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Wawasee Approves Students' Request To Visit Williamsburg

NORTH WEBSTER - Williamsburg, Va., is "the world's largest living museum," according to Wawasee High School student Jason Fisher. Tuesday, Fisher and three of his fellow advanced placement U.S.history class students and their teacher, Kathy Myers, presented a request before the Wawasee School Board to allow the class to take a short trip to Williamsburg from May 15-18. The board unanimously approved the trip. According to Fisher, the trip was decided upon as a class project and as a way for the students to have an outside-the-classroom educational experience. Once they get off the bus at Williamsburg, Fisher said, the students will become engaged in colonial times.They have a very detailed plan for the trip and it will bring the history they learned about in the classroom alive.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Webster Tables Sex Biz Ordinance Again

NORTH WEBSTER - Flaws in the sexually oriented businesses ordinance proposed by the county and the fact that officials are gun-shy because of past litigation prompted the North Webster Town Council to again table the matter. Town attorney Mike Armey said he was in touch with county officials Tuesday and that the Plan Commission is proposing amendments to the ordinance approved by the Kosciusko County Commissioners.He advised that the town wait and see what the amendments are before acting on the ordinance. "I am not, after the bath we took financially before, going to be leading the pack," said council president Myron Clark. North Webster paid $15,000 in legal fees to the Indiana Civil Liberties Union after a community standards ordinance was challenged by Sam Stimmel, owner of Cruiser's Night Club, in 1995.Including the town's attorney fees, the matter cost residents of North Webster about $28,000.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

EDIT Explained

The latest proposal for an Economic Development Income Tax comes to a head this Saturday. To make sure its members understand how the tax works, the Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton County gathered Monday to hear the specifics of how EDIT is collected, distributed and spent.Providing those specifics were attorneys Richard Hill and Randolph Rompola of the Baker & Daniels law firm in South Bend, both of whom specialize in tax and municipal financing law. "The legislative theory behind EDIT is that governmental units can fund infrastructure improvement projects with a source of revenue other than a reliance on property taxes," Hill said. The tax was devised in the early 1980s to give county and municipal governments greater flexibility to address infrastructure needs that foster economic development, Rompola said.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Teachers Urge 'Equitable' Contract

NORTH WEBSTER -ÊWith 211 signatures from Wawasee School Corp.staff members, the Wawasee Community Educators Association presented the Wawasee School Board with a petition Tuesday urging the board to provide an equitable settlement for the 2001-02 teacher contracts. In addition, Dr.Robert C.Cockburn, WCEA, told the school board the negotiations are at an impasse but talks are cordial.He thanked the administration for its openness and willingness to talk. At the end of the meeting, he gave out a press release from the WCEA that listed the work and dedication of the Wawasee staff and how that will benefit the students.
Stories by David Slone, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Convicted Teenage Killer Talks About His Crime

CARLISLE - After six years, Gregory Joe Ousley decided to talk. The 20-year-old Pierceton native has served six years of a 60-year prison term for murdering his mother and father Feb.27, 1993.Jobie Ousley, 43, died in his sleep that night from a shotgun blast to the head, and Bonnie Ousley, also 43, suffered gunshot wounds to the side and head after bolting from her bed in an attempt to flee the attacker.Her body was found in a hallway of the family's East CR 500S home. Greg Ousley, who is housed in maximum security at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, south of Terre Haute, said recently that he wondered for a long time whether his mother knew who was behind the gun.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Jury Acquits Baker In Arson Case

John Baker will return to Colorado a free man. Baker, who turned 36 Monday, got a belated birthday present Thursday afternoon when a jury acquitted him of an arson charge resulting from a Feb.4, 1997, fire at his residence.At the time of the fire, Baker was living on Wilcox Road, south of Warsaw.He has since moved to Colorado to be near family members.Baker's mother, who is here for the trial from Las Vegas, Nev., hugged her son and cried tears of relief when the verdict came in. "I'm just going to go and praise God," Mary Hall said after the verdict."This should have never happened." The jury of nine women and three men deliberated less than an hour before returning its "not guilty" verdict in Kosciusko Superior Court I. Defense attorney Jay Rigdon contends that the arson case against Baker was a witch-hunt from the beginning.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Jacksons Recruited To Drive In Presidential Motorcade

Everywhere POTUS goes, an entourage of staff and media follows. "They kept calling him 'POTUS,'" said Tracy Jackson, who served as a presidential motorcade driver in Florida Sunday.After a while, she realized the acronym meant "President of the United States." Tracy and her husband, Brad, of Syracuse, were two of about 18 drivers who escorted staff members and media representatives from Air Force One's landing at Daytona Beach International Airport to and around the Daytona International Speedway prior to the Daytona 500, and back to the airport. A cousin of Brad's, whose name Brad will not mention because of security, is a part-time Secret Service agent.Whenever a president visits his region, the cousin goes into service. The Kosciusko County northern district commissioner escorted White House staff members to and from the track Feb.15.Tracy's van was called "Wire 1" because she drove the media.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Baker Youth Clubs Provides Safe Fun

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles highlighting the various agencies that receive funds from United Way.The remaining agencies will be periodically highlighted leading up to the annual United Way fund drive.Information on each agency will include: What and how services are provided, who receives the services, the people associated with the agency and funding received from United Way. Baker Youth Clubs is dedicated to providing a safe and fun environment that will encourage members to become productive, responsible, participating members of society. The organization is in the Pete Thorn Youth Center, 800 N.Park Ave., Warsaw.The director is Tracy Furnivall.Service is available to any school-aged girl or boy, regardless of race, religion or financial background.Many members come from low-income and broken families.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Engineers Provide Syracuse Water Study

SYRACUSE - Greeley & Hansen engineers presented the Syracuse Town Council with a thick and in-depth preliminary engineering water system study Tuesday. Jay Niec, of Greeley & Hansen, said the goal of the study was to provide the town with a comprehensive 20-year plan.In the plan, a new water treatment facility will be built and the old one demolished.The new water tower will be sized to hold 500,000 gallons.With the north tower also, the two towers combined will hold 650,000 gallons of water.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Exotic Entertainment Ban Proposed

Supporters of a comprehensive ordinance against sexually explicit businesses approached the Kosciusko County Commissioners Tuesday about the plan, but the ICLU wasn't far behind. Upon receiving a 36-page ordinance from the American Family Association, the commissioners were informed by representatives of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union that if approved, it would result in a lawsuit similar to one seen in North Webster two years ago. That's when the ICLU successfully defended Cruiser's topless bar against an ordinance established by North Webster Town Council.On top of seeing the ordinance rescinded, the town also had to pay nearly $25,000 in legal fees incurred by the ICLU in the legal battle. With that in mind, it appears the county might be leary of passing an ordinance that county attorney Mike Miner questioned would even be effective.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Rinker Seeks Abatement In Syracuse, Plans Expansion

SYRACUSE - Rinker Boat Co.is planning an expansion in Syracuse and they are seeking a tax abatement. Tuesday, the Syracuse Town Council approved a resolution declaring an economic revitalization area for Rinker.At the March meeting, the council will hold a public hearing on the abatement and then consider approval of the tax abatement. The economic revitalization area, generally, is bordered by Syracuse-Webster Road on the west, Railroad Avenue on the north, Skinner Ditch on the east and Chicago Street on the south. Syracuse Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger said the company is planning a significant amount of investment over the next few years and will add employees.Before the abatement can be granted, several steps need to be taken, including declaring the economic revitalization area.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Patrons Express Concerns About Elementary Reconfiguration

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊIn nearly a carbon copy of the first meeting at Laketon Elementary, parents shared the same concerns Tuesday about elementary school reconfiguration possibilities. Class size and busing loomed as the largest issues. Parents said the task force needs to investigate other avenues for alleviating the problem. Both elementary schools are "significantly below" the state's average, according to the feasibility study.Laketon Elementary has smaller classes than Manchester, though. "Class size does make a really, really big difference," said Diane Sincroft, Manchester Elementary teacher. Beth Rosen, a first-grade teacher at Manchester Elementary, agreed.A 25-student class doesn't allow for individual attention, especially when first grade is the "largest window for learning to read," she said.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Students Get Close Look At Moon Rocks

Students in Scott McClintock's fifth grade class have had a rare opportunity recently to get an up-close look at real moon rocks. McClintock, who has been certified by NASA to accept moon rocks on loan for a specified time, is teaching a unit on space and thought actual moon rocks would be a nice addition. "There are only 840 pounds of moon rocks on earth now - that's all there is," he said recently.And since the United States no longer has a rocket capable of going to the moon, the moon rocks now on earth are irreplaceable, he said. The rocks - breccia, basalt and anorthosite - are embedded in an acrylic plate along with samples of moon "soil" (actually dust, McClintock said, or "regolith").Because of the high iron content in the rocks, he said, exposure to the high moisture content in our air would turn the rocks red. The students' reactions to seeing the moon rocks are not as excited as those of previous generations, McClintock said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Walgreens' Use Variance Put On Hold

The Warsaw Board of Zoning appeals tabled an application by Preferred Development, Chicago, for a use variance to construct a Walgreens at the corner of Argonne Road and Center Street Monday. Syracuse-based attorney Steve Snyder representing Preferred Development, advised the board a use variance allowed the members to place a host of conditions on the development. The item was tabled to either the second Monday in May, a rescheduling because of Memorial Day, or the fourth Monday in June.BZA members Dan Hampton and Alan Clingan both said they didn't have enough evidence, possible property value losses, a traffic report nor an architectural drawing, to make a decision. "I'm wondering whether to table it or deny the variance," Hamilton said after a lengthy pause at 9:40 p.m. Snyder said denying the petition would forever halt further variances by the company.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Claypool Looks At Phone Service

CLAYPOOL - An estimated 70 to 80 people attended Monday's Claypool Town Council meeting in hopes of quashing rumors and getting answers to a variety of questions. Clerk-treasurer Shelly Thomas said the majority of residents were interested in knowing what the future holds for telephone service to the Claypool area.Many, she said, read the letter to the editor published in Monday's Times-Union and "wanted to know what was going on." Residents have been urged by the council in recent months to contact GTE regarding poor service in the 566 exchange.Also, petitions seeking a wider calling range were circulated; all telephone calls outside the 566 exchange are billed as long distance. Thomas said the petitions are in the hands of GTE and United Telephone officials and that financial studies are being undertaken.The telephone companies have 120 days to decide what will be done regarding local/long-distance service.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

ESL Students Overcome Language Barrier

Three of them no longer even have accents. The other three got started later in life, but through sheer hard work and determination, they've been making up for lost time. All six will graduate from Warsaw Community High School this year. What do these seniors have in common? They all entered Warsaw Community Schools speaking little or no English.Not only did they have to master the curriculum, but they had to do it in a language and a culture that were totally foreign to them. Kasia Adamczyck, Maria Truong and Maria Valverde had the advantage of beginning English as a second language, or ESL, classes when they were in elementary school. Adamczyck, whose father was already here when she came from Poland in 1987, said her father got her and her sister involved in ESL classes right away. "I don't know what I would've done if that wasn't available to me," she said.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

27 Graduate From Leadership Academy

Twenty-seven members of the 2004 Kosciusko Leadership Academy class graduated Thursday night. Speaker for the event was Dr.Dane Miller, CEO of Biomet Inc. Biomet was formed in 1978 on $725,000 in capital.Of that, $125,000 was equity and the rest was debt, Miller said. In the first year, Biomet did $17,000 in sales.Today, Miller noted, Biomet does $17,000 in sales every 70 seconds - last year's annualized sales were $1.8 billion. Miller spoke about leadership, noting that when you assume leadership, respect isn't automatic, it must be earned. Miller said he doesn't do anything he wouldn't expect anyone else to do, and doesn't ask anyone to do anything he wouldn't do.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Social Security Debate Tonight

Do you have questions about Social Security? Anyone wanting to learn more about the program and its future is encouraged to attend a briefing and debate at 7 tonight at Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw. Representatives from Social Security will be on hand to discuss alternative solutions recently proposed by the Social Security Advisory Council. In Kosciusko County alone, Social Security pays benefits of more tha $7.5 million per month to about 11,000 people.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Winona Redevelopment Panel Exercises Eminent Domain On Property At Park And Canal

WINONA LAKE - The property at 800 N.Park Ave., Winona Lake, has been condemned and secured through eminent domain procedures by the town's redevelopment commission. Owned by Ralph and Joellen Fitch, Larwill, the property has been used as an apartment building.Peoples Federal Savings Bank holds the mortgage. Standing on the northeast corner of an area commonly known as Winona Village, at the corner of Park Avenue and Canal Street, the two-story dwelling is surrounded by specialty shops to the south and west, a parking lot to the north and Hillside Park across the street to the east. The Fitch property was declared a blighted area Oct.4, 2000, by a redevelopment commission resolution.The Fitches have owned the property since 1992.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Food Pantry Established At American Legion

A food pantry has been established at American Legion Post 49, 301 N.Buffalo St., in Warsaw, for military families. Larry Peppel, executive director of Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross, said, "About a month ago it became difficult for the Red Cross to send shipments overseas to military personnel." The Department of Defense halted all "unsolicited" mailings to troops because of security reasons.Packages addressed to individuals are being delivered. The Red Cross is sponsoring the food pantry, and the Military Family Assistance Support Team will staff it and supervise distribution. Peppel said it is sometimes hard to make ends meet when the main breadwinner is called to active military duty. "Family members here are reluctant to receive help from charitable organizations," he said. The pantry is open for donation collection and pickup Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 1 to 6 p.m.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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