Tuesday, March 9, 2010

MILFORD- A 14 year old student was temporarily suspended today after he brought a hand grenade to the Milford Middle School. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy Derek Kreider responded to the Milford Middle School this morning after a teacher had located an apparent hand grenade in a students back pack. Deputy Kreider immediately determined that the device was a non-functioning training article but was still in violation to Wawasee Community School policies. The student stated that a family member had purchased the item recently at a local “gun-and-knife show” and then gave it to him as a present. He further stated that he had been playing with the item this past weekend in the woods and placed it into his back pack, but forgot to remove it before going to school.

WARSAW- A stabbing on Saturday night lands two Warsaw residents in the Kosciusko County Jail. Kosciusko County Sheriff Deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call on Saturday night of a possible stabbing at the lot #21 Westhaven Estates Mobile Home Park. Officers arrived and located Javier Lopez, 34, and Ana Soto, 34, both of Warsaw. Soto was found to have red marks to her neck and wrist area where as Lopez had a stab/puncture wound to his forearm. Sheriff Deputies were advised that the fight began after Soto had confronted her boyfriend (Lopez) about his repeated contacted with his ex-wife. The argument became violent at which point Soto stated she was choked and had defended herself. Lopez also stated that he was defending himself as he was being stabbed. Lopez was transported the Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment and was then taken into custody and preliminarily arrested for felony battery. Soto was treated at the scene and was also preliminarily arrested for felony battery. Officers located a 5 inch steak knife in the living room area during the investigation and have forwarded information on the incident to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office for further review. The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office has placed a no bond hold on both suspects at the current time.

WARSAW- Parker Street is getting ready to close again. The next phase of the Argonne Road--Center Street--Parker Street reconstruction project will resume next week. Barricades to close off Parker Street north of Center Street and south of Dubois Drive will be placed on Monday, weather permitting. The construction company will work directly with residents, businesses and school transportation to provide updates and access to properties. Emergency vehicles will have limited access. Any questions should be directed to Phend and Brown at 800-998-4234. The project is slated to go until August.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Negotiations on some major issues have resumed in the Indiana General Assembly after a melt down occurred last week.
Republicans who control the Senate offered a compromise Monday on legislation that would delay increases in taxes that businesses pay into the state's unemployment insurance fund. They include some jobs creation provisions sought by Democrats who control the House, but they rejected the new proposal. Senate Republicans and House Democrats were still trying Monday to reach deals on other issues, including giving schools funding flexibility to help offset $300 million in cuts for general operating expenses.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana is one of a dozen states that could be getting a slice of about $75 million in federal funds this year to improve the water quality of its rivers and streams. State Conservationist Jane Hardisty is urging farmer cooperatives, local governments, producer associations and others to apply for some of the money before the May 3 deadline. The U.S. Department of Agriculture money will go to projects that cut the amount of nutrients entering waterways in dozens of watersheds. The agency expects to award about $320 million for such projects over the next four years. Indiana's five eligible watersheds are the Eel River, the Upper
East Fork of the White River, Wildcat Creek, the upper Wabash River, Vermillion River and upper Great Miami River.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says its free 2010 Indiana Recreation Guide is now available at various retail outlets, DNR properties and at dnr.IN.gov. The agency says usage of Indiana's state parks has increased over the last few years. Gate revenue increased 8 percent from 2008 to 2009. Total campground use increased 10 percent and total operating receipts rose nearly 7 percent during the same period. Normal daily gate fees for residents at most properties are $4
per vehicle on weekdays and $5 per vehicle on weekends or holidays.
Annual passes cost $36 for Indiana-registered motor vehicles, or $18 for people age 65 or older. They cost $46 for vehicles with out-of-state license plates. DNR sells the passes at state park and reservoir gatehouses and offices and at innsgifts.com