Also, IU Kokomo to open Innovation Hall, Sept. 10

This article is brought to you by Moore's Home Health and Medical Supply. For more than 69 years, Moore's Home Health has been Howard County's leading provider of assistive and adaptive ​home medical equipment and supplies. Call 765-454-5210 or visit Moore's at 608 W. Markland Ave. to let them help meet your healthcare needs!

On Sept. 1, at 11:16 p.m., Kokomo Police responded to the National Guard Armory, located at 315 E. Markland Ave., in reference to several 911 calls. Dispatch advised that the calls were originating from the parking lot at the location. The caller was not providing clear information before disconnecting.

Police searched the area and did not find anyone in distress. Shortly thereafter, dispatch informed officers that the Kokomo Fire Department was responding to the armory on a report of a fire inside the building.

The Kokomo Fire Department responded and extinguished several fires believed to be intentionally set inside the building. Officers spoke with witnesses who reported seeing a black female inside the building prior to the fire department responding. Further investigation revealed signs of possible forced entry into the building, prompting officers to enter and search for individuals who may still be inside.

During the search, officers encountered a female attempting to evade detection by trying to hide in a vehicle parked in a secured area on the property. Officers detained the female who was identified as 47-year-old Kimberley T. Austin. Austin admitted to setting the fires inside the building and calling 911.

Austin was transported to the Howard County Criminal Justice Center and charged with Burglary, a Level 4 Felony, and Arson, a Level 4 felony. No one was injured as a result of the arson.

This case is currently under investigation by the Kokomo Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit. If anyone has additional information about this case, 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 to us 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.

IU Kokomo to dedicate Innovation Hall Sept. 10

A dynamic space designed to give students hands-on experience as innovators, help them grow as global citizens, apply the business skills they’ve learned in the classroom, and compete with gamers around the world debuts this month at Indiana University Kokomo.

The campus will formally dedicate the new Innovation Hall with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, followed by an open house until 3 p.m.

Innovation Hall was funded in part by a $1.5 million grant from the first round of funding from the Indiana READI program and matching funds from Indiana University. Located in the west wing of the Kelley Student Center (2300 S. Washington St.), it includes a new multicultural center, a media lab/eSports arena, a technology studio, dedicated space for the KEY Center for Innovation, and a business analytics lab, as well as professional offices and other training and gathering spaces for students.

“Innovation Hall promises to take IU Kokomo to the next level,” explained Chancellor Mark Canada. “The learning spaces here cater to what IU Kokomo does best: experiential learning, not only for our students, but also for community members.”

Innovation Hall is one of the projects funded through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). Launched by Gov. Holcomb and led by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, READI 2.0 continues to build on the framework and successes of the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative and the 21st Century Talent Initiative, encouraging regional collaboration and data-driven, long-term planning that, when implemented, will attract and retain talent in Indiana. Building on the success of READI 1.0, which allocated $487 million to projects, the $500 million READI fund, part of the 2023 Next Level Agenda and approved by the Indiana General Assembly, continues this mission.

“This project is exactly what READI set out to do—to provide funding to projects that will prove transformational to communities and assist them in becoming places where Hoosiers can learn, play and live,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg.

The grand opening of Innovation Hall is open to the public. RSVPs are requested, but not required, and can be submitted here.