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NEWS IN BRIEF Relay For Life coming to Churubusco Staff reports CHURUBUSCO – On June 24, Relay For Life of Whitley County will return to Churubusco High School. Activities begin at 9 a.m. and end at midnight. Relay For Life is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The theme for Whitley County’s event this year is inspired by Dr. Seuss: “Cancer not here, not there, not anywhere.” Special events planned include a Mr. Relay Contest in which participants wear dresses to collect donations, a hair donation for those who can donate more than 8 inches, a silent auction and a Color Run 5K. Survivor activities begin at 3 p.m. with a special lap of the track at 5 p.m. If you are interested in participating or want more information, visitrelayforlife.org/whitleycountyin; contact Zach Washler at 484-5531 or zach. washler@cancer.org; or contact event lead Tammy at aunt46723@yahoo.com
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Camp Whitley
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June 15, 2017
Public voices concerns at CFO meeting By Tyler Roebuck troebuck@kpcmedia�com
COLUMBIA CITY – Tensions were high at the Whitley County 4-H Center Monday night as the Purdue Extension Office, Indiana Department of Environment Management and the Office of the Indiana State Chemist held a public informational meeting concerning
livestock production and confined feeding operations in the state of Indiana. Tensions in the meeting arose over the issue of manure. Attendees had questions about how to prevent manure and other waste products from entering groundwater or polluting area lakes. Joe Williams, Section Chief for IDEM, attempted
to reassure concerned citizens. “In Indiana, you cannot discharge contaminated water. Period” he said. He added, “These farms are getting bigger and that’s just a fact of life. They’ve been getting bigger since the 1970s.” IDEM cannot control the location of new farms. “We control if a farm
can be a CFO, local zoning controls where,” Williams said. Whitley County and Columbia City Executive Director of Planning & Building Nathan Bigler was on hand to explain local zoning regulations. In Whitley County, agricultural zoning is based upon animal units, a measurement created by the
By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia�com
Telephone: (800) 717-4679
Vol. 1 No. 11
NICOLE MINIER
Students in Columbia City High School’s class of 2017 were excited after receiving their diplomas at last Friday’s commencement ceremony, held in the Donald S. Weeks Gymnaisum. See more photos of Columbia City’s, Whitko’s and Churubusco’s graduations on Pages 9-11.
Just like Dad: By Nicole Minier nminier@kpcmedia�com
COLUMBIA CITY — “Working with my dad everyday is great and I love it.” When Logan Williams was growing up, he always knew his father was working hard, running his own business in Whitley County. As an adult, he’s gained a whole new respect
for the company and his father. Williams, 26, is the son of Rick Williams, of Qualitex, who has been a business owner in Whitley County for 24 years. Prior to Qualitex, Rick Williams owned Quality Inspection and Gage, a Columbia City company. Both provide gages and
INWhitley County
INWhitley County 123 N. Main Street, Churubusco, IN 46723
See CFO, Page 5
Columbia City, Churubusco, host commencement ceremonies
123 North Main Street,Churubusco, IN 46723
INFORMATION
county in 2006. “[Animal units] measure the relative impact of one animal in relation with others,” Bigler said. Two types of zones were created out of this: agriculture and agricultural producer. At the time of writing, Whitley County has 21 CFOs, and all fall
Congrats, Class of 2017
Groundbreaking is Friday for new CCHS Staff reports COLUMBIA CITY — A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Columbia City High School is 11 a.m. June 16, at the site of the new school, located near Indian Springs Middle School, south of Columbia City on State Road 9. The event will begin at the ISMS track, with several speakers taking the podium. The event will then move from the ISMS track to the groundbreaking site. The public is invited to join WCCS in the ceremony. Construction on the school begins this summer.
$285/wk ALL INCLUSIVE
COLUMBIA CITY — After 2,340 days of school, Whitley County Consolidated Schools bid farewell to the Class of 2017 with its commencement ceremony last Friday. The 234 young adults walked into the Donald S. Weeks Gymnasium as students and walked out as Columbia City High School alumni. Surrounded by their family and friends, the graduates heard from Superintendent Patricia O’Connor, Valedictorian Madyson Stricker, Salutatorian Andrew Jagger and faculty speaker Joe Urschel. Stricker offered words of encouragement. “Go out there and give it your best shot,” she said. “Do your best to See CCHS, Page 7
Son of Qualitex owner is following father’s footsteps to become an entrepreneur, too
fixtures to a variety of industries, including automotive and medical. As a child, Logan spent some time around his father’s shops, mowing grass and doing odd jobs, but never dove into the heart of the business. “He never showed a big interest in the business,” Rick said. Now, Logan is vice president of Qualitex, and is setting up his career to one day buy out the company from his father. Being the owner of a small manufacturing company is rarely at the top of a young adult’s mind, but now that Logan is See DAD, Page 5
NICOLE MINIER
Rick Williams, president of Qualitex in Whitley County, recently named his son, Logan, vice president.