N-B Photos: Park dedicated in Vera Cruz

Vera Cruz officials held a ribbon-cutting for new playground equipment at the town park Sunday afternoon. Also dedicated Sunday were plaques and trees in the park in honor of longtime Vera Cruz residents Harry Baumgartner Sr. and Don Bricker. (Photos by Dave Schultz)

Indiana University School Administrators Association- IU

N-B Photos: Ossian Days contest sees new prince, princess

The 2015 Ossian Days Prince and Princess contest contestants were:

• Rylee Plunkett, 6, daughter of Shawn and Chasity Plunkett
• Gracie Mae Hulvey, 4, daughter of Nick and Angela Hulvey
• Austin Parteko, 3, son of Corey and Rachel Parekto
• Jordyn Grzych, 4, daughter of Cale and Kaley Grzych
• Addison Privett, 5, daughter of Corey and Jessica Privett
• Camden Connett, 6, son of Kaylee Connett
• Becca McConn, 5, daughter of Terry and Beth McConn
• Alexis Mendez, 4, daughter of Joshua Mendez
• Alec Haag, 4, son of Adam and Jamie Haag

Learn more about who won in the Saturday, Sept. 12, News-Banner. (Photos by Jessica Williams)

BHS recognizes local emergency personnel on Patriot Day

Each year the student body at Bluffton High School holds a thank-you breakfast and Patriot Day convocation on Sept. 11. In addition to stats from the losses of New York and New Jersey personnel from that day 14 years ago, local stats were also presented:

• Bluffton Police employs 20 officers who have been dispatched nearly 10,300 times in the last year.

• The Wells County Sheriff's Department employs 16 and has responded to 6,700 calls in the last year.

• Bluffton Fire responded on 214 fire runs, including 12 house fires, in the last year.

• Wells County EMS has 18 full-time and 15 part-time medics in three stations. They helped 4,100 injured people and responded to 2,600 runs in the last year.

Learn more about Patriot Day at BHS in the Friday, Sept. 11, News-Banner. (Above photos by Jessica Williams)

N-B Numbers: County council conducts non-binding reviews

The Wells County Council conducted non-binding reviews of 2016 budgets Tuesday. For more from the meeting, pick up the Wednesday, Sept. 9, News-Banner. Here are some highlights of proposed 2016 budgets:

• City of Bluffton:
$50,000 – Rainy Day
$307,086 – Police pension
$692,900 – Parks and recreation

• Ossian:
$42,200 – Park

• Markle:
$7,061 – Casino/river boat
$250,000 – Rainy Day
$29,191 – Park

•Chester Township:
$5,000 – Township assistance
$22,500 – Fire

• Harrison Township:
$32,725 – Township assistance
$200,000 – Special fire protection territory general

• Jackson Township:
$9,904 – Township assistance
$20,000 – Fire

• Jefferson Township:
$34,117 – Township assistance
$38,972 – Fire

• Lancaster Township:
$41,850 – Township assistance

• Liberty Township:
$12,700 – Township assistance
$45,000 – Fire

•Nottingham Township:
$10,000 – Township assistance
$35,000 – Fire

• Rockcreek Township:
$7,000 – Township assistance
$22,000 – Fire

• Union Township:
$15,000 – Township assistance
 $35,000 – Fire

• Wells County Public Library:
$175,000 – Rainy Day
$357,100 – Debt service
$209,000 – Library improvement reserve