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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

Festival Of Trees Benefits Health Care Foundation

Town Center Mall was beautifully decorated and brightly lit Monday evening as this year's Festival of Trees came to a close with the annual auction, with guest auctioneer Tricia Sloma, WNDU-TV.Funds raised go to the Health Care Foundation, which supports BABE, ParentShare and Care Connection Client Assistance Program to provide improved health care, parenting skills and access to education and support services.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Antique Tractor Magazine Fills Collectors' Void

Photo by David Slone , Times-Union "We just had so much interest in tractors, it seemed like a natural progression," Editor-in-Chief Dennis Polk, of Dennis Polk Equipment, New Paris, said. Polk said the magazine began because there were no publications exclusive to the tractor group at that time.There were several publications on specific makes, but none on all makes, he said. He said now there are about four magazines featuring all makes, including his publication.The other publications may have come about due to the success the Polk magazine has had. "When we introduced the first issue, we got 400 or 500 subscriptions right off.Now, they come in spurts.We have 5,000 subscribers now," Polk said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Sta acff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Beemer, Hunter Honored At Syracuse Chamber Dinner

SYRACUSE - Bill Beemer and Retiring Fire Chief Larry Hunter were honored along with several others at the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner Nov.8 in Oakwood Inn and Conference Center. Beemer received the Lifetime Achievement Award for having been an active member of the chamber since its inception more than 40 years ago. Hunter received the Dedicated Service Award. Other awards were presented to Wawasee High School Principal Alan Frank, education; Park Pharmacy, business beautification; Knights of Columbus, philanthropic; Postmistress Jodi Enfield, local government; Kiwanis Club, outstanding nonprofit; Pine Crest Marina, new business of the year; and Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, entrepreneur of the year. Awards were sponsored by Sprint, Key Bank, Colbin Tool, Lake City Bank, Farmers State Bank, Next to New Shoppe, Lakeland Animal Clinic, First Federal State Bank and National City Bank.
VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF SURSO, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

City Seeks Residents' Opinions

A town meeting is scheduled Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.regarding the future of downtown Warsaw. Citizens are asked to discuss the city's image and goods and services it provides, if the business and government are to work together during the next five years. The meeting will follow a day-long series of scheduled interviews held by consultants Doyle Hyett and Doloris Palma of HyettPalma Inc., Virginia. The company is a national firm specializing in the economic renaissance of downtowns and older business districts. The Warsaw City Council will meet in special session following the town meeting from 8:30 to 9 p.m.to gather information and discuss the future of the city's downtown. Current downtown projects and programs also will be discussed. In September Kosciusko County residents were asked general questions about downtown Warsaw through a telephone questionnaire.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

New Student Organization Prompts Review Of Policies

A relatively new student organization at Warsaw Community High School is being blamed by some students for the denial of privileges to other student clubs. After the Gay-Straight Alliance became a recognized organization early this year, administrators decided to look into what the school could legally provide for student clubs. After studying the issue, it was determined that the Ski Club, for example, can no longer use a school bus for free and is no longer covered under the school's insurance liability policy. "We all feel badly that this has happened to the students, but we had to approach it from a legal standpoint," said Dr.Jennifer Brumfield, WCHS principal. GSA, the Ski Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Octagon Club are not school-sanctioned organizations, Brumfield said, and therefore do not have the same privileges as school-sanctioned organizations.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Porn Resolution OK'd By County

In an attempt to regulate sexually oriented businesses in Kosciusko County, county commissioners Tuesday approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance Monday. The amendment does not prohibit sexually oriented businesses or restrict access by adults to sexually oriented businesses.However, it does limit their location, spell out what kinds of businesses are classified as sexually oriented, and list violations and exemptions. Sexually oriented businesses are classified as adult arcades, adult bookstores or video stores, adult cabarets, adult motels, adult theaters, nude model studios and sexual encounter centers. The location of these businesses is limited to areas that are zoned commercial, and they cannot be located within 1,000 feet of a church, school, boundary of a residentially zoned district, public park or daycare center. They also cannot be located within 1,000 feet from other sexually oriented businesses.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Planners Looking At Sign Ordinance

The Warsaw Plan Commission will review text amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding signs this evening at 7 p.m.in council chambers. Also on the agenda is a final plat approval for the Petro Family LLC planned unit development and primary and secondary approval for the Kroger gas kiosk at 2101 E.Center St. A report regarding LRC Products Inc.will be given.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

4-H Fair Dates Set In Advance

Five-year planning for the Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair has resulted in later fair dates, according to the fair board. However, board members said at Monday' meeting, setting five years' fair dates in advance has its benefits. "We wanted to get away from the holidays," said incoming fair board president Steve Trump."The people at the food stands didn't want to work over the Fourth (of July)." In the past several years, the county fair has taken place early in July, sometimes over the July 4 holiday. But the new schedule sets the fair toward the end of the month. In 2003, the fair is scheduled for July 21-26.For 2004, it will be July 19-24; 2005, July 18-23; 2006, July 17-22; and 2007, July 16-21. "4-H needs to plan in advance for livestock," Trump said, and the carnival companies that furnish the midway rides are in great demand. "This gives us a chance to look at a long-term contract," he said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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