Published: March 06, 2008 01:12 pm      

Local news briefs

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Award recognizes Little Turtle Waterway

The board of Little Turtle Waterway Corp. was presented with the Mayor’s Cup award Wednesday. Mayor Mike Fincher said the award was to recognize the organization and its many volunteers for their efforts to improve the area’s riverbanks.

“I know it’s not much, but it is some small recognition of what they’ve done,” he said.

LMU taking bids for new machine

Logansport Municipal Utilities will accept bids for a directional boring machine for the electric distribution department.

The machine will allow LMU crews to install underground electric lines in established subdivisions and in areas being converted from overhead to underground.

City renews contract with preservationist

The city of Logansport has renewed its annual contract for professional services with the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

The contract is for $6,500 plus membership fees and was signed Wednesday by the Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety. It provides the city with a part-time adviser to help facilitate historic preservation.

“We can’t afford to have a person on our staff, so we sign a contract with them,” said Deputy Mayor Linda Klinck. “Since we’ve had the contract, we’ve had a lot more awareness of historic preservation.”

The adviser facilitates planning sessions with the Logansport Historical Board of Review, helps to create a work plan for the year, conducts training workshops for board members and helps to obtain grants for historical preservation projects.

Miami Democrats recall ’68 campaign

PERU — The Miami County Democratic Party is planning a dinner event Saturday at the Knights of Columbus to remember a 1968 campaign visit by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

A variety of area speakers are coming both to remember Kennedy and to set the stage for the presidential and gubernatorial primary on May 6. Among the speakers are former State Sen. Bob Peterson, who was in attendance in 1968 and former County Chairman Bun Gallahan. Others who have memories of that day will also speak and display memorabilia from the time, including photos, artwork, campaign materials and newspaper articles.

Also speaking will be candidates for the 5th District representative’s seat now held by Dan Burton. They include Mary Etta Ruley, Chester Kelsey and Dr. Kenny Stall. Linda Klinck, deputy mayor of Logansport, who is running for the seat of State Sen. Tom Weatherwax will be meeting voters, as will candidates running for local offices.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door, starting at 5:45 p.m. Saturday. For more information call Mimi Berkshire at (765) 472-1107.

Correctional facility gets new leader

BUNKER HILL — The Indiana Department of Correction has announced that Mark Sevier will be promoted to superintendent of Miami Correctional Facility effective March 31.

Walter E. Martin, the current superintendent, is being assigned as superintendent of Indianapolis Men’s and Women’s Work Release. Martin, who began his career with the IDOC in 1967, had been superintendent of Rockville Correctional Facility before coming to Miami in 2006.

Sevier began his career with IDOC in 1988 as a correctional officer at the Rockville Training Center. He transferred to the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in 1992 where he was promoted to assistant superintendent in 2000. Sevier was assigned to the Plainfield Correctional Facility in 2005 as an assistant superintendent. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Indiana State University.