Community rallies in support of Summersett family

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

A large crowd of local residents filled the South Adams Middle School for a spaghetti supper, complete with plenty of pastries, to help raise funding for the family of Nikki Summersett on Saturday evening.

Summersett, who had been diagnosed with breast and liver cancer in early summer, passed away earlier this month after a gallant fight with the dreaded disease and an inspiring spiritual journey that has touched many lives in the local community over the past several months.
Saturday evening, hundreds of Berne residents came out to help support Summersett's husband, Jeff, and children, following thousands of dollars of investment for medical, travel and other bills associated with Nikki's illness.

Affolder Implement reopens

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"Everyone is doing all they can. It's just going to be a tough three of four months. But we'll stick with it," owner Greg Milholland said Wednesday, one day after his Affolder Implement firm in Berne formally reopened for business just eight days after a devastating fire.

"We're as full-go as much as we can be," the Decatur resident said of the reopening. "It's kind of like trying to walk with one foot off. We lost our parts department, but we can order parts; things like that."

Two-thirds of the business was destroyed by fire.

Canton tree stands as monument to Berne’s historical heritage

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

As the Muensterberg Plaza continues to develop; the construction of the canton tree has become one of the most attractive draws to those visiting the area the last several weeks. As anticipated, a large amount of landscaping was accomplished this fall in preparation for next spring, as well as several of the monumental intents of the plaza's architecture.

Attorney David Baumgartner, who heads up the Community Development Corporation's leadership at the plaza, stated earlier that the purpose of including the tree is to honor the various cantons of Switzerland. He noted that it is composed of a wood post with crests of each of the Swiss cantons, plus a crest for the United States; Switzerland; Indiana; Canton Bern; Berne, Indiana; and Trachselwald, Berne’s sister city.

County officials get TIF talk

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur officials are seeking to create a tax increment financing (TIF) district within the city limits to receive tax proceeds from future increases in assessed property valuation of businesses and industries in the city, but not from any single-family residences in town.

Such tax proceeds would go to the Decatur Redevelopment Commission (DRC) for use in economic development projects within the city limits as a way of gaining jobs, raising payroll and local revenue, and even selling homes to new working families.

A Decatur TIF would not involve any businesses or industries outside of the city limits and any move to enlarge the Decatur TIF would require the same lengthy and detailed process that has been used to get the idea for a city TIF this far.

Weihnachtsfest Festival calls community together for Christmas celebration

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

There was something for everyone at the Weihnachtsfest (Welcome Christmas) celebration as the city of Berne welcomed the Christmas season in Swiss tradition late Friday afternoon and evening.
Downtown lights were appropriately decorated for Christmas; local stores stayed open well into the evening, children had their faces painted and adults enjoyed snacks and crafts and many enjoyed a taste of chili at the Cross Community Church.

In front of the church was a live nativity with live animals of the Bible, drawing the intrigue of curious children who enjoyed petting them and taking time to hear family members tell them about the meaning of the birth of Jesus.

Jailer put on unpaid leave

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The three Adams County Commissioners approved on Monday a six-page "findings of fact and conclusions of law" written by a special legal counsel, Fort Wayne lawyer "Tuck" Hopkins, in regard to a closed-door hearing held by the commissioners in September concerning an incident in August involving a jailer and an inmate at the county jail.

The incident between Nick Yoder, a six-year veteran jailer, and inmate Elisabeth Stinson, in which Yoder allegedly roughly handled Stinson and handcuffed her after she caused a ruckus in a holding cell, led to the commissioners' finding against Yoder on three counts:

Local veterans catch World War II flight to Washington

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

It was just after 4:30 a.m. on an October morning when a group of World War II veterans from this community left Berne to head to the Air National Guard field in Fort Wayne to prepare to board a plane to the east coast. The men, Don Moore, Melvin Bixler, Paul Augsburger, Justus Augsburger and Gareth Wiederkehr had been selected to make this year's North East Indiana Honor Flight Number Six.

Once they arrived in Fort Wayne, they were served a large breakfast. The veterans were then linked with volunteer guardians who were going to assist them in their tour of the World War II Monument and other war monuments in Washington, D.C.

Ants boost the Biddies

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Some members of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants basketball players and coaches put on a clinic for the youngsters in the local parks and recreation department's Biddie Basketball program on Sunday.

The youth were instructed on basic dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding and slam-dunking skills. Mad Ants players also took the time to take photos with the kids and sign autographs.

City group plans sculptures event

Decatur Daily Democrat:

People coming from out of town to view Decatur's sculptures? A special event featuring those sculptures?

It could materialize in the next year or so if a group of citizens is able to organize and bring to fruition what they're calling the Decatur Sculpture Walk. Current plans call for the walk to take place August 18-25 of next year, prior to the annual Kekionga Festival.

"The idea is to make Decatur a place to come to see the arts," Mayor John Schultz said at Tuesday night's city council meeting. "It would put 5 to 10 sculptures downtown in conjunction with the Kekionga Festival and grow by 3 to 6 every year."

McKean elected as Berne's new mayor

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

William (Bill) McKean has been elected as the new mayor of Berne. McKean, a Republican, defeated Democratic candidate Ray Gill, collecting a total of 69.91 percent of the votes (1,064). Gill received 458 votes.

McKean began his remarks by stating that he felt blessed to be given the dream that his father fought for but never quite realized.

"My dad (Gorman McKean) ran for council twice and lost twice by less than 10 votes," said McKean. "The first time I ever voted I sent my ballot from Vietnam to my mom. I guess I've kind of been thinking of those things tonight.

Brunes want NA numbers probe

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A somewhat contentious and pointed discussion between members of the North Adams School Board and community activists Charlie and Jean Brune ended abruptly Tuesday night when president Tim Ehlerding called enrollment figures at North Adams "not legitimate stats."

The Brunes presented members with two sheets of statistics they say showed North Adams has lost just over 300 students in the past three years, a drop of 14 percent while the labor force during that same time has fallen only 4.07 percent.

Two arrests made in recent string of area burglaries - updated

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Adams County Prosecutor Christopher Harvey has charged Taylor Sprunger with burglary, a class C felony, in connection with the recent burglary at Amishville, USA, located on 900 South, near Geneva.

In addition, another individual, referred to by Harvey as, "a person of interest," has not yet been charged, but is under investigation in relation to recent burglaries in Berne.

An "Affidavit for Probable Cause," released by Harvey on Friday, notes that on Oct. 18, of this year, at 5:45 a.m., Gregg Drake called the Adams County Sheriff Department and reported that his business, State Farm Insurance, located in Berne, was forcibly broken into and someone had illegally taken $680 in cash from the business.

Local businesses plan two-day open house

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The fourth annual Christmas Open House, sponsored by the Decatur Small Business Association (DSBA), will be held this Friday and Saturday at 24 businesses to kick off the Christmas season.

Christmas shopping and decorating ideas will be available, along with entertainment and refreshments, the DSBA said.
 

A grand prize drawing will be held for those who have punch cards stamped at 10 businesses they visit. Cards are available from participating DSBA sponsors.
 

Cookies may be purchased at $1.50 per plate at a Cookie Walk, with all proceeds going to local food banks and the DSBA.

Groundbreaking held for Limberlost Visitor Center

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Things have come a long ways since Limberlost State Historic Site director Randy Lehman and several local officials sat down and sketched out a dream for a visitor center at the site on a napkin. That was several years and many dollars ago.

"Things have changed since an architect got involved," Lehman told those attending the groundbreaking for the center on Monday morning. "It's amazing to me that as crummy as the weather looked this morning, how nice it is now. The sun is shining on this project."

City cleanup will continue

Decatur Daily Democrat:

While hearing a complaint from a citizen about one phase of Decatur's Operation Cleanup, Mayor John Schultz strongly vowed at Tuesday night's city council meeting that the program will continue.

Dennis Huffman of Decatur lodged the complaint, apparently after a vehicle he owns was "tagged" by the city. Huffman said his vehicle was operable and should not have received the tag, and that the crew in charge of the cleanup was tagging vehicles in business lots.

Farmers looking for good drying weather to finish harvest

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

While soaking rains the last week couldn't have come in any nicer fashion, farmers need another good drying spell in order for corn to dry down for the impending harvest says Jeff Lehman of Lehman Feed Mill.

"The bean harvest is about 75 percent done now," said Lehman. "Beans have been pretty good in the Berne area. We are very blessed, with a lot of yields in the 50's. Some areas away from here where they didn't get as much rain have only been getting in the 40's. We were so blessed by the rains we had earlier, right when the beans needed it. I believe that the corn benefited some from those rains, too."

Lehman said that a lot of beans have been coming in at 11-13 percent moisture, what he considers to be a normal moisture level for beans. However, he suspects that there might have been some soil compaction with some of the cutting earlier this week.

Dry night seen for parade

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The rain which fell in Decatur this morning is expected to be long gone by tonight, with some rather nice weather predicted for the Callithumpian Parade in Decatur.

The official start time for the annual event is 6:57 p.m.

The National Weather Services says parade-goers can expect mostly clear skies with temperatures in the low 40s — heading to an eventual low of around 32 degrees — for the start of the parade, which is expected to draw thousands of people to the downtown area. Various sizes and shapes of chairs were situated as early as Sunday night as people picked out their spots to watch the event.

Swiss Village residents find friendship at Kinder Haus

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Students attending Kinder Haus Day Care Center at Swiss Village Retirement Center are experiencing stories from at least three generations before their time.

Richard Beitler spends time these days volunteering to read to little children on a monthly basis.

"I ought to quit, I don't hear what they say to me anymore," mused Beitler. "I like to tell them little stories about my childhood. I bring a three-legged milk stool and sit on it while they gather around me. I like to read stories to them; my favorites are Mother Goose Rhymes and Bible stories.

Second draft of Heritage plans offered EA board

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The first of several proposed construction plans within the East Allen County Schools District, involving Woodlan Junior-Senior High School, will move ahead after a vote by the school board this week.

At a cost of almost $11 million, the Woodlan plan is large enough to be subject to a remonstrance by the taxpayers and voters in the East Allen district. The deadline to file a remonstrance is next Monday, October 24.

Businesses offer reward for information about downtown burglary

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Three local businesses are offering a combined reward of $1,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of an individual or individuals who broke into their establishments Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

State Farm Insurance, located on Water Street; Sport Form, located on Sprunger Street; and Bixler Insurance, located on Main Street were all broken into. Minimal amounts of money were stolen from State Farm and Sport Form. At Bixler Insurance, burglars attempted to unsuccessfully break into the safe. However, nothing was actually stolen from that business.

AC gearing up for Vets’ Day

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The annual Veterans' Day ceremony sponsored by the History Club at Adams Central High School will be held on Friday, November 11, starting at 1:30 p.m. in AC's main gym.

The event is open to all area United States military veterans and their families, as well as the public.

Prime eyeing Nov. 1 move

Decatur Daily Democrat:

With the date for Prime Inc. to move into its brand-new location in the city's Industrial Park III just around the proverbial corner, Decatur City Council on Tuesday night authorized work to be concluded on improvements to County Road 450 as well as adding and changing lane markings there.

The Prime site is located west of All American Homes and northwest of Walmart.

The Springfield, Missouri-based firm has replaced Ruan as the trucking operator for Bunge North America. Originally planning to get into its new site in the spring, Prime was constantly hampered by weather, though, and has been operating out of the former Ruan site on Washington St. for several months.

Semi tips over, steel rolls away from vehicle

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A semi tractor-trailer trying to make a turn from 13th Street onto Nuttman Avenue late Monday evening tipped over, causing a large roll of steel being carried by the semi to break away from the vehicle and also entrapping the driver for a short period of time.

The Decatur Police Department reported that Eric S. Lintermoot, 39, Decatur, was attempting to turn his semi at 11:30 p.m. when the semi turned over onto its side. The steel rolled off the semi and went up over the curb onto the property of the nearby Wendy's restaurant.

Showing blow of reality proves effective for SAAC students

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Members of the Berne Rotary Club sat silently last Thursday as their hearts were captured by a fictitious video of South Adams students involved in a fatal accident due to alcohol. Students had acted out an auto accident, which took the life of fellow students, for a production show to the student body just days before high school prom last spring.

To make things even more effective, a "live funeral" was held in the South Adams auditorium in order to demonstrate to students the matter of grief and pain caused to those around them whose heart was broken because of their death in the accident.

Rotary members looked on grimly as SAAC sponsor Sheila Graber explained the effect the video had on students last spring. She also noted the pain that gripped her heart during the filming as her own daughter (Lindsay) was "injured" in the accident.

Business looking at ex-Casting location

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Good news and better news were delivered on Monday to the Adams County commissioners about the former Decatur Casting site on Dayton Ave.

Larry Macklin, executive director of the Adams County Economic Development Corp. and the person who has been overseeing the cleanup and the marketing of the old Casting area, told the commissioners that the most recent technical analysis of the location found it does not have materials that pose a threat to humans or the environment.

He also said a business is seriously considering that 6.8-acre site for development, since it is on a rail line and has been zoned for industrial use. "A party is really interested in the site" and another firm is likewise looking at it," Macklin said.

Muensterberg Plaza continues to take shape

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Imagine a precision-designed plaza complete with quilt gardens, walks, historical figures, heritage reminders and one of two Canton trees in the world at the base of a Swiss Clock Tower replicating its sister clock in Bern, Switzerland.

For members of the Berne Community Development Corporation, and hundreds of other people who have contributed to the cause, the image is more than a Swiss blended dream; it is reality in motion at the Muensterberg Plaza these days.

Developers are in the process of marking out three quilt gardens which will incorporate various types of flowers selected in consideration of local flowers and those grown in Switzerland.

Heat aid fund takes big hit

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A large reduction in state funds for the Energy Assistance Program that's operated by Community and Family Services (CFS) has occurred and that loss will affect how much CFS will be able to assist people in need during the upcoming winter.

Millie Deaton, who heads the Adams County CFS office, said the agency received $4 million from Indiana for the winter of 2010-11, but was cut to $500,000 for the coming winter.

As a result, "mass days," when CFS personnel talk with older people and the disabled about the program, have been cancelled, as were appointments in the local CFS office.

Still no state action on NA elected board

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The state Department of Education failed to act as expected at its recent meeting on a citizens' petition that would change the method of seating North Adams school board members from the current appointment process to a seven-member elected board.

School board attorney Scott Ainsworth told the board at last month's meeting that the state was in the process of reviewing a citizens' petition that would change the method of seating North Adams school board members from the current appointment process to a seven-member elected board. A decision on the merits of that petition was expected at the state education board's Oct. 5 meeting.

NA numbers: down, down, down

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Enrollment at North Adams Community Schools continues to decline, with the student population throughout the school district this year reflecting the eighth consecutive year in which student numbers have been lower than the previous year.

Superintendent Wylie Sirk told members of the North Adams school board on Tuesday that 1,854 students are enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 this year.

That number is down from 1,977 at the start of the 2010 school year.

Park is Indiana’s ‘very best teacher’

Huntington County Tab:

Most of the people who filled the Riverview Middle School gym on Monday, Oct. 10, seemed a bit puzzled as to why Principal Curt Crago's mood was so upbeat at a convocation he called to talk about bullying.

Especially after Crago pointed out the school board members and the county commissioner who just happened to be in the audience.

And even more so when Crago introduced Indiana's superintendent of public instruction, Dr. Tony Bennett.
Bennett didn't waste much time in satisfying the crowd's curiosity, confirming their suspicions that he hadn't made the two-hour drive to discuss bullies.

"I have some very good news," he told the assembled teachers, staff, students and community members. "Seated with you today is the model of greatness ... greatness in teaching students."

CVS robbery drives up cost at Berne Police Department

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Clerk-Treasurer Gwen Maller asked city council to appropriate an additional $16,000 to the Berne City Police Department at Tuesday night's meeting. The first regular meeting of October was held on Tuesday rather than Monday due to observation of Columbus Day.

"They are running in the red and it's mainly because of overtime," Maller told council members. "The reason for that is a split between overtime and repair and maintenance expenses. We have cash in our general fund to cover for this amount."

Council member Mark Wynn asked where the extra hours were coming in; Mayor John Minch replied that some of it is due to the 24-7 coverage that is provided by the local department.

Trail Horse Show comes to Swiss Heritage Village

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

For the first time, a bit of the Wild West is coming to Swiss Heritage Village in the form of Versatility/Extreme Trail Horse Show.

The event, which will take place this Saturday, will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature various timed events for age classes. The timed event will be based on, fastest time wins, and there will be an 80 percent payback for the first three places, according to Kenya Habegger, who spearheaded the event.

"There will be penalties; basically, everyone will operate in one time, but so many seconds will be taken off for certain penalties," said Habegger. "Winning will depend on how fast the participant gets done and the fact that all obstacles are done correctly.

Memorial to Friedt planned

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting donations for a memorial garden to be built at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Monroe to remember John Friedt, a longtime staff member of the agency who died suddenly on February 17 this year at age 56.

The garden will be located near the new building erected this year on the fairgrounds.

Lockwood makes her rounds as roller derby team captain

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

To her classmates at Adams Central, she is known by her given name, Lydia Lockwood. However, to those she slams into on the roller derby rink, she is better known as,"Malibruise Barbie."

It was just two years ago when Lockwood's grandmother purchased tickets for her birthday to attend roller derby bouts at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Within minutes after the opening bout started, she knew that she wanted to be on the rink doing the same thing.

"I looked at my family and said, 'I really want to do that,'" Lockwood said. "The women looked tough and beautiful. It made me feel empowered to watch them. After the bout, I talked to the coach. They gave me the website.

Huntington County Safety Council sets meeting

Huntington County Tab:

The Huntington County Safety Council will hold their monthly luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Huntington University's Habecker Dining Commons.

The program will be "Safety in the Workplace" and will include videos to be utilized in workplaces. The program will focus on slips, trips, falls and dust combustion.

The program this month will be facilitated by Anna Marsh, safety coordinator for Parkview Huntington Hospital.

Berne woman handed near-3 years in prison

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A prison sentence of two years and 325 days was handed down in Adams Superior Court on Tuesday to Marlinda D. Moore, 49, Berne.

Moore pleaded guilty to domestic battery, battery, resisting law enforcement, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief. The new charges also violated the probations she is serving for convictions of resisting law enforcement, intimidation, and invasion of privacy.

The domestic battery case involved Moore hitting her husband in the face and the battery case involved Moore kicking a Berne policeman in a knee, both on July 11.

Council agrees to expenditure for renovation work at Andrews Park

Huntington County Tab:

The Andrews Town Council has approved funding for renovations to be made to the town park.

Linda Wright, representing the town's park commission, brought the proposal for the renovations to the attention of the council. The work will involve clearing a back area of the park that is adjacent to railroad tracks. Zahm Excavating was chosen to do the work.

The decision was made during the council's monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 3.

Trick-or-treating hours for the town have been set for Halloween. The council decided upon 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Monday, Oct. 31.

Fund planned to aid city’s depot

Decatur Daily Democrat:

It doesn't have a name as yet, such as Save The Depot, but a fund will be set up by the Adams County Community Foundation to which people, businesses, groups, etc. may donate in order to preserve — and put to use — the 99-year-old structure off Seventh St., near Monroe St.

Mayor John Schultz unveiled the plan at Tuesday night's city council meeting, with the notation, "We are asking for donations."

City targets sewage bill deadbeats

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A city crackdown is coming for a group of Yost Woods residents who aren't paying their sewage bills.

Mayor John Schultz raised the issue at Tuesday night's city council meeting, noting that the situation is unique in that the city has no direct recourse if a resident of that area does not pay his/her bill.

A city resident whose bill goes unpaid — and ignored — for three months gets their water shut off. "And that gets their attention in a hurry," the mayor said. Yost Woods residents, however, are not on the city water system.

Waste board makes change

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Adams County Solid Waste District's board of trustees on Monday approved a change in financial trustees for the district's transfer station and landfill trust accounts. The process, prompted by the expiration of the two long-standing trust agreements with First Merchants Bank, ultimately will cost the district a significant amount of interest income annually.

According to solid waste district executive secretary Betty Garwood — who was filling in for district director Hank Mayer, absent due to the recent death of his mother — the new interest rate offered for certificates of deposits was well below that received by the district in recent years. "The days of excellent (interest) rates are not going to happen any more," Garwood told the board.

Big cuts...and more ahead

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Adams County Council spent two and a half days last week working on the 2012 budget and reduced departmental budgets by more than $323,000. Council members will meet on October 11 to formally approve a budget that totals more than $11.6 million.

Among cuts next year are per diem payments made to the three county commissioners when they act in their capacity as members of the county drainage board. The council indicated that when the 2013 budget is prepared in 2012, all per diem payments will be eliminated except those required by state law.

Warren-area farm site of SWCD ‘Cover Crop Field Day’ on Friday, Sept. 16

Huntington County Tab:

The Huntington and Wells counties Soil and Water Conservation districts will host a "Cover Crop Field Day" tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at the James Leazier farm north of Warren.

The event will include a demonstration plot seeded with 10 varieties of cover crops and guest speakers to provide information about the following topics:

Moves planned to save wear on North Adams buses

Decatur Daily Democrat:

In an effort to more evenly distribute the wear on fleet buses, North Adams Schools Director of Transportation, Facilities and Grounds Larry Carty told the schools' board of education on Tuesday that a plan has been developed to shift some of the vehicles between routes.

Based upon accumulated mileage on a particular bus, average annual mileage for each route and years of service remaining until the bus can be traded, moves are being planned, he said. Carty added that a retirement total mileage in the range of 120,000 to 150,000 is being targeted.

South Adams awarded an A by the state

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

South Adams superintendent Scott Litwiller gave a report at the school board meeting on Tuesday evening informing the board members of the scores given to South Adams by the state under Public Law 221. Public Law 221 is similar to the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) system but is different in that Public Law 221 is the state’s system and AYP is the federal system. They are both based on ISTEP and ECA (End-of-Course Assessments) scores.

Teen gets 14 years for molesting

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A 17-year-old Decatur boy who pleaded guilty on September 2 to two counts of child molesting received a pair of concurrent 14-year prison sentences on Tuesday from Adams Circuit Court Judge Frederick A. Schurger.

Patrick M. Scott, who admitted engaging in sexual intercourse early this year with two 12-year-old girls, was handed the sentence. Two other molesting charges, one each involving the same girls, were dismissed.

Vote centers may take place of polling locales

Huntington County TAB

This fall, voters across Huntington County may see a change in the way things operate during the municipal elections.

Voting centers, open to all registered voters, may take the place of the traditional assigned polling locations.

To address any questions residents may have about voting centers, a public forum will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Hall in Hier's Park. During the forum, a vote center will be set up so those attending can view the process.

Drugs are stolen in Walgreen break-in

Decatur Daily Democrat:

An unknown amount of drugs was stolen from the Walgreen store at 13th and Monroe Sts. early today.

Decatur police said a break-in occurred at 2:28 a.m. when someone pried open a front door, took the drugs, then fled the scene.

Officers from the city and the Adams County Sheriff's Department arrived at the store less than three minutes after the alarm sounded, but found no one there, according to the city department.

The report noted that the burglary "appears well-planned."

The city's investigation is continuing.

Students have blast at Swiss Heritage Village education day

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

The cannon firing at the annual educational day at Swiss Heritage Village on Friday morning got the attention of over 1,500 students who arrived from area school systems for a full slate of activities carried out by a large group of volunteers who assisted with everything from teaching school to milking goats.

You didn't have to tell students from Willard Elementary School in Winchester that the cannon echoed through the trees in the Swiss Heritage forest and the houses of the north end of Berne.

"I liked the way the cannon made the loud sound all day," said Winchester fourth grader Isabelle Horn. "I really enjoyed making candles. I was interested to hear about the way people used to live. I don't think I would like to live like that."

Other Randolph Central students such as Stacy Cox, Makayla Cole and Denae Anderson enjoyed the field activities such as the swings and the rope ladder.

Sewage disposal issues highlighted

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams County health officials have released information as they seek to make the public aware of sewage-disposal issues in the county.

Terry Smith, a longtime county health department leader, said, To be more proactive in dealing with severe and costly pollution problems that can result from inadequate, illegal, or improperly-maintained septic systems, the local health board directed us to provide to the local media recommended guidelines for operation and maintenance of septic tanks and septic systems in hopes that the public, especially in rural areas, could be better informed.

Bellone and Barrett spent 257 days recovering bodies from remains

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

New York firefighters Bob Barrett and Mike Bellone told those in attendance at the American Midwest Healing Field exhibit at Bearcreek Farms on Wednesday evening that every remain (full or partial) exhumed from the destruction of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, received an honor guard, American flag and last rites, whether they were firefighters, law enforcement, or civilians.

"No matter the condition we found them in, we saw to it that everybody got an honor guard, American flag and last rites," said Barrett. "I was in charge of taking the news of the recoveries to the families that had lost the loved ones. When I arrived with the bad news, they would say, 'Bob, cheer up. You brought us a blessing. Now we know what happened to our husband or son.'

Hearty start opens United Way’s drive

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"Matters of the heart" is how this year's United Way of Adams County (UWAC) campaign chairwoman, Leslie Rhoades of Decatur, describes the 2011 drive toward a goal of $222,012.

At Wednesday's UWAC kickoff luncheon in downtown Berne, she also referred to the United Way campaign slogan, "When your gift becomes someone's lifeline," and used a simple demonstration to show how even a small amount of money can make a big difference.

More than 40 people attended the event at the Boys' and Girls' Club branch.

Geneva mourns loss of Puterbaugh, community ambassador

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

In spite of failing health, Rosemary (Rosie) Puterbaugh spent much of the past 10 days checking on her work as usual. She called Gretchen Lehman to check on a Wednesday night meal at the First Missionary Church. She checked with Geneva Clerk/Treasurer Bill Warren concerning correlation of certain financial figures and she had scheduled to assist with a wedding of 400 people.

The unique thing about Puterbaugh was that all of this follow-up work was coming from her room at Parkview Memorial Hospital where she was awaiting a heart surgery this past Friday. She had been at the hospital for over a week since it was discovered that a serious heart condition could only be solved through surgery.

Late Friday afternoon, it became evident that the surgery was not working out as hoped. Shortly after 5 p.m., doctors walked out of the operating room with the grim news, Puterbaugh's earthly mission had ended; she had not survived the surgery.

175th fest in the black

Decatur Daily Democrat:

So great was the enthusiasm for the event and so well-developed the sales ideas, the committee in charge of Decatur's 175th Anniversary Celebration turned a nice-sized profit, it was learned at Tuesday night's city council meeting.

Larry Isch, co-chairman of the committee along with Max Miller, told council that the group will wind up some $16,000 in the black, thanks to the sales of numerous 175th souvenir items. According to Isch, roughly $40,000 was taken in and expenses totaled around $27,000. Then "a few more dollars trickled in" and the final total came to the approximatelhy $16,000.

Pence announces $125,000 grant awarded to SAAC program

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

U.S. Congressman Mike Pence announced earlier this week that the Adams County Substance Abuse Awareness Council was awarded a $125,000 grant by the Office of National Drug Control Policy under the Drug Free Communities Support Program.

"This grant will be used to help Adams County in its goal of creating a healthy, safe and drug free community," observed Pence. "I commend the Adams County Substance Abuse Awareness Council for being one of 87 new grantees selected from 452 applicants."

Monroe may up water rates

Decatur Daily Democrat:

For the first time since the 1990s, the Monroe Town Council will consider raising monthly water rates.

At Thursday's meeting of the council, President Al Lehman said he will propose at the October 6 meeting a small increase, less than $2 more per month for minimal water users, to begin building up a fund to pay for replacing water equipment perhaps eight to 10 years from now.

Lehman and council members Debra Giessler and Mike Geels agreed that it's better to have a small increase over a longer time than a large increase when things have to be replaced at the water plant.

Bids are taken to finish repairs at work-release center

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Adams County Work-Release Center, located beside the jail, has been in operation for more than 12 years and, now that its floor has been releveled, additional work is required to complete renovations before separate space is created for men and women.

Sheriff Shane Rekeweg attended Monday's meeting of the county commissioners with 10 price quotations for varied jobs, all of which were taken under advisement until next Tuesday's commissioners' meeting, a day later than usual due to the Labor Day holiday.

The bids were as follows:

INDOT to move on elevation of US 224

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The turnout was slim, and comments were few, during a public hearing held Tuesday evening for a proposed U.S. 224 highway improvement project in Decatur.

With only two dozen area residents in attendance, officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation detailed the construction plans for an estimated $3.5 million project that would elevate the state highway by as much as seven feet from the St. Marys River to just east of the U.S. 224 intersection with Jackson Street.

Construction would begin in 2015.

Former Berne woman faces Irene head on in Puerto Rico

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

The last name on South Adams graduate Carol (Sprunger) Sokolsky's mind when she and her husband, Sid, enjoyed a Puerto Rican beach on Aug. 20 was, "Irene." Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene was going to be her first and foremost concern within days; in fact, the strengthening Caribbean hurricane which would haunt the Sokolsky's for most the remaining part of their trip until they flew back to their Pittsburgh home last Wednesday.

Sokolsky grew up in the Berne area and graduated from South Adams High School. She is the daughter of Eileen Graber Sprunger Daugherty of this city.

NA and SA schools get ‘A’ ratings

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A record 775 Indiana schools — including North Adams and South Adams schools — have received an ‘‘A’’ or ‘‘exemplary’’ ranking based on student performance and improvement data.

Adams Central Schools received a B, or "commendable" rating.

The number of schools receiving an ‘‘F’’ and academic probation has been cut in half to 111.

The Indiana Department of Education released the rankings Monday after they were approved by the State Board of Education. The student data was collected from the state’s ISTEP-Plus and end-of-course assessments.

West Nile found in city

Decatur Daily Democrat:

West Nile Virus has been found in Decatur, Terry Smith, superintendent of the Adams County Health Department, announced Monday afternoon.

The Indiana Department of Health has confirmed the discovery, the virus having been found in a mosquito in Decatur a week or so ago, Smith said.

Decatur officials do regular testing as well as regular treatments of storm sewers and areas of water that remain stagnant.

Applicants sought to fill trustee’s post on the Warren Public Library Board

Huntington County Tab:

Applicants are being sought for a position on the Warren Public Library Board.

A new library trustee, to serve a four-year term beginning Oct. 1 and continuing through Sept. 30, 2015, will be appointed by the Huntington County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees.

Anyone interested in serving on the Warren Public Library Board should send a letter of interest, including pertinent qualifications, to the Huntington County Community Schools Administration Office, in care of Cindy Gray, 2485 Waterworks Rd., Huntington, IN 46750.

West Nile found in mosquitos in Berne

Decatur Daily Democrat:

West Nile Virus has been found in some mosquitos in Berne.

Berne officials, quoting reports by an official from the Indiana Department of Health, and Terry Smith, the superintendent of the Adams County Health Department, made the announcement on Thursday.

The fact that West Nile Virus has appeared in Berne "means that residents should limit the possibility of being bitten by an infected mosquito by applying repellants and making lifestyle modifications," the Berne statement said.

The announcement added that "city mosquito control personnel have treated, and do treat, storm sewers as well as areas of water that remain stagnant with environmentally-friendly formulations to control larvae populations before they advance to the adult stage."

Coats visits Berne Tuesday

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Indiana Senator Dan Coats told a group of local residents on Tuesday that he is proud to represent the "Indiana model" in Washington. "It is a privilege to represent the state of Indiana in Washington," said Coats to a group of residents gathered at The Gathering House in Berne at lunchtime. "We determined what is necessary to keep our fiscal house in order," said Coats. "We have done it without a tax increase. We are a business friendly state, a place known to many now as the, 'Indiana model.' Thanks to leaders like State Representative Matt Lehman and Senator Travis Holdman, we are better off than any other state in the nation." Coats said that he traveled around the state for a year before allowing his name to stand as a Republican candidate for senate when Evan Bayh vacated his seat.

City-county building meeting set

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A meeting will take place next week in Decatur involving city and Adams County officials to discuss the next step concerning the proposal to build a city-council building in downtown Decatur.

The meeting will include county Commissioner Ed Coil, likely a member of the county council, Decatur Mayor John Schultz, a member of the city council, and perhaps others, such as City Attorney Tim Baker and County Attorney Mark Burry.

At Monday's meeting of the commissioners, Schultz said city leaders are interested in the city-county building idea, but want to know the county's interest.

Decatur's 175th celebration opened over the weekend

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The 175th anniversary celebration of Decatur's founding began with a bang, with numerous events last weekend.

One of the highlights was the screenings of "Hoosiers" and "Rudy" with David Anspaugh on hand to narrate and provide autographs.

Brad Boyle, a Bellmont grad who played Whit in the film, and director Anspaugh, a 1965 Decatur High School grad, both attended the "Hoosiers" screening.

FCC more than quadruples work force in nine years

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Elizabeth Daniels, administrative manager at FCC (Adams) said at a Thursday luncheon that most of the company's success is due to the continued steady sales of Ford pickup trucks.

FCC is a manufacturer of automatic transmission clutch assemblies and components, mainly for Ford, but a small amount for Honda. Daniels said that company capabilities include transfer press stamping/forming, grob forming, flow-forming, aluminum die casting, electron beam welding, machining and assembly.

"We are lucky that Ford has stayed steady," said Daniels of the company's success. "Ford pickup sales have remained outstanding. We are very fortunate that Ford has stayed strong."

City’s 175th celebration opens today

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur's long-awaited 175 Anniversary Celebration officially kicked off today, starting a 10-day run which coincides with the annual Kekionga Festival.

Citywide garage sales and a co-ed slo-pitch tournament are today's opening events. Two performances of the "Cuties of Decatur" were held Wednesday and Thursday, and a dinner-play performance is scheduled tonight.

County resident was once responsible for grandstands

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Mark Merkel and his wife, Judi, have been to many shows and events at the grandstands of the Indiana State Fair over many years. There were years when they lived in an apartment underneath of the grandstands at fair time but they had never seen anything like the collapse of the stage at Saturday's Sugarland concert. "I've been to at least a hundred shows or events and have seen various configurations over the years," said Merkel. "I never saw anything like that. There was a lot of weight on the top, lights, accessories and lots of things. When that thing came down, it was so high that it really came down with much force.

City joins early move toward a joint building

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A proposed city-county building in downtown Decatur took another step toward reality Tuesday night when Decatur City Council unanimously agreed to spend the funds necessary for its involvement in such a project.

While a city-county building still has numerous hoops to jump through, momentum seems to be building. Now that the city has committed to paying the Schenkel Schultz architectural firm of Fort Wayne to move forward on plans, it's almost assured the county will follow suit.

Although council committed the city to the first phase, Mayor John Schultz pointed out that should the county drop the proposal then the city would no longer be obligated.

Weigel family raises top 10 horses

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Tom, John, and Tom’s son, Brian, Weigel, of rural Bryant have a lot to be proud of. Earlier this summer they competed in the Hoosier Palomino Show in New Castle, judging for the best in Indiana and their horses won Grand Champion (Mandy) and Reserve Grand Champion (Belle).

Then, the week of the July 31 they went to Tulsa, Oklahoma to show their two Palomino horses at the World Championship Horse Show. They knew they had raised great horses, but they didn’t know just how great they truly were. Their two horses “Mandy by Mister” and “Belle” were awarded eighth (Belle) and fifth (Mandy) in the world.

They got started showing horses around 20 years ago after Tom Weigel sold their cattle after 15 years of milking and bought a few riding horses. They transformed their heifer barn into a horse stable and Weigel gradually began to buy show horses and he and his family are now hooked. Brian is the showman for the horses and has learned from countless years in 4-H showing cattle.

Overload blamed for fatal fire

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Officials of the Decatur Fire Department have announced that the cause of the fire which took the lives of an elderly married couple in the city last Thursday was due to overloading of the electrical circuits in their home.

Claude and Donna West, ages 74 and 71, respectively, died of smoke inhalation in their house at 720 Elm St. There funeral service was scheduled for 1 p.m. today in Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home.

Holdup suspect gets date for trial

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Seth T. Curtis, the 25-year-old Redkey man charged with six crimes in regard to a robbery attempt last Sunday at the CVS store in Berne, has been arraigned in Adams Circuit Court and was set for trial on December 2.

Couple dies in home fire

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Funeral services are pending at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home for Claude E. West, 74, and his wife Donna K. West, 71, who died in a house fire early Thursday morning in the city.

Both died of smoke inhalation, according to Assistant Fire Chief Jim Hitchcock. One died in the living room and the other died in a bedroom.

An autopsy at Adams Memorial Hospital, led by Adams County Deputy Coroner Leslie Cook, determined the cause of death on Thursday.

No determination of the cause of the fire has yet been determined, except that it started in the living room.

NA elected board OK needed; could begin in 2012

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Officials at North Adams Community Schools expect to learn in the next month or six weeks the status of a petition that, if formally approved by the state Department of Education, will pave the way for school board members to be elected beginning next year.

Current board members voted in March of this year to accept a citizens' petition that calls for board members to be elected, effectively replacing the school district's 40-year method of filling board seats by appointment.

Redkey man charged in attempted CVS robbery

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

A Redkey man has been charged with six counts by the Adams County Prosecutor's office in connection with an attempted armed robbery on Sunday afternoon at the CVS Pharmacy on the north side of Berne.

Seth T. Curtis, age 25, has been charged with one count of armed robbery, three counts of criminal confinement, and one count each of unlawful possession of syringe and possession of paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor.

The affidavit for probable cause states that at approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday, Curtis entered the pharmacy dressed in black clothing, holding a white and black handkerchief over his face with his right hand and a black handgun in his left hand. Upon entering he encountered Rick Steiner, a customer. The record indicates that Steiner was just about to leave the store when Curtis pointed the handgun in his face and told him to go back to the pharmacy and he complied.

Warren council has another vacancy to fill

Huntington County Tab:

For the second time this year, the members of the Warren Town Council must fill a vacancy created by a death.

Councilman Ronald Boxell died Wednesday, Aug. 3, after being hospitalized for several days. Despite his illness, Boxell had remained an active member of the council and had filed as a candidate for re-election. Because no one else filed as a candidate for that seat, he would have automatically served another term.

City rain hits 1.68

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The dry spell in Decatur took a big hit over the weekend, with over an inch and a half of rain recorded at the city weather station.

Weather station officials say they measured 1.06 of an inch on Saturday and another .6 of an inch on Sunday.

Berne recorded .77 of an inch of rain over the weekend, and Geneva had .54, according to reports.

Until Saturday, Decatur had received just .96 of an inch of rain since June 24.

In the past five days, however, Decatur has recorded 2.17 inches of rain.

The southern half of Adams County was under a severe thunderstorm warning for a time on Sunday afternoon.

Berne CVS held up at gunpoint

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

At approximately 1:45 p.m., Seth T. Curtis, 25, of Redkey entered the Berne CVS and proceeded to attempt to rob the store. Off-duty police officer Dio Hernandez who was present saw the robbery in progress and intervened. Shots were fired, but the suspect was shot in the right arm.

According to Berne police chief Tim Taylor, Curtis was taken away by EMS for medical treatment and was reported to be in stable condition at that time.

No other injuries occurred.

The police were unable to report what the suspect was looking for but did confirm that the incident occurred near the pharmacy.

Bippus PO officially on study list for closure

Huntington County Tab:

Last week, the United States Postal Service released another list of more than 3,000 post offices across the country to be studied for closure.

Among the list is one office in Huntington County - Bippus.

Being on the list doesn't mean that an office will close, but the possibility exists. USPS has said that public meetings will take place before USPS can actually close an office, and it is against federal law for USPS to close an office solely for financial reasons.

Swiss Days magnetic for family and strangers alike

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

One of the winners at this year's Swiss Days was anyone that sold bottles of water or other refreshing liquids. Other than a small break with cloud cover on Friday morning, this year's festival will carry the tag as one of the hottest Swiss Days in recent years. But in spite of the heat and humidity, crowds showed up by the thousands; local businesses and Swiss Days officials reported good returns from this year's event.

One of the heartwarming events this year was the likes of those who came to town, not knowing what to expect, such as Wilmer Bultemeier and his wife who came to Indiana from Florida, not expecting to attend Swiss Days, but ended up spending their entire weekend here.

The Bultemeiers originally attended a meeting in Indianapolis last week. As things were winding down with their commitment, they mutually discussed the possibility of driving to the local community to see, "that Berne festival we had never been to."

Fire hits building at EPC

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A fire that started in a building separate from the main structure on the Elkhart Products Corp. site in Geneva caused considerable damage inside that building late Tuesday night and reportedly caused minor hand burns to one employee.

No details of the fire were available today. The plant manager was gone for the day and the plant engineer was in a staff meeting this morning, the Daily Democrat was told. Neither the Geneva fire chief nor the assistant chief were available for comment The walls of the building were still in place, but two EPC employees said holes were cut in the roof to extinguish the flames.

Holdup suspect Sain arraigned

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A Wells County man with a rural Geneva address, Caleb B. Sain, was arraigned in Adams Circuit Court on Wednesday in regard to a robbery committed on July 18 at the Walgreen Pharmacy in Decatur.

Sain, 23, has pleaded not guilty to charges of robbery and possession of a controlled substance and was set by Judge Frederick A. Schurger for an omnibus hearing on September 30 and for trial on November 4.

Hospital stays in the black

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The financial picture for the Adams Health Network (AHN) continued in the black for the first half of 2011 with a slight profit shown in June.

Chief Financial Officer Dane Wheeler told the AHN board of trustees at its recent meeting that the hospital showed a $37,235 profit in June, boosting the margin in the black to $341,848 for the first six months of the year. That figure was less than what hospital officials had expected when the 2011 budget was adopted, but still is significantly better than 2010 when AHN was $113,766 in the red for the first six months.

After contractual obligations and discounts were figured in, AHN had net patient revenues of $24,575,942 for the first six months of the year, almost identical to the figure the hospital had budgeted ($24,575,813). The 2011 revenue figure is nearly $700,000 higher that the 2010 amount for a similar period.

Council, drainage board resolve disagreement

Huntington County Tab:

A disagreement that left the Huntington County Drainage Board without a secretary has been resolved.

Huntington County Council will allow the drainage board to use $500 from its legal services fund to supplement the pay of an employee in the Huntington County Surveyor's office, who will then act as the board's secretary.

Zanesville council discusses spending items

Huntington County Tab:

The Zanesville Town Council approved two budgetary items and discussed the possible purchase of other items during its meeting on Thursday, July 21.

The council approved a request by Clerk-Treasurer Julie Christian to spend up to $1,000 from the sewer fund for a new laptop computer and software. Christian uses her personal computer for much of the town's business, since the town's current computer is older and doesn't have much memory remaining. The current computer will still be used for the town's sewer billing program.

Senior Center denied funds

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Despite a request earlier this year from board members of the South Adams Senior Center for financial assistance from the city for the day-to-day operations of the center, the 2012 budget unveiled before Berne City Council on Monday contained no such appropriation.

In May of this year, representatives of the senior center asked the city to commit $6,225 toward operation of the center in 2012. That figure represents $1.50 per capita for each of Berne's 4,150 citizens, former Berne mayor and current senior center board member Blaine Fulton said at the time.

Berne budget labeled ‘skinny’

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Berne City Council members got their first glimpse of the city's proposed $2.2 million budget for 2012 on Monday evening. The spending outline for next year includes a general fund budget of just over $1.5 million — an increase of just $38,000 over this year's spending blueprint.

"It's a skinny budget," said clerk-treasurer Gwen Maller during a review of the document. "You don't want to spend more than you take in — like some cities do."

Maller said tax receipts resulting from property tax caps imposed two years ago by the Indiana legislature cost the city approximately $47,500 in revenue for 2011, and she expects to see a similar reduction in tax receipts for 2012. While the exact amount of lost property tax revenue has not yet been determined, Maller said the budget was prepared "based on the assumption that we're not going to be getting some of that money."

Liechty receives outstanding 4-H member of year award

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Berne's Luke Liechty learned that he is the recipient of this year's "Outstanding 4-H Member of the Year" award. This year, Liechty is sharing the award with Paul Measing who is involved with the Preble Trailblazers.

One of Liechty's most outstanding personal successes this year has been receiving the starter calf premier showmanship award. Because of that, Liechty had the option to show in a supreme showmanship opportunity in which he will exhibit seven animals in one show. They include starter calves, sheep, goats, swine, dairy, beef and horses.

City near deal on eyesore

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The City of Decatur is moving rapidly to get rid of one eyesore building and is hopeful of being able to remove a second, and more dangerous one.

City council on Tuesday night approved on two readings the terms of a contract to purchase for $30,000 the former sweeper shop (and onetime Holthouse Drug Co.) builging at Second and Monroe streets.

At the same meeting, a public hearing was held to advance an attempt to land a grant to remove the onetime city utilities/street department building between the city swimming pool and police station.

9 seeking title of ambassador

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Nine longtime members of Adams County 4-H are seeking the title of Royal Ambassador at the county 4-H Fair, which opens Sunday at the Monroe fairgrounds. The winner will be announced after the parade on Tuesday night.

The nine are: Marissa Scheumann, Megan Hreha, Audra Franz, Devan Barger, Hannah Conrad, Paul Mesing, Zan Smith, Macy Mudd, and Casey Krueckeberg.

NA liability costs to rise 17%

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Liability insurance premiums paid by North Adams Community Schools will increase by some 17 percent this year, school district business manager Larry Carty told members of the school board on Tuesday.

The district will pay $115,201 for liability coverage for the coming school year, a hefty increase caused in part by an above-normal number of workman's compensation claims in recent years. Carty said the claims have stemmed from a number of "isolated, random and minor" injuries suffered by school district employees as the result of falls and other mishaps. Carty said there have been no workplace safety issues identified.

Elder joins NA board

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Don Elder, a retired educator selected by sitting members of the North Adams school board in May to fill a pending vacancy in their ranks, was issued the oath of office on Tuesday as he officially joined the board.

Elder was selected from among four applicants for the board seat that became open July 1 with the expiration of the term of former board member Juan Gutierrez. The seat is often called the "swing" seat because its representation alternates every four years between residents of the city of Decatur and rural residents. Gutierrez was not eligible to retain the seat.

Auditor accused of some ‘shirking’

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A request by the county auditor for the county council to consider increasing the pay of his five staff members by a total of $6,000 led to an unusual and unexpected response from a veteran councilman on Tuesday.

Auditor Bill Borne, who was not present, had submitted a two-page, 11-paragraph, single-spaced request for the $6,000, seeking $2,000 for his chief deputy and $1,000 each for the other four staffers. The council chose to withhold action until the 2012 budget is prepared in September.

However, longtime council member Phil Wulliman said Borne, a two-time winner of the Indiana Auditor of the Year award, "is shirking some of his responsibilites." He added that, while the council does not want to micromanage county offices, "this is a prime example of where we might need to do that."

Lightning hits Geneva library

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A lightning strike during a storm damaged a control unit on a computer in the Geneva branch of the Adams Public Library System on Monday, blew a fuse and knocked out the site's elevator, air conditioner, and Internet and Wii services.

The incident happened around 1 p.m., branch director Rose Bryan said.

Geneva firefighters responded to the alarm, but there was no fire.
Strong thunderstorms with gusts of up to 81 mph blew through northern Indiana, knocking down trees and power lines, The Associated Press reported.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department reported a semitrailer was blown over on Interstate 69. No one was injured. There also were reports of trees on houses throughout the region.

Berne, LICA sign for more sewer work

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Berne City Council on Monday officially signed a contract with LICA LLC for continued improvements to the city's sanitary sewer collection system. The local firm's bid of $789,627 was accepted in April as the lowest of nine submitted for the work. The engineering estimate for the project was $925,000.

The construction is being partially funded through a $960,000 grant received by the city last fall. Federal Community Development Block Grant funds for disaster recovery were made available to aid communities in economic recovery after natural disasters caused damage in many areas across the state during 2008.

Swiss Village team supports area Alzheimer's cause

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Once again, Swiss Village Retirement Center employees, family members and friends are uniting to support one of the largest Alzheimer efforts in Indiana, the "Walk to End Alzheimer's Now," which will be held in Fort Wayne on Sept. 24.

This year's event will be held at Headwaters Park with registration beginning at 10 a.m., opening ceremonies and awards occurring at 11:30 a.m. and the walk beginning at noon.

Local funds given to aid honor flights

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The concept of "honor flights" to reward United States war veterans by giving them free airliner trips to visit memorial sites in Washington, D.C. began in 2004 with World War II vets and will be continued on behalf of Korean War and Vietnam War vets.

Bob Myer of Allen County, vice president of Honor Flights of Northeastern Indiana, made that known at a recent meeting in Decatur of seven local WW II vets who were on the fifth honor flight from the Fort Wayne region to the national capital.

Myer also received $5,000 in donations from local supporters and said that money means the sixth one-day honor flight, scheduled for October 4, is now fully paid for. Each flight costs $50,000 to $57,000, he said, including more than $47,000 just for the cost of the airliner.

LaHaye to bring resurrection theme Swiss Days weekend

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

A follow-up movie to the Mel Gibson blockbuster about the story of Christ is currently being planned by famed author Tim LaHaye and his grandson, Randy LaHaye. LaHaye will be here on Sunday, July 31, at the First Mennonite Church at 6:30 p.m. to challenge the hearts of those in attendance concerning the resurrection of Jesus.

"My goal on Sunday night is to tell the story of the Resurrection Project and cast the vision for the movie projection," LaHaye wrote to Rev. Robert Liechty of the South Adams Ministerial Association earlier this spring. "I will be preaching about the significance, message and hope of the resurrection of Christ.

Richie suffers serious injuries

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adrian Richie, former principal at Bellmont High School and now the principal at Lowell High School in Lake County, was severely burned in an accident at home on Wednesday.

Reports received here say Richie was removing brush from his yard to prepare for an open house that was to be held for one of his sons, Austin, one of the state's top basketball players as a senior last season at Lowell High School.

Somehow, the brush pile fire spread to him and he suffered serious burns over 45 percent of his body.

More dogs than ever at Swiss Heritage competition

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Community leaders will come together as judges to look over the skills of a large group of non-aggressive dogs during Swiss Days on July 30 this year. The traditional Wiener Dog Race will be held at 10 a.m. at Swiss Heritage Village, and then, at noon, the new competitive event will begin.

"I like this because we can have many more participants, both dogs and owners," said Fred Lehman, who heads up the event. "The dog races are always real crowd pleasers. Now we have even a bigger event than the traditional wiener race.

$1,000 city pay hikes OKed

Decatur Daily Democrat:

If the State of Indiana doesn't wreak havoc with Decatur's 2012 budget, city employees will be getting raises of $1,000 each after going without increases this year and last.

Insurance changes are coming, though, with only some employees to be affected by higher costs.
City council unanimously approved the $1,000 hikes at its meeting Tuesday night, with the stipulation of "if the money is available." Mayor John Schultz, who supported the hike, said the only concern would be if the state radically reduced the city's budget for next year once that budget is submitted.

"You never know what the state, in all its infinite wisdom, will do," he said.

The $1,000 figure was suggested by Councilman Matt Dyer, who praised city department heads and employees for the way they held down costs last year. "They put us in position to do this (provide raises)," he said.

Huntington resident recycles bottles, containers into art

Huntington County Tab:

Most people see plastic bottles and containers as trash. Others recycle.

Huntington resident Jerry Pelz sees them not as trash or recyclables, but as raw materials to create interesting pieces of art.

Over the last few years, Pelz has been creating various animals from recyclable bottles. The idea was spawned while he was employed at MJV Group, a commercial cleaning company here in Huntington.

"Jerry saw all the empty bottles in the trash and thought that he could make something out of them," says Brenda Emley, company manager. "That's where it all started."

Pelz says his love for animals was what inspired him to choose them as his muse. His first creation was an elephant.

"After I made my first one, I would ask Brenda what she wanted me to make next," states Peltz. "Then I would go home and try to create it."

Dots in Blue Water project greater than anticipated

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Thankfully, a group of South Adams students and teachers that built water-purifying systems for installation in Haiti took five purifiers along on their mission trip. Not only did the students install the purifying systems at the Nehemiah Vision Ministries School near Port-Au-Prince and the city of Chambrun, South Adams educators were called upon to install two purifiers in a village where a cholera outbreak was in progress. In addition, a fifth purifier was left to be installed at a Nehemiah Vision outreach.

2011 Adams County cancer relay raises nearly $75,000

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Balloons ascended, cheers broke out, and leaders gave emotional responses of appreciation at the announcement on Saturday morning that 31 teams and various other contributors had raised nearly $75,000 toward this year's American Cancer Society Relay for Life event.

Once again this year's event was held at the Adams Central football field and athletic track. The goal for this year's event had been set at $81,000. Although the total at Saturday morning's 11 a.m. ceremony was tallied at $74,750.69, more money had come in following the announcement.

No new jail now, but in the future...

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The primary requirement of the "judicial needs study" performed by the Schenkel Shultz architectural firm of Fort Wayne was to advise local officials what to do about the future of Adams Superior Court and the county probation department, located in an old and inadequate building in downtown Decatur.

However, the study also looked a number of years ahead to when a new county jail would be required to replace the current one, which opened in 1980 in Decatur.

Commissioner Ed Coil made quite clear at the meeting that the jail "is not on the radar." On the other hand, it is likely to be considered not too many more years from now, so plans are being considered.

Steiner works hard to see seeds are healthy

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Adams Central graduate Jill Steiner spent much of her youth in Adams County involved with the local FFA, state FFA and 10 years of 4-H work. In 2003 she had been selected as the Miss Adams County 4-H Fair Queen. During that time, agriculture and the science of healthy, productive seeds continued to grow in her rural fiber.

Following high school, she attended Purdue University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ag Economics and Ag Communications.

During her time there, she was awarded one of the most prestigious honors possible to any Purdue student.

Everett shares journey to help others

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Meri Everett, 28, has been chosen as one of the two honorary co-chairs by the Adams County Relay for Life Committee to walk the first lap around the Adams Central track at the event on Friday.

Meri is a Bellmont High School graduate and the daughter of Kim Stoppenhagen and Jim and Becky Everett, all of Decatur. She said she is willing to share her journey of her cancer survival with others because, "If my story can help even one person, it would truly be a blessing."

Her journey began in September of 2009, when she went to the doctor with what she thought were flu symptoms. When her condition did not improve, she returned to the doctor, who then decided to run a complete blood count test, or CBC.

It’s now official: BHS an Early College School

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Officials from CELL — the Center for Excellence in Leadership of Learning — have given the final stamp of approval for Bellmont High School's transformation into one of the few Early College High School's in the state of Indiana.

Bellmont Principal Scot Croner received notification earlier this week of the approval.

"I am pleased to inform you that CELL is endorsing Bellmont High School as an Early College High School," Dr. Janet Boyle, assistant director of CELL, wrote in a letter to Croner. "Congratulations. The hard work and dedication of you and your staff has come to fruition in Bellmont High School’s recognition as an Early College High School endorsed school. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you more in the future."

City officials admonished

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur City Council was admonished at its meeting Tuesday night for its perceived lack of support for American troops, and county officials will be hearing the same criticism in the near future.

City resident Darlene Zeitvogel said she has a son serving in Iraq, along with six other local people. Her voice cracking, Zeitvogel said she was extremely disappointed that no city officials turned out for the Memorial Day ceremonies here on May 30 "to support my son and six other guys over there."

The lack of officials' support, she said, "is a shame," and she urged all officials to attend the Fourth of July fireworks and ceremonies.

City-county building proposed

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"Fix it or move," said Adams Superior Court Judge Patrick Miller.

"Think broadly," said Adams Circuit Court Judge Fred Schurger, because "where we are today is not where we will be tomorrow."

No decisions were made at a special session of the Adams County commissioners held on Tuesday, but ambitious plans were revealed to some 45 people, many of them government officials, in a report about an eight-month-long "judicial needs study" by the Schenkel Shultz architectural firm in Fort Wayne.

Everett chosen as honorary survivor for Relay

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

"Prayer is powerful," says Decatur's Meri Everett these days as she faces life after two bouts with leukemia in the past two years. "I know that I have such a big support group with people I have never met before. I hear from people that are praying for me in states all over the country, people I have never met. "I'm keeping my spirits up and going on," continued Everett. "I can't disappoint all of those people who are praying for me." Ironically, Everett was diagnosed with Acute Myeloma Leukemia on Sept. 22, 2009. She was treated and apparently put into remission. Then, to the surprise of medical personnel, it came back with a vengeance one year later.

Anspaugh to become a 'living legend'

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Those who recall David Anspaugh as a youth in Decatur in the 1950s and 1960s would never have attached the title "living legend" to him.

However, decades later, Anspaugh, a veteran film and television director, has reached that level, having been acclaimed as an "Indiana Living Legend."

He and three others, including Angelo Pizzo, his screenwriting friend and former fraternity brother at Indiana University, and Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian, will be honored by that formal designation on July 29 in downtown Indianapolis at a major event sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society (IHS).

Bids opening for covered bridge slated

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Ben Beer of Bluffton, who works for USI Consultants at Indianapolis, informed the Adams County Commissioners on Monday that three firms attended a pre-bid meeting last week in regard to the project to rehabilitate and restore the covered bridge in the south end of the county.

The bids will be opened at next Monday's meeting of the commissioners.

USI Consultants has completed the design of the project.

Beer also said the winning bidder will try to use as many local materials as possible once work starts.

Williams-Seip has spent half her life fighting cancer

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Halle Williams-Seip spends her time these days running through her house and playing with things that any three-year-old child would enjoy. To look at her smile and listen to her bubbling laughter, the casual onlooker would have no clue that she has spent half of her life fighting a very threatening brain tumor. Her parents are Ciera Williams (mother) and Nick Seip (father). The grandparents are Penny Williams, Dave Williams, Rhonda Eyanson and Dennis Seip.

The drama began shortly after her first birthday when she began to vomit profusely and became lethargic and weak. Her motor skills began slowing down and she wanted to be with two people, her mother and grandmother.

Beitler, Baumgartner relay positive news on Plaza

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Jim Beitler, co-chair of the Fundraising Committee and Dave Baumgartner, president of the Berne CDC (Community Development Corporation) are excited about all of the upcoming developments at the Muensterburg Plaza and Clock Tower.

“There have been a lot of new developments since the dedication last summer during Swiss Days,” said Beitler. “Many of which include the new settlers monument, the 270 degree Muensterburg Plaza wall, improved stage, and so much more.

No Excuses at elementary school in city

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Students at Northwest Elementary School and Bellmont Middle School were soaking up the college atmosphere as the current school year concluded, and will continue to do so.

Northwest Elementary has been named one of 102 schools in the country, and only two in the state Indiana, to become a member of the No Excuses University network. The national initiative is designed to promote a comprehensive model of college readiness to all students the moment they begin elementary school "and to create a culture of college readiness" in local classrooms, according to Northwest Principal Becca Lamon.

Bellmont Middle School is in the process of obtaining Early College University status, said Principal Scott Miller.

Warren to set live traps to catch feral cats running loose in town

Huntington County Tab:

Beginning Monday, June 20, the Town of Warren will be setting live traps to capture feral cats running loose in the community.

The cats will then be taken to the Riverside Veterinary Clinic, where they will be spayed or neutered and offered up for adoption as barn cats.

The clinic is currently searching for more homes for the cats, which will be available after they have been spayed and neutered.

Local woman steps out in support of world without breast cancer

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Walking sixty miles in one direction can take you in many places, says Berne resident Jill Steiner, but the sense of satisfaction in joining thousands of others in the 2011 Susan G. Koman Cleveland Three-Days for a Cure is more than worth the consequences of fatigue and sore feet at the finish line.

After months of training and fundraising, participants will walk 60 miles during three days to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and community-based breast health and education programs.

Funding gone, NA drops Even Start

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The North Adams Community Schools' board of education approved a rash of personnel transactions Tuesday night, including the elimination of several federally-funded Even Start positions, accepting the resignation of a veteran girls tennis coach, and the filling the vacant varsity girls basketball coaching position.

Six North Adams employees lost their jobs with the school's Even Start program when federal funding for the program was eliminated. Released from their positions as part of a Reduction In Force (RIF) effort were Even Start adult education instructor Linda Steury, and paraprofessionals April Busse, Jennifer Dick, Anita Hirschy, Lori Matthews and Nicole Walther.