WARSAW — The Salvation Army is completing its 30th annual Angel Tree outreach to provide food and gifts to families for Christmas. “The mission of The Salvation Army began in 1921 when operations were opened in Warsaw City Hall,” said Ken Locke, community ministries director. Families have been helped during the holidays since then but …read more.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Rotary Club will celebrate the annual “Rotary Toy Day” at its meeting at noon Friday, Dec. 7, at the Shrine Building at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. “The event was started in 1927 to support the outreach of The Salvation Army at Christmas,” said Ken Locke, chairman. “This year marks the 91st …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko Community Senior Services and Liberty Sewing Circle have teamed up again to offer thanks and show appreciation to local veterans. The Threads of Valor quilt presentation was held Wednesday, Nov.21, at the Kosciusko County Senior Center, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw.   Liberty Sewing Circle consists of a group of ladies from …read more.

Pictured, from left, Ken Locke, Rhonda Rife, Karen Smith, Deb Swanson, Rex Rife, Kathy Snell, Jill Smith, Marsha Huffman and John Sadler. WARSAW — VFW Post 1126 and American Legion Post 49 hosted the annual Veterans Day event at Center Lake Pavilion Sunday, Nov. 11.  “Today the bell at the Kosciusko County courthouse will be rung …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — In an effort to reduce duplication and stretch resources, The Salvation Army will once again serve as the “Clearing House” for Christmas assistance in Kosciusko County. Organizations, churches, schools and businesses are encouraged to check who they are assisting with the list The Salvation Army maintains. “We are able to provide this service …read more.

WARSAW — The bell at the Kosciusko County Courthouse will toll at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. The event will join a tolling of bells across the country called, “Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance.”  The National tolling of bells honors those who served in the Great War.  This event is …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Decorated U.S. Army veteran and pro-life advocate Lt.Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin spoke to a small gathering at Grace College’s Westminster Hall on Monday, Sept. 17, at a leadership luncheon co-sponsored by the college and Right to Life of North Central Indiana. Boykin was introduced by local veteran and director of the Greater …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Several hundred people converged on Winona Lake’s Heritage Room to observe an event held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, now in its 67th year. The Pray For America event was held at noon on Thursday, May 3. Emcee Ken Locke introduced keynote speaker Dr. William Katip who spoke about …read more.

Seventeen-year-old Ken Locke was lured through the doors of the Salvation Army in 1975 by three enticements: volleyball, girls and food. “Not necessarily in that order,” he quipped. That began a 42-year involvement with the charitable organization that is still going strong. Locke began volunteering for the Salvation Army not long after his initial visit …read more.

WARSAW — Ken Locke, Ministries Director at the Salvation Army was one of many to receive a nomination to be a torchbearer for the Indiana Bicentennial. Locke was not expecting to be chosen for the nomination. “I was surprised,” said Locke when he discovered he would be one of the torchbearers. Locke’s nomination letter mentions …read more.

KEN “HAWKEYE” LOCKE Community Ministries Coordinator KOSCIUSKO — The Salvation Army of Kosciusko County is promoting a “Give Green Challenge” to stock their Choice Food Pantry that currently serves around 200 families each month. The challenge will run from St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, to the end of the month March 31. “Donations of canned …read more.

WARSAW — The Salvation Army Choice Pantry experienced a 10 percent increase in request for food and hygiene items in 2015 according to Ken Locke, community ministries director. “The increase has resulted due to the changes and cuts in the SNAP program. There are also more people only finding part time work without benefits and …read more.

[weaver_youtube wQwlBs8lp5M rel=0]   WARSAW — A part of the annual Veterans Day Program in Warsaw is the presentation of the Order of Kosciuszko Award and Meritorious Service Award, presented by the Sons of American Legion Squad 49. Robert “Bob” Savage and Fred Vining were recipients of these two awards. John Sadler, a member of …read more.

Dear Editor, I want to highly endorse Jack Wilhite and Cindy Dobbins for Warsaw city council. I have known Jack for many years, especially through Scouting, and know his commitment to values, family and community. Cindy has already shown her willingness to serve and make Warsaw a better place for everyone. Warsaw is fortunate to …read more.

WARSAW — The rain held off during the county’s 9/11 memorial remembrance ceremony at Center Lake Park, Warsaw. Some stood throughout the entire ceremony, others utilized the bleachers and chairs provided or sat on the ground or chairs they had brought along.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southwestern Elkhart and northeastern Marshall counties until 6:30 p.m. tonight, June 8. At 5:55 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was located near Lakeville and moving east at 25 miles per hour. Quarter size hail and 60 mile per hour wind gusts are being indicated by radar. …read more.

[weaver_youtube F7gWGK9TybM rel=8] Recognizing the years since the end of World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq wars, and those veterans present, Ken Locke, Memorial Day speaker, combined seriousness with humor at the John C. Peterson Post 49 and James W. Sittler VFW Post 1126 Memorial Day ceremony in Warsaw Monday morning. Held …read more.

Dear Editor One of the darkest days of my life was April 30, 1975.  My boyhood friend and fellow Eagle Scout, L/CPL Darwin L Judge was killed along with CPL Charles McMahon of Woburn, Massachusetts. I was a Senior at Marshalltown (Iowa) High School and working a co-op job at a local grocery when it …read more.

Pictured above:(From left) Merle Heckaman, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist; Jan Orban, Warsaw Rotary Club; Renea Salyer, Warsaw Kiwanis Club; Lt. Karen Pommier, Salvation Army; Terry Klondaris, Kosciusko Co. Shrine; Tina Goon, Warsaw Kiwanis Club; Jon Garber, Warsaw Kiwanis Club. (Photo courtesy of Cox Studio) The Salvation Army of Kosciusko County is kicking off its Kettle Campaign …read more.

By KEN LOCKE GWMA Director September is Hunger Action Month and the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association has set Sunday, Sept. 28 as “Hunger Awareness Sunday” as reminder that there are those locally and around the world that are in need of food. According to statistics about 33 percent of the world’s population is facing hunger …read more.

Dear Editor, Seventy years ago today on June 6, 1944, the greatest amphibious invasion was undertaken on the shores of France. American, British, Canadian and other Allied forces took the beach head to liberate Europe from Nazism. Over 16 Million Americans served in World War II. It is estimated that about 1 million of them …read more.

Dear Editor, Much has been said recently of my friend, Monica Boyer. Some of the comments have been inexcusable. I have nothing but the highest respect for this woman, wife and mother who is tired of the direction our nation is taking. During the Revolutionary War “Molly Pitcher” became famous as a symbol of women …read more.

Dear Editor, It is a privilege to know Curt Nisly as a friend. It has been great to break bread, pray and share ideas with him these past few months as he has expressed his desire to serve District 22 in Indianapolis. I will vote for Curt because he agrees with the values I have …read more.

The Warsaw Rotary Club finalized its totals for the 2013 “Rotary Salvation Army Day” by collecting $50,215. The club met before Christmas and the total was around $40,000, but last minute efforts by the club and bell ringing resulted in a higher amount. N. Bruce Howe and John Hall once again served as the co-chairs …read more.

Dear Editor, Over 150 years ago near Gettysburg, Pa., the President of the United States rose to give a speech after a 2-hour oration by Edward Everett. Abraham Lincoln spoke for three minutes to the crowd of over 15,000, on Nov. 19, 1863, noting that the words of that day may not be remembered. The …read more.

The Salvation Army is once again serving as the clearing house for individuals, groups, churches and businesses that are helping families during Christmas 2013. The goal of the clearing house is to stretch resources as far as possible and avoid duplication. Those providing assistance to others may send their family names to Community Ministries Director …read more.

By Ken Locke Warsaw Ministerial Association Dear Friends in Christ: World Compassion Network has 242,000 Rice fortified meals that are being accepted for distribution in Honduras. It will cost $5,000 to ship the food to an agency and WCN Director Joe Wilkey has $2,500 of the cost covered. We are not having a Thanksgiving Service this …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.

“This is like firing the attorney an hour before the final hearing,” said Warsaw city attorney Mike Valentine in response to an announcement that a condemned property is now under a pending sale. An order of demolition of the house at 1405 Ranch Rd., Warsaw, now stands in effect as it pertains to the current …read more.

Dear Editor, The light of liberty dims a little each day in America. We give up the meat of freedom for the porridge of more government control. A people not looking to nature’s God will allow politicians to rule their lives and squander their riches. America was not built on the progressive sand that shifts …read more.

Dear Editor: At the Memorial Day Service at Oakwood Cemetery I was honored to speak at that event. I mentioned how a woman called me and was concerned that her church no longer had the American Flag in their sanctuary and had placed it in a closet. She asked my response to this and I …read more.

Dear Editor, This is the story of Christmas Bear: There was no question the large stuffed bear wearing Christmas attire was old with a 1995 ribbon on its foot. The volunteers at the Angel Tree Center put it in a bag for a family as an added bonus. A little while later the mom returned …read more.

Dear Editor: Nov. 19 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Ashley “Billy” Sunday. Born into poverty in 1862 near Ames, Iowa, and raised in an orphanage his speed on the base paths won him a try out with Adrian “Cap” Anson and the Chicago White Stockings (now Cubs) after being put on …read more.

Dear Editor: On July 20, 1969, as an 11-year-old, I sat staring in wonder at the black and white TV image of the ladder of the Lunar Module, Eagle. Suddenly the Commander of Apollo 11 worked his way down to the dusty face of the moon. Though we could not see his foot in the …read more.

Dear Editor, The Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association is calling everyone to a time of prayer this Sunday, July 1, for our Nation, especially in light of the growing drought conditions in the Midwest and horrific fires in the West and flooding in Florida. Please take a moment to pray for rain, but more importantly to …read more.