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Grace College To Offer Series Of Lectures

WINONA LAKE - Beginning as early as the 1890s to as recently as the 1960s, Winona Lake was synonymous with platform presentations. Speakers such as Booker T.Washington, Helen Keller, Admiral Richard Byrd, William Jennings Bryan, Billy Graham, Wil Rogers and many more all used Winona Lake as a forum to communicate both ideas and ideals to their generations. Grace College will present the American Lyceum Lecture Series to provide a setting for a new generation of public speakers. "The idea behind this public lecture series is to provide high-quality speakers that would be attractive to our community," said Steve Grill, Grace College dean of community education.He said the lecture series is designed for the community as a way for Grace College to say thanks for everything the community has done for Grace. The first of the lecture series will be held Feb.23 at 7:30 p.m.in Westminster Hall.Open to the public, there is no admission charge.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Chamber Head Hopes To Boost Local Business

SYRACUSE - From bungee-jump instructor to executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce is quite a leap, but Steven Hite made it. Early last month, with passage of the chamber budget, his position became full time.Prior to beginning work with the chamber in October, he and his wife, Cara, owned a frame shop in Elkhart, where they live.They have one son, Nathan, who soon will be 2 years old. So how does he plan to enhance business in Syracuse? By bringing seminars to town that will help businesses learn and grow."The Power of Creative Thinking" will be offered May 15 to "hopefully break the negative mold by use of creative thinking," he said. Future seminars will teach Roberts Rules of Order, OSHA guidelines and "Outrageous Customer Service," as well as entrepreneurial skills. "These seminars will help keep our business community updated," he said, adding that there will be a fee for attending most of them.
VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF SURSO, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Mitchell Seeks Re-election To Whitko School Board

Erwin "Pete" Mitchell is seeking re-election to the Whitko School Board Corp.'s board of trustees. Mitchell's first term began in 2002.He represents the town of Larwill and Richland Township in Whitley County, and the town of Sidney and Jackson Township in Kosciusko County. Voters will elect two Whitko School Board representatives in the May 2 primary election.Mitchell is running for the District 2 seat. E.Marie Trump, whose District 1 seat also is open, has indicated she will not seek re-election. A long-time resident of Richland Township, Mitchell worked for the school district as director of maintenance.He retired in 2001 with 24 years of service. Mitchell said he is seeking re-election to the school board's District 2 position to assist in making the local schools the best in Indiana.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Schools Accept Gym Renovation Bids

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊManchester school board unanimously accepted a total contract bid Tuesday for Manchester High School's gymnasium renovation. The bid amount totaled $1,694,100, which is within the budgeted $2 million amount, said Danna Wannemacher, project architect from Barton Coe Vilamaa Architects Engineers, Fort Wayne. The project proposal includes four rooftop mechanical air units to segregate the gym's air-conditioning system from the rest of the building, according to Wannemacher's project bid report. MHS assistant principal Randy Self said "air quality" is the biggest concern for the additional units, not keeping cool for "comfortability's sake." "I am far more concerned with air quality issues" and the effects on students' health, like asthma, said MHS principal Nancy Alspaugh. The school overuses the current 60-ton ice harvester cooling system, Self said.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Board told of problems in state disbursements, reassessment delays

School corporations statewide are suffering financially, and Warsaw Community Schools is no different, the Warsaw school board was told Monday. Rande Thorpe, WCS business manager, said the state's Department of Local Government and Finance still has not approved WCS' 2003 budget. "That has never happened, to my knowledge.They're not operating business as usual," he said. In January, WCS borrowed approximately $9 million in tax anticipation warrants to make ends meet until funds collected through property taxes were received from the state.However, because the reassessment is not complete, the county can't prepare the tax bills, people won't pay taxes and the school corporation won't get its money, he said. He said he anticipates WCS receiving local property taxes in October, and they usually receive half in May and June and the other half in November and December.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Parks Board Reorganizes, Hears Bike Path Update

"It would be wrong to vote for myself," former Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board President Don Clemens said at Tuesday's meeting.As it turns out, Clemens broke a tie, ultimately forfeiting his reign as board president. The board met Tuesday at the Nye Youth Cabin to elect new officers, welcome new board member Jeff Grose and discuss ongoing projects and 1999 year-end reports. Former president Clemens called the meeting to order and started off the election for officers.Among the nominees were Clemens and Toby Sumpter for president and John Sadler for vice president. Election results named Sumpter as the new park board president and Sadler as the vice president. Andy McCleary, parks activity director, initiated discussion on unfinished business by updating the board on the ongoing Greenway Project.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Brown Enters Sheriff's Race

Louis W."Bill" Brown, 48, a 26-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, has announced his candidacy for sheriff of Kosciusko County. Brown will join two other Republican candidates on the May 2 primary ballot, Rocky Goshert and Sam Whitaker. Brown said his appearance in the race gives people an option. "I've known both men for years," he said."I've been a state policeman for 26 years and I want to give back to the community.I feel there's a need.Aaron's done a great job with grants and upgrades to the department. "Because of my years of experience as a supervisor with the state police, I can come in and lead the sheriff's department.I can bring the department to the next level of professionalism with things I learned at the ISP.I have the integrity to take them to the next level." He said there are great deputies here and he would like to hire more.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton Works To Clean Up Abandoned Downtown Building

PIERCETON - Progress on possible cleanup at an abandoned gas station is moving as slowly as the building is falling down around itself. For more than two years, the town has been trying to secure grant money for the site and, although a grant was received for testing on the site, it may be 1999 before anything can be seen as progress. The Pierceton Town Council told concerned citizens at its meeting on Monday that soil testing to determine the extent of contamination, if any, has been completed.However, the results - expected four to six weeks from the testing date - aren't due back for another two weeks.Once those are learned, the town will decide whether it will be feasible to clean up the site.Grants will also be sought for that work, but it's not guaranteed that the town will receive money on its first application.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Town marshal takes job in Syracuse

PIERCETON - "This town has lost a good officer and Syracuse has gained a good man." Those were the sentiments of Pierceton Town Council president Ron Hall upon hearing the tendered resignation of Deputy Marshal Travis Marsh. Marsh, who has served with the Pierceton Police Department for nearly three years, cited personal reasons for his decision to leave.He also serves as town marshal at Silver Lake and, after less than one year, will vacate that post as well. According to Pierceton Town Marshal George Alexander, Marsh and his family will move to the Syracuse area, where he has accepted a position with the Syracuse Police Department. Marsh's resignation is effective March 15. Applications are being accepted for the vacated post. In other town business, costs will be investigated for installing another street light on Ind.13 at Lake City Bank and increasing the wattage of the lights at Elm Street and Ind.13 and Columbia Street and Ind.13.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Students Learn By Doing

PIERCETON - A sophisticated version of a popular children's toy is making it possible for Whitko Middle School eighth-graders to have fun while they learn college-level concepts, the Whitko school board learned Monday. Using a program and equipment furnished by the Legos Group, the students built a robot then programmed it to accomplish specific tasks.According to teacher Teresa Knepple, who introduced the project to her science classes, the two-week assignment can meet more than 20 state standards in science, math and technology.Knepple and eight students demonstrated the project Monday for the school board.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Firemen Get $29,916 Grant From Homeland Security

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊThe Chester Township Fire Department in North Manchester will be working with $29,916 in new equipment thanks to the U.S.Department of Homeland Security. The grant, which came from the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S.Department of Homeland Security, will be used to buy new pagers for volunteer firefighters, new portable radios for officers of the department, 500 feet of 5-inch supply line hose and adapters, a rotary K12 saw, four air lifting bags and controllers for vehicle extrication. According to Dan Renz of the Chester Township Fire Department, once forms are filled out to transfer funds in the bank, the equipment can be ordered. "We could begin ordering equipment by the end of the month," said Renz."We have one year to complete the purchase." The Chester Township Fire Department applied for the grant through an online application on a FEMA Web site.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Library Approves Privately Funded Addition

Warsaw Community Public Library Board on Tuesday approved paperwork that will allow for the privately funded wing of the new addition. The changes amount to $156,000. Total anticipated cost of the project is $4,184,702. The entire project is being done in two phases, the first of which involves expanding the building to the west.That phase is expected to be complete by September.Afterward, renovations on the current facility will begin.The entire project is slated to be finished by April 1, 1998. Also Monday, the board delayed action on bids to remove an underground storage tank, which needs to be removed before other steps in the project can go forward. Removal of the tank is complicated by its proximity to various utility lines and North Detroit, which is part of Ind.15. Bids varied greatly, in part, because some contractors were unaware of the complications.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

CCAC Funds Cut

The City-County Athletic Complex won't receive a final grant payment from the Kosciusko County Convention Recreation and Visitor Commission until proper financial statements are presented. The commission approved a payment of $34,000 to the recreational facility earlier this year and have paid out $25,500.A condition of that agreement, as with all grants, is an accounting of expenditures. Deb Wiggins, who was re-elected commission president, said the CCAC board has approved suggestions such as reducing the number of board members and add someone from the commission and a Warsaw parks representative to the board. Another recommendation was to update the Web site with the 2006 schedule so people can register for leagues and plan events online.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCS Eyes Improvements Without Tax Hikes

Planning for the future will be the focus of the Warsaw school board next month when it decides how to handle long-term financing for future projects - without increasing property taxes. "Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it," said school superintendent Dr.Lee Harman in reminding the board of dramatic tax rate increases because of major changes. Harman said Warsaw Community Schools isn't looking at any major building projects, but will need to "keep flexible for handling facilities," he said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Looks At Progress On Goals For 2001

WINONA LAKE - Last January the town council set a number of goals for the year. Some projects underwent a natural evolution, others were dropped completely and others were set on hold as the year unfolded. For the most part, however, town council members Jeff Carroll, president; Rolly Ortega, vice president; Jerry Clevenger, Craig Snow and David Delp met or exceeded their own expectations. Recently town coordinator Craig Allebach updated the board regarding actions taken on the goals and new situations that cropped up over the past 12 months. Goals: 1.Continue work with consultants and the community in the design and reconstruction of CR 250E with construction to begin in 2002.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Coach Reacts To Suspension

BOURBON - Mike McBride said he was as surprised as anyone that the Triton School Board decided to suspend him from his varsity basketball head coaching duties for the rest of the season during Monday night's school board meeting. "I wasn't aware it was going to happen.The only thing I knew, there would be a discussion," said McBride."I didn't know there was going to be a vote at the public meeting." McBride wasn't present at the school board meeting nor did he have any representation.He was notified of the school board's decision last night by Triton High School principal Mike Chobanov. The board voted unanimously to suspend McBride and replace him with junior varsity head coach Jason Groves and McBride believes he won't be returning to the Triton bench. "I was under the impression I've been relieved of my coaching duties," said McBride. McBride, an elementary school teacher in the Triton school system, plans to continue his teaching duties.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Releases Employee Info To American Express

County employee Social Security numbers and home addresses were released to a credit card company and some employees aren't happy about it because they weren't asked. County employees who drive county-owned vehicles home were issued credit cards through American Express.The cards have each driver's name on them.The cards are to be for vehicle maintenance only, to purchase fuel, oil, windshield wipers, etc. American Express wouldn't issue the 78 cards until the company received employees' Social Security numbers and home addresses, reportedly to ensure no one's American Express bill was hugely overdue. The release of Social Security numbers is very limited under federal and state laws.One exception is to inform the employee whether or not the release is mandatory.The employee could then sign an acknowledgement of the release.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Leesburg Sewer Hearing Draws A Crowd

LEESBURG - Nearly 100 people filled the Leesburg Lions Building Wednesday night for a public hearing on the sewer project facilities plan. Town council president Bob Cleveland said that sewers have been something Leesburg has talked about as far back as the 1970s, so the council decided to find out the cost, feasibility and other factors concerning such a project."But this study does not mean that tomorrow we're going to put in sewers," he said. Joe Tierney, an engineer from Bonar Group of Indianapolis, said the town must have a facilities plan to qualify for a low-interest loan to help with the cost of the sewer project. Tierney said a sewer system would have a positive environmental impact because it would eliminate failing septic systems.The project would also enable businesses to open in town, something that can't happen now because of Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements for septic systems.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton Study Released

PIERCETON - Levels of petroleum and other contaminants found during soil testing on the site of an abandoned gas station are classified as "moderate." Some of the findings of the report submitted by Avant Group Inc.of Pierceton were released during a special meeting Wednesday.However, the expected explanation of the report was not received because representatives of Avant failed to show up for the meeting. Pierceton Town Council members assumed there was a mix-up regarding the meeting date and hope to reschedule it for early next week. The cleanup of the Perry property, located at the northwest corner of Market and First streets, is projected to cost a minimum of $160,000.The greatest concentration of contaminants seems to be around a leaking underground storage tank on the property and, the report noted, it is possible that the contamination extends "off site."This means that some leaching of contaminants may extend under the street(s) adjacent to the property.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Hearing Produces NIPSCO Details For IURC To Investigate

GOSHEN - What might have been thought to be a personal gripe session, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission hearing on Northern Indiana Public Service Co.'s annual gas cost review actually was a formal, legal proceeding, attended by approximately 50 consumers. Legitimate, detailed points were presented to the IURC and the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor representatives. From 5:30 to 6 p.m., Anthony Swinger, public information officer with the OUCC, provided an overview of the responsibilities of the OUCC and IURC and explained the procedures to be followed during the legal hearing that started at 6 p.m.The OUCC represents the interests of utility consumers in all IURC matters.The IURC is the regulatory body whose responsibility is to balance consumer and utility interests from a neutral standpoint.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016
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