Relevance Date

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

Thieves Hit Farm Center On Ind. 15N

LEESBURG - Nearly $40,000 worth of John Deere farm equipment was stolen overnight Wednesday from Warsaw Farm Center. The theft was discovered about 9:30 a.m.Thursday at the Ind.15N, Leesburg, business and was reported by its manager. According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report, entry to the yard from which the items were taken was made by cutting a chain-link fence on the electric entry gate. Police believe that a larger trailer or truck would have been used to transport the stolen items: a 2001 6X4 Gator with a 72-inch front blade; a 2001 LT155 with 38-inch deck; a 2002 445 heavy duty tractor; a 2001 1460 with 60-inch side discharge mower; and a 2001 1420 with 28-horsepower gas front mower. Two other 6X4 Gators were moved as if the suspects also planned to remove them. The business' sister store at Plymouth had a similar theft last month, police said. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the KCSD at 267-5667.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Police Investigate Threatening Message In School Restroom

SYRACUSE -ÊThe Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department is investigating several threatening messages scrawled in a restroom at Wawasee High School Thursday. The messages, which threaten the lives of students at the high school, were found written on the wall of the girls restrooms across from the special education rooms at the high school in Syracuse. The threats do not target any specific person.One message written in pencil read, "You can't stop me, it's inevitable I will kill you all from the preps to the (expletive) to the nerds and to the geeks, guy and girl, young and old....This isn't a threat, it's a promise, I will destroy you all.No one else is like me.I'm a loner and that's why you should fear for your lives.I plan things out I'm no psychopath." One message was signed "The Grim Reaper," and another said, "I am your worst nightmare, I am the Texas Chainsaw Massacre." There are no suspects at this time, but investigation of the incident continues.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

IDNR Experts To Discuss Lake Projects At Expo

The Lakes Learning Expo will expand to include four lakes instead of just Chapman Lake this year. The event, sponsored by the Chapman Lakes Conservation Association, is planned for July 8 at the CLCA Clubhouse, intersection of CRs 325E and 300N. Open to the public, experts will be on hand to describe projects at Barbee, Chapman, Dewart and Tippecanoe during the 9 a.m.to noon session.Admission is free and morning refreshments will be available.Lake residents are urged to attend. A panel of experts will answer questions on any lake-related topic during the symposium-style event. Dave Nance, from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Division of Water, will discuss several projects.These include the Barbee Lake control structure on Grassy Creek, visible south of the Armstrong Road public access site, as well as outlet control structures on Tippecanoe Lake at Oswego and on Dewart Lake.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Nifong, Wilcox Are Top 2003 Triton Scholars

BOURBON -ÊJoshua Nifong is the valedictorian and Angela Wilcox is salutatorian for the 2003 class of Triton Jr.-Sr.High School. Nifong received the Principal's Leadership Award for outstanding student leadership at Triton and achieved the All-A Honor Roll each grading period this year.He was selected by the business department as this year's top student, and, for surpassing the gold medallion level of academic awards, he was presented an engraved clock at the academic awards banquet. The son of Everett and Bobbi Nifong of Etna Green, he was vice president of Triton's chapter of National Honor Society, an officer of the senior class and Future Business Leaders of America and served as student council representative.He participated in golf, tennis and cross country. Nifong plans to study accounting at Manchester College.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Advisory Board OKs Bond For New Township Building

LEESBURG - The Plain Township Advisory Board officially kicked off plans for a township building Thursday by adopting a preliminary bond ordinance. The ordinance calls for general obligation bonds not to exceed $1.05 million.The 20-year bond will have an interest rate no higher than 7 percent. The money will be used to build a multi-purpose facility for the township.The building will include space for a fire station, EMS equipment, sleeping quarters, a township meeting room, and offices for the assessor and township trustee. The 10,000-square-foot building will be built at the intersection of Armstrong and Baseline roads. The bond is expected to add about 10 cents to the township tax rate.A resident with a home valued at $125,000 would pay about $36 more a year in property taxes. The board is hoping costs will actually be lower as construction bids come in.
DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Restaurant Seeks Help With Drainage

MILFORD - The Farmers Cafe in Milford is having drainage difficulties. The owner of the cafe told the Milford Town Council Tuesday that the water coming from Ind.15 was flooding the parking lot of the cafe. He asked for help from the council and was asked to supply figures and estimates on the cost of the project. "I can see there's a water problem there," said councilman Donald Wolferman. The council did not act on the request but appeared favorable in assisting with the water problem. The council will hold a special meeting with Dan Richard of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission to discuss the constitutionality of an ordinance that would place restrictions on sexually oriented businesses. The council also has questions about enforcing the ordinance. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m.May 11 in the Milford Town Hall.
DOUGLAS SANBURN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
Previous Next