Geneva makes numerous appointments at year end meeting

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


A short year end meeting was held Tuesday night at Geneva Town Hall with the main order of business being the 2010 council appointments to various boards.
Dick Clutter was elected council president for the coming year and Jim Timmons will be vice president. Rosie Puterbaugh was retained as the deputy clerk and Dave Baumgartner will remain the town attorney. Doug Milligan was reappointed to the Adams County Economic Development Corp. and will also retain his position as town manager....

Chamber taps Daily Democrat, Kintz Agency

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur Chamber of Commerce officials have announced the two businesses that will be honored at the Chamber's annual dinner in January.
The winner of the Large Business of the Year Award is the Decatur Daily Democrat....

County to go after delinquent bills

Decatur Daily Democrat:

If you are delinquent in paying your Adams County property taxes, AFCSI will be looking for you.
At Monday's meeting of the county commissioners, they unanimously support edthe request of County Treasurer Rex Moore to have...

Fleming to receive Decatur award

Decatur Daily Democrat:


Gregory A. Fleming, a lifetime Decatur-area resident and the well-known owner and operator of Fleming Excavating, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2009 Stephen Decatur Award.
The award, named for the 19th century U.S. naval officer for whom the city is named, will be presented to Fleming at the annual...

Postal box items stolen

Decatur Daily Democrat:


A federal crime was committed in Decatur last weekend and authorities are using the Crime Stoppers program in an attempt to learn who did it.
The crime occurred between Saturday and Monday when someone used a prying tool to break into the U.S. Post Office box...

H1N1 vaccine now available to public

Berne Tri-Weekly:

Brenda Alexander, media contact for the Adams County Health Department, has announced that H1N1 vaccines are becoming available to the general public.
“Working in collaboration with local physicians’ offices and Adams County Memorial Hospital, the health department has been able to administer nearly 7,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine.” said Alexander. “In addition, vaccinations have been given to children at all three schools in the county, as well as the parochial schools.”

Jobless rate in slight dip

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams County's November unemployment rate fell two-tenths of one percent from the previous month, according to figures released Friday by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
The county's 12.3 percent jobless rate for November marked the fourth consecutive month in which unemployment figures have...

Explosion leaves city man critical

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Members of the Decatur Fire Department and the Indiana Fire Marshall's office are continuing to investigate the cause of explosions and fire in a Line St. garage on Friday that critically burned a city man.

Decatur mayor, council, honor Bob Ladd

Berne Tri-Weekly:


The last Decatur City Council meeting of the year was also the last meeting for long-time Decatur city employee Bob Ladd, who has decided to retire after a 42-year career.
Ladd, who has served six different Decatur mayors, was the force behind the city utilities billing and auditing department for more than four decades.
Decatur Mayor John Schultz presented Ladd with a proclamation, stating that, “I, Mayor John Schultz and members of Decatur City Council do hereby express our sincere appreciation and thanks to Bob for his many years of service.” (more)

City man guilty of child molesting

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams County Prosecutor Chris Harvey said on Thursday that Christopher M. Sutton of Decatur, who was convicted on Wednesday by an Adams Circuit Court jury of child molesting, will be the first person in the county sentenced under a 2008 Indiana law that lengthens the prison time served by certain sexual offenders....

Adams Central, South Adams honored

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Two firsts and one second were recorded in Adams County on Wednesday as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce (ICC) presented two of its 10 statewide "Head of the Class" awards to Adams Central and South Adams high schools....

City boosts water rates

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur's water rates will be increasing 41 percent with the initial billings of 2010 as a result of action taken by city council at its meeting Tuesday night.
Council passed on its third and final reading an ordinance amending the rates, an increase expected to amount to about $8.03 a month for....

Ladd's last meeting; Isch back

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur City Council wrapped up a rather tumultuous year Tuesday night with its final meeting of the year, and the night was marked with other "firsts" and another "last".

Barkey presents bridge projects for 2010

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Adams County Engineer Tim Barkey presented the Adams County Commissioners with a list of 11 bridge and culverts he would like to rehab or replace next year.
The list includes six culvert replacements, four bridge replacements and the paving of approaches on another bridge.
Barkey also presented the commissioners with a list of 36 more bridges and culverts he wants to rehab or replace between 2011-2014.

Evening of Wine, Roses and Jazz Jan. 30

The fifth annual Evening of Wine, Roses and Jazz 2010 will be held on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Lighted Gardens Banquet and Event Center on Highway 1 in Ossian. Enjoy the music as you mingle with friends and enjoy fine wines, champagne and hors’ devours. Tickets are $35 each and are limited. Visit these Ossian area businesses to purchase tickets: The Brew Ha!, Ossian State Bank, Ossian Do It Best, Lighted Gardens, and Country Squire Florist of Bluffton. Call 622-4023. All pro­ceeds benefit Ossian Down­town Revitalization.

Rev. Robert Dye obituary

Berne Tri-Weekly:



Rev. Robert Dye, 93, a resident of Berne, died at 4:10 a.m. on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at the Swiss Village Retirement Community in Berne.
He was born on October 14, 1916, in Urbana, Ohio, to Firman and Nellie (Taylor) Dye. He was married to Jane Ann Judy Dye, and she passed away in October of 1987. He then married Judy Parr on December 30, 1989 in Linn Grove.... (more)

Berne to seek grant for water tower

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A public hearing on Monday evening, conducted as part of the regular meeting of Berne City Council, paved the way for the city's application for $500,000 in grant funding for the construction of a new water tower.
Grant-writer Phyliss Gates said the funding will be sought in the form of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) issued ...

Census push under way

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"BE COUNTED! Return your census survey."
That's the proposed wording for perhaps two large banners, measuring 3 feet by 15 feet, to be purchased to promote the 2010...

SAAC to provide $20,000

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A report on the 2010 financial plans of the Substance Abuse Awareness Council (SAAC) in Adams County was presented at the county council's meeting this week....(more)

Drugs dropoff popular

Decatur Daily Democrat:


At the December meeting of the Adams County Council, it was announced that the onetime mailbox in front of the Decatur police station that is a receptacle for unwanted or out-of-date prescription drugs has had a highly successful beginning.
Beth Ralston, a leader of the Substance Abuse Awareness Council in Adams County, said that in the first three weeks, 11 pounds of....(more)

Mennonite Cemetery graves closed until spring

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


The excavation of the graves in the old Mennonite Cemetery has been suspended until spring, due to the sudden change in weather conditions. During last week’s sudden outburst of cold temperatures and high winds, workers were forced to remove their tents and tools quickly to protect equipment and information.

Chamber award winners announced

Berne Tri-Weekly:


The Berne Chamber of Commerce has announced the selection of DRG as its 2009 Business of the Year and Charles Isch as its 2009 Citizen of the Year.
DRG is a third-generation family-owned business started in Berne in 1925 by Christian Muselman. From the 1950s through the 1990s the business grew a thousand fold under the leadership of brothers, Art and Carl Muselman. Currently, cousins, Roger Muselman, chairman of the board, and Tom Muselman, president, lead DRG as owner-investors. David McKee, CEO, has been with DRG for 29 years and has been in his current leadership position since October 2006.

Area 18 Leader Praises AC

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Judy Emshwiller, director of the Area 18 vocational education consortium that serves the schools in Adams, Wells, Jay, and Huntington counties, gave something and got something at the December meeting of the Adams Central school board.

NA elected board drive moves ahead

Decatur Daily Democrat:


Grassroot efforts by a local citizens' group to transform the North Adams Community Schools' board of education from an appointed body into an elected one will begin in earnest in the near future with a petition signature drive and other related events.

Montgomery to retire as Bellmont AD

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

The North Adams School Board announced the retirement of Bellmont High School Athletic Director Frank Montgomery during the December meeting on Tuesday night. His retirement will take effect at the end of the current school year.
Montgomery has held this position for seven years.
North Adams Superintendent Wylie Sirk said that job opening will post in January.

Area Things to See and Do

WABASH
HONEYWELL CENTER
‘ANNIE’—Friday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., National Tour group.
COLIN MOCHRIE & BRAD SHERWOOD—Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., $19 to $75.
JODEE MESSINA—Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., $19 to $75, Information at 260-563-1102 or at www.honeywellcenter.org

VAN WERT, OHIO
NISWONGER ARTS CENTER
ENTERTAINMENT
RIVER CITY BRASS BAND—Friday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m., $10 to $25. With high school choirs.
Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio in Van Wert, more information at 419-238-6722 or at www.npacvw.org

WARSAW
WAGON WHEEL
THEATRE
For more information or to arrange for tickets call 574-267-8041 or toll free to 866-823-2618. Website is www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
HUNTINGTON
HUNTINGTON SUPPER CLUB
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SHOWS—Dec. 7-19.
Dinner and show is $38.50 plus tax Monday through Wednesday; $41.50 plus tax Thursday through Saturday and Saturday only matinees $25. For a reservation call 260-454-0603 or check out www.TheNewHuntington.com

Big winds in forecast

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Wind gusts as high as 50 mph could hit Decatur and Adams County on Wednesday as the early beginnings of winter continue to take hold.
Snow was expected in the Decatur area this afternoon, the National Weather Service saying less than half an inch is likely.

Scherry signs off after 20 years

Decatur Daily Democrat:

More than 20 years of highway trash cleanup along US 224 in Adams County by Rolland Scherry of rural Decatur has ended with his retirement, at age 81, from this voluntary job.
After he retired, Scherry asked the Indiana Department of Transportation if he could have the two signs that bracketed his trash-

Arts Place Innovation

Arts Place announces its 2010 winter/spring Innovations six-week class and workshop schedule. Classes will take place at both the Portland and St. Marys centers. Registration forms, which are available at Arts Place, will be accepted in person or by mail at both facilities. The Portland Center is located at 131 East Walnut Street, P.O. Box 804, Portland, Indiana 47371. In St. Marys, registrations may be dropped off at the Collective Center, 138 East Spring Street. Electronic versions of the registration brochure and scholarship form are available online atwww.artsland.org. For more information contact Arts Place at 260-726-4809 or 419-394-0707.
Innovations is a comprehensive program of instruction in the arts for both students and adults. Classes are designed to meet community interests, and provide a varied curriculum with artists drawn from within the region instructing most classes. A limited number of scholarships are available based on financial need. Scholarship deadline is Jan. 15, 2010. Everyone is encouraged to register early to ensure availability.
The first session of classes begins the week of Jan. 25, 2010, with registration deadline on Jan. 15. Registration deadline for second session is March 19, and classes begin the week of March 29, 2010. Each session lasts six weeks. At the time of registration $10 per class is due, which will be applied to the total amount due. Payment schedules are available. Contact Arts Place for more information.

Six-week classes beginning in January at the Portland Center:
• Little Arts (ages 4-6): Puppetry
• Art School for Kids (ages 7-13) classes include: Clay, Mixed Media, and Live Theatre.

Adult classes include: Oil Painting, Daytime and Evening Clay, Drama, Song Writing, and Hip Hop Dance.

Portland one-day workshops:
• Art School for Kids (Ages 7-13): Fantastic Fiber Workshop
• Adults: Tattoo You (ages 10+), Oil Painting, Make Your Mark, and Basketry.

Little snow, lots of wrecks

Decatur Daily Democrat:

It was only a little over a quarter of an inch, but it was a formula for traffic accidents as Decatur and Adams County — as well as much of Indiana — received its first snowfall of the season this morning.
The snow began between 6:30 and 6:45 a.m. and lasted until around 7:30 to 7:45. The Decatur weather station recorded

Home lost to fire

Decatur Daily Democrat:


The two-story house of the Amos Eicher family on County Rd. 400 West, near CR 300 South, was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning.
No one was at home at the time.

Neuenschwander “meets” many family members in Heritage Room

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


When Beat Stauffer was living in Switzerland in 1492, it probably never crossed his mind that his name would be on the front page of a newspaper in a distant country that didn’t exist at the time.
To date, Stauffer is the most distant relative that Shana Neuenschwander, an employee at the Heritage Room in the basement of the Berne Public Library, has discovered in connection with her family.

Area Things to See and Do

BRYANT
GOODTIMES THEATRE AT BEARCREEK FARMS
HOMESTEAD HOLIDAY—Dec. 1-20, professional singers and dancers, $25 meal and show. For more information and reservations call 260-997-6822 or check out www.bearcreekfarms.com

FORT WAYNE’S CIVIC THEATRE
The Civic Theatre’s 2009-1010 season has been announced and includes: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, March 5-12; The Road to Mecca, April 2-18; Studs Terkel Working, May 7-16; and Playwright Contest, June 4-13. For more information call 260-422-8641 or check out www.fwcivic.org

FW YOUTHEATRE
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER—Saturday, Dec. 19 & Sunday, Dec. 20, 21 p.m., Arts United Cetner. Tickets $12 for adults and $8 for childrean. (Bos office opens Dec. 14th at 260-422-4226.

FW SCHOOL OF BALLET
‘THE NUTCRACKER’—Dec. 4-13, tickets $25 adults, $30 youth and seniors and $15 for those 10 and under. Evening 8 p.m. perofmrances on Dec. 4, 11 and 12 and 2:30 p.m. performances on Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13. Call 260-484-9646 to arrange for tickets.

FW PHILHARMONIC CONCERTS
SPECTRUM CONCERT—Fridaym Dec. 18, 8 p.m., Auer Performance Hall at IPFW.. Handel’s Messiah with Robert Nance conducting and the Heartkabd Chamber Chorale and Philharmonic Chorus.
For more information call 260-456-2224 or visit www.fortwaynephilharmonic.com Tickets at 260-481-0777.

FW’S SCIENCE CENTRAL EVENTS
Art Morph: Combining Art & Science—temporary exhibit through Jan. 3. Artwork out of recycled plastic and metal items. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for all except free to those 3 and under. More information at 260-424-2400 or at www.sciencecentral.org Closed July 4th.

FORT WAYNE COLISEUM EVENTS
GAITHER CHRISTMAS SHOW—Thursday, Dec. 10, 7 a.m.
Tickets via Ticketmaster, Coliseum box office or by phone at 260-424-1811.

FW’S EMBASSY THEATRE EVENTS
HOLIDAY POPS CONCERTS—Thursday, Dec. 10, 7:30 pl.m.; Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 & 12, 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 19, 2 and 8 p.m., with Philharmonic Chorus and FW Children’s Choir.
CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION—Thursday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m., tickets $27 to $52. Lobby dining with Ckub Soda, 5 p.m., $30 or $40 depending on entree, reservations to 260-424-6287.
‘MENOPAUSE’—Wednesday, Jan. 20 and Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m., the musical, tickets $41.75 and $47.75.
Ticket information at 260-424-1811 or through Ticketmaster. For groups of 20 or more call 260-420-3344.

Monroe soft water may return soon

Decatur Daily Democrat:


By doing more repairing and less replacing, the Mishawaka company that is repairing the water-softening system at Monroe may be able to return soft water to the residents by late next week....

Geneva man accused of putting baby 'at risk'

Decatur Daily Democrat:


Joseph A. Green, 26, Geneva, was arraigned in Adams Circuit Court on Thursday on charges of aggravated battery and battery resulting in serious injury.
He is accused of shaking his three-month-old baby on November 8 at home. During the court hearing, Adams County Prosecuto...

Monroe pumping station repairs near completion

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Monroe Town Council President Al Lehman announced at last night’s council meeting that the Monroe Parks Board is once again having a Christmas decorating contest. All houses with decorations in Monroe are automatically entered in the contest. Judging will be held on Sunday, December 20, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Three prizes will be awarded: a first prize of $75, second prize of $50, and a third prize of $25. Judges will be from out of town.
Town Supt. Marty Schaffer announced that repairs on the town’s main pumping station are almost complete.

City to add 3 streets...sort of

Decatur Daily Democrat:


The City of Decatur on Tuesday night added three more streets to its collection. Well, sort of.
In fact, the streets have been around for awhile, but for some reason were not added to the inventory of local streets maintained...

Bill for horses tops $4,000

Decatur Daily Democrat:

... At Monday's meeting of the county commissioners, county Auditor Bill Borne said the county will pay $3,462.79 to Arnold Lumber of Decatur to repair wood in the stalls that was damaged when the horses chewed on the wood.
Borne also said the other two sums will be paid as reimbursement to the Adams County 4-H organization, which paid the water and electric bills.
The total of the three amounts comes to $4,184.70.

Rickord gets city post

Decatur Daily Democrat:

On January 1, Dan Rickord will become only the second head of Decatur's utilities department in 42 years as he replaces Bob Ladd.
The announcement was made by Mayor John Schultz at Tuesday night's meeting of Decatur City Council...

Area Things to See and Do

SCIENCE CENTRAL EVENTS
Art Morph: Combining Art & Science—temporary exhibit through Jan. 3. Artwork out of recycled plastic and metal items. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for all except free to those 3 and under. More information at 260-424-2400 or at www.sciencecentral.org Closed July 4th.

FORT WAYNE
COLISEUM EVENTS
GAITHER CHRISTMAS SHOW—Thursday, Dec. 10, 7 a.m.
Tickets via Ticketmaster, Coliseum box office or by phone at 260-424-1811.

FW’S EMBASSY
THEATRE EVENTS
LEWIS BLACK—Sunday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m., $39.50 to $65.
HOLIDAY POPS CONCERTS—Thursday, Dec. 10, 7:30 pl.m.; Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 & 12, 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 19, 2 and 8 p.m., with Philharmonid Chorus and FW Children’s Choir.
CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION—Thursday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m., tickets $27 to $52. Lobby dining with Ckub Soda, 5 p.m., $30 or $40 depending on entree, reservations to 260-424-6287.
‘MENOPAUSE’—Wednesday, Jan. 20 and Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m., the musical, tickets $41.75 and $47.75.
Ticket information at 260-424-1811 or through Ticketmaster. For groups of 20 or more call 260-420-3344.

Key word for farmers: 'perseverance'

Decatur Daily Democrat:


Opening his annual Agricultural Outlook address to approximately 80 people on Monday night at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Monroe, Dr. Chris Hurt, a Purdue University agricultural economist, had one word of advice to farmers: "perseverance."

Four named to first sewer district board

Decatur Daily Democrat:



The majority of the first Adams County Sewer District Board was appointed on Monday by a unanimous vote of the three commissioners.