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Local PGA Pro Hepler Has Fond Memories Of Stewart

"I played with him in his first professional tournament in Chicago in 1979, and we became friends," said Hepler, owner of the local Raccoon Run Golf Course."But that's just the way he was.He made friends with everyone he played with." After that first meeting in 1979, Hepler and Stewart ran into each other several times and got to be good friends.In fact, Hepler persuaded Stewart to come to Warsaw in 1993 for the Stonehenge Pro Am. "The Stonehenge Pro Am charity event was held eight years in a row, from '89 to '97," said Hepler."I finally talked him into coming in 1993.I had asked him to come for it every year, but he usually had other tournaments or commitments." That year turned out to be one of the most successful for the event.Jim Gallagher was at the event the same year, and just two weeks later, he and Stewart competed as members of the Ryder Cup team.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCHS Construction Could Begin In Spring

Construction on the renovation and addition projects at Warsaw Community High School should begin this spring if the bidding process goes as expected. The Warsaw school board was told Monday by the architect and construction manager for building projects that the drawings are complete and bid documents will be distributed the week of Dec.8.Final bids will be opened Jan.8, and construction is slated to begin around March 1, with an estimated completion date of September 2006.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Biomet Expansion To Bring 260 Jobs

Biomet will undergo a $21.2 million two-phase expansion to its facilities that will create 260 new jobs for the orthopedic company in Kosciusko County. Gov.Mitch Daniels announced the expansion plans Monday at a press conference attended by Biomet representatives, county council members and Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins. "Biomet is a home-grown Indiana company and a prime example of a technology-based, high-growth business that will help advance and diversify our economy, while raising the average income for hard-working Hoosiers," Daniels said. The first phase of the expansion will cost $1.2 million, with an additional $3 million to be invested for manufacturing equipment. It is expected to create more than 100 manufacturing jobs, according to Daniel Hann, interim Biomet president and chief executive officer.
JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Council Looks Into Air Pollution

The Warsaw City Council is continuing to look into controlling air pollution in Kosciusko County. City Council member Charles Smith informed the city council during its meeting Monday night that he discussed air pollution statistics he received from two families in his district in Kosciusko County with Joe DeRita, president of Dalton Foundry, last week. Smith previously shared Associated Press statistics at the council's Sept.16 meeting that stated areas around Lincoln Elementary School, Kosciusko Community Hospital and 1818 N.Bay Drive were rated in the top 5 to 10 percent as being the worst neighborhoods nationally for potential health risks caused by industrial air pollution. Smith said he and Mayor Ernie Wiggins will meet with DeRita next week to discuss the air pollution problem in Kosciusko County. Smith said DeRita informed him last week the foundry has put in money for air purification and hopes to acquire state-of-the-art equipment to reduce air fumes.
JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Barbee Board Accepts Petition To End District

A petition with 303 signatures to dissolve the Barbee Lakes Conservancy District was accepted by the board of directors Wednesday. The dissolution petition is allowed since no construction projects have been approved by the board in six years (IC 14-33-16).Board Secretary Scott Fox said he certified the signatures.The next step is to enter the petition with the county circuit court. The action was met with howls of protest and accusations of underhanded maneuvering by board members Barry Hecker, Scott Fox, Bart Brugh and Don Harris. Many people said there wasn't enough notice for the meeting.Fox said the Mail Journal and the Times-Union both received 48 hours notice, per state statute. That explanation didn't satisfy many of the 70 district residents because the meeting wasn't publicized until Tuesday.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Shuts Down Duplex Because Of Alleged Violations

A duplex at 214 Fort Wayne Ave., Warsaw, owned by Ralph and JoEllen Fitch of Larwill, was ordered to be vacated and shut down by Hearing Officer Larry Clifford at Monday's code enforcement hearings. Ralph Fitch said he was under the impression he'd taken care of all the repairs.Building inspector and assistant building commissioner Pam Kennedy said half of the repairs are unacceptable.She said Fitch is in about 50 percent compliance.The chimney leaks, the floor needs to be ripped up and the roof needs to be repaired. There is also a bad cockroach infestation in both apartments.One apartment is occupied.Fitch said the tenants have stopped paying rent, but they won't leave the apartment. "This is one of the worse infestations I've seen," said Kennedy. The roaches are spreading to the neighbors, Kennedy said.They had three or four professional treatments already. Fitch said he is having the roaches sprayed, but he hasn't hired an exterminator yet.
ANITA WEISHEIT, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City To Release Funds For Argonne, Parker Project

The city is one step closer to making Dubois Drive a one-way street now that funds to be used for project changes have been approved. The Warsaw Board of Works approved releasing an amount not to exceed $10,000 for proposed changes for the Argonne Road and Parker Street project at its meeting Friday. The Warsaw Traffic Commission approved recommending making Dubois Drive one way at its meeting Thursday. Warsaw Police Department Lt.Kip Shuter attended Friday's Board of Works meeting and distributed an ordinance and letter that will go before the city council Monday night recommending Dubois Drive from Parker Street to Provident Drive be one way westbound. The letter states the current proximity of the Parker Street and Dubois Drive intersection create multiple traffic conflicts. It states at peak times, traffic backs up and drivers who refuse to leave or create openings obstruct business traffic and many vehicular movements are difficult to make when this occurs.
JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

KDI Falls Short Of Quorum

No action could be taken at the Kosciusko Development Inc.meeting Wednesday because not enough members of the board attended. President Joy McCarthy-Sessing said in the future, KDI will have to look into changing the number of board members present at the meeting to take action.Currently, KDI has 27 members on the board.KDI bylaws state that 51 percent of board members are required to be present to take action. Because of this, the minutes and financial report could not be approved. McCarthy-Sessing still discussed certain issues to bring the board up to speed. In other business: • The Indiana Health Industry Forum did a state study on the economic impact of the health industry this year.Warsaw stood out because of its biomedical industry and KDI wants a more in-depth study done on Kosciusko County.
ANITA WEISHEIT, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Buyer Accuses Demos Of Political Gamesmanship

Indiana Congressman Steve Buyer visited Warsaw Tuesday to make himself available to Hoosiers and discuss his campaign. "I wanted to make myself available to you because we were supposed to have been done legislatively Oct.6 in Washington," Buyer said."We're obviously not." Buyer said Speaker of the House Dick Gephardt and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle are playing a political game to keep Congress in session and cause a backlash on the Republicans. "They're doing everything they can to delay, stall the legislation," said Buyer."They're holding us as long as they can." Buyer called it "political gamesmanship."Gephardt and Daschle are obstructing the process to make it appear as if the Republicans aren't getting the job done so they will lose credibility.Buyer is hoping Congress will be out of session by Friday or Saturday, which will give him two weeks to campaign against Democratic opponent Greg Goodnight.
ANITA WEISHEIT, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Sprint To Close Plymouth Office

PLYMOUTH - Sprint Corp.announced Monday that the Plymouth Accounts Receivables office at 213 W.LaPorte St., Plymouth, would close Feb.20.Jim Wagner, Sprint public affairs manager for the Plymouth, Knox, Monticello and Rensselaer districts, said the announcement was difficult. The office collects money from consumer and small business customers for Sprint services and products.Sprint employs 150 people in the operation, 50 percent of whom live in Marshall County, many live in the Warsaw/Kosciusko area, while others live in Stark and Fulton counties.Approximately 60 percent of the employees have worked for Sprint less than five years.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Financially Plagued Families Turn To 'Minister Of Finance'

More and more Warsaw area residents are turning to a free service to sort out severe personal finance problems. And the man they're turning to is Dan Walcott, the unofficial minister of finance. Walcott is a counselor for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Indiana, a nonprofit organization with a satellite office in Warsaw. The service is free and available to anyone who's having trouble managing personal finances and willing to make a change in their lives. For many, the service is a last ditch option before bankruptcy. "It's a marvelous program," said Walcott, an ordained minister who took an early retirement from Zimmer where he worked for 12 years and at one point served as director of corporate finance. "The church views this as a ministry, but I don't provide any religious consultation.I think I'm pretty good at reading people," he said.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Saves Money By Refinancing Bonds

Financial issues took center stage Monday at Warsaw City Council, as the council refinanced storm water bonds, considered a contract with KABS, discussed an unsafe building fund and passed a salary ordinance. Storm water bonds issued in 1987 at more than 7 percent interest were refinanced Monday at 4.39 percent interest.The refinance will save the city more than $50,000 in interest over the life of the bonds, said Mayor Ernie Wiggins. The original bond issue was for $570,000; the council used $365,000 from the cumulative capital development fund to reduce the amount due, then refinanced $245,000 at 4.39 percent interest. "Basically, we're just refinancing the old bonds at a lower interest rate," Wiggins said. The council also will consider a one-year contract with Kosciusko Area Bus Service, in which the city would pay KABS $2,000 for KABS' services.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Parks Department To Hold 'Big Swing Fling'

The community will have the opportunity to put on their dancing shoes and learn how to swing dance at Center Lake Pavilion Friday night. The Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department will hold its fourth annual Big Swing Fling. "The event allows participants to learn swing dancing and meet others in the community who have similar interests," said Warsaw Parks and Recreation Activities Director Janelle Wilson. Wilson said more than 100 people attended last year, and she hopes this year's event will bring the same turnout. She said people who attend do not need a partner and participants will learn the dance steps in a group. The event for ages 15 years and older will include dance instruction by Dan O'Day Dance Club, Mishawaka, from 7 to 8 p.m., and a dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Live music will be performed by the New Millennium Jazz Orchestra. The cost to attend is $10 per person by Wednesday, and $15 per person after Wednesday.
JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

School Choice A Complex, Controversial Issue

The bewildered parent stared vacantly at the stack of colorful school brochures spread out on the coffee table.She rubbed her temples unconsciously as if to fight off the tension headache that was coming on. School choice had seemed so simple and so logical."Why not bring privatization concepts to public schools? Businesses seem to thrive in that environment" was the argument making the rounds when the state legislature was pushing for school choice.
Editor's Note: Following is the fourth in a series of articles submitted by area school superintendents for National Education Week. Today's article is by Mark Stock, Wawasee Community Schools' interi | July 28, 2016

Cafeteria Workers Disciplined In Sandwich Incident

Two school cafeteria employees have been disciplined for serving sandwiches that were taken out of the trash. The two cafeteria workers, at Lakeview Middle School, were demoted and suspended from work for two weeks without pay for serving wrapped sandwiches that had been thrown away, said Chris Little, chief food inspector for the Kosciusko County Health Department. Approximately five sandwiches were given to students, Little said."The sandwiches were individually wrapped and the trash bag didn't have other items in it," he said. Dave McGuire, Lakeview principal, said the incident happened in October and Marci Franks, food service director for Warsaw Community Schools, was notified immediately.Franks called the health department and told them what steps she was taking to deal with the situation.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Education Summit Addresses Concerns Of At-Risk Youth

Are kids today really more difficult and more alienated than previous generations? What responsibilities do all adults share in making sure all children grow up happy, healthy, secure and well-adjusted? Dr.Dennis Bumgarner, a licensed clinical social worker and clinical therapist from central Indiana who specializes in working with at-risk children, addressed these concerns and more at the eighth annual Education Summit Tuesday at 2517 Restaurant, Warsaw. Many adults today believe young people are "fundamentally and distinctly" different from earlier generations, Bumgarner said, and after the events at Columbine High School, some people see kids as dangerous. Bumgarner disagreed that kids are different or "worse" than their parents or grandparents were."Young people today are the same as they have ever been," he said.It's the world that has changed.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Stolen Items Recovered At North Webster; Some Still Unclaimed

NORTH WEBSTER - Packed along the walls of the meeting room was sports and athletic equipment, furniture and other items, all stolen goods recovered by North Webster police officers Oct.30. The inventory, partly stored at the town hall and partly in a trailer at the fire department, came from Space Maker Storage, which was burglarized Oct.30. Town marshal Greg Church advised the town council Wednesday that some items still need to be claimed. The incident was investigated by North Webster police officers, who also made an arrest in the case.They were assisted by town fire department personnel in recovering the items and by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. Town resident Larry Kinsey asked that the angled parking on the north side of East Washington Street be changed to parallel parking.He said when long vehicles are parked in the parallel spaces, two cars cannot pass one another going east and west.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Board formed to nurture Center For Arts and Culture

What may look like a negative can sometimes turn out to be a positive. Such is the case for the Lakeland Art Association and local artists. Monday, LAA discussed the culmination of the ArtsREACH Grant Project at the old Champs building, corner of South Buffalo and East Market streets, Warsaw. Linda Dilling presented an executive summary of the grant project followed by the presentation of the architectural study of the Eagles building by Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan of Scearce Rudisel architectural firm. Because of the Justice Building expansion project, the Lakeland Art Center lost its facilities in spring 1999, Dilling said.They found a new home on Buffalo Street and applied for an ArtsREACH grant.From the grant, a coalition of community partners was created to study the need for and the feasibility of an arts center in Kosciusko County and to create a directory of artists and art resources.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Return To The Wisdom Of The Founders

Is this the land of the free or the land of "the fee"? Lawyers' fees, that is.Ninety-five percent of all civil lawsuits in the world are filed right here in the United States.Obviously, just about everybody wants something for nothing - the exact opposite of what true freedom is all about. If ever there was a time to go back and rediscover our rich history as a nation, it's now! And I am not talking about memorizing a few dates, making a cardboard Civil War cannon, or reciting three points and a poem from early American Literature. I'm talking about rediscovering the wisdom of our Founding Fathers...the kind of truth and passion that inspired Patrick Henry to exclaim, "Give me liberty, or give me death."But it appears we have wandered so far from our foundation that few of us truly understand the concept of liberty as laid down by our Fathers more than 200 years ago.
Editor's Note: In observance of American Education Week, the Times-Union is publishing a series of articles from area school superintendents. Today's column is written by Karen Boling, superintendent | July 28, 2016

WCHS Takes Next Step Toward $30 Million In Improvements

Warsaw Community High School's renovations and additions moved one step closer to reality Monday with the school board's approval of the 1028 resolution. The resolution gave the maximum cost of all the projects as $30 million. Projects included in the $30 million are: at the high school - additional office space and student dining space in the cafeteria, a 990-seat performing arts auditorium, an outdoor marching band area, a larger wrestling and weight room, a new track and football field with public seating, softball and soccer fields, and fire alarm and heating and air conditioning upgrades. At the administration building, the heating and air conditioning systems will be upgraded and classroom and storage space will be added for the technology department. Modifications also will be made to the east end of Lakeview Middle School, where Ivy Tech formerly was located and where the Alternative Learning Center will be, to allow for handicapped accessibility.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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