The Scoop

Mother and daughter … or twins?

In celebration of Mother’s Day, area moms and daughters submitted photos to show how much they look alike. Readers voted on the submissions, and the results are featured in Sunday’s Living Section of The Journal Gazette.

Mother’s Day weekend happenings

Looking for something to do this weekend in the Fort Wayne area? Friday’s Weekender in The Journal Gazette is packed with ideas.

Out & about:

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More activities, workshops:

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Allen County hires purchasing director

Verbatim announcement issued Thursday by the Allen County commissioners:

The Allen County Board of Commissioners has hired William F. Greer as the new County Purchasing Director.

Greer, who currently lives in Conroe, Texas, will start May 27. He succeeds Bruce Little, who retired on March 8 after a 30-year career in Allen County Government.

Most recently, Greer served as Procurement Manager for the County of Cochise, Arizona. During his time in that position, his department was awarded the National Purchasing Institute’s 2007 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award. The annual award recognizes excellence in public procurement and is based on innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement and leadership.

“We are excited about Bill joining the county team to help develop a stronger and more cooperative local purchasing effort throughout Allen County,” said County Commissioner Bill Brown.

Greer’s professional experience includes 15 years with Houston Light & Power Company in Houston, Texas as Project Materials Management Supervisor and Purchasing and Materials Management Supervisor. He has also served as Chief of Logistics Division for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center & School at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, and Senior Buyer for Magma Copper Company in Tucson, Arizona.

Greer holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and an MSBA from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado.

IU, Ivy Tech agree on programs, degrees

Verbatim announcement issued Thursday by Ivy Tech:

Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana announced today that they have entered into a statewide agreement on programs and degree options that will eliminate duplication and better meet the higher education needs of Hoosiers.

The agreement designates Ivy Tech as the primary provider of two-year associate degrees in Indiana, while IU will focus on baccalaureate and graduate education and will eliminate existing associate degree programs that overlap with Ivy Tech’s offerings. It will accelerate the transformation of Indiana University regional campuses and foster cooperation between every IU campus and its Ivy Tech counterpart.

“IU is fully committed to a partnership with Ivy Tech that will provide a complete range of educational opportunities for Indiana citizens,” said IU President Michael A. McRobbie. “Our goal is to establish a seamless system that gives all Hoosiers access to the high-quality degree programs they need to prepare themselves for the workforce and the changing world.”

“We continue to be pleased by the commitment Indiana University has shown in working with Ivy Tech Community College to create a comprehensive higher education system for Hoosiers around the state,” said Ivy Tech President Thomas J. Snyder. “We must continue to work together with our four-year partners to ensure that we are offering the best possible education system and options to the people of Indiana. This is yet another step in achieving that goal.”

Under the agreement, the institutions will work together to develop pathways for students to articulate Ivy Tech associate degrees, including its new liberal arts degrees, with corresponding baccalaureate degrees from IU.

IU and Ivy Tech also will work together to market and co-brand their degree programs targeted to returning adult students, with Ivy Tech offering an Associate of Arts in general studies and IU a related Bachelor of Science in general studies. Those programs are designed to serve the needs of the estimated 650,000 Indiana residents who have graduated from high school but do not have a college degree.

Indiana University will permanently retain a limited number of associate degrees that rely on resources that are unique to IU. They include:

Medically related Associate of Science degrees offered at certain campuses in areas such as radiography, histotechnology, optometric technology, health information technology, dental laboratory technology and dental hygiene.

Arts-related Associate of Science degrees offered at IU Bloomington in string instrument technology, recording arts and audio technology.

An Associate of Arts in liberal arts degree for students who earn at least 60 hours toward a baccalaureate degree at IU but leave school for personal reasons.

In other areas, IU and Ivy Tech campuses will work together to eliminate IU associate degrees within the next five years.

The agreement announced today builds upon and implements the May 2001 Campus Compact, an agreement by the Indiana Commission on Higher Education with IU and Purdue University. The compact provided a framework for associate degrees to be offered through Indiana’s community college system while universities focused on four-year and advanced degrees.

Indiana University offers programs on eight Indiana campuses, including the original campus in Bloomington, a residential campus; an urban campus in Indianapolis, which includes the IU School of Medicine; and regional campuses in Fort Wayne, Gary, Kokomo, New Albany, Richmond and South Bend. It has more than 99,000 students and offers 1,048 degree programs.

Ivy Tech Community College is the nation’s largest singly-accredited statewide community college system and the state’s second largest public post-secondary institution with more than 110,000 students enrolled annually. Ivy Tech has 23 campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Long Thompson wins Democratic nomination for governor

The Associated Press is reporting that former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson has won the Democratic nomination for Indiana governor.

Long Thompson squeaked out the victory over Indianapolis architect Jim Schellinger Tuesday with 50.2 percent of the votes, according to unofficial results tallied by The Associated Press. She was ahead by nearly 5,500 votes with 99 percent of precincts reporting.

Long Thompson will face Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels in November.

Late results from Lake County, the state’s second largest by population, put Long Thompson over the top, unofficial tallies show.

Clinton wins Indiana, by a hair

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Fort Wayne water switch to be complete Thursday

Verbatim statement issued Tuesday by the city of Fort Wayne:

Fort Wayne City Utilities will begin providing City water to the final 4,000 customers in the northern system previously owned by Aqua Indiana on Thursday. This includes the neighborhoods of Pine Valley, Autumn Ridge, West Autumn, Chapel Creek, Perry Lakes, Falcon Creek, Cottonwood, Eagle River, Corbin Place, River Bend Bluffs, the Oaks, Oak Point, and Oak Grove. The Leo Crossing commercial area is also part of the final transition phase.

The City plans to begin converting Phase 6 – Pine Valley and Lake River Areas during the morning on Thursday. The conversion of this phase will continue through the afternoon until completed. No water service outages are expected as the transition takes place. Water main flushing from fire hydrants in the area will be taking place at this same time to help clear the lines.

Once the transition is made, residents and businesses in the area could experience discolored water as a result of changes in the direction of water flow within the water main system. Customers may also experience air in the lines and/or a temporary drop in water pressure. Once the new connection is made, City Utilities will be flushing the water lines by allowing fire hydrants to release water. This will help to remove any deposits that may still exist in the water mains.

After the City has flushed the water main systems in these areas, the City recommends that customers consider flushing their own internal water piping by letting the water run for several minutes, flushing toilets several times and allowing appliances that use water to cycle several times. Discolored water may reappear and if it does, these flushing actions may need to be repeated. For persistent problems, customers should call Fort Wayne City Utilities at 427-1234.

The transition of all Aqua Indiana north customers to City water will be completed on schedule. City Utility rates went into effect for customers in the Aqua north area when the City acquired the northern assets on February 12.

Channel 15's Schiffman retiring from TV

Verbatim announcement, issued Monday morning:

After more than 20 years at NewsChannel 15, Sports Director Randy Schiffman will be retiring from television.

“I can’t thank the viewers enough for their support over the years,” said Schiffman. “It’s especially touching when parents and kids tell you how much it meant to see their events covered by NewsChannel 15.” “I hope they had as much fun watching the shows as we did putting them together,” he added. “I’ll miss it more than anyone can imagine.”

“Randy’s 20-plus years at WANE say a lot about his professionalism and loyalty to the station and the community,” said General Manager Alan Riebe. “Randy’s sharp analysis and coverage speaks for itself, but he has also served as a strong ambassador for the station. The NewsChannel 15 family wishes him only the best with his future plans.”

“Randy has been more than a co-worker for two decades, he has been my friend as well,” said NewsChannel 15 Weather Specialist Sandy Thomson. “He is one of the most consistent, loyal, energetic and colorful people I know. His unique sense of humor has added so much to WANE-TV, both on and off the air.”

“I will miss him greatly, but he will leave behind so many good memories,” Thomson continued. “I know his adventurous spirit will lead him to many new opportunities ahead.”

“It has been my pleasure to work with Randy,” said News Director Ted Linn. “He was among the first to welcome me when Fort Wayne was a new home for my family four years ago.” “In turn, I wish success for Randy as he moves on to new accomplishments.”

Schiffman is scheduled to make his last on-air appearance on May 15 on NewsChannel 15.

IU drops 3 more basketball players

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Daniels on Reed: "She is a special person"

Verbatim announcement issued Friday by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels:

“Suellen Reed has lived out a lifelong commitment to the future of Indiana’s children. She’s a special person with a huge heart for kids and a genuine passion for ensuring that Indiana’s children have every opportunity to become whoever they want to be. To meet her is to have one’s day brightened by her enthusiasm for learning and her unfailing personal graciousness.

Although her role is changing, I know she will continue to have a profound impact on the lives of Indiana’s future leaders.”

The story:

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