Also, Data center developer holding open house; Taylor awarded $75,000 learning grant
This article is brought to you by the Kokomo Downtown Farmers Market. All good things must come to an end, as the final market of the season is upon us! This is your last chance to snap up fresh fall produce, expertly cut meats, quaint and colorful handcrafted decor, and sumptuous baked goods and sweets, all produced and offered by local artisans and farmers!
The Kokomo Downtown Farmers Market is located at the corner of Mulberry and Washington streets and takes place from 9 a.m. until noon this Saturday, Oct. 10. It’s going to be a full house of vendors you won’t want to miss! Thank you for visiting during our 2026 season, and we’ll see you at the Market!
A narcotics investigation resulted in the arrest of Reginald Prather, 40, and the seizure of approximately 15 pounds of suspected methamphetamine following the execution of a court-authorized search warrant in Kokomo.
On September 18, 2026, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office Task Force Unit and Patrol Division, assisted by the Peru Drug Task Force, executed the warrant at a residence in the 1400 block of North McCann Street. The search included the residence and a detached garage.
During the search, investigators seized approximately 15 pounds of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine; approximately 10.2 pounds of suspected marijuana; $6,900 in United States currency; and a 9 mm handgun that had been reported stolen. Investigators also seized four cellular telephones, a scale, drug-packaging materials, a black 2018 Jaguar, and a 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28.
Prather was taken to the Howard County Jail on the following charges:
- Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 felony
- Possession of Stolen Property, a Level 5 felony
- Dealing in Marijuana, a Level 5 felony
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, a Level 6 felony
The case remains active and under investigation by Detective James Myers #34-93. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact him directly at 765-614-3493, or by submitting a tip through the Howard County Sheriff’s Office mobile app or at www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov.
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the filing of the information is merely an allegation, and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Data center developer holding open house
The City of Kokomo encourages residents to attend Digital Realty’s community open house on its proposed Kokomo data center, where they can get their questions answered by members of the Digital Realty team. The open house, hosted by Digital Realty, will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, from 2-4 p.m. at Big Ben Coffee Co.
Residents can arrive whenever it fits their schedule and stay as long as they like. Attendees will find a series of stations, each focused on a different part of the project, ranging from the project overview, power and energy, water, sound, local jobs and workforce impact and more. Digital Realty team members and subject matter experts will be on hand to answer questions one-on-one.
Residents can visit the stations in any order and spend as much time as they need at each one. Whether attendees have 15 minutes or the full two hours, they can focus on the topics that matter most to them and get answers to their own questions. Digital Realty will also provide refreshments for attendees to enjoy as they get their questions answered.
Digital Realty is proposing the data center at Industrial Park North, near U.S. 31 and County Road 400 North. The plan calls for three data center buildings with roughly 3 million square feet of floor space on approximately 476 acres. There will be no tax abatement on the project.
Residents who cannot attend can find more information about the project at https://www.digitalrealty.com/about/projects/kokomo
Taylor awarded $75,000 learning grant
Taylor Community School Corporation is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $75,000 Opportunity to Learn Project planning grant. This initial funding will enable district leadership, educators, and community partners to develop a comprehensive, long-term strategy aimed at removing critical barriers to student learning and academic success across all grade levels.
The Opportunity to Learn initiative focuses on identifying and eliminating the non-academic and structural obstacles that prevent students from fully engaging in their education. By securing this preliminary grant, Taylor Community Schools takes the first step toward qualifying for the full implementation grant, which offers up to $650,000 in additional state and federal funding.
Over the upcoming planning period, Taylor administrators will use the $75,000 award to conduct thorough needs assessments, gather community feedback, and collaborate with local organizations. The planning process will focus on key areas such as expanding student support services, enhancing academic interventions, addressing attendance and mental health needs, and ensuring equitable access to instructional resources for all Kokomo-area families.
“We are deeply grateful to receive this Opportunity to Learn planning grant,” said Superintendent Steve Dishon. “At Taylor, our top priority is ensuring that every student who walks through our doors has the tools, support, and environment they need to thrive. This planning phase allows us to carefully design targeted, sustainable solutions that address the specific needs of our student body before applying for the larger $650,000 implementation grant.”
The finalized strategic plan will serve as the foundation for the district’s application for the full $650,000 award. If granted, those funds will directly power new programs, staff resources, and student support initiatives across Taylor Elementary, Taylor Middle School, and Taylor High School over the coming school years.
For more information about Taylor Community School Corporation and its ongoing academic programs, please visit www.taylor.k12.in.us or contact the administrative office.