The Decatur Daily Democrat

AC teacher’s work highlighted by class

When you hear the name Mrs. Hutker, you think of positivity, kindness, and encouragement. And that is

A century of memories: as Decatur’s pool turns 100, one woman’s legacy runs just as deep

As the Decatur City Pool celebrates its 100th anniversary, it is impossible to tell the story of the pool without telling the story of Nan Everett. For five decades, Everett was far more than a lifeguard, instructor, manager, or recreation leader. She...

Road Closed

County road safety plan changes based on 2021-2025 crash data

Five statistical categories about traffic crashes in Adams County from 2021 through 2025 are being used to study potential changes on roads or roadsides by a Local Road Safety Plan Committee. County engineer Nate Rumschlag, a member of that committee,...

Former commissioner Fruechte lauded for “visionary” views

On May 19, the Adams County commissioners created a county human resources department. On May 26, county auditor Tony Mellencamp gave credit for that to the person who first mentioned it around a decade ago: the late commissioner Kim...

Adams Central jet display plans announced to area news media

The campaign for an Adams Central veterans’ memorial display of a U.S. Air Force jet is off and... flying. After multiple presentations to the Adams Central Community Schools Board and the Monroe Town Council, a news media briefing about the project...

City council ups July 4 fireworks gift to $3,500

When a nation reaches age 250, something extra is required for celebration. To help honor the two and one-half centuries of the United States of America, the Decatur City Council voted 4-0 on May 19 to increase its donation for fireworks from $2,500...

AC students perform in famous Indiana parade

The Adams Central Squadron of Sound participated in the 70th Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade this past weekend, marking the first time in school history that AC was invited to take part in the celebrated Indiana tradition. Following weeks of preparation,...

Decatur Sculpture Tour for the 2026 Celebrating 15 years with CRYSTALS

Saturday, June 13, Decatur will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Decatur Sculpture Tour. The 15th anniversary has traditionally been represented by crystal. To start the celebration fun in May, throughout Decatur, the DST Committee will offer...

Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day weekend, and every day, we honor those who have fought for our nation and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom. Located near Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, the U.S. Marine Corps War...

North Adams Community Schools’ food service report given to board

1,700 meals prepared and served every day during the school year for five schools. Decreased program/ operation expenses by $34,212. Increased revenue of $48,270. Reimbursement for lunches increased almost $40,000. Reimbursement for breakfasts...

Local students take part in wild bird exhibition

Fifth graders at Saint Joseph Catholic School had an unforgettable day of fishing and falconry when Soaring Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation Center visited with live birds of prey. The students got an up-close look at a red-tailed hawk, a barred owl, and the...

What’s more important: sewer or graduation party?

Something more important to rural Decatur homeowners than a sewer connection delayed a hookup at that address, as Nate Scherer, the superintendent of the Adams County Regional Sewer District, told the sewer board on May 14. That “something” was a...

Celebrating 75 years of success at Adams Central FFA Banquet

Family members, community supporters, school staff, alumni, and guests gathered in April to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Adams Central FFA and its members’ success at its annual awards banquet. Several past FFA members were asked to proudly...

Two retirees, two students, two food service staffers honored by NACS board

Four awards were handed out at the May meeting of the North Adams Community Schools Board: two to a pair of retiring teachers who amassed 68 years of student instruction and two to brace of third graders who finished in the top two percent of all...

State gasoline tax suspension will cut county road money

“There’s a price to be paid.” Those words from Adams County engineer Nate Rumschlag were about the results of the suspension of Indiana’s gasoline tax because of much higher costs of fuel due to the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran that caused Iran to close...

ACCF awards grant to Decatur Fire Department for military recognition

Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) is pleased to announce that the Decatur Fire Department (DFD) was recently awarded a grant for Honor Flight Challenge Coins for local military veterans. As local veterans are returning from their Honor Flights,...

Scholarship awarded to South Adams student

Madi graduated from South Adams School in 2018, playing both volleyball and basketball. Madi loved volleyball and continued playing in college at Purdue Fort Wayne, and graduated in 2024, with two majors and two minors. Madi was very athletic, and Madi...

Young reader reaches milestone

The Adams Public Library has announced that Evren, son of Clayton and Casey Lothridge, finished 1,000 Books before kindergarten. Casey remarked that they love to read each night as part of the bedtime routine, and Ren has his favorites. The 1,000...

Run honors local fallen heroes

The 2026 Indiana Run for the Fallen made its way through Adams County and the surrounding area on Friday, paying tribute to a number of service personnel who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces. Despite the cool conditions, the runners...

First Bank of Berne supports Decatur Main Street

Decatur – First Bank of Berne supports Decatur Main Street with a charitable sponsorship to help further the organization’s mission of promoting downtown Decatur as a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. Decatur Main Street supports local...

Local D.A.R. chapter elects new officers, takes part in tea event

The Antoine Rivarre Chapter, Inc. of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution recently had their April business meeting. During the meeting, new officers were installed. Carol Riley was appointed as Regent, while Carol Luther was named...

AC seniors receive scholarships from ACCF

Monday, May 4, was the date many seniors and parents anticipated for weeks. The Adams Central event began with welcoming comments by AC guidance counselor, Megan Workinger. Ms. Workinger celebrated this gathering with recognition to the Adams Central...

Local National Day of Prayer event scheduled for Thursday

The Decatur Ministerial Association will be hosting a National Day of Prayer event on Thursday at 12:00 noon at the Peace Monument at the Adams County Courthouse in Decatur. Several local pastors will participate in leading prayers. Also participating...

Bellmont picked up a win at Wabash Valley Golf Club against Adams Central and South Adams Thursday.

Cam Summers, Chase Baker and Jacob Binegar put together sub-40stroke rounds Thursday to help the Bellmont Braves earn Adams County bragging rights with a win over the Adams Central Flying Jets and South Adams Starfires in a three-team meet that took...

Community Foundation presents scholarships to South Adams seniors

A program at the South Adams (SA) auditorium was an event that many anticipated for months. Many SA seniors, parents, grandparents and friends attended the 2026 South Adams Scholarship awards event. The eight-page Adams County Community Foundation...

ACCF grants Stillwater Hospice for Adams County Veterans Hospice Support

The ACCF recently awarded a grant to Stillwater Hospice for Adams County Veterans Hospice support program. Stillwater Hospice is a community-based, non-profit agency that provides home health, hospice and palliative and grief support to Northeast...

ACCF awards Junior Achievement a grant for classes at North Adams and South Adams Elementary Schools

The Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) is pleased to announce that Junior Achievement (JA) was awarded grants to Junior Achievement for the class titled: ‘Our Region’ at North Adams and South Adams Elementary Schools. The JA Our Region classes...

Crash causes significant damage

Deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Department responded to an accident that caused substantial damage and left a motorist injured on C.R. 500 W. at 7:42 p.m. Saturday, according to information released Monday by the Adams County Sheriff’s...

ACCF awards grants to School Care Team for Adams County School Care Team programming

Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) is pleased to announce that the School Care Team (SCT) was recently awarded a grant for Adams County SCT Programming. School Care Team is a nonprofit organization from Fort Wayne that strives to work alongside...

ACCF Featured Fund #67: Sarah Steury Memorial Scholarship Fund

Sarah Steury, 19, was a beautiful young lady with a gorgeous smile. Being herself was always Sarah’s style and she had many friends that loved her. While at Bellmont, Sarah was active in several service-oriented organizations, extracurricular...

Crews battle Decatur house fire

Decatur firefighters and crews from neighboring departments knocked down a house fire in Stratton addition early Wednesday morning. With everyone safely evacuated and no injuries reported, crews quickly prevented flames from spreading to the...

Bellmont seniors receive awards from ACCF

April 15 was a night that many anticipated for months. It was then, inside the auditorium at Bellmont High School, that roughly $200,000 in awards were presented by the Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) to some members of the school’s outgoing...

Third field employee hired by county’s sewer district

The board voted 4-0-1 to hire Andrew Smitley of Berne, who will primarily work in the southern half of the county. His father, Shannon, is the sewer board’s president, so he recused himself in the vote. Two board members were absent: John Summers and...

Tree and home inspection fees to rise as home-building booms

While home construction projects are moving swiftly in Decatur, the city is moving to raise the fee for each tree planted as part of a house-construction permit and also for inspecting each residence as part of the construction process. That was...

ACCF grants to Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra for Adams Public Library, ‘Stories in Music’

Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) grants to Adams Public Library System (APLS) for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra’s Stories in Music’ where stories and sound come together and create education and entertainment. Philharmonic...

ACCF awards grant to Community Harvest Food Bank for Adams County Farm Wagon

The Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) recently awarded a grant to Community Harvest Food Bank for Adams County Farm Wagon Program. The Farm Wagon Program makes weekly stops in Adams County to distribute fresh produce, dairy products, and other...

New life in the spring

More views presented to locate “justice center”

The views of a few members of the public – from north and south in Adams County – about possible locations of a “justice center” in Decatur were received by the commissioners at their March 31 meeting. The center has been proposed in two general...

Adams County Economic Development Corporation launches small business funding program

The Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Small Business Funding Program designed to support the county’s small business community. The program offers eligible small businesses a combination...

AMANDA SWINHART

STOWE, Vt. — Looking back, gubernatorial candidate Dean Roy says his political ambitions started in the eighth grade. And by that he means, last year. After working as a legislative page at the Vermont Statehouse, the 14-year-old freshman at Stowe...

Blekes follow up state title with all-star appearance

Nearly one month after leading Bellmont to a 3A state title, Mary and Ashley Bleke have been given an opportunity to test themselves against Indiana’s best. The Blekes, who recently completed their sophomore hoops seasons at Bellmont, were selected to...

Many viewpoints given on still-indefinite plans for a “judicial center”

The only thing certain about creating a unified “judicial center” in the county seat of Decatur is that nothing is certain yet. Lack of clarity became clear during the March 24 meeting of the commissioners after two men from the Elevatus architectural...

Egg-cellent tradition continues at Decatur library

The Adams Public Library of Decatur has an Easter Egg Tree tradition that began in 1951 by then librarian Bertha Heller after reading the book, “The Egg Tree”, by Katherine Milhous. It started off with more than 200 hand-painted eggs displayed on one...

Hooley Farms: Helping to grow the community with animal education

Hooley Farms is currently owned and operated by husband and wife team Cory Hooley, a Fort Wayne Community Schools Teacher; and Sarah Hooley, an Executive Pastor with City Church. Together they have grown the business Cory’s grandfather started 40 years...

Local students take part in Ag Week

The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service utilized a Farm Bureau program called “Pizza in the Classroom” for the 4th graders of Adams County during the week of March 16-20. This educational program assisted in promoting agriculture during Ag...

ACCF Featured Funds:

Don, 61, (April 30, 1941–November 6, 2002) loved life and lived it fully. As devoted as he was to the business and civic activities, he was even more devoted to family and friends throughout his life. Married to Louise in 1966, Donald ‘Don’ Ray and...

City of Decatur introduces “DecaturDirect”: A new AI chatbot powered by Ordinal Connect

The City of Decatur announced the launch of DecaturDirect, a new AI assistant available on the City’s official website. Designed to make it easier for residents to navigate city information, DecaturDirect offers around-the-clock access to answers about...

Certified dementia practitioner presents at Rotary

Certified dementia practitioner Bonnie Simmons gave a talk on dementia care to the Decatur Rotary Club, describing types and symptoms of dementia, and therapy available for people experiencing dementia, including music and reminisce therapytwo forms of...

AC Band reaches new heights

The Adams Central Seventh and Eighth Grade Band made school history at the ISSMA contest this past weekend, earning a Gold with Distinction rating, an honor reserved for performances that score near perfect marks from judges. The accomplishment marks...

“Raising expectations” is a centerpiece at BES, say instructional coaches

The principal and the two instructional coaches at Bellmont Elementary School presented a glowing report of student and teacher interactions that aim to “raise expectations of all our young readers.” Principal Renee Hutter and coaches Linda Wellman,...

Stafford writes winning Optimist Club essay

Ava Stafford, a senior at Adams Central, won the Decatur Optimist Club’s Essay Contest. Stafford was presented with a check for $100 by Optimist Club President Ken Ketzler. Her essay has been entered into a district competition. The winner of that...

Large-scale road improvements in Decatur and Adams County will disturb traffic for months

Four major improvement projects by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) – three covering segments of US 27 between Decatur and Berne and one to close and rehabilitate the Wendell Macklin Memorial Bridge on Monroe St. (US 224) at downtown...

Brave Generation takes the stage

Bellmont’s Brave Generation show choir competed on February 28 at the Huntington North Midwest Showcase. Brave Generation performed in the Tier III Mixed Division. This past Saturday, Bellmont earned fourth place in the Tier II Mixed Division at the...

March Artisan Craft Market coming to Decatur this weekend

The March edition of the Decatur Artisan Craft Festival will take place on Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Riverside Center, 231 E. Monroe St. 105 tables will fill out the Riverside Center, selling items such as baked goods, décor, woodwork,...

Sewer rate hikes suggested at Monroe; alley ordinance discussion set for April 2

Periodic increases in Monroe’s sewer rate were suggested at the March meeting of the town council and a public hearing was set for the April 2 council session on an ordinance regarding alleys. Town superintendent Justin Shaffer said the sewer rate,...

ACCF Featured Funds Tina’ Mere Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Adams County Christina ‘Tina’ Mere Community Foundation (January 1, 1951 – (ACCF) is recognizing the December 12, 2004) was many ACCF funds serving the daughter of Harold our community with Myers and Luella G. a weekly focus. These Harvey. She had...

NIPSCO offers winter bill support through March 31

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Winter energy bills can put real pressure on household budgets, and the recent extreme weather has been especially challenging for many. To help residential customers manage their bills and stay connected, Northern Indiana Public...

Rotary hears about County Vision Plan

Commissioner Steve Bailey attended the Decatur Rotary Club meeting recently to talk about vision planning. He began with explaining how great Adams County has been to him and his family, and how he is driven by trying to give back. Bailey is currently...

New ACCF fund, partnership, and a NEW NAME

AWS/WindSwell Foundation reports that they continue to think differently about disabilities, but WindSwell speaks to our partnerships throughout Northeast Indiana and the knowledge that, with local communities, we are “elevating ideas that reimagine...

“A Night in Tuscany” scheduled for Saturday at Decatur’s Merit Center

The Adams County Council on Aging will conduct a major fundraiser this Saturday, February 28, in the Merit Center, at Dayton Ave. and 11th St. in Decatur, entitled “A Night in Tuscany,” which refers to a region in Italy. The previously-announced event...

Bad weather cuts weights and measures checks here

How cold and windy was it in the past month? It was so unpleasant that Adams County’s weights and measures inspector – many of whose checkups are done outdoors at fuel pumps and vehicle-weighing scales – performed only four vehicle scales examinations...

Exotic animals on display at local event

Tony Collison has been organizing the Fort Wayne Reptile Expo off Honway Court since September, which is held the last Sunday of every month. A variety of cold-blooded vertebrate animals such as snakes, lizards, geckos, and amphibians, along with...

Decatur Board of Works approves three township fire protection contracts

The Decatur Board of Public Works and Safety (BPWS) voted 3-0 on February 17 to approve this year’s fire protection contracts with three nearby townships. The city fire department will continue to serve – as it has for many years – Root Township,...

INSIDE TODAY'S EDITION:

County 4-H gets new youth educator; Purdue mulls extension service changes

Two items of “breaking news” were delivered at the February 17 meeting of the Adams County commissioners by Brad Kohlhagen, the director of the county’s office of Purdue University’s Extension Service. First, he introduced the new 4-H youth educator,...

Registration open for Adams County Challenge

The Adams County Challenge will host six races this year. They are the Monroe Lions 5K on May 9, Youth for Christ 5K on June 6, Fitness Delivered Charity Run on June 20, Swiss Days Race on July 25, Callithumpian Canter on October 25, and Rainbow Lake...