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KDI Transfers Land Options To Agribusiness Firm

Months ago, Kosciusko Development Inc.was asked by the Louis Dreyfus Corp.to secure land purchase options. KDI chairman Roger Moynahan said Wednesday the company requested KDI to transfer those options to them, in exchange for reimbursement, which was approved by the board. In a May announcement, Dreyfus proposed building a $100 million soybean processing plant near Claypool as phase one of a three-step process, which includes a biodiesel plant and ethanol plant. "This does not mean they will exercise those options," Moynahan said."This only tells me they are interested.We do hope it all works out for the county and the company." President Joy McCarthy-Sessing said she talked to Mickey Maurer of the Indiana Economic Development Commission a couple of weeks ago.Maurer said, according to McCarthy-Sessing, the state is ready to close the deal, the company is not.An air permit is pending with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Seven Seek Seats On WCS Board

Seven candidates, including three incumbents, will run for four positions on the Warsaw school board in the Nov.3 election. Vying for the District 1 seat are incumbent George E.Klinger, West Lake Street, Warsaw, and newcomer Brad C.Brail, Oriole Drive, Warsaw. Klinger said recently that he is running for re-election because "I want to give our students a quality education at a reasonable cost to taxpayers, and provide a safe and orderly environment for our children to learn at Warsaw Community Schools." Klinger said that he's happy with the direction of the school corporation: "I think we're hitting all the necessary areas that need attention." However, one area he would like to expand in the future would be hiring teachers who are bilingual - in Spanish and English - to keep up with the English-as-a-second-language demand.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Council Begins Review Of '98 Proposed Budgets

Kosciusko County began its three-day budget review for 1998 by taking care of some of the easier decisions Monday night. Council members hashed out about 18 departmental budgets, breezing through most without making any major changes or cuts.However, council did not vote on salary hikes or proposals for additional employees.While most proposed departmental budgets were just a few percent larger than the current levels, about 14 new positions are being sought in various areas. Decisions on personnel will be made Thursday night in the final of three preliminary budget meetings. Council will meet again tonight to review about six more department budgets and requests from townships. On Monday, council granted preliminary approval to several requests by the highway department for new equipment.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Ivy Tech's Warsaw CNA Program Approved

The Indiana State Department of Health has approved Ivy Tech State College's new certified nursing assistant program on the Warsaw campus, and registrations now are being accepted for the first two classes. A day session will be offered Tuesdays through Thursdays, Sept.9 to Oct.25, from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m.Evening sessions are Mondays through Thursdays, Nov.4 to Dec.20, from 4 to 8 p.m. "The community has waited for this for a long time," said Bonnie Andrew, director of the new program and longtime Warsaw-area nurse. "It's a blessing to watch people's reactions.On Friday, I had five phone calls from people referred to us by the state board." CNA students will get practical experience in a new five-bed patient lab established on the Warsaw campus through a grant from the Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

WCS Concerned About Rising Gas, Electric Costs

Costs for gas and electric for Warsaw Community Schools for 2006 may be more than 50 percent more than 2005 by year's end. WCS Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott provided the school board Monday with energy costs for the corporation.In 2003, gas and electric totaled $1,434,549, then increased to $1,534,061 in 2004.The costs then decreased to $1,486,473 in 2005.Based on consumption and prices for WCS this year, Scott estimated the 2006 total will be $2,241,379.For the 2007 budget, he estimated $2,409,344. "It's a significant thing we continue to keep an eye on," he said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Councilmen Discuss Bond Refinancing For CSO Operation

In efforts to generate money to fund a combined sewer overflow project, Todd Samuelson, certified public accountant for H.J.Umbaugh and Associates, Plymouth, discussed financial options Monday with the Warsaw city council. Samuelson presented two monetary possibilities, both involving bonds related to the construction of the new Warsaw sewage treatment plant, constructed in 2003. The first option would refinance a 2001 mortgage refunding bond, generating $325,000. "Currently, interest rates are still quite favorable," Samuelson said."Though I can not guarantee what they will be down the road, this option could create a financial security for the sewage works from a possible event we don't know of yet." The other option Samuelson presented was a two-year extension of the 2001 bond that could generate $1.1 million for construction needs.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Dispatcher Tells Commissioners About Prank Call

Two months ago, if a driver in trouble called 911 on a cell phone and was unaware of their location, chances are the county's dispatch center couldn't track them down. All that changed with the installation of a new system, which maps cell phone locations in cell phones with global information systems installed. Dispatch Supervisor Tom Brindle used last week's prank caller to the county dispatch to illustrate the Indiana Wireless Network at the commissioners meeting Tuesday.A tape of the call was heard as the projected mapping system was displayed.An "X" marked the location of the cell phone in use. A second-grader from Harrison Elementary School placed six calls to dispatch without being in an emergency situation.The boy's mother had given her son the telephone to play games.The cell phone was "disabled."Disabled cell phones can still call 911.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Special Events Planned To Mark 9/11

Area Churches First Church of Christ, Scientist On Wednesday, the 7 p.m.service will have readings relating to world peace from the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.An hour of organ music will precede the service.Members, guests and visitors are encouraged to join in this special time. The church, on the corner of Mariner Drive and Husky Trail, will be open from 9 a.m.until the evening service.The community is invited to stop by any time during the day for prayer and meditation for world peace. Visit the Internet for special 9/11 coverage.There will be a live chat event series, open chat room, an inspirational e-card available, articles, interviews, commentaries and much more.To access the special feature page, type www.spirituality.com/911 First United Methodist Church, Bourbon, New Wine Community Church BOURBON - The sanctuary will be open Wednesday from 7 a.m.to 6:30 p.m.for individual prayer.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Board sees results of community comment cards

A vast majority of the more than 400 people who attended the four Warsaw Schools community meetings checked the "yes" box. The yes box - on a survey card prepared by KovertHawkins arcitects - says: "Yes, I support new construction and/or renovation of the existing buildings."The no box says: "No, I believe all our current facilities are adequate." On the back of each card is space for comments. Currently, there are no plans for a building project.At the end of the 2003-04 school year, Atwood, Silver Lake and Claypool elementary schools were closed.Since then, students at those schools have been transported to other schools, causing overcrowding.The school board has since said Claypool will be reopened, but also are considering renovating and expanding Claypool and building at least one new elementary school.No decision has been made.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County To Add X-Ray Machine To Justice Bldg. Security

More security will be added to the Kosciusko County Justice Building in the form of an X-ray machine at the front security desk. For an estimated $19,000, the county commissioners today approved the purchase of the X-ray machine.Kosciusko County Administrator Ron Robinson said it's the same machine Whitley and Wabash counties use. "It's not fancy," Robinson said, "but it serves its purpose." County commissioner Ron Truex asked, "This is opposed to the honor system?" Robinson replied yes, but the machine will save time when there are long lines to get into the Justice Building and will eliminate the need for attorneys to open their briefcases. Truex said he'd prefer the honor system, but in lieu of that, he made a motion to approve the purchase of the X-ray machine.The motion was approved.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Atwood Girl's Life Changed By Cochlear Implant

ATWOOD - When Melanie Bennett was 3 months old, her parents noticed something just wasn't right with their little bundle of joy. While from all appearances she seemed to be a normal, healthy infant, Brooke and Rob Bennett began to get a sneaking suspicion that may not be the case. "At first, we thought it was just great how she could sleep through anything," Brooke said."But, then we started to notice that she actually had a hearing loss." Several visits to their pediatrician showed nothing wrong, but the Bennetts were growing more and more concerned.At 4 months, they took Melanie to a specialist, who confirmed that Melanie did indeed have hearing loss - a profound hearing loss.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Bonding Approved For Bourbon Factory

BOURBON - In what was described as "a win-win situation," town council unanimously approved a local factory owner's request for industrial revenue bonds. Robert Dragani, owner of Northern Indiana Manufacturing Inc., explained Tuesday that the renovation of his Ecker Street facility is proceeding and he is ready to secure financing to complete his plant expansion.The town granted him a five-year tax abatement on the plant earlier in the year.
MARILYN GOCHENOUR, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Judge Orders Rubber Returned To Atwood Recyclers

A judge has ordered that a bunch of processed tires be turned over to Atwood Recyclers Inc. The recycled product - about three truck loads - was left behind at the Atwood tire dump after the company broke off plans to recycle tires with tire dump owner Garry Baker. Atwood Recyclers filed suit Sept.26 claiming Baker and another defendant, Robert Grindle, were attempting to move the by-products.A temporary injunction was filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court. On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed ordered the property turned over to Atwood recyclers, which placed an approximate value of $25,000 on the tires. Atwood Recyclers earlier this year broke off cooperative efforts with Baker to recycle millions of tires at the dump under a state plan.As a result of the broken deal, the state has stepped in and is preparing an emergency cleanup.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Steele Stumps Warsaw; Seeks Buyer's SeatMedia Mashers

The Indiana Fifth Congressional District encompasses parts of 20 counties. In his quest for a seat in Congress, Democratic candidate David Steele plans to visit each of those counties.He stopped in Kosciusko County Wednesday. His journey has two key goals he wants the residents of the counties to know about. His first goal is to simply restore the idea of representation, he said. Steele said current District Five Congressman Steve Buyer didn't spend much time in the area.Steele said he believes that to be an effective leader, a representative must be present in the district he represents. "The chief job is to represent.A congressman needs to be present in the area," Steele said. Another key goal for Steele is education.He said that while issues such as balancing the budget and Social Security are important, education is the basis for everything.People who come up through the system need to be educated to be productive members of society.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Voter Registration Deadline Looms; Candidates Listed

Oct.10 is the deadline for voter registration for the Nov.7 election. Anyone who has not yet registered can still fill out a registration application at the Kosciusko County clerk's office in the Justice Building.The clerk's office recommends that anyone who has not completed an application should do so at their office to guarantee they will receive it by deadline. To register, one must be a citizen of the United States; be at least 18 years old on the day of the next general or municipal election; have lived in their precinct for at least 30 days before the election; and not currently be in prison after being convicted of a crime. If a person moves, they should have their registration transferred each time they move. Information that must be provided on the registration includes county of residence, full name, address and date of birth.Optional questions are telephone and Social Security numbers and if you want to be a poll worker.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Red Cross Collects $50,000 In Local Donations For Relief

The local Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross has worked to respond to the needs of individuals and families impacted by the hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast late in August.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Quest Days Give Students Insight Into Real World

NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester High School freshmen, juniors and seniors are given an opportunity this week to learn about careers and investigate post-secondary options. Cathy Markstahler, MHS math teacher, head of the math department and Graduation Qualifying Exam Quest Days' coordinator, said GQE Quest Days' activities are planned for today through Thursday for freshmen, juniors and seniors while sophomores are testing. "We're doing some activities on the days the sophomores are testing," Markstahler said. There will be three days of activities for freshmen, juniors and seniors.Activities are through the Northwest Education Association and begin today. "It's teacher-made tests that some of us helped develop," Markstahler said.She said some of the tests help teachers monitor students' math skill development.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Wrestles With Reassessment Issues

As the county learns more about the reassessment and the state's tax restructuring, the more questions seem to arise. Thursday, Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell explained to the county council what she learned at a recent meeting in Indianapolis regarding tax increment financing issues created by House Bill 1001 and the inventory tax elimination. For TIF at the county level, Mitchell said, several years ago Kosciusko County established the entire county as TIF districts except for towns and incorporated districts.A "TIF allocation area" for the Maple Leaf TIF CR 900N project also was created, but the assessed values before the project were set as the base assessed value for the area.Taxes on any increased assessed value is being diverted to the TIF district to meet the financial obligation to repay bonds issued to do the Maple Leaf CR 900N project.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Group rappels down building at 122 S. Buffalo

Dynamik Adventures came to Warsaw Sunday offering the opportunity for people to rappel down the building at 122 S.Buffalo St.or ascend it. By the end of the day, five people took the class and four others rappelled without the class. The building is about four stories high, or approximately 65 feet. Brant Upchurch and Eric Bishop, partners in Dynamik Adventures, began the day with a class on rappelling down and ascending a building.Ultimately, Bishop said, each person is responsible for their own safety.When learning the skills necessary for rappelling, a person should never feel dumb about asking a question. "It's your life," said Upchurch. "In rappelling," said Bishop, "there are numerous ways to get down a rope safely." There are at least four types of descenders that help control the rate at which a person goes down, including Figure 8's, automatic tension controls, bars and mechanical clamps.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Petro's GM To Host Wheels To Work Festival

First Annual Wheels to Work Car Care Festival is Oct.18 from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.at Petro's GM Showplace, Ind.15, Warsaw. The "festival" is designed to increase public awareness about the benefits of good vehicle maintenance and repair for safer, cleaner and better performing vehicles.Plus, the festival will help make the community more aware of Combined Community Service's Wheels to Work Program. Ron Wright, director of CCS' Wheels to Work Program, said the program relies on people donating their cars to CCS to provide to Wheels to Work clients.For the clients to use the cars, they must be well cared for, and this festival will help people learn how to better take care of their vehicles. Qualified mechanics will inspect all vehicles at the event - including wipers, lights, belts and hoses, fluids, battery, coolant and tires.Vehicles also will receive a free vacuuming, car wash and wax.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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