January 2015

January 21 — February 14, 2015

www.cassnetwork.com

A new year. A clean slate.

2015 has already brought us a few surprises, like a possible change of heart for the future of Tower Park Pool and some new vocabulary, like “deflategate.”

Cass County Communication Network turns 5 this year and if you’ve been reading my column for any length of time, you Michelle DIALS know I’m always looking for ways to imEditor/publisher prove the work we do.

INFO is a free, monthly newspaper One of those is our serving Cass County, Indiana and the surrounding areas. It is part of e-mail newsletter — the Cass County Communication Network, published by which needs a way more Existential Media LLC. creative name but for Published by Calendar Items Existential Media LLC Community events that are open now, I’ll call it what it P.O. Box 314 to the public and have a specific Logansport, IN date, time and location can be 46947 is. At the beginning of submitted FREE to CassCountyCalendar.com.

Editor/Publisher each week, we round Use the submit link on the website Michelle Dials or e-mail details to (574) 721-4636 up the stories from contact@cassnetwork.com. (michelle@ We reserve the right to select existentialmedia.

CassCountyOnline and com) specific events to feature on our Facebook page, in e-mail events from Cass Cover Photo newsletters, in Cass County INFO Phill Dials or in other community updates.

County Calendar to The views expressed CAUGHT ON CAMERA make it easy for you by our Photos posted on our Facebook writers are not fan pages may be selected, at to take a quick look at necessarily those of our discretion, to be published in Existential Media INFO. Photos can also be what you might need LLC. e-mailed to contact@cassnetwork. com. to know for the week.

For advertising information, Advertising information You can sign up at www. contact The Cass County Communication Phill Dials Network offers print, web and casscountycalendar.com (574) 721-4635 mobile advertising solutions. For (phill@ information about advertising, - just click on newsletter. cassnetwork.com) e-mail contact@cassnetwork.com.

We know people are Editorial Information busy but we believe — Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Cass County Communication Network or its parent strongly — that inforcompany, Existential Media LLC. Our publications provide information about events and activities happening in or near Cass County, Indiana. mation is a very imporThe information is provided by Existential Media LLC for general information purposes only. We strive to keep the information up-to-date and tant part of community correct, however we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitabillife. ity or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in our publications for any purI’ve been working with pose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will Existential Media LLC be liable for any loss United Way of Cass or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or County in a volunteer profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of our publications. capacity for several Interested in advertising with Cass County Communication years and for the last Network? Call (574) 721-4635 for more information! few months, I’ve had the 2 | Cass County INfo: | January 2015

privilege of participating in the Community Conversation process with them. United Way of Cass County is one of only 10 United Ways in Indiana selected to be part of this initiative through the Harwood Institute. It’s a process I read about several years ago and when I heard it was being done locally, I was thrilled.

We’ve adopted some of the practices as a staff at Cass County Communication Network and periodically, we hold “Innovation Spaces” where we consider what we’ve been hearing from people in the community and how we can help.

Our staff is small right now but our plans for the future will hopefully allow us to create some jobs. In the meantime, we appreciate the help we receive from our readers, who let us know when they see something they think is newsworthy.

Often, we hear from people about accidents and police activity, but we’d love to hear about the good stuff that’s happening, too.

There are some big things on the agenda for this year. We’ll be choosing leaders for the next four years during the municipal election this fall. Our electric generating plant will close this fall, as well, and March 31 is the next deadline for the new power plant project.

It’s an important time in our community and I’m grateful to the businesses and organizations who advertise with us and make it possible for us to provide the services we do through Cass County Communication Network.

Here’s to a great 2015.

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Plan announced to allocate money for Tower Park Pool improvements Last summer, the Logansport Parks & Recreation Board took action on an issue that’s been discussed by Logansport’s elected officials for many years. The board voted to close and demolish the Tower Park Pool after the 2014 summer season.

Previous studies had estimated that a new aquatic center would likely cost more than $5 million.

This month, at the State of the City and County address, Mayor Ted Franklin revealed that at their meeting on February 2, he plans to ask the Logansport City Council for a onetime appropriation of $600,000 for

improvements at Tower Park. A preliminary conceptual drawing by Randall Miller & Associates shows a new bathhouse, a new waterslide on the north side of the pool and a new pavilion on the west side of the pool area. A smaller pool and a splash pad would be created.

The Logansport City Council will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2 in the city council chambers on the third floor of the Logansport City Building at 601 E. Broadway.

The City of Logansport and Logan’s Landing are conducting an online survey about the public’s perception of downtown Logansport, what their favorite downtown businesses and events are, and how and when they are most likely to visit downtown.

“The survey is anonymous and takes only about five minutes to complete,” Logan’s Landing Executive Director Becki Harris explains. “A similar survey was conducted several years ago, and we want to measure the impact of changes that have occurred since that time. We encourage everyone to complete the survey so that everyone’s opinions are heard.”

The survey can be accessed via • the Logan’s Landing website (www.loganslanding.com, click on “news”) • the City of Logansport’s website (cityoflogansport.org, click on “breaking news”) • or directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6695P3P. You can also request an e-mail with a direct link to the survey by contacting Logan’s Landing at lldirector@loganslanding.com or 574-722-9345.

January 2015 | Cass County INfo: | 3

Cass Co. Visitors Bureau accepting grant applications In 2015, the Cass County Visitors Bureau will be awarding four$1250 major grants, four $750 major grants and eight $500 mini grants.

To be eligible for one of the major grants, your grant application must be returned to the Cass County Visitors Bureau by Noon on February 4, 2015. The grant recipients will be announced on March 11, 2015. A copy of the rules and regulation for funding requests and marketing grant applications are available in the CCVB office between 8am and noon, Monday through Friday or electronically by contacting Toni Savini at info@visit-casscounty. com. Undistributed major grant funds, still available after the grant cycle, may be applied for by organizers with new projects or events for 2015. Each grant application will be considered by the Cass County Visitors Bureau’s Board of Directors.

Any Not-for-Profit that has received $10,000 or more in grant funding from the CCVB in a five year period will be required to submit a Reviewed Statement of Accounts by an External Accountant with their next grant request.

Mini grant applications will be accepted throughout 2015 but must be in the CCVB office by the 20th of the month for consideration at the following month’s regularly scheduled meeting.

The Cass County Visitors Bureau is located at 311 South 5th St. in downtown Logansport. You can call 574-753-4856 or e-mail info@ visit-casscounty.com with any questions.

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Logansport Memorial Hospital seeking volunteers Logansport Memorial Hospital is seeking customer-focused individuals to join its corps of volunteers and help continue our tradition of delivering compassionate patient care.

Volunteers are needed to greet visitors; accompany visitors to their destinations throughout the hospital; staff The Information and Surgery Waiting desks; support various hospital departments and work in the Gift Shop.

“Volunteers are a very special and important part of the care that we provide,” said Tamara Szarszewski, Volunteer and Gift Shop Coordinator.

“We are looking for energetic, friendly

people who are interested in making a difference in as much as four hours a month; you can be part of a truly unique experience.”

In order to make the volunteer experience as rewarding as possible, staff work closely with all volunteers to match their skill levels and interests with a position at LMH. Orientation and volunteer education is provided.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, please call the Logansport Memorial Hospital Volunteer Office at (574) 753-1304 or the Concierge Desk at (574) 753-5697.

Cass County Community Foundation assets increase by $2 million Year-end figures released at the January 2015 Cass County Community Foundation board meeting show the Foundation’s total assets grew to over $18.7 million last year after starting 2014 at $16.7 million. Established in 1993, the foundation has provided grants to support more than 75 nonprofit organizations and scholarships to over 900 Cass County students since incorporating as a single county entity in 2001.

The Cass County Community Foundation also announced officers for 2015.

Elected officers for 2015 are: Board Chairman, Thillia Reynolds; Vice Chairman, Paul Kroeger; Treasurer, Keith Cole; Secretary, Deb Shanks; and Past Chairman, Dr. Herb Price.

The officers will be joined by new board members, Carol Sue Hayworth and Mike Montgomery along with returning board members, Burton “Bud” Reed, Lucy Burns, Tom Heckard, Paul Kroeger, Dr. Sue Ridlen, and Jesse Robinson.

For more information, please call the Cass County Community Foundation at 574-722-2200.

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Candidates putting names on ballot for municipal election Candidates have begun to file so that their names will appear on the ballot for the 2015 municipal primary election in May. Offices on the ballot will include Logansport Mayor, Clerk-Treasurer and all seven seats on the city council.

Candidates who wish to run have until noon on Friday, February 6 to file their paperwork with the Cass County Clerk’s Office.

Anyone wanting to run for an office in any of the small towns has until Monday, August 3 at noon to file to be a nominee at a town convention.

Voters can call the clerk’s office and ask for an absentee ballot at any time. They’ll be mailed out beginning March 20.

Voter registration for the May 5 primary ends Monday, April 6. If you’ve moved or changed your name since the last election, you may need to update your voter registration information. Visit indianavoters.com for more information.

United Way offering free training United Way of Cass County is offering a free information and referral training for anyone works with the public or has coworkers. Examples of those who should attend are representatives from: • • • • • • •

Township Trustee offices (either the Trustee or his/her Township Board members) Churches City and county government service Libraries Human resource personnel from for-profit and non-profit organizations Public safety personnel All non-profit organizations

• • • • • •

K-12 school counselors and administrators Post-secondary school counselors and administrators Federal and state government service offices Veterans organizations Career and job assistance organizations Mental and physical health organizations

Training dates are Feb. 11 at 9:30 am and 10:30 am and Feb. 19 at 2 pm and 3 pm at Ivy Tech Community College, Logansport. For information and to register, call the United Way office at 574-753-3533.

Candidates who had officially filed paperwork with the Cass County Clerk’s Office as of January 21, 2015 Mayor of Logansport Mike Berkshire - Republican Larry B. Hood - Republican Dave Kitchell - Democrat Rick Ricks - Democrat Clerk-Treasurer Stacy Cox - Democrat City Council, Ward 1 Dave Morris - Democrat City Council, Ward 2 Joe Buck - Republican (incumbent) City Council, Ward 3 Amy R. Densborn - Democrat City Council, Ward 4 Scott G. Peattie - Democrat City Council, Ward 5 City Council, At Large (2 Seats) Terry Doran - Democrat

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January 2015 | Cass County INfo: | 5

Logansport Memorial Hospital hires new Nurse Practitioner

Logansport Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Rachel Emery, FNP-BC to the medical staff as part of the Logansport Memorial Physician Network. She will join the providers at ExpressMed Logansport, providing urgent care for patients in Logansport and Cass County.

Rachel received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky. She is a registered nurse with the Indiana Board of Nursing and is ACLS certified in CPR by the American Heart Association, as well as Neonatal Resuscitation Program-certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She brings a variety of experience in caring for patients at ExpressMed and is looking forward to caring for the community.

ExpressMed is open for patients Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday from Noon – 6 p.m. ExpressMed is a walk-in clinic, so no appointments are necessary. If you have questions about being seen as a patient, please call the clinic directly at (574) 7229633.

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Community Foundation announces four new scholarships Cass County seniors will have four more opportunities for scholarships in 2015 through the Community Foundation.

Deanna Crispen, Foundation President, announced that along with the four new funds, the Community State Bank Academic Leadership Fund will increase the number of scholarships awarded to three: one each at Caston, Lewis Cass, and Pioneer.

The new scholarships to be awarded the first time in 2015 are the Callaghan Cross County Scholarship, the Lenora Ann Ford Memorial Scholarship, the Marschand Family Scholarship and the

Rethel Stevens Memorial Scholarship.

Each scholarship has its own criteria established by donor and benefits different schools in Cass County.

Students received application information about these and other scholarships held at CCCF during November 2014. Applications are due at the CCCF office on or before February 27, 2015.

For more information on these scholarships or how to establish your own scholarship, please call the Cass County Community Foundation at 574-722-2200.

Fifteen $1,000 scholarships available to Cass Co. students The Committee for the Faye Riddleberger Scholarship Trust is now accepting college scholarship applicants for the 2015-16 school year. Fifteen scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 each. Applicants must be a resident of

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Cass County and either a graduating senior from one of the four Cass County high schools or a student enrolled at Indiana-University Kokomo or Ivy Tech Logansport.

Applications are avaialble from high school guidance counselors or financial offices.

The deadline date is March 15, 2015.

Nominate a Logansport teacher for new award Logansport Community School Corporation is home to many outstanding educators who work countless hours to ensure their students’ success. There are so many LCSC teachers going above and beyond for our students, and these people are often unsung heroes who are working to shape our future.

LCSC is proud to announce the Crystal Berry Award to acknowledge one worthy honoree each year.

The nomination form can be found on the LCSC website and they are also available in the superintendent’s

office. Please submit the completed nomination form to the superintendent’s office

by January 30, 2015. One Crystal Berry Award winner will be chosen to reward excellence in our corporation on April 6. This award will recognize and celebrate those amazing teachers who best represent the profession and symbolize our corporation’s dedication to quality education.

For further information contact the superintendent’s office at 722-2911.

2015

Parent night

Coming soon to a campus near you!

IVY TECH

PARENT NIGHT

Topics include:

Choose from these dates:

• • • •

Wabash

Monday, Jan. 26

6-7:30 p.m.

Peru

Tuesday, Jan. 27

6-7:30 p.m.

By email: kokomoadmissions@ivytech.edu By phone: 800-459-0561, ext. 252 or 253

Logansport

Wednesday, Jan. 28

6-7:30 p.m.

Kokomo

Thursday, Jan. 29

6-7:30 p.m.

You could be the winner!

• •

How to cover college expenses Transfer options to 4-year schools Ivy Tech’s new Accelerated Associate Degree Putting to use the Ivy Tech credit your high school senior may already be earning Ivy Tech’s Integrated Technology Education Program Hot Jobs: Ivy Tech degrees lead to great careers!

Register to attend by Friday, Jan. 23

Attend Parent Night and be entered into a drawing for a scholarship for a 3-credit hour class at Ivy Tech Kokomo or a Dell tablet for your college-bound student.

January 2015 | Cass County INfo: | 7

Open enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace ends February 15 • Open enrollment is ending soon. The final Open Enrollment deadline to sign up for 2015 coverage is Feb. 15.

If people miss that deadline, they will likely have to wait to sign up for coverage until the next open enrollment season, with coverage starting in 2016.

• Enrolling in coverage is easier than ever. This year, the consumer experience at HealthCare.gov simpler, faster, and more intuitive. It is easy to shop; no log-in or application is required to see the plans in your area and find out how much financial help may be available. You can even apply on your smartphone.

• More choices are available this year. More than 90 percent of consumers will be able to choose from three or more issuers—up from 74 percent in 2014. That means that consumers can choose from an average of 40 health plans in their county for 2015 coverage—up from 30 in 2014.

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• Financial assistance is available. 88 percent of Hoosiers who selected 2015 plans through HealthCare.gov in the first month of open enrollment are getting financial assistance to lower their premiums. Nationally, eight out of 10 people can find coverage for $100 or less a month with tax credits through the Marketplace. That is less than some people pay for a cell phone or cable bill.

• Help is available.

Online: Information is available at HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov.

By Phone: Marketplace call center representatives are available to help all day, every day at 1-800-318-2596.

TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Assistance is available in 150 languages. The call is free.

In person: Consumers can find local help at by visiting: Localhelp.healthcare.gov

How will health insurance affect your 2015 tax filing?

The 2015 tax season is the first time individuals and families will be asked for some basic information regarding their health insurance on their tax returns.

While the vast majority of tax filers – over three quarters – will just need to check a box on their tax return indicating they had health coverage for all of 2014, people who purchased coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces, or decided not to enroll in coverage, should be aware of the additional steps that will be a part of the tax filing process starting this year.

Individuals and families with non-marketplace coverage for all of 2014: These individuals and families will not receive any new forms in the mail and they will not be required to fill out new forms when they file their 2014 income tax returns.

What consumers need to know: When you file your tax return, you’ll need to check a box to indicate that you and your family had health insurance for all of 2014. Types of health coverage necessary to meet the Affordable Care Act’s standards (Minimum Essential Coverage) include: • Most job-based plans, including retiree plans and COBRA coverage • Medicare Part A or Part C Medicaid • The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) • Most individual health plans you bought outside the Marketplace, including “grandfathered” plans. (Not all plans sold outside the Marketplace qualify as minimum essential coverage.)

•If you’re under 26, coverage under a parent’s plan

Individuals and families who had a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014: All Marketplace consumers will receive a new statement – called a Form 1095-A – that includes all the information they need about their coverage to file their return.

What consumers need to know: You will receive Form 1095-A in the mail from the Marketplace by early February. In most states, you can also download a copy of your statement through your Marketplace account starting in late January or early February.

It’s very important to wait for your Form 1095-A to arrive before you file your taxes. If you haven’t received a Form 1095-A by early February, you should contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325.

When you get your Form 1095A, you should check the information on your form - such as the number of people in your household – for accuracy.

If you find an error on your Form 1095A, you should call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to find out how to get a corrected form.

You should keep your Form 1095-A with your other important tax information, like your W-2.

If a tax credit lowered your monthly premiums for health insurance in 2014, you will use your Form 1095-A to input some basic information when you file your taxes.

When you signed up for health insurance, you had to estimate your income for 2014. Your estimated income determined the size of your tax credit.

Now that tax time is here, you need to compare your estimated income with

your actual income – and this could impact the final amount of your tax credit.

If your income or household size changed throughout the year, it could impact the final amount of your tax credit.

You may see a smaller refund or owe money back if you underestimated your income.

You may also get a bigger refund if you overestimated you income.

If you owe money back, there are several repayment options available.

For example, if you are unable to pay immediately, you may be eligible for a payment plan or an installment agreement.

If your Marketplace coverage started partway through 2014 and you were uninsured earlier in the year, or if you were uninsured for only a short period of time during the year, you may be eligible for an exemption from the requirement to have health coverage.

You can claim the exemption on your tax return when you file. The process is fast and easy. You’ll simply select the exemption that applies to you and enter the corresponding code.

SOURCE: Health & Human Services Office of Public Affairs Have questions about the Health Insurance Marketplace?

Area Five will hold walk-in hours on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Open Enrollment.

Visit with an ASPIN navigator: Logansport Ivy Tech Campus: Jan. 28 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Entrance Kokomo Ivy Tech Campus: Feb. 3 – 2 to 6 p.m.

Wabash Ivy Tech Campus: Jan. 29 – 2 to 6 p.m., Hallway near Main Office

January 2015 | Cass County INfo: | 9

Calendar SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 LOGANSPORT YOUTH BASEBALL REGISTRATION

Friday, january 30 pioneer youth league signup

Logansport Youth Baseball will be holding registration for the 2015 season from 1-5 p.m. at the Logansport School Administration Building next to the football stadium on George St. League is open to any 4-12 year old. Cost of the league is $60 for major and minor, $50 for Rookie, and $40 for T-Ball. For more information please call Anthony at 574-7214970.

Pioneer Elementary should have received baseball/ softball signup forms the first week of January after Christmas break. Anyone who does not attend Pioneer and would like to join the league is welcome. The cost is $40 per child with a maximum of $100 per family. Anyone interested please contact Justin Schnurpel at 574-606-7570. Signup will be Friday, January 30 from 5-7 p.m. at Pioneer Jr. Sr. High School.

Tuesday, january 27 THURSDAY, January 29 Auditions

Saturday, january 31 Lewis Cass youth league registration

Royal Center United Methodist Church is presenting Godspell on April 17-18. Auditions are being held January 27 & January 29 from 6-8 p.m. at Royal Center UMC. Please come prepared with a song.

THURSDAY, January 29 Car Seat SAFETY CLASS

Staff in the Family Birth Center at Logansport Memorial Hospital will offer a car seat safety class for expectant and new parents. It is an opportunity to focus on the proper use of car seats to keep your children as safe as possible while riding in a vehicle.

The class is facilitated by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. The class is approximately one hour long, and provides information on the following topics – properly securing the baby in the car seat, installing the car seat into the vehicle, and common car seat errors and solutions. Four one-hour classes are offered on each Thursday session. To register for the class, please call (574) 753-1488. If you have questions, please contact the Family Birth Center at (574) 753-1395.

Lewis Cass Youth League will be holding registration for the 2015 season on January 31 at the Galveston Community Center from 1-5 p.m. League is open to any 4-12 year old. Cost of the league is $75 for major, minor, Rookie, and $50 for T-Ball. A $20 concession fee can be paid to waive the concession stand working requirement. Raffle tickets will be available to offset the cost of registration. Also, girls in grades 7 and 8 can sign up at these times for the Lewis Cass Youth League Jr. High Softball Team as well.

Friday, February 6 Wine TASTING & SILENT AUCTION

Peoples Winery will be at the All Saints “Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. The Auction Items make great Valentines Day gift Items. Tickets can be picked up from any Life Teen Youth Group member or at All Saints Parish Office for $10 each. 6-9 p.m. Bids close at 9 p.m.

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ASH WEDNESDAY February 18, 2015

We invite area churches to post their Lenten & Easter worship service times on www.casscountycalendar.com

Thursday, February 12 Daddy/daughter valentine dance

The Logansport Parks Departments annual Daddy/ Daughter Valentine Dance will be held from 6-7:30 pm. at its new location, Angie’s Catering & Cakes, 1007 - 17th St. The evening’s activities include cookies & punch, dancing with Dad and Professional Photos of Dad and daughter(s) will be taken by Rich Voorhees, of Voorhees Studio. As always, personal cameras are welcome. Registration MUST be made prior to the dance by calling 574-753-7388. PleaseNO WALK-INS! There will be a $15 registration fee per couple, plus $4 for each additional daughter.

The deadline for registration is February 4 or until space is filled. Questions can be directed to the Activities Director, Vicki Ward at 753-7388 or e-mail at vickiw.logansportparks@frontier.com. saturday, february 14 valentine’s dinner/dance

Dinner served 5-7 p.m. at American Legion Post #60, 828 Burlington Ave. Prime Rib/Shrimp Cocktail/Glass Wine. Music by CRC Karaoke/Rodney Ervin 7-11 p.m.

Drawings, door prizes. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the bar or call 574-753-8620 for more info.

Saturday, FEBRUARY 28 BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE

Bowl For Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters biggest fundraiser. By registering before February 6, all bowlers will receive a FREE Bowl For Kids’ Sake tshirt. Cost is $150 per team, a mere $30 per person.

For more info call 574-722-2222 or visit bbbscass. org.

Valentine's Ball will raise funds for student scholarships Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region’s Logansport campus will host its sixth annual scholarship fundraiser Feb. 14. The For the Love of Education Valentine’s Ball will feature the Jhonny and Sallie Show; an exciting new live auction and raffle featuring an array of unique items and experiences; and a plated dinner and cash bar. The black tie optional event starts at 6 p.m. at the campus, 1 Ivy Tech Way. Money raised from the event goes toward scholarships for students who live in Cass, Fulton and Pulaski counties. More than $18,000 in scholarship funds was raised last year.

Every dollar raised from the event goes toward student scholarships – and supporting Ivy Tech’s mission of changing the lives of local students.

Reservations – limited at 220 this year – are now on sale on a first-come,

first-served basis.

The event has sold out every year since its inception in 2010.

Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased online at ivytech.edu/kokomo/valentines.html or by calling 866753-5102.

Reservations should be made by Feb. 6.

Organizers are continuing to accept donations for the event’s auction and raffle. Contact Suzanne Dillman, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs, at 574-753-5101, ext. 2179, for more information.

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Civic Players announce new venue for March show, auditions for spring musical Auditions have been tentatively set for Civic Players of Logansport’s spring musical, “Chicago.”

Set in 1920’s Chicago, the show tells the story of murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, who find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows.

Auditions will be conducted at the Civic Players building at 1115 Erie Avenue in Logansport over two weekends: February 6, 7 and 8, and again on February 20, 21 abd 22. Show dates are June 19, 20, 26 and 27. Mark your calendars now, and stay tuned for additional details to follow!

For more information, contact Lorien Stair-Spicer at lorienspicer@live.com, or Ralph Anderson at 574-722-3000.

Civic Players of Logansport and the State Theatre are pleased to announce that they will be collaborating on Civic Players’ March presentation of “The Lottie & Bernice Show.”

Civic Players Board President Ralph Anderson states, “We are very excited to announce this new venue for our March

production. The State Theatre is a wonderful venue that we feel will lend itself beautifully to this particular show. This is a very funny show, and the State Theatre has been hosting comedy shows for some time, so it seems like a very good fit.”

State Theatre proprietor Kevin Burkett agrees, saying “This is a win-win situation: more members of the public will have a reason to attend a show at the historic State Theatre, and this gives Civic Players of Logansport another venue that they can use, in addition to the great facility at McHale Performing Arts Center.”

“The Lottie & Bernice Show” tells the story of two grumpy old Polish ladies who become trapped in a television studio by a blizzard and end up taking over Western New York’s favorite morning show, “Buffalo Yak.” Show dates are Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m., plus a matinee at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 8. For more information, contact Ralph Anderson at 574-722-3000.

January 2015 | Cass County INfo: | 11

Solid Waste District announces dates of 2015 recycling events GUEST COLUMN BY BOB EHLE, JR. With the arrival of a new year, a lot of people are taking a look back at some of the highlights from the year gone by. I want to take a few minutes to do the same, and also to let you know about some events that are on the schedule for 2015.

One of the numbers from 2014 that we are most proud of at the Cass County Solid Waste Management District is 118,438. That’s the total pounds of electronics we collected last year. That’s quite an increase over the 48,000 pounds from a year earlier. We are continuing to accept e-waste five days a week, by appointment at no charge. The district office has also moved inside our warehouse where the collection takes place, so it should be even more convenient for people to simply call, make an appointment and drop of old televisions, computers and essentially anything with a cord. The office number is: 574-732-9253.

Our roll off recycling program continues to be extremely well utilized. These blue containers, which are for residents throughout Cass County to dispose of commingled recyclables, are located at: Pioneer Elementary in Royal Center, in Twelve Mile just off SR 16, at the junction of 350S/50E, at the 4H Fairgrounds, behind the Christian Church in Walton and at the wastewater plant in Galveston.

In 2015 these containers were changed 392 times, which is an increase of 30 from the year before. The total number of tons also increased from 406 to almost 423. The largest increase was at the fairgrounds, where the volume jumped almost 10 tons. That particular container is changed three times a week. I would ask everyone, at all of the locations, if the bin is full, to not leave any recyclables on the ground. Simply come back in a day or two when the container has been emptied. The people who own the sites, are allowing the Solid Waste District use them, and we would like to honor that by keeping them as clean as possible.

Also as a reminder: these containers are for commingled recyclables (paper, plastics, cardboard, tin cans, and glass that had contained a food product); not for trash or electronics. This program cost the district close to $70,000 to operate last year, and we do not receive any tax money.

The volume of material we collect during our R-Days in Logansport and Royal Center is down compared with last year.

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The weather may be one of the factors contributing to this decline. This is especially true in Logansport, where the volume went from 11.10 tons in 2013 to only 5.33 tons in 2014.

As we head through 2015, the Cass County Solid Waste Management District and Board remain committed to providing services to residents throughout Cass County. We have added several events to the calendar for the New Year.

Here are just a few of them: As part of the R-Day at Pioneer Elementary on February 14th, we will have a collection of old or expired medications, on April 18th we will have a special electronics and medicine collection in Walton, on July 18th there will be an electronics and medicine collection in Twelve Mile, and on September 19th we will host an electronics collection event in Logansport.

In addition to these events, our annual tire collection program will begin in Mid-April, and HHW Day is set for October 24th. We are also accepting fluorescent tubes and batteries at our warehouse, by appointment.

We are also extending our fluorescent tube collection effort to area businesses as well. For a very small fee, we will now accept these lights from Cass County businesses, churches and other non-profits. Just contact the district office for additional information.

The district is funded almost exclusively by host or tipping fees from the landfill, and while we are a taxing entity, the Solid Waste Board also remains committed to not implementing any type of tax, or uses fee.

If you have any questions or suggestions about ways we can better serve the community, please let us know.

BELOW: Officials from Cass and Miami Counties celebrated the expansion of Orion Safety Products, located on the county line.

caught on camera

ABOVE: Logansport Memorial Hospital OB nurse Angela Soupley holds Benjamin, the first baby born at Logansport Memorial Hospital in 2015. He arrived at 10:08 a.m. Thursday, January 1, weighing 6 lbs. 10 oz, and is the son of Alisha Griffin and Benjamin Juan Pascual. PHOTO BY MICHELLE DIALS TOP RIGHT: Lisa Clark with the Cass County Humane Society, Jason Mitchell with Emmaus Mission Center and Lt. Amanda Keene with The Salvation Army gratefully accepted donations received during the annual Downtown Christmas Open House held by Logan’s Landing in December. PHOTO SHARED BY BECKI HARRIS MIDDLE RIGHT: Dr. Greg Bell (center) received the Spirit of Cass County Award during the annual State of the City and County Luncheon. He’s pictured with Cass County Commissioner Jim Sailors and Chamber executive director Bill Cuppy. PHOTO BY MICHELLE DIALS BOTTOM RIGHT: BJ Cox (far right) was the recipient of the Kathy Dingo Spirit of the City award, and is pictured with Kathy’s husband Mike Dingo, daughter Gina Curl and Mayor Ted Franklin. PHOTO BY MICHELLE DIALS

January 2015 | Cass County INfo: | 13

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