WARSAW — Other than doing some acrobatics on a trampoline as a kid, Ben Rice was never serious about dancing until given a chance to perform in Dancing with the Stars for Charity.

And he took full advantage of the opportunity.

With support from his partner, Hayley Horlick, two student choreographers, Lexi Reece and Kenna Miller as well as some sidework at home, Rice led their team, Totally Rad to victory Saturday night in front of nearly 900 people at the Warsaw High School Performing Arts Center as he and Horlick took the the top prize against seven other teams, scoring 59 of 60 points from judges in the fourth annual charity event.

Rice and Horlick, dressed in red workout attire, finished the show with an energized performance and finished it by throwing fake cash in the direction of three judges amid wild applause from the audience.

"It's been five months of really hard work that I wasn't expecting," Rice said. "But the choreographers took it very seriously, and they're so talented,"Rice said while standing with his wife and kids on stage afterward.

He gave plenty of credit to the choreographers.

"The program here at the school, I wasn't familiar with it, and now that I am, it's beyond belief the amount of work the girls put into it," he said.

Their first dance included a musical medley, and they finished  with the song, "24K Magic."

"I don't know if it was the song or if it was just the energy," Rice said. "That's what we tried to bring the entire time was a bunch of energy."

Each team was working to benefit a charity, and Rice — a former "Big" with Big Brothers Big Sisters years ago — was happy to assist the BBBSS of Northeast Indiana.

Each charity shared in the night's receipts from ticket sales, and BBBS received an additional $500 thanks to a donation from H&R Block of Warsaw.

Rice called the opportunity to help BBBS a "full circle" moment.

In addition to critiques from three judges, performances were also calculated based on only votes from the audience as well as a secret judge, which was a new twist this year.

Totally Rad now qualifies to return next year in a contest pitting them against other previous champs of Dancing with the Stars for Charity.

Finishing second was Felonious Fosses (benefiting Bowling Against Bullying), which was led by Shaun Mudd and Kelly Bradley. Chorographers were Chloe Kim and Scarlett Walters.

Finishing third was Vintage Vibes, led by Glenn Hall and Courtney Walters and choreographer Dakota Gardner.

Also new this year was the ‘Above and Beyond Award’ to a student choreographer, in honor of Lee Anne Stewart, a longtime dance instructor who died earlier this year.

Laicey Snyder was this year’s recipient of the award.

Dancing with the Stars for Charity was sponsored by 107.3 WRSW, Willie 103.5, Warsaw Performing Arts Center.

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[caption id="attachment_123681" align="alignright" width="250"] Chris Cage is pictured on Wednesday inside the Willie 103.5's Toy for Tots trailer outside the Walmart store in Warsaw. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

WARSAW — Willie 103.5’s Chris Cage is always an optimist, but there was a hint of concern in his voice Wednesday when it comes to the radio station's weeklong toy drive at Walmart in Warsaw.

Unlike recent years, the amount of toys collected so far for the weeklong event is less than normal, while the demand has been on the rise.

Cage, who is the coordinator for Toys for Tots for Kosciusko and Marshall counties, said donations since Monday's week-long toy drive for Toys for Tots have been a bit slow.

"I feel like we're a little bit behind from years past. I think some of that has to do with the weather over the last couple days," Cage said. "We have some catching up to do, but the community always comes through when there is a need."

He says that for those in a hurry, monetary donations are also a great option when wanting to make an impact.

The toy drive continues today and Friday outside of Walmart from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Toys for Tots campaign continues Saturday morning with WNDU’s toy drive at the Martins Supermarket in Warsaw.

"They've been doing their drive for years, and this has been our 19th year doing ours and we work well together. There's no competition," Cage said. "The toys that come in, they stay here in the community."

To learn more online, click here.

Donations will be open until early next week.

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WARSAW — The Willie 103.5 Toy Drive for Toys for Tots kicked off at 6 a.m. today at the Walmart store in Warsaw.

The weeklong event at Walmart runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day through Friday and Willie 103.5 personality Chris Cage will be there for much of the week.

New unwrapped toy donations are being accepted at many locations throughout Kosciusko and Marshall Counties. Toys for all ages are accepted. 

Last year, Toys for Tots was able to assist roughly 364 families and 1,134 children. Those numbers were up from 2023, and officials believe they'll see another large need this year. 

On Saturday, Dec. 6, WNDU will hold its Annual Drive at Martin's Supermarket on Husky Trail in Warsaw from 7-10 a.m. 

Participants at the WNDU event will include the Warsaw High School and Middle School Choirs, providing Christmas music. WNDU will broadcast live. 

The fire departments will make their annual delivery at 9:30. 

The application process for families to participate continues until Friday. 

For those needing assistance in applying in Kosciusko or Marshall counties, log on to www.toysfortots.org and select your County and State, then fill out the application.

Applications will then be approved. The "toy pick up" happens on Saturday, Dec. 20. Details for the pickup will be included in the email that families will receive once the application is approved.

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WARSAW — Classic bands from two genres that skyrocketed to fame in the 1980s will highlight Warsaw's two biggest concerts in Central Park this year.

The Rockin' Concert for Riley will feature Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses, the original drummer for the group who will be joined by an all-star group of musicians and will play all of the GNR songs that audiences know and love.

The concert is on Friday, June 20, in Warsaw's Central Park. It is free to attend, and donations will be collected for the KC Riley Kids Fund.

The Country Concert for St. Jude Kids will feature a twin bill of country acts, starring Confederate Railroad and The Kentucky Headhunters.

The show is on Friday, July 18, in Warsaw's Central Park. It is free to attend, and donations will be collected for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The shows are co-sponsored by the Warsaw Parks Department and 107.3 WRSW (for the rock show) and Willie 103.5 (for the country show).

The Rockin' Concert for Riley was announced at 7:20 a.m. today on 107.3 WRSW.

The Country Concert for St. Jude Kids was announced at 7:40 a.m. on Willie 103.5

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WARSAW — Brace yourselves, music lovers!

The two biggest concerts in Warsw will be announced this morning on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

The Rockin' Concert for Riley, set for Friday, June 20, will be announced at 7:20 a.m. on 107.3 WRSW.

The Country Concert for St. Jude Kids, set for Friday, July 18th, will be announced at 7:40 a.m. on Willie 103.5.

The shows, at Central Park, are co-sponsored by the Warsaw Parks Department and 107.3 WRSW (for the rock show) and Willie 103.5 (for the country show).

Look for a story soon after at News Now Warsaw's Facebook page followed by a recap in this afternoon's newscast

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WARSAW — Warsaw will be one of four locations spotlighted by WNDU-TV this morning as they support the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

Willie 103.5's Chris Cage wrapped up a week-long toy collection Friday night at the Meijer store in Warsaw and will drop in for some of the fun Saturday with WNDU's event at the Martin's in Warsaw.

The event runs from 7 a.m. to 10  p.m.

Toys collected at Saturday's event will be distributed in Kosciusko and Marshall counties, according to Cage.

This marks WNDU's 30th year,  and the South Bend TV station estimates they have helped the Marines collect more than 549,000 toys for children in Michiana

Many fire stations will participate in Saturday's event. Overall, though, supporters dropping off toys are asked to remain in their vehicles while volunteers help collect the gifts.

WNDU will be in four locations Saturday:

• Warsaw Martin’s (1150 Husky Trail)
• WNDU-TV Studios (54516 State Road 933, South Bend)
• Grand Design CR 17 (5200 Hoffman Street, Elkhart)
• Stevensville Martin’s (5637 Cleveland Avenue)

Which kind of toys are best? Any new, unwrapped toy will be appreciated. Keep in mind, that toys for younger children and older children are often in high demand, so please consider these types of toys as you make your toy selections.

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WARSAW — Warsaw Parks and Main Street Warsaw are coordinating events for what might be the biggest gathering in Central Park this year with the Country Concert for St. Jude — featuring Kimberly Perry.

Main Street Warsaw’s Third Friday is part of the fun and will again start slightly earlier than normal so that everyone at Third Friday can head down to Central Park in time for the country concert.

Third Friday will take on a farm and country theme that will include hobby horse races, pony rides, Cornhole, and possibly some line dancing, according to Scott Wiley, with the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.

Roughly 30 vendors will be part of the fun on the downtown courthouse square.

Echoes of the Past will have a display and one of their tractors will serve as a shuttle down to Central Park, Wiley said.

Third Friday activities will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m., which is a shorter duration, marking the second time this year that Third Friday organizers have adjusted their schedule to accommodate a Central Park concert on the same night. The first one was the Everclear concert in June.

Unlike the annual rock concert that saw hot and humid conditions, Friday's show is expecting pleasant with a high near 78.

Kaitlyn Baker & Joe Lasher will open the show at 6:30 p.m., and Kimberly Perry will follow at 8 p.m.

Willie 103.5's Chris Cage expects a big crowd.

"Every year, we get four to five thousand people — maybe a little more — and there's no reason with the weather and Kimberly Perry — should be a great crowd," Cage said.

The concert is a fundraiser for the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Last year, the concert helped raise $9,000 for the research hospital.

"We'll have volunteers pass around donation buckets throughout the show to help raise money for St. Jude to continue the great research they do at the hospital," Cage said. "Bring a couple extra dollars and them off in the buckets and we'll greatly appreciate it."

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WARSAW — The day has arrived as millions across the midsection of the United States — including parts of Indiana — prepare for today’s eclipse this afternoon.

And like many, you might be wondering how much cloud cover to  expect across north central Indiana when the moon crosses in front of the sun.

Meteorologist Matt Rudkin predicts morning clouds will give way to dry air in the afternoon, providing pockets of clear sky by the time the eclipse happens (around 3pm) in north central Indiana as well as the Indianapolis area where full totality will occur.

School districts will have varying plans for the day, according to a report from the Times-Union.

Manchester Schools will have an e-learning day and Triton School Corporation will dismiss at 1 p.m.

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation will release students 30 minutes later than usual.

Warsaw and Wawasee will have a full day of classes and both districts are providing approved solar glasses for students.

Wawasee asks families that wish to pick up their children to watch the eclipse to pick them up before 2:30 p.m. to avoid disruption during eclipse viewing activities.

Warsaw superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said he's not too worried about the weather conditions.

"There are things in life that you cannot control and clouds are definitely one of them," Hoffert said. "We're hoping the sun peeks through because these are the types of activities that students remember for years to come."

If you’re looking for a good place to view the eclipse, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will host an Eclipse Watch Party at Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center on SR 13. The viewing party starts at 2:30 p. and is open to the public. Viewing glasses will be available to the first 40 people.

Kensington Digital Media’s Kris Lake and Chris Cage will be in Indianapolis for the eclipse and will be broadcasting the event live on 107.3 WRSW and Willie 103.5.

Remember, staring directly at the sun during a solar eclipse or at any other time can lead to permanent eye damage. The eclipse is only safe to witness with the naked eye during totality, or the period of total darkness when the moon completely covers the sun.

Protective eyewear should say they comply with ISO 12312-2 standards.

The eclipse is expected to begin shortly before 3 p.m.

If you're unsure when the eclipse will start, use this line from Grace College which has a countdown clock.

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WARSAW — The Country Concert for St. Jude held on July 21 and featuring Lonestar raised nearly $9,000 for St. Jude Childen's Research Hospital.

The final total was $8,971.

Concert co-sponsor Willie 103.5’s Chris Cage was taken aback by the support.

"We couldn't do it without the listeners. They're the ones who make it happen. They were the ones who donated money. Big thank you to everyone who came out," Cage said.

He and others speculated that the turnout was among the biggest ever.

"In my opinion, yeah, biggest one I've seen for a country show in a very long time," Cage said.

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WARSAW — The Blues & BBQ concert featuring the Blood Brothers is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Glover Pavilion in Central Park, 225 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw.

The opener for the free concert is Hadden Sayers, who will take to the stage at 6:30 p.m. The Blood Brothers take the stage at 8 p.m., with special guest Gary Hoey.

The concert is sponsored by gold level sponsors 107.3 WRSW, Willie 103.5 and News Now! Warsaw.

If you need assistance or have questions, email the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department at parksevents@warsaw.in.gov or call 574-372-9554.

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