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2019 Year In Review


Shown above is an aerial view of the Carroll County Highway Garage at Flora. Photo provided

Shown above is an aerial view of the Carroll County Highway Garage at Flora. Photo provided

June 5 – Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian were seniors Marlene Joy Seward and Grace Krom for the graduating Class of 2019… There has been a question about ownership and management of the Delphi Trolley on the part of the City Council. City of Delphi Clerk Treasurer Leanne Aldrich said the City holds the title to the vehicle and has a governmental license plate on it.… Carroll County Commissioners decided it is time for the county to get tough on dilapidated and neglected properties. Carroll County Health Department Environmental Sanitarian Angie Brown reported there are eight houses and structures in the county that need remediated…. Rossville High School Class of 2019 Valedictorian and Salutatorian were seniors Samantha Valentine St. Myer and Anna Lawrence…. The Delphi Community High School Oracle Varsity Baseball team won the Sectional Championship after defeating Central Catholic…. Flora Community Park’s walking trail will soon have new LED lights. The Flora town Council at its meeting Monday night approved the purchase of 75 new trail lights at a cost of $34,125.

Quilts of Valor recipients Veterans receiving Quilts of Valor at a Memorial Day weekend presentation were, left to right: Front - Bill Northcutt, Alson Brown, Sandra Viney, Joseph Seele, Leland Blohm. Back – Joe Viney, Willard Bolton, Lynn Brown, Douglas MacLauchlan, and Jim Peck. Photo provided

Quilts of Valor recipients Veterans receiving Quilts of Valor at a Memorial Day weekend presentation were, left to right: Front – Bill Northcutt, Alson Brown, Sandra Viney, Joseph Seele, Leland Blohm. Back – Joe Viney, Willard Bolton, Lynn Brown, Douglas MacLauchlan, and Jim Peck. Photo provided

June 12 – Carroll County Emergency Management Agency and E-911 have implemented a high-speed emergency notification service, “CodeRed,” following an extensive evaluation of mass emergency alerting systems…. Delphi Community Elementary School fourth-grade student Ella Brooks, in Sherry Conner’s classroom, was chosen as a winner for her essay, “DCES is Your Destiny,” in the Rural Education Association Essay Contest…. The Carroll County Redevelopment Commission continued with plans to install lights near Indiana Packers Corporation and the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Park. The RDC manages the Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) captured property tax revenue in the district…. The Carroll County Community Foundation awarded 20 scholarships and renewals from 14 funds to Carroll County students with an approximate value of more than $133,470, including the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship…. The 41st annual Flora Hog Jog and 2nd annual Pork Pull will provide a full day of activities on Saturday at Flora Community Park.

The 36th annual Rossville Summer’s End Festival was held last weekend. The weather was perfect for a parade, to ride amusement rides, browse through booths and garage sales, listen to music, and eat. Comet photo

The 36th annual Rossville Summer’s End Festival was held last weekend. The weather was perfect for a parade, to ride amusement rides, browse through booths and garage sales, listen to music, and eat. Comet photo

June 19 – Carroll County Commissioners were presented with a Zoning Administrator job description from the Area Plan Commission for approval.… Carroll County Commissioners Bill Brown and Loren Hylton heard requests from residents to more closely monitor CAFO locations. Steve Mulligan said “honey wagons” used to haul manure are allowing the animal waste to run into fields and onto roads…. After 5 p.m. Friday, June 21, the Comet office in Delphi will be closed for business…. Flora Municipal Utilities Supervisor Ron “Gator” Fritz was recently awarded the Larry Hobart Seven hats Award from the American Public Power Association. The presentation was made at the Association’s national conference held in Austin, Texas.

June 26 – Carroll County Council members Ethan Brown, Josh Plue, Lawrence Stauffer, Scott Ayres, Tracy Martin and Tim Radcliff learned about the extent of a fire that occurred June 16 in dispatch and destroyed the communications radio…. The Carroll County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program has been certified as a dualcounty program, serving Carroll and White counties. The program is called Carroll-White CASA with Abigail Diener as program director… A crowdfunding campaign with “CreatINg Places” for the Abby and Libby Memorial

Softball Park, currently under construction at the corner of the Hoosier Heartland Highway, is under way with a $50,000 goal…. Brandon Mills of Flora won a K105 She Shed Contest. The 10×12 structure is valued at over $19,000…. Delphi FFA was named a Gold Emblem Chapter at the recent Indiana State FFA Convention…. Carroll FFA Advisor Steve Keown was awarded the Indiana FFA Distinguished Service Award at the state FFA convention…. The Adams Mill Masonic Museum dedication ceremony and the re-dedication of the Masonic Historical Marker took place Saturday at Adams Mill near Cutler. The event was hosted by Mount Zion #211 Masonic Lodge, Camden.

July 3 – Carroll County Commissioners Steve Pearson, Bill Brown and Loren Hylton said they received an email from the architect hired to design a new jail that the best site is property between Indiana Packers Corporation and Carroll Manor… The number of candidates on the ballot for the City of Delphi’s Municipal Election in November grew significantly as the July 1 deadline approached. Independent candidates Michael Isley filed for District 2, Sandy Flora filed for District 4 and Anita Werling filed for District 3…. James and Shannon Ballard of Camden were served with a summons through the Sheriff’s Department. Nine counts of Cruelty to an Animal as a class “A” misdemeanor as provided by IC35-46- 3-7 (a) was filed by Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland against both Ballards. 36 dogs and 10 chickens were removed from the property…. Carroll County Attorney Abigail Huffer Diener and husband Carroll Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Diener were chosen to lead this year’s Delphi Lions Club Independence Day Parade on July 6…. Two engineering firm representatives presented project updates to the Flora Town Council…. Carroll County Commissioners signed an agreement for budget technical assistance for training and compliance with the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) for $5,000 as requested by the County Council…. The Carroll County Area Plan Commission (APC) decided the part-time clerical employee in the office, who by the county council-adopted wage and salary ordinance makes $10.45 per hour, will have a wage increase in the wage amount of $4.55 per hour to $15…. The DNR hatchery staff is stocking hybrid striped bass across the state at nine Indiana lakes, including Lake Freeman.

July 10 – The Carroll County 4-H Fair begins Friday and continues throughout the week until the following Friday, July 19…. Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby plans to join the ranks of the growing number of counties that charge convicted prisoners a per diem while they are incarcerated…. Shelby Bradshaw has opened the newly renovated Jerry’s Barber Shop under a new name, Shelby’s Barber Shop. She is the new owner/operator of the long-time Delphi business…. Carroll County Deputy Mike Hobbs received the distinguished “Male Camp Counselor of the Year” award at the 2019 Indiana Sheriffs’ Association Northern Youth Leadership Camp for the second year in a row. July 17 – Savannah Bordner of Cutler was crowned the 2019 Miss Carroll County 4-H Fair Queen. Her court includes Olivia Hodson of Flora, 1st runner-up, and Peyton Resler of Delphi, 2nd runner-up… A John Deere tractor, owned by the Carroll County Highway Department and stored at an INDOT-owned property located on US421 near Patton, was stolen from the grounds July 3… The Camden Masonic Lodge is hosting its annual Antique Tractor Pull on Saturday at Jackson Twp. Park… Grand opening for the new Verizon store in Delphi will be July 27.

July 24 – The Carroll County Commissioners have increased their interest in relocating the County Highway Garage from Flora to a property for sale near Camden… Former County Council member and current Area Plan Commission President Al Auffart died July 19 while driving home from Delphi. Auffart volunteered with many community organizations, including those related to history and preservation… Ashley Wilson is the new director of the Senior and Family Services Program, located in Delphi… Dr. Chanler Norman is now working with her father, Dr. Gregory Norman, and her brother, Dr. Cameron Norman, at the family business, Norman & Miller Eyecare… The Swine Barn at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Flora received a $60,000 facelift prior to last week’s Carroll County 4-H Fair… Andre Hernandez exhibited the Grand Champion Barrow at the county 4-H Swine Show.

July 31 – Phase II of the Stone Barn renovation project has been completed by the Carroll County Historical Society, with the help of a North Central Health Services grant. Fundraising for the final phase, III, has begun… The Carroll County Area Plan Commission hired Kamron Yates as the APC Director/Zoning Administrator… Tatoo artist Omar Ruiz has opened Oden’s Den Tattoos in a store in downtown Delphi… Carroll County Aquatics Club, a newly formed year-round, competitive swim team for ages five and up, will have a callout on Aug. 10… Wabash Valley Alliance and Wabash Valley Hospital has changed its name to Valley Oaks Health of Carroll County.

Aug. 7 – Carroll County Old Settlers gets under way Thursday in downtown Delphi for three days of family fun… The Town of Flora is temporarily suspending its recycling program after this week… Delphi Police Chief Steve Mullin is warning residents to keep their parked vehicles locked because of robberies from unlocked vehicles in the past week… Commissioners decided at their meeting Monday morning to keep the county highway department in Flora… A passenger vehicle ran into the back of a horse-drawn buggy Sunday evening on SR 75 between Camden and Flora near CR 300N. All passengers in the buggy were transported to an area hospital for treatment and observation… Tom Routt, an employee of the Town of Flora’s electric department, has completed his four-year apprenticeship to be an electrician journeyman… Flora Community Club hosted its rescheduled 2nd annual Pork Pull on Saturday in Flora. The Pull was originally scheduled for Hog Jog Day in June, but due to rain was postponed.

Aug. 14 – The Indiana Dept. of Transportation has closed the Hoosier Heartland Highway median at CR 800W with barricades for enhanced traffic safety and to force motorists to use the new UTurn… The Mears family of rural Delphi will receive the 2019 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation from the Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau during the Indiana State Fair… The Carroll County Old Settlers Association presented Heritage Awards to the 1848 American House Stagecoach Museum at Burlington, Chapel Art Gallery in Delphi and the Katheryn Weinberger addition to the Camden Public Library… The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) named the Carroll Varsity Volleyball Team as an AVCA Team Academic Award winner for the 2018-19 season.

Aug. 21 – The Delphi Community School Corporation (DCSC) is cracking down on drivers who do not sop when school bus stop arms are extended as the law requires. DCSC has installed cameras on all of the corporation buses… DCSC Superintendent Greg Briles has been placed on administrative leave by the Board of School Trustees. The trustees also approved a $1.5 million emergency loan to pay corporation bills… Melissa Bishop is retiring the end of the month as director of the Flora-Monroe Public Library, a position she has held for 25 years. She is being honored with a retirement open house on Aug. 21 at the library… The Indiana Bacon Festival of Carroll County will be this Saturday in downtown Delphi… Josephine Delaplane of rural Flora will be 100 on Sept. 1… Rossville will hold its 36th annual Summers End Festival this weekend… Delphi Community High School football team was one of 53 teams to participate in the Colts Leadership Challenge, which activates high school football teams across the state to exercise their influence and leadership and host a local blood drive. DCHS held the second largest blood drive with 56 donors.

Aug. 28 – Dan Ronk, former teacher and principal at Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School, was hired as interim superintendent for the Delphi Community School Corporation… Kelsey Quinn of Russiaville is Carroll County’s new Extensijon Education-ANR… Two of the articles in the latest ediction of Outdoor Indiana (Sept./Oct. 2019) have Carroll County. The cover story is about the state’s covered bridges (there are two in Carroll County) and an article on the Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center near Delphi… New street signs are being installed in Burlington.

Sept. 4 – Carrollton Road will be closed near CR 300N. on or after Sept. 9 through Sept. 20 in conjunction with the City of Delphi’s water utility project… The Delphi Community School Corporation’s

Camden Early Childhood Center is running at full capacity, according to on-site administrator Melissa Gill… A ten-year study committee brought to the Carroll School Board at its Aug. 27 meeting a list of planning projects to consider for the next 10 years… The Comet is now posting recorded government meetings on YouTube… Carroll County Assessor Neda Kay Duff was honored as the Northwest District Assessor of the Year by the Indiana County Assessor’s Association… The Delphi Oracles kept the skillet with a 20-9 win over the Carroll Cougars Friday night… Overall winners of the 13th annual Delphi Community Middle School Triathlon were Leo Dellinger, Twin Lakes, boys, and Evann Royal, Delphi, girls.

Sept. 11 – The City of Delphi is currently undergoing the first phase of a two-phase water project which is intended to repair equipment and provide additional water. According to Mayor Shane Evans, total cost of the project is expected to be $14.5 million… The DCSC board terminated the contracts of Superintendent Greg Briles at their Sept. 9 meeting… Brandon Dillon, an undrafted rookie free agent from Flora, earned a spot as the fourth tight end for the Minneapolis Vikings… Camden Lions Club hosted its 65th annual Tractor and Truck Pull on Saturday at the Carroll County Pull Arena. Cash prizes were awarded… The annual Burlington Fall Festival is this weekend… Delphi resident Sharon Milburn has announced she will be a Republican candidate for Carroll County Clerk in the 2020 election.

Sept. 18 – Carroll County Commissioners spent nearly two hours Monday morning discussing how to get a new jail built… Flora Library Director Rachel Ashcraft will lead the dedication for the Little Free Library on Saturday during Flora Depot Day. The LFL, a free book exchange provided by the library, is located in the town parking lot… Flora Main Street hosted its 2nd annual Depot Day on Saturday… A Carroll White REMC crew recently assisted in returning the rotating beacon at the Delphi Muncipal Airport to service. The rotating beacon is an important safety feature, allowing pilots to be able to locate the airport after dark… Community members and various veterans groups gathered last Wednesday to remember those who were lost during the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001.

Sept. 25 – A business merger of Troxel Equipment and Tri Green Tractor to form TTG Equipment became effective Sept. 5, according to an announcement Sept. 23 by the John Deere Company. Jason Pearson of Delphi is a member of the company’s board of directors… Five school corporations banding together, including Carroll, have received a $10,000 planning grant from the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network. The grant will be used to facilitate digital agriculture test sites at the participating high schools… Dick Bradshaw, Class of 1961, and Amy Boerger, Class of 1980, are the newest inductees to the Delphi Alumni Association’s Wall of Distinction at DCHS… Helen Forgey of near Deer Creek will be 100 years old on Oct. 10… Brianne Redding was crowned the 2019 Burlington Fall Festival Queen… Crowned Delphi Football Homecoming King and Queen were Kane Zimpfer and Lily Smith.

Oct. 2 – A planned active shooter drill held at Carroll Elementary School on Friday provided school personnel and first response teams an opportunity to improve safety procedures for the corporation. It was an in-service day and students were not in attendance… A required public hearing preceded the Sept. 24 regular meeting of the Carroll School Board to hear public testimony by the Carroll Education Association regarding teacher compensation and collective bargaining… Delphi Community High School recently hosted a Career Day with 23 of the 35 speakers Delphi alumni… Recycling 101 – a program intended to help community members understand what recycling is, what it is not and what items from their trash can avoid being sent to a landfill – was held Sept. 26 at the Delphi Community Center.

Oct. 9 – Carroll County Commissioners have directed Superior Court Judge Kurtis Fouts to develop a plan for the Community Corrections Program and the Probation Department to relocate to the space in the courthouse vacated by the Carroll County Historical Museum… The costs associated with maintaining an in-house curbside recycling program with an aging and sometimes unreliable truck has presented challenges for the town of Flora as town officials search for a cost-effective way to continue that program… The annual Camden Pageant was held Sept. 28 with Morgan Justice crowned Miss Camden… The DCHS Volleyball Team collected over $3,700 for the Dig Pink Side Out Foundation. The team hosted a variety of fundraising events along with soliciting for donations.

Oct. 16 – Dan McCain of Delphi was awarded the John Corey Arts Leadership Award at the annual Bravo for the Arts celebration hosted by the Tippecanoe Arts Federation in Lafayette. Mc- Cain is president of the Wabash & Erie Canal Association… Susie Dyke of rural Camden was recently named the Imperial Maharanee of the Shrine Guilds of America, Inc. The guild is a ladies’ organization whose objective is the independent support and aid to the Shriners Hospitals for Children… Carroll County Clerk Andrea Miller resigned that position to accept a position with the DCSC as corporation treasurer… The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the brand new Community Park the evening of Oct. 9 during the annual Car Show & Yeoman Community Days event… The Flora Water Treatment Plant will hold an open house and ribbon cutting on Friday. This will be an opportunity for Flora residents to view the $3 million in project updates.

Oct. 23 – The Carroll County Redevelopment Commission approved a $1 million request from Delphi Mayor Shane Evans to help fund Phase 2 of the city’s water project… Oracle senior Riley Lowder was celebrated Friday night by his DCHS teammates after running in his first ever touchdown… The Carroll County Commissioners approved a new fee structure for the Trash Transfer Station, effective Dec. 1… Carroll Consolidated School Corporation will purchase safety film for all windows at a cost of $43,934. The security film strengthens windows, making them shatter-proof… The DCHS Athletic Department recognized Lillie Smith for earning her 1,000th career dig in volleyball and Ethan Randle for becoming the DCHS all-time career saves leader for soccer.

Oct. 30 – The Carroll County Commissioners and County Council are at an impasse on the proposed jail project… The City of Delphi will resume curb-side recycling pickup on Nov. 5… A Washington Township Navy Corpsman who died in the Vietnam War, James C. Delaplane, was credited with saving many lives during the Battle for Khe Sanh on Hill 861… Billie Hedde of Flora will present from her manuscript of her soon to be published book, Pack Your Boots and Your Parachutes, on Nov. 12 at the Delphi Opera House. She will share the story and heroism of her father, a World War II veteran… Abigail A. Diener and Makenzie L. Martin announced the opening of their new law firm, Diener & Martin, LLC. Their office is located at 100 S. Union St., in Delphi… The Drama Department at Rossville Middle/High School will present the classic tale, “The Wizard of Oz,” this weekend.

Nov. 6 – A trial court has ruled the recording of the initial call about the fatal fire in Flora that occurred in November 2016 is not protected by the law enforcement exemption of the Access to Public Records Act and should be released… Incumbent Mayor Shane Evans won the City of Delphi mayoral race against Republican challenger Dale Seward… The Delphi City Council approved the first reading of a rate hike ordinance for water usage… To continue recycling, Flora Town Council will place a self-service recycling trailer at the Municipal Shop lot on North Division Street… Artist Chaz Chiafos of Monticello donated a carved bald eagle to the Delphi American Legion Post No. 75 and it now sits in front of the Post in Pittsburg… Kurtis and Cassie Hammond have purchased MK Apparel in Flora and renamed the business, Lucky Apparel… Delphi Community High School will present Disney’s High School Musical Friday and Saturday in the Little Theater.

Nov. 13 – Carroll Consolidated is among many school corporations across the state that have announced district closings for Tuesday, Nov. 19, so teachers can rally at a Red for Ed Community Action Day at the State House in Indianapolis… Delphi Community School Corp. Interim Superintendent

Dan Ronk explained to the board at Monday night’s meeting he is challenged to straighten out the budget process but stated he is “making headway with the (fund) balances.”… Carroll Drama Club will present the comedy, Game of Thrones, Friday and Saturday in the CJSHS Auditorium… After 56 years, the Clawson Family has sold the building in downtown Delphi and is holding a “moving” sale this weekend… Veterans were served a free ham and bean meal at the Delphi American Legion in Pittsburg.

Nov. 20 – Ten large poles and lights used to illuminate ball fields at one of Purdue University’s Intramural fields will do the same at ball fields being built at the Abby and Libby Memorial Park, just north of Delphi… Carroll County Commissioners have agreed to fight the court judgment to release the 911 recording from the fatal fire in Flora that occurred on Nov. 21, 2016… Republican Precinct Committee people or their proxies chose Callie Schimmel to complete the unexpired term of Andrea Miller, who left to become the Delphi Community School Corp. Treasurer… “Traffic calmers” are expected to be put and working in Burlington soon… Cody Walker of Delphi has been hired as the Assistant Utility Superintendent under Jerry Snavely for the Town of Camden… A two-year Master Contract between teachers and the Carroll Consolidated School Corp. was ratified at the Nov. 12 board meeting. The agreement is effective July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021.

Nov. 27 – The Carroll County Council has for the second time rejected the jail contract… Honored at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce annual membership and awards dinner on Nov. 20 were Brenda Daily, recipient of the Charles Carroll Award, and Theresa Brown, owner of Flowers & Friends, Flora, Business of the Year… A Winter Holiday Bazaar will be held Saturday in Camden, along with Santa’s arrival and lighting of the town Christmas tree… Purdue University’s Physics and Astronomy Outreach visited Delphi Community Elementary School Monday for a hands-on demonstration for first grade students of how physics affects their lives.

Dec. 6 – A work release program has been thrown into the mix of ideas for a new jail for Carroll County… Flora Lions Club honored Doug Winger as the 35th recipient of the Pete Award, recognizing exceptional service to the community… The 28th annual Delphi Lions Club Christmas Parade, “Holly Jolly Christmas,” will be led Saturday by marshals Ann-Marie and Pete Circle… Bill and Joretta Tinsman will lead the “Christmas in Farm Country” themed Flora Christmas Parade on Saturday as marshals… The 31st annual Old Fashioned Christmas in Canal Park will be Saturday in Delphi, featuring Christmas music, a pioneer village, artisans and narrated hike… Burlington’s annual Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting will be Saturday evening… Decorated trees are featured in the Flora Depot through the Christmas holiday. Visitors may vote for their favorite with proceeds benefitting Depot restoration.

Dec. 11 – Delphi Community School Corporation voted to induct three former students in to the corporation’s Athletic Hall of Fame Monday night. They are Brayden Atwood, Tanner Lynde and Cole Murray… Bill Trueblood attended his last DCSC board meeting on Dec. 9 as effective Dec. 31, he is retiring after serving 11 years on the board… Stone House Restaurant and Bakery in Delphi is hosting its 4th annual Gingerbread Contest Dec. 17 at the restaurant… This is the last weekend for local talent holiday performances at the Delphi Opera House…. Indy Spine and Rehab welcomes Dr. Alex Sarpa, who will see patients two days a week at the Delphi practice.

Dec. 18 – The Carroll County Commissioners approved Monday the third version of a contract with Construction Control Inc. and Jack Krouse for a new jail… The annual Festival of the Trees, sponsored by the Greater Delphi Chamber of Commerce, may be viewed throughout December in the county courthouse in Delphi… At a meeting Dec. 10, the Carroll Consolidated School Board voted 4-1 to consider the contract of elementary principal Amanda Redmon for nonrenewal…. Delphi American Legion

Post No. 75 honored Ron Scowden and Mike Sanson as Legionnaires of the Year and Tim Segal, owner of Segal’s Sand & Gravel, as Business of the Year… Carroll senior Ayden Ayres was selected to the Colts Academic All-Star football team as a running back. Selection is based on the best players by position with grades figured in as well… Carroll’s Jaden Harness was selected for the Indiana Football Coaches Association Junior All-State team as a linebacker.

Dec. 25 – Carroll senior Ayden Ayres is Carroll County’s recipient of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship as the Community Foundation 2020 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar…. Delphi native Brian Abbott is included in the 2020 Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame…. Liberty Township residents James Snoeberger and Tim Strasser have indicated their willingness to serve for 2020 on the Delphi Community

School Board…. Dr. Carly (Snipes) Eastin was honored by the College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as a recipient of one of the university’s first annual Clinical Excellence Awards for faculty physicians… County health officer Angie Brown reported to the Camden Town Council Dec. 11 that she has recently inspected property at 546 E. Main Street and in her opinion, the property is not livable in the state it is in… Steve Michael will stay on the Burlington Town Council into the new year, serving with newly elected council members Kevin Hammond and Jim Enoch.