Relevance Date

Gala funding at halfway point

Funding for the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center Opening Gala Sept.16 has met the half-way mark. WCHS Assistant Principal Jennifer Shepherd told the school board Monday she received donation checks for 50 percent of Broadway star Faith Prince's contract.She currently has verbal commitments for 70 percent of the cost.Donations are secured from Zimmer, Arby's, Hand Family Trust and Maple Leaf Farms, with a verbal commitment from Mutual Federal Savings Bank.Service donations are in from Ramada and Maple Leaf Grille.A personal donation of $100 also was received. Shepherd said when people hear about the grand opening, they are excited about it. "It's going along pretty well," said Shepherd.She still is seeking donations and grants. The outdoor bathroom facilities for the Leesburg Summer Recreational League at Leesburg Elementary also can proceed.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Reluctantly Complies With Mandate From State On Child Support Collection

"It is against my better judgement, and with the threat of monetary penalties to this county," began a letter by Marsha McSherry, Kosciusko County Clerk, to James M.Hmurovich, Director at the Division of Family and Children, Indianapolis, "that in response to your April 30, 1998 deadline (extended to May 15, 1998) that the Kosciusko County Clerk's office does hereby agree to go on the ISETS system" The controversial ISETS system is being pushed by the state of Indiana as a centralized child support collections system.Information entered into the local ISETS database is available to every county in Indiana as well as all other states that are on the ISETS system. McSherry understands the need for a current database to enhance collections and provide availability of data.
DOUGLAS SANBURN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone To Pay $10,000 In Back Pay To Three Employees

MENTONE - After reviewing a request from town employees for compensation of unpaid wages, the Mentone Town Council voted Monday to pay more than $10,000 to three employees. That figure represents overtime for hours worked from 1996 through 2000 for which employees did not receive adequate compensatory time or salary. Town employees previously received one hour of comp time for each hour of overtime worked.The current town council followed state law to provide for employees to receive 1-1/2 hours of comp time for each hour of overtime worked and the employees requested that it be made retroactive.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Struggles With Reconfiguration Of Schools

NORTH MANCHESTER - Concerned parents and taxpayers at the school board meeting Tuesday scrutinized the board members about the "primary" intention of the controversial reconfiguration issue. Educational benefits are "the primary objective of the board" in reviewing reconfiguration, school board member Thom Frantz said. "Is that true?" Pam Higgins asked the board."I thought it was for financial reasons."The audience of nearly 65 people agreed with applause. Financially, "we are in a heap of trouble," acting superintendent Kim Thurston said about the corporation. The school board has taken actions "that eased the financial pressure," he said. Seven elementary school teacher positions were cut in April.Now the focal point of the reorganization is educational benefits. Amy Lybarger, a parent, said cutting seven teachers hurt educational benefits.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Police Warn Of Construction Site Thefts

Due to a number of thefts in northern counties, the Warsaw Police Department is urging local construction businesses to be extra cautious. "Businesses should take precautions to ensure equipment won't be tampered with," said Warsaw Det.Steve Adang. A rash of construction site thefts in St.Joseph, LaPorte and Elkhart counties has prompted the Warsaw Police Department to encourage local businesses to take extra steps to secure heavy equipment. According to Adang, many pieces of heavy equipment such as backhoes, attachments, earth movers and other machinery have been stolen from construction sites.In some cases, the equipment has been stolen along with its transport trailers and other equipment. "We want (local business) to be aware that quite a bit of heavy duty equipment and attachments have been stolen," said Adang. No local thefts related to the incidents in other counties have been reported in Kosciusko County.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Silver Lake Clerk Says No Money Was Ever Missing

SILVER LAKE - Silver Lake Town Clerk Angie Glass made a statement about a May 12 newspaper article at the end of the town council meeting Tuesday evening. "There is no money missing," Glass said."There has never been any money missing. "Our accounts were balanced on paper, but not on the computer.But the state can't take handwritten records." An article in the May 12 edition of the Times-Union, written by Teresa Smith, said, "More than $25,000 is missing from Silver Lakes coffers, according to a State Board of Accounts audit for 2004.The state's audit also found that financial records were inaccurate and incomplete; that one month's balances did not agree with the next month's balances; and that many receipts and disbursement records did not exist." Tuesday, Glass explained that computer problems were the main cause of the discrepancies in the reports.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

'A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum' - Zany musical comedy will keep audiences laughing throughout

A funny thing happened at the Ramada Wagon Wheel Theatre this week and all I could do was laugh, laugh and laugh some more. That "thing" was the WWT's production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Whether it was the madcap antics of the extremely multi-talented Rod Thomas as Prologus/Pseudolus or the flighty superb silliness of Jonathan Wagner as Hysterium, "A Funny Thing" is a zany musical comedy not to be missed.You will find yourself laughing out loud, just like I was, thanks to the entire cast under the direction of guest director Tony Humrichouser. "Funny Thing" is a comedy of errors, shenanigans and slapstick humor, with a little Vaudeville and burlesque thrown in.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Woman Needs Lung Transplant, Insurance

The Miller family face a hardship not very many families have to face.Travis, a National Guard trainee on his way to Iraq, left training to be with his wife, Lowellita, diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant. Because of her hereditary disease, doctors now give Lowellita one to two years to live unless she has a lung and pancreas transplant. If Lowellita's disease and recent diagnosis were not enough, TRICARE Prime, the most popular military insurance offered, took Travis Miller off of their health insurance because of his absence from the National Guard.Army Reserve members are only part-time and do not qualify for TRICARE health insurance. With no health insurance, Lowellita was taken off the potential waiting list for a lung transplant five days ago.Hospitals refuse to perform medical services if no proof of health insurance can be provided.
ANDREW HOLLADAY Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Claypool Discusses Traffic, Annexation Project

CLAYPOOL - The Indiana Department of Transportation will meet at the Lions Club in Claypool today at 5:30 p.m.to discuss the changes in Ind.15 at the overhead due to the potential increased traffic with the Louis Dreyfus biodiesel fuel plant. The annexation project is still in the drafting stages.The annexation would increase the town limits from CR 700E to the creek, CR 200W north to the creek, CR 200W south to the railroad, and CR 700W to Ind.15. Board President Don Miller said he was not in favor of the annexation as it currently is proposed.The residents of Claypool affected by the project voiced concerns about the potential restrictions within the town limits regarding how their property can be used once annexed in.
JULIE HARVEY, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Crash Victim's Dad Sues Bar

The father of a Kosciusko County man killed in a car accident in May 2004 recently filed a lawsuit against the bar that served his son alcohol. Larry R.Krygowski filed suit against Stimmelators Gentlemen's Club, Samuel Stimmel and Tracy Stimmel, alleging his son, Jason Krygowski, and another man, Jamin Dilley, were served excessive amounts of alcohol that led to a fatal car accident May 29, 2004.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

New Internet Service In Works For Warsaw

The man who helped kick-start KCOnline has left under strained relations with investors and will launch a rival Internet service provider. Phil Lewis said Tuesday he hopes to establish the new ISP - to be known as Kingdom Communications - within a few days.It will compete directly with KCOnline, which Lewis helped build into the biggest local connection to the Internet. Lewis said he severed ties with KCOnline this week after repeated efforts to overcome differences with the main investor, Wendell Whitman. As competition brews between the two ISPs, the bottom line could be improved opportunities for customers.Whitman vows to continue to make improvements to enhance service. Lewis, who organized the business nearly two years ago, said he was upset with the lack of a contract between him and investors and with the direction of customer service.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Hopes To Be A Tree City, USA

SYRACUSE -Ê"My initial impression was that you have a very clean town....You have a canopy over many of your trees.In many towns I visit, there is no canopy left," Pamela Louks, urban forestry coordinator, Community and Urban Forestry Program, Indianapolis, told the Syracuse Town Council Tuesday. Louks and Urban Forester Matthew S.Lake, Community and Urban Forestry Program, Indianapolis, presented the Syracuse council with information regarding Syracuse becoming a Tree City USA. Indiana has approximately 43 tree cities and there are 2,500 in the nation.Member cities are very select, Louks said. To become a Tree City USA, the community needs to pass a tree care ordinance as extensive or simple as it wants.The town has to establish a tree board, including public residents, and have a "no topping" clause.Financially, Louks said, the community must spend $2 per capita, which is easily met.Every year, the town must celebrate Arbor Day.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

KCH Offers New Technology For Breast Cancer Detection

One out of every eight women will develop breast cancer at some time during their life. It's the second major cause of cancer death among women and the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 35 and 54. When treated early, breast cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. With the R2 ImageChecker Computer-Aided Detection System, radiologists at Kosciusko Community Hospital are using the most advanced technology to detect breast cancer at its earliest stage. "It's a computer program that uses digitized mammograms, mammograms that can run through a computer.It analyzes the mammograms and it highlights areas on a monitor that the radiologist can review after they've read the films to see if there's anything else they need to evaluate further," said Dr.Steven L.Hossler, KCH. Interpreting mammograms for early signs of breast cancer can be challenging because the images are complex and the beginning signs of the disease are small and subtle.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Security Added To City Easter Egg Hunt

An auxiliary police force will be used to keep the peace at Warsaw's 13th annual Easter egg hunt. The event will be held Saturday at 1 p.m.at the Center Lake Complex. Despite problems with overbearing parents last year and initial plans to cancel this year's event, the city's new park activities director decided to give it another try. But he's doing it with the help of six to eight members of KEMRAD. "A lot of people in this community that I talked to were really surprised I was going to do the event again," said activities director Andy McCleary."I'm doing the event because it's such a tradition." "It's unfortunate there was controversy," said McCleary."This time of year isn't meant for pushing, fighting, shoving and bad-mouthing each other." Former activities director Denise Beno was so upset with last year's event that she threatened to cancel future hunts.Most of the problems stemmed from parents' behavior.
DOUG SANBURN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Roemer Discusses Issues At Local Town Meetings

U.S.Rep.Tim Roemer was in Warsaw and Syracuse yesterday talking about public school reform, IRS reform and Social Security. During two town meetings, held at Warsaw Community Public Library and Syracuse Town Hall, Roemer also listened to questions from area residents. Warsaw residents were concerned about the status of Social Security.Roemer responded by telling them that it was soluble until 2029 but something still needs to be done to ensure that younger generations will be able to benefit from the program. He said Social Security should not be used as a retirement plan but, instead, be used to complement such plans as the 401K and pension plans. He has also voted for bills that would limit Social Security benefits for those who abuse drugs and alcohol. The Syracuse crowd, which included several high school students, was concerned about public education and Roemer's view on the space station.
DOUGLAS SANBURN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Lake Developer Upset With Sewer Cost

WINONA LAKE - Rusty Koenigshof is crying foul after town officials nearly tripled the sewer fee for his new residential development known as Lexington Manor. Koenigshof aired his concerns in a letter to the town and in person Tuesday after learning an earlier agreement to charge him $9,666 had been set aside in favor of new plans that would cost him $26,000. Koenigshof argued the town agreed to the $9,666 figure in 1996 and presented a letter from the town as evidence.In that letter the town told him contributions toward the sewer line would be based on projected average daily flow. The 1996 charge was based on $540 per home.Fifty homes are planned in the development, which is currently under way, he said. But town council voted earlier this month to establish sewer tap fees for property along County Road 250E that includes the higher figure for Lexington. When the new charge was approved, nobody mentioned the previous proposed charge for Lexington Manor.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Hears Impassioned Pleas To Retain Milford Middle School

SYRACUSE - With an overwhelming response from the public, Milford Middle School was well represented Tuesday at the Wawasee School Corporation Public Forum. The forum was to present three options to the public on how to deal with the overcrowding of the Wawasee schools, mainly the North Webster and Milford schools. Option one dealt with building a new facility at North Webster and doing some renovations at Syracuse, Milford and the Wawasee High School. Option two dealt with renovating North Webster on the existing site, doing some renovations at Syracuse, Milford and the Wawasee High School, and consolidating grades six through eight at the Wawasee Middle School. Option three dealt with renovating North Webster on the existing site, renovating Syracuse, Milford and Wawasee High School, and adding four general classrooms to the Milford school.
DOUGLAS SANBURN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Says Thanks To Benefactors Of New Gardens

Community leaders came out en masse to thank Bob and Roma Maish Thursday for what might be viewed as the crowning jewel in Warsaw's downtown Central Park. Bob and Roma Maish, whose gift to the city has been transformed into a 10,000-square-foot garden complete with a flowing brook, were honored by city officials at a ceremony in Central Park. The garden represents a "gift of living beauty that can be enjoyed by all," said Suzie Light, director of Kosciusko County Foundation, which helped coordinate the endowment. The project began three years ago when Maish said he was motivated after witnessing the development of Central Park, which over the years was home to a junkyard, a football field and a few softball diamonds.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Delays Decision On School Nurse

PIERCETON -ÊEmotions ran high at the Whitko School Board meeting Monday in Pierceton. Former and current teachers, staff and parents crowded the Whitko administration building to show their support for school nurse Sharon Lee, who was recommended for termination.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Police Investigate Attempted Theft Of Anhydrous Ammonia

An unknown person attempted to steal anhydrous ammonia from the CFS plant, 37 E.CR 900N, Milford, early this morning. According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report, a deputy saw a fog or smoke cloud coming from the CFS plant at approximately 2:40 a.m.today.Upon inspection, officers discovered the fog appeared to be leaking from an anhydrous ammonia tank. Officers also saw what appeared to be a red portable air tank hooked by a hose with duct tape to the anhydrous ammonia tank valve, and the hose was leaking fumes into the air.The portable air tank was almost covered in frost. A Milford police officer searched for someone walking or hiding south on Old Road 15, but no one was found. Milford Fire Department stopped the leak and disconnected the hose from the anhydrous tank.An employee of CFS secured the portable air tank and hose in a locked storage area at CFS.The Special Operations Team (drug task force) will pick up the tank as evidence.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
Previous Next