Underage, Unpermitted Driver Sent to Hospital in Car Accident
Officials arrived on scene and found a 2000 Plymouth Neon had collided with the rear end of a 1967 Austin Mini Cooper. The purported driver of the northbound Mini Cooper, Theodore Hochstetler, 15 of Bremen, had slowed to make a left-hand turn into a private driveway when the Neon struck the rear of his vehicle.
Bridge Replacement Project to begin Thursday on U.S. 35
Indiana Department of Transportation officials will be replacing the bridge that goes over the CSX railway just south of U.S. 30. The construction is expected to end in November.
If you are traveling north on U.S. 35, the official detour takes you west on State Road 8, north on State Road 39, east on U.S. 30 and back to U.S. 35. If you are traveling south on U.S. 35, you will be detoured west on U.S. 30, south on State Road 39, east on State Road 8 and back to U.S. 35.
Pulaski County Highway Department to Purchase New Software
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Contract with Collection Agency
Clerk Julie Fox explained to the commissioners that her office is busy with so many cases that it’s hard to focus on collecting court fees for judgments. With Eagle Associates Group, Fox would be able to hand over approximately 3,612 cases to be pursued. The collection agency would take over the case and with any money recovered, they would receive 28 percent.
VIN Check Procedure Changes at Starke County Sheriff’s Department
VIN checks will now be conducted at the sheriff’s department from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You’ll need a police officer inspection form from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and you can take that form, along with your car, to the sheriff’s department for the check to be performed. No fee will be charged.
Indiana state law requires that you obtain a certificate for all vehicles owned within 60 days of becoming an Indiana resident. Indiana residents must title newly acquired vehicles no later than 31 days from the date of purchase. Police officer inspections, or VIN checks, are required if the vehicle was not previously titled in Indiana.
If you need more information, visit www.in.gov and search VIN inspections.
Starke County Public Library Welcomes New Children’s Librarian
She said that right now she’s focused on the summer reading program.
Starke County Environmental Days Recycles Nearly 1000 Items
The Starke County Environmental Days event was a huge success, according to Carrie Trent-Kuchel, the executive direct of the Starke County Environmental Management District. Trent-Kuchel explained that a large number of Starke County residents turned out for the event and donated nearly 1000 items to be properly disposed of.
Summer School in Progress at Knox Community Schools
The Knox Community School Board members received an update on summer school Monday night.
The three building principals reported that summer school is going well in each school. The second summer school session at the high school will begin in July. The middle school is not in charge of summer school as the Starke County Youth Club is working to aide children with activities and academics this summer. Principal Dave Miller said it is going very smoothly.
High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff informed the board that the USDA Summer Food program is going well with many families and students taking the opportunity to eat free meals at the high school. Many athletes participating in summer scrimmages are finding the meals handy as they end activities. Breakfast and lunch are served for free Monday through Friday.
Winamac Town-Wide Yard Sale Set for July 20
Yard sale maps will be available at the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce office and other businesses in town from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Donuts and beverages will be offered at the chamber office at the same time.
If you would like to register your yard sale and get on the map for $10, call (574) 270-0016 or (574) 946-6123. You may call those same numbers if you are from outside city limits and would like to reserve a spot at an in-town location to sell your wares.
Pulaski County Fairgrounds Will Be Ready for Upcoming Fair
The Pulaski County Fairgrounds will be ready for the upcoming 4-H Fair. It officially gets under way Saturday, June 29 and continues through July 5. The fairgrounds is located at the back of the Winamac Town Park, which was flooded when recent rains forced the Tippecanoe River from its banks.
Natalie Federer with Purdue Extension Pulaski County says fair board members are busy cleaning up. “Some of the water has receded. It’s still kind of wet down there, but the water is out of the buildings. We’re going to be working very hard in the next couple of days to get the buildings cleaned out again and pressure washed and sanitized, but we are on schedule again, and the fair will be down at the fairgrounds.”
LaPorte Police Investigating Early Morning Stabbing
Police in LaPorte are investigating an early morning stabbing that sent a 20-year-old man to the hospital. It happened in the 600 Block of Maple Avenue. Police responded at 2:43 a.m. and found the victim lying on the ground holding his abdomen. He told the police he had been stabbed several times by someone he knew. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The investigation is continuing.
David Howe Sentenced on a Charge of Manufacturing Methamphetamine
As part of a plea agreement between 44-year-old David E. Howe, 44 and the state that was approved by Judge Robert O. Bowen, Howe was sentenced to 10 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with four years suspended. Four years were suspended due to Howe’s prior clean record, a positive community life before methamphetamine, his willingness to take immediate responsibility for his actions, and remorse. Howe will be given priority entry into intensive drug treatment while incarcerated. If he successfully completes the treatment, he may petition the court for a modification of his sentence.
Plymouth Man Arrested After Pursuit With Infant in the Car
Anthony Porter, Jr., 27 of Plymouth, was driving west on Hoham Drive in Plymouth when the officer attempted to stop him. A pursuit ensued after Porter refused to stop. The officer pursued the vehicle traveled west on 6B Road in Starke County.
Bremen Woman Receives Ten-Year Sentence
None Injured in Residential Fire on Dixon Lake Trail
Highway Superintendent Gets Blessing to Hire Part-Time Mowing Help
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler can use funds in his budget to hire up to three part-time seasonal employees to keep up with right-of-way mowing. They will only work as needed and will not exceed the 130 hours per month limit the county has placed on part-time help in order to comply with the federal Affordable Care Act. The council also granted final approval to purchase of three additional trucks for the county highway department based on Ritzler’s recommendations. He presented detailed quotes from four vendors for five different chassis as well as two bed and body prices. Former county highway employee Richard Budka questioned the process, specifically the legality of obtaining quotes instead of sealed bids for the work. After the meeting county attorney Marty Lucas explained that sealed bids are only necessary for public infrastructure projects such as roads and other types of construction. He said in the case of vehicle purchases, quotes are standard as long as each vendor is given the same set of specifications on which to base his price. Copies of the quotes are available for review at the auditor’s office during business hours.
Pulaski Commissioners Review Bridge Inspections
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Part-Time Hours Ordinance
The ordinance limits the hours for part-time employees to 56 hours per pay period. If an employee works over 30 hours per week in a six-month period, the department head can come before the commissioners and request that employee receive insurance benefits. There are only 10 employees that could face that option and most of them work at the sheriff’s department.
