Financials were the focal point of Kosciusko County Council’s July 9 meeting, with several appropriations, grant requests and transfers approved by council members.

Democrats have filled out a full slate of candidates for the three available seats for Kosciusko County Council and it comes with a historical note.

Two incumbents and one newcomer have won nominations for three Kosciusko County Council at-large seats in the Republican primary.

Kathy Groninger is concerned that financial challenges may lie ahead for our County as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The county funds many programs and Kathy wants to make certain that we are not just throwing money at problems but are rather obtaining the desired results.

Kathy Groninger is running for County Council at Large. She is an attorney, small business owner, wife, and mother.

The Kosciusko County Council has changed the location of its June 11 meeting.

Several of Kosciusko County’s department heads attended Thursday evening’s county council meeting to provide updates on how their duties have been affected by COVID-19, as well as what new methods have been implemented to keep employees and citizens safe.

Kosciusko County Council tabled discussion on whether to contribute to an emergency loan program set up by the county’s economic development office for small businesses hurt by the pandemic.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Council has changed the location of its May 14 meeting. Instead of the old courtroom in the courthouse, the meeting will take place in the multi-purpose room of the Justice Building, located at 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, basement level, at 6 p.m. May 14.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council has cancelled its regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 9, to lead by example on the importance of staying at home. Items that were scheduled to be heard at the meeting did not require immediate approval and could be addressed at the next meeting. Even though the council is …read more.

WARSAW —  Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes provided a 2019 year-end statistics report at the Kosciusko County Council meeting Thursday, March 12. Dukes first talked about the success of NET 43.  “One hundred and twenty-eight case reports, 142 people incarcerated, 28 search warrants, 18 times I used the SWAT team for NET 43 investigations, the …read more.

WARSAW — Kathy Groninger formally announced her candidacy for Kosciusko County Council at Large. Originally from Indianapolis, Groninger has called Kosciusko County her home for the past 27 years. She is a 1987 graduate of DePauw University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a major in political science. Upon graduating from college, she worked …read more.

WARSAW —  A request by Jail Chemical Addiction Program Coordinator Courtney Jenkins was approved at the  Kosciusko County Council meeting Thursday, Feb. 13. Last month, when Jenkins requested permission to spend $114,861 received in grant funding from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, the request was tabled for further review due to questions about a line …read more.

WARSAW — Kimberly Cates recently announced a campaign to retain her seat as an at-large member on the Kosciusko County Council. Cates was appointed by a GOP caucus and is serving out the remaining term of former Council President, Bob Sanders. Before she served on the council, Cates served six years on the Turkey Creek …read more.

WARSAW — Jon Garber was chosen as the Kosciusko County Council president for 2020 at the council meeting Thursday, Jan. 9.  Ernie Wiggins, although not in attendance, was voted to serve as the vice president. County Attorney Chad Miner and Ken Jones, president and chief executive officer with Jones Petrie Rafinski, Elkhart, told council members …read more.

WARSAW — New appointments were filled and year-end transfers were made Thursday night, Dec. 12, by Kosciusko County Council. 2020 Office Appointments: Alcohol Beverage Commission — Dan Woods Area Plan Board — Jon Garber Emergency Mgt. Advisory — Joni Truex KC Economic Development Committee — Kimberly Cates Kos. Economic Development Corporation — Kimberly Cates Michiana …read more.

WARSAW — At the Kosciusko County Council meeting held Thursday, Oct 10, Sheriff Kyle P. Dukes asked the council to approve a Memo of Understanding with NET43 in order to more formally establish its protocols. “The nice thing about this is that the rules are clearly laid out,” Dukes said. “This MOU keeps the open …read more.

From left are Tom Ganser of Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District, Helen Leinbach of North Webster Community Public Library and Kosciusko County Superior Court 1 Judge David Cates. InkFreeNews photos by Phil Smith. WARSAW — Kosciusko County Council hashed out final details to the proposed 2020 budget and heard a staunch argument from one …read more.

WARSAW — During a four-hour meeting on Monday night, Aug. 19, members of the Kosciusko County Council, as well as key county government personnel, arduously hashed out details of the county’s extensive budget for 2020. The process will take its next step on Thursday, Aug. 22, when council holds a public hearing for not only …read more.

SYRACUSE — More than 30 people attended the dedication of the state’s 11th Safe Haven Baby Box Friday, Aug. 9, with a ceremony at Turkey Creek Fire Station 2, located at 8138 E. McClintic Road south of Syracuse. The station was chosen for its “significant level of anonymity for surrenders,” according to a Safe Haven …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Superior Court I Judge David Cates spoke before the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night, Aug. 8 and gave the panel an update on one of his most championed programs, the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative or JDAI. The program is designed to give offenders who are minors a chance to avoid jail …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — The Kosciusko County Council and Commissioners will jointly meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the Kosciusko County Courthouse, third floor in the old courtroom, 100 W. Center St., Warsaw. The meeting will focus on the discussion of department heads and 2020 budget requests. The meeting is open to …read more.

WARSAW — After some disagreement that included a split vote that bumped the issue forward another month, the Kosciusko County Council unanimously agreed on a revision to the county’s wheel tax. “Look at that, seven hands in the air,” said Council President Sue Ann Mitchell when the council voted to pass one of two Wheel …read more.

WARSAW — The monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Council was a chance for the various non-profit beneficiaries in the county to pitch their programs prior to receiving county dollars to help their causes. Prior to a lengthy discussion and ultimate inaction involving the high-profile county wheel tax, the council heard from the county’s historical …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council could not reach a consensus on what the county’s annual wheel tax will look like and agreed to reconvene at 7 p.m. July 23, to give it another go. The road strip that punctured the panel’s progress involved trailers, particularly those with a carrying capacity of more than 7,000 …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s Superior Court 1 Judge David Cates told the Kosciusko County Council on Thursday, June 13, that a highly successful juvenile-oriented program in the county will likely continue to receive help with funding. “As of a week ago today, I did receive an email saying our grant was approved,” said Cates, referring …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council held a public hearing to entertain discussion on the county’s wheel tax and on several proposed changes. There were approximately 10 residents who chimed in on the road maintenance fundraiser that is charged at the time of annual license plate registration. “I don’t care for the injustice in this …read more.

SYRACUSE — A plan to repair the lake level control device in Syracuse will be a “win, win” for the town of Syracuse and the residents upstream and downstream. Repairs will be done in two phases. The first phase is repairs immediately upstream and downstream of the device. This will be done with funds received …read more.

From left are Health Department Administrator Bob Weaver and Council President Sue Ann Mitchell. WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s Health Department requested a purchase that can likely ensure some of the department’s most value assets stay viable. Bob Weaver, administrator, spoke to the Kosciusko County Council at its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 9, requesting …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council discussed the possibility of raising a tax that motorists pay on their vehicles — at least for most motorists. During the council’s monthly meeting Thursday night, May 9, the panel heard from council member Doug Heinisch, who sits on the county’s Wheel Tax Committee, a board that studied the …read more.

  EDITOR’S NOTE: Early this morning InkFreeNews learned there were multiple copies of the press release floating around council chambers during the Syracuse Town Council meeting last night. The corrected information  was supplied by Councilman Larry Siegel and is shown in parenthesis. SYRACUSE — During the Syracuse Town Council’s regular monthly meeting, Mike Noe, town …read more.

WARSAW — The county will be surrendering funds to the state of Indiana that have been in local coffers since only a few decades after the British surrendered to the fledgling United States and set sail back to England. At the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Council, County Treasurer Rhonda Helser submitted a …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s sheriff received good news on Thursday, March 14, in his mission to bolster a program designed to help jail inmates battle drug addiction. Sheriff Kyle Dukes appeared before the Kosciusko County Council with a grant request for the county’s Jail Chemical Addiction Program. The grant, totaling $163,260.40 would provide much-needed funding …read more.

WARSAW — County Sheriff Kyle Dukes spoke to the Kosciusko County Council on Thursday night, Feb. 14 and touted his efforts to continue to reduce the county jail’s prison population and also invited county officials to come take a whiff of the place since his tenure began at the first of the year. “I want …read more.

  WARSAW — A resident of the lake area named as the possible spot for a new sewer district spoke up during the monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night, Dec. 13, stating that he, along with other residents in the Tippecanoe and Chapman lakes area, are opposed to a sewer project being …read more.

WARSAW — Both legislative branches of Kosciusko County government sent a message to the planners for a new sewer district Thursday night, Nov. 8 — “Get your ducks in a row, then come back and see us.” In a joint meeting of the Kosciusko County Council and the Kosciusko County Commissioners, representatives from both panels …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council will soon have a new face in its ranks following the  mid-term elections held nationwide on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Republican Michael Long ran unopposed in District 2 for the seat being vacated by Tom Anglin. He joins Republican incumbent Doug Heinisch from District 1 as two candidates running without …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The northern portion of the county will be voting for candidates seeking election for Kosciusko County Council District 1 and District 2. Voters in Turkey Creek, Tippecanoe, the eastern portion of Plain and majority of Washington townships will be voting for County Council District 1 councilman Doug Heinisch. Voters in Van Buren, …read more.

WARSAW — Members of the Kosciusko County Council heard a presentation Thursday night, Oct. 11 on the impact of tourism on the local economy. Jill Boggs, executive director of the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the council that tourism and the travel industry had infused the county with $184.5 million in 2017. The …read more.

WARSAW — The sitting Kosciusko County Council members who are up for re-election are both seeking new terms, but will face challengers in the November election if they hope to serve new terms. Republicans Ernie Wiggins of District 3 and Jon Garber of District 4 will be challenged on Nov. 6 by Democrats Gary L. …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council approved a grant request from County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden on Thursday, Sept. 13 that, if received from the Indiana Department of Transportation, could ease traffic issues at a railroad crossing in Milford. “It’s called the Local Trax Rail Overpass Program, that was enacted by House Bill 1002,” said …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council spent nearly two and one-half hours on Monday, Aug. 20, hearing from department heads as each supervisor spelled out their budget requests for 2019. The council heard from approximately 25 department heads and elected officials regarding 76 line items. The council’s total requested budget for 2019, prior to Monday’s …read more.

WARSAW — Coming off a demonstration for the Kosciusko County Commissioners in July, Wawasee High School’s prized robotics team, the Iron Pride, presented several robots to the Kosciusko County Council at the panel’s monthly meeting Thursday, Aug. 9. “Some members from the county council saw us provide a demonstration for the county commissioners and felt …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council heard from nine non-profit organizations Thursday night, July 12, as a representative from each of the agencies came before the seven-person panel to discuss operations prior to receiving their allotment of funds for 2019. The county is issuing just north of $1 million to the non-profits in 2019. The …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s Superior Court Judge David Cates led off the monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night, May 10, by asking the panel to rubber stamp a program he explained in detail a month earlier. “I was here last month and presented in regards to JDAI [Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative] and …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s Superior Court Judge David Cates addressed the county council Thursday night, April 12, on behalf of a program he is passionate about and one that he says will help juveniles in trouble countywide. “I’m here to talk about Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, JDAI and I’m really here for grant approval initially, …read more.

WARSAW — A severed business pact between the state of Indiana and a multi-state recycling firm will likely end up costing the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District thousands in rising costs of recycling electronics. Tom Ganser, KCSWMD director told the district’s board of directors Tuesday, March 20, that Advanced Technology Recycling based in Pontiac, …read more.

WARSAW — County Attorney Chad Miner talked to the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night, March 8, about upcoming funding for the early stages of a regional sewer district for Tippecanoe Lake and possibly both Chapman Lakes. Miner re-iterated to the council that appropriations of approximately $145,000 would be forthcoming to help pay for studies such …read more.

WARSAW — School shootings remain on the tips of everyone’s tongues and Sheriff Rocky Goshert addressed the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night, March 8, in hopes of steering the conversation toward total safety in area schools. Currently, schools in Kosciusko County have locked doors during school hours, which require communication with the front office before …read more.

WARSAW — Bowen Center’s longtime chief executive officer stood before the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night, March 8, to give the panel a detailed presentation on the local non-profit’s operations and benefits to the community. “I truly believe in what we do,” said Kurt Carlson, who is credited with bringing The Bowen Center from the …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert championed public safety and rehabilitation for inmates in his address to the Kosciusko County Council Thursday, Feb. 8. The sheriff told the panel he would be looking into the addition of a body scanner, which would detect drugs coming into the Kosciusko County Jail. Goshert said such a …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert told the Kosciusko County Council on Thursday, Feb. 8 that rehabilitation for jail inmates addicted to drugs or alcohol is high on his priority list. During his monthly report to the council, Goshert announced his intentions to seek grants from several sources that could enable the adoption of …read more.

WARSAW — For one organization in Kosciusko County that logs more miles on the road in a week than most people might drive in a month, it’s not a case of “if,” but “when” four wheels will meet four hooves. Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert told the Kosciusko County Council on Thursday, Feb. 8, that …read more.

WARSAW — It’s taken over a decade, but the Kosciusko County Council has begun to take the steps to create a way for all departments to open the doors for unified communication. The council approved the motion to create a Strategic Planning Committee during the council meeting held on Thursday, Nov. 9. Council member Kimberly …read more.

WARSAW — With the seats filled and coffee in hand, the Kosciusko County Council was ready to get down to business Thursday night at the courthouse — and business got messy fast. Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton requested a motion to approve the Hub Grant for 2017, seeking the additional money to pay the child support …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council met Monday, Aug. 21, for the first in a series of hearings for the 2018 budget. Under the sheriff’s budget, Sheriff Rocky Goshert reported that an increase in the jail budget request is due to the fact that the jail population has “skyrocketed.” In addition, Goshert explained, they have …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Harold Jones, North Webster, who served on the Kosciusko County Council from 1990-2010 representing District 2, has filed for the at-large county council seat. A caucus at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, with precinct committeemen will be held to fill the seat, left by the death of Council President Bob Sanders. Jones …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The field of candidates for the Kosciusko County Council at-large seat has grown to five.

KOSCIUSKO — A caucus to fill the vacancy of Robert Sanders on Kosciusko County Council as councilman-at-large will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, in the Kosciusko Circuit Courtroom, Kosciusko County Courthouse, 100 W Center St., Warsaw. Two individuals have filed to fill the opening.  Sanders’ seat opened after he died from a …read more.

WARSAW — Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine came before the Kosciusko County Council on Thursday, April 13, requesting additional appropriations to pay for vehicle repairs for a deputy’s vehicle that had been driven off the road earlier this year. Rovenstine explained the accident had occurred on one of the deputy’s first nights on duty. On Jan. 20, Deputy …read more.

WARSAW — County voting machines will be getting updated after an approval of a transfer of funds by the Kosciusko County Council meeting on Thursday, March 9. A total of $36,500 is being transferred from other funds in the budget to allow for the voting machine updates to occur. There was room in the budget …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council spent most of the short October meeting appropriating additional funds. Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine was present to ask that $6,933.37 be transferred from an insurance vehicle replacement fund to vehicle repairs and maintenance. Rovenstine also asked that $11,000 of the $18,000 earned in an auction held last month be placed into the equipment …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council passed the 2017 Kosciusko County budget and the 2017 solid waste budget during a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8. The county budget for a total of $38,037,814 was passed with little discussion. The amount is up $3,207,476 or 8.6 percent from the current year’s budget. Council member Robert Sanders …read more.

[weaver_youtube oz6GXujzmGg rel=0]   WARSAW — Ernie Wiggins, Warsaw, was elected Tuesday evening, Aug. 30, at the Republican caucus of Kosciusko County Third District County Council Precinct Committeemen. There were 13 of the 19 eligible precinct committeemen present to cast ballots. He was opposed for the position by Joshua Finch, Warsaw. Kosciusko County Republican Chairman …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council completed the county budget review on Thursday, Aug. 25. The objective of the meeting was to clarify items that had come into question about several of budgets for 2017 that had come up during and after the previous budgeting meeting on Monday, Aug. 22. Shelly Heckert, speaking on behalf …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council met Monday evening, Aug. 22, for the first in a series of hearings for the 2017 budget. While several of the funds remained the same, changes were made to others. In several cases, council members asked for clarification as to why a certain requested budget was higher from what …read more.

WARSAW — Previous mayor of Warsaw, Ernie Wiggins, has applied to fill the vacant seat in the District 3 Kosciusko County Council seat. Wiggins acknowledges Brad Tandy’s recent resignation from the Council, leaving an open spot for Wiggins to fill, will be leaving the Council with, “A little bit of a void,” said Wiggins. However, Wiggins …read more.