Archive
February 10th, 2011
COLUMBIA CITY â 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 — The postseason got underway for Whitley County girls’ basketball teams Wednesday night with a rivalry rematch at the class 3A Columbia City sectional.
A hot and cold night from the field, Columbia City got the better side of the shooting beating rival Whitko for the fourth consecutive time, 63-44. That leaves the Lady Eagles in a semifinal rematch from a season ago against two-time defending sectional champion NorthWood Friday night.
COLUMBIA CITY â 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 â Whitley County Highway Department Superintendent Michael Barton told the Whitley County Council Tuesday his staff went to school in the recent severe snow storm.
âRight off the bat we had two trucks stuck,â said Barton of last weekâs storm that gripped much of the Midwest.
âIt got a little tense there for a moment with 30 to 40 cars stuck that first night.â
As the snow began to blanket the area, the âessentialâ personnel from the county and from Columbia City and other outlying towns rolled up sleeves and got to work.
Amber Ruth (Ruckman) Johnson, 101, passed away Feb. 2, 2011.
She was the beloved wife of the late Charles Johnson; devoted mother of Edgar (Janet) Johnson and C. Warren Johnson; dearest grandmother of David, Jerry, Sally (deceased) and Warren Charles; great-grandmother of Deanna, Joshua, Jacqueline and Samantha; great-great-grandmother of three; and sister of the following deceased: Ford, Harold and Maurice.
COLUMBIA CITY â 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 Hospitalâs 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 â Two of Columbia Cityâs department heads are asking for help from residents to keep the townâs streets safe and clear for the remainder of the winter season.
Tom LaRue, Columbia Cityâs fire chief said at Tuesday nightâs meeting of the townâs Common Council that recent heavy snowfall could have covered fire hydrants.
âIf thereâs 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,â LaRue said.
COLUMBIA CITY â 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.
âKilgore is a big building for us, but weâre going to fill it,â Grant said.
Company president Hallie Grant is spearheading the move, motivated by a personal tie to the area.
COLUMBIA CITY â A continuously thriving business in South Whitley got a monetary pat on the back from both the Whitley County Board of Commissioners and the Whitley County Council this week.
At Tuesdayâs meeting of the council, Alan TiĂł, president of the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation appeared before the panel to introduce Zach Kessie of Fire Barriers, a fire-stopping company based in South Whitley.
The companyâs appearance before the board was on behalf of a second low-interest loan utilizing CEDIT (County Economic Development Income Tax) funds.
When the Indiana high school swimming state finals get underway Friday in the Indiana University Natatorium at IUPUI the familiar Richter name will be back in the pool but with a new face.
Four-time finalist Haley Richter had her time end as a Lady Eagle last season. Following up her big sister, Andrea Richter dove into this season as a freshman with high expectations set on her shoulders.
