Suzanne Spencer, WSBT

Suzanne Spencer

WSBT

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Past:
  • WSBT

Past articles by Suzanne:

South Bend Police K9 and officer retire as partners

For 21 years, Sgt. Dan Demler has been opening the door of his police car for k9 officers. This week, that will change for the long-time South Bend police officer.“It’s time,” said Sgt. Demler, as he paused. “It’s time.”When Sgt. Demler joined the South Be → Read More

Sentencing expected for Mark Soto in Kosciusko County case

A former Grace College professor caught up in a conman’s botched movie deal will serve three years on home detention, three years of probation and pay restitution costs. He’s the second of three men to be sentenced in a saga that led to the ousting of form → Read More

The Shade Shepherd: Goshen native brings Hollywood production to Michiana

Inside a LaGrange real estate office, turned 1980s police station, Justin Riegsecker is learning how to play a rowdy character in hand-cuffs.The crew laughed as the director and co-writer told Riegsecker he’d have to relax a little more as another characte → Read More

State, defense rest in case related to former Kosciusko County sheriff scandal

The state's final rebuttal witnesses are on the stand in a high-profile Kosciusko County court case.Both the state and defense have rested their cases.Mark Soto is charged with intimidation and corrupt business influence.Kevin Bronson and former Kosciusko → Read More

Jail cell called 'condo' in trial testimony related to Kosciusko County sheriff scandal

Alleged special privileges inside the Kosciusko County Jail. That's the focus of testimony in the trial for a Grace College professor.Mark Soto is charged with corrupt business influence and intimidation -- alongside Kevin Bronson and former Kosciusko Coun → Read More

Day 2: Trial continues for man indicted alongside former Kosciusko County sheriff

The victim of an intimidation case against a Grace College professor says Dr. Mark Soto’s credibility was a critical piece of the four and a half years he lived in fear. His testimony will prove crucial for the prosecutors who are trying to argue Soto and → Read More

Testimony under way in trial for man accused in Kosciusko County sheriff scandal

Testimony is under way in Mark Soto's trial. He's the last person to be tried in a trio of cases surrounding former Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine.He's charged with three counts of corrupt business influence and three counts of intimidation.Wars → Read More

Mishawaka man accused of recording 300 children for porn

A child exploitation investigation led St. Joseph County authorities to charge a Mishawaka man, while they work to identify more than 300 child victims.Matthew Ridenour, 29, was charged Monday with eight charges; two counts of child exploitation and six co → Read More

Man charged in scandal involving former Kosciusko Co. sheriff will go to trial

Against his attorney's advice, Mark Soto, who was charged alongside former sheriff Aaron Rovenstine and Kevin Bronson, will begin his trial August 1st. Both attorneys said they expected Soto to plead guilty to a charge on Friday morning, but that didn't ha → Read More

Niles couple transforming former Elks Lodge

An empty three story, 21,000 square foot building that has fallen into disarray in the heart of Niles, may intimidate some potential buyers; but not Donny and Melanie Kennedy.“We have lost our minds a little bit,” laughed Melanie.The old Elk figurines on w → Read More

Elkhart PD adding officers to address noise, paperwork

Elkhart Police Cpl. Dustin Young knew he wanted to become a police officer at age 5, he said as he drove through town.“You can always touch somebody’s life, every single day,” Young said.Most days, Young spends his time responding to calls all across Elkha → Read More

The Rovenstine dynasty: a look at the history of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department

The Rovenstine family has created a dynasty in the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. For the past 40 years, a Rovenstine has been the sheriff for 26 of those years.Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine is serving his third term, and his father, Al, served a total → Read More

Jury selection underway for Rovenstine trial

Twelve jurors and three alternates were chosen in under six hours in a much anticipated Kosciusko County trial.Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, 57, was indicted in February 2016 on 10 felonies including bribery, intimidation, official misconduct and assisting a c → Read More

Knute Rockne grave caretaker looks for replacement

Winter’s cold lifted for a February afternoon, and the sunshine reflected off 85-year-old Sylvsester Cashen’s glasses.“Call me Cash,” he said. Cash gestured toward a monument for Knute Rockne, nestled at the crossroads of Highland Cemetery in South Bend. M → Read More