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Sheriff-Elect's Salary Set At $70,000

Sheriff-elect Aaron Rovenstine's salary was approved by the Kosciusko County Council Monday at $70,000. Rovenstine met with Human Resource Director Ron Robinson and county council members Jim Tranter, Brad Tandy and John Kinsey Friday to negotiate the contract.Robinson and the three councilman then reported back to the council Monday about the agreement. "That could be negotiated at a later time, but that would have to be decided by the council at a later time," Tranter said. He also said, "(Rovenstine) has signed the contract.He was very comfortable with this." The contract was approved by councilmen Tranter, Tandy, Kathryn Teel, Harold Jones and Kinsey.Councilmen Tom Anglin and Lewis Bertsch were not present at the meeting. In other business, the county commissioners requested that the council approve and fund a new county position.Commissioner Eddie Creighton proposed the position to the council on behalf of the three commissioners.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Farmers Involved In Hay Lift

Hoosier farmers are giving a lift to Oklahoma farmers. Extreme weather conditions, including severe drought and flooding, have resulted in depleted pasture, forage and hay supplies in Oklahoma.Indiana farmers across the state are responding by shipping hay to Oklahoma farmers. Locally, Ed Boggs and his family are contributing 30 round bales. "We gave back in '86, and that went to South Carolina.In turn, we had some bad weather," Boggs said."They sent us peaches back then.We had some extra hay this year and we thought we'd help (Oklahoma farmers) out." A round bale weighs 700 pounds, Boggs said.Hay costs about $50 to $60 per ton, making Boggs' contribution about $525 to $630. Garry Tom, who will deliver the hay to river docks on the Ohio River to be shipped to farmers in Oklahoma, said Boggs' story was one of people helping people. "I think it's really great that people help people out who they don't know.It's just people helping people," he said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley OKs Contracts, Discusses Creationism

MENTONE - A total of $8,621,061 in contracts was awarded for the Mentone School project at the Tippecanoe Valley School Board meeting Monday. Bids were awarded except for the bid for educational equiptment.This will be decided later and will have no effect on the progress of the project. Bart York of Skillman Corp.said the bids came in around 3 percent higher than expected. He said the bond sale would begin next week and close at the end of the month. Bids were also awarded for the new bus garage.Kinder Building of Fort Wayne was awarded the contract pending examination of the constructor's work.The base bid from Kinder was $369,803.The board expressed concern over the bids still being 35 percent over the $285,000 budget.
DEBBIE CLARK, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Milford OKs Installation Of New Well

MILFORD - For a maximum of $82,260, the town of Milford will put in a new well. Utilities superintendent Dallas Winchester presented the project and costs to the town council Monday at its regular meeting.He said he was very happy with the bid from Ortman Drilling.However, he was still awaiting a bid from Peerless Drilling, but was in favor of the Ortman bid if Peerless' bid was higher. The council approved the project with a maximum cost of $82,260.The bid will be awarded at the next meeting. Ortman also will provide an engineer for the permitting process to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Winchester said. The earliest the new well can be put in is spring 2004. In a somewhat related matter, town attorney Jay Rigdon provided an estimated timeline to the town council for the sewage treatment plant expansion.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

9-Year-Old Girl In Syracuse Cuts CD To Help Food Banks

SYRACUSE - One song sung by a child will help raise more than $900 for local food banks this Christmas. Ashley Lyon, 9, of Syracuse and a Milford Elementary School student, first recorded and started selling the one-song CD as part of the Milford United Methodist Church annual auction.The song, "Call on Jesus," was one Ashley had sung before at church. Her father Mike Lyon asked Ashley if she wanted to do more for the community.She agreed and seeing in the news that food banks' supplies were going dry, they agreed to raise money for the Northern Indiana Food Bank.More specifically, the Syracuse food pantry and Combined Community Services will get a portion of the proceeds.Mike said the Northern Indiana Food Bank, South Bend, told him if they donated the money to the food bank first, the food bank could get a better deal by buying in bulk.CCS and the Syracuse food pantry are two of the organizations the food bank helps supply.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Symmetry To Expand

Attorney Richard Helm, representing Symmetry Medical, announced during the Warsaw City Council meeting a $14 million company expansion at Symmetry's 3724 Ind.15 location. The council approved a resolution to allow construction in what Warsaw calls an economic revitalization area.The current expansion plans include a design and development center and parking lot east of the company's existing building.Symmetry estimates adding 40 additional jobs in the next four years, which Helm called a "very conservative projection." During the announcement, Helm also requested a continuation of a tax abatement on personal and real property, which has added 15 more jobs than the company had projected in 2004.The board approved an additional abatement for the company's expansion as well.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

WCS Software Will Allow Parental Access

Online parental access to Warsaw Schools' student information system is to begin Jan.9. But not all the "bells and whistles" are going to be ready because not all the teachers are completely trained on using the system.However, students' grades should be available online by Jan.9, according to Director of Assessment Terrence P.Roe and Assistant Superintendent Sandra Hess at Monday's Warsaw School Board meeting. "Will it be perfect? Based on everything we saw, no," Hess said. The student information system was created with CenterPoint software.When selecting CenterPoint, Roe said he began his research on the different software available.He visited the State Department of Education Web site where they listed vendors.He checked the vendors out, compiling a list of features each vendor offered.A committee was formed to narrow down the list of vendors from the seven Roe chose.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City, County Enter 911 Service Agreement

An agreement with the city of Warsaw for 911 service was approved by the county commissioners Tuesday.The cost will remain the same as last year for the county except for a 1 percent increase, which will not affect customer rates. "Since its inception in '88, we haven't raised our rates and everyone else has," said Human Resource Director Ron Robinson. In other business, County Treasurer Stephanie Esenwein said after the Board of Finance reviewed all the bid proposals for the county's cash management system, it recommended the commissioners award it to Lake City Bank. "I went over the proposals very carefully," Esenwein said. She said it was only for two years and then the process will start over again.If the county is not happy with the system, it can be terminated with a 90-day written notice.She also said all bid proposals were comparable. "They all have varying (interest) rates.Each one is a little different but are very comparable," she said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Approves Hiring Of Emergency Management Director

It's definite. Kosciusko County will add the new position of an emergency management director, as the county council Thursday approved advertising for the position.The county commissioners approved the position Tuesday. In his comments to the council, county administrator Ron Robinson said that since Sept.11, 2001, a lot of mandates, rules and regulations have come from the state and federal governments tied to homeland security.To receive funding now for issues related to that security, the director position is needed.The county will have to pay only half of whatever salary they set for the position, with the other half coming from a grant.The position, he said, is not only needed for the county but also for area cities, towns and businesses.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Town Council Wraps Up Year-End Business

SYRACUSE - Monday's meeting of the Syracuse Town Council was a time to wrap up loose ends before the new year. Town officials will be sworn in Dec.27, the final meeting of the year.At this time the board also will decide whether or not to buy the property across the street from the town hall.The building was damaged by heavy snow nearly a year ago. In a major shift, the council voted to change the way in which council members are selected - caucuses are out, primaries are in.Carol Koble asked town manager Brian Redshaw to publicize when and where candidates should file for the primary. Another ordinance repealed the whistle ban ordinance, and the third revoked a $500 stipend inadvertently given to the captain of the Fire Department. The council approved purchasing about $15,000 worth of equipment for the Police Department, including computers and their accessories, ammunition, a digital camera, shirts and accessories for officers as well as office supplies.
VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF SURSO, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Fear, Control Keys To Domestic Abuse

Editor's Note: The following is the first of a six-part series on domestic abuse in Kosciusko County: When it comes to domestic violence, Jeannie Campbell has pretty much seen it all. In fact, she's so familiar with the symptoms of domestic violence that she can watch families in public places and tell if an abusive relationship is at work.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Schools Looks To Future Expansion

Warsaw Schools may soon buy a piece of property to be used for future expansion if everything goes as planned. The school board voted unanimously Monday to buy the property at 1206 Fisher Ave., adjacent to the WCS administration building and Washington Elementary.The price for the property is $76,000. According to state law, said superintendent Dr.Lee Harman, the board must first obtain two appraisals on the property and may only offer the average of the two.The appraisals were done, and the average of $76,000 was accepted by the property owners. "I think the best and highest use for that property is for the school corporation to own it and use it in educating our young people," Harman said. The board has no specific uses in mind for the property, but will hold onto it for future expansion needs.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Ice Causes 4-Wheeler Mishap

Ice caused an 18-year-old Warsaw man to wreck a 4-wheeler Tuesday. According to a Indiana Department of Natural Resources report, Mike F.Wilson, 18, South Buffalo St., Warsaw, was riding another person's 4-wheeler on an ice-covered surface in the area of T34 C Lane, Leesburg, at approximately 6:30 p.m.The vehicle went out from under Wilson. Wilson complained of back pain and was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital, where he was treated and released. Other agencies at the scene included Plain Township EMS and North Webster EMS.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Tippy Watershed Group Gets Grant To Continue Conservation Efforts

The Tippecanoe Environmental Lake and Watershed Foundation has received another grant to continue their ongoing efforts to care for upper Tippecanoe watersheds. Their latest project involves construction of 2,700 lineal feet of water and sediment control basins on a severely eroding farm field draining into the Elder ditch in Larwill. Three five-foot dams with drainage tile will be built and installed to prevent surface erosion along with seeding of appropriate areas. The prime objective of this project is to reduce loading of phosphorus, nitrogen and sediments in the ditch to improve water quality in Ridinger Lake and the Barbee chain of lakes. The funding, $2,950 from Northern Indiana Public Service Co.'s Environmental Challenge Fund, will be used for seed, tile and installation costs.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

'Dickens Dinner' Speaker Entertains, Raises Funds For Local Literacy

Few people know that author Charles Dickens invented paperback books, the concept of a "white Christmas" and cliffhanger endings, and even inspired the first greeting card - a Christmas card. The almost 200 people at the "Dickens Dinner" Thursday learned those facts and many more from an entertaining lecture by Dr.Elliott Engel, professor of English and American literature at North Carolina State University. The dinner, at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, was a fund-raiser for Kosciusko Literacy Services and was organized by the Literacy Leaders Auxiliary of KLS.According to Rebecca Kubacki, Auxiliary co-chairwoman, the event raised approximately $20,000 for KLS. Kubacki was instrumental in bringing Engel to speak at the dinner.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

In A Holiday Spirit, KDI Approves 2005 Budget

Red headgear trimmed with white "fur" awaited Kosciusko Development Inc.board members Wednesday.Few took the opportunity to try on the new hats - a la Kris Kringle - except KDI chairman Roger Moynahan, Syracuse Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger and, wearing "Santa's little helper" hats, KDI President Joy McCarthy Sessing and economic development director Kim Nance. McCarthy-Sessing presented information gathered during a recent Indiana Commerce Region 2 conference.Two representatives from each of the region's nine counties (McCarthy-Sessing and Brad Bishop attended for Kosciusko County) met recently to discuss the area's strengths and weaknesses, workforce, education, government and infrastructure strategies. The board also: • Heard Nance plans to apply for another Community Development Action Grant.The next round of awards announced will be at the end of October 2005.The program year is Jan.1, 2006, to April 30, 2007.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Council To Discuss Making Dubois Drive One-Way

Dubois Drive may become a one-way street if approved by the Warsaw City Council at its meeting tonight. The Warsaw Traffic Commission recommended Dubois Drive become a one-way street westbound between Parker Street and Provident Drive at its meeting Thursday.The commission also discussed making the street one way at its Oct.5 meeting to avoid congestion problems at Dubois Drive and U.S.30. The topic was discussed as part of the Argonne Road, Center Street and Parker Street project. Jeff Weaver, director of engineering services for U.S.Infrastructure, attended the meeting and commission members requested he resubmit design plans reflecting design changes suggested by the commission. The project, according to commission members, would allow for using timing of signals more efficiently, provide three lanes at U.S.30, which would move more traffic and provide better access to the BP Station and The Spectacle Shoppe Inc.
JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Huge Cottonwood Gets Trim At Barbee

Workers began taking down the old cottonwood tree on the east side of Big Barbee Lake Wednesday. "It's 120 feet, easy," said one Mudrack Tree Service employee about the height of Larry and Linda Smith's landmark. A boom was used to lift a man into the highest branches.He used a chain saw to trim twigs in the crown back to a branch.Limbs that looked small and spindly in the treetops, crashed to the ground as 8-feet-long logs. "We chose Mudrack because they're insured," Linda Smith said Wednesday of the Fort Wayne-based company."They were the only company, of four that gave us estimates, that was insured.It's going to cost $4,000 to trim it back, but its worth it." Over the years the tree has become hollow inside.It has begun to deteriorate.Last year a huge branch fell on the side of the house at 13 EMS B20B Lane.That convinced the Smiths some trimming was in order. There are a couple of more houses within striking distance.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Informs Shady Crest Residents Of New Sewers

It's taken them 10 years, but the wait for the residents of Shady Crest is nearly over. If all goes as planned, they were told Wednesday night, the homes on Warsaw's south side will have sanitary sewer service by next summer or early fall. According to Mayor Ernie Wiggins, the city is using the $1.5 million in bonding authority for the extension of Logan Street south to Rozella Road.The extension of the sewer line is also included in the project "We have authorization for $1.5 million in bonds, and we're hoping that with the base bid for the road extension we'll have enough left to extend the sanitary sewers also," he said. The city is advertising for bids on the project this week and expects to open those bids on Jan.7, 2000.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse To Discuss Future Planning

SYRACUSE - The first of several meetings to help plan for Syracuse's future is set for Dec.7 at 6:30 p.m.at the Syracuse Community Center. According to Syracuse Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger, the public meeting is being held to talk about the town's long-range planning, growth and development. The series of meetings will try to answer five main questions: Where is the town now? Where is the town going? Where does the town want to go? How will the town get there? And how will the town know they are there when they get there? At the Dec.7 meeting, Noffsinger said the main focus likely will be on the first two questions and identifying the town's problems. The meetings are part of the town's comprehensive planning efforts, but the residents of Turkey Creek Township also are invited as the township is an important part of the town's growth, Noffsinger said.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016
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