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Sidney Residents Quiz Engineer Regarding Sanitary Sewer Project

SIDNEY - No one went away happy about the prospect of a sanitary sewage project in the town. More than 40 residents heard about a proposed system from town council members Kenny Koontz and Harold Lent, who turned the meeting over to Benjamin Adams of Schnelker Engineering Inc., Fort Wayne, in the fire station Saturday morning. Adams has designed a sanitary sewage collection and treatment system with a capacity of 15,600 gallons per day.The effluent would be discharged to the Koontz ditch. The central collection system proposed is to be of the gravity flow type with pump discharge of the sewage to the treatment facility, a waste stabilization pond. The council has an option on 53 acres southwest of town to build the treatment pond.The property is at Ind.13 and CR 900. "It's not a negative thing," Adams said of the project.He said such a system would increase property values and allow the town to grow.
TERESA CARRANO, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Da Plane, Nancy, Da Plane

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she didn't ask for the plane.But she didn't turn it down, either.
Gary [email protected] | July 28, 2016

Tire Dump

Long-term cleanup plans at G&M tire dump in Atwood will revert back to the private sector upon completion of a six-month, state-mandated emergency cleanup, a state official said Tuesday. But how soon another private group steps forward, most likely with state support, remains unknown. That was the bottom line Tuesday night during a meeting hosted by Taxpayers Action Network at the Kosciusko County Justice Building. The meeting featured Bruce Palin, a spokesman from Indiana Department of Environmental Management, who said the emergency cleanup at the in-town site should be completed in roughly six months at a cost of about $800,000. So far, a contractor has removed about 1,000 tons of tires, all of which have been recycled either in New Liberty or at a facility in Wisconsin.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Adams To Run For County Treasurer

State Sen.Kent Adams announced today his intention to run for the Kosciusko County Treasurer's seat, two weeks after he indicated he would leave the state Senate at the end of this term. At the end of December, the longtime state legislator said he wanted to be closer to home and spend more time with his family and 15 grandchildren. "This was another opportunity I wasn't even aware of," he said of the available county office."It will get me back into the field I came out of and allow me to stay active in the local community." Prior to his election at the state level, Adams was chief financial officer for Goshen, Mishawaka and Warsaw school systems for a total of 18 years.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Builders Work For Ailing Child

Because of the efforts of many individuals and organizations within Kosciusko County, Cami Phillips, 8, now has a room she can live in with comfort. Cami, who was born with cerebral palsy, must rely on a wheelchair due to her physical limitations.She's experienced epileptic seizures and is legally blind, but through all her hardships, Cami is rarely seen without a smile on her face. And after a year and half of help from various workers and donations throughout the surrounding communities, she now has even more to smile about.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

County Gets Federal Funds For Snow-Related Expenses

Federal disaster funds were made available Wednesday for 18 counties in Indiana, including Kosciusko County.The funds will supplement emergency response efforts to December's winter storms and record snowfalls in northern Indiana, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA Acting Director John W.Magaw said President George W.Bush authorized the assistance under an emergency declaration Wednesday.The declaration covers jurisdictions that were blanketed with record and near-record snowfall between Dec.11 and Dec.31.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Nancy Reed To Retire As Manchester Clerk-Treasurer

NORTH MANCHESTER - Little did Nancy Reed know, when she stepped in as deputy clerk-treasurer to help her ailing mother, that she would spend the next 30 years in the public office.
Jen [email protected] | July 28, 2016

Hillary Has No Credibility On Iraq

I hate to detract from the important news of the week - Britney Spears' bald head and the Anna Nicole Smith rot watch - but I've come to the conclusion that Hillary Clinton is nuts.
Gary [email protected] | July 28, 2016

Biomet To Challenge Federal Court Decision

Biomet Inc., Warsaw, intends to challenge a decision by the U.S.Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. They will take the case to the U.S.Supreme Court, if necessary. Today, Biomet announced the Federal Circuit Court reinstated the $20 million punitive damage award against Biomet, which was given to Raymond G.Tronzo by the U.S.District Court in the Southern District of Florida.The Court also affirmed the compensatory damages award of $520. The District Court had reduced the punitive damage award to $52,000.The Federal Circuit Court's decision was based principally on procedural grounds, but included a finding that a relationship of 38,000 to 1 between the punitive award and the compensatory award was legally permissible. Biomet believes this result conflicts with controlling law including decisions of the U.S.Supreme Court.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Atwood Tire Cleanup Scheduled

ATWOOD -ÊA $4.5 million contract was signed by the state to clean up the largest waste tire site in Indiana, G&M Tire Recycling, near Atwood. "The residents of Atwood, Warsaw and Kosciusko County have waited a long time to rid themselves of this threat to their health," said Lori F.Kaplan, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the agency responsible for the cleanup. Whole waste tires stored outdoors make ideal breeding sites for disease-carrying mosquitoes and other insects, she said.In addition, fires at such sites are difficult to extinguish.A tire fire can cause a substantial amount of air pollution, creating large amounts of residue that can contaminate nearby land and water. More than 4.5 million waste tires, 57,000 tons from trucks, cars, farm equipment and airplanes, are on the seven-acre site, Kaplan said.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

WCS Considers Library Board Candidates

Expanding the Warsaw Community Public Library district to allow free library use by all students in Warsaw Community Schools was the topic most often raised Monday as the Warsaw school board interviewed candidates for a library board opening. Five candidates were interviewed Monday for the vacancy created by the resignation of library board member Ron Raber.The new member will complete Raber's term, which will end in August 1999. All of the candidates said they were in favor of expanding the library's district, especially among students. WCPL now allows free use of its facilities only to the residents of Wayne Township, where library costs are added to property taxes.However, the WCS district includes all or part of Prairie, Plain, Clay and Lake townships as well as Wayne.Students in any township but Wayne must pay for a library card since they are not in the library's taxing unit.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Nine Face Charges After Drug Busts In Syracuse, Warsaw

The Kosciusko County Drug Task Force arrested nine people on warrants for drug charges Thursday afternoon. The drug task force has been investigating drug complaints in Kosciusko County for the past month and secured 10 warrants for nine people. The investigations of the complaints led to the arrest of people considered to be large suppliers of crack cocaine in the Warsaw and Syracuse areas. Darryl A.Fields, 38, and Niccole Marie Paschall, 23, both of 163 N.CR 175E, Warsaw were arrested for dealing cocaine/narcotics, a Class B felony.Both are being held on $20,000 bond. Robyn Kellerman, also known as Robyn Lynn Mast, 43, of Inwood Circle Drive, Syracuse, was arrested on two counts of dealing cocaine/narcotics, Class B felonies.Her bond was set at $20,000. Robin Maree McKibben, 38, of 5366 E.Creekside Trail, Syracuse, also was arrested for dealing cocaine or narcotics, a Class B felony, and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsawan Shoots Self

A Warsaw man was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital after he shot himself early Sunday morning. Valentino Vargos was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital around 12:15 a.m.Sunday with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the stomach. Vargas said he was celebrating the New Year and accidentally shot himself in the stomach. He was transferred to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne by Lutheran Air.Information about Vargos' condition was not released this morning. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the shooting. Police later found the the gun used in the shooting and secured it at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Continues Superindent Search

Former Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr.Dave McGuire's agreement with Warsaw Schools ends Jan.13. The search for a full-time superintendent to replace him continues today as a university team begins screening the applications Warsaw Schools received for the position.Ron Yeiter, current school board president, declined Thursday afternoon to comment how many applications were received.He did say he was pleased with the number of applications.Interviews with the candidates will begin in approximately 14 days. On July 27, the Warsaw Community School Corp.school board voted 6-1 to accept the settlement agreement with, and resignation of McGuire, along with the statement concurrent with that.McGuire served WCS for 19 years, the last three as superintendent.During those three years, he oversaw the closing of three elementary schools - Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake - which divided the school corporation community.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Approves Sheriff's Dept. Pay Increases

Changes abound in the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. Due to promotions within the sheriff's department, the Kosciusko County Council approved transfers and a salary ordinance amendment to pay for the pay increases that come with the promotions. Lt.Detective Sam Whitaker's salary will increase from $34,568 to $35,149; Detective Sgt.Travis Marsh, from $32,027 to $34,568; road sergeants Craig Bale, Chad Hill and Floyd Knafel, $32,027 to $34,201; corporals Todd Sautter, Reid Piper, Tony Ciriello, $32,027 to $33,098; and Sgt./SPOT Supervisor Larry Holderman, $32,027 to $34,568. According to Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, the lieutenant detective is a new position that was created as a supervisor over the detectives.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

PPI Completes Cuban Tour Local attorney part of delegation

Cuba is a country of contrasts, according to local attorney David Kolbe. It's beautiful in some places and shabby in others.It allows for capitalist foreign investors and teaches socialism. Kolbe visited the communist country from Nov.29 until Dec.10 as a member of People to People International.PPI was started in 1954 by President Dwight Eisenhower.The concept of the group was for peace ambassador missions to visit other countries with the idea being that if "we can learn about one another through friendship, that can lead to peace," Kolbe said. The group flew to Havana, Cuba, after a briefing in Miami, Fla."I've just always had an interest in going to Cuba," Kolbe said.Members of the 100-strong group to Cuba included attorneys, judges, politicians, former politicians and some of their spouses. It was not a vacation by any means, Kolbe said."We had a lot of work" to do.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Workers Move Inside On LCA Project

The exterior walls are up.The roof is on. Now, the work on the inside of the new Lakeland Christian Academy school is the main focus of the continuing construction. "We've had several crews come in through the past weeks put up the steel studs," said Steve Petty, gift-in-kind coordinator. The drywall is being put up too, but only on one side of the wall so that a layer of sound-barrier insulation can be installed. As the walls are erected, the electrical boxes for the outlets, switches, computers and phones are being put in. Plumbing for the bathrooms is being installed. Currently, the building is heated with temporary heaters, Petty said.One of the needs of the 60,000-square-foot building project is for the heating and air conditioning system to be installed, including the heat ducts.Professionals who know how to install heat ducts are needed. "That's a big job," said Petty.The ducts are pre-made but need to be assembled and put in place.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Residents Discuss CR 350W Project

More than 50 residents on or near CR 350W attended the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday to discuss the proposed road project. Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson led the discussion.He provided the crowd with copies on what the project will entail and when it may begin. "At this point," said Ladson, "there's not a whole lot known about this project and about what will happen."He said nothing has been approved except to pursue it. For several years, the county has had $3.92 million in federal funds for the project, secured before Ladson was hired.The money was set, in 1995, for the county to eventually link CR 350W with Ind.25 and then extend it to Ind.15, essentially creating a bypass around the west side of Warsaw, linking U.S.30 and Ind.15.The project, however, was put on hold until the commissioners revived it in December.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Milford Wastewater Bids Above Expectations

MILFORD - Bids for Milford's wastewater treatment plant came in higher than the engineering firm of Jones & Henry expected. Monday, Brian Houghton, of Jones & Henry, said there were five contractors who bid.The lowest bidder was Thieneman Construction at $2,012,000.The engineer's estimate for the project was $1.75 million. During the past three weeks since the bid opening, Houghton said, he's been talking to the contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to find out why all the bids were more than the engineer's estimate. The reasons, he said, were because there were four projects for the contractors to bid on at the same time and Milford's was the last and smallest.A couple of possible bidders didn't bid.At the last minute, there was some confusion about the project.And most of the equipment for the project was not competitively bidded on.The project contractors were able to get one price from one supplier.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse To Seek Focus Funds For Community Center

SYRACUSE -ÊOne step closer. Tuesday, at a public hearing, Syracuse Town Council voted to commence the application procedure for Community Focus Funds for the community center.The funds, if awarded, will go towards the senior citizens' portion of the building. The community center building will be a total of 25,000 square feet, with an approximate total cost of $2.3 million.Lakeland Youth Center would use approximately 48 percent of the total building. In other business, the council approved the application procedure for a change in health insurance from John Alden to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.Chris Cotton, the town's insurance representative, said the change can save the town as much as $2,000 per month. Once it gets to the insurance underwriting, if the insurance will be more than their current provider, the council can decide not to change insurance.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016
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