WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council will host a special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the Winona Lake Town Hall. The council will hold a hearing regarding a wastewater rate increase and other minor matters, said Town Manager Craig Allebach. The town’s proposed wastewater rate for residential use could increase …read more.

From Left: New Winona Lake Police Reserve Officers Dalis Owens and Brittany Lyon being sworn in by Town Attorney Adam Turner, right. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts. WINONA LAKE — The Town Council approved the swearing-in of two reserve officers for the Winona Lake Police Department at its meeting, Tuesday night, Dec. 17. Brittany Lyon …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The town council approved the 2020 budget and a proposal for the eastern expansion of the Winona Heritage Trail, Tuesday, Oct. 15. The adopted budget remains the same as the proposed budget that was approved at the Sept. 17 meeting. The budget saw an overall tax rate decrease of 4.6 percent. Town …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council held a public hearing for the proposed 2020 budget, Tuesday, Sept. 17. The proposed budget includes a 4.6 percent decrease in the total budget from $5,270,253 in 2019 to $5,029,852. The proposed budget’s general fund is expected to rise as much as 1.6 percent increase and includes …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council heard a report from Lyn Crighton, who as a representative of an organization dedicated to preserving water quality, nearly opened a new kind of water works after her presentation at the board’s regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20. Crighton briefed the board on what her organization, The Watershed …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Kent Adams told the town’s board of trustees on Tuesday, Aug. 20, that numbers which were squeezed last year would lose even more girth over the coming year. “There’s going to be a 4.6 percent decrease from the 2019 budget,” said Adams. “Again, very positive.” Almost exactly a year …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Kevin Gelbaugh was welcomed to the table during Winona Lake Town Council’s monthly meeting Tuesday, July 16, after being announced as the new fire chief. Gelbaugh will fill the position previously held by Mitch Titus, who died in May as a result of a workplace accident. Gelbaugh declined to make a public …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council voted unanimously to bankroll a $2.1 million purchase of the town’s championship golf course, Stonehenge Golf Club, in a special meeting Tuesday night, July 2. The council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2019-7-1, establishing a revolving loan fund. The town will not hold the deed to the …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council held a presentation to honor Mitch Titus, the town’s fire chief who died May 5 as a result of a workplace accident a few days earlier. The family of Titus was presented with a gold-plated ceremony ax that bore an inscription honoring Titus’ years of service with …read more.

WINONA LAKE — “Contemplative Seasons,” the first of three recently-added sculptures to the greenway known as Winona Lake Heritage Trail, was dedicated Tuesday afternoon, May 7. The sculpture, consisting of three ceramic columns, a decorative bench, and a concrete pad, is located on the Greenway extension just off Pierceton Road in Winona Lake, approximately behind Grace …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Ward 1 race for Winona Lake Town Council features a challenger versus a non-elected incumbent. The only contested race for the board includes sitting board member Theila “Tecy” Banta, 516 School Street, who filed for re-election on Jan. 11 and Jim Zachary, 206 5th St., Winona Lake, who submitted his paperwork …read more.

WINONA LAKE — With a sense of urgency regarding projects she feels she needs to see through to fruition, incumbent town board member Theila “Tecy” Banta filed for re-election to Winona Lake’s five-person board on Jan. 11. “There are some projects coming up that we can’t talk about yet that are pretty impactful,” said Banta …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Another member of the Winona Lake Town Council has officially expressed a desire to seek another term on the board. Denny Duncan, wrapping up his first stint on the five-person panel filed his candidacy for election on Wednesday, Jan. 9, for his spot in Ward 2. “I am running for a second …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Two candidates — one newcomer and one incumbent, have filed their candidacies for town board of Winona Lake. Jim Zachary, 206 5th St., Winona Lake, and Heather James, 215 Roy St., Winona Lake, submitted their paperwork on the first filing day to vie for spots on the board in Ward 1 for …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Police Department welcomed a new officer to its ranks during a special meeting of the Winona Lake Town Council Thursday, Jan. 3. Riley Arvanitis, 24, was sworn in by newly-appointed Town Attorney Adam Turner. According to Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn, Arvanitis is a native of Schererville who …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council and members of the community attending its monthly regular meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 20, heard the first presentation on a proposed roundabout that the town hopes will dress up its northwestern entrance, as well as provide fluidity for incoming and outgoing traffic. Representatives from A & Z …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council will feature one new face after the November election and the campaign season will be devoid of any head-to-head competition for a seat on the five-person panel. With Bruce Shaffner vacating his slot in Ward 3 after eight years on the board, most recently as the board …read more.

WINONA LAKE — As the town board of Winona Lake considered the 2019 proposed budget one month prior to final adoption, one department found itself at odds with the town’s main holder of the purse strings over the subject of fund transfers. Paige Sansone of Umbaugh & Associates discussed Winona Lake’s proposed 2019 and lauded …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The verdict is in for terms of the success of Winona Lake’s inaugural Family Festival, held in the town July 7. The town-wide event was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday, July 17. “I wanted to recognize the people in particular who really were responsible for the …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The monthly meeting of Winona Lake’s Town Council was attended by more local residents than usual Tuesday night, June 18, and the potential for some shakeup on a waterfront area in the town was the reason. Syracuse-based Attorney Stephen Snyder, representing two land owners on Esplanade Street and Auditorium Boulevard, petitioned the …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The town of Winona Lake is focusing on the future and took a first step toward planning for the years to come at its regular board meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 20. The board approved a recommendation from Town Coordinator Craig Allebach to hire a firm to draft a comprehensive plan and not …read more.

WINONA LAKE — At the first meeting of the year, held last night, Jan. 16, the Winona Lake Town Council elected officers and made approved board appointments. The council will look the same moving into 2018 as it was unanimously approved that elected officials were to remain the same. Bruce Shaffner was elected as council …read more.

Pictured, from left, are council members Bruce Shaffner, Rick Swaim, Denny Duncan and Heather James. WINONA LAKE — With little discussion and a short meeting, the Winona Lake Town Council approved a stop sign ordinance last night, Oct. 17. The ordinance, which was discussed in detail during last month’s meeting, proposes four new stop signs to …read more.

WINONA LAKE — It was supposed to be about the 2018 budget, but that was short lived as ordinance 2017-9-1 stole the show. The board blew through the public hearing for the 2018 budget as the floor closed as quickly as it opened when no one spoke up against it. However, moments later the real …read more.

Theila Banta WINONA LAKE — Theila Banta, Winona Lake, has filed to fill the District one vacancy on the Winona Lake Town Council. Banta has lived in Winona Lake for 14 years. Prior to living here, Banta lived in northern California for 40 years. The council seat hopeful says she has been involved in politics …read more.

Kearstin Criswell WINONA LAKE — Kearstin Criswell, Winona Lake, is seeking to fill the vacant District 1 seat on the Winona Lake Town Council. Criswell is seeking to fill the vacancy left by former council member Peter Christos. Christos officially resigned from his position on the Winona Lake Town Council with a letter of resignation dated …read more.

WINONA LAKE — James Zachary, 206 Fifth St., Winona Lake, has filed to fill for the District 1 vacancy in Winona Lake. Zachary seeks to fill the vacancy left by former council member Peter Christos. Christos officially resigned from his position on the Winona Lake Town Council with a letter of resignation dated July 10, one …read more.

WINONA LAKE — During the Winona Lake Town Council meeting held Tuesday, July 18, a hearing was held on the vacation of a portion of Hamilton Boulevard. Attorney Stephen Snyder, speaking on behalf of Jean Galliers Trust, filed a motion for a vacation of a portion of Hamilton Boulevard. The Galliers Trust owns the land …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Residents attending the Winona Lake Town Council last evening, June 20, had several grievances to make known to the council. Town Coordinator Craig Allebach stated a clarification had been made in reference to the trailer ordinance. He explained the amendment would make it clear that both unattached trailers and attached trailers would …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The dream to complete the Winona Lake Limitless Park is getting closer to becoming a reality, however, an additional $87,000 needs to be raised before the next phase can be completed. During a Winona Lake Town Council meeting held on Tuesday, May 16, Holly Hummitch, director of the Winona Lake Parks and Recreation …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Backed up traffic at King’s Highway in Winona Lake is expected to be alleviated with new lane changes going into effect soon. During the Winona Lake Town Council meeting Tuesday, April 18, Street Superintendent Tom Miller mentioned they have dealt with traffic being backed up due to ineffective segmentation of the traffic …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Two new reserve officers were officially sworn in during the Winona Lake Town Council meeting on Tuesday, March 21. Ben Sanders and Daniel Clemens will bring the total number of reserve officers in Winona Lake up to 11. The officers will be filling two volunteer positions that were recently made available. David …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The newest Winona Lake Council member Heather James was sworn into office during the Winona Lake Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17. James was voted in as the ward 4 council member during a caucus on Tuesday, Jan. 10. James replaces former  council member Robert Swanson. Swanson had to abdicate his …read more.

WINONA LAKE — During a caucus held Tuesday, Jan. 10, Heather James was elected as the ward 4 council member for the Winona Lake Town Council. James ran unopposed in the election. The spot was vacated by former council member Robert Swanson, who had to abdicate his position after he moved out of the district. …read more.

WINONA — The Winona Lake Police Department has purchased six new body cameras and five videos cameras for their police cars. During the Winona Lake Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20, town marshal Joe Hawn announced the WLPD had received grants that enabled the department to make the purchases. They are in the process …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Discussion became heated during the Winona Lake Town Council meeting when a Winona Lake resident made her feelings known about recent changes in parking on a street in Winona. During the summer, the Winona Lake Town Council voted to make Court Street a one way street going south, versus its prior status as …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council on Tuesday, Sept. 20, held a public hearing for the 2017 budget. Kent Adams, clerk-treasurer, explained the budget has increased 2.9 percent this year, however, it actually comes out at about one percent because of extra wheel tax proceeds the budget will receive. The budget is totaled at …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Budget concerns and local projects dominated an otherwise short agenda for the Winona Lake Town Council during its regular meeting, held Tuesday evening, Aug. 16. It was announced that the town’s budget for the remainder of 2016 has been reduced by a total of $43,800. This was due to overspending in the first half …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council meeting had a huge turnout as they discussed ordinances, budgets and signage at their meeting, Tuesday night, July 19. The Winona Lake Town Council read an ordinance to change part of Court Street to a one-way from 12th Street North to Auditorium Boulevard. The council offered any …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Winona Lake town council has chosen the officer who will replace Deputy Marshal Malcolm Gilbert. Officer Gilbert has been with the Winona Lake Police Department for 26 1/2 years and will retire July 31. Out of the 14 applicants, who had completed the physical agility and testing states of the application process, …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council met last night, Tuesday, June 21, to discuss streets, reconstruction and resolutions/ordinances. A resolution in support of the city of Warsaw Stellar designation was presented at last night’s council meeting. The resolution states the town of Winona Lake will support the City of Warsaw in its plans …read more.

WINONA LAKE — A Stellar Communities presentation by the mayor and parking restrictions were the main topics, after a bit of lighthearted fun, at the Winona Lake Town Council meeting, Tuesday, May 17. The meeting opened with Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer bringing a small gift for the town of Winona Lake; a 1913 postcard of …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council have scheduled an Executive Session at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in the Town Hall Chambers to receive information about real property lease contracts.

WINONA LAKE — Winona Lake residents were a bit riled up in the Tuesday, April 19, town council meeting. When Winona Lake Town Council President Bruce Shaffner opened up “Floor topics” the first person to take the floor was Herbert Teeter, of Winona Lake. Teeter told the council that he wanted to rent a canal …read more.

WINONA LAKE — It was beginning-of-year business as usual Tuesday evening, Jan. 19, during the regular meeting of the Winona Lake Town Council. First on the agenda was the swearing in of the council members and clerk-treasurer. The council also named its officers for 2016, with Bruce Shaffner as president and Robert Swanson as vice …read more.

WINONA LAKE — A no-show hearing and miscellaneous year-end items topped off the agenda for the Tuesday, Dec. 15, Winona Lake Town Council meeting. Owners of a property at 77 Kings Highway were a no-show in a hearing they had requested with the council pertaining to wastewater charges incurred over the last several months. A representative …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Members of the Winona Lake Town Council have decided to give the town’s parks department the salary raise that was originally coming to the council. The vote was unanimous that the money should go to parks department employees, who are making roughly $300 per year for their work. Other salaries approved under …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Following a series of public hearings over the last few months, the Winona Lake Town Council passed the 2016 budget during the regular meeting Tuesday evening, Oct. 20. There were few changes from the 2015 budget. These included a 5.2 percent increase to the general fund from $1,320,675 to $1,389,772. The increase is for …read more.

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council had a productive regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18. First up was the approval of the Grace College bonds the council had discussed in July. The bonds are for the acquisition of a nearby apartment complex for student housing and the building of a new dorm, which will …read more.

The Winona Lake Town Council adopted two ordinances at its June 16 meeting. Both ordinances were introduced at the council’s May meeting. Ordinance 2015-5-1 clarifies enforcement of park rules and regulations, especially those pertaining to the new splash pad at the Limitless Park. It also establishes guidelines for police enforcement of park rules. The ordinance …read more.

At its May 19 meeting, the Winona Lake Town Council approved several construction projects and amended a couple of old ordinances. Town Manager Craig Allebach presented a parking lot project for the park and the Limitless Park. The town will build a parking lot on the south side of the Limitless Park and renovate the …read more.

The Winona Lake Town Council approved a bond ordinance for Grace College at its April 21 meeting. The ordinance was originally introduced at the council’s March meeting. Ordinance 2015A-3-1 will allow the school to refinance three bonds previously issued for school projects. The ordinance authorizes $11.5 million for the school. Alan Feldbaum, an attorney with …read more.

“The town has in the past issued bonds for Grace college on several occasions,” said Alan Feldbaum, an attorney with Barnes and Thornburg representing Grace College. “The college is simply refinancing three bonds that have been issued in the past.” Feldbaum and several other representative of Grace College appeared before the Winona Lake Town Council …read more.

(Photos provided) At the March 17 Winona Lake Town Council meeting, Erin Porter and a few other members of the Winona Lake Limitless Park Committee appeared before the council to provide an update on the progress of the Limitless Park project. “It’s been awhile since you’ve gotten an update,” Porter said, taking the podium at …read more.

“He really made Winona Lake what it is today, and we really want to keep that legacy going,” said Winona Lake Town Coordinator Craig Allebach of the late Dr. Dane Miller. At the Winona Lake Town Council on Tuesday, Feb. 18, the council and town officials briefly discussed ideas for a memorial in Miller’s honor. …read more.

At its February meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Winona Lake Town Council engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding Ordinance 2015-1-1. The island in Winona Lake (Map courtesy of Google) The ordinance was introduced at the council’s January meeting, and its purpose is to limit the weights of large trucks on the island, which sits …read more.

After 16 years of service, Winona Lake Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Bell has retired. At the Jan. 20 Winona Lake Town Council meeting, town officials, members of the community and fellow fire fighters gathered to honor Bell. Town Coordinator Craig Allebach read the following speech: “This evening we are here to recognize Assistant …read more.

Denny Duncan announced today he would file as a candidate for the Winona Lake Town Council in the Republican Primary on May 5 of this year. Duncan is currently employed by Grace College where he is the Director of Regional Education. He worked previously with Warsaw Community Schools for 34 years, the last 18 of …read more.

At the Winona Lake Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, resolution 2014-12-2 was introduced, which would raise sewer rates to $42 per month. “We engaged in a wastewater study to determine if our rates were sufficient,” said Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach. “According to the studies that have been done, we’re looking at …read more.

Tuesday night’s Winona Lake Town Council meeting saw the approval of staggered terms for council members and wage increases for town employees. Town Coordinator Craig Allebach gave a brief presentation on Ordinance 2014-11-1, which proposes staggered terms for the five council members (see related).  The ordinance was approved unanimously. The motion to approve Ordinance 2014-11-2, which …read more.

In this modern, hyper-connected internet age we now live in, quality internet service is of the utmost importance. Every second of every single day, terabyte upon terabyte of data is transferred from server to server all over the world – streaming videos, Facebook updates, checking email, and so much more. This is a brave new …read more.

At the meeting of the Winona Lake Town Council on Tuesday, Oct. 21, the council adopted its budget for 2015. The advertised 2015 budget can be seen here. As stated in previous meetings, next year’s tax-supported budget is projected to decrease 2.2 percent in 2015. The fee-supported budget is to decrease 6.2 percent, resulting in …read more.

Since Winona Lake Town Council’s meeting in August, the council has submitted its proposed 2015 budget to Kosciusko County Council and advertised it for two consecutive weeks. At the Sept. 17 council meeting, a public hearing on the budget was held. Council and public alike seemed to have no objection to the proposed 2015 budget …read more.

Robert H. Swanson was elected to the Winona Lake Town Council, Ward 4, on the second ballot, at the Winona Lake Republican Caucus on Monday, Aug. 18, held at the Winona Lake Town Hall. Swanson replaces Greg Winn, who announced his resignation at last month’s town council meeting. Swanson will be serving the remainder of …read more.

A caucus of eligible Kosciusko County Republican Precinct committeemen will be held on Monday, August 18, 2014, at 7 p.m., in the Winona Lake Town Council chambers, Winona Lake Town Hall, 1310 Park Avenue, Winona Lake, Indiana for the purpose of filling the vacancy (remainder of the unexpired term of Greg Winn, who has submitted …read more.

The smoking ordinance that has been on the Winona Lake Town Council’s table for months finally passed. The ordinance came before the council last month, but was unable to pass since the vote was not unanimous. Passing with a majority vote, this month the ordinance only had one vote against from council member Terry Howie. …read more.

In previous Winona Lake Town Council meetings, recommendations for ordinances regarding skateboards and smoking have been raised. Both ordinances were discussed at length at the council’s May 20 meeting. The skateboard ordinance was originally recommended by Winona Lake Police Chief of Police Paul Schmitt at the April town council meeting, citing concern for the safety …read more.

A number of matters pertaining to the Limitless Park in Winona Lake were brought up at the Winona Lake Town Council meeting on Tuesday night. Erin Porter, Winona Lake Limitless Park committee chair, presented the council with a new master plan. Porter stated the preparations for the park, which is estimated to cost $1.5 million, were …read more.

At the Winona Lake Town Council meeting Tuesday night, there was discussion about drafting an ordinance restricting skateboarding on some streets in Winona Lake. “It’s a huge safety issue,” said town marshall Paul Schmitt. “It’s a problem in the streets, and that’s where we want to restrict the skateboarding.” Currently there are several hills in the …read more.

Winona Lake residents can now rent picnic tables for a nominal fee, but the community service will likely cost the town money in the long run. Town coordinator Craig Allebach proposed the matter during Tuesday’s regular council meeting noting the $5 fee per table per 72-hour period is modeled after Warsaw’s policy. Basically, town residents …read more.

A long-time service to the town of Winona Lake likely netted Terry Howie the vacant seat on the town council during a caucus held Thursday night. Howie and Dennis Duncan vied for the open Ward 2 seat left with the recent resignation of John Boal. Duncan, who admitted to having no experience on an elected …read more.

Local architect Mary Ellen Rudisel-Jordan provided a visual presentation to the Winona Lake Town Council showing them where enhancements to the existing walking trail and the town’s street department building could be made. Noting the less than desirable view of the street department building from the walking trail, the council asked Scearce Rudisel Architects to …read more.

Winona Lake Town Council President John Boal announced his resignation at Tueday’s town council meeting. According to Boal, his resignation will go into effect on March 31, following which he will join the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, Texas, as the new vice president of advancement. “I’ve enjoyed working with each of you and …read more.

Members of the Winona Lake Town Council approved salary recommendations for 2013. Employees, appointed and elected positions will see a 3 percent increase with the exception of council members, town coordinator and the clerk-treasurer. Council members and the town coordinator will see no increase in wages while the clerk-treasurer will donated back 5 percent of …read more.

The Winona Lake Town Council unanimously approved an increase of rental and park fees by $10. The decision was made during Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting. The current rental fee for park facilities – $15 for non-profits, $25 for residents and $35 for non-county residents – is too low and the parks are losing money. …read more.

The Winona Lake Town Board met Tuesday night and a big decision was up for discussion: the purchase of a new ladder truck for the Winona Lake Fire Department. The ladder truck the department has now is a 1985 model and needs a new ladder, at the cost of about $100,000. A new truck with …read more.