WPD, Economy Top Stories Of 2009
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WPD, Economy Top Stories Of 2009
By David [email protected]
Economic-related stories made up about five of the top 10 stories of 2009. The top 10 stories of the year were voted on by the staff of the Times-Union.
However, the top story belongs to the Warsaw Police Department for the many news stories that came out of the WPD.
#1.[[In-content Ad]]Warsaw Police Department Patrol Officer Eric Coburn was suspended for two days in February from his duties due to disciplinary reasons. It was the second time in four months that a WPD employee received disciplinary action. WPD Sgt. Brad Kellar was dismissed from his duties Nov. 7, 2008, after violating protocol set forth by department policy. In June, Coburn retired after 28 years of duty.
WPD. Cpl. Steve Brown also resigned in February. Brown served on the department for the past 30 years.
On June 1, Warsaw City Council heard concerns regarding the trade-in of WPD's DARE van. DARE Officer Terry Polston drove the van while serving as a DARE officer for Warsaw Community Schools. Winona Lake business owner Jim Anderson purchased back the DARE van, which was given to the Polston family.
Kellar joined the Winona Lake Police Department, and Paul Heaton joined the WPD in June.
Two WPD officers resigned their lieutenant ranks July 8 citing personal reasons. Officers Tony Faucett and Joe Stanley gave Chief Perry Hunter separate letters asking to be relieved of their lieutenant ranks.
At the time of his resignation, Stanley was being investigated by the Indiana State Police in connection with a gun that was confiscated during a WPD investigation.
Faucett was suspended Sept. 4 with pay until a later public hearing, though Warsaw Police Chief Perry Hunter recommended Faucett be terminated. Stanley resigned Sept. 4. At the Oct. 2 public hearing, it was decided Faucett would not be terminated. Instead, Faucett will retire from his duties effective Jan. 10.
WPD probationary officer Joseph Klaehn was fired Oct. 23 after his arrest in Fort Wayne for allegedly assaulting his wife. However, charges were later declined by the Allen County Prosecutor's Office.
At the Nov. 6 Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, Klaehn's resignation was approved. Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said Hunter did not have the authority to fire Klaehn, but only to make a recommendation to the Board of Works.
On Dec. 4, Hunter stepped down as chief of police. He has served as detective sergeant since Dec. 13. Scott Whitaker was named the new WPD police chief.
#2.
The economic downturn started to impact the local economy in 2008, but 2009 saw some closings and layoffs. However, not all of it was bad news.
On Dec. 17, 2008, the Times-Union reported Warsaw Nissan was closing. After Christmas, several more local business places, including Karma Records, Simply Scrapbooking and Sam Goody, all of Warsaw, called it quits. Karma reverted to its original ownership and reopened Aug. 10.
As the economy slowed, GED classes filled up and people had to get on a waiting list. Area residents were looking for ways to improve their chances to get a job. Obtaining their GED was one way they saw to do that.
Grace College eliminated 17 jobs in March. KCH laid off 11 of its 850 employees that same month. Zimmer also announced layoffs.
It wasn't all bad news in the county. Brothers John and Dan Rice teamed with former Toyota exec Dave Illingworth to open Toyota of Warsaw off Ind. 15, just south of Rice Ford. Toyota top executives were on hand for the ribbon cutting July 21.
Family Video construction started at the end of September. Customers were renting videos by Christmas.
Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, but Toby Sorg, Warsaw's Sorg South Chrysler Dodge Jeep owner, said business will go on as usual. Sorg South was targeted for elimination eventually, but President Toby Sorg said the dealership will remain part of the community. Sorg secured a full-service Nissan dealership at his location on Ind. 15N.
McCormick Motors, Nappanee, announced they have been awarded the Hino truck franchise. Pickerman's reopened Sept. 11. Menards hosted a special nine-day grand opening celebration at their new mega-store in Warsaw. And Biomet acquired California-based Cartilix.
And that was just some of the business happenings over the past year.
#3.
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. Sgt. Jeff Shaw, 40, was killed in a car wreck Nov. 12 on Ind. 14 near Silver Lake. He was an 11-year veteran of the KCSD. More than 1,000 people gathered at Warsaw Community Church Nov. 17 to bid farewell to Shaw.
#4.
A Taxed Enough Already Party rally was scheduled for April 15 at the county courthouse. The rally was part of a nationwide event when people rallied against high taxes and how tax dollars are spent by elected officials. The local TEA Party was organized by Jon Fussle, Jeremiah Heierman and Monica Boyer.
More than 700 people showed up to the April 15 rally. Many held signs, and included Democrats, Republicans and other party members.
Another rally was scheduled for July 1 at the county courthouse.
Then on Nov. 21, a four-hour statewide rally was held at Lakeview Middle School. More than 1,600 Hoosiers attended that event. The Tea Party and Project 912 groups that sponsored the rally were from all over the state.
#5.
The four Warsaw Community Schools building projects are scheduled to be completed and open for the 2010-11 school year.
The projects kept WCS in the news for 2009.
Even though the Warsaw School Board officially hadn't accepted any bids for elementary school projects in February, one company that bid on the work already had their attorney involved. Attorney Daniel M. Drewry, representing Fetters Construction, sent the board members a notice of bid protest regarding the new Madison and Leesburg elementary schools projects. On March 5, the school board gave Fetters reasons why they were considering another bidder for the new school projects. Fetters Construction Inc. received the bid award anyway.
The Jefferson Elementary project was awarded to James S. Jackson, Bluffton, and the Claypool project was awarded to Michael Kinder and Songs Inc., Fort Wayne.
Work on the Leesburg School got off the ground April 16.
A carpenters union strike affected the WCS building projects. Most affected were the new Leesburg and Madison schools, with Madison ended up weeks behind the Leesburg project initially.
Flooding later caused an erosion issue at the Madison project site, causing a headache for the city of Warsaw. However, the problem was eventually addressed after Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins discussed the matter at the Warsaw School Board meeting.
The Jefferson project was ahead of schedule, and students were able to eat in the new cafeteria for a Thanksgiving meal.
#6.
Like elsewhere around the country, the swine flu was a matter of concern for residents and parents in Kosciusko County.
Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. William Remington issued a statement on precautions county residents should take, and the county prepared for H1N1 as best as it could.
At least two H1N1 flu cases were confirmed at Triton, and there were reportedly other cases of the swine flu at other schools.
When the county offered vaccination shots, people lined up.
#7.
The Lilly Endowment announced it's giving the Kosciusko County Community Foundation $7 million in an effort to strengthen the orthopedic industry in the area.
That will include funding for the establishment of OrthoWorx, a Warsaw-based industry, community and education initiative.
OrthoWorx's goal is to advance and support growth and innovation in the orthopedic industry.
The idea for OrthoWorx came out of a report from BioCrossroads that was released in early September. The report details what the area can do to increase its strength as an orthopedics leader.
#8.
County commissioners heard concerns for 1-1/2 hours from Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. officials and the public regarding the county council's decision to reduce all county employees' salaries by 7 percent.
Commissioners make recommendations to the county council, but the council is the fiscal decision-making body.
In a move to help balance the 2010 budget, the county council voted at its Sept. 10 meeting to cut employee salaries by 7 percent. The only exceptions are the county prosecutor, parole officers and judges whose salaries are set by state statute.
The council scheduled a special meeting to review the cut. In the end, the council decided not to cut salaries, but departments were directed to make cuts in other areas. No jobs were lost. The county council described the 2010 and 2011 budgets as bleak due to lower state tax revenue collected and state budget cuts.
#9.
The body of Craig W. Norrell, 50, of Country Club Lane, Warsaw, was found on shore around 9 a.m. Dec. 10 about 100 yards west of the boat ramp at the Kosciusko County fairgrounds.
Police believe Norrell's boat capsized out in the lake, and Norrell was able to reach shore, but he was overcome by water, wind and cold.
Norrell's wife, Brenda Colonius, reported him missing around 4:17 a.m. Dec. 10, and police and conservation officers began searching for Norrell around 7:30 a.m.
Norrell had taken his small fishing boat out on the water sometime after 9 p.m. Dec. 9, and when Colonius discovered he had not returned at 4 a.m., she contacted police.
Norrell's overturned boat was found near a point about a quarter of a mile east of the boat ramp at the fairgrounds.
#10.
A wood chipper accident near Hoffman lake Sept. 1 claimed the life of a Plymouth man.
Around 9 a.m. Sept. 1, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. received a call about a person possibly being pulled into a wood chipper while feeding limbs into the machine.
When officers arrived at 7511 W. Hillcrest Drive near Hoffman Lake, they discovered James Vician, 37, Plymouth, an employee of Tree Core, had reportedly been pulled through the chipper.
Economic-related stories made up about five of the top 10 stories of 2009. The top 10 stories of the year were voted on by the staff of the Times-Union.
However, the top story belongs to the Warsaw Police Department for the many news stories that came out of the WPD.
#1.[[In-content Ad]]Warsaw Police Department Patrol Officer Eric Coburn was suspended for two days in February from his duties due to disciplinary reasons. It was the second time in four months that a WPD employee received disciplinary action. WPD Sgt. Brad Kellar was dismissed from his duties Nov. 7, 2008, after violating protocol set forth by department policy. In June, Coburn retired after 28 years of duty.
WPD. Cpl. Steve Brown also resigned in February. Brown served on the department for the past 30 years.
On June 1, Warsaw City Council heard concerns regarding the trade-in of WPD's DARE van. DARE Officer Terry Polston drove the van while serving as a DARE officer for Warsaw Community Schools. Winona Lake business owner Jim Anderson purchased back the DARE van, which was given to the Polston family.
Kellar joined the Winona Lake Police Department, and Paul Heaton joined the WPD in June.
Two WPD officers resigned their lieutenant ranks July 8 citing personal reasons. Officers Tony Faucett and Joe Stanley gave Chief Perry Hunter separate letters asking to be relieved of their lieutenant ranks.
At the time of his resignation, Stanley was being investigated by the Indiana State Police in connection with a gun that was confiscated during a WPD investigation.
Faucett was suspended Sept. 4 with pay until a later public hearing, though Warsaw Police Chief Perry Hunter recommended Faucett be terminated. Stanley resigned Sept. 4. At the Oct. 2 public hearing, it was decided Faucett would not be terminated. Instead, Faucett will retire from his duties effective Jan. 10.
WPD probationary officer Joseph Klaehn was fired Oct. 23 after his arrest in Fort Wayne for allegedly assaulting his wife. However, charges were later declined by the Allen County Prosecutor's Office.
At the Nov. 6 Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, Klaehn's resignation was approved. Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said Hunter did not have the authority to fire Klaehn, but only to make a recommendation to the Board of Works.
On Dec. 4, Hunter stepped down as chief of police. He has served as detective sergeant since Dec. 13. Scott Whitaker was named the new WPD police chief.
#2.
The economic downturn started to impact the local economy in 2008, but 2009 saw some closings and layoffs. However, not all of it was bad news.
On Dec. 17, 2008, the Times-Union reported Warsaw Nissan was closing. After Christmas, several more local business places, including Karma Records, Simply Scrapbooking and Sam Goody, all of Warsaw, called it quits. Karma reverted to its original ownership and reopened Aug. 10.
As the economy slowed, GED classes filled up and people had to get on a waiting list. Area residents were looking for ways to improve their chances to get a job. Obtaining their GED was one way they saw to do that.
Grace College eliminated 17 jobs in March. KCH laid off 11 of its 850 employees that same month. Zimmer also announced layoffs.
It wasn't all bad news in the county. Brothers John and Dan Rice teamed with former Toyota exec Dave Illingworth to open Toyota of Warsaw off Ind. 15, just south of Rice Ford. Toyota top executives were on hand for the ribbon cutting July 21.
Family Video construction started at the end of September. Customers were renting videos by Christmas.
Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, but Toby Sorg, Warsaw's Sorg South Chrysler Dodge Jeep owner, said business will go on as usual. Sorg South was targeted for elimination eventually, but President Toby Sorg said the dealership will remain part of the community. Sorg secured a full-service Nissan dealership at his location on Ind. 15N.
McCormick Motors, Nappanee, announced they have been awarded the Hino truck franchise. Pickerman's reopened Sept. 11. Menards hosted a special nine-day grand opening celebration at their new mega-store in Warsaw. And Biomet acquired California-based Cartilix.
And that was just some of the business happenings over the past year.
#3.
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. Sgt. Jeff Shaw, 40, was killed in a car wreck Nov. 12 on Ind. 14 near Silver Lake. He was an 11-year veteran of the KCSD. More than 1,000 people gathered at Warsaw Community Church Nov. 17 to bid farewell to Shaw.
#4.
A Taxed Enough Already Party rally was scheduled for April 15 at the county courthouse. The rally was part of a nationwide event when people rallied against high taxes and how tax dollars are spent by elected officials. The local TEA Party was organized by Jon Fussle, Jeremiah Heierman and Monica Boyer.
More than 700 people showed up to the April 15 rally. Many held signs, and included Democrats, Republicans and other party members.
Another rally was scheduled for July 1 at the county courthouse.
Then on Nov. 21, a four-hour statewide rally was held at Lakeview Middle School. More than 1,600 Hoosiers attended that event. The Tea Party and Project 912 groups that sponsored the rally were from all over the state.
#5.
The four Warsaw Community Schools building projects are scheduled to be completed and open for the 2010-11 school year.
The projects kept WCS in the news for 2009.
Even though the Warsaw School Board officially hadn't accepted any bids for elementary school projects in February, one company that bid on the work already had their attorney involved. Attorney Daniel M. Drewry, representing Fetters Construction, sent the board members a notice of bid protest regarding the new Madison and Leesburg elementary schools projects. On March 5, the school board gave Fetters reasons why they were considering another bidder for the new school projects. Fetters Construction Inc. received the bid award anyway.
The Jefferson Elementary project was awarded to James S. Jackson, Bluffton, and the Claypool project was awarded to Michael Kinder and Songs Inc., Fort Wayne.
Work on the Leesburg School got off the ground April 16.
A carpenters union strike affected the WCS building projects. Most affected were the new Leesburg and Madison schools, with Madison ended up weeks behind the Leesburg project initially.
Flooding later caused an erosion issue at the Madison project site, causing a headache for the city of Warsaw. However, the problem was eventually addressed after Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins discussed the matter at the Warsaw School Board meeting.
The Jefferson project was ahead of schedule, and students were able to eat in the new cafeteria for a Thanksgiving meal.
#6.
Like elsewhere around the country, the swine flu was a matter of concern for residents and parents in Kosciusko County.
Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. William Remington issued a statement on precautions county residents should take, and the county prepared for H1N1 as best as it could.
At least two H1N1 flu cases were confirmed at Triton, and there were reportedly other cases of the swine flu at other schools.
When the county offered vaccination shots, people lined up.
#7.
The Lilly Endowment announced it's giving the Kosciusko County Community Foundation $7 million in an effort to strengthen the orthopedic industry in the area.
That will include funding for the establishment of OrthoWorx, a Warsaw-based industry, community and education initiative.
OrthoWorx's goal is to advance and support growth and innovation in the orthopedic industry.
The idea for OrthoWorx came out of a report from BioCrossroads that was released in early September. The report details what the area can do to increase its strength as an orthopedics leader.
#8.
County commissioners heard concerns for 1-1/2 hours from Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. officials and the public regarding the county council's decision to reduce all county employees' salaries by 7 percent.
Commissioners make recommendations to the county council, but the council is the fiscal decision-making body.
In a move to help balance the 2010 budget, the county council voted at its Sept. 10 meeting to cut employee salaries by 7 percent. The only exceptions are the county prosecutor, parole officers and judges whose salaries are set by state statute.
The council scheduled a special meeting to review the cut. In the end, the council decided not to cut salaries, but departments were directed to make cuts in other areas. No jobs were lost. The county council described the 2010 and 2011 budgets as bleak due to lower state tax revenue collected and state budget cuts.
#9.
The body of Craig W. Norrell, 50, of Country Club Lane, Warsaw, was found on shore around 9 a.m. Dec. 10 about 100 yards west of the boat ramp at the Kosciusko County fairgrounds.
Police believe Norrell's boat capsized out in the lake, and Norrell was able to reach shore, but he was overcome by water, wind and cold.
Norrell's wife, Brenda Colonius, reported him missing around 4:17 a.m. Dec. 10, and police and conservation officers began searching for Norrell around 7:30 a.m.
Norrell had taken his small fishing boat out on the water sometime after 9 p.m. Dec. 9, and when Colonius discovered he had not returned at 4 a.m., she contacted police.
Norrell's overturned boat was found near a point about a quarter of a mile east of the boat ramp at the fairgrounds.
#10.
A wood chipper accident near Hoffman lake Sept. 1 claimed the life of a Plymouth man.
Around 9 a.m. Sept. 1, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. received a call about a person possibly being pulled into a wood chipper while feeding limbs into the machine.
When officers arrived at 7511 W. Hillcrest Drive near Hoffman Lake, they discovered James Vician, 37, Plymouth, an employee of Tree Core, had reportedly been pulled through the chipper.
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