Starke County Council members want more information about costs associated with setting up a park board before agreeing to do so. Tony Radkiewicz chairs the county park board committee, which was set up to gather information. Their proposed mission statement indicates there will not be a cost to the county to provide oversight to Bass Lake Beach and Campground, the Starke County Forest and other publicly dedicated lands not under municipal control. The board would be comprised of volunteer members with a personal interest in parks and recreation and a desire to be proactive in service to the community. Continue reading
Pulaski County Commissioners to Have Generator Information on July 7
The Director of Maintenance for Pulaski County gave an update on the generator situation to the commissioners Monday night.
Jeff Johnston has talked with officials with Hyre Electric out of Valparaiso to give him details about connectors to hook up generators to the courthouse, annex, county home, recycling center and highway department. He’s also gathering information whether or not what the county has is sufficient enough to work or if generators will need to be purchased.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board to Discuss Firearms Policy
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members received information on a firearms policy during their meeting Tuesday night.
There was no action, but Superintendent Lynn Johnson said it’s law and a policy should be put into place at the school.
Marshall County Commissioners Move Forward with Property Transfer
The Marshall County Commissioners are moving forward with deeding property to the city of Plymouth.
There are three lots that were on the county’s tax sales for years that failed to sell. Mayor Mark Senter approached Treasurer Deb Vandemark about the possibility of the county deeding those parcels to the city for the city’s use and she brought it to the attention of the commissioners earlier this month.
Pulaski County Food Pantry in Need of Donations
The Pulaski County Human Services Food Pantry is in need of supplies to help many families in need.
The food pantry staff helped 135 families totaling 404 people in the month of May. That’s 16,968 pounds of food. According to Pulaski County Human Services officials, the commodities from the Lafayette Food Bank are minimal so community support is key.
Community Leader Honored for Altruism
The annual 1st Source Bank Ernestine M. Raclin Award is given to people in the community who display exceptional selflessness. Cathie Jessee was one of the recipients of the 16th annual community leadership award. She was personally awarded $1,000 and another $1,000 was to be donated in her honor to the organization of her choice. Jessee chose to donate the charity portion to Knox Community Elementary School. Of that, $500 is being donated to the nurse’s office to provide extra clothes in case of accidents. The other half of the money will go into a fund to help under-privileged children afford field trip fees.
Winamac Man Killed in White County Motorcycle Crash
A Tuesday afternoon motorcycle crash in rural White County claims a Winamac man’s life. Travis Hunt, 32, was northbound on County Road 650 East, just north of Buffalo, when his bike was struck by a southbound vehicle. Hunt was pronounced dead at IU Health White Memorial Hospital, according to WLFI-TV. He was not wearing a helmet. The driver of the car, Raul Salazar Diaz, 37, of Idaville, was not injured. Salazar was arrested on a charge of operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license.
Child Welfare Investigation Leads to Meth Lab Bust, Two Arrests
An investigation into the welfare of a child in Pulaski County ends with drug charges against the two adults at the home after an active meth lab was reportedly found on the property. Continue reading
“Murder Victim” Found Alive, Three Arrested on Drug Charges
A report of a possible murder victim stashed underneath a trailer north of Winamac turned out to be a false alarm after the person was found safe in Starke County. Yesterday morning two men went to the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, told officials there they had spent the night at the trailer, and people in the house had discussed the murder. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Approves Budget Reductions
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members discussed budget reductions during their meeting last night.
There were only three members in attendance, but Superintendent Lynn Johnson explained to those present what cuts they were looking to make. Johnson said the cancellation of grants and declining school enrollment were two main reasons for the $1.2 million cut.
Starke County Man Sentenced to Ten Years in DOC
A Starke County man was sentenced to ten years in the Indiana Department of Corrections in a hearing held in Starke Circuit Court Tuesday morning.
Jacob Nemeth, 23, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of incest as a Class C felony in a hearing on May 20 and he also admitted to a probation violation.
Jury Trial Scheduled for Today in Starke Circuit Court
A jury trial will be held in Starke Circuit Court today.
Brad Allen is facing charges of dealing in methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and possession of precursors and/or chemical reagents, a Class D felony. The alleged incident occurred on June 3, 2013.
A 12-member jury will be seated this morning and opening statements and witness testimony will occur following the seating of the jury.
Council Approves Vehicle Purchases for Sheriff
Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen has the county council’s permission to buy two new patrol cars. Funds for one vehicle will come from from the county’s cumulative capital development fund. The other will be paid for from the commissioners’ EDIT fund. The county has agreed to spend up to $30,000 each on the vehicles, with the rest of the money to come from the sheriff’s commissary account. Continue reading
Pulaski County Commissioners Offer Comment on Military Vehicle Use
The Pulaski County Commissioners were asked by a citizen to address their thoughts on the use and ownership of military vehicles in the county. That update was given at the commissioner’s meeting Monday night.
EMA Director Larry Hoover was present and stated that there were no dollars spent to get these vehicles. The only money spent was for manpower and fuel to get the vehicles and bring them to Pulaski County. As Sheriff Michael Gayer explained to the Pulaski County Council members last week, fuel was spent out of his budget and no additional tax money was used in the acquisition of the military vehicles.
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Large Change Order
The Marshall County Commissioners approved a rather large change order during their meeting Monday morning for the 7th Road project.
At the previous meeting, Bart Trester from USI told the commissioners that unsuitable soil was found along the project route. Upon testing, it was found that the soil had a high organic compound which is not stable for construction. A soil bore had been conducted prior to the start of the project, but the soil composition was found to change frequently along the route. Trester explained that the organic soil needs to be removed.
State Police Unveil Meth Lab Address Website
A searchable list of properties previously identified by law enforcement as clandestine meth lab sites is now available on the Internet. The new link on the Indiana State Police website provides the date of seizure, county, street address, type of lab and location of the lab on the property listed. Continue reading
Anthony Aldana Arrested on Drug Charge
A wanted LaPorte man is in jail on a drug charge.
Members of the Michigan City Police Department Fugitive Apprehension Street Team took Anthony Aldana, 20, into custody on Monday. Aldana was wanted on a charge of dealing a schedule III controlled substance (suboxone), a Class A felony.
New Animal Shelter Opening in Pulaski County
Animal lovers of Pulaski County can prepare for the opening of the new Pulaski Animal Center.
This non-profit organization aims to prevent animal cruelty and provide homes for misplaced animals. Their purpose is to educate the community about proper animal care and promote appropriate steps to prevent overpopulation. The facility will take owner surrenders and strays, but they do not have the ability to pick animals up. They can not accept any animals with severe medical conditions or extremely aggressive behavioral issues.
Keep the Kiwanis Fireworks Display Free by Donating Now
Each year on the Fourth of July, the Winamac Kiwanis Club puts on a colorful fireworks show in the sky over the town park.
Putting on a fun fireworks display for our national holiday is one way they provide for local children, which is the mission of the Kiwanis Club. However, this tradition is something people of all ages can look forward to.
K-9 Finds Drugs During Traffic Stops
A Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department K-9 officer has made three drug-related arrests this week. Both followed traffic stops during which drug dog Gil reportedly indicated the presence of drugs in the vehicles. Continue reading