NORTH WEBSTER — A long time rumor the Webster Lake Dam controls the water levels on the Barbee Chain of Lakes was brought to this writer’s attention by more than one reader recently. After some research, the verdict is it is very indirectly related and has little affect on water levels on the Barbees. One …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — This weekend Christian singer Michael Wayne Smith will be visiting churches throughout the area.

INDIANAPOLIS — Sediment problems on Lake Tippecanoe, Winona Lake and Lake Wawasee can now be addressed following the receiving of grant funding from the Department of Natural Resource’s Lake and River Enhancement program. Lake Tippecanoe received a $48,000 grant and Winona Lake received $180,000 for sediment removal, while Lake Wawasee received $20,000 to develop a …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Some residents of the local lakes and river areas have felt a kinship to the Johnny Cash song “Five Feet High and Risin’” during the past week. While Goshen, Elkhart and Plymouth and parts of Warsaw received the major portion of media coverage, the rivers, lakes and streams of Tippecanoe, Van Buren …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — Attorney Chad Miner presented his recommendation regarding the sanitary sewer issue at Lake Tippecanoe during the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting held this morning, Feb. 20. Miner recommended setting up an initial meeting to establish a regional sewer district in the Lake Tippecanoe area. The meeting would include attorneys, financial advisors, representatives from the county …read more.

KOSCIUSKO — Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Kosciusko commissioners meeting, Ken Jones Sr., CEO of Jones Petrie Rafinski, Elkhart, addressed the commissioners to further discuss the sanitary sewer issue at Lake Tippecanoe. Jones provided commissioners with a summary of information related to studies that have been done over the years. “Altogether there have been eight studies …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams recently distributed a study to residents on Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake, Oswego Lake, Syracuse Lake, Lake Wawasee, and Winona Lake highlighting research on each of these lakes throughout history. The viewbooks feature historical snapshots of each lake, providing information about that lake’s history as well …read more.

LEESBURG — The first annual Motorboats & Merlot Boat Show event will be held from noon-8 p.m. Saturday, May 20, to benefit The Watershed Foundation. Activities include boat rides, wine tastings, and the Big Apple Pizza food truck. There will also be live music performed by The Stone Bluez Band. It is $1 to attend …read more.

TIPPECANOE LAKE — HGTV is featuring Lake Tippecanoe on its “Lake Front Bargain Hunt” show. It will air for the first time 8:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 16. Deb Paton-Showley Group at Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber, Warsaw, just shared the news of the HGTV crew filming. Additional showings are scheduled for 3:30 a.m. Monday, April 17, and 7 p.m. Friday, May 5.

By EILEEN OAKS The Watershed Foundation Outreach and Marketing Specialist NORTH WEBSTER — Over the past 20 years, The Watershed Foundation has been led by community leaders and visionaries. TWF’s Board of Directors has ensured the longevity of TWF’s mission to protect and improve our lakes and streams by making crucial decisions, utilizing cutting-edge environmental …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — Yesterday, the usual lessons of the North Webster Elementary students were replaced by the splashes of water, the shrieks of excitement and awes of discovery. The Watershed Foundation guided Mrs. Jessie and Mr. Bollman’s 4th and 5th grade classes respectively down to the Tippecanoe River between Webster Lake and Little Tippy Lake …read more.

LAKE WAWASEE — This summer, the Center for Lakes & Streams, at Grace College, began a new project to monitor starry stonewort on Lake Wawasee. Starry stonewort is an invasive algae which can pose a threat to lakes as it can form dense, thick mats which inhibit boat traffic and limit the growth of native …read more.

By 1st Sergeant Chad Hill Public Relations Officer, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Kosciusko County divers have recovered the potential drowning victim from Lake Tippecanoe. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies, with the assistance of Indiana Conservation Officers, used an underwater remotely operated vehicle to assist in locating the missing Chicago man from almost two …read more.

LEESBURG — Out of respect for the family of recent drowning victim John J. Forbes, 70, Chicago, Ill., Pro Wake Watersports has decided to cancel its Demo Days on Lake Tippecanoe this weekend. A note on the Pro Wake Facebook page reads, “The Department of Natural Resources has expanded the search area and we don’t …read more.

LEESBURG — The 2016 Tippecanoe Lake Flotilla contestants and fans enjoyed the summer boating event, Saturday, July 2. This year’s flotilla theme was “Float Olympics.” The main rules at the Tippecanoe Lake Flotilla that contestants must follow each year are to be enthusiastic and use creativity to flaunt the theme. Contestants displayed their imagination by …read more.

NORTHERN KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Several Sunday boat-in worship services will take place Sunday, July 3. All services are non-denominational and no dress code is imposed. Worshippers are invited to participate by boat or on the shore. Shoreline attendees need to supply their own lawn chairs. Lake Wawasee The area’s largest gathering will take place on …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — With $28 million invested around the Barbee chain of lakes, the board placed pressure on Crane Systems and Pumps to extend the warranty on the type one grinder stations and to do so in a timely manner.

WARSAW — Have you seen changes in your favorite lake, stream or river? While change is inevitable there are some changes which affects the quality of water used by humans, fish, wildlife and agriculture. Some of these changes can be reversed or controlled. If nothing is done, this natural resource could disappear, eliminating fishing and …read more.

By MADISSON HEINL Communications Specialist, Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College WINONA LAKE — The Center for Lakes & Streams conducts regular stream sampling on county streams which feed into several local lakes in Warsaw, Winona Lake, North Webster and Syracuse even throughout the winter months. Stream sampling is a way to gauge …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Center for Lakes & Streams continues to collect samples from local Kosciusko County streams through the winter months. In fact, the center has added new sites throughout the Warsaw area as part of involvement in the Clean Waters Partnership, an initiative including representatives from the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, …read more.

By LYN CRIGHTON Executive Director, The Watershed Foundation NORTH WEBSTER — The Clean Waters Partnership, an extension of The Watershed Foundation, formerly The Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation, recently received a $200,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Beginning at Lake Tippecanoe, the Tippecanoe River and its tributaries flow through the center of Kosciusko County. …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — Two people were transported to hospitals and one person was arrested following a boating accident at 2 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, on Lake Tippecanoe.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — In August, the Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College partnered with other local organizations, including the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and local property owners on the annual Warsaw Community High School Water Drop rafting trip.

Jay B. Pirtle was born on Nov. 28, 1956, in Indianapolis, to Nancy and Joe Pirtle. on Friday, Sept. 11, Jay moved on to a better, pain free world. Jay had a positive and happy outlook on life as he spent the last few years in a battle against heart failure. As a young man, …read more.

Despite early forecasts of potential rain in the North Webster area on Saturday afternoon, the weather was ideal for the annual LIttle Tippy Cottage Tour, hosted by the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation.

(Photos provided) WINONA LAKE — An emergency order to restrict watercraft operations on specified lakes in Kosciusko County was filed Friday, July 17. This ordinance went into effect on Lake Wawasee, Lake Tippecanoe and the Barbee lakes chain and is in effect until further notice from the Indiana DNR. Flooding and high water levels continue …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — Anyone familiar with Lake Tippecanoe in North Webster is also familiar with the joys of the lake. The beautiful sunsets, family fun, delicious cuisine, relaxing atmosphere and great boating are some of the best around. What locals did find a surprise was the lake’s recent stint on MSN’s best lakes in 50 states.

The Indiana DNR is reducing the amount of chemical weed control conducted by lake residents at Lake Tippecanoe in hope of reversing a downward trend in native aquatic plant coverage. Since 2006, coverage of native plants has declined by 35 percent within the three basins (James, Oswego and Tippy) that make up the 1,133-acre natural …read more.

By LYN CRIGHTON Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation All Warsaw Community High School freshmen who participated in the Water Drop river rafting experience on Grassy Creek and Lake Tippecanoe in August participated in a writing contest to share what they learned on their field trip. Their directive was: “Using the facts you have learned about the threats …read more.

Fay (Hensley) Duff, 79, Tippecanoe, Ind., died at 6 p.m. Feb. 6, 2015, at the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth. She had been in declining health for the past several years. Fay was born on Feb. 8, 1935, in Gage, Ky., to Shelton and Zillie (Dyer) Hensley and had lived in the Argos community for …read more.

Pie Eyed Petey’s Polar Plunge into Lake Tippecanoe, Leesburg, Saturday raised much food for the North Webster Food Pantry but also a donation of $1,100. Proceeds were split between the North Webster and Syracuse food pantry organizations.

Kenneth U. Foreman, 61, Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, in I. U. Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana. Kenneth was born October 5, 1953, to Russell Foreman, Sr. and Peggy (Hedington) Foreman in Warsaw, Ind. He has been a lifelong resident of the area where he attended Warsaw High School and obtained his …read more.

By BRETT R. BOGGS Superintendent, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation The head cook of Mentone Elementary School, Nikki Rutherford, was honored by the Tippecanoe Valley School Board during it’s December meeting. Rutherford is the recipent of the Pillar Award for outstanding staff. The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation has many wonderful individuals amont its classified staff who, …read more.

By LISA PAXTON FFA Advisor, Tippecanoe Valley High School The Tippecanoe Valley FFA recently held their annual Greenhand Celebration to honor the first year members in the FFA Chapter. These young members have studied the history of the FFA Association, recited the FFA Creed, practiced parliamentary procedure, investigated potential agricultural industry career avenues, including a …read more.

Jo Anna Lemler, 79, of Tippecanoe, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Signature Health Care Bremen. She was born Sept. 4, 1935, in Argos, to Harry and Hope (Fites) McPherron. She was a 1953 graduate of Tippecanoe High School. Joanna married Chester Paul Lemler on May 20, 1955. He survives. She served 31 years …read more.

By SCOTT BACKUS Principal, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School The TVMS spell bowl team made their third consecutive trip to the Indiana Association of School Principals State Spell Bowl Finals at Purdue University. The bowl was held on Saturday, Nov. 15. The team finished 4th overall in Class 2, spelling 55 of 72 words correctly.

Dorothy Lucille Kinsey, 97, of Tippecanoe, passed away at 10:52 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, at Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester, following a brief illness. She was born on Nov. 4, 1916 in Sevastopol, Indiana to Alva and Osa (Blue) Swihart and had lived in the Tippecanoe community most of her life. In 1942, she married Harry …read more.

By BRETT R. BOGGS Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Superintendent Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation announces the launch of a new district website. Following several months of planning, the new website was launched on Oct. 3. Visitors can see the fresh, new look of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation website by visiting http://www.tvsc.k12.in.us. Why the new look? …read more.

A hunter education course will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Tippecanoe Community Center, 18325 SR 331, Tippecanoe. Participants must attend both days to receive certification. Those who are interested need to preregister online at inhea.com. Click on “Class Schedule” and …read more.

Jerry Lee Claxon, 56, of Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. Jerry was born on Sept. 27, 1957, to Thomas H. and Lois (Parsons) Claxon at Ashland, Ohio. He had been a resident of Tippecanoe the past 30 years. He was a …read more.

DI Presents Rock The Park The Bourbon Destination Imagination team is hoping to “Rock the Park” for a good cause. The DI team will host a fundraiser featuring several local musical acts – including Quentin Flagg – in a free-will donation show to help Potawatomi Park in Tippecanoe put new limestone on the parking lot …read more.

Two Marshall County men have been arrested after a 24-year-old woman reported she had been raped. The alleged incident happened at around 1:30 a.m. July 9 in Bourbon. Bourbon Police say, during the investigation, warrants were issued for Dustin Hasko, 25, of Tippecanoe, and Casey Whitehurst, 25, of Bourbon. Both men were arrested by Marshall …read more.

Guests enjoyed Lake Tippecanoe Cottage Tour by cruising the lake and visiting four homes and Tippecanoe Lake Country Club Saturday, July 26. The tour was sponsored by Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation and 285 guests took a tour of the homes and country club. This year’s tour included homes owned by: Bernie and Mary Ann Berry, Heather …read more.

Buckhanon “Buck” Patton, 81, of Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away at 2 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2014, in Elkhart Hospice House, Elkhart, Ind., with his family at his side. Buck was born Nov. 4, 1932, to John and Lucinda (Ratliff) Patton, Langley, Ky. He had been a resident of Tippecanoe with his sister for the past …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers acting on complaints from boaters on James Lake — commonly referred to as “Little Tippy Lake” — held a targeted enforcement operation on the sandbar over the holiday weekend. Officers were searching for impaired or intoxicated boat operators and minors consuming alcoholic beverages. Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by officers from the State …read more.

“I believe everybody can do art. They just may not have found their medium yet,” says Lisa VanMeter. “Once I found printmaking, I knew I’d be doing it the rest of my life.” VanMeter, her husband JB and children, Claire and Ben, split their time between a cottage on Tippecanoe Lake and a home in …read more.

Cody Lindsey was raking out a beach at Tippecanoe Lake on Thursday and found some precious metals. They weren’t valuable in dollars and cents, but they were priceless to a North Webster man. Joshua Fisher served in the United States Air Force National Guard as an Airman First Class, or E3, from about November 2006 …read more.

Donna B. Blackford, 84, of Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away at 3:40 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2014, in her daughter’s home at Rolling Prairie, Ind. Donna was born the daughter of Clarence and Bertha (Metzler) Stouder on Jan. 15, 1930, and was a resident of the Etna Green, Ind., and Tippecanoe area all her life. On …read more.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the closure of SR 331 at the railroad crossing in the town of Tippecanoe in Marshall County, between 19th Road and Illion Street, from today, May 5, through Friday, May 16. The closing is necessary while Norfolk Southern crews repair the crossing.

Harleglen “Harley” Vigar, 80, of Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away at the home of his daughter, Terie Holloway, at 8:56 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2014. On December 10, 1933 in Peru, Harley was born, the treasured son of Clyde Okey and Elizabeth M. Fraker Vigar. Growing up as one of seven children he shared his childhood …read more.

Kosciusko County The following individuals were recently booked in the Kosciusko County Jail: April 26, 2014 Darryl A. Fields, 47, 1216 N. Park Ave., Warsaw, arrested for habitual traffic violator. Bond: $5,000 surety Jeremy Lee Young, 40, 7146 E. 1000 N., Syracuse, arrested for resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct. Bond: $500 cash Lisa Marie …read more.

Attend the Benack’s Crossing 18th Century reenactment / living history weekend at Potawatomi Wildlife Park, 16998 SR 331, Tippecanoe. Cure your cabin fever with this 2-day event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 12, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 13. Admission is only $10 per vehicle. Come experience …read more.

Billy “Bill” Ray Weirick, 62, Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, in his home with his family at his side. Bill was born Jan. 15, 1952, to Eugene and Betty (Mullins) Weirick at Plymouth, Ind. He has been a lifelong resident of the area. Bill was an owner/operator truck driver, …read more.

The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation has announced plans for making up the remaining four instructional days lost this year due to inclement weather: Students will attend school on Friday, March 21, and Friday, May 30. Two additional days will be made up by adding 1 hour of instructional time to the end of the normal …read more.

It’s time to get warmed up for the 5th annual Polar Bear Plunge taking place tomorrow at Pie Eyed Petey’s. (See video of last year’s plunge) The annual event has been raising money and bringing in food donations for the North Webster food pantry for the last 4 years and this year’s plunge is no …read more.

The Tippecanoe Valley Community Mental Health Task Force and the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation invite the public to attend either of the two upcoming sessions of “QPR for Suicide Prevention” training. Tippecanoe Valley Middle School will host “QPR for Suicide Prevention” from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. The following day, from 4 …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident involving a fall from a tree stand that resulted in serious injuries to a Tippecanoe man Sunday morning. At 9:20 a.m., Indiana Conservation Officers, Marshall County Police and EMS responded to a rural area near Tippecanoe for a man who had fallen from a tree stand. Rodney Kreft …read more.

Roger G. Burget, 64, of Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away at 8:15 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, at 8:15 p.m. in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, Ind. There will be a celebration of life at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Tippecanoe Community Building, Tippecanoe. Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home Bourbon, Ind., are assisting the family.

As per orders of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Lake Tippecanoe Control Structure gates will be adjusted to start lowering the lake level on Nov. 1 for the fall/winter seasons. On April 1, the Lake Tippecanoe Control Structure gates will again be adjusted to start raising the lake level for the spring/summer seasons.

Kosciusko Leadership Academy met at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation to learn about Aquatic Ecology in Kosciusko County. Nathan Bosch, Ph.D., director of Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, shared there are 114 lakes In Kosciusko Count including those with two or more acres. There are 106 lakes of 5 or more acres in our county. Kosciusko …read more.

Adult Education classes, including GED, English as a Second Language and Skills Improvement, are set to begin at Akron Elementary School at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9. Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Akron Elementary School Library. TVHS Special Education Department Head Debbie Johnston is …read more.

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation hosted a Teacher Orientation Day Monday at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School. The orientation featured the new educators for the 2013-2014 school year. In addition, during the orientation day activities, TVSC honored five teachers for perfect attendance during the 2012-2013 school year. These teachers were Crystal Heckaman, Linda Randall, Larry DuBose, Wes …read more.

Looking for events to enjoy on the July 4th holiday weekend? We’ve compiled a list of events happening throughout Kosciusko County. Syracuse Syracuse will host the annual Flotilla Road Race at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Registration will begin for the event at 8 a.m. at Lakeside Park. The Road Race features a 3.3 mile …read more.

In an effort to retain quality school bus drivers and attract new drivers, the Tippecanoe Valley Board of School Trustees voted in May to restructure the salaries and benefits offered to its school bus drivers. A significant change is in the daily rate that will be paid to new regular route drivers. Regular route drivers …read more.

Robert A. Irvine, 65, of Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2013, at his home. Robert was born the son of Robert Irvine and Lucille M. Thompson Irvine on March 10, 1948, at Chicago, Ill. He was a resident of the Tippecanoe area since 1974 and was retired from Crown Electronics …read more.

Allen R. Rush, 48, of Warsaw, Ind., and formerly of Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away at 8:10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at Warsaw Meadows. Allen was born the son of Larry Rush and Rebecca Futch Rush on March 21, 1964, at South Bend, Ind. He was lifelong resident of the Tippecanoe area and was employed …read more.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iM9cxQvH9c] Members of the Leesburg/Plain Township Fire Department spent part of Sunday afternoon training for ice rescues on Lake Tippecanoe. Members of the department donned gumby suits and took turns practicing rescue skills. The last time the department took part in an ice rescue was in February 2008 when Shannon Richcreek, then 27, of …read more.

Jerry Goble, 57, of Tippecanoe, Ind., passed away at 1:43 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, at Vibra Hospital of Fort Wayne, Ind. He worked for Dalton Foundries in Warsaw, Ind., for 30 years, and was a member of Grace Outreach in Tippecanoe. Jerry was born on Sept. 18, 1955, in Floyd County, Ky., to Argie …read more.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbUFbx6sPZY] Members of the community gathered today for the fourth annual “Polar Plunge” located at Pied Eyed Petey’s on Lake Tippecanoe. The event benefitted food banks in North Webster and Syracuse by raising cash and non-perishable food item donations while featuring food, outdoor warming stations, and an organized run into the icy waters off the …read more.

The fourth annual charity Polar Plunge at Pie Eyed Petey’s is set for this Saturday and brave souls – and donations for local food pantries – are being sought. Doors open at 10 a.m. for anyone wanting to attend and sign up to take the icy plunge into the waters of Lake Tippecanoe. Participants must …read more.

The Tippecanoe Dance Hall on Lake Tippecanoe is hosting a reunion tonight for those who remember the popular venue, and for those who want to share the experience with their families. The Tippy Dance Hall Reunion and Family Night will begin at 8 p.m. at 293 EMS T25 Lane, Leesburg. Admission is $15 for adults …read more.

Residents of Syracuse, Wawasee and Tippecanoe lakes vowed to “take the lake(s) back” and even accused the law enforcement division of the Department of Natural Resources of violating the laws themselves. During the 40-minute annual meeting of the Syracuse Lake Association this morning, the DNR came under fire by those upset with recent beefed up …read more.