Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath are the top news stories of the year nationally. The top local story is also one of destruction.

However, the destruction caused locally was due to Mother Nature, not man.

Each year, the Times-Union staff votes on the top local stories of the year. The top area stories for 2001 are:

1 - On Oct. 24, tornadoes ripped through Kosciusko County.

Two factories were among the damaged structures in the county, with Da-Lite Screen Co. Inc. on Ind. 15N the hardest hit and R.R. Donnelley & Sons sustaining significant damage to the east plant. At least 14 people were reported injured at Da-Lite.

The American Red Cross said 136 single-family properties were damaged by the tornadoes.

2 - According to the Times-Union Jan. 26, police hadn't yet determined the motive for the murder of a Milford woman, but the men arrested in connection with her disappearance are believed to have been operating an auto theft ring. The body of Kathy Vroman, 48, Milford, was located in St. Joseph County, Mich.

Three of the men arrested have already been sentenced on burglary and theft charges, while Jason Fisher, 23, of Millersburg, awaits trial on charges of murder, burglary and theft. He is still in police custody.

Fisher's father, Ralph Freddrick Fisher of Goshen, remains free on bond on a charge of obstruction of justice in connection with the case.

3 - Silver Lake and Atwood elementaries would be closed under recommendations of a study undertaken by Warsaw Community Schools. A new school would be built in Prairie Township, and Silver Lake students would be sent to a renovated Claypool Elementary under the proposal. Other aspects of the $41-million proposal include: adding a 1,200-seat auditorium to Warsaw Community High School; building a stadium, track and support areas at WCHS; and adding a weight room and other improvements.

4 - Indictments were handed down against six people the week of Nov. 28 at the conclusion of a two-week grand jury investigation. All of the people involved have connections to public service agencies and misappropriated funds over which they had control, including money targeted for the National Police and Fire Disaster Relief Fund.

5 - A Syracuse woman whose body was found June 10 in a creek near Syracuse, was murdered, officials said Oct. 16. Jill Phillips, 25, was reported missing April 10 and was last seen April 1.

6 - In the fall, the Warsaw business and industrial community was asked to come up with a significant amount of money for the local Ivy Tech campus of the state-funded college to move across town.

A community task force was asked to help raise $3 million to settle the campus in the United Office Complex - the former Sprint building - from its space in Lakeview Middle School.

In November some area people were questioned by representatives of Monaghan Associates Inc., of Michigan, regarding the fund-raising efforts.

In the meantime, Ivy Tech has shortened its spring 2002 schedule of classes from nine weeks to six weeks and has announced plans to move north of U.S. 30, without financial aid, in April.

7 - Zimmer celebrated its independent status as a public company in August. The spinoff from Bristol-Myers Squibb was painless and left Zimmer with little debt. The company plans to broaden its base to include pain and blood management, biologicals, and devices for spine repair and joints damaged by arthritis. Zimmer management expects revenue growth to be 8 to 11 percent through 2002.

8 - North Webster town council announced the resignations of town marshal Jerry Craig and his wife, police clerk Cathy Craig, in early September.

The marshal tendered his resignation Sept. 6 following a special meeting for the town's initial budget hearing Sept. 5.

During that meeting, a resolution was adopted removing Craig as town marshal effective immediately. The council and Craig disagreed about the administration of the North Webster police department. In the Sept. 5 resolution, Craig's employment with the town would have ended Sept. 11. His termination was never effective because of his resignation. He served the town for 15 years.

In December Greg Church was appointed town marshal, having served North Webster for six years, first as a patrolman and officer of the police department.

9 - Triton Girls Basketball team captured its second Class A state title in two years after defeating White River Valley 55-38 in the first weekend of March.

10 - Warsaw City Council looks to increase sewer rates as part of the costs of operating a new wastewater treatment facility. Under the proposed ordinance, the rates and charges for all residential units will be increased by $10 to $24.50 per month for each unit beginning Jan. 1.

The new facility is expected to process 12 million gallons of waste a day. Costs are expected to be around $12.5 million for the treatment plant and another $3.5 million for the collection system.

Funding will be accomplished by dedicating Economic Development Income Taxes, sewage works revenues and northern economic development area tax increments.

With biannual bond payments of $550,000 over 23 years, the cost of the plant will be $31 million. [[In-content Ad]]