Cecilia Torres, Services Coordinator at the Starke County Food Pantry is seeing some donations coming into the facility which helps the 220 families the pantry serves each month.
“We’ve had a lot of organizations, a lot of people making donations, especially of the fresh vegetables. We’re really appreciative of that,” said Torres.
The Starke County Commissioners Thursday removed county treasurer Linda Belork from office. The action was taken after the commissioners received a state audit of the office in which there were a considerable number of irregularities found. The commissioners have filed a complaint for default on the surety bond and damages. The surety bond company, Ohio Casualty Insurance, and Treasurer Linda Belork are named as defendants in the suit. Commissioner Kathy Norem asked for the removal, seconded by Jennifer Davis.
An accident claimed the life of Joann Rannels of Koontz Lake yesterday morning. The accident happened at 1100 East on U.S. 30 at 11:00 a.m. Officers on the scene reported that Rannels proceeded through an intersection and was struck by an eastbound pickup truck driven by Lukas Holcomb of Indianapolis.
As reported yesterday, Leonard Rudd, 85, passed away at his home Wednesday evening. For the better part of his life, he was involved in the automotive business, owning and operating his Chevrolet-Buick store in Knox from 1961 to 1989.
He was also an auctioneer, and for many years sang with the original Rudd Family Singers.
Leonard Rudd, age 85 passed away on Wednesday, August 10 at his home in Knox. He was born to Rev. Orban and Anna (Mullins) Rudd on June 13, 1926 in McGoffin County Kentucky. In 1939 the Rudd Family relocated from the mountains of southeastern Kentucky to the flatlands of northwest Indiana, making a home here in Starke County.
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Andrew W. Sturgeon, 25, of Winamac was arrested Tuesday by Pulaski County Police on a warrant. The warrant included charges of Fraud on a Financial Institution, a Class C Felony; and Theft, a Class D Felony. Sturgeon allegedly stole $947.77 through false deposits and withdrawals.
According to the police report, officers were dispatched to First Federal Savings Bank in Winamac. When the officer arrived and spoke with Assistant Branch Manager Rhonda Lower, he was told that a customer, Sturgeon, had been making deposits at ATMs that were not correct. On June 24th, Sturgeon reportedly made a deposit of $300 at an ATM near the bank. When checked, there was only $30 in the envelope. After making the deposit, Sturgeon withdrew $260 from the account, which actually had a balance of only $30.92.
Party conventions for both the Democratic and the Republican parties have been scheduled in Hamlet. The purpose of this convention is to select the nominees for all town offices for which more than one candidate has filed.
Two economic summits have been planned for Pulaski County. One of these summits will take place in Francesville while the other is planned for Winamac.
“Economic summits give businesses the opportunity that maybe they don’t get on a daily basis to have government with a local interest let them know what they can do to help them,” said Nathan Origer of the CDC.
The city of Knox got its moment in the spotlight thanks to Jeannie Little, a Knox resident on vacation in New York City. During the broadcast of the Today Show, Little held up a large sign with the words “Knox, Indiana,” and caught quite a bit of attention.
After receiving an email with a mobile contact number for Little, WKVI’s Tom Berg was able to contact Little and ask her a few questions on the air.
The Starke County Commissioners met in an emergency session this morning to address unresolved issues from a 2009 audit of the County Treasurer’s Office.
The Commissioners held an Executive Session meeting and then Commission President Dan Bridegroom read a prepared statement to the press and public.
“As a result of an unresolved issue from 2009 State Board of Accounts Audit of the Starke County Treasurer’s Office, county officials have instituted additional safeguards on county bank accounts. The safeguards will enhance review procedures that may result in modest delays in the availability of funds for payment of county checks. Delays should not exceed 48 hours.”
Stacie Brown, who faces two felony charges in the death of her stepson Ethan on June 19th, made her initial appearance in Starke Circuit Court yesterday.
Magistrate Jeanene Calabrese entered a preliminary plea of not guilty for the defendant. She also delayed a request for a court appointed attorney to defend her.
In a special session with Knox City Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston on Tuesday evening, the Council walked through the completed budget that will soon be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance. Presented was a budget that totals $3,112,071.
“At our next meeting, on the 23rd of August, we’re going to have our Public Hearing at 7:00 when we have our Council meeting,” said Houston when explaining the next step in the budget process. “The budget is also advertised and we’ll have our third reading of the salary ordinance.”
The wastewater project for the town of Winamac has rounded the halfway point, according to a representative from Commonwealth Engineers. The council gave permission for payment to be submitted for parts of the project, and surface paving on Riverside Drive has been completed. No complaints have been received regarding the project.
Students will be returning to classrooms next week. Before the students go back to the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation, Elementary students are invited to participate in the meet the teacher night on Tuesday, August 16th 5:00-6:00 p.m. ET. Meet the teacher night for Middle and High School students will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. School begins for all students in the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation on Wednesday, August 17th.
The Knox Community High School has been under construction this past summer. The Corporation received a Qualified School Construction Bond and Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the money was used to fix several issues at the High School:
“The main part of the project was to replace the water pipes throughout the building,” said Gappa. “The building is a little over 35 years old and many of the pipes had become clogged, water pressure at the east end of the building was pretty weak and in some places hot water was just trickling out of the pipes instead of streaming. It was due to be finished this week before school started and the majority of the work will be finished. The last part of the project in the main part of the building are the sinks and the restrooms. They are due to arrive today and will be installed this week and so everything will be ready to go for school.”
Several area 4-Hers have done well on their projects at the Indiana State Fair.
The following Starke County 4-Hers received a Merit Ribbon for their projects: Mason Awald for his Electric project, Samuel Back for his Weather project, Alex Haney on a Foods project, Haley Hartmann for Cat Posters, Alivia Hesters for Foods, Rachel Lenig for foods, Gage Minix for Crafts and Shooting Sports Education, Hanna Shidler for Home Environment and Mia Shively for Photography.
On this date, 83 years ago, it was announced that a new dance pavilion was planned for Bass Lake.
“First, let me tell you the pavilion announcement was being made on this date in 1928,” said Ted Hayes. “Yes, the pavilion was to be added to the current one at the Taggart Hotel. It should be ready for the summer months of 1929. And manager Bogan says Dorothy Bush’s Blue Dog band has already been secured for the opening weekend. And here’s some more exciting news, there are plans to screen in the front porches at the Taggart.”
Stacie Brown is due in Starke Circuit Court today for an initial hearing on charges brought against her in the death of her three-year-old stepson, Ethan Brown. Stacie Brown was arrested on Friday, August 5th and Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff filed official charges against her that include Battery Resulting in Death and Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, both Class A Felonies.
Pulaski County police investigated a motorcycle accident Tuesday night that injured two Starke County residents. Randy and Beverly Chambers were traveling on U.S. 35 at 10:40 p.m. when they struck a deer.
Beverly Chambers was taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital and Randy was airlifted to a South Bend hospital.
The Francesville Town Convention was held last night at the Francesville Fire Station. Republicans Andy Durham, Steven Dee Sewell, Pamela G. Antrim and Kyle B. Trent filed for the three seats available on the Francesville Town Council. After a vote, Kyle B. Trent, Pamela G. Antrim and Andy Durham will be advancing to the General Election ballot.
The Democrat Town Convention for the Town of Hamlet has been set for Monday, August 15th at 7:00 p.m. CT at the Hamlet Fire Station. The Republican Caucus has not yet been determined. The North Judson Town Convention will be held on Tuesday, August 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the North Judson Community Building, better known as the old fire station.
Eight homes in Winamac will be undergoing some much-needed renovations, thanks to a grant approved by the Winamac Town Council this week. Shawn Cain from KIRPC approached the Council with a request to approve a bid to perform various work in these houses, including installation of energy-efficient windows, heating systems, insulation, and some electrical work and plumbing as well. Visit sites like homeserviceheroesfl.com/residential-plumbing/tampa-fl/ for additional plumbing guidance. Most of these homes need several different improvements, and the houses with the most pressing needs will be given the highest priority. The town is expected to provide a 10% match for the grant.
