Archive - News Article
February 2nd, 2011
COLUMBIA CITY - Whitley County's Emergency Management/Department of Homeland Security is having committee meetings to assess whether or not to extend the Level 1 snow emergency past 6 p.m. today.
The decision will be made at 4 p.m., according to agency director Cathy Broxon-Ball.
"Our committee will review the situation at 4 p.m. today to see if we need to extend it past 6 p.m.," she said.
Broxon-Ball said motorists should continue to use common sense regarding road travel.
Whitley County's Level 1 snow emergency has been extended until 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to Whitley County Emergency Management Director Cathy Broxon-Ball. The snow emergency was previously set to expire at noon.
The Whitley County Commissioners have issued the following statement: “Whitley County is under a level 1 snow emergency. The general public should not travel unless absolutely necessary.”
A Level 1 Snow emergency states that:
Wednesday morning - The National Weather Service downgraded Whitley County's condition from a Blizzard warning to a Winter Weather advisory as of 4:45 a.m. Overnight Fort Wayne reported areas received six or more inches of snow and blowing causing drifts of three feet or more. Sleet and freezing rain was also reported.
The forecast posted by the NWS this morning follows:
February 1st
Sheriff Mark Hodges, Emergency Management Director Cathy Broxon-Ball, county highway superintendent Mike Barton and the Whitley County Commissioners have moved Whitley County to a Level 1 snow emergency effective from 9 p.m. Tuesday night until noon Wednesday.
The text of their declaration follows:
Whereas, Whitley County, Indiana has been impacted by or is immediately threatened by a severe winter storm blizzard.
February 1, 2011 21:00 Activate the Snow Emergency Ordinance 2008-01 Level 1, for the next 15 hours.
Updated 4:45 a.m. Wednesday - The Post & Mail will post updates as they become available as to weather conditions in Whitley County and weather-related information for our readers. Check back to this story for the latest reports.
The Wednesday edition of The Post & Mail went to print early because of the second round of this week’s winter storm. If snowy conditions inhibit paper delivery, customers should expect their Wednesday paper to be delivered with the Thursday edition.
Updated 4:45 a.m. Wednesday - One to two inches of snow overnight and the promise of more this afternoon have closed schools in Whitley County.
Smith-Green Community Schools, Whitley County Consolidated Schools, Whitko Community Schools and Faith Christian Academy had all closed by 6 a.m. this morning.
Weather forecasts have upgraded our area to a blizzard warning as high winds are expected to make travel very difficult, if not impossible later today.
January 31st
For years the Junior Miss pageant has given the young ladies of our community an opportunity to gain experience and confidence in front of an audience while competing for scholarship monies.
But what about the boys?
The Eagle Renaissance program, which originated last year at Columbia City High School, has seen the slight to Columbia City’s male students and stepped up to the challenge bringing to the community the first ever Mr. CCHS Pageant.
COLUMBIA CITY — A trial date has been set for the former Whitley County man accused of child molesting.
Terry R. Campbell, 64, was in Whitley County Circuit Court Monday for a pre-trial conference.
Campbell’s public defender, Brad Voelz, requested a June trial.
Whitley County Circuit Court Judge James Heuer set the trial date for June 7 with a final pre-trial conference slated for May 23.
COLUMBIA CITY — A Columbia City teen was charged as an adult and received a grown-up jail sentence in connection with a series of incidents in 2010.
Homer Joe Knight, 17, was charged with burglary, theft and battery and pleaded guilty in Whitley Circuit Court.
On Monday, Circuit Court Judge James Heuer sentenced Knight to a total of 10 years in jail for the offenses.
Knight received six years for burglary, a Class C felony, in connection with a break-in of Star Tire & Automotive July 26, 2010.
Heuer suspended two years of that sentence.
COLUMBIA CITY — A Churubusco man accused of rape has asked for his trial date to be bumped back until June.
Bart Arnold, attorney for Kent Frenger, 40, told Whitley County Circuit Court Judge James Heuer Monday he needed additional time for discovery in the case.
Frenger was scheduled for a jury trial Feb. 8 in connection with allegedly holding a woman at knife-point before raping her and forcing her to perform a sex act on him.
Frenger is not only charged with rape, but also criminal deviate conduct and criminal confinement.
