News Archives - News Now Warsaw https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/category/news/ Sat, 07 Nov 2026 19:48:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Programming for new skate park in Warsaw will ramp up next spring https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/programming-for-new-skate-park-in-warsaw-will-ramp-up-next-spring/ Sat, 07 Nov 2026 12:54:50 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=138110 By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Stephanie Schaefer was as thrilled as anyone — including the many youth — who turned out Friday to celebrate the opening of the new city skate park on the west end of Richardson-Dubois Park in Warsaw.

The city’s recreation director began her work with the city 19 years ago and spent years supervising activities at the fenced-in Mantis Skate Park in Boggs Industrial Park, which was constructed with wooden ramps.

[caption id="attachment_138116" align="alignright" width="450"] A ribbon cutting was held for the skate park Friday afternoon. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

On Friday, Schaefer and officials braved the breezy, 46 degree drizzle to commemorate the all-concreted construction that features a full bowl-shaped design on the north end of the 180-foot-long stretch of cement.

Unlike the old park, the facility will be free of mandatory supervision, sign-in sheets, and a long list of rules, which officials believe  probably limited participation.

The changes were encouraged by American Ramp Company, which specializes in skate park development and constructed the Warsaw project.

Minutes after Friday's ribbon cutting, a handful of skateboarder began trying it out.

[caption id="attachment_138130" align="alignright" width="214"] Schaefer[/caption]

In a way, with the new park's arrival, Schaefer's career has now come full circle, she said.

Schaefer’s children have enjoyed skateboarding over the years and said she looks forward to her grandchildren using it, too.

“This opportunity is so exciting. I don't think a lot of people know what it means to me, but it means the world. I am so pleased," Shaefer said afterward. 

Next April Shaefer will celebrate her 20th year and begin developing new skate park-related activities in earnest.

“I have a lot of things in mind, things I want to see happen out here, different activities and events,” she said.

She credited her boss, Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer, with supporting the initiative.

“It's nice to work under somebody that sees the vision and hears the need, and they come and see the kids actually out at the park,” she said.

The city had begun looking at a new park in 2019 but failed to secure funding from the state, and put the plan on a back burner until about 18 months ago when K21 Health Foundation offered to provide $245,000 for the project.

The entire project cost $465,000.

Other financial support came from the DEKKO Foundation ($40,000), and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation ($20,000).

The remaining portion came from city reserves.

Plummer thanked Mayor Jeff Grose and others for their support.

“It's one thing to have an idea, but it takes leadership and willingness to invest in our community to turn those ideas into reality. And that's exactly what happened here,” Plummer said.

Among those at Friday’s celebration was Johnathon Underwood, foreman for American Ramp Company, who oversaw three months of construction and stuck around a week longer to enjoy the ribbon cutting.

He’s been with the company for more than 15 years and estimated he’s been involved with upward of 100 skate park projects.

The 38-year-old, a skateboarder himself, praised the city’s involvement and cooperation in getting the job done.

“This is a really good, well-rounded skateboard park because it has features that could challenge up-and-coming skateboarders, but it also has a lot of things to learn on," Underwood said.

Newly added related amenities include lighting, a paved parking lot and a commemorative plaque honoring the memory of Liz Frazier, whose name was adorned on the old girls softball field that was removed to make room for the new park.

Frazier died in 1981 at the age of 18 from leukemia, Plummer told the assembled crowd.

"The softball field may be gone. Liz's memory will always have a home here, and I think that's exactly what it should be," Plummer said.

"Today, we're not only celebrating a new chapter for Richardson-Dubois Park, but we're also making sure that an important part of history will never be forgotten. We may have changed the landscape of the park, but we haven't forgotten its history.”

[caption id="attachment_138141" align="aligncenter" width="597"] An up-close look at the plaque. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_138117" align="aligncenter" width="658"] A few skateboarders were quick to try out the park despite rainy weather. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

 

The post Programming for new skate park in Warsaw will ramp up next spring appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Stephanie Schaefer was as thrilled as anyone — including the many youth — who turned out Friday to celebrate the opening of the new city skate park on the west end of Richardson-Dubois Park in Warsaw.

The city’s recreation director began her work with the city 19 years ago and spent years supervising activities at the fenced-in Mantis Skate Park in Boggs Industrial Park, which was constructed with wooden ramps.

A ribbon cutting was held for the skate park Friday afternoon. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.

On Friday, Schaefer and officials braved the breezy, 46 degree drizzle to commemorate the all-concreted construction that features a full bowl-shaped design on the north end of the 180-foot-long stretch of cement.

Unlike the old park, the facility will be free of mandatory supervision, sign-in sheets, and a long list of rules, which officials believe  probably limited participation.

The changes were encouraged by American Ramp Company, which specializes in skate park development and constructed the Warsaw project.

Minutes after Friday’s ribbon cutting, a handful of skateboarder began trying it out.

Schaefer

In a way, with the new park’s arrival, Schaefer’s career has now come full circle, she said.

Schaefer’s children have enjoyed skateboarding over the years and said she looks forward to her grandchildren using it, too.

“This opportunity is so exciting. I don’t think a lot of people know what it means to me, but it means the world. I am so pleased,” Shaefer said afterward. 

Next April Shaefer will celebrate her 20th year and begin developing new skate park-related activities in earnest.

“I have a lot of things in mind, things I want to see happen out here, different activities and events,” she said.

She credited her boss, Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer, with supporting the initiative.

“It’s nice to work under somebody that sees the vision and hears the need, and they come and see the kids actually out at the park,” she said.

The city had begun looking at a new park in 2019 but failed to secure funding from the state, and put the plan on a back burner until about 18 months ago when K21 Health Foundation offered to provide $245,000 for the project.

The entire project cost $465,000.

Other financial support came from the DEKKO Foundation ($40,000), and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation ($20,000).

The remaining portion came from city reserves.

Plummer thanked Mayor Jeff Grose and others for their support.

“It’s one thing to have an idea, but it takes leadership and willingness to invest in our community to turn those ideas into reality. And that’s exactly what happened here,” Plummer said.

Among those at Friday’s celebration was Johnathon Underwood, foreman for American Ramp Company, who oversaw three months of construction and stuck around a week longer to enjoy the ribbon cutting.

He’s been with the company for more than 15 years and estimated he’s been involved with upward of 100 skate park projects.

The 38-year-old, a skateboarder himself, praised the city’s involvement and cooperation in getting the job done.

“This is a really good, well-rounded skateboard park because it has features that could challenge up-and-coming skateboarders, but it also has a lot of things to learn on,” Underwood said.

Newly added related amenities include lighting, a paved parking lot and a commemorative plaque honoring the memory of Liz Frazier, whose name was adorned on the old girls softball field that was removed to make room for the new park.

Frazier died in 1981 at the age of 18 from leukemia, Plummer told the assembled crowd.

“The softball field may be gone. Liz’s memory will always have a home here, and I think that’s exactly what it should be,” Plummer said.

“Today, we’re not only celebrating a new chapter for Richardson-Dubois Park, but we’re also making sure that an important part of history will never be forgotten. We may have changed the landscape of the park, but we haven’t forgotten its history.”

An up-close look at the plaque. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.
A few skateboarders were quick to try out the park despite rainy weather. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.

 

The post Programming for new skate park in Warsaw will ramp up next spring appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/1107-skate-open-sky.png Traffic congestion expected Friday night at Warsaw High School https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/traffic-congestion-expected-friday-night-at-warsaw-high-school/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 16:34:24 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=138061 News Release

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools is preparing for a busy evening at Warsaw Community High School on Friday, Nov. 6.

The Warsaw Tigers will host Fort Wayne Snider in the Class 5A Sectional 11 Football Championship at Fisher Field, while WCHS Performing Arts will present the opening night of its fall production, CLUE.

Both events are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

WCHS administrators expect significant traffic and parking congestion, particularly near the south end of campus. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, allow additional travel time and consider carpooling to help reduce congestion. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For those attending the football game, elementary and middle school students should be accompanied by an adult. Students are also expected to find seats in the bleachers rather than gathering in groups behind the stands.

Gates for the football game will open at 6:00 p.m. All WCS students, including elementary, middle and high school students, will receive free admission, as will children preschool age and younger. Adult tickets are $8.

WCS appreciates everyone's patience and cooperation as we look forward to an exciting evening celebrating our student-athletes and performing arts students.

 

 

The post Traffic congestion expected Friday night at Warsaw High School appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> News Release

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools is preparing for a busy evening at Warsaw Community High School on Friday, Nov. 6.

The Warsaw Tigers will host Fort Wayne Snider in the Class 5A Sectional 11 Football Championship at Fisher Field, while WCHS Performing Arts will present the opening night of its fall production, CLUE.

Both events are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

WCHS administrators expect significant traffic and parking congestion, particularly near the south end of campus. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, allow additional travel time and consider carpooling to help reduce congestion. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For those attending the football game, elementary and middle school students should be accompanied by an adult. Students are also expected to find seats in the bleachers rather than gathering in groups behind the stands.

Gates for the football game will open at 6:00 p.m. All WCS students, including elementary, middle and high school students, will receive free admission, as will children preschool age and younger. Adult tickets are $8.

WCS appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation as we look forward to an exciting evening celebrating our student-athletes and performing arts students.

 

 

The post Traffic congestion expected Friday night at Warsaw High School appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/1106-park-sky.png Democrat Brian Smith celebrates while GOP chair Mike Ragan seeks a fresh restart https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/democrat-brian-smith-celebrates-while-gop-chair-mike-ragan-seeks-a-fresh-restart/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:40:35 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=138034 By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Political victories for Democrats in Indiana are historically few and far between, but Tuesday's massive blue wave across the country was reason to celebrate for Brian Smith, the Democratic Party chair for Indiana's Second Congressional District.

Smith was emphatic about the historic results that many directly connect to President Donald Trump.

“Just so encouraging to see the complete repudiation of MAGA all across the United States,” Smith said.

[caption id="attachment_138053" align="alignright" width="150"] Mike Ragan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_138054" align="alignright" width="150"] Brian Smith[/caption]

By the end of Tuesday night, Democrats took control of the U.S. House and Senate. At the same time, Indiana Democrats broke the GOP majority by flipping 16 seats in the House.

They also picked up two state offices —  Secretary of State and State Comptroller — and picked up a congressional seat.

News Now Warsaw talked with Smith and Kosciusko County GOP Chair Mike Ragan following Tuesday's elections.

Both were in unison in saying the war in Iran and inflated gas prices were issues that weighed heavily for voters.

Smith blamed President Trump for much of what happened in the midterms in Indiana and the nation, while Ragan was less direct.

Ragan mentioned the timing of the war and the belief that the nuclear threat in Iran had to be removed.

"You gotta do what you have to do while it's important to do it," Ragan said. "I'm not second-guessing him, I'm just saying it might have been a factor."

Electoral pickups in Indiana, Smith said, were a result of dislike for property tax reform efforts led by Republicans.

“SB1 and its disastrous effects on schools, local government services absolutely also played a role in the large losses that Republicans had in the state Senate and the state House,” Smith said.

Both agreed that President Trump's redistricting efforts backfired in Indiana.

[caption id="attachment_138049" align="alignright" width="202"] Gabrianna Grotzel[/caption]

Smith specifically pointed to the victory by Democrat Gabrianna Gratzol over Brian Schmutzler, who primaried Republican incumbent Linda Rogers in State Senate District 11.

Rogers's loss came after she voted against redistricting the state's Congressional map at the urging of Trump.

The district includes northern portions of St. Joseph and Elkhart counties.

Smith said Grotzel's blue-collar roots are a good fit for the district.

"Working-class mother, factory worker ... someone who knows what it's like to work a second or a third shift and how hard it is to find daycare for parents who work off-shifts," Smith said. "And she's going to take that to the state legislature. And she's going to have a say in child care policy."

Smith said the mid-cycle redistricting equated to cheating and said voters were "disgusted."

Ragan was just as succinct.

"Obviously, the redistricting was not a popular thing,” Ragan said.

Smith said he hopes the election results serve as a wake-up call for Trump and that he tries to work with Democrats.

Ragan’s new outlook for the party is simple.

“We need to get our act together and respond according to what the citizenry wants,” Ragan said. “We're capable of doing that, and hopefully we do."

 

The post Democrat Brian Smith celebrates while GOP chair Mike Ragan seeks a fresh restart appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Political victories for Democrats in Indiana are historically few and far between, but Tuesday’s massive blue wave across the country was reason to celebrate for Brian Smith, the Democratic Party chair for Indiana’s Second Congressional District.

Smith was emphatic about the historic results that many directly connect to President Donald Trump.

“Just so encouraging to see the complete repudiation of MAGA all across the United States,” Smith said.

Mike Ragan
Brian Smith

By the end of Tuesday night, Democrats took control of the U.S. House and Senate. At the same time, Indiana Democrats broke the GOP majority by flipping 16 seats in the House.

They also picked up two state offices —  Secretary of State and State Comptroller — and picked up a congressional seat.

News Now Warsaw talked with Smith and Kosciusko County GOP Chair Mike Ragan following Tuesday’s elections.

Both were in unison in saying the war in Iran and inflated gas prices were issues that weighed heavily for voters.

Smith blamed President Trump for much of what happened in the midterms in Indiana and the nation, while Ragan was less direct.

Ragan mentioned the timing of the war and the belief that the nuclear threat in Iran had to be removed.

“You gotta do what you have to do while it’s important to do it,” Ragan said. “I’m not second-guessing him, I’m just saying it might have been a factor.”

Electoral pickups in Indiana, Smith said, were a result of dislike for property tax reform efforts led by Republicans.

“SB1 and its disastrous effects on schools, local government services absolutely also played a role in the large losses that Republicans had in the state Senate and the state House,” Smith said.

Both agreed that President Trump’s redistricting efforts backfired in Indiana.

Gabrianna Grotzel

Smith specifically pointed to the victory by Democrat Gabrianna Gratzol over Brian Schmutzler, who primaried Republican incumbent Linda Rogers in State Senate District 11.

Rogers’s loss came after she voted against redistricting the state’s Congressional map at the urging of Trump.

The district includes northern portions of St. Joseph and Elkhart counties.

Smith said Grotzel’s blue-collar roots are a good fit for the district.

“Working-class mother, factory worker … someone who knows what it’s like to work a second or a third shift and how hard it is to find daycare for parents who work off-shifts,” Smith said. “And she’s going to take that to the state legislature. And she’s going to have a say in child care policy.”

Smith said the mid-cycle redistricting equated to cheating and said voters were “disgusted.”

Ragan was just as succinct.

“Obviously, the redistricting was not a popular thing,” Ragan said.

Smith said he hopes the election results serve as a wake-up call for Trump and that he tries to work with Democrats.

Ragan’s new outlook for the party is simple.

“We need to get our act together and respond according to what the citizenry wants,” Ragan said. “We’re capable of doing that, and hopefully we do.”

 

The post Democrat Brian Smith celebrates while GOP chair Mike Ragan seeks a fresh restart appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kosciusko-County-Election-2026-1.png New skate park’s central location, modern design expected to boost attendance https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/new-skate-parks-central-location-modern-design-expected-to-boost-attendance/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 17:12:27 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=138005 By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — The city of Warsaw's new skate park, featuring two large cement bowl shapes, will have its grand opening Friday afternoon on East Market Street.

City officials think it will be a hit.

The new park will replace the old Mantis Skate Park in Boggs Industrial Park on the city's west side, which opened in 1995.

Unlike the old park, the new facility features an all-cement surface — rather than relying on wooden ramps — and will have far fewer restrictions and rules and will no longer operate with park supervision.

Park Superintendent Larry Plummer said they came to realize those rules just weren't necessary.

"It'll be open during park hours, and you come and use it as you (choose). I mean, there's no employee out there to be telling you, you know, hey, you're doing this wrong or that wrong. I just want you to go out and have fun ... It's wide open," Plummer said.

[caption id="attachment_138011" align="alignright" width="350"] The ceremony will also include the unveiling of a memorial in honor of Liz Frazier, a softball player whose name was enshrined as part of Liz Frazier Field, an old softball field on the property that had fallen out of use for the most part 20 years. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Plummer, along with Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose, talked about the new skate park for this week's In the Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Grose scaled the top of the northern cement bowl and was impressed with the overall configuration.

He said the more centralized location on the west end of Richardson-Dubois Park — just east of the Dollar General store — will help attract more people to the park.

"This is just going to be a great addition, and it's going to allow families and younger people to get to it without having a parent or somebody drive them," Grose said.

Plummer said people are eager to try it out.

"I've had 30- and 40-year-old gentlemen stop by, just can't wait to get on this, can't wait to bring their kids to this," he said.

The park was designed and constructed by American Ramp Company of Jolin, Mo.

New amenities include lighting, landscaping, and a new paved parking lot that can accommodate nearly 40 vehicles.

The entire project cost $465,000.

K21 Health Foundation provided $275,000. The DEKKO Foundation donated $40,000, and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation donated $20,000, Plummer said

The remaining portion came from city reserves.

The project was sidelined in 2019 after the city failed to receive grant money from the state.

The plan was resurrected a little more than a year ago when K12 Health Foundation offered to provide significant money for the construction.

The new park will also lead to more related programming, and Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer is eager to take advantage of the new opportunities, Plummer said.

"I think she loses sleep over thinking about all the things that she can do to show this facility off and have programming for everyone," Plummer said.

The ceremony will also include an unveiling of a plaque in honor of Liz Frazier, a softball player whose name was enshrined as part of Liz Frazier Field, an old softball field on the property that had fallen out of use over the past 30 years. The field was removed earlier this year to make room for the skate park.

The ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Friday.

[caption id="attachment_138009" align="aligncenter" width="688"] Another view of the park. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_138019" align="aligncenter" width="666"] Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose (L) and Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer (L) stand alongside the new skate park on East Market Street ahead of Friday’s grand opening. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_138010" align="aligncenter" width="670"] A sign thanking groups behind the new skate park has been installed on the site. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Below are broadcast times for In The Know.

Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Friday at 9 am and 5 pm

Saturday at 7 am

Sunday at 7 am

WRSW (107.3 FM)

Sunday at 6 am

WILLIE (103.5 FM)

Saturday at 7 am

 

The post New skate park’s central location, modern design expected to boost attendance appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — The city of Warsaw’s new skate park, featuring two large cement bowl shapes, will have its grand opening Friday afternoon on East Market Street.

City officials think it will be a hit.

The new park will replace the old Mantis Skate Park in Boggs Industrial Park on the city’s west side, which opened in 1995.

Unlike the old park, the new facility features an all-cement surface — rather than relying on wooden ramps — and will have far fewer restrictions and rules and will no longer operate with park supervision.

Park Superintendent Larry Plummer said they came to realize those rules just weren’t necessary.

“It’ll be open during park hours, and you come and use it as you (choose). I mean, there’s no employee out there to be telling you, you know, hey, you’re doing this wrong or that wrong. I just want you to go out and have fun … It’s wide open,” Plummer said.

The ceremony will also include the unveiling of a memorial in honor of Liz Frazier, a softball player whose name was enshrined as part of Liz Frazier Field, an old softball field on the property that had fallen out of use for the most part 20 years. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.

Plummer, along with Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose, talked about the new skate park for this week’s In the Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Grose scaled the top of the northern cement bowl and was impressed with the overall configuration.

He said the more centralized location on the west end of Richardson-Dubois Park — just east of the Dollar General store — will help attract more people to the park.

“This is just going to be a great addition, and it’s going to allow families and younger people to get to it without having a parent or somebody drive them,” Grose said.

Plummer said people are eager to try it out.

“I’ve had 30- and 40-year-old gentlemen stop by, just can’t wait to get on this, can’t wait to bring their kids to this,” he said.

The park was designed and constructed by American Ramp Company of Jolin, Mo.

New amenities include lighting, landscaping, and a new paved parking lot that can accommodate nearly 40 vehicles.

The entire project cost $465,000.

K21 Health Foundation provided $275,000. The DEKKO Foundation donated $40,000, and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation donated $20,000, Plummer said

The remaining portion came from city reserves.

The project was sidelined in 2019 after the city failed to receive grant money from the state.

The plan was resurrected a little more than a year ago when K12 Health Foundation offered to provide significant money for the construction.

The new park will also lead to more related programming, and Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer is eager to take advantage of the new opportunities, Plummer said.

“I think she loses sleep over thinking about all the things that she can do to show this facility off and have programming for everyone,” Plummer said.

The ceremony will also include an unveiling of a plaque in honor of Liz Frazier, a softball player whose name was enshrined as part of Liz Frazier Field, an old softball field on the property that had fallen out of use over the past 30 years. The field was removed earlier this year to make room for the skate park.

The ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Friday.
Another view of the park. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.
Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose (L) and Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer (L) stand alongside the new skate park on East Market Street ahead of Friday’s grand opening. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.
A sign thanking groups behind the new skate park has been installed on the site. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.

Below are broadcast times for In The Know.

Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Friday at 9 am and 5 pm

Saturday at 7 am

Sunday at 7 am

WRSW (107.3 FM)

Sunday at 6 am

WILLIE (103.5 FM)

Saturday at 7 am

 

The post New skate park’s central location, modern design expected to boost attendance appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/1104-ramp-sky.png Stutzman calls for firing of White House aide and change in tone after midterm defeats https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/stutzman-calls-for-firing-of-white-house-aide-and-change-in-tone-after-midterm-defeats/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 13:05:09 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=137994 By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

FORT WAYNE — Indiana's 3rd District Congressman Marlin Stutzman is offering some pointed advice to the White House after Republicans lost control of the House and Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections. 

Stutzman was re-elected after defeating Democrat Kelly Thompson Tuesday, but was quick to point out his own party's shortcomings that opened the door to defeats in numerous Republican strongholds.

Stutzman made his comments at the Allen County GOP headquarters and was critical of President Trump's approach to deporting undocumented immigrants.

"President Obama deported more illegals than President Trump has, but you know, he didn't go out and talk about it the way we do. And quite frankly, I think Stephen Miller should be fired this morning," Stutzman said. "There needs to be some changes at the White House."

Miller serves as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and was a principal architect of Trump's hardline immigration policies.

"If we just say, 'Look, nobody should be fired' after what happened last night, we're stupid," Stutzman said in audio posted by 21Alive in Fort Wayne.

Stutzman has rarely spoken out against Trump.

Given how quickly he reacted to the election results, he's likely one of the first Republican members of Congress to criticize Trump after election results became apparent.

“He's the top of the team. I mean, I'll give him so much credit for policy, but the tone that comes across at times is what turns people off, and we have to have a better tone," Stutzman said.

Vice President JD Vance was also critical and publicly broke from Trump's defense of the Iran war Wednesday after the Republican Party’s deep losses in the midterm elections.

The post Stutzman calls for firing of White House aide and change in tone after midterm defeats appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

FORT WAYNE — Indiana’s 3rd District Congressman Marlin Stutzman is offering some pointed advice to the White House after Republicans lost control of the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections. 

Stutzman was re-elected after defeating Democrat Kelly Thompson Tuesday, but was quick to point out his own party’s shortcomings that opened the door to defeats in numerous Republican strongholds.

Stutzman made his comments at the Allen County GOP headquarters and was critical of President Trump’s approach to deporting undocumented immigrants.

“President Obama deported more illegals than President Trump has, but you know, he didn’t go out and talk about it the way we do. And quite frankly, I think Stephen Miller should be fired this morning,” Stutzman said. “There needs to be some changes at the White House.”

Miller serves as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and was a principal architect of Trump’s hardline immigration policies.

“If we just say, ‘Look, nobody should be fired’ after what happened last night, we’re stupid,” Stutzman said in audio posted by 21Alive in Fort Wayne.

Stutzman has rarely spoken out against Trump.

Given how quickly he reacted to the election results, he’s likely one of the first Republican members of Congress to criticize Trump after election results became apparent.

“He’s the top of the team. I mean, I’ll give him so much credit for policy, but the tone that comes across at times is what turns people off, and we have to have a better tone,” Stutzman said.

Vice President JD Vance was also critical and publicly broke from Trump’s defense of the Iran war Wednesday after the Republican Party’s deep losses in the midterm elections.

The post Stutzman calls for firing of White House aide and change in tone after midterm defeats appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/1105-Stutzman-sky.png Indiana executes Jeffrey Weisheit for 2010 murders of two children https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/indiana-executes-jeffrey-weisheit-for-2010-murders-of-two-children/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 11:08:17 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=137986 By Casey Smith
Indiana Capital Chronicle

MICHIGAN CITY — Jeffrey Weisheit didn’t visibly move or open his eyes during the three minutes that witnesses were allowed to view his execution early Thursday. And the blinds covering the window into the chamber closed eight minutes before the time Indiana officials said he was pronounced dead.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle, the only media outlet to witness the execution, could not determine whether Weisheit was conscious, see where an IV had been inserted or understand what was being said inside the chamber.

In two other recent Indiana executions, the condemned men blinked and moved.

The Department of Correction said the execution process began shortly after midnight. The blinds did not open until 12:34 a.m. Central Standard Time. What happened during that intervening period — including when the lethal injection began — was not visible to the witnesses.

Witnesses saw Weisheit lying on a gurney as his spiritual adviser spoke over him. At 12:37 a.m., the blinds closed. DOC later reported his time of death as 12:45 a.m.

“They sure did not allow us to see very much,” Weisheit’s father, Bert, said while the witnesses waited to leave.

“It’s a very simple, fast process actually,” a DOC employee accompanying them replied.

Weisheit was executed for murdering 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and her 5-year-old brother, Caleb, in a 2010 house fire near Evansville. Their mother, Lisa Lynch, was working an overnight shift and had left the children in his care. She urged officials to uphold his death sentence during last month’s clemency proceedings.

DOC said Weisheit had no final words. His final meal was barbecue ribs from Texas Corral and Mountain Dew.

His death followed Gov. Mike Braun’s denial of clemency on Monday and a divided Indiana Supreme Court decision on Wednesday rejecting a final request for a stay. Weisheit’s attorneys had sought more time to examine the drugs and the procedures Indiana planned to use.

Afterward, defense attorney Joe Perkovich said the limited view left him unable to explain what he had witnessed.

“I don’t know what I saw,” he said during comments in the prison parking lot.

A long wait for witnesses — then three minutes

The Capital Chronicle gained access through Weisheit’s personal witness list. Indiana does not provide independent witness seats for the press. Journalists may attend if the condemned person selects them for one of five invited witness positions.

The other witnesses were Weisheit’s parents, his sister and Perkovich.

A van carrying the witnesses entered the prison gates at 10:48 p.m. Wednesday, passing armed guards. The van driver and numerous other guards wore masks to shield their faces.

Witnesses exited the van outside the administration building at 10:51 p.m. and went through security, including body scanners, metal detectors and screening of their belongings,

The Capital Chronicle reporter was permitted to bring identification, car keys, a notepad and a pen.

At 11:06 p.m., the five witnesses entered a room typically used for prison visits. They sat silently in plastic chairs against a wall, accompanied by two DOC employees. Sporadic clanking and the sound of doors shutting broke the quiet.

They remained there until 12:22 a.m.

As the group walked back toward the van, family members commented on the wait.

“A little slow, but things got to be done right,” one of the DOC employees said.

The witnesses were back in the van at 12:26 a.m. They passed through additional security checkpoints and reached the execution chamber building at 12:30 a.m.

At 12:33 a.m., they entered the witness room.

The lights were dimmed. Two guards stood at the back. Five chairs were provided, but only four were positioned in front of the small, tinted window into the execution chamber. Perkovich chose to stand because the fifth chair did not offer a view.

The blinds were closed.

When they opened a minute later, Weisheit was already on the gurney. From the Capital Chronicle’s vantage point, his whole body was visible. His left arm was extended, his hand was restrained and a white sheet covered the lower half of his body. He appeared to be wearing a red jumpsuit.

Deacon Brian Nosbusch, his spiritual adviser, stood over him, speaking and appearing to pray. Only faint, indistinct sounds reached the witness room. No words could be made out.

The Capital Chronicle did not see Weisheit move or open his eyes during the three-minute viewing period. It was unclear whether he was conscious or where an IV line had been inserted.

At 12:36 a.m., Nosbusch was still speaking. At 12:37 a.m., he made the sign of the cross, and Deputy Warden Dawn Buss closed the blinds.

Witnesses could still hear faint voices and see shifting shadows beyond the blinds, but could not make out what was happening.

The witness room lights came fully on at 12:46 a.m. The door was unlocked and opened at 12:52 a.m., and the group returned to the van at 12:55 a.m.

“I don’t know how anyone can see anything,” Weisheit’s father said.

“That’s the point,” Perkovich replied. “They don’t want anyone to see what they do. I’m stunned.”

The van left prison property at 1:01 a.m. and returned the witnesses to their drop-off site at 1:09 a.m.

The Capital Chronicle encountered similar viewing restrictions at Joseph Corcoran’s December 2024 execution, which the same reporter witnessed. In that execution, the blinds were open for about six minutes.

What witnesses couldn’t see

In the prison parking lot afterward, Perkovich said Weisheit’s lack of movement left him unable to assess his client’s condition.

“I don’t know that he was unconscious,” he said.

He emphasized that the witnesses had no view of the preparations before the blinds opened and could not make out details of the intravenous equipment.

“There was no pronouncement of death,” he said of the period visible to witnesses.

The Capital Chronicle likewise could not identify when the drugs were administered or when Weisheit died. DOC’s statement placed his death eight minutes after the blinds closed.

Before the execution, DOC and the attorney general’s office had defended the state’s preparations and declined to discuss supplier information, citing Indiana’s confidentiality law.

Final appeals rejected

Other states have continued carrying out executions since Tennessee’s failed Sept. 30 attempt to execute Christa Pike, including Texas on Oct. 7 and Florida on Oct. 13 and Oct. 20. Weisheit’s execution was the first of three scheduled nationwide Thursday, with Alabama set to execute Michael Taylor and Florida scheduled to execute Jesse Guardado later in the day.

Braun rejected Weisheit’s request to commute his sentence to life without parole after the Indiana Parole Board unanimously recommended against clemency.

The children’s parents had taken different positions. Lisa Lynch urged officials to uphold the death sentence. Their father, Steven Lynch, asked Braun to spare Weisheit, saying another death would not restore his children and would inflict loss on another family.

Weisheit’s attorneys separately sought a temporary reprieve and an independent review of Indiana’s lethal injection practices and drug procurement. Braun’s office did not publicly announce a decision on that request or comment on it before the execution.

In a statement afterward, Braun said the sentence had survived repeated judicial review.

“Jeffrey Weisheit’s case has been heard and reviewed numerous times by both state and federal courts, including the Indiana Supreme Court, since his conviction in 2013. These reviews have never resulted in an overturned sentence,” the governor said.

The Indiana Supreme Court voted 3-2 Wednesday to deny an emergency stay while Weisheit challenged the drugs and execution procedures in Marion Superior Court.

His attorneys alleged improper drug procurement, inadequate storage safeguards and insufficient qualifications for staff placing IV lines. A supplemental filing alleged that the pharmacy supplying the drugs contributed $5,000 to Attorney General Todd Rokita’s campaign in June while on probation.

The court questioned the timing of the challenge, submitted hours before the execution. The defense said it could not have filed sooner because key information about the supplier and the state’s receipt of the drugs had only recently emerged.

Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Justice Christopher Goff dissented. They would have granted a 10-day stay for immediate submissions on the drugs’ formulation, expiration, storage and testing, as well as the defense’s disclosure and filing timeline and whether Weisheit had exhausted available remedies.

Rokita defended the execution afterward and expressed sympathy for the children’s family.

“Nothing can ever bring their children back, and the pain of this loss will never fully leave them. Yet, hopefully, with this justice being done, they may find some measure of peace,” he said in a statement.

Pharmacy questions remain

At a Statehouse news conference Wednesday afternoon, Perkovich had urged Braun to intervene.

“This will not be resolved by simply taking his life,” he said.

The legal team also sent the Indiana Board of Pharmacy a letter asking to address disciplinary proceedings involving Pharmaneek Inc., the Indianapolis pharmacy identified as Indiana’s execution drug supplier.

Pharmaneek is on probation and faces possible emergency suspension over alleged violations of restrictions on compounding, the preparation of customized medications. The board has not ordered suspension in that proceeding.

The hearing was initially scheduled for Oct. 5 and moved to Nov. 9 after the pharmacy’s newly retained attorney requested additional preparation time.

In their statement after the execution, Weisheit’s lawyers said the hearing had been postponed again, to Dec. 14. But the board’s Nov. 9 agenda posted online still listed Pharmaneek’s case under “Order to Show Cause” as of Thursday morning.

The board did not respond Wednesday to the Capital Chronicle’s questions about the pharmacy’s role, the postponement or whether the lawyers would be permitted to speak.

Perkovich said that the defense still had not received testing results or temperature records for the newly acquired drugs. Similar Capital Chronicle public records requests had not yielded those documents as of early Thursday morning.

DOC confirmed Monday that it paid $275,000 for the drugs. An inventory log released that day recorded receipt of six 50-milliliter vials of pentobarbital on Oct. 29.

The lawyers contend the pharmacy’s inspection history and the lack of disclosed quality records warrant further investigation.

Outside the prison, the Diocese of Gary organized a Wednesday night prayer vigil. The Indiana Abolition Coalition, Death Penalty Action and other opponents remained in the parking lot through the execution.

Afterward, the defense counsel’s written statement mourned Weisheit while acknowledging the children he killed.

“They have lost a son and a brother, and grieve yet again over the tragedy of his unspeakable and incomprehensible acts against the two innocent children in this case,” the statement said of his family.

The lawyers closed by repeating a question from Steven Lynch’s sworn statement supporting clemency: “What good does it do the memory of my children to put this man to death?”

The post Indiana executes Jeffrey Weisheit for 2010 murders of two children appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Casey Smith
Indiana Capital Chronicle

MICHIGAN CITY — Jeffrey Weisheit didn’t visibly move or open his eyes during the three minutes that witnesses were allowed to view his execution early Thursday. And the blinds covering the window into the chamber closed eight minutes before the time Indiana officials said he was pronounced dead.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle, the only media outlet to witness the execution, could not determine whether Weisheit was conscious, see where an IV had been inserted or understand what was being said inside the chamber.

In two other recent Indiana executions, the condemned men blinked and moved.

The Department of Correction said the execution process began shortly after midnight. The blinds did not open until 12:34 a.m. Central Standard Time. What happened during that intervening period — including when the lethal injection began — was not visible to the witnesses.

Witnesses saw Weisheit lying on a gurney as his spiritual adviser spoke over him. At 12:37 a.m., the blinds closed. DOC later reported his time of death as 12:45 a.m.

“They sure did not allow us to see very much,” Weisheit’s father, Bert, said while the witnesses waited to leave.

“It’s a very simple, fast process actually,” a DOC employee accompanying them replied.

Weisheit was executed for murdering 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and her 5-year-old brother, Caleb, in a 2010 house fire near Evansville. Their mother, Lisa Lynch, was working an overnight shift and had left the children in his care. She urged officials to uphold his death sentence during last month’s clemency proceedings.

DOC said Weisheit had no final words. His final meal was barbecue ribs from Texas Corral and Mountain Dew.

His death followed Gov. Mike Braun’s denial of clemency on Monday and a divided Indiana Supreme Court decision on Wednesday rejecting a final request for a stay. Weisheit’s attorneys had sought more time to examine the drugs and the procedures Indiana planned to use.

Afterward, defense attorney Joe Perkovich said the limited view left him unable to explain what he had witnessed.

“I don’t know what I saw,” he said during comments in the prison parking lot.

A long wait for witnesses — then three minutes

The Capital Chronicle gained access through Weisheit’s personal witness list. Indiana does not provide independent witness seats for the press. Journalists may attend if the condemned person selects them for one of five invited witness positions.

The other witnesses were Weisheit’s parents, his sister and Perkovich.

A van carrying the witnesses entered the prison gates at 10:48 p.m. Wednesday, passing armed guards. The van driver and numerous other guards wore masks to shield their faces.

Witnesses exited the van outside the administration building at 10:51 p.m. and went through security, including body scanners, metal detectors and screening of their belongings,

The Capital Chronicle reporter was permitted to bring identification, car keys, a notepad and a pen.

At 11:06 p.m., the five witnesses entered a room typically used for prison visits. They sat silently in plastic chairs against a wall, accompanied by two DOC employees. Sporadic clanking and the sound of doors shutting broke the quiet.

They remained there until 12:22 a.m.

As the group walked back toward the van, family members commented on the wait.

“A little slow, but things got to be done right,” one of the DOC employees said.

The witnesses were back in the van at 12:26 a.m. They passed through additional security checkpoints and reached the execution chamber building at 12:30 a.m.

At 12:33 a.m., they entered the witness room.

The lights were dimmed. Two guards stood at the back. Five chairs were provided, but only four were positioned in front of the small, tinted window into the execution chamber. Perkovich chose to stand because the fifth chair did not offer a view.

The blinds were closed.

When they opened a minute later, Weisheit was already on the gurney. From the Capital Chronicle’s vantage point, his whole body was visible. His left arm was extended, his hand was restrained and a white sheet covered the lower half of his body. He appeared to be wearing a red jumpsuit.

Deacon Brian Nosbusch, his spiritual adviser, stood over him, speaking and appearing to pray. Only faint, indistinct sounds reached the witness room. No words could be made out.

The Capital Chronicle did not see Weisheit move or open his eyes during the three-minute viewing period. It was unclear whether he was conscious or where an IV line had been inserted.

At 12:36 a.m., Nosbusch was still speaking. At 12:37 a.m., he made the sign of the cross, and Deputy Warden Dawn Buss closed the blinds.

Witnesses could still hear faint voices and see shifting shadows beyond the blinds, but could not make out what was happening.

The witness room lights came fully on at 12:46 a.m. The door was unlocked and opened at 12:52 a.m., and the group returned to the van at 12:55 a.m.

“I don’t know how anyone can see anything,” Weisheit’s father said.

“That’s the point,” Perkovich replied. “They don’t want anyone to see what they do. I’m stunned.”

The van left prison property at 1:01 a.m. and returned the witnesses to their drop-off site at 1:09 a.m.

The Capital Chronicle encountered similar viewing restrictions at Joseph Corcoran’s December 2024 execution, which the same reporter witnessed. In that execution, the blinds were open for about six minutes.

What witnesses couldn’t see

In the prison parking lot afterward, Perkovich said Weisheit’s lack of movement left him unable to assess his client’s condition.

“I don’t know that he was unconscious,” he said.

He emphasized that the witnesses had no view of the preparations before the blinds opened and could not make out details of the intravenous equipment.

“There was no pronouncement of death,” he said of the period visible to witnesses.

The Capital Chronicle likewise could not identify when the drugs were administered or when Weisheit died. DOC’s statement placed his death eight minutes after the blinds closed.

Before the execution, DOC and the attorney general’s office had defended the state’s preparations and declined to discuss supplier information, citing Indiana’s confidentiality law.

Final appeals rejected

Other states have continued carrying out executions since Tennessee’s failed Sept. 30 attempt to execute Christa Pike, including Texas on Oct. 7 and Florida on Oct. 13 and Oct. 20. Weisheit’s execution was the first of three scheduled nationwide Thursday, with Alabama set to execute Michael Taylor and Florida scheduled to execute Jesse Guardado later in the day.

Braun rejected Weisheit’s request to commute his sentence to life without parole after the Indiana Parole Board unanimously recommended against clemency.

The children’s parents had taken different positions. Lisa Lynch urged officials to uphold the death sentence. Their father, Steven Lynch, asked Braun to spare Weisheit, saying another death would not restore his children and would inflict loss on another family.

Weisheit’s attorneys separately sought a temporary reprieve and an independent review of Indiana’s lethal injection practices and drug procurement. Braun’s office did not publicly announce a decision on that request or comment on it before the execution.

In a statement afterward, Braun said the sentence had survived repeated judicial review.

“Jeffrey Weisheit’s case has been heard and reviewed numerous times by both state and federal courts, including the Indiana Supreme Court, since his conviction in 2013. These reviews have never resulted in an overturned sentence,” the governor said.

The Indiana Supreme Court voted 3-2 Wednesday to deny an emergency stay while Weisheit challenged the drugs and execution procedures in Marion Superior Court.

His attorneys alleged improper drug procurement, inadequate storage safeguards and insufficient qualifications for staff placing IV lines. A supplemental filing alleged that the pharmacy supplying the drugs contributed $5,000 to Attorney General Todd Rokita’s campaign in June while on probation.

The court questioned the timing of the challenge, submitted hours before the execution. The defense said it could not have filed sooner because key information about the supplier and the state’s receipt of the drugs had only recently emerged.

Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Justice Christopher Goff dissented. They would have granted a 10-day stay for immediate submissions on the drugs’ formulation, expiration, storage and testing, as well as the defense’s disclosure and filing timeline and whether Weisheit had exhausted available remedies.

Rokita defended the execution afterward and expressed sympathy for the children’s family.

“Nothing can ever bring their children back, and the pain of this loss will never fully leave them. Yet, hopefully, with this justice being done, they may find some measure of peace,” he said in a statement.

Pharmacy questions remain

At a Statehouse news conference Wednesday afternoon, Perkovich had urged Braun to intervene.

“This will not be resolved by simply taking his life,” he said.

The legal team also sent the Indiana Board of Pharmacy a letter asking to address disciplinary proceedings involving Pharmaneek Inc., the Indianapolis pharmacy identified as Indiana’s execution drug supplier.

Pharmaneek is on probation and faces possible emergency suspension over alleged violations of restrictions on compounding, the preparation of customized medications. The board has not ordered suspension in that proceeding.

The hearing was initially scheduled for Oct. 5 and moved to Nov. 9 after the pharmacy’s newly retained attorney requested additional preparation time.

In their statement after the execution, Weisheit’s lawyers said the hearing had been postponed again, to Dec. 14. But the board’s Nov. 9 agenda posted online still listed Pharmaneek’s case under “Order to Show Cause” as of Thursday morning.

The board did not respond Wednesday to the Capital Chronicle’s questions about the pharmacy’s role, the postponement or whether the lawyers would be permitted to speak.

Perkovich said that the defense still had not received testing results or temperature records for the newly acquired drugs. Similar Capital Chronicle public records requests had not yielded those documents as of early Thursday morning.

DOC confirmed Monday that it paid $275,000 for the drugs. An inventory log released that day recorded receipt of six 50-milliliter vials of pentobarbital on Oct. 29.

The lawyers contend the pharmacy’s inspection history and the lack of disclosed quality records warrant further investigation.

Outside the prison, the Diocese of Gary organized a Wednesday night prayer vigil. The Indiana Abolition Coalition, Death Penalty Action and other opponents remained in the parking lot through the execution.

Afterward, the defense counsel’s written statement mourned Weisheit while acknowledging the children he killed.

“They have lost a son and a brother, and grieve yet again over the tragedy of his unspeakable and incomprehensible acts against the two innocent children in this case,” the statement said of his family.

The lawyers closed by repeating a question from Steven Lynch’s sworn statement supporting clemency: “What good does it do the memory of my children to put this man to death?”

The post Indiana executes Jeffrey Weisheit for 2010 murders of two children appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-05-055418.png Roger Grossman on the art of celebrating and selling off https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/roger-grossman-on-the-art-of-celebrating-and-selling-off/ Wed, 04 Nov 2026 15:42:19 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=137963
Roger Grossman
News Now Warsaw

I have a couple of thoughts to offer to you today.

The first hurts me to talk about, but I am a realist at heart, and I have to be true to that.

The Brewers won the World Series.

They deserve it. They were the best team in baseball all season and they proved it by winning 11 of the 13 games they played in during their championship run.

They had great starting pitching, including the best starting pitcher.

They were impressive on defense. They were strong up the middle, and they rarely made ball-handling errors.

At the plate, they were a bit of a unicorn. They didn’t hit a lot of home runs and they didn’t try to hit a lot of home runs. I should include a disclaimer to that last statement: The Brewers didn’t hit a lot of home runs … against anyone but the Cubs. The Cubs gave up a lot of homers to everyone in 2026.

They always got what they needed.

If they needed someone to bunt, they asked whoever was up and they put down a good one.

If they needed to execute a hit-and-run play, they started the runner from first base and the batter slapped it through the hole and into right field.

If they were down by 2 in the eighth, they got their closer up and scored 3.

If they needed their bullpen to get 12 outs, they’d use five pitchers and get 12 outs.

I bring that up because as much as it pained me to see the Cubs’ rivals winning the World Series, I did enjoy watching the teams from New York and Los Angeles eat their shorts while a team from middle America dominated the spotlight.

That was quite glorious.

The Brewers winning does cause a problem for owners as they get ready to put padlocks on the gates to spring training sites and baseball parks and stadiums.

Their argument is that the revenue disparity between big city teams like the Dodgers and Yankees and teams from smaller towns like Tampa Bay and Milwaukee makes it almost impossible for the smaller towns to be competitive on the field and stay competitive.

And then the Rays and Brewers mess that all up by making it to the Series this fall.

Let me say one other thing about the Brewers. The moment when some of the Brewers players walked out of the tunnel with the World Series trophy at the Packers game the next night to present the spoils of their victory to their fans at Lambeau Field was pretty spectacular.

Now we go from the thrill of victory of the agony of undeniable defeat.

The dismantling of the Colts started with Deforest Buckner being sent back to the Niners for draft picks, and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson being traded to Seattle for more picks.

Josh Downs said, “Enough of this … I’d like to be traded.”

All-Pro running back Jonathon Taylor likes Indy and wants to stay with the Colts, but it just doesn’t feel like that makes any sense anymore.

Taylor’s value to Indy is as a trade commodity. He’s not helping the offensive product because it can no longer be helped. Every time he carries the ball or catches it out of the backfield, he takes one more step toward the end of his career. That’s the reality of being a running back in the National Football League.

It’s also shameful of the Colts organization to have this kind of talent on your roster and not be able to surround them with people to play winning football.

They are amassing draft picks, which they could use to restock their roster with good players or bundle them in trades to move up and get better players.

Between now and April, a lot of losing will take place in Indy.

A couple of other things to consider today.

I am not at all thrilled with the thought that there will be more teams making March Madness next spring.

With this being the first week of the college hoops season, we are beginning the journey that will whittle down 361 Division I college basketball teams to 76.

We have lost sight of the concept of “less is more” and have given in to “more means more money.”

I’d like to add something that isn’t related to sports.

I will never be president, but if I were, I would make the first Tuesday after the first Monday a federal holiday. Election Day would be a day like Christmas, where only essential workers (police, fire, ambulance, hospitals) would be on duty, and those citizens would have to be given time to vote.

Election polling places would be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., which would be plenty of time for everyone to vote, we would get more people working at polling places and we would have results earlier.

Try this sometime: ask the next person in your life who complains about politics and politicians if they voted this week or not.

The post Roger Grossman on the art of celebrating and selling off appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]>
Roger Grossman
News Now Warsaw

I have a couple of thoughts to offer to you today.

The first hurts me to talk about, but I am a realist at heart, and I have to be true to that.

The Brewers won the World Series.

They deserve it. They were the best team in baseball all season and they proved it by winning 11 of the 13 games they played in during their championship run.

They had great starting pitching, including the best starting pitcher.

They were impressive on defense. They were strong up the middle, and they rarely made ball-handling errors.

At the plate, they were a bit of a unicorn. They didn’t hit a lot of home runs and they didn’t try to hit a lot of home runs. I should include a disclaimer to that last statement: The Brewers didn’t hit a lot of home runs … against anyone but the Cubs. The Cubs gave up a lot of homers to everyone in 2026.

They always got what they needed.

If they needed someone to bunt, they asked whoever was up and they put down a good one.

If they needed to execute a hit-and-run play, they started the runner from first base and the batter slapped it through the hole and into right field.

If they were down by 2 in the eighth, they got their closer up and scored 3.

If they needed their bullpen to get 12 outs, they’d use five pitchers and get 12 outs.

I bring that up because as much as it pained me to see the Cubs’ rivals winning the World Series, I did enjoy watching the teams from New York and Los Angeles eat their shorts while a team from middle America dominated the spotlight.

That was quite glorious.

The Brewers winning does cause a problem for owners as they get ready to put padlocks on the gates to spring training sites and baseball parks and stadiums.

Their argument is that the revenue disparity between big city teams like the Dodgers and Yankees and teams from smaller towns like Tampa Bay and Milwaukee makes it almost impossible for the smaller towns to be competitive on the field and stay competitive.

And then the Rays and Brewers mess that all up by making it to the Series this fall.

Let me say one other thing about the Brewers. The moment when some of the Brewers players walked out of the tunnel with the World Series trophy at the Packers game the next night to present the spoils of their victory to their fans at Lambeau Field was pretty spectacular.

Now we go from the thrill of victory of the agony of undeniable defeat.

The dismantling of the Colts started with Deforest Buckner being sent back to the Niners for draft picks, and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson being traded to Seattle for more picks.

Josh Downs said, “Enough of this … I’d like to be traded.”

All-Pro running back Jonathon Taylor likes Indy and wants to stay with the Colts, but it just doesn’t feel like that makes any sense anymore.

Taylor’s value to Indy is as a trade commodity. He’s not helping the offensive product because it can no longer be helped. Every time he carries the ball or catches it out of the backfield, he takes one more step toward the end of his career. That’s the reality of being a running back in the National Football League.

It’s also shameful of the Colts organization to have this kind of talent on your roster and not be able to surround them with people to play winning football.

They are amassing draft picks, which they could use to restock their roster with good players or bundle them in trades to move up and get better players.

Between now and April, a lot of losing will take place in Indy.

A couple of other things to consider today.

I am not at all thrilled with the thought that there will be more teams making March Madness next spring.

With this being the first week of the college hoops season, we are beginning the journey that will whittle down 361 Division I college basketball teams to 76.

We have lost sight of the concept of “less is more” and have given in to “more means more money.”

I’d like to add something that isn’t related to sports.

I will never be president, but if I were, I would make the first Tuesday after the first Monday a federal holiday. Election Day would be a day like Christmas, where only essential workers (police, fire, ambulance, hospitals) would be on duty, and those citizens would have to be given time to vote.

Election polling places would be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., which would be plenty of time for everyone to vote, we would get more people working at polling places and we would have results earlier.

Try this sometime: ask the next person in your life who complains about politics and politicians if they voted this week or not.

The post Roger Grossman on the art of celebrating and selling off appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/roger.png Election update: Voters change Indiana’s Constitution — twice https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/election-update-voters-change-indianas-constitution-twice/ Wed, 04 Nov 2026 13:32:10 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=137957 By Niki Kelly
Indiana Capital Chronicle

Hoosiers easily approved two constitutional amendments Tuesday, including one that will allow judges to hold more criminal defendants without bail.

Public Question 1 — the bail change — passed with 59% of the vote. A second question allowing city and town judges to live outside the jurisdiction also passed with 63%. That was with 84% of the votes tallied.

Defendants are guaranteed the right to bail under the Indiana Constitution except in cases of murder or treason — even when a judge believes the defendant may reoffend while awaiting trial.

Now judges will be able to deny bail to any defendant if the state proves they cannot be safely released.

Supporters say the amendment is needed to detain defendants who repeatedly commit violent crimes while on bail, while critics worry it jeopardizes due process rights for defendants who may spend months in jail without a conviction.

Two successive general assemblies approved the proposed amendment: in 2023 and 2026. Now it goes to the people on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute found 7% of defendants released on bail or their own recognizance statewide last year were rearrested and charged with a new offense while awaiting trial.

To hold someone accused of a crime without bail a judge must find the defendant poses a “substantial risk to any other person or the community” and that the proof in the case “is evident or the presumption strong” of their guilt. The state would then need to prove “by clear and convincing evidence” no other release conditions would “reasonably” protect public safety.

Defendants are entitled to an attorney and a hearing if the state asks to deny them bail, as well as the right to appeal the court’s decision.

Opponents are concerned that some accused of misdemeanor or low-level felonies might be held with no bail, but lawmakers turned back attempts to limit the law.

Public Question 2 was much simpler. It allows the judge of a city or town court to reside in the county where the court is located or the bordering county closest to the city of town in which the court is located.

The post Election update: Voters change Indiana’s Constitution — twice appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Niki Kelly
Indiana Capital Chronicle

Hoosiers easily approved two constitutional amendments Tuesday, including one that will allow judges to hold more criminal defendants without bail.

Public Question 1 — the bail change — passed with 59% of the vote. A second question allowing city and town judges to live outside the jurisdiction also passed with 63%. That was with 84% of the votes tallied.

Defendants are guaranteed the right to bail under the Indiana Constitution except in cases of murder or treason — even when a judge believes the defendant may reoffend while awaiting trial.

Now judges will be able to deny bail to any defendant if the state proves they cannot be safely released.

Supporters say the amendment is needed to detain defendants who repeatedly commit violent crimes while on bail, while critics worry it jeopardizes due process rights for defendants who may spend months in jail without a conviction.

Two successive general assemblies approved the proposed amendment: in 2023 and 2026. Now it goes to the people on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute found 7% of defendants released on bail or their own recognizance statewide last year were rearrested and charged with a new offense while awaiting trial.

To hold someone accused of a crime without bail a judge must find the defendant poses a “substantial risk to any other person or the community” and that the proof in the case “is evident or the presumption strong” of their guilt. The state would then need to prove “by clear and convincing evidence” no other release conditions would “reasonably” protect public safety.

Defendants are entitled to an attorney and a hearing if the state asks to deny them bail, as well as the right to appeal the court’s decision.

Opponents are concerned that some accused of misdemeanor or low-level felonies might be held with no bail, but lawmakers turned back attempts to limit the law.

Public Question 2 was much simpler. It allows the judge of a city or town court to reside in the county where the court is located or the bordering county closest to the city of town in which the court is located.

The post Election update: Voters change Indiana’s Constitution — twice appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-04-080942.png Kosciusko Republicans sweep local elections amid blue wave across the country https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/kosciusko-republicans-sweep-local-elections-amid-blue-wave-across-the-country/ Wed, 04 Nov 2026 12:26:42 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=137933 By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Republicans were swept to victory across Kosciusko County and much of northern Indiana Tuesday night, but Democrats scored two big victories in Indiana.

Democrat Beau Bayh won the race for Indiana Secretary of State by defeating Republican Max Engling and two others.

Bayh, the son of former Indiana Governor and US Senator Evan Bayh, won with more than 51 percent of the vote, including 71 percent in Marion County, according to Network Indiana.

"My hardworking staff are volunteers. My God has given me more blessings than I can count. But most of all, the voters that have placed their trust in me," Bayh said afterward. "I am honored and humbled."

Engling conceded late Tuesday night.

"The voters have made their decision, and it's not what we wanted. It's not what we were pushing for, but we fully respect that decision," Engling said.

Nationally, Republicans lost control of Congress with losses in some of the most high-profile races where President Donald Trump had campaigned in the final weeks ahead of the vote.

Story continues below.

[caption id="attachment_137940" align="aligncenter" width="700"] More than 20 people stood in line around 2 p.m. Tuesday outside of the Center Lake vote center. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

One of the many key losses in the House happened northeast of Indianapolis, where Democratic State Sen. J.D. Ford defeated incumbent Republican Victoria Spartz in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.

As a result, the district will be represented by a Democrat for the first time in 30 years.

“Hoosiers made history, and they sent a message that will be heard far beyond Indiana’s 5th District,” Ford said.

Meanwhile, Kosciusko County voters led nine county-level Republican incumbents, including Sheriff Jim Smith and Prosecutor Brad Voelz, to re-election.

In local congressional races, incumbents Rudy Yakym in the Second District and Marlin Stutzman in the Third District were re-elected, with both receiving upward of sixty-six percent of the vote.
Election day in Kosciusko County was highlighted by surprisingly strong voter turnout. Election officials reported long lines out the door at many of the vote centers and wait times of more than an hour.

"We're hearing of lines between a half an hour, 45 minutes, and sometimes an hour," said Kosciusko County Clerk Melissa Boggs early Tuesday night.

Kosciusko County Republican Chair Mike Ragan was pleased with the turnout.

"It was pretty amazing," Ragan said Tuesday night.

News Now Warsaw talked with three people in line at the Center Lake vote Center in Warsaw who were a bit awestruck with the turnout.

They were standing behind more than 20 other people in line early Tueday afternoon.

All three sounded enthused and hinted that the turnout was in response to the emergence of the Democrat Socialists across parts of the country.

One man said he wanted to see Republicans prevent "the other side" from taking over in a reflexive move against President Donald Trump.

"Leave it alone and leave Trump out of it and he'll be gone in another couple of years, and then we can go on, but I don't think we should throw the baby out with the bathwater yet," he said.

The post Kosciusko Republicans sweep local elections amid blue wave across the country appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Republicans were swept to victory across Kosciusko County and much of northern Indiana Tuesday night, but Democrats scored two big victories in Indiana.

Democrat Beau Bayh won the race for Indiana Secretary of State by defeating Republican Max Engling and two others.

Bayh, the son of former Indiana Governor and US Senator Evan Bayh, won with more than 51 percent of the vote, including 71 percent in Marion County, according to Network Indiana.

“My hardworking staff are volunteers. My God has given me more blessings than I can count. But most of all, the voters that have placed their trust in me,” Bayh said afterward. “I am honored and humbled.”

Engling conceded late Tuesday night.

“The voters have made their decision, and it’s not what we wanted. It’s not what we were pushing for, but we fully respect that decision,” Engling said.

Nationally, Republicans lost control of Congress with losses in some of the most high-profile races where President Donald Trump had campaigned in the final weeks ahead of the vote.

Story continues below.

More than 20 people stood in line around 2 p.m. Tuesday outside of the Center Lake vote center. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.

One of the many key losses in the House happened northeast of Indianapolis, where Democratic State Sen. J.D. Ford defeated incumbent Republican Victoria Spartz in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.

As a result, the district will be represented by a Democrat for the first time in 30 years.

“Hoosiers made history, and they sent a message that will be heard far beyond Indiana’s 5th District,” Ford said.

Meanwhile, Kosciusko County voters led nine county-level Republican incumbents, including Sheriff Jim Smith and Prosecutor Brad Voelz, to re-election.

In local congressional races, incumbents Rudy Yakym in the Second District and Marlin Stutzman in the Third District were re-elected, with both receiving upward of sixty-six percent of the vote.
Election day in Kosciusko County was highlighted by surprisingly strong voter turnout. Election officials reported long lines out the door at many of the vote centers and wait times of more than an hour.

“We’re hearing of lines between a half an hour, 45 minutes, and sometimes an hour,” said Kosciusko County Clerk Melissa Boggs early Tuesday night.

Kosciusko County Republican Chair Mike Ragan was pleased with the turnout.

“It was pretty amazing,” Ragan said Tuesday night.

News Now Warsaw talked with three people in line at the Center Lake vote Center in Warsaw who were a bit awestruck with the turnout.

They were standing behind more than 20 other people in line early Tueday afternoon.

All three sounded enthused and hinted that the turnout was in response to the emergence of the Democrat Socialists across parts of the country.

One man said he wanted to see Republicans prevent “the other side” from taking over in a reflexive move against President Donald Trump.

“Leave it alone and leave Trump out of it and he’ll be gone in another couple of years, and then we can go on, but I don’t think we should throw the baby out with the bathwater yet,” he said.

The post Kosciusko Republicans sweep local elections amid blue wave across the country appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/1104-bayh-sky.png County says Justice Building repairs delayed until Spring https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/county-says-justice-building-repairs-delayed-until-spring/ Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:12:29 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=137922 Staff Report

WARSAW — Repairs to the Kosciusko County Justice Building won't happen until next spring.

An entryway on Lake Street was heavily damaged in August of 2025 when a limestone slab came crashing down from above a public exit, which still remains closed.

While some of the preliminary work will be done over the winter, County Commissioner Cary Groninger says the contractor plans to wait until spring to do much of the work.

Some of the decision has to do with the materials that will be involved in the project.

The original damage led to a large-scale assessment of the building, which led to the discovery of numerous potential weaknesses in older parts of the building.
The county in July hired Structural Waterproofing and Restoration to make the repairs at an estimated cost of $698,000.

The post County says Justice Building repairs delayed until Spring appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> Staff Report

WARSAW — Repairs to the Kosciusko County Justice Building won’t happen until next spring.

An entryway on Lake Street was heavily damaged in August of 2025 when a limestone slab came crashing down from above a public exit, which still remains closed.

While some of the preliminary work will be done over the winter, County Commissioner Cary Groninger says the contractor plans to wait until spring to do much of the work.

Some of the decision has to do with the materials that will be involved in the project.

The original damage led to a large-scale assessment of the building, which led to the discovery of numerous potential weaknesses in older parts of the building.
The county in July hired Structural Waterproofing and Restoration to make the repairs at an estimated cost of $698,000.

The post County says Justice Building repairs delayed until Spring appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

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