Wawasee's Smith Plans To Resign

SYRACUSE - Wawasee Schools Superintendent Henry Smith apologized for his outburst last week during a board meeting and then announced his resignation. Smith, who became superintendent three years ago and has been with the school system for more than 20 years, made the announcement at the end of Tuesday's board meeting. Smith said his decision to step down was not related to last week's incident; he said he had been considering it for more than a year. Last week's spat occurred at the end of the meeting when board member John Weiss was commending another board member on his tenure.In part, he told the board member he appreciated the fact he was more than a "cheerleader." That irritated Smith, who believed it was an indirect attack aimed at him. Smith stood up and moved toward Weiss until another administrator stepped between the two.At about the same time, the meeting was adjourned.

Walter 'Wade' Wyatt

PLYMOUTH - Walter "Wade" Wyatt, 96, of 10320 Pretty Lake Trail, Plymouth, died of natural causes at 9:45 p.m. Sept. 21, 2008, in Miller's Merry Manor, Plymouth.

End Of An Era At Wawasee...

SYRACUSE – After winning a semistate, two regionals, five sectionals and four Northern Lakes Conference titles in 18 years, Wawasee girls basketball coach Kem Zolman has decided to step down.

Ruby J. 'Jackie' Wolfe

Ruby J. 'Jackie' WolfeSYRACUSE - Ruby J. "Jackie" Wolfe, 71, of Syracuse, died at 1:12 p.m. Dec. 15, 2010, in Miller's Merry Manor, Syracuse.

Planning And Environmental Linkages Study For U.S. 30 Starts Soon

Hoops Games At Grace To Benefit Cancer Care

WINONA LAKE - Dec.6 will be a busy day in Lancer Gym. The Grace College athletic department, along with Lakeland Christian Academy, will host four basketball games benefiting the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund. Admission is $5 per person for the entire day with a maximum charge of $12 per family.All of the proceeds will go directly to the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund to generate assistance for local families in financial need as a result of their battle with cancer. The Lakeland Christian Academy junior varsity boys will open play on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.against Hope Academy and the Lakeland Christian Academy varsity boys will follow that game at 3:30 p.m.against Lakewood Park Christian School. The Grace College women (6-4 on the season) will then host Davenport at 5:30 p.m.and the Lancer men (5-4 on the season) will host NAIA Division II No.13 Cornerstone in the final game of the day at 8:00 p.m.

Pierceton Council Adopts HSA Insurance Policy

PIERCETON - The health care savings account system outlined by Principal Financial insurance agent John Clay in October will be offered to town employees, according to town council members. The council met Thursday to discuss the policy and adopted it as a way for employees to save money for deductible medical expenses and to save for future medical costs. Last month Clay said these savings accounts are limited to $2,500 per year and, if the funds are not spent, they remain in the account for future use. Clay advised the board then that a 13 percent increase in employee health insurance is expected.The town provides a high deductible plan with the first $300 in medical costs paid by the employee and up to $900 for a family policy.None of the town council members are on the policy. The council is offering to pay 30 percent of the costs for dependent insurance coverage. The board also: • Set Dec.2 as the town employee Christmas party date.

Manchester Schools Face Shortfall In State Payments

NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester Community Schools might receive $92,893.44 less than expected from the state this month and in 2003, MCS acting superintendent Kim Thurston said Tuesday. The corporation is assured a shortfall of $3,133.44, or $1.92 less for each of the 1,632 enrolled students, this month, Thurston said. Next year MCS could see a $55-per-student shortfall totaling $89,760, he said. "Hopefully this will be corrected," Thurston said. State legislation could rectify that part of the problem, Thurston said.But their financial straits might hinder the correction. In the past, the General Assembly increased appropriations to meet their miscalculations. "With the fiscal condition of the state, there is no guarantee that this will happen," Indiana Association of School Business Officials Executive Director Denny Costerison wrote in an e-mail Thurston handed out to the board.

Sanders Announces Intention To Seek County Council Seat

Robert G.Sanders, Republican, announced today his intention to seek a seat on the Kosciusko County Council as an at-large member. Sanders indicated his decision to run for the county council is motivated by his desire to give back to the community that has been his home for 25 years.He said he believes his experience as a small business owner has taught him the importance of using financial resources prudently and having a vision as one plans for the future. His business expertise, along with his involvement in the budgeting and planning of various civic and charitable organizations, has prepared him to guide the county through the challenges faced by county government.

Warsaw Woman Arrested In Internet Fraud Case

Complaints from more than 50 Ebay users across the country led to the arrest of a Warsaw woman on a warrant for theft. Nikki Brindle, of White Wolf Designs, 2603 E.Pine Drive, was arrested Monday for fraudulently selling high-priced electronics over the Internet, Kosciusko County Detective Todd Sautter said.She is being held on $5,000 bond. Reportedly, Brindle placed items for sale on Ebay, and after receiving payment, failed to send the item or issue a refund. Purchasers allegedly were told their items would come in seven to10 weeks, then when they never came, were told Brindle's supplier was back-ordered. Frustrated after waiting for items since early spring, some purchasers requested refunds and never got those, either.That's when the National White Collar Crime Center and the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department became involved. The sheriff's department confiscated Brindle's computer and financial records and is investigating the complaints.

Biomet Reports Dividend Despite Lawsuit Charge

The stockholders of Biomet Inc.will be getting a tidy little dividend Aug.6 despite the company having to absorb a $55 million charge against earnings. The decision to pay 14 cents per share to shareholders of record as of July 9 is a reflection of the confidence the board has in the Warsaw-based biomedical firm. "The declaration of this dividend is an expression of appreciation for the continued support of our shareholders and reflects the board's confidence and optimism in Biomet's operational direction," said Dane Miller, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Biomet. In the financial report released by the company today, Biomet had a 12 percent increase in net sales for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year (ending May 31) with $205,080,000.That translated into a gross profit of $143,088,000.

Waste District Funds Missing

Following an audit by the State Board of Accounts, approximately $27,000 was found missing from the Kosciusko County Solid Waste District's accounts in 1999 and 2000. The financial review is regularly scheduled once every two years, according to district chairman Joe Thallemer. At that time and since her appointment as director in September 1997, Marsha Eikenberry also served as the district's controller. State Board of Accounts representatives met with KCSWD directors and Kosciusko County commissioners Avis Gunter and Ron Truex, county councilman Maurice Beer, Winona Lake councilman Rolly Ortega and Warsaw city councilman Thallemer Wednesday in executive session an hour prior to the regular meeting. The accountants' preliminary findings reportedly show that unauthorized cashed checks, misuse of district property and unauthorized vacation days added to the district's loss. On first study no one other than Eikenberry is implicated in the theft.

Red Cross Recognizes Volunteers

The Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross held the annual meeting and banquet Thursday to recognize volunteer award winners.Tim Ziebarth, outgoing chairman of the board, was the master of ceremonies. Following dinner, a video reviewed activities in 2004, and Ed Rock, Kosciusko County emergency management director, thanked the Red Cross for their responsiveness throughout the year. During the brief business meeting, 2004 financial statistics were presented, and officers for 2005 were elected as follows: Jill Debatty, chairman; Kevin Weaver, vice chairman; Mike Suhany, secretary; and Burton Ramsey, treasurer.Other board members include Ziebarth, Ann Sweet, W.Wayne Walston, David Colquitt, Dean Lasseter, M.D., Layne Warren, Todd Sautter and Gretchen Moore.

Lake City Bank Gets New President

Michael L.Kubacki was elected president of Lakeland Financial Corp.and Lake City Bank Tuesday. Kubacki replaces R.Douglas Grant, who recently retired but will continue as chairman and chief executive officer. A graduate of Pierceton High School, Kubacki is executive vice president in charge of the Los Angeles market area for Northern Trust Co., which is based in Chicago.He also served as middle-market lender in the Midwest for Northern, as division head with responsibility for correspondent banking and insurance company lending, and in 1989 was president and CEO of a subsidiary bank in Oak Brook, Ill. He has a degree in finance from Indiana University and a master's degree in business administration from University of Chicago. Kubacki and his wife, Rebecca, have two children.He has served on the boards of Pasadena Symphony, Center for Healthy Aging, Performing Arts Foundation and Neighborhood Housing Services.

United Steel Union Officials Say All Funds Accounted For

Members of USW Local 6805, have been hit by some financial irregularities, but all funds are now accounted for in union coffers, according to officials. The local, which represents employees of Dalton Corp., conducted an internal investigation and discovered approximately $35,000 of union funds were misused.The two local officials involved have resigned their positions and the money has been repaid, according to USW District 7 Director Jack Pardon. "We've done an audit and the preliminary report indicates there was some misuse of union funds," Pardon said."The two individuals involved have resigned and restitution has been made." Pardon said one repaid $2,000 and the other paid back more than $30,000.Whether any charges are filed will be up to local union officials, he said.

Suspects Elude Police After S. Whitley Robbery

SOUTH WHITLEY - No suspects have been found in connection with what is believed to be the first armed robbery in South Whitley history. Two men entered Star Financial Bank Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m.Police reported both men were armed, one with a handgun and one with a rifle. According to police reports, the two men ordered the three bank employees to lie on the floor, and the men used duct tape to restrain the employees' hands.There were no customers in the bank at the time. One suspect then took an undisclosed amount of money from the bank and the two ran out the back door of the bank.They reportedly stole an employee's vehicle and drove several miles to a car they allegedly had waiting for them. The stolen vehicle was recovered five minutes after the robbery. "It appears to be very well-planned," Officer David Wilkinson of the South Whitley Police Department said. Both suspects were white males in their 20s, according to police.

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE - MF-476 - SCHOLL

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION - MF-00477 - SMITH

Whitko Schools to Update Web Sites

PIERCETON – Whitko Schools will be implementing new marketing and technology initiatives. Those were discussed during the Whitko School Board meeting Monday night.

Crosswinds Counseling Receives Grant to Provide Services

Crosswinds has been awarded a $75,000 grant by the K21 Health Foundation to provide affordable in-home counseling services to Kosciusko County residents.