Vol. 40, No. 10
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. May 24, 2017
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Services planned for Memorial Day
DNR hosts hearing on WRT permit
By The Paper staff The Wabash County Veteran’s Service Office recently announced the plans for Memorial Day services for Wabash County. The services are open to the public and are being conducted by the veterans’ organizations of Wabash County and their associated Auxiliaries. Services will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 29, with a ceremony at the Carroll Street Bridge honoring those who have died in maritime service. This will be followed by a dedication service beginning at 10 a.m. at the Wabash County Courthouse War Memorial. American Legion Post No. 15 Chaplin Jim Black will give the invocation, which will be followed by Jo Wade singing the national anthem. Remarks will then be given by City of Wabash Mayor Scott Long; Chris Lee, a representative of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski; and State Senator Andy Zay. The Auxiliaries will then lay wreaths on the memorial. More remarks will then be given by VFW Post 286 Commander Herb Mullen and American Legion Post No. 15 Commander Steve Baxter. This will be followed by a salute from the VFW Rifle Team, and “Taps,” to be played on bugle by Jim Hoefer while the flag is lowered. VFW Post No. 286 Chaplin Mike Teal will give the benediction. In North Manchester, the American Legion Post No. 286 will host the Memorial Day services on Monday, May 29, beginning at 10 a.m. Services will be held at Halderman Park, located on North Market Street, and will include Post 286 Color Guard, the Manchester Civic Band, guest speakers and special recognition of American Legion members achieving a variety of accomplishments. The morning begins as the American Legion Riders leave the Post on Main Street at 9 a.m. for a tour around North Manchester, arriving at Halderman Park where the Manchester Civic Band will begin their prelude at 9:35 a.m. The American Legion Post 286 Commander will welcome those gathered at 10 a.m. The service will conclude by 11 a.m. The community gathers at Halderman Park to honor our (continued on page 4)
Residents allege more work taking place without permits By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com Indiana State Police Capt. Dave KirKham and Lt. Jerremy Kelly read the names of the fallen troopers. Photos by Joseph Slacian
Indiana State Police remember fallen officers By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
Harper, daughter of Indiana State Police trooper Weston Shanks, stood by her father’s side throughout the memorial service
PERU — The Indiana State Police District 16 Memorial Service took place Wednesday morning, May 17, at the Peru Post. ISP officials read the names of all ISP troopers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Post Commander Lt. Jeremy Kelly welcomed guests to the event. After an invocation from Jack Hess, ISP Capt. David Kirkham, Area I commander, read the names of the 46 ISP troopers killed in the line of duty since 1933. Kelly then gave a brief description of the individual, including when he joined the force, and the day of watch ended. The list ranged from Eugene Teague, a six-month veteran of the force who was shot and killed on Dec. 20, 1933, while trying to apprehend a member of the Dillinger gang, to Robert E. Pitcher, who was killed in a traffic accident on Sept. 26, 2010. Four troopers assigned to the Peru Post are among the 46 to have been died in the line of duty. Those officers are: Sgt. Glen R. Hosier who died April 26, 1971, of a gunshot wound he received while leading officers up the stair case of a Miami County home. He was attempting to arrest a murder suspect. Trooper Robert J. Lather II who died July 6, 1982, in an automobile crash on U.S. 31 in Miami County. He was assisting the Howard County Sheriff ’s Department in pursuit of a traffic violator. Master Trooper Detective David E. Rich who died July 5, 2007, of a gunshot wound he received when a motorist he stopped to assist opened fired on him as he approached a disabled vehicle on U.S. 24 in Wabash County. Trooper Daniel R. Barrett who died (continued on page 4)
Representatives from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources listened to concerns from opponents to the Wabash River Trail for more than 90 minutes on Wednesday evening, May 17. The public hearing in the Wabash Middle School Auditorium was requested in connection with the WRT’s request for a permit to build a bridge over the Lagro Creek on the eastern edge of the Town of Lagro. Opponents cited a number of concerns, including the fact that the WRT has already worked on the project without receiving proper permits. The WRT worked on a boat ramp just east of State Road 524 without having received a DNR report, and audience members at the May 17 meeting alleged that WRT has worked in the area for which the hearing was taking place. “Are you aware,” Lagro resident Ann Roe asked the DNR representatives, “has any construction occurred within that area” that was the subject of the meeting. DNR representative Nick Males said, “I believe some of the trail has been constructed (continued on page 6)
Residents gather to support inclusive park By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
Area residents supported the Wabash inclusive park project by attending the Family Fun Day on Sunday, May 21. Despite heavy rain earlier in the morning, children, parents, grandparents and friends still convened at the John Drook Memorial Park throughout the day to enjoy pony rides, games, crafts and live music. The park, which will provide the community with a safe place for all ages and abilities to play with one another, is a Wabash Stellar Communities project. The park will include multi-spinners, wide hill slides and other attractions that will create a fun and inclusive playground area. Tenille Zartman, park project committee member, told The Paper of Wabash County that (continued on page 5)