ALBION - Indiana Conservation Officers with assistance from the Noble County Sheriff’s Department continue the investigation of what appears to be the suicide death of a visitor to Chain of Lakes State Park on Sunday afternoon.
According to investigating Indiana Conservation Officer Rodney Clear, emergency response personnel were called to the Glacier Ridge Pavilion at about 1:19 p.m. An unknown female visitor noticed a vehicle in the pavilion’s parking lot appearing to be occupied by a man who she thought needed assistance. She in turn notified a park employee working nearby who then called 911.
Responding units found Louis E. Tantalo, 50, of Johnnesburg, Mich., suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Tantalo was transported from the scene to Parkview Hospital by air ambulance where he died later that evening at about 9:55 p.m.
Indiana Conservation Officers say the investigation is ongoing and Tantalo was a person of interest in a double homicide in Michigan. Law enforcement officers in that state are currently investigating a possible connection.
Any further information will be released by the investigating law enforcement agency in Michigan.
News
Man found dead in state park
September 7th, 2010
Stacey Page
Motorcyclist killed in Wabash County
September 7th, 2010Stacey Page
A Wabash County man was killed Saturday night when his motorcycle collided with a car driven by a Silver Lake woman.
According to the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, David Love, 47, was driving his motorcycle on Wabash CR 1400 North, when Nicole Decamp, 33, pulled from a stop sign at CR 400 West and into Love’s path. Investigators say Decamp did make a complete stop at the stop sign, but failed to see the oncoming motorcycle.
Love died at the scene of the crash. Authorities say he was not wearing a helmet but could not determine if a helmet would have saved his life. Decamp was uninjured.
UPDATED: Attempted murder suspect caught after 13 years
September 7th, 2010Stacey Page
Marcelo Brito
By Stacey Page
At 10 a.m. on Jan. 13, 1997, Marcello Brito, then 28 years old, was to appear in Kosciusko Superior Court One where Judge Duane Huffer was to sentence him on one count of aiding or inducing attempted murder. Instead, Brito never showed up to court and, for the last 13 years, had escaped capture.
On Monday though, his luck ran out. Brito, now 41, was pulled over by an Indiana State Police Trooper for a traffic violation. He was then arrested on a charge of failing to appear and false reporting. His bench warrant dated to Jan. 13, 1997, the day Brito failed to show up for his sentencing. 
UPDATE: Missing girl located
September 7th, 2010Stacey Page
Emily Jones
By Stacey Page
A Warsaw family received news late Tuesday that their daughter, who had not been seen since Aug. 15 or heard from since Sept. 3, has been located and is safe.
The family of Emily Lynne Jones, 20, of East Eastridge Drive, Warsaw, last heard from her on Friday. Jones, who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a form of autisum, had also suffered a stroke that has affected her cognitive thinking.
Vandals strike South Brook Park
September 7th, 2010Stacey Page
By Stacey Page
Officers of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a number of destructive incidents that occurred late Sunday night and early Monday morning in the South Brook residential neighborhood, south of Warsaw.
In all, officers took six reports that largely involved slashed tires on vehicles parked at residences on Old Ditch Road. There was also a report of a smashed windshield and damage to another vehicle made by some kind of sharp object.
Police do not have any suspects at this time and there have been no reports of anything missing from the vehicles that were damaged, although Lee Rish, a resident of the 2400 block of Old Ditch Road, did report someone tried to remove a CD player from her vehicle.
Residents of South Brook Park reported hearing some disturbances during the overnight hours, but so far there are no claims that anyone saw the vandals.
If you have any information, contact the sheriff’s department at 574-267-5667.
Human cases of West Nile reported
September 3rd, 2010Stacey Page
State health officials are reminding Hoosiers to stay vigilant in protecting themselves from West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. Two human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the state; one each in Allen and Marion counties. In addition, mosquito groups in 31 counties have tested positive for the virus.
“These two cases, along with the recent increase in positive West Nile virus mosquitoes, do cause some concern,” said Jennifer House, DVM, veterinary epidemiologist at the Indiana State Department of Health. “Although normally the virus causes only mild disease, a small number of people will develop more severe illness. The best thing people can do to prevent getting infected with West Nile virus is to take some simple steps to protect themselves from being bitten by a mosquito.”
DNR hosting waterfowl hunting workshop
September 2nd, 2010Stacey Page
A waterfowl hunting workshop in North Webster will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area.
Instructed by Indiana Conservation Officers and DNR Wildlife Biologists, some topics of discussion will be:
* The history of waterfowl hunting
* Waterfowl ID (study skins and wings available for hands on viewing)
* Decoy layout and blind placement
* Waterfowl regulations
* Waterfowl foods
“This workshop continues to be very popular not only with the new waterfowler, but also with the more experienced ones,” says Indiana Conservation Officer John Salb. “Hunters will see some new faces this year as new officers have replaced officers that had retired last year. It will be a great morning for us again to get waterfowl hunters together and give them the chance to learn and share their stories.
“We will have our study skins and wing collection available as was the case last year. This collection is used by our new officers to help with their waterfowl identification skills. For hunters to have a hands on view of birds that they may not usually have a chance to harvest or may only see in pictures or through binoculars would be worth attending the workshop alone” Salb said.
Hunters are also encouraged to bring their shotguns and ammunition to take part in a clay bird shoot. Clay birds and a light lunch will be provided. Salb encourages those attending to pre-register at 574-457-8092.
Election legal notices published
September 2nd, 2010Stacey Page
Kosciusko County Clerk Jason McSherry has released the following legal notices pertaining to the General Election coming up on Nov. 2.
The first is a notice to voters regarding polling places throughout the county. The second legal notice is a complete list of those seeking offices both locally and statewide that pertain to Kosciusko County voters.
View the Notice to Voters.
View the General Election legal.
Plea agreement proposed in murder case
September 1st, 2010Stacey Page
- Colt Lundy
By Stacey Page
In Kosciusko Circuit Court today, a plea agreement between the prosecution and teen murder suspect Colt Lundy, 15, was presented.
The last-minute hearing was called at 1 p.m. today and got under way 30 minutes later. During the hour-long hearing, Judge Rex Reed repeatedly asked Lundy if he fully understood the actions taking place and if he agreed to the plea. Lundy politely answered, “Yes, sir.”
Play it Safe: Family Safety Day is Sept. 11
September 1st, 2010Stacey Page
Kyle Finley will lead lessons in electric safety on Sept. 11.
A nationally-known electric safety expert will present his exciting and educational electric safety shows at the third annual Play It Safe Family Safety Day co-sponsored by Kosciusko REMC and the Warsaw/Wayne Fire Territory. Kyle Finley will present his Live Line Demo program at the event, which is slated for Saturday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Warsaw’s Central Park and Pavilion.
Finley travels the U.S. with his live line rig, showing how electricity flows through power lines, and demonstrating the power and the accompanying dangers of coming into contact with live lines. He has presented his program for numerous fire departments, electric utilities, and schools across the country.
Freshmen Academy sets sail
September 1st, 2010Stacey Page
Indiana Conservation Officer Nathan Hooley of Kosciusko County captains his raft of students down Grassy Creek and into Tippecanoe Lake as part of last week’s Warsaw High School Freshman Academy.
A joint venture between the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation and the Warsaw Community School Corporation, the academy brings the 500 Warsaw High School Freshmen out of a typical school classroom setting and into nature’s classroom. The yearly raft trip and its outdoor curriculum continues to be popular with students, staff, and volunteers.
Local teacher in state’s top 10
August 31st, 2010Stacey Page
Indiana State Superintendent Dr. Tony Bennett has notified Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Craig Hintz that WCS Teacher of the Year, Stacy Huffer, has made it to the top 10 in the competition for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year.
Huffer is a teacher at Leesburg Elementary School and will interview with the state selection committee on Sept. 7.
Play it safe this Labor Day weekend
August 31st, 2010Stacey Page
With Labor Day weekend signaling the traditional close to summer, Indiana Conservation Officers are reminding folks using Indiana’s waterways and state recreation areas to play it safe.
According to Indiana Conservation Officer/PIO John Salb, Labor Day Weekend may signal the near end to swimming and waterskiing activities, but signals the start to Indiana’s hunting season. Salb reminds users to the state’s rivers, lakes and reservoirs that Indiana’s early Canada goose season will open Sept. 1 and run for 15 consecutive days. He encourages all users of Indiana’s waterways, whether hunting, fishing, boating or waterskiing to give space to others out enjoying their own particular sport.
Salb says that Indiana Conservation Officers will be patrolling area waterways looking for the irresponsible boat operator who may be driving recklessly or who might have had consumed too much alcohol.
And, as always, Indiana Conservation Officers encourage boaters and waterfowl hunters to wear their life jackets, ATV operators and passengers to wear their safety gear and helmets, and hunters to know what’s beyond their intended target.
UPDATE: North Manchester man has criminal past
August 31st, 2010Stacey Page
The North Manchester man arrested Monday evening for allegedly sexually assaulting a female acquaintance and abducting her and her young daughter has a prior conviction for a similar crime.
News with Stacey Page has learned that Bill Warren, 36, was sentenced for criminal confinement and criminal deviate conduct in Wabash in 1998.
One dead, two serious after early morning crash
August 31st, 2010Stacey Page
A Rochester man died and two other people are in serious condition after this truck crashed into a tree in southern Kosciusko County.
One person was killed and two were severely injured in a pickup truck crash early this morning in southwest Kosciusko County.
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded this morning to a 1:15 a.m. report of a pickup truck that had crash into a tree on CR 700 West just south of CR 850 South. Officers and rescue workers arrived to find one individual deceased and two passengers severely injured inside a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck.
Kosciusko County Corner John Sadler pronounced Lucas R. Manns, 25, Rochester, dead at the scene from massive head injuries. EMS personnel transported one of the passengers, Joey Manns, 19, also of Rochester, to Kosciusko Community Hospital. He was later transferred to Lutheran Memorial Hospital with head injuries.
