News Release

Local GOP Responds to News of Bauer Ouster   South Bend, IN-The Saint Joseph County Republican Party is responding today in the wake of news that South Bend Representative, B. Patrick Bauer has been removed as house Minority Leader by his caucus. “If we had the power, we would have done it a long time ago,” said Deb Fleming, Chairman of the St. Joseph County Republican Party. “What else is there to say? Pat Bauer's own caucus has decided that they could no longer stand for his failed policies and divisive political rhetoric.” “I'll echo what [Republican State Chairman]

WARSAW, Ind. - We have more information about a shocking hit-and-run crash in Warsaw over the weekend. The occupants of the buggy that was struck tell WSBT the driver intentionally swerved to hit them -- killing their horse and throwing them from their cart. Just before 11 Saturday night, officers were called to Enterprise Drive near U.S. 30 on the city's north side. Despite an earlier release from police stating that no one involved said it was intentional, on Monday morning the victims of the hit-and-run told us the driver did in fact appear to strike them on purpose.

A Penn High School freshman died March 28 after a traffic accident north of Needles, Calif. Nathan Douglas White was in a car with his grandmother, Carol White, when the accident occurred, according to Nathan’s uncle, Charles Whetstone. Whetstone, who traveled to Nevada and Arizona to help with arrangements, said Carol and John White, who live in Granger, had custody of their 15-year-old grandson. He said the couple wanted to bring some items to Granger from a home they owned in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

MILTON, Ind. (AP) - Authorities say a 57-year-old man died when his lawn mower flipped over on top of him at the edge of an eastern Indiana lake. The state Department of Natural Resources says in a news release that campers at Manlove Park near Milton found the body of caretaker Ronald Trueblood of Connersville about 5:45 p.m. Campers who found Trueblood pinned beneath the lawn mower in the water of Manlove Park Lake pulled him to shore and attempted CPR, but he was later pronounced dead at hospital in nearby Connersville.

A South Haven Public Schools bus collided with a car Monday afternoon, pinning the car at the intersection of 68th Street and 8th Avenue in Geneva Township. A news release issued by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department stated the car’s driver and passenger, Michael Garr and Jenna Goodwin, were taken to South Haven Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police cited the bus driver, Anthony Riffer-Reinert, for failure to yield. He was driving west on 8th Avenue at 3:24 p.m. and stopped at a stop sign, police said, but then failed to yield to Garr’s northbound vehicle on 68th Street.

MISHAWAKA — Because of electrical work, the city will close the north westbound lane of East Douglas Road just east of Holy Cross Parkway beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, according to a news release. Completion of the work is expected by 3 p.m.

A Marcellus woman pleaded guilty to taking more than $17,000 from the Marcellus Fire Department. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Nicole Olsen is required to pay back the money. Her plea agreement also prohibits any other charges stemming from the embezzlement, Fitz said Tuesday, via news release. Olsen, 33, could serve up to five years in prison and face a fine of up to $51,000. Her sentencing is set for Aug. 3 in Cass County Circuit Court.

ELKHART — Charles Farrell III, a suspect in the July 25 murder of Alphonso James Jr. at Old Farm Apartments in Elkhart, was arrested in an Indianapolis hotel Thursday. According to a news release from the Elkhart Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested Farrell, a 34-year-old from South Bend, about 3:30 p.m. on the south side of Indianapolis. Bruce Alan White Jr., 29, of South Bend, is also wanted in connection with James’ murder. He remains at large.

“We are not going to put up with such a volatile mix in our community,” the Cass County prosecutor said Friday about “a meth-making, bomb-possessing Edwardsburg man who also had over 20 firearms at the ready.” A jury found 54-year-old Scott Blaisedell guilty of 14 criminal counts on Wednesday, according to a news release issued Friday. “Mr. Blaisdell has earned his ticket to the joint,” said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz In February of 2012, the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant on Blaisdell's home in the 70000 block of Five Points Road in Edwardsburg.

Extradition to St. Joseph County will be requested Monday for three Illinois residents in connection with the shooting death of Cornelius “Corey” Miller on Nov. 30 in South Bend. Miller, 20, of Chicago, was in a house at 518 S. Lombardy Drive when shots were fired through the back door, police said, at the time of his death. Saturday, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's office issued a news release listing the arrests of three Illinois residents in connection with the case.

“We are not going to put up with such a volatile mix in our community,” the Cass County prosecutor said Friday about “a meth-making, bomb-possessing Edwardsburg man who also had over 20 firearms at the ready.” A jury found 54-year-old Scott Blaisedell guilty of 14 criminal counts on Wednesday, according to a news release issued Friday. “Mr. Blaisdell has earned his ticket to the joint,” said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz In February of 2012, the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant on Blaisdell's home in the 70000 block of Five Points Road in Edwardsburg.

A person was killed and another has minor injuries this morning in a two-car crash on Redfield Road between Gumwood Road and Ironwood Drive in Cass County. This happened just after 7 a.m., according to police dispatch.Police say 27-year-old Alan Steven of Elkhart lost control on the snow-covered road and slid into an oncoming pickup driven by 35-year-old James Heiermann of Niles. Steven was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say he was not wearing a seatbelt. Michigan State Police are investigating.

Police have released a sketch of a suspect in a Michigan City home invasion and sexual assault. The following news release was issued by Michigan City police Thursday night: There was a home invasion/sexual assault in the 2500 block of Bruce Dr. on October 26 th 2012 at 8:30pm. The victim, a young lady pulled her vehicle into her garage, after she exited a Black Male armed with a weapon forced her into the house where he committed sexual assault and robbery. On November 1 st 2012 the victim in this incident met with the Indiana State Police in order to generate a composite sketch of the suspect.

WARSAW, Ind. - We have more information about a shocking hit-and-run crash in Warsaw over the weekend. The occupants of the buggy that was struck tell WSBT the driver intentionally swerved to hit them -- killing their horse and throwing them from their cart. Just before 11 Saturday night, officers were called to Enterprise Drive near U.S. 30 on the city's north side. Despite an earlier release from police stating that no one involved said it was intentional, on Monday morning the victims of the hit-and-run told us the driver did in fact appear to strike them on purpose.

MILTON, Ind. (AP) - Authorities say a 57-year-old man died when his lawn mower flipped over on top of him at the edge of an eastern Indiana lake. The state Department of Natural Resources says in a news release that campers at Manlove Park near Milton found the body of caretaker Ronald Trueblood of Connersville about 5:45 p.m. Campers who found Trueblood pinned beneath the lawn mower in the water of Manlove Park Lake pulled him to shore and attempted CPR, but he was later pronounced dead at hospital in nearby Connersville.

LAGRANGE - A missing 65-year-old LaGrange area man has been found safe and sound. John Auer had last been seen on a 10-speed bicycle Tuesday (Sept. 4). Police say Auer suffers from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression and is known to wander in the Fort Wayne area. The LaGrange County Sheriff's Department Sunday morning issued a brief news release, saying Auer had been located but did not say where he was found and by whom.

UPDATE: Fulton County Sheriff's Department stated, via Nixle, the gas leak emergency has ended as of 1:20 p.m. Saturday. Earlier Saturday afternoon, Fulton County officials evacuated the area in and around 750 West, between 400 North and Railroad Street (Olson Road), because of a "large gas leak. " CLICK HERE for map Fulton County Sheriff's Department's Nixle news release noted there was "significant threat to life and/or property. " WSBT has a crew en route to the scene.

Indiana House Democrats Elect New Leadership Linda Lawson chosen as leader   Indianapolis, IN --- Members of the Indiana House Democratic caucus met today in Lafayette to address leadership issues within the party.  The caucus ended with a vote to appoint Linda Lawson, D- Hammond, as the new leader of the House Democrats, replacing Pat Bauer, D- South Bend.  Bauer has held the leadership position since...

Local GOP Responds to News of Bauer Ouster   South Bend, IN-The Saint Joseph County Republican Party is responding today in the wake of news that South Bend Representative, B. Patrick Bauer has been removed as house Minority Leader by his caucus. “If we had the power, we would have done it a long time ago,” said Deb Fleming, Chairman of the St. Joseph County Republican Party. “What else is there to say? Pat Bauer's own caucus has decided that they could no longer stand for his failed policies and divisive political rhetoric.” “I'll echo what [Republican State Chairman]

SHIPSHEWANA - Police have released the name of a baby who was killed and three of his family members injured when their buggy collided with a semi Monday on State Road 120 just west of County Road 675 W. in LaGrange County. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP This happened around noon. Police say Jerry R. Hendricks of Bronson, Michigan was driving his semi eastbound on S.R. 120 when he passed the buggy, which was heading in the same direction. For an unknown reason the buggy turned into the path of the semi, hitting the back portion of its trailer.