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'South Pacific' Makes A Beautiful Destination

As this year's Wagon Wheel Theatre summer season continues, there's one thought that keeps coming back to me. Regardless of the play, this year's acting company is truly an amazing professional bunch. And when you put this mesmerizing troupe into a truly American play such as "South Pacific," throw in some detailed scenery, put the actors in the appropriate garb and let director Roy Hine have his way with it - sit back and prepare yourself for a treat. Set on two islands in the Pacific during World War II, the story builds around two primary relationships.First, there's the romantic relationship between Navy nurse Ensign Nellie Forbush (Jennifer Dow) from Little Rock, Ark., and the older French planter, Emile de Becque (Robert Joseph Miller).A second love pairing involves Lt.Joseph Cable (Jeremy D.Cohen) and young native girl Liat (Vivian Chiu).
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County OKs KABS Grant

Rita Baker, director of Kosciusko Area Bus Service, had some good news for the county commissioners Tuesday. She said an unused transit grant of $1,800 will be carried over for expenditures for next year. She also presented two Indiana Department of Transportation grant applications for 2007 expenditures.One, for capital improvements, amounts to $122,000; the second grant, for $405,000, would go toward operational costs. Baker said the newest KABS bus will have an aquarium theme.She said sponsors will be sought to represent certain underwater themes.For example, banks might like to buy a treasure chest illustration.She suggested lawyers, like the county's own Mike Miner, could be represented as a shark. The commissioners also: • Approved rezoning of property in VanBuren Township, 2.78 acres on the west side of Ind.15, 400 feet northwest of Waubee Road, from agricultural to commercial, as presented by Area Plan Commission Director Dan Richard.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

New Claypool Subdivision Looking For Homeowners

CLAYPOOL - The streets and curbs are installed as well as the "plumbing."Now all Great Beginnings subdivision, on CR 700S, west of Claypool, needs are a few prospective homeowners. "Two years ago I had 28 families interested in applications," said Bob Murphy, developer of the housing project."Now they've all found places to live.We've had a few delays." Great Beginnings subdivision is a federally subsidized project and low- to moderate-income individuals or families are eligible for mortgages. No down payment is required and $15,000 in equity will be forgiven over five years thanks to the Federal Community Development Block Grant I fund. The homes range in size from 1,150 square feet to 1,375 square feet. "It's a heck of a deal," said Tim Kelty, Murphy's associate. In unfunded subdivisions the prospective homeowner picks up costs of infrastructure installation.This grant allows infrastructure costs to be forgiven.
TERESA CARRANO, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Paragon Acquires Texas Company

PIERCETON - An acquisition by a Pierceton company is expected to bring more than a dozen jobs to the community. Paragon Medical Inc.announced Monday its agreement to purchase the Sterion Sterilization Container Division and intellectual property from Johnson & Johnson Medical Inc. The asset purchase agreement was signed July 22 and operation control will take effect in October. "It's really big news for us," said Tobias Buck, president and CEO of Paragon."It's also a good step for the community and will bring 12 to 20 new jobs locally." Sterion is based in Jacksonville, Texas, where Paragon plans to continue manufacturing.Sales, marketing and related infrastructure for the Jacksonville and Pendleton operations will be centralized at the Pierceton facility.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Deputy Quits: Hiring process begins again

MENTONE - Two steps forward and one step back. That's what it seems like for the Mentone Police Department. After eight months with only one police officer in town, a deputy marshal was hired in February.Tom Craft served his last day for the town on Saturday, ending his four-month career there.Craft has accepted a position at the Kosciusko County Jail. Marshal Jim Eads told the Mentone Town Council Monday night that he will start the search for a deputy all over again. Starting pay for a deputy marshal is $22,000, with bonuses awarded after 90 days, after successful completion of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and after six months probation, making it possible for a deputy marshal to earn up to $24,000 per year.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Restructuring Brings Smaller WorkOne Board

WorkOne is a local nonprofit organization designed to help people find employment. Inside the building at 715 S.Buffalo St., applicants can search for job openings throughout the country on the Internet. Juan Manigault, Work One's president and chief executive officer, was in Warsaw last week to talk about the newly created, 16-member Northern Indiana Workforce Board.Reduced from a group of 52 individuals, Manigault expects decisions and planning to be executed in a more timely fashion. "If all 52 members took 30 seconds to introduce themselves," he said, "nearly half an hour would be taken up during an hour and a half meeting.Now the board can focus on economic development and the future." George Clemens of Warsaw and Avis Gunter of Claypool serve on the board as Kosciusko County representatives. Melissa Blue and Wendy Hatcher work in the Warsaw office. Prospective job-seekers must undergo an orientation presented each Tuesday, they said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Residents Voice Dissapproval Of Proposed Zimmer Lane

Pending final plat approval from the Warsaw Plan Commission, Zimmer projected to shut down a portion of Center Street after the construction of a proposed Zimmer Lane. A 1979 agreement with the plan commission allows Zimmer the vacation of Center Street, with the stipulation that they must construct a "new street 50 feet in width with an easement 10 feet in width north-south adjacent." The company plans to construct a road to allow for the Center Street's vacation, from Hepler Drive to CR 225W.Zimmer was granted a preliminary plat approval on Zimmer Lane during the plan commission's three-hour Monday meeting.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse council plans for next year Departments Want Larger Slice Of Budget

SYRACUSE - "So easy, I can't believe it," said Syracuse Town Council President Bill Cutter Friday after the Syracuse town council concluded its first of two budget meetings. Department budgets discussed included street, fire, emergency medical service (EMS), police, animal control and dispatch.The council also discussed the budget for the cumulative fire fund and the law enforcement continuing education fund. Utilities and Street Commissioner Kent Thielka proposed a 2001 budget increase of approximately 4.37 percent for the street department, or $22,975, for a total 2001 budget of $548,140.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

United Way Welcomes 2004 Pacesetter Companies

United Way of Kosciusko County welcomes the companies that will lead the United Way 2004 campaign.Nelson Beverage, SYM Financial, Biomet Inc.and Dalton Foundry will "set the pace" for all other Kosciusko County companies for the community campaign. Pacesetter companies are taking a leadership role in the 2004 United Way campaign. Pacesetters run their companies' employee campaigns before the end of August. Pacesetters are volunteer companies that find new creative ways to raise dollars from their company for the community.Companies have internal "keyleaders" who will recruit team members within the company, and who will then plan and orchestrate the running of the campaign.Keyleaders then assist other companies by giving them new ideas and things that worked for their company.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Domestic Violence: Problem cuts across all socio-economic classes

Editor's Note: This is the first part of a three-part series on domestic violence.Today's install ment explains and quatifies the problem.Part two will deal with what victims can do to get out of abusive relationships and how to recognize a perpetrator before the violence begins.Part three will show what legal advice is available, where a victim can go to escape an abusive relationship and what kind of therapy and assistance they can receive. Every 15 seconds the crime of battery occurs. Does that statement mean anything to you? Does it affect you in any way? No? What about this one: More than half of all women will experience physical violence in an intimate relationship. Anything that time? Still no? Well, here's a few more to get you up to speed: Domestic violence is the leading cause of emergency room visits by women. Abuse is a pattern.Once violence begins in a relationship, it gets worse and more frequent over time.
DOUGLAS SANBURN Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Western Route Project Meets No Opposition At Thursday Meeting

If the public has any interest in the Western Route Project, they didn't show it Thursday night at the joint Kosciusko County Council/Commissioners meeting. The two county government bodies met to discuss the contract with The Troyer Group, Mishawaka, for the corridor study of the project. By 7:18 p.m., a few minutes after the meeting began, the contract was approved and the funds for the contract - approximately $145,000 - were transferred. "That meeting went a whole lot faster than I anticipated," said Rob Ladson, Kosciusko County highway superintendent and engineer, after the contract was unanimously approved by the commissioners. The council approved the transfer of funds for the corridor study early in the meeting, before public comments were heard. However, only one person spoke during public comments.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Council hears requests for funds from several social service agencies

Social service agencies and other organizations in Kosciusko County presented requests for next year's financial assistance to the Kosciusko County Council Thursday. Some asked for slightly more money, others asked for the same amount as 1999. The first presentation was by Kurt Carlson, CEO of Bowen Center.The Bowen Center took over the Kosciusko County Juvenile Shelter after it closed last year.This year, the center is anticipating a shortfall of approximately $34,000.As a result, Bowen Center is increasing the per diem rate for the shelter from $100 to $105 per day. In addition to the financial shortfall, Carlson said, the county has used more days in the shelter than predicted.The contract with Kosciusko County budgeted 1,095 days for 1999, for a total of $60,225, and actually used 1,687. "Unfortunately, we have that many kids in need in this community," he told the council.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Democratic Auditor Candidate, Bob Hill, Stumps In Warsaw

Obscurity doesn't equate with lack of importance. That was the message Bob Hill, Democratic candidate for state auditor, told a group of party faithful Wednesday at the new Kosciusko County Democratic headquarters, during a stop on his 10-day, 26-county tour of the state. "It (the auditor) is not a high profile office, but it's a very important one," Hill said."It processes $27 billion in state and federal funds.When you get a check from the state, it comes from the auditor's office." Hill was born in Indianapolis and raised in Knox County, near Vincennes.A 1965 graduate of North Knox High School, he earned a business education degree from Vincennes University and a certificate of graduation from University of Wisconsin's Graduate School of Banking. He touts his 26 years in banking as his most important qualification for the auditor's office - experience he says his opponent, Connie Nass, former Huntingburg city councilwoman and mayor, can't match.
DAVID A. BEALL Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Seeks Grant For Library

MENTONE - No remonstrance was voiced during a hearing Monday regarding reapplication for grant money for the Bell Memorial Public Library project. The town will be the recipient of the grant, and the hearing took place during the Mentone Town Council meeting. The project was twice denied by the Indiana Department of Commerce, first because the day care center hadn't acquired its nonprofit status and second because the actual plans for the day care weren't established. The library, with the support of the town, has been trying to secure funds for the property for more than a year.Plans for the new location in the old Frank Mfg.building include room for the library, a day care center and a senior citizen center. The IDOC grant being sought is for $500,000.The library also is pursuing a grant from the Dekko Foundation.The total cost of the project is anticipated to be $1,138,868.18.The state grant will be administered by Murphy & Associates, Larwill.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

CCS Getting A New Home

A local agency that helps area residents with emergency housing problems will be moving soon to a new home of its own. Combined Community Services, now at 212 E.Market St., Warsaw, will move in a few months to a new location in a former garden center on Prairie Street. Marty Courtney, CCS director, said she expects to sign final real estate papers on the new property next week. CCS was notified in November by its landlord, Reub Williams & Sons Inc., that a buyer was interested in the Market Street property.CCS has been at the Market Street location rent-free since its inception in 1984. Courtney said the new property has several advantages: the building is all on one level and features handicapped accessible entrances and restrooms, it includes room to expand, and it has plenty of parking space. "It's just ideal for us," Courtney said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Program Teaches Kids About Justice System

Some students in Warsaw Community Schools may get a deeper look at the law enforcement and justice systems in Kosciusko County as a result of a new program this fall. Starting with fifth-graders at Madison Elementary, the "Courtrooms to Classrooms" program will help youngsters understand how the justice system works, said county prosecutor David Kolbe Tuesday. "This program has the potential of a very significant blend of the justice system and the educational system," he said. Funded by a grant from a corporate trust fund, the nine-week program was developed after Kolbe and an assistant prosecutor, Rob Reneker, attended a conference in Seattle on juvenile justice policy.Reneker will be in charge of coordinating the speakers and developing the curriculum.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley Board Works On Budget

MENTONE - Anticipating some kind of change in commercial vehicle taxes, the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.Board of Trustees is planning the budget for 2001 at only 95 percent of the assessed valuation. Dan Kramer, TVSC assistant superintendent, said they were advised by a state representative to plan the budget at 95 percent.At 95 percent, the tax rate will be more than if the budget was figured at 100 percent of the assessed valuation. The assessed valuation for the school corporation at 95 percent is $85.12 million.The 2000 assessed valuation advertised was $88.65 million. On Thursday, the board approved the overall tax rate to be advertised at $6.82, with a proposed budget at approximately $15.9 million.The board also approved the capital projects fund plan and bus replacement plan to be advertised. The budget comprises six funds.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley To Continue Issuing ID Cards

MENTONE - Students at Tippecanoe Valley High School and Middle School will continue to be issued ID cards for the next school year. The Tippecanoe Valley School Board approved for the students to continue to use them, but they only have to carry them.Faculty and staff must wear their ID cards. Jeff France, school safety committee member, said after being asked to review the matter, he contacted several schools in the area.Some schools have them but students only have to carry them or keep them in their lockers. A majority of schools in the area don't have any ID cards, like Plymouth.Warsaw is the only school corporation where middle and high school students must have them and carry them around at all times.If a Warsaw student loses the ID card, France said the student's parents are billed $5 per card.Valley only charges $3.Some students at Warsaw, France said, run up large bills for lost ID cards.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

McIntosh Campaign Stops In Warsaw

It's not going to be a "David and Goliath" story.But it may very well be a "David and Frank" story. David McIntosh vs.Frank O'Bannon, that is. McIntosh, of Muncie, was in Warsaw Saturday seeking the support - both political and financial - of Kosciusko County Republicans at a fund-raising reception at 2517 Restaurant. "Like I told the group this morning," McIntosh said in an exclusive interview, "it took me several months to decide where to best serve the people of Indiana.I determined that serving as governor is where I needed to be." Improving the quality of education, creating a vibrant economy and strengthening the community spirit in the state will be the main planks in his campaign platform, McIntosh said.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Stimmel Transfer Request Irks Alcohol Board

Sam Stimmel's alcoholic beverage permit stock transfer request riled the Alcohol and Tobacco Commissioners Thursday. After approving a beer, wine and liquor permit renewal for Stimmelators Gentlemen's Club in Tracy Stimmel's name, the board addressed the transfer of stock, switching ownership back to Sam, Tracy's father. Excise officer Pat Fleck swore in the Stimmels, and Sam answered routine permit questions.He indicated he had been a continuous resident of Indiana.Commissioners Gordon Vanator, Ken Johnson and Elim Smith doubted the truth of that statement. Stimmel's residency came into question last year when he indicated he was a resident of Texas when applying for an alcoholic beverage permit for a bar in Texas. In February, while the matter was being investigated in Texas and Indiana, a transfer of stock to Tracy was approved.At that time, the Stimmels said making Tracy manager of the club had been their goal all along.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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