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Warsaw Schools Studies 2002 Budget

During a public hearing for the 2001-02 Warsaw Community School Corp.budget, business manager Rande Thorpe told the school board how the money is used. The general fund comprises the majority of the budget at 73.4 percent; debt service is 11.2 percent; capital projects is 10.2 percent; and transportation is 4.9 percent. To reduce costs to the school corporation, Thorpe said the school corporation has practiced energy conservation; expanded their recycling; made modifications to its insurance program and benefits; consolidated ABE/AIM; began cooperative purchasing; and eliminated administrative and support positions. Part of the school corporation's struggle to maintain a non-deficit budget, he said, is because the school district is 167.3 square miles and has 18 buildings, including 10 elementary schools, two middle schools and the high school.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Schools Looking At 2007 Funding

Sept.20 is the last day for school corporations to adopt a 2007 budget. But planning for the budgets may have started anywhere from a few months to a couple of years before the deadline. Warsaw Community Schools Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott and Wawasee Schools Director of Finance Jim Evans talked Thursday afternoon about the ins and outs of budgeting. Local schools may have up to eight different funds in their budget.Neither Wawasee or Warsaw has a referendum fund, leaving the school corporations with seven funds, including general fund, debt service, retirement/severance bond debit service, capital projects, school transportation, bus replacement and special education preschool.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

'Justice' on duty

Justice is on duty in Kosciusko County because of a Homeland Security Grant. The newest sheriff's department K9 officer is a Dutch Shepherd from Holland and has a nose for explosives.Justice was introduced to the county commissioners Tuesday. Handler Craig Bale said Justice is friendly to people, but not overly interested in them, like all K9 officers. Justice is trained to detect explosives, track and apprehend suspects, search buildings and articles and protect his handler. Bale trained with Justice at the Allen County Sheriff's Department K9 Training Center for four months, where Justice logged more than 658 training hours.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Grad Steps Toward A Career In Dance

Dancing as a life-long career? To some, it may sound impossible or futile. At one point, Jeremy Plummer admits he didn't see it as a possibility. "I didn't know, coming from here, I didn't know I could dance.I didn't know that was an option for an occupation besides going to Las Vegas and doing razzle dazzle," he said Thursday. Now, however, Plummer, 23, is making dance his career, his life. He and his parents moved to the Warsaw area when he was 7 years old.He started at Deb Collier's School of Dance, Warsaw, at age 8. "I had taken two years previous at another town but I really wasn't dancing a lot until I came here.Then I started here and was here with Deb for 10 years until I graduated (from Wawasee High School), until I was 18," he said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Postpones Amendments To Zoning Ordinance

To further review the changes, the Kosciusko County Commissioners postponed approving the Kosciusko County Zoning Ordinance amendments until their Aug.29 meeting. Matt Sandy, Area Plan Commission assistant director, said the changes to the zoning ordinance included a section on communication towers, home offices, a hearing officer, a change in filing fees and post-building permit fees.There are also minor changes to clean up some areas, he said. The hearing officer, Sandy said, would help the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals meetings go faster because the hearing officer could hear the "simpler" cases.The officer would be a member of the BZA, chosen by the BZA, who would make a decision on some petitions. If the petitioner did not like the decision by the hearing officer, the petition could be appealed to the entire BZA. "This process is being used in other counties," said Sandy.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Judges Make Case For Two New Positions

Kosciusko Superior Courts II and III Judges James Jarrette and Joe Sutton see the need for two new positions in the county, and they're not going to change their minds about them anytime soon. But the county council, working with a tight budget, didn't approve the new positions at the council's budget hearing Tuesday.In fact, Monday the council voted against the creation of both positions the judges want. The judges want a bailiff for Superior Courts II and III and want a drug and alcohol probation officer assistant. At Monday's budget hearing, the wage committee recommended, and by a vote of 6 to 1 the council approved, a wage increase of $300 to all full-time employees.If the county were to add any new positions, the council would have to rethink giving any raises at all, wage committee member and county councilman Brad Tandy told the council.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Residents Tangled In Red Tape Over Clogged Waterway

NORTH WEBSTER - Huge portions of a seawall are visible in the stinking mess blocking the waterway around Hiners Island on Webster Lake. The mass of cement, accumulated silt and water-loving weeds literally smells because something(s) once alive is decomposing in the debris. The other, more subjective, odor comes from months and months of state agencies and offices passing the buck. "It's a shame," said Ed Spicer, a lake resident since 1974."You have to get a permit to put anything motorized in the lake.You're fined if you throw a shovelful of dirt in from the shore.But no one will clean this up." In June, the Kosciusko County Health Department ordered John Barker, of Indianapolis, owner of the property, to clear brush and secure the building - things on dry land.These "improvements" were made in two weeks. Nothing was done to remove the pieces of the former seawall from the lake or to reinforce the rapidly eroding shoreline.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WHA Approves Loan For Home Repair

Members of the Warsaw Housing Authority voted Monday to approve a $10,000 loan as part of their owner-occupied rehabilitation program. The loan request for the program would pay for a new roof, furnace and electrical work in a house that was cited by the city of Warsaw.The work, financed by WHA, would bring the house up to the city code. The loan board passed the request on the condition that if the necessary repairs cost more than the approved $10,000, executive director of WHA Catharine Walker would bring the case back to the board. Walker also gave the board updates on two other properties currently in reconstruction as part of the OOR program. One property suffered a collapsed well while contractors were fixing the house.Given the medical condition of the property owner, the Indiana Housing Finance Authority approved WHA to fix the well for an addition to the loan.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Webster Post Office Takes Another Look At Old School

NORTH WEBSTER - The elementary school building is again an option for a relocated post office because costs to create access to the old motel off Ind.13 are a bit salty, according to Bob Murphy of R.P.Murphy and Associates. Murphy updated town council members Kay Andrews, Ken Wagner and Jeff Morgan regarding uses for the school, which will be abandoned by the Wawasee School Corp.as an educational facility in December 2002. Murphy said figures to improve the highway and ingress to the motel for the post office came in at $100,000.The post office must leave its current location by October 2002. A USPO presence at the school on the property would be a keystone in securing funds and ensuring the building's future in serving the community.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Crystal Bernard Featured At Country Music Fest

Rising artists with varied backgrounds will highlight Saturday's annual Country Music Harvest Festival. Instead of local or regional talent, the festival this year will feature up-and-coming national talent. Crystal Bernard, who rose to prominence as a co-star on the TV sitcom "Wings," is in the midst of expanding a music career that has labored in the shadows of her Hollywood career. Bernard will headline the show with support from The Ranch, an Australian country band, and Diamond Back, which performed last year under the name Clearwater. Instead of being a day-long festival, this year's event will begin at 6 p.m.in Central Park and will not include arts and crafts booths. Bernard, who's released a CD and video and will host CMT's Labor Day weekend video countdown program will surely showcase her single, "Have We Forgotten What Love Is," which she co-wrote with Billy Dean. Bernard is as much a songwriter and singer as she is an actress.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WHA Financial Picture Improving, Director Says

Warsaw Housing Authority Executive Director Laura Kaufman told the agency's board of commissioners Monday that they are nearing the end of the fiscal year "in pretty good shape." The figures are at -$706.17 for the year thus far, with the fiscal year ending Sept.30."We should break pretty close to even this year, which is a big improvement from last year," Kaufman said.The agency expenditures can be plus or minus 5 percent without penalty from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, she said. WHA provided its clients with nearly $600,000 in rent assistance this year, with the federal funds being used to pay local landlords considered a boost to the local economy, board members said.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

FOP Regroups After Loss Of Building

Kosciusko County's Fraternal Order of Police is in the process of restructuring an organization that has no official place to meet. The FOP building in Boggs Industrial Park was lost by the FOP after a series of incidents some attribute to misunderstandings and inattention to detail. Others call it mismanagement. Whatever the reason, the sequence of events began around 1992, when, despite several notices from the county auditor's office, the FOP failed to refile for its tax-exempt status on its property in Boggs. The issue involves two pieces of property in Boggs: the lot where the former FOP building sits, and the small adjacent lot, which is now Mantis Skate Park. According to county officials, the auditor's office is required to notify an organization before the tax exemption filing deadline.The auditor's office also must notify them 30 days after the deadline passed, and give the group yet another 30 days in which to file.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Chamber Proposes Character-Building Program For Familie

SYRACUSE - A character-building program for families in Syracuse could begin soon if the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce can garner support for the program within the community, according to an announcement at yesterday's chamber meeting. Recommended by Rollin Swanson as a worthwhile project, chamber members Brian Redshaw, the Rev.Daniel Haifley and executive secretary Steven Hite met earlier in the week to discuss the program.Their recommendation to the council was given a green light. Everyone at the meeting received a copy of the book "Achieving True Success: How to Build Character as a Family," a publication of the Character Council of Indiana.The book defines character and offers a step-by-step approach to character building.
VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF SURSO, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

State Puts County Under West Nile Virus Advisory

State health officials have issued a West Nile virus advisory for Kosciusko County because they are awaiting test results of several horses in St.Joseph County that are considered to be probable cases of West Nile virus. Although no horses in Indiana have been confirmed positive for West Nile virus so far this year, health officials believe it is likely that one of these horses will be confirmed as having the disease, according to a press release from the Indiana State Department of Health. Margaret Joseph, public relations director for the Department of Health, said this morning, "We're advising people they need to be extra cautious and take the steps we've listed."She said they are also advising physicians to be aware of the symptoms related to the virus. Hoosiers are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites by: • Using an insect repellent that contains DEET.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mutual Federal Plans Conversion To Public Ownership

Mutual Federal Savings Bank has announced its board of directors has approved a plan to convert Mutual Federal to a publicly owned holding company. "The sale of the capital stock in our holding company will give our customers priority subscription rights to become stockholders and share in our future," said R.Donn Roberts, Mutual's president and chief executive officer."In addition, the sale of stock will provide additional capital strength and support expanded customer services." Roberts added the conversion from a mutual institution to a capital stock savings institution is another step in the bank's strategy to meet the financial challenges of its multiple markets.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Wastewater Plant On City Agenda

The Warsaw City Council will meet tomorrow in a meeting changed from the regular third Monday of the month. The proposed wastewater treatment plant is on the agenda and updates will be given by project engineers from Jones and Henry and financial consultants from H.R.Umbaugh and Associates when the council convenes at 7 p.m. Preliminary engineering plans have been forwarded by Jones and Henry to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for review. IDEM's study of the plans is not expected to be complete until December or January.The bidding process will begin then. An Umbaugh representative will also discuss an increase in sewage residential rates from $14.50 to $15.65 per month. The construction site is located in the northwestern part of the city limits, near the Tippecanoe River south of U.S.30, and already designated an economic development area or TIF district.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

No Injuries In Train Accident

MILFORD -ÊAn Elkhart man and his 4-year-old son escaped injury after the pickup in which they were riding was hit by a train at 2:28 p.m.Tuesday. According to Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department officials, Edward McDonald, 40, Elkhart, was driving his vehicle around a curb when he saw several individuals at a pond.He briefly looked in their direction and, before he knew it, he was on the train tracks.Noticing an approaching train, he stepped on the accelerator but was not able to avoid being hit by the locomotive. The train struck the right rear of the pickup, causing the vehicle to go into a spin.The pickup was totaled.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WHA Recognizes Latest FSS Program Graduate

Brandy Holle, Warsaw, is the latest graduate of Warsaw Housing Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency program. FSS is designed to help those receiving Section 8 rental assistance to work and plan toward financial independence.Participants must earn at least a two-year college degree, obtain a job in their field of study and begin earning an income more than the limit for Section 8 assistance within five years. As participants earn more and are able to pay more toward their rent, Warsaw Housing Authority creates an escrow savings account with the rental assistance money they save. Upon graduation from the program, participants receive a check for the amount in the account.
TIM ROBERTSON, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

WCS facing tough choices on small schools

Only three options are available to Warsaw Community Schools if they want to stay solvent.One of those options is not possible and two are unpopular. Rande Thorpe, business manager for WCS, said Friday the struggle for the school corporation to remain solvent involves increasingly difficult decisions. "The problem is, we've got to do something," he said.The only options, he said, are to cut school expenses, cut staff or get more money. Getting more money is out of the question because of the state's current financial crisis, and staff positions were cut last year.That leaves reducing school expenses, and that means closing the three smallest schools - Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake elementaries.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County To Receive $236,455 In Lake Grants

The state is awarding 30 grants that will improve lakes and rivers in 33 counties, including several in Kosciusko County. Of $1.1 million in grants, $236,455 will go to Kosciusko County projects. The grants, which supplement local budgets for local projects, will help fund lake and watershed diagnostic studies, lake and watershed management plans, post-construction monitoring, engineering feasibility studies, design and construction and land treatment projects. The grant monies come from annual fees for boat registration.Five dollars from each registration is reserved for the DNR grant program.The grants are approved by the State Soil Conservation Board and administered by the DNR Division of Soil Conservation. The grants continue a 13-year program that provides technical and financial assistance to local units of government and organizations.The projects address soil erosion- and nutrient-related problems affecting public-access lakes and streams.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016
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