The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 29, Milford, Kosciusko County, 30 August 1989 — Page 1

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Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 28

Police continue search — Leesburg bank robbed

Text And Photos By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer Police were questioning several suspects at press time regarding the armed robbery at The Leesburg Bank Office of First National Bank of Warsaw Tuesday afternoon. At approximately 9:30 this morning (Wednesday) police found the 1972 Pontiac that was seen in the area of the bank robbery and believed to have been the second get-a-way vehicle. The vehicle was found in a shopping center in Warsaw. The amount of money stolen by the robber, in checks and cash, is still not available. An automatic bank alarm from the Leesburg bank was received by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and confirmed bybank officials at 1:09 p.m., Tuesday. Seconds after the confirmation officers were enroute to Leesburg. The dispatch stated the robber was heading south on SR 15 in a black Laredo Jeep. He was described as five-feet, eight inches tall, in his late 20s, early 30s, approximately 140 pounds. The robber was wearing a black jacket, pants and gloves with extremely dark hair, and was armed with a gun. Within minutes, on and off dutyofficers from the sheriff’s department, Milford, Syracuse, North Webster, and Indiana State Police were in the Leesburg area searching back roads for the vehicle. The Indiana State Police helicopter was utilized and the air and ground search began. Approximately five minutes later, County Officer Burdell Blackburn had the vehicle in sight. He had spotted an area in a corn field on the west side of CR 75W, between CR 600 N and CR 675 N, where the vehicle had entered. No one was around the vehicle Wrong rate - reported for Syracuse The 1990 tax rate for Syracuse was incorrectly reported last week due to a reporter's error. The Syracuse Town Council voted 3-1 in favor of the budget at a special meeting August 22. Approved was a figure of $1,265,573, with $765,392 to be raised by the tax rate of $2.83 per SIOO assessed valuation. R was figured on the net assessed valuation of $27,024,955. The Mail-Journal apologizes for any inconveniences the error may have cost.

Dedication at Syracuse Lakeside Park Thursday

j By MARY JANE LOKTON I Stuff Writer The third and final goal for 1989 for the Syracuse Park Board will officially be met on Thursday, Aug. 31, with the dedication of the new' gazebo-bandstand and decorative lights at Lakeside Park at 7:30p.m. Members of the town council will be on hand as the park board and park foundation recognize and celebrate the efforts of those who made the project possible, according to Kip Schumm. presi-

Police converged on that area, one mile southwest of the bank. Armed officers took to foot and began searching the numerous corn fields and bean fields in the area, as well as a wooded area. Several abandoned structures were also checked. The robber was nowhere to be found. The scent of the robber could not be picked up by Warsaw CityPatrolman Bob Long's K-9 dog, "Jimmy." Elkhart City Police were called and sent their K-9 units. These dogs also failed to pick up the robber’s scent. Jeep Stolen When officers began checking the Jeep for evidence, they found

Commissioners review numbering changes for the Syracuse area

(By KATE WOLFORD Staff Writer Rural Numbering Project Director Stephen Maenhout reviewed Syracuse numbering changes at an August 28 meeting of the Kosciusko County Commissioners. After working with the Wawasee Property Owners Association and the county highway department, Maenhout produced 38 road name or right-of-way changes in the Syracuse area.

Set criteria, time table for selecting new board member

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer Members of the Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees established criteria and a time table for appointing a board member, last evening during an executive session. The appointed board member will replace Carol Swartzendruber who has submitted her resignation effective September 15. Applications will be accepted from interested persons who meet the following criteria:

dent of the park board. A "simple ceremony,” Schumm says, "where we will be recognizing those people who have donated money to the gazebo and the lights." In addition, a portion of the dedication will involve a ribbon cutting ceremony for the gazebo and an official lighting ceremony for the decorative lights. Schumm adds that as a part of these ceremonies, the name for the gazebo will be unveiled. At the conclusion of the evening s events, the public will have an opportunity to get a closer look at the gazebo, which has been recently landscaped by the

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

that it had no registration, no license plates or authentic paper plate. Through the VIN and a car dealer sticker on the bumper, officers found that the Jeep had been stolen from a car dealership in Kalamazoo, Mich., sometime over the past two days. The dealership was not aware the Jeep was missing until contacted by officers. During the search, the sheriff's department received several calls from people who reported seeing specific vehicles and persons in that area. All leads were checked.

In general, there was little conflict associated with the name changes. However, Maenhout advised that the commissioners wait to vote on the ordinance until they could meet with representatives from the highway department and the property owners association. “Name changes proposed by the property owners association tended to reflect the history of the area or landmarks near the road in question. Once the commissioners approve the changes, the post office must review them. The official address changes cannot take place until the post

Must be a resident of Turkey Creek Township (District 2). Have been a resident of the Wawasee Community School Corporation for at least one year. Must be 21 years of age or older. Be willing and able to give a minimum of 24 hours per month for board work and meeting. Must be willing to participate in a public interview. Those who qualify and are interested should send a letter of application to: Curtis Jordan, board president, in care of Wawasee Community School Cor-

% SyraCuse-Wawasee Garden Club, and to see the plaques affixed to individual pillars. The larger plaque that will also eventually be placed permanently in the gazebo has not yet arrived. Likewise, the individual plaques for the decorative 'lights have not yet come in See related story on page 2. Although the dedication is not slated to begin until 7:30 pm. the evening really gets underway at 6:30 p m with “build your own sundae " Bud Smith of Syracuse will be the emcee for the even-

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1989

Following one report, police began to assume that the robber had an accomplice. County Detective Stan Holderman stated officers feel that a driver in another vehicle was parked next to the woods, just north of where the jeep entered the corn field, for a fast get-a-way. Based on tips, police believe the robber got into a 1972 Pontiac with an off colored door or fender on the right side. Indiana State Police report the vehicle was last seen heading north on SR 15. The Robbery Det. Holderman reported there

office has made its review, Residents and businesses in the Syracuse postal area can, however, expect to receive their new addresses some time after January 1,1990. In a related matter, Maenhout received the support of the fbnlfmissioners to engage township trustees in the rural numbering project. Maenhout said the help of the trustees could mean “a breakthrough” in the project. Maenhout said without the help of the trustees the project could continue on through fall of 1990. With their help, however, the project time could be cut by four to six months.

poration. r 6 box 213A, Syracuse. Indiana, 46567-9131. All letters of application must be received by 12 noon on Friday, Sept 15 Once the letter of application is received a data sheet and five questions will be forwarded on to the interested person. All questions will be the same. In addition to the noon deadline on Friday, Sept 15, for applications. board members also established an additional time line for appointing Mrs. Swartzendruber's replacement. Data sheets and answers to the five questions requested of-each applicant are to be returned to

ing's activities. Following the dedication ceremonies. "Mr. G. and the Big Band Sound" will perform. Keith Gnagy will bring this 16-piece band to the gazebo at 8 p m A band that has performed all over the state of Indiana, this big band is made up of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, keyboards, percussion, and vocals. Those who come to enjoy this entertainment will have a chance to participate as Schumm tells there will be dancing under the pavilion. The addition of the gazebo to Lakeside Park was part three of the goals set by the master plan

were several customers in the bank at the time of the robbery. The robber, according to police reports, put a brief case on the bank counter at one of the teller’s windows, displayed a gun and demanded all her money Once he had the money, he walked from the bank to the jeep and headed south on SR 15. The customers who were in the bank were not in locations where a good view of the robber could be obtained. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined in the investigation.

Completing the rural numbering project is essential to the implementing of the enhanced 911 emergency dispatch system. To date, the process has been done slowly. The trustees will provide technical assistance. They will be compensated for their work at a temporary worker rate. Trustee workers will be used instead of hiring other personnel to complete the project. Having received the commissioners' support on the matter, Maenhout will next go to the county council to request the $3,500 appropriation needed to put the trustees on the project.

the board by 12 noon, Tuesday. Sept. 19. An executive session will be called at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, to screen the applicants to three candidates. The three final candidates will undergo a public interview on Saturday. Sept. 23. Public appointment of the board member will take place on Tuesday. Sept. 26. Times for the executive session, public interview and public appointment have yet to be established but will be published as soon as they are known.

of the Syracuse Park Board for this year The first two goals, establishing a Park Foundation and starting a Music in the Parks program, along with the construction of the gazebo came about as a result of public inpul through a park survey and various public meetings. .Under the direction of the park board, these programs have.all come to fruition Ground breaking ceremonies for The gazebo were held-on Thursday. May 18 Dana Cone Construction is responsible for building the structurewhich is an original design by local architect Sam Leman

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SI'SPECTS QUESTIONED — Several suspects were being questioned by authorities at press time this morning (Wednesday), in connection with the robbery of The Leesburg Rank, office of First National Bank of Warsaw, Tuesday afternoon. Police also found the 1972 Pontiac believed to have been used as a second get-a-way vehicle. The get-a-way vehicle, a 1985 Jeep CJ7 Laredo w as found on CR 75W in a cornfield, approximately one-mile southwest of the bank. It was later learned the jeep had been stolen within the past two days from Kalamazoo, Mich. Four K-9 units were used in the search for the robber. In the top photo Kosciusko County Officer Burdell Blackburn and Indiana State Police Lab Technician look inside the get-a-way vehicle as Blackburn explains what all took place when he located the vehicle. In the middle photo, officers who converged and searched the area for the vehicle and suspect are shown in the area where the Jeep w as found. Shown in the photo to the right are Elkhart City Police Lieutenant Bill Faus. Sr., and "llasso” preparing to enter the corn field to see if the direction of the rob- * ber could be traced.

Milford has newest nutrition site in the five-county area

IBs STACEY I.KSCII Staff Writer (EDITOR'S NOTE The following article is part two of a four-part series about the REAL Services and general nutrition sites in the Milford, Syracuse and Worth W ebster areas. ) Although the Resources for Enriching Adult Living Services (REAL-) Nutrition Program has only been in Milford since July 24. the meals have quickly become the center of attention for many. The newest of 54 nutrition sites in a five-county area, the Milford Community Building is playing host to the daily meals for senior citizens aged 60 and ove r. Norma Roose, county director of the REAL Services Nutrition Program, appeared before the Milford Area Development Council in early March to request the use of the building for the meals. Following lengthy discussions, the council agreed to allow the REAL Services a 90-day trial period, after which time the future of the meals would be decided. Those participating in the five-day per week program are "very satisfied" with the meals, fellowship and overall operation of the service. "The food's great and I really enjoy the fellowship." says Helene Lentz, Milford. Because so many senior citizens live alone and. lack, in social contact, the meals provide a special time of companionship "I used to think I knew everyone in Milford."

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Helene adds. "But I don't” she quickly discovered by attending the REAL meals. • Darlene Miller adds. "I worked on Main Street for 20 years. I'm retired now and this way I can see a lot of the people I used to work with and see everyday." Other participants of the REAL meals claim that if it were not for the meals, they would most likely not be preparing balanced meals for themselves and could possibly fall prey to one of the leading illnesses among the elderly — malnutrition. “Today we're having turkey,” says one regular attendee. “Most seniors live alone a.id wouldn't even think of making this for themselves," she continues pointing to the fresh vegetables and meat with her fork. “This is a very well-balanced meal" and everyone who attends is glad to be a part of the program. For those who have misgivings about the meals, Berneice Dwyer says, “(They) cannot assess the program without being here and taking part in it. " At the Milford nutrition site the senior citizens, along with site director. Darla Routson, plan group activities to add to the nutrition program Besides the fellowship, games, free healthscreenings. "field trips." and/or entertainment are all part of the daily activities Darla says the response to the program has basically been good In order to keep with financial worth, the meals must attract an average of 20 people each day. says county director Norma Roose Darla says the Milfo-i site easily makes ’(Continued on page 2)

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