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Wildman Laundry Sees Benefit Of Cardinal's Supported Employment

Some individuals are born with disabilities. Others are disabled because of a debilitating disease or accident.Yet these individuals are capable of working, though they may lack the skills needed to find the right job. Cardinal Center Inc., a supported employment service provider, helps disabled people find jobs.Through the service, Cardinal Center has helped many people find employment at Wildman Uniform and Linen - and Wildman is more than happy to have them. According to Wildman Uniform general manager Josh Wildman, the company has hired individuals through the service for more than five years."We've had three to as many as six or seven," he said.Currently, they have five such employees.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Waste District Looks To Buy Property For Collection Site

If all the contingencies are met, Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District will purchase property at 225 S.Union St., Warsaw, for its offices and for a permanent household hazardous waste collection site. Wednesday, the district board approved a resolution to authorize the execution of the contract.The district will pay Jerry Buchan, the property owner, $200,000 for the property, which will be due and payable in full on the closing date. Contingencies that must be met include: the district must find satisfactory first mortgage financing in an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the purchase price; the Warsaw Plan Commission or other zoning agencies must state the zoning for the premises is satisfactory; and the district must receive from its engineer or architect a written opinion that the building and facilities can be converted to use as a waste collection facility and offices at a reasonable cost and expense.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Plays Host To Area Mayors

Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins hosted a Mayor's Roundtable at the Fireman's Building Thursday. The Roundtable, an idea generated by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, meets each month to share ideas and information, learn about current issues and compare solutions to common problems. Four regions - northern, north central, south central and southern - group mayors by geography and form an alliance in which common goals are met. Roundtables meet on the third Thursday of the month. The northern region Roundtable president is Mayor James Yeazel of Plymouth; vice president is Mayor Ron Glassley of Columbia City; and secretary-treasurer is New Haven Mayor Terry McDonald. Associate members are welcome to attend the meetings too.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Webster Teacher Keeps Her Job

NORTH WEBSTER - Phyllis Roberts will keep her job with the Wawasee School Corporation. The North Webster third-grade teacher was overheard making stereotypical racial remarks in her classroom earlier this semester.She elected to take an early retirement rather than face a hearing before the school board. The administration's stand on the situation caused an outcry in the Wawasee community, including petitions being circulated in support of the 31-year teaching veteran. More than 300 people attended Tuesday's school board meeting to hear the board's official decision on the action. The public was given 20 minutes to address the board before the board voted on the issue. President Carol Swartzendruber said the board was there to hear public comments, but the meeting was not a public hearing and patrons should not discuss individual employees. The first man to step to the microphone, a Roberts supporter, drew a standing ovation.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Crash Kills Akron Man

MENTONE -ÊAn Akron man is dead after an early morning accident today near Mentone. Sergio E.Montelongo, 38, was pronounced dead from neck injuries at the scene of the 5:31 a.m.accident near the intersection of CR 500S and Ind.19 near Mentone.According to evidence gathered at the scene of the crash, Montelongo was not wearing a seat belt. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Montelongo was northbound on Ind.19 in a 2002 red Ford pickup when he swerved off the east side of the road to miss a deer standing in the roadway.Montelongo overcorrected and went back on the road then went out of control. The truck slid off the western edge of the road, struck a utility pole and rolled over several times in a field. Montelongo was ejected from the pickup and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by the Kosciusko County coroner.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Four Hurt When Bus Hits Pickup

ATWOOD - Four people, including three children, were injured Thursday afternoon when a pickup collided with a school bus near Atwood. According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report, Richard A.Cook, 42, of South Burket Street, Burket, was westbound on CR 100N when he veered left of center for an unknown reason.Cook's pickup then struck a Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.bus head-on near the intersection of CR 750W.The accident, which occurred about 3:46 p.m., remains under investigation. Cook suffered unspecified injuries and was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment before being transferred to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he was listed in fair condition this morning.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Ruppel Voices Opposition To Property Tax Relief Bill

State Rep.Bill Ruppel (R-North Manchester) called in the news Friday, saying the House Democrats approved House Bill 1001 regarding property tax relief. Ruppel doesn't like what is being forwarded to the Senate. "If you have a farm of over 900 acres, your taxes, 2003 pay for 2004, will increase more than last year," he said. Also going up under the legislation are taxes on homes valued at less than $75,000 and farm of less than 200 acres.He predicted renters will have higher rents and less upkeep with the passage of this bill.Homeowners with property valued at between $75,000 and $200,000 will save money. "This is a shell game without a pea," said the North Manchester resident."No matter where you guess, you lose.The bill hurts the people who are blue collar workers, towns that are frugal, small home owners, large farmers and large landholders.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Report shows success of community center

SYRACUSE - Of the Syracuse Community Center's total cost, approximately $1.9 million, only 36 percent of the total project was funded through a bond issue. And as of Tuesday, the balance left on the project is zero, according to Mike Hixenbaugh, Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department superintendent.All the contracts have been paid off for the center. And it hasn't taken long for the center to be used.Since June, the center has had at least 5,392 visitors.And while that number does include repeat visitors, Hixenbaugh said, the estimate is low. "In my opinion," he said, "this is a huge success" and the center is just getting started. Councilwoman Carol Koble said she was "pleased" to see Hixenbaugh incorporating all ages into the center's programming.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton Council Adopts HSA Insurance Policy

PIERCETON - The health care savings account system outlined by Principal Financial insurance agent John Clay in October will be offered to town employees, according to town council members. The council met Thursday to discuss the policy and adopted it as a way for employees to save money for deductible medical expenses and to save for future medical costs. Last month Clay said these savings accounts are limited to $2,500 per year and, if the funds are not spent, they remain in the account for future use. Clay advised the board then that a 13 percent increase in employee health insurance is expected.The town provides a high deductible plan with the first $300 in medical costs paid by the employee and up to $900 for a family policy.None of the town council members are on the policy. The council is offering to pay 30 percent of the costs for dependent insurance coverage. The board also: • Set Dec.2 as the town employee Christmas party date.
TERESA SMITH Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Free Trees

Pictured above is a scene from last year's Christmas tree giveaway at the Car Company on U.S. 30, east of Warsaw. Car Company owner Mike DeWitt said he gave away approximately 250 fresh-cut Christmas trees in three hours last year. This year's giveaway is even more generous. Tomorrow, at the Warsaw location and the new Car Company lot on U.S. 33, south of Goshen, DeWitt will give away 700 trees. Anyone in need of a free Christmas tree is invited to come and pick one up at either location between 1 and 4 p.m. "We just want to give something back to the communities that support us in our business," DeWitt said. "Last year, I was told by several people that they wouldn't have had a tree if we weren't giving them away for free." Photo Provided
Photo Provided- | July 28, 2016

Smith & Nephew Wins Injunction Against Biomet

Smith & Nephew Inc.Endoscopy Division Tuesday announced the U.S.District Court in Oregon has granted a preliminary injunction in Smith & Nephew's favor in a patent infringement case against Arthrotek Inc.and its parent, Biomet Inc. According to the press release, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy and Dr.John O.Hayhurst sued Arthrotek and Biomet earlier this year, claiming Arthrotek's Surefire meniscal repair device infringed a U.S.patent owned by Hayhurst and under exclusive license to Smith & Nephew.The ruling enjoins Arthrotek from manufacturing or selling the device in the United States.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Warsawan, Hit By Car, Dies At KCH

A Warsaw woman is dead after being struck by a pickup. Elnoria E.Worth, 82, of 255 Burkhart Drive, Warsaw, was walking to her mailbox around 6:22 p.m.Friday when she was struck. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Brian Meck, 38, of Warsaw, was backing the pickup out of a driveway when he struck Worth.Meck said he did not see her. Worth was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead from severe internal injuries. The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department was assisted by Multi-Township EMS, Plain Township Fire Department and Plain Township EMS. The incident remains under investigation.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Charities Join Forces To Better Serve The Less Fortunate

Combined Community Services has assisted more than 5,200 households so far this year. The Salvation Army helps 160 families each month, Our Father's House provides food for an average of 50 families each day and Helping Hands of Mentone serves 150 families in the Tippecanoe Valley school district. "We've been seeing five new families each week," Mary Secrist of Helping Hands said this week."We'll provide Thanksgiving Day food beginning Nov.25." The Mentone-based charity will have food Dec.20 for all families of the Tippecanoe Valley school district needing assistance.Gifts will be distributed as they are available. More families are expected to feel a financial pinch as utility rates increase for heating during cold weather months. "Unemployment in Kosciusko County is still up and many of our neighbors are either unemployed or underemployed," said Darlene Redinger of CCS.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Closer To Bike Trail Construction

NORTH MANCHESTER - North Manchester is one step closer to beginning construction on its non-motorized trail throughout the town. Ideas and plans for the bike and walking trail started two years ago when the Parks and Recreation Department received a grant in 1998 from the Indiana Department of Commerce to help fund the trail.Assistant parks director Donna Boomershine said Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Muncie, was hired in 1998 to develop a master trail plan for the parks department.The plan was completed in 1999. Parks director Brian Wagner reported Wednesday to the parks board that he and Boomershine met with Deane Rundell of Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Don Rinearson, North Manchester town council president, and Dan Hannaford, North Manchester town manager. "We discussed what piece of that phase to do," Wagner said. Cost for the first phase of the trail is estimated at $4.5 million, which exceeds the cap for individual projects by approximately $3.5 million.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Drainage Board Takes 'Wait And See' Approach To 2 Maintenance Projects

The three major items considered by the Kosciusko County Drainage Board were postponed Thursday. Taking the advice of affected landowners who attended the meeting, the board decided to "wait and see" how summertime maintenance will affect portions of the Maish Drain in Warsaw and the Armey Drain south of Nappanee. The Jacob Maish Drain running from the Tippecanoe River to Crystal Lake Road is mostly open.It was recently dredged. Royce and Martha Cox and Kim Cox, along with three other property owners, attended the meeting. Kim Cox pointed out a low spot on his land where water collects.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Suspects' Arrests Bring Leads In Other Crimes

OSWEGO - The Kosciusko County Sheriff Department's arrest of two men for stealing from an Oswego laundromat Wednesday has led to leads in several recent crimes. Booked into Kosciusko County Jail Wednesday morning were Christopher Delbert East, 19, of 409 EMS T26 Lane, Leesburg, and Bradley Donald Smith, 19, same address.Both were charged with theft from a coin machine and held without bond. KCSD deputies responded to a call from an employee of Oswego Laundry reporting two men stealing from a coin-operated soap dispenser at 7 a.m.Wednesday.Upon arrival the deputies apprehended Smith and East. In searching the suspects' car police found a Motorola radio with a Warsaw Holiday Inn employee's name on the back.The radio led police to connect Smith and East with $7,000 in damage that occurred at the Holiday Inn on Sunday. The suspects allegedly damaged the facilty and stole the two-way radio and a portable stereo.
GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Triton Teachers File Grievance

BOURBON - The Triton School Board Monday heard its first presentation within recent memory of a grievance from the Triton Teachers' Association. Kent Kimpel, Uniserv director and representative from the Indiana State Teachers' Association, told the board that four Triton Elementary School teachers - Jo Stackhouse, Kim Belinski, Bobbie Glingle and Denise Voreis - filed the grievance.They claimed TES Principal Tom Bowers violated the school corporation's collective bargaining contract with the teachers when he mandated the teachers use time outside normal work hours to meet collaboratively and work on a book study. Kimpel said the teachers' school-day schedules do not allow them to meet during normal work hours for the required 35-minute collaborative session, two times each month.He said, according to the teachers' contract, a book study is not a legitimate reason to extend the school day for teachers.
TIM ROBERTSON, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Veteran Tucker Recalls Flying The 'Hump'

World War II and Korean War vets are dying at a rate of more than 1,000 a day, according to some estimates. The surviving veterans each have their own tale to tell before they, too, are gone. Veterans like H.Dale Tucker, 78, Warsaw, who received wings and a certificate from General Chen Hsing-Ling, commander-in-chief of Chinese Air Force, Republic of China.He received the wings and certificate in the late 1980s for his U.S.Air Force service in World War II. "I went to a pilot convention in Little Rock, Ark., and met this Chinese general with the Air Force and I told him I'd like to get back to the 'Hump.' And he said, 'We'll see what we can do.' And I didn't hear back from him for a long time.In fact, Dorotha (my wife) passed away and I got a letter from him that he had a heart attack on the way back and he'd been sick.So then we made arrangements to go back over there.What a red carpet they rolled out for me in Taiwan!" said Tucker Monday.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Town gets news of more layoffs at Dana

SYRACUSE - Dana Corp.plans to lay off more employees at its Syracuse facilities. According to a letter to Syracuse Town Manager Brian Redshaw from Dana Plant Manager Greg Kirkpatrick, Dana Corp., Traction Technologies Group, intends to transfer some carrier and case lines to other Dana facilities and sell its operations related to the manufacture of knuckles, yokes, tubes and bearing caps at Syracuse. This will result in the permanent layoff of approximately 25 salaried employees from the Syracuse facility.The first layoffs will begin around Jan.10 and be completed in about seven days.All positions and jobs associated with the manufacture of the listed items may be affected. By making this move, Dana Corp.will focus more on its core technologies, which are in the manufacturing of axle components consisting of cases, carriers and gear sets. Dana executives will meet with employees to discuss benefits and other assistance.
David Slone, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Firemen's Building Renovations Completed

New siding, an addition, new flooring and kitchen facilities, new walls and doors and bathroom remodeling have transformed the Warsaw Parks Department's Firemen's Building.The park board held its November meeting there Tuesday, hearing requests from an American Cancer Society representative and members of a traveling football league. Kristen Everett asked that Central Park and the facilities there be donated to the society during the annual Relay for Life.She said the 24-hour event raises money for local cancer programs and recognizes those who have recovered from the disease.The request includes use of stages, parking areas, Center Lake, the pavilion, covered picnic shelters, the plaza, restroom facilities and electrical hook-ups. "In return, the Warsaw Parks Department will be recognized as a $5,000 sponsor and be included on all printed materials and advertisements," the community development director said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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