Relevance Date

Neva's Place Offers Home-Cooking And A New Atmosphere

NORTH WEBSTER - One wall of the restaurant is dominated by a mural depicting the town's past. Collaged together by David Butler and printed by an Indianapolis firm, are scenes of the old mill, citizens in town on a Saturday night, the first Mermaid Festival Queen Peg Kammerer (Mrs.Richard Klopenstein), the Old Mill store and its owners, the bandstand, the theatre and the Webster, the area's first steamboat. Customers are drawn to the wall, just as they're drawn to where it's housed, Neva's Place on Esterbrook Drive. "This is my dream come true," owner Neva Hartman said Tuesday night during an open house."When I was little this is what I wanted to do." What she's doing, and has done for the last 10 years, is provide home-style meals.The "place" is different though.This summer, Hartman moved her establishment from the old shopping mall, 720 S.Main St., to the south side of town.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Library Considers Upgrading Entryway

The automatic double doors at the Warsaw Community Public Library open not just for patrons, but often when a car drives by the entrance.Then rain, snow and often unpleasant temperatures enter the building, too, explained facility manager Rick Ellsworth to the library board of trustees Monday. Covering the entrance with a glass enclosure, with doors at the west and east ends, was one of several improvement projects discussed by Ellsworth and architect Mary Ellen Rudisel of Scearce Rudisel Architects of Warsaw. Rudisel said the entrance could be reconstructed similar to the entrance of the old Lancer gymnasium on the Grace College campus.The glass allows people to see oncoming traffic, but they must turn to exit out the doors. Ellsworth said new flooring was planned for the audio-visual room and for circulation.Rudisel brought samples of the new flooring, a padded laminate often used in hospitals.She said it was easy to stand on, stain-proof and easy to clean.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

We Live In A Culture Of Violence

If ever you needed evidence that we live in a culture of violence, you have to look no further than an elementary school in Mount Morris Township, Mich., south of Flint. That's where 6-year-old Kayla Rolland died after being shot in the neck by a 6-year-old classmate. The classmate, a boy, brought a loaded .32-caliber semi-automatic pistol to school after getting into a playground scuffle with the girl the day before. He fired one shot while children from his class were waiting in line.He then walked into a bathroom and tossed the gun into a trash can. The shooter told police it was an accident. At age 6. It is inconceivable to me that a 6-year-old would be capable of something like that. I remember my kids at age 6.They were concerned about candy, toys and recess. But murder? Granted, this 6-year-old in Michigan is an extreme exception.The vast majority of 6-year-olds are scared to death of guns and wouldn't know how to operate one.
Gary Gerard, Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Gifts From The Heart Are Perfect For Christmas

When you think of showing someone you care, do you think of big expensive gifts? Well, think again! People appreciate gifts from the heart just as much, if not more, than store-bought gifts. What follows are some not-so-typical gift ideas.Because they are not typical, they can be given to anyone at any time.A reason is not necessary; all you need is a willingness to give. Wash the car: Help your arthritic grandmother who can't reach over the top of the vehicle. Buy a potted plant: Buy this for your aunt who loves flowers but doesn't have time to plant her own garden. Run small errands: Save your mother another trip to the grocery store to get the one item she forgot yesterday. Clean the house: Help the neighbor lady who has three toddlers and has another mess as soon as she cleans up one. Make coupons: Give a coupon book full of assorted things from back rubs to baby-sitting to parents.
Ashley Woodworth, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

How To Apply Filters, Balance To Politcal News

I got a letter from a reader a while back. It came after a column I wrote about how national media seem to lean to the left in their coverage of politics.And how conservatives generally are treated more harshly by the media than liberals. The letter writer made some good points I'd like to share. He said that while he agreed with what I wrote, he found my comments ironic. He wrote: "I suggest that if you want to address the liberal media bias you should first look within your own organizations.This is not to imply that you share the views of the Washington press corps or wire services.It means that you publish ...their bias verbatim, thus perpetuating and implicitly endorsing their prejudice." He added that as a businessman, it would be economic suicide for him to accept poor quality materials from his suppliers and pass them on to his customers.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

MTEMS Celebrates 25th Year

The first garage, a converted Murphy Medical Center warehouse, was kindly referred to as "the barn." "It was cold in winter and hot in the summer," said 25-year Multi-Township Emergency Medical Services veteran Nancy Huffer, speaking of the organization's first quarters."The sleeping rooms were in a loft.It wasn't unusual to find snow on the bed in January." Multi-Township's quarters were located along Lake Street - now Ind.15 - "where the Marsh Supermarket meat department is," Bill Darr said. Sanitary and storm drains weren't separated back in the late '70s, when the service began.As he recalls, it wasn't unusual to have raw sewage floating over the garage floor after a significant rain. Darr is an advanced emergency medical technician now and Huffer is a paramedic.They, along with administrator Cindy Dobbins, have been MTEMS employees since the first ambulance run Dec.27, 1977.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

I'm not so sure I like all this budget surplus stuff.

This means the government has even more of our money to play around with. The government is taking in more than it budgeted, so they call it a surplus.But it really isn't a surplus because the Social Security trust fund is underfunded.But they call it a surplus anyway.They shouldn't.Frankly, they shouldn't call it a trust fund, either. A trust fund is generally set up so you can't use it for anything other than its intended purpose.They've been raiding that Social Security trust fund for a long time. So the surplus really isn't a surplus and the Social Security trust fund isn't really a trust fund. But for the sake of this column I'll roll with them and pretend there is a surplus.
know the economy is booming - the longest expansion in history, in fact. That means the economy has grown every quarter longer than ever before. That, in turn, means more people are making more money. | July 28, 2016

KDI Presents Updated Business Plan To County Commissioners

Kosciusko Development Inc.Chairman Roger Moynahan presented county commissioners with an expanded business plan Tuesday. The updated plan includes a full-time staff and that staff's responsibilities. KDI's executive board is asking for $100,000 in economic development income tax money, beginning in 2006.The county has guaranteed $32,500 to the organization and set aside the balance. "We're providing you with additional information about KDI's intentions," Moynahan said."Apparently, there were not enough details in previous presentations. "We want full-time staffing.Joy McCarthy-Sessing provides economic development services in conjunction with the Chamber.She's part time, supported by a part-time person.The full-time director's duties would be different than what we're doing today.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Hayhurst To Run For Congress On Demo Ticket

Tom Hayhurst, of Fort Wayne, made the decision to run for third district congressman under the Democratic ticket last summer. Since then, he said the idea of a better health care program has motivated him to continue his campaign.Being a doctor for more than 30 years, Hayhurst acknowledged the importance of affordable and accessible medication and surgical procedures. He labeled the new Medicare program as a "step in the right direction," but said complications stemming from gaps in coverage are a concern. "Good legislation should be as clear and simple as possible," Hayhurst said."I feel we have better options for treatments." Hayhurst plans to encourage the government to allow the health care market to negotiate for prices both in the United States and internationally. "I've been heavily involved in medicine," Hayhurst said."I've seen sad cases, where people are literally dying because of holding off due to financial reasons.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

EDIT Has Ignited A Tax Debate

The Economic Development Income Tax debate has everybody talking about taxes these days. Our letters column has been inundated with anti-tax sentiment. I would assume the reason there is so much animosity toward this EDIT thing is because people feel they simply are taxed too much. I would agree.We are taxed too much. Problem is, the anger is aimed at the wrong target.Much of the criticism of EDIT has come in the form of people saying that our county has squandered tax dollars. Here's a sample. If our tax money is being so mismanaged now that our officials aren't able to provide basic services, why would we want to give them MORE money to spend (or to correct their past excesses)? But local tax dollars haven't been mismanaged.Far from it.This letter writer should know that the county tax rate is the lowest in the state.That's right.In Kosciusko County we have the lowest county tax rate in Indiana.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Davison Aces Operator Test; Streetscape Continues

Warsaw employee Brian Davison took a state Class I wastewater operator test in April and was announced as the stop scorer in the class of Friday at the board of works meeting. "In 12 years I don't know of anyone who has scored higher on this test," said wastewater operations superintendent David Henderson.Davidson scored 97 percent. It was noted in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management newsletter that there were 569 possible examinees, with 35 no shows.The overall passing rates were 55 percent in 2004 - 293 passed and 241 failed the tests given on the Class I-SP through Class IV municipal exams and Class A-SO through Class D industrial exams. The board also approved a $5.7 million 2005 budget guideline for the wastewater treatment utility.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Akron Eyes Revitalization Area

AKRON - The Akron Council gave preliminary approval to declaring an economic revitalization area for Akron Foundry Tuesday. The move came in anticipation of a request from the foundry for a tax abatement.The council approved a permit that would allow the foundry to construct a building for incineration purposes.Councilman Roger Gearhart said he believes the foundry will ask for a tax abatement in the near future.Speaking of a prior conversation with a representative of the foundry, Gearhart said although there has been no promise of new jobs being created, the foundry has renovation plans that would benefit the environment and remedy the problem of storm water runoff in that area.
ROSA HATFIELD, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

County Council Hears About Success Of Lock Box Program

Fall property tax payments landed promptly in county coffers, which will allow tax distributions to arrive in a timely fashion, according to Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell. She said the lock box program instituted by County Treasurer Kent Adams was deemed a success during Tuesday's county council meeting.The meeting was rescheduled from last Thursday when a record snowfall blanketed the county. The program is designed to deposit property tax payments in a county government account on the same day they are received.Lake City Bank employees open and record the payments from landowners.Costs to the county were $4,200 for the service.Payments received and not processed during regular office hours by the treasurer's office and at other collection points were processed at LCB, too.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

The Absence

Common Sense By Gary Gerard, Managing Editor This week, a couple items that stretch the limits of rational thought. First, the Latrell Sprewell nonsense. He's the really good National Basketball Association player who choked his coach. On Dec.1, 1997, during a practice with the Golden State Warriors, Sprewell got into an argument with his coach, P.J.Carlesimo. Sprewell grabbed Carlesimo by the throat.After the initial incident, Sprewell left the gym and took a shower. Twenty minutes later he returned to the practice and took a swing at Carlesimo.The NBA players' association disputed whether the punch landed but the arbitrator in the case found that it did. On Dec.3, the Warriors terminated Sprewell's $32 million contract.On Dec.4, NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Sprewell for a year. On Dec.5, the players' association filed grievances on behalf of Sprewell.
Simple- | July 28, 2016

Ivy Tech Seeks $2.9 Million

By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Warsaw's Ivy Tech campus has been put on the state administration's nice list and college officials hope the Legislature gives them a gift for being so good - a $2.9 million appropriation for 2003 through 2005. Dean Joan Walgamuth hosted a meeting Friday morning advising community members of the request before the state House and Senate this winter. The college's budget is decided on a two-year basis, from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2005, according to State Rep.Dave Wolkins, who attended the meeting. "This is the first time we've met and are not asking for money," Walgamuth said as an introduction.However, there are many dollars that could be appropriated in Indianapolis. The Warsaw campus has been put on Ivy Tech's "top 10" list, according to Paul Nowak, executive director of development for the college.
Warsaw Campus Projects- | July 28, 2016

Band spreads holiday cheer

Captains Joel and Amy Dahlberg have reformed the Salvation Army band with a group of brass players. Their gigs feature about any traditional holiday carol and are performed wherever a bell-ringer maintains a red kettle for donations: Wal-Mart, Owens, Kmart and Marsh in Warsaw. "We're spreading holiday cheer," Jody said. Jody plays the coronet as does Jennifer Mink and Jennifer Bowyer; Amy plays the E-flat alto horn; Paul Bowyer plans the euphonium and Judy Brown plays the baritone.All they need is someone to play a big brass drum. Saturday morning they zipped through tunes like "Frosty the Snowman," "Jingle Bells," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "The First Noel." Bell-ringers are still needed to fill open hours at some locations, Dahlberg said. As the band offers support to the bell ringers, they'll take requests.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

You Must Pay To Play

I would hate to be on that City-County Athletic Complex board of directors. Talk about your proverbial rock and hard place. You remember the CCAC board.They're the folks who had a vision of creating a first-rate athletic complex in our county. They got no support from the county.There are no local tax dollars going into the CCAC. They went around to individuals, businesses and organizations, hat in hand, to solicit donations. They got it done. Our county has one of the nicest places to play softball in the Midwest.Teams come from all over to play ball here. It also is a top-notch soccer facility. After all that, the board is faced with a dilemma. The CCAC is operating in the red. All those annual pledges received each year go into an escrow account and are used to pay off the original construction loans. That money can't be used to help meet operating expenses.The complex needs to be self-sufficient. It isn't.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Gunshot Victim's Condition Upgraded

A Claypool man is improving after shooting himself in the stomach Monday with a muzzleloader. Phillip Richard Gibson, 24, of South CR 750W, was upgraded from critical condition since the Monday afternoon incident.He was listed in serious condition this morning at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne. Gibson reportedly shot himself with a .50-caliber muzzleloader at his residence after his girlfriend told him she wanted to end their relationship.Gibson suffered a wound that entered at the left side of his stomach and exited through his back.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Milford Employees Get 3% Wage Hike

MILFORD - Salary increases were the hot topic at Tuesday's Milford Town Council meeting.Ê After much discussion the board settled on an across-the-board 3 percent increase for all town employees except Mark Brubaker, who has not been with the town long enough for the raise. Discussion on the topic began with councilman Robert Cockburn pushing for a 5 percent increase in salaries. "I will never say that any one of these people are overpaid," Cockburn said."We have room in our budget for a 5 percent increase, and I'm going to recommend a 5 percent increase." Cockburn could not get a second for his motion on the increase, and Councilman Gary Hurd then motioned for a 2.5 percent increase.Ê He also could not get a second.ÊCouncil President Douglas Ruch then moved for a compromise with a 3 percent increase.Hurd and Ruch voted for the motion and Cockburn against, citing only that he felt strongly for the 5 percent increase.
ORA FREEMAN, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Beaman Home A Haven For Battered Women

Editor's Note: This is the third in a six-part series on domestic violence. You'd never know by looking at it that this ordinary house in a residential Warsaw neighborhood is really a haven for the women who find shelter here. The inside of the house - with its toys, books, bunk beds in the bedrooms - looks just as comfortable as the outside, as though any ordinary family could live here. Only the security cameras placed at strategic locations, the television monitors and other security devices hint that this is not a typical family home. In fact, this is not just any house - this house has meant the difference between life and death for hundreds of women.This is the Beaman Home, Kosciusko County's only shelter for battered women.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
Previous Next