Wells County Sports and Outdoors

Upcoming nature programs

2012-02-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

Eagle Watches, Feb. 18 or 19, 3 to 8 p.m. There is no fee for this program; we do have commemorative shirts for sale, $12.99 for youth and $15.99 for adults! Register in advance at (260) 468-2127.
Eagle Lady, Lynnanne Fager, models a new Eagle Watch shirt.
Cowboy Gathering at the Salamonie Interpretive Center, Feb. 25. Share a meal, hear about some riding adventures, and enjoy the company of fellow equestrians.
Green and Growing Nature Camp Ouabache State Park, March 29, Ages 6-12. Salamonie Reservoir, April 3-5, Ages 7-11.

To learn more about these and other events, click here.

Capture history

2012-02-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Historic Preservation & Archaeology sponsors a photo contest for Preservation Month, which is held nationally in May. Photos should be of something in Indiana that is “historic.” “Historic” is anything at least 50 years old. There is a limit of three entries per person. The contest deadline is April 6.

In terms of what to photograph, we aren’t picky - your house, Grandma’s house, a cemetery, Main Street, a simple log cabin, an elaborate stained glass window. It’s whatever you find interesting. Some of the most dramatic photos in years past have been a building in the process of being demolished. Those make us sad although they help us get the message out.

Please read the following contest guidelines then click on the link below to open a printable web form that must accompany your submission.

DHPA’s Historic Preservation Month Photo Contest guidelines are as follows:

Photographers must fill out entry form for each photo and attach to photo (limit of 3 photos per photographer).
Deadline is April 6, 2012.
Subject of image must be in Indiana and be at least 50 years old.
Images can be black and white or color and should be current (taken within the last 2 years).
Images must be 8x10 prints, mounted or matted on or with a white 11x14 matte board.

NOTE: Images will not be returned. Photos may be used for office displays and promotions for the photo contest, Historic Preservation Month and historic preservations, in general. Photos will not be used in for-profit publications. Photographs will be judged by a panel consisting of representatives from the DNR and other preservationists and/or photographers. Selected photos from all photo contests will be displayed in several locations throughout the state during May.

Senior swimmers recognized at Bluffton

2012-01-31T08:53:00.000-08:00

The Bluffton girls' swim team recently held its senior recognition night. Pictured above are, left to right, Mykayla Rodenbeck, Audry Estill and Robin Butler

4-H extension calendar

2012-01-27T12:39:00.000-08:00

January 28: Girl Scout Birthday Celebration, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, noon - 3 p.m.
January 31: Wells County 4-H BB Gun & Rifle Safety Club, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30-8 p.m.
February 5: Wells County Horse & Pony Club, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 5 p.m.
February 5: Wells County Horse & Pony Advisory Board, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6 p.m.
February 7: Wells County 4-H BB Gun & Rifle Safety Club, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
February 12-18: Wells County 4-H Week
February 14: Wells County 4-H BB & Rifle Safety Club, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
February 16: WELLS WEIGHS IN, monthly weigh-in
February 18: Wells County, 4-H Open House and Enrollment Event, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 8 a.m. - noon
February 18: Wells County 4-H Jr. Leader Pokagon Trip, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 12:30 p.m.
February 20: Wells County 4-H Association, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, 7 p.m.
February 21: Wells County 4-H BB Gun & Rifle Safety Club, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
February 21: Wells County 4-H Foundation, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, 6:30 p.m.
February 28: Wells County 4-H BB Gun & Rifle Safety Club, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

4-H BB & Rifle safety sign up available

2012-01-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

Youth in grades 3 – 12 may still enroll in this year’s Wells County 4-H BB & Rifle Safety Club at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, at the Wells County 4-H Park in Bluffton. Meetings will continue from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday until April 3rd.

Youth in grades three, four and five can participate in BB Gun. Youth in grades six and above can participate in rifle or pistol. Youth may become 4-H members when they enter third grade and may continue their membership through grade 12.

A membership fee of $20 should be paid at the first meeting. A supply fee of $10 for BB and $15 for rifle will also be collected. The supply fee covers the cost of equipment, materials, ammunition, insurance, and awards. Checks should be made payable to Wells County 4-H.

Scholarships are available by checking with 4-H Leaders at the events. If you have more than one person in the family, the second member is at a lower fee. No person will be turn away due to financial constraints.

The 4-H Shot Gun Safety Club, 4-H Pellet Pistol Safety Club and the 4-H Archery Club will all begin in April.

For more information about 4-H, contact the Wells County office of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, 260-824-6412 or one of the Shooting Sports Leaders, Don Kiefer, 260-824-1585; Chad Captain, 260-417-6488; Tex Mauger, 260-827-0266; Gregg Palmer, 260-701-2975; or Kevin Springer, 260-565-3323.

4-H Horse and Pony Club to meet

2012-01-26T11:38:00.000-08:00

The Wells County 4-H Horse & Pony Club will meet at 5 p.m. Sunday, February 5, at the Wells County Community Center at the 4-H Park in Bluffton. 4-H membership forms will be available for youth to sign up for this year’s Horse & Pony Club.

Youth may become 4-H members when they enter third grade and may continue their membership through the completion of grade 12. Each individual may continue membership for a maximum of 10 consecutive years. Youth in grades K – 2 may join the Mini 4-H Horse & Pony project.

Youth may also do the horse poster project. In this project, youth select a horse related topic to learn about and then make a poster for display at the annual 4-H Fair, July 14-19. For more information about the 4-H Horse & Pony Club, contact Rhonda Phillips at 260-638-4744 or Lisa Toliver at 260-557-4745.

The club-sponsored annual tack auction will be held 5 p.m. Saturday, February 18, at the 4-H Park in Bluffton.

Hoosier homestead gathering at Salamonie Lake, May 5-6

2012-01-25T11:09:00.000-08:00

The Hoosier Homestead Gathering, May 5 and 6, at Salamonie Lake, offers guests the opportunity to learn how to simplify their lives.

Guests can meet people who have already simplified by doing things such as using solar energy and raising bees. Going to the Hoosier Homestead Gathering will help visitors make the connections needed to show them how to make desired changes.

On May 5 the event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6 hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The program fee is $3; children age 3 and younger are free. The park entrance fee is $5 per car for Indiana residents and $7 per car for out-of-state residents.

Hoosier Homestead Gathering also seeks people who are interested in setting up a booth representing a simplified lifestyle or a homespun business.

For more information about attending or being a vendor, contact Upper Wabash Interpretive Services at (260) 468-2127 or lfager@dnr.IN.gov.

Open gym available

2012-01-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

Open gym has begun for students in grades K-12. They are invited to the city gym for supervised play every day usually from 4 to 7 p.m.

Basketballs and other equipment are provided during this time. Times vary for special events. For more information call 824-6069.

Parkview Field ranked #1 MILB experience

2012-01-24T11:40:00.000-08:00

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Stadium Journey, sports travel publication and website, released their Top 100 sporting venues. Parkview Field was ranked as the #1 ballpark in all of Minor League Baseball and the #13 venue in all of professional sports in their "Best of 2011" publication.

"It's an honor to be recognized in this way," said TinCaps President, Mike Nutter. "Stadium Journey has become a resource for sports fans across the country due to their extensive listings and rankings of sports venues. To be ranked as the best in Minor League Baseball is truly significant. To be listed as the #13 overall venue, among some of the most highly regarded facilities in all of sports, is a testament to the quality of Parkview Field and the way this community has embraced the ballpark."

"We considered 754 venues for our 'Best of 2011' publication," stated Paul Swaney, Editor and Co-Founder of Stadium Journey. "Parkview Field was literally the first Minor League ballpark we visited as part of our rankings and it set the standard. The apple theme throughout the ballpark, and being located in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne, created a complete thematic experience and the perfect way for the team and the ballpark to be a part of the community."

"If you ran a minor league team and you were taking a test on how to build a minor league park, this would be the paper you would want to cheat off of. Parkview Field is the Stadium Journey Best Minor League Baseball venue for 2011. Make the trip to Fort Wayne and you'll see why." (quote from www.stadiumjourney.com review of Parkview Field)

Stadium Journey's Top 10 Minor League Baseball venues
1. Parkview Field - Fort Wayne TinCaps - Fort Wayne, Indiana
2. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium - Montgomery Biscuits - Montgomery, Alabama
3. BB&T Coastal Field - Myrtle Beach Pelicans - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
4. MCU Park - Brooklyn Cyclones - Brooklyn, New York
5. Daniel S. Frawley Stadium - Wilmington Blue Rocks - Wilmington, Delaware
6. Coca-Cola Park - Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs - Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
7. The Epicenter - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - Rancho Cucamonga, California
8. Arrowhead Credit Union Park - Inland Empire 66ers - San Bernadino, California
9. Fifth Third Field - Dayton Dragons - Dayton, Ohio
10. Appalachian Power Park - West Virginia Power - Charleston, West Virginia

Randy Davis Earns MAC West Weekly Honor

2012-01-23T11:54:00.000-08:00

From the Ball State Athletic Office

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State senior guard Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week the league office announced Monday. This is the third time in his career that Davis has been honored by the MAC and the first this season.

Davis led the Cardinals to back-to-back road wins last week with victories at Central Michigan and Northern Illinois. His all-around play was a catalyst for the Cardinals as he averaged 9.0 points, 8.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game as Ball State improved to 4-1 in MAC play.

Davis, the national leader in NCAA Division I in assist/turnover ratio at 3.79, dished out 16 assists in the two games while only committing three turnovers for a 5.33 ratio. He dished out a team-high 10 assists in the Cardinals’ 21-point victory at Central Michigan while also scoring seven points and grabbing seven rebounds. He followed that performance up with 11 points and six assists at Northern Illinois. On the year, he leads the team with 106 assists and chipping in 8.5 points per game.

Davis and the Cardinals begin MAC crossover play Tuesday night as they host MAC East Division leader and defending MAC Tournament champion Akron at 7 p.m. at Worthen Arena. The game will be televised by SportsTime Ohio and will also be carried by Comcast Indiana, ESPN3.com and ESPN Full Court.

2012 Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis schedule announced

2012-01-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

BROWNSBURG — The full 2012 Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis schedule has been released and will again include the 58th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Aug. 29-Sept. 3.

The Mac Tools U. S. Nationals is the world’s largest drag race.

The racing season at Lucas Oil Raceway starts when the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series takes to the track April 27-29 in the running of the Spring Spectacle of Speed. This event features Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car along with the remainder of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors.

2012 LUCAS OIL RACEWAY AT INDIANAPOLIS SCHEDULE

DRAGSTRIP
APRIL
4: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
11: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
15: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing Series open test
18: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
22: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race
25: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
27-29: NHRA Spring Spectacle of Speed Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

MAY
2: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
6: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race
11: Friday Night Street Race
12: Indy RAGE
16: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
18-19: F-Body Nationals
20: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race
23: Frank Hawley Drag Racing School
23: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
28: Summit Racing ET Series points race (National Dragster Challenge)

JUNE
1: Friday Night Street Race
2: Indy RAGE
3: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race (Junior Dragster Challenge)
6: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
8-10: NHDRO (No Hatin’ Drag Racing Organization)
13: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
15-17: NDHRA (National Diesel Hot Rod Association)
20: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
22-24: Radial Rage
27: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
27-29: 3 SNG
30-1: Mustang Club

JULY
1: Mustang Club
1: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race
8: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race
13: Friday Night Street Race
14: Indy RAGE
15: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race (King of the Track)
18: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
22: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race

AUGUST
1: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
3-4: 5th Gen Camaro Nationals
5: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race
10: Friday Night Street Race
11: Indy RAGE
12: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race
15: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
17-19: NHDRO (No Hatin’ Drag Racing Organization)
29-3: Mac Tools U. S. Nationals

SEPTEMBER
1-3: Mac Tools U. S. Nationals
8: Indy RAGE
9: Lucas Oil Raceway ET Racing points race
12: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
14: NHRA Summit Racing Series Division 3 Finals
19: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
21-23: Monster Mopar Weekend
26: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)

OCTOBER
6: Indy RAGE
10: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
11-14: 11th FuelLabNMCA World Street Finals (NMCA)s
17: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)
19-21: NHRA Sporstman Fall Classic
24: Wild Wednesday (Street legal and slick tire test & tune)

OVAL
MAY
19: USAC Hall of Fame Classic presented by eBay Motors
26: 67th Night Before the 500 featuring the USAC Midget Series, Star Mazda and USF2000)

JUNE
9: Must See Racing (Winged Sprint Car Series)
16-17: Slamology (Car, Truck, Music festival)

JULY
26: USAC Midget and Silver Crown Series
27: ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and the CRA Super Series

SEPTEMBER
30: CRA Super Series

Raiding the cookies

2012-01-18T09:09:00.000-08:00

Players on the Southern Wells girls' basketball team enjoy cookies while relaxing on the bench during the game against the Wes-Del Warriors Tuesday. Pictured here, from forefront, are Erica Fate, Mallory Preston, Sadie Herr, Morgan Perry, Sam Rhodes and Carissa Carter.

4-H gun and rifle safety club to begin

2012-01-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

From the 4-H extension office:

Teaching safety skills is the main goal of the 4-H BB Gun and Rifle Safety Club. The club will once again offer its series of meetings beginning with sign-up night, Tuesday, January 24, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton. Meetings will continue each Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., until the Awards Night, April 3rd.

Youth in grades 3, 4 and 5 can participate in BB Gun. Youth in Grade 6 and above can participate in Rifle. First time members who are old enough for Rifle will be required to pass a shooting skills proficiency which reviews the positions and range safety procedures.

Youth may become 4-H members when they enter third grade and may continue their membership through the completion of Grade 12. Each individual may continue membership for a maximum of 10 consecutive years.

Members are not allowed to bring their own equipment. Advanced registration is not required. Sign up will be at the first meeting. All participants must have a completed and signed health form before participating in the hands-on activity.

A membership fee of $20 should be paid at registration time. This fee is only paid once each year. Youth in more than one 4-H club only pay the one time. There is a fee cap of $60 per family.

The supply fee for BB gun will be $10 and $15 for rifle. This includes a book for new members, ammunition, gun repairs, gun cleaning supplies, targets and member awards. If you have more than one youth in BB Gun or Rifle, the second member supply will be $5.

Scholarships are available for membership and supply fees. No youth will be turned away due to financial reasons. Check with 4-H Leaders or Extension Office for details.

Youth may also enroll in the Shooting Sports Fair Exhibit Option. Members may make a poster or a notebook about some aspect of shooting sports or may exhibit something they have made. Examples might include: Poster or Notebook; Firearm Safety; Cross a Fence with a Gun; Eye Dominance; Muzzleloading; Target Trap; Archery Safety; Types of Arrows; Buying a Bow; Shooting Vests; Hunter Ed; Tree Stand Safety; Percussion or Flintlock; Hunting Wild Turkeys; Handmade Items – Gun Rack; Ammo Box, etc.

The 4-H Shot Gun Safety Club, 4-H Pellet Pistol Safety Club; and the 4-H Archery Club will all begin in April.

For more information about 4-H, contact the Wells County Office of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, 260-824-6412 or one of the Shooting Sports Leaders: Don Kiefer, 260-824-1585; Chad Captain, 260-417-6488; Tex Mauger, 260-824-0266; Gregg Palmer, 260-701-2975; and Kevin Springer, 260-565-3323.

4-H Extension calendar

2012-01-16T11:35:00.000-08:00

January 17: 4-H Scholarship & Resume forms due at Wells County Extension Office
January 17: State P-CARET Legislative Luncheon, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Indianapolis, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
January 17: Fort Wayne Farm Show, Coliseum, Fort Wayne 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (free)
January 18: Fort Wayne Farm Show, Coliseum, Fort Wayne 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (free)
January 19: Fort Wayne Farm Show, Coliseum, Fort Wayne 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (free)
January 19: WELLS WEIGHS IN begins
January 24: Crop Management Workshop, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., lunch provided. $75 Registration required, www.conf.purdue.edu/crop
January 24: Sign-up Night for 4-H BB Gun & Rifle Safety Club, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
January 28: Girl Scout Birthday Celebration, Wells County Community Center, Expo Hall, 4-H Park, Bluffton, noon – 3 p.m.
January 31: Wells County 4-H BB & Rifle Safety Club, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Ball State announces award winners

2012-01-16T11:33:00.000-08:00

From the Ball State Athletic Office:

Ball State first-year head football coach Pete Lembo announced the team's award winners for the 2011 season at the annual Football Honors Banquet.

The John Magnabosco Award, which goes to the team's Most Valuable Player, was presented on offense to Briggs Orsbon and on defense to Sean Baker. The Magnabosco Award is named in honor of Ball State's head football coach from 1935-52. Magnabosco is the winningest football coach in Ball State history with 68 victories.

Orsbon, a senior wide receiver for the Cardinals and an All-MAC Second Team choice, completed his Ball State career in 2011 with a perfect 4.0 GPA as a finance and risk management major. Orsbon was also named a 2011 Capital One Academic All-American and was a candidate for the 2011 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award. Orsbon, a two-time Capital One Academic All-District selection, served as one of the Cardinals team captains as a senior. He became only the second player in Ball State history to tally 200 or more career receptions and ended with 213 career catches, which ranks second all-time in Ball State history. Orsbon became only the sixth player in Ball State history to post over 2,000 career receiving yards and finished with 2,218, which ranks fifth all-time at Ball State. Orsbon played in 50 games in his four-year career. As a senior in 2011, Orsbon managed a team high 66 catches for a team best 649 yards with a team leading four touchdown receptions. He also led the Cardinals with 31 kick returns and 616 kick return yards plus averaged 19.9 yards per return. Orsbon averaged a team high 106.7 all-purpose yards per game as a senior.

Baker, a senior safety for the Cardinals, set the Ball State career interception record as a junior. The 2011 All-MAC First Team selection completed his career with 18 interceptions. Baker, who was the solo recipient of the Magnabosco Award as a junior, was the active leader in career interceptions among all Football Bowl Subdivision players in 2011. He recorded two interceptions in 2011 -- one vs. Central Michigan and one vs. Army. A team captain as a junior and a senior, Baker ranked third on the team with 95 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack, despite missing two games in 2011 with an injury. Baker also tallied one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a senior. Baker led the Cardinals with a career high 18 tackles vs. Toledo plus led Ball State with 11 tackles at South Florida.

Jahwan Edwards, a true freshman running back, was named the recipient of the John Hodge Award as Ball State's Most Valuable Freshman. The Hodge Award is given in memory of the 1974 Cardinal Varsity Club Chairman who died in 1977. The CVC is an organization of benefactors to Ball State's intercollegiate athletics program.

Edwards rushed for 786 yards on 178 yards with 11 rushing touchdowns in 2011. He rushed for a career high 123 yards on a career best 25 attempts, including a career long rush of 28 yards at Ohio. Edwards rushed for a career best three touchdowns vs. Army, and that performance marked the most rushing TDs for a Ball State player since Oct. 24, 2009. Edwards tallied his first 100-yard rushing contest when he gained 112 yards vs. Buffalo.

Scott Kovanda, a junior punter, and Jamill Smith, a sophomore wide receiver/return specialist, were named co-recipients of the Bill Reynolds Special Teams Award. The award is named in memory of Reynolds, who spent 31 years as a volunteer in the Ball State athletics department with an emphasis on the football program prior to his death in the summer of 2000.

Kovanda, who was one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award that goes to the nation's most outstanding collegiate punter, ranked 22nd in the country in punting with a 43.5 average. Kovanda punted 61 times for 2,654 yards, including a long punt of 72 yards. He forced opponents to start inside the 20-yard line 22 times in 2011, and helped Ball State rank 18th in the nation in net punting. Kovanda, who owns a 3.90 grade-point average as a finance major, was also named to the Academic All-MAC Team and the All-MAC Third Team in 2011.

Smith averaged a team high 23.3 yards per kickoff return, including a career long 78-yard kickoff return at Eastern Michigan. Smith was named to the All-MAC Second Team as a punt return specialist after tallying eight returns for 87 yards and a 10.9 average in 2011. In addition, Smith managed 40 catches for 422 yards and three touchdowns in 2011.

Ryan Hartke, a senior defensive end with a 3.40 GPA as an accounting major, was named the recipient of the Gene Booker Academic Award. The Academic Award has been given annually since 1978 and was named in honor of Gene Booker for the first time in 2011. Booker was a member of Ball State's 1949 football team, which is the only unbeaten and untied team in the school's 87 years of football. Hartke tallied 37 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and three sacks with one fumble recovery in 2011. He received honorable mention on the Academic All-MAC Team in 2011.

Joshua Howard, a senior safety, received the Mark Hays Inspiration Award, which is given to the person who demonstrates the greatest ability to motivate and inspire his teammates. The award is given in the memory of the late son of Kermit and Mary Ellen Hays, who are longtime fans and supporters of Ball State's athletics program.

Howard was fourth on the team with 84 tackles in 2011 plus added a team high three interceptions. He also managed one tackle for loss, three fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. Howard tallied his third fumble recovery of the season at Northern Illinois and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown. He recorded a career best 13 tackles in the season finale vs. Toledo.

The Bill Meitzler Scout Team Players of the Year were Jared Scaringe on offense and Keenan Noel on Defense. This award is given in honor of the former Cardinal Varsity Club Board member and longtime fan and supporter of Ball State football. Scaringe was a redshirt freshman wide receiver for Ball State in 2011, while Noel redshirted as a true freshman cornerback for the Cardinals last fall.

Ball State's football program gave out two new awards in 2011 -- the Paul Schudel Strength and Conditioning Award and the Dave McClain Leadership Award. Adam Morris received the Schudel Award, while Kreg Hunter and Andrew Puthoff shared the McClain Award.

The Schudel Award is named in honor of Ball State's football coach from 1985-94 and led the Cardinals to the 1989 and 1993 Mid-American Conference Championships. He guided Ball State to its first ever NCAA Division IA bowl games with appearances in the 1989 California Raisin Bowl and the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl. Schudel completed his career with 60 wins, which was second in Ball State history, and ranked fifth in the Mid-American Conference with 47 victories.

The McClain Award is given in memory of the deceased Dave McClain, who was Ball State's head football coach from 1971-77 and guided the Cardinals to a 46-25-3 overall record. He guided the Cardinals into the Mid-American Conference and NCAA Division I football. McClain led Ball State to the 1976 MAC Championship in only the Cardinals second season in the conference. McClain's final three Ball State teams posted a combined 26-7 overall mark and a 13-4 MAC mark.

Ball State finished the 2011 season with a 6-6 overall record under the guidance of Lembo. The Cardinals won six games for the fourth time in 10 years, and posted wins in 2011 over Indiana, Army, Buffalo, Ohio, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

Plans announced for Indiana-Poland 4-H exchange

2012-01-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

Applications are now being accepted from 4-H members in Northeast Indiana for the 2012 Indiana-Poland Exchange Program.

Approximately 20 youth and eight adults will travel to south central Poland for two weeks in late June and early July to share and learn about 4-H and their culture. The youth will stay with host families, participate in 4-H activities, visit some historic sites and learn about daily living in Poland. The adults will be staying at a regional agriculture learning center or with host families.

Northeast Indiana 4-H has hosted youth from Poland four times (2011, 2009, 2007 and 2005). Delegations have traveled to Poland in 2010, 2008 and 2006.

Approximate dates for this trip will be June 26 – July 8. Anticipated cost of the exchange is $1,600 - $1,800. Application and a deposit are due Feb. 1. Scholarships are available through the Hefner International Exchange Fund. In addition, some sponsorships will be available from the Wells County 4-H Association.

Applications are available from the Purdue Extension Service offices in Northeast Indiana. These counties include Elkhart, LaGrange, Steuben, Kosciusko, Noble, DeKalb, Allen, Wabash, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Grant, Blackford, and Jay counties.

For more information about the exchange program, contact Roger Sherer at 260-824-6412 or rsherer@purdue.edu.

Football announces roster additions

2012-01-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

From the Ball State Athletic Department:

Ball State head football coach has announced the addition of three mid-year signees plus the return of one student-athlete for the 2012 roster.

Joining the program at mid-year are Selwyn Frazier (Independence Community College), Oga Igbinosun (Rahway High School) and Chris Pauling (T.W. Andrews High School), while Matthew Mosley returns to the Cardinals after sitting out the 2011 season to concentrate on academics.

"We are pleased to welcome these new student-athletes to the university for the spring semester, while also glad to have Matthew Mosley return to the program," Lembo says. "Selwyn, Oga and Chris are quality young men who are excited to be at Ball State. They have a great opportunity to acclimate themselves academically, athletically and socially this spring. They will also help to create greater internal competition on our defense at positions where we need to improve. Matthew is a quality young man who loves Ball State and is passionate about the game of football. He did a nice job staying connected during his hiatus from the program. We are hopeful he returns as a more focused and mature student."

Frazier earned two letters while playing for Independence Community College in 2010 and 2011. A graduate of Wichita East High School in Wichita, Kansas, Frazier is expected to play safety for the Cardinals. As a team captain in his second year at ICC, Frazier ranked second on the team with 63 tackles. He earned All-Jayhawk Conference honors in his second season, while helping the team to its first ever playoff appearance in his first campaign. At Wichita East, Frazier was a team captain as a senior and earned all-conference honors in his final season. He helped Wichita East to a 5-5 mark in his senior season and earned four letters for Coach Brian Byers.

Igbinosun earned three letters at Rahway High School in New Jersey for Coach Gary Mobley. He helped his team to a 6-5 mark as a senior and a 24-10 record in his career. Igbinosun, who graduated from Rahway in December, is expected to play defensive end for the Cardinals. At Rahway, Igbinosun managed 98 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks as a senior. He set a school record with six tackles for loss, including four sacks as a senior. Igbinosun managed 18 career sacks. He was selected to the New Jersey North-South All-Star Game and was named the New Jersey Game Most Valuable Player. A second-team all-state selection as a senior, Igbinosun earned all-area first team honors and was a Super 100 New Jersey selection in his final season. In addition, he was named the Mid-State 39 Defensive Player of the Year in his final season. Igbinosun, the son of Solomon and Mercy Igbinosun, also competed in wrestling, track and basketball at Rahway.

Pauling, a December graduate of T.W. Andrews High School in North Carolina, has joined the Cardinals and is expected to play safety at Ball State. Pauling earned three letters for Coach Rodney McKoy at Andrews and heoped the Red Raiders to an 8-3 mark as a senior and a 32-12 record in his career. Pauling managed 86 tackles, two forced fumbles and one blocked punt, which he returned for a touchdown in his senior season. He totalled 260 tackles, eight forced fumbles, three blocked punts, 20 sacks and two interceptions in his career. Pauling was an All-PAC 6 Conference selection as a junior and senior. He was named all-area and selected to play in the South Carolina/North Carolina Shrine Bowl as a senior. The son of Chris and Rosalyn Pauling, he managed a 3.1 grade-point average in high school and was a three-time selection to the Academic All-PAC 6 Conference team.

Mosley played in all 12 games as a true freshman during the 2010 season and earned his first letter. He recorded his first career tackle vs. Southeast Missouri State and tallied a career high two tackles in six games. A graduate of Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Ill., Mosley played outside linebacker for the Cardinals.

N-B Video: 2012 boys' basketball — Bluffton moves on in ACAC action

2012-01-11T09:05:00.001-08:00

Bluffton basketball player Jackson Lambert talks with the News-Banner's Paul Beitler after leading the Tigers with 22 points in ACAC action. The Tigers advanced to semifinals after the win. Learn more in the Wednesday, Jan. 11, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Indiana Football Hall of Fame to induct new members

2012-01-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

From the Ball State Athletic Department:

The Indiana Football Hall of Fame will induct three members on Sunday, Feb. 26, at Primo’s Banquet Hall in Indianapolis.

Eric DeBord, Paul Schudel and Mark Surface will each be inducted with festivities beginning at 1:15 p.m. A social will take place from 1:15 to 2 p.m., followed by dinner and the induction ceremony. Tickets for the event cost $30 and can be purchased from Dave Land of the Indiana Football Coaches Association. Land can be contacted at delifca@comcast.net.

DeBord is a 1977 graduate of Wes-Del High School and a 1981 graduate of Indiana University. He was a four-year starter in football, wrestling and baseball at Wes-Del and was the first student-athlete to ever earn 12 letters for the school. At Indiana, DeBord was a four-year letterman and two-year starter. He was a starter on the 1979 Holiday Bowl Championship Team.

Schudel was Ball State’s head football coach from 1985-94 and led the Cardinals to the 1989 and 1993 Mid-American Conference Championship. He completed his Ball State career ranked second in career wins with 60 for the Cardinals and fifth in MAC career wins with 47. A 1966 graduate of Miami University, Schudel served stints as an assistant coach at a variety of schools, including 10 years at Michigan from 1975-84 where he helped the Wolverines to five Big Ten Championships and five Rose Bowl appearances.

Mark Surface, a 1968 graduate of Ball State, spent his entire career as a high school coach in the state of Indiana, including from 1985-2006 at Marion High School. An alum of Lafayette Jefferson High School, Surface played on two Grantland Rice Bowl teams at Ball State. He earned conference coach of the year honors eight times in his career and led Marion to a runner-up finish in the 1988 Indiana High School Athletic Association State Championships.

N-B Video: 2012 boys' basketball — Norwell rebounds from defeat

2012-01-09T09:46:00.001-08:00

Norwell senior Grant Baker shares how his team recovered from their first loss earlier to defeat Carroll on Saturday, Jan. 7. Learn more in the Monday, Jan. 9, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

N-B Video: 2012 high school wrestling — Norwell vs. Southern Wells

2012-01-06T13:49:00.001-08:00

Southern Wells' Seth Biberstine wrestles Norwell's Kyle Short, both undefeated, in the 285-pound division on Thursday, Jan. 5. The News-Banner's Paul Beitler then speaks with the victor after the match. Learn more in the Friday, Jan. 6, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Prepare for 4-H season

2012-01-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

The Wells County 4-H office is preparing for the summer and 4-H, releasing several news stories to help those prepare.

WELLS COUNTY 4-H FAIR DATES SET
The Wells County 4-H Association has set July 14-19 for the 2012 Wells County 4-H Fair. Livestock show times and auction are expected to be similar to previous years.

Representatives of the 4-H Fair will be attending the 2012 Indiana Association of Fairs & Festivals Conference in Indianapolis later in January.

Officers of the Wells County 4-H Association for 2012 include Kent Ulmer, president; Brian Clark, 1st vice president; Chad Captain, 2nd vice president; Gretta Nusbaumer, secretary; Leah Sills, treasurer; Karl Steiner, executive committee member; and Larry Connett, executive committee member.

Officers for the Wells County 4-H Council for 2012 will be Karl Steiner, president; Cathy Neu, vice president; and Melissa Bolyn, secretary. The 4-H Council is responsible for the 4-H rules and policy that govern the various 4-H events and activities within the county.

This year's Indiana State Fair will be held August 3-19. The logo will include "Celebrating the Hoosier Spirit" and the theme will center around the "Year of the Dairy Cows."

For more details on the State Fair, go to www.in.gov/statefair.

4-H SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE JAN. 17
4-H Club college scholarship forms and the State 4-H resume forms are due Tuesday, Jan., 17 at the Wells County Extension Office located at the 4-H Park in Bluffton.

At least 16 $300 scholarships will be presented to Wells County youth who apply through the program.

Forms were mailed to high school seniors in December, but they may also be found on the State 4-H webpage: www.four-h.purdue.edu. Click on the "scholarships" link under the "opportunities" tab.

For more information about the 4-H scholarships, contact the Wells County Office of the Purdue Extension Service at 824-6412 or rsherer@purdue.edu.

WELLS COUNTY 4-H HORSE & PONY SIGN UP AVAILABLE
Youth and parents interested in the Horse & Pony Club can attend the Wells County 4-H Horse & Pony Club at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Wells County Community Center at the 4-H Park, Bluffton.

4-H member enrollment forms will be distributed along with a schedule for 2012.

Future club meetings will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 5 March 4 at the same location.

Outdoor meetings will begin in the spring in preparation for the Wells County 4-H Fair, July 14-19.

Youth may become 4-H members when they enter third grade and may continue their membership through the completion of grade 12. Each individual may continue membership for a maximum of 10 consecutive years.

The club-sponsored annual tack auction will be held Saturday, February 18, at the 4-H Park in Bluffton. Doors open at 5 PM and the Auction begins at 6 PM.

For more information about the 4-H Horse & Pony Club, contact Rhonda Phillips, 260-557-4745 or Lisa Toliver, 260-224-7030 or the Wells County Extension Office, 824-6412.

STATE 4-H POULTRY WORKSHOP JAN. 7
Indiana 4-H will host a workshop for 4-H Poultry members on Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds in Lebanon IN, located I-65, exit 138.

Workshop topics include raising and showing meat bird chickens, judging egg layer chickens, showmanship; basics of judging large fowl chickens, ideal waterfowl breed type, judging exhibition poultry and a question/answer session with the experts.

For more information, contact Doug Akers at 765-482-0750 or dakers@purdue.edu.

N-B Video: 2012 boys' basketball — Southern Wells vs. Cowan

2012-01-04T08:53:00.001-08:00

The Southern Wells Raiders face the Cowan Blackhawks in close and furious competition during a Tuesday night game. See the Wednesday, Jan. 4, News-Banner for more details. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Jarrod Jones picks up MAC West Player of the Week honors

2012-01-03T08:09:00.000-08:00

From the Ball State Athletic Department:

MUNCIE, Ind. – For the third time this season, Ball State senior forward Jarrod Jones of Michigan City has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the week. Jones is the only player in either MAC division to win player of the week honors multiple times this season as he picked up accolades Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.

Jones, a preseason All-MAC selection, led the Cardinals to their seventh victory of the season on New Year’s Eve as he scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed six rebounds in just 25 minutes of play against Chicago State. He connected on 6-of-7 from the field (.857) and 5-of-8 (.625) from the charity stripe to lead the Cardinals to the 28-point victory.

Jones leads the Cardinals and is second in the MAC in scoring at 18.1 points per game. He also ranks second in the league on the glass at 8.2 rebounds per game, third in field goal percentage at .582 and fifth in free throw percentage at .825. He has scored in double figures in nine of the first 11 games this season, including six games of at least 20-plus points.

Jones and Ball State closes out the pre-conference portion of the schedule Wednesday night as they host Florida A&M. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Worthen Arena.

N-B Video: The business behind baseball

2012-01-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

Bluffton High School graduate Luke Reiff explains his job as general manager for the Stockton Ports, a minor leage baseball team. Learn more in the Saturday, Dec. 31, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Work for the TinCaps

2011-12-30T10:27:00.000-08:00

The Fort Wayne TinCaps food and beverage department at Parkview Field is now accepting applications for the 2012 baseball season.

The TinCaps are currently looking to fill the following part-time, seasonal positions:
- Bartender (must be 21 or older)
- Concession Cashier
- Cook
- Food Runner
- Server
- Vendor

Interested candidates may pick up an application at the Parkview Field administrative office or by logging on to the Fort Wayne TinCaps website (Click on "CLUBHOUSE" on the main navigation and then click on "EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES").

Applications may be submitted in person to the TinCaps Administrative Office located on the west side of Parkview Field, with an entrance up from Ewing Street. The TinCaps office regular business hours are from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. The team's administrative offices will be closed for the holidays, beginning December 23rd through January 2nd.

For more information in regards to these positions please contact Dan Krleski with the TinCaps at (260) 407-2827.

Change in location

2011-12-30T10:11:00.000-08:00

From the Bluffton High School Athletic Department: The boys' basketball game vs. Winchester will be played in the Winchester Fieldhouse in downtown Winchester and not at Winchester High School. The jv game will begin at 6:00 pm.

State parks offer two nights for the price of one

2011-12-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Spend 2 nights with us at any of our 7 locations, and pay for only 1. Available Nov. 28, 2011 - March 1, 2012. Must stay two consecutive nights, valid Sunday through Thursday only.

(not valid Dec. 23 - Dec 31, 2011, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with any other discount or used for groups.)

Reservations can be made by calling 1.877.LODGES 1 or ONLINE at any location by using the "2 for 1" rate code. Click on your favorite location above to make a reservation.

To learn more, click here.

N-B Video: 2011 boys' basketball — Bluffton vs. Norwell

2011-12-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

The Bluffton Tigers take on the Norwell Knights in regular season boys' basketball action. Learn more in the Wednesday, Dec. 28, News-Banner. (Photos and video by Glen Werling)

4-H Extension calendar

2011-12-27T13:20:00.000-08:00

December 30 — Wells County 4-H Jr. Leader Officers & Directors, noon to 2 p.m., Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton
January 2 — New Year's Holiday — County Offices Closed
January 3 — Extension Homemakers Executive Council, 12:30 p.m. Extension Homemakers Presidents' Council, 1:30 p.m.
January 6-8 — Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals & Events, Marriott East, Indianapolis
January 7 — State 4-H Poultry Workshop, Boone County Farm Bureau Community Building, Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, Lebanon, I-65 at exit 138
January 8 — Wells County 4-H Horse & Pony Club, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 5 p.m.
January 8 — Wells County 4-H Horse & Pony Advisory Board (after 4-H Club meeting), Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton
January 16 — Martin Lutheran King Day — County Offices Closed
January 17 — 4-H Scholarship & Resume Forms due at Wells County Extension Office
January 17 — State P-CARET Legislative Luncheon, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Indianapolis, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

13th annual Aqua Systems New Year's Day bash set for Sunday afternoon at Anderson Speedway

2011-12-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

ANDERSON, Ind. – Anderson Speedway begins the 65th season of racing action on Sunday afternoon, January 1 with the 13th Annual Aqua Systems New Year’s Day Bash. Featured divisions include Figure 8’s, ThunderCars, Mini Cups along with Front Wheel Drives on the Oval and Figure 8.

The Aqua Systems New Year’s Day Bash annually draws nearly 100 cars that compete on the World’s Fastest Quarter-Mile Oval on January 1. In the most recent Aqua Systems New Year’s Day Bash in 2010 feature winners included Ronnie Rose (ThunderCars), Jeff Williams (Front Wheel Drive Oval) and Nick Warner (Front Wheel Drive Oval Figure 8’s).

On Sunday, spectator gates open at 11 a.m. with the racing program going green at approximately 1 p.m.

General admission tickets will be priced at $10 for adults, $4 for children 6-12 with kids five and under admitted free.

For additional information on Anderson Speedway, visit www.andersonspeedway.com or contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.

N-B Video: County schools compete at wrestling tournament

2011-12-23T11:02:00.001-08:00

Wrestlers from Northern Wells, Bluffton-Harrison and Southern Wells compete in the East Central Indiana Classic wrestling tournament Thursday, Dec. 22. Featured here are Norwell wrestler Mitchell Wilson, Southern Wells wrestler Seth Biberstine and Norwel wrestler Kyle Short. Learn more in the Friday, Dec. 23, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Get away for the weekend

2011-12-21T09:43:00.001-08:00

Looking for a little winter vacation during a weekend next year? The Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers the following escapes for the new year.

Join McCormick’s Creek staff and people all across the country for a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day in a state park.
Take Brown County’s Annual Winter Hike on Jan. 14. Go sledding at Fort Harrison’s sledding hill, which is open during park hours when snow cover and weather permit. Call (317) 591-0904 to check on the status.
Experience the Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Jan. 7 at Fort Harrison. A Battle of the Bulge exhibit is available on weekends through January.
Register in advance by Jan. 10 to build an Eastern screech owl nest box on Jan. 15 at Monroe Lake.
Check out the Indiana Dunes Geocache Adventure on Jan. 2. Get site-specific geocaching information here.
Cross-country ski at Pokagon. The ski rental is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. When there’s a base of five to six inches of snow, a variety of trails for varying levels of expertise are available.
Become a “Road Scholar” (formerly Elderhostel) at Pokagon’s Potawatomi Inn, Jan. 29-Feb. 3. Road Scholar is a non-profit, educational organization that provides short-term, non-credit, residential learning opportunities for people 55 years of age and older.
Go tobogganing at Pokagon. Gift certificates are available for friends and family.
Cure the cabin fever blues with “Old-time Winter on the Farm” at the O'Bannon Woods nature center on Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Experience life on the farm, from the cross-cut saw to the open fire of the summer kitchen. Call ahead in case of inclement weather, (812) 738-8234.

Randy Davis Named A Bob Cousy Award Candidate

2011-12-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

From the Ball State Athletic Department:

For the second year in a row, Ball State senior point guard Randy Davis (Plymouth, has been named one of 59 candidates for the 2012 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts announced Monday. The annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in college basketball.

Davis is one of just two players from the Mid-American Conference (D.J. Cooper, Ohio) among the 2012 nominees and is just one of 12 players in the country that has made the exclusive list for two straight years. Additional multiple nominees include Keegan Bell (Chattanooga), Chris Wroblewski (Cornell), Scott Machado (Iona), Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas), Casper Ware (Long Beach State), D.J. Cooper (Ohio), Zach Rosen (Pennsylvania), Lewis Jackson (Purdue), Hank Thomas (TCU), Jordan Taylor (Wisconsin) and Tu Holloway (Xavier).

Davis leads the Mid-American Conference and ranks third in NCAA Division I in assists per game at 7.75 as he has handed out 62 through the first eight games this year. He ranks fifth in the nation in assist/turnover ratio at 3.875, which is also tops in the MAC. His play has the Cardinals ranking first in the league in assist/turnover ratio as a team at 1.20 and second in assists at 14.9 per game.

Davis, a preseason All-MAC West selection, tied his career-high with 11 assists in the season-opener against No. 16 Arizona. He ranks fourth on the team in scoring at 7.8 points per game and has scored in double figures on three occasions this season.

This original list of candidates will be narrowed down to a final 20 by January 1st, final ten by February 1, and final five by March 1. A premier Selection Committee will be appointed by the Hall of Fame to review the final five candidates in contention for the nation’s top collegiate point guard award. These Hall of Fame committees are made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and hall of famers. The winner of the 2012 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Championship Monday in New Orleans as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.

Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award have included Jameer Nelson (St. Joseph’s), Raymond Felton (North Carolina), Dee Brown (Illinois), Acie Law (Texas A & M), DJ Augustin (Texas), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Greivis Vasquez (Maryland) and last year’s recipient Kemba Walker (Connecticut). For more information on the 2012 Bob Cousy, log onto www.CousyAward.com.

Park hunts make inroads on habitat recovery

2011-12-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Controlled deer hunts at state park properties are achieving the intended result of habitat recovery, but analysis of information collected this year indicates deer numbers remain above desired levels at many locations.

Volunteer hunters harvested 1,546 deer during four days of controlled hunts at 21 state parks in November. That’s only the 10th highest total in 18 years of state park hunts, but resource biologists say harvest numbers alone have limited value in determining success.

Instead, their research shows a better indicator is harvest-to-hunter effort (H/E). When the H/E ratio nears .22 to .20, vegetation and habitat begin to recover from deer overbrowsing. Another reliable target is a harvest of 12 to 16 deer per square mile.

The mean H/E ratio for all participating parks this year was 0.27—the second most successful on record. Seventeen parks experienced H/E ratios above target levels, and most parks also were above the harvest per square mile target.

“Although some parks are more successful than others at achieving a maintenance phase, data continue to indicate habitat recovery as well as sustained deer populations,” said Mike Mycroft, chief of natural resources for the DNR Division of State Parks & Reservoirs.

“It’s worth reiterating that park reductions are not intended to manage deer populations for optimal recreational hunting,” he said. “The goal is to reduce the impact of browsing to a level that allows some of Indiana’s rarest and most unique natural communities to thrive.”

Mycroft noted that although abrupt browse lines and emaciated deer are a thing of the past at state parks, less obvious damage persists throughout the park system, and deer continue to impact rare and endangered flora, as well as valuable habitat such as oak forests.

Mycroft’s full report on the 2011 controlled hunts is available at StateParks.IN.gov. Look for the 2011 Deer Reduction Report link below the photographs.

The first two-day hunt was Nov. 14-15, and the second was Nov. 28-29. State parks included were Brown County, Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Clifty Falls, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Indiana Dunes, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Summit Lake, Tippecanoe, Turkey Run, Versailles, and Whitewater Memorial. Cave River Valley, a satellite site at Spring Mill, also was included.

Weather was marginal statewide for both sessions. Temperatures were warm on the first two-day session with high winds, rain and thunderstorms scattered across much of the state. Second-round weather was cooler with gusty winds and a mix of rain and snow.

Another influencing factor was no-shows, meaning hunters who were drawn for participation but did not participate at all, or participated only one day. Just over 6,000 hunters were selected in the initial draw. Standby drawings were conducted at four parks on a trial basis to fill spots left vacant by originally drawn hunters. The standby drawings reduced what would have been a combined 59 percent four-day average of no-shows at those four parks to 49 percent.

Parks requiring reductions in 2012 will be listed and made available along with online applications in July 2012 at dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/5834.htm.

N-B Video: Officials announce ACAC basketball tournament

2011-12-16T13:41:00.001-08:00

People wait to hear who will play whom in the annual Allen County Athletic Conference boys' and girls' basketball tournament. Officials held this year's draw on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Decatur. Learn more in the Friday, Dec. 16, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Athletics announces television package for MAC games

2011-12-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State athletic department has announced the television schedule for the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball Mid-American Conference seasons. The men’s basketball team can have up to 12 MAC games broadcasted and the women’s basketball team will have five games televised on the Ball State Sports Network (BSSN), BSU Sports Link, SportsTime Ohio (STO) and ESPNU.

The Ball State Sports Network package for the MAC season includes three men’s games and a women’s game. The men’s games scheduled for broadcasts are Jan. 7 vs. Western Michigan, Jan. 21 at Northern Illinois and Feb. 25 at Eastern Michigan. Affiliates for BSSN include WIPB-TV (Muncie), HTSN 6.2 (Indianapolis), Comcast Indianapolis (Ch. 420), Brighthouse Indianapolis (Ch. 164), WANE-TV 15.2 (Fort Wayne), WJTS-TV (Jasper), WNDA-TV (Jeffersonville), WKYI-TV (Louisville, KY) and WHME-TV (South Bend).

BSSN will broadcast the women’s basketball game Jan. 11 vs. Northern Illinois at Worthen Arena. The women’s broadcast will be televised on WIPB-Muncie.

BSU Sports Link, an immersive learning student program, will broadcast three games in 2012. The program will produce the men’s game Feb. 8 vs. Bowling Green, as well as women’s contests Jan. 25 vs. Bowling Green and Feb. 22 vs. Western Michigan. All Sports Link broadcasts will be available for free at www.ballstatesports.com.

The Ball State men’s program will have three games guaranteed for SportsTime Ohio broadcasts including Jan. 10 at Toledo, Jan. 24 vs. Akron and Feb. 22 at Western Michigan. The Cardinals have five games in the ESPNU flex-schedule which allows for a 21-day advance notice of the broadcast. Men’s games on the flex-schedule include Jan. 14 vs. Eastern Michigan, Jan. 28 at Ohio, Feb. 11 at Kent State, Feb. 29 vs. Central Michigan and March 2/3 vs. Northern Illinois.

The women’s team will have two games broadcast as part of the MAC television package. The Cardinals will play on STO Jan. 28 at Miami and Feb. 19 against Central Michigan.

HU tennis camp slated for December 27-29

2011-12-14T10:15:00.000-08:00

From Huntington University:

HUNTINGTON, IN—The Huntington University men’s tennis team will host their first annual holiday tennis tennis camp December 27-29 at the Merillat Complex for Physical Education. Cost to attend is $20 for K–5th grade (10am-11am), $30 for 6th-8th grade (11am-12:30pm) and $40 for 9th-12th grade (1pm-3pm).  Registration forms for the camp are available at the Huntington University Athletic Office or campers can print off a registration form at http://www.huntington.edu/athletics/tennis-M/. Questions? Contact Coach Kreg Eckert at (260)433-1323.

The Huntington University Foresters compete in 14 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 53 NAIA All-America honors and 187 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S.News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.

4-H Extension calendar for December

2011-12-12T10:13:00.000-08:00

December 12 — Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6 PM. Carry-in meal.
December 15 — 4-H Scholarship Workshop, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 to 8 PM
December 19 — 4-H Scholarship Workshop, Adams County Extension Office, Decatur, 7 to 8 PM
December 19 — 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 PM
December 23 — Christmas Holiday. County Offices Closed
December 26 — Christmas Holiday. County Offices Closed
December 30 — New Yearís Holiday. County Offices Closed
January 2 — New Yearís Holiday. County Offices Closed
January 6 to 8 — Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals & Events, Marriott East, Indianapolis

Ball State player named Academic All-American

2011-12-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

From the Ball State Athletic Office

Briggs Orsbon, a senior member of the Ball State 2011 football team, has been named to the Capital One Academic All-America First Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Orsbon, who owns a 4.0 grade-point average on Ball State’s 4.0 scale as a risk management and finance major, is the first Ball State football player selected to the Capital One Academic All-America First Team since Travis Barclay was named to the squad in 2002 and 2003. Orsbon becomes only the eighth football student-athlete in school history to earn first-team honors.

"We could not be happier for Briggs to be the recipient of this prestigious honor,” Ball State first-year head coach Pete Lembo says. “He is a model student-athlete and a tremendous competitor. Briggs was a great leader and a major contributor to our team's success this year. We are confident he will continue to be an asset to the University as an alum of our football program."

A 2011 All-Mid-American Conference Second-Team selection, Orsbon was also a candidate for the 2011 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award. He is a two-time Capital One Academic All-District choice and a two-time Academic All-MAC recipient.

Orsbon, one of Ball State’s team captains in 2011, led the Cardinals with 66 catches for 649 receiving yards and four touchdown catches this season. In addition to his pass catching skills in 2011, Orsbon tallied a 19.9 yards per kickoff return average.

With his five catches at Northern Illinois this season, Orsbon became only the second player in Ball State history to tally 200 or more career receptions. He completed his career with 204 catches and ranks second in the Cardinals record books behind only Dante Ridgeway’s 238 receptions from 2002-04. With his 103 receiving yards at Western Michigan, Orsbon became only the sixth player in Ball State history to post over 2,000 yards receiving in a career. He completes his collegiate career with 2,218 receiving yards, which ranks fifth all time in Ball State history. Orsbon set MAC Championship Game records with a career high 13 catches for a career best 141 yards vs. Buffalo in the 2008 league title game.

Ball State entered the 2011-12 academic year ranked 32nd in the country all-time in Capital One Academic All-America selections.

The Cardinals finished the 2011 season with a 6-6 overall record and a 4-4 MAC mark. Ball State was bowl eligible for the first time since the 2008 season and won six games for the fourth time in 10 seasons.

N-B Video: A new role on the court

2011-12-07T14:01:00.000-08:00

The News-Banner's Paul Beitler interviews Norwell boys' basketball player Caleb Featherston, the new senior on the team. Learn more in the Wednesday, Dec. 7, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

TinCaps holds shopping spree

2011-12-06T08:43:00.000-08:00

The TinCaps are giving fans the opportunity to win a $250 shopping spree to The Orchard Team Store this holiday season. All TinCaps fans are eligible to win by following the TinCaps on social media!

Official Rules

No purchase necessary. Entry can be completed on the Fort Wayne TinCaps fan page on Facebook.
Void where prohibited.
One prize is awarded for the sweepstakes consisting of a $250.00 Orchard Team Store shopping spree. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries.
Drawing is held and prize is awarded within a few days following the end of the sweepstakes entry period. The sweepstakes for the $250 shopping spree ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. Drawing will consist of a randomly picked entry from all the entries received in the entry period. Winners will be contacted by email using the email they provided. If no response is received within two days, a new winner will be randomly chosen.

Sponsor reserves the right to cancel a sweepstakes before the entry period begins

Crafts program for preschoolers at Salamonie Lake, Dec. 14

2011-12-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

Children ages 2 to 5 can create a variety of crafts on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Salamonie Interpretive Center.

The program runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Children and their parents will have the opportunity to take an outdoor hike and make crafts for display or to give as gifts.

The program is planned to be both indoors and out, starting at the interpretive center. Participants can bring a lunch to eat together after the event. Parents are expected to stay with their child throughout the program.

There is a $2 fee per child for the program. The standard property entrance fee will be waived for program attendees.

Register by calling (260) 468-2127 or visiting the interpretive center at 3691 S. New Holland Road, Andrews, 46702.

The interpretive center and Otter Run Tradin’ Post is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. This barrier-free building features exhibits, floor-to-ceiling windows in the wildlife viewing area, and staff to answer your questions.

Visit dnr.IN.gov/uwis or Facebook.com/upperwabash for more information.

4-H Extension calendar for December

2011-12-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

Dec. 2-4 — Hoosier Beef Congress, State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis
Dec. 9 — Ag Outlook Breakfast and Program, Community Center 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7:00 AM. Call 260-824-6412 for reservations. No fee.
Dec. 9 — Pesticide Applicator Recertification Program, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 9:30 AM. $10 Fee. Call 260-824-6412 to reserve space.
Dec. 10 — State 4-H & FFA Forestry, Crops & Entomology Judging Contests, Purdue University, 8 AM – 4 PM

Local parks plan a year's worth of activities

2011-12-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

The Upper Wabash Interpretive Services has announced multiple events at its various parks in 2012. You can download them here.

Salamonie Lake to hold day camp

2011-11-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

Salamonie Lake is holding a winter day camp for children ages 7 to 11, Dec. 27-29.

Each day provides a variety of activities during the 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. camp. People can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, movie time, snacks, crafts and games.

Activities include building a life-size replica of an Eastern Woodland wigwam, learning to shoot a bow and arrow, discovering how to track an animal through the woods, starting a campfire with a bow and drill, daily crafts, hikes and more. Participants should bring warm play clothes, an extra pair of shoes and gloves.

Activities are guided by interpretive naturalists trained. A snack will be provided. Children need to bring a sack lunch with drink each day.

The camp requires a $45 participation fee. Fees will be adjusted for families with multiple children attending. Parents will be asked to fill out a participation form.

Call Upper Wabash Interpretive Services at (260) 468-2127 to register. Visit www.dnr.IN.gov/uwis for more information.

Salamonie Lake is at 9214 West-Lost Bridge West, Andrews, 46702

Nascar champions from Homestead weekend share Eldora speedway connections

2011-11-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

Rossburg, OH – Tony Stewart’s drive to victory at Homestead Miami Speedway and the resulting NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crown Sunday night, capped off an exciting NASCAR championship weekend that resulted in a trio of title holders sharing an Eldora Speedway connection.

As owner of the southwestern Ohio speed plant, as well as a frequent competitor and victor on the one-half mile clay oval, Stewart was quick to point out that Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Nationwide Series) and Austin Dillon (Camping World Truck Series) have also made their presence known at Eldora.

Stenhouse’s name was etched into the Eldora Speedway history books in 2007 during the annual Four Crown Nationals when he bested the United States Auto Club (USAC) Midget field, while Dillon’s claim to fame came during the 2010 World 100 for Late Models. At that time, in only his second appearance on the Eldora clay, Dillon topped the 134 car field with quick time honors. He eventually finished 13th in the 100-lap chase.

Race officials say Stewart’s accomplishments as an Eldora driver are even greater with victory stage appearances as the result of feature wins in Sprint Cars (winged and non-winged), Midgets, Modifieds and Late Models. Additionally, they say, Stewart has prevailed over Eldora’s marquee Prelude to the Dream three times since its inception in 2005.

It may very well be that the Prelude event could offer an opportunity for the trio of NASCAR champions to return together as Eldora competitors in 2012. While Stewart has not released invitations to the annual June charity event as of yet, Stenhouse, Jr. and Dillon have to be considered as likely candidates to get mail from the three-time Sprint Cup champion as invitees.

In addition to the talent-laden Prelude to the Dream invitational (June 6) and World 100 (September 7 & 8), Eldora’s key events in 2012 include the Dirt Late Model Dream (June 8 & 9) and the Kings Royal weekend (July 13 & 14). The ticket sale campaign for these events begins Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 10 a.m. by going online to www.eldoraspeedway.com.

Baer Field Speedway to hold awards ceremony

2011-11-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

The Speedway will hold its award ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, at the American Legion Post 241, 7605 Bluffton Rd. Dinner will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and music and door prizes will follow the ceremony. Cost is $15 per person. To register, click here. Register by Nov. 23.

TinCaps coaching staff revealed

2011-11-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

From the Fort Wayne TinCaps:

The Fort Wayne TinCaps, in conjunction with their major league affiliate San Diego Padres, announced the 2012 Field Staff today.

Former major leaguer Jose Valentin was named manager of the TinCaps, replacing Shawn Wooten in the dugout. Valentin was drafted by the Padres organization in 1986 and traded to the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 1992. Included in the deal was former major league slugger Gary Sheffield. Valentin made his major league debut on September 17, 1992.

Valentin, from Manati, Puerto Rico, played for 16 seasons in the major leagues, finishing his career with a .243 batting average, 816 runs batted in and 249 home runs. In addition to the Brewers, Valentin also spent time with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, before retiring in 2009.

"Jose Valentin will join a long list of successful Fort Wayne managers that includes Gary Jones, Randy Ready, Doug Dascenzo and Shawn Wooten," said Randy Smith, Vice President of Player Development and International Scouting for the Padres. "I am excited about what Jose will bring to the TinCaps and Padres organization. I have known Jose since he was 16 and was first beginning his playing career.

In 2004, Valentin became owner of the Santurce Crabbers of the Puerto Rico Baseball League and he has spent the last several years as an instructor at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School in Gurabo.

Valentin will be joined in the dugout by pitching coach Willie Blair, who was in the same role with the TinCaps in 2011. Blair spent 12 seasons in the major leagues with eight different teams, finishing with a career mark of 60-86. The hitting coach for the TinCaps is still to be determined.

"Jose played with passion and terrific instincts for 16 years at the major league level and I am confident he will develop our young players in the same mold," Smith added. "Jose and Willie give us a great tandem and represent the organization well."

Last year, under Blair's guidance, the TinCaps pitching staff finished with a 3.99 earned run average during the regular season, 1,117 strikeouts which was fourth-best in the Midwest League and the 11 shutouts hurled by TinCaps pitchers was third-best in the league.

In addition to Blair, the Padres announced that Dan Turner will return to Fort Wayne as the TinCaps trainer. Turner will be in his second full season in Fort Wayne and fourth in the San Diego system.

Hunters asked to complete online state forest survey

2011-11-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

Hunters can help monitor the abundance and distribution of deer and other wildlife species in State Forests by completing an online survey after each hunting trip to a State Forest this year.

“Hunters are uniquely skilled observers in the outdoors and are in a position to provide feedback that can help us better manage the resources of our State Forests,” said John Seifert, director of the DNR Division of Forestry.

Hunters are asked to go to dnr.IN.gov/forestry/7245.htm every time they return from a hunting trip. Multiple hunting trips made on the same day would ideally warrant separate visits to the website to complete a survey. State Forests in Indiana are listed at dnr.IN.gov/forestry/3631.htm.

This anonymous survey will be available all year online and is open to all hunters who hunt in the State Forests. Completion will take a hunter a few minutes.

More instructions are listed at the website.

Note: The DNR Customer Service Center and the DNR Deer Hotline, (812) 334-3795, will not be open on Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

For more information: Scott Haulton, Forestry Wildlife Specialist, (317) 234-5725.

November extension calendar

2011-11-10T13:22:00.000-08:00

November 14 — Northeast Indiana 4-H & FFA Career Development Event (Forestry, Crops & Entomology), Whitley County Fairgrounds, Columbia City, Registration, 5 PM; Judging, 5:30 PM
November 15 — Holiday Happenings entitled A Safe & Happy Holiday, program sponsored
by Wells County Extension Homemakers, Community Center, 4-H Park, 6:30 PM. Pre-registration appreciated. Cost is $5.00. Local artist Nancy Wagner will be painting an autumn scene on slate which will be auctioned off at the end of the evening. Holiday candy making by Kay Prosser and holiday safety tips from Bluffton Police Department and Bluffton Fire Dept. Call Wells County Extension Office 260-824-6412 for registration form.
November 16 — Career Expo Set Up, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 2:00-4:30 PM
November 17 — Wells County Career Expo, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 8 AM-2 PM
November 17 — Wells County Extension Advisory Board, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 PM
November 21 — Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 PM

Salamonie Interpretive Center to offer day camp

2011-11-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

The Eastern Woodland Indians Salamonie Winter Day Camp will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, Wednesday, Dec. 28, and Thursday, Dec. 29. Children ages 7 to 11 are invited. Features include games, crafts, movies, hikes, archery, and artifacts. Participants should bring their own lunches. Hats, gloves, coats and an extra pair of shoes or boots are necessary.

Cost is $45 per child. Pre-registration is required, and a 2011 health/media release form is required. The forms are available at www.IN.gov/dnr/uwis.

To register, call 260-468-2127.

Large deer harvest forecast for 2011 season

2011-11-08T07:38:00.000-08:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Firearms season for white-tailed deer in Indiana opens Nov. 12, and a DNR wildlife expert predicts another year of near-record harvest numbers.

Hunters are coming off a third straight record harvest, having tagged 134,004 deer in 2010. DNR deer biologist Chad Stewart said conditions for the 2011 season are shaping up similarly to the 2010 season.

“I’d hate to predict a record, but we should be close to it” Stewart said. “It’s almost guaranteed to be a top-three harvest.”

Firearms season generally accounts for about 65 percent of the overall deer harvest. Legal firearms for firearms season are shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns and center-fire rifles of specific cartridge dimensions.

The 16-day firearms season ends Nov. 27.

Hunters on opening weekend of firearms season last year harvested 37,525 deer.

Steuben County led the state in overall number of deer harvested last year with 3,948. The harvest exceeded 1,000 deer in 64 counties; exceeded 2,000 deer in 17 counties; and exceeded 3,000 deer in five counties. Counties with high harvests tend to have a good mix of woods and farm ground.

“For a deer hunter, Indiana is great because it can sustain a very high population and a very healthy population,” Stewart said.

The number of antlered deer harvested in 2010 was 53,007, or about 40 percent of the overall harvest.

Muzzleloader season starts Dec. 3 and lasts through Dec. 18. Early archery season, which is already underway, lasts through Nov. 27. Late archery season opens Dec. 3 and lasts through Jan. 1, 2012.

Unless otherwise exempted, a license is required to hunt deer during the firearms season. The DNR is encouraging hunters to buy their licenses early and avoid waiting until the last minute. The DNR Customer Service Center and the DNR Deer Hotline will not be open on Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

2011-11-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

Jayden Liechty, 11, daughter of Luke and Amy Liechty of Ossian, poses with her first deer, shot while hunting with her dad.

4-H November extension calendar

2011-11-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

November 5: Indiana 4-H Congress, State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, 9 AM-3:30 PM
November 7: 4-H Association Budget Committee Meeting, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6 PM
November 8: Election Day. County Offices Closed
November 11: Veterans Day. County Offices Closed
November 14: Northeast Indiana 4-H & FFA Career Development Event (Forestry, Crops & Entomology), Whitley County Fairgrounds, Columbia City, Registration, 5 PM; Judging, 5:30 PM
November 15: Holiday Happenings entitled A Safe & Happy Holiday, program sponsored
by Wells County Extension Homemakers, Community Center, 4-H Park, 6:30 PM. Pre-registration appreciated. Cost is $5.00. Local artist Nancy Wagner will be painting an autumn scene on slate which will be auctioned off at the end of the evening. Holiday candy making by Kay Prosser and holiday safety tips from Bluffton Police Department and Bluffton Fire Dept. Call Wells County Extension Office 260-824-6412 for registration form.
November 16: Career Expo Set Up, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 2:00-4:30 PM
November 17: Wells County Career Expo, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 8 AM-2 PM
November 17: Wells County Extension Advisory Board, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 PM
November 21: Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 PM

Ball State to induct members into Hall of Fame

2011-11-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

From the Ball State Athletic Office:

Ball State athletics will induct Bryan Bullington (baseball), Amy Doyle (softball), Laura Szcepanski Scudder (gymnastics), Bonzi Wells (basketball) and the 1949 Football Team into the Athletics Hall of Fame Feb. 3-4.

The induction ceremony will take place Fri., Feb. 3, at the Ball State Alumni Center, and the inductees will be introduced at the men's and women's basketball doubleheader Sat., Feb. 4. To attend the event, please call the Cardinal Varsity Club office at 765.285.8120 or email cvc@bsu.edu.

Bullington was the No. 1 pick in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft after completing his junior year at Ball State. He was a 2002 Collegiate Baseball All-American, the 2001 and 2002 Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year and a three-time All-MAC First-Team choice after setting Ball State and MAC records with 357 career strikeouts. Bullington led the MAC with a 2.84 earned-run average as a junior and set the school and league record with 139 strikeouts in 2002. Bullington tallied an 11-3 record as a junior and was 9-4 as a freshman and a sophomore. He set the Ball State career record for wins with 29, while compiling a 3.36 career ERA. Bullington was a member of the 2001 USA National Team, and was the 2000 MAC Freshman of the Year. He was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team and was selected to the Baseball America Freshman All-America Second Team.

Doyle, a four-year letterwinner in softball from 1996-99, was a 1998 Academic All-American and earned second-team honors in 1999. She graduated with honors as a secondary education and history major and was a four-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athlete. Doyle helped the Cardinals to its first-ever Mid-American Conference Championship in softball and its first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament in 1998. At the completion of her career, Doyle's name appeared 22 times on the school's single-season and career top-five lists. She set the Ball State single-season record with 38 RBI in 1998, and in total bases with 93 in the same season. Doyle was drafted in the sixth round by the Tampa Bay Firestix of the Women's Pro Softball League after her college graduation. She posted a career .308 batting average, including a .366 mark as a junior and a .339 average as a senior.

Szczepanski, a four-year letterwinner for the gymnastics team from 1997-2000, was the first Ball State student-athlete to ever be named the Mid-American Conference Gymnast of the Year. She was selected to the All-MAC First Team as a senior after winning the conference beam title, serving as co-champion on the bars and registering runnerup honors in the all-around. Szczepanski became just the second gymnast in school history to earn an at-large berth in the NCAA Regional, where she placed 11th in the all-around as a senior. She set MAC and Ball State records with a 9.90 score to win the conference beam title as a senior. Szczepanski was ranked the entire 2000 season in the national all-around rankings and completed the year 46th in the nation. As a junior, she helped the Cardinals to the school's first-ever national ranking and their first-ever team appearance in the NCAA Regional.

Bonzi Wells, who completed his career as the Mid-American Conference's all-time leader in points and steals, was a four-year letterwinner for the Cardinals' basketball team from 1994-98. He completed his career with 2,485 points to surpass Ron Harper of Miami University, who tallied 2,377 career points. Wells' 347 career steals set the Ball State and MAC records plus was the second highest career total in NCAA history behind only the 376 by Eric Murdock of Providence from 1987-91. Wells also set Ball State career records for most field goals, most three point field goal attempts and most free throws. As a senior, Wells was named to the Basketball Weekly All-America First Team and the Associated Press All-America Third Team. He was the MAC Player of the Year in 1995-96 and 1997-98 after earning the league's Freshman of the Year award in 1994-95. After completing his Ball State career, Wells played 11 years in the National Basketball Association. Wells was selected with the 11th pick of the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.

Ball State's 1949 football team is the first team to ever be inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame. The 1949 squad is the only undefeated football team in the 87-year history of Ball State's football program. The 1949 squad posted an unblemished 8-0 record under the tutelage of head coach John Magnabosco. The Cardinals outscored their eight opponents by a 276-61 margin. Ball State's 1949 team is still a part of the longest winning streak in school history. The record winning streak is 14, the last six in 1948 and all eight in 1949. Twenty-two of the team's players and coaching staff assembled at Ball State in 1999 for the 50th anniversary of the team's achievements. Included on the 1949 team roster are Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame members Fred Kehoe, William King, Wave Myers and Magnabosco.

N-B Video: Chandler Harnish on his team's victorious plan

2011-11-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Chandler Harnish led the Northern Illinois Huskies to a 63-60 victory over Toledo. Learn more in the Wednesday, Nov. 2, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Rabbit, quail, pheasant season opens Nov. 4

2011-11-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Hunters awaiting the Nov. 4 opening of rabbit, quail and pheasant seasons might have to work a little harder this year than in the past, but with a little effort they can still enjoy quality hunting.

Due to losses in early successional habitat, rabbit, quail, and pheasant populations across Indiana have steadily declined from highs a half-century ago but good small game numbers can still be found. According to Budd Veverka, DNR farmland game research biologist, hunters during the 2010-2011 hunting season harvested an estimated 246,000 rabbits, 19,500 quail, and 9,300 wild pheasants.

The 2011-2012 rabbit, quail and pheasant hunting dates and daily bag limits are as follows:

Game species                       Hunting dates                       Daily bag limit
Rabbit                                    Nov. 4, 2011 - Feb. 15, 2012           5
Pheasant (cock only)              Nov. 4, 2011 - Dec. 18, 2011           2
Quail (north of Indiana 26)     Nov. 4, 2011 - Dec. 18, 2011           5
Quail (south of Indiana 26)     Nov. 4, 2011 - Jan. 15, 2012            8

Season dates and daily bag limits may vary on state-owned properties. Please contact each property for specific information.

To hunt rabbit, an individual must have an annual hunting license, or a lifetime hunting or youth comprehensive hunting license. To hunt quail or pheasant, an individual must have an annual hunting license and a game bird habitat stamp, or a lifetime comprehensive hunting or youth comprehensive hunting license. Individuals with a lifetime basic hunting license must buy the game bird habitat stamp annually.

While hunting rabbit, quail, pheasant, and squirrel, hunters must wear one outer garment exposed at all times that is solid florescent orange. Please gain permission before hunting on privately owned land.

For additional information, please see the small game hunting guide at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-upland_smallgame_guide.pdf.

Parks closed for hunting

2011-10-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Select Indiana state parks will close temporarily for two rounds of controlled deer reduction hunts in the coming weeks.

The first reduction is Nov. 14-15. The second round is Nov. 28-29. The participating parks will close to the general public the evening before each of the two efforts and will re-open the morning after each two-day reduction.

The state parks closing temporarily this year for deer reductions are Brown County, Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Clifty Falls, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Indiana Dunes, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Summit Lake, Tippecanoe, Turkey Run, Versailles, and Whitewater Memorial.

Each year, DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a reduction based on habitat recovery and previous hunter success at each park. The state parks are home to more than 32 state-endangered plants and numerous significant natural communities. The reductions help control browsing by deer to a level that helps maintain habitat throughout the state parks.

Though the parks have had much success since the first reduction in 1993, a high no-show rate of those drawn and over-selective hunting remain a challenge for the program.

Only individuals and those listed on their applications drawn last September may participate at any park, besides Indiana Dunes, Turkey Run, Fort Harrison, and Spring Mill state parks. A public standby drawing to fill spots left vacant after 7:30 a.m. local time will take place at Indiana Dunes (firearms hunt), Turkey Run (firearms hunt), Spring Mill (firearms hunt), and Fort Harrison (archery hunt) state parks each morning.

To be eligible for the standby drawings, the candidate must be an Indiana resident (or possess an Indiana lifetime license to take deer), be 18 years old by Nov. 14, 2011, and possess any valid deer license for Indiana. You must present a photo ID and any valid filled or unfilled license to take deer. Standby drawings will take place at 8:30 a.m. local time. Potential standby participants can apply onsite between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. local time but cannot enter the park before 7:30 a.m. Applications can include up to three individuals. This is a drawing based on how many unclaimed spots there are for each day. It is not first-come, first-served. Spots will be limited as they are based on the number of no-shows each day. The need for stand-in hunters increases with each hunt day. If you have questions, please call the property of interest.

Information regarding 2012 state park deer reductions, including applications, will be available next summer at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild.

The DNR will conduct controlled Canada goose reduction hunts at Ouabache, Shakamak, and Whitewater Memorial state parks in November.

Similar reductions have occurred since 2007 and are part of a management plan that includes non-lethal methods also.

Goose reductions will take place Nov. 28-29. These dates coincide with goose hunting season and annual deer reduction efforts at Ouabache, Shakamak, Whitewater Memorial and several other state parks. The parks will close to the general public the evening of Nov. 27 and will re-open the morning of Nov. 30.

Large amounts of goose waste at park beaches, picnic areas and in bank-fishing locations have raised health concerns, adversely affected visitor enjoyment, increased erosion, and resulted in increased operating costs.

Reduction hunts are only one aspect of DNR’s approach to managing Canada geese, according to Mike Mycroft, chief of natural resources for DNR State Parks & Reservoirs.

“The high recreational demand on the parks during periods of more optimum goose hunting has caused us to combine the reduction effort with other techniques, including ongoing harassment and nest management,” Mycroft said. “Combining these techniques is beginning to show favorable results and fewer parks needing reductions this year.”

Participation will be allowed on a daily first-come, first-served basis until available spots are taken. Spots will become available again throughout each day as hunters leave. Potential participants can arrive starting 90 minutes before sunrise local time. Shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. local time. Though hunting parties of two to four are desired, individuals are allowed. Questions should be directed to the park of interest.

Participants must be Indiana residents and 18 years old by Nov. 28, 2011. Hunters must present a valid hunting license, state waterfowl stamp, HIP number, and federal duck stamp on site on the day of the reduction. Apprentice licenses are not applicable. Dogs, boats and temporary blinds are allowed. Though Canada geese are the only harvest permitted, all state and federal laws pertaining to waterfowl hunting apply.

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Halloween events start tonight

2011-10-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

From the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo:

The zoo’s Halloween event has a new twist – it’s now the WILD Zoo Halloween.

Kids will get candy, participate in a daily costume parade, visit the Mummy’s Kitchen and the Beauty Shop of Horrors, meet Broomhilda the witch, navigate a corn maze, pick a pumpkin, dance the Monster Mash, and more.

Wild Zoo Halloween activities are located in the Central Zoo and portions of the Australian Adventure. The African Journey and Indonesian Rain Forest will not be open during the Wild Zoo Halloween.

Daily Activity Schedule

12:30 Meet K’Zoo
1:00 Costume Parade
1:30 Creatures of the Night Live Animal Show
2:00 Meet K’Zoo
2:30 Monster Mash Dance Party
3:00 Sea Lion Feeding
3:30 Creatures of the Night Live Animal Show

All activities (except Sea Lion Show) are held on the Australian Adventure Plaza

Athletic awards tonight

2011-10-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Bluffton High School will hold an athletics award ceremony at 7 p.m. tonight at the high school.

November extension calendar

2011-10-21T12:56:00.001-07:00

October 29 — Wells County Health Fair, 7:00 – 11:00 AM, Lancaster Elementary School
October 30 — Wells County 4-H Achievement Program, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 4:30 – 6:30 PM. Carry-in meal at 4:30 PM
November 3 — Council on Agriculture, Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET), Beck Center,
West Lafayette
November 3 — Wells County 4-H Council, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7:00 PM
November 5 — Indiana 4-H Congress, State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
November 6 — 4-H Association Budget Committee meeting, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:00 PM
November 8 — Election Day – County Offices Closed
November 11 — Veterans Day – County Offices Closed
November 14 — Northeast Indiana 4-H & FFA Career Development Event (Forestry, Crops & Entomology), Whitley County Fairgrounds, Columbia City, Registration 5 PM, Judging 5:30 PM
November 15 — Holiday Happenings entitled A Safe & Happy Holiday, program sponsored by Wells County Extension Homemakers, Community Center, 4-H Park, 6:30 PM. Pre-registration appreciated. Cost is $5.00. Local Artist Nancy Wagner will be painting an autumn scene on slate which will be auctioned off at the end of the evening. Holiday candy making by Kay Prosser and holiday safety tips from Bluffton Police Dept. and Bluffton Fire Dept. Call Wells County Extension Office 260-824-6412 for registration form.
November 17 — Wells County Career Expo, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

ESPN 3D’s college basketball schedule announced

2011-10-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

ESPN 3D will present 43 college basketball games this year, increasing the network’s coverage in its second year. The schedule includes ESPN 3D’s first-ever women’s basketball game – Kentucky at Tennessee on February 13 -- as well as the first 3D editions of College GameDay Driven by State Farm, televising four editions of the Saturday morning show during the season.

College basketball fans will see some of the best teams compete again this year when ESPN 3D televises several top matchups. The action tips off Friday, Nov. 11, with the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic featuring Michigan State vs. North Carolina at 7 p.m. ET. The game is the first men's college basketball game to be played on the deck of a United States military aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson. This unique Veterans’ Day event will honor the men and women in the armed forces and will take place in the San Diego harbor.

From Nov. 24 – 27, ESPN 3D will once again televise all 12 games from the Old Spice Classic at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. Other upcoming basketball highlights include the return of the men’s Jimmy V Classic Presented by Corona Extra on Tuesday, Dec. 6 and the BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters in March.

Fan Jam set for October 27 at Worthen Arena

2011-10-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

From Ball State University:

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State basketball fans will get a chance to kick off the 2011-12 seasons at the school’s annual Fan Jam with the men’s and women’s teams at Worthen Arena Thursday, October 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission is free and basketball sling bags will be given out to the first 250 kids in attendance. The Fan Jam gives all fans the chance to meet the coaches and players, plus receive your 2011-12 autographed basketball posters.

There will be plenty of games, contests and prizes including chances to play with players at interactive basketball stations and inflatables on the arena floor. A special appearance will be made by Charlie Cardinal, the Ball State Cheerleaders and the Code Red Dance Team.

Free food and drink will be provided courtesy of Ball State athletics and participating sponsors, including Marsh Supermarkets, Papa John’s Pizza, Sports Clips and Texas Roadhouse.

Additionally, fans attending Fan Jam will be eligible for a special season ticket offer that night only. If you buy one season ticket, you will get a second season ticket free (offer not valid for ticket renewals).

The Ball State men’s basketball team opens the season November 7 as it hosts Taylor in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. while the women’s basketball team will host St. Joseph’s November 3 in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Admission is free for both games.

Burning yard debris is harmful to health and the environment

2011-10-18T09:44:00.001-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Environmental Management:

Leaves, branches, twigs and other yard debris have started to accumulate in Hoosier yards, and there are ways to get rid of these unwanted wastes without burning them. Mulching, composting and chipping dispose of yard waste without creating harmful smoke.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) reminds Hoosiers that all smoke is harmful to human health and the environment. Smoke from wood contains carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, fine particles and ozone-forming chemicals. Burning leaves, grass clippings, weeds, wet wood and other high-moisture wood products will increase the volume of these chemicals in the smoke and the harm to human health.

IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly recommends safer, healthier ways to get rid of yard waste this fall. “There are so many good, environmentally-friendly alternatives to burning, it just makes sense for Hoosiers to put away their matches,” said Commissioner Easterly. “Alternative debris disposal creates mulch and wood chips that can be used on your lawn and in your garden.”

Alternatives to open burning include:

Mulching – Mulch leaves and twigs by chopping them up with a lawnmower. This returns nutrients to the grass.
Composting – Pile grass clippings, leaves, branches and weeds in a container or on the ground. They will break down naturally into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Cities, townships and counties have leaf collection programs if you don't have the yard space for composting.
Chipping – Borrow or rent a chipper to chip up large branches and small trees. The wood chips can be spread around trees and flower beds to retain soil moisture and control weeds.

More information about yard debris disposal can be found on IDEM's website at www.IN.gov/recycle/5725.htm.

About Open Burning

It is always illegal to open burn trash. Clean wood products, such as leaves and twigs, may be burned under conditions allowed by state rules and local ordinances. This includes burning clean wood products in an elevated, well-ventilated container with a mesh cover and with adequate fire extinguishing equipment nearby. Burning of any kind is prohibited in Lake, Porter, Clark and Floyd counties. Visit www.idem.IN.gov/4148.htm to see Indiana’s open burning requirements and www.idem.IN.gov/4980.htm to view IDEM's open burning brochure.

Youth rabbit hunt at Salamonie Lake, Oct. 29

2011-10-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

DNR staff from Salamonie Lake and the Indiana Beaglers Alliance invite youth between ages 11 and 17 to participate in a special rabbit hunt Oct. 29 at Salamonie Lake.

The event begins at 7 a.m. at the property’s visitors center and ends at noon. A free lunch will be provided after the event.

Advance registration is required by Oct. 27. Call Jack Hyden at (574) 551-4067.

Participants must have either a valid Indiana Youth Hunting License or Apprentice License. Youth Hunting Licenses are $7 and will be available at the visitor center the morning of the hunt. Licenses are also available at www.IndianaOutdoor.in.gov.

Participants are encouraged to have attended and passed a Hunter Safety Education Course. Find hunter education information at www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/4812.htm.

Each youth hunter will be supervised and assisted by an adult mentor during the hunt. Adults wishing to volunteer as dog handlers or mentors also must register in advance by calling (574) 551-4067. Shotguns will be provided for youth who do not have their own. Parents are encouraged to accompany the youth.

Salamonie Lake is at 9214 West Lost Bridge West, Andrews, 46702

For more information: Justin Harrington, DNR State Parks & Reservoirs, (260) 468-2125, jharrington@dnr.in.gov.

Hunters and landowners can work together

2011-10-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Landowners experiencing deer damage to crops, forest regeneration or landscaping can get help from hunters in protecting their property through the DNR’s Hunters Helping Farmers program.

In order to minimize such damage, the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife recommends that such landowners start a hunting program during the regular deer hunting seasons, which are quickly approaching. Archery season has already begun, and firearms season begins Nov. 12.

Each district DNR wildlife biologist maintains a list, by county, of deer hunters who want to participate in the program. Landowners having difficulty finding hunters may contact their district’s biologist for a copy. Contact information for district biologists is at www.wildlife.IN.gov/2716.htm.

A helpful Hunting Permission Form for landowners to use is available at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2343.htm by scrolling to General Hunting Regulations and clicking on “Trespassing” at the bottom of the page.

More information on managing deer is available at hunting.IN.gov.

N-B Video: IHSAA girls' cross country sectional

2011-10-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

Learn more in the Wednesday, Oct. 12, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Fall events at Ouabache State Park

2011-10-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

From the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services:

Friday, October 28, 2011

Evening Roving Interpreter — Be on the lookout for your Interpretive Naturalist, Jennifer. Find out what she’s carrying and get event fliers.
8:30 pm “Creepy” Creature Campfire — “Fall” in love with some otherwise misunderstood night time creatures. Join us around the campfire as we discuss bats and owls. There will even be a “creepy” creature guest appearance. Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket. Meet outside the Campview Shelter in the middle of Campground A.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

9:00 am Bison Breakfast Buffet —Get an up-close look at our resident bison while they eat. Meet at the Bison Pen Shelter.
1:00 pm Fall Color Hike — Why do leaves turn different colors? Which leaves change to yellow, orange, red, and brown? Join us on a short hike to marvel at the autumn colors. Meet at the Campview Shelter in the middle of Campground A.
1:00 pm Leaf Man — Inspired by the book Leaf Man written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert, kids will search for nature findings to create their own Leaf Man or critter to take home. Meet at the Campview Shelter in the middle of Campground A.
2:00 – 4:00 pm Fabulous Fall Festivities — Come and go as you please to the Campview Shelter in the middle of Campground A to decorate a Picture-Perfect Pumpkin for the Pumpkin Decorating Contest or to enjoy an assortment of nature-related fall activities.
5:00 – 6:00 pm Trick-or-Treating — Put on your silliest, most original, or classic costume and trick-or-treat around the campgrounds. Campers – be on the lookout for some trick-or-treaters in search of tasty treats. Please be cautious as you enter and exit the campground area during this time. The safety of our children is top priority!
7:00 pm Straw Rides — Take a short straw ride around the campground to see all the decorations. Meet at the lawn outside the South Comfort Station between Campgrounds A and B.
7:00 pm Campsite Decorating & Picture Perfect Pumpkin Judging — Put on those finishing touches! Campsite judging begins in Campground A then moves to Campground B. Pumpkin judging will be held in the Campview Shelter.
8:00 pm Cider & S’mores Award Ceremony — Cuddle up around the campfire with a delicious treat. Campsite and Pumpkin Decorating winners will be announced! Picture Perfect Pumpkin participants may pick up their pumpkins after the ceremony. Meet at the Campview Shelter in the middle of Campground A.

Waterfowl hunting season opens in the North Zone Oct. 15

2011-10-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Dust off the calls and decoys, Indiana’s waterfowl hunting season begins Saturday, Oct. 15 in the North Zone; Oct. 22 in the South Zone; and Oct. 29 in the Ohio River Zone.

Waterfowl hunting season in Indiana is divided into three zones: North, South and Ohio River. Each zone has different a season for ducks and Canada geese. Light (snow/Ross) geese, brant and white-fronted geese are regulated statewide.

The North zone is defined as that part of Indiana north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Indiana 18 to U.S. 31; north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east on U.S. 24 to Huntington; and southeast on U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.

The South Zone is that portion of the state south of the North zone boundary and north of the Ohio River zone.

The Ohio River zone is that portion of the state south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate 64 to New Albany; east on Indiana 62 to Indiana 56; east on Indiana 56 to Vevay; along Indiana 156 along the Ohio River to North Landing; north on Indiana 56 to U.S. 50; and northeast on U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.

View the hunting dates for each zone at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3569.htm.

The daily bag limit for ducks is six. This includes any combination of goldeneyes, ruddy ducks, ring-necked ducks, buffleheads, gadwalls, long-tailed ducks, scoters, teal, wigeon and shovelers. There are additional bag limit restrictions on numerous duck species. Review these restrictions online at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3569.htm. The possession limit for Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant is two times the daily limit. There is no possession limit for light geese.

The youth waterfowl seasons are also zone specific. The North zone youth waterfowl season is Oct. 8-9, South zone youth waterfowl season is Oct. 15-16, and Ohio River zone youth waterfowl season is Oct. 22-23. The youth seasons are open to hunters 15 years of age or younger. To participate, youths must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. An adult may accompany more than one youth. The licensed accompanying adult may hunt only snow geese, brants, and whitefronted geese (if those species are in season). If the accompanying adult does not intend to hunt and does not possess a firearm, the adult does not need to be licensed. Bag and species limits are the same as those allowed in the regular season.

A hunter must possess a hunting license, resident youth consolidated hunting license, or disabled American veteran’s hunting license, in addition to a state waterfowl stamp privilege and HIP registration number. Any hunter 16 years or older must have a signed federal duck stamp when hunting ducks and geese. Those that possess valid lifetime hunting or lifetime comprehensive hunting licenses do not need the Indiana waterfowl stamp; however, they still need to have a HIP registration number and a federal duck stamp if 16 years old or older. Resident landowners or lessees, hunting on farmland they own or lease, are exempt from the state license requirement except that a federal duck stamp and HIP registration are still required.

See hunting.IN.gov for additional waterfowl hunting regulations.

4-H Extension calendar for October

2011-10-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

October 8: Northeast Indiana 4-H & FFA Soils Judging Contest, Adams County
October 14: Girls' Night Out, 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., 4-H Park
October 17: Wells County 4-H Association, 7:30 p.m., Community Center, 4-H Park
October 29: Wells County Health Fair, 7-11 a.m., Lancaster Elementary School
October 30: Wells County 4-H Achievement Program, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 4:30-6:30 PM, Carry In Meal at 4:30 PM

More photos from the Norwell boys' sectional soccer match

2011-10-06T10:08:00.001-07:00

Learn more in the Thursday, Oct. 6, News-Banner.

Squeeze in one more weekend of camping

2011-10-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

Though the temperatures are rapidly dropping, the campgrounds are still open, and the Mississinewa Lake area is holding aweekend's worth of fall activities for those looking for one more weekend escape before hibernating.

Friday:
6 p.m. — Sign-up for campsite decorating and trick-or-treating and pick up shirts. If you've ordered and paid for a shirt, it will be available at the program shelter. Sign your campsite up for trick-or-treating and the decorating contest by noon on Saturday. Pick up your program passes at this time.
7:30 p.m. — Welcome and kettle corn distribution. We'll have announcements and popcorn. Bring your own drink and bowl.

Saturday:
9:30 a.m. — Sign-up for campsite decorating and trick-or-treating and pick up shirts. If you've ordered and paid for a shirt, it will be available at the program shelter. Sign your campsite up for trick-or-treating and the decorating contest by noon on Saturday. Pick up your program passes at this time.
10 a.m. — Pumpkin carving contest. We'll provide one pumpkin per registered family. Additional pumpkins may be purchased while supplies last.
11:30 a.m. — Pumpkin judging. Award certificates given out after judging.
1:30 p.m. — Lawn game tournament. Bring your team of two to play bean bag horseshoes or compete in the ladder game using tethered tennis balls.
4:30 p.m. — Trick-or-Treat time for children. Roads will be closed to vehicle traffic through 5:30 p.m. for trick-or-treat time. If you choose to participate, hang up a sign and the kids can visit your site during this hour to collect candy.
7p.m. — An Evening of music at the amphitheater.
8 p.m. — Campsite judging. Decorated campsites that registered for the contest will be judged at this time and awards will be distributed Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday:
8 a.m. — Nondenominational worship.
9:30 a.m. — Awards program. Meet at the Interpretive Shelterhouse for the campsite decorating awards. The campsite in first place wins three free nights of camping; second place wins two free nights, and third place wins one free night of camping at Mississinewa Reservoir in the future. Holiday weekends, autumn camping weekends, cabins and AA sites are excluded.

Photos from the Norwell boys' tennis sectional win

2011-10-03T13:40:00.001-07:00

NRC approves rule changes for 2012 deer season

2011-09-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission on Tuesday approved a package of changes to deer hunting rules that will go into effect in the 2012 season.

None of the changes will be in effect this year.

The final adoption vote came after preliminary approval by the NRC in January and a six-month public comment period that included hundreds of written comments and two public hearings.

The rule changes include creating a crossbow license and authorizing its use during the entire archery season; extending the archery season without interruption from Oct. 1 through the first Sunday in January; extending the urban zone season from Sept. 15 through Jan. 31; requiring hunters in urban zones to harvest an antlerless deer before harvesting an antlered deer; establishing a special antlerless season from Dec. 26 through the first Sunday in January in designated counties; adding the non-resident youth licenses and a new deer license bundle; requiring display of hunter orange on occupied ground blinds; and extending the rifle cartridge length that can be used in the firearm season to 1.8 inches.

These changes must still be approved by the Attorney General’s Office and Governor’s Office and published in the Indiana Register before taking effect.

In other actions, the NRC:

–Approved the dedication of four nature preserves at Fort Harrison State Park totaling approximately 670 acres or more than one-third of the park. The sites are named Bluffs of Fall Creek, Chinquapin Ridge, Lawrence Creek and Warbler Woods.
–Authorized State Park Inns to increase lodging fees from Jan. 28 through Feb. 12 to coincide with the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
–Approved final adoption of rule amendments governing logjam removal from floodways and navigable waters.
–Turned down a citizen’s petition to allow high-speed boating on Shipshewana Lake in LaGrange County.
–Approved preliminary adoption of rules governing the sale, distribution and transportation of invasive aquatic plants, and a rule to regulate thousand cankers disease in walnut trees.
–Removed the four-toed salamander from and added the plains leopard frog and mole salamander to the state endangered species list.

TinCaps end season

2011-09-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

TinCaps news release:

LANSING, MI - A bases-loaded walk issued to Michael Crouse with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Oliver Dominguez from third base with what turned out to be the winning run, as Lansing defeated Fort Wayne by a score of 8-7 on Monday night, sending the Lugnuts into the Midwest League Championship Series, and ending the season for the TinCaps.

Crouse's walk came on a 3-2 pitch thrown by Fort Wayne closer Kevin Quackenbush, and it came; following a lead-off ground rule double by Dominguez, a successful sacrifice bunt by Jonathan Jones, an unintentional walk to Peter Mooney, and an intentional walk issued to Jake Marisnick.

The TinCaps opened the scoring in the top of the second inning against Lansing starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez, when a two-out triple by Justin Miller scored Luis Domoromo from second base to give Fort Wayne a 1-0 lead.

A run-scoring single by Rymer Liriano in the top of the third inning increased the TinCaps' advantage to 2-0.

Control problems by Fort Wayne starter Zach Cates in the bottom of the fourth inning allowed the Lugnuts to not only get back into the game, but to take the lead as well.

Cates struck out Crouse to begin the inning, then, issued walks to Michael Knecht, Carlos Perez, and K.C. Hobson; to load the bases.

Robert Lara came in from the bullpen, and promptly uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Knecht to score. Matt Nuzzo then singled off the glove of third baseman Chris Bisson, the hit scoring Perez from third base and tying the game at 2-2.

After throwing one pitch to Dominguez, Lara was replaced by Adam Dominick.

Dominguez jumped on the first pitch he saw from Dominick and belted a three-run home run over the 23-foot-high wall located down the right field line, the blast giving Lansing the lead for the first time at 5-2.

The Lugnuts increased their advantage to 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Nuzzo followed a lead-off triple by Perez with a one-out single of his own off Dominick.

The TinCaps mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh inning.

They scored three runs off Lansing reliever Brandon Berl to close to within 6-5, with the key plays being an RBI-single by Bisson, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Rico Noel, and a run-scoring single by Rymer Liriano.

Fort Wayne tied the game at 6-6 in the top of the eighth inning, when Connor Powers walked, went to second base on a single by Rocky Gale, moved over to third base on a successful sacrifice bunt, then, scored when B.J. Guinn hit into a fielder's choice.

The tie didn't last long, as Perez led off the bottom of the eighth with his second triple of the game, and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Hobson, the run giving the Lugnuts a 7-6 lead.

Down a run heading into the top of the ninth inning, the TinCaps once again fought back to tie the score.

Noel tripled off Lansing relief pitcher Brandon Webb, and came home on a single by Cory Spangenberg to make the score 7-7.

That set the stage for the bottom of the ninth.

Webb (1-0 in the playoffs) picked up the win, while Quackenbush (0-1 in the playoffs) suffered the loss.

Counting the playoffs, Fort Wayne finished the 2011 season with an overall record of 71 victories and 72 defeats.

Baer Field Speedway season champions to be decided

2011-09-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

FORT WAYNE — The Baer Field Speedway racing season will come to an end Saturday night, Sept. 17, with the Sunoco Season Championships.

The racing program will feature two 50-lap races for the NAPA Late Models and Modifieds, plus races for street stocks, mini stocks, front-wheel drives and fun stocks.

Although three of the six titles have been decided, five drivers stand poised to claim their first-ever track championships.

Pete Wormcastle takes a 15-point lead over Jeremy Wallen into the Modified action. John Gatton Jr. is third ahead of Ron Stine with Mike Mayes, Russ Miller, Mike Bufink, Scott Coe, Mike Miller, and Ralph Baxter III rounding out the top 10.

The NAPA Late Models look to have a new champion as 2010 runner-up Dean Cook takes a 117-point lead over Justin King into the season championships. Derek Hoffman, the 2009 champion, is third, ahead of 2006 champion Neal Richardson with Oliver Fitzwater, Al Cook Jr., Alex Vonderau, Tim Howard, Jim Stovall and Nate Goodman rounding out the top 10.

In the street stocks, veteran Larry Vandall locked up his first-ever track championship in style by winning the 20-lap feature last Saturday.

In the mini stocks, Jake Hinton saw his winning streak stopped at 10 races by teammate Cory Nuttle. Despite the rare loss, Hinton still holds an 114-point lead over Brad McBride with Kevin Howard, Kameron Lindlag, and Dale Moses completing the top five.

In the front-wheel drives, Bobby Smith clinched his second-consecutive track championship. Tristan Crago holds down the runner-up spot. The fun stocks saw Jim Long Sr. clinch his first-ever championship over Joshua Kelley.

The spectator gates will open at 4 p.m., with qualifying at 5:30 and racing at 7:30 p.m. Admission for adults is $15, children 7-12 $5 and children 6-and-under no charge.

The speedway is located south of Fort Wayne International Airport on Winters Road, west of Ind. 1. For more information on race cay call 260-478-7223 or visit the speedway website at www.baerfieldspeedway.net.

New liability law, DNR program combine to help landowners experiencing deer damage

2011-09-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

A new landowner liability law combined with the DNR’s Hunters Helping Farmers program can help landowners experiencing deer damage to crops, forest regeneration or landscaping get deer populations under control on their property.

The DNR has liberalized hunting regulations in most counties to address deer populations by strategically targeting antlerless deer, but effectiveness depends on landowner participation because 94 percent of the state is in private ownership.

In the Hunters Helping Farmers program, each DNR district wildlife biologist maintains a county-by-county list of hunters who are looking for places to hunt and willing to harvest antlerless deer during the hunting seasons. Landowners having difficulty finding hunters for this purpose may contact the DNR district biologist in their area for a copy. Contact information for district biologists is at www.wildlife.IN.gov/2716.htm.

The Indiana General Assembly took steps this year to protect landowners from liability associated with allowing sportsmen and sportswomen to recreate on their land. Indiana Code 34-31-9 was created to limit liability associated with agritourism related activities such as field days, self-pick farmers, corn mazes, animal exhibitions, and agricultural fairs, but also includes natural resource based activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking and trail riding.

The law, which went into effect July 1, states that landowners who provide access to their land for natural resource based activities is not liable for the injury or death of a participant resulting from the inherent risks of such activities. Also, a participant or the participant’s representative cannot make claim, maintain an action against, or recover from the landowner any loss, damage, or death resulting from the inherent risk of the natural resource based activity.

Inherent risks include conditions, dangers, or hazards that are an integral part of the activity, including surface and subsurface conditions and natural conditions of the land, vegetation and waters, the behavior of wild or domestic animals on the land, the ordinary dangers of structures or equipment on the land, and negligent acts of a participant that may contribute to the injury of that participant or others.

However, the law does not prevent or limit the liability of a landowner who has knowledge of a dangerous condition that exists on the land and does not make the danger known to the participant, who commits and act or omission that constitutes willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participant, or who intentionally injures the participant.

The new law also protects landowners who charge a participant a fee for providing natural resources based activities, as long as they provide the participant with a specific warning notice specified by the law. The warning notice can be printed on a sign, posted and maintained in a clearly visible location at the main entrance to the property where the natural resources based activity is to occur, or included as part of a signed release or written contract between the landowner and the participant. The actual language of the new law can be found at www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2011/HE/HE1133.1.html

More information on managing deer damage is at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2718.htm

The 2011-12 Deer Hunting Guide is at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/6032.htm

For more information: Phil Bloom, DNR Communications, (317) 232-4003, pbloom@dnr.in.gov.

Ossian Days Dash 2011 results

2011-09-13T12:52:00.000-07:00

1.) CASEY SHAFER (30) 16:37
2.) ROGER KINGSBERY (62) 20:33
3.) ED REINHARD (53) 20:35
4.) DAVE MCCOMB (42) 20:37
5.) JARED HEYERLY (35) 22:00
6.) CALE GRZYCH (26) 22:02
7.) TOM DREW (51) 22:27
8.) BRIAN BILLS (47) 22:39
9.) SKIP STINSON (46) 22:43
10.) SEAN SERAFINI (35) 23:35
11.) AMY MOWERY (32) 23:41
12.) BRAD ZEDDIS (41) 24:08
13.) WENDY WOLFERT (31) 24:27
14.) PHIL SHAFER (62) 24:32
15.) JAMES SIMS (40) 24:47
16.) BRIAN MACKE (49) 24:55
17.) SCOTT HOLLIDAY (39) 25:33
18.) MOLLY KURTZ (30) 25:40
19.) CHRIS STOLLER (34) 25:07
20.) LISA IMBODY (42) 26:16
21.) KATHRYN GENTZ (27) 26:45
22.) CHARLES BRACKE (23) 26:46
23.) LUKE ZEDDIS (11) 26:49
24.) LOGAN HOUSE (10) 26:50
25.) PAT SULLIVAN (53) 26:55
26.) ANGELA SERAFINI (40) 27:38
27.) CHAD MCQUADE (35) 28:01
28.) FLO SMITH (51) 28:04
29.) MATHEW CAPOZZA (42) 28:09
30.) AMANDA SULLIVAN (38) 29:00
31.) VANESSA BILLS (45) 29:11
32.) BARBIE SCROGHAM (64) 29:16
33.) SARA NORRIS (27) 29:40
34.) RAY PAXSON (57) 29:48
35.) SAM SHAFER (23) 29:50
36.) MICHELLE FORD (35) 30:10
37.) DANIEL JOHNS (44) 30:22
38.) MISSY NORRIS (34) 30:39
39.) CORBIN BLOHMKE (13) 30:46
40.) KELLY HARTUP (28) 31:35
41.) ANGEL HEYERLY (33) 31:40
42.) JENNIFER MCCOMB (42) 31:41
43.) JOHN AMOS (34) 31:48
44.) KELLY CADY (36) 32:20
45.) JENNIFER DELANEY (34) 32:20
46.) CARLA BREGE (33) 32:36
47.) DANA BUDD (57) 32:43
48.) NIKI ECKHART (32) 33:08
49.) DEB ECKHART (52) 33:14
50.) KATE FEHER-TANNER (40) 33:51
51.) AMY WILLS (41) 34:01
52.) JULIE FRAZE (40) 34:02
53.) AARON CARNALL (9) 34:36
54.) ANDY CARNALL (47) 34:42
55.) RACHEL MAGGARD (31) 35;06
56.) JOSH WHITNEY (11) 36:33
57.) ADDISON DIRIG (8) 36:59
58.) NICK WHITNEY (13) 37:00
59.) AMY EGLY (33) 37:17
60.) KRISTINA BLOMEKE (33) 37:27
61.) JESSICA BESTE (26) 37:30
62.) KATE JONES (36) 37:42
63.) ELLIE PERRY (13) 38:38
64.) LISA BECK (36) 38:47
65.) JEREMIAH GARRETT (32) 40:03
66.) ANDREA GARRETT (31) 40:03
67.) TERI ORTIZ (47) 40:18
68.) GIL ORTIZ (47) 40:19
69.) STEPHANIE BEXTEN (30) 42:03
70.) CHASITY PLUNKETT (31) 42:03
71.) SHERI WHITNEY (44) 42:50
72.) DIANE SHUTT (68) 42:51
73.) SUSAN HARTUP (64) 42:52
74.) TARA HOLLIDAY (36) 43:32
75.) SHELLY TURMAIL (39) 43:46
76.) PAIGE MACKE (15) 44:04
77.) KALEY GRZYCH (24) 45:08
78.) VICKI ZEDDIS (42) 45:16
79.) BECKY CAPTAIN (30-39) 45:35
80.) JAN KRICK (60) 46:07
81.) JACKIE BOLINGER (55) 50:14
82.) PATTY MACKE (46) 50:15

Indianapolis Motor Speedway photographer retires

2011-09-12T12:12:00.000-07:00

From the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Ron McQueeney stood adjacent to Turn 4 on Opening Day for the 1972 Indianapolis 500, snapping pictures of cars with a sleek, new 35-millimeter motorized Minolta and a boxy, traditional 3 x 5 Speed Graphic camera.

He was on top of his world on his first day as an Indianapolis Motor Speedway track photographer, seemingly at the peak of his creative abilities as a racing photographer.

Then he was assigned to shoot the Garage Area on Race Day, away from the action on track. McQueeney, who took up photography as a U.S. Army motorcycle policeman in Okinawa in the 1960s, was mad.

"First of all, I thought I was better than that," McQueeney said. "Secondly, I thought it was not a very good assignment because not much goes on after the race in the garage area other than people being not too happy."

Veteran IMS photographers Chuck Duffy and Bob Scott told McQueeney that he needed to improve his technique and buy better equipment if he wanted to stay on the job for the 1973 Indianapolis 500.

"It turned out that I look back on the photography that I did earlier in my career, and it wasn't quite as good as I thought it was," McQueeney said. "They obviously saw that. But they also saw potential."

So McQueeney got to work. He bought expensive, top-of-the-line Nikon equipment and traveled extensively through the summer and fall of 1972, shooting races featuring USAC Champ Cars, Can-Am, Formula 5000 and more.

McQueeney returned to the track in 1973 with better gear and improved skills, and he was hired in 1974 as a full-time IMS photographer.

That driven, focused work ethic during 1972 and 1973 paid off. And it hasn't stopped for McQueeney at the Speedway - until now.

McQueeney, 66, retired Sept. 9 after a legendary, 40-year career behind the lens at IMS, including serving as director of photography since 1977. He will continue to shoot races and selected other events, and participate in various historical photography projects at IMS.

He has been seemingly omnipresent and tireless during his Speedway career. Look high above Turn 1 in the crow's nest above the grandstands at the start of the Indianapolis 500 - you'd see McQueeney. Look at the starter's stand during the Brickyard 400 - you'd see McQueeney. Look at a guy with four cameras slung over his back, scurrying around Gasoline Alley to shoot drivers and teams or climbing the grandstands at sunset to capture a perfect shot after a test session at the track - you'd see McQueeney. Look into the photo shop or photo office in the Media Center from sunrise to often after sunset - you'd see McQueeney.

It has added up to what he estimates are more than a million presses of the shutter button at IMS. He has photographed Indy cars. NASCAR. IROC. Formula One. MotoGP. Sports car tests. Celebrity visits to the IMS Hall of Fame Museum. Various scenes and landmark Speedway structures.

"I would say almost every event that I've been to here at the Speedway, I've enjoyed one way or the other," McQueeney said. "For me, this has just been a labor of love."

It's an apt description. McQueeney will be the first to admit that there's nothing like the thrill and inside access of shooting pictures of racing vehicles at speed or shooting legends of the sport at the most iconic track in the world.

But there's also been an endless amount of work that doesn't involve lenses, camera bodies and flash bulbs. McQueeney has organized and led teams of photographers for IMS events since the mid-1970s and all INDYCAR events from 1996-2010. He also has spent hours with his staff placing slides and negatives into a detailed organization system and also has led an ongoing project to convert approximately 5 million negatives in the IMS photo archives into digital images.

"These are things people don't see," McQueeney said. "It's behind-the-scenes work."

But McQueeney and his staff have stayed on top of every major project during his tenure. And they've also adapted to the ever-evolving technology of photography.

McQueeney created a huge technological leap in his photography career when he upgraded from his $300 motorized Minolta - still a very pricey camera in 1972 - to professional-grade Nikon gear early in 1973. That risky investment helped him flourish in May 1973 during the Indianapolis 500 and led to full-time employment at the Speedway.

But perhaps the biggest overall technological change during his 40 years at IMS came in the transition from film to digital photography from the late 1990s through the early 2000s.

McQueeney first shot digital images at IMS in 1998, with a Canon camera that cost $20,000. It shot 1-megapixel images, lower quality than photos from a typical cell phone today.

From 1998-2002, McQueeney carried three or four different kinds of cameras in a juggling act as the tectonic plates of photo technology collided. He shot slide film for magazines, negative film for photos to sell to the public from the IMS Photo Shop and digital images for the rapidly emerging World Wide Web.

IMS abandoned film photography and shot all-digital starting in 2003. That eliminated the camera shuffle for McQueeney and his staff, but it created other challenges.

"Always before we had a delay of a day or two between when we turned our film in and we got to see the images," McQueeney said. "Now you could see the images not only in the back of the camera, but you could work with those images and send them to the magazines and people who needed them around the campus here almost instantly.

"So it came to where they expected that instant gratification. We were out shooting, we'd have to come in more often, download them to the computer and upload them to the media sites and the websites where people could see them."

While technology is an important marker to frame the eras of McQueeney's career at IMS, he savors the personal relationships he has made as much as any discussion of ISO speed, depth of field or color saturation.

He has been a part of the fabric of the Speedway since the days when winged Indy cars were still considered a new trend. He is a familiar face to everyone around the grounds and in Gasoline Alley, even if his desire to get that next great picture caused him to never stand still in one place for very long.

"These people are my co-workers," McQueeney said of race drivers and team members. "They're my friends. I don't know many people in my neighborhood, but I know all of these people. At least if they don't know me real well, they know me by name. That's always a thrill to me, that I have this relationship with not only the drivers but the team members and the people involved in the sport.

"I cherish all of that and the 40 years of memories I have from that, too."

McQueeney has shot 40 Indianapolis 500s, 18 Brickyard 400s, eight United States Grands Prix and four Red Bull Indianapolis Grands Prix at IMS. He has photographed hundreds of the world's most famous motorsports competitors. He also has shot CART, INDYCAR and USAC races, and drag racing, motorcycle racing and boat racing - more than 1,000 events overall.

Yet he is coy about choosing any favorite races or drivers. But his pride as a longtime Hoosier eventually seeps through.

"I would say that my favorite race of all time would be any Indy 500 that I've been involved in," McQueeney said. "That's where I shine, and that's what I feel I do best. I've been fortunate that I've been to a lot of events around different parts of the world and seen a lot of things, and I still come back here and you can't express what the enjoyment is and how I feel about this place.

"There is no other place like Indy."

And anyone who knows Ron McQueeney understands there's no way he will get Indy out of his blood or his camera lens any time soon, even in retirement. He's only traveled on three vacations during his 40 years at IMS, the last in 1987.

There's been too much work, too much sweat, too many pairs of worn shoes and too much joy at the Brickyard to simply put the place into the rear-view mirror of his life.

"I have no hobbies," McQueeney said. "This was my hobby before it became my career. One of the reasons I think I stayed around long enough was that I was afraid of what the heck I was going to do after I retired because I have no hobbies."

He plans on visiting a few car shows with his wife, Marsha. He might even enter his beloved 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car into a few shows.

But IMS still will fill the shutter of his life's eye as large as ever. Not just every day.

"I couldn't think of anything I'd rather been doing with my life," McQueeney said. "It's been wonderful for me. The people. I've been blessed with good health and blessed with a place to come every day where it doesn't feel like a job."

Free admission at DNR properties on 10th anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

Gate fees will be waived at DNR state parks, reservoirs and forest properties this Sunday, Sept. 11.

"Ten years ago on 9/11 and after, people visited parks to attempt to find peace and solitude, sometimes in record numbers,” DNR director Robert E. Carter Jr. said. “This is our way of making it easier to do so again. We hope people will make the day one of remembrance, either on their own or with family and friends."

Although gate admission, normally $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle at most properties, will not be charged, all other activity fees will remain in effect. Normal gate fees will be back in place Sept. 12 and thereafter.

Racing season winding down at Baer Field Speedway

2011-09-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

From the Baer Field Speedway

FORT WAYNE — With the 2011 racing season winding down, Baer Field Speedway will offer another $20 Car Load Night on Saturday, Sept. 10.

In addition, it will be Hall of Fame Night as Bobby Smith and Jim Benson are inducted into the hall.

The racing schedule will include six divisions with the NAPA Late Models and Modifieds, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Front Wheel Drives, and Fun Stocks.

Heading into the final two weeks of the season, the fight for track championships will headline the NAPA Late Models and Modified divisions. In the NAPA Late Models, Dean Cook leads Justin King by 69 points, with former champion Derek Hoffman and Neal Richardson in fourth, just 147 points out of the lead. Oliver Fitzwater sits fifth in points followed by Al Cook Jr., Alex Vonderau, Tim Howard, Stovall, and rookie Nate Goodman.

The Modified division sees three-time defending champion Jeremy Wallen leading. Pete Wormcastle is trailing by a mere 43 points. John Gatton Jr. and Ron Stine sit third and fourth but are longshots to chase down the top two. Mike Mayes sits in fifth, with Russ Miller, Mike Bufink, Scott Coe, Ralph Baxter III, and Mike Miller rounding out the top-10.

Larry Vandall enters this week on the verge of clinching his first-ever championship as he holds a 601-point lead over Jan Long. Alex Vonderau is third ahead of Brandon Barcus, Shawn Bonar, Frank Casagrande, Joe Kunberger, Josh Perkins, Jared Neal, and Andrew Royer. In the Mini Stocks, Jake Hinton upped his winning streak to 10 races and increased his lead over Brad McBride to 118 points. Kevin Howard, Kameron Lindlag, and Dale Moses complete the top five. In the Front Wheel Drives, Smith needs only to complete a qualifying lap to lock up his second-consecutive championship. Tristan Crago looks to finish in the runner-up spot ahead of R.J. Weick, Lee Gillingham, and Dave Fisher.

Spectator gates will open at 4 p.m.; with qualifying at 5:30; autographs at 7; and RACING at 7:30. For those not coming by the car load, single adult admission is $12; children 7-12 are $5; and children 6-and-under are free. Parking also is free. The season will conclude with the Sunoco Season Championships on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The speedway is located south of Fort Wayne International Airport, west of Ind. 1 on Winters Road. For more information call 260-478-7223 or go online at www.baerfieldspeedway.net.

More Parlor City trot results

2011-09-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Parlor City Trot half marathon overall finishers

                                                                                                                Chip         Gun 
   Place    Name                              City               Bib No  Age Gend    Age Group                 Time        Time        Pace 
      1    Justin Kowalski                   Mishawaka  IN         118    26   M   ***** 25-29             1:13:39.7   1:13:39.7      5:37/M
      2    Josh Maple                        Fort Wayne  IN        117    35   M   ***** 35-39             1:16:24.1   1:16:24.1      5:50/M
      3    Wes Kuhn                          Fort Wayne  IN        116    25   M   ***** 25-29             1:17:26.0   1:17:26.0      5:55/M
      4    Nick Sloffer                      Fort Wayne  IN        101    33   M   ***** 30-34             1:18:49.7   1:18:49.7      6:01/M
      5    Melissa Gillette                  Goshen  IN            120    28   F   ***** 25-29             1:24:28.2   1:24:28.2      6:27/M
      6    Dan Meyer                         Huntington  IN         93    51   M   ***** 50-54             1:24:41.8   1:24:41.8      6:28/M
      7    jim stockman                      Fort Wayne  IN         71    46   M   ***** 45-49             1:24:58.2   1:24:58.2      6:29/M
      8    Trent Prough                      Bluffton  IN          119    40   M   ***** 40-44             1:25:45.2   1:25:45.2      6:33/M
      9    Crystina Ridenour                 Fort Wayne  IN        115    24   F   ***** 20-24             1:26:02.9   1:26:02.9      6:34/M
     10    Crystal Reichert                  Fort Wayne  IN        114    24   F   ***** 20-24             1:26:44.3   1:26:44.3      6:37/M
     11    Denise Conrad                     Decatur  IN            61    50   F   ***** 50-54             1:28:48.9   1:28:48.9      6:47/M
     12    John Rajca                        Muncie  IN             97    52   M   ***** 50-54             1:29:56.9   1:29:56.9      6:52/M
     13    Jenny Robinson                    Fort Wayne  IN         98    31   F   ***** 30-34             1:29:59.9   1:29:59.9      6:52/M
     14    Tom Trent                         Fort Wayne  IN       1574    35   M   ***** 35-39             1:31:14.2   1:31:14.2      6:58/M
     15    Joe McFarren                      Roanoke  IN            90    31   M       1 30-34             1:31:53.0   1:31:53.0      7:01/M
     16    Jeff Steinberg                    Fort Wayne  IN        104    50   M   ***** 50-54             1:32:15.6   1:32:15.6      7:03/M
     17    Rick Grieze                       Fort Wayne  IN         72    48   M       1 45-49             1:32:48.4   1:32:48.4      7:05/M
     18    Mark Walter                       Garrett  IN           111    46   M       2 45-49             1:33:46.9   1:33:46.9      7:09/M
     19    Phillip Gerber                    Bluffton  IN           66    17   M       1  0-19             1:35:41.2   1:35:41.2      7:18/M
     20    Karen Killian                     Bryan  OH              65    26   F   ***** 25-29             1:38:38.4   1:38:38.4      7:32/M
     21    Tom Felts                         Fort Wayne  IN        125    57   M       1 55-59             1:40:57.1   1:40:57.1      7:42/M
     22    Pat Beachel                       Fort Wayne  IN         49    52   M       1 50-54             1:42:33.4   1:42:33.4      7:50/M
     23    Michael Conrad                    Decatur  IN            62    53   M       2 50-54             1:42:36.7   1:42:36.7      7:50/M
     24    Mari Wheeler                      Fort Wayne  IN        113    49   F   ***** 45-49             1:44:54.3   1:44:54.3      8:00/M
     25    Lawrence Kuznar                   Albion  IN             81    48   M       3 45-49             1:46:21.1   1:46:21.1      8:07/M
     26    Angie Lockwood-Kurtz              Bluffton  IN           86    41   F   ***** 40-44             1:48:42.1   1:48:42.1      8:18/M
     27    Barry Barnett                     Franklin  IN          121    53   M       3 50-54             1:49:57.0   1:49:57.0      8:24/M
     28    Steve Nivens                      Fort Wayne  IN         96    55   M       2 55-59             1:50:32.7   1:50:32.7      8:26/M
     29    Ray Casiano                       New Haven  IN          58    68   M       1 65-99             1:51:04.5   1:51:04.5      8:29/M
     30    William Landgraf                  Fort Wayne  IN         82    40   M       1 40-44             1:51:52.8   1:51:52.8      8:32/M
     31    Brad Stoffer                      Fort Wayne  IN        108    41   M       2 40-44             1:52:28.9   1:52:28.9      8:35/M
     32    Antoinette Francher-Donald        Fort Wayne  IN         64    43   F   ***** 40-44             1:53:12.5   1:53:12.5      8:38/M
     33    Michael Cardelli                  Fort Wayne  IN         57    39   M       1 35-39             1:53:54.4   1:53:54.4      8:42/M
     34    Kristen Bremer                    Fort Wayne  IN         53    31   F       1 30-34             1:53:57.2   1:53:57.2      8:42/M
     35    Samuel Melo                       Fort Wayne  IN         92    49   M       4 45-49             1:54:14.7   1:54:14.7      8:43/M
     36    Julie Manger                      Kendallville  IN       88    57   F   ***** 55-59             1:54:39.8   1:54:39.8      8:45/M
     37    Kirk Morrison                     Jonesboro  IN          95    40   M       3 40-44             1:55:58.0   1:55:58.0      8:51/M
     38    Sam Gillie                        Fort Wayne  IN         67    41   M       4 40-44             1:55:58.8   1:55:58.8      8:51/M
     39    Greg Wehling                      Fort Wayne  IN        112    48   M       5 45-49             1:56:30.3   1:56:30.3      8:54/M
     40    Melinda Kinder                    Fort Wayne  IN         79    51   F       1 50-54             1:57:16.1   1:57:16.1      8:57/M
     41    Allison Brown                     Columbia City  IN      54    37   F       1 35-39             1:58:18.2   1:58:18.2      9:02/M
     42    Cynthia Bement                    Warsaw  IN             51    43   F       1 40-44             1:58:18.7   1:58:18.7      9:02/M
     43    Kevin Kurtz                       Fort Wayne  IN         80    47   M       6 45-49             1:58:19.1   1:58:19.1      9:02/M
     44    Laurie Whisler                    Fort Wayne  IN        122    46   F       1 45-49             1:59:21.1   1:59:21.1      9:07/M
     45    Brad Heyneman                     Fort Wayne  IN        126    42   M       5 40-44             2:00:17.0   2:00:17.0      9:11/M
     46    Heather Mcfarren                  Roanoke  IN            89    28   F       1 25-29             2:00:24.7   2:00:24.7      9:11/M
     47    Connie Gordon                     Churubusco  IN         69    48   F       2 45-49             2:03:55.1   2:03:55.1      9:28/M
     48    Derek Gordon                      Churubusco  IN         70    26   M       1 25-29             2:03:55.2   2:03:55.2      9:28/M
     49    Tabitha Suman                     Bluffton  IN          110    35   F       2 35-39             2:05:41.3   2:05:41.3      9:36/M
     50    Kristin Swinehart                 Indianapolis  IN       87    28   F       2 25-29             2:09:01.5   2:09:01.5      9:51/M
     51    Anita Lehman                      Decatur  IN            84    45   F       3 45-49             2:10:22.2   2:10:22.2      9:57/M
     52    Heather Vanden Top                Yoder  IN            1545    46   F       4 45-49             2:11:21.8   2:11:21.8     10:02/M
     53    Staci Beiswanger                  South Whitley  IN      50    45   F       5 45-49             2:12:15.8   2:12:15.8     10:06/M
     54    Beth Keim                         South Whitley  IN      76    45   F       6 45-49             2:12:16.6   2:12:16.6     10:06/M
     55    Rick Storer                       Fort Wayne  IN         83    61   M       1 60-64             2:14:17.9   2:14:17.9     10:15/M
     56    Sonny Strack                      Fort Wayne  IN        109    53   M       4 50-54             2:17:18.7   2:17:18.7     10:29/M
     57    Jeffrey Rohleder                  Fort Wayne  IN         99    54   M       5 50-54             2:17:23.3   2:17:23.3     10:29/M
     58    Karen Williams                    Huntington  IN         43    32   F       2 30-34             2:19:14.4   2:19:14.4     10:38/M
     59    Marilyn Bradford                  Warren  IN             52    49   F       7 45-49             2:19:48.7   2:19:48.7     10:40/M
     60    Bud Stiffler                      Anderson  IN          106    73   M       2 65-99             2:20:36.7   2:20:36.7     10:44/M
     61    Brent Holsinger                   Fort Wayne  IN         75    53   M       6 50-54             2:22:51.6   2:22:51.6     10:54/M
     62    Jill Clontz                       Bluffton  IN           60    51   F       2 50-54             2:26:03.2   2:26:03.2     11:09/M
     63    Tayna Caylor                      Ossian  IN             59    46   F       8 45-49             2:26:24.9   2:26:24.9     11:11/M
     64    Traci Heller                      Bluffton  IN           74    38   F       3 35-39             2:26:27.9   2:26:27.9     11:11/M
     65    Cody Gordon                       Churubusco  IN         68    23   M       1 20-24             2:27:15.5   2:27:15.5     11:14/M
     66    Joy Dunno                         Decatur  IN          1581    50   F       3 50-54             2:32:44.8   2:32:44.8     11:40/M
     67    Tammy Fulton                      Uniondale  IN        1517    40   F       2 40-44             2:32:47.2   2:32:47.2     11:40/M
     68    Barb Scrogham                     Fort Wayne  IN        100    64   F       1 60-64             2:38:06.5   2:38:06.5     12:04/M
     69    Michele Kadenko-Moniria           Fort Wayne  IN        124    47   F       9 45-49             2:42:41.5   2:42:41.5     12:25/M
     70    Dana Budd                         Churubusco  IN         56    57   M       3 55-59             2:49:49.1   2:49:49.1     12:58/M
     71    Jenni Etzler                      Fort Wayne  IN        123    60   F       2 60-64             3:14:32.3   3:14:32.3     14:51/M

Parlor City Trot finishers

2011-09-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

We'll have more on our blog throughout the week.

Parlor City Trot 10 mile overall finish list
                                                                                                              Chip         Gun
  Place    Name                              City               Bib No  Age Gend    Age Group                 Time        Time        Pace
     1    Brad Thomas                       Fort Wayne  IN       1576    36   M   ***** 35-39             1:05:49.1   1:05:49.1      6:35/M
     2    Ward Moya                         Fort Wayne  IN       1577    48   M   ***** 45-49             1:05:59.6   1:05:59.6      6:36/M
     3    David Welter                      Fort Wayne  IN       1549    41   M   ***** 40-44             1:10:15.0   1:10:15.0      7:02/M
     4    Ed Reinhard                       Poneto  IN           1537    53   M   ***** 50-54             1:11:12.0   1:11:12.0      7:07/M
     5    Dashon Smith                      Fort Wayne  IN       1543    25   M       1 25-29             1:11:26.5   1:11:26.5      7:09/M
     6    Gary Schmunk                      Antwerp  OH          1539    56   M   ***** 55-59             1:11:27.5   1:11:27.5      7:09/M
     7    Chuck Brown                       Bluffton  IN         1508    55   M   ***** 55-59             1:12:24.6   1:12:24.6      7:14/M
     8    Roger Kingsbery                   Fort Wayne  IN       1528    62   M       1 60-64             1:13:29.8   1:13:29.8      7:21/M
     9    Nathan Huss                       Bluffton  IN         1526    40   M       1 40-44             1:13:37.9   1:13:37.9      7:22/M
    10    Brian Clements                    Fort Wayne  IN       1511    41   M       2 40-44             1:14:32.7   1:14:32.7      7:27/M
    11    Megan Yoder                       Fort Wayne  IN       1552    31   F   ***** 30-34             1:15:36.9   1:15:36.9      7:34/M
    12    Justin Gould                      Fort Wayne  IN       1521    24   M       1 20-24             1:15:38.2   1:15:38.2      7:34/M
    13    Cindy McGovern                    Fort Wayne  IN       1531    46   F   ***** 45-49             1:16:07.6   1:16:07.6      7:37/M
    14    Paula Henry                       Fort Wayne  IN       1575    42   F   ***** 40-44             1:16:32.7   1:16:32.7      7:39/M
    15    Lindsay Zimmer                    Bluffton  IN         1578    36   F       1 35-39             1:16:42.2   1:16:42.2      7:40/M
    16    Matt Scott                        Warsaw  IN           1540    42   M       3 40-44             1:16:57.7   1:16:57.7      7:42/M
    17    Erin Brady                        Fort Wayne  IN       1507    40   F   ***** 40-44             1:18:59.4   1:18:59.4      7:54/M
    18    Dawn Mabry                        Fort Wayne  IN       1557    52   F   ***** 50-54             1:21:12.8   1:21:12.8      8:07/M
    19    Jim Desimone                      Fort Wayne  IN       1568    53   M       1 50-54             1:22:52.1   1:22:52.1      8:17/M
    20    Randy Moeller                     Fort Wayne  IN       1533    50   M       2 50-54             1:24:16.6   1:24:16.6      8:26/M
    21    Ian Stoppenhagen                  Ossian  IN           1572    41   M       4 40-44             1:24:18.3   1:24:18.3      8:26/M
    22    Dana DeHaven                      Indianapolis  IN     1514    43   M       5 40-44             1:24:27.0   1:24:27.0      8:27/M
    23    Jim Denney                        Anderson  IN         1515    64   M       2 60-64             1:24:40.7   1:24:40.7      8:28/M
    24    Stephen Dearing                   Anderson  IN         1513    64   M       3 60-64             1:24:58.4   1:24:58.4      8:30/M
    25    Judy Tillapaugh                   Fort Wayne  IN       1573    52   F   ***** 50-54             1:27:16.0   1:27:16.0      8:44/M
    26    Carmen McGee                      Fort Wayne  IN       1530    40   F       1 40-44             1:27:36.6   1:27:36.6      8:46/M
    27    Stephen Sims                      Fort Wayne  IN       1542    46   M       1 45-49             1:27:42.0   1:27:42.0      8:46/M
    28    Kelly Barnes                      Fort Wayne  IN       1502    39   F       2 35-39             1:27:49.4   1:27:49.4      8:47/M
    29    Dave Reichwage                    Fort Wayne  IN       1536    53   M       3 50-54             1:28:18.1   1:28:18.1      8:50/M
    30    George Witwer                     Bluffton  IN         1551    52   M       4 50-54             1:30:27.7   1:30:27.7      9:03/M
    31    Katie Carpenter                   Fort Wayne  IN       1509    42   F       2 40-44             1:31:41.7   1:31:41.7      9:10/M
    32    Rachel Rayburn                    Titusville  FL       1535    29   F       1 25-29             1:31:47.8   1:31:47.8      9:11/M
    33    Mark Adams                        Fort Wayne  IN       1554    35   M       1 35-39             1:33:35.2   1:33:35.2      9:22/M
    34    Joseph Astroski                   Fort Wayne  IN       1579    54   M       5 50-54             1:33:45.6   1:33:45.6      9:23/M
    35    Kent Hart                         Decatur  IN          1523    50   M       6 50-54             1:33:54.4   1:33:54.4      9:23/M
    36    David Froehlich                   Bluffton  IN         1570    41   M       6 40-44             1:35:53.5   1:35:53.5      9:35/M
    37    Jennifer Harning                  Huntertown  IN       1522    28   F       2 25-29             1:35:54.1   1:35:54.1      9:35/M
    38    Danielle Hetrick                  Fort Wayne  IN       1525    28   F       3 25-29             1:36:12.6   1:36:12.6      9:37/M
    39    Al Henkel                         Fort Wayne  IN       1524    62   M       4 60-64             1:36:21.6   1:36:21.6      9:38/M
    40    Andrew Berghoff                   Fort Wayne  IN       1555    41   M       7 40-44             1:38:05.3   1:38:05.3      9:49/M
    41    Mae Miller                        Harlan  IN           1532    46   F       1 45-49             1:38:10.8   1:38:10.8      9:49/M
    42    Kristen Glenn                     Bluffton  IN         1519    24   F       1 20-24             1:41:36.1   1:41:36.1     10:10/M
    43    Traci Froehlich                   Bluffton  IN         1569    41   F       3 40-44             1:44:37.7   1:44:37.7     10:28/M
    44    Andrew Gottfried                  Fort Wayne  IN       1520    37   M       2 35-39             1:45:41.5   1:45:41.5     10:34/M
    45    Todd Werling                      Fort Wayne  IN       1550    38   M       3 35-39             1:46:22.8   1:46:22.8     10:38/M
    46    Sue Okleshen                      New Haven  IN        1580    52   F       1 50-54             1:46:51.4   1:46:51.4     10:41/M
    47    Ellie Bogue                       Fort Wayne  IN       1506    51   F       2 50-54             1:47:37.6   1:47:37.6     10:46/M
    48    Michael Yann                      Fort Wayne  IN       1571    59   M       1 55-59             1:53:28.1   1:53:28.1     11:21/M
    49    joseph kinder                     Fort Wayne  IN       1547    55   M       2 55-59             1:53:28.2   1:53:28.2     11:21/M
    50    Teresa Shelley                    Markle  IN           1541    38   F       3 35-39             1:53:45.8   1:53:45.8     11:23/M
    51    Christine DeWitt                  Albion  IN           1516    39   F       4 35-39             1:56:49.2   1:56:49.2     11:41/M
    52    Lori Leatherman                   Albion  IN           1558    44   F       4 40-44             2:04:43.6   2:04:43.6     12:28/M
    53    Samuel Walker                     Fort Wayne  IN       1548    31   M       1 30-34             2:05:16.8   2:05:16.8     12:32/M
    54    Jamie Ziegler                     Fort Wayne  IN       1553    10   F       1  0-19             2:07:13.1   2:07:13.1     12:43/M
    55    Elaine Kolvoord                   Fort Wayne  IN       1529    40   F       5 40-44             2:07:15.5   2:07:15.5     12:44/M
    56    Jami Naish                        Fort Wayne  IN       1534    50   F       3 50-54             2:08:08.2   2:08:08.2     12:49/M
    57    Tom Vanden Top                    Yoder  IN            1567    45   M       2 45-49             2:11:21.8   2:11:21.8     13:08/M
    58    Lisa Beck                         Bluffton  IN         1503    36   F       5 35-39             2:12:51.0   2:12:51.0     13:17/M
    59    Chris Cossairt                    Markle  IN           1512    54   F       4 50-54             2:12:51.1   2:12:51.1     13:17/M
    60    Mary Voors                        Fort Wayne  IN       1546    55   F       1 55-59             2:21:47.9   2:21:47.9     14:11/M
    61    Bethany Beebe                     Fort Wayne  IN       1504    33   F       1 30-34             2:24:37.5   2:24:37.5     14:28/M
    62    Cathy Strack                      Fort Wayne  IN       1544    49   F       2 45-49             2:34:53.0   2:34:53.0     15:29/M
    63    Tia Gentis                        Bluffton  IN         1566    26   F       4 25-29             2:39:36.0   2:39:36.0     15:58/M
    64    April Schisler                    Bluffton  IN         1538    25   F       5 25-29             2:39:37.5   2:39:37.5     15:58/M
    65    Betty Greider                     Fort Wayne  IN       1559    50   F       5 50-54             2:52:58.5   2:52:58.5     17:18/M

Parlor City Trot 10K overall finishers
                                                                                                              Chip         Gun
  Place    Name                              City               Bib No  Age Gend    Age Group                 Time        Time        Pace
     1    matt jones                        Lagrange  IN          282    40   M   ***** 40-44               36:08.4     36:08.4      5:50/M
     2    Brian Reilly                      Leo  IN               259    44   M   ***** 40-44               43:21.4     43:21.4      7:00/M
     3    Ryan Dalrymple                    New Bremen  OH        289    27   M   ***** 25-29               47:26.5     47:26.5      7:39/M
     4    Hannah Oman                       Bluffton  IN          283    19   F   *****  0-19               48:23.5     48:23.5      7:48/M
     5    Kristin Rajca                     Muncie  IN            257    55   F   ***** 55-59               49:43.1     49:43.1      8:01/M
     6    Brian Kiess                       Fort Wayne  IN        247    45   M   ***** 45-49               49:56.9     49:56.9      8:03/M
     7    Amy Mowery                        Bluffton  IN          256    32   F   ***** 30-34               50:01.4     50:01.4      8:04/M
     8    Liz Heyerly                       Decatur  IN           287    32   F       1 30-34               50:12.0     50:12.0      8:06/M
     9    Rob Williams                      Ossian  IN            266    46   M   ***** 45-49               50:49.6     50:49.6      8:12/M
    10    Trey Williams                     Ossian  IN            267    20   M       1 20-24               50:50.0     50:50.0      8:12/M
    11    Ken Kimball                       Leo  IN               248    46   M   ***** 45-49               52:11.1     52:11.1      8:25/M
    12    Marc Goeglein                     Fort Wayne  IN        242    28   M       1 25-29               52:49.8     52:49.8      8:31/M
    13    Laurissa Dalrymple                New Bremen  OH        288    28   F       1 25-29               52:52.7     52:52.7      8:32/M
    14    David Wittbrodt                   Bluffton  IN          268    48   M       1 45-49               53:11.3     53:11.3      8:35/M
    15    Lisa Reilly                       Leo  IN               260    43   F   ***** 40-44               53:31.1     53:31.1      8:38/M
    16    Bryce Patz                        Bluffton  IN          279    19   M       1  0-19               53:58.5     53:58.5      8:42/M
    17    Dale Miller                       Keystone  IN          253    55   M       1 55-59               54:25.1     54:25.1      8:47/M
    18    Sarah Branson                     Fort Wayne  IN        233    28   F       2 25-29               54:31.2     54:31.2      8:48/M
    19    Lisa Imbody                       Bluffton  IN          246    42   F   ***** 40-44               54:34.4     54:34.4      8:48/M
    20    Stan Kunkel                       Bluffton  IN          280    57   M       2 55-59               54:44.4     54:44.4      8:50/M
    21    Marc Gavilanez                    Ossian  IN            241    42   M       1 40-44               54:55.8     54:55.8      8:51/M
    22    Andy Carnall                      Bluffton  IN          275    47   M       2 45-49               55:20.8     55:20.8      8:55/M
    23    Barry Humble                      Decatur  IN           244    63   M       1 60-64               55:29.3     55:29.3      8:57/M
    24    Teri Huffman                      Bluffton  IN          285    49   F   ***** 45-49               55:49.1     55:49.1      9:00/M
    25    Berry Weaver                      Fort Wayne  IN        262    40   M       2 40-44               56:08.5     56:08.5      9:03/M
    26    Logan Weaver                      Fort Wayne  IN        263     9   M       2  0-19               56:10.7     56:10.7      9:04/M
    27    Jennifer Klug                     Monroe  IN            249    38   F       1 35-39               56:11.2     56:11.2      9:04/M
    28    Mark Klug                         Monroe  IN            271    40   M       3 40-44               56:19.2     56:19.2      9:05/M
    29    Drew Markley                      Fort Wayne  IN        277    29   M       2 25-29               56:32.4     56:32.4      9:07/M
    30    Paul burry                        Berne  IN             235    57   M       3 55-59               56:53.3     56:53.3      9:10/M
    31    Christine Zadylak                 Bluffton  IN          270    41   F       1 40-44               57:51.6     57:51.6      9:20/M
    32    Malinda Shelley                   Markle  IN            290    22   F       1 20-24             1:01:00.0   1:01:00.0      9:50/M
    33    Brad Atkins                       Muncie  IN            286    23   M       2 20-24             1:01:42.1   1:01:42.1      9:57/M
    34    Tara Eastburn                     Jonesboro  IN         237    38   F       2 35-39             1:02:26.0   1:02:26.0     10:04/M
    35    Holly Morrison                    Jonesboro  IN         254    39   F       3 35-39             1:02:26.1   1:02:26.1     10:04/M
    36    Erin Wenger                       Bluffton  IN          264    29   F       3 25-29             1:03:03.0   1:03:03.0     10:10/M
    37    Missi Lambert                     Bluffton  IN          250    40   F       2 40-44             1:03:34.0   1:03:34.0     10:15/M
    38    Tina Bennett                      Fort Wayne  IN        278    46   F       1 45-49             1:04:07.0   1:04:07.0     10:20/M
    39    Allen Albert                      Fort Wayne  IN        232    67   M       1 65-99             1:04:32.6   1:04:32.6     10:25/M
    40    Shane Plummer                     Bluffton  IN          274    37   M       1 35-39             1:05:13.3   1:05:13.3     10:31/M
    41    Ray Paxson                        Bluffton  IN          281    57   M       4 55-59             1:05:43.6   1:05:43.6     10:36/M
    42    John Lindeman                     Fort Wayne  IN        276    63   M       2 60-64             1:06:08.4   1:06:08.4     10:40/M
    43    Kelsi Morrison                    Muncie  IN            255    21   F       2 20-24             1:06:09.0   1:06:09.0     10:40/M
    44    Mark Wenger                       Bluffton  IN          265    58   M       5 55-59             1:07:17.6   1:07:17.6     10:51/M
    45    Rod Fritcha                       Fort Wayne  IN        238    45   M       3 45-49             1:08:05.1   1:08:05.1     10:59/M
    46    Sue Fritcha                       Fort Wayne  IN        239    45   F       2 45-49             1:08:05.2   1:08:05.2     10:59/M
    47    Joy Brown                         Bluffton  IN          234    53   F       1 50-54             1:08:48.0   1:08:48.0     11:06/M
    48    Amy Williams                      Ossian  IN            272    44   F       3 40-44             1:09:54.0   1:09:54.0     11:16/M
    49    Vickie Robertson                  Fort Wayne  IN        261    53   F       2 50-54             1:10:42.8   1:10:42.8     11:24/M
    50    Megan Hunter                      Bluffton  IN          245    18   F       1  0-19             1:14:58.6   1:14:58.6     12:05/M
    51    Davie Bowden                      Fort Wayne  IN        273    72   M       2 65-99             1:20:32.2   1:20:32.2     12:59/M
    52    Stacey Duncan                     Bluffton  IN          236    33   F       2 30-34             1:27:30.9   1:27:30.9     14:07/M
    53    Jonathan Tucker                   Poneto  IN            284    27   M       3 25-29             1:27:31.2   1:27:31.2     14:07/M
    54    Angie Leach                       Fort Wayne  IN        252    41   F       4 40-44             1:36:00.0   1:36:00.0     15:29/M
    55    Sarah Lamont                      Fort Wayne  IN        251    42   F       5 40-44             1:36:00.0   1:36:00.0     15:29/M
    56    Holly Wittbrodt                   Bluffton  IN          269    52   F       3 50-54             1:47:09.2   1:47:09.2     17:17/M
    57    Randy Ray                         Fort Wayne  IN        258    49   M       4 45-49             2:26:57.2   2:26:57.2     23:42/M

Parlor City Trot 10K age group results
Overall female open winners
                                                                                           Chip         Gun
  Place    Name                              City              Bib No  Age   Overall         Time        Time        Pace
     1    Hannah Oman                       Bluffton  IN          283   19        4        48:23.5     48:23.5      7:48/M
     2    Kristin Rajca                     Muncie  IN            257   55        5        49:43.1     49:43.1      8:01/M
     3    Amy Mowery                        Bluffton  IN          256   32        7        50:01.4     50:01.4      8:04/M

Overall female master winners
                                                                                             Chip         Gun
  Place    Name                              City              Bib No  Age   Overall         Time        Time        Pace
     1    Lisa Reilly                       Leo  IN               260   43       15        53:31.1     53:31.1      8:38/M
     2    Lisa Imbody                       Bluffton  IN          246   42       19        54:34.4     54:34.4      8:48/M
     3    Teri Huffman                      Bluffton  IN          285   49       24        55:49.1     55:49.1      9:00/M

Overall male open winners
                                                                                              Chip         Gun 
   Place    Name                              City              Bib No  Age   Overall         Time        Time        Pace 
      1    matt jones                        Lagrange  IN          282   40        1        36:08.4     36:08.4      5:50/M
      2    Brian Reilly                      Leo  IN               259   44        2        43:21.4     43:21.4      7:00/M
      3    Ryan Dalrymple                    New Bremen  OH        289   27        3

Overall male open winners
                                                                                              Chip         Gun 
   Place    Name                              City              Bib No  Age   Overall         Time        Time        Pace 
      1    Brian Kiess                       Fort Wayne  IN        247   45        6        49:56.9     49:56.9      8:03/M
      2    Rob Williams                      Ossian  IN            266   46        9        50:49.6     50:49.6      8:12/M
      3    Ken Kimball                       Leo  IN               248   46       11        52:11.1     52:11.1      8:25/M
      47:26.5     47:26.5      7:39/M

4-H Extension calendar for September

2011-09-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

September 3 — I.P.R.A. Championship Rodeo, Wells County 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7:30 PM Admission: Adults $10; Children (6 and under) $5
September 4 — Rodeo Clean Up Day, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 1 PM
September 8 — Extension Homemakerís Fall District Meeting, Registration, 8:30 AM. Meeting starts at 9:30 AM, Community Center, 4-H Park, $10 per person
September 8 — 4-H Livestock Committees, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 PM
September 9-11 — 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Workshop, Ross Camp, Lafayette, IN
September 12 — Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 PM
September 13 — 4-H Frozen Food order forms due at Wells County Extension Office
September 13 — Extension Homemakerís Fall Program Fair, Community Center, 4-H Park 3:30 PM Registration and Welcome; $6 fee, call 824-6412
September 20-24 — Bluffton Free Street Fair, visit the 4-H Pancake & Sausage Booth

"Night of Thrills" planned Saturday at Anderson Speedway

2011-09-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

ANDERSON, Ind. – One of the newest Labor Day traditions at Anderson Speedway will be showcased on Saturday, Sept. 3, with the "Night of Thrills" presented by the U.S. Air Force.

Events to be featured will include IOFS Outlaw figure 8’s, school bus figure 8’s, culver’s trailer race, cork screw race, backwards race along with front-wheel drives on the Oval and Figure 8.

Chris Teepe sits atop the front wheel drive figure 8 point standings. He leads Elliott McKinney by 119 markers with Donnie Ellis Jr. in third position. Harry Lashure and Trevin Henson complete the top five.

Other events on the schedule include the Culver’s Trailer Race, the Backwards Race and the Cork Screw Race.

Spectator gates open at 5 p.m., with the races beginning at 8 p.m.. Admission is $12 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

For additional information on Anderson Speedway, visit www.andersonspeedway.com or call 765-642-0206.

Labor Day weekend sprints and fireworks at Baer Field Speedway

2011-08-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

FORT WAYNE — After a week off, stock car racing returns to Baer Field Speedway on Saturday, featuring the HOSS Outlaw Winged Sprints, fireworks, spectator races and a full slate of racing.

The HOSS sprints will be joined by the NAPA late models and modifieds, street stocks, mini stocks and front wheel drives. Fans also are invited to bring their street cars onto the track for the final spectator races of the season.

With three races remaining on the 2011 schedule, the point battles remain tight in in the NAPA Late Models and Modifieds. Justin King leads 2010 runner-up Dean Cook by just eight points in the late models, with 2009 champion Derek Hoffman in third and Gold Cup winner Neal Richardson in fourth. Oliver Fitzwater is fifth, while Al Cook Jr., Tim Howard, Alex Vonderau, Chad Richardson and Scott Stovall round out the top-10. In the modifieds, three-time defending champion Jeremy Wallen holds a 48-point lead over Pete Wormcastle. John Gatton Jr. sits third, followed by Ron Stine, Mike Mayes, Russ Miller, Mike Bufink, Ralph Baxter III, Scott Coe and Mike Miller.

The street stocks have Larry Vandall continuing to enjoy a large lead over Alex Vonderau with Jan Long in third ahead of Brandon Barcus, Shawn Bonar, Frank Casagrande, Joe Kunberger, Josh Perkins, Alan Fox and Shane Brumfield. In the mini stocks, Jake Hinton is in the midst of a nine-week winning streak and leads Brad McBride by 65 points. Kevin Howard, Dale Moses and Kameron Lindlag complete the top five. Bobby Smith leads the Front Wheel Drive points over Tristan Crago, R.J. Weick, Lee Gillingham and Dave Fisher.

Spectator gates will open at 4 p.m., with qualifying at 5:30 p.m., and racing at 7:30 p.m.. Adult admission is $18; children 7-12 are $5; and 6-and-under are free. There is free parking. Rainchecks from Aug. 13 or Aug. 20 will be credited toward admission for this show, with spectators allowed to make up the difference in the value of their tickets versus this week’s gate prices.

The season will conclude with another $20 Car Load Night and the Hall of Fame ceremonies on Saturday, Sept.10, and the Sunuco Season championships on Saturday, Sept. 24, featuring the two NAPA 50-lap races.

Baer Field Speedway is located just south of Fort Wayne. Take Bluffton Road just south of Fort Wayne International Airport to Winters Road and follow the signs. Race Day phone is 260-478-7223.

Four Crown Nationals Prograaming converted to two full nights of racing

2011-08-30T10:22:00.000-07:00

ROSSBURG, Ohio – Citing the current state of the economy, officials from Eldora Speedway and the United States Auto Club (USAC) have announced a slight format change for this year’s running of the annual Four Crown Nationals over the weekend of Sept. 23-24.

Each night of the Friday and Saturday doubleheader will offer complete racing programs; with no need for the teams to incur overnight expenses.

Friday’s action will continue to feature the winged Sprint Cars of the World of Outlaws (WoO) series, along with the recently added UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) Modifieds. For the WoO troops, it will mark their final visit of the 2011 season to Eldora Speedway, with a full one-day, points paying, show. For the Modifieds, it will be their final tune-up before the UMP Nationals, which will be held two weeks later, over the weekend of Oct. 7-8. UMP National points will be on the line, but the Eldora points chase will have already ended.

The entire USAC program, featuring the Indianapolis based sanctioning body’s three touring National divisions – Midgets, Sprint Cars and Silver Crown – will be staged on Saturday. Aware of the affect of daylight conditions on dirt racing surfaces, the officials will work to pull off a rapid pace event on Saturday, beginning with hot laps pushed back to 5 p.m.

Each of the three divisions will hot lap at time trial during this period in an attempt to earn positioning in the competition events, slated to take the green flat at 8 p.m.

In an effort to maintain the autograph session, both the track and USAC officials will work to move the preliminary hot laps and time trials through quickly to allow for a brief open pit session. At this time, the fans will be allowed to enter the pit area to meet and greet the drivers.

While all of this action is taking place on Eldora’s one-half mile clay oval, the facility’s newest addition, little eldora speedway, will feature USAC’s .25 Midget Series in a national event.

Complete event information may be found on the track website, www.eldoraspeedway.com, where tickets may be ordered online, or by calling the track office at 937-338-3815.

N-B Video — Boys football: Bluffton vs. Manchester

2011-08-27T02:45:00.000-07:00

The Bluffton Tigers christened their new football turf Friday, Aug. 26. See the Saturday, Aug. 27, News-Banner to learn if they won. (Video by Glen Werling)

Deadline nears for state park deer reductions

2011-08-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana DNR:

Time is running out for hunters to apply for deer reduction hunts at Indiana state parks this fall.

Applications must be completed online by Aug. 28. Hunters can find details and apply at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5834.htm.

Paper applications are not available.

Reduction hunts will take place Nov. 14 and 15 and then again Nov. 28 and 29.

The following state parks will host firearms hunts: Brown County, Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Indiana Dunes, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Summit Lake, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles, Whitewater Memorial.

The following state parks will host archery hunts: Fort Harrison and Clifty Falls.

The odds of being drawn are highest for Brown County, Harmonie, McCormick’s Creek, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Shakamak and Versailles state parks.

Designated areas are available for hunters with special needs.

Applicants must be Indiana residents, be 18 years of age by Nov. 14, 2011, and possess at least one valid Indiana deer license. Each person may apply only once for each state park deer reduction effort, regardless of primary or buddy status. All applications sharing duplicate names will be disqualified.

Deer reduction hunts are necessary to reduce the ecological impact of overabundant deer.

For more information, contact Mike Mycroft, chief of natural resources, State Parks & Reservoirs, at (317) 232-4128.

Rodeo coming to the 4-H Park

2011-08-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Championship I.P.R.A. Rodeo will be coming to the Wells County 4-H Park on Saturday, September 3rd, at 7:30 p.m. ,The Broken Horn Rodeo Company of Ripley, Ohio will be organizing the rodeo, which is sponsored by the Wells County 4-H Association, with proceeds to benefit the 4-H Park. Admission to the event is $10 for adults and youth. Children six and under are $5. Lawn chairs, drink coolers and alcohol are not allowed. Spectators may bring seat pads or blankets to sit on.

Stick horse races will be held during intermission for youth 5 and under and ages 6-9. 4-H will be providing food service at the event beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The rodeo will include a full line-up of events ranging from calf roping to bucking horses and the popular bull riding. Cowboy participants from around the Midwest will be attending the event to earn points and prize money.

Individuals interested in participating in the actual rodeo must call 1-800-639-9002 in order to participate. Rodeo details can also be found on the web page: www.brokenhornrodeo.com. Local questions about the rodeo can be answered by calling 4-H Association President, Kent Ulmer, at 260-417-3954.

N-B Video — Boys cross country: Bellmont invitational

2011-08-24T14:21:00.001-07:00

Learn more in the Wednesday, Aug. 24, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Indiana Archaeology Month starts Sept. 1

2011-08-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Hoosier history buffs can meet archaeologists and even visit archaeological digs during Indiana Archaeology Month in September.

Archaeology Month is an opportunity to celebrate and learn about Indiana archaeology. A variety of events for all ages are held every September by universities, museums, organizations and individuals throughout Indiana. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology is responsible for coordinating Archaeology Month.

Archaeologists have recorded more than 60,000 sites in Indiana since the early 1800s, helping to shape public understanding of the prehistoric and historic people who also called this land home.

"Archaeology tells us not only about the past but also sheds light about ourselves today and our future," said Robert E. Carter Jr., DNR director and State Historic Preservation Officer. "Archaeology Month provides a perfect way for Hoosiers to find out how, with programs that are not only educational and informative but also fun."

A schedule of events and additional information for this year's Archaeology Month can be found online at http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/3674.htm, or by contacting Amy Johnson at ajohnson@dnr.IN.gov or (317) 232-1646.

The commemorative poster and shirt designs this year feature an array of prehistoric stone artifacts, all found in Indiana, including projectile points dating back to 8500 B.C. Shirts are $6 each and can be purchased from the DNR Customer Service Center at 317/232-4200.

Kart Race coming to Fort Wayne

2011-08-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

The Baer Field Speedway will hold Fort Wayne's largest kart race ever at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27.

Classes include briggs heavy, briggs medium, clone heavy and more.

Cash prizes range from $100 to $1,000.

For more information, go to Baer Field Speedway's website at http://baerfieldspeedway.net.

N-B Video: Bluffton vs. Wabash: girls' volleyball

2011-08-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

See action from the Thursday, Aug. 18, volleyball match here. Learn more in the Friday, Aug. 19, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Preparation is key as squirrel season gets underway

2011-08-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Squirrel hunters should arm themselves with a strong understanding of safety guidelines and season regulations as they head to the woods.

A safe squirrel hunt can be the perfect opportunity to introduce new hunters to a wonderful outdoor activity and stewardship of our natural resources. When hunting, remember to be sure of your target and what’s beyond it, respect property rights and get permission from private property owners before you hunt, and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Squirrel hunting season opened Aug. 15 and continues through Jan. 31. Indiana hunters may harvest both gray and fox squirrels, and can harvest up to five squirrels per day.

To hunt squirrels, Indiana residents must purchase the annual hunting license for $17 ($7 youth consolidated license), and nonresidents must purchase the $80 annual hunting license or the $31 five-day hunting license ($17 annual youth hunting).

To purchase a hunting license, go to www.indianaoutdoor.IN.gov. For additional information on regulations and licensing, go to the hunting.IN.gov.

For more information: N. Budd Veverka, farmland wildlife research biologist, (812) 334-1137.

New slideshow availabe at the News-Banner website

2011-08-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

Check out our new slideshow featuring the Wheels of Yesteryear Antique Power Show and Festival.

Healthy Rivers INitiative website, social media available

2011-08-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Following progress on the largest conservation project ever undertaken in Indiana is now just a click away.

Gov. Mitch Daniels announced the ground-breaking Healthy Rivers INitiative in June 2010. The Department of Natural Resources effort includes a partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and The Nature Conservancy, as well as other resource agencies and organizations.

HRI involves working with willing landowners to permanently protect 43,000 acres in the floodplain of the Wabash River and Sugar Creek in west-central Indiana, and another 26,000 acres of the Muscatatuck River bottomlands in southeast Indiana.

The website, healthyrivers.IN.gov, features an interactive map, maps of the project areas and photos, and lists information for landowners on the benefits of the initiative, as well as instructions for donating.

HRI progress can also be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HealthyRiversIN or marked as “like” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/healthyriversIN.

HRI projects involve the protection, restoration and enhancement of riparian and aquatic habitats and the species that use them, particularly threatened, endangered, migratory birds and waterfowl. This initiative also will be beneficial to the public and surrounding communities by providing flood protection to riparian landowners; increasing public access to recreational opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, boating, and bird watching; and leaving a legacy for future generations by providing a major conservation destination for tourists.

4-H Extension Calendar

2011-08-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

August 18: Northeast Purdue Ag Center Field Day, Columbia City, 8:30 AM-Noon, lunch provided free of charge. PARP credits
August 18: 4-H Fair Review, 4-H Council, 4-H Leaders, 4-H Association and Committees, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7:00 PM
August 22: Wells County 4-H Association Meeting, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7:00 PM
August 23: Wells County 4-H Foundation Meeting, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 PM
August 25: “Preserving Nature’s Bounty” food preservation workshop, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30-8:30 PM, $3.00 fee payable at the door. Pre-registration requested at 260-824-6412
August 31: Wells County Extension Advisory Board, 7:00 AM, Corner Depot, Bluffton
Sept. 3: I.P.R.A. Championship Rodeo, 7:30 PM, Wells County 4-H Park, Bluffton Admission: Adults $10, Children (6 and under) $5
Sept. 9-11: 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Workshop, Ross Camp, Lafayette, Indiana

DNR proposes waterfowl season dates

2011-08-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is proposing the same number of days as last year for waterfowl hunting season in all three zones – 60 days for ducks and 74 for Canada geese – but the DNR is recommending a change in how those days are distributed in the state's North Zone.

The North Zone will be split into two segments for hunting of ducks, coots and mergansers, and into three segments for Canada geese. In recent years, North Zone duck hunting dates ran consecutively and the Canada goose season was in two segments.

“If you go straight through for 60 days in the North Zone duck season, it would open on a Saturday and close on a Tuesday,” said Adam Phelps, waterfowl biologist for DNR Fish & Wildlife. “So, we moved the two extra days to later, basically to try to give a weekend to those folks who want to hunt late.”

The dates are not final until approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in mid to late September. Historically, dates have been accepted as proposed. The DNR’s recommended dates for ducks, coots and mergansers are:

• North Zone, Oct. 15 to Dec. 11, and Dec. 24-25
• South Zone, Oct. 22-30, and Nov. 23 to Jan. 12
• Ohio River Zone, Oct. 29-30, and Nov. 26 to Jan. 22

For Canada geese, the proposed dates are:

• North Zone, Oct. 15 to Nov. 6, Nov. 23 to Jan. 8, and Jan. 14-17
• South Zone, Oct. 22-30 and Nov 23 to Jan. 26
• Ohio River Zone, Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 21 to Jan. 31

“What we’ve done in the past (for Canada geese) is open for two days in the North Zone, close until November, and then resume,” Phelps said. “We’ve gotten feedback from hunters who want to hunt over open water. So we gave them more days early, then a break, and then went as lateas we have in the past. We’re trying to keep pressure on Canada geese in late January, but still give the folks who want to hunt over open water a chance as well.”

The North Zone is that part of Indiana north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Indiana 18 to U.S. 31; north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east on U.S. 24 to Huntington; and southeast on U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.

The South Zone is the area south of that line but north of the Ohio River Zone.

The Ohio River Zone is that portion of Indiana south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate 64 to New Albany; east on Indiana 62 to Indiana 56; east on Indiana 56 to Vevay; along Indiana 156 to North Landing; north on Indiana 56 to U.S. 50; and northeast on U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.

The daily bag limit for ducks in all zones is six, including no more than four mallards (of which no more than two can be hens), three wood ducks, two pintails, two redheads, two scaup, one canvasback, one black duck, and one mottled duck. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

The daily bag limit for Canada geese in all zones is two with a possession limit of four.

DNR also has proposed a 15-day late season for Canada geese from Feb. 1-15 in selected areas. Indiana conducted what was scheduled as a three-year experiment authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to target resident giant Canada geese without negatively impacting migratory geese. Last season was the third year of the experiment, and although most areas achieved the USFWS requirement that at least 80 percent of the late season harvest consist of resident giant Canada geese, areas around Terre Haute reported only 78 percent.

“So now we’re in a holding pattern, but they are letting us continue to evaluate,” Phelps said.

Consequently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will authorize the late season only in the same counties as previous years. Those counties are: Adams, Allen, Boone, Clay, DeKalb, Elkhart, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Huntington, Johnson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Noble, Parke, St. Joseph, Shelby, Steuben, Starke, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo, Wells and Whitley.

Special restrictions apply; a free permit is required. The daily bag limit is five, and the possession limit is 10.

Statewide season dates for light geese and brant are Oct. 15 to Jan. 27. The bag limit is 20 light geese (snow and/or Ross' geese) and one brant. The possession limit is two brant. There is no possession limit on light geese.

Statewide season dates for white-fronted geese are Oct. 15 to Nov. 6 and Nov. 23 to Jan. 26. The daily bag limit is one, and the possession limit is two.