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Winona Council Studies Request For Replatting

WINONA LAKE - A long discussion regarding division of a lot in Country Garden Estates was heard at the town council meeting Tuesday.The issue was whether or not the replatting should come before the plan commission, go straight to the town council for approval or circumvent local authorities altogether. Town building commissioner Dick Leaf said he told a prospective owner he probably could divide a lot, with one portion a little over 15,000 square feet and the other an eighth of an acre. He asked the council to sign two building permits when the time comes. The issue did come before the plan commission Sept.10 with attorney Richard Helm representing the prospective buyer. At that meeting, plan commissioner Mark Workman said a new plat should be submitted for review. The town council asked attorney Jim Walmer to research the issue, approving the split as long as Walmer's review shows this is legal without further action.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Community center lease OK'd

SYRACUSE -ÊDuring their 3-1/2 hour meeting Tuesday, the Syracuse Town Council managed to pass a preliminary determination to enter into a lease for the community center, pass a noise ordinance, discuss the scout cabin and hear department reports. After several months of requests by the park board to put the preliminary determination to enter into a lease for the community center on hold, the park board was ready for the council to approve the determination Tuesday. Park Board President Bill Wight told the council the board met with various groups and, as of Oct.4, Lakeland Youth Center said they want to participate with the park board in the center. "We want to move forward in slow, determined steps and not jump into things," Wight said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Yeiter, Smolen seek District 1 school board seat

An unexpected question from an audience member had the Warsaw School Board district one candidates defending Grace College and school prayer Monday night. The two candidates were participating in the "Meet the Candidates" forum sponsored by the Warsaw Community Education Association and the American Association of University Women.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Waste District Surprised By Two-Year-Old Bill

Surprised by the appearance of a $90 invoice for work supposedly performed two years ago, the Kosciusko County Solid Waste District chose not to honor the debt Tuesday. Director Sue Studebaker said the February 1999 Sands Office Equipment invoice indicated payment due for fax machine repair. "I wasn't here then," she said."And there is no one to verify the work." County auditor Sue Ann Mitchell, who serves as the district's financial controller, too, said bills this old are rejected by the county. "It's past the appropriate time to submit a bill and it's not encumbered," the auditor said. The board approved several appropriations related to the move from Center Street to Union Street, from the recycling services account. Studebaker cannot understand why no jail trustees are available to work at the depot.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Worker To Be Compensated

Rhonda Fackler, who became asthmatic from hydrocarbon fumes while working at the city engineering office, will receive monetary compensation for the time she was not working due to her illness, her husband Don Fackler said Monday. The Facklers received the call Friday afternoon. A spokeswoman for Monroe Guaranty Insurance Co., the city's insurance company for workman's compensation, said, "Her benefits were compensable under the Indiana statute." The company spokeswoman would not issue any further statements. As reported Saturday, city attorney Mike Valentine said, "We had a second test performed.In either case, there was no problem with (the air quality)." In a letter to Monroe Guaranty Insurance Co., specialist Thomas E.Hayhurst, M.D., wrote: "I basically feel that Mrs.Fackler's work environment has 'caused' her respiratory problems rather than 'aggravated' those problems." Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins declined comment on the issue.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Votes To Annex High School Property

SYRACUSE -ÊBy a vote of 3 to 2, the Syracuse Town Council Tuesday approved the annexation of the Wawasee High School property into the town's corporate limits. Voting in favor of the annexation was Paul Stoelting, Carol Koble and Barbara Carwile.Against the annexation were Mike Davis and Bill Hane. The total acreage annexed, according to the fiscal plan also approved by the council 3 to 2, is 118.04 acres.Wawasee School Corp.is the sole owner of the property and the annexation area includes both the administration offices and high school campus.The annexation area will add 9.38 percent to the total area within the Syracuse town limits.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Family Survives Toxic Amount Of Carbon Monoxide

WINONA LAKE - When Andrea Lambert woke up with a sore throat a couple of days last week, her mother, Tracy, didn't think too much about it.Her child went off to school, feeling better as the day progressed. Tracy was more concerned about her husband, Patrick, who had been having trouble breathing.His condition had become so bad he was diagnosed as having pleurisy in Kosciusko Community Hospital's emergency room. Little did Tracy know her husband and daughter were being poisoned. The antagonist in this story was an improperly ventilated water heater, which also had a cracked heating element.The device was flooding the Lamberts' Sharon Street home with carbon monoxide. Tracy credits Mike Kehoe, an Elliott's Heating and Air Conditioning salesman, with saving the family's lives.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Gubernatorial Hopeful Eric Miller Visits Warsaw

Eric Miller of Avon made a campaign stop Thursday on the south side of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.More than 200 supporters came out to greet the candidate for governor. Flanked by former Gov.Otis R."Doc" Bowen and his wife, Carol, State Sen.Kent and Nancy Adams and State Rep.Dave Wolkins, Miller was accompanied by his new bride Vickie (Medlock, a Wawasee High School graduate). Miller kicked off his official campaign Monday night at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds, although he announced his intentions nearly two years ago. Bowen, who has re-entered the political scene to back Miller, called him "a compassionate conservative with problem-solving capabilities." "He knows more about state government than any man I know," the ex-governor said."He offers political, creditable, symbolic leadership, a man who won't straddle the issues.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Hoffman Lake Residents Want DNR To Forego Plans For Boat Ramp

HOFFMAN LAKE - What does it take to get the Indiana Department of Natural Resources NOT to do something? Hoffman Lake residents Patrick Terry and George and Margaret Konopasek, along with several other residents, are leaving nothing to chance.They've contacted State Sen.Kent Adams, Kosciusko County commissioner Ron Truex, Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, local media, the DNR and even the U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service.They have a petition ready with 50 names on it supporting their cause. Their goal is simple: To keep the DNR from purchasing a 0.57-acre parcel of land on Hoffman Lake and turning it into a boat ramp with parking and portable toilets.The property butts up against the Konopaseks' property.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pavilion Donated For Central Park

Richard Glover, who moved to Warsaw in 1959, officially displayed his appreciation for the city Tuesday during the ceremonial ground-breaking for the Glover Pavilion in Central Park. The event marks the beginning of construction which will double the size of the park's main stage and create a permanent covering for the area.Track lighting inside the shelter will be installed, as well as an additional loading ramp on the northeast side of the stage.The project is scheduled for completion in mid-December. Glover, 91, and his daughter, Jane Glover-McInnis, worked together with John Elliott, trust officer of 1st Source Bank, to create a unique and beneficial plan that would show their gratitude for the community and meet their "charitable dreams." McInnis said she and her father have fond memories of the Central Park area, and are glad to see their efforts will benefit both musicians and audiences that attend the location.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Medicare Workshop Planned At Winona

WINONA LAKE - To better educate the community on upcoming nationwide changes to Medicare coverage, the Kosciusko Community Hospital and Indiana Medicare Partners will present a free workshop Nov.10 from 9 a.m.to noon in the Winona Lake Senior Activity Center. The workshop will include a three-hour discussion on concentrated topics within the new Medicare system.If seating fills for the first session, a second session will be scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m.on the same day. Information presented during the event will focus around a new, voluntary prescription drug coverage through Medicare that becomes available Jan.1.All people under Medicare will be eligible for the new plan, which will cover both generic and brand name medications.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Challenger claims current administration has failed

Jerry Opperud, 63, is running for mayor of Warsaw as an independent candidate.Sporting a pencil over his right ear, a trademark, the owner of Makit talked about how he sees the city. Dividing recent history into two segments - Hodge's administration and the Plank-Wiggins administrations - the South Buffalo Street resident said the difference is found in people. "In the first segment, the people created a force, a dynamic that, at the time, drove the city. "In the second segment, well, we got into a segment of complacency, of people resting on their accomplishments.The leadership changed and there is an air of arrogance.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local party chairs give views on their candidates

Steve Haines, Kosciusko County's Democrat Party chairman, thought his candidate for the new Third Congressional District did just fine Monday, looked confident and was sure of himself. Haines and his wife, Patti, attended the debate in Fort Wayne last night at the Chamber of Commerce. "Jay did an excellent job," he said today."I just wish there would be another debate so their difference could be spelled out more." He said the real debate occurred following the televised program when the candidates met with media representatives. "I know Jay's been criticized in letters to the editor for putting Souder down," Haines said, "but a record like his is hard to defend." Haines said Souder voted against sending people to war during the Clinton years, and voting for the move during the Bush years is clearly political.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Triton Teachers See Reading Grant Results

BOURBON - Triton Elementary School teachers are already seeing positive results from a $219,000 grant the school received as part of the federal government's No Child Left Behind Act. A committee from Triton Elementary reported on the program to the school board Monday.The grant money is being used to fund the Reading First program in the school's kindergarten through third grade classes.The program involves both teachers and students and focuses on increasing individual students' reading levels during the critical early elementary school years. In the Reading First program, each student receives more individual attention to their achievement in five major areas of reading: phonetic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, fluency and comprehension.To track achievement, students participate in individual assessment sessions with a teacher.Their performance is tracked and measured with state-mandated benchmarks.
TIM ROBERTSON, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Zimmer Unveils $64M Expansion

City council members gathered for an emergency meeting Thursday night to hear a request from Zimmer Inc.regarding a 10-year tax abatement on personal and real properties. Zimmer Public Relations Officer Brad Bishop announced plans to expand the company's Research and Development sector inside Warsaw city limits.The $64 million expansion will eventually provide 275 additional jobs in the surrounding area.A majority of the proposed positions will be scientifically oriented. Bishop said the council's approval of the abatement will allow Zimmer to invest $24 million into its expansion and improvement efforts. The proposed abatement includes $16 million in real property improvements and $7.4 million in new manufacturing equipment.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Redevelopment Panel Decides To Start TIF Process

The Warsaw Redevelopment Commission authorized taking the initial step in declaring a second tax increment financing district on the north side of Warsaw. The commission was given the estimated costs for the initial infrastructure improvements in the district by city planner Jeff Noffsinger. To construct a frontage road on either side of Ind.15 between U.S.30 and CR 300N, an access road to the proposed sewage treatment facility, and 3,000 feet of 30-inch sewer line would cost an estimated $830,000, Noffsinger said. "It's expensive to build roads and improve the infrastructure.But, we have an opportunity to capture enough of the increased assessment with the planned development in the area to pay for them," Noffsinger said.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

CCS And Salvation Army Discuss Winter Preparation

With the winter months approaching, members of the Salvation Army and Combined Community Services are organizing efforts to help those in need with the projected increases in heating and housing costs that residents will face in upcoming months. Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of client assistance at CCS, said Northern Indiana Public Service Co.will again have the Gift of Warmth program available, which gathers contributions from customers, employees and shareholders to assist financially struggling residents with paying utility costs.Utility assistance will be managed through CCS. "Everyone will be feeling the increase this winter," Lisenbee-Wright said."My biggest fear is that there will be too many people in need and not enough money to go around." Lisenbee-Wright and Ken Locke, community relations director of the Salvation Army, both recall previous winters when monthly assistance funds would be used up after a 1-1/2 days of client requests.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Swartzentruber's Latest Exhibit Is 'Pop-Mennonite'

GOSHEN - A Mennonite boy bales hay, while visions of Pac-Man and Donkey Kong dance through the air. Small children take comfort in a mother's arms as Supergirl powers through the air. A mournful, wheat-stalk-chewing Jesus lounges on screaming haystacks arranged like the fabled Stonehenge ring of stone. Chock full of contrasting images, the latest exhibit of Don Swartzentruber paintings and illustrations is a commentary on modern values. Swartzentruber, Winona Lake, pulls from his Mennonite background using bits of Old Order programs, doctrines and line drawings and scatters them against published comic books. No vice is left unstudied - from "innocent" adornments like wrist watches and lipstick to teen-age lust with Veronica and Archie hovering around the couple. Three naked girls run toward the city in one painting while another sits behind in traditional Mennonite hat and dress in a rocking chair.Hairy-eyed scissors cut at her clothing.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Injunction Sought In Barbee Sewer Plan

A lawsuit has been filed to block further progress of sewer plans by Barbee Lakes Conservancy District until after an all-important election in February. Meanwhile, Barry Hecker, an opponent of the conservation district who was elected to the board earlier this year, has resigned. Barbee Lakes Quality Network is seeking an injunction to prevent the conservancy district from approving any action in the proposed sewer project that would cost freeholders any money. The court action was filed Friday in Kosciusko Circuit Court and a court date has been set for Nov.10.Court documents were not available at the courthouse Tuesday, but were provided by the network. The lawsuit contains a slew of accusations.The network in court papers alleges the district was formed by using false and misleading information, that a need for a sewer has not been properly documented, and that pertinent information has been withheld from Hecker.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Foresees Lean Budget Years

PIERCETON - Due to the state of Indiana's budget crisis and the state property tax reassessment, Whitko Community School Corp.'s budget for the next few years may be hurting. Monday, director of finance Phil Menzie told the school board he met with the Department of Local Government Finance Oct.14 for the 2004 budget, but the 2003 budget has yet to be finalized. Whitley County also has yet to finalize its assessed valuation.It's a crap shoot, he said, of whether or not Whitko schools will get their tax draw at the end of the year. To pay back the tax anticipation warrants, Menzie said, the school board may have to pass some resolutions in December.The bond bank will likely work with the school corporation on the payment of the warrants. "The major problem at this point is a cash flow problem," said Menzie.If the tax money doesn't come in, the question for Whitko will be where the money will come from to pay for Whitko's expenses.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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