Kosciusko

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

4:50 p.m. Monday, June 15, South CR 950W and West SR 25, Mentone. Drivers: Shane W. Hallstrom, 21, East SR 114, Akron, and Jennifer L. Caudill, 42, West CR 200S, Mentone. Hallstrom’s vehicle struck the back of the Caudill’s vehicle when he went to answer his cell phone. Damage up to $2,500.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident:

3:23 p.m. Monday, June 15, 1 Tiger Lane, Warsaw. Driver: Judith A. Paton, 68, EMS T32 Lane, Leesburg. Paton was backing from a parking space when her engine failed. While trying to re-start her vehicle, the vehicle rolled back into a parked vehicle, registered to Patty A. Lenon, Ivywood Drive, Warsaw. Damage up to $5,000.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 8:24 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 500 block West Railroad Avenue, Syracuse. Floyd G. Mast reported a bill changer sustained damage to the top-face plate, front loading slide tray and the upper right side lock tumbler was broken.
• 6:46 p.m. Friday, June 12, 100 block East Baltimore Street, Syracuse. Vanessa A. Rolston reported a battery.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 9:22 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2100 block East Fort Wayne Street, Warsaw. A bicycle was found at Central Park.
• 4:08 p.m. Sunday, 400 block West Main Street, Warsaw. Kyleigh Risner reported the theft of money.
• 9:14 a.m. Sunday, June 14, 900 block Anchorage Road, Warsaw. Joann M. Banks reported vandalism to a vehicle from the use of smoke bombs.
• 6:29 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 500 block South Buffalo Street, Warsaw. Thomas F. Keough reported a matter of criminal mischief and criminal recklessness.
• 8:43 a.m. Friday, June 12, 400 block South Cleveland Street, Warsaw. Samantha K. Olson reported a window to the Grace College Seminary bus was broken out. Value: $850 damage.
• 8:45 p.m. Thursday, 300 block East Center Street, Warsaw. Officials at Pak-A-Sak Marathon reported a man stole a pair of headphones. Value: $11.99.
• 4:19 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 500 block South Buffalo Street, Warsaw. Officials at Marsh Supermarket reported the theft of two bottles of alcohol. Value: $119.96.
• 3:19 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 500 block North Cook Street, Warsaw. Kristi K. Loftis reported the theft of a bicycle from her residence.

By LIZ MCKINLEY
Recreation Director Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department

Teens don’t miss out on this summer’s Warsaw Department of Parks and Recreation Junior Golf Tour.

The first stop is Raccoon Run Golf Course, Warsaw, at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 18 for teens ages 10-17.

Our second tour will take place on Thursday, July 9, at Sycamore Golf Course, North Manchester, while the third tour will be held on Thursday, July 16, at Rozella Ford Golf Course, Warsaw, and our final tour taking place on Thursday July 23 at Maxwelton Golf Course, Syracuse.

The cost is only $10 per week or $35 for all four weeks to participate in this fun program. The fee includes nine-holes of greens fees. Participants will need to bring their own clubs. There will be two ages groups of 10-13, and 14-17, with awards given for different skills levels each week, and overall points earned during the tour.

Register at the Pete Thorn Center Recreation Center located at 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw, or the Parks and Recreation Department administrative office located at 117 E. Canal St., Warsaw. For more information or details about the Junior Golf Tour program or any of the parks department programs, please visit our city website, Facebook  or e-mail us at parksevents@warsaw.in.gov.

Call the Parks and Recreation Department between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at (574) 372-9554 if you have any questions.

The 2015 Wawasee Flotilla T-shirts, featuring this year’s unique logo, have arrived and are being distributed to outlets in Syracuse.

The theme for this year’s Flotilla is “Pirate Parade.” The flotilla will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, on Lake Wawasee.

Gray and black t-shirts in long and short sleeves, crew neck and hooded sweatshirts are available in youth sizes medium to large; and adult sizes in small, medium, large and extra large, with a few XXL sizes, are available. The items can be found at Main Channel Marina, 720 Lakeside Drive, Syracuse; Griffith’s Wawasee Marina, 9171 E. Ross Drive., Syracuse; and NewMarket, South Huntington Street, Syracuse.

Additionally v-neck shirts, zip-up hooded sweatshirts and a few other shirts are only available at Team Tuttle Mortgage, 813 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.

These items will also be available to purchase Saturday, June 20, during the annual Wawasee Property Owners Association/Syracuse Lake Association Family Breakfast, at Oakwood Resort.

Have you attended or participated in a special event such as Joe’s Kids 5K or Empty Bowls or even a First Friday? There is a possibility your photograph could have been taken during the event.

New event photos are continually available on our Area Photos posts on InkFreeNews.com.

The number of photos appearing in Area Photos, continues to grow.

The format has been changed to make it easier to view photos from specific events. Check it out.

These photos join the following from 2015:Hero’s 5K, Cowboy Shoot, First Friday, 2015 Quiz Bowl, Warsaw’s first ever polar bear plunge, Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s Daddy-Daughter Dance, Bob Long’s retirement from the Warsaw Police Department, The Cowboy Shoot and World Compassion Day 2015.

And these from 2014: Fourth of July Parade , 5K Race for Grace, 5K World Compassion, Winona Lake Concert, Warsaw’s 9/11 ceremony, Winona Lake’s Art Festival and car show, Animal Welfare League’s Fur Ball, December 2014’s First Friday event, swearing in of newly elected and re-elected county officials and the Big Brother/Big Sister event.

The link to Area Photos can be found on the left side of the gray navigation bar underneath the site logo.

Viewers will be able to take a look at photographs taken by a local photographer and order prints online. Just follow the instructions on the site. The cost to order a standard print is only $3 per photo.

New events and past events will be added on a frequent basis. So check back often or watch for announcements of new posts.

Four occupants in the residence at 1306 Oriole Drive, Warsaw, along with several dogs, escaped without injury when a garage caught fire late Tuesday evening, June 16.

Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Department received a call at 11:22 p.m. of a garage fire, with a vehicle still inside. Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Chief Mike Brubaker reported, from the scene, when the first fire units arrived, heavy fire was observed in the garage area. The fire, because the garage is attached to the residence, had spread to the home. However, firefighters quickly stopped the fire from spreading too far into the residence.

Brubaker stated a vehicle inside the garage was a total loss and a Ford F150 parked outside the garage did catch fire and sustained damage.

The cause of the fire will be determined later on Wednesday as firefighters are still at the scene.

According to the Kosciusko County records, the residence is owned by William E. Harty.

Winona Lake Fire Department was called for a full assist, with a tanker assist from Atwood Fire Department. The American Red Cross, Kosciusko County Chapter, was called to assist the residents with temporary housing and other needs.

Warsaw Fire Department are responding to a report of a residence and garage fire at 1306 Oriole Drive, Warsaw.

Winona Lake Fire Department has been called for a full assist with Atwood Fire Department called for a tanker assist.

Kosciusko

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

June 17

• Travis Ray Osbun, 36, 9670 E. Genesee Lane, Cromwell, arrested for driving while suspended with prior and disorderly conduct-noise. Bond: $450 cash.

June 16

• Jaimie Nicole Albert, 25, 3745 S SR 25, Mentone, arrested on a body attachment warrant. Bond: $200 cash.
• Bobbie Jo Perkins, 46, 303 S. Indiana St., Warsaw, arrested for failure to stop after an accident. Bond: $500 cash.
• Britany Kirsten Wilmot, 25, 1210 W. Sixth St., Mishawaka, arrested for driving while suspended. Bond: $1,500 cash.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following incident:

1:47 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 200 block West Boston Street, Syracuse. Krystal Beers-Bronsing reported a violation of a protective order.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 9:19 p.m. Monday, June 15, 800 block Walkers Ridge, Warsaw. Michelle R. Heitkamp reported a violation of a protective order.
• 11:17 a.m. Monday, June 15, 600 block Briar Ridge Circle, Warsaw. Nicholas White reported items taken from his vehicle.

The Kosciusko County Highway Department has issued an updated list of road closures, due to high water. Only one road, CR 400E between SR 14 and CR 1000S, has been reopened since Tuesday morning.

Road closed signs and cross bucks have been placed at those roads.

Roads currently closed are:

• CR 550S between SR 15 and Kinsey Road
• County Farm Road between SR 14 and CR 1200S
• CR 400E between CR 850S and CR 900S
• CR 700S between CR 875W and CR 1000W
• CR 1000W between CR 800S and CR 900S
• CR 300E between CR 600S and CR 700S
• Sellers Lake Road between Lake Shore and Woodland
• CR 950S between SR 19 and CR 1200W
• CR 1000S between SR 19 and CR 1000W.

County officials will be checking these areas and will attempt to update the list as it changes.

Kosciusko

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

6:20 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, North SR 13 and East CR 900N, North Webster. Driver: Jay A. Fetters, 66 North CR 500E, North Manchester. Hit deer. Damage up to $5,000.

4:55 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, South SR 15, south of West CR 800S, Claypool. Driver: Anthony J. McNeal, 28, South Country Club Road, Warsaw. McNeal suffered minor bleeding to the face. He was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital. McNeal’s vehicle struck standing water in the roadway causing him to loose control. His vehicle went off the roadway, hitting an earth embankment and rolling over. Damage up to $25,000.

Milford

Officers with the Milford Police Department investigated the following accident:

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, North Higbee Street, south of West Fourth Street, Milford. Drivers: Amado Flores, 38, North Lake Street, Syracuse, and Sharon Boatwright, 47, North Main Street, Milford. Flores was backing from a parking space and did not see the Boatwright vehicle. Damage up to $2,500.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident:

12:48 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, Jalynn Street, Warsaw. Driver: Ashton W. Goble, 18, East Levi Lee Road, Warsaw. Goble was not paying attention as he was going around the corner in the McDonald’s parking lot, hitting a parked vehicle registered to Melissa E. Bullington, South Walnut Street, Mentone. Damage up to $5,000.

Robert Wayne Pundt

Robert Wayne Pundt, 43, 316 E. Washington St., North Webster, has been arrested and charged with strangulation and battery following a June 2 incident.

Pundt was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail Monday evening. He is being held on a $5,000 surety bond and $1,000 cash bond.

The strangulation charge is a level 6 felony. The battery charge is a class A misdemeanor.

Court documents report a female notified police at 11:31 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, of a battery, which had occurred. Pundt and a female had been arguing when he grabbed her by the throat, choking her to the point it made it hard for her to breath.

Investigating officers found red marks on the female’s neck during the investigation. They also found a bite mark on her arm and red marks on her right elbow.

The victim additionally stated Pundt had held her down on the bed and said he was going to kill her.

Pundt had left the residence when police arrived. A protective order against Pundt, filed by the victim, had expired.

Multi-Township Emergency Medical Service, a private emergency medical service, has not signed any agreement or made a decision with any company regarding a possible merger. There has been a meeting called to discuss such a merger with Community Health Systems.

The meeting, which is for the board of directors and membership board, is set for 7 p.m. Monday, June 22, in the Munson Building, Warsaw. This meeting is not open to the public.

“We are in the talking stage, nothing as been signed, sealed or delivered,” stated Tony Doyle, operations division chief for MTEMS.

Doyle stated CHS approached MTEMS regarding a merger. “Due to the increase in health care, we need to do something,” stated Doyle. The cost to run the service, maintain equipment, pay employees, provide health insurance, according to Doyle has increased and it’s hard for a small company to operate.

A merger may lower the cost of service, not only for the towns and townships served, but patients as well. The financial operation of the service is the only thing to be affected. The sole purpose, according to Doyle, is to save money.

Currently MTEMS is receiving a flat fee per town/township served.

He explained the meeting will just be an explanation of a potential merger and a history of the service.

The board of directors is comprised of individuals from the county, hospital and townships covered. The membership board is comprised of representatives of the 15 towns and townships served.

Doyle said, should there be a merger with Community Health Systems or any other hospital affiliation, service provided by MTEMS will not change, it will be business as usual. “We will still take you where you want to be,” said Doyle.

Community Health Systems is the parent company of Kosciusko Community Hospital and Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Kosciusko

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

4:41 a.m. Thursday, June 18, East CR 900N and North Harper Road, Leesburg. Driver: Tara R. Amor, 25, Gross Street, Elkhart. Hit deer. Damage up to $2,500.

9:46 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, East CR 700N, west of North CR 300E, Leesburg. Driver: Charlene A. Tom, 34, East CR 800N, Syracuse. Hit deer. Damage up to $10,000.

North Webster

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

3:09 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, East Esterbrook Drive and South Arbor Vista Drive, North Webster. Driver: Phyllis A. Roberts, 74, EMS W32 Lane, North Webster. Roberts was coming up to the intersection when Reana E. Kunkle, 13, South Dixie Drive, North Webster, rode a bicycle into the path of Roberts’ vehicle. Kunkle complained of pain to the lower arm. Roberts’ vehicle struck the bicycle. Kunkle complained of pain to the lower arm. Damage under $750.

The death of a 23-year-old Eastpointe, Mich., woman is being investigated by the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office and Warsaw Police.

Police were called to the 3300 block of Lake City Highway, Warsaw, at 9:12 p.m. Tuesday, June 16. They had received a call of an unresponsive female in a parked vehicle.

Brooke Marie Beohm was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The death is under investigation as to the cause of death. According to information an autopsy was performed and results of toxicology tests are pending

A view of Market Street looking east from Bronson Street of completed work as of this morning, Thursday, June 18.

Weather has caused delays in the progress of the East Market Street Project between Bronson and Colfax streets, but work is progressing. Workers have now moved from Colfax to Lindberg streets.

The area between Bronson and Lindberg is closed to through traffic. Attempts are being made to provide local access, as much as possible. Businesses will remain open and can be accessed by cross streets and alleys.

According to Tim Dombrosky, assistant city planner, a construction schedule is expected no later than Monday.

Work on the project began May 4 and is expected to continue through mid-October.

Construction workers from various companies are working on a street redesign, upgrade of the storm sewer lines, installation of a 10-foot, multi-use trail, new sidewalks and new street trees.

Through traffic must use Center or Jefferson streets for east and west travel and Bronson Street or Argonne Road for north and south travel.

The National Weather Service of Northern Indiana has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. today, Thursday, June 18.

In addition to Kosciusko County, other counties included are Adams, Allen, Blackford, Dearborn, Delaware, DeKalb, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Huntington, Jay, LaGrange, Madison, Miami, Noble, Ohio, Randolph, Ripley, Steuben, Switzerland, Union, Wabash, Wayne, Wells and Whitley counties.

The main threat of the risk of severe thunderstorms is damaging wind gusts. A few of the storms may produce some hail. Localized heavy downpours are possible, which would aggravate ongoing flooding across areas where heavy rainfall has been experienced over the past week.

A flood advisory has also been issued for Kosciusko  and surrounding counties. The flood advisory is in effect until 8 p.m.

Support the local Cancer Care Fund and have fun at the same time at the Kosciusko County Care Cocktails for Cancer from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at the Oakwood Resort Lake Side Patio, 702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse.

The event is sponsored by the Community Outreach Committee of Cancer Care Fund of Kosciusko County, formerly known as Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund.

The evening, which is lake casual, will feature a cash bar and lite appetizers.

Cancer Care Fund of Kosciusko County assists those in the area who have cancer and is a real lifesaver for many. The Community Outreach Committee works to raise awareness of the local charity for which the funds are raised solely by volunteers and all the funds raised go to the victims of cancer and their families to get them through economic disaster which often accompanies the tough fight.

The funds go to pay for things that are not covered by insurance, i.e. rent/mortgages, utilities, car payments, health/life insurance, gasoline for trips to treatment and doctors appointments, food certificates/supplements, prescriptions, car insurance, car repairs, motels, home insurance/repairs, wigs/prosthesis and many other things.”

K-21 administers the funds. A board qualifies applicants for need with K-21 making the payments were needed. There is no charge by K-21 to do this. Both the Cancer Care Fund of Kosciusko County and K-21 are 501(c)(3) corporations so donors get the benefit of tax deductions.

The cost is $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at Green and Cates or Todd Realty in Syracuse or North Webster, or at the door the night of the event.

Efforts to keep boaters from using the east side of the railroad bridge is being made with caution tape and markers.

Board members of the Wawasee Property Owners Association expressed concern over the condition of the CSX railroad bridge over the channel connecting Syracuse and Wawasee lakes last Saturday during its annual public board meeting.

Since then the WPOA has hired an independent engineering firm to take a look at the bridge.

(Related: Condition of Railroad Bridge A Concern)

InkFreeNews.com contacted CSX officials to learn more about the bridge and what the latest inspection revealed. Contact has also been made with the Federal Railroad Administration.

Gail Lobin, CSX Corporate Communications, stated the bridge was built in 1911 and had an annual inspection in April 2015, by a CSX bridge inspector. The inspection was conducted in accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration guidelines and CSX’s bridge management program.

“The bridge’s condition was found to be suitable for the safe transportation of the freight it carries on a daily basis. Additionally, the tracks that cross the bridge are inspected visually several times each week, and sophisticated ultrasound inspections of the internal condition of the rails are conducted on a schedule that varies from three to 12 times annually, depending on the volume of freight on that rail line, and other factors. In addition, a specialized track geometry car — which measures certain characteristics of the tracks such as position, curvature and alignment of the rails — is used to inspect the track at least annually.”

While the bridge was found “suitable,” Lobin was also asked if the bridge is on a list to be patched or repaired to keep pieces of concrete from further falling into the lake. She stated a CSX maintenance crew “will be inspecting the area in question by boat within the next couple of weeks.”

Lobin’s communication stated the company’s bridge management program “is consistent with Federal Railroad Administration guidelines. The program establishes criteria for evaluating the condition of bridges based on sound engineering principles, specifies the frequency and procedures for inspection of each bridge, defines the qualifications of the employees who conduct the inspections and includes audit procedures to ensure the effectiveness of the program.”

Lobin further stated the company’s commitment to safety is its highest priority. “Our safety commitment extends to the integrity of the bridges on our network. CSX operates over 21,000 miles of track throughout the eastern United States, including access to more than 16,000 bridges. The company spends more than $1 billion annually and dedicates approximately 25 percent of its workforce to maintaining its critical infrastructure, including bridges, to ensure the safe, reliable and efficient service for customers, communities and economic development.”

Lobin noted the company invites citizens to report any safety concerns they have about bridges, crossings or other aspect of railroad operations. These reports can be made through the Tell CSX system by calling (877) 835-5279 or online through the contact us section at www.csx.com

Lobin stated that system allows the company to log reports and quickly pass them to appropriate departments and personnel for review and action as appropriate.

Kosciusko

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

10:11 p.m. Thursday, June 18, East Vawter Park Road, east of North SR 13, Syracuse. Driver: David S. Young, 47, South Forest Lane, Syracuse. Young was blinded by headlights of an oncoming vehicle in the curve, not realizing he was off the road until he struck a NIPSCO pole and tree. Young suffered a cut to his hand, but refused EMS. Damage up to $5,000.

6:29 a.m. Thursday, June 18, West Old Road 30 and North CR 525W, Warsaw. Driver: Chester D. Gerard, 61, North Williamson Drive, Warsaw. Hit Deer. Damage up to $10,000.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident:

5:43 p.m. Thursday, June 18, North Parker Street and East Clark Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Lyndale L. Mullet, 49, West CR 1000N, Napanee, and Kelli A. Snider, 25, North Roosevelt Street, Warsaw. Mullet’s vehicle struck the back of the Snider vehicle. Damage up to $1,000.