Also, KPD looking for porch pirate; Community First to feed veterans Nov. 11
This article is brought to you by Alexandra Daniels Durham for Kokomo School Board.
It is Election Day, and the polls are open. It is time to do your duty and vote!
Here are some things you need to know.
First, make sure you have a state-issued photo ID in your possession. Second, leave any political propaganda and promotional materials in your car or at home. This includes shirts, hats, signs, and other campaign materials.
Here are the locations of voting centers, all of which are open until 6 p.m. You may vote at any center.
Carver Community Center, 1030 N. Purdum St.
Elite Event Center, 2820 S. LaFountain St.
Good Shepherd Church, 121 Santa Fe Blvd.
Grace Fellowship, 2700 S Park Rd.
Greentown Lion's Club, 610 E Payton St., Greentown
Indiana Wesleyan, 1916 E. Markland Ave.
Ivy Tech Community College, Hingst Hall, 1815 E Morgan St.
Jerry Wooldridge Community Center, 3885 E 300 S, Kokomo
Kokomo South Library, 1755 E. Center Rd.
Northview Church Kokomo Campus, 3409 S 200 W, Kokomo
Reach Church, 1520 N. Apperson Way
Russiaville Lions Club, 555 N Liberty St., Russiaville
Senior Citizens Center, 721 W Superior St.
Shiloh Methodist Church, 5471 W 100 N, Kokomo
UAW Local #685, 929 E. Hoffer St.
In addition to the political races, there are questions of note for Howard County residents. The first involves a change to the state constitution that would eliminate the Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction from the list of successors to the governor's office should the governor and lieutenant governor offices be vacant. The superintendent already has been eliminated as an elected position and replaced by an appointed secretary of education. This is a housekeeping measure.
The second question of importance involves the Kokomo School Corp. The school is asking residents of Kokomo Center Township to approve a $6.5 million increase in property taxes for the next eight years to fund teacher attraction and retention, enhance academic programming, and upgrade the school system's technology infrastructure. The increase translates into 26 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on properties.
Voters also will be asked whether to retain three justices on the Indiana Supreme Court, as well as two court of appeals judges.
When it comes to the political races, there are several federal and state offices up for grabs. Here are the candidates in contested races found on the Indiana ballot:
President and Vice President of the United States
Donald J. Trump and JD Vance, Republican
Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz, Democrat
Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat, Libertarian
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan, We the People Party
United States Senator
Jim Banks, Republican
Valerie McCray, Democrat
Andrew Horning, Libertarian
Governor and Lt. Governor
Mike Braun and Micah Beckwith, Republican
Jennifer G. McCormick and Terry Goodin, Democrat
Donald Rainwater and Tonya Hudson, Libertarian
Attorney General
Todd Rokita, Republican
Destiny Wells, Democrat
United States Representative 4th District
Jim Baird, Republican
Derrick Holder, Democrat
Ashley Groff, Libertarian
United States Representative 5th District
Victoria Spartz, Republican
Deborah A. Pickett, Democrat
Lauri Shillings, Libertarian
Robby Slaughter, Independent
State Representative District 30
Mike Karickhoff, Republican
Michael Katcher, Democrat
State Representative District 38
Heath VanNatter, Republican
Carl A. Seese, Democrat
There are several local offices being contested on the ballot. Following are the contested races for Howard County.
Howard County Treasurer
Christie Branch, Republican
Bryan Bertoline, Democrat
Howard County Commissioner District 2
Jack Dodd, Republican
Anthony A. Walker, Democrat
Howard County Commissioner District 3
Brad Bray, Republican
Sherry Roe, Democrat
Howard County Council at Large (vote for up to three)
Martha J. Lake, Republican
Daryl L. Maple, Republican
Brett Sanders, Republican
Adrienne Akers, Democrat
Essie Foster, Democrat
Kokomo Center School Board - District 3 (non-partisan)
Alexandra Daniels Durham
Karen B. Sosbe
Western School Board - Honey Creek (non-partisan)
Mikki K. Jeffers
Gregory A. Stephens
KPD searching for porch pirate
On October 4, 2024, the Kokomo Police Department responded to two southside residences on a report of packages being stolen from front porches. The suspect was captured on surveillance video from both thefts. The suspect and the suspect vehicle appear to be the same in both cases.
The suspect is be believed to be a female, wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and a covering to partially cover her face. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a black in color Mazda.
Please contact the Kokomo Police Department at (765) 456-7017 if you have additional information about these cases or know the identity of the suspect. You can always report tips anonymously by downloading the "Kokomo PD" mobile app from the iOS or Google Play stores. You can also text a tip by texting TIPKPD, then a space, and then your tip, and send it to 847411.
All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Community First Bank Offers Free Meal to Local Veterans
Community First Bank of Indiana is hosting a drive through, take home lunch to say “thank you” to all Veterans in and around Howard County on Monday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Veterans can pick up a free Swayzee Tenderloin lunch at the Hoffer Street Branch located at 1308 East Hoffer Street in Kokomo. This lunch is provided by Community First Bank employees through their Casual for a Cause program. Please note that limited supplies are available.
Please call 765-236-0600 with any questions or visit CFBindiana.com/veterans.