Illegal alcohol sales drop off dramatically

Efforts to halt alcohol sales to minors have apparently caught the attention of the people who sell it.

When state excise police conducted their annual sting to catch sales to underage buyers, only 5.5 percent of sellers failed to adequately check ID. That compares with an awful 33 percent failure rate in 2007.

Drugstores had the best compliance rate – 99 percent. Grocery stores were at 98 percent, liquor stores 95 percent and restaurants and bars 92 percent.

In Allen County, compliance was better than state averages, with underage drinkers successful in purchasing alcohol just 15 times out of 1,099 attempts, a violation rate of just more than 1 percent.

Some of the success in curbing illegal sales may be attributed to a much-maligned state law requiring buyers of carryout alcohol to produce an ID regardless of age. Lawmakers scaled that law back a bit this year, but tough enforcement helps increase compliance, and the stings seem to be working.

EACS may offer jump on a college degree

When ninth-graders return to the former Paul Harding High School next fall, they could be on a fast track to a college degree. The East Allen County Schools board heard a proposal Tuesday for an Early College Magnet Program at Harding that would give graduates both a high school diploma and two years of college credit.

Steve Sprunger, the retired East Noble superintendent heading up the magnet program study, said his committee has been in discussion with area universities about the program, with serious interest in a partnership.

While many schools are ramping up dual-credit offerings, the new East Allen program would offer college courses taught by district teachers, overseen by university administrators.

Sprunger said the program wouldn’t offer traditional extracurricular activities, including athletics or marching band. He said discussions with Early College officials elsewhere convinced the committee that higher academic expectations wouldn’t allow for traditional extracurriculars, but clubs and intramural sports could be offered.

Indiana now has four Early College programs, including the newest at Bellmont High School. IPFW and Ivy Tech are partners in the North Adams Community Schools program. Trine University offers a Middle College program open to area high school students.

Fueled by support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Early College programs now are offered in about 225 schools, often targeting first-generation college students and high-achievers looking for a more rigorous curriculum.

City author wins plaudits

Local author and community activist Helen Frost has garnered some richly deserved recognition for her contributions to Indiana literature. She won a 2011 Indiana Authors Award from the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation and the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Fund.

Frost, a Fort Wayne resident with a master’s degree in English from Indiana University, won the $7,500 Regional Author award. She has worked with the Fort Wayne Dance Collective, the Fort Wayne YWCA and Fort Wayne Youtheatre on innovative violence-prevention programs.

Frost’s book, “Keesha’s House,” was selected by Ivy Tech as the 2011 choice for a Community Read. The book was also adapted into a Youtheatre performance.

Frost is donating $2,500 of the award to the children’s department of the Allen County Public Library.

Margaret McMullen won the National Author award and Micah Ling won the Emerging Author award from the organization. It’s the third year for the awards meant to shine a light on the contributions of Indiana authors.