The Mail-Journal - October 26, 2022

Three seats available on Plain Township Advisory Board

Four candidates are seeking seats on the three-member Plain Township advisory board in the general election to be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Gaynor Worden is the lone Democrat on the ballot, joining Greg Anderson, Robert Bishop and Larry Kammerer. Incumbents Bishop and Kammerer have served as advisory board members for 16 and four years, respectively.

Voters will have the option to vote for up to three candidates on their ballot, with the top three vote-getters earning seats on the board.

Following are brief profiles and statements provided by each candidate, listed in alphabetical order.

Greg Anderson Anderson, 43, was born and raised as part of a family of nine in Leesburg. He is a member of the Leesburg Lions Club, NRA and American Legion Post 49.

“It would be my honor to give back and serve the community I have grown up in,” Anderson said. “I am aware of the uncertain times we live in. I am running because conservative leaders need to step up and lead to protect our conservative values.

“Silence is loud. I felt it’s my responsibility to give back to my own community, to help it continue to be the community I’m so proud to be a part of.

“I have reached out to several of the current township board members and respectfully told them I am just here to serve in any way I can. I want to come

Five candidates seek secretary of state seat

Five candidates are seeking the Indiana Secretary of State seat. Destiny Scott-Wells is a Democrat, Jeffrey Maurer is a Libertarian, and Diego Morales is a Republican. David Wetterer (Green Party)

and Andrew Straw (Disability Party) are both write-in candidates in the general election.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Destiny Scott-Wells She grew up in Morgan County. She attend Indiana University and is a U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. She enlisted in the Army

National Guard and later joined Army ROTC. She was deployed to Afghanistan in 2016-2017. She is a military intelligence officer.

Outside of the military, she is a lawyer and an entrepreneur. She’s worked at all levels of government — local, state, federal

Democrat, Libertarian challenge incumbent State Auditor Tera Klutz

Three candidates are seeking the position of state auditor: the current auditor, Tera Klutz, ZeNai Brooks and John Schick.

The incumbent, Klutz, is a Republican. Brooks is a Democrat, and Schick is a Libertarian. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Tera Klutz

Prior to becoming auditor, Klutz served as the county auditor in Allen County. First elected in 2010 and again in 2014, Klutz streamlined local government processes, reduced debt and maintained a balanced budget with responsible reserves. Between 2013 and 2016, Klutz was very active in the Association of Indiana Counties’ Legislative Committee, serving as the

Two seek office of state treasurer

Both the Republican and Democrat parties have nominated general election candidates for the office of Indiana State Treasurer. On the Republican side, Daniel Elliott, chairman of the Morgan County Republicans, has been selected, while the Democrats have chosen Monroe County Treasurer Jessica McClellan.

Daniel Elliott Elliott presently serves as chairman of the Morgan County

Republican Party, which is located just southwest of the Indianapolis metro area. He also is president of the Morgan County Redevelopment Commission, a former Morgan County councilman and owner of a software company in Martinsville. He and his wife, Laura, share four children.

As president of the Morgan County Redevelopment Commission, Elliott works to create economic development opportunities in Morgan County. Serving his community in this role,

Halloween weekend

The following is a list of Halloween events that will take place over the upcoming weekend: Milford Trick-or-Treat, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, town of Milford. Trunk-or-Treat, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, Kosciusko Masonic Lodge 418 parking lot, 404 W. Syracuse St. North Webster Trunk-or-Treat, 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, North Webster Church of God, 302

N. Main St. Trick-or-Treat, 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, town of North Webster.

Syracuse Creature Crawl fun run and walk, registration at 4 p.m., beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive. $25 per person for the 5K run and $15 per person for the 1-mile walk. Early registration is available at runreg.com/creaturecrawl or Syracuse Community Center.

Trick-or-Treat Trail hosted by Syracuse Parks and Recreation, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Lakeside Park. To participate, contact the Syracuse Community Center at (574) 457-3440.

The Wizard of Oz Halloween trick-or-treat program, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, Syracuse Public Library children’s department, 115 E. Main St.

Trick-or-Treat, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, town of Syracuse.

Milford Council explores fixes for economic shortfalls

Milford Town Council held a special administrative meeting Monday, Oct. 24, during which members questioned LWG Consultant Jim Higgins on how best to maintain economic stability in the years to come.

Specific concerns included how to pay for a new fire truck and the Milford Police Department, which faces a roughly $200,000 budget

deficit in 2023.

“You’ve got needs and funding and there’s a gap,” observed Higgins, “so you’re in the same boat as just about every community around the state.”

While the town’s revenues are mostly fixed, with funding coming from property taxes capped at a 5% levy growth, current inflation is 4%-8%. “Levy growth is eaten up by rising costs,” said Higgins, who added the situation has become exacerbated in recent years by the

state cutting back on motor vehicle and highway funding to towns and capping the gas tax, which also goes to towns.

According to Higgins, many towns are able to use utilities revenue to fund other departments; however, as council member Ken Long noted, Milford just recently adjusted rates to bring utilities back into balance. “We aren’t in the best shape to begin with.”

On the plus side, said Higgins,

on page

Milford Middle School — ‘there is something in the water’

Wawasee School Board held a work session Tuesday, Oct. 25, at which 24 patrons spoke in favor of keeping Milford Middle School open.

Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer opened the session with a presentation on the growing inequity between Wawasee Middle School and Milford Middle School.

Milford Middle School has been operating for 32 years and in that time, there has been one

formal discussion about closing the school. That occurred in 2016 following a climate audit. Deliberation on the school’s functionality has continued ever since.

Two disclosures were announced before data was presented: Dr. Troyer assured that Milford Elementary will remain open regardless of what becomes of the middle school, and bus transportation times will stay relatively the same.

Dr. Troyer provided a comparison of programs that showed the educational variation between

the schools in which the core program is the only one to be offered equally in both schools.

Only Wawasee Middle School students have access to Project Lead The Way, which consists of pre-engineering and biomedical sciences, an alternative learning program, athletics, drama club, the planetarium, the pool and the greenhouse.

A family and consumer science class is available to all Wawasee Middle School students for a full year, but only a nineweek course is offered at Mil-

County seeks grant for family court attorneys

More

are going

cases in Kosciusko

may soon have help from special attorneys.

At its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Kosciusko County Commissioners approved a request from Kosciusko Superior Court 4 Judge Chris Kehler to apply for a $72,000 grant.

The grant would cover the cost of salaries of the attorneys, with each one known as a guardian ad litem. They’re “similar to a CASA (court appointed special advocate),” said Kehler. “They are attorneys who are appointed by the court to assist in mostly high conflict custody cases,

time cases involving

who do not have … the

Milford Council

the council has been fiscally responsible, paying cash and remaining “debt averse.” However, he suggested the town may need to look into lease purchases on town vehicles in the future.

“Where do you think your biggest needs are?” asked Higgins. Long responded with the need for a new fire truck and the police department being $200,000 over budget in 2023.

As to the fire truck, Long said the council saw “what a difference 15 months makes.” The trucks are on 20-year cycles, and Van Buren Township recently purchased a pumper truck for around $480,000. The same truck is now quoted at roughly $750,000 with a six- to eight-month wait. Additionally, the town has been unable to obtain price guarantees, so the price could go up when the time comes to pay.

On the bright side, Higgins found the town saves for such purchases with the cumulative capital development funds, currently accruing $17,500 per year; however, this fund has not been reestablished at the full 5% levy. He recommended the town do so and also “chase a grant.”

He also recommended the town consider purchasing the truck on

a lease and use the Indiana Bond Bank, which gets quotes from 12 banks around the state. This way, he said, if “something critical” arises, the town is “not at zero.” Plus, when the full 5% enters town coffers in 2024, it could consider prepaying. “We see a lot of communities using lease purchases to have flexibility on how to deploy cash.”

Council President Doug Ruch, a 43-year veteran of the fire department, pointed out that as expensive as a new truck is, it is far cheaper than if the town had to support a paid fire department. Milford has a 29-member volunteer staff at a time when most towns need to resort to paid staff.

Higgins also informed the council that if it waited for prices to go down on a new fire truck, he did not think Milford’s ISO rating would be adversely affected, because of the township’s new truck.

Long added that Milford Fire Department “takes very good care of their equipment. We’re fortunate for that.”

Higgins also suggested the town consider setting a budget for capital improvements based on five-year analysis, while issuing three-year general obligation bonds to pay for its needs.

Three seats available

alongside incumbent members running and continue to keep the taxes as low as possible for the township, and using current taxes in the most efficient way.

“I will continue in supporting our Leesburg firemen and EMS in having the best equipment and qualified staff needed to protect our community safely and effectively. I’m willing to work and dedicate my time for our township.”

Robert Bishop

With the exception of two years, Bishop has lived in Plain Township his whole life. He is a farmer and an active member of the Leesburg Lions Club and other Kosciusko County organizations.

“I’ve served as chairman of the advisory board for 16 years,” Bishop said. “I have a good idea of the many things we have done in the past and projects we have planned for the future of Plain Township.

“The advisory board has taken over the maintenance of all cemeteries in the township and has paved all the streets in Leesburg and Oswego cemeteries. The advisory board plans to erect tornado sirens in the township to help protect citizens from severe weather.

“I’ve strived to keep our tax rate as low as possible and not overspend on any projects. I think we as a board have done that, as our tax rate is one the lowest in Kosciusko County.

“We’ve provided the most affordable EMS service through Lutheran EMS. Our volunteer fire department is one of the best in the county. We thank them for the many hours they spend in training and taking care of our township citizens. We’ve provided them with the most up-to-date equipment available. I plan to continue providing them with the best equipment.”

Larry Kammerer Kammerer has served one term on the Plain Township advisory board. Additionally, he has served on the county extension board, 4-H Council, pork producers board and church boards. He has been a farmer for 50 years and been responsible for the financial matters of the farm. Born and raised in Plain Township, he and wife, Kay, have three children and seven grandchildren. They are members of Wawasee Community Bible Church in Milford.

“Serving on the township advisory board is a way for me to give back to the community,” said Kammerer. “Our township is in good financial

Five candidates seek

and the multi-national level with NATO. As an attorney, she has been an associate corporation counsel for Indianapolis and Marion County, and deputy attorney general for Indiana.

She is married to Oliver, who is a military intelligence lieutenant colonel in the Indiana Army National Guard. They have two sons, Owen, 11, and Harrison, 2.

For more information, visit wellsforindiana.com.

Jeff Maurer

He was born in New York. He began serving in the U.S. Air Force in

Gates to be opened for Tippecanoe Lake

As per state guidelines, starting Nov. 1, the gate at the Tippecanoe Control Structure will be opened and adjusted for a lower winter level for Tippecanoe Lake. In the spring, on April 1, 2023, the gate will be closed and adjusted for the summer water level of Tippecanoe Lake.

2020. Maurer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington University, St. Louis.

His career experience includes working as an entrepreneur and he is development officer for Students

For Liberty. Maurer has also been a budget manager and worked in the technology, transportation and finance sectors.

A Carmel resident, he is affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Indiana. He is currently enlisted in the Indiana Air National Guard.

For more information, visit maurerforindiana.com.

Andrew Straw

Straw founded the Disability Party in Indiana Feb. 5, 2013. Straw’s professional background includes being the founder and president of the Indiana Center for Excellence in Government. He has also worked as a disability rights attorney. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar Diversity Conference.

Straw also worked as the statistical analyst for the Indiana Supreme Court, where he collected and analyzed data for Indiana trial courts with a focus on disabilities

Reminder: Wawasee School Board Candidate Forum

The Wawasee Community Educators Association and Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees will be hosting a school board candidate forum from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the Wawasee Middle School Lecture Room.

The event is open to the public

and will give community members an opportunity to hear the candidates address important issues pertaining to the role of a school board member. Candidates will be asked questions by a moderator and will be given a two-minute time limit to respond. This event is not a debate.

Turning to the police department, Gall said the coming $200,000 deficit is “primarily driven by salary and benefits.”

Higgins said he believed the state assembly will be offering more money for school resource officers in the forms of grants. It was also noted the town pays for Milford’s SRO, not Wawasee School Corporation.

The group then discussed ways of saving money in the future. Higgins was surprised to learn about the number of services the town offers at no cost to residents, such as leaf pickup and trash collection.

“If you’re paying for trash collection you’re one of the last,” Higgins stated.

The town can still offer residents “economy of scale” by transferring the cost. In other words, the cost would still be much lower than if residents were paying the company individually.

A brief discussion was also held on ways the TIF district, Milford Redevelopment Commission, may pick up some costs in future by, as Ruch suggested, figuring the amount TIF should pay based on the acreage receiving services.

“We’re trying to look at every possible option,” said Long.

shape and our tax rate is one of the lower ones in the county. Our fire department has really good equipment and we are starting to put up tornado sirens in our township.

“I want to keep a low tax rate, good fire department and see our siren project to completion. Our main responsibility is taking care of the finances of the township. One of our major budget items is the fire department.

“I’ve had a good working relationship with the fire chiefs the last four years. If we have issues in the fire department or the cemetery, I always try to be available to sit down and help solve the problem.”

Gaynor Worden

Retired, Worden has lived in Kosciusko County for nearly 40 years. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the board in 2018.

“This is a Republican county and I am just tired of not seeing a Democrat on the ballot,” Worden said during that first campaign.

“My father was on the advisory board in another area. I just think it is something I can do. I don’t know that I am not any better or worse than anybody else.

“I have nothing against Republicans but I think it is time to have

in the judicial system. He previously co-chaired the committee on education of bench and bar for the Virginia State Bar Task Force on Technology, worked as a law clerk for the Hon. Joseph E. Spruill Jr. in Virginia’s 15th judicial district, and served as the assistant dean for international programs at the Indiana University-Maurer School of Law.

Straw is a columnist for Democracy Chronicles. Straw has two children.

David Wetterer

Wetterer was born in Indianapolis. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana State University in 2008. Upon graduation, he worked in a wide array of retail and warehouse jobs. For more information, visit davidwetterer.com.

Diego Morales

He has a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from Indiana University, a master’s in international business administration from Tilburg University, and a master’s in business administration from Purdue University.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Morales has served as director of intergovernmental affairs in the office of the Indiana Secretary of State and was a senior advisor to former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R).

Morales has also served as a business development executive with The Free Enterprise System, Inc. and as chief business development officer for the Sodrel Holding Companies. For more information, visit diego4indiana.com.

Lakeland Sewer District Board discusses rate ordinance

Lakeland Sewer District Board of Trustees discussed the rate ordinance and voided two customer bills at the Wednesday, Oct. 19, meeting.

Randy Cripe said he received a bill of $776.66 to replace a damaged lid. He had issues with the functionality of the system and as a result of the damaged lid, the grinder had to be opened to resolve the issue.

Cripe said the damage to the lid occurred prior to his purchase of the home, but as nothing was mentioned to him at the time of purchase, he thought the system was still perfectly functional. He was able to present the board photos he took prior to purchasing the home, which he always did as a precaution, proving the damage was done before he took ownership.

Cripe stated he could visibly see the lid was cracked and was aware of it, but assumed it was reported by the previous owner and the system wasn’t affected. After telling Cripe the lids and grinders aren’t routinely checked without reason or report and a disclosure obligation at the time of purchase would not include this issue, the board opted to rescind the charge.

Larry, no last name given, spoke in representation of Lake Estates, which received a bill of $2,200 for repairs of damage resulting from a storm. Larry stated that since they did not cause the damage and it was an act of God, they should not be liable.

The board deliberated on the issue, and as the ordinance states the property owner must pay for damage if they cause it, the

board must honor the flip side of that — if a property owner is not responsible for the damage, they are not required to pay for it. The charge for Lakeland Estates was rescinded.

During his treasurer’s report, Mike DeWald expressed that the district is financially in good standing except for maintenance costs, as there is actively a steady increase.

Jeff Rowe of Baker Tilly presented a rate study and financial recommendations to ensure that the board is on track for the prospective 2023 budget plan. The rate study included a comparison to surrounding sewer districts that revealed even though the other systems were built prior to the Lakeland district system, nearly all of them had higher rates.

A multi-phase rate increase of 12% was proposed, allowing the board to raise the rate over an extended period of time rather than all at once. The new proposed rate is still lower than the statewide average and below some of the other rates in the area.

As the rate between the 2016

Democrat, Libertarian

ages the Indiana Transparency Portal to provide Hoosiers an easily accessible and in-depth look at Indiana’s finances and assets. In addition, she created an internal controls department to review and document the processes within the office to reduce the risk of misstatement and opportunities for fraud.

Klutz has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne. She is a member of Indiana CPA Society, and American Institute of CPAs.

She and her husband, Zach, have two daughters, Alyx and Julian. Visit teraklutz.com for more information.

ZeNai Brooks

Brooks is a CPA, author and pastor’s wife with extensive business and civic experience. She has combined her passion for community advocacy and her professional career as the con-

troller of the corporate responsibility function of Cummins, a Fortune 200 company and treasurer of the related foundation, which provides funding to grassroots initiatives and strategic programs around the world.

An Indianapolis resident, she also serves as a board member for The Indiana CPA Society and is the central region president and national director with the National Association of Black Accountants, among others.

In 2021, she was identified as a “40 under 40 Black” CPA award winner. She’s also been awarded the INCPAS’ Building Bridges to the Profession, and is NABA’s Frank Ross Outstanding Member.

Visit votezenai.com for more information.

John Schick

Schick is the Libertarian candidate. A Chesterton resident, Schick has an undergraduate degree in computer science. He’s a

Two seek office

he says he has learned the importance of developing infrastructure for local communities.

As a county councilman, Elliott joined his fellow councilmen in leading a county government of more than 350 employees. He has seen firsthand the challenges local elected officials face.

After many years working as a software architect in the technology sector, Elliott started his own software company.

“I know first-hand the needs our rural counties face when it comes to ensuring that we have broadband across our state,” he said. “Moreover, as the owner of a small business, I know very much the need for government transparency and cutting through the red tape of government bureaucracy.”

Elliott has served as the chairman of the Morgan County Republican party for nearly nine years.

Elliott’s three main platform goals include:

1. Promoting economic development by working to find opportunities to grow Indiana’s $8-9 billion investment portfolio.

2. Defending against cyber attacks by working with local, state and federal officials to ensure that sensitive data is secure.

3. Ensuring government transparency, including streamlining

operations to ensure services are accessible to local governments and individuals.

More information can be found at danielelliott.org.

Jessica McClellan McClellan was raised in Waukegan, Ill. She came to Indiana University in 1996 and graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

In 2017, she was elected Monroe County Treasurer, where she serves as the chief investment officer and tax collector for the 12th largest Indiana county and the 11th largest county budget. She also serves as secretary of the Monroe County Board of Finance and sits on the Monroe County Internal Controls Committee.

McClellan previously served in the Monroe County commissioners’ and assessor’s offices, gaining valuable experience in serving constituents across a variety of needs. After her election she quickly set to work modernizing the treasurer’s office. She works to improve communications with customers through better website transparency and outreach.

“I am proud to be working with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to connect taxpayers with grants for mortgage and property tax payments,” she said. “The Indiana Homeowners Assistance Fund received $167 million in federal

adoption and present has been fairly consistent, the board is allowed to raise the rate significantly from the present cost, but does not plan to do so. The increase is to help offset the rising costs of maintenance, materials and other expenditures, not overcharge users because it is within their legal ability.

Bill Boyle, DLZ Corporation, presented the engineering report and referenced the rising costs of material, stating, “For example, aluminum for walkways, stairs and things like that, on Aug. 1 the cost was X. Now it is 4X. So if it was $100, it is now $400 for that same piece of aluminum.”

The board did not come to a concrete decision how they plan to raise the rates, but they do not expect it to be before the new year. As the vast majority of users are probably aware of the surging costs across the nation, the board is not overly concerned about conflict from raising the rates and believes users will not be caught by surprise. They plan to continue discussion and planning at the next meeting on Nov. 16.

management consultant with an MBA from Indiana University.

“I think the auditor of state should be independent of the two old political parties that make spending decisions. I think the execution of decisions made by the legislature should be overseen without bias and the consequences of those decisions should be reported to the legislature and to the public so they can make good decisions,” according to his profile at voteusa.org.

If elected, he said, “The top priority is to keep the office running smoothly and continue to expand the information available through the transparency portal at www.in.gov. I would focus on using more press releases to inform the legislature and public of politically motivated state spending.”

He is married to Melissa, and they have three children: Andrew, Mark and Cadell.

funding to assist homeowners who were negatively affected by COVID-19. Monroe County has had 24 applications, 4 approved applications and $25,323.60 disbursed.”

An active member of her community, McClellan is the vice president of the Indiana County Treasurer’s Association, a member of the Association of Indiana Counties Education Committee and in her seventh year as a board member of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, where she has served as treasurer for the past three years.

She served as vice chair and treasurer of the Monroe County Democratic Party and is a former treasurer of the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana. A graduate of the Indiana Democratic Party Emerging Leaders program, she also has completed three different citizen engagement programs in Bloomington.

McClellan lives in Bloomington with her wife — a human resources administrator — and two children.

McClellan’s four main platform goals include:

1. Increasing educational attainment in Indiana by increasing investment in the state-backed 529 College Savings Plan.

2. Decreasing Hoosiers’ dependence on payday loans and high interest predatory lending.

3. Serving more units of government with pooled investing and financing.

4. Creating a state-backed retirement investment pool for working Hoosiers who have no retirement plans through work. Further information can be found at jessicaforindiana.com.

Paul Beezley U.S. Army Veteran

Born in North Webster on Feb. 9, 1938, Paul was the son of Eugene and Esther Henwood. He spent his formative years in the Syracuse area and was a 1957 graduate of Syracuse High School. On Aug. 31, 1958, he was united in marriage to M. Jill Largen; she preceded him in passing in September 2004.

Paul was an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army, having earned the rank of corporal. While in the Army, Paul worked in artillery maintenance. This was a natural fit for him as he was very handy and could fix almost anything.

Paul was a hard worker. He farmed, drove a truck and worked in a trailer factory. He owned and operated a U-Lock storage facility. He is best remembered for his roles as a bus driver and as a handyman. Paul drove a school bus for more than 30 years for Wawasee School Corporation and loved to drive for sporting events, especially for the basketball team. He was also self-employed as a handyman; many knew him as “Paul the Builder.”

Paul was a straightforward person with a good sense of humor. He was ornery and fun-loving and rarely knew a stranger. In his younger years, he raced boats and was very active in North Webster American Legion, where he was past commander. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Cromwell, and a Shriner. He enjoyed golf, playing cards and games, rooting for IU Men’s Basketball and wintered in Florida for many years. Paul dedicated himself to the care of McClintic Cemetery and spent many hours caring for the grounds over the years.

In addition to his wife of more than 46 years, Jill Beezley, Paul was preceded in passing by his parents, Eugene and Esther Henwood; by his birth parents, Leroy and Evelyn Knafel Beezley; by two sons, Jeff and Chris Beezley; and by a sister, Devonna.

He is survived by daughter, Kim Buhrt-Van Lue (husband, Dave) of Syracuse; two granddaughters, Beth Klaassen (husband, Matt) of Warsaw and Jodi Groover (husband, Rob); grandson, Christopher Beezley of Syracuse; and Paul’s loving companion of more than 18 years, Beth Skaggs. He is also survived by four greatgrandchildren, Quinn, Kaden, Colton and Caitlin; three sisters, Ginger, Cheryl and Betty; and a brother, Bobby.

Titus Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of Paul. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Wawasee Lakeside Chapel Church, 10419 N. Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse, with Pastor Brad Cox officiating. Burial to follow at McClintic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has strongly encouraged memorial gifts be given to a food pantry of the donor’s choosing or to Turkey Creek Fire Territory with envelopes available at the funeral home and church.

Written condolences may be left for the family at www.titusfuneralhome.com.

Marlene M. Davis

Longtime Member Of Bethany Church Of The Brethren

Marlene M. Davis, Warsaw, passed away unexpectedly in her home on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. She was 82 years old.

Born in Goshen on May 4, 1940, Marlene was the daughter of Marlond J. and Esther M. (Roberts) Kirkdorffer. She was a 1958 graduate of New Paris High School and was married in New Paris to Don Davis, who most knew as “Steve” on April 23, 1961. The pair shared more than 60 years together before his passing in August 2021.

Marlene learned the value of hard work at an early age, working as a carhop at her parents’ New Paris drive-in. She also worked as a dental assistant, as a property manager on Lake Wawasee, as the office manager for Land O’Goshen in New Paris, at Clayton Garden Center and at Laketronics.

Marlene was a longtime member of Bethany Church of the Brethren, New Paris, where she taught Sunday School and was a song leader. She also attended Wawasee Lakeside Chapel, Syracuse. She enjoyed bowling and was with the Todd Realty league team for some time. She also enjoyed visiting Florida, walking in her neighborhood and bicycle rides.

More than anything, Marlene loved her family. Those who survive include two children, Tonda (Jay) Kaiser, Milford, and Todd (Katrina) Davis, Warsaw; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Larry (Mary) Kirkdorffer, Milford, Ronnie (Jeanette) Kirkdorffer, New Paris, and Peggy Lockwood, Goshen.

In addition to her husband, Steve, she was preceded in passing by her parents.

Marlene’s care is entrusted to Titus Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Warsaw. Services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Pastor Brad Cox will officiate the service.

Memorial gifts may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choosing.

Written condolences may be left for the family at www.titusfuneralhome.com.

The Beauty Bar opens in North Webster

The North Webster-Tippecanoe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 25, at The Beauty Bar.

The owner is Megan Likens. She has been a hairstylist for eight years. She expanded to the new location in the summer and officially opened July 30. Prior to the new location, she did hair out of her home.

“I love doing hair,” said Likens, who, with help from friends and family, renovated a building on SR 13. “I am so grateful to the community.”

The salon offers:

• Haircuts/color/blonding.

• Spray tans.

• Facial waxing.

• Eyelash extensions.

• Manicures and pedicures.

• Teeth whitening.

• Skin services, such as chemical peels.

The salon also offers Kevin Murphy Salon products.

The Beauty Bar is located at 402

S. Main St., North Webster.

The salon’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday or by appointment.

For more information, call (574) 275-1410 or visit facebook.com/thebeautybarnwebster or Instagram.

Mature health matters

More than 36 million people report falling each year, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths.

One-third of seniors 65 years or older are among those who have fallen, and 25% of those who sustain a hip fracture die within a year.

No matter how often you say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” it doesn’t diminish the importance of the message.

The apple is among the weapons

available to help in the body’s ongoing battle against certain types of cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis, as well as battling headaches and viruses.

Garlic gets a bad rap because of its aromatic behavior after being eaten, but it offers antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, as do onions.

Avocados are found to boost the ability to absorb nutrients from other foods and are excellent sources of potassium.

Mature

County seeks grant

attorneys regarding the amount of time devoted to such cases. That would pay for two GALs a month, he said, which he admitted was “conservative,” but stems from figures in his court.

“In 2021 in Superior 4, we had 166 pending DC cases, divorce with children, and 1,511 pending JP cases, those are children of parents who were not married,” he said. “I appointed four GALs out of all those cases because only four families could afford it.”

“In 2022 through the end of September, we had a total of 1,841 cases. I had appointed six GALs,” said Kehler.

“You’ve got a need and there’s a remedy for it,” said Commissioner Bob Conley.

The commissioners approved his applying for the grant, 3-0.

Justice Center Equipment Commissioners also approved allowing Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed to apply for a reimbursable grant up to $50,000 for a court check-in information system.

That would be “basically TV monitors and then the software that supports that for all the courts to have their cases up on the big screens to hopefully assist people to get where they’re supposed to go,” said Reed.

Commissioners also approved that request, 3-0.

In other business, commissioners:

Approved supporting the Syra-

cuse-Wawasee Trail Committee in their applying for a K21 Health Foundation grant related to their trail system.

Approved a memorandum of understanding with Warsaw to put microwave equipment on a Warsaw radio tower as part of the county’s public safety tower communications project. “This would support the county’s 911 data link from dispatch to the central tower site,” said Kosciusko County Administrator Marsha McSherry.

Approved an agreement between the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission and county government for Kosciusko County Auditor Michelle Puckett to be controller and secretary for the KCCRVC.

Approved an agreement between county government and the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District for Puckett to be the controller for the district.

Approved 3-0 rezoning from agricultural to residential 7.11 acres of land along McKenna Road southwest of Irish Lake at the request of developers Kyle Coleman, Scott Marker and Scott Saylor with Emerald Pointe Development LLC. The Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission unanimously recommended the rezoning to the commissioners.

The commissioners’ next meeting is 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom. It’s one day earlier than usual, so the meeting does not fall on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Milford Middle

Continued from page 1 ford; choir is offered at Wawasee Middle School for a full year, but only nine weeks for Milford; and swimming is offered at Wawasee Middle School for nine weeks, but only two weeks at Milford.

There is a disproportionate number of opportunities between the schools, with Milford having significantly fewer programs and shorter class terms.

Dr. Troyer also stated some students who are not ready to be in a high ability or advanced course may still be added despite their lack of readiness as a result of scheduling conflicts. As the school administration struggles with staffing, they must create schedules in accordance with the teachers they have and what courses students need to be in.

Three of 11 teachers at Milford are utilizing an emergency permit, meaning they are teaching outside their respective fields, while only one of the 28 Wawasee Middle School teachers is operating with an emergency permit.

The Milford core class teachers are also teaching elective courses because of staffing difficulties.

The school corporation is currently spending $1,206 more per student at Milford than at Wawasee Middle School and 22% more in teacher costs at Milford. The prospective savings in the event of a merge would be $250,000-$400,000 annually, depending on the staffing needs as a unified school.

When the floor was opened to public comment, many community members echoed each other: There is truly something special about Milford Middle School.

There were also many references to skewed enrollment and staffing numbers attributable to COVID-19, that the student-to-

teacher ratios were not as drastic as they were presented to be and the drop in enrollment rates being a result of the ongoing discussion about closing Milford Middle School.

Among the 24 attendees who spoke were two students of Milford Middle School. They each expressed they did not understand why the only solution to the problems at hand is to close their school and stated they do not want that to happen.

Carolyn Zimmerman, resident of Milford, reminded the board that the Milford community needs to be advocated for and their voices need to be heard. “I have been a parent in this school system for 13 years and my voice has not been heard,” she stated.

Zimmerman and a few other speakers stated the board should table this discussion until after the new school board members are elected.

Laurie Dixon, Wawasee teacher, and Brent Berkeypile, Wawasee Middle School principal, expressed their love of Milford Middle School. While remaining fairly neutral whether to keep the school open, they expressed to the crowd that if the middle schools merge, Milford students will still be treated with the same love and respect.

Those who spoke had one collective message: Milford Middle School has done many good things for its students and for the community in the past and it can continue to do so if the board allows the school to stay open.

Dr. Troyer will take all comments into consideration before he presents an official recommendation to the board, which can be expected at the November or December school board meeting.

Paul Beezley, Syracuse, passed away in his residence Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. He was 84 years old.

Accidents/Incidents

Kosciusko County

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office investigated the following accidents and incidents:

Accidents

2:02 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, East CR 1000N, Syracuse. Driver: Loren Hershberger, 64, CR 1000N, Syracuse. Hershberger struck a parked vehicle in the driveway. Damage up to $5,000.

7:24 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, North Higbee Street, north of West Syracuse Street. Drivers: Ricky Storey, 32, Buckingham Street, Wayland, Mich.; and Maymie Ankrom, 54, Sixth Street, Goshen. Storey’s vehicle struck the back of Ankrom’s vehicle. Storey complained of leg pain and was taken to a hospital. Damage up to $25,000.

7:16 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, West CR 1350N, west of North CR 75W, Milford. Drivers: Kevin L. Harris, 63, West CR 200S, Warsaw; and Delmer H. Mongosa, 58, North Union City Road, Macy. Harris was traveling east on West CR 1350N when he sideswiped Mongosa’s vehicle. Damage up to $2,500.

10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, CR 300E and CR 700N, Warsaw. Driver: Theresa Antique, 60, EMS D17 Lane, Syracuse. Vehicle hit deer. Damage up to $5,000.

11:13 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, North East Wawasee Drive, south of East Waveland Cove, Syracuse.

Drivers: Ocxiel Sanchez, 26, East Joshua Drive, Warsaw; and Michael A. Konecny, 47, CR 8, Middlebury. Sanchez was traveling south on North East Wawasee Drive when his vehicle went left of center and hit Konecny’s vehicle. Damage up to $10,000.

Incidents

4:43 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, 11000 block SR 13, Syracuse. Elizabeth Helwig reported the theft of credit cards.

11:48 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 6000 block East CR 650N and EMS T51 Lane, Syracuse. Officers investigated a report of a vehicle accident resulting in property damage.

Milford

Officers with the Milford Police Department investigated the following accidents and incident: Accidents

3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, SR 15, north of CR 900N, Milford. Drivers: Kristen N. Werling, 33, North SR 15, Warsaw; and Tanya R. Reinhart, 50, North SR 15, Milford. Werling struck the back of Reinhart’s vehicle as she was at a stop preparing to turn. Reinhart reported back pain; both drivers were transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital for evaluation. Damage up to $25,000.

5:50 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 100 block South Higbee Street, Milford.

Driver: Nathan R. West, 37, East Beer Road, Milford. West backed into a parked vehicle registered to Kayla M. Yoder, CR 54, Nappanee. Damage up to $5,000.

Incident 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 100 N. Higbee Street and West Catherine Street, Milford. Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that had run a red light. Zenon Reyes-Diaz, 51, no address listed, was cited for a traffic violation and operating while never obtaining a license.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following accidents:

Accidents

4:06 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 500 block South Huntington Street, Syracuse. Driver: Katelyn M. Hoemig, 23, Edgewater Avenue, Syracuse. Hoemig struck a parked vehicle owned by Dan B. Thystrup, South Mill Street, North Webster, while she was backing out of a parking space. Damage up to $1,000.

3:42 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, on East Pickwick Road, west of East Searfoss Road, Syracuse. Drivers: William Smith, 24, Queen Street, Goshen; and Charles Wallenback, 25, CR 1250N, Syracuse. Smith’s vehicle collided with Wallenback’s vehicle while he was attempting to turn onto Searfoss Road. Damage up to $2,500.

8:21 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, West Railroad Avenue, west of South Syracuse Webster Road, Syracuse.

Driver: Rebecca R. Hendrix, 33, East Nelson Drive, Milford. Hendrix was traveling south on West Main Street when her vehicle left the roadway, going into a ditch. She was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Damage up to $2,500.

6:23 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, East Medusa Street, south of North Front Street, Syracuse. Drivers: Scott M. Dingess, 36, East CR 900N, North Manchester; and Erica R. Pruitt, 30, Meadow View Drive, Syracuse. Dingess attempted to go around Pruitt’s vehicle at the intersection. Damage up to $25,000.

5:18 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, 1029 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. Driver: Brenden Scott Butler, 22, North Huntington St., Syracuse. Butler’s vehicle was struck by a vehicle while approaching his residence and the other driver fled the scene.

Damage amount not listed.

11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, North Huntington Street and South County Line Road, Syracuse. Driver: Moises S. Salinas Cervantes, 42, SR 13, Millersburg. Cervantes drove off the road to avoid hitting another vehicle and struck a utility pole. Damage less than $750.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents: Accidents

5:54 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, Frontage Road, near Wendy’s restaurant. Drivers: Christina Brent, 21, Arden Oaks Drive, Germantown, Tenn.; and Brandon Holden, 32, Crystal Flash Road, North Webster. Vehicles collided.

Damage up to $5,000.

4:40 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, Access Road, south of Jalynn Street, Warsaw. Driver: Charles E. Cole, 75, East Bond Street, North Webster. Cole was stopped at a stop sign in the Culver’s parking lot, preparing to turn north onto the access road when he hit a vehicle traveling north. The driver of the other vehicle left the scene. Damage up to $25,000.

Jail Bookings

Kosciusko County

The following people were booked in Kosciusko County Jail:

Oct. 24 — Christopher S. Atz, 44, 12 EMS D18B Lane, Syracuse, booked for possession of cannabis products. Bond: $600 cash.

Oct. 24 — Heather L. Harrison, 45, 12 EMS D18B Lane, Syracuse, booked for possession of a controlled substance. Bond: $5,250 surety and cash.

Oct. 23 — Harrison Tucker Shortill, 25, 4571 E. Shady Lane, Syracuse, booked for battery-misdemeanor. Bond: $600 cash.

Oct. 23 — Blake O. Shortill, 65, 4571 E. Shady Lane, Syracuse, booked for battery-misdemeanor. Bond: $600 cash.

Oct. 20 — Joshua David Alan Echols, 34, 11589 N. Venetian Way, Cromwell, booked for inhaling toxic vapors. Bond: $500 cash.

Oct. 19 — Jason C. Stoner, 50, 10321 N. 100E, Milford, booked for domestic battery. Bond: $1,000 cash.

Oct. 19 — Chelsi Renee Clevenger, 30, Milford, booked for possession of a hypodermic syringe or needle. Bond: $5,250 surety and cash.

Oct. 19 — Dustin Curtis William Wright, 32, 302 N. Harrison St., Syracuse, booked for probation violation. No bond listed.

Oct. 18 — Beth Nicole Davis, 31, 706 S. Thwaits Court, Syracuse, booked for forgery and two counts of theft. Bond: $5,250 surety and cash.

Oct. 18 — Rebecca Ranshell Hendrix, 33, 272 E. Nelson Drive, Milford, booked for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Bond: $700 cash.

Letters to the editor Jim Smith for Sheriff

Dear Editor: The race for sheriff this year features two good and honorable men. Both served our nation heroically overseas, and both continue to serve our community well at the sheriff’s office. Only one can get my vote though, and that man is Jim Smith.

I believe Jim Smith has all the qualities we need in a sheriff. He’s down-to-earth and kindhearted, but tough when he needs to be. He’s been in this campaign for the long haul, putting in the hard work to earn the trust of Republi-

can voters and receive their vote in the May primary.

He has the endurance, the determination and the ability to manage high stress situations that we need in someone who holds this important office. Finally, he has good, old-fashioned Kosciusko County Republican common sense. He’ll be fiscally conservative with our tax dollars, including when it comes to his own salary.

The opposition is attacking him with everything they can, including the behavior of his 18-year-old son, which we all know is outside

his control and has nothing to do with the job he would do as sheriff. Jim Smith has taken it all in stride and continued to campaign on a positive message. When I cast my ballot on Nov. 8, I’ll proudly be voting for a great friend of this whole community, Jim Smith.

As Attorney General Todd Rokita said at a recent Smith event, “There are two Jameses in this race, but there’s only one ‘Jim.’” Steve Foster

Warsaw Chief of Police, Retired Kosciusko County Republican Party Treasurer

Prosecutor most powerful individual in county

Dear Editor:

I have met Travis McConnell and found him to be a nice man. I am pleased that he has taken an active role in our community. However, his recent letter to the editor seems to cast aspersions on individuals who have served as Kosciusko County prosecutor.

David Kolbe, Mike Miner, Steve Hearn and Dan Hampton have all served our community greatly as prosecutor. They swore to uphold the federal and state constitutions and enforce the laws, which they did. They used common sense and knowledge of the law to make

their decisions. The events mentioned by Mr. McConnell would have occurred during their administrations.

I do know that the Indiana Department of Child Services investigated Hephzibah House several times. The results of the investigation did not find criminal conduct.

If the facts set forth by local news sources as to the conduct of John Lowe and a 16-year-old girl are correct, the conduct of Mr. Lowe was wrong, but not criminal. The acts of Mr. Lowe were not child molesting as defined by I.C.35-42-4-3, nor child solicita-

tion as defined by I.C.35-42-4-6, nor child seduction as defined by I.C.35-42-4-7 nor sexual misconduct with a minor as defined by I.C.35-44-3-10 or I.C.35-42-4-9.

If I have missed an appropriate criminal citation in regard to Mr. Lowe’s conduct, I would appreciate being so informed.

A county prosecutor is the most powerful individual in a county. A prosecutor must ensure that his or her acts are within the confines of actual law, or citizens will lose their freedoms and reputations.

Sincerely, Duane G. Huffer

Support for Marshall

Dear Editor, I first met James Marshall in 2002 when I was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 293 Infantry. James was a team leader in the Scout Platoon for the battalion and I was then assigned to the Scouts as well. At that time, it was post 9/11 and a possible deployment was imminent.

James was a leader within the Scouts and part of the bedrock for the organization. As training increased, the intensity and difficult nature of the training increased as well because of the possible deployment. The entire time James was steadfast in his resolve to improve the soldiers within the platoon.

As the unit began preparation to deploy once the deployment notice was announced, James was a stellar example of a leader, he

Court News

Superior Court III

The following infractions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding:

Speeding — Sherie L. Gallas, Leesburg, $160.50

Owner allows dog to stray beyond owner’s premises — Lyle D. Kuhns, Syracuse, $25

Passing in a no passing zone — Mathew J. Russell, Syracuse, $160.50

Operating a motor vehicle without financial responsibility — Whitney A. Makinson, North Webster, $185.50

Harboring a non-immunized dog — Eryn E. Martin, Syracuse, $160

Operating with expired plates — Tristen J. Moore, Leesburg, $160

Marriage Licenses

The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Court Anne Torpy: Frank-Thomas Shane K. Frank, 32, Syracuse,

and Crystal R. Thomas, 18, Syracuse Nicolai-Brower Andrew J. Nicolai, 25, Milford, and Allissa M. Brower, 24, Milford

Marriage Dissolutions

Kosciusko County

The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in the Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Sumpter — Sherie Sumpter, North Webster, and Max Sumpter, Warsaw. Married: June 4, 2016. Separated: May 26, 2022. There are no minor children. Savage — Daniel N. Savage, North Webster, and Lacey L. Savage, Blue Ash, Ohio. Married: Sept. 24, 2005. Separated: May 20, 2020. There are no minor children.

Elkhart County

The following couple has filed a marriage dissolution in Elkhart County Superior Court III: Miller — Keith Miller, Syracuse, and Carol Miller, Syracuse. Reed — Mark Reed, Syracuse, and Tammy Reed, Millersburg.

was again a rock for the soldiers. Throughout training for the deployment, James had an unmatched resolve. James was a leader who got better with stress, consistently providing the best leadership anyone could ask for.

Throughout the train-up and initial deployment to Kuwait, James proved to be a tireless leader. Throughout the entire process, James was steadfast and evenkeeled. Any unit deploying has the uncertainty of the development looming before it; with this one the unknown of going into Iraq was difficult for many soldiers. James never wavered; he always was the one you could count on for a level head in any situation.

Our unit in Iraq faced many challenges, yet James never wavered in his leadership. Often our unit was placed in extremely stressful and dangerous situations while living in very austere conditions. Our unit was with the initial ground push into Iraq in March 2003. Our mission set included a multitude of varied missions and operations. These included but were not limited to scout/surveillance operations, sniper missions and patrols both

We welcome readers’ letters.

mounted and dismounted. Our unit had engagements with enemy forces during these operations. Despite the danger we faced, James was a rock for the soldiers he led and the entire organization.

In almost 25 years in the United States Army, I have never met a more dedicated and powerful leader as James Marshall. Our unit would not have been as safe and successful on that 2003 deployment to Iraq without James. As a leader it’s important to surround yourself with quality people. and James is just that in everything he does: quality. He is a leader I could count on to accomplish any mission he was assigned.

That deployment was the one I cherish the most because of what we accomplished and because of the close friends we all became. James and I have maintained contact for 20 years now since that deployment. It’s an honor to know him. Seeing a former soldier I served with accomplish all he has, I am proud knowing I served with such an outstanding man.

Craig L. Lehman

SGM (R) U.S. Army Columbus

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Prosecutor candidates discuss drugs, sex crimes and more in debate

Dealing with drug abuse, sex crimes and more were the topics that the two candidates for Kosciusko County prosecutor in the 2022 election addressed on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

The debate between prosecutor candidates was part of an election forum put on by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce at Warsaw City Hall.

Taking part were Republican and current Chief Deputy Prosecutor Brad Voelz and Democrat and local attorney Travis McConnell.

Both had 60 or 90 seconds to answer seven questions posed by members representing InkFreeNews, The Times-Union and Kensington Digital Media.

One of the questions was: “Bikers Against Predators is making an impact. Do you support this kind of community involvement?”

The group, which documents

child solicitation and share details with police, won praise from both candidates.

“We do support the community involvement in the Bikers Against Predators,” said Voelz. “We caution against vigilante justice because that can get very dangerous, so I know that our investigative division works with them as long as they’re not targeting and entrapping individuals, and bringing us good solid evidence, our investigative division takes the reports that they give to us.”

“We conduct our own investigation. We make sure that the case is solid,” continued Voelz. “We follow up on any electronic communication that may have been done between a predator and a child most of the time in these instances to make sure that we have good solid evidence to file a charge, but we do support the kind of work that they do in bringing us people that might not have otherwise come to the forefront, so we do take their inves-

tigations, do our own work and file charges when warranted.”

McConnell said he’d like “to work more with Bikers Against Predators.”

“I’ve met with them personally and their concern is that there’s more that could be done,” he said.

“The prosecutor’s office does work with them when somebody confesses on video, but short of getting a confession video recorded … they’ve been met with some resistance from the prosecutor’s office, so I think that we need to better work with them on cases where maybe somebody doesn’t necessarily confess on video, but where there is evidence that would warrant filing charges and proceeding to a trial to try and get a conviction.

“I also think that there’s other programs as well that we can (work with) similar to what Bikers Against Predators are doing through the Indiana State Police, which works with local law enforcement,” McConnell continued. “There’s been some

local law enforcement involvement in that here recently to try to get that started, but that was not approved by our local prosecutor’s office that I’d want to expand that where you work together with ISP where they’re doing the work to catch people and the local agencies go out and make the arrests and that gets prosecuted.”

The two were also asked: “If elected prosecutor, what would you do to help victims of sex crimes get justice?”

“This is what our office is outstanding at doing,” said Voelz. “We have an entire investigative division that comes in and analyzes cases to make sure that we have a full and fair investigation before charges are ever filed to make sure that we are victim first in our approach to how we prosecute those cases. We keep full and fair and honest communication with crime victims as they go through the process.”

Voelz added there’s an employee

Candidates for sheriff talk service, leadership and style

probably one of the top in the state, if not this portion of the country, and is a program that can help people in the jail come out differently.

Both candidates for Kosciusko County sheriff have a long history of service in the U.S. military and law enforcement, but at the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce election forum, Tuesday, Oct. 25, each man tried to give voters a better explanation of who he would be if elected sheriff.

The first question asked Independent candidate James Marshall and Republican candidate Jim Smith to define leadership and how they would make the best leader for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. Marshall said, “In my opinion, the first rule of leadership is taking care of your people. That’s what a leader does. A leader’s primary job is service to the folks that are entrusted to the leader’s care. So taking care of your people is my No. 1 thing as far as leadership goes.”

As far as what would make him the best leader for Kosciusko County, he said it was his experience over his entire adult life, including his military career.

Smith said, for him, being a leader starts with selfless service, putting others before one’s self.

“I’ve had the opportunity to be in a leadership position at the sheriff’s department. A little bit in the military for different assignments. I’ve also served over in Iraq and Kuwait,” Smith said. “And in the civilian sector. I’ve had the opportunity to witness good and poor leadership styles along the way. To lead by example. To lead from the front.”

Asked what the biggest issue in the county jail is and how he would handle that issue if elected sheriff, Smith said the damages in the jail caused by the inmates has been “unbelievable.”

“I think we would be failing our citizens to deflect or pretend like the damages aren’t occurring,” Smith said. “It comes with leadership. We have to address those issues. We can’t just talk about them, we have to have solutions.”

He said he feels like he’s laid out a good plan during the campaign of how that can be done. Drugs getting into the jail is another issue Smith said needs addressed.

Marshall said in his opinion, the biggest issue in the jail is consistency.

“Consistency between the shifts, between the sergeants that work each particular shift. I give them a little bit of latitude as far as how they want to run their particular shift, and I agree with that to an extent, but at some point we have to have some … consistency. Lack of consistency, I’ve noted leads to confusion, particularly with the inmates. Confusion leads to frustration, and frustration leads to outbursts. Outbursts could look like violence against guards, violence against other inmates or damage to the structure of the jail itself. So that frustration needs to be dealt with and handled,” Marshall said.

On the Jail Chemical Addiction Program and other jail programs, Marshall said JCAP has been a “hot-button topic” in the county for several months now.

“I’m a huge fan of JCAP. We’ve been sticking people in jail for almost 250 years in this country and we expect them to go in one end of the jail and come out the other end different people. That’s a big problem for people with chemical addictions. That’s a huge problem,” Marshall said.

He said Kosciusko’s JCAP is

The most important thing is letting the people currently running JCAP continue to run it.

Smith said he supported JCAP when Sheriff Rocky Goshert implemented it in the jail, he will continue to support it, and was happy to see Sheriff Kyle Dukes continue with it.

“My plan is to continue JCAP and just build on its success,” he said, adding that he has three points for JCAP. He wants to add more structure to JCAP’s everyday operations, add a community service element to the program and to partner with a collegiate organization to help with the analysis of JCAP.

The fourth of eight total questions asked the candidates to describe the current culture in the KCSO and what plans do they have to influence culture and morale in the KCSO.

Smith said the sheriff’s office is very young. “Several years ago, we had a big influx of a lot of guys leaving the department. And, to be honest, when I was a young officer I relied on those guys with 10, 15 years on to help keep me out of trouble. To mentor me and guide me. What’s happened is we’ve lost a lot of that and we have a lot of young guys, good guys. They just need to be mentored,” he said.

Smith said they need to do a good job of leadership on showing the young guys the right way. He said he was also excited about bringing back the “family style” atmosphere to the department.

Marshall agreed with Smith that there’s a lot of youth at the sheriff’s office, not just in the patrol division but also in the jail.

“Leading from the front, taking care of the people that work for you is important to me. Again, like I said earlier, rule No. 1 of leadership is taking care of your people,” Marshall said.

Another question referred to Bikers Against Predators and if the candidates supported this kind of community involvement.

Marshall said he does as he primarily works child sex cases as a detective sergeant and it’s a tough job. Smith agreed with Marshall but it would be at the direction of the prosecutor’s office and how the prosecutor’s office wanted law enforcement to work with them.

The next question asked each candidate what made them believe they were the right person for the sheriff’s job. Smith said he did a lot of soul searching, praying and meeting with people close to him.

Marshall said it was quite a process for him, but he’s a firm believer in leadership and sometimes as a leader you’re asked to do things that you wouldn’t normally do. He also did a lot of praying and talking to family.

Asked about which accomplishments they are most proud of and how they helped them become a candidate for sheriff, Marshall said when coming up with a resume for his candidacy he had to write out everything he did during his career in law enforcement. The experience, training and education he had left him “quite amazed” at how far he came in 20 years.

Smith said he always wanted to be in law enforcement. “It’s the relationships. I’m a social butterfly. My wife tells me I don’t know a stranger. It’s the relationships that are built over the years and I just really

enjoy working with people, working through their problems. So it’s not just one thing for me,” he said.

The final question asked what skills or ability makes them the best candidate.

Smith said there’s a lot of value of having been part of so many civic organizations like he has been. It has allowed him to meet so many people along the way and give the chance to really know who Jim Smith is.

He also has been in law enforcement for 17 years and 12 years in the military and he was proud of both of those things.

“It’s not just one thing. I think it’s a culmination of a lot of things, but the relationships are the biggest thing for me and the ability

to be able to interact with people,” Smith said.

Marshall said he’s an instructor and teaches a multitude of skills to law enforcement and civilians for over a decade in Kosciusko County.

“Those particular skills and abilities — I’m a teacher. I’m a teacher at heart, I love to teach. I love to pass on knowledge to the students and we both mentioned earlier how young the sheriff’s department is. We have a lot of youth right now that need direction from the senior leaders at the sheriff’s office,” Marshall said, and he wants to teach them how to be better servants to the community.

You can find the entire debate on the city of Warsaw’s website.

that helps with victims’ assistance that’s “on call 24 hours a day,” and “helps (victims) throughout the entire court process.” He also referenced the prosecutor’s office’s use of therapy animals.

“We need to focus on better communication,” answered McConnell.

“I think Brad and I disagree on this one a little bit. The No. 1 complaint from lawyers from clients across the bar is a lack of communication, failure to communicate with the client. There needs to be better communication.”

He mentioned the woman involved in the victims’ assistance program “does a great job, and I think she’s probably overwhelmed.”

He stated other employees could also help by communicating with sex crime victims and he himself would work to better communicate with the victims regarding their cases.

“The stories I’ve heard since announcing (my candidacy) have been shocking and disappointing and … it’s the main reason of why I decided to run is to try and close this gap of standing up for victims of sex crimes,” said McConnell.

Another question was: “Drugs continue to be a major problem in the county. What would you do as prosecutor to help reduce the scourge?”

“I think that addicts need to have help and we have two great programs that Brad mentioned (earlier) as far as JCAP (Jail Chemical Addiction Program) while people are incarcerated and as well as drug court through (Kosciusko Circuit Court) Judge (Michael) Reed,” said McConnell, mentioning that he’d want to expand those programs.

“We also need to focus then on the dealers and crack down on that and dealers need to be sent to prison,” he said. “We need to … get tougher on our sentences.”

Voelz mentioned he works currently as prosecutor in Reed’s court “which focuses on the drug cases.”

“We do strictly prosecute drug dealers and we do extend helping

hands to those addicts through drug court and JCAP,” said Voelz, adding that he would do “everything that we’re doing now and more” regarding the drug issue.

He said he spoke with State Sen. Ryan Mishler who told him about grant funding to help those with drug issues.

It “would dovetail into … JCAP … and help with recovery for people once they’re released from jail,” said Voelz. “It would begin 30 days before their release. It would help with housing assistance and employment opportunities. It would help with aftercare.”

Voelz also said he’s involved with the Kosciusko Coalition on Drug Education, which also works to distribute grant monies to agencies fighting drug addiction in the county.

A fourth question was: “What are your impressions of NET43 and the countywide approach used during the past four years?”

“I think that we elected Sheriff (Kyle) Dukes on one of (his) platform ideas … to reestablish NET43 and I think they’ve done a great job,” said McConnell. “They continue to get out there and get additional arrests made.

“There’s continuing work that needs to be done. Drugs continue to be a big problem,” he continued.

“We just need to get tougher on prosecuting the crimes and making sure that people receive the sentences that would best get them off the streets, get those drugs out of there and continue to come up with innovative ideas on how to better catch people and catch them in the act and stop it from happening.”

Voelz pointed out he already works with NET43.

“It’s heartbreaking every time you see an overdose and it’s been more prevalent lately and so we at NET43 do all we can to stop the spread of drugs to prosecute the drug dealers and to help those who are addicted,” he said.

To view the entire election forum online, visit the city of Warsaw’s website.

Warriors put up fight, season ended by Berries

The Warrior football team put up a fight, but their season came to an end at Logansport Friday, Oct. 21, losing 35-14.

Logansport received the ball to start the game and ran the ball nearly every play, culminating in a 9-yard touchdown run by senior fullback Jeremiah Miller with 5:06 left in the first quarter, putting the Berries on top 6-0 after a failed point-after attempt.

An illegal block in the back by the Warriors on a Hunter Tinkey kickoff return sent them back to their own 10-yard line on their first drive of the game. Logansport was called for targeting, which helped Wawasee advance the ball downfield.

Junior quarterback Mason Shoemaker hit junior tight end Donovan Blair on 3rd and 9 for a 36-yard completion down to the Logansport 32-yard line. After multiple incomplete pass attempts, Shoemaker was sacked, making it 4th and 14. Wawasee elected to go for it on fourth down and Shoemaker threw an incomplete pass to junior receiver Derek Bontrager, turning the ball over on downs with 1:06 left in the first quarter.

Logansport started another long methodical drive, chewing up nearly half the second quarter with Miller running in from 1 yard out, capping it off with a two-point conversion run to make the score 14-0 with 5:54 left in the quarter.

The Warriors were driving the ball down the field when Shoemaker’s pass went off Blair’s fingertips and was intercepted by Miller at the 50-yard line with 5:03 left in the quarter. Logansport was called for holding, making it 2nd and 19 before Miller took a screen pass 14 yards and then ran for a first down on 3rd and 5. Senior quarterback Izak Mock then zipped a 40-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Grayson Long, making the score 21-0 after a successful PAT.

Wawasee was driving again right before the half and Shoemaker was once again sacked, making it 4th and 10. Shoemaker gained 6 yards on fourth down, but was short, turning the ball over on downs.

Logansport drove down the field with 1:20 left in the half and attempted a 32-yard field goal that was blocked by the Warrior defense.

Tinkey returned the ball 45 yards to start the second half. Junior running back Brandon Kelly and senior running back Cameron Zimmerman both ripped off some run yardage. Shoemaker ran for a

first down on 3rd and 2 from the Logansport 30-yard line. Blair caught a big first down grab on 3rd and 8 from the Logansport 26-yard line. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by Logansport made it 1st and goal, with Kelly running in for a 2-yard touchdown. Senior kicker Tim Bolt punched in the extra point, making the score 21-7.

Senior defensive back Brady Russell recovered a Logansport fumble and the Warriors were gaining some momentum. But Wawasee just wasn’t able to move the ball, turning it over on downs with 5:32 left in the third quarter.

Junior defensive back Lucas Linder had a timely pass breakup on the next drive, forcing Logansport to punt on 4th and 12.

Senior punter Humberto Baez punted 55 yards, pinning the Warrior offense at their own 1-yard line.

The Warrior offense couldn’t get anything going and punted, giving the Berries good field position to start the fourth quarter. Mock then hit Long on a 31-yard touchdown pass, making it 27-7.

The Warriors lost a fumble on the ensuing drive. Mock again hit Long on a 24-yard touchdown pass, with senior fullback Luis Ortiz running in for the two-point conversion, making the score 35-7.

Shoemaker hit a streaking Bontrager for a 57-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline with 5:56 left in the fourth quarter, making the final tally 35-14.

Shoemaker passed for 112 yards and a touchdown. Zimmerman and Tinkey each ran for 34 yards. Kelly ran for 23 yards and a touchdown. Bontrager caught one pass for 57 yards and a touchdown. Blair had

Hodgson ties school record, narrowly misses out on state finals

Wawasee freshman cross country runner Mia Hodgson has had a spectacular season.

Hodgson, who qualified for Saturday’s cross country semistate at Indiana Wesleyan University cross country course in Marion by previously finishing sixth in the regionals at Oxbow Park, tied the Wawasee High School record, finishing in 19:32 on Saturday, Oct. 22, in the semistate.

Hodgson finished in 30th place and very narrowly missed out on qualifying for Saturday’s state finals at LaVern Gibson Championship cross country course in Terre Haute.

“Mia went out and ran a very aggressive race today. She ran a 12-second personal record. In doing so, she tied the school record and is the fastest freshman in school history,” said head coach Doug Slabaugh.

“It was a very fast race, but I’m proud of Mia for not backing down. I’m very proud of her and her season. Mia is helping create the culture we want and helping her teammates along the way.

ran a very strong race and just missed qualifying for state.

Deep-rooted love for the lakes and community

Al Campbell was born in Richmond and from K-12th grade, lived in eight different towns. His father was in the army and was an educator.

“I lived in a log cabin in Brown County in first grade and it’s still there. It’s been gentrified. When I lived in it, there was an outhouse and we took baths in a tub outside of the house. I lived in Warsaw from fifth through ninth grade. My best friend’s grandfather owned a home on Lake Wawasee and I started visiting the lake. When I was coming to visit, the fish hatchery really was a fish hatchery,” said Campbell.

Campbell attended both Indiana and Purdue and then served as a Marine during the Korean War, where he was wounded by the Chinese and received a Purple Heart. He then spent his entire career with Procter & Gamble, which was recruiting members of the military at that time. He spent 25 years in international business, living and traveling overseas, starting up new businesses.

In 1970, Campbell and his late wife Dottie, started renting different places on Lake Wawasee during the summer months. “My late wife Dottie had many friends from Indianapolis around Lake Wawasee. In 1980, we bought this cottage and enlarged it. We put in a couple extra bedrooms. I was involved early on with different organizations. I was on the board of the Wawasee Property Owners Association.

“I was at a board meeting in the early 1990s when a doctor from Fort Wayne, Dr. Irmscher, came to the board and said, ‘This is a picture of what the lake looks like in the spring in front of my cottage

and we’ve got to find a way to stop this.’ There was a lot of mud coming in from Dillon Creek down through Enchanted Hills. And that sparked the start of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation,” he said.

“In the group that heard her talk were people like McNagny, a lawyer from Fort Wayne, and Dave Culp, a naturalist from Huntington. A group of us got together and said, ‘We have to find a way to protect the water in this lake,’” said Campbell.

“I’ve been active in WACF for many years. In 1995, Dave Culp, who had been the waterfront director at the Pioneer Trail Scout Camp along these 10 lakes, said, ‘Al, I’m going to take you on a canoe trip that will be a good educational trip and encourage people to support WACF.’

“We started that in 1995. I was soon joined by Marilyn and Dan Berkey. We’ve just completed our 27th year of what we call, ‘10-lake canoe trips.’ We’ve had between 3,500 and 4,000 people on this canoe trip. We find that when people see the need in this conservancy, they start to support it.

“I’ve lived most of my life outside of Indiana, but I consider myself 100% Hoosier because I was born here, raised here and went to college here, so I’m a Hoosier,” he said.

“I’ve been blessed. The property owners awarded me the Chief Award. The Wawasee Conservancy awarded me their Volunteer Award.

“The WACF has a large education effort led by Pam Schumm. Our canoe trip education — going down Turkey Creek, which provides 43% of the water into this lake — is just one of many parts of WACF’s education program.

“The conservancy has been a driving force for good. The dam and dike conservancy is very

Rotary Club celebrating 75th anniversary

Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary

the public to its Diamond Jubilee 75th anniversary celebration at 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 27, at Maxwelton Golf Club, 5721 E. Elkhart County Line Road, Syracuse.

will be heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, champagne toast, silent auction and more.

RSVP, send an email to Susan Stump at sstump@the-papers.com.

Goshen Rotary Club sponsored us back in the day,” said Stump. “The event is free for anyone to come and join us.”

Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club was chartered Nov. 10, 1947, and

is committed to building a stronger community within the SyracuseWawasee area. The club is also committed to building professional relationships that promote personal development in an effort to improve

the local economy. Through group efforts, it’s able to positively support the youth and the future of the community.

For more information, visit syracuserotary.com.

Bridge Results

key, because maintaining the water level of this lake is vital. The property owners association has been terrific throughout the years, along with the WACF, and now the dam and dike conservancy — all three cooperate and work to maintain the quality of natural life and life around the lake.”

“This has been a family-oriented property. I have 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. All have come to the lake at one time or another,” he said.

The Potawatomi Club was established in 1880

and used to be located next to Campbell’s current residence. The Potawatomi were a tribe of Indians indigenous to this area. One hundred years later, in 1980, Campbell purchased his residence next to where the club was located. The property where the club was located was once owned by John Terrell Vawter, who used to live right down the road.

“There’s no doubt Eli Lilly and his friends took stag fishing vacations here and so forth. There’s quite a lot of history around here,” said Campbell.

Another successful ‘Food Truck Friday’ in Milford

Meet Milford’s final “Food Truck Friday” for 2022 took place in downtown Milford Friday, Oct. 21. The October edition of the monthly event featured more than a dozen food trucks, with offerings ranging from desserts to entire meals.

The evening’s activities drew hundreds of people to Main Street. Activities included a free off-road vehicle, Jeep and motorcycle cruise-in, free live music by Full Measure, a free family photo booth, free pumpkin painting, live goats with which to pet and take pictures, free cider and cookies, a free clogging performance by KC Dance Company, a s’mores station, face painting and laundry soap and baked goods sale by Milford Cub Scout Pack 3747.

Additionally, Milford Kiwanis held its annual soup supper fundraiser inside the Milford Community Building. Attendees had the option to purchase a handmade ceramic bowl created by a Wawasee High School student.

All proceeds from the soup supper benefitted Teachers’ Tool Box, a Kiwanis program at Milford Meeting House that supplies Milford School teachers with often needed school supplies for their

classrooms. Winners of the contest were chosen by the votes of those attending the supper, the results of which can be found in the “Around the Lakes” column of this

North Webster Bridge Group

The North Webster Bridge Group met Tuesday, Oct. 18, and Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Senior Primelife Enrichment Center in the North Webster Community Center. Winners Tuesday were Ronnie Pierogy, first, and Mike Wyrick, second. Thursday winners were Dick Sutton, first, and Kay Sutton, second.

Wawasee High School presents ‘Murder On The Orient Express’

Wawasee High School will be presenting “Murder On The Orient Express” as their fall production. The show is directed by Kristin Bonner. Joining Bonner on the production team are Mindy Coblentz, Chris Dykhuisen, and Jeremy Van Lue.

“Murder On The Orient Express” is an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel. Most of the play takes place on a train where one of the travelers is murdered. Hercule Poirot is one of the travelers who is called upon to solve the case. There is a plot twist in this whodunit you won’t want to miss. Because it was a smaller cast for this production, director Kristin Bonner opted for two strong casts

that will share the performance dates, giving more students the opportunity to perform after a dedicated rehearsal season.

Cast members include Ethan Dennis and Clay Coblentz as Hercule Poirot; Clay Coblentz and Brady McDonald as M. Bouc; Gavin Malone and Ethan Dennis as Mr. Ratchett; Abraham Sanchez as Hector; Joshua Lesko and Gavin Malone as Colonel Arbuthnot; Brady Feeney and Cameron Jones as Michel; Christina Morrow and Karissa Boesenberg as Mary Debenham; Amelia Dement and Windsor Bonner as Mrs. Hubbard; McKenna Clay and Ava Weldy as Princess Dragomiroff; Sophia Smith and Sam Rose as Greta; Sophia Rush and Allyssa

Perkins as Countess; Sydni Ewing and Molly McDonald as headwaiter/waitress; and Brady McDonald as waiter.

Crew members include Gwen Frank as student director; Laura Arford and Kaylie Nunemaker, stage managers; Christina Morrow and Weston Plikerd, tech managers; Lynk Klinefelter and Henry Levinson, lights operators; Wesley Wirebaugh and Christopher Estrada, sound operators; Caden Edgar and Penelope Jones, spotlight operators; Alex Shock and Finnely Jones, projector operators; and Charlie Krull, Anthony Brace, Maddie Loftis and Kayla Voss, stage crew.

Show dates are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11, 12, 18

and 19, with the final performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, in the Wawasee High School Auditorium.

Tickets range from $8 to $10 with options for a VIP Dinner on The Orient Express Dining Car before the November 11, 12, 18 and 19 shows.

Seating for the VIP Dinner is limited. Patrons may also wish to choose the “Adopt an Actor” option for $15, which offsets the cost for students who may have financial need.

Seating is reserved and online purchasing is recommended at wawaseeperformingarts.ludus.com/index.php or at the door if not sold out prior to show night. The ticket price at the door will be $12 for all seats.

Local students place at FFA State Soils Contest

Wawasee High School fall sailing program receives sizable donation

The Wawasee Property Owners Association made a $5,000 donation to the Wawasee High School fall sailing program in the hope of helping increase the number of students able to participate.

The WPOA believes it is in the interest of the entire lake community to educate future generations on the many activities the lake provides, including sailing; water safety when operating a boat; and how the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation protects, preserves and enhances the Wawasee Area Watershed for present and future generations.

Bill Pipp, who had the honor of presenting the donation on behalf of the WPOA, said, “if we can educate the younger generation about and get them involved with the many local organizations, we are confident the lake area will be in good hands in the future.

“The WPOA thanks the Wawasee High School and Janay Hackleman for continuing to expand and improve the WHS Fall Sailing Program, Jeff Herdrich and the many Wawasee Yacht Club members that volunteer their time to this worthwhile community program,” Pipp avouched.

The students at WHS are able to get a unique experience through the program; they spend a lot of time on the water for out-

door water activities during the first part of the fall semester.

The class got to take the WACF canoe 10-lakes trip where the students learned about watersheds and how it affects the lakes.

The course is intended to help students gain awareness and learn helpful strategies of activities of sailing, environmental is-

Kaitlin Graber earns music scholarship

Kaitlin Graber, Syracuse, has been awarded the E. Leon and Leanna M. Keister Endowed Music Scholarship at Manchester University. Graber is majoring in biology-chemistry.

The scholarship, established in 2001, is awarded each year

to Manchester University students in the Manchester Symphony Orchestra, as selected by the scholarship committee. The sole criteria for selection are musical aptitude, achievement and scholarship in the music field.

sues, canoeing and kayaking.

Janay Hackleman, program coordinator, expressed her gratitude for the Wawasee Yacht Club’s contribution to the program, stating, “For most of the students it is the first time they have been on a sailboat. It is truly the best to watch these students become comfortable with the tiller in hand.”

The Wawasee Yacht Club helps get students to the lake and out on the water for instructional time, allowing for a hands-on educational experience.

Wawasee High School plans to utilize the donation to the sailing program for replacement and repair of equipment and to cover the cost of yacht club space.

Preston Miller,

THE

KYLA meets at Kosciusko County Community Foundation

The 2022-2023 class of the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy recently held its second meeting of the year at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.

The theme of the session was “Understanding Your Leadership Style,” led by guest speaker and former KYLA board member Ann Lash-Branson. During the session, students participated in a team activity that focused on developing a project plan and the importance of communication

while working with a team.

The students also spent time reflecting on the positive leaders that have impacted their lives and thinking about the characteristics that made those individuals good leaders.

“Understanding Your Leadership Style” was a timely session topic for the KYLA class, as the student leaders continue to take on more responsibilities in the various activities they are involved in.

Additionally, during the Octo-

ber session, students were placed in their Project Proud groups for the upcoming year. KYLA members will be working together with fellow students who they may not know well yet. Project Proud is part of the KYLA curriculum for students to develop and improve their leadership abilities through involvement in community service.

Each of the groups, which include a mix of students from different high schools, will be responsible for working together

to complete a community service project and then present a summary of their project to the rest of the 2022-2023 KYLA class and leaders at the end of the year.

KYLA exists to provide a positive environment where aspiring high school aged youth can learn the basics of leadership and become informed, capable leaders who assume active roles in the growth of the community.

For more information about KYLA, visit kosciuskoyouthleadership.org.

A kaleidoscope of color

Each autumn, the leaves of trees throughout the neighborhood transition from shades of green to a tapestry of bold oranges, reds and yellows, telling their story.

My favorite, the dogwood, has a story for every season. This year it has exceeded all expectations for color, but as quickly as the leaves change color, they tumble to the ground.

All trees shed leaves, even conifers; however, they generally retain their needles for more than one year. The soft needles accompanied by pine cones leave benefits, as do deciduous trees, by reducing water loss and allowing them to develop leaves that efficiently use available sunlight during warmer seasons.

There are a few species of trees that hold their dead leaves: oaks, hornbeams and beech trees. This is a phenomenon called marcescence. Younger oaks may keep what looks like a full complement of dead brown leaves, while more mature oaks may keep them on just their lower branches.

Sometimes, early cold weather or frosts may interrupt the abscission process or “kill” leaves quickly. In these cases, the occurrence of marcescent leaves may increase.

Some people speculate that retained leaves may deter browsing animals, such as deer. The dried leaves may conceal buds from browsers or make them difficult to nip from the twig. The other reason trees might give for holding onto their leaves relates to nutrient cycling. Leaves that fall in the autumn would join others on the forest floor and begin to decay.

As they decay, released nutrients could leach away and be unavail-

able to “feed” trees the next growing season. This might be especially important to small understory trees with smaller root systems. By holding onto their leaves, they retain and recycle their nutrients to the tree.

The marcescent leaves provide a bit of shelter for wintering birds as they perch among the rattling leaves, away from winter’s wind, regardless the reason for these leaves. When growth begins next spring, the expanding buds will push them off and clothe the branches with new greenery. Until that happens, enjoy the waving brown leaves and the texture they add to forest and yards. The right weather during the autumn can promote more intense color production.

The reds (anthocyanins), which require sunlight for production, are enhanced by cold and sunny days. Rainy and windy weather during the autumn can knock leaves down prematurely, thereby shortening the color display at its peak.

Scientists have worked to understand the changes that occur in trees and shrubs during autumn. Some factors: leaf pigments, length of night and weather. Chlorophyll gives leaves a basic green color. It is necessary for photosynthesis, the chemical reaction that enables plants to use sunlight to manufacture sugars for food. Carotenoids produces yellow, orange and brown colors.

Enjoy the hardwood trees this season; their performances have exceeded all expectations. I have tried to label mine but they resist. I’ve resorted to maps. If I talk about trees other than what I have, you will be sure to know.

Chautauqua-Wawasee receives grant

Chautauqua-Wawasee was selected to receive a $10,000 Community Funds grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for the 2022 calendar year.

These funds were mainly used to help toward the expenses for the Taps Across the Water, Patriot’s Day with Thomas Jefferson, Lake Fun Film Festival and the three-day Native American Series.

Other events and programs for the year include Old-Fashioned Christmas, to be held Saturday, Nov. 26, the Fine Arts Festival, Historic Cruise, Patriotic Pops Concert, Earth Day and Peacemaker Workshop. The organization also sponsored a Little League baseball team — the Chautauqua Cubs. Ninety-five percent of the programs are entirely free and the public is always invited to attend.

Chautauqua-Wawasee’s programs are built on four pillars: arts, education, faith and recreation. It joins other local entities to provide these activities for the lakes region each year: Syracuse Parks Department, SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce, Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, Wawasee Property Owners Association, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Oakwood Resort, American Legion Post No. 223, Purdue University, Notre Dame and many others.

Since 2014, Chautauqua-Wawasee, a nonprofit organization, has provided programs toward the mission of helping make the Syracuse region a great place to visit, live, work and raise a family. Gifts made to Chautauqua-

Wawasee are tax deductible.

Chautauqua-Wawasee is extremely appreciative for the Community Foundation’s grant. Since 1968, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation has helped donees achieve their charitable dreams. The Community Foundation is a public charity that grant-

ed more than $6 million last year in the areas of education, health, arts and culture, recreation, civic projects, environment and human services.

For more information, call (574) 267-1901 or visit chautauquawawasee.org or facebook.com/ chautauquawawasee.

By JOYCE ARLEEN CORSON, Guest Columnist and Master Gardener

North Webster Chamber honors NAPA as Member of the Month

NAPA, a North Webster staple, has been honored by the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce as its October Member of the Month. NAPA has been in the Witt family since 1988. Josh Witt took over as manager in 2019 and has

become a generous supporter of the efforts of the North WebsterTippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the family.

More than 85 years ago, the National Automotive Parts Association was created to meet

America’s growing need for an effective auto parts distribution system. Today, 91% of doit-yourself customers recognize the NAPA brand name. In North Webster, the community and chamber recognize the helpful and friendly faces that provide

great customer service. NAPA’s winter hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, closed Sundays.

For more help and information, call the local store at (574) 8342899.

It happened in Milford … 40 years ago Brock Manufacturing celebrates 25th anniversary

10 YEARS AGO, OCT. 24, 2012

Doll’s Decorating has been a familiar sight in downtown Milford since 1975 and recently received an interior makeover, which revealed features from the building’s past including large double doors, plaster, brick and a high tin ceiling. People are invited to stop by and see the new look in addition to browsing the studio’s displays, which showcase the latest interior trends plus some classic looks.

Alma Alvarado found a cute little lady tied up on Emeline Street Thursday afternoon. The pony and cart were waiting on children who were at the Milford Public Library, and the pony was behaving very well as bicyclists like Alma stopped to say hello and pet her.

20 YEARS AGO, OCT. 23, 2002

Jennifer Gingerich, daughter of Merrill and Lola Gingerich, Milford, sings soprano with the 2002-03 Camerata Singers at Bluffton College in Ohio. Camerata Singers is a select choir that performs primarily sacred music both on and off campus.

Mark Dingeldein has been named engineering manager for grain storage at Brock Manufacturing, Milford, according to Harmon Towne, vice president of engineering and product development for the company. In his new position, Dingeldein will be responsible for new product development for the company’s material storage systems and related products.

Howard Brembeck, founder

of Chore-Time in 1952 and Brock Manufacturing in 1957, was presented with an award this summer for The Fourth Freedom Forum’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. Brembeck established the Fourth Freedom Forum in 1982, and he serves as chairman.

30 YEARS AGO, OCT. 21, 1992

Kosciusko Lodge 418 F&AM, Milford, is in the process of purchasing the property belonging to Wade Mishler on the corner of SR 15 and CR 1250N (just south of Ruch’s Service), Milford. Construction plans are undecided at this time.

Milford residents Vernon and Louise May recently spent a couple days in Parke County attending the Covered Bridge Festival in Rockville — a fall excursion they’ve enjoyed for nearly 24 years.

Jack Stump, a retired Naval Lt. Commander and graduate of Milford High School, told members of the Milford Lions Club and their guests about his career in the U.S. Navy on Tuesday night. The meeting was held at the Triple A Amish house located west of S.R. 19 near Nappanee.

40 YEARS AGO, OCT. 27, 1982

Brock Manufacturing celebrates its 25th anniversary with an open house, Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1-5 p.m. The open house will feature plant tours, a free slide show outlining Brock’s history and refreshments.

Henry Beer, 81-year-old proprietor of Beer Nursery on Catherine Street, Milford, has

recently published his second book, entitled, “A Legacy in Song for My Family and Friends.” The hymnal was compiled jointly by Mr. Beer, who provided lyrics from his first book of poetry, “My Garden of Verse,” and several other friends and associates who are responsible for the musical score.

Fourteen new apartments are now available at the Complete Property Management Inc., Milford Meadows apartments, located on Meadow Court west of SR 15 in Milford. The apartments offer four one-bedroom, four two-bedroom and six townhouses. The townhouse model has three bedrooms, two baths and a patio.

50 YEARS AGO, OCT. 25, 1972

Members of the fifth grade reading class from Milford junior high school attended a special showing at the Pickwick Theater recently. The purpose of the trip was to stimulate the pupil’s interest in reading material through viewing classics that perhaps they could not read independently. They viewed “Black Beauty,” a classic children’s story of human injustice, cruelty and kindness to animals and the human class structure in 19th century England.

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Cole of Chicago have purchased the John Martin home near Our Town and will be moving here next spring. The Martins are building a new home just down the road. It will be ready for them in the spring with both couples making their move at that time.

North Webster Church of God J.O.Y. group goes on fall trip

10 YEARS AGO, OCT. 24, 2012

Korean and Vietnam wars will be the focus of the final session of the “We Remember” war series at 5 p.m. Tuesday, at the North Webster Community Library. Vietnam War veteran Bill Pressler is the guest speaker.

North Webster Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 17 for Sunrise Deli, 225 N. Main St., North Webster. Owners are Tony and Tina Miller. The deli serves up fresh eats daily.

Brian Gagye, a master trainer with Special O.P.S. K9 Academy in North Webster, told the Milford Lions Club about his life and work during the club’s Oct. 15 meeting. He said O.P.S. stands for obedience, protection and security.

20 YEARS AGO, OCT. 23, 2002

Goodwill Home Club members met Oct. 9, in the House of Friendship. Betty Busch gave the meditation titled “The Luck of an Unwilling Orator.” Pledges to the American and Christian flags and the club creed were repeated in unison.

Carlyn Cox presided. Mary Mock gave the treasurer’s report. Margaret Darr, club secretary, was the hostess for the day.

Wilma Mitchell entertained members of North Webster Past Chief’s Club in her home Oct. 9. Jeanette Bockman was assistant hostess. Doris Karbach was a guest. During the brief business session, conducted by Sandy Heck, a get-well card was signed for Dee Vanator.

There were 59 members of North Webster Church of God J.O.Y. group who went on a fall

trip to Bear Creek Farms, Bryant, Oct. 10. Time was spent shopping and going on train and/or taxi rides around the farm.

30 YEARS AGO, OCT. 21, 1992

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Beuoy and Mr. and Mrs. Garfield Steedman, North Webster, have just returned home from a three-day trip to Ontario, Canada. They visited the Soo Locks and took an all-day train trip to Algoma Canyon in Canada.

Two members of the Lakeland Kiwanis Club presented the program as the group met at 6:30 a.m. Oct. 19, at North Webster Church of God. Robert Waugh was born and reared on a farm in Whitley County. Trueman Bell, who was born near Ossian, spent 22 years in the Marine Corps after high school. Frank Wall supervised some Kiwanis members, who had kept the roadside along South Barbee Drive clean this year.

Thomas M. Kruger, r 1, Box 304, North Webster, had just had original poetry published in “The Best Poems” of the 90s anthology, a treasury of today’s poetry complied by The National Library of Poetry. Kruger has been writing for 15 years.

40 YEARS AGO, OCT. 27, 1982

There were 53 persons who went on a 13 chartered bus color tour, sponsored by the North Webster Senior Citizens. The first stop was at the School for the Deaf in Indianapolis. Following lunch, the group visited The Children’s Museum.

Margaret Kiser, retiring president, opened the Oct. 14 meeting of the Lakeland Women’s Club

at North Webster United Methodist Church. Marian Steedman gave the opening prayer and Mrs. Kiser introduced the new officers.

50 YEARS AGO, OCT. 25, 1972

The October meeting of the

Chain-O-Lakes 4-H Club was held at the home of Janet Rhodes. Vice President Mark Reiff opened the meeting and called on Fran Bieber to lead the pledge the U.S. flag. The 4-H pledge was led by

Tina Hedington. Debra Engelberth asked each member their favorite subject for roll call. Steve Rhodes gave the financial report.

Mrs. Nelson Hunt, Mrs. Paul Kline, Mrs. Kathryn Coy and

Mrs. Jim Kline were among those privileged to hear Loretta Gruver, a missionary from Africa, when she spoke at the Elkhart district meeting of the WSCS at Oakwood Park last Tuesday.

Local teens give back to community

10 YEARS AGO, OCT. 24, 2012

Chad Johnsson, Syracuse Park superintendent and executive director of the Syracuse Park Foundation, provided an update on the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex.

Crestwood Frame Shop and Gallery, Fort Wayne, showcased pottery by Syracuse’s own Elizabeth Wamsley earlier this year.

In support of the Syracuse food pantry, Megan Goralczyk and Caitlin Clevenger celebrated their Sweet Sixteen birthdays and in lieu of gifts, they asked party attendees to bring a canned food item for the local food pantry and collected more than 100 cans.

20 YEARS AGO, OCT. 23, 2002

Drew Evans and Jessica Leach were crowned 2002 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime of Friday night’s varsity football game. Evans, son of Jim and Kim Evans, is a wide receiver for the Warrior football team and plans to attend college and play football. Leach, daughter of Jamie and Ken Oswald and Greg Leach, plans to attend a fouryear college and major in a medical field.

Wawasee Kiwanis Club mem-

bers Bob Trame, Larry Martindale, Randy Wamsley, Robert Vandal, Pete Wallace and Dick Pelletier were helping out with the extensive improvements underway at Syracuse Youth League’s ballpark.

The Knights of Columbus Council of Syracuse made a contribution to New Beginnings Day Care in the amount of $1,050.

30 YEARS AGO, OCT. 21, 1992

The Syracuse Wastewater Department was recently chosen as the Class 2 winner for Excellence in Laboratory Work by the Indiana Water Pollution Control Association.

Malissa Fawley and Bill Barth were the official welcomers for Shelli Yoder, ‘Miss Indiana,’ during her visit to Syracuse School last Wednesday.

In the annual ongoing juried Heartland Artists Regional Art Exhibit held at Ancilla College, Donaldson, the work of Lakeland Art Association of Kosciusko County member Rodney Hann of Syracuse was accepted by the judge.

40 YEARS AGO, OCT. 27, 1982

Mr. and Mrs. Donovan D. (Marie Bailey) Strock, formerly of

Interra Credit Union holds annual Do Well To Do Good Day

As part of Interra Credit Union’s Do Well To Do Good vision, the credit union recently held its annual staff volunteer day on Monday, Oct. 10.

On the credit union’s third annual Do Well To Do Good Day, staff members had the opportunity to ignite their spark within and assist the community in a variety of ways. “It always amazes me how Interra staff are so committed to offer their time to make a difference in our local communities,” said Amy Sink, CEO. “Lives are changed when we take a few minutes to offer our time, treasure and talents to assist our lo-

cal nonprofit partners.”

All staff gathered at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds for a morning presentation, followed by food trucks and time together, before dispersing into the credit union’s local communities to serve. Interra had nearly 300 staff members provide roughly 1,200 volunteer hours while serving 32 organizations in the five counties of Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Marshall and Noble.

Staff assisted the organizations in a variety of ways, including but not limited to building bunk beds, outside painting and general maintenance repairs and needs,

CTB Inc. recognizes employee service milestones

CTB Inc. has recognized those who achieved work milestones during the third quarter of 2022. The company congratulates the following employees for their recent anniversaries: 45 years of service — Cynthia Ross, Martha Welty 40 years of service — Jay Kaiser, Rodney Stampe 30 years of service — Donna Cripe

25 years of service — Charles Bradshaw, Wanda Gearheart, Jason Poe, Gerald Riggle

15 years of service — Willians Cordero Moscoso, Timothy Duncan, Jeffrey Forbes, Chris Gartland, Kenneth Moore, Eric Seeber, Rafael Valencia

10 years of service — Cecilio Mejia, Steven Swenson

Five years of service — Ryan DeSmith, Darin Eddy, Rodney Grosser, Ramiro Magallanes, Victor Martinez Rivera, Daniel Morehouse, Thomas Reiter, Matthew Replogle

“We are pleased to announce the work anniversaries that took place during the third quarter of 2022,” said Michael J. Kissane, CTB executive vice president and chief administrative officer. “We have known some of these people for up to 45 years and their contributions cannot be understated as our company continues on the global mission of Helping to Feed a Hungry World®.”

Goshen Physicians Orthopedics & Sports Medicine welcomes Brown

Eric Brown, NP-C, has joined Goshen Physicians Orthopedics & Sports Medicine as a family nurse practitioner. He works with a team of specialists to provide treatment options for patients with degenerative joint conditions, such as arthritis. Brown also treats patients with injuries to bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

“Nurse practitioners like Eric play a key role in helping athletes, weekend warriors and people with wear and tear on their bodies regain mobility and get back to activities that are important to them,” said Randy Christophel, Goshen Health president and CEO.

Brown has extensive experience with pre- and post-operative care to meet patient needs before,

Syracuse, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 31.

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Butt, Syracuse, will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on Nov. 7 at an open house hosted by their children: Mr. and Mrs. Michael (Toni) Rhodes, Louisville, Ky.; and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Butt, Syracuse.

Members of Syracuse Boy Scout Troop 728 and their dads, about 30 in all, camped out over the end of the week at the troop’s 20-acre campsite. Scoutmaster Frank Krantz , his assistants Jim Smith and Raymond Hively are working to reactivate the troop with such things as

campout sojourns.

50 YEARS AGO, OCT. 25, 1972

The Ladies of the Round Table at Syracuse met last week at the home of Mrs. Michael Neff with high school student Susan Clark presenting the program “Keys to Understanding.”

The $2.70 tax rate recommendation, down 21 cents from the $2.91 proposed by the town board of trustees of Syracuse, will go before three state tax commissioners for review before a final rate is set.

Calvin H. Pfingst of Evanston, Ill., spent Friday until Monday in the home of his brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Pfingst, of Syracuse.

during and after surgery.

Brown earned a bachelor of science and master of science in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion.

stocking shelves for local food pantries, reading to and mentoring children at various schools, putting together baskets with essential items to support our troops and more.

“Partners like Interra Credit Union allow us to fulfill a significant need in our local communities,” said Jenny Sager, chapter co-president of Sleep In Heavenly Peace of Elkhart County. “Our mission is to ensure no child sleeps on the floor and the Interra team plays a part in driving that mission.”

Interra partnered with Acts of Service through the Community Foundation of Elkhart County to secure organizations in the communities the credit union serves. The credit union worked along-

side the following entities: Blue Star Mothers; Boys & Girls Club of Nappanee; Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds; Fairfield Community Schools, including Benton Elementary, Millersburg Elementary/Middle School, New Paris Elementary and Fairfield Jr. Sr. High; Lakeland Youth Center; Lighthouse Daycare & Learning Center; Northern Food Bank of Indiana (card making); Sleep In Heavenly Peace; and the Syracuse Food Pantry.

Interra Credit Union, headquartered in Goshen, was charted in 1932 and has assets of $1.6 billion. The credit union’s field of membership spans 18 counties in northern Indiana, with more than 300 fulland part-time employees serving more than 91,000 members.

LEGAL NOTICE

The Town of Milford is accepting sealed bids for the purchase of a 4-door Ford 2010 Crown Victoria. The vehicle was previously used as a law enforcement vehicle. The vehicle is in fair condition and is sold “AS IS.” Vehicle is able to be viewed, by appointment. Please call the Milford Town Clerk’s office at 574-658-4519.

Mileage: 120,658

There is a reserve amount of $300.00 on the vehicle purchase. Cash or money order is required at time of purchase.

Sealed bids are required to be received at the Town Clerk’s office at Milford Town Hall, 121 S. Main/PO Box 300, Milford, IN 46542 by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, November 14th. hspaxlp

LEGAL NOTICE

The Board of Directors of the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District are inviting potential candidates for membership on the Board of Directors of the Conservancy District to file nominating petitions pursuant to I.C. 14-33-5-3. The Directorship position serving Directorship area 2 will be voted upon at the calendar year 2023 annual meeting of the Conservancy District. This directorship position is currently held by Incumbent Board Member Jim Silcox and will be voted upon for a full four-year term on the Governing Board. Any candidate for this position must be a freeholder from within the boundaries of the Directorship Area 2 and must be qualified by knowledge and experience in matters pertaining to the development of the Conservancy District. This candidate may also be a nominee of a Trust or a corporate freeholder.

Anyone interested in seeking this position must file a nominating petition at the office of the Conservancy District located at 11586 N. State Road 13, Syracuse, Indiana before November 30, 2022. The petition must be signed by at least five (5) freeholders from directorship area 1. Nominating petitions that are mailed are valid if delivered or postmarked (private postage meter postmarks will not be accepted) before November 30, 2022 if the envelope has sufficient United States Postage and is addressed to the Conservancy District, PO Box 548, Syracuse, Indiana. Board of Directors TURKEY CREEK DAM AND DIKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT hspaxlp

Notice is hereby given the taxpayers of Kosciusko County, Indiana, that the

Council of said County will meet at the Kosciusko County Courthouse, 100 W Center Street, 3rd Floor Courtroom, Warsaw, Indiana at 6:00 PM on November 10, 2022

for the current year: County General – Work Release 1000-36051-000-0055

excess of the

Testing/Work Release $4,500.00

CCD 1138-35005-000-0000 Computer Maint. and Software $7,318.00 American Rescue Plan (ARP) 8950-38041-000-0000 ARP Coroner Equipment $20,548.00 8950-38042-000-0000 ARP Cardinal Ability Campaign $200,000.00 8950-38043-000-0000 ARP HS HVAC/Bldg. Repairs $22,445.00 8950-38044-000-0000 ARP CCS HVAC/Box Truck $100,000.00 8950-38045-000-0000

ARP Dispatch Hardware $48,251.00

Court Reform 2022- Grant 9112-22024-000-0000 Equipment $44,000.00

Taxpayers appearing at the meeting shall have a right to be heard. The additional appropriation when finally approved will be referred to the Local Government Board of Finance. The Board will make a written determination as to the sufficiency of funds to support the appropriations made within fifteen (15) days of receipt of a certified copy of the action taken.

Michelle Puckett, Auditor Kosciusko County hspaxlp

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 6-1.1-20-5,

NOTICE OF DETERMINATION

notice is hereby given that the Board of School Trustees of the Wawasee Community School Corporation has preliminarily determined to issue bonds in the aggregate amount not to exceed $5,815,000 to fund the proposed renovation of and improvements to school facilities, including interior renovations, HVAC renovations, athletics improvements, and the purchases of buses, technology, and equipment.

Dated: October 19, 2022

/s/ Rebecca Linnemeier, Secretary, Board of School Trustees Wawasee Community School Corporation hspaxlp O.19-26

NOTICE OF

FOR A PERMIT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT A RECREATIONAL EVENT ON PUBLIC WATERS

Wawasee Iceboat Squadron, 9337 E. Natticrow, Syracuse, has applied to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Law Enforcement, Under IC 14-15-7-3 and 312 IAC 5-3-1, for a permit to conduct iceboat races. This event is scheduled to be held on January 7-8, January 21-28, 2023 on Lake Wawasee, in Kosciusko County.

Any person objecting to such an event may do either or both of the following:

(A) File a petitio with the central office of the division requesting an informal hearing. The Petition must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old and who reside in the county where the event will occur. A hearing under this clause is governed by 312 IAC 203.

(B) Request the division notify the petitioner in writing when an initial determination is made to issue or deny the license. Following the receipt of notice under this clause, a petitioner may request administrative review of the determination under 312 IAC 3-1.

The address for the Law Enforcement Division is as follows:

Law Enforcement Division Department of Natural Resources Indiana Government Center South 402 West Washington Street, Room W255D Indianapolis, IN 46204 hspaxlp

TOWN OF SYRACUSE, INDIANA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FROM INDIANA PROVIDERS OF GUARANTEED SAVINGS CONTRACT

The Town of Syracuse, Indiana is soliciting responses to a “REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS” (RFP) for the implementation of a Guaranteed Savings Contract for improvements within their water and wastewater systems.

The responses to the RFP will provide a means by which the Town of Syracuse will select a single licensed Indiana Provider to complete a Guaranteed Savings Contract. The final executed Guaranteed Savings Contract shall comply with IC 36-1-12.5, the guidelines herein this RFP, and the Contract Documents and other information provided by the Town.

The RFP guidelines for this Guaranteed Savings Contract may be obtained from Commonwealth Engineers, Inc., 9604 Coldwater Road, Suite 203, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825. The guidelines obtained from the Engineer further define the project scope; however, a general project scope consists of an 8-inch water main loop; 6-inch force main extension; new lift station; new digester mixing system; new influent pumps; and structure connecting a post aeration and effluent metering structure, and all other work required for the complete operation of the improvements as shown.

Indiana Providers responding to the RFP shall submit six (6) copies of their Proposal in a sealed package to the following address: Town Hall, 310 N. Huntington Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567

Proposals must be received no later than 2:00 PM (local time) on December 13, 2022 at the above address. Any proposals received after that time will not be accepted.

Proposals must be submitted in the format outlined in the RFP package that is available to any interested Indiana Providers. Each Proposal will be reviewed to determine if it is complete prior to evaluation; final Proposal evaluation (scoring) by the Town are described in detail in the RFP package. The Town of Syracuse reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals and to be the sole judge of the value and merit of the Proposals offered. hspaxlp

It happened in Syracuse ... 10 years ago

Around The Lakes

Operation Christmas Child underway at Wawasee Bible Church

the annual Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child campaign now underway.

Wawasee Community Bible Church, 2035 E. 1300N, Milford, is once again serving as a regional supply and drop-off location for

For the past nine years, church member Robin Stiffler has spearheaded the church’s involvement in the project, which is now in its 12th

‘Strengthening Families’ program at Milford Methodist Meeting House

Kosciusko Cares Youth Services, in cooperation with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a seven-week “Strengthening Families” program 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 7 through Dec. 19, at the Milford Methodist Meeting House, 210 W. Catherine St. Dinner will be provided at each session.

The program is open to parents and youth aged 10-14. According to its promotional literature,

the program “can help your family learn to manage emotions, set goals, avoid peer pressure, make better decisions and create better relationships.

“You will learn how to show love while setting limits, how to listen to your child and how to help family members show appreciation to each other.”

For more information, call (574) 306-0006 or email tammy@ kosciuskocares.org.

Milford First Brethren to host free community dinner

Milford First Brethren Church, 110 W. Catherine St., will host a free community meal from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the church gymnasium. Attendees are requested to enter the building through the east double doors.

The meal will be a hamburger and tater tot casserole, including sides, drinks and dessert. The

public is invited.

The church, located at the southeast corner of Catherine and Henry streets, hosts the free dinner the fourth Wednesday of each month.

The church also operates the Van Buren Township Food Pantry.

For more information, call Jim Strube at (574) 453-7878.

year of providing Christmas gifts to children around the world.

Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse and its local affiliate churches have “delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to over 198 million children in more than 170 countries and territories,” according to samaritanspurse.org/ occ.

Stiffler expressed her gratitude for how the church and the community comes together every year to bless children across the globe.

“We are very fortunate to live in a community that has a big heart for giving and is incredibly generous,” she said. “When it’s a ministry for children in need, people can’t help but want to do something special for them.

“I love to hear about families with kids who go shopping together and each child will fill a shoebox with things they personally pick out. For many it’s a family tradition.

“Other will pack a shoebox in honor of someone for Christmas. One of our kids at church has a birthday in November and will have a birthday party where they pack shoeboxes. We have one couple in our community who packs shoeboxes all year long and last year they dropped off 442. I’m thrilled and thankful people love Operation Christmas Child.”

Last year the church partnered their efforts with the Wawasee High School girls basketball team and collected 1,333 shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items.

Participation is simple and the instructions on the website are straightforward:

1. Select a standard shoebox or obtain a preprinted box from Wawasee Community Bible Church, other participating locations or the Samaritan’s Purse website.

2. Choose one of six recipient categories: a boy or girl who is 2-4 year old, 5-9 years old or 10-14 years old.

3. Select a quality “wow” item, such as a soccer ball with pump, doll, stuffed animal or shoes.

4. Include a variety of personal care items, toys, accessories and school supplies, such as toothbrushes, socks, flashlights with extra batteries, yo-yos, pens and pencils, crayons, notebooks and solar calculators. Do not include food, seeds, toothpaste, war-related items, vitamins, breakable items, liquids or lotions, used or damaged items or aerosol cans.

5. Pray for the child who will receive the gifts, and include a personal note and photo of yourself, your family or your child(ren).

6. Donate $10 per box online or at the drop-off site to cover shipping and other project costs.

7. Drop off the box during National Collection Week, which runs Monday, Nov. 14, through Monday, Nov. 21.

Boxes can be purchased and filled online for a donation of $25. Those who wish to learn the destination of their shoebox may do so by using the “Follow Your Box” feature on the website.

For more information or to schedule a drop off, call the church office, (574) 658-9161, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the church during Sunday worship services at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

NOLAN LATTA and his grandfather, Bob Pahl, both of Crown Point, pictured above, came to Webster Lake last week to fish for muskie. They were successful, as Pahl caught a 40-inch fish!

Pahl said he was one of the first people to stock the lake with muskie in 1988. He said the fun is “in the pursuit as they are very elusive and hard to catch.”

MILFORD FIRST Brethren Church, 110 W. Catherine St., will host a free community meal from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the church gymnasium. Attendees are requested to enter the building through the east double doors. The meal will be a hamburger and tater tot casserole, including sides, drinks and dessert. The public is invited.

The church, located at the southeast corner of Catherine and Henry streets, hosts the free dinner the fourth Wednesday of each month.

The church also operates the Van Buren Township Food Pantry. For more information, call Jim Strube at (574) 453-7878.

For the exercise inclined, there will be a 2- and 1-mile run, along with a 1/2-mile walk, beginning at 4 p.m. Registration will begin at 3 p.m. Visit milfordfoodbank.org for the online registration form.

A haystack supper will begin at 4:30 p.m. Carryout meals will be available. The cost is a freewill donation. A silent auction and bake sale will take place from 4:30-6 p.m., with a live auction starting at 6:30 p.m. Visit the website for the items up for bidding. All proceeds from the events will benefit Milford Food Bank.

LAST WEEK Syracuse Town Council President Bill Musser posted a request seeking input on whether citizens would be interested in having a dog park in town. He is still seeking input. Another Facebook thread has started regarding a proposed dog park where several asked when the next Syracuse Town Council meeting will be held. The Syracuse Town Council’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, in council chambers located in Syracuse Town Hall. This meeting is open to the public. Members of the public may make comments/ ask questions on non-agenda items at the end of the meeting.

“THE AUTUMN leaves this year have been spectacular,” noted Nancy Gray, Senior Primelife Enrichment Center director. “We better enjoy it while we can.

“We had four tables for our euchre tournament last Thursday. It was a great crowd and wonderful treats as usual. Our winners were, in first place, Alan Frank, and second place, Phyllis Stevenson. The most loans went to Bert LaBash and low man was Darcy Dean.

LOTS GOING on in Syracuse. First, the doe known as Susie/Deidra/Jojo, who hangs around Miller’s Merry Manor, is not only getting new digs so she can stay warm this winter, she also has her own Facebook page called “Syracuse Town Deer.” If you are still looking to donate, gift cards from Ace Hardware in Syracuse may be beneficial. Check out her page for more information.

Pictured above is Tyler Shepherd and his family, who recently drove to Syracuse from Warsaw to spend some time with the deer and share some treats.

NORTH WEBSTER Community Center’s murder mystery dinner will now be moved to Feb. 17, 2023. The event was originally scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18. Tickets can be bought nwcommunitycenter.org or stop by the office at 301 N. Main St.

WITH THE weather changing, many are moving their workouts indoors. The Syracuse Public Library offers chair yoga at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays in the downstairs meeting room.

Chair yoga helps with improving flexibility, concentration and strength while boosting mood and reducing stress and joint strain. Since this program occurs before the library opens, knock on the Harrison Street door near the staff parking lot for entrance into the library.

AN ARTS and crafts bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the North Webster American Legion, 756 S. Main St. There will be several local artisans, crafters and direct home sales vendors at the event.

Enjoy a cocktail and lunch. The event is open to the public. All proceeds will benefit the North Webster American Legion. Vendor registration forms are available at the Legion. Registration deadline is Nov. 18. Limited spaces are available. For more info, call (574) 834-4297, ext. 2, and ask for Tracey.

DON’T FORGET there are two Halloween events at Lakeside Park Saturday, Oct. 29. From 1-3 p.m. will be the Trick or Treat Trail for the kids. Kids will have an opportunity to trick or treat through Lakeside Park, with local businesses and organizations offering treats.

Then at 4 p.m. registration for the 5K Creature Crawl will start. The event offers a 5K run and a 1-mile walk. Runners will kick off at 5 p.m. with walkers stepping off at 5:10 p.m. Those wanting to participate may register at runreg.com/creaturecrawl.

MILFORD FOOD Bank will host its annual fundraiser, “Gobble Up Hunger” with multiple events taking place Saturday, Nov. 5. All events will take place at Milford School, 611 W. Emeline St.

“We’ve had a wonderful reaction to our 2023 calendar and it looks like we will sell out early. We will be getting our calendars by Tuesday, Nov. 1. I am ordering envelopes and checking on postage fees so I can mail them out. Called the ‘Historic North Webster’ calendar, we are asking a donation of $10 per calendar. Call if you have questions, (574) 834-1600. Ext. 224.

“We will be here 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, to hand out candy to the trick or treaters, who come to visit the Haunted Halls at the community center.”

THE SYRACUSE Public Library’s children’s department will be closed all day Monday, Oct. 31, and the adult department will close at 5 p.m. in preparation for its Halloween program, which will be from 6-8 p.m. Children can enter the Wonderful World of Oz and trick or treat throughout the library.

Did you know the library offers homework help? The library has launched Study Hall this month. Each Monday from 4-6 p.m., except Monday, Oct. 31, students can swing by the Rosalyn Jones Room/YA space to work on homework and get help from the YA librarians if they run into questions. There are even snacks provided! And just a reminder, even when study hall isn’t in session, librarians are always available to help with homework questions.

MILFORD KIWANIS has announced that $1,070 was raised for the Teacher’s Toolbox project from the soup supper cook-off held Friday evening during Food Truck Friday.

Winners from the event included Melinda Roose in the individual category with her cabbage and sausage soup; Angie Deak and Made on Main in the business category for her chicken gnocchi; Karena Wilkinson and Harvest Coffee Milford, restaurant category, loaded baked potato soup; Sierra Clark-Kern and the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, civic category, sausage gnocchi soup; and Van Buren Township Trustee Becky Alles, government category, cheesy chicken spinach artichoke soup. Alles’s category-winning soup also took the “best overall” prize.

Pictured in front from left are Alles and Roose, while behind are Clark-Kern and Deak. Not pictured is Wilkinson.