Whitko Parents Speak Out Against Random Drug Testing

PIERCETON - If the opinions of parents at Monday's school board meeting are any indication, Whitko School Corp.won't rush to institute random drug testing. More than 50 parents and other patrons attended Monday's meeting, and many of them spoke against their children being tested for drugs. Most echoed the sentiments of Mark Vandewalle, who said mandatory drug testing is a severe violation of privacy. "I will never give permission for my children to be drug tested," he said, noting school officials wouldn't be able to "administer it in a judicious manner." Others protested the cost of such a program, wanted to know how students would be chosen to be tested, and insisted that the schools' no-smoking policies be enforced.

Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Area Police Hunt For Bank Robbery Suspect

PIERCETON - Monday morning's armed robbery of a Pierceton bank remains under investigation by local police. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, a man entered the Pierceton branch of Lake City Bank shortly after 10:30 a.m., displayed a silver handgun and demanded money. The suspect then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, dropping a bundle of the stolen money at the door. A teller told police that she followed the suspect outside and saw him run behind an antique store east of the main entrance to the bank.

Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Military Probe Shows Fribley Died From Enemy Fire

After a lengthy investigation, the U.S.Central Command has determined Marine Cpl.David Fribley, of Atwood, died from enemy fire last year. The Warsaw Community High School graduate was one of 18 Marines killed March 23, 2003, in fighting around the city of Nasiriyah, Iraq.As many as 10 of those Marines were killed by friendly fire when a Marine air controller mistook their vehicle for enemy forces and ordered U.S.air strikes. Linda Fribley, David's mother, said in a phone interview today that with the final investigation, Marines went to each of the 18 families Saturday and gave the families the information. "We're glad it's finished.We've already been dealing with him not being a part of our lives," she said.

DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Discusses Plan For 'Village'

SYRACUSE - A comprehensive plan for the Wawasee Village in Syracuse was the focus of discussion Tuesday in the Syracuse Town Hall. The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce decided in January to make a plan for the village their focus for 1999.Tuesday's meeting was the first step in beginning discussion on the future of the village. Chamber President Tim Yeager said, "It was decided that we would take a look at Wawasee Village as a starting point." Yeager said Tuesday's meeting was an effort to help the town council find a way to do what the community wants to do with the village.He also said they want to figure out what the community will accept and how they can preserve the current environment and make the community better. Dr.James A.Segedy, professor at Ball State University's department of urban planning, led the discussion.Segedy was invited to the discussion as a facilitator by Yeager and the chamber for no fee.

DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Town Hall Mtg. Tonight On Education Funding

Warsaw's two state representatives will be available tonight at a town hall meeting to publicly discuss education funding in Indiana. State Sen.Kent Adams and state Rep.Dave Wolkins will attend the meeting at 7 p.m.today in Lakeview Middle School's auditorium. The idea for the town hall format was proposed at the Feb.17 Warsaw School Board meeting.Shortfalls in state funding for Warsaw Community Schools have been blamed for the need to cut high school teachers and elementary school counselors from the WCS budget. Rande Thorpe, business manager for WCS, has long been a proponent of revising the state funding formula for education.At the school board meeting earlier this month, he said WCS does not receive as much money per student as the state average. He said the 2002 average state expenditure per student statewide was $4,895, but in WCS the average per student was $4,710.

Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Proposes School Cost-Cutting Plans

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊA serious meeting for Manchester Community Schools began with a light-hearted musical performance by elementary students participating in "Circle The State With Song." More than 20 students drawn from both elementaries performed.Larry Dockter, the group's director, said the students were a select bunch and demonstrated the musical talent found in the schools. Following the upbeat performance, superintendent Diana Showalter introduced the proposed cost reduction plan. The school's plan intends to cut $485,725 from the corporation budget by pruning administrative staff, teachers and classified staff.Moderate rate increases and small testing fees also were proposed. "With $400,000, the only way you make that kind of reduction is with people - personnel," Showalter said.

KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winds Rip Through Maple Leaf Farms

MILFORD - Heavy storms damaged areas in Milford this morning, and parts of southern Indiana experienced major flooding and road closings during hours of extreme weather conditions. Strong winds destroyed a wall of Maple Leaf Farms' distribution center in Milford and caused minor damage to numerous facilities on the property.Storm gusts removed siding from a cold storage building, exposing inventory to outside conditions and temperatures exceeding preservation requirements. "There were definitely strong winds," National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Wamsley said."But whether a tornado actually touched down cannot be determined at this point. "We have workers on site evaluating what took place and should have an understanding later today." Maple Leaf Farms Communications Manager Janelle Deatsman said the company is working with the U.S.Department of Agricultural to salvage all possible products from the storage building.

Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer and AP reports- | July 28, 2016

Bank To Build At Center, Detroit

Northeast Indiana Bancorp Inc., the parent company of First Federal Savings Bank, announced the bank will build a new full-service banking facility at 402 E.Center St., Warsaw. This is the bank's first venture outside Huntington. The facility will offer traditional banking services, including consumer and commercial banking, a full-service lobby, drive-up and ATM access, as well as brokerage and financial planning services through First Federal's wholly-owned subsidiary, Innovative Financial Services.

M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Zimmer Move Keeps Officials On Their Toes

Recently announced layoffs by one of the area's largest employers could serve as a warning that Kosciusko County should not become complacent about low unemployment, the head of the chamber of commerce said Tuesday. Charlie Sparks, president of the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce, said of Zimmer's announcement last week to move approximately 200 jobs to Puerto Rico for financial reasons: "The restructuring that they're going through is a good example of why this community can't afford to rest on its laurels and expect the future to take care of itself." Kosciusko County needs to work on encouraging economic development and on being attractive to new industry, Sparks said. Other communities in Indiana are quite serious about attracting new industry and business to their areas, and the effort has become extremely competitive, he said.

Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Absentee Voting Begins 4/14; Applications Accepted Through 4/28

Republicans who wish to participate in the May 6 primary, settling the mayoral race in Warsaw, as well as council seats in Warsaw, Winona Lake and Syracuse, but who are out of town on Election Day, have until April 28 to file an absentee ballot application.There is no Democratic ballot. Poll workers and people with a demanding work schedule also may use the absentee voting system, according to Kosciusko County Clerk Sharon Christner. "People can call or come in for an application," she said."We are accepting them now." A driver's license number or the last four digits of a person's Social Security number are required for identification. Homebound residents can be served by a traveling Election Board member, who will deliver the absentee ballots to their doorsteps.

TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Speculation swirls over possible sale of Warsaw implant maker

According to a number of independent news sources, Warsaw's Biomet Inc.has retained investment bank Morgan Stanley to help weigh a possible sale of the company. Local Biomet officials would not comment or confirm any association with Morgan Stanley.The news of Biomet's relationship with Morgan Stanley was first reported by David Faber on CNBC. Interim Biomet Chief Executive Officer Daniel P.Hann, interviewed by Bloomberg News, declined to comment on the CNBC report."We do not comment on market rumor or comment on what outside vendors we may be working with," he said, adding that Biomet is "focused on managing the company through this transition." Speculation about the possible sale of Biomet surfaced shortly after Dane Miller resigned early last week.Sources cited Miller's abrupt resignation, disappointing financial results over the last several quarters and the selection of Hann, an inside lawyer for the firm, as interim CEO.

M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

County To Dedicate 'Kosciuszko' Monument

A monument honoring General Tadeusz "Thaddeus" Kosciuszko will be dedicated at 10 a.m.March 27, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse lawn on the Main Street side.Kosciuszko is the namesake for the county, though he was never in Indiana. Born in Poland in 1746, he came to America in 1776 and offered his services to the Continental Congress. The idea of a monument honoring this patriot came from Don Frantz, longtime Warsaw Rotarian.A bust of Kosciuszko is housed in the Kosciusko County Historical Society Jail Museum; however, Frantz thought there should be something on the courthouse lawn for the public to see as well.With the 150th anniversary of Warsaw being celebrated in 2004, it was decided by the Warsaw Rotary Club that a monument should be erected to commemorate this event as well as honor this Revolutionary War hero.

TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Reviews Lake City Greenway Plans

Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board members reviewed plans for the Lake City Greenway as presented by city planner Jeff Noffsinger. The project will connect Winona Lake and Warsaw to the City-County Athletic Complex and historic Chinworth Bridge, where a trailhead park will be established. The greenway is designed to offer a safe, attractive alternative transportation route and will be funded through private donations and state and federal grants. Noffsinger Tuesday also described the Beyer Farm branch of the greenway, expected to link Pike Lake to the Kosciusko Community Hospital campus. Parks employee Larry Plummer Jr.is serving on the greenway committee. In other business, the board:  Heard from superintendent Jon Garber that a reformatted lease agreement also will have a Spanish language version. The board set non-refundable security deposits for the Fireman's Building at $30 and for the Nye Youth cabin at $20.

TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Miller Brings Campaign To Kosciusko County

Gubernatorial candidate Eric Miller made a campaign stop at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds Wednesday, visiting with supporters attending the GOP's fish fry. Miller was greeted by a crowd of more than 60 well-wishers waving "Miller for Governor" signs and many wearing the red, white and blue "It's All About You" T-shirts. Miller, 53, of Avon bounded from his recreational vehicle to cheers and applause and began to deliver one of his characteristically energetic speeches. "Hold up your hand if you want higher taxes!" he said."Hold up your hand if you believe in same-sex marriage!" No hands were raised, but they were in response to pledges to marriages defined as between one man and one woman and protecting the sanctity of life. Miller's campaign actually began two years ago and he hasn't wavered from his pro-family, pro-tax reform stance.

TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Council Approves SWD Tax Levy

Warsaw's city council approved the solid waste district tax levy increase Monday.The resolution will go before all the county's town councils throughout the month. The district seeks an extra $80,000 through taxes, which could raise the rate from $0.0035 to $0.007.Currently the district raises $74,082. The solid waste board has approved fewer and fewer tax dollars over the last few years because revenues were bolstered by "tipping fees" - set costs paid per ton at the Packerton Landfill that go to the district.The tipping fees have been drastically reduced in the last couple of years. District educator Eric Sanson was on hand to answer any questions posed by the board.He said more services would have to be cut if the resolution wasn't approved. Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the choice for the district was between instituting a user fee for each household and the levy.

TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Hires Superintendent

PIERCETON - Whitko Community School Corp.Board of Trustees unanimously approved Jeffrey A.Hendrix as its new superintendent Monday. Hendrix will assume his duties July 1.Current Superintendent Dr.William Worl is retiring effective June 30. Hendrix has served as the superintendent assistant at Alexandria Community School Corp.since July 2000.Previously, he was the assistant principal at The School Town of Highland, Highland High School, from July 1997 to June 2000; English teacher/coach at Clark-Pleasant School Corp., Whiteland Community High School, August 1987 to June 1997; teacher of emotionally handicapped/coach at Kokomo-Center School Corp., Bon Air Middle School, 1985 to 1986; and United States history teacher/coach at North Miami School Corp., North Miami High School, from 1984 to 1985.

DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Bags Provision On Apartment Garbage

Apartment dwellers and landlords got a reprieve Monday night by city council.But most of a wide-ranging proposal by the street department will likely be implemented. A provision that would have eliminated garbage service for apartments with three or more units was stricken from a proposal after landlords and others complained. The provision would have affected upward of 683 apartment units, according to city statistics. City officials are seeking the proposals to reduce the amount of abuse and cut down the waste stream of trash sent to the landfill.Superintendent Kim Leake predicted the original proposal would reduce the trash load by more than 20 percent. Without the provision, Leake still predicted the waste stream will be trimmed by 10 percent. Leake said he anticipated a fight and was willing from the outset to compromise. "I got what I wanted and I have no problem with that," Leake said.

Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Attorney outlines steps to annex properties

MILFORD - Two more steps were taken by the Milford Town Council Monday to annex property into the town's corporate limits. First, councilmen Bob Phillips and Doug Ruch adopted the fiscal plan for the annexation.Second, the two councilmen approved introducing the annexation ordinance June 17 at 7 p.m. Council president John Lehman had to abstain from the vote because he owns property to be annexed. The areas the council is looking to annex include North Park subdivision sections one and two, Phend & Brown's property and Darrell Krugman's property. Town attorney Jay Rigdon said the next step will be to give public notice of the introduction of the annexation ordinance.A letter to all affected property owners also will be sent out. The letter will explain the town's need to continue to look at expansion, will give the date and time of the meeting and will include copies of the ordinance and fiscal plan.

DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Child Care Referral Service To Be Offered By Combined Community Service

Need child care and don't know where to go to find the right place or what child care center offers what programs or facilities? Combined Community Services is now offering help to Kosciusko County residents in finding the right facility through their Child Care Resource and Referral program.And it's as simple as making a phone call. "We'll give (parents) referral to what they're looking for and we'll come as close as we can," said Pam Houser, quality child care coordinator for CCS. The first step for a parent to take is to pick up the phone and call Houser at 269-6194 or call CCS direct at 269-6019.The statewide toll-free referral number is 888-463-5473.

DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Daniels Says State Moving Forward

AKRON - Governor Mitch Daniels visited Akron Tuesday, stopping by Sloane's restaurant for a discussion with local media. Topics ranged from Indiana's new ethanol production plants to Major Moves to illegal immigration. Even the April 2 move to daylight-saving time was mentioned, though Daniels believed the early reactions from Hoosiers will change given time. "It's still pretty early to know how people will truly feel about this," Daniels said."People that are against something are a little more passionate about it." And when asked about his popularity in the state and recent criticism of Indiana's time change, Daniels said he has been achieving goals he first addressed during his election campaign.

Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

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