Bandit, Rebels And Basketball Highlighted Local News Events
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
This year's most interesting stories of local interest involved a bandit, a basketball hero and a handful of rebels from Silver Lake.
In a survey by the Times-Union news staff, the top news story of 1996 was the ongoing tale of the Bicycle Bandit, the assailant who kept Warsaw residents nervous for the entire summer as he casually broke into upward of 70 homes.
In most cases, the assailant - believed to have fled the area - entered many homes that had been left unlocked. Often, the suspect rooted through purses and took only cash.
The common denominator in most cases was the bandit's escape method - use of a bicycle - with fresh tracks in the grass left behind near many of the homes.
On two occasions, he was confronted by residents inside, one of whom included a son of Mayor Jeff Plank. In the other incident, he confronted a woman and punched her in the face.
In November, a possible suspect was confronted by an officer after an alleged break-in. They wrestled briefly, but the suspect got away. Police have not reported any related break-ins since.
The second biggest story of 1996 involved the so-called Patriots, most of whom live in the Silver Lake area. The group, closely affiliated with the Freemen in Montana, hosted a series of meetings in which they questioned the constitutionality of local control.
A few of the Patriots were arrested when they attempted to pass checks that most banking institutions will not accept.
Most certainly the brightest story of the year belonged to Kevin Ault, Warsaw Community High School's standout basketball player who was named Indiana's Mr. Basketball and helped carry the team to the IHSAA Final Four.
Ault, now attending Southwest Missouri State University, joins Jeff Grose as the other graduate of Warsaw to be named Mr. Basketball.
Here's a synopsis of other top stories selected by the Times-Union news staff:
4. Library - After years of planning and opposition to preliminary plans, Warsaw's library finally began expansion construction. The multi-million dollar project will triple the floor space and should be complete sometime in 1998.
5. CCAC - Another effort by representatives of the City-County Athletic Complex failed to win any financial support from the county despite a campaign that showed the facility is used by much of the county.
6. EDIT - Kosciusko County officials struck down for the third consecutive year efforts by area towns to establish an economic development income tax that would be used, in most cases, for sewer expansion.
7. G&M - A recycling plan needed to get rid of millions of tires at the G&M tire dump in Atwood fell apart, leading the state to initiate an emergency cleanup with the first phase estimated to cost about $800,000. A state contractor began work about a month ago.
8. Amish Bashing - Five people were convicted in a series of attacks on Amish bicyclers near Nappanee. Carloads of young people would spot lone bikers, ride up beside the victims, knock them off their bikes and take their money.
9. NEXRAD - Federal officials, after a lengthy process, choose a site northwest of Warsaw for the new, highly sophisticated NEXRAD weather radar system that will serve northern Indiana, southern Michigan and northwest Ohio. The facility won't be operable for at least another year.
10. Dr. Hagenmeyer - Local physician Willard Harvey Hagenmeyer, convicted of child molesting and sexual misconduct, received his medical license back. Hagenmeyer was convicted after teen-age girls accused him of inappropriate conduct while he gave physical exams.
Other top stories of the year included the investigation of Sheriff's Deputy Joe Mooney, whose involvement in an attempted murder case resulted in charges being dropped.
Another story of continuing interest involved Cruiser's, the North Webster topless bar that was granted approval by the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission to continue operating despite local complaints.
In 1996 elections, Brad Jackson was elected as commissioner and Warsaw resident Rich Burkett lost out on his second bid for U.S. Congress. [[In-content Ad]]
This year's most interesting stories of local interest involved a bandit, a basketball hero and a handful of rebels from Silver Lake.
In a survey by the Times-Union news staff, the top news story of 1996 was the ongoing tale of the Bicycle Bandit, the assailant who kept Warsaw residents nervous for the entire summer as he casually broke into upward of 70 homes.
In most cases, the assailant - believed to have fled the area - entered many homes that had been left unlocked. Often, the suspect rooted through purses and took only cash.
The common denominator in most cases was the bandit's escape method - use of a bicycle - with fresh tracks in the grass left behind near many of the homes.
On two occasions, he was confronted by residents inside, one of whom included a son of Mayor Jeff Plank. In the other incident, he confronted a woman and punched her in the face.
In November, a possible suspect was confronted by an officer after an alleged break-in. They wrestled briefly, but the suspect got away. Police have not reported any related break-ins since.
The second biggest story of 1996 involved the so-called Patriots, most of whom live in the Silver Lake area. The group, closely affiliated with the Freemen in Montana, hosted a series of meetings in which they questioned the constitutionality of local control.
A few of the Patriots were arrested when they attempted to pass checks that most banking institutions will not accept.
Most certainly the brightest story of the year belonged to Kevin Ault, Warsaw Community High School's standout basketball player who was named Indiana's Mr. Basketball and helped carry the team to the IHSAA Final Four.
Ault, now attending Southwest Missouri State University, joins Jeff Grose as the other graduate of Warsaw to be named Mr. Basketball.
Here's a synopsis of other top stories selected by the Times-Union news staff:
4. Library - After years of planning and opposition to preliminary plans, Warsaw's library finally began expansion construction. The multi-million dollar project will triple the floor space and should be complete sometime in 1998.
5. CCAC - Another effort by representatives of the City-County Athletic Complex failed to win any financial support from the county despite a campaign that showed the facility is used by much of the county.
6. EDIT - Kosciusko County officials struck down for the third consecutive year efforts by area towns to establish an economic development income tax that would be used, in most cases, for sewer expansion.
7. G&M - A recycling plan needed to get rid of millions of tires at the G&M tire dump in Atwood fell apart, leading the state to initiate an emergency cleanup with the first phase estimated to cost about $800,000. A state contractor began work about a month ago.
8. Amish Bashing - Five people were convicted in a series of attacks on Amish bicyclers near Nappanee. Carloads of young people would spot lone bikers, ride up beside the victims, knock them off their bikes and take their money.
9. NEXRAD - Federal officials, after a lengthy process, choose a site northwest of Warsaw for the new, highly sophisticated NEXRAD weather radar system that will serve northern Indiana, southern Michigan and northwest Ohio. The facility won't be operable for at least another year.
10. Dr. Hagenmeyer - Local physician Willard Harvey Hagenmeyer, convicted of child molesting and sexual misconduct, received his medical license back. Hagenmeyer was convicted after teen-age girls accused him of inappropriate conduct while he gave physical exams.
Other top stories of the year included the investigation of Sheriff's Deputy Joe Mooney, whose involvement in an attempted murder case resulted in charges being dropped.
Another story of continuing interest involved Cruiser's, the North Webster topless bar that was granted approval by the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission to continue operating despite local complaints.
In 1996 elections, Brad Jackson was elected as commissioner and Warsaw resident Rich Burkett lost out on his second bid for U.S. Congress. [[In-content Ad]]