Bluffton Common Council gets lowdown on proposed housing plans

The representative of a company that wants to build single-family homes in Bluffton near the Willowbrook area for people with reduced income presented the project to members of Bluffton's Common Council Tuesday night, and some of the council members were a tad skeptical.

During the presentation, the representative shared photos of houses developed at Marion Meadows, a 39-unit, affordable single-family recently developed home in Marion, Ohio.

The representative said the company would design Bluffton's houses to match the area, but these photos gave council members an idea of what they could look like. 

Learn more in the Wednesday, Oct. 31, News-Banner.

Mike and Karen Todd to retire as hosts of Gospel Barn

Mike and Karen Todd, who have operated the Gospel Barn for eight seasons, retired at the end of the 2012 season. Starting in 2013, the Shane Brother Quartet members — Rick, Mike and Jeff Shane and Jim Loving — will serve as hosts. Learn more in the Tuesday, Oct. 30, News-Banner.

However, though the hosts are changing, the Todds and the Shane Brothers plan on featuring many of the same groups next year.

April
• 6 — Freedom
• 13 — Robb Mills Family
• 20 — Dixie Melody Boys Quartet
• 27 — Hoosier Harmony Quartet

May
• 4 — Blackwood Brothers Quartet
• 11 — Adam's Voice
• 18 — Soul'd Out Quartet
• 25 — Tribute Quartet

June
• 1 — Southern Sound Quartet
• 8 — Down East Boys Quartet
• 15 — The Whisnants
• 22 — Kingsmen Quartet
• 29 — Conquerers Quartet
July
• 6 — The Woodsmen Quartet
• 13 — The Calvarymen Quartet
• 20 — All Quartet Night
• 27 — The Brown Family
August
• Friday, Aug. 2 — The Pfiefers
• 10 — Penny Loafers Quartet
• 17 — The Allen Family
• 24 — The Taylors
September
• 7 — Chuck Wagon Gang
• 14 — Jeff & Sheri Easter
• 21 — Common Ground
• 28 — Hoosier Harmony Quartet
October
• 5 — The Crist Family
• 12 — The Browders
• 19 — Mark Trammell Quartet
• 26 — The Ball Brothers Quartet
November
• 2 — Dixie Echoes Quartet
• 9 — Palmetto State Quartet
• 16 — Heartland Harvest Quartet 

N-B Video: "Tomato Junk" wins annual chili cook-off

Bluffton resident Paul Reiff shares the secret to his winning chili recipe, which claimed the best chili prize at the annual Wells Community Boys and Girls Club chili cook-off fundraiser. Learn more in the Monday, Oct. 29, News-Banner. (Video by Dave Schultz)

N-B Video: 2012 Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil

The Wells County Domestic Violence Task Force held its annual candlelight vigil Thursday, Oct. 25, to remember the Indiana residents who died because of domestic violence. City attorney Andrew Carnall welcomed the crowd, while the Bluffton High School show choir sang before local boy scouts helped light the candles. Learn more in the Friday, Oct. 26, News-Banner. (Videos and photos by Chet Baumgartner)

Covering up the water tower

Workers cover the Ossian water tower while sandblasting it.

Adopt-a-Pet

Tequila Rose is a 1 1/2-year-old Chihuahua/Pom mix, female

Gotee is a 8-month-old black/white DSH, male

Scooter is a 5-month-old, black/white DSH, male

 

 

• 50 percent off dog adoptions until Oct 31.
• Low cost spay/neuter clinic scheduled for Nov 27. Call the shelter to see how to sign up your cat. Coat is $50 per cat. Vaccinations optional for $35

City officials crunch budget numbers

City officials hope to approve the city's 2013 budget at their Tuesday, Oct. 30, meeting, and Mayor Ted Ellis presented the following proposed numbers and salaries to Common Council members beforehand. Learn more in the Wednesday, Oct. 24, News-Banner. 

• Mayor  $ 722.56 $1,608.28 bi-weekly
• Common Council (five) $3,338.22 $3,338.22 year
• Clerk Treasurer $1,008.77 $1,008.77 bi-weekly per year
• Judge of the City Court $10,225.75
• Member of Board of Public Works & Safety (two) $6,676.46 additional per year
City attorney's office
• City Attorney $396.37 bi-weekly
Clerk-treasurer's office
• Chief Deputy Clerk Treasurer $9.16 per hour
• Deputy Clerk Treasurer/Human Resource $8.89 per hour
• Deputy Clerk Treasurers $8.63 per hour
• Accounts Clerk $7.23 per hour
• Non-classified Part-time $4.76 per hour
• Temporary $9.50 per hour

Police department
• Chief of Police $2,005.03 bi-weekly
• Deputy Chief $1,934.16 bi-weekly
• Detective (Assignment Pay*) $61.31 bi-weekly
• Sergeant (Rank Pay*) $61.31 bi-weekly
• Patrol Officer $1,617.99 bi-weekly
• Patrol Officer on Introductory Status $1,422.28 bi-weekly
• Police Pension Secretary $516.47 per year

Fire department

• Fire Chief $2,005.03 bi-weekly
– Engineer:
• Probationary Engineer $1,477.81 bi-weekly
• Engineer after introductory period $1,505.84 bi-weekly
• Engineer after completing 2 years (w/Board of Works approval) $1,533.87 bi-weekly
• Engineer after completing 3 years (w/Board of Works approval) $1,561.92 bi-weekly
• Engineer after completing 4 years (w/Board of Works approval) $1,589.95 bi-weekly
• Engineer after completing 5 years (w/Board of Works approval) $1,617.99 bi-weekly
• Inspector (1) $61.31 bi-weekly
• Engineer captain - additional compensation $61.31 bi-weekly
• Training Officer $737.81 per year
• Safety Officer $442.67 per year
• Fire Pension Secretary $221.36 per year
• Volunteer Captain Fire Fighters (up to 5) $21.00 per hour plus an additional $58.07 per month
• Volunteer Lieutenant Fire Fighter (up to 4) no additional pay

– Volunteer Fire Fighters (33)
• Introductory Year $13.24 per hour
• After completing 1 year satisfactory evaluation** $15.01 per hour
• After completing 4 years satisfactory evaluations** $16.42 per hour
• After completing 7 years satisfactory evaluations** $17.62 per hour
• After completing 10 years satisfactory evaluation** $18.82 per hour
• Part-time Rate $10.76 per hour