Manchester In Early Stages Of Bike Trail

NORTH MANCHESTER - Two years ago, the North Manchester Park and Recreation Department began formalizing thoughts and ideas on a trail through most of the town.Today, those thoughts are entering the first steps to becoming a reality for North Manchester. The Park and Recreation Department received a grant in 1998 from the Indiana Department of Commerce to help fund the non-motorized trail.Assistant parks director Donna Boomershine said Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Muncie, was hired in 1998 to develop a master trail plan for the parks department.The plan was completed in 1999. Parks director Brian Wagner reported Wednesday to the parks board that he and Boomershine met with Mike Helton of INDOT and gave Helton a copy of the master trail plan. "He had a lot of nice things to say about our plan," Wagner said."We're getting some really good players involved in terms of getting off on the right foot." But the parks department has run into a problem.

Mayor, Clerk-Treasurer Respond To Election Questions

Why do you want to serve as the mayor of Warsaw? I want to continue to be a part of city government that fosters the greater Warsaw area to be a community that our young people can stay or return to pursue their career and family ambitions.By promoting our business climate and quality of life, I want to ensure our future generations are given the opportunity to call Warsaw their home of choice and be proud of it. What is the most important goal you wanted to see accomplished that has yet to be achieved? Enhancement of our infrastructure needs to provide a climate for economic development and job retention and creation.We are competing with cities and towns across the country to protect our most valuable asset, our people.

Record Number Attend Right To Life Banquet

WINONA LAKE - More than 450 people attended the annual Kosciusko County Right To Life Banquet Monday at Rodeheaver Auditorium.Jeff Neumann, principal of Madison Elementary School, was the emcee. Following the presentation of colors and the invocation, U.S.Rep.Mark Souder, seeking re-election, and State Sen.Becky Skillman, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, spoke briefly about their views and voting records on pro-life issues.Included in the information provided with the program were surveys on local candidates and where state and federal candidates stand on abortion issues. Music was provided by the Marian High School Choir and Lauren Kreager, who sang "I Am," written by Joe Higgenbotham.

Steele Challenges Buyer In 5th District

The race for Indiana's Fifth Congressional District seat pits three-term incumbent Republican Steve Buyer against Democrat David Steele. Steve Buyer Buyer, elected in 1992, is a native of Monticello and a graduate of North White High School in Monon.He received a degree in business administration from the Citadel and a law degree from Valparaiso University Law School in 1984. He is also a U.S.Army veteran, serving three years as a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps.After his military service he served as a special assistant to the U.S.attorney in Virginia and as deputy attorney general for Indiana, serving as counsel to the Indiana Commodity and Warehouse Licensing Agency.He later opened a private law practice in Monticello, specializing in family law.

Two Local Men Fought On Iwo Jima During World War II

As Allied Forces broke through the German front and brought Hitler's army to it's knees in early 1945, the outcome of World War II Pacific campaigns had yet to be determined. The U.S.declared war on Japan the day after Dec.7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor Hawaii.The Philippines, Wake Island, Guam, Malaya, Thailand, Shanghai and Midway also were taken as the Japanese continued their furious assault in the Pacific Ocean. At the height of its power, the Japanese Empire controlled all islands in the Philippine and South China seas, held much of China and had invaded Korea, Manchuria, Berma, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.Half of New Guinea was under Japanese rule. Over the next three years U.S.troops fought in places with names like Luzon, Bataan, Tarawa and Tinian. One of the most crucial and bloodiest battles was held on the island of Iwo Jima.

Palace Of Sports Pledges $$$ For Old Webster School

NORTH WEBSTER -- The International Palace of Sports pledged $750,000 toward renovation and operation of the elementary school as a community center.The donation was announced during the town council meeting Wednesday. To begin, a lump sum of $250,000 will be given for use in renovation projects; an additional $50,000 per year for 10 years is to be used for operating costs. "It was Homer Shoop's mission in life to help the youth of the community and this center would certainly fulfill that mission," wrote Jon Sroufe, president of the IPS Foundation."We would be pleased if the community and recreation center would be named in his memory." The offer is contingent upon the town securing the property for development. Town council president Kay Andrews said a meeting is scheduled for Oct.29 at 4 p.m.in the school.The meeting will include a tour of the facilities for all interested organizations and individuals.

Education Of Children Becoming More Diverse, More Difficult

Education of our youngsters in years past was a much simpler task.To be successful, you merely had to (1) know what to stuff; (2) know who to stuff it into; and (3) be able to stuff it elegantly.Those individuals unable to fit into this model could always find employment and enjoy a rather successful life.How times have changed! Today's world is vastly different from the one experienced by the Baby Boomers and their predecessors.In a world abundant with ATMs, beepers, car phones, computers, talking cars, Internet, remote controllers, dishes (the ones on top of buildings), answering machines and all the other technological devices, how can we expect schools and our children to not be affected? We cannot.Schools, and education in general, are affected greatly.

Whitley Couple Accept $75,000 For Winona Property

Two weeks away from a trial by jury, Ralph and Joellen Fitch of Larwill accepted an amount of $75,000 Nov.3 for their property at 800 Park Ave., Winona Lake. The Whitley County couple purchased the property in 1992, renting out apartments on a weekly basis. Six years later the building was inspected by the Kosciusko County Health Department and cited for numerous health code violations. In 2000 the property was designated as blighted by the Winona Lake Redevelopment Commission.An area designated as blighted means the commission decided there is a better use for that parcel and it did not conform to the use of other property around it. Town coordinator Craig Allebach said then the property deteriorated to the point it did not fit in the area for economic growth as far as the Tax Increment Financing District was concerned.

Manchester Finishing Work On Water Tower

NORTH MANCHESTER - Finishing touches are being put on North Manchester's water tower. Town manager Dan Hannaford informed town council members Wednesday that crews working on the tower will be "putting the cap on the water tower" today.And, if weather permits, the water tower also will be painted today.Hannaford said "a very good crew" is working on the tower and so far, they've done an excellent job.Progress with the water tower is moving along a lot quicker than expected, he said. In other business: • Brian Wagner from the parks and recreation department said last month the Firehouse "went so well this summer."He said Wednesday: "so far it's going well." The Firehouse is a place for all ages to hang out, enjoy free, live music from local bands and sip coffee drinks from local coffee vendor Java Jasons.The Firehouse, on Main Street, is in the old fire station and is operated by Zach Hawkins, 18, and Josh White, 19, Manchester High School graduates.

City Council Reviews Transfer Requests, Salary Changes

In a whirlwind of transfer requests, the Warsaw city council approved seven ordinances Monday to allow funds to be relocated in various city departments. Due to recent increases in fuel costs, two of the ordinances passed involved enlarging operating supply budgets. The Fire Department transferred $8,000 from fire salaries to operating supplies, and $20,000 was moved inside the police department from police utilities to operating supplies. Other transfers were approved to cover Public Employees Retirement Funds, machinery and equipment budgets in various departments. The board approved an aviation department request for $200,000 in appropriations to accommodate changes to the Hangar Taxiway project and an expansion of an airport hanger at the Warsaw Municipal Airport that Zimmer leases from the city.

Voters Asked To Answer Ballot Queries

Indiana voters will be asked to vote yes or no on two questions Tuesday at the polls. The questions were passed by the Legislature last year and must be approved by a majority of Hoosier voters for the state constitution to be amended.

Jones Joins Cardinal Center As Director Of Development

Lewis Jones, formerly of Elgin, Ill., has joined the Cardinal Center as director of development. "I like helping people and serving people," the Fort Wayne native said.His immediate plans are to work with more individual contributors to Cardinal Center programs and match them to the organization's needs. It's a lot like the work he performed as development director at St.Edward High School and director of public relations at the Larkin Center in Illinois.

Warsaw City Council At Large Candidates Answer Questions

Why do you want to serve on the Warsaw City Council? Warsaw is a great city where the people are the heartbeat of the community.I want to see us work toward maintaining a city where we enjoy prosperity while maintaining our quality of life. What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government should be recognized as being both efficient and effective and is deserving of additional support of city taxpayers? In my dealings with the various city departments it has been my experience that they all strive to be effective.Increased efficiency in the delivery of services could be accomplished through the utilization of technology and a greater degree of cooperation among the various departments.Generally, I believe the city taxpayers support city government.The burden lies more on government to be supportive and respectful of its citizens.

Fribley Field Dedication Held Sunday

Not a cloud hovered in the sky Sunday as the sun shone brightly down on the Fribley Field dedication ceremony. Hundreds of people were in attendance, including state and national dignitaries. The field, at Richardson-DuBois Park, Warsaw, will be home to the Young Tiger Football program and is named for Marine Lance Cpl.David Fribley, a former football player and a 1996 Warsaw Community High School graduate.Fribley, 26, was one of 18 Marines killed March 23, 2003, near An Nasiriyah Iraq.Fribley was the first Hoosier to die in combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom. For David's father Garry, the ceremony meant more than words can say. "I'm just ecstatic," Garry said after the hour-long ceremony."Words can't say enough to say thank you.This community is just unbelievable." When a drastic event happens, everyone in the community pulls together.That makes this community special, Garry said, and more communities could learn to be just like it.

Attorney General

BY JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer There were 300 instances of unclaimed property in Kosciusko County totaling $117,358.63 last year, and Indiana's attorney general is encouraging Indiana property owners to claim it. Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter was in Warsaw Tuesday to promote a public awareness campaign program - IndianaUnclaimed.com - to encourage property owners to claim their unclaimed property. The campaign includes billboards, newspaper, television and radio ads informing property owners of the possibility of property they have that has been unclaimed. An unclaimed property database can be searched 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.IndianaUnclaimed.com Carter said the Attorney General's Office returned more than $26 million to property owners last year, a $5 million increase from 2004.

Conservative Values Motivate Souder

Mark Souder's conservative values and religious beliefs are a motivation in why he is running for the third district Congressional seat. "I grew up in a strong conservative home and those principles that were instilled in me at a young age have been a part of my campaign," Souder said. Souder, 56, of Fort Wayne, said he is pro-life and believes in traditional marriage. Souder faces candidate Tom Hayhurst in the Nov.7 election. Souder first served four terms representing Indiana's Fourth Congressional District.Since 2002, he has represented Indiana's Third Congressional District. "This race will decide who will provide direction in Congress and instill the conservative values in Indiana residents that have been an important part of my life," Souder said. Souder said he is a senior member of the Homeland Security committee, border subcommittee member, intelligence committee member and chair of the Indiana Narcotics committee.

Leesburg Sewer Easements Due Nov. 30

LEESBURG - Obtaining the necessary easements from property owners was the main topic at Monday night's special sewer project meeting with the Leesburg Town Board. Melissa Robinson, Leesburg clerk-treasurer, said only about 90 of the almost 200 required easements have been signed and returned.Because the sewer project is mandated by an Agreed Order from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, all properties inside the city limits must be connected to the new sewer system.The first key step in the project is obtaining easements from all property owners for grinder pumps located on their properties. Anyone who has not received easement forms for all property they own, or if they have questions about the easements, should contact one of the town board members, Ryan Robinson, Rick Stookey or Jay Weaver.

Winona Council Stalls Fire Truck Purchase

WINONA LAKE - Much to the chagrin of the Winona Lake Fire Department, a 15-year-old fire truck will remain in commission after a Tuesday decision by the town council to deny its replacement. Clerk Treasurer Retha Hicks, after researching the town's current financial status, said it would be difficult for the town to provide enough capital to pay for the new machine. "Currently, we have a bit of leeway financially, but we have to take into consideration that we will face increases in healthcare and gasoline costs," Hicks said."Right now I would not recommend this purchase." Hicks reported an increase of $30,000 in town healthcare expenses for next year, a discovery made last week that affected the decision to deny the truck purchase. Fire Chief Roger Gelbaugh said the department traditionally replaced fire trucks every 20 years, but the current truck is running adequately with no major impairments besides its age.

County Examines Issue Of Funding Voting Machines

In a joint meeting Monday, the Kosciusko County Council and Commissioners, along with the county clerk and auditor, discussed the issues behind purchasing new voting machines for the county. By law, new voting machines must be in place by January 2006.If the county follows the guidelines, Kosciusko County could be reimbursed by the federal government through the Helping Americans Vote Act for the purchase of the new voting machines for up to approximately $545,000.

5 Candidates Seek 3 At-Large Seats On Silver Lake Town Council

Times-Union Lifestyles Editor SILVER LAKE - Five candidates are vying for three Silver Lake town council at-large seats. Three Republicans: Wilbur J.Brake, Mabel L.Enyeart and Donna McCune; one Democrat, Brenda L.Wadkins; and one Libertarian, Gale Gean Owens are up for election. Brake and Enyeart have each served one term as council members and seek re-election. The current board, including Stanley Williams, who was appointed by caucus, recently completed a town-wide water line installation project, which also included the Silver Lake lake area northwest of town. Voluntary annexation of the lake area is expected in 2000, which will double the town's population. Wilbur Brake, Republican Wilbur Brake has served one term as a Silver Lake town councilman and said he had no idea, four years ago, how the town was controlled by state government and town ordinances.