Relevance Date

Focus On United Way: Well Child Clinic Offers Parental Support

Editor's note: This is the first 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. The Well Child Clinic opened in 1981 to help families who have trouble paying for well-baby routine care. The goal of the clinic is to provide families with routine preventive health services needed to keep babies and children healthy, happy and prepared to succeed as they approach school age.Because of financial constraints, these serves might not otherwise be available.The Well Child Clinic often is used as a "safety net" for preventive health care.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Rep. Souder Part Of Delegation To Iraq

U.S.Rep.Mark Souder (R-Ind.) is out of the country as part of a congressional delegation. Tuesday and Wednesday, the delegation visited Baghdad, Kuwait City, Balad and Tikrit.They even visited the Ad Dawr compound where the former Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, was captured.The honorable congressman from Indiana actually crawled into the "spider hole" and describes its interior. In addition to Souder, the bipartisan group included: Rep.Rodney Alexander (D-LA); Rep.Curt Weldon (R-PA); Bremer; Rep.Solomon Oritz (D-TX); Rep.Steve Israel (D-NY); and Rep.Candice Miller (R-MI). Souder visited with troops from Indiana, discovering one soldier with ties to his hometown of Grabill.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

N.M. Gets Tax Allotment; '06 Budget Not Approved

NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester Community Schools Business Manager Steve Shumaker had good news and not-so-good news at the regular school board meeting Monday night. First, he presented several pieces of good news. Shumaker said the school received its final tax allotment from 2005 so he could close out the year's financial statements.Shumaker has been waiting for the allotment since late 2005. He then announced to the board that the corporation earned $61,268 in interest last year.Shumaker attributed the interest growth to careful observation of accounts. Finally, Shumaker told the board the cash balance in the general fund has reached $1.2 million, just under 12 percent of the corporation's total budget.When Shumaker was hired as business manager, his goal was to build the cash balance to $800,000 over time.Careful spending and frugal budgeting helped lead to the increase, he said.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Orders Demolition Of House On E. Fort Wayne St.

Demolition of the house at 621 E.Fort Wayne St.was given the go-ahead yesterday by the Warsaw Board of Works. The house has stood without rehabilitation since a fire three years ago, abandoned by the owners. During the Jan.23 BOW meeting, building commissioner Todd Slabaugh asked that unsafe building funds be used to demolish the structure, which has had an outstanding demolition order since June 2002. Slabaugh said then the owners are not taking any responsibility nor has there been a response from the mortgage company.Fire damage occurred in March 2001. A low quote of $5,587 for demolition was received from G&G Hauling and Excavating Inc. Thursday, city planner Jeff Noffsinger presented the item, saying the city could put a sewage lien on the property to recoup the money spent for demolition. Such a lien would be second in line after the mortgage. Noffsinger also said there are enough funds in the unsafe building account to pay for the demolition.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Discusses Using EDIT To Fund Justice Building Expansion

EDIT is back before the Kosciusko County Council, only this time there's a twist. It's the council who's proposing the Economic Development Income Tax. Faced with funding the county jail and Justice Building expansion, the council has two choices: raise property taxes or raise the County Option Income Tax and institute EDIT. In a special meeting Thursday to discuss funding options, the council voted to discuss the COIT and EDIT option at its March 2 meeting. Four members of the council were present: Brad Tandy, Harold Jones, John Kinsey and Kathryn Teel.Councilman Jim Tranter "attended" from Florida via phone hookup. The proposed funding solution would raise COIT, which is now at six-tenths of 1 percent, one-tenth of 1 percent, and would institute EDIT at three-tenths of 1 percent.Together, COIT and EDIT would equal 1 percent.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw, IDEM Hashing Out Treatment Plant Violations

The city of Warsaw has entered into negotiations with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management regarding violations at the wastewater treatment plant last summer. "It's a situation all of us wish didn't happen, but it did happen," Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said Wednesday about the spill into Walnut Creek from the West Center Street facility. "We're taking steps to do everything they're asking," he said of last week's meeting between IDEM water quality and legal representatives along with Wiggins, Jerry Patterson of the city council and city attorney Mike Valentine.The city is further represented by the Indianapolis firm of Pleus & Shadley Racher & Braun's Curt DeVoe. Wiggins said the state's environmental watchdogs have come up with a shocking initial penalty for the list of violations presented by IDEM in October.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

State High School Graduation Rates Released

Local superintendents respond to new method of calculation Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed Tuesday released the official state and local high school graduation rates for 2006. Final data, using a new formula for a four-year study, shows about three-quarters (76.5 percent) of eligible Indiana students earned a high school diploma in 2006. Graduation rates for area high schools compared to the state average of 76.5 percent as follows: Manchester - 81 percent Tippecanoe Valley -Ê73.2 percent Triton - 85.1 percent Warsaw Community - 76.9 Wawasee - 71.8 Whitko - 79.2 Graduation statistics may appear lower than in past years, due to a difference in what's included in the new graduation rates.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Valley Superintendent To Retire

BURKET - Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.Superintendent Dr.Karen S.Boling Monday announced her intention to retire from her post on June 30, 2004. Assistant superintendent Daniel V.Kramer will take her place. This July, Kramer and Boling will exchange jobs to make a smooth transfer of leadership. The corporation is facing several large issues.They are considering remodeling a section of Tippecanoe Valley High School.The school board is hunting for a housing facility for its alternative education program next year.The state is flat-lining budgets to school districts in light of their financial troubles.Kramer said that is essentially decreased funding. Boling said her retirement is a result of her age.She has worked at Tippecanoe Valley for 14 years, the majority of the time in the leadership position. Kramer has been assistant superintendent for 11 years.He has worked for Tippecanoe Valley for 24 years.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Resurrects Redevelopment Commission

The Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission was resurrected Monday after an absence of many years. Larry Teghtmeyer, Bruce Woodward, Bill Warren, Max Courtney and Lowell Owens were sworn in as members. County Commissioner Ron Truex addressed the group saying the commissioners and county council are excited about the potential of the group. "We realized with the interest from Louis Dreyfus (to construct a soybean plant), we needed to restart the commission.We thought about people we wanted on it.We cannot create another tax increment financing district without a redevelopment commission." The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has approved the Dreyfus air permit application; land south of Claypool has been zoned for the facility; and the company holds options to buy needed property.Those options haven't been exercised and the company hasn't made any firm announcement regarding its plans.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

2002 Parade Site Selected

The Builders Association of Kosciusko-Fulton Counties recently announced that Pheasant Ridge is the site for the 2002 Homes on Parade Sept.7-14. Pheasant Ridge is a new site south of Warsaw.Final work on the infrastructure is being completed, then the streets will be finished.Brad and Bruce Jackson, T.L.Jackson Construction, are the developers of Pheasant Ridge. The Builders Association is pleased that the parade will be in the city of Warsaw.Having city water and sewer for their projects allows the builders more options for home and landscape designs and lowers the expense from private utilities.The last parade in the city was in 1991 at Patterson Place. The developers of Pheasant Ridge have proposed several new ideas this year, such as landscaped ponds, continuous sidewalks, a nature walk path and lighted streets for security.The Builders Association is anticipating a successful 17th Homes on Parade.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Justice Building Adopts New Security Measures

Jill Miner arrived at work feeling a little safer Friday. The first working day of 1998 marked the beginning of major steps toward improved security in Kosciusko County Justice Building. From now on, all visitors to the Justice Building will be greeted by law enforcement and pass through a metal detector.As part of the process, visitors will be asked to empty pockets of any metal objects.Anyone wearing objects that include metal such as belt buckles and steel-toed boots will be scanned with a hand-held metal detecting wand. One officer will be stationed at the front entrance of the building.Another will be available to roam the courtrooms and provide backup assistance at the entrance. The new preventative measures are aimed at curbing outbreaks of violence.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Hey, Hey! Davey Jones Coming To Park

Activity director Janelle Wilson of the Warsaw parks department announced Davey Jones of the Monkees will be the Classic Rock Concert headliner June 18.Jones' appearance is part of a series of Friday night concerts sponsored by the department and area businesses scheduled throughout the summer. Wilson's announcement came during Friday's Warsaw Board of Works meeting. The streetscape project was tentatively awarded to Cluney Landscaping of Huntington.The company's bid came in at $186,085, more than $55,000 less than other bidders. LandPlan Architects recommended the company for the bid, but a signature page was missing from Cluney's packet for acceptance.The item was tabled until all the paperwork could be secured. The springtime project will include the addition of plantings and benches on Center Street from High Street to Washington Street. In other business the board: • Approved a taxicab permit for five vehicles for David Cesaretti.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

International Missions Settles Into New Home

WINONA LAKE - Ninety-eight years ago, 53 people interested in international mission work for Grace Brethren Church met near a tree by the swan pond in Winona Lake to discuss the idea. A plaque still adorns the tree, but after renting office space for nearly a century, Grace Brethren International Missions Center has a new home that should well outlive the tree. On Sunday, the Winona Lake organization will host an open house at its new center for world operations. The center is located behind the fire station in the former Light and Life building once owned by Free Methodist Publishing. The $450,000 renovation is part of a massive project by Winona Restoration Co., which has spread across the town much like the mission has reached across the globe. Sunday's open house, from 3 to 5 p.m., will include tours that highlight the building's design and various facets of the operation. The interior was heavily renovated, but remnants of the past remain.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Hires Architects To Study High School Upgrades

SOUTH WHITLEY - Whitko High School needs some maintenance, structure and security improvements. Tonight and Tuesday, the Whitko Community School Corp.Board of Trustees will interview architects to help the school corporation study the school's improvement needs. Jeff Hendrix, Whitko superintendent, said the school corporation needs an architect and engineering firm to come in and help the corporation study the high school to decide what steps to take.He said they don't know the true scope of the project because they are not sure how much money the school corporation will have for the project.Before anything is decided, the school board will host more public meetings for input on cost and needs.The school corporation will talk to the community, parents, teachers and students on the school's needs.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Students Get Extra Day Off

Local students got an extra day off today when schools across Kosciusko County were canceled. If local students get another day off Tuesday, that will not be determined until later today. Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr.Lee Harman said today, "We don't know yet (if schools will be canceled Tuesday).We're still going to be assessing the roads throughout the day and what the conditions are like.The main thing is if the buses can turn (on the roads) or not." Harman said it is important that parents and students watch television or listen to local radio stations like WRSW for cancellations and updates.He said parents should not call the corporation and schools for that information.The decision for Tuesday will not be available until later today, Harman said, and can be heard on local media outlets once it is made.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Etna Green Couple 'Lucky For Life' After Buying Winning Lottery Ticket

ETNA GREEN -ÊLeo Lopez has been working on the lottery for several years.Now, the lottery will be working for him - for the rest of his life. Lopez, 34, will receive $3,000 a month for the rest of his life. Lopez bought a $3 Lucky for Life Indiana lottery ticket Feb.4 at the 19 & 30 Clark station, Etna Green, that will guarantee him the monthly paychecks. "I must have done something right along the way," Lopez said. The woman working at the service station was more shocked than Lopez, he said. "She freaked out.She couldn't believe it.I had to go behind the register and calm her down," Lopez said. But this isn't the first time Lopez won money playing the Indiana lottery.He has been playing for three years and spent about $3,000 playing the first year, winning $10,000.He played on some of those winnings and won another $10,000.He put the money in the bank and spent a little.He started playing again, and that's when he won the jackpot.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw School Board Sees Demonstration By Robotics Students

Little robots flipped, skipped and scurried on a table during a demonstration for Warsaw Community Schools Corp.board members. Robotics coach Davy Hudson presented her son Ben Hudson, Marissa Schramm, John Phillips and Joshua Lyle, all Eisenhower Elementary school students, to the board Monday. The kids told how the robotics club teaches educational standards and gave a demonstration of the little machines. They and several classmates from Washington, Lincoln, and Madison elementaries participated in Lego Robotics competitions at the local and national level.They meet five hours a week for eight weeks, but Hudson said they usually spend more time than is required. Hudson said Zimmer, DePuy and Medtronic engineers participate in the program and the companies pay for supplies and travel to competitions. Robotics is open to children ages 9 to 15 years old.Although there are programs available, there is no correlating activity at the high school.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Webster Studies Proposals From Firms Interested In Community Center

NORTH WEBSTER - Agencies interested in working on the proposed community center building in town - the former elementary school - were revealed Wednesday during a town council bid proposal opening. Construction proposals were submitted by Scearce-Rudisel, Winona Lake; Paul Spite, Warsaw; MSKDT, Fort Wayne; and Prince-Alexander, Indianapolis. R.P.Murphy and Associates, Larwill, submitted the only proposals for the administration and environmental services and wage and labor sections of the project. No dollar amounts were given.The board is to select the most appropriate company for awards. Funding for the project will come through a Community Focus Fund Block Grant. Council president Kay Andrews said the council has come to an agreement with Wawasee Community Schools regarding transfer of the property and a separate corporation - North Webster Community Center Inc.- will be established to run the facility.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Top Technology Points The Way

Ever wonder how an ambulance finds an address in case of an emergency? In past years, the EMS driver had to know where the address was or perhaps be guided by a dispatcher over the radio. Plain Township EMS has stepped in the 21st century with an imaging system that can pinpoint the location of an address, thus providing quicker and potentially better service.The laptop computer with the imaging system will be mounted in the Medic 72 truck the township EMS received last summer. "It pinpoints (your location), putting a circle around it," said Capt.Dave Rapp."It's a lot easier to find the house." The imaging system can provide the EMS with the longitude and latitude of the address, as well as the township.The mapping system can show the address in relationship to the rest of Kosciusko County.
DAVID SLONE Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Today's popular off-road vehicles spend very little time off-road

Navigating muddy back roads.Crossing barren deserts.Climbing steep hills.Hauling your mountain bike home from a high-adventure weekend. You could do all that in a sport utility vehicle. But you would be the exception. Area dealers report the fast-selling SUV to be underused as far as its off-road capabilities are concerned. "They're not using them like they are built to be used," said Bruce Pingleton, Petro Brothers Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep & Eagle. Dave Edwards at Rice Ford has buyers coming from all over the board.But for the most part the vehicles aren't seeing the greener, or muddier, pastures the brochures depict. Edwards estimated the off-road use at less than 20 percent.He said the SUV is used for daily transportation and family use.
GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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