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DePuy Announces Acquisition

DePuy Inc.has taken steps toward acquiring a French manufacturer of orthopedic products. The Warsaw-based company announced today an agreement in which it will purchase 1.9 million shares of Landanger-Camus.The agreement represents 89 percent of the company's shares and is valued at $144 million, according to DePuy. The purchase is subject to a number of provisions and approval by the French Stock Exchange.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Red Light Camera Co. Makes Pitch To Council

Joe Moore of Red-Flex gave a presentation highlighting the advantages of red light camera imaging before the Warsaw City Council Monday.The cameras capture a picture of a vehicle passing through an intersection when the light is red. Moore was introduced by Sgt.Kip Shuter of the Warsaw Police Department.Shuter also serves as the city's traffic commissioner.Shuter said SB570 has been approved by the state Senate and is sponsored by Dave Wolkins (R-Winona Lake) and Bob Kuzman (D-Crown Point) in the House. The bill calls for 10 cities to establish pilot programs with cameras installed at "dangerous" intersections. Moore said in Ohio cities where cameras have been installed, violations have fallen by 26 percent in Toledo and by 40 percent in Dayton.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Volunteers Return From Clinic-Building Trip To Guatemala

Work has begun and the first team is back from Chiqua Dos, Guatemala, having dug the footer for a medical clinic. "We left Feb.28 and I stayed through March 16.There were two teams that came over in that time period....We worked with about 20 national Guatemalans from the country area of Chiqua Dos," said Steve Petty, who is organizing the building teams for Hands of Hope International, the group responsible for building the clinic. "The first thing we did was prepare the site.The site was moved from the original plan and moved to a beautiful location on top of a mountain that overlooks a valley.But it was virgin land, the only thing done to it was, it was terraced, stair-stepped," he said. The 18 stairsteps on the site were approximately 3 feet long by 3 feet deep.Trees also were growing on the terrace.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Chamber Discusses EDIT Proposal

SYRACUSE - Discussion about the proposed Economic Development Income Tax is popping up at local board meetings like daisies. Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce discussed EDIT Tuesday. "The EDIT passed the (Syracuse) town board unanimously.That doesn't mean we have the tax yet," chamber president Tim Yeager said. Yeager told the chamber members at the meeting the Kosciusko County Council will hear public input and vote on EDIT Saturday at 3 p.m.in the old courtroom in the Kosciusko County Courthouse.He urged anyone who could make it to show up at the meeting. "I think it's important we be represented at that meeting," Yeager said. He said if it was possible, the Chamber should speak for EDIT.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Neighbors Appeal Planner's Decision; Board Reverses

Based on evidence presented during the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, mineral extraction should not have been granted in the former Haines gravel pit. Jack Birch, representing petitioner Marta Hopkins, who is an area resident, cited county and city codes, saying the gravel pit had been out of operation from August 1998 through 1999. The Haines sent letters to former clients announcing the closing and a sign was erected to this effect.At that time the property was in the county and was zoned agricultural. To reopen the gravel pit a special exception would have to be granted within six months of the closing, Birch said, reading from county code.This was not done. In November 1999, according to Birch, Bill Bibler and a partner took title to the Haines property. In January 2000 the city annexed the land, rezoning it residential, type 2.Gravel pits are not allowed in R-2 zones either.
determination made by Warsaw city planner Jeff Noffsinger in February was reversed Monday.- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Approves $26M Building Contract

Contracts for the construction projects at Warsaw Community High School were approved Monday by the Warsaw School Board. For the base bids and the alternates that were accepted, the total cost was $25,320,294. Bids were received from 98 companies and accepted from 22, said Steve Bluhm, the project manager from Construction Control Inc. Only three alternate options were accepted, all for the sports complex: visitor bleachers for $228,501, and bleacher walking surfaces for the base bid bleachers ($14,910) and for the visitor bleachers ($6,769). Alternate options not included in this construction project but to be added later and paid for through the Capital Projects Fund were a guidance office area and large group instruction room ($323,251), soccer and tennis locker/service building ($872,185) and visitor restroom building ($429,424).
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Groups Study Plans For Downtown Renewal

Community leaders and downtown Warsaw retailers took another step Monday toward the renewal of downtown Warsaw. A joint meeting of Warsaw's city council and the Warsaw Community Development Corp.board, plus business owners and members of the public, set up an action plan outline to renovate downtown. According to Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins, the assistant city planner position, which has not yet been filled, will be key in coordinating efforts between the city and the WCDC.Once an assistant planner is hired, he said, a core committee will be formed to guide the project. Monday's discussion was based on a January report commissioned by the city and done by HyettPalma, a consulting firm from Alexandria, Va.HyettPalma recommended establishing a historic district around the Kosciusko County courthouse. A majority of those present Monday agreed with Jean Northenor, of the WCDC board, when she said preservation of historic buildings should be a priority.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mitchell Runs For Advisory Board Seat

Richard M."Dick" Mitchell would like to return to the Tippecanoe Township Trustee's office, this time as a township advisory board member. His name will appear on the May 2 primary ballot as a Republican candidate. Mitchell served as the Tippecanoe Township Trustee for 24 years, from 1979 to 2003.The move to the advisory board seems like a natural to him. "I enjoy good health and I can offer good advice to the next trustee.I've been privileged to work for the people in Tippecanoe Township for 24 years," the 1949 Larwill High School graduate said. He is presently the Wayne Township Clerk, taking that position when the deputy trustee died. Mitchell moved to North Webster in 1957, coming from the South Whitley area.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Group Fights To Save Do Not Call List

Some dogs' barks are worse than their bites. But an Indiana banking watchdog group hopes their barking will keep the Community Bankers Association from biting into Indiana's Do Not Call list. Andrew Smith, executive director for Consumers for Responsible Credit Solutions, said Tuesday what the CBA wants to do to the list is bad for consumers.In response, Responsible Credit Solutions is enlisting the help of Indiana mayors to stop it."We think it's a crack in the dam, which would cause Indiana's Do Not Call list to fall apart," Smith said. More than 1.6 million Hoosiers have signed up for Indiana's Do Not Call list.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Animal Welfare League Reorganizes

Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League's board of directors made some changes at their February meeting which they hope will improve their organization. "We voted at the director's meeting to expand the board from six to eight," said AWL President Margaret Kennedy. She also said, "The Shelter Advisory Board is no longer in existence." Animal Welfare League membership chairman Margaret Scott and president Linda Mullins withdrew their membership from the AWL and resigned in early February.Both resignations came on the heels of a request by the AWL board of directors for Mullins to resign. One disagreement between Mullins and the board was whether the board of directors or the shelter advisory board made decisions and policies for AWL.Mullins said the power was vested in the advisory board, while the board of directors contended they were the governing body.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Students Showcase Talents At EdCom

Roles were reversed Saturday when Warsaw Community Schools students became the teachers at the sixth annual EdCom Expo. Imparting what they learned on such an array of topics as dinosaurs and tornadoes to Lewis and Clark and special needs students, the students used skills such as teamwork, public speaking and technology to showcase their endeavors from the past year. It all began at 9 a.m.in the Warsaw Community High School Tiger Den with the opening ceremony.As each school filed in, their school flag in tow, Assistant Superintendent Sandra Hess announced them.Parents, friends and spectators, numbering approximately 600, applauded the students as it was their day. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Nanette Burstein was the opening ceremonies guest speaker.Burstein is making a documentary, "American Teen," which centers on eight WCHS seniors.Her 1998 film "On The Ropes" earned her the Oscar nomination.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Campaign Survey Yanked By KCOnline

KCOnline has removed a controversial campaign poll from its Internet site. John Webster, President of KCOnline, removed the poll earlier this week, saying he believed it was being abused. The poll allowed those surfing the website to cast votes in two hotly contested campaigns - Kosciusko County's Sheriff's race and the prosecutor's race. Soon after the poll was established a few weeks ago, some candidates quietly complained that it could affect the outcome.Some suggested ballot stuffing by supporters of some candidates began quickly. The sheriff's poll generated the most interest and collected more than 500 votes since it was first posted.KCOnline received two complaints about the poll.One of those complaints was by former Warsaw police officer Wally Knox, a candidate in the Sheriff race.Knox complained to KCOnline when he noticed a jump of 92 votes for one candidate in about one day.
DOUGLAS SANBURN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Burket Proposed To House Alternative Ed Program

MENTONE - The Burket school was recommended as a possible home to Tippecanoe Valley's proposed Alternative Education Program at Monday's board meeting. The possibility of housing the new program at Burket was met with dissent from parents, citizens and a teacher. Jack Fisher, Burket Elementary School teacher, opposed the move because it is not based on financial need, it will not support a family atmosphere in Burket and the school corporation is not yet sure of the cost or of how many students will attend the alternative program. Concerned parents questioned the reasons for locating the alternative school in Burket and how that would affect their children.If the program is in Burket, current Burket Elementary students will attend Mentone, a transition that parents fear could be difficult for their children.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Plan Commission To Debate Meijer's Rezoning Monday

Fort Wayne has one.Indianapolis has several.Goshen even has one.Now Warsaw may get one. What is it? A Meijer grocery/department store. On Monday, at the Warsaw Plan Commission's public meeting at 7 p.m.in the old courtroom in the county courthouse, Meijer's request to rezone 40 acres from C3 (arterial, commercial and single family residency) to C5 (special commercial zoning) will be heard.The store would be at 900 Husky Trail, along Patterson Road, where Stone Creek Homes is now. If their rezoning is approved, "the next step is to go through the subdivision control ordinance to subdivide the land.They've got some proposed outlots (in four areas around the store).They also have an outlot for their gas station/convenience store that will be part of the Meijer facility," Jeff Noffsinger, Warsaw city planner, said Monday. Simultaneously, with the subdividing, Noffsinger said Meijer can develop a site plan.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Decries Financial Situation

SOUTH WHITLEY - All is not financially well at Whitko Community School Corp. The situation has gotten so tight that the board plans a special meeting March 24 at 6 p.m.at the central office, Pierceton, to discuss in more detail how the school corporation plans to financially restructure. In his financial report to the school board Monday, Director of Financial Operations Phil Menzie said they received their last 2003 pay 2004 tax draw from Kosciusko County in early March.The draw from Whitley County should arrive at the end of March. Tax draws for this year also will be pushed back at least two months due to last year's property reassessment being late and all the property tax appeals.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Petitions Submitted Against Triton Project

BOURBON - Marshall County Auditor Jan Quivey reported Monday a stack of petitions was submitted to his office Friday by Bourbon resident John Glingle. The petitions contain signatures of those opposed to a $13.85 million building renovation project for Triton Junior/Senior High School.Quivey said his office Monday was beginning the work of verifying that the signatures are valid.Since Triton School District lies partly in Kosciusko County, any signatures the Marshall County office cannot identify as belonging to a Triton school district property owner must be sent to Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell.
TIM ROBERTSON, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

CCAC Still Studying Construction Of Indoor Facility

City-County Athletic Complex's goal of constructing an indoor facility by 2007 appeared unattainable in January after county funds were cut due to questionable financial records. But new CCAC Director Karl Swihart believes the venture can still be accomplished and is organizing this year's events to maximize activity at CCAC's campus. "We're focusing on developing this into a year-round facility," Swihart, who became director Feb.6, said."This could help us realize the full potential of the program." Such activities as cross country skiing and art classes will be added to CCAC's schedule to provide events for the colder months of the year. Along with strengthening financial policies and establishing accounting requirements, Swihart also is eyeing the advertising capabilities of signs and billboards to be placed throughout the sports fields.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Wiggins To Seek Second Term

A member of the Warsaw City Council since 1983, Ernie Wiggins marks his 20th year of association with the local government this year.The first 14 years were spent representing the city's Third District.He was appointed mayor when Jeff Plank resigned in 1997. Elected to the post in 2001, Wiggins wants to serve a second full term, a seat challenged by fellow Republican and former Warsaw Police Chief Craig Allebach. In a way, Wiggins was raised on town business.His father, Beecher, was a city councilman in the late 1970s and was a local restaurant owner. "I wake up in the morning and it's something different every day," Wiggins said of his work running the city. A 1972 Purdue University graduate who also spent a couple of years attending Ball State University, he is pleased with the administration's open communication between the city and county governments.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Suit Filed In Fatal U.S. 30 Crash

Nearly a year after an Etna Green woman was killed in an auto accident on U.S.30, a lawsuit has been filed against the driver of the semi that struck her car and against his employer. Jill L.Carpenter died March 29, 1999, after a Roadway Express Inc.semi tractor/trailer driven by Edwin L.Lynch struck Carpenter's car from behind as she waited for a red light at CR 150W.Carpenter, 33, was en route to her job as a senior financial analyst for DePuy. An unspecified amount is being sought to compensate for losses, and punitive damages are being sought in an amount to punish the defendants and to deter them and others from like conduct.The attorney in this case is Andrew J.Detherage of Indianapolis.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Teachers Get New Contracts

MILFORD -ÊWawasee teachers now have contracts. Tuesday, the Wawasee Community School Corp.Board of School Trustees approved the contract agreement.Superintendent Mark Stock said the Wawasee Community Educators Association membership ratified on Friday the agreements the two sides reached in mediation. Key points of the contract include: 2.75 percent increase on the salary scale plus increment; 2 percent increase on extracurricular positions; three-year contract with openers each year for two language items in addition to wages and fringe benefits; sick leave reimbursement; federal, state laws and school board policy were included as grievable items but are only grievable as far as the school board and not subject to binding arbitration; changed prep time for teachers to a minimum number of minutes per week; provided a reimbursement for unused family illness days at one-half the substitute rate; and one payment holiday on group health insurance for all employees.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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