N-B Video: "Spraypainting" with straw

How do you cover 150 pounds worth of grass seed spread out over a large area? Ask the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)

Murder vs. reckless homicide

Yesterday, Wells County Prosecutor Michael Lautzenheiser changed the charge against Bruce K. Pond, 46, from reckless homicide to murder.

Murder, according to Indiana code, is
Sec. 1. A person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally kills another human being;
(2) kills another human being while committing or attempting to commit arson, burglary, child molesting, consumer product tampering, criminal deviate conduct, kidnapping, rape, robbery, human trafficking, promotion of human trafficking, sexual trafficking of a minor, or carjacking;
(3) kills another human being while committing or attempting to commit:
(A) dealing in or manufacturing cocaine or a narcotic drug (IC 35-48-4-1);
(B) dealing in or manufacturing methamphetamine (IC 35-48-4-1.1);
(C) dealing in a schedule I, II, or III controlled substance (IC 35-48-4-2);
(D) dealing in a schedule IV controlled substance (IC

35-48-4-3); or
(E) dealing in a schedule V controlled substance; or
(4) knowingly or intentionally kills a fetus that has attained viability (as defined in IC 16-18-2-365);
commits murder, a felony.
As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.25; P.L.326-1987, SEC.2; P.L.296-1989, SEC.1; P.L.230-1993, SEC.2; P.L.261-1997, SEC.3; P.L.17-2001, SEC.15; P.L.151-2006, SEC.16; P.L.173-2006, SEC.51; P.L.1-2007, SEC.230.

Reckless homicide, according to Indiana code, is
Sec. 5. A person who recklessly kills another human being commits reckless homicide, a Class C felony.

Source: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title35/ar42/ch1.html

N-B Video: Cool ... clear ... water

The intense heat and little moisture might make for an uncomfortable summer, but it makes it easier on Bluffton's water filtration plant. Watch the video to learn how they monitor that comfort, and see the Thursday, August 4, News-Banner to learn why high heats work just well for the water filtration plant. (Video by Dave Schultz)

Northern Wells school technology sees updates

Jeff Miller, the director of technology in the Northern Wells school district, shared with board members at their Tuesday, Aug. 2, the following technology upgrades in the district's four schools:

High School
• Upgrade computers in D4, D11 and D21.
• Install Smartboards in Math Classrooms.
• Mount Projectors in D1, D4, D11 classrooms.
• Install Smartboards in D5, D7 Vocational Funding.
• Upgrade Laptops in Science (60 Laptops).

Middle School
• New laptops for room 224 lab.
• Re-distribute these machines to room 110.
• Update room 113 with newer machines from NHS Library Lab.
• Upgrade computers in NMS Library Lab, 218.
• Mount Projectors in 6 classrooms.
• Install Smartboards in Math Classrooms (5).
• Expand Carl Ring’s lab by 5 machines.

Ossian Elementary
• Install Smartboards in 5th Grade Classrooms.
• Install Smartboards in 4th Grade Classrooms.
• Upgrade labs in room 10, 21 and 22. (90 machines).
• Upgrade student machines in Kindergarten with old lab 21 machines.
• Upgrade 1st and 2nd Grade Student machines with old Lab10 and Lab22 machines.
• Reduce the number of printers/copiers in the building.

Lancaster Central Elementary
• Install Smartboards in 5th Grade Classrooms.
• Install Smartboards in 4th Grade Classrooms.
• Upgrade labs in APod, BPod and CPod (90 machines).
• Upgrade student machines in Kindergarten with APod machines.
• Upgrade 1st and 2nd Grade machines with BPod and CPod Lab old computers.

No. 1 Priority
• Staffing level needs improved to a level that allows project work and support work to progress on a timely fashion without “crises mode” directing our efforts.
• Re-establish what a classroom should look like since we have all NEW administrators.
• Align our Technology Strategy with the Strategic Plan.
• Establish “Bring your own” device policies at NHS/NMS.

Future Items to be considered ...
• Data Warehouse Future?
• Scanner (OpScan 4U) to import to PowerTeacher.
• PowerSchool on a hand held device via Smartphones.
• Distance learning - hardware to do this? Skype? Staff Development?
• Moodle - Online learning communities?
• Broadcasting solution at NHS (Source from Cafe, Auditorium, Gym, etc.)?
• Administrative Handbook for PowerSchool, PowerTeacher, Progress Reports, etc. to be given to teachers on 1st day back.?
• Principal Laptops?
• Staff Laptops?
• Smart Boards (what grade levels make sense?)

For more about the Tuesday, Aug. 2, school board meeting, see the Wednesday, Aug. 3, News-Banner.

N-B Video: City officially opens new walking path

The City of Bluffton partnered with the Bluffton-Harrison school district to build a walking path from Wayne Street to the elementary school. Mayor Ted Ellis and Superintendent Wayne Barker cut the ribbon Tuesday. Learn more in the Wednesday, August 3, News-Banner. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)

National Night Out tonight

Tonight, more than 37 million Americans are expected to leave their porch lights on in a symbolic gesture that is meant to raise awareness about crime. The night, organized by, National Association of Town Watch. Bluffton is listed as a locally registered community.

Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out 2010.

Along with this traditional display of lights, communities also hold block parties, cookouts and visits from local police.

To learn more, go to the National Night Out's website at http://www.nationaltownwatch.org.

N-B Video: Brother helps Bluffton sister win car

Monasue Coffield (foreground in the video) reacts as she learns how her brother, Jim Miller Jr., nominated her to receive a 2002 Lincoln Continental. The brother submitted a letter stating why she should receive the prize.