The Mail-Journal, Volume 14, Number 46, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 December 1977 — Page 1

Phones: 658-4111 & 457-3666

VOLUME 14

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SILHOUETTED BY FIRE — Syracuse and North Webster firemen are shown silhouetted by the raging fire that coiftpletely consumed two valuable Lake Wawasee homes in the early morning hours today (Wednesday). Their valiant efforts kept fire damage o ©uses either side of the major point of fire to a minimum.

Milford, Webster firemen join in as— f ( 3 major fires plague Syracuse and lake area

By LESLIE WHITMAN Cause has as yet not been determined in a fire which completely gutted two houses and caused severe damage to several others on Warner Road on the north side of Lake Wawasee in Syracuse at 4:37 am. early this monring (Wednesday).

/;/ W> CnilpßEN snow y ®g£fC ■ ■ y*wh flHB^Hg u SNOW ROUTE SIGNS UP — Smw route signs in Syracuse were put up last week reports Town Marshal Ron Robinson shown above pointing one out. RoMnoon again reminds motorists that these routes should not be parked on because in bad weather they are the streets that will be cleared first The sauw routes are Maia Street, east to west ending at the railroad tracks, and Huntington Street, from High Street through the town.

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Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

Syracuse Fire Chief Larry Weaver estimates damages of $75,000 each to two houses owned by Needam and William Hurst of Indianapolis and George Hays of Goshen Damage of SIO,OOO was estimated to a house owned by Wiley (Bill) Spurgeon of Muncie, also involved in the fire. Firemen from the Syracuse, North Webster. Cromwell,

Other fire photos on pages 2 and 9. Benton and Milford Fire Departments fought the blaze in sub-freezing temperatures which hovered around the zero mark Weaver said the weather caused some problems in combatting the blaze as heavy winds came across Lake Wawasee. fanning the flames. "It’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that." said Weaver Pumps started freezing and all water had to be transported from Syracuse Firemen tried to get water from the lake, but because of the cold temperature, all they got was ice. Red Glow In Sky The fire was discovered by Syracuse Police Chief Ron Robinson, who had been called out on another call in town. He said he noticed “a red glow in the sky" and decided to check it out. When he saw the fire he called Syracuse firemen, who responded. When firemen arrived, they found both the Hunt and Hays home in flames Weaver said the cause has not been determined, but that a malfunction in the Hurst furnace

Webster EMS drive at $ 7,000

The emergency medical service fund-raising drive in North Webster has raised approximately $7,000 in cash and pledges so far reports Jerry Richardson, co-captam of the North Webster EMS unit and chairman of the drive. - The drive is being held to raise $20,000 for needed new coronary and intensive care equipment and to update equipment presently in use. The EMS unit feels there is a need for this type of equipment because over the past several years, department records have shown that more than half of all calls received involved coronary and coronary-related incidents.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1977

is probably what started the fire. All three homes were unoccupied at the time. Arson is definitely not suspected, said Weaver, because (Continued on page 2)

Whafs in the news ... 3 more fires at Syracuse *»...! Robert B. Harkless new Lakeland Youth Center director — here first of year np...i ’You just don't believe it till you see it,' says Jenny Oswald about Saudia Arabia's desert. Cerear... 6 Warriors win first NIC match I

Richardson said at the present time the drive is at a standstill due to all the Christmas activities going on in North Webster. He said that after the first of this year, the drive will be stepped up again Richardson said, “right now we re trying to get ideas This thing doesn’t have any kind of deadline ” He said they would like to talk to the various organizations in the area and possibly go door to door after January* 1. The drive officially kicked-off October 28 with a dance which grossed around S9OO. Area banks also donated to the drive a total of $2,150. and members of the

To dedicate * mmrm* • • ®wTm©wi i pKini TWTownrf North Webster wfll be Witat a dedication hn.nt> At ite naw Friday, Dee. ». from 4-S p.«a. Town official* and the engbieer for lhe project will be present. Construction was started on the plant in August of IWL Syracuse buys 114 ton truck Members of the Syracuse Town Board approved the purchase of a new International one and onetalf truck from K & K Truck Sales, Inc., of GosLui, for 16,035 62 at a special meeting Tuesday night. A total of four bids were opened for the truck at the board's last meeting, November 22. Other bidders included: C. S. Myers, Inc., Milford — $6,341.62 with two alternates, $6,409.87 for alternate one and $6,755.69 for alternate two; Wyant Chevrolet, Syracuse — $6,724; and W 4 W Truck Sales, Warsaw — $6,150 with an alternate add-on. Board members briefly discussed the purchase before approval was granted. Robert Farber, representing the street department, said he felt the board should go with the lowest bidder, K & K Truck Sales, because that truck met all his equirements John Cripe, board ■Jnemher, said he felt the should be purchased locally due to service. Cripe felt it would cost the town more money in the long run to buy the truck from outside the immediate area due to distance to service it. Farber said in the past, his department has not had any real major service done on his trucks except when a new clutch had to be put in the Chevrolet truck. It was decided that since general maintenance could be done on the truck in Syracuse, purchasing the lowest bid truck would be best. A bid was also considered for a used truck, from W 4 W Truck (Continued on page 2)

Ladies Firemen Auxiliary of North Webster raised $313.30 for the unit. Richardson said the ladies auxiliary is also planning on setting calendars soon with the money raised going to the unit Members of the North Webster EMS unit include: Leonard Baugher — captain; Jerry Richardson — co-captain; Gary Hill — co-chairman; Terry Likens; Doug Metcalf; Phil Payne; Rodger Leinsetter. Dan Conkling; Mike McKee; Kelly Buis; Bill Metcalf, and Steve Williams. Also drivers Dick Mitchell. Harold Mickley. Tom Reiff, Steve White, Larry Harris, Junior Keppen. Bob Likens and

Tennessee man named Youth Center director

Robert B. Harkness, Hendersonville, Tenn., has been selected as the new director of the Lakeland Youth Center in Syracuse, replacing Dan Caskey, who resigned December 1. Harkness will take over his new duties as director January 1, 1978. This announcement came from Robert Knudsen, member of the Lakeland Youth Center Board of Directors. Harkness, originally from the Gary area, received his bachelors degree in physical education and recreation from Manchester College, North Manchester. He received his masters degree in physical education from Ball State University, Muncie. The 31-year-old new director was employed as a teacher and coach in the Maconaquah School Corporation at Bunker Hill, near Grissom Air Force Base. From 1968-70, he taught on the elementary level and from 197077, he taught physical education and swimming for grades six. seven and eight. He also served as football coach for the corporation, grade school level to head varsity coach, from 1969-1977. Most recently, he has been working with the Oscar Meyer Company in Tennessee since June. Very Pleased Knudsen said he is very pleased with the decision of the board. He said, “I'm real impressed with the young man." In all, the board interviewed 13 persons for the job of director. Knudsen said the board picked Harkness for the job because of his education and experience in the recreation field. Harkness will receive the same salary as Caskey, $10,300 per year. ‘ Knudsen also said that Harkness’s duties as director will be similiar to Caskey’s, but more youth-center related. More family programs will be initiated for both adults as well as the children. Knudsen said, “He (Harkless) is interested in making it into a family center.” Harkless is married and has one son. Takes New Position Caskey, who has been director of the youth center for the past four years, resigned the position to take a new job working with Steve Bomman CLU, out of Cromwell. Caskey took over his new job December 1 working as a public relations man and trainee. Caskey cited the reason for his resignation as financial. He stated he wasn't making enough money and needed more to raise his family. He said in an earlier interview, “We’re kind of strapped financially down here I do have a family to raise.” Another reason Caskey gave was to spend more time with his two children. Starrlynn and Steffany (Puff). He said, “I tell other people you have to spend time with kids and I haven’t bad time for my own. I’ve got two girls growing up.” The youth center has also recently announced plans to expand their present facilities. The expansion, which will coat Stolen snowmobile, trailer is found The snowmobile and trailer which was stolen the latter part of November from the David H. Benning residence, r 1 Milford, was found in a woods only one mile north of the Benning home. The 1972 snowmobile and trailer with tilt and twin beds were stolen from the front yard of the Benning home. The snowmobile was at the trailer and police said a vehicle apparently was hooked to the trailer and it was pulled away. Alvin Waldbeser saw the snowmobile and trailer and reported to police the trailer bad a flat tire. Waldbeser stated deer hunters had seen the trailer bring pulled behind a car.

$15,000, will measure 15’ x 50’ in size and will include more shower and locker room facilities as well as additional storage. It will be attached to the west end of the

Cong. Fithian takes stand on canal

In answer to a question on where he stands on the Panama Canal issue this newspaper received the following answer from Congressman Floyd J. Fithian: “I am strongly opposed to giving away the Panama Canal. The first step in completing the treaty process is the battle for ratification in the Senate. As you know, there is some doubt as to whether or not the two-thirds majority necessary * for

Turkey Creek zoning one topic for planning meeting tonight

Discrepancies between the former zoning classifications and county zoning classifications for Turkey Creek Township will be one of the matters discussed by the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission tonight (Wednesday). The commission plans to use the December meeting to go over old business and discuss various planning matters. Some areas of possible discussion, as suggested by commission members, are the mobile home ordinance, review of the proposed fee schedule ordinance, the impacts of large subdivisions on small towns, from a planning view; and review of the subdivision control process and possible ordinance revisions may also occur. Possible studies that could be made, to assist with a more complete planning process and possibly an update of the county master plan may be discussed. Also planned are reviews and discussions of penalties for failure to comply with obtaining improvement location permits, fee schedules for plats, rezonings, variances, special exceptions and stricter limitations on non-conforming

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DECORATE FOR HOLIDAY — Members of the HearVof-the-Lakes Business Association gathered November 23 to decorate North Wdurtcs* for Christnss. Helping the project were top. Phil Rinker, Harold Stoffel on the tractor, and left to right, OHe Soden, Ray Howell and Tom Leonard.

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building. So far, no construction date has been set even though it is hoped it can be built by next summer.

ratification can be attained. If the Senate does ratify the treaty, however, the House would be required to vote on the appropriations required to carry out the treaty and, perhaps, on certain issues relating to the transfer of property. Should the Senate ratify the treaty, I will vote against appropriations for the treaty implementation. Although I do not have a vote on treaty ratification, I will study the treaty carefully.”

uses. The commission meeting will be attended by attorney Max Reed, who will advise, if legal counsel is needed. The December meeting will begin at 7 p.m., in the commissioner’s room, county courthouse, Warsaw. 12 cars slide off road near Syracuse A total of 12 cars slid off the road and into a ditch on Pickwick Road near the first curve in Syracuse at 1:28 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, reports Virginia Gilbert, fire station dispatcher. She said the report was called in over the CB by a Mrs. Robert Smith of Syracuse. Slippery road surface was the cause of the mishap. No accidents were reported out of the incident. Mrs. Gilbert contacted county police chief Tom Kitch who in turn contacted the county highway department to sand the road. All cars were able to get out of the ditch without outside .assistance. No injuries were reported.

All cars were able to get out of the ditch without outside assistance. No injuries were reported.