WARSAW — Two community leaders expressed confidence this week that Warsaw's new downtown parking policy will benefit both store owners and motorists.

After years of considering some kind of change — and following months of revisions — Warsaw City Council gave final approval last week to a plan that retains the traditional two-hour free parking but encourages motorists who work in the downtown to rely more on other parking options.

A vote to approve was unanimous, and the plan drew very little opposition from the public.

The new policy relies on technology to track parked vehicles and introduces a new $25 fine for those whose vehicles go beyond the two-hour free period.

Motorists parking in front of downtown stores will be asked to use a kiosk or app if they plan for their vehicle to remain parked after two hours and would pay a $1 per hour plus $2 for the first two hours.

A fine could be assessed for anyone parked for two hours who does not continue the service with the app or kiosk.

More frequent turnover of parking spots in front of local stores is the main goal.

"They are going to be far more efficient, and I just think the experience for people, merchants, and visitors is going to be a lot better," said Mayor Jeff Grose, who joined Kociusko Chamber of Commerce CEO Rob Parker for this week's In The Know, a public affairs show that airs this weekend.

The city will soon begin promoting the change with insights about the app and the kiosk.

A probationary period will begin this spring, and the new policy will be fully enacted this summer.

"I love the idea that everybody can continue to have the two-hour free parking, and I love it when government is more efficient," Parker said.

The city will encourage daytime workers in the downtown to rely more on available parking lots that can be rented.

At the same time, the city is working on plans with Kociusko County officials to construct a parking garage.

Both Grose and Parker are big proponents of the proposed parking garage.

"This is a linchpin to some of the great projects we're projecting to happen in the downtown," Parker said. "Without that parking garage, it makes it difficult."

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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.

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LAKE COUNTY — The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the expansion of its worksite speed control pilot program.

The program, known as Safe Zones, will be expanded to include part of Interstate 65 in Lake County. The program is currently active in the Clear Path I-465/I-69 work zone on the northeast side of Indianapolis.

“Overall, the program has been successful in slowing drivers down,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “Slower speeds create safer conditions not only for road workers, but also for drivers and their passengers."

On or after Monday, July 7, Safe Zones enforcement will begin in the current I-65 construction zone, between mile markers 235 and 239 near Lowell. Safe Zones enforcement will also continue in the Clear Path zone in Marion County.

Once active, vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit will receive a violation notice via mail. The first violation results in a zero-fine warning, followed by a $75 civil fine for second violations, and a $150 civil fine for third and subsequent violations.

"Safety is the driving force behind this program," said Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor. "We want everyone to go home to their loved ones at the end of the day."

Safe Zones was authorized by the Indiana General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session through House Enrolled Act 1015. By statute, the program may be active at up to four sites at any given time. The program aims to protect the lives of motorists and road workers by slowing drivers down and reducing crashes in work zones.

How the Safe Zones work
The system documents vehicle speeds using truck-mounted speed timing devices as they pass through work zones. When a vehicle is traveling 11 mph or more than the posted speed limit, the system captures an image of the vehicle’s rear license plate. After data is validated, violations are certified and issued to the owner of the vehicle by mail. In accordance with state statute, collected fines go into the state’s General Fund.

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WARSAW -- A subcontractor working for Maple Leaf Farms of Leesburg is facing $1.5 million in fines after the federal government determined it was employing children who were working overnight shifts, using hazardous chemicals, and cleaning brisket saws.

Maple Leaf is one of 13 plants in eight states where the violations were documented.

The investigation by the U.S. Labor Department shows that at least 102 children as young as 13 were part of an investigation against Packers Sanitation Services, a subcontractor, from Wisconsin.

According to an investigation, the Packers Sanitation Services was employing two children at the Maple Leaf plant and fined more than $30,000.

In a comment sent to News Now Warsaw, Maple Leaf Farms said it has been closely monitoring the investigation of Packers Sanitation Services and their response to ensure corrective action has been taken to address any potential gaps in their hiring practices and that they are adhering to their own zero-tolerance policy for underage employment.

Maple Leaf Farms complies with all aspects of the Fair Labor Standards Act and other safety and labor regulations, and we expect all of our business partners to as well.

Other companies, including Tyson, JBS and Cargill Inc., were also found to be using employees with Packers Sanitation where instances of child labor violations were documented.

In some of those cases, the civil penalties against Packer Services were ten times larger.

To read the entire news release from the government, click here.

Maple Leaf Farm's entire comment can be seen below.

Maple Leaf Farms has been closely monitoring the Department of Labor (DOL) investigation and Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI) response to ensure corrective action has been taken to address any potential gaps in their hiring practices and that they are adhering to their own zero-tolerance policy for underage employment. Maple Leaf Farms complies with all aspects of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and other safety and labor regulations, and we expect all of our business partners to as well.

Below is a breakdown of violations against Packers Sanitation Services, the locations, the number of children involved and the resulting fines.

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