Crews responded to an accident at SR 15 and Plum Street, Leesburg.

LEESBURG — One person was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, and one to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Thursday evening, Jan. 28, following a one-vehicle rollover accident in Leesburg.

At approximately 9:53 p.m., officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports that a gray 2002 Toyota, driven by A. Din, 45, West Rudisill Boulevard, Fort Wayne, had hit an icy patch on SR 15 near Plum Street, Leesburg, causing Din to lose control. The vehicle rolled, coming to rest upright on the far side of the ditch.

Ka Kyi, 22, East Pontiac St., Fort Wayne, suffered a dislocated shoulder. Another passenger, Ha Shin, 56, Chartwell Drive, Fort Wayne, complained of neck pain.

Two other passengers, Bee Jar, 39, Hassen Cassel Road, Fort Wayne, and Sa H. Dula, 25, Hobson Road, Fort Wayne, had no reported injuries.

Everyone in the car reported wearing a seat belt.

Noah Emmanuel Akins

WARSAW — A North Manchester man was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I Thursday, Jan. 28, for the alleged rape of a woman in May 2015.

Noah Emmanuel Akins, 25, 808 Ron Court, North Manchester, was found guilty of rape, a level 3 felony charge, and was sentenced to nine years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Akins will receive credit for time served equaling 115 actual days.

Pursuant to his plea agreement, the court will suspend four years of the sentence imposed, placing Akins on probation. Akins will serve approximately five years total in the IDOC and will be required to file as a sex offender upon his release.

In accordance to the ruling of Judge David C. Cates, Akins is not permitted to have any contact with the victim or her family; must obtain and maintain employment; must pay $50 per week toward the court; must repay $300 for public defender appointment; obtain sex offenders evaluation and complete any recommended treatment or counseling; and must register for life as a sex offender.

According to an affidavit of probably cause filed by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, on May 10, 2015, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Officer Thomas Waikel responded to a sexual assault. Upon arrival, Waikel spoke with a woman who advised Akins had visited her home with a family member after a night of drinking. While asleep in bed beside her husband, she awoke to someone performing illicit acts to her. She observed her husband was asleep beside her and began kicking and yelling. Akins initially crouched beside the bed and eventually left the room after the victim continued yelling at him.

According to the affidavit, Akins posted an apology stating, “I f***** up, I am so sorry, between my divorce, liquor and what we used to have, I made a huge mistake, it will never happen again.”

Akins initially denied the charges, telling police he went into the bedroom to tell her the family member’s vehicle was still parked at his residence. He stated he grabbed the female’s leg, shook it and she kicked him in the head. He stated he only touched her leg that he knew of, but may have touched her someplace else. Police did see a bump on his forehead.

Kosciusko

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

8:24 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, East Backwater Road south of EMS W21 Lane, North Webster. Drivers: Nathan A. Vandusen, 31, North Orange Street, Albion, and Nicholas J. Kopkey, 30, North CR 200E, North Manchester. Vandusen’s vehicle slid into a trailer behind Kopkey’s vehicle. Damage up to $10,000.

7:38 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, West CR 200S east of South County Farm Road, Warsaw. Driver: Stone C. Rager, 18, South CR 250E, Winona Lake. Rager’s vehicle slid off the road, striking a guide wire. Damage up to $10,000.

7:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, North CR 200E north of East CR 550N, Leesburg. Driver: Elizabeth Fleckenstein, 23, North Main Street, North Webster. Fleckenstein’s vehicle slid into a field and rolled onto the passenger side. Fleckenstein complained of pain to her hip and upper leg but declined medical treatment. Damage up to $10,000.

6:39 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, East Old Road 30 east of South CR 325E, Warsaw. Driver: Sheryl L. Jones, 43, EMS W30B Lane, North Webster. Hit deer. Damage up to $5,000.

6:22 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, East Old Road 30 and East Old Trail, Pierceton. Driver: Brent A. Knuckles, 54, North SR 13, Pierceton. Knuckles lost control of his vehicle, which slid into a ditch. Damage up to $10,000.

5:40 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, NOrth SR 15 and West CR 800N, Warsaw. Drivers: Jack L. Mattingly, 47, West CR 250S, and Dawn L. Hampton, 42, Sheridan Street, Warsaw. While passing Hampton’s vehicle, Mattingly lost control of his vehicle which hit Hampton’s car. Both vehicles spun off the roadway. Hampton and a passenger, Penny M. Owsley, 55, North Nancy Drive, Warsaw, were examined at the scene for arm pain. Damage up to $5,000.

9:53 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, North SR 15 and West Plum Street, Leesburg. Driver: A Din, 45, West Rudisill Boulevard, Fort Wayne. Din’s vehicle hit ice and slid off the road, rolling and landing upright. A passenger, Ka Kyi, 22, East Pontiac St., Fort Wayne, was transported to the hospital with a dislocated shoulder. Another passenger, Ha Shin, 56, Chartwell Drive, Fort Wayne, was transported to the hospital with complaints of neck pain. Two other passengers, Bee Jar, 39, Hessen Cassel Road, Fort Wayne, and Sa H. Dula, 25, Hobson Road, Fort Wayne, were not injured. Damage up to $5,000.

12:10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, South SR 15 north of West CR 700S, Claypool. Driver: Marc A. Gaier, 40, Melanie Court, Kokomo. Hit deer. Damage up to $5,000.

12:17 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, South CR 1000W and West CR 500S, Warsaw. Driver: Daricus D. Phillips, 20, South Washington Street, Warsaw. Philips lost control of his vehicle, which ran off the road and snapped a power line before landing upside-down in a nearby cornfield. Personnel found Phillips unconscious on the ground near his vehicle. Philips was airlifted via Samaritan to Parkview Hospital, where he consented to a chemical test. Results are pending. Damage up to $25,000.

Milford

5:34 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, North SR 15 south of West Waubee Road, Milford. Driver: Oscar Quintana Ponce, 39, South Sixth Street, Goshen. Hit deer. Damage up to $5,000.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:

12:14 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, South Country Club Road and East CR 200S, Warsaw. Drivers: Zachary R. Thomas, 20, North Vacation Way, North Manchester, and Shelly R. Metzger, 45, East SR 14, Silver Lake. Thomas’s vehicle rear-ended Metzger’s. Damage up to $2,500.

12:06 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, South Detroit Street and East Winona Avenue, Warsaw. Drivers: Ernest C. Good, 57, West CR 350S, Warsaw, and Timothy S. Schenkel, 36, Aurora Place, Fort Wayne. The tires on Good’s tractor-trailer hit Schenkel’s vehicle. Damage up to $5,000.

5:03 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, North Detroit Street north of Lyon Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Christpher J. Bauer, 18, South Main Street, Bourbon, and Sara A. Satterfield, 73, EMS B33 Lane, Warsaw. Bauer’s vehicle rear-ended Satterfield’s. Satterfield was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital with complaints of back pain. Damage up to $5,000.

Kosciusko

The following people have been booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Jan. 29

• Jesse Justin Craig, 34, 4125 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, booked for probation violation. Bond: $5,000 cash.
• Jessie Brent Haradon, 33, 310 W. Hillside Drive, Syracuse, booked for domestic battery. Bond: $1,000 cash.
• Michael S. Helvie, 33, 3126 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Logansport, booked for failure to appear and check fraud. Bond: $6,500 surety.
• Joshua J. Housman, 11194 Honeycomb Lane, Cromwell, booked for failure to appear. No bond.
• Lashawnda Patrice Green, 31, 2716 Gay St., Fort Wayne, booked for body attachment and failure to appear. Bond: $3,680 cash.

Officers inspect a vehicle belonging to Daricus Philips, which hit power lines and rolled over Monday afternoon. (Photo by Amanda McFarland)

MENTONE — One person was flown to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, following a rollover accident near Mentone.

At approximately 12:17 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to calls about a rollover accident at South CR 1000W and West CR 500S. They arrived to find Daricus D. Phillips, 20, South Washington Street, Warsaw, lying facedown next to his vehicle on top of downed power lines.

Phillips regained consciousness and told police he had been southbound on CR 1000W when a blue pickup truck attempted to pass him, cutting him off and sideswiping his vehicle. According to Phillips, the impact caused him to lose control of his van, which went off the road, snapped a utility pole and came to rest upside-down in a nearby corn field.

Responders found the power lines strewn across the road.

Phillips told police he had been buckled in and had crawled out of his vehicle before losing consciousness.

Witness accounts were somewhat conflicting, however. Witnesses stated Phillips was ejected from the vehicle. Police were also unable to find marks on the vehicle that would have been consistent with Phillips’s account of the blue pickup truck.

Phillips was airlifted via Samaritan to Parkview Hospital, where he submitted to a blood test. Results are pending.

Kosciusko

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Jan. 30

• Kandi Jodean Erwin, 44, 261 N. CR 225E, Warsaw, arrested for dealing meth, possession of meth, possession of a syringe for legend drug and possession of paraphernalia. Bond: $10,250 surety and cash.
• Ervin Al Starrett Jr., 49, 2701 E. Bucher Drive, Syracuse, arrested for domestic battery in the presence of a child under 16 and interference with reporting a crime. Bond: $6,000 surety and cash.
• Harry Everett Meyer II, 5831 N. 2nd Street, Warsaw, arrested for operating while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a chemical breath test, dealing meth, possession of meth, possession of a syringe for a legend drug and possession of paraphernalia. Bond: $10,250 surety and cash.

Jan. 29

• Alfredo Tlahuextl, 37, 2441 W. CR 250S, Warsaw, arrested for operator never licensed. Bond: $500 cash.

Kosciusko

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

8:51 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, North CR 150W, north of West CR 400N, Warsaw. Driver: Loren D. Dalrymple, 42, South Wausau Street, Warsaw. Driver struck a deer. Damage up to $2,500.

6:31 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, East CR 1150N and East Camp Mack Road, Milford. Driver: Dane M. Harper, 19, East Northshore Drive, Syracuse. Driver struck a deer. Damage up to $2,500.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:

7:13 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, West Center Street, east of North Columbia Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Jose P. Patino, 64, East Old Road 30, Warsaw, and Cheryl S. Baker, 61, South CR 700W, Burkett. Patino struck into Baker’s vehicle in a parking lot. Damage up to $5,000.

6:44 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, Husky Trail, south of Canterbury Lane, Warsaw. Driver: Jeremy J. Whetstone, 33, West Old Road 30, Warsaw.  Whetstone was hauling several large plastic basement window fixtures on a trailer and the back of his vehicle when it fell into the roadway and struck another vehicle. Damage up to $2,500.

4:51 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, South Detroit and East Market streets, Warsaw. Drivers: Maria M. Duenas Lopez, 17, South Wood Street, Warsaw, and Phillip L. Owens, 35, North CR 1075E, Akron. Lopez rear ended Owens at the intersection. Damage up to $5,000.

4:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2501 Walton Boulevard, Warsaw. Driver: Peter B. Durik, 49, North SR 15, Warsaw. Durik’s vehicle was struck by a car that slipped out of park. Damage up to $2,500.

2:59 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, East Center and South Bronson streets, Warsaw. Drivers: Eleanor O. Moffett, 80, North Greenwood Drive, Warsaw; Jacob D. England, 32, East Center Street, Warsaw; and Craig E. Conrad, 45, Wedrick Drive, Warsaw. England was stopped at the intersection when he was rearranged by Moffett, causing him to strike into Conrad. Moffett stated she did not remember any of the collision or what had occurred. Witnesses at the scene stated they did not see Moffett brake. By her request, she was taken by Lutheran EMS to Parkview in Whitley County. Damage up to $25,000.

1:08 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, South Detroit and East Pope streets, Warsaw. Drivers: Andrew M. Barger, 16, Columbia City, and Pamela R. Porter, 58, North Colfax Street, Warsaw. Barger, who was southbound on Detroit, turned left in front of Porter, colliding into the front passenger side of Porter’s vehicle. Damage up to $25,000.

Kosciusko

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

• 6:13 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 11500 block of North Crowdale Drive, Syracuse. Raymond C. Butler reported the burglary involving a service door kicked in in his garage.

• 11:16 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 6600 block of East CR 650N, North Webster. Danny Conkling reported a burglary of a cutting torch set, two bottles and a cart.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 9:36 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2400 block of Jalynn Street, Warsaw. Gail L. Mullins reported a suspicious incident at Steak N Shake.

(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

WARSAW — Emergency personnel are currently responding to 2127 N. Fox Farm Road, Warsaw, where meth labs have been located.

According to Beacon, the home is a residential property owned by Ted W. Tackett.

Warsaw Police Department and Warsaw Fire Department responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing at the scene at this time, however officers at the scene did note an active lab was discovered within the home.

Candy Sue Chamness

WARSAW — A Syracuse woman was sentenced on Friday, Jan. 29, in the Kosciusko County Circuit Court for the reckless homicide of her 12-year-old son. The sentencing occurred over a year after Skyler Spore, 12, 202 W. Washington St., Syracuse, was found deceased in his home as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from generators running inside his home.

Kosciusko

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Jan. 31

• Aaron William Ring, 32, 211 15th St., Winona Lake, arrested for failure to appear. No bond.
• Kevin Justin Cole, 28, 25 Perry Place, Savannah, Tenn, was arrested for nonsupport of a dependent. Bond: $14,000 cash.
• Jeffery Allen Hutcherson, 55, 4124 N. Allen Lane, Warsaw, was arrested for theft. Bond: $600 cash.
• Christopher Lee Stamper, 19, 110 S. CR 250E, Warsaw, was arrested for invasion of privacy. Bond: $1,500 cash.
• Quentin L. Wysong, 30, 9855 N. CR 1175W 57, Millersburg, was arrested for OWI. Bond: $5, 250 surety and cash.
• Ryan Allan Tucker, 18, 3950 N. CR 100E, Warsaw, was arrested for possession of marijuana. Bond $600 cash.
• Joseph Jessop Beer, 40, 411 EMS T26 Lane, Leesburg, was arrested for OWI. Bond: $700 cash.
• Marissa Michelle Billings, 27, 3726 W. Old SR 30 74E, Warsaw, was arrested for unlawful sale of a precursor. Bond: $5,250 surety and cash.
• William Todd Hamilton, 48, 2127 N. Fox Farm Road, Warsaw, was arrested for manufacturing of meth. Bond: $10,250 surety and cash.
• Donta Wayne Redden, 18, 1202 Wooster Road 16, Winona Lake, was arrested for possession of marijuana. Bond: $600 cash.

Crews respond to an accident on Detroit Street, Warsaw. (Photo by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — Emergency personnel are currently responding to an accident located on Detroit and Main streets, Warsaw.

A vehicle shows heavy front-end damage following a three-car accident on Center Street and Bronson Street, Warsaw. (Photo by Michelle Reed)

WARSAW — One person was transported to Parkview Hospital, following a three-vehicle accident last week at the intersection of East Center Street and South Bronson Street, Warsaw.

Kosciusko

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

Kosciusko

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

William Todd Hamilton

WARSAW — At approximately 2 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, drug investigation officers with Warsaw Police Department discovered a one pot meth lab in the bathroom of a Warsaw home.

Warsaw Police Department and Warsaw Fire Department responded to 2127 Fox Farm Road, Warsaw, to assist in removing the lab and chemicals safely from the property.

According to WPD Chief Scott Whitaker, William Todd Hamilton, 48, 2127 N. Fox Farm Road, Warsaw, was arrested for manufacturing of meth. Hamilton was give a $10,250 surety and cash bond.

In addition, Marissa Michelle Billings, 27, 3726 W. Old SR 30 74E, Warsaw, was arrested for unlawful sale of a precursor. Her bond was set at $5,250 surety and cash.

 

(Photos by Chelsea Los)

PIERCETON — Emergency personnel responded to a residential fire located at 7246 E. South Barbee Drive, Pierceton, around 9:15 a.m.

North Webster Fire Department was called to the scene along with Pierceton Fire Department. Turkey Creek Fire was placed on standby for NWFD. Winona Lake Fire Department was called for a full assist.

Kosciusko

The following people have been booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Feb. 2

• Daniel James Clark, 26, 221 Park Terrace Blvd., Columbia City, booked for failure to appear. Bond: $2,500 cash.
• Dennis Langly Hall, 49, 326 N. Lake St., Warsaw, booked for maintaining a common nuisance. Bond: $2,250 surety and cash.
• Levi Langley Hall, 18, 326 N. Lake St., Warsaw, booked for possession of marijuana. Bond: $600 cash.
• Christopher Wayne Stidams, 37, 210 Eighth St., Goshen, booked for failure to appear. Bond: $600 cash.

Feb. 1

• Faith Alexandria Cooper, 21, 500 E. SR 13, North Manchester, booked for theft. Bond: $750 cash.
• Amanda Kristine Huey, 30, 2952 N. Williamson Drive, Warsaw, booked for probation violation. Bond: $10,000 surety.
• Christina Marie Blackburn, 31, 5430 Old Maumee Road, Fort Wayne, booked for failure to appear. No bond.
• Tangy Marie Rugg, 30, 2016 E. Market St., Warsaw, booked for failure to appear. Bond: $537.50 cash.
• Brandon Derrick Carr, 30, 9680 E. Excalibur Place, Cromwell, booked for body attachment. Bond: $500 cash.
• Jaimie Nicole Albert, 26, 519 W. Winona Ave., Warsaw, booked for driving while suspended. Bond: $450 cash.

Marshall

The following person was booked in the Marshall County Jail:

Feb. 1

• Michelle Jolene Cornelius, 33, Plymouth, booked for operating while intoxicated.

Kosciusko

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

(Photo provided by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department)

By FIRST SGT. CHAD HILL,
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Public Information Officer

PIERCETON — A Pierceton man perished in a morning house fire today near the Barbee Lake area in Kosciusko County.

North Webster/Tippecanoe fireman and EMS responded today at 9:07 a.m. to the location of 7246 E. South Barbee Drive, Pierceton, in regards to a reported house fire. 

Fireman arrived and found a working fire at the residence, which is located near Big Barbee Lake. During the course of extinguishing the fire, fireman located the resident of the house, identified as Paul E. Rubenacker, 73, deceased. 

Kosciusko County Coroner Anthony Ciriello stated that at the current time, there is no apparent evidence of foul play involved. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputies and detectives were called to assist in investigating the death and processing the scene. Currently, the fire remains under investigation as there is no formal determination to the cause of the fire.

The Kosciusko Coroner’s Office was assisted at the scene by North Webster Fire Department, Pierceton Fire Department, Winona Lake Fire Department and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.