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Second-Graders Hear About Times-Union Correspondent's Trip To Meet President Bush

SYRACUSE - A once-in-a-lifetime chance came my way recently, and sharing it with children made it all the more special. Meeting President George W.Bush was an amazing experience.One week later I shared the details with my grandson Andrew Brazis' second-grade class, and I was excited by their enthusiasm and interest in learning more about our president and where he lives.
VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF SURSO, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Town Council praises last weekend's BMX race, triathlon

WINONA LAKE - Councilman Rolly Ortega commented on the well-organized BMX race held last weekend, and town marshal Malcolm Gilbert had good words to say about the triathlon event held last weekend, too, during the town council's meeting this morning. More than 150 bicycle racers participated in the bike race, although 200 were expected.Ortega said it was very well run with few parking problems. He asked that organizer Eric Graves be thanked for the event. Gilbert said 373 people entered the triathlon, many more than were expected.He said there were few hitches during the event. Because of the number of athletes, the riders were strung out both ways on Pierceton Road, where they turned around in Pierceton. Grace College security crews helped with the crowd, Gilbert said, as did street department superintendent Bart Jones. Gilbert said it was his observation that few people attended the Pro-Am Classic Golf event at Stonehenge.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

KCH To Become Syracuse EMS Affiliate

SYRACUSE - Syracuse Emergency Medical Service has changed its affiliation from Goshen General Hospital to Kosciusko Community Hospital. Fire Chief Mickey Scott told the town council Tuesday that the decision for the change in affiliation was made because of more aggressive protocols that the KCH emergency room has adopted.According to Scott, these protocols govern what extent of care can be given to an emergency patient by the EMS officers before arrival at the emergency room. Under more conservative protocols, the EMS officers must contact the emergency room director before applying such measures as rapid sequence integration, a respiratory aid to patients with closed head injuries.The more aggressive protocols of KCH allow EMS officers to apply these and other measures without first contacting the director.
TIM ROBERTSON, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Code Hearing Officer Takes No More Excuses

Warsaw property owners who have been cited for building code or zoning violations, take notice - Larry Clifford, the city's hearing officer, is sending one strong message. "No more excuses!" Clifford delivered that message Monday to Cathy Hutchinson, 421 W.Fort Wayne St.Hutchinson and her husband, Tom, were fined $1,000 in May for violating the city's building codes for having old appliances, building materials, junked cars and other rubbish strewn throughout their yard. Clifford imposed a second $1,000 fine if the yard is not cleaned up by July 6.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Etna Green Gas Station Burglarized Saturday

ETNA GREEN - County and state police are investigating a burglary Saturday night at the Clark Gas Station at the intersection of U.S.30 and Ind.19 in Etna Green. An undisclosed amount of cash and merchandise was taken in the burglary, which is believed to have happened sometime after closing Saturday night. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the burglary was discovered around 5:20 a.m.Sunday by Deborah Robbins, who, with her husband, Keith, owns the station.Robbins notified the sheriff's department after she opened the station door Sunday morning and did not hear the beeping sound that indicates the alarm system is activated. She told police the control panel of the alarm system was not working, and she found electronic parts scattered on the floor of the "prep" room.After using her cellular phone to call 911 and after her husband arrived, they checked the office, and found the file cabinet, cash register and safe pried open.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Council Plans Economic Development Panel

County councilman Larry Teghtmeyer suggested the council set up a committee to study ways to approach economic development during Thursday's meeting. In February, Kosciusko Development Inc.representatives asked for $100,000 per year for the next four years to draw businesses here. Currently, the council gives KDI $35,000 per year.The organization usually comes close to matching that amount to operate.Teghtmeyer asked that a committee be formed to study the best approach to economic development. "I think we need to do the research," Teghtmeyer said of either granting the money to KDI or another department."I don't think we should sit back on our laurels." The members agreed to have three council members, commissioner Ron Truex and county administrator Ron Robinson on the committee. Councilwoman Charlene Knispel asked if the county's redevelopment commission wasn't set up to do such work, and was told that group had other responsibilities.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Adopts Fire, Police Pay Schedules

SYRACUSE - Three weeks after hearing a presentation from McGrath Consulting Inc.on Syracuse police and fire department employee pay, the town council took up the issue at a special meeting Monday. With councilmen Paul Stoelting and Larry Siegel opposed, the council voted three to two to accept the consulting firm's recommended option on police and fire employee pay with modifications. McGrath recommended addition of a master police officer grade after five years of service and in the future agreeing to look at adding staff, including an assistant fire chief.The council decided not to consider adding the position of an assistant fire chief until next year. The motion also included a modification allowing town manager Brian Redshaw to monitor the salary rates with input from the council and for a committee to be set up to establish minimum hiring guidelines and incentive bonuses starting with 2004.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Mulls Regional Sewer Idea

Winona lake -ÊSlightly disillusioned over negotiations with Warsaw over a sewer agreement, the town council is looking at the long-range possibility of working with other towns. Warsaw treats Winona Lake's waste and the municipalities have been haggling for months over a renewal of the sewer agreement. Meanwhile, clerk-treasurer Retha Hicks said, at least one consultant has advised that the town could operate its own sewer plant for as much as they expect to pay this year to Warsaw in sewer fees. Winona Lake expects to pay about $250,000 in fees to Warsaw in 1998 - nearly $100,000 more than last year after a new meter was installed and indicated the town had been undercharged for past use. Hicks was instructed Tuesday by council to contact other towns and possibly area lake communities and a consultant about working together in any way. While the idea of regional cooperation is a long shot, officials want to at least explore the idea.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Bronze Star, Other Medals Presented To WWII Infantryman

MILFORD - Paul Showalter was presented the Bronze Star and other medals he earned 60 years ago during a surprise ceremony at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care facility Wednesday. After World War II, the young soldier wasn't interested in honors.He'd spent two years as an infantryman for the 45th, "following Patton" across France and into Germany.He wanted to return to his farm near Leesburg and to his job at Dalton Foundries. "I wanted these for my family," Showalter said yesterday."When I got out, I didn't care about medals." The Bronze Star, given to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious advancement or service, is the third received by Showalter family members.Paul's son Ken received the medal during the Vietnam War and Ken's son-in-law, Maj.John Hinkel, received one for his service in Iraq.Hinkel is now stationed in Germany, Ken said Wednesday.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tire Recycling Soon To Be Available In County

Tire recycling will be available to Kosciusko County residents beginning April 17, and then every third Saturday of each month at the KC Depot, due to a program sponsored by the county's Solid Waste Management District. The district board Tuesday heard the bid submitted by Elk Distributing for tire recycling was acceptable after a financial statement was received and references were checked. The program will be available through October. Boxes to collect unused cellular phones have been placed in all police departments and libraries in the county.The box placed in Warsaw Community Public Library will be there for only 30 days. SWMD Executive Director Sue Studebaker said she would like to develop a conference for students and another for adults to educate the public about local environmental issues. She said she could have an agenda and a list of possible sponsors of the program by August.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Molesting Probe Now Includes Three Counties

The investigation of a molestation case against a Mentone man arrested Friday evening now spans at least three counties. The Warsaw Police Department received numerous information calls and more allegations of molestation against Anthony James DeMarco, 25, of 205 S.Oak St., Mentone, over the weekend.At least two of the calls came from two different counties, although police are not releasing the names of those counties.Demarco is accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy in fall 2004. DeMarco, who is currently being held on a $100,000 surety bond, appeared and entered a plea of not guilty in Kosciusko Superior Court I in front of Judge Duane Huffer at a 9:15 a.m.initial hearing today.DeMarco faces 20 to 50 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty of child molesting, a Class A felony. Huffer set DeMarco's omnibus date for May 14, with a pretrial conference set for May 23.A status conference will take place April 20 in the prosecutor's office.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Souder Speaks At Lincoln Day Dinner

When planning a speech, the experts agree, it is good to warm up to the audience with a humorous story or joke. Indiana's U.S.Congressman Mark Souder (R-Third District), using this time-tested formula, began his Kosciusko County Lincoln Day dinner talk with this offering: "An American, an Englishman and a Frenchman were out for a walk.They came across a magical lamp. "Rubbing the lamp brought forth a genie.'You each have one wish,' he said. "The American thought for a while and said, 'My great-great-grandfather was a farmer, my great-grandfather was a farmer, my grandfather was a farmer, I'm a farmer and my children will be farmers. "'I wish for the American soil to always be fertile.' "Poof! "'Your wish is granted!' The genie said, 'American soil will always be fertile.' "The Frenchman was next and he asked that his country be walled off from everyone, that no one could come in and no one could leave.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Enters Annexation Agreement On Superior Excavating Property

Land under development by Superior Developing, northeast of Superior Excavating, has been entered in an in-lieu-of-annexation agreement with the city. Warsaw Board of Works members approved the contract Friday. The property is on Old Road 30, west of the County Highway Department. The city cannot annex the area immediately but is willing to extend sewer services to the area.The Superior companies are owned by Dale Custer.Superior Developing will pay for construction of a force sewer main at CR 225E. In-lieu-of-annexation agreements offer property owners the benefits of city services while they pay 50 percent of the city's property tax rate.Generally, the property owner seeks sewer services.They incur the costs of bringing the infrastructure to their property.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Towns Approving Tax Levy For Waste District

Fourteen towns have approved a resolution to raise the tax levy for the Kosciusko County Solid Waste District, the board of directors heard Tuesday. Director Sue Studebaker, educator Eric Sanson and board president Brad Jackson attended council meetings requesting the approval during the last few weeks, Studebaker reported.As of Tuesday afternoon, Winona Lake, Syracuse, North Webster town councils and the county council had yet to hear the proposal. A letter by Studebaker to Tom Weeldeen, Allied Waste's CEO based in Arizona, was answered.The board negotiated for increased tipping fees with the company, which owns the Packerton Landfill.All inquires were met with resistance.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Cemetery Tour Planned As Part Of 150th Anniversary Celebration

The gravesites of 14 individuals will be visited during the Warsaw Sesquicentennial Celebration's Cemetery Tour June 12. The historical figures, 12 men and two women, will be portrayed by county residents. Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents President Louis Dobbins said tour committee members discussed the route through the grounds and parking earlier this week. Sexton David Shaw said cemetery employees should be available to help direct people to parking areas and to the start of the tours. Shaw reported that the American Legion is considering a 76- to 78-lot area for expansion south and east of the "cremation garden."The ground will be offered at half the price city residents pay in accordance with prior contracts.The Legion is responsible for all concrete foundations, monuments and upkeep.The new area will require fill dirt too, which the organization also will provide.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton Senior Center Dedicated Saturday

PIERCETON - The community watched as the town councilmen completed a project 4-1/2 years in the making.The dedication of the Pierceton Senior Citizen Center took place at 2 p.m.Saturday followed by short speeches and a ribbon-cutting. Trays of cookies greeted guests along with members of the Senior Citizens Club, a small group that will run the center.The latest public building, which also houses the town's EMS, the police and utility offices and vehicles, began with a crash when, in July 1996, the brick Perry Building settled itself in a heap at the corner of First and Market streets. The property remained roped off while the out-of-town owners were contacted and town officials, councilmen Jerry Kreger, Terry Hill and Ron Hall, weighed their options.Back taxes were owed and the town representatives weren't anxious to buy the property.However, the owners were eventually ready to sell and a series of state funding options became available.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Schmucker Seeks Re-Election As Tippy Township Trustee

Alyssa Schmucker, North Webster, is seeking re-election of her position as the Tippecanoe Township Trustee. Her first term will come to a close this year.While in office, she assisted in such accomplishments as the township purchase of a Little League baseball field now used by the North Webster Youth League.A grant from the International Palace of Sports was received to assist the township with the purchase. The Kosciusko County 21st Foundation also approved a grant request from the Little League to construct playground equipment on the park area of the property. Schmucker currently serves as both the township trustee as well as EMS director. Schmucker said she is dedicated to keeping the local EMS system in place to provide service for township residents.Currently, the North Webster EMS service provides paramedic assistance year-round, but concerns have been raised due to several signing contracts with Multi-Township to provide these services.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Commerce Panel OKs Coats' Anti-Porn Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Senate Commerce Committee Friday passed U.S.Sen.Dan Coats' anti-pornography bill. The Communications Decency Act, targets commercial distribution of pornography on the World Wide Web. "This is a great victory, and the first big step on the way to the Senate floor," said Coats. The legislation is tailored to overcome the concern that certain art or public health information may be swept up or chilled under the indecency standard contained in the CDA. The Coats legislation requires commercial distributors to remove free images or require a credit card, adult access code or PIN to view them.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

'Town Hall' Meeting Looks At Local Education Needs

What are the educational needs in Kosciusko County? To help answer this question, the first of three "town hall" meetings to identify the educational needs in Kosciusko County was held Monday at Kosciusko County Foundation. Approximately 25 people attended, representing local businesses, schools, home-schooling programs, retired people and foundations. The next two town hall meetings will be Thursday and April 12 from 5 to 7 p.m.People are encouraged to attend and should call Mary at 267-1901 to reserve a spot. The meetings are part of the Foundation's efforts to get funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc.'s Community Alliances to Promote Education. "Our board is very serious about pursuing a CAPE grant for Kosciusko County," Foundation director Suzie Light said at Monday's meeting.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Begins Demolition Proceedings

Demolition proceedings are the next step to be levied against property at 110 E.Center St. Boarded up and gutted, the building is owned by David and Susan Wentzel. Neither party appeared before Lawrence Clifford, code enforcement hearing officer, Monday. In council chambers, Clifford learned no progress has been made on orders imposed in February such as applying for a building permit and submitting architectural plans. Warsaw building inspector Todd Slabaugh said the roughest information was submitted for a building permit Monday morning.To the commissioner's knowledge, no items have been completed on the job list Wentzel originated. The last time Slabaugh was in the building was Dec.10, 2001. Terry Klondaris said he owns the building to the east.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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