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THE PAPER July 17, 2019
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WABASH, IN PERMIT NO. 233
of Wabash County Vol. 42, No. 16
Governor seeks disaster declaration
Wabash among 88 counties in request
INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced that the state of Indiana is requesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretarial disaster designation for 88 counties, including Wabash County, due to losses caused by flooding and excessive rain this planting season. “Heavy and persistent rainfall has saturated fields across the
state, hurting Indiana crops and our farmers,” Holcomb said. “As I continue to monitor this situation, Hoosier farmers can rest assured that we will keep a close eye on the long-term effects of these relentless rains.” The request was made Friday, July 12, in a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and signed by Gov. Holcomb, Lt. Gov.
Suzanne Crouch and Indiana Farm Service Agency Executive Director Steven Brown. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data shows that the past 12 months have been the wettest on record in the United States. A USDA disaster designation can be requested when at least 30 percent of one crop is damaged or lost in a
county. Of the state’s 92 counties, 88 counties have reported data meeting that threshold. The designation would allow emergency low-interest loans to be made available to farmers. The low-interest financing can also be made to counties contiguous to counties in the disaster zone.
U.S. heroes to be honored on July 20 By Josh Sigler jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com
Mariah Kirtlan, the 2019 Wabash County 4-H Fair Queen, receives a congratulatory hug from her father, Scott. Photos by David Brinson
Kirtlan crowned 2019 County 4-H Fair Queen By David Brinson news@thepaperofwabash.com Mariah Kirtlan thought there must have been a mistake when the announcer read her name off as this year’s Wabash County 4-H Fair Queen. “I thought they called the wrong number!” Kirtlan said, laughing. “This was my last year and I was really sad, because I just wanted to at least get on the court. And then I was like ‘Oh my gosh! No way!’” The 2019 Wabash County 4-H Fair Queen Pageant took place Wednesday night, July
10, in the Honeywell Center’s Ford Theater. Kirtlan’s court consists of Haylie Miller (first runner-up), Ally Keaffaber (second runner-up) and Karrigan Yard (third runner-up). Ariel Dale was awarded the honor of Miss Congeniality. Kirtlan graduated from Northfield with Academic Honors and is currently attending Indiana University of Fort Wayne, where she is pursuing a nursing degree. She hopes to eventually obtain her Nurse Practitioner license and work in the mission field. Kirtlan was on the Wabash Festivals Queen’s court last year when she (continued on page 2)
Jirni Cripe, the 2018 Wabash County 4-H Fair Queen, crowns 2019 Queen Mariah Kirtlan.
An event which will provide honor helicopter rides to military veterans is scheduled for July 20. LLL Truck Repair, along with Indiana and American Huey 369, a non-profit organization based in Peru, are partnering to host the event, called Honoring our Heroes to recognize veterans and active-duty personnel. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at LLL, located at 8254 West County Road 300 North in Andrews, near U.S. 24. This is the third time the event has offered free flights. The community has stepped up for financial support to help send the veterans up, but anyone can take a membership flight. The last event took place in 2017, and drew around 400 people. “We’re probably expecting 500 people this year, but it probably won’t all be at the same time,” Ryan Long said. Long said it’s passion for veterans that makes him and his business want to do this. “We care about our veterans and want to do something for them,” Ryan said. ”We’ve sent over 100 veterans up in the Vietnam-era Huey helicopters, and it’s just a good feeling giving back to our veterans. They did things we can’t even understand at times, and it just feels good knowing that the entire community is supporting this event.” The event is open to the public and all ages are encouraged to come out to show respect and honor to veterans and active duty personnel. Veterans and active duty personnel interested in taking an honor flight should arrive to register for the drawing between 10 and 11 a.m. Two Vietnam-era helicopters, American (continued on page 9)