Optimists donate Jay County man gets Cards victorious to Dream Team prison in son’s death over the Cubs Area State Page 3 Page 12 Sports Page 6 The News-Bannerwww.News-Banner.com TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021 BLUFFTON, INDIANA • Wells County’s Hometown Connection $1.00 Captain to reign as ’21 Miss Wells By JESSICA BRICKER County can be,” she said. 2021 is shaping up to be “I’ve witnessed people pur- a big year for Grace Cap- chase corn and ask to divvy tain. it in different bags so they On Monday evening, two can share with their friends, nights after winning two of neighbors or even someone the Wells County 4-H Fair’s down the way.” biggest annual awards, she Captain was also named was named the newest Miss Miss Congeniality in her Wells County — a title that division. hadn’t been given out since “We live in such an 2019 due to the COVID-19 amazing community and I pandemic. don’t know what I would “I’ve very shocked by do without it,” she told the all of it but I’m so grateful,” crowd. “It’s been a privilege Captain said after the results to grow up here.” were in. Lauren Spencer was first Captain, the daughter of runner-up. Olivia Durham Tim and Rebecca Captain was second runner-up. Ken- and a 2021 Norwell High lee Stoppenhagen was the School graduate, also said People’s Choice winner and she looks forward to being a third runner-up. leader in the community. Karlie Brown was named During the speech por- Miss Wells County Teen. tion of the contest, Captain After the contest, Brown said her dad had an idea 15 said she has been dreaming years ago to sell sweet corn of this title for years while on the side of the road, and coming to the 4-H fair. some may know her from “I can’t even believe it. Captain’s Corn for College. I’m so happy,” Brown said. That experience has made “I’m so excited to get out her take notice of the com- there, volunteer in my com- munity around her. munity, meet more people. “One thing that I’ve I’m just so excited.” Miss Wells County is shown with her court. From left is third runner up and People’s Choice Kenlee Stoppenhagen, second noticed is how compas- First runner-up in the runner-up Olivia Durham, first runner-up Lauren Spencer and Miss Wells County Grace Captain, who was also Miss Congenial- sionate the people of Wells (Continued on Page 2) ity. More photos on Page 2 and online at www.news-banner.com (Photo by Glen Werling) BHMSD OKs Health Operations Plan SW to offer new By DAVE SCHULTZ Wells County Health Department. The breakdown was 50.43 percent The Bluffton-Harrison Metropoli- • Social distancing will be pre- (58) teachers were rated as highly tan School District has set in place its ferred, but may not be fully possible in effective and 49.57 percent (57) were program for 7th Healthy Operations Plan for the 2021- all scenarios. rated effective. 2022 school year, and some COVID- • Desktop cleaning will remain an The board accepted the retirements 19 precautionary measures will remain option for students, faculty, and staff. of Jana Wanner and Julia Tobias and in place. • Sanitizer fogging and spraying the resignations of Erin Roush and grade students The board approved similar mea- will continue on a nightly basis. Chelsea Woosley. They accepted sures last month, but Superintendent The plan drew no comment from Yates’ hiring recommendations for By CONNER TIGHE Brad Yates requested revisions to the the board members except from several positions, but some were To prepare incoming seventh graders for the plan which the board approved. Thompson, the board’s president and removed from the mass approval for transition from elementary school to middle Here are the points Yates present- the chief administrative officer/chief special consideration. Among them school, Southern Wells is enacting its first transi- ed and the board members — Julie nursing officer at Bluffton Regional were boys’ basketball coach Karl Grau, tion camp program. Thompson, Trent White, Angie Sheets, Medical Center. “I just hope we can approved to keep his position on a 4-1 “I want to make the transition from elementary Bruce Holland, and Mike Murray — stay on track for this plan,” she said. vote with White voting no; Stephanie school to the junior high as smooth as possible for approved on a 5-0 vote: Yates also reported to the board the White, Trent White’s wife, approved the students and the parents,” said Southern Wells • Face coverings/masks are recom- results of the staff performance evalua- as girls’ track coach and cross coun- Jr./Sr. High School Principal Kim Conner. “We mended for non-vaccinated individuals tion, and it was good news. The district try coach at the middle school on a know it can be scary coming to a building with at school, on the bus, and at events. has 115 teachers and all of them were 4-0 vote (Trent White abstained from students in grades 7-12 altogether, so the more • Contact tracing and quarantines rated as either “effective” or “highly the voting); Spencer Harris, White’s comfortable we can make them feel, the better.” will be followed as directed by the effective,” Yates said. (Continued on Page 2) Conner said students will experience the expec- tations and procedures at the junior high level, including using the lockers, using a Chromebook, and what daily lessons will consist of in math, English, and social-emotional learning. Language arts teacher Joel Roush said he will directly instruct the students. “I hope this camp helps our students under- stand that the junior high is a place where they will be welcomed and cared for,” he said. Conner said forms are available in the office for registration starting July 26. Participants can also email Conner and she will send them a form. Registration will end July 29. The camp is set for Aug. 2-6 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day. [email protected] Tile project gets county’s approval By JESSICA BRICKER front of the commissioners Although it’s for a tile Monday to present quotes relocation project, ground that were received for a will soon be moved at tile rerouting project south Up in the sky, then down on the street the property set aside for of 200S at the intersection Lutheran Air lands on 4-H Fair Road early Monday evening in front of an interested crowd. The air ambulance’s annual the new county highway of Adams Street, which participation in the Wells County 4-H Fair gives fairgoers a chance to check out the helicopter, as well as the first garage. is where nearby land was responders who helped clear the street for the landing zone. (Photo by Jessica Bricker) Wells County Surveyor recently purchased for the Jarrod Hahn joined County future home of the highway Engineer Nate Rumchlag in (Continued on Page 2) Inside Outside Online How to contact us: Call us: 824-0224 Local/Area or 1-800-579-7476 Obituaries. 3 Follow us on Facebook! Go to www.facebook.com/ family dentistry Fax us: 824-0700 Police Notebook . .3 [email protected] newsbanner YOUR SMILE. OUR PASSION. EVERY TIME. ————— On the Web: Opinion The best of fall-like mornings, Place Your Classified Accepting many new insurance plans including www.news-banner.com Justin Peeper . .4 and then summer afternoons Ads 24/7 Humana and United Healthcare. Always accepting new patients. Please call today to schedule an appointment. Follow us at: Today Wed. Thursday twitter.com/newsbanner Also... High 85 High 80 High 84 Vol. 92 No. 219 Sports. 6-7 Low 63 Low 61 Low 67 Classifieds . 10-11 TUESDAY 10045 North State Road 1 Ossian, IN 46777 Diversions . .8 More Weather on Page 2 July 20, 2021 (260) 622-4138 • www.stillwatersfamilydentistry.com Page 2 • The News-Banner • TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021 LOCAL/NATION BHMSD Weather (Continued from Page 1) Tuesday, July 21, 2021 brother-in-law, as a Future (24-hour observations at 8:23 p.m. Monday) Tigers coach, again at a 4-0 High: 81; Low: 60; Precipitation: None vote with White abstaining; Wabash River Level (at the Main Street bridge): 1.89 and an approval of a Family feet at 10:45 p.m. Monday. Medical Leave Act request for Troy Sheets, the hus- band of Angie Sheets. She Wells County forecast abstained from voting. Angie Sheets participated Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near in the meeting remotely. The 85. Light northwest wind increasing to board approved, on a 5-0 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. vote, allowing members to Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with continue to attend meetings a low around 63. Northwest wind that way. around 5 mph. Building improve- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with ment projects at Bluffton a high near 80. North wind around 5 Middle School and Bluff- mph. ton High School moved ahead Monday night. The Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, board approved a profes- with a low around 61. Calm wind. sional services contract for Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a architectural consultation high near 84. for the middle school. The Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and estimated cost is between thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around $120,000 and $140,000, 67. Yates said. The entire proj- Friday: A 50 percent ect, primarily involving chance of showers and thun- the roof of the building, is derstorms.