Appeals Court Throws Out Legislative Prayer Suit

A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged sectarian prayer in the Indiana House of Representatives. House Minority Leader Brian Bosma is an Indianapolis Republican who was Speaker when the suit was filed and was named as the defendant. "I am honestly elated," Bosma said, "that the 7th Circuit has protected the rights of individuals to speak openly and freely." The Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a group of taxpayers who sued did not have legal standing to do so. The appeals court did not rule on whether the prayers themselves were constitutional.

Man Pleads to Murder of Winamac Waitress, 16

A man has pleaded guilty to murdering a 16-year-old girl who worked as a waitress in a northwestern Indiana restaurant. Danny R. Rouse faces life in prison without parole if a judge accepts his plea agreement. Rouse worked with the victim at a restaurant in Winamac. At the time, he was on parole after serving 26 years in prison in Kansas for the murder of a five-year-old boy.

Cancer Patient Beaten for Painkillers

Police say two brothers broke into a 60-year-old cancer patient's home in the central Indiana town of Lapel and beat her with a golf club when she refused to turn over her painkillers. The woman suffered two broken fingers and other injuries. The suspects are 18 and 20 years old.

U.S. House Passes Weather Radio Requirement

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would require new manufactured homes to come equipped with weather radios. The bill is named for an Indiana boy who died in a tornado. It now moves to the Senate.

VP to Speak in Indy

Vice President Dick Cheney will visit Indianapolis tomorrow. Cheney will speak before the Indiana American Legion.

Huntington Youth Program Wins Award

The Indiana Youth Institute gave a Huntington youth program a five thousand dollar award yesterday. The SOS program at the Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County serves students who have been suspended or expelled from school.

Man Shot Outside Rural North Webster Home

Someone shot a rural North Webster man outside his home this afternoon. According to a news release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, John L. Miller was exiting his mobile home in the Backwater Lake area at about 2:10 p.m. when a man approached him. The suspect asked Miller if he was John and Miller responded that he was. The suspect then apparently fired one shot from a small handgun. The bullet struck Miller in his chest. Miller told police that the suspect then fled on foot as Miller staggered to a neighbor’s residence for help. E-M-S took Miller to a nearby landing zone where a helicopter picked him up and flew him to a Fort Wayne hospital. Officers canvassed the area on foot and in squad cars but were not able to locate the suspect. The suspect was described as a white man, 5’5” to 5’6” tall, with dark hair and wearing a green shirt and blue jeans. Call the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department if you have any information that would help them locate the suspect.

Appeals Court Reduces Huntington Man's Sentence

The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled that a Huntington judge made a mistake when he sentenced a former youth pastor on child molesting and other charges. The appeals court ruled yesterday that Huntington Circuit Judge Mark McIntosh improperly ignored the terms of a plea agreement that would have led to 20-year sentence for Mark Kline. McIntosh sentenced Kline to 28 years back in 1997. The appeals court has ordered McIntosh to reduce Kline’s sentence by eight years. With time off for good behavior, that means Kline could be released this year.

Huntingon Man Injured in U.S. 24 Crash

A single-vehicle crash on U-S 24 between Huntington and Roanoke this morning seriously injured a 30-year-old Huntington man. State police say 30-year-old Johnnie Carter apparently fell asleep at the wheel at about three o’clock. His car left the road, hit a ditch and flipped end-over-end, ejecting him. Carter was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital for treatment of a spinal cord injury.

Fort Wayne Air Freight Operation Closes

An air freight sorting facility at Fort Wayne International Airport has closed, eliminating about 300 jobs. Kitty Hawk said in a statement yesterday that it would immediately stop all scheduled network air and ground operations at its Fort Wayne facility. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a couple weeks ago.

State Rolls Out New Welfare Elgibility System

Wabash and Grant Counties are two of 12 in which the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has implemented a new, privatized welfare eligibility system. The system allows residents of the counties to apply for food stamps or Medicaid via telephone or the Web.

Indiana Schools Cited as "Dropout Factories"

Indiana has 10 high schools where so many students leave before their senior year that the schools are considered "dropout factories" in a national analysis. All but two of the schools are in Indianapolis or Gary. The other two are in East Chicago and Richmond.

Officials: Wabash College Student Died Climbing Roof

Wabash College officials say they believe a freshman who fell to his death from a campus building may have slipped on the copper roof while trying to reach the peak. Administrators say they believe 19-year-old Patrick Michael Woehnker of Kendallville and four other students used underground tunnels to get inside the closed academic building. Officials suspect that once the men reached the rooftop observation deck, Woehnker climbed over safety railings to get to the east side of the roof, where he slipped.

State Sues Fax Spammers

The Indiana Attorney General’s office has sued eight companies for allegedly sending hundreds of unsolicited faxes. State law allows the attorney general's office to recover civil penalties up to 15-hundred dollars per violation from senders of unsolicited fax advertisements.

Kendallville Teen Falls to Death at Wabash College

A Kendallville teenager fell to his death yesterday on the campus of Wabash College in the east-central Indiana city of Crawfordsville. Officials say 19-year-old Patrick Michael Woehnker somehow got on the roof of a closed academic building and then fell. They believe it was an accident, but how and why he got up there remains a mystery this morning. Woehnker was a history major and a member of the Wabash College swim team. He graduated from East Noble High School this year.

Kendallville Teen Dies in Fall at Wabash College

A Kendallville teenager fell to his death yesterday on the campus of Wabash College in the east-central Indiana city of Crawfordsville. Officials say 19-year-old Patrick Michael Woehnker somehow got on the roof of a closed academic building and then fell. They believe it was an accident, but how and why he got up there remains a mystery this morning. Woehnker was a history major and a member of the Wabash College swim team. He graduated from East Noble High School this year.

Marion Man Faces Murder Charge in Restaurant Shooting

A 33-year-old Marion man faces preliminary charges of murder and attempted murder this morning, after allegedly shooting two other men at a Marion restaurant over the weekend. One of the victims died and another was in critical condition at last report. Witnesses told police the shooting happened during an argument early Saturday morning.

Officials Predict Increase in Local Income Taxes

The executive director of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns says Governor Mitch Daniels' proposal to cap homeowners' property taxes at one percent of their home's value could force local governments to raise local income taxes to recover lost revenues. State law allows counties to increase local income taxes by up to one percent to replace property tax revenue.

Indiana College Student Charged with Murder of Newborn

In Louisville, a 19-year-old college student from Indiana faces a charge this morning of murdering her newborn daughter. Police say the Plainfield woman hid the pregnancy from family and friends. She gave birth at Bellarmine University Wednesday and allegedly allowed the baby to die in her dorm room.

Noose Found on ISU Campus

A rope resembling a noose was found hanging in a tree outside a building on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute. School officials say they’re investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

Sen. Lugar to Fight Farmer Payments

Indiana Senator Richard Lugar says he will try to get the full Senate to remove direct payments to farmers from a farm bill that a Senate committee passed yesterday. Lugar says the bill devotes too much money to wealthy farmers and should spend those dollars elsewhere on programs such as food aid for the poor.

Couple Plans Medical Defense to Marijuana Charges

An east central Indiana couple charged with growing and possessing marijuana say they will plead not guilty because they were growing the illegal drug for medicinal purposes. Police say it's an unusual defense because Indiana is not one of several states that allow marijuana use for medical reasons.

State Health Officials Release MRSA ("Superbug") Info

The Indiana Department of Health has issued a news release aimed at educating Hoosiers about the “superbug” that has infected more than a dozen people, mostly students. According to the release, Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus, otherwise known as MRSA, is not a new disease and has been present in Indiana for years. It is a type of bacteria which has developed resistance to several antibiotics and thus making it more difficult to treat. Most MRSA infections are skin infections, however, and are able to be treated with appropriate antibiotics. Rarely, if MRSA enters the blood stream or a major body organ, it can produce a serious and even fatal infection. MRSA can be spread as a result of skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin, contaminated surfaces, and poor hygiene.

To help decrease the incidence of MRSA infections, health officials recommend the following:

• Practice frequent and appropriate hand hygiene.
• Do not share personal hygiene items such as soap, towels, etc.
• Practice prompt, effective wound care by washing thoroughly with soap and hot water.
• Routinely clean and sanitize areas where there is frequent direct skin contact.
• See your health care provider immediately if you notice red, swollen, or painful wounds or skin breaks.
• Take antibiotics responsibly if prescribed.

More information on MRSA is available at www.statehealth.in.gov.

GOP Lawmakers Announce Support for Governor's Tax Plan

Republican legislative leaders presented a united front behind Gov. Mitch Daniels' property tax restructuring and reduction plan yesterday. Senator David Long, who is president pro tem of the GOP-led Senate, says Senate Republicans will introduce 10 or more bills that include aspects of the plan on an organization day Nov. 20th.

Local Horses Infected with Mosquito-Borne Illness

State officials say 24 horses in Kosciusko, Noble, LaGrange and 14 other Indiana counties have tested positive for a mosquito-borne viral encephalitis that also can sicken humans. Officials have not reported any human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

"Superbug" Cases Increase in Indiana Schools

Health officials say at least 14 Indiana students and school staff members are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or M-R-S-A does not respond to penicillin and related antibiotics but can be treated with other drugs. The closest cases to the Q101 area are at a school in Wells County south of Fort Wayne. Read more about MRSA.

Fort Wayne High School Prinicpal Resigns

The principal of a Fort Wayne high school has reportedly resigned amid charges of improper sexual contact between her secretary and a student. The Elmhurst High School secretary has also reportedly resigned.

Stepdad Allegedly Burns Six-Year-Old

In Lafayette, a man faces battery charges for allegedly beating his six-year-old stepdaughter and burning her with a lighter. The 34-year-old man allegedly lashed out at the girl for forgetting to bring pencils home from school. The girl’s 29-year-old mother faces a neglect of a dependent charge in the case.

Semi Hits Highway Worker on I-69

A semi struck a highway worker on Interstate 69 in Grant County yesterday. Police say the worker was removing traffic cones at a work site when he stepped in front of the truck. At last report the Fort Wayne man was in serious condition.

Daniels Announces Property Tax Plan

Governor Mitch Daniels proposed a plan last night that his administration says would lower homeowner property tax bills by about one-third on average statewide. Some replacement revenue would come from raising the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent. The plan would also cap homeowner property taxes at one percent of the value of the home, eliminate elected assessors and require referendums for big school and government projects. Daniels wants lawmakers to set the limits by law at first and then amend them into the state constitution so they are harder to undo. Democratic House Speaker Patrick Bauer says he has some concerns with Daniels’ plan but praised the governor for proposing it well in advance of the next legislative session. Read more about the governor's plan on his Web site.

Fire Destroys Boat Storage Facility

Fire destroyed a boat storage facility on Lake James near Angola yesterday. Investigators had not determined a cause at last report. No one was inside the facility at the time of the fire, but residents say there might have been up to 20 boats inside.

Emergency Order Lifted in Nappanee

The mayor of Nappanee lifted his state of emergency order last night. Mayor Larry Thompson says he hopes his city will qualify for federal disaster aid. Thursday night’s tornado damaged or destroyed 199 homes and 53 businesses.

Daniels to Announce Property Tax Plan

Governor Mitch Daniels plans to announce a property tax reform plan tonight that will include a proposal to amend the state constitution. The governor's office says Daniels will give details on his plan during a speech from his office at 6 p.m.

Pickup Truck Hits Buggy, 3 Injured

A pickup truck crashed into a buggy in Elkhart County last night. The collision injured the driver of the truck and two people in the buggy. It happened at about 9:20 last night on U-S 20 just east of Middlebury.

Van Crash Kills Five, Injures 11 Amish

A crash in Interstate 69 yesterday afternoon killed five members of an Amish family and injured 11 others. The people who died include Melvin Fisher, a 39-year-old father who was driving a 15-passenger minivan that crossed the median near Muncie and rolled over. The crash also killed Fisher’s wife and three children ranging in age from one to 16. Four of Fisher’s other children suffered injuries. They range in age from four to 13. The Fishers are from Rockville, in west central Indiana. Seven members of another Amish family were also aboard the van. The crash injured them as well. The Lengacher family is from New Haven, near Fort Wayne. State police say they believe a tire blow-out caused the crash. No other vehicles were involved.

Tornado Clean-up Volunteers Overwhelm Nappanee

Literally thousands of volunteers responded yesterday to a call to help clean up Nappanee after Thursday night’s tornado. Officials estimate that at least 25-hundred people rode busses from Northwood High School to various work sites. And officials say they had to turn away nearly as many people, because there weren’t enough busses to accommodate everyone who showed up. Most homes have had their power restored, but a few hundred are still left without. Nappanee’s mayor says the city will receive state help and they are asking for federal help.

Lake City Bank Collecting Tornado Donations

The Salvation Army has announced that people who wish to make monetary donations to help tornado victims may do so at any branch of Lake City Bank. The money will go to the Salvation Army, which is providing various forms of assistance to the victims.

Parrot Saves Muncie Family from Fire

A Muncie man says his parrot saved him and his son from a house fire, by mocking the sound of a smoke alarm. The man says he and his son didn’t hear the alarm, but they heard the parrot, woke up to find their house on fire and escaped safely with the hero bird.

Warsaw Red Cross Open Tomorrow for Storm Victims

The American Red Cross of Kosciusko County has announced that it will be open tomorrow, Saturday, October 20, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. A service center will be located in the classroom annex behind the chapter at 320 North Buffalo Street to serve individuals and families affected by the Thursday night's tornado in northwestern Kosciusko County. Persons needed more information may call (574) 267-5244 during those hours.

Savlation Army Responds to Nappanee

The Salvation Army reports that it is serving disaster victims in Nappanee under the direction Captain Jason Pollom of the Goshen, Indiana Corps & Community Center. According to a news release, Salvation Army units responded to the scene after the storm hit the Nappanee area. Financial donations are being accepted at The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 114, Goshen, IN 46527. Please write Nappanee in the memo line. For more information call (574) 533-9584.

Update on Nappanee Tornado Disaster

According to a news release from the Nappanee Police Department, at least five people suffered minor injuries from last night’s tornado strike and required transportation to area hospitals. No Fatalities have been reported. The total extent of the damage was to be surveyed by land and air after daybreak this morning.

A state of emergency continues for the city of Nappanee. The city asked all businesses in Nappanee to remain closed today. The police department is encouraging the public to stay off city streets and out of storm-damaged areas. Residents returning to their homes should expect to find police and fire presence.

U.S. 6 is closed from State Road 15 to State Road 19 due to downed power lines and massive amounts of debris. State Road 19 is also closed from Elkhart County Road 46 to Kosciusko County Road 1350 North. NIPSCO estimates that more than 4,000 homes were without power and that 1,000 homes have recently been restored. NIPSCO says it might be several days before all power is restored.

Nappanee has lost pressure in its water system and is under a boil order until further notice. Residents who need assistance with food, water or bedding should contact the American Red Cross, which has setup a shelter at the Nappanee Missionary Church on State Road 19. The public can contact the American Red Cross at (574) 293-6519 or the Hope Crisis Response Network at (866) 909-4673. Those needing immediate emergency assistance should dial 911.

Update on Kosciusko County Storm Damage

The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department has provided an update on storm damage in the northwestern part of the county. "As of so far this morning, 39 different Kosciusko County residences have been listed as having damage of some type," Sgt. Chad Hill of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department told The New Q101, "minimal or all the way up to extensive damage." Hill says officers have estimated the damage to some homes in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. He’s asking people to stay away from the northwestern part of Kosciusko County. "We’ve got tons of different trees, utility poles that are down at this point of time and there are possibly a lot of lines that could be hot out on the roadways," Hill said. "Do not drive around barricades if there aren’t officers up there. I know a lot of individuals are even trying to get to work or maybe even trying to get to help somebody else, but if you could please avoid that area."

Storms Clobber Area - Tornado Stikes Nappanee

Last night’s severe weather hit Nappanee in a big way. "All the roads coming into Nappanee are closed – State Road 19 and U.S. 6.," a Nappanee Police Department dispatcher told The New Q101 early this morning. "At this time, the city’s just shut down. We have no power, our water supply is low. I know there are search teams going out into the neighborhoods. We have injuries, and they were transported to area hospitals, but we don’t have a count at this time."

Lonnie Fischer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in North Webster says the agency will send out a survey team today but they're confident that a tornado struck. "It sounds like a tornado did track through there – a lot of reports of damage an injuries," Fischer said. "Last night there were reports of some people being trapped in some of the structures that were damaged or destroyed. We do have numerous reports people seeing an actual tornado."

The storm also hit the northwestern part of Kosciusko County. Because of the debris it left behind, the Sheriff’s Department closed several roads:

• Hepton Road from State Rd. 19 to 1000W.
• 1100N from 1000W to the Marshall County Line.
• 1350N from State Rd 19 and 1000W.
• 1200N between 900N and 1000N.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department is asking you to stay away from the northwestern part of the county. Police intend to write citations if they catch any motorists going around barricades.

Elsewhere last night, the National Weather Services says a trained weather spotter reported a possible tornado near the southeastern Kosciusko County town of Sidney. Another trained spotter reported a two-foot-diameter tree across State Road 15 one mile south of Leesburg. And the Whitley County Emergency Management Agency reported that a tree fell on the roof of a home in Columbia City causing minor damage and an eight-inch-diameter tree was across power lines five miles north of Columbia City.

Shot Fired at Elementary School

Police in the western Indiana town of Brazil say someone fired a bullet through a cafeteria window at an elementary school yesterday. No children were hurt but flying glass injured a custodian. Police say it appears to have been a drive-by shooting and they don’t know what the motive might have been.

Area Congressmen Vote Against SCHIP Veto Override

A vote in the House yesterday failed to override President Bush’s veto of a bill that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. All Indiana Democrats voted to override the veto and all Hoosier Republicans, including Congressmen Mark Souder and Dan Burton voted to sustain the veto.

Severe Weather Expected Today

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service say the Q101 area could experience weather today that’s even more severe than what the plains states saw yesterday. They say there’s a moderate risk of severe weather here, especially this afternoon and this evening. The weather experts even say the system could generate strong, long-track tornadoes.

"That potential is there today," B. J. Simpson of the National Weather Service office in North Webster told The New Q101 News. "We also have the real high wind damage potential as well. The sunnier and nicer it gets in the early afternoon, the worse it could get in the evening, so it’s kind of counterintuitive to some people."

Last night, about 30 people in Tulsa, Oklahoma suffered injuries with a severe storm blew down two large tents at an Oktoberfest fall festival. Stay tuned to The New Q101 throughout the day to stay informed about any watches or warnings that might be issued.

Barn Burns near Larwill

A big barn fire east of Larwill kept five fire departments busy last night. Dispatchers got the report of the fire in the 53-hundred block West Old Trail Road a little after 10 o’clock last night. There are no reports of injuries.

Indiana Gets Bad Grade for Women's Health

Indiana ranked 40th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia on a women's health report card compiled by a Washington-based advocacy group. The National Women's Law Center did not give any state an overall "satisfactory" grade, but it gave Indiana and 11 other states overall grades of F. The report cites problems of obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Moderate Risk of Severe Weather Tomorrow

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center's (SPC) Convective Outlook (CO) for tomorrow indicates that the entire state of Indiana has a "moderate risk" of severe weather tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 18). The SPC uses the "moderate risk" assessment somewhat rarely. Although the CO is somewhat technical, if you read through it, you'll get a pretty good idea of what the SPC is expecting. You can find it at http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html (if you look today, Wednesday, Oct. 17) or http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html (if you wait until tomorrow morning, Thursday, Oct. 18, to look). The staff of The New Q101 recommends that you stay tuned throughout the day tomorrow so that you will be aware of any watches and/or warnings that the National Weather Service might issue.

State Police: Multi-County Theft Cases Solved

Indiana State Police say they’ve solved a number of thefts in Kosciusko, Whitley, Wabash and Allen Counties with the arrests of two 19-year-old Wabash County men. One suspect has a North Manchester address and the other has a Servia address. State police arrested both men after a pulling them over in Whitley County. Police say the men were in a pickup truck that was towing a stolen utility trailer. State police accuse the men of stealing a number of items, including all terrain vehicles, riding mowers, a Gator brand utility vehicle and firearms.

Wabash Man Faces Federal Charges in Counterfeit Case

A 40-year-old Wabash man faces federal charges this morning in connection with the alleged counterfeiting of traveler’s checks. According to a news release from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, the man allegedly sent the counterfeit traveler’s checks to people throughout the United States from his Wabash home as part of a so-called Nigerian money scheme. Police say that when they executed a search warrant at the man’s home, they found 350-thousand dollars worth of phony traveler’s checks.

Souder Withdraws Endorsement of Ft. Wayne Candidate

Congressman Mark Souder has explicitly withdrawn a previous endorsement of Republican Fort Wayne mayoral candidate Matt Kelty. In a written statement, Souder referred to criminal indictments against Kelty and to behavior by Kelty supporters.

Convict from 1972 Escape Captured

Police in Tennessee have captured a convicted murderer who escaped from the Indiana Women’s Prison more than 35 years ago. They say 64-year-old Linda Darby of Hammond had been living a crime-free life under an alias all that time. She was sentenced to life in prison in 1970 for killing her husband and escaped by climbing over a barbed-wire fence in 1972.

Law Student Allegedy Fires Shots from Bloomington Balcony

Police in Bloomington arrested a 27-year-old I-U law student who was allegedly shooting from the balcony of an apartment building. Police say they found two assault rifles on the roof of the building. Nobody was hurt during the shooting.

BSU to go Smoke-Free

Ball State University has formed a task force to draft a plan that would make the entire campus smoke-free by next spring. University President Jo Ann Gora has written to faculty members, staff and students that the task force will draft a policy that bans smoking and determine campus boundaries, enforcement and any potential exemptions.

NIPSCO Agrees to Electric Refund

Northern Indiana Public Service Company has agreed to refund 33-and-a-half million dollars to its electric customers as part of a settlement. If a state agency approves, the average NIPSCO electric customer will get a 15-dollar refund.

Warsaw Company Exec to Receive Women of Achievement Award

Zimmer Chief Marketing Officer Sheryl Conley is among six women who will receive the 2007 Indiana Women of Achievement Award during a ceremony tonight at Ball State University. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by Hoosier women.

Commission Chair Says Propert Tax Plan Unlikely

After months of meetings to find a solution to the state’s property tax problems, the leader of a state commission says he does not expect it to present a detailed plan to the legislature. State Senator Luke Kenley says the bipartisan Commission on State Tax and Financing Policy might only be able to agree on some common concepts and goals on property tax relief and restructuring. Governor Mitch Daniels does plan to announce his own proposal by the end of the month.

Parents of Left-Behind Crash Victim Sue Gary

The parents of a teenager who died after a car crash have sued Gary police for 50 million dollars. They say a decision by offices not to look for their son after the September 16th crash robbed him of a chance of surviving.

Boy Allegedly Fires Shot Outside Indy School

Police in Indianapolis arrested a 16-year-old student yesterday, after he allegedly fired a gun into the air during a fight outside a high school. No injuries were reported. The school day had not begun, and school officials ushered students who were on campus into the building, which they then locked down.

Woman Sentenced for Stealing Soldier Son's Life Insurance Benefit

A judge has given a Portage woman eight years of probation for taking 250-thousand dollars of her dead son's life insurance money. Janie Espinoza admitted taking the money that was supposed to go to her granddaughter Alicia when she turns 18. Alicia's father was an Army Reservist who was killed in Iraq in 2003.

Crash Near Columbia City Kills One, Injures Two

A 21-year-old Columbia City man died in a crash on Raber Road in Whitley County Saturday afternoon. According to a report from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, James Mays was a passenger in a car that 16-year-old Columbia City resident Kaycee Bills was driving. Police say Bills lost control of the car as she crested a hill and skidded broadside into a Columbia City Police Department squad car. Police say they believe Bills was driving too fast. Bills was taken to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne with facial, back and hip injuries where she was listed in serious condition at last report. 52-year-old officer Larry Creech was driving the squad car. He was treated at Parkview Whitley hospital for a head laceration.

Triplet Brothers Survive Toll Road Crash that Kills Mother, Third Triplet

State police say a 59-year-old Chicago woman and one of her three 16-year-old triplets died in a crash on the Indiana Toll Road early this morning. The other two triplets survived the crash with minor injuries. Police say Terra Thomas was driving a minivan eastbound on the Toll Road and failed to stop for the toll plaza near the Ohio state line. At 3:30 a.m., her minivan crashed into the rear of a semi that was stopped at the toll plaza. Police say the minivan left no skid marks and they believe Thomas might have fallen asleep at the wheel. The crash killed Thomas and her 16-year-old daughter, Nia, who was riding in the front passenger seat. Thomas’ other children, sons Brooks and Rheaves, were riding in back seats. The driver of the semi was not injured.

Two Seriously Injured in Wabash County Crash

The Wabash County Sheriff’s Department reported this afternoon that a two-vehicle crash injured two people early this morning. It happened on Wabash County Road 500 North, just east of Wabash County Road 650 East at about 4:30 a.m. According to a news release, a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Michael Green of rural Wabash crossed the center line and struck a vehicle driven 41-year-old Mary Moser, also of rural Wabash. Moser required extrication from her vehicle and airlift from the scene to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. EMS took Green to Wabash County Hospital and later transferred him to Parkview Hospital via ground ambulance.

Two Die in Toll Road Crash

See an update to this story.

Police say two people died in a crash at the eastern end of the Indiana Toll Road this morning. Initial reports indicate that a car rear-ended a semi at the toll plaza in Steuben County at about 3:40 a.m. Police closed down the Toll Road’s eastbound lanes for a while but they have since reopened.

Freak Accident Kills Shelbyville Officer

Two wheels came off a semitrailer on a southern Indiana interstate highway yesterday and killed a Shelbyville police officer. Fifty-one-year-old Sergeant Gary Henderson was investigating a stolen car along I-74 when the wheels hit him.

Kendallville Business Co-Owner Charged in Gambling Raid

Noble County’s prosecutor filed criminal gambling charges against a co-owner of a Kendallville pool hall yesterday. The 31-year-old woman faces four counts of professional gambling, which is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison. Wednesday, officers with the newly created Gaming Control Division raided Paradise Billiards and removed 14 video gambling machines.