Published: February 05, 2009 12:53 pm      

Area briefs Feb. 5

Mother arrested on abuse charge

PERU — A mother found herself in jail this week after allegedly slapping her child in the face.

On Wednesday afternoon, personnel from the Division of Family and Children contacted a detective with the Miami County Sheriff’s Department to initiate an investigation into a child abuse complaint involving a 9-year-old child.

Based on information discovered by the detective, the child’s mother, 27-year-old Amanda Jo Abbott of Peru, was arrested on a class D felony charge of bodily injury to a child less than 14 and booked into the Miami County Jail under a $5,000 bond.

Police say that on either Monday or Tuesday, Abbott struck her child in the face with her hand, leaving visible injuries. If convicted, Abbott faces up to three years in prison.

Heavy damage reported in fire

DELPHI — While no one was injured, a large fire kept Carroll County crews busy into the early morning hours.

According to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department, the initial call came in about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday of a large structure fire at 2000 N. Meridian Road. The fire was at the Hog Flats, which is south of Camden and east of Delphi.

Authorities indicate that all Carroll County fire crews responded to the blaze, and that there was a significant amount of property damage. Crews were on the scene for about four hours.

Foundation offering singing valentines

The Cass County Community Foundation is offering the chance to “Give your heart to the community” by ordering a singing valentine.

For $100, friends and loved ones in Logansport can be serenaded on Friday, Feb. 13.

The CCCF is looking for volunteers to participate in the delivery of the “singing telegrams.” Enthusiasm is more important than actual singing skill. CCCF valentine singers will serenade spouses, friends, shut-ins, teachers, nursing homes and office buildings.

Singers perform a medley of songs and are needed from 9 a.m. to late afternoon.

For more information or to volunteer, call the CCCF office at (574) 722-2200 or e-mail jgraybeal@casscountycf.org.

Fish fry set at VFW post

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3790 will host a fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at 1023 Erie Ave.

The all-you-can-eat fry costs $7, and non-members are welcome.

LFD chief gives monthly report

Logansport Fire Chief Bob McMinn delivered his monthly report to the board of public works and safety Wednesday.

In January, the department answered a total of 126 alarms and calls.

Of those, 100 were in the city, 64 were at residential addresses, 12 were businesses, one was government property, six were factories, three were at schools, four were churches, three were nursing homes and seven were accidents.

The remaining 26 calls were in the county. Of these 16 were residential and 10 were accidents. The department also answered one call from Logansport State Hospital.