By David Slone,
Times-Union

SYRACUSE — Three firefighters and the homeowner were injured in a house fire that started late Wednesday night and went into Thursday morning.

Turkey Creek Fire Territory Chief Quinn Hunter said the initial call came in at 11:25 p.m. Wednesday for a structure fire at 726 E. Northshore Drive, Syracuse. When they arrived on scene, the fire was about 75% involved.

County records indicate the home is owned by Richard A. Eyer.

“We had three firefighters injured. One had an exterior piece of the structure that fell on him when he was operating outside, and then we had two firefighters - there was a floor collapse from the second floor to the first that trapped them momentarily after it fell on them,” Hunter stated. “They were extricated out and basically all three of those people went to the hospital at the same time.”

As of about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, he said they were all OK.

Hunter said the fire department did not transport the homeowner or anything of that nature. “That all happened separately.”

According to a news release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, the KCSO assisted the Syracuse Police Department and the Turkey Creek Fire Territory with the fire. While firefighters were working to contain the fire, law enforcement officers were advised a white Chevy Impala had fled the scene and the vehicle was also on fire. KCSO deputies, along with North Webster Police Department, located the vehicle and initiated a low-speed pursuit that lasted approximately 4 minutes before the vehicle stopped at the public access site on Medusa Street in Syracuse.

Deputies made contact with the driver, Eyer, 71, of Syracuse, and saw he was suffering from severe burns. EMS personnel were requested to the scene to provide medical treatment. Eyer was taken by Lutheran Air to Lutheran Hospital before later being transferred to a burn unit in Indianapolis for further treatment of his injuries, the release states.

Investigators later determined Eyer was the owner of the Northshore Drive residence. The KCSO is also investigating Eyer on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, the release states.

Hunter said the fire was deemed under control several hours later after it began, but firefighters remained on scene to attempt to extinguish hot spots before an excavator had to be called in to assist.

“It was originally a one-story residence that had been added on to several times, so there were a lot of void spaces and the second floor was unstable, so we really didn’t have access to the second floor, outside of our aerial, and we just couldn’t reach void spaces to put it out. It wasn’t actively burning, but it would have been soon enough had we not been able to do something,” Hunter explained.

The excavator basically brought the home down on Thursday morning.

While the Eyer home is a total loss, Hunter said, “That home was almost 4,000 square feet, and it sat really close to two other residences. It was really advanced upon our arrival, and even with everything that happened, there was no significant damage at all to any other structures, which is pretty extraordinary in a circumstance like that. So the guys did a really good job. The guys did a really good job of attacking the fire and not letting it spread to other occupancies.”

Along with the Turkey Creek Fire Territory, responding to the scene were Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory, Milford Fire Department, Benton Fire Department and Clinton Township Fire Territory. Hunter estimated about 35 firefighters were on scene.

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SYRACUSE — Public Vet, a non-profit group, is returning to Kosciusko County to fix cats and kittens (6 weeks and older) on April 2.

Thanks to Pet Friendly Services, Public Vet has limited financial assistance available.

Reservations with Public Vet are being taken, and as many as 21 slots remain available.

Sign up now at www.pub.vet. 

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WARSAW — Kosciusko County avoided the worst of a storm that caused heavy damage to parts of Illinois and Indiana Tuesday night, but heavy rains led to a brief flash flood warning for North Webster, Milford and Syracuse.

The warning expired at 6 a.m., but the National Weather Service predicted more heavy, localized rainfall was possible Wednesday morning.

The weather service said most of the rain totals overnight were 1-2 inches, but that an area near Ligonier reported 4.31 inches.

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WARSAW — Primary election contests come into focus with Friday's passing of the filing deadline in Kosciusko County.

Voters will have a variety of choices for the May 3 vote.

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To see the full list of filings in Kosciusko County, click here.

* * *

In Winona Lake, two people who were critical of the town’s handling of a state audit over town record keeping are running for a seat currently held by former council president Jim Lancaster, who did not file for re-election.

Jerry Nelson, who routinely asks questions at town council meetings, and Jim LeMasters, an employee of Warsaw Community Schools, are running for the Ward 3 seat.

Both called for more accountability after the audit shed light on sloppy bookkeeping and a loose approach toward employees' use of town credit cards. Two employees returned money that was deemed not legitimate uses for the town.

The town has since changed its policies in response.

Republicans once again dominate the county election landscape and have numerous incumbents refiling and unopposed in the primary.

County officeholders who filed include Sheriff Jim Smith, County Auditor Allysa Jo Schmucker, County Assessor Bobbi J. Burkhart and County Recorder Deborah A. Wright.

Incumbent judicial candidates include Superior Court 1 Judge Karin A. McGrath, Superior Court 2 Judge Torrey J. Bauer, Superior Court 3 Judge Chad M. Miner, Superior Court 4 Judge Christopher Douglas Kehler,

County council incumbents who refiled include Joe Irwin, District 2; Tony Ciriello, District 3; and David Wolkins, District 4.

Democrat Tina Holloway will challenge Ciriello for the District 3 seat in the general election.

Meanwhile, there will be one contested race for both the Kosciusko County council and commissioner.

Incumbent District 1 councilwoman Kimberly Cates will face Thaddeus Du Bois in the primary.

In the commissioner race, incumbent Bob Conley will face Donald Wiesehan, Jr. for the southern seat.

In Syracuse, four Republicans filed after Larry Siegel, an incumbent, withdrew after he initially filed for reelection. Those Republican funning for the at-Large seat are: David Rosenberry, Brandon Wolferman, Gregory Scott Abbs and Matthew Goodnight.

Democrat Yesenia (Jessie) Vetor will face the Republican primary winner for the at-large seat in the fall election.

The post Who’s running? Winona council race attracts two challengers; Several contests in county government appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

NEW PARIS — A 69-year-old Syracuse man was identified as the victim Monday in Elkhart County.

The county coroner’s office said Phillip L. Hoover died in a private pond located near the 70000 block of County Road 29, which is southeast of New Paris.

A preliminary investigation concluded that Hoover fell into the pond as he attempted to rescue his dog that had fallen through the ice, Indiana State Police said in a news release.

Emergency personnel were able to rescue the dog.

Exactly when the accident happened on Monday was unclear.

Final reports are pending for the Elkhart County Coroner’s Office and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

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SYRACUSE — Indiana State Police say they arrested two men following a traffic stop in Syracuse on Tuesday.

As state troopers approached the Jeep, which was pulled over near the intersection of East Hatchery Road and Hiawatha Lane near Syracuse, two men were spotted, and they say one of them was not wearing his seatbelt. The driver was identified as 38-year-old Ryan Kennelly, who troopers said appeared to be under the influence. The passenger was identified as 50-year-old Shane Senter, who opened the vehicle’s door and tried to run off but was told to stop.

Police say Senter was found with methamphetamine, several pills, two hypodermic needles, and marijuana. They also say Kennelly had methamphetamine and items of drug paraphernalia in his Jeep.

Kennelly and Senter were both taken to a hospital after complaining of medical emergencies. After they were released, they were both taken to the Kosciusko County Jail.

Kennelly faces criminal charges, including:

• Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony)
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe Prior (Level 5 Felony)
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony) and additional charges.

Senter faces criminal charges, including:

• – Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony)
• – Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)
• – Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
• and additional charges.

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Here are Trick or Treat events in Kosciusko County planned for the holiday.

Atwood
Trick-or-treat in Atwood will be 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Atwood Fire Department and Atwood Otterbein Church.

Bourbon
Trunk-or-treat set-up for cars will be 2 to 3 p.m. today at Triton Jr./Sr. High School. From 3-4 p.m., it will be for kids with disabilities, and from 4-5 p.m. will be for all kids. They ask for no scary costumes or flashing lights.
Trick-or-treating will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Burket
Trick-or-treat hours will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Claypool
Claypool’s trick-or-treat hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
A trunk-or-treat event also will be held along Main Street from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Leesburg
Trick-or-treat times are 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Milford
Trick-or-treat times are from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Mentone
Trick-or-treat hours are 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. The costume-judging contest will be at 7:30 p.m. at Mentone Elementary School.

North Manchester
Trick-or-treat hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Nappanee
Nappanee Public Library will be hosting a trick-or-treat bag decorating the entire month of October.
Trick-or-treating will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.
American Legion Trunk-or-Treat will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.
The Boys and Girls Club will have activities from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
Nappanee Parks and Recreation Cute & Creepy Costume Contest will be at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.

North Webster
North Webster’s trick-or-treating is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Pierceton
Pierceton’s trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Sidney
Sidney’s trick-or-treat hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Silver Lake
Trick-or-treat hours are set for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

South Whitley
Townwide trick-or-treat will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Syracuse
Syracuse’s trick-or-treat hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Warsaw
Warsaw’s trick-or-treat times are 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Winona Lake
Winona Lake’s trick-or-treat times are 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
Grace College will host its 35th annual FunFest on Friday, Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Gordon Health and Wellness Center, 100 Publishers Drive

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SYACUSE — World War 2 veteran Charlie Garner loves to tell stories of his military experience, including his role at Omaha Beach and the people he was close to.

And that's what he was expecting when he had a private sit-down with Gov. Mike Braun last week.

Instead, the 102-year-old Syracuse resident received a Sagamore of the Wabash, a statewide honor given by the governor.

“I was so embarrassed when he handed it to me because I thought he’d just came to talk to me about World War 2 experiences,” Garner said. “I had no idea.”

I was just flabbergasted,” he added.

[caption id="attachment_121842" align="alignright" width="420"] Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, left, presents Charlie Garner with a Sagamore of the Wabash award last week in Garner's home in Syracuse. Photo provided.[/caption]

The meeting last Thursday at Garner's home in Syracuse was arranged in part by former Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson, who is running for county council in next year's election.

He and Braun ended up talking for about 45 minutes.

The Sagamore is given to individuals who have made distinguished service or significant contributions to the state. It is Indiana's highest honor, recognizing recipients for their humanity, loyalty, wisdom, and leadership. 

The award is the latest bestowed on the US Army veteran in recent years.

Earlier this year, he was honored by Congressman Rudy Yakym and spent two hours talking with the 2nd District Congressman alongside fellow WW11 veteran Bob Gast during a sitdown in a Warsaw coffee shop.

Garner lives independently in a nice home on a wooded lot in Syracuse.

He remains active, occasionally drives, and moves up and down stairs with relative ease, but wears a security alert around his neck in case he falls (it's happened a few times).

His home is clean and organized, and he made time on Monday — Laundry Day, he says — to meet with three area reporters and friends to recount the visit with Braun.

Garner who makes homemade jelly and jams presented Braun with some samples.

Garner said Braun thanked him for his service and he thanked Braun for his servicce.

Jackson marvels at how sharp Garner continues to be and considers him a walking encyclopedia on World War 2.

Garner's stories offer a sense of depth and appreciation and include personal quips about people who were part of his life during that historic era.

On Jan. 1, 1943, he married his first wife, Maybelle. In April of that year, he was one of ten students who were called up and then sent to Fort Harrison for training.

Garner left the service in 1945.

He then started a lengthy teaching career in the area.

On Monday, he remembered a moment when his military life kicked into high gear.

“I was in college down at Indiana Central at the time, and I called my (future) wife and said, ‘I think we’re gonna be called in pretty soon,' " Garner recalled. “And over the phone, we decided to get married.”

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SYRACUSE — The town of Syracuse has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Community Amenities Program (CAP) to support construction of a new multi-use pedestrian boardwalk — a $1.6 million project that will transform the town’s busiest corridor into a safer, more accessible traffic hub.

The project will create a pedestrian boardwalk along the east side of Ind. 13 from Chicago Street to Bowser Road, within the area locally known as “The Village,” according to a provided news release.

This stretch contains much of Syracuse’s business community, including dining, shopping, grocery, fitness and other service businesses but currently lacks safe sidewalks or bicycle-friendly routes.

Portions of the new boardwalk will be elevated, ensuring accessibility while navigating the topography of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) drainage area between Ind. 13 and its service roads.

By connecting key businesses, existing trails, and school routes, the boardwalk will provide a safer avenue for walkers, runners, bicyclists and students traveling to Wawasee school buildings, the release states. It will also link the south end of Syracuse Lake to the north side of Lake Wawasee and tie into the Conklin Bay Trail, strengthening the region’s trail system.

“On behalf of the citizens, staff, and elected officials of the town of Syracuse, I want to express our gratitude and appreciation to Representative (Craig) Snow for championing this funding,” said David Wilkinson, town manager of the town of Syracuse. “We are also very appreciative of the efforts of the members of the Community Amenities Program Board for their consideration and acknowledgement of our vision. These funds will be extremely helpful in our boardwalk project and our continuing efforts to revitalize and grow our community.”

Syracuse plans to hire an engineering firm in late 2025 to develop final designs and manage the project. Construction will begin later that year.

“We’re thrilled to bring this exciting amenity project to life for the town of Syracuse,” said Ryan Christner, CEO of OrthoWorx. “The new boardwalk will elevate the community experience, connecting key parts of our retail village with existing trails and enhancing accessibility for both residents and visitors. This initiative not only promotes pedestrian travel but also significantly improves safety along one of the town’s most vital corridors.”

The CAP is a countywide initiative designed to enhance quality of life across Kosciusko County by investing in shared spaces and projects that strengthen community connection. Backed by a portion of the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative’s $30 million commitment from the state of Indiana, CAP helps bring bold community visions to life by combining local, state and philanthropic resources.

The program is guided by the CAP Committee, a group of community leaders who evaluate proposals and award grants based on their potential to make lasting, countywide impact.

Administration of these grants is provided in partnership with the K21 Health Foundation, ensuring that each investment is managed with transparency, accountability and a focus on long-term community benefit. To find out more, visit allinkosciusko.com/initiatives/community-amenities/

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