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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Leading Known Cause Of Mental Retardation

NEW PARIS -ÊWhat began in 1984 as a one-day auction at the Polk family farm has become an annual event with consignments from as far away as South Africa. Located at the intersection of Ind.15 and Ind.6 in New Paris, the 16th Annual Labor Day Auction, hosted by Dennis Polk Equipment, is being held Sept.3, 4 and 6.Tractors, engines, vehicles and toys will all be on the auction block. "This is the biggest sale of its kind in the world," said Dennis Polk. As of Aug.24, the tractors, toys, parts and other equipment were being delivered daily, tagged and awaiting the auction block. "Normally, we don't have toys until the week of," said Polk as he showcased the dozens of toys that arrived more than two weeks in advance."Normally it comes in a tidal wave but you can see how much we've got here." Polk had already received 70 pedal tractors by Aug.24.Normally they advertise 15 to 20 hit -and-miss engines for the auction.They received 30 by Aug.24.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Teachers To Get Zero-G Flight

Three Lakeview Middle School science teachers will experience weightlessness Saturday. Dan Wray, Roger Haeck and Mark McCollom are participating in one of Northrop Grumman's Weightless Flights of Discovery in Cleveland, Ohio.Only a select few teachers from around the country were chosen for the flights.Only about 40 were selected for Saturday's flight.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Adds Staff For Police, Courts

Kosciusko County Council voted repeatedly Thursday night for more law and order. Now all they have to do is find an orderly way to fund it under state law. Council voted unanimously to approve requests that will provide two more probation officers, establish concrete security in the Justice Building and put two more deputies on the road. Action during the third budget meeting in four nights spanned nearly six hours, and despite lots of grilling of department heads, the county's general budget is likely still $1 million over the frozen levy, according to one councilman. Council also set salary levels that include the start of what could become a significant form of merit pay in the future. Council will meet again at 6 p.m.Tuesday to see if what they've approved can be done within the constraints of the frozen levy.The options include: • alter the local income tax to increase revenues.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Police Investigate Residential Break-Ins

Three residential break-ins under investigation by the Warsaw Police Department may be linked to a series of burglaries being probed by area law enforcement agencies. WPD, Winona Lake Police Department and the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office have all received reports in recent weeks of purses, wallets, cash and jewelry being taken from homes in the Warsaw area.In many cases, the homes have been occupied by sleeping residents, and the items are generally taken from the kitchen or family room areas. Capt.Steve Foster of the WPD said it is important for residents to secure all doors and windows at their homes, and to remove keys and valuables from vehicles - even when they are parked inside garages. In the most recent cases, three homes were broken into in two adjacent subdivisions on Warsaw's east side.
Ruth Anne Long, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Struggles With Shortfall In Budget

Even with Kosciusko County having the lowest county tax rate in Indiana, a budget crisis of $1.3 million is still looming over the county. The county council wants to avoid that crisis so it began working on a solution Thursday at its meeting. There are three top reasons for the budget problem, according to council chairman Jim Tranter. First, Kosciusko's county option income tax distribution, set by the Indiana State Department of Revenue, was reduced by $715,108 for 2003.The county is dependent on the state department setting the amount to be received, and that amount is beyond the county's control.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

South Whitley Accepts $1.1 Million Sewer Line Bid

SOUTH WHITLEY - Bids were opened a second time Tuesday night on the sanitary sewer line installation project by the town council. The Land Inc.bid was accepted for $1,109,195.Notice to proceed will be given immediately. Funding for the project includes a $400,000 Build Indiana grant, which has been partially used to pay work done by Cole Engineers.About $260,000 remains in that account. Council president Glee Eberly questioned Cole Engineering representative Mark Nye about a start date for the project, which will tear up State Street for pipe replacement. John Julien, from Umbaugh and Associates, Certified Public Accountants LLP, Plymouth, said closing on the bond sales should be Sept.21, notice to proceed could be given then and within two weeks - around Oct.1 - the work could commence. Nye did not respond.
TERESA CARRANO, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Sees Overview Of Mentoring Program

SYRACUSE - Members of the Wawasee Middle School Mentoring Program provided an overview and presentation of their work to Wawasee School Board members Tuesday. Marsha Streby was first to address the board."I love the mentoring program," she said."I believe in mentoring, and know that it has made a big difference in my life.I love to witness the change in kids' lives at the middle school.Our presentation tonight includes a discussion of the evaluation data that you were given, and an overview." Streby introduced Ruth Case, who compiled the data presented to the board.The information she provided included a comparison of the goals set forth in the original grant proposal with actual results.The first year goal was for 30 mentors, but 35 were recruited.The second year goal was 15, with 20 actually being available.Overall, 120 individuals expressed interest in being a mentor.
JOHN DeGROFF, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Greenway Project Moves Forward With Real Estate Purchase

The Pike Lake to Kosciusko Community Hospital branch of the Lake City Greenway is closer to construction with purchase of land owned by Robert J.McMorran Jr. On Friday, the Warsaw Board of Works members reviewed a contract to purchase real estate as presented by city planner Jeff Noffsinger. The $38,000 purchase price is for 28.6 acres of "wetlands." In other matters related to the greenway, the city received funds in the form of stocks given by donors who wish to remain anonymous.A resolution granting Mayor Ernest Wiggins authority to sell the securities was approved. The board also learned Kosciusko 21st Century Founda-tion entered into a grant agreement to fund the Pike Lake portion of the greenway for $50,000. In other business the board: • Approved the fire department's request that county dispatchers ride along with the fire departments. Generally, according to fire chief Matt Warren, the ride-along program is limited to firefighters.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Free Class In Self-Defense Offered Tuesday

In response to calls received from area residents, especially women, who want instruction on self-defense, Master Dennis Thompson of Thompson's Taekwondo will offer a free adult seminar from 7-9 p.m.Tuesday in Center Lake Pavilion. The session will feature Warsaw police officers, who will speak on home security, and a hands-on demonstration of a self-defense course. Thompson said the course will emphasize "practical things that work," and participants will be able to practice and learn techniques. He said anyone wishing to take part in the seminar should wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as sweat pants.He asked that parents not bring children since the seminar is aimed at adults.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Nonsupport Suspects Rounded Up By Cops

One woman and nine men were arrested in a countywide sweep Wednesday night for nonsupport of dependents. As part of the Kosciusko County prosecutor's war on deadbeat parents, the arrests represented more than $115,000 owed in back child support payments. Twenty-five Class D felony charges of nonsupport were filed against 21 individuals; 10 of those people were located and arrested.Warrants are still outstanding for 11 individuals. The total owed on all 25 charges is in excess of $230,000. Prosecutor David Kolbe earlier this month announced a stepped-up campaign to collect delinquent child support."Parents who refuse to support their kids is unacceptable," he said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Grant Funds Rehab Of Home In Pierceton

!photo =N0908002.JPG Photo by Teresa Carrano, Times-Union The change is evident after siding, eaves troughs and a new roof were installed at this home in Pierceton.Admiring the work are town council members Jerry Kreger and Ron Hall, contractor Larry Zuiderveen, HOW board member Bob Kline and Jake Murray, HOW housing programs manager. PIERCETON - The roof had bubbled up like an old tar road on a hot day, the wide, 1960s- style siding had gone chalky with age and the furnace was about to blow its last hot breath. What is a homeowner on a strict budget to do? In this case, Housing Opportunities of Warsaw came to the rescue with a low-interest loan, which is completely forgivable if the owner stays in the house for a decade. The woman who owns the house at the corner of Third and Walnut streets has nothing but good things to say about the HOW - Pierceton housing project.
TERESA CARRANO, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Leadership Council Organizing At Whitko

SOUTH WHITLEY - Residents of Larwill, Pierceton and South Whitley started meeting about a year ago and formed the Whitko Leadership Council. About 20 "council" members met Wednesday in the Brownstone Cafe to continue business. All the towns of the Whitko school district were represented except a Sidney resident, said school board and council member Dave Tranter. School board members, town council members, school principals and business representatives discussed plans for a Celebrate Whitko Day, a proposed festival. District financial officer Phil Menzie restated the council's mission: to promote common goals to benefit the communities and schools. South Whitley Elementary School Principal Barb Flory said the school was named part of the Indiana Achievement Institution, which will conduct a three-year study, to help all students succeed.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Labor Day Farm Auction Marks 15th Year

NEW PARIS -ÊWhat began in 1984 as a one-day auction at the Polk family farm has become an annual event with consignments from as far away as South Africa. Located at the intersection of Ind.15 and Ind.6 in New Paris, the 16th Annual Labor Day Auction, hosted by Dennis Polk Equipment, is being held Sept.3, 4 and 6.Tractors, engines, vehicles and toys will all be on the auction block. "This is the biggest sale of its kind in the world," said Dennis Polk. As of Aug.24, the tractors, toys, parts and other equipment were being delivered daily, tagged and awaiting the auction block. "Normally, we don't have toys until the week of," said Polk as he showcased the dozens of toys that arrived more than two weeks in advance."Normally it comes in a tidal wave but you can see how much we've got here." Polk had already received 70 pedal tractors by Aug.24.Normally they advertise 15 to 20 hit -and-miss engines for the auction.They received 30 by Aug.24.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Bush talks about terror, economy, security

SOUTH BEND - Small children rode their daddies' shoulders and amateur photographers raised lenses to record in memory and on film the arrival of U.S.President George W.Bush at the South Bend Regional Airport Thursday. More than 5,000 voices shouted greetings when the president appeared, waving, at the door of Air Force One, outside the ATA Connection hangar. Bush attended the rally in the city prior to appearing at a fund-raiser for Chris Chocola last night.Chocola is the Republican nominee for Congress in November's Second District race. Flanked by local dignitaries, including the East Side Little League girls softball team, he spoke for more than half an hour about the problems "we face as Americans." The body of the speech focused on terrorism and "the enemy who hates us."The president touched on economic stability, the need for an energy bill and the newly enacted corporate reform legislation.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Freedom Fleeting For Man Who Fled Local Courtroom

A Warsaw man's freedom was short-lived after he bolted from a courtroom Thursday morning at the Kosciusko County Justice Building. Juan Gallegos, also known as Juan Rivera, was in Kosciusko Circuit Court and had just been sentenced by Judge Rex Reed to a four-year prison term for dealing marijuana, a Class C felony. As Gallegos, 18, of 2942 U.S.30E, Warsaw, removed his jacket, a witness said he scanned the room then ran for the door.He made it down the steps and out the front door of the building before anybody was able to react. After a short foot chase north of the county offices, Gallegos was taken into custody.A preliminary charge of escape was added on when he was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail for sentencing.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Valley Starts Student Crime Stoppers Program

AKRON - Progressive: moving forward; continuing by successive steps; favoring progress, reform. Tippecanoe Valley High School is looking to be progressive in preventing crime at school.In conjunction with DARE officer Timothy Sammons and the Kosciusko County Crime Stoppers, the high school is implementing a Student Crime Stoppers program this year. TVHS assistant principal Rod McKee said the county Crime Stoppers has taken Tippecanoe Valley under their wing as a pilot program. "It's not that we have any problems," he said, "but it's always nice to have a program in place. "Students are in the forefront and know what's going on far before the principal or administrator," said McKee.He said if the school were to do nothing, then real problems could begin. The school's program works much like the Crime Stoppers program seen on television.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

School Officials, Citizens Discuss School Closing, Redistricting Plan

It was an irresistible force meeting an immovable object, with both sides trying to explain their positions, and neither side giving an inch. Approximately 40 people from the newly formed Concerned Citizens for Quality Education met Wednesday at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation in Warsaw with Warsaw Community Schools' superintendent, business manager and a school board member. Larry Chamberlain, the board member who was invited to the meeting by CCQE vice chairman Bruce Ferguson, began the meeting by explaining his position and emphasizing the need for financial solvency of the school corporation.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Hosts Car Show

Several local businesses and individuals are teaming up with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Cruisin' Hoosiers to present the 15th Annual Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Cruisin' Hoosiers Car and Truck Show.The event takes place today from 2 to 9 p.m.at Petro's GM Showplace, north of Warsaw on Ind.15.Admission is free. "The community is coming together to raise money and have a good time," Art Gakstatter, Warsaw, said.Gakstatter is a member of the board of directors for the Cruisin' Hoosiers, as well as a member of the board of directors for the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northern Indiana. Gakstatter encourages anyone who enjoys cars, trucks, music, contests and food to come out to the annual car and truck show.In addition to lots of vehicles, there will be live entertainment, a disc jockey and more than $4,500 in prizes.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mother Of Five Survives Invasive Breast Cancer

To look at her, you would never know this vibrant, tanned young mother of five sons recently survived an aggressive form of cancer. Certainly her wide smile, healthy appearance and upbeat attitude don't give that away.Only her very short hair is any indication that something in her life in the past year was amiss. But Debbie Gartland, 36, isn't taking anything for granted.She's grateful - and amazed - at the community support she received while she was going through her treatment and surgery, and says she couldn't have done it without the help of her friends, neighbors and even strangers. Those supporters will walk with her as part of "Debbie's Dream Team" at the Catherine Peachey Fund's "A Day at the Lake."Debbie's Dream Team will lead the "Winona Walk" that starts at 9 a.m.Saturday.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Group To Save 'Dixie'

NORTH WEBSTER - "I earned it from selling the vegetables from my garden," said 6-year-old Morgan Jones as she skipped to the head table and handed Dan Thystrup and Carolyn Metcalf an envelope containing $529.94. Jones was one of many people who attended a "Save The Dixie" meeting Thursday. The stories were all the same: "The Dixie is Webster and we need to protect her." In 1929, "The Dixie" was built, christened and launched.Her home has been Webster Lake ever since.In 1992, Thystrup and his family purchased the Dixie.Throughout the years the Dixie has been taken care of, but due to changing marine regulations, she has failed to pass some of the regulations.The craft is the state's oldest sternwheel paddleboat.
JULIE HARVEY, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016
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