WARSAW — The final Central Park Concert Series of the season will feature Meet The Beetles Friday evening, Aug. 21. The concert will be from 7-8:30 p.m. by the fountain.

WARSAW — The public is invited to join local pastor Michael Barnes of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Warsaw from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 15 as he answers seven hard life questions such as: Why is there death, crime and war? Why me? Don’t all religions lead to heaven? Why are there so many different interpretations of the bible? And many more.

INDIANA — Today, Tuesday, Aug. 18, is the quarterly deadline to sign up for the state’s Do Not Call list, which helps stop unwanted telemarketing calls and text messages.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko Community YMCA will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 22. The drive will be at the Parkview Warsaw YMCA location on Mariners Drive in the Parkview Center for Healthy Living in the lobby.

ELKHART — Elkhart-based Lippert Components Inc. has formed a new team dedicated to the development and sale of its electronics components. Chris Hige will serve as director of sales and Mark Woloszyk will serve as general manager of the LCI Electronics team.

SYRACUSE — Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District’s monthly Monday night, Aug. 17, meeting was all about compromise and change.

WARSAW — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Warsaw will be holding the Big Chicken Charity Sale to benefit the new church building fund Sept. 11.

FORT WAYNE — The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. have completed their Regional Cities Initiative proposal. The organizations say the application includes 38 projects and $400 million in investment.

WARSAW — The Indiana Department of Education announced that Warsaw Community Schools has been awarded the Indiana Dual Language Pilot Grant. WCS was one of five school corporations in the state awarded. The $200,000 grant award will be used to develop and implement a world language immersion program within WCS. Starting immediately, WCS educators and …read more.

WINONA LAKE — At around 5:25 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, there was an accident at 304 Chestnut Street, Winona Lake.

INDIANAPOLIS – The fee for put-and-take pheasant hunts at DNR Fish & Wildlife Areas will increase from $25 to $28 for the 2015-16 season.

INDIANAPOLIS – The date range to set up and leave portable tree stands and ground blinds on state and federal lands is now noon on Sept. 15 through Jan. 10 the next year. Another change this year is that hunters now can mark their stands and blinds with their DNR- issued customer identification number or their name and address.

WARSAW – There wasn’t much flash, but there didn’t need to be. In a very workmanlike season opener, Warsaw rode momentum in spurts and let its senior’s play do the talking in a 3-0 volleyball win against Leo Monday night at the Tiger Den.

ELKHART – The Lakeland Christian Academy volleyball team is sure to improve as the season progresses. The Cougars, whose roster boasts very little varsity playing time as a whole, just need game experience. LCA showed signs of promise early and late in a 3-0 loss to host Jimtown in the season opener for both squads …read more.

Warsaw Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigate the following incident: 1:37 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, 500 block West 300N, Warsaw. Officials at Kohls reported the theft of earrings. Value: $90.

WARSAW — A preliminary glimpse of a city-wide tornado warning system plan was given to Warsaw City Council members Monday evening, Aug. 17.

  On Friday, July 17, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, WCS Employee Miriam “Fabiola” Nunez was sworn in as an American citizen. Nunez is a prime example of a WCS staff member who models and lives the part of the WCS mission statement of “pursuing their dreams and enriching …read more.

WARSAW — Review of proposed budgets for 2016 are complete. Now the Warsaw City Council needs to act on the proposals before the Sept. 19 deadline to advertise that budget.

WARSAW – On Saturday, Aug. 15, Warsaw Tiger Football held the first practices of the newly formed NFL Flag Football at Warsaw Community High School. Over 100 participants were in attendance for the Tiger football coach and player-led league. Registration for the league will continue through this weekend.

Monday’s meeting of the Turkey Creek fire territory executive board involved bids for paving and cosmetic work on the township’s fire stations and a clarification by President Kimberly Cates about fundraising efforts to help pay for exercise equipment for the department.

Two major sections of the trail system were discussed at the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee meeting Monday, Aug. 17.

SYRACUSE – The Wawasee High School athletic department will be raffling off several items at this Friday’s opening football game.

SOUTH WHITLEY – Matt Burlingame will be taking over the reigns as Head Wrestling Coach at Whitko High School.

Ink Free News took in all five local high school football teams Friday night as scrimmages opened up around the state.

[weaver_youtube V5lADz08_6s rel=0] Local schools are back in session and teachers and staff are gearing up for a great year. Triton School Corporation, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation, Wawasee School Corporation and Warsaw Community School Corporation are all currently welcoming the class of 2028 and preparing the class of 2016 for their futures. Check out a few snapshots …read more.

Carol Sue Flenar is celebrating her 80th birthday.

A preview for the upcoming football season for Whitko.

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s soccer team broke new ground in several ways in 2014, and they have plans for more new territory this fall.

WARSAW – A preview of local boys soccer teams for the 2015 season.

WARSAW — If you are dealing with an impulsive child, then pat yourself on the back. You deserve it. Impulsive behaviors can drain parents. They can be a lot of work, but they are worth it.

BOURBON – A preview of local volleyball teams for the 2015 season.

BREMEN – A successful visit to the area in May has Shanna Zolman coming back to speak again. Zolman will speak Thursday, Aug. 20, in Bremen at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes open house.

WARSAW – A preview of local boys cross country teams for the 2015 season.

WARSAW – A preview of local boys tennis teams for the 2015 season.

WINONA LAKE – A new era begins this August for Grace College’s volleyball team. First-year head coach Katie Van Hofwegen is poised to imprint her unique style onto the Lady Lancers in 2015.

WARSAW – Year two of a work in progress has Warsaw feeling like it’s a step ahead of the game. With weapons all over the field, the institution of the spread offense has head coach Phil Jensen feeling good about Tiger football this season. Admittedly, Jensen isn’t the biggest fan of the change. His love …read more.

WARSAW – A preview of local girls soccer teams for the 2015 season.

Jack and Phylis (Kock) Barthel, Milford, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

WARSAW – The combined squads from Warsaw Community High School will be hosting an elementary school cheerleading clinic Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

AKRON – New Tippecanoe Valley football coach Darin Holsopple has seen a lot to like in the preseason. He hopes that in the end that there’s even more to like in terms of a bounce back season this fall for the Vikings. Holsopple, who spent the last 11 years as an assistant football coach at …read more.

WARSAW – A preview of local girls cross country teams for the 2015 season.

GOSHEN – An incredible run for the Goshen girls soccer team in 2014 has stretched into a 2015 preseason accolade for one of its star players. Senior forward Jelitza Palomino has been chosen as one of 175 girls to land on the annual High School All-American Game Watch List.

Though costs ran “considerably more” than expected, renovation of the township’s cemeteries has reached the halfway point. Turkey Creek Township Trustee Barb Griffith reported Monday, Aug. 10, the charges totaled $56,567.50 for tombstone and memorial marker remediation, tree removal, landscaping and debris removal. The township had budgeted $30,000, so Griffith requested additional appropriation of $26,567.50 …read more.

SYRACUSE – Of all the great nonprofit organizations that Kosciusko County is so lucky to have, one has flown under the radar in recent years despite doing plenty of great work and that organization is Wawasee Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also …read more.

WARSAW – Camille Kerlin and her team of fundraisers found 3,000 ways to outdo themselves. Raising $15,496.27 through the June Racquets For Riley tennis fundraiser, Kerlin topped her inaugural total by over $3,000 in money that goes to both Riley Children’s Hospital and the Kosciusko County Riley Kid’s Fund.

MILFORD — Milford Police and Fire and Syracuse EMS responded to a two-vehicle accident today at the intersection of South Higbee Street and West Section Street in Milford.
The accident occurred around 4:45 p.m.

By JEFF BURBRINK Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Elkhart County GOSHEN — The term “social bees and wasps” refers to insects like honeybees, hornets and yellow jackets that live in a mutually beneficial group to help the species survive. Ironically, humans often fear these creatures because of the anti-social behavior they have when provoked. Take hornets for …read more.

North Webster Heart of the Harvest Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Mermaid Festival Grounds it was announced at the general meeting of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Monday, Aug. 10.

Dave and Carmi Speakman, West Noble School retirees, are celebrating 50 years of marriage this month.

A preview of the upcoming football season for Wawasee.

By ANDREA NEAL Ask historians to name Indiana’s greatest governor, and most will answer: Oliver P. Morton. He was the first governor born on Hoosier soil. He played a critical role during the Civil War backing the policies of President Abraham Lincoln and supplying troops for the Union Army. He was driven more by principle …read more.

BURKET — Burket United Methodist Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary with an open house from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. Pastor Gary Loy and congregation invite past parishioners and the public to come and enjoy free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, lemonade and ice tea.

[weaver_youtube J2fhNNjXInE rel=0]   WARSAW — It was a win, win situation for all involved in Friday evening’s First Friday event downtown Warsaw. Not only were there vehicles of all makes and models, but just a few blocks away was the Warsaw Parks & Recreation Department’s Family Fun Carnival. Free shuttles were provided by a …read more.

BOURBON – A hectic offseason had Triton football scrambling, but the Trojans have a new identity under new head coach Ron Brown and should be ready to go for an optimistic season.

KOSCIUSKO — The Kosciusko County Alcohol and Tobacco Commission held its monthly meeting today, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. Fourteen renewals were on the agenda for the meeting, and the commission approved all renewals on the agenda. Each of the following renewals were approved with a single motion: SS Lillypad II, Syracuse; Beef’s Booze Barn, Syracuse; …read more.

BOURBON – Triton will be selling its 2015-16 athletic passes and the junior high football program is announcing it’s call-out for potential players.

Warsaw Community Development Corporation and Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts are pleased to announce the first winners of the Shop * Eat * Repeat program. Phil and Diana Herrick won $400 worth of items from downtown shops and restaurants. Businesses that donated to the first gift basket include: Buffalo Street Emporium, Giverny Fitness Studio, …read more.

A preview of local girls golf teams for the 2015 season.

MILFORD — Milford Valley has launched the 2015 “Art of Chicken” Photo Contest with a grand prize of $5,000. The contest offers artists and non-artists alike an opportunity to win big for their shareable photographs that feature Milford Valley packaging used in a unique and non-traditional way. Entries will be accepted Aug. 1 through Sept. …read more.

Citizens of North Webster will not be choosing a town clerk-treasurer or council members in November. Because only one candidate will be running for each office, the Kosciusko County Clerk has decreed no election will need to be held according to Indiana law and the deadline for filing for office has past.

Scheduling conflicts kept the Syracuse Parks Foundation board members away from the monthly meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 28. The meeting was cancelled due to a lack of members need to fulfill the assembly quorum.

TOMAHAWK, Wis. – The Lake City Skiers had themselves quite a successful weekend, placing third at the 15th Division 2 Show Ski National Championships.

BOURBON – Triton High School will host its all-sports parent meeting this Wednesday, Aug. 5, in the high school Performing Arts Center. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

For most of their history, lighthouses (celebrated nationally every Aug. 7) were not houses. At the very beginning, they weren’t even buildings. Nature periodically provided the first nighttime navigational landmarks in the form of glowing volcanoes. The first man-made lighthouse was the tallest ever built. The Pharos of Alexandria, Egypt, a 450-foot tower completed about …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 2 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, for Kosciusko and surrounding counties.

BREAKING: Emergency personnel are currently responding to a reported motorcycle accident located in the area of SR 15 and CR 400N in Leesburg. According to a reporter from the scene, the accident involved a single vehicle, identified as a motorcycle. The operator of the motorcycle is being flown to Lutheran Hospital by air ambulance due …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Lake Association met for a productive morning discussion at the Syracuse Community Center on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Beginning at 8 a.m., Carla McLain and Bill Trame greeted guests at the door and welcomed them in for a warm breakfast and coffee. As Syracuse residents mingled and ate, the room quickly began to fill. Presentations began at 8:40 a.m.

SYRACUSE — The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation met for their final Lake Talks & Eats of the summer today, Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Education Center.
Following a potluck breakfast and coffee, WACF board member Diana Castell introduced the two speakers, Jim Donahoe, owner of Aquatic Weed Control, and Rod Edgell from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

CROMWELL — Around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Aug. 1, local fire departments began fighting a house fire near the intersection of SR 5 and CR 200N in Cromwell. Albion Fire Department, Sparta Township Fire Department (Cromwell), Turkey Creek Township Fire Territory (Syracuse), North Webster Fire Department and Perry Township Fire Department (Ligonier) each dispatched equipment and firefighters to …read more.

By MINDY MCCLURE TCC Northern Indiana Sales Market Manager WARSAW — Residents in Warsaw are about to benefit from a national backpack giveaway campaign. TCC, the largest Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer in the U.S., announced it will donate 100,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children through its annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. Since 2013, …read more.

By FIRST SGT. CHAD HILL, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public of a scam that has moved to the community again and involves people claiming to be from the IRS. Deputies are investigating a phone scam involving callers who impersonate Internal Revenue Service representatives and demand immediate payments …read more.

Even though sometimes on Rain Day (July 29 each year) we want to shake our fist at the sky and shout, “Enough, already!” the fact is we humans need rain to survive. We require not just stationary water (97 percent of the world’s supply is undrinkable salt water), but the whole hydrologic cycle, including evaporation, …read more.

The Fort Wayne TinCaps welcome all fans to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research during their game at Parkview Field on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 1:05 p.m. against the West Michigan Whitecaps for Stand Up To Cancer Day

FORT WAYNE – After a year away, the Shindigz National Soccer Festival will return to the Hefner Fields on August 21 and 22 for the 16th season of the event. “We’re pleased to welcome the Shindigz National Soccer Festival back to IPFW,” said Chancellor Vicky Carwein. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the whole community …read more.

TEMPE, Ariz. — In March, Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was asked when the NFL would have a female coach. The answer was Monday. The Cardinals hired Jen Welter as an assistant coaching intern for training camp and the preseason to work with inside linebackers. She is believed to be the first female coach of …read more.

A special Wawasee school board meeting was held the evening of Tuesday, July 28, in Syracuse for the main purpose of a budget workshop and to start the formal budget process for 2016.

GOSHEN — Experiencing trouble on the toll road, with what was reported as two shredded tires, the 9/11 Never Forget Exhibit arrived at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair two hours behind schedule. While the fanfare for its arrival was not as grand as originally planned, their arrival was spectacular none the less.

SYRACUSE — Earlier this week District One Commander Lt. John Karris sent the following in an email to WACF Executive Director Heather Harwood: “Through our patrols on Lake Wawasee this weekend, officers were still seeing several homes impacted by lake water. It is our hope with the recent warm weather and no rain fall the …read more.

Kosciusko Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accident: 7:40 p.m. Sunday, July 26, South CR 500E and East CR 450S, Warsaw. Driver: Sheila K. Craig, 70, South CR 600E, Pierceton. Hit deer. Damage up to $2,500. 6:24 p.m. Sunday, July 26, North Syracuse-Webster Road, North CR 1100N, Syracuse. Driver: Andrea J. …read more.

SYRACUSE – The quartet of James Blackwell, Ben Tuttle, Ryan Gustafson and Greg Johnson would easily pass for your “ordinary” recent college graduates. What the four young men from Cedarville University in Ohio are doing right now though is anything but ordinary. Extraordinary would be the right word for the current mission of the devoted …read more.

PIERCETON – New Paris showed the heart of a champion Monday night. That mettle warranted a state title as the 12U Kings rallied in a big way to claim the Town & Country 12U Senior State baseball championship at Pierceton Little League after an 11-8 win over Flora. The Kings, which had surrendered only two …read more.

It was a second half to forget for the Bone City Rollers last weekend. What was a diamond in the first half turned all sorts of cubic zirconium as a seven-point edge for the Rollers fell into a 147-98 victory for the Gem City Violet Femmes in roller derby action Saturday night.

PIERCETON — Kosciusko County officials are investigating the apparent farming death of a Leesburg man north of Pierceton. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies and emergency personnel responded today just before 5 p.m., to the 600 block of North State Road 13, Pierceton, in regards to a farm machinery accident. Officers arrived and located the victim, Daniel Rex Werstler, 62, Leesburg, pinned underneath a farm implement/planter.

The boys from Mentone let everyone know, from Rochester to Converse, that state glory would be theirs. The Mudhens 8U baseball team had its offense in high gear, clubbing the Oak Hill Golden Eagles, 17-6, Monday evening to claim the Town & Country Minor State baseball championship.

GOSHEN — One of the special features at the 2015 Elkhart County 4-H Fair is the 9/11 Never Forget Exhibit. The Siller family started the Stephan Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor the memory of their brother, Stephen, a New York firefighter who lost his life Sept. 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and …read more.

It started with a phone call and led to a mutually beneficial deal that allows Kevin and Allison Robie, owners of Grill-N-Grate, to retire while giving Peterson’s Fish, owned by Roger and Susan Peterson, a permanent place to call home.

Maxwelton turns 85 this year and golf pro Bob Carlson has been running the show at the Syracuse course for the past 40 years, loving every minute of it.

The Indiana Shock travel softball program is looking for players to complete 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U rosters for the upcoming season. The teams are girls’ fast-pitch travel programs based out of North Manchester which play in competitive tournaments from fall 2015 through summer 2016.

The CCAC Team Louisville Slugger Fastpitch Organization has announced tryouts for the 2015-2016 season. The team is seeking the top softball players in northern Indiana to join one of the top travel softball organizations in the state.

NORTH WEBSTER — Hot temperatures and crowded sidewalks were the most common elements during this year’s Dixie Day. The festival celebrated its seventh year taking place on Saturday, July 25. The festival officially started at 8 a.m. with the Dixie Run. The 5K walk/run started at the North Webster Community Center. The race ended at …read more.

Separation Sunday saw a pair of area baseball teams set themselves up for a state title. The Mentone 8U and the New Paris 12U baseball teams will play Monday night for Town & Country State Finals titles and are in great shape still standing undefeated in their respective double elimination tournaments.

The Triton Athletic Department will be selling the old sideline chairs used for boys and girls basketball the past 10 years. The chairs are $30 each and will be first come first serve.

The 8U Mentone baseball team sit in fantastic position after Saturday’s round of games at the Town & Country Minor State Finals, held in Rochester. The Mudhens are currently 2-0 in the tournament after winning 18-5 against Oak Hill Saturday afternoon. Mentone’s 10U baseball team also are alive after a win.

Samantha Fisher is departing on Aug. 4, to the small village of Yamaranguila, Honduras. Her decision to leave her hometown of Warsaw, soon after graduating from Grace College stems from her passion towards education, poverty and Christ’s love. This 2011 WCHS Graduate is off to Abundant Life Christian School which began in the capital of …read more.

Despite early forecasts of potential rain in the North Webster area on Saturday afternoon, the weather was ideal for the annual LIttle Tippy Cottage Tour, hosted by the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation.

Warsaw Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incident: 8:06 a.m. Friday, July 24, 1700 block East Center Street, Warsaw. Karl J. Reusser reported two windows damaged by rocks. 10:56 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 900 block North Detroit Street, Warsaw. Jose R. Espinoza reported a domestic dispute. 6:59 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 4100 …read more.

Syracuse Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following accident: 3:07 p.m. Thursday, July 23, South Syracuse Webster Road, south of West Pickwick Drive, Syracuse. Drivers: Sarah E. Wegener, 38, East Fox Run Drive, Syracuse, and Edward J. Lapato, 46, South Kinder Drive, Syracuse. Wegener reportedly attempted to make a left turn onto West …read more.

BMX racing at Hire Park kicked up a notch Saturday with pro-am through junior circuits in action in preparation for the triple points races Sunday for the Gold Cup.

For students entering seventh grade who participated in the 1:1 program last year as a sixth grade student, parents and students may attend from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. or from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3. For students who are new to the 1:1 program and will be a seventh or …read more.

New Paris’ quest for a Town & Country 12U baseball state title went as hoped Friday evening, walloping Lewis Cass, 11-1, in a run-rule, five-inning game in the first of two games in bracket play.