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Mentone Deputy Resigns

MENTONE - Frank Banghart, Mentone Police Department deputy, has resigned effective Jan.30 for personal reasons. Town marshal Jim Eads told the Mentone Town Council Monday that Banghart is not leaving because of last week's shooting.Banghart's decision was made prior to that incident. Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads shot Danny L.Hale, 51, of Mentone, while responding to a call Wednesday night in Mentone. Hale reportedly was leaving the scene of a domestic disturbance when he refused to obey Eads' commands and then pointed a shotgun at the officer. Eads has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department.The information gathered in the investigation is expected to be forwarded to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's Office for review by the end of this week. Hale was upgraded to fair condition over the weekend at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Limited Recycling Remains Available

Although glass is no longer accepted at any of the Kosciusko County Solid Waste District's remaining recycling stations, recycling of paper, aluminum, steel and plastics still is available at seven locations throughout the county. The stations are: in Milford, south of town on Ind.15; in Syracuse, west of England's Diner; in North Webster, Lance's Supermarket parking lot; in Leesburg, on Ind.15; in Warsaw, behind the KC Recycling Depot, 220 S.Union St.(south of Market Street); in Mentone, behind town hall; and in Silver Lake, west of Ind.15 and south of Ind.14. District director Sue Studebaker told the board of directors Tuesday the office has received "tons and tons" of calls from people about the non-acceptance of glass items. She said despite public service announcements, advertisements and signs at each station, the public still doesn't understand there is a recycling station available in Warsaw.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

WHA Welcomes Grantz To Round Out Board

Father Brian Grantz of St.Anne's Episcopal Church joined the Warsaw Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Monday as its seventh member, bringing the board to its new capacity. Grantz was appointed to the board by Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins in answer to recent changes in regulations made by the Indiana General Assembly.The board previously comprised five members and the changes also included adding a client representative.A city council representative serves the board in a nonvoting role and is an eighth member. Grantz joins Bob Kline, Sherri Ruggier-Milton, Dennis Cultice, Tom Lemon, Axa Troncoso and Joel Curry on the WHA board.Bill Rhoades is the city council representative. Board members heard from two Family Self-Sufficiency graduates who were presented with their escrow checks and certificates prior to the start of the meeting.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Leading Known Cause Of Mental Retardation

NEW PARIS -ÊWhat began in 1984 as a one-day auction at the Polk family farm has become an annual event with consignments from as far away as South Africa. Located at the intersection of Ind.15 and Ind.6 in New Paris, the 16th Annual Labor Day Auction, hosted by Dennis Polk Equipment, is being held Sept.3, 4 and 6.Tractors, engines, vehicles and toys will all be on the auction block. "This is the biggest sale of its kind in the world," said Dennis Polk. As of Aug.24, the tractors, toys, parts and other equipment were being delivered daily, tagged and awaiting the auction block. "Normally, we don't have toys until the week of," said Polk as he showcased the dozens of toys that arrived more than two weeks in advance."Normally it comes in a tidal wave but you can see how much we've got here." Polk had already received 70 pedal tractors by Aug.24.Normally they advertise 15 to 20 hit -and-miss engines for the auction.They received 30 by Aug.24.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Labor Day Farm Auction Marks 15th Year

NEW PARIS -ÊWhat began in 1984 as a one-day auction at the Polk family farm has become an annual event with consignments from as far away as South Africa. Located at the intersection of Ind.15 and Ind.6 in New Paris, the 16th Annual Labor Day Auction, hosted by Dennis Polk Equipment, is being held Sept.3, 4 and 6.Tractors, engines, vehicles and toys will all be on the auction block. "This is the biggest sale of its kind in the world," said Dennis Polk. As of Aug.24, the tractors, toys, parts and other equipment were being delivered daily, tagged and awaiting the auction block. "Normally, we don't have toys until the week of," said Polk as he showcased the dozens of toys that arrived more than two weeks in advance."Normally it comes in a tidal wave but you can see how much we've got here." Polk had already received 70 pedal tractors by Aug.24.Normally they advertise 15 to 20 hit -and-miss engines for the auction.They received 30 by Aug.24.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Welcomes New Principal At S. Whitley

PIERCETON - At a special meeting Thursday, the Whitko Community School Corp.Board of School Trustees approved Barbara Flory as the new South Whitley Elementary School principal. The board also approved to assist the new Whitko Youth Center, South Whitley, by providing transportation for students to and from the center. Jeff Hendrix, Whitko superintendent, recommended the school board hire Flory for the SWES principal job.He said she came from the South Bend School Corp., where she worked at Clay Intermediate School. "We're excited to have her.She's a real ball of fire.She's a real kid person," Hendrix said. Since Bill Hoppus resigned as the SWES principal effective Aug.4, Hendrix served as interim principal in addition to his superintendent duties.Hendrix said it was fun for him to serve as SWES principal but he was ready to turn the reins over to Flory.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Accreditation, High School Space Discussed At Tippy Valley

MENTONE - An accreditation presentation by Superintendent Dr.Karen Boling and high school space discussed by Principal Charles Mills were just two of the topics heard by the Tippecanoe Valley school board Monday. Boling presented an update on the North Central Accreditation Program.Valley is now starting its second year in the program and is focusing on improvements in education.She said the program is trying to set standards for students to be successful as they move from school to school and, ultimately, to their future goals. The program, for staff and students, moves students to focus on careers.It also encourages parental and community involvement and will install student assessment measures. Boling said Valley is one of three schools in Indiana selected to pilot the endorsement but that does not guarantee approval for the final endorsement. Mills asked the board to look into the need for space at the high school.
DEBBIE CLARK, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Planners Look At Stormwater, Erosion Ordinance

Stormwater runoff and erosion control are two issues the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission has been concerned about for a number of years. There is no ordinance in place that deals with either issue.However, at the next plan commission meeting - at 1 p.m.Nov.3 - the plan commission will hold a public hearing on a stormwater runoff and erosion control ordinance that it hopes will solve the county's problems. An ordinance amending the zoning ordinance and subdivision control ordinance of the county also will be discussed.Complete copies of both ordinances are available at the plan commission's office in the courthouse. If the plan commission approves the ordinances Nov.3, the county commissioners may hear them as early as Nov.23. "This (ordinance) is new.We've never had anything like it before.As far as being new - this is it," said assistant planner Matt Sandy.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton To Refinance Bond Issue, Save Thousands In Interest

PIERCETON - What do you get when you take a 10-year-old bond issue and refinance it? A lower interest rate and a savings of between $73,000 and $116,000. That's why the Pierceton Town Council on Monday gave the go-head to Todd Samuelson of H.J.Umbaugh & Associates of Plymouth to start the paperwork for the new bond issue. Samuelson told council members that the outstanding 1988 bonds have an average interest rate of 8.66 percent.Similar bonds sold today would carry an interest rate of just 5.5 percent, he said. Although the town will expend about $20,000 to complete the refinancing, it will save a great deal more on bond repayment depending on the option chosen - Samuelson offered two. The first option would lower the annual debt service requirement from $36,900.41 to $32,609.85, keep the pay-off date at Jan.1, 2015, and create a net savings of $72,939.50.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Local Agencies Organize Hurricane Relief

Two national organizations with local chapters are working on relief for the victims of Hurricane Charley. Both the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army local chapters are asking constituents for support to help those in need in Florida and other southeastern states hit by the hurricane. "The extent of the disaster and relief effort is going to be extensive," said Larry Peppel, American Red Cross executive director. The national American Red Cross has called on its chapters to help raise money for assistance.All help by the American Red Cross for the victims is provided at no cost to those assisted. Peppel said he is asking Kosciusko County residents, as well as businesses and corporations, to consider making donations to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Works On 2004 Budget

SYRACUSE - Even though many uncertainties still exist about Indiana's property reassessment and its effect on tax revenues for schools, Wawasee School Board tackled its 2004 budget Tuesday anyway. Jim Evans, director of finance, told the board the budget process this year is the same as previous years, only magnified a little bit.With the reassessment, they knew this year's budget planning was going to be a little different, and will advertise the tax levies a little higher than they will be getting, more so than in past years. If the school board doesn't advertise higher than anticipated, the school corporation may not get all it's due. "There's just a lot of unknowns," Evans said. The total of all funds to be advertised for 2004 for Wawasee School Corp.is $30,840,160.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley Board Works On Budget

MENTONE - Anticipating some kind of change in commercial vehicle taxes, the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.Board of Trustees is planning the budget for 2001 at only 95 percent of the assessed valuation. Dan Kramer, TVSC assistant superintendent, said they were advised by a state representative to plan the budget at 95 percent.At 95 percent, the tax rate will be more than if the budget was figured at 100 percent of the assessed valuation. The assessed valuation for the school corporation at 95 percent is $85.12 million.The 2000 assessed valuation advertised was $88.65 million. On Thursday, the board approved the overall tax rate to be advertised at $6.82, with a proposed budget at approximately $15.9 million.The board also approved the capital projects fund plan and bus replacement plan to be advertised. The budget comprises six funds.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

FaithWorks Prepares Groups For Federal Funds

WINONA LAKE - Faith-based organizations have had the opportunity to apply for government funding since 1996, said Kathy Koehler, FaithWorks Indiana project manager. "The question is, is your organization able to do all the reporting, paperwork and accounting that comes with a federal grant award?" she asked."You can expect to be monitored, and sometimes it's easier to ease into foundations' grants first." Koehler spoke at Grace College Friday during Carrie Yocum's Social Change Policy Class.Members of the community also were invited to attend. Charitable Choice legislation was part of the 1996 welfare reform law.At that time, faith-based organizations were eligible for federal grant applications as long as they did not discriminate against recipients because of their religion, provided the name of a non-faith-based provider and were non-sectarian. Participants cannot be required to attend religious services or be required to hear preaching or proselytizing.
TERESA SMITH Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Schools Accept Gym Renovation Bids

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊManchester school board unanimously accepted a total contract bid Tuesday for Manchester High School's gymnasium renovation. The bid amount totaled $1,694,100, which is within the budgeted $2 million amount, said Danna Wannemacher, project architect from Barton Coe Vilamaa Architects Engineers, Fort Wayne. The project proposal includes four rooftop mechanical air units to segregate the gym's air-conditioning system from the rest of the building, according to Wannemacher's project bid report. MHS assistant principal Randy Self said "air quality" is the biggest concern for the additional units, not keeping cool for "comfortability's sake." "I am far more concerned with air quality issues" and the effects on students' health, like asthma, said MHS principal Nancy Alspaugh. The school overuses the current 60-ton ice harvester cooling system, Self said.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Parks Board Reorganizes, Hears Bike Path Update

"It would be wrong to vote for myself," former Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board President Don Clemens said at Tuesday's meeting.As it turns out, Clemens broke a tie, ultimately forfeiting his reign as board president. The board met Tuesday at the Nye Youth Cabin to elect new officers, welcome new board member Jeff Grose and discuss ongoing projects and 1999 year-end reports. Former president Clemens called the meeting to order and started off the election for officers.Among the nominees were Clemens and Toby Sumpter for president and John Sadler for vice president. Election results named Sumpter as the new park board president and Sadler as the vice president. Andy McCleary, parks activity director, initiated discussion on unfinished business by updating the board on the ongoing Greenway Project.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Approves Students' Request To Visit Williamsburg

NORTH WEBSTER - Williamsburg, Va., is "the world's largest living museum," according to Wawasee High School student Jason Fisher. Tuesday, Fisher and three of his fellow advanced placement U.S.history class students and their teacher, Kathy Myers, presented a request before the Wawasee School Board to allow the class to take a short trip to Williamsburg from May 15-18. The board unanimously approved the trip. According to Fisher, the trip was decided upon as a class project and as a way for the students to have an outside-the-classroom educational experience. Once they get off the bus at Williamsburg, Fisher said, the students will become engaged in colonial times.They have a very detailed plan for the trip and it will bring the history they learned about in the classroom alive.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mayoral candidates discuss vision for Warsaw's future

WINONA LAKE - Candidates for mayor of Warsaw, incumbent Ernie Wiggins and Craig Allebach, wee asked to discuss their qualifications and previous experience, about the focus of their administration and plans for finishing the revitalization of downtown Warsaw at Tuesday's Young Republican Candidate Forum in Westminster Hall. Allebach came to the area as a Grace College student in 1974, served on the Warsaw police force for 20 years, is current Winona Lake town coordinator and is president of the Warsaw School Board. Wiggins, a 1967 Warsaw High School graduate, was elected to the city council in 1984 and was appointed mayor March 1, 1997.He was elected to the position in 2000. Allebach said as mayor he would provide leadership, accountability and responsibility, making the mayor's office accessible. His goals include a friendlier government, job and economic development and finding ways to foster corporate and city partnerships.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Auditor Outlines County's Tax Dilemmas

If the state isn't causing Kosciusko County one problem, it's another. Thursday, at the special Kosciusko County council meeting, county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell gave the council the low-down on some of the county's tax situations. She said the state notified them regarding this year's budget that they are reducing the county general fund to $1.3 million.After Mitchell consulted with a couple of the county councilmen, she said, she was instructed to make changes to get the county general fund closer to $2 million.To do that, a cut of $200,000 was made to the cumulative reassessment, $400,000 to the cumulative bridge fund and $100,000 to the cumulative jail fund. The actual tax rate wound up being $0.1714, compared to last year's rate of $0.1609. After studying it, Mitchell said, she couldn't figure out what made the operating balance so different than previous years.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Residents Honored For Possessing 'Hearts Of Gold'

Twelve Kosciusko County residents were honored Wednesday night for their selflessness and their service to others. The second annual Heart of Gold Awards competition sought to recognize people for doing things to "brighten others' lives," said Kosciusko County Foundation Executive Director Suzie Light. The winners were chosen by a committee that used a blind selection process - names, addresses and other identifying information were left off the nomination forms as the committee considered the entries.The selection process was so blind, in fact, that some committee members were considered and not recognized. Winners of the Heart of Gold Award received plaques and monetary awards in varying amounts.The funds were then used by the winner to donate to a charity of their choice.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Library Friends To Help During Move

MENTONE - Friends and acquaintances come and go over the years.The best friends are always there to help when the going gets rough. In January, Friends of the Library reformed to aid the Bell Memorial Public Library and the library board's intention to occupy part of the Frank Manufacturing building at the corner of Broadway and Ind.25.There are plans to include a senior citizens' center and day care at the site.The library will occupy 4,178 square feet of the space. While the library board and town council have applied for and received grants, former Friends of the Library, anticipating that the move will come with expenses, decided it was time to regroup. "We know there will be needs for the library," said Jacque Bradley, Friends president."We'll see what we can do." Bradley is a "new" member of Friends, unlike Linda Cochran who also was a member in the 1980s during the Friends' first incarnation.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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