Elkhart

Salvation Army of Elkhart Major Tim Nauta on Thursday said he was making a "major appeal" to the community to donate to red kettles outside area stores this holiday season. Nauta says giving is down but community needs continue to grow.

Mayor Rod Roberson administration spokesman Alex Otto says so far they're the only entity who's talking about the need to address the Nappanee Street pedestrian bridge. He says the city will need some other entity to also step up and contribute money if the community wants the bridge replaced.

The Indiana Department of Transportation says it can't afford the Nappanee Street pedestrian bridge's estimated $8.5 million replacement cost but it's happy to approve a new bridge if the city can find the money. Teacher Chad Crabtree says Gov. Mike Braun needs to get involved.

The city of Elkhart built the steel pedestrian bridge in 1971 from parts in a decorative arch that stood over the intersection of Main and Franklin streets downtown in the 1960s.

St. Joseph County Economic Development Director Bill Schalliol says the county hopes the gas station on the opposite corner can remain, while noting the overpass has not yet been designed.

The money comes to the state from the Lilly Endowment, as part of Indiana's regional approach to economic development launched under former Gov. Eric Holcomb.

The Elkhart County Suicide Prevention Coalition will offer a free seminar Oct. 9, "Getting Real: Honest conversations about youth mental health and suicide prevention."

City of Elkhart officials plan to soon take input from experts as they update their zoning ordinance for battery energy storage systems.

Amazon on Wednesday announced the opening of its Elkhart Delivery Station off John Weaver Parkway. Its 250 employees, earning an average $19 an hour, sort and pick the packages before loading them into delivery vehicles.

Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce CEO Levon Johnson said he wanted to leave it up to the show's staff to rank Elkhart's best features because he always likes to hear an outsider's perspective.