New deputies, retiring leaders, and a helping hand
Sheriff adds two; Stover, Wyman retire; Isaac named Friend of Extension
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Sheriff adds two deputies
The Howard County Sheriff’s Department recently added two new deputies to its ranks. Chase Cottle and Sabrina Morgan were sworn in as officers at the Howard County Board of Commissioners meeting on Dec. 19.
“We have two new deputies, and they will be starting the police academy on Jan. 3,” said Howard County Sheriff Jerry Asher. “Both are current employees. Chase works in the jail and has done civil process for us. Sabrina is a dispatcher. Both have done fantastic work, and we’re excited to have them join the team.”
Cottle, Badge #103, is from Kokomo. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a member of the Air Force Reserve. Morgan, Badge #104, lives in Howard County. She recently received a Master’s degree from NIU and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.
The new deputies were sworn in by Howard County Clerk Debbie Stewart.
“Congratulations to both of you and thank you for your service,” said Howard County Commissioner Paul Wyman. “We definitely appreciate you.”
Stover retires from Project Access
Project Access Executive Director Cathy Cox-Stover retired from the organization on Dec. 20. She had held the executive director position since November 2021. Cox-Stover is a current member of the Kokomo Plan Commission and the Kokomo Howard County Public Library Board of Trustees. She is the former sales and marketing director for the Kokomo Event Center and a former member of the Howard County Historical Society Board of Trustees.
Wyman awarded Pillar of the Community
In what was his penultimate meeting as a Howard County Commissioner, Paul Wyman was given the Pillar of the Community award by his fellow commissioners on Dec. 19.
“We have a commissioner who is leaving us; I call him a quitter,” said Howard County Commissioner Brad Bray, in jest. “He’s going on to bigger and better things, I think. He won’t tell us. And he has just about every award in the world except this one: The Pillar of the Community.”
“We looked around and wondered what we could get Paul,” added Howard County Commissioner Jack Dodd. “He’s got it all.”
The Howard County Pillar of the Community Award was devised by Wyman during his tenure as a contemporary award to Kokomo’s “Key to the City.” Previous recipients of the award include Dick and Margie Moore, formerly of Moore Title, former Howard County Attorney Larry Murrell, and former Howard County Councilman Richard Miller.
“That’s a special one; it means a lot to me,” said Wyman.
Howard County Council President Martha Lake extended her appreciation to Wyman for the 16 years of service he performed as a commissioner and councilman.
“The county is sad to see you go, Paul,” said Lake. “We appreciate you working with us and keeping us informed. You have been a blessing to this county. We’ll move forward, but it certainly will be a change. We wish you the very best.”
Howard County resident Brad Simone, a frequent attendee of the commissioners’ meetings and public advocate, also expressed his appreciation for Wyman.
“Paul, I know we’ve probably butted heads, but I’m not the type of person to hold a grudge,” said Simone. “I wish you the best in your endeavors, and I hope you wish me the best in mine.”
“I do appreciate you showing up and presenting your case all the time,” said Wyman. “It’s important that people show up to public meetings and share how they feel about things. There might only be four or five people show up to a public meeting. That fact that you do says a lot.”
Isaac named Friend of Extension 2022
Howard County government’s project manager Pamela Isaac was recently honored at the Purdue Extension Office’s Friend of Extension for 2022. In a moment of public recognition, Purdue Extension Director Allison Hillis honored Isaac at the Dec. 19 meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners.
“Since starting as county extension director in June 2021, there has been someone who has helped me through all the phone calls and emails,” said Hillis. “She helped me through my first commissioners meeting because learning the rules and the flow was kind of intimidating. She also helped me navigate the process of ordering a new copy machine.
“She also is bringing extension into the work being done to address the food desert on the north end of Kokomo. Most recently, she supported the Purdue Extension and 4H participation in the October First Friday event, pulling off an event with livestock in the middle of downtown. Without her support in securing the space outside of our building, it would not have been possible.”