Knox House Fire Under Investigation

 
 

The cause of a Thursday night house fire in Knox is under investigation. The Knox-Center Township Volunteer Fire Department was called to a home in the area of 200 South and 200 East just before 8 p.m. and returned to the station after 11 p.m. The Bass Lake Volunteer Fire Department assisted.

Starke County Man Sentenced to 22 Years in DOC

Zachary Bastin
Zachary Bastin

A 22-year prison sentence was handed down to a Grovertown man in Starke Circuit Court on three serious charges.

Zachary Bastin, 21, was sentenced within an agreed recommendation filed with the court.

Bastin pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary as a Class B felony and was sentenced to 12 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. Bastin also pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary as a Class C felony and was sentenced to five years in the DOC. He was sentenced to two years in the DOC on a charge of receiving stolen property as a Class D felony. No part of any sentence was suspended.

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Sobieck Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

 A co-defendant in a case involving Zachary Bastin was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court this week.

Cody Sobieck pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary as a Class B felony and was sentenced to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with three years suspended to be served on home detention. Sobieck also pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal mischief as a Class D felony. He was sentenced to 14 months in the DOC with seven months suspended to be served on home detention.

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Another Suspect Arrested in Battery Incident

Samantha Smith
Samantha Smith

Another arrest has been made in the Monday night battery incident at Wythogan Park in Knox.

Samantha Smith, 19, was arrested Tuesday night for her alleged involvement in the incident. She was reportedly in a car during the altercation.

The battery occurred Monday night inside Wythogan Park. A juvenile boy was struck in the head by another juvenile. The force resulted in the victim falling to the ground where his head hit the cement walkway. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and transported the boy to IU Health Starke Hospital. The victim was then airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital.

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Starke County Council Approves Inkeepers Tax Amendment

  
 

Starke County business owners who pay the inkeepers tax will now send their money to the county instead of to the state.

That’s one of the changes made recently by the county council. That new policy takes effect on Sept. 1, 2014. Notices will be mailed to affected taxpayers advising them of the changes.

The tax rate is not changing, but the penalties for non-compliance have been increased significantly. Failure to pay the tax timely will result in a 100-percent penalty.

Knox Mayor Gives Update to City Council

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers informed the city council this week that a new crossing guard is needed for the new school year. It’s a part time position and the candidate will be required to assist children in the morning and in the afternoon at the intersection at Main Street and Culver Road all school year. Any interested candidates can call the mayor’s office at 772-4553.

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Contract Addendum Approved for Additional Electronic Monitoring

  
 

Court Services Director Ward Byers appeared before the Marshall County Commissioners this week to discuss a contract addendum with 3M for electronic monitoring services.

The county signed a contract with 3M in 2011 that does the very basic in electronic monitoring services. If an offender commits a violation, a message is sent via text message or email to officials on mobile devices or to a desktop computer. Byers said this addendum will offer more to the county.

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Household Hazardous Waste Event Planned in LaPorte County

LaPorte-TRIADNeedles, syringes and anything sharp can be disposed of during the household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, Aug. 23 in LaPorte.

Personnel at the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department have had a recent influx of the disposal of needles and syringes in the lobby’s drop box. To reduce a health hazard, cap the needles and place them in an empty plastic detergent bottle and dispose of them in one of the seven hazardous waste collection events held by the LaPorte County Solid Waste District. Free hazard stickers are available to place on those bottles to warn of its contents.

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Argos Woman Faces Criminal Charge for Abandoning Dog

Marshall County Humane SocietyAn Argos woman authorities in Marshall County say dumped a terrier mix dog in front of a house on 19th Road last week faces an animal cruelty charge. Police say Kim Paul brought the female dog to the Marshall County Humane Society on Wednesday, July 16 and said she no longer wanted the animal. Employees there told her the shelter was full. Continue reading

Traffic Stop Lands Argos Man in Jail

Victor Rundberg
Victor Rundberg

An Argos man faces drunk driving and drug possession charges after an early morning traffic stop in Lapaz. A Marshall County Police Officer pulled a vehicle driven by Victor Rundberg, 51, over at on Michigan Street near Vandalia Street around 1:20 a.m. A police department news release indicates he failed a certified test and was in possession of a substance believed to be cocaine. Rundberg was booked into the Marshall County Jail on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, operating a vehicle while intoxicated controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

The Crossing Set to Open Next Week in Knox

The CrossingStarke County’s newest school is set to open on Friday, Aug. 1. The Crossing has leased the old Sears retail location south of Knox on U.S. 35 for it’s alternative school. The mission statement on the Goshen-based nonprofit organization’s website says The Crossing believes in “empowering struggling students to become contributing members of their communities through academics, job training and faith-based mentoring.” Continue reading

Starke County Commissioners Crack Down on Bass Lake Campground

  
 

The year-round campsite leases at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground run afoul of the guidelines under which the state turned the property over to the county. The Land and Water Conservation Fund does not allow for permanent enclosed structures like campers to be placed on public campsites. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis advised Bass Lake Beach and Campground manager Richard Callahan and his attorney, David Wallsmith, that the practice will no longer be allowed. Continue reading

Pulaski County Commissioners Discuss Attorney’s Contract

Pulaski County CourthousePulaski County attorney Kevin Tankersley presented his 2015 contract to the commissioners for review.

He explained that his rate is $150 an hour and is paid a quarterly retainer of $1,500. He said the legal issues of the county are not easy to undertake and requires time to devote to make sure the law is followed. He also acts as a human resources director to some department heads who need employee-based questions answered.

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