The body of a 5-year-old child was recovered Tuesday night, July 14, after going missing while swimming. 

Boaters preparing for the Independence Day holiday should be aware that Indiana Conservation Officers will be on high alert for violations of boating-under-the-influence laws.

WALKERTON — Indiana Conservation officers are investigating an off-road vehicle crash that occurred sometime over the weekend near on Union Road in St. Joseph County. A 74-year-old male was found at the scene and pronounced deceased. At approximately 9:23 a.m., Monday, a motorist in the area contacted 911 in reference to what appeared to be …read more.

BREMEN — Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident in which an unresponsive 1-year-old was pulled from Lake of the Woods in Marshall County. The child was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center and is listed in critical condition. Emergency responders were dispatched to Lake Shore Drive near the town of Bremen shortly after 8 …read more.

INDIANA — Indiana conservation officers are advising citizens across the state of the potential hazards of being on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers and streams this winter. Recent temperature drops across the state have brought about sheets of ice across some bodies of water. Indiana conservation officers ask everyone to be vigilant and keep a watchful …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — Brian Stump, 44, Pierceton, and a juvenile relative were taken to Parkview Regional Hospital, Fort Wayne, Thursday evening, Jan. 3, following an all-terrain vehicle crash on South Barbee Drive, near EMS B29 Lane, south of North Webster. Stump was airlifted and the juvenile was transported by ambulance for unknown injuries. Both were …read more.

MILFORD — Terry Howard, 42, CR 1000N, Milford, was arrested this morning around 9:11 after a pursuit involving Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Milford Police and Indiana Conservation Officers. It is expected Howard will be charged with fleeing law enforcement and violation of a protective order. Howard was arrested at CR 1050N and …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a tree stand accident that occurred around 7 a.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 5, near North Webster. Jimmy Ritchie, 49, from Ligonier, was preparing to hunt from an elevated tree stand before falling nearly 16 feet to the ground. Emergency personnel from multiple agencies were on scene to …read more.

SYRACUSE — Indiana Conservation Officers arrested 18 minors for illegal possession and consumption of alcohol on the Lake Wawasee Sandbar yesterday, July 2, evening. Officers received a complaint of a large party on the sandbar with several teenage persons consuming alcohol. ICOs Maher and Whitehead responded and observed several violations on five boats tied together. …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Conservation Officers have added small unmanned aircraft systems to their search and rescue capabilities. The DNR Law Enforcement Division is the first state emergency response agency to receive official endorsement to utilize these devices for the purpose of search and rescue operations. District 1, with headquarters at Lake Wawasee, Syracuse, has a certified pilot of the SUAS machines.

PLYMOUTH — Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle crash that occurred Saturday afternoon, Aug. 13, near the 18000 block of Lincoln Highway. Tanner Feece, 13, Plymouth, was operating an off-road vehicle in a field on private property. While making a high speed turn, the off-road vehicle overturned, pinning Feece under the side by side …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — Indiana conservation officers have called off the search for a possible drowning victim in Webster lake. With a lack of evidence and only one unsure witness, it is unclear if anyone was ever in distress. Conservation officer divers, with help from Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, searched the bottom of Lake Webster and found …read more.

SYRACUSE — Shortly before 6:30 this evening, Kyle Hilty, 11, Syracuse, died of injuries sustained in an off-road vehicle crash that occurred at his residence on CR 35. Kyle was last seen operating an ATV around his family property around 6 pm. After about 20 minutes, his 13-year-old brother found him lying in a field. A …read more.

SYRACUSE — Indiana Conservation Officers are on scene of an off road vehicle crash in the area of C.R. 35, south of U.S. 6. Officers are still investigating the crash, which occurred around 6:30 p.m. today. Initial reports from the scene are that an 11-year-old child was killed in the crash. Indiana Conservation Officers will provide …read more.

NORTHERN INDIANA — Indiana Conservation Officers in District One have been busy responding to several serious incidents this week involving ATVs. One Indiana Conservation Officer alone, Matt Maher, has responded to three off road vehicle crashes.

INDIANA — Indiana conservation officers held their annual awards program May 19 in the South Atrium of the state capitol building. Officer Dustin Whitehead, Elkhart County, was named the 2015 James D. Pitzer Indiana Conservation Officer of the Year. Whitehead received this honor after his nomination was read aloud by DNR Law Enforcement Director Danny …read more.

By ASHLEE JACKSON Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement CULVER — Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the death of a fisherman found unresponsive in the water on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver. Marshall County Dispatch received a 911 call about a man overboard at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12. A construction worker on shore …read more.

NORTH LIBERTY — Indiana Conservation Officers will host a recruiting event at 5 p.m. next Tuesday, December 8, at Potato Creek State Park Nature Center, 25601 SR 4, North Liberty. The presentation will last approximately one hour and topics will include physical fitness standards, a practice test, the duties and ethical expectations of Indiana conservation …read more.

UPDATE: Sean Adam Dada, 32, 8164 E. Sunrise Drive, Syracuse, was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail at 10:03 a.m. Monday. He was booked on charges of failure to report a property damage boat accident and operating a motorboat, endangering person/property. His Bond was set at $500 cash.

WARSAW — When Kosciusko County Lake Patrol Officer, Ken Troutman, saw boaters in trouble, he was right there to assist. This afternoon, Wednesday, Oct. 7, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators recognized Troutman for taking action in rescuing seven boaters when their boat sank. Troutman had signaled to the motorboat, which was traveling in an idle …read more.

SYRACUSE — Indiana Conservation Officers Jonathon Boyd and Dustin Whitehead, along with Kosciusko Lake Patrol Officer Ken Troutman, received national recognition from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators for their courageous rescue of seven boaters on Lake Wawasee this summer.

LEESBURG — Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident that occurred early Sunday morning. Around 2 a.m. Dominic Fisher, 32, Milford and Tiffany Fugate, 22, Auburn were stationary sitting on board a 15-foot aluminum fishing boat on Lake Tippecanoe.

NORTH WEBSTER — Following a watercraft accident that occurred at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, one man has tragically succumbed to his injuries. According to a press release issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources law enforcement division, witnesses stated Jeffery Melvin, 53, Columbia City, was operating a personal watercraft on Lake Webster …read more.

KENDALLVILLE — Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a report of a possible drowning in Bixler Lake in Kendallville. At 5:36 p.m. today, Tuesday, Aug. 25, Noble County Dispatch received a call that witnesses observed a person calling for help while swimming near the southwest side of the lake. Witnesses observed the person go under the water and not resurface.

Indiana Conservation Officers had to conduct multiple rescues for people attempting fast-moving flood waters throughout the state Sunday, June 28. According to reports, officers were successful in four unrelated incidents involving people using kayaks on flooded rivers. Three kayakers were rescued on the Whitewater River in Fayette county. They had gotten caught in a log …read more.

Three people attempting to tube on the Wabash River near the Roush Reservoir dam in Huntington county last night were swept off the inflatable tubes in swift water and had to be rescued. Indiana Conservation officers from Wabash, Grant and Kosciusko counties, as well as multiple other emergency response agencies, responded to a 911 call …read more.

By SGT. RON GALAVIZ Public Information Office, District 22 Indiana State Police A husband and wife were arrested earlier this evening following a vehicle pursuit, after it was purported the two had taken the vehicle they were in, at gunpoint, from its owner in southern Noble County only minutes earlier. According to Indiana State Police …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the death of Dale E. Pugh, 68, Rochester, which occurred today at approximately 10:43 a.m. Investigating officer Jon Cook stated that Pugh and an 83-year-old friend were fishing from a boat in a channel on the southwest side of the lake when Pugh partially stood up and then fell into …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officer Matt Maher is investigating a serious ATV crash that occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of CR 250E and CR 1050N .Justin Desomer, 43, of Syracuse had been deer hunting and had failed to return home, which concerned his family. His wife attempted to contact him by cell phone several …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an ATV accident which occurred today at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Country Club Drive, Warsaw. Thomas Lemon,14, of Warsaw was operating an ATV on private property when he collided head on with an ATV being operated by his sister Sadie Lemon,12, of Warsaw. The two were on opposite sides of …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers of operational District 1, which serves north central Indiana, are holding a recruiting event to be held at Mississinewa Reservoir. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. The group will be meeting at the Miami State Recreation Area campground pavilion. The Miami State Recreation Area is …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers conducted a targeted enforcement detail on the Lake Wawasee sandbar this past Saturday. Officers conducted increased surveillance of the sandbar in various watercraft types to monitor boat traffic for alcohol related offenses. As a result of the targeted patrol, 13 minors were issued citations for underage drinking. Officers also issued 2 infraction …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers acting on complaints from boaters on James Lake — commonly referred to as “Little Tippy Lake” — held a targeted enforcement operation on the sandbar over the holiday weekend. Officers were searching for impaired or intoxicated boat operators and minors consuming alcoholic beverages. Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by officers from the State …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officer Matthew Maher has begun his career with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division with his assignment to Kosciusko County. Officer Maher graduated from the 33rd Indiana Conservation Officers recruit school in July 2013. He then attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and gradutated from their 201st class in March …read more.

SILVER LAKE, Ind. – Indiana Conservation Officers would like to announce that the 2014 C.O. Mollenhour Conservation Camp, located on McClure Lake, is openly accepting campers for this year’s camp. Boys week is July 13-18 while the girls week is from July 25-30. The cost of the camp is $200 per camper. Prospective campers must visit …read more.

  Indiana Conservation Officers arrested Paul J. Miller, 43, after he allegedly resisted law enforcement while on Tri County Fish and Wildlife Area property. The incident, which resulted in a short police pursuit, happened Sunday evening. According to Indiana Conservation Officers, Miller fled the scene in his 1995 Ford box truck as officers from five …read more.

  A 2007 graduate of Wawasee High School in Syracuse is in the ICU in critical condition following a mowing accident that led to a near drowning in Fort Wayne. Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the accident that happened at approximately 12:03 p.m. today. Robert Houser Jr., 26, now a resident of Fort Wayne, was mowing grass …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle accident with injuries that occurred today at approximately 4:30 p.m. Brent Ransom, 45, of South Whitley, was operating a Honda TRX 300 on the Friends of The Eel River Trail in South Whitley. Ransom was traveling down a steep incline and applied the brakes, causing the machine …read more.

[UPDATE: Indiana Conservation Officers have obtained this photograph of the possible semi involved in this accident. This semi was seen on surveillance footage at a nearby Seven Eleven convenience store shortly after the accident. The semi is believed to be a Peterbilt with a sleeper cab. Investigating officer Tyler Brock stated the driver may not have …read more.

SYRACUSE, Ind. — Indiana Conservation Officers scuba divers converged on Lake Wawasee last Wednesday to practice rescue and recovery operations for ice related emergencies. Divers and their support staff practiced preparing for the worst case scenario: a person falling through the ice and needing emergency assistance. The divers are well equipped with thermal suits, full …read more.

An ATV accident in Rochester has led to one arrest. At about 5 p.m. Saturday, Indiana Conservation Officers were called to an ATV accident on Olson Road, north of Rochester. According to officers, Charles W. Harding, 55, of Rochester, crashed his 2007 Suzuki ATV. Harding reportedly lost control of his ATV causing the vehicle to …read more.

A Flood Warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday for Kosciusko, Marshall, Fulton, Starke, Pulaski, White, Cass, Miami and Wabash counties. The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana says up to 2 inches of rain has already fallen across the warning area and is expected to slowly diminish through the early morning hours. Runoff …read more.

Every winter, thousands of Hoosiers enjoy fishing, skating, hiking or just sliding around on frozen ponds and lakes. And every year, people drown after falling through ice. As ice begins to form on many waterways, Indiana Conservation Officers with the Department of Natural Resources want citizens to put safety first. Here are a few tips …read more.

Kenneth Moore The 2012 shooting death of a Rochester Marine who was teaching a 12-year-old boy how to hunt, is making news again today as police charge the shooter the reckless homicide. (See related) Matthew Carlson, 25, of Kewanna, was arrested last night at his home on a warrant for last year’s fatal shooting of …read more.

Conservation Officers from both Indiana and Illinois have recently stepped up their patrols in the commercial fishing industry, particularly in the commercial harvest of shovelnose sturgeon, which is a fish that is sought after for its roe (eggs). A total of 13 people from both Indiana and Illinois have been arrested, cited, or warned for …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident involving a grenade launcher that happened in Marshall County. Kevin Patterson, 41, from Walkerton, was injured after firing a starburst grenade round from an AR-15 platform rifle. The incident occurred at a private shooting range in the 3000 block of Plymouth-LaPorte Trail. “The 37 millimeter starburst grenade is an …read more.

SYRACUSE, Ind. – Indiana Conservation Officers across northern Indiana were kept busy this past weekend working with waterfowl hunters to manage migratory waterfowl populations which pass through Indiana during the next few months. The north zone comprises the northern third of the counties in the state. Indiana is split into three zones based on migration …read more.

Detectives from the Lagrange County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a death that occurred early today on Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area near Mongo in Lagrange County. Early today, deputies from Lagrange County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a river access within the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating what appears to be the drowning death of a toddler in Whitley County. According to Indiana Conversation Officers, at 1:40 p.m. Saturday the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch received a 911 call reporting the possible drowning at 8009 W. 300 S. Emergency units responded and discovered family members performing CPR …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating two separate off road vehicle accidents that occurred on Tuesday on the Paperworks Paperboard Group property in Wabash, Ind. Wabash City Police Department responded to the first accident on West Mill Street Wednesday evening shortly after 8 pm. Heaven Pattee, 10, of Wabash, Ind., was treated for minor injuries at …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers were investigating an ATV accident that happened Friday in Claypool and sent a 13-year-old boy to the hospital with a head injury. ICOs were called at 3:30 p.m. Friday to 466 E. 700 S., Claypool, where Mason Johnson, 13, was riding an ATV on his property. Johnson attempted to jump a ramp …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officer’s served a search warrant on the Kendallville residence of Jason A. Maxston Wednesday afternoon. Conservation Officers received information that Maxston was performing taxidermy work without a state license. Conservation Officer’s served the warrant on Maxston’s residence and an outbuilding located on the property. Conservation Officer’s discovered an indoor marijuana grow operation containing …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers in Elkhart County are investigating the illegal taking of a large muskie fish in High Dive Park in Elkhart on May 4. Cory Barnett, 23, of Elkhart, was charged by ICO Paul Crockett on one count of taking a game fish by illegal method. Muskies, otherwise known as muskellunge or tiger muskellunge, …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are providing citizens with useful tips for Indiana boaters to enjoy a safe summer on the water. Conservation Officers will be patrolling Indiana waterways this summer to ensure that boaters are in compliance with boating laws. Officers are encouraging citizens to become familiar with Indiana boating laws and follow safe boating procedures …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers have completed an investigation into a March 30 claim that three men beat a mute swan to death on Sechrist Lake. On Monday, the DNR released the full report finding only grounds to warn the holder of a permit that allows for the taking of the swans. Chuck Brinkman, 64, of Zionsville, …read more.

Although Indiana Conservation Officers cited the holder of a permit to kill mute swans in the Barbee Chain of Lakes, ICO Nick Vander Molen said the permit is still valid. Barbee property owners, upset with what they believe was the brutal killing of mute swans on Sechrist Lake last month, attended a Saturday morning meeting …read more.

A Cromwell man was arrested late Saturday night by an Indiana Conservation Officer after he was caught illegally hunting. Around 5 p.m. Saturday, an Indiana Conservation Officer on patrol came across a vehicle near Durham Lake, which directed his attention to a hunter coming out from the woods. The hunter, identified as Charles E. Norris, …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a tree stand accident which occurred this morning on the Tri County Fish and Wildlife Area near North Webster. Clarence “Daven” Gasaway, 15, of Warsaw, was hunting deer when part of his deer stand broke causing him to fall backward and become stuck upside down in the remaining foot platform …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are excited about the upcoming deer firearms season and working with ethical hunters who will be taking to the woods this weekend. Deer hunters will be taking to the woods this weekend when firearms season officially begins, and they’ll be facing some new regulations this year. Indiana Conservation Officers are reminding hunters …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating two separate off-road vehicle accidents that occurred in Fulton County over the weekend. Laurie Bowyer, 42, of Akron, was involved in a single vehicle roll-over accident near Akron on Saturday evening. She was airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne with serious injuries. Indiana Conservation Officers report alcohol consumption was …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a tree stand accident that occurred around 6 p.m. Tuesday evening in Fulton County. William (Bill) F. Hundt, 69, from Bremen, was hunting from an elevated tree stand before falling nearly 16 feet to the ground. Hundt was unable to call for help due to the extent of his injuries. …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fatal ATV accident which occurred in Whitley County at approximately 9:30 p.m. Thursday night. There were no witnesses to the accident, but evidence indicates the ATV was northbound on Johnson Road just south of Chapine Road, when it left the west side of the roadway in the area of …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at the Tri-County shooting range on Saturday around 5 p.m. According to Indiana Conservation Officer Nathan Hooley, Joseph Miretti was firing his Ruger 22/45 MKII pistol which he had altered by mounting a vertical foregrip to it. This type of foregrip is typically used on …read more.

A Plymouth man suffered a fall while putting up a tree stand and suffered multiple broken bones. Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the accident that occurred at 10099 7th Road near Plymouth.  According to Conservation Officer Seth Owens, Stephen E. Guzak, 45, was attempting to hang his tree stand for the upcoming deer season and fell …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a deadly boat accident that happened Sunday afternoon on Lake Latonka at approximately 4:15 p.m. Conservation Officers investigating were told that the family of the victim, 61-year-old Roger Martin,  was pulling tubers on the lake when the incident occurred. The boat was turning around to pick up their tubers when Martin, …read more.

An ATV accident in Larwill late Thursday night seriously injured one man. Indiana Conservation Officers are Investigating the accident that happened at approximately 11 p.m. in Whitley County just northeast of Larwill. Whitley County Sheriff’s Department received the initial 911 call concerning the accident that occurred at a home on CR 650 West. When officers arrived …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers were called to Blackburn & Green Law Offices on University Drive Court in Granger Tuesday afternoon when landscapers uncovered some buried artifacts. Among some of the artifacts found include three large monuments, animal remains and glass.  According to conservation officers, it is possible that more artifacts pre-dating 1870 are still buried at …read more.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fatal accident that killed Chelsea Ann Lovett, 20, of Granger, Ind., a horse rider in Brown County State Park. The victim was employed as a trail guide by the Brown County Guided Trail Ride concessionaire at the Saddle Barn in the park. The accident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. Sunday as …read more.