Signing Day events scheduled

A series of events designed to connect local businesses and industries with students will be held next month.

Jay County Junior-Senior High School’s career fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3. Interview day will follow from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, with signing day by appointment.

The events focus on students having the opportunity to meet and interview with local businesses and industries.

For more information, or to be a part of the event, email Kyle Love at [email protected].

Ribbon cutting

Jay County Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Thursday for ReSprout Developmental Checkup.

The event will be at John Jay Center for Learning, 101 S. Meridian St., Portland.

Program honored

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Telestroke program recognized Mercer Health for its achievement in the Door to Needle Challenge.

Mercer Health had a best time of 21 minutes from the time a patient arrives to when it was able to administer clot-busting medication for stroke treatment. This marks the second time Mercer Health has received the award.

“The American Stroke Association’s Target: Stroke has helped hospitals nationwide achieve improved stroke outcomes through reduced door-to-needle times for eligible ischemic stroke patients,” said Dixie Davenport, telestroke program manager at Wexner, in a press release. “One of the most crucial targets is door-to-needle, and the Target: Stroke Phase III goal for thrombolytic eligible patients is achieving door-to-needle times within 60 minutes in 85% or more of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with IV thrombolytics. … Mercer Health’s achievement of a 21-minute door-to-needle exemplifies their hard work and dedication in providing the very best stroke care to their community.”

Hospital honored

Healthgrades recognized Reid Health as one of its 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipients.

The website looks at risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates at hospitals nationwide. The award goes to those that rank in the top 10% for safety.

“There is nothing more important to us than patient safety,” said Ben Wells, acting president/CEO and chief financial officer for Reid Health, in a press release. “We take seriously the trust our patients have in us to provide them with the highest quality care when they need it most.”

Also, Indiana Hospital Association and state health commissioner Lindsay Weaver recognized Reid with an INspire Category of Excellence honor. It earned the distinction for its focus on best practices in areas such as infant safe sleep and breastfeeding.

Accepting donations

Lutheran Health Network is accepting donations at various locations for the Jars of Love peanut butter drive benefitting area food banks.

Jars of peanut butter can be donated from now through March 24.

“Lutheran Health Network not only supports the patients who come through our doors, we are also committed to supporting better health throughout our community,” said Lorie Ailor, Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran Hospital.“Food insecurity is an issue in all of our surrounding counties ranging from 10% to 15% which has a profound impact on overall health and well-being. With the Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, we can help vital community organizations reduce hunger in our area.”

Donation locations include Bluffton Regional Medical Center, 303 S. Main St., Bluffton; and Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA, 550 W. Dustman Road, Bluffton.

Airport awarded

The Airports Council International World Airport Quality Service Awards included three top honors for Indianapolis International Airport.

The airport earned awards for Best Airport in North America, Cleanest Airport in North American and Most Enjoyable Airport in North America. The honors are based on surveys of nearly 700,000 travelers.

“We intentionally act on that passenger feedback to deliver customer service amenities like sensory rooms for travelers with additional needs, nursing rooms for moms, pet relief areas for guests traveling with pets,” said Brian Eckstein, IAA director of guest services, in a press release. “We also have the largest public art gallery in the city that showcases local artists, as well as a mix of locally owned food and beverage options and retailers. And we leverage sustainability that travelers like, with one of the largest airport electric shuttle bus fleets, and conveniences like water bottle filling stations throughout the terminal.”

The airport also began non-stop flights to Nashville, Tennessee, on March 6.

Named AVP

Ball State University has appointed Rodney Nassiri as its new associate vice president for facilities, planning and management.

Nassiri most recently served as senior director of facilities and construction management for Universal Studios Hollywood. He will take his new role March 31.

“We are pleased to welcome Rodney to Ball State to lead our facilities planning and management operations,” said Sue Hodges Moore, Ball State’s interim vice president for business affairs and treasurer, in a press release. “As we look ahead, Rodney and his team will be instrumental in advancing key campus initiatives, maintaining and enhancing our physical spaces, and ensuring our facilities support student success, faculty innovation, and community engagement.”

Bank honored

First Financial Bank was honored recently with the 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award.

The honor recognizes engaged workplace cultures. First Financial is one of 62 organizations chosen for the award.

“We are honored to be recognized by Gallup as an employer that values engagement with our team and is a highly desired place to work and build a career,” said Archie Brown, president and CEO of First Financial Bank, in a press release. “Investing in our people is one of our top priorities, because our team members empower us to be successful in our goal to help clients, communities and coworkers thrive.” 

Foundation appoints

Ball Brothers Foundation recently appointed Chris Fisher to its board of directors.

Fisher is the snow sports director at Crystal Mountain in Michigan. He is a fourth-generation member of the Ball Family.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris to BBF’s board of directors,” said foundation president and CEO Jud Fisher in a press release. “For nearly a decade, Chris has been actively involved in the foundation’s work, bringing his experience with sports, recreation, youth programming and education to our board and staff.”

Offering course

Radius Indiana will host its Economic Development for Community Leaders conference from April 22 through 24 at French Lick Resort Conference Center.

The event will include educational sessions on topics including real estate development, population attraction programs, business retention and attraction, workforce, marketing, business finance and incentives, and community development and business district revitalization. It is open to community leaders and local and state officials interested in learning more about economic development.

“We are excited to once again offer our economic development course to our communities, and we welcome our neighbors from surrounding counties as well,” said Jeff Quyle, Radius Indiana president and CEO, in a press release. “Our program features classic elements of economic development and introduces community leaders to new topics that can impact the growth and vitality of cities and towns.”

To register, or for more information, visit radiusindiana.com or call (812) 277-9778.

Training offered

ServSafe training will be available at John Jay Center for Learning in Portland.

The next session is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 25.

An additional session is scheduled for April 29.

The certification course is open to all food service employees and emphasizes safe food- and beverage-handling practices to minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses.

For more information, or to register, call (260) 729-5525.

Drop off food

Menards stores are serving as drop-off sites for food banks from now until the end of March.

Participating stores include those in Muncie, Anderson and Richmond in Indiana as well as Celina, Ohio.

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