City offices closed Friday

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE – The City of Fort Wayne’s offices, to include the City Utilities Customer Relations Center, the 311 Call Center, the Fort Wayne Police and Fire department's administrative offices, as well as Prevention and Survive Alive, will be closed Friday for the New Year’s holiday.

The Community and Youth centers and Animal Care and Control will be closed Friday and Saturday; however, Animal Control Officers after hours depositories will be open to receive animals when the shelter is closed....

New law bars electronics from trash

East Allen Times:

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana law makes it illegal starting Saturday to discard televisions, computers and certain other electronics for regular trash pickups.

A provision of a 2009 law that takes effect Jan. 1 bans computers, computer monitors, televisions, printers and other electronics from being incinerated or dumped in landfills.....

1st Source redeems shares

East Allen Times:

SOUTH BEND - 1st Source Corp. announced plans Dec. 23 to repurchase 111,000 shares issued to the U.S. Treasury a year ago under the Capital Purchase Program.

The South Bend-based bank company was expected to repay $111.68 million to redeem the shares Dec. 29.

Christopher Murphy III, 1st Source’s chairman, said the bank never needed to rely on the Treasury Department’s investment. “Our participation in the Capital Purchase Program came out of an abundance of caution and a desire to support our government’s efforts to deal with frozen capital markets,” he said....

Lutheran Health Services donates to area charities

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - The Lutheran Health Services Society has made end-of-the-year donations to ten area charities.

Proudly celebrating 106 years of service, the Lutheran Health Services Society supports area health care and charitable agencies through fundraising activities held throughout the year. The Society’s annual wine tasting fundraiser “Festival of Wines” held in early May raises funds for Hospice Home, the area’s only freestanding, in-patient facility dedicated to end-of-life care. In 2010, the Lutheran Health Services Society has given Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home a total of $16,305. ...

Bank names new CEO

East Allen Times:

HUNTINGTON - Northeast Indiana Bancorp, the Huntington-based parent of First Federal Savings Bank, has named Michael Zahn chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1.

He replaces Stephen Zahn, who will retire as CEO but remain chairman of the board of both the bank and its parent company....

IU drops Big Ten opener

Decatur Daily Democrat:

By

The Associated Press

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Jeff Brooks had a career-high 23 points and Talor Battle added 19 to help Penn State hold off Indiana 69-60 on Monday night.
The Nittany Lions (8-4, 1-0 Big Ten) snapped a two-game losing streak with their second straight win at Assembly Hall — a venue where they had lost 15 straight before finally winning a game two years ago. The two teams met only once last season, in State College, Pa.....

Braves to hunt for 15th Mishawaka wrestling crown

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Bellmont has won the Mishawaka Wrestling Invitational 14 times, more than any other school, and the last Braves' win came in 2003.
That's one winless streak that Bellmont would like to end.
"It's wide open. There are five or six teams with a legitimate chance. Whoever places the most, pops the most into the finals will win the tourney," stated Bellmont coach Brent Faurote.
"It's much more wide open than in past years when everyone was battling for second place."
Host Mishawaka has won the meet the past two years, but losing 10 wrestlers to graduation has taken its toll. Bellmont was fourth last year.....

Commissioners reappoint 23, select 2 new

Decatur Daily Democrat:

It's that time of year again: for appointments by the Adams County Commissioners.
At Monday's meeting, the three elected executives voted unanimously to rename 23 people to local positions and to name two new people to other posts.
Both new appointees, Max Beer and Rex King, were named to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.
Mark Mitchel will continue as county highway superintendent with Shaun Roe remaining as his assistant. Tim Barkey is staying on as county engineer and Neil Ogg as plan commission director and building inspector .....

No. 7 story: GOP sweeps election

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Mirroring the national trend, the Republican Party in Adams County swept all countywide contested races in the Nov. 2 general election. The GOP landslide was ranked as the No. 7 story of the year in voting by employees of the Decatur Daily Democrat.
Republican candidates posted upset victories over three sitting Democrats, held onto two other contested seats, and filled a pending vacancy in the county sheriff’s office....

FCS hosts Christmas breakfast

Huntington County Tab:

In celebration of the Christmas season, Family Centered Services recently sponsored a "Breakfast with Santa" for parents and children who participate in the Healthy Families program in Huntington County.

Healthy Families supports new parents providing encouragement, parenting tips, child development information and access to community resources.

This year, 58 people from 17 families attended the Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 11, which included refreshments, Christmas decorations, gifts for each child and family, and pictures with Santa.....

North Central Conference Boys' Basketball

Huntington County Tab:

This Week's Games

Monday, December 27
Elkhart Central Shootout (Anderson)

Tuesday, December 28
Morgan Twp. at New Castle
Elkhart Central Shootout
Richmond Tournament (HNHS vs. Shenandoah) (Benton Harbor, MI vs. Richmond)

Wednesday, December 29
Pike at Muncie Central
Elkhart Central Shootout
Richmond Tournament
Marion Tournament (Marion)

(more)

Huntington County veterans’ groups team up to give van to shelter that helps homeless vets

Huntington County Tab:

Several veterans' organizations in Huntington County have donated a seven-passenger van to Shepherd's House in Fort Wayne, which provides shelter and services to homeless military veterans.

The project was spearheaded by the American Legion Riders of American Legion Post 7 in conjunction with American Legion Post 85, the Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Post 160, and Dennis and Joyce Allen.

The American Legion Riders visited Shepherd's House after bringing the Vietnam Traveling Wall to Huntington last September. In talking with the homeless veterans who had taken shelter there, they learned that the veterans desperately needed transportation that would allow them to take jobs in outlying areas.....

County residents make holiday for less fortunate

Huntington County Tab:

There are thousands of families out there basking in the glow of Christmas.

For more than 500 of those families, there would have been no Christmas glow if not for the generosity of their fellow Huntington County residents.

Bill Fetrow, director of Love In the Name of Christ, estimates that about 530 families throughout Huntington County received boxes of Christmas cheer through Love INC, The Salvation Army and Karing for Kids.

The agencies, though, merely served as the conduit through which area businesses, organizations and individuals were able to make those families' Christmas merry.....

Indiana colleges upset with funding changes

East Allen Times:

INDIANAPOLIS — Several of Indiana's public colleges and universities are criticizing the state's new incentive-based funding formula for higher education, saying it could derail their efforts to get back some of the $150 million the state pulled back last year in a budget-cutting move.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has created a $123 million incentive fund that's aimed at rewarding some of the state's seven public colleges and universities based on how well each meets certain college-completion goals.....

Emergency homeless shelter now open

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE – The Homeless Task Force is pleased to announce that a new emergency homeless shelter is now open for the winter months. Those needing a place to stay out of the weather should be at the Rescue Mission (301 West Superior) prior to 7pm for check in. ....

Locomotive plant looking for new hires

East Allen Times:

MUNCIE — A division of Caterpillar that plans to employ 650 people at a diesel-electric railroad locomotive plant in Muncie is looking for workers.
Progress Rail Services has begun advertising for 70 welders and other positions through the state website www.indianacareerconnect.com.....(more)

Christmas tree recycling plans announced

East Allen Times:


FORT WAYNE - The Allen County Solid Waste Management District is encouraging residents of Allen County to recycle their live Christmas trees. Trees will be recycled by chipping them into mulch. Trees can be dropped off at any time between Saturday, December 26, 2010 and Friday, January 14, 2011 at the following locations: (click for more)

New auto auction owner plans spring sale

East Allen Times:

AUBURN — The new owner of a long-running classic car auction in northern Indiana is planning to continue its traditional springtime sale.

Auctions America by RM bought the former Kruse Auction Park in Auburn in July after its future was threatened by owner Dean Kruse's financial troubles. The company called its Labor Day auction a success, and The Star of Auburn reports the company has schedule a spring 2011 sale for April 29 to May 1....

Thatcher, Meyer to be top seeds at Mishawaka

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Bellmont has four top-four seeds for the annual 32-team Al Smith Classic at Mishawaka High School this week, including top seeds Travis Thatcher at 215 pounds and heavyweight Daniel Meyer.
The tourney, once dominated by Bellmont, will be held Wednesday and Thursday of this week starting at 9 a.m.
Five of the top 10 rated teams in the state are in the tourney: No. 4 Merrillville, No. 5 Mishawaka, No. 7 Lawrence North, No. 8 Penn and No. 10 Bellmont.....

Grimm is named fire chief at Berne

Decatur Daily Democrat:

After a dozen years as Berne's fire chief, Art Nussbaum is stepping down.
After 11 years as a Berne firefighter, William "Bill" Grimm is stepping ... up as the new chief.
Berne Mayor John Minch has appointed Grimm to replace Nussbaum after Nussbaum chose to give up the job. Nussbaum will, however, stay on as a firefighter, having compiled more than 25 years on the department.
Grimm, a dispatcher and supervisor in the communications center opertaed by the Adams County Sheriff's Department, will be sworn into the fire chief's position on January 4. He is also a training instructor for the Berne department.....

No. 6 story of 2010: AC project

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The approval of a $10 million construction and renovation project — and a change in educational philosophy — at Adams Central School was ranked as the No. 6 story in Adams County during 2010 in balloting by employees of the Decatur Daily Democrat.
The construction project will last about one year and add classrooms, offices, and restrooms, while creating a new and more secure north side access and making numerous renovations. The current offices of the high school, middle school, athletic director, guidance department, and nurse will be moved within the kindergarten-through-senior structure.....

Lehman's heart lights up with memories of Christmas past

Berne Tri Weekly News:

Every time Al Lehman of Monroe remembers the old Santa Claus and reindeer display that used to jingle and flash on the side of Wolf and Dessauer in downtown Fort Wayne, he thinks of his dad. That's because his dad, Barney Lehman, was responsible for the flashing whip that danced across the reindeers.
"My dad did electrical work. When they came up with that Santa Claus and reindeer, there was no action. My dad suggested and figured out how to make the lights flash on the whip," said Lehman.....

Starfires win ECIC

Berne Tri Weekly News:

South Adams put four wrestlers into the championship round and two of them claimed titles last Thursday in the East Central Indiana Classic tournament at Jay County High School.
The Starfires, currently the top-ranked 1A team in the state, scored 221 points, beating Alexandria by 12.5 points. Jay County was a distant third with 177 points.
South Adams’ Josh Ehr took the 145-pound division with a 14-3 win over Jay County’s Drake Meska in the championship level of the tourney.....

White Cottage has outgrown itself, says George

Berne Tri Weekly News:

Carson and Kerri George admitted last week that there was a bit of sadness in their hearts about their decision to close the White Cottage restaurant. The young couple said that it had nothing to do with the support and kindness of Berne residents or the local business community.
In fact, just the opposite is true. The community has given the business such success that it has outgrown the facility. As a result, the Georges painfully made the decision to sell the facility and seek expanded room to develop their business. Initially, they sought to find a place in the Berne community to relocate, but nothing was available at the time.....

Booster shots recommended to combat whooping cough outbreak

East Allen Times:

MUNSTER — Health officials are recommending that adults in Indiana get booster shots to protect against whooping cough because at least 600 cases have been reported this year in the state.

State Health Department epidemiologist Angie Cierzniewski (SIHZH'-new-ski) tells The Times of Munster that adults who are around infants in particular should receive a booster because infants are the most susceptible to the disease. She says infants are too young for an immunization and the state's two deaths from the illness have been children younger than 2 months old....

Local Organizations Receive Funding

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - In December 2010, the Edward D. and Ione Auer Foundation, a private charitable foundation, made gifts to 10 local organizations. Organizations and gifts:

- Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, Project Learn, $10,000
- Fort Wayne Ballet, Title One School Adoption Program, $10,000
- Fort Wayne Economic Development Alliance, Downtown Development, $50,000
- Fort Wayne Firefighters’ Museum, Teaching history, fire safety and prevention, $5,000
- Fort Wayne Park Foundation, Boundless Playground at Kreager Park, $25,000
(More)

No. 3 story: State volleyball champs

Decatur Daily Democrat:

In dominating fashion, Craig Krull’s 2010 Bellmont girls volleyball team steamrolled through the class 3A playoffs, going 18-1 in total games, to claim the school’s second state volleyball championship in four years.
The championship effort was voted as the Democrat’s No. 3 news story of 2010.
The only game lost was to Yorktown at Plymouth Semistate. In the 3A championship match played at Worthen Arena at Ball State University...

Vaccines to be given here

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Adams County Health Department has announced that teams from the immunization program of the Indiana Department of Health will be at the health office in Room 320 of the Adams County Service Complex in Decatur next Tuesday to give required vaccine shots to students who will be in the sixth grade in the 2011-12 school year.....

Squaws’s whip Warriors 48-37

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Good things happen when a basketball team puts the ball in the basket and the Bellmont Squaws proved that Wednesday night at the Teepee with its best shooting performance of the season hitting 16-34 for 47 percent and adding nearly 70 percent from the foul line on 13-19 to post a 48-37 win over the visiting Woodlan Warriors in non-conference action.....

Hop's Heresy: UCLA’s mark remains intact

Decatur Daily Democrat:

It's like tossing an ice cube into a pan of hot oil ... but it's got to be said. Geno Auriemma and the UConn women did not break the UCLA-John Wooden 88-game consecutive win record!
Sure, they have 89 wins in a row, but the last time I checked, it was a different sport. UConn plays women's basketball. UCLA played men's basketball. It's not the same. It's not even close!
Both sports are played in arenas, and the balls are round. That's about it as far as like qualities, other than the basket is 10 feet tall in each sport. The ball is even a different size. The speed of the sport, the strength of the players, the size of the players ... it's all so very different.....

Locals to again participate in society’s Christmas bird count

Huntington County Tab:

Huntington residents could see some cool sights in the sky if they'd open their eyes, according to local birdwatcher Betty Jo Wallace.
The Christmas bird count is just a way for those interested in bird watching to get involved.
Wallace and her mother-in-law, Ellen Eppard, organize the Huntington County Christmas Count independently and send the compiled information to the Indiana chapter of the National Audubon Society. Wallace has been bird watching for about 25 years. Eppard is the representative for Huntington and she's been birding for over 30 years.
Huntington's designated day in the Christmas count is Jan. 1....

Hinshaw to present ‘Bridges’ training day

Huntington County Tab:

Karen Hinshaw, a certified trainer for the Bridges Out of Poverty Curriculum, will present one all day training on Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Pathfinder Services Building on Theater Ave.
This training gives participants key lessons in dealing with individuals from poverty, notes Hinshaw, a Huntington County Extension educator. Participants will learn why they should use mental models to communicate effectively, and to assist clients from poverty to learn quickly....

Postpone GOP coroner caucus until January

Huntington County Tab:

A Huntington County Republican Party caucus to select a new county coroner has been postponed, County Republican Chairman Angela Garner has announced.
The caucus was originally scheduled for Dec. 28 but will instead be held in mid-January, Garner says. The postponement was made to allow precinct committeemen the required 10 days notice of the meeting.....

HU men’s basketball team to host first Tailgating Corn Toss Tournament

Huntington County Tab:

The Huntington University men's basketball team will host its first annual Tailgating Corn Toss Tournament on Feb. 5, before the Indiana Wesleyan University game.
The tournament will be held in the HU Merill at Complex Field House starting at noon.
There is an entry fee for the singles tournament and as well as for the doubles tournament.....

Lady Vikings' Gretchen and Natalie Spahr to run for HU

Huntington County Tab:

Huntington North High School girls' cross country and track stars Gretchen and Natalie Spahr will continue their athletic careers a few blocks away at Huntington University.

The Spahrs signed the appropriate paperwork Tuesday evening, Dec. 21, at HNHS.

"We met the team and really enjoyed them, and we wanted to run, so it sounded good to us," Natalie Spahr said of the sisters' choice.

Gretchen Spahr was among the team's top three runners all four years in cross country, and helped the team to a 16th place finish at state this year and 10th place finishes in 2008 and 2009. She was the team most valuable runner in 2009, when she broke the school record at 5,000 meters and was sectional champion, North Central Conference champ and all-state....

Officer recognized for saving life

East Allen Times:

AUBURN — Auburn Police Patrolman Stewart Rufner received honors Tuesday night for rescuing a man who was choking.

Rufner saved the life of Wesley Kallsen of Butler outside a west Auburn restaurant Sept. 20.

Kallsen attended the award presentation Tuesday at Auburn City Hall, during a meeting of the Auburn Common Council. Auburn Mayor Norman Yoder gave Rufner a commendation, and Auburn Police Chief Martin D. McCoy gave him the department’s first-ever lifesaving award.

Additional information can be found at www.dekalbstar.com......

Man was holding replica gun when shot

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - Both the officer and the man who was shot a man on S. Harrison St. have been identified. Sergeant Mark Dolezal fired one shot at Yahree Cavin, 23, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Dolozel has been with the police department for 22 years and is a supervisor.

Officer Chuck Volz fired a taser at Cavin, at approximately the same time Sergeant Dolezal fired his gun. Police Chief Rusty York said it is common practice for one officer to have his gun drawn, while the officer will use a taser, if non-lethal force is necessary.

Chief York said both officers acted properly, and commended their actions.....

Jets earn five wins in 55-22 loss to 10th-rated Bellmont

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Bellmont won six matches and took three forfeits, and Adams Central took five wins, including at overtime victory at 152, in the annual showdown between the neighboring schools Tuesday at the Teepee as the Braves scored a 53-22 wrestling victory.
"We wanted to come in here and get six, and we got five," stated Adams Central coach Doug Schultz, whose Jets slipped to 16-5 with the loss. "All in all, it was a pretty good dual meet, enjoyable to watch."
"I said coming in that (Will) Busse-(Jarod) Schwartz would be the best match of the night, and it was," he added, of the match won on an overtime take down by Schwartz, 7-5.....

Retiring FSA leader Gould is honored at open house

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Jay Gould, who has spent some 45 years working with local farmers, will be stepping down as executive director of the Farm Services Agency (FSA) office in Decatur after December 30. He was given a big sendoff during a five-hour open house in the FSA office on Tuesday.
Large numbers of visitors stopped in to congratulate and to thank him, plenty of refreshments were available, and lots of old photographs and other memorabilia from more than four decades of public service were on display.
You'll be greatly missed," said one longtime friend — a view shared by all who attended....

Prime plans quick pace

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur City Council said goodbye to 2010 Tuesday night with some moves which will get 2011 off to a good start.
The actions involved New Prime, a division of Prime, Inc, of Springfield, Missouri, which will construct a new building in Industrial Park III as it enters into an agreement with Bunge North America to provide transportation and logistic services, mainly truck trailer washing.
New Prime will be the first tenant in the 62-acre park along County Road 450N, just west of All American Homes. New Prime will occupy two lots, approximately 13.8 acres.....

Second half woes continue to haunt Starfires

Berne Tri Weekly News:

ROCKFORD, OH – In a marathon they call it “the wall” – the point in which the body and the mind start to turn against each other. It’s at that point where goals become secondary to finishing, and many times a runner is relinquished to limping home as best they can. In basketball – at least as far as South Adams is concerned – it’s called the second half.....

Gould steps down from Farm Service Director position after 40 years

Berne Tri Weekly News:

It was the day after Christmas in 1970 when Jay Gould accepted a full-time position as Adams County Farm Service director. Forty years later, Gould has decided to retire after four decades of serving the needs of farmers in the county.
"I want to do some things that take more time away from work in a span than what I felt that I could comfortably be away," said Gould at a retirement gathering on Tuesday afternoon. "There's a lot of good talent out there to do the job. I want to keep going as long as I can."....

Missing child's remains recovered, mother arrested

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - Latisha Ann Lawson was arrested in connection with a missing child investigation on a preliminary felony charge of Neglect of a Dependent (Class A-Felony).

During the course of the investigation, detectives and officers with the Fort Wayne Police Department went to a home in the 1300 block of Wabash Avenue and there they discovered the remains of a small child.....

Mather Lectures announced by History Center

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - The five electric interurban railroads that once served the Fort Wayne area will be the topic for the January 2, 2011 George R. Mather lecture at The History Center in Fort Wayne.

Craig Berndt will provide maps, data and photos from the inception of the lines in 1902 to their closing in 1945. The free lecture begins at 2 p.m. and is open to the public.

On February 6, Doris Yerger will speak about “20th Century African-American Women’s Clubs”......

Military family members offered retreat

East Allen Times:

HUNTINGTON — For parents, spouses and children of those serving in the military, stress levels increase and can quickly become overwhelming. The experience is quite common, as the nature of military service creates unique challenges for those who are serving and also for their families.

Victory Noll Center is offering a free retreat for members of military families on Saturday, January 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help find positive ways to work with those stresses. During this day-long program, military family members will be provided with various tools and methods to help find positive and enriching ways of dealing with these particular experiences. ....

Save Maumee to hold fundraiser

East Allen Times:

Save Maumee Fundraiser will be held on Wednesday December 22 from 4:30PM – 9PM at Nuhouser Garden & Gifts,4605 W. Jefferson (just southwest Jefferson Pointe).

Food will be provided by Paula’s on Main and the Dash-In. Various wines from Hall’s Triangle Park & Gas House will also be available. You can sample Amish made foods and to learn about your local waterways.....

Baumer’s 10-point, 48-second outburst key Jets by Panthers

Decatur Daily Democrat:


MONROE—"Maverick" was a 1960s western television series about happy-go-lucky brothers doing heroic acts.
On Saturday night, Maverick "Bomber" Baumer played the role of a midwestern hero, with a big assist from stellar free throwing by three teammates, as Adams Central claimed a 59-50 win over Lakewood Park.
Baumer, a 6-5 junior who AC coach Aaron McClure says "poses major matchup problems" for opponents due to agility and ability inside and out, turned a 38-35 LP lead into a 45-40 Central lead with a spectacular 10-point outburst in the first 48 seconds of the fourth quarter, including a four-point play......

Coaches report changes for tonight’s BHS-AC mat meet

Decatur Daily Democrat:

In the Bellmont-Adams Central dual wrestling meet slated for tonight at Bellmont, there are a few lineup changes.
Adams Central freshman Adam Cook is back in the Jets' lineup at 103 pounds and he'll be facing Bellmont's Jordan Richards. Bellmont's Anthony Stebing is out at 145 and sophomore Jacob Bergman will take his place.
With AC 189-pounder Dillon Goetterman out for the season with a concussion, the Jets might put in 171-pound back-up Luke Marbach. If Marbach goes, he will face Bellmont's Brad Busse, the Adams Central Jayvee Invitational Most Outstanding Wrestling after Busse defeated both regular Isaac Birch and Ben Baker (3-1 and 7-6 respectively) in wrestle-off action this week at BHS.....

Squaws weather Jets’ run, then roll to 57-30 victory

Decatur Daily Democrat:


MONROE-After his team had coughed up the ball on four straight possessions in the third period which led to 10 straight points for the Adams Central Jets, Bellmont coach Tory Fuelling's message to his Squaws was simple when he called a timeout after AC had cut a 13 point BHS lead to just three.
"Girls you gotta take care of the ball."
That thought was conveyed loud and clear to the Squaws who then went on a 10-0 run of their own and were never seriously challenged thereafter enroute to winning a 57-30 decision over their county rivals.....

Some project changes are made at AC

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Additions and subtractions were made to Adams Central's construction and renovation project by the AC school board at its recent meeting
The board, with member Mike Brown absent, voted 6-0 to add two items, costing about $80,000 overall, to the $10 million project.
The board agreed to spend at least $5,975, but no more than $7,975, to remove asbestos from around pipes in an underground tunnel. The work will be done by Environmental Technology Consulting Corp. of Fort Wayne.....

Waste district won’t pass on its rise in cost

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The cost incurred by the Adams County solid waste district for the hauling and disposal of trash at the Waste Management landfill in Jay County will increase slightly in 2011, but those costs will not be passed on to solid waste customers.
Tim Baker, who serves as legal counsel for the waste district, reported during Monday's regular board meeting that the U.S. consumer price index had risen 1.1 percent over the past 12 months. As specified in separate contracts with Luginbill Trucking and Waste Management Inc., annual rate increases paid by the waste district are tied to that annual report.....

No. 1 news story of the year

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The stark realities of war hit home in September when Staff Sgt. Phillip Jenkins of Decatur became the first, and to date the only, Adams County serviceman to give his life in the ongoing American conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jenkins' death was voted by employees of the Decatur Daily Democrat to be the number one news story of 2010. Jenkins was laid to rest during private ceremonies in Decatur Cemetery on Sept. 18. That burial came 11 days after he was killed in Iraq in the line of duty.....

Christmas not the same for Adler after visit to Israel

Berne Tri Weekly News:

Former Adams Central basketball great Landon Adler has literally traveled the world playing basketball since his high school basketball days in Adams County. But of all of his travels, none has been more meaningful than a visit to Israel; to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and visit many of the holy places has changed his spiritual perspective and outlook on the world around him.
The local athlete admitted that having visited the Church of the Nativity (birth of Jesus) has impacted his view of Christmas. However, the total impact of all of the shrines where he walked has made a complete change of heart in his Christian faith.....

Garrett too much for South Adams girls

Berne Tri Weekly News:


South Adams had few answers for the second ranked (2A) Garrett varsity girls’ basketball team, and fell for the tenth straight game Saturday night at the Stardome, 68-15 to the visiting Railroaders.
Garrett is now 11-0 and 4-0 in the Allen County Athletic Conference. South Adams slips to 1-10 and 0-4 in the ACAC.....

Henry signs ordinance reducing fees

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - At a time when fees and prices seem to be increasing across the country, Mayor Tom Henry was able to lower the fees Fort Wayne residents pay for garbage and recycling in 2011.

Today Mayor Henry signed the ordinance setting the garbage recycling rate to $11.00 per month per household. This is a reduction of $.24 per month from the current year.....

University of Saint Francis Jesters to perform original work

East Allen Times:


FORT WAYNE — The University of Saint Francis (USF) Jesters will perform “Takin’ Time,” an original stage play, on Saturday, March 5 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m. at the university’s North Campus Auditorium, 2702 Spring Street.

Jesters is comprised of 36 special-needs people ages 12 to 47. The Jesters program was founded at USF in 1978, with the purpose of enhancing the quality of life for people with physical and/or developmental disabilities by engaging them in recreational opportunities to promote creative expression and positive social interaction.....

Discourage crime, breakdown boxes

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - The Fort Wayne Police Department encourages everyone to break down all boxes and packaging from holiday gifts, and to place the boxes and packaging in your recycling bin. Avoid placing any boxes or packaging at your street curb before trash collection day. Boxes and gift packages that are visible outside the home alert the criminal element as to what is inside your home.

The department offers these tips on how to keep your home from becoming a target during the holiday season:

Working in a Winter Wonderland

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - Snow and cold are no match for the zoo's professional animal care staff! We make sure that the zoo's 1,500 animals remain warm and cozy on blustery winter days.

With nearly all zoo animals living here year-round, that's no small task. The maintenance crew begins plowing the zoo paths early in the morning so keepers can reach each exhibit. Cold-hardy animals like the bobcats and red pandas get extra bedding and food to keep warm. Tropical animals live in buildings for the winter, where they stay toasty warm....

Jets take 3 ACAC wins; Stars survive, beat Leo 34-33

Decatur Daily Democrat:

BLUFFTON — South Adams, rated No. 1 earlier this week in a Class A poll put out by Indianamat.com, remained unbeaten, but had a big scare, tipping ACAC foe Leo 34-33 in a conference triple-dual meet Thursday.
The Stars improved to 21-0 overall and 6-0 in the ACAC with only Southern Wells left on the slate. They've clinched at least a share of the ACAC regular-season title by beating the other three contenders, Leo, Garrett and Adams Central.
The Stars downed Heritage, 39-37, and blasted Bluffton 75-3 to earn the sweep.....

Home Melcher locks in pin, helps Braves by Chargers 39-31

Decatur Daily Democrat:

FORT WAYNE — In a bout both sides considered a swing match, Bellmont junior Dewey Melcher headlocked Jeff Clark, scoring one of five Bellmont pins in a 39-31 victory over Carroll Thursday at the Chargers' gym.
Melcher actually trailed 2-0 going into the second period and was on top of Clark, who tried to scramble out but was caught by Melcher, who finally go the trip he wanted and put the match away in 2:48, giving the Braves an impressive 27-13 lead.....

United Way aids food banks

Decatur Daily Democrat:


The United Way of Adams County is operating a food and paper products drive in partnership with several businesses in the county to aid local food banks.
Boxes have been placed at a number of locations around the county, including the following: Edward Jones offices, Common Ground Church, Community Markets, M&M Market in Geneva, Eichhorn Jewelry, Zurcher Tire, Decatur police and fire departments.....

Hospital staying in the black

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Based on preliminary budget assumptions for 2011, Adams Memorial Hospital (AMH) expects to be about a half million dollars in the black at the end of the year.
Adams Health Network (AHN) Executive Director Marvin L. Baird told members of the AHN board of trustees Wednesday night at their monthly meeting, "I feel very comfortable with the budget we're going to show you."....

Grimm to step up as new chief at Berne Fire Department

Berne Tri Weekly News:

For the past 11 years, Bill Grimm has spent his time learning everything possible about being a good firemen. He has also been dedicated as a mechanic which allowed him to become familiar with fire trucks and equipment. Now, as of the evening of Jan. 4, 2011, Grimm will take his knowledge and skills to the office of Berne City Fire Chief.
Grimm will succeed Art Nussbaum, who opted to step down after 12 years of service at the helm of the local department. Nussbaum will, however, continue to serve as a member of the local department.....

Starfires clinch ACAC round robin title

Berne Tri Weekly News:

Getting beat by major decision isn’t exactly a textbook way to go out on top, but when Charlie Hirschy managed to keep Leo’s Corey Botts from scoring a pin or technical fall he allowed South Adams to hang on to a tenuous lead and keep its unbeaten season alive with a 34-33 win over the Lions Thursday evening at a conference quad dual meet at Bluffton.....

Varsity Eagles win 2 at Border Battle

Huntington County Tab:

The Huntington home school Varsity Eagles won both their games in the annual Border Battle, held Saturday, Dec. 11, at Spiece Fieldhouse in Fort Wayne.

The Lady Eagles ended the day with two wins and one loss.
The Border Battle features contests between home school varsity teams from Indiana and Michigan.

In their first game, the Eagles won 59-42 over the Midland Flames. Caleb Featherston led the Eagles with 18 points, with Samuel Daniels tossing in 14 and Trey Frank adding 11. Also scoring for the Eagles were Clay Sickafoose, five points; Brock Hitzfield and Caleb Lieffers, each with four points; and Chris Lieffers, three points.....

Ness appointed to serve on Andrews zoning board

Huntington County Tab:

Andrews resident Tim Ness will represent the Town of Andrews on the Andrews Board of Zoning Appeals.

Ness's appointment by Clerk-Treasurer Bill Johnson was approved by the Andrews Town Council at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 13.

Ness fills one of three seats on the board that are appointed by the town. He will succeed Charles Miller, who will not return to the Andrews BZA next year.

"I have a pretty good working knowledge of zoning ordinances," Ness said at the meeting. "I'm trying to get involved in the town."....

Love INC donations from Bippus State Bank

Huntington County Tab:

Bippus State Bank employees Mari Nell Prange (left) and Dawn Downs dropped off presents for their six adopted families through Love INC's Christmas Adopt-a-Family Project on Friday, Dec. 10. Bippus employees collected money throughout the year to help adopt families for Christmas....

Meshing of traditions gives Bosnian couple 2 Christmases

Huntington County Tab:

A Bosnian family living in Huntington has meshed its own holiday traditions from home with those of America, a compromise that includes the celebration of two Christmases.

Ira Bencun moved to Huntington in December 2004 after meeting her future husband, Dalibor. They are from the same town, Kakanj in central Bosnia, but she says they didn't meet until he was home visiting his family after he had already moved to America in the late 1990s.

In January 2005, the couple married in America; in December 2005, their son Stribor was born here.

Both Ira and Dalibor Bencun work in Huntington....

Partnership receives $1,000 grant

East Allen Times:


Fort Wayne, Indiana, December 15, 2010 – The Edna Foundation has awarded Allen County Education Partnership a $1,000 grant to support the agency’s Project READS program. This money will enable ACEP to purchase new books for students to read.

Project READS (Reading, Early Assistance in Developing Skills) provides after school tutoring in literacy skills for children in grades K-3.

Allen County Education Partnership, established in 1991, is a not-for-profit agency whose mission is to improve academic achievement for youth through business, community, and education partnerships.....

City, local companies team to offer free cab rides

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - Mayor Tom Henry joined with local taxi companies and other local businesses today to announce the return of the 23rd annual Holiday Cab program.

The program, which will run from Thursday, December 16 through Saturday, January 1, offers free cab rides home for people within a 10-miles radius of downtown to provide additional safety for residents during the holidays....

Armed robber hits New Haven

East Allen Times:

NEW HAVEN - Police are looking for suspects in two recent armed robberies at businesses in New Haven.

The first one happened around 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 9 at the BP gas station on State Road 930 East. Witnesses say a man came in with a semi-automatic handgun and demanded money from the cashier. He was wearing all black clothing and a ski mask covered the majority of his face.

The man took off on foot and ran to a nearby neighborhood. "Our canine officers tracked for a very short period of time," said Detective Craig Robison. "We have reason to believe there was either a car waiting for the suspect, or the suspect drove away from an adjoining neighborhood."....

Christmas Comes Early for the Boys & Girls Club

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne is hosting a Christmas Party on Thursday, December 16th at the Club at 2690 Fairfield Ave, Fort Wayne. 200+ kids will be the lucky recipients of Christmas presents thanks to gracious donations by members of the community.

Kate Tomkinson, a board member, is head of this year’s program and has gone to great lengths to make sure no child is deprived of a Christmas celebration. Tomkinson was able to buy presents for 230 kids through donations by Tomkinson Automotive, Carson BoxBerger LLP, Marty Sturges and a few anonymous donors.....

'Stuff the Semi' collects over 4000 items for charities

East Allen Times:

IPFW’s Stuff the Semi Collects More Than 4,000 Items for the
Holidays

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The Indiana–Purdue Student Government Association (IPSGA) collected more than 4,100 items during its Stuff the Semi event at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).

During the first week of December, the IPFW student government group accepted donations to fill a large semi trailer donated by International Truck and Engine. The proceeds benefited the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission Ministries and the Community Harvest Food Bank of Fort Wayne. ...

Chargers to make run at mat Braves

Decatur Daily Democrat:

According to the tale of the tape, the 6-0 Carroll Chargers may have their best chance ever to beat the wrestling Braves Thursday night in the NHC showdown at the Carroll gym.
In fact, Bellmont coach Brent Faurote, who has never lost to Carroll in his 22 previous years at the helm, gives them the edge in seven matches while Bellmont is favored in six, with one toss-up, at 135 pounds.
"We've got to win all the ones we're favored in, win the toss-up, then find a way to win against one of their seven guys. That's what I told the kids after practice tonight," stated Faurote.....

Heim named BHS track coach

Decatur Daily Democrat:

North Adams School Board on Tuesday approved Andy Heim as head coach of the Bellmont High School boys track team.
The board also approved Mark Okoniewski as high school assistant baseball coach, Gavin Hisner as high school assistant boys track coach, and Daniel Porter as high school assistant rifle coach....

Braves roll by Garrett 68-53

Decatur Daily Democrat:

GARRETT — Bellmont's full-court press baffled the host Railroaders in the third period Wednesday and the result was a 22-5 run, setting up the 68-53 Braves' non-conference victory.
"We talked at halftime how the first four minutes of the third quarter are the most important of the game," stated Garrett coach John Bodey.
"We had cut a 12-point lead a couple of times down to six in that first half, but in those first four minutes we didn't come out ready, and Bellmont competed a little bit harder."....

Sirk: okay, and okay ‘pretty darn good’

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"We're okay, and considering the current economic crisis, okay is pretty darned good."
That was the assessment offered Tuesday evening by North Adams Superintendent of Schools Wylie Sirk of the school district's year-end financial status.
But while the district will end 2010 with a cash carryover of some $500,000, the superintendent said the financial future for school systems statewide remains uncertain.....

AC board ponders a new project

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams Central Community Schools is less than halfway through a $10 million construction and renovation project, but talk has begun about another large-scale plan: building an athletic building, dubbed a community center, for multi-purpose uses.
At Tuesday's AC school board meeting, no decisions were made, but a lengthy and vigorous back-and-forth discussion ensued about the idea that could cost several million dollars. The board made no decisions because of concerns over the cost of another project so close to the current one.....

Staffed ambulance cuts set

Decatur Daily Democrat:

In an attempt to stem the tide of red ink in the Emergency Medical Services budget, Adams Health Network (AHN) trustees voted to approve a proposal put forth by hospital administrators that will reduce the number of ambulances staffed in Adams County.
Executive Director Marvin L. Baird told trustees at their monthly meeting Wednesday night that the EMS budget will lose approximately $430,000 this year, with the main culprit of that loss coming from Medicare reimbursements to the hospital for EMS runs being drastically reduced. ...

SA board begins process to sell Berne property

Berne Tri Weekly News:

The South Adams school board unanimously passed a motion to express an interest in selling the Berne property at the South Adams school board meeting on Tuesday evening. At the recommendation of Tim Baker, a Decatur attorney, the board began making decisions on how to sell the property and under what terms and conditions it will be sold. Baker is an attorney with Devoss, Johnson, Zwick, Baker & Ainsworth in Decatur, currently represents the city of Decatur, and has experience in the sale of property.....

ACAC draw stirs talk, preparation for tourney

Berne Tri Weekly News:

It’s still a month away, but the Allen County Athletic Conference basketball tournament was fresh on the minds of the 16 coaches assembled at the Back 40 Junction in Decatur Tuesday afternoon.
The ACAC convened once again upon the Decatur establishment to conduct it’s annual basketball tournament draw, and it was the thought of many in attendance that having the selection process so far in advance is a great advantage to the teams in their efforts to prepare....

Community foundation awards grants

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne awarded a total of $757,991 in grants during its fourth quarter to Allen County nonprofit agencies.

The grants were awarded through the foundation's Clarke Endowment Fund and Community Grantmaking Fund. Among the grants awarded were:

• $60,000 to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Inc. The multiyear grant will help fund the agency's ECHO program. (more...)

Fort Wayne in running for $230M GM investment

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - General Motors Co. is considering investing as much as $230 million in its Fort Wayne Assembly Plant, WANE-TV reported.

This week, Allen County leaders will consider a request for a tax abatement to help persuade GM to choose the Fort Wayne facility.

The money would be used to prepare for the next generation of pickups and to help retain jobs.....

Habitat reaches milestone

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE – Habitat for Humanity surpassed its 400,000 house milestone during its most recent fiscal year. Since the nonprofit organization was founded in 1976, its self-help, hand-up model has resulted in rehabbed, repaired or new housing for more than 2 million people worldwide....

Chamber seeks nominations for Athena Awards

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce it is seeking nominations for the seventh annual Athena Awards which will be presented at a luncheon March 23, 2011, in The Diamond Room at Ceruti’s Summit Park.....

More than 100 drivers stranded in Indiana snow

Decatur Daily Democrat:

LAPORTE, Ind. (AP) — A slow-moving storm that brought bone-chilling cold and dropped heavy snow that caused dozens of accidents, stranded more than 100 motorists and collapsed the roof of an NFL stadium made its way out of the Midwest.
The storm continued its trek northeast early Tuesday over the Great Lakes and into Canada. More snow was possible for parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York on Tuesday. The cold temperatures stretched into the South, where hard freeze warnings were in effect overnight in several states.....

Berne reduces speed limits; 16 street lights set

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Berne City Council wrapped up its legislative agenda for 2011 on Monday evening with a handful of votes on topics ranging from lower speed limits near South Adams School to the selection of an engineering firm to guide the city through upcoming sewer projects.
Meeting for the final time of the year, the council read for the first time an ordinance setting the speed limit at 20 miles per hour during specified times on Parkway Street, from U.S. 27 to Village Way. The street is the primary access route to South Adams School....

Busse, Braves cop AC mat honors

Decatur Daily Democrat:

MONROE — Bellmont won a 16-team junior varsity wrestling invitational at Adams Central on Saturday, with South Adams third and AC fourth.
The day's outstanding wrestler was Brad Busse of Bellmont at 189 pounds. one of five champions that Bellmont produced on the day en route to compiling 238 points to the 155 of New Haven, 105 of South Adams and 99 of Adams Central.....

Balanced SA boys tankers handle Jay; Pat girls win

Decatur Daily Democrat:


BERNE—South Adams swim teams split a pair of matches with Jay County at the SA pool Monday night with the Starfish boys downing the Patriots 113-70 while Jay County won the girls meet 124-62.
South Adams won seven events in the boys meet with six different individuals winning and then four of those six teamed up to win a relay race....

Weston Close wrestling tourney set for Dec. 30

Huntington County tab:

Huntington North High School will host the seventh annual Weston Close Memorial Wrestling Classic on Thursday, Dec. 30, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Teams from Huntington North, Logansport, Eastbrook, Snider, Woodlan, Columbia City, Noblesville, Marion, Southern Wells and West Noble high schools will participate.

Teams will be divided into two pools and each wrestler will compete in four matches in his pool and then compete for final tournament placing against his counterpart in the opposite pool. Scoring will follow NFHS procedures. Weigh-in is at 7:30 a.m....

Santa’s magic present all year for one couple in Huntington

Huntington County Tab:

Santa's magic is present every day of the year in the lives of one Huntington couple.

Phyllis and George Pieper have amassed a collection of 400 to 500 Santa Claus items, and most are displayed at their home in northwest Huntington County all year round.

Their first Santa was purchased in 1964, but the two say they didn't really begin avidly collecting until 30 years later, in 1994, when they joined a collection club called Possible Dreams, now a part of Department 56. They started with one little display case, and it "snowballed from there," he says. A bulk of the collection now resides in four display cases.

Over the years, the couple has accumulated several hundred items displaying the face of Santa, from ornaments, figures, ties and pillows. Some of the collection's one-of-a-kind pieces include Santas made from an old thread spool, a shotgun shell and ashes from the eruption of Mount St. Helens.....

Post Seeing More Crashes than 2009

East Allen Times:

Fort Wayne - With the early arrival of winter weather in northeast Indiana, the Indiana State Police post in Fort Wayne has seen an increase in the number of crashes that its troopers have investigated compared to the same time period from last year.

According to District Commander Lieutenant Rob Townsend, from December 1st through the 12th, troopers have investigated a total of 102 vehicle crashes of which, 18 have resulted in personal injury and one resulted in a fatality. The primary causation ....

Mannheim Steamroller Collects Food for Area Hungry

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE - Those attending the Mannheim Steamroller concert at the Embassy Theatre on Wednesday, December 15 have a chance to spread holiday cheer to those less fortunate. Patrons are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items with them to the concert to be dropped into Community Harvest Food Bank barrels in the lobby of the historic theatre in downtown Fort Wayne. ....

US 27/Clinton St. closure rescheduled

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Fort Wayne District has postponed a lane closure on southbound US 27/Clinton Street due to inclement weather.

Crews are now scheduled to set bridge support beams beginning at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 15.....

Skating Ponds Closed

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE -- The skating ponds at Lakeside, E. Swinney and Reservoir Parks are closed. All the ponds have ½” to 2 ½” of soft snow ice on them. The Parks & Recreation Department will have the red lights and flags at the ponds to indicate that conditions are not safe....

Braves batter NHC foes; Carroll looms Thursday

Decatur Daily Democrat:

KENDALLVILLE — Bellmont went unbeaten in eight weight classes and went 34-8 overall to dominated the annual NHC triple-dual, blanking Norwell and soundly trimming both East Noble and DeKalb Saturday.
The wins put the No. 11 Braves at 14-2 and 5-0 in the NHC, setting up the conference showdown at Carroll on Thursday.
Despite the dominance, BHS coach Brent Faurote was pleased with the opposition. "It's a pretty solid wrestling conference. The competition is good and it's getting better.....

Miscues hurt Braves in 38-36 OT loss to Patriots

Decatur Daily Democrat:

MONROEVILLE—Bellmont coach Larry Patterson perhaps said it best after the Saturday night non-conference basketball match-up between his Braves and the Heritage Patriots.
"You can't score if you don't shoot the ball," he succinctly analyzed.
In a game Bellmont thought they would be favored the win, the Braves coughed the ball up 26 times to the Patriots and dropped a 38-36 overtime decision, a loss that will almost certainly result in an interesting practice session Monday for the Bellmonters....

Mat Starfires top Jets 38-18

Decatur Daily Democrat:

BERNE — Cody Conner cradled Adams Central sub Luke Marbach for a 2:50 fall at 189 pounds, creating the sixth lead change in the ACAC dual, and igniting a 38-18 victory for the host Starfires Thursday night.
"The kids that were on the mat wrestled well. You can't spot them 12 and let them steal a couple and expect to win," stated Adams Central coach Doug Schultz, noting forfeits in two of the last three weight classes on the line at the Stardome.....

Four inches falls here; frigid temps to worsen

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Superintendent, Shaun Roe, was equally upbeat as he said all roads are open, although a north wind was causing some drifting in open areas.
Gilbert said his department, with one employee off work for medical reasons, had eight trucks in operation starting at 3 a.m. and had most of the 55 to 60 miles of streets plowed by about 8 a.m. No problems developed during that time, he added.
Salting will be the next step on the streets, according to Gilbert.
Roe said the county crew started work at 7 a.m. with 11 snowplow trucks and one road grader, and no problems were experienced.....

City gets more cleanup funds

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Northeast Indiana Fund has contributed $7,000 to a fund to help the city continue cleanup of the onetime Decatur Casting Co. site, Mayor John Schultz announced at this week's city council meeting.
The city has chipped in $5,000 and contributions also have come from Indiana and Michigan Power, NIPSCO and Adams County Economic Development Director Larry Macklin, providing approximately $25,000 in total funds for the task....

Pats run win streak over Stars to 10

Berne Tri Weekly News:

A 16-2 swing by Jay County that stretched from the end of the first half to just a minute into the second half changed the complexion of a game that was nip and tuck to one that could easily get out of hand.
The Patriots kept the momentum, never letting South Adams get closer than nine points of the lead and skated home with its tenth straight win over the Starfires, 57-36, Saturday night at the Stardome.....

Snow blankets area over weekend, more expected

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Dreaming of a white Christmas? The chances continue to increase, says weather special Rick McCoy. The weather pattern that brought the winter's first substantial snowstorm over the weekend will persist, McCoy said, and could produce more accumulating snow by the end of the week.
Heavier snow moved into the area Sunday morning and continued intermittently through most of Sunday and Sunday evening. McCoy estimated that three to six inches of snow fell across most of the region in Adams County and Van Wert County, Ohio, with heavier amounts to the north.....

Starfires prevail in struggle with Jets

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

South Adams pulled away from a tight battle with Adams Central, claiming wins in six of the final seven matches and won its fourth straight against the Jets Thursday night in varsity wrestling at the Stardome, 38-18.
The match hung in the balance through much of the night, and Adams Central seemed to have claimed a bit of momentum with a win at 130 pounds....

Glass shares bonus plan for motivating young people

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Former Taylor University track coach and Olympic official George Glass told those attending the 20-year-celebration of the county's Substance Abuse Awareness Council (SAAC) on Thursday night to keep doing what they've been doing to help reduce county alcohol and smoking rates and to never be afraid to aim too high.
Glass said that he had an athlete in high jump at Taylor that was the college's only jumper at the time to jump 7-0 (seven feet). However, the coach recalled that he had never challenged his jumper to go over the seven foot mark.....

Walmart donates truck to Community Harvest

East Allen Times:

The Walmart Foundation has donated a new $94,000 refrigerated delivery truck filled with pallets of donated food to Community Harvest Food Bank. The truck and food will be delivered to Community Harvest of Dec. 10.....

Meyer earns All-State, area football honors

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Bellmont's all-time top runningback, Daniel Meyer, received recognition this week as an All-State linebacker, and on the area Top 50 GameNight team, it was announced by team coaches.
Meyer made the coaches 3A All-State team as a linebacker. He was the top tackler on the Bellmont squad while carrying the offensive load, garnering 1481 yards on 248 attempts with 17 touchdowns. He gained 1,328 yards last year for Bellmont and had over 3,500 for his career, which is the record here. He also has over 40 touchdowns, which is also a school record.....

Roe is Most Outstanding Wrestler

Decatur Daily Democrat:

KOKOMO — Adams Central's Derek Roe was named Most Outstading Wrestler at the Northwestern 7 Super Duals this past Saturday as he went 5-0, leading the Jets to a perfect 5-0 mark and the tourney win.
Roe scored a 1:26 fall over Brennen Popp of Cass, won by injury default over Bishop Luers' Will Thoma, pinned Marion's Kyle Arenas in 2:53, and pinned Shannon Soloman of Lafayette Jeff. He also took a forfeit against Madison-Grant. Roe is 11-1 on the season.....

Squaws’ chances bounce away in OT loss to Lions, 50-48

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The ball simply didn't bounce the way the Bellmont Squaws wanted it to on three different occasions late in the game Tuesday night and Bellmont was handed its second straight overtime loss of the season by the Leo Lions at the Teepee, 50-48.
Bellmont's best chance at victory came with just 2.6 ticks to go in regulation with the score tied at 42-42. After having called a timeout eight seconds earlier, Bellmont got the ball into the hands of guard Dana Kaczmarek who drove to the basket and was fouled while shooting......

175th celebration plans begin

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A 175th anniversary is, admits Decatur Mayor John Schultz, an in-between event, but, with the city on the verge of its 175th year in 2011, "We need to do something. I don't think there's a right way or a wrong way to celebrate this. It's a moment in history that needs to be addressed."
What that "something" will be was discussed at two public gatherings on Wednesday at Riverside Center and some decisions were made.....

Another year...the same song

Decatur Daily Democrat:

(Tim Ehlerding of Decatur has written a novel, “Always a Loser, Forever a Champion,” a story inspired by the 2008 Bellmont High School football team's state championship. “If you read the book, it’s pretty clear who the various characters are,” Ehlerding said. The general story line follows the actual events, “but I took quite a bit of literary license.” Following is the first of five edited installments being published by the Daily Democrat.)
A football season has a way of imparting permanent scars, scratches, and sores all over the limbs of a high school running back. For many athletes, the level of exposed skin damaged and discolored by bruises and scrapes ....

Vouchers included in Daniels’ education plans

Decatur Daily Democrat:

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels released more details of his Indiana education agenda Wednesday, but said he’s still working on specifics of some proposals, including using state money to help students attend private schools and giving them college scholarships if they graduate high school a year early....

Free social service summit welcomes agencies, residents

East Allen Times:

Economic development, organization sustainability and service connectivity will be a focus of Fort Wayne’s Social Service Summit sponsored by the Health and Human Services Coalition. The event will be December 10 from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana.

Offering more services with less funding, finding ways to partner with others while attempting to share limited resources, and communicating more effectively among social service agencies and residents are all interests gleaned from the previous Summit.....

Vera Bradley sales grow, IPO results in loss

East Allen Times:

Vera Bradley finished its fiscal third quarter — its first reporting period since it became a publicly traded company in October — with a loss of $200,000.

The Fort Wayne-based maker of handbags and other accessories took a one-time charge of $15.7 million related to restricted stock awards that vested upon the completion of the company’s initital public offering Oct. 21.

On an adjusted basis, excluding the charge, operating income would have been $15.5 million and earnings per share would have been 25 cents.

Revenues for the 2011 fiscal third quarter, which ended Oct. 30, increased 26 percent, to $91.6 million, the company reported late Tuesday.....

Theft suspect at large

East Allen Times:

The Allen County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division is investigating several thefts that have occurred throughout Allen County. The suspect has been identified as Clinton Bunch, M/W/46, 5’10”, 250 lbs. The suspect walks into retail establishments and grabs items off of the shelves and walks out without paying for them. Mr. Bunch walks with a slight limp and has active arrest warrants for theft and failure to appear for a traffic citation.....

Bellmont Football Account to Be a Nationally Released Novel

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A story that captivated local football fans and high school sports enthusiasts throughout the state has become the inspiration of a book soon to be released nationally.
Decatur author Tim Ehlerding’s novel, “Always a Loser, Forever a Champion,” was inspired by the story of the 2008 Bellmont High School football team and its capturing of the Class 3A State Champion trophy. 
 “What a great tale,” Ehlerding said, “never winning a Sectional trophy in the school’s history, and in one season taking it all!”.....

Starfish girls nip Cadets 92-91

Berne Tri Weekly News:

South Adams used its top swimmers and took advantage of a lack of divers by Concordia to snag a one-point victory in varsity girls’ swimming Tuesday night in Berne, beating the visiting Cadets 92-91 to remain perfect on the season.
The Starfish (5-0) won eight events, but were fighting against Concordia’s depth all night long. When the Cadets failed to put any divers on the board, and South Adams swept the three scoring positions, the edge was gained.
Olivia Turner took first in diving for the St.....

Schwartz attends final meeting as council member

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

In what was an uneventful Geneva Town Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Mike Schwartz was present for the final time as a council member. Schwartz has served on the Geneva Town Council for 12 years, filling the seat beginning in 1998.
Doug Milligan, who was present for the final time as town manager of Geneva, will be filling his seat. Milligan ran unopposed in the November elections. The town manager position is not being replaced.....

South Adams 5th in mat poll

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"Indianamat.dot.com" has issued class rankings for wrestling, splitting the state's prep schools into three classes. Coaches and wrestling supporters have been pushing for class wrestling for the IHSAA Team Tournament for several years. Most all states have class wrestling.
South Adams is No. 5 in Class A, and Adams Central just missed the top 10, gaining the 11th most votes.
The regular poll has Bellmont 11th. The Braves are rated third in the 2A poll.....

Fuelling, Madison Schultz named first team All-State

Decatur Daily Democrat:

INDIANAPOLIS—The 2010 ICGSA all-state volleyball team was announced Monday with two members of the class 3A state champion Bellmont Squaws making first team status.
Alex Fuelling culminated an outstanding high school career by being named to the top team for the third year in a row for Bellmont while senior Madison Schultz was also among the elite team announced.....

County won’t yield; to ask CSX to take down its signs

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"Stop" always trumps "yield" at rural railroad crossings.
That's what Adams County Engineer Tim Barkey told the Adams County commissioners on Monday as he revealed that the CSX rail company recently erected "yield" signs by the county's "stop" signs at four crossings north of Decatur.
Because having opposing signs is confusing and because a county ordinance requires "stop" signs at such crossings, Barkey said he will ask CSX to remove the "yield" signs as soon as possible.....

Mayor to seek a 2nd term

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Eleven months before the next city election in November of 2011, Mayor John L. Schultz of Decatur has made it official: he will seek a second four-year term.
Schultz, 61, a Democrat, was first elected in 2007 after having served 16 years (four terms) on the city council.
He also was the president for many years of Baker and Schultz Inc., a longtime family-owned construction business here.....

Wilhelm’s dedication to game earns him hoop HOF induction

Huntington County Tab:

Huntington resident Ivan Wilhelm dedicated a large portion of his life to the sport of basketball, both as a player and as a coach.

On March 23, Wilhelm will join 13 other men as 2011 inductees into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

"I was a member of the Huntington High School graduating class of 1947," Wilhelm says. "I played from 1944 through 1947."....

Updated county income tax rates in effect beginning on Dec. 1

Huntington County Tab:

Updated county income tax rates went into effect Dec. 1 for Huntington County, the Indiana Department of Revenue has announced.

Businesses with employees who live or work in the county need to begin applying the new rates to employee tax withholdings, the department says.

The new combined rate for LOIT (Local Option Income Tax), CAGIT (County Adjusted Gross Income Tax) and CEDIT (County Economic Development Income Tax) in Huntington County is 1.75 percent for county residents and .5 percent for non-residents.....

Post office seeing major uptick in shipping boxes this season

Huntington County Tab:

The boxes just keep coming.

So many boxes, in fact, that the Huntington Post Office is already seeing Christmas shipping records set and shattered.

Julie Przybylinski, supervisor of customer services at the local post office, says the growing popularity of online shopping can be credited with the uptick in post office business - which became very evident when UPS made its daily delivery on Tuesday, Nov. 30.

"Normally, we don't hit over 200 packages until well into December," Przybylinski says. "Last year, it was quite a ways into the holiday season."

This year, though, UPS delivered 249 packages to the post office on the last day of November.....

Lions ‘catch’ Jets for 42-28 mat win

Decatur Daily Democrat:

After AC's Jarod Schwartz topped Leo's Isaac Stuery 4-2 in a tough 152-pound battle to put the Jets up by seven, then Lions responded with three straight first period falls en route to a 42-28 ACAC victory over the Jets Thursday night at the Jets' P.E. gym.
"It was certainly a great night to compete against a good Adams Central team," noted Leo's second-year coach Todd Mason, whose team looked sharp despite several of the competitors having only nine practices since the Lions football team was eliminated in the 3A semistate.
"We're a work in progress, will continue to be a work in progress. We don't want to peak in December, but on Jan. 29," he noted.....

Jets hold off Parkway 63-55

Decatur Daily Democrat:

MONROE—History was made at Adams Central on Saturday night at 5:40 of the third quarter as the Flying Jets played Parkway's Panthers.
Junior Kyle Fawcett inbounded a lob to fellow 11th grader Maverick Baumer, who produced a dramatic throwdown for the first inbounds dunk since the school began basketball in the late 1940s.
The slam brought much of the home crowd to its feet and, while not decisive in the Jets' eventual 63-55 victory, showed that a different day has dawned for the sport at AC.....

Braves cop New Castle tourney

Decatur Daily Democrat:

NEW CASTLE — Despite a tough one-point loss to host New Castle, No. 11 Bellmont walked away with the tourney hardware Saturday, winning the eight-team New Castle Invitational with a little help from New Palestine.
"We were disappointed with the loss to New Castle, but they had several guys ranked and those kids performed really well," lauded Bellmont coach Brent Faurote on the 38-37 loss to the Trojans.
In the prior meet, the Braves handled New Palestine, a team that defeated Bellmont in two of the last three years, scoring a .....

Monroe man loses 300+ pounds

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"There are two types of people: people who see the outer shell and people who see you."
Those are the words of Matt Hirschy, 29, of Monroe, who says both types have helped motivate him on his journey to lose 330 pounds of excess body weight — without surgery.
As a Walmart Vision Center employee in Decatur, Hirschy sees, and is seen by, many people every day.
"People can be cruel and say cruel things, but I'm going to take that and use it as fire for my process and for my journey," said Hirschy. "I will show you that I will make myself better."....

Renovation of Boys and Girls Club building to begin this week

Berne Tri Weekly News:

Preparation of the new East Main Street location of the South Adams Boys and Girls Club will begin in earnest this week with the installation of a roof and rooms and renovation of the inside.
Berne businessman Russ Flueckiger told those attending the Berne Rotary meeting last Thursday that preparation is beginning for occupation of the agency. He noted that board members had set a goal of $450,000 for the building project. Of that amount, $375,000 has been raised....

Balanced scoring leads Jets to win over Parkway

Berne Tri Weekly News:

Four Adams Central players scored in double figures to lead the Jets to a 63-55 win over Parkway at home on Saturday night.
Dalton Combs led the Jets with 15 points, followed by Isaac Luginbill with 13 points and Nathan Busse and Maverick Baumer with 10 points each.
Kyle Fawcett dropped a three-pointer to iginite a 10-3 run for the Jets in the first quarter. .....

CHFB gets $10K from NIPSCO

East Allen Times:

FORT WAYNE — NIPSCO has donated $10,000 to Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Inc. to help the organization purchase holiday food for distribution to those in its nine county service area.

NIPSCO Employees also held a food drive donating well over 600 pounds of holiday food items, according to a news release from Community Harvest.

The donations come at a time when the food inventory at Community Harvest is extremely low.....

Local man seeks lung transplant

East Allen Times:

It has been a long journey but Kevin Mills has his destination in sight. He is now near the top of a waiting list for a double lung transplant that will offer him many years of new breath and life.

Kevin’s medical team in Fort Wayne has worked tirelessly to get him accepted into a transplant program. Those efforts paid off when the University of Michigan finally agreed to evaluate him. After extensive and rigorous testing, he was approved for its program and was positioned for priority consideration.....

Commercial grant program to spruce up commercial corridors

East Allen Times:

The City of Fort Wayne will again make grant funding available to property owners who want to enhance the appearance of their businesses. Beginning November 12, Fort Wayne is accepting applications for the 2011 Commercial Façade Grant (CFG) program.

“Our commercial corridors are our neighborhood Main Streets,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “Their vibrancy helps to keep nearby neighborhoods healthy. Even before taking office, I made a promise to our small business community that we would work together to strengthen their ability to succeed. The Commercial Façade Grant program is a promise kept.”.....

Cancer Angel Tree still taking names

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Cancer Angel Tree erected by the Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) to recognize people who are surviving cancer as well as those who have died from that disease is, for the eighth year in a row, on display at Scott's supermarket in Decatur.
Nearly 200 names are on the 2010 tree, but more can be added, since the tree will remain up through December at the front of the supermarket.
A special ornament is on this year's tree for those who died of cancer within the past year and who had contributions come to the ACCF.....

Starfires score big conference win

Berne Tri Weekly News:

South Adams took care of one of its biggest challengers to the Allen County Athletic Conference round robin wrestling championship Thursday, beating Garrett 42-24 at the Stardome. The win raises South Adams’ season mark to 7-0 and 2-0 in the ACAC. Garrett slips to 0-1 in the league standings.
Garrett scored two wins to open the match and held a 9-0 lead before three straight pins turned things in the Starfires’ favor.
L.J. Moser started the run of pins at 112 pounds in 1:12, and was followed by Eric Pimentel (3:35 at 119) and Todd Batt (3:15 at 125)......

Former Taylor coach to lead 20-year celebration of drug prevention

Berne Tri Weekly News:

Former Taylor University Coach George Glass used to blow the whistle as an official at track and field events in the Olympics. He was also a leader in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Next Thursday evening, he is going to blow the whistle on drug and alcohol use at the 20-year celebration of the Substance Abuse Awareness (SAAC) initiative in Adams County.
Glass, who coached track and field athletics at Taylor University for many years, will be guest speaker at the event that will honor many community and youth initiatives throughout the county. The event will start with refreshments at 7 p.m. at Adams Central High School.
"It was 20 years ago when a menta...

Jackson carries Boston College over Indiana 88-76

Decatur Daily Democrat:

BOSTON (AP) — Boston College coach Steve Donahue’s style of play is starting to pay off quickly. Just ask Indiana coach Tom Crean.
Reggie Jackson scored 27 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists to lift Boston College to an 88-76 win over Indiana on Wednesday in an Atlantic Coast Conference/Big Ten Challenge matchup.....

Starfires’ trio given All-State HM honor

Decatur Daily Democrat:

INDIANAPOLIS — South Adams all-purpose back Taylor LeFever, quarterback Dustin Wanner and punter Chaise Moore all were given Honorable-Mention on the Class A Associated Press All-State football team released Wednesday afternoon.
No other players from the county were named to the AP team. Norwell's Jeff Shatto, the Knights' strong tight end, was put on the 3A All-State first team.....

From golf to God

Decatur Daily Democrat:

New Hope Church now has new quarters.
The nondenominational church founded in December of 2006 had held worship services since that time in a former business location at Village Green Shopping Center, but recently made a big move by buying the buildings at the former Grey Goose Golf Club here, plus seven and a half acres of land on that site.
Pastor Kevin August, who came here in March of 2009 to head the congregation, said the 16,000-square-foot, two-level former clubhouse, reception hall, office structure is being remodeled from top to bottom to make it into a church, with a multitude of offerings to the community.....

United Way Day at Pizza King

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Pizza King in Decatur will host United Way Day this Friday, with five percent of all the restaurant's sales that day going to the United Way of Adams County campaign.
Hours for the special event will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.
Pizza King owner/operator Steve Christner said United Way volunteers wiil "bussing" tables during the special hours.
The United Way campaign has a goal of $202,010.....

IIR staffer at school steps down

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A Monroe woman who spent the past three school years as a paraprofessional in the "intense intervention room" (IIR) at Adams Central School resigned recently due to her concerns about "lack of staff and the safety issues we face daily."
Linda Bowman sent her letter of resignation, effective on October 12, to officials of the Adams-Wells Special Services (AWSS) Co-op, which is based in Bluffton and serves the six school systems in those two counties. She asked, "What will it take to get more help for the classroom of 14 children with severe emotional and physical handicaps at Adams Central?".....

China big roll player in shaping of markets, Hurt tells farmers

Huntington County Tab:

Professor Chris Hurt, Purdue University agricultural economic expert, told a group of 80 attending the annual Outlook Program sponsored by the extension office on Monday night at the 4-H building in Monroe that China is playing a major roll and could influence even a greater share of ag economics in the next few years.
"What could keep corn prices increasing," said Hurt. "China could decide to buy corn. Then you will be off to the races. Corn markets aren't just going to fade away. Corn prices are high now, but they are going to drop in the future. We are dealing with a short crop right now.".....