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WRSW 'Food-A-Thon' Seeks To Raise Donations, Awareness

To educate the public about local service organizations and to raise donations and collect food for Combined Community Services, WRSW 107.3 is holding its first Food-A-Thon from 6 a.m.Monday to 6 p.m.Tuesday. Pat Brown, WRSW station manager, said, "We're going to have our first Food-A-Thon 2001 to benefit not only CCS but also educate the public about all the outreach programs that help the needy - Helping Hands down in Mentone, Our Father's House, The Salvation Army and, of course, CCS.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

No Yolk! Mentone Hatches Plan To Build 'Egg'citing New Water Tower

MENTONE - In connection with their $1.4 million water project Mentone is pursuing bids from water tank makers for an egg-shaped water tower tank. Humorous concern was raised at Monday's council meeting for the wellbeing of confused geese flying over Mentone.But, despite the questions of whether the egg would be scrambled before assembly in town, the egg was cited as an added tourist attraction to Mentone. Mark D.Downey Jr., of Commonwealth Engineers, Indianapolis, expressed concerns over how the Indiana Department of Commerce would react to the town spending grant money on a novelty. The award of the grant for the water project was partly based on financial need.Downey said the $50,000 egg might appear frivolous. The request was not discounted by Downey, who said he would pursue bids from two water tower builders who have built novelty tanks before. "This is not the most unusual request I've ever had, but it ranks near the top," he said.
GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Man Arrested In Arson Plot

An alleged attempted arson for insurance fraud was foiled Sunday when the owner of a Claypool store reportedly handed over money and gasoline to an undercover agent. According to local and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officials, Kuldip Singh, also known as Balraj Singh, 41, of 301 N.Fellowship Drive, North Manchester, solicited a local law enforcement official to burn down the store because it apparently wasn't solvent. Mark Trimble, assistant special agent in charge at the ATF division office in Columbus, Ohio, said Singh initially asked Claypool Town Marshal Gene Warner to commit the arson.Trimble said Singh apparently wasn't aware of Warner's standing in the community, although he reportedly purchased the store from Warner.Warner took his information to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and the investigation included the ATF because the building in question deals in interstate commerce, Trimble said.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Winona Planners Investigate Parking Changes

WINONA LAKE - Town residents may have to get used to a new parking ordinance if the plan commission and town council give the OK Tuesday. According to Brent Wilcoxson, commissioner and town council president, the town needs to investigate the possibility of prohibiting parking on one side of the numbered streets in town.Under the proposed plan, First through 15th streets would have an alternating "no parking" restriction, where parking would be prohibited on the even sides of the streets on even-numbered days and on odd sides of the streets on odd-numbered days. "It would help with the snow removal and leaf collection," Wilcoxson said."And it would help us to identify the abandoned vehicles. "It would also encourage the rental property owners to find suitable off-street parking," he added. Town Marshal Malcolm Gilbert said the large number of cars parking on the street makes it much more difficult in clearing the streets of snow.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Semis, Pickup Collide On U.S. 30 West; Highway Closed For More Than Eight Hours

ATWOOD - No serious injuries were reported in an accident that closed the westbound lanes of U.S.30 for more than eight hours Monday. Two semi tractor/trailers and a truck were involved in the 5:07 p.m.accident west of CR 800W, near Atwood.When all was said and done, both semi rigs were hung up on highway infrastructure and the labor of getting the vehicles back on the road began. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, a truck driven by Buell A.Hoffer, 82, of West CR 900N, Nappanee, was struck from behind by a semi tractor/trailer driven by John J.Posada, 49, of St.Marys, Ohio.Hoffer had pulled onto the driving lane of westbound U.S.30 from CR 800W and Posada, who reportedly told police he had "a football field and a half" leeway, didn't move over into the passing lane and he collided with Hoffer's truck.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Milford Officers Get New Guns

MILFORD - Dave Hobbs, Milford town marshal, told the town council Monday the police department needs to update its handguns. He said he contacted about six gun dealers and the lowest two quoted about the same prices. Currently, the Milford police department has six handguns for the department and four full-time officers.However, one firearm is in evidence and another is getting repaired, so the department actually has only four in operation. "I think it's time to get them updated," Hobbs said. The types of guns Hobbs looked at are both .45 caliber but the Glocks with 13-round clips are $489 apiece and the Sig Sauers with seven-round clips are $605.Hobbs wants to purchase 15 handguns, because when the department has all its positions filled, they will have 12 officers in need of guns.There will be three extra. "It's quite obvious to me the Glock would be better per magazine capacity," said Hobbs.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Education Summit Focuses On Students' Futures

School prepares students for the future. Thursday, presentations from five local school corporations at the Education Summit XII focused on ways schools are preparing their students for tomorrow. Micah Lukens is a teacher at Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.'s Alternative Learning School at the former Burket Elementary School.Lukens said the Center was formed in 2003.It's designed to meet the needs of students who may not be successful in the traditional high school setting. As of Nov.1, 31 students currently attend.Of the 31 students, 13 are seniors, 11 are juniors and seven are sophomores.A few reasons students attend include pregnancy, have children already, are self-dependent or emancipated, socioeconomically inhibited to attend school full time, behind in their credits or they were victims of harassment or bullying.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is the time of the year when people think about those things they are most thankful for in their lives. Several Kosciusko County employees give thanks for everything from good health to their fellow employees. County Health Department Administrator Bob Weaver said he was thankful for "good health, good friends and good employees."Weaver said he has nothing special planned for the holidays except to spend time with family. Human Resources Director Ron Robinson said, "I'm thankful for my health and my family.I'm thankful that we still have peace in the country." Robinson said he will be hosting Thanksgiving for family members.Each year, Robinson said, Thanksgiving dinner is left up to someone new and, this year, it happens to be his turn.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Approves Bids For Drain, Sewer Project

WINONA LAKE - Wessler and Associates recommended G&G Excavating for Contract B storm drain/sewer rehabilitation project at the Tuesday morning Winona Lake Town Council meeting.The company turned in the low bid of $271,848, $46,000 over estimated costs. Brent Siebenthal, vice president of Wessler and Associates of Indianapolis, said the bid for Contract A is $81,000 under estimates. G&G's work will be to rehabilitate the manholes, lift stations and in-ground sewer lines.The Miller Pipeline Corp.of Indianapolis will install linings in the lines.They have been given notice to proceed and should be finished with the job by Feb.20. Siebenthal asked for $2,500 extra for labor, overhead and reimbursable expenses since the company had to put the project out to bid three times. Council member Craig Snow asked if the town had left anything out of the specifications or did anything else to cause a problem.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Plan Commission Approves Petitions

Christmas came early for petitioners at the Wednesday meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission. The commission approved all requests by petitioners. Dave Creighton's petition for preliminary plat approval for a residential development on 29.254 acres of ground was approved. His petition was a continuance from November for him to get certain requirements met.Since the last meeting, Creighton received approval from the drainage board for drains, as the commission required.The size of the cul-de-sacs also is now down to normal standards. Creighton did lose one lot from the original plat because of the changes made. The property is on the north side of CR 75N, west of CR 225E in Wayne Township. Michael Miller's petition for a preliminary plat approval for an Agricultural II subdivision on a 1.19-acre tract of ground was approved for recommendation.The property is on the south side of Ind.14 and 212.36 feet west of CR 600E in Jackson Township.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Chemical Property Acquired For Street Extension

Four "slivers" of land were deeded to the city of Warsaw from Warsaw Chemical Co.Tuesday during a special Warsaw Board of Works meeting. The parcels will enable the city to extend McKinley Street to Winona Avenue under the railroad overpass. In the agreement is an option for the town to abandon a portion of Durbin Street from Hendricks to Argonne streets, as Warsaw Chemical owns land on both sides of Durbin. The land acquisition has to be complete prior to the end of the month to facilitate the final release of the $300,000 Community Development Building Grant from the Indiana Department of Commerce.The grant will pay for the street construction. Board member Charlie Smith expressed concern about toxic chemicals on the property being deeded. Solvents were discovered in groundwater and traced back to Warsaw Chemical by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency in 1988.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Guard Unit Goes To Active Duty

As they have since 1846, members of the 1st Battalion 293rd Infantry, Indiana Army National Guardsmen mustered for active duty Sunday. Company A, 80 local men and 45 from the Angola area, assigned to the Warsaw Armory, reported to Camp Atterbury Monday to begin two weeks training.After a Thanksgiving leave they will be stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., where they will receive further orders. National Guard members and their families gathered at the CR 350N facility in Warsaw to attend a family support program yesterday.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Milford Man Found Not Guilty In Bomb Threat Case

A Milford man was acquitted Wednesday of making bomb threats and criminal mischief by a six-person jury. Nathan J.Weldy, 27, was accused of calling bomb threats to Parker-Goshen, Syracuse, his employer, on Halloween night 2000. Weldy was suspected of the calls when the receptionist used the *-69 feature on the telephone to identify the last caller.The number returned to Weldy's brother-in-law's telephone, which was listed as Weldy's contact number.Weldy had no home telephone at the time. Police arrested Weldy the same night and obtained a confession.Weldy and his lawyer, David Kolbe, say the confession was coerced. According to testimony, Weldy was interrogated by an officer who used vulagarity.The officer was "very intimidating," Weldy said.Weldy also was denied a lawyer or pastor's counsel, though he says he requested it up to five times.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Enchanted Hills Variances Put On Hold

Three petitions for variances in Enchanted Hills from three property owners were given until April to work out their problems with the property owners' association. The same three petitions were continued last month to Monday to do the same thing, but the petitioners wanted more time and the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals agreed. Kevin and Candy Pelz petitioned for a variance to allow two existing sheds to remain as placed 9.5 feet from the water's edge and a possible nonconforming pre-existing 16-foot by 10-foot shed to remain as placed 7 feet from the water's edge.The property is on the east side of Rumplestilskin Drive and 1,150 feet south of Rainbow Lane in Turkey Creek Township. James and Frances Mac petitioned for a variance to allow a shed to remain as placed 8 feet from the water's edge.The property is on the east side of Fascination Way and 50 feet north of Candy Cane Lane in Turkey Creek Township.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Firemen Return From 'Ground Zero'

MENTONE - "Incredible." That word kept coming up when Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads and resident Matt Cohagen described the scene in and around Ground Zero. Both men are members of the Mentone Fire Department and were present at Monday's Mentone Town Council meeting to thank council members for allowing the use of the town's police vehicle to travel to New York for a memorial parade.Although the parade ended up being postponed because family members of those lost and/or still missing weren't yet ready to participate in such an event, Eads, Cohagen and other local firemen recently spent nearly four days surveying the damage up close.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Wage Procedure Issue Could Delay Jail Project

From time to time, local government and state government don't agree. The Justice Building expansion project bond issue has created one of those times.And this disagreement may end up costing county taxpayers a bundle. "It'll cost the taxpayers of this county considerably," said Ron Robinson, county administrator, Wednesday. "It's a political thing.Definitely," said commissioner Avis Gunter."Every day that we sit on it is costing us money.The bond market is going up." Last month the Kosciusko County Commissioners sent a letter to the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners asking when the bond issue for the expansion project will be approved. The expansion is expected to cost at least $21 million.The bond issue will finance the construction costs.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Developer Withdraws Crystal Lake Rezoning Petition

True to his word, Alan Collins withdrew his petition Monday to rezone about 40 acres along Crystal Lake Road from R-2 to R-3, when the neighbors remonstrated and a poll of Warsaw Plan Commissioners indicated they viewed the petition unfavorably. Collins, of Construction Management Design, approached the board Monday evening requesting a map amendment to the zoning ordinance.He described plans for a well-maintained senior citizen mobile home park along Crystal Lake Road, west of Ind.25, complete with a wildlife refuge. First, however, he said, "If we meet opposition from this committee or the neighborhood, we won't put a mobile home park in this location." Opposition, he met. Remonstrating against the plan were Jerry Nelson, Kim and Cindy Cox, Mrs.Royce Cox, Roxanne Wildman, Corey and Andy Shepherd and Bill Goshert.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Souder, Local Officials Discuss Western Route

To get a clearer understanding of the Western Alternative Route Project, U.S.Congressman Mark Souder met with local officials Friday to discuss the project and funding. Souder secured $500,000 for the Ind.15 bypass project in the final version of the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which was approved by the U.S.Congress on Nov.20 by a vote of 344-51.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WHA Adds Program To Help

The Warsaw Housing Authority has structured a new program to help the needy learn about the challenges of homeownership while saving money for a down payment. The new program, called Individual Development Accounts, will combine funds from Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis with a local plan. On Monday Fred Hash, of Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, presented options his bank provides for communities.The IDA program will run on funds from the FHLB. Warsaw has previously benefited from the support of the FHLB.The Courts of Colfax, an independent living facility for people over 55, received $303,400 from the bank. The WHA board approved the IDA program, which teaches future homeowners money-saving skills and homeownership skills while they save money in a restricted account. Cathy Walker, Warsaw Housing Authority, said IDA prepares clients for the challenges of owning a home.
Home BuyersBY GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Webster Teacher To Retire After Remark Made In Class

A chance remark in a North Webster Elementary classroom has led to the early retirement of a 31-year teaching veteran. A remark Phyllis Roberts made to her class two weeks ago was overheard by someone passing by, leading Roberts to retire from her position. Officials will not say exactly what Roberts said, but the remark is believed to be of a discrimantory nature. Val Conner of the Indiana State Teachers Association said there was "no malicious intent" in Roberts' remark, but "the context of the comment was exacerbated by the situation" in the school system last year. A Syracuse Elementary teacher came under fire last spring for distributing in her class a worksheet on the Ku Klux Klan.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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