News – Page 1184 – WKVI Information Center

A Starke County girl received a new award for outstanding gardening skills at the 4-H Fair. Knox resident Ashlie Fields was named the 4-H grand prize gardening winner. In addition, she was recognized by the fair as the Top Green Leaf 4-H Garden Award winner.

LaPorte County Man Arrested after Police Pursuit

A Westville man was arrested on Tuesday after he fled police in a vehicle.

LaPorte Police Department officers initiated a traffic stop on Boston Street near the Norfolk Southern railroad crossing near Factory Street. The officers recognized James D. Brinsfield, 38, who was wanted on a charge of dealing in a schedule I controlled substance (heroin) as a Class A felony.

Enjoy a Historic Tram Tour of Bass Lake This Weekend

The popular song "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" was written at the Center View Hotel at Bass Lake. — The popular song “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” was written at the Center View Hotel at Bass Lake.

Take a slow ride around Bass Lake this weekend on a historic tram and learn about the colorful history of the popular Starke County attraction. Jim Nierman says the tours only take place during the Bass Lake Festival. He and the other guides point out 40 or so attractions on the 90 minute rides. Nierman has been studying the history of Bass Lake for the past 60 years. He says parts of “The Wizard of Oz” and the book “Ben Hur” were written at the lake. So was the song “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” It was composed at the Center View Hotel. Bass Lake was also a favorite vacation spot for Chicago mobster Diamond Joe Esposito in the 1920s. The Starke County Historical Society is a co-sponsor of this year’s tours.

They leave from the Bass Lake Property Owners Association building Saturday, July 26 at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday tours depart at 9 and 11 a.m. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and under.

Starke United Fund Committee Awards $12,000 in Grants

Starke United Fund grants will be given to 13 Starke County charitable organizations this year.

Approximately $12,000 was available for this grant cycle. The Starke United Fund’s Grant Committee received 26 grant applications with requested amounts totaling $69,000.

Missing Knox Man Found

July 25, 2014July 25, 2014WKVI

Starke County Sheriff’s deputies have found Joshua Simpkins, 32, of Knox.

Simpkins went missing from a residence on 500 East and State Road 8 in Knox.

Community members and personnel from the sheriff’s department searched the area and he was safely located, according to officials from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

Official 2014 Starke County 4-H Fair Results

July 25, 2014July 28, 2014WKVI

ACHIEVEMENT RESUME

Ashlie Fields – Blue Honor
Grand Champion – Ashlie Fields

AQUATIC SCIENCE

Division 1
Madeline Hewlett – Blue Honor
Mckenzie McIntire – Blue Honor
Division Champion – Mackenzie McIntire
Division Reserve Champion – Madeline Hewlett
Grand Champion – Mackenzie McIntire
Reserve Grand Champion – Madeline Hewlett

ARCHITECTURAL MODELS

Starke County Man Sentenced to 22 Years in DOC

A 22-year prison sentence was handed down to a Grovertown man in Starke Circuit Court on three serious charges.

Zachary Bastin, 21, was sentenced within an agreed recommendation filed with the court.

Bastin pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary as a Class B felony and was sentenced to 12 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. Bastin also pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary as a Class C felony and was sentenced to five years in the DOC. He was sentenced to two years in the DOC on a charge of receiving stolen property as a Class D felony. No part of any sentence was suspended.

Sobieck Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

A co-defendant in a case involving Zachary Bastin was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court this week.

Cody Sobieck pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary as a Class B felony and was sentenced to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with three years suspended to be served on home detention. Sobieck also pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal mischief as a Class D felony. He was sentenced to 14 months in the DOC with seven months suspended to be served on home detention.

Another Suspect Arrested in Battery Incident

Another arrest has been made in the Monday night battery incident at Wythogan Park in Knox.

Samantha Smith, 19, was arrested Tuesday night for her alleged involvement in the incident. She was reportedly in a car during the altercation.

The battery occurred Monday night inside Wythogan Park. A juvenile boy was struck in the head by another juvenile. The force resulted in the victim falling to the ground where his head hit the cement walkway. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and transported the boy to IU Health Starke Hospital. The victim was then airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital.

Starke County Council Approves Inkeepers Tax Amendment

Starke County business owners who pay the inkeepers tax will now send their money to the county instead of to the state.

That’s one of the changes made recently by the county council. That new policy takes effect on Sept. 1, 2014. Notices will be mailed to affected taxpayers advising them of the changes.

The tax rate is not changing, but the penalties for non-compliance have been increased significantly. Failure to pay the tax timely will result in a 100-percent penalty.

Winamac Woman Arrested For Assaulting Sheriff’s Deputy

A Winamac woman faces a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer. Donna Fay Campbell, 36, is accused of hitting, kicking and throwing a can of Pepsi at Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Michelle Jackson when she responded to a home in the 4400 block of County Road 600 West Wednesday afternoon. Continue reading →

Knox Mayor Gives Update to City Council

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers informed the city council this week that a new crossing guard is needed for the new school year. It’s a part time position and the candidate will be required to assist children in the morning and in the afternoon at the intersection at Main Street and Culver Road all school year. Any interested candidates can call the mayor’s office at 772-4553.

Contract Addendum Approved for Additional Electronic Monitoring

Court Services Director Ward Byers appeared before the Marshall County Commissioners this week to discuss a contract addendum with 3M for electronic monitoring services.

The county signed a contract with 3M in 2011 that does the very basic in electronic monitoring services. If an offender commits a violation, a message is sent via text message or email to officials on mobile devices or to a desktop computer. Byers said this addendum will offer more to the county.

Winamac Lacks a Skate Park, Boy Scout’s Solution: Build One

July 25, 2014July 25, 2014WKVI

A Winamac Eagle Scout candidate is taking community service to the extreme. The 18-year-old Eastern Pulaski School Senior said he was inspired to build a skate park for the community as his Eagle Scout project.

Clark Gudas of Boy Scout Troop 229 said the idea first developed a few years back.

Knox School Board Approves Administrative Changes

Back to school season is upon us.

Teachers are prepping their lessons and classrooms for their incoming students, students are choosing new school ensembles as well as the best supplies to buy and administrators are settling in to their new positions. The Knox Community School Corporation has shuffled around their principals and added on a new member.

Household Hazardous Waste Event Planned in LaPorte County

Needles, syringes and anything sharp can be disposed of during the household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, Aug. 23 in LaPorte.

Personnel at the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department have had a recent influx of the disposal of needles and syringes in the lobby’s drop box. To reduce a health hazard, cap the needles and place them in an empty plastic detergent bottle and dispose of them in one of the seven hazardous waste collection events held by the LaPorte County Solid Waste District. Free hazard stickers are available to place on those bottles to warn of its contents.