New Equipment Expedites Sex Offender Registry Checks

Posted on Author WKVI

While some law enforcement agencies are gearing up to purchase new equipment for their vehicles to allow them to update the sex offender registry while on the road, several agencies have reported that they have had that equipment in place for several years.

Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin approached the county council last week with a request to purchase three laptop computers for his department – computers which, Chamberlin said, would be used by detectives and officers while checking on individuals currently registered as sex offenders. The equipment, at a cost of $3000, would be paid for out of the fund into which sex offender fees are paid.

Continue reading →

Two Sentenced for Battery in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI

Two individuals accused of battering a male victim pleaded guilty to battery charges in the Starke Circuit Court last week and received their sentences. John Potter and Brenan Sanchez were arrested on May 3, 2012 after they allegedly brutally beat Kyle Brock multiple times, causing a severe broken nose, two broken ribs, swollen eye sockets, swelling in the head and neck, cuts on his entire body, and cuts to the inner lip. The police report indicates a tire iron was used in the attack.

Continue reading →

Winamac Town Board Plans Public Meeting for Water Rate Increase

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall

A public hearing has been scheduled by the Winamac Town Board in regards to a water rate increase to help cover the cost of a water project. The board had previously prepared a rate ordinance to be considered for the use of and service rendered by the waterworks of the town.

The board held the first reading of the ordinance, which passed with four board members in favor and one opposed. The board scheduled the public hearing for the ordinance to be held on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.

Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre School Superintendent Discusses Leadership Conference

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre High School

The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation recently held an all-day conference with the Leadership Starke County organization, and the board reviewed a summary of the day’s events at their meeting this week.

Leadership Starke County is a nine-month training program to provide citizens with local knowledge of the Starke County area, skills, network, and confidence to become a leader in the community. Each of the nine sessions in the program focuses on topics related to the county, and allows participants to learn what “out of the box” thinking has done for Starke County and what they can do to improve it.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Tuesday Morning

Posted on Author WKVI

The Marshall County Commissioners will meet Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. ET in the Commissioners Meeting Room in the City of Plymouth.

Newly-elected Commission President Kevin Overmyer, Vice President Jack Roose and member Deb Greiwank will hear from Sheriff Tom Chamberlin about the Great Lakes Labs contract. The new contract doubled the fee from $42,240 to $85,000 per year and now limits the number of employee tests. Sheriff Chamberlin will explain these changes along with the prosecutor and discuss whether or not there are other options.

Continue reading →

Unemployment Up in Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana’s unemployment rate rose in December to 8.2 percent, while Starke County’s unemployment went up nearly a point.

About 259,800 people were unemployed in Indiana last month. The estimate is based on a survey sample of residents around the country about their employment situations, which includes whether they are working or looking for work.

Continue reading →

Knox Man Arrested Amidst Sexual Battery Allegations

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested last weekend on allegations of sexual battery.

A woman called police to report that she had been attacked by Ryan Povilaitis. She told Knox City Police that Povilaitis was intoxicated and came into the room in the residence they shared and he allegedly forced himself on her. The performance of the sexual act was not committed, but it was attempted. The oral form of the act reportedly occurred. He also allegedly poked the victim with toothpicks and hit her with other objects.

Continue reading →

LaPorte Murder Suspect Arrested in Gary

Posted on Author WKVI

A 26-year-old Gary man is in custody following his arrest by state conservation officers for the brutal murder of a 23-year-old woman in 2011.

Cadero Jester is suspected of murdering Christine Arnold of LaPorte in July 2011, after she was founded deceased in her car at the Ivanhoe Nature Preserve in Gary. Officials believe someone tampered with her vehicle, causing the accelerator to malfunction. Her vehicle crashed through a chain link fence as a result of the equipment failure.

Continue reading →

Five LaPorte Men Arrested on Federal Drug Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Richard Ruiz, Oscar Arzate, Leobardo Campos, Juan Gallardo, Zacharias Cisneros

Five LaPorte men were taken into custody Tuesday night on federal drug charges.

Richard “Ricky” Ruiz and Zacharias Cisneros were arrested on charges of Distribution of Cocaine and Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess Cocaine; Oscar Arzate and Juan Gallardo were arrested on charges of Distribution of Cocaine, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess Cocaine; and Leobardo Campos was arrested on charges of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess Cocaine.

Continue reading →

Two Injured after Accident in Marshall County

Posted on Author WKVI

Two people were injured in a Wednesday evening accident at the intersection of Michigan Road and 4th Road in Marshall County.

An investigation at the accident scene found that Kevin Fleck, Sr. of LaPaz was traveling eastbound on 4th Road and stopped at the intersection. He proceeded through the intersection without seeing a vehicle driven by Brandon Heston, of Plymouth, who was traveling south on Michigan Road. Heston tried to avoid a collision but could not.

Continue reading →

Henry F. Schricker Award Presented to Gene Blastic

Posted on Author WKVI
Gene Blastic, surrounded by family, said he was honored to receive the Henry F. Schricker Award.

This year’s winner of the Henry F. Schricker Award was recognized last night during an award dinner at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. This year’s recipient, Joseph Eugene “Gene” Blastic of Bass Lake, fit the exact meaning of Schricker’s motto of “Service Before Self,” having been active in many community projects and organizations including the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, Starke United, Starke County Chamber of Commerce, Starke County Right to Life, and countless others.

Continue reading →

LaPorte Man Arrested on Drug Dealing Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Jody Harradon

A LaPorte man was arrested Wednesday as the result of drug enforcement taking place in LaPorte County.

Investigators from the LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit arrested 42-year-old Jody Harradon on charges of Dealing a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone) as a Class B Felony and Dealing a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Oxycodone) as a Class A Felony. He was taken into custody at his home without incident. Warrants had been issued for his arrest on these charges.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Council Sets Part-Time Wage for Animal Control Director

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County Council this week held a lengthy discussion over how much the county should pay per hour for a part-time animal control officer. Commission President Tracey Shorter approached the council alongside the newly-hired animal control director Sarah Thompson with a request that the council set a part-time wage for the position, asking for a rate of $15.17 – the same rate as a full-time employee but without benefits.

Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Discusses State Grades

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation may have gotten a decent grade from the state, but Superintendent Lynn Johnson said they’re not quite satisfied. The corporation as a whole received a B grade from the state, while the elementary school received an A, the middle school a B, and the high school a C. On top of that, Johnson said the school received value added for growth in language arts and math, and while it was a good report card, she feels the model still needs work.

Continue reading →

Starke County Community Action Board of IU Health Starke Hospital Reorganizes

Posted on Author WKVI
Front row: Ben Bennett, Sandy Hansen, Dorothy Bau. Back row: Ted Hayes, Jerry Wilson, Martin Bedrock and Dr. Walter Fritz.

The Starke County Community Action Board of IU Health Starke Hospital met this week where Martin Bedrock and Ted Hayes were sworn in for additional four year terms. Bedrock completed the unexpired term of Ed Hasnerl and Hayes completed the unexpired term of Dr. Thomas Browne. They were recently reappointed by the Starke County Commissioners.

Continue reading →