WARSAW — DeLynn Geiger, who was elected to the Kosciusko County Council in November 2024 as an at-large member, resigned after Thursday’s council meeting, effective Friday.

Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Ragan announced Geiger’s resignation, saying Geiger handed him and County Clerk Melissa Boggs his resignation letter.

Details on a caucus to replace Geiger are being planned, potentially in early January, and will be announced as they become available. Three years remain on Geiger’s term.

According to the letter to Ragan from Geiger, Geiger wrote, “Although we have properties in both counties, my wife Lori’s employment and my son Graham’s growing involvement in the classic car community in Auburn lead us to spend more time at our farm in DeKalb County. Our family’s participation in car shows, ACD Automobile Museum events and other out-of-state tours has become a significant part of our lives, and I want to be present for these important family moments. This decision comes after careful consideration and is simply influenced by the increased challenge to dedicate the necessary time and attention required in Kosciusko County to serve in this capacity.”

His letter states he is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the council and appreciates the support he received from family and the community.

“I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth transition and am happy to assist in any way during this period,” Geiger’s letter concludes.

The post Geiger resigns from Kosciuko County Council appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Republicans have an elected seat to fill after Clay Township Trustee Stephanie Stutzman announced her resignation, effective Dec. 31.

Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan announced on Friday the details for a caucus to replace her.

The caucus will take place in the Claypool Lions Building on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.

Applications will be accepted until Dec. 27.

Declarations of candidacy are available at the office of the Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county Justice Building.

The post GOP seeks to fill vacancy for Clay Township appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

ETNA GREEN — The Etna Green Town Council has approved the hiring of a clerk-treasurer.

Ann Anglin, who has been serving as chief deputy clerk for the town since the resignation of Barbara Wagoner, was hired into the position by the council on Tuesday.

Wagoner resigned as clerk-treasurer on June 30 after being appointed to the position on May 22 by Kosciusko County Republican Party chairman Mike Ragan. 

Wagoner's appointment took place after Patti Cook also resigned from the position.

Anglin said she had previously worked in county government outside of Kosciusko County for about eight years.

After Wagoner's resignation, Ragan sought candidates to appoint to fill the vacancy through the caucus process, but no candidates applied.

As a result, filling the position became the council's responsibility.

Anglin said she did not apply for the job through the caucus process because she does not reside within the town limits.

Anglin said Thursday morning she's excited about the opportunity.

The post Etna Green hires new clerk-treasurer, Ann Anglin appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

The post Wagoner appointed as Etna Green clerk-treasurer appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s Republican party will soon be filling another vacancy for an elected official.

That's after Etna Green Town Council member Jason Hanes announced his resignation earlier this week effective immediately.

Since fewer than two people are eligible to participate in the precinct committeemen caucus, Kosciusko County Chair Mike Ragan will make the appointment on Aug. 27 at the Kosciusko County Clerk’s office.

Declarations of candidacy can be picked up at the clerk’s office and need to be filed with Ragan by Aug. 24.

Meanwhile, Republicans will meet on Aug. 15 to fill the vacancy created after Rhonda Helser resigned as Kosciusko County auditor. 

The deadline to file for that position is Aug. 12.

So far, one candidate, Alyssa Jo Schmucker, has announced intentions to fill that position.

The post GOP caucus called after Etna Green council member resigns appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County's Election Board on Friday dismissed a complaint over the use of the phrase “re-elect” that appears on Tyler Huffer's campaign signs for county coroner.

Huffer was appointed by a Republican Caucus to replace Tony Ciriello in 2022.

Julia Goon, also a Republican, filed the complaint, suggesting the use of the term "re-elect" implied he had already been elected. She contends the caucus appointed Huffer.

Austin Rovenstine, a Republican who sits on the election board, pointed out that the use of the term on a campaign sign becomes a First Amendment argument and that it could have easily led to a court fight.

Rovenstine said afterward that there was no statutory basis for the complaint.

"The legislature never specifically said election boards are allowed to sanction someone when they do something like this," Rovenstine said.

He added, "In the absence of a statutory basis, I just think that's political speech — sort of a reasonable debate on both sides whether he was elected or appointed or what constitutes an election and the government would have no business in sanctioning someone for political speech."

"I was pretty confident if we had done that, we would have been overturned on appeal," he said.

The decision came after a 3-0 vote by the board on the matter.

Huffer faces Tracy Cutler-Wilson in the May 7 primary.

Afterward, Huffer issued the following statement:

"I would like to extend my gratitude to Julia Goon for exercising her right to express her concerns before the election board. It is my belief that her concerns have been duly addressed in accordance with the pertinent state statutes.

Looking ahead, Huffer said it was his earnest intention to conduct his campaign "with unwavering professionalism, transparency, and integrity."

"Today's experience has underscored the privilege of living in a remarkable country where our freedoms are cherished," he said.

The post Election board dismisses complaint over Huffer signs appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

CLAYPOOL — Clay Township Trustee Jacob Metzger has announced his resignation, which will require a Republican caucus to fill the vacancy.

Metzger’s resignation is effective Dec. 31.

The caucus will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 27.

Anyone interested in seeking the position and is eligible (by statutory definition), can apply.

Deadline to file is 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

The trustee will be elected by secret ballot by a majority of members of the voting caucus. Candidates must reside in Clay Township and be a Republican in good standing.  

Declarations of candidacy are available at the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, and must be filed with Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan.

The post Clay Trustee Metzger resigns; GOP caucus announced appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

[caption id="attachment_72437" align="alignright" width="200"] Ashley McGinnis[/caption]

The deadline to file for the seat passed Saturday just a few days after the lone candidate, Ashley McGinnis, announced her decision to file for the Ward 2 council seat.

Kosciusko County Republican Party Chairman Mike Ragan confirmed on Monday that McGinnis is the sole candidate.

The opening came after councilman Denny Duncan was elected to a seat on the Warsaw Community School Board.

The caucus will be conducted in the Winona Lake Council Chambers.

The post McGinnis lone candidate in upcoming caucus for Winona Lake council seat appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

Dukes has 17 years of experience as an Indiana State Trooper, and before that worked as a Reserve Deputy in Noble County, where his father was a two-term Sheriff.

He’s been assigned to Presidential and Governor Security Details and won Trooper of the Year Award for the Bremen Post in 2009.

Dukes says the next Sheriff must be a leader.

“My top priorities are encouraging teamwork and information sharing between our area law enforcement agencies, community policing to reduce property crime, and educating our youth of the illegal drug epidemic,” he explains.

Dukes lives in Milford with his family and is a member of the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club.

Indiana State Trooper Kyle Dukes is the third to throw his hat into the ring for the sheriff position. Former Warsaw Police Detective Jordan Foreman and Kosciusko County Deputy Joshua Spangle have both filed for the role.

A caucus to decide the next sheriff will be held June 21.

RELATED POST

• Former Sheriff Rovenstine’s son to vote in caucus that elects new sheriff

The post Indiana State Trooper Kyle Dukes announces run for Sheriff appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

The caucus is made up of precinct committeemen elected a year ago and a central committee of a chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer who were just elected March 4, 2017.

One of the central committeemen may have a familiar last name. Austin Rovenstine, son of the former sheriff, acts as the County GOP Secretary.

Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan tells News Now Warsaw this will "absolutely not" affect the upcoming caucus.

"His role as secretary would be to take the minutes and he is also a voter," explains Ragan. "Other than that, his participation, just like most everybody else, is just limited to voting."

Ragan explains that Austin Rovenstine is an elected representative for Republicans in Kosciusko County.

"We had a vacant seat in the secretary position last fall and Austin Rovenstine was appointed. In the March 4th election, he was unanimously elected without an opponent."

There are 69 people eligible to vote in the June 21 caucus to select a new sheriff. Mike Ragan would like to see people get more involved in their precincts.

"Its a very important position because you're representing every man, woman, and child in Kosciusko County. We take it very seriously," he says.

So far two people have confirmed to News Now Warsaw that they've filed for the sheriff's position-- former Warsaw Police Detective Jordan Foreman and current Kosciusko County Sheriff's Deputy Josh Spangle. The Times-Union reports Indiana State Trooper Kyle Dukes has also shown interest in the position.

A member of the Rovenstine family has been Kosciusko County sheriff for 26 of the last 40 years. Prosecutors referred to this as the "Rovenstine dynasty" in a press conference after the former sheriff's sentencing.

Because former Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine was a Republican, Ragan says its up the the County Republicans to find a replacement. To be eligible for the sheriff position, you must be a Republican in "good standing"-- Ragan explains what that means.

"If you are a registered voter living in Kosciusko County and pulled a Republican ballot in the last primary election we would consider you a Republican in good standing."

The post Former Sheriff Rovenstine’s son to vote in caucus that elects new sheriff appeared first on News Now Warsaw.