Looking Back: Times-Union staff selects top local stories of 2008
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
The top 10 stories of the year were voted on by the news staff of the Times-Union.
1
The top story of the year was the Dec. 2 death of Warsaw Police Dept. Sgt. Terry Polston, 52.
Known as "OP" to most, Polston was a 26-year veteran of the WPD. A DARE officer in the Warsaw Community School System since 1992, his positive effect on students reached into the hundreds.
Lakeview Middle School eighth-grader Austin Reynolds said, "I'd love to be more like him. I want to be more like him to everybody."[[In-content Ad]]Polston was the 2004 Indiana DARE Officer of the Year. He received the "Going the Extra Mile" award from the staff, teachers and students of Warsaw Community High School a few years ago.
Following his death, the WPD set up a memorial to Polston at the station for people to pay their respects to Polston.
On Dec. 7, a celebration of OP's life was held in the WCHS Tiger Den. More than 4,000 people attended the ceremonies.
2
"American Teen" was filmed in Warsaw and at Warsaw Community High School during the 2005-06 school year, featuring five local students.
During the past year, the film, directed by Nanette Burstein, created a lot of buzz, not only at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, in January, but also on television, magazines and national newspapers.
Paramount Vantage picked up the film for distribution for $1 million after its showing at Sundance. The film also picked up an award - best documentary director for Burstein.
The Warsaw students featured in the film included Megan Krizmanich, Colin Clemens, Hannah Bailey, Jake Tusing and Mitch Reinholt.
After "American Teen" premiered in New York and Los Angeles July 25, it had its own premiere in Warsaw on Aug. 5. The premiere for the PG-13 film in the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center was sold out, with Krizmanich, Clemens, Tusing and Reinholt making their appearance.
On Dec. 21, the film was released to DVD.
3
Warsaw Community Schools saw the departure of several of its top administrators in 2008. The school system is still trying to find a new superintendent.
After 26 years with WCS, Athletic Director Dave Fulkerson resigned, effective June 30. The announcement was made at a special school board meeting Jan. 7. For the 2008-09 school year, Fulkerson was kept on as an independent contractor and associate director of athletics.
On May 31, the school board announced Joe Santa would be hired as Fulkerson's replacement. Santa previously served 17 years at Huntington North.
At the high school, Principal Dr. Jennifer Lucht resigned. Assistant Principal and Warsaw Community High School head football coach Troy Akers was named as her successor. Replacing Akers as football coach was Phil Jensen.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sandra Weaver resigned from Warsaw Community Schools effective June 30. She was named as the new superintendent for the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County.
Then, in a surprise announcement, Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth announced his resignation effective July 31. The Warsaw School Board named Haworth as superintendent on Feb. 20, 2006. Haworth left Warsaw this year to take a job with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in Kansas City, Mo.
On Aug. 1, it was announced that Ralph Bailey would return to Warsaw Schools as interim superintendent. Bailey had served in the interim position from August 2005 to February 2006 after Dr. Dave McGuire left Warsaw Schools.
4
If a top story is determined by the number of people who speak out, then no other story deserves to be in the top 10 this past year then the controversy that surrounded Warsaw Community High School varsity boys basketball coach Doug Ogle.
On April 28, Warsaw Schools had a special meeting for discussion regarding Ogle's performance as coach. Originally slated to be held at the Central Administration Office, the meeting had to be moved to the Washington Elementary School gymnasium because more than 225 people attended.
Approximately three dozen people spoke in favor of Ogle, while four people suggested Ogle should be removed. In addition, many letter writers also wrote letters to the editor on the issue.
No decision was made that night. Instead, after the four-hour special meeting, the school board voted unanimously to meet with Ogle in executive session again.
The executive session between the school board and Ogle May 5 lasted another 4-1/2 hours.
At another public meeting, the school board voted 5-2 to retain Ogle as head varsity coach for another year. The vote was not based on job performance, but to give the school corporation time to develop proper evaluation tools for coaches.
5
While gas prices now are below $2 per gallon, they peaked at more than $4 over the summer.
For a March 13 story, Kosciusko Area Bus Service General Manager Rita Baker said the company has seen a significant increase in ridership since January. She attributed that to rising fuel costs.
Metzger Trucking Co. Vice President Matt Metzger said rising gas prices required the company to do business more efficiently.
At local school corporations, increased fuel prices consumed school budgets.
"We used to pay $2.60 a gallon, and are now paying $3.70 with the increased gas prices," Della Swain, Warsaw Schools transportation director said in March. Whitko Transportation Director Mike Sands said the corporation filled up its tanks early march when gas prices were $3.20 a gallon.
For a May 15 story, Matt Bowling, assistant manager for Lassus, Fort Wayne, said the price for a gallon of unleaded gas was $3.79 and jumped to $3.95 May 13. The high gas prices kept many people at home for the Memorial Day weekend.
But the high gas prices weren't bad for everyone. Bike shops like Trailhouse in Winona Lake saw an increase over the summer in bicycles and bicycle accessories.
"People are looking for bicycles, not just for recreation, but are buying accessories to put on their bikes to make them more useful for running errands and completing everyday tasks they used to do by car," said Nancy Gast, Trailhouse co-owner.
6
Triton's dream of a state championship in boys basketball became a reality in March.
Following a bucket by Indianapolis Lutheran senior Ryan Maddigan with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter of the March 22 IHSAA Class A State Championship game, a 23-14 Triton lead gradually had been cut to 25-22.
But Triton freshman Griffyn Carpenter put in a three-pointer at 1:08 remaining in the quarter, igniting a 16-2 Trojans run. Midway through the fourth quarter, Triton led 41-24 and never looked back.
Final score in the Class 1A state championship game: Triton 50, 10th-ranked Indianapolis Lutheran, 42.
7
At about 11:30 a.m. March 7, Ian James Clark, 35, formerly of 375 EMS R4 Lane, Pierceton, was found guilty of murder.
The verdict came almost a little more than nine months after the death of his victim, Samantha Muchowicz, 2.
A jury of seven women and five men found Clark guilty of murder. They deliberated less than 90 minutes before reaching a decision. The verdict was a culmination of a week of graphic testimony, heated exchanges and emotions.
In the afternoon, the jury recommended to Judge Rex Reed in Kosciusko County Circuit Court that Clark be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During sentencing April 3, Reed agreed with the jury's assessment. Clark had to be taken out of the courtroom during sentencing because of Clark's verbal outbursts.
8
To date, no one has been arrested for the fire June 21 that destroyed Gordy's Sub Pub and caused damage to the Chamber of Commerce building.
At 12:59 a.m. June 21, Warsaw Police Dept. officer Brandon Zartman responded to a dispatch call of a dumpster fire in an alley on the northeast side of Gordy's, 101 E. Winona Avenue. Zartman observed the dumpster on fire and the fire spreading to a nearby utility pole, eventually catching the roof of Gordy's on fire. The fire also caused damage to Tokens 'N' Tickets located on the first floor of Gordy's, as well as the Chamber building.
Warsaw Fire Dept. listed the damages as exceeding $600,000, while WPD estimated the damage at $1 million. The Chamber building suffered $20,000 in damage.
On June 25, Rocky Clemens, owner of Gordy's, offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals believed to have set the fire.
The WFD ruled the fire was intentionally set.
In 2008, there were 19 dumpster or rubbish fires as of Dec. 23. Not all have been ruled arson.
The Gordy's building since has been demolished.
9
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited Warsaw May 3 to get out the vote for his wife, Hillary Clinton, who was running for the Democrat nomination for U.S. president.
Bill spoke for 50 minutes in the Warsaw Community High School Career Center gymnasium. Approximately 1,200 people attended the event. He touched on issues ranging from rebuilding the middle class and the economy to supporting the troops.
Hillary was running against eventual winner Barack Obama. Neither Obama, nor Republican front-runner John McCain, stopped in Warsaw. McCain only visited Indiana approximately two times during the campaign.
In the May primary election, in Kosciusko County, Hillary received 4,528 votes to Obama's 4,169 votes.
In the November election, while McCain won Kosciusko County with 20,484 votes versus Obama's 9,229 votes, Obama still won Indiana. Indiana became a "blue" state for the first time in decades.
10
While December 2008 has been full of rain, ice and snow, the year began with lots and lots of water everywhere.
High water in areas around Kosciusko County Jan. 8 closed roads and left some drivers stranded or submerged.
At 9:04 a.m., police and rescue crews responded to a call at the intersection of CRs 900E and 600N in Fulton County. Two Fulton County children died after the SUV they were riding in was submerged in the flood waters.
Residents around the county battled the effects of flooding throughout January and February. Homes were damaged, volunteers helped fill sandbags and classes at area schools were delayed because of all the flooding. The Kosciusko County Health Dept. offered free water testing for county residents whose wells might have been contaminated by the flood waters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied federal assistance for county governments in northern Indiana devastated by the flooding. The Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security sent a letter to FEMA appealing the decision.
Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties formed a coalition to coordinate recovery efforts after this year's floods.
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The top 10 stories of the year were voted on by the news staff of the Times-Union.
1
The top story of the year was the Dec. 2 death of Warsaw Police Dept. Sgt. Terry Polston, 52.
Known as "OP" to most, Polston was a 26-year veteran of the WPD. A DARE officer in the Warsaw Community School System since 1992, his positive effect on students reached into the hundreds.
Lakeview Middle School eighth-grader Austin Reynolds said, "I'd love to be more like him. I want to be more like him to everybody."[[In-content Ad]]Polston was the 2004 Indiana DARE Officer of the Year. He received the "Going the Extra Mile" award from the staff, teachers and students of Warsaw Community High School a few years ago.
Following his death, the WPD set up a memorial to Polston at the station for people to pay their respects to Polston.
On Dec. 7, a celebration of OP's life was held in the WCHS Tiger Den. More than 4,000 people attended the ceremonies.
2
"American Teen" was filmed in Warsaw and at Warsaw Community High School during the 2005-06 school year, featuring five local students.
During the past year, the film, directed by Nanette Burstein, created a lot of buzz, not only at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, in January, but also on television, magazines and national newspapers.
Paramount Vantage picked up the film for distribution for $1 million after its showing at Sundance. The film also picked up an award - best documentary director for Burstein.
The Warsaw students featured in the film included Megan Krizmanich, Colin Clemens, Hannah Bailey, Jake Tusing and Mitch Reinholt.
After "American Teen" premiered in New York and Los Angeles July 25, it had its own premiere in Warsaw on Aug. 5. The premiere for the PG-13 film in the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center was sold out, with Krizmanich, Clemens, Tusing and Reinholt making their appearance.
On Dec. 21, the film was released to DVD.
3
Warsaw Community Schools saw the departure of several of its top administrators in 2008. The school system is still trying to find a new superintendent.
After 26 years with WCS, Athletic Director Dave Fulkerson resigned, effective June 30. The announcement was made at a special school board meeting Jan. 7. For the 2008-09 school year, Fulkerson was kept on as an independent contractor and associate director of athletics.
On May 31, the school board announced Joe Santa would be hired as Fulkerson's replacement. Santa previously served 17 years at Huntington North.
At the high school, Principal Dr. Jennifer Lucht resigned. Assistant Principal and Warsaw Community High School head football coach Troy Akers was named as her successor. Replacing Akers as football coach was Phil Jensen.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sandra Weaver resigned from Warsaw Community Schools effective June 30. She was named as the new superintendent for the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County.
Then, in a surprise announcement, Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth announced his resignation effective July 31. The Warsaw School Board named Haworth as superintendent on Feb. 20, 2006. Haworth left Warsaw this year to take a job with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in Kansas City, Mo.
On Aug. 1, it was announced that Ralph Bailey would return to Warsaw Schools as interim superintendent. Bailey had served in the interim position from August 2005 to February 2006 after Dr. Dave McGuire left Warsaw Schools.
4
If a top story is determined by the number of people who speak out, then no other story deserves to be in the top 10 this past year then the controversy that surrounded Warsaw Community High School varsity boys basketball coach Doug Ogle.
On April 28, Warsaw Schools had a special meeting for discussion regarding Ogle's performance as coach. Originally slated to be held at the Central Administration Office, the meeting had to be moved to the Washington Elementary School gymnasium because more than 225 people attended.
Approximately three dozen people spoke in favor of Ogle, while four people suggested Ogle should be removed. In addition, many letter writers also wrote letters to the editor on the issue.
No decision was made that night. Instead, after the four-hour special meeting, the school board voted unanimously to meet with Ogle in executive session again.
The executive session between the school board and Ogle May 5 lasted another 4-1/2 hours.
At another public meeting, the school board voted 5-2 to retain Ogle as head varsity coach for another year. The vote was not based on job performance, but to give the school corporation time to develop proper evaluation tools for coaches.
5
While gas prices now are below $2 per gallon, they peaked at more than $4 over the summer.
For a March 13 story, Kosciusko Area Bus Service General Manager Rita Baker said the company has seen a significant increase in ridership since January. She attributed that to rising fuel costs.
Metzger Trucking Co. Vice President Matt Metzger said rising gas prices required the company to do business more efficiently.
At local school corporations, increased fuel prices consumed school budgets.
"We used to pay $2.60 a gallon, and are now paying $3.70 with the increased gas prices," Della Swain, Warsaw Schools transportation director said in March. Whitko Transportation Director Mike Sands said the corporation filled up its tanks early march when gas prices were $3.20 a gallon.
For a May 15 story, Matt Bowling, assistant manager for Lassus, Fort Wayne, said the price for a gallon of unleaded gas was $3.79 and jumped to $3.95 May 13. The high gas prices kept many people at home for the Memorial Day weekend.
But the high gas prices weren't bad for everyone. Bike shops like Trailhouse in Winona Lake saw an increase over the summer in bicycles and bicycle accessories.
"People are looking for bicycles, not just for recreation, but are buying accessories to put on their bikes to make them more useful for running errands and completing everyday tasks they used to do by car," said Nancy Gast, Trailhouse co-owner.
6
Triton's dream of a state championship in boys basketball became a reality in March.
Following a bucket by Indianapolis Lutheran senior Ryan Maddigan with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter of the March 22 IHSAA Class A State Championship game, a 23-14 Triton lead gradually had been cut to 25-22.
But Triton freshman Griffyn Carpenter put in a three-pointer at 1:08 remaining in the quarter, igniting a 16-2 Trojans run. Midway through the fourth quarter, Triton led 41-24 and never looked back.
Final score in the Class 1A state championship game: Triton 50, 10th-ranked Indianapolis Lutheran, 42.
7
At about 11:30 a.m. March 7, Ian James Clark, 35, formerly of 375 EMS R4 Lane, Pierceton, was found guilty of murder.
The verdict came almost a little more than nine months after the death of his victim, Samantha Muchowicz, 2.
A jury of seven women and five men found Clark guilty of murder. They deliberated less than 90 minutes before reaching a decision. The verdict was a culmination of a week of graphic testimony, heated exchanges and emotions.
In the afternoon, the jury recommended to Judge Rex Reed in Kosciusko County Circuit Court that Clark be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During sentencing April 3, Reed agreed with the jury's assessment. Clark had to be taken out of the courtroom during sentencing because of Clark's verbal outbursts.
8
To date, no one has been arrested for the fire June 21 that destroyed Gordy's Sub Pub and caused damage to the Chamber of Commerce building.
At 12:59 a.m. June 21, Warsaw Police Dept. officer Brandon Zartman responded to a dispatch call of a dumpster fire in an alley on the northeast side of Gordy's, 101 E. Winona Avenue. Zartman observed the dumpster on fire and the fire spreading to a nearby utility pole, eventually catching the roof of Gordy's on fire. The fire also caused damage to Tokens 'N' Tickets located on the first floor of Gordy's, as well as the Chamber building.
Warsaw Fire Dept. listed the damages as exceeding $600,000, while WPD estimated the damage at $1 million. The Chamber building suffered $20,000 in damage.
On June 25, Rocky Clemens, owner of Gordy's, offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals believed to have set the fire.
The WFD ruled the fire was intentionally set.
In 2008, there were 19 dumpster or rubbish fires as of Dec. 23. Not all have been ruled arson.
The Gordy's building since has been demolished.
9
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited Warsaw May 3 to get out the vote for his wife, Hillary Clinton, who was running for the Democrat nomination for U.S. president.
Bill spoke for 50 minutes in the Warsaw Community High School Career Center gymnasium. Approximately 1,200 people attended the event. He touched on issues ranging from rebuilding the middle class and the economy to supporting the troops.
Hillary was running against eventual winner Barack Obama. Neither Obama, nor Republican front-runner John McCain, stopped in Warsaw. McCain only visited Indiana approximately two times during the campaign.
In the May primary election, in Kosciusko County, Hillary received 4,528 votes to Obama's 4,169 votes.
In the November election, while McCain won Kosciusko County with 20,484 votes versus Obama's 9,229 votes, Obama still won Indiana. Indiana became a "blue" state for the first time in decades.
10
While December 2008 has been full of rain, ice and snow, the year began with lots and lots of water everywhere.
High water in areas around Kosciusko County Jan. 8 closed roads and left some drivers stranded or submerged.
At 9:04 a.m., police and rescue crews responded to a call at the intersection of CRs 900E and 600N in Fulton County. Two Fulton County children died after the SUV they were riding in was submerged in the flood waters.
Residents around the county battled the effects of flooding throughout January and February. Homes were damaged, volunteers helped fill sandbags and classes at area schools were delayed because of all the flooding. The Kosciusko County Health Dept. offered free water testing for county residents whose wells might have been contaminated by the flood waters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied federal assistance for county governments in northern Indiana devastated by the flooding. The Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security sent a letter to FEMA appealing the decision.
Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties formed a coalition to coordinate recovery efforts after this year's floods.
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