Baer Field Speedway to host benefit for New Haven marching band

East Allen Times:

FORT WYANE — New Haven High School band members will sell tickets to the June 5 race at Baer Field Speedway in an effort to raise money for new uniforms and instruments.

NHHS band members will sell up to 1,000 adult tickets for the races for $10 (regular price $15) with the Speedway donating $7 out of each band ticket sold, back to the band for a potential one-day $7,000 fundraiser, raceway officials said in a news release....

AC time change talk brings concerns

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Although supporting the proposal to let Adams Central's teaching staff meet at school for 45 minutes before classes each Wednesday during the school year, thus delaying the start of school by 15 minutes, AC's curriculum....

AC ponders time change

Decatur Daily Democrat:

To provide additional time for teachers to meet as a group to discuss educational issues, perspectives, and techniques, the Adams Central school board is considering a change in the school schedule on Wednesdays only during the school year....

“All is quiet” for war victims resting in area cemeteries

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Descriptions of Memorial Day in the Berne Witness newspapers during World War II all emphasized one aspect of the community’s respect for blood shed on behalf of American freedom. All was quiet, stores closed down, and a respective silence filled the hearts of those remembering the lives sacrificed, and prayers were given on behalf of those still serving. There was no parade, no fanfare, just a hush and a prayer that those serving from the community would return safely. These days, American flags flap in the breeze in front of the War Memorial at the MRE Cemetery. Graves are being neatly decorated in honor of veterans and for family members and loved ones. In downtown Geneva, preparations are being made at the village’s war memorial for this year’s annual south Adams County Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. The service currently rotates by the year between Berne and Geneva. Years ago, graves were decorated with bouquets of flowers from the family garden, irises...

United Way seeks 200 "Summer Reading Buddies"

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — Area elementary students need help from about 200 volunteers for the United Way of Allen County’s Learn United initiative to help them improve their literacy skills over the summer.

“Summer Reading Buddies” are needed June 14-Aug. 13 at a variety of times and locations, the United Way of Allen County said in a news release. Volunteers may sign up for as little as one hour a week for two weeks, and as much as several hours a week for 10 weeks.....

Kruse hopes car auction continues

Decatur Daily Democrat:

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The owner of a long-running classic car auction in northern Indiana hopes to keep it going, possibly by selling the business to someone else, after his license was revoked, his attorney said Wednesday.
The Indiana Auctioneer Commission permanently revoked Kruse International’s auction license Tuesday after hearing complaints about business....

Hippos to remember Monmouth

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Monmouth Elementary School Principal Mike Casper, who is retiring at the end of the current school year, is passing on to students and staff at the school many of the hippopotamus trinkets he has collected over the past 28 years.
The "hunt" began May 3, and continued daily through this Friday, when every student and staff member has had the opportunity to choose from the collection.

Casper said of the approximately 500 hippos he acquired from family, friends, students, parents and teachers, he is keeping around 200 to pass along to his family and to donate to Adams Memorial Hospitals Toys & Teddies project. ....

Farris competing at NAIA nationals

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Cedarville freshman Mark Farris (South Adams) will be competing in the NAIA track and field national meet this Thursday through Saturday at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion.
Farris is a member of Cedarville’s 4 x 100 meter relay team, which recently finished second in the NCCAA national championship meet at Taylor University. The team is seeded 20th with a time of 41.76. The leader in the event is Shorter with a time of 40.82....

St. Mary's Heritage Fund awards $89,320 in Fort Wayne

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — Catholic churches, schools and their families received more than $174,000 in aid the St. Mary's Heritage fund, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades said in a news release.

Parishes in Fort Wayne getting funds include:

• St. Joseph — $5,000 for tuition assistance for distressed parish families at St. Joseph/St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School
• St. Mary — $5,000 for Ave Maria House Emergency Assistance Fund
• St. Patrick — $10,000 for tuition assistance for nine student parishioners at St. John the Baptist, Queen of Angels, Bishop Luers and St. Charles Borromeo schools

(More)

Mellencamp staying on SA board

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Tony Mellencamp gave a prepared statement to the press on Tuesday regarding his intentions to remain on the South Adams Schools Board for the next term....

South Adams cuts 3 teachers

Decatur Daily Democrat:

During a special session on Tuesday, the South Adams Schools Board voted to cancel three teaching contracts, to reduce one full-time custodial position and replace it with one 19-hour part time (no benefits) position....

South Adams cancels three teacher contracts

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

A lack of state funding took its total on South Adams Schools at a special School Board meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
School Superintendent Cathy Egolf recommended that board members cancel the contracts of consumer and family science teacher Celinda Herman, German teacher Debra Neuenschwander, and elementary physical education teacher Douglas Peterson, due to continued slashing of funds at the state level.
Egolf said that the reason for cancellation of their school contracts was a loss in state funding, thus dictating the fact that the current level of teaching positions can’t be maintained.
“The board considers the nonrenewal of your contract pursuant to its reduction in force (RIF) provisions to be relevant to the school corporation’s interest,” said Egolf. “This is not an easy time for any of us. It’s a very sad time.”...

Women's Enterprise breakfast kicks off 2010 Business Expo

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — More than 100 people were at the Grand Wayne Center Tuesday morning for the Women's Enterprise Breakfast that kicks off the 2010 Business Expo.

The expo, which features 70 exhibitors and a luncheon, will be streamed online at FwDailyNews.com.

Be sure to check back throughout the day for updates. ....

Election workers paid $17,451

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Adams County commissioners conducted all of their business on Monday afternoon in less than 30 minutes, including a report from county Clerk Gayla Reinhart that paying the poll workers for the May 4 primary election cost $17,451.08....

FCC (Adams) seeks tax abatement

Decatur Daily Democrat:

County economic development officials appeared before Berne City Council on Monday to help lay the groundwork for a new tax abatement request by the FCC (Adams) automotive supply company....

Central scores elusive sectional title

Berne Tri-Weekly News

OSSIAN – Having been in a sectional championship match three years in a row, Adams Central entered its final match at the Norwell Sectional with a bit of trepidation.
“We were kind of expecting the worst,” Central coach Mike Hower said. “It’s not that we’re pessimists, but we were taking that approach so nothing would get us down.”
A tough semi-final match with Bluffton nearly took the Jets out, but they persevered, winning 3-2, and then took out South Adams 5-0 in the championship....

East Allen schools seeks transformation proposals for Harding, Prince Chapman Academy

East Allen Times:

NEW HAVEN — East Allen County Schools officials seek would like groups and individuals to submit proposals for its Transformation Schools initiative for Paul Harding High School and Prince Chapman Academy.

EACS said in a news release it is accepting requests for proposals from any community organization, entity or group seeking a partnership with the district to provide carefully planned, forward instruction during the expanded learning time....

Jobless rate continues to fall

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The jobless rate in Adams County fell again during April, dropping to 10.4 percent and leaving the county ranked 42nd among Indiana counties in overall unemployment, according to figures released Friday by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development....

Potter to exit Chamber post

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Connie Potter often says she is "Swiss by osmosis."
While she is not a native of Berne and has no direct link to the Swiss heritage upon which the community was formed, there perhaps has been...

Praying for others brings miracle to local woman

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


Donna Habegger has two primary memories of a five-day hospital stay in the summer of 2007 – a clock that indicted to her that she was being healed because of John 3:16, and praying for the physical needs of others around her.
Habegger was one of approximately 100 individuals diagnosed with Wagoner’s Disease annually in the United States. The illness, which attacks the kidneys, usually leaves its victim with a lifetime prognosis of kidney dialysis and other potential side affects.
In Habegger’s case, there was a kidney recovery and dialysis was called off. Medical officials told her that she was one of “two or three” in their treatment center whose kidneys had been restored to full health following the damage that she had initially sustained.

City touts $100 million in public works projects

East Allen Times:


FORT WAYNE — City officials are touting $100 million in projects this year during National Public Works Week.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and public works and city utilities workers displayed showed off work vehicles for Franke Park Elementary students Thursday, according to a news release....

City parking fines boosted

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Parking fines have increased in the City of Decatur for the first time in a number of years.
Decatur City Council passed on its third and final reading this week an ordinance which boosts parking fines and updates numerous aspects of ...

Hospital finances improve

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A concerted effort to reduce operating costs, along with increased revenues in out-patient and in-patient revenue, have improved the overall financial picture at the Adams Health Network (AHN) for the first four months of the year.
Chief Executive Director Marvin L. Baird told AHN trustees at their monthly meeting this week that it takes approximately $190,000 per day to...

South Adams students rewarded for hard work and pursuit

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

South Adams senior Stuart Poulson is still at a loss for words to express his appreciation as a recipient of the Arthur and Gloria Muselman Scholarship presented at the senior awards night earlier this week.
The scholarship is a $30,000 presentation and broken up appropriately by year for a student attending Taylor University. Poulson said he was stunned when he learned that he was going to receive the prestigious award.
“This is such an honor; the Muselmans are such a prominent family who have contributed so much to our community,” said Poulson. “There’s no way to describe how this makes me feel. When you look at the fitness center, and all of the other ways that these people have been involved in Berne, this is really an honor.”
Poulson will be attending Taylor University to major in Christian Education, with a commitment of going into some type of Christian work....

McMillen Center to expand bullying education

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — The McMillen Center for Health Education will expand its bullying education to include more grades and will provide a new class on cyberbullying.

Classes are available to youths in third through fifth grades can and new classes have been developed to extend bullying education through 12th grade.
“Recent national events and local requests prompted us to expand this critical education," Holli Seabury, CEO of the McMillen Center said in a news release. "Students need to learn skills to diffuse bullies and most importantly, to know they should tell a trusted adult about the abuse before it escalates.”

Street improvements dominate Berne City Council

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Street improvements and traffic flow changes dominated Monday’s regular bi-monthly council meeting.
Gary Nussbaum told those present at the meeting that the city street department is going to be testing a new application in the area of Woodbridge Trail between U.S. 27 and Hendricks Street extended, including a part of Hendricks.
“Slurry Seal,” said Nussbaum is a mixture of asphalt emulsion, crushed aggregate (typically Indiana limestone or steel slag), Portland cement, and water. Nussbaum said that materials are independently held in the mixing truck and combined into a mixing chamber and applied to the pavement surface in a continuous operation.
According to Nussb...

Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser for Indiana’s first boundless playground

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — Citizens who would like to support the Boundless Playground Project to be built at Kreager Park can dine at Buffalo Wild Wings, 10524 Maysville Road from 6 – 9 p.m. May 26.

Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 10 percent from each food purchase to Taylor’s Dream for the Boundless Playground Project. There will be no solicitation at the event.

The project still needs about $200,000 to complete the $1.3 million project....

Egolf sees more budget woes ahead

Decatur Daily Democrat:

During Tuesday's South Adams School Board meeting, Superintendent Cathy Egolf gave a two-part presentation on the financial state of the school district and possible reconfigurations for the 2010-11 school year....

Show must go on

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The city's annual Fourth of July fireworks show, a no-go just 14 days earlier, is not only back in business but beginning to take shape.
Chief organizer Adam Eguia laid out some early details at Tuesday night's Decatur City Council meeting, including a new addition: a food vendors...

Financial woes are theme of Egolf’s address

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

“If you think that things are bad now, they could get a lot worse,” was the tone of South Adams school superintendent Cathy Egolf’s “State of the School District” address during Tuesday’s regular monthly school board meeting.
Egolf told those present that the board of education had asked for $9,416,835 in assistance for the general fund, but had only been given $8,974,910, a reduction of $441,925 or 4.7 percent reduction in hoped-for funding.
“There’s news of a possible nine to 10 percent additional cut in 2011,” said Egolf. “If that is approved, it would mean another $1 million reduction for our school district.”...

History of Fort Wayne Fire Department focus of June 6 Mather Lecture Series

East Allen Times:


FORT WAYNE — Dennis Giere, a captain in the Fort Wayne Fire Department, will discuss the department's history during the June 6 George R. Mather lecture at the History Center.

The lecture begins at 2 p.m. and is free to the public. Those the lecture also can visit History Center exhibits at no additional charge.

Giere has been the vice president of the Board of Directors of the Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum since 1996 and treasurer of the Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County since 2005. He became a volunteer firefighter and paramedic in his hometown of Coldwater, Ohio, in 1980 and was hired by the Fort Wayne Fire Department in 1989....

Bridge grant bid rejected

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
That old saying came to the fore at Monday's meeting of the Adams County commissioners when County Engineer Tim Barkey reported that the county was...

Solid waste budget about the same

Decatur Daily Democrat:


The Adams County Solid Waste Management District's preliminary budget estimate for 2011 reveals a mostly mirror image of this year's spending blueprint....

Camp Scott Wetlands offers free educational programs Thursday

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — Fort Wayne’s Camp Scott wetlands will open to the public from 2-7 p.m. Thursday and will include activities for all ages.

Visitors can wander the wetlands or go on a wildflower identification walk, see a demonstration of water quality testing, learn to make compost or participate in other activities. Camp Scott is located at 3615 Oxford St.

The Camp Scott constructed wetlands stores stormwater during rainy periods then releases it to the Maumee River after the storm sewer system has emptied.

Jail problems growing

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Problems at the Adams County Jail related to overcrowding and staffing arose during the May meeting of the Adams County Council.
During the discussion, Adams Circuit Court Judge Fred A. Schurger mentioned that the state prison system is "bursting at the seams," with inmate...

Harassment brings 6-year prison term

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A former Decatur man who waged "a campaign of terrorism" for more than a year against three elected public officials in Adams County was given a six-year prison sentence on Friday in Adams Circuit Court....

Berne receives grant for new water tower

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


City officials learned on Friday that Berne has been awarded a $600,000 grant designated toward the construction of the a new water tower, currently heavy in the planning stages.
Berne Mayor John Minch said that he was out of town when the word came and his secretary, Becky Sprunger, called to inform him of the news. Minch said that the assistance, which is coming from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), will help save tax payers huge amounts of money in what could have been substantial water rate increases....

Video age coming to local courts

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The video age for courts in Adams County is around the corner.
At this week's meeting of the Adams County Council, the council voted unanimously to approve spending $126,200 from the county's probation user fees....

Goodbyes for Fruechte, ICT

Decatur Daily Democrat:

They said "goodbye" to ICT and to Kim Fruechte on Wednesday night, but also said "hello" again to Bob Pilkington.
The last employer appreciation banquet conducted by Bellmont High School's Industrial Cooperative Training (ICT) program was held Wednesday....

Potter to resign from chamber post in August

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Berne Chamber of Commerce executive director, Connie Potter, has announced that she intends to step down from her post, effective by August of this summer.
Potter, who cited the desire to fulfill long-term personal and family goals, has served as executive director of the local chamber for the past seven years.
Potter said that it is her desire that the new executive director be hired by Swiss Days, this summer.
“There are certain stages of life. When it was time to move in to this position, I knew it,” said Potter. “I always wanted to make sure that when I moved out, it would also be at the right time. This is the time.”
Potter cited Ecclesiastes 3:1, “there is a time for everything,” as the guiding principle in making decisions of this nature in her life....

Free plane rides for youths June 12 at Smith Field

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — Area young people ages 8-17 can take to the skies June 12 when the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 2 hosts a Young Eagles Flight Rally at Smith Field Airport.

The rally is part of the EAA Young Eagles Program, created to interest young people in aviation. Registration is 10 a.m.-noon at the main hanger. Flights begin at 10 a.m., weather permitting.

Free airplane rides are just part of the Flight Rally. Pilots hope to build one-to-one relationships with the young people, giving a new generation a chance to learn more about the possibilities that exist in aviation. Pilots also will explain more about their airplanes allowing young people to discover how airplanes work and how pilots ensure safety is the prime concern before every flight.

NA staff changes revealed

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Principals at Southeast and Northwest Elementary Schools will exchange places for the upcoming school year as the reconfiguration of elementary classrooms takes effect....

Faurote to join NA board

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Ben Faurote was selected from among four candidates Tuesday evening to fill a vacancy on the North Adams school board. Faurote will complete the remaining two years of the District Three board seat vacated last month by former board president Gary Giessler, who was no longer eligible for the position...

County Boys and Girls Club introduces new mentoring program

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


The Boys and Girls Club program of Adams County is in the process of establishing a new mentoring program geared at offering a more effective one-on-one approach with county youth.
The program, known as, “Mentoring Adams County Kids,” is very similar to the highly-acclaimed, “Big Brothers, Big Sisters,” program according to program coordinator, Jessica Shaffer. The new emphasis will be serving all parts of the county through clubs in Decatur and Berne.
“The purpose of this program is to recruit and serve kids that need a more positive emphasis in their lives,” said Shaffer. “We’re in the process of starting to recruit adults who can serve as mentors for the program. They (adults) will meet with their kids on a periodic basis to establish a one-on-one relationship from which they can relate to certain needs that they have.”...

311 teachers on FWCS list of dropped teachers

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — The Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of School Trustees approved the reduction in force list during its meeting Monday.

The list includes 284 full-time teaching positions from throughout the district, with 161 coming from the high schools, 78 from middle schools and 45 from elementary schools, FWCS officials said in a news release....

Streets prime topic at Berne

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Streets were the primary topic for discussion at Monday evening's regular meeting of Berne City Council.
Some will be resurfaced this summer, including one which will serve as a test area for a new, cheaper method of surface maintenance....

Crafting state budget to be 'very difficult'

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Although Indiana is "the fifth-thriftiest state" in the nation, says State Rep. Matt Lehman of Berne, continuing economic problems will make creating a budget in 2011 "very difficult."...

Community turns out for final tribute to former beloved mayor

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Former Berne Mayor Richard Lehman might have been a tad uncomfortable with all of the recognition given at his memorial service at First Mennonite Church on Friday morning. Lehman, described by many as a quiet, behind-the-scenes, humble, but confident person, took the forefront at Friday’s service as friends, clergy, and family members, sought to pay tribute to a beloved government leader, friend, and family member. “He was an businessman known for honesty and fair value,” said Pastor Jerry Flueckiger, in paying tribute to Lehman’s legacy. “He was a community leader, good friend, and an encourager in so many ways,” continued Flueckiger. “His family was his priority, whether he was taking his grandchildren on a ride or simply being present to listen.” The large crowd of those attending the funeral had a good chuckle when Flueckiger referred to a comment made by Lehman’s wife, Colleen, at visitation on Thursday....

Maplecrest Road construction work to close portion of River Greenway through June 2011

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — The Rivergreenway's Maumee Pathway is closed because of the Maplecrest Road extension construction.

The move is a necessary safety step because the bridge construction takes place at the path, city officials said in a news release.

The Maumee Pathway will close from May 10 to June 2011 during construction. The closure will be between the 5.0 mile marker and the 4.75 mile marker. Trail users can continue to use the Maumee Pathway, but they will not be able to pass through the construction zone. Trail closed signs will be posted at the intersection of Pemberton and Niagara drives, the Coliseum Boulevard Trail Spur and North River Road Trailhead....

Fireworks are a 'go'

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Relax, everyone. The City of Decatur will have a Fourth of July fireworks this year. And on Sunday, July 4.
Mayor John Schultz announced early Friday afternoon that a conflict which had earlier extinguished the annual event has been resolved....

Group back from trip to Haiti

Decatur Daily Democrat:


It's hard to know where to start when one considers aiding the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti . . . and that was even before one of the world's worst earthquakes on January 12 this year did major property damage and left 250,000 people dead....

Community turns out for final tribute to former beloved mayor

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Former Berne Mayor Richard Lehman might have been a tad uncomfortable with all of the recognition given at his memorial service at First Mennonite Church on Friday morning. Lehman, described by many as a quiet, behind-the-scenes, humble, but confident person, took the forefront at Friday’s service as friends, clergy, and family members, sought to pay tribute to a beloved government leader, friend, and family member. “He was an businessman known for honesty and fair value,” said Pastor Jerry Flueckiger, in paying tribute to Lehman’s legacy. “He was a community leader, good friend, and an encourager in so many ways,” continued Flueckiger. “His family was his priority, whether he was taking his grandchildren on a ride or simply being present to listen.” The large crowd of those attending the funeral had a good chuckle when Flueckiger referred to a comment made by Lehman’s wife, Colleen, at visitation on Thursday....

Area Things to See and Do

BRYANT GOODTIMES THEATRE AT BEARCREEK FARMS
Shower of Stars programs at 2 and 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise
THE VAN DELLS—Friday, May 14.
JIM BRICKMAN/ANNE COCHRAN—Saturday, May 15.
COMEDIAN JIMMY TRAVIS—Thursday, May 20.
BIG BAND MEMORIES—Saturday, May 22.
LIVE FROM BRANSON WITH DOUG GABRIEL—Thursday, may 27.
SANDI PATTY—Sunday, June 13, 2 & 4:30 p.m., tickets now on sale.
Schedule of Shower of Stars available at www.bearcreekfarms.com For more information and reservations call 260-997-6822 or check out www.bearcreekfarms.com

FORT WAYNE’S CIVIC THEATRE
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’S SCIENCE CENTRAL EVENTS
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE—New views of the universe with this traveling exhibit, through Aug. 29. This exhibit contains images and video taken from the Hubble Space Telescope of planets, galaxies, black holes and many other fascinating cosmic entities. Developed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for all except free to those 3 and under. More information at 260-424-2400 or at www.sciencecentral.org

FORT WAYNE COLISEUM EVENTS
STAR WARS IN CONCERT—Thursday, July 15, narrated by Anthony Daniels (C-3PO in the Star Wars Saga)., Charge by phone to 800-745-3000.
Tickets via Ticketmaster, Coliseum box office 1-800-745-3000.

Festivals in May

500 FESTIVAL—through May 30, various locations in Indianapolis. Hours vary and admission is charged for most events. Parade on Saturday, May 29, noon in downtown Indianapolis. 317-927-3378 or 500festival.com

BROAD RIPPLE ART FAIR—May 15-16, Indianapolis Art Center, featuring more than 25 artists, four stages of entertainment and two food courts. Hours vary, admission charged. 317-255-2462 or IndplsArtCenter.org

ZIONSVILLE COUNTRY MARKET—May 15, downtown Zionsville. An arts, crafts and antiques festival in downtown Zionsville, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free. 317-873-3836 or zionsvillechamber.org

OHIO RIVER VALLEY FOLK FESTIVAL—May 21-22, Riverfront of Madison. Nationally known folk musicians, storytelling, traditional crafts, food, regional wines and beers, hours vary, admission charged. 800-559-2956 or ohiorivervalleyfolkfestival.com

ROUND THE FOUNTAIN ART FAIR—May 29, Courthouse Square in Lafayette. One of the best one-day outdoor art shows in the midwest. Featuring paintings, sculptures, pottery, photography, prints and jewelry, 9 a.m .to 4:30 p.m., free. 765-491-6298 or roundthefountain.org

Construction closure on Wallen on Friday

East Allen Times:

The Indiana Department of Transportation Fort Wayne District will close a portion of Wallen Road just east of Lima beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, May 7, so crews may install a storm sewer. That closure is expected to last one day.

Residential access will be maintained to homes adjacent to the work area. Drivers should use Cook and Coldwater roads as detours during the construction on these two sections.

Norwell voters reject spending plan

Decatur Daily Democrat:

By a margin of just 55 votes out of 3,443 votes cast, taxpaying residents of the Northern Wells school district voted on Tuesday against spending $15 million to renovate Norwell High School.
The result was 1,749 "no" votes and 1,694 "yes" votes, which led school board president Gene Donaghy to tell the Bluffton News-Banner that...

Prayers offered on special day

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Nine prayers and three songs formed the program for this year's National Day of Prayer observance on Thursday in front of the Peace Monument on the Adams County Courthouse square. More than 100 people attended in ideal spring weather....

Old Mennonite Cemetery excavation to expand

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation have indicated that there is good reason to believe that there could be a few graves from the Old Berne Cemetery located along the west side of U.S. 27, near the east part of the South Adams School property. As a result, archeologists working for INDOT will be scanning next week to verify the possibility. “Over the winter we found much better records about the exact location of graves,” said Susan Dole, spokesperson for INDOT. “We feel now that there is at least a reasonable possibility that the old cemetery does extend to the other side of U.S. 27. “When we do our project, we’re going to be doing sewer work over there, also, so if there are graves there, they need to be excavated,” continued Dole....

Aboite Township Fire Department hosts safety day May 15

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — Allen County’s Aboite Township Fire Department will host its first-ever Public Safety Day from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. May 15, at its station at 11321 Aboite Center Road, next to Homestead High School and the Homestead Freshman Academy.

The free event's focus is to provide area families with timely, easily useful common-sense information about safety, be it for home, school, automotive or in the workplace. While it will be hosted by the Aboite Township Fire Department, various agencies from northeast Indiana will be on hand providing free information, educational opportunities and more.

Train whistle problem seen ending soon

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur Mayor John Schultz had good news at Tuesday's city council session for residents who have complained about recent loud train engine whistles in late night and early morning on the Chicago, Fort Wayne, and Eastern Railroad (CF&E) track that runs north and south through...

Four seek NA board seat

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The current members of the North Adams Community Schools' board of education will fill a board vacancy by choosing from among four applicants for the position....

Geneva honors several at annual meeting

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Several local businesses and individuals were honored at Geneva’s annual Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday evening. Jay Studebaker was presented with a plaque honoring his Cardinal Electric as the “Business of the Year Award.”
The “Industry of the Year” Award recognized EPC (Elkhart Products), which is celebrating its 41st year in Geneva. The company established its Geneva location in 1969.
Russ Flueckiger received recognition as the, “Citizen of the Year.” Flueckiger quipped how he had originally come from Berne and his wife, Susie (Bixler), had come from Geneva....

Junior Achievement hosts awards banquet Thursday

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — Junior Achievement’s will host its annual Business and Education Leadership Awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Grand Wayne Center Convention Hall.

Jim Ash, Ash Brokerage Corporation, and Paul Zurcher, Zurcher Tire, will be honored as 2010 Greater Fort Wayne Business Hall of Fame Laureates. They'll join 69 others who have been inducted in the Hall since its 1984 inception.

The Ove Jorgensen Spirit of Leadership Award will go to Scott Glaze, CEO of Fort Wayne Metals. The award recognizes area business people who provide community leadership through the many efforts and organizations they support with extensive commitments of time and energy....

Geneva honors several at annual meeting

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Several local businesses and individuals were honored at Geneva’s annual Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday evening. Jay Studebaker was presented with a plaque honoring his Cardinal Electric as the “Business of the Year Award.”
The “Industry of the Year” Award recognized EPC (Elkhart Products), which is celebrating its 41st year in Geneva. The company established its Geneva location in 1969.
Russ Flueckiger received recognition as the, “Citizen of the Year.” Flueckiger quipped how he had originally come from Berne and his wife, Susie (Bixler), had come from Geneva....

Fiber arts celebration at Salomon Farm Park

East Allen Times:

Salomon Farm will host a two-day celebration of fiber arts on May 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 817 W. Dupont Rd.
The focus of this free festival is education through hands-on participation and demonstrations of the processes of making natural fiber products – wool dyeing, spinning, weaving and more. Children can hold and pet the farm animals and there will be sheep and alpacas too.

Jail takes lightning strike

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A lightning bolt struck the Adams County Law Enforcement Center in Decatur during a thunderstorm early Saturday morning and Sheriff Chuck Padgett estimated on Monday that repairs could run between $10,000 and $20,000.
He told the county commissioners that the 911 emergency number system, the building's telephone system, cameras, alarms, and a....

Geneva honors its own

Decatur Daily Democrat:

From being stuck in a bedroom to being stuck in an elevator, there was plenty to laugh at, but even more to celebrate, as various annual awards were presented at the Geneva Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday evening....

Central wins two, Stars one in tennis meeting

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Adams Central scored two wins in a four-team tennis meeting Friday night in Monroe, beating Fort Wayne South Side 3-2 and Fort Wayne North Side 5-0. South Adams enjoyed its first win of the season, beating North Side 4-1, but lost a 5-0 decision to South Side....

Mother's Day in the conservatory garden

East Allen County Times:

Fort Wayne — The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory offers a Mother’s Day event from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

There will be displays of flowers and the annual exhibit of live butterflies, coupled this year with a fairy garden display. Patrons may also plant a small geranium for your mom, while supplies last....

City woman to give ND invocation

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Katie Washington, a biological sciences major from Gary has been named valedictorian of the 2010 University of Notre Dame graduating class and will present the valedictory address during Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 16, in Notre Dame stadium.
Meanwhile, the Commencement invocation will be offered by Emily (Conrad) Fyfe, a psychology and sociology major from Decatur, who, like...

Sheriff races highlight ballots

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams County voters will have only a handful of contested races to decide when they go to the polls Tuesday for this year's primary election. Voting will take place from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Attracting the most attention countywide is the crowded field of candidates seeking their party's nomination in the race for county sheriff....

1950’s again—a throwback in time at Mount Hope Church

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

It was a throwback to the days when hamburgers cost 45 cents, hot dogs were 40 cents, soft drinks were a dime, and milk shakes rang up at 35 cents.
People were reading such comics as, “Dennis the Menace,” “Lil Abner,” “Dick Tracy,” “Archie,” and “Casper the Friendly Ghost,” and people were sitting around their box-type radios in the living room listening to such programs as, “Fibber McGee and Molly,” “Great Gildersleeve,” and “One Man’s Family.”
Saturday night, it all came back again as part of a “Happy Days are Back,” celebration at the Mount Hope Church of the Nazarene. The special family evening, sponsored by the church’s Women’s Mi...