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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Warsaw Zoners Approve Three Variances

Three variances were unanimously approved by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday.The requests were the only items of business. At 403 North Lake St., Marianne Prater's request for no setback for a 4-foot chain link fence on a corner lot was approved.Prater, who attended the meeting, said she had a child and a dog to keep safe behind the fencing. At 432 W.Fort Wayne St., Kyle Gilbertson's request for a variance from development standards for a 6-foot side yard setback for an attached garage was approved. Christy Mehlberg, recently named assistant city planner, introduced the first two petitions.City planner Jeff Noffsinger presented the final request. And, at 712 Poppy St., Larry Cassel's variance request to deviate from development standards for a 6-foot rear yard setback for a new dwelling was approved.Cassel plans to demolish the current structures and build a residence and garage on the property.

Lawmakers To Attend Atwood Meeting

State Senator Kent Adams responded today to comments by Warsaw school superintendent Dr.David McGuire, in Wednesday's Times-Union, regarding a proposed building project. McGuire, in addressing a question posed at a Wednesday night meeting in Silver Lake on the planned closing of the Silver Lake elementary school and state requirements for separate general, transportation and building funds, stated, "The legislators feel we'd cheat people ...our common enemy is ignorance on the part of our legislators." Adams said he and Rep.David Wolkins will attend a second community meeting scheduled tonight at the Atwood school at 7 p.m.to answer any questions regarding these comments and other property tax-related questions that anyone may have.

Habitat To Build Ninth Home

Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County Inc.recently announced plans to build their ninth house at the corner of Park and Main streets in Warsaw. Anyone interested in learning more about this home or about Habitat for Humanity in general is invited to a public meeting to be held in the Warsaw Community Public Library Feb.22 at 6:30 p.m. A short information program will be followed by a question- and-answer period.Packets for interested people to take home and fill out will be available. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing program working to eliminate poverty-level housing around the world and to make adequate housing a matter of conscience and action. People from all walks of life are invited to work in partnership to help build houses for people in need. Habitat has built more than 100,000 homes, providing 500,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, adequate and affordable houses.

Gypsy Moth Treatments To Continue At Pierceton Cemetery

PIERCETON - Treatment of the pesky gypsy moth in the Hillcrest Cemetery will continue this year, the third year in a row, according to a press release sent to the town council recently. Monday, members pointed out that a public information meeting will be held by Indiana Department of Natural Resources personnel regarding the infestation at Hillcrest Cemetery. Last year it was believed the moths hadn't spread out of the cemetery but migrated from the two large oak trees to other hardwoods on cemetery grounds. This year's treatment maps show a 60-acre area spiking to the northeast, to East Ryerson Road and north to South First Street, and just south of the cemetery where CR 700E and Ind.13 meet. Plans are to treat the ground in Hillcrest, south of Pierceton off Ind.13, with Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis var.Kurstaki), for the second consecutive year.Considered an extreme measure, the application kills all caterpillars, even the beneficial species.

Grill Stresses White Paper Importance To KLA Cadets

Classmates of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy marked their halfway point Tuesday morning during a lecture by organizational moderator Steve Grill. With White Paper projects evolving into finalized concepts and a deadline set for public presentation, Grill spoke with the class on the significance of properly communicating the proposals during a Project Proud event, scheduled for April 25 at Tippecanoe Country Club. Grill stressed the importance of strong White Paper projects, which consist of strategic ideas to better various areas of Kosciusko County. Currently, groups are proposing such ideas as a community dog park, a study of successful county comprehensive plans, and the rezoning of Kosciusko sewer projects.While still in a "rough draft" stage, all topics could change before the Project Proud deadline.

Bank Seeks To Foreclose On Prairie View

KeyBank is seeking to foreclosure on the mortgage it holds on Prairie View Nursing Home in Warsaw and to place the business in receivership.More than $1.7 million remains due on a $2 million promissory note taken out in 1988. A lawsuit filed recently in Kosciusko Circuit Court names Landmark Health Care Associates, L.P., the James R.Bradbury Trust and Landmark Health Care Fixed Income Fund, L.P., as defendants in the case.Landmark Associates is an Indiana limited partnership that owns Prairie View, and the trust and Landmark Fund are made parties to answer as to any interest they may have in the real estate.

BalloonFest Takes Flight At Airport This Weekend

A weekend of activities is planned as the 2000 City of Lakes BalloonFest kicks off tonight. Kosciusko County Convention and Visitor's Bureau organizes the annual event. A hot air balloon launch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.today at the Warsaw Airport. Warsaw Parks activities director Andy McCleary said a classic rock concert will be held at Central Park tonight featuring Paul Revere and the Raiders.Brett Evans and the Hired Guns will be the opening act at 7 p.m.and the main act begins at 8 p.m. McCleary also said the parks department is sponsoring a skateboard contest beginning at noon Saturday and Sunday at Mantis Skate Park, Warsaw.Competition is open to all ages and skill levels. A triathlon at Winona Lake Park will begin at 8 a.m.Saturday and hot air balloon rides will start at 6 a.m.and 6:30 p.m.at the Warsaw Airport.There also will be a children's carnival and food booth from 4 p.m.to 9 p.m.at the Warsaw Airport.

Milford Teen Accidentally Shoots Self

A Milford teen who accidentally shot himself in the leg with a handgun Thursday wasn't familiar with the gun he was handling. At 10:30 a.m.Thursday police received a call from the boy's parents reporting an accidental discharge on a .38 caliber handgun, said Milford Marshal Dave Hobbs.The bullet entered the youth's right thigh. Police learned the victim and an older brother had planned to go target shooting, Hobbs said.The victim reportedly got out the weapon and set it between his legs while putting on a shirt.The weapon reportedly discharged when the boy picked it up. Authorities report the teen had taken a hunter safety course that didn't cover handguns.His older brother was normally the one who transported the gun to their target shooting, investigators said. According to authorities, the parents called their physician before notifying police.The boy was then taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital, where he is in good condition today.

Suicide Attempt Averted By Police

An area man was committed to Bowen Center Monday afternoon after police received a call he was allegedly suicidal and armed. Kevin Walsh, 27, was taken into custody by Kosciusko County Sheriff's deputies at 2 p.m.Monday. Police received a call from the Silver Lake marshall, who reportedly said Walsh's wife called and said her husband had a gun and may be suicidal. The marshal told deputies that Walsh allegedly read a newspaper article about a man who walked into a police station armed and forced police to shoot and kill him.His wife reportedly feared Walsh was planning to do the same thing. Walsh was reported to be driving north on Ind.15 from Silver Lake.Deputies found his vehicle parked along Ind.15 near CR 600S in a pull-off area. According to police, Walsh jumped out of his vehicle but was unarmed.Police took him into custody and committed him to the Bowen Center for a 24-hour psychiatric evaluation.

KOSCIUSKO BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2008

KOSCIUSKO BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS - NOVEMBER 12 - VARIANCES

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9