Features

The 2023 Huntington County 4-H Fair Livestock Auction is being called a success. There were 425 lots sold for 4-H members in the county on Thursday, July 27, with a total premium of $246,790.  Total auction proceeds to 4-H members including the market value of livestock was $301,033.74.   No records were set for the sale of grand champion animals at this year’s auction.  In comparison to the 2022 auction, five more lots sold with total auction proceeds increasing by $17,439.80. A breakdown by breed is as follows: Dairy: 4 animals for $2,725.

Traffic accidents on Huntington County roads have claimed the lives of three people in the span of one week. On July 19, a vehicle driven by Frank Anzinger, 84, Huntington, stopped at a stop sign on Country Road 400 N. He proceeded into the intersection with CR 300W, and his vehicle  was hit by another vehicle. Anzinger had to be extricated from his vehicle and was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital where he passed away on Sunday, July 23. On Saturday night, July 22, Steven Miller, 50, Summitville, was riding his Harley-Davidson on North Etna Road.

As part of its demisemiseptcentennial festivities, the City of Huntington has announced details for a 2023 Halloween Decorating Contest. Winners will be chosen in five categories: Best in Show, Best Scary/Horror, Best Macabre, Best Business and Mayor’s Choice. Register your home or business any time from Sept. 15 through Oct. 7. Judging will take place October 23-25, and winners will receive prizes and signage to display in their yard or business. The “Best in Show” winner will receive a $200 gift card to spend at Spirit Halloween.

The Early Childhood Coalition is pleased to announce the hiring of Courtney Bonbrake as its Coalition Coordinator. Formed in 2023, the Early Childhood Coalition has a mission of creating positive early childhood experiences through community collaboration. Specifically, Bonbrake will be tasked with coordinating systems and providing real solutions that create a community where quality early learning and childcare is accessible for all families in Huntington County.

Representatives of the public and private sectors gathered along Progress Drive on Wednesday morning to celebrate the completion of the $3.4 million Phase 1 Infrastructure Project. The work will serve the new Riverfork West Industrial Park that is under development on Huntington’s southwest side.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington County announced a generous donation of $25,000 from Beacon Credit Union towards its Capital Campaign. This significant contribution will play a pivotal role in the expansion of our Club and the establishment of a Tween Center, providing enhanced opportunities for the youth in our community. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington County launched the Capital Campaign with the goal of raising funds to enhance and enlarge our existing facilities.

Bette Howell and Sinclair Burnau became fast friends when they met in kindergarten at Southwood Elementary. Riding the bus home together, the girls soon realized they are practically neighbors, even though Bette technically lives in Wabash County and Sinclair in Huntington County. “We can see each other’s houses from the end of our driveways,” said Crystal Burnau, Sinclair’s mother. Sinclair and Bette have since become as close as sisters, having discovered a mutual love for horses, all things country and crafting.

Construction work that has been taking place over the past few years at Salamonie Lake is in its final stages of completion, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “It’s coming to a close,” said Chase Wilson, lake manager.   The Salamonie Lake Tailwater Recreation Area has been closed for construction on the Outlet Retreat Channel since the project was announced on March 4, 2021. “We still don’t have a definitive date for completion but we are in the final stages and wrapping things up,” Wilson said.

When Preston Lama was 5 years old, he attended his first hot air balloon rally. He was hooked. “He got to know all the balloon pilots,” his mother, Amy Smart, said. “He’s been in five different balloon camps across five different states. With his love of ballooning, Preston, who is autistic, enjoys designing balloons for his favorite pilots. Last year, a group of pilots talked during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and decided to create a surprise for Preston. “Eighty-eight balloon pilots went together and had (Preston’s) design custom built,” Smart said.

Flint Springs PTO officials have awarded its 2023 scholarships to Ainsley Kiefer, Adrianna Nightenhelser, Kayla Ables, Sarrah Kerlin and Rebeccah Kerlin. Kiefer is the daughter of Trent and Trea Kiefer of Huntington. She plans to study agronomy with a minor in ag-business at crop production at Huntington University. She is an academic honor student and has received scholar athlete and sportsmanship awards and was a member of the student council. Her extracurricular activities include volleyball, National Honor Society and was a member of the FFA.

After rescheduling twice, the 18th annual Senior Expo will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 29 at Huntington North High School Fieldhouse. “Everything is a go,” said Dick Murray, assistant director Huntington County Council on Aging. “I’m very pleased things seem to be working out after a very trying year.” Originally scheduled for May 18 at Huntington University, necessary renovations made it necessary to find another location, Murry said. The event was then scheduled for June 1 at Huntington North until it became known that renovations were needed there to some water lines.

Honest. Trustworthy. Kind. Considerate. Caring. Humble. Stan Bippus, the 2022 Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe, used those words to describe his replacement, John Nelson, the 2023 Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe. Nelson received the honor Thursday morning, June 15, during the 54th annual Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe Breakfast at the Historic Forks of the Wabash. Bippus used the opinions of others to describe Nelson, an Edward Jones financial advisor based in Roanoke, but tried to keep the introduction as basic as possible so as the audience couldn’t guess early on who the honoree was.

The Huntington Chi chapter of Tri Kappa announced today that it chose Phoebe Landrum as the recipient of their Fine Arts Award for 2023. The artwork was chosen from a selection of best works at Huntington North High School that included Drawings, Paintings, Graphic Design, and 3-D Art. This award is given to one local High School student per year. Landrum’s ink drawing, titled “Whooo”, was completed as part of a Drawing IV course at Huntington North Highschool with teacher Matthew Ackerman.

The Boys & Girls Club of Huntington County is thrilled to announce the return of the “Running Towards Great Futures” 5K race, as part of the 175th Heritage Days Festival celebration in Huntington. Taking place on Saturday, June 17, this event promises a fun-filled day of fitness, community engagement, and support for the Keystone Club, a teen program empowering the youth of Huntington County. Keystone Club is an initiative providing leadership development opportunities and activities for local teens.

A request by former Huntington University coach Nicholas Johnson for a change of venue has been denied. The request, which was filed in Huntington County Superior Court in April, was rejected on June 2. Johnson is facing a felony count of sexual battery, and is named in a lawsuit in which former Huntington athletes accuse him of sexually assault, rape and illegally supplying them with performance enhancing drugs.