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Sewer Plan Details Released At Leesburg

LEESBURG - With the completion of its facilities plan, the town of Leesburg is one step closer to conducting a public hearing on the sewer project. The plan calls for homeowners to pay a $2,000 connection fee and to pay the costs of running a line from their homes to the main line.This option will result in a $66 monthly sewer fee for homeowners. The town needs the facilities plan to apply for grants such as the Build Indiana Fund, which would lower project costs. Councilman Steve Rodgers said his goal is to get the monthly sewer fee in the $20-$30 range. The town will be sending letters to residents whose property is being considered for the treatment plant. After the letters are sent, the facilities plan will be on display at the town hall, First National Bank and the Leesburg Mill so residents may review it before the hearing. The date of the hearing has not been determined.It will be advertised in the Times-Union at least two weeks before the hearing.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

County Departments Work To Get Online

As the countdown to the new millennium gets closer to zero, Kosciusko County government is taking steps to becoming an on-line entity. By the end of the year, several county departments could have their Web sites up and running, providing information to area residents.The Veterans Service office already has information posted on the Internet. Auditor-elect Sue Ann Mitchell said she first heard of the no-cost program at a conference.The program, funded by the state but operated by indico.net, appealed to Mitchell and she thought it could benefit the county. "It's trying to get government entities aware of the Internet," she said.As long as Kosciusko County wants indico.net to operate the Web site, there will be no cost to the county. "Right now, they're providing a server," Mitchell said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

CASA Volunteers Sworn To Service

The voices of several children could be heard during a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday in Kosciusko Superior Court I, and it was no surprise that the newest group of Court Appointed Special Advocates were these children's mothers and grandmothers.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Construction Company Reports $356,000 In Missing Funds

Approximately $356,102 was reported stolen by C.R.I.Construction Tuesday. An employee, Marvin Christopher Whitehead, 39, was arrested in connection with the missing funds. Whitehead was preliminarily charged with forgery by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, and booked on a $100,000 bond Thursday. According to police reports, on Sept.20, 2002, Whitehead opened an allegedly fraudulent C.R.I.Construction business account at Farmers State Bank, Mentone.He allegedly collected checks from customers and deposited them directly into the account without authorization from business owner Mavis Whitehead.He then had bank workers make out cashier's checks directly to him, police said. Christopher Whitehead reportedly had misappropriated business funds once before and was removed from financial authority in 1999. Police said Christopher Whitehead admitted the theft to his family, but said if prosecuted he would flee to Mexico.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Animal Shelter Changes Hands

All good things come to an end. That's the way Kay Amsden, former operations manager for the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter, sees the transfer of the shelter to the hands of the Animal Welfare League. The League took control of the animal shelter Sunday. The last day for the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter was Oct.30.The employees tried to make the final day just like any other day. On the last day, Amsden said, "It's pretty hectic.We're running business as usual." Receptionist Hilda Dorris said, "It doesn't seem real." "We were talking this morning about how eerie this place is now that all the stuff is changing," Amsden said. One person who will remain with the shelter once the AWL takes over is shelter technical staffer Tracey Yates, who will become co-director at the shelter.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Looks At Acquiring Police Dog

MENTONE - Depending on compatibility and other factors, the Mentone Police Department may acquire a K-9 officer by the first of the year. Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads told council members Monday that the Roseland Police Department is willing to give the town its K-9. Toby, a German shepherd, is trained in drug detection and search, article search, tracking and other areas.However, the dog has not responded to the bite training the RPD would like for it to have and the department is looking to replace its K-9.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Patrons Send SOS To WCS

SILVER LAKE - One by one they stepped up to the microphone, pleading their case to save their elementary school. They were orderly.They were courteous.And they were passionate in their hope that Warsaw's school board would let them keep the school that has, in their words, become "the center of their community." Warsaw School Board met Monday in the gym at Silver Lake Elementary, with more than 275 patrons, Silver Lake residents and other interested citizens packing the gym.Many of the people attending wore sweat shirts that read, "Silver Lake Elementary - where the learning is fun." The board's routine business took only about 20 minutes, and part of that time superintendent Dr.Lee Harman read a prepared statement about the Community Based Planning Project.It was the recommendation in the CBPP's executive summary that students might be best served by relocating them from Silver Lake Elementary that got Silver Lake parents and patrons organized in opposition.
LAURIE HAHN and TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writers- | July 28, 2016

October a month to focus on prevention

Now in its 11th year, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is when the American Cancer Society reminds women of the importance of regular mammograms in the fight against breast cancer. According to the ACS, nearly 46,000 women nationwide die each year from breast cancer.But with early detection and advanced treatment, nine out of 10 women can survive breast cancer.
Ruth Anne Long, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Water System Upgrade

SILVER LAKE - Preliminary reports put the cost of upgrading Silver Lake's water system at $1.6 million. Gove & Associates and Peerless Midwest provided the initial figures during Tuesday's town council meeting after completing a study of the system, including mains, valves and hydrants. The four-phase project includes (1) replacing and/or repairing hydrants, new valves, enlarging the backwash lagoon, changing the chlorination room piping and other costs - $122,000; (2) improving service to industry with an 8-inch line along Ind.15, valves, hydrant assemblies, an 800-foot, 6-inch line along Neher Drive and other costs - $154,200; (3) replacing all 2-inch lines with 6-inch lines, valve and hydrant assemblies, increasing well and plant capacity, a new well, plant upgrade to 650,000 gallons-per-minute flow and other costs - $547,200; and (4) a new 300,000-gallon water tower and other costs - $825,000.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Schools Concerned About Timing Of Tax Distributions

School board officials are concerned about receiving their June 30, 2007, tax distributions because the county assessor's office hasn't submitted the "in-between" reassessments to the auditor's office, let alone to the Department of Local Government Finance for approval. County assessors had until July 1 to submit the new assessments to county auditors for review.County auditors had until Aug.1 to send the documents to the Department of Local Government Finance.The county's assessed values are used to approve budgets and certify tax rates. Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr.Robert Hayworth and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott approached the county council Thursday. "We understand the assessors are working hard on trending.It's a tedious and time-consuming process," Hayworth said about the process of taxing a property based on its marketable value."My fear is that it may take longer than we're being told and that pushes back our June 30 distribution.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County OKs Zoning Requests

The Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer Vic Virgil approved the following requests Monday: • Case No.05115E - Leonard Foyle's petition to allow the construction of an 18 by 21 foot carport for personal use in a commercial district.The request is an exception for the purpose of the alteration of a non-conforming use (residence and plumbing business). The property is on the east side of CR 300E and 115 feet south of EMS D24 Lane in Van Buren Township. Also approved was Foyle's request to build the carport 28 feet from the east side road right of way. • Case No.05120E - Todd Glen's petition for an exception in a residential district to allow an oversized accessory building of 1,440 square feet.A 1,200-square-feet building is allowed. The property is on the east side of EMS T25 Lane and 640 feet south of Stanton Road in Plain Township.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Jury Views Video Of Crime Scene In Murder Trial

Jurors saw a video of the scene where Jill Phillips' body was found and heard testimony from four more witnesses Thursday in the Jason Ryan murder trial. Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Lt.Sam Whitaker, Kelly Gawthrop, Chasidy Bertman and Dianne Luke took the stand in Thursday's installment of the trial. Whitaker, who took the stand first and was questioned the longest, explained that he was in charge of the investigation of Phillips' murder from June 10, 2001, until January 2002, when he became the work release director for Kosciusko County. After explaining an aerial map of Syracuse and the surrounding area, Whitaker showed the jury the whereabouts of Phillips' apartment, Turkey Creek, the location where Phillips' body was found, the pay telephone Phillips used on the day of her disappearance and road and highways relevant to locations in the case.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

CCS Move Complete, But Need For Help Continues

It took a year, several hundred volunteer hours, and months of planning, but Combined Community Services is completely moved into its new home on Prairie Street. "We've had a lot of help getting in here," said CCS director Marty Courtney."It's been a long process just to find a place." Formerly located at 212 E.Market St., the agency was notified last November by its landlord, Reub Williams & Sons Inc., that a buyer was interested in the property.A previous agreement between the parties allowed CCS at least six months to find a new site, an allowance that was later extended to one year. One hurdle CCS had to overcome was paying for a new headquarters after staying at the former site rent-free since 1984.Help for that expense came from the community CCS serves. Besides using its own building fund savings, CCS received help from a $10,000 donation from St.Anne's Episcopal Church, and was the recipient of a bequest from a local citizen's will.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Small Biz Loan Plan Undergoes Changes

The small business revolving loan program underwent some changes Wednesday when the Kosciusko Development Inc.board of directors met. One $40,000 loan has been approved, pending the applicant's signature.The funds have been made available through the Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs. KDI coordinator Kim Nance said the office encouraged KDI to take more risk-making business loans. Nance said several people have picked up applications over the last few months, but have not returned them. To open the loans up to more applicants, the board approved several changes. Companies must have less than 25 full-time employees (instead of 5), and less than $42 million in annual gross revenue (instead of $1 million).
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Politicos Discuss Florida Recount

While the presidential election still hangs in the balance, Americans are taking sides, often along party lines. Locally, the chairmen of both political parties gave their insights on what's occurring in Florida and in the country today. On the overall situation, Frances Head, Kosciusko County Democrat Party chairwoman, said, "I don't think the mistakes should have been made to begin with....How the outcome is going to be, I don't know." Mike Miner, Kosciusko County Republican Party chairman, attorney and one of Indiana's 12 electors, said that with George W.Bush ahead of Al Gore by approximately 327 votes, "my guess is that Bush is now going to win the vote."As to whether or not the courts will step in, he said, "I doubt it." Several lawsuits pending in Florida are contesting the results of the election because they claim the design of the ballot was confusing and many people who voted for Pat Buchanan actually meant to vote for Al Gore.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Struggles With Uncertainties Of Assessment, Tax Draws

SYRACUSE - The uncertainty as to when Indiana's reassessment will be completed is leaving school corporations across the state wondering when they will get their tax draws. A school corporation receives its tax draw after the county figures the school corporation's tax rate, which is based on the reassessment figures.Those tax draws usually come twice a year - in June and October. Tuesday, because of uncertainties of the reassessment, the Wawasee School Corp.Board of Trustees was presented with a notice of sale of tax anticipation warrants for approval for advertisement at an amount three times what it was last year.The corporation is asking for 2003 for amounts of $6.45 million for the general fund, $1.785 million for the debt service fund, $655,000 for the capital projects fund and $485,000 for the transportation fund.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Foundation Hits $20 Million Milestone

Reaching a long-time goal was a highlight of the past year for the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. At the Foundation's annual meeting Tuesday, president Don Allen said the Foundation's assets reached $20 million this year - up from $400,000 10 years ago. "We know that with growth comes responsibility - responsibility to remember that it's not how much we have but what we do with it that matters," he said. And what the Foundation did with what they have also was listed by Allen.Some of those other accomplishments include awarding more than $233,000 in scholarships to 138 people; grant-making of more than $884,000; hosting adviser workshops for estate planners, financial advisers and attorneys; helping people experiencing financial hardship because of a medical condition through the Good Samaritan Fund, with more than $124,000; establishing 19 new funds; and changing the Foundation's name to include "community," along with a new logo and slogan.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Library Tracks Usage

The Warsaw Community Public Library served an average of 77 patrons an hour during a "typical week" when 4,202 patrons were served and the library was open 54.5 hours. The "typical week" - a tool used by libraries to measure circulation - was Oct 18 through 23 when 9,527 were checked out. WCPL board of directors heard these numbers Monday, with director Ann Zydek saying the figures were down from last year's total of 10,654 items checked out and 4,687 patrons served during 62 hours (or 75 patrons per hour) in 2004. Zydek said patrons are adjusting to the reduced hours and she hopes to increase the library's hours again in February. Through October, 419,480 items have been checked out this year.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Harrison Teachers Nominated For Disney Awards

At 2 a.m.Thursday, Harrison Elementary School teacher Ethel Ringle was buying hot dogs at Wal-Mart. Twelve hours later, she told her third-grade students they would be taste-testing condiments on "worms."The students' reactions were "Ewwwwww!" and "Gross!" The "worms," of course, were the hot dogs Ringle boiled an hour earlier. Ringle's class is reading "How To Eat Fried Worms" and the condiment testing on the "worms" was a way for Ringle to interest her students in the book. Ringle and fellow Harrison Elementary School third-grade teacher Katie Beehler both have been nominated for the Disney Teacher Award for their creativity and success in the classroom.As the next step in the award process, both teachers must submit an application to be considered for the 2006 Disney Teacher of the Year Award.A third Harrison teacher was nominated but chose not to pursue the award further.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Approves Loan To Build Fire Station

SILVER LAKE - Silver Lake Fire Department stepped forward Tuesday in its proposed five-bay fire station, with the town council's unanimous approval of a $265,000 loan. The council unanimously appointed Rob Clark as the department chief.Clark has been chief for three years and a Silver Lake firefighter for 11 years. Silver Lake previously received a $450,000 grant to aid in building the fire station.Its location will be on Ind.14E, Clark said. "It's going to be awesome," Clark said. The current station is two bays. The loan will be paid back in five years at 4.25 percent interest. "We have got hours to go yet," Clark said about the work to finish the facility. In an unrelated matter, councilman Gale Owens said he wants to compact the 2003 budget by trimming part-time employee jobs. That would cut the deputy clerk-treasurer position, which council president Brenda Wadkins holds.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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