Adams-Wells Regional News

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

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

Friday, May 25, 2012

Affolder Service and Sales new service building under construction

Veterans events slated here, in area

Friday, May 18, 2012

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.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Mennonite Church celebrates 100-year anniversary of Congo mission

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."

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

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

Monday, May 7, 2012

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.

Friday, May 4, 2012

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

Thursday, May 3, 2012

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

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

County dispatch room to get upgrade

Council okays city’s police linkup

New regulations could drown pools

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Community comes to aid of families displaced by fire

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