A 19 year old Granger resident found and returned an envelope dropped at
Eddy Street Commons Thursday worth $300,000 in cash and checks made to Gurley
Leep Honda car dealer. After eating lunch with her grandfather, Laura Lynn Hardy
quickly headed home on her bike. While riding past Horizon Bank, she picked up a
manila envelope dropped on the sidewalk. Once getting home and figuring out what
was in the envelope, Ms. Hardy called the bank to inform them of her discovery.
Hardy rode back to the Edy Street Bank Brand despite the snow because she
said, “It was the right thing to do.” Jim Smith, the president of the bank, and Mike
Leep anxiously awaited her arrival. When Mr. Leep asked about Hardy, he said,
“She’s a great little gal. We need more like her.” Hardy’s act of kindness has been
noticed in the community.
1. After finding a missing 9-month old baby on Sunday night in Elkhart, police
arrested the mother for felony neglect. Bethany Ann Gipperich whereabouts
had been unknown for as long as five days. Captain Phil Trent of South Bend
Police Department states, “ Details are very sketchy. We just learned that
Elkhart Police located our missing child after a bit of investigate back and
forth with him.” The child is in good health. The Department of Child Services
has taken Bethany into custody, while the mother, Heather Gipperich (31)
has been arrested.
2. St. Joe Country Metro Homicide is investigating a 23 year-old man who was
rushed to the hospital Sunday due to life-threatening injuries. Doctors say
that Dustin Farling, of Mishawaka, was badly beaten in the head and face.
Farling was at the Hide out Lounge on Chippewa Boulevard Saturday night.
When he came home early Sunday, his mother found his struggling to
breathe and immediately called 911. Farling underwent surgery Sunday and
remains in critical condition. While police are still investigating what
happened, doctors say Farling’s injuries are consistent with being hit.
3. Parts of Michiana could receive as much as a foot of snow through Monday
and local police are prepared to shut down main road. The heavy snow
expected makes driving nearly impossible because of the near whiteout
conditions. Lieutenant Tim Williams of the Mishawaka Police Department
said, “15 miles per hour isn’t slow enough for icy roads. So you’re going to
have to really slow down and give yourself time to stop between you and the
car in front of you.” To navigate around shut down roads, police encourage
drivers to look at alternative routes, especially for the bypass. A local South
Bend resident says, “I couldn’t see how people go to dinner or shopping or go
out to dinner. I would recommend staying home. It has been a really bad
year.” If you or anyone you know is driving in these storms, be sure to slow
down and have a safe commute.
4. Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County hosts their annual soup drive
February 17th through February 22nd. The ReStore is located on either Grape
Road or South Main Street. With every can of soup donated, customers will
be eligible to receive up to forty percent off specified items in the store.