Elkhart

The following individual was arrested and booked in the Elkhart County Detention Center:

Jan. 3

• Philip Brian Moore, 40, 14290 US 6, Syracuse, arrested for domestic battery in the presence of a minor and interference with reporting a crime. Bond: $5,000.

Kosciusko

The following individuals were arrested and booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Jan. 5

• Jason Andrew Gunter, 18, 3469 E. East Ridge Drive, Warsaw, arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Bond: $300 cash.
• Brandon M. Bergman, 19, 3311 Oak Pointe Crossing, Warsaw, arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Bond: $300 cash.
• Alexia Marie Paysen, 18, 3311 Oak Pointe Crossing, Warsaw, arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol by minor. Bond: $300 cash.

Jan. 4

• Darius Crawford, 29, 20248 US 6, Milford, arrested for possession of marijuana. Bond: $450 cash.
• Maria Rodriguez, 51, 72833 CR 29, Syracuse, arrested for driving while suspended. Bond: $300 cash.
• Samuel Cortes, 20, 1202 Wooster Road, Winona Lake, arrested for operator never licensed. Bond: $350 cash.

Jan. 3

• Robert J. Hurt Jr., 34, 504 N. Broadway Street, Mentone, arrested for dealing marijuana. Bond: $2,000 surety.
• Jessica Erin Bradley, 25, 504 N. Broadway St,. Mentone, arrested on a warrant. Bond:  $450 cash.
• Nathan Allen Hauck, 35, 2212 S SR 15, Warsaw, arrested for theft. Bond: $2,000 surety.

Kosciusko

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

• 11:12 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 1800 block Crescent Drive, Warsaw. Elva Malagon reported a vehicle stolen. The vehicle was recovered.
• 8:48 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 100 block EMS D2 Lane, Syracuse. Adam Noffsinger, reported forgery.
• 7:39 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 12300 block North Creek Bend Lane, Milford. Randy R. Veach reported damage to a mailbox.
• 7:24 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 9400 block North SR 19, Etna Green. Brandi L. Gase reported domestic battery.
• 12:13 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 600 block North CR 1000E, Pierceton. Dale F Hendrickson reported finding a cell phone.

North Webster

Officers with the North Webster Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 2:58 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 100 block EMS W23 Lane, North Webster. Police assisted Allen County Sheriff’s Department in locating a stolen motorcycle.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 7:40 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 300 block West High Street, Syracuse. Jason W. Meade reported the theft of a vehicle. The vehicle was recovered.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 11:46 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2500 block Walton Boulevard, Warsaw. Scott A. Pelfrey reported a lost cell phone. Value: $600.
• 10:27 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2500 block Walton Boulevard, Warsaw. Wal-Mart Super Center reported the theft of $553.08 in merchandise.
• 4:39 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 1200 block Lake City Highway, Warsaw. Officials at Meijer reported the theft of household goods.
• 1:21 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 1700 block West Lake Street, Warsaw. Dustin Lee Lemarr reported a lost/stolen wallet at The Time Out Inn.
• 10:47 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 700 block North Parker Street, Warsaw. James William Willett reported a theft.

Kosciusko

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

5:17 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, West Lake Street and North Zimmer Road, Warsaw. Driver: Patrick C. Ragan, 26, East Old Road 30, Warsaw. Lost control on a patch of ice and struck a curb. Damage up to $2,500.

4:23 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, Lake City Highway, west of North Detroit Street, Warsaw. Driver: Ashley M. O’Connor, 30, Hepler Drive, Warsaw. O’Conner lost control of her vehicle on the exit ramp and struck a concrete barrier. Damage up to $2,500.

8:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, East Kyle Road, south of East CR 250N, North Webster. Driver: Heather J. Webster, 37, Chinworth Court, Warsaw. Webster could not negotiate a curve causing her vehicle to leave the road, hit a large rock, fence and tree. Damage up to $10,000.

12:34 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, West CR 900N and North CR 425W, Milford. Driver: Theldon R. Burt, 79, East CR 350S, Pierceton and Edward E. Stutzman, 54, North CR 625W, Milford. Burt suffered possible head and internal injuries. A passenger in Burt’s vehicle, June E. Burt, 77, East CR 350S, Pierceton, complained of pain to her right side. Both were taken to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. Burt drove his vehicle out in front of Stuzman’s vehicle. Damage up to $100,000.

5:28 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, SR 13 south of East CR 900N, Syracuse. Driver: Penny L. Pruitt, 47, North Wawasee Circle West, Cromwell. Lost control of her vehicle going off the roadway and into a ditch. Damage up to $1,000.

1:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, North Fox Farm Road and West CR 300N, Warsaw. Drivers: Ryan P. Rautenberg, 27, Lake City Highway, Warsaw, and Joseph D Bumbaugh, 53, Park Avenue, Warsaw. Rautenberg complained of pain to the chest. Rautenberg was involved in a pursuit with police and failed to stop at the intersection, colliding with a tree. Bumbaugh attempted to stop but could not due to the gravel int he roadway and dust and debris int he air from Rautenberg’s vehicle. The Bumbaugh vehicle struck the driver’s door. (See Unlawful Residential Entry Leads To Pursuit, Accident, Arrest)

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:

6:34 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, South Detroit Street, and East Winona Avenue, Warsaw. Driver: Joshua J. Anderson, 31, East Lynn Street, Anderson. Attempted to make a left turn, but slid due to the ice and struck a curb. Damage: up to $2,500.

5:17 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, Enterprise Drive, Warsaw. Driver: Jerry L. Miller, Jr., 39, Warner Street, Claypool. Miller’s vehicle slid while making a turn, going off the road and hitting a utility box. Damage up to: $2,500.

5:09 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, Lake City Highway and Anchorage Road, Warsaw. Drivers: Jennifer B. Brown, 32, Summit Drive, Columbia City, and Gabriel Torres, 25, North CR 175E, Warsaw. Brown’s vehicle struck the back of the Torres vehicle. Damage up to $2,500.

4:58 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, Lake City Highway, near North Detroit Street, Warsaw. Drivers: AJ Long, 17, East CR 450N, Rochester. Lost control on the overpass causing the vehicle to pin and collide with a guardrail. Damage up to $1,000.

2:36 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, Walton Boulevard, Drivers: Lindsay M. Drudge, 29, Wedrick Drive, Warsaw, and Elizabeth L. Paseka, 24, Flamingo Drive, Warsaw. Drudge pulled into a parking spot and began to back out to straighten her vehicle when she struck the Paseka vehicle. Damage up to $5,000.

9:18 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, South Detroit Street, north of East Prairie Street. Driver: Gbalee P. Walker, 21, West Russell Avenue, Warsaw. Walker lost control of the vehicle while turning onto Detroit street, going off the road, into a yard and hitting the side of the home owned by Alan R. Wilson. Damage up to $5,000.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer gives the oath of office to Charles Smith, Richard Snodgrass, Tim Meyer, Jeff Johnson and Curt Hermann at the start of the meeting. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

“It is important to me to have individuals serve who are willing and dedicated,” stated Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer after swearing in the six members of the City of Warsaw Redevelopment Commission. “All of you are returning and have the best interest of the city (in mind). You have made tremendous progress.”

Thallemer swore in Charles Smith, Richard Snodgrass, George Clemens, Jeff Johnson, Tim Meyer and Curt Hermann at the start of Monday’s noon meeting. In other action for the first meeting of the year, Charles Smith was elected as commission president and Richard Snodgrass elected as commission vice president. This is the second term for each member.

Mayor Joe Thallemer gives the oath of office to George Clemens at today’s Redevelopment Commission meeting. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Dates for 2015 meetings, noon the first Monday of each month, with the exception of Sept. 8, were approved.

The only other matter of business was approval of the Weaver Boos Consultants Agreement in the amount of $5,399. Tim Meyer, commission member, questioned the itemized cost estimate, noting it was for five test borings at 150 linear feet instead of 120 linear feet, when the contract called for four — three at 30 feet deep and one at 50 feet deep. Jeremy Skinner, city planner, noted he will get clarification on that matter for the commission.

The borings will be at the former Indiana American Water Property. Skinner stated he is working with a developer in South Beck on a package project and expects a design by summer for a building on that site. It was also noted the borings will be for ground stabilization.

Skinner provided an update on several projects. One update was the Central Redevelopment list in which he distributed a map of that area noting legal descriptions and a project list is being formulated “I hope to have the process completed to start in February,” Skinner stated. The project will be part of the Buffalo Street project.

Skinner additionally noted he took a look at the December settlements for the city’s TIFF districts, with things in good shape financially. He pointed out the northern TIFF district funds were higher than anticipated as far as revenues.

The claims for the month included five bond payments, engineering services from Emans Engineering and the final water bill for the Faith Missions property from Indiana American Water.

The first meeting of 2015 for the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety was short and to the point Monday morning.

The three member board: Charles Smith, Jeff Grose and Mayor Joe Thallemer approved:

• Release of a mortgage with Warsaw Housing Authority executed by Susan and Jerry Holloway.
• Agreements with Pike Lake, Center Lake and Winona Lake preservation associations. Warsaw Parks & Recreation gives $2,500 to each association to be used to enhance the “well-being” of the lake through preservation, conservation and maintenance, such as weed control, fish stocking of the lake and lake studies.
• The 2015 Wayne Township contract: receiving $72,500 from the township to offset costs of the facilities, programs and parks.
• A maintenance agreement with Anderson Property Management for installation and maintenance of 18 satellite beds and 21 urns in Central Park. The cost is $16,999.92. Larry Plummer, superintendent of parks and recreation, reported this is less expensive than hiring and pay an individual to do the work.
• Event contracts with Our Father’s House for Daddy’s Little Sweetheart Dance and Girls’ Night Out! catering services and J & S VanLue DJ Services for Daddy’s Little Sweetheart Dance.
• A contract with Weaver Boos Consultants, Granger, for preliminary geotechnical exploration proposal for North Buffalo Development. The contract is for four soil borings on the former American Waterworks property. The contract is for $5,399.
• A correction in the contract amount and approval for Niblock Excavating Inc., payment on contract for Alley Drainage Improvements. The corrected amount approved is $3,832.

Final action of the 10-minute meeting was approval for travel requests by two members of the Warsaw/Wayne Fire Territory to a fire instructors annual conference meeting and for four police officers to attend a conference and a supervising and managing field training officer event.

A wind chill warning was issued at 6:10 a.m. today by the National Weather Service and will be in effect from 10 p.m. this evening until noon Thursday.

The winter weather advisory has been cancelled.

In addition to Kosciusko County, other counties include Whitley and Allen counties.

The snow will taper and end this morning, though a difficult morning commute is expected.

Prolonged dangerous wind chill temperatures of 15 below to 30 below zero are expected tonight through midday Thursday. Any exposed skin will be prone to frost bite in a matter of minutes.

Warsaw Common Council approved the first reading of an ordinance increasing fees for services rendered and sale of burial plots in Oakwood Cemetery, Monday evening. The final reading and adoption of the ordinance will take place on Jan. 20, at which time the new fees will be in effect.

Rates will increase anywhere from $25 to $100. Hal Heagy, Oakwood Cemetery sexton reported the proposed fees are still less than other cemeteries, that operate as private businesses. He added the board of regents feels the proposed fees are fair for a municipal cemetery. Not all prices, however, have been proposed to increase.

This is the first rate increase since 2008.

See current fees and amount of increase noted here. To view the proposed ordinance click here.

Only two other items of business were on the agenda for the night: setting the speed limit for Parent Drive at 25 miles per hour and election of council president.

Warsaw Police Lt. Kip Shuter, Warsaw Traffic Safety Commissioner, stated there are 20 driveways within 1,000 feet of the entrance. Currently the street ends in a cul-de-sac but eventually will link up to Petro Drive. Council members approved the first reading and suspended the rules for a second reading to approve the speed limit ordinance. The speed limit is in effect immediately.

With a vote of six to one, Diane Quance was re-elected council president. Charles Smith voted against the nomination and re-election.

Craig Nayrocker inquired about the Market Street project and how much of that project would come from property taxes. He noted he is in favor of the project, especially the bike path as it will attract individuals to the community. He requested to know the cost of the current project or total for the various parts.

Mayor Joe Thallemer responded the majority of the current project costs, from Argonne Road to Bronson Street, will be funded through the Motor Vehicle Highway fund and the local road and street funds and the economic development income tax funds generated through non-property based taxes. The bike path portion is being funded through private donations and grants.

Thallemer additionally stated the project includes solutions to drainage problems, which will be funded by the storm water utility tax. New drainage pipes and catch basins will be added during the construction. The remainder of the Market Street project will be a state and federally funded project. It was noted  the new wheel tax has not yet been figured into the project as the amount being generated is unknown.

Council members were also given a look at the city’s current investments and presented a summary report of all funds purchase order transaction list. Several funds showed purchase orders dating back several years. Lynn Christiansen, clerk-treasurer, noted those funds will be liquidated once it is determined further activity has ceased.

Due to the next regularly scheduled meting falling on Martin Luther King Jr., Day, the meeting will be moved to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Kosciusko

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

5:54 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, East SR 14 and South County Farm Road, Silver Lake. Driver: Robert B. Harting, 38, North CR 100E, Milford. Hit deer. Damage up to $5,000.

3:50 a.m. Tusday, Jan. 6, North SR 19, south of West CR 1350N, Nappanee. Driver: Robert R. May, 25, M-Dee Acres, Nappanee. Vehicle hit an icy patch went off the road, hit a guard rail. Damage up to $5,000.

8:52 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, East CR 400S, west of South CR 400E, Warsaw. Driver: Larry J. Bennett, 65, South CR 400E, Warsaw. Deer hit vehicle. Damage up to $5,000.

5:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, West CR 300N, north of North CR 150W, Warsaw. Driver: Lisa M. Goon, 33, North CR 600W, Warsaw. Hit deer. Damage up to $2,500.

1:22 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, South SR 13 and South CR 500E, Warsaw. Ruthann K. Johansen, 72, Hunting Ridge Trail, Granger. Johansen’s vehicle failed to negotiate a curve on SR 13, went off the road into a ditch. Johansen and her passenger, Robert C. Johansen, 74, Hunting Ridge Trail Granger, both complained of pain to their backs and were transported to a hospital. Damage up to $2,500.

11:59 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, East CR 200N, west of North Boeing Road, Warsaw. Driver: Ana M. Lozano, 24, Anchorage Road, Warsaw. Lozano went off the south side of the roadway while in a curve and hit a small tree. Damage up to $2,500.

7:05 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, South Zimmer Road and Golf Heights Road, Warsaw. Driver: Jonathan P. Ferguson, 25, P.O. Box, Akron. Ferguson lost control of his vehicle, went into a ditch. Damage up to $2,500.

5:44 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, South SR 15 and West CR 1200S, Warsaw. Driver: Jacob D. Steg, 24, South Strawtown Pike, Peru. Steg lost control of his vehicle on the icy road and went off the road. Damage up to $5,000.

4:47 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, North SR 19, south of West SR 10, Etna Green. Drivers: Bryson J. Minix, 28, SR 110, Argos and Harold L. Willoughby, 48, South SR 19, Mentone. Willoughby’s semi tractor jacknifed hitting the Minix vehicle. Damage up to $10,000.

3:08 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, South SR 25 and South CR 1150S, Mentone. Driver: Kendra N. Creighbaum, 24, Jackson Boulevard, Rochester. Creighbaum’s vehicle hit patch of black ice, went off the road and into a ditch. Damage up to $5,000.

Warsaw

Officers with Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident:

5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, south Buffalo Street south of East Prairie Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Denver L. Craft, 59, South Fern Lane, Claypool and Sue E. Kizer, 54, Pine Street, Warsaw. Craft hit the back of Kizer’s vehicle, after Kizer slowed to make a left turn. Damage up to $5,000.

Kosciusko

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

• 10:24 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 9100 block North CR 200E, Milford. Jessica DeLaCruz reported the theft of a purse and its contents.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 12:41 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 100 block Rattington Circle, Warsaw. Kelsay M. Derry reported a violation of a protective order.

Winona Lake

Officers with the Winona Lake Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 12:10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 3000 block Widaman Street, Winona Lake. Nathaniel L. Raber reported theft of Niki shoes.

Kosciusko

The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Jan. 6

• Ryan Ray Jarrell, 27, 8266 E. 250S, Pierceton, arrested for invasion of privacy with prior. Bond: $2,000 surety.

Jan. 5

• Nathan Nicholas York, 18, 3311 Oak Pointe Crossing, Warsaw, arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Bond: $300 cash.
• Robert Trejo Garcia, 38, 2441 W. CR 250S, Warsaw, arrested on a body attachment warrant. Bond: $500 cash.
• Jordan Scott Brinegar, 20, 712 S. Dixie Drive, North Webster, arrested on two counts of failure to appear. Bond: $1,250 cash.
• Isaiah Alec Hamilton, 19, 306 1/2 B. South Ninth St., Goshen, arrested on illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Bond: $300 cash.
• Michael Bradford Shelpman, 48, 3875 W. 1300S, Silver Lake, arrested for theft. Bond: $10,000 surety.

Michael Bradford Shelpman

Michael B. Sheplman, 3875 W. 1300S, Silver Lake, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail Monday after four counts of theft, all class D felonies, were filed in Kosciusko County Circuit Court.

Sheplman’s charges stem from thefts from his employer prior to the termination of his job.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Detective JD Ayres states on Nov. 3, authorities were notified by a private individual who had learned Shelpman had delivered corn to several feed mills under his name. It is known that Shelpman did not have corn to sell or a truck. Shelpman had been terminated from his job on June 10.

The investigation found on Jan. 21; March 28; April 26, 2013; and Sept. 16, 2013, Shelpman took three loads of grain to Poet Mill and Strauss Feed Mill, using the truck owned by his employer. One load ticket from each trip was made out to Shelpman. The total amount he received was $22,501.50.

Bank records, obtained by police, indicate three grain checks from Poet Mill and one grain check from Strauss Feed Mill were cashed, endorsed and deposited and/or cash received by Shelpman. After Shelpman was terminated from his employment no checks from the two facilities have been cashed or deposited into his account.

Sheplman is being held on $10,000 surety bond.

Kosciusko

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

11:16 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, East Mock Drive, Milford. Driver: Calyssa S. Arnett, 21, EMS D16A Lane, Syracuse. Arnett lost control of her vehicle on the snowy road while negotiating a curve, slid off of the road into a wooded area. Damage up to $10,000.

7:24 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, West Old Road 30, Warsaw. Driver: Rhonda K. Cox, 58, South Jackson Street, Atwood. Cox lost control of her vehicle, sliding off the road into a ditch. Damage up to $2,500.

5:17 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, West US 30, east of North CR 650W, Atwood. Driver: Veronica A. Hanes, 31, West CR 125N, Etna Green. Hanes complained of pain to her entire body. She was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital. Hane’s vehicle went off the roadway, down an embankment and across a culvert. Damage up to $2,500.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following accidents:

3:17 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, South Huntington Street and East Maple Grove, Syracuse. Drivers: Tari S. Blocher, 55, EMS T4 Lane, North Webster, and Elizabeth M. Stewart, 29, North Iriquois Drive, Syracuse. Blocher’s foot slipped of the brake pedal and onto the gas pedal causing her vehicle to hit the back of the Stewart vehicle. Damage up to $10,000.

11:42 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, East Chicago Street, west of South Harkless Drive, Syracuse. Driver: Brandi S. Wright, 31, Turtle Bay Drive, Syracuse. Wright lost control of her vehicle, going off the roadway and hitting a NIPSCO pole. Cited for operating a vehicle without financial responsibility. Damage up to $10,000

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident:

8:43 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, East Old Road 30 and Lake City Highway, Warsaw. Drivers: Clayton A. Wood, 27, West CR 150N, Warsaw, and Angela R. Oesch, 50, North CR 650E, Syracuse. Wood’s vehicle slid into the back of the Oesch vehicle. Damage up to $2,500.

Kosciusko

The following individuals were arrested and booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Jan. 7

• Scott Edward Reiter, 51, 8581 E. Rue De Ville, North Webster, arrested for possession of meth and possession of paraphernalia – misdemeanor. Bond: $2,000 surety.

Jan. 6

• Brandin Wayne Troyer, 20, 5446 N. 300E, Warsaw, arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Bond: $300 cash.
• Dusty Rae DeShane, 20, 1692 E. 200 N. Warsaw, arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Bond: $300 cash.
• Lee Ann Lowrance, 30, 920 Anchorage Road, Warsaw, arrested for possession of paraphernalia-misdemeanor and maintaining a common nuisance. Bond: $2,000 surety.
• Nakya Michelle Ramseyer, 19, 1211 W. Lancaster, Bluffton, arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated – schedule I II controlled substance. Bond: $1,000 cash.
• Travis John Pollard, 27, 3259 W. Wilson Ave., Silver Lake, arrested for possession of look-a-like substance. Bond: $350 cash.
• Tanner Ryan Manns 19, 1400 N 875W, Etna Green, arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Bond: $300 cash.
• Richard Alonzo Howard Jr., 35, 221 N. Columbia St., Warsaw, arrested for dealing synthetic drug – misdemeanor. Bond: $25,0000 surety.
• Mario Rodriguez Jr., 32, 1438 Dundee Drive, New Haven, arrested for failure to appear, original charge felony. Bond: $701.50 cash.
• Cesar Ivan Baca Rodas, 39, 1692 E. 200N, Warsaw, arrested for operator never licensed Bond: $350 cash.
• Jennica Ann Helblig, 26, 4139 N. Runkle Drive, Warsaw, arrested for two counts of failure to appear. Bond: $850 cash.
• Autumn Sharease Helblig, 22, 3295 Old Colony Road, Warsaw, arrested for theft. Bond: $2,000 surety.
• Scott A. Huffer, 45, 405 Cadillac St., Ligonier, arrested to failure to appear – original charge misdemeanor. Bond: $800 cash.

Shelia Bruner and Joe Streeter take the oath of office for Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory Advisory Board. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Protection Territory advisory board members took the oath of office Monday in the board’s first meeting of the year.

Sworn in for another year’s term were Sheila Burner,  Joseph Streeter and Diane Quance. Gordon Nash was absent and will be sworn in at the February meeting. Shirley Fetrow was also appointed recording secretary.

“I always appreciate your service,” said Mayor Joe Thallemer, who chairs the meeting. “The board is very important from a public safety standpoint and making the fire territory as safe as possible. Having good people make’s everyone’s job much easier.”

Diane Quance takes her oath of office

Board members did approve an agreement with Green, Grossnickle & Flecker for legal services in 2015. The agreement includes a $500 retainer fee and $150 per hour for legal services. Andrew Grossnickle will serve as the board’s legal counsel.

WWTF Fire Chief Mike Brubaker highlighted one of the monthly claims with a cost of $2,742, which led to a brief explanation and discussion. Brubaker stated the cost was for annual preventative maintenance on the JAWS units. While there are two sets, the oldest set is 20 years to 30 years old. “The JAWS have age on them,” said Bubaker noting a new set of rescue tools will be coming with the purchase of the new rescue truck.

However, the problem with the units, Brubaker said is the metals used in manufacturing cars is changing. “The cutter will not cut bi-metals, it will break the cutters. It won’t cut steel.” He stated stiffeners are being placed in various locations in vehicles, often in areas where rescue equipment may need to be used to free a patient.

“We will need to upgrade one set,” he stated and when asked about the cost of the newer equipment, he stated the ball park figure is $35,000.

Thallemer questioned if the current age of the equipment and changes in vehicles has caused an inability to perform rescues or concerns. Brubaker stated if there is a portion which cannot be cut, without breaking the equipment, rescue crews will go around it. “It slows down the process.” He added 99 percent of the time if “we can’t go through the initial object, we’ll go to plan B.”

Brubaker reported in November the department responded to 119 calls, 88 within Warsaw city limits, 25 in the township and six out of the area. The department was requested to standby for 14 confined space entries for local businesses and the Wastewater Teatment Plant, 26 inspections by the inspections division, gave tours to five adults and five children.

Department members trained 210 hours in various areas and continues to participate in the city smoke detector program.

Board members acknowledged the work change order on the south fire station lowering the amount to $172,527.25 and the payment to G & G Hauling & Excavating Inc., for the work at the south station in the amount of $268,439.33 with $4,087.92 being retained until spring. The City Board Of Works approved the change order and payment on Dec. 19.

Final action of the evening was approval of travel requests for Rob Barker, Aaron Bolinger and Brubaker to attend state training programs.

The board meets at 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in the common council meeting room in city hall.

Filing their candidacy is Cindy Dobbins, Diane Quance, Lynn Christianson and Joe Thallemer. Also filing and shown in back is Jerry Frush and Michael Klondaris. (Photo by Michael Klondaris)

Members of the Warsaw City Council, mayor and clerk-treasurer filed their candidacies with the Kosciusko County Clerk recently.

Filing for seats on the common council are Cindy Dobbins, Diane Quance, Jerry Frush and Michael Klondaris. Dobbins is seeking the at-large nomination, Quance is seeking the District 5 nomination; Frush, District 4 nomination and Klondaris, District 3 nomination.

Filing for mayor is Joe Thallemer with Lynn Christianson filing for clerk-treasurer.

All six individuals are incumbents.

When the weather causes a delay or closing/cancellation of a meeting, start of business, shifts, even classes, officials can submit their weather related announcements to Ink Free News through the use of our simple submission form.

Just click on the closings and cancellations icon under our name and a form will appear. Fill out the required information and click submit. We will take care of the rest.

Lt. Kip Shuter presented the City of Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission a 2014 traffic report from Warsaw Police. The report was submitted during the commission’s Wednesday’s meeting.

The department investigated 894 crashes, 761 property damage, 133 personal injury. There were no fatalities within the city during the past year. The report also shows there were 193 total injuries, 11 of which were incapacitating. The total number of crashes is an increase of 3 percent over 2013.

Unsafe backing, failure to yield the right of way and following too closely were the top three contributing circumstances to the accidents. Other circumstances were roadway surface condition, improper turning, disregarding signal or regulatory sign, animals in the roadway (mostly deer), distracted driver, intoxicated drivers and cell phone use.

The highest three forms of the manner of collisions was topped by rear end type collisions followed by right angle collisions and backing collisions.

Detroit Street (SR 15), Lake City Highway (US 30) and Center Street were the three highest crash roadways. Center Street replaced Winona Avenue from 2013.

The report also shows Fridays had the highest number of collisions followed closely by Wednesday. The hours of 11 a.m. To 1:59 p.m. And 4 p.m. To 6:59 p.m. Were the highest times of day when accidents occurred.

During 2014 Warsaw officers wrote 2,410 traffic tickets, ian increase of 19 percent over 2013. There were 102 driving under the influence arrests, an increase of 19, and 5,831 warning tickets. Parking tickets, a total of 1,777, also was an increase over 2013 by six percent.

This map shows the angle parking along Lake Street, south of Market Street. The width of these spaces is 10 feet and the length is 10 feet. Legal parking spaces must be 18 feet by 10 feet or 20 feet by 9 feet. The southern most parking space will be eliminated and the line lengthened to the legal requirements.

Parking along the west side of Lake Street, south of Market Street, will slightly change when the weather breaks.

Numerous suggestions and ideas were discussed before the City of Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission approved to remove the southern most parking spaces, next to the egress of Mutual Bank’s parking lot, on Lake Street. These five spots are unrestricted parking. The length of the parking lines will also be extended, providing more of an idea of the travel lane location.

Discussion began in November when email complaints from Mutual Bank employees and some customers were shared. View obstructions from parked vehicles were primary concerns since that area became unrestricted parking locations. The matter was tabled until measurements of the parking spots could be obtained.

It was discovered while the widths of the spaces are the required 10 feet, the lengths are only 10 feet. The standard requirement is 18 feet for a 180 square foot parking space. It was also found the lines could be extended 8 feet, with 13.5 feet of road space for traffic.

Discussion included changing it to parallel parking which would reduce the number of spaces and removing the northern most space, which is handicapped to replace removal of a space. However, concern in eliminating parking in the downtown area was voiced along with if removal of the handicapped spot would violate city code on the number of handicapped spots being provided.

Mayor Joe Thallemer stated there was a lot of discussion when city officials were going through parking revisions. He stated angle parking is less than ideal, but works in an area where traffic is slower. It also provides more volume parking. “It’s done a good job pushing employees (of downtown businesses) from the core area. I’d hate to reduce parking,” he stated.

Cindy Dobbins, commission member, noted this area has freed up downtown parking and is being used more often.

The commission also discussed if there was a possible resolution to mapping systems still showing Market Street as SR 15 which many semis are following. Lt. Kip Shuter, Warsaw Police Department and chair of the commission, stated he will contact Indiana Department of Transportation to see if mapping systems could be changed. He will also investigate if state officials could add additional signage marking the route. Shuter and Jeff Beeler, street superintendent, will look at signage within the town.

The meeting also included members taking the oath of office. Members present included Joel Beam, Dobbins, Mike Klondaris, Shuter and Steve Foster. Foster was also re-elected recording secretary.

The next regular meeting of the commission is 1 p.m. Feb. 4.

Taking the oath of office are Warsaw Traffic Commission members Lt. Kip Shuter, Steve Foster, Cindy Dobbins, Mike Klondaris and Joel Beam. (Photo by Deb Pattereson)

Kosciusko

The following individuals were arrested and booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Jan. 7

• Jenna Marie Hendricks, 21, 66 EMS B6 Lane, Leesburg, arrested for possession of precursor and visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $2,000 surety.
• James Roberts Kern, 24, 9639 E. Seneca Lane, Cromwell, arrested for dealing meth, possession of ephedrine/pseudo/phenyl, possession of meth, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of precursor. Bond: $4,000 surety.

Kosciusko

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

• 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 800 block west 400N, Warsaw. Tri Lakes Storage items taken from storage units.
• 3:18 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 10400 block North Grand Boulevard, Syracuse. Morrison Island Property Owners Association reported yard damage from parked vehicles.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 11:01 Wednesday, Jan. 4, 200 block West Main Street, Warsaw. Roxanna M. Ousley reported her Social Security number was given over the phone to an unknown source.