McGuire, DeMarco Top 2005 Stories
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
While a lot of 2005's national headlines were about natural disasters, the top 10 local headlines focused on people's deeds.
To determine the top 10 local stories of the year, front page news stories were reviewed and then voted on by the Times-Union news and sports staffs.
Top story of the year was the resignation of Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Dave McGuire.
On July 27, by a vote of 6-to-1, the school board accepted a settlement agreement with McGuire along with his resignation.
Ralph Bailey, Columbia City, was later named interim superintendent, by the same vote of 6-1. Bailey's consultant agreement requested pay of $495 per day plus 40 cents per mile traveled, but that was to be negotiated by three of the school board members.
McGuire had served with Warsaw Schools for 19 years, three of them as superintendent. The agreement allowed his contracts to be terminated effective the close of business July 27. McGuire is a consultant for the school corporation until Jan. 13, or until he found full-time employment, whichever came first. During the extended employment period, McGuire was to receive the same salary, retirement and insurance benefits to which he is entitled under his superintendent contract, totaling approximately $64,000.
McGuire oversaw a contentious closing of three schools - Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake. The closings divided the Warsaw Schools community.
The remaining top 10 stories of the year include:
2. On March 11, Anthony J. DeMarco, 25, of 205 S. Oak St., Mentone, was arrested on one charge of child molesting, a Class A felony. But in a few weeks time, more charges were filed against him.
DeMarco is accused of molesting boys under the age of 14 and faces two Class A felony child molesting charges. He also faces Class C felony child molesting charges in three other cases. He is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $250,000 surety bond.
DeMarco was arrested after Warsaw Police received information that he allegedly molested at least one child he met at the Kosciusko Community YMCA, where he worked. DeMarco also was a fourth- and fifth-grade basketball coach at the former Burket Elementary School, a substitute teacher in the area and a local reserve officer.
DeMarco appeared and entered a plea of not guilty in Kosciusko Superior Court I in front of Judge Duane Huffer at an initial hearing March 14.
Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Duane Huffer issued a gag order in the case March 22 after DeMarco's attorney filed a document requesting it, citing media attention surrounding the case and the possibility of a tainted jury pool.
In November, DeMarco's mother Jenny Layne was arrested for allegedly obstructing justice and tampering with witnesses in the case.
On Nov. 30, Merrillville attorney Michael J. Lambert filed motions in Kosciusko Superior Court requesting Anthony DeMarco's child molesting trial be moved from Kosciusko County. In two other motions submitted, Lambert requested limits on what the prosecution will be allowed to enter into evidence during the trial.
3. The Warsaw Tigers boys golf team joined the same company of the storied 1984 boys basketball team.
Golfers Jake Brodhead, Chris Hanson, Jon Clevenger, Grant Slater and Tad Nieter earned Warsaw Community High School its first state team title since 1991's softball championship and the first boys team title since 1984. The golf team shot a score of 613 to beat Noblesville and Richmond over two days of competition at Legends of Indiana Golf Course.
Head coach Ben Barkey, a 1997 WCHS graduate, won a state championship in just his third year at the helm of the Tiger program after taking over for longtime head coach Bob Turner.
Warsaw is the second team from the Northern Lakes Conference to win a boys state golf championship and just the fourth team in 25 years north of Kokomo to win the crown. Rochester won the boys golf state championship in 1980, but departed from the NLC in 1987.
Warsaw awards the Don Dicken Award to a senior golfer who excels in leadership, academics, citizenship and team effort. This year's recipient was Brodhead.
4. Several agencies worked together Sept. 1 to execute what is believed to be the largest drug bust in the history of Kosciusko County.
More than $220,000 in cash, 127 pounds of marijuana, three kilos of cocaine, several weapons and drug paraphernalia reportedly were found inside the home of Jose, 53, and Yolanda Gonzales, 46, of 13367 N. CR 100E, Milford. Both were arrested for dealing cocaine/narcotic drugs more than three grams (a Class A felony) and dealing marijuana more than 10 pounds (a Class C felony).
Laura Gonzales, 21, of 109 E. North St., Milford, also was arrested for disorderly conduct after an incident at the scene of the drug bust.
The arrests were the result of a several-month investigation. The Kosciusko County Drug Task Force joined forces with the Fort Wayne Narcotics Division and the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section, Milford Police Department and Syracuse Police Department to investigate the rural Milford home and execute the bust.
5. As the old saying goes, nothing lasts forever.
For decades, a trip to Breading's Cigar Store was a rite of passage for Warsaw men and their sons. Around a cup of coffee, a plate of grub and a game of dominoes, locals have shared stories, news and their lives at Breadings. To be in the know in Warsaw was to be a Breading's regular.
But that all ended in late January as Breading's closed its doors after 85 years. The building returned to the family of its original owners. Jim and Dixie Breading bought the property and turned it into a Merle Norman cosmetics store.
6. Many locals did their part to help the south after the hurricane Katrina and Rita disasters.
Almost two years after returning from the Iraq War, approximately 49 members of local National Guard unit, Company A, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry, were given their notice Sept. 1 to mobilize to assist with the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
The deployment was for more than 60 days. The primary mission was a joint effort by both Indiana Army and Air National Guard where service members were to provide assistance in the form of transportation, medical, security forces, logistical support, aviation assets and support through the Joint State Task Force command and control.
The local National Guard wasn't the only group that traveled to help out the south. A group of nine Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department officers - Sgt. Chris McKeand, Deputies Rick Shepherd, Josh Spangle, Doug Brumfield, Chris Rager, Kevin Gelbaugh, Dalis Owens, Jon Tyler and Cpl. Don McCune - volunteered their services.
From schools and churches to the local chapter of the American Red Cross, others in Kosciusko County also gave money, time and effort to help.
7. City council members approved a request from Zimmer Inc. Nov. 3 regarding a 10-year tax abatement on personal and real properties.
Zimmer Public Relations Officer Brad Bishop announced plans to expand the company's Research and Development sector inside Warsaw city limits. The $24 million expansion will eventually provide 275 additional jobs in the surrounding area. A majority of the proposed positions will be scientifically oriented.
Bishop said the council's approval of the abatement will allow Zimmer to invest $24 million into its expansion and improvement efforts.
The proposed abatement includes $16 million in real property improvements and $7.4 million in new manufacturing equipment.
8. The time zone debate affected everyone in Indiana, including Kosciusko County, as the county commissioners asked if county residents wanted to switch to Central or Eastern.
Residents were asked to log their opinions at the county administrator's office for two weeks by phone or e-mail.
People not only logged their thoughts to the commissioners, but sent in many letters to the editor on the issue.
In late November, the commissioners said they don't intend to challenge or change a recommendation to remain in the Eastern time zone. The informal public poll that was taken in July and August leaned toward Eastern time.
9. By the end of 2005, more than 2,100 men and women died in the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Two local men were among the casualty list this year.
Capt. Michael Todd Fiscus, 36, of Milford, and three other Hoosier National Guardsmen were killed in Afghanistan in March. A land mine exploded under their vehicle south of Kabul, Afghanistan, military officials said.
Fiscus' widow, Paula, is a Milford Middle School teacher. The couple have two children, Alexandra, 5, and Gabrielle, 4.
The other local man killed in the war this year was Lance Cpl. Scott Alan Zubowski of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines.
Zubowski, 20, was killed Nov. 12 in Fallujah, Iraq, when a bomb exploded under his vehicle. Of the four other passengers, one other Marine was killed and three wounded.
Zubowski entered the Marine Corps after graduating from Manchester High School in 2003. He was an Indiana Academic Scholar who also participated on the cross country, swimming and track teams.
He served his first tour of duty in Iraq from February to October 2004. He reported for his second tour of Iraq in July.
10. Groundbreaking and building dedication ceremonies were held June 1 for a new medical facility, just north of Kosciusko Community Hospital.
The new facility will be called The Beyer Building, named after the original owners of the KCH campus property. The building will be completed by February.
The medical office building will be the new home of The Imaging Center of Kosciusko County, Satellite Laboratory Services and Northern Lakes Internal Medicine.
The Imaging Center will provide outpatient diagnostic services, including Open MRI Technology.
The Beyer Building also will house Northern Lakes Internal Medicine. Due to increased patient volume and medical staff growth, NLIM has outgrown its current facility at 1500 Provident Drive. [[In-content Ad]]
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While a lot of 2005's national headlines were about natural disasters, the top 10 local headlines focused on people's deeds.
To determine the top 10 local stories of the year, front page news stories were reviewed and then voted on by the Times-Union news and sports staffs.
Top story of the year was the resignation of Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Dave McGuire.
On July 27, by a vote of 6-to-1, the school board accepted a settlement agreement with McGuire along with his resignation.
Ralph Bailey, Columbia City, was later named interim superintendent, by the same vote of 6-1. Bailey's consultant agreement requested pay of $495 per day plus 40 cents per mile traveled, but that was to be negotiated by three of the school board members.
McGuire had served with Warsaw Schools for 19 years, three of them as superintendent. The agreement allowed his contracts to be terminated effective the close of business July 27. McGuire is a consultant for the school corporation until Jan. 13, or until he found full-time employment, whichever came first. During the extended employment period, McGuire was to receive the same salary, retirement and insurance benefits to which he is entitled under his superintendent contract, totaling approximately $64,000.
McGuire oversaw a contentious closing of three schools - Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake. The closings divided the Warsaw Schools community.
The remaining top 10 stories of the year include:
2. On March 11, Anthony J. DeMarco, 25, of 205 S. Oak St., Mentone, was arrested on one charge of child molesting, a Class A felony. But in a few weeks time, more charges were filed against him.
DeMarco is accused of molesting boys under the age of 14 and faces two Class A felony child molesting charges. He also faces Class C felony child molesting charges in three other cases. He is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $250,000 surety bond.
DeMarco was arrested after Warsaw Police received information that he allegedly molested at least one child he met at the Kosciusko Community YMCA, where he worked. DeMarco also was a fourth- and fifth-grade basketball coach at the former Burket Elementary School, a substitute teacher in the area and a local reserve officer.
DeMarco appeared and entered a plea of not guilty in Kosciusko Superior Court I in front of Judge Duane Huffer at an initial hearing March 14.
Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Duane Huffer issued a gag order in the case March 22 after DeMarco's attorney filed a document requesting it, citing media attention surrounding the case and the possibility of a tainted jury pool.
In November, DeMarco's mother Jenny Layne was arrested for allegedly obstructing justice and tampering with witnesses in the case.
On Nov. 30, Merrillville attorney Michael J. Lambert filed motions in Kosciusko Superior Court requesting Anthony DeMarco's child molesting trial be moved from Kosciusko County. In two other motions submitted, Lambert requested limits on what the prosecution will be allowed to enter into evidence during the trial.
3. The Warsaw Tigers boys golf team joined the same company of the storied 1984 boys basketball team.
Golfers Jake Brodhead, Chris Hanson, Jon Clevenger, Grant Slater and Tad Nieter earned Warsaw Community High School its first state team title since 1991's softball championship and the first boys team title since 1984. The golf team shot a score of 613 to beat Noblesville and Richmond over two days of competition at Legends of Indiana Golf Course.
Head coach Ben Barkey, a 1997 WCHS graduate, won a state championship in just his third year at the helm of the Tiger program after taking over for longtime head coach Bob Turner.
Warsaw is the second team from the Northern Lakes Conference to win a boys state golf championship and just the fourth team in 25 years north of Kokomo to win the crown. Rochester won the boys golf state championship in 1980, but departed from the NLC in 1987.
Warsaw awards the Don Dicken Award to a senior golfer who excels in leadership, academics, citizenship and team effort. This year's recipient was Brodhead.
4. Several agencies worked together Sept. 1 to execute what is believed to be the largest drug bust in the history of Kosciusko County.
More than $220,000 in cash, 127 pounds of marijuana, three kilos of cocaine, several weapons and drug paraphernalia reportedly were found inside the home of Jose, 53, and Yolanda Gonzales, 46, of 13367 N. CR 100E, Milford. Both were arrested for dealing cocaine/narcotic drugs more than three grams (a Class A felony) and dealing marijuana more than 10 pounds (a Class C felony).
Laura Gonzales, 21, of 109 E. North St., Milford, also was arrested for disorderly conduct after an incident at the scene of the drug bust.
The arrests were the result of a several-month investigation. The Kosciusko County Drug Task Force joined forces with the Fort Wayne Narcotics Division and the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section, Milford Police Department and Syracuse Police Department to investigate the rural Milford home and execute the bust.
5. As the old saying goes, nothing lasts forever.
For decades, a trip to Breading's Cigar Store was a rite of passage for Warsaw men and their sons. Around a cup of coffee, a plate of grub and a game of dominoes, locals have shared stories, news and their lives at Breadings. To be in the know in Warsaw was to be a Breading's regular.
But that all ended in late January as Breading's closed its doors after 85 years. The building returned to the family of its original owners. Jim and Dixie Breading bought the property and turned it into a Merle Norman cosmetics store.
6. Many locals did their part to help the south after the hurricane Katrina and Rita disasters.
Almost two years after returning from the Iraq War, approximately 49 members of local National Guard unit, Company A, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry, were given their notice Sept. 1 to mobilize to assist with the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
The deployment was for more than 60 days. The primary mission was a joint effort by both Indiana Army and Air National Guard where service members were to provide assistance in the form of transportation, medical, security forces, logistical support, aviation assets and support through the Joint State Task Force command and control.
The local National Guard wasn't the only group that traveled to help out the south. A group of nine Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department officers - Sgt. Chris McKeand, Deputies Rick Shepherd, Josh Spangle, Doug Brumfield, Chris Rager, Kevin Gelbaugh, Dalis Owens, Jon Tyler and Cpl. Don McCune - volunteered their services.
From schools and churches to the local chapter of the American Red Cross, others in Kosciusko County also gave money, time and effort to help.
7. City council members approved a request from Zimmer Inc. Nov. 3 regarding a 10-year tax abatement on personal and real properties.
Zimmer Public Relations Officer Brad Bishop announced plans to expand the company's Research and Development sector inside Warsaw city limits. The $24 million expansion will eventually provide 275 additional jobs in the surrounding area. A majority of the proposed positions will be scientifically oriented.
Bishop said the council's approval of the abatement will allow Zimmer to invest $24 million into its expansion and improvement efforts.
The proposed abatement includes $16 million in real property improvements and $7.4 million in new manufacturing equipment.
8. The time zone debate affected everyone in Indiana, including Kosciusko County, as the county commissioners asked if county residents wanted to switch to Central or Eastern.
Residents were asked to log their opinions at the county administrator's office for two weeks by phone or e-mail.
People not only logged their thoughts to the commissioners, but sent in many letters to the editor on the issue.
In late November, the commissioners said they don't intend to challenge or change a recommendation to remain in the Eastern time zone. The informal public poll that was taken in July and August leaned toward Eastern time.
9. By the end of 2005, more than 2,100 men and women died in the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Two local men were among the casualty list this year.
Capt. Michael Todd Fiscus, 36, of Milford, and three other Hoosier National Guardsmen were killed in Afghanistan in March. A land mine exploded under their vehicle south of Kabul, Afghanistan, military officials said.
Fiscus' widow, Paula, is a Milford Middle School teacher. The couple have two children, Alexandra, 5, and Gabrielle, 4.
The other local man killed in the war this year was Lance Cpl. Scott Alan Zubowski of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines.
Zubowski, 20, was killed Nov. 12 in Fallujah, Iraq, when a bomb exploded under his vehicle. Of the four other passengers, one other Marine was killed and three wounded.
Zubowski entered the Marine Corps after graduating from Manchester High School in 2003. He was an Indiana Academic Scholar who also participated on the cross country, swimming and track teams.
He served his first tour of duty in Iraq from February to October 2004. He reported for his second tour of Iraq in July.
10. Groundbreaking and building dedication ceremonies were held June 1 for a new medical facility, just north of Kosciusko Community Hospital.
The new facility will be called The Beyer Building, named after the original owners of the KCH campus property. The building will be completed by February.
The medical office building will be the new home of The Imaging Center of Kosciusko County, Satellite Laboratory Services and Northern Lakes Internal Medicine.
The Imaging Center will provide outpatient diagnostic services, including Open MRI Technology.
The Beyer Building also will house Northern Lakes Internal Medicine. Due to increased patient volume and medical staff growth, NLIM has outgrown its current facility at 1500 Provident Drive. [[In-content Ad]]