The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 6 December 1989 — Page 2

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., December 6,1989

2

Benefit held for Webster resident

Dave Earnhart of North Webster has cancer, but he is not alone in the struggle to combat this serious disease. Behind the leadership of Tim Stopder, workers at Pacific MolaSses in Syracuse have banded together in an effort to "try to raise money for him (Earnhart),” said Stouder. W'ithin one week, Stouder said arrangements were “made right here at work" for a benefit dance. With the help of Gene Akers, Stouder commented the employees at Pacific Molasses "really dug in and put it (the dance) together. All employees really pushed it.” he added. "Knights of the Road,” a local band, donated their musical talents, while the American Legion donated its hall, as well as tickets, for the dance. The dance was held on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Stouder reported "We came out with a total of $792 so far minus a couple of checks." The addition of these checks, which are coming from the Teamsters in South

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Bend, should bring the figure close to $1,400. This benefit, coupled with other help from his fellow employees, have been “quite a big help,” commented Earnhart Both have helped him meet the costs of medical testing, medication, other treatment and transportation. Earnhart makes at least one trip to Fort Wayne per month for treatment. "I sometimes have to go back for blood tests or exams,” he said, and that raises transportation costs. Earnhart, who has been an employee at Pacific Molasses for about one year, said he has known about the cancer for about four or five months. While there were very few malignant tumors when the cancer was initially discovered, Earnhart noted they have since “spread like fire." Sharing Earnhart's gratitude for all of the help he has received, Stouder commented there are a number of people to thank for the success of the benefit.

- J' CVi -T‘ Elj HELPING HAND — Tim Stouder, left, hands Dave Earnhart, right, an envelope with the proceeds from a benefit dance held Sunday. Dec. 3. Stouder. with the help of his fellow employees at Pacific Molasses, raised about $792 to help defray the costs of medical treatment for Earnhart. (Photo by Maryifajuvtorton)

Mother Nature rewards farmers in 1989 season

I By MITCHELL STINSON Staff Writer The drought of 1988 was just an unpleasant memory for area farmers during the most recent growing season. Mother Nature was kind in ’B9, granting enough rain to quench crop thirst and to renew enthusiasm among farmers. "Most farmers are feeling pretty good,” said Vic Virgil, Kosciusko County’s agricultural extension agent. “They’re hunting for new ground.” Farmers enjoyed big jumps in crop yields when they began harvesting a few months ago. Abd it wasn’t just a good crop compared to last year. It was a kind growing season compared to most years. “We re basically around 10 percent higher yield in the county

than we had in the past,” Virgil said. Phil Smith is one of the area farmers who saw drastic improvements in his crop. The 53-year-old owns two farms, one on the edge of Silver Lake and one near the border of Wabashand Kosciusko counties. “I had excellent yields,” he said. “Probably about as good a corn crop that I’ve ever had.” Smith raises corn and hogs. Last year’s drought hit him so hard that he had to buy corn from other people to feed his stock. He said that bad crops and a shaky hog market hit him with a “double whammy.” Smith had plenty of corn to feed the hogs this year. His fine feed supply is a far cry from last year’s paltry collection. "I probably fed mine (corn) up six weeks after harvesting (last year),” he said.

Griffin to undergo psychiatric examination

(By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer Kenny Griffin, 19, Syracuse, will undergo psychiatric examination bv Dr. Robert Yuhn and Dr. Richard McNaab before standing trial in the attempted murder jjf-. Melvin "Melvie" Williams, 57, r 1, Syracuse, on November 10. On November 28, Max E. Reed, attorney for Griffin, filed a notice in Kosciusko Superior Court that he intends to rely upon the defense of insanity at the time of the trial. He also at that time filed

In future —

Animal control services uncertain

(By KATE WOLFORD Staff Writer The future of animal control services in Kosciusko County might be going to the dogs. At this time, no contract between the county and an animal control service exists for 1990. Public Safety Animal Control <PSAC), the current county service provider, was the only company to bid for a 1990 contract. No money has yet been appropriated for anima] control services and as a result, the commissioners are unable to sign a contract with PSAC. The issue was discussed at a December 5 meeting of the county commissioners. Although in November, the county council instructed CountyAuditor Pat Brown to advertise for a $76,000 animal control appropriation. no money can actually be appropriated until after January 1.

Minimum wage hike causes concern

The White House recently reached agreement with congressional members on legislation to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in nearly a decade and to create the first training wage for teen-agers. A new bill would raise the minimum hourly pay rate from the current $3.35 to $3.80 next April 1 and to $4 25 a year later. The $3.35 minimum wage has been in effect since 1981. While many local businesses downplay the effects of a proposed hike in the minimum wage, noting that they pay well above the minimum standard already, some residents are concerned that a price increase will accompany the change. “Businesses sure aren’t going to stand still and absorb the cost of raising wages, you can be sure that they’ll make the general public pay for it,” says Warsaw resident Linda Crews. Area store clerk Tom Miller says that while most businesses currently pay above today’s minimum, a substantial increase may cause some swing in the economy. “I don’t think it’ll be a major impact, but those businesses that employ younger people, like grocery and variety stores, may have to increase prices or cut in some area to offset the wage differential," he says. However, Jim Evans, director

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[ Happier farmers make for a happier extension agent. Virgil says his job was a lot more fun this year. People are in a better i mood when they come into his ofi fice at the Warsaw Courthouse. But big improvement in crops '* doesn’t necessarily mean big improvement in earnings. With the ' help of government disaster 1 payments, many farmers made good money in ’BB. And the laws of supply and demand made for a ' good crop market price, because ‘ of the scarcity of the products. ' This time around, there was plenty of product and the price wasn’t as good. I Virgil says the questions he I hears nowadays are much different from the drought year. Landlords ask him about how • much they should be charging for L ' cash rents. Farmers already face an increase in operating costs, so

a motion for psychiatric examination. The later motion asked the court to appoint two disinterested psychiatrists to examine Griffin and to testify at the time of the trial concerning the examination. Reed noted the appointment requested is based upon the grounds that he has reason to believe Griffin may have been suffering a paranoid delusion, and/or was insane at the time the offense allegedly was committed. Randy Girod, deputy prosecuting attorney, noted it would be two to three months at the least before the evaluation has

Dan Riffle, owner of PSAC, appeared before the commissioners at the December 5 meeting. Commissioner Maurice Beer commended him on the work his company had performed for the ‘yRiffle said the loss of animal control service, “Makes it bad for the citizens of Kosciusko County.” He also stated that at this point. "I have to go in two directions at once." Riffle explained that while he must plan to shut down his business, as he has no contract with the county for 1990, if the chance for a contract exists, he wants to provide the service. "It (lack of a contract) affects everybody in the county," Riffle commented. In fact. Riffle cannot contract for services with other entities, such as the City of Warsaw or the Kosciusko County Health Department, without a contract with the county.

of human resources at Augsburger’s Super Valu stores, notes, "We are basically above the minimum wage at the current time. Our wages are based more on the competitive market than the legislature.” While he noted that the proposed increase “is bound to affect the economy at some level,” Evans didn’t forsee any immediate effects. Mark Hubbs, manager of Big Wheel in Syracuse, points out that the proposed bill may change between now and its drafting period, saying. “We really don't know what’s going to happen, but we don’t foresee making any changes.” “If they raise (minimum wages) to $3.80 it won't affect us because we pay $4 now for high school aged help and $4.50 for those out of high school,” says Tim Stonger, manager of Owen’s Supermarket. Warsaw. Even restaurants, which aren't required to pay minimum wag? unless they gross above a certain dollar amount, are paying most of their employees above the current minimum. “The demand for high school students and other part-time help is so high and the availability is so low that everyone is forced to raise wages,” adds Stonger. The newly proposed training wage would allow employers to pay 85 percent of the minimum.

Virgil thinks that rent increases wouldn’t be wise. All things considered, 1989 was a good year for farmers. Land that was parched last year looked to be on the road to recovery year. But there were some surprising developments as well. Virgil said some fields produced the opposite results from what was expected. Some that were expected to have good yields, didn’t. Others that were expected to have lower yields produced beyond expectations. “There was variability from field to field that we had a hard time explaining,” Virgil said. Minor mysteries like that don’t bother farmers much, however. If the weather keeps cooperating like it did during the past growing season, the farmers should keep smiling and Virgil’s job will remainfun.

been given to the court. The results of the evaluation will have a significant impact on the courts decision according to Girod. He commented if it is proven Griffin was insane at the time of the alleged crime, but is now sane, he will be found innocent off the crime. The burden will then be placed on the prosecution to seek voluntary commitment proceedings. Commitment could be 30 days or indefinitely. If Griffin is found guilty but mentally ill, he could be sentenced to a state mental hospital for a fixed term or until he is cured and then finishing his sentence in the state prison.

Riffle concludes, “I guess I’m in limbo." The issue of animal control services may. however, be satisfactorily concluded. After Riffle had left the December 5 meeting, the commissioners indicated they expected the matter to be positively resolved. Zoning Requests Granted Several Lakeland area residents were granted zoning requests at the December 5 meeting. These included a request by David and Susie Butler to have a Dewart Lake area parcel rezoned from agricultural to agricultural 11. A 25 acre parcel of land owned by Bonnie Stevens, located on the west side of SR 13S and south of CR 500 N was rezoned from agricultural to commercial. Another parcel, about. 150 acres, located at CR 500 N and 800 feet west of SR 13S, was zoned from agricultural to residential.

or $3.23 an hour initially, to workers aged 16 to 19 for up to three months, and may be utilized by some smaller businesses. Such a measure may benefit teens, according to Evans who also notes, "It provides some opportunities to the businesses in our area, where you only have people for 60 days during the summer.” However, Phil Campbell, owner of Campbell’s IGA in Milford, claims, "The training period may work for teen-agers, but overall the increase will be harder on them. You can always hire people who are retired while no one will hire a teen-ager when you can hire an adult at the same price.” At the same time, an increase in the minimum wage appeared to be imminent and preparation by businesses to absorb that change will determine what real affect that increase will have in the coming months. Local winners win SIO,OOO A North Webster resident and two Syracuse residents are recent winners in the Hoosier Lottery. Each one SIO,OOO. Tim Stephens, North Webster, won his SIO,OOO on Saturday, Dec. 2. He purchased his winning ticket at Red-D-Mart, Syracuse. Max Grady, Syracuse, won his SIO,OOO on Sunday, Dec. 3, after purchasing hts ticket at Sleepy Owl Restaurant, Syracuse. He has plans to use his winnings to invest in land. Elizabeth Hill, Syracuse, won SIO,OOO during the week of November 21-28. She purchased her winning ticket at Mr. G’s in Osceola. All winners were able to redeem the winning tickets the following day and received SB,OOO after taxes were taken out.