Avilla woman killed in bike accident

On Wednesday, Aug. 18, at about 12:10 p.m., the Noble County Sheriff's Department responded to a personal injury accident involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist. The accident occurred on Old SR 3, north of 400S, near LaOtto.

Talia J. Smith, 20, of Avilla, was riding her bicycle northbound when she was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Kirk A. Weeks, 48, of Albion.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Weeks was transported to Parkview Whitley Hospital for observation.

Assisting in the investigation was the Indiana State Police, LaOtto Fire Department and Noble County Coroner's Office. The accident remains under investigation.

Smith's obituary is not available at this time. Check our obituaries section as we will post it as soon as possible.

 

Man, daughter shot at while driving in Avilla
A 24-year-old man who was driving with his 16 month old child was shot at on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at about 8:40 p.m., as he was driving down Old State Rd. 3 in Avilla. Officer Eric Lawson found the victims in the St. James parking lot.
According to the Avilla Police Department, the shots came from a white male who was driving a gold 1999 Dodge Avenger. Avilla police discovered the driver of the Avenger lived in Kendallville and sent Kendallville Police officers to his residence in the 1300 block of Lima Road.
When Kendallville officers arrived on the scene, they observed the man on the front porch of the residence. When he saw officers he fled on foot, and still remains at large.
After Avilla police obtained a search warrant for the car, officers discovered three sawed off shotguns, meth, precursors for manufacturing meth, and two explosive devices.
Charges are pending against the 24-year-old man who fired the shots. Charges will include criminal recklessness with a firearm, possession of meth, possession of a sawed off shotgun, possession of meth precursors.

 

Man tries to lure girls into his truck in Avilla
Avilla Police report that a man approached some girls at the Avilla Park and asked them to get in his red, rusty truck. The girls refused and then called police.

According to the police report, on Sunday, Aug. 8, in the late afternoon, two juvenile girls were in the Avilla park when an older man approached them and asked if they would help him do some work in the horseshoe area. The 14-year-old girls declined the offer. The man then got in the truck and gave one of the girls a large stuffed animal, and left. The girls then notified parents and police.

No crime was committed but the behavior was deemed suspicious and the incident is under investigation. Citizens are urged to report suspicious activity to local police.

 

Father and son end up in county jail

Battery turns into disorderly conduct charge

Avilla police were dispatched to 900 Autumn Hills Dr. on Wednesday, June 30 to investigate a woman who was reportedly battered, at around 10:55 p.m.

When police arrived, the female refused to press charges. While officers were at the trailer, the male subject became loud and disorderly with officers. The subject was warned three times to lower his tone of voice or he would be arrested. The subject refused and was placed under arrest. During the arrest, the subject resisted officers.

Clint Renfrow Jr., 33, Avilla, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement, and taken to the county jail.

 

Children riding on car hood, driver arrested

Avilla police report that on June 30 at 8:17 p.m., they were called to the Avilla Mobile Home Park, 900 Autumn Hills Dr., because a subject was riding on the hood of a vehicle.

When officers arrived, there were several subjects that stated that the driver of this vehicle had endangered several small children in the area due to his high rate of speed and recklessness. Marshall Glen Wills also found that one subject asked him to slow down and this subject was then forced onto the hood of the vehicle when the driver moved his vehicle forward and the subject had nowhere to go. The driver then continued to drive while the subject was on the hood, and the victim was yelling at him to stop.

Driver Clint Renfrow Sr., 52, Avilla, was arrested for criminal recklessness with a motor vehicle and taken to the county jail.

 

Avilla Council special meeting to hire fire chief

This will serve as notice that the Avilla Town Council will meet in special session on Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30 pm. to consider hiring an employee, a new fire chief. John Brazzell was hired to replace his father, Terry Brazzell.

 

Avilla man arrested for OWI

Avilla Police arrested Arnold H. Bagley, 61, Avilla, for OWI endangering, on Saturday, June 19, at 12:51 a.m. at the SR 8 and SR 3 south junction.

According to police, Officer Eric Lawson observed a Chevy Blazer that made two unsafe starts. The officer made contact with the driver, Bagley, and detected a strong odor of alcohol. The chemical test came back .27.

Bagley was taken to the Noble County Jail on $3,500 bond.

 

Avilla man crashes into ditch

Alcohol might have been involved in a one car crash early Sunday morning, June 20, according to the Noble County Sheriff's Dept.
Deputy Chris Moriarity said that a 2007 GMC Sierra, driven by Zachary T. Kesling, Avilla, was eastbound on SR 8 near 150E, when he crossed the center line and drove off the north side of the road. The vehicle struck the end of a guardrail and went airborne. The Sierra slid sideways and rolled down an embankment and into a creek coming to rest on its roof.
Kesling was able to keep his head above the water and yell for help. A nearby resident heard him and called the Sheriff's Dept. Kesling had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Albion Fire Department personnel. Then the driver was taken to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne complaining of chest pain and pain in his lower extremities.
The accident is still being investigated, but police say alcohol may have been a factor.

 

House Fire west of Avilla today, June 15

Albion Fire Department reports a house fire at 4607 E. 100N, the Paul Rauh residence, at 1:26 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15.

The fire began when a stove was turned on without removing plastic items kept in the stove. Occupants in the home when the fire broke out were able to escape safely. A resident tried to extinguish the fire with a portable fire extinguisher but was unable to to that.

Damage is estimated at $25,000-50,000, with heavy damage to the stove and some heat damage to the kitchen area, along with heavy smoke damage throughout the two-story wood frame residence.

No injuries were reported.

Police units arrived first at the scene and advised that that fire appeared to be out, but the home was full of heavy smoke. The fire was declared under control at 1:41 p.m. with units remaining at the scene until 3 p.m., to make sure the flames did not spread and to remove smoke.

An engine and water tanker responded from the Albion Fire Department with seven firefighters, while an engine and water tanker responded from the Avilla Fire Department with three firefighters. Also on the scene were the Noble County Sheriff's Dept. and Noble County EMS.

 

Police seek help in finding stolen motorcycle

Avilla Police report the theft of a motorcycle from 108 VanScoyoc St. The victim notified police that the motorcycle had been taken at 12:44 p.m. on May 31. The motorcycle could have been taken between the hours of 9 p.m. on May 30 and 12:44 p.m. May 31.

If you have any information on this crime, please contact Avilla Police, 897-3555.

 

Hit and run driver injures girl near Avilla

Noble County Sheriff is looking for a hit and run driver in the Avilla area. According to police, a 17-year-old girl was walking westbound on Baseline Rd., east of 900E, when she was hit by a car Thursday night, May 27, at 11:23 p.m.

The unamed girl was struck by a westbound passenger car, but she was unable to provide any further description of the car. She was taken to Parkview Hospital by Noble County EMS, complaining of back and neck pain.

Noble County Sheriff was assisted by Avilla Police and Avilla Fire Department.

Anyone with information about the car or driver is asked to contact the Sheriff's Dept., 260-636-2182 and ask for Sgt. Williett.

 

Two injured in motorcycle-deer accident

Noble County Sheriff's Department reports two people hurt last night, May 25, at 9:37 p.m. when their motorcycle hit a deer on SR 3 south of Baseline Rd., southeast of Avilla.

According to police, Jeffrey B. Sparkman, LaOtto, was driving his 2009 Harley Davidson southbound when a deer ran onto the highway. Sparkman was unable to avoid the deer and struck it, losing control of the Harley. Both the driver and passenger fell off the bike. Neither were wearing a helmet.

Sparkman was taken to Parkview Memorial Hospital with a broken leg. His passenger, Heidi J. Sparkman, 45, LaOtto, was also taken to the hospital with head trauma.

Assisting at the scene were Avilla Fire Dept., LaOtto Fire Dept., Avilla Police and Noble County EMS and Samaritan.

 

500E curve and speed cause accident

According to the Noble County Sheriff, last night, May 18, a 1995 Ford was traveling southbound on 500E, west of Avilla, about 10 p.m., when it came upon the curve at Summit Lake at a speed too fast to negotiate the curve. There were 132 ft. of skid marks prior to the vehicle leaving the road and striking a group of trees. The vehicle is a total loss.

Injured was the driver, George B. Rice IV, Fort Wayne, and his passenger, Ruth Ann Hyser of Columbia City. Rice complained of pain to the left side of his body. Hyser had an abrasion on her hand and check pain.

Assisting the Sheriff were Avilla and Albion police, Avilla Fire Department and Noble County EMS.

 

Battery and sexual assault in Avilla

Avilla Police reported an arrest Monday, April 19, for domestic battery, strangulation and sexual assault in an incident in the 100 block of Autumn Hills Dr., Avilla.

Police were called to a family fight at about 1:30 p.m. where a 41-year-old female had been strangled and battered. The suspect was arrested at the location without incident. The female victim was transported to the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center for treatment of an assault that happened on April 18.

Arrested was Tommy D. Short, 50, of Avilla, and charged with domestic battery and strangulation felony. He is being held in the Noble County Jail on $50,000 bond.

 

No charges filed for shooting near Waterloo

The DeKalb County Prosecutor has reviewed the Death Investigation filed with her office regarding the Police Action Shooting that occurred on US 6 near Waterloo, Indiana, on March 26, 2010. In that incident, Dawn King received gunshot wounds to both legs by her estranged husband, Wayne Allen King, who also took numerous shots at the police. In the end, Mr. King was fatally shot by a police sniper.

The Case Report prepared by Detective Kevin Smith of the Indiana State Police included supplemental reports from 34 other officers at the scene. Some of those reports summarized statements from additional officers at the scene, who included officers from the various police departments in DeKalb County, in the adjacent counties, and from the Indiana State Police.

The reports clearly state that various police officers and some friends and family members of both Kings attempted to negotiate the release of Ms. King and/or surrender of Mr. King for over five hours before the fatal shot was taken. Mr. King said at several times that he would not go back to prison, that the pizza he was about to receive would be “their last supper,” and other comments that indicated he would not leave the house alive.

Further, the reports make clear that Dawn King told various police officers that her medical condition was critical, and that she needed immediate medical attention. She could be heard screaming when Mr. King was applying pressure bandages to her wounds to stop the bleeding. Comments on the phone to the negotiators indicated she had vomited, and that she was getting weaker. At times during the ordeal, Mr. King indicated he would not hurt Ms. King again, and at other times, he threatened exactly the opposite.

After negotiating for hours, the Command made a decision that Ms. King needed to be removed for medical care immediately, and officers at the scene were authorized to shoot Mr. King to save her life. At 4:57 p.m. a single shot struck and killed Mr. King. The house was secured and hostage removed for medical attention. She was then flown by EMS helicopter to Fort Wayne for medical care.

The police were forced to make a decision between Mr. King and Ms. King. Under Indiana law, I.C. 35-41-3-2(a) states:

A person is justified in using reasonable force against another person to protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force. However, a person:
is justified in using deadly force; and
does not have a duty to retreat;
if the person reasonably believes that that force is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to the person or a third person or the commission of a forcible felony. No person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting the person or a third person by reasonable means necessary.

No criminal charges will be filed, as the shooting clearly is covered under the self defense statute, as applied to third parties.

 

Albion and Auburn Receive $700,000 in State Grant Funding; Rep. Bell's agency awarded
Although Fox News and other TV media are filled with grim economic news right now, there is a bright spot for the communities of Auburn and Albion.
Each community will receive about $350,000 from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant competition.
The YMCA of Dekalb County, Auburn, and LEAP of Noble County, Albion, are being awarded these education grants. The director of LEAP is Matt Bell, state representative, who lives near Avilla. LEAP is a literacy program.
$24 million was requested statewide, and only $12.4 million was awarded. 
According to IDOE, the primary purpose of the program is to award grants to public school districts, community-based organizations, public/private organizations, faith-based organizations, or a consortium of these organizations, in order to provide communities opportunities to establish or expand community learning centers.

 

Harding to perform in concert

Patrick Harding of Avilla, a music business major at Huntington University, will perform "Concerto in D Major" by Antonio Vivaldi on the guitar as part of Huntington University’s Tenth Annual Concerto Winners Concert.

The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. April 22 in the Zurcher Auditorium of the university's Merillat Centre for the Arts. The concert features the winners of the Huntington University Concerto Competition, which was held last November.

 

Avilla police catch burglary suspect

Avilla police arrested David A. Flauding, 20, of Lee St., Garrett, on Wednesday, March 10, and charged him with burglary in connection with four burglaries in Avilla.

 

Chief Deputy Doug Harp, of the sheriff's dept., contacted Avilla police with a tip of a suspect entering the Avilla area matching the description of a suspect involved in four burglaries in the area.

 

The suspect traveled around Avilla and stopped at several homes. The suspect was under surveillance by several unmarked vehicles around noon. The officers observed Flauding at the front and behind a residence on Prairie Cove in the Royalcrest addition, in the east part of town.

 

Then the homeowner returned and the suspect fled out the back door with stolen articles into a vehicle. Police apprehended Flauding at the intersection of Prairie Cove and Ley St. at about 12:52 p.m.

 

Flauding is being held in the Noble County Jail without bond, with a court date of March 11.

 

According to police, the arrest was a joint effort with the County Sheriff's Dept., Kendallville police and Indiana State Police. Avilla officer Chris Arnett was in charge of the investigation.

 

Avilla spring photos, March 9

 

Kyle Mannikko and his son Easton enjoy the swings at Avilla Park, with his mom, Robin Mannikko for the first time this year, after the snow melted last weekend. It was also Easton's first swing ride. Temperatures edged into the 60s this week. (AvilLaOtto NooZ photo)

 

Dallas Downam and Joey took advantage of the warm weather for a walk along Main St. (AvilLaOtto NooZ photo)

 

Jennifer Sonne has a display of old electric pole resisters at her store in downtown Avilla. (AvilLaOtto NooZ photo)

 

First flowers of spring. We found these crocuses sprouted as the snow melted last weekend. (AvilLaOtto NooZ photo)

 

A beautiful sunny day Tuesday, great for flying the flag on Main St. (AvilLaOtto NooZ photo)