An Oregon-Davis teacher will serve 18 months on probation in Michigan after pleading guilty to numerous felony offenses. Eric Christopher Baierl, 31, of South Bend, was sentenced Friday in Cass Circuit Court, according to the “South Bend Tribune.” He pleaded guilty to bringing contraband into the Cass County Jail, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana and an open container violation. Baierl was also ordered to pay $1,046 in court costs. Continue reading
Indiana Fire Marshal Investigating Walkerton Bar Fire
The Indiana State Fire Marshal is continuing to investigate the cause of a fire at Red Hots Bar in Walkerton.
Fire Chief Jeff Baker told WKVI News that crews were called to the scene on Nov. 2 at 3:30 a.m. and stayed on the scene on Roosevelt Road almost 12 hours later. Baker said they worked to get the fire under control until 9:29 a.m. and worked to secure the scene until after 2 p.m. ET.
More Cameras in Place at Winamac Community High School
Knox Officials Still Researching Dumpster Regulations
The Knox City Council is still gathering information about dumpster regulations before drafting an ordinance to govern their placement within the city limits. City attorney David Matsey gave the council copies of policies from other communities to review. He says the goal is to keep dumpsters from being placed indefinitely in front of homes or other structures. Continue reading
Local Pop Warner Cheerleading Squad Advances to National Competition
The Knox Pop Warner Junior Redskin cheerleaders competed this past weekend after making it to regionals in DeKalb, Ill. Two squads were put together for traveling and non-traveling opportunities. The Knox Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee non traveling squad received first place in their division at regionals. Head coach Melissa Fairchild and assistant coach Amber Rinard lead 16 girls in 3rd and 4th grades to their first competition.
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Contract for Highway Superintendent
A philosophical disconnect between the Starke County Commissioners may keep them from offering county highway superintendent Rik Ritzler a long-term employment contract. His is one of the jobs appointed each year by the commissioners. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis would like to change that.
“This is to our advantage to have a contract with our current highway superintendent, because of the job that he has demonstrated that he has done. I hope that we will be able to consider that at our next meeting,” Davis said during the Monday, Nov. 3 Starke County Commissioners meeting.
That will require a unanimous vote. Commissioner Kathy Norem supports the notion, but Commissioner Kent Danford does not. Continue reading
IU Health LaPorte Hospital Launches Strategic Partnership Website
IU Health LaPorte Hospital has a new website to share information with the public about the ongoing search for an additional partner. The site will also solicit input from community members on the future of health care in Starke and LaPorte Counties. Hospital officials say the website will provide frequent updates about the process.
Members of the IU Health LaPorte Hospital Board of Directors are seeking an additional partner to help the two Northwest Indiana hospitals thrive with a broader network, improved facilities, and a strong strategy that is more ready to respond to tomorrow’s healthcare challenges in this part of the state.
The website features quite a bit of background information about the process, including a “fact check” page where questions and rumors can be submitted anonymously and addressed. Continue reading
Church Meals at Dembowski Center on Hold
The Knox City Council is prepared to sign a memorandum of understanding for free use by local churches of the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center to serve weekly community meals there. However the person spearheading that effort is still seeking commitments from churches to do so. Deb McIntire told City Attorney David Matsey she wants to have at least eight churches on board before proceeding.
Winamac Town Council Considering a Splash Pad
The Winamac Town Council is considering a new recreational water area to fill the void of the now closed Pulaski County Family YMCA swimming pool. It is an outdoor water play area with fountains and minimal standing water. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski School Corporation Still Reviewing Building Project
The Eastern Pulaski School Board did not make a decision last night on the proposed $14 million building renovation project slated to start in 2015. Superintendent Dan Foster says they do not want to hurry a project of this magnitude. He adds they want to make sure they get exactly what they want in the end. The work will be funded through a tax increase.
LaPorte Police Investigating Counterfeit $100 Bills
LaPorte Police are investigating reports of counterfeit $100 bills being presented for payment at two businesses on Pine Lake Avenue. Officers were called to the NAPA Auto Parts last Thursday after an employee took a $100 bill from a customer who bought $28 worth of merchandise. The clerk checked the bill with a counterfeit pen, according to the incident report but later realized it was a fake. Continue reading
Kids Closet Ministry Receives Grant
Starke County children will stay warm this winter thanks to a grant from the Starke County Community Foundation to the Kids Closet Ministry at North Judson United Methodist Church. The $2,000 in community fund money will be used to buy coats and boots for children in need.
Check for Excise Tax Eligibility on the BMV Website
You can check to see if you are eligible for an excise tax refund on the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s website.
BMV Commissioner Don Snemis said letters have been sent to those who are eligible but in case you didn’t receive a claim form, access the refund eligibility page at www.myBMV.com. A “Check Your Excise Tax Refund Eligibility” icon can be found on the right side of the page and users will be asked for a Social Security Number or Driver’s License Number in order to check eligibility.
Several Local Programs Planned to Celebrate Veterans Day
Today we pause to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed services. Veterans Day is celebrated each Nov. 11th. That’s the date in 1918 on which fighting between the Allied Nations and Germany stopped, marking the unofficial end of World War I. The following year President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11th Armistice Day. That celebration evolved into Veterans Day after World War II. Continue reading
IBA Names WKVI-FM Market 3 Station of the Year
WKVI-FM is the Indiana Broadcasters Association Market 3 Station of the Year. General Manager Jerry Curtis says the judges look closely at the service stations provide to the community.
“We have a full-time, full-service news department. They look at that. They look at other community events that we’re involved in, like the Pizza Hut World Hunger night that we did. Also the radiothon for the Starke County Youth Club. Those are all factors that they consider heavily,” Curtis said. Continue reading
Culver Road at Klockner Drive Scheduled to Close Today
Klockner Drive/Starke County Road 300 East will soon be open to traffic in both directions between Culver Road and State Road 8. Work on the road to improve access to the Starke County Industrial Park is continuing. Starting today the intersection of Klockner Drive and Culver Road will be closed in all directions. It’s slated to reopen Wednesday, Nov. 26. Continue reading
Starke County Jail Construction Still on Schedule
The site of the new Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Detention Center east of Knox is looking less like a job site and more like a finished building. Crews have started grading around the building on State Road 8 at County Road 550 East and are getting ready to pave the parking areas. That work will be done before Thanksgiving, according to a schedule presented last week to the Starke County Building Corporation. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Crews Ready for Winter
The Starke County Highway Department is ready for winter weather. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the county has plenty of salt and sand stockpiled to help melt ice and make roads passable. Also, Ritzler says the necessary winter equipment is ready to go. Continue reading
Knox City Council May Finalize Dembowski Center Use Agreement
The Knox City Council may finalize an agreement withe area churches for use of the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center when they meet tonight. The churches have asked to use the facility for free once a week to serve free meals to area residents. Tonight’s agenda includes the signing of a memorandum of understanding as to the details of that arrangement. Continue reading
Lilly Endowment Offers Starke County Community Foundation Matching Opportunity
Donors to the Starke County Community Foundation can double their support to the community funds. Lilly Endowment, Inc. has agreed to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000 for the next 18 months. Starke County Community Foundation Development Director Sarah Origer said no gift is too small.
“Our community funds are the funds that allow us to make our community grants every fall. These are the grants that go to support organizations like the Starke County Youth club and our library systems and the SCILL Center.” Continue reading
