Also, Chamber of Commerce celebrates 110 years

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The Howard County Coroner's Office investigated 72 deaths in the third quarter of 2024, ending on September 30, 2024. Of those cases, 49 were determined to be due to natural causes. There were four deaths by suicide and 16 accidental deaths.

Two cases have been ruled as undetermined, and one case is still under investigation. The coroner's office has reviewed 17 additional direct release cases since January 1, 2024.

Of the 16 accidental deaths, five were the result of drug overdose, three were due to motor vehicle accidents, six were injuries sustained from falls, one by drowning, and one due to electrocution. Of the five confirmed overdose cases for the third quarter, three involved Fentanyl, three involved Methamphetamine, and one involved other substances. The deaths due to overdose in Howard County for 2024 now total 22. Suicide deaths stand at 12 for 2024.

Of the 72 cases investigated in the third quarter of 2024, there were 32 autopsies, 33 toxicology tests, and two imaging studies performed, for a total cost of $75,100. Toxicology testing for suspected drug overdose cases is paid for by the Indiana State Department of Health. All autopsies ordered by the coroner are conducted by a board-certified forensic pathologist.

The coroner's office investigates all deaths that occur from violence, casualty, in apparent good health, have died from suspicious, unusual, or unnatural manner, or have been found deceased. The coroner also reviews all deaths that occur in the hospital emergency room or within 24 hours of admission and deaths that occur during surgery or while under general anesthesia.

The coroner is responsible for establishing the identification of the deceased and the cause and manner of death. The coroner is responsible for death notification to the legal next of kin and the personal property found on or near the decedent.

Greater Kokomo Alliance hosts 110th annual celebration

On Nov. 8, the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance celebrated the Chamber of Commerce’s 110th anniversary with a special evening dedicated to the legacy of Kokomo’s business community and the impact of visionary leadership.

A dinner and awards program at Bel Air Events, the event brought together Chamber members, business leaders and public officials to honor the organization’s long-standing commitment to economic growth and community development.

Alliance President and CEO Lori Dukes explained the evening’s event invited guests to explore the organization’s journey since 1914 through historical pictures and curated remnants of the past. There was a particular focus on the contributions of Kokomo’s own Elwood Haynes, an automotive pioneer and visionary whose influence helped shape the Chamber of Commerce.

“In 1914, Elwood Haynes recognized that a prosperous business community needed a strong network — a network that would bring together innovation, talent, and opportunity,” Dukes said, underscoring Haynes’ role as both an industrial pioneer and a founding figure of the Chamber.

At the event, an actor portraying Haynes welcomed attendees, offering them a glimpse into the past, while an original Haynes automobile on display served as a tangible reminder of his enduring impact on the community.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Michael Shor, CEO of Haynes International, delivered a powerful message about the company’s growth and global impact that resonated from Haynes’ original vision to today’s forward-looking innovations in aerospace and energy.

Chamber Manager Courtney Butler acknowledged the contributions of some original Chamber members from 1914 and expressed gratitude for the sustained commitment of these members who have not only witnessed Kokomo’s economic evolution but have actively shaped its trajectory.

Alliance Board Chair Cary Mawbey addressed the nearly 400 people in attendance to reflect on the Alliance’s transformative role in the community.

“It’s an exciting time for our community,” he noted, highlighting the Alliance’s multi-faceted contributions through its divisions: the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau, Inventrek Tech Park, and the Downtown Association.

Mawbey emphasized the Alliance’s often unseen but significant work that drives Kokomo’s daily vibrancy, stating, “The Alliance is here, day in and day out, not just in moments of big announcements, but in all the quieter, essential ways that sustain and grow our economy.”

Among the several awards presented during Thursday’s event was Economic Impact Award, which recognized SSG Hotels for its development of a Hilton Garden Inn and Kokomo Conference Center in downtown Kokomo. It’s a development anticipated to energize not just Kokomo but the entire region.

Other awards presented included:

• Economic Impact Award: SSG Hotels

• Downtown Champion Award: Lainey Schroer of Community First Bank of Indiana

• F.I.R.S.T.S. Award: Kokomo School Corporation

• Small Business of the Year: CrossFit Kokomo

• Large Business of the Year: Trilogy Health Services

• Businessperson of the Year: Michael Shor of Haynes International

• Volunteer of the Year: Lisa Collins

• Impact Award: Samaritan Caregivers

• Elizabeth Foster Award: Julie Smith

• Chamber Ambassador of the Year: George Mast of Community Howard Regional Health

Additionally, State Rep. Mike Karickhoff, R-Kokomo, made a special presentation of the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award to Rick Smith of Smith Financial. This award is a symbol of the high regard held for individuals dedicated to Indiana’s progress.

For more information on the Greater Kokomo Alliance, visit GreaterKokomo.com.