Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Mathew Schoff, Cheryl Paschen, Kimberly Hurley, Freeman Spelts, Tracey Gaideski, and Timothy Clark were arrested Friday, April 15th, after police found three active methamphetamine labs run by individuals at the Holloway Motel. The six plead not guilty and sought public defenders after appearing for initial hearings this week in Starke Circuit Court. Bond has been set at $50,000 each. The Holloway Motel was condemned as a result of meth lab activity.
17-year-old Tyler Wiegand, a John Glenn High School student from North Liberty, died in a one vehicle accident near North Liberty late Friday night, April 15th.
The Eastern Pulaski School Board is discussing eliminating driver’s education from the curriculum. Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman says that with budget cuts, he doesn’t find it feasible to sustain the program.
A plea agreement for Kevin Eggert was rejected by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall this week. Eggert is charged with Intimidation and Pointing a Firearm after he threatened to kill Misty Ross in a November 2010 incident. The plea agreement would have dismissed the count of Pointing a Firearm, a Class D Felony.
The West Central School Board members approved reduction in force procedures at their most recent meeting. As part of this procedure, teachers would have to be notified of a reduction in force by May 1st The Board also voted to move forward with the wind turbine project.
The Knox McDonald’s restaurant received 70 applications during National Hiring Day on Tuesday. 47 applications were received the day of the event while others were received online prior to the event. 56 interviews were conducted and 11 people were hired, with three pending.
Several citizens appeared before the Pulaski County Commissioners at their meeting this week to oppose the Pulaski County Airport Association Board’s proposal to expand Aren’s Field. No decisions of any kind have been made by the Commissioners concerning the project.
The Starke County Commissioners approved Lee Nagai’s preliminary sketch of the repair of the bridge over the Robbins Ditch on Range Road between 400 and 500 N. in Starke County. The Commissioners decided to move forward with his idea of a deck maintenance project instead of the total destruction of the bridge.
The Starke County Commissioners and County Council have withdrawn their support to fund a full time employee for the Treasurer’s office due to budgetary concerns.
Claude Slisher was selected as the Older Hoosier of the Year and Joan Chesak was selected as Senior Volunteer of the Year. The winners were honored Thursday at a luncheon at the Bass Lake Fire Department building.
Pulaski County EMS Director, Larry Brock, is seeking grants for repairing two ambulances and purchasing a generator for the Winamac station. The repair for both ambulances will cost approximately $127,000 and the generator will cost roughly $4,000.
Officials from the Starke County Board of Commissioners, County Council and IU Health Starke Hospital will meet Tuesday, April 26th, at 5:30 p.m. CT in the Starke County Annex Meeting Room, to discuss the future of the hospital’s facilities and lease.
Officials at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation are reviewing new budget figures received in the office this week. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says the cuts won’t be as deep as expected, but they are still significant.
Brian Standiford, Amy Ahlenius, Rose Martin and David Scarberry were were arrested on methamphetamine related charges, Wednesday, after police found an illegal meth lab at a residence in Knox.
