Ruppel to Hold "Town Hall" in Syracuse

State Representative Bill Ruppel (R-North Manchester) will conduct a "town hall" meeting in Syracuse at 6:30 p.m. November 8 in the Community Building, 1013 N. Lake Drive. Ruppel will discuss the upcoming legislative session and issues such as gaming, property taxes, and eminent domain. He will also answer questions from constituents.

Indiana Flags to Honor Parks

Governor Mitch Daniels has directed that flags throughout the state and at the Statehouse be lowered to half-staff on November 2, in honor of Rosa Parks. Parks' defiant act on an Alabama city bus inspired the modern civil rights movement.

Wabash County Crashes Kill Two

Separate traffic collisions in Wabash County killed two people yesterday afternoon. According to a news release from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, the first crash happened at approximately 3:13 p.m. Police say Austin Greer, age 20, North Manchester, was driving a loaded grain truck west-bound on State Road 16 when Lisa Rowe, age l7,of Wabash, failed to yield at a stop sign at County Road 300 East. Rowe was trapped in her vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene of massive head injuries. Rowe’s father was a passenger in her vehicle and was flown by Samaritan Helicopter to Parkview Hospital with head injuries. Greer was treated at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. At approximately 5:32 p.m., Jennifer Lyons, age 44, North Manchester, was west-bound on County Road 900 North and failed to yield at a stop sign at County Road 500 East. Police say Lyon’s vehicle collided with a passenger car driven by Tracy Walters, age 36, of North Manchester. Walters was southbound on County Road 500 East. Lyons was pronounced dead at the scene from massive head injuries. Walters and her seven-year-old daughter suffered minor injuries. Both were treated and released. This crash also remains under investigation.

Suspects Arrested in North Manchester Murder

Indiana State Police and North Manchester Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the robbery and murder of a North Manchester man last July. Three of the suspects face charges of murder and conspiracy to commit robbery. The other two suspects are charged only with conspiracy to commit robbery. Four of the suspects have Peru addresses and one has a Royal Center address. The suspects range in age from 21 to 24. Thirty-year-old Leodegario Rodriguez died in his home July 12th. The coroner ruled that Rodriguez died of blunt force trauma to his head.

Local Physician Hears Hurricane Horror Stories

Dr. Marilyn Whitney treats a Mississippi man's injured foot while working as clinical leader for Operation Hoosier Relief. Photo provided by State of Indiana.

Warsaw physician Marilyn Whitney is beginning her second week this morning as clinical leader of Indiana’s response to Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi.

Hear Mike Nelson's report, including part of his exclusive interview with Whitney from Mississippi: