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Works Board OKs Fire Department's Grant Request

The Warsaw Fire Department will be better equipped to handle rescue operations since it has received approval to apply for a grant for safety equipment. The Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety approved the department's request to apply for a grant and an equipment assistance program at its meeting Friday. The department asked to apply for a grant from the K21 Foundation.The grant would be used for building and trench rescue operations and to assist in any unforeseen emergencies in relation to the Market Street Streetscape Project, according to Rob Barker, chief of training for the Warsaw Fire Department, who attended the meeting. The equipment would include shoring struts, trench and building stabilization, specialized wood sheeting, hand tools, dewatering pumps and ventilation equipment at a cost of approximately $35,000.There is no matching fund involved and no cost to the city.
JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Nappanee Looks To Form Boys And Girls Club

NAPPANEE - It's a growing concern in cities large and small - how to keep children off the streets and enrich their minds? The community of Nappanee has emerged as the latest contender in the fight to win back the youth. During Monday's common council session, John Leavitt and Kevin Deary offered a presentation on implementing a Boys and Girls Club in the area. To do so, the plan would need about $100,000, and Monday's presentation was the first of several to council and other organizations possibly interested in supporting the idea. Council agreed to consider what could be contributed as budget time draws nearer. Deary is the director for the Goshen chapter of the Boys and Girls Club, which boasts an enrollment of more than 700 children. The Boys and Girls Club, a project funded largely through the United Way, is geared toward children ages 6 to 18 who have been targeted as educationally "at risk" and/or latchkey kids.
AMY WENGER, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Lindemuth Ends Library Board Tenure

The Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees said goodbye to two-term member Irv Lindemuth Monday, as the former Coast Guardsman resigned his eight-year assignment. A county commissioner appointee, Lindemuth termed his service "a great privilege and a pleasure."The retired engineer was presented a plaque for his work, which was especially appreciated during the library's recent reconstruction. The regular meeting convened following an executive session to discuss the performances of individual employees. The subject of filtering objectionable Internet sites on public-use computers, and the software to impose such restrictions, was again discussed.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Emergency Planners Offer Immunizations

State law has required students in grades 9-12 be immunized against hepatitis B since the 2005-06 school year. To help students get the vaccines, and as a mini-practice run for mass vaccinations in the event of a pandemic flu, members of the Local Emergency Planning Committee are offering the shots to students during the next week. On Aug.10, from 2 to 4 p.m., the shots will be given at Wawasee High School, Syracuse; Warsaw Community High School, Aug.14, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School, Akron, Aug.15, from 7 to 9 p.m.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Board Of Works Hears Of Grant Cuts

Times-Union Staff Writer Warsaw Police Department Captain Paul Schmitt advised that a federal crime victim assistance grant has been cut 5 percent. The $35,266 award (in addition to $8,817 local funding) is applied toward th continuation of the Victim's Assistance Office and is used to pay the salary and benefits for director Becky Mareno. Schmitt said another federal grant applied for the program is expected to be cut 15 percent. The news came before the Warsaw Board of Works Friday. Board members Mayor Ernie Wiggins and Jerry Patterson also heard a probationary extension has been set for Patrolman Alan Danko for an additional 90 days, from Sept.4 through Dec.4. A city property auction will be held Aug.11 for unclaimed property and bicycles.Two city vehicles, a 1991 GMC pick up and a 1993 Chevrolet Caprice will also be offered according to WPD Chief Steve Foster.
TERESA SMITH- | July 28, 2016

Judge Reduces Punitive Damages Against Biomet

For most companies, being ordered to pay $1 million as a result of a court order in a civil case would be bad news. For Biomet Inc., receiving that word was, while somewhat disappointing, still welcome. The decision by the U.S.Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit was handed down by a three- judge panel Wednesday.In it, the court affirmed the award of compensatory damages to Orthofix SRL for $48,875,397, plus interest, in a case Orthofix filed in 1995 against Biomet and its subsidiaries, Electro Biology and EBI Medical Systems Inc. However, the decision also reduced the punitive damages assessed in federal district court from $50 million to $1 million.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tank Program Catches On

Sometimes a good idea catches on fast.Sometimes faster than expected. Such is the case for the Indiana Development Finance Authority's grant program to remove old and abandoned underground petroleum storage tanks, according to Indiana Rep.David Wolkins, (R-Winona Lake). The grant program was authorized under Senate Enrolled Act 158 as passed by The Indiana General Assembly earlier this year.The grant fund was appropriated $640,000 and the typical costs of removing underground tanks range from $10,000-$20,000.It is funded by the $289 per storage tank registration fees paid annually by storage tank owners. "The response to the program has been much more than we expected," Wolkins said."There was $640,000 in the grant fund and we have had $720,000 in grant requests." That is in addition to those former tank owners who removed their storage tanks prior to the program's July 1 commencement date, he added.
DAVID A. BEALL Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Gardening Group Seeks Reduction In Center Lake Pavilion Rental Rates

Kosciusko County master Gardener Kathy Kostro asked for a reduction in Center Lake Pavilion rental fees at the Warsaw parks board meeting Tuesday. Kostro said the local organization plans a gardening event with regional speakers Feb.21 and the Master Gardeners have raised $240 of the $300 fee for the Saturday event.She said the group had gone to the Convention and Visitors Bureau and was denied funds because the CVB has no money.They were directed to the county council. "We expect more than 100 people and are encouraging them to spend the night.We expect people from Chicago, Michigan and Wisconsin," she said."Since we do rent the pavilion frequently, could we have a reduction?" Park board president Bill Baldwin said many not-for-profit groups seek reductions in the fees and they have been denied. He asked Kostro to attend the Feb.17 meeting.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Beaman Home Gets Grant Money

The state legislature recently passed two bits of legislation, effective July 1, aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence from their tormenters. State Attorney General Steve Carter met with representatives of the Beaman Home Women's Shelter Thursday to discuss the laws and to present $15,800 to the 14-year-old shelter. The unrestricted grant comes from a multi-state law suit settlement with Nine West Co.for price fixing women's foot ware.Eighty percent of the $695,000 legal settlement was distributed to the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, of which the Beaman Home is a part. The YWCA of Indiana, the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Big Sisters of Indiana also will receive funds. Beaman Home director Jeanie Campbell said the money will come in handy.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Proposed 'Youth Village' Offers Various Services

If you think the proposed juvenile detention facility in Pierceton would be just a place where young criminals watch MTV, think again. The "Youth Village" proposed by Corrections Corporation of America and tentatively planned for Pierceton would be similar to one operated in Vincennes. The Southeast Indiana Regional Youth Village in Vincennes opened three years ago, houses upward of 130 juveniles and is considered state-of-the-art, according to several people familiar with the facility. "My experience with CCA is they're a top-notch outfit," said Mark Avra, executive director of Children and Youth Services, a not-for-profit agency that serves in an advisory capacity with the Vincennes operation. Avra said the facility received high marks in its first audit from American Corrections Accreditation, which looks at all aspects of the facility.The score was 100 percent, a rare feat for any facility.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

City Studies Bids For Curbside Recycling

Curbside recycling bids from Ameri-Waste, Stafford's Solid Waste Management and Waste Management were opened at the Friday Warsaw Board of Works meeting. The contract starts April 6 and ends Dec.31, 2004, with the city providing storage "bins" for recyclable materials. Ameri-Waste presented the lowest bid with services costing $7,420 per month or $148,400 for the 20-month contract. Stafford's bid was $265,072.50 for the same period, with single-sort pickup, including glass.Waste Management's bid totaled $307,680. The submissions were taken under consideration.The contract award will be decided at the March 7 board of works meeting. The board also approved a payment of $830,015.50 to Indiana Construction Corp./Corporate Construction Inc.for work at the second wastewater treatment plant.With this payment, $6.3 million of the $10.4 million contract has been paid. Also approved was an escrow account payment of $92,228.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Council Hears First Reading Of EDIT Proposal

Kosciusko County Council President Brad Tandy gave the first reading of the proposed Economic Development Income Tax ordinance at Thursday's county council meeting. The council will give the final reading, hear public input and vote on EDIT Saturday at 3 p.m.in the old courtroom in the courthouse.The tax rate for EDIT, if passed, will be .4 of a percent and will begin July 1.A person will be charged the tax based on their adjusted gross income as reported on their federal tax return. Tandy told the small crowd present they could speak about EDIT if they could not be present at the Saturday meeting.He asked that if they were going to speak at Saturday's meeting not to speak last night.He asked each person to give only one presentation and not to be repetitive.He also set a time limit of two to three minutes.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

School Project Completion Seen By End Of June

Work on the Warsaw Community High School improvement and expansion project still is slated to be completed by the end of June, according to Joe Hoffman, of Construction Control Inc., the construction management company. Monday, the school board heard three different reports on the project, including a list of change orders totaling a little more than $10,000. One change order was for the reduction of $14,962.55 for an acid tank not installed.A change order for an increase of $4,325.86 was for miscellaneous time and materials work such as adding switches in the kitchen and scoreboard parts.The third change order was a credit of $23,480 for substitution of ceiling tile in the music rooms.A change order of not-to-exceed $44,410 was approved for the alterations to the soccer fields.The architect will reimburse WCS for these costs as indicated by Schmidt Associates Inc.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Rocks Miff Webber St. Residents

Not long ago, Webber Street simply ran into the waters of Pike Lake. But now rocks and boulders have been placed at the end of the drive, a decision many surrounding neighbors feel is unfair. During Warsaw's City Council meeting Monday, Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the rocks had been placed on the end of the street as a safety issue, to prevent vehicles from driving into the lake.However, resident Frances Lane said the barrier blocked neighbor's access to the lake and asked for them to be removed. "I'm not happy because someone did this without taking the rest of us into consideration," Lane said. She said that for years, neighbors were allowed to fish, swim and walk the shoreline in the area. Councilmen questioned whether Lane's deeded property gave her legal access to the lake.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Furthers Permit Fees, Fines for Construction

MENTONE - Fees and fines for building permits were hammered out Monday night by the Mentone Town Council. Town attorney Larry Beeson will draft two applications, as well as the ordinance establishing the fees and fines, and present them at the board's April meeting.One application will be for new construction, the other for other construction such as swimming pools or fences. Suggested fees for permits included a minimum of $25, with permits for new homes at $100.A flat fee will be imposed regardless of a shed's size.A demolition fee and permit also will be established, among others.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Polling Places To Change For Primary

All county polling places will be handicapped accessible, according to County Clerk Sharon Christner. She advised county commissioners Tuesday that the places for residents in 29 precincts have changed. A legal advertisement will soon be published in the Times-Union newspaper and changes will be made to information on the county government Web site, www.kcgov.com Voters will encounter new ballot machines in the May 2 primary election.The electronic equipment replaces the punch card system of voting. Commissioner Avis Gunter asked about training poll workers.Christner said she will conduct an initial seminar and MicroVote representatives will provide training on the equipment.Gunter said attendance at the meetings was mandatory or the workers won't get paid.Christner said the election board hadn't decided the question of payment yet.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

5th District Hopeful Goodnight Brings Campaign To Warsaw

"I'm not Evan Bayh, but my wife's better looking and my kids are better looking than his," Fifth District Congressional hopeful Greg Goodnight joked Tuesday. Goodnight, 34, is from Howard County and is a lifetime resident of the district. Goodnight is a Democrat and hopes to be a "representative for the working people in the Fifth District."His opponent is incumbent Steve Buyer, R-Monticello.Goodnight said he's running a different kind of campaign this year. "We're going to run a grass-roots campaign.We're going to run on the ground," Goodnight said.This means Goodnight is going to do as much door-to-door, individual and one-on-one contact as possible.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WHA Board Reorganizes, Lauds Ruggier-Milton For Service

It was out with the old and in with the new at Monday's Warsaw Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting. Sherri Ruggier-Milton was presented with a plaque in honor of her years of service to the board.Ruggier-Milton served from 1994 through 2001. "I've enjoyed it," she said."It's with mixed emotions that I leave the board." WHA board president Bob Kline passed along thanks on behalf of the entire board for Ruggier-Milton's service."We really appreciate what she's done," he said. Also leaving the board is Axa Troncoso, who did not attend the meeting. New to the board are Pat Ellis and Jennifer Mitchell.The other members of the board are Kline, Dennis Cultice, Tom Lemon, Joel Curry and Brian Grantz.Bill Rhoades is the Warsaw City Council representative to the board and does not have voting rights.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | 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

Board Of Works Accepts Recycling Program Bids

Bid documents for the city's curbside recycling program were presented to and approved by the Warsaw Board of Works Thursday. The meeting was moved to Thursday instead of Friday because board members will be meeting with Indiana Department of Environmental Management today. The recycling schedule shows citizens should have the service by April 6, on a biweekly basis. Plans are for the city to purchase 40-gallon containers for either no sorting of materials or a "two-point" separation, dividing paper from other materials. Bidders are requested to run their routes the same day as the city trash pickup.Bids are expected to be received Feb.21 and awarded March 7. Currently, the only place to take recyclable materials (except glass) in Warsaw is the collection station behind the KC Depot, 220 S.Union St. BOW members Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Jerry Patterson and Charlie Smith approved several contracts requested by parks department activity director Janelle Wilson.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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