Public invited to upcoming NE Regional Advisory Board of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions meeting

The Northeast Regional Advisory Board of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions invites the public to its annual meeting Nov. 10. Scroll down for the registration form, and learn more about the event in the Friday, Oct. 17, News-Banner.

The event will be held in Indiana Tech's Andorfer Commons Building, at the corner of Washington and Schick streets in Fort Wayne. Parking is available along Washington Blvd. on the north side of the building or on the north side of the soccer field.  It will be on the second floor, Seitz conference rooms 205 and 206.

Here is the program of events:

Preliminary Agenda

Invocation/Dinner

Presentation by David Parnell: “Facing the Dragon”

Program of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Youth Advocate Award

Regional Impact Awards

County Recognition

Concluding Remarks

 

Make checks payable to: Drug & Alcohol Consortium

              Memo: Regional Annual Meeting

Questions: Please contact Kelly at kelly.sickafoose@comcast.net.

N-B Photo: Local victim's assistance coordinator awarded for her efforts

Above: Members of the Wells County Domestic Violence Task Force and a representative of YWCA of Northeast Indiana present Cindy Uptgraft, fourth from left, with a Hope Award Wednesday in the Wells County Prosecutor's Office. Learn more in the Thursday, Oct. 16, News-Banner. (Photo by Jessica Williams)

Here is a press release regarding the award:

YWCA Week Without Violence and Presentation of 2014 Hope Awards

Week Without Violence, held annually during the third week in October, is a global YWCA campaign created nearly 20 years ago to mobilize people in communities across the United States and the World to take action against all forms of violence, wherever it occurs. Each year, YWCAs around the globe host local events and create public dialogue about recognizing, addressing, and ending violence in all its forms.

In recognition of YWCA USA Week Without Violence, YWCA Northeast Indiana is presenting their 2014 Hope Awards throughout the week. Every year during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, YWCA Northeast Indiana recognizes those who exhibit excellence in advocacy that reflects our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. A winner is selected in each of five categories: Racial Justice, Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention, Women's Economic Empowerment, Child Advocacy, and Junior Hope (which recognizes an advocate under the age of 25). Winners are surprised with their awards throughout the YWCA USA Week Without Violence to celebrate the ways in which these amazing individuals are working to end violence.

This year, the prestigious Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Hope Award was awarded to Cynthia Uptgraft, Victim’s Assistance Coordinator of Wells County. According to her nomination, “Cindy provides support to individuals in crisis of domestic violence in the Wells County community with a great passion for her work in the community. She has been an active part of the Wells County Domestic Violence Task Force, and makes sure clients are connected to resources for legal advocacy and domestic violence education and support. She continues to work hard in raising awareness of domestic violence issues in the Wells County community.”

Wells County is one of 6 counties served by YWCA Northeast Indiana’s Domestic Violence Services and Community Programs, such as community-wide prevention and education and emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence. “These services would not be possible without the support of Cindy and the Wells County Domestic Violence Task Force”, Arika App, Director of Community Programs, said after presenting the Hope Award.

If you are experiencing domestic violence in your relationship, call YWCA Northeast Indiana at 260-447-7233.

Sheriff's candidates discuss wages, use of department cars off duty

Incumbent Sheriff Monte Fisher, Republican, and his challenger and the position's previous holder Bob Frantz, Democrat, were asked 20 questions Monday evening at the Wells County Constitutional Patriots forum.

 While a more detailed summary of other issues – including the legalization of marijuana, how to handle the county's drug problem and inmates' access to religious materials at the jail – appears in the Tuesday, Oct. 14, News-Banner, here are their thoughts on department wages and use of vehicles off duty.

 When asked if they believe the salary for sheriff is appropriate, and on what basis should it be increased, Frantz said he wants the deputies paid, and paid well, because they are the ones out on the road and then raising families on those salaries.

"If that means docking me, then do it," Frantz said. "But give them more money."
Frantz said his salary was based on the revenue he brought in.

Fisher said the Department of Correction isn't holding prisoners as long in the county jail. He said $240,000 was brought in last year from these inmates, but as of the end of September this year only $206,000 has been brought in. He said he also contracts for federal inmates, which brought in $18,000.

Fisher said he also believes the deputies need to be compensated for being the department's workforce.
When asked if they support deputies taking home department vehicles, both Fisher and Frantz said they support it as it increases the department's presence around the county.

Frantz said limits could be put in place, but it's necessary for the cars to be seen.
"I don't encourage them hauling around their wives and kids in it," Frantz said, noting it could be dangerous.
He said as sheriff, people expressed displeasure with him not getting unmarked cars. Frantz said unmarked cars don't deter crime.

Fisher said officers do work when they are are off duty.
"If they see something, they're going to handle it," Fisher said.

N-B Video: SW grad does PA for Cardinal football

Michael Towne is in his 10th season as the PA guy for Ball State football. The Southern Wells graduate takes us behind the scenes in the Monday, Oct. 13, News-Banner, and get a sense of what it's like during the game next to Towne in the video. (Video by Jessica Williams)

N-B Slideshow and Video: Fire on 500E

Crews battled a blaze Sunday, Oct. 12, on 500E south of Ind. 124. Learn more in the Monday, Oct. 13, News-Banner. (Photos and video by Jessica Williams)

Scroll down for the video.

N-B Video: Annual domestic violence vigil honors Hoosier victims

Thursday's annual domestic violence awareness vigil featured reading of the names of victims from across Indiana in the last year. Numerous names were read, and their stories shared, by the Wells County Domestic Violence Task Force. Here is an excerpt. Learn more in the Friday, Oct. 10, News-Banner. (Video by Jessica Williams)

Click the proclamation below to enlarge.

N-B Video: Friends of Ouabache State Park unveil statue

Sunday, Oct. 5, was a special day for the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Friends of Ouabache State Park, as the groups unveiled a CCC statue to commemorate the group's efforts in starting the state park. Learn more in the Monday, Oct. 6, News-Banner. (Video by Dave Schultz and Susan Schultz for the News-Banner; edited by Jessica Williams)