State hit by virus Learning from the BHS golf, tennis security breech places you’ve lived teams both win Area State Here’s the Thing, Page 5 Page 3 Sports Page 6 The News-Bannerwww.News-Banner.com WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 BLUFFTON, INDIANA • Wells County’s Hometown Connection $1.00 City will fund fire department, EMS study on its own By DAVE SCHULTZ Even though he wasn’t pres- ent to talk about it, Bluffton Common Council member Rick Mayor considers options amid COVID-19 resurgence Elwell’s proposal for an indepen- By DAVE SCHULTZ to pay employees as they were quarantined. respond. The original policy was in place dent review of the Bluffton Fire Infections caused by COVID-19, fueled He wanted to know: “What’s our before vaccines were available, and now Department’s needs, accompa- by the delta variant, has Bluffton Mayor approach?” they are. nied by a review of Wells County John Whicker asking members of the Com- Council members were not quick with an “I think they should use sick time if it’s Emergency Medical Services, mon Council for guidance going forward. answer, but it was clear the concept would available, and if not, it’s their choice,” he came to fruition Tuesday night. Whicker is concerned that the girlfriend eventually require a response. Whicker noted said. The measure was approved on of a city employee has tested positive for the that the mandate to pay employees had long Building Commissioner Ted Smith want- a 3-1 vote, with Josh Hunt, Scott coronavirus. Previous practices, mandated since expired. ed to know about other measures, such as Mentzer, and Janella Stronczek by Gov. Eric Holcomb, called for employers Roger Thornton was the first one to (Continued on Page 2) voting in favor and Roger Thorn- ton forcefully voting against. Elwell had brought up the pro- posal, the work will be done by the tion, or both, would assist in pay- “After several meetings and body to consider funding at this posal at the July 6 council meet- Illinois-based McGrath Consulting ing the other half of the fee. In a conversations on the matter with time.” ing, suggesting that the city would Group at a cost of $31,500. letter provided to the council Tues- the (Wells County) Commission- Therefore, Elwell said, the benefit from a third-party review The council voted on July 6 to day night, written by Elwell and ers and with some on the County council should pay the full cost of the operation of the city’s Fire pay half the cost with the hope that read aloud by Mentzer, Elwell said Council, I did find some interest in of the study “since time is of the Department and also the Wells Wells County or the Wells Com- he had not been able to secure any the study,” he wrote. “However, I essence,” he said. County EMS. Under Elwell’s pro- munity Health Services Founda- agreement on paying for the study. could not get a majority of either (Continued on Page 2) Brandy Fiechter, right, seeks input from members of the public to formulate the department’s five-year plan. The special public work session was held by the Bluffton Board of Parks and Recre- ation Tuesday evening at the Washington Park pavilion. (Photo by Glen Werling) Bluffton parks department considers future steps By GLEN WERLING Washington Park Pavilion to voice ning, hands down picked stabili- utilized ball fields were tied for gested was a geo caching program, What will, or should, the Bluff- their opinions about what they zation of the Rivergreenway and sixth. Adding a small fishing pier curling, one-day bus trips to vari- ton Department of Parks and Rec- would like to see done at the parks lighting along the Rivergreenway along the Wabash River, replace ous events and locations, hay rides, reation do in the next five years over the next five years. as the top priority over the next the cracked trail at Pickett’s Run, rock wall climbing, woodworking, to meet the needs of the public it The special public work session five years. resurfacing the basketball courts at magic shows and disc golf. serves? was piggybacking on a survey the The survey participants picked Roush and Lions parks and replac- Disc golf is already in the plan- That was the question discussed department made to find out more updating and replacing outdated ing all of the old wooden benches ning, Fiechter said. at a special meeting of the board of about how happy the public is with playground equipment a distant with plastic benches were also in One person also suggested the Bluffton Parks and Recreation the parks programs, what pro- third. the running along with several instructional courses on topics Department Tuesday evening. grams they participate in, whether Also in the survey, renovating other recommendations. ranging from home improvement If parks departments want to they are pleased with the mainte- the pool house was fourth. Tied From those in attendance Tues- projects to American Sign Lan- be eligible for grants, they have nance of the parks, what they like for fifth place were finishing the day night were recommendations guage. to compose a five-year plan. The or don’t like about the Wells Com- Interurban Trail to Lancaster Park, to add programs for kayaking, Fiechter asked how the parks plan charts a course for the park munity Swimming Pool, and what developing Lancaster Park and canoeing, kick boxing, ice skating, could be improved. board and gives the board, and the they wanted to see done in the planting more shade trees. snow shoeing, cross country ski- Park board member Rick McE- department, goals to shoot for in future with the pool and the parks. On the survey, developing trails ing, broom ball, and pickleball. voy suggested finding some way the future. The participants in the survey, outside of the Bluffton City Limits One person wanted to see a to stem the tide of vandalism that Eighteen people were at the and those present Tuesday eve- and repurposing unused or under- park for skateboarders. Also sug- (Continued on Page 2) Should chickens roost in Zanesville? As school year starts, SW Town council members take no action, but ask for citizen input enrollment is up slightly By JESSICA BRICKER get the ordinance rewritten. By CONNER TIGHE Southern Wells elementary The Town of Zanesville is reviewing whether “We as the council are here to consider the Southern Wells has 456 ele- principal Cari Whicker received chickens should be allowed in the town limits. wants and needs of the community and not what mentary school students and 406 a resignation from the school’s On Tuesday, the council agreed to table the our preference is always, and it isn’t always junior and senior high school counselor Jennifer Crist and Ele- matter until September to allow for town residents our preference that people are interested in,” students as of now, the board of mentary Title I aide, Courtney to be surveyed about their preferences on the mat- O’Connor said, adding enough people were inter- the Southern Wells Community Martens. Bethany Edmonds, who ter. Meanwhile, a town council member will be ested in the topic to ask the council for action. Schools was told Tuesday night. temporarily filled Martens’ posi- working to get an ordinance drafted that prohibits The council, Schuhmacher said, should be Enrollment numbers won’t be tion while she was on maternity such animals in Zanesville. looking out for the best interest of the town’s safe- official until September’s average leave, will permanently fill the “I don’t believe livestock belongs in town,” ty. He was asked by a resident how he knows what daily membership (ADM) count position. John Schuhmacher said. “Period.” the town wants if the residents haven’t been asked. day, but the preliminary numbers The board approved the resig- On Tuesday Council President Barbara In June, Jordan and Drew Owens requested a show the school district is up from nation of guidance counselor Mark O’Connor introduced a list of rules that would permit to be able to keep their chickens, accord- 844 students a year ago to 862 this Rickerd, teachers’ assistant Diane allow chickens in the town, which she described ing to minutes of that council meeting. They were year. Rockwell, and Meadow Yoder. as a summary of several other communities’ ordi- unaware they needed approval, Jordan Owens said. The board also heard that 12 Board members also approved the nances. The rules include who can have chickens That month, by a vote of 2-1 — Schuhmacher fundraisers are scheduled for the resignation of Katelyn Feldheiser and how. There would be a fee of $50 per bird per voted against — the Owens family was given a 2021-2022 school year, including as the junior varsity girls basket- year with a maximum of five birds. three-month trial period. However, it was noted a homecoming dance and a New ball coach. Schuhmacher read a different ordinance he Tuesday that they already relocated their chickens. York field trip. Superintendent Also, Taya Augsburger, Cierra said was written by town counsel. The ordinance Before the next meeting, Owens and another Brian Sloan said the trip set for Hartley, Breanna Penrod, Lau- he presented would not allow chickens but would resident present were encouraged to survey town March 16-20, 2022, will require ren Hamilton, and Alyssa Osborn allow various other types of livestock if permits residents and bring back their findings. students to adhere to the state’s were approved to join the staff.