A Plymouth man was arrested Monday on suspicion of domestic battery.
Officers from the Plymouth Police Department were called to a residence on North Michigan Street on a report of domestic battery.
Plymouth Man Arrested on Domestic Battery Charges
IU Health La Porte Welcomes First 2013 Baby
IU Health LaPorte Hospital has welcomed the first new baby of 2013!
Kamryn Nevaeh Kantowski was born Tuesday at 12:58 a.m. CT and she weighed in at six pounds and seven ounces. Her parents are Jennifer Lynn Kantowski and Anthony John Kantowski, Jr. from Michigan City.
Kamryn is the third child for the Kantowskis. Kamryn will join sisters Madison and Alexis.
New North Judson Town Board Members Soon To Be Sworn In
The two new members to the North Judson Town Board will soon take their seats, as Judge Charles Hasnerl swears them in before the board’s regular meeting on Jan. 7. Josh Brown and Justin Davis will then assume their new responsibilities as the youngest members on the board.
The public question presented to voters in North Judson during the general election on Nov. 6, 2012 was approved by more than 78 percent. Only 129 voters said no to the question of whether or not the town board should be increased to five members, while 480 voters voted in favor of the change.
She said the board members used a scientific grid format to rate each candidate before deciding on these two well-qualified men, and said the council is excited to work with them. Henry said she’s excited to know that there are younger taxpayers and community members who are willing to serve and bring a fresh perspective to things.
Local Fire Departments Undergo Live Fire Training in Lakeville
Members from the Hamlet, Washington Township, Knox-Center Township and North Judson-Wayne Township fire departments recently participated in a live fire training in Lakeville.
On Dec. 28, the Mobile Live Fire Training Trailer Unit traveled to Lakeville so the firefighters could train in the mobile flashover training simulator free of charge. Two weeks prior to this training, instructors in Starke County were given instruction in the “train the trainer” program and all went well.
Winamac Funeral Director Qualifies For Re-Certification
Samuel J. Frain, a certified funeral service practitioner and funeral director with the Frain Mortuary in Winamac, recently qualified for re-certification of the designation of certified funeral service practitioner.
To receive this award, the practitioner must complete a 180-hour program of continuing education activities and events. The practitioner must accumulate 20 hours per year to re-certify. Credits include academic activities, professional activities, career review, and community and civic activities.
IU Health La Porte VNA To Offer Bereavement Support Group
IU Health La Porte VNA Services has announced that it will soon be hosting a free bereavement support group series to the public.
The series, entitled “Moving from Grief to Hope and Healing,” will be held every Wednesday in January at the First Church of God, located at 2020 E. Lincolnway in La Porte. The Hospice Chaplain will facilitate the group, which will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, 16, 23, and 30.
No DUI Arrests in Starke, Pulaski Counties
The Kankakee Valley started the new year off on a good note, as no one was arrested over the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day holidays for driving under the influence in Starke or Pulaski counties.
Police throughout the area stepped up efforts to catch drunk drivers over the holiday, and were on high alert for any suspicious behavior. Fortunately, those celebrating the holiday appear to have taken the responsible road in designating a driver or calling for a ride.
Building Project on U.S. 35 Lacks Permit
A construction project on U.S. 35 north of Knox has several people scratching their head, as no permits have been filed in Starke County nor the city of Knox.
However, despite the lack of filed permits, City Building Administrator Greg Matt said it appears that NIPSCO is building a substation. He explained a permit is required for them to build a substation, and on top of that, plans for the structure must be submitted as well.
Knox Residence Search Turns Up Drug Lab; Three Arrested
Three Knox residents were arrested Friday on several drug charges.
Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at 2885 E. 150 S. in Knox. Three people were found and detained inside the residence. A search of the property was conducted and detectives and officers found an inactive methamphetamine lab, methamphetamine, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.
Starke County Republicans Sworn In To Office Monday
Three Republican officials elected to office in Starke County were sworn into office Monday by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall.
Kathy Norem was sworn in once again to the seat of county commissioner, alongside Kent Danford, who has also performed the role of county commissioner in the past. Danford said he’s looking forward to being back on the board of commissioners, and one of the big issues he plans to address involves keeping roads safe and open for travel.
Demolition Date May Soon Be Set For Old Knox Theater
A demolition date has not yet been set for the former home of the Knox theater and the offices of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.
City Planning Administrator Greg Matt said the city of Knox is in the midst of applying for a grant to take down the building at the corner of Main and Lake streets. The grant’s matching funds will be paid by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. If the grant is obtained, a date will be set for the demolition of the building in downtown Knox.
An archiving company has been inside the building to take out the antique theater chairs, the limestone from the outside of the building, and the tin ceilings.
Kentucky Colonel Walter Allen of Knox Passes Away at 99
The original owner and operator of the Zingo Service Station in Knox has died.
Walter Allen, 99 of Knox, was also bestowed the title of Kentucky Colonel by two different Kentucky governors. Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky Colonels are given by the governor and the secretary of state to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation.
North Judson Town Council Approves End-Of-Year Transfers
The North Judson Town Council met Monday morning for a very short agenda. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the council met to review two resolutions concerning fund transfers that needed to be addressed before the end of the year.
Henry said some of the funds transferred within the general fund totaled $7900.32, and $2348.21 within the Motor Vehicle Highway fund. The council also made a number of transfers within the Parks Fund totaling $2662.97.
Alcohol-Related Accidents Cause Half Of Trauma Deaths
According to a study of the IU/Wishard Trauma Center, figures show that nearly half of all trauma deaths and non-fatal injuries nationwide are due to alcohol-related accidents.
More than three million people are hospitalized and 37 million seek out emergency treatment due to accidents. Dr. Charles Miramonti, who is in charge of Indianapolis EMS, says public awareness campaigns remain crucial.
Gun Permit Requests Skyrocket in Pulaski County
The number of gun permits has risen in Pulaski County since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14.
Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer said the staff had been processing five gun permits a week and now five permits a day are being processed. Lifetime permits are being issued more frequently since the right to bear arms has come into the news since the school shooting.
Snowfall Results in Several Accidents; No Serious Injuries Reported
The first significant snowfall hit the Kankakee Valley last week, and dozens of slide-offs, collisions, and property damage accidents were reported through the area.
While no life-threatening injuries have been reported from any of the accidents around Starke County, two people were injured and transported to the hospital following a two-vehicle accident on Dec. 26 around 11:23 a.m. According to the crash report, John Stimach, Jr. of Dyer was traveling westbound on Toto Road when his vehicle struck that of Michael A. Nichols of La Porte.
Engineering Firm Hired For Starke County Bridge 43
After tabling a bid for bridge repairs at their meeting on Dec. 3, the Starke County Commissioners last week hired engineering firm Jones Petrie Rafinksi to replace Bridge 43 in Oregon Township. Bridge 43 is the next bridge to be replaced in the county.
In addition, the commissioners addressed the Marshall-Starke County Cooperative Agreement, which Commissioner Kathy Norem said is an agreement between the two counties’ highway departments regarding equipment and man-hours shared in 2012. She said that has been taken care of as well.
New Fire Chief Elected To Culver-Union Township Fire Dept.
The first of the new year means a number of changes will be coming to local government, including a new fire chief for the Culver-Union Township Fire Department. Current chief Mike Grover made the announcement at the Dec. 11 meeting of Culver’s town council, explaining that his department recently held its officer election recently and decided veteran fireman Terry Wakefield will admirably fill the position.
Starke County Republicans to be Sworn in Today
Three Starke County Republicans will be sworn into office today by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall.
Kathy Norem and Kent Danford will take the oath of office of Starke County Commissioner and Bryan Cavender will be sworn in as a Starke County Councilman.
The ceremony will take place in the Starke Circuit Courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse at 3 p.m. CT.
Marshall County Commissioners To Meet This Morning
The Marshall County Commissioners are expected to meet this morning at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss year-end items. The commissioners will also be giving notice of the Department Head appointments for 2013.
The commissioners will approve the minutes from the last meeting which included the prepayment of a claim for EMA Director Clyde Avery. Avery explained to the commissioners that there was a delay in receiving a fully executed agreement notice from the State for the Comprehensive EMA Grant for $4,054 for expenditures by the deadline. He asked the commissioners to approve a prepayment of the funds to cover the cost of a camera, weather station and educational materials for the EMA program. The funds must be spent and reimbursed by Feb. 28.
