News Release

HAMMOND — A teenager led Indiana State Police on a lengthy high-speed chase Sunday night on I-80 that reached speeds of 145 mph.

State Police said the incident began around 10 p.m. and that the pursuit began in Gary and concluded in Hammond.

It began after a trooper observed a black Audi approaching his vehicle from behind at a high rate of speed. Radar confirmed the vehicle was traveling 91 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. The Audi then passed the trooper’s semi‑marked Ford Mustang police vehicle and continued to accelerate, making abrupt lane changes.

According to an ISP news release:

“Trooper Griffin attempted to catch up to the vehicle, pacing it at 93 mph before the driver rapidly accelerated to approximately 130 mph. When the trooper activated emergency lights, the driver briefly slowed before fleeing westbound. Emergency sirens were activated as the vehicle continued westbound on I‑80 at speeds reaching 145 mph.”

Another trooper was able to position themselves ahead of the fleeing vehicle. near Kennedy Avenue. The Audi voluntarily came to a stop near Indianapolis Boulevard, where troopers conducted a felony stop.

The driver, identified as Damian Arzabek, 18, from Oswego, Ill., was taken into custody and later taken to the Lake County Jail.

The following charges have been submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration:

• Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
• Reckless Driving – Class C Misdemeanor

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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WINONA LAKE — The Fat & Skinny Tire Fest wrapped up its 21st season of cycling events on Sunday with some impressive numbers.

They had more than 650 people kick off the festival on Friday with a massive ride from Winona Lake to Warsaw, hosted a new series of road races, and relied on 340 volunteers helping oversee 20 different events. 

On top of that, the festival has a relatively new home team of sorts with the emergence of Winona Racing.

Founders John Reidy and Tory Leonard run the team, and all of the 11 members are either from Kosciusko County or have close ties to the community. 

While there have been previous local racing teams, including Team Apex, Winona Racing established itself with a focus on recruiting local talent.

Standing outside of the team’s headquarters on Administration Boulevard near the Village at Winona, where a full day of racing was underway Sunday, Leonard and Reidy said they want to build upon the cycling tradition established by the bike festival.

Winona Racing has support from KCV, the local cycling club responsible for Fat & Skinny.

“Obviously, with KCV, there’s a lot of really strong cyclists in the community, but not all of them had an opportunity to get into racing,” Leonard said.

The racing season unofficially kicked off this weekend with the bike fest and will include other events in the Midwest.

Having a bike festival in your hometown has plenty of positives for the team.

In fact, Reidy, said there’s really no downside.

“I don’t know any downsides. It’s pretty fun, man,” Reidy said. “It’s fun racing around, and everyone knows your name and everyone knows who you are.”

Fellow team member, 26-year-old Chase Madsen, grew up in the area and enjoyed mountain biking before he headed to Indiana University and competed in the Little 500 bike race.

He said he could have joined other groups, but chose Winona Racing because of its approach.

“There’s something really special about doing something more than the racing. And so this team is really grassroots. It’s local. We are sponsored by local organizations, and so with that, we’re incentivized to try and get local people into racing,” Madsen said.

To learn more about Winona Racing, check out their Instagram page. 

News Now Warsaw photos by Dan Spalding from Sunday’s action:

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Staff Report

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office is advising residents to exercise caution regarding private solicitation mailers currently being distributed to homeowners throughout the county.

These property tax “assessment” letters appear designed to encourage homeowners to pay private companies for speculative tax appeal services, according to a news release from the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office.

One such mailing, branded under the name Owlue, claims that a homeowner’s property in Warsaw, Indiana, is significantly over-assessed and warns that failure to act before a stated appeal deadline could result in “overpaying for another full year.”

At first glance, the document closely resembles an official government communication. It prominently references the “Kosciusko County Appeal Deadline,” includes property-specific valuation estimates, and repeatedly references the “Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office.”

Although the fine print states the mailing is “NOT a government notice,” the overall presentation may cause confusion and create unnecessary pressure for homeowners to take immediate action.

According to the solicitation, the homeowner’s assessed value was allegedly inflated by nearly $90,000, potentially resulting in approximately $1,760 in annual tax savings if an appeal is filed. The company further states it would retain 30% of any first-year tax savings generated through the appeal process.

The mailing — including its references to appeal deadlines and estimated tax savings — is not affiliated with the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office, Kosciusko County government or any state agency.

The Assessor’s Office has received concerns from residents who believed the mailing may have been an official government notice due to:

• References to county assessment information
• Use of estimated valuation figures
• References to tax appeal deadlines
• The overall appearance and formatting of the document
The Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office reminds homeowners of the following:
• The Assessor’s Office does not endorse or partner with private companies that solicit property tax appeals through mass mailings.
• Property owners are encouraged to independently verify assessment information directly with the Assessor’s Office.
• Estimated “tax savings” presented in unsolicited mailers may not accurately reflect market values, assessment methodology, or likely appeal outcomes.
• Residents should exercise caution before scanning QR codes, sharing personal information, signing agreements, or authorizing representation by third-party companies.
While Indiana property owners do have the legal right to appeal their property assessments, residents are reminded that:
• Appeals may be filed directly through established county and state procedures.
• Official information is available through county government channels.
• Homeowners are not required to hire a third-party solicitation company to initiate an appeal.

The Assessor’s Office also encourages residents to be cautious of solicitations that:
• Imply government affiliation
• Use urgent deadlines to pressure immediate action
• Contain unverifiable claims regarding potential savings
• Lack transparent information regarding company leadership, licensing, or local operations
Residents with questions regarding their assessment, property record card, or appeal rights are encouraged to contact the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office directly.

Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office is at 100 W. Center St., Warsaw IN 46580. Thee phone number is 574-372-2310.

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News Release

WARSAW — The Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.

High School students who will be Juniors in the fall of 2026 are eligible to apply.

Applicants can apply from the following schools:

Warsaw Community High School, Lakeland Christian Academy, Wawasee High School, Tippecanoe Valley High School, Triton High School, Whitko High School, Northwood and Fairfield High School.

Other area students attending a high school not mentioned (if you reside in Kosciusko County) are encouraged to apply, along with home-schooled students from Kosciusko and southern Elkhart County.

All applications this year will be filed online. Go to www.KosciuskoYouthLeadership.org, and click on the “Apply” tab.

Students are encouraged to apply early. A firm application deadline is the end of the day on Wednesday, May 20.  Any questions can be directed to Carl Lauster at 574-269-2932 between the hours of  10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy is in its 33rd year of service to the county. A local non-profit 501(c)(3), KYLA’s purpose is to train students in leadership skills through a year-long course consisting of formal classroom training and through the development and completion of a community service project. To date, KYLA alumni have completed over 260 community service projects by over 830 alumni, benefiting Kosciusko County residents.

For more information, visit  www.KosciuskoYouthLeadership.org.

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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Ideal weather greeted the start of the Fat & Skinny Bike Fest in Winona Lake and Warsaw Friday night.

Hundreds of bicyclists participated in the annual trek from Winona Lake to Warsaw, where the festival then merged with Third Friday activities around the Kosciusko County Courthouse that continued under the lights with a series of races late into the night.

In addition to a bicycle stunt show and lots of racing, Third Friday included live music from Super Kools, children’s activities, and food trucks.

Some potentially stormy weather is possible Saturday afternoon, but sunny conditions are expected on Sunday.

* * *

For a full schedule of the bike events, click here.

* * *

News Now Warsaw photos below by Dan Spalding.

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News Release

HOBART — Two children and one adult died, and a fourth was critically injured when the SUV they were riding in slammed into the back of a semi-trailer on I-65.

Police believe the driver was intoxicated.

The crash took place at around midnight Friday morning, according to a press release from Indiana State Police. 

Investigators determined that the SUV, a Ford Explorer, was speeding in the southbound lanes when it hit the semi, which had been parked on the right shoulder because of mechanical issues.

The driver of the explorer has been identified as Renee Foster, 31, from Gary. Foster had been traveling southbound in the right lane and allegedly fell asleep while driving and drove off the road, rear-ending the parked semi. 

The Explorer sustained catastrophic damage as a result of the impact to the trailer. The trailer was also significantly damaged from the crash.

Foster sustained upper body injuries and was transported to Franciscan Hospital in Crown Point for treatment. 

A juvenile passenger, who was unrestrained in the front right seat, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries as a result.

The semi driver was not injured. 

Both drivers consented to blood draws, and results are pending.

 Alcohol consumption is believed to be a factor in this crash. Felony charges will be submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor for consideration against Foster. Those charges include the following:

• Neglect of a Dependent — Level 5 Felony (4 counts)
• Reckless Driving — Class A Misdemeanor
• Driving with a Suspended Vehicle Registration — Class C Misdemeanor
• Child Restraint Violations — Infraction (4 counts)

Charges for O.W.I. may be considered/submitted once the blood results have been analyzed.

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MENTONE — Residents and community partners gathered in Mentone on Tuesday to celebrate a major milestone towards the completion of Mentzer Park.

Representatives from OrthoWorx and K21 Health Foundation presented a $140,000 grant from the Community Amenities Program (CAP) supporting phase two improvements for the park. The CAP funds, administered by the K21 Health Foundation, are part of the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative (OIRI) designated to create new public amenities within the smaller communities in the county.

This award brings the Mentzer Park project one step closer to delivering new recreational and gathering spaces for the Mentone community, according to a provided news release.

Working toward its final fundraising goal, the town of Mentone hopes to raise $50,000 by May 30 to unlock additional matching funds through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places crowdfunding campaign. To date, approximately $15,460 has been raised through local support from businesses, organizations and residents, showing strong community ownership of the project, the release states.

If the goal is met, the project will receive critical matching funds to bring several high-demand amenities to life, including pickleball courts, a nine-hole disc golf course, a quarter-mile walking path, accessible parking, and a finished pavilion with a kitchenette.

“We’re so proud of this community and how it continues to rally around this project,” said Amanda Yaprak, Mentone clerk-treasurer. “Knowing that this park will be enjoyed for generations to come is wonderful, and we are truly thankful people are helping us in our final push to raise the remaining $50,000.”

The $280,000 project has also received funding from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and the town of Mentone, reflecting a broad commitment to enhancing quality of life through accessible, community-driven spaces in Kosciusko County, the release states.

“Mentzer Park is a powerful example of what can happen when a community unites behind a shared vision,” said Andrea Sullivan, executive director of the OIRI. “Thanks to the support of residents, organizations and local businesses, the park will offer a wide range of activities while strengthening connections throughout Mentone. That’s exactly what the Community Amenities Program is designed to do.”

As the May 30 deadline approaches, community leaders are hopeful that continued momentum will help bring the project across the finish line and ensure Mentzer Park becomes a vibrant, welcoming space for years to come.

Community members interested in supporting Phase 2 of Mentzer Park can learn more or make a donation by clicking on patronicity.com/Mentzer-park.

For more information on OIRI projects and developments, click here.

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Editor’s note: The date for the upcoming county council meeting has been corrected. News Now Warsaw regrets the error. 

By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — A deciding vote by the Kosciusko County Council on financial plans behind building a new library in Syracuse was delayed Thursday over confusion about legal advertising and has now been rescheduled to June 11. 

But that didn’t stop discussion of the topic, and led to a broader debate about another library project in Warsaw, as well as the proposed city-county parking garage proposed in Warsaw.

The subjects came up toward the end of Thursday’s council meeting after Council President Tony Ciriello announced the delay.

Turkey Creek Township Public Library is seeking to use $7.3 million for the construction of a new library in Syracuse on land that was donated for $1 by the town.

Public scrutiny over new spending projects has surfaced over the plan in Syracuse, as well as a $17 million proposal to renovate the Warsaw Community Public Library, which will face a vote by the Warsaw City Council on Monday.

Kyle Tom, a businessman who previously ran for county council through a GOP caucus earlier this year, addressed county council on Thursday about what he called “the elephant in the room.”

Thursday’s meeting was attended by a larger-than-normal crowd after at least two Facebook pages urged people to attend.

Tom pointed out that the compounded interest associated with a bond issue spread over 20 years to finance the library projects would nearly double the entire project cost.

“It’s an astronomical number that you guys should not be putting onto the taxpayers when we have a justice building over here that’s literally falling down,” Tom said, referring to Justice Building repairs that are ongoing and have not yet been calculated.

At one point, Tom criticized some of the top library staff salaries and suggested the money would be better used by law enforcement. 

Tom attended Monday’s library board meeting in Warsaw.

“I love the library, I think it’s a great asset to Kosciusko, but we need to figure out: Is it a need or a want?” Tom said. “When I walked through there, it was a want.”

Meanwhile, County Councilman Dave Wolkins said he’s had several people ask him why county council oversees a library project in Syracuse and Warsaw City Council has final say on renovations for the Warsaw library.

The former state lawmaker, who retired five years ago, recalled a state lawmaker in Huntington County who started pursuing a change in state law to establish oversight over library boards because he believed some boards were not reflecting the will of the people when it came to big spending projects that relied on bond financing, which generally result in property tax rate hikes.

Since library boards are appointed and not elected, Wolkins said they were not beholden to the public directly. The policy change took several years before it won approval, Wolkins said.

Wolkins was asked about the change in the policy after Thursday’s meeting.

“I think it’s a great safeguard — absolutely … I mean, it’s unfortunate there’s always a few people that spoil it for everybody else,” Wolkins said.

Warsaw City Council will consider whether to support Warsaw library renovations at a 7 p.m. Monday at the police department’s training facility.

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WARSAW — Now entering its 21st year, the team at KCV Cycling and the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest invite you to “Come Ride with Us” at this year’s festival.

The Fat & Skinny Tire Festival, presented by K21 Health Foundation, takes place in Warsaw and Winona Lake over three days beginning Friday.

The Fat & Skinny Tire Fest celebrates National Bike Month and hosts all types of cyclists, from racers to enthusiasts to casual riders, together in the bicycle-friendly communities of Warsaw and Winona Lake. 2

Last year, organizers saw more than 2,400 participants, 9,000 spectators and 350 volunteers over the three-day weekend of events, with greater crowds expected this year, according to a provided news release.

* * *

For a full schedule, click here.

* * *

“The Fat & Skinny Tire Fest celebrates the health, social and economic benefits of bicycling to our community and invites all riders of any and all skill levels to come ride with us during the three-day festival weekend,” said Mike Cusick, Fat & Skinny Tire Fest co-director and KCV president.

“Now in our 21st year, we have multiple bike events and activities for everyone to enjoy during the festival,” Cusick said.

The full schedule details are available at fatandskinnytirefest.com. Activities and events include:

• Critical Mass Ride, Multi-Length Rides and Tours
• Road, Mountain Bike and BMX Races
• Family Activities, BMX Stunt Shows, Kids Clinics and Races
• Food Trucks, Craft Beers and Live Music

The Fat & Skinny Tire Fest supports the Ride+Walk Warsaw+Winona community initiatives, the Winona Lake Trails, the Future Winona Lake Bike Park, Tracey’s Trailer Education programs and that of other partners such as Bicycle Indiana.

Kosciusko County Velo (KCV) is a volunteer-run, nonprofit focused on making Kosciusko County a great place to live, work, play and visit through bicycling. Going on its 23rd year, KCV hosts the popular Fat & Skinny Tire Festival, organizes additional events and riding opportunities for the public, maintains the popular off-road trails in Winona Lake and is now planning and fundraising for the construction of the Winona Lake Bike Park.

For more information, visit www.kcvcycling.org.

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