MONDAY October 14, 2013
County Seat
Winners
Scare on the Square returns
Common Grace 5K and 1-mile Love Run held
Page A3
High School Football Sectional pairings announced Page B1
Page A2
Weather Partly cloudy skies today with a high of 66 and an overnight low of 49. Page A8
Serving Noble & LaGrange Counties
Kendallville, Indiana
GOOD MORNING Federal benefits to rise only slightly WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second straight year, millions of Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees can expect historically small increases in their benefits come January. Preliminary figures suggest a benefit increase of roughly 1.5 percent, which would be among the smallest since automatic increases were adopted in 1975, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. Next year’s raise will be small because consumer prices, as measured by the government, haven’t gone up much in the past year. The exact size of the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, won’t be known until the Labor Department releases the inflation report for September. That was supposed to happen Wednesday, but the report was delayed indefinitely because of the partial government shutdown. The COLA is usually announced in October to give Social Security and other benefit programs time to adjust January payments. The Social Security Administration has given no indication that raises would be delayed because of the shutdown, but advocates for seniors said the uncertainty was unwelcome. Social Security benefits have continued during the shutdown. More than one-fifth of the country is waiting for the news. Nearly 58 million retirees, disabled workers, spouses and children get Social Security benefits. The average monthly payment is $1,162. A 1.5 percent raise would increase the typical monthly payment by about $17.
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Classifieds.................................B6-B8 Life..................................................... A6 Obituaries......................................... A4 Opinion .............................................B4 Sports.........................................B1-B3 Weather............................................ A8 TV/Comics .......................................B5 Vol. 104 No. 283
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Man killed in Angola fight Suspect in stabbing death remains at large ANGOLA — A 31-year-old man was killed Saturday night on Washington Street in Angola. Police were called to a fight around 9:30 p.m. and found
Wilbur Renshaw lying in the road bleeding, said a news release from Angola Police Department. He was taken several blocks to Cameron Memorial Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy will be performed at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne to determine the cause of death, the release said. The suspect in the apparent stabbing is Kenneth Fletcher, 41. He is at large and is being sought
by police. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call the Angola Police Department at Fletcher 665-2121. Numerous police units sealed off the 400 block of Washington Street and worked throughout Saturday
evening and early morning hours Sunday on the investigation. Little information was available Sunday about the investigation. A neighbor said Renshaw lived in the nearby apartment complex. Angola police were assisted by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Orland Town Marshal, Angola Fire Department, Indiana Conservation Officers and the Steuben County Coroner’s Office.
Budget deal falters
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans and Democrats hit an impasse Sunday over spending in their last-ditch struggle to avoid an economy-jarring default in just four days and end a partial government shutdown that’s entering its third week. After inconclusive talks between President Barack Obama and House Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Leader PATRICK REDMOND Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took charge in trying to end the crises, Carol Meeks, wife of former Indiana State seen a larger number of people request food although a conversation Sunday Trooper and Indiana State Senator Robert and clothing this fall, and is preparing for more afternoon failed to break the Meeks, volunteers at the LaGrange County heading into the holiday season. stalemate. Clothes and Food Basket. The organization has “I’m optimistic about the prospects for a positive conclusion to the issues before this country today,” Reid said as the Senate wrapped up a rare Sunday session. The two cagy negotiators are at loggerheads over Democratic demands to undo or change the Video at kpcnews.com BY PATRICK REDMOND automatic, across-the-board predmond@kpcmedia.com spending cuts to domestic and Carol Meeks LAGRANGE — Even though defense programs that the GOP see shares more the trees have just started to turn as crucial to reducing the nation’s about the LAGRANGE COUNTY their autumn colors, the people deficit. LaGrange who run the LaGrange County McConnell insisted a solution County Clothes Clothes and Food Basket already was readily available in the and Food are thinking about Christmas. where food is available, such as Basket in video proposal from a bipartisan group “We have to,” said Carol some of the churches, but we’re of 12 senators, led by Sens. at kpcnews. Meeks, a longtime volunteer at the the only place in the county where com. Scan the QR code to watch it Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joe organization. The volunteers at the we have clothes and food. And it’s on your tablet or smartphone. Manchin, D-W.Va., that would food basket are concerned they all free.” re-open the government and fund might be in for another big holiday For Meeks, the wife of former it at current levels for six months season this year. Indiana State Trooper and Indiana while raising the debt limit through The LaGrange County Clothes State Senator Robert Meeks, her shadow. Jan. 31. and Food Basket is one of few work at the local charity is the After retiring from her job as “It’s time for Democrat leaders resources in the county that both centerpiece of a very philanthropic the LaGrange County Superior to take ‘yes’ for an answer,” feeds and clothes those in need. life. In addition to working at Court reporter in 1991, Meeks McConnell said in a statement. According to Meeks, the organiza- the local charity, Meeks also has volunteered at the Clothes and But six Democrats in the group tion already has seen a busier than been active in her church and Food Basket during the Christmas and a spokesman for Collins said expected fall. in other women’s groups. But it season. Meeks said she was so that while negotiations continued “We’ve see a lot of people,” might be at the Clothes and Food taken by the work being done at this weekend, there was no she said. “We do have some places Basket where she casts the biggest SEE MEEKS, PAGE A8 agreement.
Meeting needs in LaGrange
Meeks helps community group provide food, clothes
NEIGHBORS
Four receive Mighty Oak awards BY JENNIFER DECKER jdecker@kpcmedia.com
BRUSHY PRAIRIE — Four individuals deeply involved in the Prairie Heights Schools each received Mighty Oak Awards at Sunday’s annual Heritage Festival. Those receiving the award were Alice Bremer, Hillard Gayheart, Bob Ledgerwood and Pat Long. The awards are given based on nominations to those considered well rounded in the Prairie Heights community. “The Heritage Festival always stirs the memories of what our community was founded on,” said Prairie Heights Schools Superintendent Alan Middleton. The Heritage Festival, held at the school farm, offers activities, food, entertainment, vendors and hayrides, while celebrating all things related to Prairie Heights and its award-winning FFA program. SEE OAKS, PAGE A8
BOB BUTTGEN
Making rainbows At the 5th annual “Pumpkin Charlie’s Safe Kids Day,” held Saturday at the Fashion Farm complex near Ligonier, dozens of youngsters had a chance to operate a real fire hose. Members of the Ligonier
Fire Department were on hand, along with other local police, fire and EMS crews, demonstrating equipment from their departments and offering safety tips for kids and their families.