KCRTL Celebrates Successes
Monday's 2006 Kosciusko County Right to Life Banquet at Warsaw Community Church was a chance for the group to look back on 2006 and ahead to 2007. Mike Williams, last year's speaker, served as emcee for the event.The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus presented the Colors, and Lachelle Conley sang "God Bless America," with an accompanying video by Celia Sinkhorn.The invocation was given by Pastor Mark Eastway. Three Mary Louise Lowe Life Awards were presented for significant contributions to the pro-life movement in Kosciusko County.William Landrigan, president of the board of directors of KCRTL, presented the awards to: Rabb Kinetico Water Systems, as "one of the first to publicly attach a company name to KCRTL, and for their steady support from the very beginning."Don Clemens accepted the award. The second award went to the late Betty Morgan (Chandler Williams and family) for various efforts, including financial support of the Pro-Life Music Festival.
Solid Waste Board Restores Budget Amounts
After considerable cuts to the solid waste management district budget last month, the board restored allocations to several funds Tuesday. In May, board members trimmed $51,000 from projected spending because they believed the district's increased levy would not be approved at the state level.Reassessment rules have kept most taxing entities at 2002 tax rates.This ruling, it turns out, does not apply to the solid waste districts. District financial controller and county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell reminded the board that only 45 percent of projected allocations will be available around July 30. "Because of resubmitting the information, the state says you may collect $162,621.That restores budget amounts cut at the last meeting," Mitchell said.
Part Of Greenway Designated 'National Trail'
The Beyer Farm Trail leg of the Lake City Greenway has been designated a national trail by Secretary of the Interior Gale A.Norton.The short walk by Pike Lake was one of just three trails acknowledged at the federal level this year, the Warsaw city council heard Monday. The designation is an honor given to trails that have been nominated and meet the requirements for connecting people to local resources and improving their quality of life. The short, less than one-mile long, greenway begins at the Kosciusko Community Hospital campus along a boardwalk through a 60-acre urban wetland. While the national trails designation was good news, Todd Samuelson of Umbaugh and Associates spread a little bad news. Samuelson presented council members with a 2003 financial report on the sewage works expenditures.He also anticipated revenues for the next five years and came up with a negative cash flow.
KDI Studies Audit Results
Kosciusko Development Inc.executive board members went over the books with CPA Dana Krull Wednesday, reviewing the results of his audit for 2000 and 2001. Statements of KDI's financial position show a balance of $72,684.39 for Dec.31, 2000, and $70,537.08 for Dec.31, 2001. In her report, director Joy McCarthy-Sessing said she attended a groundbreaking in Boggs Industrial Park recently for Barker Keepsakes, which is building a records storage facility. She also said Whimet Inc., which purchased the North Detroit Street Sun Metal facility, received tax abatements from Warsaw recently.The company also is paying for infrastructure to bring water to the building for fire protection. McCarthy-Sessing said although there is some money in the state's Industrial Development Grant fund for such projects, approval usually takes three months or more. She said the Indiana Economic Development Association's summer meeting held at the chamber June 21 and 22 was a success.
Milford Starts Bonding Process For New Wastewater Treatment Plant
MILFORD - With hopes of beginning the project as early as possible, the Milford Town Council began the bonding process Monday for the new wastewater treatment plant. Jerimi J.Ullom, of Barnes & Thornburg, presented the town council with two ordinances. The first ordinance restates the prior bond ordinance that was approved in June 2003.Since then, the scope of the project has changed, including the year of the bonding and the cost.It also sets a maximum parameter cost of $2.6 million for all costs. A public notice will be made of the town seeking bonds so financial corporations can bid on them. Ullom said they wanted the council to approve the bond ordinance Monday so the 20-day waiting period is over as soon as possible. Town attorney Jay Rigdon said of the cost that it's always easier to borrow more than the predicted cost will be than to go back and try to borrow more later. The first ordinance was approved.
Leesburg Hears Sewer Project Update
LEESBURG - The Leesburg Town Council discussed the sewer project further at its Monday meeting. Joseph Tierney, GRW Engineers Inc., provided a report on recent activities on the sewer project.Pump station sites have been cleared.Two quotes were received to look for artifacts on both sides of Ind.15 -Êone for $2,900 and one at $3,800.The board agreed to accept the quote for $2,900 from Archaeological Consults of the Midwest Inc. GRW is in the process of working on design plans, which will involve two people locating all wells and septic tanks and staking out grinder pump locations.These activities have not yet been scheduled, but notification to residents will be sent out before the work is started. Other future activities will involve working on a brochure of frequently asked questions and responses to provide consistent information when people inquire about the sewer project.Tierney said the big thing is to firm up locations.
Whitko Teacher Defies The Odds
NORTH WEBSTER - Defying all odds, David Jessie is back to work as a special education teacher with the Whitko Community School Corp.less than six months after being "skinned like a deer." Those are the words Jessie uses to describe what doctors did to save his life after he was infected with a rare form of gangrene.The flesh-eating infection presented itself a day after Jessie underwent a common orthoscopic knee surgery Sept.12. Jessie's wife, Charlotte, took him to Goshen General Hospital, but his leg - from his toes to halfway up his back - had already turned black because of the infection.He was transferred to a Fort Wayne hospital, where doctors began removing his skin to stop the spread of the infection.Mrs.Jessie was at first told her husband would either lose his leg or die.He did neither, but he and his family have suffered emotionally and financially.
Zimmer Move Keeps Officials On Their Toes
Recently announced layoffs by one of the area's largest employers could serve as a warning that Kosciusko County should not become complacent about low unemployment, the head of the chamber of commerce said Tuesday. Charlie Sparks, president of the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce, said of Zimmer's announcement last week to move approximately 200 jobs to Puerto Rico for financial reasons: "The restructuring that they're going through is a good example of why this community can't afford to rest on its laurels and expect the future to take care of itself." Kosciusko County needs to work on encouraging economic development and on being attractive to new industry, Sparks said. Other communities in Indiana are quite serious about attracting new industry and business to their areas, and the effort has become extremely competitive, he said.
Speculation swirls over possible sale of Warsaw implant maker
According to a number of independent news sources, Warsaw's Biomet Inc.has retained investment bank Morgan Stanley to help weigh a possible sale of the company. Local Biomet officials would not comment or confirm any association with Morgan Stanley.The news of Biomet's relationship with Morgan Stanley was first reported by David Faber on CNBC. Interim Biomet Chief Executive Officer Daniel P.Hann, interviewed by Bloomberg News, declined to comment on the CNBC report."We do not comment on market rumor or comment on what outside vendors we may be working with," he said, adding that Biomet is "focused on managing the company through this transition." Speculation about the possible sale of Biomet surfaced shortly after Dane Miller resigned early last week.Sources cited Miller's abrupt resignation, disappointing financial results over the last several quarters and the selection of Hann, an inside lawyer for the firm, as interim CEO.
County Looks At Unified EMS Proposal
Kosciusko County officials have agreed to study problems facing local EMS providers. The move came after a recommendation by Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce urging the county to establish a commission to study a variety of problems plaguing emergency medical services. Of the eight EMS services in Kosciusko County, only two - Multi-Township EMS and North Webster EMS - are staffed 24 hours a day and have paramedics.The others, including Syracuse, which operates out of its fire department, rely on volunteers. The chamber has been studying concerns voiced by EMS providers for two years.Its recommendation came from the governmental issues committee headed by Michael Gavin and Jean Northenor. Among the problems highlighted in the chamber report: • A lack of paramedics and a disparity of services available throughout the county. • A lack of cooperation and duplication of services between the EMS services. • Financial constraints.
Wawasee's Metcalf Honored
SYRACUSE - Wawasee School Board began their November meeting with a color guard presentation by the local Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Syracuse Projects Moving Forward
SYRACUSE - Syracuse Town Council heard Tuesday that two of the town's projects are moving forward.
Remember When 2.10.2009
10 Years Ago February 10 1999 The Biomet racecar that competed in Sunday's FIRSTPLUS Financial ARCA 200 race in Daytona, Fla., finished 10th. The car is owned by Mary Louise Miller, Warsaw, and is sponsored by Biomet and its subsidiaries. The team manager is Ed Mullen, the crew chief is Scott Eldridge and the engine builder is Jim Mikel. Jimmy Kitchens of Hueytown, Ala., drove the car. 25 Years Ago February 10 1984 The "Explorer Vans" team of Don Clemens, Paul Pozorski, George Clemens, Gary Kiser and DeWayne Wood bowled a 3,044 series in the County East League recently at Warsaw's Holiday Lanes. This is the highest service score this year at Holiday Lanes. 50 Years Ago February 10 1959 Mrs. Joe Watkins, Mrs. Lillian Chapkowski, Mrs. Kenneth Busselberg and Mrs. John Kinsey, members of the Warsaw American Legion Auxiliary quartet, will sing at the Marion VA hospital Sunday. Mrs. Robert Kline will be their accompanist. 75 Years Ago February 10 1934 Roger Sanders and George Ward of Warsaw, both whom were enrolled in Hanover College, Jan. 29, have been pledged to Phi Gamma Delta, a national social fraternity on the campus. Both are first-year students and are working toward A.B. degrees. Ward is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Ward, East Center Street, and Sanders is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin C. Sanders, South High Street.
Hobbs Resigns As Milford Town Marshall
MILFORD - Milford Town Marshall Dave Hobbs' resignation was one of the issues discussed by the Milford Town Council Monday night.
Remember When July 28
10 Years Ago July 28 1993 Julie L.Lanoue, Winona Lake, will reign over this year's Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair.She is the daughter of Gary and Donna Lanoue. Named first runner-up in the pageant is Jenna S.deSomer, daughter of James and Ann Cavendar, Syracuse, and Jerry deSomer, Australia. 25 Years Ago July 28 1978 Eleven members of the Winona Miner 49'ers 4-H Club responded to roll call by naming a favorite sport at the June meeting, held at the home of Cindy and Diana Hern.Shauna Luce and Amy Gsell led in repeating the pledges to the American and the 4-H flags. In recognition of her 4-H leadership of 25 years, the club presented Mrs.Elnora Cox with a pin.
Warsaw Schools Talks All-Year School, Budgets, Technology
Warsaw Community High School is in it's second year of a three-year grant generated from PATINS, aimed at finding a "universal design" for learning.
Remember When 9.15.07
10 Years Ago September 15 1997 POTPOURRI - Mr. Toothpick - Terry L. Woodling, the Warsaw man known by some as Mr. Toothpick for his knack of toothpick sculptures, will have some of his work on display today at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. Woodling has constructed jets, trains, cycles and even a helicopter out of thousands of toothpicks. His next project is a life-size stagecoach. 25 Years Ago September 15 1982 The Kosciusko County chapter of the American Red Cross received an award of excellence in Indianapolis at the Indiana Division Council meeting of the Red. Cross. Dr. Norman Uphouse received the award on behalf of the Kosciusko County chapter for its raising of 100 percent of financial requirement for the centennial year 1982. 50 Years Ago September 15 1957 Today two Warsaw men, Samuel E. Cormany, Route 4, and Richard S. Jordan, Route 5, will report to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to begin six months' active duty training. Both youths are members of Battery A, 393rd field artillery battalion, headquartered in Warsaw. 75 Years Ago September 15 1932 Frances Nusbaum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph O. Nusbaum, has been pledged to the Kappa Kappa Gama sorority at Butler University, Indianapolis, where she recently enrolled as a student. Nusbaum is also taking a course at the John Herron Art Institute of Indianapolis.
Remember When 8.13.07
10 Years Ago August 13 1997 Warsaw resident Willy Long won the Junior Dragster division at the Bunker Hill Dragstrip. With the victory, Long holds the overall point standings lead in the Junior Dragster division with 333 points. 25 Years Ago August 13 1982 At their 28th annual meeting, held at Pheasant Run, St. Charles, Ill., the Flying Physicians Association presented its Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Wymond B. Wilson, Mentone. The award was made in recognition of Dr. Wilson's continued and significant contribution to the organization's aims and objectives, particularly in the area of sound financial management. 50 Years Ago August 13 1957 Winners of two of the top 4-H awards at the Kosciusko County Fair have been selected. A champion heavyweight cross-breed shown by Betty Leedy of Warsaw was named the Grand Champion Barrow, and Karen Latimer of Beaver Dam showed the Fat Lamb Champion for the second consecutive year. 75 Years Ago August 13 1932 Don Irvin, 22, Warsaw young man who specializes in the spectacular sport of parachute jumping from balloons and airplanes, signed a contract to appear at the Missouri State Fair at Sedalia, Aug. 22 to 29, inclusive, making several jumps daily. Irvin contracted to jump twice daily, both jumps to be a double parachute leap from a balloon. Irvin used to make leaps from planes at the Zimmer airport west of Warsaw.
