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County Council Approves Abatement For G.I. Printed Tape

Though the Kosciusko County Council usually is not in favor of tax abatements, the council Thursday approved an abatement for the construction of a building not yet built. Attorney Richard Helm, representing the petitioners - Jerry and Marilyn Irvine of G.I.Printed Tape and Polishing Inc.- told the council the business has been in the community for 51 years.The business is growing and wants to move to the Airport Industrial Park.Right now, Helm said, the abatement is just for the building, but in one to 1-1/2 years, G.I.Printed Tape may ask for an abatement for equipment. Over the foreseeable future, Helm said, the number of employees is expected to double from five to 10.The business makes all types of labels. Councilman John Kinsey said he's known Irvine for a number of years and he sees no better way "to help one of our own, so to speak."The business will definitely grow, and Kinsey made a motion to approve the abatement.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Souder Speaks To Local GOP; Wiggins Honored

Republicans held their 24th Annual Kosciusko County Republican Hall of Fame Banquet Thursday with Fourth District Congressman Mark Souder, Fort Wayne, as guest speaker. Souder's speech focused mainly on the Sept.11 terrorist attacks and the effect they had on the economy. "I strongly believe unless you have a strong economy, the rest will not work," he said. While the tax rebate checks would have bolstered the economy, Souder said, the terrorist attacks changed the outlook.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Etienne Returns To Warsaw Schools

Dr.Anthony Etienne will return as the new principal of Claypool Elementary School and the Warsaw Community Schools gifted/talented coordinator, it was announced at Monday's Warsaw School Board meeting. He fills the Claypool position vacated by Deborah Blatz, who resigned as principal to become the NCI assistant director. Etienne, who retired in 2001, was the assistant principal for Warsaw Community Schools for 10 years.He received his undergraduate degree from St.Meinrad College, his master's degree from Spalding College and his doctorate from Indiana University. A public hearing was held to review the proposed 2003 budget.Rande Thorpe presented an overview of key points in the proposal.The proposed budget is $47,384,284, an increase of 2.41 percent over 2002, down from last year's increase of 3.92 percent.The budget will be voted upon at a special meeting Aug.29 at 7 p.m.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Animal Shelter Situation Called 'Serious,' 'Critical'

Without more money from the county for the shelter, Animal Welfare League volunteer Lynne Vining said Kosciusko County officials will have the shelter back by Jan.1, if not sooner. "We're just about out of money.We're about to let some of the paid employees go," Vining said Monday. In their budget, AWL has approximately only $10,000 and $10,000 in a certificate of deposit, she said.But that won't carry them to the end of the year. "It's serious.It's critical," she said."We don't want to give it up but we have 100 (cats and dogs) adopted out a month and we need seven-days-a-week employees.Sunday's mostly run by volunteers." She said paid employees don't receive any benefits or paid vacations and don't get any holiday pay.On top of that, the building itself needs repairs and there is always a need for cat litter and medication. "We've been fighting a cat virus for a year.One gets it, the next thing you know, another one's got it," she said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

KDI Small Business Loans Untapped

In 2004 Kosciusko Development Inc.received money from the Indiana Rural Development Council to make business loans. A percentage of matching funds was secured through local banks and KDI received about $66,000 of a possible $95,000 through the federal program. To date, only one application has been completed and it was turned down by the committee. During Wednesday's executive board meeting, the loan program's status was discussed. Accountant Dana Krull appeared at the meeting with a summary showing the funds as part of the financial statement, per state and federal guidelines. Economic Development Coordinator Kim Nance said some people have inquired about grant money for small businesses, assuming the funds don't have to be repaid. Instead, the funds are available as a business loan through Beacon Credit Union, Community First Bank and Trust, Farmers State Bank, 1st Source Bank, Lake City Bank or Mutual Federal Savings Bank.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pizza King Target Of Burglars

An overnight break-in to a Warsaw restaurant resulted in the loss of about $1,000. Warsaw police were called to Pizza King on East Winona Avenue, Warsaw, about 10 a.m.Sunday after an employee came in to open the restaurant and found an open door. The employee said he stepped through the door and saw the office was ransacked, so he left the building and called police, according to a WPD report. Upon investigation, it was learned that a safe door was opened and $380 cash, as well as $672.75 in rolled quarters from the game machines, were missing.It is believed the electronically controlled safe would have to have been left unsecured or opened with the proper combination for access to be gained. No sign of forced entry to the building was found.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Students Optimistic That America Will Persevere

Students in Jeff Grose's fourth-period class at Warsaw Community High School believe America will get through Tuesday's terrorist attacks but aren't sure how those responsible should be punished. "I think people need to calm down just a little bit," said Wendy Trueblood Wednesday."We've gotten through major crises before, we'll get through this.It may take longer, but we'll get through it." "I really don't know how to punish someone for doing something like that.The death penalty isn't justice," said Evan Keller. Thomas Michael said that as for punishment, "What can be equal to one person killing 50,000?" The students remember exactly what they were doing and where they were when Tuesday's attacks occurred.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCHS Construction Keeps Moving Ahead

The student population at Warsaw Community High School set a record this year - 2,033. As the WCHS building project nears its completion date of September 2006, those students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a performing arts center. Tuesday, Principal Dr.Jennifer Brumfield and Assistant Principal Jennifer Shepherd talked about the high school construction project. Contractors told Brumfield the auditorium should be completed by June, even with "normal" delays such as wrong materials being delivered. Shepherd said the 980-seat auditorium is equipped with a Vortec Rigging System for the curtains and other stage equipment.The system is safer for student use and WCHS is one of only 10 high schools in the country to have the state-of-the-art system.The rigging system also is more functional for outside people who may use the auditorium.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Northenor Delegate To GOP National Convention

On the first day of the Republican National Convention, Jean Northenor called the Times-Union Monday at approximately 2 p.m.Indiana time to give a first-hand account of the convention in New York. She is the Third District delegate, selected by the Third District committee, whose members are from Kosciusko, Allen, Elkhart, DeKalb and Whitley counties.Northenor also is serving on the rules committee of the convention. "It's been uneventful so far," she said of the convention.She said she doesn't know what reports are saying, but she personally really has not seen any protesters.She has attended various convention functions, but no protesters were to be found. "Security is everywhere.You don't blink your eye" and not seen them, she said.They even have security dogs from as far away from New York as South Carolina.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Claypool Discusses Annexation

CLAYPOOL - Attorney Mike Reed attended the Claypool Town Meeting Monday to discuss the potential annexation project. Reed answered several questions from residents regarding the proposed plan.The main concern was, "Would the annexation change the current zoning category?" Reed assured those present that the annexation would not change current zone categories.If a property is zoned agriculture, the annexation would not change that.Reed said, "The town cannot rezone property."The questions were prompted by a letter from John and Peggy Shively, who voiced their concerns for their property's future if the annexation is passed. The protocol for annexing is to first develop a petition to annex.The next step is to hold a public hearing.The approximate time for a project of this magnitude typically takes six months from start to finish.Reed reiterated that none of the above steps have been taken as of yet and this idea has only been verbalized.
JULIE HARVEY, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

City Seeks Grant For Bike, Walking Paths

Warsaw's Board of Works took the first step Friday toward applying for a federal grant to develop a network of local paths that can be used for bicycles, pedestrians, joggers and in-line skaters. At the request of assistant city planner Jeff Noffsinger, the board gave its approval for Noffsinger to apply for a grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation. Noffsinger said federal government funds were available to states for such projects, and Indiana qualified for $40 million. The grant would be for 80 percent of the project cost, and Warsaw would be required to raise the additional 20 percent.Noffsinger said the Bikeway Steering Committee is working on a marketing strategy that would target private entities for the 20 percent and for the engineering fees so tax money would not be used.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Housing Authority Director Seeks $50,000 From City

Pam Kennedy represented both the Housing Opportunities of Warsaw and the Warsaw Housing Authority during a city council meeting Tuesday. She reported on both organizations' financial status and requested $50,000 in funds from the 2006 city budget to keep both programs "afloat." After experiencing two major cuts in federal funding, including voucher monies collected, Kennedy said 2005 had been a "difficult year" for the programs.Financial matters aside, Kennedy stressed the importance of the programs during the nation's current crisis situation. "We have a real opportunity currently," Kennedy said."Transitional housing is the perfect situation for people affected by the flood." In the proposed 2006 budget, the city assigned WHA $25,000 for operating expenses.Kennedy's request Tuesday was for an additional $25,000 to go to HOW, monies the city reserved for a matching grant program for the organization.
JOE KIRKENDALL,Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

SYM Office Olympics Means Gold To United Way

When SYM Financial decided to be a 2004 United Way pacesetter, they aimed high. SYM is taking a leadership role in the 2004 United Way campaign. SYM Financial is an Independent Financial Advisory firm and has offices in Indianapolis, South Bend, and Warsaw.They specialize in wealth management, portfolio management and 401(k) advisory services. SYM's theme for their employee campaign was "Office Olympics."The SYM Office Olympics was a two-week-long occasion. Five employee teams competed in either a physical or a mental challenge every day.Physical events including "Supervisor Skeet Shooting" (tossing an English muffin at a supervisor in a fast-moving office chair) and "Office Cubicle Volleyball" (where employee teams had to play with a beach ball over office cubicles and score points) involved all SYM employees and created camaraderie and competition between colleagues.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Donor to renovate Edgewood football field

An anonymous donor wants to give Edgewood Middle School football a facelift. And the Warsaw Community High School homecoming football game Sept.16 will be celebrated with fireworks. Tuesday, during a special Warsaw Community School Corp.Board of Trustees meeting, the board accepted the anonymous donor's gifts for the EMS football project.The actual dollar figure will be approved after the project is complete. The donor plans to pay the contractors directly for the work, which is slated to include new goal posts, scoreboard, bleachers, a press box, concession stand, irrigation system and plumbing for the concession stand and irrigation system. After the school board meeting, Board President Ron Yeiter said the school corporation was only made aware the donor wanted to make the gift in the past two to three weeks.No timeline is set, but Yeiter said the donor seemed eager to get the work going quickly, which was why the donor wants to pay the contractors directly.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Alcohol Board OKs Permit For Winona Eatery

Winona Lake soon will be gaining another business that serves alcoholic beverages. Thursday, the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission unanimously approved Chris and James Katris' petition for new beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permits.Their business, Boathouse Restaurant, 700 Park Ave., Winona Lake, will be an upscale dining establishment in the Village of Winona, according to their attorney. There were no remonstrators against the petitioners.However, more than a dozen supporters were on hand at the public hearing and their attorney also presented the ABC with petitions from members of the public supporting the restaurant.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Animal Shelter Budget Raises Some Eyebrows

Dividing a limited amount of county funds between services for animals and people created concern at the county council's budget hearing Thursday. The council tentatively approved a 1997 budget of $136,938 for the county's animal shelter, an increase of almost $7,000 over the 1996 budget. Council members had no objections to how the shelter spends its money, but expressed concern that the county allocates more for the animal shelter than for human services. "We spend more on animal care than on our own senior citizens," said councilman Harold Jones. So far in the 1997 budget sessions, combined requests from Home Health Care, the youth shelter, the Council on Aging and the Beaman Home total $125,000, almost $12,000 less than the budget for the animal shelter. The problem, according to shelter director Kay Amsden, is that the need for animal control in the county is accelerating.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Eyes 2006 School Budget

Warsaw Community Schools' public hearing on its proposed 2006 budget didn't attract many members of the public. They could be counted on one hand. More than 50 people attended Warsaw's 2005 public budget hearing.Many were opposed to a 4-percent administrators' salary increase previously approved by the board. Then-Superintendent Dr.David McGuire defended the increase, saying, "The 4 percent was to make sure we remain competitive." In 2003, he said, teachers and administrators took a cut in pay because insurance costs went up and the pay stayed the same. School patrons argued that in light of closing three elementary schools to save money, administrators shouldn't get pay increases. But this year, for the 2006 budget hearing, there weren't 50 people in the entire room, counting board members. The only member of the public who asked questions was Angela Fulton, Silver Lake.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse PD Gets Grant For Cops In School

Syracuse Police Department was one of three area law enforcement agencies to receive a grant to place an officer in local schools. U.S.Rep.Tim Roemer announced Wednesday afternoon that Syracuse received a $125,000 grant through the Community Oriented Policing Services program at the U.S.Department of Justice.The grant will allow placement of one full-time officer. Goshen and Mishawaka police departments each received a $250,000 grant for two full-time officers.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Schools OK $38 Million Budget For '97

Warsaw Community Schools Board on Wednesday approved a preliminary budget of approximately $38 million for 1997. The proposed budget is a 3.7 percent increase over last year's actual budget.The final amount and tax rate will not be set until later this year, after the school corporation receives the figures on the district's assessed valuation. The $38 million comprises five funds: general, debt service, transportation, capital projects and handicapped preschool. About half the total budget comes from the state.The rest is raised through property taxes, bank and excise taxes, and miscellaneous revenue. Rande Thorpe, WCS business manager, said after the meeting that almost 70 percent of the budget goes to the general fund for salaries and benefits.However, the school district must make up for some expenses once covered by the state.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Schools Business Mgr. Releases Amounts Saved By Closing Three Elementaries

Patrons of Warsaw Community Schools who are opposed to the proposed plan to close the three smallest schools have asked one question: How much money would be saved? In response, WCS business manager Rande Thorpe recently released the following figures, which he showed at the school board meeting Aug.18. The summary is based on the per-school cost of librarians, administration, custodian, principal's secretary, custodial supplies, gas, heat, water and electricity. According to Thorpe's figures, the school corporation would annually save $147,570 by closing Atwood Elementary, $197,237 by closing Claypool and $191,324 if Silver Lake closes. Also, the benefits - Social Security and insurance - paid to the employees who would be laid off totals $151,922 for all three schools. The total of Thorpe's projected possible savings by closing all three schools is $688,053.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016
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