On the Beat in Bluffton

Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011: The stories that made a difference

News-Banner staff voted on what they believe were the top 10 stories of 2011, but they had to choose from 43 candidates. See the Saturday, Dec. 31, News-Banner for the top 10, but see those that didn't make the list, but still had an impact, here. Learn more about some of these in News-Banner columnist Justin Peeper's regular Tuesday column.
  • Bluffton resident Jose Carrillo-Perez won $2 million on a lottery ticket scratch off.
  • Kent Kiracofe replaces David Hanselman as Wells Circuit Court judge. Hanselman retires after more than 30 years on the bench.
  • The Courthouse tree comes down and is replaced with a new tree … and a Civil War cannon is added.
  • Southern Wells moves to all-day, every-day kindergarten next year; BHMSD will also have full-day kindergarten.
  • Mayor Ted Ellis receives Frank O’Bannon Sunshine Award from HSPA.
  • For the first time in its 121-year history, Bluffton High School earned Four Start School status from the Indiana Department of Education.
  • Brandon Haushalter is new Bluffton Regional Medical Center CEO.
  • A long-awaited skate park opened in Murray.
  • Bluffton-Harrison school board approves one-route bus system in 3-2 vote.
  • Longtime community activist Joe Emshwiller dies.
  • 4-H Park has a new Junior Leaders food booth.
  • Drug busts: 17 rounded up in June, 11 in December.
  • Wells has two traffic deaths.
  • A Fort Wayne man filed a suit seeking unspecified damages against the county, alleging lack of care during his incarceration at the county jail.
  • Local radio station WNUY has been sold and will convert to an all-Christian talk format.
  • Bob Greiner, recently retired manager at Ouabache, receives Sagamore of the Wabash award.
  • Maureen Butler retires as director of Creative Arts Council.
  • Judge Kent Kiracofe sets Dec. 31 deadline to have special prosecutor make report on his review of Harrison Township audits.
  • Four county post offices are on a proposed closing list: Poneto, Petroleum, Keystone and Liberty Center.
  • Ouabache has a new baby bison.
  • Wells County YMCA launches $8 million campaign to build new facility.
  • Ossian will need to spend an extra $200,000 to make repairs to sewer plant.
  • Work begins to replace the bridge over the Salamonie River on 900S
  • Two Southern Wells teachers receive national honors.
  • Report on future of downtown Bluffton released by national consultants.
  • Bluffton, Norwell marching bands compete at state competition.
  • Snider Tire to add 20,000 square feet and three new jobs; Pretzels reaches new four-year labor agreement.
  • Norwell teachers make plea about repairs needed at high school.
  • Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis elected president of National League of Cities.
  • Former Bluffton High School basketball standout Spencer Harris signs contract to play professionally in Iceland.
  • Southern Wells Raiders win school’s first ever girls' softball regional title.
  • Norwell grad Scott Woodward signs contract with LA Dodgers.
  • Norwell finishes 3rd at state golf finals.

Did we miss a story? Do you disagree with what made the top 10? Let us know in the comments.


No comments: