INDIANAPOLIS — One former officer and four current officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department have been charged with misusing the Flock camera system.

On Wednesday, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said the five have been charged with fraud and official misconduct. One has also been charged with stalking.

The officers charged with misusing the automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology have been identified as Matthew Binford, Abigail Cramer, Cassandra Crawley, and Michael Rogers. One person has not been named, but is an 18-year officer.

Four of the officers have been suspended with a recommendation from IMPD Chief Tanya Terry that they be terminated. Cramer has resigned.

“These individuals’ actions went far beyond a clerical error or a violation of department policy,” Chief Terry said on Wednesday. “These actions crossed into criminal conduct and shook the foundation of trust that our agency is built upon.”

In September, IMPD investigators presented their findings in each of the five cases to the prosecutor’s office for review. The alleged misuse occurred prior to the implementation of IMPD’s new ALPR policy in August, in which every ALPR user was required to sign the policy to keep access. Those who did not had their access shut off.

All searches must now be tied to a case or incident number as well as a National Incident-Based Reporting System offense code. IMPD has also adopted single sign-on for ALPR technology and has implemented stronger auditing to more quickly identify and investigate potential misuse and ensure every search is for a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

Chief Terry called this news “deeply disheartening and disappointing” for IMPD, but said the department will continue serving with courage and compassion.

“I refuse to let the actions of a few define the work of this department and the hundreds of officers who show up every day with one mission: to protect our community,” Chief Terry added. “They put others before themselves. They run towards danger as others run away. They wear this badge with pride and serve with integrity and respect. They do the right thing.”

IMPD is only sharing ALPR data with law enforcement agencies within Indiana. Access is no longer provided to agencies outside the state.

IMPD is currently converting the ALPR SOP to a General Order, which will be presented to the General Orders Board for feedback before a final version is issued. Once finalized, the General Order will be available to the public.

The post Five Indianapolis officers face misconduct charges over use of Flock cameras appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WINONA LAKE — K21 Health Foundation has announced grants totaling $159,557 to nonprofit organizations whose projects impact the health and wellness of Kosciusko County residents.

“At K21 Health Foundation, our mission is focused on elevating the health and well-being of Kosciusko County residents,” said Rich Haddad, K21 president and CEO. “These grant awards reflect our dedication to partnering with local organizations that share our vision for a healthier community today and for generations to come.”

K21 Health Foundation awards grants focused on four key Health Pillars: Community Culture & Wellbeing, Direct Services & Prevention, Health Access & Opportunity and Youth Development & Activity.

2026 quarter three grant recipients are:

• Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana: Client services and equipment
• City of Warsaw: Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory fitness equipment
• Hope’s Harbor: Overnight hospital stays for Kosciusko County families
• Kosciusko Health Services Pavilion: equipment
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Overnight hospital stays for Kosciusko County families and Care Mobile serving Kosciusko County children
• Rose Garden Recovery Community: Sustainability development plan
• Ryan’s Place: Grief support programs for Kosciusko County families
• Turning Point: Technology equipment

For more information and to learn more about K21 Health Foundation’s grantmaking, visit k21healthfoundation.org or contact Angie Summers, operations manager, at angie@k21healthfoundation.org or 574 269-5188.

The post K21 Health Foundation distributes $159,000 to seven non-profits appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Registration remains open for the upcoming Winona Lake Trail Fest, which takes place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Hauth Trailhead.

A wide range of activities will be part of the fun, and visitors can check out the future bike park, which is currently under construction.

The trailhead is at 900 E. Pierceton Road.

The event is organized by KCV Cycling and supported by Lake City Restoration.

Proceeds from the weekend activities will benefit the bike park, which is currently under construction.

To learn more, go to the Winona Lake Trail's Facebook page.

To learn more about Winona Lake Trails, click here.

The post Winona Lake Trail Fest returns Friday through Sunday at Hauth Trailhead appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

I was watching Saturday’s slate of college football games, and something that was said started me thinking about the future of what we know as college football.

Todd Blackledge was working as the analyst for NBC Sports on the Notre Dame-Michigan State game Saturday night, and he mentioned that one of the Spartan quarterbacks was playing in his sixth season of college ball.

Sixth!

Cam Fincher is playing at his fourth school in those six seasons.

He started at Marshall and played three seasons there. He then played one season each at Florida Atlantic and Central Florida.

Now he’s playing at Michigan State.

I understand that the NCAA granted players who had to endure COVID during their college football careers an extra season of eligibility. I am pretty gracious when it comes to things related to COVID, so…whatever.

But it’s 2026 and the landscape of major college sports has changed in massive ways since March of 2020.

And it got me thinking, and it brought to mind a question: Why should a college athlete ever leave college?

The two biggest reasons in the past were because athletes had run out of eligibility or because they wanted to go to the professional league in their sport and make money.

Well, players are getting paid to play in college right now. The farce of “NIL” money is just a cover for writing players checks, and the cash is free-flowing.

I have brought this up before, but when was the last time you watched a college football game and the broadcasters mentioned what a player’s major is, what their field of study is or what their GPA is?

You don’t and you won’t.

The NCAA still claims there are standards that must be met in order for a college athlete to play in their team’s games. According to the NCAA website, athletes must maintain a 2.3 Grade Point Average (GPA) in “core courses” like English, math and science to be eligible.

But when was the last time you heard an announcer say that a player was not available for the game that was about to be played because of academic issues?

You don’t and you won’t.

So that begs the question: “Why would college players ever leave college?”

The NCAA set out to address this, sort of, with their “five in five rule”. That would allow any athlete to compete for the five years after their high school years are complete.

It would eliminate the “redshirt year” to allow freshmen to sit out a year for development purposes, and also the “medical redshirt year,” which allows a player who misses a year because of injury to add a year at the end to replace the year that was missed.

Let me lay out for you the foundation of the scenario I see coming.

A college football player at the University of Texas (as an example. It could be any college) has had a really good year or a really good career. He thinks he can play in the NFL, but the reviews he is getting from NFL scouts are mixed and inconclusive.

What’s to keep that player from going back to college for another year to improve their draft status and get paid while doing it?

Well, years of eligibility — that’s what.

Up until now, if you used up your eligibility, you had to move on.

But this is 2026, so what’s to keep a judge in Austin, Texas, from ruling that the Longhorns’ player in question can go back to play at Texas for the next year or as many years as he wants?

Nothing.

So only a judge’s signature stands between the scenario I painted being potential and being reality.

I am not ok with that.

Unless we now are declaring, officially, that what we know as college sports are now going to be the minor leagues for professional sports. If we are willing to do that, then that makes this make sense, and it’s the only thing that makes this make sense.

Now, the reason why you and I don’t want this to happen is because what we know currently as minor league sports will go away.

No more South Bend Cubs. No more Fort Wayne Tin Caps.

Baseball wouldn’t need them, because players could make more money and live in better conditions playing for colleges than they could in the minor leagues. They would still need a AAA franchise to move players up to replace injured major league players. But they wouldn’t need any level below that.

And baseball owners would be fine reducing their payroll and overhead by eliminating the bulk of their minor league structure.

And no matter what the sport, if you haven’t figured it out by now, it’s all about the money.

The post A question from columnist Roger Grossman: Why Leave College? appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

The post Indiana superintendents say they’re cutting jobs because of property tax reforms appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The recent Flock Camera controversy in Warsaw has led to a pending policy change.

Questions arose recently about a donation fund set up by the county to help finance a program that has since been abruptly discontinued.

Attorney Travis McConnell brought up the issue at a recent county commissioners' meeting, pointing out that the fund should have been approved also by the county council.

On Tuesday, county attorney Ed Ormsby updated the commissioners and said the ordinance did not follow the latest guidance from the State Board of Accounts.

"They recommend that appropriation be done, and so the commissioners are in the process, in concurrence with the auditor, of identifying those donation funds that do not have appropriation requirements in them. And I think that the commissioners are wanting to do that to consider amending those ordinances so that they are in compliance with the SBOA guidance," Ormsby said.

He also recommended the commissioners take action on the matter soon. 

Ormsby's statement came moments after the commissioners formally terminated their contract with Flock Safety, which is the biggest provider of the surveillance camera systems in the country.

The Flock donation fund is also being dissolved.

Public outrage over the use of Flock cameras reached a tipping point on Sept. 10 when a large crowd turned out at a county council meeting to call for the defunding, saying use of the 31 cameras set up across the county represented a violation of the right to privacy.

More than 80 people at that meeting could be heard yelling angrily from outside the courthouse as council listened to comments. Inside, officials faced numerous outbursts from opponents.

Council then voted unanimously to defund the program, and County Prosecutor Brad Voelz announced a day later that the cameras would be taken down promptly.

On Tuesday, County Commissioner Bob Conley invited public input but urged people to remain civil, saying he didn't want to see it turn into a debate.

Flock opponents thanked the commissioners for their action, and McConnell urged them to take another step.

“I appreciate the willingness that this board has already shown to stand up for the rights of the people it represents. I'm asking you to consider continuing that commitment here,” McConnell said during adoption of the meeting set aside for public comment.

“I'm presenting to you today with the proposed mass surveillance sanctuary ordinance. I'm not asking you to adopt my language simply because I put it in front of you. I'm asking you to take it, review it with counsel, amend it where you believe it is amended, and seriously consider the principle behind it.

The proposal mirrors a Second Amendment "sanctuary" policy established by the county several years ago in an effort to protect gun rights.

Another Flock opponent, Chris Plack, also addressed the donation fund issue.

"When it comes to 4912, an ordinance was written, the fund was created, money started moving through it, and somehow we got years down the road before we were having the conversation we're having now today about whether the process was even proper," Plack said.

He urged county officials to slow down when contemplating future policies.

“Take the time to look at it. Send it to the council. Ask our attorney to review it. Review the contracts and stress test it against the legal limitations,” Plack added.

Cassie Rolon, the Kosciusko County Libertarian Party chair, also addressed the commissioner and alleged, without evidence, that more cameras were apparently being installed. She sought details on the issue.

The commissioners listened, but did not respond.

The post Kosciusko County adjusting policy on donation funds following Flock controversy appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The upcoming Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) Warsaw MobilePack is just two weeks away, and the group's Steering team is calling on the Warsaw community to help fill the final volunteer spots and close the remaining fundraising gap.

This year’s Hunger to Hope Warsaw MobilePack will take place October 5-8 at the Warsaw Community High School TRAC. Approximately 300 volunteer spots remain open, and the steering team is still working to raise the final $20,000 needed to fully fund the event.

The Warsaw MobilePack brings together students, families, businesses, churches and community members to pack nutritious meals that Feed My Starving Children distributes to children facing hunger around the world.

Warsaw Community Schools students will once again be an important part of the effort. All WCS middle school students will participate during the school day, along with groups of elementary students and WCS clubs and athletic teams.

The entire community is invited to participate during public packing sessions from 6–8 p.m. Monday, October 5; Tuesday, October 6; and Wednesday, October 7 at the WCHS TRAC.  Families, businesses, churches, teams and community organizations are encouraged to register together.

In addition to packing meals for children around the world, this year’s Warsaw MobilePack will also host a canned food drive to support local hunger needs in Kosciusko County. Volunteers and community members are encouraged to bring canned food donations to the event. High-need items include: Easy Mac, boxes of macaroni and cheese, canned meals/pasta (i.e. Chef Boyardee, ravioli), beef jerky, beef sticks, trail mix, boxes of oatmeal packets and microwavable rice pouches.

Community members can also support the MobilePack by making a financial contribution. A gift of just $106 provides a child with nutritious meals for an entire year.

Volunteer registration and donation information are available at warsawmobilepack.com.

The Warsaw MobilePack is made possible through the generosity of local businesses, churches, families and individuals. 2026 sponsors:

Hunger Impact Sponsors: Orchard Medical Development, SYM Financial Advisors, Zimmer Biomet and Warsaw Community Schools

Hunger Conqueror Sponsors: DePuy, Downtown Eatery, Maple Leaf Farms and Warsaw Community Church

Hunger Champion Sponsors: Digger Specialties Inc., Our House Real Estate, PayProTec and Wildman Business Group

Hunger Hero Sponsors: Anika, Bill & Kathy Hamman, G & G Hauling, Medtronic, Milestone Construction Company, Miller Cattle Company, Performance Services, Polk Equipment, Jasmine Gabriel-Schlitt Family Dentistry and TL Jackson Construction Inc.

Hunger Advocate Sponsors: Faith First Fellowship Church, Johnson Chiropractic, Julia Moore-Bailey Moore Foundation, Knights of Columbus Council 4511 and Warsaw Orthodontics.

The post 300 packing shift volunteer spots remain open for upcoming Warsaw MobilePack appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Kensington Digital Media's extensive exterior renovations are continuing at its office at 216 W. Market St., in Warsaw.

The post Kensington enters new phase of exterior renovations on Market Street office appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — A local group that led the charge against Flock Cameras in Kosciusko County will be seeking answers Tuesday when the county commissioners are expected to discuss the creation of an account used to fund the cameras.

An approval of the account appeared to bypass county council authority.

Attorney Travis McConnell brought up the issue recently, which led to the county auditor saying more details would be made available on Tuesday — at the same time the commissioners are expected to formally vote to end its contract with Flock Safety.

County attorney Ed Ormsby is expected to clarify issues at the meeting.

Chris Plack, another opponent of the cameras, posted on his Facebook page last week that more than $200,000 moved through the account in recent years to support the Flock program.

Plack posed the following question in his social media post:

County Council voted unanimously to defund the cameras on Sept. 10 after nearly 200 people sought to attend the council meeting.

About 120 people were inside the courthouse for the meeting, with many speaking against what they see as a growing web of public surveillance.

An estimated 80 others stood outside the courthouse steps and could be heard from inside yelling angrily as they listened online.

The following day, Prosecutor Brad Voelz announced the cameras would be taken down promptly.

Other than law enforcement, the prosecutor and a representative from Flock, nobody spoke in favor of continuing the program which used 31 installed cameras across the county.

Kosciusko County's action against Flock follows similar moves by communities across parts of northern Indiana in recent weeks.

The county commissioners are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the courtroom of the old courthouse.

The post Flock opponents seek to learn more about donation fund established by county commissioners appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko Community YMCA invites people living with Parkinson’s
disease, along with their families and caregivers, to a Rock Steady Boxing open house on
Monday, Sept. 28, from 1–4 p.m. at the Downtown Warsaw YMCA at 575 W. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw.

Rock Steady Boxing is a Parkinson’s-specific exercise program that uses non-contact boxing- inspired movements along with exercises designed to challenge strength, balance, coordination, mobility and overall fitness. Participants work at their own ability level, and exercises can be modified to meet individual needs.

The Open House provides an opportunity to visit the program in a relaxed setting, meet Rock Steady coaches, see the equipment and exercises used in class, and ask questions about whether Rock Steady Boxing might be a good fit. No previous boxing or exercise experience is necessary.

“Rock Steady has become much more than an exercise class for our boxers,” said Tracy Frick, Chronic Disease Coordinator for the Kosciusko Community YMCA. “They challenge one another, encourage one another and build friendships with people who understand what it is like to live with Parkinson’s. We want people in our community to know that they don't have to be an athlete or have any boxing experience to walk through our doors. We will meet them where they are.”

Beginning in October, the Downtown Warsaw YMCA will offer Rock Steady Boxing three
afternoons each week, with programming designed to better meet participants at different
stages of Parkinson’s:

Mondays — Level 1–2: For boxers who are generally more independent and ready for a higher
level of challenge.
Wednesdays — Level 3–4: Designed for boxers who may benefit from additional assistance,
modifications and a more supported exercise environment.
Fridays — Mixed Levels: Bringing boxers of varying abilities together for a Parkinson’s-specific workout that can be modified for individual needs.

The YMCA also offers Rock Steady Boxing at its North Webster location, helping make
Parkinson’s-specific exercise more accessible to residents throughout Kosciusko County.
Those unable to attend the September event will have another opportunity to learn about the program at the North Webster Rock Steady Boxing Open House on Wednesday, October
28, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. The North Webster YMCA is located within the North Webster
Community Center at 301 N. Main St., North Webster.

For additional information about Rock Steady Boxing or the upcoming Open Houses, contact Tracy Frick at tfrick@kcymca.org.

The post Open houses in Warsaw, North Webster tout Rock Steady Boxing designed for those with Parkinson’s appeared first on News Now Warsaw.