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Zimmer Provides Update On Centerpulse Acquisition

Zimmer Holdings Inc.announced Monday it has reviewed certain accounting issues at Centerpulse AG in response to the disclosure of the U.S.Securities and Exchange Commission's informal investigation of Centerpulse. Although Zimmer cannot provide any assurance as to the timing or nature of the ultimate outcome of the SEC investigation, Zimmer did not become aware of any facts during its examination that alter its views regarding the long-term fundamental value of Centerpulse. Zimmer also announced that the United Kingdom competition authority has issued a standard request for comment to establish whether Zimmer's acquisition of Centerpulse may be subject to U.K.competition review.The company expects a favorable outcome of this review.Zimmer was not required to make any formal filings with the U.K.competition authority.This review will not delay the scheduled expiration of Zimmer's offers for Centerpulse and InCentive Capital AG.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Zimmer OKs Stock For Centerpulse

Zimmer Holdings Inc.stockholders today voted to approve the issuance of up 45.4 million shares of Zimmer common stock in connection with Zimmers exchange offers for Centerpulse and incentive capital. Zimmer Wednesday said it was informed by Centerpulse of a Securities and Exchange Commission probe into Centerpulse's accounting. Orthopedic-goods maker Zimmer said it is conducting its own review of accounting at Centerpulse, a Swiss medical-technology company, and said it was advised that Centerpulse is cooperating fully with the investigation. Warsaw-based Zimmer has offered $3.2 billion in cash and stock for Centerpulse.
Staff Reports- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Welcomes New Principal At S. Whitley

PIERCETON - At a special meeting Thursday, the Whitko Community School Corp.Board of School Trustees approved Barbara Flory as the new South Whitley Elementary School principal. The board also approved to assist the new Whitko Youth Center, South Whitley, by providing transportation for students to and from the center. Jeff Hendrix, Whitko superintendent, recommended the school board hire Flory for the SWES principal job.He said she came from the South Bend School Corp., where she worked at Clay Intermediate School. "We're excited to have her.She's a real ball of fire.She's a real kid person," Hendrix said. Since Bill Hoppus resigned as the SWES principal effective Aug.4, Hendrix served as interim principal in addition to his superintendent duties.Hendrix said it was fun for him to serve as SWES principal but he was ready to turn the reins over to Flory.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee's Smith Plans To Resign

SYRACUSE - Wawasee Schools Superintendent Henry Smith apologized for his outburst last week during a board meeting and then announced his resignation. Smith, who became superintendent three years ago and has been with the school system for more than 20 years, made the announcement at the end of Tuesday's board meeting. Smith said his decision to step down was not related to last week's incident; he said he had been considering it for more than a year. Last week's spat occurred at the end of the meeting when board member John Weiss was commending another board member on his tenure.In part, he told the board member he appreciated the fact he was more than a "cheerleader." That irritated Smith, who believed it was an indirect attack aimed at him. Smith stood up and moved toward Weiss until another administrator stepped between the two.At about the same time, the meeting was adjourned.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

African Men Find Winona Lake Visit 'Delightful'

WINONA LAKE - Three Bayakan Pygmy men recently made their first visit out of the rain forest to the United States through Grace Brethren International Missions. The men: Kanganzo Martin, 46, director of Bayaka Pygmy ministry; Ebomba Louis, 28, evangelist and teacher; and Mangoka Franois, 30, music director; arrived in Winona Lake July 22 and will stay until Aug.18.The men are from Central African Republic, south of Chad. Barbara Wooler lived among the Bayaka Pygmy group from 1985 to 1994.Since then she has lived with the group for six months and then came back to Winona Lake for six months.Wooler will travel back to Africa with the men to stay for two months. The men arrived with missionary Jim Hocking, who has lived in Africa since age 3.He traveled to the rain forest to get the three men and bring them to Winona Lake.Hocking lives approximately 12 hours north of the rain forest where the men live.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Quorum's Financial Difficulty Affect On KCH Unknown

In anticipation of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit settlement Quorum Health Group is expecting to pay within a year, the company recently announced it is exploring various alternatives to ownership and financing options. Those alternatives include the possibility of a merger, sale or recapitalization. Kosciusko Community Hospital is one of six northern Indiana hospitals owned by Quorum. Wayne Hendrix, CEO of KCH, said he is "not too sure" the settlement is the only reason Quorum is looking at alternatives, and the lawsuit goes back many years. "This is a very old lawsuit and I don't know where we are with that," Hendrix said Wednesday. Quorum was named in a civil Medicare fraud lawsuit stemming from a whistle-blower's complaints.The lawsuit was unsealed in 1998 and alleges Quorum filed inflated Medicare cost reports.The settlement could be up to $200 million, but Quorum hasn't yet announced any settlement amount.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Kosciusko Lends Support To Nappanee Bike Plan

Kosciusko County will apparently support plans to complete the final leg of a proposed bike path around the city of Nappanee. The city and a regional transportation agency, Michiana Area Council of Governments, have proposed a five-mile bike path around the town's outskirts, but want to extend it south along Ind.19 to help, among other things, Amish residents. Most of Nappanee is located in Elkhart County, but the southern edge falls in Kosciusko County, which led mayor Larry Thompson and a MACOG official to seek Kosciusko County's support Tuesday. Kosciusko County's support is needed to avoid the appearance of a barrier on the path's south side, Thompson said. The path is expected to cost about $620,000 and would be developed with federal grant money through the Indiana Department of Transportation.The local share for most of the project is coming from the city of Nappanee, which chose to use revenues from its cigarette tax fund.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Zimmer OKs Stock For Centerpulse

Zimmer Holdings Inc.yesterday announced the results of the vote held at the special meeting of Zimmer stockholders in connection with its exchange offers for Centerpulse AG and InCentive Capital AG, a significant shareholder of Centerpulse.Zimmer also highlighted certain aspects of the "mix and match" election feature in Zimmer's offer. At the meeting, stockholders voted to approve the issuance of up to 45.4 million shares of Zimmer common stock in connection with Zimmer's exchange offers for Centerpulse and InCentive Capital.Approximately 140 million shares were represented at the meeting (including shares represented by proxies), of which approximately 98 percent, or 137 million shares, were voted in favor of the proposal.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Gangs A Form Of Acceptance For Many

Authorities want to keep tabs on them, education officials take steps to control them, and the citizenry would like them better if they were out of sight and out of mind. But if you talk to the troubled teens themselves, they'll tell you all they want is something to do - and to be left alone to do it. "I think the reason why most kids get in trouble is all you hear out of the kids' mouth is 'Warsaw sucks,' " said Brant, 17, whose name has been changed to protect his identity. "They keep kicking the kids out of the park.You can't rollerblade here, you can't skateboard there.In Warsaw, there are a lot of teen-agers and there's nothing to do.A lot of kids just like to get together and talk.And the grown-ups drive by and say 'Look at all those hoodlums.' We need something to do, a hangout place, instead of going out and getting in trouble and doing drugs and stuff." Brant has been in trouble with the law since he was 14, according to his father, John, of Warsaw.
Phil Smith, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Roemer Visits Local Business

U.S.Rep.Tim Roemer visited Kimble Glass in Warsaw Wednesday during a "business focus" day. Roemer and his special assistant, Michelle Boxell, toured various businesses in Indiana to see how things are running and to give his input. Roemer discussed with Kimble's management staff possible abuse of the Family Medical Leave Act and what can be done about it, his position on the Education and Intelligence committees and taxes. Quality Systems Manager Rick Heckaman addressed the problem of employees taking advantage of FMLA.Employees can take off work and feign illness.It isn't just employees, either, he said.Doctors can be in violation of this law, too, when they excuse an employee from work with no reasonable cause. Heckaman acknowledged that the law was made with good intentions.However, he said, he wants to find out what could be done legally to prevent this problem and whether abuse of FMLA is actually a crime.
Anita Weisheit, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

WCS To Advertise $54M Budget For 2006

Warsaw School Board Monday approved the advertisement of the 2006 proposed budget. Warsaw Schools Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott said he had budget work sessions with each of the board members.The last day to approve a budget for 2006 is Sept.20, but Scott said he will ask for the board's approval of the budget at their regular Sept.19 meeting.The budget hearing is scheduled for Sept.6. The total of the proposed 2006 budget is $54,233,086, up from the 2005 budget of $50,312,247.Budgets are advertised high because they can always be cut but can't be increased. The general fund of the budget includes salaries, wages, utilities and supplies.The estimated 2006 general fund is $38,003,027, up by approximately $1.46 million from the 2005 budget of $36,541,447. Debt service for 2006 is proposed at $4,418,979, compared to $4,315,066 in 2005.Payment of pension bonds is down from $543,224 in 2005 to a proposed $541,555 in 2006.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Inmate reflects on life in trouble

MUNCIE - His steps are short, very short.When he walks, his feet move in abbreviated, predetermined succession - limited by the span of the steel shackles encircling his ankles. Hands remain handcuffed and at the front, serving as a centerpiece to the bright orange jail uniform that covers much of his 20-year-old frame. Sean has four years of an 8-year prison sentence to reflect on the life and tough breaks that contributed to his downfall - and the lessons learned that he hopes will aid in his eventual comeback. "I've been in trouble since I was 11 years old, even before that," said the Warsaw native. "A lot of people of the younger generation used to look up to me because of my friends, but most of my friends were pimps and drug dealers, so I know now I wasn't the best example." Sean was a veteran of the probation system long before he wore the title of teen-ager.In retrospect, he says today his conscience finally became his best guide.
Phil Smith, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Commissioner Beer defends homeowner

Commissioner Maury Beer spoke in defense of a homeowner and himself Tuesday in light of Maple Leaf's extensive expansion plans. Beer told company officials Tuesday that concerns of a nearby homeowner must be addressed before the Kosciusko County commissioners support extensive road improvements needed to accommodate Maple Leaf Farm's expansion plans. The Milford-based company announced plans Tuesday to greatly expand its operations and asked for county support to upgrade CR 200E and 900N to accommodate the expansion. Company officials, working with highway superintendent Ken Traylor, told the commissioners that elevations on CR 200E need significant corrections and that both roads need to be widened for truck traffic.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Teens In Step With National Voting Trends

Only 32.4 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds in the United States vote, according to U.S.Census Bureau statistics. That translates to approximately 6.48 million people out of 20 million. The young age group showing its indifference to politics and voting is a national problem.The percent of voters in this age group has steadily declined since 1972, when the legal age for voting was changed from 21 to 18, according to the Web site for Kids Vote! www.kidsvote.interpath.net/info/ In 1972 only 50 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted. The number keeps declining.In 1996, 32 percent of registered 18- to 24-year-olds voted and only 4 percent of that age group was even registered to vote. By 1998 fewer than 20 percent of that age group voted.
Anita Weisheit, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Physics Students Headed To Disney World

NORTH MANCHESTER - Jim Myer, Manchester High School physics and chemistry teacher, has been taking students to Disney World, Fla., since the 1990-1991 school year.This year, he plans to take approximately 15 Manchester High School juniors and seniors from his physics class to Disney World March 15-19. The annual field trip is through a program called YES: Youth Education Series, presented by Disney World to "provide students with a high quality and educationally sound seminar, while never forgetting that fun is a vital part of learning."The program is designed for children in grades two through 12.Myer said this is the fourth year Manchester High School has participated in Disney's program.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Schools Proposes Hike In '03 Tax Rates

NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester Community Schools proposed increases in school tax rates, acting superintendent Kim Thurston said Tuesday at the Manchester school board meeting. The increase could be 7 cents to 15 cents above last year's rates. The 2003 budget adoption will be at 7 p.m.Sept.17 at the Maple Park Educational Center. The school corporation will not know what the assessed valuation will be until next year, Thurston said. "The uncertainty surrounding reassessment leaves many questions unanswered," he said."These are issues facing public schools across the state of Indiana, not just Manchester Community Schools." Since 1999, MCS' total tax rate has declined 89 cents.A tax increase of 69 cents over the 2002 rate would be less than the 1999 rate, Thurston said. In another matter, the board unanimously voted to "unfreeze" the food service department employees' wages and to pay the premium for a health insurance plan.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Robbery Suspect Under Arrest

An unemployed Mentone man was taken into custody in Rochester Wednesday night, about 12 hours after he allegedly robbed an Etna Green bank. Zachary J.Waddle, 20, is charged with armed robbery.He is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond. Waddle is accused of robbing the Etna Green branch of National City Bank of an undisclosed amount of money.He allegedly entered the bank about 9 a.m.wearing a pair of sunglasses to alter his facial identity and handed the teller a handwritten note that said he had a weapon and he wanted money. The teller reportedly gave Waddle most of the money from her drawer before he said, "That's enough."He then grabbed the money and ran out of the bank, police said. Detective Sgt.Todd Sautter of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department said that during the alleged robbery, Waddle never displayed a weapon and bank employees did not see a weapon.One customer also was in the bank and no injuries were reported.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

WCS Teacher Finalist For Teacher Of Year

"Potential" is a word often used when describing Warsaw Community High School teacher Jeanne McCormack. As in, "She really helps kids reach their potential."Or, "She definitely has the potential to be the state's teacher of the year." As one of the 10 state finalists for 1999 teacher of the year, McCormack will travel to Indianapolis Sept.8 to be interviewed by a committee from the Indiana Department of Education. She said Thursday that when she found out about her nomination, "at first I was very, very surprised....I feel a big responsibility to be the ambassador of good will for Warsaw Community Schools." McCormack teaches Step One students at WCHS - students she defines as those who are not "reaching up to their potential." To help them measure up to their ability, she said, she must "make a connection."And to do that, she tries to get them involved in community service or a school function.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Red Brush Cabin Sees Upgrades From Eagle Scout Projects

There's the idea of being prepared and then there's putting the motto to the test. Every Eagle Scout candidate faces this reality check when they undertake a project for the coveted badge. Brian Gambill and Nick Stiles put their preparation skills to the test this summer as they worked on and around the two-story cabin at Red Brush Village on the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. Gambill, 15, spent 185 hours on the handicapped-accessible ramp on the cabin's south side, front steps and a rail around the cabin's porch. "My project had to be done by fair time," he said."I spent three or four hours a day on it for three or four weeks." Brian's father, Tom, is the leader of Troop 730.Jim Smelser of Back to the Days of Kosciusko contacted him about the needed work. Stiles, also 15, began the brick path a few days ago.It still needs to be leveled and cleared of sand.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Neighbors hope DNR interpretation will be upheld by legislature; operator hopes otherwise

The debate over high-fenced hunting came to the forefront in Kosciusko County earlier this year when remonstrators questioned whether selling hunts could be considered an agricultural business. Neighbors of a high-fenced hunting business in the Pierceton area owned by Ken McIntosh took the issue to the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals in January. On Jan.11, the BZA ruled that the operation fit within the guidelines for agricultural use of land and decided to hold off on making regulations about high-fenced hunting.The board said that by the time local rules were set, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources or the state legislature already would have regulations regarding high-fenced hunting. While the Indiana Department of Natural Resources recently announced its plan to ban high-fenced hunting, the parties involved continue to hope their opinion will prevail, especially in the local area.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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