Warsaw Times-Union

Whitko Tennis Team Defeats Triton

LARWILL -Ê"We came out ready to play tonight." Victoria Cripe, Whitko's tennis coach, summed up the tennis match against Triton Tuesday with that one statement. Whitko had not defeated the Triton tennis team in several years, but Tuesday the Wildcats surprised the Trojans by handing them their first loss of the season, 4-1. "They are tougher than we anticipated," said Triton coach Laura Lamaster."They are good athletes and good, solid tennis players." At No.1 singles, Whitko's Aly Frantz was down 3-0 in the first set but came back to win the match 6-4, 6-4 over Triton's Joanna Blackmer. "Our No.1 singles lost 4-6, 4-6 in a close match," said Lamaster."Both girls played very well.It just didn't go our way this time." Trisha Peters recorded the second point for Whitko when she defeated Triton's Kelli Hackett 6-3, 6-3 at No.2 singles.

Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Girls' Track Streak Back On

BREMEN - The Wawasee girls high school track and field team improved to 6-0 with an 86-37 Monday win over Bremen. The Warriors have won 36 meets in a row, dating back three years.The streak and the undefeated record continues because the Concord girls track team used lighter shots than the allowable this year.Thus, Concord forfeited its eight points in the shot put against Wawasee and gave them to the Warriors for the April 3 Concord win. That now makes the final score Wawasee 68, Concord 55. Against Bremen, Aubrey Coy won the 1,600 and 3,200 runs.The Warrior relay teams also fared well.The team of Kassie Biddle, Allison Morgan, Alisha Henderson and Kimber Chang won the 3,200 relay.Katie Brown, Vicki Hunziker, Staci Weisser and Alexis Culver won the 400 relay.Angie Beer, Weisser, Chang and Kim Reuter won the 1,600 relay.

Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Triton Takes Care Of Valley

MENTONE - The Triton Trojans have started up where they left off last year.Last year's team showed a great offense with timely hitting and solid pitching.This year's team has done the same through the first two games of the season.After defeating Oregon-Davis in the season opener 18-0, the Trojans hammered away at the Valley Vikings Monday to the tune of 17-5. Triton pounded out 17 hits off of three Valley pitchers and held the Vikings at a comfortable distance from the third inning on.Jeff Salisbury's and Justin Grubbs' combined effort held Valley to just five hits and five runs despite five Triton errors. "We're not hitting the ball right now," Valley head coach Pat O'Connell said."We need to go back to the fundamentals.Our defense seems to make a few silly mental mistakes and then it all crashes down." The Trojans scored one run in each of the first two innings off of pitcher Jason Smith, but Valley wasn't ready to die just yet.

Jason Knavel, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Three Tied For Lead At Indiana Open

A stiff breeze and tough pin placement couldn't deter three professionals from shooting a 3-under-par 68 in the opening round of the 90th Pepsi Indiana Open at Stonehenge Golf Club. Chris Eckerle of Indianapolis, Bill Schumaker of Crooked Lake Golf Club in Columbia City and Alan Schulte of Hawthorn's Golf Course led the way with 68s. Schulte fired a 33 on the front nine, while Schumaker and Eckerle each carded a 33 on the back nine. It's a family affair at this year's Indiana Open as Schumaker's brother Dave and nephew Jeff are all competing in the tournament. Dave is the professional at Stonehenge and shot an 81 on the first day, while his son Jeff, the assistant pro at Stonehenge, shot a 75 to leave him tied for 39th.

DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

TV Wins Despite Off Outing

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊAfter nearly a week of rain and stormy weather, Thursday was clear, sunny and warm for the three-way boys golf match between Tippecanoe Valley, Manchester and Whitko. Although the Vikings finished the night a few strokes above their normal performance, they took home a win with 159.Manchester had a 165 and Whitko had a 179. "The 165 is our second-best 9-hole score of the season," said Manchester coach Gary Goshert. Valley's Drew Shafer was the medalist of the meet, shooting a 1-under-par 35.Shafer birdied hole No.11 and parred every other hole on the back nine. Manchester's Evan Shenkel and Valley's Andy Martin shot 37s.Schenkel parred eight holes and bogeyed No.17.Martin had one birdie on hole No.11 and pars on No.10, 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18.

Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Troy Akers Named New Tiger Football Coach

At 42 years of age, and after 19 years in the coaching business, it's as if Troy Akers has found the fountain of youth. He's been given a second chance, of sorts, and can't hide his excitement about being named Warsaw Community High School's new head football coach. "To think that the opportunity would present itself again, because it evolved so quickly, I'm really excited," Akers said Monday in a phone conversation."I feel rejuvinated.I'm very eager to get going." Akers, who is taking over after the resignation of Phil Jensen, was officially named the Tigers' head coach at the Warsaw School Board meeting Monday evening. Akers, who was the head coach for three years at Wawasee from 1990-1992, came to Warsaw in 1996 with Jensen and has spent the last eight years as the defensive coordinator.

DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Stonehenge, Raccoon Have Double Aces

Think about how rare a hole-in-one is.Then think about how much of a rarity two in the same day on the same course would be.Then think about those two holes-in-one being on the same hole on the same day. The percentages would go through the roof. But it happened, not once, but twice in the recent weeks at Stonehenge and Raccoon Run golf courses. At Stonehenge, back on May 22. By the time Chad Huffer strolled into the clubhouse to report his hole-in-one in the morning, Stonehenge pro Dave Schumaker was just glad to see someone get the first ace of the season.He was even more excited when John Clay came in the afternoon with the second ace.But it quickly turned to amazement when he realized it was on the same hole (No.7) as Huffer's.

From The Rough By Greg Jones- | July 28, 2016

Blackford Ready For Cub Life

Nobody seemed to believe Todd Blackford. He didn't believe the news at first. The 2004 Triton High School graduate was on his way to grab dinner after his game with the Danville Braves of the Appalachian League, the rookie affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, when he was called back to the stadium. "My coach called me and said I had to come back.They played it off like I was in trouble with the cops," Blackford said in a phone conversation Tuesday night. Blackford wasn't wanted by the law, rather the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs initiated a deal with the Atlanta Braves where Chicago sent veteran outfielder Todd Hollandsworth to Atlanta for Blackford and 25-year-old pitcher Angelo Burrows. Blackford, a right-handed pitcher, was stunned by the news.

Daniel Riordan, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Return To The Wisdom Of The Founders

Is this the land of the free or the land of "the fee"? Lawyers' fees, that is.Ninety-five percent of all civil lawsuits in the world are filed right here in the United States.Obviously, just about everybody wants something for nothing - the exact opposite of what true freedom is all about. If ever there was a time to go back and rediscover our rich history as a nation, it's now! And I am not talking about memorizing a few dates, making a cardboard Civil War cannon, or reciting three points and a poem from early American Literature. I'm talking about rediscovering the wisdom of our Founding Fathers...the kind of truth and passion that inspired Patrick Henry to exclaim, "Give me liberty, or give me death."But it appears we have wandered so far from our foundation that few of us truly understand the concept of liberty as laid down by our Fathers more than 200 years ago.

Editor's Note: In observance of American Education Week, the Times-Union is publishing a series of articles from area school superintendents. Today's column is written by Karen Boling, superintendent | July 28, 2016

Demos Gather For Annual 'Fame' Dinner

The movers and shakers of the Kosciusko County Democrats gathered Saturday evening at the Shrine Building to honor the newest inductees to their Hall of Fame. This year's honorees were long-time party activists Claud Stahl, Isabelle Smith, Jane and Bob Eherenman and Vernon and Marcella Meredith. Cindy Knepper, executive director of the Kosciusko County Boys and Girls Club, was presented with the Distinguished Hoosier Award, bestowed upon her by Gov.Frank O'Bannon. "We tried to get Cindy a Sagamore of the Wabash, but the governor said she wasn't old enough," said county party chairman Steve Haines."So we'll just have to try again in 20 or 30 years." Knepper said that without her staff, board of directors, friends and family, she wouldn't have received the honor.

DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Triton Changes Commencement Date, Hears Prom Concerns

BOURBON - Uncooperative winter weather has forced Triton School Corp. to change the date of their commencement ceremonies.

Julie Harvey- | July 28, 2016

Storm Dumps Heavy Rain, Wind On County

Strong winds and heavy rains moved through the area Wednesday evening, leaving behind downed trees and power lines, flooded roadways and several weather-related fires. The city of Warsaw was the hardest hit by the storm in Kosciusko County, with some wind damage and flooded roads reported in the northern part of the county.Most of the fires occurred south of Warsaw. Jeff Buell of Kosciusko REMC said widespread outages were reported all over the county, with most customer services back on by 2 or 3 a.m.today.Buell said that wind, rain and lightning all caused problems for the electric service and that there was damage to poles, as well power lines, as a result of the storm. Some residents of Syracuse were still without power this morning. Portions of the county received up to 7.5 inches of rain over the past two days.

Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Suspect In Infant's Death Charged With Manslaughter

Beatriz Cuautle hung her head and rocked back and forth in her chair during her arraignment this morning in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Cuautle, 28, of 322-C Columbia St., Warsaw, is charged with voluntary manslaughter, a Class B felony, in the Monday afternoon death of her newborn daughter.Diana Kent, a Spanish interpreter hired by the court, explained the details to Cuautle after Judge Rex Reed spoke the English version. Cuautle was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 10 a.m.Tuesday after she was released from Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.She is being held on $100,000 bond.If convicted of the crime, Cuautle could face six to 20 years in prison. Cuautle allegedly gave birth to the baby girl in a toilet of a bathroom at her workplace and then placed it in a trash can.An autopsy revealed the infant died from asphyxiation due to suffocation.Kosciusko County Coroner Larry Ladd ruled the death a homicide.

Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Baker Youth Clubs Names Furnivall As Director

For only the fourth time in its 77-year history, Baker Youth Clubs has a new executive director. Tracy Furnivall, 36, Warsaw, has been selected as the new director.He replaces Scott Wiley, who resigned effective Oct.31. Wiley served as director from 1992 to present.Before him, Bob Lichtenwalter ran the club from 1963 to 1992; and Pete Thorn was the first director, from 1926 to 1963. Asked why he wanted to become the Baker Youth Clubs director, Furnivall said he grew up in Warsaw and at the Baker Youth Clubs.Taking over as the director would be a great opportunity and challenge for him to give back to the organization that helped him growing up.He wants to be able to give kids today the same opportunities he had.

DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Fire Kills Mom, 2 Daughters

Three people are dead after an early-morning house fire in the Boggs Addition on Warsaw's west side. Kelly Grossman, 40, and her two daughters, Ashley Grossman, 16, and Angela Grossman, 12, died in the residence at 1504 Maye St.The bodies were to be taken to Fort Wayne for autopsies later today. The husband and father of the victims, Rodney Grossman, no age available, and a son, Richard Grossman, 13, escaped the one-story home with minor injuries and were taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment.Both were later released.Rodney Grossman suffered smoke inhalation and Richard Grossman suffered abrasions from falling into the roadway in an attempt to cross to a neighbor's house to call for help.Another son, Rodney Grossman Jr., is away at college.

Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

AWL Website Links 'Babe' With Owner From New Jersey

Thanks to the Internet, Babe is going to the big city. Babe, a 1-year-old collie-retriever mix, is being adopted through the Animal Welfare League by Linda Vigon of New Jersey.Vigon is flying from New York to Chicago and then driving to Valparaiso to meet AWL co-director Lisa Barber to adopt Babe.Vigon and Babe will then fly back to New York. Vigon first saw Babe on AWL's website at www.awl-warsaw.org. "She was just browsing through (the Internet).She's got a strong love for animals, obviously," Barber said.While browsing, she came upon the AWL's new site by accident.

DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Change orders rethought

Just a week after the Warsaw School Board approved a resolution on change orders for the high school renovation project, that resolution has been deemed illegal. So it's back to the drawing board. At the May 16 meeting, the Warsaw School Board approved a motion to allow board member Dan Robinson and Warsaw Schools maintenance director Greg Schroeder to approve change orders up to $15,000.Any change orders over that amount must be brought before the full school board.Board member Deb Wiggins abstained.To date, the project has had - according to construction manager Marc Garrett - roughly 98 change orders.

DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Residents Have Mixed Reaction To EDIT Proposal

When the Kosciusko County Council takes up the proposed Economic Development Income Tax Saturday in a special meeting, they will be deciding an issue that prompts strong reactions - pro and con. Is the measure another grab for public funds by wealthy developers, or is it a judicious use of the government's taxing authority to benefit the community as a whole? Opinions on both sides of the issue are strongly held.Shaun Bruner, a local builder, says that while he would benefit personally from EDIT if it's used to build a sewer system for Warsaw or the county as a whole, he doesn't believe the tax is needed. "If the developers want the sewers, let them build it and pay for it - and I'm a builder," he said."I say, borrow the money, build it, and when someone wants to tie into it, charge them for it." He contends that the tax would benefit only real estate developers on the backs of the taxpayers.

DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Teen Driver Faces Multiple Charges

A Warsaw teen made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon to face eight criminal charges. Brandon Robinson, 18, silently held back tears as Judge Rex Reed read the counts against him. Robinson is charged with three counts of driving while intoxicated causing death, three counts of reckless homicide and two counts of driving while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury. He could face up to eight years in prison if he is convicted of the crimes or pleads guilty.He is still in custody of Kosciusko County Jail with his bond set at $10,000. Robinson is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol Friday night when his pickup struck a car in Warsaw, killing three people in the car and critically injuring two others. Reed entered the preliminary pleas of not guilty to the crimes.Robinson and his attorney have 20 days to change the plea or it becomes the formal plea.

TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

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