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.

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WARSAW — News reports about Flock cameras continue to surface almost daily as anger and questions over the police practice grow across Indiana and much of the country.

Use of the cameras by police has angered many who believe the technology violates people's right to privacy, but police contend it's become a good tool to catch criminals.

Growing opposition has led some communities to reconsider their plans.

On Monday, Marshall County took a step to potentially rein in its use of the cameras when it voted to no longer automatically renew the county's contract with the company.

The vote does not automatically get rid of Flock cameras in the county, but it ensures it won’t be renewed without a vote. 

County Commissioner Jesse Bohannon, who opposed the Flock camera agreement several years ago when he was a county council member, has been an outspoken critic of the cameras. 

“What had been sort of a slow trickle of cities and towns and counties having second.

News Now Warsaw now talked with Bohannon prior to Monday's vote.

“I brought it up just to kind of test the waters and see where the rest of the local officials were at, and there's just a lot of caution right now,” Bohannon said.

Marshall County's contract with Flock comes up for renewal in September of 2027. 

Concerns stretch from the grassroots level to Congress.

Last week, 3rd District Congressman Marlon Stutzman issued a statement saying that Flock  cameras “take surveillance too far and are violating the privacy of law-abiding citizens.”

Government, Stutzman said, has no business collecting that much data on individuals and tracking their movements. 

On Saturday, another nationwide Block Flock protest was promoted on social media.

There was no central location for the protest. Instead, those interested were encouraged to peacefully protest near the cameras.

More than 30 of the Flock cameras are apparently installed in Kosciusko County.

Jodie Cox, who lives south of Warsaw, is one of many people who have become familiar in recent months with the Flock camera technology and how they’re being used by law enforcement.

For more than two hours on Saturday, she stood alongside one of the cameras with a protest sign.

Reaction, she said, was strong.

“Lots of honks, lots of waves, lots of fists out of the side window,” Cox said Sunday.

Many pulled over to talk or ask questions.

A neighbor, she said, offered support and referred to her as a patriot.

She said she's upset that the local surveillance program was implemented several years ago with little public attention and that the use of the cameras appears to be highly unregulated.

“I didn't know what they were. I had no idea …  And then when one popped up on (State Road) 25, I'm just like, ‘this is insane.’ ”

An opposition website, deflock.org, documents the location of more than 130,000 Flock cameras and claims that more than 100 communities have rejected the use of the devices.

Kosciusko County Councilwoman Rachael Rhoades also expressed her opposition on Facebook. She pointed out several concerns and wrote (in part):

"If you believe in the Constitution and you believe in our freedom and rights as a people of the United States of America, this is a clear violation of those rights. Though many things will be pitched as a benefit or help to the community state or nation. We need to be careful that we do not surrender the Freedoms and Liberty that our for father’s fought to protect and provide."

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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.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County will soon seek bids for repairs on part of the Justice Building’s exterior that collapsed unexpectedly in August, as well as other areas that were found to have cracks.

County Commissioner Cary Groninger said this week that they expect drawings that will be part of the engineer's proposal to be ready in April and that they hope to receive bids on the work in the following weeks.

Several horizontal limestone slabs crashed down from above a secondary entrance to the Justice Building along Lake Street on Aug. 29, causing significant damage but no injuries.

Soon after, engineers began assessing the immediate damage and then expanded the scope of review to the entire building for other potential weak points.

Groninger said they identified about 35 cracks, all in the older northern part of the building, which was constructed in 1980.

Wooden structural supports are currently being used in eight areas along part of Lake Street and West Main Street.

Repair plans are now taking on a holistic approach, he said.

He said they also plan to replace some of the anchors that hold panels in place with a more modern version.

“We’re working through getting that accomplished as well as making sure the facade of the building doesn’t look like a checkerboard when we’re done, so we don’t have an old panel and a new panel, old panel, new panel,” Groninger said. “Maybe even replace more panels than what we need to make sure we have some consistency in what the facade of the building looks like,” Groniger said.

He said the commissioners could have an update as soon as their April 7 meeting.

A rough cost estimate will also become known soon, he said.

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WARSAW — Former Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson — eager to get back into political governance — has found a quicker way to join county council.

Jackson, who served 28 years as a commissioner before deciding to retire in 2024, had announced in September his plans to run for county council's 1st District seat next year, which would mean he'd be seated more than a year from now (if elected). 

But then he received a call Thursday night from a county council member who alerted him that they had just learned another council member, Delynn Geiger, had unexpectedly announced his resignation, effective one day later.

Jackson, 63, thought about the unexpected development, talked with a few people, including the county Republican Party Chairman Mike Ragan, and within hours, announced plans to seek Geiger’s at-large seat through a Republican caucus that has not even yet been announced.

Ragan announced Friday night that the caucus will be held Jan. 6.

The move, if successful, would mean Jacksson could be seated in early January — a year sooner than previously planned.

He said the change "makes perfect sense" and points out the council could face some tough budget decisions that could loom next year as changes in state law likely affect the amount of property tax revenue that can be collected.

"There's a lot of changes with Senate Bill 1 and things like that, and I'd just like to be part of that," Jackson said Friday afternoon.

Jackson was asked if quickly announcing might deter others from considering a run in the caucus process, which will be decided by precinct committee members from across the county.

"I don't know if it would or not, but I think it's good to get your name out as quickly as you decide," Jackson said. "To me, it seems like a pretty easy decision. I already decided to run, so do I want to run and be in a year sooner or not?"

Geiger was elected a year ago and said in a letter to Ragan that the decision was based on his family's increasing activities outside of the county.

Three years remain in Geiger's term, which could be an enticing reason for others to consider running.

Jackson said he was unsure if the immediate opening on the council would attract much interest.

"I hope not, but I don't know," he said.

The caucus process would also be less expensive than running a campaign and would be decided by Republican party faithful, many of whom he has built relationships with over more than two decades.

Jackson's original election bid involved a potential match-up against Kimberly Cates, a fellow Republican who has not announced whether she plans to seek re-election.

Jackson said he reached out to Cates after Thursday's decision and that they had a "pleasant conversation."

The post Jackson changes gears, will run for county council seat vacated by Geiger appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Sue Ann Mitchell looked beyond keeping a comfortable seat on Kosciusko County Council and took a last-minute gamble in February — hours before the filing deadline — to file for the northern district county commissioner seat.

The post County councilwoman Mitchell tops two others in race for commissioner appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson, who did not file for re-election for the May primary, announced Friday he will be retiring from the position at the end of his current term.

He also announced he is endorsing fellow Republican Nate Scherer as his replacement. Jackson’s term ends Dec. 31.

Scherer filed for the northern district county commissioner seat and faces Republicans Marcia Baumgartner and County Councilwoman Sue Ann Mitchell in the upcoming primary.

In a statement from Jackson, he said, “After 28 years of serving you, as commissioner, I have decided to retire. I love our county and want to help make sure another leader carries on in service to you.

“Nate Scherer checks the two main boxes I look for in a government leader. He is a Christian and a proven business leader. I have always said we need businesspeople to run our government, not politicians.

“Nate founded, operated and sold a successful manufacturing business. He has a very flexible job with the company that purchased his business.

“Nate is young, has high morals, is accomplished in business, and has the time to dedicate to serving you as the northern district commissioner. This is not a common combination to find in a person.

“Nate was born and raised in Kosciusko County. He is raising his family here and wants to make it a place where our young people choose to stay and raise their children.

“While I have resisted endorsing candidates in the past, I am publicly endorsing and putting my full support behind Nate Scherer as candidate for northern district commissioner,” Jackson concluded.

The post Retiring county commissioner Brad Jackson endorses candidate Nate Scherer appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Town Councilman Nathan Scherer has announced his candidacy for Kosciusko County Commissioner.

Scherer announced his intention Thursday to run for the position of Kosciusko County Northern Commissioner, which is currently held by longtime commissioner Brad Jackson.

In his announcement, Scherer said he aims to tackle the challenges facing the county and ensure a prosperous future for its residents.

Scherer has spent the majority of his life in Kosciusko County. He and his wife, Lauren, have four children.

Scherer acquired Patrick Industries at the age of 23 and managed it with proficiency for nearly two decades, the news announcement said.

He owned a business in Noble County from 2004 to 2020 until Patrick Industries acquired it. Doing so freed up his time and flexibility to serve, according to a story by The Goshen News.

That experience provided him with valuable insights into the challenges that families in the community face, particularly in terms of job opportunities, economic stability, and childcare.

He’s served on the Noble County Economic Development Commission for seven years.

"As a family man, a community advocate, and a business leader, I am motivated to ensure that Kosciusko County remains a place of opportunity, growth, and strong family values," Scherer said.

Kosciusko County remains a place of opportunity, growth, and strong family values," Scherer said.

He’s been involved with the non-profit organization,  Joe’s Kids – and has coached various youth teams.

Scherer won the Republican nomination on the May ballot for a seat on the Syracuse Town Council.

Scherer said he believes that now is the time to serve the county "with fresh perspectives."

See Scherer's news release can be seen below.

Press Release Nathan Scherer (1)

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