By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Freedom Fest, Kosciusko County’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday, kicks off Friday and continues through Sunday with most activities at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

The forecast calls for a chance of rain on Friday night and into Saturday, but organizers are pushing forward.

Teresa Jones, with the Kosciusko County Historical Society, which has organized an expansive historical encampment at the fairgrounds for all three days, was asked about her outlook.

“We’re watching the skies as well. Whether rain or shine, we want people to come out. Let’s celebrate,” Jones said.

 Mike Loher, the lead organizer for the festival, remains optimistic.

“We’re gonna roll with it and do the best we can,” Loher said.

The forecast for Sunday includes only a slight chance of rain and partly sunny skies.

High temperatures for the entire weekend will be in the mid-80s, the National Weather Service said.

A patriotic kickoff begins at noon Friday at the fairgrounds with the raising of the nation’s largest American flag. “That is going to be a spectacular sight to see. It’ll be seen from miles away,” Loher said.

Below are some of the highlights for Friday and Saturday:

Friday activities

• From 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, the vendors and food trucks will be open on the midway.
• From 4 to 8 p.m., the Historic Village is open with demonstrations and vendors.
• From 5:30 to 7 p.m., historical interpretations of Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Adams will be featured.
• At 6:30 p.m., there will be a drum and song circle by the Miami Nation at the Historical Village.
• 7 p.m. the American Legion Band of Fort Wayne will perform at Central Park, Warsaw.
• 9:30 p.m., a Franciscan Fireworks America 250 fireworks display at the fairgrounds.

Saturday activities

• 7 to 10 a.m., the Wheels on Fire Community Breakfast will be at the Home and Family Arts Building’s north end.
• 7 a.m., the LITE Recovery 5K registration will begin at the HFA Building’s south end, with the race starting at 8 a.m.At 
• 8 a.m., the Freedom Fest parade will start lining up at Boggs Park. At 10 a.m., the Freedom Fest parade will head down West Center Street to Bronson Street to the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds main entrance.
• From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, the Historic Village will be open. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., vendors and food trucks will be open on the midway.
• At 12:30 p.m., the Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Adams reenactors, along with a frontier loyalist presentation, will take place at the log cabin.
• At 1:30 p.m., there will be a veterans’ ceremony on the midway. Loher said there will be guest speakers and performers. A scheduled flyover by the Air Force is scheduled for 1:40 p.m.
• At 6:30 p.m., a concert featuring Darryl Worley with Jason Michael Carroll and Keenie in the grandstand. Tickets are $10 and $20.
• After the concert, Crazy Joes Fireworks will provide a fireworks display.

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Staff Report

WARSAW — A private access road that connects Dubois Drive and Parker Street in Warsaw could be closed permanently as soon as next week.

The road snakes through property owned by Alick’s Home Medical and has become a popular shortcut for motorists.

Public Works Director Dustin Dillon said the road was never meant for public travel and that the amount of traffic represents a huge safety risk for those using the Alick’s parking area.

Dillon updated the city’s Traffic Commission on the issue on Wednesday and said no trespassing signs could be installed soon. Other steps are also being considered.

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News Release

WARAW — The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Bob Jackson as Member Relations Manager. Jackson’s first day was Tuesday.

Jackson is a Warsaw native who grew up west of town at Hoffman Lake. He’s a graduate of Warsaw Community High School and attended Grace College, where he studied communications and met his wife, Katie, of 32 years.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Bob to the team! He brings a wealth of experience in so many areas, he’s built meaningful relationships here, and he has a true passion for making our community a better place,” said Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rob Parker.

Throughout his professional journey, Jackson owned and operated The Katering Kitchen catering business for 25 years, worked in the insurance industry for a decade, served as Chief Development Officer for the Indiana Family Institute, and worked at Grace College, where he continues to serve as an adjunct instructor in the business department.

With deep roots in Kosciusko County, Jackson is a natural fit to step into the role and serve the community he loves and knows well.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role and give back to the community in a new way,” Jackson said. “This community has given me so much, and I look forward to using the skills I’ve been blessed with to help promote and connect our local business community.”

Jackson and his wife enjoy spending time with their children and four grandchildren, with a fifth on the way.

He also enjoys staying active outdoors, whether that’s walking, hiking, or golfing. Music is also a big part of Jackson’s life — he serves on the worship team at church and sings with a Southern gospel quartet, traveling and performing around the state.

When asked about his many interests and experiences, Jackson shared this advice: “Be a lifelong learner and stay open to new opportunities, experiences, and ways to grow.”

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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — City officials are moving forward with what would be the first phase of redevelopment of the old Warsaw Chemical property on Argonne Road. 

Logan Properties, a Fort Wayne firm, is working with the City of Warsaw on a plan to develop eight acres on the north side of the Warsaw Chemical property, which is now owned by the city, into a shell building that could be home to five to ten light industrial businesses on the northern portion of the property. 

Developer Martin Huttenlocker presented the plans to the City Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday and said they planned to demolish the existing building. 

The City acquired the Warsaw Chemical Properties as part of a bigger development vision that could even include a role for Grace College. 

If the plan comes together, the developer would invest $7 million in the project while the City would provide the land and offer tax abatement. 

Huttenlocker talked about the type of tenants they hope to attract. 

“Light manufacturers seem to be kind of the right fit — incubator-type space — groups that have maybe been around for a couple years that kind of need to move ‘out of their garage,’ so to speak, and get a real space,” Huttenlocker said.

Jeremy Skinner, director of community & economic development for the city, said they believe there is strong demand for such development, and Huttenlocker said he’s talked with Kociusko County Economic Development Corporation about two companies that have expressed interest.

The Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday approved a memo of understanding with the firm, and Huttenlocker said the building could be ready for occupation in early 2027 if everything goes as planned.

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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Public Library Director Heather Barron is leaving her position for a new job. 

Her resignation is effective Friday.

Barron’s departure comes less than two weeks after the Warsaw City Council voted not to approve a $17 million bond needed for library renovations.

Barron tells News Now Warsaw that she accepted the job and informed the library board of her resignation before the council vote. 

She said she chose not to announce the decision before the vote to maintain focus on the proposal.

Barron joined the library less than three years ago and spent a significant share of her time working on developing a renovation plan amid ongoing mechanical problems.

Taxpayer opposition to the bond issue was fueled by concerns about rising property tax bills and uncertainty over ongoing efforts to reform the state’s property tax policies by state lawmakers.

The library looked into building new or relocating, but eventually settled on a renovation plan.

An earlier renovation plan would have relied on about $22 million, but that was scaled back.

In a statement to News Now Warsaw, she said she was “incredibly grateful” for patrons, supporters, and staff and wished the library and the community all the best. 

She declined to discuss the circumstances further and also chose not to discuss her new job.

She said she and staff and board members had been focused in recent days on working on future plans following the council’s vote.

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Roger Grossman
News Now Warsaw

I realize that Father’s Day is still a couple weeks away, but my dad popped into my head this week.

It’s Free Fishing Weekend in Indiana this coming weekend.

My dad didn’t just take me with him fishing, he taught me how to fish. He taught me how to put line on a pole, how to tie the knots, and how to read whether my bobber was being blown by the wind or something was tugging on my bait.

My dad also used that time while we were fishing to talk — meaningful, conversations about a lot of different subjects. And my dad was not big on deep conversations. He was happy to participate in them, but he almost never initiated them. When we were fishing, though, it was different.

It was always comfortable, and his timing was always right.

One of the last days I spent with him was a Friday in August of 2005. I was in a boat the size of a bathtub with my dad and my only brother. We fished for hours with nothing in the buckets to show for our trouble. A brief rain shower came through. We got soaked, and apparently the fish got hungry. 63 bluegills later, my dad said to us “that was the best day of fishing I’ve had since your grandpa died” (he had died more than 30 years before that).

My brother and I agreed that it was our best day too, mainly because it was his best day.

Four months later he had the first of a series of strokes. Three months after that, he was gone.

I don’t get the fishing gear out anymore without thinking about him, about that day, and about the gift he gave me in the form of a love for fishing.

I bring that up because Indiana is offering a “Free Fishing Weekend” this weekend.

Saturday and Sunday, you don’t need to have a fishing license to fish in Indiana. You are still required to follow all the rules of fishing set by the DNR. Those rules include how many fish of a certain species you can catch in one day and how long a largemouth bass must be for you to keep it…among other things.

The purpose of this designated weekend is to get people who don’t fish or haven’t fished for a long time to grab a pole and get back out in a boat or on a Hoosier shoreline.

Dig those poles out of storage, grab the kids and get them out there this weekend. But be warned—they might fall in love with it, and so might you. And you might just find yourself in a conversation that will change a relationship forever in the best possible way.

I’d say that’s worth a lot more than the price of a fishing license.

Just so you know, the price of an annual fishing license for someone who lives in Indiana is $23.

That might feel like a lot of money to you, but let me put this in some perspective.

If you go fishing three times a month from May to September — that’s five months. And let’s say you caught enough fish to clean and eat once a month—that would be five meals worth of filets. That would be less than $5 per meal.

Go to a grocery store and try to buy fish to feed your family for a meal for less than $5.

Spoiler alert: you can’t.

Indiana residents must be at least 64 years of age to be eligible to buy a Senior Annual or Senior Fish for Life License. The Senior Fish for Life License is valid for the rest of the holder’s life and includes the trout/

salmon stamp. Indiana residents who were born before April 1, 1943, do not need a fishing license when fishing in Indiana waters.

And you don’t need a license if you haven’t had your 18^th birthday yet. You don’t need to have a license if you are active in the military and home on leave.

And, oh by the way, even if your bobber doesn’t do any funny dances or disappear, the fresh air and time spent on the water is still worth it.

Let’s be 100-percent honest — outside of Minnesota and Wisconsin and parts of Michigan—Kosciusko County is the envy of the entire country because of the 120 natural lakes we have here within our border. Take advantage of that. Don’t waste it.

And kids (especially you adult kids), don’t be afraid to take the initiative and take your dad fishing!

There are no DNR rules about that this weekend either.

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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — The Warsaw Community Public Library has issued a lengthy statement in response to the Warsaw City Council’s decision not to support a $17 million bond for renovations.

In the letter, the library defended its request, stressed that several opportunities had been made available in recent months for the public to learn more about the need for repairs, and said a fund has been established to cover the cost of future anticipated repairs.

You can read the statement here.

City Council voted 4-3 against the request in a five-hour meeting with a standing room only crowd on May 18, ending more than two years of plans by the library board for major renovations, many of which are needed to replace aging mechanicals and subpar handicap accessibility.

Opponents to the bond said the timing of the request was not good because of the ongoing efforts by state lawmakers to enact property tax reform, which has created concerns over future revenue reductions.

Some of those who spoke against the bond issue at the May 18 meeting questioned why existing equipment was not better cared for and why a maintenance program was not used.

In the letter, the library defended its efforts to maintain existing equipment, much of which remains in use far beyond what is typically expected.

“Our care and commitment to the building were evident in the fact that so many major systems (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) were still functioning well beyond their normal lifespans. That was due to ongoing preventive maintenance, repairs, and replacements, as well as standard annual inspections by various agencies over the years,” the statement said.

The statement also recapped various financial setbacks over the years that have put a strain on finances.

“All the while, the library incurred costly repairs that depleted funds — funds and reserves that are limited by Indiana state statute … Despite setbacks, the library has worked hard to ensure continued services without borrowing money. When a bond was issued in 1997 for the last renovation, the library refinanced it and paid it back two years early, saving taxpayers money,” the statement said.

In the statement, the library also announced the establishment of a fund through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.

“We will do our best to continue to serve this community, just as we have throughout the years. Costs will continue to rise as our building ages, and equipment will inevitably need to be replaced. We have established a WCPL Capital Improvement Fund at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for those wanting to donate. It is our commitment to serve you and your neighbors as safely and effectively as we can for as long as we can,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the library is now left with few good options if more mechanical issues arise.

Library officials, as well as some city council members, expressed fears at the May 18 meeting that future repairs could leave the library in a difficult position without financial flexibility.

State law changed several years ago, requiring library boards to seek approval for major renovation expenditures from a corresponding elected board, and city council was left with the decision.

Under state law, the library can not seek another bond request for two years.

News Now Warsaw sought clarifications on several issues over the past week, but the library declined, saying it needed more time to respond.

The library request is one of three major expenditures proposed in recent months. The other involves the construction of a new library in Syracuse and the construction of a parking garage proposed by the city of Warsaw and Kosiusko County.

The Syracuse Library plan is scheduled to be voted on June 11 by the county council.  Details and cost figures for the parking garage have not yet been announced.

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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Events kick off Friday night and continue through the weekend in Warsaw in celebration of America’s upcoming 250th birthday, but area residents can get a head start and enjoy a glimpse of living history Friday afternoon.

That’s when a historic locomotive, the Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014, steamrolls across much of northern Indiana, including Kosciusko County.

The train is in the midst of a coast-to-coast trip commemorating America’s 250th anniversary and will pass through numerous local towns on Friday.

The only scheduled whistle stop in Indiana will be in Argos in Marshall County, but it then continues east through Kosciusko County.

Tim Croy, a Mentone Town Council member, said he and others decided to celebrate the trains passing through town with a block party.

“Not every day do you see an old steam engine go through Mentone,” Croy said Tuesday.

The fire department will be serving upward of 100 hot dogs and will start grilling at about 2 p.m. Free snow cones and ice cream (for a charge)will also be available.

Croy says it’s a chance to see living history and celebrate a milestone.

“We decided that, ‘Hey, let’s do something, you know, because it’s not every day you see the old steam engine go through Mentone,’ ” Croy said Tuesday.

The event is free and everyone is encouraged to gather at the parking lot on the west side of the fire station to watch the train pass along the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks.

Croy announced the block party on a Facebook page he oversees, Mentone News and Information.

“I think we’ve got like over 200 people who liked it. So I’m guessing we’ll probably run out of hot dogs, but … it gives people an opportunity to come and check it out,” Croy said.  

Union Pacific’s ‘Big Boy’ No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam engine, weighing in at 1.2 million pounds. Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned for Union Pacific, the first being delivered in 1941, where they were used to haul war-related equipment at the time, according to information from its website.

Arrival times are tentative, but the train is expected to depart from Argos around 3 p.m. and then pass through Tippeccanoe, Mentone, Claypool, and Sidney before heading to South Whitley and Fort Wayne.

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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Kosciusko County officials have a slightly better idea of how much repairs to the Justice Building could potentially cost.

The need for significant repairs began after several limestone panels came crashing down in front of a Justice Building entrance on Aug. 29. While nobody was injured, the damage has led to the closure of the entrance and a forensic engineering assessment that determined other potential weaknesses in older parts of the building.

On Tuesday, five bids were opened for the repairs.

Two bids came in at $1.7 million, and two others were around $1.1 million. A fifth bid from a company in Memphis, Tennessee, was for about $700,000.

The engineer did not provide a cost estimate for the project beforehand.

The bids were taken under advisement, and a final decision on the project is expected within a few weeks. 

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