Officers from the Hamlet Police Department investigated a theft call that occurred at a residence on Pearl Street on Tuesday, Dec. 10. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was granted and officers from the Hamlet Police Department and the Starke County Sheriff’s Department executed that search warrant at 7871 N. Clover Lane in Koontz Lake.
Metal scrappers are stealing wiring from highway light poles along the I-80/94 and I-65 corridors in Northwest Indiana. Over the last two years, state highway lighting wire theft has cost Indiana taxpayers more than $300,000 in repair and replacement costs.
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston said his department is in need of an additional part-time employee, but the county council this week decided to postpone discussion until next year. Johnston approached the council during their meeting on Monday night with a request to hire another part-time employee with the help of a $12,900 additional transfer.
Starke County residents will see a specific fee on tax statements in 2014.
Treasurer Kasey Clark told WKVI that the solid waste fee will be on the spring tax statement. She said the fee, which is around $20 in some cases, will be a separate item on the tax bill and will be due when the regular property taxes are due in her office in May.
The Knox City Council this week learned an unexpected statistic from Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, who explained that one-third of his department’s calls are for medical purposes. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, it is inconvenient for the fire department because they receive no reimbursement for medical calls, but must pay $10 to each firefighter that responds to the call.
With frigid cold temperatures in the forecast, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency wants families and individuals to stay safe when faced with hazardously cold temperatures.
Andrew Velasquez, FEMA regional administrator, said subfreezing temperatures can be dangerous and even life-threatening for people who don’t take the proper precautions.
It was music to the ears of race fans to hear the cars back on the track Wednesday after the NASCAR season ended on Nov. 17 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
This wasn’t specifically a race, but a test to gather data for the development of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series intermediate-track package for 2014.
Sixteen race teams and 30 drivers were on hand to test several changes to the Gen-6 car. Officials believe that the changes will enhance racing.
As expected, Richard Childress named Austin Dillon as the driver of the No. 3 Dow Chemicals Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in a press conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway Wednesday afternoon.
Executives from Dow Chemicals expressed their enthusiasm by expanding their partnership with NASCAR. The company already provides safety innovations in the sport and will sponsor 16 races with Austin piloting the No. 3.
One person died after a two vehicle accident on U.S. 30 just east of 600 E. in Hamlet this morning.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call about the accident just before 10 a.m. After an investigation, officers found that a westbound semi and trailer had crossed the median and entered the eastbound lane and struck the SUV.
As a result, Joseph Lippner of Knox was arrested on a preliminary charge of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Heroin). Emilee Kajer of Knox was also arrested as part of this investigation on a preliminary charge Maintaining a Common Nuisance.
Sunday’s house fire in downtown Knox left two single mothers and seven children homeless. The blaze at 7 N. Bower Street started in a second floor bedroom, according to Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, who believes an electrical heater is to blame. Nobody was injured, but the families were able to salvage very little. The Kid’s Closet Ministry at North Judson United Methodist Church has stepped in to offer assistance, and the St. Joseph County American Red Cross chapter is providing temporary shelter. An account has also been set up at First Farmer’s Bank and Trust in Knox and North Judson if anyone would like to make a monetary gift to the Sexton Family Fire Fund.
Indiana Department of Transportation spokesman Matt Deitchley notified WKVI Tuesday that the bridge was open to traffic. The last part of the project which included finishing the final surface of the roadway, lane striping and median work was completed in the past few days.
The Knox City Council this week passed a motion increasing the city’s income protection insurance benefit from $300 per week to $1000 per week. The discussion originated from a fireman who was injured while investigating a fire, preventing him from working his full-time job.
