Singing from a Entertainment this In sports, virus distance in Ossian summer in the area testing is a hurdle Area State Entertainment Guide Page 3 Sports Page 1a Good Morning! The News-Bannerwww.News-Banner.com SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 BLUFFTON, INDIANA • Wells County’s Hometown Connection $1.00 United Way gets $175K grant to meet COVID-19 needs By JESSICA BRICKER Awards from the grant will be for both United Way of Wells County has immediate and long-term recovery, she received a $175,000 COVID-19 Economic added. Relief Initiative Grant. “We’re excited that we have the opportuni- State gives $50K to Wells The grant is through a partnership ty to help out our community,” Beckford said. between Lilly Endowment Inc. and Indiana The initiative, according to a press By JESSICA BRICKER Wells County was one of 30 communities United Ways, of which the Wells County release, allows for pandemic-related essen- Wells County has been awarded funds listed in that category for receiving funds. organization is a member. The funds will tial and basic needs to be met in communi- through a new COVID-19 response pro- “More information regarding qualifica- help various nonprofits boost their efforts ties, “which could include safe, emergency gram. tions and the application process will be during the pandemic. childcare, and to address other COVID-19 The county has been awarded $50,000 coming once we finalize the grant details,” “It is significant money and it will make critical issues as they emerge.” “to provide small business grants to help Wells County Government shared on a significant difference in Wells County,” Grants were awarded to communities local small businesses remain open and social media following the announcement. United Way of Wells County CEO Pamela based on population. retain their employees,” a release said. (Continued on Page 2) Beckford said Friday. (Continued on Page 2) Governor eyes big rollback of coronavirus restrictions By TOM DAVIES reopen in the fall won’t be surge of nearly 570,000 peo- Associated Press made until later. ple filing in jobless claims INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Holcomb said he decid- the past six weeks with wide- — Indiana Gov. Eric Hol- ed to ease restrictions in spread business closures. comb announced Friday the 89 of the state’s 92 coun- The governor’s directive steps toward relaxing busi- ties because he encourages people ness and activity restric- believes Indi- to wear masks tions imposed to slow the ana’s COVID-19 when in public and coronavirus spread for much spread has stabi- continue working of the state, allowing more lized enough that from home if pos- manufacturers, retailers and hospitals are able sible, while also shopping malls to open their to care for those raising the size of doors, starting Monday, who are seriously allowed gatherings under health and social dis- ill. from the current Diane Carroll officially took over ownership of the downtown Bluffton boutique, Ellie tancing guidelines. “Our effort 10 people to 25 Grace & Co., on April 1. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on businesses The Republican gover- going for- people. It removes across the country, Carroll is optimistic about the future. (Photo provided) nor’s plan aims to gradually ward will be all religious services ease rules with the goal of about manag- Eric Holcomb from gathering allowing nearly all activities ing through this sizes limits effec- to resume on July 4, poten- crisis,” Holcomb tive May 8, allow- ‘Keeping a positive attitude’ tially opening the way for said. “I’m praying for a vac- ing them to resume in-person major summer events such as cine but we gotta do what we observances. Diane Carroll, a new business owner, is hopeful for the future the rescheduled Indianapolis can do right now. And we’re Holcomb said he hoped 500 on Aug. 23. taking the responsible steps churches and other religious The new directive lifts and allowing folks to respon- sites would continue virtual By JESSICA BRICKER “I don’t feel like it has. I feel like even travel restrictions under the sibly and safely return to and outdoor services. The journey Diane Carroll has taken to though the timing wasn’t like what we statewide stay-at-home order some normal aspects of their “Church leaders, we need get to where she is today began years ago. expected, I think people are doing a really that took effect March 25, life.” you to keep your congrega- Carroll had an at-home business, good job of still supporting local and try- but doesn’t allow restaurants The new state order tions safe,” he said. expanded it and then found herself in a ing to shop local.” to resume in-person dining comes as Indiana officials Perhaps 200 protesters position to own a storefront. The decision Community support or hair salon reopenings for have reported nearly 1,200 gathered Friday afternoon was made. The date was set. Janella Stronczek is a longtime sup- another week. Fitness cen- confirmed or suspected outside the Statehouse as “Then this hit,” she said of the porter of shopping local. The Bluffton ters, movie theaters, bars and COVID-19 deaths since mid- Holcomb prepared to make COVID-19 pandemic. “So now we’re Common councilwoman grew up visiting casinos are among businesses March, including 55 new his announcement. Most adjusting.” shops downtown, and now she is doing so that will remain closed until fatalities announced Friday were not wearing masks or But Carroll, a graduate of South- with her oldest daughter. She loves seeing at least late May. A deci- by health officials. Indiana observing distancing guide- ern Wells High School, isn’t letting this the downtown being revived. sion on whether schools will has also seen a record-high (Continued on Page 2) change of plans change all of her plans “It’s important anyway to shop local, for Ellie Grace & Co. Since she’s new to but especially during a time like this,” she the boutique business — her ownership said this week. “They need our support was announced April 1 — everything more than ever now.” about this is new to her. These business owners have invested She’s facing this unprecedented time their time and money into these ventures. with a positive outlook. She isn’t “overly “I feel like we should show as much worried about it” and believes everything support to them as possible,” Stronczek will work out. said. “That’s just putting more back into “I wouldn’t say it’s been super chal- our community if we make an effort.” lenging where it has hurt me,” Carroll Carroll said the pandemic hasn’t dev- said of the pandemic-related closure. (Continued on Page 2) Canada issues ban on assault-style weapons after April mass shootings By ROB GILLIES than thoughts and prayers,“ Trudeau said. “So, effective Associated Press Trudeau said. immediately, it is no longer TORONTO (AP) — The Cabinet order doesn’t permitted to buy, sell, trans- Prime Minister Justin forbid owning any of the port, import or use military- Trudeau said Friday that military-style weapons and grade, assault weapons in this Canada is banning the use their variants but it does ban country.” and trade of assault-style the use and trade in them. He Trudeau said the weapons weapons immediately. said the order has a two-year were designed for one pur- Trudeau cited numerous amnesty period for current pose and one purpose only: mass shootings in the coun- owners, and there will be a to kill the largest number of try, including the killing of 22 compensation program that people in the shortest amount people in Nova Scotia April will require a bill passed in of time. 18 and 19. He announced the Parliament. “There is no use - and no ban of over 1,500 models and In the meantime, they can place - for such weapons in variants of assault-style fire- be exported, returned to man- Canada,” he said. arms, including two weap- ufacturers, and transported Mass shootings are rela- Ready to go ons used by the gunman as only to deactivate them or get tively rare in Canada, but well as the AR-15 and other rid of them. In certain limited Trudeau said they are hap- Wells County Clerk Beth Davis looks over a printout from the voting machines Friday as weapons that have been used circumstances, they can be pening more often. Trudeau the machines were tested in advance of the June primary election. Seated is Wells Coun- ty Republican Party election board member Roy Johnson and standing is Democratic in a number of mass shoot- used for hunting. noted he was nearby when Party representative Larry Sell. (Photo by Glen Werling) ings in the United States “You do not need an in Montreal when gun- “Canadians need more AR-15 to take down a deer,“ (Continued on Page 2) 260.824.9643 How to contact us: Inside Outside Online 2155 N. MAIN ST., BLUFFTON, IN Call us: 824-0224 Local/Area or 1-800-579-7476 Follow us on Facebook! Obituaries. 3 Fax us: 824-0700 Police Notebook . .3 Go to www.facebook.com/ newsbanner [email protected] ————— The Perfect Gift for On the Web: Opinion This is the spring-like Place Your Classified the Perfect Mom from www.news-banner.com Saturday Sub . .4 weather we were seeking Ads 24/7 Follow us at: Today Sunday Monday twitter.com/newsbanner Also... High 79 High 68 High 64 Vol. 91 No. 155 Sports. .1a Low 55 Low 44 Low 45 Classifieds . 2a-3a SATURDAY Go to our web page daniels-jewelers.net and see our brochure.