SYRACUSE — Wawasee High School Robotics Club, Iron Pride, had a team qualify for the world championships. Team 574A, the Musketeers, of Conner Erlenwein, Taylor Large, Hunter Newlin, Braxton Oberg and Luke Tyler were among an alliance including Trinity Lutheran and Triton Central high schools to qualify for the world championships April 19-22 at Liberty Hall in Louisville, Ky.

SYRACUSE — In the fall, the Wawasee school board approved the donation of the former Veterans of Foreign Wars building on Chicago Street in Syracuse to the school corporation.

CROMWELL — The sheer lack of public members present during the sewer meeting Monday, Feb. 20, stands as testament to the successful sewer project by Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District as it nears completion. Board members and engineers announced proudly the final stages of the S.W.A.P project wrapping around the local lakes.

MILFORD — During a public meeting Monday, Feb. 20, at the Milford School cafeteria, there were questions about just how many people are concerned there are inequalities between the two middle schools in the Wawasee Community School Corp.

MILFORD — If isn’t broke don’t fix it and we want the middle school to stay in Milford. Such was the loud and clear message given at a public meeting Monday evening, Feb. 20, in the Milford School cafeteria.

SYRACUSE — Ethan Wright, a senior at Wawasee High School, aspires to be a music therapist. His voice was “golden” enough to earn a gold medal at the Indiana State School Music Association state contest Saturday, Feb. 18, at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Turkey Creek Fire Department responded to a fire alarm Monday afternoon, Feb. 20, at Wawasee High School.

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Town Council approved a change of zoning for two properties during its monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14. The properties in question are located at 303 S. Main St. and 103 E. South St., and owned by Ralph W. and Alice E. Luce.

SYRACUSE — Each year the Indiana Department of Education assigns letter grades to public schools in the state. For the most part, the grades assigned are based on ISTEP+ results and growth.

NORTH WEBSTER — Thanks to the work of numerous contractors, board members, DLZ project engineers and local homeowners, Lakeland Regional Sewer District is expecting to complete the $29 million sewer project just $15,000 over budget, a .07 percent change.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee High School Robotics Club, “Iron Pride,” competed in the Crown Point qualifier Saturday, Feb. 11. Three teams qualified for the state tournament Saturday, Feb. 25, in Zionsville, joining five other teams which had previously qualified for the state tourney.

NORTH WEBSTER — “To be listed in the North Webster Community Guide for free, chamber dues must be paid by Wednesday, Feb. 15,” stated North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce President Sue Ward, Sue’s Creations. An email blast was to be sent Tuesday, Feb. 14, as a final reminder she explained to those in attendance at the meeting Monday, Feb. 13.

WARSAW — Rose Home was granted an exception for a group home for women and children in transition by the hearing officer of the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals Monday, Feb. 13.

MILFORD — Milford School students will explore the outdoors when the outdoor classroom is fully launched in the circle drive area. As part of that environment, there will be playhouses used in a small “town.”

SYRACUSE — In response to the visit by a team brought in by the Wawasee school board last year, a meeting will be held at each of the two middle schools in the Wawasee Community School Corp.

SYRACUSE — Several of the Wawasee Community School Corporation’s string orchestra students participated in the Indiana State School Music Association’s district solo and ensemble contest Saturday, Feb. 4, at Elkhart Central High School.

SYRACUSE — National FFA Foundation awarded an official FFA jacket to Gynnae Hochstetler, a member of the Wawasee FFA Chapter.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Thomas Edison once said “So long as the sun shines, man will be able to develop power in abundance.”

WARSAW — Mark Dillon wants to expand his business near Kuhn Lake and petitioned the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission to rezone two parcels of land during the commission’s regular monthly meeting Wednesday, Feb. 1, in Warsaw.

SYRACUSE — A little less than four months from now, the 2016-17 school year will end and students will no longer occupy Syracuse Elementary School full-time, though summer school will still be held in the building. A new Syracuse Elementary is scheduled to be moved into July 5.

SYRACUSE — Ethan Wright, a senior at Wawasee High School, received a gold placing at the Indiana State School Music Association’s district solo and ensemble contest Saturday, Jan. 28, at Fairfield High School.

SYRACUSE — A group of sixth-graders at Wawasee Middle School are learning about recycling and gaining an appreciation for what the custodial staff deals with on a daily basis.

SYRACUSE — An email received by Leeann Estrada one day while at school was more than just another email. She would soon find out the financial burden of attending college was lifted and, more importantly, she could take steps toward fulfilling her dreams and goals.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — InkFreeNews.com has officially reached 55,000 likes on Facebook. Ink Free News continues to prove itself as Kosciusko County’s breaking news leader. Ink Free News has been providing breaking news to Kosciusko County since April 30, 2012. The news operation has changed names and editors since 2012, but has always striven to deliver fast and accurate …read more.

WARSAW — Wawasee High School Robotics Club “Iron Pride” won the tournament championship at Warsaw Saturday, Jan. 21.

SYRACUSE — A group of French students were working together and editing each other’s PowerPoint presentations. But rather than this taking place in the French classroom, instead the media center was used.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee High School’s show choir, Vocal Motion, will be presenting its competition show for the community at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, in the high school auditorium. There is no cost to attend.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee High School announces parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled for 3:15 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9.

WARSAW — As far back as middle school, Jeremy Skinner knew he wanted to be involved in architecture of some type. He was “fascinated with the mixture of planning, design and political science.”

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Beginning in approximately the mid to late 1800s, quite often farmers wanting a way to drain their land so they could farm it came together to seek ways for proper drainage. At that time, the type of tile used for drainage was made of clay.

SYRACUSE — With only a handful of members a few years ago and meeting after school, the Wawasee Middle School Builders Club has grown to 47 members meeting twice monthly during Warrior Time while school is in session.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — In a constantly changing world, a constant is the ever changing physical landscape. A drive through the countryside 20 to 30 years ago, depending on the location, would have had considerably different scenery than it does today.

SYRACUSE — One of the area’s largest craft bazaars is back for another year. The annual Wawasee Middle School PTO Craft Bazaar, benefitting the PTO, is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the school, 9850 SR 13, between Syracuse and North Webster.

SYRACUSE — Indiana Department of Education released spring 2016 ISTEP+ results Thursday, Nov. 17. It was the second year of a new state assessment for grades three to eight based on Indiana’s more rigorous college and career ready standards. A new baseline was established for ISTEP+ in spring 2015.

SYRACUSE — Even small change received after a purchase can go to a good cause.

SYRACUSE — High school and middle school robotics teams from around the state will compete head to head for a spot in the VEX Robotics Indiana State Championships.

SYRACUSE — Just like a house, school buildings need attention and renovations. In an effort to keep up with building needs, the Wawasee Community School Corp. is moving forward with more construction or renovation projects.

SYRACUSE — During its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, Nov. 8, in Syracuse, the Wawasee school board heard a report on the school improvement plan, as well as the school achievement plan, in place at Wawasee Middle School. Susan Mishler, principal of WMS, presented the report.

LEESBURG — Kosciusko County Highway Department maintains approximately 1,200 miles of roads. Every year crews put down fresh layers of asphalt on roads throughout the county.

SYRACUSE — A total of five candidates are seeking two at-large seats in the Nov. 8 election for the school board of the Wawasee Community School Corp.

NORTH WEBSTER — Help strike gold at the 2016 North Webster Lions Club and North Webster Boy Scout Troop 726 A-MAZE-ing Haunted House. It will continue from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22, 28-29.

SYRACUSE — Less than a year from now, barring any major obstacles, students and staff will fill a brand new elementary school in Syracuse. Work is progressing well and even ahead of schedule at the new Syracuse Elementary School on Kern Road, projected to be ready for the start of the 2017-18 school year.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Though it has been many years since the Myers family owned the farm, the name still carries on today. A slightly more than a 197 acre tract of ground abutting CR 900W to the west and Shilling Road to the south, between Palestine and Mentone in Harrison Township, was once part of a considerably larger farm owned by the prominent Myers family.

ATWOOD — Years ago, some had the perception retirement meant multiple rounds of golfing or having much more time to relax. While those in retirement no longer work at full-time jobs, they stay quite busy, if not busier, than when in the workforce.

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Community Center is ready to present the annual Heart of the Community Annual Charity Auction and Raffle. The 2016 event will have an Italian theme with dinner provided by Bella Vitale, also known as The Cake Lady, and wine service from Tippy Creek Winery. The Sleepy Owl will also provide a cash bar service for the evening.

SYRACUSE — A Dan’s all-you-can-eat fish fry and tenderloins fundraiser will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in the Wawasee High School cafeteria. It will benefit the Wawasee Choral Department.

SYRACUSE — Stuff the Bus, an annual non-perishable food drive of the Wawasee High School Key Club, returns again this year.

SYRACUSE — Kosciusko County Area Planning Office has received complaints about a home based business, The Property Company LLC, which is operating from a large pole barn on CR 1200N near the Woodland Acres subdivision just outside of Syracuse.

MILFORD — Turn a mason jar into a beautiful fall luminary from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at the Milford Public Library. All supplies are provided. This craft costs $10.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — InkFreeNews.com has officially reached 53,000 likes on Facebook. Ink Free News continues to prove itself as Kosciusko County’s news leader. Ink Free News has been providing breaking news to Kosciusko County since April 30, 2012. The news operation has changed names and editors since 2012, but has always striven to deliver fast and accurate news …read more.

SYRACUSE — After 40 years of teaching at the same elementary school, making the decision to retire was not the least bit easy for Don Bokhart. He had no negative feelings about public education and very much enjoyed teaching, but wanting to spend more time with grandchildren, he felt it was time to retire.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Digital technology has affected many facets of daily living. It should come as no surprise, then, technology has also impacted bicycling.

SYRACUSE — Two days before the start of the 2016-17 school year, the infrastructure put in place to be ready for the 1:1 computer initiative is mostly finished. During its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Aug. 9, the Wawasee school board heard an update from Joy Goshert, director of instruction and curriculum for the school corporation.

SYRACUSE — Each year, school buses are thoroughly inspected by a trooper of the Indiana State Police. For the Wawasee Community School Corp., the annual inspection is usually during the summer break.

NORTH WEBSTER – Declaring Dixie Day Festival a success, North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce President Sue Ward, Sue’s Creations Floral & Gifts, noted during the general meeting Monday, Aug. 8, “Now it is time for the final planning for the Heart of the Harvest Fall Festival.” The meeting was held at the Tippecanoe Township Building large meeting room, a change of venue for the organization.

SYRACUSE — Roll out for the 1:1 initiative computer devices for Wawasee Community School Corp. students will begin Monday, Aug. 8. Due to construction at Wawasee High School, dates and times were changed.

SYRACUSE — The annual meeting of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will be a very special meeting this year. The meeting will be a celebration of WACF’s 25 years of protecting the wetlands.

SYRACUSE — Dewart Lake held its annual flotilla Monday afternoon, July 4. Dark clouds in the sky held the threat of rain, but the rain held off to allow the flotilla to proceed.

EVANSVILLE – A book chronicling the top sports moments in Indiana history will be released this fall.

WARSAW — Sometimes the road a person travels on in life will take a few sharp curves. At one time in his life, Steven Kuhn wanted to become an engineer and even started toward that path while in college.

MILFORD — It was a small high school and forming solid relationships with other students was quite common. During the annual Milford Alumni Banquet Saturday evening, June 11, at Milford School, many memories were shared by Milford High School graduating classes ranging from 1936 to 1968.

SYRACUSE — Three significant structures at the site of the new Syracuse Elementary School are noticeable — the main office (to include the media center and multi-purpose room), the gym and cafeteria. And due to a milder than normal winter, much of the work continues to progress ahead of schedule.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — You live next door to someone who is having their property developed and that could mean the landscape is altered. If so, it could also mean it would affect where the water after a rain drains to.

SYRACUSE — Summer robotics camps will be offered at Wawasee High School.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — InkFreeNews.com has officially reached 52,000 likes on Facebook. Ink Free News continues to prove itself as Kosciusko County’s news leader. Ink Free News has been providing breaking news to Kosciusko County since April 30, 2012. The news operation has changed names and editors since 2012, but has always striven to deliver fast and accurate news …read more.

SYRACUSE — During a very brief special meeting Tuesday, May 17, in Syracuse, the Wawasee school board approved personnel changes and a few other items on the short agenda.

WARSAW — Much can happen in three decades and in the world of BMX, this time span has meant changes that are transformative to the sport. Hire Park BMX Track in Warsaw has survived this and is still a vibrant part of BMX’s sub-culture. It will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year.

MENTONE — Students and teacher alike are both learning something new this year while the Tippecanoe Valley High School building trades project home is being built.

Dear Editor: “Miles and miles of back roads and highways connecting little towns with funny names who’d what to live down there the middle of nowhere? They’ve never drove through Indiana meet the man who plowed that earth planted that seed, busted his ass for you and me or caught a harvest moon in Kansas they’d …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana Office of Tourism Development Executive Director Mark Newman today, Wednesday, March 23, unveiled the statewide route of this fall’s Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay. Kosciusko County is on that route. The relay will pass through Kosciusko County between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29. The torch will travel …read more.

SYRACUSE — For a couple of days, racing will be permissible on downtown streets in Detroit. And onlookers will cheer on teams competing in the annual Shell Eco-marathon near the Cobo Center.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board discussed tree maintenance and spring cleaning around the community center during its regular monthly meeting Monday, March 14. Jerry Riffle, Syracuse Tree Board representative, reported 11 trees will be planted this spring.

CLUNETTE — Stop and think for a moment. Are you aware of anything still standing and dating to 1844?

WARSAW — Life’s journeys sometimes take a person through jobs or career paths they may not necessarily like or are not a good fit for. But then a door may open somewhere and they step through it into their dream job.

CLAYPOOL — Not many are still living who can remember — firsthand — what is was like to live during the Great Depression. But there is Don Shively, a longtime Claypool resident.

SYRACUSE — Several Wawasee Middle School students are exploring the sky and using the school’s planetarium to show to others what they have learned.

SYRACUSE — On Saturday afternoon, Feb. 13, Polar Plunge was not an exaggeration at all. The actual temperature was 14 degrees and with the wind chill factored in, it felt more like about -2.

SYRACUSE — With a warmer than usual fall and winter, it’s been an uphill battle for Syracuse Lake to form enough ice to support dozens of people and snowmobiles. Now with a forecast of snow, the Wawasee Kiwanis Club has canceled its annual snowmobile drags.

INDIANA — During the course of a year, Indiana State Troopers assist nearly 200,000 motorists along Indiana roadways while driving more than 37 million miles. The Indiana State Police categorizes this encounter with the public as a police service. These police services cover a wide range of different circumstances but typically involve the trooper assisting a …read more.

SYRACUSE — Paige Wright will graduate in a few months from Wawasee High School, wants to be a nurse and will possibly attend Goshen College. She has taken all of the health classes offered at the high school.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Changes in farming in recent years have been well documented, whether focusing on technology, farmland being sold and developed residentially or the diminishing number of family farms. Another aspect of change, that of what takes place on a grain farm during the winter months, has probably not received quite as much attention.

SYRACUSE — Sometimes an interest can stick with a person from childhood even to retirement age.

WARSAW — This year marks the 10th year Cynthia Cates has served as executive director of Kosciusko Literacy Services. “It doesn’t seem that long,” she quipped.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Valentine’s Day is big business. In 2013 Valentine’s Day sales reached $17.6 billion according to the market research firm IBIS World. However, the holiday isn’t the marketing ploy many believe it is.

PIERCETON — David Taylor has welcomed thousands of patrons to 18th century Europe.

GOSHEN — Goshen Police Department and the family of Michelle Castillo-Martinez is asking the community’s help in locating Castillo-Martinez. On Oct. 17, Castillo-Martinez, 16, was reported as a runaway from her family’s home in Goshen. She has yet to return home. Some family members have reported to have had contact with her via social media …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — InkFreeNews.com has reached more than 49,000 likes on Facebook and the numbers continue to climb. InkFreeNews.com continues to prove itself as Kosciusko County’s news leader. In the last week the Ink Free News Facebook page has had more than 133,116 people engaged on the site with a 1,917,965 total post reach according to our weekly …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — InkFreeNews.com has reached more than 48,000 likes on Facebook and the numbers continue to climb. InkFreeNews.com continues to prove itself as Kosciusko County’s news leader. In the last week the Ink Free News Facebook page has had more than 254,061 people engaged on the site, up 71.8 percent from last week, with a 3,633,728 total …read more.

WARSAW — Another year has bid farewell. For approximately 40 percent of Americans, the new year means setting challenges of self improvement. Of those professing a resolution, living a healthier lifestyle or losing weight tops the list.

INDIANA — A touchy issue that has caused debating and division nationwide is that of gun violence and whether or not more government restrictions are needed to address the violence. Some feel the restrictions don’t go far enough while others fear the ultimate goal is to take firearms out of the hands of everyone, even if they obey laws and are not convicted felons.

SYRACUSE — Enjoy a lunch from M the Market while learning helpful tips on how to make the most out of using social media during this Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Lunch N’ Learn.

WARSAW — Goodwill Career Center will be offering a new Microsoft workshop series beginning in January.

WARSAW — There are few jobs as emotionally challenging as that of a hospice nurse. “Most hospice nurses last five to ten years at most,” said Kim Nance, business development manager at Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — “2015 was a fantastic year,” said George Robertson, president of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation. “It’s certainly the best in the five years I’ve been here.”

WARSAW — Darla McCammon is a well-traveled, award-winning artist, author and free-lance photojournalist.  Her work has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, and periodicals.  McCammon authors two weekly newspaper columns and has been the editor of a number of publications.  McCammon collaborated with photographer Al Disbro in 2012 to write a nonfiction book titled Winona …read more.

WARSAW — InkFreeNews.com continues to prove itself as Kosciusko County’s news leader. It has now reached over 44,200 total page likes. In the last week the Ink Free News Facebook page has had over 67,926 post engagements with a 723,616 posts reach, up 95.3 per cent from the last week, according to our weekly analytics. …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Not that there is any sort of a big debate, but some prefer the naturally grown variety when it comes to one of the most enduring symbols of the holiday season — the Christmas tree.

NORTH WEBSTER — Local employees and volunteers of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services were celebrated with a dinner and awards recently. The event was held at the Tippecanoe Township Building.

LEESBURG — On a day where it was unseasonably warm and felt more like a spring day, luminaries lined the roads in the town of Leesburg during the Candelaria celebration Saturday evening, Dec. 12.

INDIANA — Another book relating the history of Indiana is freshly published. This one gives vignettes about 400 people and businesses that formed the state and is readable in 10-minute increments. It starts with the mound builders, Fort Ouiatenon, George Rogers Clark, William Henry Harrison and Chief Little Turtle and goes through two major wars, a dozen minor wars, the Archer Gang, Orlie Scott, Zimmerman Manufacturing, Albert Beveridge and on to Sandy Allen and Edna Parker, the tallest and oldest people in the world.