Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
As we say good-bye to another year, we’ll remember 2025 for all the good things - and the not-so-good things - that it brought.
We’ll remember those we lost, and the changes that shifted our world.
It’ll be known as the year that Kosciusko County was honored as the Community of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made Aug. 20 at Stonehenge Golf Course by David Ober, Indiana Chamber senior vice president.
In part, Ober said, “We chose Kosciusko because it checks all of the boxes. It’s a place where people want to live, work, visit and it’s a place - most importantly today, to this group - that employers want to be.”
Here’s a look back at some of the other stories from Kosciusko County in 2025 that made headlines.
Business Friendly
The week of Aug. 25, Slate Auto held several public and private events in Warsaw, including at its future manufacturing plant at the former LSC (RR Donnelley) plant along Old 30. The Kosciusko County Council on June 12 approved 10-year personal and real estate tax abatements for the EV truck manufacturer, who is investing about $363 million in the property.
Autocam Medical announced plans on June 16 to construct a 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Warsaw. Construction is anticipated to be complete and occupied in 2026. The facility will be on a 15-acre parcel at the northeast corner of North CR 200W and U.S. 30, representing an investment of over $70 million.
On Dec. 3, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun was in Warsaw for the groundbreaking for the Central Midwest Carpenter Council Training Center at 2300 Hidden Lake Road, Warsaw.
Paddock Springs, Shelden Street, Warsaw, broke ground Nov. 13 on a new 24-suite Legacy Memory Care Center, expanding the future of care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia in Kosciusko County.
Oct. 27 was the official grand opening for the Lilypad Café and Playcenter at the Kosciusko Community YMCA in Warsaw. It features a space for young children to play and learn while their parents work remotely nearby.
In September, Sullivan Wickley chief financial officer John Murphy confirmed that Hobby Lobby was coming to the Marketplace of Warsaw in fall 2026. With Hobby Lobby coming to The Marketplace, the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission on Oct. 20 approved an economic development memorandum of understanding with Sullivan Wickley, the owners and developers of The Marketplace, along with a $250,000 revolving loan fund agreement. The loan is to assist Sullivan Wickley expand 20,000 square feet into 50,000 square feet for Hobby Lobby.
Beef-A-Roo held its ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 5 for its new location at 408 N. Detroit St., Warsaw. It had a soft opening starting June 27.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, 2806 Frontage Road, Warsaw, had its grand opening March 13.
OrthoLazer, 902 Provident Drive, Suite C, Warsaw, had its ceremonial ribbon-cutting with the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Oct. 15 for its corporate headquarters and flagship Orthopedic Wellness Center.
Parkview Health, Orthopaedics NorthEast hosted a celebration for the new Orthopedic Surgery Center at 335 E. CR 200N, Warsaw.
Alderfer Bergen & Co. merged with Beacon Pointe Advisors, an official announcement was made Sept. 9.
Lake City Bank announced Sept. 8 its plans to invest $12 million in the company’s Innovation and Technology Center as part of its downtown Warsaw headquarters campus expansion. Construction on the 35,600-square-foot office building began in September and continues now.
Milford Food Bank broke ground for a new building June 5 at the corner of Emeline and James streets in Milford.
Kosciusko County Commissioners said “no” to a rezoning request by Prologis that would have allowed for a data center in the Leesburg/Clunette area. The commissioners upheld the Area Plan Commission recommendation to deny the rezoning over 500 acres from agricultural to industrial-3. The property, owned by Tim Polk, Polk Family Farms and Murphy Place LLC, is on the north side of CR 700N, west of CR 300W, in Prairie and Jefferson townships.
Parking & Downtown Warsaw
On Dec. 23, the Kosciusko County Commissioners approved a purchase agreement for $475,000 for the property at 225 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, currently occupied by Ameriprise, owned by Snapping Turtle LLC. The commissioners approved a preliminary offer of $235,000 in August. The site will be used for parking, possibly a parking garage if it’s deemed suitable after soil borings are done in early 2026.
The city of Warsaw is working on revamping its downtown parking rules.
On Dec. 1, the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission approved a $30,000 contract with Anderson Bohlander LLC to begin exploring what a festival street downtown Warsaw would look like and its costs. The contract comes on the heels of Main Street Warsaw’s 2030 Plan and the aspirations for the downtown to become a cultural district.
On Oct. 6, the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission authorized the disposition and sale of the bulk of the Marsh property, 500 S. Buffalo St., and an outlot. The bulk of the property was sold for $1 million to 500 Buffalo LLC for an antique mall, while the outlot was sold for $225,000 to Ewert Development LLC to put in a Scooter’s Coffee.
Millworks market-rate apartments is expected to be completed by late 2026 at the former site of Owens grocery store, 302 W. Market St. On Sept. 23, AP Development LLC, along with city officials, KEDCO and others, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the downtown housing development.
Though not downtown, a groundbreaking ceremony for Union Station Lofts, located on the site of the former Gatke Corp., took place May 15. The apartments are expected to be completed in summer 2026 and will have 80 units.
In February, the city of Warsaw began the process for the approximate $13.5 million new public works building on West Center Street. Construction is anticipated to be complete in 2026.
On Aug. 29, limestone panel roofing on the northeast side of the Kosciusko County Justice Building collapsed. No one was injured.
Winona Lake, SBOA
The State Board of Accounts released its report July 19 that found numerous issues with the town from Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2022, ranging from poor record keeping to misuse of town credit cards and town funds paying for employees’ personal items.
While the town council investigated employee activities that were part of the SBOA audit, the town park board completed its own investigation. Winona Lake Parks Director Holly Hummitch reimbursed the town for some of the credit card uses made by her that were deemed improper.
On Oct. 28, the Winona Lake Town Council made a statement saying the town “has been made whole” in regards to the SBOA report on alleged misuse of town credit cards. In August, the council had approved sending letters of explanation to town employees or former employees named in the report.
Caucuses & Appointments
While 2025 was an off-year with no elections, several Republican caucuses took place to fill positions vacated by resignations or death.
A caucus scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 had two candidates - Spencer Bartlett and Cheryl Thompson - to replace Clay Township Trustee Stephanie Stutzman, who resigned effective Dec. 31. The winner was Bartlett
Kosciusko County At-Large Councilman DeLynn Geiger announced his resignation from the council after the council’s meeting on Dec. 11, effective Dec. 12, citing his desire to spend more time with family. A caucus is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 6, with the sole candidate so far being former County Commissioner Brad Jackson. Jackson had announced his intentions to run for the District 1 County Council seat, currently held by Kimberly Cates.
Triton School Board appointed Austin Davis on Nov. 3 to fill the vacant position for the town of Bourbon. He replaced Ken Miller, who resigned in September.
On Aug. 12, the Etna Green Town Council approved hiring Ann Anglin as the clerk-treasurer. Anglin had been serving as chief deputy clerk for the town since the resignation of Barbara Wagoner. Wagoner resigned as clerk-treasurer June 30 after being appointed to the position May 22 by Kosciusko County Republican Party Central Committee Chairman Mike Ragan, who had appointed her after the resignation of Patti Cook.
In March, a Republican caucus chose Joe Irwin to replace the late Mike Long on the Kosciusko County Council. His term expires Dec. 31, 2026, but Irwin has already announced his candidacy for re-election.
Deaths
A number of prominent deaths occurred in 2025.
Former county sheriff and county administrator Ron Robinson died Dec. 15.
Grace College & Grace Theological Seminary mourned the passing of Dr. Ronald E. Manahan, the institution’s fifth president.
Former Republican Party Chairwoman and Lake City Bank executive Jean Northenor died Nov. 6, 2025. She was hailed as a “trailblazer” and role model.
Mary Louise Miller, philanthropist and wife of late Biomet founder Dr. Dane Miller, died Sept. 27.
Former teacher and coach Gene Butts, 94, died Aug. 12 in a two-vehicle crash.
Former county prosecutor and attorney David Kolbe died in April. At the end of March, he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
Kosciusko County Councilman Mike Long died Feb. 27 by accidental drowning in Etna Green.
Education
The 2026 Lilly Scholars were named Dec. 15 as Warsaw Community High School seniors Titiksha Gorhe and Ian Parrott. WCHS student Bronwyn Poch was surprised Nov. 21 to find out she was the recipient of the Rick and April Sasso Family Scholarship.
Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation named Alexa Holland as its new athletic director Dec. 15, while Whitko named Drew Benedict as its new A.D. Holland replaced Sam Sturtevant, who was terminated Oct. 20 after being put on administrative leave earlier in the month.
Barrett Hodorek, who was a Lakeview Middle School student when the 2025 National Civics Bee competition began, took second place in the Civics Bee National Championship Nov. 10-11 in Washington, D.C. He was declared the winner of the Indiana Civics Bee July 30.
Grace College had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 17 for its new Center for Movement and Wellbeing at the Gordon Health & Wellness Center, 100 Publishers Drive, Winona Lake.
Whitko School Corporation dedicated its renovated Whitko Jr.-Sr. High School Aug. 11, with guest speaker U.S. Sen. Jim Banks. Banks attended Whitko schools through middle school.
Generosity
Giving has always been a big part of the community, and this year was no different.
A record number of kids were signed up for Toys for Tots this year, and people gave through multiple ways. The WNDU channel 16 toy drive at Martin’s was Dec. 6, with the county fire departments giving big. Attendees at the Dec. 13 A Country Christmas with Susie McEntire also filled up about 18 boxes of toys.
Wheels on Fire presented a total of about $70,000 to cancer organizations and funds on Dec. 7.
On Nov. 8, Kiwanians from North Webster, Milford and Syracuse joined with other volunteers at the North Webster Lions’ Mermaid Festival grounds to build beds for Sleep In Heavenly Peace. SHP is a nonprofit dedicated to building, assembling and delivering single and bunk twin beds to children and families in need.
More than 60% of The Magical Meadows’ $2 million Growing with Heart capital campaign goal was raised in less than a year. On Sept. 24, the therapeutic horseback riding nonprofit at 3386 E. CR 525N, Warsaw, held a groundbreaking ceremony on the major expansion project. On Aug. 7, 10 Magical Meadows volunteers participated in the “Rockathon Fundraising Showdown” to raise over $100,000 for the capital campaign.
Habitat for Humanity celebrated its largest grant award in the organization’s 34-year history in February. The grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation was made possible through the Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Community Leadership Implementation Grants. Habitat received the nearly $1 million grant to bolster its operational capacity, grow its ReStore, open a new Home Repair Program in 2026 and help facilitate the creation of a local coalition of stakeholders to address housing needs in the county.
The Warsaw Rotary Club met in December to hold their annual Rotary Salvation Army Day, collecting $60,260.53 to support the efforts of The Salvation Army in the county. 2025 marked the 60th anniversary of the event, which was first held in December 1965.
Protests & Vigils
A number of protests took place in Warsaw in 2025 over actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.
On Oct. 18, Warsaw was one of more than 2,000 locations for the “No Kings” demonstrations. Kosciusko County Democrats were part of the protest organizers. On June 14, another “No Kings” protest took place along Detroit Street. On Aug. 9, nearly 100 people turned out in near 90-degree temperatures to defend the role of immigrants amid an ongoing federal crackdown on undocumented residents. Other protests took place May 1, April 19 and April 5.
Not so much a protest as a vigil, hundreds of people gathered at Central Park Sept. 18 to sing and pray and remember conservative activist and speaker Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University.
Odds & Ends
An EF-1 tornado hit the town of Bourbon in Marshall County on the night of April 2. It reached speeds of 105 mph. Its path was 17.91 miles long and 175 yards wide. No deaths or injuries were reported.
Kosciusko Area Bus Service (KABS) began a deviated fixed route Sept. 8 in Warsaw and Winona Lake. The fixed route is a transit service that operates on a specific route with specific stop points, but allows for riders to request deviations. Planning for the route was two years in the making. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the route took place Sept. 29.
The Kosciusko County Reentry Court had its first graduate Nov. 26 in Brandon Warren, 47. 2025 was the first year for the Reentry Court.
On Nov. 13, to assist the town of Claypool with its wastewater project, the Kosciusko County Council approved allocating $250,000 out of the Louis Dreyfus Tax Increment Financing District. The town had a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction on the wastewater and stormwater improvement project Nov. 6.
On Nov. 5, the Mentone Town Council voted to name the new pavilion at Mentzer Memorial Park as The Gathering Place. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the pavilion and other Mentzer Park improvements took place Sept. 4.
On Oct. 9, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place for the Chinworth Bridge Trail extension along Old 30 West. It was the first project completed by the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board.
In 2025, Makia Lucas and Briana Kessler were named the national 2025 Little Sister and Big Sister of the Year, respectively, by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
The town of Silver Lake was awarded a $500,000 grant Sept. 3 from the Community Amenities Program to help bring its long-envisioned community center to life. The $2.85 million project will provide a hub for residents and businesses, featuring a gymnasium, multipurpose room, kitchenette, computer lab, exercise room and office space.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place July 12 for artist Justin Vining’s 8-foot-by-32-foot mural in Etna Green. Images for the mural were selected by the town council and made to look like a giant postcard.
Winona Lake hired Pamela Howard as its new town manager July 7. She replaced longtime town manager Craig Allebach, who said he was retiring at the end of October 2024, but would stay on until his replacement was found.
Ken and Sina Locke retired from The Salvation Army at the end of June. A retirement celebration for them was held June 17 at Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion.
Victor Santos, 61, New York, was sentenced to 20 years May 5 for the Nov. 12, 2022, semi-bus crash on U.S. 30 near Center Street. The bus was carrying a hockey team from St. Ignatius College Prep in Illinois.
Milestone Contractors began the removal of Center Lake pier in late January. The company was hired by the city of Warsaw to demolish and remove the pier. Work was completed in just a few months.
