Haworth Puts In Last Day As Warsaw Superintendent

Today is Dr. Robert Haworth's last official day as superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools.

Valley Girls Hoops Coach Stepping Down

AKRON - After a 12-year run that produced five sectional championships and a trio of Three Rivers Conference championships, Tippecanoe Valley High School varsity girls basketball coach Gary Teel is stepping down.

Schuh Steps Down As Grace Tennis Coach

WINONA LAKE – Larry Schuh has decided to step down from his post as Grace College’s men’s tennis coach after a decade-long stretch of excellence.

Backus Stepping Down As TVMS Principal To Teach

MENTONE — Scott Backus is stepping down as Tippecanoe Valley Middle School principal to return to teaching.

Stutzman Sworn In

U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman was sworn into the 113th Congress by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

Power Of Pink

Parks Board Considers Canopy Offer

Warsaw parks board members looked at canopy designs, similar to one that may be constructed over Central Park's performance area. Tuesday, superintendent Jon Garber said an individual is donating the cost of the covering.It is expected to be at least 18 feet high and 40 feet by 50 feet in size.Made of a waterproof PVC membrane, the roof would be secured with steel tresses, if a final design is approved. The board also: • Approved a flower bed and urn maintenance agreement with Janet Essig in an amount no less than $8,000 or no more than $12,000. • Reviewed a thank-you letter from Swashbuckler Robotics Team.The group is planning an installation of a wheelchair swing in the children's playground. • Re-elected Bill Baldwin president and Jon Sadler vice president.

Mershon Items Go To Old Jail

In this season of giving, the Kosciusko County Historical Society received a present - memorabilia belonging to William H.Mershon, "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh." Bob and June Tess of Warsaw purchased most of Mershon's effects in September 2004 during an Internet auction. Tess was able to secure photographs, scrapbooks with newspaper clippings and programs, a journal, medals and many other artifacts Mershon collected for more than 80 years. Mershon was born in Warsaw in 1845 and served in the Union Army as a music historian for Co.I, 30th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Following the Civil War, he pursued a musical career, working at various universities, including North Manchester College.He founded the Mershon School of Music in the Warner Building on Washington Street and organized several musical groups. His scrapbook shows audiences raved about his drum solos.

'Code Yellow' Alert At High School Is False Alarm

A code yellow alert was initiated at Warsaw Community High School this morning, but it turned out to be a false alarm. "In this day and age, with these kind of activities, we investigate," said Principal Dr.Jennifer Brumfield. At 9:40 a.m.today, Brumfield said they were notified of two male subjects entering the high school when someone opened a locked door for them.Their vehicle was parked across the grassy knoll at the Central Administration office. The police department was contacted to check out the car and the license plate came back as being registered in Elkhart County.No student was found to be related to the person who the car was registered to. The two male subjects could not be identified on the security cameras and could not immediately be located in the school.

Syracuse Cops Raid Suspected Meth Lab

SYRACUSE - Two Syracuse men were arrested Tuesday on drug-related charges. Jason S.Morrow, 28, of 304 E.Maple Grove St., Syracuse, and Charles R.Losee, 32, of 207 E.Bowser Road, Syracuse, are being held in the Elkhart County Jail, Goshen. Morrow is being charged by Goshen Police with possession of marijuana and possession of precursors to the manufacture of methamphetamines.Losee is being charged with possession of precursors to the manufacture of methamphetamines and possession of narcotic drugs/methamphetamines.No bond is set.

Emergency Exercise Planned Nov. 3

An emergency response exercise is planned for Nov.3 from 9 a.m.to noon.The mock disaster will be at the former NIPSCO parking lot on Fort Wayne Street, where a Warsaw Police Department complex is under construction. Harrison Street traffic will be rerouted between Fort Wayne Street and Kosciusko Community Hospital on DuBois Drive. In addition to KCH, drill participants include the Central Dispatch Center, Warsaw police and fire departments, the hazardous materials team, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the county health department and coroner's office, the American Red Cross and local government representatives. The purpose of the exercise is to test the integration of early warning communication systems and implement security systems and decontamination capability in case of an emergency situation.

Thieves Hit Rice Ford

More than $100,000 in losses were reported in a Saturday evening burglary to a Warsaw car dealership. A cleaning crew discovered the break-in about 8:30 p.m.Saturday when they arrived at Rice Ford, West CR 250N, Warsaw.The glass was found broken out of a north door and the workers called police before going inside.When police arrived, a search of the building revealed no one else was on the premises. An owner of the dealership was summoned to the business, where it was discovered the new car key box was broken into and destroyed.An inventory of the vehicles on the lot determined three were missing: a 2001 white Ford Lincoln LS, valued at $40,380; a 2001 white F350 4X4 crew cab dually, valued at $36,985; and a 2001 green Eddie Bauer Expedition 4X4, valued at $41,411. Twenty sets of keys from other new vehicles also were taken and KEMRAD security service was brought in to watch the parking lot and prevent the theft of additional vehicles.

Commissioners Help In Sewer Grant Request

Kosciusko County Commissioners once again agreed to cooperate in Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District's efforts to get grant money for improvements for Enchanted Hills. The subdivision, which includes about 200 homes, needs major improvements to its sewer system, and the costs, if paid by customers only, would result in sewer bills being hiked three or four times the current $15 monthly rate. Therefore, the district is pursuing state support through grant money from the Indiana Department of Commerce, said Dick Green, a Syracuse attorney representing the district. Green said they believe they have a better chance of receiving grant money than in the past. Deadline for application is Feb.7, and a public hearing on the matter is set for Feb.4.

Quilter Gifts City Firemen

Kelly Warrick wanted to let the Warsaw Fire Department know they were appreciated so she recently presented the department with a quilt she made. "I just don't think they're recognized enough and I just wanted to say thanks," she said Friday afternoon.Though she said she never has had to have their help, she said she feels secure knowing they are there if she needs them.

Warsaw Schools Business Mgr. Releases Amounts Saved By Closing Three Elementaries

Patrons of Warsaw Community Schools who are opposed to the proposed plan to close the three smallest schools have asked one question: How much money would be saved? In response, WCS business manager Rande Thorpe recently released the following figures, which he showed at the school board meeting Aug.18. The summary is based on the per-school cost of librarians, administration, custodian, principal's secretary, custodial supplies, gas, heat, water and electricity. According to Thorpe's figures, the school corporation would annually save $147,570 by closing Atwood Elementary, $197,237 by closing Claypool and $191,324 if Silver Lake closes. Also, the benefits - Social Security and insurance - paid to the employees who would be laid off totals $151,922 for all three schools. The total of Thorpe's projected possible savings by closing all three schools is $688,053.

Police Bust Alleged 'Meth' Lab On Armstrong Road

LEESBURG - A Leesburg man is in custody after police seized an alleged methamphetamine laboratory at his residence Monday evening. Jeromi Jay Beans, 26, of 6939 E.CR 500N, Leesburg, was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of two or more chemical precursors with the intent to manufacture.He also was served with a warrant for probation violation.Beans is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $15,000 bond. According to a press release from the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force, police received information of a possible meth lab at that residence.The property was under surveillance for a short time before Beans came home. Beans was approached by police, whom he gave consent to search his property.Officers reportedly discovered a large meth lab in a detached garage behind the residence.The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab team then arrived to seize the lab, collecting evidence and securing the chemicals.

Syracuse Man Resists Arrest, Faces Charges

SYRACUSE -ÊA Syracuse man is in the Kosciusko County Jail after an incident with Syracuse Police officers Monday night. Officers were asked to help a woman who was removing her personal items from a residence at 508 Prairie Drive in Turtle Bay, when Michael S.Hively, 23, of the same address, allegedly became disorderly and combative. Hively resisted arrest, and fought with officers until he was secured in the back seat of a police car.The rear passenger window was shattered before several assisting officers were able to remove Hively and restrain him from causing more damage. Hively was booked into Kosciusko County Jail on two counts of battery on a police officer, one count of disorderly conduct, one count of resisting/fleeing law enforcement and one count of criminal mischief.He is being held on $10,000 bond.

Milford To Get New Gear For Firemen

MILFORD - The Milford Fire Department will replace its outdated self-contained breathing apparatus. During the special budget meeting Monday, the town council approved the fire department's 1999 budget. The budget included the replacement of the outdated equipment, but Ned Hunsberger, Milford fire chief, said he would like to have the council and township approve the replacement for this year, because of a $250 "trade-in" that will not be available next year. The cost for each of the SCBA devices will be $1,600 without the $250 trade-in allowance.Hunsberger and Dallas Winchester, township trustee, will work on the possibility of getting the replacement done, at least in part, this year. Winchester also spoke up for his employees during the budget meeting.He said the additional security employees for the beach were being paid approximately $3 an hour more than some of his employees who had been working for him for five to six years.

Webster Breaks Ground For New Subdivision

NORTH WEBSTER - Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Wednesday for the final phase of the Culver's Hill subdivision on the north side of North Webster. An additional 12 duplexes are under construction on the north side of the property and offer a hilltop view of the surrounding area. The new duplexes will be similar in style to the existing 20 units (10 buildings), completed in 1998.Some of the new homes will be available in October, with a final completion scheduled for March. Culver's Hill Senior Community on Panorama Drive is managed by the Housing Assistance Office Inc.in South Bend. The new units are available to senior citizens, age 55 and older, with no income restrictions. Applications are available at the North Webster Town Hall.A $300 refundable deposit is requested to assure placement and will be applied toward the security deposit at time of leasing.

Person Of The Year

Jon Sroufe (C) was honored as North Webster's Person of the Year at the North Webster Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Tuesday evening at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. Pictured with Sroufe are his wife, Win, (L) and Kay Andrews, chamber board member. Sroufe owns an orthopedic manufacturing facility in Ligonier and recently moved back to North Webster. He has served on the board of directors of the Palace of Sports Foundation and was instrumental in securing funds from the foundation to help transform the old North Webster Elementary school into the North Webster Community Center. Sroufe also serves as president of the board of directors for the community center. Sroufe said, 'It's a great honor. I am truly honored by the distinction,' adding that he was 'just in the right place at the right time.' Also recognized at the banquet were Anita Wagoner for her efforts on the downtown beautification project, and Mary Gerard, chamber vice president and two-term former president. Speaker for the event was Joy McCarthy-Sessing, president of Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Al Disbro