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Two additional victims' assistance counselors will join the existing program in the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's Office.
Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe announced personnel additions and shifts Tuesday at his monthly press conference.
The new full-time counselors will work in cooperation with program director Lisa Eckert, who has been with the prosecutor's office for one year.
The addition of the two counselors will double the number of people who potentially can be helped by the program, Kolbe said.
The city has its own victim's assistance program.
The first position will help victims of property crimes, as well as administer the diversion program for the county. According to Kolbe, the current victims' assistant does not handle property crimes.
The second position will administer a victims' assistance program for domestic violence cases in Superior Court II.
Both of the positions will be funded by a percentage of the fees for returned child support monies combined with grants from the state.
It also was announceced Tuesday that Chuck Waggoner will take over as chief deputy prosecutor in January when Joe Sutton begins his term as Superior Court III judge in January.
Waggoner has been with the prosecutor's office for a year as a trial deputy prosecutor handling felony cases.
Besides the change of position for Waggoner, the prosecutor's office will add two deputy prosecuting attorneys:
Byron L. Tinkey has worked as a small claims referee since January 1988. Since its inception, the position has grown to handle more than 1,800 cases per year. He has maintained a private practice in Rochester since 1979.
Tinkey will take over child support enforcement at the first of the year. The positon was vacated by Jim Walmer, who will return to his private practice. Walmer was working with the prosecutor's office on a part-time basis and declined an offer to continue in the job when it was expanded to full-time status.
Dan Nelson has worked in the Whitley County prosecutor's office under John Whiteleather since 1993. While there, Nelson handled both Class C and Class D felonies, and acted as liaison for the Whitley County Drug Task Force.
Nelson will handle criminal misdemeanors in Superior Court II, taking care of Sutton's former duties.
: ::go::loc:301:ggb:wed:wrap::04:1:P:12:03:: A fatal crash involving a Nappanee man has been referred to Marshall County prosecutors for investigation, according to Indiana State Police.
Amos J. Miller, 57, Blue Jay Street, Nappanee, was southbound on Ind. 331 when he collided with the rear of a van driven by Sharon K. Schutz, Bremen. Shutz's van was pushed into the path of Robert T. Mayfield, of Niles, Mich., who died from internal injuries at Bremen Hospital.
Both Miller and Schutz were admitted to Bremen Hospital and were in fair condition this morning.
At the scene were Bremen Police Department officers, Bremen fire and EMS units, Marshall County Police and the Indiana State Police. The accident remains under investigation.
