BLOOMINGTON — The Indiana University football program has accepted a bowl bid for the 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

FORT WAYNE — Dr. Ben Carson’s presidential campaign will be making a stop in Fort Wayne.

WARSAW — Close to an hour of discussion and debate about a preliminary plat petition from Terry Shepherd led to no vote on the petition being taken by the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission during its regular monthly meeting Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 2, in Warsaw.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Shopko is holding a contest via Facebook to win suite tickets to see the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings in January.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Americans, of course, have much to be thankful for. We have been blessed with abundance and freedom like perhaps no other nation in history.

SYRACUSE — Retired large animal veterinarian Gervas Schafer of Syracuse received the opportunity to embark on a trip to Ethiopia Aug. 11-22. There he explored the work being done by Project Mercy, a not-for-profit organization based in Fort Wayne and Yetebon, Ethiopia.

SYRACUSE — Throughout the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 21, teams from Wawasee Middle School dominated in the robotics games during the competition at WMS, the first one ever hosted by the school. Teams finished in first, second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh place out of 14 total teams.

NORTH WEBSTER — Santa Claus arrived in North Webster and brought the North Pole snow with him Saturday, Nov. 21. First he visited with area kids and they were able to take home a free photo of themselves with him. Each child received a gift from Santa also.

SYRACUSE — We’ve all heard the term “pay it forward,” an idea promulgated in the 2000 movie and 1999 novel by the same name. The generally accepted definition is repaying a good deed to others instead of back to the original benefactor.

NORTH WEBSTER — Celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season in Webster style with the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Saturday, Nov. 21. From 3 to 5 p.m. is a fun and free event inside the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St., called “A Visit with Santa.”

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Tippecanoe Valley High School to offer seniors a unique opportunity to become business owners. Called YEA, for Young Entrepreneurs Academy, this nationwide program offers an in-school model and after school model where interested teens learn to create their own business.

NORTH WEBSTER — A free children’s Christmas party, parade and town tree lighting is being sponsored by the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and all area children are invited.

Milford School is in the midst of an epidemic, a zombie epidemic. However, it’s all in good fun with the Wawasee Outdoor Club offering the free event — Zombie Zone — for middle school age students. The event, which is currently underway at the school, runs from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

WARSAW — Drop by KC Recycling Depot, 220 S. Union St., Warsaw, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, to celebrate America Recycles Day, or RECON 2015. The day will mark the last Saturday the depot will be open in 2015.

MILFORD — Do you hear those sleigh bells ringing? Yes, it might not even be November yet, but with the annual Christmas Bucks promotion, sponsored by The Papers Inc. and local merchants, now is a great time to get the ball rolling on Christmas gifts.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee High School is comprised of students and staff members from the towns of Syracuse, North Webster and Milford. All three towns have local food pantries serving the residents in their townships.

SYRACUSE — The MutualBank team of Syracuse is inviting the public to attend the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Business-After-Hours event, held at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive.

SYRACUSE — Friends of the Syracuse Public Library has announced its monthly meetings running through the rest of this year up to the end of 2016.

By JASMINE MOREHEAD Wawasee High School Student “Love … Is more than three words mumbled before bedtime. Love is sustained by action, a pattern of devotion in the things we do for each other everyday.” This is a quote from Nicholas Sparks book “The Wedding.” Nicholas Sparks is an American writer and novelist. He has …read more.

SYRACUSE — It’s becoming more than something discussed in a meeting or architectural drawings. One can drive by on Kern Road just south of the Eagles building and see the beginning stages of a new school being built.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a male subject.

By ANDREA NEAL From the time he was a youngster, Eli Lilly was fascinated by pharmaceuticals. At 16, he served as an apprentice at the Good Samaritan Drugstore in Lafayette. During the day, he stocked shelves, washed bottles and ran errands. At night, he pored over the United States Pharmacopoeia to learn everything he could …read more.

WARSAW — A learning curve is usually the norm with new state traffic laws. Not everyone is immediately aware of the laws and what their specifics are.

NORTH WEBSTER — Elections of board members highlighted the general meeting of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Monday, Oct. 12, at American Legion Post 253.

MILFORD — It may surprise some Kosciusko County residents to know the snow produced for the upcoming Winter Olympics in South Korea will largely owe its existence to a company currently operating on a family farm outside of Milford.

WARSAW — Matt Tracy’s two petitions were among several considered by the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Warsaw.

WARSAW — Carole Shelby’s petition for a variance to split a lot creating an undersized tract of ground was among the several agenda items considered by the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Warsaw.

SYRACUSE — Indiana Small Business Development Center Director Alan Steele will be at the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce to present the center’s popular “Your Marketing Plan in Nine Steps” workshop.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission approved two tax increment financing funds at its Thursday, Oct. 8, meeting.

WARSAW — As Halloween looms, things start to get spooky. Haunted houses open, scary movies proliferate on television, jack-o’-lanterns and scarecrows appear in yards.

By ANDREA NEAL Purdue Boilermakers can thank the Morrill Land Grant Act for their highly regarded college diploma. The law, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, gave federal land to states if they agreed to use the land-sale proceeds to start colleges of agriculture and mechanic arts for the children of the working class. …read more.

WARSAW — Once theatre gets into your blood, it’s hard to leave. At least that’s the case for several local community members who are returning again to strut on the stage to present Center Street Community Theatre’s third show, “M*A*S*H,” coming to the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts’ stage in October.

WARSAW — This week at WCPL, children’s services received some shiny new books from our cataloging department. The books are from the “Billy and Blaze” series, written by C.W. Anderson and published between 1936 and 1970. Our Facebook friends have been excited to see our new acquisitions.

Meet Bubka, literally a new breed of police officer.

North Webster Heart of the Harvest Fall Festival will provide free family friendly entertainment for all ages from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.

Syracuse Police Sgt. Jim Layne was introduced to the Syracuse Town Council during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 15. The council later approved hiring Layne to replace Police Chief Tony Ciriello when he retires at the end of October.

By SUSAN MANNS Treasures For Troops Treasures for Troops (a soldier support ministry thru the First Freewill Baptist Church Of Kosciusko County) is conducting the 5th annual “Operation “TREAT” a Soldier. Once again, we are giving everyone the opportunity to fill a treat bag for a deployed service member currently serving overseas. Anyone wishing to …read more.

By JESSICA FLORES Communication Specialist, Nappanee Public Library Library Board to Hold Public Budget Hearing NAPPANEE — The board of trustees of the Nappanee Public Library will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2016 budget at 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in the library. A regular session will immediately follow the special session. The …read more.

WARSAW – A recap of Warsaw’s 14-7 win over Northridge.

By ANDREA NEAL Not much has changed since the first Indiana State Fair in October 1852. Farmers showed off their finest specimens of cows, hogs, horses and chickens. A “Mechanics Hall” displayed the newest reapers and plows. Corn growers competed for a silver cup for the heartiest ears. And right outside the main entrance, a …read more.

WARSAW — In honor of Pet Adoption Day, the Animal Welfare League spent Saturday Sept. 19 out at Tractor Supply Company, in order to get dogs out of the shelter. Tractor Supply Company celebrated by having its own Pet Appreciation Day, serving hot dogs and cold drinks, made by AWL volunteers.

NORTH WEBSTER — Syracuse resident Brock Hawthorne says he has contacted every department necessary to get answers as to why his special needs son, Deklan, was assaulted while on a parked bus in front of North Webster Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 4.

Goodwill Industries provides numerous resources for the community. Two Community Career Centers in northern Indiana, Warsaw and Mishawaka, served 4,643 people in 2014.

SYRACUSE — Monday, Sept. 14, Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board held a special session at the Syracuse Community Center to hear public input for the five-year parks and recreation master plan. The board will review suggestions received during the public meeting and via electronic survey at its October meeting.

SHANKSVILLE, PA.— The Flight 93 National Memorial opened the doors to their new $26 million visitor center complex on Thursday, one day before the annual 9/11 observances in Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington.

Doug and Cheryl Ringler are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary with an open house from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at 5480 E. 900N, Syracuse.

North Webster Elementary School will be having its fourth annual Parents-Teachers Organization Walk A Thon Friday, Sept. 18. In 2014 the students raised nearly $13,000. All of the money raised is given back to the school every year via field trips, special events, teacher/staff appreciation.

By MILFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF Labor Day Closing The library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. If you need to return items while we are closed, there are drop boxes at the south end of the building for DVD’s and …read more.

By JESSICA FLORES Communication Specialist, Nappanee Public Library American Girls Pajama Party Celebrate the beginning of the American Girls Club season at the Nappanee Public Library with an after-hours pajama party on Friday, Sept. 11. Girls in grades one through five are invited to attend the special event, held from 7-11 p.m. Come in your …read more.

[weaver_youtube 9oDa4jenL2E rel=0]   WARSAW — Farmers from all over Kosciusko County attended town hall presentation, Friday, Sept. 4, on a lawsuit being filed against Syngenta. The event was held at the new Creighton Crazy Egg Cafe, Warsaw. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages to the U.S. corn market from the introduction of the GMO corn …read more.

By ANDREA NEAL Even before Indiana began recruiting them, African-American Hoosiers volunteered to fight in the Civil War. An 1862 act of Congress allowed President Abraham Lincoln “to employ as many persons of African descent as he may deem necessary and proper for the suppression of this rebellion.” The Emancipation Proclamation of Jan. 1, 1863 …read more.

SYRACUSE – The Wawasee PRO Swim Club will be offering tryouts to interested athletes next week.

By LAURIE VOSS Circulation SUpervisor, Warsaw Community Public Library In 1978, William J. Bennett, then secretary of education issued a challenge: “Let’s have a national campaign … every child should obtain a library card — and use it.” Since that time, libraries all over have held library card sign up month each September. Studies show …read more.

The Warsaw and Wawasee football teams will find out right away come Friday night where the pair stack up in the Northern Lakes Conference. The Tigers and the Warriors face huge tests in league openers for both squads. Warsaw, coming off a 34-23 road loss to East Noble, will host Class 4-A No. 2 Plymouth. …read more.

GOSHEN – Great players make the most of their opportunities. Liz Van Wormer did exactly that Tuesday night for her Warsaw girls soccer team. The senior star stepped up in big time fashion to propel the Tigers to a huge 1-0 win over No. 19 Goshen in a key Northern Lakes Conference match. Van Wormer, …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police and Marion County Prosecutors Office are searching for victims of an alleged scam artist.

PLYMOUTH – The Blueberry Festival will directly affect the Warsaw-Plymouth JV football game Saturday morning.

SOUTH BEND – With an historic and record-setting first season nearing its completion, the South Bend Cubs announced their 2016 schedule Tuesday.

WARSAW – Tiger Flag Football, designed to teach football in a safe and controlled environment, has over 110 players involved in all skill levels and abilities.

LEESBURG – A recap of the annual Steve Dodds Memorial Tournament held at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club.

WEST LAFAYETTE – Daniel Messenger carved out his own niche while running among some great distance teammates in high school at WCHS. He now hopes to do the same as a walk-on for the Purdue men’s track team. Messenger knows the challenge in front of him with the calibre of runners on the Boilermaker squad. …read more.

WINONA LAKE – Grace College’s men’s golf team may not have a senior on the squad, but the Lancers have their fair share of talent and experience in 2015.

WINONA LAKE – Women’s golf season preview for the Grace College Lady Lancers, which will kick off its inaugural season this Friday.

By TERRI RITTER Public Relations Coordinator, North Webster Public Library Now that the kids are back in school, moms can enjoy a little “me” time at the library during Crafts and Chat 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. This is a new monthly program that provides women the opportunity to visit with each other while working …read more.

By BECKY BROWER Communication Services, Syracuse Public Library The Last Summer Program Dysfunctional, the book club that could have been called a requiem for journalists, meets one more time at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. The discussion centers on former Tampa Tribune reporter, Tim Dorsey. The previously discussed authors, Hiaasen, Barry, and White all trained …read more.

MISHAWAKA – Score the first bout of the annual Warsaw versus Elkhart Memorial heavyweight volleyball prizefight as a TKO for the Crimson Chargers. Perennial power Memorial simply overpowered the Tigers Saturday as the two clashed in the final pool play match of the outstanding Mishawaka Invitational. Coach Jacquie Rost’s team relied on its usual blue-collar …read more.

WARSAW – With the echoes of “kill, kill, kill” slicing through the Bone Yard, Killamazoo were out for blood Saturday night. No one was slain, but blood was boiling in a 192-94 Killamazoo win over the Bone City Rollers Saturday night in roller derby action at Eastlake.

SYRACUSE — The Laudaman and Brumbaugh families have had their names added to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Eli Lilly Lifetime Founders Society. Plaques have been placed on the wall bearing the name of Max and Janet Laudeman and Robert Laudaman; Jim and Cindy Brumbaugh and Kathryn Coyle.

MENTONE — The Local Emergency Planning Committee of Kosciusko County conducted a hazardous materials exercise at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at North Central Co-op in Mentone. The exercise simulated a chemical spill from a tanker in a populated area.

NEW CARLISLE — DNR says a black bear that can’t seem to make up its mind on a new home, may have wandered back to Indiana. The report came early in the week that the bear, who has gone back and forth between Indiana and Michigan all summer, might have damaged a bird feeder and left droppings behind in a subdivision on the southwest side of New Carlisle.

INDIANAPOLIS —

KENDALLVILLE – It wasn’t as if Warsaw played a “bad” football game Friday night. It was simply a case that the Tigers ran into a really, really “good” opponent. In a game that former Purdue football coach Joe Tiller would have loved, host East Noble outscored Warsaw 34-23. The field turf got some kind of …read more.

LIGONIER – Wawasee’s relentless pursuit of the football put the team in good position all night in a 37-12 win at West Noble Friday night. The Warriors created four turnovers and pounded the ball down the Chargers’ throats in an aggressive performance on both sides of the ball. Wawasee accumulated 288 total yards in the …read more.

Weekly picks of local prep football games from IFN sports writer Nick Goralczyk.

NAPPANEE – It started with the rookies and ended with the veterans as Warsaw used speed and cleverness to defeat NorthWood, 4-0, in varsity soccer Thursday at Nappanee Elementary, home of the Panthers.

WINONA LAKE – Another unique way to stay active, have fun and support a great cause is coming to Winona Lake. The Forte Empower Race will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, beginning at 1 p.m. at Winona Lake Park.

WARSAW — InkFreeNews.com continues to prove itself as Kosciusko County’s news leader. It has now reached over 42,000 total page likes. In the last week the Ink Free News Facebook page has had over 41,856 post engagements with a 397,517 posts reach according to our weekly analytics. Analytics also show there has been over 315 …read more.

MISHAWAKA – Warsaw boys tennis coach Rick Orban sent a message to his team at practice last Friday. The Tigers came out Monday and responded just like their savvy coach hoped they would. Warsaw continued its impressive road performances with a 5-0 win at Mishawaka Marian in non-conference play. The Tigers, who lost 5-0 at …read more.

WARSAW – It’s been over three months since the Rollers have battled in the Bone Yard. That will change this weekend. The Bone City Rollers will return home this Saturday, Aug. 29, to host the Killamazoo Derby Darlins.

BOURBON – The Triton High School science club will be selling Nelson’s Port-A-Pit chicken and pork chops this Friday, Aug. 28.

WARSAW – A glorious day was met with cheers for Homestead’s girls golf team, winners of Saturday’s Warsaw Girls Golf Invite. The Spartans also had the medalist in No. 1 Makenna Hostetter, who shot an 85. Warsaw found the day a little less cheery after shooting a 416 to land in sixth place.

COLORADO — Three Colorado police officers responded to a trapped animal on Tuesday, Aug. 18, and what they found is something they will probably never see again.

By ANDREA NEAL Left camp at 9 o’clock. Rained all last night. Bad roads, slavish traveling today. Snowed all day, stalled several times … Traveled 10 miles. Private Albert S. Underwood of Parke County wrote those words on Jan. 18, 1864, as he moved south toward Tennessee with the 9th battery, Indiana Light Artillery, during …read more.

  Emergency personnel are currently responding to a residential fire located at 301 S. Main St., Claypool. All occupants are reportedly out of the structure. Though assistance was called for from Warsaw and Silver Lake Fire Departments, the fire was extinguished quickly. The fire occurred in a two story residence just down the street from …read more.

SYRACUSE – A recap with photos from Wawasee’s 21-7 win over Griffith.

BOURBON – It was all about effort and attitude for the Triton football team Friday night. The Trojans banked on a familiar face and a welcome addition to put together a hard-earned 26-20 season-opening win over Caston. Star Jeremy Jones set the tone early and new quarterback Jordan Anderson led a tremendous second-half charge as …read more.

WARSAW – It became quite a showcase game for the Warsaw Tigers football team. Getting a plus-effort from all three phases of the game, Warsaw took control and crushed Columbia City, 27-3, in the week one opener.

SOUTH WHITLEY – A recap from Whitko’s big win over Cambridge City Lincoln.

WARSAW – Warsaw just needed one spark to stoke the fire, one that kept burning the entire 80 minutes. The Lady Tigers had more than enough mustard to frustrate Manchester, 10-0, in a varsity-only girls soccer match Thursday evening in Tiger Town.

WINONA LAKE – Grace College’s men’s soccer team will kick off its 50th season of competition on Tuesday at Miller Athletic Complex.

BOURBON – The Triton-Caston JV football game for this Saturday has been postponed. A make-up date has not been announced.

Weekly picks of local prep football games from IFN sports writer Nick Goralczyk.

Kosciusko County Republicans met tonight, Aug. 19, to hold a caucus for the Kosciusko County Surveyor position. The caucus was held as a result of the recent resignation of former county surveyor Richard Kemper, effective Aug. 14. Two candidates submitted a declaration of candidacy with the Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Randall Girod. Kosciusko County Counsel …read more.

The calendar may not say it yet officially, but so long summer. It’s time for area high school football teams to tee it up for real again come Friday night. The local prep scene on the gridiron for week one of the 2015 season has plenty of storylines to follow. There is plenty of “new” …read more.

WARSAW — To meet the needs of their students and families, Lakeland Christian Academy has added 6 new teachers and staff members to their LCA faculty and staff.

NOBLE COUNTY — A husband and wife writing team have produced a book that will give Noble County area residents a photo-filled walk through local history.

AKRON – A recap from Tippecanoe Valley’s win over Wawasee in volleyball action.

PLEASANT LAKE – Get down and dirty on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Parkview Muddy Trail Run. The event will be hosted at the Anthony Wayne Scout Reservation, 2282 West 500 South, Pleasant Lake, in Steuben County (10 minutes off I-69, exit 340), rain or shine.

WARSAW – They don’t play each other hardly ever. And after Tuesday night, Warsaw might not want to revisit the idea. Argos made several opportunities count in a convincing 4-1 boys soccer win over Warsaw.

WARSAW — The Mariners Drive Rehabilitation project began today, Tuesday, Aug. 18. According to Andrew R. Schouten, project manager for Phend & Brown, Inc., Milford, project contractors, a schedule of activities has been released highlighting major activities. Schouten notes changing weather conditions and/or internal schedules changes may alter the dates. Traffic control signage and detour …read more.