BRANDI DAWSON SCORES 1000TH in 80-24 rout of LP, MORE ON PAGE 6
The Garrett Clipper An edition of The
NEWS IN BRIEF Christmas bureau taking applications GARRETT — The Garrett Christmas Bureau will be taking applications this week. Applicants can sign up on the second floor of City Hall, 130 S. Randolph St., on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. A handicap entrance is located on the north side of the building. Required information includes: • Photo identification for applicant; • Proof of residence; • A current lease with applicant’s name and address; • A current billing with applicant’s name and address; • EBT/SNAP Card if applicable; • Income/Employer/Support information; • Identification for each child living with applicant, and a 2013-14 school identification/ record or a birth certificate or social security card for each child. Organizations and individuals interested in adopting a family are asked to phone Sue at 357-3846 or email sue@garrettindiana.us. Volunteers are also needed for the program. Donations can be mailed to the Christmas Bureau at P.O. Box 52, Garrett, IN 46738 or dropped off daily at City Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. or by appointment.
City meetings planned Tuesday GARRETT — Two city meetings will be held Tuesday in City Hall. The Common Council will meet at 7 p.m. Agenda items include the first reading of an ordinance regarding electric utility rates and charges. The Board of Works will meet at 5:30 p.m.
Parks Authority to meet tonight GARRETT — The City of Garrett Parks and Recreation Authority Committee will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in the mayor’s office in City Hall. Agenda items include follow-up on the Halloween Movie Night, the City Christmas Tree lighting, Christmas Parade of Lights on Saturday and a Santa Paws fundraiser on Dec. 15. The meeting is open to the public.
GHS begins food drive today GARRETT — Garrett High School’s annual Christmas food drive will start today, Nov. 18th and continue through Dec. 11. This year’s theme is Winter Olympics. Each class is divided into boys and girls and each group has a designated drop-off site for their donations, including some classrooms that the teachers have generously offered to use. At the end of the Christmas drive, members of the student council will box the donations and deliver them to the Community Care Food Pantry in Garrett.
The Garrett Clipper P.O. Box 59 Garrett, IN 46738 Phone: 925-2611 ext. 45 Fax: 925-2625 attn: Garrett Clipper
NOVEMBER 18, 2013
VOL. 127 ISSUE #92 On the web at: kpcnews.com
75 cents Garrett, Indiana Established in 1885
Counselors group honors Kruse INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana School Counselor Association recently named state Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, its Legislator of the Year. The association said it honored Kruse, chair of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee, for his openness and leadership on various education issues. “Sen. Kruse has long distinguished himself as a champion for Indiana’s school counselors,” said Julie Baumgart, government relations and legislative chair of ISCA. “He has consistently opened
his doors to our members to listen to the challenges and concerns they face each day as they strive to improve the lives of Indiana students.” Baumgart added that Kruse’s sponsorship of House Enrolled Act 1423 was instrumental in passing Kruse this important measure to help young Hoosiers. HEA 1423 provides anti-bullying initiatives and resources to schools across
Indiana. The association said over the past several years, Kruse has authored and sponsored a number of bills to improve Indiana’s overall education system. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Indiana School Counselor Association,” Kruse said in a news release from the association. “This organization is focused on advocating for student success, both in and out of the classroom. I look forward to working with them in the future.” This summer and fall, Kruse served as co-chair of several
Sue Carpenter
Members and leaders of Cub Scout Pack 3178’s Tiger Den raise a new American flag at the Altona Town Hall Tuesday. The former flag was lowered was retired during a ceremony Thursday at the Garrett American Legion. In front, from left, are Corbyn Minnich, Riley Clingan, Lane Sutton and Grayson Marshall. In the middle row are Adam Burns, Elijah Johnson, Chandler Minnich and Brayden Marshall. In back are den leaders Thomas Hofferman, Ben Johnson, Dellas Burns and Brad Clingan. Den leader Steve Minnich was not pictured.
Photo exhibit opens at GMOA GARRETT — The Garrett Museum of Art opened its latest exhibit, “Beauty” at a reception Friday. More than 35 area photographers submitted entries for the juried show that will continue through Dec. 22. Forrest VanGundy of Golden Lake near Angola won first place with his entry, “Abstract Weeds.” VanGundy said his interest in photography began some 40 years ago but he quit about 10 years later. He recently retired and returned to his hobby about four years ago. His entry was shot with a Nikon D70. VanGundy said he did not use much manipulation to create his award-winning photo. He frames all of his own works. He was surprised this particular photo was selected the winner of his three entries. VanGundy has shown his
Sue Carpenter
Dozens of patrons visited the Garrett Museum of Art Friday at the opening of its photography exhibit, “Beauty.” The show will continue through Dec. 22. photos at other shows, and is proud Wabash. to have three entries entered in the “I got in!” he said. recent Clark Gallery Photography Photography, Page 6 Show at the Honeywell Center in
Garrett spellers place 5th in state WEST LAFAYETTE — Garrett High School’s Spell Bowl team spelled 49 words correctly out of 90 possible to take fifth place in Class 3 at the Indiana Academic Spell Bowl Senior State Finals on Saturday at Purdue University. “I think we did really well,” said Garrett coach Mark Claxton. “I think it’s pretty outstanding that of all the schools in Class 3, we were able to place fifth.” Cascade High School in Clayton was the state champion in Class 3 with 81 words correct. Eight teams competed in Class 3 at the state meet. In Class 1, East Noble High School placed second. This was the fourth straight year Garrett has qualified for the finals. “I know that I would like to keep coming back. I know the kids would,” Claxton said. “Garrett’s had a really excellent tradition of bringing kids down to this competition. We’re looking to be here again. “We’ve got 20 team members right now. We’ve got six seniors,
James Tew
Senior Victoria Stone, left, accepts a state qualifier recognition award on behalf of the Garrett High School Spell Bowl team Saturday at the state finals at Purdue University. The Railroaders finished fifth in Class 3 at the meet. so hopefully I can get all 14 kids to come back and then some for next year. Junior Julia Thorne and senior Cassie Smith each had near-perfect rounds with eight words correct out of nine for Garrett. Claxton said he
education committees studying topics such as Common Core, regional college campuses, high-preforming schools and absenteeism. “Sen. Kruse has been willing to advocate on our behalf and on behalf of Indiana’s school children to his colleagues in the General Assembly,” Baumgart said. “His record of leadership on education issues and his attentiveness to the concerns of Indiana school counselors make him an ideal selection as our inaugural Legislator of the Year.”
Former police officer opts for bench trial
RAISING THE FLAG
Decorate Our City Tree in Garrett Saturday GARRETT — The City of Garrett is hosting a Decorate Our City Tree event Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in the courtyard next to City Hall. Ornaments can be dropped off at City Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or brought to the event. Donated ornaments will be stored for next year.
MONDAY
was proud of all the students who competed. “They’re extremely dedicated. They’re all busy kids, but they always find time,” Claxton said. “They represent Garrett extremely well.”
BY KATHRYN BASSETT kbassett@kpcmedia.com AUBURN — A judge, not a jury, will decide if a former local police officer who is accused of obtaining military surplus items through his department and selling some of them for personal gain is guilty or not guilty. Sean L. Kahkola of the 15000 block of Towne Park Run, Huntertown, is charged with Kahkola two counts of theft, both Class D felonies. Kahkola had been a Garrett police officer from 1997-2005. He joined the Auburn Police Department in 2005 and resigned from the Auburn force April 16, 2012. A jury trial had been scheduled for Dec. 3 and 4 in DeKalb Superior Court I. Thursday, Judge Kevin Wallace granted Kahkola’s motion to waive a jury trail and set a bench trial before the judge. Kahkola is represented by attorney Kevin Likes. Joe Rowe is the special prosecutor in the case. According to court documents, in 2005, Kahkola helped the Auburn Police Department obtain a 1988 Chevy pickup through a program that gives police departments items the federal government no longer wants, free of charge. By Jan. 5, 2006, Kahkola was listed on the truck’s title as its owner, according to court documents. On July 28, 2008, Kahkola sold the truck to his parents for $500. The second theft charge relates to the sale of a 2002 camper that Kahkola also procured while he was a police officer in Auburn.
Parade of Lights planned Saturday GARRETT — Garrett’s seventh annual Christmas Parade of Lights will be Saturday, Nov. 23 in downtown Garrett. Sponsored by the Garrett Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb County Horsemen’s Association, draft horse teams will pull decorated wagons from Warfield Street to downtown Garrett. Their expected arrival downtown will be at about 6 p.m. Downtown businesses including restaurants will be open during the event. The parade route follows East Warfield to Randolph Street through downtown, then east on King St. and south on Second Street. The event is a week earlier this year instead of the day after Thanksgiving to allow families to gather for the holiday. Santa Claus will arrive by firetruck at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29 to greet children at the Silver Screen Cinema. The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, who will be passing out candy for the kids.