The city of Berne, Ind., in Adams County has stayed close to its Swiss roots. The picturesque city, 35 miles south of Fort Wayne, was founded by Swiss Mennonite immigrants in 1852. Known as the “furniture capital of Indiana,” Smith … Continue reading →
The phrase “small Southern town” rolls easily from the tongue, and that leads to mental pictures of downtown streets with little mom-and-pop stores that have served many generations. But that’s often more Hollywood — or at least Mayberry — than … Continue reading →
Improving internet access and digital literacy in rural communities is no small task. Multiple hurdles exist, not the least of which is a lack of infrastructure, as well as a lack of familiarity with the technology. These are challenges that … Continue reading →
“Delivering what matters” is not just a slogan at Scott County, Minn. It’s a citizen-focused approach to delivering services that leave you wondering, “Why can’t all government be like this?” Troy Beam, fleet and facilities manager, and his team at … Continue reading →
Fire has been both a tool that drove human prosperity to heights before unknown, and yet also harbored destructive capability. Consider the Great Library of Alexandria, which burned to the ground, its vast halls of ancient knowledge destroyed with it; … Continue reading →
What does the term “sister city” mean to you? Sistercity.org defines it as a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities. They promote peace through people-to-people relationships, sharing research and developing projects between the two cities. The two cities of Tuskegee, … Continue reading →
The city administration of Denison, Iowa, found itself in a bit of a dilemma last year when two key employees of the public works department decided to retire within a short time of each other. The announcements got City Manager … Continue reading →
From Mayor Laurie Gere and the city council to individual city departments, an emphasis on reducing Anacortes, Wash.’s, carbon footprint has been championed by all. Anacortes Public Works has strived to do its part by pursuing alternative fuel sources and … Continue reading →
Some municipalities are finding that showing a little mercy to their residents via amnesty programs is paying off for them. Cities like Reading, Pa., and Green, Ohio, enacted amnesty programs on real estate taxes, and Richmond, Va., was considering … Continue reading →
City halls are structures that play a variety of roles in a community. In addition to serving as the headquarters for local government officials, it is the place where bills are paid, plans are laid and decisions are made. While … Continue reading →
A student firefighter program started in 1985 by the Manhattan Fire Department in Kansas continues to grow and challenge local college students today. From the very beginning, the program has created a connection between the fire department and Kansas … Continue reading →
