Marshall County Commissioners to Address Wind Energy Conversion System Ordinance Amendments

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Marshall County Attorney Jim Clevenger told the commissioners Monday morning that they will need to address the Marshall County Plan Commission’s recommendations for amendments to the Wind Energy Conversion System ordinance.

During their last meeting, the commissioners unanimously agreed to draft a resolution to present to the plan commission that would prohibit the establishment of a commercial wind energy farm in Marshall County. Clevenger said the proposed amendments must be approved or rejected after a public hearing. The commissioners have a public hearing scheduled for May 6 at 9:00 a.m. in the commissioners room in the County Annex Building.

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Former Co-Owner of Plymouth Business Pleads Guilty to Medicaid Fraud

Posted on Author WKVI

Advanced Care TransportThe former co-owner of a private medical transportation service for the elderly has pleaded guilty in federal court to Medicaid fraud. Kori Ann Donovan, 41, admitted Friday in U.S. District Court to defrauding Medicaid from 2008 to 2012 while running Advanced Care Transport. She admitted billing the government health care program for some rides that never took place and inflating the mileage on others in order to increase reimbursement. Her actions cost the government between $2.5 and $7 million, according to court documents. Donovan will be sentenced in July to one count each of health care billing fraud and aggravated identity theft. A.C.T. shut its doors last September, but the corporation has been named a co-defendant in the case.

 

Michigan City Man Sentenced on Federal Child Sex Charge

Posted on Author WKVI

Internet safetyA Michigan City man who conned a 16-year-old New York girl into sending him sexually explicit pictures has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release. Court documents indicate that in April of 2012 46-year-old Brian Newman contacted the girl via Facebook, told her that her iPad had been hacked by a male she knew as Mark and had video of her dressing in her room. Newman told the girl she could get the videos back if she would Skype with him. He then reportedly asked her to engage in sexually explicit conduct and send him the videos. Several images sent by the girl were discovered on Newman’s computer when authorities executed a federal search warrant. This case resulted from an investigation by members of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

 

Cause of Morning Blaze Remains Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI

Firefighters from five area departments spent the morning battling a pole barn fire in the 1500 block of 500 N. Koontz Lake Volunteer Fire Department Chief Andy Lawrence says they received the call around 5 a.m. and remained on the scene until around 9:30. No injuries were reported, but Lawrence says the pole barn and its contents were a complete loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Starke Commissioners Accept Sidewalk Repair Quote

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
In an effort to avoid a potential accident and lawsuit for the county, the Starke County Commisioners recently approved a quote to repair the concrete steps on the south side of the county annex building and repair a section of the sidewalk near the meeting room. Courthouse custodian James Coad told the commissioners that the steps on the south side are “falling apart,” and said that a 5-foot-by-5-foot section of sidewalk outside the meeting room door has sunk down, creating a tripping hazard.

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No Court Dates Set for Plymouth Man Accused of Murder

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Court dates for a Marshall County man accused of killing Stephen O. Vires of Argos has not yet been set in Marshall County Superior Court.

Olan Q. Howard, of Plymouth, has been charged with Murder and Dealing in a Schedule I Controlled Substance after a Marshall County Grand Jury returned an indictment in the case. It is alleged that on May 19, 2012 Howard committed the act of murder while committing or attempting to commit dealing in heroin or morphine, a scheduled I controlled substance.

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Harkness Sentenced to 12 Years in DOC for Dealing in Meth

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse
Several people pleaded guilty to charges against them and received their sentences in the Starke Circuit Court yesterday from Judge Kim Hall.

Bobby Harkness pleaded guilty to Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Class B felony and was sentenced to serve 12 years in the Department of Corrections with none suspended; however, if he completes the CLIFF or GRIP program offered by the Department of Corrections, he may petition the court for a modification of his sentence. He must first also complete the first ten years of his sentence before he can request the modification. The prosecutor dismissed a charge of Driving While Suspended as part of the plea deal.

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Knox Police Investigating Crash Involving Head Start Bus and Truck

Posted on Author WKVI
These two vehicles were involved in the crash at Heaton and Lake Streets.
These two vehicles were involved in the crash at Heaton and Lake Streets.

Passengers on Marshall-Starke Head Start Bus 37 are getting checked out at IU Health Starke Memorial Hospital after their bus was struck by a truck this morning at the intersection of Heaton and Lake Streets in downtown Knox. There’s no word yet on the extent of their injuries, and the crash remains under investigation. The bus was crossing Lake Street and was struck by the truck, which is registered to Standard Pallet, Inc. of Knox. A witness told investigators the bus had the right-of-way.

Marshall County Commissioners Discuss Highway Purchase

Posted on Author WKVI

Marshall County Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck presented the commissioners with a request to purchase two trucks.

Instead of requesting sealed bids, Haeck told commissioners that a representative from the State Board of Accounts said he could request quotes and gather prices rather than go through the bidding process, with the stipulation that the three quotes needed include specs of what the highway department is requesting. He will then bring that information to the commissioners who will then approve a purchase.

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Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service celebrates grand opening

Posted on Author WKVI
Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service President Scott Bradshaw cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the business during a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.
Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service President Scott Bradshaw cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the business during a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.

Starke County’s newest business is open for business. Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service in the Cristo’s Plaza on U.S. 35 celebrated its grand opening with a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony. The facility offers adult daycare for ages 55 and up and can accommodate up to 30 people. Hours are 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, with full and half-day service available. President Scott Bradshaw says the business offers activities throughout the day to provide fellowship for clients and keep them mobile. He says the service also gives caregivers a break and peace of mind by allowing them to drop their parents off and know they will be cared for properly. Bradshaw adds that the business serves clients in Starke and all surrounding counties.

Bond denied for accused murder

Posted on Author WKVI
Kathleen Holt
Kathleen Holt

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, during a Monday court appearance. 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.

 

Skydiving facility to remain at Plymouth airport

Posted on Author WKVI
An aerial photograph of Plymouth Sky Sports facilities. Hazards and landing areas are depicted.
An aerial photograph of Plymouth Sky Sports facilities. Hazards and landing areas are depicted.

Marshall County’s full-service sky diving center is staying put for at least five years. The Plymouth Aviation Board approved a lease extension for Plymouth Sky Sports at Plymouth Municipal Airport. The lease starts at $450 per month and increases by three-percent in 2014 and 2015 and another three percent in 2016 and 2017. The lease amount is based on the square footage used by the business. Plymouth Sky Sports operates five days a week and also offers tandem demonstration jumps.

Winamac Police make four methamphetamine arrests

Posted on Author WKVI
Sara Cox, Douglas Whiteman, Jayson Shaffer, Kelcie Miller
Sara Cox, Douglas Whiteman, Jayson Shaffer, Kelcie Miller

Formal charges are pending against four people arrested for possession of methamphetamine and syringes at a home in downtown Winamac Tuesday night. Jayson David Shaffer, 27, of Leiters Ford; Douglas Lane Whiteman, Jr., 27, of Winamac; Kelcie Miller, 21, of Winamac; and Sara Cox, 21, of Culver were all arrested by Winamac Police Officer Brian Gaillard. He received an anonymous tip of drug use at a residence on South Market Street residence and checked it out. The occupants gave him permission to search the house, and Gaillard said he found baggies of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Winamac Municipal Utility rates to increase

Posted on Author WKVI

Winamac Town Hall
Winamac Town Hall
Winamac Municipal Utility customers will soon notice a slight bump in their water and sewer bills. The town council approved a rate increase following a Monday public hearing. Town Council President John Plowman says rates will go up by about $1 per month on each side of the bill this year and again next year, for a total rate increase of about $4 for an average customer over the next two years. The rate increase was prompted by an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission ruling.

Winamac woman pays it forward with a haircut

Posted on Author WKVI

Mary Perren
A Winamac hairstylist is sporting a new hairdo for a good cause. Emily Larkin agreed to shave her head once she raised $3,000 for Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. That’s where her sister, Christina, also a hairstylist, was treated as a teenager when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Larkin said her bold new haircut was inspired by the Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders who shaved their head in support of Coach Chuck Pagano’s leukemia diagnosis inspired Larkin to “take it off.” She nearly doubled her fundraising goal, thanks to generous support from the community. Her sister Christina did the honors during the halftime show of last night’s Winamac Community High School basketball game. Larkin said she “kind of likes” her new short locks, which she will be sporting for Christina’s wedding next month.

Attorney anticipates filing in Pulaski County Highway saga

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young, and Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young, and Tracey Shorter

The attorney for two Pulaski County Highway employees who were suspended last month by the commissioners pending an investigation into unspecified complaints anticipates taking legal action against the county within days.

Former highway superintendent Kenny Becker and administrative assistant Lin Morrison have both retained Valparaiso attorney Steven Bush. He’s preparing a tort claim notice to be filed against the commissioners, county attorney and auditor for defamation of character, among other things. County officials have yet to provide any specifics about the nature of the investigation or give Becker or Morrison a copy of their findings. Bush says their stonewalling is “offensive” to his clients and to the dozens of people who packed the commissioners room and spilled over into the hallway prior to the Feb. 4 commissioners meeting. Visit https://www.contant-law.com/ to get a lawyer.

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Marshall County makes veterans service officer full time

Posted on Author WKVI

Marshall County now has a full-time veterans services officer. The county council approved the recommendation of the commissioners to make Pam Schweizer-Betz a full-time employee with benefits. The benefit package will cost well over $10,000, including health, life and dental insurance, long-term disability and retirement. Council President Matt Hassell noted that demand has been up for the past year, and hours have been increased to reflect it. He expects that demand to continue with two recent wars.

Plymouth Police nab armed robbery suspect

Posted on Author WKVI

A juvenile Plymouth Police believe robbed a local store at knifepoint before fleeing on foot is jailed in Marshall County. An employee at Karma Records in the Pine Creek Plaza at U.S. 30 called 911 at 5:23 a.m. to report a knife-wielding male entered the store, demanded money and fled on foot toward Beef O’Bradys. Officers fanned out over the area and arrested the suspect about 15 minutes later. They reportedly found the note believed to have been used in the robbery in his pocket. The weapon officers say was used in the robbery was located a short time later. The subject’s name and additional details will be released later this morning.

West Central School Board welcomes new member

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board is back to full strength after a new member was sworn in last week. Jeff Lowry was appointed to the seat his father, Dean, held since 1986.The seat has been vacant since Lowry’s death on Dec. 21. Jeff Lowry will serve the remainder of his father’s term and will be eligible to run for reelection in 2014 if he chooses. He attended Thursday’s meeting with his wife, Kasey, and their children, Kaitlynn and Sarabeth.