World/Nation Briefs
Biden to meet Wednesday with gun-safety, victims groups as deadline for proposals loomsWASHINGTON (AP) — Seeking to spur fresh action on gun legislation, Vice President Joe Biden is meeting at the White House with victims groups and gun-safety organizations.
Trojans Want More
BOURBON - For Kevin O'Rourke, it gets a bit easier from here. As he begins his second year as head coach of the Triton Trojans, O'Rourke can begin to get a sense of his team and his team can begin to get a sense of him. "It's easier for the kids," O'Rourke said."They know what to expect and they know what's important and what's stressed." Last year's team finished the season strong after beginning 1-5. "We do not want to start where we started last year," said O'Rourke."We do not want to have to take a step backwards." The Trojans ended the season 11-11 with a loss to Warsaw in the sectional semifinals.But this is not the same team as last year, not by a long shot. Although it returns three starters, it lost the floor general point guard (Quentin Blackford) and the leading scorer inside (Garrett Howell).It no longer has that go-to guy down the stretch, but it does have intelligence.
Lancers Upset No. 16 Cornerstone
WINONA LAKE - The Grace College men's basketball team overcame a 12-point second half deficit and outscored Cornerstone 12-2 in overtime to defeat the No.16 team in the country 83-73 Saturday at the Warsaw Optimist KCCCF Classic Saturday afternoon. The victory avenges a five-point loss to Cornerstone earlier in the year and snaps a five-game losing streak to the Golden Eagles, dating back to a 97-65 win over Grand Rapids Baptist (before an institutional name change) during the 1991-92 season. Cornerstone capped off an eight-point run midway through the second half with a thunderous John Jonker dunk to put the Golden Eagles ahead 58-46 with 9:50 to play in the game.But Jonker got called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim and, what could have become a nail in the Lancers' coffin, became new life.
Warsaw Spikers Suffer Rare NLC Loss
It happens so rarely that sometimes the answers are hard to come by. But it isn't hard to figure out why the Plymouth Pilgrims handed Warsaw's volleyball program just its second Northern Lakes Conference loss in the past eight years, and both at the Tiger Den no less. Defense.Defense.Defense. The scrappy Pilgrims handled everything the big hitters from Warsaw would throw at them and rarely let a ball fall to the court untouched.This tenacious and frustrating defense helped the Pilgrims rally for a 7-15, 16-14, 15-8 win, dropping the Tigers to 2-1 in the NLC.
Panthers Reach The State Finals
MERRILLVILLE - And then there were 10. The NorthWood Panthers are now members of an elite group of players who have advanced to the state football finals after defeating Andrean 14-12 Friday. The Panthers, who went into the playoffs with a 6-3 record, traveled to Andrean High School to play the 59ers in the semistate game and stepped on the field with high hopes. "This is the toughest game of the year," said NorthWood assistant coach Jim Snider."Semistate is the game where you're sad there has to be a loser." After the first quarter of the game, the score remained 0-0, but with 1:14 left in the second quarter, Aaron Huber ran for a 21-yard gain to move the ball to the 59er 4-yard line. Huber then caught a 4-yard pass from Charlie Roeder to score the first touchdown of the game to put NorthWood up 7-0.
Warrior Swimmers Set For State
SYRACUSE - In swimming, it isn't where we start that matters, only where you finish.That holds true for seeds as well as season records. The Wawasee boys' swim team is a perfect example of that.Not much was expected of this Warrior squad.The Warriors were looking to rebuild after losing nine seniors from a team that went only 8-6 last year. But behind a trio of talented seniors and underclassmen that have stepped up at the right time, Wawasee went through one its best seasons in school history and along the way, racked up an unblemished 12-0 dual season and Northern Lakes Conference and Wawasee Sectional championships. "There were a lot of question marks at the beginning of the year," Wawasee coach Roger Karns said."We had some young guys from last year, and we thought we could be a good team." That may be an understatement for this team.
Northfield Stops Triton Steamroller
BOURBON - The expectations were high, maybe too high. The fans came out in droves to see their new-look Triton Trojans.This was the Triton football team with the winning record.Maybe the players, fans and coaches looked past Northfield and Culver Community to a date with Bremen.After all, Triton defeated Culver last year and only lost to Northfield in overtime. But the expectations came crashing down Friday night in Bourbon.After taking an early 6-0 lead over Northfield, the Triton offense came to a screeching halt and the Norsemen had just enough offense to win 9-6. Although it won't destroy this team, maybe it will remind everyone that this Triton program is still taking baby steps toward respectability in the Northern State Conference.
Syracuse Approves Sewer Ordinance
SYRACUSE - Although it currently affects only one industry, a sewer use ordinance was approved by the Syracuse Town Council Tuesday.The ordinance has to be reviewed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The ordinance would require any industry in Syracuse to seek a permit for use of the city's sewer.The permit especially applies to those who are significant users. Lora Gartner, technical services provider for Severn Trent Environmental Services, Chicago, said criteria is spelled out in the ordinance as to the definition of a significant user. Public Works Superintendent Tom Miller said the ordinance was "an effort to protect the community and establish a sewer base." The last sewer ordinance was adopted by Syracuse in 1975.Gartner said since that time laws have changed locally.The new ordinance would bring the city up to date and protect the town.Syracuse was not mandated to approve the petition, she said.
Inmate reflects on life in trouble
MUNCIE - His steps are short, very short.When he walks, his feet move in abbreviated, predetermined succession - limited by the span of the steel shackles encircling his ankles. Hands remain handcuffed and at the front, serving as a centerpiece to the bright orange jail uniform that covers much of his 20-year-old frame. Sean has four years of an 8-year prison sentence to reflect on the life and tough breaks that contributed to his downfall - and the lessons learned that he hopes will aid in his eventual comeback. "I've been in trouble since I was 11 years old, even before that," said the Warsaw native. "A lot of people of the younger generation used to look up to me because of my friends, but most of my friends were pimps and drug dealers, so I know now I wasn't the best example." Sean was a veteran of the probation system long before he wore the title of teen-ager.In retrospect, he says today his conscience finally became his best guide.
Zoners Hang Conditions On Landfill Plan Approval
Neighbors of the Kosciusko County Landfill crowded the Munson Building Tuesday for the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals. They were at the meeting to remonstrate against the landfill's petition for an exception to expand the sanitary landfill in an agricultural district.The property is on the east side of Packerton Road and zero feet north of CR 800S in Monroe Township. The landfill's petition was approved unanimously with the following condtions: it must have buffering, have all the necessary permits, get approval from the Kosciusko County Health Department, must meet Kosciusko County Drainage Board and highway department requirements, must deal with the drain and water table, and hours are limited to 6 a.m.to 4 p.m.
WCS Takes Steps Required For Building Program
Legal steps required for Warsaw Community Schools' building program got under way Monday when the Warsaw school board gave the superintendent permission to hold a preliminary financing hearing at the November school board meeting. Called a "1028 hearing," the public meeting is required by the state.However, the administration has made some changes to the building and renovation projects approved last spring, and those changes will be discussed at the 1028 hearing as well. The approval to hold the 1028 hearing at the Nov.18 meeting followed the board's approval of WCS finance manager Rande Thorpe's request for a preliminary bond resolution.Thorpe requested a bond for $5.87 million.
Arthur's Fresh Market A Step Closer To Opening In Syracuse
SYRACUSE - Arthur's Fresh Market, a new fresh produce market concept by Marsh Supermarkets, is another step closer to coming to Syracuse after Thursday's Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. The board approved Marsh's petitions for an exception to allow multiple uses in a commercial district and the petition for a variance to allow 104 parking spaces where ordinance requires 192 spaces.The property is on the west side of Huntington Street and zero feet south of Pickwick Drive. According to Matt Sandy, Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission assistant planner, the new store will be on three lots - the old hotel, the old laundromat and a grassy lot, all of which will be razed.The town of Syracuse sent a letter supporting the petitions as did the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce.
Garden Walk Planned At Nappanee
The Nappanee Home and Garden Clubs second flower walk is Saturday featuring six unique gardens to explore and enjoy. Cost for the event is $5.Children under 12 years old are free. The walk starts at the Depot Plaza on South Main Street.Tickets and maps of the gardens are available there.The gardens are open from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. "Private Pleasures" Kim and Dave Jensen 308 N.Madison St.
KYLA Graduates Hear About Leadership In A Fast-Paced World
Graduation came a year early for 23 local high school juniors - not from high school, but from the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy. KYLA is an evolving organization that began with the purpose of developing leadership skills in the youth of the community. As part of KYLA each student worked on a project and then gave a presentation April 4 on their volunteer work.Students worked with Heartline Pregnancy Center, Big Buddy, Elementary Library, Lakeland Youth Center, Our Father's House, Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services, First Steps and Teen Courts. At the graduation dinner Wednesday, Steve Holbrook, customer service supervisor at R.R.Donnelley & Sons, was guest speaker. He said as he prepared for his speech, he saw the KYLA advertisement in the Times-Union. "I couldn't help think, 'What if my kids were in that.I would be very proud of them,'" he said. His speech, "Leadership Skills for the 21st Century," detailed how fast the world is changing.
Triton Blocks Rebels From Sectional Title
KENTLAND - A game of big plays ended with the last big one going Triton's way.
Whitko Too Much For Squires
SOUTH WHITLEY - Senior night festivities and the chance to get another step closer to a share of the Three Rivers Conference championship was all the motivation Whitko's varsity boys basketball team needed Thursday night.
Triton Regional Features Three Ranked Teams
BOURBON - All of Class 1A will be watching the Triton Regional Saturday.
Tippecanoe Valley Regains Focus To Take Down Rochester
AKRON — The Tippecanoe Valley baseball team bounced back from a blowout loss Wednesday by getting a big win over a rival Thursday.
