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Robotics team wins state competition to earn spot at world’s championship By Michelle Boswell Mboswell @thepaperofmiami.com Five boys from Miami County have secured a spot to compete at the 2020 VEX Robotics World Championship because they are the Indiana VEX IQ Middle School State Robotics Champions. The competition took place March 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium hosted by TechPoint Foundation for Youth. The event was the largest State Championship in the country, bringing together over 360 teams from elementary, middle and high schools from across Indiana. Although the team is a home-based team, meaning they are not affiliated with any local schools, the team consists of three Maconaquah students: Bennett Isenberg a sixth grader, and twin brothers, Kevin and Corey Nord, seventh graders. Kaden Hansen, a sixth grader Standing with their trophy after winning the State Championship in Robotics are the Jugglenauts: left to right, Kyler Hansen, 14, and Kyler Hansen, an eighth Corey Nord, 13, Bennett Isenburg, 12, Kaden Hansen, 12, Kevin Nord, 13 and Coach Brad Nord standing behind the team. grader, are home-schooled students. The fab five have achieved so much after only being a team for two years. Their coach, Brad Nord, Although that means less competition, Nord felt it was are seeded. Depending on the size of the competition, said the boys have spent hundreds of hours workit could be 10 to 12 teams. a bit of a letdown. “Worlds is an opportunity to learn ing to improve their skills. “Even when they It is clear to see Nord is quite proud of the accomfrom others,” he said. couldn’t get together in person, they would facetime And learn from others, they have. From YouTube to plishments of the Jugglenauts. Although he has each other to practice,” said Nord. other competitions, the Jugglenauts take everything helped create the base part of the bot, he said the boys They are known as the Jugglenauts because four they can find about robotics and use it to help improve have done the work. “This being our second year, I out of the five are jugglers in the Peru Circus. They have stepped aside, and the kids have done 98 % of their team. Coach Nord said as soon as they finish a take their juggling clubs with them to every comperobot building,” Nord explained. Keeping them reined competition, “they are thinking about how to get bettition. They juggle to kill time while waiting to com- ter.” in can be challenging at times as they like to change pete and to attract a crowd. Competitions are usually held on Saturdays and things, sometimes the day of the competition. “There The world championship will be held in hosted by a school. There are normally around 30 are so many ways to move around and change the bot. Louisville and although the Coronavirus has put They just want to score a lot of points,” he said. teams at each event. The teams go through eight to 10 many activities on hold, they haven’t heard of a qualification rounds. Each round is one minute long. The Jugglenauts were scheduled to compete at the cancellation, yet. At the time of the interview, Nord world championship in Louisville, Ky., the last weekThey work to move cubes and balls around inside of said he knew there were teams from China and Italy pits. They are randomly paired with other teams, scorend of April, but because of the outbreak of the that wouldn’t be able to be at the competition. ing points together. Teams that have the most points Coronavirus, the competition has been canceled.
March 18, 2020
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March 18. 2020
Coronavirus gains speed bringing community to halt By Michelle Boswell mboswell@thepaperofmiami.com At press time Monday, March 16, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has reported five new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. The new cases involve residents of Bartholomew (one), Floyd (one), Hendricks (one), Howard (one) and Marion (one) counties and have been included on ISDH’s online dashboard at https://www.in.gov/c oronavirus/. The list of counties with
cases is included in the dashboard, which will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence. Alan Krabbenhoft, dean and professor of Economics at Indiana University Kokomo (IUK) has been watching how COVID-19 has been affecting the local economy through his own personal experiences. “In just a few days we’ve had a more abrupt change with a more significant slowdown concerning restaurants. More people are using pick up and drive through services. It’s a smart way to minimize contact,” said Krabbenhoft. Like thousands of other Hoosiers, Krabbenhoft used his
“When I see shopping carts full of toilet paper, it’s a bit concerning,”
Carry out meals offered for students, seniors
Alan Krabbenhoft Dean and Professor of Economics Indiana University Kokomo
time at home over the weekend to do some online ordering to minimize contact with others as medical professionals, the ISDH and the CDC are recommending. IUK is one of many schools trying to minimize contact among students and faculty.
Several cancellations declared in Miami County
Alan Krabbenhoft, Ph.D. Students are currently on spring break and the university has extended the break for another week. After that, the students will continue their studies online until the first
week of May. “The extra week of spring break is to give faculty time to move classes from face to face class time to online. We have to figure out what will work best for the students,” Krabbenhoft explained. He continued saying, “we are taking it one day at a time. The safety of our staff, students and faculty are our prime concern.” While contact with others throughout the campus has been drastically reduced, a point of concern for Krabbenhoft is the hoarding. “When I see shopping carts full of toilet paper, it’s a bit concerning,” he said. Now the way we shop and eat is beginning to change in some states. Some restaurants are closed to dine-in customers but are still open to drivethru or delivery. Krabbenhoft said he believes this is going to continue for some time and create some difficulty but said “we will bounce back. It’s just going to take some time.”
It is known that no one knows for sure what new cancellation or change of schedule will be announced and when it will happen but here is what we know so far. Maconaquah Schools are on spring break. Students are to return to school March 30. North Miami Community Schools closed Monday, March 16, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. School will resume Monday, April 13. The week of March 16,17,18,19, and 20 will be utilized as eLearning days. The corporation will be closed March 23 April 3. Spring break will be April 6 - 10. All after school and extracurricular activities have been canceled through April 5. Please see our website for resources and updates as they become available. Peru Community Schools are closed until the end of spring break, April 3. eLearning days began Monday, March 16, and are to go through Thursday, March 19. Friday, March 20, will be a waiver day (no school and no eLearning). Peru Schools are offering free lunches for students from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and dinners from 3:30-4:30 p.m. These are meals to go and can be picked up at Peru High School Monday through Friday, March 16 -April 3. Adult meals are also available for $3. You may get up to five individual meals in
one visit, so you do not have to come to the school every day. No ID is required. Pick up is to be made at the front of the high school. Area Five is offering carry-out meals in Mexico and the Miami Senior Center. This will be available from now through April 3. The Peru Public Library is closed through April 5. Their regular hours will resume Monday, April 6, at 9 a.m. The library asks that you do not return any materials to the library during this time. All fines will be forgiven for this period. All circus practices and activities have been canceled. Circus City Festival, Inc., will keep the public updated as to when practices will resume. Peru Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Youth Baseball has suspended all activities until further notice. Miami County Girls Softball has suspended all practices and activities for three weeks which began Sunday, March 15. According to Governor Holcomb, bars, nightclubs and restaurants are now required to close for in-person dining. Delivery and takeout services are still allowed through the end of March. If you have any questions about schedules of businesses or organizations, you may want to call first.
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Miami County Farm Bureau promotes Ag Day
Sharon Dillman, above, Miami County Farm Bureau County Education Outreach Coordinator introduces the book Popcorn Country to Kim Cox’s third grade class. Below, students make charts about popcorn. Photos provided.
Meet the farmer feature is added bonus to program Have you ever thought about how many seed do not pop in a bag of microwave popcorn? Or perhaps how many kernels there actually are to eat in a bag of popcorn? What makes popcorn pop? Students in Kim Cox’s third grade class chart popcorn statistics using hands-on learning techniques. Sharon Dillman is the Miami County Farm Bureau County Education Outreach Coordinator (CEOC). She is experienced in preparing the presenting information and conducting demonstrations and experiments relating to Agriculture. She is a retired Peru Community School teacher, having taught 42 years in the Peru system and has been a farmer all her life. Sharon Dillman presented the 2020 Farm Bureau Book of the Year, Popcorn Country by Chris Peterson to Kim Cox’s third grade class at
Blair Pointe Elementary School. The book was purchased for Miami County schools and other locations by Miami County Farm Bureau as part of their Ag In the Classroom Promotion. The national program is coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture. It was established in 1981. The goal of the program is to help students pre-K through 12th grade understand the important role of agriculture in the economy and society. Agriculture in the Classroom activities focus on teaching STEM based lessons related to agriculture, using hands-on teaching tools for many reasons. Sharon Dillman also used a Farm a Month program from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture in the classroom. This is a way to engage preschool and elementary age students throughout the
North Miami Ag Classes also promote Ag Day by reading the farm books to elementary students and helping the teachers with activities.
year in agriculture. This resource is meant to help foster conversation about where our food and fiber come from. Peru Community Schools, North Miami Schools, Maconaquah Schools, St. John’s Preschool, and First Christian Preschool of Converse each received one of the complete yearly kits. Each kit contains a U.S. Map to reinforce geography as students learn about different products and where they are produced. There is one specific activ-
ity for every month, each focusing on a different commodity. A book for each month is included and directions for a fun snack is also included. Finally, the “Meet a Farmer” feature is also included in the program. Farmers have been interviewed across the country and their story is told at the end of each activity. After the “Meet the Farmer” Feature is read the student can pull out the matching farm sticker and add it to the U.S. map. There is nothing like meeting a farmer! North Miami Ag Classes also promote Ag Day by reading the farm books to the elementary students and helping the teachers with activities. Those interested in current scholarships, grants, and other programs in agriculture may contact www.infarmbureau.org or call Sharon Dillman at 574-382-5041.
Students in Kim Cox’s class compare how many popcorn kernals did not pop from microwave popcorn bags. Photo provided.
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Peru Police Department March 7 A report was made of an Intoxicated male lying in a parking lot near North Miami and West Eighth Streets. Loud and reckless motorcycles were reported near South Wabash and East Franklin Streets. Officer was unable to locate the motorcycles. A report of a possible intoxicated driver was made near North Kelly Avenue and West Main Street. Driver was not located. A located license plate in a vehicle bay was reported at 601 North Broadway. Contact was not made with owner. A citation issued for speeding at North Chili Avenue and East Nineth Street. A verbal warning for speeding was given near North Brownell and West Main Streets. A written warning for speeding was issued near North 150 West and West U.S. Route 24. A civil dispute over residency took place at 152 East Canal Street. The property owner was advised to contact an attorney and file for eviction. A subject near the Bourne End Trailer Court entrance had questions regarding divorce and split of assets. They were advised to contact a divorce lawyer. A citation for speeding was issued near Abraham Lane and
March 18. 2020
Police reports Bobtail Pike. March 8 A vehicle operating without working taillights was stopped near Cory and Wallace Avenues. The driver was able to activate them, and a verbal warning was issued. A written warning was issued for a driver disregarding a stop sign near 215 S Broadway. A report of domestic battery was made at 652 Vanburen Avenue. Criminal mischief was reported near 22 E Broadway Plaza. Report of unwanted guest at 203 E Second Street. The parties separated for the evening. Charges being forwarded to the Miami County Prosecutor's Office for review. Miami County Sheriff ’s Department March 9 Caller struck a deer on CR 1200 N east of SR 19. A report was taken. Removed a deer carcass from the traveled portion of the roadway near E 900 N and N 100 E, Denver. An eviction order service was provided at 12948 S U.S. Route 31, Maple Lawn Village Mobile Home Park, lot 15, Kokomo. A caller from 2841 S Hilltop Drive, Apt 7, Peru said a package was removed from her doorstep. A case report was completed. A male came into the Sheriff ’s department to speak to
someone about possible fraud concerning a credit card and an ATM. A traffic accident with property damage was reported near S 400 W and W State Road 218. Metal debris was cleared from a roadway near S Graber Drive and S U.S. 31 in the southbound lanes. March 10 A report of a possible suicidal subject who left the residence of 210 W Harrison Street, Hunter’s Trailer Park, Converse, Lot 2. The subject was in Marion and checked out fine. Agency assistance was given to Cass County DCS with the removal of a child at 2934 S 300 W, Woodland Hills Mobile Home Park, lot 220, Peru. A report of a man taking money from a tip jar on March 1. A screenshot from surveillance video was shown to clerk at Knights Inn. The clerk gave an 85% positive identification as someone who was staying at the hotel on the first of March. The clerk provided a copy of the guest receipt. The name from the receipt was entered in house and involvements with city police were attached the same photo was forwarded to those officers who supplied e the same name that is on the motel receipt. March 11 A report of a vehicle stolen by a roommate was made from
4674 E 1200 N, Roann. The vehicle and roommate were located at a gas station at SR 114 and SR 15 by Wabash County Deputies. The roommate was subsequently arrested for auto theft and transported to the Miami County jail. The vehicle was returned to its owner. A complainant reported hitting a deer that morning on her way to work. A state crash report was completed. A welfare check was made at 4127 W 1400 N, Macy. Male subject said he was okay but that his phone had quit working. He said he was getting it fixed soon. Officer dispatched to 1745 S Lincoln Street, Peru, in reference of a disorderly neighbor. A welfare check was requested at 1243 Chanute Ave, Peru. One person was transported to Dukes Memorial Hospital for mental evaluation. March 12 A subject reported being harassed on Facebook. The subject was advised to block the messages from the person on Facebook. A burglary was reported at 2315 W Fourth Street, Mexico. The caller said he located a man inside his vehicle parked in his garage. The man fled on foot. The man was later identified as Tyler Backus of Peru. Backus had three outstanding arrest warrants. Backus was subsequently found
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hiding under a mattress at a residence on east sixth street in Peru by deputies of the Miami County Sheriff ’s Department and officers of the Peru Police Department. Backus was taken into custody on the outstanding warrants and charged with criminal trespass and mischief stemming from the initial report of Backus being in the caller’s garage. A warning was issued to a driver near W 800 N and N 100 W, Denver, for driving left of center. A female was driving a Subaru forester southbound on U.S. 31 near W Airport Road and S Business 31, Peru, and struck an unknown object sitting on the roadway causing damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed due to
handled the situation. Loose cattle were reported in a field near 750 N and 100 W, Denver. Assistance was given to a motorist with a broken-down vehicle near S Business 31 and S U.S. Route 31, Peru. An offender verification was made at 3449 W State Road 218, Matt’s Mobile Home Park, lot 4, Peru. A subject went to the Sheriff ’s department to report her daughter had run away from home. This is an ongoing investigation. Transferred one female from Dukes Memorial Hospital to Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital. Dakota Rose, 27, 230 E Canal, was arrested but released by court order on March 14. Levi Snyder, 25, 112
taken into custody. Ronald Peters, 40, Martinsville, IN., was taken into custody. Kyle Jones, 32, Ligonier, IN., was arrested for violation of probation. Jonathan Bellar, 26, Macy, IN., was arrested for domestic battery. Kayla Bellar, 27, 128 E Second Street, Peru, was arrested for domestic battery. Ashley Anderson, 36, Indianapolis, IN., was taken into custody to serve time. Vincent Volpe, 38, Greenwood, IN., was taken into custody to serve time. Todd Hopson, 49, Marion, IN., was taken into custody to serve time. Allen Lambert, 28, 264 E Main Street, was arrested for theft. March 13 A complainant went to the Sheriff ’s office continued on page 5
the disabling damage. The driver was issued an event number for reference. An ongoing investigation continues due to a death at 3532 W and 250 S, Peru. A caller had questions regarding the removal of vehicles from private property near 3567 W Clover Lane, Kokomo. A complainant reported damage to a church window. A case report was completed. A welfare check was made near 314 E Washington Ave, Bunker Hill for a suicidal female. The Indiana State Police
S Fremont Street, was arrested but released by court order on March 14. Joseph Cass, 2021 Shaw Avenue, was arrested under a Howard County Warrant. Sarah Keefer, 29, Fort Wayne, was arrested for failure to appear and driving while suspended. Jeffrey Miller, 47, 17 Jean Avenue, Apt. B, Peru, was arrested for violation of probation. James Levier, 22, 26 West Tenth Street, Peru, was arrested for violation of probation, failure to appear. David Kitts, 50, 430 W 14th Street, Peru, was
to report losing his trailer plate. Assistance was given. A complainant re-
ported property stolen from a barn at 4341 E 600 N, Peru. A case report was completed. A verbal warning over improper lane movement was given near E 550 N and N State Road 19, Peru. Units responded to 1609 Warhawk Road, Peru, in
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Police to report losing his trailer plate. Assistance was given. A complainant reported property
W, Peru. A warning for speed
had contacted a wrecker company
A warning for speed
4341 E 600 N, Peru. A
2598 S Business 31,
case report was com-
Peru. A warning for speed
A verbal warning
was issued near S
over improper lane
Business 31 and S
movement was given
Willow Creek Drive.
State Road 19, Peru.
with the vehicle and
S Business 31, Peru. was again issued near
near E 550 N and N
ing mechanical issues
was issued near 2598
stolen from a barn at
pleted.
There was a dis-
prior to officer’s arrival. An officer spoke to a female regarding a threatening phone call she received. An officer was dispatched to speak to a subject about theft
abled vehicle due to a
from a storage unit at
Units responded to
flat tire near E 250 N
2649 S Business 31. A
1609 Warhawk Road,
and N State Road 19,
Peru, in reference to a
Peru.
report was taken. A caller from 1967 N 175 E, Peru, was upset about subjects living to the east of him riding four wheelers/quads down the lane. Caller advised it is ok if they ride to mailbox but not up and down lane. Caller was advised it is private property. Caller was also upset about driveway being put in on neighbor’s property. He was advised to contact an attorney. Abandoned vehicle that was tagged several days ago was towed near Edwards Ct and Schilling Street.
suicidal male. The male was in Kokomo and taken to the hos-
March 15 A suspicious vehicle
pital for further eval-
was reported near
uation.
6172 N 19 at access
A domestic disturbance was reported at 10404 N Union City Road, Macy. Assisted an individual who went to the
site to Eel River. Vehicle checked out fine. A dead body was reported at 5193 S 400 W, Peru. A traffic hazard was
Sheriff ’s department
reported at S U.S.
to discuss questions
Route 31 and W State
they had about a no
Rd 218.
contact order.
A traffic accident
A traffic accident
with property dam-
with damage was re-
age was reported at
ported at 4116 S
Logansport road and
Strawtown Pike,
U.S. Route 31, Peru.
Peru. A warning for speed
A citizen needed assistance to unlock a
was issued at W 1200
vehicle at 14020 N
N and N U.S. Route 31,
Gilead Church Road,
Macy.
Macy.
A warning for speed
An abandoned vehicle
was issued near W
was reported near N
1000 N and N U.S.
Eel River Cemetery
Route 31, Macy.
Road and N 440 W,
A warning for speed was issued near N U.S. Route 31 and W 800 N, Denver. A warning for speed
5
Peru. The vehicle was tagged. A disabled vehicle was located at W 550 N and N U.S. Route 31,
was issued near S
northbound, Peru.
Business 31 and S 200
The driver was hav-
An officer was dispatched to the area of Eagles Pointe near N Lincoln and Capehart Streets in reference to
Gavyn Stone, 18, took to the skate park recently to enjoy some sun. Photo by Michelle Boswell
a small child out walking alone without a parent. The child was returned to parent and DCS was contacted. Checked on a group of juveniles walking near roadway. Everything checked out fine.
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Landon Steele, 10, took advantage of sunny weather to go to the skate park on West Canal Street. Photo by Michelle Boswell
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Making memories at Mississinewa Dam
A couple navigates through the silted bottom of the Mississinewa Dam recently. Photo by Michelle Boswell
Pelicans have found their way to Miami County and are currently staying at the Mississinewa Dam. Photo by Michelle Boswell
A young girl had a line cast out into the water near the outlet at the Mississinewa Dam. While the breeze was chilly, the sun brought alot of people outside to enjoy the weather. Photo by Michelle Boswell
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Grissom Air Museum displays
Photos provided by Arlene Long
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March 18. 2020
Grissom Air Museum displays
Photos provided by Arlene Long