Suzie Light and Alex Hall presented on the K-County First appreciation initiative for first responders at the Winona Lake Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Winona Lake Town Hall and afterward posed with Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn and Assistant Fire Chiefs Carson Kintzel and Terry Himes for a photo. From left: Kintzel, Light, Himes, Hawn and Hall. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — Government entities around Kosciusko County have been learning about a new appreciation initiative for first responders, and it was Winona Lake’s turn to hear about it on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Suzie Light and Alex Hall presented on K-County First at the Winona Lake Town Council meeting Tuesday. Live Well Kosciusko, with assistance from Kosciusko Leadership Academy, is behind the initiative, which is meant to thank first responders for all they do for the community.

Billboards have gone up in the county with appreciation messages for the responders, and the public is welcome to visit livewellkosciusko.org/kcounty-first to learn more about the program and submit thank-you videos for emergency workers.

Through K-County First, first responders will be getting cards to receive discounts at a number of local retailers who’ve agreed to participate. Businesses can learn how to join the program by visiting the above webpage.

Police and fire departments around the county are also getting posters to put up about the program.

Utility Changes

The council also heard a reminder that stormwater rates for residents will increase to $9 per month Sunday, Jan. 1, which is part of the graduated schedule the council passed when they approved stormwater fees initially in December 2020.

Town Clerk-Treasurer Laurie Renier also mentioned the town is trying to encourage residents to pay utility bills online at www.winonalake.net. Residents should then choose “Make a Payment” once there, followed by clicking on “Utility” and putting in their account numbers.

“I would like for us to go paperless by 2024,” added Renier regarding billing.

In other business, the council:

• Welcomed new member Ashley McGinnis. She was chosen by GOP caucus on Dec. 13 to replace Denny Duncan, who had to resign due to being elected to the Warsaw Community School Board.
• Approved adding the new Raccoon Run housing development to Ward 2 of the town’s council districts.
• Heard that the Winona Lake Fire Department has received boards to communicate with autistic individuals. Other county fire departments will also get them.
• Approved its regular agreement with the Kosciusko Economic Development Corp.
• Approved agreements for having Aaron Carl continue as engineer for the town and Adam Turner as attorney.
• Approved appointing Travis Trump to the Winona Lake Park Board to replace McGinnis and Dennis Daniels, Alan Alderfer and Bruce Shaffner to the Winona Lake Redevelopment Commission.

The council’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Winona Lake Town Hall.

Carson Kintzel holds one of the boards that the Winona Lake Fire Department has received to communicate with autistic individuals.