Jury Convicts Hite On All Eight Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Dale Hite

The three-day trial for Dale Hite concluded today with the jury’s verdict of guilty on all eight counts.

Hite was found guilty of two counts of Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting in Death as Class B felonies, two counts of Reckless Homicide as Class C felonies, and counts of Resisting Law Enforcement as a Class D felony, Possession of Methamphetamine as a Class D felony, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign as a Class C infraction, and Failure to use Headlights From Sunset to Sunrise as a Class C felony.

The trial started on Wednesday and ended Friday afternoon. Hite’s bond has been revoked, and he is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on June 26 at 1 p.m.

When officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department were investigating a report of manufacturing methamphetamine, a vehicle approached the residence they were checking out and immediately sped off. Officers followed the vehicle, but its headlights turned off shortly before the vehicle went off the road, crashing into some trees at 124 mph, police say.

Two passengers died in the crash, and Hite was airlifted from the scene. Police reportedly found methamphetamine in Hite’s pockets, and it was later determined that he was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Police Recover Meth Trash from Yellow River

Posted on Author WKVI
Police removed this trash left from a meth lab from the Yellow River

Methamphetamine trash was recently removed from the Yellow River in Marshall County by members of the Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section and the Underwater Search and Rescue/Recovery Team.

A local fisherman reported seeing several suspicious items floating in the Yellow River near Peach Road and 14th Road that he believed could be trash from a meth lab. Officers searched nearly three miles of the Yellow River and Indiana State Police Sergeant, Trent Smith, said the amount of meth trash the officers found “would make your stomach turn”.

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Methamphetamine Prevalence In Starke County Adversely Affects Probation

Posted on Author WKVI

A post was recently made on the WKVI Discussion board that read, “I work at a local factory for minimum type wages. I have two children and a wife. We’re falling more and more behind every day. Selling meth is looking better all the time.”

Could the economy behind the methamphetamine epidemic in Indiana? John Thorstad, Starke County’s Chief Probation Officer, said the economy might be part of the answer, but fast, easy money is probably more of a reason for producing and selling methamphetamine. He did, however, say law enforcement is having great success in closing down operations here.

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Starke County Companies Reduce Nation’s Reliance On Foreign Oil

Posted on Author WKVI
Kruz currently produces four of these steel trailers per week.

Two Starke County companies have been making major contributions to the frac drilling industry, particularly in North and South Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Frac drilling is a term used for the procedure of extracting natural gas through a process known as “hydraulic fracturing,” along with both vertical and horizontal drilling. The process requires anywhere from one million to five million gallons of water.

Both Kruz, Inc. and Sabre Manufacturing, LLC are manufacturing tanks that are used in two different operations at frac drilling sites in those four states. Steel trailers used to carry 5500 gallons of water to these sites are manufactured by Kruz, which currently produces four trailers per week with plans to produce one per day beginning today.

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City of Knox May Soon Purchase Marsh Manor, Vacant Laundromat

Posted on Author WKVI
Marsh Manor

Knox City Attorney David Matsey says the city may soon be purchasing two properties. The properties belong to Don Nordstrom, and the city is currently waiting on a proposal from the owner regarding the purchase price.

Matsey identified the properties as 304 S. Main St., formerly known as Marsh Manor, and the vacant laundromat located across the street from the Knox Community Center.

North Judson Seniors, Staff Prepare For Graduation Ceremonies

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

Seniors from the North Judson-San Pierre High School participated in their final events for their high school careers this week. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said a banquet was held Wednesday night for the students.

“We had our Senior Night and we did recognize many of our Senior students with scholarships from different community organizations,” said Johnson. “We did honor our Valedictorian, who is John Eckert, and the Salutatorian Christopher Lippelt. Both boys have done a wonderful job in their school careers academically, athletically, and in community service.”

A staff breakfast has also been scheduled for today at 8 a.m., something that Johnson says is done every year.

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Knox Community High School Prepares For Graduation

Posted on Author WKVI

Graduation for Knox Community High School Seniors is set for tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Weinberg Gym. Valedictorian Taylor Quella and Salutatorian Brenden Owens will be addressing the student body and a slide show of pictures will be presented.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Byron Holm, owner of the Holm Medical Clinic at Lifeplex and the Holm Medical Clinic in Walkerton. Dr. Holm is a 1965 Knox High School graduate.

WKVI Trip To Washington Will Include Gettysburg Tour

Posted on Author WKVI
News Contributor, Ed Hasnerl
Ed Hasnerl

With each day drawing the trip ever closer, excitement is building for those who have signed up for WKVI’s Washington, D.C. Tour. Yesterday it was announced that selected veterans on the tour will present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Trip Coordinator Ed Hasnerl explained that a number of other events will take place as well, including a Gettysburg tour.

“We’re going to be attending a worship service at the National Cathedral on Sunday, June 17. Our Gettysburg tour is going to be presented by Alan Selge, a middle school teacher in the Knox school system. He is planning to be in costume and has videos to show. That’s going to be a very exciting event as well,” Hasnerl said.

There are still two seats available for the trip, which begins June 14.

Knox Utility Clerk Bertha Blue Says Goodbye To Office

Posted on Author WKVI
Blue enjoys her retirement party with husband Ed Blue.

A friendly face in the Knox Clerk-Treasurer’s office is leaving. Bertha Blue has been the utility clerk for 25 years, and yesterday was her last day on the job. A party was held in her honor at Knox City Hall.

Blue explained she took up the position after the previous utility clerk left.

“I started part-time and then the girl left and I began as the utility clerk,” said Blue. “I began full time work in 1987.”

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