From Left: New Winona Lake Police Reserve Officers Dalis Owens and Brittany Lyon being sworn in by Town Attorney Adam Turner, right. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

WINONA LAKE — The Town Council approved the swearing-in of two reserve officers for the Winona Lake Police Department at its meeting, Tuesday night, Dec. 17.

Brittany Lyon and Dalis Owens were sworn in as reserve officers with the Winona Lake Police Department by Town Attorney Adam Turner.

Lyon, originally from Vermont, moved to Winona Lake while she attended Grace College. She is currently working for Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice in Business Development. Lyon will attend the Reserve Academy beginning in January, graduating in May 2020. This will provide 200 hours of training. She will enter into a field training program locally with Winona Lake Training Officers. Lyon resides in Warsaw, according to a news release provided by Winona Lake Police.

Owens is a former Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of 18 years. He currently works as a police officer for Parkview Health. With his 24 years in law enforcement, Owens will take on an abbreviated training period. He and his wife live in Leesburg, said the news release.

“Both Lyon and Owens will be a great asset to our reserve program,” said Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn.

Other business included:

• The council honored three law enforcement officials who aided in the rescue of a child from an icy pond on Nov. 15, 2019.
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  From left: Councilmember Tecy Banta is pictured with Winona Lake Town Council President Rick Swaim as he presents a plaque and photo in honor of Banta’s work with the town. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

  The council tabled the hearing for the wastewater rate increase to $56 per month until Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Winona Lake Town Hall.

• Trash rates for the town increased to $6 per month. The increase was approved by the council in a public hearing.
• The council honored Tecy Banta as she ends her tenure on the town council effective Jan. 1.
• The council approved Metric Environmental to conduct an impact study of the Winona Heritage Trail East expansion. The cost of the study is $25,640. Much of the cost coverage will come from an $82,780 grant from the K21 Health Foundation.
• The council accepted a bid from Milford-based Phend & Brown, Inc. for street repairs. The cost for Phend & Brown to complete the project is $269,375. Oakwood Avenue, Court Street, Durham Court, Krista Lane, Lexington Avenue, Peachtree Lane, Rutland Court, Stratford Drive, West Canal and Winchester Court are slated for improvements. The funds were made available through the Community Crossings Grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation. Work will begin in the spring of 2020.
• The council approved Public Works Director Tom Miller’s plan to purchase a new backhoe bucket from Indianapolis-based RPM Machinery, LLC for $5,999.67.
• The council approved the agreement renewals for Town Engineer Aaron Carl and Town Attorney Adam Turner.