Waste District Seeks Funds From Syracuse

SYRACUSE - Because the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District board is requiring director Sue Studebaker to slash her budget by a third next year, Studebaker asked the Syracuse Town Council Tuesday for financial support. She said the county chose not to increase the tax levy for the district for "whatever reason" but now they see the need for more funding for the district.Even if they increase it next year for 2004, Studebaker said, they still won't receive those funds until the middle of 2004. That won't help the district in 2003. Because the district has to tighten its belt so much, one of its biggest expenses - the recycling center bins - will have to be cut.Six of the 12 may have to be eliminated.

Baker Youth Clubs Provides Safe Fun

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles highlighting the various agencies that receive funds from United Way.The remaining agencies will be periodically highlighted leading up to the annual United Way fund drive.Information on each agency will include: What and how services are provided, who receives the services, the people associated with the agency and funding received from United Way. Baker Youth Clubs is dedicated to providing a safe and fun environment that will encourage members to become productive, responsible, participating members of society. The organization is in the Pete Thorn Youth Center, 800 N.Park Ave., Warsaw.The director is Tracy Furnivall.Service is available to any school-aged girl or boy, regardless of race, religion or financial background.Many members come from low-income and broken families.

Claypool Looks At Phone Service

CLAYPOOL - An estimated 70 to 80 people attended Monday's Claypool Town Council meeting in hopes of quashing rumors and getting answers to a variety of questions. Clerk-treasurer Shelly Thomas said the majority of residents were interested in knowing what the future holds for telephone service to the Claypool area.Many, she said, read the letter to the editor published in Monday's Times-Union and "wanted to know what was going on." Residents have been urged by the council in recent months to contact GTE regarding poor service in the 566 exchange.Also, petitions seeking a wider calling range were circulated; all telephone calls outside the 566 exchange are billed as long distance. Thomas said the petitions are in the hands of GTE and United Telephone officials and that financial studies are being undertaken.The telephone companies have 120 days to decide what will be done regarding local/long-distance service.

Lakeland Art Association Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Exhibit

Lakeland Art Association is hosting a 10th anniversary art exhibit at 116 S.Buffalo St., Warsaw beginning May 28. The association obtained a gallery space in 1993 at 109 N.Lake St.on the west side of the courthouse.The group took over an unused county building and began presenting regular displays featuring local and regional artists. A grand opening for the Lakeland Art Center was held July 9 and 10, 1993, with Lila O'Connell serving as director. The LAA held their meetings in the building and sponsored workshops and classes for adults and children. In addition to regular exhibits the center offered showcase items for purchase.Each year members have mounted a juried spring show and sale and a member bazaar showcase and sale. The first Lakeland Art Center displayed the paintings of Betty Appenzeller. It was a sweet deal for the art group.Their only financial obligation were monthly utility bills.

Triton Teacher Contract Approved

BOURBON -ÊA contract is binding Triton Teachers Association and Triton school board. Triton Teachers Association ratified and signed a two-year collective bargaining contract March13; Triton school board members unanimously approved the contract Tuesday. Under the contract, teachers pocket a 2 percent salary increase this year and next along with an increase in insurance deductible. Negotiations forced a wording clarification of a few instances in the contract. The contract negotiations started in August but last through the 2002-03 school year. Steve Feldman was the school board representative.Susan Dietzel represented the association in the mediation. "We are really pleased that the process has been finished," Dietzel said. In other business, the board: • Decided to host summer school in spite of the state's financial constraints.

Andrews To Resign From Webster Council, Plans Move To Florida

NORTH WEBSTER - Kay Andrews is resigning from her town council seat and as Tippecanoe precinct 1 committeewoman, effective immediately. The 17-year officeholder plans a move to Naples, Fla., where she has accepted a position as a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch. "The opportunity came up and it's something I always wanted to do," said the Lake City Bank assistant vice president."It just came about a little sooner than I expected." A Bluffton native, she has lived in North Webster for 19 years.She'll head south Friday. "It's really hard to leave.I'll miss my daughter and grandchildren."But she expects them to be frequent visitors to the Sunshine State. The five-term councilwoman said the hardest part is leaving her elected position. Andrews was re-elected to her fifth term last fall.She was joined by two new council representatives, Jon Sroufe and Jane Shepherd, and a new clerk, Betsy Luce.

Prosecutor Says Money Was Motive In Alleged Murder Plot

ALBION - Financial gain is believed to be the motive behind a Syracuse woman's alleged attempt to have her husband killed. Tammy Lynn Johnson, 41, of Turtle Bay Estates on Harkless Drive, is being held in the Noble County Jail on a Class A felony charge of conspiracy to commit murder.Her bond is set at $2 million. According to Noble County Prosecutor Steven Clouse, Johnson allegedly gave $200 to two men in what was believed to be a plot to kill her husband, Rick Johnson, who is a Ligonier Police Department officer. Mr.Johnson was not aware of the investigation involving his wife until she was taken into custody at their home on Friday evening.The investigation began Wednesday after the confidential informants with whom Tammy Johnson allegedly was plotting reported the information to police.

Chapman Sewer

Editor, Times-Union:I attended the meeting in December put on by the Chapman Lakes Environmental Watch regarding the creation of a sewer district around Chapman Lake.

Remember When June 12

10 Years Ago June 12 1992 Lawrence Miller, son of Wesley and Mavis Miller, Warsaw, recently attained his Certified Management Accountant designation. He is a graduate of Warsaw Community High School, Purdue and Indiana University.He is a senior financial analyst at Electronic Data Systems, Dallas, Texas. 25 Years Ago June 12 1977 Winners of the Cutie King and Queen contest at the Leesburg Country Fair were Kandi Erwin and Bart Kammerer.Kandi is the daughter of Bridget Erwin, Leesburg, and Bart's parents are Mr.and Mrs.Jerry Kammerer, Leesburg.

Remember When Aug. 2

10 Years Ago Aug.2 1987 County fair officials didn't reap a financial bonanza from the first paid gate in 1986 and are certain this year's admission will only assist in keeping up with a number of needed improvements at the fairgrounds.The decision to charge a gate admission was a necessity, and it is likely the practice will continue for years to come. 25 Years Ago Aug.2 1972 Melinda Tom and Jo Ellen Dickey were selected as the best seamstresses when county 4-H girls presented their annual dress review.Both girls received trophies for their painstaking efforts.

Leesburg Receives Sewer Project Loan From USDA

LEESBURG - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development helped Leesburg celebrate Earth Day Friday by presenting a low-interest loan of $3,208,000.The funds will be used for the construction of a the new sewer system and a recirculating sand filter treatment facility.

TOWN OF PIERCETON - TRASH PROPOSALS

Funding for Title I, II, Special Needs Cut at Whitko

PIERCETON – The Whitko School Board approved a fund transfer and heard that because of the federal debt crisis, school entitlement programs are losing funding.

Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund Gala, Auction Held in Leesburg

LEESBURG – The 2012 Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund Gala and Auction was at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club in Leesburg Saturday night.

Two Arrested For Corrupt Business Influence, Official Misconduct, Bribery, Theft

Warsaw Police Department arrested two men Thursday including Gregory Schroeder, former director of buildings and grounds for Warsaw Community School System, on charges related to alleged kickbacks.

Poe Picked for Community Book Read

With financial support from The Dekko Foundation, Kosciusko Literacy Services has launched Plant the Seed, READ! Community Book Read.

Cancer Care Fund

Editor, Times-Union:Last week, CNN.com ran a lead article for several days exposing the 50 worst charities for funds raised versus funds used for the purpose the charity was created.

Keynesians

Editor, Times-Union:The ideas (more like superstitions) of Keynes have done damage to the economic lives of Americans second only to the activities of Congress.

KLS Launches Book Read

With financial support from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and The Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation, Kosciusko Literacy Services has launched “Plant the Seed, READ! Community Book Read.”

Former Bank Mgr. Sent To Prison

A former bank manager who manipulated funds with authorization was sentenced to 16 years in prison for her crime.