Archive - News Article
February 11th, 2011
SOUTH WHITLEY — The best spellers of the county elementary and middle schools converged on South Whitley Elementary School Thursday evening to compete for the title Whitley County Spelling Bee Champion.
COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City’s Common Council got a crash course in 800 MHz radios Tuesday night at its regular board meeting.
Ted Hurley of J&K Communica-tions gave the board and the city’s various department heads a slide presentation on 800 MHz technology that’s sweeping the nation’s emergency response airwaves.
According to Hurley, although Columbia City is still slightly behind the rest of the county in changing over to the 800 MHz system from the old VHF technology, it won’t matter for awhile anyway.
COLUMBIA CITY — The Lehmberg Building in Columbia City is changing hands.
Attorney Peter Mallers of Beers, Mallers, Backs and Salin of Fort Wayne appeared before the Whitley County Board of Commissioners Tuesday to announce the building, located at 333 North Oak Street and owned by Whitley Memorial Hospital, Inc., will be sold to Passages, Inc.
According to Mallers, the bylaws of Whitley Memorial Hospital Inc. require the consent of the county commissioners before the sale of any of its real estate.
COLUMBIA CITY — The teenager accused of killing a 14-year-old Whitley County girl in March of 2010 has pleaded guilty but mentally ill in Whitley County Circuit Court.
Joshua M. Wright, 18, appeared in court Thursday to change his plea on four counts related to the rape and murder of Kaylin Doggendorf.
If Whitley County Circuit Court Judge James Heuer accepts the change of plea, Wright could possibly receive a 100-year prison term.
Sentencing is set for March 28 at 9 a.m. in Whitley County Circuit Court.
February 10th
COLUMBIA CITY — The teenager accused of killing a 14-year-old Whitley County girl in March of 2010 has pleaded guilty but mentally ill in Whitley County Circuit Court.
Joshua M. Wright, 18, appeared in court Thursday to change his plea on four counts related to the rape and murder of Kaylin Doggendorf.
If Whitley County Circuit Court Judge James Heuer accepts the change of plea agreement between prosecutors and Wright's defense, Wright could possibly receive a 100-year prison term.
Sentencing is set for March 28 at 9 a.m. in Whitley County Circuit Court.
COLUMBIA CITY — During World War II many of the men of Whitley County joined the armed forces and served their country traveling all over the world.
But those who stayed behind did their own service for the country, just in a different way.
Jeanette Brown, Whitley County Historian will give a presentation on the World War II homefront at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Whitley County Historical Museum in Columbia City.
Did you know one Whitley County family sent six sons to the war?
COLUMBIA CITY — Whitley County Highway Department Superintendent Michael Barton told the Whitley County Council Tuesday his staff went to school in the recent severe snow storm.
“Right off the bat we had two trucks stuck,” said Barton of last week’s storm that gripped much of the Midwest.
“It got a little tense there for a moment with 30 to 40 cars stuck that first night.”
As the snow began to blanket the area, the “essential” personnel from the county and from Columbia City and other outlying towns rolled up sleeves and got to work.
COLUMBIA CITY — Three people were injured Wednesday, one seriously, in a two-vehicle collision north of Columbia City.
Elizabeth Peterson, 18, of Riley Road, Columbia City was airlifted by Parkview Hospital’s Samaritan helicopter following the crash that occurred on state Route 9 and County Road 500 North at about 4 p.m.
Peterson was listed by police as incoherent at the scene with apparent internal injuries. Her condition was unavailable at Parkview today.
February 9th
COLUMBIA CITY — Two of Columbia City’s department heads are asking for help from residents to keep the town’s streets safe and clear for the remainder of the winter season.
Tom LaRue, Columbia City’s fire chief said at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town’s Common Council that recent heavy snowfall could have covered fire hydrants.
“If there’s a hydrant that you know of that is buried, we ask that you either uncover it or call the city so someone can come out and uncover it,” LaRue said.
COLUMBIA CITY — A maritime materials company that has strong ties to Whitley County is returning home.
Sailrite Enterprises, Inc. announced Tuesday it would be moving its operations to the former Kilgore, Mfg. building in Gateway Industrial Park.
The company, formerly located in Columbia City, relocated near Merriam, but outgrew that facility, according to Matt Grant, company vice president.
“Kilgore is a big building for us, but we’re going to fill it,” Grant said.
Company president Hallie Grant is spearheading the move, motivated by a personal tie to the area.
