NORTH WEBSTER — The National Weather Service has documented and recapped five tornadoes that tore through parts of northern Indiana Thursday night, including ones in Bristol, Wabash and Plymouth.

No deaths were reported, but the recap says three people sustained injuries.

All of the tornadoes were rated between EF0 and EF2.

Most of the damage occurred shortly after 10 p.m. and was part of a strong line of storms that passed through the northern part of the state.

Below is a recap of the fire tornadoes:

• An EF1 touched down in Wabash, with an estimated peak wind speed of 110 mph. Areas near Glendale Drive, McKibben Street, and Barkley Drive sustained some damage to homes, and a fifth-wheel camper was tipped over. Further to the northeast, near West Waterworks Road, an outbuilding was destroyed when a south-facing door appeared to have blown in, causing the walls to collapse. Two injuries were reported at the home. Nearby, a manufactured home was shifted several feet off its foundation.
• An EF2 tornado touched down in Bristol with an estimated wind speed of 115 mph. The tornado passed through open fields before reaching Hyde Park Drive and Stanford Drive, where additional trees were uprooted. A residential garage on Hyde Park Drive was destroyed, and one injury was reported.
• An EF1 touched down in Plymouth and had an estimated peak wind speed of 90 mph. It spun up south of 8A on King Road, damaging multiple trees and a barn.
• An EF1 tornado touched down near Adamsboro, which is east of Logansport in Cass County. It had an estimated peak wind of 90 mph. Drone footage provided by Cass County Emergency Management confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down across northeast Cass County. Damage included the destruction of a 40-foot pole barn on County Road 375N.
• In Balbec, east of Marion, an EF0 was documented with an estimated peak wind of  80 mph. A barn and house sustained damage.

The National Weather Service also confirmed an EF3 tornado in Kouts in Porter County and Wanatah in Porter County, but had not yet completed a preliminary investigation.

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MILFORD — A groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction for a manufacturing facility expansion at Chore-Time's Milford manufacturing and office headquarters was held June 10.

Chore-Time is adding 79,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

“This expansion is a direct result of continued growth and increased demand across our
markets — and the strength of our distributor partnerships.” according to Tina Streit, Vice
President and General Manager of Chore-Time.

“Plans include a dedicated shipping space for the layer building, staging space for the
broiler side, and additional manufacturing space. Groundbreaking took place in April, with
the goal of occupancy in early 2027. With this additional space, we will be better able to
reduce lead times and significantly improve our logistics.”

The addition joins the Chore-Time office and manufacturing facility that dates to the early years of the nearly 75-year-old company. The new facility is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2027. The project is funded in part by a 10-year tax abatement granted by the Milford Town Council, the Milford Redevelopment Commission, and with the support of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation.

“This is a company that believes in Milford. This is a meaningful investment in manufacturing capacity, efficiency and long-term growth here in Milford.” said Peggy Simmons, Chief Executive Officer for the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation.

R. Yoder is the general contractor for the project. “This groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction; it reflects the power of collaboration and what can be achieved when a dedicated team comes together around a common goal. We are grateful for the trust of CTB and it is an honor to play a role in delivering a manufacturing facility that will support innovation, strengthen the local economy, and create lasting opportunities for years to come.” said Kevin Yoder, Vice President of Sales.

Chore-Time (www.choretime.com) continues its tradition established in 1952 of leadership in the design, manufacture and marketing of equipment for poultry and egg production.

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WARSAW — It took a few extra months to do so, but the Kosciusko County Council has signed off on a request by the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Public Library for a $7.3 million bond needed to construct a new library.

On Thursday night, Council reaffirmed its vote on January 8, allowing the library to move forward with construction plans.

Concerns over the legitimacy of the January 8 vote arose over whether the proposal had been properly advertised. 

Concerns remained even this week, but County Attorney Ed Ormsby reported Thursday night that the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance was now satisfied with the library's December newspaper notice.

Council could have reconsidered its original vote, but at least two councilmen said that would look too political. 

“I mean, obviously, I voted against the last time, and my question to this whole thing has been: Was it … legal? And since it was, you know, I choose to accept that,” said councilman Joe Irwin.

Councilman William Stockdale offered his thoughts.

“I've looked at this from every angle, read statutes, talked with other attorneys, and the library did what they needed to do legally,” Stockdale said. “There's no valid legal reason ... to overturn the January 8th resolution.” 

“The vote to reaffirm was 6-1, with Dave Wokins opposing.

Councilmember Kimberly Cates made the motion Thursday to approve, and that was seconded by Kathy Groninger.

The January 8 vote supporting the resolution's passage, 4-3, with opposition from Wolkins, Irwin, and Rachel Rhodes.

The January vote did not generate any opposition at that hearing.

Thursday's vote was the second in three weeks by elected officials involving a major request to approve a bond for a library project.

The Warsaw City Council voted down a $17 million bond for major renovations to the Warsaw Community Public Library on May 18.

The Warsaw library vote faced opposition from some city council members and members of the public over concerns about uncertainty over future tax bills and a belief that property owners have already seen significant hikes in their tax bills as a result of property tax reform by the state lawmakers.

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WARSAW — The National Weather Service reports several tornadoes caused damage across parts of northern and central Illinois and northwest Indiana on Thursday afternoon and evening.

Some of these tornadoes were strong, with notable damage reported in and near  Merrillville and Hebron.

Storm trackers in Illinois posted this video overnight.

There were also reports of tornadoes in or around Kosciusko County, but it was unclear if those touched down or caused damage.

Parts of northern Indiana sustained flooding, damaged roofs,and other damage, according to WNDU.

Storms north and northwest of Kosciusko County resulted in significant power outages overnight, and Kosciusko County was not immune. 

As of earlier this morning, NIPSCO reported that 2,500 customers in Syracuse and 1,900 in North Webster were without power.

Further west, South Shore Lines suspended service beyond East Chicago, citing damage to the tracks, wires, and poles.

Service in that area remained down early this morning, complicating rush-hour plans.

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WARSAW — Downtown Warsaw’s Sip N Shop returns on Friday, June 12,  from 5-7 p.m.

The event by Main Street Warsaw is an opportunity to enjoy an evening of local shopping, sipping, and socializing. Bring your friends, stroll through downtown listening to live street musicians while enjoying complimentary wine and cheese served at local retail shops.

The night doesn’t end with shopping. Be sure to satisfy your hunger by indulging yourselves at downtown restaurants featuring American, Latin, Indian and Italian cuisines.

This month’s retail shops participating in the event are The Cove, Glam Boutique, Finley and Company, Lake Art Association, Male Fashions, and Nicodemus Cards and Games.  Featured musicians include Ben Essick, Evan Hensbee and Chase Caldwell.

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Indiana animal health officials have imposed new restrictions on livestock, poultry and pet movements from parts of the Southwest following the recent detection of New World screwworm in the United States, as states across the country work to prevent the destructive parasite from gaining a foothold beyond currently affected areas.

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health announced that animals entering Indiana from federally designated New World screwworm-infested zones — currently parts of Texas and New Mexico — will be subject to enhanced inspection, treatment and certification requirements.

The measures come after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed cases of the pest in the United States, raising concerns among livestock producers and animal health officials about the potential for the parasite to spread through animal movements, exhibitions and travel.

Although New World screwworm has not been detected in Indiana, state officials warned that the insect could be inadvertently transported by animals or people traveling from affected regions.

“The latest findings have triggered movement restrictions for animals traveling to Indiana from NWS-infested areas,” the agency said in an advisory issued Monday.

Under the new requirements, livestock and companion animals originating from an infested zone must be inspected by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within five days before shipment and accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection. Animals also must receive approved treatments designed to prevent the spread of screwworm before entering Indiana.

Additional documentation approved by both the state of origin and Indiana animal health officials will be required before shipment.

The restrictions apply broadly to cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, dogs and cats, although Indiana has carved out exemptions for certain poultry shipments, indoor-housed small mammals and some commercial swine operations operating under approved health plans.

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health said it has been coordinating for more than a year with the Indiana Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on response plans should the parasite move closer to the Midwest.

New World screwworm, despite its name, is not a worm but the larval stage of a fly. Adult female flies lay eggs in open wounds or natural body openings of warm-blooded animals. Once hatched, the larvae burrow into living tissue, feeding on flesh and causing wounds to expand and deepen. Untreated infestations can lead to severe injury and death.

Livestock producers are particularly concerned because the pest can affect cattle, sheep, goats, horses, swine and other animals. Pets and wildlife are also susceptible, and in rare cases humans can become infested.

The United States eradicated New World screwworm in 1966 through an extensive sterile fly release program, one of the most successful insect control campaigns ever undertaken. Federal and Mexican animal health authorities continue to use that strategy today, releasing sterile male flies to disrupt reproduction and suppress populations.

USDA recently expanded sterile fly production efforts in Texas as part of its response to the current outbreak.

Indiana officials are urging animal owners to closely monitor livestock, poultry and pets for signs of infestation, particularly after travel or participation in exhibitions.

Warning signs include unusual flies or maggots around wounds, ears, noses or other body openings; wounds that continue to enlarge or drain; foul odors associated with infected tissue; and animals exhibiting signs of irritation or discomfort.

The adult New World screwworm fly can be identified by its metallic blue-green body, orange eyes and three dark stripes running down its back.

State officials are asking veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners to immediately report suspicious cases.

“Inspect, report and protect” is the message Indiana officials are emphasizing as they seek to keep the parasite from reaching the state’s farms and animal populations.

Additional information and reporting resources are available through the Indiana State Board of Animal Health at: www.in.gov/boah/.

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WARSAW — Another heat advisory has been issued for Northern Indiana, as temperatures once again climb to near 90 degrees.

As a result, Fellowship Missions in Warsaw opened its cooling center on Wednesday and is expected to do so again on Thursday with the return of more heat and humidity. 

The cooling station on East Winona Avenue will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Anyone with questions can call the Fellowship Missions front desk at 574-268-9555.

Today’s heat is expected to set the stage tonight for thunderstorms and windy conditions. 

The National Weather Service forecast predicts a cool-down with a high near 79 on Friday.

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WARSAW — Long-standing concerns about traffic flow at the corner of Pope and Detroit streets in Warsaw have led the city to consider options to improve the situation.

Problems tend to arise as motorists try to traverse Prairie, Detroit, Pope, and Smith streets near Warsaw Cut Glass.

Traffic tends to back up during certain times of the day.

"At peak times, it's just an inability to have free flow of traffic through that intersection. It's just a very dangerous," said Dustin Dillon, the director of Public Works for Warsaw. "A lot of people are using it as a cut through to avoid the traffic signals ... and it's just a highly used area."

The city has turned to an engineering firm, which will offer some solutions at the July 1 traffic commission meeting.

Without getting into specifics, Dillon said they're looking at a short-term solution and a more expensive long-term plan.

Conversations with the Traffic Commission on the topic have included input from  representatives of Warsaw schools, which use some of those roads to access Lakeview Middle School to the east.

Now that the school district plans to combine both middle schools at Lakeview — in the next five to seven years — Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said those traffic routes become even more important. 

He said they're glad to have a seat at the table during talks and that the issues are now being addressed before the middle school transition.

“We realize that it can get to be a cluster at that intersection because of trains, a three-way intersection, and people coming from all three of those ways without it being a traditional stop,” Hoffert said.

He declined to say what the best solution might be.

“When it comes to our bus routes, we will transform to whatever way works best,” he said.

Hoffert made the comments during a taping of In The Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations. 

[caption id="attachment_132338" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Red lines highlight where traffic congestion tends to build up at the intersection of Pope and Detroit streets in Warsaw.[/caption]

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WARSAW — The Warsaw Parks Department announced on Wednesday that it will not employ lifeguards at either city beach during the 2026 summer season, meaning there will be no lifeguard supervision provided at any time

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WINONA LAKE — A Winona Lake home is a total loss after an early-morning fire on  Wednesday.

According to information provided by Winona Lake Volunteer Firefighters (WLVF) Public Information Officer Mike Cox, at approximately 2:08 a.m. today, Wednesday, June 10, the WLVF were called to a structure fire at 2302 Eastwood Road, Winona Lake.

The first report was that the house was fully engulfed. Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory also responded. Tankers and manpower were requested from Pierceton, Claypool and Leesburg-Plain Township fire departments. The home is considered a total loss, Cox said.

Homeowners were not at home and have been notified of the fire. County records indicate the home is owned by Michael J. and Tammy L. Cusick.

There were no injuries reported during the incident.

Cox said the house to the north of the Cusick home sustained siding damage, but there was no actual fire damage to any of the neighbors’ property.

The cause and origin of the fire are being investigated and fire crews were still on the scene at 5:30 a.m.

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