The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 3, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 February 1979 — Page 2

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., February 7,1979

2

New four million jail, court facility proposed

By LESLIE WHITMAN

The present Kosciusko County jail is 108 years old. A new jail is currently in the planning stages and will hopefully be built within the next three years. Sheriff C. Alan Rovenstine, in office since January 1, talked about the problems he is experiencing at the jail. He conducted a tour for this reporter, which showed a lack of adequate space to properly house prisoners. He said, “The county has outgrown the size of the jail. Our biggest problem is that we do not have enough segregation; not enough space to separate our prisoners.” In the jail are three sections. In the main bull pen area, where men over the age of 18 are kept, a total of 24 bunks are available. In the juvenile boys’ section. 12 bunks are available whilje in the women’s section, six bunks are available. A lot of times there are more prisoners than bunks. When this happens, seniority becomes the ride with older prisoners taking the bunks and younger ones sleeping on mats on the floor. One solitary cell completes the jail’s housing facilities. Rovenstine said, “Mainly we just keep packing them iri. We get crowded, especially during the afternoons.” I During January, an average of 20 prisoners were booked daily. In 1978, over 1,700 prisoners were booked. i i Is Secure Surrounding each section of cells is a catwalk. Each individual cell is controlled on the outside of each cell block. Both of these measures mean added security. The cells, themselves., are also very secure. Each bar, made of steel, has a hollow opening in the center where a steel rod is housed. The outside blocks are layered with ball bearings meaning a block cannot be moved out of the wall. Various parts of the jail are monitored with video cameras controlled in> the dispatcher’s office. Rovenstine said, “We’ve never had any jail escapes. The jail, it’s $ classic. There are very few in the state built like this'. It’s served the county well.” Os course, there are problems with discipline from time to time. Fights will occasionally break out in the various cell block areas. The sheriff commented, “You have a leader and Fithian — (Continued from page 1) but most are a little concerned with Taiwan. It seems to be generally accepted as a good move.” Nice added the national defense should be another key issue in Congress this session. Assassinations A few questions were put to Nice about the assassinations committee Fithian served on. This committee, which expired the first of this year, studied the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. 5 Nice said, “The findings have now been turned over to the justice department. Fithian felt they should not extend the committee. He wanted to get about some other things.” The committee concluded on the Kennedy assassination, another shot was fired from another gun besides Lee Harvey Oswald. “They feel that there quite possibly was organized crime.” The committee was formed when the last Congress was in session. At Milford Nice, operator of the mobile office, stated the of Milford being the only stop on the tour that did not have at least two persons come in and ask questions. He mentioned Burket was the highest so far with at least 12 persons stopping by the mobile office. He also added it is difficult to anticipate where people will show up. Nice commented that on Monday and Tuesday the questions asked had to do with social security, black lung, veterans problems, inflation and Fithian’s amendment to the balanced budget, than other questions. He also said the weather had a lot to do with the turn outs if there is not a given problem found in the community. Since April 1977, the mobile office has been active finding answers to problems for 7,000 people in different totons throughout the district. In; the Second District, the mobile office is on the road two to four’days a week, dealing with 5,000 square miles. Nice said Fithian’s number one priority will be his balanced budget on the constitutional agricultural committee. Another possibility Fithian will pursue is the gasahol, now being sold in Warsaw, making us totally independant of foreign oil.

rriwq fl fl [. - | | ? - --fl SHERIFF ROVENSTINE AT JAIL

followers. We have a policy set for the prisoners. It’s a two-way street.” Medical problems sometimes also arise. Prisoners are checked periodically by a county health nurse. If found to be ill. a prisoner will be taken to Kosciusko County Hospital. New Jail A preliminary plan for a new jail and facility has been drawn up by CaiiTand Associates, Kalamazoo, Mich., architects for the project. The plan calls for the buildings to be located on the old Blue Bell property, from Lake Street to Washington Street in Warsaw.

- O # i -JAIL- ■ e.i.sazAßH7 4 R 2 f4,OOR.£> COUNTS 2 ’Looz-t flfl SS/000 5Q.. •f —| | 011o 11 PRELIMINARY JAIL-COURT PLAN

Minor injuries in accident

Charlotte Matthews, r 6 Warsaw, received minor injuries in a two car accident at the intersection of CR 450 N and 250E one-half miles southeast of Leesburg, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 1:30 p.m. She was treated and released from Kosciusko w Community Hospital. The driver of the other auto, George S; Mishler, 71, New Paris, came to a complete stop at the

The jail, with individual cells, would be a two-story structure with a basement. Total square footage is 26,000 feet. The other building, also a twostory structure, would house the superior, circuit and county courts, as well as the clerk’s office, prosecuting and probation offices. It would have a total of 23,000 square feet. This plan is still in the early stages. No final decisions have been made. Four Million Jean Northenor, county auditor, estimates the total cost of building a new jail and court would be somewhere around four

intersection, but did not see the Matthews’ auto and pulled in front of her. The Matthew’s auto then skidded on the icy pavement into the side of Mishler’s auto, according to investigating officer Kosciusko County Patrolman Thomas Kitch. Damage was set at $2,000 to the Matthews’ 1976 car and damage to Mishler’s 1978 auto was listed at $3,000.

IN REGISTER INDIANAPOLIS - State Senator John B. Augsburger (RMilford), stated today that the Kosciusko County Jail in Warsaw has been entered on the National Register of Historic Places. The two-story, brick jail, constructed in 1870, was built in a Castellated Gothic Style with elaborate stonework in a style known as Rock Galce. Recognition of the significance of the site provides some protection for the property as it limits the amount of altercation allowed to the physical facilities The jail, which resembles a small castle, added a garagewing in 1937. This was the only major altercation to the building and it, too, was built in the style of the original structure. ' f “I’m pleased that our landmark has been recognized with historical significance,” Senator Augsburget*' said. “This recognition helps preserve buildings, like the jail, that are so important to our community’s history.” The Indiana National Register program is authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. million dollars. Money for the project would come from a cumulative courthouse fund and jail fund, in existence for several years. By January 1, 1980, Mrs. Northenor estimates the fund will have $3,719,142. With the $400,000 the fund generates in taxes and interest, the four million mark should be reached by the end of the year. She said, “Nd tax dollars have been spent.” All land the county has purchased, including the Blue Bell building, have been bought with interest dollars. Rovenstine commented. “It’s (the jail), not going to be an added tax figure to the taxpayer.” In order to build the new jail where the plan calls for, the county would still have to acquire a small corner lot, owned by J. B. Gaffel 111. Gaffel declined the county’s offer to buy the lot, where cars are currently parked. Kosciusko County commissioners have authorised Rex Reed, county attorney, to start condemnation proceedings. I The county has plans of making the current jail a historical landmark. The jail was entered on the National Register of places on December 8,1978. For the meantime, the sheriff’s department will havd'to make do. Rovenstine said, “We’re working real hard with what we’ve got until we get a new jail built. We just want to do everything we can to give the people of the county what they need.” Henson wants „ treatment Robert Allen Henson, 22, r 1 Milford, has filed a petition as a drug abuser in the Kosciusko County Superior Court on Thursday morning, Feb. 1. He is accused of the number of burglaries in the MilfordSyracuse areas. Under the Indiana law he will be examined by the Indiana Department of Mental Health for determination on the fact if he is a habitual drug abuser. If he is a habitual drug abuser he will undergo a three-year treatment to correct the problem and the charges against him will be dismissed. If not he will be returned to the county and face the class C felony of burglary. . Dennis Ray Hopper, 30, Mattoon, 111., who is charged with the theft of a power unit, a boot switch, a hopper control and two time clocks from Brock Bins, Inc., Milford, has pleaded guilty to the class D felony. The theft in which he is charged with occurred’ during the period of January 18, 1977, to March 7, 1978. Hopper could face a fixed prison term of two to four years and a fine up to SIO,OOO, if he is convicted. A judgment could also be entered as a class A misdemeanor, which he would face a one year prison sentence and up to a $5,000 fine. ATTEMPTED THEFT Gery Whetten of West First Street in Milford reported to police an attempted auto theft of his four-wheel drive pick up on Friday, Feb. 2. Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs reported the would be thief tried to pry the ignition free but was apparently scared off. RUTS IN ROAD THROWSAUTO Mark A. Richard, 20,501 North Huntington St., Syracuse, was heading west on Syracuse Street in Milford on Monday, Feb. 5, when his auto was thrown by the ice ruts in the road. Richard’s auto then hit a telephone pole. Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs reported there was no damage to the telephone pole but the Richard auto sustained $l5O damage.

Injured in snowmobile mishop A North Webster man, Robert Miller, 21, sustained two cuts of the left leg in a fall from a snowmobile shortly after midnight Monday and was taken by the North Webster EMS to Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, then released. Kosciusko County officers said Miller and three friends were riding snowmobiles on the east side of Tippecanoe Lake when his vehicle hit slush causing him to come to a quick stop. Miller was thrown from his unit in the mishap. VFW dotes ore listed Officers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Syracuse, held their January meeting recently and announced the following dates: February 10 — Bake sale, 9 a.m. til? February 10 — Chicken supper, 6 — 8 p.m., serving chicken, mashed potatoes, salad and corn February 10 — Valentine dance, 9 p.m. -1 am., featuring The List Brothers February 13 — Next officers meeting at 7:30 p.m. February 18 — Open Sunday Injured in collision Kent Badskey, 18. of North Webster was admitted to Kosciusko County Hospital in Warsaw early Monday for injuries sustained in a car-truck accident about two miles north and one mile west of North Webster. State troopers investigated the accident which also involved Jay L. Hoile, 20. r 3 Syracuse, driver of a 1974 Chevrolet pickup truck .which went out of control and crashed head on into the coming 1974 Audi driven by Badskey, at about 8 a.m. Hoile was eastbound on CR 800 N when his truck hit deep snow causing him to lose control and cross the center line of the roadway. Badskey sustained a head injury and a fracture of the left leg. No injuries were reported for Hoile. Damages were set at $2,600.

Nomination Certificate For Milford Man Os The Year — Woman Os The Year I am greatly honored to place in nomination for the MAD Council annual Citizen of the Year award the name of . Add ress who has contributed so greatly to the improvement and the development of our city as a better place to live, to work and to play through the following achievements: ——— - I am willing to the best of my ability, to furnish to the committee additional information concerning this nominee. NAME ADDRESS ' PHONE (Note: To insure complete secrecy, please return this ballot in an envelope addressed to the attention of Man-Woman of the Year Award Committee, MAD Council, Box 46, Milford, Indiana 46542.) Deadline Date: Friday, February 23, 1979 Winner Will Be Announced At The MAD Banquet Saturday, March 3 At 6:30 P.M,

F --JU ■Bbl m. Kr / \ \ iB r \ . 1' v \ „ 1 | X ’ Jfl 1 i \ r'' flßKHflflMflflflflflifl^ - vRp NEW AMERICAN FAMILY — When Ga Ngoc Danz, 37. Lakeview Apartments. No. 1. Syracuse, escaped from Viet Nam three years ago, all he brought with him were fond memories. Now, he has a new American family, shown above. With him. is wife, Peggy and 22-month-old daughter. Gina.

Vietnamese — (Continued from page 1 > Ga was a master sergeant in the Vietnamese Marine Corps for 11 years. He fought in the Viet Nam War. “I’m angry about the North Vietnamese taking over South Viet Nam and how they killed my father. If Viet Nam got free, I would 1 ike to go back. ” He added, “South people knowhow bad Viet Nam is. They work hard for no food, no money. They know if they stay there, they have to be killed. If you go anywhere they (the Communists), look for you.” This is different in the United States, said Ga. “Here, you work hard, you get money. You pay for everything.” Draws PicturesOne of Ga s favorite hobbies is drawing pictures. He has drawn many depicting the way in life in Viet Nam before the Communist takeover. He also enjoys fishing and hunting. Last Saturday was the

first time he went ice fishing. How did he like it? “I caught 40 fish. Fish bite pretty good.” He said fishing and hunting were easier in Viet Nam. however. “There are no licenses, no seasons. You can kill anything you want to in Viet Nam.” He is trained to be a draftsman, but is finding it hard to find work in the profession over here. Like Cau. Ga. too. speaks the Arrested for theft Dennis Mark Miller. 18, r 2 Leesburg, was arrested byKosciusko County Police on Friday. Feb. 2. and was booked in the county jail on a court warrant for criminal conversion He was released on his own recognizance. He is charged with taking part in the theft of a 1971 Viking snowmoble owned by Stephen L. Davis, on January 24. The snowmobile was taken from the Davis cottage south of Stonyridge Hotel.

English language quite well. He taught himself while in Arkansas. In Viet Nam. he studied French in school. China-U.S. Relations What does he feel about the United States opening relations with Mainland China? “I’m glad U.S. and China be friends. I hope China to be free along with Viet Nam. Maybe it be good for Viet Nam sometime.” Meanwhile, both Ga and Cau will enjoy their freedom in the United States.

FOR SALE 1974 Chevy Vega GT. New Engine Has 3,000 Actual Miles. AM f M Stereo. Air-Condition-ing, New Steel-Belted Radials. PS. PB, Automatic. SBOO Or Best Offer. PHONE: 658-4860