North Judson Town Council Tables Truck Route Ordinance

First Farmers Bank and TrustThe North Judson Town Council has decided more research needs to be conducted before regulating truck routes.

The measure was brought up at their last meeting. Under its current language, the ordinance would regulate where commercial truck traffic can drive in the community. Should the ordinance pass, local law enforcement could cite truck driver’s not following the designated routes.
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Culver Plan Commission Recommends Development Plans

culver town hall
 

More detailed housing plans were reviewed by the Culver Plan Commission on Tuesday evening.

A developer has expressed interest in constructing several condominiums – to be called Harbor Landing. That name may change in the future. The initial proposal called for the development of the condos along State Road 10 with the possibility of commercial space.
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Gov. Pence Signs Letter Opposing EPA Changes

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence

Indiana was on a list of 10 governors pushing back against plans proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA is calling for a reduction is carbon emissions from the current 75 parts per billion to between 65 and 70 parts per billion. As things stand, 91 of Indiana’s 92 counties meet federal ozone clean air standards.

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Starke County Council Approves Sheriff’s Vehicle Purchases

Starke County Sheriff's Department BadgeStarke County Sheriff Bill Dulin can buy two 2016 Ford Interceptor Utility Vehicles. The county council Monday evening approved the purchase, which will cost slightly more than $70,000. The money will come from the county adjusted gross income tax, or CAGIT, certified shares. The equipment list for both was whittled down significantly due to budgetary constraints. Dulin says new light bars need to be purchased for the SUV’s, as the ones on the existing Dodge Charger patrol cars will not fit.

Additional Witnesses Testifying in C&C Salvage Arson Trial

 The trial of a man accused of setting C&C Salvage on fire around this time last year continued Wednesday morning.

The businesses’ bookeeper and Office Manager Jose’ Delgado has been testifying since this morning. According to WKVI reporters at the scene, Delgado said in court that business had slowed down, even posting a loss in 2013. Delgado was briefly considered a suspect in the investigation according to previous reports.
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Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Bust

 
 

A vehicle headlight ultimately led to the arrest of a Winamac resident on drug charges.

According to a press release, Pulaski County Police were on patrol in the area of Narrow and Franklin Streets in Winamac when they noticed the vehicle in question. Authorities made a note that occupants of the vehicle were behaving nervously.
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Testimony Resumes Today in Salvage Yard Arson Trial

 
 

The state will call more witnesses today in the arson trial of a Knox man accused of setting his business on fire. James Campbell owns C&C Salvage, also known as Starke County Recycling, at the intersection of U.S. 35 and Toto Road. The business caught fire last March 20, and Campbell was arrested eight days later on an arson charge. The state’s first witness was a mechanic named Tim Graves, who worked for Campbell for two weeks prior to the fire. He testified Campbell sent him out to get seven gallons of gas and a 50-foot extension cord about two hours before the fire started. Continue reading

Knox School Board Extends One-To-One Computer Contract

 The Knox School Board took action Monday evening to approve a new 4-year contract for the “one-to-one” computer program for students. The computers will become the property of the corporation at the end of the contract. The lease can be shortened with early payment to the supplier. The details of the lease were extensively reviewed by the board at its last meeting. Continue reading

IRS Scam Targets LaPorte Man

  
 

A LaPorte man is being described as the victim of an Internal Revenue Service scam according to police.

The 53-year-old says he received a phone call from a man claiming to be an IRS agent, and that he needed to pay nearly $1-thousand or be subject to arrest. Following the suspect’s advice, the victim sent pre-paid credit cards through Western Union.
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First Witnesses Testify in Salvage Yard Arson Trial

 
 

The first two witnesses for the state have testified in the arson trial of a Knox man accused of setting his business on fire. James Campbell owns C&C Salvage, also known as Starke County Recycling, at the intersection of U.S. 35 and Toto Road. The business caught fire last March 20, and Campbell was arrested eight days later on an arson charge. The state’s first witness was a mechanic named Tim Graves, who worked for Campbell for two weeks prior to the fire. He testified Campbell sent him out to get seven gallons of gas and a 50-foot extension cord about two hours before the fire started. Continue reading

Man Turns Himself In On Sexual Misconduct Warrant

 
 

A Culver man turned himself into Plymouth Police on Monday after he was accused of sexual contact with a minor several months ago.

Plymouth police say they received a phone call from 43-year-old Joey Maxon who stated he would be waiting for officers at the Wal-Mart in Plymouth. Maxon had an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Pulaski County. He was taken into custody.
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Jury Seated in C&C Salvage Arson Trial

 
 

A jury of eight men and six women will hear testimony in the C&C Salvage arson trial in Starke Circuit Court. Attorneys for the state and defendant James Campbell spent yesterday screening prospective jurors and finally settled on a panel of 12 with two alternates around 5:20 p.m. The scrap yard south of Knox at the intersection of U.S. 35 and Toto Road caught fire on March 20, 2014. Firefighters from eight local departments responded and spent several hours battling the blaze. One firefighter from the Bass Lake Fire Department was injured. Campbell owns the business. He was arrested eight days later on a charge of arson as a Class A felony. If convicted he faces between 20 and 50 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Continue reading

Starke County Commissioners Bless Inmate Work Crew, Defer Action on K9

Starke County Sheriff's Department BadgeInmates at the Starke County Jail could soon be picking up trash along county roadways under the supervision of a corrections officer. The Starke County Commissioners last night blessed Sheriff Bill Dulin’s plan to establish an inmate road crew of between three and five people to bag up debris for the county highway department to collect. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says it shouldn’t be a problem if the inmates stay in one area and Dulin coordinates schedules with him in advance. The road crew will not cost the county any additional money. The commissioners agreed it will be beneficial to the county in terms of beautification and making the inmates work. Continue reading

Knox School Board Adds Days to School Year

CalendarThe last day of school for students for the spring semester of 2015 at Knox Schools has been moved forward by two days to June 1st. Superintendent A.J. Gappa told the school board last night that originally four days had been set aside for weather-related “make-up” days, but so far there have been six days of weather delay. The scheduled contingency days have already been used. Continue reading