Winona Officers Recognized For Lifesaving Ice Rescue Efforts

(Photo Supplied / Winona Lake Town Council)

WINONA LAKE – The Winona Lake Police Department had several announcements during the town council meeting Tuesday.

Town Marshal Joe Hawn recognized WLPD officer Dave Swain and Sgt. Joe Bumbaugh and Indiana State Police Trooper Jacob Bill for their lifesaving rescue Nov. 15 of an 11-year-old boy who had fallen through thin ice.

All three men will be presented with a lifesaving award they can pin on their uniform, Hawn said.

“They went above and beyond,” he said.

Two new reserve officers were then sworn in by town attorney Adam Turner. Dalis Owens, who formerly served through the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, will take an abbreviated training course before assuming his reserve duties. Brittany Lyon will begin a police training course and, upon completion, begin her reserve duties.

Hawn said he’s grateful for Owens’ experience and he’s looking forward to seeing Lyon move up in the ranks.

Hawn also announced that WLPD officer John Leeper graduated a six-week training session with his new K-9 officer Grim. Grim will start soon.

The council held a moment of silence at the beginning of the meeting for four community leaders who have died this past year: Terry Howie, Mitch Titus, Pete O’Connell and Warren Zellner.

Council President Rick Swaim said it’s sad that a community of Winona’s size has lost four leaders in such a short period of time.

Two-year councilwoman Tecy Banta’s term expires at the end of this year. The council recognized her and thanked her for her work.

Also Tuesday, the council:

• Tabled a public hearing for an increase in the wastewater rate until 6 p.m. Jan. 6 in town hall. The proposed rate would go up by $9 per month.

• Passed an ordinance to increase the trash rate by $1 – from $5 to $6 per month. Town Manager Craig Allebach explained the town currently covers 50% of the expense, and will hope for competitive trash rate bids in June to see how it will affect the rate passed onto residents.

• Heard the town received $82,780 from a K21 Foundation grant that will help offset costs for the Heritage Trail East design, right-of-way, environmental and feasibility studies.

• Heard from Winona Lake Fire Department Chief Kevin Gelbaugh the 2019 service award winner was Cassie Roose and the 2019 fireman of the year was Conner Klosowski.