Lancaster, Ossian elementary schools raise fees

Members of the Northern Wells school board approved new course fees for Lancaster Central and Ossian Elementary. In general, principals Cathy Dunwiddie and Susanne Tieman said, administrators will increase fees by about $5, though that could vary by a few dollars.

At both schools, for instance, parents of kindergarten students will see the biggest increase: $6.75.

The principals said the increased paper fee comprises the bulk of the overall fee increase.

Ossian's and Lancaster's new fees:

Kindergarten: $119

First grade: $126

Second grade: $122

Third grade: $143

Fourth grade: $137

Fifth grade: $137

Commissioners won’t rezone for aviation business

The Wells County Commissioners followed the lead of the Area Planning Commission Monday and did not allow the rezoning of land on 600N.

The two parcels of land — one 2.39 acres and the other 4.14 acres —  are owned by Alan and Teresa Lance. The land is currently zoned A-1 (agriculture) but the Lances wanted to rezone it to I-2 to facilitate their business, the rehabilitation of airplane parts.

Officials though, encouraged the Lances to continue to work with APC Executive Director Michael Lautzenheiser in determining a new zoning request that could include a combination of both I-1 and I-2 zoning.

If the county eventually rezones the land to I-1 or I-2, Lance and future owners could use it for the following reasons that are otherwise prohibited in agriculture-zoned areas. (Note that Lance won't necessarily use the land for any of these reasons.)

• Antique restoration
• Automobile sales and service
• Auto and truck repair
• Dry cleaning and laundry
• Junkyard (I-2 only)
• Heavy and light manufacturing
• Off street loading and/or dock
• Public transportation terminal
• Commerical recreation
• Permanent recycling center
• Supply yard (I-2 only)
• Warehouse

Learn more in the Tuesday, May 7, News-Banner. Read the entire zoning ordinance by clicking here. The document is 141 pages long, but zoning classifications start on page 36.

N-B Video: Jammin' with the middle school principal

Bluffton Middle School Principal Tom Gibson is retiring after the 2012-2013 school year, but he'll leave behind plenty of memories, particularly for the band students he practiced with Monday for an upcoming "Pizza and Pop" concert. Learn more about the new principal in the Tuesday, May 7, News-Banner. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)

Another CAFO coming to Wells County

Members of the Area Plan Commission unanimously approved a new concentrated animal feeding at 9075S-250E in Nottingham Township. The maximum number of animals at the site at any one time would be 2,200. Learn more in the Friday, May 3, News-Banner. Open the image in a new window and zoom in for a larger resolution

N-B Video: Bluffton prepares for National Day of Prayer at Courthouse square

Five days of Bible readings came to a close Thursday night with a service marking the National Day of Prayer on the plaza of the Wells County Courthouse. Learn more in the Friday, May 3, News-Banner. (Video by Dave Schultz)

There's treasure in 'dem streets

Bargain hunters and treasure seekers are amassing for Bluffton's annual citywide garage sale, but they don't have to plunder unprepared. Aaron LaPedis, known as the "Garage Sale Millionaire," writes regularly for a Colorado newspaper, hosted the show "Collect This!" for PBS and has published an award-winning book, and he offers regular tips for buyers and sellers. For instance, this blog warns of underselling valuable items, while this blog discusses strategic garage sale outfits.

Also, Better Homes and Gardens has 14 tips for a successful yard sale. 

Learn more about the citywide garage sale as well as the county's annual Haz-Mat Cleaning Day in the Thursday, May 2, News-Banner.

N-B Video: Bluffton business celebrates 30-year anniversary

Peyton's Northern celebrates the company's 30th anniversary Tuesday with speakers, photos and a behind-the-scenes tour. Learn more in the Wednesday, May 1, News-Banner. (Videos by Mark Miller)