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By Jennifer Zartman Romano

North central Whitley County residents are keeping a wary, watchful eye on their property and that of neighbors as well after a string of thefts and break-ins in that area in recent weeks.
Burglaries were reported at Big Lake Church of God (Whitley County) and also at Goss Grocery (Noble County). Additionally, early this month, a pair of snowmobiles were stolen from a home not far from there. Since that time, neighbors have become hyper-aware of activity in that area and have begun circulating emails and initiating neighborhood watches.
According to Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges, while the snowmobile theft has not been solved, authories have found resolution on both of the burglary cases.
"The church burglary and Goss Grocery burglary have been solved and arrests have been made," Hodges said.
Hodges recommends that residents secure their belongings to keep them safe.
"Keep everything as secure as possible," Hodges said. "I also suggest keeping good records of all possessions such as serial number, model numbers and any other way to identify property.  Some people will engrave an identifying number or symbol on possessions so if they are recovered the owner can identify their property."
Alarm systems can also be beneficial, Hodges adds.
"A good alarm system might be a preventative measure.  A system that is connected to a phone line must have some type of method to work in case the phone line is cut," he said, but added, "We had a burglary at a rural business that had an alarm but it failed to make the proper notification because the phone line was cut."
And, as always, keep an eye on your property and that of your neighbors. If you see something that just doesn't seem right, report it to the authorities. Be especially aware of strange vehicles, individuals lurking at odd hours or anything else that seems unusual. Report your finding sto the authorities by calling the Whitley County Sheriff's Department at 244-6410.

Posted by jennifer321 at 11:03 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

By Gareth Evans

State Representative Kathy Heuer of Columbia City co-authored House Bill 1064, which extends the expiration date for the Lake Management Work Group for two years. The bill passed out of the House yesterday and will now move to the Senate for their consideration. 
During the 2011 Legislative Session the legislature voted to extend the work group for one year. Due to the upcoming expiration date, HB 1064 will allow the group to function and operate for the next two years.
“This group works very hard to make sure that the quality of our lakes in Indiana are protected and maintained,” said Heuer. “Increasing the longevity of this group was essential to ensuring that we continue to study important issues affecting our lakes.”
The Lake Management Work Group meets throughout the year and discusses pertinent lake related issues. The members work toward developing solutions for problems affecting Indiana lakes.
The Lake Management Work Group has discussed and studied a variety of issues including:
·         Phosphorus and its connection with the contamination of lakes
·         Toxic growth of blue-green algae in lakes and reservoirs
·         The increase in mute swans and their affect on the habitat
·         The Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program and its monies for biological and engineering projects
“There are many important issues affecting our lakes that still need to be investigated, and it is my hope that this bill will pass in the Senate so that it can be signed into law,” said Heuer.

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(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Kelley Sheiss 

After sampling the options and evaluating the unique characteristics of the chilis presented at the 2012 Whitley County Chamber of Commerce's Fire & Ice WinterFest Chili for Charity cookoff, several residents remarked they'd love to have the recipe for what was, perhaps, the most eclectic recipe there -- the "Hog Wild White Out" chili by Kelley Sheiss. Sheiss has graciously shared the recipe with Talk of the Town's readers today. Sheiss is a multi-year champion of the cookoff, taking home the People's Choice award for several years. Sheiss began perfecting this new recipe during the record-setting summer months of 2011!

Hog Wild "White Out" Chili
by Kelley Sheiss, Three "D" Stock Farms of Larwill

1 3-5 lb. pork shoulder (butt), slow cooked and shredded
1 lb. ground pork, browned with onion and garlic
1 lb. cooked bacon, break into bits

Add all cooked meat ingredients to slow cooker.
Add equal parts low-sodium beef broth and chicken broth.  Add one can water.

Season with pepper.
Add 1 Tbsp. hot sauce and 1/2 cup brown sugar.
Stir all ingredients well.

Add one bag of hash brown potatoes.
Add one block of mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced.

Cook on low 6-8 hours.  Add diced kale (optional) about 1 hour before serving.   Add salt to taste.

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(Talk of the Town photo provided) The CCHS boys' basketball team will be raising awareness for prostate cancer tomorrow night with their blue jersey game. Above, from left in front, is Drew Burnsworth, Drew Benedict, Jared Murphy, Matt Rethlake, Brandon Gay and Jacob Johnson. Row two, from left, includes Tristen Wright, Johnathan Simmons, Derek Hinen, Dan Woll and Austin Paul.
 
By Chelsey Barrell

The Columbia City High School boys’ basketball team is ready to Go Blue!
The team will be holding a “Shots Against Cancer” fundraiser that will take place tomorrow, Friday January 27, 2012, against New Haven.  This “blue jersey” game is to raise awareness of the importance of prostate cancer screenings and raise support for the Cancer Care Fund at the Community Foundation. 
The donations received by this event will go into the Whitley County Cancer Care Endowment Fund. The WCCCEF provides financial support to local non-profit organizations that offer services to cancer patients and their families residing within Whitley County. This fund was established to assist people battling all types of cancer.
The blue jerseys will be worn during the games (JV and Varsity) and offered via silent auctions during the game. The JV game starts at 6:15 p.m. at CCHS.
The Whitley County Community Foundation is fortunate to collaborate with this great group of local teenagers who have chosen to invest themselves in this community project and we are grateful for their efforts.

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By Krystal Shull

State Senator Jim Banks’ bill  to allow academic credits transfer more easily between state universities passed out of the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development today by a 9-1 vote.
Banks, of Columbia City, said Senate Bill 182 will not only prevent transfer students from enrolling in additional semesters of coursework in order to complete their degree on time, but also save students from additional tuition costs when re-taking classes.
“Hoosiers who change schools can spend thousands of dollars re-taking courses because their new school won’t accept their transfer credits,” Banks said. “By removing an unnecessary obstacle between students earning a college degree, time and money are saved and our workforce becomes stronger and ultimately more competitive in a global economy.”
An amendment that adopted to SB 182 during committee calls on the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) to develop a common course numbering system for general education courses at all public Indiana universities or institutions by May 15, 2013.
The CHE lists the Core Transfer Library on their website with courses eligible for transfer between state educational institutions. Unfortunately, the numbering system and acceptance guidelines are different for each school, making the system for transfer students harder to navigate. Banks said a less complicated and more universal system would allow students to easily identify where and how their credits transfer.
“Life can be unpredictable and college goals may be interrupted by circumstances beyond a student’s control,” Banks said. “Hard-working students deserve to know their dedication towards earning a diploma will not be lost when transferring schools. This legislation will ensure that every course a student takes in Indiana will count towards a degree and ultimately provide them with a better life.”
SB 182 moves to the Senate floor for consideration. Hoosiers can get a full updated copy of the legislation online by visiting http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0182.1.html

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:52 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

From reports

Slick, ice-covered roadways have resulted in the closure of all schools in Whitley County today, including Whitley County Consolidated Schools, Smith-Green Community Schools, Whitko Community Schools and Faith Christian Academy.

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By Jennifer Zartman Romano

Fort Wayne's University of Saint Francis will be offering several new degree programs for the Fall of 2012, according to Sister Elise Kriss who spoke before the Columbia City Rotary on Tuesday. This information has not yet been officially announced.
Kriss said the new majors will include an online Masters of Business Administration (MBA), MBA with Sustainability Concentration, a Bachelor's degree in pre-art therapy as well as Associate's degrees in music technology and studio art. Additionally, Associate's degrees in medical technology and liberal studies will be offered at the school's new Crown Point campus.

For more information about the University of Saint Francis, visit www.usf.edu

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By Chelsey Barrell

The Whitley County Giving Circle for Women’s Health is pleased to announce that it will offer the well known, Look Good . . .  Feel Better program in our community for women with cancer. The next session is planned for Monday evening, Feburary 13, 2012, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There is no cost for the program, but advance reservations are required.
Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength, but it doesn’t have to take away her self confidence. Look Good . . . Feel Better is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients in active treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Each participant will receive a free make-up kit.  Look Good...Feel Better is a national public service program created from the concept that if someone with cancer can be helped to look good, their improved self-esteem will help them to approach their disease and treatment with greater confidence.
Look Good... Feel Better was founded and developed in 1989 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) Foundation, a charitable organization established by CTFA, the trade association that represents the cosmetics industry.
The program is offered through a partnership of the CTFA Foundation, the American Cancer Society (ACS), one of the nation's largest voluntary health organizations, and the National Cosmetology Association (NCA), a national organization of more than 25,000 hairstylists, wig experts, estheticians, makeup artists and nail technicians.
ACS administers the program nationwide, NCA enlists its members to participate as Look Good...Feel Better cosmetologists and the CTFA Foundation provides the makeup, materials, and financial support for the program. Each year, the cosmetics industry donates more than one million pieces of cosmetics, valued between $8 and $10 million.
The sponsoring partners work together to provide:
• Patient education, through group or individual sessions, or through self-help materials;
• Free program materials including videos and pamphlets; and
• Free makeup kits for each patient participating in a group class.
The group program is open to all women cancer patients who are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatment. A friend or caregiver may attend as well, but make-up kits will only be made available to women undergoing treatment. Each year, more than 50,000 female patients participate in a Look Good...Feel Better group session. Since 1989, more than 430,000 cancer patients have benefited from the program.
Two local volunteer cosmetologists have volunteered to participate in the Whitley County program. Both have been trained and certified by ACS, NCA and the CTFA Foundation at a regional workshop.
The Whitley County Workshop will be conducted at the Community Foundation, 400 N. Whitley Street, Columbia City. Have questions? Call the Foundation at 244-5224; or register by calling the American Cancer Society at 260-471-3911. Registration deadline is Tuesday January 31, 2012.

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(Talk of the Town photo by Kelley Sheiss)
Leadership Whitley County's policy council welcomed three new board members this week as the group met for their first meeting of the new year. The new board members were elected to serve three-year terms on the council. Above, from left, is Tara VanHouten of Whitley County, Bob Sollazzo of Churubusco and Kelley Stetler of Columbia City. VanHouten and Sollazzo are LWC program alumni and Stetler is the first non-alumni to serve on the policy council in the organization's 11 year history.

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From the Tribune-News

Shawn Imbody owner of Heyerly’s Meat Market said  Monday he has sold the business to a local entity.
“This has been in the works since July,” Imbody said Monday morning. “The new buyer is not purchasing the inventory, which is the reason items have seemed a bit scarce. What’s left over goes to the Bluffton store.”
Heyerly’s Meat Market, 101 West First Street, will close its doors Saturday, January 27.
It is not known when the new owner will reopen.
Heyerly’s South Whitley branch of the Meat Market opened on March 15, 2007, with much anticipation. The building had been empty for many years.
The grocery offered produce, canned goods, snacks, frozen, a deli with hot and cold prepared foods, a bakery, dairy products and a fresh, custom meats department.
Five years ago a new furnace was installed along with a renovated refrigeration system.

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(Talk of the Town photos provided) David and Tiffany Steinwald, above, are the trainer and manager of Muscle Madness now open at 127 S. State St. in South Whitley. Below, David Steinwald poses at the 2010 INBF Super Natural Challenge.

From the Tribune-News

David Steinwald has been competing as a bodybuilder for more than 15 years.
Now, he bring his advice and equipment to South Whitley, at 125 South State Street.
His wife, Tiffany, is the office manager.
The Steinwalds have come to town from Lafayette.
“I’ve been in big cities,”  David, a southern California native, said. “And they’re too big, too busy, too fast, too violent.”
Muscle Madness is open every day with hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, unless someone wants to come in earlier. The telephone number is 765.543.7980.
Costs are $25 per month or $5 per day, and the first workout is free.
“Come in and try it out,” David said. “Trim up, shape up or build up. Building the density of muscle takes a while and it’s all worthwhile.”
After a certain amount of time spent body building a person automatically qualifies to teach somone else, David said.
He will not recommend any diet or supplements, although he will say what he eats.
After competing steadily for years, David got disgruntled in 2006 and stopped bodybuilding for four years. He drove a truck for a living and put on a bit of weight – tipping the scales at 257.
“He was pretty fat,” said Tiffany. David had no comment.
But he started working out again, got back into shape. In 2010 at the INFB Northern States Super Natural American & Canadian Challenge he came in second in the Men’s Class C.
Now weighing in at 240, his competition weight is 218 to 222 pounds to enter the heavy weight divisions.
Muscle Madness features low-impact, battery operated elipitcal machines, recumbent bikes, free weights and a 17 station BMI machine in the entrance area of the building.
A couple of years ago the space was divided up into several rooms to accomodate a tanning bed salon.
Now those rooms feature an incline bench, a squat power rack, a Smith machine with a guided, squat rack, pilates equipment, a sled machine and an incline bench.
“We have enough equipment to keep 25 people busy without having to wait on rooms,” David said.

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From reports

Don Amber announced last week that he has filed for re-election to as District 3 county commissioner. He was originally elected to the seat in 2008.
"While I’ve achieved many of the goals that I had placed upon myself in my first three years, there are some issues that remain unresolved and I want to see them to the end,” Amber stated.
Amber was elected Chairman of the Commissioners for 2012 in January. 
“It’s an honor to serve as Chairman and since my retirement, I am able to give the position the amount of time that it deserves. I want to remain visible to my constituents and be available to discuss county issues," Amber added.
Amber and his wife, Patty, reside in Churubusco.  They have two children Bob (Marna) Amber and Amy (Sean) Motter as well as seven grandchildren (grandson Cameron is deceased) and two great-grandchildren. 

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(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Above, runners depart southward on Chauncey Street Saturday morning for the 2012 Snowflake 5K, an event of the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce's Fire & Ice WinterFest. The race had nearly 90 registered participants and featured a slightly different course than the one used in 2011. The event was sponsored by Parkview Whitley Hospital and Crossroads Bank.

(Talk of the Town photo by Michelle Culbertson) At right, from left, top finishers Brad Prather, Jacob Poyner, Sophie Steward and Connie Gordon accept their prizes.

Overall Winner – Jacob Poyner - time 16.52
Division Winners –
• Jacob Poyner, 16.52
• Brad Prather – 18.41
• Sophie Steward – 20.29
• Connie Gordon – 25.36
Age Group Winners –
Elementary:
• Parker Bame – 27.39
• Lauren Miller – 35.5
Middle School:
• Madison Miller – 22.53
• Joseph Lude – 23.17
High School:
• Blake Harris – 17.55
• Mariah Jordan – 22.08
Age 19-29:
• Chris Burkett – 18.1
• Whitney Oler – 25.53
Age 30-39
• John Burkett – 20.14
• Allison Bergdoll – 24.39
40-49
• Vanessa Bills – 28.51
Age 50-59
• Mark Furkis – 19.27
• Joni Stewart – 39.25
Age 60+
• Betty Nelson – 26.54

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(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano)
The cold weather really brought out the chili-craving appetites for the Fire & Ice WinterFest's Chili Challenge for Charity cookoff. Held in The Center at the corner of Market and Chauncey Streets Sunday afternoon, the event featured four competing recipes as well as a few extra recipes to make sure no one went home hungry. A large, steady crowd visited the event, above.
Competitors rallied support for their various charitable causes, hoping to make votes equate to a sizeable donation for the non-profit entity of their choice. The Bob and Linda Hoffman were there to raise funds for the Whitley County Humane Shelter. Kelley Sheiss aimed to raise funds to buy diapers for BABE of Whitley County. Kurt Hosler hope to raise funds for the Whitley County Council on Aging. James and Mahri Romano were hoping they might direct a donation to Faith Christian Academy, specifically to help the middle school students travel to the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan this spring.
In the end, when the votes were tallied, the Hoffmans took home the People's Choice award and half the profits from the event -- amounting to $350, which they agreed to match -- making a $700 donation to the Whitley County Humane Shelter. Additionally, the Hoffmans were recipients of the Whitley Arts Partnership's "Best Dressed Booth" award. At right, from left, Becky Walter of the Whitley County Arts Partnership presents the Best Dressed Booth award to Bob Hoffman.
Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel also selected a favorite chili for his award. The Mayor's Choice award went to James and Mahri Romano's recipe. At right, from left, is Mahri Romano, Mayor Ryan Daniel and James Romano.
This year's event was sponsored by Midwest America Federal Credit Union, The Investment Center at Crossroads Bank and Buchanan Automotive.

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By Jennifer Zartman Romano

The Columbia City Dairy Queen sponsored an ice cream eating contest Saturday during the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce's Fire & Ice WinterFest. Held at the center, the competition is always fierce -- and freezing! This year's winners included:
Age 5 & under:  Dayton Sibert
6-8 years of age:  Felix Burkett
9-12 years of age:  Parker Bame
13 & up:  Maddy Minnick
Police vs. Sheriff: Sean Martin
Mayor Ryan Daniel vs. City Council member Dan Weigold vs. Pastor Larry Schmoekel: Mayor Daniel was declared the winner.

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This week's special sandwiches include:
Hot Sloppy Joe  -  Monday through Friday
Hot Italian Beef  -  Tuesday and Wednesday
Special sandwiches are available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Soup specials include:
Monday: French Onion and Cheesy Potato
Tuesday: Broccoli Cheese and Tomato Tortellini
Wednesday: White Chili and Stuffed Pepper
Thursday: Cream of Crab and Baked Potato
Friday: Veggie Beef and Wisconsin Cheese

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(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano)
It was a beautiful weekend for ice carving in downtown Columbia City as artists from throughout the region gathered to compete and amaze residents with their skills. In the end, carver Eric Pfaff's work was selected as the community's favorite -- a gleaming giant goldfish expertly carved in ice near the entrance to the Whitley County Courthouse, below. Above, standing far right, ice carving contest chairman Stan Horne interviews the carvers about their unique works of art.
At right, from left, are top prize winners Michael Evans, third; Eric Pfaff, first place, People's Choice and Mayor's Choice; and Jim Houser, third place.
On Saturday, the carvers worked on commissioned pieces for local businesses. Those carvings were then displayed around the Whitley County Courthouse lawn or in front of the sponsoring business. On Sunday, carvers were able to express ideas of their own in ice during a timed competition that ran much of the morning and early afternoon.
This year's ice carving competition was sponsored by CenturyLink and PHP.

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(Talk of the Town file photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano)
This bright, snowy day could not provide a more perfect atmosphere for the 2012 Whitley County Chamber of Commerce's Fire & Ice WinterFest that kicked off this morning in downtown Columbia City. Talented ice carvers are already at work around the Whitley County Courthouse lawn, while shoppers visit the vendor booths inside and outside The Clugston on the Square, on Chauncey Street. Everywhere you look, activity abounds and will continue throughout the afternoon.
Above, Matt Swain dons the Ficey costume to spread festival cheer during events downtown this morning.
At right, the several inches of snow, once piled up, have become irrisistible to children at the festival. How often do you come across snow hills several feet tall? Within a short period of time one snow pile at the corner of Van Buren and Chauncey Streets had already been converted into a sledding hill with chutes on the sides.

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