N-B Video: Olympic spirit ignites in Bluffton

The Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department held its inaugural "Olympic Fun Day" at Pickett's Run Park Saturday, July 28. During the event, 18 kids ran a relay, while carrying a foam torch, from Pickett's Run Park to Hardee's to the White Bridge, and then back to Hardee's before finishing where they started. Afterward, the kids lit the department's version of the Olympic Torch. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)

Ossian residents lose 185 pounds together

Ossian residents Josh and Heather Barkley have lost 185 pounds; he's lost 145 and she's lost 40.
Their methods include CrossFit exercise and paleo dieting.

According to www.fortwaynestrengthandconditioning.com, CrossFit is "the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide."

The paleo diet is based on the belief that people can eat healthier if they base their meals off of food from thousands of years ago. The site www.everydiet.org/diet/paleo-diet says: "Many foods are restricted on this diet for the reason that that they were not available to our prehistoric ancestors. These include all processed foods, sugar, salt, grains, legumes, dairy products, coffee and alcohol."

At a CrossFit competition back in May, a representative from Reebok heard the Barkleys' story and interviewed them. Here's the video:

To learn more about the Barkleys, see the Saturday, July 28, News-Banner.

Bluffton Boot Camp kids survive week of training

Friday was the last day for this summer's Bluffton Boot Camp, put on by the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department and the Bluffton Police Department. The 25 campers conducted morning physical training exercises, marches, competitions and a 1.25-mile relay – all before camp graduation.

Sergeant Jim Mettler of the BPD leads the campers in squats, marching and push-ups. (Photos by Jessica Williams)

Turning tragedy into triumph

Alicia Hill, director of the House of Hope Northeast Indiana, recently reunited with a former student and his wife who were visiting Bluffton on his way to see family. While visiting, the two reflected on a common tragedy that changed their lives, and they also shared how Wells County residents can work to prevent future tragedies. Learn more about their story in the Friday, July 27, News-Banner.

Those who want to learn more local efforts to help families and youth can contact any of the plethora of nonprofits in Wells County.

• AFH (A Friend’s House) Ministries, 1001 South Clark Ave., Bluffton. 877-821-5556, Fax 260-824-5165 or www.afriendshouse.net.
• Boys & Girls Club — Wells Community Boys & Girls Club Inc., 1410 South Wayne St., 260-824-5070. Lisa Christen, executive director.
• Citizens Against Drug Abuse of Wells County Inc., P.O. Box 89, Bluffton, IN 46714. Chelli Gamble, president. Info at 260-824-6412 or www.wellscounty.org/cada.htm
• Community & Family Services, 1100 South Main St., 3rd floor, Bluffton Regional Medical Center South, Bluffton. 260-824-4836. Pat Shelley, community services specialist.
• Family Centered Services, 123 South Marion St., P.O. Box 207, Bluffton. 260-824-8574, FAX 260-824-2790. www.familycenteredservices.org
• House of Hope Northeast Indiana, P.O. Box 311 Bluffton, IN 46714. 260-824-4774. http://www.houseofhopenei.org.
  
• Loving Shepherd Ministries, 112 North Marion St., Bluffton. 260-824-9000.
• United Way of Wells County, 122 LaMar St., Suite 118, Bluffton, 260-824-5589. FAX 260-824-2217. Pamela Beckford, executive director. www.unitedwaywells.org.
• Youth for Christ Adams, Blackford, Grant, Jay Wells Counties, 1515 Sutton Circle Dr. North (setback street from St. Rd. 1 north), P.O. Box 431, Bluffton. 260-824-1330.

For a complete list of nonprofits, clubs and organizations, see the Wells County 2012 Fact Book at the News-Banner's office.

Parents — and schools — get ready for the 2012-2013 school year

Wells County's three public schools are scheduling registration and orientation sessions starting next week to prepare students for the 2012-2013 school year. To learn more, see the Thursday, July 26, News-Banner.

Parents, however, are preparing for the school year with back-to-school shopping, though the National Retail Federation reports that the economy has impacted shopping habbits.

To learn more about back-to-school shopping in 2012, click here.

I-69 adds 200 miles, Markle exit to become 286

The I-69 expansion in southern Indiana will add 200 miles to the interstate, cutting across the state. Due to federal regulations, exit numbering must begin at the southern-most point in the interstate; Exit 0 in Indianapolis will become Exit 200 and Exit 86 at Markle becomes Exit 286, as exits all the way up through the Michigan-Indiana line will just add 200.

Click the images below to enlarge. There is a quick reference guide to exits in northern Indiana, a map and a document with more information, including how GPS units will be updated with new numbers. The images are courtesy of the Indiana Department of Transportation and Asher Agency.

For more information, see the Thursday, July 26, News-Banner.

N-B Video: Bluffton Boot Camp kids "Steal the Bacon"

Participants in the 2012 Bluffton Boot Camp competed Tuesday morning over "bacon"; AKA, a towel. While playing "Steal the Bacon," campers were called upon based on their assigned numbers – going head-to-head against a camper with the same number on the other team – to race to the "bacon" in the middle and back. Those who didn't get the towel could tag the one who did and earn their team points. But if campers who got the towel made it back safely, they earned their team points. Some used strategy and some just full-out ran. (Video by Jessica Williams)

Bluffton graduate dedicates year to Poland

Bluffton High School graduate Lauren Petersen recently returned from a year-long trip to Poland, where she taught at Wroclaw University as a Fulbright scholar, and while there, she swam in the "melting pot of cultures," learned to navigate the bus system, purchased food at the market and more.

Learn more about her adventures in the Tuesday, July 24, News-Banner, and you can also read about her by browsing her blog by clicking here.

Click on the following links to learn more about Poland:
• CIA World Factbook
• Poland's official travel website
• Lonely Planet Travel Guide

To learn more about the Fulbright Scholarship program, click here.

N-B Slideshow: 2012 Iron Kids Triathlon

Photos by Jessica Williams

N-B Video: 2012 IronKid Triathlon participants want to come back next year

Nearly 100 kids participated in the IronKid Triathlon in Bluffton Saturday, making it the largest turnout in the program's history. Local triathletes, Owen Newsom, Brenner Newsom and Kara Grover, talk about their favorite parts and coming back next year. Learn more in the Monday, July 23, News-Banner. (Video by Jessica Williams)

Full results are below.

Nine-year-old Colleen Caylor, of Ossian, finished the IronKid Triathlon Saturday,
even after her bike chain broke, forcing her to jog both the
running portion and the bike portion. She was the last one in,
but stands proudly (above) after receiving her
participation medal. (Photo by Jessica Williams)

Click the results below to enlarge:

For more pictures, click here.

Learning some bike safety

Bluffton Police Department Bike Patrol Officer Josh Smith presented bike safety tips and assisted with demonstrations Friday afternoon in the Bi-County Services parking lot. Members of the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club were able to participate in an obstacle course and a "slow race" – all while on a bike. Walmart donated a bike to raffle off. Bluffton Lions Club sponsored the event. (Photos by Jessica Williams)

Traedon West, 9, reacts after missing the water bottle he was supposed to pick up during the bike safety obstacle course.

Ah'Taya Beard, 6, somewhat successfully picks up the water bottle during the obstacle course – she wasn't supposed to put her foot down.

Adopt-A-Pet

Byson is a 2-year-old gray DSH male. Very friendly.

Boston is a 9-week-old black DSH male. He loves people, as he was a bottle-fed baby.

Sweetie is a 12-week-old DLH Tiger and a white female. Her name describes her; she is a sweet girl!

iPads are coming

Bluffton-Harrison officials announced the following informational meetings for parents and students to learn about the new iPads. Learn more at the district's website.

N-B Video: Mayors nationwide flock to Bluffton

Mayors from cities large and small arrive at T.W. Fable's during the National League of Cities' during a series of meetings. Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis is currently serving as the NLC's president. Learn more in the Saturday, July 14, News-Banner. (Video by Barbara Barbieri)

Where is northeast Indiana going?

A look at vehicles' dashboards can tell people how fast they’re going, how much gas is left, where the next exit is on the interstate, what’s playing on the sound system and more.

Could it be that easy to see how a 10-county region is doing economically?

Officials with the Northeast Indiana Regional Dashboard hope so. John Stafford, director of the Community Research Institute at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, and Katy Silliman, director of the Northeast Indiana Fund’s Vision 2020 project, came to Bluffton Thursday to explain the Northeast Indiana Dashboard — an "apples-to-apples" comparison of similar regions throughout the nation.

The following numbers come from Thursday's report about Northeast Indiana. To read the entire report, click here. To learn more, see the Friday, July 13, News-Banner.

No region was immune from the effects of the recessions, but Northeast Indiana experienced a 14.1% decrease in Change in Employment from 2000 to 2010, making this one of the harder hit areas, ranking below both the Stars and the Peers. Click here to learn more.



When measured in terms of Change in Per Capita Income, the region’s growth was one of the worst in the comparison areas, performing below the Stars and the Peers in both the short-term and the long-term. With a 22.6% change from 1999 to 2009, the region is not even keeping up with inflation. Click here to learn more.



From 2001 to 2010, Northeast Indiana’s increase of 12.1% in Change in Gross Metro Product is competitive and outpaces the Peers; however, in the long-term view the Stars still perform significantly better. (Due to data availability, GMP is used in place of Gross Regional Product –GRP). Click here to learn more.


From 2001 to 2010, an increase of 17.3% in Change in Productivity shows that Northeast Indiana is competitive with the Stars in this measure; however, continued improvement is needed to perform at the level of the Stars. Click here to learn more.



From 2000 to 2010, Northeast Indiana saw a decrease of 10.5% in Change in Young Adult Population (age 25-44), showing that the region has not kept pace with either the Stars or Peers. Click here to learn more.

IronKid Triathlon route

Take a peek at the route at least 80 kids will be competing on during the IronKid Triathlon Saturday, July 21. The kids will swim, bike and then run.
Three local children – brothers Owen and Brenner Newsom and Kara Grover – have been practicing for the event for weeks. To see how their training has been going, check out the Friday, July 13, News-Banner. Then pick up the paper after the event to hear how they did.

Adopt-A-Pet

Remmie is 14 week old Tiger/white DSH, male. Very loving as he was a bottle fed kitten. Inside cat only

Felix and Chester are 4 month old Black, DSH males. Friendly & playful.

Remmie is 14 week old Tiger/white DSH, male. Very loving as he was a bottle fed kitten. Inside cat only.

How does Wells County compare? Find out Thursday

N-B Video: Vintage steam engine rolls through Bluffton

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society's restored Nickel Plate Road steam engine 765 passes through Bluffton Wednesday afternoon. The engine was headed north on the line. In tow behind it was four passenger cars and Norfolk Southern's "heritage unit" painted in Nickel Plate Road colors. (Video by Michael Lampman)

State releases ISTEP scores

The Indiana Department of Education released on Tuesday statewide ISTEP scores for the 2011-2012 school year. To learn more about Wells County school performances, see the Wednesday, July 11, News-Banner. Click on the images below for higher resolutions.

For more data, and references for parents, click here.

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society restored train rolls through Bluffton

Bluffton residents Claren and Joyce Gehring used their cell phone to take this picture of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society's restored Nickel Plate Road steam engine 765 while it passed through Bluffton this morning. The engine was headed south on the line. In tow behind it was four passenger cars and Norfolk Southern's "heritage unit" painted in Nickel Plate Road colors. Destination of the train is unknown.

N-B Video: Fire heavily damages house at 523 W. Wabash St.

Learn more in the Tuesday, July 10, News-Banner. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)

Thirsty?

Though the temperatures have dropped, people should still drink plenty of fluids during the summer, particularly if they're outside quite a bit during the 4-H Fair. Consider using this guide from Bluffton Regional Medical Center to keep track.

N-B Video: Kehoe concerts bring island vibe

The group "Island Vibe" opens up the annual Kehoe Park concert series Sunday, July 8, with its Caribbean groove. The public could also complete in the annual tropical shirt competition as well. (Video by Dave Schultz)

N-B Video: "Trains in the garden"

Two trains casually roll through the garden of Larry and Nancy Leitz of Williams Wells Circle during the annual Psi Iota Xi Garden Walk on Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8. Learn more in the Monday, July 9, News-Banner. (Video by Dave Schultz)

County residents concerned about manure lagoons

The concerned residents of Jackson and Chester townships approached the Area Plan Commission Thursday, July 5, requesting a review of the county zoning ordinance, specifically with regard to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and manure lagoons.

The catalyst for their appearance was the pond currently being built by Ronald A. Mang, on his property at 1100S-600W.

To learn more about their concerns, see the Friday, July 6, News-Banner.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management offers the following information about CAFOs.

The terms CFO and CAFO relate to the size of the CFO. A Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) is a CFO that meets the threshold animal numbers for a large CAFO in the chart below. Many of the program’s requirements apply to CFOs of all sizes. Some requirements apply only to CAFOs.

CAFO Threshold Numbers:
700 mature dairy cows
1,000 veal calves
1,000 cattle other than mature dairy cows
2,500 swine above 55 pounds
10,000 swine less than 55 pounds
500 horses
10,000 sheep or lambs
55,000 turkeys
30,000 laying hens or broilers with a liquid manure handling system
125,000 broilers with a solid manure handling system
82,000 laying hens with a solid manure handling system
30,000 ducks with a solid manure handling system
5,000 ducks with a liquid manure handling system

How many CAFOs are there in Indiana?
There are approximately 625 CAFOs in the state. This represents 20 percent of the IDEM regulated farms.

What percentage of the animals do the CAFOs produce?
IDEM estimates they produce 80 percent of the animals at regulated farms.

What are a few of the additional requirements CAFO operators must follow?
• Weekly inspections of their waste storage facilities
• Develop a Soil Conservation Practice Plan for all manure application sites controlled by the CAFO
• Develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for the area immediately around the production barns
• Submit an annual report to IDEM
• Adjust land application rates based on nitrogen and phosphorus

How do local land use requirements affect IDEMs jurisdiction over approving a new CFO/CAFO farm?
IDEM must perform the process that state law and regulations have provided. IDEMs approval does not relieve the farm from complying with any local zoning requirements.

The Purdue University Extension Office also has created several publications discussing CAFOs' impact on the economy, environment and more. Find these publications and more by clicking here.

For additional information:
• IDEM Toll Free Number: (800) 451-6027, then give the operator the listed extension number
• Confined Feeding Operation Approval Questions: (317) 232-4473
• Compliance Questions: (317) 308-3016

Man builds replica of county church

An exact replica of Boehmer United Methodist Church was created by church member Ron Bradford in honor of the church's 125th anniversary.

It was featured on the church's Salamonie Summer Festival parade float.

Bradford took three different pictures at three different angles to design his 3D replica. He designed and built the model in his barn. It took him 30 hours, from start to finish.

A weekend of celebrations for the anniversary is scheduled for July 6-8. Click here for the schedule. You can still sign up for their 5K as well.

For more information visit www.news-banner.com or see the Thursday, June 28, News-Banner.

N-B Video: Fireworks light up Fourth of July sky over Bluffton

Videos by Chet Baumgartner. See our photo slideshow at www.news-banner.com.

When in the course of human events

As the nation begins to celebrate its birthday tomorrow, we present to you the words that started it all:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

2011 Bluffton fireworks

Bombs can now burst in air

Because of state law, city officials will no longer ban fireworks as part of its burn ban, and county officials have lifted the ban in the county, but before you light off that next firecracker, consider the following article from Reuters:

You may not think about fireworks as weapons, but that's essentially what they are — gunpowder in canisters lit with fuses that blow up.

It's this lax attitude about fireworks and fireworks safety that lead to horrible fireworks injuries. Here we'll discuss fireworks laws in your state (they're not legal in every state) as well as fireworks safety tips.

First the laws. All 50 states have their own laws regarding the purchase and use of fireworks. In 40 of the states plus the District of Columbia, some type of fireworks use is allowed. The states that don’t allow fireworks include; Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. In addition, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, and Vermont allow only sparklers and other "novelty" items. Arizona is the only state that allows only "novelty" items.

Also, most states have an age requirement to purchase fireworks. So 8-year-old Johnny can't just walk out of a store with a bunch of M-80s -- though some states like California do allow fireworks sales to children as young as 12.

After legally purchasing fireworks, you'll need to know about fireworks safety. Each year, more than 100 fireworks injuries are reported. Some tips for safe handling of fireworks include:

• Use fireworks outdoors only.
• Always have water handy.
• Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and soak the dud in a bucket of water.
• Don't use homemade fireworks.
• Make sure you're sober before lighting the fuse.

Keep these fireworks safety tips and laws in mind to help eliminate fireworks injuries. Have a safe and fun Fourth of July.

For more tips, see the National Council on Fireworks Safety.

N-B Video: 11 teams raise money for Relay for Life

The revitalized Wells County Relay for Life, a major fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society, drew a good crowd to the Bluffton High School football field Saturday, June 30, welcoming eight new teams along with three previous ones. Officials also expected to make the $20,000 goal this year. (Video by Dave Schultz)

Warren's Salamonie Summer Festival

Despite the storms, the Salamonie Summer Festival activities pushed on this past weekend.
The attendance, however, was low, Warren Town Marshal Dennis Spitler said.
Friday's big concert at the Wagon Wheel Cafe, featuring former American Idol contestant and national recording artist Bucky Covington, was held late that evening.
And besides a concert on Sunday by another band, which was canceled when a second storm system passed through the area, all the scheduled events on Saturday and Sunday were held, said Bonnie Boxell, festival staff member and this year's Samuel Jones Pioneer Award winner.
She and her late husband, "Big Ron," were honored Friday morning with the Pioneer Award. Boxell was due to ride in Friday evening's parade for the award, but it was rescheduled for Saturday afternoon after the storm passed through.
"I'd (have) much rather watched it," she said Monday of her "nice honor."
Spitler said 40 to 50 percent of the town had power by Friday evening, with the remaining town residents regaining power early Saturday morning.