Relevance Date

Claypool Man Reports Armed Robbery

A Claypool man reported being robbed in his vehicle while driving on Ind.14 Saturday. According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report, Robert L.Vickery, 60, East Calhoun Street, Claypool, flagged down KCSD Officer Matt Rapp near the intersection of CRs 700S and 200W. Vickery reported to Rapp that at approximately 2 a.m.Saturday, he allegedly was westbound on Ind.14 near CR 300E when a dark colored vehicle pulled up behind him with blue and clear lights flashing.Vickery said he believed it was a police vehicle and pulled his vehicle over to the side of the road. One of the two people in the other vehicle allegedly walked up to Vickery's window and asked to see Vickery's driver's license.As Vickery pulled his wallet out, the unknown man allegedly grabbed Vickery's wallet and ran back to the other vehicle.The vehicle then made a U-turn on Ind.14 and headed east.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Works Board Kicks Off 2002

Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins welcomed Jerry Patterson and Charlie Smith back to the board of works Friday, the first regular meeting of the year. The members heard that Dennis Messmore will no longer handle purchasing and bookkeeping duties for the Warsaw Fire Department and fire chief Matt Warren will handle the responsibilities until a replacement is selected. Warren also advised the board Brooks Murphy completed the one-year probationary period, receiving excellent ratings.The board approved Murphy's advancement to full-time firefighter. In other business the board: • Signed the Herceg and Associates contract to proceed with Phase II engineering of the Lake City Greenway. • Approved Arden McFarlen as a new employee. • Approved the travel requests of Randy Hart, Brian Hupp and Matt Warren. • Tabled a decision about awarding Wilmer Loher personal time for holidays during the time he was disabled, Oct.23 through Dec.31.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Fire Destroys Mobile Home

ETNA GREEN - An Etna Green man jumped out a window to escape the fire that destroyed his family's mobile home Sunday morning. Dan A.Chamberlain, 24, of 9462 N.Ind.19, was awakened by a fire alarm while sleeping in a back bedroom.Authorities report that after discovering the smoke and fire Chamberlain realized he was trapped. Chamberlain jumped through a window to safety, suffering only cuts and abrasions.He was treated at Elkhart General Hospital and released Sunday. The Nappanee Fire Department received a call reporting two trailers burning at 4:28 a.m.Sunday.Fire Chief Don Lehman said that upon arriving on the scene he found only one trailer burning. The second trailer suffered heat damage. NFD was at the scene almost five hours. Investigators report that an electrical malfunction was responsible for the trailer's destruction.The trailer's plugs had spring clips holding wires in place.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Manchester Pharmacy Robbed

NORTH MANCHESTER - An employee of CVS, North Market Street, North Manchester, reported an armed robbery Tuesday at 7:50 p.m., according to North Manchester Public Safety director Jack Fetrow. An unidentified white male "displayed some type of hand gun" and "demanded" Oxycontin from the store's pharmacist, said Fetrow. The pharmacist complied, dumping an undisclosed number of pills in a bag for the man, said Fetrow.The man fled out of CVS' back door, Fetrow said. North Manchester Police have no "solid" leads at this time, said Fetrow. "This person knew exactly what they wanted," said Fetrow. Oxycontin has become the drug of choice on the streets, being called "the poor man's heroin" or "the poor man's cocaine," said Fetrow. The man's estimated age was 25 to 30 and about 5 feet 8 to 10 inches tall with a medium build, according to witnesses, said Fetrow. Fetrow did not know the amount of pills taken.
Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Man Charged With Child Molesting

A Warsaw man was arrested Friday on two felony sexual abuse charges. Michael Douglas Jackson, of 401 N.Washington St., Warsaw, is charged with child molestation, a Class A felony, and sexual misconduct with a minor, a Class B felony.He is held on a $50,000 surety bond. Jackson's arrest allegedly follows a confession in which he admitted to the crimes, which were reported by a relative of the victim. The complainant reportedly told police she learned of the abuse after another relative became an accidental witness. During interviews, police learned of other sexual abuse incidents with the same victim dating back to 2000, when the victim was 11 years old.The child molestation charge applies to crimes taking place before age 14; sexual misconduct applies to later incidents of abuse. Because the victim is male, rape charges are not applicable under Indiana law, but sexual misconduct carries the same potential penalties, as they are both Class B felonies.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Truck Hits, Kills Pedestrian On U.S. 30E

An unidentified man was struck and killed this morning on U.S.30 when he walked in the path of a trash truck. Patrick E.Lambert, 33, of Winona Lake, was driving the Waste Management trash truck at 1:07 a.m.when he hit the pedestrian.The man reportedly was walking in the westbound passing lane of U.S.30 near the entrance to H&H Mobile Home Park with his back to traffic. Officers said there is no street lighting in that area and heavy rain occurring at the time made visibility limited. The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department said the victim was apparently carried on the front of the trash truck briefly before falling off the side of the truck onto the shoulder of the passing lane.He was pronounced dead at the scene by Kosciusko County Coroner Larry E.Ladd of massive head injuries. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the accident.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Three Arrested After Break-In At Enchanted Hills

CROMWELL - Three Ligonier men were arrested late Thursday morning after allegedly breaking into a residence in the Enchanted Hills subdivision. Richard Cory Ratliff, 21; Thomas Wayne Gibson, 34; and Chad Jason Cook, 26, are each charged with burglary to a residence.Bonds for Ratliff and Gibson were set at $250 each and Cook, who is also wanted on a warrant in Noble County, is being held without bond. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, a neighbor to the North Sir Gallahad Place residence that the men were allegedly inside of called police about 10:45 a.m.The three men were reportedly still inside when police arrived and were held at gunpoint until they could be taken into custody. The men reportedly forced open a back door to the vacant residence.The previous owner was apparently recently evicted from the home and ownership is listed as Aames Capital Mortgage, Irvine, Calif.The front door of the house is padlocked.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Crash Injures Five

Five people were injured Monday when a car and van collided on Ind. 15, north of Levi Lee Road, near Warsaw. Danny J. Manges, 31, Main Street, Milford, his wife, Julie, 28, and their two daughters, Andrea, 1, and Marina, 3, were driving their van south on Ind. 15. According to police, the car, driven by Adam D. Streiby, 23, CR 500E, Syracuse, was following the van. Streiby told police he thought the van was going to make a left turn when the van suddenly braked and Streiby's car struck the rear of the van. Danny Manges told police he was stopped, waiting to turn left, when the car hit his van, causing the van to spin around. Marina was reportedly ejected out the back hatch of the van as it opened on impact. The child was reportedly in a seatbelt, but apparently slid out of the belt when the car hit the van.The Manges family was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital where they were treated for injuries and released. Streiby was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department investigated the accident. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union
Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Kaufman Named Director

Combined Community Services Inc.Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Laura Kaufman as the CCS executive director. "I am excited about having another opportunity to give back to this great community," Kaufman said. She recently served as the Warsaw Housing Authority and Housing Opportunities of Warsaw executive director.During her tenure at WHA, her focus was on more efficient and friendly customer service, resulting in an increase in the number of tenants and landlords participating in the programs.Kaufman will apply the same principles to her CCS management. She said she "will work proactively with other local not-for-profits to avoid duplication of services and increase the help provided to Kosciusko County residents in need." Kaufman is a Warsaw native and Warsaw Community High School graduate.She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and her law degree from Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Teen Runs From Police While Being Taken To Court

A Warsaw teenager being taken to court this morning reportedly escaped from authorities and ran from the Kosciusko County Justice Building. Phillip Oest, 15, of Sheridan Street, Warsaw, was captured about 1-1/2 hours later on Fort Wayne Street, about two blocks from the Kosciusko County Jail. Oest was brought back from the South Bend Juvenile Detention Center for a court hearing this morning, and he was being placed into a holding cell on the second floor of the Justice Building when he allegedly ran from the officer, down a stairwell and out a door that exits onto Main Street.The incident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. Among the charges Oest was scheduled to appear in court for today was auto theft from a March 11 incident in Warsaw.Oest reportedly took a truck belonging to Jeff E.Kindel and crashed it into a tree in the 1600 block of East Clark Street.Several stolen items were allegedly found inside the truck.Officials said Oest does not have a driver's license.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Person Of The Year

Jon Sroufe (C) was honored as North Webster's Person of the Year at the North Webster Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Tuesday evening at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. Pictured with Sroufe are his wife, Win, (L) and Kay Andrews, chamber board member. Sroufe owns an orthopedic manufacturing facility in Ligonier and recently moved back to North Webster. He has served on the board of directors of the Palace of Sports Foundation and was instrumental in securing funds from the foundation to help transform the old North Webster Elementary school into the North Webster Community Center. Sroufe also serves as president of the board of directors for the community center. Sroufe said, 'It's a great honor. I am truly honored by the distinction,' adding that he was 'just in the right place at the right time.' Also recognized at the banquet were Anita Wagoner for her efforts on the downtown beautification project, and Mary Gerard, chamber vice president and two-term former president. Speaker for the event was Joy McCarthy-Sessing, president of Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Al Disbro
Photo by Al Disbro- | July 28, 2016

Hampton Files For Prosecutor

Dan Hampton filed his declaration to become a candidate for the prosecuting attorney of Kosciusko County on Monday. Hampton, a deputy prosecutor of Allen County, will run as a Republican in the May primary election. He cited his level of experience as a deputy prosecutor in Kosciusko and Allen counties and added, "It is good to come back home" to Kosciusko County.Hampton has a total of 10 years' law experience, all as a prosecutor. "The current (prosecutor's) office is not doing good enough," Hampton said."The county deserves more." Hampton lost the 1994 election to current prosecutor David Kolbe, but said this campaign will be different. Hampton said Kolbe has implemented some of the same ideas for change that Hampton supported in 1994, but says he still sees a need for more change."Kolbe has started some, but they are not doing the job," Hampton said.
TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Crash Kills Warsaw Driver

A Warsaw man died Thursday evening when the van he was driving was struck by another vehicle on U.S.30E at the west access road to Woodland Plaza. Charles E.Park, 72, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 7 p.m.accident from massive head injuries.Park was partially ejected from his van, which rolled over onto its passenger side after being struck in the driver's side.Police said Park's injuries probably wouldn't have been fatal if he was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the other vehicle, Ernest R.Bewley Jr., 54, of Avon, suffered back and head injuries and was treated at Kosciusko Community Hospital and released. Preliminary information released by the Warsaw Police Department indicates Park pulled from the access road across the eastbound travel lane of U.S.30 and into the path of Bewley's vehicle.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Cops Say Semi Driver Disregarded Signal

After several witnesses came forward over the weekend and after further investigation, the Warsaw Police Department determined that the primary cause of Friday morning's accident, in which five people were injured, was the failure of the semi-tractor/trailer driver to stop at the automatic signal. According to a WPD report, the semi driver, Gabriel M.Bogue, 20, Winchester, ran the red light at the intersection of U.S.30E and East Center Street at 8:12 a.m.Friday, and collided with a Dodge pickup driven by Chris T.Cramer, 35, Warsaw, that was crossing U.S.30 on a green traffic signal. The report indicated Cramer had severe bleeding to the head and Bogue complained of back pain. Cramer had three passengers in her vehicle, all under age 10.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Miller Honored With Reneker Award At Winona Lake

WINONA LAKE - It took a good-natured ruse to get him there. But once he arrived at the Westminster Hotel Tuesday night, Dane Miller, chairman of Biomet, was pleasantly surprised to learn he was the recipient of the 1998 William Reneker Memorial Community Service Award. The award was presented before more than 150 guests at the annual dinner hosted by the Winona Lake Town Council. "It was a total surprise to me.I'm very honored," Miller said."I appreciate the recognition for what my wife and I have been able to put back into the community. "I think Bill was a fine leader of Winona Lake.It makes me feel good that someone of his caliber would have an award named in his honor and that I would be the recipient of that award." This was the fifth annual award for community service.Reneker was a civic leader and past president of the Winona Lake Town Council.The council selects each year's recipient based on a recommendation from Judy Reneker, Reneker's widow.
DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

'Hand And Rod' Puppets Used By Kids On The Block

The Kids on the Block program uses "hand and rod" puppets.This means that one hand works the mouth of the puppet and the other hand manipulates the rod for gestures.The puppets are 3 to 4 feet tall. Some of the puppets have a disability and use aids that make their character distinctive and realistic. The style of puppetry used by The Kids on the Block is based on a Japanese style of puppetry called Bunraku (Boon-rah-koo).In authentic Japanese Bunraku puppet theater, there are three puppeteers who operate one puppet, two of whom are dressed totally in black and operate the puppet from behind. The leading puppeteer, who wears bright colors, holds the back of the puppet and operates the right hand, head and eyebrows.The second person moves the left hand and the third operates the feet.The puppeteers are soon forgotten by the audience and the puppets seem to come alive.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Local Suspect Fights Extradition

An area man wanted for allegedly fighting with a police officer is trying to avoid extradition back to Indiana. Francis Charles Hamilton, 30, of 722 N.Cook St., Warsaw, was in court Monday fighting extradition from Floyd County.He was arrested by the Kentucky State Police last weekend in connection with the warrant from Kosciusko County. Hamilton was wanted on charges of resisting arrest and fleeing law enforcement in connection with a fight with a Warsaw police officer. Kosciusko County Sheriff Al Rovenstine said the department has not had any contact with Floyd County officials since Monday.Rovenstine said the sheriff's department is preparing to make their case for the extradition of Hamilton. Officer David Morales came across a man matching Hamilton's description Nov.20 during a search for a burglar in Valley Springs north of Warsaw.Morales attempted to apprehend the man and a fight ensued.
GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pre-Dawn Crash

A 4:30 a.m. call reporting a possible prowler near a residence on CR 500S led police to a one-vehicle accident in which a Warsaw man was seriously injured. James Hale, 24, of the Sellers Lake area, was found unconscious in the back seat of a vehicle that had struck a pole. Police believe one or two other occupants of the car left the accident scene on foot. It is not known who was driving the car. Hale suffered head and internal injuries and was transported from Kosciusko Community Hospital to Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he was being treated at press time and a condition report was not available. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the accident is believed to have occurred shortly before the prowler call came in because the accident resulted in a power outage and nearby residents reported the outage about the same time. The REMC pole that was struck resulted in an outage for residents in the area of the accident, which occurred between CRs 400E and 500E. Assisting at the scene were Pierceton police, fire and EMS and Multi-Township Emergency Medical Service. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union
Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Crooks Seeking To Move Trial Out Of County

Kristina Crooks can no longer receive a fair trial in Kosciusko County. That's the sentiment of a motion filed in Kosciusko County Circuit Court recently. Crooks, 7280 N.Blacks Trailer Court, North Webster, faces felony charges of reckless homicide and neglect of a dependent.The charges stem from the Jan.24 death of Lois Marie Ozenbaugh. The 11-month-old child ingested six cigarettes, vomited and choked on her stomach's contents, according to autopsy reports.Toxicology reports revealed Valium was found in the girl's bloodstream. In an early March press conference, Kolbe said the child's body also showed signs of physical abuse.Bruises were allegedly found on the child's legs, back and torso area. In an interview with investigators, Crooks allegedly admitted to seeing the child eat cigarettes the day before she died, Kolbe said. Ozenbaugh and Crooks were due in court for a custody hearing the day the child died.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Justice Building Corp. Approves Sale Of Bonds

Advancing Kosciusko County's Justice Building expansion project, the board of directors of the Kosciusko County Justice Building Corp.approved the issuance and sale of bonds Wednesday. The county council must also approve the bonds. The amount of bonds will not exceed $22 million, according to the resolution approved. "That should be on the high side," county commissioner attorney Mike Miner said."It should be below that."He said the architects estimated the cost on the high side so if the cost is more than they expect, the process will not have to be restarted. The county will pay back the bonds at an estimated rate of $1.9 million per year.The interest rate for the bonds cannot exceed 8 percent per year, with interest paid semi-annually each Feb.1 and Aug.1. The resolution approved by the board states that the bonds will be sold at a public sale to the lowest and best bidder.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
Previous Next