Starke Commissioners Make Decision Regarding “Snow Day Pay”
Selner Sentenced to Six Years in DOC on a Battery Charge
Mark Selner, 32, was accused of battering James Haddox while they were both incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail on Feb. 9, 2013. A video of the altercation was shown to the jury during Selner’s trial and Prosecutor Nelson Chipman emphasized that Selner sucker-punched Haddox and inflicted a total of 22 punches within a span of 19 seconds. At least 17 of those blows were inflicted while Haddox was on the floor. Haddox suffered a wound that required eight staples, an MRI and pain medication.
Mollenhauer Seeking LaPorte County Council District 1 Seat in Primary
Due to term limitations, Mollenhauer will be leaving the sheriff’s administration on Dec. 31, 2014. Mollenhauer stated in a news release that his 46 years of service to the community has given him knowledge of how local government works and said he would use that experience to watch over the financial wellbeing of LaPorte County.
Mollenhauer has served two terms as the sheriff of Laporte County, he was a veteran of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office for 29 years and made it to the rank of Captain. He also served as the Chief of Police in Bremen and worked as security for the United States Marshall Service Federal Court.
Schools Send Waiver to State to Forgive Monday and Tuesday as Missed Days
West Central Schools Superintendent Charles Mellon stated that he has filed the proper paperwork to have Monday and Tuesday forgiven as no school was in session either day. He also included an attachment of a notice sent by Pulaski County officials stating that the county was under a condition on Wednesday where emergency vehicles were the only approved vehicles to be on the roadways.
Mellon hopes that the school’s built in snow days will not need to utilized and the state will approve all three days.
Culver Community Schools will use Monday, Jan. 20 as a make up day for the cancellation of school on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
LaPorte Man Arrested for Theft and Escape
LaPorte police were called to 711 Tipton St. on a report of theft. The victim said 20-year-old Scott Skinner had just left the residence reportedly carrying a tin box with approximately $50 in change.
Shane Graham Sentenced to 10 Years on Meth Charge
Graham pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine as a Class B felony. Charges of Dealing Methamphetamine and Possession of Methamphetamine and Paraphernalia were dropped as part of the agreement. Marshall County Superior Court 1 Judge Robert O. Bowen approved a plea agreement and sentenced Graham to ten years in the Indiana Department of Corrections.
Starke Council, Commissioners Make Appointments, Reorganize
Plymouth Woman Arrested for Theft
Plymouth Police Department officers received information about the theft of a purse and its contents from the Country Charm Laundromat in Plymouth on Dec. 15. After reviewing surveillance video, the suspect was identified as 19-year-old Jessica Cavinder.
Cavinder was brought in for questioning on Wednesday and subsequently arrested. She was booked into the Marshall County Jail on a preliminary charge of Theft. Her bond was set at $3,000 cash.
New Full Time Officer in North Judson
A new police officer is on the job in North Judson.
Porter County resident Nicholas Vanni is the latest full time officer at the North Judson Police Department. He had been working part-time for the department since the summer of 2013. He attended the police academy in early August and graduated from the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Hobart in November.
Town Marshal Doug Vessely stated that Vanni is looking forward to moving to the North Judson area in the near future. He’s familiar with the area with having visited family members who live in the Starke County town.
Donations Given to Starke County Food Pantry
Purchase Dog Tags for Pets in Knox City Limits
Dogs that are pets in homes in the city limits are required to have dog tags. It’s an affordable fee of $5.00. Purchase or renew dog tags in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office in Knox City Hall.
If you have questions about this requirement, the ordinance is available for review in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office.
Fluorescent Pink Paper Aircraft Missing in Marshall County; Reward Offered
Local Candidates File for Office
Wednesday was the first day that candidates could file for office in a county clerk’s office.
In Pulaski County, three candidates filed their intentions to run in the 2014 May Primary Election. They include Tasha L. (Crist) Foerg (R) for clerk, Jeffery K. Richwine (R) for sheriff, and Lorena H. “Holly” VanDerAa (R) for assessor.
LaPorte Man Arrested Following Traffic Stop; $500 Confiscated
Starke Commissioners Give Green Light for CR 300 E–SR 8 Project Bids
Methamphetamine Reportedly Found in Hamlet Residence, Occupants Arrested
According to Hamlet Town Marshal Frank Lonigro, at 9 p.m. CT on Monday, officers executed the search warrant at 302 Davis St. where they reportedly found methamphetamine-related products. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called to clean up the scene and remove the evidence.
INDOT Crews Continue to Clear Roadways
INDOT Spokesman Matt Deitchley said salt, chemical de-icers and abrasives were put down yesterday. In addition, crews are using plows and heavy duty equipment to break the snow apart. Deitchely stresses that road conditions may get worse before they get better.
LaPorte County Airman Killed During Air Force Training Exercise
A Rolling Prairie man was one of four United States airmen killed Tuesday when their helicopter crashed off the coast of England. Tech. Sgt. Dale E. Mathews was one of four killed during a training mission when his chopper crashed into a marshy area of a nature reserve, according to the U.S. Air Force. Our reporting partners at WNDU-TV spoke with Mathews family, who say he was due to come home for good in a March and end a military career of nearly two decades. Mathews joined the military soon after his 19th birthday and served in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. He leaves behind a wife, two children and two stepchildren. A memorial fund for his children has been set up at 1st Source Bank. Contributions can be mailed to: Dale E Mathews Memorial Fund, 848 West Michigan Street, New Carlisle, IN 46552. Mathews will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are pending. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
###
Knox Resident’s Quick Reaction Saved Florida Woman
“She had missed her turn which was not far from where we were at and it was very foggy out. She said she was looking for her turn and the next thing she knew water was coming in her car. She was screaming because she didn’t know how to swim. The driver’s side window happened to be broken – she couldn’t get it up or down. She was able to climb out there and as she was climbing out my husband said she was screaming the whole time – screaming she couldn’t swim and he just went right into the water and down the ramp,” said Elaine.
