Monday, Sept. 8, 2008
MENTONE, IN - Topping your local news today, police have released their final report on the death of a Tippecanoe Valley High School girl. Evelyn Bolen, 17, died in her physical education class at the school last week when another student on a bicycle crashed into her. The Allen County Coroner ruled the death an accident and noted Bolen had a pre-existing condition on the base of her skull that was a contributing factor in her death.
WARSAW, IN - Charges of aggravated battery are being sought against a 12-year-old Warsaw girl accused of seriously injuring a 74-year-old man. The girl, who is now in the Plymouth Behavioral Health Center, is accused of pushing Boyd Miller of Warsaw so hard that he fell and struck his head, causing bleeding on the brain and partial paralysis. Miller is in Lutheran Hospital's Critical Care Unit. Kosciusko County Police say the 12-year-old girl's grandmother is pursuing the charges. It's not clear what the relationship is between the girl and Miller.
WARSAW, IN - A string of dumpster fires continues in Warsaw. The latest fire was set Friday night at KMC Corp. at 602 Leiter Road. Warsaw fire officials say about $1,000 in damages resulted, but the blaze was contained in the dumpster. To date, nearly a dozen similar fires have been set in an area of Warsaw west of Detroit Street and north of Winona Avenue.
NORTH WEBSTER, IN - The Lakeland Regional Sewer District Board continues to organize. The purpose of the district is to establish a sewer system for the Barbee Chain of Lakes. Currently the board is looking into establishing an office in the North Webster Community Center where residents could obtain information on the district and its mission. The next meeting will be Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. in the North Webster Community Center.
WARSAW. IN - Problems continue to mount for local manufactured home dealer Joe Callaghan doing business at Callaghan Homes and Fahl Homes. His installer's license has been suspended by the state for "professional incompetence." Since we broke the story Tuesday, a number of homeowners who have purchased Fahl and Callaghan homes have come forward to say they support the state's ruling. To date, nearly 20 homeowners in Kosciusko and three other counties have noted structural and cosmetic problems with their own homes and we have learned of two lawsuits against the company - one filed in Wabash County and a second in Whitley County. Willie 103.5 News received engineering reports on a few of the Fahl homes in question. Among the problems noted, improper or missing lag screws and missing footers that, in some cases, "significantly jeopardize the structural integrity" of the homes. On July 14, the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency issued a disciplinary action against Callaghan, of Warsaw-based Callaghan Homes and Fahl Homes. The state found a number of deficiencies in a home Callaghan installed in Urbana, Ind., and said he used unlicensed contractors. Callaghan's installer license for manufactured homes was suspended for 90 days and will be placed on indefinite probation if reinstated. The ruling means Callaghan can still sell the homes, but must use licensed subcontractors to install them and all homes installed during the suspension and probationary period must be reported to the state. In the latest development, the Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana in Fort Wayne will present the state's ruling to its board of directors next Thursday. The board will decide if Callaghan should be allowed to remain as a member. Mike Coyle is president and CEO of the Northern Indiana BBB and says they are still investigating the business, but he confirms that prior to this, no complaints have been filed against the company.
WINONA LAKE, IN - It's been a long time coming. The town of Winona Lake will officially re-open CR 250E this week. A special ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for Wednesday at Lakeland Christian Academy. The ceremony concludes the $2.6 million project that's been in the works since Aug. 9, 2007. The ribbon-cutting happens at 6 p.m.
WARSAW, IN - Also on Wednesday, Gov. Mitch Daniels will be in Warsaw to dedicate the opening of the Beyer Farm Trail. The half-mile stretch completes the trail and is part of the governor's initiative for a connected statewide system of trails to promote fitness. That ribbon-cutting event starts at 5 p.m.
BLOOMINGTON, IN - Indiana University campus police say they have received several tips regarding an attack on five students over the weekend. A man carrying a sharp-edged weapon attacked a group of two men and three women who were walking on campus near Assembly Hall early Saturday. Police don't know the motive yet, but they're not taking any chances. They've increased patrols in areas where international students congregate. One of the students most seriously hurt was of East Indian descent.
INDIANA - Three months after devastating floods soaked much of Indiana, state officials want you to be prepared for the next disaster. The state has named this Disaster Preparedness Week. Emergency officials are encouraging families to have a disaster plan, including an evacuation route and meeting places, as well as a disaster kit that includes at least a three-day supply of food.
MILFORD, IN - The manufacturing of methaphetamine caused an apartment fire in Milford on Aug. 8, and today two people are in jail on related charges. Michael Foster Richardson, 22, and Jacinto Salazar, 27, both of Milford, were arrested by Milford Police Thursday for dealing illegal drugs. Richardson is being held on a $20,350 bond for dealing meth and possessing paraphernalia. Salazar is charged with dealing a controlled substance. His bond is set at $20,000. Police say meth was being cooked in the apartment at 203 E. Williams St. which caused the fire.
WARSAW, IN - A Warsaw business abruptly closes its doors. The Gas America station at 443 N. Detroit St. was surrounded by yellow tape late Wednesday afternoon. The convenience store was emptied out and the gas tanks shut off. Company officials today say the gas station and convenience store has been permanently closed. They blame weak sales and the station's inconvenient location that does not allow easy access. The building will be sold.
WARSAW, IN - Warsaw residents interested in serving on the Warsaw City Council have until Sept. 12 to file the necessary paperwork. The District 5 seat on the council was left vacant Aug. 26 with the death of Bill Rhoades. Candidates must be registered Republicans and live in District 5.
WARSAW, IN - You may notice some new signs have been put up along major roads in Warsaw. The signs are to clearly mark evacuation routes out of the city in the event of an emergency. At the request of the Department of Homeland Security, Warsaw city officials enacted an ordinance last year designating signs be placed along specific routes. They will guide residents out of the city in the event of a large Haz-mat spill, chemical cloud or other type of emergency that would require the evacuation of the city.
NORTHERN INDIANA - NIPSCO says natural gas prices for September are down compared to last month, which will mean an average savings of $25 dollars on this month's bill. But, the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. says it's seeking a rate hike for electric customers. If the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approves the request, it would mean about a 15 percent boost on consumer bills by 2010.