The Eastern Pulaski School Board discussed its fiscal year budget at their recent meeting and gave Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman permission to advertise the budget.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Discusses Fiscal Year Budget
Knox Community School Board Receives Facility Study Update
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa gave the School Board a facility study update this week.
“Our Board has been investigating work that needs to be done at the Elementary School. I’ve been meeting with the staff members at the Elementary School by grade level and offering them the same mini tour and showing them the inner workings of the building, similar to what the Board had seen during a mini retreat that they had and also what the public was shown last spring.”
Fulton County Murder Suspect at Large
Rural Rochester – Tuesday, at approximately 7:06 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and Fulton County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call reporting a possible murder at 6832 West Olson Road, rural Rochester, IN.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the owners of a residence at 6832 West Olson Road arrived home from work, and found a rear door to the house open. Upon entering the house, they found the body of Wilma Upsall, 81. An autopsy, conducted on Wednesday, revealed that Upsall died of a gunshot wound. There were signs of forced entry into the home but investigators have yet to determine if any articles are missing from the residence.
Upsall lived at the home with her daughter and son-in-law.
Last night, at approximately 6:34 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet El Camino on 20 A Road near the town of Monterey, IN. The El Camino had purportedly driven across the center line and was exceeding the posted 55 miles per hour speed limit. Officers also wanted to speak with the occupants of the Chevrolet about Upsall’s alleged murder. When troopers activated the emergency lighting and sirens on their police cars, the El Camino accelerated and led officers on an approximately ten minute pursuit. The chase ended when the Chevrolet crashed on State Road 117 north of State Road 110. The driver, Jason Miller, 34, Plymouth, IN, and his two passengers, William Scroggs, 25, Delong, IN, and Roy Bell, 24, Rochester, IN, all fled on foot.
After an overnight manhunt, by multiple police agencies, Scroggs and Miller were eventually located and incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail. They each face a single count of murder and two class A felony charges for burglary and robbery. They are being held without bond. Scroggs and Miller were found in different locations and at different times.
At this time Bell has not been located. Investigators believe he is possibly armed and should be considered dangerous. An order of probable cause has been issued by the Fulton Circuit Court for Bell to be arrested on murder, robbery, and burglary charges.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this case, or Bell’s whereabouts, is encouraged to call the Indiana State Police Peru Post at 1-800-382-0689 (inside Indiana) or 765-473-6666. Information can also be provided to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department by calling 574-223-2819. Information can also be provided anonymously to Fulton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-616-7867.
LaPorte Youth Dies in Auto Accident Two Injured
Just after midnight this morning a single vehicle crash in Jackson County claimed the life of a La Porte, IN teen. According to Trooper Matt Holley, at approximately 12:35 a.m. a 1996 Honda Civic driven by 21 year old Cory D. Allison of La Porte, IN was traveling southbound on I-65 near the 51.5 mile marker when he lost control of the vehicle which then rotated striking a guardrail in the median. The force of the crash caused five of the guardrail posts to be broken off before the vehicle came to rest with the passenger side of the vehicle against the guardrail.
Allison suffered severe head and chest injuries and a back seat passenger, 19 year old Brandon W. Lehman of La Porte, IN also suffered severe head and chest injuries. Both Allison and Lehman were transported to area hospitals. The front seat passenger, 19 year old Craig M. Milcarek, also of La Porte, was pronounced dead at the scene. Although the crash remains under investigation, speed and aggressive driving possibly contributed to the crash.
Assisting Tpr. Holley at the scene was Tpr. Seth Davidson, Seymour Police Department, Seymour Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, and the Jackson County Coroner’s Office.
Arrests Made in Marshall County Murder, Manhunt Continues
Indiana State Police and all local police agencies are still looking for one man in connection with a murder on Tuesday evening in Marshall County. Two individuals were arrested late Wednesday night following a police chase which resulted in a crash near SR 110 and SR17 near Mystic Hills Golf Course.
Arrested so far are Jason Miller 34, address unknown, and William Scroggs, 25 of Delong. Police are still searching for Roy Bell 24, address unknown. Bell should be considered armed and dangerous and any information the public has regarding this individual should be relayed to your local police department.
Bell escaped following the car crash and a manhunt continued through the night on Wednesday in the Culver area with homes being checked. Miller and Scroggs who also fled on foot following the crash were arrested at separate times and locations in the Culver area.
The murder happened Tuesday evening in the 6000 block of west Olson Road in Marshall County. The body of Wilma Upsall was found when the owners of the residence arrived home.
Happy Thanksgiving!
All of us here at WKVI want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you have a great extended weekend. We will have more news and information for you Friday morning beginning at 5:00 a.m. CT so take us along with you when you get ready for your big Christmas shopping day! Several of our advertisers are offering great specials this holiday season so remember to shop local.
Former Starke County Woman Found Murdered in Rochester Home
A former Starke County woman was found murdered at her home in Rochester.
Indiana State Police officers responded to 6832 W. Olson Road where the owners of the residence reported a possible murder. The residents came home from work and reportedly found a rear door to the house open. Police say the owners found Wilma Upsall’s body on the floor of the residence and investigators say she was shot and died from her injuries. An autopsy will determine an exact cause of death.
Knox Harvest Days Festival Loses Sponsor
Knox’s big August festival might be in jeopardy following an announcement last night that the Friends of the Park Organization would be dropping its sponsorship of the Harvest Days Festival. The organization had been in charge of the three day event for the past six years. Friends of the Park President, Tony Radkiewicz, explained the organization’s decision.
Starke Circuit Court Goes on the Road
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall will be on the bench today, but it will not be on the third floor of the Starke County Courthouse. Judge Hall is taking his court on the road.
“We’re going to have court at Oregon-Davis High School,” said Judge Hall. “The reason for this is that for many years, Oregon-Davis would bring a bus load of Seniors to the Starke Circuit Court and watch the court proceedings and they always enjoyed that and it was always educational for them. For the last couple of years, for various reasons, they haven’t been able to get to the Courthouse. I’ve been talking with some teachers and we’ve decided that we’re going to bring court to the Oregon-Davis High School. I checked with the Supreme Court and the staff there was not aware of any other court in Indiana doing this, but they thought it was a good idea. This morning, we’re going to have the prosecutors, defense attorneys and the Sheriff there with some of the inmates and we’re going to have regular court.”
Father and Son Arrested on Drug Charges
Officers from the Knox City Police Department arrested a father and son on drug charges.
Officers were called to Advanced Auto Parts in reference to an intoxicated male. The caller reported that the suspect was trying to sell narcotics to the store employees and to the anonymous caller. Police arrived on scene and observed the suspect. He reportedly had come out of the store with a bag of items and put them in a car that was occupied by another passenger. Police questioned the suspect and reportedly found that Austin Bailey was intoxicated and that he had some items from the store in his pocket. More items from the store were located in the vehicle. Some of the items were paid for and others were reported stolen. The passenger in the car, Kenneth Bailey, Jr., was questioned and when officers patted him down for safety reasons, they found medication allegedly not prescribed to Bailey.
Pleasant View Rest Home Barn Receives Community Support
Sandy Hurd of the Pleasant View Rest Home in Pulaski County told the commissioners this week that she, like many others, is in need of part-time help. Hurd said that her current part-time employee recently applied for Social Security benefits and is now only allowed to work a few hours per week, so she needs to replace her hours with someone else.
Plymouth Man Arrested after Pursuit
Plymouth Police Department officers arrested a man after a pursuit incident Monday evening.
A Plymouth Police officer attempted a traffic stop and the vehicle peeled down an alley along Kenwood Ave. Police said that the vehicle continued at a high rate of speed through Westgate and onto State Road 17. The pursuit ended on Redwood and 9th Streets when the driver bailed out of the car and ran into a field and wooded area.
Culver Community School Board Meets
At this week’s Culver Community School Board meeting, Culver Elementary School Principal Charles Kitchell informed the board that one of their teachers, Kim Morrison, has applied for and received a $1500 grant from the Marshall County Community Foundation. She has received half of the grant up-front, and Kitchell says that Morrison plans to use the money to purchase a Mimio smartboard, digital audio/video recorder, and a Bose sound dock for her iPod.
Knox Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is Sunday
The Knox Christmas tree lighting ceremony is Sunday, November 27th.
Prior to the tree lighting, the firefighters from the Knox-Center Township Fire Department will parade its fleet of trucks on Main Street at approximately 4:30 p.m. The parade will end at the Starke County Courthouse in the downtown area. The firemen will be delivering Santa Claus to the tree lighting ceremony that will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the Courthouse Square.
The Starke County Choralaires will be singing Christmas carols during the event. Immediately following the tree lighting ceremony, Santa will make his way to the Knox Community Center where he will hear what children want for Christmas. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
Knox City Police Department Makes Arrests
Angela Staten of Knox was arrested by Knox City Police on Thursday, November 17th, after she was found looking through the crash cart in the IU Health Starke Hospital’s Emergency Room. Staten had opened the drawer that was full of medication and she was reportedly seen with a box out looking at it. She told police and the ER staff that she opened the drawer because she was bored. She told police that she didn’t take anything. She was arrested and has preliminary charges of Attempted Theft and Criminal Mischief. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Madrigal Singers Visit the WKVI Studios!
The North Judson-San Pierre Madrigal Singers visited the WKVI studios to give us a sample of what can be heard during the annual Madrigal dinner. The Madrigal Dinners will be presented on Friday, December 2nd and Saturday, December 3rd at 6:00 p.m. CT, and Sunday, December, 4th at 1:00 p.m. CT at the Grand Central Station in North Judson.
Tickets MUST be purchased in advance. Tickets purchased prior to, or on November 28th, are $18 for adults. Tickets purchased after November 28th are $20 for adults. Children aged kindergarten through 12 years old are $10. Preschool aged children are free.
Winamac Man Arrested after Public Intoxication Incident, Officer Threatened
Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested Paul Rausch, of Winamac, after he allegedly threatened a police officer, on Sunday.
Officers were called to 1550 S. 50 E. in reference to an intoxicated person. The man, Paul Rausch, was reportedly laying in the parking lot at Poblano’s Restaurant. After talking to witnesses, Rausch had fallen face first onto the pavement prior to the officers’ arrival.
Lafayette Woman Arrested after Accident in Pulaski County
A Lafayette woman was arrested on two misdemeanor charges after a two car accident in Medaryville, on Wednesday, November 16th.
Pulaski County police and EMS were called to a two vehicle accident at U.S. 421 and State Road 143. A woman was injured and was put into a Superior EMS vehicle and she was transported to Michigan City. When police looked for two male suspects thought to be intoxicated at the time of the accident, police found that they had boarded the ambulance that was headed to Michigan City. The ambulance left the scene and the EMTs did not notify police of the transport. Police then notified the Director of Superior EMS and told them of the incident and Michigan City Police were called to the hospital. The two suspects attempted to leave the hospital upon arrival but they were detained for questioning. The EMTs transported them to Michigan City per their request.
Pulaski County Recycling Center Reports Increase in Revenue
Ed Clark of the Pulaski County Recycling Center appeared before the Pulaski County Commissioners Monday for his monthly report with some good news: the Recycling Center has brought in $32,344 this month so far—more than doubling the income from October. Find drop off locations on the Recycling Center Near Me website.
Clark says this trend is going to continue.
“Pulaski County Recycling and Transfer Station has brought back to the county $284,000 to date. We will do better. My goal is to get over $300,000. We’ll make that,” said Clark.
Starke County Jail Committee to Consider Number of Prisoners When Planning New Jail
As the discussion of a new Starke County Jail has progressed, the question is how many beds the facility should have. In recent months, the county jail has had times when the facility was housing up to 80 prisoners.
When planning for a new jail that could be in operation for 40 years, it is important to consider how many prisoners could be housed at one time.
