DNR Looking for Weird Tree Pictures

Posted on Author WKVI

The DNR Division of Forestry is asking for your help in identifying suspicious-looking trees.

Information about these trees is wanted in connection with the 2012 “Invasion of the Weird Trees” – an online publication that identifies the weirdest trees for each county based on your submissions. The publication is updated every four years.

The trees can be any species and size. The only requirement is that they be weird and be a living tree.

Past entries in “Invasion of the Weird Trees” have included trees that swallowed signs, trees grown together like conjoined twins and trees with trunks twisted like a snail shell.

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Knox Gym Teacher Arrested on Child Seduction Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox City Police Department continues to investigate an alleged improper internet contact incident between a Knox High School gym teacher and a student.

Police investigated a complaint last week where a parent reported the act. Robert “Ryan” Corbin, 27, of Knox, was arrested Sunday as a result of the preliminary investigation. He faces preliminary charges of Child Seduction and Attempted Child Seduction, both Class D Felonies. He is being held in the Starke County Jail under no bond.

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John Goble, Sr. Accused of Theft

Posted on Author WKVI
John Goble, Sr.

John Goble, Sr., former Street Superintendent for the Town of Hamlet, was recently arrested on a warrant for theft.

Police say that in January, Goble and his son, John Goble, Jr., resigned their positions with the street department after a disagreement with the Hamlet Town Board and the Board appointed Town Marshal Frank Lonigro III as the temporary Street Superintendent until a full-time replacement was found.

Lonigro was told by the Town Board members to conduct an inventory of all town equipment with the Street Department. Lonigro could not find a current equipment inventory list so he contacted Smith Farm Store, where most of the town’s equipment is purchased, to get a list of receipts for 2011. Lonigro reportedly found that equipment purchased and was signed for by John Goble, Sr. was unaccounted for in an inventory check. Alleged items that have not been accounted for totals $1,358.65.

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Building Inspector Challenges Board of Review Hearing

Posted on Author WKVI

The back and forth argument over the placement of a structure in rural Grovertown might come before the Starke County Board of Commissioners today. Betty and George Dotlich have fought the issuance of a permit to Julia Ford since it was reissued in January. At the last Commissioners meeting, the pair asked the Board of Review to examine the BZA ruling that would allow the unit to stay on it’s location.

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Don Good Discusses Gas Prices

Posted on Author WKVI

Frustrated with gasoline prices? Don Good, a gasoline distributor in Winamac Indiana talks about where gas prices are going.

“The general wisdom is that we are going to see it up for a little while longer,” Good replied. “We are, though, approaching the top. There is not only a demand degradation here, but China is starting to slow down also. So it kind of appears that we are approaching the top.”

Anger, suspicion and frustration are only three of the words used to describe the public’s reaction to the gasoline prices.

“Everybody is frustrated with it. An up market just absolutely kills everyone. You just can’t move it to the street fast enough when it moves like this. We’re seeing 10-15 cent jumps a night with no reason,” Good said.

He’s said it before, and he’ll say it again, if we could only get the speculators out of the market we could stabilize these prices.

“Here’s the thing. We’ve been pushing the oversight on the commodities market for several years. We’re trying to get the speculation slowed down. Here’s something to consider: there is at least 56 cents a gallon minimum in speculation.”

Good said don’t be surprised that when the market breaks, prices will go down rapidly.

Today is National Autism Awareness Day

Posted on Author WKVI

Today is National Autism Awareness Day.

Autism rates have skyrocketed with one in 88 children falling on the autism spectrum. This study comes as a professional group is considering changing the diagnosis criteria, which could bring another overhaul of the statistics related to autism.

A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention journal, found that one in 88 eight-year-olds in 2008 were diagnosed with autism, a 23 percent increase from 2006.

Experts remain divided on the cause of the increase. Some say it stems from better surveillance and diagnosis. Others point to environmental factors.

Autism Speaks, a national advocacy and research funding agency, said the figures mean the U.S. needs to take immediate action to help families and children on the spectrum and invest in research to help explain why the numbers are rising so rapidly.

To be diagnosed with autism, a child must have deficits in three areas: communication, social skills and the ability to shift focus.

Lily Endowment Scholarship Winner Announced

Posted on Author WKVI
Katelyn Schwenk

A full four-year Starke County Lily Endowment scholarship winner has been announced.

Katelyn Schwenk, an Oregon-Davis Senior, will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of her choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Katelyn is the daughter of David and Bonnie Schwenk and she plans to pursue a degree as an Addictions Counselor. She is President of her class and the National Honor Society and she was also the captain of the Lady Bobcats Varsity Girls Basketball team, plus many other activities.

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Knox Mayor Reminds Residents of Golf Cart Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers wants to remind you of the rules and regulations within the City of Knox concerning golf carts.

Mayor Chambers says golf carts are allowed on city streets only and they are not allowed on U.S. 35 or State Road 8. You may cross the highways, but you can not drive a distance on them. Golf carts are not allowed on city sidewalks or the walking trails in Wythogan Park. They may only be operated on city streets during daylight hours and a triangular, slow moving vehicle sign or a red or amber flashing light must be displayed at all times.

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Knox Varsity Swim Coach Jailed on Child Seduction Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox City Police Department on March 28th, 2012 investigated a complaint made by a parent of a Knox High School student.  The complaint alleged improper internet contact between a student and teacher.

As a result of the investigation Robert “Ryan” Corbin age 27 of Knox was arrested on April 1st 2012 and is being held in the Starke County Jail on preliminary charges of child seduction a D felony and attempted child seduction a class D felony with no bond.

Corbin is the varsity boys and girls swim coach in addition to being the high school physical education teacher.

Starke County Police report that this is still an open investigation and further information will be provided when the investigation is completed.

17-Year-Old Culver Girl Shot in Neck

Posted on Author WKVI

A 17-year-old Culver girl was airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital after she reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to her neck from what was possibly a live round of ammunition that had ignited from a nearby fire at her residence on Tamarack Road in Culver.

According to a release from Marshall County Dispatch, a 911 call was received reporting Andrea Bottomley had been shot in the neck and was still conscious and breathing- though she felt numbness in her body. After being treated at the scene, Bottomley was transported by MedFlight to South Bend where she was treated for her injuries and later discharged. The incident is still under investigation.

Knox Resident Arrested on Methamphetamine-Related Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested on Wednesday after Knox City Police and a Starke County Sheriff’s Department officer found drug-related items in his possession.

Police were called to the Super Value Inn in reference to a wanted person. Police saw the suspect, Matthew Hamilton, peeking out of a window at them from a room at the motel and asked him to open the door. He did and police ordered him to the ground. Police swept the room and found a bag of pills, a burnt spoon and hypodermic needles. Officers also found items reportedly used in the use of methamphetamine.

Hamilton, 22, was arrested on four active arrest warrants through Marshalll County and additional preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a Family Housing Complex and Reckless Possession of Paraphernalia.

Knox Man Arrested for Alleged Sandal Theft

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested after allegedly stealing sandals from Dollar General in Knox.

A Knox City Police officer was dispatched to Dollar General where an employee reported that a man, later identified as Lolus Johnson, had stolen a pair of shoes. He had left his old shoes in the store.

When police were enroute to the store, Johnson was spotted in the alley between Heaton Street and Pearl Street. The officer approached Johnson and Johnson reportedly stepped out of his sandals he was wearing and started walking barefoot. The officer asked about the shoes and Johnson allegedly admitted to police that he did take the shoes because he didn’t have any money.

Lolus Johnson, 51, was detained and while police conducted a routine pat-down they allegedly found a marijuana cigarette and controlled substances. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Theft, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Doctor’s Day Highlights Hospitalist Dr. Alfran

Posted on Author WKVI

Yesterday was Doctor’s Day throughout the country, and Dr. Almuhammad Alfran, a Hospitalist at IU Health Starke Hospital, explained a bit about the gratification he gets from being a physician.

“I appreciate Doctor’s Day because I get the impression that people really appreciate what we do. I tell you the biggest reward for a doctor though is when they see the patient improve, or you see a look of satisfaction in the eyes of a patient. I think this is the greatest reward we can get as physicians,” Alfran said.

Alfran explained what the duties of a hospitalist are.

“A hospitalist is a specialist of hospital medicine. A physician who specializes in treating patients in the hospital, as compared to an outpatient physician who spends most of the time in the clinic. When they have free time they can stop by the hospital and check on their patients. For the hospitalist this is a physician who dedicates the entire day to working in the hospital. So when the patient is in the hospital the hospitalist is there, and the primary care physician is there when the patient needs him or her,” Alfran said.

Jennie Carter Appears in Starke Circuit Court for Initial Hearing

Posted on Author WKVI
Jennie Carter

Jennie Carter appeared for her initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court this morning. Charged with a felony count of theft, Carter pleaded not guilty to Judge Kim Hall. She is currently out on $5,000 cash bond.

Carter requested a court appointed lawyer, but under questioning by the judge, she said that she was gainfully employed, and paid $2,600 a month. When asked if she had anything of value that could be sold to pay a lawyer, she said she had a four-year-old television and a 2007 Ford Taurus that she was making payments on. Her on-hand cash was listed as $200.00, and she said her $5,000 bond money was borrowed.

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Clayton Reiss Sentenced

Posted on Author WKVI
Clayton Reiss

Clayton Reiss was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court this week.

Reiss pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to charges of Dealing in Schedule I, II, or III Controlled Substance as a Class B Felony and Dealing in Schedule IV Controlled Substance as a Class C Felony in one cause heard before Judge Kim Hall. He pleaded guilty in a plea agreement in a separate cause to Theft as a Class D Felony.

Judge Hall sentenced Reiss to six years each on both Dealing in Controlled Substance charges. Those sentences will run concurrently and shall run consecutively to a sentence of 12 months on the Theft charge. No part of the sentences were suspended. Reiss will serve those sentences in the Indiana Department of Corrections.

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Vandalism Reported at Star City West Cemetery

Posted on Author WKVI
Vandalism reported at the Star City West Cemetery

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a vandalism incident at the Star City West Cemetery.

On Wednesday, police met with former Cemetery Trustee, Paul Abbott, who helped the officer locate the affected area. Damage was found to headstones in the south east corner of the cemetery and on the east side of the roadway. Four headstones and bases were knocked over. One of the headstones was broken into many pieces. Police noted that headstone appeared to have been struck with something.

The estimate of damage was not immediately known. Current Cemetery Trustee, Ron Heater, said that he would contact the family members about the damage.

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E-Books Now Available at all Libraries in Starke County Library System

Posted on Author WKVI

E-Books and E-Audio Books have come to the Starke County Library system. Library Director, Sheila Urwiler, talks about the service.

“You get to check them out for one to two weeks, and at the end of the period the title just expires. So there are no late fees, you can’t be charged for anything. It’s a free service. We think people will really enjoy it.” Urwiler said.

We asked Sheila how many books are available.

“Oh, several thousand, and its growing rapidly. We’re part of a consortium, with other Northern Indiana libraries. Because of that, we are able to offer a lot more titles than we could if we just had to build the collection on our own. It’s both E-Books and E-Audio Books where you can download a book and listen to it.”

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Pulaski County Sheriff Discusses Police Entry Law

Posted on Author WKVI
police badge

Governor Mitch Daniels recently signed into law Senate Enrolled Act 1 which specifies that a person may use reasonable force against any other person in certain circumstances, including police officers.

You may prevent or terminate an officer’s unlawful entry into your home or the officer’s criminal interference with property lawfully in the person’s possession. Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer says there are a few instances were police entry is justified.

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Jacobs Receives Sentence for Methamphetamine Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Traci Jacobs

Traci Jacobs received her sentence in the Starke Circuit Court yesterday. Jacobs pleaded guilty to Operating an Illegal Drug Lab as a Class D felony, and was sentenced to 12 months in the Department of Corrections with none of that sentence suspended. In a separate case, Jacobs pleaded guilty to Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Class B felony and received a ten-year sentence in the Department of Corrections, with two of those years suspended. Two years of her executed sentence will be allowed to be served on home detention.

Those sentences will run consecutively. Upon her sentencing, one cause was dismissed in which she was charged with Theft as a Class D felony, and Trespassing as a Class A misdemeanor, and another case in Knox City Court was dismissed as well.

Jacobs was arrested on active arrest warrants and on preliminary charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine with Intent to Deal, Possession of Precursors, Illegal Drug Lab, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Paraphernalia on Thursday, November 17th.