Week in Review for March 14th-18th, 2011

Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

The North Judson Police Department is investigating a break-in at Rays Super Foods that occurred on Friday in the early morning hours. Anyone with information about this crime is to call North Judson police at (574) 772-5914.

This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Severe weather can happen at any time this spring. Stay prepared with a disaster kit with a battery powered radio, non-perishable food items and a flashlight.

North Judson-San Pierre Schools will be cutting $1.2 million from its budget for the 2011-2012 school year while Oregon-Davis Schools will be cutting a half a million from its budget. Both Superintendents commented that these cuts are devastating to their small corporations and to their communities.

Rodney Craft of Knox was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Thursday. Judge Kim Hall sentenced Craft to 10 years on a number of charges. His sentence in Starke County will run consecutively with a four year sentence he was given in Pulaski County on Tuesday. In all, he will serve 14 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Thom Morin

Thomas Morin recently appeared before the Starke County Commissioners and the Knox City Council to present a handicapped parking plan that he feels will alleviate the handicapped parking situation in the Knox downtown area and at the Starke County Courthouse.

The Hamlet Police Department recovered a vehicle reported stolen in Knox last week. Police arrested Adam Makowski and Steven Sandoval in the incident. They have both been charged with Theft Receiving Stolen Property.

West Central High School was recently named a Four Star School. Superintendent Charles Mellon commented that the school’s AYP status and Language Arts and Math scores on end of course assessments are what put the school in the category. John Glenn High School and Webster Elementary in Plymouth were also named Four Star Schools.

Tornado drills were held Wednesday in Starke County in as part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week.

Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Klitzman, calls the preliminary school funding report very unkind to rural schools and he does not support school vouchers. He says public money should stay in public schools.

The Knox City Police Department is offering an anonymous tip line for residents to call in crime information. Call 772-4122 and choose option 3.

The North Judson Town Board approved the final reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana within the town limits.

Tad Gentry

Tad Gentry was arrested on Resisting Law Enforcement charges after he lead police on a mile-and-a-half police chase on 1025 E. in Starke County. He was also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Marijuana charges after police allegedly found the drugs in his possession at the time of his arrest.