Disclaimer: The Energy column provides general information to help you manage your energy costs. Some electric cooperatives may not offer all the programs mentioned in this column. By Stephanie Johnson — guest columnist, Jasper County REMC This spring, the stress you encounter from filing your federal income taxes may be relieved by your tax refund… Continue reading.

By Holly Huffman At the age of 24, Jack “Lee” Marcum III had a choice: Come back home to run the family business or pursue a degree in computer science.  Marcum went with his heart. He chose family and the business he came to love. Since then, the CEO of New Castle, Indiana-based Jack’s Donuts… Continue reading.

BY JACK SPAULDING I recently returned from a six-day mission trip to Haiti. Haiti is a country with which I have become well-acquainted as I have been there seven times. Overall, the western side of the island of Hispaniola is mostly devoid of jungle and woodland having been stripped of wood for charcoal for cooking fires…. Continue reading.

In 1837, Martin Van Buren was sworn in as president; John Deere started his business in Decatur, Illinois; and Nine Mile Restaurant, located in a small farmhouse on historic U.S. 27 in Fort Wayne, opened up for hungry customers. Today, it welcomes a whole new generation of diners as one of the oldest restaurants/bars in… Continue reading.

Fans of Johnny V’s Main Street Grille say that this locally owned eatery serves the best steaks in Frankfort, Indiana. But with an extensive menu featuring salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, dinner entrees, desserts and more, Johnny V’s makes family dining a breeze for even the pickiest of eaters. State Rep. Heath VanNatter, who represents the… Continue reading.

By MIKE MCCORD DIYers with a few projects under their belts know a trusty set of basic tools is crucial. But it may not be in your budget to purchase every tool you think you’ll ever need all at once. Investing in a few quality items up front will get you started off right. Here’s… Continue reading.

Many of the regular customers of Clauss Bakery and Cafe frequent the Rensselaer breakfast and lunch spot to indulge in its wide selection of homemade doughnuts, as well as other sweet treats like yeast rolls, cookies, pies and cakes. But State Sen. Ed Charbonneau prefers to make it a meal when visiting one of his… Continue reading.

by JACK SPAULDING This fall, two family members unintentionally “tagged” and brought home a deer, doing it the hard way. They hit the deer with their vehicles. Both are experienced drivers who have driven in deer country for years. Thankfully, there were no personal injuries, and both deer were salvaged and processed. To help avoid a… Continue reading.

Indiana’s fastest growing community — Whitestown — boasts new hotels, businesses, a sprawling residential area and even an Amazon.com warehouse. The booming Boone County town, just 20 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, may be ever-changing but, luckily for local foodies, one local treasure remains the same: LA Cafe. The restaurant, one of the few businesses in… Continue reading.

Nestled in the serene Noble County countryside sits the Quiet Corner Tea and Coffee Room. Owned by Dick and Shirley Rinker, the restaurant was established in 2001 after a fallen tree destroyed a workshop on their property. Shirley had dreamed of opening a tea room ever since the couple had been missionaries in India years… Continue reading.

By B. Rosie Lerner Much to the dismay of homeowners, landscape trees sometimes grow roots on top of the surface of the lawn or possibly even buckle sidewalks and driveways. These surface roots can be quite a nuisance to lawn mowers and human feet. There are several reasons why the roots come to the surface…. Continue reading.

Just as Philadelphia has its cheesesteak and Chicago has its Italian Beef, Fort Wayne is famous for its Coney dog. That’s thanks to a small downtown diner that is the oldest hot dog stand in America. Founded in 1914, Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island has been in the same family since 1916. Five years ago,… Continue reading.