A Star City man faces attempted murder and aggravated battery charges in connection with a weekend incident in southern Pulaski County. Continue reading
Attempted Murder Charge Filed In Pulaski Circuit Court
Renovations on Track for New North Judson Town Offices
The North Judson Town Council received an update on the new location of the town offices this week. The First Farmers Bank and Trust building on Lane Street was donated to the town back in August where it has been under reconstruction. The building will house the water department, clerk treasurer’s office and serve as meeting space for the town council. Continue reading
Court Ruling Puts Grovertown Zoning Issue Back in County BZA’s Hands
A contentious zoning issue surrounding the placement of a commercial office trailer on a property in Grovertown is back before the Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals. A Dec. 2, 2014 ruling by Special Judge Michael Shurn dismissed an appeal filed by Walter Ford and Julia Ford in August of 2013 against the Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals denying their building permit for a structure already placed on their property. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Award Bridge Design Bids
The Starke County Commissioners Monday chose a South Bend-based engineering firm for design work on two bridges slated for construction in the summer of 2015. Jones Petrie Rafinski submitted the lowest price of the four requests for proposals, coming in at $61,000. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says they’ve designed several bridges for the county and will be able to realize additional cost savings by continuing that work. The company is now tasked with drawing up plans for a new bridge on 700 North over the Robbins Ditch and on 100 East over the Smith Ditch. Continue reading
Valparaiso Man Faces 10 Child Pornography Charges
A Valparaiso man faces numerous child pornography and child exploitation charges following an Indiana State Police investigation. Michael Tichenor Jr., 33, is accused of contacting juvenile boys through popular social media sites and having inappropriate sexual interactions with them.He also traded nude images with them, according to investigators. Continue reading
Stabbing Suspect Due in Court Today
The suspect in a Nov. 30 stabbing that sent a Knox man to a hospital will make his initial court appearance this afternoon. Benton Christopher Howard, 42, is charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. Continue reading
Park Board Settles Bass Lake RV Storage Issue
Bass Lake Campground patrons with seasonal site leases in good standing can leave their recreational vehicles there year-round. That’s the policy as adopted by the Starke County Park Board last night. Continue reading
Coroner-Elect Outlines Plans to Avoid Conflicts of Interest
Starke County Coroner-elect Adam Gray intends to maintain a separation between his full-time job and his elected office.
“When I am working at the sheriff’s department, I am working at the sheriff’s department. I am not working at the coroner’s office. I will have deputy coroners covering call when I am on duty for the sheriff’s department,” Gray told the Starke County Council Monday night.
Gray added he’s made arrangements to ensure calls are covered. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Approves Tax Anticipation Warrants
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board unanimously approved tax anticipation warrants in the amount of $662,000, with an interest rate of .95 percent. Continue reading
Longtime Knox School Board Attorney Retires
The Knox School Board’s attorney for the past decade, William Satterlee, of Valparaiso, Monday night attended his last meeting in that role. In an emotion filled statement, Satterlee expressed his gratitude for the opportunity of working with the Knox School Board. Each of the board members and the administrators responded with complimentary remarks about the legal work done for them. Continue reading
O-D FFA Teams Perform Well in State Competition
Back: (L-R): Emily Niles, Amanda Niles, Delaney Shively, Mr. Carlin, Bobby Pucel, and Audrey Crawford
Dalton Good not present
The Oregon-Davis FFA Crops and Forestry teams competed Saturday in state competition at Purdue University. The Junior High and Senior Crops Teams went through various studies of crops, weed plants, seeds and grain grading for an overall score. Continue reading
Culver Community Schools Receive School Performance Award
The Culver Community School Board learned this week that the corporation recently received the School Performance Award from the state that is just over $35,000. This money will go to effective and highly effective teachers that have been with the corporation for the 2013-2014 school year and are currently still there. Continue reading
Knox Christmas Lights Judging Scheduled Tonight
Knox residents are encouraged to channel their inner Clark Griswold tonight in hopes of winning a prize. Judging for the annual City of Knox Decorating Contest will take place from 6 until 9 p.m. CST, so be sure your outdoor lights are on during those hours. Continue reading
Service Planned for Culver Fire Victim
A service is planned tomorrow for the 24-year-old Culver woman who died in a house fire there last week. Anjelica C. Bush suffered smoke inhalation. She was the lone occupant of a home at 504 Mill Street that caught fire around 1:30 Thursday morning. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Approve Contract for Highway Superintendent
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler has an employment contract through March of 2017 after action last night by the county commissioners. They agreed to offer him a two-year, three-month contract to allow for a transition to the next administration. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Camper Storage
The Starke County Park Board will discuss a process for removal of campers from the Bass Lake Campground at the end of the season when they meet tonight. Board President Marcia Bedrock sought clarification from the county commissioners as to their stance on the practice and was told all campers and other equipment need to be removed from the campground when it closes for the year due to zoning restrictions. Continue reading
Coroner’s Budget Contains Money to Cover Body Storage Costs
There’s a big difference between a morgue and a coroner’s office with cold storage available for bodies. That’s why Starke County Coroner-elect Adam Gray has opted to wait on construction of space for his department. He told the county council last night he wants to take his time and make sure the county’s needs are met. Per the state, a morgue has space available for a pathologist to work and must adhere to strict guidelines. An office space with storage is less restrictive. Continue reading
Generous Contribution Boosts Hamlet Fire Station Fund
Construction is underway for the new Hamlet/Davis Township Volunteer Fire Station. The building will be located just east of the Starke County Fairgrounds on County Road 500 North in Hamlet. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last month. Continue reading
Culver Community School Corporation Approves Superintendent’s Contract
The Culver Community School Board unanimously approved the new contract last night for Superintendent Dr. Vicki McGuire. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Meets Tonight
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will vote on bids for the approval of tax anticipation warrants tonight. This is done every year to get the school through the end of December in terms of finances. Continue reading
