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Syracuse Enters Areement With Development Corp.

SYRACUSE - An agreement between Syracuse Wawasee Area Development Corp.and the town of Syracuse was approved by the town council Tuesday. The agreement allows SWADCO to serve as a project coordinator and administrator on the town's behalf to encourage and plan community growth. Matt Vigneault, town manager and a member of SWADCO, told the council, "We have a nonprofit community advancement group interested in offering services in conjunction with the town to encourage growth and development." The Syracuse town budget for 1999 includes $20,000 for use by SWADCO.The organization receives no membership fees and relies mostly on donations. Vigneault advised the council to approve the agreement because at least one local industry is in danger of leaving the community.He said the industry wants to expand and may move out of town to do so.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Creighton Proposal Creates A Stir

Around Christmas, Tom Tucker received a letter from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. It was basically a letter of intent from Creighton Brothers, notifying adjacent property owners that the agri-business wanted to construct two new egg-laying facilities. The notification is required by law, and Creighton must secure a confined feeding permit from IDEM. The letter caused concern among Tucker and his neighbors, and since receiving it they have embarked on a journey through a maze of state agencies that has left Tucker calling IDEM a "bureaucratic boondoggle." "I would have thought sometime during this whole process that somebody would have taken notice," Tucker said earlier this week. Apparently, someone has.IDEM this week put Creighton's permit on hold while it investigates Tucker's concerns. Creighton wants to construct two more chicken houses near its existing operation on the west side of CR 950W, a half mile north of CR 200S.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Dimas Seeks Continuance, Mistrial

Motions for a continuance and a mistrial were denied Monday in the murder case against Christoval Dimas, 26, of Ligonier.But Mother Nature's snow blanket overnight led to the suspension of the trial for today.Proceedings will resume Wednesday. Michael Miner, the court-appointed attorney for Dimas, first asked for a continuance until today because his client was "emotionally upset" as a result of two attempted hangings by his cellmates during the weekend.During a break in testimony, in fact, Dimas told a security officer that he didn't sleep the previous night. "I'm not here," Dimas said."My mind's not here ...I'm nervous.I'm scared - not because of this trial.I'm gonna beat this trial." All of those comments were made outside the presence of the six-man, six-woman jury with two female alternates. Dimas is charged with murder and abuse of a corpse in the death of Crystal Gayle Homister, 22, of Elkhart.
RUTH ANNE LIPKA, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

E. Coli Found In Leesburg Storm Sewer

LEESBURG - A contaminated storm sewer system may force the Leesburg Town Council's hand on the wastewater treatment project. Town council president Bob Cleveland received a warning from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management in late December.The letter said water samples taken from Kohler Ditch in April showed unacceptable levels of E.coli.IDEM will be keeping an eye on how Leesburg addresses the situation. In a newsletter sent to town residents, Cleveland said the town has two options: Put in a wastewater treatment system or do a dye test at each residence to see where the leak is coming from. The contamination is forcing the town to look at the issue with a new urgency."We must make a decision in 18 months to two years or the state will make it for us," Cleveland said at Monday's council meeting.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Gardening Group Seeks Reduction In Center Lake Pavilion Rental Rates

Kosciusko County master Gardener Kathy Kostro asked for a reduction in Center Lake Pavilion rental fees at the Warsaw parks board meeting Tuesday. Kostro said the local organization plans a gardening event with regional speakers Feb.21 and the Master Gardeners have raised $240 of the $300 fee for the Saturday event.She said the group had gone to the Convention and Visitors Bureau and was denied funds because the CVB has no money.They were directed to the county council. "We expect more than 100 people and are encouraging them to spend the night.We expect people from Chicago, Michigan and Wisconsin," she said."Since we do rent the pavilion frequently, could we have a reduction?" Park board president Bill Baldwin said many not-for-profit groups seek reductions in the fees and they have been denied. He asked Kostro to attend the Feb.17 meeting.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Library Hits Funding Snag

MENTONE - While the eyesore previously known as the Frank Manufacturing building on Ind.25 in Mentone is being transformed into an attractive structure, problems with financing are looming for the new Bell Memorial Public Library. Bob Murphy of R.P.Murphy and Associates, Larwill, is the grant administrator for the project and he reports that $250,000 of Build Indiana Fund money that was promised to the project in the state's 2000 budget will not be forthcoming anytime soon.The problem stems from the state's current financial condition, Murphy said, and the expected funding has been frozen. The library project, including purchase and renovation of the building and furnishing the completed combination of library, day care center and senior citizen center, was estimated at $1.2 million.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Recycling Sites Moving

Three recycling sites in Kosciusko County will soon be relocated. One - in Syracuse - will move down the street, while the destinations of the two others remain undetermined, said Fiona Norris, director of the county's Solid Waste Management District. The district is looking for locations to replace bins at the former Owen's store on East Center Street in Warsaw and at the Free Methodist Church property along Kings Highway in Winona Lake. The Owen's location is no longer available because of plans by a tenant that will soon occupy the building.Norris said she was told the bins must be moved by April 1. The Free Methodist property is no longer available because of changes to the property as well. Those vacancies could leave a void for recyclers for much of the east-central part of the county.Norris said they are seeking new locations for the bins.The locations need to be widely visible and in a well-traveled area.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Billy Sunday Museum Funding A Step Closer

WINONA LAKE - Funding to establish a Billy Sunday Museum in Winona Lake passed the Indiana House Tuesday and now has only the Senate hurdle left to clear. State representative Dave Wolkins (R-Winona Lake) said today the total state budget included $500,000 as a one-time grant to turn Sunday's Winona Lake home into a state museum. "The budget will change drastically in the Senate," he said, but the Sunday museum funding "has a real good chance of passing." Wolkins said if the funding is approved, Grace College, which owns the Sunday home, will donate the home to the state and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will oversee the museum.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Schools Spells Out Building Plans

A resolution that spells out general plans for Warsaw schools' proposed building project was read to the public for the first time Monday night. The resolution will be read a second time at the March 18 Warsaw Community School Board meeting, and is expected to be approved at that time.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Intended Candidate Doesn't Make Filing Deadline

The deadline to declare a candidacy for the May 2 primary was noon Friday. One reported candidate's aspirations were clipped short and several incumbents now face challengers. Robert Conley fully intended to run against county commissioner Avis Gunter for the southern district seat.Born and raised in Claypool, too, he paid the incumbent a courtesy call weeks ago. He scheduled and reported for an interview with the Times-Union.He told relatives, friends and associates of his intentions.He was ready to hit the road with his campaign. Conley's name does not appear as a candidate. On Feb.14 he filed a statement of organization and designation of principal committee (form 4604) which names him as a candidate, gives his financial committee a title and names a treasurer.The statement of organization does not make him a candidate, only a declaration of candidacy (form 46439) can do that.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Honors Students Generate Funding For Schools

Warsaw Community High School students who graduate with honors diplomas are doing more than earning recognition for themselves - they're also earning money for the school corporation. For several years, the Indiana Department of Education has given grants to individual school corporations according to the number of honors diplomas each year.The going rate per diploma is $925, up from $800 last year. According to state records, Warsaw Community Schools has added $250,200 to its general fund in the last three years because of the number of honors students graduating from WCHS. Since the school and the state DOE don't know how many students will earn honors diplomas until graduation, the grants are given for the previous year.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Roving Chef Beset By Financial Problems

Since Christmas the Roving Chef has had $1 in donations, and she feeds about 100 people three times a week. "It's been nip and tuck," Charlie Johnson-Parker said about the situation. Johnson-Parker converted a step van into a mobile soup kitchen she calls The Roving Chef.Three days a week she cooks in her truck and hands out meals to whomever needs or wants food. Recently told to leave the Wal-Mart parking lot on Fridays, the Roving Chef serves meals in the Kmart parking lot from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m.On Mondays she is stationed at Center and Detroit streets and on Wednesdays she can be found in the Big Lots parking lot. She has a business license and the Health Department regularly inspects her truck. Meals are traded for cash donations, food or meal tickets.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

For consumer confidence, Duck Products Pulled In Voluntary Action

MILFORD - A market withdrawl has been issued by Maple Leaf Farms for all cooked duckling products produced from Nov.30, 2000, to Jan.30. A market withdrawal is a voluntary, company-driven retraction of product from distribution channels. This withdrawal includes all varieties of Roast Half Duckling, Rotisserie Half Duckling, Rotisserie Duckling Breast, cooked leg and thigh meat and Duckling Leg Confit.No other Maple Leaf products are included. Scott Miles, director of consumer sales, said this particular product line is being withdrawn purely for consumer confidence. "We want to assure people that there is nothing to be concerned about by withdrawing the products," he said."This is not a recall.
TERESA SMITH Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Youth Extension Educator Brings Latest Technology To Local 4-H Program

The Kosciusko County Extension Youth Educator came armed with a few new-fangled ideas. One idea is so new, she's considered an expert in the field.Christy Blomeke, a recent Purdue University master's degree graduate, is using retinal imaging to identify large animals. "The U.S.Navy has used retinal imaging for 30 years as a means of secure access.Each print is unique.The process is less upsetting to the animal than a nose print," she said from her office on the lower floor of the courthouse. When beef cattle projects were weighed in recently, Blomeke stood by, aiming an imaging gun at both the right and left eyeball of the 141 animals.The equipment not only captures an image of the the tree branch-like pattern of blood vessels at the back of the animal's retina, the time and longitude and latitude of the event are recorded as well. Plans are to record feeder calves, sheep and goats, too.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Two Key Animal Welfare Members Resign

Animal Welfare League membership chairman Margaret Scott and president Linda Mullins withdrew their membership from AWL and resigned their positions Wednesday. Both resignations came on the heels of a request by the AWL board of directors for Mullins to resign. Mullins said Wednesday she did not want to comment on the issue. AWL took over the animal shelter Nov.1 from Kosciusko County.The league pays the county $1 a year to lease the shelter.The county, in return, pays AWL $30,000 a year for expenses and pays the salary of animal control officer Jerry Clase. County administrator Ron Robinson said he was not aware of any problems within the AWL.The county, he said, would take the shelter back only if, "they were under some violation of the lease" or if AWL disbanded.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Hears Change Requests, Mattress Costs For New Jail

Mattresses for 302 beds in the expanded Kosciusko County Jail will cost $47,000 or 155.60 each, according to county administrator Ron Robinson. Robinson advised county commissioners of this cost at the tail end of Tuesday's meeting, after four proposals costing a total of $33,619 also were approved. The commissioners requested two changes, one to the lobby stairway at a cost of $14,615 and another regarding the front entrance doors for $1,368.The two other proposals concerned an upgrade to metal ceilings in the cell blocks for $8,000 and $9,636 for installation of two doors to allow for better access in the cell block area and additional storage. Commissioners Avis Gunter, Brad Jackson and Ron Truex approved a land vacation as requested by Dan and Rebecca Conkling, despite a lack of support from the Area Plan Commission. The area in question concerns the esplanade adjacent to lot 11 in the Hiners South Park addition located east and south of EMS W20 Lane.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Sammons Announces His Candidacy For County Sheriff

Kosciusko County DARE Officer Timothy L.Sammons, Warsaw, officially announced his intention to seek the office of sheriff of Kosciusko County. Sammons said his priority is to "step up the leadership and accountability within the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office. "I would implement Automated Risk Management System to track Kosciusko County officers," he said.Officers would be tracked on activity within a continuous 12-month period, and data would be stored up to three years, he said. The system would track a broad array of activities, such as injured prisoners, vehicle pursuits, injuries to the officer, use of force, auto accidents, citizen complaints and officers named in lawsuits.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Concerned About Test Results

SYRACUSE - Wawasee administrators are concerned about the applied skills testing results on this year's ISTEP+. In this first year of applied skills testing, 46 percent of Wawasee eighth- and 10th-graders did not pass language arts, math or both, according to superintendent Mark Stock.Beginning next year, seniors who fail their test - the Gateway Exam - will not be allowed to graduate. Having identified the at-risk students, Stock believes the corporation can help many with remediation and tutoring.Even so, he projected 25 percent of this year's 10th-graders would be at risk of not receiving a diploma. Stock told the school board Tuesday that a student first takes the test in 10th grade.If he passes all sections, he does not have to take it again.If he fails, he has five more chances to pass before graduation.Only the sections a student fails must be taken again.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Webster Post Office Project On Hold

NORTH WEBSTER - The post office project is "dead in the water." Town Council President Jon Sroufe told council members Tuesday evening the project has been stalled by federal bureaucracy. "The project moved along very well for awhile," Sroufe said.But for various reasons, from funding problems to Hurricane Katrina to a change in "real estate specialists" - the project now is in limbo. Sroufe said three weeks ago, a federal "utilization specialist" came to North Webster to determine ways to "buy two to four years" in delays for the project.Options included placing mobile offices behind the existing post office or establishing a retail outlet somewhere in town. Sroufe spoke with a representative from U.S.Sen.Evan Bayh's office Wednesday who expressed dismay that the project was stalled.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Manchester, Wabash 'Balance' $2 Budgets

NORTH MANCHESTER - Two representatives from the Wabash City School Corporation attended the Manchester Community School Board meeting Tuesday to make a presentation. Since Wabash had a budget surplus of $2 and Manchester had a deficit of $2, the Wabash representatives presented a large $2 lottery-style "check" to the Manchester school board.Then the representatives handed Manchester Schools business manager Steve Shumaker an envelope containing two $1 bills. The ongoing banter about the $2 started when the the schools received their final budget figures a few weeks ago.News articles and a radio report documented the incident, prompting the "presentation" Tuesday evening. The board also appointed a new school representative to the library board.Brenda Self will replace Michelle Sorg, who stepped down from the position.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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