New Charges Against Former Youth Worker

The subject of a big child molesting investigation in the Warsaw area faces three new charges this morning. 25-year-old Anthony Demarco of Mentone was already in jail on three child molesting charges from March. This morning, he faces two more counts of child molesting and one new count of child solicitation. Details on the actions that led to the new charges are not available yet this morning. When the investigation began back in March, Demarco was a youth worker at the Kosciusko Y-M-C-A. Court records indicate that Demarco met at least one of his alleged victims at the “Y.” The organization fired Demarco shortly after the investigation began. A trial is set for August on the original charges.

BMV Moves Syracuse License Branch Hearing

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has moved tomorrow night’s hearing regarding the possible closing of the Syracuse license branch. The hearing will take place at Wawasee High School at seven o’clock tomorrow night. The B-M-V had planned to conduct the hearing at the branch itself, but moved the hearing to accommodate a larger crowd. The Syracuse branch is one of 24 around the state that the B-M-V wants to close by the end of the year.

Manchester College Offered $4.5 Million

Manchester College has launched a new fundraising drive to take advantage of a new matching grant from the Lilly Endowment. The Endowment has offered the college a dollar-fifty for ever dollar the college raises, up to four and a half million. To get that much money from the Endowment, the college has 19 months to raise three million dollars on its own.

Warsaw Fireworks Saturday

The mayor’s office in Warsaw has announced plans for this year’s Independence Day fireworks. The celebration is scheduled for Saturday night over Winona Lake. You can watch the display from the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, which will offer free parking.

Foundation Donates Computers

The Kosciusko County Community Foundation announced today that it has donated computers to four area non-profit organizations. The computers had been in use at the foundation offices, but the Foundation replaced them with newer units. The old computers were still useful for individuals, so the foundation gave them to Combined Community Services, Kosciusko County Fireman’s Association, Kosciusko County Council on Aging, and Lakeland Christian Academy.

Columbia City House Burns in Thunderstorm

A house on East Market Street in Columbia City caught fire during this morning’s thunderstorms. Hear Columbia City Fire Chief Tom LaRue tell Q101 how the fire looked when his firefighters arrived. It took firefighters from the Columbia City and Columbia Township departments 25 minutes to control the fire. LaRue says investigators are still looking for the cause, but there’s a good chance that lightning is to blame. LaRue says the occupants of the house got out safely and no one was injured.

Thunderstorms Pound Whitley County

Thunderstorms caused big problems in Whitley County this morning. Dispatchers report lots of alarms and power outages. Even the Sheriff’s dispatch center lost power and most phone services for about an hour. Dispatchers at the Columbia City Police Department handled some of the Sheriff’s calls for awhile.

Fuel Tanker Fire Restricts U.S. 31 Travel

A tanker truck carrying 70-thousand gallons of fuel crashed, exploded and burned on U.S. 31 about 10 miles north of Indianapolis yesterday. The fire messed up the road so badly that two lanes remain closed today for repairs. State Police say you might want to avoid U-S 31 in Hamilton County if you’re heading to Indianapolis today.

BMV Schedules Hearing on Syracuse License Branch

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has scheduled a public hearing regarding the possible closing of Syracuse license branch. The hearing will take place Friday, July 1 at 7 p.m. at the branch on North Harrison Street. The Syracuse branch is one of 24 that the B-M-V wants to close by the end of the year.

Girl Found Safe at Grandmother's House

A 12-year-old girl who disappeared while visiting a festival in Columbia City has been found safe. Columbia City Police say Gail Hill turned up at a grandmother’s house. Gail’s mother reported her missing at about 11 o’clock last night when Gail failed to meet her after an evening at the Old Settler’s Days midway. Police spent all night looking for Gail without success. But at around seven o’clock this morning, a family member called police to say they located Gail at a grandmother’s house. Police never issued an Amber Alert for Gail because they never had any evidence that she was kidnapped or that she was in any danger.

Girl, 12, Disappears During Columbia City Festival

Columbia City Police are looking for a missing 12-year-old Larwill girl this morning. Police say Gail Hill’s mother last saw her at the Old Settler’s Days midway in downtown Columbia City at about six o’clock last night. The girl was supposed to meet her mother at 11, but never showed up. Police say they don’t have enough information to issue an Amber Alert, because there’s no evidence that Gail was abducted or that she is in danger. Police say it’s even possible that the child is a runaway. They describe Gail Hill as five feet, two inches tall. She weighs 112 pounds, has short blonde hair and blue eyes. When she was last seen she was wearing white shorts, a pink belt and a gray sweatshirt with the words, “Camp Whitley” printed on it. Call the Columbia City Police Department at (260) 248-5121 if you’ve seen this girl since six o’clock last night.

High Court Ruling on Imminent Domain Upsets Local Legislator

Republican State Representative Dave Wolkins of Winona Lake says he’s “very, very upset” with a ruling today by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ruled that local governments have the constitutional right to seize private property, even for the purpose of private development. “You don’t own your property anymore,” Wolkins says, “If a well-heeled, well-connected developer wants your property, they can take it from you by virtue of this decision and that’s wrong.” Wolkins says he will push for state legislation to put greater restrictions on the use of imminent domain by local governments. Hear more on this story tomorrow morning from 6:00 to 8:30 on The New Q101.

Wabash, Peru Airports to Get Federal Dollars

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced grants for improvements at the Wabash and Peru airports. According to a news release from the office of Senator Dick Lugar, the Wabash Board of Aviation Commissioners will receive $187,263 in federal dollars to construct a new aircraft fuel facility. It will replace the existing fuel facility. The Peru Board of Aviation Commissioners will get $467,001 to build a taxiway to connect the terminal apron to the runway.

State Police Promote Wawasee Grad

The Indiana State Police Department announced today that it has promoted 40-year-old Master Trooper Kevin Smith of Angola to Detective. Smith is a 1983 graduate of Wawasee High School. He joined ISP in 1987.

Police Arrest Robbery Suspect

North Webster and Warsaw police announced today that yesterday they arrested a suspect in armed robberies at car washes in North Webster and Warsaw. They arrested the 40-year-old man without incident at a mobile home northeast of Warsaw. The man faces preliminary charges of armed robbery. According to a news release, police expect the prosecutor to bring additional charges against the suspect after his office reviews the case. Police say they recovered a handgun that they believe was used in robberies at a Warsaw car wash last Saturday and a North Webster car wash Monday. Police are still looking for a second suspect in the crimes. They ask you to call the North Webster Police Department at (574) 834-2700 or the Warsaw Police Department at (574) 372-9511 if you have any information that might help. Hear more about this story on The New Q101 tomorrow morning from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Online Driver's License Renewals About to End

A service that allows you to renew your driver’s license online is about to end. A new law takes effect July first that requires everyone to renew their driver’s licenses in person. If you want to beat that deadline you have to go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s web site by five p.m. June 30th.

Warsaw School Board Moves to Fire Superintendent

Warsaw’s school board took a step toward getting rid of its superintendent last night. The board instructed its president and the school system’s lawyer to find out whether there’s any reason to terminate Superintendent Dave McGuire’s contract. Five members voted in favor of the motion, one voted against and one was absent. The board won’t say why it’s moving to fire McGuire. The board cites the confidentiality of personnel issues. But it recently gave McGuire an evaluation on which the board rated McGuire lower than it did last year. Four of the board’s seven members are new since then. McGuire has declined to comment on the situation. His three-year contract has about two years left on it.

Gunman Attacks Man at N. Webster Car Wash

North Webster police are looking for a couple armed robbers this morning. According to a news release from the town marshal, two men attacked another man at a car wash. The victim told police that one of the men pulled a handgun and ordered him into the trunk of his vehicle. When the victim refused, one of the attackers hit him on the side of his head with the weapon. The victim says the suspects then left in a maroon-colored vehicle. The town marshal is asking anyone who knows anything about this incident to call the North Webster Police Department.

Crash with Deer Injures Lagro Motorcyclist

A rural Lagro man was riding his motorcycle on U-S 24 last night when he collided with a deer on the east side of Wabash County. Police say a helicopter flew the 44-year-old man from the scene to a Fort Wayne hospital.

Defense Bill Includes Money for Warsaw Companies

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a defense spending bill that includes money for Warsaw’s orthopedic companies. The bill provides one-point-three million dollars for Biomet, DePuy and Zimmer to study soldier recovery, readiness and quality of life in orthopedics and tissue engineering. The companies will partner with three universities and Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the research.

Manchester School Board to Elect New Member

The Manchester Community School board meets tonight. The board plans to vote on who should replace a member who is moving away. The meeting begins at seven p.m.

Board to Discuss Superintendent's Contract

We could find out tonight whether Warsaw Superintendent Dave McGuire will keep his job. McGuire’s contact is one of the items on the agenda for tonight’s school board meeting. As of July 1, McGuire will have two years remaining on his three-year contract. But last month, the board decided to look into its options regarding that contract after it delivered an evaluation to McGuire. Board members score him considerably lower on that evaluation than they did the previous year. Four new people have joined the board in the past year. McGuire has declined to comment on the issue. The board meeting begins at seven o’clock tonight.

Motorcycle Crash Kills Milford Man

A Milford man died Saturday night in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash. According to a news release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, the coroner pronounced 38-year-old Antonio Vuittonet, Junior dead at the scene. Police say he was riding fast on Fox Farm road and lost control on a curve. He wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Massage Parlors on Council Agenda

Warsaw City Council plans to discuss an amendment to an ordinance that deals with massage parlors. That’s one of the items on the agenda for tonight’s city council meeting. Council also plans to conduct a public hearing on a new Baker Youth Center. The meeting begins at seven o’clock.

Reception to Honor State Champ Golfers

Warsaw Community High School is inviting the public to attend a reception in honor of its state champion golf team. The event will also honor former golf coach Bob Turner, who was inducted into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame last Friday. It’ll be in the Tiger Den from five to six p.m. tomorrow.

Man Dies in Whitley County Jail

Officers at the Whitley County Jail found an inmate dead in his cell this morning. According to a news release from Whitley County Sheriff Michael Schrader, jailers discovered the 26-year-old man's body at 6:45 a.m. The release says officers from the Whitley County Sheriff's Department and Indiana State Police are investigating, along with representatives of both the Whitley County and Allen County Coroner's offices. The release says medical examiners will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Police Seek Help Identifying Man in Auto Theft Case

Pierceton Police have released this photograph of a "person of interest" in the theft of a car from Pierceton. Town Marshall Tim Sammons says the photo shows a man making a purchase at a Colubmia City gasoline station while the stolen car sits outside. If you have any information about who or where this person is, call the Pierceton Police Department at (574) 594-2232.

Pierceton Police Investigate Auto Thefts

The Pierceton Police Department is warning residents to keep their cars locked after a couple cars were stolen over the past two weeks. Pierceton Town Marshall says both of the stolen cars were unlocked and had their keys inside. Police recovered one in Warsaw and the other in Columbia City. Listen for more on this story tomorrow morning from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on The New Q101.

Warsaw Resident Appointed to University Board

Tri-State University in Angola has appointed a Warsaw resident to its Board of Trustees. Tobias Buck is Chairman and CEO of Paragon Medical Inc. in Pierceton. The company designs, manufactures and delivers medical devices.

Lawmaker Reacts to License Branch Closing

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced its final decision on license branch closings yesterday. And it turns out that arguments from residents of Warren and North Manchester were not enough to keep the branches in those towns open. North Manchester is in the district of State Representative Bill Ruppel and he says he’s not happy. Hear Rep. Ruppel talk about his reaction to the final decision. Now, two other license branches in the Q101 area are on the chopping block. The branches in Syracuse and Churubusco are among 24 additional locations the B-M-V says it will review for possible closure by the end of the year.

Filmmaker Considers Warsaw High School

Students who will be seniors at Warsaw Community High School this fall might have a chance to be the subject of a feature-length documentary. Academy Award-nominated director Nanette Burstein says Warsaw is one of several communities she’s considering for her next film. A lot depends on Burstein’s impressions of the students she meets during a casting call tomorrow. Students who are interested in appearing in a film about life as a high school senior should stop by the school anytime between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Akron Elementary Accredited

Akron Elementary School announced yesterday that it has received continuing accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation. Akron has maintained accreditation since 1998.

Final Decision: No License Branch for NM, Warren

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced this afternoon its final decision to close license branches in North Manchester and Warren. In addition, the B-M-V will study branches in Churubusco and Syracuse for possible closure by the end of the year. For more on this story listen, to The New Q101 tomorrow morning from six to 8:30 a.m.

License Branch Announcement Today

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles plans a news conference at one o'clock this afternoon at which it plans to announce final decisions on the closing of 12 license branches, including those in Warren and North Manchester. At the news conference, BMV Commissioer Joel Silverman also plans to discuss other license branches that the BMV is reviewing for possible closure. Listen to Q101 for the latest on this story.

Baseball League Begins for Children w/ Disabilities

The Huntington Y-M-C-A is one of the first local chapters in the nation to start a Miracle League in which children who have disabilities can play baseball. The “Y” invites the general public to attend opening day ceremonies at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon at Huntington North High School.

N. Webster Man Critically Injured in Motorcycle Crash

A motorcyclist suffered severe internal injures in a one-vehicle crash near North Webster after midnight last night. The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department says the rider is a 33-year-old resident of North Webster. He’s in critical condition this morning in a Fort Wayne hospital. Police say the man was riding on County Road 650-East near North Webster when his motorcycle left the road, went through a ditch and hit a culvert. E-M-S took the man to Kosciusko Community Hospital, which later had him flown to Fort Wayne.

Crash Causes Gas Leak, Forces Evacuation, Road Closing

Whitley County police had to evacuate a couple homes and close down a state highway for about four hours this morning… after a one-car crash caused a major gas leak. It happened just after two a.m. on State Road 109. Until crews could repair the leak, police shut down 109 between U-S 30 and County Road 200-North. It reopened by about six a.m. Police say the crash itself caused only minor injuries.

CCPD Seeks Help on Burglary Cases

There have been a string of burglaries in the Columbia City area in the past week or so, and the Columbia City Police Department hopes you can help them catch the person who’s responsible. Police think all the break-ins are the work of the same criminal. If you know anything at all the might help, give the Columbia City Police Department a call.

Schools Miss Annual Progress Goals

The Indiana Department of Education says at least 16 Q101-area school failed to meet adequate yearly progress goals in 2004. They’re among 40 percent of Indiana schools who did not show the progress required by the federal No Child Left Behind law. For detailed reports on individual school systems and their schools, visit the Indiana Department of Education Web site.

Fire Kills Ligonier Child

A three-year-old Ligonier boy died last night when he was caught in a house fire. The Ligonier Fire Department got the call just after 10 o’clock. As the first trucks drove up, firefighters found a house with flames shooting 20 to 30 feet into the air. The parents of the child were outside, telling firefighters their son was still inside and where to look for him. By the time firefighters found the boy, he was in a different part of the house… and he had already suffered fatal injuries. No one else was hurt. It took about half an hour to control the fire. A fire department spokesman says the way the house was built made it hard for firefighters to get to some of the fire. The Ligonier Fire Department got help from two other departments. The State Fire Marshal’s office is assisting with the investigation into the cause of the fire.

Syracuse Officials Provide More Info on Fatal Fire

Syracuse officials have released more information this morning regarding the fatal house fire Q101 told you about yesterday. A news release from the Syracuse Police Department identifies the deceased as 37-year-old Brian Engleman of Claypool. According to the release, Engleman was a friend and house guest of the property owners, who were not home Sunday morning when the fire broke out. When firefighters arrived, the found a fire in the kitchen, put it out, and then discovered Engleman unconscious in another part of the house. E-M-S workers pronounced him dead at the scene. Syracuse officials called in the State Fire Marshal’s office for help finding the cause of the fire. The investigation is still underway this morning, but the news release indicates that the fire was probably accidental and that police do not suspect foul play.

Whitley to Vote on Wheel Tax

Whitley County Council plans to take a vote tonight on whether to enact a wheel tax in the county. Last month, Council discussed a 10-dollar tax on cars, trucks and motorcycles and 25 dollars on heavy trailers. Council postponed a vote on the issue until tonight.

Dual Crashes Tie Up U.S. 31

Two similar crashes within a few miles of each other tied up traffic on U-S 31 in southern Miami County and Northern Howard County yesterday. In each crash, a car ran into the back of a stopped semi trailer and ended up underneath it. Injuries were minor in the first crash but critical in the second one.

Syracuse House Fire Kills One

A weekend house fire in Syracuse reportedly killed one person. The call came in from the Wawasee Heights addition at 1:17 Sunday morning. Syracuse officials reportedly plan to issue a news release with more information later this morning.

New Web Site Supports Warsaw Superintendent

DePuy Orthopedics employee John Armacost has created a web site that offers information in support of Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dave McGuire. The site is www.warsawspeaks.org. It includes a copy of the written evlaution the board presented to McGuire last month.

License Branch Closings Delayed

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has decided to delay planned closing of license branches. Branches at North Manchester, Warren and 10 other locations around the state were scheduled to close at the end of business this Saturday. Today, BMV Communications Director Greg Cook says the Bureau has delayed all the closings until June 11. Hear more about this story tomorrow morning on The New Q101.

Hearing Tonight on N. Manchester License Branch

Officials from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will hear citizen opinions tonight on the B-M-V’s plans to close the North Manchester license branch. The B-M-V holds a public hearing at the branch at seven p.m. But the Bureau’s director says he’s already decided to close the branch at the end of the business day Saturday.