Shopping Guide News - February 18, 2026

What are the Priority Dispatch protocols?

Priority Dispatch protocols are designed for time-critical decision-making and enable telecommunicators to provide lifesaving instructions before responders arrive.

Developed and maintained by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch and delivered through the Priority Dispatch system, the protocols are organized into three disciplines: emergency medical, fire and police dispatch. Each uses structured questioning, determinant codes and pre-arrival instructions to guide callers through emergencies.

Here is a look at the three protocol groups and why they matter.

Emergency Medical Dispatch

Emergency Medical Dispatch provides:

• Rapid identification of life-threatening conditions.

• Determinant codes that define response priority.

• Pre-arrival instructions, including CPR and AED use, choking relief, childbirth assistance, bleeding control and airway management.

EMD transforms the call taker into the first link in the chain of survival. In many cases, what occurs during the first two to three minutes of a call directly affects patient outcomes.

Continued on page 2

Why 911 dispatchers ask so many questions and how it helps save lives

By WENDY MELTON Staff Writer

You have an emergency and you call 911but you are asked many questions. Why?

The person handling your call is a trained professional who must ask specific questions to ensure the appropriate emergency service is dispatched and that responders are fully prepared when they arrive.

“Our mission is to provide exceptional customer service and compassionate care to our community and to those traveling through our jurisdiction,” said Brittney Thompson, director of Fulton County’s 911 center.

Fulton County 911 has a team of 13 highly trained telecommunicators. Each is trained in the protocols and required questions that

must be answered. They are also vital to the safety of callers and responders.

Recently, to support this mission, the communications center began using the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch Priority Dispatch system. The center went live with the third discipline Feb. 10.

“This enables us to provide call-taking instructions for police, fire and emergency medical services,” Thompson said.

“These protocols are lifesaving tools for 911 centers and significantly improve outcomes for callers and emergency personnel. They are not scripts, but evidence-based systems designed to bring order, safety and precision to some of the most chaotic moments individuals experience,” she said.

Continued on page 2

Artist becomes business owner

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I’ve been involved in art all my life,” stated Tessa Brooks, Rochester. “I was pretty much self-taught when I was younger, but when I went to high school, and Sandi Schaeffer was my art teacher, artistic creativity took on a whole new life for me.”

“She inspired me to paint a couple murals at Rochester High School. I learned to appreciate all aspects of art,” said Brooks. She has been owner/operator of Elemental Art Studio since May of 2021.

“I actually started the art studio right after graduating high school,” she explained. “The old building had been a place for pottery and knitting in the past. So, it had some pottery supplies still there. My family and I refurbished it, and I was open for business.”

Brooks grew up in a family whose members are business oriented.

“My dad owns a concrete business, and my brothers were in the tree care business at the time

Why 911

IAED protocols guide dispatchers on which questions to ask, how to assess call severity, what pre-arrival instructions to provide, and the appropriate level and type of response to dispatch.

I opened. I also have some great friends willing to lend a hand and give me helpful advice.”

The studio offers an artistic experience to anyone walking through the doors. “I have over 100 pieces of pottery on racks on either side of the room. Customers come in and choose an item. I have the paints ready for them. They paint and design the piece. I let it dry and fire it. Then they can come pick it up in seven to 10 days.”

One popular piece is the birthday dinner plate. “Customers personalize it with a name and decorate it with a picture of a cake and perhaps some candles. Of course, kids love unicorn birthday plates. Decorating it brings out the creativity in the person designing the plate.”

Brooks also offers private lessons for children and adults at the studio.

“My mom is a teacher, and I think I might get my nurturing side from her,” she said. “Some of my students are interested in clay painting. Others enjoy 3-D projects. We do watercolor and acrylics painting. Some want to

Continued from page 1 “For any situation you can think of, there is a list of protocols we choose from - responding to a structure fire, providing CPR instructions or dealing with an active shooter. There is very specific information within all these protocols,” Thompson said.

“Without standardized protocols, call handling can vary based on experience, stress level or individual judgment,” Thompson said. “IAED protocols ensure consistent questioning, standardized response levels, and reduced bias and guesswork.”

“We work through a company called Priority Dispatch,” Thompson said. The protocols are designed for time-critical decision-making and enable telecommunicators to provide lifesaving instructions such as CPR during cardiac arrest, bleeding control and childbirth assistance.

“We’ve always done medical, but within the last year we’ve gone live with police, and on Feb. 10 live with fire,” she said. “What that means for callers is it may seem like we’re asking a lot of questions. The reason is to make sure we provide the right pre-arrival instructions. This includes medical instructions for all types of calls, scene-safety instructions or obtaining information for law enforcement.”

There are 31 different medical protocols, along with numerous police and fire protocols.

Telecommunicators are trained in emergency medical dispatch, emergency fire dispatch and emergency police dispatch.

“When people call, they sometimes get frustrated because we ask so many questions. We want people to understand why we do what we do,” she said.

“In addition to the protocols, there is so much more that we do, and we have a great group of women. Previously, with police and fire calls, we gathered only pertinent information. We had no infrastructure. Now it’s very specific. The National Academy of Emergency Dispatch has teams that developed these questions with input from police chiefs to attorneys,” she said.

Priority Dispatch also provides liability protection for telecommunicators if protocols are followed correctly when a call has a negative outcome.

“What I love as a director is

focus on drawing.”

When asked if she ever had anyone she couldn’t teach to enjoy art, she remarked, “When someone tells me they can’t do something, I immediately want to teach them how. I had an older woman who was interested in art lessons but wasn’t confident of her skills. She really wanted to learn to draw. Working with her one on one, we began to discuss line and texture. The more she grew to understand it, the more comfortable she became. I think each person has a unique style and we learn what that might be and focus on it. Small changes make a big difference.”

She teaches children ages 6 to 13.

“The younger they are, the smaller steps we take. We may start out making lines and shapes. Sometimes when little ones come in with siblings, they are able to tag along and catch on quickly.”

One of her biggest challenges is not having enough of her to go around. “I don’t yet have any employees, so much of the time it’s just me. I’m happiest when people

that I can sit down at the console and ask the same questions as the midnight shift, word for word,” she said. Thompson added, “Many people don’t know you can text 911. If you’re in a domestic violence or active shooter situation where you can’t talk, you can text the information. Voice is always best, but there are situations where you can’t. Having the protocols in place will save a lot of lives.”

What are the

Continued from page 1

There are 32 medical protocols, along with additional lifesaving instructions. Examples include:

1. Accelerator stuck and can’t stop vehicle.

2. Epinephrine auto-injector instructions.

3. Aspirin diagnostic and instructions for chest pain.

4. Choking instructions.

5. Person in the water.

6. Tourniquet use.

7. Narcan/naloxone nasal instructions.

8. Miscarriage.

9. Stroke diagnostic tool.

10. Vehicle in the water.

11. Airway arrest (CPR) for newborns, children and adults, including those with a tracheostomy.

12. AED instructions.

13. Childbirth.

14. Caller in crisis (mental health), which requires additional specialized training.

Emergency Fire Dispatch

Emergency Fire Dispatch is a protocol system focused on fire behavior, rescue needs and hazard recognition, often in rapidly evolving situations.

EFD provides:

• Early identification of

feel free to ask me questions when I’m teaching a group of people.”

The advice she’d give those starting a business: “Be comfort-

Fulton County telecommunicators have saved many lives using medical protocols. Currently, medical calls are transferred to Parkview Hospital. “We’re trying to bring that back locally. We use the same system they do,” she said.

In addition to call-taking operations, there is a quality assurance unit consisting of two medical, two police and two fire QA personnel.

“The purpose of this unit is

structure fires, wildland fires and hazardous materials incidents.

• Pre-arrival instructions, including evacuation, fire containment when appropriate, and rescue guidance.

Fire emergencies can escalate quickly. EFD helps telecommunicators recognize hidden dangers early, dispatch the correct apparatus and staffing, and keep callers out of harm’s way.

There are 33 fire protocols, plus additional lifesaving instructions. Examples include:

1. Accelerator stuck and can’t stop vehicle.

2. Wildland fire hazards.

3. Water rescue.

4. Building evacuation and life-safety guidance.

5. Urban search and rescue and vehicle hazards.

6. Tunnel fires.

7. Medical assessment and treatment support.

8. Tourniquet use.

9. Vehicle fire.

Emergency Police Dispatch

Emergency Police Dispatch provides:

• Rapid assessment of emergencies.

• Prioritization of calls, including life-threatening vs. nonur-

able with being uncomfortable. Expect new, scary things at first, and soon they will become familiar and comfortable.”

to ensure protocols are used correctly, consistently, and effectively across every call and every shift,” Thompson said. The QA program verifies that telecommunicators are protecting lives and improving patient outcomes, ensures protocol compliance and consistency, supports telecommunicators through constructive feedback, drives continuous improvement, and reduces agency risk and liability.

gent situations.

• Efficient allocation of police resources.

• Pre-arrival guidance to callers.

• Accurate documentation for accountability.

These protocols help save lives and prevent harm, optimize limited resources, improve response times and efficiency, reduce errors and miscommunication, and build public trust.

There are 36 police protocols, along with additional lifesaving instructions. Examples include:

1. Accelerator stuck and can’t stop vehicle.

2. Active assailant.

3. Sinking vehicle or vehicle in floodwater (caller inside).

4. Hostage or bomb/suspicious package incidents.

5. Caller in danger.

6. Tourniquet use.

Some protocols overlap and help determine which discipline - medical, fire or police - should take the lead under specific circumstances. For example, a crash with injuries may require medical protocols for patient care instructions, police protocols for scene safety and traffic control, and fire protocols if hazardous materials are involved.

Good Neighbors

Good Neighbors is a column in which readers share friendly advice. To ask or answer questions, write the Shopping Guide News, Good Neighbors, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542; fax 800-886-3796; or e-mail abias@the-papers.com. Please no phone calls.

Editor’s Note: The Good Neighbors column is for people looking for hard-to-find or old items or for people seeking advice, not for items you can find in a local store or sell through the help of a classified ad. This column now runs every other week. —o— Bird trap

Good neighbors: We live on a farm and have too many house sparrows around. I’ve been looking for a trap and would come pick up yours. Call (574) 546-1199.

New questions

Elliptical — Does anyone have a leg exerciser (elliptical) they don’t need? Call (260) 215-1504.

Almanac’s/newspapers — Looking for old almanac’s and any yellow or green grocery stamps. Also looking for old newspapers, any condition, and

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older grocery packages with instructions or advertisements. Call (574) 306-8527.

Home helper — Looking for someone to be a home helper to help organize and box items and some light cleaning. Call (574) 306-8527.

Magazines — Does anyone have Stewards Journal, Homesteading, Wholesome Gardening, Grit or MaryJanesFarm magazines they no longer need or want in the Milford, Nappanee or Warsaw area? Call and leave a message at (574) 646-2022.

Barn siding/barn beams — I am looking for some old barn siding and barn beams. Does anybody have any they want to get rid of? Call (574) 2482557 and leave a message.

Washing machine — Looking for a used washing machine, spin cycle must work. Reply through this column. — A reader

Jesus Christ is God

(Read John 1:1-18)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

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“Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, thou blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?” (John 10:36).

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and 58 to hearing. His works and his words show that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. Yes, Jesus is the Savior and Lord.

Sixth, the Father in Heaven is God, the Lord Jesus Christ is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. God is a Trinity. One illustration is an egg, which has three parts - shell, white and yolk - yet is one egg.

First, Jesus Christ is “the Word” (John 1:1). John had two purposes in mind when he wrote his Gospel: to prove that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and to invite people to believe in him and be saved (John 20:30-31). His evidence for the deity of Jesus Christ is threefold: (1) the miracles he performed; (2) the words he spoke; and (3) the testimony of witnesses who knew him. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Fourth, Matthew wrote for the Jews, Mark for the Romans, and Luke for the Greeks. John, however, had the whole world in mind when he wrote and frequently used the word world. He also alludes to the Old Testament more than 100 times, showing he was mindful of his Jewish readers too.

Fifth, the invitation in the Synoptic Gospels is, “Come and hear,” but in the Gospel of John, the invitation is also, “Come and see!” There are 67 references in the book to seeing

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

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Second, as you read the Gospel of John, you will hear Jesus speak (John 7:45-46), see Jesus act in power, and watch people respond to what he says and does. “Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, why have ye not brought (Jesus)? The officers answered, never man spoke like this man” (John 7:45-46).

Third, seven witnesses declare that he is the Son of God: (1) John the Baptist (John 1:34), (2) Nathanael (John 1:49), (3) Peter (John 6:69), (4) the man born blind (John 9:35–38), (5) Martha (John 11:27), (6) Thomas (John 20:28), and (7) the apostle John (John 20:31). Jesus also declared his deity (John 5:25; 10:36).

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (John 5:25).

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O B ituaries

Charles ‘Chuck’ Lavern Swanson Military Veteran And Devoted Man Of God

Charles “Chuck” Lavern Swanson, age 80, Rochester, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior at 12:31 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Chuck was born on Dec. 6, 1945, in Rochester, to Albert Lavern and Beverly (Dickson) Swanson. On Sept. 15, 1990, in LaPorte, he married Rose Mary Smith. Their marriage was a blessing built on love, faith, and companionship.

Chuck proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and later the U.S. Army, retiring after 28 years of honorable service. He later worked as a truck driver delivering homes for Fairmont Homes, taking pride in hard work and responsibility.

A devoted man of God, Chuck was a longtime member of Antioch Baptist Church in Rochester. His faith guided his life and gave him strength through both joy and hardship. In his quieter moments, Chuck enjoyed painting and drawing, finding peace in creativity, and he had a lifelong love for cars.

He was deeply committed to the ministry of evangelism, finding his greatest fulfillment in personal outreach and the sharing of the gospel. Often partnering with his close associate, the Rev. Jerry Pittman, he dedicated himself to spiritual mentorship, ultimately guiding many individuals toward a lifelong commitment to their faith.

Chuck leaves behind his loving wife, Rose Mary Swanson, New Carlisle; numerous stepchildren; stepgrandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; step-great-great-grandchildren; and stepsisters, Donna Vehrs, Gilbert, Ariz., and Margo Schrader, LaPorte, all of whom were blessed to be part of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents; his cherished daughter, Tonya Rose Swanson; brother, Danny Swanson, his step-brother, Gordon Keene, and step-grandson, Logan Kuntz. While his family grieves his passing, they take comfort in knowing he is reunited with those who went before him and is now at peace in God’s eternal care.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, with Pastor Jerry Pittman officiating. Friends may visit from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted at the funeral home by the Fulton County Veterans’ Honor Guard and the U.S. Army.

Burial will be at a later date at Athens Cemetery, Athens. Online condolences may be expressed at zimmermanbrosfh.com.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Pocock Experienced And Dedicated Salesman

Charles “Chuck” Pocock, 87, Rochester, died at 6:22 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at his residence.

Charles Rayne Pocock, Jr. was born on July 27, 1938, in Uhrichsville, Ohio, to Charles Rayne Pocock, Sr. and Lenora Mae (Bloom) Pocock. He graduated from South Side High School, Fort Wayne, in 1956.

Chuck had lived most of his adult life in Rochester coming from New London, Ohio. At that time, he worked for Nickles Bakery before transferring to Rochester, where he met his wife. Chuck married Carol Ann Sparks on July 21, 1972, in Rochester. They celebrated 54 years of marriage before his passing.

Chuck’s lifetime career was as a salesman, dedicated to each of his endeavors. These included being a car salesman, an auctioneer, building storage units, owning and managing Manitou Reality and Auction, and selling monuments. Sales was his expertise.

Among his special interests, he enjoyed traveling to Texas (seven years) and Florida (12 years). He enjoyed fishing, playing tennis, and golf. He belonged to the Optimist Club, the Elks Club, and the Moose Lodge, all of Rochester. He belonged to the Chevy Vintage Car Club of America. One of his proudest achievements was restoring a 1953 5-window Chevrolet pickup truck and painting it red (candy-apple), which was his favorite color.

Surviving Charles is his wife, Carol Ann Pocock, Rochester; three sons, Charles R. (III) (spouse, Tracy) Pocock, Rochester, Jeffrey A. Pocock, San Diego, Calif., and Todd C. Pocock, Rochester; two daughters, Stephanie E. (spouse, Jon) Woodworth, Ocean Isle, N.C.; Charla Richard, Rochester; 13 grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren.

Preceding Charles in death were his parents; two brothers, William and James Pocock; one sister, Mary Ann Forgatcho and a son-in-law, Carl Richard.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Rochester Grace Church, 201 W. Seventh St., Rochester. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 1 p.m., at the church. Rev. Kurt Nichols of Rochester Grace Church will officiate and burial will follow in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Grace Church Memorial Fund, the Grace Church Youth Fund, or the Optimist Club Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to earllovefuneralhome.com.

The arrangements have been entrusted to the Earl-Love Funeral Home, 811 E. Rochester St., Akron.

C O unty r ep O rt

Court News Circuit Court

The following petition has been filed in Fulton Circuit Court, Judge Arthur Christopher Lee presiding: Complaint

Capital One, N.A. v. Katie Wikstrom, Rochester, $2,743.70 Civil Tort

Shelly Wynkoop, no adress listed, v. Jeremy Sites, Rochester, demands judgement against defendant for injuries, damages and expenses, for costs, and for all other just and proper relief

Traffic Violations

The following fines and levies were paid in Fulton County courts:

Disregarding a stop sign — Kori Walker, Indianapolis, $164.50

Disregard lighted signal, sig-

nals exhibiting colored lights — Derek Bradley, Rochester, $164.50

Driving while suspended — Travis Whaley, Argos, $164.50; Curtis Williams, Kokomo, $164.50

Driving while suspended, speeding — Dylan Perry, Lafayette, $189.50

Failure of occupant to use a safety belt — Elizabeth Mettler, Twelve Mile, $25

Operating a motor vehicle without financial responsibility — Jason Poor, Rochester, $175 Operating with expired plates — Phylissidy Caldwell, Alexandria, $164; Harrison Nettleton, Fort Wayne, $164; Danielle Dwiggins, Rochester, $164

Speeding — Taysha Quick, Greenwood, $164.50; Anthony Neufville, Takoma Park, Md., $164.50; Quinton Johnson, Owensboro, $175; Camden Baker, Rochester, $164.50; Amir Brad-

Eric Kimmel

Eric Kimmel, 55, formerly of Rochester, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

Arrangements are pending at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester.

Octavia Lynn

Renee’ Chapman

Melissa and Jason Chapman, Argos, are the parents of a daughter, Octavia Lynn Renee’ born at 6:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in Woodlawn Health. She weighed 7 pounds, 9.5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.

She joins siblings Xavier, 15, Madyn, 12, Myracle, 10, Niko, 10, and Jace, 7.

Asher James

Deanna Skiles and Jarod Decker, Rochester, are the parents of a son Asher James, born at 3:40 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Woodlawn Health. He weighed 7 pounds, 11.5 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.

Ismael Tadeo Ortiz

Melany Mendez, and Diego Ortiz, Plymouth, are the parents of a son, Ismael Tadeo, born at 6:09 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Woodlawn Health. He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 21 inches long. He joins sibling Liliana, 3.

berry, Milwaukee, Wis., $164.50; Janet Lopez, Bloomington, $154.50; Michael Fletcher, Grand Rapids, $154.50; Tyler Mitchell, Noblesville, $164.50; Jenna Holtrop, Nashville, Tenn., $164.50; Alexandria Mccoige, Osceola, $154.50 Window tint violation by driver, vehicle windows tinted too dark — Allie Rouche, Fulton, $165

Dissolutions

The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Fulton County courts: Brubaker — Michael Brubaker, North Manchester, and Tina Brubaker, Rochester. Lachmund-Belcher — Thomas Lachmund, Tabernash, Colo., and Debra Belcher, Rochester.

Fulton County Public Library receives grant for community painting classes

The Fulton County Public Library has received a $4,000 Arts Project Support Grant from the Indiana Arts Commission and the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County to support a new community painting workshop series titled “Every Stroke Matters.”

The grant will fund free, monthly painting classes for teens and adults of all abilities. Classes will be held in the library’s newly renovated makerspace beginning in April and continuing through Sep-

tember. As part of community outreach, the library will also provide these painting classes to the Support Cafe and the Manitou Center. Grant funds will be used to purchase high-quality art supplies and develop educational materials to ensure an engaging and accessible learning experience for all participants. The “Every Stroke Matters” workshop series is designed to build community, expand access to art education and encourage creative expression in a welcom-

ing environment. Participants will explore diverse art movements and styles while gaining both technical skills and historical context, empowering them to express themselves creatively and confidently. Activities are made possible in part by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The following are accidents and incidents investigated by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office during the past week: Accidents

7:54 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16 - SR 25 and CR 825E, Mentone. Driver: Katherine Leckrone, 55, Rochester. Hit a deer.

12:48 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16 - West 18th Street and Sweetgum Road, Rochester. Driver: Chad Rutledge, 41, Jeffersonville. Rutledge’s vehicle slid off the road and hit a sign.

5:53 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 - South SR 25, Rochester. Driver: Amanda Neiger, 45, Wabash. Neiger’s vehicle went off the road into a ditch.

4:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 - North SR 25, Rochester. Driver: Justin Beck, 41, Rochester. Beck’s vehicle went off the road. Beck sustained unknown injuries and was transported to a hospital.

2:44 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 - CR 600S and CR 125E, Rochester. Driver: Robert Burns, 54, Macy. Hit a deer.

7:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 - SR 14 and CR 850W, Kewanna. Driver: Brian Wynkoop, 67, Kewanna. Wynkoop, an officer with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, had his vehicle struck from behind during a traffic stop.

11:01 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12Old US 31 and East Olson Road, Rochester. Driver: David Burns, 21, Rochester. Hit a deer. Burns complained of stomach pain.

7:31 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 - SR 17 and CR 900S, Kewanna. Driver: Jonathan Ellenwood, 48, Delong. Hit a deer.

9:05 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 - SR 25 and Caston High School, Rochester. Drivers: Tyson McBride, 18, Kewanna; and Kane Finke, 17, Kewanna. A backing accident occurred in the parking lot.

7:29 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - CR 825E and CR 500N, Rochester. Driver: Dawn Brown Beery, age and town not listed. Hit a deer.

6:36 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - SR 114, Akron. Driver: Brian Schilling, 61, North Manchester. Hit a deer.

6:26 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - West 13th Street, Rochester. Driver: Caleb Sheridan, 26, Macy. Hit a deer.

12:06 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - SR 25 and CR 300S, Rochester. Driver: Esmeralda Cortez, 26, Platteville. Hit a deer.

3:57 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - CR 300S and US 31, Rochester. Drivers: Randall Warren, 31, Knox; and Kori Clevenger, 36, Rochester. Warren’s and Clevenger’s vehicles collided. One driver suffered a broken wrist and bumps to the forehead. Incidents

7:57 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16 - 800 block Parkway Lane, Rochester. Harassment was reported. The caller said an individual is sending threatening messages and stating he will report the caller for fraud if the caller does not comply with demands.

8:16 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 - US 31 and CR 350S, Rochester. An officer assisted a motorist with a flat tire who could not contact anyone for help.

7:33 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 - 2000 block Heritage Drive, Rochester. A caller asked whether he could criminally trespass DCS workers from his property. He was advised

of his options and told there was nothing further the sheriff’s office could do.

2:12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 - 4500 block Oakhill Lane, Rochester. A violation of a protective order was reported.

1:10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 - US 31 and CR 50N, Rochester. A man on a four-wheeler was reported speeding on Meridian. The driver was stopped and given a warning.

7:23 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 - SR 17 and SR 110, Culver. Police responded to a disabled vehicle off the west side of SR 17. The vehicle was unoccupied and no owner information was found.

5:56 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 - 3000 block SR 25, Rochester. A complaint was made about someone shooting and setting off small explosives. An officer spoke with people at the address. They said they detonated Tannerite. No further issues were reported.

2:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 - US 31 and SR 110, Rochester. A semitractor-trailer was reported being driven erratically.

7:31 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 - 8900 block CR 500N, Rochester. A homeowner reported four SUVs on his property and unknown individuals knocking on his windows.

7:13 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 - CR 350N, Rochester. Trash was reported across the roadway. The responding officer cleared what he could and requested DNR be contacted. It was not believed the trash cans were state issued.

11:48 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13 - Park Road and West 18th Street, Rochester. Theft of a flashing yellow light from a sign was reported.

11:21 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13 - Newman Road, Rochester. Police received a report of a large amount of dumped trash. An address was found in the debris and the person was given until 5 p.m. to remove it.

7:35 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13 - SR 14 and Bessmore Park Road, Rochester. A caller reported a bucket truck driving recklessly.

7:42 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12Sweetgum Road, Rochester. A vehicle was reported stolen but later returned.

5:02 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 122800 block SR 25, Rochester. A caller reported neighbors had been shooting for more than an hour and disturbing the peace.

1:46 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 129800 block SR 25, Rochester. Police responded after a student was found in possession of a THC vape.

9:02 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 - US 31 and SR 110, Argos. A box truck was reported traveling with an open rear door and an unsecured pallet jack. The vehicle was located and the load secured.

Midnight Thursday, Feb. 12 - US 31 and CR 600N, Rochester. A semitractor-trailer was reported driving recklessly.

11:44 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11CR 925E and SR 14, Akron. A cow was reported in the roadway.

10:33 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11CR 800E and SR 14, Akron. A caller reported a reckless driver passing on a double yellow line.

9:56 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - SR 114, Akron. A caller reported her television was on after she had been away for two days. Officers checked the residence and outbuilding; all

was secure.

10:34 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 105400 block CR 350E, Rochester. A caller reported numerous dogs in her yard.

9:57 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - 1200 block West 13th Street, Rochester. A caller attempted to purchase a vehicle online and said the delivery price kept increasing. The vehicle was reportedly in Kentucky and the seller requested additional money. The caller was advised it was a scam and to contact her bank.

1:25 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - SR 25 and CR 400S, Rochester. An officer tagged a disabled vehicle for 72 hours before towing.

10:04 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - US 31 and CR 550N, Rochester. An officer removed tire debris from the northbound lane.

6:26 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - North Meridian Road and CR 50N, Rochester. An officer checked on a vehicle off the roadway. The driver was taking photos of the sunset and was warned for not using head-

The following people were booked in the Fulton County Jail during the past week:

Feb. 16 - Chad M. Rutledge, 41, 575 Strange Road, Jeffersonville, Ky., booked for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Released on his own recognizance.

Feb. 15 - Corwin S. Booker, 41, 2011 E. Memorial Drive, Muncie, booked on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of theft. No bond.

Feb. 15 - Luis Alonso Medina Santos, 30, 9301 Oklahoma St., Rochester, booked on a warrant for child seduction and domestic battery. Bond: $50,000 surety.

Feb. 14 - Jeffrey Robert Knoebel, 54, 2001 E. 450N, Rochester, booked for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Released on his own recognizance.

Feb. 13 - Roderick Malik Jackson, 25, 4210 Wimbledon Drive SW, Apt. 5, Grandville, Mich., booked for operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license. Released on his own recognizance.

Feb. 13 - Alex Ryan Craft, 23, 5630 E. 275N, Rochester, booked for operating a vehicle while intoxicated with

lights. The driver was also advised police-style lights on the vehicle were not permitted.

5:10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - 1400 block SR 14, Rochester. Police were alerted to a bicyclist pulling a wagon and wearing dark clothing who was nearly struck by a vehicle.

3:37 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - 1500 block East Lucas Street, Rochester. A caller asked about trailer titles but did not possess the trailers or equipment involved. The caller was advised the matter was civil.

a prior and possession of marijuana. Bond: $2,500 surety or $500 cash.

Feb. 13 - Matthew Robert Lozano, 23, 3124 E. SR 14, Rochester, booked for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Released on his own recognizance.

Feb. 12 - Dylan Michael Lewis, 25, 211 Westwood Lane, Rochester, booked for attempted kidnapping, disorderly conduct and placement of prohibited 911 calls. No bond.

Feb. 12 - Diana Romero, 47, 2147 Southway 31, Rochester, booked for domestic battery. No bond.

Feb. 11 - Jonathon Michael Rizzo, 34, 205 Northgate Circle, Rochester, booked on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of domestic battery. No bond.

Feb. 11 - Travis Lee Speicher, age not listed, 392 Indiana St., Wabash, booked on two warrants. Bond: $300 cash.

Feb. 10 - Damier Eaton, 20, 1525 Barnhill Drive, Mishawaka, booked for possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish or salvia and invasion of privacy. Released on his own recognizance.

Feb. 10 - Kareem Amar Ramsey, 25, 3066 Wildcat Lane, Indianapolis, booked for possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish or salvia and reckless driving. Released on his own recognizance.

Feb. 10 - Carlos Sarmiento, 29, 6112 Cheshire Road, Indianapolis, booked for refusal to identify self while stopped for an infraction and operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license. Released on his own recognizance.

Feb. 9 - Agustin Figueroa Jr., 34, 7053 W. 200S, Kewanna, booked on a warrant for probation violation on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Bond: $500 cash.

R ocheste R P olice R e P o R ts

The following are accidents and incidents investigated by the Rochester Police Department during the past week:

Accidents

2:55 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, Bartman Street, Rochester. Drivers: Todd M Gamble Jr., Fulton Avenue, Rochester; and Shelly D. Michael, Kokomo. Gamble’s and Michael’s vehicles collided.

8:03 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9, Monticello Road, Rochester. hit-and-run crash was reported. A description of the vehicle was provided to police.

Incidents

4:54 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 - 2500 block Country Club Drive, Rochester. An employee was locked out of an office and requested a keyholder be contacted.

1:41 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 - 18th Street and Wabash Avenue, Rochester. A caller reported a vehicle disabled in the intersection. A passerby helped push it clear, and AAA was contacted.

8:14 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 - 1100 block Jackson Boulevard, Rochester. Theft of medication was reported.

7:20 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 - 2100 block Southway 31, Rochester. A woman reported being harassed by an employee at a business.

11:50 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 - 700 block East Fourth Street, Rochester. A caller reported harassment.

1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 - 300 block East 14th Street, Rochester. A resident reported hearing pounding noises on the side of his residence around 3:30 a.m. An officer was requested to check the property.

10:12 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 -Main

and West 18th Street, Rochester. A man was reported walking southbound in the middle of Main Street. When officers arrived, he was no longer in the roadway.

9:03 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - 80 block Rochester Plaza, Rochester. Drug paraphernalia was collected by police for disposal.

3:24 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 - 1100 block Park Road, Rochester. A dispatcher received a hang-up call and follow-up text received no response.

A man later answered and said items were taken from his freezer before the call disconnected again. Officers spoke with the resident, who said the man no longer lives there and she did not know why he called.

12:52 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 -700 block Main Street, Rochester. A business alarm was reported. Police checked the building and found all doors secure and no alarm sounding.

8:37 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - 3000 block Country Club Drive, Rochester.

A lost wallet was reported.

7:05 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - 1000 block Elm Street, Rochester. Police contacted a driver about a stop-arm violation. The driver was issued a summons.

5:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - 700

block Race Street, Rochester. A parent reported children locked a vehicle with the keys inside.

4:17 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - 2400

block Main Street, Rochester. A caller reported a box truck driving erratically and traveling northbound on US 31 after turning from SR 25.

11:12 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - 200

block McDonald Drive, Rochester. Police were asked to complete paperwork for a recovered U-Haul.

Speech and debate students learn skills while having fun

By BRIANNA WHITE Staff Writers

Students at Warsaw Community High School and Tippecanoe Valley High School have the opportunity to compete on speech and debate teams - the only two such programs in Kosciusko County - and coaches say the activity builds lasting communication and leadership skills. Speech and debate features 15 competitive events, including broadcasting, poetry and various debate formats. Students prepare

Open House for US 31 project

The Indiana Department of Transportation will host an open house from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, on the Marshall-Fulton US 31 Corridor interchanges and bridges project.

The event will be held at Argos Community Jr-Sr High School, 500 Yearick St., Argos.

INDOT will share plans for interim safety measures for US 31 at SR 10 and long-term plans for

US 31 at SR 10, US 31 at SR 110, US 31 at CR 700, US 31 at 19th Road and overall access controll. Learn about interim measures for US 31 at SR 10 and long-term plans for US 31 between CR 700 and 16th Road. During the open house people will be able to view designs and talk to project team members at each station with an opportunity to provide feedback.

A history and project engagement document created November 2025, is available to review at in.gov/indot/files/History,-Timeline-and-Projected-Engagement-Pr.pdf.

A copy of a public open house held in Argos on March 13, 2025, can be reviewed in.gov/indot/ files/2025-03-13-US-31-CorridorPublic-Open-House-Presentation-2.pdf.

speeches, performances and arguments for judged tournaments.

Lori Roe, assistant professor of communications at Marian University and WCHS speech and debate coach, has taught speech at the high school and college levels for 27 years. She became involved when her daughter joined the team, first helping with coaching and chaperoning before taking over the program three years ago when the previous coach left.

Jason Pogue, a TVHS math teacher and speech and debate coach, described himself as “an over-exuberant parent and a former speech student.” He volunteered as an assistant coach with Roe when his daughter competed and later made it a priority to launch a team at TVHS. The program began this school year.

Both coaches stress that winning is not the primary goal.

“Winning’s not our ultimate goal though. … This is about lifelong skills and experiences,” Roe said.

Pogue agreed. “The interest is not blue ribbons — I’ll go buy them if they want them. My interest is in making them better communicators,” he said.

Even so, students from both schools have earned strong results.

Kylah Cook, a 2025 WCHS graduate, placed third at the Indiana Schools Speech and Debate Association state competition with an original oratory about how blindness shaped her perspective on life.

Alexandra Keaton, a TVHS freshman, competes in original performance, combining her own poems into a single piece. She has earned a first-place blue ribbon and a “picket fence,” meaning every judge ranked her first in each round, and has placed at varsity-level tournaments despite being on a first-year team.

Students consistently describe the activity as both fun and chal-

lenging, and many say it creates a family-like atmosphere.

Olivia Ganser, a WCHS sophomore, said speech allows her to combine her interests in performance and research. “I have a lot of different sides to me … and speech helps me get all those outlets out because there are so many different opportunities,” she said.

Alyzah Guerra, a WCHS senior and vice captain, called it “a great way to make friends” and learn how you communicate best. Kaitlyn Eastgate, a TVHS junior, said, “Since being in speech and debate, I speak a lot more confidently.”

Both coaches say they see steady growth in students’ communication, critical thinking and teamwork abilities. They dislike the label “soft skills,” saying it understates their value. Pogue prefers “skill amplifiers,” while Roe calls them “multiplier skills.”

“Being able to effectively talk about what you know and what you know how to do multiplies everything you have,” Roe said.

Students say the skills translate to many career paths. Xitlaly Xique, a WCHS sophomore, is considering either law or trade school for machining and welding and believes speech will help in either field, from courtroom presentations to speaking up in a male-dominated industry.

Emilia Samaranayake, a WCHS senior and team captain, plans to study policy and public communication and political science and hopes to become an immigration lawyer. She said competition has taught her patience, listening skills and how to find common ground with people who hold different views.

Dylan Mora, a WCHS freshman whose first language is Spanish, said the team improved his English vocabulary and confidence. “This has made my communication and vocabulary much better than it was before,” he said.

Roe encourages students to measure success by personal growth. “At the end of the season in March, I want you to be able to look back at where you started and see that you’ve grown,” she said.

Students say that growth extends beyond trophies. As Samaranayake put it, hearing others’ stories and perspectives “has allowed me to be broader and more accepting,” - a skill she believes is increasingly important.

APC recommends

proposed data center in Fulton County

Text and Photos By BRIANNA WHITE Staff Writer

An emergency Area Plan Commission meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10, on a proposed data center in Fulton County drew a standing-room-only crowd and ended with a recommendation for a one-year moratorium.

The APC voted to recommend the moratorium on the proposed project to the Fulton County commissioners.

The meeting room at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office was filled, with additional attendees gathered in the jail lobby watching a livestream on their phones. Many wore black T-shirts or neon yellow hats reading, “No Data Centers in Fulton County.”

The project is proposed by Decennial Group, a real estate investment and development company. Public speakers were limited to two minutes but could yield their time to another person.

A group of Akron residents organized a petition opposing the project and hired Laureen White of White Legal Services as legal counsel.

White said her clients want a countywide moratorium to allow time to study siting and regulation, including environmental concerns, utility rates, resource consumption, grid capacity, property values and safety requirements. She also called for a data center committee made up of at least 50% citizen members holding open, public meetings.

Multiple speakers told APC members they were chosen to represent residents and said the turnout showed strong opposition.

“You’re planting the seeds of discontent in this community, and it will go on forever if you build that thing,” said Braxton Eikenberry.

Jack Hartzler, former chair of the Fulton County GOP, told the commission, “The people are making their voices heard. You should be listening to them,” and urged residents to also raise concerns at the state level.

Fulton County Council member Barry Baldwin said officials are elected or appointed to represent the public and urged APC members to listen to constituents, adding that many residents have researched data centers and oppose them.

Rich Solano, representing the Akron Town Council, encouraged officials to slow the process and adopt a moratorium so government leaders and citizens can review costs and benefits. He said the large turnout showed the personal impact of the issue.

Several residents said they were unaware of earlier zoning changes related to data centers until the recent announcement.

Commissioner David Summers responded prior meetings were publicized but lightly attended and said earlier decisions were made based on what officials believed was best for the county. He recommended sending the matter back to the commission without additional action.

County Assessor Kasey Lee recommended future hot-button issues include widely promoted public quorum meetings.

Ethan Trottier, a board member with Rochester Community School Corporation, disputed earlier statements from representatives of Fulton County REMC, saying claims that data centers typically do not connect to sewage and water systems were inaccurate. He said most large facilities do.

Many speakers cited research they said showed potential environmental and health impacts from large-scale data centers.

Lee referenced past county contamination cases involving landfill and industrial pollution that damaged water quality and property values, saying those events inform her concerns about new heavy infrastructure. She also raised concerns about pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, describing them as difficult to manage in fires and saying local departments are not equipped for such incidents.

She criticized proposed “Good Neighbor” payments from developers, saying such agreements could discourage future complaints or legal action.

Nichole Martin, who operates a river recreation and camping business, said her work depends on clean water and responsible land use. She said agricultural zoning protects farmland and groundwater and described her stance as pro-stewardship.

Henry Smith, owner of Smith Excavating, said he has worked on a data center project and installed a major water line serving one. He said such facilities require significant water resources and can dramatically alter surrounding properties. While data centers have a role, he said, site selection should be carefully studied.

A statement read by Akron homeowner Lindsey Shambaugh from a local opposition group argued earlier discussions should have been delayed for more research and public

input. It said large data centers can bring hidden costs, including higher electric bills, limited permanent jobs, infrastructure strain and environmental impacts, and asked officials to support a moratorium.

Joe Kreeger, general counsel for Decennial Group, said the company was not involved when county ordinance changes were approved, has not selected a site and has not signed local agreements. He said the company is exploring possibilities and asked residents to consider what a well-designed project could provide.

Rochester City Council member Ruth Gunter spoke in favor, saying data centers are part of the future economy and can be integrated responsibly with proper planning.

Dave Pavlik, Decennial Group co-founder and managing partner, said company representatives have spoken one-on-one with more than 100 local residents. He acknowledged community concern and said the decision involves balancing short- and long-term community interests, adding that project development can be an imperfect process.

Updates and happenings in and around the area

YA Amplified will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Akron Public Library, 205 E. Rochester St., Akron. Middle school and high schools students are welcome to attend the program, which meets the third Wednesday of each month. Sign-up is required.

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A free meal is offered from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Grace Church, 210 W. Seventh St., Rochester. Meals are served by First Baptist Church, First Christian Church and Mill Creek Missionary Church. All are welcome. Takeout is available.

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Board of Works meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Rochester City Building

Complex, 320 Main St., Rochester.

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A Spark (Widows/Widowers) lunch is open to the public at noon Friday, Feb. 20, at Rochester Church of God, 3048 Southway 31, Rochester. All widows and widowers are encouraged to attend this time of food and fellowship. Call (574) 223-5922 for more information. All are welcome.

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An indoor winter carnival with games and prizes will be from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Fulton County Fairgrounds, 1009 W. Third St., Rochester. Free admission. Games are $1-$3 per game. Tickets are available at the door. All proceeds benefit Faith in the Fight for Fulton County, helping

RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) Of Fulton Co. Is Planning Several Upcoming Trips!!

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA — APRIL 13-18, 2026

This fun 6-day trip includes luxury motorcoach transportation, ocean view lodging, 8 meals including Captain George’s Seafood Buffet, admission to Nauticus to see the Battleship Wisconsin and Naval Museum, MacArthur Memorial, full day at Colonial Williamsburg, Merchants Square shopping, free time at the beach & boardwalk, Norfolk Waterside District, and a patriotic musical performance in Norfolk to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday! Cost = $1199/person (based on dbl occ). $100/person nonrefundable deposit will hold your seat.

MISSISSIPPI RIVERBOAT CRUISE — MAY 27-30, 2026

Join us as we cruise on the Mississippi aboard the Riverboat Twilight. This trip includes visits to the Illinois Railway Museum, Isabell Bloom’s Sculptures Tour, Mississippi Spoon Museum, Rock Island Arsenal Tour, 2 days aboard the Riverboat Twilight, all lodging and luxury motorcoach transportation, and 7 meals including dinner at The Machine Shed. Cost = $975/person (based on dbl occ). A nonrefundable deposit of $100/person holds your seat.

DAY TRIP TO THE BEEF HOUSE THEATER ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026

TO SEE A NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE!

If you love Neil Diamond, come along with us as we travel to Covington, Indiana to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the Beef House, followed by a performance by singer Keith Allynn, who takes us on a journey of Diamond’s life through Diamond’s own songs. Keith Allynn is a 14-time Branson Show Award Winner. Cost = $149/person, and includes luxury motorcoach transportation, meal, and show ticket. Tickets are nonrefundable.

DAY TRIP TO THE BEEF HOUSE THEATER ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

TO SEE FOUR OLD BROADS ON THE HIGH SEAS!

We travel to Covington, Indiana to find that our four favorite senior citizens are back - this time on a cruise to the Bahamas. Beatrice and Maude want to meet ALL the eligible men on the ship, Eaddy tries to find the topless sun deck, and wedding bells might ring for Sam and Imogene. Throw in a mystery and a crazy costume party, and these gals will have you laughing out loud! Cost = $149/person, and includes luxury motorcoach transportation, meal, and show ticket. Tickets are nonrefundable.

WASHINGTON, DC — OCTOBER 1-5, 2026

This trip will make you feel very patriotic! Highlights of the trip include visits to Arlington Cemetery, Smithsonian Institution, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, MLK Jr Memorial, FDR Memorial, plus guided sightseeing tours of US Capitol & Visitor’s Center, and US Library of Congress. Also guided tour of illuminated monuments, including the Pentagon, Jefferson Memorial, and Washington Monument. Cost = $995/person (based on dbl occ) includes luxury motorcoach transportation, all lodging, and 6 meals.

SEDONA’S RED ROCKS & GRAND CANYON

MAY 16-21, 2027

See the American West with us as we travel to Arizona to see beautiful Sedona, enjoy a welcome dinner at Rustler’s Rooste Steakhouse, ride the Grand Canyon Railway and the Verde Canyon Railroad, visit Grand Canyon National Park, see Montezuma Castle National Monument, take a trolley tour of Sedona, enjoy a chuckwagon supper at the Blazin’ M Ranch, see the old mining town of Jerome, and relax with a day to eat & shop in Sedona. Cost = $3624/person includes roundtrip airfare from Chicago to Phoenix, all lodging, 8 meals, and roundtrip airport transfers from Rochester to Chicago.

ALASKAN CRUISE

JUNE 15 - 27, 2027

This fabulous land and sea trip has it all! Cruise on Holland America Cruise Lines and enjoy the sights and sounds of Alaska, including Fairbanks, Anchorage, Denali National Park, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Included is a $100/ person shore excursion credit, a signature beverage package, 1 night of specialty dining, and a WIFI surf package. Please call for pricing and more information.

For information on any of these trips, contact RSVP Director Anne King at 574-223-3716 or Donna Riddle at 574-835-0400, tripsandtours@destinationsbydonna.travel

local families facing cancer with everyday living expenses.

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Get free help with filing your FAFSA starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. Visit CollegeGoalSunday.org for more information.

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Fulton County Public Library, 320 W. Seventh St., Rochester, will show the movie “Karate Kid: Legends” at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the Teen Oasis Room.

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Library board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at Kewanna-Union Township Public Library, 210 E. Main St., Kewanna.

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Area plan commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Fulton County Annex Building, 125 E. Ninth St., Rochester.

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Debbie’s Dandies will be making paper flowers at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Fulton County Public Library, 320 W. Seventh St., Rochester. No signup required. A limited number of kits will be available for pickup.

Location to be announced.

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City council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Rochester City Building Complex, 320 Main St., Rochester.

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Redevelopment commission meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Rochester City Building Complex, 320 Main St., Rochester.

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BZA meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Fulton County Annex Building, 125 E. Ninth St., Rochester.

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Black History Month presentation and story time will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, in Kewanna-Union Township Public Library, 210 E. Main St., Kewanna.

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Mark Bishop will perform a gospel concert during the 9:30 a.m. service, Sunday, March 1, at First Baptist Church, 1000 Main St., Rochester. Attendees will be invited to give a freewill offering.

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Sign up to receive a free tree

at Kewanna-Union Township Public Library, 210 E. Main St., Kewanna. Visit kewanna.lib. in.us for more information and to register. Sign-up is open now through March 15; trees will arrive the week of Earth Day (April 22).

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Anyone needing shelter can find free beds and food at Heart to Heart Church, 198 Southway 31, Rochester.

Hours are 6-9 p.m. The warming center offers shelter from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. All are welcome to stay.

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A grief group meets 4-7 p.m. Thursdays at The Support Cafe, 715 Main St., Rochester. Call (219) 386-0489 for more information. Emphasis on suicide loss but also welcomes those experiencing grief, relationship ending, loss of a pet, illness or other cause. The message is simple: You are not alone.

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At 10 a.m. every Wednesday, Akron Public Library, 205 E. Rochester St., Akron, will host its preschool story hour. Call (574) 893-4113 for more information.

4-H Council hosting pancake breakfast

The Fulton County 4-H Council will host a pancake breakfast from 7–10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. The breakfast will be held at the Fulton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1009 W. Third St., Rochester. A freewill donation will be accepted.

Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Student entrepreneurs take the stage at FEDCO’s Annual First Pitch

Three area high schools will be represented at the seventh annual First Pitch by FEDCO event, where six entrepreneurial entrants will compete for cash prizes sponsored by Fulton County REMC. Participating schools include Caston, Tippecanoe Valley and Rochester high schools.

The event will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12, at The Times Theater in downtown Rochester. Six finalists (two from each of the above schools) will have seven minutes to present their business pitch to a panel of three judges. Each presentation must include:

• Participant name(s).

• Business name.

• Description of product/service.

• Tell what made the team interested in this kind of business.

• Tell why business is feasible and why it will be successful (summary).

• Define the business model and how it will make money, target customer(s), pricing, costs, projected profitability.

• Identify the business’s competitive edge.

Judges will have six minutes to question each participant following the presentation.

Since February 2020, the Ful-

ton Economic Development Corp., through its BizGro program, has coordinated the Fulton County entrepreneurial opportunity with area schools.

Amy Beechy, BizGro manager, shared, “From the beginning,

our goal has been to expose students to what it actually takes to develop a business idea. If someone goes on to start a business, that’s wonderful, but it’s not the expectation. The real value is in experiencing the process: thinking it through, putting it on paper and then stepping up to pitch the idea. Those skills – confidence, problem-solving and communication carry far beyond this program.”

She added winning students who want to launch their businesses will have access to FEDCO’s resources, including business planning classes, workshops, low-interest loan funds and business counseling.

Fulton County REMC sponsors this event by offering

Pancake breakfast to support Amos family

An all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast will be held at the Mentone Fire Station to support Jake Amos’ family.

The breakfast will run from 7–10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. It will include pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.

Amos, a paramedic with Lutheran EMS, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. All proceeds will go directly toward the family’s unforeseen financial needs. The breakfast is open to the public for a freewill donation.

Amos was a dedicated member of his community known for his self-

lessness, loyalty and commitment to serving others.

He worked as a paramedic for more than 16 years, including 10 years with Lutheran EMS, serving Kosciusko, Fulton and Marshall counties. Colleagues said he approached both routine calls and life-threatening emergencies with calm professionalism and compassion.

Earlier in his career, he also served with Knox County EMS, SEALS EMS, Cares EMS, Life Med EMS and Fulton County EMS. He was known among coworkers and

Junie B. Jones Jr.

Rochester Middle School Theater Arts will present “Junie B. Jones Jr. The Musical” at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27–28. Performances will be held in the RHS audi-

torium, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under age five. Tickets will be available at the door.

patients for his reliability, leadership and willingness to help others.

In addition to his EMS career, Amos served for many years as a volunteer firefighter with the Burket Fire Department, contributing his time and service to the community.

He is survived by his wife and three children, as well as his parents, siblings, grandparents and in-laws.

$1,500 in cash prizes to the six finalists. Awards will be distributed as follows: $500 for first place; $400 for second; $300 for third; and $100 each for fourth

through sixth place. The program is open to the public. For more information, contact Amy Beechy at (574) 709-7955 or amy@projectmattersllc.com.

Head Start offers free preschool

Head Start, located at 515 E. Ninth St., in Rochester, offers free preschool for children ages 3–5 and is currently accepting applications.

The following documents are required for enrollment:

• Child’s birth certificate.

• Child’s immunization record.

• Insurance card.

• Proof of income from 2025.

• Current 2026 pay stub.

• SNAP, TANF, SSI, employer, employment, or military information. For more information, call (574) 223-4994.

grapplers Robbins, Beck, Gard to join him at state

Boys Wrestling

By VAL TSOUTSOURIS SPORTS EDITOR, RTC

Rochester’s Layne Horn won his second consecutive title at 132 pounds at the East Chicago semistate Saturday, Feb. 14, and teammates Jackson Robbins (120), Brant Beck (165) and Declan Gard (heavyweight) will join him at the IHSAA state finals this weekend.

Horn, ranked No. 3 in the state per IndianaMat.com, defeated New Prairie’s Colton Newgent and Lake Central’s Aidan Witry by fall to earn his state ticket. He then edged Crown Point’s Gavin Lewis, ranked fifth, 4-1 in the semifinals and Hanover Central’s Isaiah Buikema 10-0 in the final.

Horn improved to 44-1 on the season and earned his fourth trip to state. He will wrestle Southridge’s Owen Blessinger in the first round at state at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Friday, Feb. 20.

Robbins, ranked No. 14, advanced by finishing second. He pinned Lafayette Jeff’s Parker

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Barnard and Griffith’s Jeffery Fleming to clinch his state spot and then avenged an earlier loss to Portage’s Zavier Acuña with a 5-4 win in the semifinals. He finished with a 6-5 loss to Merrillville freshman Ethan Alvarez, ranked No. 5.

Robbins, a junior, is 41-6 and earned his first trip to state. He will wrestle North Miami’s Braylon McIntire in the first round.

Beck, ranked No. 2, lost to topranked Matthew Staples of New Prairie in the semistate final for the second straight year. Last year, he lost by a decision. This time, he lost by technical fall (19-3) in 4:23.

Beck reached the final with wins by fall over Munster’s Kaleb Moore and Harrison (West Lafayette)’s Carter Heriges and a 14-5 major decision over Hobart’s Hayden Mancilla.

Beck will take a 42-2 record into his fourth career state finals. He will wrestle Garrett senior Jackson Endsley in the first round at state on Friday, Feb 20.

Gard, ranked No. 14, earned his state bid by finishing third. He started with a fall over Andrean’s Deshawn Jackson in the first round and a 7-5 decision over Crown Point’s Tony Brooks in the quarterfinals. He then lost by tech fall (19-4) in 5:07 to New Prairie’s James Hartleroad in the semifinals before bouncing back to pin Michigan City’s Lucas Nelson in the third-place match.

Gard, a senior, advanced to state for the second straight year. He will carry a 41-3 mark into his first-round match at state against Warren Central’s Jacari Markey

Friday. Gard beat Markey in overtime in last year’s state quarterfinals.

Boys Basketball

Basketball is a hard game, but it is also a simple game.

The Rochester boys basketball team had two hard days of practice prior to its game against Wabash at the RHS gym Friday, Feb. 13. Coach Luke Smith made the practices hard after a 17-point loss to Plymouth Tuesday, Feb. 10.

The simple part seemed to revolve around Jonas Kiser. If Wabash attacks Kiser with a double team, cut to the basket, and he will find you. Move the ball for an open shot.

On defense, pay attention to where the opponent’s best shooters are and try to disrupt their timing.

After making seven 3-pointers and also getting the ball in the paint to senior forward Kiser, the Zebras pulled away in the third quarter to beat the Apaches 55-41.

Kiser led Rochester with 23

points and 10 rebounds. Jack Reffett came off the bench to hit three 3-pointers for nine, and Liam Spence added eight.

Smith did not like the way his team practiced Monday, Feb. 9.

A bad game against host Plymouth at Jack Edison Court followed the next day.

Dan Nguyen hit four 3-pointers and scored a game-high 14 points, and Grayson Terrone came off the bench to add 12 as the host Pilgrims handled the Zebras 53-36. Parker Bagley added 10 for Plymouth, who improved to 5-13. Coming off a win over South Bend Career Academy Saturday, this marked its first winning streak of the season.

Carson Paulik was Rochester’s lone double-figure scorer with 11 points. Kiser, who came in averaging 17 points per game, was held to nine.

“I was a little disappointed with our effort,” Smith said. “I’m kind of at a loss, to be honest with you. We were flat. We were flat in the locker room. I could just sense it. I talked to the guys before the game about it. They said, ‘No, we’re good.’ We had a flat practice last night, and that’s on me. I’ve got to make sure we don’t have those practices. I think we shot 22 or 23% from three again tonight. It’s hard to win games when you can’t make the three ball, too.”

Rochester (7-9) led 8-4 at one point in the first quarter, but Nguyen hit two treys, and Bagley hit a 3 to give Plymouth a 13-12 lead after one quarter.

Free FAFSA filing event

Feb. 22

Financial aid experts will be available at 34 sites across Indiana Sunday, Feb. 22 to offer Hoosier families free, in-person assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

For more than 37 years, College Goal Sunday has helped students file the most important form required to access free money for college. Born in Indiana and now a national model, the event has helped tens of thousands of Hoosier families successfully submit the FAFSA.

Filing the FAFSA is required for Indiana state aid and federal financial aid. The Wednesday, April 15 priority deadline guarantees eligible students access to state funding. Filing after the deadline is still possible but aid is not guaranteed, and families risk missing out on significant financial support.

To learn more visit usa.gov/fafsa.

TRACTOR DRIVE-IN FFA

students at Rochester High School participated in Tractor Drive-In Day at Rochester High School during the 2024–25 school year. Shown are members of the local chapter at RHS. Photo provided by Rochester High School.

Rochester FFA prepares for busy, engaging FFA Week

By LORI CARR Staff Writer

National FFA Week is set for Feb. 21–28. Rochester High School’s Future Farmers of America chapter is preparing for a full slate of activities during National FFA Week, set for Feb. 23–27, and FFA member Vivian Miller says this year’s events are designed to engage the entire school while showcasing the chapter’s strong community ties.

Miller, a junior and chapter reporter, said the Rochester FFA officer team has introduced several new activities this year, building on long-standing traditions while adding fresh opportunities for student involvement.

“We actually have a lot of new activities this year,” Miller said. “We’re super excited. Our officer team is really involved.”

FFA Week will begin Monday, Feb. 23, with a school-wide assembly, during which members will perform their opening ceremonies to officially kick off the week. Daily lunchtime and shop activities will continue throughout the week, giving students multiple chances to participate.

One of the newest additions is a rodeo-style competition, inspired by the National Finals Rodeo format. According to Miller, three events will be offered throughout the week, allowing students from each grade level to compete.

“The top time for each grade level will compete on Friday during the assembly for a banner,” she said. “It’s really just to get more people involved.”

Another popular event returning this year is tractor drive-in day, which includes a parade of tractors in front of the school and a breakfast. Miller said the event serves as a strong recruitment tool, especially for younger students.

“We have animals here throughout the week,” she said. “It’s really fun, and it shows people what FFA is all about.”

For Miller, the most meaningful part of FFA Week is

connecting with younger students, particularly eighth graders and freshmen who are deciding whether to get involved.

“Some are really hesitant to make the jump into big FFA, and some are really gung-ho,” she said. “Getting the young ones involved and showing them why we do this, how we make it fun, and how you get these experiences is huge.”

She added that wearing official dress and interacting with peers helps younger members build confidence and leadership skills.

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“It’s a sense of pride,” Miller said. “I love seeing kids flourish in that type of environment.” Rochester FFA currently has 60 to 70 active members. While FFA Week focuses primarily on school-based activities, the chapter maintains strong community involvement throughout the year. Annual events include a spring FFA auction, spring plant sale and a fall pork chop dinner held during the homecoming football game.

Continued on page 12

Caston FFA highlights leadership during FFA week

By WENDY MELTON Staff Writer

Caston High School’s FFA chapter is giving students hands-on opportunities to learn about an industry that affects everyday life - from food and clothing to fuel and consumer products.

Riley Roth, the ag teacher and FFA chapter adviser, knows first hand agriculture’s importance and encourages her students to learn as much as they can about what the industry has to offer. FFA week is a chance for her students to share what they’ve learned and connect to younger students.

“Our chapter has approximately 75 members,” Roth said.

“We have several different things planned for FFA week. We are going to do an ag education day on our elementary side on Monday. Tuesday we will have our petting zoo for the elementary students, as well as for the students at the preschool. Wednesday is our tractor drive-in day. We typically host a chapter lunch that day as well. Thursday is our staff appreciation breakfast and our hog roast prep for our biggest event which is our hog roast Friday evening,” Roth explained.

During FFA week, chapter officers will be visiting all the elementary classrooms. Short, 15-minute lessons will be given about a variety of ag-related topics. The younger students are encouraged to ask questions and participate

during the lessons. Each of the chapter members are creating an activity to teach the elementary students.

“They’re super excited to share things with them,” she said. Mentoring the younger kids also teaches valuable skills FFA chapter members will use throughout their lives.

“I think the most unique thing about our chapter is how strong our community is. Most people in our chapter are second or third generation FFA members. Most parents tend to bring their kids back there. We have lots of help from those who have been through the chapter. Yes, we’re small but we have a lot of support from the community,” she said.

Alexa Lowe is the president of Caston’s FFA chapter. Both work together as a team to encourage the other members of their chapter.

Lowe conducts the meetings and makes sure everything runs smoothly.

She said, “I think FFA is important because it plays a role in agriculture which feeds the world and our country. Our chapter and a lot of other chapters give back to the community. We have a ton of community involvement in our chapter. We are always trying to find new ways to advance agriculture and our school and community.”

Jace Rentschler serves as vice president. He works with Lowe to come up with new ideas and looks for ways to sup-

Rochester FFA

Continued from page 11

Miller said community service is a cornerstone of the chapter.

“We help with Salvation Army bell ringing, the recycling center and other service projects,” she said. “It’s encouraging to see young kids doing things and having a fondness for their community.”

The chapter is also proud of its competitive success. Rochester FFA regularly participates in team and individual events, including state and national competitions. Miller was a member of the National Soils Team last year, an experience she described as “spectacular.”

port and strengthen the chapter as a whole.

“I think FFA is important because it builds good leadership throughout every member and officer,” he said. “There are a lot of different opportunities you can join through all the different activities and contests we do. It’s just a great way to get introduced into the agriculture industry. Everybody who is involved is doing it to the best of their abilities and make sure they’re learning,” he said.

“In the long run, you can build up your leadership skills and be willing to step out of your comfort zone to try something new. It’s more than just agriculture. It’s a great organization to build characteristics you need for the future,”Rentschler included.

Both students were on the state bound parliamentary procedure team, which advanced through two rounds of competition. The team shows their skills when it comes to running meetings and various events.

Rentschler has also placed in the top three in an agricultural business management leadership demonstration contest.

Lowe said her biggest achievement has been serving as chapter president. She has also earned top-three finishes in leadership events including public speaking and job interview competitions.

“We had a five-year stretch where nobody went to nationals, and now we’re cranking out teams,” she said. “It testifies to the drive of this group. We said we wanted to do it, and we worked for it.”

Miller said the chapter’s strongest and most unique quality is its community support.

“The support we get from our community is unmatched,” she said. “We’re very blessed to be where we are.”

The 2025–26 Rochester FFA officers are President Adam Reinhold, Vice President Abriella St. Martin, Secretary Jadyn Field, Treasurer Ellie Straeter, Reporter Vivian Miller and Sentinel Tanner Krom.

North Miami FFA builds success through leadership, tradition

By WENDY MELTON Staff Writer

FFA is a unique organization that offers agricultural education for high school students throughout the country.

Jim Wildermuth has been the ag teacher and FFA advisor for the North Miami chapter since 2013. He was named the Indiana Ag Teacher of the Year in 2025 and received the FFA Golden Owl Award.

As chapter adviser, he has guided the North Miami ag students as they earned numerous awards and achievements throughout his tenure.

Hannah Early is the chapter president, with Joannah Wildermuth serving as vice president. Both students continually strive to support the more than 60 members, offering guidance and encouragement along the way. With National FFA Week approaching, members are preparing to show the community what FFA is all about.

“We have a ski trip planned and will be going to the president’s church on Sunday. That’s my church. Monday we have a truck drive-in day. They drive in their

trucks and then we have the teachers vote on which one’s the best or which one costs the most,” Early said. With all the fun activities they have planned, they don’t let their projects take a backseat.

When asked about the strongest areas of the chapter, Early said, “I would say our career development events are the strongest, like soils, parli, dairy and poultry. Parli is parliamentary procedures. It’s basically how to properly run a meeting.”

Jim Wildermuth offered an interesting insight into the chapter’s 64 year history.

“Statewide, one of the most unique things has to do with the history of it. Our chapter has only had three advisors since the school started in 1961, which has offered a lot of consistency that has helped to build up community support. We also still have strong family support, and the students have a strong work ethic, which has helped,” he said. “The strength of the chapter also comes from the school administration and the support of the other teachers supporting the program and allowing these kids to participate in the leadership and career development events.

SHOP CLASS

Hannah Early and Joannah Wildermuth hard at work in shop class. Photo provided by North Miami FFA.

“The senior class has been outstanding and have won national contests in soils, dairy and poultry. They have won state in parli. It’s been one of the most successful senior groups we’ve seen,” he added. Many seniors in the chapter plan to continue working in the agriculture industry after graduation.

Agriculture plays an important

Valley FFA has a will to win

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Tippecanoe Valley High School’s 73 FFA members participated in a wide variety of competitions in 2025. FFA Advisors Michael Jones and Jenna Burton are in charge of guiding them through it all.

Throughout 2025, members competed in livestock skillathon, horticulture, soils, chapter meeting (also known as parliamentary procedure), welding, entomology, floriculture, nursery landscape, ag business management, dairy, poultry and district leadership contests.

Jones points to forestry as an area where the chapter truly shines.

“Last year we won the state (in forestry), and both 4-H and FFA went and competed in the national contest,” he said.

Jones points to a competitive drive as Valley’s defining feature.

“We are very, very competitive in our career development events. ... We hope that every kid can find something they like or want to try and be very successful at it,” he explained.

The chapter were also state runners up in welding and ag business management , and reached the top four in the state for chapter meeting contests.

Members have taken trips to national livestock judging in three of the last four years.

However, winning is not all that matters - the skills students learn through FFA are the real reward.

“Teamwork, critical thinking - they’re learning directly what they may need in the future. If they raise livestock, livestock judging is going to help them be

better in their actual job that they have,” said Jones. “Number one is that they enjoy themselves and that they learn something new. We hope that many of our kids, especially if they’re not necessarily from an ag background, they find some interest in the agriculture world. That may spark an interest for a career someday.”

Right now, the chapter is getting ready to practice for livestock judging and district leadership contests, where about 25 kids will be competing.

In the upcoming year, Valley hopes to increase membership and participate in more community service. During FFA Week, the chapter raises money for a local food bank.

“We’re going to help one of local people in your community. She needs a bunch of trees cut down, so once it gets nice out, we’re going to help her do that -

get all of her trees down for her,” said Jones. “Maybe we’ll try to add a new contest.”

Valley always has an activity-packed FFA Week. It kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 22 when members dress in their Sunday best and attend a service at a different church each year, followed by lunch and a fun activity.

On Monday, Feb. 23, the chapter hosts a cornhole tournament and pasta dinner open to the entire school.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, some of the older members give ag presentations to second graders.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25 Valley hosts its annual FFA community supper and worker auction at the high school.

Thursday, Feb. 26 is a family fun night, typically held at the high school pool. The morning of Friday, Feb. 27 is a chapter breakfast and the annual tractor drive-in.

role in everyday life. Students who join FFA see that impact firsthand.

“Every consumer, every citizen is tied to ag because of the food and fiber industries,” Jim Wildermuth said. Ag students gain a real appreciation for the field and what it offers.

When asked about her role in FFA, Early said, “I think it’s important to break stereotypes. Many people think ag is just for men. We see a lot of participation from females in our chapter, and that’s definitely changing from what it used to be. Women can play an im-

portant role too.”

Joannah Wildermuth, the vice president, said she works hard to support the chapter and its president.

“I like ag because I’ve grown up around it my whole entire life. It’s the foundation of who I am,” she said. “I plan on attending a university to study it further. It’s the most important thing in our country right now. It’s the foundation of life. I hope to help build sustainable farms across the country with my business degree and skills.”

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By SEN. STACEY DONATO State Senator District 18

There have been too many news stories in recent years about dangerous repeat criminals who were arrested but released on little or no bail, only to hurt more innocent people.

Understandably, many people are fed up with “catch-and-release” policies that fail to keep dangerous criminals behind bars. That’s why I’m supporting legislation this year aimed at keeping dangerous suspects off

Improving public safety

our streets.

In most of the country, courts can hold at least some dangerous arrestees without bail to protect the public. Senate Joint Resolution 1 seeks to amend Indiana’s Constitution so judges could hold an arrestee without bail if there is no way to release that person without threatening public safety.

A companion bill, Senate Bill 2, would ensure arrestees are treated fairly when bail is set and would guarantee legal protections, including the right to

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an attorney at a bail hearing, the right to present evidence and the right to have bail set in a timely manner.

SJR 1 and SB 2 are designed to work together to improve public safety for every Indiana community. Under Indiana’s constitutional amendment process, if SJR 1 passes the House, it will appear as a statewide ballot question, giving voters the chance to weigh in on the issue.

Indiana’s Constitution requires that criminal suspects be offered bail unless they are charged with murder or treason.

Supporters say Hoosiers are seeing an increase in cases where suspects released on bail commit additional violent crimes.

Under current state law and the Indiana Rules of Criminal Procedure, a suspect’s danger to

the community is an acceptable reason to increase bail. However, Indiana Supreme Court precedent holds that bail cannot be set so high that it effectively becomes a denial of bail, leaving judges with questions about where that limit lies.

Senate Joint Resolution 1 would amend the state constitution to give courts flexibility to deny bail for certain dangerous suspects who pose a substantial risk to others or to the community.

In federal courts, judges may deny bail to certain defendants charged with federal crimes. According to supporters, nine states do not guarantee bail to all arrestees, and 23 states allow courts to deny bail under some circumstances.

Backers say SJR 1 would clar-

ify that judges may hold a suspect in jail when release would pose a substantial public risk, with the goal of preventing violent crime and improving community safety.

To amend the Indiana Constitution, identical language must be approved by two separately elected General Assemblies and then ratified by voters in a statewide referendum. SJR 1 first passed in 2023 and recently passed the Senate again this year. It now moves to the House for consideration. If approved there, it would go to voters on the November 2026 ballot.

Senate Bill 2 also passed the Senate and moves to the House. The bill outlines procedures and protections intended to ensure defendants’ rights are respected during bail hearings.

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Medical proxies can make managing care easier

By DR. JERROD FELDMAN and BROOK NICA RHIA Woodlawn Health

When it comes to managing health care for your children or aging loved ones, having access to the right information at the right time matters. A medical proxy can help ensure that care decisions, communication and follow-ups happen smoothly, especially when life

DR. JERROD FELDMAN

gets busy or situations change unexpectedly.

A medical proxy allows you, or someone you trust, to securely access a patient’s health information through platforms such as MyChart. Instead of needing separate logins or completely repeated paperwork, a proxy links your MyChart account to the medical record of the person you are caring for. This access may include appointment details, visit summaries, test results, growth charts and the ability to message the care team directly.

If you are a parent, proxy access can be especially valuable. After a pediatric visit, it is easy to forget instructions or details once you are back to the demands of work, school and family life. With proxy access, you can review what was discussed, revisit care plans and check information on your own schedule. Messaging through MyChart also allows you to ask follow-up questions or request appoint-

ments without needing to coordinate phone calls during work hours.

Medical proxies are not limited to parents alone. Biological parents, adoptive parents, permanent guardians, grandparents, stepparents, adult children or other trusted individuals may serve as proxies with proper authorization. What matters most is ensuring someone reliable has access, particularly in situations where parents or primary caregivers cannot always be present for appointments.

For teens ages 14-17, proxy access works a bit differently. This age group has specific privacy protections, as teens can consent to certain types of care on their own. You can choose limited proxy access, which restricts visibility into some sensitive information, or full access, which allows you to view the complete medical record. Understanding these options helps you stay involved while also respecting your teen’s independence.

medications and follow-up plans even if you cannot be there in person. It keeps you involved and informed without disrupting your loved one’s independence. While the setup process does require completing authorization forms, it is typically a onetime step designed to protect patient privacy. Once completed, you avoid repeated paperwork requests and gain ongoing access to records whenever you need them. Compared to requesting physical copies of records repeatedly,

TED DENTON — Former Rochester Mayor Ted Denton files paperwork Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Fulton County Courthouse in Rochester to run for Fulton County Commissioner. Denton is seeking the office in the upcoming May primary election.

proxy access is far more efficient. If you are unsure where to start, help is available. The medical records department can guide you through the process and answer questions specific to your situation. Taking a few minutes to set up proxy access now can save time, reduce stress and improve communication later, allowing you to focus on caring for the people you love. For questions regarding medical proxies, call Woodlawn Health at (574) 2241140.

Proxy access also becomes important when children travel or spend time with other caregivers. If your child frequently stays with grandparents or travels without you, having proxy access ensures that medical information is available in an emergency. For younger children who cannot access MyChart themselves, a proxy serves as their connection to care.

The benefits extend beyond pediatric care. As parents age, adult children often want to stay informed but may not live nearby or attend every appointment. Proxy access allows you to review lab results, visit notes,

by Lori Carr.

Former Rochester Mayor Ted Denton

is running for county commissioner

Former Rochester Mayor Ted Denton is running against Fulton County Commissioner Bryan Lewis in the upcoming May primary election.

Denton brings extensive expe-

rience, having served four years on the Rochester City Council and eight years as mayor. During his time in office, he earned a reputation for fiscal responsibility, having completed 75 projects while saving taxpayers $4.3 million.

Denton hopes to bring the same prudent, disciplined approach to spending to Fulton County. He is committed to doing the necessary investigative work to ensure that any new sources of revenue provide long-term benefits for all of Fulton County.

Fulton County Democrats to meet Feb. 19

The Fulton County Democrats will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Char-Bell Studio, 616 Main St., Rochester, next to the Times Theater. All are welcome. Email info@Fultoncountydems.org for additional information.

Stampede movie

By RUSS DAVIDSON SR. Guest Writer

The steer had settled down for the night. The chuck wagon was closed. Cowboys sat around the fire singing “Home On the Range.” Sounds like it was going to be a good movie Time to use our saddles for pillows. All at once, the coyotes started howling. That started the steer moving around more. The stampede has started. “Cancel the movie!”