Letters to the Editor 05-16-2003

Letters to the Editor 06-09-2004

- Good Neighbors - Springhill Migration Good Neighbors Editor, Times-Union: I would like to thank the The Good Neighbors of Claypool.On June 5th several people showed up to help fix up my house, for me and my daughters.They put up a new privacy fence along the alley so my girls would be safe, they landscaped and planted plants and flowers, cleaned up my yard, and are still in the process of decorating a play area, and other things.Most of the people I had never met, and it amazes me these people give up their free weekends to help people.I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart, you touched our lives and hearts forever.I can't wait to volunteer mine and my daughters' time to help give back to this amazing program.God bless each one of you.

Warsaw's Nelson Tied For Second In Senior Amateur

RICHMOND, IN - Warsaw's Jerry Nelson is tied for second place in the 16th Annual Indiana Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship at Forest Hills Country Club. Nelson shot a 3-over-par 74 in the first round.He trails Indianapolis' Boyd Hovde by one stroke. Both shot 38s on the back nine.Hovde shot a 35 on the front nine, while Nelson shot a 36. Nelson and Hovde are members of the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame.Nelson, who never has won the Senior Amateur, had an up-and-down round with four birdies and six bogeys. Other locals competing include Milford's Pat Speicher (37th, 83); Syracuse's Steve Dodds (47th, 84); Warsaw's Tom Heuer (47th, 84); and Syracuse's Gene Stoffel (85th, 92).

Officers Hurt During Arrest

SYRACUSE -ÊTwo officers were injured during a chase while making a drug arrest near Syracuse Monday afternoon. Timothy Sparks, 47, of 12346 N.Kings Drive, Syracuse, was arrested for dealing cocaine/narcotics, intimidation with a deadly weapon and resisting/fleeing law enforcement and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail around 5:35 p.m.Monday.His bond was set at $20,000. Kosciusko County Drug Task Force officers went to Sparks' residence to serve a warrant for dealing methamphetamine from Noble County.When officers entered the house, Sparks reportedly pulled out and pointed a shotgun at them. Officers negotiated with Sparks and persuaded him to put the gun down. Once he put the gun down, Sparks fled his home on foot, entering a neighbor's house and fleeing out the back door. Sparks was caught and arrested after a struggle.

Good Samaritan Saves Christmas For Local Family

A local family's Christmas is likely a bit brighter thanks to the honesty of a Leesburg woman. Shirley Walgamuth said she never thought of keeping the money - more than $800 - when she found a purse Dec.13 in the Elder-Beerman parking lot in Warsaw.She tried without success to locate a telephone number for Cassandra Hancock of East Levi Lee Road, Warsaw, and even drove to the Hancock residence in an attempt to return the lost purse.However, nobody was at home and Walgamuth didn't want to just leave it on the doorstep. On Monday, Walgamuth contacted the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and an officer was able to locate Hancock, who was quite grateful to get her purse back despite its condition from being run over by a car.

Remember When April 3

10 Years Ago April 3 1987 As a prank on their father, Bruce Petro, the Petro brothers, Bob and Steve, erected a "No Left Turn" sign on the small road between their two dealerships.While stories say Bruce Petro isn't mad, the two brothers feel they'd better have eyes in the backs of their heads. 25 Years Ago April 3 1972 There were more than 80 contestants in the second annual roller skating marathon at The Wheel in Winona Lake.This year's marathon is expected to last at least 30 hours before the contestants call a halt to the festivities.

No. 1 Bluffton Beats Whitko Boys

BLUFFTON - Any team carrying a 2-9 record does not want to go on the road and have to play against an All-State-caliber player or the No.1 team in the state. That is exactly what Whitko faced on Saturday night when the Wildcats traveled to No.1 (2A) Bluffton (10-1) to face Adam Ballinger, a 6-foot-9 center who is headed to Michigan State on a full ride scholarship next year. The Wildcats had their own big man in Jeremiah Laws, who had 15 of his 22 points in the second half.Down only 37-33 at the end of the third quarter, Whitko had no supporting players and fell 55-43. Ballinger, along with poor shooting, troubled the 'Cats.Ballinger tossed in a game-high 23 points and pulled down nine rebounds, while Whitko shot a dismal 27 percent from the field and hit on only 1 of 11 three-pointers.

Glenn Knocks Off Triton

Editor's note: Because of a computer problem, this story did not run Saturday. WALKERTON - As Triton fans looked down at the tipoff, they had one thing on their mind: this game was a much-needed game to win.But the Triton fans didn't get their wish as the Trojans fell to Northern State Conference rival Glenn 55-53 in overtime Friday. "We weren't off to a promissing start at the beginning of the game," Triton coach Kevin O'Rourke said."Our team had a big opportunity going into this game, but we let it slip by." Midway into the first quarter, Glenn pulled out ahead leading 11-2 with nine points made by Mike Alexander and Corey Rough.The Trojans came back with Austin Unterbrink scoring six out of his total 18 points in the first quarter. "Austin did his job and that is to score points," O'Rourke said.

Holterman Makes All-Star Pitch

Wawasee graduate Rod Holterman will compete in the North-South All-Star game at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion on Saturday and Sunday. Holterman was named as a second-team all-state performer after an 11-4 season in which he helped the Warriors reach the regional for the first time since 1993. For Holterman it was all about honor. "It's quite an honor to be named second team all-state.It's a dream come true.As a kid, you always want to be one of the best players in the state.Personally, I don't think I am." Holterman was not named to the team because of his superb record alone.He also had a 1.28 ERA and struck out 132 batters in 93 innings, while only walking 17 hitters.

Manchester Apartment Fire Hurts 7

NORTH MANCHESTER - Seven people, including five children, were injured in an apartment fire Monday night in North Manchester. One child, 7-year-old Latasha Williams, was rescued from the blaze by firefighters arriving on the scene.She was in a back bedroom of the apartment and was located by Mike Brubaker of Pleasant Township Fire Department.Assisting in the rescue were firefighters Aaron Bolinger, Brian Hammons, Randy Ruppert and Cary Walters.

U.S. Rep. Souder Tours New Jail

U.S.Rep.Mark Souder toured the Kosciusko County jail facilities Friday and briefly discussed the rise in use of methamphetamines and other illegal narcotics. The old jail capacity was only 88 but the county housed an average of 150 prisoners daily, Rovenstine told Souder.He also told Souder about the merging of the city of Warsaw's and the county's dispatch services."City and county can work together," Rovenstine said. When the justice building/jail renovation project is complete, the jail's capacity will be 325 inmates. Approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of all inmates, Rovenstine said, are in jail on drug- or alcohol-related charges.Even crimes such as burglary often can be traced back to drugs or alcohol.

Seat Belts

Editor, Times-Union:Tuesday night Feb. 5 I was involved in a two-vehicle accident in which I was side swiped from the driver door to the back bumper.

Planners Continue Rezoning Requests

AKRON - Before the explosions of fireworks July 4, get in a little exercise and support at Akron Elementary School at the same time.

Akron Parent Group Hosts Run/Walk Fundraiser On July 4

AKRON - Before the explosions of fireworks July 4, get in a little exercise and support at Akron Elementary School at the same time.

Warsaw Man Jailed After Assault On Wife

Times-Union Staff Writer After allegedly hitting his wife in the head with a hammer Friday night, a Warsaw man was jailed on charges of battery and criminal recklessness. Jackie Lawson Bays, 53, of 410 N.Parker St., Warsaw, was taken into custody at Kosciusko Community Hospital and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail.He is being held without bond. Julie Elaine Bays, 45, of 724 E.Clark St.#3, Warsaw, was treated at KCH for her injuries and later released.According to a Warsaw Police Department report, she suffered three large lacerations to her head from the hammer blows, as well as several small cuts to her body, a large bruise to the back of her neck, several small bruises to her legs and arms and red marks to the front of her neck. Police said Jackie Bays admitted striking Julie Bays with the hammer and was taken into custody without incident.

3 Arrested In Suspected Meth Bust

Three men are in custody after Kosciusko County Sheriff's deputies found two mobile methamphetamine labs Monday night at Beaver Dam Lake. Joshua Wayne Manns, 28, Kevin Ray Woodcox, 26, and Brian Lee Slone, 27, were arrested for varying drug charges in the incident. Around 8:03 p.m.Monday, officers were dispatched to Ivan Lane after neighbors complained of a strong chemical odor in the area. When officers arrived, two men fled on foot.After a short time, the men were found and taken back to the residence at 9346 S.Ivan Lane, Claypool. Officers discovered mobile methamphetamine labs in two vehicles belonging to Woodcox and Slone parked in front of the residence.Officers then notified the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force of the situation. Manns, who lived at the residence at 9346 S.Ivan Lane, Claypool, was arrested for maintaining a common nuisance, a Class D felony, and is being held on a $2,000 bond.

Chase Ends In Crash; No Injuries

A high-speed chase ended in a crash of a stolen car Monday afternoon. Tom Seymour, 17, led Warsaw police on a high-speed chase after an officer spotted him in a stolen Tracer. The car was reported stolen Wednesday by his mother, Deb Holderby. Holderby called police Monday around 1 p.m.after her son contacted her.Seymour agreed to bring the car back if Holderby allowed him to pick up his paycheck from Prairie View Health Care Center. Seymour then sent a friend, Misty Vining, to pick up the check.Holderby called the police when Vining arrived. Warsaw officer Steve Brown saw the stolen Tracer when Seymour spotted the police at the same time. Seymour sped west on Winona Avenue with Brown in pursuit.They traveled onto Crystal Lake Road with another officer joining the chase.

City Councilman Complains About Dalton

Warsaw city councilman Charlie Smith offered a plastic gallon bag of filthy paper towels during the Monday council meeting, saying the filth was wiped from a relatively small glass outdoor table at his house. Smith, who lives half a mile from Dalton Foundries, said he, along with a couple of neighbors, was filing a formal complaint about the droppings. The table was wiped clean once.Two hours later it was cleaned again because it was just as dirty, he said. Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he would call Dalton Corp.president Joe DeRita first thing today. "Evidently something's happened," Smith said."It's been bad and getting worse.The vibrations are back, too. "There comes a point in time when something must be done." He said everything outside is ruined by the emissions.

Defendant Leaves County Circuit Courtroom, Doesn't Come Back

In an unusual turn of events, a jury found a defendant guilty Tuesday afternoon even though she was not present in the courtroom. A 12-person jury took just 34 minutes to find Niccole Paschall, 23, of 163 N.CR 175E, Warsaw, guilty of dealing cocaine, less than one gram (a Class B Felony), in January.The crime is punishable with six to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Paschall entered the courtroom Tuesday morning before the trial started and listened to pre-trial arguments.She left the Kosciusko County Justice Building before jury selection began and did not return at any point during the trial. Paschall reportedly told her parents she wanted to buy a pack of cigarettes and asked to borrow their vehicle.She left and never returned.

Weekend Fest Offers New Educational Aspects

This year's Back To The Days festival will include numerous minor changes aimed at enhancing an already popular fall activity. Some of the changes in the seventh annual event set for this weekend at Lucerne Park in Warsaw will focus on education. The fest this year will include a children's venue that will feature a storyteller who will relive the revolutionary time period.Another speaker will focus on the history of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a volunteer from Poland who helped force the surrender of 6,000 British troops at the battle of Saratoga in 1776. Another man will talk about common types of punishment such as the classic pillory, often referred to as the stocks, that held a man's head and hands in place.