A year of progress — in video

To celebrate the News-Banner's annual Progress edition, "Who We Are," we've pulled from the News-Banner archive a year's worth of videos that help further tell the stories found in today's special section.

To read the online edition of "Who We Are," click here.

New facilities for B-H schools — News-Banner front page

• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2011/01/bhs-football-stadium-renovation.html
• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2011/03/b-h-board-approves-two-2-million.html

Ossian water main replacement project nears completion — Page 7

• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2011/04/going-for-broker-with-ossian-water-line.html

Tackling technology — Page 10

• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-post_11.html
• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2010/08/good-handwritinggood-character.html

The gift of a tree, again — Page 18

• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2011/05/n-b-video-introducing-new-tree-at.html

Boys' golf or girls' golf, Norwell's Jody Ault is the woman in charge — Page 18

• http://wellscountysportsoutdoors.blogspot.com/2011/06/behind-scenes-of-norwell-boys-golf.html

Harvesting Hope — Page 22

• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2010/10/inside-house-of-hope-farm.html

"BHS principal doesn't want his students' parents to 'drop out' — Page 28

• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2010/08/commitment-to-graduate.html

Tom Elliott will 'stay the course' for Street Fair's second century— Page 39

• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2010/09/emshwiller-named-2010-bluffton-street.html
• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2010/09/catch-that-opening-parade.html
• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2010/10/street-fair-redux.html

Working better at Almco — Page 62

• http://onthebeatinbluffton.blogspot.com/2011/02/almco-steel-gets-delivery.html

And the rockets' red (and legal) glare

Before celebrating the Fourth of July with booby traps, ground spinners, glow worms and cigarette loads, study up on the state's and city's fireworks laws.

In Bluffton:
It shall be unlawful to use, ignite or discharge consumer fireworks within the corporate limits of the City of Bluffton except as follows:

• Between the hours of 5 p.m. and two (2) hours after sunset on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 4, July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8 and July 9
• Between hours of 10:00 a.m. and midnight on July 4; and
• Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. on December 31, and 1:00 a.m. on January 1.

Statewide:

• Indiana restricts who can buy most fireworks to those 18 years or older.
• If you light your fireworks somewhere without permission, you commit a Class C infraction. However, if you light them without permission two times or more within five years, you commit a Class C misdemeanor.
• Anyone less than eighteen years old who possesses or uses a firework without a responsible adult is not present commits a Class C infraction.
  

The Bluffton Police says to contact the office at 824-3320 with any complaints.

And now that we've discussed the legalities, enjoy News-Banner video from last year's fireworks to help you celebrate the weekend.

N-B Archive: Student-led conferences

Almost 70 Northern Wells teachers — along with teachers from other Indiana districts, Illinois and Tennessee — are participating in a four-day conference, the district's biggest, to learn about learning.

Part of this conference is designed to help teachers create ways to include students in classroom decisions and their own evaluation. Inspired by Langford's ideas, several teachers in Northern Wells in the past year have held student-led conferences. To learn more, watch this video from our April 30 blog. To read learn more about student-led conferences, see the Saturday, April 30, News-Banner. Subscribers can access our paper's archives on our website.

To learn more about the four-day conference this week, see our Tuesday, June 28, News-Banner.

N-B Video: Bluffton parties around the block

Members of the First Church of Christ played games, fed guests and more during a block party from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday on South Street between Beth Avenue and Walmer Street. (Video by Frank Shanly).

Business news from the Wells County Chamber of Commerce

• Ossian State Bank is holding a Community Shred Day from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the main branch's parking lot. During the day, people can have their confidential papers shredded. Organizers are suggesting a $5 donation per box, with all proceeds going to the Ossian Fire Department.
• The Wells County Leadership Academy is taking applications for the 2011-2012 Academy. The deadline is July 29. You can download an application at the Chamber's website.
• The Chamber will hold a chicken barbecue from 4 p.m to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the 4-H Fairground.
  

Donate to Relay for Life

You can learn more about the event in the Friday, June 24, News-Banner, but to contribute, click here.

Check out our 4-H Fair blog

With the Wells County 4-H Fair coming, don't forget to view our Fair blog in our blog bank.