Originally publsihed Jan. 22, 2015.

Anyone interested in catching a glimpse at the cities of the future may need to go no further than Fort Wayne, when the DiscoverE Indiana Future City Regional Competition gets underway on Saturday at Indiana University-Purdue University.

Four teams from Riverview Middle School will be part of that contest.

Originally published Jan. 19, 2015.

In a unique class in session during Huntington University’s “J-term,” some students are learning how playing board games translates to real life lessons they can use throughout their lives and careers.

Yes, board games. The class, called “Learning to Think Strategically,” uses the games to develop students’ strategic thinking skills in academic, business, politics and everyday life.

Originally published Jan. 15, 2015.

The Huntington City-Township Public Library has tallied up the books read most by patrons in 2014, and some surprises have popped up.

Devon Henderson, a member of the HCTPL marketing and web services department, says many of the authors on the top adult fiction list are repeats.

Nicholas Sparks, who wrote “The Longest Ride,” tops that list. Sparks is perhaps best known for “The Notebook,” which was made into a movie.

Originally published Jan. 12, 2015.

They were pretty, and they didn’t cost much.

Now, the miniature oil lamps Dee Koschensparger has collected hold a place of honor in a display case near the entrance of the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library.

There are oil lamps in various colors, shapes and — within limits — sizes, ranging from just a couple of inches tall to six or seven inches in height.

Eleven Huntington University students continued on with their plans to do Christian ministry in Paris, France, despite the knowledge that acts of terrorism had taken the lives of 12 people approximately a mile from where they were planning to stay.

The news came to them on Jan. 7 during a 24-hour flight delay due to weather.

Originally published Jan. 8, 2014.

Of all the places Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Wilburn has served during his career in the U.S. Navy, he’s currently in the one place he never hoped to be: the limelight.

A Huntington native, Wilburn was recently named Senior Sailor of the Year aboard the USS Devastator (MCM-6). First class petty officers are eligible for the award, which is based on performance of duties, expertise, professionalism and contributions to the ship’s mission.

Originally published Jan. 5, 2015.

In a room full of hospital beds, sterile-looking drawers on rollers filled with medical supplies and a nearby box of stethoscopes, high school students are taking turns taking each other’s blood pressure.

Originally published Jan. 1, 2015.

Signs along the road featuring advertisements are a common sight, which is what makes a sign outside of Roanoke bearing quotes from the Bible and from Jimi Hendrix stand out.

The sign, facing the southbound lanes of U.S.-24 north of Roanoke, is owned by Tom Overton. While there’s nothing notable about the weathered sign and its interchangeable letters, Overton is hoping it has a notable impact on those who see it.

This season is Ty Platt’s first coaching his son, Kyle, as a member of the Huntington University men’s basketball team.

The newness of that, however, is tempered by the fact that Ty has been coaching Kyle for years.

“I coached his team since he’s been in third grade,” says Ty. “We started out that way. We had a little travel team.”

Barb Trosper wasn’t born in Warren, but once she made the decision to live there, her commitment was complete.

“I love Warren,” she says. “It’s a great community … I can’t see myself ever moving from Warren.”

Trosper just completed four years of service on the Warren Town Council. She decided not to run for a second term, she says, “to see what else is out there.”

She’s not ready yet to say what’s in her sights, but she imagines she’ll be coming before the council at some point to seek some town backing.