Also, Historical Society digs up Cemetery Walk; Protect water, pick up poo

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In early September 2026, the Kokomo Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) was contacted by the Sunnyvale Police Department in California regarding an investigation that originated in their jurisdiction.

As the investigation progressed, investigators with the Sunnyvale Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for 45-year-old Stacy Coffman of Kokomo on the following charges:

• California Penal Code 288.2(a)(1) – Sending Harmful Matter to Seduce a Minor

• California Penal Code 288.3(a) – Contacting a Minor to Commit a Felony

• California Penal Code 311.11 – Possession of Child Pornography

On September 24, 2026, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Kokomo Police Department investigators and uniformed patrol officers located Coffman and took her into custody pursuant to the outstanding warrant.

Later that day, Kokomo Police Department investigators obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of East Sycamore Street as part of the ongoing investigation. This case remains under investigation.

The Kokomo Police Department would like to acknowledge the assistance of the following personnel and agencies during this investigation: Kokomo Police Department Criminal Investigation Section; Kokomo Police Department Patrol Division; Kokomo Police Department Digital Crimes Unit; Kokomo Police Department Electronic Storage Detection K9 Gelid; and the Sunnyvale, California, Police Department.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Andrew Grammer (#411) at 765-456-7411 or by email at agrammer@cityofkokomo.org, Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may be eligible for a cash reward by contacting Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the Tip411 mobile application.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Historical Society digs up Cemetery Walk

Local history will come to life this October during the annual Cemetery Walk in Crown Point Cemetery. Hosted by the Howard County Historical Society, the event highlights notable figures buried in Crown Point. Actors share about the lives of those who helped shape Kokomo from its earliest days to the mid-20th century.

The Historical Society resurrected the event in 2024 after a 17-year hiatus, and the event continues to draw crowds interested in local history.

This year, the walk features notable figures such as Jackson Morrow, Aunt Millie Martindale, and Reverand Francis Lordemann. Actors bring the stories to life with details from each figure’s life according to obituaries, newspaper articles and other historical records.

The Cemetery Walk is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 9 and 10, with multiple time slots available both days. Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes as guides walk participants to each gravesite for performances from local actors. Tickets are available online for $15 and can be purchased at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hchs-2026-cemetery-walk.

Protect water, pick up poo

In recognition of American Water Works Association’s Annual Source Water Protection Week, September 27 to October 3, Indiana American Water is highlighting its commitment to providing customers with safe, clean, reliable water services.

“Protecting our source water is the first step in providing safe, clean, reliable drinking water,” said Barry Suits, Indiana American Water President. “Keeping our rivers, lakes and groundwater free from pollution reduces potential risks that could negatively impact the quality of the water supply and keeps treatment costs down.”

Indiana American Water helps protect drinking water sources through active participation in the Upper White River Watershed Management Plan and Upper East Fork Whitewater River Watershed Plan committees. Working alongside the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, local governments, soil and water conservation districts, and conservation partners, the company helps identify water quality priorities, support watershed protection strategies, advance agricultural best management practices, and secure funding for long-term restoration projects. These collaborative efforts strengthen watershed stewardship and help safeguard reliable water supplies for communities across Indiana.

Indiana American Water’s source water protection efforts include:

• Supporting watershed protection and land stewardship projects that help reduce erosion, nutrient runoff, and other potential sources of contamination before they impact water supplies.
• American Water conducts nearly 1 million tests each year at its state-of-the-art research laboratories.
• Application of the most advanced technology, equipment, and filtration processes.
• Constant collaborative work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and other state and local agencies to meet or surpass water quality standards and address emerging contaminants so that potential impacts to water quality are minimized.

“Source water protection is a year-round effort that requires community collaboration,” said Alisha Cornwell, American Water Source Water Protection Program Manager. “We all play a role in protecting and improving drinking water sources.”

During Source Water Protection Week, Indiana American Water is encouraging individuals to take the following actions and incorporate them into their year-round practices:

• Plant landscaping around homes or businesses with more permeable surfaces, such as mulch, that allow water to soak into the ground.
• Do not over-apply chemicals to plants and avoid application immediately before it rains.
• Keep litter, pet waste, and yard waste out of streets and storm drains. Pet waste contains bacteria that can find its way into waterways through runoff.
• Select non-toxic or less toxic alternatives to typical household products, such as cleaning agents.
• Dispose of pharmaceuticals by taking them to collection sites, where available. Don’t flush them down the toilet!
• Use hazardous waste collection sites and services to dispose of items such as chemicals, paints, motor oil and batteries. Report any hazardous material spills, illegal dumping or suspicious activity to local or state authorities.

American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations.

American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com.

Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people.