Authorities in Marshall County are investigating after a woman’s body was found in a rural area near Bremen. Continue reading
Body Found in Marshall County, Sheriff’s Department Investigating
North Judson-San Pierre Students Stage Sit-In
Students at North Judson-San Pierre High School staged a sit-in today to protest the school’s decision to move the band to the auditorium and turn the music suite into a weight room. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says in a letter to choral and band parents “the intention is not to devalue music.” She says the existing second floor weight room behind the bleachers is no longer structurally sound and must be located on the ground level. Johnson adds major renovations are not possible at this time due to financial concerns.
Her letter explains physical education is a required course of study for high school students, and the curriculum includes physical conditioning. Johnson says “this means all high school students use the weight room, not just athletes”.
Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $125 Million for Tonight’s Drawing
Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is worth a whopping $125 million, which is the largest in six weeks. Tickets for the multi-state jackpot are $1 each and are available at more than 4,000 Hoosier Lottery retailers nationwide. Continue reading
PFC Frank Ono Added to South Shore Wall of Legends
Starke County’s most decorated veteran is the recipient of another honor. PFC Frank Ono is among the latest South Shore Wall of Legends inductees. The wall is located at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. Continue reading
Hometown Collaboration Initiative Team to Visit Pulaski County
A team of state officials will be in Pulaski County today to meet with local officials. The county is one of six finalists for the state’s new Hometown Collaboration Initiative. It seeks to help small communities expand their pipeline of local leaders, strengthen and expand jobs by building on existing economic assets and to improve attractiveness and quality of life of their hometowns. Pulaski County Economic Development Director Nathan P. Origer says he’s pulled together a group of 14 community members as part of the process. Continue reading
Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
Two were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon.
Shayna Howard pleaded guilty to a charge of residential entry as a Class D felony. On June 29, she said she entered the wrong home after a party in which she became highly intoxicated. Judge Kim Hall accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Howard to 18 months in the Indiana Department of Corrections with the sentence suspended to be served on probation. As part of the plea agreement, she will need to attend substance abuse classes or any other program recommended by the probation department.
Judge Seeks to Fill Vacancy on Starke County Park Board
Last week’s resignation of a Starke County Park Board member has created a vacancy on that recently-populated board. Mike Meadows was named to the panel by Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall, who is now looking to appoint his replacement. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Approves Board Policies
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School board approved board policies this week. Among the many policies in place, the school’s wellness policy was updated to be compliant with federal law. It incorporates guidelines into the school’s cafeteria food, vending machines and physical activity practices.
Four Bridges in Pulaski County to be Repaired
Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Mark Fox informed the commissioners this week that there are three bridges on the 12-month inspection cycle. Work will be done soon to remove them from that list.
“We’re going to place wrap underneath these bridges to correct a substructure undercutting issue and those three will be able to be removed from that 12 month inspection cycle once we complete that,” stated Fox.
State Offers New Travel App
A free mobile app that provides county travel status updates and alerts for Indiana is now available. The State of Indiana created the Indiana Travel Advisory app in light of the state’s travel status map on IN.gov generating nearly five million unique visitors between Dec. 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014.
City of Knox Christmas Decoration Winners Announced
The city of Knox was shining bright with Christmas spirit Wednesday night as judges deciphered which decorations would be deemed most magnificent. The decoration committee had many honorable mentions, but three houses stood out more than the rest and their owners walked away with cash prizes. Continue reading
Attempted Murder Defendant Makes Initial Court Appearance
A Star City man who faces attempted murder and aggravated battery charges in connection with a Sunday incident plans to hire his own attorney. Kevin E. Holcomb, 45, appeared in Pulaski Circuit Court on Wednesday, Dec. 17 for an initial hearing. Continue reading
Attempted Murder Charge Filed In Pulaski Circuit Court
A Star City man faces attempted murder and aggravated battery charges in connection with a weekend incident in southern Pulaski County. Continue reading
Howard Pleads Not Guilty to Charges in Stabbing Incident
Benton Christopher Howard appeared in Starke Circuit Court for his initial hearing Wednesday afternoon.
On Nov. 30, Howard allegedly stabbed Brandon Davidson at a residence in Knox with a knife with a six to eight inch blade. The knife caused damage to Davidson’s heart and collapsed a lung.
A warrant was issued for Howard’s arrest and he turned himself into the Starke County Jail on Friday, Dec. 12.
Howard, 42, pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, a Level 1 felony, and aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony. A Level 1 felony carries a sentence of 20 to 40 years if convicted while a Level 3 felony carries a sentence of three to six years.
Flu Shots Available at Local Health Departments
Health officials urge you to get a flu shot to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Pulaski County Health Nurse Andrea Keller said the number of cases of fever and respiratory illness has increased. Keller told WKVI News that the flu shot is the number one defense against the virus. She noted that there are plenty of flu shots available at the Pulaski County Health Department. She administers shots Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch encourages patrons to stop in the office to get a flu shot. He stated that he has an ample supply of vaccinations. To help prevent the spread of the flu, wash hands often and thoroughly, sneeze and cough into a tissue and stay home if you are sick.
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
Pulaski County EMS Looking for Paramedics
Paramedics continue to cycle out of the Pulaski County EMS department which leaves the department shorthanded.
Brandon DeLorenzo from Pulaski County EMS told the commissioners this week that they are still working on getting paramedics at the department and to keep them there. Paramedics are in high demand and in desperate need at the Pulaski County facility.
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
Oregon-Davis School Board Looking Toward 2015
The Oregon-Davis School Board looked ahead to 2015 during their meeting this week. Superintendent Greg Briles told WKVI News that they will hold a reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The board has to reorganize by Jan. 30 so that will be complete prior to the board’s regular meeting. Christopher Lawrence is the current board president. He was just re-elected to the board in the General Election.
