Clock Tower Terror

Jim Somers, custodian at Wells County Courthouse, is also the caretaker of the clock situated in the tower high above Main Street.
While taking a tour of the facility this week I couldn't help thinking it would be a great location for a haunted house. If only you didn't have to climb all
those winding stairs...

More candidates

More than 80 people, some friends of the candidates and others just interested voters, attended the 2008 election forum at the 4-H Park on Thursday.
The event was sponsored by the Wells County Farm Bureau and Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development. (Photos by Frank Shanly)

Local candidates make the rounds in Bluffton

Candidates from four contested Wells County government races made their final public forum appearances at the 4-H Park on Thursday.
Read Frank Shanly's story about it in today's News-Banner.

Bluffton 3rd graders visit History

It was a Field Trip for Bluffton 3rd graders this morning. Frank Shanly followed the students to the Wells County Museum, but they also visited the courthouse, Creative Arts Center, public library, Bluffton Fire Department and Elizabeth Miller's birthplace.

Ossian Halloween Carnival

Dozens of local families turned out for the Ossian Halloween Carnival Thursday night at the Ossian Health Care parking lot. The new Ossian Fire Truck was on display, a straw maze, free hot dogs and pretzels; and prizes for the children.
It was a beautiful autumn evening all-around.

Denim for a Difference Week

United Way is still looking for companies to join the Denim for a
Difference Week fundraising effort next week. So far, employees at more
than a dozen companies have joined in:

Edris, Brown, Johnson, Antrim and Brown-Stohler
Chamber of Commerce
Christian Care Retirement
Wells Fargo Bank
Bluffton Regional Medical Center
Star Insurance
PeopleLink
Bluffton Harrison MSD
Wells County Public Libraries
Northern Wells Community Schools
National City Bank
Franklin Electric Company
Dale & Huffman

Next week I'll be visiting some of these businesses and posting some nice photos of their great associates!

Area Bands Going to State

Seems everyone is behind the kids from Bluffton and Norwell who are heading to the state marching band finals at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.
Go Tigers! Go Knights!

Bluffton and Norwell bands in Semi-State

Both Bluffton and Norwell qualified for Indiana State Marching Band Competition to be held Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Good luck to both bands! (Photos by Frank Shanly)

Great Pumpkin Hunters

Saturday's Great Pumpkin Hunt at Lancaster Elementary was cold enough to keep all but the most dedicated pumpkin hunters at home with their hot cocoa.
Despite the temperature, hundreds of folks braved the cold for an annual event that brings out the kid in everyone. (Photos by Frank Shanly)

Congressman Pence Comes to Bluffton

Congressman Mike Pence visited Wells County today. First, he stopped by Norwell high School, then Republican headquarters in Bluffton.
Read all about it in Saturday's News-Banner.

Mileage Club Walkers

Here are a few more photos of the Lancaster Elementary School Mileage Club. Students at every Wells County public school are participating in the walking clubs, but I only made it around to a few.

I am always looking for information for this Blog.
Parents, teachers, or students, please feel free to e-mail photos to me at jerryb@news-banner.com I would be more than happy to Post them here. Just don't forget to include your name, and a description of what is happening in the photo.

Southern Wells Volleyball Spectacular

The Southern Wells Lady Raiders' volleyball team cruised to victory in its first match of the Daleville Class 1A Sectional 54 tournament on Thursday, Oct. 23.
The Lady Raiders eliminated White's in three games 25-3, 25-13, 25-7.

Before the match, the Lady Raiders lined up for player introductions.

No. 12 Liz Davis served 19 points for the Lady Raiders during one stretch of the match.

Mallory Preston (2) helped set up some of the big hits with 12 assists.

Senior Haley Killingbeck (10) was the recipient of some of Preston's assists, as Killingbeck is shown hammering one of her kills.

Assisting with the action during the match was sophomore libero Chelsea Adams (3), digging up a pass.

Finally, watching from the opposing team's bench is White's assistant coach Tyson Brooks, who graduated from Southern Wells in 1995. Besides helping coach volleyball, Brooks is in his fifth year of teaching science at the school located south of Wabash.
(Photos by Paul Beitler)

Pumpkin Decorators in Downtown Bluffton

More than a dozen kids turned out for the annual pumpkin carving and decorating contest at Bluffton City Gym on Thursday. The event, sponsored by Bluffton Parks Department, is just one of the many Halloween inspired programs they offered this month.

Student Clubs Walking for Their Health

Across Wells County groups of students are walking for good health.
Each of the last five years these students have agreed to walk twice a
week, rain or shine, some inside and some outside.
Teams from Bluffton-Harrison, Lancaster and Ossian
elementary schools are just a few of the teams participating this year.
For a complete list of schools, read the entire story in this weeks
News-Banner. (Contributed Photos)

Falling Into fashion

Creative Arts Council School of Ballet’s annual style show, “Fall into Fashion,” was held Sunday. Featuring outfits from Fashion Bug, Maurices, Trend and Wal-Mart of Bluffton and Old Navy of Fort Wayne. The models were ballet students and members of their families. (Photos by Barb Barbieri)