Governor Pence Travels to Washington, D.C. for Meetings

Governor Mike Pence
Governor Mike Pence

Governor Mike Pence will be meeting with other fellow governors in Washington, D.C. as part of the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting this weekend.

Governor Pence will be attending business sessions, a meeting with the NGA Economic Development and Commerce Committee, and a governors-only meeting with President Obama. Pence will also spend an evening with the President and Mrs. Obama at the White House.

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Knox High School Closes Due to Electrical Issues

Knox High School is experiencing electrical issues.  Students with permission from parents are being dismissed at 11:30 a.m.  Students who do not have permission to leave will be at the middle school until school is dismissed for the day.  Elementary and Middle School students will be dismissed at the end of the regular school day.
NIPSCO will be shutting off the electricity at the high school this afternoon in order to make necessary repairs.
Saturday night’s dance in the Knox High School Cafeteria has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Police arrest suspect in scrap metal theft

If you’re trying to raise money to pay your bond, you may not want to break the law to do it. A Michigan City man learned that the hard way early just after midnight Thursday when LaPorte Police spotted his truck leaving New York Blower and pulled him over nearby. Officials say the truck bed was half full of metal scrap. The driver, 33-year-old Jonathan Granacki of Michigan City,  reportedly told the police he was sorry and said he was trying to raise bond money. He offered to return the scrap and never come back to LaPorte again. Granacki was free on bond from a Feb. 16 arrest for theft. He faces a felony charge in connection with this incident.

Napping motorist arrested for drunk driving

 

Joshua Slavens
Joshua Slavens

An Idaville man apparently picked a bad place to take a nap this morning. Emergency responders in Pulaski County were dispatched to a report of an injury crash on State Road 114 west of U.S. 421 just before 6 a.m. and found 35-year-old Joshua Wayne Slavens sleeping in his car. They woke him up, and he drove off. Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Mat Anderson was turning onto turning onto114 from 421 en route to the crash scene, met Slavens’ vehicle leaving, pulled him over and arrested him for operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction.

Solution Coming to Radio Communication Issue in Starke County

Damaged Starke County Sheriff's Department tower
Damaged Starke County Sheriff’s Department tower

An economical and quicker solution may come to fruition regarding the radio communication issues in Starke County’s Oregon Township.

The radio tower atop of the Starke County Sheriff’s Department suffered extreme damage in severe storms in June and July and has static communication with Oregon Township and in the San Pierre area. Oregon Township Trustee Mark Allen had approached the Starke County Council this week with an idea for a solution, but the members tabled the issue for further discussion. Council President Dave Pearman explains that decision.

“That original motion basically died – not because we didn’t want to move forward and support the community. The reason why is we wanted to expand this and see if we wanted to look in other areas,” said Pearman.

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Active Shooter Training Set for Saturday at Monterey Elementary School

An active shooter training exercise is planned for tomorrow (Saturday) at Monterey Elementary School.

Beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. ET, personnel from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, EMS, Pulaski County fire departments, Pulaski County Health Department, Indiana State Excise Police, State Police, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Homeland Security will be participating in a scenario to coordinate efforts in the case of an active shooter situation at a school or business.

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Pulaski County Auditor Awaits Word on Office Move

Pulaski County Courthouse
Pulaski County Courthouse

The Pulaski County Assessor’s office is staying put in the courthouse basement for now.

Their quarters are so cramped employees are forced to transact business in the hallway. Assessor Holly VanDerAa approached the commissioners and council last month about purchasing the building across from the courthouse most recently occupied by attorney Crystal Sanders. The commissioners told her to proceed, but the council wanted more information about whether the building is handicap accessible and otherwise up to code.

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Prosecutor files charges in Internet Casanova case

Raymond HolycrossA Marshall County native police say left a string of broken hearts and bad debt from Oregon to Indiana and stole a gun in Kokomo now faces theft charges in South Bend. The charges against 29-year-old Raymond Holycross were filed after a Mishawaka woman with whom he lived discovered he stole and pawned her camera and called the police. Authorities say she also found out Holycross also uses the names Ray Paris and Ray Cross to meet women, earn their trust and charm them out of their money. Holycross is also wanted on a Howard County warrant for theft of a firearm.

Local store sells winning lottery ticket

Cash 5 LogoIf you bought a Cash 5 ticket for Wednesday’s drawing at JK Deli on U.S. 35 at the Starke-Pulaski County line, you may want to check your numbers. Hoosier Lottery officials say a ticket sold there is worth $!62,000. The winning numbers were 9-15-21-27-34. The winner has yet to come forward. If you’ve won, be sure to sign the back of the ticket and contact the Hoosier Lottery for instructions on how to redeem your prize. That ticket will have to be redeemed at either a regional lottery office or at the headquarters in Indianapolis due to the jackpot amount. Visit www.hoosierlottery.com for more information.

Becker defends employee time clock actions

Former Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker says the employees who were leaving 15 minutes early each day were still on the clock even though they were no longer on the county’s property. He said they were driving snow plows home due to the threat of inclement weather, and they could not drive county vehicles on their own time due to liability concerns. County commissioners learned of the practice after Becker’s suspension last month and voted Monday to dock each of the employees 15 minutes of time in order to balance the books. Becker was reinstated to full pay eight days after his suspension but is working as “manager” of the department under the supervision of commissioner Larry Brady. Commissioners discussed the matter at length during Tuesday’s heated meeting. Brady said he’s checked with the county’s insurance agent, and the employees are covered even when they are not on the clock. He says the coverage follows the vehicle, and not the employee. Commissioners acknowledged their investigation found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service celebrates grand opening

Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service President Scott Bradshaw cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the business during a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.
Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service President Scott Bradshaw cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the business during a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.

Starke County’s newest business is open for business. Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service in the Cristo’s Plaza on U.S. 35 celebrated its grand opening with a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony. The facility offers adult daycare for ages 55 and up and can accommodate up to 30 people. Hours are 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, with full and half-day service available. President Scott Bradshaw says the business offers activities throughout the day to provide fellowship for clients and keep them mobile. He says the service also gives caregivers a break and peace of mind by allowing them to drop their parents off and know they will be cared for properly. Bradshaw adds that the business serves clients in Starke and all surrounding counties.

Winamac Graduate Attempts to Become Colts Cheerleader

Rachael Franko
Rachael Franko

Rachael Franko, a 2011 graduate of Winamac high school, is in the process of trying out for the Indianapolis Colts cheerleading squad. Known best in the Kankakee Valley for her dominance on the volleyball court and on the track, Rachael has spent the last two years as a member of the cheerleading team at Purdue University. During her athletic career at Winamac, Franko was a part of three sectional championship volleyball teams and led the Lady Warriors to a regional championship in 2010, she was also a two time state finalist in long jump in both 2010 and 2011. You can help Rachael become a part of the Colts cheerleaders by voting for her at www.coltscheer.com (look for Rachael F. on the right side). Best of luck to Winamac graduate Rachael Franko on her quest to become an Indianapolis Colts cheerleader!

John Glenn Names New Head Football Coach

Dave Sharpe
Dave Sharpe

John Glenn football has a new head coach. The hiring of Dave Sharpe to replace coach Justin Bogunia, who resigned at the end of last season, was approved by the John Glenn school board earlier this week. Sharpe (the son of coaching legend Bill Sharpe), played his high school football career as an offensive lineman at Jimtown high school where he was a part of two state championships. After graduating from Purdue University, Sharpe returned to Jimtown where he was an assistant coach for eight years. Coach Sharpe has been a part of three state championship football teams as both a coach and a player. Congratulations and welcome to Dave Sharpe, the new head football coach of the John Glenn Falcons!

Marshall County plant expected to close

A Marshall County plant is expected to close within the next few months. Plymouth-based Whitley Products filed a WARN notice Tuesday to alert its 86 employees they will likely lose their jobs. Last month the Marshall County tubing company announced plans to close and lay off all employees. It reopened less than two weeks later after a court order was issued.

 

Matt Hurford Wins State Title

Matt Hurford
Matt Hurford

Culver Community high school senior wrestler Matt Hurford completed his undefeated season with a state championship. Hurford (47-0) defeated Jonah Zorniger (27-5) of Avon 15-7 in the first round of the tournament, he then went on to defeat Katrell Moss (34-8) of Warren Central 7-2 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal round, Matt defeated Brian Wagner (41-6) of New Palestine 3-0 to advance to the finals where he defeated Jake Masengale (40-3) of Perry Meridian 9-4. Matt’s state championship is the second for Culver wrestling in the last three years, joining 2011 graduate Jeremiah Harvey. He also joins an elite group of state champions in the Kankakee Valley: Chris Kasten (Winamac Wrestling ’04 and ’05), Shane Crawford (Winamac Track ’07), Oregon-Davis (Boys and Girls Basketball ’07), Jeremiah Harvey (Culver Wrestling ’11). Congratulations to Matt Hurford of Culver Community high school, this year’s 182lb state champion!

Jennie Carter Trial Continued until Monday

Jennie Carter
Jennie Carter

Three witnesses were called Thursday in the Starke Circuit Court bench trial in the case of Jennie Carter. Carter was charged with theft in an investigation with the Indiana State Police after she allegedly took $7,000 in Starke County Tourism Commission funds for her own use.

The prosecution called two witnesses, the lead detective in the investigation Chris Campione with the Indiana State Police and Debbie Mix with the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Commission. They testified of their knowledge of the event surrounding the incident. Defendant Jennie Carter testified on her own behalf.

Testimony lasted throughout the day with Judge Kim Hall presiding. The prosecution and defense were able to deliver their final arguments, but those arguments have been continued until Monday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. The elements of the count of Theft, a Class D Felony, will be presented in this case. All evidence will then be in the hands of Judge Hall who will render a verdict.

A jury trial will commence today at 9 a.m. in the case of Jerome Uskert who is accused of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction within Five Years.