A third plea agreement has been reached in the case of Jason Cooke.
Cooke is charged with the October 2015 robbery of Sescoe Wireman of Knox. Cooke is accused of hitting Wireman in the head, and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards from him. Wireman died a few days later, but a murder count against Cooke was dropped last February.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office may get a new dispatch program to better suit the needs of the department.
Starke County IT Director Mark Gourley told the commissioners this week that the CAD program, or Computer Aided Dispatch, offered an update in August where some promised features weren’t a part of the update. He said he’s talking more with the vendor about that.
A Farmer’s Market is coming to Francesville.
Members of the Uptown Project presented the information to the Francesville Town Council Monday night. Chairperson Kristin Hinkle from the Pulaski County Community Development Commission said the Farmer’s Market will begin sometime in June. They plan to contact vendors to see when they’re ready to present items for sale.
The Starke County Commissioners discussed signs posted by INDOT concerning the operation of golf carts on State Road 10 at Bass Lake.
Commissioner Kathy Norem said she received several comments from members of the Bass Lake Property Owners Association about the signs. Norem said there are conflicting interpretations of the signs that urge motorists to watch for crossing golf carts.
A 12-member jury will be seated today in Starke Circuit Court to hear testimony in the case of David Spohn who is charged with domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury as a Level 5 felony.
According to court documents, on or about May 30, 2017, Spohn reportedly battered his wife by punching her in the head, causing her to fall. He then allegedly held her down and continued to hit her resulting in a chip fracture in her back and a contusion on a rib. The alleged action occurred after an argument escalated between the pair.
The two-day trial begins at 9 a.m. today in Starke Circuit Court.
Crews from the Starke County Highway Department continue to assess road damage due to the recent flood event.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the commissioners Monday night that the first stage of flood management is nearly complete.
The West Central School Corporation has school safety at the forefront of daily operations especially with school shooting incidents making national news.
Superintendent Don Street said the corporation is planning staff training for an active shooter incident, identification reporting, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training, and bullying prevention.
The Medaryville Town Council members will work to get funding to build a new water tower.
The town council members met in special session Monday night to discuss repairing the current water tower or erecting a completely new structure. According to Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood, the council weighed both options quite heavily. They eventually decided to build a new water tower as it was the most economical option.
The Starke County Commissioners approved the emergency purchase of two cardiac monitors for two of the county’s ambulances.
Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary explained that two monitors went down in the past couple of weeks and left the county with no backup devices. He mentioned the monitors that no longer work are approximately 30 years old and were recently checked for service and passed. Since the county provides paramedic service, cardiac monitors are required to be equipped on each ambulance.
Paperwork will begin on the legal process on unsafe properties identified in the Parkview Heights area in Knox and in the downtown area.
West Central students will be utilizing eLearning days if the weather forces the cancellation of any more classroom instruction this school year.
Superintendent Don Street reminded the school board of that policy last week.
Work will begin soon on part of the secure entrance and utilization project at the West Central School Corporation. Superintendent Don Street anticipates that the bond closing will occur this month and pre-construction meetings will begin soon.
Street said one project is expected to begin this month.
The Knox Board of Works members got an update on the renovation efforts on two identified unsafe structures.
Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost said Lucia Valladares hasn’t gotten any work done for a couple of months. She told Pfost that she hopes to resume efforts in March. The construction permit expires May 22. The board approved a motion to request for her to appear at the next meeting on Wednesday, March 28. She also owns property on Bender Street that needs renovation work.
A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13 for the proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 17664 State Road 17 and 19456 State Road 10 in Culver owned by Thomas Beste.
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist said the plan commission approved the primary plans for Culver Meadows by a vote of 5-2. Those plans will come before the Culver Town Council in a public hearing setting on Tuesday, March 13.
The Culver Town Council members acknowledged Culver’s inclusion in Marshall County’s designation in a disaster declaration for flooding. Any residents experiencing flood damage are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency at 574-936-3740. All damage is to be reported for a better chance of receiving federal assistance for repairs and recovery.
The Indiana State Police and Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will speak to West Central middle and high school students.
Superintendent Don Street said the group will be discussing cyber security and safety with the students.
About 200 chairs at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox will be sold.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the Knox Board of Public Works members this week that new chairs are coming as part of the renovation project.
Knox Water Superintendent Todd Gardner announced his resignation at the Knox Board of Public Works meeting on Wednesday morning.
