Milford Council OK's $5,000 For Truck

Milford - For nearly a year, supporters of the rescue truck argued their point, rallied the community behind it and then settled on small-time fund-raisers to cover the $30,000 needed to assemble it when council refused to provide any money. But on Monday, after a groundswell of growing community support, a small request for $5,000 needed to complete the work was quietly approved. There were no large crowds, no emphatic speeches and no boiling tempers. Just a simple unanimous vote. Volunteer fire chief Ned Hunsberger told town council that the truck will likely be road ready by Jan.1, but about $5,000 more is needed for accessories to construct the pump.The chassis has been painted, but no more work can be done on the project until the pump is installed, Hunsberger said. "It seems to me the community has demonstrated a great deal of support for the truck," Hunsberger said in making the request.

City, Housing Authority Enter Agreement On Inspections

The Warsaw Housing Authority board approved an agreement with the city of Warsaw that will bring the city inspector to full time. Once approved by the Board of Public Works and Safety the plan will contract Pamela N.Kennedy to work full time for the city while also inspecting for WHA. Kennedy, previously part time with the city and the WHA, will do WHA Housing Quality Standards Inspections and the Housing Authority's Section 8 Rental Assistance Program inspections. The WHA will pay $3,700 per year to the city for Kennedy's inspection services.The sum is based on the total spent this year on inspections. According to Vicki Provine, WHA executive director, the yearly cost works out to about $16 per initial inspection and $6 for secondary inspections. Kennedy previously worked part time for the WHA and Warsaw.She will be full time with the city and continue to do inspections for WHA. Provine is pleased with Kennedy's work for the housing authority.

Waste District Hires Educator

Eric Sanson was introduced as the latest solid waste district educator and office assistant Tuesday during the the Kosciusko County Solid Waste District board meeting. Sanson graduated from Indiana University with an elementary education degree, according to district director Sue Studebaker.He will present recycling programs at area schools and for visiting groups. Studebaker said the household hazardous waste collection has been going well.More than 300 gallons of paint have been collected and are free to the public. She said they would no longer take motor oil, however, as the equipment to store it is too expensive.She mentioned that TSC, Monteith Tire, Jiffy Lube and the Pit Stop take oil for free. In other business, the board: • Approved a transfer of funds to pay expenses for the HHW program. • Heard Studebaker and Sanson will attend a state-sponsored HHW training session Dec.4, 5 and 6.They will then be certified to handle the materials.

Winona Lake Approves Request To Purchase Fire Department Vehicle

WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday approved the Winona Lake Fire Department purchasing a vehicle to transport fire equipment.

Winona Lake Approves Request To Purchase Fire Department Vehicle

WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday approved the Winona Lake Fire Department purchasing a vehicle to transport fire equipment.

'Odd Fridays' Outreach For Young Adults To Host First Event Friday At Baker Youth

It can be difficult for young adults graduating from high school or college to connect with others their age in a healthy environment.

NOTICE OF SHERIFF SALE - LEES - MF-001044

NOTICE OF SHERIFF SALE - MAKINSON - MF-01170

Library Reports On 1998 Activities

The Warsaw Community Public Library board of trustees started 1999 with a look back at 1998. Business manager Renee Sweeney reported the final payment of $11,223 for the library renovation has been made to the project's management firm, InterDesign Group of Indianapolis.With the final payment for the new library, there were unexpended funds remaining in the library bond fund. "As you can see from the report, we have a remaining balance of $5,100 in the bond fund," she said. She said that amount would be rolled over into the building fund for this year.

WHA Approves Loan For Home Repair

Members of the Warsaw Housing Authority voted Monday to approve a $10,000 loan as part of their owner-occupied rehabilitation program. The loan request for the program would pay for a new roof, furnace and electrical work in a house that was cited by the city of Warsaw.The work, financed by WHA, would bring the house up to the city code. The loan board passed the request on the condition that if the necessary repairs cost more than the approved $10,000, executive director of WHA Catharine Walker would bring the case back to the board. Walker also gave the board updates on two other properties currently in reconstruction as part of the OOR program. One property suffered a collapsed well while contractors were fixing the house.Given the medical condition of the property owner, the Indiana Housing Finance Authority approved WHA to fix the well for an addition to the loan.

Manchester Schools Proposes Hike In '03 Tax Rates

NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester Community Schools proposed increases in school tax rates, acting superintendent Kim Thurston said Tuesday at the Manchester school board meeting. The increase could be 7 cents to 15 cents above last year's rates. The 2003 budget adoption will be at 7 p.m.Sept.17 at the Maple Park Educational Center. The school corporation will not know what the assessed valuation will be until next year, Thurston said. "The uncertainty surrounding reassessment leaves many questions unanswered," he said."These are issues facing public schools across the state of Indiana, not just Manchester Community Schools." Since 1999, MCS' total tax rate has declined 89 cents.A tax increase of 69 cents over the 2002 rate would be less than the 1999 rate, Thurston said. In another matter, the board unanimously voted to "unfreeze" the food service department employees' wages and to pay the premium for a health insurance plan.

Snipes Runs For County Recorder

Former County Treasurer Judy Snipes is running for a different public office, that of county recorder. Snipes worked for county government since 1979, beginning in the clerk's office when Jean Messmore was clerk.She was treasurer from 1989 to 1996, working in the treasurer's office two years prior to being elected to office. Since 1997 she has been employed in the auditor's office. She will face fellow Republican Deb Wulliman in the May 2 primary election. "I love being around people," the 59-year-old said."I love helping people, making their day better." If elected, she said she would improve the recorder's office without spending too much money.Being professional and courteous are paramount characteristics to her.

Gift Of Warmth Helped 873 Local Households

Nearly six months ago, Combined Community Services officials worried the anticipated increases in heating costs would put a large burden on the Gift of Warmth program. But after experiencing a fairly mild winter, the organization, in cooperation with the Northern Indiana Public Service Co., helped to assist 873 county households with utility expenses. "We've done what we can for the winter," CCS Director of Client Assistance Peggi Lisenbee-Wright said."But this is an ongoing effort.The need is never over." With the Gift of Warmth program coming to its yearly end Thursday, Lisenbee-Wright and Executive Director Laura Cooper will focus their attention on how individuals will be helped in the future. The program offers one-time assistance to low-income residents of up to $450 for gas utility bills.With regulations, a customer can qualify for the assistance once during a 12-month rolling period.

Winona Looks At 5-Year Master Plan

WINONA LAKE - The needs are extension of sanitary sewer service to South Town Estates and rerouting of traffic around the Park Avenue-Argonne Road-Winona Avenue intersection. The object is a five-year master plan to help meet those needs.Tuesday, the Winona Lake Plan Commission started the process of developing that document. In addressing both needs, the commission is looking at construction of a road between Boys City Drive and Roy Street and will use the right of way for both the road and the sanitary sewer line.The preliminary discussions also include widening CR 250 between Packerton Road and the Conrail railroad line.

Works Board Wraps up Concert Contracts

Summer entertainment contracts were awarded Friday by the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety, allowing the Parks Department three agreements for services related to Central Park's concert series. The BOW approved a $1,000 agreement with Flo and Eddie, of the Turtles, for a hotel and transportation buyout of a previous agreement with Ramada Plaza Hotel.The two musicians will now travel from Chicago the day of the concert, June 16, instead of originally being housed in Warsaw. Also approved was a $350 contract with John Finken, of Chrome Entertainment, for sound support for a June 23 concert, as well as a $2,185 contract with Stage Pro for musical equipment at the Classic Rock Concert. In Warsaw Police Department matters, a $1,500, year-long lease agreement for a motorcycle was approved, allowing the WPD use of the vehicle for patrolling purposes and events such as parades.

Murder-Suicide In Kimmel, Victim Has Local Ties

KIMMELL - Ronnie Slone, 33, Kimmell, allegedly killed his wife Margaret Slone, 37, with a single gunshot wound Wednesday, according to a Noble County Sheriff's Department press release, before setting their garage on fire and shooting himself in an apparent murder-suicide. Margaret Slone is the daughter of Chuck Hammack, Leesburg, and Jane Hammack, Ligonier. On Thursday, a Noble County Sheriff's Department Deputy alerted fire officals to a fire at the Slone residence in a detached garaged.Investigation into the fire revealed that Ronnie Slone was alive but unconscious in the bedroom of the couple's residence, lying next to his deceased wife.According to the sheriff's department press release, Ronnie Slone was transported to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he was pronounced dead at 12:49 a.m.Friday from the self-infliced gunshot wound. Investigators have determined the garage fire was intentionally set using gasoline, according to an Associated Press story.

Schmucker Seeks Re-Election As Tippy Township Trustee

Alyssa Schmucker, North Webster, is seeking re-election of her position as the Tippecanoe Township Trustee. Her first term will come to a close this year.While in office, she assisted in such accomplishments as the township purchase of a Little League baseball field now used by the North Webster Youth League.A grant from the International Palace of Sports was received to assist the township with the purchase. The Kosciusko County 21st Foundation also approved a grant request from the Little League to construct playground equipment on the park area of the property. Schmucker currently serves as both the township trustee as well as EMS director. Schmucker said she is dedicated to keeping the local EMS system in place to provide service for township residents.Currently, the North Webster EMS service provides paramedic assistance year-round, but concerns have been raised due to several signing contracts with Multi-Township to provide these services.

WCN Collects Items For Flood Victims

Warsaw-based relief organization World Compassion Network is encouraging the community to participate in a flood-bucket effort ...

Obama An American?

Editor, Times-Union:Mr. President,It has become apparent to every rational, thinking, American citizen that there is a very serious crisis in America today.

Placing Blame

Editor, Times-Union:When did Americans become so apathetic and blind to what's being done to them that they are willing to give up the very rights and freedoms that their forefathers fought and died for?