Yoke Social Table closing its doors in Kokomo
Also, Ball Out returns to Carver; KPD makes child neglect arrest; Duke offering bill assistance
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Yoke Social Table, a restaurant located along South Washington Street known for its unique menu of high-protein, healthy options, will close at the end of the week.
In a statement posted to Facebook, co-owner Anthony Walker Jr. announced the closure on Dec. 3, just two days after announcing reduced hours and the end of breakfast offerings at the restaurant.
“The journey we've had here has been nothing short of incredible,” Walker wrote. “Yoke has always been about bringing people together like the yoke (sp) of an egg, uniting different ingredients into something greater, or the yoke of a plow, symbolizing teamwork and shared purpose. We've strived to embody that meaning every step of the way.”
Walker disclosed that the restaurant will offer a limited menu through Fri., Dec. 6, when the Yoke Social Table closes its doors for the final time at 9 p.m.
“We’ll be offering a limited menu featuring our fan favorites, crafted just right, one last time,” Walker wrote. “Thank you, Kokomo, for everything. You’ve been such an important part of our story, and we’ll carry these memories with us wherever the future leads.”
Yoke Social Table opened its doors in late 2022 and catered specifically to the Indiana University Kokomo community. The initial response to the restaurant was so strong that parking was a consistent problem.
The restaurant began showing signs of distress in May 2024 when it was forced to raise prices in response to rising costs. It undertook a remodeling of the dining area in June, and it fully opened a second location in downtown Indianapolis in November. Walker gave no indication of the Indianapolis location’s fate.
Ball Out returns to Carver
The Carver Community Center, 1030 N. Purdum St., will host the second annual Father & Son Ball Out Event, on Sun., Dec. 22. This event is presented by The Penny Way, a regional basketball camp provider. The event runs from 5-7 p.m., but doors open at 4 p.m.
The Ball Out Event will feature a jersey and sneaker theme and a red carpet laid out for photo shoots. There will be food, guest speakers, a father-son shoot around, raffles, and prizes, all designed to promote bonding between fathers and sons.
The event is free to those who attend, but registration is required by visiting https://www.thepennyway.com/ballout-ball-registration
KPD makes child neglect arrest
On Oct. 22, 2024, the Kokomo Police Department, along with the Howard County, Indiana, Department of Child Services, were notified of a possible child molest occurring in the 900 block of North Washington Street, Kokomo.
On Oct. 29, 2024, a warrant for one count of child molest was issued for 53-year-old Steven Joseph Nelson of Kokomo. The warrant was issued from Howard Superior Court IV. Nelson is currently in custody at the Howard County Jail.
On Dec. 2, 2024, Amber Dawn Heaton was taken into custody at the Tipton County, Indiana, courthouse on a warrant issued from Howard Superior Court IV for: one count of Child Exploitation, a level 4 felony; two counts of Child Neglect, both level 6 felonies; and one count of Obstruction of Justice, a level 5 felony.
These charges are the result of a joint investigation between the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, Kokomo Police Department, and the Howard County, Indiana, Department of Child Services. Heaton was transported to the Howard County Jail. On Dec. 3, she was released at her initial hearing to pre-trial services.
This case remains under investigation. If anyone has additional information pertaining to this case, contact Captain Bruce Rood at 765-456-7332 or brood@cityofkokomo.org, or the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at 765-456-7017. Alternatively, leave an anonymous tip by using the tip411 app, or contact the Kokomo Police Department at 765-457-1105. Informants may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with an anonymous tip.
Remember, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Duke offering $300k in bill assistance
Duke Energy Indiana is dedicating nearly $300,000 in financial assistance to help its customers in need pay their energy bills this winter season. The Share the Light Fund is supported by Duke Energy shareholders and voluntary contributions from customers and employees.
“Duke Energy’s Share the Light Fund is available to those who may be struggling to make ends meet,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “We work hand in hand with local community action agencies to connect our customers with available assistance, offer programs and tools to help manage their energy use and provide financial support during times of economic hardship.”
Duke Energy works with the Indiana Community Action Association to distribute funds to qualifying customers to pay energy bills, deposits and reconnection/connection charges.
Eligibility for the Share the Light Fund is based on income, family size and the availability of resources. Customers can receive up to a $300 credit annually on their account. Individuals should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible.
Duke Energy offers a number of other tools and resources to help customers take control of their energy use and save money, including:
Usage Alerts that send customers a notification of how much electricity they are using and its cost so they can make adjustments before their billing period ends
Free Home Energy House Calls, where energy professionals assess a home in-person or virtually for efficiency and provide customers with a toolkit of energy-saving devices
Installment payment plans for customers needing flexibility
To learn more about these programs, visit www.duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 900,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.