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Zimmer Unveils $64M Expansion

City council members gathered for an emergency meeting Thursday night to hear a request from Zimmer Inc.regarding a 10-year tax abatement on personal and real properties. Zimmer Public Relations Officer Brad Bishop announced plans to expand the company's Research and Development sector inside Warsaw city limits.The $64 million expansion will eventually provide 275 additional jobs in the surrounding area.A majority of the proposed positions will be scientifically oriented. Bishop said the council's approval of the abatement will allow Zimmer to invest $24 million into its expansion and improvement efforts. The proposed abatement includes $16 million in real property improvements and $7.4 million in new manufacturing equipment.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

City Still Looking At Sign Rules

Warsaw Plan Commission meets today at 7 p.m.and the board will continue its discussion regarding off-site signage. A temporary moratorium was set in May while recommendations were made by task force members Jim Gast, Trish Brown, Bill Rhoades, city planner Jeff Noffsinger and assistant city planner Kristy Mehlburg. There are 69 off-premise signs, billboards or outdoor advertising signs throughout the city.In 1998, a zoning ordinance removed off-premise signs from the books. The ordinance refers to all signs on- or off-premise as freestanding signs.Height, size and frequency of all signs are regulated.Loopholes in the ordinance have allowed several signs to be erected. Since May, the task force has contacted business owners, the chamber of commerce and others for their input on signage and its restrictions.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Jones Joins Cardinal Center As Director Of Development

Lewis Jones, formerly of Elgin, Ill., has joined the Cardinal Center as director of development. "I like helping people and serving people," the Fort Wayne native said.His immediate plans are to work with more individual contributors to Cardinal Center programs and match them to the organization's needs. It's a lot like the work he performed as development director at St.Edward High School and director of public relations at the Larkin Center in Illinois.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Street Vacation Approved

The Warsaw Plan Commission approved a recommendation to vacate a portion of Widaman Street in the Lakeside Park addition. Petitioners Lewis and Nedra Dobbins, 1518 Brubaker St., and David Essig, 304 Kincaid St., were seeking the vacation of the right-of-way held by the city.The right-of-way runs between the Dobbins and Essig properties on Brubaker.Each would be entitled to half of the right-of-way if the vacation is approved by the city council. "With the vacation of my half of the right-of-way, I would be able to build a suitable sized home there on my lot," Essig said. Commissioner Joe Thallemer, while supporting the request, wanted to know if the Dobbinses and Essig would be willing to allow a public easement for foot traffic to Pike Lake if the city vacates the street right-of-way.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton Council Adopts HSA Insurance Policy

PIERCETON - The health care savings account system outlined by Principal Financial insurance agent John Clay in October will be offered to town employees, according to town council members. The council met Thursday to discuss the policy and adopted it as a way for employees to save money for deductible medical expenses and to save for future medical costs. Last month Clay said these savings accounts are limited to $2,500 per year and, if the funds are not spent, they remain in the account for future use. Clay advised the board then that a 13 percent increase in employee health insurance is expected.The town provides a high deductible plan with the first $300 in medical costs paid by the employee and up to $900 for a family policy.None of the town council members are on the policy. The council is offering to pay 30 percent of the costs for dependent insurance coverage. The board also: • Set Dec.2 as the town employee Christmas party date.
TERESA SMITH Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Snyder Steps Down At Warsaw

After four years at the helm of Warsaw Community High School's girls basketball progam, John Snyder is stepping down.
Dale [email protected] | July 28, 2016

Country/City Taxes

Editor, Times-Union:The governor's proposed property tax relief bill in its present form (capping residential property tax at 1 percent of valuation) is going to penalize people who don't live in the city.
- | July 28, 2016

Foundation Gets $1 Million Gift

The Kosciusko County Community Foundation received a $1 million distribution this week from the Betty Jane Clover Trust.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Japanese Man Visits Warsaw During 4,000-Mile Bike Trip

Taro Yodogawa, of Japan, visited Warsaw Tuesday during his 4,000-mile bicycle trip from Los Angeles to New York.
Jennifer [email protected] | July 28, 2016

Menards Store To Break Ground This Spring In Warsaw

A Menards store is scheduled to break ground this spring in Warsaw.
Jennifer [email protected] | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Animal Hospital Robbed

SYRACUSE -ÊExactly one week after the Syracuse Pizza Hut robbery, a second business in town was robbed. At about 5:47 p.m.Wednesday, police were informed that Animal Hospital of Syracuse, Ind.13, Syracuse, had just been robbed. In police logs, the crime is logged as an armed robbery, but according to Syracuse Town Marshal Tom Perzanowski, the suspect was not armed, and the crime may have been one of opportunity rather than a premeditated plan. According to police, a man came into the clinic around 5:30 p.m.asking for a job application.When the employee at the front desk left to get an application, the man allegedly grabbed an undisclosed amount of money from a cash drawer sitting on the counter, and ran from the business. He jumped into a car waiting outside that headed west on CR 1000N.The car was described as a tan older model driven by a woman.No description of the female suspect was available.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Exercises Eminent Domain On Apartment Building

WINONA LAKE - Wishing to "promote the use of land in the manner that best serves the interests of the town and its inhabitants," the town of Winona Lake, specifically the Winona Lake Redevelopment Commission, filed a lawsuit in Kosciusko Superior Court I to exercise the power of eminent domain by condemnation. Defendants Ralph and Joellen Fitch, Larwill, own 800 Park Ave., a property they lease as an apartment building. The area around the Fitch's house is zoned as a planned unit development, combining commercial and residential uses. The Fitch property was declared a blighted area Oct.4, 2000, by a redevelopment commission resolution. At the Dec.20 redevelopment commission meeting, the property, located in a tax increment financing district, was described as not conforming to the use of the other property around it.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tax Alcohol, Not Cigs

Editor, Times-Union:I would like someone to answer for me why Gov. Mitch Daniels and the Senate Committee are asking that the Indiana cigarette tax be increased from the 55 cents it is now to another 25 cents to fund the new dubbed The Healthy Indiana Plan?
- | July 28, 2016

Democrats Honored At Hall Of Fame Dinner

Indiana's First Lady Maggie Kernan honored Kosciusko County Democrats Saturday, when Elaine Bell and Bob Espinosa entered the local hall of fame. Kernan also presented Michelle Boxell the H.Dale Tucker Democrat of the Year Award. More than 100 Democrats attended the annual dinner where the governor's wife was the guest speaker. "My man Joe is the man with the plan," she said, outlining Gov.Kernan's Action Indiana five-part proposal to increase jobs, lower the cost of prescription drugs, decrease college costs, cut waste in government and support military families. Kernan said her husband decided to run for election to continue his years of service.When the former lieutenant governor assumed the top state position after Frank O'Bannon's death, he initially said he would not seek the office of governor. "Joe feels he can make a difference and feels a responsibility to serve the cities, state and county," she said.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Winona Island Project Complete

WINONA LAKE - Sanitary sewer work is done on the island project, and the Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday approved letting the rest of the project out for bids. Larry Long, the town's engineer, submitted the final street design to the council.The possibility of reversing the one-way traffic flow on Auditorium and Administration boulevards will be discussed with the island committee. The council will open bids at its next meeting for the public works building.A copy of the plans and specifications for that project will be available for public inspection at the community building. Council president Brent Wilcoxson will meet with Mary Jo Zoschnick, a Winona Lake resident who told the council she was not happy with her treatment by the Winona Lake Police Department. Zoschnick said her son was assaulted in July, and the Kosciusko County prosecutor's office has not yet received the incident report from the Winona Lake police.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Schools Business Mgr. Releases Amounts Saved By Closing Three Elementaries

Patrons of Warsaw Community Schools who are opposed to the proposed plan to close the three smallest schools have asked one question: How much money would be saved? In response, WCS business manager Rande Thorpe recently released the following figures, which he showed at the school board meeting Aug.18. The summary is based on the per-school cost of librarians, administration, custodian, principal's secretary, custodial supplies, gas, heat, water and electricity. According to Thorpe's figures, the school corporation would annually save $147,570 by closing Atwood Elementary, $197,237 by closing Claypool and $191,324 if Silver Lake closes. Also, the benefits - Social Security and insurance - paid to the employees who would be laid off totals $151,922 for all three schools. The total of Thorpe's projected possible savings by closing all three schools is $688,053.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

S. Lake's Caudill To Resign

SILVER LAKE - Town council president Tony Caudill on Tuesday announced his plans for resignation. Caudill cited personal reasons for his resignation, which takes effect Sept.30. Anyone interested in filling the remainder of Caudill's term should contact Paula Shalley. In other business, the council received five proposals for engineering for the water system improvement project.Estimates for the job ranged from $80,800 from Roland Associates of Angola to $125,500 from Triad Engineering Inc.of South Bend. The council opted to take extra time to review the proposals and returned for a meeting on Wednesday before choosing Triad to do the work.They will meet again tonight to sign contracts. The council must have all paperwork in order before the grant can be submitted by the Friday deadline.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw BZA Denies Sign Request

Kimm Dock's variance request for two additional free-standing signs was denied by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals members Monday in a unanimous decision. Dock, and her husband, Joe, own and operate Kimm's Food Mart, 1900 Plaza Drive. The "extra" signage, signs that are permanently attached to light poles, already exists on the property. The business was issued a sign permit in January 1998 for a 120-square-foot sign on the northeast corner of the property.Since then, the additional signs were added. In June, Dock attended the Warsaw Code Enforcement Hearing in response to a violation of sign ordinance letter from the Building and Planning Department. She was advised at that time the additional signs should be removed.It was recommended she apply for a permanent sign on the facade of the Food Mart building.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Zoners OK 3 Variance Requests

Three variance requests were approved by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday. Steven Beehler, 1427 Springhill Road, requested a variance from development standards for an 8-foot rear yard setback from the north property line for a 24- by 36-foot attached garage.A dense buffer of shrubs on the north property line will be left intact. Barbara Earl's request for a 17-foot front yard setback for a deck also was approved.She plans to construct a 21-by 6-foot deck on the front of her home at 215 S.McKinley St. A special exception for an automobile impoundment and wrecker service at 3940 Corridor Drive was approved as requested by Reichart and Knepp LLC. The board stipulated a natural border of four ornamental trees, at least 8 feet in height, and boxwoods are to be planted between the fence and Corridor Drive.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Homeowners Hit With Fines For Non-Compliance

Warsaw would rather not be collecting money from Paul and Cora Beverly. According to Pam Kennedy, city building inspector, her department would much rather see the attached garage on the Beverlys' property at 938 E.Clark St.demolished and not have the couple continue to pay $1,000 fines. "Mr.Beverly has been fined $1,000 twice and has been in to pay the fine twice," she said."We would rather see that money going to repair the house instead of paying these civil penalties." The Beverlys submitted plans to demolish the 10-foot by 20-foot structure, replacing it with a 10-by-10-foot accessory building, Kennedy said. Hearing Officer Larry Clifford declined to impose a third fine on the Beverlys but did reset a hearing on the matter for Oct.18, and ordered the property owners to have a variance application filed with the board of zoning appeals by that date.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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