizabeth P. Estep, 82, North Manchester, was traveling on U.S. 24 West and attempted to turn onto County Road 200 West.

A passenger in the vehicle, Ty A. Estep, 53, North Manchester, said she told her not to turn because another vehicle was traveling the opposite direction on U.S. 24. He said she did not hear her and turned.

Amanda L. Bull, 28, Union City, Mich., was traveling westbound on U.S. 24 when Elizabeth Estep traveled northbound across the westbound lane of U.S. 24, failing to yield, driving directly in front of Bull.
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

Trial dates of Aug. 21-22 have been set in Wabash Circuit Court for Corey A. Kelch.

Kelch, 22, Marion, is formally charged with murder and robbery in connection with the April 25 death and robbery of Jordon Richards, LaFontaine. An automatic not guilty plea was entered on his behalf during a hearing on Monday morning, May 7.

Kelch was taken into custody Friday afternoon, May 4, at a home in Marion, and was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
 

By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com

LAKETON -- Laketon area residents may soon see an increase in their monthly sewage bills.

The Laketon Area Regional Sewer District met Thursday, April 26, to vote on a proposed $5.60 monthly increase, effective July 1.

“This is being considered because there was a rate study, performed by Umbaugh and Associates, that determined that the rates presently in effect are insufficient to sustain the sewer district on a long-term basis,” attorney Steve Downs said during the meeting. “

Residential sewer customers will pay $65 monthly beginning July 1. The rate will increase again to $69.60 a year later, July 1, 2019.
 

By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com

Inspection of Wabash County's 157 bridges began Thursday, May 3, according to County Highway Superintendent John Martin.

Martin informed the commissioners of the inspections at their May 7 meeting.

The physical inspection will take most of May, with additional paperwork and reports being completed in the summer.
Indianapolis-based United Consulting is contracted to handle the inspections.

“They are looking for a variety of things,” Martin said. “They're looking for the overall conditioning of the bridge, and for anything that could cause the bridge to fail.

“They physically have to touch every piece of the bridge.”
 

Wabash City Schools' elementary school Kathy Swan Award winners included (front row, from left), Aaliyah Samons, Randy Boring, Kaylyn Woodcock, Michaella Cohee and Waylon Cressell. Joining the winners are school board members (second row, from left) Tony Pulley, Liz Hobbs, Rod Kelsheimer, Bill Konyha and Tiffani King. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Wabash City Schools officials named its elementary school Kathy Swan Award winners at the Monday, May, 7 school board meeting.

Teachers presented the awards to students in kindergarten through fourth grade Monday, with teachers giving a glimpse into what made each student worthy of the accolade.

Swan was a Wabash City Schools teacher who was tragically lost in 2005 in a plane crash that also claimed her husband and son.

“She was dedicated to her students. She loved kids,” Superintendent Jason Callahan said. “She had a heart for kids. The board wanted to do something in Kathy’s memory. She was such a champion for kids, they wanted something that would live on. So, because of Kathy’s dedication to students, they created this Kathy Swan Award.

“The Kathy Swan Award is given every year to a student in very grade level,” Callahan continued. “That award is given to students who epitomize, who live up to Kathy’s ideals. These are kids who work very hard. They are kids who have a great attitude. They do it without looking for recognition.

“We love the Kathy Swan Award because it is an award given by staff. Our teachers every year come together, and there’s not an application process. The kids don’t know they’re getting this. The teachers select based on the great attributes of your children.”