Winona Lake Renews Skating Rink Lease

WINONA LAKE - Ice skating in Winona Lake may continue next year, the town's park board voted Thursday. With a 2-1 vote, the board agreed to renew the Northern Lakes Skating Association's lease on the Quonset hut near Winona Lake Park.NLSA has leased the building for two years for ice skating. The lease renewal is contingent on the association buying a refrigeration unit to freeze the ice so skating activities would not depend on the weather. Other groups are interested in leasing the building, said park board president Chris Boyd, especially groups who want to use it for indoor soccer leagues during the winter. Boyd, who voted against the lease renewal, said, "We think skating is valid.It's just so seasonal ...it's just so out of your control.And you guys can't help that.

Courthouse Coffee Balcony OK'd

A balcony extending over Kaleidoscope at Courthouse Coffee, 108 N.Buffalo St., was approved Monday by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals. Dave and Paula Bowman received permission to install an 8-foot by 22-foot balcony at 108 N.Buffalo St., a variance from developmental standards. The project is part of renovations to the exterior of the building.The balcony is planned to have a "New Orleans-style" black iron railing and will have four or five support posts flush with the existing ramp. Board member Bruce Woodward expressed concern about the balcony accumulating snow and ice. Board president Alan Clingan said the business has many customers and they would certainly look out for their safety. There also was discussion regarding the 8-foot width because submitted drawings show the balcony flush with the 66-inch-wide ramp. Dave Bowman explained that he and his wife, Paula, measured other roofs and awnings and found that 8 feet wasn't an unusual measurement.

Child Care Planners Cite Need For More Providers

That Kosciusko County is in need of quality child care facilities is nothing new. But new statistics shed some light on the seriousness of the issue. Of the estimated 70,000 people in Kosciusko County, there are more than 6,000 children under the age of 6 who need day care.But there are only five child care facilities and 21 licensed private care providers available in the county. "It's easy to say there is a problem," said Don Enterline, director of the YMCA."Coming up with a solution is the difficult part....Part of the solution lies with the top firms in the county....We have to build a winning team." Enterline is a member of the Kosciusko County Child Care Planning Committee which met Thursday with representatives of schools, business and social service agencies to discuss corporate support of community child care.

Andrews To Resign From Webster Council, Plans Move To Florida

NORTH WEBSTER - Kay Andrews is resigning from her town council seat and as Tippecanoe precinct 1 committeewoman, effective immediately. The 17-year officeholder plans a move to Naples, Fla., where she has accepted a position as a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch. "The opportunity came up and it's something I always wanted to do," said the Lake City Bank assistant vice president."It just came about a little sooner than I expected." A Bluffton native, she has lived in North Webster for 19 years.She'll head south Friday. "It's really hard to leave.I'll miss my daughter and grandchildren."But she expects them to be frequent visitors to the Sunshine State. The five-term councilwoman said the hardest part is leaving her elected position. Andrews was re-elected to her fifth term last fall.She was joined by two new council representatives, Jon Sroufe and Jane Shepherd, and a new clerk, Betsy Luce.

Manchester Hears About Trash Problem

NORTH MANCHESTER - New restrictions may be placed on spring cleanup for North Manchester residents. "Trash pickup's starting to get out of hand," Public Works Superintendent John Mugford said Wednesday at a town council meeting. He said some residents are abusing the service the town offers.He said his employees have been picking up raw glass and piles of trash not in containers that have been dumped on the treelawn. "My employees aren't going to pick it up," Mugford said."This year's going to cost us a phenomenal price." Mugford is looking at the possiblility of sending out fliers to residents next year with new restrictions on spring cleanup.Mugford said all trash needs to be in containers for his employees to pick up. In other business,: • Mugford said the storm water board approved storm/sewage plans for the following: First Federal, Wetzel Insurance and Burger King.

WCHS Changes To Block Scheduling

The stage is set for Warsaw Community High School to switch to block scheduling next year. WCHS principal Paul Crousore told Warsaw's school board Monday that there will be four 90-minute instructional periods per day, with eight minutes for passing between classes and four 45-minute lunch periods. The school year will be divided into four terms, so students may take 16 classes per year. Assistant principal Jennifer Brumfield said teachers are already working on lesson planning for block scheduling, since longer classes require more flexible teaching techniques. The success and effectiveness of block scheduling will be assessed after the first year, Crousore said. The school board also approved a bid by W.J.Carey Construction for $1.4 million to build the multi-purpose room at Madison Elementary.

Mentone Holds Off On Purchases

MENTONE - The Mentone Town Council declined to hold off on buying a new police vehicle or snow plow due to budgetary constraints.

Renewable Energy

Editor, Times-Union:Over the last few letters I have been writing as to why Senator Obama would be the best choice for president for rural families.

Greenway

Editor, Times-Union:At the May 22, 2007, town council meeting, when I brought up the sudden difference that occurred in the width of the Heritage Trail at the Cerulean Restaurant, where the trail entered the Village At Winona, I was met with incredulous looks from everyone on the council.

Govt. Debt

Editor, Times-Union:Well, Nancy Polluter has presented a 2,000-page of monstrous health care legislation onto the citizens of the country.

'First Fridays' Events Scheduled June 4

Free food, music and downtown restaurant specials are all a part of First Fridays in downtown Warsaw.

Grossnickle Finishes Up Collegiate Career

Katie Grossnickle grew up riding horses, and she doesn't anticipate that changing anytime soon.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY AREA PLAN - OCTOBER 9 EXCEPTIONS

City Approves Financial Transfer for Technology Park

Warsaw City Council approved a financial transfer Thursday night to allow for a Certified Technology Park to be created.

City Discusses Itinerant Merchant, Peddlers Ordinance

Warsaw officials received complaints last week from a resident regarding an out of state business selling furniture along Center Street. The furniture was being sold outside the Days Inn near the road.

City Approves Issuing Bond for Commercial Development Project

Warsaw City Council approved issuing a bond not to exceed $1.4 million for the development of a commercial project north of Kohl’s Monday night.

AREA PLAN - OCT 15 SYRACUSE VARIANCES

AREA PLAN - OCTOBER 15 SYRACUSE EXCEPTIONS

$1.4B Investment Could Boost Region's Population

A planned $1.4 billion in capital investment in the region could triple the population growth rate, allowing it to hit the 1 million mark 36 years sooner than projected, Kosciusko County Council heard Thursday.

County Commissioners Make Appointments For 2010

The Kosciusko County Commissioners approved several appointments for 2010 during their final meeting of 2009 Tuesday morning.