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Sus Amigos Hosts Sixth Annual Banquet

WINONA LAKE - Sus Amigos is a bridge between Warsaw Community High School Latino students and the community, according to speakers at the sixth annual banquet Wednesday. The banquet is held each year to recognize the participating students as well as their mentors and the local businesses that support them. According to Darlene Fussle, English as a Second Language instructor and Sus Amigos mentoring program coordinator, five students participated in the program last year and 11 participated this year.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Legislators Studying Blood Alcohol, Reassessment

Editor's note: This is the second of three parts. The amount of federal highway funds received by a state will soon depend on a state's willingness to lower alcohol concentrations to .08 percent (Senate Bill 08 and House Bill 1618). State Senator Kent Adams (R-Warsaw) and State Representatives David Wolkins (R-Dist 18) and Bill Ruppel (R-Dist.22) visited with guests of the Kosciusko County Farm Bureau Saturday, giving a legislative update. The lowering of blood and breath alcohol concentrations was discussed by Wolkins and Ruppel.No one in attendance argued with its reasonableness. Ruppel co-authored this bill and tucked on a forgiving amendment for first-time offenders. "I realize there will be people who don't know how much they can drink before they're at .08," he said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Autopsy Results Expected To Be Six-Week Wait

Kaelie Cusick's body was scheduled for reinterment this morning after another autopsy was completed to pinpoint a cause of death. The 4-year-old, who died Aug.12, 1996, is suspected to have died as a result of injuries inflicted upon her by her stepmother, Sherrie Cusick.The 33-year-old Cromwell woman is charged with murder in connection with the child's death.The charges were filed after two experts determined that Kaelie did not suffer a broken neck as originally assumed. Results could take as long as four to six weeks and a press conference will be called to announce the findings. A pediatric forensic pathologist and a forensic radiologist both reviewed X-rays and other information compiled by law enforcement officials and the two concurred that Kaelie likely died from blunt force trauma to the head and possibly was strangled. Kaelie's death was initially ruled accidental, but no mode of death was ever noted on her death certificate.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

City Studies Bids For Curbside Recycling

Curbside recycling bids from Ameri-Waste, Stafford's Solid Waste Management and Waste Management were opened at the Friday Warsaw Board of Works meeting. The contract starts April 6 and ends Dec.31, 2004, with the city providing storage "bins" for recyclable materials. Ameri-Waste presented the lowest bid with services costing $7,420 per month or $148,400 for the 20-month contract. Stafford's bid was $265,072.50 for the same period, with single-sort pickup, including glass.Waste Management's bid totaled $307,680. The submissions were taken under consideration.The contract award will be decided at the March 7 board of works meeting. The board also approved a payment of $830,015.50 to Indiana Construction Corp./Corporate Construction Inc.for work at the second wastewater treatment plant.With this payment, $6.3 million of the $10.4 million contract has been paid. Also approved was an escrow account payment of $92,228.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

KDI Member Wants To Step Up Economic Development

With a local funding request of $400,000 for the next four years on the line, Max Courtney took the Kosciusko Development Inc.executive board of directors to task Wednesday, advising them to get serious about economic development. Courtney, KDI chairman Roger Moynahan and KDI president Joy McCarthy-Sessing approached the county council this month, requesting $100,000 each year for the next four years to bring new companies to the county. The funds are available in the economic development income tax money.The county receives $2.5 million in EDIT funds; most of that, $1.9 million, is allocated to pay for the Justice Building renovation including the jail expansion.About $600,000 is left to spend on economic development, Courtney said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Indiana Takes Lead In Biofuels; Claypool Plant World's Largest

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Indiana's pace of rapid growth in bioenergy and energy self-sufficiency took another step forward Wednesday as Governor Mitch Daniels announced Louis Dreyfus Agriculture Industries LLC plans to build the world's largest biodiesel plant near Claypool. With this facility, two other biodiesel and six ethanol plants currently under construction, Indiana will become a leading producer in the biofuels industry. "It's been a hectic year of dramatic progress in renewable fuels development in our state.If Indiana can do this, think what America can do to work toward energy self-sufficiency.In just one year, we're growing from one alternative fuels plant to nine, with more to come.We said our ag sector would be a big part of our economic comeback, and here's the proof," said Daniels, who made the announcement during his remarks at the second National Agriculture/Forestry Renewable Energy Summit in Washington, D.C.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Officials Oppose Change To Spring ISTEP

Local school officials are opposed at this time to the state moving ISTEP testing from the fall to the spring. But at least one member of the Indiana House sees the move as a better measure of what students learned during the school year. "In general I'm opposed because of the timing," said Dr.Mark Stock, Wawasee Schools."There are more important things in education.It's a waste of dollars." "It's going to cause a real shift in the way we do our data," said Terry Roe, Warsaw Schools director of assessment. "I think our position as a school corporation is that we'd prefer it to stay as it is now," said Brett Boggs, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation assistant superintendent.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

'Trash Talk' Reviewed By Solid Waste Board

Two publications were reviewed by the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District Tuesday. The first is a household recycling sheet detailing what the district collects as materials and how to package those items for recycling. The second publication was the first issue of Trash Talk, a quarterly "newspaper" for the district, which will be distributed to county elementary schools. Trash Talk has localized articles on the front and back of each four-page issue, and puzzles and quizzes in the center.It is partly funded by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Financial controller Sue Ann Mitchell presented the district's 1782 Notice, a formal financial statement by the Department of Local Government Finance.The notice indicates the district's tax levy is set at .0035 cents, which will provide $157,783 in funds for the district this year.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

KDI Board Mulls Commissioners' Decision

The Kosciusko Development Inc.'s board on Wednesday discussed the county commissioners' denying KDI more funds than the usual stipend. The organization approached the commissioners and council last year about additional funding - up to $100,000 per year for the next four years.With the money, a full-time director and staff would have been hired to promote economic development in the county. The commissioners said if there are a few extra thousands of dollars about, it should be used for infrastructure and not a salesperson. Following on the heels of this decision, the commissioners re-established the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission.KDI member Max Courtney is a member of the commission along with county councilman Larry Teghtmeyer. Chairman Jim Tinkey said he had hoped commissioner Ron Truex would have attended meeting to discuss the decision. "We still have partners and businesses and can keep doing what we're doing," Tinkey said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Chamber, KDI Offer Small Business Seminar, Loan Program

A seminar for potential entrepreneurs is being sponsored by the Warsaw - Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce March 21. The two-hour course will help people evaluate themselves as potential business owners and their idea for operating a business. Participants will learn how to explore the market for a new business idea and learn how to estimate the basic financial feasibility of the idea. Costs are $25 prepaid and $30 for individuals paying at the door. The event is sponsored by the Indiana Small Business Development Center; Kosciusko Development Inc.and the chamber. For more information or to register, call the chamber at 574-267-6311.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

K21 Foundation Changes Status To Private

Kosciusko County's largest health-oriented public foundation is in the process of changing from a public foundation to a private one. Willis Alt, president of Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation Inc., commonly known as the K21 Foundation, said this week the change was mandated by the Internal Revenue Service, which regulates public and private nonoprofit organizations.A public foundation pays no taxes, while a private one may be required to pay taxes if it doesn't meet specific IRS rules. Both forms of nonprofit foundations must qualify for their tax standing. Alt said that as a public foundation, K21 had to comply with the IRS' public support test by, in part, showing that one-third, or 33 percent, or the organization's gross revenues come from community donations.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitley Council Hears Report On Drinking Fountain

SOUTH WHITLEY - Town council members Glee Eberly and Tony Starkey heard from park board member Jonathan Damon Tuesday who discussed the design of water fountain. The drinking fountain was installed by Delta Theta Psi sorority years ago in memory of longtime member Mary Crahen and was demolished by a runaway truck in October. Damon said the design used to secure a grant from Whitley County Foundation was not "set in concrete." Another design, drawn by Eberly, who is also a sorority member, was presented. Damon told the board local Boy Scout troops were interested in park projects. South Whitley - Cleveland Township Fire Chief Tom Warner advised the board fire department officers are the same as last year.The department now has 25 members. He said more than $20,000 has been raised for the IRIS thermal imaging system. Warner said several firemen participated in a flashover chamber training recently and more plan to attend the seminars.
TERESA CARRANO, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

KLA Cadets Hear About Social Services

Representatives of Cardinal Center and United Way spoke to the Kosciusko Leadership Academy Tuesday regarding their roles as social service agencies for the surrounding communities. Patricia Coy, of the United Way, and Candy Townsend, of Cardinal Center, spent two hours discussing organizational responsibilities and fielding questions from KLA students. "Working at this type of organization, you quickly learn you can't be everything to everyone," Coy said."You have to focus on donating to companies you believe have higher priorities, and that's a difficult thing to do." Coy said the United Way's main interests deal with collecting funds from local and state organizations and disbursing the funds to chosen recipients. In 2005, the organization collected $1.642 million from the community, and reported a $90,000-$95,000 increase in collection over the last few years.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

You can be a puppy trainer

How do you become a puppy trainer? Anyone who loves dogs and has the time and patience to devote to raising a puppy is eligible to become a puppy trainer for Leader Dogs for the Blind.Puppies are placed when they are seven weeks old, and a home with a fenced yard is preferred. Interested people must fill out an application and must be ready for a financial investment - all costs involved, including veterinarian bills, shots, food, supplies and other expenses, are borne by the puppy raiser.The Leader Dog school furnishes an instruction manual, puppy tag, bandanna and video. The "foster parent" also must do the traveling to pick up and deliver the puppy - and must be willing to give up the puppy after a year.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Road Conditions Trouble Winona Lake Residents

WINONA LAKE - "Now I have county people coming to me," said town councilman Jerry Clevenger referring to the condition of CR 250E.The council has had plans and state funds for years to significantly improve the road.In the meantime, travelers dodge potholes and endure the bumpy, rough road. Collecting rights of way from property owners and finding a place to establish a wetlands has held up progress. "Our problem has become someone else's excuse now," Clevenger said during Tuesday's town council meeting."People living in the county have gone to the highway department and they're told there won't be improvements to Wooster Road until we do CR 250E.So now I have county people coming to me." Public works superintendent Pete O'Connell said a temporary overlay will be applied to the road surface until actual construction begins.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Grants Would Fund On-Scene Advocates For Crime Victims

Domestic violence.Sexual assault.Child abuse.Drunk driving. All of these crimes involve innocent victims. If the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute authorizes two grant applications, Lisa Smith and Joanna Beatson will serve as on-scene advocates for those victims in northern Kosciusko County 24 hours a day. Smith will work the day shift and Beatson, victim's assistant with the county prosecutor's office, will work evenings. "It's actually a pilot program," said Beatson.If it proves successful, she said, they hope to expand the program to the southern part of Kosciusko County. The victim's assistants will help Syracuse, North Webster and Milford police with non-property crime victims.Their jobs will include helping victims deal with their situation, helping children understand what is happening, transporting victims to a shelter or the hospital and providing community education to various groups, schools and organizations.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Phillips Ditch Topic Raised Again

For the fourth time in two years, the Kosciusko County Drainage Board held a meeting Thursday on the reconstruction of the Walter Phillips Drain. And for the fourth time, the issue was tabled.Not because there was anyone opposed to the reconstruction, but remonstrators disagreed over how much each property owner should pay. The drain's watershed is more than 73 acres in Wayne Township.The proposed reconstruction is bordered by Winona Beach Drive and Country Club Road and includes Flagstone Terrace and Woodfield Estates subdivisions. Eight Flagstone Terrace landowners petitioned for reconstruction.The project includes the installation of 300 feet of 15-inch N-12 pipe, 800 feet of 18-inch N-12 pipe and 2,800 feet of 24-inch N-12 pipe.The pipe would be non-perforated to eliminate the possibility of tree roots obstructing the drain in the future. Estimated cost of construction is $86,900.
DAVID SLONE ,Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Deana Carter To Perform July 29 In Central Park

Country Music Award winner and two-time Grammy Award nominee Deana Carter will appear in Warsaw for the July 29 country concert. Headlining the Blues and BBQs July 15 concert is Anthony Gomes.Also appearing that day are Doc Wadkins and the Hardpack and Southside Denny, according to parks department activity director Janelle Wilson. The Warsaw Board of Works approved a slew of performance contracts Friday. Board members opened bids for Phase II of the downtown streetscape project from Cluney Landscaping in the amount of $143,000 and from Pioneer Associates in the amount of $133,745.The bid award was tabled until the next BOW meeting March 18. The board also: • Approved a three-year contract with Wildman Uniform to supply mats for city hall and the parks department. • Approved a contract with Arrow Services to provide treatment for termites at Center Lake Pavilion for $2,980.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Solid Waste District Short On Funds

Will the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District have enough money to pay their bills this year? Director Sue Studebaker and the KCSWMD board hope so, but a measure of uncertainty still lingers. At the district board meeting Tuesday, Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell told the board that the claims before them included the last tax distribution for 2003 pay 2004.Until possibly the August tax draw, the district will not receive any further tax monies.Normally there would be a disbursement in June, but due to last year's property reassessment running late and almost 2,000 property tax appeals, this year's tax collection and disbursement likely will run late.It's even uncertain if the disbursement will happen in August or if it will be later than that. Ron Truex, district board member and middle district Kosciusko County commissioner, said the problem seems to be that the district's bills run about $20,000 per month and the district has only $52,000.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Council Hears First Reading Of EDIT Proposal

Kosciusko County Council President Brad Tandy gave the first reading of the proposed Economic Development Income Tax ordinance at Thursday's county council meeting. The council will give the final reading, hear public input and vote on EDIT Saturday at 3 p.m.in the old courtroom in the courthouse.The tax rate for EDIT, if passed, will be .4 of a percent and will begin July 1.A person will be charged the tax based on their adjusted gross income as reported on their federal tax return. Tandy told the small crowd present they could speak about EDIT if they could not be present at the Saturday meeting.He asked that if they were going to speak at Saturday's meeting not to speak last night.He asked each person to give only one presentation and not to be repetitive.He also set a time limit of two to three minutes.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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