The Mail-Journal, Volume 17, Number 52, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 January 1981 — Page 1

Phones. 658-4111 j & 4 457 3666

VOLUME 17

ij I I MBF~ I a -1T \ <j| LHRflNh*' O& 1j llflk£ji . s PAPER AND PRESSES DESTROYED — These two photos show rolls of paper and presses destroyed in the S3S«.MN fire at the Fanner s Exchange printing plant in Sew Paris on Sunday. The lop photo show* rolls of paper, mans which were still smoldering on Monday while the bottom photo shows presses in the job shop among the debris that remained after the fire. (Photos by Ron Baumgartner)

Complete loss at farm paper —

$350,000 loss in fire at Farmer's Exchange

Members of the Milford Fire Department were among several who gave mutual aid to the Neu Paris Fire Department Sunday morning in fighting the fire which totally destroyed the Farmer s Exchange at New Pans The plant was only 10 years was a wood framed pole building New Pans Fire Chief Kenneth Schmucker said estimated damages were listed at 8350.000 The offices and printing plant of the Farmer s Exchange, located in industrial park at the north west edge of New Pans It is one of Indiana's largest farm oriented papers and plans call for the paper to be back m produc tion by February 5 Schmucker said the probable cause of the fire was a heating tape on a water pipe in the attic above the office area The fire was reported by Charles Snyder. CR 46 New Paris, at 2 58. a m SundaySnyder was driving on SR 15 and saw smoke He followed it to the burning building and im’mediately called the New Pans Fire Department. By the time the firemen arrived the Tire had gone through the roof of the office building and was billowing out of the office windows The mutual aid call was sounded with Elkhart Township. Benton. MiUersburg. Foraker .. and Nappanee responding along with Milford Firemen were hampered by the deep snow, cold temperatures and lack of water Pumpers from the above named departments transported water from the New Paris Creamery and Smoker

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Consolidation o/THHYHLFORD WAIL )Est. 1888) and THE SYR ACLSE-U AWASEE JOURNAL fEst. 1907)

Boat Company The blaze was brought under control around 6 a rn . however, the New Pans Fire Department remained at the scene until 1 30 pm Sunday Lawrence and Steve Yea ter are currently looking for buildings to re-estabiish the pnntmg com pany which has been located tn New Paris since 1928 The business was Started in Nap panee in 1927 by Waldo Yeater it moved to New Pans one year later The printing plant was moved from the downtown area to the industrial park in 1971 The Farmers Exchange employs 12 full time employees and six part time employees A temporary office has been set up at the New Pans Telephone Office with calls being taken there Some records were saved and some oi the newsprint may be salvaged A shipment of newspnnt was received on January 5 with several months supply being located in the north end of the building at the time of the fire Arning the items lost was the subscription list The papers 13.000 subscribers are from 25 counties in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Subscribers are requested to send a copy of their mailing label to the Farmer's Exchange at P. O. Box 25 New Paris. Ind. 46553 Also lost were the five-unit press, an old typesetting machine, two darkrooms, two smalP presses, four new typesetters, two video terminals, a computer and six offices and

office equipment The paper has • received numerous calls of offers to help, including one from this newspaper No firemen were injured in fighting the blaze, however Lawrence Yeater. the paper's owner, fell on ice and cut his nose and cheek He was taken by ambulance to the Goshen Hospital were he was treated and released Two treated for neck pains after Milford accident Henry Beer of Milford and Emma Miller. 29. of Nappanee, were treated for neck pain at a local doctor’s office following a two-car accident Thursday. Jan 8. in Milford. The mishap occurred at 4:10 p.m. when Fred H. Schon. 81, driver of a 1974 Dodge owned by Beer, backed the car into the path of a 1973 Oldsmobile driven by Doon Kesler, 53. r 2 Milford. The accident happened on Catherine Street near Schafer Street in Milford The Kesler vehicle hit the left rear of the Beer auto, causing 8400 damage to the Beer car and 8600 damage to the Kesler-owned auto. Beer and Miller, who was a passenger in the Beer auto, complained of neck pain and were treated and released. Milford Deputy Ron Conley investigated the accident -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14,1981

WPOA to sponsor dispatchers seminar

A seminar sos community police, fire and ambulance dispatchers will be conducted at the Syracuse Fire Station January 21-22 under the sponsorship of the Wawasee Property Owners Association. Invitations have been sent to town marshals, police departments and fire departments in nearly 30 communities in Kosciusko. Noble, Whitley and Elkhart counties The seminar is for all personnel who use radios, as well as dispatchers The Syracuse Fire Department will be the host organization, and the expense of the seminar is being paid by the property owners group “Dispatchers are the link between people needing help and the agencies that provide it," Wiley (Bill) Spurgeon. Wawasee Property . Owners Assn., president, said. "The idea for this seminar to improve dispatching skills and improve radio techniques of police, fire and ambulance personnel came out at a meeting last fall involving some of our folks. Fire Chief Kenny Johnson and Sheriff s Captain Ron Robinson Chief Johnson and Capt Robinson thought it would be beneficial and we took it from there ” Conducting the seminar will be

Miller elected Milford TownJßoard president

By TERRI CHILCOTE Steve Miller was elected the new president of the Milford Town Board at its first meeting of the year Monday. Jan. 12 Board Trustee Bob Auer nominated Miller and out going President Jean Treesh. who was absent due to illness, seconded the nomination over the telephone Miller was first elected to the town board in November 1978. taking office January 1, 1979 Mrs Treesh has served as board president since March 1978. A new town attorney was also hired Roger B. Cosbey of Ligonier, associated with the law firm Heckner and Associates, replaces Tim Blue of Warsaw The 1981 salaries for board trustees and town employees were approved The salaries are S3OO for trustees -unchanged from last year), $7,000 for clerktreasurer. $13,200 for street and water superintendent. $250 for fire chief, S2OO for firemen. $’1,124 for town marshal. $4,800 for deputy town marshal and $1,200 for police deputies All town employees were retained and Don Wooten was reappointed civil defense director A Super Job The board praised the Street and Water Department for its work tn removing snow from the town's streets. “Ron Conley - and his staff has done a super job in removing the snow. I can't remember when the streets have been so clear They've worked a lot of hours keeping the streets

Lake Wawasee man victim of asphyxiation

Robert Baker. S 3, of r 1 box 266 C Lake Wawasee. Syracuse, died early Sunday morning. Jan 11. in a house fire. According to Kosciusko County Coroner Gary East hind. Baker died of smoke inhalation Syracuse firemen found the man in the front bedroom of his home Following a Monday investigation by Syracuse Fire Chief Kenny Johnson, assisted by Kosciusko County Deputy Tom Kitch and State’ Fire Marshal Robert Fortner, it was believed the fire may have begin in a living room chair. Although the cause is undetermined, it is believed the fire began from careless smoking Neighbor Gail Troxel reported the house fire at 7:14 a m to the Syracuse Fire Department. When firemen arrived at the Ogden Island home two-thirds of the home was engulfed in flames Chief Johnson stated at the time

Major Robert L Reed of the Ball State University police department. A public safety officer with more than 20 years experience, he is secretary of the Indiana Chapter of the Associated Public Safety Communications Officers of America. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and teaches communications at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy at Plainfield. Subjects to be covered by Reed, who will be assisted by a communications representative from the Indiana State Police, will include telephone techniques, radio and telephone circuit discipline. "10" codes. FCC rules and regulations, severe weather warnings. communications dispatch techniques, basic call procedures, bomb threats, disaster procedures, personal communications and news media and public relations. The seminar will be run in two identical sets of two four-hour sessions to allow maximum attendance from fulltime as well as volunteer and part-time public safety personnel Further information may be obtained from Chief Johnson at the Syracuse Fire Station. Some late registrations will be ac‘ cepted. depending on the number registered.

' fl » I NEW TOWN BOARD PRESIDENT — Steve Miller was elected Milford's new town board president Monday evening. Jan. 12. Having served on the Milford Town Board since January 1979. Miller replaces Jean Treesh who has served has president since March 1»T8. .(Photo by Terri Chilcote» cleaned.” acknowledged Miller Street and Water Superin tendent Ron Conley thanked his father. Reuben Conley; Rick Crews. Randy Veech; and Marshal David Hobbs for their help m the snow removal Hobbs presented his monthly and yearly police report to the (Continued on page 2)

flames were shooting through the living room picture window, with the fire already going through the roof. One neighbor commented someone could be in the house. It took 40 minutes for 21 firemen and five trucks Io control the blaze. After firemen extinguished a major portion of the fire, they were able to gain entry into the home for a search. Baker was the only person home during the fire. His home, located at the southern tip of Ogden Island on Lake Wawasee, was a complete loss. Dwelling damage was listed at 840.000. According to the coroner’s report, Robert Glen Baker died at 6:15a.m Sunday. He was born on March 28.1927, to Mr. and Mrs. Glen (Annabelle Burton) Baker, Sr., in Muncie. He moved to the Syracuse area in 1975 from Muncie (Continuedon page 2)

Second annual —

Plans going forward for Winter Carnival

By TERRI CHILCOTE Plans for the Syracuse Winter Carnival were finalized at the January 9 meeting of the Syracuse Retail Merchants. The Winter Carnival, to be held February 7, is sponsored by the merchants and coordinated by the Syracuse Park Board Diane Walker of the park board read the agenda for the carnival and stated the board has already begun plans for next year in which they hope to include dog sledding "The park board has been ven kind in taking the Winter Car- ' nival off our backs.” stated President Joyce Smith The problem of parking during the carnival was brought up and Mrs Smith suggested they check with nearby factories about the possibility of using their parking lots. Mrs. Walker informed the retailers the hot air balloon to be used during the carnival will cost S2OO and the merchants decided to charge a fee for balloon rides to offset the cost. “We want to make this ’the carnival 1 as selfsupporting as possible." explained Mrs. Smith. Mrs Smith ’’ urged the merchants to back the park board and help them raise money for next year’s Winter Carnival They are hoping to raise enough money to offer the carnival for two days next year “If we get started on it today, we can do it.” urged Joe Gray, executive secretary for the SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce Mrs. Walker announced two businesses have donated a prize each for the snowmobile events during the Winter Carnival Curtis TV and Appliance Center will donate a television set and Gulliver’s Travels will donate a get-away week end. The merchants will sponsor a chili dinner during the February 7 carnival at the Saint Andrew's United Methodist Church's Fellowship Hall, beginning at 11 a m. Each merchant was asked to donate a pie, cake or $5 A new member of the Retail Merchants Association. John Miller of Pickwick Pastries, offered to donate "four or five sheet cakes.” Promotion Brochure In other business. Gray told the group of a brochure he is trying to get approved by the SyracuseWawasee Area Development Company. The brochure would be used to promote the area and placed in five states in rest areas and information centers "The purpose won’t be solely to bring in industry, but to improve the local economy in any way we can. " he explained Gray said the brochures would carry spot ads of various businesses * and as many A

ntoi *. . BAKER WES— Robert Baker. S 3. Lake Wawasee. died in this house test Sunday morning. The cause of death was listed as smoke inhalation. Baker’s body was found by firemen in the front bedroom of the home. (Photo by Ron Baumgartner)

brochures as the merchants want will be available to them. Gray reminded them the local development company is a nonprofit company “This doesn’t mean that the local development company can't make money, but no one can put it into their pocket. All the money must go back into the community." he stated. “Joe Gray, in my opinion, has done an excellent job as executive secretary (of the Chamber of Commerce). If this local development company gets going, much of the credit will go to Joe.” praised Mrs Smith In final business, the Syracuse

$ J 5,000 in damages to Lake Wawasee home

The Cromwell Fire Department requested assistance from the Syracuse Fire Department at a Lake Wawasee house fire on January Bat 5:17 am. A house owned by James Fick. Jr, located behind the Crow’s Nest, had $15,000 damage There was heavy fire damage to the second floor and smoke damage

Let bids for new Milford Junior High

By KIM HIEBER Wright Construction Corp, Elkhart, has been named the general contractor for the new Milford Junior High School and addition to the Milford Elementary School. The firm has done work for the school corporation in the past, including the elevator at Wawasee High School during the past summer. Lakeland Community School Board members reviewed bids for the construction with architectural firm Everett I. Brown, spokesman Kenneth

Save 100 lives in 'Bl

All Indiana citizens are urged to join the Indiana State Police in a new program to reduce traffic fatalities by at least 100 persons in 1981 To date. 1,152 persons were killed in traffic accidents The program, named ‘Save 100 Lives in 81’ includes many of the same enforcement and public education programs that were successful in reducing 1980 fatalities The main program thrust will call for more citizen awareness and participation in saving lives. Superintendent John T. Shettle stated. “For too tong all of us have tolerated senseless’ slaughter on our highways, and

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NUMBER 52

Retail officers and appointed committees and committee chairmen. Mrs. Smith was re-elected president and Jeanne Gardiner was re-elected secretary. Jack Matney . was elected vice president. Matney was appointed chairman of the fund raising committee and Jean Rogers will head the advertising committee. Those serving on the goofy committee this year are Carolyn Michaels. Ed Harting and Mrs. Gardiner. The goofy committee will be in charge of Halloween Moonlight Madness next fall

to the first floor. When Cromwell the fire had traveled from the furnace into the upstairs. The fire was caused by a malfunctioning gas furnace. Both departments remained until the fire was completely extinguished at about 8:48a m

Brown, during their regular meeting Tuesday night. The board approved three alternatives. " The existing Milford Elementary ceiling will be taken down and a new one constructed with smoke detectors according to safety codes The junior high structure will have sewers and blacktop as noted in alternate one and the gymnasium floor will be of maple, not synthetic products Accepted along”with Wright’s bids were the following: Paving, (Continued on page 2)

only through awareness, participation and cooperation cah all of us. joined together, make our highways safer for all citizens. Highlights for the 1981 program include: Enforcement — C.A.R.E., Project 55. Driving Under the Influence Patrols. Saturated Patrols and Alcosensors; Public information — Drivers Education, ISPMcDonalds Bicycle Safety Programs, “Driver Refresher” Programs and Licensed Drivers Program success can only happen with everyone's combined effort to ‘Shve 100 lives in 81'.