The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a Knox man’s conviction on a drug charge from 2013. A jury found Alfred Higdon guilty of possession of methamphetamine as a Class D felony. He was sentenced to three years in prison. Higdon’s appeal claims the trial court erroneously admitted evidence that was the product of an illegal search by law enforcement. Continue reading
Police Still Seeking Information Child Pornography Case
The investigation into the arrest of a Knox resident is ongoing with the Knox City Police Department.
Police have been able to identify victims from child pornography images allegedly found on Robert Wisilinski’s computer. The officers continue to work on leads and help victims in the wake of Wislinski’s alleged actions. Continue reading
Knox City Council Meets New Officer, Approves Use of Community Center
The new officer at the Knox City Police Department introduced himself to the Knox City Council members Tuesday night. Eric Vanderhoff said he will be headed to the police academy on March 31 for 15 weeks of training. He’s been on the road for six months and getting to know the area. He will return to the Knox City Police Department when his training is complete. Vanderhoff was hired last spring.
The city council also approved the use of the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center on April 25 for an event hosted by Women Anchored in Hope. The council approved the use of half of the great room, but if there are more people than anticipated then they could use the entire room.
A contract was approved to have Anne Mannix complete all of the paperwork with the Blight Elimination Program grant. The contract is for $50 an hour, not to exceed $10,000. The city attorney will review the contract.
The city council members also recognized that George Byer was reappointed as the park superintendent. That action was completed this month.
Knox Police Chief Notes Building Issues
Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem told the Board of Public Works members this week that some maintenance needs to be conducted at the building housing the police department.
Norem stated that fans are on in the garage to help evaporate the water from the floor in the garage. The drainage issue has been ongoing for some time, according to Norem. He hopes that the issues can be corrected in the spring.
Knox Burglary Suspect Taken into Custody
A man who police say ran from the scene where a meth lab and stolen items were found was taken into custody.
Jason E. Cooke, 35, of Plymouth was located and taken into custody by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department on Monday, Jan. 26. Cooke was later transported to the Starke County Jail and is being held on preliminary charges of burglary and theft, according to a Knox City Police Department press release.
Probation Check Results in Meth Bust
A Knox man and a Warsaw woman face charges after police in Starke County reportedly found an inactive meth lab, drugs and paraphernalia at their home, which is located next door to a preschool. Continue reading
Stabbing Suspect Due in Court Today
The suspect in a Nov. 30 stabbing that sent a Knox man to a hospital will make his initial court appearance this afternoon. Benton Christopher Howard, 42, is charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. Continue reading
Police Looking for Suspect in Stabbing Incident in Knox
Knox City police are looking for a suspect who stabbed Brandon Davidson in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 30.
According to police, Benton Christopher Howard and Davidson got into an argument at a residence in Knox. Davidson told Howard that he didn’t want to fight, but a fight ensued. During the scuffle, Howard allegedly unsheathed a knife from his hip and stabbed Davidson in the chest.
Charges Anticipated in Stabbing Incident
A stabbing victim is now in serious condition at an area trauma center after an encounter early Sunday morning.
Knox City Police officers were called to IU Health Starke Hospital where 28-year-old Brandon Davidson was admitted after suffering a single stab wound, according to police. He was initially listed in critical condition.
Police have identified a suspect and formal charges are expected to be filed soon. Officers did not elaborate on the details of the incident as the investigation is ongoing.
Knox Police Investigating Stabbing
Officers from the Knox City Police Department are looking for information regarding an alleged stabbing that occurred early Sunday morning.
IU Health Starke Hospital officials called the police department after a man came into the facility with a single stab wound, according to police. The victim, whose name has not been released, was transferred to an area trauma center in critical condition.
There has not been an arrest in this case, but police are seeking information regarding this incident. Call (574) 772-4122 to report an anonymous tip.
Knox Police Investigating Another Church Burglary
The Knox City Police Department is investigating another church burglary.
According to police, the United Methodist Church at 201 S. Shield Street was broken into Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Electronic equipment was stolen and the building suffered a lot of damage.
Knox officers believe that two suspects forced entry to building. The incident remains under investigation.
Knox Police Department Investigating Battery Incident
The Knox City Police Department is investigating an alleged battery incident at the Knox Middle School.
The incident occurred on Nov. 6 where a child was chasing another student around a table inside the classroom. The teacher stepped in to stop the action and pushed the student into a counter, according to a police report. The parents of the child called the police department to file a report. Continue reading
Police Warn of Phone Scam
Several complaints of a phone scam have been received by the Knox City Police Department.
According to police, residents are getting phone calls by people claiming to be from NIPSCO and demanding payment on their bill. The caller threatens the resident that a utility worker will arrive at their residence to shut off power in an hour if the payment is not made during the phone call.
Knox Investigate Burglary at First Christian Church
Knox City Police officers are investigating a burglary at the First Christian Church.
According to police, unknown subject(s) entered the church at 301 S. Pearl Street in the late hours Saturday night or in the early hours on Sunday. Officers found that the subject(s) forced entry into the building and proceeded to cause damage throughout the church.
Police believe that someone may have seen the burglary in progress. If you have any information about this incident to assist in the investigation, call the Knox City Police Department at (574) 772-4122.
Knox City Police Department Conduct Death Investigation
The death of a Knox man is under investigation.
Knox City Police Department officers were called to a residence on south Main Street in Knox on Thursday where a 23-year-old man was found in cardiac arrest. CPR was initiated on the victim by the officers until paramedics arrived on the scene.
The victim, identified as Nicholas Harmon, was transported to IU Health Starke Hospital in Knox, according to a news release from the Knox City Police Department. He was subsequently airlifted to Memorial Hospital of South Bend where he later died.
Knox Officer Requests Mutual Aid Agreement to Join Pulaski County SWAT Team
The Knox City Council members considered a request to add an officer from the Knox City Police Department to the Pulaski County SWAT team.
Officer Chad Dulin explained to the council members Tuesday night that he is interested in being a part of the team to help with response time in the case of a call out and for the training he can gain. He can share any tactical information with his fellow officers and it can be a refresher course at the same time.
New App Could Assist Schools in an Emergency
The Knox City Police Department is working with Hamlet Police Chief Frank Lonigro in introducing a new app to school corporations for emergency purposes.
Chief Clint Norem told the Knox Board of Public Works members Wednesday morning that Chief Lonigro learned about this app in training and both of them are finding out more information on how to provide the app to the schools that will allow teachers to hit a panic button on their smart phone if there happens to be an emergency.
Rape Charge Filed Against Knox Man
A Knox man has been charged after an alleged sexual assault.
A call was made to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday afternoon that a female had been raped. The victim was transported to IU Health Starke Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
The incident occurred in the 200 block of North Main Street, according to Knox City Police Department officials. A warrant was secured to search the residence. Michael J. Salita, 28, was taken into custody for questioning and was held in the Starke County Jail while the investigation continued through Friday.
Public Input Sought on Problems at Knox Park
City and county officials want the public’s input on how to make Wythogan Park safer. Mayor Rick Chambers and others are hosting a community meeting this evening at 6:30 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox to discuss incidents of vandalism at the park. The Knox City Police Department has stepped up patrols through the park, but Mayor Chambers is seeking other suggestions as well. Continue reading
Two Fugitives Arrested in Knox
Two Steuben County fugitives were arrested by Knox City Police Department officers Wednesday afternoon.
Officers received a tip that Nancy Bailey, 30, and Kelly Moe, 31, were at a home in the 300 block of Spruce Dr. in Knox. When police arrived at the scene, they found the pair inside the home where they provided false names to the responding officers, according to the police report.
