By Lasca Randels InkFreeNews WARSAW — Kosciusko Community Corrections Executive Director Barry Andrew received permission to apply for two grants at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, May 12. Barry Andrew Commissioners gave approval for Andrew to apply for the 2021 Community Corrections grant, which averages $360,000 each year, and the 2021 Drug Court …read more.

WARSAW —  Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency Director Ed Rock received approval to apply for a grant to be used to improve security.  Rock said the grant is to be used to “harden” facilities, making them more resistant to an attack and would be used specifically for the justice building. “The grant was for up …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 — Kosciusko County has thus far not been affected by the incipient spread of coronavirus as it moves across parts of the globe. As of Tuesday, March 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 60 cases of COVID-19 from 12 states. Twenty-two of those are travel-related; eleven are believed to be …read more.

WARSAW — At the Kosciusko County Council meeting held Thursday, Nov. 14, a grant request by Chief Deputy Prosecutor Brad Voelz and Kosciusko County Teen Court Director Betsey Vastbinder was approved. The $129,039 grant is through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Voelz requested permission to reapply for the grant in 2020.  Vastbinder introduced Lana Horoho, …read more.

WARSAW —  Kosciusko County Commissioners approved Cardinal Services Executive Vice President Matt Boren’s recommendation for a new Kosciusko Area Bus Service general manager on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Boren introduced Tony Peterson, Akron, at the commissioners meeting held Tuesday. Peterson has been employed with Cardinal Services for 16 years. “He really has an incredible understanding of …read more.

WARSAW —  Whitko High School Senior Luke Spurlin was recognized at the Kosciusko Commissioner meeting held Oct. 1, for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. Spurlin is the son of Rod and Abby. He is a Pierceton resident and a member of Troop 761 in Pierceton. He has been involved …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — The animal control controversy continued at the Kosciusko Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 6, with court security eventually stepping in to cut off one woman’s time at the podium. Columbia City resident Kelly Bolenbaugh, who spoke at the July 23 commissioners meeting, approached the podium once the floor was open for public comments …read more.

KOSCIUSKO —  Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock requested approval to apply for a 2019 SHSP UAS grant in the amount of $90,000 for unmanned aerial systems at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, May 14. Rock stated they would add three drones to augment the one currently in the county and would also …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — Terry Burnworth, owner of Pyramid Consulting, Indianapolis, attended the Kosciusko Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, April 16, to present a proposal related to a two-part assessment for the public safety communication system. County commissioners recently formed a committee to assess problem areas. Burnworth was then contacted regarding the implementation of a comprehensive plan.  “I …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Meeting dates for the Kosciusko County Local Emergency Planning Committee have been announced for 2019. All meetings are open to the public. Dates for 2019 will be April 10, July 10 and Oct. 9. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. in the Justice Building, video conference room, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw. Under …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — At the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, Jan. 8, Director of Kosciusko County Community Corrections Anna Bailey requested permission to apply for an Indiana Department of Corrections Community Supervision grant in the amount of $541,000.  “We are also requesting two additional officers — a drug court case manager and a home detention officer,” …read more.

KOSCIUSKO —  Kosciusko commissioners heard information related to a program designed to shorten response time in active shooter situations at their meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 2.  Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert and Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock  presented the information.  According to Rock, the program is called School Guard. Teachers and staff would …read more.

  KOSCIUSKO — Tom Van Meter, owner of the Old Post Office building in the historic district of downtown Warsaw and founder of Forte Residential, Inc., present tenant of the OPO, attended the Kosciusko County commissioners meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 7, to request the verbal support of commissioners in his grant application process.  Van Meter has …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — Thursday, May 3, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation hosted a free community outreach seminar about flooding.  Attendees were encouraged to bring a copy of their elevation certificate as well as a copy of their current flood insurance declaration page.  Tyler Ardron, vice-president of Risk Reduction Plus, NJ, led the event with assistance from …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s Emergency Management Director Ed Rock is reminding people who’ve experienced damage due to rising water levels to contact the state, while representatives from the state fire marshal’s office are on site to assess the extent of the damage countywide. According to Rock, three representatives from the fire marshal’s Code Enforcement Division …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Kosciusko County Local Emergency Planning Committee will hold its meetings for the year 2018 at 3 p.m. in the Justice Building on the following dates: Feb. 8, May 10, Aug. 9 and Nov. 8 and at such other times as shall be duly authorized by act of the committee or its …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko’s hazard mitigation plan is in the process of being updated. Last updated in 2009, FEMA requires hazard mitigation plans to be reviewed every five years. The Nov. 2 meeting, the third of four, was meant to be a public meeting to hear public questions and concerns, but no public attended. The update is …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Meeting dates for the Kosciusko County Local Emergency Planning Committee have been announced for 2017. All meetings are open to the public. Dates for 2017 will be Feb. 9, May 11, Aug. 10 and Nov. 9. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. in the Justice Building, video conference room, 121 N. Lake St., …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Kosciusko County commissioners met yesterday, Tuesday, Aug. 9,  to talk about making every second count. 1st Sgt Chad Hill requested funding from the commissioners for 911iNET, a program that has texting capabilities and a panic button option for smart phones. The program brings local police, fire departments, airports, emergency managers, mayor/county …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — This morning, the County Commissioner’s met and discussed bids for the work release renovation project, bids for justice building repairs, and updates on grants for the Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency. Chad Miner, county attorney, read bids from three construction companies for the work release construction project. Robinson Construction placed a bid for …read more.

MENTONE — A failed pipeline topped discussion during the regular meeting of the Mentone Town Council Monday evening, June 6. According to James Emans, Emans Engineering, Bremen, approximately 500 feet of pipe beneath Main Street has failed. Emans and Water Superintendent Josh Shephard called on a company from Rochester to send a camera through the pipeline to …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Kosciusko Emergency Management Agency encourages residents, local businesses and schools to participate in the statewide tornado drill at 10:15 a.m. and 7:35 p.m. Tuesday, March 22. This drill will include the activation of severe weather sirens in those communities who have such systems. Should a conflict arise, a back-up date for the …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — As spring approaches, so does the chance for severe weather. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Kosciusko County Emergency Management want to make sure everyone has a chance to be safe. While weather alert radios are available for purchase, not everyone has the means to buy one. Because of this, Kosciusko …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — An Indiana Department of Homeland Security incident management team from Northern Indiana is traveling to Maryland for a seven-day deployment to assist the City of Baltimore with severe weather affecting the region. Ed Rock, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency, serves as a member of the IMT. The IDHS deployment is a Type 3 IMT …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Commissioners met in regular session Tuesday morning, Aug. 25. Matt Sandy, assistant county planner, presented the new maps, explaining they are set to go into effect Wednesday, Sept. 30 and that they are in compliance with federal regulations. Changes to the maps include several properties that are no longer considered …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse residents downwind of the small channel off Harkless Drive may be smelling more than just fried foods lately.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — During yesterday evening’s Kosciusko County Council meeting, numerous presentations were brought before the board, both to educate and to request financial support. Among these were requests from local officials and preliminary presentations by Kosciusko County non-profit organizations. Initial requests included a request from Bob Weaver of the Kosciusko County Health Department. Weaver …read more.

Drivers are advised to take caution when driving on Kosciusko County roads. According to Ed Rock, director of Kosciusko County Emergency Management, hard freeze conditions during the winter combined with the rapid thawing recently has left county roads very soft. Rock stated, “When you observe a spot in the road that appears to be heaving …read more.

The train that derailed in West Virginia at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Monday most likely traveled through northern Indiana, and possibly even Kosciusko County. The train, which was carrying crude oil, was reportedly still burning as of Tuesday night, with oil pouring from the wreckage. Members of the affected community in West Virginia have been …read more.

As of 7:15 a.m. today Kosciusko County has lifted the emergency declaration and lowered the travel status to a watch/orange level, according to Ed Rock, Kosciusko County Emergency Management County roads remain snow covered and slick with some drifts. Motorists are asked to stay off county roads if possible to allow county plow drivers to …read more.

According to Ed Rock of the Kosciusko County Emergency Management Department, Kosciusko County will remain under the red warning/declaration through the night. A re-evaluation will take place after the county plows have had a chance to observe and report.

With up to 17.2 inches falling in areas of the county, it is no wonder that Kosciusko is currently under a travel “watch”. According to the National Weather Service in Syracuse, 17.2 inches of snow fell 7 miles east/southeast of Leesburg, 14 inches fell in Warsaw and 11.2 inches fell in Winona Lake. The NWS …read more.

[weaver_youtube N3m4SWaonwE rel=0] This morning’s storm packed a one-two punch with two lines of storms bringing severe winds that have left numerous trees and power lines down throughout the county and thousands without power. Though many have speculated about the possibility of tornado touchdowns this morning, as of this time, meteorologists with the National Weather Service …read more.

Barbee Neighborhood Watch is hosting a meeting about homeland security with Kosciusko Emergency Management Director Ed Rock. It will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St. (SR 13). The meeting is open to the public and those wishing to join this …read more.

As lingering snow finishes melting and rainfall begins draining into local waterways, some in the county are preparing for possible flooding in low lying areas. Though the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Kosciusko County due to the threat of flooding, according to Kosciusko Emergency Management Director Ed Rock, the flood …read more.

This is Severe Weather Preparedness Week for Indiana and also National Flood Awareness Week. As such, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock said a Tornado Drill has been scheduled for this week. Communities that have tornado sirens will undergo two tornado warning tests this Thursday. The first will happen around 10:30 a.m. and a …read more.

(UPDATE: Sand and bags are now available in the following locations: Kosciusko County Highway Garage in Warsaw, North Webster Community Center in North Webster, at the Winona Lake Street Department and in Syracuse. In Syracuse, those wanting to fill bags will have to register at the main office of the Public Works department on Conrad …read more.

The Local Emergency Planning Committee will conduct a special meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Justice Building in Warsaw. The Kosciusko County LEPC was formed as a result of the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986. Its purpose is to provide citizens and emergency responders with information …read more.

In the event that the public needs sandbags due to flooding this weekend, sand and sandbags are available at the Kosciusko County Highway Department, 2936 E. Old Rd. 30, Warsaw. The heavy snowfall from earlier in the week is being followed by rain in the forecast for this evening and Saturday. With temperatures also expected …read more.

As of 9 a.m. today, Kosciusko County’s Watch Level (orange) has been reduced to the Advisory Level  (yellow). Though the Watch Level has been downgraded, the advisory level still warns motorists that travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of hazardous situations and advises that motorist avoid these areas. According to Kosciusko County Emergency …read more.

Hoosiers can report damage from Sunday’s severe storms online, and they are encouraged to report all damages. That was the message from Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock for the county commissioners this morning. Residents who sustained property damage caused by severe weather Nov. 17 are encouraged to report any and all damage. A …read more.

The National Weather Service has officially announced that it was a tornado that hit Silver Lake Sunday afternoon. The EF-2 tornado was estimated to have wind speeds of 125 mph and spanned 150 yards as it traveled on the ground for 4 miles. The tornado hit at about 3:43 p.m. along SR 15 just south …read more.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a three-part story examining the Tippecanoe River logjam removal project, which is to begin Thursday. Part two, which will include an interview with Nash Brallier, who is opposed to the project, will be released tomorrow.) After nearly a year of fundraising, a project to clear 47 of …read more.

[weaver_youtube ZslVofbuGMw rel=0] Each year, the 9/11 Committee in Warsaw plans a memorial celebration to remember the nearly 3,000 people who perished when terrorists attacked the United States of America on Sept. 11, 2001. Wednesday night’s memorial included patriotic music by Warsaw Police Officer Brad Kellar, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock and local …read more.

The Tippecanoe River clean-up project is closer to becoming a reality. That was the message provided to the Kosciusko County Commissioners this morning. According to information provided in a recent study of the river, there are 111 blockages in the river. Blockages include tree limbs and other debris that are preventing the water from flowing. …read more.

After nearly five days of dealing with flooded roadways, lakes, yards and fields an end may be in sight. Although the National Weather Service projects an 80 percent chance of rain late today, according to Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock, the National Weather Service’s Hydraulic Maps indicates flood conditions in the county are …read more.

As area waters rise, and will continue to rise through the weekend, Kosciusko County residents dealing with flood problems can get sand and sandbags at the Kosciusko County Highway Garage. Emergency Management Director Ed Rock says any county resident in need of the sand and sandbags can bring a shovel and go to the highway …read more.

Kosciusko County Emergency Management and The National Weather Service will be offering a public Weather Observer and Outreach Weather Spotter Training course. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Kosciusko County Justice Building, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw. School aged children are welcome to attend and no pre-registration is necessary. Kosciusko …read more.

A clean-up project for the Tippecanoe River was discussed at the last meeting of the year for county commissioners this morning. Three men associated with the project came before the commissioners asking for support and assistance with the clean-up efforts. Dr. Nate Bosch, Jon Tyler and emergency management director Ed Rock said flooding is being …read more.

In an effort to get Tippecanoe River cleared of debris, a meeting was held last week to discuss clean up efforts. Today, the Kosciusko County Commissioners heard the results of that meeting. Last Thursday, Kosciusko Lakes and Streams hosted a meeting, along with the county’s emergency management office and representatives from Lake Tippecanoe, regarding the …read more.

Kosciusko County, and most of Indiana and the Midwest, has experienced one of the worst droughts in recent memory. Until the last couple of weeks, rainfall since May usually consisted of quick pop up showers evaporated by the hot summer sun. Recent rain showers have helped, especially considering they either occurred overnight or the sun …read more.

The town of Mentone has extended the ban on no open burning or fireworks through July 9. The Kosciusko County Commissioners on Tuesday extended a burn ban for the entire county which omitted fireworks from the ban. Mentone Town Council President Tim Croy says they are enforcing the ban on fireworks in the town by citing …read more.

Kosciusko County Commissioners this morning extended a burn ban in light of the continued drought conditions. Emergency Management Director Ed Rock recommended the commissioners sign a new disaster declaration extending the ban for another two weeks. Unanimously, commissioners president Bob Conley and Ron Truex and Brad Jackson approved the ban, which is now in effect …read more.

Violate Kosciusko County’s burn ban and you could face jail time and fines. Despite recent arguments from members of the public that Indiana Code bans local government from regulating usage of personal fireworks, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock says that simply is not true. “Our burn ban is actually a disaster declaration which means …read more.