Features

The Huntington County Department of Child Services (DCS),  the Youth Services Bureau (YSB), along with the Prevention of Child Abuse Council organized by SCAN and various social service agencies and departments have shared some important information pertaining to child abuse and neglect in Huntington County.  

“During the week of April 12 through 16, blue pinwheels will be displayed throughout Huntington County as a reminder to us all that all children deserve to have safe, healthy childhoods,” stated Kerri Baker, DCS.

Ella Chic Boutique and Flourish & Flounce LLC had the official ribbon cutting for the opening of their joint brick and mortar store on Thursday, April 1, at 247 N. Main St., Roanoke.

Ella Chic Boutique Owner Stacy Callahan started her business as online only five years ago. After a few months, she decided to do pop-up events instead.

A year into doing pop-up events, Callahan bought a mobile boutique and ran that for a couple of years.

Huntington native and racecar driver Josh Hart has made a big splash in the professional racing world, debuting in his Top Fuel racing career at the Amalie Motor Oil National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Gatornationals race that took place from Thursday, March 11, through Sunday, March 14, at the Gainseville Raceway in Gainseville, FL.

Even more importantly, Hart won his debut event, marking him as the fourth racer in NHRA history to do such a thing.

On Saturday, March 27, a group of local biking, skateboarding, scootering and skating enthusiasts gathered at the 4-H Family Living building for a “Wheels Workshop,” which is the first event in a three-part series.

The workshop, which is a partnership between the Huntington County Community School Corporation (HCCSC) and Purdue Extension, is funded by a grant through the Indiana State Department of Health. The grant was awarded to the school corporation to promote the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program, which seeks to increase movement before, during and after school.

The Nail Station has expanded their business reach by adding Massage Therapist Bekah Trammel to their team.

Trammel has been a massage therapist for one year. She earned her Associate’s of Applied Science in therapeutic massage from Ivy Tech.

Along with her degree, Trammel is also working toward certifications in canine and equine massage.

She states that she loves animals, and is hoping to help them through massage as well.

The Community Choirs of Huntington County (CCHC) have a place for anyone and everyone interested in using their singing voices. One choir under the CCHC umbrella, known as the Joyful Songsters, is “designed to provide an integrated choral experience for those with and without disabilities” and is open to any teen or adult that wishes to participate.

Mekale Julian, licensed massage therapist, has been working out of her new studio “Align Massage Therapy” since Jan. 1.

Previously, she worked at Hidden Moon Studio, in Huntington.

She works a lot with chronic pain, she says.

“I have a lot of people that have chronic issues that we work with. We try to improve them and get them through as best as we can.

“I have a lot of people who respond really well from that. Their quality of life is much better from it.”

She has been licensed since 2018, by Indiana Wellness College.

Cadets from the Huntington North High School (HNHS) Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) have come to the aid of the Huntington County Humane Society, volunteering their time to help the humane society update their building.

Most recently, the cadets volunteered on Saturday, March 20, knocking out some major projects at the humane society.

After over 100 years of ownership, the Young family officially sold Young’s Cafe to brothers Tim and Rod Brockhaus and Rod’s wife Rachael, on Nov. 2, 2020.

The previous owners, Larry and Sharon Young, made the decision to sell the business after finding that no one in their family wanted to take ownership once they retired.

Pathfinder Services and the City of Huntington are collaborating on several events to celebrate March as Disability Awareness Month.

On Monday, March 15, Mayor Richard Strick worked on a painting with nine artists and Activity Specialist Sarah Schwab at Pathfinder Services Creative Abilities, which is located in the art studio at the Café of Hope, at Life Church, 900 E. State St., Huntington.

“We recognize that there are folks in our community who are living with challenges that some of us don’t experience the same way and they are a real blessing to us,” says Strick.

On Thursday, March 4, the first round of volunteers for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of Huntington County program were sworn in by Huntington County Circuit Court Judge Davin Smith.

The Lake Clare Fitness Park has been officially closed since early June 2020, after a tort claim was filed against the park.

A tort claim is a civil wrong that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act. The claimant is typically seeking to obtain a private civil remedy, most commonly, money damages.

On March 13, 2020, Huntington County Community School Corporation (HCCSC) superintendent Chad Daugherty announced that the corporation would be closed until April 10, 2020, due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

At that time, the impression was that students would be able to return to classes as normal on April 13. Little did they know, the remainder of the spring 2020 semester would be spent learning virtually as COVID-19 numbers continued to climb in the community. Seniors at Huntington North

The ground was broken on Thursday, March 4, at The Huntington County Community Learning Center (LC).

A $4.5 million addition, slated to wrap up in September, is now underway.

“We are doing an expansion of our current facility,” explains Huntington County Community School Corporation Superintendent Chad Daugherty.
“We will be going from 29,306 square feet to 49,784 square feet. So, we are adding on 20,478 square feet to help out with our programs for career and technical education (CTE).”

The Upper Wabash Interpretive Services (UWIS) held their last Eagle Watch of the year on Feb. 27, starting at Salamonie Lake and traveling to several other locations. This is the 14th year UWIS has hosted these events. Locals of all ages gathered to see the birds in their natural habitat.

In this area, January and February are the best months to see many eagles at one time.

“They come to the reservoir area in the winter because we are always releasing water from the lakes, so there’s always fishing locations here,” Interpretive Naturalist Manager of UWIS Teresa Rody said.