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."