Also, GMCH grants $50,000 to local nonprofits

This article is brought to you by Rhine Hall Events. Two national touring comedy powerhouses are hitting the Rhine Hall stage Nov. 14 — Greg Hahn and Dave the King Wilson — and Kokomo already knows how wild this night gets.

Last year? SOLD OUT. Standing room only. Wall‑to‑wall laughter. People STILL talk about it. This year, it’s going to be even bigger. Even louder. Even funnier.

If you want a seat, get your tickets NOW. Don’t wait. Don’t assume. Don’t miss out again. Visit RhineHallEvents.com and grab them before they’re gone. This WILL sell out!

A Kokomo Police officer is on administrative leave and is facing criminal charges for his alleged misuse of the department’s License Plate Recognition (LPR) system, utilizing Flock Safety cameras.

According to the department and the Howard County Prosecutor’s Office, KPD Officer Jeffery Bornes, 40, allegedly accessed the system 18 times over a 21-month period, monitoring his then-spouse for personal reasons.

Bornes faces three criminal counts related to his alleged unauthorized use of video monitoring devices outside of a criminal investigation. They include:

• Official Misconduct, IC 35-44.1-1-1(1), a Level 6 Felony.
• Fraud, IC 35-43-5-4(a)(1)(A), a Class A Misdemeanor.
• Fraud, IC 35-43-5-4(a)(3), a Class A Misdemeanor.

Bornes was taken into custody on October 7. Bond was set at $12,000. An initial hearing will be scheduled in Howard Superior Court 4. The police department disclosed that Bornes “fully cooperated throughout the criminal investigation and was represented by legal counsel.”

The discovery came about after KPD Chief Douglas Stout requested an internal audit of the LPR system, which allows officers to use the Flock Safety video cameras as part of criminal investigations. The department reports that the system was accessed more than 9,000 times in the 21-month period. All but 18 of the searches were directly linked to criminal investigations, the department stated.

The 18 searches not connected to an investigation all allegedly came from Bornes, who registered the searches as “welfare checks.” The State alleges the searches had no law enforcement purpose and that the stated reason was false.

The department disclosed that policies and procedures concerning license plate recognition cameras have been in place locally since 2019. Those policies are currently under review as part of KPD’s accreditation process with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), which is what prompted the audit, according to Chief Stout.

“I want to reassure our community that this incident was identified through a proactive internal audit, which should provide confidence in the culture and accountability of the Kokomo Police Department,” said Chief Stout. “We are committed to maintaining an environment that empowers employees to act courageously and ethically when they observe misconduct. Internal reporting reflects the professionalism, integrity, and accountability our community deserves and should expect from its police department.”

Howard County Prosecutor Mark McCann commended the department for internally investigating the incidents and submitting the case for charges.

“License plate readers are a public investigative tool,” said McCann. “Officers are given access to do police work, not to look up people in their personal lives. The Kokomo Police Department found this through its own audit and brought it to us. That is how accountability is supposed to work, and the department deserves credit for it.”

If convicted on the Level 6 felony, Bornes faces a sentence of six months to 2½ years and a fine of up to $10,000. The misdemeanors carry up to a one-year sentence and a fine of up to $5,000.

The charges are allegations only. Bornes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. To protect the integrity of the case, neither KPD nor Prosecutor’s Office will comment further on the evidence or on the individual whose vehicle was searched.

GMCH grants $50,000 to local nonprofits

On behalf of GM Corporate Citizenship, GMCH Kokomo presented its latest Community Impact Grants (CIG) to Kokomo-area nonprofits, reaffirming its support for the local community and organizations serving residents. This year’s $50,000 grant supports three local nonprofits focused on STEAM education and road safety initiatives.

Through the CIG program, GM facility leaders selected Kokomo-area nonprofits that help meet local needs, expand access to resources, and strengthen the community GMCH Kokomo is proud to call home.

The 2026 Kokomo-area grant recipients will support a variety of programs under STEAM and road safety. This year’s recipients are:

• Kokomo Rescue Mission
• United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties
• Literacy Coalition of Howard County

“Through our Community Impact Grants, we are proud to support nonprofit organizations that make a meaningful difference for local people and families,” said Derrick Parson, plant director at GMCH Kokomo. “For over 90 years, GM has been part of this community, and we are honored to support organizations that help keep Kokomo a strong and vibrant place to live and work.”

In 2026, GM will distribute $5 million to 42 hometown communities across 16 states, supporting locally driven solutions shaped by employee nominations, volunteerism, and giving. Including today’s grant, GM has awarded $250,000 in community impact grants to Kokomo-area nonprofits since 2021.

Now in its 16th year, the CIG program provides support to eligible nonprofits across GM’s U.S. manufacturing communities. GM Components Holding remains committed to supporting area nonprofit partners and investing in the local community.