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County Commissioners OK K-CODE Grants

Ruchelle Sammons, Kosciusko County Coalition on Drug Education coordinator, appeared before the county commissioners Tuesday requesting permission to forward grants to various schools, non-profit organizations and police departments. K-CODE is funded by drug interdiction fees.These fees are charged by the county courts to people convicted of illegal drug use.The state takes 25 percent of the money and 75 percent is allocated locally in the form of grants. Organizations may submit plans for projects in three areas: education and prevention, intervention and treatment and law enforcement. For 2006, 26 applications were made to K-CODE totaling $182,429.91.The group approved grants totaling $85,001, which includes a stipend of $3,667 for the coordinator.The commissioners approved K-CODE's recommendations.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Mobile Home Park Gets Second Rezoning Continuance

WINONA LAKE - Jerry Smith just wants to get the most value for his Winona Lake property - and the town's plan commission is doing what it can to help. For the second time in two months, the commission tabled a planned rezoning of Smith's property at 2308 E.Winona Ave.The commission is considering rezoning Smith's property, which houses Smith's Mobile Home Park, from its current commercial zoning to residential.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Police Seek Robbery Suspect

SILVER LAKE - Police are looking for a white male who robbed the McClure Oil station Tuesday night in Silver Lake. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the suspect entered the business shortly before 8:30 p.m.and walked around the store before approaching the counter.He then displayed a small black handgun, waved it back and forth, and demanded the money from the cash register. An employee told police she opened the register and placed the whole drawer on the counter.The suspect reportedly pulled the drawer closer and took all of the cash from it before fleeing the business.He was last seen headed northbound on Ind.15 in a blue or silver two-door car.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

County To Reimburse Donnelley In Tax Credits After Assessment Error

After several hearings, appeals and negotiations, the Kosciusko County Commissioners approved an agreement Tuesday with R.R.Donnelley & Sons Co.in which the county will give Donnelley back almost half a million dollars in tax credits over a two-year period. Donnelley also agreed to pre-pay a portion of its taxes for two years. In 1997, Wayne Township Assessor Kristy Mayer discovered personal property at Donnelley that wasn't covered on the company's assessed valuation and made an added assessment, according to commissioner Avis Gunter. Donnelley paid what the county said they owed but the company didn't agree with the decision.They appealed to the local tax board.The local tax board agreed with Mayer but the state tax board did not.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Auto Dealer Gives Away 700 Christmas Trees

Christmas is the season of giving. Yesterday, the Car Company in Warsaw and Goshen celebrated the season by giving away 700 trees to the community.The company also gave out coffee and doughnuts.The estimated retail value of all the trees is $21,000. "We can expect over 700 vehicles to come through here and each vehicle has three people.We'll see about 2,100 people," Mike Dewitt, Car Company president, said. In the first hour of the giveaway, approximately 150 trees at the Warsaw location were given away.Each person who picked up a tree thanked Car Company workers for the tree they received. It is the third year that the Car Company has provided the trees to local residents.Employees, family and friends all donate their time in helping the Car Company give out the Christmas trees.The Sheriff's Department was also on hand as was the DARE car. "Everyone came out to help," Dewitt said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

2 Residential Rezones Approved

Time after time, the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission hears that agricultural land in the county needs to be protected. Wednesday, the board heard three petitions to rezone ground from agricultural to residential.Two were approved, but the third was denied because it was in an area zoned agricultural. On rezonings, the plan commission is only a recommending body to the Kosciusko County Commissioners, who have final say on all rezonings.The commissioners will hear all three rezonings at 9:30 a.m.in the county courthouse, Warsaw, Dec.14. The petition that the plan commission will recommend the commissioners deny belonged to Stanley Custer.Custer wanted to rezone property on the south side of Bowser Road, zero feet east of CR 375E in Van Buren Township, from agricultural to residential. "My grandson wants to develop some land, so I thought this was a good location," said Custer.He said the homes would be "pretty good" ones.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Annexation Begins

SILVER LAKE - The long-anticipated annexation of residences around the lake area began Thursday with approval of an annexation petition and adoption of a fiscal plan pertaining to the petition. About 247 properties will be annexed next year, doubling the size of the town.The homes extend around Silver Lake to the end of Roosevelt and Edgewater streets and along Neher Road to the west. Residents within the affected area will be notified by Jan.5, according to town council members Donna McCune, Gail Owens and Brenda Wadkins.A public hearing was set for March 15 at 7 p.m.in the town hall. The meeting location is subject to change as the town hall may not hold all interested parties. Within a year of the proposed annexation, non-capital services will be provided to the area.These services include police protection, snow removal and trash removal.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Commissioners Again Deny Request For Subdivision Plat

If at first you don't succeed - try, try again. For the second month in a row, attorney Steve Snyder presented a petition Wednesday before the Kosciusko County Area Plan commission for a preliminary plat for Cherry Creek Estates Subdivision on behalf of 1st Source Bank, with some changes. And for the second month in a row, the plan commission denied the petition. The residential development is on 20.176 acres on the east side of Packerton Road in Wayne Township.In November, the planners denied the petition because of lack of interior roads for the six-lot subdivision.That plat had four accesses to the development.The planners also said they'd like to see more density in the development. The plat before the plan commission Wednesday had only three accesses to the six lots.But that still was one too many for the plan commission.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Dewart Lake Resident Gets 2nd Liver Transplant

DEWART LAKE - Aarron Busch, 46, Dewart Lake, underwent his second liver transplant Wednesday at Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis.Doctors foresee him going home for the holidays. Busch was in critical condition at the Indiana University Medical Center intensive care unit after undergoing liver transplant surgery in July. At that time, his sister, Becky Tusing, 41, also of Dewart Lake, was listed in fair condition at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis after donating 60 percent of her liver to Aarron. It was only the second adult-to-adult live donor liver transplant performed in Indiana. Tusing was released in a matter of weeks after surgery, but her brother has endured a much longer stay. Aarron's brother, Randy Busch, said today that Aarron's been out of the hospital for only approximately two weeks since the original surgery in July, and has been confined to a hospital bed going in and out of consciousness because of medications.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Purdue Experts Talk About Septic Systems

Most people don't think about their septic systems until they fail or give indications they intend to fail. Purdue University specialists Dr.Brad Lee and Dr.Don Jones talked about septic systems with about 40 people Monday. Lee, an assistant agronomy professor at Purdue, took a ground-level approach to septic system installation. "Land use planning all comes down to soil suitability," Lee said."Few people plan for their septic system first when building - they plan for the house, the well, the pool, the lake." At least 24 inches of an "aerobic" soil layer is required for a septic field.Brown in color, not chalky-looking, indicates the dirt is seasonally wet with iron distributed throughout.Bacteria in this soil attaches to and "eats" pathogens. "If there are red root channels, the soil is to wet.If it's chalky, calcium carbonate is present, indicating water is not moving through," Lee said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Cahill Resigns

PIERCETON - Terry Cahill resigned his position as an officer of the Pierceton Police Department Tuesday. In a joint statement and press release approved by Cahill, the town and the PPD indicate all parties reached a mutually satisfactory resolution to disputes. Cahill tendered his resignation and plans to continue with his law enforcement career in another setting. Cahill did not attend a public hearing set for 12:30 p.m.Tuesday.The hearing did not officially begin until 1:45 p.m. The board approved a settlement and agreement and dismissed disciplinary proceedings. The joint statement was released and, with no other business, the board adjourned. Cahill was suspended without pay Aug.24.He was entitled to remain on the town's health insurance. The circumstances surrounding Cahill's suspension were never discussed by town or police officials. Council members Jerry Kreger, Robert Tenney and Mandy Espinosa agreed to have no further comment on the issue.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Good Samaritan Saves Christmas For Local Family

A local family's Christmas is likely a bit brighter thanks to the honesty of a Leesburg woman. Shirley Walgamuth said she never thought of keeping the money - more than $800 - when she found a purse Dec.13 in the Elder-Beerman parking lot in Warsaw.She tried without success to locate a telephone number for Cassandra Hancock of East Levi Lee Road, Warsaw, and even drove to the Hancock residence in an attempt to return the lost purse.However, nobody was at home and Walgamuth didn't want to just leave it on the doorstep. On Monday, Walgamuth contacted the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and an officer was able to locate Hancock, who was quite grateful to get her purse back despite its condition from being run over by a car.
RUTH ANNE LIPKA, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Explosion Damages Wastewater Plant At North Manchester

NORTH MANCHESTER - No one was injured when a building housing two solid waste digestors exploded Thursday afternoon at the sewer plant. Methane gas appears to be the cause of the explosion, public safety director Jack Fetrow said at the scene. No damage estimate was immediately available. Several rows of concrete block and brick on the backside of the building toppled forward.Shards of glass were blown 25 feet from the building.Paint cans and wound wire were undisturbed on the shelves next to the destroyed wall.The boiler was intact. The explosion left cracks throughout the building's outer wall. "I'm just glad nobody got hurt," Public works superintendent John Mugford said. The wastewater treatment plant crew was on break when the incident occurred. "It sounded like someone slammed a door," one employee said.The fiberglass garage door was mangled.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Salvation Army Continues Long Tradition Of Helping Those In Need

Ringing bells are a common sound during the Christmas season. They often can be heard at local stores as people raising money for the Salvation Army ring bells by the red kettles for contributions.In turn, the Salvation Army uses the money to help needy families during the holidays and beyond.According to Ken Locke, of the Salvation Army, its goal this year is to raise $112,000. The bell ringers and red kettles are at Wal-Mart, Big K-Mart, both Owen's locations and Marsh.There are also 80 counter kettles in area businesses. Another way the organization helps children during Christmas is the Angel Tree program.Christmas trees are placed in four locations around the community.Children's names are put on decorations on the tree and people shop for them, both for clothes and toys.Of the 150 families in the Angel Tree program, there are approximately 230 children.The trees are at Big K-Mart, DePuy, Biomet and SPX in Pierceton.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tire Dump Owner Baker Says He'll Cooperate With State

Owner of G&M tire dump is pledging cooperation as a state-mandated contractor steps in to begin the first phase of a massive cleanup. Indiana Department of Environmental Management announced this week that Dillon Tire Recycling of North Liberty would begin removing tires from a massive tire dump site next month as part of an $800,000 state-funded cleanup. Garry Baker, who tried for years to turn the corner with state cooperation in reducing the millions of tires, said Thursday he will do everything he can to help - even if it entails working side by side with the contractor. "I told the state I'd work with the contract 100 percent," he said. "Hopefully, maybe they'll hire me as a laborer and I can help speed up the process," he said.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Superintendent Stands By Decision On Webster Teacher

Dealing with charges of racism is never easy, as Wawasee superintendent Mark Stock has cause to know. Just five months into his term as Wawasee's superintendent he dealt with the uproar created by a Ku Klux Klan worksheet at Syracuse Elementary. Now, six months later, a teacher has retired from her post of 31 years as a result of a stereotypical remark made in her North Webster School classroom. Teachers are supporting Phyllis Roberts in a situation many say was mishandled.A representative from the Indiana State Teachers Association addressed concerns of more than 70 teachers Monday.Later in the week, teachers upset by the incident were reportedly showing their support for Roberts by wearing black armbands. But Stock stands by his decision.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Book Chronicles History Of Warsaw

Newcomers to any city learn their way around with a street tour. And that's how Michelle Bormet begins "A History of the City of Warsaw, Indiana," subtitled "Preserving the Past for the Future." Bormet, secretary to the mayors of Warsaw for the last 10 years, spent the better part of a year compiling the hardcover volume, published by the Kosciusko County Historical Society. That effort has resulted in a 17-chapter, 237-page book which begins with a settlement called Red Brush in 1834 and ends with Warsaw's 125th anniversary in 2000.The city was incorporated April 19, 1875, by a vote of 278 votes for and 200 against. It's a comprehensive overview of the city, a wonderful source of information for residents old and new.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Biomet, Miller Top Stories Of 2006

What can one person do? If that person is Dane Miller, one person can do enough to be the top local news story of 2006. To determine the top 10 stories of the year, front page news stories were reviewed and then voted on by the Times-Union news and sports staffs. Sharing top news story honors this year are Biomet Inc.and its former President, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Dane Miller. Warsaw-based Biomet is one of the world's leading orthopedic manufacturers. On March 27, the Biomet board of directors announced Miller's decision to retire and resign.Miller was to remain a director and serve as a consultant.The board appointed Senior Vice President Daniel P.Hann, the company's general counsel and a member of the board, to be president and CEO on an interim basis.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCS Involves Community In Long-Range Planning

Involving the community in long-range planning for Warsaw Community Schools began Tuesday with the first meeting of the community-based planning project committees. Two committees of 25 members each met together Tuesday at Warsaw Community High School for an introduction to the upcoming process.Leading Tuesday's meeting were the two men who will chair both committees: Dr.Robert Boyd, a professor at Indiana State University; and Dr.John Ellis, superintendent of Noblesville schools. The purpose of the committees, Boyd said, is to analyze data, share information and consider the culture and aspirations of the community in setting goals for local schools.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Team's success unites community

SYRACUSE - Nothing binds a community together like adversity - except maybe success. Everyone has heard the story of the farmer who takes ill right before harvest.The farming community comes together to help and the crops are harvested in record time. Or the story of the severe storm that blows through town causing lots of damage.The townspeople all pitch in and the cleanup and rebuilding get done in a hurry. Just as tough times tend to unite people, success also knits a community together. That's why it's no surprise that the success of the Wawasee Warrior football team is uniting the Wawasee community. Everybody wants the team to continue its winning ways for one more game. The team plays for the state championship in Class 4A on Saturday in the RCA Dome against 12-2 Indianapolis Roncalli.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016
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