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Planners Table Proposal To Change Minimum

BY DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer One down, one on the table - indefinitely. Wednesday, after their regular business, the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission held a second public discussion on two new ordinances. Their first public meeting on the ordinances was held Nov.3. The current subdivision ordinance states that less than 20 acres of land can't be sold off for subdivision.The amendment would have changed the number of acres from 20 to 40. Remonstrator Merl Montel said, "I'm not for going to 40 acres if 40 acres is the minimum you can sell off." Board president Vic Virgil said going from 20 to 40 acres is an attempt to preserve agricultural land. Area Plan Director Dan Richard said the ordinance also will help promote residential subdivision instead of the "shotgun pattern out there now." "Which wastes land," board member Kevin McSherry added. Kip Tom said the county needs to plan for the future and needs to preserve agricultural land.
Size Of Subdivisions- | July 28, 2016

Retirees could face benefit reductions

On Nov.9, Dana Corp., as part of its plans to emerge from bankruptcy as a "financially viable" company, announced proposed cost reductions, including decreasing retiree health and welfare costs. Assets in Dana's pension plans are protected by federal law.Dana is in compliance with the contribution requirements of ERISA and IRS regulations, and expects to continue to make all required pension contributions, according to Dana Corp.Any planned merger of pension plans will not affect the design or calculation of benefits under the individual plans, and will not impact the payment of benefits to retirees.
M.J. RHODESm Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Wednesday Traffic Fatality Caused By Driver's Heart Attack

An autopsy performed Thursday on the victim of Wednesday's 8:54 a.m.crash showed that Justin Hostetler, 27, of 9229 W.CR 800S, Claypool, suffered a heart attack before his pickup went off the road. According to Kosciusko County Coroner Larry Ladd, there were no obvious signs of injury on Hostetler."The way he drove off the road, he made no attempt to get back on the road," Ladd said today. Ladd said Hostetler reportedly complained of chest pain previously. Hostetler was driving west in his pickup on CR 450S from CR 500E, according to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report.The vehicle left the north side of the roadway, went through a small ditch and into a small wooded area where it sideswiped a small tree.The pickup continued westward and came to a stop on a pile of brush. Hostetler was found face down on the floor of the truck with his head near the passenger door.The truck was still running and in drive when the accident was discovered.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Shopping Season Takes Off; Local Retailers Optimistic

Hoping to get consumers back in the buying mood, the nation's top merchants opened the holiday shopping season Friday with expanded hours and some of the most aggressive discounts and early bird specials in recent years. Shoppers, after pulling back on spending over the past year, responded by waking up before dawn to head to stores and malls to take advantage of the deals. Warsaw-area businesses report today's sales have been very steady and either equal to or greater than what was expected. The parking lot at The Marketplace was packed before the stores opened. Aundrea McCadams, store manager at Elder-Beerman, reported that Wednesday's sales were brisk and today's sales remain at a solid pace since they opened at 7 a.m.
ASSOCIATED PRESS and STAFF REPORTS- | July 28, 2016

Residents Should Be Aware Of Myths About Recycling

The old cliche, "don't believe everything you read," may apply to people who recycle more than they may believe. Claims about products and packaging about recyclability and recycled content may be misunderstood, the Federal Trade Commission said in information released recently. Some information people need to better understand includes: • A product or package can be marketed as "recyclable" if it can be separated and collected from household and commercial trash for reuse or to make another product or package, through an established recycling program. • Product labels that say "Please Recycle" are relevant only if a community collects the products for recycling - and meaningless if it doesn't.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Leesburg Sewer Easements Past Due

LEESBURG - Vern Landis, Leesburg town attorney, reported the low bidder for the bond anticipation note was National City Bank, Leesburg branch, at an interest rate of 4.35. The board approved the proposal, which will provide funds to pay sewer expenses until permanent bond money is available. Melissa Robinson, Leesburg clerk/treasurer, reported three main line easements within the town have not been received, quite a few grinder pump easements are still needed, and they're still waiting on easements for the line along Ind.15 south of Leesburg.She will start going door to door to obtain the necessary easements as soon as she receives notary authorization.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Gunshot Lands Pierceton Man In County Jail

PIERCETON - A Pierceton man was jailed Friday night after allegedly firing a handgun inside a residence at Regency Point Estates. Dominick Michael Smith, 31, of 3104 E.Wooster Road #71, Pierceton, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm without permit and criminal mischief.He is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $5,000 bond. Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and Pierceton Police Department officers responded to a 9:03 p.m.call at the home of Trish A.Hall, where Hall and her two children were reportedly inside with Smith.Police were not sure what the situation was inside the residence, so telephone contact was established.Hall told police that everything was OK and Smith agreed to come outside and talk to police.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Today's Cheerleaders Have More Than Spirit

Some would say the role of today's cheerleader hasn't changed much from years past. But has it? The basic role, according to Peggy Shewman, Tippecanoe Valley High School cheerleading assistant coach, is still the same - "To build school spirit.That's the biggest thing.Not just for sports, but overall." Whitko High School Coach Sherri Ayres said, "Our main focus is to get the crowd to respond." Tracy Horrell, Warsaw Community High School and Edgewood Middle School coach, said their role in regard to games is support.They make the connection between the athletes and the fans, making it a fun environment.Cheerleading, as a sport, he said, brings in the competition aspect. "Cheerleading isn't a sport until you decide to compete," he said."...That puts you into check as to where your skill level is." And don't mistake today's cheerleaders for the ditsy stereotype often perpetuated in movies.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Moves Ahead With CR 350W Project

The Kosciusko County Commissioners will proceed with the first phase of a proposed bypass around the west side of Warsaw, beginning with road work on CR 350W. For several years, the county has had federal funds for the project. The funds are divided into three phases - phase 1 is $800,000, phase 2 is $280,000 and phase 3 is $2.12 million. The funds were secured in 1996 before Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson came on board.The project was put on hold at that time, Ladson said Tuesday, adding that he was unaware why the project was delayed. In 1995, the county looked at eventually linking the CR 350W project with Ind.25 and then extending it to Ind.15, essentially creating a bypass around the west side of Warsaw, linking U.S.30 and Ind.15.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Sunday Crash

Emergency personnel work at the scene of an early Sunday morning crash on CR 300E, 500 feet south of Bowser Road near Dewart Lake. Around 12:08 a.m. Sunday, Adam J. Niles, 22, of CR 950N, Syracuse, was driving on CR 300E when the pickup rolled over. Niles was ejected from the vehicle and suffered back injuries. He was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment. The damage estimate on the vehicle was $5,000-$10,000. The accident remains under investigation by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. Syracuse Police Department, Milford Fire Department and Milford EMS assisted at the scene. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union
Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

New Visitor Center Gives CVB 'Visibility'

If Linda Arnold has her way, Kosciusko County tourism will continue to steadily grow. Arnold and the CVB decided they could promote the county most effectively by moving their office to a new building on U.S.30.Arnold said there are three words that say it all: "Visibility, visibility, visibility," she said. "This is where we need to be.We are the only visitor center on U.S.30." Arnold, the director of the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been promoting the county since 1988.The CVB was started in 1986. Arnold said the staff was looking to move about three to five years ago.They looked at different sites until they chose the current one by the Warsaw Bob Evans restaurant and SYM Financial.They currently rent space from the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce in the downtown area. The CVB is a four-person operation.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Kosciusko Foundation Elects Officers, Outlines Mission

New officers were elected at the Kosciusko County Foundation's annual meeting luncheon Tuesday. The new officers are board chairman Don Allen; vice chairman Kim Fuller; secretary Kevin Zachary; treasurer Larry Stanley; and executive director Suzie Light. Recognized for 10 years of service to the foundation were Steve Grill and Lee Heyde. Allen spoke about the foundation and its future. The foundation will move to its new location, 102 E.Market St., in December.An open house for the public is planned in the spring, Allen said. The organization also will evaluate itself, including the use of community focus groups to help with the evaluation. A board retreat was held in October, he said, and the top three visions for the foundation are: to build the foundation so that it's a model to meet the community needs; to provide educational services to donors and potential donors; and to increase visibility of the foundation in the county.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Board tables change orders

Of the three change orders presented Monday, the Warsaw School Board tabled two of them because the board isn't sure they are responsible for those costs. A total of three change orders for the high school project were presented, totaling $66,677.96.The only one approved was for $0, with the cost of $842 to be drawn against an allowance for this type of miscellaneous work, the accomodation of new duct work installation.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw may be stop on new high-speed passenger rail

Eventually, a high-speed rail passenger route will cut across Northern Indiana from Chicago to Fort Wayne. Warsaw may be one of the stops along the way. Mayor Ernie Wiggins told the city council Monday the Indiana Department of Transportation was trying to decide if the route would run northerly or southerly for the past year. In a press release from IDOT, the Transportation Economic and Management Systems recommended in their study the passenger rail service to Fort Wayne be restored while improving existing passenger rail service to the South Bend area. "We're very pleased that may happen," he said of the route possibly going through and making stops in Warsaw.
Stories by David Slone, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Webster Senior Citizens Seeking To Organize

NORTH WEBSTER - Senior citizens expressed interest in forming an organization.They met Wednesday in the old elementary school's cafeteria. About 30 people attended the informal meeting conducted by Bob Murphy of R.P.Murphy and Associates. Murphy said the goal is to use the old North Webster Elementary school to the fullest extent possible. The Wawasee School Corp.plans to begin the second semester in the new elementary school on CR 750E near CR 600N. For the last two years plans have been formulated to use the old school on Ind.13 as a community center. The North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Library, the Kosciusko Comunity YMCA, Lakeland Youth Center and the town have expressed interest in using the building. An organized senior citizens club will facilitate grant applications, Murphy said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Seeks New Highway Engineer

Kosciusko County is looking for a new highway engineer. With Ken Traylor set to retire Jan.2, the county is seeking a replacement. But three weeks of advertising in local newspapers and a national publication has yielded no candidates. The job entails supervising customary projects such as road improvements and snow removal, but also includes taking over at least one major project involving development of a bypass west of Warsaw. Applicants with an engineering degree are being sought because of the size of the county and for one other reason: the state pays a portion of the salary if the employee holds an engineering degree. About $49,000 is budgeted in 1997 for the highway superintendent's salary.Advertisements suggest the pay could be pushed to $52,000 depending on qualifications, said Ron Robinson, county personnel director. Some officials might be wondering if Kosciusko County might have to offer more money.Two officials said that might be the case.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Firemen Honored For Life-Saving Efforts

Warsaw firefighters Kerry Stogsdill and Terry Himes were presented with awards Monday during the city council meeting, for saving lives. According to fire chief Matt Warren, the department received a car fire call at East Gate Apartments on Nov.18. Stogsdill and Lt.Tim Hood put the fire out.When Stogsdill broke the driver's side window to release the hood latch, he found the driver inside the vehicle. Stogsdill pulled him out of the car and found the man not breathing and without a pulse. Stogsdill began CPR with the assistance of Himes. Emergency medical services crews took over the life-saving efforts when they arrived and the firefighters went back to extinguishing the fire. Former Warsaw mayor Dale Tucker attended the meeting, thanking the council for reversing its decision to hang American flags on the city's 41 ornamental light poles.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Approves Curfew Ordinance

SYRACUSE - A curfew ordinance for Syracuse was approved Tuesday by the Syracuse Town Council. The town council gave the first reading of the juvenile curfew ordinance in November.The ordinance is patterned after Auburn's and meets the state supreme court's test which requires exceptions such as exercising first amendment rights. Under the Syracuse curfew ordinance, it's a violation for a child aged 15 to 17 to be in a public place between 1 and 5 a.m.on Saturday and Sunday; after 11 p.m.Sunday through Thursday; or before 5 a.m.Monday through Friday.A child 15 or younger is in violation of curfew if they are in a public place after 11 p.m.or before 5 a.m.on any day.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Nappanee Receives Main Street Award

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Lt.Gov.Kathy Davis recently announced that a Nappanee renovation site has received the Indiana Main Street award for the outstanding adaptive reuse project of 2003. The award is given to a project that brings a historic downtown building back into use or adapts the building for a new use.Owen Weaver, Dave Pottinger and his wife, Faye Walters, along with Jeremy Stutsman and Maija Walters-Stutsman, undertook the rehabilitation of a former lumberyard that most thought would remain vacant until being bulldozed for redevelopment. Against the advice of a financial adviser, the Weaver, Pottinger and Stutsman families purchased the property from Big C Lumber.Renovation took several years to complete, but the area is now being used by many businesses.Former lumber bins have been converted into various leasable spaces and the compound houses a farmers' market, bakery, floral arranger, jeweler and art gallery, among other things.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Home Decorations Come Up Missing

The Grinch made five stops in the Warsaw area this weekend, stealing Christmas lights and decorations from recently decorated homes. Bruce and Regina Lackey, Pike Street, Warsaw, suffered a visit from vandals who were after their Christmas cheer.The Lackeys made it out a week ago to decorate their home. "I just don't understand how someone could come right up to our front window while we were in the house and steal our lights," said Regina Lackey. Bruce Lackey reported the theft of three strands of lights from his front porch to Warsaw police at 6:40 p.m.Sunday.Police told the Lackeys the theft was probably vandalism: The suspect cut the wires rather than unplugging them. He may have made off with the lights, but the thief did not steal their Christmas cheer. "We put the lights right back up for our little girls," Mrs.Lackey said.Lackey said she had many more strands of lights that she would have given away rather than feel unsafe in her home.
GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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