Two juveniles were detained in an investigation surrounding an armed robbery incident at a Marathon gas station at Koontz Lake Monday evening.
Walkerton Woman Sentenced on Attempted Trafficking Charge
A Walkerton woman was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Tuesday morning on a Level 5 Felony charge of attempted trafficking with an inmate.
Matthew Schutz Sentenced on Murder Charge
A North Judson man was sentenced Wednesday morning after being found guilty on a charge of murder in a jury trial in Starke Circuit Court.
Murder Trial to Begin in Starke Circuit Court Today
A man accused of murdering Knox resident Cord Colgrove in a March 3, 2017 alleged confrontation in North Judson will be in Starke Circuit Court today as a defendant in a trial that is set to take a week-and-a-half.
Illegal Dumping at BLPOA Recycling Site Concerning Bass Lake Residents
The Bass Lake community members are concerned about the increasing amount of illegal items being left at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association (BLPOA) recycling site.
Jury Returns Verdict in Starke Circuit Court Trial
A four-day trial in Starke Circuit Court has concluded. After deliberating for just over three hours yesterday, a jury found 32-year-old North Judson resident Matthew Schutz guilty on a charge of murder.
Schutz Trial to Begin Today
A North Judson man will face a jury of his peers in a trial in Starke Circuit Court this week.
Dollahan Sentencing Pushed to July 13
The continuation of a sentencing hearing for Jan Dollahan, Jr. is set for Friday, July 13 at 11:30 a.m. CT in Starke Circuit Court.
Starke County Prosecutor Looking to Update Computers
Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff will be looking to purchase new computers for his staff.
Dollahan Sentencing Continued
A sentencing hearing held Wednesday morning for a man found guilty by a jury on charges of criminal recklessness and invasion of privacy was continued in Starke Circuit Court.
Officers to Cite State Statute Regarding Loose Dogs
Jason Cooke Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
Jason Cooke was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Monday afternoon.
Cooke pleaded guilty in an amended plea agreement to count of robbery as a Level 2 felony. Cooke admitted to robbing Sescoe Wireman of Knox of money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards. Cooke hit Wireman during the robbery causing severe injury. Wireman was hospitalized and later died. The incident happened on or about Oct. 6, 2015, at Wireman’s home in the 100 block of East 500 South in Knox.
Knox Man Found Guilty of Child Molesting
A Starke Circuit Court trial that began Monday morning has concluded with Starke County Prosecutor, Nicholas A. Bourff successfully prosecuting Jerry Leonard of child molesting.
According to a press release from the Starke County Prosecutor’s office, on Thursday, January 11th, a 12-person jury deliberated about one hour before returning guilty verdicts on two counts of child molesting as Class A Felonies and two counts of performing a sexual act in front of a child as Class D Felonies. Continue reading
Edward Blackburn Case Continues in Starke Circuit Court
Edward Blackburn and his attorney, Caroline Briggs, were in Starke Circuit Court Thursday morning to present a status update on his case.
Court documents indicate Edward Blackburn shot Cord Colgrove, of Knox, in the head in front of three witnesses in rural North Judson on March 6.
Slusser Pleads Guilty During Trial
The defendant in a trial in Starke Circuit Court pleaded guilty during the final witness’s testimony Thursday afternoon.
Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff said Rodney Slusser pleaded guilty to charges of attempted battery with a deadly weapon as a Level 5 felony and criminal mischief as a Class B misdemeanor. With his guilty plea, Bourff moved to dismiss the other counts in the case which include another felony count of attempted battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of resisting law enforcement, and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving.
Status Hearing Set in the Case of Jason Cooke
The Plymouth man allegedly involved in the robbery and beating of a Knox man in October of 2015 will appear in Starke Circuit Court this afternoon for a status hearing.
Jason Cooke is accused of hitting Sescoe Wireman in the head and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards in an incident that occurred at a home in the 100 block of East 500 South in Knox on Oct. 7, 2015. Court documents state that multiple strikes to Wireman’s head led to his death. Continue reading
Law Enforcement Agencies form Starke County Major Crimes Unit
Law enforcement agencies throughout Starke County are joining forces to combat the local drug epidemic. During last night’s drug symposium hosted by the Knox Police Department and DCS, Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff announced a partnership that’s been two years in the planning. The Starke County Major Crimes Unit is an investigative task force made up of officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, the Knox Police Department and the Hamlet Police Department. Continue reading
New Program Aims to Curb Truancy
The Starke County Prosecutor’s Office, juvenile probation department and child protection services are joining forces with local schools in an effort to address truancy issues. Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff says this is becoming a significant problem in some schools, where students have anywhere from 30 to 40 unexcused absences. Beginning with the new semester that starts this week, he says the new program will offer a step-up approach. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Prepare For Building Renovations
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are almost ready to proceed with renovations to the courthouse and old jail building across the street. They’ve got money left from the construction of the new jail east of Knox to make upgrades to both buildings for continued correctional use.
The old jail will become office space for Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Community Corrections Director Bob Hinojosa told the county council and commissioners Monday his board has committed $100,000 toward the renovations on the condition that the former sally port can be turned into a conference room. Continue reading
Wireman Beating Suspect Now Charged With Murder
The Plymouth man accused of beating a Knox man to death back in October is now facing murder charges. Continue reading
