By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — The following is a recap of top stories that stood out in 2024 in Kosciusko County.
Downtown growth
Downtown Warsaw saw a banner year with a large number of new stores opening, providing a more diverse selection of options for downtown shoppers. As a result, the number of storefront vacancies now hovers near zero — an impressive fete for any small downtown.
At the same time, Fellowship Missions opened the Gathering Place and LITE and Generous Coffee agreed to share space along Center Street.
Orthopedic retention money
Local leaders began developing a plan on how to use $30 million in money directed by the state legislature to help boost job retention in the orthopedic industry. The program is formally known as the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative (OIRI) and is overseen by OrthoWorx. Among the first projects to see movement is a plan for an orthopedic innovation center with a partnership involving Grace College. Talks are also underway for a future city-county parking garage in Warsaw. Nine other projects have been outlined.
Overdose deaths
The number of deaths resulting in overdoses in Kosciusko County fell significantly in the past year. Officials attribute that to the availability of Narcan and an array of community programs and educational efforts.
Grace College
A $27 million grant from Lilly Endowment was awarded to Grace College. The grant represents the largest donation in school history and will provide partial support for a larger collaborative project involving a series of initiatives in Warsaw and Winona Lake. Also this year, the college announced plans for a new $2 million welcome center that will transform much of Westminster Hall.
Winona Lake
Winona Lake Town Council revamped how the Miller Sunset Pavilion is managed in hopes of whittling down a large debt from its construction. Meanwhile, Gov. Eric Holcomb honored retiring town manager Craig Allebach with the Sagamore of the Wabash after Allebach announced plans to retire.
County leadership
Retirements and the 2024 election helped reshape Kosciusko County leadership. Sue Ann Mitchell moves over from county council to the board of commissioners, replacing longtime commissioner Brad Jackson. Council added two new faces — both Republicans — with the election of Rachael Rhoades and Delynn Geiger. Meanwhile, Allysa Schmucker was appointed county auditor by a GOP caucus after Rhonda Helser stepped down.
Sheriff’s program
Sheriff Jim Smith established a Community Recovery Program focused on helping inmates prepare for life after incarceration. The program relies heavily on grants and community resources. Shanna Wallen was named resource navigator and the program is expected to evolve in 2025.
YMCA
Kosciusko Community YMCA had a busy year as it opened a new facility near downtown Warsaw that offers 24/7 access. It also worked to establish two programs addressing the need for more childcare in the community.
Orthopedics
Zimmer Biomet is now the home for a MedTech venture program via Plug and Play, an internationally recognized developer of innovative start-ups. Officials hope that a few of those businesses will eventually consider taking root in Warsaw. On an unrelated note, Johnson & Johnson quietly ditched the name Depuy Synthes in favor of Johnson & Johnson, thereby eliminating any direct reference to the first orthopedic company in the world.
Warsaw Football
Coach Bart Curtis led Warsaw’s high school football team on a historic playoff run as the Tigers knocked off the top three 5A teams in the state before losing in the championship game against Decatur Central.
Other stories worth mentioning …
- The closing of Big Lots and Workout Anytime put a dent in the momentum to revitalize Market Place of Warsaw, which saw a tremendous rebound after new owners took over the shopping center in 2022. On the bright side, Bealls moved into the shopping center and a new retailer is expected to fill the vacancy in the Big Lots property in early 2025.
- Construction of an overpass is expected to improve traffic flow north of Milford and could lead to new development along the county road east toward Syracuse.
- A lack of transparency was highlighted in a state audit that showed the town of Syracuse has been reimbursing health insurance premiums outside the town group health plan. InkFreeNews reported the Indiana State Board of Accounts determined current and former town council members along with several former town employees owe the town about $503,529. The town council contends the practice is permissible under state law.
