WARSAW — No injuries were reported in what was apparently a fire inside a tank at the old RR Donnelley and Sons plant west of Warsaw.

The fire began roughly around 3:30 p.m. with several departments, including Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory and Atwood, responding.

Personnel with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management arrived on scene because of the nature of the fire. The Emergency Management Agency of Kosciusko County also responded to the fire.

No injuries were reported, according to WWFT Battalion Chief Rob Barker.

More details were expected to be released about the fire this morning, Barker said.

After decades of operating under the RR Donnelley name, the former magazine press facility was later sold to LSC Communications and then closed in 2023.

A Milwaukee investment firm is in the process of cleaning up the property with plans to redevelop the industrial site.

[caption id="attachment_93847" align="aligncenter" width="951"] Workers sit outside of the old Donnelley plant while firefighters work to extinguish a fire on the property. The company is being cleaned out in hopes of seeing it redeveloped. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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WINONA LAKE — From June to August, the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams will publish weekly lake toxin notifications to notify the public about dangerous levels of blue-green algae toxins.

You can sign up for toxin notifications here.

Blue-green algae are a photosynthesizing, increasingly prevalent, potentially toxin- producing family of bacteria natural to freshwater.

The “potentially” part works in two ways: not every species of blue-green produces toxins, and the toxin-producing species do not always produce toxin.

The Lilly Center’s research team collects water samples from the lake during the week;
the toxin team conducts a test to analyze whether the water sample contains the toxin
microcystin. Those registered for notifications can expect an email notification on Friday
morning with a link to the full results.

According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the safety threshold for microcystin toxin is 0.8 parts per billion (ppb). The safety threshold for human health concerns is 8.0 ppb.

Although less than 4 percent of samples in 2023 resulted in microcystin concentrations above the pet safety threshold, the Lilly Center will stay proactive in monitoring this threat. By zooming in on Kosciusko County’s major 14 lakes, the Lilly Center is laser-focused on empowering lake lovers with the information they need to stay safe in the water.

Blue-green algae research and toxin notifications are possible thanks to support from the K21 Health Foundation, Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation & Visitor Commission, and many other individual supporters.

To report a bloom sighting to the Lilly Center, call 574-372-5281 or email lakes@grace.edu.

The post Lilly Center offers notifications for blue-green algae toxin updates appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WINONA LAKE — This week, the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams identified a highly toxic blue-green algae bloom in Big Chapman Lake.

As a result, the Lilly Center urges lake residents to exercise caution and look for tell-tale signs of a blue- green algae bloom such as an oil spill-like appearance. When in doubt, stay out, the Lilly Center said in a news release issued Friday.

Thanks to a tip from a Chapman Lake resident, Lilly Center researchers conducted an
analysis of microcystin, a blue-green algae toxin, in the lake to identify any potential
threats.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management's threshold for pet safety is 0.8 parts per billion (ppb) and 8.0 ppb for human safety.

Initial lab results from water samples in the north channel of Nelly’s Bay indicated a toxin level of 160.4 ppb. Further tests showed that the bloom had dissipated somewhat and dropped to 1.7 ppb.

However, toxin results from a second channel in Nelly’s Bay showed a microcystin concentration of 41.3 ppb. Although the visible bloom may begin to dissipate in the
coming days, toxins may linger, the news release said.

Lake residents are encouraged take precautionary measures including avoiding contact
with the bloom, avoiding ingesting toxin-laden water, and rinsing lake water off with
fresh water. Pet owners are encouraged to keep their pets out of the water until after
the bloom has disappeared.

The main body of Big Chapman Lake had microcystin levels below the pet and human
safety threshold.Spotting a blue-green algae bloom is easy if you know the signs. A bloom will often have a pea soup or paint spill-like appearance and often be bright green or blue. Performing the “stick test” will help you identify the difference between harmless green algae and potentially toxic blue-green algae. Green algae is stringy and will hang off the stick, but blue-green algae will simply stir like paint.

If you spot a blue-green algae bloom or something you cannot identify, report it to the
Lilly Center by emailing lakes@grace.edu or calling 574-372-5281.

Supported by the K21 Health Foundation and the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation, and Visitor Commission, the Lilly Center conducts weekly sampling on 14 lakes and at seven public beaches throughout Kosciusko County. Samples are processed in the Lilly Center's lab, and results are posted to our website each Friday, beginning June 7.

Sign up for weekly toxin notifications at lakes.grace.edu/microcystin.

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INDIANAPOLIS -- An Air Quality Action Day warning by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management continues Thursday across all of Indiana due to high levels of particulate and smoke traveling from the Canadian wildfires.

Hazy conditions are expected again Thursday across the state.

Currently, IDEM said high particulate readings exist in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Muncie and Cincinnati. High particulate, or high-fine particle pollution, can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory issues.

IDEM encourages Hoosiers to reduce creating fine-particle pollution by starting fires for fire pits, barbeque or campfires.

Hoosiers are also encouraged to reduce outdoor activities to limit exposure to particulate, keep windows closed, and run air conditioning in a recirculation setting.

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