Wawasee Budget Advertised High, Will Be Reduced

SYRACUSE - Taxpayers in the Wawasee School District shouldn't be alarmed by a big advertised increase in the school's Capital Projects Fund. That was the message at Tuesday evening's budget work session. Director of Finance Jim Evans told board members that this year's budget process has been complicated by several factors, including the state's financial picture, budget shortfalls and uncertainties concerning assessed valuation. For those reasons, Wawasee is advertising a CPF of $3,804,180 for 2003.By contrast, the 2002 levy for capital projects was $1,643,271. Evans emphasized that $3.8 million will not be collected. He explained that every year during the budget process, the school advertises rates higher than they anticipate collecting.Once a rate is advertised, by law it can't be raised.It can be - and virtually always is - lowered.

LifeMed Gets Needed Funds

WABASH - Despite a bleak financial forecast and empty pockets, Wabash County Council Monday approved, 5 to 1, an "accelerated" pay schedule subsidizing LifeMed. LifeMed is the emergency medical service covering northern Wabash County.The council approved $4,000 per month, but even the accelerated money will not support the ambulance service, said LifeMed president Christopher Brown. For the first four months of this year, the council paid LifeMed $6,400 monthly.With the acceleration, they will pay $10,625 starting May 2. "I don't know what we're going to do in October," said council president Gary Nose.With the accelerated schedule, the appropriated funds should be depleted by September, according to council members' arithmetic. "That won't do it," said Brown."The $4,000 will not help." The council is intending to pay $50,000 above the $77,500 currently appropriated, "if it's there," said council member Ted Little. "That's too many ifs," said Brown.

'New Beginning' For Child Care In Milford

MILFORD -ÊNew beginnings for a nonprofit organization may create a need for financial assistance. New Beginnings Child Care, Milford, is offering room sponsorships to help fund the remaining equipment needed for their new facilities.Needed equipment includes everything from playground equipment, books, toys, computers and other equipment to help furnish the interior. "We're setting up a new shop, basically," said New Beginnings president Mark Baumgartner. Each room in the center is up for sponsorship for a designated price.Sponsorships range from $250 to $2,000.Several rooms have already been purchased.Companies who have sponsored rooms include R.R.Donnelley & Sons, Phend & Brown and R.P.Murphy. Sponsors will have their club, business, organization or individual name on a wall plaque at the facility.Rooms are limited and contributions are tax deductible. Those interested in sponsoring a room can contact New Beginnings director Amy Marra at 658-9440.

Whitko Hires Superintendent

PIERCETON - Whitko Community School Corp.Board of Trustees unanimously approved Jeffrey A.Hendrix as its new superintendent Monday. Hendrix will assume his duties July 1.Current Superintendent Dr.William Worl is retiring effective June 30. Hendrix has served as the superintendent assistant at Alexandria Community School Corp.since July 2000.Previously, he was the assistant principal at The School Town of Highland, Highland High School, from July 1997 to June 2000; English teacher/coach at Clark-Pleasant School Corp., Whiteland Community High School, August 1987 to June 1997; teacher of emotionally handicapped/coach at Kokomo-Center School Corp., Bon Air Middle School, 1985 to 1986; and United States history teacher/coach at North Miami School Corp., North Miami High School, from 1984 to 1985.

Ivy Tech Feeling The Pinch Of Growing Pains

Whether or not there's a deadline depends on who you talk to, but everyone does agree on one fact - Ivy Tech's days at Lakeview Middle School are numbered. Joann Walgamuth, dean of Ivy Tech's Warsaw campus, believes the college has until its lease is up - in June 2002 - to find a new home.Dr.Lee Harman, superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, says there's no hurry.Dr.Steve Grill, former Ivy Tech dean, says it was always understood that the Lakeview site was temporary. Whatever the reason, moving out of Lakeview is an inevitability that Ivy Tech must face.To muster community support for the move, and to help find a suitable facility, Walgamuth and Dr.Virginia Calvin, regional Ivy Tech chancellor, met last week with business and community leaders to discuss the situation. Adding to the problem, Walgamuth said, is the fact that no financial help will come from the state until at least 2003.

Whitko Delays Decision On School Nurse

PIERCETON -ÊEmotions ran high at the Whitko School Board meeting Monday in Pierceton. Former and current teachers, staff and parents crowded the Whitko administration building to show their support for school nurse Sharon Lee, who was recommended for termination.

Winona Discusses Billy Sunday Visitors' Center, Museum

WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday heard the Billy Sunday Visitors' Center and Museum may close due to deficits.

Winter Heating Assistance Available

Cold evening temperatures in recent weeks have been a chilly reminder that winter is on the way, and with it higher heating bills than last year, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Medtronic To Acquire Kyphon For $3.9 Billion

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) and Kyphon (NASDAQ: KYPH) Friday announced the companies have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Medtronic will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Kyphon for $71 per share in cash.

Red Cross Recognizes 2006 Volunteers

The Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross held their annual meeting and banquet Thursday to recognize volunteers in 2006.

CITY OF NAPPANEE - US 6 WATER MAIN RELOCATION - BIDS

Police Testify At Hearing In Maddox Murder Case

SCOTT COUNTY, Minn. - Prior Lake police officers spent Thursday in Scott County District Court answering questions from defense attorneys, who challenged the grounds for a search warrant in the investigation of the death of Ruth Anne Maddox, a Southwest Newspapers reporter who was found dead in her Prior Lake home in November.

Thomasson - Why is Romney's Wealth an Issue? (Hint: It's Not, but How He Got It Is)

Since when has personal wealth become a disqualifier for the presidency? Had that been the case, there would have been no Roosevelts or Bushes in the White House. Jack Kennedy, William Howard Taft and Herbert Hoover – and, for that matter, George Washington – would have been precluded from holding the office.

Warsaw School Board Holds Off On Scout Rental Fee Request

Dressed in their Boy Scout uniforms, leaders of Pack 3729 asked the Warsaw School Board Monday night for reconsideration of the fees they pay to use the Leesburg Elementary gym.

'Covered with Love' Serves Kids from Meth-contaminated Homes

NORTH WEBSTER – A ministry has been established at North Webster Church of God to reach out to children and teens who lived in homes where meth was found.

S. Parker - Cleverer Ways to Force Purchase of Insurance

It is encouraging news that the Supreme Court has decided to consider the constitutionality of key provisions of Obamacare – the Affordable Care Act.

Warsaw School Board Discusses Special Education

Special education improvement and  building remodeling updates were the main topics of conversation at the Warsaw School Board of Trustees work  session Tuesday.

Habitat Breaks Ground On Two New Homes

A sign at the intersection of Godman and South Columbia streets warns of a dead end, but for two Warsaw families, the nearby property represents a new life.

NOTICE OF SUIT - MF-000127 - MAPLES

Warsaw School Board Approves Staff Stipend

Support and special services staff at Warsaw Community Schools will receive a one-time bump in pay of up to $500.