Dear Editor,  The health of our Kosciusko County residents and our communities is more important than ever before. Tobacco kills more than 8 million people globally every year. More than 7 million of these deaths are from direct tobacco use and approximately 1.2 million are due to non-smokers being exposed to secondhand smoke Early findings …read more.

WARSAW — If you have visited Aldi’s new location at 945 N. Parker St., Warsaw, since their grand opening Monday, Oct. 2, you may have noticed they were missing alcohol for sale. The business was approved a transfer of their alcohol permit from their Commerce Drive, Warsaw, location at the Oct. 5 Alcoholic Beverage Board …read more.

WARSAW — The Alcoholic Beverage Board saw one new application at its monthly meeting Sept. 7. Brittany Wilchar, a training supervisor and risk manager with Lassus Handy Dandy, was present for the application of a new beer and wine dealer license for Lassus Handy Dandy No. 40, 4987 N. SR 13, Leesburg. The new location …read more.

WARSAW — Several local grocery and liquor stores were approved for the renewal of their liquor licenses at the monthly Alcoholic Beverage Board meeting June 1. Those approved for renewal were: G&M Package Store, Inc., doing business as Beef’s Booze Barn, 100 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. Beer, wine and liquor, package store. Service Liquors, Inc., 108 …read more.

WARSAW — Warsaw’s typical excise officer, April Tackett, was out for this month’s Alcohol Beverage Board meeting, April 6, and Jesica Hyndman filled in. The meeting was quiet, with most permits being renewed without violation. Eight licenses were automatically renewed without violations and were approved. These are: Dolegencorp, LLC, doing business as Dollar General, 9554 W. SR …read more.

WARSAW — Ten local businesses had their alcohol permits renewed at the monthly board meeting of the Alcoholic and Tobacco Commission on March 2 at the Kosciusko Courthouse. The following businesses renewed a permit: George’s Pub, operating as George’s Highlander Bar and Grill, 204 E. State St., Etna Green, renewed its beer, wine and liquor permit. KABC Inc., …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition is seeking local youth to assist with its upcoming “Poison by the Pound Cigarette Butt Cleanup” event. Those wishing to assist are asked to meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, in the Shrine building at the Kosciusko County fairgrounds. Participants will receive clear plastic collection bags, disposable gloves in small, …read more.

WARSAW — The American Cancer Society is hosting its annual smoking cessation program called the American Cancer Society Great American Smoke Out, held the third Thursday in November. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 42 million Americans smoke cigarettes. The organization also attributes tobacco use as the single largest cause of disease and premature …read more.

By DANIEL GRAY Director, Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in Indiana, and the 2014 Surgeon General Report on Smoking found that cigarette smoking is a cause of type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes. Smoking increases the risk for diabetes by up …read more.

A Plainfield, IN, correctional officer has been arrested for trafficking drugs to inmates. Through an internal affairs investigation, Officer Ryan Daniel was arrested Jan. 27. Facility correctional officers allegedly found 13.6 ounces of spice, 0.1 ounces of heroin and 3.6 ounces of tobacco in Daniel’s belongings. He faces charges of trafficking with an inmate, a …read more.

In previous Winona Lake Town Council meetings, recommendations for ordinances regarding skateboards and smoking have been raised. Both ordinances were discussed at length at the council’s May 20 meeting. The skateboard ordinance was originally recommended by Winona Lake Police Chief of Police Paul Schmitt at the April town council meeting, citing concern for the safety …read more.

Matters were fairly open and shut at the April meeting of the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission’s Kosciusko County Board hearing on April 3. Four businesses were slated to renew their alcohol permits, and all of the renewals were approved. Aloha on Detroit Street, Meijer on Lake City Highway, Stacy’s Sports Inn in Leesburg and Marsh …read more.