Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana and Ohio), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

Donors should bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.     Reported by KPC News

Also the Relay for Life walkers surpass goal.  Several hundred people had a hand in helping the Noble County Relay for Life surpass its fundraising goal during the 24-hour event held at West Noble High School over the weekend.

Organizers had hoped to raise $34,000 for the American Cancer Society, and when all the walking was done, and the donations counted, the total raised was $37,812, according to Carla Fiandt of Albion, volunteer chairwoman of the Noble County Relay for Life.

“Our theme for this year was ‘Colors of Hope,’ and I could not think of a more fitting theme,” said Fiandt, who has been involved with the organizing committee for the past 15 years. “We all have hope that we will find a cure for cancer. As for this year, of course we had hoped for more teams, but the teams we had did great!”

Fiandt also announced that she would be stepping down from her leadership role on the relay’s organizing committee. Michael White of Ligonier has volunteered to chair the 2014 Noble County Relay for Life.

“This year we had a goal for more teams and we didn’t quite meet that,” Fiandt added. “But we are very pleased we passed our goal of the total funds raised, and we more than doubled our goal of the sponsorship dollars raised this year. Overall, the teams and our committee did a great job.”

Relay participants enjoyed great weather for the event that ran from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. There were more than 300 registered walkers, along with dozens of other area residents who visited the site over both days.

The Survivors Ceremony on Saturday night was emotional for all involved, as several hundred candles lined the track. The candles were in bags that had the names of cancer survivors and cancer victims written on them.

Sunday morning, Fiandt gave out awards for the top fundraising teams and individuals. Winning the award for raising the most money was “Butterflies from Heaven,” sponsored by the Yates family of Noble County.

“We have lost several family members to cancer,” said Beth Shellman of Albion, one of the team members. “We organized our team in their memory, and also in honor of our mother, Carol Yates, who is a breast cancer survivor.”

Second-place winner in fundraising went to the team sponsored by Community State Bank, while the “Party Crashers” squad finished in third place.

Barb Yates from the Butterflies team was recognized as the top individual fundraiser for the relay this year.

Prizes for best-decorated team campsite were shared by Party Crashers and School of Walk teams. The “Eliminate Cancer” team won the award for best team spirit. Best on-site fundraising team was “The A-Team,” made up of members of the Anderson family from Albion.

The 2014 Noble County Relay for Life campaign will start work almost immediately, said White. Information will be announced soon on upcoming meetings. The committee has a Facebook page and a website, relayforlife.org/noblecountyin.    Reported by Bob Buttgen KPC News

Today's weather is supposed to be:

5/20/2013

Hi: 88°

Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds 10 to 20 mph.

Lo: 67°

Partly cloudy through midnight then becoming mostly cloudy. A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

Today we have Hickory Creek coming in to call the numbers for our Bingo players around noon.  Come in and enjoy the fun!

 

Take care and be safe.

Shelly

 

The theme for this year’s Relay is “Colors of Hope.”

About 30 teams of walkers are registered for the relay. Each team is to have at least one person walking the quarter-mile track during most of the event. Participants have been conducting fundraisers and collecting donations for the past several months, with all proceeds heading to the American Cancer Society and the fight against cancer.

The public is invited to attend any part of the Relay for Life, with a handful of special events planned throughout the 24 hours.

Cancer survivors are invited to attend a special event honoring them a 5 p.m. Saturday. A cancer survivor is anyone who identifies himself or herself as a survivor, whether that’s one day after diagnosis or 25 years after treatment, according to relay officials.

A free meal will be served after the survivors’ lap to each survivor and one caregiver.

Survivor Bev Fitzpatrick will be speaker at the Survivor Ceremony.

Another survivor, Bev , talk about her battle with cancer during the Fight Back Ceremony, at 9 p.m.

At 9:30 p.m. Saturday, the emotional luminary ceremony will take place. The stadium will be darkened except for hundreds of lighted candles circling the field. Each candle will be dedicated to the life of someone who battled cancer. The names of hundreds of people who have died as a result of cancer will be read.

Activities will continue throughout the evening for people of all ages who attend as a way to celebrate survivors, remember those lost, and fight back. Some of the performers include the Inclognito Cloggers, Elaine’s Dance Studio and an “astronaut gyroscope” will be featured.

Opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. Saturday include presentation of the U.S. flag and other events, with help from a unit from a local American Legion post. All participants will walk the first lap of the event.

A health-information tent will be open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with displays from community groups. The public is invited to visit the tent for help and information.

Registered team members will take part in fun-filled activities throughout the 24 hours.

The awards ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Sunday will honor those teams and individuals who raised the most money.     Reported by Bob Buttgen KPC News

Also the Armed Forces Day Candlelight Vigil is Saturday.  Families for Freedom and Francis Vinyard VFW Post 2749 will present the 10th annual Armed Forces Day Candlelight Vigil Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at the VFW post, 127 Veterans Way, Kendallville.

U.S. Army World War II and D-Day veteran Gene Cogan will be the guest speaker.

The public is invited.      Reported by KPC News Staff

Today and the weekend's weather is supposed to be:

5/17/2013

Hi: 77°

Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers in the morning... Then slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of measurable precipitation 20 percent.

Lo: 55°

Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms through midnight...then mostly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of measurable precipitation 20 percent.

Saturday

5/18/2013

Hi: 78°

Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Lo: 58°

Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday

5/19/2013

Hi: 80°

Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Lo: 64°

Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.

Today we have our Euchre players coming in around noon to have their card game.

Take care and have a safe weekend!

Shelly

 

There will be live music and entertainment during and after the show, door prizes and an auction of donated items including a big-screen TV. A hog roast is planned for $6 a plate, and there will be hot dogs for children.

Those with show entries should enter the legion parking lot through the southbound alley off Rush Street. Orchard and West Diamond streets around the parking lot will be closed during the show.

All proceeds will benefit Post 86 and donations are welcome. Post 86 has several fundraisers planned this year. Nearly 100 people were served at the special Mother’s Day breakfast Sunday, according to Sam Campbell of the post’s Sons of the Legion. Post 86 is going through financial difficulties and needs a revenue boost, he said.

The car and bike show will be held rain or shine, said Campbell.   Reported by Dennis Nartker KPC News

Also winners announced for the Mother's Day 5K Run.  A total of 75 runners and walkers participated in the Kendallville Park and Recreation Department’s 30th annual Mother’s Day 5K Run/Walk in Bixler Lake Park.

Tyler Alles, 22, a recent Indiana Wesleyan University graduate and former West Noble High School runner, finished first in the 5K run with a time of 17:42. James Moore, 13, of Kendallville, was second with a time of 21:39, and Jed Pearson, 62, of Fort Wayne, was third in 21:59.

Women’s age-group winners: Gibson, ages 20-29; Schenher, ages 30-39; Barb Wearly, 60 and over.      Reported by Dennis Nartker KPC News

Today's weather is supposed to be:

5/16/2013

Hi: 78°

Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Light and variable winds becoming northwest up to 5 mph in the afternoon.

Lo: 53°

Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. North winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the east after midnight.

Today we have Annette with SHIP for your medicare insurance help.  If you need to talk with Annette give us a call and we will set up an appointment for you.  260-347-4226

 

Take care and be safe.

Shelly

 

Kendallville Mayor Suzanne Handshoe will present certificates to 18 people who served in the Middle East over the past year, and patriotic music will be provided by the Applesauce Quartet.

The program will last approximately 45 minutes. The public is invited to this event, but seating is limited, so guests are asked to bring folding chairs. Overflow parking may use the Chase Bank parking lot directly across S.R. 3.      Reported by KPC News

Today's weather is supposed to be:

5/14/2013

Hi: 76°

Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Lo: 62°

Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

One Dekko employee who started fresh out of high school eventually received his bachelor’s degree, an education that was paid for by the company.

Tina Luttman of Kendallville started her career at Group Dekko as a machine operator in a company plant. She now is a human resources generalist.

“I worked my way up through the company,” Luttman said. “(Young workers) do have that kind of opportunity here.”

Thirteen educators from the East Noble school district and one from the West Noble district participated in a day-long externship program Wednesday organized by the Noble County Economic Development Corp. They had question-and-answer sessions with company managers and tours of manufacturing facilities at Group Dekko in Avilla and Courier Corp. in Kendallville.

The Dekko portion of the day concluded with a Mega Block building activity organized by Garrett Group Dekko office manager Shawnna Dillinger. It demonstrated the value of team building, organization and problem solving. The teachers were given copies of written instructions that could be taken back to their classrooms.

At Courier, teachers were given a comprehensive job description for one of the positions that stressed the skills needed to perform the job well.

“I wanted to find a way to introduce educators to the manufacturing industry,” said Rick Sherck, Noble County Economic Development Corp. executive director.

It’s Sherck’s job to attract industry to Noble County. Part of attracting industry is showing there is a skilled work force available.

Training those skilled workers can happen through vocational programs, through colleges and from high school curriculum. Giving educators firsthand experience at the type of skills employers are looking for was a big purpose behind Wednesday’s effort, Sherck said.

It’s a goal shared by the companies themselves.

“We want to make sure we are preparing the next local generation to be prepared for manufacturing,” said Raj Wadhwa, Dekko’s Avilla plant manger. “I want talent to come from the local community. I don’t want to have to go outside for talent.”

And what kind of skills are being sought at Dekko and Courier?

Luttman and Tracy Tipton, who works in human resources for Courier, both said developing good attendance habits is very important.

“They need to get it together,” Luttman said. “They need to come to school every day, so one day they’ll go to work every day.”

Aside from good attendance, Wadhwa and Tipton said math skills and the ability to accurately measure lengths are helpful in a variety of jobs in their factories. Communication is also an important skill entry-level workers should have.

It was a message well received, according to East Noble guidance counselor Lindy Munson.

“It was a great opportunity to connect with the work force,” Munson said. “I’m preparing them for life. You’re going to have to develop these work habits.”

Mike Smith is a business teacher at East Noble High School and his department’s career pathways coordinator. Smith said it was helpful to see the real world some of his students will be joining one day.

“Just to see some of it was educational for me,” Smith said. “I thought it was very informative.”

Both Courier and Group Dekko encourage innovative ideas from their workers and reward them for such. The potential for advancement at both companies is high, depending on how driven the worker is to move up the company ladder.

“People are only limited by their ambitions,” Tipton said.

“You have to show you want more,” Luttman said. “Show them that’s what you want.”        Reported by Matt Getts KPC News

Also, the Fair Board is sponsoring fish, tenderloin supper.  The Noble County Fair Board will host an All-You-Can-Eat Fish and Tenderloin Supper Thursday, May 23, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Noble County Fairgrounds log cabin.

Admission is free that night to the Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association Spring Tri-State Bluegrass Festival at the fairgrounds.    Reported by KPC News

Today's weather is supposed to be:

5/13/2013

Hi: 56°

Mostly sunny. Areas of frost in the morning. Highs in the mid 50s. Northwest winds around 10 mph becoming 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Lo: 42°

Partly cloudy through midnight then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. Northwest winds around 5 mph shifting to the south after midnight.

Today we have Avalon Village coming in to call the numbers for our Bingo players around noon today.  Come on in and join the fun!!

 

Don't forget to get your reservation in for the Senior Trip down to the WWII museum!!!  The trip is on May 28th and we do hope we have some servicemen and servicewomen that will go with us down there!!!  Give us a call to make sure your name is on the schedule!  More information is on our website under Senior Outings.

 

Take care and be safe.

Shelly

 

The lanterns may be decorated and dedicated to someone who has died or who is currently struggling with health problems. Lanterns may be purchased for $5 each.

Participants should bring lighters to ignite the floating memory lanterns that will be released over the lake. In case of rain or high winds, the event will be held May 17.

For more information, call the park office at 347-1064.   Reported by KPC News

Also, registration open for the kids triathlon.  Registration is now open for the second annual Kendallville Park and Recreation Department Kids Triathlon in Bixler Lake Park on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Awards will be given to the top three winners in each age category. Every participant will receive a participation award. Recreation director Dawn McGahen said promoting fitness, improving self-confidence and having every participant cross the finish line are the goals of the event.

For more information and to register, contact the park office at 347-1064 or download the registration form from www.kendallville-in.org/d_5.htm.    Reported by KPC News

Today's and the weekend's weather is supposed to be:

5/10/2013

Hi: 67°

Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon.

Lo: 44°

Cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

Saturday

5/11/2013

Hi: 63°

Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly cloudy. A 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s. West winds 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Lo: 36°

Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s. West winds 5 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph through midnight.

Sunday

5/12/2013

Hi: 52°

Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Cooler. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

Lo: 35°

Mostly clear. Areas of frost after midnight. Lows in the lower 30s.

 

Take care and have a safe weekend.

Shelly

 

“Seventy-five percent of school districts in Indiana will lose enrollment over the next 10 years at a faster rate than East Noble,” he said.

Trustees requested the school district’s enrollment forecast as they investigate what to do about the East Noble Middle School building, the district’s oldest. Part of the building at 401 E. Diamond St. was built in 1915 as Kendallville High School.

In March Kari Vilamaa of the architectural firm Barton Coe Vilamaa presented trustees two options for the middle school’s future with very preliminary cost estimates, to resolve several functional issues with the building. One option is to demolish the oldest, three-story part of the building, renovate the areas retained and add a new two-story classroom addition on Sheridan Street. The remodeled building will be 107,000 square feet, the same size as the existing school building.

Vilamaa estimated the “ballpark cost” at $19.1 million.

The second option is to build a new 107,000-square-foot school at a different, 40-acre location. He estimated the “ball park” cost, including land purchase and athletic facilities, at $21.25 million.

Trustees have not taken any action with regards to the middle school’s future.

East Noble superintendent Ann Linson said McKibben’s demographic forecast will help the board plan for the future.

When asked specifically about the middle school enrollment forecast, McKibben said East Noble’s enrollment trend like most school districts is to pick up students in both the 6th and 9th grades.

McKibben said his report is based on assumptions about the economy, housing, unemployment, inflation rate for gasoline and private and home-schooled rates remaining constant. “I’m making forecasts not projections from these assumptions and from the 2010 Census for the school district,” he said.

East Noble’s drop out rate has not changed significantly, according to McKibben. “An aggressive retention program can affect your student population.”

East Noble has 1,655 students in K-5 based on official count days this school year. McKibben forecasts the school district will have 1,620 K-5 students in the 2022-2023 school year. For grades 6-8 East Noble’s enrollment is 876 this year and will be 849 in 10 years. The school district has 1,232 students in grades 9-12 this school year, and will have 1,134 in 2022-2023, according to his report.    Reported by Dennis Nartker KPC News

Today's weather is supposed to be:

5/9/2013

Hi: 76°

Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly cloudy. A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds around 10 mph.

Lo: 58°

Showers and thunderstorms through midnight...then showers and chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s. Southeast winds around 10 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.

The council approved a resolution granting Da-Co Industries Inc. 10 years of abatement on $508,000 on real property at 800 Weston Ave. It’s the same amount and length of abatement approved in November, but the building now occupied by Wolfpack Chassis LLC is owned by Da-Co. Wolfpack is leasing the building, and the abatement resolution should identify the property owner, Handshoe said.

The council also approved a resolution granting Wolfpack Chassis LLC 10 years of abatement on $1,403,250 in new  manufacturing equipment, the same amount and length of abatement approved in November. When Councilman Regan Ford asked why the council was approving the resolution a second time, Handshoe said the assessor insisted the council take action again on both resolutions.

In other business, the council:

• approved on third and final reading an ordinance increasing from $25 to $100 the application fees for special exceptions, variances, zoning changes and appeals of the zoning officer’s decisions.

• watched Handshoe swear in new firefighter Joe Inman.

• heard Handshoe proclaim May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. City officials will observe National Police Week, May 13-18, with a memorial service Thursday, May 16.

• reviewed code enforcement officer Terry Longsworth’s report for April, showing he handled 19 complaints of abandoned vehicles, rubbish, garbage and parking violations.    Reported by Dennis Nartker KPC News

Also the Plan Commission recommends Grant Street rezoning.  The Plan Commission Monday night recommended three commercially zoned Grant Street lots should be rezoned for residential use.

Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council rezone one- and two-family residential lots at 117, 119 and 121 S. Grant St. from C-2A, general commercial, to Re-2. The lots have houses on them. The council must pass an ordinance to change the zoning.

No comment was heard during the public hearing on the rezoning, which was first proposed by Dave Lange, the city’s director of planning and zoning.   Reported by Dennis Nartker KPC News

Today's weather is supposed to be:

5/8/2013

Hi: 73°

Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. North winds around 10 mph.

Lo: 53°

Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers through midnight...then mostly clear after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Light and variable winds.

Take care and be safe.

Shelly