The Rochester City Pool is having its first major renovations since being installed in 1969.
New Rochester Park and Recreation Board President Kimberlie Landis said work on the pool started in November.
Renovations include a new drain, new guttering, new liner and new decking. Buddenbaum & Moore of Noblesville is the contractor for the project.
Landis said Rochester Parks Foreman Duane Border told her in fall 2024 after the pool’s season ended that “we were losing water out of the pool.”
She said the gutters caused the leak, motivating the project.
City leaders were able to use budgeted funds to cover the repairs, which Landis said cost
more than $1,000,000.
The board does have some nonessential items it wants for the pool, including a new slide, and hopes to get donations for those.
Landis said the old double slide had to be removed due to “stress places.”
The board is looking at putting in a single slide.
If funding is secured for it, the slide will be installed in the pool’s center versus the deep end where it was before, said Lori Simpson, who’s returning as pool manager after a several-year hiatus.
“It will be in shallower water so as people come off the slide, they can stand up, and it will be better for the young kids,” said Simpson.
Lights are also on the park board’s wish list, so hours at the pool can be later, said Landis.
If people wish to donate for the additional items, they may send money to Rochester Clerk-Treasurer Beth Stocking at city hall, 320 Main St., Rochester, IN 46975, mentioning they are for the project. Landis said people may note if they want money to cover a specific part of the pool project.
One part of the former pool which leaders couldn’t bring back was the baby pool.
Landis said bringing the baby pool back would mean adding in a separate heater and filtration system.
The cost for that would be more than $1,000,000, which Landis said leaders “couldn’t justify” for the few people who actually would use the baby pool.
“Our wish is that we’re going to put up this nice big pavilion over the area where the baby pool used to be,” said Simpson.
Landis said that would add a shaded area for people.
Plans are for the pool to be ready in time for the 2025 season, with it open from Memorial Day to early August.
Landis said leaders hope to have a ribbon-cutting ahead of the pool’s reopening.
She and Simpson stated the importance of having the pool renovated for the public to use, with Landis mentioning that people stated the pool mattered to them in a survey the park board did last year.
“Not a lot of communities have the ability to have a pool,” said Simpson. “They’re very, very expensive, and I’m very, very grateful to the mayor and the park board and that they see that this is important enough to spend the kind of money that they’re spending to keep the facility open for the community.”
FIXING THE POOL A worker with Buddenbaum & Moore of Noblesville is shown at the Rochester City Pool. The facility is getting major renovations for the first time since it opened in 1969. Photo provided by Kimberlie Landis.
POOL WORK Work is shown at the Rochester City Pool. Photo provided by Kimberlie Landis.
By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer
“My family situation allowed me to spend my days with my two kids,” shares Dan Fry. “But when I attended school events or coached, I noticed kids on the sidelines — without the support of adults. Perhaps their parents were working. Whatever the reason, I wanted to step in and help.”
That drive led Fry to help establish a Boys & Girls Club in White County over 11 years ago. Today, he serves as the Area Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor, overseeing Clubs in Pulaski, White, Cass, and Fulton Counties.
In Fulton County, the club opened 1 1/2 years ago, with Crystal Shank as the local Club director. “Crystal is doing an amazing job,” says Fry.
“The club meets after school at Caston Elementary and serves about 25 kids daily. It’s one of our smaller groups, but the connections are strong. When I visit, I see kids laughing, learning, and forming bonds with staff and peers. Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive space where kids can thrive.”
Each week, club members dive into the after-school curriculum, which combines literacy, STEM, and emotional well-being.
“Two days are dedicated to building literacy skills, and one day focuses on STEM projects,” Fry explains.
“We also prioritize emotional wellness with activities like mindfulness exercises. Fridays, or ‘Friyays,’ are all about fun —mini clubs like Legos, nature, or gardening. We often bring in community members to share
WATER SOFTENER RENTALS
their careers and inspire the kids to dream big.”
While Fulton County is rural, Fry emphasizes the importance of expanding horizons. “We want kids to see the possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings — whether in their own community or the broader world.”
A cornerstone of the club’s approach is ensuring homework is completed during club hours. “This frees up time for families to connect at home,” Fry says. “Our programming starts at 3:15 p.m. right after school, and runs until 6 p.m.”
The club’s close-knit environment fosters mentorship and collaboration. “Older kids often guide the younger ones, and the younger kids learn by watching their older peers,” Fry notes.
For Fry, a typical day begins at 8 a.m. in the White County office in Monticello, where he manages administrative, resource development, and HR tasks. Afternoons are spent traveling between club sites, ensuring staff have the resources they need to deliver impactful programming.
Over the years, Fry has witnessed countless success stories, but one stands out. “One of our members joined us facing challenges with communication. At first, there was uncertainty about how much we could help. Now,
• 24/7
this child is a vibrant part of our club community —making friends, gaining confidence, and thriving in ways that inspire us all. Stories like this are a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor continues to create opportunities, foster growth, and change lives — one child at a time. Fry has two grown children, a daughter and son. His hobbies include pickle ball, reading, video games and connecting with the kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Akron Las Donas announces scholarship deadline April 1
In 1998, Akron Las Donas Club created a scholarship to memorialize Marcus Hackworth and Scott Sechrist, best friends who tragically died in a car accident in July of 1997. The scholarship is granted to graduating seniors at Tippecanoe Valley High School. Recipients of the award must excel in academics, serve throughout the community and have participated in a sport, including manager, while in school.
Both Hackworth and Sechrist graduated from TVHS in 1994. Hackworth was known for his genuine kindness and sincere willingness to help others. He could often be found helping friends with automotive matters. Fixing cars was just one of his hobbies. Some of his other interests included hunting, fishing and playing sports. At TVHS he was a member of the football team and the tennis team. Around the community, he was involved in the Akron Volunteer Fire
Department with his father and was very active in his church. His caring attitude toward others was very evident through the activities he participated in, the work that he did, and he was loved for it. Sechrist lived within the Warsaw and Akron communities for most of his life. He participated in various activities around the community, worked for Helser’s Metal Finishing, Inc., Warsaw and was a member of the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church. Sechrist enjoyed golfing, fishing and played football. Upon graduating from TVHS, he went on to study at Manchester University and later at St. Joseph College.
Students of TVHS can apply for the scholarship by completing the application online with the link: forms.gle/4spJiDWg8W46wTAA8 or by contacting the school’s guidance counselor. Deadline to apply is April 1.
DAN FRY
Let’s Study The Bible —
Do not kill
(Read: Exodus 20:1-26)
“Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).
By THE REV. RON PURKEY
Insight: All of the Old Testament Law is but an amplification and application of the Ten Commandments. Nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament for believers today: “Humanity desperately needs today a moral and Spiritual rebirth. There is no sure way of this supreme goal save through adherence to the teaching of the Bible” (By Cordell Hull).
Commandment Number One: Have no other gods before me (Acts 14:15; John 4:21-23; 1 Timothy 2:5; James 2:19; 1 Corinthians 8:6).
Commandment Number Two: Make no idols or images (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:22-23; 1 John 5:21; 1 Corinthians 10:7, 14).
Commandment Number Three: Do not take his name in vain (James 5:12; Matthew 5:33-37 and 6:5-9).
Commandment Number Four:
Remember the Sabbath day.
Insight: Number Four is not repeated anywhere in the New Testament for the church to obey today. Keeping the Sabbath is mentioned in Matthew 12, Mark 2, Luke 6, and John 5; but these all refer to the people of Israel and not to the church. Colossians 2 and Romans 14-15 teach believers should not judge one another with reference to holy days or Sabbaths. To say a person is not right with God or unspiritual for not keeping the Sabbath is to go beyond the bounds of Scripture.
Commandment Number Five: Honor father and mother (Ephesians 6:1-4.)
Commandment Number Six:
Do not kill (1 John 3:15; Matthew 5:21-22). Notice that In Exodus 20:13 the word “kill” means “murder.” You will answer to God Almighty if you murder someone! For you to take it upon yourself to murder someone is a great sin (see Exodus 20:1).
Commandment Number Seven:
Do not commit adultery (Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 6:920; Hebrews 13:4).
Commandment Number Eight:
Do not steal (Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; James 5:14).
Commandment Number Nine:
Do not bear false witness (Colossians 3:9; Ephesians 4:25).
Commandment Number 10: Do not covet (Ephesians 5:3; Luke 12:15-21).
Insight: Notice that in these “summaries of the law” in the New Testament; not one of them mentions the Sabbath: Matthew 19:1620; Mark 10:17-20; Luke 18:18-21; Romans 13:8-10.
Of course, the “New Commandment” of love is the basic motivation for the Christian today (John 13:34-35; Romans 13:9-10). This love is shed abroad from our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), so that we love God and others, and we therefore should need no external law to control our lives. The old nature knows no law, and the new nature needs no law.
The Sabbath was God’s special day for the Jews under the old covenant; the Lord’s Day is God’s special day for the church under the mew.
The Sabbath symbolizes salvation by works: six days of labor, then rest; the Lord’s Day symbolizes salvation by grace: first rest, and then the works follow. The Sabbath, the sacrifices, the dietary laws, the priesthood, and the tabernacle services were all done away in Jesus Christ.
Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines. com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.
Risks of over-the-counter medications
By STEPHANIE WEIGT MSN, APRN, FNP-C Woodlawn Health
Editor’s
Note: Stephanie Weigt is a nurse practitioner at Woodlawn
Health.
STEPHANIE
WEIGT
MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Families spend over $143 billion (about $440 per household in the US) annually on over-the-counter medications that you can purchase at stores. OTC products treat or manage a wide variety of conditions related to colds, allergies, itching, constipation, fever, aches and pains. Generally, people consider OTC medications to be safe and effective when taken as directed, but they can have serious side effects or even lead to death.
OTC medications can be harmful in certain patient populations when combined with prescription medication, taken in excessive amounts and/or used along with alcohol. Taking more than the recommended dose can lead to overdose and other harmful side effects. Alcohol can multiply the negative side effects and possible overdose of OTC decongestants, cough/cold remedies, acetaminophen, laxatives, anti-nausea/motion sickness, and antihistamines. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Advil) can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Antidepressants and Warfarin (e.g., Coumadin) when taken with an NSAID can also increase your bleeding
risk. Bleeding risk is significantly increased in those who are older than 65, have a stomach ulcer history, taking blood thinners, or corticosteroids. Taking NSAIDs can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk for heart attack or stroke.
Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) may also be in your OTC cold medications. As you reach for the bottle of Tylenol for a headache along with OTC cold medication, you could receive more than the recommended dose, which is less than 4,000 mg per day. This excessive dose could increase the risk of liver damage. Mixing alcohol with acetaminophen also increases the risk of liver damage.
Some people take antihistamines regularly for allergy symptoms. Did you know that diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) is also in many OTC sleep and cold medications? An overdose of antihistamines can increase your risk of significant drowsiness, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, nausea/ vomiting, confusion, falls, seizures and hallucinations.
Laxatives that are used for constipation can cause severe dehydration leading to kidney damage. Laxatives can also cause electrolyte imbalances due to a loss of sodium and potassium. These imbalances can lead to heart rhythm
changes, weakness, confusion and seizures.
Dextromethorphan may be listed as D or DM in OTC cough and cold medicines such as Mucinex DM, Nyquil/Dayquil, Theraflu, Tylenol Cold and more. High doses and intentional misuse can increase blood pressure and cause shallow breathing, heart palpitations, extreme drowsiness, dizziness, paranoia, hallucinations and seizures.
Some OTC medications can also be harmful to pregnant women and their babies. A few of the most common OTC medications that pregnant women should avoid include aspirin, bismuth subsalicylate (e.g., Pepto Bismol), ibuprofen, naproxen (e.g., Aleve), phenylephrine (e.g., Neo-Synephrine), pseudoephedrine (e.g., Sudafed) and chlorpheniramine (e.g., Chlor-Trimeton). If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you should consult your health care provider before using OTC medications.
Education about the potential risks of OTC medication is key to your safety. Consultation with your Woodlawn Health provider is crucial to navigating and reducing your risks. Your Woodlawn Health provider can offer specific advice for your individual medical needs and help avoid possible harmful interactions and side effects to guide your treatment regimen.
Sales: John W. Ramsey,
O B ituaries
Janice Marie Emery
Devoted Wife And Encouraging Mother
Janice Emery, 89, Swannanoa, N.C., and formerly of Twelve Mile, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend whose kindness, devotion, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Janice was a devoted wife and encouraging mother, raising her children with love, faith, support and a strong emphasis on the value of education. After raising her family, she achieved a lifelong dream by earning her bachelor’s degree and embarking on a career at Army and Air Force Exchange Service, which allowed her to travel the world. Her strong faith and advocacy for education inspired generations, as she encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue God, their studies and dreams wholeheartedly.
Survivors include: her cherished children from her first marriage, her two sons, Ron (Marcy) Rasberry, Logansport, and Rick Rasberry, Dallas, Texas; twin daughters, Rebecca (Frank) Cawley, Dallas, Texas, and Rhonda (John) Devan, Asheville, N.C.; grandchildren, Ron’s son, Cody; Rick’s children, Roarke, Alex, Zane, Zander and Elise; Rebecca’s children, Britney (Adam) Bazuldua and their daughter, Celisse, Gabriel (Jill) Gonzalez, and their children, Gibson and Skylar, Morgan Cawley and Kendall Cawley; Rhonda’s children, Jordan (Camilo) Sosa, Ashley (Jonathan) Kayembe, and their son, Maverick and Madison Devan.
She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Bessie Dillon. She was born in Miami, Fla., but raised in Logansport, where she attended high school and later returned and reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Bob Emery. They married later in life and spent their retirement years together, traveling, enjoying life on their farm and cherishing their shared love for fishing at the pond, gardening, attending church, euchre club, family and the simple joys of country living.
She also cherished her special time with Bob’s family, his sons, Dale (Kim) Emery and Jerome Emery; his daughter, Julie (Robert) Schroder; his sister, Pauletta Shafer and her children, Tammy (Mike) Koiro and Brian Shafer; his grandchildren, Lacey (Eric) Emery, Drew (Travis) Emery, Nathan (Wendy) Schroder and Neil (Britni) Schroder; and his five great-grandchildren, Baxton, Lillyn, Maxine, Parker, Carter and Tyler.
Janice adored her and Bob’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, finding immense joy in their presence and accomplishments. She loved dancing, reading, art, playing cards with friends and family and attending Bible study, where she deepened her faith and connection to her community.
Janice’s husband, Bob Emery, preceded her in death February 2017, but their love and laughter together left a lasting legacy. She will be remembered for how her warmth and compassion touched everyone around her and she will be forever loved and missed by her family and friends.
The family will host a celebration of Janice’s extraordinary life at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Fulton Community Church, 7457 Liberty Ave., Fulton, followed by a luncheon and continued time of fellowship.
Friends may visit one hour prior to services in the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to support educational programs, Dallas Baptist University at dbu.edu, where she earned her bachelor’s degree; Valley Hope at valleyhope.church, where she attended church; or Fulton Community Church, Fulton.
Barbara J. Rhoads
15-Year Clark Gas Station Employee
Barbara J. Rhoads 77, Rochester and longtime resident of Plymouth, passed away at 8:13 p.m. Saturday Jan. 18, 2025, at Life Care Center, Rochester.
She was born March 19, 1947, in Plymouth, the daughter of Richard and Lulu (Volquardsen) Lunn. Barbara married Cecil Ivan Davenport with whom she had two sons, Jeff and Jason. They later divorced but remained friends with Cecil surviving in Bourbon. She later married Norman Rhoads and he survives in Plymouth.
Barbara had worked for 15 years as the manager for Clark Gas Station and for many years at the One Stop Gas Station, both of Plymouth. She later worked briefly at Walmart. She had attended Shiloh Church, Plymouth. She enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, butterflies and birds.
Survivors include her sons, Jeff (Amy) Davenport, Rochester, and Jason (Theresa) Davenport, Bardstown, Ky.; stepdaughter, Sunday (Matthew) Peregrine, Plymouth; four grandchildren; and sister, Linda Carr, Plymouth. Preceding her in death were her parents and brother, Richard Lunn.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester. Friends may visit one hour prior to services in the funeral home.
Interment will be in the Bremen Municipal Cemetery, Bremen. Online condolences may be expressed at zimmermanbrosfh.com.
C O unty r ep O rt
Court News Circuit Court
The following petitions have been filed in Fulton Circuit Court, Judge Arthur Christopher Lee presiding: Complaints
American Express National Bank v. Raymond Fenstermacher, Rochester, $6,146.94
Midland Credit Management v. William Anetrella, Kewanna, $1,997.62
Superior Court
The following petitions have been filed in Fulton Superior Court, Judge Gregory L. Heller presiding: Complaint
Velocity Investments, LLC v. Jerald Taylor, Rochester, $1,248.27
Absolute Resolutions Investments, LLC v. Kent French, Akron, $17,967.52
Porter Hospital, LLC dba/Northwest Health-Porter v. Alexander Lute, Kewanna, $16,093.46.
Capital One N.A. v. Nathan Tucker, Rochester, $5,955.39; Eugene Painton, Rochester, $1,652.23
OneMain Financial Group, LLC v. Abigail Owens, Macy, $9,938.30
LVNV Funding LLC v. Ronald Clapper, Rochester, $776.99
Traffic Violations
The following fines and levies were paid in Fulton County courts:
Driving while suspended — Donald Hayes, Kokomo, $164.50
B irths
Truce Leroy Montana Bean
Savannah Foster, Winamac, is the parent of a son, Truce Leroy Montana, born at 1:55 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in Woodlawn Health. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 20.25 inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Rebecca and Jarret Lyles, Battle Creek, Mich.
Paternal grandparents are Mary Botello and Roy Bean, Winamac.
Paternal great-grandparents are Margaret and Leroy Bean, Culver.
Eloise Jane Lytle
Taylor and Zach Lytle, Monon, are the parents of a daughter, Eloise Jane, born at 7:36 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, in Woodlawn Health. She weighed 6 pounds, and was 20 inches long.
Alivia Jean Boyd
Dawn Piotter and Terry Boyd are
Larry Cleotis Daine
Larry Cleotis Daine, 80, Macy, died at 4:21 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at his residence.
He was born on Dec. 16, 1944. On Dec. 31,1989, he married Jennifer Jones; who survives.
Additional survivors are stepsons, Jason Swick and Eric Swick; adopted daughter, Carmen Dielman; and his companion, Zeke. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kerry and Mark; and sister, Connie.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hartzler Funeral Home 305 W. Rochester St., Akron.
Failure to change lanes for authorized emergency vehicle, vehicle fails to move over one lane — Josue Michel, Indianapolis, $165; Angela Robinson, Elkhart, $165
Failure to register, operating with a transferred plate for more than 45 days, driving while suspended, operating a motor vehicle without financial responsibility — Jaime Saldana Diaz, South Bend, $225 No valid driver’s license — Michael Householder, North Judson, $164.50; James Lewis, Hobart, $164.50
Operating with expired plates, speeding — Paul Faust, Louisville, Ky., $179.50; Sukhpreet Kaur, Glen Oaks, N.Y. $179.50
Passing a stopped school bus when stop arm is out and activated — Eli Sterk, Silver Lake, $389.50
Speeding — Marcus Matinez-Ford, Kalamazoo, Mich., $154.50; Emily Kresbach, Indianpolis, $175; Brenda Saylor, Osceola, $154.50; Brannick Arbuckle, Carmel, $164.50; Marcus Tucker, South Bend, $164.50; Ainee Martin, Indianapolis, $154.50; Andrew Hutchison, South Bend,
the parents of a daughter, Alivia Jean, born at 5:18 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in Woodlawn Health. She weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 19 inches long.
She joins siblings, Adaline, 7, and Avery, 1.
$175; Aya Elhag, South Bend, $175; Ashante Green, South Bend, $175; James Melton, Indianapolis, $175; Addi Barclay, Indianapolis, $154.50; Paige Phillips, Rochester, $154.50; Alfred Golden III, Cincinnati, Ohio, $164.50; Rebecca Rutz, Indianapolis, $175; Shawn Crittendon, Wolcottville, $175; Dillon Gunter, Batesville, $164.50; Brandon Roberts, Elkhart, $175; Adlai Gualtieri, Rochester, $175; Shivani Dadwal, Carmel, $164.50; Jessica Sanchez, Fennville, Mich., $164.50; Stephanie Dixon, $175; Steven Teroller, Baton Rouge, La.; Troy Blackman, Fulton, $164.50; Hau Thang, Fort Wayne, $154.50; Johnathon Tague, Central, S.C., $154.50; Prince Patel, Valparaiso, $175; Terry Champan-munroe, Crown Point, $164.50; Ashley Keen, Indianapolis, $164.50; Carlos Pena, $154.50; Erik Ness, Byron, Ill., $164.50; Jeffrey Schrader, New Carlisle, $164.50; Brenda Saylor, Osceola, $154.50; Stuart Warden, Carmel, $154.50; Margo Talbott, Indianapolis, $154.50
Marriage Dissolutions
The following couple has filed for a marriage dissolution in Fulton County courts: Tyler — Jared Tyler, Rochester, and Erica Tyler, Rochester. With minor children.
Maternal grandparents are Philip and Lisa Piotter, Macy.
Paternal grandparents are Tony Boyd, Peru, and Heather Moore, Peru.
Maternal great-grandparents are Alma Jean Baker, Macy, and Jerry and Carol Piotter, Macy.
Paternal great-grandparent is Scot Moore, Peru.
Stars
By RUSSELL DAVIDSON SR. Guest Writer
Boy, would I love to go dancing with the stars. It would be a great way to show those dancers that these old feet and legs
may squeak a little but I’m no turtle.
Leap high, about three inches, dip and spin. Wow! I can’t wait to get on the dance floor. They’re calling my number now. Darn it, I can’t get my shoes on.
JANICE MARIE EMERY
LARRY CLEOTIS DAINE
BARBARA J. RHOADS
Rochester High School releases honor roll
Rochester High School has announced its honor rolls for the second quarter grading period of the 2024-2025 school year.
All ‘A’ Honor Roll
The following were named to the all “A” honor roll.
12th Grade — Audrey Grace Bolinger, Evan Nathaniel Damer, Braydn Jeffrey Furnivall, Braden Christian Harrington, Mia Alee Howdeshell, Maddox Lane Lahrman, Wesley Dean Lawson, Lillee Boyd Lett, Ashly Lynne McCall, Ella Lee McCarter, Leah Fay Miller, Owen Layton Walker Prater, Tyler Gene Reese, Reid Jamyson Spencer, Selena Christine Stahl, Darah Lea Strasser, Ava Dale Thomas and Briana Nicole Whiteman.
11th Grade — Olivia Marie Bailey, Allyson Renee Calloway, Danika Jonee’ Dickson, Lincoln Elijah Holder, Gavin Michael Mollencupp, Charlotte Perry, Carlos Adriano Plascencia and Jesse Edward Smith.
10th Grade — Sydney Rae Bauman, Joel Alexander Criollo, Anne Horban, Brailyn Nicole Hunter, Julissa Lopez, Kelsey Mae Pearson, Alexander Cage Porterfield, Bria Noelle Rensberger, Jackson Thomas Robbins, Kale Andrew Shotts, Abriella Marie St Martin, Audrey Lee Widman and Aubrey Kay Wilson.
Ninth Grade — Madeline Ella Bailon, Sophie Noelle Beehler, Mitchell William Clark, Elise Renee Enyart, Quinn Harper Gruss, Adison Nicole Hayes, Grant James McGlothin, Grayson David Miller, Molly Marianne Moore, Reagan Jo Perry and Ellie Michelle Straeter.
Eighth Grade — Addisyn Marie Banks, Hope Elizabeth Baugh, Grant Eli Bolinger, Lyla Lynn Bowers, Alexandria Aria Cortes-Gustafson, Emma Ann Dunfee, Ali Breanne Field, Adalyn Marie Gonzalez, Ainsley Piper Horvath, Serenity Deen Howard, Madelyn G Maclain, Evan Lee Maroney, Aubree Elizabeth-Donovan Martin, Memphis James Miller, Daniela Cristina Ochoa, Evan Lee Pearson, Shelby May Pearson, Lucas Mossimo Scorsone, Haylee Marie Shuck, Taya Akello Tindi, James Oscar Wells, Mackenzie Marie Widman and Camden Blair Zink.
A/B’ Honor Roll
The following were named to the “A/B” honor roll.
12th Grade — Bryce Douglas Baugher, Emma Elizabeth Bays, Drew Davis Bowers, Dakota Joe Burden, Hailie Marie Charles, Bruce H Clark, Rylee Jean Cle-
venger, MadiLynn Lee Coble, Lillee Dion Conley, Logan Gage Cunningham, Brooke Lynn Davis, Madison Sue Davis, Wyatt Dean Davis, Seth Bradley Flenar, Xander Michael Franklin, Baylee Lyn Freant, James Alexander Smith Gardner, Nachelle Marie Gentry, Aiden James Harrington, Guidry Chad Hisey, Hunter Robert Honkomp, Maddox Ray Jewell, Reece Edward Johnson, Kaydence Lee Kuhn, Legacy Layne Lockhart, Alexandria Danielle Lucker, Sophia Jane McCall, Johnathan Michael Mercer.
Also, Kadyn Andrew James Merrill, Carter Richard Migonis, Skyla Ann Mitchell, Silvia May Montelongo, Brady William Morgan, Kyeliem Rae Eric Murphy, Alexsis LeighAnne Nelson, Adrian Isac Ochoa, Liam Gabriel Pinder, Tanner Joseph Reinartz, Davis Maxwell Renie, MaKenzie Dawn Roe, James Louis Salyer, Adalynn Kay Samuels, David Edward Smith, Rabuor Onyango Tindi, Kylah Leigh Towell, Xavier Meiser Vance, Emily Marie Vigar, Audrey Kennedy Wagner, Trevor Stewart Walley, Ethan Ryan Wieringa and Daniel Ryan Yocum.
11th Grade — Aracely Elizabeth Aguilar, Spencer James Backus, Grant Stephen Bailey, Emma Susan Joy Beck, Brant William Beck, Madison Lynn Black, Brooklyn Jae Chandler, David Grant Clark, Addison Marie Coria, Matthew Dylan Crossland, Harrison Lane Dunwoody, Callen Lee Ferverda, Brayden Alan Gamble, Declan Ryan Gard, Clarence Malachi McCloud Garrett, Lillian Mae Gerald, Nevaeh Elizabeth Goodman, Dakotta Marie Guyse, Ellen Mae Hake, Brooklyn Marie Halterman, Mylee Kathline Heinzmann, Brylie Anne Kiggins, Jonas Gray Kiser, Mason Elijah Hisey, Jaden Marie Horn, Layne Jordan Horn, Isabella Grace Howdeshell, Hunter Lee Kamp, Elijah James Kroledge. And, Preston Hunter Luhnow, Carter Ryan Merideth, Myrandace Rae Metz, Aubrey Linn Miller, Andres Yurel Molina, Avarie Dawn Montel, Ashton Michael Musselman, Braxton Chace Norman, Carson Jeffrey Paulik, Laine Marie Peppler, Raiden Cody Andrew Putman, Jack Carvey Reffett, Jesse Fletcher Roe, Olivia Joesphine Rude, John Paul Trotier, Ashlynn Nikole Luray Weyant, Chloe Layla-Isabella Wheadon, Violet Rose Whitmer and Aiden Micheal Witten. 10th Grade — Nicolas Emiliano Aguileta Amaro, Abbigail Marie Artist, Ethan Douglas Bailey,
Emah Elizabeth Bradley, Parker Michael Casper, Evan Gregory Coffing, Brady Lane Coleman, Mishay Raeanne Ernie, Jadyn
Michelle Field, Jackson Dale Frounfelter, Camdyn Daryl Furnivall, Zane Lee Galbraith, Kylie Rae Haselby, Alexis Lee Haughs, Isaac Daniel Heishman, Grant Steven Holloway, Logyn Kay Honkomp, Izabella Rae Hook, Leandro Javier, Willow Deann Kamplain, Sophia Grace Kouskousakis, Tanner William Krom, Ruth Mae Love.
Also, KayLea Jade McCarty, Makenna Renee McKee, Laynie Marie Migonis, Vivian Grace Miller, Emma Lynnae Murphy, Taylor Paige Navara, Addison Taylor Nelson, Vallorie Cheyenne Nelson, Natalia Kae Pittman, Adam Joseph Edward Reinhold, Ashelynn Emma Kay Rhodes, Ruj Alfie Sirichantra, Rilyn Paige Strasser, Addison Averie Sutton, Cailab Martin Tyler, Riley Jade Vessels, Landon Thomas Weaver, Matthew Riley Wicker and Chloe Carter Winn.
Ninth Grade — Trinity Melannie Baine, Sophia Lynn Baker, Alison Nicole Bauman, Colton Wayne Black, Bentley Edward Blackburn, Elizabeth Lynn
Brower, Cayden Andrew Caudill, Kassandra Cisneros-Ordaz, Kyla Breann Conley, McKynlee Rae Dickson, Kayla Danica Doss, Brayson Carter Flory, Aaron Christopher Furrow, Raylee Lyen Fry, Trinity Kay Gard, Gretchen Ella Smith Gardner, Jaser Liam Garrett, Savannah Jane Gudas, Hagen Edward Heilstedt, Jeffrey Taylor Howard, Molly Kathryn Leslie, Owen Lee Lett, Abbygail Jean Lowry, Emma Grayce Mathias.
And, Sylvia Ann McCall, Jayla Marie Miller, Avrianna Nichella Pawski, Gavin Kayle Pinder, Grant Marshall Reese, Jay Thomas Ritter, Samantha J Roe, Jocelynn Coleen Sue Shafer, Riplee McKenna Snyder, Peyton LeeAnn Spencer, Carolynn Marie Turner, Summer Jewel Tyler, Ariah Rayne Upp, Shianne Marie Wakeland, Amara Nicole Wieringa, Linden Dean Wilburn, Kaison Dylan Williams, Aiden Dean Wilson, Derek Robert Wortley and Addisyn Mary Zimmerman.
Eighth Grade — Serenity Jane Ashby, Brooklynn Jane Baine, Karsyn Christine Baker, Kala Marie Baugh-Owens, Caden Lee Biernacki, Alexis Lorraine Black, Sophia Rose Clapper, Ste-
ven Micheal Cain Cortez, Gabriel Dean Cowles, Javaunie Omari Davidson, Serenity Pearl Decker, Brooklyn Leann Gard, Brenah Mary Beth Garrison, Mayla Leighann Gentry, Audrey Renee Guard, Shelby Linnea Haselby, Andres Antonio Hernandez, Braxton Dale Hester, Malaki Rome Hicks, Tanner Lee Horn, Maria Guadalupe Jimenez, Taylor Renee Jones, Carole Sophia Mae Kapp, Van Grafton Kiser, Mackenzie Danielle Kuhnz, Drew Patrick Lawson, Peyton N. Leasure, Kyleigh Madison Little. Also, Alexander Marquez-Cisneros, Aisley Elaine Montel, Eli Robert Murphy, Blayke Logan Nelson, Mason Andrew Oliver, Conner James Overmyer, Brody James Owens, Kennedy Monroe Parry, Kavy Maheshkumar Patel, Leonel Alonso Plascencia, Ayven Raine Porter, Ayden Joseph Smith, Bailey Jade Smith, Savannah Lynn Maxine Summers, Kiana Marie Susaraba, Chevy John Gaige Swank, Waylon Floyd Thomas, Jaide Marie Trottier, Chloie Michelle Tyler, Layla Joy Tyler, Emmett Ryan Vandergriff, Tyson Michael Wachtmann and Wade Garrett Wheadon.
Mobilgas Museum
Retirement Auction
10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. Located at 515 Beerenbrook St., Plymouth. Collector cars, advertising signage, thermometers, clocks, petroliana, service station tools, mannequins, toys. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction. com.
Online Comic Book Auction
Bidding open until 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3. Pickup located at 1582 W. SR 114, North Manchester. Collection of 2,500-plus comic books ranging from 1950s to 2000s. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Online Silver and Coin Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 6. Pickup located at 1582 W. SR 114, North Manchester. Silver dollars, graded coins, proof and mint sets, coin books. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Online Coin Auction
Bidding open until 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Pickup located at 1582 W. SR 114, North Manchester. Gold, silver dollars, silver bars, platinum rounds, coin books, large cents. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction. com.
Only 20 teachers across the state of Indiana receive this grant each year. Jones applied for the grant to enhance the archery program at
purchase new bows, new arrows and an adapted archery set designed for
Indiana lawmaker targets
‘destructive’
By CASEY JONES
Indiana Capital Chronicle
An Indiana bill up for debate intends to crack down on what some Hoosiers called “destructive” fishing practices that wreak havoc on minnow populations in the state’s rivers and streams.
Current law permits minnows to be caught with nets for the purpose of bait fishing.
Senate Bill 121, authored by Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, would allow anglers to collect the small freshwater fish, but only a quantity that can be used with a fishing pole as bait.
“Anything that you’re not using that day” would have to go back in water, Deery said. The measure advanced 7-1 with bipartisan support from the Senate Natural Resources Committee and now heads to the full chamber.
The impetus for the bill, Deery said, is “a number of individuals … of a culture where it is appropriate” to fish minnows not for sport, but “just for consumption purposes.” The senator did not
minnow fishing
more opportunities for all students to participate in the program and further develop their skills.
“We are so excited to receive this grant and expand the opportunities we offer our students,” said Jones. “Archery is a fantastic way for students to develop focus, patience and coordination. With this new equipment, we can ensure that every student, no matter their ability, has a chance to enjoy and excel in the sport.”
STATE SENATOR SPENCER DEERY
cite a specific ethnic group in his remarks, but one witness referred to overfishing in Indiana waterways by immigrants from Myanmar. The measure additionally includes a special protection for Sugar Creek, a roughly 93-mile stream that flows southwest from Tipton County and into the Wabash River. The current draft of the bill stipulates that no minnows could be collected from Sugar Creek under any circumstances — not even for bait fishing. Anglers could still buy minnows from a dealer and fish with them in the waterway, however.
Deery called it “an area where these abusive practices have been particularly acute.”
Chad Miller, a Sugar Creek fishing guide, said net fishing
for minnows has caused large amounts of fish and other marine life in the west-central Indiana waterway to be killed. He pointed to droves of dead minnows he’s witnessed along the creek shores, as well as other dead species, like logperches, darters and walleyes.
“The bottom of the ecosystem has to be there for all those other species to thrive,” Miller continued. “This killing, it’s reckless — not sustainable in the least.”
Provisions in the bill would put a statewide ban on using dip nets, cast nets, traps and seine fishing for collecting minnows beyond what can be used by anglers for baitfish purposes. An angler collecting minnows is also required to “possesses a pole and line needed to fish.” Only an amount of minnows that can be “reasonably used before the end of the day” would be permitted. Any unused minnows would have to be returned to the same waterway from which the minnows were caught, according to the bill.
Prohibitions would not apply to licensed scientists or bait dealers.
Chris Smith, DNR’s deputy director, noted state law already prohibits sport fish from being taken by net. Even so, he asked lawmakers to “tighten” enforcement language in the bill, and urged caution “when adopting rules for different bodies of water.”
Smith said clarification is needed to address whether both living and dead minnows should be dumped back into the water if not used.
“We are incredibly proud of Mrs. Jones for receiving this grant,” said TVMS Principal Kyle Wieland. “Her dedication to creating an inclusive and engaging environment for all students is truly inspiring. This new equipment will allow even more students to experience success in archery and contribute to their overall growth and development.”
New executive orders seek to ‘deregulate’ Indiana agencies
By CASEY SMITH Indiana Capital Chronicle
Among nine executive orders released Wednesday, Jan. 15 by Gov. Mike Braun are directives to cut a quarter of government regu-
lations and reduce qualifications for state jobs and professional licenses, along with a mandate for state employees to return to their offices by July 1.
Braun detailed the new orders
Continued on page 8
Photo provided by the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.
SIGNING PAPERWORK Republican Gov. Mike Braun signs a slew of new executive orders on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Indiana Statehouse. Photo by Whitney Downard, Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Winter adult reading program part of Akron library 2025 activities
By LEAH SANDER Staff Writer
The return of a winter adult reading program is just one of the current or upcoming events this year at the Akron Carnegie Public Library.
The reading program with its theme of a “Winter Wonderland of Reading” goes until Friday, March 7.
Library Programming Director and Administrative Assistant Julie Canada noted for every three books people read or audiobooks listened to, they get a ticket for prizes. New this year, people can also complete challenges to get tickets, such as filling out information on what life was like the year they were born.
For February, there should be Valentine Bingo at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, and people may enjoy a Blind Date with a Book by picking out stories that have been wrapped so they don’t know which ones they’re receiving.
The new Baby and Me Storytime for infants should start at 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 20.
Canada said Library Cataloger Nicole King is planning a Jane Austen tea party for patrons. It will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, with people needing to sign up for it at the library.
Returning again this year will be a birding class set for Thursday, April 3, at the library.
The Tippecanoe Audubon Society will put that on.
Marshall County FFAs
to hold Toy Show & Ag
Expo at LaVille
Marshall County will be the scene of an FFA Toy Show & Ag Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at LaVille High School, 69969 SR 931, Lakeville. A number of FFA chapters throughout the county will be participating.
Admission is $2 and free for children under age 13.
The expo will feature farm toy vendors, local agriculture services, silent auction items and a live auction supporting Marshall County’s FFA chapters at 3 p.m.
Food will be available for purchase.
Canada said previous participants requested the return of the class.
She said there should also be some special activities planned for kids during Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.’s spring break from April 7-11.
She said she gets ideas for programs from social media and then will sometimes “Julie-fy” them.
Canada also will come up with ideas by looking at random small holidays that are upcoming.
She said her potato derby on National Potato Day in August 2024 went over well, so it should return for 2025. Kids got to race potatoes they decorated set on axles the library had extras of from the summer reading program.
“I’ve learned that creating memories is one of the reasons our patrons come to our programs, especially when it comes to family,” said Canada. “Even in our adult programming, it’s also about fellowship. I think COVID-19 had something to do with that.”
“We recognize how being together keeps your spirits up, and we are glad to provide a full range of programs that we can encourage each other in body, mind and spirit,” she added.
Canada said she hopes library patrons in the future “look back and think about all the great memories they had at the library years
after the program was ran.”
She said that would cause the patrons “to bring their kids and
grandkids to the library, and our library will remain relevant and active in the future.”
Heartland Church, 321 E. Eighth St., Rochester, currently has a warming center for individuals seeking a warm, safe place to sleep. Doors are open each evening until Friday, Jan. 31. Intake for the shelter is 6-8 p.m. Enter on the south side of the building.
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The next commissioner’s meeting will be Monday, Feb. 3, at the County Annex Building, located at 125 E. Ninth St., Rochester.
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Kewanna-Union Township Public Library will host Zak’s Tech Time from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Feb. 3 and Teens and Tweens Art Club will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 210 E. Main St., Kewanna.
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Legacy Christian Academy kindergarten roundup for the 2025-2026 school year will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. It is located at 5288 N. Old US 31, Rochester. Parents are welcome to meet the teachers, look at the curriculum and tour the school.
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A sidewalk/tree meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the Rochester City Building Complex, 320 Main St., Rochester.
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There will be a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the St. Joseph Parish Hall, 1310 Main St., Rochester. Call (800) 733-7267 or visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment.
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Board of Works meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, in the Rochester City Building Complex, 320 Main St., Rochester.
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Park board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, in the Rochester City Building Complex, 320 Main St., Rochester.
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Northern Indiana Community
Kewanna Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at Kewanna Town Hall, 308 S. Logan St., Kewanna.
Foundation has announced scholarship applications are available and due by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11. To learn more visit nicf.org or call (574) 223-2022.
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Akron Carnegie Public Library will host chair exercises at 10 a.m. and bingo at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 205 E. Rochester St., Akron.
—o—
Father Daughter dance sponsored by Psi Iota Xi will be from 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, in
the Rochester High School cafeteria. The dance is for children ages third through sixth grade. The dress code is formal. Tickets are $15 each. Both child and father will need tickets for the dance. For more information, contact any member, call or text (574) 835-1927.
—o— Volunteer work is always welcome and needed in maintaining Indiana State Parks. For more information on volunteering visit on.IN.gov/dnrvolunteer or email
DNRvolunteer@dnr.IN.gov.
—o—
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Energy Assistance Program can help pay heating and electric bills. To see if you qualify and to apply visit EAP.ihcda.in.gov.
—o—
4-H enrollment and re-enrollment is now open. Active members and volunteers must be re-enrolled every year. Enroll now at v2.4honline.com.
WINTER WONDERLAND OF READING Marianne Day poses in the Akron Carnegie Public Library’s snow globe up for the library’s adult reading program, “Winter Wonderland of Reading.” The program runs through Friday, March 7. Photo provided by Julie Canada.
Valley School Board hears update on Burket Educational Center
By LIZ ADKINS Staff Writer
The Tippecanoe Valley School Board heard an update on the alternative education program at Burket Educational Center during a board meeting on Monday, Jan. 20.
BEC Teacher Micah Lukens said the center currently has 20 enrolled students, with 14 students graduating during the first semester. Students earned a total of 197 credits during the first semester at BEC.
“The purpose (of Burket Educational Center) is to provide a positive learning experience for students who have struggled in traditional settings, to provide an experience that’s academically comprehensive and educationally sensitive to many learning styles,” said Lukens.
Lukens said students have started studying skills needed for the SAT. They have also began sessions with a mental health therapist to utilize the “Why Try” curriculum.
“It’s basically a way to make sense of the world around you,” said Lukens.
Lukens also introduced the board to Mark Eastway, a pastor at Burket Bible Church representing LifeWise Academy. LifeWise works with public schools to integrate a Bible class into their weekly class schedule.
“Students are released during school hours to attend religious classes as long as it’s off campus,” said Eastway. “Release time for religious instruction is legal in all 50 states as long as it meets three requirements: it’s off school property, it’s privately funded,
and parent-permitted.”
Eastway said nine students are participating in LifeWise. They are tentatively looking at offering LifeWise to Mentone Elementary School students in the fall.
The board also:
• Approved the 2025-26 school calendar, with the first student day being Aug. 8.
• Recognized student Lucy Prater for her accomplishments at BEC.
• Recognized Byron Tinkey with a plaque for his 3 1/2 years of service to BEC as an instructional assistant.
• Approved the hiring of Brylee Kerr, Kora Slone, and Jetta Hughes as instructional assistants.
• Approved the resignations of Tinkey; Courtney Pulsipher as an instructional assistant at Valley Early Learning Academy; Amanda Phenis from Mentone’s school leadership team; and Rebecca Shull as a special education paraprofessional at Mentone.
• Approved the retirement of Lynette Mauger, sixth- and seventh-grade English Language Arts teacher at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School.
• Approved a $3,000 donation from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation Heart of Gold Endowment Fund in honor of School Resource Officer Shaun Mudd. The donation will go toward the Viking Vittles Program.
• Approved a $4,000 REMC Round Up grant for the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Boomerang Backpacks program.
The board’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School.
Fulton County 4-H Horse & Pony Club prepares for year
The Fulton County 4-H Horse and Pony Club is now accepting youth members for enrollment. The club is a nonprofit youth equestrian 4-H organization, which promotes leadership growth and activities for kids and their horses and ponies. The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Fulton County 4-H Fairgrounds’ Community Building, 1009 W. Third St., Rochester. All are welcome to attend.
The Equestrian Center will host its annual fish and tenderloin fry fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Community Building, which the Horse and Pony Club is providing volunteers for.
New for 2025 is the Excellence in Leadership Challenge through which junior and senior members demonstrate their leadership, sportsmanship and horsemanship skills throughout the year for a chance to earn a trophy saddle and buckle. Top point-earning juniors and seniors will also earn belt buckles and other awards at the year end banquet.
Kids who live in other counties may join the club as residence in the county is not required. Kids
can enjoy activities with their horses and ponies at the equestrian center, which was built in 1995, and features a large main show arena, smaller show arena and makeup arena, box stalls, electric hookups and a clubhouse with restrooms and showers. The
club hosts several horse show events throughout the year.
People may get more information and keep updated on the club’s activities via the club’s Facebook page or call club president Julie Moore at (574) 5050042.
New executive
state job openings.
on his third day in office, summing up the actions as a means to make Indiana “more efficient, transparent and accountable.”
Also included in the governor’s orders is a promise to “increase transparency” by creating a new public-facing dashboard to better organize “active” executive orders.
Braun gave his team a July 1 deadline to create the webpage on the state’s website, with at least quarterly updates thereafter.
In all, Braun has signed 19 executive orders, including ones that create his new cabinet structure.
Changes For State Employees
While Braun’s “return to work” order acknowledges remote work for state employees “was appropriate” during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The order stipulates that by July 1, “all state agencies will require all full-time employees to work in the office, facility or field location assigned by their agency, and not from a remote location.”
That’s a departure from a current willingness throughout many state offices to allow workers to log some or all paid hours from home.
The governor said “limited exceptions” can be made for some employees to work on hybrid or remote schedules, as long as they’re located “within the geographical boundaries of Indiana.” Any such exceptions will have to be approved by the state’s personnel department.
A separate order directs the state personnel department to remove postsecondary or graduate degree requirements if not deemed “necessary to perform the job duties” of any current or future
Instead, hiring managers “are encouraged to prioritize skillsbased hiring practices, emphasizing relevant experience and competencies,” including workforce experience, apprenticeships, career and technical certification and military services — rather than degree requirements, except where legally mandated.
Another of Braun’s directives additionally calls for all state agencies to review their occupational licensing rules and remove degree requirements “that are not demonstrably related to job performance.”
Background check requirements, character and fitness interviews, and exclusions based on criminal offenses should be nixed, too, according to the order.
Other Government
‘Efficiency’ Reforms
An order focused on “key performance metrics” will task the Office of Management and Budget with creating a dashboard to “measure and monitor the effectiveness of our state agencies,” Braun said. By 2029, the governor also wants state agencies to delete at least 25% of their existing administrative rules as a way to reduce”regulatory burdens on businesses and citizens.”
Braun’s other executive orders aim to reduce non-statutorily required spending; replace “diversity, equity and inclusion” throughout government policies and programming with “merit, excellence and innovation”; effectively close the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer created by Holcomb; and require the state to begin using a cloud-based computing framework to “streamline” procurement.” Continued from page 6
VALLEY BOARD Pictured from left are Tippecanoe Valley School Board President David Lash and Board Vice President Tom Bauters. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.
Paschen: Caston’s Bring Change to Mind club teaches kids compassion
By LEAH SANDER Staff Writer
Caston High School’s Bring Change to Mind club is meant to make kids “more compassionate” about those with mental health struggles, said Tina Paschen.
Paschen co-leads the group with fellow Caston Guidance Counselor Tina Zechiel. The club formally started at Caston during the current school year.
Paschen said the group began as a initiative in spring 2024 among the four school corporations affiliated with Cass County: Logansport Community School Corp., Lewis Cass Schools, Pioneer Regional School Corp. and Caston.
She said some instances at Lewis Cass caused school leaders to have “growing concern.”
The clubs are an offshoot of the national Bring Change to Mind organization, said Paschen.
“The main goal of (the clubs) is to bring mental health awareness, (trying) to end some of the stigma that goes along with mental health issues,” she said.
Paschen said issues discussed include suicide prevention, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.
Though the four school corporations’ clubs are linked, each one has its own meetings and activities.
Paschen said students take information they learn from the club and pass it along to their peers and the community.
BRINGING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Caston High School’s Bring Change to Mind club focuses on mental health awareness. Those involved include in the front from left Kayden Dickson, Aubrey Long, Ripley Beck and club co-advisor Tina Paschen. In the middle row are Alexandra Solis, Izzy Kirisits and Avery Baldwin. In the back row
One activity the group’s done thus far is having an informational booth at a community trunkor-treat in Fulton in October.
Paschen said students also gave out suckers with sayings related to mental health during a suicide prevention week at the school in the fall.
Club members also discussed focusing on self care ahead of test time in December, with the Bring Change to Mind club having a “self care party” with snacks before Christmas, said Paschen.
A facilitator who led suicide prevention training for Caston staff should be visiting the club to train students on it before the end of the school year, said Paschen.
She said Caston’s group should join together with those from the other three school corporations for an awareness walk in the spring.
Paschen said she hopes the club, which currently has 19 students, continues to grow. She said the entity is “mainly student-driven.”
“We’re the advisors and we ... facilitate the meetings, but the kids come up with the ideas,” said Paschen of herself and Zechiel. “It’s been a joy to see 19 kids participate and be excited about it and want to learn more, but also share what they learned with other people. It’s been very rewarding.”
One of the club members is senior Dylan Stensland. He said he joined the club as he’s had mental health struggles in the past and he “thought
it would be something that I could help others in that ... I relate.”
“I mean we’re fighting for a cause and trying to bring awareness to something that a lot of people do not talk about,” said Stensland.
Junior Alexandra Solis said curiosity brought her to join the club.
“I don’t regret joining it,” she said. “It makes you more aware of what’s actually going on in the real world.”
are Tessa Baldwin, Savannah Moss, Braden Rush, Dylan Stensland, Jan Aguilar-Mendez, Myli Rude and Jaime Prater. Not pictured are Cole Lovelady, Kylie Reidenbach, Mackenzie Bauknecht, Josh Evans, Lucas Graham and Madelynn Sprow and co-advisor Tina Zechiel. Photo provided by Caston School Corp.
Lawmakers wrestle with farmland property taxes
By WHITNEY DOWNARD Indiana Capital Chronicle
A proposal to reconfigure the calculation for farmland property values was a concern for lawmakers Wednesday, Jan. 15, due to its price tag — despite being a priority of Gov. Mike Braun.
The bill was held for further consideration without a vote.
Author Rep. Kendell Culp said base rates for the tax class rose by 63% over the last three years, higher than any other group.
The Rensselaer Republican, a fourth-generation farmer, said taxes were increasing even as
the agricultural economy trended downward.
“I can tell you this is not a good time to farm,” Culp told committee members.
Farmers would pay $33.2 million less in 2027 and $34 million less in 2028, the first two years under the proposed rate, according to the bill’s fiscal note. Hits to individual counties would vary.
Currently, farmland property taxes are calculated by taking the last six years of assessed value and dropping the highest and averaging the remaining five years. Part of the calculation also considers the price of crops
farmers receive. Culp would drop a second year and increase the capitalization rate from 8% to 10%.
“Agriculture is the economic driver of most of these rural counties, but I can confidently say that property owners cannot bear the brunt of increased taxes to meet the needs of their county,” Culp said. “The county either needs to expand their unit’s tax base by welcoming new investments and new developments, or spread the tax burden over a larger number of their citizens, not just property owners.”
Others expressed concerns about narrowing the tax base and shifting the burden from one group at the expense of another. Cuts in property taxes — farmland property or not — could mean relying more heavily on business or sales taxes.
“I’m struggling for a solution,” Rep. Ed DeLaney told Culp. “… You’re going to affect all the schools, sheriffs’ departments and everyone else. Or you’re going to shift the tax to the probably modest — and not well off — populations of these counties.”
“If we’re not taxing the farm-
ers, who are we taxing?”
Other members said they preferred to identify a long-term solution for property taxes, rather than a “Band-Aid.” Lawmak-
ers have made several, smaller tweaks in recent years as taxes for homeowners skyrocketed following the economic turbulence of COVID-19.
Nip migraines in the bud
By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features
Migraine sufferers take note: don’t try to stave off that encroaching headache through sheer willpower.
Most people who treat their migraines with triptans — among the most popular and effective medications — will find they work best if taken early in the attack, before skin sensitivity develops, according to research.
As their headaches progress, nearly four out of five migraine sufferers develop skin hypersensitivity (merely touching their hair, scalp, or skin around the eyes becomes painful). A Harvard Medical School study shows that once this hypersen-
sitivity takes root, it’s too late to abort the painful attack with one of the several triptan medications available on the market.
However, if a triptan is taken before sensitivity develops, it is likely to completely relieve the pain.
Other research suggests twothirds of people with migraines are pain-free within four hours if they take sumatriptan early enough in the attack.
Some 39 million Americans get migraine headaches.
People who suffer from migraines often are reluctant to take medication at the first sign of the attack for various reasons. The medications are expensive and insurance companies may limit the monthly allowance.
In a recent study, 691 people who get migraines were included in a test. A placebo was given to 236 when they go a migraine; 233 were given 50mg. of sumatriptan, and 222 were given 100 mg. of sumatriptan. All were required to take the medication within two hours of the start of the migraine.
After four hours, 71 (30%) of the placebo group were pain free, compared to 142 (61%) of the 50 mg. group and 151 (68%) of the 100 mg. group.
The incidence of side effects, such as dizziness and sleepiness, was about the same with the higher dosage of sumatriptan as with the lower. If the medication was taken earlier, the side effects were less than if it was taken later.
A similar study focusing on zolmitriptan supported those findings. Of 250 patients studied, 60% of those who took the medication within 15 minutes of onset of symptoms were painfree two hours later.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
ON THE HOUSE FLOOR Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer, speaks on the House floor on Thursday, Jan. 25. Culp authored a bill to reform farmland property taxes in the 2025 legislative session. Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Class 3A - Sectional 20 @ Fairfield
TIPPECANOE VALLEY VIKINGS GIRLS BASKETBALL — The Tippecanoe Valley varsity girls basketball team are: front row from left, manager Brittany Gregory, Hailey Stookey, Maycee Koch, Betty Shepherd, Hadley Wise and Gaby Gonzalez.
Back row: assistant coach Kaylee Patton, head coach Rebekah Parker, Carlee Snyder, Lucy Hayden, freshman head coach Blaine Hartzler and junior varsity head coach Kalynn Cumberland. Photo by Nathan Pace.
2024-25 CASTON GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL — Row 1, left to right: Camila HernandezRios, Kylee Long, Mgr. Aubrey Gearheart, Madisyn Douglass, Hadlie Coffing. Row 2, left to right: Grace Colvin, Allison Craig, Olivia Thomas, Natalie Warner, Kaitie Hutsell, Gigi Berry.
Row 3, left to right: JV Coach Alanie Hipsher, Asst. Coach Brent Thomas, Head Coach Josh Douglass, Asst. Coach Blake Harness, Asst. Coach Samantha Schanlaub.
DeMotte Christian [15-5]
Feb. 5 @ 8:00 p.m.
[7-13] West Central [14-6] North White [7-13] Tri-County [17-1] Pioneer [10-10]
South Newton [0-15] North Newton [6-13]
By VAL TSOUTSOURIS Sports Editor, RTC
Boys Basketball Carson Paulik scored a career-high 19 points, and Drew Bowers added 18 as the Rochester boys basketball team hung on to beat visiting Tri-County 59-48 at the RHS gym Saturday, Jan. 25. Tanner Reinartz added 12 for the Zebras, who were playing approximately 18 hours after their 70-45 loss to Manchester Friday.
This time, Rochester never trailed after the first quarter. They started the second half with a 10-2 run to expand their lead to 42-27, and the lead would get as big as 19 in the fourth quarter.
The Zebras committed six
turnovers in the fourth quarter against the Cavaliers’ pressure defense, and Tri-County would climb within 57-48 on a Drew Foster transition layup in the fourth quarter before Bowers would complete the scoring with two free throws with 14.3 seconds left.
Paulik carried Rochester through the first quarter and a half. He hit three 3-pointers and had a 3-point play and had 14 of the Zebras’ first 26 points.
Still, Tri-County, a Class 1A team that is a two-time defending sectional champion, stayed within four before Reinartz hit a pullup 15-footer, Bowers scored in transition, and Jonas Kiser hit a post banker. The lead was in double digits for the first time at 32-22.
Gavin Betten scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, Ethan Hendrix added 20 points, and
Aaron Reid had 11 as the Class 2A, No. 7 Manchester boys basketball team beat visiting Rochester 70-45 Friday.
Manchester led wire to wire over their conference and sectional rivals to improve to 13-1 overall and 5-0 in the Three Rivers Conference. The 25-point margin of victory represented their largest lead. They have won 12 straight since their only loss to Class 4A Homestead on Dec. 3, and 10 of their wins have been by at least 20 points.
Smith Sawyer Smith Agency named County Chamber Member of Month
The Fulton County Chamber of Commerce has chosen The Smith Sawyer Smith Agency as its January Member of the Month.
Four generations have worked for the family business at 729 Main St., Rochester, over its 100 years as an insurance agency. According to a press release, the business attributes its success to being consistently located downtown and “the familiar
faces of long-term employees and providing a high standard of service.”
“We are dedicated to our local community and plan on being a viable locally owned insurance agency for a long time,” the business also stated in the release.
To reach the business, people may stop in, call (574) 2232166 or visit smithsawyerins. com or the agency’s Facebook page.
Jonas Kiser, who came into the game averaging 2.9 points per game, scored a career-high 18 for Rochester, who fell to 7-3 overall and 2-2 in the TRC. Bryce Baugher added 10, all in the second quarter as Rochester cut what had been a 15-point deficit down to 35-27 at halftime.
Girls Basketball
Aubrey Wilson scored 12 points, and Rylee Clevenger hit a pair of 3-pointers and added eight, but the Rochester girls basketball team lost to host Manchester 4031 Saturday, Jan. 25.
Audrey Bolinger had six points and seven rebounds, and Ella McCarter added five points.
McCarter’s pullup jumper with 6:48 left gave the Lady Zs a 2927 lead, but that turned out to be their final field goal.
Manchester closed with a 13-2 run as Rochester could only score on a pair of Wilson free throws.
Peyton Ream scored six of her game-high 13 points in the fourth quarter, and Hadley West hit three 3-pointers and added 11. West had scored in double figures only twice all season prior to Saturday, and her three triples tied a career high.
Her third trey was the biggest, a go-ahead shot from the right wing with 4:37 left that put Manchester ahead for good at 32-29.
Manchester led 27-22 after three quarters, but Rochester scored seven unanswered points in a 1:12 span to start
the fourth quarter. A day after the loss to Manchester, Rochester received a bye for Class 2A, Sectional 38 at Lewis Cass, and they will play the winner of the Oak Hill-Wabash quarterfinal game in the semifinals Feb. 7.
Boys Wrestling
State-ranked Rochester wrestlers Layne Horn (132), Brant Beck (157) and Wyatt Davis (175) won Three Rivers Conference titles at the conference tournament at Maconaquah Saturday, Jan. 25. However, Rochester finished in fourth place, ending their run of four straight TRC titles. Rochester scored 151 points. Maconaquah won on their home mats with 193.5.
Horn, ranked No. 4 according to IndianaMat.com, pinned Southwood’s Elias Rose in 20 seconds in the quarterfinals, Lewis Cass’ Eli Bowyer in 1:00 in the semifinals and Wabash’s Jaylen Watson in 1:04 in the final. It is the third career conference title for Horn, a junior, who is 36-0 on the season. Beck, ranked No. 2 statewide, improved to 35-0 after winning three matches at conference. He won by a 17-1 technical fall in 1:40 over Northfield’s Xavier Roark in the quarterfinals, pinned Peru’s Isaiah Korba in 32 seconds in the semifinals and won by a 25-8 technical fall in 3:38 over Maconaquah’s Evan Oglesby in the final. Oglesby came into the match with a 34-2 record.
Davis, ranked No. 20, spent less than four minutes total on the mat in winning all three of his matches by first-period fall. He started with a fall in 1:12 over Wabash’s Philip Palmer, then pinned Northfield’s Rylan Schultz in 56 seconds and finished with a fall in 1:33 over Maconaquah’s Kyle Bockover.
Other Rochester placers included Mason Hisey, who was second at 215; Declan Gard, who was second at heavyweight; Braddock Behling, who was third at 150; Derek Wortley, who was third at 190; Reed Perry, who took seventh at 138; Matthias Field, who finished seventh at 144; and Jesus Velez, who took eighth at 165.
Gard, ranked No. 12, lost to Peru’s sixth-ranked Trevi Hillman-Conley 1-0 in the final.
The Zebras forfeited 106, 113, 120 and 126.
CARSON PAULIK WYATT DAVIS
JANUARY MEMBER OF THE MONTH The Smith Sawyer Smith Agency is the January Member of the Month for the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce. The insurance agency is located at 729 Main St., Rochester. Photo provided by the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce.
Manitou Training Center has a full-time opening for a DSP (Direct Support Staff) working with individuals with developemntal disabilities. Valid driver’s license required. No experience necessary, training is provided. Apply at 1690 E. Lucas St., Rochester, IN or online at www.msdcin.org
Education, township funding, tax reform discussed at Legislative Breakfast
Text and Photos
By LEAH SANDER Staff Writer
Education, township funding and tax reform were among the topics discussed at the first Fulton County Legislative Breakfast of the year.
The event held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Kewanna-Union Township Public Library, featured State Sen. Stacey Donato and State. Rep. Jack Jordan, whose districts cover the county. Fulton County Farm Bureau and the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce hosted the event.
Donato and Jordan each gave a brief overview of some of the bills in the Indiana General Assembly before the audience posed questions.
Among the bills Jordan referenced was House Bill 1002, which is on “Various Education Matters.”
The bill as listed under its description at iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills states it “removes and repeals various education provisions and expired education provisions” with the full list on the website.
“In the time I’ve been in the legislature, I’ve been known a little bit as Mr. School Deregulation Attempt Guy,” said Jordan. “We really have a bill this year to reduce K-12 regulations and trying to give local schools more freedom in what they do.”
Jordan said he thought about bringing the list of rules schools have to follow.
“It’s crazy the things that our public schools have to do on a dayto-day basis,” he said. “It’s just way over-regulated, so one of our agenda bills is to take away at least at this point … 38,000 words. Hopefully, we can get more than that. Hopefully, we can expand the waiver process.”
“Teachers know better what to do in a classroom than a book that has more and more to-dos on educating kids,” added Jordan.
Among the bills Donato talked about was an education bill she’d authored, which was Senate Bill 482 on “Absenteeism.”
The bill as listed under its description at iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills states it “defines ‘chronically absent’” regarding education and mandates several factors related to children not at-
tending school, with the full list on the website.
“This is a nationwide problem,” said Donato about absenteeism.
“In Indiana, I have taken the charge to do the work and to find out what we need to do to get kids back into school.”
She noted she “spent my entire summer talking with kids.”
“I made a visit out to the Department of Correction. I made a visit down to the interurban (areas) and to suburban and to rural to find out why kids don’t want to come to school, so I’ve come up with a lot of different categories as to what needs to happen.”
Donato said SB 482 would gather data regarding kids not going to school.
“There’s varied responses throughout the state and throughout different areas in the state as to why they don’t want to come or why they’re not coming,” she said.
Donato said she’d met a 15-yearold boy “whose dad had been shot 12 times and he’s still alive.”
“His mom was currently dying of cancer. He said, ‘this is why I miss school,’” said Donato.
She said the boy saying he believed Donato could help him get back to school was “what started my journey over the summer (related to the issue).”
During the question session of the breakfast, several people brought up education.
One of them was retired art teacher Gretchen Coplen, who noted she’s also a mother and grandmother.
She said she was concerned about HB 1002 because she said some of the things removed “are also opportunities and access to programs for furthering higher education for kids.”
“I want you to think about how school was when you were in school,” she said. “Public schools have been around for about 200 years, and they’ve grown with children, they’ve grown with families. They’ve included so many things that have helped kids that are from families that are struggling or are abusive.”
Jordan thanked Coplen for speaking.
“I hope that the intention of (the bill) is to give local schools more freedom,” he said. “Maybe we just disagree philosophically, but I just think local schools with flexibility
can do a better job than with mandates from the state.”
Another audience member, Lisa Zeyen, who stated she’s an art teacher from Pulaski County, asked what leaders were doing “to protect public school teachers.”
Among other things, she said she was concerned HB 1002 would take away “elementary (school) counselors and social workers.”
She noted following a child’s death in her school corporation, staff reached out to social workers for help.
Jordan responded, saying that, “Philosophically, (HB) 1002 is saying, ‘Am I smarter than local superintendents, principals, school boards and teachers?’ I don’t think I am, and so what 1002 is saying is it doesn’t cut any counselors. It doesn’t cut art programs. It says, ‘we have mandated so much for local schools that we think local school boards, local superintendents can be more creative in how they do these programs as opposed to dictates from the state.’”
Jordan noted he was a school board president for eight years.
“And I thought we could do a better job … than the state, but we’re handcuffed by all the state mandates.”
Also during the audience com-
ment section, John Grolich, who serves as the District 5 Chairman of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association, spoke on his concerns on House Bill 1233, addressing them to Jordan.
The bill as listed under its description at iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills “provides that on Jan. 1, 2027, in all counties except Marion County, the following occur: Township government is dissolved (with county leadership taking over the responsibilities).”
Grolich noted the bill would “replace all the fire chiefs and do away with the fire territories, fire districts, getting into pensions, talking about taking money from libraries.”
“I represent the fire service of Marshall County and 39 fire departments in several counties around us,” he said. “We’re so passionate about this bill, that if you support this bill, we can no longer support you.”
Jordan answered the bill, authored by State Rep. Karen Engleman, is still connected to the findings of the 2007 Kernan-Shepard Report and is the third time the issue has come before the IGA.
He noted previously related bills had been defeated and he wasn’t sure if this bill would advance.
Fulton County Commissioner Dave Sommers said during the audience portion he was concerned with Senate Bill 1.
The bill as listed under its description at iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills relates to “Property Tax Relief.”
Sommers said Fulton County could stand to lose $1.6 million in revenue under the bill.
“If we’re cutting property tax, if we cut income tax … how are we going to supplement that loss?” he said. “I don’t like paying taxes, but at the same time I like getting the services.”
Jordan answered SB 1 came about because of Hoosiers upset about their property taxes. He said lawmakers were “trying to figure out other revenue streams for local government to do their job.”
The public is welcome to attend the next two breakfasts. Both begin with a social networking and breakfast at 7:30 a.m., with the speakers at 8 a.m.
Plans are for U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym to be at the next one on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Akron Community Center with the Fulton County Commissioners and Rochester Mayor Trent Odell on Saturday, March 8, at the Fulton County Public Library’s Rochester branch.
AUDIENCE Audience members listen at the breakfast.
LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST State Rep. Jack Jordan, left, speaks as State Sen. Stacey Donato listens during the first Fulton County Legislative Breakfast of the year on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Kewanna-Union Township Public Library. The event was put on by the Fulton County Farm Bureau and Fulton County Chamber of Commerce.
