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Man Charged For Alleged 2005 Sex Crime
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
(COLDWATER) - Charges have been filed in Branch County against a man for the alleged 2005 sexual assault of a boy who was four-years-old at the time. Branch County District Court officials say two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct have been filed against 26-year-old Trevor Smith. The charges were filed after the alleged victim last year told a Child Protective Services worker about what allegedly happened to him and said he wanted to come forward. Smith is being held in the Branch County Jail on a $250,000 bond. A District Court preliminary exam is scheduled for June 3rd.
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Coldwater Man Sentenced In Fatal Crash
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
(COLDWATER) - A Coldwater man has been given a prison sentence of between two to 15 years in connection with a fatal traffic accident in April of 2012. Branch County Circuit Court officials say 22-year-old Andrew Kelley was sentenced for the crash that killed Jessica Bates. Police said at the time that Kelley was trying to pass a semi tractor-trailer on Marshall Road at speeds over 100 miles an hour when the head on collision took place. Bates was pronounced dead at the scene. She was traveling to Michigan State University where she was studying to become a nurse practitioner. Police say Kelley had a blood alcohol content of .10 at the time of the crash.
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New Ryan Park Principal Hired
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
(ANGOLA) - The M.S.D. of Steuben County School Board approved the hiring of Amy Heavin on Tuesday night as the new principal at Ryan Park Elementary School. She will take over for the retiring Mike Christ who has been the principal at Ryan Park ever since it opened. Heavin's husband is currently the principal at Angola High School. She has been the principal at Rome City Elementary for the past two years and has worked in the East Noble School District since 2004. Also on Tuesday night, the Board accepted the retirement of Mike Wenzel after 36 years of service for the district. He has most recently served as the technology coordinator for the district. Meanwhile, Curriculum Director Cyndi Nusbaum reported the Full Speed Ahead program did not get 21st Century grant funding this year after the Steuben County Literacy Coalition re-applied for it. She said she was told there were fewer grants awarded and there was a greater focus on partnership schools that had a poverty rate of at least 75 percent and on schools that were failing. But she added the districts after school child care program at the elementary school as well as the Middle School's Slam Dunk program are seperate from that grant funding and those programs will continue.
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Arndt Hired As PHHS Assistant Principal
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
(BRUSHY PRAIRIE) - The Prairie Heights School Board approved the hiring of Andrew Arndt on Monday night as the new Assistant Principal at Prairie Heights High School. Arndt has been a social studies teacher in the Fremont Community School District for the past eight years. The 1999 Fremont graduate has also coached J.V. Boys Basketball along with varsity boys and girls golf. Arndt has also served as a sophomore class sponsor and was recently a Student Council Sponsor. Arndt completed his Ball State Principal Internship in 2012. He will assume the assistant principal duties from Jeremy Swander who was recently promoted to High School Principal.
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Steuben Limiting Part Time Hours
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
(ANGOLA) - Steuben County government part time workers will have their weekly hours capped at 28 hours following action by the County Commissioners on Monday. The action was taken because the Affordable Health Care Act will force employers in 2014 to offer health care to anyone working more than 30 hours a week. It affected a decision made by the Steuben County Council on Tuesday as they turned down a request from Community Corrections Director Brett Hayes to make two part timers full time workers effective on July 1st for fear it would expose the county to potentially $60,000 worth of insurance per person. The Council also met with various department heads including Prosecutor Mike Hess. He said he needed a full time deputy prosecutor and an administrative assistant due to the number of cases that have recently gone to trial.
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Council Approves OT Pay Request From Big Trials
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
(ANGOLA) - The Steuben County Council approved a $15,000 request from Sheriff Tim Troyer on Tuesday to cover overtime costs for a couple of recent high profile cases. The additional appropriation request covered $9,000 in the Sheriffs budget and $6,000 in the jail budget. Security had to be increased in and around the Steuben County courthouse during the Zao Burrell murder trial and the attempted murder trial of William Myers lII. Troyer said many area police officers either volunteered their time or were paid by their local departments. He added Steuben County Sheriffs department reserves volunteered 129 hours during the Burrell trial.
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SRO For Fremont School Board Meeting
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(FREMONT) - As expected, it was standing room only for Monday nights Fremont School Board meeting as the community tries to deal with the elimination of four teacher positions and the reduction in hours for seven others. Corporation Business Manager Dick Wirtz pointed out the districts enrollment has dropped 10 percent from 1,129 1/2 students in 2010 to 1,020 this year. With lower enrollment, there's less funding from the state and the district's general fund budget has gone from $8.1 million in 2010 to $7.2 million in 2012. Audience members spoke out about the districts situation for nearly two hours as the meeting went until almost 9:00pm. Board President Sheri Thomson thanked all who spoke and said their comments would be taken under advisement. Superintendent Laurie Vaughn said last week that 11 RIF letters were sent out and that the full time positions being eliminated were based on student numbers and needs. They involve two special education positions at the high school as well as a high school home economics position and a middle school science teacher.
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APD To Seek Second School Resource Officer
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - Angola Police Chief Stu Hamblen said during Monday nights Angola City Council meeting that they will be seeking a second School Resource Officer. Hamblen said he would be submitting an application on Tuesday for a three year Department of Justice grant that would total $125,000. Hamblen added he expected the grant process to be competitive. Meanwhile, Angola Mayor Dick Hickman introduced Tom Selman as the new Water Department Superintendent. Selman has worked for the Angola Water Department for 28 years. He takes over for Dan Olis who retired last week after 38 years with the city of Angola. The City Council also felt Auto Form Tool and Manufacturing and Univertical were in substantial compliance with their tax abatements. A representative from ATM said their relocation from Fremont went fine and they finished ahead of schedule. He offered to return 10 percent of the abatement to the city. The company is hoping to hire 95 additional workers by 2016. Meanwhile, Michelle Stockberger from Univertical said they plan to increase their workforce to 110 by the end of 2014. The company currently has 62 workers in Angola. Meanwhile, the Council decided to table action until the next meeting on whether or not General Products was in compliance with tax abatements that was approved in 2003 and 2008 so that City Planner Vivian Likes can check to see if she has the right paperwork and forms.
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Steuben Home Sales Climb, Median Prices Drop
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(UNDATED) - The Indiana Association of Realtors says more homes were sold in Steuben County during April when compared to April of last year but the median price of homes in the county continues to drop. There were 46 closed sales last month as opposed to 34 in April of 2012. The median price for homes was listed as over $120,000. DeKalb County saw the number of closed sales go up by three last month while median prices went up over 15 percent to over $128,000. Closed home sales in LaGrange County went down by one last month with the median price dropping by seven percent to just under $87,000. Noble County's median price dropped slightly to $99,000 while the number of closed sales dropped by 13. Statewide, the I.A.R. says the numbers were good in April with closed home sales increasing by 18 percent compared to April of 2012 with median sale prices going up to $119,000.
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Taylor Gets 6 Years For Strangulation & Residential Entry
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - An Angola man was ordered to serve four years of a six year sentence on Monday in Steuben Circuit Court following his conviction by a jury last month on Class D felony charges of strangulation and residential entry. Bageera Tralane Taylor Junior got consecutive sentences of three years on each count. One year was suspended on both charges. Taylor was found guilty in connection with an incident in June of last year in an Angola apartment complex. Steuben County authorities say he broke into an apartment occupied by two women and put his hands around the throat of one of them, causing her air to be cut off. The jury deliberated for nearly two hours before returning the guilty verdicts.
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Fremont Resident Sentenced In Child Porn Case
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - A Fremont resident will not have to serve any more jail time but he has to follow a lengthy list of probation terms following his guilty plea in Steuben Circuit Court to a Class D felony of being in possession of child pronography. 19-year-old Zachary Scott Anderson was given a sentence of 18 months by Judge Allen Wheat on Monday with all of it suspended except for the 65 days he has served and the 65 days for good time credit. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed a Class C felony of child exploitation. Anderson was arrested at his home for downloading child porn on his computer last October following a five month Indiana State Police investigation. Judge Wheat did not mince words when he told Anderson what he had done was stupid but he did acknowledge the defendant has found employment and has no prior convictions. It took probation officer Cathy Hayes almost 10 minutes to read through all of the probation terms. Among the terms were no contact with the victim or the victims family. Anderson also has to register as a sex offender, consent to searches of his computer and he can not live within 1,000 feet of a school.
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Ellspermann "Listens And Learns" During Steuben Stops
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - As part of her "Listen and Learn" tour of all 92 Indiana counties, Indiana Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann made several stops in Steuben County on Monday. This is the fourth week of her tour around the state that Ellspermann says will end in November in her home county of Dubois. Ellspermann met with elected officials at Trine University, took a tour of Pokagon State Park's Potawatomi Inn and also met with those with business and agricultural interests in a roundtable discussion at Fremont Public Library. During a stop at the WLKI studios, Ellspermann said they have heard a lot about federal and state mandates during her tour. She pointed out her boss, Governor Mike Pence, issued a moratorium on any new state regulations when he took office in January. Ellspermann was also in Angola to deliver the keynote speech during Monday nights Steuben County Republican Party Lincoln Day dinner.
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Commissioners Discuss Possible RDC
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - Is a Redevelopment Commission in Steuben County's future? The matter was discussed during Monday's County Commissioners meeting. Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Dave Koenig said it should be done if the opportunity presented itself before it's absolutely needed. He pointed out it has been done in other counties around the state and the formation of a R.D.C. was part of a 2010 strategic plan in Steuben County. County Attorney Don Stuckey said the creation of an R.D.C. was a "no brainer" in case a major economic project is interested in Steuben County. He pointed out the R.D.C. does not create Tax Increment Finance Districts but it's there in case something comes up. County Commission Chair Ron Smith said he has gotten mostly positive feedback from other County Commissioners around the state about T.I.F. districts.
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SCLC Gets $11K Grant From Dollar General
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - The Steuben County Literacy Coalition has gotten an $11,000 reward from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for the support of literacy programs. Since being formed in 1993, Dollar General says its Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $81 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.7 million people. A complete list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is also currently accepting applications for youth literacy grants through Thursday.
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Commissioners Discuss Courthouse Credit Card
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - Steuben County Commissioners will look further into a request from County Clerk Shelly Herbert for the use of a credit card account by courthouse employees. Herbert pointed out during the Zoa Burrell murder trial that some workers had to make purchases out of their own pockets and then have to wait several weeks to be reimbursed. But County Auditor Pam Coleman cautioned that it was discussed during a recent auditors conference that credit card fraud was running rampant. She added two auditors were just arrested for inappropriate and personal use of credit cards. Coleman warned if a credit card is used wrongfully, there could be jail time for her and Herbert. Coleman told Commissioners she would need their backing if a government credit card account is set up and it would need strict guidelines. Commissioner Jim Crowl felt there needs to be further study before any action is taken.
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Cameron Foundation Gets $2,500 REMC Grant
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - The Cameron Hospital Foundation has gotten a $2,500 contribution from Steuben County R.E.M.C. as part of a capital campaign for a new foundation facility. The gift was received as part of R.E.M.C.'s Operation Round Up program. Cameron Hospital spokesperson Laura Lutterbeck says they are grateful for the support and appreciate Steuben County R.E.M.C.'s recognition of the importance of this project.
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Ellsperman Making Steuben Visit
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - Indiana Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann is scheduled to visit Steuben County on Monday. She is scheduled to meet with local elected officials and business leaders on Monday afternoon at Pokagon State Park's Potawatomi Inn as part of her "Listen and Learn" tour which is now in its fourth week. Her office says the tour is designed to give Ellspermann the chance to learn about the strengths, challenges and priorities in all 92 Indiana counties. She is also scheduled to deliver the keynote speech during the annual Steuben County Republican Party Lincoln Day dinner on Monday night.
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City Council To Review 3 Abatement Compliances
Monday, May 20th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - The Angola City Council is scheduled to review tax abatement compliance statements for three companies on Monday night. They are to determine if Auto Form Tool and Manufacturing, General Products and Univertical are in substantial compliance with statement of benefits for personal property. Also on the agenda is a request from the M.S.D. of Steuben County to share in the Head Start building roof replacement cost which is estimated at over $22,000.
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Fremont Reacts To Teacher RIF's
Monday, May 20nd, 2013
(FREMONT) - While only handful of audience members show up for most Fremont School Board meetings, that will likely not be the case this evening. The Fremont School Districts Reduction in Force plans has raised the hackles of many Fremont residents over the last month. Many have vented their anger on social media sites, others have been circulating petitions. We tried to talk to one of the organizers of a grass roots group who are against the proposed RIF's recently but he said someone else will call back. That phone call has not been made. Monday night's agenda includes an update from Superintendent Laurie Vaughn about the Reduction In Force. She said last week that 11 RIF letters were sent out following last months board action. She said four full time positions were being eliminated based on student numbers and needs. They involve two special education positions at the high school as well as a home economics position at the high school and a science teacher at the middle school. Vaughn says three other positions were being reduced by a quarter while four others were being reduced by a half. Vaughn adds elementary music, physical education and arts will still be offered.
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PHCS Announces Kindergarten Registration
Saturday, May 18th, 2013
(BRUSHY PRAIRIE) - Appointments are being made for kindergarten registration at Prairie Heights Community Schools for May 30th from 4:00pm until 7:00pm. Children have to be at least five years old before August 1st in order to enroll in Kindergarten. Parents should call Prairie Heights Elementary School at 351-2028 to schedule a time for their child to be registered and undergo a brief screening process. They are also being asked to bring the child's immunization records, social security card, legal birth certificate, and custody papers if applicable to the appointment.
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Auburn Teen Injured In ORV Accident
Saturday, May 18th, 2013
(CORUNNA) - An Auburn teenager was injured Friday night in an off road vehicle accident in the 800 block of County Road 28 in Corunna. Indiana Conservation Officers report 15-year-old Katlyn R. Rutkowski was operating the O.R.V. on a trail through a wooded area behind a residence at about 6:45pm when she sideswiped a tree. She and a passenger were thrown from the machine. Rutkowski was taken by private vehicle to DeKalb Health for treatment of lung and back injuries as well as for abrasions. Rutkowski was later released. Conservation Officers were assisted by the DeKalb County Sheriffs Department.
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Cameron Announces Appointment Of Senior Nursing Director
Friday, May 17th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - Cameron Hospital officials announced the appointment of Michelle Walter on Friday as the Senior Director of Nursing. Walter will start her new job on May 28th. She has been employed at Cameron since 2009 working as a Case Management/Utilization Review nurse. She worked at Sturgis Hospital and at Parkview Hospital before coming to Cameron four years ago. Her responsibilities will include leading the nursing team in the Emergency Department, Surgical Services and in the Medical/Surgical Unit.
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Two Children Hurt, Woman Charged In Branch Crash
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
(COLDWATER) - A Tekonsha woman is being held on a $50,000 bond in the Branch County Jail following what Michigan State Police at Coldwater are calling an alcohol related traffic accident on Tuesday evening in Branch County's Butler Township which injured two children. 26-year-old Katie Leeann Holbrook was arraigned Wednesday in Branch County District Court on two charges of Child Endangerment as well as a charge of Operating While Intoxicated causing serious injury. The accident happened on Dean Road near Jonesville Road. Troopers say Holbrook's four-year-old son was badly injured and was flown to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. A two-year-old girl was also injured in the accident. She was treated and released at the Community Health Center of Branch County.
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Boat Speeds Restricted On Some Kosciusko Lakes
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
(UNDATED) - The Indiana D.N.R. has announced that because of high water conditions, motorized boats on some Kosciusko County lakes can not operate above idle speed until further notice. D.N.R. Director Rob Carter issued the order for the Barbee and Tippecanoe Lake chains. This will affect Kuhn, Big Barbee, Little Barbee, Irish, Seachrist, Sawmill and Banning Lakes as well as Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake and Oswego Lake. The restriction exempts law enforcement, emergency response personnel and D.N.R. watercraft.
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Hickman Gives Positive State Of The City Address
Monday, February 18th, 2013
(ANGOLA) - Angola Mayor Dick Hickman said the city was in good financial shape as he delivered a mostly positive State of the City speech during Monday night's City Council meeting. He spent most of the speech detailing what various departments have done over the last year. The city got over $3 million in Major Moves funds in 2006. Hickman said while the city still has most its Money Moves money, he told the Council he wanted ideas on how the money should be invested in the future. He also said the city needs to look at establishing a business park to enhance its economic development. In other business, the Council approved an ordinance on third reading which will increase sewer rates over the next two years in order to maintain operations at the sewage treatment plant and pay debt service on its bonds. They also agreed to sell over 12,000 shares of Dana stock at $17.18 a share which would raise over $206,000. The money would be used to help pay for the enviromental clean up of the former Dana Weatherhead facility. City Engineer Bill Boyer also said a public hearing on the widening of Wendell Jacob Avenue will be held at 6:00pm next Tuesday night in Angola City Hall.
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County Officials To Be Sworn In Monday
Sunday, December 30th, 2012
(ANGOLA) - There is still a little unfinished business from the 2012 election. Two new members of the Steuben County Council will be among county officials who will be sworn in on Monday for terms in office that start on New Years Day. Dan Caruso and Ruth Beer will be given their oaths for the Steuben County Council along with incumbent Linda Hanson. County Commissioner Jim Crowl will also be sworn in for another term. The ceremony will take place at 11:30am in the Magistrates Courtroom.
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Three Injured In Saturday DeKalb County Wreck
Saturday, December 1st, 2012
(BUTLER) - Three people were injured late Saturday afternoon in a head on crash in the 5400 block of U.S. 6 near Butler. The DeKalb County Sheriffs Department says 18-year-old Alonso Delgado Cardoza of Goshen was heading west and was trying to pass a semi at about 5:30pm in the eastbound lane when he collided head on with a pickup driven by 73-year-old Jack Thomas of Auburn. A third vehicle driven by 56-year-old Donald Dietsch was behind the Thomas vehicle and was unable to avoid the collision. Cardoza suffered a fractured right foot while Thomas had a lacerated right hand. A passenger in the Dietsch vehicle. 65-year-old Constance Thomas of Auburn, complained of pain to her right hip. Butler Policr and Fire along the Indiana State Police and DeKalb E.M.S. assisted at the scene.
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NE Center breaks ground in Angola
Friday, August 03, 2012 5:08:19 AM
GROUNDBREAKING IN ANGOLA - Craig McCafferty of CPM Construction
Management, Jerry Nix of MKM Inc., Northeastern Center employees, Sue
Sprague, Jerry Hollister, Steve Howell, and Renee' Runkle. (Photo
contributed)
ANGOLA - On Thursday, August 2nd
the Northeastern Center broke ground on their new 9,000 square ft.
Steuben County Outpatient office.
The new facility is being built on Intertech Parkway.
The new office replaces their current 5,800 square foot location.
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Scrap Business Ordered To Clean Up Property
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
(LAGRANGE) - LaGrange County Commissioners ordered a rural Shipshewana man on Monday to cease operating a scrap and salvage business and to clean up his property. The commissioners held a nuisance hearing concerning the property owned by Marlin and Mary Knepp at 7495 West County Road 100 North. County officials say the scrap and salvage business located just west of Shore Church has been the subject of complaints for years. Knepp said he's been so busy he's been unable to make much progress in cleaning it up but he promised changes. Code enforcement officer Jason Boggs asked commissioners to issue and injunction immediately. The commissioners granted the injunction and held off levying any fines for 30 days to give Knepp more time to clean up. They'll reconvene the hearing May 21st. County officials say Knepp needs a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals to legally operate that type of business in an area zoned agriculture and may need to register his business with the state as well.
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Three fires near Middlebury called arson
Thursday, March 29, 2012 3:26:53 PM
MIDDLEBURY - A rash of fires just outside Middlebury early Wednesday morning is being investigated as arson.
Middlebury firefighters were called just after 4 a-m to a vehicle fire at 53336 Palmetto Drive just north of the city limits.
About 45 minutes later they were called to 53245 Hilltop Drive where a shed was on fire.
A third fire call came in 50 minutes after that reporting a house fire at 53162 Palmetto.
The Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, Middlebury Police and the State Fire Marshal are investigating the blazes.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's department.
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