A Bremen man was sentenced last week in U.S. District Court to two years probation and ordered to pay $34,126.25 in restitution for 18 months worth of unemployment benefits. Court documents indicate Timothy Heckaman, 53, previously pleaded guilty to the felony offense of theft of government property. Continue reading
New Recording Equipment Purchased for North Judson Police Department
Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff recently purchased new interviewing equipment for the North Judson Police Department.
The recording equipment was purchased with Pretrial Diversion funds which are used at the discretion of the prosecutor to help local law enforcement.
North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely said the equipment was desperately needed and everything is running smoothly.
Scales Purchased for Marshall County Police Departments
Marshall County Prosecutor David R. Holmes has purchased highly sensitive weight measuring scales with money from the Pretrial Diversion Fund.
Holmes stated in a press release that the new changes in the drug laws make it essential to have accurate readings on the weight of any drugs seized in a case. That weight needs to be proven in court.
Kindergarten Countdown Benefits 20 Students
The Kindergarten Countdown program held at the Knox Elementary School in June was a success this year.
Twenty children received an early education before they enter Kindergarten this fall. Students who attend preschool often obtain better scores on tests, have better social skills and are more understanding of routines than those who do not attend a preschool program.
Starke County Highway Department Chip Seals Record Number of Road Miles
The Starke County Highway Department recently finished chip sealing 47 miles of roadway, which ties 2013 as the most miles of roads done in the last 15 years. They did set a record by completing the work in nine days, compared to 16 last year. They credit good weather and minimal equipment delays with getting the work done quickly and say they have also developed a good system which allows them to be more efficient. Continue reading
INDOT Closes Portions of U.S. 31
Access from multiple side roads to U.S. 31 in St. Joseph County will be limited through the end of the year. Indiana Department of transportation officials say the closures are necessary as the new U.S. 31 construction is tied in to the existing U.S. 31. Motorists can still access U.S. 31 by way of Main Street, Kern Road and Ireland Road. However, crews will shut down access to U.S. 31 from Jewell Avenue, Hildebrand Street, Yoder Street, Dice Street, Pulling Street, Gilmer Street, Pasadena Avenue Detroit Avenue, and Lucinda Street.
State Excise Police Arrest 18 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday
Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested 18 people on 20 charges during Saturday’s races and concerts at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Most were charged with alcohol or drug-related offenses. Most of the arrests were for illegal possession or consumption of alcohol, with 16 people facing that charge. Other charges include furnishing alcohol to a minor and possession of false identification. Continue reading
Walkerton Woman Sentenced to Ten Years in DOC
A Walkerton woman was sentenced in Marshall Superior Court after admitting to possessing heroin in her apartment located in Culver.
She pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of heroin within 1,000 feet of a housing complex. She was sentenced by Judge Robert O. Bowen to ten years in the Indiana Department of Corrections on that charge. Owens was additionally sentenced to a year-and-a-half in prison on a charge of neglect of a dependent in an unrelated case. The sentences will run concurrently, or at the same time, and she was ordered to undergo intensive drug treatment in the purposeful incarceration program.
Smith Pleads Not Guilty to Charge of Assisting a Criminal
A woman who is reportedly connected with a Monday night battery incident in Wythogan Park in Knox was in Starke Circuit Court for her initial hearing Friday morning.
Samantha Smith, 19, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assisting a criminal, a Level 6 felony. Smith was reportedly in a car that left the scene of a battery incident in Wythogan Park. Timothy Lemon was appointed as her attorney.
Local Primary Care Providers Accepting New Patients
School starts in a few weeks, and that has many parents scrambling to make sure their children’s immunizations are up to date. IU Health Starke Hospital Director of Patient Services Janet Gillon encourages them to take advantage of the services HealthLink has to offer. Adult patients who need a primary care provider can visit Dr. Nabil Abdo at Dr. Browne’s office. He also has a nurse practitioner on staff who can assist patients of all ages with their health care needs. A nurse practitioner is also available at HealthLinc. Visit http://iuhealth.org/starke/ for more information.
New Gardening Award Given to a Starke County Green Thumb
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
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
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
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.
