Adopt a pet

Bandit is a 3-year-ld black lab male

Callie is a 6-month-old female domestic short-hair calico kitten.

Lexi is an 8-month-old female Doberman mix.

House page program now accepting pages for 2013 session

From the office of State Rep. Matt Lehman:

State Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) is encouraging local students to apply for the Indiana House Page Program. The program offers students 13 to 18 years old the chance to visit the Statehouse and see a full day of legislative activity.

“It is a privilege to have our young Hoosiers join me at the Statehouse,” said Rep. Lehman. “The House Page Program gives students the opportunity to see firsthand how our state legislature works and serves as a great opportunity to learn more about Indiana.”

Along with visiting the capitol building and touring such locations as the governor's office, the chambers of the Indiana House and Senate and the Indiana Supreme Court, pages get the chance to witness floor sessions and committee meetings and help staff members.

Students who serve as pages are excused from school for the day. Pages are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Statehouse.

Interested students are encouraged to schedule their visit quickly, as spots fill up fast. Pages are asked to include two different dates when they can come to the Statehouse between the first week in January through April. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best days to serve. There are no pages on Fridays. To sign up, visit www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/off_cms/page or call 1-800-382-9841.

Also, learn more about the upcoming session in the Wednesday, Jan. 2, News-Banner.

Santa comes to Markle

Family Centered Services sponsored its 12th annual Breakfast with Santa Dec. 8 at the Markle United Methodist Church for parents and children who participate in the Wells County Healthy Families program. 

This year 78 people from 21 families attended Breakfast with Santa, which included refreshments, gifts for each child and family and, of course, pictures on Santa’s lap. Donors and volunteers who made this event possible were Markle United Methodist Church, the Huntington North High School family and consumer science class, and Dave Schwartz and Kristi Reinhard.

How to buy a gun in Indiana

Following the Dec. 14 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, many have called for tighter gun control laws. This has led to a rapid increase of gun sales across the country, including Bluffton's 21st Century Firearms.

Here is a list of frequently asked questions about owning a gun in Indiana. For more information, see the Friday, Dec. 28, edition of The News-Banner.

Q: What do I need to buy a gun?

A: To purchase a long gun (shotgun or rifle) you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Indiana or a bordering state (Illinois residents may face restrictions). To buy a handgun, receiver, pistol gripped shotgun, or NFA firearm you must be at least 21 years old and a resident of Indiana. For all firearm purchases you must present a valid photo ID that includes your current address (drivers license, state ID card, military ID w/ current orders). The actual buyer must also complete ATF Form 4473 and be granted a proceed response to a "national instant criminal search" or "NICS" background check. The check takes about 5 minutes to complete ( This does not apply to NFA firearms ).

Q: I am a resident of another state, can I buy a gun in Indiana?

A: If you are a resident of a state bordering Indiana you may buy a long gun (Illinois residents may face restrictions). If you are a resident of a state other than Indiana, you may still buy either a long gun or handgun, but we must ship the gun to another federal firearm license dealer (FFL) in your state of residence. The FFL in your state will perform the NICS check and often charge about $25 for the service. The buyer is responsible for shipping charges.

Q: Is there a waiting period to buy a gun?

A: Indiana law does not require a waiting period. However, if a person receives a "Delayed" response from NICS the firearm cannot be transferred for up to 3 business days, while they continue their review. If we do not hear from NICS after three business days we may transfer the gun(s) to the buyer at our discretion.

Q: Are silencers and machine guns legal to own in Indiana?

A: It is legal for Indiana residents to own National Firearms Act (NFA) defined firearms. These include silencers, machine guns, short barreled rifles (SBR), and any other weapons (AOW). A “Tax Stamp” is required for ownership and costs a one time fee of $200.00 per firearm. The application for the tax stamp is submitted to the BATFE and can take from 60-120 days to be approved.

Q: How do I obtain a License to Carry a Handgun (LTCH) in Indiana?

The application is really a two part process beginning with a recommendation from your local law enforcement agency and then the application is sent to the Indiana State Police.  The Indiana State Police Superintendent is charged with the responsibility of actually issuing the license and administering the licensing program. An application is currently composed of three separate documents: 1) the original application, 2) the supplemental application, and 3) a blue FBI applicant fingerprint card. A money order or certified check made payable to the state of Indiana for the proper amount must be included.

Source: 21st Century Firearms of Bluffton

Ice wreaks havoc on county roads

The snow and ice from Wednesday's snow storm caused multiple accidents, and though no one was seriously injured, one driver severed a utility pole, causing a wire to fall across his car.

Though the wire was apparent not conducting electricity, electrical experts offer the following truth behind common myths to stay safe in similar situations, and learn more about the accidents in the Thursday, Dec. 27, News-Banner.

1. Tires are electrical insulators

Tires are electrical conductors, not insulators. It is true that you are safe in your vehicle when a live wire falls on it. But that's because electricity always seeks the easiest path to the ground. If you remain in the vehicle, the path of the electricity will be on the outside of the vehicle, through the tires, and into the ground. As long as we do not provide a path to the ground through our body the electricity will not enter it. So when an electrical wire falls on your vehicle, stay in your vehicle until help arrives and the power is shut off by the utility company. If you have to get out of your car because of a life-threatening situation, jump out with both feet together, making sure that you are not touching any part of the vehicle when your feet hit the ground and hop or shuffle at least 30 feet away.



 2. Power lines are insulated

Ninety percent of outside power lines are not insulated. There may be a weather coating over the wire that provides no insulation or protection from electric shock. Further, the lines that are insulated are exposed to the rigors of weather, so you never know what condition the insulation is in. No line is safe to touch or approach too closely, ever.



3. Only high voltage is dangerous

Voltage is the pressure that pushes electricity along, like water though a hose. Amperage (amp), the amount of electricity in any given spot, is what will hurt or kill you. It takes less than one quarter of one amp to put a heart into ventricular fibrillation (irregular beating). Most residents have at least 100-amp service coming into their houses. Many residents have 200-amp service.



4. When a wire falls to the ground, it automatically shuts off

Always treat a downed wire as energized until the utility company has shut it off and stated it is safe! Keep at least 300 feet away (two full pole spans) for downed wires.



5. When a live wire falls, it makes sparks

A power line sparks if it falls to the ground and does not make firm contact with the ground or other material. When a wire falls to the ground and makes firm contact, it will often make no noise or sparks, and will give the impression of being de-energized. Always treat a downed wire as energized until the utility company has shut it off and stated it is safe! Keep at least 300 feet away (two full pole spans) from downed wires.



6. Wood is an insulator

Wood is in fact a conductor, though not a good one. The molecules in wood are far apart, so it becomes difficult for electricity to jump from molecule to molecule. But the higher the voltage, the easier it is for electricity to move through wood. And if the wood is damp, it changes the equation and wood becomes a good conductor, even at low voltage. So be careful standing on a wooden crate to turn on your main fuse box or when you use a wooden ladder.



7. Household rubber gloves or rubber-soled shoes insulate

Only 100% pure rubber insulates against electricity. Household gloves and shoes are not made of pure rubber. Often, to make these shoes more marketable and durable, additives are mixed in with the rubber-like material. And that makes these gloves and shoes conductors.
Source: PSE&G

Oh the weather outside is frightful ...

Wells County received about an inch of snow during the season's first significant snow fall of the season — canceling schools, causing accidents and disrupting power.

But if severe weather strikes again, the National Weather Service posts alerts online to keep residents informed. Click here to see if Wells County has any alerts. Click here for more county-based weather-related information.

Also, see this earlier blog entry for safe driving tips.

Learn more in the Friday, Dec. 21, News-Banner.

Adopt a pet

Alex is a 2-year-old DSH tiger/white male.

Kiki is a 2-year-old DMH tiger/white female.

Little Bit is a 10-month-old Jack Russel/Rat Terrier mix male. He is very sweet and energetic!