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KCH Poised For New Era

The new year will bring the most dramatic changes to Kosciusko Community Hospital since it opened its doors in 1976. The hospital will join the private, for-profit health organization Quorum Health Group Inc., which owns 20 hospitals and manages 240 more throughout the United States. According to Wayne Hendrix, hospital president, the decision to join the Quorum network was made after careful research, public input and deep soul-searching by the hospital's board of directors. "We talked with over 500 county residents in gauging the public's support (for the move)," said Wayne Hendrix."We had focus groups, meetings with industry leaders, former donors, open meetings with the public and community service groups.We also had consultants survey other county residents.The results convinced us this was the right move." The KCH board signed a letter of intent with Quorum in November and the purchase agreement should be finalized by Jan.31, Hendrix added.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Accepts Transfer Of Town Life Center

NORTH MANCHESTER - After much time and effort from Manchester Community Schools to transfer ownership of the Town Life Center, in the former Thomas Marshall Elementary School building, the process is nearly complete. School board members approved a resolution Tuesday to pass ownership to the town.The town council approved a similar resolution Wednesday night. The town will officially take ownership of the Bond Street building as soon as the transfer process is complete. Town council president Don Rinearson said he was "absolutely" pleased with the transfer of ownership. "It's going to be good for the community," he said.He also complimented Jim Garber and the Town Life Center Planning Committee on all their hard work, research and upkeep of the building.The Town Life Center has occupied the building for a decade.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Effect Of Olds Retirement Remains To Be Seen

So far, local businesses and residents are feeling no effect from General Motors' recent decision to retire the Oldsmobile over the next few years. Car sales manager Mark Hall at Petro's GM Showplace, 2777 N.Detroit St., Warsaw, said effects of the discontinuation are "yet to be seen." According to an Associated Press article, Oldsmobile is one of the oldest brand names in U.S.automotive history.Oldsmobile was started by Ransom E.Olds as the Olds Motor Vehicle Co.in Lansing in 1897.Worldwide, only the Daimler name - of Daimler, Mercedes-Benz and now DaimlerChrysler - is older. The article also said GM announced production cutbacks and a series of moves that will eliminate 13,700 jobs in North America and Europe next year.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

K21 Foundation Awards Grant For Defibrillator Training

Each year in the United States, there are approximately 225,000 sudden cardiac deaths. Survival rates can range from 1 to 5 percent in most communities.However, as many as 30 to 50 percent more could survive if cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillators were used within five minutes of a collapse, according to the new National Center For Early Defibrillation at the University of Pittsburgh. Recently, the Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation awarded the American Red Cross $1,900 to purchase AED training equipment. Becky Notestine, American Red Cross executive director, said an AED "(is) actually a small, rectangular box that houses electrodes and things that are capable of delivering a shock that will stimulate somebody's heart that is in defibrillation.In other words, it's just shaking like a bowl full of jelly.And that's because the heart runs on an electrical basis, we have an electrical system in our body.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Residents Respond To Needs Of Less Fortunate

Residents of Kosciusko County caught the spirit of giving this year, and that's good news for area charities. "The community seems to be responding to our need with great generosity," said Lt.Jeffrey Horn, commander of the Salvation Army in Warsaw. Contributions to the Salvation Army bell ringer kettles are doing very well, Horn said, in some places better than last year, which was a record year. Mail-in contributions this year are slightly behind last year's, with the total collected so far approximately $46,000.That's less than half of Horn's goal of $120,000, but he's convinced they'll get there yet. "Last year our goal was $95,000 and we made $118,000," Horn said. He added that the number of families in need also is greater than last year, and that need is being met by the community's compassion. "We have seen a good response to the adopt-a-family program," he said. Combined Community Services also has benefited from the county's Christmas spirit.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Zoners Deny Apartment Complex Plan

Plans to build a 12-building apartment complex on CR 300N were denied by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday. Board member Bruce Woodward said he didn't want to see an apartment complex in a commercial development, between a Kohl's and a Best Buy store. City planner Jeremy Skinner said the multi-family residential plan was a permitted use for a C-3 zoned district."It won't disturb any surrounding zoning.The comprehensive plan says it is for a mix of uses and it's not out of character." Gary Krech of Wilson Investment said his company also built Pike Lake Pointe Apartments and the construction quality and rent structure would be comparable. "We have 400 people on a waiting list," he said of the number of people wanting to live in such a development.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Planners Review Kohl's Design

Development and site plans for the 68,727-square-foot Kohl's store at Ind.15N and CR 300N were approved by the Warsaw Plan Commission Tuesday. Submitted by Thompson Thrift Management, construction is expected on the Brandt-Nye property.Paul Thrift said the company plans to start building early next year and open in 2005, too. Plans call for a 495-space parking lot situated north to south on the east side of the 5.85 acres of Lot 1A and the 3.73 acres of Lot 1B.The Kohl's building will be 68,727 square feet.Plans are to build an additional 30,000-square-foot retail space in the future. Approval was contingent upon the resolution of traffic lanes along CR 300N.Some concern has been raised about the possible conflict between cars entering and exiting the east entrance and exit according to Jeremy Spinner's comments.The developer has agreed to provide a condition with the approval that would block the first parking row on the east side if a conflict does occur.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Outsourcing And Insourcing

There has been lots of talk in recent months and years about outsourcing. You know.That's when a U.S.company decides it's cheaper to make stuff overseas.When U.S.companies do that, it costs U.S.jobs. That's unfortunate, but if you're a widget manufacturer, and you want to be competitive with other widget manufacturers, you might have to outsource. What if the other widget guy is outsourcing and his widgets are cheaper than yours? Nobody will buy yours.You'll go out of business.So I can see, on the one hand, why businesses are outsourcing.It's simple economics. But a larger question is why labor is so much cheaper in those other countries.See, if those other countries weren't paying their workers a dollar an hour, there'd be no incentive to outsource. But businesses in those other countries don't have things like environmental laws and worker protection laws and safety regulations to deal with.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Milford Principal Keeps Her Job

SYRACUSE - In a surprising move, the Wawasee School Board voted to renew the administrative contract of Milford School Principal Cindy Kaiser. The board voted 4 to 1 to renew her contract for one year. At the November meeting, the board gave Kaiser notice of nonrenewal of her contract. At that time, the board said public input would be taken during the December meeting and a final decision on Kaiser's contract would be made in January. School board president Dallas Winchester said, the board had all the information it needed to make a decision Tuesday night. The board voted on Kaiser's contract as the first order of business, even before any members of the public spoke.
ORA FREEMAN, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

County Seeks Control Over Visitors Bureau

Kosciusko County Council is seeking a higher level of scrutiny and control over the county's convention and visitors bureau. Moments after CVB officials announced plans to construct a new office and 24-hour visitors' bureau along U.S.30 in Warsaw Thursday night, council warned that they are seeking a change in state law that would enhance council's control over the agency. While no county officials have openly criticized plans to relocate, it is apparently one of the reasons behind the effort by council. Tensions have been growing between council and the CVB as council has watched the agency collect more and more money from the innkeepers tax in recent years. Last year, the tax generated nearly $230,000.Much of that money is used in turn to promote tourism within the county, but the CVB recently hired a third employee to coordinate bus tours and promote conventions.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Takes Property Bids Under Advisement

WINONA LAKE - Bids for the property at 1308 Chestnut Street were taken under advisement by the town council Tuesday.Coming in well under the $7,000 appraised value of the lot were bids from Mark Workman in the amount of $2,500 and Jeff Carroll for $2,100. Resolution 2003-12-2 for sale of the real estate and Resolution 2003-12-3 for contract of sale of the real estate and delivery of deed also were approved. A request to waive excessive wastewater charges caused by a water leak at the Free Methodist Church was denied.A similar request to waive five months' worth of fees at the Larry McCall property also was denied. The church's charges were $745 one month and $645 the next, before the leak was discovered and repaired.Average bills at the facility are $190 to $220 per month. The McCalls didn't live in their house from July 4 through November because of wind damage and subsequent repairs.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Agency's New Transitional Housing Unit Named After Kosciusko Law Pioneer

Pam Kennedy, building inspector for Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, had a house to name. Intended to serve as transitory housing for families getting on their feet, the house's name, Kennedy felt, should serve as an inspiration to its occupants. Kennedy found who she was looking for while researching the life of the late Lucy Upson. Self-motivated and independent, Lucy E.Upson was the first woman attorney in Kosciusko County.She practiced law here and in surrounding counties for 50 years. She was born on a farm near Warsaw Aug.4, 1886, a daughter of Arthur and Lucretia Vanator Upson.She graduated from Warsaw High School in 1904 then attended Fort Wayne International Business College.After graduation she worked in the law offices of Vesey and Vesey in Fort Wayne.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Miller Ends 42-Year Career At WRSW

With four children living across the country and a home on Chapman Lake, Harvey Miller will keep himself busy following his retirement Sunday. Miller, who turned 62 Tuesday, will retire after 42 years of service at WRSW. With his new-found time, he plans to enjoy Chapman Lake a little more and focus more on his family. His wife, Juanita, retired Aug.31 from the beauty salon they own after 28 years.Miller said she now does the bookwork. "My wife has always been supportive through good moments, tough moments - always," he said. And with their four children "spread throughout the country," Miller said, he and his wife will be busy traveling to visit them.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Fire Chief Retiring

MENTONE - After 16 years, Butch Warren is stepping down as the Mentone fire chief. Though he won't be chief after Dec.31, he will stay on with the department "making coffee, filling tankers and giving the guys a hard time," he said Wednesday afternoon in a telephone interview. Warren has been with the fire department for the past 36 years.Come Jan.1, Mike Yazel will replace him as fire chief. Warren said he is retiring because he's 60 years old and has had knee and hip replacements.It's time to get "fresh blood" and ideas into the department, he said.He will continue to help out as he can. "Once firefighting gets in your blood, you can't get it out," said Warren.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

K-CODE Fund Request Tabled

If you want the Kosciusko County Council to approve something, it's a good idea to have a representative present at their meeting. Because the Kosciusko County Coalition on Drug Education did not have a representative present Thursday, the council tabled to January approval of K-CODE's grants to be awarded. The money awarded by K-CODE comes from user fees collected through the courts and county clerk's office.A board then meets to decide how to administer the funds in three categories. Councilman Larry Teghtmeyer said he had some questions on the $88,000 to be awarded by K-CODE. "I wouldn't mind hearing someone present it," he said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Claypool Teen Has Shot At Becoming 'Nashville Star'

Earlier this year, the top four winners of USA network's "Nashville Stars" performed at the Wagon Wheel Theatre. Now, a Claypool man hopes to be one of the "stars" himself.He's already been named one of the final 43 performers. Out of 20,000 people who auditioned for the country music reality competition, Paul Crace, 19, is listed on the official Web site as one of the 43 remaining performers.He will compete against the other 42 at regional finals in early January for a shot at country music stardom. Regionals will take place in Houston, Texas, Jan.3-4 and Nashville, Tenn., Jan.6-7.Crace's interview for the show is in Houston Jan.3, with his performance audition Jan.4.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

EMS Students Collect Goodies

Christmas is the season of giving, and in that spirit, Edgewood Middle School students have been collecting canned good and other items for the past two weeks for Combined Community Services. Friday was the last day for students to bring in items. One student, Zach Woodcock, has been an inspiration to the school to give, said his Tiger Time teacher Lorinda Kline.Woodcock brought in three vanloads of items. "It was crammed," said Woodcock. EMS has held a drive for the past five years.In the past, classrooms were awarded for bringing in the most items.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Decides How To Use EDIT Funds

WINONA LAKE - The Winona Lake Town Council accepted a resolution Tuesday to use Economic Development Income Tax funds on capital improvements. A capital improvement plan was accepted along with the use of EDIT funds. The amount Winona Lake expects to receive from EDIT to finance various improvements is $264,000 per year, Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said.All the improvements that need to be made would cost up to $7.5 million and the town will look into other forms of revenue, like grants.Improvements included are for the town sewer system; roadway, curbs, drainage and sanitary sewer on Chestnut Street; renovation of a community building into a senior citizens' center at 1590 Park Ave.; roadway, curbs, drainage and sanitary sewer on Kings Highway; a sanitary sewer in Southtown; a new sewage treatment plant; and the Lake City Greenway bike trail.
ANITA WEISHEIT, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Feds Involved In Local TB Cases

Local and state health officials are concerned enough about the 10 positive cases of tuberculosis in Kosciusko County to call in a medical team from the Center for Disease Control. Ten new cases, all related under the microscope, have been reported this year.From 1999 to 2004, there were 19 cases reported in the county. "The CDC is here because all of the cases are similar, with the same genotype.When they do testing on the actual bacteria, they're all related," said County Health Administrator Bob Weaver."It's significant because we could be talking about one source, but it branches out so rapidly, pretty soon you're tracking hundreds of people.Depending on the test results, they may need chest x-rays and medication. "It takes a lot of expertise and, pretty much, that's what the state and the federal people bring to the table." The CDC team travels around the country investigating TB outbreaks.The cases here constitute an outbreak.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Student Now A Published Children's Author

SYRACUSE - "I started writing because I had to at first," said Jami McDaniel, in answer to how a 16-year-old sophomore becomes a published author. "It was language arts, but our main focus was writing.Ê Once I realized I could get personal pleasure from it, that's whenÊI started writing on my own.ÊI started filling journals and I just write all the time." McDaniel has had her first book published, titled "When You Don't Clean Your Room."Ê She attends Wawasee High School, and is the daughter of John and Sheri McDaniel.Ê She has two siblings - her brother Josh, who is 7 years old, and her 13-year-old sister Kalyn, who McDaniel regards as her best friend.
JOHN DeGROFF, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016
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