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Buyer, Roemer, Re-Elected

Kosciusko County voters had their way in one congressional race and voted against the district in another. The county electorate overwhelmingly voted for Republican challenger Dan Holtz, District 3, and Republican incumbent Steve Buyer, District 5. In the third district, Holtz received 65 percent of the county vote (6,697), while Democratic incumbent Tim Roemer garnered only 35 percent (3,589).District-wide, however, Roemer won re-election by nearly 17 percentage points (58.2 percent to 41.8 percent), with votes totalling 84,260 for Roemer and 60,665 to Holtz. In the fifth district race, Buyer received 72 percent of the votes cast in Kosciusko County (5,168) to Democratic challenger David Steele's 26 percent, (1,841).For the district as a whole, Buyer was returned to office by a near two-to-one margin, 101,141 to 58,032 (62.6 percent to 35.9 percent.) Libertarian candidate Carl D.Waters received 2,299 votes, or 1.5 percent of the total.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Group Hears Options For Old North Webster Elementary

NORTH WEBSTER - Lakeland Youth Center and Kosciusko Community YMCA representatives believe they can work cooperatively in the elementary school. The school, which will close at the end of December when students move to a new facility, is being considered as community space. In addition to LYC and the YMCA, interested parties include the North Webster Day Care/Latchkey Program and the North Webster Tippecanoe Township Library. Additionally, a portion of the facility may be used by the Freedom Academy and Wawasee Schools as an alternative school. The North Webster Town Council also expressed a strong interest in moving town offices there. The organizations want the "new" portion of the building, according to Bob Murphy of R.P.Murphy and Associates, Larwill. Representatives met Monday to tour the facility and take another look at their spaces.MSKTD architect Brent Doctor was on hand to get a feel for everyone's wishes.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Approves New Long Distance Carrier

Kosciusko County's current long distance carrier just isn't up to par. Monday, Kosciusko County Administrator Ron Robinson told the county commissioners the county has had a problem with the carrier for a while and recommended the county change to First Communications for long-distance service.The switch will save the county money. "We're not happy with what we're seeing with the costs" with the current carrier, he said. However, the change the commissioners approved will not be immediate.Robinson also told the commissioners the county has been paying for phone lines no longer in service.He and county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell will work on finding out which lines the county still has before making the switch. The county also will switch the central dispatch system contract to Integrated Data Systems.The company the county formerly held a contract with went out of business and Integrated Data Systems picked up their business.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Principals Help Promote WRSW's Food-A-Thon

School principals Denny Duncan of Jefferson Elementary and Randy Polston of Harrison Elementary will be encouraging participation in the Nov.8 WRSW Food-a-Thon in quite a unique fashion. Though the charitable drive will take place more than a week after Halloween, the two promised to dress up as Santa Claus and Superman for their students if classes meet the principals' challenge of donating a box of food per class. Polston, who already had the costumes in his possession, said both he and Duncan wanted to do something special and fun for students who help feed the community's hungry.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Where To Vote

Following is a complete list of polling places in Kosciusko County for the general election Nov.7. An (*) denotes a new polling place for the entire township or individual precinct.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Local WW II Vet Gets 2nd Bronze Star - 54 Years Late

To receive one Bronze Star for service to the nation in combat is an honor. To receive two signifies meritorious service, that, while not uncommon, is nonetheless rare.For Albert G.Smith, 73, of Warsaw, that distinguished recognition came last month, albeit 54 years late. "I wrote to President Clinton in September, asking for his help in me being awarded a Silver Star," Smith said."After the Army reviewed the records, they awarded me a Bronze Star with an oak leaf cluster." The Bronze Star was established by order of the president on Feb.4, 1944.It is awarded to armed forces personnel who, on or after Dec.7, 1941, distinguished themselves "for heroic and meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight, in connection with operations against an opposing armed force." The oak leaf cluster signifies more than one awarding of the decoration.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Plans Ceremony To Honor Local Veterans

When the bells toll at 11 a.m.Wednesday, odds are most people won't know why. Others may wonder what the crowd of people and the Warsaw Community High School band are doing on the southwest corner of the Courthouse square. According to Mike Davis, adjutant for Warsaw American Legion Post 49, they will be there for a Veteran's Day memorial service to honor the military veterans - both living and deceased - for the sacrifices they made in protecting America's freedoms and way of life. The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars posts are co-sponsoring the service Wednesday at the War Memorial at the courthouse.The high school band will perform a medley of patriotic selections between 10:30 a.m.and 11 a.m.This will be followed by the "Tolling of the Bells" ceremony.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Anonymous Donor Gives $10,000 To Sheriff's Dept.

An unnamed individual donated $10,000 to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department after the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine told the county council Thursday. He said along with the donation, the man wrote a heartfelt letter saying he felt compelled to give the money to the local sheriff's department because of the work of the emergency personnel in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.The person wants to remain anonymous. Rovenstine asked the council to approve a special fund be set up for such donations, though the county sheriff's department is not actively seeking donations. "I personally don't have a problem with that.I think it's a wonderful gesture someone in the county wants to do that," said council president Jim Tranter. The council unanimously approved setting up a fund for donations.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Defense Rests In Ryan Murder Trial

After calling three witnesses to the stand, the defense rested its case in the Jason Ryan murder trial this morning.Ryan is accused of the 2001 murder of Jill Phillips. The prosecution followed by calling one rebuttal witness, and Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed told the jury he was giving the attorneys the rest of the day to prepare their final arguments, which will be heard Wednesday morning.The jury will receive final instructions from Reed beginning at 8:30 a.m.Wednesday, and final arguments will follow.Once the arguments are finished, the case will be handed to the jury for deliberations.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Budget Balanced, State Official Says

SILVER LAKE - An issue discussed at the September meeting of the Silver Lake Town Council was resolved Tuesday night. Kackie Tiede Chrapliwy, financial ambassador for the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, attended the meeting and addressed concerns about the bookkeeping of Town Clerk Angie Glass. Chrapliwy, who has 25 years of experience as a town clerk and is certified by several state organizations, said, "(Being a town clerk) is a monumental job. "When Angie first took office, we worked through a few things.We tackled utilities and payrolls.It was all fresh and new to her." After Brenda Wadkins questioned the town's finances last month, Glass called Chrapliwy for assistance. Tuesday night, Chrapliwy explained the town's finances were in line, and no funds were or have ever been missing.She explained the town has accounts at three banks, the budgeted funds in one, the sewer funds in one and the water funds in another.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Holiday's A Time For Howling Good Parties

Halloween is better than Christmas? That's what a North Webster area woman believes, and that's why she and her husband throw a big Halloween bash every year. "It's our most favorite time of the year," said Laurie, who asked that her last name not be used to prevent party crashers."It's a really good time ... I like it better than Christmas because it's less stress and you don't buy presents or make a turkey. Guests bring a potluck dish, so Laurie isn't chained to her kitchen to prepare for the festivities. Laurie admits, though, that in the past six years - this is the seventh annual - things have gotten a little out of hand."So many people look forward to it," she said."It's just become a tradition."She estimates that 50 to 75 people attend each year.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Tavern Destroyed By Fire

MENTONE -ÊWhen fire crews arrived at a Mentone business late Wednesday night, flames filled the building. Around 10:28 p.m.Wednesday, Mentone firefighters were called to Nana & Dad's Broadway Tavern, 105 S.Broadway St., Mentone, and flames already engulfed the structure. Since the building was fully involved when they arrived, firefighters were forced to fight the blaze from the outside. "We had to take a defensive attack," said Mentone Assistant Fire Chief Bill Hardesty."We were unable to get inside to try to knock (the flames) down." The Burket Fire Department was called for a full assist to help protect the new Bell Memorial Library, which is next to the tavern.The library building did not sustain any damage from the blaze. "We tried to protect the library from any damage," Hardesty said. According to Hardesty, the fire department received a call that smoke was coming from the area of the library.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Ethanol Plant Proposals Raising Concerns

Editor's Note: This is the first in a three-part series on the impact of ethanol production. Maple Leaf Farms owner Scott Tucker thinks alternative fuel may have a serious impact on his business.
JOHN DeGROFF, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Apartment Fire Hurts 7

NORTH MANCHESTER - Seven people, including five children, were injured in an apartment fire Monday night in North Manchester. One child, 7-year-old Latasha Williams, was rescued from the blaze by firefighters arriving on the scene.She was in a back bedroom of the apartment and was located by Mike Brubaker of Pleasant Township Fire Department.Assisting in the rescue were firefighters Aaron Bolinger, Brian Hammons, Randy Ruppert and Cary Walters.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw OKs Raises For Elected Officials

A 3 percent raise for elected officials was approved by the Warsaw City Council Monday on second and final reading.The mayor's annual salary was set at $56,767 for 2005; $47,996 for the clerk-treasurer; and $4,780 for each council member.Councilmen Jeff Grose and Bob Morrison cast nay votes. The council also approved changes to the traffic control ordinance establishing Brubaker Street from Oldfather Street to Ross Avenue and Lilac Lane as one-way northbound.Ordinance 2004-10-02 also establishes no-parking zones on the north side of Fort Wayne Street between West Street east to the first north-south alley; and both sides from Fort Wayne Street between Lincoln and Lindberg streets; and on the east side of Lincoln Street between Main and Clark streets from 7:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, when school is in session.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Ten People Injured In Three Saturday Crashes

Ten people were injured in three traffic accidents within a 1-1/2-hour time frame Saturday morning in Kosciusko County.Among the injured was an Etna Green man who apparently drove his pickup into a train near Mentone. Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department traversed the county from north to south to north again to investigate the accidents. Six people were injured in the first personal injury accident, which occurred at 9:58 a.m.Saturday on Ind.19, 200 feet north of Moore Road, near Nappanee. Three people were trapped in the vehicles for about 30 minutes until emergency personnel could extricate them from the wreckage.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Surgery Will Remove Half Of Alex's Brain

Alexandria K.Moody is 6-1/2 years old.She is described by her family as a wonderful child with a great personality. On Dec.9, the little girl, simply called "Alex" by her family, will undergo a hemispherectomy at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.Doctors will remove the left side of her brain. Alex has seizures with cerebral palsy.She had abnormal growth of brain cells since birth.The problem was only found recently. A few weeks ago, her lips turned blue and she suffered from heart seizures.She was transported to South Bend.After a brain scan, doctors believed she had an aneurysm.She was flown to Johns Hopkins. "They don't receive a lot of out-of-state fly-ins," said Trish Evans, Alex's mother.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Fine Arts Academy Growing At Grace

WINONA LAKE - What began with a hope and plenty of prayer in 2003 has turned into a boon for music students and instructors. The Grace Academy of Fine Arts is a division of the Grace College School of Music.Three years ago Prof.Tim Sandborn and his wife Ruth orchestrated a network of college students and professional music teachers, pairing them with students. Today, GAFA has 23 teachers and more than 100 students each semester.The youngest student is 4; The oldest is 64. "Most of the students are 14 years old and younger," Sandborn said at Beyer Music Hall on the Grace campus."We start to see a drop when students reach middle school age; they, understandably, have other interests then." Students are paired with instructors for private lessons.They also receive training in music theory, music history and get large-ensemble experience throughout the semester of study.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Honors Mikesell, Snow

WINONA LAKE - Longtime resident Blaine Mikesell was honored by the town council Tuesday for service and dedication to the community. Mikesell served on the town council for eight years, 1952 through 1959.He was president of the council four of those years.He has been a member of the Economic Development Committee since its beginning in 1980. Mikesell took over Peabody ABC from his father in 1940.He was the company's president and owner until 1979, when he retired.At that time, he opened a travel business in Winona Lake, later moving the establishment to the Holiday Inn, now Ramada Plaza Hotel, in Warsaw. He and his wife, Charlotte, have been married more than 50 years.They have two children: Melvin, who lives in Michigan, and Marsha, who lives in Arizona. Current town council president David Delp presented Mikesell with a plaque of appreciation.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

First Lady Delivers 2000 Tool Box

Warsaw residents were encouraged Tuesday to learn about their past to make their future the best it can be. Indiana first lady Judy O'Bannon made that push, presenting local Hoosier Millennium coordinator Trish Brown with a "Millennium Toolbox" in the old courtroom of the Kosciusko County Courthouse. "We're here for the millennium and talking about the experiences that bring communities together.Often that means restoring a beautiful old building like this courthouse, or a one-room school house," O'Bannon said."We're talking about taking advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime moment like the millennium to make people feel a sense of community and that they belong. "People want to feel that they are a part of something that will have an impact when they aren't here anymore," she said.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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