Staff Report WARSAW – Kosciusko County has identified another death from COVID-19. The Kosciusko County Health Department reported 16 new cases and one additional COVID-19 death between noon, Tuesday, July 28, and noon, Thursday, July 30. This gives Kosciusko County a total of 784 positive cases and 12 deaths.  The state reported a total of …read more.

Wednesday, July 29, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-160 and Executive Order 2020-161, amending Michigan’s Safe Start Order and issuing revised workplace safeguards.

Between noon Friday, July 24, and noon Tuesday, July 28, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 22 new COVID-19 cases.

Between noon Wednesday, July 22, and noon Friday, July 24, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 26 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 747, with eight deaths.

Dear Editor, We have all experienced something that most people in the last 100 years never thought would happen. We’ve all now experienced shutdowns, record unemployment, political turmoil and a lot of other things that I’m sure we would all rather have done without. Now that we are here, I’d like to voice concern about …read more.

Staff Report INDIANAPOLIS – The rivalry between Attorney General Curtis Hill and Gov. Eric Holcomb expanded on Wednesday, July 22, when Hill announced his opposition to the way Holcomb introduced a new statewide mask mandate. Hours after Holcomb announced the mandate, which begins Monday, Hill released an opinion saying it’s not constitutional. Hill issued an …read more.

Kosciusko County Health Department is now asking organizers who are planning for events larger than 250 people to now fill out a form explaining how precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be addressed.

The state’s drive-thru testing site in Warsaw will continue for an additional two weeks, said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer during a coronavirus media briefing on Wednesday at City Hall.

Between noon Monday, July 20, and noon Wednesday, July 22, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 27 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 721, with eight deaths.

Beginning Monday, July 27, Hoosiers will be required to wear masks.

News Release INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) has announced the cancellation of all events this fall. It is therefore with deep regret and disappointment that, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have found it necessary to announce that all 2020 ISSMA Live Marching Band events have been cancelled, according to a …read more.

Back to school plans, policies, and protocols were the biggest focus at the Warsaw Community Schools Board meeting Wednesday, July 15.

A citywide mask order by Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and a City Council ordinance mandating masks may be in the pipeline — but whatever happens may not happen quietly.

The Elkhart County Health Department has issued a mandate requiring individuals to wear a face covering in all indoor areas open to the public, all outdoor areas open to the public where a distance of six feet from individuals outside of their household cannot be maintained, and all private indoor or outdoor areas where a distance of six feet from individuals outside of their household cannot be maintained.

The Nappanee Apple Festival has been cancelled for this year.

Turkey Creek fire and township advisory boards Monday, July 13, approved sending Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s 2021 proposed operations and equipment replacement budgets for further consideration by the Syracuse Town Council.

Between noon Monday, July 6, and Wednesday, July 8, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of nine new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 564, with four deaths.

So what happens when Johnny the third-grader suddenly has a temperature while at school this fall?

Between noon Friday, July 3, and noon Monday, July 6, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 25 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 562, with four deaths.

Do you want to make sure masks are not mandated in Kosciusko County? Start wearing one. It’s as simple as that. Get on it now before the government has to mandate the use of masks in public. The tide is turning in support for mandates as the country sees a rising number of new cases …read more.

Between noon Monday, June 29, and noon Wednesday, July 1, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 14 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 506, with three deaths.

A local health official expressed hope Wednesday morning that Gov. Eric Holcomb will not fully move the state into stage 5 in the reopening process.

The State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis is hosting Fairgrounds Fun Park, which will focus on rides and the food.

Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday signed an executive Order 2 extending the prohibition on evictions, foreclosures, and the disconnection of utility services.

Mayor Joe Thallemer, who has been an outspoken advocate of taking precautions against COVID-19, has tested positive for the virus.

Between noon Friday, June 26, and noon Monday, June 29, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 47 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 501, with three deaths.

First Merchants Bank recently provided two food pantries in Bourbon with $1,500 each to help bolster their efforts.

Between noon Wednesday, June 24, and noon Friday, June 26, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 20 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 453, with three deaths.

As many as 1,000 young children will be part of a summer program headed up by United Way that will attempt to get some of the most vulnerable students back on track ahead of the return to school this fall.

Kosciusko County Health officials learned on Tuesday of the third death in the county due to COVID-19.

Larry DeBoer Guest Columnist Enough already. The economy is bad. This is the sharpest, deepest recession in 80 years. We get that. Let’s talk about something else. Like, how does the economy recover? Unfortunately, to answer that question we need to know what kind of recession we’ve got. So let’s look at some measurements that …read more.

Between noon Friday, June 19, and noon Monday, June 22, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 29 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 408 positive cases, with two deaths.

Between noon Wednesday, June 17, and noon Friday, June 19, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 31 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 379, with two deaths.

As communities roll out belated summer plans and hold on to the few remaining major events – even as coronavirus cases continue to climb in Kosciusko County – the main word continues to be “fluid.”

Between noon Monday, June 15, and noon Wednesday, June 17, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 14 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of cases to 349, with two deaths.

Between noon Friday, June 12, and noon Monday, June 15, the Kosciusko County Health Department received a total of 30 new COVID-19 cases.

By Michael Hicks Guest Columnist The past several months ushered in unprecedented changes in economic activity. By the end of May, roughly one in four workers were unemployed and many sectors of American commerce ground to a virtual stop. The previous high of unemployment was registered at 25.5 percent in the summer of 1933, the …read more.

Milford Public Library, closed due to the coronavirus since March 18, is reopening at 10 a.m. Monday, June 15.

By Dan Spalding InkFreenews WARSAW – Kosciusko County Health Department has reported 21 new cases of COVID-19 in the past day, according to information released Friday, June 12. This gives Kosciusko County a total of 306 positive cases and two deaths. The health department notes that the graphic provided illustrates the active cases are those …read more.

GOSHEN — Elkhart County government and health officials are requesting the state delay Elkhart County moving to Stage 4 by a week. Although novel coronavirus cases are increasing in Elkhart County faster than much of the state, the county’s two hospitals are not inundated with patients. “That’s a good sign,” Elkhart County Commissioner Mike Yoder …read more.

Between noon Wednesday, June 10, and noon Thursday, June 11, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported 10 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county’s number of positive cases to 283, with two deaths.

While Kosciusko County Community Fair officials were applauded Wednesday for canceling the fair over concerns with the pandemic, the same folks are cautiously supporting local Fourth of July fireworks plans.

Stage 4 of Governor Eric Holcomb’s “Back on Track Indiana” plan will go into effect beginning Friday, June 12 – two days earlier than originally scheduled.

News Release WINONA LAKE – Grace College has announced new affordability measures for students and a revised fall semester calendar in order to care for its students and their families during the current health crisis.  “Lower-income students can attend Grace tuition-free through a combination of federal, state and institutional aid,” said Dr. Mark Pohl, Grace …read more.

Between noon Friday, June 5, and noon Monday, June 8, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported 35 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county’s number of positive cases to 245.

Despite repeated pleas to not use city beaches, Center Lake was a busy place at times over the weekend.

Between noon on Thursday, June 4, and noon Friday, June 5, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported 12 new cases of COVID-19. Seven of the cases reported on June 4 were identified to reside in various other counties; thus they have been removed from the case count. This brings the county’s number of positive cases to 210.

As of noon Thursday, June 4, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported 22 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county’s number of positive cases to 205.

$300,000 is being made available for coronavirus testing for a wide variety of people in Kosciusko County after a definite surge in cases was recently documented.

The traditional slow trickle of voters seemed to continue as usual on Primary Election Day Tuesday, June 2, despite the pandemic.

WARSAW – There will be no open class exhibits at the Kosciusko County Community Fair this year. The decision was announced Tuesday morning. “After much consideration, the Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers Board has decided not to move forward with plans for Open Class Exhibits” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the announcement said. The group cited …read more.

The Kosciusko County Health Department reported a second COVID-19 death in the county on Monday, June 1, and saw another substantial jump in the number of cases in recent days.

As of noon Friday, May 29, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported 15 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county’s number of total positive cases to 120.

As of noon Thursday, May 28, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported six new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county’s number of total positive cases to 105.

In the coming weeks, the United States Department of Agriculture will begin accepting financial relief applications from farmers who report losses related to COVID-19.

Fall classes for Warsaw Community Schools are tentatively set to begin at the normal time but will include some level of hybrid arrangements because of the coronavirus.

As of noon Wednesday, May 27, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported five new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county’s number of total positive cases to 99.

Between noon Friday, May 22, and noon Tuesday, May 26, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported 26 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county’s number of total positive cases to 94.

As of noon Friday, May 22, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported now new cases of COVID-19. The county’s total number of positive cases remains at 68.

As of noon Thursday, May 21, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported six new cases of COVID-19. The county’s total number of positive cases is now at 68.

Kosciusko County’s health officer Dr. William Remington is advocating for the reopening of businesses as the county continues to move forward with only one death attributed to COVID-19.

Warsaw is seeing a better response rate than the rest of the nation when it comes to participation in the ongoing 2020 US Census count.

As of noon Wednesday, May 20, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported no new cases of COVID-19. The county’s total number of positive cases remains at 62.

As of noon Tuesday, May 19, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported three new case of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of positive cases to 62.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WARSAW — As of noon Monday, May 18, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of positive cases to 59. Statewide, the latest posting on the Indiana State Department of Health website shows the number of COVID-19 deaths in Indiana rose to …read more.

The Kosciusko County Health Department on Friday released the number of COVID-19 cases by zip codes.

Passage of the first three massive bailout bills by Congress – totaling about $2.4 trillion – gained swift and bipartisan support as lawmakers worked to offset widespread pain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

A state legislative leader said Thursday he believes significant spending cuts might be needed to address Indiana’s financial stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to Coronavirus concerns, Right to Life’s annual Spring Legacy of Life banquets have been replaced by one FREE on-line version of the banquet.

By Mark Medley Hospital Week has deeper meaning this year as the Lutheran Health Network hospital teams celebrate our work to provide, safe, high-quality care for patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it crystal clear just how much communities rely on their local hospitals and also how much we rely on you. During the past …read more.

Despite a significant uptick in local COVID-19 cases, Kosciusko County’s Health Officer, Dr. William Remington, on Wednesday expressed optimism and insights on what he sees as an improving situation.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WARSAW — As of noon Wednesday, May 13, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of positive cases to 51. Statewide, the latest posting on the Indiana State Department of Health website shows the number of COVID-19 deaths in Indiana rose to …read more.

News Release WASHINGTON –In a letter to House and Senate leadership, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) Budget & Spending Task Force expressed its opposition to any federal bailout of mismanaged state and local governments made under the guise of COVID-19 relief. The letter, led by Task Force Chairman Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana’s Third Congressional District, …read more.

As of noon Tuesday, May 12, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of positive cases to 49.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Health Department reported seven new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of positive cases to 46. The spike in reported cases represents the biggest jump seen in Kosciusko County since the tracking began. Statewide, the latest posting on the Indiana State Department of Health …read more.

News Release Bell Memorial Library has begun offering curbside Library services to our community on Monday, May 11.  We have been working diligently to provide you with effective and SAFE service, but we are still learning, so bear with us. Library cardholders with an established online account can log in to their account and place …read more.

Staff Report WARSAW – Few details are being released, but a spokesperson for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s office confirmed an employee tested positive for COVID-19. Privacy issues limit the information that can be released. The necessary quarantine procedures have been followed, according to Chris Francis, information officer for the office. “We will continue to follow …read more.

Staff Report WASHINGTON – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, May 8, that the nation’s jobless rate surged to 14.7 percent in April, making it the worst report since the World War II era. The economy lost an estimated 20.5 million jobs because of business closures and disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic, according …read more.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Health Department has received no new COVID-19 cases as of noon Thursday, May 7. Kosciusko County has 39 total positive cases with one death reported and 20 recoveries. Statewide, the latest posting on the Indiana State Department of Health website shows the number of COVID-19 deaths …read more.

The Kosciusko County Health Department recently reported one new COVID-19 case and one new recovery.

By Dan Spalding InkFreeNews WARSAW – The coronavirus wasn’t on Warsaw City Council’s agenda Monday, May 4, but it was the biggest discussion point for city officials. Mayor Joe Thallemer provided the council with an update on several aspects of how the city is responding, but first expressed concern that people are already letting their …read more.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WABASH — The Wabash County Health Department reported the county’s second death related to the COVID-19 virus on Sunday, May 3. Wabash County has 63 positive cases. The Kosciusko County Health Department recently reported two new COVID-19 cases over the weekend. One new case was received on Saturday, May 2; the …read more.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WARSAW — The latest posting on the Indiana State Department of Health website shows the number of COVID-19 deaths in Indiana rose to 1,115, up from 1,062 reported on Friday, May 1. The total positive number of cases statewide is at 19,295. More than 104,000 Hoosiers have been tested for COVID-19. …read more.

By Dan Spalding InkFreeNews INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana will begin lifting some restrictions beginning Monday, May 4, except for Marion, Lake and Cass counties, which have been hardest hit by COVID-19. Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday, May 1, that Indiana will take a sector-by-sector approach in five stages that will hopefully conclude by July 4. Beginning …read more.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews ROCHESTER — The Fulton County Health Department recently reported the county’s first COVID-19 death. According to data from the FCHD, as of April 29, Fulton County has 30 positive cases. In total, there have been 157 total tests administered in the county. Currently, the Indiana State Department of Health website reflects …read more.

  By Dan Spalding InkFreeNews WARSAW – Local leaders are awaiting word from Gov. Eric Holcomb about lifting some statewide restrictions Friday, May 1, but think he will move cautiously in that direction. Holcomb’s pandemic-induced stay-at-home directive expires Friday and everyone from government leaders to business owners to workers stuck at home are eager to …read more.

WARSAW – Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. William Remington shed some light on the recent uptick in local COVID-19 cases. In the past week, the county recorded 10 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 34. Seven of those new cases were part of a testing effort tied to nursing homes outside of the …read more.

News Release NORTH MANCHESTER – Peabody Retirement Community is testing its residents this week after tests revealed 46 employees have COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, the retirement community’s staff have chosen to proactively test more than 350 employees. Proactively testing all employees will see if there is someone who might be positive but …read more.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WARSAW — The number of reported coronavirus cases in Kosciusko County remains unchanged at 34, with 19 reported recoveries. Meanwhile, the latest posting on the Indiana State Department of Health website shows the total number of cases statewide rose to 17,182, with the number of deaths in Indiana now at 964. …read more.

By Briley Gargis  InkFreeNews PIERCETON – The food bank of Northern Indiana, along with The Salvation Army, hosted a drive-up food distribution at Pierceton Elementary school Wednesday morning, April 29. Members of the community were able to line up in the school’s parking lot and receive a box of food as well a box of …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana REALTORS have closed the books on March, today releasing their summary of existing-home sales from the first quarter of 2020. Existing homes include single-family, townhomes, condos, and co-ops. “The housing market is holding steady, and consumers are still purchasing and selling homes in Kosciusko County,” said Julie Hall, Managing Broker of Berkshire …read more.

WARSAW – Kosciusko County YMCA has announced the layoff of 300 workers. The Warsaw facility at 1305 Mariners Drive, just north of US 30, notified the state on April 22 through its WARN policy. The change was effective the following day. The WARN Act imposes restrictions on the way layoffs are handled by companies. It …read more.

News Release INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Tuesday that OptumServe Health Services, powered by Logistics Health, Inc., will open sites across Indiana in the next seven days to begin large-scale testing of Hoosiers. “Launching this partnership with Optum further expands Indiana’s COVID-19 testing capacity,” said Holcomb. “These free tests will be available in locations …read more.

WASHINGTON – On Monday, April 27, Rep. Jim Banks joined another colleague in seeking to slow down the rapidly growing federal debt that is ballooning as a result of federal assistance for the pandemic. Banks, in a letter to House and Senate leadership, joined US Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana in a letter outlining a …read more.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WARSAW — The number of reported coronavirus cases in Kosciusko County has risen to 34, with at least 19 cases that have recovered. But the number of reported deaths has been revised. According to the Kosciusko County Health Department, the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 was dropped from two to …read more.

By Kelly Hawes Someone on Twitter said she had interviewed a guy for a landscaping job and decided not to hire him because he had a bumper sticker supporting President Donald J. Trump. “Now I’m feeling a little guilty about it,” she said. “Should I?” Her followers were pretty much unanimous in their response. “Absolutely …read more.

Staff Report WINONA LAKE – Two students who submitted essays about their impressions of the coronavirus pandemic were awarded new bikes from Trailhouse Village Bicycles on Monday, April 27. The winners were Katheryn Robertson, a fourth-grade student at Jefferson Elementary, and Lakeland Christian Academy ninth-grade student Katheryn Monsma. The essay contest was created by Winona …read more.

By Liz Shepherd InkFreeNews WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s coronavirus numbers remain unchanged at a total of 30 positive COVID-19 cases, with two deaths reported. According to the Kosciusko County Health Department, at least 13 of those patients have recovered. Currently, the Indiana State Department of Health’s website shows Kosciusko County at 29 cases. KCHD Epidemiologist …read more.

LIGONIER – Beloved West Noble athletic director Tom Schermerhorn returned home Saturday after a three-week battle with coronavirus.

Kosciusko County election officials are scurrying to prepare for an in-person primary on June 2. The county election board, consisting of Republican Randy Girod, Democrat Bill Morton and County Clerk Ann Torpy, were joined by chairmen from both political parties on Friday to hash out preliminary plans for the primary, which was moved from May …read more.