The Decatur Daily Democrat

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...

Inflation measure falls to nearly five-year low as gas prices fall and housing costs cool

WASHINGTON — A key measure of inflation fell to nearly a five-year low last month as apartment rental price growth slowed and gas prices fell, offering some relief to Americans grappling with the sharp cost increases of the past five years. Inflation...

Rotary honors Bellmont Middle School Students of the Month

Recently, the Decatur Rotary Club hosted the Bellmont Middle School Students of the Month for November and December 2025, and January 2026 at a regular lunch meeting. In the front row are students Karsyn Rich, Fiona Schwartz, Linda Li, Abigail Eyanson,...

Policies, personnel top North Adams meeting

The February session of the North Adams Community Schools Board featured a first look at eight policies, technical corrections to two policies, and 17 personnel matters. All votes were 6-0, with board member Michelle Stimpson absent. Among the...

Another batch of snow over the weekend brought familiar wintery sights to the area, but the snow isn’t expected to last long.

Temperatures in Adams County climbed into the 50s on Tuesday. Despite a cool down into the 30s today and tomorrow, the temperature is expected to go back above 40 before the end of the week. A chance of snow does exist for Sunday.

Governors tackle cost of living with relief checks, tax cuts, housing policy

State officials are attempting to address voters’ worries about the rising cost of living, including housing and everyday items such as groceries, utilities and child care. As governors give their annual state of the state speeches, many of them are...

United Way heard at Rotary

United Way of Adams County Executive Director Jessica Thieme spoke to the Decatur Rotary Club recently about the projects and purposes of the United Way. Locally, the United Way raises funds for agency programs and also coordinates the Clothe a Kid and...

Local musicians progress to state competition

Adams Central High School band students earned top honors at the ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Contest this past weekend, submitting 17 solo entries performed by 14 soloists and bringing home 14 gold medals and three silver medals. The band also entered three...

ACCF grants Bellmont Middle School for audio equipment for band and electronics

The Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) awarded a grant to Bellmont Middle School (BMS) for audio equipment for band and electronics. Rachel Kesar, BMS band teacher and grant writer, reports the school is commissioning an ensemble for a new...

Commissioners approve two insurance contracts on Bixler firm’s advice

Following a presentation on February 3 by two agents from Bixler Insurance of Berne, the Adams County commissioners voted 3-0 twice to approve coverage contracts with three insurance firms: • Eastern Alliance for workers’ compensation, based on...

Bands of heavy snow and a recent cold stretch have left their mark on Adams County and the surrounding area, with temperatures occasionally, and wind chills frequently, dropping below zero degrees.

The Arctic air is expected to hang around through the end of this week.

County warming centers offering assistance

Nine locations are open for anyone in need of a warm building to go as Winter Storm Fern passes through the area this weekend. The bulk of the warming centers are located in Decatur. Adams Memorial Hospital, 1100 Mercer Ave., is offering a 24-hour...

Adams County Farm Bureau teaches children how to grow a pumpkin with INFB”s 2026 Book of the Year

The 2026 Indiana Farm Bureau Book of the Year is “The Pie That Molly Grew” written by Sue Heavenrich with illustrations by Chamisa Kellogg. The book follows Molly as she goes on the journey of growing a pumpkin– from the planting of a single seed to...

Less time to find, more time to fix with Vialytics

Decatur has decided to join governments in seven nations, around 40 U.S. states, some 30 Indiana counties, and many cities in this state by using an “intelligent road-management system” known as Vialytics. The city council voted 4-0 on January 20,...

Band students earn day out

AC Middle School Band students who met prestigious performance and participation requirements during the first semester earned a celebratory trip to Sky Zone, where they enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate their hard work and success together. (Photo...

Murals at the jail

County Republican candidates launch campaigns

Republican candidacies for a number of local races officially began on Thursday night at the Adams County Republican Party Announcement Celebration in Berne at the Clock Tower Inn. The night started with a dinner that went from 5:30-6:00 and featured...

“Terrible” energy rates cited as reason for use of solar, nuclear power in county

Energy costs in Indiana are “terrible and it’s going to get worse.” That comment by Rick Anderson, an executive of the Veregy energy-saving company of Indianapolis, was the basis of his pitch to the Adams County commissioners on January 13 for a...

Young readers complete 1,000 books

Levi Dowler and Emilia Dixon have finished 1000 Books before Kindergarten. Levi is the son of Danny and Alyssa Dowler. Alyssa commented, “It has been fun incorporating reading into our daily routine and to see it bring him joy.” Emilia is the daughter...

Christner speaks at Lions Club on behalf of Cancer Coalition

President of the Adams County Cancer Coalition Steve Christner spoke at the January meeting of the Decatur Lions Club on Monday night. The Adams County Cancer Coalition provides financial support to cancer patients. Dispersed money is used for a...

With the recent milder temperatures, woolly worms (banded woolly bear caterpillars) may make an appearance from hiding under their logs or leaf litter.

They possess a natural antifreeze (glycerol) that lets them survive freezing winters. Once an adult, they will become an Isabella tiger moth. Folklore states if they have a wider brown band, a milder winter is expected. If they have more black, a...

Turkey, chicken farms struck by Avian flu

(Editor’s Note: This story is the second in a series the Daily Democrat will be running this week recalling some of the top news stories of 2025). An outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) struck turkey and chicken producers in Adams...

Union Township, roundabout, AC leadership highlight 2025

A review of events from 2025 showed a year-long investigation into financial irregularities of the Union Township Trustee’s office concluded with former trustee Nathan Mihm pleading guilty following a detailed audit of township books by the Indiana...

Local reader reaches milestone

Nora Burkhart is the latest finisher of 1000 Books! Burkhart is the daughter of Alex and Kate Burkhart. The 1000 Books program helps to increase vocabulary, attention span, a love of reading and learning, and prepares children to enter kindergarten....

ACCF awards grants to Swiss Village for new campus signage

Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) is pleased to announce that Swiss Village was recently awarded a grant for new campus signage. Swiss Village retirement facility, located in Berne, IN, reports visitors, delivery drivers, and EMS drivers have...

ACCF granted The Hope Clinic for Margie’s Place membership to the Muselman Wellness Pavilion in Berne

The Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) is pleased to report that The Hope Clinic received a grant for Margie’s Place membership to the Muselman Wellness Pavilion in Berne. Margie’s Place is a home for pregnant women or new moms who need extra...

ACCF grants Fraternal Order of Police for Cops for Kids

The Adams County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) #127 recently held their annual ‘Cops for Kids’ event at Walmart. The event reached over 20 families with special thanks to the Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) David Houck Fund. David Houck was...

Pet of the Week: Esther the Miracle Cow

Meet Esther, a 7-year-old bottle-fed freemartin cow from Wallis Farm in Decatur, owned by Valerie and Shane Wallis. What makes her extra special? Both Esther and her owner were told they couldn’t have children–yet somehow, life had other plans. Esther...

Anderson finds his path in Ag

At just 20 years old, Colin Anderson of Geneva, Indiana, is helping prove that agriculture remains a strong and meaningful path for the next generation. For Colin, agriculture is more than crops and livestock–it’s about responsibility, consistency, and...

ACCF announces 2026 Lilly Endowment Community scholar

The Adams County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECS) for Adams County, Reagan Bollenbacher of South Adams High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their...

AMH introduces new MRI scanner, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and patient comfort

Adams Memorial Hospital has announced the installation and launch of its new Siemens Magnetom Altea 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner, now in full operation within the hospital’s newly constructed MRI suite. This upgrade significantly enhances imaging capabilities...

Local musicians spread Christmas cheer

This past weekend, AC band students filled the air with holiday cheer during a community benefit event hosted by Adams Medical Group, performing a variety of beloved Christmas tunes as guests walked through the venue admiring the beautifully decorated...

A Tradition Reborn: the story of Downtown Decatur Day

How a 70-Year-Old Celebration Came Back to Life For more than seven decades, the Downtown Sidewalk Sale was the heartbeat of Decatur, Indiana–a summer ritual that turned quiet streets into a scene straight out of a nostalgic postcard. Picture it: shop...

Henry receives DAISY Award

Adams Health Network has announced that Missy Henry, RN, of Adams Memorial Hospital’s Obstetrics (OB) Department, has been selected as the latest honoree of the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This award recognizes nurses who...

ACCF grants to Community Care of Northeast Indiana for Transitional and Recovery Support at Hannah’s House

The Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) is pleased to announce that Community Care of Northeast Indiana was awarded a grant for Community Care serving Adams County residents transitional and recovery Support at Grace & Mercy and Hannah’s House....

ACCF grants to Community Care of Northeast Indiana for Transitional and Recovery Support at Hannah’s House

Shown are the Community Care of Northeast Indiana, Hannah’s House staff, and resident: Taylor Davis, Office Manager, Christine Walker, Executive Director, Danielle Blough, resident, Andrea Dimond; Program Director, and Becky Watson, grant writer. The...

D Town Energy opens doors with heart and faith

Downtown Decatur just got a fresh burst of energy as D Town Energy officially opens its doors in its new location at the former M.C. Blooms building, 127 S 2nd Street. Owners Sian and Chris McDonald are excited to welcome the community into a space...

A whimsical winter dream comes to Berne: the Berne Christkindlmarkt

As you cross the threshold of the Berne Christkindlmarkt, a dazzling arch of lights and lush garlands frames your path. Nutcracker sentinels stand proudly at attention, their polished boots crunching on snow in your imagination. The air hums with...

Adams County Community Foundation grants to Alive & Well for Classes at Adams County Schools

Alive & Well seeks to partner with parents and teachers in order to educate, empower and inspire young people to make wise, healthy choices in all areas of life, make a positive impact in the world and seek help from trustworthy adults. The ACCF...

The Interurban Line: The electric marvel that one stirred our streets, and the quiet day it finally went dark

There was a time–not so long ago–when the low hum of an electric motor could be heard before dawn, gliding through Decatur like a promise of progress. Housewives would pause at their porches, farmers tipped their hats, and children raced to the corner...

Reductions of deductions made in state property taxes

The Adams County auditor’s office has announced that large reductions in the number of state property tax deductions were made by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun, with the law going into effect on January 1,...

Cub Scouts help retire flags

On November 19th, Decatur American Legion Post 43, along with recently reformed Cub Scout Pack 3064 of Decatur, conducted an American flag retirement ceremony. The flags that were collected for this event were worn, tattered, no longer suitable for...

Weekend snow creates fun experience for youngsters

AC musicians perform for veterans

The Adams Central High School Band recently played for those who served during a performance at the Annual Veterans Day Program. The band helped set the tone for the program and thanked the heroes who protect our freedoms.

The spirit of Thanksgiving in Adams County

On a crisp November morning in Adams County, Indiana, the air carries the familiar scents of roasting turkey, cinnamon-spiced pies, and simmering vegetables. Farm trucks rumble softly along county roads, delivering produce for holiday tables, while...

MR Planners celebrates 50 years in Decatur

While many were out and about celebrating the start of the holiday season this past weekend in downtown Decatur, one local business, MR Planners, commemorated a milestone of service to the community. 2025 marks 50 years in business for MR Planners,...