Plea Agreements Rejected in Starke Circuit Court
Plea and sentencing hearings were held in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning. All plea agreements presented in court were rejected by Judge Kim Hall.
A jury trial was set for Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. for Sarah Mills. Mills, 20, is charged with Possession of a Narcotic (heroin). She was not able to participate adequately when questioned under oath. Police reportedly found a baggie with heroin residue in her vehicle when the vehicle was searched on July 7.
Wireman Cases to be Joined for One Trial
Defendants Sadie Wireman and her son, Michael, will have their cases joined for a single trial in Starke Circuit Court.
The pair face methamphetamine-related charges. Plea agreements were rejected for the Medaryville duo on June 6th when Michael Wireman did not comply with the requirements with the probation department before his court hearing and Sadie Wireman claimed not to know what methamphetamine was. Judge Kim Hall said he would not accept a guilty plea from her if she didn’t know what the drug was in which she allegedly possessed.
Medaryville Firefighters Seek Grant for New Fire Station
The Pulaski County Commissioners agreed to back the Medaryville Fire Department in their quest to receive a grant for a new fire department/community center.
Fire Chief Shaun Hauptli told WKVI that they are seeking a $400,000 grant to build a new fire house which can also be used as a community center for town events. He added that they are in the very first stages of the process and will have more solid details this week after meeting with an architect.
SNAP Benefits to Reduce Beginning Friday
Those who receive SNAP benefits will see a decline in those benefits starting Friday, Nov. 1.
SNAP benefits are based on monthly income, expenses and household size. The cut will vary according to your household.
If you have a household of one, expect maximum benefits of $189 which is a monthly cut of $11 and an annual cut of $132. For a household of two, the maximum benefit will be $347 which is a monthly cut of $20 and an annual cut of $240. A household of three will see benefits that total $497 with a monthly cut of $29 and an annual cut of $348. A household of four will receive $632 in benefits with a monthly cut of $36 and an annual cut of $432.
SNAP benefits are being cut as per decisions made by Congress in 2010. Congress is considering additional cuts to SNAP benefit levels and eligibility.
If you need to learn more about the upcoming cut, visit this website. If you need immediate assistance, contact your local food bank.
Monterey Bridge Project Nearing Completion
The Monterey Bridge project is nearing completion.
While the weather has not played into the construction crew’s favor, it is expected to finish up by Thanksgiving. Jeff Larrison from United Consulting said a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to formally end the project and that will be set after the 8th of November.
LaPorte Police Investigate Possible Case of Elder Neglect
Officers from the LaPorte City Police Department are investigating a case involving possible elder neglect.
Police responded to the home in the 1600 block of Ohio Street three times within six days after receiving requests to check on an elderly woman who resides at a home with her adult grandson.
When the police and Adult Protective Services responded the first time, they found that the NIPSCO meter to the home was locked and was not running. There was no heat or electricity provided to the home. Investigators later spoke with the grandson who stated that he didn’t have the money to pay utilities and the heat and electricity had been turned off for the past two months. When officers checked the residence, very little food was found inside the residence. The suspect told officers they ate out a lot of the time and didn’t keep much food in the house.
Moving Starke County Forward to Take More Issues in 2014
The Moving Starke County Forward organization will be focusing on more community issues as we roll into 2014.
The organization plans to continue to focus on drug abuse awareness and physical activity programs. A smoking cessation project has also been discussed along with a wellness initiative. Another program that will be continued is support for a preschool enrollment campaign by the Northern Indiana Community Foundation and a youth mentorship program through the Starke County Youth Club.
Check Candy before it is Consumed on Halloween
Safety is the number one priority this Halloween and with inclement weather predicted, make sure you take precautions and dress appropriately for trick or treating tonight.
After children gather as much candy as can, urge them not to eat any of it before it can be inspected. Check all candy under plenty of lighting. Discard any piece of candy that may have lumps or bulges under the wrappers, punctures or pinholes in wrappers or boxes, ripped wrappers, or loose wrappers. Discard candy that isn’t in the original box or wrapper. Throw out any candy brands that you may not recognize or candy that has passed its expiration date.
Pillowcase Ladies Receive Grant from Kankakee Valley REMC
Young patients at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis will continue to enjoy bright, colorful, handmade pillowcases made by volunteers in Winamac thanks to the generosity of Kankakee Valley REMC’s Operation Round Up program.
The Pillowcase Ladies recently received a $1,000 grant from the cooperative to help purchase fabric. The women have been making pillowcases for patients there since 2012. They were inspired by Winamac Community High School cheerleader Cierra Schmicker, who was hospitalized there for treatment. Their initial pillowcase sew was funded by donations from individuals and businesses. The ladies have continued to congregate and make pillowcases and have held successful fundraiser to cover the cost of their materials. Each pillowcase costs about $3 to make.
Marshall County Crash Victim Flown to South Bend
A Plymouth woman is hospitalized in South Bend following a single-vehicle crash around 6:30 last evening. Marina D. Studt, 59, was southbound on Sycamore Road north of U.S. 6 in a 2007 Ford Focus, lost control of her car and hit a tree. Studt’s car rolled over and landed on its roof, according to the crash report. She was outside the car, conscious and speaking when emergency personnel arrived. Due to the severity of her injuries she was flown to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
Recovering Addict Speaks Candidly About Consequences of Meth Use
David Parnell of Dresden, Tenn. was in prison in Oklahoma for selling drugs when his oldest daughter was born and didn’t meet her until she was two years old. That didn’t stop the father of seven from getting high on and dealing in methamphetamine.
Parnell spent 23 years addicted to drugs, tried twice to kill himself and nearly succeeded in February of 2003 when he shot himself in the face with a hunting rifle. The bullet went in under his chin, came out between his eyes and broke every bone in his face. Parnell survived the 2.5 hour ambulance ride from his rural West Tennessee home to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. His family members were expecting a telephone call telling them he didn’t make it. Somehow he survived, and three days later learned that his wife, Amy, was pregnant with their seventh child.
LaPorte Police Investigating Business Break-In
Police in LaPorte are looking into a weekend break-in at Applied Industrial Technologies. Business representatives called the police Monday morning and advised someone entered the office sometime between 5:15 Friday night and 7:30 Monday morning. Various Makita power hand tools, a cash drawer and an envelope were all taken. The total value of the lost items is estimated at $6,900. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the LaPorte Police Department at (219) 362-9446 or visit www.lpcitypd.com to submit a crime tip.
Pulaski Zoning Ordinance May Soon Be Revised
Pride of Plymouth to Perform in ISSMA Marching Band State Finals
The Plymouth band will perform in Class B at 10:13 a.m. ET. They will be competing against Greenwood, Dekalb/Waterloo, Floyd Central/Floyds Knobs, Northview/Brazil, New Castle, Plainfield, Jasper, Concord/Elkhart, and Munster.
Daylight Savings Time Comes to an End
It is recommended to check and replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and replace any smoke alarms older than ten years or carbon monoxide alarms older than five years. Take time to prepare a disaster supply kit for your house that includes water, food, flashlights, batteries and blankets, and once you’ve created that kit, use the semi-annual time change to check its contents.
NIPSCO, Energizing Indiana Offer Home Energy Assessments
Food Finders Mobile Food Pantry Returns to Winamac
Applications for Energy Assistance to Be Accepted Monday
Pre-application packets were mailed to elderly, disabled and at-risk households in September that were approved in last year’s program. Packets are to be returned with the necessary paperwork to complete the application process. If you are scheduled for disconnection or services have already been disconnected, call and schedule an appointment for assistance.
Keep Pets Safe During Trick-or-Treat Times
Suzanne Crider from the Starke County Humane Society says the first order of safety is to keep pets out of candy.
“We have that issue right now with our office cat, Niko,” said Crider. “If we leave the candy out on the front desk, he’s in it right away! Candy is not good for your pets.”
