THURSDAY December 5, 2013
Charity Chicken Page A7 Poultry producer makes big donation
Blazers Fall Short Page B1 Woodlan topples Eastside girls
Weather Chance of rain today. High 45. Low 26. Snow showers expected Friday. High 30. Low 17. Page A8
The
Serving DeKalb County since 1871
Auburn, Indiana
GOOD MORNING
Judge dismisses ex-officer’s charges Statute of limitations affects case BY KATHRYN BASSETT kbassett@kpcmedia.com
Allen County ties homicide record FORT WAYNE (AP) — An ongoing string of violence has put Allen County in the dubious position of tying its record for homicides in a year. The county matched its 1997 record with its 44th homicide for this year on Tuesday when police say a man was shot multiple times inside a house on Fort Wayne’s southeast side. Police Chief Rusty York said it has been a disturbing year for the 250,000-person city, where nearly all of the county’s homicides have taken place.
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AUBURN — Judge Kevin Wallace Wednesday dismissed criminal charges filed against a former police officer, ruling the charges are barred by Indiana’s statute of limitations. Sean Kahkola, of the 15000 block of Towne Park Run, Huntertown, stood trial in DeKalb Superior Court I Tuesday for two counts of criminal conversion, both Class A misdemeanors. He was accused of knowingly or intentionally exerting unautho-
rized control of a truck owned by the City of Auburn and a camper owned by the City of Garrett. But the original charges were filed more than two years after Kahkola allegedly took control of the property, Wallace said. That was too late for misdemeanor charges under Indiana law. During Tuesday’s bench trial before Wallace, Indiana State Police Detective Kevin Smith testified he was asked to investigate the case by Garrett Police Chief Keith Hefner, who checked a list of military-surplus items that
his department was supposed to have and became concerned. Hefner became Garrett’s police chief in January 2012. Smith said he first interviewed Kahkola on March 30, 2012, and again on April 11, 2012. Charges were filed Sept. 12, Kahkola 2012, and because they were felony charges, a five-year statute of limitations applied. When the charges were reduced to misdemeanors two weeks ago, a two-year statute of limitations
Elkhart hospital expansion begins ELKHART (AP) — Elkhart General Hospital has begun work on a $74 million expansion that will add three floors to its west wing. The Elkhart Truth reports the construction project will add 160,000 square feet designated for operating rooms, labs, offices and patient rooms.
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Info • The Star 118 W. Ninth St. Auburn, IN 46706 Auburn: (260) 925-2611 Fax: (260) 925-2625 Classifieds: (toll free) (877) 791-7877 Circulation: (toll free) (800) 717-4679
Index
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Classifieds.................................B6-B7 Life..................................................... A7 Obituaries......................................... A3 Opinion ............................................. A6 Sports.........................................B1-B3 Weather............................................ A8 TV/Comics .......................................B5 Vol. 101 No. 334
SEE DISMISSES, PAGE A8
Ritz crying foul
Stolen puppy returned to family FORT WAYNE — A four-month-puppy who was apparently taken in a burglary last weekend was reunited with his family Wednesday, our news partner, NewsChannel 15, reports. Officials at Animal Care and Control said someone anonymously dropped the puppy, named Charlie, off in their overnight drop box late Tuesday or early Wednesday. There is no surveillance video of who dropped the dog off. Sheila Snyder told WANE-TV that her dog was stolen from the family’s home Saturday, along with gifts under the tree and electronics.
took effect. The prosecution did not offer an explanation for the reduction to misdemeanor charges. During the trial, special prosecutor Joe Rowe said Kahkola had been a police officer first in Garrett and then at the Auburn Police Department. He had been authorized to screen for items through a program that gives police departments items the federal government no longer wants, free of charge. He was accused of obtaining a 1988 Chevy truck that he indicated he was obtaining for the Auburn Police Department and a 2002 Rockwood camper
Claims document proves power grab
MATT GETTS
Steven E. Lemmon, 51, of Auburn was injured while driving this 2005 Chrysler Sebring that
was damaged in a collision which involved four vehicles on S.R. 8 west of Garrett Wednesday.
Crash sends two to hospital GARRETT — Two people were sent to a hospital for evaluation following a four-vehicle crash Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. on S.R. 8, near C.R. 7. Steven E. Lemmon, 51, of Auburn complained of neck pain and was transported by family members to DeKalb Health in Auburn. David Sanders, 30, of Albion complained of rib pain and was transported to DeKalb Health by DeKalb County EMS. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s
Department said Jeffrey D. Wolheter, 34, of Kendallville was driving a 1992 Ford Aerostar westbound on S.R. 8 behind a 1998 Ford Explorer driven by Alyssa M. White, 25, of Garrett. As White slowed her vehicle to turn south onto C.R. 7, Wolheter steered to the left in an attempt to miss striking the Explorer. However, Wolheter’s vehicle struck the rear driver’s side rear of White’s vehicle and continued westbound in the
eastbound lane. A 2005 Chrysler Sebring driven by Lemmon was traveling east. Lemmon attempted to steer right to avoid a collision, but Wolheter’s vehicle struck Lemmon’s car in the driver’s side. A Ford F250 pickup truck driven by Ronald J. Shoudel, 58, of Ashley was following behind Lemmon’s vehicle. He attempted to steer left to avoid the crash scene and struck a highway sign.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Democratic Schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz released an internal document Wednesday that she says is evidence a new agency created by Republican Gov. Mike Pence is trying to undermine her. The document, a nine-point policy proposal from the Pence-created Center for Education and Career Innovation, includes a recommendation on how to strip Ritz’s powers as chair of the State Board of Education while avoiding “substantial political fallout.” Ritz’s control of the State Board of Education has become a flashpoint in the ongoing education battles. “Revising the statute doesn’t accomplish anything ‘legally,’ as the Chair’s powers are actually SEE RITZ, PAGE A8
Training key to defusing school incident Police responded to report of gun BY JEFF JONES jjones@kpcmedia.com
BUTLER — It could have been a much different outcome when police encountered a Butler man wearing camouflage gear and possessing two guns in his vehicle outside Eastside Junior-Senior High School as classes were being dismissed Tuesday. Butler Police and Eastside officials credit training and quick response to the situation. There were no injuries, and no shots were fired. Police were able to apprehend Chad J. Czaja, 34, of the 200 block of Park Lane, along East Green Street, directly across from the high school. Czaja told police he meant to scare his daughter as a prank when he arrived to pick her up from school, Police Chief Jim Nichols said Wednesday. A witness called police after seeing a rifle in the front seat of Czaja’s vehicle as Czaja put on the camouflage gear outside the school. “I’m really glad we had the conclusion we had. No one got hurt,” Nichols said. “I was very impressed with the school and the communication we had with them throughout the entire event. “I also want to thank the individual who contacted us and
Bethlehem the Day after
Christ
was born
gave us the information,” Nichols said. “That’s what we’re lacking sometimes, people stepping up and reporting information like that. Seconds are crucial, and we got there before anything worse was allowed to happen. The subject that called in should be commended for his actions, for being alert and being observant.” Nichols, Assistant Chief Matt Traster, Officer Matt Tamez and reserve Officer John Isenberg responded to the call. They were assisted by officers from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Nichols Department and Waterloo Marshal’s Department. Before Tuesday, Czaja’s only criminal history involved an April 2007 misdemeanor charge for improper tagging of a deer or taking a deer without a license. In connection with Tuesday’s incident, Czaja has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, criminal recklessness and leaving the scene of a property-damage accident. Additional charges are possible, Nichols said. Tuesday’s incident occurred
just as students were being dismissed for the day, according to Eastside Principal Larry Yoder. “Some of our walkers and some of our drivers were already gone, and there were about three or four busloads outside, about ready to roll out,” Yoder said Wednesday. “As soon as we were informed of the situation, we went through everything the way we were trained. “The way I’ve explained it to parents, there was no real threat to the building, but we wanted to shelter the kids until police could take care of the situation.” About 600 students in grades 7-12 attend Eastside each day. Before classes began Wednesday morning, school officials met with staff members to review Tuesday’s situation and exchange information and suggestions. “The students and staff did a great job,” Yoder said. “The kids have been very good. Honestly, they’re very resilient. “In recent years, we’ve put a lot of safety measures in place and held training exercises with students and staff,” Yoder continued. “It could have been a very different situation.” Quick response in such situations can mean the difference between life and death, Nichols said. When police arrived, they
DECEMBER 7 & 8, 2013 • 1:00 - 5:00 P.M. A Walk-Through Drama • Our 24th Year Cast of over 200 • All Indoors • Thousands have walked these streets. NO ADMISSION CHARGE What Others Have Said About Bethlehem Marketplace: ❖ I have been to Jerusalem and this is the closest experience to the old city of Jerusalem I have ever seen. ❖ 4 Stars and 2 thumbs up. ❖ A living history lesson. ❖ You enter into another time and world when you walk those streets.
❖ ❖ ❖ ❖
I have never experienced anything like this before. Rated PG; some of it is too realistic for kids. This must have been what it was like in Biblical times. One of the Tri-State area’s most dramatic presentations of the Christmas story. ❖ I am bringing my whole church next year. They have to experience this.
“As soon as we were informed of the situation, we went through everything the way we were trained.” Larry Yoder Eastside principal
• had no idea of Czaja’s intentions, and acted to make sure nothing did happen, he said. “Law enforcement officers have realized since Columbine and Sandy Hook that immediate response is required in order to save lives,” the police chief said. “We immediately reacted to the report of the threat. We immediately dealt with the threat and brought the situation under control rapidly. “One of the things that helps us is we practice training on a continual basis and with other officers,” Nichols said. “When it’s really unfolding, it’s important to work together with different officers and departments. “It’s all about saving lives and bringing things to a fast conclusion.”
Fairview Missionary Church Phone: 260-665-8402 www.fairview-missionary.org
525 E 200 N, Angola, IN (1 mile east of Meijer and Menards)