The Starke County Commissioners this week tabled a discussion regarding holiday pay for a former sheriff’s department employee. Ron Lawson had been an employee of the sheriff’s department for many years as a detective, and he was also a patrolman for some time, and he told the commissioners that he has not received holiday pay that he feels he is entitled to.
One Injured in LaPorte Vehicle Accident
LaPorte City Police responded to a personal injury accident Wednesday morning at the intersection of Lincolnway and Detroit Street in LaPorte.
Witnesses told police that a vehicle driven by Julio Cesar Navarro Ruiz, 29 of LaPorte, was eastbound on Lincolnway when another vehicle exited a parking lot and Ruiz could not avoid a collision.
Community Services of Starke County Suffering Funding Woes
While donations have been steadily coming in to the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry, Organization Director Joan Haugh said other programs offered by the organization are suffering from a lack of funding. Haugh told the county council this week that they are incurring further reductions in funding from both the state and federal government, primarily affecting their transportation program.
North Judson Town Board Soon to Place New Rules Sign at Cemetery
The rules and regulations that have been in place at the cemetery in North Judson will now be enforced – this after the town board this week reviewed the draft of the rules that will be typed up on a sign and posted at the main entrance. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that the sign will detail each rule, regulation, and requirement, ensuring that everyone who enters the cemetery knows the town’s policies.
Town of Culver Agrees to Interlocal Agreement with Marshall County
Marshall County Building Inspector Chuck DeWitt gave the county commissioners an update Monday on the interlocal agreement with the town of Culver.
DeWitt told the commissioners that the Culver Town Board approved an agreement in which all building permits and other construction issues can be accessed and filed online. All paperwork will then be processed by his department.
Oregon-Davis School Board to Search for HS Principal
A committee will be formed to help in the search and the process should be getting underway in March.
Knox High School to Benefit from Energy Upgrades
The Knox Community High School recently entered into an agreement with NIPSCO to conduct an energy audit.
On Feb. 25, representatives with NIPSCO will arrive at the high school to evaluate the electrical needs at the high school and assess what can be improved in terms of energy efficiency. As part of the Energizing Indiana initiative, any improvements to be made,will not cost the school any money. The school could benefit up to approximately $13,000 in improvements.
Culver School Board Approves Purchase of Two Buses
The Culver Community School Board gave their approval two weeks ago for the school to advertise for the purchase of two new school buses. Superintendent Brad Schuldt explained that this process is generally taken care of in the spring to allow the school to purchase two new buses over the summer.
Schuldt said the state currently has Culver schools on a 12-year service cycle for buses, allowing the school to purchase new buses to replace those that are 12 years old. Schuldt said that unless some catastrophic failure occurs, the buses are traded in after 12 years for credit on a new school bus, preventing the school from getting stuck with a massive unexpected bill for emergency repairs on several buses.
Lauren Jernas Honored with American FFA Degree
The award boasts a lengthy list of required qualifications, including a C-average and significant accomplishments in Supervised Agricultural Experiences. Jernas told WKVI morning host Tom Berg that her SAE covered beef production over two years, keeping records of projects as she built up her herd and maintained her beef production education.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Honors Academic Decathlon Students
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board this week honored nine students who participated in the small school division of the Online National Academic Decathlon competition. The NJ-SP Academic Decathlon team beat out their nearest competitor, Reitz Memorial of Evansville, by more than 2200 points during the competition on Feb. 8 and 9, and will now move on to the national competition.
New Law Looks to Protect Hoosier Farmers
A bill that would prevent a property tax increase for Hoosier farmers is currently awaiting the governor’s final approval. Co-authored by Senator Richard D. Young, Jr., Senate Bill 319 would revert the factors that determine soil productivity to the levels set in March 2011. This is the first bill to be approved by both Chambers of the Indiana General Assembly.
Young said it’s a very important bill that would prevent a lot of financial troubles for farmers.
Cops nab Wal-Mart shoplifter
A Tyner woman faces theft charges after police say she tried to leave the Plymouth Wal-Mart without paying for a cart full of groceries. Plymouth Police responded to the store around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon after loss prevention officers detained Cathy Paschen, 59, of Tyner. She’s due in court on March 12.
Marshall County jury convicts methamphetamine defendant
A Marshall County man faces up to 30 years in prison after a jury there found him guilty of five felony counts after deliberating for about an hour. Marshall County Judge Robert O. Bowen set sentencing for Anthony Eugene Fields for March 21. He was found guilty of manufacturing and possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of precursors with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of precursors. The charges stem from evidence discovered during a home visit by officers from the Marshall County Probation Department and Indiana State Police.
Marshall County Casanova faces theft charges
A Marshall County native police say left a string of broken hearts and bad debt from Oregon to Indiana and stole a gun in Kokomo is due in court in South Bend this afternoon. 29-year-old Raymond Holycross reportedly uses several aliases, including Ray Paris and Ray Cross to meet women, earn their trust and charm them out of their money. Continue reading
Bond denied for murder suspect
A Starke County woman police say fatally shot her boyfriend in the chest at their rural Knox home last week remains in jail. Bond was denied for Kathleen Holt, 51. She reportedly called 911 after shooting Ron Worker on Feb.13 and confessed to the crime. Holt pleaded not guilty during her initial court appearance last Friday. She faces up to 55 years in prison if she’s convicted. Investigators with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office have yet to release a motive in the shooting. Holt’s trial is set to start May 22.
Highway department saga dominates Pulaski Commissioners meeting
Information is slowly emerging about the recent suspensions with pay of longtime Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker and office manager Lin Morrison and subsequent investigation by the county commissioners. Both are back to work, although Becker has not been restored to the superintendent’s job. He’s handling the day-to-day duties and reporting to commissioner Larry Brady. Continue reading
LaPorte Man Arrested after Armed Robbery Incident
Officers from the LaPorte City Police Department were called to an armed robbery incident yesterday morning at the First Trust Credit Union on J. Street just before 10 a.m.
Witnesses told police that a man wearing a gray hoodie with a blue bandana over his face displayed a knife and demanded money. He then fled the scene in a vehicle.
Starke County Approves $100K for Pulaski Inmate Housing
Two Starke County Men Arrested on Warrants
Starke County deputies have arrested two on warrants for drug charges.
On Friday, information was received that Timothy Barnette was in possession of a dangerous drug and was on probation through Starke Circuit Court. Police from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, the probation department and the Knox City Police Department arrived at a home on Denny Street in Knox, conducted a search of the residence and found drugs and other paraphernalia at the scene.
Jennie Carter Bench Trial to Begin Today in Starke Circuit
