Serving the Steuben County 101 lakes area since 1857
Honoring four-legged friends, pet funerals become more popular
Weather Partly cloudy today. High 36. Low 27. Page B5 Angola, Indiana
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013
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Legislature fuels highway budget increase GOOD MORNING Former Indiana first lady remarries CORYDON (AP) — Former Indiana first lady Judy O’Bannon has remarried more than a decade after losing her husband, then-Gov. Frank O’Bannon, to a stroke. O’Bannon wed retired Indianapolis attorney Donald Willsey in a Friday ceremony held in a former log barn at the O’Bannon family’s farm in Corydon some 25 miles west of Louisville, Ky. O’Bannon tells The Indianapolis Star the ceremony was “an acknowledgement of our families coming together.” She wore wear a vintage dress her mother made and a garnet-studded wedding ring that cost just $18 at an antique mall. The 78-year-old O’Bannon and 84-year-old Willsey were fixed up by mutual friends two years ago, a year after Willsey’s first wife died of cancer. Gov. Frank O’Bannon died in 2003 following 47 years of marriage to Judy O’Bannon.
Obama helps support small business WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is doing his part to support small businesses. Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha dropped in Saturday at Washington’s Politics and Prose bookstore and purchased what he said was a “long list” of books that included “The Kite Runner,” ”Harold and the Purple Crayon,” and “The Sports Gene.” The president said he bought a reader for every age, from 5 to 52 — his age. He paid by credit card. The total was not announced. Obama sent a tweet earlier Saturday about the importance of supporting small businesses. The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become known as “Small Business Saturday.” It’s designed to drive business to mom and pop shops between the whirlwind of Black Friday sales offered by large retailers and Cyber Monday deals from online sellers.
Contact Us • The Herald Republican 45 S. Public Square Angola, IN 46703 Phone: (260) 665-3117 Fax: (260) 665-2322 Classifieds: (toll free) (877) 791-7877 Circulation: (800) 717-4679
Index • Classified.............................................. D4-D5 Life................................................................ C1 Obituaries.....................................................A4 Opinion .........................................................A6 Business ......................................................B5 Sports.................................................... B1-B4 Weather.......................................................B5 Vol. 156 No. 330
How county highway departments plan to use additional money BY JENNIFER DECKER jdecker@kpcmedia.com
The Indiana Legislature’s increase of infrastructure funding by $200 million per year has been welcomed by DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben county highway superintendents, who will receive a combined $1.7 million more in the first year of the law.
The additional road and infrastructure appropriations came when the Legislature passed the state’s $30 billion budget. A total of $400 million reportedly will be set aside over the next two years for future transportation needs. The money comes from Motor Vehicle Highway funds derived from gas taxes collected from motorists. Here is how each county will spend its additional allocation:
DeKalb County DeKalb County Highway Department Superintendent
Eric Patton will receive some $300,000-$400,000 extra from the Legislature for each of the next few years. “What we’ll try to do is increase our chip-and-seal,” he said about the 730 miles roads his department maintains — including 360 miles of gravel roads. In particular, he said, DeKalb roads such as C.R. 19 north of S.R. 8 and C.R. 56 are in need of attention. “We’ll try to increase our road striping,” he said. Still, receiving any extra funding unexpectedly helps, he said.
“Something people don’t realize is the cuts to highways,” Patton said. He figured he’s set on road salt, depending on Mother Nature’s ways this year, with a surplus of 600 tons mixed with sand left over from last year and the chance to order 1,000 more tons, if needed.
LaGrange County Jeff Brill, LaGrange County Highway Department superintendent, said he has no major plans on how to spend an added SEE HIGHWAY, PAGE A8
Santa surprises local family Eight Family receives unexpected gifts
Right, Chase Witherby displays several toys he received from Santa in the mail recently. He and his brother, Carson, have been getting gifts regularly since Chase sent a letter to Santa asking for gifts. Below, Witherby mails a letter to Santa Claus in September at his Angola home.
BY AMY OBERLIN aoberlin@kpcmedia.com
ANGOLA — The holidays can be a magical time for children. A little thing can put a twinkle in a child’s eyes and make memories that will last a lifetime. Santa Claus, of course, is the epitome of Christmas magic — and it seems one local family has become a favorite of the jolly old elf. Chase Witherby, 9, has good days and bad days. Chase is severely autistic and currently going through therapy and being home-schooled by his mother, Holly. They were shopping one day and Chase saw a Woody doll from the Disney “Toy Story” movies that he wanted. Holly told him to wait for Christmas, “but he really doesn’t understand,” she said. At home, her husband, Mike, wrote a letter to Santa for Chase, who signed the paper and put it in an envelope to mail to the North Pole. Sept. 19, Holly posted on Facebook a picture of Chase at the mailbox and wrote: “Chase ‘mailing’ his letter to Santa with the 2 toys he wants, the problem is, it’s going to be a LONG 14 weeks until Santa brings the toys … I will need prayed for the next 14 weeks!! He doesn’t understand waiting that long for a reinforcer.” Then, on Sept. 24, along with a picture of a letter with a red graphic of Santa Claus in the upper corner, she wrote: “So, last week Chase ‘mailed’ a letter to Santa, Mike wrote what Chase wanted and Chase signed it, and had him put it in mailbox and later took it out! Today this came in the mail from ‘Santa’ with some
die in crash Falling police helicopter mars Scottish holiday
stickers! Whoever you are ‘Santa’ you are SO thoughtful!! He was so excited for the Toy Story stickers! THANK YOU!!!!!” Holly said she does not know who sent the letter, or whether her Facebook messages have reached the right person.
LASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Scotland’s official holiday was transformed into a grim day of mourning Saturday as emergency crews searched the wreckage of a riverside pub smashed by a falling police helicopter. At least eight people died and more than a dozen remained hospitalized with serious injuries. The Clutha, a popular Glasgow pub, was filled with revelers enjoying a local ska band on Friday night, the eve of St. Andrew’s Day, named for the patron saint of Scotland and which is normally a celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. Instead, Scotland’s leader ordered flags at government buildings to be lowered to half-staff after the tragedy. “This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland, but it’s also St. Andrew’s Day, and it’s a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy,” Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said. There may be more bad news. Police said a rescue and recovery
SEE SURPRISE, PAGE A8
SEE CRASH, PAGE A8
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
“Whoever you are ‘Santa’ you are SO thoughtful.” Holly Witherby A post made on Facebook thanking the person who gave gifts to her family
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Auburn charity show benefits area soldiers BY MATT GETTS mgetts@kpcmedia.com
AUBURN — For one fan, it was all about the Batmobile. For another, it was all about Mountain Man from the hit reality television show “Duck Dynasty.” But for the organizers of Carl Casper’s 50th Anniversary Charity Auto Show, it was all about military veterans and their families. Hoosier Charities put on the two-day event that concludes from noon to 5 p.m. today at the National Military History Center, just west of Interstate 69 exit 326 with an entrance off DeKalb C.R. 11-A. The proceeds from the event will be distributed through the Association of Churches of Allen County and Fort Wayne. According to association board president Dave Boyer II, by working with chaplains from area
military units, the organization is able to provide housing and bill payment assistance, as well as helping with employment issues for returning veterans throughout northeastern Indiana. “If there’s a need, we’re going to meet it,” Boyer said. “Any need they have.” Saturday’s first day drew a steady crowd of spectators, highlighted by celebrity appearances from Mountain Man, pro wrestling legend Ted DiBiase and Casper. “We’re very happy,” said Jeff Cook of Auburn, the president of Hoosier Charities and a celebrity himself as a Monster Truck driver. “We’re looking good. We’ve had a good turnout.” DiBiase, Casper, Cook and SpongeBob Squarepants will be at the National Military History SEE CHARITY, PAGE A8
MATT GETTS
“Mountain Man” from the hit reality television series “Duck Dynasty” poses with fans during Carl Casper’s 50th Anniversary Charity Auto Show Saturday at the National Military History Center.