Court cases before Kosciusko Superior Court Judge David Cates Thursday morning, Dec. 3, ranged from issuing sentences to taking plea agreements under advisement.

Jerrod Wayne Turpen

The court accepted the plea agreement of Jarrod W. Turpen, 30, 6179 W 100N, Warsaw, sentencing him to a lessor but included charge of criminal confinement, a level 6 felony instead of a level 5 felony, and strangulation, also a level six felony. Charges of intimidation and domestic battery were dismissed. Turpen was sentenced to a total of five years, 2 1/2 years each, to be served concurrently, with 1 1/2 years suspended to be served on probation. Among the probation terms is to successfully complete a non-violence class. “It appears you have a substantial criminal history with substance abuse, and prior domestic battery. That doesn’t bode well and it needs to be addressed and soon,” stated Cates. “It is my hope the counseling will prevent you from being back here.”

The plea agreement for Elizabeth K. Stump, 33, 920 Anchorage Road, Warsaw, in four cases. She plead guilty to domestic battery in the presence of a child under the age of 16, a class D felony and theft, enhanced to a level 6 felony on Nov. 5. All other charges: assisting a criminal, three theft charges and battery with moderate bodily injury, were dismissed.

Elizabeth Kay Stump

Brad Voelz, deputy prosecuting attorney, noted Stump has had a long history of battery and dishonesty, but were all misdemeanors until now.

Jay Rigdon, attorney for Stump, stated there are two situations “gong on. First the battery … it’s been a two-way street between the two … out of the cycle of violence. The second is the theft – according to the arrest report the items involved were minimal …” Rigdon noted she has the opportunity to get away from her chaotic life.

Cates agreed with the prosecution. “You have a substantial history in regards to battery and dishonesty. I’m sorry your personal life is chaotic, but that is your personal choice.” He sentenced her to 1 1/2 years on the theft charge and 1 1/2 years on the battery charge, to run consecutive. He also suspended six months on each charge to be served on probation.

Plea Agreements

Joshua Allen Bammel

Plea agreements were taken under advisement for Joshua A. Bammel and Nicholas Himes.

Bammel, 33, 340 E. Levi Lee Road, Warsaw, has been charged with two counts of domestic battery, operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher and failure to register as a sex or violent offender through Superior Court and probation violation in Circuit Court. Through his plea agreement, he has pleaded guilty to domestic battery with a child under 16 present, a level 6 felony, OWI, a class C misdemeanor in Superior Court and probation violation on a sexual battery case, in Circuit Court. All other charges would be dismissed. The plea agreement calls for a cap on the length of jail time with the two Superior court charges to run concurrent and the probation violation to run consecutive.

Nicholas John Himes

Himes, 37, 410 New St., Goshen, pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to register as a sex or violent offender when he failed to report a change of address.

Both cases will be back before the judge at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 7.

(Photos provided by Noble County Sheriff’s Department)

NOBLE COUNTY — An Elkhart Woman was taken to Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, after a one-vehicle accident at 8:56 a.m. today, Dec. 4, which closed US 33 at CR 200N in Noble County for approximately an hour.

According to the Noble County sheriff’s Department Debra K. Milner, 60, Edwards Road, Elkhart, complained of pain to the torso and knee following the accident.

The investigation revealed Milner was southbound on US 33 in a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix hen it went across the fog line for an unknown reason. The vehicle then struck the guardrail. Her vehicle was listed as a total loss.

Adrian Piper Crisostomo

WARSAW — A one-year-sentence for failure to register as a sex or violent offender will be appealed, with the blessings of the court.

Adrian P. Cirsostomo, 32, 8110 Hepton Road, Nappanee, who was arrested on May 5, was sentenced to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail Thursday morning. Cirstomo was given credit for 190 days already served behind bars.

Immediately following Superior Court 1 Judge David Cates issuing the sentence, Jay Rigdon, attorney for Crisostomo, requested he be appointed for his client to pursue an appeal. Rigdeon stated after the hearing the state statute was unclear what his client had to provide upon registering.

Rigdon stated prior to the sentencing that throughout the entire process, Crisostomo had been forthright and there is a great interest of his crime under the state statute. Rigdon noted the state takes a different position than others adding the wording of the registration statute is confusing with lengthy language.

Cates even stated during the sentencing that while Cirsotomo has a history as a sex and violent predator, which was already determined, the statute “here is difficult and convoluted. There are a number of issues that should be addressed by a higher court.”

The statute in question is referred to as Zachary’s Law, IC 11-8-8.

According to court documents charges were filed on May 11 against Cirsostomo in Kosciusko County for failure to register as a sex or violent offender. The document states on May 9, 2002, he was convicted of a lewd act on a minor in Kershaw County, South Carolina, and required to register as a sex offender. On Dec. 16, 2014, he was upgraded to a sexually violent predator and required to register for life.

He did register with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department on Dec. 22, 2014, listing his place of employment and signing a form acknowledging he needed to notify the department of any change in employment. When a compliance check was conducted, it was learned he no longer was employed at the location he stated and had left that place of employment on March 30, 2015.

Authorities were able to learn of his new place of employment, which he began on April 6. It was not until May 4, that he came to the sheriff’s department, 31 days since living his previous employment, to report his new place of employment. This according to court documents was a violation of the rules and regulations that apply to a sexual predator.

WARSAW — The City of Warsaw has announce the final week for leaf pick up has been scheduled for the week of Dec. 7.

Large piles of leaves can be raked to the curb or alley, not in the street. The leaves will be picked up on each resident’s regular trash day and need to be out by 7 a.m.

Do not put sticks or other trash in the leaf piles or block the piles with vehicles. Small piles will need to be bagged or boxed and will be picked up on your regular trash day.

WARSAW — A grade separation study on railroad crossings in the downtown Warsaw area was approved Friday morning, Dec. 4. The study is to see if going under or over current crossings is economical and feasible.

BOW members approved signing an agreement with American Structurepoint, Fort Wayne, for the Center Street Grade Separation Feasibility Study. The cost of the study would be $63,500. “This is the beginning of a long project,” stated Jeremy Skinner, city planner, who presented the proposal.

Mayor Joe Thallemer stated discussions have been held with Norfolk Southern Railroad and Indiana Department of Transportation regarding the complexity of such a project. The study would include subsurface investigation, costs, benefits, affects and other questions.

“By the end of the day, our goal is to give us the answers we need,” said Skinner. He stated there are a lot of steps to go through before answers and/or decisions can be made. While the feasibility study will provide answers, there is a lot of work to follow.

Thallemer stated the study is “something to look at … where most feasible, estimation of cost, cost benefits … where is the best spot … we were nudged to do it last spring.” He explained the railroad will be doing safety upgrades to five crossings next year and in turn looked at closing some crossings to minimize safety issues. Thallemer stated closing of any crossings could not be done until a solution for replacement could be made.

Street Lights Approved

Street lights on Eisenhower Street will become a reality. A bid for an installation project, similar to lights installed on East Market Street, was awarded to City Light & Signal, Inc., Fort Wayne, at a cost of $41,182. The contract was also signed with the company.

The lights will be LED. Thallemer questions if there was any research on utilizing solar lights. Skinner noted solar lights at this point are where LED lights were 10 years ago. “The technology is not there and from an expense standpoint, the chips that control the lights have a life span of five years. Each chip is worth hundreds of dollars. Every five years you could have a $5,000 chip replacement bill.”

During other business:

• Appointed Jeff Grose to the city plan commission, which will be increased from five members to nine members after the first of the year.
• Approved the 2016 Warsaw Volunteer Fire agreement for payment of $30,702.
• Accepted a $5,000 grant from Kosciusko County Community Foundation and approved applying for a KREMC Operation Round Up Grant in the amount of $2,364 for the police department. The funds will be used towards the purchase of 12 gas mask sets for the SWAT team.
• Approved a contract with Keystone Software Systems, Daleville, for the wastewater department and clerk-treasurer’s office, at $275 each, for the 2016 Disaster Recovery Plan.
• Signed a contract with Christopher Burke Engineering, Indianapolis, for $15,000 for an update of the stormwater design standards per permit requirements.
• Approved the payment of $6,639.35 to American Structurepoint Inc., for engineering services on the Buffalo Street Redevelopment Project.
• Approved the 2016 Cobra rates, administrative fee schedule and 2016 take home vehicle requests for specified department heads.
• The 2016 Wage and Cell summary was unanimously approved. Grose made it a point of record this summary showed some department heads making the same or less than a patrolman or firefighter, and department heads, per instruction by the majority vote of the Common Council’s approved salary ordinance, had the 2 percent pay increase. He noted he was one of the minority votes in the matter.
• Approved travel requests for Thallemer, Warsaw Police Officer Brad Kellar and police chief Scott Whitaker.
• Signed not-for-profit 2016 agreements with: Animal Welfare League, $19,000; CCAC, $31,000; Center for Lakes & Streams, $10,000; Housing Authority, $30,000; KABS, $18,500; KABS Capital Improvement, $10,000; KEDCo, $55,000; Kosciusko Community Senior Services, $15,000; and WCDC, $17,500.

(Photos by Deb Patterson)

MILFORD — One person will reportedly be transported to the hospital following a rollover accident at the intersection of CR 1300N and CR 250E, east of Milford.

Milford Fire Department and Lutheran EMS has responded. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and Syracuse Police are at the scene.

The driver was the lone occupant in a white Saturn that went off the south side of CR 1300 and rolled over in the yard at the residence on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Kosciusko

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accidents:

11:17 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, North Grandview Drive, west of East Margaret Drive, Syracuse. Police received a call at 2:52 a.m. from Travis Vanover, North Grandview Drive, Syracuse. Vanover reported someone just tried to steal his truck and crashed it in the middle of the road. Vanover, stated he was in his garage working on a go-kart when he heard his truck start up, he ran outside saw his truck on its side and heard someone say go, go go. He found objects in his truck that did not belong to him. Damage up to $10,000.

9:10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, East McKenna Road, Warsaw. Driver: Melissa L. Fletcher, 26, North CR 175E, Warsaw. She swerved to miss a deer and over corrected, loosing control and going into a ditch hitting a wooden pole and road curve sign. Damage up to $10,000.

4:19 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, West Crystal Lake Road and North CR 700W, Atwood. Driver: Rodney J. Sellers, 34, East SR 14, Akron. Sellers did not see the T-intersection, due to fog, going through the intersection, hitting a tree. Sellers complained of pain in both arms and were treated by medics at the scene. Damage up to $10,000.

12:59 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, North SR 13 and East Vawter Park Road, Syracuse. Police found a vehicle in a ditch on it’s roof with no one around the vehicle. Police found the registered owner, Cory R. Vaillancourt, 25, North Main Street, Topeka, and an alleged passenger, Shelby O. Kelly, 26, North East Street, Milford, walking east on Vawter Park Road, with both individuals telling police they were not driving. Damage up to $10,000.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:

6:54 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Lake City Highway and Commerce Drive, Warsaw. Drivers: Phillip J. Armey, 43, Heron Boulevard, Warsaw, and Thomas D. Smotherman, 37, Whitney Street, Detroit, Mich. Armey’s vehicle struck the back of the Smotherman semitractor-trailer. Armey suffered minor bleeding to the face and head, but refused treatment. Armey was cited for  operating a vehicle without proof of financial responsibility. Damage up to $25,000.

10:19 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Lake City Highway, Warsaw. Police were notified of a hit and run accident in the parking lot of Arby’s. Rhonda L. Addair, Warsaw, reported observing a truck hit a parked vehicle and then leave the scene. Damage up to $2,500.

6:21 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Lake City Highway, west of Anchorage Road, Warsaw. Driver: David A. Gentile, 59, Grayfield Court, Fort Wayne. Gentile became ill while driving and possibly passed out, causing his vehicle to hit a guardrail. He was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital. No injuries were reported from the accident. Damage up to $10,000.

3:13 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, North Detroit Street and Lake City Highway, Warsaw. Driver:Dorothy E. Howell, 89, North Poplar Street, Silver Lake, and Pauline Meyer, 74, South River Road, North Manchester. Howell’s vehicle struck the back of the Meyer vehicle. Damage up to $50,000.

Elkhart

The following people were booked in the Elkhart County Detention Facility:

Dec. 6

• Luis Alberto Perea-Flores, 26, 1428 Lincolnway, Ligonier, arrested for battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, resisting law enforcement. No bond listed.
• Nathaniel Wayne Johnson, 51, 8436 N. 600W, Etna Green, arrested for domestic battery in the presence of a minor. No bond listed.
• T.L. Brandon Hollar, 36, 10660 N 500W, Milford, arrested for contempt of court. Bond: $2,000.

Dec. 4

• Joseph Edward Hahaj, 28, 44 MD Acres, Nappanee, arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. No bond listed.
• Brittney Garza, 21, 807 N. Panorama Drive, North Webster, arrested for violation of probation. No bond listed.
• Michael Dean Smith, 58, 24283 US 6, Nappanee, arrested for dealing in marijuana; maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia. Bond: $3,000.
• Cheryl Ann Dale, 57, 24283 US 6, Nappanee, arrested for dealing in marijuana, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia. Bond: $3,000.
• Jasper Allen Springer, 43, 5520 SR 5, Larwell, arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated with prior.

Kosciusko

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Dec. 6

• James Robert Roder, 30, 3616 W. 700S, Claypool, arrested for battery causing bodily injury. No bond.
• Kenneth Riley Schnitz, 65, 1906 Sand Castle Drive, Warsaw, arrested for habitual traffic violator – life, Bond: $10,000 surety, $250 cash.
• Erica Rose Pruitt, 23, 905 S. Harkless Drive, Syracuse, arrested for neglect of a dependent and disorderly conduct-noise. Bond: $5,000 surety and $250 cash.
• Severiano Argumedo, 41, 2441 W 250S, Warsaw, arrested for operator never licensed. Bond: $500 cash.
• Joseph Ryan Norton, 22, 533 Polk St., Marion, Ohio, arrested for false identity statement, false informing and wanted on an out of state warrant. Bond: $600 cash and hold or other agency.
• Sara Nicole Stidams, 36, 3441 E.1450N, North Manchester, arrested for public intoxication. Bond: $400 cash.
• Jacob Paul Miller, 42, 3441 E. 1450N, North Manchester, arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and OWI with a back .08-.15. Bond: $700 cash.

Marshall

The following individual was booked in the Marshall County Jail:

Dec. 7

• Billy Joe M. Myers, 34, Plymouth, arrested for driving while suspended. No bond available.

WARSAW — The final meeting of the year was held at noon today, Monday, Dec. 7, for the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission. “We’ve had a great year, and got an awful lot done. I’m proud of the work we’ve had done,” stated Rick Snodgrass, commission vice president.

Jeremy Skinner, city planner noted the amount of work the commission has accomplished has grown. “This is by far the busiest (year) we’ve had, with more projects (on the plate,)” he said. The projects the past year have included Mariner’s Drive, some of Market Street, Winona PVD and Buffalo Street bond issues.

Future projects noted included the actual Buffalo Street project, side path at the Tech Park, possibly the bridge on CR 300N, and continued work on the Tech Park lift station. Skinner noted the first project he plans to tackle is the building of a side path from the Tech Park to CR 300N, while he would like to include a bridge project as well, elements of the bridge project are encountering environmental issues. He stated the city has a five-year window to complete phase two of the Tech Park project (lift station, side path and bridge) area, with two more years to complete. “We’re in good shape.”

It was noted the original interested entity in the Tech Park spec building is still interested, with a couple other potential entities.

Other discussion included the status of the Gatke building demolition, questioned by member Tim Meyer. Skinner noted the deadline is Jan. 1, with a couple interested parties “hem hawing” around. He noted there should be funds available to tear down a portion of the buildings, based on five-year-old quotes. It will be known after the first of the year what funds are available and how much of the facility can be demolished.

Mike Klondaris, common council board member, who is anticipating being appointed to the commission, questioned potential installation of sidewalks in the Mariners Driver area. Skinner noted that project was under a time limit, per an agreement with Parkview Hospital, and the scope of the work was done within the city’s right-of-way. Sidewalks can be a long range goal. Sidewalks, in certain areas, will be a of the Husky Trail Project.

Skinner additionally updated the commission on the Husky Trail Project. The goal is to complete the right-of-way acquisitions in the next several months, letting of bids between August and October, with construction in the fall of 206 or spring of 2017. There is one property still causing some concern on the right-of-way acquisition.

During the regular business, commission members approved claims to:

• Troyer Group, $32.50 for Mariners Drive Project.
• City of Warsaw, $600,000 payment obligated for the Wastewater bond
• Phend & Brown, $240,899.67 and $189,759.58 for the Mariners Drive Project
• Kosciusko REMS, $35.34 for street lights in the Tech Park
• Regions Bank, $97,297.50 for the city bond
• Faegre Baker Daniels, $38,388.38 and H.J. Umbaugh, $40,581.60 on the Winona PVD bond issue project.

There was also acceptance of a resolution for the disposal of personal property for the Winona PVD Bond and the bill of sale in connection with the Winona PVD Bond.

A change order, totaling $70,238.53 on the Mariners Drive project was approved for Phend & Brown. Skinner reported the change order covered the additional work discovered when asphalt was removed from certain areas, revealing problems with the underlying concrete. It was found removing the old concrete and replacing with an asphalt subsurface was more cost effective.

The project still came in under the engineer’s estimated cost of $650,000.

PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP — Virginia Baker, a member of the Prairie Township Board, has submitted her resignation effective Dec. 31. Declarations of candidacy will be taken until Dec. 27, to fill the remainder of her unexpired term. The term would end Dec. 31, 2018.

All interested and eligible candidates for this position will need to file his/her declaration with the Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Randall Girod. The declaration of candidacy forms are available at the Kosciusko County Clerk’s office, 121 N. lake St., Warsaw.

Declaration forms can be mailed to Girod at 8652 E. Koher Road South, Syracuse, IN 46567 or emailed to randthai@aol.com

INDIANA — Kosciusko County will be among other counties in the state raising the official bicentennial flag at noon Friday. A brief ceremony will take place on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn.

Activities are slated to kick off this week to celebrate the state’s bicentennial and the Association of Indiana Counties is encouraging all counties to raise the flag on on Friday.

“The flag is a symbol of unity as we kick off the bicentennial year,” said Perry Hammock, executive director of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission. “In their hometowns and in their travels, Hoosiers will see the bicentennial flag waiving all across the state during our year-long celebration.”

“The Association of Indiana Counties is proud to play a part in this celebration of Indiana’s past, present and future through the donation of bicentennial flags to all 92 counties,” said David Bottorff, executive director of the AIC. “The flag project is one of two AIC Legacy Projects endorsed by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission.”

The white flag presents the Indiana 200 Bicentennial logo in the blue and yellow of the Indiana State flag. Bicentennial flags are available in full size, 3-feet by 5-feet, and in miniature, 4 inches by 6 inches. The flags can be purchased at the Indianapolis office of the Indiana Historical Bureau and online at the IHB website.

Nominate A Torchbearer

With the kick off on Friday, it is also a good time to nominate an individual as a torch bearer for Kosciusko County, to participate in the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay when it comes through Kosciusko County. The torch relay was created to honor Hoosiers who have demonstrated exceptional public service, achievement, acts of heroism and/or volunteer service to his/her neighborhood, community, region or state.

The deadline to submit nominates is Jan. 31, 2016.

To learn more and access the nominate form click here.

Related: Kosciusko County Gearing Up For State’s 200th

WARSAW — The beginning of some year-end business took place Monday evening, Dec. 7, at the Warsaw Common Council meeting, with council appointments to various boards and commissions. Additional appointments, made by the mayor, will be announced at the Dec. 21 meeting.

“You have six appointments to make,” Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer told council members. He stated the appointments are statutorily prescribed, except the position on the Warsaw Community Development Corporation, which is according to its bylaws. He noted there has been a change in the number of plan commission members, based on state statute. The board has been increased from seven members to nine members. Thallemer explained this is due to the city having a full time paid city engineer and a park board.

He stated each board member will serve four years, with the board made up of five citizens and four appointees. The appointees will consist of one from the board of works, who appointed Jeff Grose; James Emans, city engineer; an appointee from the park board which will be made Dec. 15; and one member from the common council. Council members unanimously voted Diane Quance to serve.

The remaining five citizen members, which is to be politically balanced and appointed by the mayor, will be announced at the Dec. 21 common council meeting. Two of the appointees will serve four years, two will serve three years and one will serve two years based on the state statute.

Two appointments to the redevelopment commission were made by the council for one-year terms. Mike Klondaris and Rick Snodgrass were voted into those positions. Snodgrass has previously served on the commission. The mayor will be appointing three other individuals.

Dan Smith was unanimously appointed to the board of zoning appeals to fulfill the remaining one year of Jack Wilhite’s term. Wilhite will begin his term on the common council on Jan. 1. An elected official cannot serve on the BZA.

Dan Robinson and Cindy Dobbins were reappointed to serve on the economic development commission and Warsaw Community Development Corporation, respectively.

Funds Transferred

Two ordinances to transfer funds for the police department and fire territory, to meet shortfalls in funds within those departments, were approved.

Scott Whitaker, police chief, requested $14,500 be transferred into salaries due to a 2015 budget oversight. This will allow the department to replenish funds needed for payroll for the remainder of the year. Additionally $2,500 was requested transferred into machinery and equipment. These funds will replenish needed equipment funds.

Whitaker stated there was more officer overtime than anticipated when the budget was set. He will be working to bring overtime down the remainder of the year, so as not to carry hours over into next year.

Mike Wilson, fire territory chief, requested the transfer of $35,000 from three funds to handle salaries due to the change in personnel and the addition of the new fire chief. He noted the salaries and overtime will will be close to the dollar amount being transferred with a “little cushion” just in case.

It was noted the city is still awaiting its 1782 notice from the state’s department of local government finance regarding potential necessary budget cuts. It was noted a special meeting may need to be called if the deadline for cuts falls before the next meeting.

Kosciusko

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accidents:

6:33 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, West Crystal Lake Road, west of South CR 600W, Warsaw. Driver: David W. McDonnell, 59, East High Street, Etna Green. Hit deer. Damage up to $5,000.

Warsaw

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accidents:

7:18 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, East Center Street and North Reed Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Kari J. Stutzman, 22, North CR 800W, Etna Green, and Zachery E. Dean, 30, East Russ Road, Greenville, Ohio. Stutzman’s vehicle clipped the Dean vehicle as she was merging into a lane of travel. Damage up to $5,000.

1:57 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, West CR 300N, Warsaw. Drivers: Susan L. Rogers, 61, North Finlandia Way, Albion, and Patricia A. Shepherd, 69, West 900S, Claypool. Rogers was backing from a parking space, stopped for pedestrian traffic, and began to back again not seeing the Shepherd vehicle behind her. Damage up to $5,000.

Fred J. Landolt III

WARSAW — Fred J. Landolt III, 26, 733 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw, was arrested Monday afternoon, Dec. 7, on initial charges of burglary and theft. The arrests stem from a Dec. 2 burglary at a residence in Warsaw.

Warsaw Police were called on Dec. 2 by the homeowner who reported he had received a text message from a neighbor. The neighbor saw a male subject looking into a bedroom window. When the homeowner arrived home, he found his back door was unlocked and a jar containing approximately $100 in change had been stolen.

Police spoke with the neighbor who stated he he saw a man looking into the bedroom window of his neighbor’s home. He asked his son to take out the trash at which time the son saw another individual, from the neighborhood, come out the back door carrying a large jar under his arm. He was then seen going into his own residence.

Police located the individual seen coming out of the home, identified as Landolt, who admitted entering the home through a bedroom window and taking the jar containing change. He also stated he went to a local business to cash the change in, which totaled $68.63. Surveillance video showed Landolt using the coin machine to cash in the change.

Landolt’s initial charges are a level 4 felony for burglary and class A misdemeanor for theft. He is being held on $10,000 surety and $250 cash bond.

Dakota Singer

FORT WAYNE — The two victims who died after a car crash early Sunday morning in Fort Wayne are former Wawasee High School students and residents of the Syracuse/North Webster area. The Allen County Coroner’s Office released the names around 11 a.m. today, Dec. 8.

The driver has been identified as Dakota G. Singer, 22, Fort Wayne, a former Wawasee High School student. The passenger has been identified as Dimitrius M. Kaplanis, 21, North Webster, a student at St. Francis University, and a 2012 graduate of Wawasee High School. Both died from blunt force trauma.

According to Kaplanis’ Facebook page, he was studying business administration at the University of St. Francis, and was residing in North Webster.

Singer’s Facebook page, states he resided in Fort Wayne and studied at Ball State University and was employed at Lutheran Hospital. He was from Spiceland.

Patt Kite, senior investigator/deputy coroner reported today that positive identification has been established for Singer and Kaplanis. The accident occurred on Ardmore Avenue near Covington Road at approximately 4:20 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.

Dimitrius Kaplanis

Singer and Kaplanis were pronounced dead at the scene. It is not known if they were wearing safety restraints or if alcohol was a factor. Police do report speed was a factor in the crash.

The accident remains under investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department, the F.A.C.T. Team and the Allen County Coroner’s office.

According to initial reports when Fort Wayne Police responded to the accident they found the vehicle off the road and on fire.

Police report the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed on Ardmore when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The car then hit several trees and a utility pole between Covington Road and Taylor Street, near Lindley Elementary School.

Elkhart

The following people were booked in the Elkhart County Detention Facility:

Dec. 7

• Kenney A. Ferguson, 64, 12021 N. Raggedy Ann Road, Cromwell, arrested for public nudity. Bond: $150.
• Patrick Edward Wolfe, 46, 506 S. Locke St., Nappanee, arrested for contempt of court. Bond: $1,000.
• Justin J. Yoder, 30, 955 W. Walnut St., Nappanee, arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of marijuana. No bond listed.

Kosciusko

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Dec. 8

• Eric Douglas Whelpley, 36, 501 N. Dolan Dr., Syracuse, arrested for criminal mischief. Bond $600 cash.

Dec. 7

• Regina Rene McCool, 42, 1210 E. Center St., Warsaw, arrested for OWI and refusal to submit to chemical test. Bond: $700 cash.
• Fred J. Landolt, 26, 733 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw, arrested for burglary. Bond: $10,000 surety, $250 cash.

A scholarship in memory of Scott Bibler has been established to help graduating high school seniors pursue a degree in the field of education.

By STEPHANIE OVERBEY
Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Inc.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Scott “Bibs” Bibler Memorial Scholarship Fund was recently established at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. The fund was created by Scott’s wife, Stephanie Bibler, to preserve the legacy of her beloved husband. Many friends and family members contributed to the fund with memorial gifts after his passing on Oct. 2, 2015 as a result of a small plane accident.

Bibler spent 25 years of his life as a football coach and educator at Tippecanoe Valley High School before leaving education to accept a job with CrossWinds of Fort Wayne. He was a talented athlete in his youth, playing football for TVHS, where he graduated in 1982. He continued athletics at Taylor University where he played football and baseball.

The scholarship in his memory is a fitting tribute to a man who treasured his faith, his family — most especially his daughters, Chelsea and Megan Bibler, and young people. The purpose of the fund is to celebrate and encourage student athletes with strong character and with servants’ hearts to pursue careers in education.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be graduating high school seniors of a high school located in Kosciusko County (with preference given to students from TVHS), must have been involved in high school athletics, must be pursuing a degree in the field of education, and must have maintained a C grade point average or above. Further, applicants must have participated in extracurriculars (other than athletics), community service, or have been employed. Applicants must also submit an essay response and be able to provide references from a coach, a church pastor or youth leader, and a teacher or school administrator.

Donations to the fund are still appreciated by the family and may be made to the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, designated to the Scott “Bibs” Bibler Memorial Scholarship Fund.

To give by credit card, visit www.kcfoundation.org/donate. To give by check, make check payable to Kosciusko County Community Foundation and mail to 102 E. Market Street, Warsaw, IN 46580. The Community Foundation is a public charity, and gifts made to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

Kosciusko

The following individuals were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail;

Dec. 9

• Marcus Antonio Miller, 30, 938 E. Garfield St., Warsaw, arrested for domestic battery in the presence of a child under the age of 16. Bond: $5,000 surety and $250 cash.

Dec. 8

• Gary C. Yoder, 47, 702 S. Kinder Drive, Syracuse, arrested for aggravated battery. Bond: $15,000 surety and $250 cash.
• Ronald Lee Strieby, 67, 8878 N. 500E, Syracuse, arrested for resisting law enforcement, and criminal trespass. Bond: $750 cash.
• Maximind Reyes, 36, 1202 Wooster Road, Winona Lake, arrested for probation violation. Bond: $750 cash.
• Kimberly Kay Busz, 30, 316 S. Union St., Warsaw, arrested on two body attachment warrants. Bond: $300 cash.