North Judson Police; Fire Reports for February

Doug Vessely
North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely

North Judson Town Marshal, Doug Vessely, reports that in the month of February, the Department received 234 calls. The Department responded to 12 lockout calls, 6 animal control calls, 16 thefts-conversion calls, 3 accidents, 13 juvenile-family disturbance calls, and 2 assault, battery or fighting calls, and conducted 48 traffic stops.

Officers completed 1 battery report, 2 Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated reports, 2 Burglary-Robbery reports, 3 theft-conversion reports, 4 traffic reports, 2 alcohol-drug reports, and 1 death investigation. 15 ordinance tickets were written, 29 traffic warnings given and North Judson officers made 14 adult arrests.

North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief, Joe Leszek, reports that his department had 2 structure fires, 2 medical assist calls, 1 vehicle accident call, 2 carbon monoxide investigations. 3 calls were in North Judson town limits, and 4 were in Wayne Township.

Gas Prices Continue to Rise

The second greatest jump in regular gasoline at the pump has occurred the last two weeks. The jump has been 33 cents a gallon.

“The oil companies are not the culprit, they are the beneficiary,” said Don Good of the Good Oil company in Winamac. “They benefit from all this and I don’t think that you’ll find the oil executives sitting around the table crying over $100, $130 crude because they will just make a lot of money off of it. They aren’t the ones driving that market, but they’re more than happy to ride along.”

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Knox School Board President Weighs in on Education Reform

Harold Welter

Last week we heard from the President of the Knox Federation of Teachers, Dick Wagner, on proposed changes in the State education reform package. This week we’re going to hear from the President of the Knox Community School Board, Harold Welter. He’ll give his views on similar parts of the proposed changes, especially those being advocated by Governor Mitch Daniels and Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Bennett.

First on everyone’s radar is the growing number of charter schools.

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Knox Community School Board Approves Funding for Pool Liner, New High School Lockers

Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board approved alternate bids as part of the High School renovation project. The Knox Community School Corporation was recently approved for a Qualified School Construction bond through the state which is backed by federal funds. The Board is using that money to renovate the High School; specifically the lighting, ceiling and HVAC unit in the pool area and water piping throughout the building.

The Board has some leftover funds after the Board refused roofing bids that came in over budget. This leaves money available for projects listed in alternative bids within the scope of the renovation project.

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Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 13th

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 13th, which means everyone will move their clocks ahead one hour. Clocks may be moved at bedtime Saturday night or at 2:00 a.m. prevailing time Sunday morning.

The purpose of Daylight Saving Time is to extend daylight by an hour in the afternoons during spring, summer and much of the fall. While Indiana observes Daylight Saving Time, the state remains divided in telling time. 80 of the 92 counties use Eastern Time while the other 12 use Central Time. Arizona and Hawaii use Standard Time year round.

WKVI Website Reaches One Million Hit Milestone

Since putting our website up in August of 2009, we have received over one million hits. As of March 3rd, the number was actually 1,111,383.

We started with 25,000-41,000 hits a month until July of 2010 when we went over the 50,000 monthly count. In February 2010, we had 160,037 hits for our largest monthly total. This could be contributed to inclement weather and visits to our closings and delays page.

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Glover Remains In Starke County Jail on Criminal Confinement Charges

Andrew Glover remains in the Starke County Jail with preliminary charges of criminal confinement a C felony, domestic battery in the presence of a minor child with a prior, a D felony,  intimidation, a D felony, battery and resisting law enforcement both A  misdemeanors.  No bond has been set at this time.  

Glover was arrested early Saturday morning after Starke County Police received a call that a woman had been battered at a home located on Long Lane in Knox.  Local authorities attempted to make contact with the occupants of the home unsuccessfully and called in the Indiana State Police Negotiation Swat Team for assistance and after their arrival  contact was established and Andrew Glover exited the home and was arrested.

Indiana State Police Swat Team Arrest Knox Man

Early Saturday morning the Starke County Police Department were notified that an unknown woman had been battered at 8940 E. Long Lane Drive in Knox.  Andrew Glover of the same address was identified as the perpetrator.

Starke County Sheriff’s Deputies and Knox City Police Officers responded to the residence and attempted to investigate the complaint with what is referred to as a “Knock and Talk” with residents at the Long Lane location and received no response from within the residence.

Police had at this time developed information that there were possibly three children in the home and that the suspect, Andrew Glover possibly had weapons.   Officers requested further assistance and after attempted negotiations failed, the Indiana State Police Negotiation Swat Team was called in for assistance with the situation.

The Swat Team arrived  and negotiations continued until Andrew Glover was persuaded to exit the residence and was apprehended by the Indiana State Police Swat Team.   The incident is still under investigation by the Starke County Police Department who were assisted by the Indiana State Police, Knox Police Department, Pulaski County Police Department and the Washington Township Fire Department.

Mr. Glover has had previous arrests for Domestic Battery in the presence of a child, intimidation and trespass.  

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Week in Review for February 28th-March 4th, 2011

Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

76 individuals were arrested last Saturday after police received an anonymous tip of an illegal cock fighting operation at a residence in North Judson. Eleven face felony charges of Animal Fighting Contest, while others face a misdemeanor charge of Attending an Animal Fight Contest. Four of those charged with felonies remain on hold in the Starke County Jail as they have been identified as illegal immigrants.

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San Pierre Man Arrested on Charges of Armed Robbery; Felony Intimidation

Johnathan Chambers

An 18-year-old San Pierre man was arrested Wednesday night on preliminary charges of Armed Robbery and Felony Intimidation.

North Judson Police Chief, Doug Vessely, said that just after 8:30 p.m. CT, Johnathan Chambers, wearing a rubber mask and a camouflage jacket, entered the Carpenter’s Marathon Oil Station in North Judson with a knife and demanded cash from the gas station clerk. After he was unsuccessful in getting cash, Chambers was scared off and fled the area on foot.

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Indiana’s Secretary of State Indicted on Seven Charges

Charlie White

Charlie White, who campaigned at a huge Republican rally last summer in Knox, and was subsequently elected as Secretary of State, was indicted on 7 felony counts yesterday. The felony counts include Voter Fraud, Perjury and Theft. He was released from the Hamilton County Jail after being booked and posting a $10,000 bond. If convicted of the felony charges, he would have to give up his office.

Ted Hayes interviewed White when he was here last summer.

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Knox Federation of Teachers President Discusses Collective Bargaining

Dick Wagner

The President of the Knox Federation of Teachers, Dick Wagner, has been with us this week, looking at school reform through the eyes of the teachers.

Today, Mr. Wagner looks at collective bargaining. Mr. Wagner do you think that the changes proposed in the state legislature that pertain to collective bargaining are a threat to teachers, and if so, why?

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Starke County Legacy of Women to Offer Grants

Starke County Legacy of Women Committee members

The Legacy of Women, a committee under the Starke County Community Foundation, is announcing some upcoming grants.

“After being in existence for three years, Starke County’s Legacy of Women Committee is able this year to give out money for grants and/or scholarships,” explained Sheri Bartoli, Chairperson of the organization. “We’re so excited to finally have the opportunity to help individuals and organizations fund an idea, project or education, to help women become leaders in our county.”

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Beulah Schoppel Dies at 86

Beulah Schoppel

Beulah Schoppel passed away this week at the age of 86.  Ted Hayes has this to say about Beulah:

“No one who knew Beulah will ever forget her.  he was one of those gals who you could meet and like immediately.  I attended church with Beulah for years.  What Beulah will probably be remember for the most was her involvement with the Starke County Crime Stoppers organization.”

“I’m sure when family and friends attend the visitation there will be many memorable stories surrounding the life of Beulah Schoppel.”

Knox Community School Board Discusses Softball Building Project

Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board discussed the softball building project at its meeting this week.

Dana Wannemacher from the Fort Wayne architecture firm, Barton-Coe-Vilamaa, told the Board that eight bids were received and the lowest bidder was Hamstra Builders in Wheatfield for $272,000. He presented the Board with sketches of a softball concession building with adequate lighting, storage area, a player’s dressing room and a restroom for the players and the public. Water and sewer lines will be run to accommodate this project and lines will be extended for a possible baseball building project. If the Board approves the bid, the project would begin as soon as possible and it would take approximately 140 days to complete. The construction would not interfere with regular season games played at the field.

The Board is expected to discuss this project further at its meeting Monday, March 7th.

Knox Resident who Bowled Six Decades to Talk about Career in Feature Program Today

(L to R) Hanna Mlekodaj, June Cruse, Betty Collins, Celine Gurrado, Marcella Hauser

It’s Friday, and Ted Hayes will be in with another Ted Hayes Remembers (click to hear) program. For six decades, Hanna Mlekodaj has bowled on a women’s bowling team and some mixed teams too. She has bowled in 50 state tournaments and three national tournaments and has been honored for her secretary work by the State Bowling Association.

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Friday Night Mixed League 02/25/11

Friday Night Mixed League 02/25/11
Team Standings:
1. 4-Alarm Fire 65.0-39.0
2. Alley Aces 63.5-40.5
3. Rollin’ Thunder 60.0-44.0
4. Dolezal Family 54.5-49.5
5. Mariah’s Hill 54.5-49.5
6. Good Friends 54.0-50.0
7. Raiders 52.0-52.0
8. Undecided 51.5-52.5
9. Hard Times 48.0-56.0
10. Feel the Power 45.5-58.5
11. Baugh Construction 43.5-60.5
12. O’s Tap 32.0-70.0
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Four Arrested in Cock Fighting Ring Appear for Initial Hearing in Starke Circuit Court

Prisoners are escorted from Starke Circuit Court

Four individuals allegedly involved with the cock fighting ring in Starke County underwent their initial hearing Wednesday at the Starke Circuit Court. Benjamin Villicana, 32; Francisco Reyes, 37; Juan Gonzales, 33; and Francisco Fernando Reyes, 41 all entered preliminary not guilty pleas for their charges of one count Animal Fighting Contest, a class D felony after having their rights read and explained to them in Spanish by a DVD played in the courtroom because of their lack of fluency with English. The rest of the court session was translated by an interpreter over the phone.

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