The Lake City Roller Dolls skated off against the Derby Dimes of Ann Arbor, Mich. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Eastlake Skate Center. The bout, described by skaters as a “real barnburner of a bout,” was won by the Lake City Roller Dolls with a score of 174-152 finishing off their season at 4-3.

Though the action-packed bout had fans on the edges of their seat, the packed skate center also had a philanthropic aim during Saturday’s event. Breast cancer awareness and fundraising took place during the bout in support of fellow skater, Candy Mansfield, also known by her derby name Candiland Massacre of South Bend Roller Derby, who is fighting the disease.

Coach Dyrtie Gyrtie (Bobbie Tevis) of Lake City Roller Dolls shaved her head in honor of Mansfield and those fighting the disease. Tevis was also sponsored as a member of the month for the Lake City Red Hat Society, who volunteered at the event working security, parking and admission. Volunteers also assisted in selling 50/50 tickets, which raised over $500, and anywhere else where assistance was needed.

Part of the funds raised through admission, 50/50 ticket sales and fundraising will be donated to Kosciusko County Cancer Care. For those wanting to donate, donations are still be gathered via a GoFundMe.com page and several donation boxes are available throughout Warsaw.

By SUE ANN MITCHELL
Kosciusko County Treasurer

Kosciusko County Treasurer Sue Ann Mitchell is reminding property owners that Kosciusko County tax bills are due Nov. 10. Payments may be made in the office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Courthouse will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 4 for election day. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted in the office. There is a 2.95 percent convenience fee for debit and credit card payments. Kosciusko County does not receive the convenience fee.

There is a dropbox located near the West entrance to the Courthouse on Lake Street. Payments may be dropped there until the evening of Nov. 10. No postage is required. Envelopes are provided to insure safe delivery of payments.

You may mail payments to: Kosciusko County Treasurer, P.O. Box 1764, Warsaw. Payments must have a postmark no later than Nov. 10 to be considered timely. If mailing on the last day taxpayers are encouraged to have the post office hand cancel the mail with the date to avoid penalties.

Payments may also be made at participating banks including: Campbell Fetter Bank, Crossroads Bank, Farmers State Bank, First Federal of Huntington, Lake City Bank, Mutual Bank and Old National Bank.

Payments may be made online at www.kosciuskotax.net. There is a 2.95 percent convenience fee for debit and credit cards at that website. Kosciusko County does not receive that convenience fee. Payments may be made over the phone by calling the number listed below. There is a 3.95 percent convenience fee for debit card and credit card payments taken over the phone. Kosciusko County does not receive that convenience fee.

Taxpayers that are unsure if their property taxes are paid, may view their tax status at www.kcgov.com, and then select Beacon Online Mapping from the left margin. Beacon Online Mapping will allow you to search for your property by name, address, tax ID or state parcel number. Tax information is displayed at the bottom of the page.

All outstanding property tax rolls forward to the most current year. If tax is due under the 2013 pay 2014 column, property tax is still outstanding. Payments are listed as credits. If you are searching for a mobile home or personal property you will need to change the upper right drop down box to personal property.

If you have questions concerning your tax bill, you may contact the Kosciusko County Treasurer’s Office at 574-372-2370 or by email at smitchell@kcgov.com.

A fleet of plow trucks. (Photo Provided)

Kosciusko County Highway is taking the steps necessary to get ready for winter, with approximately 27 drivers staffed to cover the 26 snow routes. According to Kosciusko County Highway Assistant Superintendent Steve Moriarty, training began about a month ago.

The staff’s seven new drivers were taught how to properly utilize the plows, while veteran drivers did “dry” practice runs on their routes, marking hazards like bumps and sharp turns to be mindful of while working in winter conditions. Each driver has a route, usually about 50 miles long, and no more than two driver’s are off at a time.

There was also a winter operations open house for media on Oct. 22 at the Fort Wayne Division of the Indiana Department of Transportation. Several different kinds of snow plow equipment were on display.

Last year was one of the toughest winters yet for the department as a whole, with the weather taking a severe tole on their resources and labor force. They covered 1.7 million service miles statewide, with a total operating budget of $10.25 million to cover salt, equipment, over-time and diesel fuel.

The Department of Transportation’s Fort Wayne District (Northeast Indiana) utilized 163 snow plow trucks for 141 snow routes. Driver’s cover 4,800 lane miles within the district at all hours of the day, with mechanics always available to assist them.

A mechanic at work. (Photo Provided)

The district has 19 salt storage barns spread throughout its 17-county area. According to Toni Mayo, a representative from the department’s Fort Wayne District, workers must now be loading-certified in order to ensure safety and efficiency when restocking the trucks with salt. Salt costs for the district during the 2013-14 winter were $53 per ton. For the 2014-15 winter, costs are expected to jump to around $102-$105 per ton.

Just like the Fort Wayne District Headquarters, Kosciusko County Highway puts all it’s vehicles through a series of trials and tests to ensure that all facets of the vehicles are in working order and capable of standing up to the challenges presented by the snow, ice, and wind.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a burglary that occurred within the 21000 block of Protecta Drive in Elkhart.

Chopper stolen in Elkhart burglary. (Photo Provided)

The incident happened sometime between the days of Oct. 16 and 17.

Entry was gained by prying open an exterior door. One of the items taken during the burglary was a custom made “chopper” motorcycle. The motorcycle is approximately 9 feet long and painted flat black.

Anyone with information on this crime can contact the ECSD Detective Bureau by calling (574) 891-2300, or by clicking on the “Submit A Tip” button located on the ECSD Facebook page and website.

Following is information for the Nov. 4 school board elections taking place in each district:

Tippecanoe Valley:

Individuals may vote for a candidate in each district listed.

District 3 – Candidates are Mark Wise (incumbent) and Stanley W. Miller.

District 4 – Candidates are Bryan D. Murphy (incumbent) and Royce A. Wright.

District 5 – Candidates are Rod Eaton (incumbent), Todd L. Hoffman and Augustus J.B. Lukens.

Triton:

Individuals may vote for a candidate in each district listed.

District 1 – Teresa Barnhart (incumbent) is running unopposed.

District 2 – Steven Stichter (incumbent) is running unopposed.

District 4 – Kenneth Miller is running unopposed and will replace Jerilyn Anders.

WaNee:

Individuals may vote for a candidate in each district listed.

Harrison Township – Candidates are Larry D. Weaver (incumbent) and Terry L. Graber.

Locke Township – Candidates are Edwin Moser (incumbent) and Curt Flickinger.

Union Township – Louis Bonacorsi (incumbent) is running unopposed.

Wawasee:

Individuals may vote for a candidate in each district listed

District 1 – Robert Fisher (incumbent) is running unopposed.

District 2 – Mary Lou Dixon (incumbent) is running unopposed.

District 3 – Rebecca L. Linnemeier (incumbent) is running unopposed.

Warsaw:

Individuals may only vote for a candidate in their district.

District 1 – Matt Dick (incumbent) is running unopposed.

District 2 – Heather B. Reichenbach is running unopposed and will replace Delores Hearn.

District 5 – Jennifer Tandy (incumbent) is running unopposed.

District 7 – Daniel J. Metzger (incumbent) is running unopposed.

Whitko:

Individuals may vote for a candidate in each district listed.

District 4 – Steven Eric Trump is running unopposed and will replace Deborah Collier.

District 5 – There are currently no candidates registered to run for the available seat in the district. According to Whitko Schools Superintendent Steve Clason, should no individual declare to run, the law says that current District 5 representative Jorell Tucker will retain his position unless he chooses to resign. Should he resign, the board will take applications for the open seat before selecting a candidate to serve as the new representative.

Warsaw Community Education Association submitted a short survey regarding educational issues to the three candidates running for the Indiana House of Representatives, District 22.

Education in Indiana is intrinsically tied to the politicians we elect to office. WCEA, the Warsaw teacher’s association, while not endorsing specific candidates, encourages the public to be as well informed as possible when going to cast their votes.

Below are the six questions posed to the three District 22 candidates for the Indiana House of Representatives followed by the responses of the Candidates. Note that one of the candidates, Curt Nisly, chose not to respond to the questions.

None of the responses were edited. They are printed here as they were submitted.

David Kolbe

What is your position on the level of funding currently being provided for education by the Indiana State Legislature?

DAVID KOLBE: “I believe the funding level for our schools is insufficient. Our schools continue to lose such funding and I will endeavor, working Glenda Ritz, to reverse this trend.”

“Looking at what is happening more broadly, I disagree with the prior education agenda of Governor Daniels, Tony Bennett, and the Indiana Legislature in 2011 which have been in place now for three years. They injected politics, competition, and one size fits all for school districts. They also created a funding formula which results in less and less monies available for local districts. The agenda has disempowered our teachers and forced staff and pay cuts. It also discourages new teachers from joining the ranks of the profession. Our children ultimately pay the price.”

Michael Stinfer

MICHAEL STINFER: “It’s completely wrong and needs assessed immediately.”

Many educators are concerned about the inequities inherent in the current teacher evaluation system called RISE. Is there a need for a change in this evaluation instrument?

KOLBE: “There are inequities and quandaries in the RISE evaluation system. In my discussions with teachers and administrators it is clears adjustments are in order. Teachers and administrators know this far better than any legislator. I am developing a working relationship with Superintendent Ritz who, I believe, is aiming toward a teacher evaluation system which is more compatible with teaching realities. I have personally assured her that if I am in the House I will be an advocate on her behalf and for all those in our public education system.”

“I again look at the broader picture from public policy standpoint. This will be my job as legislator. The RISE evaluation process flows from injecting politics into education. Measurements of teacher performance are good but when they are put on the platform of competition on a statewide or even national basis, the link between quality teaching and fair evaluations becomes tenuous. Evaluations must be largely local regarding teachers, administrators, and school systems.”

STINFER: “I do believe there is a need to change RISE. The teacher cannot be held accountable for important developments and learning that MUST takes place in the home. I believe it is important to have some form of standard. One that properly assess and engages the teachers and our learners. Not only with testing but with real world application. Let’s think outside the box. Week long immersions in different industries? Why wait until a learner is a senior to do a co-op? Get the student out there engaged, and apply his/her learning. Learning what it means to truly fail, and how to get back up and try again.

To follow up the question 2, should local school corporations have more autonomy in developing appropriate evaluation instruments for their teaching staff?

KOLBE: Local schools should have more autonomy in evaluating teacher performance. Student achievement is largely based on socio-economic and family status. School districts and teachers in impoverished areas may rate low on generic measurement standards but may actually be performing at top level given their circumstances. A combination of local and reasonable generalized standards is the most reasonable approach.

STINFER: Yes, they should. I think the biggest concern, is that- how can you properly evaluate the teacher’s or the student’s when the bureaucracy continues to change platforms when someone at the top gets hit with the good idea fairy? Take them out of the equation and let the teacher’s teach. I understand adapting and changing to be successful in environments but all this is truly doing in the end is disrupting the learner as well as the teacher’s positive impact.”

What is your position on funding of charter schools?

KOLBE: “I am concerned about Charter Schools. Their funding, in my view, ultimately serves to disempower public schools by diminishing funding. the premise, in part, of Charter Schools is to inject competition into our educational process. When public schools receive less funding it puts them at a disadvantage to begin with thus creating a vicious cycle. The jury is still out, as well, on whether Charter Schools offer any better education than our public schools.”

“Charter Schools are an example of injecting politics and competition into the education process. The best interests of our children should prevail, not a veiled business model for school competition.”

“I add that the voucher system also gives me pause. I am essentially opposed to vouchers for two reasons. First, vouchers take monies away from our already distressed public schools. Second, vouchers may constitute a violation of the First Amendment separation of church and state. I am told that a large number of vouchers are used by parents to send their children to sectarian religious schools. I strongly favor the right of parents to do so, but not with tax rebates.”

STINFER: “I think we seriously need to review them. The answer isn’t to get rid of them either. This would hurt those learners that are in these learning environments now. Why should they have to suffer at the expense of bad policy making? I have a hard time with state dollars funding these ventures.”

Many educators are concerned about the continued recruitment and retention of quality teachers. How might you introduce legislation to deal with this issue?

KOLBE: “Largely, in my view, recruitment and retention of quality teachers has to do with appropriately pay for teaching professionals. This then becomes a funding issue. I am willing to look at legislative avenues to address the problem. This includes a re-evaluation of property tax policy, legislation to transfer funding formulas back to local control, consideration of tapping the rainy day fund for some appropriation, and other potential sources. Governor Pence is proposing a 3% across the board budget cut in the state government for the next budget session. I will resist any further cuts to public education.”

“My party strongly supports public education and Superintendent Glenda Ritz. But it is important to note that we hold a minority in both the House and Senate and the Governor is the opposite party. This means that any changes must be expected must be expected to be incremental. I nonetheless will endeavor to advocate for our teachers, administrators, support staff and for the viability of our public school system should I have the honor of serving in the house.”

STINFER: “Utilize the surplus and implement policy that leave no teacher behind. The success of this state will require the bar to be raised on the Hoosier education. Knowledge is power, and I plan on fighting for every teacher in order for them to have a fair wage and tools to complete that mission. Equipping our learners to be the best is invaluable to Indiana’s success. We will do that with the quality of our teacher. Quality before quantity. This shouldn’t even be an issue.”

Overall, what is your biggest concern with the state of education in Indiana?

KOLBE: “The funding formula put in place in 2011 has been devastating to school budgets. Further, the competitive model injected into public education by Tony Bennett and Governor Daniels, including the advent of charter schools and vouchers, has put our public education at a further disadvantage. Competition may be a valid business model in our economic system but, in public schools, it creates strategies contrary to authentic educational goals. Finally, while teacher evaluations are proper, the current model raises questions of fairness and accuracy.”

“I have repeatedly stated that healthy and vibrant public schools are the lifeblood of our communities.”

STINFER: “My biggest concern is the grid-lock and the quality of education decreasing because of that grid-lock. Working together as one team- teachers, more parent engagement, students, and the school. All being accountable to one another. Let the teachers teach and give them all the tools to do so. Very basic and common sense approach. Also, it appears, we base a majority, if not all, policy making off of Indianapolis education, we will fail as a state if we continue down that path. Learners in our district are different than the learners in Indy. The regionalization with education has got to go.”

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The candidates' answers were transcribed from a press release from Warsaw Community Education Association. No changes, including changes to style and grammar, were made to the candidates' text found in the release. The original press release can be found here.]

For an update on this story see Juvenille Attempts To Burn Barbee Lake Home With Parents Inside.

Members of Kosciusko County Squad 70, a fire investigation team, has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire at 33 EMS B33A Lane, Warsaw. The home is on Little Barbee Lake.

The initial call was approximately 10:55 p.m.

Three occupants of the home were able to escape without injury. There was a working smoke detector.

North Webster Fire Department and EMS along with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and North Webster Police Department responded. Leesburg and Turkey Creek Fire Territory fire departments were put on standby.

More information will be provided when it becomes available.

Andrew D. Willard, 25, Eisenhower Parkway, Warsaw, was transported to Lutheran Hospital following a one vehicle accident Monday evening.

Willard complained of head and neck pain.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department received a call at 12:20 a.m. of an accident on Kinsey Road, south of West Hoppus Road, Warsaw. Willard reported he had been in an accident.

He told police he was driving to work around 10:45 p.m. and thought he remembered swerving to miss a deer. The officer noted the driver could have been unconscious for several hours.

The officer found that the passenger side airbag had been deployed, but the driver side airbag had not been activated upon impact.

The accident report states the investigating Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer spoke to Willard at the hospital who stated he would be released shortly with no major injuries.

Damage was estimated up to $10,000 to Willard’s vehicle and bean crop owned by Betty L. Parker, South Kinsey Road, Claypool.

Click to view slideshow.
At approximately 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, emergency personnel were called to the 3300 block of Pierceton Road in Winona Lake for an automobile accident.

A passenger vehicle collided with a semi-trailer, and the vehicle went underneath the trailer.

The driver of the passenger vehicle reportedly sustained minor injuries. The roadway at the scene is blocked. Please avoid the area until officers can clear the scene.

More information will be provided as it comes available.

A request from Kosciusko Community Hospital to allow an increased size of a sign was unanimously approved by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday evening.

Jay De Los Reyes, chief operating officer of KCH, made the request for the sign in front of Beyer Medical Building. The sign is currently at the limit of development standards, at 8 feet high, 32 square-feet. The request is to increase the sign to 10 feet high and 80 square-feet.

Reyes stated the hospital is on the verge of opening a new imaging center and Northern Lakes Physician’s practice has increased from a year or so ago. The request is being made to add the physician’s name to the sign. “It is a lot busier,” he stated, adding a lot of patients are stopping to figure out where to go. The addition will allow for adequate text for patients to find their way to the physician’s office.

Tim Allen, BZA president, loved the idea, noting it is challenging when a person is not 100 percent familiar where he/she is going. Allen also noted smaller lettering does not allow someone to see the names quickly.

The increased size of the sign will not block any type of view of a motorist.

The next meeting of the BZA will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 24.

Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) possesses policies designed to provide both strong financial stewardship and public transparency of its financial affairs. These policies constitute fundamental building blocks of an effectively operated school system and maximize the delivery of educational services and opportunities to students. When a violation of those policies occurs, Warsaw Community Schools will take appropriate and corrective action.

Recently, WCS learned that one of its employees received unlawful kick-back payments from a supplier of materials in exchange for steering business to that particular supplier. Upon receiving this information, school officials promptly conducted an investigation that disclosed irregularities in the purchase of maintenance materials. On Monday, Oct. 27, when confronted concerning these irregularities, Director of Buildings and Grounds Greg Schroeder admitted that for a number of years, a Continental Maintenance Specialities, Inc. sales representative paid him a total of approximately $30,000 in kickback payments. WCS immediately placed Mr. Schroeder on unpaid suspension. At its regularly scheduled school board meeting on Oct. 27, WCS officially terminated Mr. Schroeder’s employment. WCS has also notified proper legal authorities of Mr. Schroeder’s conduct.

The illegal practice of accepting kickbacks deprives our students, educators and community of using financial resources in the most efficient means. This conduct is harmful to WCS and will not be tolerated. WCS will assist with any investigation undertaken by legal authorities, as well as comply with both federal and state privacy laws; this will be WCS’s last statement concerning this matter. Rest assured, however, when WCS learns of any financial improprieties, swift and candid remedial measures will be taken; our students deserve nothing less.

A 13-year-old is believed to have attempted to set fire to her own residence while her parents were inside last evening in the Barbee Lake area of Kosciusko County. (see related)

North Webster/Tippecanoe Township firemen and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded last evening at 10:43 p.m. to a report of a house fire at house 33 EMS B33A Lane, Warsaw. Responding firemen arrived and eventually were able to extinguish the fire, but requested Squad 70 / Fire Investigation Team of Kosciusko County. North Webster firemen and Squad 70 member determined during their preliminary investigation that three separate points of origin for the fire were located inside the residence.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies and detectives had located a 13-year-old female outside the residence upon their initial arrival to the scene. The homeowners were able to escape the residence and allowed officers to speak with their daughter. After contacting the Kosciusko County Probation Department, officers took the juvenile into custody during the course of the investigation. She is currently being evaluated and held in custody as the investigation continues.

The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office advises that the defendant’s charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Wind and wave energy generated by recreational activities and harsh winters have taken a toll on the largest island in Webster Lake. At the worst spot, on the west side of Kline Island, severe erosion has stolen an estimated 20 to 25 feet of shoreline.

This cliff-like feature stands back of what was once a sloping beach on the island.

President Terry Fredericks of the Webster Lake Conservation Association began noticing the effects of erosion on the lake last year. Several smaller islands, including one in view from his home, have disappeared completely from the lake the last several years, he said. Intrigued, Fredericks took a look at the lake’s remaining islands.

Kline, the largest island on Webster Lake, is owned by Epworth Forest and is used as part of its camp as well as for natural habitat, the town’s Fourth of July fireworks launch site and as a community recreation area. The island is currently about 2.3 acres in size. But as the windward side of Kline has eroded, trees have fallen and silt has moved farther out into the lake.

his aerial photo showing the area in which erosion has taken place the windward side of Kline Island in Webster Lake. A project set to begin in the spring aims to stem wind and recreational damage being done to the island’s shoreline.

During a meeting about two years ago Nick Yarde, director of Epworth Forest, agreed additional erosion seemed to be leading to complete loss of the island and would likely affect the nearby wetland. Fredericks — who is also a member of the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation board — offered to spearhead a restoration project.

“We met with the DNR and strategized what grants might be available and what we could get done. The DNR was very interested in saving the island,” Fredericks said.

Together the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation, Indiana United Methodist Conference, which owns Epworth Forest, and the WLCA applied for and were awarded funds to defray the cost of preventing further shoreline erosion. Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement program and the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership provided the grants, which were applied for in conjunction with a project going on at Loon Lake that is being managed separately. One-third of the funds will be applied to that project.

A 20 percent local contribution is a requirement of the funding, so any cost for the Kline project beyond what is provided for by the grant capital will be paid by the WLCA, TWF and the IUMC.

Bids are coming in now from contractors that specialize in reclaiming land exposed to the elements. Starting early in the spring, biodegradeable logs will be laid in the water. It was hoped part of that process would begin yet this fall, but permits were not received in time.

Kline Island as seen from the air.

After the logs are in place glacial stonework will be terraced up into the island and extending out into the water, to build up the shore. Then aquatic and wetland vegetation will be hand-planted to deep root into the area for a more natural look and to prevent further erosion.

“Hopefully, we’ll be done by mid-June. We’ll have it shored up and we’ll put buoys out to keep boats out of the area,” Fredericks said. Depending on the contractor involved and the amount of money remaining, some restoration work may also take place to bring back some of the displaced silt.

Following are the individuals who will be on the Nov. 4 general election ballot for election to the listed positions. Polls will be open for voting from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. For a listing of voting locations, click here.

Secretary of State:
Connie Lawson, Republican
Elizabeth White, Democrat
Karl Tatgenhorst, Libertarian

Auditor of State:
Suzanne Crouch, Republican
Michael A. Claytor, Democrat
John Schick, Libertarian

Treasurer of State:
Kelly Mitchell, Republican
Mike Boland, Democrat
Michael L. Jasper, Libertarian

United States Representative District 2:
Jackie Walorski, Republican
Joe Bock, Democrat
Jeff Petermann, Libertarian

United States Representative District 3:
Marlin A. Stutzman, Republican
Justin Kuhnle, Democrat
Scott Wise, Libertarian

State Representative District 18:
David A. Wolkins, Republican

State Representative District 22:
Curt Nisly, Republican
David C. Kolbe, Democrat
Michael L. Stinfer, Independent

Judge, Kosciusko Superior Court 1:
David C. Cates, Republican

Judge, Kosciusko Superior Court 2:
Torrey J. Bauer, Republican

Judge, Kosciusko Superior Court 3:
Joe V. Sutton, Republican

Prosecuting Attorney- 54th Judicial Circuit:
Daniel H. Hampton, Republican

County Auditor:
Michael L. Puckett, Republican

County Recorder:
Joettea Mitchell, Republican

County Sheriff:
C. Aaron Rovenstine, Republican
Patrick Jamison, Libertarian
Travis C. Marsh, Independent

County Assessor:
Susan Engelberth, Republican

County Commissioner- Southern District:
Robert M. Conley, Republican
Gale Gean Owens, Democrat

County Council District 1:
Doug Heinisch, Republican

County Council District 2:
James R. Moyer, Republican

County Council District 3:
Bradley J. Tandy, Republican

County Council District 4:
Jon L. Garber, Republican
Dan Damron, Democrat

Clay Township Trustee:
Helen I. Brown, Republican
Adam Hyde, Democrat

Etna Township Trustee:
Gary Sponseller, Republican

Franklin Township Trustee:
Kathy Miles, Republican
Trillia Gearhart, Democrat

Harrison Township Trustee:
Tracy Moyer, Republican

Jackson Township Trustee:
Gwendolyn L. Ostrom, Republican

Jefferson Township Trustee:
Beth Krull, Republican

Lake Township Trustee:
Molly Bradford, Republican

Monroe Township Trustee:
Joshua Spangle, Republican

Plain Township Trustee:
Jerry Kammerer, Republican

Prairie Township Trustee:
Julia A. Goon, Republican

Scott Township Trustee:
Fred A. Slabaugh, Democrat

Seward Township Trustee:
Aime A. Hoffman, Republican

Tippecanoe Township Trustee:
Steve Ward, Republican

Turkey Creek Township Trustee:
Barbara A. Griffith, Republican

Van Buren Township Trustee:
Rebecca Alles, Republican

Washington Township Trustee:
Dean Rhoades, Republican

Wayne Township Trustee:
Sheila Kay Burner, Republican

Clay Township Advisory Board:
Donald L. Morris, Republican
Danny D. Ransbottom, Republican
Daniel E. Willis, Republican

Etna Township Advisory Board:
Joe R. Mooney, Republican
Tony Tribalski, Republican
Pat Morr, Democrat

Franklin Township Advisory Board:
James L. Eads, Republican
Paul Haist, Republican
Buni Leininger, Republican

Harrison Township Advisory Board:
Joseph C. Good, Republican
Steven Sponseller, Republican
Gerald Weirick, Republican

Jackson Township Advisory Board:
Marcia J. Dierks, Republican
Ray P. Fisher, Republican
Jill L. Slater, Republican

Jefferson Township Advisory Board:
Dee Ann Beer, Republican
Jane Hunsberger, Republican
Robert Riley, Republican

Lake Township Advisory Board:
Kathleen A. Lokotar, Republican
Wayne Spratt, Republican
Paul Sibray, Democrat

Monroe Township Advisory Board:
Jack Bumgardner, Republican
Sonya Hathaway, Republican
Patrick Landrigan, Republican

Plain Township Advisory Board:
Robert W. Bishop, Republican

Prairie Township Advisory Board:
Virginia Baker, Republican
Gordon R. Drake, Republican
Majorie E. Himes, Republican

Scott Township Advisory Board:
John R. Mast, Republican
Thomas A. Besson, Democrat
Paul E. Parks, Democrat

Seward Township Advisory Board:
Kevin N. Hohman, Republican
Bruce Lankenau, Republican
Allison T. McSherry, Republican

Tippecanoe Township Advisory Board:
Steve Carson, Republican
Richard Owen, Republican
James M. Rhoades, Republican

Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board:
Kimberly Cates, Republican
Dennis R. Darr, Republican
John D. Heckaman, Republican

Van Buren Township Advisory Board:
Robert L. Beer, Republican
Harry D. Doty, Republican
Stephen Unruh, Republican
Vickie Marquart, Democrat

Washington Township Advisory Board:
Bryan Bidwell, Republican
James A. Craig, Republican
Roger S. Thomas, Republican

Wayne Township Advisory Board:
Robert J. Bishop, Republican
Erin N. Jones, Republican
Gordon Nash, Republican

Syracuse Town Council District 1:
Larry Siegel, Republican

Syracuse Town Council District 2:
Paul Stoelting, Republican

An Indiana or United States government issued identification is required from all individuals in order to vote. The ID must display your photo, match the name on the voter registration record, display an expiration date and still be current.

Anyone registered to vote is able to cast a ballot for the Nov. 4 election, regardless of whether they voted during the May primaries.

Soldiers from around the world have begun receiving their Halloween treat bags from Operation Treat A Soldier. With Halloween coming to a close, the next drive, Treasures For Troops, will begin in November offering soldiers overseas holiday cheer and personal gratitude.

When Susan Manns discovered she could not have a child, she was heartbroken. The born nurturer had held hopes of being a mother. Seeking a way to allay her pain, Manns decided to adopt a young soldier and play the role of his “army mom.”

“I started sending him boxes and after getting into it, we realized there are so many guys over there that don’t hear from home. I found out the number of the guys from his unit.. you know these kids are over there and once a month I would send a box. When he came home, I got the name of another kid and did the same thing. It grew from there so much that in 2011, it went full-time through our church,” stated Manns.

Currently Manns and The First Freewill Baptist Church of Kosciusko County send out boxes that reach 300 soldiers every month. According to Manns, last year the ministry $8,000 worth of boxes to soldiers over 12 months.

Recently, troops received special Halloween themed treat bags packaged by families and individuals throughout Kosciusko County during the annual “Operation Treat a Soldier” drive put on by the church. A total of 324 treat bags, filled with candies and items that would remind the soldiers of home, were collected from members of the community. In addition, each bag held a personalized note for a soldier, written by the donor or members of the ministry.

Treasures for Troops will begin collecting Christmas stockings on Nov. 14 and will conclude donations on Dec. 1.
(Photo provided)

The 324 treat bags were packed into 26 boxes weighing a total of 827 pounds. Though many wish to add extra candies or items to their treat bag, Manns noted the importance of staying within weight allotment due to the cost of shipping. A total of $1,300 was needed to mail the treat bags this year.

Though collections for Operation Treat A Soldier has concluded and troops have begun receiving their treat bags, an additional chance to honor those serving is coming up. Treasures for Troops will begin gathering donations in stockings to send to soldiers during the holiday season. Collections of stockings will begin by Tuesday, Nov. 14 and will conclude Monday, Dec. 1.

Those interested in creating a stocking may pick up a donation list from Warsaw Community Public Library, the Outdoor Living Center, the Vein Institute and Medical Spa or Silver Lake Lake City Bank. A letter and list with instructions will be available.

“Most of the time, to fill either one (stocking or treat bag) it costs about $10 to $12,” stated Manns. “I don’t provide the stockings, I have people buy one. The most important thing that goes into the bag or stocking is a letter from home. I hear all the time ‘I heard from a soldier who got my stocking or my treat bag.’ There are so many over there who don’t hear from home, when they are handed your stocking or treat bag, they are personally hearing from you. They are hearing from someone back home…This is a way for them to be personally handed something tangible from home… A way to say, ‘I appreciate what you are doing, we are thinking about you and praying for you.”

Manns stressed the importance of following the packaging instructions due to weight limitations and shipping cost. Manns also noted donors may contribute $1 to $2 to help offset shipping costs. Last year a total of 400 stockings were reportedly collected during Treasures for Troops.

“Every stocking and treat bag is a soldier who hears from home. Christmas is so hard for them, its horrible for them. They miss their families. Every bag represents someone who cares about them from home, someone who is thinking of them,” explained Manns. 

For a complete list of instructions, or for more information about Treasures for Troops, contact Manns at (260) 352-2678 or srmanns@frontier.com, or go to the group’s Facebook page.

Halcomb, Devante M.

Devante Michael Halcomb, 20, Plymouth, has been arrested by Plymouth Police on a charge of child molesting, a level 3 felony.

Plymouth Police Det. Sgt. Leo Mangus reports on Oct. 26, the department received a report regarding sexual activity involving a 13-year-old female and Halcomb. The investigation revealed two sexual encounters had taken place in Plymouth on Oct. 6 and Oct. 11.

Halcomb was located and interviewed Monday afternoon before being booked into the Marshall County Jail.

His bond has been set at $50,000 cash.

(Photo provided by Indiana Department of Natural Resources)

Indiana Conservation Officers responded to calls for help in the area of 1200 North 400 East around 6:30 tonight in Pierceton.

Richard Dixon, 67, Warsaw, just finished his hunt. As he climbed down from his tree stand, the stand collapsed and he fell. Dixon was able to use his cell phone to call for help. Indiana Conservation Officer Nick Vandermolen located Dixon in the woods and was able to help stabilize him and get him to waiting emergency medical personnel.

Dixon was transported to Lutheran Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. Pierceton Fire, first responders and Multi-Township EMS assisted Indiana Conservation Officers on the scene.

Indiana Conservation Officers are continuing to investigate this incident.  Dixon was not wearing a safety harness which may have prevented the fall. In 2012 and 2013 a total of 46 falls from tree stands resulted in serious injuries, two of which were fatal. There have been six falls from tree stands this month alone in Indiana. This makes falls from tree stands the number one cause of injury and death while hunting in our state. Indiana Conservation Officers would like you to please wear your safety harness while hunting from elevated positions.

Candy Chamness

Candy S. Chamness, 33, 202 W. Washington St., Syracuse, has entered a plea agreement with Kosciusko Circuit Court. Chamness appeared for a pre-trial hearing Monday afternoon at which time the plea agreement was presented to the court.

She was arrested on Aug. 22 on charges of neglect of a dependent, a class A felony and reckless homicide, class C felony. The charges stem from the June 28 death of her 12-year-old son, Skyler Spore. His death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning. (See related: Parents charged in boy’s death)

The plea agreement states she would enter a plea of guilty to reckless homicide, class C felony. The charge of neglect of a dependent would be dismissed.

Judge Michael Reed took the matter under advisement. Reed will decide at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, if he will accept the plea.

If accepted the initial executed sentence cannot exceed four years. Any sentence imposed exceeding that time would be suspended and she be placed on probation. However should there be any violation of the terms of probation, the remainder of the sentence would be imposed.

During Tuesday evening’s Warsaw Common Council meeting, Warsaw Street Department Superintendent Jeff Beeler stressed the importance of the city trying to move toward utilizing a process called pavement preservation. Beeler described the process as “using different methods to extend the initial investment of a roadway.”

A Warsaw street prior to pavement preservation. (Photo Provided)

The proposed method involves scrapping Warsaw’s previous use of hot mix, that has a cost of about $110,000 a mile, for a new method that, according to Beeler’s presentation, has the same longevity yet is 60 percent less expensive. Beeler explained he was given free product to test the new method.

Late last week, the street department applied the pavement preservation method to La Vista Drive, Dogwood Drive and Short Ridge Drive. Residents in the neighborhood were notified in advance, and the project was completed in a timely manner. After finishing paving in the area of La Vista Drive, the street department had some left over materials, and Beeler decided to do some work on Baker and Leedy streets on Warsaw’s south side.

Pam Knipsel, a resident of the area, voiced her displeasure at the meeting that she and her neighbors shared in not being informed of the changes being made to their streets. She explained that there was just a layer of coating covered in stone, but not sealed again on the top, causing the bits of stone to shoot up from rotating tires when driven on.

A Warsaw street in the process of having pavement preservation methods applied.

Beeler iterated that the majority of the stray stones have been swept and will continue to be swept through the year until oil is available again to seal the top layer. Beeler went on to explain that pavement preservation methods on city streets would buy the city time until the necessary funding is available to do full-scale road projects in the Herscher Addition and other areas of the city.

According to Beeler, this would ultimately save everyone money without sacrificing the quality or longevity of the product. Beeler and Mayor Joe Thallemer both apologized for not ensuring that there was ample notification given to the residents of the streets prior to the maintenance. Giving examples of nearby towns that have already adopted his proposed method, Beeler noted that it is time to educate both the community and the city council in the hopes of gaining support for his effort.

Beeler ended his presentation by stating, “I’m proud of what I do, I’m proud of who I do it for. I came in here with a goal, to have the best roads in Indiana. I want to challenge you, I have to have your help to form a timeline. A goal without a timeline is a dream, and we don’t drive on dreams, we drive on roads.” Despite the displeasure voiced by Knipsel, Thallemer expressed that the lively discussion had helped in bringing the proposed project to the attention of other Warsaw Common Council members, stating, “I think the process has been brought to the surface.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s growing national reputation as a state that works for business has received another boost. Indiana ranks 8 overall in the Tax Foundation’s 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index, up from 10 in 2014, and remains the top state in the Midwest for business tax competitiveness.

“Here in Indiana, companies can count on a stable business climate that encourages their growth and success,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Since day one, we’ve focused on streamlining government and cutting taxes for Hoosier workers and businesses. By making things simpler, we’re not just building on our reputation through national rankings—we’re attracting businesses from around the world that are creating thousands of new jobs right here in a state that works for business.”

The Index, now in its eleventh edition, measures how each state structures its tax code by analyzing more than 100 tax variables in five different categories: corporate, individual income, sales, property and unemployment insurance taxes. The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax research group based in Washington, D.C., presents the Index annually as a tool for lawmakers, businesses and individuals to gauge how their states’ tax systems compare. States can move down in the Index for overly complex, burdensome and economically harmful tax codes, but can move up for transparent and neutral tax codes that do not distort business decisions.

Indiana’s ranking makes it the only Midwestern state in the publication’s top 10. Looking at nearby states, Michigan ranked 13, Kentucky ranked 26, Ohio ranked 44, Illinois ranked 31, Wisconsin ranked 43, Minnesota ranked 47 and Iowa ranked 41.

The Tax Foundation’s report is the latest in a series of national accolades Indiana has received for its pro-business climate. Indiana’s business environment recently scored a top 10 finish nationally, including best in the Midwest, in Area Development’s 2014 Top States for Doing Business Survey and ranked seventh in the Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2014 study. Also, Indiana was recognized in August as the state with the best business climate in the Midwest and fifth best nationally in Business Facilities’ 2014 State Rankings Report.

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corp., Inside INdiana Business