WARSAW — After 17 years of heading up the city’s deer task force, Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose has handed the job off to another leader in the task force, Todd Braddock.

Reflecting on the city program's legacy, Grose recalled the effort when he was charged with overseeing it while serving on city council.

The policy change was sought by two fellow educators, John Cook and Nate Howett, who came to Grose with concerns about the growing population of deer in the city. Grose then worked to gain the support of then-mayor Ernie Wiggins and city council.

"One resident said, "I love deer, I love Bambi, our family likes it, but Jeff — 40 deer in my back yard,' " Grose said.

The first vote attracted plenty of media attention from Fort Wayne and South Bend and city council approved the plan by a slim 4-3 vote.

Each year, the city, with cooperation from the police department, designate reduction zones and works with property owners to focus on problematic areas.

The reduction efforts are publicized each ear and continue as late as December with most efforts scheduled during weekdays.

So far this year, Grose reports 10 deer have been removed.

In the early years, the task force would cull as many as 75 deer in a season.

These days, it’s now more of a smooth-running maintenance program that’s turned high-tech.

At some point, the community embraced the service.

"I would say that at the decade mark, it was a switcheroo — the calls started coming in, 'When are you coming to our area,' " he said.

Grose also pointed out that the presence of city-approved archers has helped eliminate illegal hunting in part through large fines.

The first-term mayor made the comments during an interview for In The Know, the public affairs show that can be heard Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Grose also reflected on the continued growth of stores in the downtown business district, which now has a storefront vacancy approaching zero.

"The activity is unbelievable," Grose said, pointing out that many towns the size of Warsaw have struggled with downtown storefront vacancies.

"Boy, we're not seeing that here."

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

The post Once controversial, Warsaw Deer Task Force now in its 18th year appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

NORTH WEBSTER — Thirty-four year-old Rachel Rhoades kicked off her campaign for Kosciusko County council Thursday night with an unusually large gathering at the Owl's Nest in North Webster.

Rhoades is running for one of three at-large seats on county council, and her kickoff — just days after the 2023 election ended — was as big as it was early.

The number of those at the rally was estimated at about 150 and included even a few Democrats.

Former Elkhart Mayor and state lawmaker Tim Neese, who was in town for a separate campaign event, was caught off guard by the size of the North Webster gathering.

"I've never been to an event like this whether it was for a judge or a sheriff or whatever it might be," Neese said.

Rhoades was introduced and endorsed by State Sen. Ryan Mishler, who said Republicans could benefit form attracting more young people into the party. 

She also has the support of county council members Dave Wolkins and Tony Ciriello as well as a former county council member and former Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins.

County Commissioner Bob Conley voiced support for her.

"We have good people in office now, but if we're going to be a party that succeeds in the future, we have to dovetail experience and knowledge with youth and someone with a fire in the belly and this young lady has that," Conley said.

In her address, Rhoades didn’t mention any of her potential opponents by name and instead said she would strive to be a voice for taxpayers.

She and her family live in the Pierceton area. She's the mother of two and works or a family business, EF Rhoades and Sons and Cottage Watchman Security.

She’s involved with the Builders Association of North Central Indiana and the Indiana Builders Association.

The Republican primary is on May 7.

[caption id="attachment_85878" align="aligncenter" width="841"] Rachel Rhoades gives a short address Thursday night at the Owl's Nest in North Webster. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="85875"]

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WARSAW -- Warsaw city leaders wanted input on the downtown's future direction and they received plenty Monday night.

The 90-minute public meeting, held before the city council convened Monday night, sought ideas on how to improve the downtown and is a follow-up to the Hyett Palma study launched more than 21 years ago that has served as a guiding document for planning purposes.

A large crowd at city hall offered plenty of thoughts during a presentation led by Doyle Hyett and Dolores Palma.

“The good thing to us is you’re not satisfied … Good enough is not good enough,” Palma said.

“You definitely have a good downtown now. But you want to take your downtown from good to great. And that's what this 2.0 is all about,” she said.

The two consultants are in Warsaw this week reassessing where the downtown is headed and meeting with groups before they prepare a new action plan for the city.

The overall tone of the meeting was positive. Many gave high marks for the progress seen in the downtown in the past 20 years -- especially the relocation of the city hall from its small confines on High Street to an empty bank building in the center of the city.

Some voiced concern about parking and the need to finish the North Buffalo Street redevelopment that got sidetracked last year after the developer halted construction.

There appeared to be an emphasis on increased walkability and linkage to bike traffic. One woman said she wants the downtown to feel like a Hallmark movie but with more diversity.

There was an air of familiarity and appreciation for what Heyett and Palma have done in the past for the city.

Mayor Ernie Wiggins, who launched the original Hyett Palma report, attended Monday’s meeting and is involved in some of the discussions planned for later this week. He said the first plan served as a solid blueprint for the city.

Wiggins said the best thing he ever did as mayor was hire them to do the study.

"You know at one time, we were going to move city hall and move it out of the downtown. Frankly, they said that's a bad idea. I agreed with them," Wiggins said.

[caption id="attachment_78668" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Dolores Palma takes notes based on ideas tossed out by audience members Monday at city hall. Palma is part of a consulting firm, Hyett Palma, that focuses on downtown development. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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NORTH WEBSTER - Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch surprised Ernie Wiggins, former Warsaw councilman and mayor and Kosciusko County Councilman, with the Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Award Saturday night at the Kosciusko County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner.

[caption id="attachment_78362" align="alignright" width="300"] Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch (L) presents the Lieutenant Governor Leadership Award to Ernie Wiggins (R), former Warsaw mayor and councilman and county councilman, at Saturday’s Kosciusko County Lincoln Day Dinner. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.[/caption]

After that presentation, Indiana Sen. Ryan Mishler and Rep. Craig Snow surprised Kosciusko County Councilman and former state Rep. Dave Wolkins with a Sagamore of the Wabash, an honorary state award from Indiana’s governor.

In presenting her award to Wiggins, Crouch said, “Tonight, it’s my honor to recognize a man who is a businessman, a community leader and, really, the ultimate public servant as a city councilman, as mayor, county councilman.”

She called him up to the front of The Owl’s Nest where the dinner was held and gave him the award. It states, in part, “The lieutenant governor recognizes Hoosiers who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating outstanding community service, exemplary academic achievement or exceptional leadership in their communities. The state of Indiana values Hoosiers who are invested in Indiana’s future. Ernest has been active in his community, including as a public servant, and has shown a devotion to his fellow Hoosiers through community leadership and volunteerism.”

In presenting the Sagamore of the Wabash, before announcing the recipient was Wolkins, Snow said, “A number of months ago, last fall, I got a call from John Elliott. Many of you remember John. He was a great friend. I know he would be here if he could, but John kind of beat Ryan and I up for a while about nominating somebody for the Sagamore of the Wabash. And, tonight, we want to honor someone with that award.

“This man has served a lot of years in office. He’s been a high school teacher for many years, served on the Winona Lake Town Council for many years, served as a state legislator for 32 years, and he’s been my role model, my predecessor and I’m honored - along with Ryan - to award him with the Sagamore of the Wabash from our governor, Eric Holcomb. So, Dave Wolkins, will you please join us up here.”

After handing the award to Wolkins, Snow said, “About four years ago, Dave actually gave this award to John at the Optimist Club. So I thought it was fitting that John asked Ryan and I to submit this for Dave. I really wish (John) was here. John knew about this, so we got the award announced in December. We got the signature from the governor. And I called John and he was so excited and he was going to try to get here.”

After trying to find the right date to present the Sagamore to Wolkins, Snow said they finally were able to get it done.

“John, I know you’re looking down on us and I know you’re very proud of Dave, as we all are. Congratulations,” Snow said.

Snow handed Wolkins a photo of when Wolkins had presented Elliott with the Sagamore.

Elliott, a longtime local banker and community activist, died Jan. 8, 2023.

The post Wiggins and Wolkins honored at GOP dinner appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

Garber and Wiggins are both retiring while Puckett will assume the role of county treasurer in January.

Garber is the former park's superintendent for the city of Warsaw and Wiggins is a former mayor of Warsaw. Both joined council after retiring from their city roles.

Council celebrated with individual tokens of appreciation and cake.

[caption id="attachment_72367" align="aligncenter" width="800"] From left: council members Kathleen Groninger and Joni Truex; out-going auditor Michelle Puckett (who becomes the county treasurer in January) and council members Sue Ann Mitchell, Ernie Wiggins, Kimberly Cates and Mike Long. Garber was unable to attend due to illness. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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