Bass Lake Fire Department Called to Two House Fires

The Bass Lake Fire Department battled a house fire at 8745 S. Sycamore Street in Monterey yesterday morning. Fire Chief Les Jensen said the fire department was called to the residence around 10:00 a.m. The fire was ruled accidental and was caused from common combustibles stored too closely to a hot water heater.

The home was a total loss. The Monterey Fire Department assisted at the scene.

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Starke County Treasurer’s Office Closed Until Further Notice

Commissioners Kathy Norem (C) and Dan Bridegroom discuss the issues pertaining to the Treasurer's office. Also pictured: Auditor Kay Chaffins

The Starke County Commissioners held an emergency meeting this morning where Commissioner Dan Bridegroom made a motion to acknowledge that Linda Belork is the Starke County Treasurer but she can not fully serve in that capacity because a surety bond is not in place at this time and they must close the Treasurer’s Office until further notice.

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Former Elementary School Principal Arrested for Sexual Misconduct

A former Indiana elementary school principal was recently arrested on charges relating to an alleged online sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl while employed as a high school teacher. According to LaPorte County police, 40-year-old Brian Strauss of Michigan City faces felony charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Child Solicitation, and Vicarious Sexual Gratification.

Investigators said Strauss had begun the online relationship in 2008, chatting with the girl while employed as a teacher at South Central High School in Union Mills. Police say he later viewed the girl performing sex acts via webcam, and the girl reportedly told police that she had several sexual encounters with Strauss at school.
Strauss was employed as principal at South Adams Elementary School in Berne until his resignation on Oct. 3.

Starke Co. Sheriff’s Dept. To Utilize Electronic Ticketing

IT Director Joe Short

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department will soon be streamlining operations when issuing traffic tickets or warnings.

A Sheriff’s Department representative and IT Director Joe Short attended a training session last week in electronic ticketing. With this system, when an officer pulls over a suspected traffic violator, the officer will be able to scan a Driver’s License and vehicle registration into a mobile computer, plus fill out the necessary violation information, edit any information – like an address – and print out the ticket at the time of the traffic stop. This puts the information of the traffic stop into the state computer system and lessens the paperwork and time of the traffic stop.

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Starke County Library In Need of Math Tutors

Sheila Urwiler

The Starke County Library’s Literacy Program has been up and running for several months now, but Director Sheila Urwiler said they are in need of math tutors to assist adult students in need of help with algebra, geometry, and other math subjects.

Urwiler explained that while the library currently has four tutors, most of them don’t feel comfortable helping with math. She said another tutor training session will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m., and anyone interested in becoming a tutor is encouraged to sign up.

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Halloween Is Next Week; Stay Safe While Trick-Or-Treating

Halloween is next Wednesday, Oct. 31. For a complete list of trick-or-treat hours, click here.

Keep in mind that kids will be out in costumes next week and you are asked to be careful driving along city streets during trick-or-treat hours. Don’t talk on your cell phone to subtract distractions while on the road and watch for children who may dart into the street.

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Fungal Meningitis Cases in Indiana Reaches 38

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this weekend that the number of fungal meningitis cases has risen to 38 in Indiana after a steroid shot became tainted with a fungus. More than 200 people across the country have become ill from the outbreak. Two Indiana patients have died, and lawsuits are being filed against companies that may be tied to the infections, including the New England Compounding Center.

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Decision Reached in Belork Case; Reinstated as Treasurer

Linda Belork

A decision has finally been reached in the case against Linda Belork, former Starke County treasurer. The attorney for the Starke County Commissioners, Martin Lucas, told Jasper Circuit Court Judge John Potter that the commissioners were faced with a serious problem when the funds were reportedly misappropriated in the treasurer’s office according to the State Board of Accounts. He said the commissioners acted according to statute in removing her from office and filing suit against her bond.

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Sentences Handed Down in Starke Circuit Court

Starke County Courthouse

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall presided over several plea and sentencing hearings Thursday afternoon.

James Toney appeared for his hearing. He was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance as a Class D Felony and had been incarcerated in the Starke County Jail since his arrest six months ago. He was charged after police found him in possession of one Vicadin pill in his pocket.

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Former Culver Principal, Superintendent Passed Away

William Mills

Longtime Culver educator, 77-year-old William F. “Bill” Mills II, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 16.

From 1971 to 1995, Mills served in the capacity of the elementary principal, junior high principal, and superintendent of the Culver Community School Corporation. Mills’ family said that he loved the school, students and staff. He was always visible to the people in the community.

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Knox Community Schools Update Mission Statement

Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board recently worked with Mike Adamson from the Indiana School Boards Association to update the mission and vision statements. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the new mission statement is, “Whatever it takes, Knox students are worth it.”

“We also have a longer vision statement, a number of belief statements and some goals and objectives,” commented Gappa.

Those revised statements will be uploaded soon on the corporation’s website.

Culver EMS Sports New Tees For Breast Cancer Awareness

Culver EMT's Ron Cole and Kimberly Irsa model the new uniform shirts.

For the second year in a row, Culver-Union Township EMTs are sporting blue and pink “EMS For A Cure” shirts in support of breast cancer awareness. EMS Director Robert Cooper said this is an internal effort, not a fundraiser, and each of the department’s 29 EMTs purchased the shirts with a portion of the purchase price going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

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State Unemployment Rate Down, First Time Since April

Though Indiana’s unemployment rate dropped for the first time since April, the state lost several thousand jobs last month. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, September’s state jobless rate was 8.2 percent, down 0.1 percent from August. Despite that drop, however, Indiana lost 6000 private sector jobs last month, the first significant drop in almost a year.

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Week in Review for Oct. 15-19, 2012

Here is a look at some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

Tony Clemons and Melissa McCarty were arrested Wednesday after Knox City police found them to be in a vacant home at 250 W. Locust Drive and in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. Clemons and McCarty were taken to the Starke County Jail and face preliminary charges of Illegal Drug Lab, Dealing in Methamphetamine and drug possession charges. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called to the scene to remove the hazardous chemicals.  Continue reading

Football Coaching Leaders

Football Coaching Leaders: through 10/12/12

Tim Roth-Winamac (32 years): 199-131  .603

Justin Bogunia-John Glenn (15 years): 100-66  .602

Andy Thomas-Culver (13 years): 86-59  .593

Kevin Cox-NJSP (11 years): 75-48  .610

Dan Klimczak-South Central (7 years): 66-13  .835

Darren Rodriguez (5 years): 22-28  .440

Chris McGowen-Knox (1 year): 2-7  .222

Week 10 Football Predictions

Harold’s Picks: 39-13 (overall) 35-12 (with blind picks)

SB St. Joe-48  Knox-13

CMA-21  John Glenn-14

NJSP-28  Manchester-14

Winamac-42  Tri-County-7

West Central-34  Culver-14

Whiting-34  South Central-20

Nathan’s Picks: 37-15 (overall) 34-13 (with blind picks)

SB St. Joe-42  Knox-14

John Glenn-28  CMA-21

NJSP-28  Manchester-6

Tri-County-21  Winamac-17

West Central-48  Culver-14

Whiting-35  South Central-21

Sean’s Picks: 25-5

SB St. Joe-41  Knox-14

John Glenn-24  CMA-17

NJSP-24  Manchester-10

Winamac-32  Tri-County-21

West Central-28  Culver-17

South Central-21  Whiting-18

Tom’s Blind Picks: 21-27

SB St. Joe over Knox

John Glenn over CMA

NJSP over Manchester

Tri-County over Winamac

Culver over West Central

South Central over Whiting