The man accused of beating his estranged wife to death at his home in Knox, kidnapping an employee at gunpoint and fleeing in a vehicle from Mark Bailey’s Discount Center in North Judson and carjacking a vehicle from a residence in English Lake at gunpoint on June 6 was in court Friday morning to see if he has secured counsel.
Taylor Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
Eric Taylor was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Friday morning.
Taylor was on trial for two days in Starke Circuit Court in August which ended with not guilty verdicts on charges of dealing in methamphetamine and possession of chemical reagents or precursors with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. The jury was deadlocked on counts of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a syringe, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia.
West Central School Board Approves School Improvement Plans
The West Central School Board heard from the building principals concerning the school improvement plans for the elementary, middle and high schools.
Superintendent Don Street explained that this is all required as part of Public Law 221 as a way to gauge needs of the students and how to improve those areas.
Indiana National Guard To Honor Fallen Soldier
An Indiana National Guardsman who was killed in the line of duty will be memorialized today in Marshall County. Indiana Adjutant General Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger will join family and friends of Spc. Arronn Fields at the Indiana National Guard Armory in Plymouth at 11 a.m. EDT to pay tribute to his life and military service. Continue reading
Crossing Students Helping at Knox Parks
Students from Starke County’s newest school are doing their part to give back to the community. Knox Park Superintendent George Byer says pupils from The Crossing alternative school are working each Friday at the parks. Continue reading
Register for Freedom from Smoking Classes
Freedom from smoking classes are being held this year on Oct. 6th at the Lifeplex in Plymouth.
The class offers individuals ready to quit a step-by-step plan for quitting smoking. Scare tactics and information on health effects of smoking are not the focus. The program focuses more on how to quit smoking and how to maintain abstinence. Principles and methods that help individuals gain control over their addiction is what the classes will offer.
High-Speed Pursuit Still Under Investigation
The investigation into Wednesday’s high-speed pursuit through Grovertown and into Marshall County is continuing. A Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy initially tried to stop a car driven by Paul Coffin on U.S. 30 at 1200 East. Coffin drove for another mile before pulling over, according to information released by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. As the deputy was getting out of his car, Coffin reportedly backed into it, causing the patrol car to strike the deputy. Continue reading
Lenig Found Not Guilty
A jury found John Lenig not guilty on two charges in a two-day trial in Starke Circuit Court.
Lenig was facing charges of burglary as a Class C felony and criminal mischief as a misdemeanor. A 12-member jury found Lenig not guilty on both counts in a little over an hour. The verdict came in shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Cause Found in Fire Investigation at Local Business
Evidence in an analysis of the remains of a fire at Standard Pallet in Knox found that a lightning strike caused the fire at the business on 300 East, according to fire officials.
An investigator from the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office was at the scene this week to help determine the cause of the inferno. Four fire departments battled the blaze at the factory for about nine hours on Friday, Aug. 22.
Gary Chavez to Appear in Court for Hearing
Gary Chavez will appear in Starke Circuit Court this morning for an attorney status hearing.
Chavez last appeared in court for an initial hearing on Aug. 25 where he pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping and carjacking. He appeared without an attorney but stated that his family was working on getting an attorney to represent him. Today’s hearing will determine where that process stands.
Chavez, 57, is accused of beating his estranged wife, Kimberly Chavez, to death at his home in Knox, kidnapping an employee at gunpoint and fleeing in a vehicle from Mark Bailey’s Discount Center in North Judson and carjacking a vehicle from a residence in English Lake at gunpoint on June 6.
Road Maintenance Continuing in Starke County
The Starke County Highway Department is on pace to meet and possibly exceed its road improvement goals for the year. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says they paved 10 miles of roadway in August at a cost of slightly more than $21,000 per mile. He says they may add to that total by the end of September. Continue reading
Endowment Fund Established for Starke County Youth Club
The Starke County Youth Club is the recipient of a $5,000 Sustainability Fund grant from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation. SCYC Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the money will be used to establish an endowment to support the youth club’s work and mission. Funds in the endowment are invested, and a portion of the interest comes back to the organization each year to help offset operating expenses. Continue reading
Wanted Drug Suspect Surrenders to LaPorte Authorities
An Illinois woman was arrested Wednesday after surrendering herself to LaPorte County police.
Sable E. Conner, 28, had an outstanding warrant for dealing in a schedule II controlled substance (cocaine), a Level 4 felony. Conner has posted a $20,000 bond and was released from the jail and is scheduled to appear in circuit court.
Pulaski County Health Department Not Soliciting Donations
Officials at the Pulaski County Health Department are warning residents that they are not soliciting donations for cancer research awareness.
Administrator Terri Hansen told WKVI News that some residents have gotten calls from scammers who are announcing that they are from the health department and looking for donations when the department is not making these calls. Hansen said they would not call anyone for such a cause.
Sheriff’s Department Releases More Information About High-Speed Pursuit
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has released more information about a high-speed pursuit that started near Grovertown and ended in Marshall County. A sheriff’s deputy tried to stop a vehicle on U.S. 30 west of 1200 East, but the driver kept going. He finally stopped at 1100 East but put his car into reverse when the officer got out of his patrol vehicle. The suspect backed into the police car, causing the vehicle to strike the deputy. Continue reading
High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Crash
An attempted traffic stop in Starke County last evening ended with a crash in Marshall County after the driver fled from police. Dispatchers at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department tell WKVI News the chase began on U.S. 30 at 1100 East at 6:15 p.m. CDT last night and ended on 7th Road east of Union Road in Marshall County. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Department Preparing for Winter Weather
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler is shopping for less expensive road salt to use this winter. He told the county commissioners he’s already got one contract in place through the state bid process but is attempting to negotiate better prices with other suppliers who lost out on the state bid. Continue reading
Pulaski County Justice Center, Courthouse Roof Repairs Planned
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners this week that repairs to the roof on the justice center will begin this weekend.
Commission President Larry Brady told WKVI News that the long-awaited repairs will begin this weekend and will be done by Monday. The slate tiles on top of the courthouse that were damaged in last year’s hail storm will be replaced next weekend so the courthouse will be cordoned off for those repairs to be done.
Conduit Installation for Metronet Project in Marshall County on Schedule
The Metronet project in Marshall County is on schedule.
Marshall County Auditor Penny Lukenbill told WKVI News that Bart Trester of USI reported to the commissioners on Tuesday morning that the county’s portion of the project is 85 to 90 percent complete. The hang-up right now surrounds the construction along Kern Road and Ireland in South Bend with the new U.S. 31 project. The company continues to work with INDOT in moving along that portion of the Metronet project.
Planning Commission Working to Rid County of Unsafe Structures
The Starke County Planning Commission is busy ridding the county of blighted and vacant homes. In the past four months, 18 enforcement letters have been sent out for unsafe structures, and 15 property owners have taken care of the problems themselves. The county will demolish three unsafe structures. Of those, two are already down. Dirtworks Excavating, J.D. Excavating and Pioneer Excavating have each volunteered to demolish one structure at no cost to the county. Planning Commission President Dennis Estok is pleased with the process.
