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.

Warsaw Code Hearing Officer Takes No More Excuses

Warsaw property owners who have been cited for building code or zoning violations, take notice - Larry Clifford, the city's hearing officer, is sending one strong message. "No more excuses!" Clifford delivered that message Monday to Cathy Hutchinson, 421 W.Fort Wayne St.Hutchinson and her husband, Tom, were fined $1,000 in May for violating the city's building codes for having old appliances, building materials, junked cars and other rubbish strewn throughout their yard. Clifford imposed a second $1,000 fine if the yard is not cleaned up by July 6.

Mentone Eyes Sewer Grant

MENTONE - Mentone Town Council Monday discussed a grant that will be used to help defray the cost of repairing the town's wastewater treatment facilities.

Retort Part II

Editor, Times-Union:In regards to Yemen, the author states "To 're-emerge' there must be withdrawal.

Commitment Is The Key To Student Success

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” – Vince Lombardi

Obama's Fault

Editor, Times-Union: Here we have the big fight over the debit ceiling limit. Who do you think is going to get to ride over the barrel again? Why you and I, that’s who.

Tippecanoe Valley Registration Announced

AKRON – The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation announced its 2014-15 registration dates and times for students attending any Tippecanoe Valley school – Akron and Mentone Elementary Schools, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School or High School.

NOTICE OF SHERIFF SALE - MF-00265 - HALL

Lady Lancers Earn World Series Berth

OAKLAND CITY – Grace College’s softball team capped off its best season in nearly two decades by securing a trip to the 2014 NCCAA World Series.

Remember When 2.27.2014

10 Years AgoTimes-Union 2003-2004 All-Area Team includes: Jaclyn Leininger, Warsaw; Rebekah Parker, Tippecanoe Valley; Michelle DeGeeter, Warsaw; Kara Kramer, Tippecanoe Valley...

Milford May Offer $10K Toward School Officer

MILFORD – Town Council President Doug Ruch began introducing an agreement with Milford School Monday to fund a school resource officer.

City Council Reviews Agreement for School Resource Officers

Warsaw City Council Monday reviewed an agreement between the city and Warsaw Community Schools for the city to assign four school resource officers to WCS.

James D. Spiegel

PLYMOUTH - James D. Spiegel, 77, of 14617 Lincoln Highway, Plymouth, died at 3:22 a.m. Jan. 8, 2011, in his residence.

Evil Republicans

Editor, Times-Union:Throughout history the middle class has been the driving force behind social change.