May 17, 2012
 
INDIANAPOLIS- Mike Pence says he’s close to selecting his running mate. The GOP candidate for governor says he expects to make the announcement on his website in the next few days, but did not give an exact day and time when it would be posted. He did say he has been looking for an individual with high character who has the ability to step in and become governor at any moment. He’s also looking for someone with experience in the private sector and has an understanding of state government.

UNDATED- You might be eligible to get a refund on some shoes that were supposed to help you lose weight. Indiana is among the states involved in a settlement with Skechers over a shoe the company claimed could get you in shape without stepping into a gym. Skechers claimed the shoes, marketed under names such as Shape-ups, Tone-ups and the Skechers Resistance Runner, would help you lose weight. The Federal Trade Commission says there was no scientific evidence to back up the claims.

CLAYTON, Ind. (AP) - A central Indiana school has reduced punishments for more than 60 students disciplined for a prank and protests that followed. WISH-TV and The Indianapolis Star Mill Creek Community School Corp. Superintendent Patrick Spray revoked two-day suspensions for six students who posted more than 11,000 sticky notes Monday around the school about 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis.
Fifty-seven other students given two day suspensions for demonstrations Wednesday over the original suspensions and the dismissal of a custodian will serve in-school detentions instead. Students say the prankster were given permission and a school board member provided a key. The Star quotes a parent of one of the pranksters as saying the custodian likely will get her job back.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A bicycling advocacy group has named Columbus and Fort Wayne to a list of bike-friendly cities in ndiana. Bicycle Indiana said Wednesday that the League of American bicyclists has awarded both cities a bronze rating for their efforts to foster more bike-accessible communities. The announcement brings to seven the number of Indiana communities the group has recognized. The league has also recognized 16 bike-friendly businesses in Indiana, and it's named Indiana University a bike-friendly university. The list of Indiana's bike-friendly cities also includes Bloomington, Carmel, Goshen, Indianapolis and South Bend. The seven Indiana cities are among 214 communities in 47 states on the bike-friendly list.
Bicycle Indiana and the League of American Bicyclists both are nonprofit organizations that promote the interests of bicyclists.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Hoosier Lottery is looking for private companies that might be interested in taking over some of the lottery's operations. The Hoosier Lottery Commission unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday asking private firms to submit proposals for improving "a broad scope of services" handled by the state agency. The request issued Wednesday remains open until June 1. Hoosier Lottery spokesman Al Larsen says the goal isn't to privatize the lottery, but primarily to boost its income. The commission's resolution states the lottery "should function as much as possible as an entrepreneurial enterprise." By mid-June, the lottery hopes to identify an initial list of firms interested in bidding on handling some lottery operations. By September, the lottery will begin accepting business plans and
formal, binding offers from firms.

WARSAW- The Warsaw School Board is continuing to work toward a pay raise for its employees. Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott has submitted a proposal to the board that would give administration, certified teachers, and support staff members a raise that would be phased in over a three-year period. Scott tells the Times Union that employees were given a regular raise in 2009 and also received a one-time check of $500 each two years ago thanks to federal stimulus money. The first year of raises would cost the corporation just over $400,000.

WARSAW- Combined Community Services officially opens the doors on its new home today. Their new facility on Mariner Drive near the movie theater complex was finished late last month and offers over 12,000 square feet of space. CCS is helping over 500 families each month with food and clothing donated by you and me. Their hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9-4 and Wednesday from 9-noon.

WARSAW- Tower Bank has presented the Kosciusko County Community Foundation with a gift of $1,500 for their operating fund. www.kcfoundation.org

 WARSAW- The 2012 United Way campaign is underway in Kosciusko County. Lake City Bank Vice President of Commercial Banking Everett Nifong is this year’s local chairman. This year’s campaign goal has been established at $2.18 million. To find out how you can help, log on to www.unitedwaykosciusko.org.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese will make their first appearances in court after being arrested at an early morning party near campus. The two are scheduled to make initial appearances Thursday in St. Joseph County misdemeanor court. Rees is charged with one count of battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement and one count
of illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. He was released on $250 bond.     Calabrese was charged Wednesday on a misdemeanor count of intimidation. He was released on $150 bond on the day of the May 3 party.

WARSAW- Just a reminder that this week’s Warsaw Board of Works meeting is being held on a different day. Because of board members being unavailable on Friday, this week’s meeting will be held this morning at 10:30am. Items on the agenda include a 3-year vending contract for the parks department and a change order for the city hall project.

WARSAW- Another new franchise restaurant is coming to Warsaw next month, and bringing new jobs with it. Jimmy’s John’s Gourmet Sandwiches is opening on State Road 15 north in Warsaw sometime in early June. Local franchise owners Josh Grannell and Logan Todd expect to hire 25 to 30 employees. Open interviews are being held at their new location next to O’s computers from 3-5pm weekdays.

WARSAW- Voting and bidding for “Rain on Kosciusko 2012 is underway. Various businesses throughout the county have taken rain barrels and decorated them as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County. The link below is to the Habitat page with pictures of all of the rain barrels, and you can vote for the one you like the best at a cost of $1 per vote. The barrel that brings in the most money will win the “People’s Choice Award”. The barrels themselves will also be auctioned off in a silent auction format starting at $70 each. http://www.kosciuskohabitat.com/fundraisers/rain-on-kosciusko/2012/

WINONA LAKE- The Remnant Trust will be open for viewing this weekend. The Trust announced last month that it more-than-doubled its collection in advance of the spring and summer tourism seasons. The Trust will be open from 9am-1pm Saturday. Group tours are available.  http://theremnanttrust.com/