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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

New Syracuse Board Begins First Project

SYRACUSE - Eleven trees were planted on Main Street, Syracuse, Tuesday, as part of Syracuse's efforts to become a Tree City USA. "It's the first project (of the Syracuse Tree Board)," said Syracuse Park Superintendent Mike Hixenbaugh.More trees will be planted in the spring. The Tree Board was officially formed at October's Syracuse Town Council meeting when the council approved the ordinance. To qualify for Tree City USA, a town or city must meet four standards established by The National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. The first standard is for a tree board or department to be formed and a community tree ordinance to be passed.Members of Syracuse's tree board are town manager Brian Redshaw, town councilwoman Carol Koble, utilities superintendent Kent Thielka, plant pathologist Jerry Riffle and Hixenbaugh.Their first meeting is today at approximately 1 p.m.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Nappanee Launches Historic Intergenerational Lunch Plan

NAPPANEE - Friends and history were being made during the lunch hour Tuesday at Nappanee Elementary School. That location is the national pilot of an intergenerational nutrition site, pairing youngsters with older folks.The program is known as SOAR - Students and Older Adults Relate. Students immediately began making their guests feel welcome, taking their coats, offering them coffee and helping them find a place to sit. Joan Cuson, director of planning and quality assurance for Real Services Inc., said she was surprised to learn that this was the first site for such a program.She found out about the distinction when she was checking on compliance requirements for the site through the Older Americans Act, which helps fund the program. If the program is successful, it will be introduced in other areas served by Area 2 Agency on Aging, which consists of Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall and St.Joseph counties.Real Services is a not-for-profit corporation.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Local Vets Take Supplies To D.C.

WASHINGTON -Ê"What a great bunch of guys," said Vivian Wilson of Bob Morrison, Mike Barnett and Don Nichols.The three Kosciusko Countians delivered a vanload of supplies to Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Fisher House this morning. "I want to thank the community and everyone who supported the drive," Wilson said."We're so grateful, it's so appreciated.We've never had anything hand-delivered before.We've never received this kind of volume before.It's heartwarming to know how much people care." The Fisher Houses are comfort homes for combat casualties - soldiers, Marines and airmen - and their families.The average length of stay is four months."Our mission is to support combat casualties while they endure long-term treatment in a home away from home," said Wilson, a Department of Defense employee who has worked at Fisher Houses for 14 years.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Sets Deadline For Landlord's Compliance

A Warsaw property owner who has worked with the city's building department has until the end of 1996 to get his renovation plans approved and obtain a valid building permit, Warsaw's Board of Works ruled today. Ted Rondeau, who appeared before the board in a housing hearing at the board's last meeting, agreed to move his tenant out of the four-residence building, to finalize his building plans and to abide by the building department's schedule. The board will establish a performance bond for Rondeau at its Jan.3 meeting.Rondeau has until Dec.31 to work out the details with Pam Kennedy, Warsaw building inspector, said Mayor Jeff Plank. If Rondeau fails to submit a plan to Kennedy, Plank said, "the clock will begin ticking on a per-day fine." Kennedy said the next Board of Works meeting will discuss problems with three rentals owned by DGL Rentals on East Fort Wayne Street.DGL Rentals is owned by Don Light, George Klinger and Lyle Metzger.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCS Hears Software Woes

Problems with the new Warsaw Community High School soccer fields and Warsaw Schools' grading program were brought to the forefront Monday night. "We have a major problem with our grade program," said WCHS teacher Jim LeMasters."It's a major concern." Warsaw Schools uses CenterPoint software for grades and student data.The school purchased CenterPoint about six months ago for approximately $100,000. LeMasters said it's a major step backward.Ralph Bailey, interim superintendent, said other schools reportedly are having problems with the software too.LeMasters said it's not intuitive and is very difficult to use.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Case Puts Spotlight On Drunk Driving

A bumper sticker mailed to the mother of two of the victims in the Brandon Robinson drunk driving accident summed up her feelings after Friday's verdicts. Robinson faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty in the drunk driving accident June 12 that killed Aaron Hatfield, Heather Florey and Tyler Bartley and critically injured Tiffany Bartley and Monica Hatfield. After the verdict, Tracy Trout, mother of Tiffany and Tyler Bartley, proudly displayed a bumper sticker that read: "My son was killed by a drunk driver ...I am MADD." She said it was sent to her by the Grant County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an organization with which she now actively participates.Trout resides in Van Buren, Ind.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Wreath Donations

Cindy Stier (L) and Liz Frazetta, of the Town and Country Garden Club, helped hang wreaths at the Kosciusko County Courthouse earlier this week. The club donated six wreaths that hang on the six doors of the courthouse. The club plans to build a butterfly garden next spring at the Warsaw Community Public Library. Photo by Dan Spalding, Times-Union
Photo by Dan Spalding, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Council Denies Street Vacation

Warsaw City Council, citing a concern for the greater public good, denied a recommendation to vacate the city's right-of-way of a portion of Widaman Street Monday. "The basic question tonight is whether the public right-of-way provides public access to the lake," said City Planner Jeff Noffsinger in explaining Ordinance 98-11-1. The ordinance would have vacated a 31-foot right-of-way from Brubaker Street to Pike Lake, with one-half of the right-of-way going to the adjoining property owners Lewis P.Dobbins and David Essig. "Our purpose for seeking the vacation is to be able to expand our lot so that we can meet the city's requirement for lot width for the purpose of building a retirement home on the lot," Essig said. Essig's lot, which lies to the north of the right-of-way, is currently 45 feet.The city requires a 20-foot setback.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Officials Believe Stolen Skull May Be From Mausoleum In Syracuse Cemetery

SYRACUSE - Officials investigated a mausoleum in Syracuse Cemetery Thursday morning from which they believe Edward Lee Meadows allegedly stole a skull. Meadows, 24, of 201 E.Greenhaus Drive #28, Syracuse, was taken into custody Nov.12 after Syracuse police served a search warrant at his home and recovered the skull.The investigation into the matter was ongoing for about a year, police said. Meadows was charged with theft, intimidation and criminal deviant conduct/abuse of a corpse.He remains in Kosciusko County Jail.Bond is set at $2,000. Thursday, officials from the Syracuse Police Department and the Kosciusko County Coroner's Office used a video camera line to inspect the mausoleum without entering.Officials were trying to determine if the skull could have come from that mausoleum.The camera was operated through a small window in the back where it is believed entry may have been made by the suspect.
- | July 28, 2016

National program stresses importance of reading

When you read to children, you're giving a gift that lasts a lifetime. Nowhere was this philosophy more evident than in Bourbon on Wednesday, when the entire Triton school system participated in "Read Me A Story." The program, sponsored by Reading Is Fundamental, sets a national goal to read 1 million stories aloud from Nov.1 to Dec.31.Participating schools agree to read 250 stories to help reach the goal. Triton's situation is unique, said principal Tom Bowers, because its two schools are so close together.This makes it easy for the entire school system to get involved - and get involved they do.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Police communications upgrade considered

SYRACUSE - Can the town of Syracuse afford a $250,000 bond issue? Tuesday, Syracuse Town Marshal Tom Perzanowski told the town council that Project Hoosier Safety is finally going to get off the ground.The first phase should be completed in 2003 for northern Indiana.The project is the upgrade of law enforcement radio frequencies to 800 megahertz so all police agencies in the state can communicate with one another. For Syracuse to upgrade its dispatch center to the new frequency, Perzanowski said, the cost will be $250,000 to get started.Most departments who are going to be a part of the project plan to pay for it through a bond issue.Syracuse did not budget the money for the project for 2003. He said if the town doesn't get into the project this year, it may be a while before they can get on board.Tuesday, he said, he was just presenting the idea to the council. "It's out there for you to think about," he said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley Board Discusses Opening Communication Lines With Teachers

MENTONE - Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.'s teachers are blocked from e-mailing the school board members. The policy, approved previously by the school board, built a chain of command.That was superintendent Dr.Karen S.Boling's intent. Allowing teachers to e-mail board members "makes it easier to break the chain of command," said Boling Monday. Board members' phone numbers are not blocked, said Hal Hoffman, board member."It's just as easy to pick up the phone," he said. He said he understood the chain of command, which tells teachers to confer with the school's principal first, but if addresses and phone numbers are available, e-mail should be open too, said Hoffman. Changing the e-mail policy might set up a situation for breaking the chain of command, said Boling.She purposely built the policy for that reason. "If teachers are reluctant to call us, they'd be reluctant to e-mail us, too," said Rod Eaton, board member.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Ordinance Would Require Permit For Property Demolition

NORTH MANCHESTER - The North Manchester plan commission proposed an ordinance Monday requiring a permit for property demolition. The commission was in favor of the ordinance following a recent property struggle. "In view of the long saga with the Seiler property," Bill Hix, plan commission president, said, he had talked with town council president Don Rinearson about the ordinance. The permit would put a time limit on demolition completion.The commission said a fixed number of days for demolition would be determined on the building situation. The permit would be for commercial buildings, but residential buildings could be included, too. The permit would be "strong enough to have penalties," said Bernie Ferringer, North Manchester's building commissioner. Questions were raised about defining types of buildings, numbers of days to complete demolition and penalties.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Cleanup Efforts Slow In Pierceton

PIERCETON - The wheels turn slowly in government when red tape is wrapped around the cogs. The town council wants to rid the community of a dilapidated building in town.Residents want to see the eyesore disappear.And Jim Townsend wants the cleanup process to begin yesterday. Townsend has been seeking town officials to take care of the old gas station building for more than a year, and the town has taken steps toward doing so.But remains of the structure - located on the northwest corner of Market and First streets - carries with it a burden after standing vacant for about 40 years. Underground gas storage tanks were never removed from the site and it is not known whether any leaching has occurred.If the land is contaminated, a major environmental cleanup effort would likely be undertaken.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Remonstrators Halt Plan For Warehouses

Residents of Patterson Place and Timber Ridge additions Monday helped defeat a proposal to build storage warehouses on nearby property. Nearly 50 remonstrators from those neighborhoods attended Warsaw's Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Monday to protest DeWayne Barker's request for a use variance.Barker proposed building and operating a storage business on 8.56 acres near Stonecreek Homes Inc.and the First Baptist Church on Patterson Road. Warren Kahn, a resident of Patterson Place, gave the BZA a petition, signed by 114 residents of both additions, that opposed Barker's request.Kahn and other remonstrators told the board they objected to further commercial development, increased traffic problems, drainage complications and a decline in property values. Since the property forms a buffer strip between commercial and residential areas, local resident Tracy Furnivall suggested turning the area into a park, which also would be compatible with its present zoning.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCS Adopts New 'Block' Scheduling

Students at Warsaw Community High School next year will be the first to plan their classes using the new block scheduling. Unanimously approved by the school board Monday, block scheduling means the school day will be divided into four 90-minute classes instead of the seven 50-minute classes used now. The issue of block scheduling has been studied since the early '90s, said parent and former school board member Sally Davison, and it offers a "real solid alternative to what is happening in the high school today.Our students are changing and I think that we should change in support of our students," she said. By allowing 90 minutes per class per day, a semester's worth of work can be done in nine weeks, assistant principal Jennifer Brumfield said in the October meeting.Principal Paul Crousore said Monday that if block scheduling also is used in summer school, it would provide a "fifth quarter" of remediation and allow students to take college-level work earlier.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw City Employees To Get 3% Raise In Pay

As approved by the city council a couple of months ago, the Warsaw Board of Works approved a 3 percent pay increase for employees Friday - after certain changes were made. Two increases for the clerk's office were cut back to 3 percent from 4.5 percent and the salary of the new city planner, Jeremy Skinner, will not increase 3 percent next year. The board heard the recycling budget is nearly $28,000 short.Contractor Waste Management will continue to collect the city's curbside recycling bins, however, their prices increased to $118,800 per year and only $89,000 was budgeted.Clerk Elaine Call said an additional appropriation will have to be approved by the city council.Recycling materials collection will be every other week in 2005 instead of the second and fourth weeks of each month.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Approves Subdivision Near Heritage Lake Park

WINONA LAKE - The Winona Lake Plan Commission Tuesday approved the development of a subdivision next to Heritage Lake Park. The property is between Heritage Lake and Heritage Lake Villas, south of Lexington Drive and west of CR 250E.The area is 9.4 acres. There are 12 building lots, six on each side of Legacy Lane.The smallest lot is 15,750 square feet and meets the minimum requirements for construction. Town engineer Larry Long said the improvements to the site are completed except for the final coat of asphalt on Legacy Lane.These improvements included the placement of the sanitary sewer, curbs and gutters for Legacy Lane and the addition of storm drains. Long said the development company, Heritage Lake Development Co.LLC, wants to finish the construction before laying the surface asphalt.It will cost $5,000 to finish the asphalt.
ANITA WEISHEIT, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local United Way Exceeds $1 Million Goal

Santa Claus came a little early for Kosciusko County United Way this year. Community residents reached the goal of $1 million for the organization. "(It's) very satisfying," said Kevin Deardorff, 1999 United Way campaign chairman."It's really a reflection of the community.This is really a caring and giving community." He said this year's campaign began in January."I think it's key to start early," he said. After Deardorff was named as campaign chairman, a campaign cabinet was formed and they, in turn, sought more volunteers to help them.One difference this year from previous years, Deardorff said, was that chief executive officers of companies also were involved early so the United Way could let them know the plans for the campaign this year.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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