N-B Video: Bluffton's Christmas Lighting Ceremony

Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis leads the city's annual Christmas lighting ceremony Friday. The event in front of the Wells County Courthouse featured songs, cold temperatures and holiday lights and decorations. (Video by Matthew LeBlanc)

N-B Video: ISP sergeant talks prescription drug abuse, heroin links

Indiana State Police Sgt. Dan Mawhorr spoke to a crowd Thursday about teens and growing abuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The event was sponsored by the Citizens Against Drug Abuse of Wells County, Wells Resources Available for Providers and People (W.R.A.P.P.) and United Way of Wells County. Learn more in the Friday, Nov. 21, News-Banner. (Video by Jessica Williams)

N-B Flashback: Hundreds get muddy during June's Soggy Jog, Rough and Muddy events

The Indiana Park and Recreation Association will present the two honors to the Bluffton Parks Department at the IPRA’s annual conference Jan. 15 in Michigan City. The two awards, for events held in June including the Soggy Jog and Rough and Muddy events, will be the 10th and 11th for Bluffton since 2006. Learn more in the Thursday, Nov. 20, News-Banner, and relive the mucky moments below with video and photos. (Videos by Jessica Williams)

N-B Photos: Snowy scenes

Some snowy scenes around Bluffton this morning:

N-B Links: Wells in need of foster parents

Last fall the News-Banner published a 10-day, 12-part series on drugs in Wells County. A year later, we re-examine the continuing impact drugs have in our community.

The second part in a two-part series: Monday, Nov. 17 – Wells County Department of Child Services representatives talk about how substance abuse is playing a key role in the increasing need for foster parents in Wells County, while the Wells Circuit Court judge talks about the increasing number of children in need of services (CHINS) filings.

Also, hear from a new foster family about their decision to open their home to children who need it.


The Wells County Department of Child Services office has scheduled an open house for those interested in foster parenting. The event is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the office – 221 W. Market St. For more information from DCS on foster parenting, click here.

Year              # of CHINS cases

2008---------------------9
2009--------------------30
2010--------------------15
2011--------------------17
2012--------------------42
2013--------------------57
    2014--------------------86   

Source: Wells Circuit Court

To get a sense of the CHINS process, view the following 3-page flow chart. (Click to enlarge.)

For more information on the first part of the two-part series, click here, and pick up the Saturday, Nov. 15, News-Banner.

N-B Links: As predicted, heroin has arrived in Wells County

Last fall the News-Banner published a 10-day, 12-part series on drugs in Wells County. A year later, we re-examine the continuing impact drugs have in our community.

In the first part of a two-part series – Saturday, Nov. 15: Local drug investigators talk about what they're seeing in the community with heroin, and a therapist talks about changing the addiction stigma with education.

Scroll below for a heroin fact sheet from the Drug Enforcement Administration.


• There was a 2013 overdose in Wells County linked to a sandy brown, gritty, wet heroin. It almost looked like brown sugar.
 It was believed to have come here through Dayton, Ohio.

• Local officers are also seeing a “gravel,” gray, rocky heroin.
It is believed to be coming here through Fort Wayne via Chicago.

• There is also a “black tar” heroin, but it isn’t sought after here, officers say; it’s just not part of the local drug culture.



Sgt. Dan Mawhorr of the Indiana State Police will be in town for the second time this year to talk about drug abuse to the public.
This time, he will talk on prescription drug use and how it relates to the growing heroin problem. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Wells County Community Center, 1240 4-H Park Road in Bluffton.
Mawhorr will speak for two hours beginning at 2 p.m.
At 1:30 p.m, before his presentation, is the distribution of copies of the Wells County Substance Use Protocol, which includes substance use services available locally and other information on all types of substances. Bound manuals will be available to schools, agencies, companies, churches and similar groups to use.
The manual will also be available digitally.
Mawhorr, of the Fort Wayne ISP Post, spoke in February about the dangers of methamphetamine. He was undercover for nine years, spent six years with a meth lab team, and has been a district road sergeant for the last eight years, serving Wells, Adams, Blackford and Jay counties.

Learn more in the Saturday News-Banner.

Coming Monday, Nov. 17: Child removals are on the rise in Wells Circuit Court, causing an increasing need for foster parents.

N-B Video: 'Super load' travels through Bluffton

Crews transported a "super load" through Bluffton overnight Monday into Tuesday, Nov. 10 and 11. News-Banner Assistant Editor Dave Schultz narrates the scene. (Video by Dave Schultz; edited by Jessica Williams)

N-B Numbers: Wells County workforce in 2012

According to Stats Indiana Commuting Profiles for the tax year 2011, Wells County had a workforce of 13,635.

The following is breakdown in terms of how many came lived outside of the county but worked in Wells:
• Huntington – 434
• Allen – 578
• Adams – 748
• Jay – 256
• Blackford – 328


Here is a breakdown of people who lived in Wells but worked outside of the county:
• Huntington – 434
• Grant – 130
• Blackford – 122
• Adams – 588
• Allen – 2,972


These numbers were used in calculating how Haldrup USA's location to Ossian can impact the county's economy in the coming years. Learn more in the Saturday, Nov. 8, News-Banner.

N-B Videos: Governor and U.S. rep speak at Haldrup groundbreaking (2 of 2)

Ossian's new industry, Haldrup USA, broke ground Thursday. Learn more in the Friday, Nov. 7, News-Banner. Hear what officials had to say below. (Videos by Mark Miller)

N-B Videos: Haldrup and Ossian officials speak at groundbreaking (1 of 2)

Ossian's new industry, Haldrup USA, broke ground Thursday. Learn more in the Friday, Nov. 7, News-Banner. Hear what officials had to say below. (Videos by Mark Miller)

N-B Video: Democratic County Council victor ready to "push forward"

Hear from Chuck King, who defeated incumbent County Council member Phil Stoller Nov. 4. (Video by Jessica Williams)

N-B Video: Republican sheriff, commissioner celebrate

Hear from Wells County Sheriff and Wells County Commissioner District 1 victors at the Republican Headquarters Tuesday. (Video by Jessica Williams)

N-B Video: Republican chair congratulates, thanks after election

Wells County Republican Chair Ralph Garcia speaks to the party's supporters Tuesday after the election results were tallied. Learn more in the Wednesday, Nov. 5, News-Banner. (Video by Jessica Williams)

N-B Video: Democratic chair speaks after votes come in

Wells County Democratic Chair Stacia Henderson speaks after the votes are tallied. Learn more in the Wednesday, Nov. 5, News-Banner. (Video by Dave Schultz)

N-B Video: 2014 Wells Community Boys and Girls Club Chili Cook-Off

Saturday's Chili Cook-Off at the Wells Community Boys & Girls Club left several competitors without chili as the winners were announced. Learn who won in the Monday, Nov. 3, News-Banner.

Below is a video of the competition, and a photo of Kimberly Penrod's stand, which won best decorated. (Photo and video by Jessica Williams)