Banser to retire as N&S editor

Robert Banser Jr., who has served as editor of The News and Sun since 1993, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 28.
Under his tenure at The News and Sun, the Dunkirk weekly has won numerous awards from the Hoosier State Press Association, including a first place and a second place last weekend.
“Bob has made a significant contribution over the better part of two decades to the Dunkirk area community,” said N&S publisher Jack Ronald. “He’s earned the opportunity to put his feet up and relax.”
Ronald said Banser would continue to be listed on the newspaper’s masthead as editor emeritus and will write an occasional column or feature story for The News and Sun.
“We’d like him to continue to be a part of The News and Sun on an informal basis as long as he wants,” Ronald said.
Banser has been dealing with health problems this fall but returned to work this week and was on hand for his 20th annual Koffee Klatsch, a holiday community gathering at the newspaper’s offices in Dunkirk.
He and his family live in a rural area between Dunkirk and Redkey. He and his wife Lucy, who is also retiring from the Graphic Printing Co., have three adult children.
Banser has been an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Dunkirk, and has been involved in a number of civic activities over the years.
Prior to joining The News and Sun, Banser served for three years as news editor of The Shelbyville News and for 16 years as a reporter and editor for Star Publications in the greater Chicago area.
Banser, 66, was born and raised in Chicago and received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Northern Illinois University in 1969. He earned a master of arts degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University in 1972.
Ronald said no successor has yet been named for the editor’s post at The News and Sun.


Farm Credit offers scholarships
Farm Credit Mid-America, a financial services cooperative serving farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, is providing more than $125,000 in scholarship funding for students pursuing an ag-related education in the association’s four-state territory throughout 2013.
The company is now taking applications for its Farm Credit Scholarship, which is available to Farm Credit customers and children, grandchildren, and spouses of customers. More information about the scholarship and other scholarships sponsored by Farm Credit can be found at e-farmcredit.com or calling the local Farm Credit office at 800-647-0299.
Applications must be received by March 1, 2013.

Passes test
Amanda Stocker, tax preparer at Porter-Takats Insurance and Real Estate, recently passed the “Registered Tax Return Preparer” test.
The Internal Revenue Service requires all paid tax preparers – with the exception of CPAs, enrolled agents and attorneys – to pass the test before Dec. 31, 2013.
Stocker has been employed at Porter-Takats for 17 years and has been preparing taxes for 16 years.
Porter-Takats has been a family owned business since 1934 and his located at 226 N. Meridian St., Portland.

Kokomo
annexes land
The Kokomo city council recently voted to approve annexing an area southeast of the city from Ind. 26 to U.S. 35 along a new U.S. 31 bypass that is under construction.
Kokomo’s city attorney told the Kokomo Tribune that enough property owners in the area have signed petitions against the annexation to take the issue to court. He said the property owners hope to negotiate a settlement of their concerns with city officials.

Omnicity purchased
Broadband Networks recently purchased Rushville-based Omnicity Inc., a wireless broadband Internet sercice provider with subscribers in 30 counties in Indiana and nine counties in Ohio.
Omnicity filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sept. 29, 2011, with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Indiana. A reorganization plan was approved, and ownership of the company was transferred to Broadband Networks.
The new owners have more than 100 years of collective experience in companies providing high-tech and Internet services.

Farmland
receives grant
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman recently announced the town of Farmland will receive $5,000 to fund a permanent lighting and sound project for the Farmland Center.
Farmland was one of nine recipients of the Downtown Enhancement Grant. The grants, which total about $45,000, are administered by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The program was created to fund projects that support and promote community-based planning, marketing and restoration efforts.
The grant will help to purchase the sound and lighting needed to continue and expand programming at the Farmland Center and increase economic activity in the downtown area.[[In-content Ad]]