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View in Full Screen Mode - The Decatur Daily Democrat
WEDNESDAY March 9, 2016 Democrat An independent newspaper serving Adams County, Indiana since 1857 NA picks builder to head up renovations South Adams and Bluffton-Harrison By JANNAYA ANDREWS More than a year of discussions, Elementary schools. studies and reports culminated When asked about the firm’s fees, Tuesday evening with a decision by Rawlins said those fees run between the North Adams board of education 1 to 1.5 percent of the total project to hire architectural firm InterDesign, cost, depending on the amount of time Indianapolis, to proceed with needed spent on the project by the firm. Both firms were in agreement that renovations of the district’s schools. Representatives of InterDesign — a whether the renovation goes to a referfirm specializing in K-12 design — met endum could impact not only the cost with the board last month, walking the of the project but the amount of time group through the design-build pro- involved as well. cess and how the firm would handle The school district’s renovation plan could go before school the NA project from district voters, either start to finish. this fall or in the spring Design-build is a method of project Without a referendum, of 2017. delivery in which one NA could take approx- Jim Elizondo, senior entity — the design- imately $40 million in vice president of public at City Securities build team — works bonds for the building finance in Fort Wayne, met with under a single contract with the proj- needs of the district the board in December ect owner to provide without increasing the to discuss how financing the project will play design and construc- tax rate. out for taxpayers. With tion services. Designbonds held by the disbuild is an alternatrict coming off the tive to the traditional design-bid-build project delivery books in 2020, Elizondo said NA is in method. Under the latter approach, a unique position to take new bonds design and construction services are without increasing tax rates for resisplit into separate entities, separate dents living in the district. Without a referendum, NA could contracts, separate work. During their February presenta- take approximately $40 million in tion, InterDesign representatives Dan bonds for the building needs of the Rawlins, Mike Lubbenhuser and Phillip district without increasing the tax Wink told the board the firm would rate. However, should the issue go to conduct many community meetings a referendum — which could happen and be involved in the project through if enough residents demand the action — that would send the project outthe end. The main difference between side the circuit breakers, which would InterDesign and Lancer & Beebe, LLC increase taxes, Elizondo said. Architects — the other firm making a “Really, when you come down to presentation to the board in February it, if someone decides they want the — came in the way of experience with issue to go to a referendum, it’s probthe design-build process and the firm’s ably going to happen,” said Rawlins in February. “Someone standing outside fees. While Lancer & Beebe have been CVS for a few hours could get 100 involved with a handful of projects signatures. There’s not a lot we can do in the state, InterDesign has been about it, other than doing our best to involved in a litany of projects, includ- educate the community on what that ing — and perhaps most compel- will mean for their wallets.” See BUILDER, Page 2 ling to the board — Adams Central, 75¢ New coach hired to lead gridiron Braves NEW COACH — Marty Ballard, pictured above with his wife, Nikki, was announced Tuesday evening as the new varsity football coach at Bellmont High School. Read more on Page 12A of today’s Democrat. Photo by Jannaya Andrews Refinancing mortgage bonds could result in ‘significant’ savings for South Adams By J SWYGART The South Adams school board on Tuesday evening unanimously, with two members absent, approved a recommendation to refinance $18.7 million in 2008 mortgage bonds issued by the school district. The move could save the school district upwards of $155,000 annually. Curt Pletcher, a representative with the financial consulting firm Umbaugh and Associates, urged the board to consider a handful of refinancing options “given where interest rate are at right now.” The original bonds, issued in 2008, will be paid off in 2023. That date will remain unchanged, said Pletcher, but the interest on which the school district is paying would be drastically reduced through refinancing. The original bonds are being paid off at an annual rate of 5.02 percent. Pletcher estimated the district’s debt could be refinanced at approximately 2.79 percent. Among the options offered by Pletcher was a proposal that could see the district re-issue $20 million in new bonds, providing a cushion for the school in anticipation of the initial reception of bonds by bond-holders beginning in 2017. That option would not raise the district’s debt service rate and would yield “a significant savings” over the life of the bond, Pletcher said. The district, he said, stands to save some $2.3 million, he noted, which could be earmarked for future capital expenditures. Nearly $575,000 would be diverted to an escrow account to pay off bond holders. See BONDS, Page 2 AC board okays new Public Defenders office to add much-needed staffer fans for school gym By ASHLEY BAILEY Adams Central school board members voted Tuesday night to replace fans in the school gymnasium. Replacing the existing 10 fans, only eight of which are working properly, would include taking apart the fans, running electrical and putting in two new 16-foot fans, according to maintenance supervisor Todd McDonald. The new fans will be programmable — capable of being shut down when needed instead of running 24 hours a day, seven days a week — so they will be more energy efficient than the current fans. He said it will cost an additional $2,700 if the school waited until a later date to put the fans in instead of doing so while the gym is already being worked on. Replacing the fans with new ones was approved in a 7-0 vote. In other business, the board approved the School Resource Officer contract for the remainder of the year and the purchase of a new tractor to replace an 11-year old mower. The board also approved the 2017 graduation date, which will be June 4. The board deleted a policy outlining teaching experience and seniority credit because it is in conflict with state law, and approved other policies relating to cash balances, habitual See AC, Page 3 Monroe Street Extended, east of U.S. 224, will be closed the remainder of this week and all of next week, according to Decatur Utilities Manager Dan Rickord. The road closure in is conjunction with preliminary work associated with the project to elevate U.S. 224 near Bellmont High School. Ogg Street and Harvest Lane will remain open to traffic. Monroe St. closed for 2 weeks By MIKE LAMM The Adams County Public Defender’s office will get some much-needed secretarial help, the Adams County Council decided at their monthly meeting Tuesday morning, as they approved the hiring of a part time secretarial assistant for the office. Chief Public Defender Brad Weber presented councilors with a strong case in favor of the move, beginning with statistical information indicating 90-95 percent of juvenile cases and “a minimum” of 75 percent of criminal cases in both Superior and Circuit Court are handled by his office. And that number of cases is ever increasing. As an example, Weber said his office “handles CHINS (Children in Need of Services) cases as well, and those filings alone were up by 40 percent last year.” He admitted his staff of three attorneys and one full-time secretary is overwhelmed with their workload. Specifically affected by the increase in cases is office secretary Sildain Atienzo, who has been with the defender’s office for 10 years, is bilingual and is invaluable in the day-to-day operation of the office, Weber said. Without anyone trained in the duties of her job, should Atienzo decide to resign her position, “we’d be in a world of hurt.” As a simple example, Weber said Atienzo had taken the day off. As he was leaving for his appearance before council, he noticed “four or five large, expandable files full of discovery from the prosecutor’s office” lying on her desk that should be in the public defender’s file. “And that’s problematic,” he added, explaining he could potentially go to the county jail to speak with defendants and not have the proper paperwork. He told councilors that several years ago, the public defender’s office had a part-time secretarial assistant on its staff, but when that individual resigned, the post remained unfilled in an effort to help with budget constraints. See STAFFER, Page 2 All smiles for Castroneves Employees at the REV Group (formerly Fleetwood) recreational vehicle manufacturing plant in Decatur were all smiles Monday as threetime Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves paid a visit. Castroneves was in Decatur to pick up a specially-designed motor home. While there he talked with REV employees and signed autographs. Photo by Lois Ternet L ocal /S tate Page 2A • Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Helping shape a COMMUNITY By CONI MAYER Executive Director Adams Co. Community Foundation Endowment funds at heart of ACCF’s history of giving The Adams County Community Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Incorporated in 1991, we are taking this opportunity to recognize this milestone by reminiscing the many experiences and events that has allowed the Foundation to make it to 2016. This article acknowledges the 15 endowed funds that began to shape the Foundation. In 1999, the ACCF was 15 endowed funds strong and building. These first endowed funds in the ACCF were: — Adams Central Scholarship Fund; — Adams County Boys Scout Campership Fund; — Adams County Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund; — John and Kay Boch Scholarship Fund; — Earl and Alta May Caston Memorial Scholarship Fund; — Jack Dailey Memorial Scholarship Fund; — Decatur Cemetery Association Fund; — DECA, Alena Brock Business Scholarship Fund; — Scott Mathys Memorial Scholarship Fund; BUILDER From Page 1 On Tuesday, board member Mark Bulmahn commented although the costs associated with InterDesign may be higher initially, he felt in the long run the company would save the district the most money. “I’ve talked to a lot of contractors and people who have used them STAFFER From Page 1 Since the position remains as a line item in his budget, it would not require any additional appropriations from council, he explained. Weber requested the addition of part time secretary to his staff, recommending the individual be hired for 20-25 hours per week at $10 to $10.50 per hour. Since providing the same information to the county commissioners a month ago, his office has already had several people express interest and/or submit resumes, he added. “It sounds as if you’ve put this off as long as you possibly can,” Councilor Stan Stoppenhagen said. The rest of the councilors agreed, unanimously passing a motion to allow Weber to hire a part-time (less than 120 hours per month) secretarial assistant at $10 per hour. Going paperless Adams County Prosecutor Jeremy Brown followed Weber on the council agenda State appeals ruling on Syrian refugees INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana attorney general’s office is asking a federal judge to put on hold her order against Republican Gov. Mike Pence’s efforts to bar state agencies from helping Syrian refugees resettle in the state. The motion filed Tuesday argues the state should be allowed to withhold funding to refugee assistance group Exodus Refugee Immigration while it appeals U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt’s ruling to a federal appeals court. — Meshberger / LICA Scholarship Fund; — John and Lou Karch Sink Memorial Scholarship Fund; — Rosanne Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund; — St. Joseph Catholic Scholarship of Decatur Fund; — Swiss Heritage Society Fund; — Town of Geneva Horticulture Project Fund. With assets of $4.3 million, the 13 board of directors’ focus was the growing and governance of the foundation. These board members were: Richard D. Johnson (president), Philip Barger (vice president), James D. Briggs Jr. (treasurer), Mark Merkel (secretary), David Collier, James Howenstine, Frederick A. Lehman, James B. Long, Marilyn Muselman, Warren Nidlinger, Sylvia Scheumann and Susan Zurcher, attorney. With growing confidence, the foundation sponsored a gifting event at the Gray Goose to recognize the founding contributors, scholars and grant recipients for 1999-2000. Scholarships: At the event, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship announced two award recipients. Those scholars were 1998 South Adams graduate Matt Subler (business), Purdue; 1999 North Adams graduate, Christy Baker (law), Notre Dame; and Adams Central graduate, Travis Osterman (pre-med), University of Indianapolis. In addition to the two Lilly Scholars, there were 21 students recognized; 16 non-traditional scholars and five graduating high school seniors. Grants: Also recognized at the event were 13 non-profit organizations who were awarded a total of $20,850 during the one grant cycle in 1999. These Adams County agencies were the Adams County Council on Aging, Adams County Historical Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club of Decatur, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Geneva Police Department, Junior Achievement, Love INC of Adams County, Mustard Seed Ministries, South Adams Arts Council, St. Joseph Catholic School, Swiss Heritage Society, Main Street in Berne and Woodcrest of Decatur. Realizing the need for additional work space due to growth, in 2001 the ACCF moved from the one-room office in the Adams County Service Complex to its current location of 102 N 2nd St., Decatur. For more information on ACCF scholarships available to local students, or on how you can create a new fund or contribute to an existing fund, contact the Adams County Community Foundation at 724-3939 or email at accf@ AdamsCountyFoundation.org. (InterDesign), and I just think they can bring more builders to the table and get us a better price in the end.” Superintendent Brent Lehman commented InterDesign will help not only with the construction process, but also with the conceptual designs. “Is it K-3 (kindergarten through third grade) that fit together? Is it K-5? Do we group seventh through 12? These are the kinds of things they can and said he supported Weber’s request for additional office staff. He said in 2015, the prosecutor’s office saw a 40 percent increase in cases filed in circuit court and a 15-20 percent increase in Superior Court filings. Brown’s appearance was primarily to update council on his office’s efforts to “go paperless. The amount of paper coming out of the clerk’s office is unbelievable,” he said. “When they’re behind, it bogs us down. Going paperless is just so much more efficient. help us determine.” Board President Ben Faurote added his backing, saying, “I echo Mark’s support for InterDesign. Many people I’ve talked to said they wouldn’t use anyone else, and you can’t get much of a better recommendation than that.” With that, the board approved the motion, 5-0, with members Tim Ehlerding and Steve Kreigh absent for the vote. Paper and toner are gold right now. CD’s are cheaper than paper.” He said it will cost his office “about $8,000” to make the transition and he hopes to to do so within the next six to eight months. Clerk of Courts Jim Voglewede, who was in the audience on another matter, pointed out that starting this fall, election filings will be handled electronically. Earlier, Weber had indicated his “ultimate goal would be for the public defender’s office to go completely paperless” as well, but added he didn’t have to funds to do so. In other business, Brown told council he is “trying to come up with creative ways to spend ... a ton of money sitting in” the 4D fund and he is currently advertising for an additional investigator for that department. He also said he has spoken with Adams County IT Director Landon Patterson about linking the prosecutor’s website to that of the county to allow people viewing the county site to be routed directly his website. Decatur Daily Democrat Your Local Weather Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 3/9 3/10 3/11 3/12 3/13 67/57 63/46 57/46 67/53 62/48 Mainly cloudy and rainy. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the upper 50s. Mainly cloudy and rainy. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid 40s. Showers ending by midday. Highs in the upper 50s and lows in the mid 40s. Showers possible. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the low 50s. Light rain. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the upper 40s. Sunrise: 7:00 AM Sunrise: 6:58 AM 6:55 Sunrise: 7:53 60AM 7 a.m. Sunrise: AM Degree days6:443 Sunset: 7:45 Sunset: 6:42 Sunset: PM PM PM 7.16 ft. River High Sunset: Low 6:40 PM Precip 71 Sunset: 53 6:41 PM 0 Sunrise: 6:57 AM ©2016 AMG | Parade From the Decatur weather station BONDS From Page 1 “I would recommend starting the process,” said Pletcher. “Then we can come back, look at where (interest) rates are and make a decision” on which option of refinancing the district will employ. “The board can make a decision tonight to move forward with the minimum savings in mind, just to start the process and be ready to issue the bonds.” Superintedent Scott Litwiller said he would make contact with the district’s bond counsel to prepare a draft resolution to authorize the refinancing. “Tonight I’m just asking the board to approve the initial paperwork to refinance and move forward,” Litwiller said. “I’m not asking for a final decision” on a dollar amount to be refinance. The board voted 5-0, with Julie Mansfield and John Buckingham absent, to approve Litwiller’s request. HIRING FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS FCC (Adams) 936 E. Parr Rd. 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State St. Greenfield IN. 46140 Benefits of hearing aids vary by type and degree of hearing loss, noise environment, accurate hearing evaluation and proper fit. 2214 N. Lebanon St. Decatur Daily Democrat F or the R ecord Wednesday, March 9, 2016 • Page 3A AC Obituaries Mary Lu Clifton Mary Lu Clifton, 91, Decatur, passed away March 8, 2016, at Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur. She was born in Wells County March 30, 1924, to the late R. C. and Emma (Heckley) Pape. She married M. DeVon Clifton Oct. 15, 1944, in the Wren E.U.B. in Christ Church; he preceded her in death April 1, 1992. She retired in 1984 from Decatur Industries with 15 years of service. Mary Lu was also a mother and homemaker. Among survivors are her sons, Randall D. (Mary) Clifton, Gregory C. (Linda) Clifton and Larry DeVon (Wanda) Clifton, all of Decatur; daughter, Kellie J. (Bill) Schultz of Decatur; two sisters, Joan Hoffman of Decatur and Maxine Brandyberry of Waynedale; six granddaughters, Angela (Mike) Sonnenberg, Jessica (Trent) Coil, Leah (Jerry) Wurm, Andrea (Josh) Ortiz, Megan Clifton (Brian) Post and Devon Schultz; three grandsons, Brian (Amanda) Schultz, Cale (Jessica) Clifton and Chase Copeland; 16 great-grandchildren and two wonderful caregivers, Sally Nern and Regina Cheatwood. Preceding her in death was a grandson, Matthew D. Clifton, and a sister, Gladys Juanita McBride. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Decatur Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to Adams Memorial ICU or the Glycogen Storage Disease Program at University of Florida, P.O. Box 100296, Gainesville, Fla., 32610-0296. Larry Eyanson Larry “Tom” Eyanson, 67, Decatur, passed away March 6, 2016, at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Care Center. He was born in Adams County Dec. 2, 1948, to the late Robert and Wanda (Garner) Eyanson. On March 27, 1971, he married Cheryll A. Williamson; she survives. Tom was a U.S. Navy veteran and retired U.S. Postal Carrier with the Berne Post Office. Prior to his illness, he was a member of the Decatur American Legion Post 43 and the Decatur Moose Lodge 1311. He loved Duke basketball, Cincinnati Reds baseball, Bellmont wrestling and Miller beer. Among survivors are a daughter, Ticia A. (Randy) Shuler of Caselberry, Fla.; two grandchildren, Katie and Elie Shuler, both of Caselberry; three brothers, Jim, Ed and Joe; and three sisters, Sue, Angie and Becky. Preceding him in death were two sisters, Janet and Cheryl. Per Tom’s request, there will be no visitation or service. However, a Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date. Preferred memorials are to the ACCF Angel Cancer Fund through Haggard-Sefton & Hirschy Funeral Home. Death notices Dorothy A. Wagley Dorthy A. Wagley, 96, formerly of Monroe, died today. Arrangements are pending at Haggard-Sefton & Hirschy Funeral Home. Kennetha Grimm Kennetha “Kae” Grimm, 77, died today. Arrangements are pending at Haggared-Sefton & Hirschy Funeral Home. Traffic Decatur police investigated an accident at 4 p.m. Tuesday that left three people with minor injuries. According to the police report, Linda L. Balliet, 49, Decatur, was westbound on West Monroe Street when her vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by John L. Schultz, 66, Decatur, who was traveling northbound on Westlawn Drive. Schultz told officers he was preparing to travel north across West Monroe Street and did not see the Balliet vehicle. He failed to yield the right of way and struck her vehicle on the driver’s side front tire with the front bumper of his vehicle. Schultz suffered a laceration to his forehead. Balliet and a passenger, Addisyn L. Davison, 10, Decatur, both complained of neck pain. The Decatur Fire Department was called to the scene as first responders at 4:02 p.m. because an ambulance was unavailable at the time. Damages were estimated between $5,001$10,000. Adams County sheriff’s deputies investigated a hit-and-run accident at 7:25 a.m. Tuesday. According to the report, Eric Carter, 37, Montpelier, was traveling northbound on C.R. 500W near C.R. 700W, when he came to a stop approximately eight feet behind a vehicle that was stopped at the intersection. Carter said after he came to a complete stop, the vehicle in front of him backed up and struck his front bumper, then drove away. There was heavy damage to the front bumper of Carter’s vehicle. The vehicle who struck Carter’s vehicle was a silver, four door SUV. Carter was unable to provide more infor mation. There were no injuries reported and damages were estimated between $1,001$2,500. SPECIAL GIFT — Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves was presented with a painting by area artist Alexander Hall during his visit to Decatur on Monday. The colorful artwork was a representation of the driver’s No. 3 car. When it was unveiled, Castroneves was clearly lost for words. “Oh my goodness!” he said beaming. “This is beautiful.” Tim Sullivan, president and CEO of the REV Group, made the presentation. Photo by Lois Ternet Bernie pulls off Michigan surprise as Trump just keeps on winning LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Bernie Sanders breathed new life into his longshot White House bid with a crucial win in Michigan’s primary Tuesday night, chipping away at Hillary Clinton’s dominance in the Democratic presidential race. Republican Donald Trump swept to victory in Michigan, Mississippi and Hawaii, overcoming fierce efforts to blunt his momentum. Even with Sanders’ win, Clinton and Trump moved closer to a general election face-off. Clinton breezed to an easy victory in Mississippi, propelled by overwhelming support from black voters, and she now has more than half the delegates she needs to clinch the Democratic nomination. Trump, too, padded his lead over Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who carried the Idaho primary. The front-runners turned their sights on November as they reveled in their wins. ‘‘We are better than what we are being offered by the Republicans,’’ Clinton declared. In a nod toward the kind of traditional politics he’s shunned, Trump emphasized the importance of helping Republican senators and House members get elected in the fall. Having entered Tuesday’s contests facing a barrage of criticism from rival candidates and outside groups, he also delighted in overcoming the attacks. ‘‘Every single person who has attacked me has gone down,’’ Trump said at one of his Florida resorts. He was flanked by tables packed with his retail products, including steaks, bottled water and wine, and defended his business record more thoroughly than he outlined his policy proposals for the country. Sanders, meanwhile, said Michigan signaled ‘‘that we are a national campaign.’’ ‘‘We already have won in the Midwest, New England and the Great Plains and as more people get to know more about who we are and what our views are we’re going to do very well,’’ the Vermont senator said in a statement. While a handful of recent losses to Cruz have raised questions about Trump’s durability, Tuesday’s contests marked another lost opportunity for rivals desperate to stop his march to the nomination. Next week’s winnertake-all contests in Ohio and Florida loom large as perhaps the last chance to block him short of a contested convention fight. Ohio Gov. John Kasich finished third in Michigan, behind Trump and Cruz. It wasn’t the boost he was looking for heading into next week’s crucial contest in his home state. Lawmakers vote to hike cap on medical malpractice INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Senate unanimously approved a measure Tuesday that would increase the state’s compensation cap for medical malpractice victims for the first time in nearly 18 years. After passing the GOPcontrolled chamber, the bill now goes to Gov. Mike Pence. The cap would increase from the current $1.25 million limit to $1.65 million next year and then to $1.8 million in 2019. Sen. Brent Steele, a Bedford Republican who wrote the proposal, said he aimed to find a compromise between medical associations who are worried about ballooning malpractice liability insurance costs and lawyers who represent patients injured or killed because of medical mistakes. Steele struggled to balance the compromise after his original bill failed due to objections from doctor groups including the Indiana State Medical Association. The measure was revived after a House bill was wiped and repurposed for the revamped cap increase. ‘‘All parties that I called ... were all in agreement,’’ Steele said ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Steele had previously argued for keeping the Blotter Two individuals were arrested by local law enforcement officers Tuesday and were booked into the Adams County jail. Melodie D. Gall, 57, Decatur, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies on a charge of theft. She was released on her own recognizance. Caleb D. Holtrey, 24, Berne, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies on charges of being a habitual traffic violator and possession of a fictitious, suspended or altered driver’s license. Bond was set at $350 cash and $4,500 surety. cap consistent with inflation, otherwise it may be subject to constitutional challenges for lagging behind. The original version had a long-term incremental increase, but it ended up getting tossed out as a compromise with medical associations. ‘‘I hope someone, once Sen. Steele is gone, in the majority will champion looking at this again and doing something in the future,’’ said Sen. Greg Taylor, an Indianapolis Democrat. The measure was passed in the waning days of the legislative session, which is scheduled to end Thursday, as lawmakers continue to haggle over a roads funding plan, as well as $42 million in funding Pence’s wants for his Regional Cities economic development efforts. The GOP controlled House sought a tax increase to pay for roads, but Pence and Senate Republicans objected. From Page 1 truancy and wellness policy. The board also held the first readings for policies detailing the withdrawal from school and the classified employee handbook. Dakota Hart was approved for hire as a volunteer high school boys and girls track coach and Katie Hindall was approved as a junior varsity assistant softball coach. Superintendent Dr. Lori Stiglitz said the school is working on a new preschool class and told the board she hopes to have something written about it by the end of the month. She said that everything is moving well with the new class. The superintendent also noted the ISTEP proficiency test process has been problematic because there have already been challenges getting materials to AC. Those materials were flown in at 11 p.m. Monday, with those in charge of the tests waiting for them, Stiglitz said. “We would like to try and respectfully decline the ‘pilot’ program, which will not give the school any feedback. Adam Miller (board attorney) is asking to see if this is possible. We would like to see if we can shield our kids from doing more testing.” Stiglitz pointed out several times during her report that the teachers and aides have done a “fantastic job” during the ISTEP testing process. George Martin, ‘the 5th Beatle,’ dies at age 90 Associated Press The Beatles were a miracle not only of talent, but of chemistry. No producer was better suited for them than the resourceful and open-minded Sir George Martin, who dedicated himself to serving their vision instead of imposing his own. And no act Martin worked with before or after approached the Beatles’ historic power. Martin, the elegant Londoner behind the band’s swift transformation from rowdy club act to musical and cultural revolutionaries, was remembered Wednesday with tributes to his rarely unerring taste, his musicianship and his contribution to developing the technology of pop music. ‘‘If anyone earned the title of the fifth Beatle it was George,’’ Paul McCartney said Wednesday following the announcement of Martin’s death at age 90. Call me today! KAREN BARGER Managing Broker Cellular 260-517-8064 Email [email protected] www.bargerrealty.com RN - ICU .75 FTE (60 hrs/pp) 6:45 p - 6:45 a E / 3rd / Weekend / Holiday Rotation Competitive Salary & Benefits Included www.DrugFreeAdamsCounty.org Apply online at www.adamshospital.org under Employment Opportunities Page 4A • Wednesday, March 9, 2016 O pinion Decatur Daily Democrat The Democrats’ Archie Bunker The Decatur Daily Democrat Ron Storey, Publisher J Swygart, Opinion Page Editor Who knew? Who knows? BY BOB FRANKEN On the one hand, this campaign makes life really easy for us pundits. We don’t have to be very creative or entertaining. There’s no way anyone could imagine a campaign as bizarre as this one. For those in newsbiz, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. But this is a mixed blessing. Analysts are supposed to, uh, analyze. In doing so, we’re endeavoring to provide perspective on what has happened and to offer insight into what can be expected. In our industry, we’re doomed when we admit “I don’t know.” Tragically, none of us has any earthly idea how the campaign will turn out — or, to put it another way, whether there is any chance that Donald Trump actually could be elected president of the United States. Who knew that Doomed if I know. I don’t. We don’t. Trump would Remember that we are the ones who, just a year ago, were doing rise from the our blah blah about a blah batsewer and give tle between the Bush and Clinton Who knew that Trump new meaning dynasties. would rise from the sewer and give new meaning to “gutter politics”? to “gutter” a lesser degree, we had no idea politics? To a To that a Bernie Sanders would come lesser degree, along and give Hillary Clinton fits. In the Sanders case, it’s more we had no like she’s handing him the opporidea that a tunity. Even with the potential of Bernie Sanders a place in history, she has been a vapid candidate whose promises would come to rein in gross economic abuse along and give are suspect since she’s so cozy the superrich abusers. Worse, Hillary Clinton with she’s encumbered by a perception fits. that she’s dishonest. Even so, the Bernie Sanders insurgency seems to be losing urgency. Clinton and the Democratic establishment are continuing their slog toward the nomination. Trump, on the other hand, has been like an earthquake turning the Republican infrastructure into rubble, causing the establishment figures to run panicking into the streets, as he threatens their cushy order. He’s already dispatched Jeb Bush (remember him?), now sulking in Florida. He’s turned Chris Christie from ferocious bulldog to his personal lap dog. Who knew that after years of creating a political climate of intolerance, they’d spawn a Frankenstein (no relation) monster that they couldn’t control? They can’t. Trump’s rabid followers don’t need any dog whistles. They adore the man who expresses the unfiltered anger, make that hatred, that they’ve kept bottled up until now, when he has given them full permission to spew their resentments and bigotry. Establishment Republicans have no idea where to turn and how to operate. They’re so desperate that instead of the usual back-stabbing, they’re frontstabbing, being very honest about their plans to deny Trump the nomination. But, to their horror, they’re discovering they don’t have many weapons. They sent out Mitt Romney to denounce Trump as a “fraud” and worse, a terrible businessman (gasp!). That did little beyond showing again why Mitt lost the last election. They don’t know what to do; we don’t know what to think. There’s even talk that the party poobahs will bring Ted Cruz into the fold. Now, that would be misery for them, since they consider Cruz to be a snake. But at the moment, he seems to be slithering his way past Marco Rubio and may be their only hope of thwarting that giant reptile Trumpannasaurus Rex. One can only imagine the debates. Would they be as entertaining as the Republican freak show? If it’s Hillary versus Cruz, viewers wouldn’t know which one to believe, given her credibility issues and the fact that he’s sometimes called “Lyin’ Ted.” But let’s be honest: The ratings for a confrontation between Clinton and Trump would be mind-boggling. All he’d have to do is be polite with her and he could actually win by not losing. It’s not at all certain he can do this, but if he could, then yes, Trump could be elected. Who knows? DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT VOL. CXIV, NO. 57, Wed., March 9, 2016 The Decatur Daily Democrat (USPS 150-780) is published daily except Sundays, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Christmas Day by: HORIZON PUBLISHING CO. OF INDIANA, 141. S. Second St., Decatur, IN 46733. Periodicals postage paid at Decatur, IN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Decatur Daily Democrat,141 S. 2nd St., Decatur, IN 46733. BY RICH LOWRY It was the “excuse me” that echoed around Democratic politics. In their intense Flint, Mich., debate, Bernie Sanders pointedly said to Hillary Clinton in the heat of one exchange, “Excuse me, I’m talking.” Sanders has an $18 trillion unicorns-dancing-on-rainbows spending program and a paranoiac’s view of Wall Street, but nothing is quite as disqualifying for the feminist left as his alleged “condescension” in this moment and a couple of others (in two other instances, he asked if he could finish, please). As far as decorum goes, the Clinton-Sanders spat was like a dispute over what dinner fork to use at a four-course meal at the Four Seasons compared with the food fights during the Republican forums. It takes a primatologist to try to unravel the dynamics at a GOP debate, whereas the Democratic debates are being scored by the kind of people who worry about microaggressions and need ready access to safe spaces. The debate flap demonstrates, once again, how feminism is caught between its dual insistence that women are indistinguishable from men and at the same time are due special consideration because they are uniquely vulnerable to slights, intended or unintended. No one should have to worry about Hillary Clinton on this score. She isn’t a college sophomore making her first nervous presentation before a public-speaking class. She has been in public life since 1978, and on the national stage since 1991. She was a highly engaged first lady, a senator from New York, the secretary of state and, twice, a presidential candidate. She debated Barack Obama 26 times in 2008. She has weathered more public controversies than any politician in America — with the exception only of Donald Trump — and endured countless congressional hearings. Yet her allies think she can’t bear a couple of sharp words from Bernie Sanders? It’s not just that they think it’s out of bounds to interrupt her; they think she can’t handle someone trying to stop her from interrupting — and while she’s distorting his record. During the exchange in question, Hillary was misleadingly accusing Sanders of opposing the auto bailout. She used Jesuitical wording to make it sound as though his vote against the TARP Wall Street bailout meant he didn’t want to extend federal aid to Detroit. It was when Sanders replied to this attack that Clinton tried to break in, and Sanders issued forth with his “excuse me.” Bernie Sanders isn’t exactly a threatening figure. The 74-yearold socialist can fairly be accused of an excess of charming irascibility, but he’s about as malicious as a Peter, Paul and Mary song. His problem is that he doesn’t do identity politics well, or at least not exquisitely enough to meet the standards of the contemporary left. So he’s stepped into a couple of (ridiculous) charges of sexism, and he’s constantly being accused of insufficient racial awareness. At the Flint debate, Sanders said whites don’t know what it’s like to live in the ghetto, which he surely thought was innocuous enough, but opened him up to charges of tone-deafness — he had used the dated word “ghetto” and supposedly implied that only blacks are poor. Tsk-tsk. It’s not easy being an old-fashioned, class-obsessed leftwinger in today’s Democratic Party. A general election won’t have the same hothouse left-wing atmosphere of the Democratic primary, but Hillary’s potential Republican rivals should nonetheless take note. Taking on Hillary will require some finesse because most people feel, simply as a matter of good manners, that women should be afforded more courtesy. We may have jettisoned almost every standard of personal conduct, but this ember of gentlemanly expectation still lives on. Bludgeoning Hillary into submission, the Trump method of debate, won’t work. Ted Cruz, whose lawyerly arguments easily slip into genuine condescension, would have to calibrate accordingly. If a socialist grandfather can be made out to be Archie Bunker, imagine what awaits a Republican. Rich Lowry is a nationally-syndicated columnist. We still have a long way to go, ladies By Vi Simpson As our nation kicks off Women’s History Month, Indiana made history of a different kind. The third woman to hold the position of lieutenant governor stepped down. A man, who is lockstep with Gov. Mike Pence on his ideological world view, takes her place. Somehow, I don’t think this transition will be highlighted in our state’s coming bicentennial celebrations. Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann brought a diverse background in manufacturing, academics and consulting to state government, where she also served in the General Assembly. She continued the good work of former Lt. Govs. Kathy Davis and Becky Skillman in revitalizing Indiana communities, and was a strong surrogate for Gov. Pence. While she and I have had our political differences, I respect the work she has done while in office. There has been much speculation as to why Lt. Gov. Ellspermann decided to leave Gov. Pence’s administration before the end of her term. Regardless of the reason, Gov. Pence’s decision to replace the able and accomplished Sue Ellspermann with Eric Holcomb speaks volumes about what he values in the person who is literally a heartbeat away from the governor’s office. Eric Holcomb has a well-deserved reputation in my part of the state for running divisive campaigns. And following Richard Mourdock’s infamous remarks that pregnancy caused by rape was “something that God intended,” Holcomb said that he thought Mourdock’s position “covered it,” and that fundraising efforts for Mourdock would continue “full steam ahead.” Today, he is standing firm with Gov. Pence on his support of the economically disastrous Religious Freedom Restoration Act. I am not surprised by Holcomb’s selection because his positions seem to be in line with Gov. Pence’s stands on issues affecting women and families. Gov. Pence has opposed funding for women’s health care and contraceptives while in Washington, D.C., and Indiana. In Congress, he voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act twice, and against the Paycheck Fairness Act of 2009. How can women in Indiana get ahead if the message from the top is that their work doesn’t hold the same financial value as that of their male counterparts? The gap between what men and women are paid is wider in Indiana than in 41 other states. Single mothers also face an uphill climb in providing their children with financial stability. Consider this: Seven in 10 children who live with a single mother are low income or live in poverty, compared with fewer than a third of children who live in other types of families. Women’s History Month and our state’s bicentennial offer us the collective opportunity to learn from our past and apply those lessons to our future. What lesson we can learn from Lt. Gov. Ellspermann’s early departure is clear. We still have a great deal of work ahead to move women forward in our state, and we need positive leadership at the Statehouse, not obstructionism, to achieve our goals. Vi Simpson is a former Democratic member of the Indiana Senate, representing the 40th District from 1984 to 2013. Security should top schools’ wish list People of a certain age can relate to the safety lessons taught in schools decades ago. It was much more common then to hear a bell in a school hall and a voice over an intercom directing students outside for a fire drill. Or maybe teachers herded small children to the basement during a tornado drill. Today, it is more likely teachers and students are schooled in ways to protect themselves against another danger, perhaps one involving a gun or even worse. So families with students in the South Bend Community School Corp. should be encouraged that school board members are considering measures to increase security through- out the school system. During a meeting of the school board’s safety committee, board President Jay Caponigro said the schools would like to subscribe to an electronic visitor management system that would check in and out, screen and track guests to its schools with the swipe of an identification card. The initial cost of setting up the system would be about $75,000 and the system would notify a school’s administration or security if a person enters a building who shouldn’t. But before the school system could do that it would have to spend about $2.4 million to reconfigure the entrances of 31 out of 35 school buildings to funnel visitors to an office March 9, 2016 Today is the 69th day of 2016 and the 79th day of winter. TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1847, the first large-scale amphibious assault in U.S. history was launched in the Mexican seaport of Veracruz. area or security kiosk. The school system should be credited with addressing security issues when they arise. When some video cameras were discovered not working at Clay High School, the district put a new, high-tech video surveillance system in place. The district would like to have the same system at the other high schools, but the cost is prohibitive. Simply scanning the Internet provides a lengthy list of violent incidents at schools across the country. It is not a recent problem. School and campus violence can be traced back decades. It’s certain that those families touched by mass shootings in the past never imagined it would In 1945, 334 B-29 bombers began Operation Meetinghouse, a firebombing campaign of the city of Tokyo that was the deadliest air raid of World War II. In 1959, Mattel introduced the Barbie doll at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. In 2004, a Virginia court sen- happen to their children either. Improvements to school security shouldn’t be delayed until an incident happens here. The school board is right to want to improve security at all its schools. The problem lies in finding the money to pay for improvements when other priorities need to be addressed as well, such as improving athletic facilities, upgrading technology and addressing maintenance needs of aging buildings. It will be up to the administration, the school board and the public to set the priorities for the future, but safety and security should be at the top of that list. South Bend Tribune tenced the Washington, D.C.area “Beltway Sniper” John Allen Muhammad to death. TODAY’S QUOTE: “If you’re a singer you lose your voice. A baseball player loses his arm. A writer gets more knowledge, and if he’s good, the older he gets, the better he writes.” — Mickey Spillane C ommunity Decatur Daily Democrat Birthday celebration for Dr. Seuss Upcoming recently held a Zion Lutheran School benefits Jeff Secaur BINDING BOWS — Preschool students at Zion Lutheran School recently played “Pin the Bow on the Cat” in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Shown preparing for his attempt is 3-year-old Jamison Scheumann. Photo provided Poetry contest deadline April 1 One of the most celebrated poets in the history of Indiana, James Whitcomb Riley, has been honored as one of America’s most important folk poets and the embodiment of the classical poetic style of simplicity, clarity and poignancy. According to a press release, the Zycon Corporation is sponsoring a Poetry Invitational for Indiana poets commemorating the centennial of his death. The rules are: • Only one poem submission will be considered from a participating poet; • The poet must reside in the State of Indiana; • The poem must not be more than 20 lines in length and must be typewritten; • The poet’s name and mailing address must appear on the single page with the poem itself; • Author must retain a copy of the poem; • Entry deadline is April 1, 2016. Information about this contest and where to send poetry submissions is available at the Berne Public Library. For more information, visit the adult department circulation desk or call 5892809. BORN LEARNING — Nancy Manuel, from the Purdue Extension office, recently spoke to the Decatur Optimist Club about the "Born Learning Trail," which is part of a national campaign by United Way. The local trail is located on the portion of the 4-mile River Greenway trail that circles the hospital. It has 10 interactive signs and learning activities to get children and adults interacting to promote language, literacy and motor skills needed for kindergarten. Pictured with Manuel is program chair, Bill Borne. Photo provided Sense & Sensitivity A benefit for Jeff Secaur will be from 12-8 p.m. Sunday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1703 High Street, Decatur. There will be a free will donation for dinner; live music from Cass Blue, Drunken Uncles, Loud Mouth Soup, Full Speed Reverse, Kill the Rabbit and Kenny Taylor. There will also be performances by Razz M' Jazz dance studios. There will be raffles, a bake sale, as well as a Chinese and silent auction. Any donations for the raffles and auctions are welcome and arrangements may be made by calling Lei Lonnee Taylor at 4940335 or Nan Colchin at 402-0476. Financial donations are also welcome. Soup and Sandwich Zion Evangelical Lutheran ChurchFriedheim will hold its annual soup and sandwich dinner from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School, 11565 North US Highway 27, Decatur. There will be turkey noodle, vegetable and ham and bean soup; roast beef, sloppy joe, coney and hotdog sandwiches; a variety of salads, desserts and drinks; and a craft and bake sale. Carry-out will be available. Free will donations will be taken and all proceeds will go to the building and expansion fund. Wednesday, March 9, 2016 • Page 5A March Community Calendar WEDNESDAY, March 9: Immanuel House, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 8545N C.R. 500E, Decatur. Operation Help food pantry for Decatur and Monroe residents, 1-4 p.m., Adams County Service Complex. Bring your own box or cloth bags. Free meal, 5-6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 6th Street entrance. Adult Children of Alcoholics, a 12-step support program for those raised in alcoholic families, 7 p.m., The Bridge Community Church, 403 Winchester Road. Women of the Moose officers meeting, 7 p.m., Moose home. THURSDAY, March 10: Rotary Club, noon, Back 40 restaurant. Monroe United Methodist Church Farmer's Wagon, 1 p.m., line is to form no earlier than noon. Senior citizens play cards, 1 p.m., Riverside Center. Zumba, Southeast Elementary School, 4-5 p.m. TOPS Club weigh-in, 5:30 p.m.; meeting 6:15 p.m., Woodcrest Activity Building. Weight Watchers, 6 p.m., weigh-in; 6:30 p.m. meeting, Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur Room. Sober Beginnings, 6:30-8 p.m., Adams Memorial Hospital Berne Room. Divorce Care4Kids, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Decatur Church of God. A.A. (open) Big Book meeting, 7 p.m., First Church of the Nazarene, Berne. Yoga for Stretching and Strength, Hope United Methodist Church, 6608 Hoagland Rd., Hoagland, 7 p.m. Harvest House, 11 a.m., Galley Restaurant, please bring a prize for bingo. NAMI Connection, 7 p.m., Park Center. FRIDAY, March 11: Immanuel House, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 8545N C.R. 500E, Decatur. A.A. Happy Hour Discussion Group (closed), 5-6 p.m., Decatur Church of God. Reformers Unanimous Addiction Recovery Program, 7-9 p.m., Grace Fellowship Church. SATURDAY, March 12: A.A., 7 p.m., (open speaker/discussion) Cross Community Church, Berne. Clothes Closet, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Damascus Road Church. MONDAY, March 14: Clothes Closet, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Damascus Road Church. A.A. Big Book discussion, 7 p.m., Decatur Church of God. Decatur Church of Christ Food Pantry, 8-10 a.m., for residents with last names beginning with M-Z. VFW Post 6236 women's meeting, 6:15 p.m. CAPS support group, 6:30 p.m., C & C Bible Fellowship, Berne. Public Auction Thursday, March 10th @ 6 pm (From 224/27, Go west from Walgreens on Monroe St., Go 1.25 mile to auction site.) By HARRIETTE COLE Student Wonders if She’s Grown Up Too Quickly DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a remote intern for a company based on the West Coast. I am in college on the East Coast, and I feel so lucky to have this opportunity. I have worked and interned all throughout high school and college. As I am heading into my final semesters in college, I am realizing I feel like I have missed out on the “college experience.” On a typical weekend, I’ll be flown out to a conference or exhausted from my work and school week. It seems like all my fellow students will be out in a fraternity house somewhere, drinking beer and being carefree. I used to feel like I was paving a pathway to success for myself by starting to work on my career so early, but now I just feel like I became an adult too quickly. I still have some time at school and am not sure how to use it. Should I quit all of my professional responsibilities and let loose for a year? I used to feel confident in my life’s path, but I realize I threw fun and youth to the side. -- Workhorse, Syracuse, New York DEAR WORKHORSE: Sounds like you are experiencing burnout. Maybe what you need is a breather. That may look like a vacation during spring break where you go and have fun with your friends or take off from your various job responsibilities. This does not mean that you should quit your jobs and throw caution to the wind. The working world is highly competitive, and you are doing a smart thing to get a leg up in anticipation of graduation. Hanging out, drinking beer and being carefree is overrated. Many young people get caught up in bad situations from those conditions. You are doing all right -- even better, actually! DEAR HARRIETTE: I have always been taught to bring offerings to a home when I am invited for a dinner or housewarming party. I feel like I have done my part in being polite by bringing flowers or household knickknacks. How long do these niceties have to last? I have been bringing flowers or dessert to the house of one of my friends for over a year! -Expiration on Niceties, Denver DEAR EXPIRATION ON NICETIES: I invite you to change your thinking. It’s not so much a requirement that you always bring a gift, but it is thoughtful. Each time you visit, doesn’t your friend offer you food, drink and a lovely environment in which to spend time together? Your offering is an expression of gratitude for your friend’s generosity. That said, you do not have to bring something every single time in the same way. You may want to step in a little closer as a friend and ask in advance if she needs anything. Find out what would be helpful for you to bring. That way, you aren’t stuck trying to dream something up. And if your friend tells you not to bring anything, you can accept that and just come -- at least sometimes. Send news items to [email protected]. 1226 W 550 N • Decatur, IN 46733 Check Out This All Brick Ranch Home With A Partially Finished Basement, Nearly 2600± Sq. Ft Of Living Space, Living Room And Family Room With Dual Fireplaces, Amazing 20 X 24 Sunroom Addition, Large Deck Overlooking The In Ground Pool...Great For Entertaining, Gazebo, 18 X 42 Out Building, All This Sitting On A Gorgeous 1.22 Acre Lot With Lots Of Beautiful Mature Trees!!! Terms and Conditions: $10,000 nonrefundable down payment due at close of auction w/balance due upon delivery of deed and title policy. Seller will pay taxes due in May 2016. Buyer assumes taxes due & payable in November 2016 and thereafter. Auctioneers Note: Any statements made day of auction takes precedence over any written or oral statements. Not Responsible for Accidents Joan L. Hiemstra Estate Janet C. Bebout, Per. Rep Tom Hardin, Attorney (260) 724-7402 1030 S. 13th St., Decatur, IN Call us at 260-724-7402 or 1-877-591-8756 www.kjauction.com Josh Krueckeberg (AU19800008) Licensed & Bonded Indiana/Ohio Decatur Daily Democrat Page 6A • Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Federal judge sides with D.C. in lawsuit over gun law WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge sided Monday with the District of Columbia in an ongoing dispute over the city’s strict gun law, agreeing that the city can continue to enforce it while a lawsuit proceeds. Judge Colleen KollarKotelly denied a motion by opponents for a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of portions of the law. Opponents immediately said in a court filing that they are appealing the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Opponents of the law include city residents and the Bellevue, Wa s h i n g t o n - b a s e d Second Amendment Foundation. They object to portions of the law that require a person who wants to carry a concealed handgun outside their home to show he or she has a ‘‘good reason to fear injury to his or her person or property’’ or another ‘‘proper reason’’ for carrying the weapon. Reasons might include a personal threat, or a job that requires a person to carry or protect cash or valuables. Kollar -Kotelly said in her 31-page ruling that opponents had not shown that their lawsuit was likely to be successful, leading her to deny the request for a preliminary injunction. She also noted that appeals courts in other parts of the country had approved of laws in New York, New Jersey and Maryland that are similar to the District of Columbia’s. Kollar-Kotelly’s ruling follows a lengthy legal back-and-forth in the case already. Opponents were initially granted Fed vice chair hints at rate hikes WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said Monday that inflation in the U.S. may be starting to tick up from too-low levels, a key condition for further interest rate hikes. ‘‘We may well at present be seeing the first stirrings of an increase in the inflation rate — something that we would like to happen,’’ he said in a speech in Washington. However, another Fed official, Lael Brainard, expressed uncertainty about whether an improving job market would be enough to bolster inflation, given persistently low oil prices and a strong dollar. Inflation has ‘‘persistently underperformed’’ relative to the Fed’s target of annual price gains of 2 percent, she said in a separate speech Monday. The two Fed officials’ views underscore how the Fed is wrestling with a prolonged period of muted price gains and its timetable for rate hikes. In December, the Fed raised its key rate from record lows. Policymakers did not raise rates at its January meeting, and officials are expected to leave rates unchanged when they meet again on March 15-16. Many analysts don’t expect another rate hike until June at the earliest. During a question and answer session, Fischer noted that prices were being dragged by tumbling energy prices and a strong dollar, which reduces the cost of imports. But he expects those factors to fade soon, enabling inflation to advance toward the Fed’s target. ‘‘I think when the dollar stabilizes and oil stabilizes, we will see inflation going very close to 2 percent,’’ Fischer said in his appearance to receive a lifetime achievement award from the National Association for Business Economics. Fischer was also asked about the possibility that a weak U.S. economy might force the Fed to reverse course or even introduce negative interest rates, like central banks have done in Europe and Japan. He said the Fed was studying negative interest rates, but he doubts that it would decide to use them. ‘‘We would prefer not to go there,’’ Fischer said. ‘‘We don’t see any immediate need for that, but we are certainly watching the situation.’’ Inflation by the Fed’s preferred measure has been running below target for more than four years. It had risen just 0.7 percent over the 12 months ending in December. In January however, this measure of inflation jumped, rising 1.3 percent over the past 12 months. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 1.7 percent. The Fed has pegged 2 percent as a target for inflation because it believes that price gains at this level are low enough to promote price stability — one of its dual mandates. A target below that level risks pushing the country into a period of deflation, or falling prices, if there is an unexpected shock to growth. a preliminary injunction by another judge in May 2015. That ruling was appealed, and the appeals court ruled late last year that the judge didn’t have the authority to decide the case. END OF WINTER Kollar-Kotelly was then assigned to the case. Alan Gottlieb, the founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, said in a telephone interview that the ruling was what they had expected from Kollar-Kotelly but that he appreciated that she made a quick ruling so that it could be appealed. Gottlieb said opponents look forward to ultimately winning their case. MON.-WED.-FRI. 9:00-8:00 TUE.-THUR.-SAT. 9:00-5:00 SALE 4 Huge Floors—Save up to 50%! RECLINING SOFAS From $599 SYMBOL® MATTRESS LA-Z-BOY® RECLINING CHAIRS From $349 From TWIN SIZE Pc. $99 Ea. in sets “Solid Oak” GLIDER From ROCKERS $279 Francis FURNITURE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! *See store for details. the risk of benzos overdose SUSTAINED AEROBICS CAN MAKE YOU SMARTER By Michael Roizen, M.D., And Mehmet Oz, M.D. When the Rolling Stones sang “Mother’s Little Helper,” they were talking about a drug called Miltown that was marketed aggressively to stressed-out women: “If you take more of those, you will get an overdose/no more running for the shelter of mother’s little helper.” It became available in 1954, and by 1956, 36 million prescriptions had been written for it. Then came the next generation of anti-anxiety meds. Librium, in the 1960s, became the first billion-dollar drug; next came benzos, or benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium and Klonopin. By 2008 more than 112 million prescriptions were written for benzos annually. According to a study in JAMA Psychiatry, about 1 in 20 adults ages 1880 had a prescription that year. The popularity of benzos prescriptions has ushered in an increase in the number of benzo-related overdoses. In 2013, they accounted for 31 percent of deaths from prescription-drug overdoses in the U.S. According to the lead author of a study in the American Journal of Public Health, “overdoses involving benzodiazepines ... have increased more than five-fold since 1996 -- a public-health problem that has gone under the radar.” That’s why we want to alert folks who are taking benzos (with or without a legit prescription) that they can be dangerous. Addicted or habituated? Reach out to a local medical treatment program, 12-step group or friends and family for help. Taking them for medical reasons? Work with your doctors to keep tabs on how much you’re taking and how long you stay on them. VO2 Max may sound like a new series on SyFy, but it stands for maximum rate of oxygen consumption during exercise and is a measure of aerobic fitness. Cyclist Oskar Svendsen, as an 18-year-old in Lillehammer, Norway, is said to have measured 97.5 -- one of the highest VO2 Max scores ever recorded. U.S. Olympic marathoner Joan Benoit only hit 78.6! But if a new lab study from University of Michigan and the Academy of Finland is right, these folks are more than super-muscular athletes, they’re superbrainiacs too. It seems that sustained aerobic exercise, as opposed to short bursts of intense aerobics or resistance training, stimulates growth of new neurons in the brain. And that means there’s more ability to learn and navigate spatially complex environments. So if you’re for more energy and more brain power, here’s how to get started. 1. Exercise choices: Basic aerobic activities include swimming, cycling and walking. Up the intensity, as Dr. Mike does, by hitting 70 to 85 percent of your max age-adjusted heart rate during 48 minutes of aerobics, three times a week and doing 240 jump-rope jumps daily. 2. Exercise frequency: It’s OK to do basic aerobics daily -- unless you have reoccurring joint pain (or are training for an endurance event). Then work with a physical therapist to develop routines that are less inflammatory. 3. Exercise intensity: To begin, do aerobic activity at a level that allows you to carry on a conversation. This “talk test” helps you determine if a particular activity is too strenuous for you. OBESITY, DIABETES AND AUTISM LINK Sarah Jessica Parker did it. So did Gwyneth Paltrow. Pregnancy inspired them to get healthier. In a nutshell (make it walnuts!), they focused on regimens like the Mediterranean diet -- whole grains, no processed foods (fish and lean meats for Ms. Parker; Ms. Paltrow is a strict vegan), low-carb veggies and lots of fruit. And they got 10,000 steps a day. (For aerobic workouts and swimming, one minute equals 100 steps; gardening equals 60 steps a minute. For more equivalents, see Dr. Mike’s book, “This Is Your DoOver.”) Clearly, they know how important it is for moms-to-be to be healthy in order to have healthy kids. Recently, researchers from Johns Hopkins came to the same conclusion. They found that the offspring of mothers who were obese and had diabetes before they conceived or developed gestational diabetes were four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder than children of normalweight, diabetes-free moms. Finally, one reasonable theory about why this developmental handicap is so widespread today! Here are the facts: --Cases of autism among U.S. kids have increased from 1 in 150 in 2000 to 1 in 68 in 2010. That’s up 119.4 percent! --In 1983, 24 percent of newly pregnant women were overweight or obese. In 2015, it was 45 percent -- almost a 100 percent increase. --From 1987 to 2007 the incidence of gestational diabetes increased 100 percent. Now this doesn’t mean thin, nondiabetic women can’t have offspring with this condition, it just means obesity and diabetes increase the risk four fold. HOW EMPLOYERS CAN ENCOURAGE BETTER HEALTH HABITS Recently the body mass index has come under more criticism than Seattle coach Pete Carroll’s call to throw the ball in the closing minutes of Super Bowl 49. One new study looking at folks in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that, after checking on blood pressure and triglyceride, cholesterol, glucose, insulin resistance and C-reactive protein levels, nearly half of overweight individuals (BMI 25-29) and 29 percent of obese individuals (BMI 30-39) actually were metabolically healthy. And more than 30 percent of those considered healthy (BMI 19-24) were not. The furor over the BMI is heating up because employers will use it -- along with measures such as cholesterol, glucose and tobacco use -- to determine employee health-care contributions if a rule proposed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is adopted. (You weigh more, you pay more.) Now our beef (or should we say lean protein) is not with the suggestion to use the sometimes unreliable BMI (developed in the 1830s!) along with state-of-the-art measures to promote health. In our experience, the best way to help employees become healthy is to support them with company-based wellness initiatives that offer free programs and incentives for sustained improvements in health markers (you weigh less and you get your metabolic state in order, you pay less). To help folks get healthier, you need to create an environment in which everyone of every size can feel good about taking steps -- that’s 10,000 a day -toward better health. FUEL FOR THE GOOD GUT: GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES When future basketball Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton was winning NBA championships for the Portland Trail Blazers and others, he was the bestknown vegetarian in sports. A 1974 Time magazine article dubbed him “Basketball’s Vegetarian Tiger.” But folks wondered how he had such stamina without eating meat. He answered critics saying the vegetarian diet made him stronger. A recent study 40some years later bolsters his claim. Researchers from Australia and the U.K. have found that green leafy vegetables provide an obscure sugar molecule that your good gut bacteria need to thrive. And when they’re happy, you’re happy -- and you have plenty of energy and good health. In your gut, there’s an enzyme that breaks down and munches on this super sugar, called sulfoquinovose. When that’s for dinner, your good gut bacteria have a feast. They then get fruitful and multiply, elbowing out bad bacteria that can lead to weight gain and bodywide inflammation, and scoring big points for the home team. A healthy gut biome (that’s those trillions of bacteria in your digestive system) is crucial to your overall wellbeing. So make sure you have a home court advantage and dig into lots of green vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, kale, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, peas, arugula and Brussels sprouts. Block any shots thrown up by the Five Food Felons: all trans and most saturated fats, added sugars and syrups, and any grain that isn’t 100 percent whole. Then your better health and a younger RealAge will be a slam dunk! Decatur counseling services Specializing in Foot Care - Jetted Whirlpool - Let Jerri show you how good healthy feet can feel. Call today! • Men and Women of all ages • Jetted Whirlpool foot bath while you relax in the massage chair • Help with restricted movement • Softens skin and exfoliates • Calluses softened • Assist with range of motion • Toenail clipping and filing • Moisturizing lotion applied Lehman hair Care, LLC Jerri Lehman Licensed Barber, Owner 303 W. Market St. • Bluffton, IN Styling Salon (260) 824-2083 Barber Shop (260) 824-2434 We are DeDicateD to helping you. 724-9669 809 High St. • Decatur, IN www.parkcenter.org Decatur Daily Democrat SUDOKU ® by American Profile SUDOKU ® Answers for previous day Wednesday, March 9, 2016 • Page 9A Astro-Graph Size up what you want to accomplish this year and set your priorities accordingly. Your intent should be to reach your goal, not to try and please everyone. Once you are satisfied with your accomplishments, you will be in a better position to offer assistance to others. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Refuse to be pushed by someone bullying you. Sharing personal secrets will lead to a nasty rumor that will put you in a precarious position. Listen instead of talking. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Protect what you’ve worked so hard to acquire. Don’t lend money or possessions. Take control by knowing what you want and strategically negotiating on your behalf. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Sharing your knowledge will lead to a liaison with someone who is exceptionally well informed and connected. A face-to-face meeting is your best option. Romance will lead to a passionate encounter. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Avoid criticism as well as being taken advantage of. Set guidelines and keep the balance in order to get things done and feel good about your position and reputation. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Plan and present what you have to offer with precision and clarity. Don’t expect everyone to agree with you. Gravitate toward those who show interest and want to get involved. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- THE LOCKHORNS ® Accept whatever challenge comes your way and do your best to display strong leadership. Don’t let your ego stand in the way of your progress. Be open to suggestions made and help offered. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Partnerships will need an adjustment. Whether at work or in the home, be willing to meet whomever you are dealing with halfway to ensure that you maintain equality in every relationship. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -Don’t worry about what everyone else is up to when you should be taking care of your emotional and physical well-being. Make personal changes that will bring you peace of mind. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Jump into an innovative situation ready to take on whatever challenge comes along. Mental stimulation coupled with creativity and talented people will lead to an interesting prospect. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Stay focused on what’s important. Don’t let situations spin out of control. Contain your emotions and avoid indulgent behavior that could lead to disaster instead of solutions. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Don’t worry so much about what other people are doing. Your goal is to follow through with your plans and to make the changes that will ensure your happiness and success. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Take a new look at an old idea in order to see how you can turn it into a workable project with updates that were not available to you in the past. THE FAMILY CIRCUS ® by Bil Keane by Bunny Hoest and John Reiner Decatur Daily Democrat For All Your Local News www.decaturdailydemocrat.com THE GRIZZWELLS ® by Bill Schorr Beetle Bailey ® Mort Walker BIG NATE ® by Lincoln Peirce BABY BLUES ® by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott FRANK & ERNEST ® by Bob Thaves CRANKSHAFT ® by Tom Batiuk and Chuck Ayers ARLO & JANIS ® by Jimmy Johnson THE BORN LOSER ® by Art and Chip Sansom Blondie ® Dean Young & John Marshall ZITS ® by Jerry Scott and Jim Burgman Decatur Daily Democrat Page 10A • Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Indiana News Briefs Kokomo backs discrimination protections KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) — Officials in Kokomo have given initial approval to making it the latest Indiana city to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. City Council members voted 5-4 Monday night to endorse the ordinance after more than an hour of contentious comments from an audience packing the meeting room. Opponents said they feared the ordinance’s exemptions for religious organizations could be eliminated in the future and that it would allow men claiming to be transgender to enter women’s restrooms. Supporters argued cities with similar ordinances haven’t had such problems and that the protections could help Kokomo attract businesses. The city ordinance could get final council approval next Monday. Carmel, Columbus and Terre Haute are among cities adopting similar protections since last spring’s uproar over Indiana’s religious objections law. Former prison guard accused of sex with inmate sible data breach after a laptop with personal patient information was reported stolen from its Bloomington office. The company announced Monday that the laptop contains the names, addresses, Social Security numbers and other confidential information of more than 200,000 patients. The (Bloomington) Herald Times reports that the laptop went missing Jan. 4 from Premier Healthcare’s billing department. The laptop is password protected, but the information is not encrypted. A news release from the company says there’s no evidence that the information on the laptop was the target of the theft or that the information has been used for fraudulent purposes. Premier Healthcare says it’s working to encrypt all of its computers and is reviewing procedures on how such technology is protected. Health law fines double for many uninsured at tax time WASHINGTON (AP) — Many people who went without health insurance last year are now seeing fines more than double under President Barack Obama’s health care law, tax preparation company H&R Block said Tuesday. Among its customers who owe a penalty for the 2015 tax year, the average fine is $383, compared with $172 for 2014, the company said. Separately, among those who complied with the law and took advantage of its taxpayer-subsidized private health insurance, 6 in 10 are now having to pay back to the IRS some portion of their financial assistance. Those payments also are trending higher this year, averaging $579, compared with $530 last tax season. Although millions of uninsured people have gained coverage through the Affordable Care Act, the update from H&R Block underscores the extent to which the law’s complex provisions remain a challenge for many consumers. Previously, IRS data had pointed to some of the same problems, as well as an additional concern: FRIENDS S AVE $$ GROUPS OF 10 OR M ORE GET A 10% DISCOUNT ! Henry Co. jail inmate’s death under investigation Healthcare firm warns of data breach after theft BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Premier Healthcare is notifying patients of a pos- Ciaramitaro said many people covered under law appear to be having problems correctly estimating their incomes for the year ahead. Lower-income workers who represent a big part of the customer base for health law coverage can have sizable swings in their earnings over the course of 12 months. Underestimating income results in a bigger tax credit up front to help pay your premiums. But at tax time any overpayment has to be repaid — usually subtracted from the consumer’s tax refund. H&R Block said those who owed money back saw about a 20 percent reduction in their federal refunds. Only 3 percent of its customers with health law subsidies saw no impact on their refunds, meaning they correctly estimated their incomes, or called HealthCare. gov to report changes during the year. More than 1 in 3 overestimated their incomes, meaning that received a smaller tax credit than they were entitled to. They got an average of $450 back from the IRS. SPONSORED IN PART BY INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A former guard at the Indiana Women’s Prison is facing charges that he had a sexual relationship with an inmate. Marion County prosecutors say 55-year-old Lamont Williams was arrested Monday. He is charged with two counts of sexual misconduct and one count of official misconduct. Court documents say a female inmate told investigators Williams had sexual contact with her twice in 2014 and 2015 while he was a guard at the prison in Indianapolis. Williams was being held Tuesday at the Marion County Jail on a $15,000 surety bond pending a Wednesday initial hearing. Court records do not list an attorney who could speak on Williams’ behalf. The Indianapolis Star reports the Indiana Department of Correction fired Williams Feb. 1. He had worked for the state agency since 2007. NEW CASTLE, Ind. (AP) — Authorities in east-central Indiana are investigating the death of a New Castle man who died after being held in the Henry County jail. Henry County Prosecutor Joe Bergacs tells The (Muncie) Star Press that the county’s major investigations team is investigating the death of 32-yearold Brian L. Gosser. The Marion County coroner’s office said Gosser died Friday of ‘‘multiple blunt force trauma injuries.’’ Gosser was arrested Feb. 17 on drunken driving charges. Records show emergency workers were called to the county jail for an incident involving Gosser on March 1. The prosecutor says Gosser was ‘‘involved in a fight’’ at the jail. He was taken to the Henry County Hospital on Thursday night and then transferred to an Indianapolis hospital, where he died. many who received subsidies in 2014 failed to file a tax return as required, jeopardizing their future financial aid. H&R Block said it expected to see lots of confusion last year, the first time that consumers had to grapple with the connections between the health law and the income-tax system. It was somewhat of a surprise that such issues don’t seem to have diminished this tax filing season. ‘‘There is still a steep learning curve,’’ said Mark Ciaramitaro, the company’s vice president for taxes and health care. The health care law provides subsidized private health insurance for people who don’t have access to coverage on the job. By using the income tax system to deliver the subsidies as tax credits, the White House and congressional Democrats were able to call the law a middle-class tax cut. But it also connected two of the most complicated areas for consumers: health care and taxes. At tax time, people have to account for the subsidies they received for health care or, if they remained uninsured, pay a fine. SUN. MAR. 20 7:30 Uplifting & Hope Inspiring PM PRESENTED BY SUPPORTING SPONSORS She’s a POWERHOUSE vocalist, a HEART GRIPPING song writer and has a HEART to encourage. TICKETS FROM $20 419-238-6722 NPACVW.ORG NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 10700 SR 118 S . VAN WERT . OH DECATUR DAILY D E M O C R A T Decatur Daily Democrat Wednesday, March 9, 2016 • Page 11A NFL: Peyton and DDD S ports Scoreboard Calvin call it quits ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning got through the weekend thanks to hundreds of texts and calls from men he played against or alongside over his unparalleled 18-year NFL career. He had to crack a few jokes to help fight back the tears at his retirement news conference Monday, when the words didn’t always come as easy as the emotions. His voice cracking, especially when he mentioned his hero, Johnny Unitas, Manning said goodbye to the game he loved in an auditorium packed with friends, family and laughter. Manning, who turns 40 this month, said the timing was simply right to call one last audible one month after winning his second Super Bowl trophy. ‘‘I thought about it a lot, prayed about it a lot ... it was just the right time,’’ Manning said. ‘‘I don’t throw as good as I used to, don’t run as good as I used to, but I have always had good timing.’’ Manning came to Denver on March 20, 2012, for the chance to win another title in the twilight of his career. General manager John Elway had the blueprints. Four years later, he hobbles away a champion, just like his boss did 17 years ago. Manning is going golfing later this week with brothers Cooper and Eli — whose trip to Denver Monday morning was scuttled by a stomach bug. Manning plans to travel to Indianapolis later this month for a lower-key goodbye, nothing like this one, and said he’ll still participate in his family’s annual passing academy this summer. Aside from that, it’s anybody’s guess. Maybe a front office or a broadcast booth beckons. He hasn’t ruled out anything other than this: he and his wife and 5-yearold twins won’t be moving out of Denver. They love it here. ‘‘I’m totally convinced that the end of my football career is just the beginning of something I haven’t even discovered yet,’’ Manning said. ‘‘Life is not shrinking for me; it’s morphing into a whole new world of possibilities.’’ Monday wasn’t a day to ahead but a time to take stock. ‘‘When I look back on my NFL career, I’ll know without a doubt that I gave everything I had to help my teams walk away with a win,’’ Manning said. ‘‘There were other players who were more talented, but there was no one could out-prepare me, and because of that I have no regrets.’’ Elway thanked Manning for coming to Colorado, saying he made his own job easier, noting that with Manning living here, free agents were basically asking Elway ‘‘where do I sign?’’ MEGATRON RETIRES DETROIT (AP) — Calvin Johnson, one the most spectacular receivers in NFL history, retired from the Detroit Lions on Tuesday and rekindled memories of the way superstar running back Barry Sanders quietly stepped away from football. The 30-year -old Johnson called it a career after nine seasons filled with highlight-reel catches, dozens of touchdowns and nearly 12,000 yards receiving. The 6-foot-5 receiver was known as Megatron, a sign of respect for his imposing skills and unusual mixture of speed, power and gracefulness. ‘‘Let me assure you that this was not an easy or hasty decision,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘I, along with those closest to me, have put a lot of time, deliberation and prayer into this decision and I truly am at peace with it.’’ Shortly after Detroit finished last season with a 7-9 mark — their seventh losing season in nine years — Johnson announced he was evaluating his future. He had reportedly told some teammates entering last season that it would be his last and told coach Jim Caldwell afterward that he was retiring. Johnson piled up 731 career receptions for 11,619 yards, a leaguerecord 86.1 yards receiving per game, and 83 touchdowns against defenses often geared to stop him. He reached 10,000 yards (115 games) and 11,000 yards (127 games) yards quicker than anyone in NFL history. Including the postseason, he has another league mark with six 200-yard receiving games. Johnson broke one of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s records with 1,964 yards receiving in 2012. He ranked among league leaders last season with 88 receptions for 1,214 yards and nine TDs, playing through lingering injuries as he often did. ‘‘Not only is he as good as any player I’ve ever seen, but I am convinced that God has not put a finer person on this earth than Calvin Johnson,’’ Caldwell said. The three-time All Pro and six-time Pro Bowl receiver leaves Detroit much as Sanders did. The Hall of Famer slipped away from the Lions shortly before the 1999 season after he had 1,491 yards rushing as a 30-year-old running back the previous year, faxing the announcement to a friend at his hometown newspaper. Like Sanders, the quiet and humble Johnson avoided the spotlight and released a statement of his own. ‘‘While I truly respect the significance of this, those who know me best will understand and not be surprised that I choose not to have a press conference,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘After much prayer, thought and discussion with loved ones, I have made the difficult decision to retire from the Lions and pro football. I have played my last game of football.’’ 2011 JD 9430 NBA STANDINGS By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Toronto 42 20 .677 — Boston 38 26 .594 5 New York 26 39 .400 17 1/2 Brooklyn 18 46 .281 25 Philadelphia 8 55 .127 34 1/2 Southeast Division W L Pct GB Miami 37 26 .587 — Atlanta 36 28 .563 1 1/2 Charlotte 34 28 .548 2 1/2 Washington 30 32 .484 6 1/2 Orlando 27 35 .435 9 1/2 Central Division W L Pct GB Cleveland 44 18 .710 — Indiana 34 30 .531 11 Chicago 32 30 .516 12 Detroit 32 31 .508 12 1/2 Milwaukee 26 38 .406 19 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB x-San Antonio 54 10 .844 — Memphis 38 25 .603 15 1/2 Dallas 33 31 .516 21 Houston 31 32 .492 22 1/2 New Orleans 24 38 .387 29 Northwest Division W L Pct GB — Oklahoma City 43 20 .683 Portland 33 31 .516 10 1/2 Utah 29 34 .460 14 Denver 26 38 .406 17 1/2 Minnesota 20 45 .308 24 Pacific Division W L Pct GB x-Golden State 56 6 .903 — L.A. Clippers 41 21 .661 15 Sacramento 25 37 .403 31 Phoenix 17 46 .270 39 1/2 L.A. Lakers 13 51 .203 44 an Antonio 116, Minnesota 91 S Atlanta 91, Utah 84 Denver 110, New York 94 Washington at Portland, 10 p.m. Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. Wednesday’s Games Memphis at Boston, 7 p.m. Houston at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. New Orleans at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Miami at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. Detroit at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. New York at Phoenix, 9 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. Cleveland at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Utah at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. Thursday’s Games Atlanta at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Chicago at San Antonio, 8 p.m. Phoenix at Denver, 9 p.m. Cleveland at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. National Hockey League x -clinched playoff spot ——— Monday’s Games Memphis 106, Cleveland 103 Indiana 99, San Antonio 91 Charlotte 108, Minnesota 103 Chicago 100, Milwaukee 90 New Orleans 115, Sacramento 112 L.A. Clippers 109, Dallas 90 Golden State 119, Orlando 113 Tuesday’s Games Toronto 104, Brooklyn 99 By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W LOTPtsGF GA Tampa Bay 673923 5 83185160 Boston 683823 7 83208184 Florida 663621 9 81181161 66322311 75167177 Detroit Ottawa 683129 8 70196212 Montreal 673130 6 68183188 Buffalo 682732 9 63162185 Toronto 65213311 53155194 Metropolitan Division GP W LOTPtsGF GA Washington 664913 4102214151 N.Y. Rangers673922 6 84192173 N.Y. Islanders643720 7 81186159 Pittsburgh 663424 8 76180168 Philadelphia 65312311 73167174 Carolina 67302611 71165181 New Jersey 673129 7 69148170 Columbus 672831 8 64178208 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W LOTPtsGF GA Dallas 684020 8 88218196 Chicago 674121 5 87191160 St. Louis 673820 9 85170164 Nashville 6734211280185170 Minnesota 6731261072177169 Colorado 683430 4 72183195 Winnipeg 662734 5 59171198 Pacific Division GP W LOTPtsGF GA Anaheim 653719 9 83165151 Los Angeles 653922 4 82175149 DENVER (AP) — Kenneth Faried had 24 points and 10 rebounds to help the Denver Nuggets beat New York 110-94 on Tuesday night for their eighth straight win over the Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Nikola Jokic scored eight of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets had six players in double figures. Carmelo Anthony finished with 30 points against his former team. He’s now 0-3 when playing at his old stomping grounds since being traded to New York in February 2011. Kristaps Porzingis was limited to six points in his return after missing a game with a bruised left leg. The Knicks were dealt a blow before the game when forward Lance Thomas hurt his left knee in warmups. This wasn’t a good start to their six-game trip, which is their longest since the 2005-06 season. New York cut the deficit to 89-82 with 6:42 left on a layup by Porzingis. But the Knicks could never get any closer. D.J. Augustin all but sealed the win with a fivepoint burst in a 34-second span that extended the lead to 100-87. RAPTORS 104, NETS 99 TORONTO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan had 25 points, Kyle Lowry added 23 points and nine assists, and the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 104-99 on Tuesday night. Brook Lopez had 35 points, one shy of his season high, for the Nets, who lost the season series to the Raptors for the first time since 2009-10. The Raptors rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to get back on track at home after their franchiserecord, 12-game home win streak ended Sunday against Houston. Toronto’s 58-42 halftime hole equaled its biggest of the season, done in a loss at Golden State in November. The Raptors got within two courtesy of a 22-9 run over the final 5:55 of the third quarter and finally jumped in front on Patrick Patterson’s 3-pointer to open the fourth. Three quick 3-pointers from Terrence Ross and Lowry enabled Toronto to turn a two-point deficit into a 10-point lead during a three-minute span. The Nets eventually closed that gap to three points on a couple of occasions down the stretch but could get no closer. San Jose Vancouver Arizona Calgary Edmonton 663723 6 80198174 6525281262157188 662832 6 62175207 662734 5 59178207 692636 7 59167204 OTE: Two points for a win, one N point for overtime loss. Monday’s Games Buffalo 4, Toronto 3, SO Washington 2, Anaheim 1, SO Philadelphia 4, Tampa Bay 2 Boston 5, Florida 4, OT Colorado 3, Arizona 1 San Jose 2, Calgary 1, OT Los Angeles 5, Vancouver 1 Tuesday’s Games Carolina 4, Ottawa 3, SO N.Y. Rangers 4, Buffalo 2 Columbus 5, Detroit 3 N.Y. Islanders 2, Pittsburgh 1 Montreal 4, Dallas 3, OT Boston 1, Tampa Bay 0, OT Nashville 4, Winnipeg 2 San Jose 3, Edmonton 0 Wednesday’s Games N.Y. Islanders at Toronto, 7 p.m. Chicago at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Nashville at Calgary, 9:30 p.m. Anaheim at Colorado, 10 p.m. Arizona at Vancouver, 10 p.m. Washington at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. Thursday’s Games Carolina at Boston, 7 p.m. Buffalo at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Winnipeg at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Ottawa at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Edmonton at Minnesota, 8 p.m. New Jersey at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. Tuesday’s Transactions By The Associated Press BASEBALL American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Agreed to terms with RHPs Parker Bridwell, Odrisamer Despaigne, Oliver Drake, Jason Garcia, Kevin Gausman, Mychal Givens, Chaz Roe, Andrew Triggs, Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright; LHPs Chris Jones, Chris Lee and T.J. Mcfarland; Cs Caleb Joseph and Francisco Pena; INFs Jimmy Paredes, Jonathan Schoop and Christian Walker; and OFs Dariel Alvarez, Joey Rickard and Henry Urrutia on oneyear contracts. CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Assigned INF Mike Olt outright to Charlotte (IL). National League BASKETBALL National Basketball Association PHOENIX SUNS — Signed F Chase Budinger for the remainder of the season and F/C Alan Williams to a 10-day contract. FOOTBALL National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS — Agreed to terms with QB Drew Stanton on a two-year contract. BUFFALO BILLS — Agreed to terms with G Richie Incognito on a three-year contract. CHICAGO BEARS — Signed WR Alshon Jeffery. DENVER BRONCOS — Released TE Owen Daniels, G Louis Vasquez and LS Aaron Brewer. DETROIT LIONS — WR Calvin Johnson announced his retirement. GREEN BAY PACKERS — Resigned G Lane Taylor to a two-year contract. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Waived LB Bjoern Werner. Signed LS Forrest Hill. Agreed to terms with K Adam Vinatieri. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Signed DT Abry Jones and TE Nic Jacobs to one-year contracts. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Resigned LB Audie Cole. Released WR Mike Wallace. Waived OL Austin Wentworth. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Agreed to terms with CB Leodia McKelvin on a two-year contract. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Signed CB William Gay to a threeyear contract. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed LB Ray-Ray Armstrong to a one-year contract extension. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Waived DT Jesse Williams. HOCKEY National Hockey League CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS — Agreed to terms with F Marcus Kruger on a three-year contract extension through 2018-19. NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Recalled F Mike Sislo and D Seth Helgeson from Albany (AHL) on emergency recall. Agreed to terms with F Nick Lappin on a two-year contract. Faried’s 24 aids Nuggets over Knicks, 110-94 SPURS 116, WOLVES 91 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After veering off course in Indiana, Messina steered the Spurs back on to the track in an overwhelming performance against Minnesota. LaMarcus Aldridge had 29 points and seven rebounds to help the Spurs bounce back from a rare loss with a 116-91 victory over the Timberwolves on Tuesday night. Kawhi Leonard scored 15 points and the Spurs (54-10) led by as many as 26 points in a game they played without Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Popovich. David West scored 18 points as the Spurs shot 55.3 percent and only turned the ball over nine times. Andrew Wiggins had 23 points and eight rebounds for the Timberwolves. KarlAnthony Towns had 19 points and nine boards, and Zach LaVine scored 15 points. The Wolves have been playing for some time without Kevin Garnett (leg), Nikola Pekovic (foot) and Nemanja Bjelica (foot), and ran out of gas in their fourth game in five nights. The Spurs haven’t dealt with much losing this season, and they responded to their 10th defeat of the season with a workmanlike dismantling of the Timberwolves. Even with their three mainstays out of the lineup and their peerless coach at home tending to a family issue, they didn’t miss a beat. Time to clean up and make some room. 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Jackets 5, R. Wings 3... Inside Sports Scoreboard Page 11A Manning, Megatron retired? Page 11A Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Page 12A Long-time BHS grid assistant Ballard named head coach By DYLAN MALONE Newly instated Bellmont football coach Marty Ballard has some experienced shoes to fill. It was officially announced at the school's board meeting on Tuesday night that the former defensive line coach would be taking over for the newly vacated role left by five-year head man Larry Getts. "We are very excited to move forward to this chapter of Bellmont football with coach Marty Ballard," said Bellmont AD Dale Manis. "He is a standup guy who will instill hard work and dedication to continue in the tradition of blue collar football at Bellmont High School." Coach Getts, now the head man at Crawfordsville High School in western Indiana, left Bellmont this winter to move closer to family in that area. He left having accumulated two of the three BHS sectional titles including his first season in 2011 and most recently the 10-win Bellmont team from this school season last fall. Ballard, a Bellmont blue-blood through and through, was chosen out of a group of six candidates who applied for the job. After being called back for a second interview, Marty received a phone call 30 minutes after to inform him of the good news. "I have known coach Ballard for a very long time and I knew that as he grew as a man and a professional that this ultimately was where he wanted to be and what he wanted to do," noted Manis. Graduating from Bellmont in 1995, Ballard started his coaching course as an intern in 2005 for the Indiana School for the Deaf. From there he was given important lessons from former Snider head coach Russ Isaacs. "Isaacs at Snider helped me understand what coaching is all about," said Ballard. "I soaked up so much there." Ballard returned home in 2007 when he began substitute teaching at Bellmont in search of a teaching/coaching position elsewhere. He asked then head coach Toney Bergman if there was a position for him on the Braves' coaching staff. "Bergman trusted me with defensive line without any experience there," recalled Marty. "It was my first paid position as an assistant coach. The young coach's timing was impecable. Bellmont would have their best season in school history the following year, a 14-1 mark and a state title over Evansville Memorial. "You know, I kind of got spoiled when I first started here," laughed Ballard. "We just happened to win state that second year I helped and it was like I didn't truly appreciate all that went into it at the time." Ballard remained the defensive line coach and the JV's defensive coordinator until 2014 when he stepped away. He would help last season at Norwell under coach Jeff Miller while teaching at the school. "I have nothing but respect for coach Getts," explained Ballard, "but a big reason for leaving was the demand expected out of his coaching staff. There was an opportunity to coach at Norwell and living in Ossian it just made sense. After talking to my wife about it, it just seemed like the right time." Now back at Bellmont, Ballard looks to use what he learned under several head coaches to design what he believes will be a winning formula for the Braves football program. "Bergman was all about technique and you'll see that out of these kids," promised Ballard. "They'll play hard as heck too which is something I took from Getts. (Rick) Burkhalter is all about recognition and knowing what their job is. Confidence is an underrated thing for these high school kids." Ballard remembers well the 2011 team that won the sectional title despite holding a regular season record of just 3-6. "Our record didn't show we were going to do anything but we knew we had hard-nosed seniors that were going to get it done," recalled Ballard. "The senior class of 2008 commanded respect. Brian Hakes was a huge part of our sectional title because he remembered what it took to get there." The Braves were disappointed to lose that road game at West Lafayette, 14-7, but the sectional title looks good in the Bellmont hallways considering not a lot of people gave that group a chance. "The biggest compliment you can get is when the other coach tells you that your team played hard. That's what playing at Western felt like to win that sectional title. We played a team in West Lafayette that played just as hard as us and we fell just short." While away at Norwell, Ballard missed this season's group of seniors but will return next year with some familiar faces and a team looking to defend a 3A sectional title, the third in Bellmont's building football history. First things first, though. "I'll have to get reacquainted with them," Marty explained. "A lot can happen with high schoolers in a year so we have to assess with the coaching staff where these kids are at." Ballard talked about his tentative game plans as well. "I want to mold the defense around these kids. I'm not sure what they can do yet but we'll adjust accordingly. As for the offense, we'll run coach Burkhalter's offense: the flex bone option, which features the full back prominently." While the Braves look like they will continue to be run-heavy behind next year's senior Caleb Hankenson, the need for a QB with ability is underrated. "You have to have a QB who at least has the ability to throw the pass and Bucky (Grant Gutierrez) can do that." With several key pieces on the line leaving from the 2015 sectional team, Ballard is still very confident in the offense. "Thats the positive of this offense. You just need linemen that can fire off the ball and shield people. They just have to use their speed to open up space." As for the training and preparing for next season? "They're not getting away from the hill, that's for sure!" promised Ballard. The decision by the Bellmont committee seemed to be an easy one according to Manis. "Marty's passion for the kids and the game of football are two qualities that could not be ignored by as we went through the process of interviewing candidates," he said. "I have every reason to believe that this program is in good hands for years to come. I can't wait to see him take charge of this program and put his stamp on it. Our kids are going to love playing for him." Ballard is thankful for the chance. "I appreciate the opportunity and I'm glad they decided to go with the hometown kid. It's a big deal in a small community to have that and I just want to make everybody proud." The new head coach will begin his process of interviewing for a complete coaching staff within the next few weeks. Former Broncos’ DE Jackson now a Jag WELCOME BACK, MARTY!— Former Bellmont grad, turned coach Marty Ballard (left) was named the Braves new football coach on Tuesday night at the school board meeting. He stands in the photo next to BHS Athletic Director Dale Manis who was among the committee members who voted on Ballard as new head coach replacing Larry Getts who now resides in Crawfordsville. (Photo provided) SDSU caps return to NCAA Tournament By DIRK LAMMERS Associated Press SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Freshman forward Mike Daum scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds Tuesday night to lead South Dakota State to a 67-59 win over North Dakota State to capture the Summit League championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. Deondre Parks added 14 points for the Jackrabbits (26-7), who advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the past five years. Carlin Dupree led North Dakota State (2013) with 19 points, and Khy Kabellis added 17 for the Bison. Much of the early matchups inside the paint centered on a couple of freshman forwards — the 6-foot-9, 230-pound Daum for the Jackrabbits and the Bison’s big guy, 6-foot-6, 240 pound Dexter Werner. Werner scored nine points for the Bison. GREEN BAY 78, WRIGHT STATE 69 DETROIT (AP) — Linc Darner is speeding into the NCAA Tournament in his first season as Green Bay’s coach. Jordan Fouse scored 16 points, and the Phoenix wrapped up a spot in the NCAAs for the first time since 1996 by beating Wright State 78-69 on Tuesday night in the Horizon League title game. Darner took over at Green Bay after leading Florida Southern to the Division II national championship last year, and his up-tempo style worked wonders as his team won four games in four days in the Horizon tournament. Charles Cooper added 15 points for the Phoenix, who jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half. Green Bay (23-12) and Wright State (22-13) were in the championship game after beating topseeded Valparaiso and second-seeded Oakland the previous night. Michael Karena scored 14 points for Wright State. The Raiders were able to control the tempo against high-scoring Oakland in the semifinals, winning that game 59-55, but they were playing catch-up throughout against Green Bay. Jamar Hurdle’s basket capped a 13-0 run that gave the Phoenix an early 17-6 lead, and Green Bay led by as many as 15 points in the first half. Wright State missed 14 of 15 shots during one stretch, and although the Raiders recovered a bit from their slow start, they were down 42-30 at halftime. Wright State could never cut into its deficit all that much in the second half. Cooper’s onehanded dunk on a fast break made it 60-41 with just under 10 minutes remaining. By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer With Peyton Manning’s retirement out of the way, NFL movement was all about changing teams on Tuesday. And Manning’s former franchise, the Broncos, lost a key piece. Defensive end Malik Jackson, a key performer in Denver’s championship season, is heading to Jacksonville. A person familiar with the negotiations said the Jaguars have agreed to terms with Jackson on a six-year deal worth up to $90 million and including $42 million guaranteed. Free-agent deals can’t be finalized until Wednesday. Jackson had 129 tackles, 14 sacks and two forced fumbles in his past three seasons. He started all 16 games in 2015, finishing with 45 tackles, seven passes defensed and five sacks. Denver also released three players who helped it win the title: tight end Owen Daniels, guard Louis Vasquez and long snapper Aaron Brewer. ‘‘These decisions are never easy, but we appreciate the contributions Louis, Owen and Aaron made to our team, especially during our Super Bowl run,’’ general manager John Elway said. Shopping For A New Home? Be Sure To Read The Decatur Daily Democrat Every Friday And Saturday For The Latest In “New Listings” And “Current Open Houses” Properties Featured In Full Color With Informative Descriptions Of Local Realtor’s Listings. Two other former high draft picks also made headlines, with one following Manning out of football. Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson called it quits after nine superb seasons. The second overall pick in 2007 made 731 receptions for 11,619 yards, a league-record 86.1 yards receiving per game, and 83 touchdowns. He reached 10,000 yards (115 games) and 11,000 yards (127 games) quicker than anyone in NFL history. Including the postseason, he has another league mark with six 200yard receiving games. Johnson broke one of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s records with 1,964 yards receiving in 2012. He ranked among league leaders last season with 88 receptions for 1,214 yards and nine TDs, playing through lingering injuries. ‘‘Let me assure you that this was not an easy or hasty decision,’’ the 30-year-old Johnson said. ‘‘I, along with those closest to me, have put a lot of time, deliberation and prayer into this decision and I truly am at peace with it.’’ Indianapolis cut Bjoern Werner, its first-rounder in 2013. The outside linebacker Werner had just 6 1/2 sacks in 38 games since being drafted 24th overall. After starting 15 games in 2014, Werner barely played last season. The Vikings released receiver Mike Wallace after one season in Minnesota to clear $11.5 million from the salary cap. Wallace, 29, had just 39 catches for 473 yards and two touchdowns, all career lows. The Vikings inherited his contract from Miami after acquiring him and a seventh-round draft pick in a trade that sent a fifth-round selection to the Dolphins. Chicago receiver Alshon Jeffery signed his franchise tag tender for $14.6 million. The Bears and Jeffery have until July 15 to agree to a multiyear contract. Calf, hamstring, groin and shoulder injuries limited Jeffery to nine games last season. But he still led the team in receiving with 807 yards. Jeffery played in all 16 games the previous two years, finishing with 1,421 yards in 2013 and 1,133 in 2014. Buffalo is bringing back guard Richie Incognito, who took less money to remain with the team he says ‘‘saved me.’’ Incognito agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with Buffalo on Tuesday.
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