Students become teachers for Constitution Day

Almost 230 years after a group of men in Philadelphia signed the U.S. Constitution, about 40 Southern Wells high school students visited the elementary school Tuesday to celebrate — and teach — the document.

The students, enrolled in Brody Tarter’s senior government class, visited the school on Constitution Day after studying the supreme law of the land for about two weeks in their own classes.

As part of their assignment, students used their Chromebooks to scour the Internet for online resources, such as the National Constitution Center's website. Click here to peruse its resources for yourself, and learn more about the Southern Wells students in the Wednesday, Sept. 18, News-Banner.

Bluffton-Harrison school board sets 2014 meetings

Bluffton-Harrison school board members scheduled next year's meetings, and though the schedule basically reflects this year's, Superintendent Wayne Barker changed it slightly. All meetings start at 6  p.m. Learn more about the Monday, Sept. 16, meeting in the Tuesday, Sept. 17, News-Banner.

• Jan. 13
• Jan. 27
• Feb. 24
• March 17
• April 14
• May 5
• May 19
• June 16
• July 14
• Aug. 4
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• Oct. 13
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• Dec. 15

N-B Video: Bluffton-Harrison considers faculty "panic buttons"

A Virginia-based company has created a portable badge of “panic buttons” that school personnel can wear and activate during emergencies, and the Bluffton-Harrison school district hopes to purchase 150 — enough for each staff member working when students are present. Learn more in the Tuesday, Sept. 17, News-Banner. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)

Need homework help?

From the office of State Senator Travis Holdman:

Hoosier students in grades 6 through 12 who are having trouble with math or science school work can get help by contacting Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Homework Hotline.

 Tutoring is provided over the phone by college students who were recommended by their professors.  These tutors are trained on how to best answer questions and explain difficult concepts to younger students.

The Homework Hotline can be accessed:

September through May
Sunday to Thursday
7 to 10 p.m.
Toll free at 1-877-ASK-ROSE (275-7673)
Rose-Hulman also provides ISTEP+, GQE and SAT resources, such as study tips and practice tests, to prepare students for these standardized tests.  

More information about the Homework Hotline can be found by clicking here.

N-B Video: KOA corn maze opens for season

News-Banner reporter Jessica Williams didn't stray too far from the corn maze's entrance Friday, but she gives you a taste of what the maze is like. It's located adjacent to the KOA campground on Bluffton's west side. For more information, including hours of operation, check out the Saturday, Sept. 14, News-Banner. (Video by Jessica Williams)

Wells County Health Department provides advice on West Nile protection

The Wells County Health Department offers some advice in protecting from West Nile.

Questions about West Nile may be directed to the Wells County Health Department at 824-6489. The Health Department is located at 223 W. Washington St., Bluffton, and office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
West Nile information and brochures are available to the public during office hours.

Mosquitoes will remain active as warm weather persists, but there are several things you can do to protect your family and to reduce your risk of becoming infected.

If possible avoid outdoor activities from dusk until dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. If you will be outdoors during this time, wear long sleeves and pants, and be sure to use an insect repellant containing DEET.

Continue to protect yourself until after the first hard freeze of the year. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and will develop in as little as four days. Eliminate areas of standing water on or near your property by disposing of old tires, cans, and containers that hold water. Clean out clogged gutters and stagnant water in bird baths or wheel barrows.

Cover unused swimming pools, but be aware that water that collects on top of swimming pool covers can also serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Even a small container with water in it can be a breeding site, allowing up to 1,000 mosquitoes to develop in one week.


West Nile virus is transmitted to humans when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people infected with West Nile virus show few or no symptoms, but those over the age of 50 or who have compromised immune systems are more at risk for severe illness.

Symptoms include fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and sore joints, and usually occur 3-15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. More severe infections are marked by rapid onset of a high fever with head and body aches, stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord), convulsions and, in the most severe cases, coma or paralysis.

In some individuals, West Nile virus can cause permanent neurological damage or death. See your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of the disease.

N-B Video: BHS recognizes Patriots' Day with program

Bluffton High School held a Patriots' Day program Wednesday, in honor of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The program featured a student-made video. Prior to the program, local law enforcement and emergency personnel were invited to a breakfast, sponsored by the student council. Learn more in the Sept. 12, News-Banner. (Video by Jessica Williams)