UPDATE: New Paris Fire Chief Joe Warstler has reported the Indiana State Fire Marshall’s office, insurance adjusters and electrical contractors are returning to the remains of Better Way Products, Plant 2, in New Paris. The investigators are attempting to find the cause of Thursday morning’s fire.

The initial call was at 1:44 a.m. There were no employees in the building at that time. Fire officials have been told a superintendent had locked the building at 1 a.m.

Warstler stated when firefighters arrived at the scene heavy fire had broken through the front doors and smoke was seen billowing from the back of the facility.

Ladder trucks from Nappanee and Goshen fire departments were called in to assist in fighting the blaze from above as no entry into the building was possible.

Firefighters and equipment from up to 11 departments – New Paris, Milford, Leesburg, Syracuse, Goshen, Benton, Clinton, Harrison, Nappanee, Foraker and Wakarusa – arrived and battled the fire from all sides.

Warstler stated the roof never gave way. “The hardest part was getting to it (the fire),” he said. A payloader from Knepp Sand and Gravel, north of the scene, was brought in to knock down doors and side walls.

The manufacturing plant did contain a large resin tank on the north side, keeping firefighters away from that area. There was also acetone barrels inside the burning building. While the acetone barrels and resin tank never exploded, a pressurized water barrel did explode, bursting a hole in the siding.

Warstler noted no firefighters were injured.

The fire was marked as being under control at 6:39 a.m. Firefighters cleared the scene at 11:44 a.m.

Warstler commented his department was “lucky enough to get water shuttled to the scene.” Because the facility is in the country, no hydrants were available. Tankers from all departments responding shuttled water from an irrigation well, near the site; New Paris Elementary School and New Paris Fire Station.

Read the original Breaking News Release: Breaking: Fire at Better Way Products

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UPDATE: According to a press release from the Warsaw Police Department, at approximately 2:22 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, 3-year-old Brenda Lazano of Warsaw exited Carniceria San Jose, located on E. Winona Ave. near Wood Street, and walked towards the driver’s side of her parents van, parked in front of the store.

The report states Lazano walked around the back of the van to make her way to the passenger side of the vehicle. In doing so, she entered the roadway of Winona Ave. into the path of an eastbound vehicle driven by Lori Svinarich, 48, of Warsaw.

Svinarich stated she did not see Lazano until the girl was in the roadway and was unable to avoid striking her. Lozano sustained head trauma and was transported to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Her condition is currently unknown.

Though police do not suspect alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident, Svinarich was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for a blood draw, which is standard procedure in serious crashes. Police are still awaiting results.

Warsaw Police Department, assisted by the FACT team, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Multi-Township EMS, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory and Winona Lake Fire Department responded to the call. Winona Ave. in the area of the accident was closed for approximately 45 minutes while officials cleared the scene.

INITIAL REPORT: Emergency personnel have been dispatched to the 900 block of E. Winona Ave. in Warsaw for an automobile accident involving a pedestrian.

The pedestrian is being transported to an area hospital by ambulance. Condition is unknown at this time.

Winona Ave. from Lake City Animal Clinic to Comcast Cable is currently blocked. Please avoid the area until police have cleared the scene.

More information will be posted when it becomes available.

New laws will go into effect toward the registration and licensing of motor driven cycles (commonly referred to as “mopeds” or “scooters”) beginning Jan. 1, 2015. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles hosted a statewide conference call with reporters on Oct. 22 to discuss the new law. As part of the effort to educate the people of Indiana on the new laws, the bureau of motor vehicles also released its new video called “Motor Driven Cycle Rules of the Road.”

Beginning Jan. 1, an individual can get a license to either operate a Motor Driven Cycle-A or Motor Driven Cycle-B. The main defining difference, according to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, between a Motor Driven Cycle-A and Motor Driven Cycle-B is that the former has an “engine that produces no more than five-brake horsepower,” while the latter possesses a “cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters.” Proper licensing and registration is required to operate a cycle of either classification.

Several difference were outlined between the two when it comes to operation. While operating a Motor Driven Cycle-B, a person must:

-Be at least 15 years of age.

-Refrain from driving on the interstate, highway or sidewalk.

-Never have a passenger riding with them.

-Refrain from exceeding the speed of 35 miles per hour.

For both Motor Driven Cycle-A and Motor Driven Cycle-B operators, the following rules apply:

-Anyone under 18 years of age must wear a helmet.

-The operator must remain in a position astride the seat.

-Headlamps must be illuminated while operating.

-No packages may be carried in hand while operating.

-Must operate near right hand edge of roadway unless passing another vehicle or preparing to turn left.

In order to receive licensing to operate a Motor Driven Cycle-A, an individual must have one of the following:

-A valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement that has a MDC-A restriction.

-A valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement.

-A valid driver’s license and a valid motorcycle learner’s permit.

In order to receive licensing to operate a Motor Driven Cycle-B, and individual must have one of the following:

-A valid driver’s license (no endorsement required).

-A valid driver’s permit (no endorsement required).

-A state of Indiana issued identification card with a MDC-B endorsement.

Individuals are required to have insurance if operating a Motor Driven Cycle-A, but not a Motor Driven Cycle-B. If an individual has yet to obtain an Motor Driven Cycle-A endorsement but would like to, they must complete the following:

-The motorcycle knowledge test to obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit.

-The motorcycle skills test on a Motor Driven Cycle-A.

-The vision screening.

For a Motor Driven Cycle-B endorsement, an Indiana driver’s license or learner’s permit is sufficient. If an individual has neither of these but would like to obtain an endorsement, they must successfully complete the Motor Driven Cycle-B written test.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces SR 19 is scheduled to close between SR 10 and US 30 Monday, Oct. 27. The road will be closed through the end of the week.

INDOT maintenance crews will be replacing a drainage pipe between SR 10 and CR 200N

All work is weather permitting.

The official state detour is SR 10 to SR 331 to US 30

INDOT reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone.

Warsaw Community High School band students are no strangers to the tune of success. The band, which has participated at the state level the past 2 years in a row, will once again travel to the state competition to wow audiences with their performance, “Saturn Returns.”

“It’s based on the astrological idea that Saturn takes 29 years to complete its orbit,” explained WCHS Band Director Mickey Ratliff. “Each time Saturn completes its orbit, you’re reaching an important point in your life. Our show is based on the progression from birth to those points.”

The first piece in WCHS Band’s routine is called “Saturn Returns” and represents the starting point of one’s life. The second movement represents a phase of life the band kids are all too familiar with: adolescence.

“We represent that with a little love story,” said Ratliff. “The last third of the show is reaching full maturity when Saturn returns.”

Two years ago, the Indiana State School Music Association established the Scholastic Class. There are two categories in which a school can compete, which is dependent on the size of the band.

WCHS Marching Band went the Scholastic Class State Finals last year, and it will be returning again this year.

Nearly 100 music-minded WCHS students will descend upon Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis to compete against the best Hoosier high school marching bands. On Saturday, Oct. 25, WCHS will face off against 34 other bands for a chance to perform an exhibition at the 42nd Annual Indiana State Marching Band Finals, to be held at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8.

And the dedicated kids of the WCHS Marching Band have every intention of playing Lucas Oil Stadium. “We’re totally going to win,” said one of the band’s trumpet players at a practice on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

WCHS will be performing at 9:11 p.m. on Saturday. Admission for the Scholastic Finals event is $7 for adults and $5 for students and preschoolers. For a full schedule of bands, visit www.issma.net.

Franklin Lewis Engle

What does a hung jury mean?

A person is not innocent, nor is that person guilty. It means, according to Mike Miner, Kosciusko County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, it was a “dry run.”

This was the case Wednesday when the jury, in the state vs. Franklin L. Engle, could not unanimously decide if Engle was innocent or guilty on one count of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Miner, who will be retiring at the end of the year, stated he feels the state’s intention is to refile the case. Engle will be retried for one of the alleged crimes.

There is no time limit to when the state has to refile charges. It is expected the charges will be refiled in the next few weeks and possibly be set for prosecution in 2015.

The hung jury and not guilty verdict, rendered by the jury, were no surprise to Miner. “I’ve had too many jury trials to be surprised,” he stated.

Closing Arguments

The defense counsel, Samuel Bolinger, had called his one and only witness, the defendant himself on Wednesday morning. The majority of the morning had been spent with jurors reading transcripts in the juror room.

When court reconvened at 1:54 p.m. the defense had already requested a directed verdict. A directed verdict would allow the judge to rule that there is not enough evidence to continue a court case. Superior Court I Judge Duane Huffer denied the motion for a directed verdict.

After giving jurors their instructions, which included making a decision beyond a shadow of a doubt and that all jurors must concur on the decision, closing statements were heard.

Miner stressed the girls were ashamed and embarrassed at what happened, evident during testimony when one victim was asked where the misconduct occurred. She replied she didn’t remember.

It was also noted his former wife had no motivation to initiate the investigation as their divorce was “no war of the roses” and was finalized within two weeks of the filing.

“You’re really talking about these two girls. Both testified about sexual deviate conduct … is it possible both are lying? If so, why? What is their motivation? I don’t see it done as pure pleasure … they were uncomfortable talking about this …”

Bolinger noted in his closing arguments there were three critical witnesses, the two girls and his client. He referred to his opening statement when he likened the case to watching a movie, but frame by frame. When broken down, things are seen that are not seen at normal speed.

Referring the jury’s deliberation as that of using the evidence as pebbles being placed on a scale. Those stones, he noted would tilt to the side of innocence. He also played on the fact the two victims could not remember things and on their use of time of how long the misconduct took place. He said common sense would tell you someone would have seen the act occur.

The defense tore apart the testimony of the witnesses, which caused one of the mothers to leave the courtroom in anger. He stressed for the jurors to use common sense and in doing so some of the testimony did not equal common sense.

When the jurors returned after close to 4 hours of deliberation, not one noticeably looked at the defendant. Many noticed looks of anger on their faces.

Jurors were only polled on the not guilty verdict. It is unknown if it was one or more jurors who kept the vote from being a unanimous decision.

Harry Gigous and Bill Huffer talk with Larry Shively on the design of his soapbox derby car he raced in 1955 and 1956. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

The Kosciusko County Historical Society’s 49th annual banquet on Thursday evening remembered the early days of The Soapbox Derby.

Held in the Center Lake Pavilion, photographs, trophies, two derby cars, helmets, uniforms and other memorabilia were displayed around the room. Julia Frush, Sally Hogan and Michael Alspaugh added to the festivities by presenting crowd participating skits.

Speakers for the evening included former soapbox derby participants Tom Plew and Larry Shively. Both spoke of how they designed and built their cars, their experiences and years of participation.

Plew started preparing his car for the 1957 race. He went on to win the semifinal in 1960, coming in second place in the final race. “It gave me confidence,” he said about his participation, “confidence for my entire career.”

Shively not only spoke of his experience, but displayed the car he built and the tool box he won. The car had been stored in a spare bedroom for over 45 years, until being moved to a pole barn for the last 10 years.

“You won’t be a winner without a new set of wheels every year,” he stated about what he had learned. Shively raced in 1955 and 1956.

Sally Hogan, museum director, spoke of where the races, were held in Warsaw. Races, which began in 1938, were held on SR 15S at Walnut Creek heading down towards Wildmans. The following year it was held at Whites Hill heading eastbound. In the 1940s the races were held in Fort Wayne, with no races during the war years.

Sherry Carey takes a look at Steve Lewis’ uniform and other memorabilia from his Soapbox Derby participation. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

A DVD of movies. taken by Strand News. was shown as part of the program. The DVD. as well as booklet of photos. are available to purchase from the Historical Society at the Jail Museum.

The evening also included the election of officers and recognition of museum and library volunteers. Officers for 2015 include: Jerry Frush, president; Mary Hartle, first vice president; Ken Fawley, second vice president; Marge Warren, third vice president; Loran Sims, secretary; Avis Gunter, assistant secretary; Jerry Black treasurer; Connie Schlag, assistant treasurer; Sally Hogan, membership and museum director; Dan Coplen county historian; Connie Black, genealogy chair; William Wilson, archeology; and Sharon Sucec, librarian.

Members elected included Bob Robinson, Bill Huffer, Caroline Fawley, Harry Gigous, Janet Kirkpatrick, Janice Long, Mary Beth Camden, Nancy Adams, Teri Wheeler, June Thomas, Michael Alspaugh, Ann White, Mary Ettinger and Neal Carlson.

(From left) Kati Rice, Becksley Rice and Ben Rice of Warsaw pose as a zombie family during Warsaw’s Spooktacular.

Downtown Warsaw was packed with ghosts, ghouls and princesses alike during the 2014 annual Spooktacular celebration Friday night. Hundreds of families filled downtown Warsaw along Center, Lake, Indiana and Buffalo streets to gather treats from local businesses from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Though trick-or-treating was the main draw of the event, costumed guests were also invited to participate in a costume contest at the conclusion of the event.

This year’s Spooktacular was sponsored by Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw Community Development Corporation, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist, Bowen Center, Downtown Merchants and others.

To accommodate the event, Center Street from Lake Street to Indiana Street and Buffalo Street from Market Street to Main Street were closed from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kemrad was stationed near the corner of Buffalo and Main and Buffalo and Market to help children cross streets.

On the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 1, something set off the motion sensor on the trail cam that Cody Lewis set up near Black Lake. When he reviewed the footage, he was surprised at what he saw.

Though the images were dark and a little blurry, the creature bore an eerie resemblance to a predator not usually seen in northern Indiana. Lewis thought, maybe, this animal was a mountain lion (see related).

“I got it on the camera just the one time,” explained Lewis. “It had a long body, a round, long tail and a round, oval head.”

This photo was taken by Cody Lewis, 50, of Columbia City, trail camera on the night of Wednesday, Oct. 1. Lewis believes the photo shows a possible mountain lion lurking in the shadows.
(Photo provided by Diane and Cody Lewis)

Lewis wasn’t alone in his belief. The photos, which were shared on InkFreeNews.com on Thursday, Oct. 16, sparked thousands of readers to discuss the potential of a mountain lion in the Kosciusko County area. Among them was Derrick LaVoine, Tri-County Fish and Wildlife assistant property director.

“It looks very much to be a cat judging by the coloration, it could be similar to a mountain lion,” stated LaVoine to InkFreeNews.com. “But due to perspective and distance, it could make things look bigger and smaller than they are. The sighting is possible, but unconfirmed without hard evidence.”

LaVoine noted in order to positively identify a mountain lion sighting, the Department of Natural Resources, of which Tri-County Fish and Wildlife is a subsidiary, necessitates firm evidence of the encounter. Provision of animal tracks, clear and crisp photos or even animal scat are all means in which a sighting can be positively confirmed.

According to LaVoine, there is a possibility that large cats, such as mountain lions, can escape from the several big cat sanctuaries found throughout the state of Indiana.

(Photo provided by Diane and Cody Lewis)

“It is pretty interesting,” explained LaVoine, “take the bobcat. We find tracks regulary, we know they are around the area. But sightings are so rare and illusive. It is possible a cat that size could be in the area somewhere and we wouldn’t see it.”

LaVoine explained a mountain lion is a large predator, by traveling at night and avoiding areas humans reside in, it could remain hidden within the area. Though some have questioned the safety of area livestock, LaVoine noted there is bountiful amounts of wild game the predator could hunt if it was in the Kosciusko County area. In addition, LaVoine stated a mountain lion would be able to weather Indiana’s colder temperatures in the winter.

Should someone within the county spot a mountain lion, LaVoine encourages contacting Tri-County Fish and Wildlife or a local conservation officer immediately noting that a cat the size of a mountain lion can travel great distances in a short period of time.

“If we feel it merits investigation, we will have someone visit the site,” stated LaVoine.

According to Grace College Associate Professor of Environmental Science Nathan S. Bosch, Ph.D., other possible sightings of mountain lions around the Pierceton area have been reported over the years, though Bosch notes these reports are “far from common at this time.”

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the mountain lion, also known as the cougar, puma, catamount and panther, once lived in much of the eastern United States however they were extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s.

The DNR reports that Indiana has no breeding population of mountain lions, however, data collected by the Cougar Network and other states over the past decade suggest mountain lions are appearing outside their traditional western range. According to the DNR, these appearances may be the result of an increase in mountain lion numbers in western states. Animals found outside of their Western range are usually young, transient males, which, according to the DNR, reduces the possibility of a viable population developing in Indiana.

To contact Tri-County Fish and Wildlife call 574-834-4461.

On Oct. 25, officers of the Bourbon Police Department (BPD) stopped to help a stranded motorist on US 30 and SR 331 resulting in the arrest of three men for possession of marijuana.

According to a press release provided by BPD, it was found that the driver, Nikwain Williams, 19, of South Bend, did not have a valid license or vehicle insurance. Officer Matt Geiger inventoried the vehicle before it was impounded at Reichert and Knepp Towing, and located individually wrapped bags of marijuana.

Williams and his passengers Alfred Scarbrough, 24, South Bend and Treyvaughn Perry, 19, South Bend, were all arrested for possession of marijuana. Each were given a court date and a cash bond of $500.00.

Emergency personnel are currently responding to a farm fire located at 8097 N. Syracuse Webster Road.

According to reporter Deb Patterson, the property was owned by Dennis Darr and occupied by Dar’s daughter, Kelly, who was at home at the time of the blaze. A wooden barn with a metal roof caught on fire and though there was no hay within the structure, antique farm equipment and a hay mower were lost in the blaze. In addition, an unattached one car garage was destroyed in the fire. There was heavy exterior damage to the siding of a residence at the address.

Syracuse Fire Department responded to the scene and North Webster Fire was called for an assist. Milford Fire Department was on standby for Syracuse Fire Department.

Nappanee Fire Department and EMS has been called to respond to a reported ATV accident located on 900 North and 1100 West.

According to reports, Medflight was been called to the scene. One patient has been airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Further information will be provided when a report becomes available.

The Warsaw Community High School Tigers’ Pride Marching Band placed fourth in the Indiana State School Music Association Scholastic State Finals.

Twenty bands in the Scholastic A class qualified for State Finals, which were held at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 25. Only the top five bands were announced during the awards ceremony.

Placing fifth was last year’s State Champion in Scholastic A, Chesterton High School.  Warren Central High School was third, and Zionsville High School placed second. LaPorte High School was named the State Finals champion in Scholastic A, which is the classification for larger schools. This is the second consecutive year the WCHS band has qualified for Scholastic State Finals, but its first placing in the top five.

The band, under the direction of Mickey Ratliff and Emily Mikel, earned fourth at State with their 2014 program “Saturn Returns” (see related). The show’s theme is based on the astrological concept of Saturn’s Return – the life changes that an individual experiences during the 30 years that it takes for Saturn to complete its orbit.

John Elliott talks with State Auditor Suzanne Crouch and Brittany McMurray, Crouch’s campaign manager, during a stop in Warsaw. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Indiana Republican statewide candidates made a stop in Warsaw on their “Experience and Transparency” bus tour. The candidates: Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Auditor of State Suzanne Crouch and Treasurer of State candidate Kelly Mitchell greeted voters at the Kosciusko County Republican Party Headquarters on North Buffalo Street.

The tour for the group began a week ago Monday in Noblesville before visiting counties in southwest Indiana. Today, the three-woman team visited Huntington, Allen, Noble and Kosciusko counties before heading to Lake County for the evening. Saturday’s schedule will begin with a visit to Elkhart County.

Lawson is seeking re-election as secretary of state. Crouch, who was appointed by Gov. Mike Pence, will seek to win her first term as an elected official in office. Mitchell is also seeking her first term in office.

The team will visit 33 counties, at least five counties twice, to bring attention to election day and the “need to get everyone out to vote,” according to Lawson. “This is an important election. There is a lot at stake.”

Lawson stated the tour is letting people know what their accomplishments are as officers and what accomplishments are planned for the future. “We are working at making people aware.”

Lawson continued with  the message of financial literacy for seniors and high school students, giving small business owners the tools to open doors sooner and creating jobs are among topics being discussed. In relation to the election, Lawson is letting people know she is working to make elections more accessible with the flexibility where to vote and to ensure integrity and security of the elections.

Allison McSherry takes a moment to speak with Kelly Mitchell, candidate for treasurer of state. Maddie McSherry is shown in the middle. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

“It’s been exhilarating and exciting,” Crouch stated in the ability to connect with Hoosiers. She has been bringing the message of fiscal responsibility and transparency of the government on the tour. “The trust the taxpayer grants an elected officials is a sacred trust and every dollar spent should be done so with serious respect and consideration for those that earned those tax dollars,” she said.

Mitchell noted she is discovering constituents are excited for a candidate who has served in that office and has the experience for the office. She has served in the treasurer’s office for seven years and has experience at the local government level.

Road resurfacing will continue today (Monday, Oct. 27) on the following streets:

Shortridge Drive
LaVista Drive
Dogwood Drive
Baker Street
Leedy Street

These roads will remain open during resurfacing.

Road construction will also begin on Frontage Road Monday, Oct. 27. Work is scheduled to be completed Friday, Oct. 31, weather permitting. Business accesses will be open, but expect delays.

Elkhart

The following individuals were booked into the Elkhart County Detention Center:

Oct. 26

• Mitchell Glen Mellott, 25, 404 E. Hunnicut Drive, Syracuse, arrested for operating while intoxicated.

Oct. 25

• Jessica Gonzalez, 27, 1241 Beer Road, Milford, arrested on a warrant for another jurisdiction. No bond.

Kosciusko

The following individuals were booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Oct. 27

• Nicole Lynn Winstead, 27, 4375 S. Manns Road, Claypool, arrested for possession of a precursor. Bond: $2,000 surety

Oct. 26

• Christopher D. Patterson, 25, 3269 S. Beech Lane, Warsaw, arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, prior; and OWI with BAC over .15. Bond: $750 cash.
• Surcie May Jerge-Zumbrun, 25, P.O. Box, Larwill, arrested on a body attachment warrant. Bond: $500 cash.
• Seth Daniel Hamman, 31, 4395 S. Lakeshore Drive, Mentone, arrested for domestic battery in the presence of a child under the age of 16. Bond: $1,000 surety.
• Dustin Will Wright, 24, 302 N. Harrison Street, Syracuse, arrested for possession of marijuana. Bond: $450 cash.
• Julian Darren Hawthorne, 50, 1941 Heritage Drive, Rochester, arrested for being a habitual traffic violator. Bond: $5,000 surety.
• Bruce Richard Miller, 54, 5076 W. Lakeview Park Drive, Warsaw, arrested for battery and disorderly conduct, fight. Bond: $500 cash.
• Andrew Evan Ford, 25, 2503 Boardwalk Circle, Fort Wane, arrested for failure to appear and false informing. Bond: $950 cash.
• Christopher John Cook, 30, 9235 W. 125N, Etna Green, arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia with intent to introduce a control substance. Bond: $450 cash.

Oct 25

• Javier Garza, 19, 340 E. Levi Lee Road, Warsaw, arrested for battery with moderate bodily injury. No bond
• Alexis Pantaleon Casasola, 20, 2441 W 250S, Warsaw, arrested for public intoxication and illegal consumption of alcohol beverage by a minor. Bond $300 cash.
• Domingo Gutierrez, 32, 2441 W 250S, Warsaw, arrested for disorderly conduct-noise. Bond: $300 cash.
• Miguel Cuahuizo, 27, 2441 W 250S, Warsaw, arrested for battery to law enforcement, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct – noise. Bond: $2,000 surety.
• Earl Hillis Smith, Jr., 60, 5556 N. Willow Ave., Columbia City, arrested for possession of paraphernalia. Bond: $350 cash.
• Tami Marie Zurzolo, 42, 3904 E. Armstrong Road, Leesburg, arrested for leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Bond: $300 cash.

WARSAW – Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:LKFN), parent company of Lake City Bank, today reported net income of $11.5 million for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of 18 percent versus $9.8 million for the third quarter of 2013. Diluted net income per common share increased 17 percent to $0.69 versus $0.59 for the comparable period of 2013. This quarterly net income and per share performance represents a record level for the company.

The company further reported net income of $32.7 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014 versus $28.3 million for the comparable period of 2013, an increase of 16 percent over a nine-month period. Diluted net income per common share increased 15 percent to $1.95 for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014 versus $1.70 for the comparable period of 2013. This net income and per share performance also represents a record level for the company over a nine-month period.

David M. Findlay, president and chief executive officer, commented, “We are pleased with both the strength and quality of our record earnings performance in 2014. The expansion of our Indiana footprint, as well as our increased market share growth in every market we serve, has contributed to our success in 2014. We remain strategically focused on taking care of customers every day while at the same time continuing organic loan and deposit growth in our Indiana markets.”

Return on average total equity for the first nine months of 2014 improved to 12.94 percent from 12.28 percent in the prior year period. Return on average assets for the first nine months of 2014 increased to 1.33 percent up from 1.27 percent in the same period of 2013. The company’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 10.40 percent at Sept. 30, 2014, compared to 10.25 percent at Sept. 30, 2013, and 9.96 percent at June 30, 2014. As previously announced, the board of directors approved a cash dividend for the third quarter of $0.21 per share, payable on Nov. 5, 2014, to shareholders of record as of Oct. 25, 2014. The quarterly dividend represents an 11 percent increase over the quarterly dividends paid for each quarter of 2013 and for the first quarter of 2014.The dividend yield is currently 2.19 percent based on the $37.50 closing price of our common stock on Sept. 30, 2014.

Total loans outstanding grew $309.2 million, or 13 percent, from $2.39 billion as of Sept. 30, 2013 to $2.70 billion as of Sept. 30, 2014. Average total loans for the third quarter of 2014 were $2.68 billion, an increase of $333.7 million, or 14 percent, versus $2.35 billion for the comparable period in 2013. On a linked quarter basis, average total loans increased $39.0 million, or 1 percent, from $2.65 billion for the second quarter of 2014 to $2.68 billion for the third quarter of 2014.

Total deposits grew $444.8 million, or 18 percent, from $2.44 billion as of Sept. 30, 2013 to $2.89 billion as of Sept. 30, 2014. Average total deposits for the third quarter of 2014 were $2.82 billion versus $2.48 billion for the third quarter of 2013, an increase of 14 percent. On a linked quarter basis, average total deposits increased $31.1 million, or 1 percent.

Findlay observed, “Market share growth is very important on both the loan and deposit fronts, and our overall progress in both categories in 2014 reflects the ongoing efforts of our commercial and retail banking teams working together to grow our balance sheet one client at a time.”

The company’s net interest margin was 3.31 percent in the third quarter of 2014, up from 3.29 percent for the third quarter of 2013. The net interest margin was 3.34 percent in the linked second quarter of 2014. The net interest margin for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014 was 3.34 percent compared to 3.22 percent in the prior year nine month period. Net interest margin improved during the nine month period despite downward pressure on loan yields and the prolonged low interest rate environment. The net interest margin expansion was attributable primarily to declines in deposit rates and overall funding costs and improvement in the investment portfolio yields, which have offset declining loan yields.

Nonperforming assets decreased 36 percent to $15.0 million as of Sept. 30, 2014, versus $23.3 million as of Sept. 30, 2013. On a linked quarter basis, nonperforming assets were 2 percent lower than the $15.2 million reported as of June 30, 2014. The decrease in nonperforming assets during the third quarter of 2014 primarily resulted from sales of other real estate owned. The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets at Sept. 30, 2014, was 0.45 percent versus 0.77 percent at Sept. 30, 2013 and 0.45 percent at June 30, 2014. Net recoveries totaled $782,000 in the third quarter of 2014 versus net charge-offs of $831,000 during the third quarter of 2013 and $532,000 during the linked second quarter of 2014. Net charge-offs to average loans were 0.12 percent for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014 compared to 0.10 percent for the same period in 2013.

For the seventh consecutive quarter, the company did not record a provision for loan losses. The absence of a provision for loan losses was generally driven by continued stabilization and improvement in key loan quality metrics, including lower levels of nonperforming loans, appropriate reserve coverage of nonperforming loans, continuing signs of stabilization in the economic conditions of the company’s markets and sustained signs of improvement in its borrowers’ performance and future prospects. The company’s allowance for loan losses as of Sept. 30, 2014, was $46.4 million compared to $49.8 million as of Sept. 30, 2013 and $45.6 million as of June 30, 2014. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.72 percent of total loans as of Sept. 30, 2014, versus 2.08 percent at Sept. 30, 2013, and 1.71 percent as of June 30, 2014. Further, the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans increased to 314 percent as of Sept. 30, 2014, versus 215 percent as of Sept. 30, 2013, and 324 percent as of June 30, 2014.

Findlay added, “We’ve been able to maintain our historically strong asset quality trends as the loan portfolio has continued to grow. We’re proud of the fact that we have not compromised our disciplined credit culture as this growth has occurred. We continue to be encouraged by the improved economic conditions in our Indiana markets. ”

The company’s noninterest income was $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2014 versus $7.8 million in the comparable quarter of 2013. Year-over-year, quarterly noninterest income was positively impacted by a $448,000 increase in loan, insurance and service fees driven by higher commercial loan fees. In addition, other income increased $398,000, driven by income related to bank owned life insurance proceeds. Offsetting the increase was an $804,000 decrease in investment brokerage fees due to lower production volumes. Noninterest income was $22.9 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014, unchanged from the same period in 2013. Growth in deposit fees, loan fees and other income offset declines in mortgage banking income and investment brokerage fees.

The company’s noninterest expense increased $394,000, or 2 percent, to $16.7 million in the third quarter of 2014 versus $16.3 million in the comparable quarter of 2013. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest expense increased by $576,000 from $16.1 million in the second quarter of 2014. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $419,000 in the three month period ended Sept. 30, 2014 versus the same period of 2013. These increases in salary and employee benefits were driven by higher performance incentive-based compensation costs that resulted from the company’s higher results versus internal objectives. Data processing fees increased by $114,000 due to a larger customer base as well as greater utilization of services from the company’s core processor, which the company expects will improve the customer experience through delivery of electronic banking alternatives and improved commercial product solutions as well as enhancing our marketing and cross-selling opportunities. Offsetting these increases was a $313,000 decrease in professional fees. The decrease was related to $310,000 in nonrecurring consulting fees which the company incurred during the third quarter of 2013. The company’s efficiency ratio was 49 percent for the third quarter of 2014, compared to 53 percent for the third quarter of 2013 and 49 percent for the linked second quarter of 2014, which consistently ranks in the top quartile of peer financial institutions in the country. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014, the efficiency ratio was 50 percent compared to 52 percent in the prior year period.

Lakeland Financial Corporation is a $3.4 billion bank holding company headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana. Lake City Bank, its single bank subsidiary, is the fourth largest bank in the state, and the largest bank 100 percent invested in Indiana. Lake City Bank operates 45 offices in Northern and Central Indiana, delivering technology driven and client-centric financial services solutions to individuals and businesses. The company expects to open an office in the Indianapolis market in the fourth quarter located in Indianapolis on 82nd Street at Clearwater Crossing.

Source: Lakeland Financial Corp., Inside IN Business

The committee to elect David Kolbe for State Representative, District 22, announces the endorsement of candidate Kolbe by United States Senator Joe Donnelly.

According to a statment from Senator Joe Donnelly, “David Kolbe has served his community on issues of such as education and housing, and he will use this experience to represent the Hoosiers of District 22. I support David’s effort to get to the Statehouse because he has pledged to work with both sides to get things done for Indiana families.”

Candidate Kolbe responded, “I thank Senator Donnelly for his endorsement. My full support of our public education system will be a matter of highest priority should I be elected to this office. I support the work and sacrifices of our fine teachers, administrators, and dedicated support staff on behalf of the children of our District. I will also endeavor to ensure that Hoosiers in our District have access to affordable housing and good jobs. Accomplishing these goals is a bi-partisan effort and requires reaching across the aisle for the common good. I have consistently stated during the course of this campaign that we must face our challenges by working together for the best interests of the district.”