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Record Year For Cancer Care Fundraisers

Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund's annual fundraising activities concluded Saturday with the gala at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. Proceeds from this year's fundraiser totaled more than $160,000 - a new record - through the fashion show, golf benefit and the annual gala.Chairwoman for the event was Luann Deafenbaugh and co-chairman was Thomas M.Tuttle II. KCCCF is dedicated to eliminating the suffering from cancer through research, prevention, education and service.KCCCF is made up of volunteers and gives 100 percent of the money raised each year to cancer patients.No funds go to administration fees. Deafenbaugh kicked off the gala, saying, "Tonight represents a milestone for cancer care -Êit's the 10th anniversary of this gala.I see new faces, but see many faces year after year.It reaffirms my belief that Kosciusko County is a great place to live and raise a family.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Deputies Get Pension Hike

Kosciusko County Council passed a 1998 budget Monday night, but not before hearing an earful about the need to improve benefits for sheriff's deputies who are among the lowest paid officers in the area. Police Merit Board spokesman Stan Pequignot, underscoring the need to boost the police pension plan, said the current pay level was "embarrassing," and that a sense of dedication was a prime reason many deputies remain with the department. Deputies are among the poorest paid in the area, and improving the pension plan would be the "cheapest and best long-term solution," Pequignot said. "If we can't compete at the pay level ...then we've got to compete someplace else.We've got to give something to keep our people here and keep them interested," he said. The pension proposal was pitched after county council chose to provide officers and most others roughly a 3 percent salary hike for 1998.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Animal Welfare League Welcomes New Director, Coordinator

The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County board of directors recently welcomed Valerie Clarkson as executive director and Rhonda Lewis as shelter coordinator. Lewis has worked with the shelter for six months.She is a hands-on coordinator who cares for each individual animal as if they were her own.Lewis takes the time to show the animals that she loves them, even in the most difficult aspects of her job. Lewis is in charge of the day-to-day medical care of all animals at the AWL.She quotes Martin Luther King when asked about her opportunity at the shelter, "Your life begins to end once you become silent about things that matter." Clarkson, who has earned the name "The Dog Whisperer" from her co-workers, has a business and accounting background. A native of Indiana, she has lived in and around Kosciusko County for 45 years.
JULIE HARVEY, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Metcalf Honored

One person received two special awards Thursday night at the annual Kosciusko County Firemen's Association fish fry. William "Bill" Metcalf, of North Webster, was recognized with an award from the state as well as from the North Webster Fire Department. The 1997 Kosciusko County Fireman of the Year, Metcalf was awarded the Governor's Meritorious Service Award from Gary Robinson, deputy state fire marshal. After Robertson presented the award, the North Webster Fire Department gave Metcalf a lifetime achievement award for 73 years of dedicated service. Shaking his head in shocked disbelief, Metcalf listened to North Webster Fire Department spokesman Dave Dishman describe years of service and commitment to the department. Metcalf was a member of the fire department before the North Webster bought its first firetruck, and served as chief for more than 30 years.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tippy Valley Approves $19M Budget

MENTONE -ÊThe Tippecanoe Valley School Board Monday unanimously approved the figures for the 2005-07 budget. The capital projects funds plan and the bus replacement plan were approved as well. In total, the 2005-07 budget is $19,018,904. In another financial move, the school board approved a $150,000 reduction in the capital projects emergency fund.The additional appropriation was originally listed at $400,000. The board also heard an update on the high school building project.Although the project is three to four weeks behind schedule in some sections, the construction company expects to meet the Oct.15 deadline for boiler installation.With good weather, the projects are expected to get back on track.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Residents Urge Enforcement Of Winona Trash Ordinanace

WINONA LAKE - Town authorities will step up their enforcement of ordinances covering trash and weeds in residential areas after receiving complaints at Tuesday's town council meeting. Several residents of 14th Street in Winona Lake complained of neighbors who accumulate trash and furniture in their yards, and asked if any town ordinances are being violated. "It's a fine line," said town council president Brent Wilcoxson."Unless there is a health hazard, there are no ordinances governing furniture in yards." However, town ordinances do govern trash, the town's attorney, Jim Walmer, said. "We have ordinances regarding trash right now.Use them and enforce it," he said. The residents who complained said they were afraid that if the practices are not stopped, they will get progressively worse.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Cemetery Crew Trying To Sort Out Repairs, Expenses

Around noon July 22, Doyle Munson and a grounds crew arrived at Pleasant Grove Cemetery on CR 400S to find a shocking sight. More than 60 of the cemetery's 150-200 headstones had been vandalized sometime overnight. Many of the stones are broken in pieces, chipped or knocked off their bases. "At this point, nothing has been put back," said Munson, the secretary-treasurer of Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association, Wednesday afternoon."Some of the stones have been pushed back to their bases so we could mow around them, but nothing has been put back together." Now Munson has something more than just the vandals to worry about: How to get the gravestones and monuments repaired.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

KCH Plans Expansion

Ground was broken Thursday for a new Emergency Care Center at Kosciusko Community Hospital. The new two-story facility will occupy 12,400 square feet of a 24,800-square-foot addition to the west side of the hospital, adjacent to the helipad. The remainder of the addition will be shell space for future expansion of hospital services.The existing emergency area is only 4,500 square feet.The total cost for all construction and related equipment is estimated at $8.2 million. Michael Mullins, chief executive officer of KCH, welcomed those gathered to the ground-breaking ceremonies.Dr.Neal Van Ness, vice chairman of the KCH board of directors, and Dr.Patrick Silveus, KCH medical staff president, provided additional information about the new facility.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

State disbursements delayed, varied

After Indiana school corporations pass budgets and get them approved by the state, when do they get their money? In the past, schools would receive a payment on the first business day of every month.Since 2002, that has changed.Now schools receive payments anywhere from last business day of the month to the middle of the month. The state, however, has been trying to get the payment schedule back on track, Wawasee School Corp.Director of Finance Jim Evans and Warsaw School Corp.Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott said during an interview Thursday afternoon. The state officially doesn't have to tell schools their budgets are approved until mid-February.A school corporation then has two weeks to question the state on the approved budget. "There's not a whole lot you can do about it at that point," Evans said. "They have a legislative date that they have to hit," said Scott.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Park Board Looks At Fees For Use Of Central Park

The Warsaw Park Board is considering changing its policy and fees for groups using Central Park and the Main Plaza for private concerts. Jon Garber, park superintendent, and Andy McCleary, activity director, briefed the board Tuesday on the current policy and whether it may be necessary to change the policy to make sure the park is well maintained and expenses are covered. "The plaza currently rents for $25 to $35, plus electricity, and no charge for the park," McCleary said."What we're looking at is charging additionally for the park and how much to charge." Garber said to make a determination to charge and how much to charge should be determined by how large the event is and what the board's desire is on how the park and plaza should be used.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Fair Finances

Mild weather during the Kosciusko County fair was a boon to attendance, which helped the financially strapped fair board, members said this week. The last three nights of the fair, including the Demolition Derby and the Semi-Truck Pull, broke all attendance records, said Becky Thomas, fair board secretary. "The fair did very well this year.It didn't get us completely out of debt" but it did help out, Thomas said. "It was good enough for us to put several thousand on our line of credit," Thomas said.She also said the board raised enough money from the fair to work toward fairgrounds improvements. Besides the weather, which Thomas called this year's biggest advantage, corporate sponsorship at the fair also was beneficial. "It really helped out," Thomas said. For anywhere from $100 to $1,000, a company could sponsor a day or an event at the fair.In return, the company's name was featured prominently around the fairgrounds and on the program.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway To Buy CTB

MILFORD - Agricultural supplier CTB International Corp.signed a $180 million merger agreement with Berkshire Hathaway Inc. CTB shareholders will receive $12.75 per share in cash under the deal, the farm equipment maker said in a statement issued today. The transaction includes about $40 million of assumed debt, according to CTB. The merger agreement is subject to approval of a majority of CTB's shareholders and to regulatory approvals.The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. CTB will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway once the transaction is completed.
STAFF AND AP REPORTS- | July 28, 2016

Lake City Bank Announces Acquisition Of 6 Key Bank Branches

Lake City Bank has announced acquisition of six branch offices that will allow it to expand into two new markets. LCB president Doug Grant announced today an agreement to purchase six branch offices of KeyBank National Association. The offices are located in Columbia City, Kendallville, Ligonier, Logansport, Medaryville and Rochester. Logansport and Medaryville are new markets for Lake City Bank. With the purchase, Lake City Bank will add about $70 million in deposits.The sale is subject to approval by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Lake City Bank is a subsidiary of Lakeland Financial Corporation, which is a $700 million banking organization.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Approves Buying $756,832 Aerial Fire Truck

The purchase of a $756,832 aerial fire truck for the Warsaw Fire Department was approved by the Warsaw Board of Works Friday. The winning bid was submitted by Midwest Fire and Safety Equipment Co.Inc.for a Pierce model and has siderail protection not available from the other bidders, according to fire chief Matt Warren. Fire Service Inc.submitted a bid of $680,000 for an American LaFrance Model and Donley Safety Inc.submitted three bids ranging from $558,626 to $569,684 and were non-conducive to the bid specifications.Warren and city attorney Mike Valentine said these bidders were unresponsive to questions about their bids. Approval for the fire truck is contingent upon lease financing. Warren also received permission to have Engine Two refurbished by Pierce Manufacturing at an approximate cost of $120,000. The city council approved an additional appropriation of $200,000 to purchase the ladder truck at its Aug.2 meeting.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Waste District Approves Budget Despite Concerns By Board Over Hazardous Waste Site

Without full support, the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District board approved the first reading of the district's 2001 budget at their Wednesday meeting by a vote of 4 to 1, with one board member abstaining. Commissioner Eddie Creighton voted against the budget while commissioner Brad Jackson abstained. The total budget is $341,160.And while the bottom line figure is the same as the original budget proposed last month, District Director Marsha Eikenberry told the board some line items were changed prior to it being advertised.Eikenberry met with the state tax board representative Wednesday morning. The changes in the proposed budget are due to the district possibly leasing and/or purchasing a permanent household hazardous waste collection site at 220 S.Union St., Warsaw.With the site, the contract the district has with Stafford's Solid Waste for waste management would increase financially.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

First Day Of School Just Around Corner

It's that time again - time to get the kids ready for the new school year, sign them up for classes and pay the book rental fees. And, in case you're wondering when you can sign them up and what the book rental fees will be, following is the information provided by each school system.(Lunch prices are included where they were provided.) Tippecanoe Valley Schools School starts for teachers on Aug.19 and for students Aug.20. Registrations dates are Aug.9 from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., and Aug.10 from noon to 8 p.m.New high school students should register Aug.11 from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. Book rental fees are: kindergarten, $35; grade 1, $89; grade 2, $86; grade 3, $87; grades 4 and 5, $82; grade 6, $82.15; grade 7, $96.90; and grade 8, $91.80.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Park Patrons Pleased As Patrols Preserve Peace

On a Sunday evening at Center Lake, a man wades knee-high into the calm waters along the beach with a metal detector, while a few couples and others sit along the shore watching the sun set. A large family on the west end of the park enjoys a cookout and a few men sit on the pier with fishing lines cast into the water. Quietly, a lanky teen, with a ball cap that is reversed and jeans that scream to redefine baggy, crosses the park to the pavilion, where a few other young people are standing outside. Teens with the hip-hop look often associated with gangs still hang around the pavilion, but the park has been much quieter since a 17-year-old was beaten with baseball bats by a group of teens two months ago. Unlike past summers, when spring turned to summer this year, the number of teens gathering near the pavilion began to increase and were accompanied by some fights.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

2 Former Employees Sue WCS, Superintendent

Two longtime Warsaw Community School Corp.employees filed suit Wednesday against the school corporation and superintendent for wrongful termination. Janet Helton and Mary Scott were fired from their respective positions as personnel coordinator and payroll coordinator June 10 by Superintendent Dr.David McGuire. The women filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Kosciusko Circuit Court against Warsaw Community Schools and McGuire, personally and as superintendent. "We still have not seen the lawsuit so we can't comment on it," said McGuire today.Today is the first day of school, everything is going well and that's the area he said he was concentrating on."It's been our practice not to comment on pending litigation." According to the verified complaint for damages, filed by Indianapolis attorney John Price, Scott's son was enrolled in a 2004 summer school economics class.Scott asked that her son be taught economics by a certified instructor.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Council Hears 2nd Round Of Budgets

Do county residents want to switch to Central Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Time? Opinions can be logged at the county administrator's office, either by telephone call, 574-372-2475, or by e-mail, [email protected] Commissioner Avis Gunter said Tuesday that calls will be taken for the next two weeks.The tally will be reported to the state. During their regular meeting, commissioners were introduced to K9 officer Justice, a Dutch Shepherd handled by sheriff's deputy Craig Bales. Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said the dog and costs for training were made possible through a Homeland Security grant.The grant funds also provided for "weapons of mass destruction" training, anti-terrorism presentations, the development of planning programs for citizens and industry, and presentations of programs. County assessor Laurie Renier presented information on personal property software and requested the software and new computers for township trustees.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Welfare Sentence Imposed

A Winona Lake woman was sentenced last week in Kosciusko County's first conviction for welfare fraud. Jeanette S.Hernandez, of Robson Road, Winona Lake, pleaded guilty to criminal conversion, a Class A misdemeanor, in Kosciusko County Court. She was sentenced to a year in Kosciusko County Jail, with all but 10 days suspended; formal probation for one year; a fine of $1 plus court costs of $123; and restitution of $3,725, including $2,290 for Aid to Dependent Children and $1,435 in food stamps. According to court documents, Hernandez reportedly continued to collect welfare benefits and food stamps even though she was working full-time and her income exceeded the welfare limit. Genyce Dirico, Hernandez's caseworker, said the department's initial suspicions were raised during the food stamp audit in June 1995. "You just have an instinct that possibly she was withholding some information," Dirico said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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