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Olinger Wins Right To Ride Cart In U.S. Open Qualifier

SOUTH BEND - A Warsaw man won his dream Friday afternoon - the chance to play in a qualifying round for the U.S.Open, despite his disability. Ford Olinger was granted a temporary injunction against the U.S.Golf Association in U.S.District court allowing him to use a golf cart at the local qualifier Monday at the South Bend Country Club.Olinger suffers from a degenerative hip disease that makes walking painful. The USGA argued that Olinger should not be allowed any different treatment then the other golfers and should not play if he could not walk the 18 holes.Olinger said he suffers from avascular necrosis. The temporary injunction will allow Olinger to play Monday.If he is successful, he will travel to Orlando, Fla.to play in a 36-hole sectional qualifier on June 8.
TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

No Formal Charges Yet In Triple Fatal Accident

Formal charges have not been filed yet against Brandon J.Robinson, the Warsaw teenager who was allegedly driving a pickup that struck a car, killing three people. Robinson, 18, was booked into Kosciusko County Jail Friday night on three charges of driving while intoxicated causing death, three Class C felonies.Two of his passengers in the pickup were booked into jail on charges of possession/consumption of alcohol by a minor. More charges could be filed when the official paperwork is given to Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe. Investigators from the Warsaw Police Department met with two members of the prosecutor's office Monday to discuss the case. The police said they are still working on the investigation, including a reconstruction of the accident.
TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Doyle Recalls Landing At Omaha Beach

Editor's note: This is part of a series of interviews with World War II veterans.The articles will continue in each day's edition until May 28, prior to the World War II Memorial Dedication and Recognition Day, May 29. John Doyle's good sense may have saved his life and the lives of two other Kosciusko County residents as they approached northern France the morning of June 6, 1944. Stretched out before the young Hoosiers were the beaches of Normandy, the killing zones of Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches. Doyle stood with 13 others in an LST, including Leonard Stouder of Etna Green and Herbert Hughes of Warsaw. "Me and Herbie were very close friends.The three of us, being from Kosciusko, kind of stuck together," said Doyle, 80, from his Fox Farm Road home.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WCHS Hopes Faith Prince Will Help Open Arts Center

Not only is Faith Prince a Wagon Wheel Theatre alum, she also is a Tony award-winning Broadway, film and television star. Now Warsaw Community High School officials hope to bring the talented and funny actress back to Warsaw for the Sept.16 grand opening of the Performing Arts Center. WCHS Assistant Principal Jennifer Shepherd is hoping to have all the costs underwritten.There will be no cost to the school corporation for the gala.Shepherd asked the school board to allow her to enter into the contract.At least half of the costs already have been pledged by Zimmer, Arby's, Ramada and Maple Leaf Grill.Shepherd is waiting for word back from foundations, businesses and other organizations on more funding.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Immigration, FBI Probe Suspects In Local Check Scheme

Local charges in an alleged check-kiting scheme are just the tip of the iceberg for two Egyptian men who also are being investigated by the immigration department and the FBI. Detective Lt.Steve Adang of the Warsaw Police Department said that complaints were received during the past two to three weeks about checks being written to businesses on overdrawn accounts, and that other complaints were being filed with local banks from businesses in Columbia City, Plymouth and Fort Wayne. Ahmed Ibrahim Hussien, 25, of 149 EMS C27 Lane, Warsaw, and Ahmed Hassan Marey, 25, of Pasadena, Calif., were taken into custody early Thursday morning at Indianapolis International Airport.WPD officers were aided in the apprehension by agents of the Department of Immigration and Natural Services and officers with the Indianapolis International Airport Police Department.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Charges Dismissed During Trial; Syracuse Man Gets Out Of Jail

After spending about 10 months in the Kosciusko County Jail, a Syracuse man was released on his own recognizance for a theft charge after three other charges against him were dismissed during the second day of a trial in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Joseph A.Prodonovich, 27, faced charges of burglary to a dwelling, a Class B felony, and theft and possession of a firearm by a felon, both Class D felonies.Charges were filed against him in July and he was arrested on those charges in August, at which time his bond was set at $100,000.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Claypool Good Neighbor Projects Earn Group National Recognition

CLAYPOOL - People often quote Leviticus 19:18, "...you shall love your neighbor as yourself." How many people actually take that verse to heart? A group of Claypool residents have decided to do just that with the Good Neighbor Fund. Their project is among others nationwide listed and honored in this weekend's edition of USA Weekend as part of the 13th Annual Make A Difference Day.The Day is the nation's largest day of community service and is sponsored by USA Weekend in partnership with the nonpartisan Points of Light Foundation. "The goal is to love thy neighbor as thyself," said Paul Berkey, Claypool, of the Good Neighbor Fund.The program started last summer.The fund helps pay for materials that volunteers use to help those who may not be able to help themselves or to assist someone who could use an extra hand.
Photo by David Slone- | July 28, 2016

Hospital Agreements Still In Force Despite Sale To Triad

When Kosciusko Community Hospital was sold to Quorum Health Group Inc.in 1999, the agreement provided for the possibility that if the KCH board determined Quorum wasn't living up to the terms of the sale, the board could buy back the hospital from Quorum. The provision could be enforced only by the KCH board and Quorum could not force a buy-back through the agreement.The provision is for the first 10 years only. Despite Triad Hospitals Inc.acquiring Quorum, that provision and others are still binding, according to Willis Alt, director of Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation. "The contract is not negated, it continues on as it was," Alt said.He said with the Triad and Quorum merger, Triad is still held to the same terms as when Quorum bought KCH.And to make sure those terms are met, Alt said, the board of directors meets quarterly and monitors the business and quality of care provided by the hospital.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Complaint Alleges Election Violations

Editor's Note: This is the first part of a two-part series regarding allegations of impropriety in the May primary election.Today's story deals with the allegations.In tomorrow's edition, read about what can be done to rectify the situation. It's official.Maxine Pifer, a former Kosciusko County Election Board member, has filed a complaint with the Kosciusko County Clerk's office. The filing is the preliminary step to launching a possible investigation into how last month's primary election was organized and carried out. Pifer's complaint originated after she served as a precinct election judge in the primary election.While she has made several allegations in the past, this complaint deals with two specific items.
DOUGLAS SANBURN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Looks To Convert Inn Into Work Release Center

Lake City Inn is two steps away from becoming the new home to the Kosciusko County work release program. Friday, County Administrator Ron Robinson said the purchase of the Inn is moving forward after negotiations with the property owners.If approved, the county will pay $2.2 million for the facility. Lake City Inn is located off Center Street near the intersection of U.S.30. A special county council meeting will be held at 7 p.m.Monday at the Kosciusko County courthouse to discuss additional appropriations for the purchase, Robinson said.If the council approves the appropriations, the county commissioners will discuss the actual purchase at their 9 a.m.meeting Tuesday at the courthouse. The facility also would temporarily house offices displaced by the county jail expansion project.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Flap Over Fence Back Before Winona Lake Town Council

WINONA LAKE - Garrett Howell attended the town council meeting Tuesday, fence permit in hand. During the May 25 meeting, the council discussed the new chain link fence placement at Packerton Road and CR 225, where Howell is developing a storage unit facility.The fence, in combination with a utility pole, "seems" to block a driver's view while approaching the intersection. Howell said he met with building commissioner Dick Leaf several times regarding the fence, which is five feet from the property line.Leaf said both town marshal Malcolm Gilbert and public works superintendent Pete O'Connell went to the site and approved it. "I crossed my 't's' and we talked abut it," Howell said to Leaf."You approved it."He estimated a $2,000 cost to move the fence back farther because the poles couldn't be reused. Councilman David Delp said in his opinion the intersection is dangerous.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Civil Rights Suit Filed Against City, Officers

A North Webster couple has filed a lawsuit claiming malicious prosecution, conversion, spoilation of evidence, slander, conspiracy, conversion and abuse of process in connection with their arrest and the subsequent dismissal of charges against them. Richard and Janet Orban, represented by attorneys from the Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller and the Fort Wayne law firm Haller and Colvin, filed the suit June 13 in Marion Circuit Court. They claim their civil rights have been violated under Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S.Constitution.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Public Input Sought On Justice Bldg. Plan

Want to give input on the Justice Building expansion project? The 9 a.m.June 8 meeting of the Kosciusko County Commissioners is the time and date set for a public hearing on the project. Tuesday, the commissioners set the public hearing and passed the resolution offering to pay Focus Inc.of Valparaiso $2.2 million for Lake City Inn which will become home to the work release program.Commissioner Brad Jackson asked that the building be inspected by an engineer before the county offers the contract to Focus Inc. Also passed was a resolution specifying that the money earned on bonds sold for the Justice Building expansion will be used to pay the county general fund back for money used on construction material costs.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton Works On Housing Grants

PIERCETON - Angie Shirk, of the Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, updated Pierceton town board members Jerry Kreger, Terry Hill and Ron Hall Monday regarding housing grant funding.She said the board should have word from various sources by July 22. A grant application for $13,500 has been forwarded to the Kosciusko Community Foundation.The money, if awarded, will be used to secure a $200,000 grant from the Indiana Housing Financing Authority for an owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program.A 10-percent match of $20,000 must be secured.The town has about $2,000 set aside for the project. The clerk's office is still taking pre-applications for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation.Four pre-applications have been accepted to date.
TERESA CARRANO, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Miss Indiana Pageant Next Step For Butler

Miss Kosciusko, Shiloh Butler of Syracuse, left for the Miss Indiana competition today, after attending and participating in the local "Relay for Life" cancer fund-raiser to begin a week's worth of public appearances ending with the pageant June 17 in Terre Haute. No stranger to the stage or an audience, she's been dancing, since she was 3-1/2 years old, performing gymnastics, cheering on Wawasee Warriors sports fans in high school and, most recently, promoting her platform, mental health, before all manner of organizations and groups. She is the daughter of Susie and David Butler. When she is not engaged in Miss Kosciusko appearances, Butler is a junior at Purdue University, where she studies psychiatry.She is also an aerobics and gymnastics instructor and a cheerleading coach. Where does she find the stamina? From deep inside.
Teresa Carrano, Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Albertson's Sport Shop Target Of Burglars

Police are focusing on a 17-year-old Fort Wayne male in connection with a break-in to a Warsaw gun store. The owner of Albertson's Sport Shop on U.S.30 discovered the burglary when she came in to open the store about 6:40 a.m.Tuesday.The power was shut off at the main breaker, disabling the store's alarm system, a rear door was open, bars on a security gate were cut and a stack of guns was found next to the back door. When Ruby Albertson called police, she said someone could possibly still be inside, since the guns were apparently placed there to be removed. However, when Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department deputies arrived at the scene, no intruders were found in or around the building.The 22 long guns and 13 handguns near the door were from among the store's stock, but an inventory will have to be completed to determine what, if anything, is missing.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Superintendent Resigns

NORTH MANCHESTER - After 16 years with Manchester Community Schools, Superintendent Connie S.Curry resigned her position Tuesday at a school board meeting. Her resignation is effective June 30, when she will be reassigned as a consultant for MCS for the 2001-2002 school year.She will resign her position as consultant June 30, 2002. A press release distributed by the school corporation's attorney, Al Schlitt, said: "The board of school trustees of the Manchester Community Schools has determined to engage new leadership for the district.As a result, Connie Curry has agreed to step down as superintendent and serve Manchester as a consultant for the coming year." During her 16 years with MCS, Curry has been principal of Thomas Marshall Elementary School, curriculum director, assistant superintendent and superintendent for 10 years.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Comes Up Empty In Superintendent Search

NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester school board president Sally Krouse on Tuesday said candidate interviews did not result in filling the corporation's superintendent position. The superintendent search now is stopped, she said. The board was looking for the "perfect superintendent.But we didn't find it," she said. Four candidates were interviewed, while two pulled out of the running beforehand, according to Krouse. The board again will work with University Consulting Team, Krouse said.She isn't sure what the next step will be. University Consulting Team is four professors from Purdue, Indiana State, Indiana and Ball State universities.Dr.Betty Poindexter of IU chairs the team. The professors led focus groups in October to gather input on the desired characteristics of a superintendent.Focus groups included community members and school corporation staff and teachers.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Symphony 'Opens' Pavilion

Warsaw Symphony Orchestra Conductor Dr.Patrick Kavanaugh got what he asked for from above, a clear blue sky with moderate temperatures for the inaugural Glover Pavilion concert. "I forgot to mention no wind," he said prior to the concert as he greeted well-wishers "backstage" at the south end of the Central Park Plaza. An audience of about 500 people spread out over the lawn Sunday as the orchestra played against a background of wind-tossed trees.Music stands were weighed down by sand bags.Clothespins secured sheet music. When the 40-member orchestra launched into Leonard Bernstein's suite from "West Side Story," the wind was forgotten.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Opens Community Center Bids

SYRACUSE - The Syracuse Lakeside Park Community Center is one step closer to becoming a reality. Bids were opened yesterday afternoon and at first glance, the base bids fit the budget. If the apparent low bids all meet specifications and if the alternatives equalize, then the Syracuse Parks Board is right on target, having raised $1.1 million. Low bids amount to just under that mark, not including the gym floor, landscaping, insulation and painting.There were no bids for the last three.The ongoing task to raise a total of $2 million will cover these needs and some extras. Bidding in other areas was vigorous.Six companies bid on the electrical systems with base-bid prices ranging from $87,375 to $143,000.Four bids were received for the concrete work ranging in price from $113,200 to $160,000, and five companies bid on paving the parking lots with no two figures alike.All in all, contractors bid in 16 categories.
VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF SURSO, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016
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