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Bourbon Council Creates Storm Water Utility

BOURBON - "We have created the vehicle for both the Center Street and Ind.331 projects if we need it," said town council president Bill Keyser as he signed an ordinance Tuesday creating a storm water utility for the town. Council members have worked several years searching for funding to reconstruct sewer, storm drainage and water service and have yet to secure any funding for the work.They are awaiting word from state officials concerning possible funding for the Center Street reconstruction project; the creation of this utility was an effort to comply with requirements.State officials promised word on the application by mid-October. The council approved a survey to determine the percentage of low- to moderate-income households in town.The work, costing $1,350, will be done by Ball State University. Consultant John Hughes told the board the updated survey would provide necessary information for various programs.
MARILYN GOCHENOUR, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

County Antes Up Another $20,000 For AWL

Second chances. Not everyone gets one but the Kosciusko County Council is giving the Animal Welfare League just that. Thursday, the council approved an additional $20,000 for the AWL's 2000 budget by a vote of 5 to 1.Councilman Jim Tranter voted against the additional money.During budget hearings in August the county council approved only $30,000. The council will have to approve an additional appropriation at the first of the year to add the funds to the AWL account. At one time, the AWL was seeking as much as $80,000 to $120,000 for 2000. County administrator Ron Robinson said the AWL told him they could no longer continue operating the animal shelter without at least $50,000 for next year.Robinson is working with them on their lease agreement for next year. Councilman Lewis Bertsch asked if the shelter still tries to keep all animals.Robinson said he believes that is no longer the case.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

'Hoosier Millennium' Kickoff Set Today

Warsaw residents will get the opportunity to help kick off the state's observance of 2000 and help better their community today at 5 p.m.on the steps of the Kosciusko County courthouse. Indiana first lady Judy O'Bannon, touring four northern Indiana cities today, will make Warsaw her last stop and present the local Hoosier Millennium coordinator with the official "Hoosier Millennium toolbox." The toolbox contains various resources designed to help Indiana communities use the energy and enthusiasm generated by the millennium to find positive ways to mark the historic event and rededicate themselves to building tighter bonds between their citizens. Locally, Trish Brown, director of the Warsaw Community Development Corp., is heading up the millennium effort.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Indiana Deer Herd Relatively Healthy, DNR Officials Say

Although chronic wasting disease is spreading in Wisconsin and Michigan deer herds and tuberculosis has been found in the northwestern deer population in northern Michigan, no reports of these sicknesses have been detected in Indiana's deer population. Nevertheless, the State Board of Animal Health and Department of Natural Resources are monitoring the situation and will conduct voluntary testing beginning Nov.16, the first day of gun season. "Because of CWD problems in other states, we are prohibiting importation of cervids for one year," said Denise Derrer, public relations director of the Board of Animal Health."CWD is not in Indiana or in a bordering state." The disease is cause for concern, though, now that it is west of the Mississippi River.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

South Whitley Merchants Concerned About Rash Of Break-Ins, Vandalism

SOUTH WHITLEY - Several downtown merchants attended the town council meeting Tuesday asking for information regarding a series of break-ins and mischief which occurred in August. Town Marshall Dave McKeever explained partial fingerprints and other physical evidence was available.However, unless the perpetrators have been fingerprinted there is little chance of resolution and charges unless someone steps forward with information. "At this point we're relying on Crime Stoppers (which rewards informants leading to an arrest) and word on the street," the officer said. He advised the shop owners to secure storefronts with security in mind, saying new buildings have steel doors with deadbolt locks.He suggested keys be used to open the deadbolts on either side of the door.
TERESA CARRANO, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Glen Terrace Owner To Begin Repairs

Condemned Glen Terrace Apartments, Walter Way, Warsaw, are on their way to compliance with Warsaw building inspectors. Warsaw building inspector and assistant building commissioner Pam Kennedy condemned the last two of five buildings of the complex Wednesday. Kennedy, Warsaw Fire Chief Matt Warren, fire safety inspector Michael Wilson, building commissioner Gene Oliver, representative from USDA Rural Development Dan Hughes, Indianapolis housing coordinator John Young, rural development manager Enzley Mitchell (USDA Rural Development, Indianapolis) and apartment owner John Call, Syracuse, met Friday to discuss construction plans for the 40-unit complex. Call said his first concern is the fire separation violation, which triggered the condemnation.He brought plans to the meeting illustrating each step the engineer would take to solve the code violation.Call also said he has plans to paint the buildings and clean out the gutters.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

School Board Decides Change Order Policy

After weeks of wrangling over how to approve change orders for the high school project, the Warsaw School Board voted unanimously Monday to just have the entire board approve them. As of May 30, the total amount of change orders for the project is approximately $130,000, including some of the change orders the board approved last night, according to Warsaw Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott.Some of the change orders were add-ons, while others were subtractions from the total amount. At the May 16 school board meeting, the board voted to allow board member Dan Robinson and Warsaw Schools maintenance director Greg Schroeder to approve change orders up to $15,000.Any change orders over that amount must be brought before the full school board.But board member Deb Wiggins disagreed with the motion and investigated whether that was legal.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCS Looks To Heighten School Security

Tightening security throughout Warsaw Community Schools by restricting access will be proposed at the July school board meeting. Started last year on a pilot program at Washington and Harrison elementaries, the restricted access policy was accepted by staff, students and parents, Harrison principal Randy Polston told the school board Monday. "This was not to lock anybody out, as far as taxpayers or volunteers, and it was not to lock any children in," Polston said of the policy that limited entry to the school to the door nearest the office."For the most part everybody was positive....Parents were pleased that the school is concerned about the safety of their children." Principals of both schools said they worked with parent-teacher organizations in developing plans for their schools.Rande Thorpe, WCS business manager, said the problem is in the design of some of the schools.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Robber Bagged Inside Pharmacy

Less than an hour after a robbery suspect was caught inside the store, it was business as usual this morning at Horizon Pharmacy in downtown Warsaw. Warsaw police were called to the former Brennan's Pharmacy on Market Street about 9:15 a.m.and apprehended a woman believed to be the same person to have robbed the store on Memorial Day. Wearing a bathing suit and plastic trash bag, the woman came into the pharmacy and herded the people in the front of the store into the waiting area in front of the pharmacy counter and demanded drugs.Indiana and Michigan driver's licenses found in a car parked in the alley adjacent to the store identify the woman as Cheryl A.Lang.Police believe the vehicle, which was still running, was used by the suspect. While not on duty during the first robbery, the front counter cashier today, Sharon Parry, said she knew it was the same person because the woman was wearing a garbage bag during the last robbery, too.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Misses Grant By A Phrase

SILVER LAKE - A federal grant application to expand Silver Lake's fire station from two bays to five bays was denied, clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell said Tuesday at the town council meeting. Howell said the grant's wording was missing one phrase.Grant readers wanted the bank's assurance that it "would not hold a lien" against the property.Approval depended on the phrase's inclusion. Robert Murphy, owner of R.P.Murphy and Associates, Larwill, a consulting firm who writes grants for towns, cities and counties, was seeking $450,000 in available federal funds and $200,000 in local matching money. The missing phrase was not requested specifically to be in the grant application, Howell said. "It's not something they usually ask for" in grant applications, Howell said. She was sure the bank would include the phrase without a problem.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Twister Rakes County's Edge: Mikel's Mobile Estates heavily damaged

NAPPANEE - Mobile homes lay on their sides and others rest against trees and vehicles. The tornado that struck Mikel's Mobile Estates Thursday night damaged or destroyed 38 trailers in the park.Only four trailers were left unscathed. Four people were taken to area hospitals and all were released after being treated for minor cuts and bruises. The storm struck about 7:45 p.m.Thursday at the mobile home park five miles south of Nappanee on Ind.19.Residents who were home at the time said they had little or no warning that a tornado was coming. It is unknown how many people are left without homes after the storm.The Kosciusko County Red Cross is coordinating relief efforts for people who lost their homes and possessions. Kosciusko County Sheriff Al Rovenstine said when he and his men arrived Thursday night, they first tried to identify who lived in each of the trailers and how many people were in each one.
TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Milford Studies 2003 Budget Issues

MILFORD - At the second of three scheduled budget workshops, Milford street commissioner Dallas Winchester presented the motor vehicle highway budget to the Milford Town Council Monday. Compared to the 2002 budget, the estimated 2003 budget will increase approximately 2.6 percent.The 2002 budget is $206,310, with the 2003 budget estimated at $211,672. Part of the budget increase is due to a 5 percent wage increase for employees, an increase in employee insurance and Social Security. "I think all the budgets presented so far (have been) realistic," said Charlotte Siegfried, Milford clerk-treasurer. "It looks good to me," said councilman Douglas Ruch. For the cumulative capital development fund, $30,000 was budgeted for 2002.For 2003, Siegfried said, she recommended the council budget $200,000 if they want a new fire truck for the fire department."You don't have to spend it just because you budget it," she said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Etna Green To Upgrade Town's Water System

ETNA GREEN - With the completed water study in hand, the Etna Green Town Council on Tuesday decided to move ahead with plans for a proposed upgrade and will seek grant funding for the project. Council president Andy Cook said he would like to contact Commonwealth Engineering to "see what it will take to get it rolling."The proposal calls for a new well field, a 250,000-gallon elevated storage tank and replacement/updating of water lines throughout the town. The work will cost more than a million dollars.Impact on residents, as far as water rates are concerned, will depend on the financing the town secures and the number of years it takes to repay any loans.The town plans to seek grant money from the Indiana Department of Commerce and Farmers Home Administration.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

County Officials Formulating Emergency Plans

Since Sept.11, 2001, governments at all levels have been focusing on terrorism and bioterrorism. The Kosciusko County Health Department and health board are no different. Wednesday, county health administrator Bob Weaver told the county health board he and county health officer Dr.William Remington Jr.have been working with the local emergency management planning committee.The health department's role is to formulate a plan to conduct a massive immunization in the county should it be needed. In very small steps, Weaver said, the state is working with the health departments in each county on planning the massive immunizations.As each step is completed, the federal government is offering bioterrorism funds for local health departments.The money can be used for what each health department thinks it will need in case of emergency. "We're slowly working toward that end," he said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Reporter 'Survives' Aerobatic Paranoia

First off, let's get something straight.This is not something I wanted to do. I don't like rollercoasters, have no desire to sky dive, and for a while didn't even enjoy driving over the Skyway Bridge to Chicago. So when I was invited to fly inside an aerobatic bi-plane - one of three that will perform this weekend at the Warsaw Municipal Airport - my stomach sank. The sinking feeling was prompted by memories of when I was 7 and my father and I flew in a four-seater and the pilot decided to show off by doing some kind of flip over the skies of Wisconsin. I puked. But 27 years later, this was different.It was part of work.I was invited by the Marsh Star Aerobatic Team to experience first-hand what it's like to be in a plane that does loops, flips and dives and then convey those thoughts to our readers. After unsuccessfully asking three other staffers to take the assignment, I felt locked in.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local school officials see ruling as 'crazy,' 'ridiculous'

School superintendents in the Kosciusko County area don't plan to change how their students recite the Pledge of Allegiance just because the 9th U.S.Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Pledge unconstitutional. "I think it's crazy," said Wawasee schools superintendent Mark Stock of the ruling, which takes issue with the phrase "one nation under God." "Do we go one step further," Stock said, "and say it's illegal for schoolchildren to use money for lunch because (the money) says 'In God We Trust'?" Warsaw acting superintendent Dr.David McGuire agreed with Stock. "I think it's ridiculous," McGuire said."I've said the Pledge with 'under God' most of my life and I will continue to do it." Diana Showalter, director of curriculum for Whitko Schools, said they will continue to say the Pledge unless they are directed not to. "We live in a fairly conservative community, and I think most of the people think it's the right thing to do," she said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Encroachment Rule Changes Approved

Downtown businesses may soon find it easier to erect signs and canopies over city sidewalks if the recommendation of the Warsaw Plan Commission is adopted The commission, citing a need to streamline the process for granting right-of-way encroachment agreements, Monday approved a recommendation to the Warsaw City Council to put encroachment standards for such structures into ordinance form, which would save a step in the approval process. "The gist of this amendment is to speed up the process," city planner Jeff Noffsinger said."It would make it so there would not be a requirement for Board of Zoning Appeals approval before an encroachment agreement is taken up by city's Board of Public Works and Safety. "An encroachment agreement essentially indemnifies the city against liability if a sign or canopy would ever fall," he added. The proposed ordinance amendment would permit encroachments over the public right of way up to 4 feet.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Nappanee Looks To Form Boys And Girls Club

NAPPANEE - It's a growing concern in cities large and small - how to keep children off the streets and enrich their minds? The community of Nappanee has emerged as the latest contender in the fight to win back the youth. During Monday's common council session, John Leavitt and Kevin Deary offered a presentation on implementing a Boys and Girls Club in the area. To do so, the plan would need about $100,000, and Monday's presentation was the first of several to council and other organizations possibly interested in supporting the idea. Council agreed to consider what could be contributed as budget time draws nearer. Deary is the director for the Goshen chapter of the Boys and Girls Club, which boasts an enrollment of more than 700 children. The Boys and Girls Club, a project funded largely through the United Way, is geared toward children ages 6 to 18 who have been targeted as educationally "at risk" and/or latchkey kids.
AMY WENGER, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Cardinal Center $1M Golf Shoot-Out Set For June 22-23

June brings about summer, Father's Day and golfing. And then there's the chance of sharing in a million dollars in the Fourth Annual Cardinal Center Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Shoot Out. This year, the qualification dates are June 22-23 from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.Locations include Little Bighorn, Pierceton; Maxwelton and South Shore, both in Syracuse; Swan Lake, Plymouth; Raccoon Run and Rozella Ford, both in Warsaw; and Sprig-O-Mint, Bremen.The finals will be held June 30 at 4 p.m.at Stonehenge Golf Course, Warsaw. R.R.Donnelley & Sons Co.is again the premier sponsor of the golf shoot-out.The shoot-out is a closest-to-the-pin competition benefiting Cardinal Center Inc. Cardinal Center is a not-for-profit human service organization that provides services for people with disabilities in Kosciusko, Marshall, Cass and Fulton counties and for children with needs in Kosciusko County.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Resident Offers Boat, Trailer Proposal

WINONA LAKE - Council members heard a proposal Tuesday from Hal Harting, who wanted to address Winona's boat and trailer ordinance and how he felt it could be improved. Currently, the town allows for a one-hour time span for boat trailers to be left on public rights of way, and any vehicle found in violation is fined. But Harting said the one-hour limitation does not provide adequate time for residents to prepare boats for entering the water. "I am asking you to revisit (this issue)," he read from a statement."Most of you who own cars and do the cosmetic maintenance yourselves know that one hour to wash and vacuum your car is pretty restrictive.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016
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