Police pursuit ends in exchange of gunfire
KENDALLVILLE â A traffic stop in Fort Wayne led to a pursuit and ended with gunshots fired between police and a LaOtto man just outside the Johnson Mobile Home Park off Waits Road early Thursday morning.
The suspect, Justin R. Weikel, 40, was transported to an area hospital, according to Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Brian Walker. Weikelâs condition was listed as stable as of 7:55 a.m.
Initial reports indicated Weikel had been shot, but police later said that might not be the case. He was the lone occupant of his vehicle.
No officers or civilians were injured, but an unoccupied DeKalb County Sheriffâs Department vehicle was struck with gunfire.
AUBURN â The Auburn Police Department and Fire Department both received approval to hire new employees at Thursdayâs meeting of the Auburn Board of Public Works and Safety.
The Police Department is hiring Derick Campbell as a patrolman. The department chose Campbell, a former area resident, through a lengthy hiring process.
The Fire Department will employ Cody LaRowe as a new firefighter. He is the son of retired firefighter Chip LaRowe, who still works part-time for the department, Fire Chief Michael VanZile said.
The board gave permission to Auburn City Steakhouse, 203 S. Main St., to expand its outdoor dining area along the 100 block of West 8th Street.
AUBURN â The DeKalb Humane Society is looking for the most photogenic pup in the region.
People can enter their cute canines in the Byler Wineryâs Dog Days of Summer contest for $20 per photo.
The contest is anyone who is age 21 or older and his or her dog. The entrant must have the legal right and ability to give Byler Lane Winery and the DeKalb Humane Society permission to use the photo. The also must sign a liability release and publicity release giving Byler Lane Winery and the DeKalb Humane Society permission to use the photo.
A panel of judges from both Byler Lane Winery and the DeKalb Humane Shelter will select three finalists. The community will be invited to vote on the finalists via Byler Lane Wineryâs Facebook page, with the date to be announced soon.
She was born to Linnea Aldrich on March 11, 1962, in Auburn, Indiana.
She is survived by her mother; her life partner, Jim Freed; her sister, Amy Van Horn; and her two kids, Landon (Abby) Scott and McKenzie (Dustin) Scott. Also surviving are her niece, Madison Van Horn; nephew, Logan Van Horn; her step-grandchildren; and her rescue dog, Gracie.
Preceding her in death are her beloved grandparents, Erton and Evelyn Manon.
Deborah most enjoyed spending time with family and friends. In particular, reading to her children and grandchildren and attending concerts and events with friends. In addition to her family, she loved her dogs and Notre Dame football. Taking after her grandfather, she was also a fabulous cook. She was famous among Landonâs childhood friends for her homemade buffalo chicken pizza.