Relevance Date

Night Golf Outing Set For July 20, Sponsored by Baker Youth

So you're a good golfer. How good are you in the pitch blackness of the night? The Baker Youth Clubs Fifth Annual Night Golf Outing will be July 20 at Raccoon Run with registration at 9 p.m.Tee-off with a shotgun start will be at 9:30 p.m. "It's pitch black out there," said Baker Youth Clubs director Scott Wiley."Pitch black and dead quiet." The golf outing is the youth club's largest fund-raiser of the year. Each year, Wiley said, they try to tweak the event and make it better.For the second year, Wiley said, real golf balls that glow in the dark will be used rather than the rubbery balls used two years ago.Each team of four will get black lights to charge up their balls.Wiley said participants find the balls hit a lot better. Also this year, fireworks will be shot off on occasion.The fireworks were donated by local companies and may be shot off every time some golfer hits a birdie or the like.
M.J. Rhoades, Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Book Charts Development Of Tippecanoe Lake

NORTH WEBSTER - Someone took a picture of Robert W.Gift and his friends grinning from a mostly submerged rowboat. The photograph, which includes the Gift cottage on Black's Landing in the background, is on the jacket cover of "Memories of Lake Tippecanoe, A Pictorial History of Lake Tippecanoe, Kosciusko County, Indiana." The photo is just one of more than 500 chronicling the development of Tippecanoe Lake from the sketchy information available in the 1700s to the conservation efforts of the 1980s. In between, author Carole Shelby has brought the history of Tippecanoe Lake to life, scouring museums and libraries and interviewing the people who remember the early days of the lake's development. "Interviews with the older people was the most interesting part of writing the book," Shelby said of the five-year project. The comprehensive, 276-page volume is packed with local names and landmarks.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

School board approves sale of old Webster elementary

NORTH WEBSTER - For $1, the Wawasee Community School Corp.Board of School Trustees approved Tuesday selling the old North Webster Elementary School, Ind.13, North Webster, to North Webster Community Center Inc. NWCC Inc.is a new not-for-profit group recently formed by the town of North Webster.Jeff Morgan, North Webster councilman, presented the school board with a tattered one-dollar bill upon approval of the acquisition. The Center took possession of the school Tuesday but the school corporation will continue to remove equipment and materials through Friday.The school corporation will continue to pay for utilities until the end of the month. Wawasee Superintendent Mark Stock said it is a win-win situation for all.North Webster gets a building and the school corporation saves money by not having to pay demolition costs. Board president Brian Dawes said there are good and bad things about the building but he hopes the community center can happen for the town.
Stories by David Slone,, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Students Learn By Doing

PIERCETON - A sophisticated version of a popular children's toy is making it possible for Whitko Middle School eighth-graders to have fun while they learn college-level concepts, the Whitko school board learned Monday. Using a program and equipment furnished by the Legos Group, the students built a robot then programmed it to accomplish specific tasks.According to teacher Teresa Knepple, who introduced the project to her science classes, the two-week assignment can meet more than 20 state standards in science, math and technology.Knepple and eight students demonstrated the project Monday for the school board.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

E. Coli Found In Leesburg Storm Sewer

LEESBURG - A contaminated storm sewer system may force the Leesburg Town Council's hand on the wastewater treatment project. Town council president Bob Cleveland received a warning from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management in late December.The letter said water samples taken from Kohler Ditch in April showed unacceptable levels of E.coli.IDEM will be keeping an eye on how Leesburg addresses the situation. In a newsletter sent to town residents, Cleveland said the town has two options: Put in a wastewater treatment system or do a dye test at each residence to see where the leak is coming from. The contamination is forcing the town to look at the issue with a new urgency."We must make a decision in 18 months to two years or the state will make it for us," Cleveland said at Monday's council meeting.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Exotic Entertainment Ban Proposed

Supporters of a comprehensive ordinance against sexually explicit businesses approached the Kosciusko County Commissioners Tuesday about the plan, but the ICLU wasn't far behind. Upon receiving a 36-page ordinance from the American Family Association, the commissioners were informed by representatives of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union that if approved, it would result in a lawsuit similar to one seen in North Webster two years ago. That's when the ICLU successfully defended Cruiser's topless bar against an ordinance established by North Webster Town Council.On top of seeing the ordinance rescinded, the town also had to pay nearly $25,000 in legal fees incurred by the ICLU in the legal battle. With that in mind, it appears the county might be leary of passing an ordinance that county attorney Mike Miner questioned would even be effective.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

MCS Cuts Costs

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊManchester Community Schools approved the cost-cutting measures introduced at their March meeting at a school board meeting Monday. The plan intends to cut nearly a half-million dollars from the school's budget by reducing or eliminating teaching positions in all MCS buildings, cutting one administrative position and reducing the hours of or eliminating some classified staff. Contracts not renewed are: assistant football coaches Ryan Good, Jack Rupley, Dick Brown, Pat Powers and Steve Lambert. Contracts cancelled are: media specialists Barb Williams and Suzan Skaar; special education teacher at Manchester Junior High, Abby Sleeth; fourth-grade teacher at Manchester Elementary, Melissa Curless; kindergarten teacher at Manchester Elementary, Cheryl Anne Fetrow; second-grade teachers at Manchester Elementary, Janelle McLaughlin and Rebecca Cook; third-grade teacher at Manchester Elementary, Mark Heiden; fifth-grade teacher at Laketon, Michele Rose.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Olinger Wins Right To Ride Cart In U.S. Open Qualifier

SOUTH BEND - A Warsaw man won his dream Friday afternoon - the chance to play in a qualifying round for the U.S.Open, despite his disability. Ford Olinger was granted a temporary injunction against the U.S.Golf Association in U.S.District court allowing him to use a golf cart at the local qualifier Monday at the South Bend Country Club.Olinger suffers from a degenerative hip disease that makes walking painful. The USGA argued that Olinger should not be allowed any different treatment then the other golfers and should not play if he could not walk the 18 holes.Olinger said he suffers from avascular necrosis. The temporary injunction will allow Olinger to play Monday.If he is successful, he will travel to Orlando, Fla.to play in a 36-hole sectional qualifier on June 8.
TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Flap Over Fence Back Before Winona Lake Town Council

WINONA LAKE - Garrett Howell attended the town council meeting Tuesday, fence permit in hand. During the May 25 meeting, the council discussed the new chain link fence placement at Packerton Road and CR 225, where Howell is developing a storage unit facility.The fence, in combination with a utility pole, "seems" to block a driver's view while approaching the intersection. Howell said he met with building commissioner Dick Leaf several times regarding the fence, which is five feet from the property line.Leaf said both town marshal Malcolm Gilbert and public works superintendent Pete O'Connell went to the site and approved it. "I crossed my 't's' and we talked abut it," Howell said to Leaf."You approved it."He estimated a $2,000 cost to move the fence back farther because the poles couldn't be reused. Councilman David Delp said in his opinion the intersection is dangerous.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

LCA Project Leaning On New Approach

Call it a modern version of a barn raising.Or a "habitat" for Christian schools. Or just call it a modern day innovation that is based on goodwill, volunteerism, a lot of coordination and prayers.Lots of prayers. Lakeland Christian Academy officials and supporters of the school's building program heard a presentation Tuesday night by a consultant from Utah who has built a construction model for Christian schools based widely on in-kind gifts, discounted prices of materials and volunteerism. And, like a traditional barn raising, it's the type of project that is completed so quickly it can leave a community in awe. LCA's timeline appears to be an awesome challenge.Initial excavating at its new campus on County Road 250E was completed two months ago, and organizers hope to begin construction within a month and aim for completion by this fall.
Dan Spalding, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Dispatcher, Fireman Honored By City Council

James and Marsha Kilgore were at the Warsaw City Council meeting Monday to honor the woman who saved their lives. Jackie Treft, dispatcher for Warsaw Police Department, received a plaque from Chief Craig Allebach and Mayor Ernie Wiggins for "going beyond what is normally expected."Treft's response to a 911 call and her concern and follow-through were responsible for saving the Kilgores' lives after their near-fatal exposure to carbon monoxide. The Kilgores, who are both teachers, hugged Treft as they thanked her, and James Kilgore said, "She has touched an awful lot of people by her outstanding action." Wiggins also thanked Treft for "taking such an interest in the people she deals with." The city council also recognized Capt.Larry Baker, of Warsaw Fire Department, for being selected the "1996 Outstanding Fireman" by the Indiana Council of Fraternal, Veterans and Social Societies Inc.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Red Cross Details Planning Efforts In New 'Together We Prepare' Brochure

More than 21,000 people received training in first aid, CPR and HIV/AIDS prevention or became a lifeguard through Kosciusko County American Red Cross training programs last year, according to executive director Larry Peppel. "We help residents prepare for potential emergencies that occur in their homes, streets, workplaces and communities," he said. Volunteer instructors not only teach scheduled courses, they will take the training classes to schools and businesses. This year the ARC has presented a "Together We Prepare" brochure detailing five actions for emergency preparedness.The nationwide program suggests families have a disaster response plan in the case of fire, tornado or earthquake and that they build a kit with enough supplies for everyone in the household for at least three days. Part of preparedness is knowing how to respond in an emergency, and training is part of the "Together We Prepare" theme.ARC classes are available to anyone.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Chamber Discusses EDIT Proposal

SYRACUSE - Discussion about the proposed Economic Development Income Tax is popping up at local board meetings like daisies. Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce discussed EDIT Tuesday. "The EDIT passed the (Syracuse) town board unanimously.That doesn't mean we have the tax yet," chamber president Tim Yeager said. Yeager told the chamber members at the meeting the Kosciusko County Council will hear public input and vote on EDIT Saturday at 3 p.m.in the old courtroom in the Kosciusko County Courthouse.He urged anyone who could make it to show up at the meeting. "I think it's important we be represented at that meeting," Yeager said. He said if it was possible, the Chamber should speak for EDIT.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wiggins To Seek Second Term

A member of the Warsaw City Council since 1983, Ernie Wiggins marks his 20th year of association with the local government this year.The first 14 years were spent representing the city's Third District.He was appointed mayor when Jeff Plank resigned in 1997. Elected to the post in 2001, Wiggins wants to serve a second full term, a seat challenged by fellow Republican and former Warsaw Police Chief Craig Allebach. In a way, Wiggins was raised on town business.His father, Beecher, was a city councilman in the late 1970s and was a local restaurant owner. "I wake up in the morning and it's something different every day," Wiggins said of his work running the city. A 1972 Purdue University graduate who also spent a couple of years attending Ball State University, he is pleased with the administration's open communication between the city and county governments.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Code Enforcement Fines Property Owner $1,000

David Wentzel, owner of the building at 110 E.Center St., Warsaw, appeared before Warsaw code enforcement hearing judge Larry Clifford Monday. At the hearing in November, Wentzel was ordered to accomplish several tasks to refurbish the three-story brick structure in downtown Warsaw. Wentzel complied with some of the orders, hesitating on others. Warsaw Fire Department Safety Officer Mike Wilson testified that most hazards have been addressed.However, because the building is unoccupied, it is considered a safety hazard. Building commissioner Todd Slabaugh said little progress has been made since the November orders. Wentzel explained he intends to refinance the project and he hasn't applied for a building permit because he doesn't have $3,000 for an architect's seal. Clifford said he was to have applied by Dec.19. "I'm trying to determine what is a good faith effort and what's foot-dragging," Clifford said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

K21 Foundation Changes Status To Private

Kosciusko County's largest health-oriented public foundation is in the process of changing from a public foundation to a private one. Willis Alt, president of Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation Inc., commonly known as the K21 Foundation, said this week the change was mandated by the Internal Revenue Service, which regulates public and private nonoprofit organizations.A public foundation pays no taxes, while a private one may be required to pay taxes if it doesn't meet specific IRS rules. Both forms of nonprofit foundations must qualify for their tax standing. Alt said that as a public foundation, K21 had to comply with the IRS' public support test by, in part, showing that one-third, or 33 percent, or the organization's gross revenues come from community donations.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Proposes School Cost-Cutting Plans

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊA serious meeting for Manchester Community Schools began with a light-hearted musical performance by elementary students participating in "Circle The State With Song." More than 20 students drawn from both elementaries performed.Larry Dockter, the group's director, said the students were a select bunch and demonstrated the musical talent found in the schools. Following the upbeat performance, superintendent Diana Showalter introduced the proposed cost reduction plan. The school's plan intends to cut $485,725 from the corporation budget by pruning administrative staff, teachers and classified staff.Moderate rate increases and small testing fees also were proposed. "With $400,000, the only way you make that kind of reduction is with people - personnel," Showalter said.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Commissioners Approve CCAC, CVB Requests

Nearly $125,000 was approved for expenditures by the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission Thursday following presentations by the City-County Athletic Complex and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. CCAC director Ethan Bontly and CCAC board president Paul Scheuer gave a presentation about the facility.Counting league play, tournaments and high school matches, more than 60,000 people (a 50 percent increase over 2004) are expected to use or visit the grounds this year. Bontly and Scheuer asked that the county match Warsaw's contribution of $36,000, which was approved. Larry McDermott, director of sales at the Ramada Plaza, said he was overwhelmed by the presentation.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Housing Authority Fares Well In HUD Self-Grading System

The local housing authority is above average on most of the areas in a self-grading system instituted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Catharine Walker, executive director of the Warsaw Housing Authority, reported to the board of directors Monday that the agency has attained 100 percent in many areas in which the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) requires 90 to 98 percent compliance. The WHA is required to have 5 percent of its units inspected annually, and is currently at 80 percent compliance.Also, the "lease-up" of budgeted units should be at least 90 percent; the WHA has 93 percent of Section 8 certificate units filled and 124 percent of the voucher units filled.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

City Orders Demolition Of House On E. Fort Wayne St.

Demolition of the house at 621 E.Fort Wayne St.was given the go-ahead yesterday by the Warsaw Board of Works. The house has stood without rehabilitation since a fire three years ago, abandoned by the owners. During the Jan.23 BOW meeting, building commissioner Todd Slabaugh asked that unsafe building funds be used to demolish the structure, which has had an outstanding demolition order since June 2002. Slabaugh said then the owners are not taking any responsibility nor has there been a response from the mortgage company.Fire damage occurred in March 2001. A low quote of $5,587 for demolition was received from G&G Hauling and Excavating Inc. Thursday, city planner Jeff Noffsinger presented the item, saying the city could put a sewage lien on the property to recoup the money spent for demolition. Such a lien would be second in line after the mortgage. Noffsinger also said there are enough funds in the unsafe building account to pay for the demolition.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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