Berne leaders mourn the loss of colleague, friend

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Former Berne Mayor John Minch, who is currently out of town, was stunned when he received the telephone call informing him of the passing of former city attorney, Robert Biberstein. The local attorney sat at the left of Minch in the solicitor's chair during the former mayor's terms of office.

"I knew him some from basketball, but we became good friends when we first came to Berne in the 1960's," recalled Minch. "I really got to know him when his daughter and my daughter competed on the swim team. We served on countless committees together at that time.

"He was honest and fair in anything that he did," continued Minch. "I felt very confident with him when he was the city attorney. You knew that he was not going to do anything to embarrass you. Sometimes he would call me into his office and we would talk over things. By the time I left, we shook hands and understood the scope of the issue that we were dealing with."

Spring-break activities set for next week

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The "family friendly" activities which proved to be so popular during spring break last year are returning, Chris Krull of the sponsoring city-county parks and recreation department informed city council at its meeting Tuesday night.

County schools will be on spring break starting with the dismissal of classes this Friday and all manner of activities are planned for five consecutive days next week, Monday through Friday.

Local law enforcement cracking down on DUIs

Huntington County Tab:

Beginning Friday, March 2, Huntington County Sheriff's deputies, Huntington City Police officers and Warren Police officers joined more than 250 state and local law enforcement agencies across the Hoosier state in the "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." March crackdown on impaired and dangerous driving.

Through March 18, officers will work overtime to conduct high-visibility enforcement activities designed specifically to identify impaired drivers. Motorists will also see an increased number of patrols looking for aggressive drivers and unrestrained motorists during the 17-day mobilization.

"Impaired driving is a crime - one too deadly to ignore," said Huntington County Sheriff Terry Stoffel. "That's why we don't give warnings, or accept excuses - if you're over the limit, anywhere in Huntington County, you will be arrested."

Spotlight to shine here on Saturday

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A total of 52 booths, all sorts of stage entertainment, free bingo, an auction and more will be featured on Saturday as the annual Spotlight Business Expo, sponsored by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, will unfold at Bellmont Middle School.

Doors will open at 8 a.m., with breakfast available, and the event will continue until 5:30 p.m.

Sweetcakes Entertainment will be returning on Saturday, Chamber officials announced. Sweetcakes will be creating its amazing face painting art and balloon art from 1-4 p.m. in the gym at Belmont Middle School, organizers said in a news release.

Group airs concerns on wind turbines

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

As differing information continues to spin throughout the county concerning the growing issue of wind turbines, a group of northern Adams County residents known as, "Adams County, Save our Skies," met at the Riverside Center in Decatur on Tuesday evening to discuss their concerns about potential construction of wind turbines in the county.

Hilary Shifferly, who headed the meeting, told those present to write letters, make phone calls and attend hearings offered by county government officials in order to express their concerns about the turbine issue. Shifferly said that the fact that her home could be located within 1,000 feet of a turbine someday is of great concern, especially for health and safety concerns.

Of the approximately 75 people attending the meeting, many admitted that they don't have enough information at this point to make a final decision on the issue.

City officers now carrying Tasers

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur's police force is now armed ... with Tasers.

Using strictly public donations, the city police department has purchased nine of the devices and they are being carried by the officers. The "road officers" — those who patrol — are carrying the Tasers with their sidearms.

Another Taser is rotated among the shift commanders.

The department's Use of Force Policy was presented to the city's Board of Works and Safety prior to Tuesday night's city council meeting. Board members and City Attorney Tim Baker checked over the policy and gave it a green light.