The Mail-Journal - June 12, 2024

Trial begins in reckless homicide charge for 2020 Lake Wawasee boating accident

Two witnesses testified during the first day of a three-day jury trial for an Indianapolis man criminally charged for a fatal boating accident on Lake Wawasee.

Kevin M. Kelley, 66, Indianapolis, is charged with reckless homicide, a level 5 felony.

Kelley is being represented by Mary K. Zahn and David E. Deal, Indianapolis. The state’s case is being presented by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton. In Indiana, a Level 5 felony is punishable by one to six years in prison, with an advisory sentence of three years.

Affidavit Of Probable Cause

On Aug. 8, 2020, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Syracuse Police Department, and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office investigated the death of Nathaniel C. Mroz, 20, Fortville.

On that day, officers were dispatched to a residence on Lake Wawasee which was owned and occupied by Kelley. While Syracuse EMS attended to Mroz, officers interviewed witnesses.

According to court documents, Kelley was operating a boat and pulling two tubes with three riders on Lake Wawasee. During this activity, it was discovered all of the tubers had fallen into the water around the same time.

Kelley admitted to officers that

while he was retrieving the tubers, he failed to notice Mroz was directly in the path of his boat. Kelley ran over Mroz with the boat.

One of the tubers said they saw Mroz waving his arms as a safety measure for boaters to be aware of his presence in the water just prior to being hit by Kelley’s boat. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and Mroz was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office.

DNR conservation officers and an evidence technician with the Indiana State Police continued investigating several days after the accident. Collected evidence indicated that while retrieving the fallen tubers, Kelley had op-

M.

erated his boat at an unreasonable rate of speed. Court documents also state Continued on page 3

Elevatus presents updated Milford School renderings

Architecture came before the Wawasee school board to present updated

Milford School renderings. The Milford School project is one of two projects currently underway within the Wawasee Community School Corporation. The other project is constructing a performing arts center at Wawasee High School.

Hower showed multiple renderings, from the exterior to the cafeteria to the gymnasium.

“There is not a whole lot to say, we are just so excited to show you these updated renderings!” Hower told the board.

Since the project is nearing the end of its design phase, the next step in the project is to open the floor for bids. Once bids are sent, publicly opened and then accepted by the board, construction can begin.

Hower predicts by end of the week MKS will have the final drawings. The bid opening will shortly follow the approval of final drawings.

“One year ago this month, the

board approved the hiring of our architects and construction managers for our two big projects,” Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer said. “It’s been a packed year of stakeholder input, of design meetings and collaborative sessions between different groups of people. It has been a really cool process to walk through the last year.”

The board approved a memorandum of understanding between the school corporation and the Kosciusko County Health Department to create the Kosciusko Health First Indiana Program. The grant of $49,500 will allow the school corporation to provide two projects: tobacco and vaping prevention and chronic disease prevention, primarily obesity.

The tobacco and vaping prevention program will be a collabora-

Fowler, Bokhart file for school board seats

tive project with McMillen Health, which is recognized as the top resource for health education in northeast Indiana. The program would begin in the fall 2024 and would be geared toward fourth and fifth grade students. Currently, the corporation does not have a tobacco and vaping prevention and cessation program in place for this age of students.

Once students complete the program, they should be able to identify three things all vaping devices have in common, define addiction, describe at least two negative consequences of addiction, demonstrate at least one self-regulation strategy to handle stress and identify at least two tricks that peers can use to pressure an individual.

The chronic disease prevention

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Elevatus presents

Continued from page 1

program will be a collaborative effort with Wawasee’s FFA organization as well with CTE agricultural department students. This program will allow students to experience learning in a different way, under-

stand how our food is grown and learn healthy eating practices.

Students will utilize a hydroponic growing system so students can grow leafy greens and herbs inside their classroom. Hydroponics is a versatile tool which piques

Fowler, Bokhart

Continued from page 1

June 20. Any resident in the three school districts — District 1 — Tippecanoe Township; District 2 — Turkey Creek Township; and District 3 — VanBuren Township and the east half of Jefferson Township; can file within the district they reside. Only two persons, not from the same district, can be elected to fill the at-large seats.

Mike Fowler

Mike Fowler and his wife, Ellen have three children, Olivia, a Wawasee High School student; Charlie, a Wawasee Middle School student; and Mackenzie, who attends Lighthouse Autism Center/ North Webster Elementary.

Fowler graduated from Lake Central High School in 2005 before attending Trine University to play football. In 2009 he graduated from Trine with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

He was hired by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office in 2010 as a road deputy and was promoted to corporal in 2017. In 2019 he was promoted to detective sergeant, which is his current role.

“My wife and I love the Wawasee community and felt this was the best area to raise our family. In 2018 I became a board member of the Wawasee Community Summer League, and then in 2021 I took over the role as commissioner. I have been extremely invested in our youth through sports and I’ve enjoyed it tremendously,” said Fowler.

“Since 2018, I have coached multiple Wawasee softball teams, Wawasee Peewee Football and Wawasee 14u baseball. In 2023

Don Bokhart

the interest of students, encourages involvement, and amplifies the teaching of not only a wide variety of school topics but also real-world skills. This program will benefit middle and high school students, starting in fall 2024.

Don Bokhart has been a staple on the Wawasee school board for nearly a decade.

Bokhart grew up in Mishawaka and graduated from Mishawaka Marian High School. He continued his education at Ball State University and received his master’s degree from the same schoo.

Bokhart had an impressive 40 year career in education. Bokhart taught fourth and fifth grade at Chamberlain Elementary School in Goshen.

“I am planning on running for one more term,” Bokhart explained. “I would like to stay on the board to see the building projects completed and continue to witness the growth and momentum that Wawasee Community Schools is building. Continuing the work that was begun in the community engagement process is something that I am very proud to have helped implement.”

Bokhart played an instrumental role in the community engagement process that determined four potential projects to be brought before the school board, of which the board approved two.

The Wawasee Community School Corporation is currently underway with those two major construction projects: a performing arts center for the Wawasee High School and a new building for Milford Elementary. “I have been on the board for eight years. In that time I believe I have become more sensitive to the needs of all three communities that make up Wawasee Community Schools. While we are three separate communities, it is very apparent that we all want what is best for our students and children,” Bokhart added.

I created K-County Kraken Softball as a feeder program for the Wawasee high school softball program. This year we added K-County Kraken Baseball as a feeder program for Wawasee high school baseball. Now I would like to take it a step further and do my part in making sure all of our students are getting the very best,” added Fowler.

Mishler to swim

If I don’t make the Olympic team my next goal would be to make the National team.” Also on the table for Mishler is making the Junior National Team. The junior squad will have an international competition in Australia this August.

Mishler will compete in three events: the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. All events will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium, where the Indianapolis Colts play home games. It is the first time the Olympic trials will be held in a football venue with seating available for up to 30,000 spectators. Three pools have been installed in the stadium with millions of gallons of water poured.

“It’s definitely going to be a new experience,” Mishler said on swimming at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“I am so excited to swim there and be a part of this cool experience.” Mishler’s first event will be the 100 backstroke on Monday, June 17. The 100 freestyle is next on Tuesday, June 18. Her final event, the 50 freestyle on Saturday, June 22, might be her best chance at qualifying.

“The event I want to make is the 50 free,” Mishler said. Mishler was second at the state meet in the 50 free on Feb. 10. She broke the existing state record with her performance 21.85 seconds, but Penn senior Lilian Christianson also broke the state record with a faster time of 21.72. Mishler will enter as a clear favorite to win the 50 next year at the state meet and become Wawasee’s

The board approved multiple one-year addition to certified and non-certified administrative contracts, including: Dr. Shelly Wilfong, assistant superintendent; Jennifer Phillips, director of special services; Emily Worrell, director of communications and marketing; John Snyder, Wawasee High School assistant principal; Steve Perek, Wawasee High School assistant principal; Jon Everingham, Wawasee Area Career Cooperative director; Brent Doty, Wawasee High School athletic director; Michael Casey, Milford School principal; Lee Snider, North Webster Elementary principal; Brent Berkeypile, Wawasee Middle School principal; Wade Wirebaugh, director of technology and Brandon Kiser, director of facilities.

During Good News, the school board honored two staff members who are retiring.

Carol Speicher worked for the corporation for 28 years, serving as Milford and WCSC administrative assistant.

Paula Fiscus worked as a Wawasee teacher and instructional support specialist for 31 years.

Additionally, the school board honored two students who competed in the IHSAA State finals.

Isabela Schwartz, a Wawasee junior, placed 24th in the 100 hurdles. Emma Yoder finished her Warrior career by placing third at discus throw.

Numerous donations were made

ENTRANCE Emily

project, including the rendering of the

to North Webster Elementary and Wawasee High School. Sandra Weaver donated $250 for North Webster student’s needs. Zoo Day field trip donations included $100 from Metcalf, Payne and Bell; $100 from ProWake, LLC; $100 from Davidsen’s Pier Service; $100 from Jeffrey and Michelle Helfers; $100 from Sue’s Creations; and $100 from an anonymous donor.

The Wawasee Supermileage Team received a $100 donation from Absolutely Apparel and Gifts and $110 from an anonymous donor.

Wawasee FFA received $500 from Maple Leaf Farms; $500 from Schlipf Precision Ag Inc.; and $1,400 from Knights of Columbus Council 6323.

PROVIDING UP-

DATES Emily Hower, of Elevatus Architecture, presented updated renderings of the Milford School project. The Milford School project is one of two projects underway within the Wawasee Community School Corporation.

Photo by Marissa Sweatland.

The Knights of Columbus Council 6323 also donated $850 to the tennis team, $1,400 to the Wawasee High School band and $950 to the baseball team.

Robert Ragland donated $1,000 to the Wawasee High School music scholarship.

As the last item on the agenda, the board approved two overnight trips that will take place in July.

The Wawasee football team will be participating in an overnight summer camp on Manchester Universi-

Food Truck Friday and public input session announced at Milford Town Council meeting

Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall announced the First Food Truck Friday of the year will take place Friday, June 21 at the Milford Town Council’s meeting Monday, June 10. The council approved street closures starting at 2 p.m. that day for the event.

Gall mentioned Wawasee Community School Corporation will have a table at Food Truck Friday for public input on a community park area.

“When they build the new elementary school here in Milford, they will be building over the ball diamonds. So, they are looking at creating a community park area to the northwest of where the school’s located. ... They’re looking at putting a ball field there and possibly some other things like pickleball, basketball. ... We just want to make sure we get public input as to what people want to see,” said Gall.

Milford Food Bank asked for a variance in order to build a new commercial building at zero feet from the north right of way, 10 feet from the west property line, 10 feet from the south property line and 11 feet from the east right of way. The council ruled they had no objections.

current land application permit. Comments regarding the application can be submitted until Friday, June 21. No comments were made at the meeting.

Police Marshal Derek Kreider announced the resignation of officer R.J. Plummer, who will be moving on to the Syracuse Police Department after Friday, June 14. The council approved the hiring of Allie Slone for a full-time officer position starting Sunday, June 16. Slone was sworn in at the April town council meeting and recently graduated from the Kosciusko County Reserve Academy. She will go on to a field training program and attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy next year. The council also passed a deputy marshal salary ordinance for Slone’s pay. In wastewater news, the lift station upgrades discussed at last month’s meeting should be getting underway soon.

In stormwater news, the residents with a fence post through the waterline have received a letter and will inquire to the county about how far from the easement their fence needs to be. The removal [process should start soon, according to Superintendent Steven Marquart.

placement process. Well No. 3 has been pulled for inspection and repair and should be reinstalled within the next week. The repair are being done by Peerless-Midwest free of charge.

As for the parks department, tree removal in the park and tree trimming in alleyways has been completed. The department is currently looking into new trees to replace those removed. Lifeguards should be be on duty soon, potentially by the weekend.

Marquart is also going to be talking to the Department of Natural Resources about shoreline erosion on Waubee Lake.

“We have a shoreline erosion problem by the boat ramp. In the 23 or 24 years I’ve worked here, we’ve probably lost about 15 feet of shore,” said Marquart. In the past, aquatic weeds have been used to mitigate erosion, but the department is now interested in placing large rocks on the shoreline.

In street news, Marquart urged residents to keep an eye out for town employees on the streets, as curb and crosswalk painting will be starting soon. He also asked that they leave location flags in the ground as fiber optic cable installation continues around town.

first state champion in any sport since 2015. Mishler was also second in the 100 backstroke at state. Preliminary heats for the Olympic trials will start at 11 a.m. with the finals taking place at 7:45 p.m. Fans can watch the action from Kosciusko County with the finals airing on NBC during primetime. The USA Network will air the preliminary competition as will the streaming service Peacock.

The Olympic Trials are not too far from where Mishler trains in Fishers for club season. She says she travels to Fishers at least once a week to train with her club, the Fishers Area Swimming Tigers. Mishler is committed to the University of Louisville for swimming after high school and will likely try out again for the Olympic team in 2028 as well. Her chances of qualifying for Team USA are expected to be higher after earning college experience. Mishler committed to the University of Louisville prior to the start of her junior season. A school she did not think she would take a visit to until passing through the city with her sister Alexis. Alexis swims at Florida Gulf Coast University and is a 2023 Wawasee grad. Julie saw the campus at Louisville and made the commitment after her visit. “It was kind of fast,” Mishler said. “I was in the recruitment process from June to October before I made my commitment. It was stressful but it was also fun at the same time. I actually didn’t know if I was going to go visit Louisville. I told myself I need to take a visit there. I like it there.”

Maple Leaf Farms gave notice to the council that it has applied to the solid waste section of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to modify their

For the water department, Commonwealth Engineers will soon be sending out mailers to residents asking them to identify their waterlines as part of the lead line identification and re-

Marquart asked the council for permission seek schooling for town employee Angela Heltzel for a water treatment and distribution license. The council asked that Marquart do more research on class structure and whether or not the

town would need to pay travel time before coming back to the council. Vice president Ken Long stated there is an approximately $800 to $1,000 cost for the class and $500 for textbooks and class materials. Marquart noted that it will most likely be an online class, negating travel time, and that this schooling had been factored into the yearly budget. There was no news from the fire department this month. Gall had some updates from the clerk’s office. Milford is not currently accepting trash service bids, so Sweetheimer Trash Removal has agreed to renew their service for another three months at no additional cost. The current cost is $5,123.36 per month. The council approved closing the town hall for Independence Day Thursday, July 4. Lastly, Gall updated the council on the downtown master plan. The plan committee received statements of qualification from six firms who are interested in doing a master study for Milford’s downtown revitalization plan. The committee will ask for approval on their chosen candidate at the next meeting, after which they can accept bids for the cost of the study. The town will start advertising for bids for water meter replacement and installation on Wednesday, June 12. The next Milford Town Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, July 8.

Milford Redevelopment puts infrastructure agreement on hold

The Milford Redevelopment Commission continued discussion of the infrastructure purchase agreement for the Eastfield subdivision at its Monday, June 10, meeting.

After last month’s meeting, the commission drafted an infrastructure purchase agreement for the public infrastructure in the Eastfield subdivision. As per their agreement with developer Miller Brothers, the town assumes responsibility for the public infrastructure, such as roads and the water utility, in Eastfield.

The draft, which the commission passed on to Miller Brothers, also asks the developer to assume closing costs to lessen the financial burden on the commission. In the past two weeks, there has been no response from Miller Brothers on whether they approve.

The commission was unable to take any action and decided to put the matter on next month’s meeting agenda.

To date, all necessary infrastructure has been installed by Miller Brothers. As such, the commission decided not to renew their bond with the county that would insure them against a developer failing to complete it.

Because the purchase of infrastructure will be paid for by the capture of tax increment funds from the TIF district, there will be no payments made until those increments are received. The town has pledged to pay up to 50% of their increment funds to Miller Brothers as it comes in.

“Basically, no money changes hands until we actually receive the funds into the TIF account, and then we share it 50/50 with the developer,” commission president Dan Brown explained. Brown also noted, “this is the first residential TIF district to occur in the county, to actually move forward and have houses being built, and so everybody’s going through these agreements for the first time.”

The next Milford Redevelopment Commission meeting will be Monday, July 8.

Obituaries

Betty Jean Myers

Milford Christian Church Children’s Leader

Betty Jean Myers, Keizer, Ore., formerly of Syracuse, passed from this world into heaven on Sunday, June 2, 2024. As she took her final breath, we were assured that she was embraced by her savior. She was a woman of faith and Jesus was always by her side.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Ray E. Bray and Erna M. Bray; a brother, Richard Bray; and a granddaughter, Britiney Marie Alt Johanson.

BETTY JEAN MYERS

Betty was born in Milford on May 10, 1933, where she lived until she graduated from Milford High School. After graduating she attended Indiana University. She was married to Charles (Chuck) Myers on Nov. 28, 1953, in Milford. After living on Lake Wawasee for a brief time, she moved with Chuck to Fort Knox while he served in the Army for two years. Upon returning to Syracuse, they joined his father, Cletus Myers, in the C.S. Myers Ford business in Milford.

Betty enjoyed the lake life on both Wawasee and Syracuse lakes, hosting many gatherings at their home with the Fourth of July being an annual family reunion for many years. She enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and spending the winter months in California. Betty lived in Syracuse for 90 years of her life before relocating to Keizer, Ore., in 2023 to be near her daughter, Christi Miller, and her family.

She was a member of Wawasee Bible Church and a longtime member of Milford Christian Church, where she served as a children’s leader for many years. (Many may remember the large book she used to teach the words to, “How Great Thou Art.”) She was gifted in counseling and mentored many girls and women in their Christian walk. She was a prayer warrior, involved with Lifetouch Ministries, Mama’s House (a maternity home in California) and she led many Bible studies. She loved to study and memorize God’s word.

Betty is survived by her husband of 70 years, Charles Myers of Keizer, Ore.; her two daughters, Christi Myers Miller (Greg) of Keizer, Ore., and Sherry Myers Alt (Greg) of Hoschton, Ga.; three grandchildren, Courtney Alt Nieman (Paul) of Jefferson, Ga., Matthew Miller (Kristin) of Salem, Ore., and Hannah Miller Whitney (Cameron) of Keizer, Ore.; five great-grandchildren, Selah Nieman, Winslow Miller, Everly Nieman, John Whitney and Roselyn Miller; a sister, Mary Ellen Troup of Goshen and two brothers, Larry Bray of Milford and Jerry Bray of Milford.

Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse is entrusted with Betty’s care. A visitation and funeral, with a praise and worship celebration, will be held Friday, June 28, at Wawasee Community Bible Church in Milford. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by a service at noon.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Betty’s memory can be sent to: Lifetouch Ministries, 2510 E. Center St., Warsaw, IN 46580 or Mama’s House Ministries, P.O. Box 1816, Palm Desert, CA 92261.

The family would like to thank everyone that have been a part of Betty’s life and especially for all the prayers and encouragement during this past year.

To leave a condolence, visit TitusFuneralHome.com.

Francis Olaf Olson

Retired From United Telephone Systems

Francis Olaf Olson, 88, Milford, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at home.

He was born Jan. 1, 1936, the son of Theodore and Alta Olson in Starke County. On Oct. 10, 2007, he married Audrey (Woodward) Fulmer in Milford.

He is survived by his wife, Audrey Olson of Milford; three daughters, Beth Feiler of Goshen, Dawn (Bud) Webb of Nappanee and Vicki (Dan Miller) George of Nappanee; stepchildren, Lisa (Larry) Brady of Francesville and Kevin (Janine) Fulmer of Medaryville; seven grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and eight stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Cairine Sewell, in 1999; and two great-grandchildren, Avian Fulmer and Luretta Fulmer.

Francis retired from United Telephone Systems after over 30 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, chapter 414 in Bremen. Francis enjoyed going to flea markets and tractor shows all over with Audrey and collected antique tractors. He also loved to go out for breakfast with his cronies.

A graveside service will be held for Francis at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15, at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Alara Hospice.

Mishler Funeral Home & Cremation Center is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at mishlerfhcc.com.

Syracuse Park Dept., Community Center activities

The Syracuse Park Department and Community Center have a calendar full of events to keep its community active and healthy this summer. Syracuse Park Department

The 10th annual Mudtastic Classic will be held Saturday, June 22 on trails near the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center. The deadline for online registration is 9 p.m. Sunday, June 16. To register for the Mudtastic, visit runreg.com/mudtasticclassic.

The 13th annual Tour des Lakes will be held Saturday, July 20 and will tour around eight beautiful lakes in Kosciusko County. There are three route options; 30k, 55k and 100k. The 100k will bring riders around Lake Wawasee, Webster Lake, Chapman Lake, Winona Lake and Tippecanoe Lake. There will be SAG stops for a quick healthy snack and drink, and lunch when you return to the Community Center. A portion of the proceeds are used for the continued growth of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail system. To register, visit tourdeslakes. com/register/.

To stay-up-to date with Syracuse Parks and Recreation happenings, “like” the organization on Facebook at facebook.com/syracuseparks/. Community Center

• Strength training: 5:15 a.m.

Trial begins

Continued from page 1

Kelley did not exercise adequate supervision of the tubers while in the water, carelessly and willfully disregarding the tubers’ safety, which resulted in Mroz’s death.

Trial Proceedings

Eight men and five women were seated on the jury in Kosciusko Circuit Court around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, with Judge Michael Reed presiding.

Hampton summarized the case’s circumstances for the jury in his opening statement. A group of college friends, including Kelley’s stepson, were invited to spend the weekend at Kelley’s lake house on Lake Wawasee.

“When Kevin Kelley took over as the driver (for tubing), the ride significantly changed,” said Hampton. “According to the riders, Kevin throttled up the boat, trying the best he could to throw them off their tubes. The evidence will lead you to the conclusion that Kevin is guilty of recklessly operating his boat without any regard for the safety of the tubers he was carrying.”

Deal said on Aug. 8, 2020, the water was extremely choppy and there was a lot of boat traffic. He noted one of the boat’s spotters, an individual assigned to alert the driver when tubers fell into the water, never saw Mroz in the water.

Deal also said state law required Kelley to take a substance test since the accident was fatal. The test showed Kelley had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time.

“After interviews (with police), Kevin was not taken into custody that day,” said Deal. “Officers had no evidence that Kevin drove recklessly and no one knows how fast the boat was going. The government hasn’t produced any evidence about the boat’s speed at all. This was a tragic accident and you will have no choice but to find Kevin not guilty of reckless homicide.”

The state’s first witness was Brenden Klenke, who was friends with Mroz and was tubing with the group the day of the accident. Klenke said he went to school with Nathan Shuey, Kelley’s stepson, and the group was visiting Kelley’s lake house the weekend of Aug. 8, 2020.

He estimated there were about 15 to 20 people at the lake house that weekend.

Prior to the accident, Klenke said the group went golfing that morning and had a tubing session, with Klenke, Mroz, and a third friend, Jake Gillay, being the group of tubers.

The group then went out later in the day, around 6 p.m., for a second tubing session. In this instance, Kelley and his wife, along with some of their adult friends, were on the boat.

Klenke testified there was one instance where he, Mroz, and Gillay all fell off their tubes when Kelley was driving the boat. He said Mroz did not raise his hands up right away but he did so before he was hit by Kelley’s boat.

Klenke said his mind went into a state of shock and remembered seeing Mroz on the back of the boat after the accident. He got back on a tube to be transported back to the lake house, where he went looking for a towel or bandage to help with Mroz’s injuries.

focus on looking out for other boats. He testified there were at least five other people on the boat aside from Kelley.

Gillay was the state’s second witness and recalled similar details of how the group’s day started prior to the accident. Gillay said he was best friends with Mroz in high school and college, and they were college roommates.

With the first tubing session on Aug. 8, 2020, Gillay said Shuey was driving the boat. He said boating traffic on Lake Wawasee at that time was not super crowded and there were no big waves.

Later in the day, during the tubing session where the accident occurred, Gillay described the water’s conditions as “choppy and windy,” noting there were also a lot of boats on the lake at the time.

Gillay said he felt Kelley’s speed as a boat driver was faster than what Shuey drove. He testified at one point, he could have reached over and touched Kelley’s boat while he was being picked up from the water.

Gillay recalled seeing Mroz’s body in the water, surrounded in blood, and said he immediately swam over to help. He pulled Mroz to the boat and helped apply pressure to Mroz’s head injuries.

Gillay also described feeling “unsafe” with Kelley as the boat’s driver, feeling like his speed was “full go all the time.”

“Looking back, I wish I would have called it,” said Gillay about the second tubing session.

In cross-examination, Zahn asked Gillay if he spoke with Shuey about hand signals prior to their tubing session. Gillay said they did, with the signals including giving a thumbs-up or down if the boat’s speed should be increased or decreased. He also said when the group was tubing with Shuey as the driver, multiple people on the boat would call out when a tuber fell into the water.

Gillay estimated there were about six to eight people on the

boat when Kelley was driving, and the boat’s occupants were not paying attention the whole time to the group of tubers. He testified he did give Kelley a thumbs-up at one point, but the boat’s speed stayed the same. Gillay also said he could hear music being played from the boat while he was being pulled along on an inner tube. The trial continued at 8:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, June 12, with the state expected to call more witnesses to testify.

Pierceton and Warsaw Michael and Tracy Wilson

Back in 1970, the average funeral cost only $980. Today, that amount has skyrocketed to between $7,000 and $12,000and the cost keeps rising right along with inflation. This is why it’s smart to plan ahead. When you prepay for your funeral, you’ll lock into today’s priceswhich means you’ll save your loved ones a bundle down the road.

Monday and Wednesday

• Walking: 8 a.m. Monday-Saturday

• Yoga: 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday

• Euchre: 10 a.m. Monday-Friday

• Pickleball: 10 a.m. Monday-Friday

The Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive, has been open since the summer of 2002. Since its opening, it has become home to several community events as well as daily use for all ages. The Community Center is home to a computer lab, fitness room, senior citizen area, gymnasium and additional rooms that are available for rent. The Community Center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For further information about what the Syracuse Community Center has to offer, call (574) 457-3440. To stay up-to-date on community center happenings, follow on Facebook.

When questioned about Kelley’s speed, Klenke said he could not recall if Kelley was traveling at a slow or fast pace.

In cross-examination, Zahn asked if someone aside from the boat’s driver is needed to watch for people in the water. Klenke answered affirmatively, stating the boat’s driver is supposed to

Find “Hidden Treasures”

Accidents/Incidents

Kosciusko County

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

7:15 p.m. Sunday, June 9, East CR 400N, east of EMS B3 Lane, Leesburg. Driver: Caden J. Francis, 17, North Webster. Francis’ vehicle slid on gravel and hit a pole. Damage up to $50,000.

3:40 p.m. Thursday, June 6, West CR 1350N, and North CR 400W, Milford. Drivers: Michael A. Pelphrey, 54, East Lantern Road, Warsaw; and Jason M. Laudeman, 38, SR 10, Bourbon. Pelphrey didn’t see Laudeman’s vehicle and went into his path, causing a collision. Damage up to $25,000.

5:57 a.m. Thursday, June 6, West CR 600N, west of North CR 400W, Leesburg. Driver: Thomas G. Grubbs, 47, West Hoffman Lake Road, Warsaw. Grubbs’ vehicle hit a deer. Damage up to $50,000.

Incidents

2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 7400 block of North Blacks Court East, North Webster. Kylie M. Wood had jewelry stolen. Value of $350.

8:46 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 12600 block of North Pleasant Grove Road, Syracuse. Fraud was reported.

North Webster

Officers with the North Webster Police Department investigated the following incident:

Incident

6:34 p.m. Monday, June 3, 600 block North Main Street, North Webster. Representatives for Circle K Gas Station reported forgery.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following accident and incidents and made the following arrests: Accident

8:30 a.m. Monday, June 3, North Huntington Street, Syracuse. Drivers: Phillip Martin, 35, South Linda Lane, North Webster; and Jeremy Doerr, 51 North CR 560E, Syracuse. Phillip’s vehicle backed up into Doerr’s parked vehicle. Damage under $1,001.

Incidents

2:21 a.m. Sunday, June 9, 1100 block South Harkless Drive, Syracuse. Police officers responded to a call regarding an unwanted subject refusing to exit a business.

2:50 a.m. Sunday, June 9, 900 block South Huntington Street, Syracuse. Police officers responded to a call requesting a welfare check for an individual who fell asleep in a drive through line.

6:53 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 300 block North Huntington Street, Syracuse. Alexia I. Hernandez reported identity theft.

3:44 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 900 block of South Lake Drive, Syracuse. A trash can was stolen. Value of $200.

Arrests

12:21 a.m. Sunday, June 9, 1100 block South Harkless Drive, Syracuse. Joel Katzer, 38, 529 E. Acorn Drive, Warsaw, was arrested for obstruction of justice.

2:50 a.m. Sunday, June 9, 900 block South Huntington Street, Syracuse. Devin Mounds, 31, 1016 N. Washington St., Marion, was arrested for battery against a law enforcement officer, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and possession of marijuana.

Court News

Superior Court III

The following fines for infractions have been assessed in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Speeding — Marlen R. Bontrager, Milford, $164.50; Carlos M. Camargo Paramo, Milford, $164.50 Driving while suspended Leon Allan Casper, Cromwell, $189.50 No valid driver’s license — Fredric S. Armstrong, Leesburg, $164.50

Marriage Licenses

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident:

Accident

Midnight Monday, June 3, SR 15, and East Winona Avenue, Warsaw. Drivers: Jack Anderson, 20, North Village Drive, Leesburg; and Amanda Poling, 33, East Tulip Tree Drive, Warsaw. Anderson’s vehicle sideswiped Poling’s. Damage up to $5,000.

Jail

Bookings

Kosciusko County

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

June 8 — Damien Carter Combs, 24, 13 EMS T6A Lane, Leesburg, booked on a warrant. No bond listed.

June 8 — Alexander Ryan Mathew, 23, 11797 N. Pied Piper Parkway, Cromwell, booked for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Bond: $700 cash.

June 7 — Burton J. Blackmer, 44, 8683 E. Hatchery Road, Syracuse, booked for obstruction of justice and resisting law enforcement. Bond: $5,250 surety and cash.

June 6 — Katherine Ann Taylor, 39, 35 EMS D25 Lane, Syracuse, booked for criminal mischief. Bond: $600 cash.

June 5 — Cheryl Marie Matteson, 37, 9462 E. Street of Dreams, Cromwell, booked for a probation violation and possession of marijuana/hash oil/hashish. Bond: A combination of no bond and $600 cash.

June 5 — Logan Lee Bontrager, 28, 12849 N. Camelot Drive, Milford, booked for invasion of privacy. Bond: $500 cash. Noble County

The following people were booked in the Noble County Jail: June 7 — Jose G. Moreno, 58, 3757 N. 900W No. 37, Cromwell, booked on court order. No bond.

One injured in SR 15 accident

One person was injured in a two-car accident on SR 15, just outside Milford.

Emergency services responded to the accident at approximately 2:50 p.m., Monday, June 10. Responders included the

Milford Fire Department, Milford Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana Sate Police and Lutheran EMS.

Rebecca Escamilla was driving a Nissan Maxima northbound on SR 15. She stopped to turn onto CR 1350 when a Buick La Sabre, driven by Angel Melendez, rear ended her vehicle. Escamilla sustained minor injuries to the face. There were two minor children in the car with her, neither of whom were injured. The Maxima sustained heavy back end damage. The LaSabre took significant front end damage as well.

Man rescued from water at Hammond Lake

Emergency personnel with the Turkey Creek Fire Territory rescued an individual from Hammond Lake Tuesday evening after the boat capsized.

The individual was transported to an area hospital for potential hypothermia.

Austin Scott Lutz, 28, Syracuse, and Haley Stephenson, 27, Syracuse Marriage Dissolutions

The following couple has filed a marriage dissolution in Kosciusko Superior Courts I and IV: Kropf — Kermit Kropf, Syracuse, and Sara Kropf, Syracuse. They were married Jan. 10, 2008, and separated April 6, 2024. No minor children.

The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Court Anne Torpy: Roney-Horne Alexis Roney, 28, Milford, and Michael Horne, 30, Milford Breetz-Smith Trent David Breetz, 23, Wawaka, and Taylor Michelle Smith, 22, North Webster Culp-Cutler Riley Joseph Culp, 27, Leo, and Peyton Delanie Elaine Cutler, 22, Leesburg Lutz-Stephenson

INDOT commits $50 million for local safety projects

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced a commitment of $50 million in the Highway Safety Improvement Program funds to support safety improvement projects on local road networks across Indiana. The commitment solidifies the agency’s renewed focus on safety and a related goal of reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on Indiana roadways by 25% over the next 10 years.

“This is a goal that we can’t reach on our own,” said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. “It’s going to take all of us, at both the state and local levels, working together, to truly enhance roadway safety.”

A Notice of Funding Availability is now available, providing an opportunity for local agencies to implement specific safety countermeasures on local roads. Eligible countermeasures are systemic, lowcost improvements, which do not require additional right of way.

Examples include new or updated warning devices, signs or pavement markings, raised medians, curb extensions, pedestrian crosswalk improvements, guardrail additions or improvements, traffic signal enhancements or adjustments and improvements at rail crossings, among others.

Additional information regarding the NOFA and eligible countermeasures can be found at in.gov/indot/ traffic-engineering/traffic-safety-office/hsip-eligible-systemic-improve-

ments/?utm_medium=email&utm_ source=govdelivery.

Local cities, towns and counties receiving proposed funding will be required to use funds within two years of award. The call for projects will open Tuesday, Sept. 3, and close at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. Smith shared the agency’s new safety-focused goal in late 2023 and identified a number of strategies INDOT will execute this year, in additional to local safety funding, including:

• Buckle Up Phone Down: a large-scale initiative aiming to change driver behavior and tackles two of the most impactful actions people can take each and every time they get into a vehicle –— buckling up and putting the phone down.

• Identifying solutions: determining long, medium and shortterm improvement plans for problematic corridors and intersections on the state road network.

• Regional safety summits: all six INDOT districts held regional safety summits, bringing together state and local agencies, first responders and community partners to collaborate on safety-related issues and potential solutions.

• Worksite Speed Control pilot program: deployment of camera technology in up to four INDOT work zones, citations will be issued to drivers traveling more than 11 mph over the posted speed limit; the pilot is expected to begin in early fall of 2024.

June 5 — Derek R. Fleckenstein, 46, 6235 E. 1000N, Syracuse, booked on a warrant. No bond.

Hammond Lake is located in the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife area, off Hoss Hill Road.

According to Turkey Creek Fire Chief Mickey Scott, the call was received at 11:03 p.m. after a fisherman was reported missing. Police located the individual’s truck at Hammond Lake, but did not see the boat. Rescuers found the fisherman with his overturned John boat and brought him to shore. The victim did have a personal flotation device. It was estimated the individual had been in the water since 4:30 p.m.

DONATION Syracuse Eagles No. 3760 recently presented $500 checks to the Turkey Creek Fire Territory, Milford Fire Department and the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory. Shown from left are John Hochstetler, trustee; Chief Mickey Scott, Turkey Creek Fire Territory; Brian Weideman, trustee; Jeff Galloway, vice president; Wayne Christner, treasurer; Todd Haines, Milford Fire Department; Charlie Riggs, president; Randy Wilkerson, trustee; Jeff Richardson, trustee; Ashley Dillon, executive director, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce; and Allen Poe, secretary. Not pictured is Chief Jeremy Likens, Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory. Photo by Lauren Zeugner

Remonstrators express their displeasure during county board of zoning meeting

The Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals was relieved when a motion was made for “meeting adjourned” after a 3 1/2 hour marathon session during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, June 11.

Remonstrators started making themselves heard at the first hearing for Lisa Bender regarding a variance to have a residence addition and new foundation installed under a house to remain 11 feet from the south right-ofway, 11.8 feet from the north right of way, 13.8 feet from the west right of way and 1 foot from the side property line.

This was the fourth time Bender came in front of the BZA. This time she requested permission to remove the addition and allow the new foundation to remain. She will restore the home to its existing footprint and remove an adjoining home. The property is located in Van Buren Township

Several neighbors came forward to say they had no issues with Bender’s current plans for the property. The BZA board approved the request as presented. Scott Beam came before the board requesting a variance to permit the reconstruction of a deck 0 feet from the west property line, 18.25 feet from the water’s edge and 4 feet from the east side property line. Beam’s property is located in Tippecanoe Township.

Attorney Steve Snyder, representing one of Beam’s neighbors, came forward opposing how Beam wanted to install steps from the second floor deck to the ground. He then provided a litany of exhibits, labeled A-J, allegedly highlighting changes Beam made to his property over the years without permits. Snyder requested the board demand the alleged violations be addressed.

Snyder’s client, who was present in the hearing room, also

spoke alleging Beam’s measurements to the water line were incorrect and that an enclosed storage area under the deck interferes with his view of the water.

Beam addressed the board pointing out many of the alleged violations occurred prior to when he purchased the property. He noted a relative of the complaining neighbor built his current residence. He noted the garage structure with the second floor residence existed when he purchased the property, all he did was make it habitable. He told the board when he purchased the property it was obvious it had been modified several times.

Another neighbor present in the hearing room confirmed a photo of the property having an open car port dated back to the 1970s. After several minutes of discussion, the board decided to table the matter for 30 days so they could go out and see the property for themselves.

Robert Paton came before the board seeking an exception to the change and alteration of a non-conforming campground by allowing 10 more home sites on EMS T33J Lane in an agricultural district.

Paton explained he wants to put six home sites on one side of the lane and four on the other side. Electric and sewer will be provided to all. Paton noted he is still under the 150 sites he is limited to by the state. He explained tenants want larger spaces so he is making them 36 feet rather than 25 feet.

Michael Arnolt, who built a home in Old Mill Place that abuts Paton’s property, remonstrated saying Paton had a duty to be a good neighbor and good steward. Arnolt complained Paton has come before the board with hand drawn drawings of what he’d like to do to his property.

Arnolt asked why there was no master plan for the Paton prop-

erty. He said the promised buffer between Paton’s property and Old Mill Place has not be installed. He also complained about a pedestrian gate between Paton’s property and Old Mill Place.

Paton told the board he just hasn’t gotten around to planting the buffer yet. As for the gates, Paton’s brother is Arnolt’s next door neighbor and uses the gate, along with other residents of Old Mill Place, to walk through Paton’s property.

After several more minutes of discussion, BZA member Kevin McSherry noted the sites Paton was requesting an exception for aren’t anywhere near Arnolt’s property. He made a motion to approve the request as presented. The motion passed. The property is located in Plain Township.

Chris and Shanda Scheeren came before the board asking for an exception for the purpose of allowing an event center, changing from a nonconforming church center in an agricultural district.

The Scheerens, who own Blue Barn Berry Farm, want to purchase the dining hall at the old Tippecanoe Baptist Camp in Tippecanoe Township. The property would be an expansion of their existing event space.

The Schreerens explained the building already existed. Their business plan includes providing a space for charity events, weddings, celebrations of life, bridal and baby showers and more. The facility can handle 200 people, but Chris Schreeren told the board they would probably have events with fewer people.

There would be no live music, no outside music, except acoustic during wedding ceremonies. DJ’s would be limited to 85 decibels (about as loud as a lawn mower). The facility would operate under the same restrictions as Blue Barn Berry Farm.

Several neighbors remonstrated, complaining they were not informed of the BZA hearing. All but one lived beyond the 100 feet

We’ve done it again!

Celebrating our fifth Magnet ® designation – and our first Magnet with Distinction™

This achievement represents 20 years of Goshen Hospital delivering the highest standards of state-of-the-art and compassionate nursing care to our patients

Only 1% of hospitals in the world have met this standard five times.

Achieving this distinction doesn’t mean we’re satisfied. We’ll continue to meet or exceed the standards set for exemplary nursing care and professional practice environment.

Goshen Hospital. Experience the difference.

limit required for notification.

Remonstrators were concerned about noise, traffic and people drinking. McSherry questioned

‘Color Run’ to benefit Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce June 29

Come and participate in the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce Color Run, to be held Saturday, June 29. All proceeds go towards the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce and its mission of promoting, connecting and advancing the businesses in the Syracuse-Wawasee area. You can choose to participate in the 5K race or the one-mile race. Either event can be walked or run. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or looking for a joyful stroll, choose your challenge; walk or run, everyone is there to have fun. Cross the finish line with a burst of color and you might just find yourself holding an award for your achievements! Sign up early for just $30 and nab an exclusive event t-shirt, but hurry — you must pre-register by Monday, June 24 to guarantee your tee! Wait too long and it’s $35 on race day, with shirts while they last. Cross the finish line with a burst of color and you might just find yourself holding an award for your achievements! The pre-registration cost to participate in the race is $30, plus a $2.80 sign-up fee. The cost goes up to $35 for day-of registrations. Every individual who preregisters is guaranteed to receive a T-shirt, as long as they are signed up on or before Monday, June 24. There will be day-of shirts available to runners while supplies last. Registration and the starting point will be at South Shore Village, 10601 N. SR 13, Syracuse. The form to register is available at runsignup.com/Race/IN/Syracuse/ SyracuseColorRun. Check-in for both races will begin at 8 a.m. Day-of registration will open at 8 a.m. and close at 8:45 a.m. Both races will start at 9 a.m., with awards to finishers will be handed out at the completion of each race, beginning at approximately 10 a.m. For further information, text or call Brian Shepherd at (260) 8944638.

TCLRSD approves two month contract extension

The Tippecanoe Chapman Lakes Regional Sewer District approved a two-month contract extension for Contract C, East Tippecanoe Lake Wastewater Collection System.

Selge Construction Company is the contractor for both Contract A, Chapman Lakes Wastewater Collection System, and Contract

C. The original completion date for substantial completion was

mid-September and mid-October for final completion. The time extension is to cover the amount of time Selge used to substantially complete Contract A. The new timeline for substantial completion is mid-November and final completion mid-December.

“With their focus on completing Chapman Lake, they were unable to begin east Tippecanoe as early as they wanted to,” Steve Henschen, lead engineer on the project, explained to the board.

From a cost standpoint, Selge is not asking for more money but because of the time extension, JPR’s cost for inspections could be affected. JPR has covered the entire project with two full-time inspectors and a third, when needed.

“I am tracking this very closely. There is a chance if we go past the September and October time frame, since we are on an hourly basis on our inspectors, we may be up against the total fee amount by October,” Henschen explained. “There

for day

out

Basketball camp delivers growth for young Warriors

Text and Photos

Coach Lou Lefevre was scrambling to host a basketball camp a year ago but has enjoyed the stability of having a second go in 2024. Lefevre and the Warriors had more kids participate in the annual Warrior Boys Basketball Camp which concluded on Thursday, June 6.

“Both weeks of camp have been really fun,” Lefevre said. “The numbers have been significantly up from last year. The kids have fun playing basketball, they are excited to be here and they want to learn stuff. It’s a lot of fun.”

The Warrior basketball camp attracted about 40 kids for its first week featuring elementary age students. The middle school portion of the camp was the second week.

Last year, Lefevre had just been hired for the Wawasee job and was still living in southern Indiana at the time when the camp started.

“We did it last year but I don’t think if we got the word out that great because I wasn’t living here yet. I was living four hours away in Louisville,” Lefevre said. He says the camp went a little smoother in year two.

“When a parent says ‘My kid is

YOUTH MOVEMENT Wawasee basketball player Jack Shoemaker (left) presented Decklyn Gibson with the Gold and Green Rhino award for day three of camp for the middle school athletes. The award was presented for toughness and performance on the day.

having a lot of fun,’ that makes me happy. That’s what summer is about to me and I’m hearing that a lot,” Lefevre said. Lefevre has enlisted the help of his team to serve as coaches

Maxwelton Ladies League results

The Maxwelton Ladies League completed a game of Nassau Wednesday, June 5. Chris Trame won the low net front title and Linda O’Connor took the low net back championship. Clare Baumgardt and Robin Barney both captured the low putts award. Baumgardt and Honey Walters shared the chip-in award.

for the camp and keep everyone on the same page.

“Everybody has helped at least one day and some have come everyday because they want to,” Lefevre said. “If you’re a kid and your having fun playing you’re probably going to keep playing and then you’re probably going to keep getting better and better. Then when they get to high school I can teach them what they need to know.”

At the end of each day of camp, the players on the high school team would hand out attitude awards each day to camp participants.

Some of the players helping out included Jack Shoemaker, Weston Hoffert, Carson Scherer, Mason Worrell, Kane Dukes, Brayden Miller and Ryan Mack.

The high school team is playing in a few offseason tournaments this month — one at the campus of Bethel University and another at Purdue University Northwest, known as the D-One Team Camp.

“I always take my teams there. It’s a very renowned camp,” Lefevre said. “It’s like a mini season of basketball. The kids like it because they don’t have to practice, they just play games.”

The Warriors are expected to have a younger team than last year’s squad so the focus of the summer is to build skills.

“I love the summer. Not a lot of preparing seriously for games and scouting,” Lefevre said. “You get in the gym and work on skills. You play some games and you have some fun.”

might be one or two months where I am out of our inspection fee. Total cost implication of this, at that point we would be down to just one inspector, and ball park it is about $20-$25,000 a month when you have all the hours added up.”

Henschen does not think the total would exceed $50,000, as long as the project is complete by the end of December. JPR had budgeted over $800,000 for inspection costs in the original contract.

“What was the main reason Selge is asking for this extension?” Kim Hathaway, board member, asked Henschen. “Is it manpower?”

“Well, manpower is certainly an issue everyone is running through right now. However, Contract A just took longer than anticipated,” Henschen explained. “They just missed their production rate.”

“They feel like sixty days is all they need?” Hathaway pressed.

“Kim, I went to them before I presented this and asked that same question and they assured me, yes,” Henschen responded.

The board approved the time extension for Contract C and Henschen will bring inspector cost projections at a later board meeting, possibly July or August, for the board to hear.

Additionally, the board approved a change order for Contract B, West

INSPECTION COST INCREASE During its regular June board meeting, the Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer District was surprised to hear the proposed time extension for Contract C could mean completely drying up the budgeted inspection costs spelled out

from left are Kim Hathaway, Chuck Simpson and Brian Davison. Photo by

Tippecanoe Lake Wastewater Collection System. Niblock Excavating, Inc. requested the change order due to revisions to plans to grinder station relocations from property owner meetings and gravity sewer lateral grade calculations to ensure that the property owner can connect to the grinder stations by gravity sewer and the addition of a pressure sewer main along a property added to the district. The change order is for an increase amount of $37,644.86.

Henschen presented the board with its monthly project update. Contract A is complete. Contract B

Syracuse park board meets at Hoy’s Beach

Hoy’s Beach was the site of the monthly meeting of the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board. The location is one of several the park board is meeting at this year. At the Monday, June 10, meeting, park board members discussed several projects.

Superintendent Chad Jonsson gave the tree board report. He said he is working on the fall tree planting and removal list. Trees at Hoy’s Beach and Lakeside Park are on the list.

Installing pickleball courts at Schrock Field was discussed. Jonsson said he, Program Director Darin Lursen and a community member met last Friday at the sports complex to discuss the plans for new courts. They looked at several potential spots the courts can be located at the ball field. Jonsson said the courts would not be located close to houses due to the noise level. Three courts are being proposed.

Jonsson gave the Henry Ward Park project update. He said the

sidewalk was completed last Friday.

All equipment has been installed, including the new playground.

The Laudeman Park project is coming along, reported Jonsson. A split-rail fence and rocks have been put in at the park. A butterfly garden is also being built at the park.

A plaque for the park has been ordered. Locks on a timer have not been working properly but Jonsson said he is working on that issue.

A park board member asked about parking at the park. Jonsson said that would be an “extra cost” but they can discuss it at the July meeting.

A request for a alcohol to be served at the Tour des Lakes event was approved. A beer tent will be located at the community center after the bike ride. A liquor license was granted, which the Rotary Club requested.

So far, 200 people have signed up for the Saturday, July 20, bike ride.

Lursen said as many as 400 people could possibly sign up to ride. Visit tourdeslakes.com to register.

The artisan and farmers market opened four weeks ago, said Lursen, and 18 vendors, on average,

have been selling their wares at the market, which is every Saturday. Story time at the park is at 10 a.m. every Thursday. Eight people were at the last one. Children can also do crafts.

Euchre has been put on hold until August.

Mudtastic is Saturday, June 22, at WACF. So far, 151 people have signed up. Lursen said possibly 200 to 250 people may sign up by the day of the event.

Town-wide garage sales will be Aug. 1-3. People can sign up now and a list of garage sale locations will be supplied for shoppers. Call the Syracuse Community Center at (574) 457-3440 by 5 p.m. Thursday, July 25, to be added to the map.

Printed versions of the listing can be picked up at the Syracuse Community Center once the sales begin.

Jonsson gave the financial report for May and from May 13 to June 10. Park board members reviewed the report.

The 2025 budget was given to park board members to review. The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 8, at Laudeman Park.

Budget for inmate medical expenses may increase for 2025

Sheriff Jim Smith told the Kosciusko County Council informational meeting, Thursday, June 6, that he’s taking a look at increasing medical coverage in the jail to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The increased medical coverage could add about $150,000 to the budget annually.

“As we’re going through our budget in our office, we’ve come across the medical portion inside the jail budget. The staff and I, we’re in agreement that it’s time to really take a good look at maybe upping our medical presence in the jail to 24/7 coverage. We are currently not,” Smith said.

Currently, the jail contracts with Quality Correctional Care or medical care for inmates. At 9 p.m. each night, QCC leaves and then returns the next morning at 6 a.m.

“What happens between those hours can vary on any given night, but oftentimes a lot of your more intoxicated or your more impaired folks that would otherwise maybe need some medical attention or maybe some good advice, is now fallen on the shoulders of the jail staff. They’re going to call the physician on call, but as you can imagine, when the physician is not on-site, they’re going to weigh in on the side of caution and oftentimes they’re going to send them out to the hospital, which incurs a lot of additional expense,” Smith explained. He said they have to pay overtime to have an officer go with the inmate to the hospital, which also leaves the jail staff short and a “whole host” of other issues that come with that.

“We’ve come to a time where I think we really need to look at that. It’s not going to be an inexpensive addition to it,” Smith said, adding they’ve negotiated with QCC to where they think

they can get the increased medical coverage done for a little over $150,000 annually.

When QCC is on duty and in the jail building, he said they have that little bit of help and some peace of mind knowing QCC is making those medical decisions.

Council President Mike Long asked Smith if he had any historical information on how 24/7 medical coverage would have impacted the jail prior to now. While Smith didn’t have it with him at Thursday’s meeting, he said he would have information prepared for the council when his office presents their 2025 budget.

Long asked if the requirement for increased medical coverage would be a registered nurse, paramedic or what. QCC has recommended somebody at the level of a paramedic or a trained medical personnel. By going with QCC’s recommendation it will be less money and they still will have a certified nurse as a supervisor during the day.

Long asked if increasing the level of medical care for the inmates could possibly eliminate the county’s liability should something happen.

“I wouldn’t say eliminate, but it would certainly soften the blow on some of it,” Smith said.

Councilman Tony Ciriello, a former officer and county coroner, stated historically deaths that occur in jails usually occur between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., whether it’s a medical condition, suicide or whatever. That’s during the window when the Kosciusko County Jail currently doesn’t have medical coverage. There are more and more medical issue-related deaths in jails than suicides, he said.

The jail currently has almost $500,000 budgeted annually for inmate medical care. The contract with QCC is around $400,000, so the budget is not totally for QCC, but Smith said about 85% of it is.

New Hires for 2025 Wage committee recommendations for the 2025 budget were read during the informational meeting, and they included several new hires. Human Resource Director Cathy Reed was unable to attend the morning meeting, so Council Vice President Kathy Groninger read them. No action was taken. The department heads will use the recommendations to help prepare their budgets for next year.

The new position of a financial deputy/grant administrator is recommended to be added in the auditor’s office. For systems administration, it’s being recommended two job descriptions be updated with title changes. System administrator will change to technology director and assistant system administrator will be changed to assistant technology director, if approved. A new position recommended to be added is that of technology assistant, and the department would start looking to fill the technology assistant position in November 2024 for a January 2025 start date. For the probation department, the committee recommended approving the request for a re-entry court coordinator/case manager for re-entry court, with the understanding that if the funding goes away, the position goes away, too. A part-time Emergency Management Agency coordinator was recommended for approval for the Kosciusko County EMA. The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office would have the most new positions in 2025, if approved. That would include four new jailers, one new deputy and one new traffic/administrative sergeant. A current employee would be moved into the new traffic/administrative sergeant position. The work release cook also would move from part time to full time.

Summer reading ‘Stuffed Animal Overnight Adventure’

This summer’s reading program theme is “Adventure Begins at the Library.” Come in and register any time. Register in the teen area if you are going into sixth grade in the fall and up through age 18. Anyone preschool through going into fifth grade registers in the children’s department. Brochures are available at the circulation desks.

Join in at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, behind the library. If the weather is uncooperative, they will meet in the library’s meeting room. Bring your second-favorite stuffed animal for the library’s Stuffed Animal Overnight Adventure. When you get here, you will be asked to fill out a tag for your animal with your name, the animal’s name and a phone number. Miss Laura will read a couple of stories about what happens in a library after it closes. You will tuck your stuffed animal into bed, say goodnight and turn out the lights and leave. On Thursday, June 13, you can pick up your animal and take them home. Beginning Monday, June 17, books of their overnight adventure will be available to pick up at the children’s desk. What did your animal friends do all night at the library?

Pick up the little book and find out what they were up to. This program is free for the whole family.

Budgie Program Scott Schaffer will present a program on raising budgies at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 13. The budgerigar is also known as the common parakeet, shell parakeet or budgie is

a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot. The species is naturally green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back and wings. Budgies bred in captivity can be blue, white, yellow and grey. Schaffer has been raising budgies and if you are interested in a budgie as a pet, or just want to learn more, be sure to attend his program. Free Lunch

The Wawasee School Corporation and the Department of Agriculture will once again provide free lunches for children ages preschool through 18 years old. This year you can come and pick up a lunch and take it home to eat. If

Syracuse Public Library —

you would like to stay at the library and picnic, they do have a couple of tables available donated by Polywood. Feel free to bring a blanket to sit on and share lunch with your friends. The school bus will be in the library’s parking lot from 11-11:30 a.m. This is a wonderful program so please support it by getting free lunches for your children.

Guest Storyteller

Family Story Time guest storyteller will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 14. Mike Hemmelgarn combines comedy juggling and ventriloquism with a splash of magic to create a unique and wildly entertaining show. This performance

features Elvis, the less-than-brilliant (but lovable) hound dog, and Marvin, the witty, wisecracking cut-up. Add a splash of amazing magic and hilarious audience participation, and you have all the ingredients for a great time. This show also highlights the importance of the library and regular reading. Families attending the whole program will take home a free, new book, “Magic Tricks for Kids.”

In The Garden embarks on first summer field trip

Syracuse Public Library’s In the Garden group invites those interested in the natural world to join its nature walks this summer. Each year, the group has explored local nature preserves and gardens, learning more about native plants and animals.

The first 2024 outing will be to the Edna W. Spurgeon Woodland Reserve, 9478 N. 600W, Ligonier. Walkers will meet on-site at 1 p.m. and may want to bring insect repellent, sunscreen and water. The woodland features low ridges or kames left by glaciers and cut by glacial meltwater. It features both a young forest and a mature forest of beech, sugar maple and tulip trees, among the largest in the state. For information, contact Emilia Layne at elayne@syracuse.lib.in.us or Sarah Wright at swright@syracuse.lib.in.us.

Juneteenth Closing

The Syracuse Public Library will close on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

Adult Programs

The knit and crochet club will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, in the upstairs sitting area. Layne will demonstrate Bavar-

ian crochet, and attendees can try their hand at it. Attendees can also bring their current fiber arts projects to work on.

Syracuse Public Library’s adult writing group, The Workshop, will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 18. The group will get into the summer reading spirit with a writing dice game focused on travel and capturing all five senses. Group members can also bring pieces they would like to share with others. For information, email Wright.

Children Programs

During tween time, children ages 8-12 will learn about Antarctica and skua tradition while making felt bird bookmarks. Attend at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 20, in the downstairs meeting room. Other ages are welcome to join, but projects may be more advanced and require the assistance of a grown-up.

Children 6 years old and older will learn about Antarctica and how its animal inhabitants stay warm at 2 p.m. Friday, June 21, in Community Roots. During Globe-trotting Fridays, children will create blubber gloves; since this experiment can get a little messy, they should wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty.

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Teen Programs

Teens can test their knowledge of the world during a trivia contest from 2-3 p.m. Monday, June 17, in the downstairs meeting room. Then return to

the library from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, for game night. Teens can pick between a party game — “Hues and Ques” — or a strategy game — “Obscurio.”

As summer break is underway, the North Webster Community Public Library offers a hassle-free reading option: Grab-and-Go bags. Each bag comes packed with a curated selection of 10 captivating picture books. From whimsical animal tales, to adventurous journeys, there is something for everyone.

The library hopes that these easy to grab bags will help make summer reading more convenient for families. Whether it’s a trip to the park or a long car ride, these Grab-and-Go bags are the ideal companion for on-the-go reading fun this summer. Each bag can be checked out for three weeks at a time and can be renewed twice.

For more information, please contact the library at (574) 8347122. Weekly Library Events

The following activities are set to take place at North Webster Community Public Library. Attendees do not need to have a library card to participate in any of these events.

Early Closing

The North Webster Community Public Library will be closing at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, due to the Mermaid Festival Cutie parade. The library parking lot will be available for community use during this time.

Teen Events

Teen Craft Night will be happening at 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 17. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to the library for a special craft event evening. Can’t make it on Monday? Join in for Teen Open Crafting at noon Tuesday, June 18. Join in for an afternoon of DIY science as students in grades 6-12 can participate in geode cracking. Learn about these naturally forming minerals, then crack open your own geode to take home and

admire. We’ll also try making our own crystals using household materials. Spots are limited and registration is required. Children’s Events Come play with blocks during the Purdue Extension’s Block Party at 1 p.m. Monday, June 17. Parents and children are invited to come play in this fun and engaging event for the whole family. Family Story Time will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 18. Library staff member Jill Chalk will be sharing stories and fun in this program geared towards ages 2-7.

NWCPL is thrilled to welcome back bilingual education program, Musical Conexion, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19. This program will share the wonder of music with young learners in both English and Spanish. An incredibly interactive program, this is a cultural event you will not want to miss. Dive into the captivating world of owls with wildlife rehabilitator Maria Waltz at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 20. Explore the habitats and behaviors of these birds, plus dig deeper by dissecting sanitized owl pellets to get insight into an owl’s diet. Join in for an exciting LEGO adventure at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 21. Can you use your creativity and quick thinking to survive unexpected LEGO world disasters? This event is geared towards students ages 5-12.

Saturday Craft Adventures will be happening from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22. This week they will be making mermaids and creating finger print paintings of the house from the movie “Up.” For more information about any library events, call (574) 834-7122, visit the library’s website nwcpl. org or click into the library’s Facebook page.

County BZA approves cases during marathon session

During a marathon 3 1/2 hour meeting the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals approved the following requests.

•A request by Armando Jimenez for an exception to allow a home-based business in an agricultural district. The approval is approved with a limit of five vehicles at any given time. The property is located in Plain Township.

•A request by Mark Nordman for a variance for the construction of a residence, front porch, 21 feet from the right of way of the road. The property is located in Seward Township.

•A request from Chris Cotton for a variance to allow a pole barn/ lean-to to remain 4.7 feet from the rear property line when the variance was granted at 7.7 feet. The property is in Tippecanoe Township.

•A request from Milford Food Bank for a variance allowing the construction of a new commercial building 0 feet from the north right-of-way, 10 feet from the west property line, 10 feet from the south property line and 11 feet from the east right of way. The property is located in Van Buren Township.

•A request from Rick Hatcher

for an exception to be allowed to remove the age restriction, allowing them to replace units no longer than 16 feet by 80 feet to meet setbacks between other units. The property is located in Plain Township.

•A request from Duane Dial for a variance which would permit the change and alteration of variance 2024-1 by allowing the structure to be rebuilt. The property is

located in Tippecanoe Township.

•A request from Robert Haisley for a variance to relocate a 8 foot by 10 foot shed 1 foot from the right-of-way of the road. The property is located in Tippecanoe Township.

•A request from Cynthia Brown to allow the creation of an undersized trace of ground. The property is located in Turkey Creek Township.

•A request from Nikko Montelong to allow a home-based tree service business with the stipulation Montelong stops burning wood and brush. The property is located in Harrison Township.

•A request from Susana Horne for a variance to allow the reconstruction of a roof 14.5 feet from the right-of-way of Packerton Road. Horne and her husband have two years to turn the house into a move-in-ready home. The property is in Clay Township.

•A request from Todd Hoffman for an exception for the change and alteration of a nonconforming seasonal mobile home park by allowing the conversion from mobile homes to RV, campers, Tiny homes with 10 feet between units and 10 feet to interior roadway. The property is located in Seward Township.

Community Corner

draws plein air artists on Wednesdays

Larry Coplen is well known in the Lakeland area. He has served on various boards and committees over the years, including some in Syracuse.

For his commitment to the community, he received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award March 21. According to Coplen, the Syracuse chamber wrote letters on his behalf, and he was selected by Gov. Eric Holcomb as a recipient.

“I was shocked,” said the longtime Syracuse resident, who now resides in Warsaw. “I had no idea during the ceremony. It’s a prestigious honor.”

It’s an honor well deserved.

Coplen grew up on a farm in Akron. A good work ethic was instilled in Coplen at an early age. His father was a dairy farmer.

“We milked twice a day,” recalled Coplen. “We also had pigs and chickens.”

Coplen said his family only took one vacation during his young life.

“They were building a lot of bank branches due to a state law,” he said.

After that job, he took a job as a building commissioner for Carmel for three years.

“When I was building commissioner, we were the fastest growing (area) in the state at the time,” Coplen recalled.

Next, he took a job working for a local developer in the Carmel area for three years.

He started Coplen Construction in Warsaw in the late 1970s.

“Most local builders were retiring, so there was only two of us at the time that were young enough,” he recalled.

He said “it was an excellent opportunity.”

“I’ve loved it ever since. I like the challenge,” Coplen explained. “I will never forget the first interview I had with someone building a new home.”

PROFILE

After graduating from North Miami High School in 1962, he knew he did not want to milk cows twice in one day.

“I enjoyed the farming aspect but not the milking,” he said.

Instead, Coplen continued to help his father on the farm but also worked for a house builder during the day.

“That’s where I got my experience and desire,” said Coplen, who owns Coplen Construction in Warsaw. He later went to Purdue University to earn a business degree in economics. After college, he worked for an architectural firm in Indianapolis. He worked there for about five years.

He enjoys building new homes for people. “My goal is to make people happy,” said Coplen. Coplen serves on Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, formerly served on the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals, and currently, the county board of health. He also has served on the Indiana Builders Association and was president of IBA at one time.

“If I can be of help, I want to,” he said of his community commitment. “You have a lot of opportunity.”

He has been with his girlfriend, Marta, for 22 years. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and used to compete in tournaments. He lived in Syracuse for nearly 19 years before moving to Warsaw three years ago.

As for slowing down anytime soon, he said, “I got to work. I can’t sit still.”

This past Memorial Day, 15 artists and interested beginning artists enrolled in the Chautauqua-Wawasee Introduction to Plein Air Workshop focusing on how to create a landscape. Many of those people are continuing their enjoyment of plein air painting every Wednesday in June by joining Dave Broerman at the Land-Between-the-Lakes in Syracuse. The artists meet at 5 p.m. and either set up in that area or move to another area such as Oakwood Park.

“En plein air” or plein air is the French 19th century style of painting outdoors, emphasizing tonal qualities of the seasons, color, loose brushwork and soft forms.

Broerman is the founder of the Northern Indiana Plein Air Association and a science teacher in East Allen County Schools in Fort Wayne. He has won many grants to tour and paint, and he has taken oil and watercolor classes from various artists across Indiana. Broerman offers students free plein air classes after school at Paul Harding Middle School twice a week on the nature preserve.

The first meeting on June 5 drew five artists to the Buletty Pavilion and the beautiful wetlands area and wildflower preserve. Artists set up their easels and chairs facing the channel between Syracuse and Wawasee lakes and began to work their way through the steps of plein air painting aided with instruction from Broerman. The next meeting will be at 5 p.m. June 12 at the Buletty Pavilion.

“I want people to paint with me and enjoy getting out into nature where they can hear the birds and watch the animals as they paint,” said Broerman.

Don’t forget the WPOA/SLA Family Breakfast Saturday

Don’t forget to gather your family and attend the annual Wawasee Property Owners Association/Syracuse Lake Association Family Breakfast. It’s a great way to celebrate the beginning of summer.

Bridge Results

Webster

Group

North Webster Bridge Group met Tuesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 6, at the Senior Primelife Enrichment Center in the North Webster Community Center. Winners Tuesday were Deb Smith, first, and JoAnne Coulter, second. Thursday winners were Jerry Hetrick, first, and Mike Wyrick, second.

This year’s event will take place from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 15 at the Oakwood Resort Conference Room. This event gives residents of Syracuse and Wawasee an opportunity to reacquaint, catch up with neighbors and make new friends.

The morning is more than just a breakfast. Among the organizations having displays will be the Wawasee Flotilla, with a few of the merchandise available to purchase this year displayed; Wawasee Area Con-

servancy Foundation, with information about its programs, the Wawasee Inlet Nutrient Study and 10-lakes canoe trips; and Chautauqua-Wawasee, providing information on all its programs.

The Wawasee Property Owners Association will have WPOA flags available for $20.

The most popular display is the equipment from the Turkey Creek Fire Territory including its ladder truck and the opportunity to get a ride in the bucket above the trees.

Another popular activity is

having a balloon creation made by Ken’s Balloons and Magic. Each year Ken’s Balloons creates table decorations and has youngsters of all ages lining up to have swords, flower hats or wrist creations and many more.

The breakfast menu will include pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit, coffee and orange juice.

The cost is $12 per adult and $6 for those under the age of 6. No reservations are needed. Cash, check or credit cards are accepted.

Mobile Meals drivers

Volunteer drivers for Syracuse, Milford and North Webster Mobile Meals have been scheduled as follows: Syracuse Drivers June 17-21

MONDAY — M. Gordon

TUESDAY — P. & L. Stump

WEDNESDAY — D. & K. Matz

THURSDAY — P. Smith

FRIDAY — K. Young Milford Drivers June 17-21

MONDAY — M. Webb

TUESDAY — K. Stanley WEDNESDAY — C & J. Wagoner

THURSDAY — L. Kammerer FRIDAY — R. & P. Haab North Webster Drivers June 17-21

MONDAY — A. Renner

TUESDAY — B. & K. Turner

WEDNESDAY — A. Renner

THURSDAY — B. Kennedy

FRIDAY — Cardinal

Members of the Milford Alumni Association came together Saturday, June 8, for the 99th annual Milford High School alumni banquet. Out of the nearly 300 invites sent, about 65 Trojan alums, spouses, friends and family members filled the cafeteria of Milford School for a night of good food, conversation, trips down memory lane and a passionate rendition of the Milford High School Song led by Jim Moore, Vicki DeMao and Joellen Free. Alumni Association President Ron Baumgartner, class of 1962, welcomed all the Trojan alums to the banquet. After the warm welcome, Nelson Beer lead the invocation, thanking God for everyone’s safe travels to the evening’s banquet. Alums were then dismissed to a buffet-style dinner, cooked by Mil-

ford School cafeteria staff members Jessica Murray and Sally Riggs. Dinner consisted of fried chicken, ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls and a chewy brownie. Traditionally, the banquet was catered by Penguin Point, but due to the restaurant’s recent closure, Milford School cafeteria staff stepped in to feed the alums. After a review of the alumni association’s finances by Mary Duncan, Margaret Brooks provided a necrology report for the past year. The report included the names of the 17 Trojan alums who died since last year’s banquet. This year’s honored classes were 1949, which did not have a representative in attendance; 1954, represented by Frank Grove; 1959, represented by Eugene Lange and Nelson Beer; and 1964, represented by Earleen Fisher. The evening was highlighted by a featured speaker and master of ceremonies, Peg Zimmerman. Zimmerman is a Milford na-

tive and current educator within the Wawasee Community School Corporation. She is a Ball State University and PFW alum and received a master’s degree in education through Bethel University. She is married to John Zimmerman and they share two children, Cameron and Madison. Zimmerman started teaching in Milford in 2002 and has moved around within the school district “wherever her skills where needed.”

“You do not appreciate Milford until you experience other things. What I mean by that is that I have given my children wings, we have been all over the place,” Zimmerman said. “But there is Milford in both of them. We can never forget where we came from as we go forward. There is something about Milford that stays with you no matter where you go.”

The 100th annual Milford High School Alumni Banquet will be Saturday, June 14, 2025, in the cafeteria of Milford School.

Salary analysis questioned at county council informational meeting

Questions about a $15,000 salary analysis by financial consultants Reedy Financial Group P.C. focused on the purpose and need of the study during the Kosciusko County Council informational meeting, Thursday, June 6. The analysis was approved by the county commissioners at its meeting Tuesday at the request of the county council and will be considered for approval by the council at its regular meeting at 6 p.m. June 13.

Council Vice President Kathy Groninger told the council the analysis is part of Reedy’s engagement with the county as a special project. The $15,000 is a one-time fee.

“It basically is going to help us set up a matrix that we can use ongoing to take care of our wage increases ... So we think it will be a really helpful tool,” she said, adding the county had a wage analysis done before she was on the council and it was more expensive than the Reedy fee. She guessed it was around $100,000 for that study but didn’t know for sure.

County Treasurer Michelle Puckett said the prior analysis cost was nowhere close to that amount, and she had a question on the Reedy salary analysis.

“So you’re saying that Reedy is going to do the exact same thing as (management consulting firm) Waggoner, Irwin Scheele (& Associates) did?” Puckett asked. Kathy Groninger said she wasn’t saying that and she wasn’t part of

the Waggoner study so she doesn’t know what they did.

Long said it will tie into the longterm financial plan of the county, which is why Reedy was brought on board to begin with. The county pays Reedy $5,000 per month for their financial consulting services, and the current contract is for all of 2024.

Referring back to comments Councilwoman Sue Ann Mitchell made at Tuesday’s commissioner meeting, Long said he does feel the county needs a list of what is expected from Reedy. He said Mitchell and Kathy Groninger have volunteered to put that list together.

Kathy Groninger said Reedy is working on a complete matrix that will allow them to compare Kosciusko to other similar counties as far as employee numbers and sal-

County alcohol board OKs 4 local license renewals

With no violations and no remonstrators, four local alcohol license renewals were approved Thursday, June 6, by the Kosciusko County Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.

Those included: DAS Restaurant LLC, doing business as The Frog Tavern, 1116 S. Harkless Drive, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor restaurant license.

HSB Grill LLC, doing business as Huntington Street Bar & Grill, 704 N. Huntington St., Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor restaurant license. Harry’s Tap & Grill LLC, doing business as Harry’s Tap & Grill, 132 S. Main St., Milford, beer, wine and liquor restaurant license. Farmhouse Kitchen and Catering LLC, doing business as Farmhouse Kitchen and Catering, 9522 N. CR 300E, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor restaurant license. The commission’s regular meeting are at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in the old courtroom of the old county courthouse. Because of the Fourth of July holiday next month, the commission’s July meeting will move from July 4 to July 11.

Local students named to dean’s list

The following local students were recently named to the dean’s list of their respective colleges/universities: Goshen College Syracuse — Tyson Miller, Allison Saylor Ivy Tech Community College Cromwell — Sadeq Al tashi, David Mendoza Milford — Jonathon Lackey, Kayla McKinzie, Justin Bailey, Gabriel Wilson North Webster — Margaret Brown, Jessica Hyser, Brianna Stuckman Syracuse — Tiffany Parker, Madison Anderson, Anastasia Bartman, Emma Berger, Paige Cunningham, Amy Farmer, Jonathan Risner, Cameron Schlabach

aries. “This isn’t part of that, but that’s where I know they’re going as a company to be able to provide that information. ... but this is a first step. If they get that formula figured out, then we’ll have the basics of that to be able to help us in the future,” she said.

Long asked Puckett how long ago was the Waggoner study and was told it was 20 years. He said it was a more complicated report.

“But my concern is, I’m not quite understanding, because you’re saying two different things completely,” Puckett said. “What Waggoner did is completely different than what you’re going to be contracting Reedy to do for this $15,000.”

Long said by comparing Kosciusko County with other counties of similar size, “we’re going to have some kind of an idea, are we close or do we need to” make changes.

Puckett asked if that was included in the one-time $15,000, or is that the add-on build for what Reedy is looking at in the future. Kathy Groninger said that was the add-on the county hasn’t committed to doing.

“So, in talking about this, this is completely separate than anything Waggoner Scheele did?” Puckett asked. Kathy Groninger said yes.

Long said he personally wants to know if the county can afford it, how it can be afforded, how it will be funded and, if they can’t afford it, he wants an explanation as to

why not.

Puckett asked, “So this will take basically the dollar amount for those employees, bring them into the budget, just to see how the financial of the current status or new requests are going to affect our bottom line? But really this is just a dollar-to-dollar, it’s no true analysis of positions and wage classifications, which is what Waggoner did for us?”

Long said the county was still using Waggoner Scheele for that.

Sheriff Jim Smith said he was happy to hear the county was going to still be using the Waggoner Scheele study.

“This is not classifying or reclassifying any positions. This is determining whether we can afford to give a raise; whether we give $5,000 per deputy as we did last year or if we have to give a percentage raise or whether we do a set fee, percentage here. That’s what this tool is going to be — to help guide us on what we can do on that end with the monies we have,” Councilman Tony Ciriello said.

Cary Groninger said the main thing about the Reedy salary analysis was it was all around the financial side of how it affects the budget and how it affects funding long term going forward. He said it’s a tool for the council to be able to look at how salary increases and additional hires today can be supported by forecasted revenues in

the future. Mitchell gave a history about how the Waggoner Scheeley study came about, back when she was the county auditor.

“When it all came back, the council said that’s too much, we’ll cut every one of them 5%. So from the day we started, we were 5% behind the regular known wages in our community to start with,” she said. “And then every year it was continued to give a percentage raise. Well, everybody knows what happens with a percentage raise — the rich get richer and the poor don’t get near as much because they’re only getting a percent of what their wage was. That’s how we got into this bind.”

She said the council never wanted to do another wage study. “So I believe what we paid Waggoner, Irwin Scheele 20 years later was almost the same as what we paid them to do it to start with because it was creating like a whole new schematic for us. So that’s how we got to there,” Mitchell said. When the council moved forward on the wages, they went with the wages Waggoner Scheeley suggested. Mitchell also talked about her concerns with the Reedy study and why they need to spell out exactly what Reedy is going to give the county for what the county is paying. “If it’s something we can already do, do we really need it?”

10 YEARS AGO, JUNE 11, 2014

The Kosciusko County burger wars are over but the regional title is now up for grabs. Kosciusko County will be represented in the Northern Tourism Development Commission contest by the “Hoe Burger” named for its creator, Craig “Backhoe” Streby. He is the nighttime chef at North Webster American Legion Post 253.

Delaney Hare is the first recipient of the Creative Art Award. She has been a student at North Webster Elementary School for six years. North Webster Sons of the American Legion Squadron 253 have started a collection site for all types of metals. With the help of Stuckman and Sons Salvage Company, donated metal waste will be recycled and the profits will be used for the post’s building maintenance. The salvage bin is located on the south end of the North Webster American Legion Post 253 parking lot until Sept. 30.

20 YEARS AGO, JUNE 9, 2004

Garage Sales A040

30 YEARS AGO, JUNE 8, 1994

Lakeland Kiwanis met in the North Webster Church of God. Jerry Badskey, club historian, gave a brief history of Lakeland Kiwanis Club, which had its organizational meeting June 9, 1969, with 12 people in attendance. Dennis M. Yoder, district governor, honored Alice Rinker for her membership by presenting her with her first Ring of Honor to be worn on her Kiwanis pin.

Principal Award winners at North Webster Elementary School were announced. They are: Larry Klinger, Paul Clingerman, Adam Richcreek, Sarah Becker, Andrew Wilson, Sarah Marty, Natasha Danner, Tony Shell, Scott Biesemeyer, Carrie Becker, Elesa Rens-

berger, Carryn Calhoun, Debbie Coldren, Kelsey Van Sickle, Rachel Rogers, Chelsea Ross, Carie Lundy, Dave Johnson, Keith Kellog, Sam Calobrace, Stacey Gibbons, Monica Wilson, Alicia Ley, David Gerth, Bryan White, Pam Ousley, Amanda Jeffrey, Dillon Ritter, Michael Moore and Heather Coy.

40 YEARS AGO, JUNE 13, 1984

Mr. and Mrs. Wesley (Ann) Bell, North Webster, are the parents of a son, Tyler Wesley, born Tuesday, June 5, in Kosciusko Community Hospital. He weighed 10 pounds, 14-1⁄2 ounces and measured 22-1⁄2 inches in length. Tyler Wesley has a brother, Justin, 3. New officers were installed during the meeting of Tippy Lee

Club held at the home of Mary Strong. Pam Florey was the installing officer.

50 YEARS AGO, JUNE 12, 1974 Anna Bowers chapter WCTU met at the North Webster Church of the Brethren. Mrs. Lawrence Wilcoxson, president, was in charge of the business session. Mrs. Elizabeth Baker gave devotions entitled “Mothers opportunity in the home.” Mrs. Baker gave the closing prayer. Mrs. Ruth Butler, president, was in charge of the meeting of Barbee Hoosier Club. The ladies met at Barbee Conservation Club building. The afternoon was spent playing games. Mrs. Susie Reed, Mrs. Edna Rager and Stella Risser served on the hostess committee.

It happened in Milford ... 40 years ago

Ann Heaton crowned new

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& Garden C090

Mark and Denise Grady of North announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Cheryl Lynn, to Michael Francois Van Laeken. He is the son of John and Condy Van Laeken of Warsaw. The bride-elect is a 2000 graduate of Wawasee High School and a 2004 graduate of Purdue University. The prospective bridegroom is a 2000 graduate of Warsaw Community High School and a 2004 graduate of Purdue University. Vows will be exchanged Saturday, July 31, at North Webster Church of God.

BUYERBEWAREThePapersIncorporatedcannotscreenalladvertisements toeliminatepossibilitiesoffraudor misleadinginformation.Ifitsoundstoo goodtobetrue,itusuallyis.Persons respondingtoadsareadvisedtocontact theBetterBusinessBureauinyourareaor theIndianaSecretaryofState’sFraud Hotlinebeforesendinganymoney. 1-800-223-8791

Senior Citizen Queen

10 YEARS AGO, JUNE 11, 2014

Gloria Slabaugh accumulated 761.2 accelerated reader points, the most earned at Milford Elementary during the past school year. Each book a student reads is assigned an AR point value based on its content and difficulty. The student is then quizzed on the book and received a prorated amount of points based on the number of questions answered correctly.

Auction Sales A010

at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Milford.

20 YEARS AGO, JUNE 9, 2004

COMPLETE HOUSEHOLDS OF Furniture, Antiques, Collectibles, Coins, Old

Garage Sales A040 WANTED TO BUY CALL ME 574-457-6754

Instruments, Anything Of Value

Despite several setbacks, construction of Milford’s new wastewater treatment plant has started. Crews began construction last month and the plant is expected to be completed by November. The cost of the project is approximately $2.1 million. The new plant was necessary.

Weiss, in helping with improvements to the building and V.L. and Martha Vawter for their assistance.

Miller’sCountryGreenhouse.Bigdiscount onflowers,patiopots,hangingbaskets, veggiesandmore.June3untilsoldout. 574-658-5500,ext.2,5567W.1100N., Milford,IN46542. Lawn & Garden C090

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The annual May dinner party of Efficient Homemakers Club was held May 24 in an area restaurant. Betty Lewallen was chairman for the evening. Cheryl Leedy and Paula Markley were guests. The invocation was given by Pauline White. Lewallen read humorous quotes from the internet.

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Stump, Milford, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14. Stump and the former Glennis Orn were married in Los Altos, Calif., in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Disher Jr., while Mr. Stump was serving in the U.S. Navy. A small gathering will be held

NHPETRESCUEGARAGESALE,June 14,8-5p;June15,9-4,heldatSyracuse Eagles,12889KernRoad.

Kevin Clark, owner of Clip and Curl, the new hair salon on Main Street, wishes to clarify that the building he is in was not purchased by him, but is being leased from Brandi Weiss, the owner of the building. He also wants to note appreciation to Brandi’s father, Dan

30 YEARS AGO, JUNE 8, 1994 In its Monday meeting, the Milford Public Library Board of Trustees heard a report from a search committee that Mary Gilbert has accepted its offer of the position of library director, effective July 1. The position became available when Mary Jurss, director for the past 11 years, announced several months ago that she would be retiring this summer. Charity Stump, daughter of Timothy and Carolyn Stump of Milford, will be attending the Instituto Technologico y de Estudios Continued on page 11

Angie Deak joins growing Milford Food Bank

Milford Food Bank has announced the hiring of Angie Deak as its new development manager.

In this new capacity, Deak will be responsible for communications, marketing, fundraising relationships and events, leading the coordination of volunteers and helping with partner development.

The Milford Food Bank board and volunteers are excited to add an individual with the skills and experience Deak has in order to faithfully enhance their operations and meet their goals for growth and expansion while maintaining their mission of serving God, the community and their pantry and outreach partners.

Deak, a Milford native, holds a

degree in business administration with two decades of experience in marketing, sales and graphic design. Moreover, she has a passion for the well being of her community and is deeply rooted in the Milford area.

Deak currently serves as the vice president of Meet Milford, a nonprofit organization that coordinates local events like Food Truck Friday, which brings together community members, organizations and businesses.

In addition, Deak is the owner of Made on Main, a creative studio on Main Street in Milford, which employs local and talented art instructors to make the arts accessible to all ages and

skill levels.

Deak holds positions on multiple committees related to downtown redevelopment and econom-

ic improvements for Milford. She and her husband, Mike, have two daughters, and attend Wawasee Community Bible Church.

Deak began this week and will be working to meet the volunteers and pantry representatives.

“I am looking forward to helping continue the growth of the food bank,” she said. “The people and families touched by the generosity of so many at the food bank is evident that God is working here in a big way. You can feel it. I’m blessed to be a part of it.”

Milford Food Bank is a faithbased organization with a mission of sharing the love of Christ by providing food to those in need. It serves over 180 organizations

Interra’s Heather Cripe recognized by ‘Michiana Forty Under 40’

Heather Cripe, assistant vice president, senior financial analyst, has been named to the “Michiana Forty under 40.”

The program highlights the achievements of 40 outstanding young adults, under the age of 40, for their leadership, excellence in their respective careers and actively engaged and committed to community service.

“It is truly an honor to be named as one of the ‘Michiana Forty under 40’ class alongside many other distinguished and dedicated young leaders in our community. I am humbled and grateful to the South Bend

Chamber for the recognition,” stated Cripe.

Cripe began her career at Interra Credit Union in 2018 as a financial analyst after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business with a concentration in finance, from the Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics, Indiana University, South Bend.

In 2023, Cripe was the emerging leader selected by Filene Research Institute to be the Hoosier representative at the Credit Union National Association’s Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., and

It happened in Syracuse ... 40 years ago

also graduated from the Greater Elkhart Chamber’s Leadership Academy in May the same year.

Cripe is not only a leader in her role, but also an active community volunteer. When she is not working to grow her career, she volunteers as a teacher at the River Oaks Community Church, reads to young children through the United Way, and, for the past year, has been working with the program coordinator at Middlebury Community Schools to become a coach for the Girls on the Run program. Cripe lives in Elkhart with her spouse and two young children.

Swick is Indiana Little Miss

10 YEARS AGO, JUNE 11, 2014

Knights of Columbus Council 6323 of Syracuse made contributions to several groups recently.

Accepting the contributions were Angel Hardy, Milford Food Pantry, $300; Deb Miotto, 911 Remembrance Committee, $1,000; Tracie Helton, Syracuse Food Pantry, $300; Bob Harding, North Webster Food Pantry, $300; and Jon Hall, Syracuse Fire Department, $750. Each food pantry also received a car load of food collected weekly at the Knights of Columbus Bingo.

Tim and Kim McCreary, Syracuse, are the parents of a daughter, Kylie Mae, born at 9:12 a.m. June 7, 2014, at IU Health Goshen Hospital. She weighed 7 pounds, 2.4 ounces and was 19 inches long.

20 YEARS AGO, JUNE 9, 2004

David Biddinger of Syracuse is trying to decide where to visit this summer. He is working on traveling through every county in the country. There are 3,138 counties, parishes and independent cities

across the nation. Biddinger has visited 2,543 since starting his quest in 1982. Biddinger said he’s always had a bit of wanderlust. He enjoys jumping into his car and going.

Sarah Marty, daughter of David and Mary Marty of Syracuse, recently received the John R. and Aline B. Emens Scholarship Award at Ball State University. The Emens scholarships provide tuition for students during the academic year. Marty has also been named an Honors College Scholar at Ball State. She is one of five incoming students to receive a full tuition scholarship.

30 YEARS AGO, JUNE 8, 1994

Becca Gray, resident of Syracuse, rode in the 1994 ADEC Ride-A-Bike recently. Gray was honored, along with about 50 other individuals and organizations, for her fundraising efforts. Gray was awarded a football autographed by Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz during a special recognition open house.

Ann Heaton

Continued from page 10

Superiores de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, this summer as an exchange student. She is a 1992 graduate of Wawasee High School.

40 YEARS AGO, JUNE 13, 1984

Groundbreaking for the new 200,000-gallon Milford water tower was held last week, with town officials taking part. The tower is located on land donated by Brock Manufacturing Company at the northwest edge of Milford, and is being done by the

Universal Tank and Iron Works of Indianapolis. The tower is part of a program of revamping the town’s water system and should be completed by September 1. Milford crowned a new Senior Citizen Queen Sunday at the group’s regular meeting held at the Milford Community Building. Ann Heaton, a resident of CR 900N, just east of the New Salem Church of the Brethren, was crowned 1984 Senior Citizen Queen by outgoing queen

Syracuse’s Joe Salazar was on hand at Saturday’s Warsaw sectional baseball games, watching his son, Joey, and the Wawasee Warriors battle Columbia City and Churubusco. The Warriors defeated Columbia City, but lost to Churubusco in the sectional final, 5-3. Joey Salazar was a key figure for the Warriors all season, leading the team in batting, RBIs and fielding percentage. His father was also a key fixture at the games, supporting his son and the local squad.

40 YEARS AGO, JUNE 13, 1984

Christie Leamon, who will be a sophomore in elementary education at Indiana University in the fall, has signed on as lifeguard for the summer at the Syracuse Lakeside Park. Christie resides with her father, Ed Leamon, in the Syracuse area, and is employed by the Syracuse Park Board.

Seven year old Bridget Swick was selected from a field of 75 other girls as Indiana’s Little Miss during competition in India-

napolis recently. In October, Bridget will travel to Lehigh Acres, Fla., to compete with 52 other young ladies representing the United States, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico at the national competition. She was sponsored by Buzz Keck Motor Car Co., Syracuse.

50 YEARS AGO, JUNE 12, 1974

Barry Baumbaugh of Syracuse was recently elected junior class vice president for 1974-75 at Indiana Institute of Technology, Fort Wayne. Baumbaugh is a 1972 graduate of Wawasee High School. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. W. Baumbaugh of r 2 Syracuse.

Larry Simon is on leave following a year’s tour of duty in Thailand with the Air Force. A 1966 graduate of Syracuse High School and son of the Maxwell Simons, he entered the United States Air Force in 1968 and is a careerist of the service. He is married to the former Marie Cramar of Syracuse and they have a three-year-old son, Jerry.

throughout northern Indiana and southern Michigan, and distributes over 350,000 pounds of food each month to community kitchens, residential facilities,

backpack programs and other community food distribution organizations. To get involved with the food bank, visit milfordfoodbank.org.

Vera Schell. 50 YEARS AGO, JUNE 12, 1974

Mr. and Mrs. Russell Ruch of Milford will observe their 25th wedding anniversary by vacationing at Marcell, Minn. Russell Ruch and the former Beatrice Punter were united in marriage on June 17, 1949, at DeMotte.

Phil Stichter was presented the 1974 Milford junior high school Parent Teacher Organization Outstanding Student of the Year award by principal Marion Acton. The award is based upon academic achievement, citizenship and the student’s over-all contributions to the school.

Public Notice

Office at 310 N. Huntington Street, Syracuse, IN 46567. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 11:00 am local time on July 2, 2024 in the Council Chambers, 310 N. Huntington Street, Syracuse, IN 46567. Any

drainage improvements, pavement markings, landscaping items, lighting / electrical items and a signage. The Project Documents will be available in electronic format to examine and download at QUEST CDN.COM. The QuestCDN eBidDoc number for this project is 9158357. Contact QuestCDN at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in membership registration and downloading the digital project file and information. Only QuestCDN Plan Holders are eligible bidders. A Pre-bid meeting will be held June 25, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers, 310 N. Huntington Street, Syracuse, IN 46567. Bid proposals shall be complete and properly executed on the bid form, and must be accompanied by an executed Indiana State Board of Accounts Form 96, confirmation that copies of Addenda were received (if issued),

BABA requirements, unless excepted by a waiver. The Bidders attention is also called to the “Minority/Women Owned Business Participation” and “Indiana Veteran Owned Small Business Program” requirements contained in the Project Specifications. The State of Indiana has set a

APC discusses cargo box ordinance

A discussion on the proposed amended cargo box ordinance took place at the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meeting Wednesday, June 5.

The ordinance was discussed at a recent Kosciusko County commissioners’ meeting. A few points were brought up at that meeting.

Aesthetics and cargo containers on residential properties were two of the issues.

The ordinance regarding cargo containers was tabled Tuesday, May 21, by the Kosciusko County Commissioners for further review by the APC, after the commissioners and attorney Steve Snyder expressed some concerns about it.

As for appearance, APC Director Matt Sandy showed some examples of some cargo boxes that had graffiti on them, some had names or letters on them, while others were different colors.

The colors of the containers would have to be consistent to the colors of the buildings they are attached to, according to the ordinance. APC suggested neutral colors; however, those colors differ from person to person.

Commissioner Brad Jackson wanted the ordinance to state that any previous lettering on the container should be covered over.

The other issue was cargo containers on residential properties.

The ordinance only applies to commercial, industrial or agricultural properties, not agricultural 2 or residential ones.

However, Snyder wanted an exception use in residential and agricultural 2 use districts, leaving the determination to the BZA. He suggested the containers be allowed to be used temporarily by all owners

of a residence in any zoning district. This would be the case during a remodeling or construction of a home.

On temporary containers, the ordinance states that they may be used for relocation to or from a property in a residential zone.

Commissioner and APC board member Bob Conley said he was concerned about companies or people advertising on the containers for other companies or people. Heltzel said that would be restricted under the county’s sign ordinance.

APC board members made a motion to favorably recommend the revised ordinance and send it back to commissioners for their final decision.

A continuance of a case for a petition to rezone 11.17 acres from an agricultural district to an agricultural 2 district was tabled until the July 3 meeting.

The property is located on the north side of CR 1100 North, 212 feet west of SR 19 in Scott Township.

Two main items are zoning and sewage. Snyder, the petitioner’s attorney, said a design for a sep-

tic system is being conducted, as is the soil scientist’s report. They have 30 days to get these tasks accomplished.

Timothy McCreary’s petition to rezone ground from a residential district to an agricultural district was approved.

The property is located on the south side of Mock Road, east of CR 100E in Milford in Van Buren Township.

The matter will now go before the county commissioners at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 18.

Cynthia Wiese’s petition to rezone a lot from a commercial district to a residential district was given a favorable recommendation.

The property is located on the south side of Main Street, west of Harrison Street in Atwood in Harrison Township.

Wiese’s case will go before the county commissioners at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 18.

A final plat for Morgedy’s in North Webster was approved. The property is located at the intersection of CR 400N and SR 13 in North Webster.

The next APC meeting is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 3.

Eby graduates from Harding University

Courtney Eby of Syracuse is one of more than 700 students who received diplomas and were recognized as Harding University graduates during the spring 2024 commencement ceremony on May 4. Eby received a bachelor of arts in Bible and ministry.

Graduates include students from the College of Allied Health, College of Arts and Sci-

ences, College of Bible and Ministry, Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration, Cannon-Clary College of Education, Carr College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and Honors College.

University President Mike Williams recognized the candidates as they were recommended by the faculty for graduation.

Change is integral

Church

As we change from spring to summer I am reminded that change appears to be integral to life itself. If we think about it, especially those of us who are older, aging is a change.

How often do I think I can still act as if I’m in my forties and end up hurting myself? God’s design is one of change. Winter to spring, spring to summer, summer to fall and back again. Some

PASTOR JIM TORMEY

in our world fight with all that is within them to prevent change. Others push to make sure change comes. So, how are you doing with change?

Some would say the world is changing like never before. No time has been like ours. I think Noah might have disagreed with that statement. For Noah, the world had never changed ever.

The only change was the people around him and his family. If you think about it it was closer to perfection, the Garden of Eden, than we can imagine. There have been some who believe, the world was still living in a world that had

to life

fallen but still experienced some of the qualities of the Garden. Long life, no rain that fell upon the earth, storms never happened, until the flood. Sounds like a great world. Then that pesky little flood thing happened. The flood occurred because of man choosing their way over following God. In Christian parlance, we call that sin. But think about it; your world is going along smoothly and suddenly there are forty days and forty nights of rain. Just like that, your world is turned upside down. For some, you’re saying “yep, that’s my life.” But God makes a promise to us.

While Noah and his family are sealed in a boat by God, we Christians believe we are sealed by God when we believe. With that seal comes a promise. Psalm 94:14 New Living Translation reads, “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.”

So, is change a bit much right now? Ask God to take control and He promises rest, hope, and a future. He is only a prayer away. It is that easy.

Matthew 11:28 New Living Translation reads, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Free community block party in Milford

Word of Truth Ministries, 180 Ministries and Community Care Ministries have set the date for its fifth annual free community block party. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 15, on the north side of Dollar General, West Catherine Street, Milford. There will be fun for the whole family, including face painting, games and a bounce house. Attendees will also enjoy free hot dogs and live music. A gift card raffle will be hosted at the block party and no purchase is necessary to participate. The block party is a great way to soak up the nice weather, meet fellow community members and enjoy each other’s company. Neighbors from across the area come out to have a fun night with their family and friends. To further promote the block party, on Wednesday, June 12, students from Adult Teen Challenge-Elkhart and members from Word of Truth Ministries out and about to participate in a Door 2 Door Blitz. Participants will be combing through neighborhoods handing out fliers and personal invitations to the block party event. This time will also be used for prayer.

Around The Lakes

HME CHANNEL 46 visited The Papers Inc. Monday, June 10, for a photo shoot to benefit the Milford Food Bank. Chan nel 46 was shooting a commer cial for the food bank, which is expected to run Mondays and Saturdays throughout July.

They started shooting in the warehouse space at The Papers since it was bit quieter than at the food bank. Shown is Charlie Adams consulting his notes along with Bill Doege, operations manager for the food bank, as the two wait for Nathan Ganger, creative services manager, to set up the shot.

CAMP CROSLEY has a new employee. Barbie Rater has joined the team as the new office manager.

“I decided to work here at Camp Crosley because I wanted to be in a position where I could make a difference in the community I live in,” Rater said.

“North Webster is such a unique lake town, and I love living here. Camp Crosley caters to people all over the world, it is definitely a local landmark with a legendary history. My husband and I have several kids, and our 12-year-old daughter will be attending her first summer camp this year. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful, scenic place to come to work every day, and I look forward to what the future holds for me here at Camp Crosley.”

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JOIN THE Syracuse Parks Department for StoryTime in the Park, 10 a.m. every Thursday in June. Meet at the Lakeside Park gazebo, 1013 N. Long Drive.

YOU MAY have noticed the work being done at the intersection of Higbee and Emeline streets in Milford. Large holes have been dug in that area in the past few weeks.

According to Milford Superintendent Steven Marquart, pedestrian signals are being installed to the stoplights, which will allow walkers to press a button on the pole to access a “WALK” signal to enable them to more safely cross the busy street. This will be tremendously valuable during the school year, as the intersection is a busy pathway for students walking to Milford School. —o—

THE OLD Warner Schoolhouse behind North Webster Community Center will be open for tours at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Volunteers will be in period dress and will highlight the Warner family and what was happening in the world in 1838. Cookies and water will be for sale as well as a few kids activities.

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DRIVERS IN Syracuse may have been wondering what’s going on at the intersection of Huntington and Chicago streets. INDOT has been busy installing pedestrian push buttons and signal heads to the north crossing on Huntington Street. The northern curb rams will also be updated to provide proper slopes for the new features.

THE NORTH Webster Chamber’s “Crazy Waiter” fundraiser will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at Bourbon Street Pizza, North Webster. The chamber board and volunteers will be ready to serve dinner. The best part is, you get to heckle them and make them work hard. This is a fun community event for everyone. Bring money for tips.

THE PAPERS Inc. will be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive tomorrow, Thursday, June 13, inside the Milford Community Building. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you’d like to make an appointment you can do so by calling Kathy Bartman at (574) 6584111, ext. 2386, or by going to redcrossblood. org and searching by zip code 46542.

Four $25 gas cards will be given away via a random drawing of everyone who participates in the event.

TICKETS FOR Ladies Night Out, on Saturday, July 13, are now on sale. The cost is $50 per person and can be purchased at nwcommunitycenter.org using a debit card only, or in person at North Webster Community Center with cash or check. A reserved table for eight is $500. This is an 18 and older event, and you must be 21 to drink.

TIME TO mark those calendars and plan for day of family fun while supporting a great cause. The Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund’s annual Glow Golf Event will be held June 21 at Wawasee Golf Club. A $5

held Saturday, June 29, at South Shore Village, 10601 N. SR 13, Syracuse.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the run/walk starting at 9 a.m. Preregister for $30 at swchamber.com, or register the day of the event for $35.

THE “TRIFECTA” of summer planning is available at local businesses throughout North Webster. The Community Guide, Indiana Festival Guide, and the Mermaid Festival Guide are all available to help plan some summer fun.

A BINGO fundraiser to benefit the Milford Volunteer Fire Department will be held Saturday, June 22, at the Knights of Columbus, 414 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse. The doors will open at 5 p.m. with games starting at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to get there early, as they do not save seat.

Bring $25 to play and for snacks. Remember to bring canned food and old shoes for chances at door prizes at halftime. You must be at least 18 to play. For more information, talk to any Milford fireman or call (574) 658-4141. —o—

BECKY’S GARDEN at the Syracuse Public Library now has a memorial stone which was kindly donated in memory of longtime librarian Becky Brower. Each year the garden will fill in and look even more beautiful. There are already some blooms appearing.

A FLAG ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, at The American Legion, North Webster, in honor of Flag Day.

The Legion also