Vol. 39, No. 42
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc.
www.thepaperofwabash.com
December 28, 2016
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Manchester attorney to fill vacant council seat
Wabash man found guilty Sentencing in molesting case set for Jan. 9
By Eric Christiansen echristiansen@nmpaper.com NORTH MANCHESTER — In a 6-0 vote, County Council District 1 precinct committee members selected North Manchester attorney Matthew Mize as the Council’s newest member Wednesday night, Dec. 21. Mize replaces retiring Councilman C l a u d e Markstahler for the Chester Township seat, defeating local businessman A n t h o n y DeLaughter. “I’m thankful to the precinct committee for its confidence in me,” Mize said. Mize has been MATT MIZE around the North Manchester community since 1999 as he received his bachelors and masters degrees in accounting at Manchester College. “County Council is mostly a fiscal responsibility,” Mize said. “When I was looking at the responsibilities, we really don’t legislate, just focus on the fiscal body. I think my accounting background will be helpful to the Council. I’ve been a Chief Financial Officer for big companies and small companies. I have a law firm in North Manchester, and I do a lot of tax and business work.” Mize said he was asked to run for the vacant seat and thought he could contribute “fiscally and conservatively as a good Republican”. (continued on page 7)
Wabash Fire Department EMTs transport a Wabash woman from a Sunset Drive residence on Friday, Dec. 23. Photo by Emma Rausch
Police investigate shooting, stabbing at 2 Wabash homes By The Paper staff Wabash Police are investigating the Friday, Dec. 23, shooting of a Wabash man and stabbing of a Wabash woman. According to a press release from Wabash Police Public Information Officer Capt. Matt Benson: At approximately 11:23 a.m, the Wabash Police Department responded to 100 block of North Allen Street to investigate a report of a male that had been shot. Responding officers located Keith W. Shepherd, 48, with a gunshot wound to the face. The initial investigation led other officers to the 900 block of Sunset Drive to find Christina M. Bowman, 50, with suspected self-inflicted injuries.
Wabash Police officers stand outside an Allen Street home conducting an initial investigation the shooting of a 48-year-old Wabash man. Photo by Emma Rausch Both were transferred to Fort Wayne hospitals for treatment. Shepherd was taken by ambulance while Bowman was flown by medical helicopter. The initial investigation further revealed that the two subjects were involved in a domestic relationship. Detective John Krhin
and Indiana State Police crime scene investigators are continuing the investigation. The Wabash County Sheriff ’s Department assisted at both scenes. Benson said Wabash Police had an officer stationed at the hospital awaiting Bowman’s release.
By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
A former Wabash man was convicted Wednesday, Dec. 21, for charges that stemmed from a 1997 child molesting case. Christopher L. Kimble, 46, Fairfax, S.C., was found guilty of felony child molesting and felony attempted child molesting. The charges stemmed from a 1997 investigation in which a child younger than 10years-old reported to local law enforcement that Kimble had touched them inappropriately in 1994, according to the probable cause CHRISTOPHER affidavit. The KIMBLE child told officers that they knew the difference between good touch and bad touch after learning about it in school, the documents continued. A warrant was issued for Kimble’s arrest on June 3, 1997, but was not fulfilled until Oct. 26, 2016. On Jan. 23, 1998, Prosecutor Alfred Plummer III filed for a fugitive warrant for Kimble in regards to the case, according to court documents. However, in June 1997, Kimble had been extradited to South Carolina for charges stemming from a May 1996 rape case, according to Spartanburg County, (continued on page 7)
I resolve ... Local residents look ahead to 2017 By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com While giving and being merry is the reason for the season, the new year is right around the corner and with it another chance to better oneself. For nearly 4,000 years, communities from around the world have celebrated New Years Eve and made resolutions to guide them into and throughout the next year. Resolutions often include getting fit or volunteering more, but, no matter the focus, each one is made with the hopes of bringing out the best in each person, even if the plans are seldom kept. In accordance with the tradition, many Wabash County residents have also made resolutions with the same hopes of bettering themselves or fix bad habits. The following locals shared their 2017 ambitions with The Paper of Wabash County. (continued on page 16)
Kourtland Pratt, 8: “To get better at playing soccer and reading.”
Katie Pratt: “To slow down and enjoy life a little more.”