LEESBURG — Live Well Kosciusko is partnering with Francine’s Friends to bring breast cancer screenings directly to the Leesburg community.

The mobile unit will be located at Owens Fresh Meat Market (6287 SR 15, Leesburg) on Monday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This event is part of Live Well Kosciusko’s commitment to reducing barriers to care and
ensuring every woman in Kosciusko County has access to early detection services.

Women ages 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year are eligible for screening. Insurance will be billed when available, and assistance is offered to help ensure cost is not a barrier. To secure a preferred time, appointments are recommended, but walk-ins will be accommodated when possible.

“This event helps women have access to early detection services,” said Jessica Camarena of
Live Well Kosciusko. “If cost or access has been a barrier, we want you to know support is
available.”

Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography is a program of Parkview Health. For more
information, click here.

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WARSAW — Live Well Kosciusko is partnering with Parkview’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile to bring pediatric care directly to our local communities and families — just like the group's mobile mammography program, but instead, focused on children’s health.

The Care Mobile is a pediatric doctor’s office on wheels, staffed by Parkview Physicians Group – Pediatrics. It travels to neighborhoods across our area to provide well-child visits, sick visits, immunizations, screenings, and more.

Services are available for children 0–18 years old, and no‑charge care is offered for families without insurance, helping remove barriers to quality health care.

In a news release, Live Well Kosciusko said they're grateful to Parkview Health and Ronald McDonald House Charities for making this mobile care possible, as well as K21 Health Foundation and Health First Kosciusko for their support.

Here is the schedule:

• March 3 at Baker Youth Club, 1401 E. Smith St., Warsaw
• March 10 at Leesburg Lions, 114 W. School St., Leesburg
• March 16, Baker Youth Club, 1401 E. Smith St., Warsaw
• March 25, Warsaw Community Public Library, 310 E. Main St., Warsaw

The post Live Well Kosciusko announces mobile health service for pediatrics appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

News Release

WINONA LAKE — K21 Health Foundation announced grants totaling $1.2 million to nonprofit organizations whose projects improve the health and wellness of Kosciusko County residents.

“K21 is committed to impacting the residents of Kosciusko County,” said Rich Haddad, K21 Health Foundation president and CEO.

“These grants clearly connected to our purpose — wellness for generations  — advancing the health and well-being of all ages here in our community,” he said.

K21 Health Foundation awards grants focused on four key Health Pillars: Community Culture & Wellbeing, Direct Services & Prevention, Health Access & Opportunity and Youth Development & Activity.

The 2025 fourth quarter grant recipients are:

• Brightpoint - Covering Kids & Families Health Insurance Program
• Combined Community Services - Fresh Produce Program
• Combined Community Services - Self-Sufficiency Programs
• KCV Cycling Club - Winona Lake Bike Park Development: Phase 2 Funding
• Kosciusko Community YMCA - 2026 LIVESTRONG Program
• Kosciusko County Senior Services - Senior Activity Center Programs
• Live Well Kosciusko - Health and Well-Being Programs
• Magical Meadows - Organizational Growth Support
• Pavilion Help Center - Help Center Program
• Pavilion Help Center - Healthcare Assistance Fund
• Questa Education Foundation - K21 Questa Scholars Program

For more information and to learn more about K21 Health Foundation’s grantmaking, visit k21healthfoundation.org or contact Angie Summers, operations manager, at angie@k21healthfoundation.org or 574-269-5188.

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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Kosciusko County's Health First Indiana agreed in September to provide $10,000 for a new program that helps address food insecurity, and the timing could not be better. 

The Kosciusko Food Security Coalition leveraged $10,000 of Health First Indiana money to provide nearly seven thousand pounds of high-quality protein to families in need, said a news release from HFI.

That money was used to help provide 6,7000 pounds of ground pork that was then sent to the Milford Food Bank where it was distributed to 38 partners organizations, including food pantries, recovery homes and churches with community meal programs.

It was a cooperative effort coordinated by Live Well Kociusko and the food insecurity coalition and benefited 3,300 families at a time when many low-income families faced a temporary loss of food stamps while also dealing with rising grocery prices, said Liz McCullough, coordinator for HFI.

HFI described the arrangement in a news release as a major victory for local food security efforts.

The money will be used as part of the food coalition's “Meating the Need” program that provides high-quality protein to those in need.

"This one is a brand new program and ... for the first year of doing it, I thought it was pretty amazing," McCullough told News Now Warsaw.

She said she hopes HFI can help provide more money to the program next year.

She participated in a group call this week with people involved in working to offset food insecurity that focused in part on the future needs.

"All the prices of everything are increasing ... and they said the need is not going to go away anytime soon," she said.

The post Kosciusko’s Health First Indiana funds distribution of 6,700 pounds of meat to those in need appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Live Well Kosciusko is partnering with Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography, St. Anthony’s United Methodist Church and the Kosciusko County Free Clinic to bring mobile breast cancer screenings to the community from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The event will be at St. Anthony’s United Methodist Church, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw.

Screenings are available to women ages 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months and who have a primary care provider to receive the results, according to a provided news release.

Insurance will be billed, and assistance is available for those without insurance.

Walk-ins will be accepted as time allows, but appointments are strongly encouraged.

To schedule, call 260-483-1847.

“This event helps ensure more women in our county have access to critical early detection services,” said Jessica Camarena of Live Well Kosciusko. “If cost or access has been a barrier, we want you to know support is available.”

To learn more about Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography, click here for the website.

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WARSAW – With the increase in the cost of tobacco products that began on July 1, many may see this as an ideal opportunity to consider quitting tobacco.

The tax on packs of cigarettes rose by about $2 on July 1.

Whether motivated by health, financial goals, or the desire for a fresh start, Hoosiers across the state are being encouraged to take advantage of the many free and effective tools available to support their journey toward a tobacco-free life.

Support systems and evidence-based programs are in place to help make quitting more
attainable than ever. “We are dedicated to helping individuals who want to quit tobacco use by providing them with the necessary support and tools to succeed,” said Jessica Camarena, Vice President of Programs at Live Well Kosciusko.

In addition to helping adults quit, tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective tools to prevent youth tobacco use. As prices rise, fewer young people start using tobacco products.

Indiana’s new tax increase is expected to prevent more than 10,000 youth from becoming adults who smoke and reduce the number of young adults who smoke by more than 2,200.
The initiative provides clear pathways for Hoosiers seeking help to quit:

• Consulting their healthcare provider for medical advice on cessation
• Quit Now Indiana – Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), text READY to 34191, or visit
  QuitNowIndiana.com to receive guidance from tobacco cessation coaches
• Engaging with local tobacco prevention coalitions for additional resources
  Programs like Quit Now Indiana are vital for providing essential cessation resources to
  Hoosiers. In 2024, Quit Now Indiana served over 8,400 Hoosiers last year, which is a return on investment of nearly $12 million among those that successfully quit. For every $1 spent on Quit Now Indiana, the state saves nearly $10.

Indiana has made progress in reducing smoking rates over time, but tobacco use still places a
heavy burden on public and economic health. Healthcare costs in Indiana directly caused by
smoking are estimated at $3.4 billion annually.
With strong statewide efforts and continued focus on prevention and cessation, health officials
remain optimistic that more Hoosiers will take this critical step toward a tobacco-free life.

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WARSAW — A Clubhouse that would offer support for those with mental health issues could open in Warsaw this summer.

Chris Fancil, whose career has spanned EMS and firefighting, learned about the Clubhouse concept when he was helping set up the CARES program with Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory.

He’s spent much of this year working to establish a Clubhouse. He serves as the executive director of the proposed Warsaw Cubhouse and has office space with Live Well Kosciusko in the K21 Health Pavilion.

A similar clubhouse existed in Warsaw some 15 years ago, and Fancil believes it could benefit the community.

The Clubhouse concept is fairly simple. Participants meet regularly at the clubhouse and share activities as a way of building camaraderie. There is also a component that helps get them back into the workforce if that's something they want to achieve.

A call-out meeting last week attracted about 20 people, including two who were part of the original group and spoke in favor of its return.

The turnout, he said, was encouraging.

“One young lady who had been a member of the previous clubhouse explained that she had actually got married in that clubhouse because it was so important in her life,” Fancil said.

Fancil is currently working on financing, certification, and hiring staff.

A temporary clubhouse would be opened before a permanent house is found.

“We are actually talking about finding a temporary space and getting started in July … We want to start as soon as possible because we know the benefit is huge,” Fancil said.

Fancil spoke to News Now Warsaw for In the Know, the public affairs show that can be heard this weekend.

Nationally, instances of depression have increased significantly across the country since the pandemic, and Fancil said the Clubhouse would be a good first step to help those who are struggling to help them integrate them back into society.

 “By getting people out of their homes, getting them to come and join us and spend good time with us and spend some quality interaction with us helps with depression and anxiety more than you could believe, really,” Fancil said. “Just because we’re there together and they’re not alone.”

He's working to line up money through a variety of sources, including Health First Indiana, K21 Health Foundation and possibly Bowen Center.

Unlike the first Clubhouse, Fancil said the new one would not require anyone to be aligned with counseling services through a specific organization.

*  *  * 

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 Mental health ‘Clubhouse’ could open this summer, executive director says appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The Clubhouse is a concept that supports those struggling with mental health issues and has been around nationally since the 1940s.

There used to be one in Warsaw, but Live Well Kosciusko is seeking to revive that tradition.

Chris Fancil began working on the project six months ago after leaving his position as director of CARES, which is part of the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory.

Fancil and others want to create a Kosciusko County Mental Health Clubhouse, and will host a call out inviting anyone wanting to get involved to attend a meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday at The Gathering Place in downtown Warsaw.

They specifically want to attract people who have struggled with mental illness to come out and learn more and consider getting involved.

Organizers want to gauge the level of interest and then report back on future plans.

Fancil said there used to be a Clubhouse in Warsaw years ago and wants to revive it.

"Clubhouse International is all over the world. There are hundreds of Clubhouses (and) there are quite a few around us already," Fancil said.

Other communities, including Elkhart and Goshen, have their own Clubhouses and see significant participation. Fanceil said that, given Kosciusko County’s population, he thinks there is enough potential support for one in Warsaw.

The idea is to bring people together, create a sense of unity, and operate a clubhouse.

It's intended for adults who would still live independently on their own and it's not a group home.

House tasks such as cutting the grass and chores, would be expected to grow a sense of unity.

"But we do all these tasks together. We're one group. The clubhouse belongs to the members. It's all voluntary. But you're all one group doing the same goal," Fancil said.

"We would offer them resources if they wanted to go back into the workforce, work with local employers to offer them what's called transitional employment," he said.

Kosciusko County Mental Health Clubhouse has received some financial support from Health First Kosciusko.

While Thursday's meeting is at The Gathering Place (123 S. Buffalo St.), the long-term plan is to become certified and find a separate location somewhere in the Warsaw area so that they have a central location in the county, Fancil said.

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WARSAW — The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Paddock Springs,
Live Well Kosciusko, Stillwater Hospice, CARES, and McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels are
proud to present the upcoming Senior Expo & Outreach. This will be a community-focused event designed to connect seniors and their families with the many resources, services, and activities available to enhance their well-being.

The expo will take place this Tuesday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the gymnasium at Lakeview Middle School, 848 E. Smith St., Warsaw.

This event is generously sponsored by 1st Source Bank, Blue Moon Estate Sales, Grace Village, Gentiva, Goshen Home Medical, Grace Village, Heartland Hospice, Home Helpers, Mason Health & Rehabilitation Center, Miller’s Senior Living, Mishler Funeral Home, Peabody Retirement Community, Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Rehab Hospital of Indiana, Titus Funeral Home & Cremation, and Visiting Angels.

The Senior Expo & Outreach will feature a wide range of exhibitors offering products and services tailored to senior living. From health and wellness resources to financial planning, home care, and more, attendees will have the opportunity to explore valuable information and engage with local professionals.

Informative speakers throughout the day will provide practical insights on senior health, safety, and lifestyle enhancement. Speaker topics include Identity Theft & Fraud at 11 a.m. with Amy Rensberger and Considerations for Estate Planning and Long-Term Care at 2 p.m. with Will Stockdale.

The event is free and open to the public, and is especially beneficial for seniors, caregivers, and family members looking to discover new ways to support aging well. Whether you're seeking helpful services or simply looking for a day of meaningful connection, the Senior Expo & Outreach is an excellent opportunity to explore what's available in the community and celebrate the value of senior living.

Attendees should use the back entrance of Lakeview Middle School to enter the event.

For more information, please contact the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce at events@kchamber.com or (574)267-6311.

The post Today’s Senior Expo provides resources and Services appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Plans to establish four new programs that will address food insecurity in Kosciusko County received a green light this week.

Kosciusko County’s Health First Indiana advisory committee recommended that the county health board support spending nearly $50,000 on four programs proposed by Caroline Arnett, who has worked for 10 years on food insecurity issues for the Purdue Extension office, including the last two years in the Warsaw office across from the Kosciusko County Justice Building.

The four-pronged approach was proposed by the Kosciusko Food Security Coalition, which was established about 18 months ago and is headed up by Arnett.

Efforts to improve access to food for local residents are supported by recent research.

A study that relied on US Census statistics found that the number of people who believe they're not getting enough food stood at 9.0 percent in 2021, but that's been rising and reached 13.9 percent in 2023.

 “So that’s about 10,900 people in Kosciusko that feel they can’t access food easily to live a safe and healthy lifestyle,” Arnett said.

Much of that increase had to do with the pandemic, but recent policy changes at the state and federal levels are expected to make circumstances even worse, officials believe.

A wellness study initiated as part of HELP, Hoosiers Enduring Legacy Program, which was headed up by Lisa Harman, executive director with Live Well Kosciusko, found that food security is a top wellness issue for many throughout the county.

Kosciusko County's Health First advisory Council voted to recommend that the county health board support funding the proposals, using Health First Indiana money allocated by the state.

Likely the biggest proposal is the creation of a SNAP coordinator who would network throughout the county to encourage those who qualify to sign up for SNAP benefits, formerly known by many as food stamps.

"If you sign up for SNAP, that tends to be the No. 1 way to reduce food insecurity in your community," Arnett said. "It's the easiest way, too. Plus, it brings money into our community for local stores, which I think we all appreciate that."

The coordinator would be a contracted position and work out of the Live Well Kociusko office in the K21 Health Pavilion near Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital.

The coordinator would help people overcome barriers such as literacy or the lack of transportation needed to visit the Family and Social Services Administration office in Warsaw, where SNAP is administered locally.

The job would also have an educational component.

“That person can also direct them to our local food pantries … and even help with nutrition or guidance on about how to stretch their dollars and their budget,” Harman said.

The existence of SNAP coordinators is somewhat common in other counties.

"In some counties, you might see two, three or four, and right now, we don’t have any,” Arnett said.

Another proposal would help expand an existing Indiana program known as Double Up Bucks, which doubles the buying power of SNAP recipients who are purchasing healthy food at farmers' markets.

The third program is aimed at providing healthy food to those who have cancer or are living with chronic disease or obesity.

"Meating the Need" is the fourth effort and involves distributing meat purchased from farmers.

The third and fourth programs also have a nutritional component.

Arnett has more ideas that she’s developing and said she wants to work more closely with food pantries, food banks and local farmers.

Sourcing locally grown food is often a better choice, she said.

Farmers can play an important role.

“We also want them to know that if they are in a position to donate anything from their farms, whether it's fruits and vegetables or meats, there is a large need for it,” Arnett said, adding that such donations can be a tax write-off.

Arnett provided details of the four programs to Kosciusko County's Health First Advisory Council on Wednesday night. Earlier on Wednesday, Arnett and Harman talked with News Now Warsaw about food insecurity for this weekend's public affairs show, In the Know.

*  *  * 

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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