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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
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Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Page 8 One Nation Under God
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Jury finds Kelley not guilty of reckless homicide After a brief deliberation on June 13, 2023, a Kosciusko County jury acquitted Kevin M. Kelley, 66, Indianapolis, of reckless homicide in connection with a 2020 boating incident at Lake Wawasee. The trial concluded with an order of acquittal to be filed. During the trial, the state’s case centered on testimony from witnesses including Michael Wilson, the chief deputy coroner at the time, who confirmed Nathaniel C. Mroz’s death was ruled accidental due to multiple traumatic injuries from a boat propeller strike. A toxicology report indicated cannabinoids and THC in Mroz’s system, with no ethanol present. The defense argued Kelley’s driving was safe, presenting witnesses like Francis “Frankie” Spellman, who testified there was no significant difference in how Kelley operated the boat compared to himself. Kelley’s wife, Christine Kelley, and others testified similarly, stating they did not perceive Kelley’s actions as unsafe. In closing arguments, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton emphasized recklessness versus intentionality, arguing Kelley acted with
KEVIN KELLEY disregard for safety but did not intend harm. Defense Attorney David Deal countered, asserting the lack of evidence and questioning the basis for the charges. Throughout the trial, witnesses provided varied perspectives on Kelley’s conduct and the circumstances leading to Mroz’s tragic death, but ultimately, the jury found Kelley not guilty of reckless homicide. To read a full account of the trial go to inkfreenews. com/2024/06/13/jury-finds-kelley-not-guilty-of-reckless-homicide/
North Webster extends town’s refuse contract By KEITH KNEPP Staff Writer During it’s regular monthly meeting held Tuesday, June 18, the North Webster Town Council voted unanimously to extend its contract with Borden WasteAway Service for three more years. As part of the contract extension, monthly residential rates will rise incrementally each year. Currently, the rate is $11.47 per household, which will increase to $11.81. In 2025, the rate will rise to $12.17 and again in 2026 to $12.53. In other business, Utilities Superintendent Mike Noe advised the council the pump at Lift Station 3 needs to be reconfigured. The pump is obsolete in that the parts to repair the pump are no longer manufactured. He estimated the replacement cost would be in the $30,000-$35,000 range. He noted the town currently employs four such pumps, which will eventually need to be replaced. Noe said he would do more extensive research to arrive at a more precise cost. It was noted during the park department report that the deck behind Pizza King has been dismantled and that work will continue to replace it. In his police report, Town Marshal Greg Church reminded residents of the two parades which
will take place this week as part of the Mermaid Festival. He noted drivers should use extra caution and expect delays during the parade times. During the open floor portion of the meeting, North Webster Community Center Executive Director Emily Shipley asked Town Council President Dan Thystrup for an update on the North Webster walking and biking trail, which eventually will connect the south side of the town north to Wawasee Middle School. Thystrup advised Shipley the project is in a holding pattern, saying that it “is in INDOT’s hands” an it is “in the paperwork phase.” He added there were two companies which placed bids on the project while a third company withdrew from the bidding process, citing a lack of availability. Once a contractor has been chosen, the project will be able to move forward in a tangible way. The next meeting of the North Webster Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, inside the NWCC. The public is welcome to attend.
ANXIOUSLY WAITING — Ken Ernsberger of Ken’s Balloons and Magic talks with Mira Abrell, right, to see if she is ready for her balloon dog on its leash. Mira’s brother Mason, is shown waiting for his turn to have a balloon teddy bear made. Ernsberger created a
County commissioners meet new KEDCO CEO, OKs YMCA corporate membership By DAVID SLONE TImes-Union Peggy Friday, the new CEO for Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, introduced herself to the Kosciusko County Commissioners at their meeting Tuesday, June 18, with the help of KEDCO Leadership Partner
Suzie Light. In introducing Friday, Light said while the commissioners might see her occasionally, “You will see more of Peggy than you will of me.” “It’s a pleasure to be here and to be in Kosciusko County,” Friday said. “I come from the city of Rochelle, Ill., about 90 miles
New Syracuse police officer sworn in during council meeting By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer Jay Rigdon, Syracuse town attorney, swore in RJ Plummer as a new Syracuse Police officer during the Syracuse Town Council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, June 18. Plummer is former Milford police officer with four years experience in law enforcement. The council received one bid for trash collection from Borden Waste Away Service, its current trash collector. Rigdon recommended taking the bid under advisement so cop-
ies can be made for council members and him to review. Councilman Larry Siegel asked if the existing contract could be extended to the end of the year should the council decide to reject the bid and reopen the bidding process. Eric Ivory, account representative for Borden, said that decision would have be made by an internal team at Borden. Greg Miller from Miller Insurance Group came to provide information regarding Syracuse police officers using take home cars for personal use. The council had concerns about Continued on page 2
County recorder’s office partners with company on home fraud prevention By DAVID SLONE Times-Union Deb Wright, Kosciusko County recorder, told the county commissioners Tuesday about home fraud prevention being offered to property owners. “Our software company, CSI, has partnered with a company called Equity Protect, and it’s a pro-active approach to property fraud,” she said. “What they do, real briefly, is that they file a UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien. The theory is, if somebody is trying to take your property to finance it, get money out of it, that’s a red flag when they do title work. So then the process stops and that prevents somebody from stealing your property.” There are three different levels
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wide variety of balloon characters at the annual Family Breakfast for property owners on Syracuse and Wawasee Lakes. Photo by Deb Patterson.
to the fraud prevention. The first is a free level, with a free risk assessment, and then there are a couple paid levels. “If you have a paid level, and something does get through, they will actually provide assistance in getting that reversed,” Wright said. There’s no cost to the county, she said, it’s just a more pro-active way to approach property fraud. The paid levels are paid by the property owners. Commissioner Bob Conley asked if the service was available to anybody and everybody. Wright said it was available to anyone in Kosciusko County.
“It’s pretty new in the state. I think we’re like the second county to do this officially, so it’s pretty new. But anybody in Kosciusko County would be able to access it,” she stated. The recorder’s office gets many questions about property fraud, she said. “We’re hearing more and more about property fraud all the time,” Conley said. “All the time,” Wright agreed. To get started, and for a free risk assessment with no obligation, property owners can go online at equityprotect.com/county-recorder/ kosciuskoin
straight west of the city of Chicago. I used to work for U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, and then I transitioned to the city of Rochelle where I worked in economic development.” She said she had some chamber experience during that time, but mainly worked in industrial development.
“I look forward to meeting and working with each of you and it’s just a pleasure to be in Kosciusko County,” Friday stated. After a quarterly update on the activities of the Purdue Extension by Director Andrew Ferrell, Purdue Extension Educator Shannon Shepherd talked about Continued on page 2
Wawasee HS summer school students enjoy unexpected day off By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer Over the weekend, students attending summer school at Wawasee High School learned they received an unexpected break as the school was closed Monday, June 17, due to a malfunction in the fire alarm system by a possible
lightning strike. Emily Worrell, director of communications and marketing, said in an email the an issue with the fire monitoring panel which affects the fire suppression system did occur. While lightning was believed to be the cause, Worrell said school officials wouldn’t know for sure Continued on page 2
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