SWES Ice Cream Social

Parents Involved in Education sponsored the Southern Wells Elementary School Open House and Ice Cream Social on Monday. Money raised will go to support the PIE school events.

FFA Fundraiser

Southern Wells FFA Greenhand Chili Supper Member Auction Monday brought dozens of community minded folks out to support their local agricultural academic group. All money raised goes to support the FFA program at Southern Wells.

Markle's Wildcat Parade #2 of 2

Markle's Wildcat Parade #1 of 2

Farm Bureau Legislative Picnic

News-Banner Editor Glen Werling visited the Farm Bureau Legislative Picnic at Pribel Ag Products on Thursday. Senator Travis Holdman, Wells County Sheriff Bob Frantz, County Assessor Nilah Achliman and County Commissioner Scott Mossburg were there to answer questions and offer their views for the future of Wells County.



County Assessor Nilah Aschliman



Wells County Sheriff Bob Frantz (That's Detective Lt. Jim Paxton's voice in the background)
County Commissioner Scott Mossburg

Adopt-A-Pet!

Butterscotch is an 8 week old DSH Orange Tiger, male. He is a very sweet little guy!


Oreo is an 11 week old DMH Black/White, male. He is real affectionate

Tami Wuest: "Fighting Ferris Bueller"

Bluffton High School American history teacher Tami Wuest was the recipient of an $8,000 Lilly Endowment grant which she used to visit and study Washington D.C. Wuest will use her new knowledge and experience to prepare more interesting lesson plans for her students and ready them for a trip to the Capitol later this year. Wuest said she planned to do everything in her power to make certain "history is not boring" for her students.

Bluffton-Harrison schools recognized by Bennett

In his inaugural State of Education address Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana's superintendent of public instruction, recognized the efforts of Bluffton High School Principal Steve Baker and his "Commitment to Graduate" program for freshman students.
Baker's program has led to increased graduates rates at BHS, Bennett said, and Indiana Department of education would like to replicate the program at districts around the state.

Jericho 5K Fun Run

Cylie Krug (left), Mayor Ted Ellis, and Susan Gerber pose for a picture after the fun run race.


1st place finisher of the kids race, Ian Gerber stretches to the finish.


Take off! The start of the kids fun run race.



Christine Zadylak finishes the 5k with a smile.



1st place winner Halley Adington crosses the finish line.


Christine Zadylak strides out to the finish.


Chanda Cooley (left) and Kristen Glenn are all smiles at the beginning of the race.



Halley Edington (left) and Stephanie Baumgartner support each other throughout the race.

Adopt-A-Pet!

Prince is a 6 year old Pomeranian. Neutered male. Home without childen.


Buttons is a 4 year old DSH. Black/White, spayed and declawed in front. Home with no small children. Housecat Only!


*We have several fixed and de-clawed cats for adoption. Their adoption fee is only $10.00 All of them are very sweet!
Call now: 824-6063

Good handwriting=Good character

Yes, they still teach cursive writing at Bluffton-Harrison Elementary School. In fact, all Wells County public schools teach handwriting.
Lacey Bumgarner, fourth grade teacher at BHES, uses the new smartboard to help her demonstrate how to draw the cursive letters, while students follow along on old-fashioned slate boards using wet fingers to make markings.
Pretty cool mix of the new and the old....

Following on from Saturday's Duck Race on the Wabash......

.....and also my "Word of the Week" this week, you might want to check a couple of sites about the New Zealand town of Waipawa, and in particular, their annual duck race. 

 

To get straight to the duck race story, go to www.waipawa.com/duck-day-mainmenu-105

 

If you take time to explore the site a little more fully, you can learn a little more about Waipawa too. 

 

And, another site covering items from the general Hawkes Bay region that you might want to check out is http://ketechb.peoplesnetworknz.info/

 

Happy travelling!

Bluffton Regional Medical Center Receives Outstanding Patient Experience Award

Bluffton Regional Medical Center is among the top 10 percent in the nation for patient experience based on an analysis of patient surveys from 3,775 hospitals across the country by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. By placing in the top 10 percent, Bluffton Regional received the 2010/2011 HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™. David Thompson, SQI Consultant for HealthGrades, presented the award during a 1 p.m. ceremony today.

“Our associates and medical staff members are dedicated to not only meeting the physical needs of our patients but also providing the compassion and hometown touch that lets patients and family members alike know that they truly care,” said Vicki Hanselman, Bluffton Regional Chief Executive Officer. “It is rewarding to me to see them recognized for that dedication.”

“There are a select group of hospitals that have made a top-to-bottom commitment to providing their patients with an outstanding patient experience as part of their overall commitment to quality,” said Rick May, MD, a HealthGrades vice president. “Members of their community should take pride in knowing that, should they need it, there’s a hospital in their area that puts patients first.”

For the past 3 years, significant effort has been devoted at Bluffton Regional to making the process of care more patient-driven and patient-focused. Nurses and patient care techs have implemented an hourly rounding process. Patients participate in shift-change communication regarding their care. All hospital associates who enter patient rooms conduct an environmental assessment prior to leaving the room to ensure that things the patients need are within reach, the room is clean, and that the patient has water.

Under a program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, surveys are conducted with patients within 48 hours after their discharge. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, or HCAHPS, was collected between July 2008 and June 2009.

The 27 survey questions fall into the following 10 categories:
• Overall rating: How do patients rate the hospital overall?
• Recommendation to family/friends: Would patients recommend the hospital to friends and family?
• Communication with doctors: How often did doctors communicate well with patients?
• Communication with nurses: How often did nurses communicate well with patients?
• Responsiveness of hospital staff: How often did patients receive help quickly from hospital staff?
• Pain management: How often was patients' pain well controlled?
• Communication about medicines: How often did staff explain medicines before giving them to patients?
• Discharge information: Were patients given information about what to do during their recovery at home? (This question was the only yes/no measure.)
• Cleanliness: How often were the patients' rooms and bathrooms kept clean?
• Quietness: How often was the area around patients' rooms kept quiet at night?

The analysis of the HCAHPS surveys by HealthGrades found that 50% more patients gave Bluffton Regional and the other recipients of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award an overall rating of a 9 or a 10 (10 being the highest possible) compared to the poorest-performing 10% of hospitals. Similarly, 50 percent more patients reported that they would definitely recommend the hospital to their family and friends.

In addition, 29 percent more patients at the top-performing hospitals said that they rested better because their room was always kept quiet at night, and 39 percent more patients said that they always received help from staff quickly. Twenty-seven percent more patients reported that staff always explained their medications to them prior to administering them and 26 percent more patients reported that their nurses always communicated well.

Commitment to Graduate

Bluffton High School Principal Steve Baker met with the 2010 Freshman class Tuesday morning for the annual Commitment to Graduate Ceremony. During the ceremony, Baker requires every freshman student to sign a banner, promising they will graduate.
Baker takes it one step further, telling the students they are "not allowed to quit" and he will personally see to it they all make it to graduation day in 2014. The addition of a high school diploma to their resume, Baker said, means an extra $500,000 in lifetime earnings.

Back to school at the library

Bring your elementary-age kids to Back to School Night at the Wells County Public Library Thursday, Aug. 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and have their library cards wiped clean of fines or earn a $1 library buck. It’s a fun night that includes a scavenger hunt and snack. Plus, learn about the great services in the children’s room that can help your child through the school year. Bring the entire family and older children can browse in the teen room or use the public computers. For more information, call the children’s room at 260-824-1612 or visit www.wellscolibrary.org

Montpelier Civic Center

Construction is underway on Montpelier's new Civic Center.

A $200,000 USDA Rural Development grant completed the funding required to build the new Civic Center.

The Montpelier Community Builders, responsible for the planning and funding, are hoping to create a 10,000 square-foot recreation/community center on the corner of Main and Monroe Streets.

FCS annual Duck race raises record sum!

House Fire, Monday, 11:36 a.m., 803 S. Morgan

Emergency drill at Southern Wells

Several Wells County volunteer fire departments participated in an emergency drill saturday morning at Southern Wells High School Saturday. The scene was a vehicle crash between a truck hauling a tanker of ammonia and a school bus.
Remember, this was only a drill...

Hobby & Collector tonight

The Wells County Historical Society will hold its annual Hobby and Collector Show, Aug. 16 at Bluffton Harrison Elementary School, 1100 East Spring Street, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Hobbies such as Santa’s, Genealogy Books, fishing lures, postcards, coins, political buttons and others will be on display.
Several new exhibitors are taking part this year and previous exhibitors have new exhibits.
Light refreshments are available. There is ample parking. The building is also handicap accessible. To exhibit a collection call Laura at 824-3806

Wheels of Yesteryear rolls on

The 2010 Wheels of Yesteryear antique tractor fair finished up a weekend full of fun and events this past weekend at Wells County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Check out some of the fun!

Family Centered Services Annual Duck Race - #2 of 2

Family Centered Services Annual Duck Race - #1 of 2

As you can see from the pictures, it was a real scramble for the line in Family Centered Services annual Duck Race on the Wabash River by Kehoe Park Saturday afternoon. 

 

The full story will be in Monday's News-Banner. As you can see from the photos, a small group of ducks soon broke away from the pack and created their own little sprint for the line. Members of the Bluffton and Ossian fire departments oversaw the action in the water, making sure the ducks stayed on course. 

Wheels of Yesteryear 2010

All this weekend, enjoy the sights and sounds of antique tractors at the Wells County 4-H Fairgrounds. The annual Wheels of Yesteryear Antique Power Show & festival is there today, tomorrow and Sunday. With an admission of just $2, it is a good time for a low price.
This year's program features classic Minneapolis-Moline and White Farm equipment. A rarity for classic tractor collectors.
The Wheels of Yesteryear program includes an antique gas engine display, machinery field display, harvest demonstrations, a trading post and large flea market with parts and toy vendors.
There is also an antique farm tractor pull and garden tractor pull; an antique vehicle display, kiddie peddle pull; and tractor games for kids & adults.
There is also a pre-1840 pioneer encampment and quilt show.

Show organizer Ron Westfall, president of the Wheels of Yesteryear program, said this year's program was bigger and better than ever.

"We're expecting a much bigger crowd of participants this year. We already have more people signed up than we did last year," he said.
Dozens and dozens of tractors, thousands of people and one good time to be had by all.

Visit their website at www.wheelsofyesteryear.com

REGISTER NOW FOR PJ STORY HOUR

It's time to register your child for PJ Story Hour at the Wells County Public Library. Kids ages 3-6 will have fun, learn and develop valuable social skills with stories, fingerplays and crafts on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Free. Registration is required and can be made online at www.wellscolibrary.org, by calling the children's Room at 260-824-1612, or in person at the main library.

Indiana first to align teacher standards with Common Core

Indiana Department of Education Release:

In support of Indiana’s recent adoption of the Common Core State Standards, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson as its partner in developing new teacher standards as the state shifts to a content-focused approach to teacher licensure. IDOE and Pearson will establish comprehensive, rigorous teacher standards, making Indiana the first state in the nation to align these with the Common Core State Standards.

"Adopting the Common Core State Standards created the opportunity to take teacher licensure in Indiana to the next level and ensure all educators are well prepared to teach the subject areas in which they are licensed," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett. “We know teachers make the biggest difference in students’ success. In fact, a 2006 Brookings Institute study found having a top-quartile teacher rather than a bottom quartile teacher four years in a row would be enough to close the black-white test score gap. We are confident these new teacher standards will lead to higher quality instruction and improved achievement for all Indiana students, including helping us reach our 90-25-90 goals."

The teacher standards that Evaluation Systems develops for Indiana will not only align with the Common Core State Standards, but the Indiana Academic Standards, as well—covering five developmental areas and 46 content areas, including building and district level educator leaders. Finally aligning Indiana’s teacher standards to student standards should mean that teacher education programs will have a very clear roadmap of what content and pedagogy is most important to the future success of teachers and students.

"Indiana will lead the nation as the first state to align its teacher standards to the new Common Core standards and Evaluation Systems is proud to partner with Dr. Bennett and educators from around the state on this groundbreaking initiative," said Dr. William Gorth, president of Pearson’s Evaluation Systems group.

Evaluation Systems has more than three decades of experience developing, administering and scoring tests for prospective teachers in the United States and, through its custom work for states, has created teacher certification tests for more than 100 content fields, professional teaching skills and the basic skills of college-level reading, writing and mathematics.

Indiana selected Evaluation Systems through a request for proposal process. The group was selected in July and will begin work immediately to have the new teacher standards complete this winter.

For more information on IDOE’s action plan and 90-25-90 goals, please click here.

For more information on the Common Core State Standards, please click here.

For more information about the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, please click here.

Minton Memorial at OCC

On Saturday, children of all ages participated in activities to improve their knowledge of archery, bowhunting, water safety, and the compass.
Indiana Bowhunter Association and Ossian Conservation Club sponsored the eighth annual Ray Minton Memorial Youth Camp. (Video by Devan Filchak)

Wheels of Yesteryear coming this weekend!

Wheels of Yesteryear

Antique Power Show and Festival

August 13-14-15, 2010

State Road 1, Bluffton, Indiana

Located at the Wells County 4-H Park on the south edge of Bluffton

featuring "Minneapolis Moline and White Corporation" tractors and related equipment.

1959 and older - Minneapolis Moline tractors

1960 and newer White Corporation

includes White, Oliver, M-M, & Cockshutt

tractors and related equipment

M-M & White Equipment

Oil Field and Gas Engines of all kinds

CAR SHOW: Sunday Aug. 15

Registration: 8-12, Show and Judging 12-4

Trophies & Door Prizes

CARS<>

- TOY SHOW -

Opening parade on Thursday evening Aug. 12^th

Daily threshing and harvesting demonstrations, Machinery and equipment display

Tractor pulls Friday and Saturday evening

Garden tractor pull on Saturday morning, antique and modified

Antique car and truck display, Collectibles Exhibits, Toy Farmer displays

Trading Post - buy/sell farm collectibles, equipment and parts

"Be-Sew-Happy" quilt show and pre 1840 historic encampment

Several food vendors, craft and flea marketers, and toy sales

Biscuit & Gravy breakfast on Friday morning

Fish & tenderloin meal on Friday night, Chicken dinner Saturday night

Pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday morning

Sunday breakfast and worship services

Kid’s Peddle Pull Sat. 9:00

Kehoe Park Concerts Continue

The Outlaw Cowboys played Kehoe Park Sunday night. Visit our Showtime Blog for more video from Barb Barbieri.

Adopt-A-Pet

Blue is a 12 week old domestic short-haired, female


Lava & Tigger are 14 week old domestic short-haired, males

COPS cyclists

The annual COPS bicycle ride around Indiana passed through Bluffton yesterday. Led into town with a Bluffton Police Department escort the riders spent the night at Bluffton Inn & Suites before heading out again to finish their 1,000 mile ride.

BRMC Receives Gold Performance Award for Stroke Care

Bluffton Regional Medical Center has been presented with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award. The award recognizes hospitals successful in implementing nationally accepted standards and recommendations for stroke care for 24 consecutive months. Bluffton Regional is 1 of only 2 hospitals in the state of Indiana to receive this award.

To receive the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award, Bluffton Regional demonstrated 85% or better adherence in key measures for 24 or more consecutive months.

Bluffton Regional is one of only 13 hospitals in Indiana to be accredited as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission.

The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade or more as a result of increased stroke incidence and the aging of the American population. According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds; someone dies from a stroke every 3 minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

(Submitted Info)

MOST READ LIBRARY BOOKS FOR JULY

Looking for something different to read? Perhaps a novel told from a dog’s point of view or a guidebooks for welding farm equipment. These are just two topics from the most loaned books of July 2010 from the Wells County Public Library. Check them out:

Fiction
1) The art of racing in the rain, by Garth Stein. This novel has been selected as the book for the One Book, One County community read project. Copies of the book are available to loan or purchase. It’s the story of Enzo, a lab terrier mix, who rides shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off.
2) The telling, by Beverly Lewis. In book three of the Season’s of Grace series, Lettie ponders both long-ago choices and her decision to leave home on a quest to find her long-lost daughter.
3) A stranger’s wish, by Gayle Roper. Englischer Kristie Matthews’ move to an Amish family farm starts out with a mystery when an old man hands her a key and swears her to silence.
4) Return to sender, by Fern Michaels. Twenty years after Lin is rejected by her baby’s father she runs into him in New York. Now she must relive the heartbreak and choose forgiveness or revenge.
5) Dakota home, by Debbie Macomber. Book two of the Buffalo Valley series continues with a possible romance for the new owner of the general store and a local rancher with deep scars.

Non-Fiction
1) The Dutch Delight: a collection of recipes from Bluffton. These recipes from local residents continue to top the most read books at the library.
2) Three weeks with my brother, by Nicholas Sparks. Bestselling author Sparks chronicles a three-week trip around the world with his older brother, Micah, that takes them to Guatemala's Mayan ruins, Easter Island, the killing fields in Cambodia and Ethiopian rock cathedrals.
3) New backyard idea book, by Natali Ermann Russell. Discover hundreds of fresh ideas and unique solutions for making the most of one’s outdoor space with large and small projects.
4) The farm welding handbook, by Richard Finch. Step-by-step guide to set up a farm-specific welding shop. The focus is on oxyacetylene gas and arc welding with wire-feed MIG welding for soft metals also covered.
5) This time together, by Carol Burnett. Comedy legend Carol Burnett looks back fondly on her long and successful career in short, easily digestible chapters that part the curtain on her private life.

For more information about checking out books at the Wells County Public Library, stop by the main or Ossian Branch or visit www.wellscolibrary.org

Kehoe Park Concerts Continue

Blue River Big Band played at Kehoe Park on Sunday. Hundreds (including News-Banner Editor Dave Schultz) gathered by the Wabash River to enjoy their soothing melodies and 'Big band' music.

Adopt-A-Pet!

Dipstick and Olive are brothers. They are DSH Tabby/white neutered and declawed males. Both are current on FDRP, Leuk vaccines, worming and flea treated. Adoption fee is only $10.00 HOUSECATS ONLY!

*We have several fixed and de-clawed cats for adoption. Their adoption fee is only $10.00 All of them are very sweet!
Call now: 824-6063