WARSAW — Kosciusko County officials on Tuesday announced plans for the first-ever State of the County meeting scheduled for Oct. 20 at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw.

A news release said it's an opportunity to hear directly from county leadership, ask questions, and “engage in conversations about the county's future.”

The event is designed to provide an open and transparent update on county initiatives, accomplishments, challenges, and priorities while encouraging meaningful dialogue between local government and the community it serves, said a news release issued by the county.

The State of the County Community Meeting reflects the county's commitment to accountability, accessibility, and collaboration while providing a platform for productive conversations around accomplishments, opportunities, and challenges facing the community, the news release said.

County Commissioner Cary Groninger said all three commissioners and County Council President Tony Ciriello plan to participate.

Groninger was asked Tuesday after the announcement what prompted the move.

"We're trying to make sure we're engaged in the public. I think this is an opportunity for us to be honest and brag a little bit about our county because we have a lot of things to really be thankful for," Groninger said. "I mean, we're really blessed in Kosciusko County."

The format will include a Q&A session in which residents can submit questions ahead of time online.

To submit a question, click here.

Afterward, county department heads will be available for discussion.

Commissioner Bob Connolly says it's also an opportunity for the county to highlight its economic development initiatives and accomplishments.

“You know, oftentimes, like you said, there are hot-button items, and sometimes we get caught up in those things. And in the big scheme of things, throughout the entire community, the county, there's so much more going on than just these hot-button items,” Conley said.

The post State of the county meeting includes Q&A session Oct. 20 at Lincoln Elementary appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — The Warsaw Municipal Airport is facing increased scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration over what to do about County Road 100 East. 

Long-term plans have looked at eventually expanding the east-west runway, but CR 100E literally stands in the way of that idea, and local residents made it clear nearly voiced opposition to closing the road nearly a decade ago. 

On top of that, the airport was recently informed by the FAA that the road issue has moved up in its priority status, and considers it a safety risk because of the potential for aircraft slide-offs, said Airport manager Nick King, who brought up the issue Tuesday while speaking with the Kosciusko County Commissioners.

King said an FAA memo makes it clear that if the road is not removed, either by converting it into a tunnel or somehow rerouting it, that the federal government could remove a minimum of 1,000 feet of runway space.

"It could be up to 1,500 feet of physical asphalt, which would make it so that none of our jets would be able to operate out of the airport anymore,” King said. “And that's something that terrifies me.” 

King said the airport has made it clear they oppose closing the road, and he said he thinks there's growing support to construct a tunnel. 

He speculated that the cost of such a project could range from $13 million to $20 million.

The road has become a key north-south arterial roadway in the community, he said.

“That's where a lot of emergency traffic goes, a lot of school bus traffic, and we do not want to be a hindrance to that at all,” King said.

“That's why it's one of the things that we are working very, very hard on, and we just need the public to be aware this is something that is coming, and we all need to work together to try and put the best plan forward,” he said.

 A decision on the matter is still years away, but King said there's a growing sense of urgency from the federal government.

County Commissioner Bob Conley, referencing the past anger about that idea of closing the road, said he appreciated the update and how the airport is looking at different options.

King said expansion of the runway is not among the airports top current priorities.

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WARSAW — Kosciusko County officials appear to be pumping the brakes on plans for a city-county parking garage in downtown Warsaw. 

County Commissioner Cary Groninger, who has been the only firm supporter of the plan among the three commissioners, was asked Tuesday where the proposal stands.

“We're still in the process of trying to come up with what type of project or if we're even going to build a project,” Goninger said.

His comments came just days after a “visioning” group with the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative was lobbying in support of the $15 million proposal by distributing brochures to downtown merchants.

County officials have said in the past that they need more parking for downtown employees as well as the public, but concerns about property tax impact have clouded the issue, as well as two other unrelated library spending plans that have faced votes in recent weeks. 

News Now Warsaw spoke with Groninger after Tuesday’s meeting of the commissioners and was asked if there is a timeline.

“Not yet,” Groninger said. “I think we'll have a decision in the next six months, whether or not we're moving forward or … to hold.”

City and county officials have been discussing the construction of a parking garage for two years, with both sides saying the need for more parking is necessary to shore up the lack of convenient parking for county employees and the public who visit the county justice building.

The city says a parking garage would boost economic development, and county officials say it would free up more space for the long-term need for jail expansion.

Hanging in the balance is $5 million from the OIRI fund, but access to that money provided by state lawmakers is set to expire in 2027.

Conley and Mitchell have both acknowledged the need for more parking but have been reserved in their comments. 

Conley’s primary election opponent, Don Wiesehan, announced his opposition to the parking garage earlier this year and ended up winning the primary.

Groninger contends the county's share of money for the project is already set aside with money from its EDIT fund. 

The county has already acquired land for the property on Fort Wayne Street through eminent domain.

The post County’s decision on city-county parking garage in Warsaw not expected any time soon appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Don Wiesehan won his Republican primary race against five-term incumbent Bob Conley for the Kosciusko County Commissioner's Southern District seat in what turned out to be the most anticipated contest in the county. 

Wiesehan claimed nearly 3,000 votes and a 56-percent margin against Conley, who was first elected 19 years ago.

Wiesehan campaigned against the proposed city-county parking garage, which faces a possible vote later this year.

He also pledged to serve no more than two terms in office and has proposed that one of the commissioner's monthly meetings be held at night to make it more accessible to the public. 

“I think the voice of the people really did speak tonight,” Wiesehann said at a Republican gathering at Matt Anthony's in downtown Warsaw after results were finalized.

He said he thinks the parking garage became a defining factor.

"A lot of the people out in the community don't want it,” he said. “I think some of it was how it may have been presented or not presented. I think that has to be educated across the people," he said.

"I still say it's not something that we need to venture out into because there's a lot of stress on our community people now," he said.

Warsaw leaders and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce have been strong proponents of constructing a parking garage, which would be funded in part with $5 million from the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative.

The county has already acquired land for the project north of the Z Hotel.

This year's contest for commissioner marked the second time Wiesehan challenged Conley for the seat.

Four years ago, Wiesehan collected 26% of the vote in a four-way contest in which Conley won 50.5 percent of the vote.

Wiesehan worked for 25 years with the sheriff’s office and now works with Parkview Health, providing security.

Conley owns a barber shop on South Buffalo in Warsaw and has been a reserve officer with the sheriff’s office for some 50 years.

Meanwhile, in another contested county race, incumbent Kimberly Cates won 56% of the vote against challenger Thaddeus Du Bois for the county council District 1 seat.

Du Bois' campaign was complicated a few weeks ago after he announced he plans to soon move out of the district from his home in North Webster to a residence south of Warsaw.

His decision to move was prompted by opposition to a sewer district.

Two Congressional races also came into focus Tuesday.

Jamee Decio will be the Democratic nominee in the general election for Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District by capturing 72 percent of the vote against North Manchester resident Shaun Maeyens.

Kelly Thompson is the primary winner for the Democratic Party in the 3rd District Congressional race. She was unopposed and will face incumbent Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman in the general election

Stutzman won 72 percent of the vote against Jon Kenworthy.

Voter turnout in Kosciusko County for the election was just 12 percent.

Comparatively, the 2022 primary saw a 21 percent turnout.

The post Wiesehan wins primary against Conley, credits parking garage opposition appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Commissioners will soon host a public meeting to discuss the planned city-county parking garage in downtown Warsaw.

The county's been studying the idea for more than two years and has acquired property along Fort Wayne Street, north of the courthouse, for the proposed parking garage.

But no final, definite vote of support has happened yet.

The commissioners were asked on Tuesday at their meeting about their thoughts going forward. None of the three voiced strong opposition, in part because of the need for more parking.

Commissioner Cary Groninger said the county is already short about 100 parking spaces for its own employees, and also cited heavy foot traffic at the Justice Building. 

Officials estimate 7,000 to 10,000 people visit the Justice Building each month.

“Those are a couple of things that are just a real need that we see, and with the additional growth that's happening in the downtown, parking's going to become more and more of a premium," Groninger said.

“We're trying to get out ahead of that curve," he said.

The county's use of federal ARPA money in recent years, he said, has allowed it to set aside money for other projects.

“We have a nice, healthy balance in our EDIT fund that we're able to do this with cash and wouldn't have to borrow any money,” Groninger said.

He also said the county is also looking at eventually using the recently refurbished parking lot north of the jail for future Justice Building expansion — a move that would lead to more parking demand.

Commissioners Bob Conley and Sue Ann Mitchell said they're both still studying the issue.

“We have to be very careful. We have to know that if this moves forward, it has got to be paid for in full,” Mitchell said.

“There is no way that we can go into debt in order to support that,” she said.

A date for the upcoming public meeting has not yet been announced.

Officials said they are aware of some opposition from the public, much of which has been aired online.

“It's a big, difficult decision, and input is welcome — I welcome anybody to share with me what their thoughts are with solid facts, why we should or shouldn't move forward,” Mitchell said.

Conley said Saturday at a candidate forum that he has not yet made up his mind on the issue.

Conley faces Don Wiesehan for the southern district commissioner in the May 5 Republican primary.

Wiesehan said he currently opposes the plan.

If elected, Wiesehan would not take office until January.

The commissioners said they don't have a timetable for deciding whether to support a parking garage, but it appears a vote could happen later this year.

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WARSAW — A GOP candidate forum at the Warsaw Community Public Library Saturday afternoon touched on many topics, including whether the two candidates for Kosciusko County Commissioners support the proposed city-county parking garage.

Incumbent county commissioner Bob Conley and his primary opponent, Don Wiesehan,  were both asked to address the issue.

The county, which would operate the parking garage south of the courthouse, has already acquired land for the project and is working with the city of Warsaw on the joint venture.

Numerous city and county officials have expressed support for the parking garage, but ultimately, the decision is in the hands of the county commissioners.

Conley said the county and the downtown are facing parking challenges, but sounded noncommittal.

He stressed that no decision has been made, and if it is found to be necessary and feasible, he believes the commissioners will support it.

The project would rely in part on $5 million from the $30 million Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative, with more support coming from the city and county.

Supporters say the $5 million is a rare chance to support the project that might not otherwise be affordable.

Coney spoke first.

"If it's determined that the parking garage is a feasible answer to that ... I'm sure we would all — especially the commissioners — would take a long, hard look at that and make a determination based on what is best for the economy and the downtown area," Conley said.

Wiesehan said parking garages tend to require a lot of maintenance and upkeep, and he said the county needs to focus on adequately maintaining what they already have.

He said he thinks the county needs to first focus on maintaining its existing properties before looking at other projects.

He said he thinks parking garages often require significant maintenance and upkeep.

Weisehan said it comes down to fiscal responsibility.

"I am not, right now, for a parking garage," he said.

Both men also addressed an issue at a recent GOP fish fry in which supporters for Wiesehan claimed Conley had declined to serve those wearing Wiesehan shirts. 

Conley said he walked around at the event ready to provide more fish to those who were seated, but that Wiesehan's supporters did not reach out to him. He said it was a matter of people just raising their hands to alert him.

"They wanted fish, and all they had to do was state so. They never did," Conley said.

"My opponent was there for two hours, at six o'clock, the crowd thinned out. They weren't coming in the door (and) he quit," Conley said.

Wiesehan then disputed that last claim.

The annual fish fry continued until 7 p.m.

At some point, Wiesehan said he began talking to guests instead of serving fish. He said it's hard to shake hands when you're wearing big, heavy fish fry gloves.

"I was there the whole time, Bob, and I don't appreciate you saying I wasn't," Wiesehan said. "Was I serving fish the entire time? No, I was not."

About ten candidates participated in the two-hour event hosted by the Republican Women's Club.

Numerous questions focused on the state legislature’s attempts to provide property tax reform.

Lawmakers passed significant changes two years ago and then adjusted them again this year. 

Several county officials said they expect more changes next year as local taxing units struggle with the notion of reduced revenues needed to cover services.

County Councilman Dave Wolkins said the problem does not involve the legislature, but rather local boards that keep proposing new spending measures.

He lays the blame on local leaders.

“It's our local boards, it's our Kosciusko County Council, it's your city council, it's your library. We have a hard time saying no,” Wolkins said.

“We've got lots of requests coming in (and) The first question that's always asked is do we have the money, and yes we do … so it's very difficult for us to say no,” he said.

The post Conley and Wiesehan discuss parking garage and spar over fish fry claims appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — For the second consecutive year, Kosciutko County will provide $500,000 to support projects at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.

The county had already set aside the $500,000 from its EDIT fund and formally approved the request by Airport Manager Nick King on Tuesday.

The request won unanimous support.

The money will cover just about half of the cost for what is expected to be a three-year rehabilitation of the east-west runway.

King said the runway is so rough that it's a top issue for pilots.

King explained at length that the airport board has worked to line up available grant money and work ahead on engineering and prep work so they could be ready when grant money becomes available.

He said the county's support has "really propelled the airport" with different projects.

* * *

To watch Nick King explain the benefits of working together,
click on the link and start at the 38:30 mark.

* * *

In some instances, money from the county has freed up other airport money to use for engineering.

“When you look at our total projects that we’re doing between ‘24 and ‘25 — with power lines, the runway rehab, the taxi lane rehab ... we will be just shy of $12 million total in project costs at the airport," King said. "So we’re getting a 10-to-1 return on our money.

King said in some instances, the airport's customer base, primarily orthopedic, is helping efforts to line up financial support.

Officials from Slate Auto, he said, used the airport several times recently as they visit the city with plans of opening an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Warsaw in the next year.

King predicted Slate could very well add to the airport's growing base of corporate traffic.

Groninger sounded pleased with the arrangement and recent developments.

The financial support comes after the city sought to establish an airport authority about three years ago that would have required the establishment of a special tax fund.

That idea was turned back, and instead, the city and county have found what appears to be a workable compromise in the annual distribution of financial support.

"You've done a really good job here of trying to have projects engineered and ready to go and when the opportunity's there, you've been able to execute," Groninger said.

Fellow commissioner Bob Conley momentarily sounded less than thrilled after officials signed off on the request.

"Use it to the best of your ability. That's all you're getting is $500,000," Conley said.

The post Kosciusko County sends $500,000 to city for airport runway improvements appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The debate over whether to rezone 550 acres from agriculture to Industrial 3 that would have opened the door for a data center near Leesburg was rejected by the Kosciusko County Commissioners by a 3-0 vote on Tuesday morning.

[caption id="attachment_108766" align="alignright" width="279"] A few of the many opponents at Tuesday's meeting wore anti-data center caps. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The commissioners were given a unanimous recommendation against the rezoning from the area plan commission and heard more than an hour of debate Tuesday on the matter, for those and against.

The debate pitted whether to allow a massive data center that could generate upward of $30 million in tax revenue for the county against the desire by many residents to preserve the agricultural environment and way of life.

Many of those opposed to the plan said they were not opposed to the concept of a data center but were strongly opposed to the location, while the attorney for Prologis, Steve Snyder said the land northwest of Leesburg was the ideal location because of its proximity to a NIPSCO substation that connected three massive transmission lines.

He also discounted the idea offered by some that Prologis should find a new location and run electrical lines to it. He argued it would be expensive and incredibly time-consuming.

Snyder also pointed out that even if the rezoning was approved, the plan would still need approval for an exception by the county board of zoning appeals, which would review performance standards.

Attorney Jack Birch, representing those opposed to the rezoning, told the commissioners that the 8-0 Recommendation by the plan commission stood out as one of the most important considerations.

Two of the three commissioners, Cary Groninger and Sue Ann Mitchell, said they spent a lot of time researching the issue. They also said that otherwise they normally support economic development and business plans.

The location and public opinion seemed to carry a lot of weight.

"The rezoning of property should be denied because it's not a reasonable and prudent location for this type of development," Mitchell said.

"This unique, challenging project and the limitations and problems associated with the current proposed location have not been overcome by the petitioner. In light of these considerations, I concur with my fellow commissioners," Groninger said.

Bob Conley echoed the words of Valparaiso's mayor, where a similar plan was considered.

"Our citizens have spoken. Our area plan department has spoken, and now our county commissioners are speaking," he said.

The post Commissioners pull the plug on data center rezoning request appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The first segment of the trail planned along Old Road 30 turned out to be slightly more expensive than expected.

The Kosciusko County Park Board received five bids for the Chinworth Trail extension, which will head west to Creighton's Crazy Egg restaurant.

County Park Board President Rob Bishop presented their plan to the commissioners Tuesday morning.

The lowest bid came in at $970,247 but about $400,000 of that will be used to correct a long-standing drainage problem in the area, which Bishop said was brought to their attention by nearby residents.

"We essentially have in excess of about $400,000 increase in our costs due to drainage costs that we did not expect to run into," Bishop said. "So that left us a little short."

As a result, the commissioner agreed to cover the remaining cost with EDIT dollars.

The county is using $750,000 for the entire project from the American Rescue Plan Act made available by Congress during the pandemic.

The commissioners previously said they didn't want to use tax dollars for trail projects but it was pointed out that some of the ARPA money in this project will be used to cover some of the drainage repairs.

Commissioner Bob Conley said they don't want cost overruns to be common with parks projects.

"A big concern, too, Rob, is ongoing maintenance and that type of thing, that it doesn't dwarf into something with a full-blown county-wide parks department with trucks and semis and bull-dozers. We've seen that happen. That's one of the things we discussed before we initiated this whole thing. That's not what we expected," Conley said.

Bishop responded, "I understand that."

"That needs to be uppermost in your thoughts," Conley said.

The post Chinworth Bridge trail extension project approved by county with a warning at the end appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

SIDNEY — The town of Sidney could have blazing-fast broadband service by the end of July.

That’s according to Kosciusko Connect, which is laying fiber optic in a move set forth by Kosciusko County, facilitated by a committee known as HELP (Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program) and funded with federal ARPA money.

Officials celebrated the plan to provide internet service Thursday at the Sidney-Jackson Fire Department

"It would be a shame to see small towns die out,” said Town Council Member Sharon Rancourt.  “We are on a path of growth and as we’ve said … we plan to leave this town better than when we stepped into it."

The chance to provide internet service ended up piggybacking on the need to construct another emergency service communication tower which was recently erected on the town's east side.

Town Board President Gavin Parrett and county commissioners Bob Conley and Cary Groninger talked about the importance of not only providing internet service, but eliminating a final weak spot in the emergency responder radio system.

Groninger said it was exciting to see the progress that’s been made and congratulated the town on “stepping into the 21st century.”

“Hopefully this gives them the tools they need to be able to attract people to live here and be part of Kosciusko County,” he said.

The town of some 120 people is viewed as the last in the county to still lack internet service, 

Duke Bennett, executive director of the Office of Community Rural Affairs for Indiana participated in the celebration.

His office, better known as OCRA, provided technical support. He said there are still a lot of small communities across the state in the same situation as Sidney and that expanding inernet coverage to those still lacking remains a huge challenge.

“It’s going to take a lot of money. My guess is it will take another $500 million to have an impact." Bennett said.

Curt Barkey, Kosciusko Connect's vice president of technology and broadband,  said Kosciusko Connect’s minimum internet speed is 100 Mbps, but also offers a 500 Mbps package.

“We’re going to blow you guys out of the water,” Barkey said, drawing an excited collection of laughs from the crowd.

An ice cream social is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in which Kosciusko Connect will provide details on hooking up to the service. Town residents are encouraged to attend.

[caption id="attachment_95110" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger addresses a crowd assembled at rhe Sidney Jackson Fire station Thursday. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_95114" align="aligncenter" width="1022"] A ribbon cutting celebrating the upcoming arrival of internet service in Sidey was part of Thursday's ceremony. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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