Tippecanoe Valley Closes In On Season-Ending Goal

AKRON -ÊTwo down, two to go. Coming into the last part of the regular season, the Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team wanted to win at least three if not all four of its final games.The Vikings got one step closer to that goal after defeating Mississinewa 65-44 Friday night.They have won the first two of their final four games. But that 20-point lead did not materialize until the second half of play. The Vikings trailed by eight points (22-14) with 6:48 left in the second quarter.But Valley outscored Mississinewa 11-4 in the last 5:45 of the second quarter to cut that deficit to one, 26-25, at the half. "The kids were a bit tight in the beginning," said Valley coach Gary Teel."We were sluggish in the first quarter.We always seemed to be one step behind." At the halftime break, Teel made some defensive adjustments and moved players to different positions for the second half.

Tigers Sweep First Half Of NLC Season

Seven games down, seven to go. With a 7-1 win over Northridge Thursday, Warsaw improved to 7-0 in the Northern Lakes Conference, sweeping the first half of the conference season. The game was continued after being rained out April 30 in the bottom of the second inning with the score tied at 1-all.Northridge had scored in the top of the second inning, and William Knepper evened the score with a home run to open the bottom of the second frame. When the game resumed Thursday evening, Warsaw's Zack Smith was on third with one out. However, the score did not stay tied for long as Smith scored on a wild pitch that careened to the backstop, making the score 2-1 in Warsaw's favor. Northridge threatened to tie the score again in the top of the third when Austin Hoffman hit a double and then moved to third on a passed ball.It looked as though Hoffman would score when Zach Miller hit a fly ball to centerfield.

Commissioners Recognize County Employees’ Wellness Efforts

Nine Face Drug Counts

After several months of investigation of drug dealing within Kosciusko County, nine people were arrested on varying drug-related charges Wednesday. The Kosciusko County Drug Task Force secured 12 warrants on 10 people on drug charges, and many of the warrants came after tips from citizens in the community. With the assistance of the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's Office and the Syracuse Police Department, the drug task force served warrants Wednesday and arrested nine of the 10 people on charges ranging from possession of marijuana to dealing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school. Police are still looking for Shelly R.Davis, 41, whose last known address was 811 S.Main St., North Webster.Davis is wanted on drug charges.

Milford OKs 4 Ordinances

MILFORD - To finish the town's business for the year, the Milford Town Council approved four ordinances at a special meeting Monday. The first ordinance was a salary amendment to pay the town's police officers who worked the "Click-it or Ticket" campaign.The funds come from the state and include $92.89, Louis Mediano; $232.24, Timothy Miller; and $139.34, Richard Miotto. The second ordinance covers the 2003 salaries for the town employees.The annual compensation of the 2003 town council will be $3,500 each under the ordinance; clerk-treasurer, $34,488; town marshal, up to $42,864; utilities commissioner, up to $46,584; and town attorney, up to $2,500.The ordinance also covers deputy marshals, deputy clerk-treasurer, park wages, caretaker, security guards, park advisory board, assistant utilities commissioner, maintenance personnel, building commissioner and inspector and travel reimbursement of 33 cents per mile.

Remember When March 28

10 Years Ago March 28 1993 Fourth-grade student Adrienne Smalley, daughter of Gina and Paul Smith, Warsaw, got an unexpected autograph last week when they were vacationing in Kissimmee, Fla. The family was waiting outside the baseball clubhouse before a spring training game between the Houston Astros and L.A.Dodgers in hopes of getting some autographs but their attention quickly shifted when former president George Bush and an entourage of security walked up nearby.The family was unaware that Bush was there to see the game and throw out the opening pitch.

Remember When June 10

10 Years Ago June 10 1988 A 10-year veteran of the U.S.Marines Corps, Sgt.Rolf C.Tusing, formerly of Leesburg, was recently selected as "Marine of the Year" for Marine support battalion, which consists of 10 letter companies worldwide.He is a communications operator assigned to the Naval Security Group Department of the U.S.Naval Communications Station, Rota, Spain. 25 Years Ago June 10 1973 John Bell celebrated his 30th anniversary with R.R.Donnelley & Sons Co.John went through the Donnelley apprentice program in the Chicago division and was transferred to Warsaw as a cylinder making foreman in 1962.John and his wife, Suzanne, are the parents of two girls and a boy and reside at Route 2, Leesburg.

Souder Speaks At GOP Hall Of Fame Dinner

More than 50 Republicans attended the Kosciusko County Republican Hall of Fame Dinner Thursday night. The Republican Central Committee sponsored the dinner at Stonehenge Golf Course. Those who attended had the opportunity to listen to speakers Third District U.S.Rep.Mark Souder, Allen County Republican Chairman Steve Shine and Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks. Souder encouraged citizens to vote, and said there is a competitive race this year. "This is a challenging year and we need to realize this year has brought a competitive election," Souder said. Souder faces candidate Tom Hayhurst in the Nov.7 race. Souder described Hayhurst as a decent man, physician and city council member, but said it's imperative that the Republican party stand strong. "This is not a battle between Hayhurst and myself, but a decision that will decide who will run America," Souder said.

Nash, Gooding Elected To Wayne Township Board, Winona Council

Board and council members were elected Saturday to serve on the Wayne Township Advisory Board and Winona Lake Town Council.

Souder Visits Warsaw, Discusses Energy Bill

Third District Congressman Mark Souder visited Warsaw Tuesday morning to discuss an energy independence bill he says will move the United States toward energy independence.

Milford, Hobbs Named In Suit

The town of Milford and town marshal David Hobbs have until Feb.20 to respond to a lawsuit accusing them of false imprisonment. The suit was filed by Ralph "Fred" Fisher as the result of his imprisonment on murder charges. In March 2002, a jury found Fisher not guilty of the Jan.15, 2001, murder of Kathy Vroman. Vroman's frozen body was found Jan.26, 2001, in a wooded area near Three Rivers, Mich.An autopsy showed she died of two gunshot wounds to the head. She allegedly was shot at Country Car Co., a Milford business owned by Jason Fisher, Ralph Fisher's son.At the time of the trial, police believed she was killed to hide a car-theft chain in which the younger Fisher and three others were allegedly involved.It also was reported that Vroman owed money to the elder Fisher. Police originally arrested Jason Fisher for the murder, but after nearly a year in jail, he testified that his father was the shooter, securing immunity for himself on the murder charge.

'Justice' on duty

Justice is on duty in Kosciusko County because of a Homeland Security Grant. The newest sheriff's department K9 officer is a Dutch Shepherd from Holland and has a nose for explosives.Justice was introduced to the county commissioners Tuesday. Handler Craig Bale said Justice is friendly to people, but not overly interested in them, like all K9 officers. Justice is trained to detect explosives, track and apprehend suspects, search buildings and articles and protect his handler. Bale trained with Justice at the Allen County Sheriff's Department K9 Training Center for four months, where Justice logged more than 658 training hours.

Milford Studies 2003 Budget Issues

MILFORD - At the second of three scheduled budget workshops, Milford street commissioner Dallas Winchester presented the motor vehicle highway budget to the Milford Town Council Monday. Compared to the 2002 budget, the estimated 2003 budget will increase approximately 2.6 percent.The 2002 budget is $206,310, with the 2003 budget estimated at $211,672. Part of the budget increase is due to a 5 percent wage increase for employees, an increase in employee insurance and Social Security. "I think all the budgets presented so far (have been) realistic," said Charlotte Siegfried, Milford clerk-treasurer. "It looks good to me," said councilman Douglas Ruch. For the cumulative capital development fund, $30,000 was budgeted for 2002.For 2003, Siegfried said, she recommended the council budget $200,000 if they want a new fire truck for the fire department."You don't have to spend it just because you budget it," she said.

Keyser Frustrated With State Budget Process

BOURBON - Council president Bill Keyser expressed frustration at the way he learned of limited funding budgeted to the town from the Build Indiana Fund to repair Center Street. Keyser told the council Tuesday that State Senator Kent Adams recently relayed word of the budget action through a town employee instead of talking directly to him."It drives me nuts to know that the State Legislature finds the restoration of the Billy Sunday Home more important than to provide the citizens of Bourbon funds so that basements don't flood at every rain and the pavements are made fit to drive on. "I'm not unappreciative of the efforts of Adams and Rep.Bill Ruppel but we'd love to have an explanation directly from them.I intend to send a letter to the men requesting that explanation," he said. The Billy Sunday Home in Winona Lake was budgeted for $500,000 for restoration.

County To Deal With $0.6M Shortfall

No matter how much planning and budgeting takes place, sometimes shortfalls still happen. Tuesday, at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting, county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell said the insurance and retirement benefits for the county employees will cost the county more this year than the county anticipated during budgeting last year.Without an additional appropriation, the county will not have the money to pay for the benefits. The insurance shortfall for this year, which will hit about September, will be approximately $300,000.The retirement shortfall will be $200,000 with a possible shortfall in Social Security of $100,000. Mitchell said the county council will be informed of the matter at its 7 p.m.Thursday meeting, and she will ask them for an additional appropriation to cover the shortfall. "We're going to spend it.You have to have the additional appropriation to do it," Mitchell said.

Tippecanoe Watershed Eligible For CSP Monies

INDIANAPOLIS - The U.S.Department of Agriculture has announced a sign-up period for the Conservation Security Program, authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, will be March 28 to May 27 in 220 watersheds covering about 185 million acres in every state and the Caribbean.Administered by the natural Resources Conservation Service, CSP is a voluntary program supporting ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural working lands and enhances the condition of natural resources.The national $202 million budget will allow NRCS to offer an estimated 12,000 to 14,000 contracts to eligible farmers and ranchers. Among this year's 202 nationally selected watersheds, the Tippecanoe, Middle Wabash Deer, Middle Wabash Busseron and Upper Maumee watersheds include portions of Indiana and represent nearly 7,300 farmers.In addition, USDA is offering sign-up opportunity to producers in the 18 CSP pilot watersheds of 2004, including the St.Joseph and Auglaize watersheds in Indiana.

Campaign Survey Yanked By KCOnline

KCOnline has removed a controversial campaign poll from its Internet site. John Webster, President of KCOnline, removed the poll earlier this week, saying he believed it was being abused. The poll allowed those surfing the website to cast votes in two hotly contested campaigns - Kosciusko County's Sheriff's race and the prosecutor's race. Soon after the poll was established a few weeks ago, some candidates quietly complained that it could affect the outcome.Some suggested ballot stuffing by supporters of some candidates began quickly. The sheriff's poll generated the most interest and collected more than 500 votes since it was first posted.KCOnline received two complaints about the poll.One of those complaints was by former Warsaw police officer Wally Knox, a candidate in the Sheriff race.Knox complained to KCOnline when he noticed a jump of 92 votes for one candidate in about one day.

Whitley Council Hears Report On Drinking Fountain

SOUTH WHITLEY - Town council members Glee Eberly and Tony Starkey heard from park board member Jonathan Damon Tuesday who discussed the design of water fountain. The drinking fountain was installed by Delta Theta Psi sorority years ago in memory of longtime member Mary Crahen and was demolished by a runaway truck in October. Damon said the design used to secure a grant from Whitley County Foundation was not "set in concrete." Another design, drawn by Eberly, who is also a sorority member, was presented. Damon told the board local Boy Scout troops were interested in park projects. South Whitley - Cleveland Township Fire Chief Tom Warner advised the board fire department officers are the same as last year.The department now has 25 members. He said more than $20,000 has been raised for the IRIS thermal imaging system. Warner said several firemen participated in a flashover chamber training recently and more plan to attend the seminars.

County Looks To Identify Illegal Dumper

Someone's been dumping junk on county property near Dewart Lake, and the Kosciusko County Health Department is working to find out who. Monday, a spokeswoman for the KCHD said someone has been dumping tires, glass and metal rubbish on the property for some time."It's quite a bit on a small stretch of land," she said. She asked the commissioners if she finds out who the culprit is, if they want her to send a letter to the person to stop the dumping. "They should stop it, yes," said Avis Gunter, commissioner. The commissioners approved a letter to the suspect as soon as the Health Department knows who it is. Also approved was the bid for a new wheel loader for the county highway department to replace a 1974 model.The bid approved was from McDonald Machinery Co.for $142,850, minus a $6,000 allowed trade-in deduction. Rob Ladson, highway department engineer and superintendent, made the recommendation.

Commissioners Introduced To Sheriff's Interns

Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine introduced four interns at the Kosciusko County Commissioner's meeting Tuesday. They are: Kory Fields, a sophomore at Indiana University; Dan Meza, a Warsaw Community High School graduate and now a full-time jailer; Ashley Wyatt, a University of Indianapolis junior who has worked summers for the department the last three years; and Travis Nichols, a senior at Ball State University who will graduate when his internship is complete July 23. Ed Rock said the new security identification cards are about 98 percent complete.He advised the commissioners that a national domestic bioterriorism conference, usually held in Alabama, will be in Kosciusko County in August. Commissioner Ron Truex said he attended part of a recent District II, seven-county exercise and was impressed with the organizing and planning efforts of emergency service agencies.