Drug deaths down, suicides up according to coroner
Also, democrats ask for delay in redistricting; Nov. 2 fire victim named; Sometimes Monthly photo group display starts tonight; Historical Society's annual meeting Nov. 15
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Drug deaths down, suicides up according to coroner
The Howard County Coroner’s Office Investigated 69 deaths in the third quarter of 2022 ending on Sept. 30; 47 of those cases were determined to be due to natural causes. There was one homicide, five suicides, 15 accidental deaths, and one undermined cause of death at this time. The coroner’s office also reviewed 23 additional direct release cases.
Of the 15 accidental deaths, nine were due to drug overdose, one was the result of a motor vehicle accident, and five were due to falls in a home or facility. Of the nine confirmed overdose cases, five involved Fentanyl, six involved Methamphetamine, one involved synthetics, and four involved other substances, including benzodiazepines. The total number of drug overdoses for 2022 now stands at 27 which is two less than at this time last year. Death by suicide stands at 15 cases for 2022 which is seven more than last year at this same time.
Of the 69 cases investigated in the third quarter of 2022, there were 30 autopsies conducted and 28 toxicology studies performed for a total cost of $53,818 to Howard County. The toxicology testing for suspected drug overdose cases is presently being paid by a grant through the Indiana State Department of Health. All autopsies ordered by the coroner are conducted by a board-certified forensic pathologist.
The coroner’s office investigates all deaths that occur from violence, casualty, in apparent good health, have died from suspicious, unusual, or unnatural manner, or have been found deceased. The coroner also reviews all deaths that occur in the hospital emergency room or within 24 hours of admission and deaths that occur during surgery or while under general anesthesia. The coroner is responsible for establishing the identification of the deceased and the cause and manner of death. The coroner is also responsible for death notification to the legal next of kin and the personal property found on or near the decedent.
Sometimes Monthly photos featured at First Friday
Photographs by members of the Kokomo Sometimes Monthly Photo Group -- Terry Steiner, Tammy Roe, Beth Buie, Jim Wheeler, Steve Bolinger, Paul Conner, Marcia Nelson, Carol Grinslade, Dallas Lunsford, Nedra Hollingsworth, John Fernandez, and Chris Burger -- will be on display at the Kokomo Art Association’s Artworks Gallery at 210 N. Main St. An opening reception will be held at the gallery from 6-7 p.m. on First Friday, Nov. 4. The exhibit will run from Nov. 4 through Dec. 27.
Visitors will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite photo in the “People’s Choice” award competition. Stop by to view the photos and cast your vote for your favorite through Nov. 26. Artworks Gallery is open Mondays – Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
The Sometimes Monthly Photo Group consists of, and is open to, individuals with some photography experience who enjoy sharing and discussing their work and learning from each other. Its members have won a number of local and other awards and have had their work published in books and national magazines. It was awarded third place in the statewide Indiana State Fair’s 2016 group competition. Meetings are held at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month in Kokomo’s South Library, 1755 E. Center Road and feature members showing and critiquing their interpretation of the month’s assigned subject or technique. Its next meeting will be at the library on Nov. 17.
On behalf of the group, its leader, Chris Burger, thanked the Kokomo Art Association and especially its president, Cheryl Sullivan, for giving the Sometimes Monthly Photo Group the opportunity to share their passion for photography and their artistic endeavors. Members will be at the reception on First Friday to share their knowledge and love of photography.
Democrat chair asks for delay in redistricting
Annette Milam, chairwoman of the Howard County Democratic Party, sent a letter to Mayor Tyler Moore and Kokomo Common Council president Ray Collins this week, requesting an extension of time for the council redistricting process.
Every 10 years, the council must redistrict its political boundaries, and time is running out for that task to be accomplished. It passed a resolution at its Oct. 24 meeting to start the process, allowing a window for public involvement. Milam contended that not enough time is being allowed for the public to respond.
“In regards to the recent announcement for the redistricting of the city, the Howard County Democratic Party respectfully asks for an extension of time to allow for serious public comment and involvement, as well as time for evaluation of thoughtful alternative proposals,” Milam wrote. “The current schedule is unrealistic when considering the upcoming election and the holidays.”
While the council will receive a redistricting plan from a consultant, the public also may submit redistricting plans. Packets with all the necessary information have been available in the Kokomo City Clerk’s office on the first floor of City Hall since Oct. 28. These packets include the necessary guidelines, related state statutes, and a current district map.
The redistricting process must be completed by the end of the year. As such, comments from the public must be submitted by Nov. 7, and redistricting plans must be submitted by Nov. 10. The council will convene on Nov. 14 to consider the plans.
Coroner releases name of fire victim
The victim of the apartment fire yesterday located at 2105 Joyce Drive in Kokomo, has been positively identified as apartment resident Tonya Marie Bergen-Rowe, age 45.
An autopsy was conducted on Nov. 3 under the direction of the Howard County Coroner by a Forensic Pathologist. The initial findings were consistent with inhalation and thermal injuries as a result of the fire. The final cause and manner of death are pending toxicology and lab results that will take six to eight weeks along with the fire investigation.
The Kokomo Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 3:43 p.m. on Nov. 2 to the Lincolnwood Apartments where an off-duty Howard County Sheriff’s Deputy had been flagged down and made entry into the burning apartment and removed the victim. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene at 3:47 p.m. by medical personnel.
The Kokomo Fire and Police Departments were assisted at the scene by the Indiana State Fire Marshall, Howard County Sheriff’s Department, Community Howard Regional Health EMS, Howard County Coroner’s Office, and the Howard County Emergency Management Agency.
Anyone with information about this incident may contact the Kokomo Fire Department at 765-457-2636 or the Kokomo Police Department at 765-456-7017.
Historical Society annual meeting Nov. 15; celebrating 50 years in Seiberling Mansion
The year was 1972. After sitting empty for seven years, Kokomo’s iconic Seiberling Mansion had been acquired by the government of Howard County and turned over to the Howard County Historical Society. A cadre of dedicated volunteers began the serious work of cleaning out four stories and a basement full of trash and debris in anticipation of moving the HCHS collection of artifacts from the basement of the courthouse to their new location.
Thanks to the efforts of those dedicated volunteers, and hundreds since then, the Seiberling Mansion stands 50 years later as a centerpiece of community pride and home of the Howard County Museum. On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Howard County Historical Society will celebrate those first 50 years during its annual banquet set this year at Elite Banquet & Conference Center, 2820 S. Lafountain St.
“We hope many of the volunteers join us in this celebration of their work,” said Anne Shaw, HCHS executive director.
“Over those 50 years, the building has been renovated, air-conditioned, re-roofed and restored in projects that represent investments of more than a million dollars,” she continued. “The mansion has hosted 'Seiberling weddings' and real weddings, Victorian balls, Antiques in Action, ice cream socials, car shows, haunted Halloweens, the original Haynes Pioneer automobile loaned by the Smithsonian, and decades of beautiful Christmas traditions. It really is something to celebrate.”
The Nov. 15 event, which begins at 6 p.m., is open to the public and will feature dinner catered by Elite and a celebrity “Jeopardy” game, pitting local luminaries (including Mayor Tyler Moore) against each other in a fun competition (emceed by former HCHS curator Tom Tolen) to determine who knows the most about the Seiberling – or has the wittiest responses. Tickets, at $20 each, are available by going to the link under "News" on the historical society’s website www.howardcountymuseum.org or calling the office at 765-452-4314.