Indiana University School Administrators Association- IU

N-B Photos: Ossian Days contest sees new prince, princess

The 2015 Ossian Days Prince and Princess contest contestants were:

• Rylee Plunkett, 6, daughter of Shawn and Chasity Plunkett
• Gracie Mae Hulvey, 4, daughter of Nick and Angela Hulvey
• Austin Parteko, 3, son of Corey and Rachel Parekto
• Jordyn Grzych, 4, daughter of Cale and Kaley Grzych
• Addison Privett, 5, daughter of Corey and Jessica Privett
• Camden Connett, 6, son of Kaylee Connett
• Becca McConn, 5, daughter of Terry and Beth McConn
• Alexis Mendez, 4, daughter of Joshua Mendez
• Alec Haag, 4, son of Adam and Jamie Haag

Learn more about who won in the Saturday, Sept. 12, News-Banner. (Photos by Jessica Williams)

BHS recognizes local emergency personnel on Patriot Day

Each year the student body at Bluffton High School holds a thank-you breakfast and Patriot Day convocation on Sept. 11. In addition to stats from the losses of New York and New Jersey personnel from that day 14 years ago, local stats were also presented:

• Bluffton Police employs 20 officers who have been dispatched nearly 10,300 times in the last year.

• The Wells County Sheriff's Department employs 16 and has responded to 6,700 calls in the last year.

• Bluffton Fire responded on 214 fire runs, including 12 house fires, in the last year.

• Wells County EMS has 18 full-time and 15 part-time medics in three stations. They helped 4,100 injured people and responded to 2,600 runs in the last year.

Learn more about Patriot Day at BHS in the Friday, Sept. 11, News-Banner. (Above photos by Jessica Williams)

N-B Numbers: County council conducts non-binding reviews

The Wells County Council conducted non-binding reviews of 2016 budgets Tuesday. For more from the meeting, pick up the Wednesday, Sept. 9, News-Banner. Here are some highlights of proposed 2016 budgets:

• City of Bluffton:
$50,000 – Rainy Day
$307,086 – Police pension
$692,900 – Parks and recreation

• Ossian:
$42,200 – Park

• Markle:
$7,061 – Casino/river boat
$250,000 – Rainy Day
$29,191 – Park

•Chester Township:
$5,000 – Township assistance
$22,500 – Fire

• Harrison Township:
$32,725 – Township assistance
$200,000 – Special fire protection territory general

• Jackson Township:
$9,904 – Township assistance
$20,000 – Fire

• Jefferson Township:
$34,117 – Township assistance
$38,972 – Fire

• Lancaster Township:
$41,850 – Township assistance

• Liberty Township:
$12,700 – Township assistance
$45,000 – Fire

•Nottingham Township:
$10,000 – Township assistance
$35,000 – Fire

• Rockcreek Township:
$7,000 – Township assistance
$22,000 – Fire

• Union Township:
$15,000 – Township assistance
 $35,000 – Fire

• Wells County Public Library:
$175,000 – Rainy Day
$357,100 – Debt service
$209,000 – Library improvement reserve

N-B Video: Squirt gun fun at Lancaster Park

Children cooled each other off during a squirt gun fight and later zoomed down a hill on a giant Slip 'n Slide in Lancaster Park on Saturday. The events were organized by the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department. Both events were held for the first time Saturday. (Video by Matthew LeBlanc)

N-B Slideshow: Getting muddy

The third time was the charm for the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department’s Soggy Jog and Mud Run. The event had been twice-postponed but was finally held Saturday. (Photos by Dave Schultz; video by Jessica Williams)

N-B Video: Leslie Tillman sings 'God Bless America'

Music has always been a part of Leslie Tillman's life. She grew up singing, and has sung for thousands of people throughout her life in various singing groups, including the Wells County Chorus. Learn more about her in the Fall 2015 edition of Senior Living. (Video by Kayleen Reusser)