Relevance Date

Board gets update on construction

As the Warsaw Community High School construction project nears to a close, three administrators gave a PowerPoint Presentation Monday to the school board on the new facilities. Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott also presented the school board with costs for furnishing the new areas of the high school. Scott said the estimated cost for the equipment was $450,000, but the bids came in at about $317,000, leaving approximately $130,000 for other items to be purchased.The winning bids included the low bid of $158,668.60 from Lee Co.as the base bid for office and education furniture; $135,818 from Wenger Corp.for music equipment; and $22,985 from Koorsen Fire and Security for technology equipment. Making the presentation on the WCHS construction project were WCHS Principal Dr.Jennifer Brumfield and assistant principals Jennifer Shepherd and Troy Akers.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Cutie Parade Winners Named

NORTH WEBSTER - Shane Pullins and Elizabeth Kleopfer of Syracuse were named the 2006 Cutie King and Queen during Friday's Cutie Pageant.They were selected from a field of 16 boys and 28 girls ages 4 to 6 years old. The eight children selected for the Cutie Court received a total of $30,000 in educational bonds from the International Palace of Sports. Brought out in small groups the casually-dressed youngsters are urged smile, wave and stand in place.Stepping up to bright lights shining up from the edge of the Community Center stage, many circled their eyes with fingers and thumbs against the glare ...the better to spot their parents in the large crowd. The children wear shorts or long pants and no make up. Some wiggle a bit and the occasional "Hi, mommy!" was heard.The boys were a bit more enthusiastic, leaping and jumping in excitement.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Discusses Admin. Contracts

SYRACUSE - The subject of administrative contracts was brought up again at Tuesday's Wawasee school board meeting, and this time the board unanimously approved the contract extensions with little fanfare. Earlier in the spring, the board outraged many local patrons when they did not approve contact extensions for all school administrators. In addition to the contract extensions, Superintendent Dr.Mark Stock also recommended shuffling some of the principals to different schools due to the retirement of Syracuse Principal Sue Rathke and Assistant Superintendent Russ Mikel moving to become superintendent at Bremen.
ORA FREEMAN, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Grace Professor Feels Blast In Israel

JERUSALEM, Israel -ÊThe explosion was deafening. Debris flew through the air, the front of the bus was blown open and the stench of burning flesh filled the air. Again, last Wednesday, Jerusalem was the scene of a homicide bombing that took 16 lives and injured more than 100. I had just settled down to a meal at a restaurant just off Jaffa Road in central Jerusalem with my friend, Mike Luddeni, when the bomb exploded.I was just a short distance away and could feel the impact of the bomb. People all around me just stopped and stood still.The silence was eerie.But in moments the horrific screams of the injured and onlookers echoed through the streets, and the impact was chilling. According to investigators, the bomber boarded Egged bus No.14 about 5:30 p.m.dressed like a haredi (ultra-orthodox) Jew.This allowed him to conceal the explosives beneath his long black coat. He let the bus move a few feet, then detonated the bomb.
JOHN DAVIS, Times-Union Columnist- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Schools Hires WPD Chief As Safety, Security Director

Warsaw's police chief now has a second job - as safety and security director for Warsaw Community Schools. Steve Foster, recently appointed as chief of the Warsaw Police Department, will begin his duties immediately.The Warsaw school board approved the position Monday. Dr.Lee Harman, school superintendent, said Monday that the school corporation has been proactive for several years on the issue of school safety. "It's going to continue to grow in importance and complexity.We need outside expertise and experience," he said. The part-time position will require the equivalent of one day a week, he said, and will pay $10,000 per year.The board said it anticipates state grant funds to help cover the salary. Foster has advised the schools in the past on safety and security issues.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Library Board Considers Adjusting Hours

The Warsaw Community Public Library Board, acting on the recommendation of library director Ann Zydek, gave its authorization to modify the hours of operation. Zydek said a recent utilization study showed more hours were needed early in the week and less were needed near the weekend. The proposed new hours will be 9 a.m to 9 p.m.Monday and Tuesday; 9 a.m.to 8 p.m.Wednesday through Thursday; and 9 a.m.to 6 p.m.Friday and Saturday. "Our records show that early in the week is when we have our heaviest usage," Zydek said."This revised schedule will allow us to have a majority of our staff here at the times of our heaviest usage, without having a lot of split shifts," she said. Zydek added the revised hours do not include any Sunday hours because the library's budget cannot support the additional hours. "We really need to have public input on the desire for Sunday hours and a willingness to pay for the additional costs," she said.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Tagged For Major Moves Projects

Road construction for Kosciusko County is now officially planned. On May 18 State Reps.Bill Friend and Bill Ruppel announced the final list of Major Moves highway projects, a fully-funded program also planned for Marshall County. Included in the project is the long-awaited construction on Ind.13, Ind.15 and U.S.30.Cost for Kosciusko County construction and resurfacing alone totals to more than $22.3 million. However, along with both Friend and Ruppel, the Indiana General Assembly approved the Major Moves legislation, doubling the amount of new highway projects in the state over the next 10 years - all without raising taxes. "The projects once promised are now guaranteed to be built."said Friend. This legislation resolves huge highway funding problems that no one else, until now, has solved.
ANDREW HOLLADAY, Times-Union Staff- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse TPS Faces Budget Woes

SYRACUSE - Some things make a town a community, where people care and work together for the good of everyone. In Syracuse, one of these things is Teen Parents Succeeding, a group that helps young single parents complete their high school education.Because of this help, some have even gone on to college. Begun nearly 10 years ago by Jackie Plikerd, a mother with a need, the program continues under the direction of Shantel Keith.Next fall, Keith expects to have eight new babies, plus three who are already in the program. But next fall may not happen because money is tight, and without it, TPS won't be able to pay the utilities, let alone other bills. "We are really struggling," said Keith, who is a Wawasee High School and Ball State University graduate with a degree in early childhood, kindergarten and elementary education.
VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF SURSO, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

WCDC Discusses Potential Summer Events

Though members announced no concrete plans for the summer, Warsaw Community Development Corp.'s board of directors discussed possibilities for a handful of projected events throughout the next several months. Following what was called a "successful weekend" in Warsaw's downtown, members said they hoped to continue to attract people to the area through various concerts and festivals. On Friday, the rock concert featuring The Buckinghams and The Turtles in Central Park drew an estimated 7,000 attendants, many of which visited Warsaw's downtown before and/or after the musical performances.Saturday's open house on Center and Buffalo streets also drew a large number of people, members said, and helped create a unique atmosphere. WCDC President Clint Pletcher advised the event should be scheduled again, possibly for as soon as during the Christmas season.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Commissioners Hear Fund Requests From Local Social Service Agencies

Every year, right before the Kosciusko County Commissioners plan their overall budget request to the county council, local not-for-profit organizations make their budget requests to the commissioners. If approved, the organizations will then receive their requested funds next year out of the commissioners' budget. Tuesday, 10 organizations presented the commissioners with their requests for 2001. The largest amount requested is from the Cardinal Center for $117,000, an increase of $37,000.However, the increase includes a one-time-only appropriation of $37,000 to help them repair roofing. The second largest request is for $100,500 from the Bowen Center/Juvenile Center.The requested amount is the same as last year's request. Also keeping their requests the same for next year were a request for $500 from Arrowhead and $23,000 from the Kosciusko County Historical Society.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Theft Charge Dismissed In Grevenstuk Case

One of four charges pending against the teen-ager accused of burning the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church was dismissed this morning after the defense moved for a judgment on evidence. Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed dismissed one count of attempted theft because he didn't think that the state had sufficient evidence.The other three charges - arson, burglary and theft - will remain in place for the trial. Timothy Grevenstuk allegedly introduced himself as the "church burner," two former inmates of Kosciusko County Jail testified Tuesday. Gene England and Nathan Olinger both testified that Grevenstuk was a fellow inmate in their cell block at the jail in the fall of 1997.Both men said Grevenstuk called himself the "church burner" and allegedly threatened to burn down Olinger's house if Olinger did not stop teasing him.
TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Her 'Good Old Days' Go Back A Little Further Than Most

Hilda Young, 102, Warsaw, has lived through 19 presidents, the Great Depression and two world wars, among many more historical events throughout her lifetime, though she doesn't remember some of them. On May 17, 1899, she was born in Hastys, a small town just southwest of Milford.She now lives near Warsaw on her farm and has lived here for 64 years. Young has three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. She was a little nervous about being in the newspaper. "They won't know me now because I don't have any hair," Young said of friends seeing her picture in the paper. Her son, Junior, said she still washes her hair, makes her bed and does some dusting. "She has home health care nurses that come in and help her," Donna Brett, friend and nurse, said."I'm one of those nurses." Young said she isn't sure how she feels."I've got so many things wrong.I don't feel very good sometimes," she said.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

WCS Superintendent Discusses Plans To Close S. Lake School

SILVER LAKE - Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr.David McGuire did not budge from his idea that two four-section schools be constructed by the Warsaw Community Schools Corp.in the next three years. Nor would he agree to recommend one of the schools be built in the southeast area of the district, during redistricting negotiations, as requested by a member of the community. McGuire faced about 60 Silver Lake residents united in their opposition to closing the local elementary school and having their children bused to Winona Lake. Introduced by Cindy Rosenbarger, president of the Parent-Teacher Organization, McGuire sat with her and WCS board member Gene England, former Silver Lake teacher and principal.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Destination Imagination Team The Definition Of Success

BOURBON - Success is defined by Webster's dictionary as "a favorable result." Perhaps a better definition of success could be provided by putting a picture of the M.Seven Destination Imagination Team in every dictionary. The area team won first place in the Theater SmARTs challenge and second place in the ConnecDid challenge at the Destination Imagination Global Finals May 21-24 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.In addition, the team was recognized with two special awards - the Renaissance Award for performance and the DaVinci for mastering the artistic use of props in competition. M.Seven includes Sarah Benczik, Trinity School at Greenlawn in South Bend senior; Todd Bolt, Warsaw Community High School junior; Kylie Edmonds, Andrea Zentz, Tim Speicher, all Triton High School seniors; and David Gabhart and Ben Speicher, both THS sophomores.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

United Way Allocates $1.26 Million

The United Way of Kosciusko County has allocated campaign dollars to local programs. After exceeding the 2005 Campaign goal, the United Way worked on allocating donor dollars and making an impact within the community. United Way looked at community needs through Vision Councils - local volunteers and issue experts working together to distribute resources and recognize and address new community issues/needs. United Way raises money to help support a broad spectrum of health and human service programs.It has four vision council areas which focus on; youth development; family/community wellness and emergency services and self-sufficiency. Vision councils review "request for funding packets" from each agency containing details such as program information, budgets, community issues being addressed and outcomes specific to the programs.This system of review assures donors their gifts are being used effectively and efficiently.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

WCS Approves $30 Million Building Plan

Claypool and Winona Lake are on their way to getting new facilities after the school board's preliminary approval Monday. Warsaw School Board voted five-to-two in favor of adding onto and renovating Claypool Elementary and building a new school in the Jefferson Elementary area. Cost of the projects is expected to be $30 million.The cost would be financed through the school's existing debt service fund without the need for an increase in property taxes, according to WCS Superintendent Dr.Dave McGuire. The proposal originally was made at the May school board meeting, when McGuire recommended closing the four smallest schools - Atwood, Claypool, Jefferson and Silver Lake - and building two new four-section schools, one in Prairie Township and one near the current Jefferson Elementary. McGuire changed the proposal last week by dropping the Prairie Township school and suggesting a renovated and enlarged Claypool school to accommodate Claypool and Silver Lake students.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Council Discusses Deer Overpopulation

John Sullivan, Indiana Department of Natural Resources officer, Monday presented the city council the possibility of conducting a deer hunt within Warsaw city limits. Mayor Ernie Wiggins said before Sullivan's speech that the presentation was merely for factual evidence on previous hunting situations in the state, and that no formal decision would be made during the meeting. In his speech, Sullivan stressed safety precautions if a hunt were to take place. "If the city were to allow a hunt, the main actions that have to take place are a proper announcement of the hunt and the city must allow only certified hunters into the area." Sullivan also suggested limiting the amount of ammunition for the hunters, saying the safest means of extraction would be to restrict hunters to carry only muzzle-loading weapons.This would prevent rapid fire by hunters and decrease the chance of dangerous ricochet in the city.Tree stands were encouraged to lessen this as well.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

NAACP to meet with Wawasee officials

SYRACUSE - Representa-tives from the NAACP and Wawasee Schools will meet Thursday to focus on changing the system that allowed the Klan worksheet into the classroom. Eight members of the NAACP Board, Fort Wayne chapter, will meet with Superintendent Mark Stock and other officials at the Rock Church to discuss what happened at Syracuse Elementary - and how to keep it from happening again. Liz Dobynes of the NAACP said she has seen this type of activity in communities before, but "I was appalled that it was done in the school system - I never thought they'd be brazen enough," she said. The school corporation has developed a Minority Issues Task Force, which on Tuesday recommended, among other things, sensitivity training for staff.But Dobynes believes other steps can be taken.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Burglaries Solved

Several weekend break-ins at Winona Lake were solved early Monday when Warsaw police detained an adult and a juvenile after they allegedly attempted to use a stolen credit card to rent a room a a Warsaw hotel. Kenneth Ray Hochstetler, 22, of Bremen, is charged with burglary to a business, possession of paraphernalia and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.He is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $5,000 bond.Drew Allen Krichbaum, 16, of 201 Lakeview Drive, Winona Lake, is charged with curfew violation and two counts of possession of marijuana.He was released to his mother's custody after being questioned by police. Hochstetler and Krichbaum were apprehended at Wal-Mart after a security officer from Ramada Inn reported the two as acting suspicious.They were denied a room and Hochstetler reportedly asked if the limit on the credit card could be checked.He was told to do so by using the 800 number on the back of the card.
RUTH ANNE LIPKA, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Guardsmen Called To Active Duty

Editor's note: This is part of a series of interviews with World War II veterans.The articles will continue in each day's edition through Saturday's World War II Memorial Dedication and Recognition Day. As they had for 140 years, Indiana National Guardsmen prepared to go to war in 1941, mustering in response to a Presidential Executive Order, Jan.29.The 152nd Infantry gathered at the Warsaw Armory. Two members of that regiment, Wallace Huffman of Leesburg and Howard Haab of Milford, and the widow of another member, Mrs.Katie Kirkendall (wife of Fred) of Warsaw, talked about the days with the 38th (Cyclone) Division and Company L of the 152nd. They were led by two World War I veterans, Capt.Milo Snyder and Sgt.Ralph Litchenwalter; both were prepared to go another round. Huffman and Haab, both 86 now, left the processing in Fort Wayne in 1941 and headed for Camp Shelby, Miss., in April.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
Previous Next