Hoosier EMS Defendant Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

Posted on Author WKVI

 

 
 

A former employee of a private ambulance transportation service has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Kahley Vergon-Moyette, 28, of Monticello, is one of three Hoosier EMS employees accused of defrauding Medicare of more than $2 million. She was the general manager and operations manager of the Buffalo-based business. Court documents filed last November indicate the company submitted claims to Medicare between May of 2009 and May of 2012 for reimbursement of services that were never rendered. Hoosier EMS owner Roy Dunn and employee and former co-owner Anthony Bitterling, both of Winamac, are also charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Their cases are pending in U.S. District Court. Vergon-Moyette is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2014.

Panhandle Pathway Peninsula Prairie Remnant Dedicated

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A remnant of Indiana’s earliest settlers is now preserved along the Panhandle Pathway recreational trail south of Winamac along U.S. 35.

The 3.5 acre portion of the original Prairie Peninsula starts at County Road 400 South and goes north for 6/10 of a mile. The spot will serve as an informational and educational habitat along the trail, which sits in the bed of the former Pennsylvania Railroad. The spot was covered by railroad beds in the 1860s but has been reclaimed by nature in the decade since the railway has been vacated. The ability of the native vegetation to grow and tolerate harsh conditions, combined with their deep root system, have allowed them to thrive once again. The small area contains more than 38 species of native plants. They tend to protect the ecosystem by keeping soil from eroding and filtering water which flows into streams and rivers from silt deposits and pesticides. They also provide a habitat for birds, butterflies and wildlife.

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County Council Appoints Park and Recreation Board Committee

Posted on Author WKVI
Bass Lake Beach
Bass Lake Beach

Bass Lake Beach is closed for the season, and overnight camping will not be allowed at the campground during the winter months. That’s the decision of the Starke County Commissioners. Richard Callahan will continue to manage the two attractions. The county council is in the process of establishing a park and recreation board to oversee the management of the beach and campground and other non-municipal parks. For now a study committee chaired by county councilman Tony Radkiewicz and comprised of councilman Marvin McLaughlin, commissioner Kathy Norem and county attorney Marty Lucas will decide how to proceed with setting up that panel.

Unique Situation Comes to the Attention of Marshall County Commissioners

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Marshall County Commissioners were made aware of a very bizarre issue facing a Keighbaum Lake resident.

Jean Klinedinst told the commissioners that she and her husband own approximately 41 acres of lake-front property at Kreighbaum Lake. When a survey was completed, she found out that 18 acres of the property on which she pays taxes is the lake itself. She told the commissioners that she is actually paying taxes on water. The lakes are usually county or state owned.

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CR 750 E Closed Due to Disabled Train

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Traffic to the Oregon-Davis Schools will be re-routed today due to a CF&E train that is stuck on the tracks. County Road 750 East just south of U.S. 30 will be closed most of the day, according to dispatchers with the sheriff’s office. They advise the train broke in half, forcing the temporary road closure.

Marshall County Detectives Investigate Criminal Mischief Incident Near Bremen

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Marshall County detectives are asking for your help in gathering information to identify a possible suspect in a criminal mischief incident.

Detectives learned on Friday that some unknown person(s) used spray paint and caused damage to buildings and property in the Beech Road area, near Bremen. The Borkholder Amish School was spray-painted along with the New Burlington Amish School. A homeowner’s fence was also spray-painted, as well as part of a roadway, traffic signs, and a sign for the Ren-Town Country Store on 3rd Road.

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Marshall County Commissioners Pass Ordinances after Holding Public Hearings

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Marshall County Commissioners held three public hearings Monday morning.

Christopher Martin was before the commissioners with Planning Director Ralph Booker to request that his parcel of land located in the Deer Trace Subdivision in West Township on Eastwood Drive in Plymouth be rezoned. He requested it be changed from Lake Residential (L-1) to Agricultural (A-1). He explained that he would like to have small livestock on his property near the lake for his children who participate in 4-H.

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Cost Estimates Expected Soon for St. Joe Valley Metronet Expansion

Posted on Author WKVI

Metronet logoA final cost estimate for the St. Joe Valley Metronet’s expansion into Marshall County and the city of Plymouth is expected soon, as one of the organizers of the project has reported that the proposed route has been decided upon and they will soon have an estimated cost.

The path takes consideration of the location of existing utilities and avoids them wherever possible, and also takes into account the subscribers who have already put money into the project to ensure the Metronet expands into the area. Businesses like Hoosier Racing Tire and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center put sums of money up front to make the project happen. Continue reading →

Winamac Coil Spring Needs New Transformer for Expansion

Posted on Author WKVI

Winamac Coil SpringThe town of Winamac recently reviewed a quote regarding a new factory that’s looking to expand in Winamac and is in need of electric service. Town Manager Jim Conner explained the work should take place within the next few weeks – an “exciting” prospect, he said.

Winamac Coil Spring company is seeking electric service to expand in Winamac, and Conner said the quote came in around $74,815. Some of that, he said, will be the town’s expense, and the remaining portion will be covered by the company itself.

Conner said the cost is for a new transformer, as the current one isn’t large enough to serve the company’s estimated load. As a result, a new primary feed will also need to be installed, and a fee will be charged to connect existing service to the new transfer. Conner said the work itself should take roughly a week.

Kemin/Lambert Spearmint Team to Receive Chanute Prize for Team Innovation

Posted on Author WKVI
Spearmint grown by Lambert Brothers Farms for Kemin Industries is processed at this facility south of North Judson.
Spearmint grown by Lambert Brothers Farms for Kemin Industries is processed at this facility south of North Judson.

A Starke County farm family that partnered five years ago with an Iowa-based specialty products manufacturer on an agriculture experiment is the recipient of a prestigious honor from the Northwest Indiana Society of Innovators and Ivy Tech. The Kemin/Lambert Spearmint Team will receive the Chanute Prize for Team Innovation during a ceremony this evening in Hammond. Ed Lambert of North Judson has refined the growing and harvesting process for the strain of spearmint Kemin uses to produce the innovative food preservation product.

Lambert and his brothers agreed five years ago to try growing the strain of spearmint necessary to make the natural additive after learning about the research during a spearmint growers convention. He admits he wasn’t sure what to think at first and says the past few years have involved a lot of trial and error. Continue reading →

Motorist Airlifted from Scene of Plymouth Crash

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A motorist sheriff’s deputies say pulled across U.S. 30 from Beech Road into the path of an oncoming semi truck Tuesday afternoon was airlifted from the scene of the ensuing three-vehicle crash. The eastbound semi, driven by Doren L. Smith, 59, of Arlington, Ohio, struck the minivan driven by Nazario Oviedo Jr., 42, of Bourbon. Oviedo’s car rolled over in the median, and he was thrown from the vehicle. The semi also went into the median and overturned, losing the contents of its trailer all over the roadway. The rig continued to slide north across the westbound lanes of 30 and struck a westbound car driven by Mindy K. Thompson, 44, of Bremen. Oviedo was arlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital. Smith and Thompson were both treated at the scene.

N.J.-S.P. School Board Adopts Formal Bullying Prevention Policy

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin

The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation now has a system-wide policy in place to deal with bullying. High school assistant principal Kevin Cox says a new state law requires all school systems to have such a policy in place to address this growing problem. Prior to the adoption of this policy, Cox says each building administrator addressed problems in a different way. Now they all use the same forms and follow the same guidelines. Cox adds the policy clearly spells out the school corporation’s obligation to instances involving bullying, including when students are interviewed and parents are notified. Continue reading →

Traffic Stop Leads to Cocaine Bust in Marshall County

Posted on Author WKVI

A Goshen man is jailed on a $10,000 bond in Marshall County after police there reportedly found cocaine in his car after a traffic stop. An officer from the Marshall County Police Department pulled a car driven by Miguel A. Sanchez, 40, over Monday around 11:30 p.m. on U.S. 31 near 11th Road for an expired temporary license plate. The arrest report indicates the officer found cocaine during the investigation. Formal charges are pending with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.

Cause of Early Morning Fire Remains Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

This morning’s fire at a vacant home in the 1300 South block of 300 East near Binkley Drive in Knox remains under investigation. Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost says an investigator from the state fire marshal’s office has been called in, and the police are also looking into the incident. Firefighters were dispatched to the home around 1 a.m. and remained on the scene for about 6 hours. No injuries were reported. Pfost adds nobody was living in the house at the time.

 

Cause of San Pierre Grain Elevator Fire Still Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

An investigator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office has spent the past two days in San Pierre trying to determine the origin of Tuesday night’s blaze that destroyed the grain elevator on U.S. 421. The San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene just after 9 Tuesday night. Fire Chief Mike Korous tells WKVI news the warehouse and silo were both fully engulfed when they arrived. Additional firefighters from North Judson, Medaryville and Wheatfield were called in to help battle the blaze. Firefighters remained on the scene for about four hours. No injuries were reported.

Only Two Issued Peddler’s Permits Are Still Valid in Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse

Since this week’s report of unsolicited salespeople once again visiting homes in Starke County, there has been some confusion as to who is and is not allowed to go door-to-door trying to peddle merchandise. According to officials at the Starke County Auditor’s Office, the county’s peddler’s permits are valid for six months and only two issued permits are currently valid. However, that does not mean the person visiting your home is breaking the law; there are several exemptions allowed in the ordinance.

The ordinance allows anyone who grows what they sell – such as flowers, fruits or vegetables – to try to sell their items without a permit, as well as anyone who crafts the item by hand, auctioneers that are licensed, residents of the county that offer the items for sale for no more than four days, anyone who is exempt from the Indiana gross retail tax, activities sponsored by organizations, trade shows or conventions, and anyone who holds a registered retail merchant certificate. Continue reading →

Formal Charges Pending in Marshall County Drug Arrest

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A motorist’s erratic driving early Sunday morning led to a traffic stop and subsequent arrest for drug possession after a patrolman from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office reportedly recovered drugs that were thrown from the vehicle. The officer pulled the car, driven by Matthew C. Cadwell, over on U.S. 30 east of Oak Road. Prior to the stop, the officer saw Cadwell toss items from the window, according to the incident report. Another officer retrieved the baggie, which reportedly contained two white pills identified as a controlled substance. Officers searched the vehicle and reportedly found more drug paraphernalia and evidence of recent drug use. Cadwell appeared nervous, according to the arresting officer. During a search at the Marshall County Jail, employees there reportedly found seven small baggies of white powder that field-tested positive for heroin. Formal charges against Cadwell are pending.