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.