Archive - 2010 - News Article
December 15th
"We're okay, and considering the current economic crisis, okay is pretty darned good."
That was the assessment offered Tuesday evening by North Adams Superintendent of Schools Wylie Sirk of the school district's year-end financial status.
But while the district will end 2010 with a cash carryover of some $500,000, the superintendent said the financial future for school systems statewide remains uncertain.
Tim Baker of DeVoss, Johnson, Zwick, Baker and Ainsworth Law Firm in Decatur has been chosen to advise the South Adams Schools Board in the appraisal and sale of the former Berne elementary school property.
Board members approved a motion at the November meeting for Acting Superintendent Scott Litwiller to seek legal counsel to represent the school corporation during that process rather than the schools' attorney, Jim Beitler, because of a potential conflict of interest.
December 14th
LAPORTE, Ind. (AP) — A slow-moving storm that brought bone-chilling cold and dropped heavy snow that caused dozens of accidents, stranded more than 100 motorists and collapsed the roof of an NFL stadium made its way out of the Midwest.
The storm continued its trek northeast early Tuesday over the Great Lakes and into Canada. More snow was possible for parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York on Tuesday. The cold temperatures stretched into the South, where hard freeze warnings were in effect overnight in several states.
Berne City Council wrapped up its legislative agenda for 2011 on Monday evening with a handful of votes on topics ranging from lower speed limits near South Adams School to the selection of an engineering firm to guide the city through upcoming sewer projects.
Meeting for the final time of the year, the council read for the first time an ordinance setting the speed limit at 20 miles per hour during specified times on Parkway Street, from U.S. 27 to Village Way. The street is the primary access route to South Adams School.
December 13th
Superintendent, Shaun Roe, was equally upbeat as he said all roads are open, although a north wind was causing some drifting in open areas.
Gilbert said his department, with one employee off work for medical reasons, had eight trucks in operation starting at 3 a.m. and had most of the 55 to 60 miles of streets plowed by about 8 a.m. No problems developed during that time, he added.
Salting will be the next step on the streets, according to Gilbert.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh said Sunday he won’t seek a return trip to the governor’s office in 2012.
“After careful consideration, I have concluded that the appropriate decision is not to be a candidate for governor of Indiana in 2012,” Bayh said in a prepared statement.
The 54-year-old Indiana Democrat didn’t run for a third term in the Senate in November. His seat was won by Republican Dan Coats.
December 10th
The Northeast Indiana Fund has contributed $7,000 to a fund to help the city continue cleanup of the onetime Decatur Casting Co. site, Mayor John Schultz announced at this week's city council meeting.
The city has chipped in $5,000 and contributions also have come from Indiana and Michigan Power, NIPSCO and Adams County Economic Development Director Larry Macklin, providing approximately $25,000 in total funds for the task.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana State Fair will last 17 days for at least the next three years under a vote by the panel that oversees the annual summer event.
The Indiana State Fair Commission on Thursday approved a recommendation to have the fair run 17 days through 2013.
The fair expanded from 12 days to 17 days in 2009. Officials said the longer run would give families a third weekend to visit and create more opportunities for 4-H participants.
December 9th
A 175th anniversary is, admits Decatur Mayor John Schultz, an in-between event, but, with the city on the verge of its 175th year in 2011, "We need to do something. I don't think there's a right way or a wrong way to celebrate this. It's a moment in history that needs to be addressed."
What that "something" will be was discussed at two public gatherings on Wednesday at Riverside Center and some decisions were made.
(Tim Ehlerding of Decatur has written a novel, “Always a Loser, Forever a Champion,” a story inspired by the 2008 Bellmont High School football team's state championship. “If you read the book, it’s pretty clear who the various characters are,” Ehlerding said. The general story line follows the actual events, “but I took quite a bit of literary license.” Following is the first of five edited installments being published by the Daily Democrat.)
