Public information meetings will be held in each of the four study areas: 

US 30 West 

Wednesday, November 30

• 5-7 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.
• Oregon Davis School (5990 N. 750 E., Hamlet, IN 46532) 

The U.S. 30 West study area extends from State Road 49 in Porter County to West County Road 700 North in Fulton County and Beech Road in Marshall County.

US 31 North 

Thursday, December 1

• 5-7 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.
• Rochester Community High School (1645 S. Park Rd., Rochester, IN 46975)

The U.S. 31 North study area extends from just south of Eel River in Miami County to just south of the Fulton/Marshall County line.

A LaPorte County father was sentenced November 29, after pleading guilty this past September for the beating and murder of his young son in 2021.

Sentenced to a total of 70 years, Alan Morgan, 29, will be spending most, if not all, of his life in prison for the murder of 4-year-old Judah Morgan. Having been placed with his biological parents, Alan Morgan and Mary Yoder, for a six month home trial through Indiana DCS in April of 2021, Judah was killed at their home in rural Hamlet on October 10, 2021, after months of abuse. 

LaPorte County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Alevizos listened intently to the victim impact statement given by Jenna Hullett, the woman who raised Judah for over three years as a kinship placement guardian. Tearfully, Hullett asked the judge to consider life in prison, something Judge Alevizos said he couldn't promise. Taking a plea deal in September, life without the possibility of parol was removed off the table for Morgan. Charges for neglect of a dependent and animal cruelty were also dropped. Nevertheless, the 70 year sentence means Morgan will be 80-years-old before he is ever eligible for parol. 

Forensic pathologist John Feczko shocked the courtroom as he spoke of the injuries he discovered on the toddler during his autopsy. In his 28-year career as a pathologist in Northwest Indiana, including Lake and St. Joesph counties, Feczko stated that Judah's autopsy was the worst case of blunt forced trauma he's ever witnessed on a child. 

Sniffles could be heard from all directions of the courtroom as La Porte County investigator  Jacob Koch testified, giving a play-by-play of abuse captured on home surveillance cameras from the five days leading up to Judah's death. Rocking back and forth in his chair with an emotionless stare, Morgan refused two opportunities to give a remorse statement to the court. Judge Alevizos called out the father on his lack of remorse for not only the abuse Judah had endured, but also the trauma of the other three siblings who had to witness it. 

"I thought about it for the last two days. What do you say to a person who beat their child to death? I couldn't," Judge Alevizos said to the court. "I hope one day he will be remorseful. One day." 

Judah's mother, Mary Yoder is still facing two felony counts of neglect of a dependent. Yoder's pre-trial hearing is set for December 9. Her trial is scheduled to begin January 9, 2023. 

Court documents in the Delphi case of the 2017 killings of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, have been released by Judge Fran Gull a week after hearing arguments on whether or not to keep them sealed at the request of the prosecutor.

It's the first public disclosure of evidence since the arrest of Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi, last month.

The probable cause affidavit, partially redacted, provides information related to Allen being near the location of the murders, young witnesses who provided a description of a person fitting Allen and information related to a gun and unspent round bullet at the scene.

Attorneys for Richard Allen have requested a change of venue for the case.

The released information can be seen below:

Purdue University announced Tuesday that it will resume requiring SAT and / or ACT test scores for admissions applications, beginning with students who apply for Fall 2024 admission to Purdue.

The resumption was recommended by university administration and endorsed by the board of trustees.

Purdue is making the announcement now so that current high school juniors can register for and schedule their exams and submit the test results with their applications. Purdue will begin accepting 2024 applications on Aug. 1, 2023.

Purdue has been “test flexible” since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented many students from having access to a testing site. For the last two years, Purdue has recommended but not required the test scores, and nearly three-fourths of applicants have provided them. Purdue accepts SAT or ACT scores and has no preference on which test is taken. Students may report the best scores from across different tests on their admissions application.

“The evidence is clear that test scores provide essential information in a comprehensive admissions evaluation that enables us to ensure the optimal chance of success for each admitted student,” said Kris Wong Davis, Purdue vice provost for enrollment management.

In September 2022, Purdue announced an all-time enrollment record. For Fall 2022, the average new student had a 3.74 GPA, an average SAT total of 1317 and an average ACT composite of 29.8. For Fall 2022, 82.4% of admitted students submitted either an SAT or ACT score.

Thanks to a generous donation from RapidView LLC, the Fulton County Community Foundation is continuing its GivingTuesday campaign and can match up to $5,000 in gifts to the following funds:

The Camp-We-Can Endowment Fund, which benefits an annual camp for adults and children with special needs. Camp-We-Can focuses on inclusivity and has included activities such as swimming, horseback riding, crafts and more for their campers.  

The Fulton County 4-H Dog Club Fund that supports 4-Hers and their canine companions. 4-H focuses on encouraging community youth to reach their full potential through various clubs and projects such as the Fulton County 4-H Dog Club.

The Fulton County Park and Recreation Sustainability Fund that provides funding for various parks projects such as bridge upgrades, county parks maintenance, trail preservation, and many other park and recreational projects.

JEM Art Educators Fund that supports the fine arts within the Rochester School Cooperation and currently provides art supplies and support for the schools’ art programs.

The Olive Jane Hathaway Animal Center Supply Fund, which helps provide The Fulton County Animal Adoption & Education Center with supplies, food, and other similar expenses.

Additionally, the foundation can match up to $50,000 given to the Fulton County Community Fund. This fund allows the Fulton County Community Foundation Grants Committee to award money to charitable and deserving Fulton County organizations.

This matching opportunity is available from now through today's Giving Tuesday event.

Visit nicf.org or call 574-224-3223 to donate.

A Marshall County man is charged with multiple counts of child pornography.

The Indiana State Police, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), initiated a criminal investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an online account had been used for child exploitation.

The investigation revealed the owner of the online account to be Timothy Stutzman, 60, of Plymouth. After reviewing the results of the investigation, the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office issued warrants for Stutzman’s arrest. 

Stutzman was arrested by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and taken to the Marshall County Jail on seven Level 5 felony counts of possession of child pornography.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office and Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting in Rochester on Thursday, December 1, to discuss the U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 corridors studies.

During this meeting, organizers will focus specifically on U.S. 30 North.

The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rochester High School. A presentation begins at 6 p.m.

The ProPEL U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 study teams are looking for public input for Planning and Environmental Linkages studies along 180 miles of U.S. 30 and U.S. 31.

ProPEL U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 is an INDOT initiative that uses collaborative PEL studies to consider community, economic, and environmental goals when planning transportation projects.

Learn more about the studies and how to meet with organizers at ProPELUS30.com and ProPELUS31.com.

The holidays can be a difficult time for many experiencing grief and loss. With festivities right around the corner, memories and traditions can be a trigger to those who have lost a loved one, or who are feeling alone.

This year, Recovery Cafe Fulton County is reaching out to those dealing with anything from the end of a relationship, death, illness, loss of proximity and anything else that may cause one to be sad for a prolonged period of time.

Starting December 3 at 10 a.m., the Recovery Cafe, 715 Main St in Rochester, will be opening its doors with open arms to those looking for a listening ear, with a support group on Saturday mornings specializing in grief and loss. Personal, confidential and open to anyone, the group hopes to bring a sense of togetherness for those dealing with the hardships of life and show that they are not alone.  

Grab a free cup of coffee and chat. There is no cost to join the judgement free group, that is welcome to anyone and led by an experienced grief group leader. 

Thanksgiving week often brings thoughts of friends and families gathering together for a meal to give thanks. Recently, Rochester High School Juniors learned a little more about what they should be thankful for in their American Studies class taught by teachers Hope Showley and Jesse Atkinson.

Teaming with Lindsay Barts and the Lady Bug Foundation on a community project for Fulton County HOPE to raise awareness about the homeless, Showley felt like November being National Homeless Awareness Month, was the perfect time.

On Tuesday, Showley and Atkinson took each class to sit on the courthouse lawn to demonstrate and raise awarenenss on the homeless situation, teaching students not only the curriculum, but also empathy.

Junior MaKenna Jackson said the experience has opened her eyes and made her a little more thankful this holiday season. 

Student Jake Seuferer was more shocked by how close to home the problem actually was. 

Ford Motor Company will urge owners of 2020-2023 MY Bronco Sport and Escapes with 3-cylinder, 1.5L engines to visit their dealership to inspect for a potential cracked fuel injector.

When the engine is operating, a cracked fuel injector could cause fuel and/or fuel vapor to accumulate near hot surfaces, resulting in a potential under hood fire.

“Taking care of our customers who are affected by this potential issue is our utmost priority,” said Jim Azzouz, Executive Director, Global CX Products & Customer Relations. “Once the repair is available, we will ask customers to schedule service with their preferred dealer.  They can then take advantage of our complimentary pickup and delivery or a loaner to make sure the repair is completed at their earliest convenience.”

Ford is taking steps to minimize the inconvenience for customers, including providing an option to arrange for free pick-up, repair and delivery, in addition to owners taking vehicles themselves to Ford dealers.

Ford will:

Update the engine control software. To detect whether the fuel injector is cracked and, if so, provide a dashboard message to customers to seek service.

Additionally, if a pressure drop in the fuel rail is detected, engine power will automatically be reduced to minimize any risk, while also allowing customers to drive to a safe locations, and stop the vehicle and arrange for service.

Install a tube that drains fuel from the cylinder head and away from hot surfaces, and check for excessive fuel odor near the top of the engine, another indicator of a possible issue.

Ford has not issued instructions to stop driving vehicles under this recall.

This recall affects 518,993 vehicles in the United States. Ford is projecting a low failure rate for fuel injectors experiencing external leak(s) at 15 years/150,000 miles 

High school students graduating in the spring will want to get their information ready to fill in scholarship applications soon on the Northern Indiana Community Foundation website.

The Fulton County Community Foundation has more than 65 scholarship funds available. Scholarship dollars are varied and cover a wide range of criteria. Whether a graduating senior, current college student, or non-traditional student there are scholarships available. FCCF endowment scholarships typically range from $300 to $5,000.

Fulton County Community Foundation Director of Development Brian Johnson

Says the applications should be available starting next week.

Johnson also notes criteria varies depending upon the scholarship.  He advises have all your information ready.

The Outlet Youth Center hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner on Tuesday for all attending students and families, volunteers, and board members.

65 people attended the event at 491 Apache Drive.

"It was such a cool experience to watch our students take pride in the space and share it with their families. They introduced them to our volunteers, and we got to meet so many parents we hadn't yet been able to meet. It was the first time we were really able to bring the entire "family" together," said Taylor Showley, Assistant Director at The Outlet.

The Outlet is closed the remainder of Thanksgiving week but will reopen on Tuesday, November 29 for the After School Program that is open to students 6th-12th grade from 3-5:30pm. 

You might want to wear your ugliest sweater if you go to Winamac next weekend.  It could win you a prize.

An ugly sweater party is just one of the many items on the schedule for Winamac's Winter Wonderland det for December 2-3.

Vendors will be in several locations starting at 6:00 pm on Friday in Winamac offering holiday shopping opportunities. They'll be available on Saturday from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, also.

An electric parade will be in Winamac's downtown on Friday evening at 7:00 pm.  Santa will arrive with the parade.

The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.

Four County, a comprehensive behavioral health provider in North Central Indiana, recently announced that the company’s name was changing to 4C Health. Accompanying this name change is associated change in logo and tagline. The rebranding reflects the goals of the company for the future and the changing terrain of behavioral health toward integration.

Four County was named to reflect the four Indiana counties it is designated to serve as a community mental health center: Cass, Miami, Fulton, and Pulaski. Carrie Cadwell, CEO/President, stated “Since 2015, we have grown to serving 14 rural Indiana counties, it was time to start looking at developing a bridge from our history to our current state and ultimately to our future.The change to 4C Health is reflective of the next evolution to ensure we continue to be here for all of our rural communities and move with the changing federal and state landscape for behavioral health.”

Keith Kolb, Four County Board President, had this to say, “Four County has a long history of providing mental health services to our rural area. The evolution of mental health has evolved rapidly over the last 5 years and your provider has evolved with it. Our new name and logo are meant to recognize our history and focus on our future as your community mental health provider. The 4CHealth organization looks forward to providing high quality and readily available services and responding to the changing needs of our community.”

Cadwell says with the rebranding they are undergoing changes in how services are offered at the Miami County location.  Most notably, how quickly people can receive help.

Cadwell says it’s imperative their organization be ready when someone seeks their help.

“We have referred to Four County as 4C for a very long time, now when we talk about ‘4C’ we will bring to mind the promise of Care that is Compassionate, Collaborative, and Competent,” said Cadwell, “The name and tagline will reflect appreciation for our history, who we are today, and where we are headed in whole person health for those impacted by mental health concerns. I knew we got it right when our board unanimously approved the change.”

Public information meetings will be held in each of the four study areas: 

US 30 West 

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 

• 5-7 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.
• Oregon Davis School (5990 N. 750 E., Hamlet, IN 46532) 

US 30 East 

Monday, December 5, 2022

• 5-7 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.
• Sweetwater Sound (5501 US Hwy 30 W., Fort Wayne, IN 46818) 

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 

• 5-7 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.
• Lincoln Elementary School (203 N. Lincoln St., Warsaw, IN 46580)

US 31 North 

Thursday, December 1, 2022 

• 5-7 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.
• Rochester Community High School (1645 S. Park Rd., Rochester, IN 46975)

US 31 South 

Wednesday, December 7, 2022 

• 5-7 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.
• Tipton County Fairgrounds (1200 S. Main St., Tipton, IN 46072)

Thursday, December 8, 2022 

• 5-7 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.
• Peru Jr. High School (30 Daniel St., Peru, IN 46970)

To accommodate those unable to attend the in-person public meetings, recorded presentations and opportunities to comment will be available after each meeting at ProPELUS30.com and ProPELUS31.com.

In addition to public information meetings, ProPEL US 30 and US 31 study team members are visiting communities on a regular basis to hold office hours. Office hours are informal, in-person conversations where residents, businesses and others interested in the studies can ask questions, provide input, and receive regular updates. The goal of community office hours is to make it easier for community members to interact with the study teams – at a time and location that is convenient for them. Community office hours will be held twice per month in each area and locations will vary. Dates, times and locations can be found on each study website, as well as on ProPEL US 30 and ProPEL US 31 social media pages.

ProPEL US 30 and US 31 is an INDOT initiative to streamline transportation planning using collaborative PEL studies to consider environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning process. Through the PEL studies, INDOT aspires to create smarter transportation systems that build stronger communities. The studies span 180 miles across 12 counties and includes US 30 from Valparaiso to the Indiana/Ohio state line (excluding I-69 and I-469 around Fort Wayne), as well as US 31 between Hamilton County and Plymouth (excluding the Kokomo bypass). Counties within the study area include Allen, Fulton, Hamilton, Howard, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Porter, Starke, Tipton and Whitley Counties.

Once the studies are completed in 2024, INDOT will evaluate results to identify and develop projects along these corridors.

More information about each study can be found on the websites and social media pages listed below.

ProPEL US 30:

ProPELUS30.com

Twitter: @ProPELUS30

Facebook: @PropelU.S.30

Instagram: @propelus30_31

ProPEL US 31:

ProPELUS31.com

Twitter: @ProPELUS31

Facebook: @PropelU.S.31

Instagram: @propelus30_31

Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler and the Indiana State Poultry Association recognized the generosity of Indiana’s poultry producers at the 75th annual Indiana state poultry recognition event at the Indiana Statehouse. Over the past year, Indiana poultry farmers have donated nearly 100 tons or 200,000 pounds of poultry products to Hoosiers in need.

"I am so proud of the Hoosier poultry producers and the large impact they have on food-insecure Hoosiers," said Lt. Gov. Crouch, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Donating 200,000pounds of poultry products throughout the year is an incredible feat, and I am grateful I was able to thank them in person today for their generous donations."

For decades, Indiana’s poultry producers have been working to address food insecurity in their local communities by providing protein to food banks across the state. Some of the main products that were donated over the course of this year include eggs, chicken, duck and turkey.

The strength of Indiana’s poultry sector was also recognized during the ceremony as Indiana is one of the top poultry producing states in the country. According to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service, Indiana ranks No. 1 in duck production, No. 2 in egg production, No. 4 in turkey production and is home to high quality broiler chicken production as well.

The poultry industry is a substantial economic driver for the state contributing more than $15 billion in total economic activity. Additionally, this sector employs more than 12,500 Hoosiers.

"Our Hoosier farmers are incredibly generous and quick to give back to their community," said Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. "This event highlights their year-round contributions to various food banks and pantries located throughout Indiana and we are grateful to recognize them."

Indiana State Poultry Association (ISPA) members continually give back to their local communities throughout the year. According to ISPA president Becky Joniskan the large poultry donations come from the small communities across Indiana our poultry farming families call home.

"Indiana’s bountiful, high quality feed, ample water supply, dedicated farmers, and business climate that understands the needs of agriculture make it an ideal place to raise poultry," said Joniskan. "We pride ourselves on feeding our neighbors, our nation, and, indeed, the world, with wholesome, nutritious poultry products."

This ceremony marks an annual tradition that dates back to the late 1940s. Organized by ISPA, one of the oldest poultry organizations in the nation, it was designed to recognize the strength of Indiana’s poultry industry, as well as the annual donations made by its members, who are responsible for more than 95% of the chicken, duck, turkey and eggs produced in Indiana.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. AAA is predicting 54.6 million people will be heading out for the holiday. Of those, nearly 49 million will be traveling by car, a rebound to almost pre-pandemic levels.

This time of year is also associated with higher drinking rates, which combined with the sheer number of drivers on the road, makes it an especially dangerous time for motorists.

To prevent crashes, the Indiana State Police  will be ramping up enforcement as part of the Safe Family Travel campaign. Starting this week, officers will be out in greater numbers conducting saturation patrols designed to discourage impaired driving and promote seat belt use.

Safe Family Travel operations begin before Thanksgiving each year and run through New Year’s Day. The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded with grants provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

According to NHTSA, drunk driving, and fatal crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday season. This can be attributed, in part, to cultural phenomena like “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving,” an event synonymous with heavy alcohol consumption. This year’s holiday also comes at a time when fatal crashes and dangerous driving are up across the state and nation.

In Indiana, 932 people lost their lives on the road last year, a 4% increase from 2020. Of those fatalities, 12 occurred during the Thanksgiving holiday season, with more than half (7) found unbuckled at the time of the crash.

On average, approximately one-fourth of the state’s traffic fatalities are caused by drunk drivers.

“Impaired driving is life-threatening, but even more so around the holidays,” said Robert Duckworth, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “With so many ride options available, there’s no reason that should be the case. We’re asking everyone to plan accordingly and to make safety a priority. Our goal is zero fatalities this year.”

With officers on high-alert, motorists are encouraged to plan ahead to get home safely by designating a sober driver or by using public transportation or a ride service like Uber or Lyft. Even if one drink is consumed, never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.

It’s also important to wear a seat belt, put away the distractions and follow posted speed limits. Travelers are encouraged to check road conditions before each trip and to leave with plenty of time to reach their destination safely.

“We’re anticipating a very busy travel season this year, so for those sharing the road, remember to slow down, drive sober and buckle up,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “Most fatal crashes are avoidable, not inevitable. We want everyone to make it to the Thanksgiving table safely.”

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in Indiana and all 50 states. Those who choose to drive impaired are, not only risking their life and the lives of others, but also could face an arrest, jail time, and substantial fines and attorney fees. The average drunk driving arrest costs up to $10,000.

Motorists are encouraged to contact the department or call 911 if they encounter an impaired or unsafe driver on the road.

Several Penguin Point locations in the area are now closed. 

In all, seven sites were announced Monday as closed with no reason given.

Around since the 1950’s, Plymouth and Warsaw were towns with locations that closed.

On the Penguin Point Facebook page it reads:

As you may have heard, we made the difficult decision to close seven of our Penguin Point locations effective immediately. These locations include Plymouth, Elkhart on Bristol, Elkhart on Lusher, Fort Wayne, Marion, Goshen, and Warsaw on Lake St. It was a great pleasure to serve these communities and we look forward to seeing many of you at our remaining locations.

Our commitment to the Penguin Point team is steadfast, and every member of each store was offered a position at one of our other locations. We want to personally thank the team members who made these locations a welcoming space for families for so many years.

We will continue to provide service at our nine other locations across northern Indiana. Please visit us in Warsaw on Center St or Detroit St, Wabash, Auburn, Elkhart on Center St, Syracuse, Columbia City, North Manchester, and South Bend.

A New York truck driver is asking for a reduced bond as he faces more than two dozen charges for his semi crashing into a hockey team's bus on November 12 in Warsaw.

Initial bail in the case had been set at $77, 500.

Victor Santos of Brooklyn, New York, appeqared in court on Monday for an initial appearance.  Among the charges, operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury and criminal recklessness.  Court documents show Santos took a breathalyzer test and it came back at .13% when the legal limit is .08%.

The investigation has determined the school bus had a green arrow to turn and Santos should have stopped for a red light.  Witnesses have reported seeing the semi weaving and speeding before the crash.

13 members of the Chicago Saint Ignatius College Prep's hockey team were injured. The team had been playing at Culver Acadmies.

made his first court appearance on Monday for the 26 charges —  including operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury and criminal recklessness — that he faces for the Nov. 12 crash.

During his appearance, a motion was filed to reduce his bond. Jail records show his bail is set at $77,500. His lawyer also requested a Spanish-interpreted hearing.

Santos is accused of driving drunk and crashing into a school bus in Warsaw.  The bus flipped onto its side injuring 13 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17. Three of those teenagers were taken to the hospital in critical condition. The semi driver continued west and stopped off the road and into a ditch about an eighth of a mile from the intersection.

Investigators believe at least one student was ejected from the bus when the semi-truck hit it from behind.

Dispatchers were notified just after 8 p.m. of a semi-truck swerving into other lanes and driving at excessive speeds. The truck was also reportedly driving off the road as it entered Warsaw on U.S. 30.

The school bus was carrying members of Chicago's Saint Ignatius College Prep's hockey team when it crashed. The team was returning to their hotel after a game against Culver Academies.

Original story

A New York man has been charged with over two dozen counts regarding the school bus - semi crash that occurred in Warsaw on Saturday night.

The Warsaw Police Department says after extensive investigation by Warsaw Police and the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, these charges have been officially filed on the suspect, Victor Santos.

The crash involving a hockey team from St. Ignatius College Prep out of Chicago resulted in multiple injuries.

Santos faces four counts of Causing Serious Bodily Injury While Operating a Vehicle, a Level 5 felony and 22 counts of Criminal Recklessness (While Armed with a Deadly Weapon), a Level 6 felony.

Bond in this case has been set at $75,000.00 surety plus $2,500.00 cash. The investigation continues on behalf of the Kosciusko County Prosecutor.  Additional charges or enhancements could follow in the future. 

50 years in prison.  That's the sentence handed down by a judge in Elkhart County for a man charged with burning eight barns.

Jospeh Hershberger, 42, pleaded guilty to eight counts in the series of fires.  The judge suspended 46 years of the initial 96 sentence.  He's also scheduled to decades of probation following his release and to pay $80, 000 restitution.

Hershberger must still face further arson charges in Kosciusko and Marshall counties.

Hershberger's girlfriend, Sherry Thomas, also faces eight counts of arson for her role.

Come celebrate the positive impact your dollars make in Fulton County at the Fulton County Community Foundation’s (FCCF) annual Giving Tuesday event at their office, 227 E 9^th Street, Rochester, on November 29.

This event marks what’s known as the Global Day of Generosity, an international holiday that highlights local and global nonprofits that work year-round serving their communities.  Giving Tuesday takes place every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

This year’s Giving Tuesday celebration will be from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., andlunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Additionally, there is a $50,000 match opportunity this year for the Fulton County Community Fund, and several other funds can be matched up to $5,000.

More information can be found at www.nicf.org.

A driver of a Starke County Highway Department snowplow was killed in a Friday accident.

Law enforcement and medical personnel were called just before 5:30 am Friday to Hamlet.  Initial reports indicate hazardous weather conditions led to the snowplow sliding off the roadway.  The plow then came back and rolled over in the center median.

Jeffrey Day, 48, of Etna Green, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) awarded $5.7 million in grant funding to more than 200 police departments for enhanced traffic enforcement. Departments will use the funding to conduct overtime patrols and carry out strategies aimed at curbing dangerous and reckless driving.

Most of their efforts will take place during targeted enforcement campaigns, which coincide with some of the deadliest times of the year to be on the road, such as the holiday season and Labor Day. While officers will be on the lookout for all traffic violations, their focus will be on addressing some of the leading causes of fatal crashes including impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and lack of seat belt use.

According to the latest statistical projections from NHTSA, 20,175 people died in motor vehicle crashes nationwide in the first half of 2022, up slightly from the previous year. Despite the discouraging report, traffic fatalities decreased by 4.9% in the second quarter of 2022 – signifying the first year-to-year decline since the start of the pandemic.

Unfortunately, this is the opposite of what statewide data is showing in Indiana, as fatalities continue to rise. As of October, ICJI estimates that 814 people lost their lives in fatal collisions this year. While that’s up 2.4% from the same time in 2021, it represents an 18.5% increase from pre-pandemic 2019.

The rising number of crash-related deaths can be attributed, in part, to an increase in unsafe driving behavior such as speeding, driving impaired or distracted, and not wearing seat belts, according to ICJI.

The grants were awarded last month using federal NHTSA funds. The largest amount went to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at $1.3 million, as urban areas, like Marion County, continue to see the largest increase in fatal crashes.

The first campaign of the program, Safe Family Travel, kicks off next week and is designed to cut down on impaired driving and promote seat belt use during the busy holiday season, followed by a St. Patrick’s Day-focused enforcement operation in March.

Area departments receiving funding:

Kosciusko County, $81,950

Winona Lake Police Department* (TSP)                                

Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department

Claypool Police Department                                       

Mentone Police Department

Milford Police Department                                         

Pierceton Police Department

Silver Lake Police Department                                   

Syracuse Police Department

Warsaw Police Department

Cass County, $13,000

Cass County Sheriff's Department* (TSP)                            

Logansport Police Department

Marshall County $55,550

Marshall County Sheriff’s Department* (TSP)                    

Bremen Police Department

Bourbon Police Department                                                   

Plymouth Police Department

Culver Police Department                                                           

Argos Police Department

Wabash County

Wabash County Sheriff's Department, $15,000                   

Wabash Police Department, $15,000

North Manchester Police Department, $10,000

Miami County                   

Miami County Sheriff's Office, $4,500

RTC celebrated its first completed project in their Next Level Connections fiber build out to all of Fulton County on Wednesday in Leiters Ford.

Having recently completed fiber builds in the towns of Macy, Burket, Silver Lake and Mentone, RTC Fiber Communications is now engaged in several fiber expansion projects throughout Fulton, Marshall and Pulaski Counties.

On May 5, 2022, RTC was awarded six grants from Next Level Broadband Connections Round 3 in the amount of $14,852,523. These funds will aid RTC in being able to pass an additional 4,954 homes with fiber.

The total cost of these projects are estimated to be over $25 million. RTC made the decision to move forward with this endeavor because we feel it is what’s right for the longevity and economic viability of Fulton County and the surrounding area. All of Fulton County and parts of Pulaski and Marshall will have access to speeds up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps).

RTC Fiber Communications is now installing fiber broadband and voice services to customers in the town of Leiter’s Ford. The completion of this project makes fiber available to over 130 Leiter’s Ford residents and businesses. RTC is on track to complete fiber builds for the town of Kewanna by the end of 2022, bringing fiber to another 360 customers.

RTC’s expansion represents a vote of confidence in how we have grown over the past several years, with our Board and Shareholders reiterating this confidence through strong support of the communities we serve as well as, our management team and employees.

RTC is extremely thankful of the support we have received from our current and future fiber communities. Bringing fiber to rural Indiana would not be possible without the support of those living within these communities.

“We are so excited!” - says Sheila Ruhnow, Leiters Ford Tavern Owner and our 1st customer installed.

There were many businesses involved in helping make this project happen. We appreciate each and every one. RTC President, Joe McCarter, also thanked OCRA (Office of Community & Rural Affairs), “they’ve done a great job administering this grant. Without them choosing us and our county, we wouldn’t be standing here today”.
 

A student will face felony criminal charges for making a bomb threat to the Maconaquah Elementary School.

The Maconaquah School Corporation Police Department said the threat came in via voicemail message just before 8:00am on Wednesday.  Explosive detection dogs from the Indiana State Police and the Howard County Sheriff's Office were used to search the building.  Police note the suspect with his cell phone was found during the search.

A search was also performed at the middle school but no explosive devices were found and there was no evidence that there was a danger.

A Fulton County Sheriff's Department deputy was involved in a crash Wednesday.

Just before 9:00 pm Wednesday, Fulton County Deputy Mitch Scott was responding to a accident on US 31.  As the deputy was approaching US 31 from West 6^th in his Dodge Durango, the Durango slid through the intersection due to the snowing conditions at the time, and struck the rear semi-trailer of a northbound Freightliner. The Freightliner, pulling two pup trailers, overturned after being struck.  The semi and first trailer ended up in the ditch.   Deputy Scott’s vehicle ended up in the ditch with air bag deployment. 

Deputy Scott was transported to Woodlawn Hospital with complaints of shoulder pain.  The semi driver was uninjured. 

US 31 was closed between West 6^th and West 3^rd street for several hours for clean-up.

Assisting on scene was the Fulton County Sheriffs Office, Rochester Police, Indiana State Police, Rochester Fire, Lutheran EMS, Fulton County EMA, Wilson’s Tow and Transport along with Reichert & Knepp Wrecker Service.  

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter announced the reclassification of Trooper Jon Cole to the position of detective.

Cole is an eight-year veteran of the Indiana State Police Department. He earned his assignment into the Criminal Investigation Division through written testing and a competitive oral interview process. Detective Cole will work from the Indiana State Police Peru Post, which is responsible for Cass, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Miami, Tipton, and Wabash Counties.

Detective Cole graduated from the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy in May of 2014 and was assigned to the Indiana State Police Peru Post, where he worked road patrol primarily in Miami County.  

Cole has served as a field training officer. In 2021 he was recognized as the Indiana State Police Peru Post Trooper of the District. The award is given annually to the trooper that personifies integrity, professionalism, and a well-rounded work ethic. Cole was selected by the command staff at the Peru District for dedication to his job, traffic and criminal enforcement, community involvement, instructor ratings, and other services performed for the department beyond normal expectations. 

Cole holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Indiana Wesleyan University. He resides in Miami County with his wife and their two children.

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has confirmed the death of an Indiana resident in which monkeypox was a contributing factor. The individual had multiple other health conditions that contributed to the death. No additional information about the patient will be provided due to patient privacy laws.

“Although monkeypox cases in Indiana have declined significantly as a result of the availability of vaccine, it is important to remember that this disease is still circulating and can cause severe illness and death,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “Our hearts go out to the family of this Hoosier, and I encourage anyone who is at risk to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.”

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 21 days of exposure to the virus. The most reported symptom of monkeypox is a rash. Some people may have flu-like symptoms before rash, while others may develop a rash first followed by other symptoms, and others may only experience a rash. The rash typically lasts for two to four weeks. People are considered infectious until all scabs from the rash have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Most people who get monkeypox recover without any serious complications or the need for medical treatment. However, people living with a condition that weakens the immune system, such as advanced or untreated HIV, AIDS, certain cancers, an organ transplant, or another immune deficiency disorder, may be more likely to have serious complications or need treatment. In rare occasions, severe illnesses may lead to death. Getting vaccinated can protect against getting monkeypox or can reduce the severity of illness in individuals who contract the monkeypox virus. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.

Since June 17, 264 cases of monkeypox have been reported in Indiana, with most occurring among males ages 18 to 39.

To learn more about monkeypox, visit https://monkeypox.health.in.gov. Anyone who has symptoms is encouraged to contact a healthcare provider.

As Trent Odell notes, it’s been out there for awhile.  But now, with the completion of county and midterm elections this month a focus begins on upcoming municipal elections.

Odell appeared on GIANT fm WROI to announce his  candidacy for Mayor of Rochester on the Republican ticket.

Odell says his history with Odell Lumber and Supply offers a snapshot of who he plans to be if elected as mayor.

Anyone looking for a way to give back this Christmas season can sponsor a family in need within the Rochester School Corporation or Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation through the Miracle Tree program.

Miracle Tree has been a holiday tradition in Fulton County for years thanks to the generous donors and businesses that have supported the program.

The Rochester tree is located at Shepherd’s Chevrolet at the corner of SR 25 and 14, Rochester IN. Tippy Valley trees are set up at Bell Memorial Public Library in Mentone and Akron Carnegie Public Library in Akron. Families who have expressed an interest in receiving help this year were assigned a number. Those numbers were then placed on ornaments and hung on the trees.

A potential sponsor will know how many children are in the family and their ages. Each family has a wish list for the sponsors to use when shopping, filled with clothing sizes and toys requested.

If a person, business or organization is interested in sponsoring a family, they simply take an ornament from the tree and give it to the front desk at the dealership or library. The sponsor is then provided a wish list for that family with items the children might want for Christmas.

Sponsors wrap the gifts they purchase and then return them back to a community location specified on each wish list. To avoid any confusion, there are specific instructions on each wish list on how to mark the gift after it has been wrapped so organizers know which gift belongs to which family and child.

There is no limit to the amount of money a sponsor can spend on a family. Gifts will be distributed to the families with a drive-thru pick up in December.

The Miracle Tree assisted over 260 families and provided Christmas gifts for more than 750 childrenin 2021. 

An Indiana Conservation Officer investigation has resulted in multiple charges, fines, and the first lifetime hunting suspension of its kind in state history for a West Lafayette man.

Hanson Pusey, 25, was sentenced Thursday in Warren County Court to a lifetime hunting suspension along with home detention, probation, and payment of replacement fees stemming from an investigation by DNR Law Enforcement involving the illegal hunting of wild turkeys in Indiana and six other states.  

In spring 2020, conservation officers in District 3 received information that Pusey, whose hunting privileges had been suspended since March 2019, was still hunting and taking multiple turkeys illegally in Indiana and other states.

Using advanced surveillance techniques, investigators monitored Pusey, gathering evidence of poaching in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, as well as in Indiana, where they documented him taking four spring turkeys in Indiana in 2020, two after the season closed. Officers also documented Pusey helping family and friends poach turkeys. Search warrants were served on the man’s residence, and in cooperation with the other states’ fish and wildlife law enforcement agencies, filed charges in all them.

During the search of the residence, officers found that Pusey had kept the spent shotgun hulls from turkeys he had harvested, identifying the states and dates he took them. Officers documented 83 spent casings in the collection dating back to 2012, including 14 dated within three months of his first suspension of hunting privileges in 2019. Four were listed by Pusey as being taken from Indiana.

Punishments for various charges from the other states included $4,125 in fines and costs and an eight-year hunting license suspension in Pennsylvania, $324 in fines and costs and an indefinite suspension in Connecticut, $700 in fines and costs and license suspension during probation in Massachusetts, $2,335 in fines and costs in Georgia, $278 in fines and costs in North Carolina, and $525 in fines and costs in Tennessee.

Pusey was charged again in February for hunting without permission and theft of a trail camera card in Warren County, despite the 2020 investigation and his convictions in the other states.

To report hunting or fishing violations, call Indiana Conservation Officer Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536 or 1-800-TIP-IDNR. 

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a tree stand fall that occurred Saturday morning in Cass County.

About 9:30 am, county emergency dispatch received a call of a hunter getting injured after falling from a tree stand near the area of 200 West and 1000 North.

Daniel Badia, 71, of Whiting, was deer hunting from the stand when he lost his footing on the platform and fell. Not wearing a full body safety harness at the time, he fell approximately 14 feet, sustaining serious leg, arm, and torso injuries.  

Badia was transported via ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette and later transferred to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Conservation officers remind Hoosiers that the most common hunting-related injuries are from accidents involving tree stands and elevated platforms. All hunters should wear a full body safety harness when going up to and getting down from elevated platforms. 

Other assisting agencies included Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Cass County EMS, and the Lucerne and Royal Center fire departments.

A LaGrange County teenager was killed in a weekend crash.

Marshall County authorities responded to the two-vehicle crash on U.S. 6 near Kenilworth Road in the 3:00 am hour Sunday.  The driver of a pickup lost control and traveled into the path of another vehicle.

An occupant was thrown from the vehicle and into a ditch.  Another vehicle swerved and struck the ejected person.

Martin Bontrager, 16, of Topeka, was killed.

The accident remains under investigation.

Deputies responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash on US 6 east of Kenilworth Road around 3:45 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Marshall County Sheriff's Department.

Officials say that the driver of a pickup truck lost control of the vehicle and was struck by an SUV on the passenger side.

Investigations show that one of the occupants was thrown from the vehicle and into a ditch, where another vehicle swerved off the roadway and struck the victim.

16-year-old Martin Bontrager, of Topeka, died of his injuries.

The accident remains under investigation by the Marshall County Sheriff's Department.

From baking to book making, Joe DeRozier, owner of DeRozier's Bakery in Peru, is stretching his legacy even further than his legendary donuts, with three published books and two more in the works under his belt.

Starting his bakery empire three decades ago after moving to the area from Wisconsin, not knowing anybody in the community made DeRozier all the more observant to his surroundings and the people in it. Over the years, DeRozier began collecting his memories to turn into stories that ranged from his interactions with customers, strangers, his family, and even some conversations with himself.

It wasn't until his stroke six years ago and his life flashed before his eyes, that DeRozier realized how precious those memories truly were. Thinking back on his life, his children growing up, as well as his own childhood and the memories with his father, he realized in the blink of an eye they could all be forgotten, if not passed on by his kids. After DeRozier's oldest daughter suggested he get online and turn to Facebook to share his tales with others, his followers began to grow.

DeRozier's first book 'Heck, I Don't Know... I Just Make Donuts,' was published three years ago, launching a series of 'musings from an old tired baker.' Dropping his third book 'Of the 2,791-Mile Trip... 75,000 of it was Nebraska,' this year, DeRozier said he has a fourth book already in the works to be published and a fifth in the making for the future.

Each book has a little different side to DeRozier, the first being most popular in Peru due to the names of local people and businesses being featured within the chapters.

Each book carries its own twist of humor and realness on each page, with short easy to read chapters that take you into 'the random thoughts of a crazed baker,' as one chapter is called. All three books are available for sale in select stores in Peru and online at:

https://www.amazon.com/JoeDeRozier/e/B08P2SGYRY%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share.

Whether it be a sweet treat or a book that you're looking to cross off your Christmas list, Joe DeRozier has got you covered. Currently delivering donuts to surrounding counties in towns like Logansport, Wabash and Kokomo, DeRozier's Bakery also recently started delivering to Jarrety's Place in Rochester every Tuesday morning. 

Warsaw Police report that even the most critical of injured from a semi-bus crash are now listed in stable condition.

Just after 8:00 pm Saturday, Central Dispatch notified patrol officers of reports of a tractor trailer with New Jersey registration swerving into other lanes and driving at excessive speed. Additionally, the semi was reportedly driving off the roadway as it was entering the Warsaw city limits westbound on U.S. 30.

Two minutes later, as officers were on their way to intercept, they were advised that the suspect semi had just struck a school bus at the intersection of Center St. and the bus was on its side. Multiple first responders converged on the intersection as it was quickly determined to have multiple injuries to youth. The semi driver continued west and came to a stop driving off the roadway into the ditch an eighth of a mile from the intersection.

The semi struck the bus in the right rear. Based on initial investigation, it is believed at least one of the juveniles was ejected from the bus as it made a left or northbound turn onto Center St. from the eastbound left turn lane. Officers and other emergency personnel began attending to multiple injuries from critical to minor. Confirming with eyewitnesses and a nearby surveillance camera, the semi driver disregarded a red light by several seconds before striking the bus during its turn.

Upon contacting the semi driver, officers had reason to suspect alcohol was a factor in this collision. They detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and in the cab of the semi, as well as slurred speech. Warsaw officers began an OWI investigation. After failing standardized field sobriety tests, the driver was asked to consent to a chemical test but refused. A search warrant was applied for and granted, allowing officers to have hospital staff take a blood draw, which will be submitted for official testing.

The suspect, out of New York, is currently being held on a 48-hour hold put in place by the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for formal charges pertaining to Operating While Intoxicated, Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a level 5 felony.

Investigators found that the bus load of youth were in town to spend the night for a weekend hockey tournament taking place in Culver. After having dinner in Warsaw, they headed to a local hotel. The hockey team is from St. Ignatius College Prep out of Chicago.

Two critically injured youth were immediately transported by ambulance to Fort Wayne Lutheran. Additional injured youth were transported by ambulance to Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. The remainder of the players, coaches, and bus driver were transported by a bus provided by Warsaw Community Schools and went to LKH. Warsaw officers were assigned to the hospital to assist with triage and notification of family for the minors.

In all, there were 23 students, two adult coaches, and the bus driver on the Illinois school bus. At this time, authorities have accounted for 16 injuries, three being very critical, and 10 considered with no injuries or sign offs at the local hospital.

Ages of the students range between 14 and 17 years old, with most children 15 years of age. All family members have been notified of this accident. The bus driver, in cooperation with investigators, consented to a blood draw due to the seriousness of this collision.

This is still an active investigation and additional charges may be added or enhanced based on the outcome. The suspect in custody has been identified as Victor Santos, 58, of Brooklyn, New York. He was operating a truck and trailer out of the state of New Jersey.

Warsaw Police were assisted by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. investigators, Indiana State Police, Winona Lake Police, Mentone Police, Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire, North Webster Fire and EMS, Lutheran EMS, and Parkview Hospital EMS, and Warsaw Community Schools, as well as the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Crouse Towing assisted with recovery of both vehicles and clean up on scene.

Veterans Day services were held in Rochester Friday.

As heard earlier on WROI:

Ambulance service in Fulton County remains a concern for community leaders and future patients, alike.

Fulton County Commissioner Brian Lewis says a consultant will steer the discussions as they look ahead.

Lewis says they also realize the concern funding will cause.

Bane-Welker is now offering the Great Plains brand tillage and drills at their Lebanon, Pendleton and Terre Haute, Indiana locations.

The company also offers the Great Plains brand atLaCrosse, Remington and Winamac in Indiana and Georgetown, Utica, and Plain City in Ohio.

“We’re thrilled to expand this high-quality brand in our markets offering it to our customers,” stated Jason Bane, President of Bane-Welker Equipment. “We will sell and service tillage, full size ag drills, and compact drills at these new stores and will continue to offer the brand at the six other locations as well.” 

Adding the sales and service of this tillage equipment helps expand Bane-Welker’s coverage area for service.

“It’s important that we continue to be able to provide top-notch service and sales for many brands to our valued customers,” stated Bane. “We hope to be a reliable one-stop shop for our customers, saving them time and effort when it comes to their business needs.”

Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., was established in 1976 by company founder Roy Applequist. Great Plains has become a leader in the manufacturing of agricultural implements for tillage, seeding, and planting in the United States, as well as a leading producer of dirtworking, turf maintenance, and landscaping equipment. Now a Kubota Company, Great Plains comprises five divisions: Great Plains Ag, Great Plains International, Land Pride, and Great Plains Trucking.

Bane-Welker Equipment, founded in 1967 by the late Kenneth and Patricia Bane, is an agriculture equipment company representing Case IH and other complimentary brands.Bane-Welker offers new and used equipment, parts, sales, service, precision farming, online parts sales, and customer support.

The company operates 9 stores in Indiana including Crawfordsville, La Crosse, Lebanon, Remington, Terre Haute, Pendleton, Plymouth, Winamac, and Wingate, and six stores in Ohio, including Circleville, Eaton, Georgetown, Plain City, Utica, and Wilmington. 

In 2018, the company became 100% employee owned. 

Redline Equipment, a Case IH equipment dealer with twelve locations in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art facility in Logansport.

The new building will be located on 17 acres in the Cass County Agribusiness Park, roughly five miles west of the current Redline facility. Groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in early 2023, with a grand opening slated for the first quarter of 2024.

The new facility will house more than 45,000 square feet of climate-controlled space, allowing for the immediate expansion of service as well as room for future growth. New features include an in-store Equipment Expo, two-story parts warehouse, 12 service bays with two 5-ton underhung cranes, a 50x50 standalone wash bay, and premium space to host customer and training events.

“We’re driven to be the best Case IH dealer we can be, and that starts with providing top-level facilities that allow our world class employees to shine even brighter,” said Redline President and CEO Mike Pitts. “The new facility in Logansport will offer a very versatile and dynamic front-of-the-house while providing generous overhead space for an expanded service area. It will be striking, flexible, and filled with natural light. And this is just the opening act. We intend to use this model to spread throughout our geographic footprint in the coming years.”

Redline Equipment worked with the Cass County Redevelopment Commission to acquire the land. The company looks forward to continuing to showcase Cass County’s growing economy and outstanding quality of life by offering first-class equipment and service to its agricultural community.

After a decade on their own in the insulation business, Kyle Hoover and Ashley Sampsel, owners of 'The Insulation Guys' in Rochester, have come a long way since their humble beginnings with a small office in Sampsel's garage.

After years of previously working in the insulation business with Hoover's father, when his father eventually closed his business in 2011, Hoover and Sampsel jumped on the opportunity to buy his equipment.

Recently, stepping up with the expansion of their new office built at 325 W Monticello Rd, the project was started in January 2022 and took about 10 months to complete. The space is just what they needed for the business.  It now has 18 employees and room to grow.  

Hoover said their reputation and quality of work they give their customers is what has helped their business climb the ladder and build up local support. 

Reducing unwanted air infiltration by sealing cracks and gaps with spray polyurethane foam (SPF), a spray-applied plastic known to resist heat transfer, The Insulation Guys strive to make the buildings they are working on more energy efficient and comfortable for their customers. Serving the commercial and industrial insulation market with installing building insulation products for new construction, remodels and tank rehabilitations, they also specialize in upgrading exsisting homes with insulation to save energy costs for home owners.

Unilever United States issued a voluntary product recall to the consumer level of select lot codes of dry shampoo aerosol products produced prior to October 2021 from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head), and TRESemmé due to potentially elevated levels of benzene.

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening. Benzene is ubiquitous in the environment. Humans around the world have daily exposures to it indoors and outdoors from multiple sources.

Based on an independent health hazard evaluation, daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels detected in testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences. Unilever U.S. is recalling these products out of an abundance of caution. Unilever has received no reports of adverse events to date relating to this recall.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States. Retailers have been notified to remove recalled products from shelves.

A complete list of the affected products produced prior to October 2021 and consumer UPC codes is provided below and can be found hereExternal Link Disclaimer. No other products from Unilever or its brands are impacted by this recall.

An internal investigation identified the propellant as the source, and Unilever has worked with its propellant suppliers to address this issue.

Consumers should stop using the affected aerosol dry shampoo products and visit UnileverRecall.com for instructions on how to receive reimbursement for eligible products. If consumers have further questions, they may also contact Unilever U.S. by calling (877) 270-7412, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This Silver Alert has been cancelled.

The Wabash Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Ernest Dehart, an 86 year old white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 165 pounds, gray hair with blue eyes, last seen wearing glasses, a black and blue flannel pajama shirt, dark blue sweat pants, and blue tennis shoes.

Ernest is missing from Wabash and was last seen on Tuesday, November 8, at 11:00 pm.

He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. 

If you have any information on Ernest Dehart, contact the Wabash Police Department at 260-563-1111 or 911.

A Tippecanoe man who had been reported missing in Marshall County died of injuries from a two-car crash in Cass County.

The Cass County Central Dispatch received calls about the crash just before 2:30 pm Sunday.  A southbound 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, driven by Daniel Pranger, 36, of Tippecanoe, drove left of center and collided with a northbound 2022 Honda Pilot driven by Daniel Hood, 53, of Goshen.

Pranger was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected.  He was flown to Parkview Hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Earlier in the day, Pranger was reported as a missing person in Marshall County.

Hood and a passenger, Juli Hood, were transported to Logansport Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

The coldest high temperatures of the season are coming in this weekend.  May be a fitting time to get ready for winter.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb has declared Nov. 7-13 Winter Weather Preparedness Week, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security encourages Hoosiers to plan ahead, gather resources and be ready for winter in Indiana.

Now is the time—before bad weather hits—for Hoosiers to gather the tools and resources necessary to brave the cold this winter. Indiana notoriously has unpredictable weather and preparing now can help Hoosiers avoid dangerous situations, inconvenient delays and expensive repairs.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), state partners and first responders will team up to protect citizens from hazardous conditions this winter, but Hoosiers also must do their part. When Hoosiers follow emergency guidance and prepare for conditions, they are less likely to need assistance when resources are heavily taxed.

Now is the perfect time to get prepared according to Emergency Management Director Mary Moran.

“Indiana is a beautiful state, but anyone who has lived here knows the weather can turn on a dime,” said Moran. “I urge everyone to stock their homes and cars with supplies to address a variety of dangerous weather conditions.”

Hoosiers can learn how to protect themselves from winter weather online at Get Prepared: Winter Weather. This site has information about extreme cold weather, winter storms, vehicle safety as well as the regularly updated county travel status map and information from the Indiana Department of Transportation.

November is known across the nation as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month.
 

Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the “Silent Killer” because it is an odorless, tasteless, non-corrosive gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, natural gas, propane, or oil) burn incompletely. Even though natural gas doesn’t contain CO, it can be produced when there’s not enough oxygen for fuels to burn properly.

The most reliable way to know whether you have a CO leak is to have fully functioning CO detectors at home, especially in areas where someone sleeps. Remember to test and replace your detector batteries regularly.
 

Know the symptoms
With CO poisoning, you may experience flu-like symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing or feeling ill. If CO is present in your home, you may feel tired at home but fine when away from home. Don’t ignore the warning signs. Carbon monoxide can be fatal within five minutes at high concentrations.
 

If you think carbon monoxide is present or your CO detector sounds, leave the area to get fresh air, immediately call 911 and NIPSCO at 1-800-634-3524, and DO NOT GO BACK until repairs are made and it is safe to reenter.
 

To learn more about how to stay safe from CO, please visit nipsco.com/co.

As daylight saving time ends on November 6, the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to help stay safe from home fires.

“Home fires claim more lives in a typical year than all natural disasters combined, but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half,” said Leslie Montgomery, Regional Disaster Officer for the Red Cross- Indiana Region. “The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. When you turn your clocks back this weekend, also test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.”

Over the past year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help 5,000 people in the Indiana region affected by home fires, which account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

HOW TO TURN AND TEST When turning your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
• Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.
• Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.

IF YOU NEED HELP If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your local Red Cross or call 1-888-684-1441 for more information. 

The Fulton County Solid Waste District is hosting a tire collection day on Saturday.

Executive Director Stacy Hart has details.

Even with rules in place Hart says they will look to work with Fulton County residents who contact them with needs.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers joined Israeli officials and executives of Doral Renewables LLC, a leading U.S.-based developer of renewable energy projects backed by Israeli and U.S. investors, today to celebrate the launch of the second phase of the company’s three-phase, 13,000-acre solar farm project, Mammoth Solar, in northwest Indiana.

The second phase, named Mammoth South, will transform 3,500 acres in Pulaski County, generating renewable power for the surrounding area and advancing the state’s clean energy transition.  

“Today is another great day for the region and for Indiana as we progress toward developing the largest solar farm project in the country,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Clean energy projects like Mammoth Solar will be critical to our energy source portfolio and to powering leading industries like agbiosciences and the advanced manufacturing as we seek to grow and attract them both. We’ll do this as we simultaneously work to increase the quality of life and place in our neighborhoods and communities for years to come.”

“Indiana continues to make strides in transitioning to more sustainable, clean energy because of innovators and investors like Doral Renewables,” said Sec. Chambers. “This impressive solar farm project will help serve residential and commercial customers in northwest Indiana and across the Midwest region, fueling our next-gen industries that are building the economy of the future.”

In October 2021, Doral Renewables announced plans to establish Mammoth Solar across 13,000 acres in Starke and Pulaski counties, investing $1.5 billion to bring 1.3 gigawatts of clean energy to the region and beyond. The company is developing the solar farm in three phases: Mammoth North (phase one), which is already under construction and is expected to be operational by the end of 2023; Mammoth South (phase two), which was launched today; and Mammoth Central (phase three), which is in the early stages of development. Once complete, Mammoth Solar will be the largest solar energy project in the country. 

“Solar farming is part of a wave of jobs and prosperity sweeping through rural America and every resident of the county will benefit," said Nick Cohen, president and CEO of Doral Renewables. "It will deliver $40 million to Pulaski County over 20 years. Property taxes will be reduced for landowners at time when other counties are raising taxes. Mammoth in Pulaski will contribute approximately $400 million in payroll to the local area workforce.” 

Mammoth South, which will be a ground-mounted single axis PV system across 3,500 acres in Pulaski County, will produce 300 megawatts of clean energy, generating renewable power for thousands of households in northwest Indiana and the greater Midwest region and providing opportunities for nearby companies to meet renewable targets. Mammoth South is expected to be operational by 2024.

Mammoth Solar is advancing the region’s transition to green energy, supporting Indiana’s latest ranking as No. 4 in the U.S. for the development of clean energy. In addition to providing renewable energy, Mammoth Solar is projected to remove 40,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and conserve 1 billion gallons of irrigation well water annually. As part of the company’s efforts to support the local ecosystem, Doral Renewables is potentially seeking to implement agrivoltaic practices that would allow landowners to grow crops between the solar panels and establish a sheep grazing area. 

Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed an investment in Doral Renewables LLC of up to $300,000 in the form of incentive-based tax credits. Additionally, the IEDC committed to an investment of up to $1,225,000 through the Industrial Development Grant Fund to support infrastructure needs surrounding the development in Starke and Pulaski counties. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired and trained.

A Ca$h 5 Hoosier Lottery purchased in Rochester at Casey's, 1811 State Rd 14, was the winner from Tuesday night's drawing worth $354,500, according to A news release from Megan Wade-Taxter, public relations manager for the Hoosier Lottery.

Ca$h 5 jackpot odds are 1 in 1,221,759.

The winning ticket matched all five numbers in the Tuesday night drawing on November 2, — 9-10-18-26-43.

For specific claim instructions you can contact the Hoosier Lottery customer service by calling 1-800-955-6886. 

The Logansport Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Blanca Xona-Vasquez, a 14 year old female, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 98 pounds, black hair with brown eyes, last seen wearing a black Los Angeles T-shirt, a heart / butterfly necklace and ripped blue jeans.

Blanca is missing from Logansport and was last seen on Tuesday, November 1, at 8:45 am. 

She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. 

If you have any information on Blanca Xona-Vasquez, contact the Logansport Police Department at 574-722-6060 or 911.

The death of an inmate in the Huntington County Jail has resulted in charges against three inmates and another man.

The Indiana State Police began an investigation into the death of an inmate at the Huntington County Jail after Nicholas Parks, 42, of Bunker Hill, was found unresponsive around 3:00 a.m. on October 22.

This investigation has led to additional charges on three inmates currently incarcerated in the Huntington County Jail. 

Michael Kelly Jr., 22 of Huntington, was arrested for Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony, Aiding in Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony, Trafficking, Level 5 Felony, and Dealing a Narcotic Drug, Level 5 Felony.

Jacob Lee Landon Johnson, 40 of Huntington, was arrested for Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony and Aiding in Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony.

Nicholas Ryan Shepperd, 36 of Huntington, was arrested for Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony and Aiding in Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony.

This investigation also resulted in a search warrant being served at a residence in the 400 block of Garfield Street in Huntington, on October 28.  This search warrant resulted in the arrest of Duane Barnes, 41 of Huntington, for:

Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony

Aiding in Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony

Possession of a Narcotic Drug With the Intent to Deliver, Level 2 Felony

Possession of Methamphetamine With the Intent to Deliver, Level 2 Felony

Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony

Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, Level 3 Felony

Aiding in Trafficking With an Inmate, Level 5 Felony

Barnes was taken to the Huntington County Jail.

The Huntington Police Department assisted with this investigation.

About 3:00am on October 22, Huntington County jail staff were alerted by another inmate of a possible medical condition in one of the cellblocks.  Jail staff found inmate Nicholas Parks unresponsive.  Jail staff immediately attempted medical resuscitation until EMS personnel arrived and took over emergency medical treatment.  On scene treatment was unsuccessful. Parks was pronounced dead by the Huntington County Coroner at the jail. 

ISP Detectives stated that there did not appear to be any sign of physical altercation or struggle.  Parks has had previous medical problems in the past. 

Toxicology and autopsy results to determine cause/manner of death are pending with the Huntington County Coroner’s Office. 

Duke Energy is dedicating an additional $200,000 in financial assistance to its Indiana customers who may be struggling to pay their energy bills.

Qualifying Duke Energy customers can receive up to a $300 credit annually.

Year-to-date, Duke Energy has aided nearly 1,700 Indiana households with more than $378,000 in energy bill assistance through its Share the Light Fund.

Duke Energy works in partnership with the Indiana Community Action Association to distribute assistance funds. Customers should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible. A list of Indiana community action agencies by county can be found at www.incap.org/energy-assistance.

“We know that our customers are facing rising costs for necessities, from groceries and transportation to their electric bill, which has risen due to escalating fuel costs to produce electricity,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “We’ve found that more of our customers could take advantage of the resources available to them, and we want to connect them to help.”

The company also is encouraging customers who may be struggling to apply to the Indiana Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The federally funded program is administered through statewide community action agencies and assists qualifying individuals with their energy bills. The application period opened Oct. 3.

”We expect that with the rising cost of natural gas and heating oil, as well as the challenging economy, the number of families in need of energy assistance will increase again this year. We are proud to partner with our local service providers to administer the Energy Assistance Program to help Hoosiers with these costs,” said Jacob Sipe, executive director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

Hoosiers should contact their local service provider to apply for LIHEAP. A list of service providers and more information can be found at eap.ihcda.in.gov.

Duke Energy also offers a number of tools and resources to help customers manage their bills, control their energy use and save money, including:

Budget Billing: Budget Billing lets customers pay one predictable amount every month to better manage their budget. The amount is periodically reviewed and adjusted.

Pick Your Due Date: Customers can choose the date they want their Duke Energy bill to be due each month to align with a date that works for them.

Installment plans: Duke Energy recently extended interest-free payment plans from three to six months for eligible Indiana customers. Customers can request a few extra days or restructure a past-due balance into a monthly payment plan. Customers should contact Duke Energy at 800.521.2232 to discuss options available to them.

Usage alerts: Customers can sign-up for emails and/or texts halfway through a billing cycle, well before a bill arrives, with their current usage amount and a projection of what their final monthly bill could be.

Budget alerts: Customers can also set alerts, so they know when their bill reaches a specific dollar amount of their choosing, allowing them to adjust their usage before their bill arrives.

To learn more about these programs and others, visit duke-energy.com/HereToHelp.

The Fulton County Community Foundation (FCCF) Ambassadors Club awarded a pop-up grant to the Fulton County Animal Adoption Center to support their dedication to caring for our community’s four-legged friends. 

Pictured from left is FCCF Director of Development Brian Johnson, animal center staff member Jenny Schumaker holding Crowley the cat, center Director Janet Showley, and center staff member JaciMcCallen with Griffen the dog.

The FCCF Ambassadors Club exists to keep previous representatives involved with FCCF’s philanthropic work. The club consists of board members, fund founders, and the current FCCF board president.

If you were previously involved with FCCF and have an interest in being a part of the Ambassadors Club, please call 574-224-3223 or email fulton@nicf.org.

Logansport's Kauffman Engineering has announced it is closing.  The facility employs 151 people who are expected to be permanently laid off by May of 2023.

According to the WARN Notice (below) filed with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development the process will begin by December 23.