N-B Video: Bluffton fire chief recovers from fall

On Sunday, June 26, Bluffton Fire Chief Bob Plummer fell off a ladder and hit his head twice. Today, he has recovered and is sharing his story with the Bluffton News-Banner. See the Saturday, Aug. 13, News-Banner for all the details. (Video by Glen Werling)

N-B Video: Antques rumble through town

The Wells County Wheels of Yesteryear began its annual Antique Power Show and Festival Thursday, Aug. 12, with its regular parade through downtown Bluffton. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)

Highlights of the weekend:

• Opening parade on Thursday evening Aug. 11th
• 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
  

Journey to Africa

Bluffton resident Sarah Swanson, who is studying pre-med in college, spent the month of June at a hospital in Cape Town, Africa. You can read about her experiences in the hospital in the Thursday, Aug. 11, News-Banner, but you can see her adventures in that country here. We'll have more photos on tomorrow's "On the Beat" blog. (Photos provided)

Name that bison

The Ouabach State Park is looking for a name for its new bison, and you can use this form to suggest one. Simply click on the image to bring up a bigger version, then click on it again to bring up the full-sized version, and then print it. Return the form to either of the Ouabache State Park gates or main office. All names must be submitted by the close of the business day on Monday, Aug. 29. To learn more about the bison, see the Wednesday, Aug. 10, News-Banner.

New, high score

Bluffton-Harrison schools custodian Cary Stewart and Director of Maintenance Gary Schwartz install Monday another chunk of the scoreboard overlooking the north end zone before workers start laying the new turf Wednesday. Project officials say workers should finish the new field in time for Bluffton's first home football game, which is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 26. To see workers lay the field, purchase a copy of the Wednesday, Aug. 10, News-Banner. (Photo by Chet Baumgartner)

Crunching budget numbers

Every year, the Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District must approve an initial budget to submit to the state. From that budget, they create an initial rate, which is how much taxpayers will pay per every $100 of assessed value. From the rate, and other variables, the school determines how much revenue they'll receive, known as the levy. The state then determines how much it will initially appropriate.

Salaries make up a majority of the general funds.

N-B Video: Cruisin' hogs to fight cancer

Community members united Saturday, Aug. 6, for an all-day fundraiser to raise money to help cancer victims with bills and incidental costs. The day included a motorcycle ride, in which people could pay to participate. Learn more in the Monday, August 8, News-Banner. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)