Warsaw Hopes Crowdfunding Will Pay For Alley Project

City of Warsaw will use crowdfunding to help raise funds for its downtown alley activation project proposed for this summer.

Warsaw's Kyle Hatch Still Perfect

INDIANAPOLIS – Warsaw senior wrestler Kyle Hatch was making his third appearance on the mats at the IHSAA State Finals and his experience showed Friday in the first round at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Eagles Soar Past Manchester Squires

NORTH MANCHESTER – With the regular season winding down, teams are using their last few games as preparation for the upcoming state tournament.

Ned Carter VerHage

Ned Carter VerHage, Winona Lake, answered the call from his Lord at 7:20 p.m. Feb. 16, 2017, at the age of 90. He passed away at Grace Village Health Care of Winona Lake and sends his best wishes to his many friends and descendants. 

Assistant Commissioner Gardner Announces Retirement From IHSAA

Assistant Commissioner Phil Gardner announced his retirement to the IHSAA Executive Committee Friday morning effective July 1. Gardner, 67, has served 27 years with the Association – 18 as a member of the board of directors and nine years  as assistant commissioner. He currently  administers the sports of boys basketball, baseball and boys and girls cross  country for the association. In those sports, Gardner  has been responsible for the  evaluation and assignment of tournament officials, the selection of host sites, and the interpretation of game  rules  and the IHSAA by-laws. He also has screened and processed athletic transfer reports, unsporting behavior reports and foreign exchange student forms.

Defense Motions Denied In Rovenstine Case

Special Judge Evan Roberts will allow the state to introduce contested evidence  in the  upcoming trial of Kosciusko Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, according to a ruling issued Thursday.

Leesburg Man Sentenced In Illinois Fatal Crash

A Leesburg man is facing 10 years in prison for causing a fatal crash with his semi that killed five people.

90th Birthday Party Planned For Poole

A 90th birthday party is planned for Catherine Poole, Mentone.

Mentzel Celebrating 90 Years Feb. 24

Noble Mentzel will celebrate his 90th birthday with his family on Feb. 24.

Club News

Meeting reports and upcoming events from area service clubs and social groups:

High School Roundup

Warsaw Gymnasts Wrap Up Regular Season With Win; Wawasee Gymnasts Beat Huntington North; Boys Swimming Sectional Preliminaries Completed ;

Hersha Eyes Bowling State Title

Cory Hersha loves competition and a good adrenaline rush.

Teen’s Wish To Drive Fulfilled By Foundation

MENTONE – Charles Sparks may never drive a Corvette or a Mustang, but thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation, he has his own customized ATV that teens in his youth group said was cooler than their vehicles.

Bourbon Town Council Honors Retiring Fire Chief Eyrich

During its February meeting, the Bourbon Town Council honored retiring Doug Eyrich for his 33 years as a volunteer on the Bourbon Fire Department.

Webster Property Rezoned

NORTH WEBSTER – A simple rezoning Tuesday night involved property owned by Town Clerk Betsy Luce.

Second Quarter Dooms Lady Lancers

WINONA LAKE – One slow quarter for Grace College’s women's basketball team resulted in a 79-68 loss to St. Francis on Wednesday.

Norma Leismer

BREMEN — Norma Leismer, 90, Kouts, formerly of Leesburg, passed away Feb. 13, 2017, at home.  She was born March 30, 1926, in Waterville, Ohio, the daughter of Clarence and Letta Studer Brown. She graduated from DeVilbiss High School in Toledo, Ohio. On April 7, 1947, she married Allen Leismer in Petosky, Mich., and they later moved to Chicago. Together they raised two sons in Hammond, where Norma worked as a clerk at Mina’s in downtown Hammond for many years.  In 1992, she and her husband retired to Leesburg. She loved to do crafts and travel to crafts shows with her husband. She was a member of Living Gospel Church, Nappanee, and loved to spend time with her family.

Edwin W. Reeves

ROCHESTER — Edwin W. Reeves I, 66, Leesburg, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Feb. 13, 2017, at his residence. On Dec. 2, 1950, Edwin Warren Reeves was born in Anniston, Ala. He was the treasured son of Columbus and Bertha Lecroy Reeves. As the second youngest, growing up he shared his childhood with four brothers and three sisters.

Grace Men Fall To No. 19 St. Francis

WINONA LAKE – For the second time this season, No. 19 St. Francis proved too hard to stop as Grace College’s men’s basketball team fell 87-70 on Wednesday.

Sports Briefs