Skip to main content

Government & School Board

Huntington’s Zay takes oath to become state senator

Andy Zay, R-Huntington, is sworn in as the State Senator representing District 17 by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
Photo provided.

Andy Zay, R-Huntington, took the oath of office on Tuesday, Dec. 20, officially becoming the state senator representing District 17. Zay was sworn in by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush.

Zay will serve Wabash County and portions of Grant, Huntington and Whitley counties. He fills the Senate seat previously held by Congressman-elect Jim Banks.

Markle council wraps up year with two new ordinances, more

The Markle Town Council marked its last meeting of the year on Wednesday, Dec. 21, with Christmas refreshments and wrapping up some housekeeping duties, including the unanimous adoption of two ordinances and two resolutions.

Ordinance 2016-8 creates the Community Crossings Matching Grant Fund, known as Fund 258, a new non-reverting fund.

New officers


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

The Huntington Police Department’s new full-time officer and three new reserves pose with department and city officials after being sworn in on Thursday, Dec. 22. From left are Assistant Chief Matt Hughes, Chief Chad Hacker, reserve officers Darius Hillman and Derek Beckler, new full-time officer Evan Rhoades, new reserve officer Scott Craft, Patrolman Ben Spurgeon, who directs the reserve officer program, and Mayor Brooks Fetters.

Commish set exec session for Dec. 27

The Huntington County Commissioners will meet in executive session on Tuesday, Dec. 27, to discuss a job performance evaluation of an individual employee.

The meeting, which is closed to the public, will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the commissioners’ room on the first floor of the Huntington County Courthouse, 201 N. Jefferson St., Huntington.

Neglected home in Warren may be demolished

A neglected home on Main Street in Warren may soon be demolished.

The Warren Town Council, meeting on Monday, Dec. 19, voted unanimously to take bids for the demolition of the house at 907 N. Main St., following the recommendation of Marla Stambazze of the Huntington County Department of Community Development.

The house is currently owned by Wunder Construction, of Berne, but has not been occupied in many years. The Berne company purchased the home at a commissioners’ sale in April of this year.

Superintendent says challenge for HCCSC revolves around buildings

The challenge facing the Huntington County Community School Corporation in the coming year revolves around its buildings, says Superintendent Randy Harris.

In his State of the District report to the Board of School Trustees at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 19, Harris said there was “plenty to brag about,” with student test scores improved, better letter grades for schools and a 92 percent graduation rate.

County council to issue bonds to fund courthouse improvements

The Huntington County Council voted to move forward with issuing bonds to fund improvements to the county courthouse during its meeting on Monday, Dec. 19.

The cost for the courthouse project totals $5.7 million. The motion to adopt a bond ordinance passed by a vote of 6-1, with Councilman John Hacker dissenting.

Local GOP to fill 2 twp. vacancies at caucus

The Huntington County Republican Party will hold a caucus on Tuesday, Dec. 20, to fill two vacancies on the Huntington Township Advisory Board.

The caucus will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Huntington Township Trustee’s office, 1005 N. Broadway, Huntington.

Andy Zay and Terry Miller, both Republicans, are resigning from their positions on the advisory board. Zay was appointed Dec. 6 to succeed Jim Banks as a state senator, and Miller was elected in November to serve on Huntington County Council.

Norwood Health expresses interest in contracting with Andrews fire dept.

Norwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, in Huntington, has expressed interest in contracting with the Andrews Volunteer Fire Department for service, the Andrews Town Council learned at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 12.

The center, which is located in Huntington Township, reached out upon learning that the township’s contract with the department for fire protection and first responder services will expire at the end of the year.

Huntington Common Council hears nothing but good news

The end of the year brought nothing but good news for the Huntington Common Council.

Unemployment is down, private investment is up and renovation of a dilapidated downtown building could begin next summer, thanks to an infusion of state funding.

“That shot in the arm from Regional Cities certainly made that project get off the ground,” Bryn Keplinger, the city's director of development and redevelopment, told members of the Huntington Common Council during their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

All BMV branches to close Dec. 23-26 for holiday

All branches of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday. All license branches will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

License branches will also be closed Saturday, Dec. 31, through Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of the New Year holiday.

Branches will resume normal hours on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Wall new vice president for state commish group

TAB file photo.
Tom Wall

Huntington County Commissioner Tom Wall was elected vice president of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners (IACC) Northeast District during the organization’s annual conference, held Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 in Indianapolis.

As district vice president, Wall will represent the elected county commissioners in the northeast district of the state, which includes the counties of Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Elkhart, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Kosciu-sko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley. The IACC is represented by six districts in the state.

Roanoke council delays home demolition pending meet

The occupant of a house under the threat of demolition appeared before the Roanoke Town Council with legal counsel during the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6, with hopes of saving the structure.

Cassandra Emley resides in the house at 775 Seminary St., which council voted to raze at its meeting on Oct. 18 for building and health code violations. The board directed the Huntington Countywide Department of Community Development to gather bids for demolition and opened those bids at its meeting on Nov. 15.