Ivy Tech Community College’s Kokomo Service Area, which includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski and Tipton counties, has announced the following students have been named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2023 semester.

To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or above while enrolled in at least six credit hours and seeking a degree. Students also must have achieved a minimum of 12 cumulative credit hours over the course of their academic career.

The Fulton County Community Foundation granted $10,300 to the American Legion Post 36 to help them fund a new blacktop for their parking lot.

Post 36, located in Rochester, was established in 1919 as a place for veterans to gather. They also provide several community services such as Honor Guard for funerals, flag burning ceremonies, Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies, and many others.

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For the sixth year, NIPSCO is accepting applications for a grant to support local nonprofit organizations and first responders who provide public safety education and training across northern Indiana. 

Grants are available in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. Applications are being accepted now through August 4, 2023, with grant awards announced during the week of August 21. 

In 2022, award recipients have utilized the funds, for example, for the following projects: Cass County Emergency Management Agency conducted a public safety training program for volunteer instructors to increase capacity of individual departments offering their own trainings, and Steuben Township Volunteer Fire Dept. purchased materials to enhance its Fire Prevention Education program. 

Grant opportunities will include, but are not limited to, community and youth public safety education programming and training for first responders, police and fire department fire and carbon monoxide safety programs, education, and training in the prevention of damage to underground natural gas lines, and child-related safety education. 

Grant funding is not intended to cover the purchase of equipment other than tools needed to support public safety education programs and training. 

Organizations with a mission to support public safety education and training are invited to submit a grant request through NIPSCO’s online request site at NIPSCO.com/SafetyGrant. 

When applying online, please select the “Safety” option from the “Area of Impact” drop-down box on the application. 

Documents to submit with a grant request include:

Defined project goals                                        

Defined alignment with project and community priorities

Detailed project description including amount requested, scope of project and community impact

Overview of how support will be recognized (press release, social media, website etc) and how it will benefit your organization

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Woodlawn Health proudly announces it has achieved accreditation through Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for the services of Sleep Studies.

“We are so proud of our team and Sleep Service Department who had a deficiency free survey. This demonstrates our quality of service as we continue to earn the right to care for our community,” stated Alan Fisher, CEO of Woodlawn Health.  

Accreditation is a process through which healthcare organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.

ACHC is a nonprofit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. ACHC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and has CMS deeming authority for Home Health, Hospice and DMEPOS. 

Hoosiers can’t seem to escape rising food prices. The summer cookout is expected to cost Indiana shoppers 8% more this summer

Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual summer cookout market basket, featuring some of America’s summertime staples, revealed Hoosiers are paying an average of $69.47 for a cookout feeding 10 people this summer, or $6.95 per person – an 8% increase compared to last year. That’s similar to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Price Outlook for grocery store food purchases, which increased 5.8% this past May compared to this time last year.

Indiana’s market basket price is approximately 3% more, or 18 cents more, than the U.S. average price of $6.77 per person. This is the first time since 2019 that the total Indiana market basket price came in above the U.S. average. Additionally, the Indiana price is up 5%, or 34 cents more, than the average price for the Midwest region of $6.61 per person.

“We are still seeing food inflation throughout the whole supermarket, specifically with items that require more processing, labor and transportation,” said INFB Chief Economist Dr. Todd Davis. “This impacts items like cookies and chips that are non-perishable with no urgency to sell by a strict deadline, meaning grocery stores don’t need to discount to move inventory.” 

The total market basket price of $69.47 includes ground beef, cheese, hamburger buns, pork chops, chicken breasts, pork and beans, potato salad, strawberries, chips, ice cream, cookies and lemonade.

All items on the shopping list are more expensive in Indiana than last year, except cheese and pork chops, which were relatively unchanged. Many items were less than the national average, including ice cream, strawberries, pork and beans, hamburger buns, lemonade and potato salad. The items that came in significantly above the U.S. average were chocolate chip cookies, chicken breasts and chips.

While food prices have increased, so have input prices for the farmers growing that food. Drought in the west and Midwest has significantly impacted feeding costs for livestock, which has increased consumer prices for meat as well.

According to the USDA, just 14 cents of every retail food dollar can be attributed to farm production, after accounting for input costs. Using this figure, the farmer’s share of this $69.47 market basket would be less than $10. The rest is for food processing, packaging, transportation, wholesale and retail distribution, and food service preparation.

“Like consumers, farmers are price takers, not price makers,” said Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd vice president. “While food prices are increasing, the amount farmers are being paid doesn’t cover the sharp increase in their input expense. When our crops or animals are ready to sell, we have to sell at the current commodity price.”

“This year’s summer cookout market basket reflects what Hoosiers are seeing when they go to their local grocery stores,” Chism explained. “Farmers are consumers too, and we experience the price increase at the grocery store as well as on the farm.”

The INFB summer cookout market basket survey was conducted in early June by volunteer shoppers across the state who collected prices on specific food items from one of their local grocery stores. Volunteer shoppers were asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals.

“This survey was conducted before many stores offer Fourth of July sales, so if you go to the grocery store now you are likely to see slightly reduced prices than what this market basket shows,” noted Dr. Davis.

Indiana’s survey was completed in conjunction with a national survey administered by the American Farm Bureau Federation. More details about AFBF’s national summer cookout market basket results can be found at fb.org.

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Post offices will be closed on Monday, June 19,  in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

There will be no mail delivery, caller service or post office box service. All services will resume on Tuesday, June 20.

Customers requiring postal services can use the Self-Service Kiosk (SSK) available at select post offices. The ATM-like kiosk, which accepts debit and credit cards only, can handle 80 percent of the transactions conducted at the retail counter such as buying stamps, mailing a parcel, or shipping an urgent letter or package by Express or Priority Mail.

To find SSK locations, customers can go to www.usps.com.

Applications are now available for summer scholarships through the Fulton County Community Foundation. 

Fulton County residents pursuing higher education can apply for the following; 
 
•    The Ginger Miller Higher Education Scholarship provides scholarships for qualified college graduates pursuing graduate or professional school degrees.
 
•    The Phillips-Braman Scholarship provides scholarships for Rochester High School graduates who have completed one year of coursework at Purdue University. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic achievement.
 
•    The Back Home Again in Indiana Scholarship supports non-traditional students who wish to pursue higher education and/or training to enhance their skills for employment. Non-traditional students include those who have graduated from high school or obtained a GED and have delayed entrance into college, rather than earning a degree immediately after high school.
 
•    The Baxter Family Pharmaceutical Scholarship provides scholarships for Caston, Rochester, or Valley graduates, or a resident of Fulton County that has been accepted into a pharmaceutical program at a college or university in Indiana.
 
•    The Frederick Rakestraw Law Scholarship provides scholarships for qualified college graduates pursuing a degree in law. Applicants must have been residents of Fulton County for at least three years during high school and must be accepted into a graduate school program and enrolled in any school of law in the United States.
 
The following scholarships are for 2023 Rochester graduates planning to study agriculture or a related field of study:

1. Dale Eizinger and Robert Tobey Agricultural Scholarship
2. George M. and Liale W. Schwenk Memorial Scholarship
3. Simon Deeb Scholarship

 
Applications and information are available at www.nicf.org/fulton-county/scholarships. The deadline to apply is July 12, 2023. For more information, contact the Northern Indiana Community Foundation Scholarship Coordinator, Shannon Berger, at 574-223-2202 or scholarships@nicf.org.

The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to Woodlawn Health Laboratory in Rochester based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

Recognized for rigorous and robust standards, CAP accreditation elevates quality and mitigates risk, an important way that laboratories can contribute to improved patient outcomes.

The facility’s director, Emily Schouten MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, was advised of this global recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. Woodlawn Health Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“The Lab team is dedicated to providing excellent care to every patient and our CAPaccreditation highlights this commitment and the hard work of each team member,” said Schouten.

 “We are so very proud of our team that goes through rigorous inspections to demonstrate the amazing quality of care we are giving our community each and every day,” Alan Fisher, Chief Executive Officer.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management. These reviews help verify activities reflect the most recent best practices.

With over 23,000 laboratory participants, in addition to accreditation, the CAP offers proficiency testing/external quality assessment (PT/EQA) programs, quality improvement tools, and protocols and guidelines to ensure excellence in all areas across the laboratory. Built on a foundation of pathologist expertise, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) partners with laboratories worldwide to elevate the quality of laboratory medicine with best-in-class solutions designed to drive operational excellence, achieve diagnostic confidence, and ensure the best patient care.

Outreach to gain community input regarding Fulton County's future ambulance service will continue with two public meetings.

The consultant company involved in the process is gathering information to obtain for an RFP (request for proposal). County officials and the consultant are meeting with the community  to obtain enough knowledge of facts, desires and concerns to properly address the issues faced with the last contract.

The following dates are scheduled for community discussion:

June 28  -  6:30 p.m. at the Grass Creek Fire Station, 7315 S SR 17, Grass Creek / Kewanna

July 20 -  6 p.m. at the Akron Community Building, 815 East Rural Street, Akron.

Junior Achievement serving Miami County is seeking Car Lovers for its annual “JA Car Show” fundraiser, taking place on Saturday, August 26, at Tiger North Athletic Complex in Peru, at 857 N. Broadway.

Gather up your friends and family and join us for a beautiful day looking at cars, listening to music and eating yummy food by local vendors.

100% of entry fees support Junior Achievement (JA) Programs in the Miami County Schools. Junior Achievement provides financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to students within the Manchester School district. We are a nonprofit organization that relies on community support, both financially and in person, to ensure we reach as many kids in the community as possible.

For more information on how to get active and get involved in supporting the financial education of local youth or to request a registration form, contact Beth Miller at (574) 551-4698 orBeth.Miller@ja.org .

Pre-Registration forms are due by August 6, 2023, to Junior Achievement serving Miami County, PO Box 1344, Peru, IN 46970 or online.

Follow us on Facebook and Linkedin to stay up to date on the latest news, Junior Achievement serving Miami County.

The public is invited to the annual Mentone Flying Club Pancake and Sausage Breakfast next Saturday, June 17.

The breakfast is held at the Fulton County Airport located at 545 State Road 25 in Rochester.

Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. and weather permitting, airplane rides will also be available from 7-10 a.m.

Breakfast is $7 per person and kids 5 and under eat free.

Airplane rides are $25 per person and proceeds from the rides will benefit Operation Quiet Comfort.

For more information check out the Mentone Flying Club’s website at www.mentoneflyingclub.org. 

A concerning shortfall in blood donations last month could stress the American Red Cross blood supply. The Red Cross collected over 26,000 fewer blood donations than needed in May to meet the needs of patients.

The need for blood is constant, with someone needing a blood transfusion in the U.S. every two seconds. Platelet donors are especially needed at this time. The public can help ensure continuity for patients by making an appointment to give blood or platelets now and in the weeks ahead. 

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day meant to raise awareness of the need for a safe, diverse and stable blood supply and to recognize volunteer blood donors.

In thanks for taking time to help, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Those who come to give throughout June will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package. Details for both offers can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Downloadthe Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule a time to give now at a blood drive near you.

Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) announced the following dates, times, and locations that his office will be holding mobile staff office hours in June throughout Indiana’s Second District.

Mobile office hours will allow for Congressman Yakym’s staff to assist constituents with casework questions.

Fulton County

Rochester District Office – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

709 Main St.

Rochester, IN 

Thursday, June 15, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.                                            

Akron Town Hall

206 W Rochester St

Akron, IN 

Marshall County

Tuesday, June 6, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Plymouth City Hall (Mayor’s Office – 2nd Floor)

124 N. Michigan St.

Plymouth, IN

Thursday, June 22, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 

Bremen Town Hall

111 S Center St

Bremen, IN

Cass County

Tuesday, June 20, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Walton Tipton Public Library

110 N. Main St. 

Walton, IN

Kosciusko County

Thursday, June 15, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Bell Memorial Library

101 W Main St 

Mentone, IN 

Friday, June 30, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

Warsaw City Hall

102 S Buffalo St

Warsaw, IN

La Porte County

Monday, June 12, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST (9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CST)

La Porte Parks and Recreation Department 

250 Pine Lake Ave.

La Porte, IN 

Wednesday, June 28, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CST)

Kingsford Heights Public Library

436 Evanston Rd

Kingsford Heights, IN

Miami County

Tuesday, June 20, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Converse Public Library

100 S Jefferson St

Converse, IN 

Friday, June 23, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Peru City Hall (Conference Room – 2nd Floor)

35 S. Broadway

Peru, IN

Pulaski County

Tuesday, June 27, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Pulaski County CDC/Economic Development (Board Room)

623 W. Eleventh St.

Winamac, IN

Thursday, June 29, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  

Medaryville Town Hall 

409 E Main St

Medaryville, IN 

Starke County

Wednesday, June 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST (9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CST)

Starke County Courthouse

53 E. Washington St

Knox, IN

Tuesday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CST)

Hamlet Town Hall

10 S Starke St.

Hamlet, IN

St. Joseph County

Mishawaka District Office - Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  

2410 Grape Road, Suite 2A

Mishawaka, IN 

Monday, June 26, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

North Liberty Town Hall

300 S Main St

North Liberty, IN

Wabash County

Thursday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

North Manchester Public Library 

405 N. Market St. 

North Manchester, IN

Wednesday, June 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wabash City Hall 

202 S. Wabash St. 

Wabash, IN

It’s a free fishing weekend in Indiana.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 3-4, Indiana residents can fish in public waters and without having to buy a fishing license and/or a trout/salmon stamp.

One free fishing day remains this year. It’ll be on September 23.

Caston School Corporation Cafe is providing free meals to all children through June 30.

Caston Cafe Summer Feeding will be located in the school cafe. Breakfast is available 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

There is no cost to attend.

More information is available by contacting Alysha Marrs at 574-598-8000, extension 327, or email at marrsa@caston.k12.in.us .

Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like Caston School Corporation Cafe to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. Anyone age 18 or younger may come and eat.

The Fulton County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a seminar series created specifically for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for local opportunities and helpful ways to enhance their business.

Interested individuals are invited to enjoy a light breakfast, networking with like-minded individualsand an education segment each session. Sessions will be on Fridays, July 7 – August 4, at 7:30 AM at a local TBD.

Topics include:

• Local Biz Resources with Amy Beechy, BizGro by FEDCO
• Marketing Best Practices with Anne-Marie Farrow, Constant Contact
• Are You Legal? with Lauren Adley, Peterson Waggoner & Perkins Law Firm
• Finding Funds with Alan Steele, Small Business Development Center
• Your Google Homepage with Tiffany Futrell, Marketing at Rochester Iron & Metal

Register online at https://business.fultoncountychamber.com/events/details/bagels-business-6622 or with the Fulton County Chamber Office by Friday, June 30. The cost is only $49 or $29 for chamber members for the entire series.

Any questions can be directed to Kellie Scobie, Executive Assistant of the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, at (574) 224-2666 or kellie@fultoncountychamber.com.

Kylee Trepanier, a 2023 Tippecanoe Valley High School graduate, is a recipient of the Akron Las Donas Marcus Hackworth & Scott Sechrist Memorial Scholarship.

We, at the Fulton County Community Foundation, regret this award went unannounced at the Valley Senior Awards Night and wish to recognize her academic and extracurricular successes.