Archive - News Article
March 23rd, 2011
COLUMBIA CITY — As consulting firm Ground Rules, Inc. begins the study process of wind energy in preparation for the eventual drafting of a new Whitley County Wind Ordinance, it will have a nine-member panel to provide input.
Dave Sewell, Whitley County’s Executive Director of the Building and Planning Department presented a nine-member steering committee to the county’s Board of Commissioners Monday.
The committee has been called for from an outcry by residents who oppose the installation of 400-foot-plus windmills near their property.
COLUMBIA CITY — Residents opposed to the installation of windmill facilities in Whitley County have been keeping their fingers on the pulse of local government in recent months — particularly the Whitley County Plan Commission and the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
There have been many common themes in the opposition to the possible arrival of wind farms.
One of those has been a call for a moratorium on wind farms until the proper zoning ordinance can be drafted.
The Whitley County Purdue Extension board members seem to come and go in pairs, as two new members were elected, two were re-elected and two did not run for another term.
The new members are Lucy Draper and Anne Waybright.
Draper has been a 4-H leader for 23 years, is president of the Whitley County 4-H leaders organization and serves on Fun Night, Parade and Spooktacular committees. She and her children have all been 10-year members of the Whitley County 4-H program.
Waybright, is also a 10-year 4-H member and her oldest child is starting as a mini 4-Her.
March 21st
SOUTH WHITLEY — A dream which seemed unrealistic two years ago is now becoming a reality for South Whitley residents Katey Till and Colleen French.
The two mothers have been working vigorously to raise money in order to transform the community’s town park into a magical playland complete with a fire truck and colorful village houses.
“We are really anxious and ready to put something down there,” French said. “With gas prices up, it would be nice to have something new and inviting in this town because people may not be able to afford to drive to another town for a park.”
COLUMBIA CITY — The Columbia City Common Council is expected to announce the bidding process for new police radios at its regular meeting Tuesday.
In recent weeks, the board has heard presentations from the two front-runners to receive the city radio contract — J&K Communications, a local company, and Motorola.
Departments throughout the county of police, fire and emergency medical and dispatch personnel have been making a transition to 800 MHz technology since last year.
March 18th
COLUMBIA CITY — The Whitley County Consolidated School Corporation’s Board of School Trustees meets in regular session Monday and is not yet scheduled to act on proposed budget cuts aimed at bringing black ink back to the school system’s financial statement.
Over the past two board meetings, the panel has heard reports from corporation Superintendent Dr. Patricia O’Connor and Business Manager Tony Zickgraf about revenue shortfalls and proposed solutions.
COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City’s Board of Works and Safety signed an agreement with the railroad that will allow the city to run utilities under the tracks at one of its newest industrial parks.
CSX Transportation, Inc., a Jacksonville, Fla.-based railroad company, requires “Facility Encroachment Agreements” all along its tracks for any work that would require crossing over or under the company’s infrastructure.
COLUMBIA CITY — A Columbia City resident said she received a phone call this week from someone who knew her name and address, but wanted her to give them her Social Security number and where to send her check.
Earlier in the week, a county resident called to report that she had gotten a phone call from someone claiming to be with Medicare and after asking some health-related questions, which the woman verified, asked for her Medicare and Social Security numbers.
COLUMBIA CITY — One of the icons of the Whitley County Extension Office and the 4-H program is stepping down as of this afternoon.
Kay Walter has been the smiling face behind the counter, the secretary for the extension office, for “23 1/2 years and eight days” she said Wednesday, but she’s not counting.
Married to Steve Walter, Kay was a stay-at-home mom to their daughters Stephanie and Kathy before taking a job with L.M. Berry in Warsaw. When that business moved to Dayton, she applied for the extension office job.
