Archive - 2013 - News Article
May 10th
Geneva's new noise ordinance was approved for the third and final time by the town council at its meeting this week. It says:
"For the purpose of determining db(A) as referred to in this ordinance, the noise shall be measured on the A-weighting scale on a sound level meter of standard design and quality having characteristics established by the American National Standards Institute."
In regards to motor vehicle noise:
Further details in today's print and e-editions.
May 9th
Nicholas Stump, 30, Berne, recently pleaded guilty in Adams Circuit Court to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, involving the death of Dennis Sroufe, and will be serving five years in prison.
Stump was sentenced to 2,372 days in prison, with all but 1,825 days — the equivalent of five years — suspended, then 547 days of probation after being released. He was ordered to complete alcohol counseling and pay $571 in court costs and fees.
The City of Decatur's storm department is no longer with us, having been officially abolished by city council at its meeting on Tuesday night.
It has been merged with the waste water department and its functions are now under the management of the city's Board of Works and Safety. Council had approved the transfer on two readings at its previous meeting, then gave final — and unanimous — approval on Tuesday.
In addition to his regular monthly report, Geneva Fire Chief John Patch presented a couple of requests to the town council at its monthly meeting.
Patch said that he had been asked to hold a tractor pull on Decatur Street during Geneva's summer end festival. The council gave its permission, provided the pull doesn't interfere with the other activities, and advised Patch to coordinate with Chamber of Commerce President Pam Krause.
May 8th
The final two defendants involved in the robbery of several Amish in buggies last September have been sentenced in Adams Circuit Court.
Brady Rodriguez, 17, of Berne, and David Veliz, 19, of Fort Wayne, pleaded guilty to multiple charges of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and criminal confinement.
Rodriguez was sentenced to 28 years in prison, all but 15 suspended, and five years of probation after serving his time. Veliz was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of probation.
Anyone who says there's nothing to do in Decatur should have been sitting in on Decatur City Council's meeting on Tuesday night.
A previous event returning and three new ones all came to light. Those are in addition to upcoming fun fests like the ABATE Mayor's Ride, the Sculpture Walk Tour, the Kekionga Festival, various parks and rec events, etc.
The new ones include a film festival, an ABATE fundraising cycle ride, and a ceremony honoring the Peace Monument on the courthouse square.
At the Geneva Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Marshall Rob Johnson presented the results of the meeting he'd held during the last week of April with the Safety Board, the mayor, South Adams Superintendent Scott Litwiller, and the town council in regards to the funding for School Resource Officers (SROs) being cut.
May 7th
The Adams County Commissioners held the first reading of the revised wind ordinance, as proposed by the plan commission, at their weekly meeting on Monday.
Approximately 20 residents came to hear the commissioners' responses.
The county council joined the county commissioners on Monday for a brief meeting to discuss forming a superior court project committee, which would include members of each body.
Commissioner Doug Bauman announced that all three commissioners had volunteered to be on the committee. He then expressed his belief that with an actual committee dedicated to the project, it will move along much more efficiently.
Derek Loshe, rural Decatur, is one of the newest officers on the Decatur Police Department.
A 2002 graduate of Bellmont High School, he received a degree in criminal justice from ITT. Loshe graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy last March 22.
Loshe, the son of Cheryl (William) Bosch and Richard Loshe, is married to Amanda Murdock-Loshe; they have two children, Canaan (1) and Reese (6).
