The Starke County Commissioners this week authorized Sheriff Oscar Cowen to investigate the options available for selling vehicles to raise some extra funds to be used to purchase a new transport van. Cowen approached the commissioners at their meeting Wednesday and explained that the department’s current prisoner transport van is getting old and is in bad shape, and he would like to sell three vehicles to raise money to purchase a new one.
Marshall County Commissioners Reorganize, Discuss Snow Event Efforts
The Marshall County Commissioners reorganized during a special meeting Friday afternoon.
A motion was made and approved to keep the current commission members in their capacities within the board. Kevin Overmyer was retained as president, Jack Roose as vice president and Deb Griewank as a member.
West Central School Board Reorganizes, Recognizes Retirees
The West Central School Board reorganized during its first meeting of the year.
“Jim Bergens was elected president,”stated Superintendent Charles Mellon. “Dennis Gutwein was elected vice president which is his second term and the same with Kerry Miller as secretary. It’s his second time in.”
Future Legislation Aims to Rescue Abandoned Homes and Neighborhoods
Legislators are looking to introduce a bill to help address the urban blight that is plaguing cities and communities across the Hoosier state. With an estimated 30 percent of the state’s foreclosed homes abandoned, according to the financial news and opinion website 24/7 Wall Street, State Senator Jim Merritt said this issue hurts property values and can drain municipal resources.
“Local governments want property taxes coming out of that home, if you will,” he explains. “Vacancy is a poison in communities and blight is a mark against society and against the community.”
HIP Plan Waitlist Hoosiers Eligible for Program in 2014
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is adding all those remaining and found eligible on the Healthy Indiana Plan list to the plan for 2014. Room will still be available in the innovative health coverage program for around 17,000 additional low-income Hoosiers.
State Park Deer Reduction Effort Results Released
The results of the 2013 state park deer reduction effort have been released, and according to the report, the effort was a success. Twenty-one state parks required deer reductions in 2013, with the first two-day hunt held Nov. 18 and 19 and the second on Dec. 2 ad 3. A total of 1,763 deer were harvested with 6,552 hunter efforts
Starke Commissioners Make Decision Regarding “Snow Day Pay”
With the Starke County government effectively closed for two days earlier this week due to the extreme weather and state of emergency declarations, county employees were able to stay home and were not required to report to the office. However, that raises an issue for hourly employees, who would not receive their pay for those two days – a troubling scenario for any employee who lives paycheck to paycheck.
Selner Sentenced to Six Years in DOC on a Battery Charge
A Plymouth man was sentenced to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections after a Marshall County Jury found him guilty of Battery.
Mark Selner, 32, was accused of battering James Haddox while they were both incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail on Feb. 9, 2013. A video of the altercation was shown to the jury during Selner’s trial and Prosecutor Nelson Chipman emphasized that Selner sucker-punched Haddox and inflicted a total of 22 punches within a span of 19 seconds. At least 17 of those blows were inflicted while Haddox was on the floor. Haddox suffered a wound that required eight staples, an MRI and pain medication.
Mollenhauer Seeking LaPorte County Council District 1 Seat in Primary
Michael Mollenhauer, who currently serves as LaPorte County sheriff, will seek the Democratic nomination for LaPorte County Council District 1 in the May 2014 Primary.
Due to term limitations, Mollenhauer will be leaving the sheriff’s administration on Dec. 31, 2014. Mollenhauer stated in a news release that his 46 years of service to the community has given him knowledge of how local government works and said he would use that experience to watch over the financial wellbeing of LaPorte County.
Mollenhauer has served two terms as the sheriff of Laporte County, he was a veteran of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office for 29 years and made it to the rank of Captain. He also served as the Chief of Police in Bremen and worked as security for the United States Marshall Service Federal Court.
Schools Send Waiver to State to Forgive Monday and Tuesday as Missed Days
The state will forgive missed days of school on Monday and Tuesday if a waiver is filed with the Indiana Department of Education.
West Central Schools Superintendent Charles Mellon stated that he has filed the proper paperwork to have Monday and Tuesday forgiven as no school was in session either day. He also included an attachment of a notice sent by Pulaski County officials stating that the county was under a condition on Wednesday where emergency vehicles were the only approved vehicles to be on the roadways.
Mellon hopes that the school’s built in snow days will not need to utilized and the state will approve all three days.
Culver Community Schools will use Monday, Jan. 20 as a make up day for the cancellation of school on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
LaPorte Man Arrested for Theft and Escape
A work release escapee was arrested for theft late Wednesday night.
LaPorte police were called to 711 Tipton St. on a report of theft. The victim said 20-year-old Scott Skinner had just left the residence reportedly carrying a tin box with approximately $50 in change.
Shane Graham Sentenced to 10 Years on Meth Charge
A ten year prison sentence was handed down to Shane Graham, 23, of Plymouth Thursday.
Graham pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine as a Class B felony. Charges of Dealing Methamphetamine and Possession of Methamphetamine and Paraphernalia were dropped as part of the agreement. Marshall County Superior Court 1 Judge Robert O. Bowen approved a plea agreement and sentenced Graham to ten years in the Indiana Department of Corrections.
Starke Council, Commissioners Make Appointments, Reorganize
In their first meetings of the new year, the Starke County Council and the county commissioners reorganized their boards and made their necessary appointments to various boards and committees. The Starke County Commissioners reorganized, electing Jennifer Davis, the lone Democrat, as the president and Kent Danford as vice-president. Kathy Norem, previously the president, will now act as secretary. For the council, no changes were made; Dave Pearman will remain president with Mitch Semans as vice-president. Martin Lucas will serve as attorney to both the commissioners and the council.
Plymouth Woman Arrested for Theft
A Plymouth teen was arrested on Wednesday after an investigation into a theft incident.
Plymouth Police Department officers received information about the theft of a purse and its contents from the Country Charm Laundromat in Plymouth on Dec. 15. After reviewing surveillance video, the suspect was identified as 19-year-old Jessica Cavinder.
Cavinder was brought in for questioning on Wednesday and subsequently arrested. She was booked into the Marshall County Jail on a preliminary charge of Theft. Her bond was set at $3,000 cash.
New Full Time Officer in North Judson
A new police officer is on the job in North Judson.
Porter County resident Nicholas Vanni is the latest full time officer at the North Judson Police Department. He had been working part-time for the department since the summer of 2013. He attended the police academy in early August and graduated from the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Hobart in November.
Town Marshal Doug Vessely stated that Vanni is looking forward to moving to the North Judson area in the near future. He’s familiar with the area with having visited family members who live in the Starke County town.
Donations Given to Starke County Food Pantry
A business and an organization in Starke County recently made generous donations to the Starke County Community Services Food pantry. The Bass Lake Lions Club donated $500 to the pantry for necessary items. They are regular donors to the pantry.
Purchase Dog Tags for Pets in Knox City Limits
Knox officials remind you to purchase dog tags.
Dogs that are pets in homes in the city limits are required to have dog tags. It’s an affordable fee of $5.00. Purchase or renew dog tags in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office in Knox City Hall.
If you have questions about this requirement, the ordinance is available for review in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office.
Fluorescent Pink Paper Aircraft Missing in Marshall County; Reward Offered
A unit of the Civil Air Patrol based in West Chicago, Ill., is asking for the public’s help in recovering a paper aircraft that went missing after it was launched from a high-altitude balloon as part of a Guinness World Record attempt. Fox Valley Composite Squadron launched the aircraft on Saturday, Dec. 28, and they believe it landed somewhere in Marshall County.
Rain Forces Cancellation of Testing at Daytona
Local Candidates File for Office
Wednesday was the first day that candidates could file for office in a county clerk’s office.
In Pulaski County, three candidates filed their intentions to run in the 2014 May Primary Election. They include Tasha L. (Crist) Foerg (R) for clerk, Jeffery K. Richwine (R) for sheriff, and Lorena H. “Holly” VanDerAa (R) for assessor.