INDOT Schedules Road Closure For State Road 110
Marshall County Commissioners Receive CASA Program Update
She explained that there are 40 CASA volunteers who help children in the court system. At the end of February of this year, 62 children were identified as neglected or abused. Fifty-three of those children were aided in the CASA program.
Beach Hazards Statement Issued for Lake Michigan
If you’re heading to Lake Michigan in the next few days, stay out of the water. That’s the advice of the National Weather Service. Waves of up to 9 feet and strong rip currents are possible today and tomorrow, both of which make swimming extremely dangerous. Strong winds will cause wave heights to build up to 10 feet tonight. Dangerous conditions aren’t expected to subside until Wednesday evening.
Dwyer Instruments Announces Expansion in Kingsbury
A Michigan City-based company plans to spend $769,000 to set up a new plant in Kingsbury, which will result in 50 new jobs by 2016. The new Dwyer Instruments plant in the Kingsbury Industrial Park should be in operation by 2016. It will produce sensor products for the fire pump, industrial and chemical industries. The company will start hiring assembly instrument builders and technicians in October. Continue reading
Pilot in LaPorte County Crash Died of Blunt Force Trauma
The South Bend man who was killed Sunday when his plane crashed near Rolling Prairie died of blunt force trauma, according to preliminary autopsy reports. LaPorte County Coroner John Sullivan tells our reporting partner at WNDU-TV that he is “very confident the gentleman passed when his aircraft hit the ground.” Benjamin Hubbard, 36, was flying from Niles, Mich. to Plymouth when he somehow veered off course and crashed. LaPorte County dispatchers received a 911 call from a man who was driving nearby when the plane crashed, but first responders were unable to locate any wreckage. They found the plane a few hours later in a field of corn 10 feet high when Hubbard’s friend, who was in another plane, retraced his flight path and spotted the wreckage from the air. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Francesville Man Formally Charged in Thursday Shooting Incident
The Francesville man accused of shooting his wife in the arm during an argument late Thursday night is charged with criminal recklessness while armed with a deadly weapon resulting in serious bodily injury. That’s the official charge filed against Barry Danford, 50, by Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak. The injury to Rhonda Danford, 55, was not life threatening, and she was treated at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. Barry Danford left the scene of the shooting before the police arrived. Members of the SWAT team fanned out across the area in search of him but were unsuccessful in tracking him down. Danford surrendered Saturday afternoon at the Pulaski County Justice Center and was booked into the jail just after 4 p.m. The charge is a C felony, which is punishable by up to eight years in prison.
Wireman Pleads Not Guilty During Initial Court Appearance
The Starke County sheriff’s candidate who is charged with impersonating a corrections officer made his initial court appearance this morning in Pulaski County. Greg Wireman entered a not guilty plea to the charge, which was filed by Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak after Starke County officials recused themselves. It stems from a February incident at Wireman’s aunt’s rural Starke County home. She called him because three door-to-door vacuum cleaner salespeople were being very pushy and wouldn’t leave her house. They claim Wireman detained them and claimed he was a corrections officer. Wireman’s next appearance before Pulaski Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship is Aug. 15. His attorney has filed a motion to dismiss all charges.
LaPorte Police Recover Stolen Vehicle During Traffic Stop
A Miami, Fla. man’s erratic driving got the attention of police in LaPorte Friday afternoon and ultimately led to his arrest for possession of stolen property when they discovered the Chevrolet Blazer he was driving was stolen. Officers stopped Oscar Elias-Ramirez, 47, stopped in the 600 block of Jackson Street after he reportedly cut off two separate vehicles while changing lanes. The New York license plates on the Blazer were expired and came back registered to another vehicle, according to the police report. Officers checked the Blazer’s VIN and confirmed it had been stolen in Miami. Elias-Ramirez was also found to never have been licensed. Drug dogs were brought in to search the vehicle. They indicated the presence of drug odors, but no narcotics were found inside the vehicle. Officers did reportedly discover several hidden compartments where drugs and money are often concealed.
Bass Lake Festival Royalty Chosen
Area Coach and Players Participate in North/South All-Star Game
The Kankakee Valley was well represented at the 46th annual North/South All-Star football game. Winamac coach Tim Roth was honored with being named the head coach of the North team which also included Zach Shidler of Winamac and Matt Hurford of Culver. On an incredibly warm evening both Hurford and Shidler saw a considerable amount of playing time throughout the game, which ended with the South winning 27-6. While Hurford played his usual defensive end position, Shidler lined up as a wide receiver and had a pass reception in the 4th quarter. Despite the outcome of the game, Roth, Shidler, and Hurford were all smiles afterwards and acknowledged that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will never forget. Continue reading
NIPSCO Reports Theft of Copper Wire
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of between 8,000 and 9,000 feet of copper wire from the NIPSCO Burr Oak Substation on 15th Road. NIPSCO officials discovered the thefts Friday morning and believe the copper wire was stolen sometime between Tuesday, July 16 and Friday morning. Anyone with information is asked to call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office at 574- 936-3187.
LaPorte County Plane Crash Claims Pilot’s Life
The FAA and NTSB are investigating a small plane crash yesterday morning in LaPorte County that claimed the life of the pilot. Benjamin Hubbard, 36, of South Bend was flying a single-engine plane from Niles to Plymouth when it crashed around 7 a.m. in a field southeast of Rolling Prairie, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. A neighbor notified the police that a possible crash had occurred. The man told the station the plane turned around several times above his house and was banking quite hard, then he didn’t hear it any more. LaPorte County dispatchers received another 911 call around noon saying the wreckage had been found. That call came from another pilot, who had left the airport in Niles, Mich. around 6:30 yesterday morning with Hubbard. The two were planning to meet in Plymouth, but when his friend didn’t show he retraced his route, found the wreckage and called 911.
WKVI News Reporter Embraces Walking Challenge
A 36-year-old radio news reporter decided it was time to make a change. She was not eating healthy, was overweight and the only activity she participated in was bowling in league action twice a week. Other than household chores, she wasn’t active.
When the Moving Starke County Forward organization offered the walking challenge, Anita (Goodan) Soltis knew this was her chance to make a difference.
Court Hearing Set for Today for Greg Wireman
Greg Wireman was summoned to appear in court on a charge of Impersonating a Public Servant. The charge was filed May 31 in Pulaski County after Starke County officials recused themselves from the case.
Commissioners Staff Veterans Service Office With Volunteer
Multiple Injuries Reported in Plymouth Crash
A wreck last night in front of the Tri-Way Drive-In Movie Theatre in the 4000 block of Michigan Rd. in Plymouth resulted in multiple injuries, according to police. The extend of the injuries is not known, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. Dispatchers received the first 911 call just after 10 p.m.
Marshall County Commissioners Discuss Jail Nurse Contract, Tort Claim
Chamberlin explained to the commissioners that he tried to include the position in a contract with IU Health for the jail physician but a long delay in securing that contract has provided problems. He has hired a nurse with the proper qualifications to work a maximum of 20 hours per pay period at a rate of $25.00 per hour.
Offices up for 2014 Election in Starke County
In addition to sheriff, the prosecuting attorney’s position is up for election as well as county clerk; county auditor; county recorder; county coroner; county assessor; county commissioner district 2 (California, Center and Davis Townships); county council district 1, district 2, district 3 and district 4; center township assessor, and all township trustees.
Movie Crew to Start Filming in Culver in August
Fifty to 60 cast and crew members will in town beginning Aug. 3 to begin shooting the film “Little Savages”.
The movie plot involves children by the name of Savage who befriend two outsiders. They go on a mission to find hidden treasure somewhere in the town of Culver. Their quest is interrupted by bullies who are looking for the same treasure. Who will be the winner in this adventure?
