Community contributes $675,000 in scholarship money to seniors

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Residents of the community contributed in excess of $675,000 in scholarship money to the Class of 2012 at the annual senior award night on Monday. South Adams High School principal Trent Lehman said that this year's total exceeded last year by $150,000.

"One chapter ends, another begins," said Lehman. "It's exciting to know that these seniors are going to go out into the world and make a positive difference. It is true that it takes a village to raise a child.

"Thank you, community; thank you, South Adams," added Lehman.

One of the major award winners was Dustin Wanner, son of John and Lisa Wanner, who was presented with numerous scholarships, including the prestigious Arthur and Gloria Muselman Memorial Scholarship, worth $30,000 to a selected senior who attends Taylor University.

June 30 deadline to fill ballots-Five NAdams board seats up for grabs

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams County Democrats have until June 30 to hold caucuses and make appointments to fill vacancies on the November general election ballot.

According to a spokeswoman in the county clerk's office, the caucuses must be held and candidates selected by that date. Independent candidates have until July 2 to file petitions of candidacy to seek any countywide office.

Seats that could potentially be filled by the local Democrats include candidates for the First District and Third District seats on the board of county commissioners, the county auditor's position and the county treasurer's seat. County Republicans have candidates already in place for all county offices.

Affolder Service and Sales new service building under construction

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Construction has begun on the new large parts warehouse and service shop at Affolder Services and Sales, Inc., located on U.S. 27 South on the south edge of Berne. Owner Greg Milholland said with a sigh of relief that following a lot of paperwork exchanges with the state, things are finally moving, and should be completed in mid-September, in time for the upcoming harvest season.

The new facility will incorporate a total of 15,800 square feet, compared to 9,600 to the previous facility, which was destroyed by fire early last winter.

"This is going to be like going from a 1969 automobile to a 2012 automobile," said Milholland. "It is going to be much taller, will incorporate 20-foot high doors and will have an overhead crane that will go from one end to the other.

Veterans events slated here, in area

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Veterans-related events in Decatur, Berne and Geneva, along with Willshire, Ohio, have been announced for the Memorial Day weekend.

The American Legion post 43 color guard and firing squad will be at the Decatur Catholic Cemetery on Monday at 9 a.m. for a short service honoring past and present veterans, before moving to the Decatur Cemetery for another short service.

South Adams Trails working out bumps in the road

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Roger Kottlowski, project engineer for the South Adams Trails project, told those attending the organization's annual meeting on Thursday that he believes that discussion is being productive with residents along the projected trail who have had concerns about its passage close to their property.

Kottlowski said that there had been discussion with Amish north of the Wabash River. Officials described to them fencing and landscaping designed to break the perception that strangers were passing in their backyard. He noted that signage of instruction would also be a central issue along the way.

"I listened to tapes of the public hearing that was held a few months ago and comments from the community," said Kottlowski. "There were many positive comments but there were also some concerns. We met with some of the Amish families last night and things went pretty well."

BHS senior ‘pays forward’

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Cody Walters, who stands about 5-7, was one of the toughest guys on that Bellmont Sectional football championship team last fall. Today, in the eyes of many, he stands much taller than the new World Trade Center building going up in New York City; taller than that "world's biggest" in Dubai.

It was Cody Walters who, when he learned a friend's mother was battling breast cancer, charged ahead harder than he ever did on a football field, and he was one tough dude when he was toting that ball. The senior at Bellmont launched a website to accept money offers to help his friend's familiy. He set a goal of $100 ... and raised the goal several times.

Today, the fund has raised over $5,000 for Katie and Matt Birch and their family, including Isaac, the football player/wrestler who was one of a close-knit group of football players who last fall overcame a lot of odds to secure only the school's second Sectional championship ever.

Mennonite Church celebrates 100-year anniversary of Congo mission

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Irena Sprunger, who served for 20 years with the Congo Inland Mission (later Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission), still recalls the way she struggled with God's call on her life when she felt the tug in her heart to become a missionary to Africa.

Sprunger was attending Missionary Union meetings in Berne at the time. On a Sunday afternoon, a missionary from Nigeria was speaking and Sprunger felt her call.

"I felt called to be a missionary, but I didn't want to go," said Sprunger recently at Swiss Village. "I resisted the Lord all summer. Right after the war (World War II) I went to Grace Bible Institute, a Mennonite School in Omaha. I knew that if I was going to go as a missionary, I wanted to be a Mennonite missionary."

Back 40 history long and unique

Decatur Daily Democrat:

For over 60 years, the Back 40 Junction, with its museum-quality antiques and railroad memorabilia, has been a hotspot for dining and a topic of conversation for area residents and travelers alike.

The Back 40 began as the Fairway Back 40 when, in 1950, Decatur resident Clete Miller purchased the restaurant, which was then located at the intersection of highways 224, 27, and 33, where McDonald's is located today. Miller said he wanted to capture the feel of the Adams County farming community while providing diners with more than just good food. He wanted people to have an exciting experience, something to talk about after they left.

"Restaurants aren't just a place to dine," said Miller. "They're stress removers. The more you can do that, the more you can help people have fun; well, that's what it's really about."

Pilot program at Adams Central is outlined

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams Central High School business teacher Sharilyn Boots, accompanied by student Deatra Gremaux, talked to the Adams Central Board of Education this week about a pilot program allowing students to participate in virtual internships.

Boots stated she was contacted by Ryan Twist of the Talent Initiative about establishing a group of students who would take part in the internship program.

Students were asked to put together three pieces of material to hand out to businesses to increase awareness of the virtual internship program, hopefully creating more opportunities for students.

County council to have at least one new face in January as J. Miller nips incumbent Hoke

Huntington County Tab:

The Huntington County Council will have at least one new face in January following newcomer Jaime Miller's narrow victory over incumbent Chris Hoke in the Republican primary election on Tuesday, May 8.

Eight men were seeking nominations to the three county council seats, with incumbents Shane Bickel and John E. Hacker joining Jaime Miller in earning Republican victories.

The three are not assured victories in November, however. The local Democrat party, which had no candidates in the primary, has until June to field candidates for the November ballot.

NAdams 2% pay hikes okayed

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Going green at the North Adams Community Schools will have a slightly different meaning for administrators, non-certified personnel, and transportation department employees as the North Adams School Board approved a two percent pay increase on their base salary.

The action approved Tuesday night at the monthly NA board meeting will result in approximately $50,000 more, but Superintendent Dr. Wylie Sirk told members that money for the increase is already in the general fund and will not cause a problem.

The only debate on the pay hikes came on the proposal for the raise for Transportation and Facilities and Grounds Director Larry Carty, who also serves as the business manager for North Adams. Sirk noted that Carty has assumed additional duties since joining the North Adams team several years ago and the debate centered around whether his increase would be more than the two percent given to other administrators.

Stimpson, Beery win GOP races - Krueckeberg gets nod

Decatur Daily Democrat:

With incumbent Republicans in three countywide offices — auditor, treasurer and recorder — sent to the sidelines at the end of the current year by state-mandated term limits, a trio of first-time GOP candidates picked up victories and earned their party's nominations during Tuesday's primary election balloting.

With County Recorder Connie Moser, a Republican, barred from seeking re-election, Deb Stimpson prevailed in a three-way GOP race to fill that pending vacancy. Stimpson, who is employed by the Decatur-Adams County Parks and Rec Department, captured 1,575 votes to edge out current Deputy Recorder Jim Voglewede, who claimed 1,406 votes. Berne Republican Jerry Walker finished third with 1,055.

Hospital expenses see big drop

Decatur Daily Democrat:

A financial statement released by Adams Memorial Hospital Chief Financial Officer Dane Wheeler at a recent meeting of the Adams Health Network Board of Trustees noted that the organization has had nearly $300,000 fewer expenses this year than at a same point in 2011 and thus has a positive balance of $266,428.

Total operating revenue (after contractual discounts and bad debt) for the first three months was said to be $10,354,426, with expenses of $10,321,095. An additional non-operating revenue of $233,097 gives the hospital the larger amount of money.

Trio of current officeholders face no opposition within GOP for return to their positions

Huntington County Tab:

Three current officeholders have no opposition in the May 8 primary election, but that doesn't mean they're assured of keeping their jobs.

Huntington Circuit Judge Thomas M. Hakes, Huntington County Commissioner Tom Wall and Huntington County Treasurer Brenda Hamilton are all seeking renomination to those positions in the Republican primary. None of the three has any opposition in the primary.

Huntington County Democrats did not field any primary candidates for any of those three positions - or for any other county-level office in the primary.

New look for the sheriff’s department

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams County Sheriff Rekeweg announced there have been some changes at the sheriff's department, most notably in the sheriff's vehicles area residents are used to seeing.

Rekeweg said that in an effort to save taxpayers money, as well as conforming to standards set by the Indiana Sheriff's' Association, sheriff's cars have been changed from the familiar two-tone brown to a plain white vehicle.

According to Chief Deputy Eric Meyer, the state mandates a two-tone paint scheme for sheriff's vehicles of any color. However, sheriff's departments may elect to use an all-white vehicle instead.
Meyer noted that vehicles do not come in the two-tone color scheme directly from the factory, meaning the department must pay approximately $3,500 more per vehicle to have them repainted to meet state guidelines.

Baker to assume responsibilities at Biberstein law practice

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

For many years, Berne attorney Robert Biberstein and Decatur lawyer Tim Baker have had a close professional and personal friendship. Recently, when Biberstein suffered a stroke, the local attorney had requested that Baker, of the law firm, DeVoss, Johnson, Zwick, Baker and Ainsworth, P.C., assist with his practice during his recovery.

Biberstein had hoped to recover and return to his law practice, but on March 21, he suffered a heart attack that took his life. Recently, at the invitation of Biberstein's wife, Rhina, and family, Baker consented to set up a law practice in Biberstein's office. Beginning the week of May 21, attorneys Baker, Scott Ainsworth and Anne Razo (Baker's daughter) will have office hours at Biberstein's office, located a 656 W. Main St., on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Mourdock goes low-key in Lincoln Day address here

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Republican Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock took a low-key approach to his campaign bid Thursday evening in Adams County, professing respect for his veteran opponent and spending most of his time behind the podium talking about the strengths and virtues of Abraham Lincoln.

Mourdock was the featured speaker at the annual Adams County Republican Party Lincoln Day dinner, held at South Adams High School with some 100 party members in attendance. He took office as Indiana’s treasurer in February of 2007 and was re-elected in November of 2010.

Trio of current officeholders face no opposition within GOP for return to their positions

Huntington County Tab:

Three current officeholders have no opposition in the May 8 primary election, but that doesn't mean they're assured of keeping their jobs.

Huntington Circuit Judge Thomas M. Hakes, Huntington County Commissioner Tom Wall and Huntington County Treasurer Brenda Hamilton are all seeking renomination to those positions in the Republican primary. None of the three has any opposition in the primary.

Huntington County Democrats did not field any primary candidates for any of those three positions - or for any other county-level office in the primary.

2 events get city approval

Decatur Daily Democrat:

As the calendar turned from April to May, Decatur City Council on Tuesday night gave its approval for street closings for two summertime events, one new and the other a perennial.

The new event is a Shriners' parade and the old is the annual Fourth of July Fireworks.

As he usually does around this time of year, Adam Eguia turned up at the council meeting to offer some details on the fireworks show plus ask for the street closings as well as the city's annual $350 donation.

County dispatch room to get upgrade

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

When Adams County Sheriff Shane Rekeweg inspected the dispatch room at the local sheriff department facility he realized that he had a major task ahead of him. An entire network of old wiring stretched beneath the surface of the floor and equipment was discovered to be so outdated that parts for some of it aren't even being made anymore.

It was then that Rekeweg decided that it was in the interest of his staff and county residents in general to upgrade the room with modern technology and safety standards.

"We are going to strip everything out and start from walls out. We will start on May 8," said Rekeweg. "We will pull all dispatch equipment out of the room and set up things in a temporary room.

Council okays city’s police linkup

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Decatur City Council gave its approval on Tuesday night to an expenditure that will eventually link the city police department's records system with those of Adams County, Berne and Geneva.

The idea was unveiled at Monday's meeting of the Adams County Commissioners by county Sheriff Shane Rekeweg. That body gave its okay for the county to allow the three communities to tie into its Sungard Management System, so long as the councils of the three communities approved.

Decatur did so last night, as did Geneva's town council, tentatively. Berne is expected to address the issue at its meeting next Monday.

New regulations could drown pools

Decatur Daily Democrat:

New government requirements as part of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act are forcing owners of many public swimming pools across Indiana — including those in Adams County — to find money for upgrades.

The new standards require that public pools nationwide establish one or two accessible points of entry on or before a May 21 deadline. Those improvements can include a pool lift or sloped points of entry or both, depending on the pool’s size.

Community comes to aid of families displaced by fire

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Families who lost their living quarters as a result of last Tuesday's fire that destroyed a building at the Oakwood Terrace Apartment Complex are discovering the support and concern of a county community that is reaching out with assistance during the time of transition as they seek to re-establish their lives.

The Red Cross of Adams County and Compassionate Ministries have both assisted in providing living quarters at the Black Bear Inn, where several of the families continue to be housed on a temporary basis.

"We provide living placement for the families for up to three nights," noted Vickie Ellis, director of the local Red Cross. "If they don't have family or someone to assist them, we will assist with the first month's rent or a deposit if they need a place to go."

3 communities, county plan to merge records - Council okays to seal deal

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Adams County Sheriff Shane Rekeweg, accompanied by Decatur Police Chief Ken Ketzler, Berne Police Chief Tim Taylor, and Geneva Marshall Rob Johnson, asked the county commissioners on Monday for approval to move forward on combining the records management system of all three towns into one system, with the sheriff's department being the central policy holder.

Rekeweg said the sheriff's department currently uses a Sunguard Management System, which is used for the Computer Aided Dispatch, records management, and jail management.

By combining the three communities to the same system, Rekeweg said it could save time and resources by allowing multiple police agencies to see if a particular case has similarities to another case being investigated in a different town.