Chamber hosting seminar

Jay County Chamber of Commerce will host an assertive communication seminar next month.

Portland’s Bonnie Maitlen will lead “Assertive Communication: The Pathway to Getting What You Want and Need” from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at John Jay Center for Learning. Joining her will be Kevin D. Logeman and Roberta Fiore-Kittell of Optimum Impact Coaching.

The presenters will discuss topics including what keeps people from behaving assertively, four dimensions of assertive communication, comparing communication styles and creating an action plan.

Registration for the event is $49.

For more information, or to sign up, visit optimumimpactcoaching.com.

Campus opens

Mercer Health last week announced the opening of its new campus in Maria Stein, Ohio.

The Mercer Health Marion Campus, 8106 Booster Drive, opened its doors to patients Dec. 11. Its service include family practice, OB/GYN and women’s health, occupational health and laboratory.

For more information, visit mercer-health.com or call (419) 925-7175.

To unionize?

Nurses at Indiana University Health facilities in Indianapolis are reportedly planning to unionize.

"I think people are just kind of done with the care they have had to give the past couple of years, and we want to make a better change for Indiana," Addie Armes, a nurse at University Hospital in Indianapolis, told WFYI TV. 

She said she is hoping to unionize almost 1,000 nurses, of which 300 at that time had expressed interest.

IU Health responded to the issue, telling Becker’s Hospital Review it is against unionization.

"IU Health respects team members' right to explore joining a union, but IU Health desires to remain a non-union work environment and does not feel a union is in the best interest of our nurses or patients," a spokesperson for the health system told Becker's. "IU Health is committed to safe, high-quality care and clinical outcomes, and providing nurses with a voice in decision-making through a shared governance model.”

Tips offered

Indiana Michigan Power has offered tips for energy efficiency during the winter months.

Ideas for saving energy include:

•Making sure windows are properly sealed

•Insulating the home

•Keeping curtains/blinds closed at night and open during the day

•Keeping furniture away from baseboard heaters

Local and federal assistance for paying bills is available by calling 211 or visiting 211.org. 

For more information, visit electricideas.com/home.

Grants awarded

Ball State University recently announced two grants it has been awarded through the Lilly Endowment.

Through its College and Community Collaboration initiative, Lilly Endowment has awarded Ball State $35 million. The funding will go toward supporting the university’s long-term plan to revitalize the adjacent commercial business district known as The Village.

“With the support of Lilly Endowment, we can now accelerate the implementation of our transformational plan for The Village,” said Ball State board of trustees chair Renae Conley in a press release. “I look forward to the coming changes to this commercial district and to the positive, long-term impact this project will have on Muncie and East Central Indiana.”

Ball State also received a $1.5 million grant through the Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana. It will go toward continuing to integrate science of reading principles into its teacher preparation programs.

Scooter’s partnering

Scooter’s Coffee on Wednesday announced a partnership with Reading is Fundamental.

The coffee chain is working with the organization to support efforts to encourage fourth-grade students in North Texas to read. The partnership is aligned with the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, which is being played tonight.

“Every child deserves the chance to succeed,” said Scooter’s CEO Joe Thornton. “Learning to read at a young age can disrupt the literacy crisis and bridge an inability gap by sparking imaginations and possibilities.”

Record donation

Reid Health Auxiliary last week donated $404,347 to the Reid Health Foundation.

It was the largest donation in the auxiliary’s history.

Funding this year will go toward purchasing a fetal monitor, infant incubator and motorized parallel bars for physical therapy, and providing support for the AED program, Pediatric Cheer Fund and Choose Well at Home program.

The auxiliary raises money through its gift shop at the hospital and other annual fundraisers.

"We appreciate your willingness to volunteer, hard work, and generosity. Your contributions of your time and talent at Reid are valuable to our patients and staff, and we need you here," said Reid Health vice president Jason Troutwine in a press release. "Each of these programs funded reaches back to our communities and are available to patients on the main campus as well as at our regional facilities."

NextEra selected

PJM last week announced the selection of NextEra Energy Transmission’s MidAtlantic Resiliency Link proposal to address electricity reliability needs.

The project involves building a 130-mile transmission line and a new substation. It is intended to improve local and regional transmission in the Mid-Atlantic region and support growth for renewable energy.

"We are pleased that our proposal was selected by PJM as it will bring increased reliability and resiliency to the electric grid given the critical energy needs of the region," said Matt Valle, president of NextEra Energy Transmission, in a press release. "We look forward to collaborating with all communities and stakeholders to successfully develop and execute on this project for PJM customers."

NextEra Energy Resources owns and operates Bluff Point Wind Energy Center in southern Jay County and northern Randolph County.