Week in Review for January 30th-February 3rd, 2012

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

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

Governor Daniels signed the right to work bill into law Wednesday afternoon. Indiana is now the 23rd right to work state.

Tom Collins, a former Winamac resident and player for the Negro Baseball League team, Memphis Red Sox, died last week at the age of 100.

The Knox City Council discussed ideas surrounding the Knox downtown revitalization project.

The Starke County Jail Committee will be looking at a needs assessment study soon to determine what route to take in terms of a jail facility.

The Knox City Council approved hiring City Attorney David Matsey’s firm in a lawsuit filed by Knox resident Edward Risner who claims that the city breached a verbal contract to burn down his house as part of the fire department’s training exercise.

Seven fire departments helped battle a house and garage fire at 6551 N. 1150 W. in Medaryville early Sunday morning.

The Starke County ambulance service is nearing completion of its Advanced Life Service. EMS Director Paul Mathewson said that they are waiting for the State to conduct an inspection.

Jacob Hanselman

Jacob Hanselman was arrested Monday after Starke County and Knox Police officers executed an arrest warrant at his home. Several items that had been reported stolen were found. He was arrested on two counts of Burglary, two counts of Theft, two counts of Receiving Stolen Property and Possession of Marijuana.

A motion to withdraw theft charges against John Clemons has been filed in Starke Circuit Court.

Oregon and Davis Township voters will be voting on a tax levy question on the May Primary ballot. A property tax increase is being sought by the Oregon-Davis School Corporation to help gain revenue to keep the school operating the way it is now.

The Winamac Fire Department extinguished a living room fire at 626 N. Market Street in Winamac on Tuesday, January 24th.

The Culver Community School Corporation has begun incorporating etextbooks on iPads the students are using for instruction.

Duane Longacre

Duane Longacre was in court this week to face charges of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Precursors, Possession of Two or More Precursors, Motor Vehicle Theft and Carrying a Handgun without a Permit. These charges stem from a pursuit incident that occurred Tuesday in the Mishawaka area.

Vaccination policy changes have begun at the Starke County Health Department. If you have private insurance that covers vaccines, you will need to ask your health care provider to administer those vaccines. If your child is on Medicaid or is underinsured, vaccinations can be done at the Starke County Health Department.

Golf Carts Midwest is moving out of Knox after being in the area for over 30 years. They are relocating to a site on U.S. 30.

The Knox City Police Department investigated a two vehicle accident Friday morning on U.S. 35 across from the Pawn Shop in Knox. One vehicle overturned as a result of the impact. Three people were transported to IU Health Starke Hospital for observation.

Shelby Thomas

Shelby Thomas pleaded guilty, without a plea agreement, to two counts of Intimidation as a Class C Felony in Starke Circuit Court Thursday. His sentencing hearing is set for February 29th at 11:00 a.m.

And that is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.