Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin hopes to raise enough money through donations to add a second drug and search dog to his department. The county commissioners Monday gave him permission to proceed with fundraisers to cover the cost of a dog, training for the animal and its handler. Money will also go toward veterinary expenses, food and equipment for the county’s existing dog. Continue reading
Senator Donnelly Visits Knox Business; Expands Little on Iran Nuclear Talks
The latest photo opportunity for U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly happened to be in Knox on Tuesday.
The Senator was touring multiple businesses in the Northern Indiana region as part of a “Donnelly Day.” The Democrat uses the visits to learn more about what’s important to workers in Indiana by performing tasks alongside various employees.
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Absentee Voting Gets Under Way in Knox Primary
The Starke County Clerk’s Office welcomed nine voters Tuesday on the first day to vote absentee in the May 5 Knox Primary Election.
Incumbent Democrat Mayor Rick Chambers is seeking another term. He faces opposition from Democrat Dennis Estok, who previously served as mayor. Incumbent District 2 Councilman Ron Parker has drawn a primary challenge from fellow Democrat Priscilla Upp. Council District 4 incumbent Gregory L. Matt is opposed by Democrat Tim Manns in the primary. The winner of that contest will face Republican Anthony (Tony) Radkiewicz, Sr. in the November General Election. Democrats Bertha Blue and Dorine Barbara Godinez are vying for the Knox City Council At-Large seat given up by Linda Berndt. Incumbent councilmen Donald L. Kring and Jeff Berg are unopposed. So is Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeffery J. Houston. Voters will choose between incumbent Republican City Court Judge Charles F. Hasnerl and Democrat Angelo Masuka in November.
Polling Site Construction Project On Schedule
Work continues to help improve a polling site in North Bend Township.
During Monday’s Starke County Election Board meeting, an update was received on construction at the site. Starke County was awarded a Help America Vote Act, or HAVA, grant worth nearly $25-thousand to complete several projects.
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Pulaski County Election Board to Research E-Poll Book Purchase
The Pulaski County Election Board will be looking into the feasibility of purchasing e-poll books after meeting with the Pulaski County Commissioners Monday night.
Board member Jon Frain explained that the implementation of e-poll books is the next step in upgrading the election equipment. The county would purchase iPads with election software. Voting officials would be able to scan a voter’s Driver’s License into the computer, and that would create a digital signature page to move the process at a quicker pace.
Counterfeit Bills Circulating Culver Not Seen For Period
Residents in Culver are being asked to be on the lookout for counterfeit bills.
According to officials with the Town of Culver, the bills are largely focused to $20 bills and higher. The counterfeit currency is said to look fairly realistic, but is missing a key watermark in addition to the reflective ink typically associated with real bills.
Pulaski County Residents Asked to Participate in Development Survey
Harlem Wizards Set to Work Basketball Magic at Weinberg Gym
Head to Weinberg Gym in Knox tonight for “trick-hoops and alley-oops” courtesy of the Harlem Wizards. The legendary exhibition basketball team will take on “The Tribe” – a team comprised of local celebrities in a fundraiser for the Knox High School Band Boosters. Director Craige Phipps says general admission, reserve seat and meet-and-greet tickets are available. Continue reading
West Central Students Collect Change in Pennies for Patients Campaign
Students participating in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program at the West Central School Corporation were successful in collecting funds for the Pennies for Patients initiative.
The goal was set at $2,500, but Superintendent Don Street told WKVI News that the goal was surpassed. The students collected over $3,000 to benefit patients who are part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Any loose change was donated by students in the high school, middle school, and elementary school.
Starke County Career Success Coalition Ready to Build on Goals
Members of a group charged with improving local access to post-secondary education will meet Thursday to review their visions and goals and make a plan to attain them. The Starke County Career Success Coalition’s objectives address access to higher education and its completion. Specifically they hope 25 percent of local students finish college by 2025. Continue reading
Knox Man Arrested after Alleged Threats at Knox High School
A Knox man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly making threats to harm individuals within the Knox Community High School.
Officers from the Knox City Police Department were notified of the situation after Paul J. Esparza, 20, had entered Knox High School and was escorted from the building by school officials twice. The initial complaint suggested that Esparza was in possession of a handgun, according to a news release. Officers found Esparza in the area of the school shortly after notification and took him into custody. Police say he was not armed at the time.
No Injuries Reported in Early Morning House Fire
The North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department spent about two hours battling a blaze at a home southeast of town early this morning. Continue reading
Surgery Delays Murder Trial, Prompts Reevaluation of Jail Medical Contract
A murder trial scheduled to start April 13 in Starke Circuit Court has been pushed back to at least July so the defendant can have surgery deemed medically necessary by a provider under contract with the county. Gary Chavez is accused of beating his estranged wife, Kimberly Chavez, to death at their rural California Township home last June. From there police say he drove to Mark Bailey’s Discount Center, kidnapped an employee and drove to English Lake where he’s accused of stealing a second vehicle. Chavez then led police on a high-speed chase into LaPorte and Porter Counties, according to court records. He’s accused of stealing a third vehicle in Kouts and continuing into Lake County. Police there say Chavez shot himself in the face when officers in Crown Point managed to stop his vehicle. He was airlifted to a Chicagoland area hospital and released to the custody of the Starke County Sheriff last August. Chavez remains in jail. Continue reading
Religious Freedom Restoration Act Affects Marshall County Manufacturer
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act has caused some concern for a Marshall County manufacturing company.
The Marshall County Commissioners took up the conversation Monday morning. Commissioner Kevin Overmyer did not release the name of the company but did say that the manufacturer’s largest customer has opted to discontinue business due to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jerry Chavez commented that he received the same communication. He said the state moved in an aggressive matter concerning the legislation.
Pulaski County Commissioners Anticipate Highway Superintendent Resignation
The Pulaski County Commissioners will be interviewing candidates for the top position at the county highway department.
The commissioners approved action to interview internally for the position of superintendent, however, a letter of resignation from acting Superintendent Mark Fox has not been filed with the county. They anticipate that letter to be filed this week. If the commissioners feel that a person currently working for the county does not fit what they’re looking for in a candidate, they will advertise externally for the position.
Knox School Board Announces Elementary School Construction Timeline
Construction of the addition to the Knox Elementary School is expected to begin within 30 days, Dana J. Wannemacher, vice president Barton Coe Vilamaa, architects and engineers, reported to the Knox School Board last night. Weather and scheduling were cited as contributing to about a month’s delay in breaking ground. The board approved details of the kitchen and cafeteria area and equipment. Continue reading
Absentee Voting Begins Today
In-office absentee voting for the City of Knox Municipal Primary Election begins today and will be available through Monday, May 4. Absentee voting hours will be from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the second-floor meeting room in the Starke County Courthouse. Evening absentee voting hours are available on Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday absentee voting hours will be April 25 and May 2 from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Starke Election Board Leaves Voting Hours Alone After Previous Approval
The Starke County Election Board advertised early and absentee voting hours, and then considered changing them the day before it’s supposed to start.
Following a vote at their last meeting to set the hours for voting prior to the primary election, Starke County Clerk Vicky Cooley brought a proposal to the board to reduce the number of hours early voting can take place.
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New Starke County Jail Nearing Completion
To use a baseball analogy, construction of the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Detention Center has rounded third base and is heading for home plate. That’s how Dion Katsouros from Skillman Corporation described the project to the Starke County Building Corporation during their monthly meeting. Continue reading
West Central School Board Reviews E-Learning Survey Results
Students at the West Central School Corporation participated in their first e-learning day of instruction on Saturday, March 14. The school board reviewed returned surveys last week following the experience.
Superintendent Don Street said that the responses were favorable for this type of method in making up missed days of instruction.
“Out of the parents that responded to the survey, 87.4 percent found that the e-learning day was effective,” explained Street. “From the students that responded to the survey, 65.6 percent found e-learning to be effective. Forty-nine of our staff members responded with 85.7 percent stating that our students made the expectations for the day.”
