Relevance Date

Book Charts Development Of Tippecanoe Lake

NORTH WEBSTER - Someone took a picture of Robert W.Gift and his friends grinning from a mostly submerged rowboat. The photograph, which includes the Gift cottage on Black's Landing in the background, is on the jacket cover of "Memories of Lake Tippecanoe, A Pictorial History of Lake Tippecanoe, Kosciusko County, Indiana." The photo is just one of more than 500 chronicling the development of Tippecanoe Lake from the sketchy information available in the 1700s to the conservation efforts of the 1980s. In between, author Carole Shelby has brought the history of Tippecanoe Lake to life, scouring museums and libraries and interviewing the people who remember the early days of the lake's development. "Interviews with the older people was the most interesting part of writing the book," Shelby said of the five-year project. The comprehensive, 276-page volume is packed with local names and landmarks.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Planners Table Proposal For Lake Access Law

Supporters called the proposed Lake Access Development Amendment "vitally important to Kosciusko County's lake communities" at the Area Plan Commission meeting Wednesday. Plan commission members tabled a decision after hearing about an hour and a half of comments for and against the zoning change. Plan commission Director Dan Richard welcomed the more than 100 citizens who attended the meeting, saying their presence was fantastic. He also said more than 50 letters were received in support of the amendment and the planning office received a copy of one letter to the Times-Union editor which was not in favor of the amendment. Four people spoke in favor of the amendment, a couple of people had questions, and four people spoke against it. David Tyler, representing the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association and that organization's lake development committee, spoke in favor of the amendment.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Seeks DNR Info On Lakefront Land

SILVER LAKE - Town marshal Craig Hollopeter and town superintendent Phil Shalley are arranging an informational meeting with Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The town wants to clarify its liabilities and responsibilities with the annexed lakefront property, Hollopeter said at Tuesday's town council meeting. The marshal is curious if the DNR requires a rescue boat for lake-area emergency protection.Shalley is interested in the town's responsibilities for pier upkeep.More issues will be discussed, too. Several lake-area citizens shared concerns about lake pollutants with the council.One resident said she has picked glass out of the water several times.Other residents said they have found motor oil and lawn-mower parts in the lake. Council president Brenda Wadkins said residents should notify the town when they find pollutants. In an unrelated matter, the council allowed H&H Tree Service owner Jerry Creekmore to park three work trucks on his property.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Targets EDIT Funds For Varied Community Projects

MENTONE -ÊMoney from Mentone's share of the Economic Development Income Tax will help support the Bell Memorial Library, day care and senior citizens center at the former Frank Saemann Manufacturing Building. Monday, the Mentone Town Council unanimously approved a resolution in which Mentone will pay $2,000 per year for 20 years plus $25,000 of in-kind labor and materials.In addition, Mentone will pay an estimated $5,000 for maintenance, insurance and utilities for the senior citizens center portion of the building. EDIT is income tax money that can be used only for capital projects and improvements.The Kosciusko County Council approved EDIT this year and the tax began being collected July 1.However, towns, cities and the county cannot begin receiving the money until 2002.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

FaithWorks Prepares Groups For Federal Funds

WINONA LAKE - Faith-based organizations have had the opportunity to apply for government funding since 1996, said Kathy Koehler, FaithWorks Indiana project manager. "The question is, is your organization able to do all the reporting, paperwork and accounting that comes with a federal grant award?" she asked."You can expect to be monitored, and sometimes it's easier to ease into foundations' grants first." Koehler spoke at Grace College Friday during Carrie Yocum's Social Change Policy Class.Members of the community also were invited to attend. Charitable Choice legislation was part of the 1996 welfare reform law.At that time, faith-based organizations were eligible for federal grant applications as long as they did not discriminate against recipients because of their religion, provided the name of a non-faith-based provider and were non-sectarian. Participants cannot be required to attend religious services or be required to hear preaching or proselytizing.
TERESA SMITH Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

K21 Foundation Donates Land For Greenway Project

Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation Inc.recently donated a parcel of wetlands to Warsaw. The property will be used for the Beyer Farm Trail segment of the Lake City Greenway project. A boardwalk, connecting the Kosciusko Community Hospital property with Pike Lake Park, will be constructed through the wetland. The project will highlight natural features of the site including native vegetation, wildlife and the function of the wetland with a series of informational markers.Construction is set to begin in March. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has contributed $100,000 for the wetlands boardwalk. Overall, the Lake City Greenway project will connect the communities of Warsaw, Winona Lake and several unincorporated areas in the county with a series of trails.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Community Emergency Services Building Coming Together

MENTONE - By local government agencies working together, the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building will serve the community for years to come once completed. During a tour of the construction project Thursday afternoon, emergency services personnel discussed the work that went into the project and what's left to finish it. "We wanted this building to serve the emergency services in this area for the future," said Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads."And we feel (this building) will do that." The building is on Main Street where the former town hall was.Two entrances face Main Street, one goes into the vehicle bays (on the right) and the other (on the left) leads into the office area.Upon entering the left door, patrons first step into a commons area where they will be able to make their water/sewer bill payments.A nearby stairwell leads to storage rooms for the town and police department.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCS Hears Construction Update

With about six months left before the Warsaw Community High School renovation is completed, representatives of the architectural firm told the school board Monday they want to improve relations with the school corporation. Schmidt Associates already met with WCHS administrators and ironed out concerns and problems with the project to date.Thomas G.Neff, representing the company, presented information on the change orders for the project to date and the list of concerns about the project. "We believe we have a fantastic project," said Neff, which includes the Performing Arts Center, improved heating, ventilation and cooling and an expansion of the athletic complex. A process for change orders is in place."It goes through a series of steps," said Neff, ending with approval by the school board.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Grant Enables School Resource Officers

Deputies Don Wiesehan and Chris Rager are a new breed of officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. The KCSD in December was awarded a federal grant of nearly $230,000 to hire two officers to work in area schools.The U.S.Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services program grant is intended to provide $125,000 to fund the salary and benefits of each officer.The COPS grant is the same one that has allowed police departments throughout the nation to hire additional officers in an effort to make neighborhoods safer. Wiesehan was hired from within the department to serve as school resource officer for Tippecanoe Valley schools, and Rager was hired from the North Webster Police Department to serve in Wawasee schools.Both carry the rank of deputy with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

School board approves sale of old Webster elementary

NORTH WEBSTER - For $1, the Wawasee Community School Corp.Board of School Trustees approved Tuesday selling the old North Webster Elementary School, Ind.13, North Webster, to North Webster Community Center Inc. NWCC Inc.is a new not-for-profit group recently formed by the town of North Webster.Jeff Morgan, North Webster councilman, presented the school board with a tattered one-dollar bill upon approval of the acquisition. The Center took possession of the school Tuesday but the school corporation will continue to remove equipment and materials through Friday.The school corporation will continue to pay for utilities until the end of the month. Wawasee Superintendent Mark Stock said it is a win-win situation for all.North Webster gets a building and the school corporation saves money by not having to pay demolition costs. Board president Brian Dawes said there are good and bad things about the building but he hopes the community center can happen for the town.
Stories by David Slone,, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Student Minority Populations On The Rise

Third in a series. Across the United States, the number of minorities is growing.In the next 25 to 30 years, minorities will be the majority. Locally, minority growth can be seen in the four school corporations. "The primary area for us in terms of an increase would be within the Hispanic population," said Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr.Lee Harman."We noticed that through the English as a Second Language program." Dr.Karen Boling, Tippecanoe Valley Schools Superintendent, said the number of minority students in her school corporation has not been increasing.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Sofamor Danek Project Taxes Earmarked For Bond Repayment

The Warsaw Redevelopment Commission approved a resolution pledging property taxes from the Sofamor Danek project to be used as payment of the industrial development bond issued by the Warsaw Economic Development Commission. The project consists of an orthopedic hardware manufacturing and production facility at the northeast corner of the intersection of U.S.30 and CR 150W. "This is the next step in the process," city planner Jeff Noffsinger said."a resolutional pledge increment generated from the project to pay off the bonds." Randy Rompola, attorney from Baker & Daniels, was present at the meeting to discuss the resolution. "What this resolution does is pledge the tax increment that will be generated from that site in repayment of the bond," Rompola said."The tax increment is nothing more than an increase" in the amount of taxes generated by the property.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Courthouse needs interior renovation

There's a lot of work that needs to be done to the interior of the Kosciusko County Courthouse - heating, lighting and plumbing. And if the county decides to have all the proposed work done, the cost will be nearly $3 million. Representatives of A.Hattersley & Sons gave a presentation to the county council Thursday on what they found during their investigation of the historic building. Hattersley account executive Steve Nutt said they met with county administrator Ron Robinson in the fall, then with county commissioner Ron Truex about the project.A renovation committee was formed, which the company used to help them steer through the preliminary process.The company looked at all the information the county had on the building and held internal meetings.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Planners Vacate Streets Around Lilly Property

The Area Plan Commission approved a petition to vacate lots, streets and public rights of way as filed by Eli Lilly II, Ruth Virginia Lilly Nicholas, Irene Katherine Lilly McCutchen and Turkey Creek Holdings & Wawasee RR Holdings (Case No.06001PV) Wednesday. Lots 12 through 25 in Eli Lilly's second plat of Wawasee & Country Club Acres Phase I is along Lake Wawasee in Turkey Creek Township, south of the relocated Eli Lilly Road. The request, presented by lawyer Steve Snyder, is the final step of a project started in 2000.Since then Eli Lilly Road was reconstructed away from the lake. The new road runs south of the railroad tracks, from Warner to Bishop Road, just south of the railroad crossing. The old road is closed and privately maintained. There are three houses on the property, those of the petitioners.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Durgin Spells 'Terraqueous' To Win Elementary Bee

In the end it was a word almost no one had heard of that won the elementary spelling bee contest for an Eisenhower Elementary fifth-grader. After seven rounds and almost an hour of competing, Bryce Durgin stepped to the microphone Monday night at First United Methodist Church and, without hesitation, correctly spelled "terraqueous." Durgin, 10, looking slightly stunned after the bee, said he broke the word down to "terra" and "aqueous" and, since he knew those words, it wasn't that difficult. Twenty-three students from elementary schools all over the county competed in Monday's bee, which started with words such as "bonus" and "tornado." But round two reduced the ranks of the spellers by more than half, losing 12 students to words like "exemplary," "tenacious" and "integral." Round three was even more difficult, and by round four, only five spellers were left.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Chamber Has New Director

SYRACUSE - The new executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce is off to a running start. Kristi E.Young took on the duties of executive director on Jan.26, exactly one month before the Taste of Home Cooking School event.Young is stepping up to the challenge of presenting a successful community event by bringing together the resources necessary in the allotted time. Although she is thrilled to be taking on this project, she was initially worried about the short amount of time left to plan the event.This is no longer a concern. "Everything is falling into place," said Young, "and tickets sales are starting to take off." The Taste of Home Cooking School will take place Feb.26 at 7 p.m.at the Syracuse Elementary School Gymnasium.Between 1,000 and 1,500 attendants are expected to be present.The Taste of Home Cooking School presentation is for everyone, from a novice to an experienced cook.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

WW II Monument On D.C.'s National Mall

The National World War II Memorial is the first national memorial dedicated to all who served during World War II.The memorial honors all military veterans of the war, the citizens on the home front, the nation at large and the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated the nation's call to arms. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th century in American history, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice and commitment of the American people, to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world.It will inspire future generations of Americans, deepening their appreciation of what the World War II generation accomplished in securing freedom and democracy.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Settlement Reached In Wrongful Death

A compromise was recently reached in a wrongful death lawsuit, with the judge approving a $425,000 settlement. Leon Robinson, 58, died in a June 23, 1999, traffic accident on U.S.30 after the pickup he was driving ran into the rear of a semi tractor/trailer driven by Dale Moran of Mississippi. According to police reports at the time of the accident, Moran was moving slowly westbound on U.S.30 after pulling out from the area of Safe-Way Door.A witness reported seeing other semis passing Moran prior to Robinson's impact with Moran's rig. Moran told police he saw Robinson's pickup but thought it was a safe distance away when he pulled out.Moran was in third gear when the 18-wheeler was struck from behind.Police said it appeared that Robinson made no attempt to slow down or swerve prior to impact.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse PD Linked To New Data System

SYRACUSE -ÊQuick and easy. That's two words Syracuse Police Officer Bill Van Vactor uses to describe the new Indiana Data and Communications System, which is linked to the National Crime Information Center, at the Syracuse Police Department dispatch.Van Vactor is the coordinator for the new system. The system went on-line Feb.12 at 8:45 a.m.and provides driver and criminal information to the department from the state almost instantaneously. "The average traffic stop will be cut in half," Van Vactor said. He said the usual traffic stop used to take 20 minutes.Now, a stop is only six minutes with IDACS.The system saves time because Syracuse dispatch is patched in directly to the state instead of having to go through the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsawan Still Battling '91 Identity Theft

When Kim Umbaugh lost her purse while shopping at Amish Acres in Nappanee 14 years ago, she had no idea what she was in for. After the purse was stolen, Kim and her husband Randy, Warsaw, contacted credit card companies and their bank to report the theft. Little did they know that their ordeal was just beginning. The thief got ahold of Kim's driver's license and Social Security number and used her personal information to open a checking account at a bank in Bloomington.The person, who to the Umbaughs' knowledge was never caught, then went on a three-day spending spree and spent more than $3,000 at 40 locations in southern Indiana. Kim was unaware of the account until a detective from Bloomington contacted her about two months later.After speaking with Kim, the detective realized that Kim was a victim of identity theft. That was in 1991.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
Previous Next