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Patrons quiz board, superintendent on issues of school redistricting

Issues surrounding moving the students from Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake elementaries next year into schools in Warsaw brought a standing-room-only crowd to Monday's Warsaw school board meeting. Superintendent Dr.Dave McGuire announced that Tammy Ummel, North-Central Indiana Cooperative superintendent, is heading the transition team, and that "progress is being made on solving the demographic issues." According to McGuire, Claypool elementary students will be moved to Eisenhower.Silver Lake students will go to Washington.Atwood students will go to Madison, with the exception of 19, who will go to Leesburg because of transportation routes. Also, the gifted and talented program will be moved from Eisenhower to Lincoln, and the special eduction students will move from Washington to Jefferson.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Sewer Plan Details Released At Leesburg

LEESBURG - With the completion of its facilities plan, the town of Leesburg is one step closer to conducting a public hearing on the sewer project. The plan calls for homeowners to pay a $2,000 connection fee and to pay the costs of running a line from their homes to the main line.This option will result in a $66 monthly sewer fee for homeowners. The town needs the facilities plan to apply for grants such as the Build Indiana Fund, which would lower project costs. Councilman Steve Rodgers said his goal is to get the monthly sewer fee in the $20-$30 range. The town will be sending letters to residents whose property is being considered for the treatment plant. After the letters are sent, the facilities plan will be on display at the town hall, First National Bank and the Leesburg Mill so residents may review it before the hearing. The date of the hearing has not been determined.It will be advertised in the Times-Union at least two weeks before the hearing.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Triton Board Hears Report On Bus Garage

BOURBON - Triton School Corp.Superintendent Rex Roth reported to school board members Monday that construction of the new bus garage is moving along. "Some of the framing of that is up," Roth said."They're planning on pouring some concrete this Friday." In other business: • Board members approved a senior class trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, for either May 28, 29 or 30.Roth said the date could be decided later depending on what works best for the class. • The next school board meetings are scheduled for Dec.4 and 18 at 7 p.m.The board will meet in executive session Dec.18 following the regular board meeting. Triton School Board members include: president Dave Shively, vice president Steve Blackford, secretary Steve Feldman, Larry Lemler and Kevin Boyer.Superintendent is Rex Roth.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Valley Discusses Future Of Facilities

MENTONE - What should Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.do with Burket Elementary? How should the overcrowding at the high school be resolved? Should students write, edit, publish and print "View of the Valley?" TVSC board members tried to answer those questions Monday at their regular monthly meeting. Their decisions? The board members voted to approve advertising for bids for a feasibility study.The feasibility study will look not only at the high school but also at Burket Elementary. Several corporation patrons said they want Burket Elementary to remain an elementary school.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Departments Work To Get Online

As the countdown to the new millennium gets closer to zero, Kosciusko County government is taking steps to becoming an on-line entity. By the end of the year, several county departments could have their Web sites up and running, providing information to area residents.The Veterans Service office already has information posted on the Internet. Auditor-elect Sue Ann Mitchell said she first heard of the no-cost program at a conference.The program, funded by the state but operated by indico.net, appealed to Mitchell and she thought it could benefit the county. "It's trying to get government entities aware of the Internet," she said.As long as Kosciusko County wants indico.net to operate the Web site, there will be no cost to the county. "Right now, they're providing a server," Mitchell said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Cemetery Board Allows Too-Tall Monument

A request to install a monument exceeding the cemetery's height requirements was granted with the switch of deeds during Thursday's Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents meeting. Mary Stouder and Wes Stouder approached the board with a vertical monument design measuring 66 inches high.The family owns 10 lots in a row. The allowable height on the side-by-side lots for a monument is 60 inches. By swapping deeds to two unsold lots "in back of" two others and placing the headstone in the middle of four lots, the height limit increases to 70 inches. Cemetery sexton David Shaw said two strands of barb wire will be strung along the top of the west chain link fence in an attempt to keep people from crawling over the fence and to deter deer. Shaw said the fence has been battered down in several places from people crossing it. In other business, the board: • Heard two new employees will begin Monday, replacing two who have left the department. • Signed 12 deeds.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

5 Teens Escape Serious Injury In Crash

LEESBURG - Five Wawasee High School students escaped serious injuries Wednesday when the car they were in left the roadway and rolled over several times. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the driver of the car was Matthew J.Miller, 16, of Milford.The accident occurred about 1:20 p.m. Sgt.Chad Hill of the KCSD said Miller took his eyes off the road and, when he looked back, there was a small animal in front of him.Miller swerved his car to avoid the animal, causing the vehicle to roll several times into the yard of Robert Bishop, West CR 700N, west of Leesburg. Hill said the fact that all five of the occupants of the car were wearing seat belts "greatly diminished" the injuries the teen-agers suffered. Passengers in the car were Amber L.Miller, 14, Milford; Austin P.Miller, 16, Leesburg; and Travis A.Smith, 16, and Haley P.Plikerd, 15, both of Syracuse.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

County Council Approves Appropriations, Transfers

Routine business was the main topic Thursday at the Kosciusko County Council meeting, with fund transfers and additional appropriations taking up most of the agenda. The council unanimously approved $300,000 in additional appropriations to the county commissioners for the county employees' retirement fund. They also approved an additional $300,000 appropriation to the Inmates in Institutions account.County auditor Sue Ann Mitchell said after the meeting that the amount approved was billed by the state for housing detained juveniles from Kosciusko County for six months this year.She said it included $212,000 for male juveniles and $54,000 for females. Council tabled a request from the county prosecutor's office for permission to apply for a grant of approximately $8,338, because the county would be obligated to contribute 10 percent.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Highway Dept. Bids Awarded

Rob Ladson, Kosciusko County Highway superintendent and engineer, presented his recommendations to the county commissioners Tuesday on the highway department's 2002 annual bids. The commissioners accepted all of Ladson's recommendations except one. Though Ladson recommended DeAngelo Brothers for weed spray, the county commissioners decided to go with Daltons, a local business.The difference between Daltons and DeAngelo was $600 and the commissioners said with such a small difference, they wanted to support the local company.There were two other bidders. For dust control, Ladson recommended AJP Corp., which offered the lowest price for 38 percent calcium.There were two other bidders. Vulcan Signs Inc.and Hall Signs Inc.were recommended for road signs.3M and Rocal Inc.were rejected.Hall Signs and Vulcan also received the bids for sign posts, while Rocal Inc.was rejected.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Commissioners Approve Two Vacation Requests, Table Another

Two of the three petitions for vacations presented to the Kosciusko County Commissioners Tuesday were unanimously approved. A vacation request by Smith's Resort LLC, Tippecanoe Township, however, was tabled until 10 a.m.Dec.4. Smith's Resort wants to vacate approximately 160 feet of W14B Lane, North Webster, according to assistant plan commission director Matt Sandy.Previously, Smith's Resort went before the county Board of Zoning Appeals for a separate issue and the BZA granted that request on the condition that a mobile home be moved. Smith's Resort appealed that requirement but the courts sided with the BZA that the mobile home had to be moved.By requesting the vacation, Smith's Resort, a seasonal mobile home park, would be allowed to keep the mobile home where it's currently located.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Commissioners Pass On Request From HOW

Skeptical of setting a precedent, the Kosciusko County Commissioners did not take action Monday on a request by Pam Kennedy for Housing Opportunities of Warsaw. Instead, the commissioners decided to consult their attorney, Mike Miner, on the matter. Kennedy told the commissioners HOW is starting two new programs to help low-income mobile home owners and low-income homeowners with emergency home repairs.She said they have not advertised the program because they want the money to go where it needs to go, but even so, 18 applications have been received.They are working with local contractors to get costs as low as possible.Money for the program comes from local donations.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local insurers scramble to aid homeowners

Homeowners in Kosciusko County whose houses were damaged in Wednesday's tornadoes are finding out that one of the most important things they can do now is talk to their insurance company. "It's all about communication," said John Morris, Farm Bureau Insurance agent. Morris said agents and adjusters were out Wednesday night appraising the damage and arranging for temporary repairs or alternate living arrangements. Dan Woods, of Hall and Marose Agency Inc., Warsaw, said clients with damaged homes called a toll-free number Wednesday, and the agency authorized two days of hotel expenses until adjusters could look at the damage. Morris said Farm Bureau does the same thing, and a fund is included in most homeowners' policies that allows for a family's hotel stay or a rental house.He also said most companies will advance a family money for meals or clothing if none of their own is available. "Some of these people don't even have their toothbrush," he said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Animal Shelter Changes Hands

All good things come to an end. That's the way Kay Amsden, former operations manager for the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter, sees the transfer of the shelter to the hands of the Animal Welfare League. The League took control of the animal shelter Sunday. The last day for the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter was Oct.30.The employees tried to make the final day just like any other day. On the last day, Amsden said, "It's pretty hectic.We're running business as usual." Receptionist Hilda Dorris said, "It doesn't seem real." "We were talking this morning about how eerie this place is now that all the stuff is changing," Amsden said. One person who will remain with the shelter once the AWL takes over is shelter technical staffer Tracey Yates, who will become co-director at the shelter.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Officer Hurt; Teen Charged

Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union Cpl.Steve Rockey suffered multiple injuries when he allegedly was run over by a car driven by Krystal Lanae Milburn, 15, of 403-1/2 S.Union St., Warsaw. Milburn then reportedly fled from the area and crashed her car, injuring herself and a juvenile passenger.She faces multiple charges in connection with the incidents. According to Warsaw Police Department reports, the matter began about 8:11 p.m.Saturday when a resident of the 600 block of Ellsworth Street, Warsaw, called to report a suspicious vehicle in the area and that a man was reportedly pushed from the car.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Nappanee Man Reports Armed Robbery

MILFORD - Police are investigating a Nappanee man's claim that he was robbed at gunpoint while stopped at an intersection west of Milford. Jason Rangel notified the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department at 12:13 a.m.today that he was robbed of his wallet by two armed men.A third man reportedly stayed in the suspects' vehicle. Rangel told police he left Milford and was driving toward home when he saw a green four-door Chrysler following him westbound on CR 1250N.Rangel turned north on CR 300W and, before arriving at the stop sign at CR 1350N, the driver of the green vehicle reportedly began flashing the headlights of the car at Rangel.He said he stayed at the stop sign to see what the people wanted, when two men approached the vehicle.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Looks At Acquiring Police Dog

MENTONE - Depending on compatibility and other factors, the Mentone Police Department may acquire a K-9 officer by the first of the year. Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads told council members Monday that the Roseland Police Department is willing to give the town its K-9. Toby, a German shepherd, is trained in drug detection and search, article search, tracking and other areas.However, the dog has not responded to the bite training the RPD would like for it to have and the department is looking to replace its K-9.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Patrons Send SOS To WCS

SILVER LAKE - One by one they stepped up to the microphone, pleading their case to save their elementary school. They were orderly.They were courteous.And they were passionate in their hope that Warsaw's school board would let them keep the school that has, in their words, become "the center of their community." Warsaw School Board met Monday in the gym at Silver Lake Elementary, with more than 275 patrons, Silver Lake residents and other interested citizens packing the gym.Many of the people attending wore sweat shirts that read, "Silver Lake Elementary - where the learning is fun." The board's routine business took only about 20 minutes, and part of that time superintendent Dr.Lee Harman read a prepared statement about the Community Based Planning Project.It was the recommendation in the CBPP's executive summary that students might be best served by relocating them from Silver Lake Elementary that got Silver Lake parents and patrons organized in opposition.
LAURIE HAHN and TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writers- | July 28, 2016

Etna Green Sets Hearing For Sewer Rates

ETNA GREEN - After being denied its request for grant money from the Indiana Department of Commerce, the Etna Green Town Council has set a meeting for public input regarding a wastewater fee increase. The council announced Tuesday that the requested $500,000 DOC grant that would have helped fund its $668,000 wastewater treatment plant upgrade will not be coming through for the town. The town wants to expand its six-year-old wastewater facility because it is operating at full capacity.The planned improvements would increase the flow from .43 million gallons per day to .9 million gallons per day. The upgrade, with the grant, would add about $13 per month to standard sewage bills in Etna Green.However, DOC officials told the town that residents could withstand a monthly increase of $18 or more on their bills. A public meeting at 1 p.m.Nov.18 will be an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions on this matter to DOC representatives.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Excavation Set For Pierceton Town Offices

PIERCETON - Excavation will begin next week to prepare the property at the corner of First and Market streets for construction of town garages and offices and a senior center. Collier Excavating was awarded the contract for the earth- moving work. Town board members Jerry Kreger, Ron Hall and Terry Hill also heard an update Monday on the construction phase of the project from adviser Bob Murphy, of R.P.Murphy and Associates. Specifications, plans and blueprints should be completed by noon today, Murphy said. Indiana Department of Environmental Management recommendations were distributed regarding treatment of the petroleum tainted soil dug up at the site, and options about how to handle the dirt were discussed. Christmas lighting will be hung by the fire department at 7 a.m.Nov.21. Chief Gene Burkett asked that the old lights be removed from a storage area.The board approved giving them to another town.
TERESA CARRANO, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Winona Developing

WINONA LAKE - Big changes may be in store for the small town of Winona Lake if developments now in the planning stages become reality. Restoring the town to some semblance of its former glory is the goal of Winona Restoration Company, headed by Brent Wilcoxson, a Winona Lake resident and president of the Winona Lake Town Council. Wilcoxson and his partner, Dane Miller, have ambitious plans for the town, including restoring the Winona Hotel; developing a restaurant/marina on the lake; renovating the Beyer Home, the swan pond and residential areas; and creating a historical park-type resort that would mirror life in turn-of-the-century Winona Lake. Spurring the project was approval by the Indiana State Museum of the Billy Sunday home as a state museum site.The state requires $1.7 million to take over the museum, which can be done by private endowment or through the state budget process, Wilcoxson said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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