Serving the Steuben County 101 lakes area since 1857
Steuben 4-H Fair dates will be altered from long-standing format in 2014
Weather Partly sunny and cooler, high of 68. Low tonight dips into mid-40s. Page A6
Page A2 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013
Angola, Indiana
GOOD MORNING Indy policeman shot dead, gunman killed INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A man hiding behind an apartment door shot and killed an Indianapolis police officer as he kicked his way in early Friday, authorities said, responding to a woman screaming for help after being held at gunpoint for three hours. Officer Rod Bradway had been talking to the man for several minutes before the woman’s screams prompted him to kick in the door, Detective Thomas Lehn told The Indianapolis Star. The man then ambushed Bradway, he said. He said the 41-yearold Bradway, who was pronounced dead at an Indianapolis hospital, had little time to react. A second officer rushed in and exchanged multiple shots with the gunman, eventually killing him. The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the alleged gunman as 24-year-old Steven Byrdo. Bradway, who was married with a teenage son and daughter, was a five-year veteran of the department. He was a native of Nappanee.
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Unemployment takes big dip FROM STAFF REPORTS
INDIANAPOLIS — Improvement in the state unemployment rate was magnified in the area in August, as all four northeast Indiana counties saw their unemployment rate drop by a percentage point or more. “The significant decrease in Indiana’s unemployment rate in August is definitely encouraging, but the fact is too many Hoosiers are still unemployed,” said Scott B. Sanders, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “This underscores
the need to bring unemployed individuals into WorkOne following their fourth week of receiving benefits. It is vital we get folks on the path to reemployment as soon as possible.” Reports released Friday by the DWD said DeKalb, LaGrange and Steuben counties each saw their unemployment rate fall by 1 percentage point from the revised July figures. LaGrange County’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.2 percent in August, while DeKalb County’s
dropped to 7.4 percent and Steuben County’s dropped to 7.5 percent. Steuben County was tied for 38th in the monthly ranking of the state’s 92 counties. Noble County saw its unemployment rate drop 1.1 percentage points to 7.3 percent in August. DeKalb, Noble and Steuben counties did each see a slight drop in their labor force for the month, and Steuben County saw the number of employed workers drop by 29. SEE UNEMPLOYMENT, PAGE A6
Unemployment rates In percentages COUNTY DeKalb LaGrange Noble Steuben Allen Elkhart Indiana* U.S.*
AUG. 2013 7.4 6.2 7.3 7.5 7.1 7.7 8.1 7.3
JULY 2013 8.4 7.2 8.4 8.5 8.7 8.5 8.4 7.4
AUG. 2012 8.9 7.8 9.0 8.7 8.4 9.3 8.4 8.1
*seasonally adjusted SOURCE: INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
House makes move WASHINGTON (AP) — The GOP-controlled House voted Friday to cripple President Barack Obama’s health care law as part of a risky ploy that threatens a partial shutdown of the government in a week and a half. The fight is coming on a stopgap funding measure required to keep the government fully running after the Oct. 1 start of the new budget JENNIFER DECKER year. Typically, such measures class during Thursday’s annual Waterworks Fremont Middle School science teacher Ken advance with sweeping bipartisan event, which teaches water issues across Wertz is a finalist for the Presidential Awards support, but tea party activists forced the curriculum. Wertz has spearheaded the for Excellence in Mathematics and Science. A GOP leaders — against their better grant-funded event for the last 10 years. 40-year teacher, Wertz is shown instructing his judgment — to add a provision to cripple the health care law that is the signature accomplishment of Obama’s first term. Republicans welcomed the vote, saying the new health care law is BY JENNIFER DECKER ence,” he said. “Every teacher relationship, relevance and rigor. a disaster that is forcing cutbacks jdecker@kpcmedia.com should get that feeling.” “You have to build a relationin workers’ hours, raising health FREMONT — Longtime Wertz said he simply loves ship” with students, he said. “They insurance premiums and being Fremont Middle School science what he does. buy into what you’re teaching.” implemented unfairly. House teacher Ken Wertz is a finalist “I fell in love with the area and For relevance, Wertz said he Republicans have voted more than for the Presidential Awards for teaching part. I like coaching, but likes his students to experience 40 times to disable all or part of Excellence in Mathematics and I love teaching,” he said. “Being science-related careers, such as a the health care law. Science Teaching. a teacher-coach, it’s hard to forensic scientist, microbiologist “With just 11 days until As one of five Indiana finalists, separate.” or doctor. That way, it puts the millions are forced onto a winner is chosen at the state Wertz was a longtime Fremont lesson in perspective in illustrating ObamaCare’s exchanges, House level for the honor. That winner golf coach. The award is based on what their lessons can lead to in Republicans voted to save the receives a $10,000 stipend, a academics. the future. American people from this train trip to the White House and The application is extensive. “Rigor — can you make them wreck,” said U.S. Rep. Marlin Washington D.C. “I think after 40 Stutzman, R-Ind. “Over the past Wertz will be evaluated for jump higher? That’s when I years, you don’t think of being in months, I’ve heard the stories mastery of science that’s become their coach,” he said. the top level,” he said. of families struggling to pay appropriate for grade level, use of Wertz will attend a banquet soaring premiums, businesses A graduate of the University of instructional methods, effective Oct. 30 in Indianapolis with the Indianapolis and 40-year teacher use of student assessments, other finalists. In February, the state dropping coverage and workers cashing smaller paychecks. at Fremont, Wertz was nominated lifelong learning to improve winner is expected to be named. Today, we responded by passing for the award by his wife, Kathy teaching and leadership in “It’s been a great career,” practical legislation that defunds Wertz, a Prairie Heights teacher. education outside the classroom. Wertz said. “Had I got something She won the award in 2007. Ken If he has a secret to his like this in the middle of my career ObamaCare. By funding the accompanied her to the nation’s teaching, Wertz said he uses is I don’t think I would have appreci- government, we’ve taken a governcapitol. “It was a great experiown version of the three R’s — ated it.” SEE HOUSE, PAGE A6
Wertz finalist for teaching honor
Coming Sunday Bee Keeping
Honey bees play a major role in agriculture. Read how honey is created and what else honey bees are used for, on Sunday.
Clip and Save Find $67 in coupon savings in Sunday’s newspaper.
Contact Us • The Herald Republican 45 S. Public Square Angola, IN 46703 Phone: (260) 665-3117 Fax: (260) 665-2322 Classifieds: (toll free) (877) 791-7877 Circulation: (800) 717-4679
Index • Classified.............................................. B7-B8 Life.................................................................A3 Obituaries.....................................................A4 Opinion .........................................................A5 Sports.................................................... B1-B3 Weather........................................................A6 TV/Comics ..................................................B6 Vol. 156 No. 260
Ralstons are Friends of 4-H BY AMY OBERLIN aoberlin@kpcmedia.com
ANGOLA — Ed Ralston started working with the Steuben County 4-H program when the goats were kept in a lean-to off the cattle barn. Now, the project has its own barn and this past summer, 4-H youth brought around 80 goats to the fair. Ed Ralston was one of the integral forces in developing the goat barn at the Steuben County 4-H Fair, and he said he’d like to continue to see it grow. As the past president of the fair board, goat barn superintendent and 20-year volunteer, Ralston, and his wife, Susan, plan to remain involved in 4-H. This year, due to their commitment to the program, the Ralstons were given the Friend of 4-H Award. “They are always ready and eager to serve, and they offer their help rather than waiting to be asked,” said Steuben County Purdue Cooperative Extension Educator Tami Mosier. “They do so much of everything that nothing in
particular stands out.” Ed has been on the fair board for 18 years and various committees. Before that, the Ralstons were involved with their son, Justin, a 10-year 4-H member. Justin — who heads an international organization, Refugees Read, that provides books to people in Kenya — is embracing the challenges of his new job as a vice principal in public school in Washington D.C. “We do credit a lot of that to 4-H,” said Susan. She said he was a rather introverted only child who began to blossom with local 4-H pursuits and state and national networking opportunities. Through 4-H, Justin became a licensed Washington D.C. tour guide. Ed has traveled to Washington D.C. four times as a member of the Extension Service board of directors, which he did in tandem with his 4-H responsibilities. He has lobbied at the state level annually for 4-H and Purdue SEE RALSTONS, PAGE A2
Fairview Missionary Church
Tuesday, September 24 AT FAIRVIEW MISSIONARY CHURCH, ANGOLA, IN
Doors open at 5:30 Preshow at 6:10 PM – 1 Girl Nation Show 6:30 - 9:00 PM The most fun a mother and daughter will ever have digging into God’s Word.
Public Invited!
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Ed and Susan Ralston received the Friend of 4-H Award at the September meeting of the Steuben County 4-H Fair Board meeting.
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door Contact: Jessica Bonner 260-665-8402
525 E 200 N, Angola, IN 46703 Phone: 260-665-8402 www.fairview-missionary.org