Investigators looking for cause of fire at apartments under construction
Investigators are now trying to figure out what caused a fire at an apartment complex that’s under construction in downtown Mishawaka. The Mishawaka Fire Department responded just after 3 a.m. Wednesday to The Mill at Ironworks Plaza. The fire was called in by paramedics who saw it while they were on a different call. The building was vacant due to the construction, but fire officials say some people who were at the nearby villas chose to evacuate because of smoke. No injuries have been reported.
Two injured in manufacturing facility explosion
Two people have been taken to the hospital after a reported explosion at a manufacturing facility on South Bend’s south side late Wednesday afternoon. First responders were called around 3:30 p.m. to Lock Joint Tube in the 500 block of W. Ireland Road. The cause of the reported explosion and fire is currently under investigation. The two people hurt in the blast are expected to be okay. Lock Joint Tube has had OSHA violations in the past, most recently in 2021. Yesterday’s explosion appears to be unrelated to that violation.
Elkhart Clinic will reopen next week
The Elkhart Clinic says its main building is going to reopen to the public next week after it was closed back in late January by a vapor that was coming into the building’s basement. The main campus at 303 S. Nappanee Street will officially reopen this coming Monday at 7 AM. This comes after a vapor intrusion mitigation system was installed. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is still working to find the source of the vapor, which officials have referred to as petroleum plumes.
Goshen teen will not server prison time for threatening high school
A Goshen teen who pleaded guilty to threatening violence at the city’s high school will not serve prison time for the act. 18-year-old Andre Smith was sentenced Wednesday to two years with time served and the remainder to be served on probation. He’s been in the Elkhart County Jail since his arrest. Smith was arrested on two charges of intimidation after a social media threat went viral back on Sept. 18. Smith reportedly told police that he made the anonymous account and that he has struggled with mental illness.
Increased ISP patrols on Bypass and US-31 catch more violations
Indiana State Police stepped up patrols on the Bypass and US-31 Tuesday morning and caught several traffic violations. In a post on social media, officials say they issued 15 tickets and 14 warnings, as well as made one warrant arrest and two misdemeanor long form arrests. The patrols came due to complaints about speeding in the area. Officials plan on conducting more targeted enforcement in the future.
Two killed in Wednesday crash
A deadly crash happened Wednesday afternoon in Elkhart County. Deputies said 41-year-old Jason Bleiler of Goshen and 38-year-old Crystal Woolums of Leesburg died at the scene of the crash. It happened just before 3:00 near County Road 117, which is just southeast of the U.S. 20 and County Road 17 interchange. Investigators said they were on a motorcycle on County Road 18 when a van pulled out in front of them. The crash remains under investigation.