People traveling this week for the holidays will see sizeable savings in fuel costs. GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says prices are much lower than recent past years.
Knox Board of Works to Meet Today
The Knox Board of Public Works will meet this morning to take care of end-of-the-year business.
The board will open and review sealed quotes for purchase of a truck and bed for the street department. Street Superintendent Jeff Borg said previously that he will be ordering more parts for the new truck as money is available.
BMV Announces Holiday Hours
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has announced closures for the holiday season. Branches will not be open Thursday, Dec. 25 or Friday, Dec. 26. On Saturday Dec. 27 license branches resume normal business hours. Continue reading
Final Pre-Trial Hearing Held in Case of Robert Corbin
A final pre-trial conference was conducted Friday morning in Starke Circuit Court in the case of Robert Corbin. Corbin is charged with two counts of attempted child seduction.
The State of Indiana filed a motion to allow 404B evidence when the case goes to trial on Jan. 14 to which the defense objected. Under the law, the prosecutor must provide reasonable notice of the general nature of any such evidence that the prosecutor intends to offer at trial; anddo so before trial.
Michigan City Man Dies after He Darts in Front of Car
A Michigan City man was pronounced dead at the scene of a car/pedestrian accident in the 9800 North block of U.S. Highway 12 early this morning.
According to an investigation by the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, Richard Schmuhl, 83, was attempting to cross the street when he suddenly darted out in front of an oncoming passenger car. Schmuhl was struck by the driver’s side of the car. Officers found him in the highway and he was pronounced dead by an official with the LaPorte County Coroner’s Office.
Davis Presides Over Final Commissioners Meeting, Cowen Honored
Jennifer Davis has presided over her final meeting as president of the Starke County Commissioners. Instead of seeking reelection to that body, Davis opted instead to run for a seat on the Starke County Council.
“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to serve,” Davis said at the conclusion of Monday’s county commissioners meeting. Democrat Don Binkley is taking her place.
Davis attended yesterday’s reception at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department in honor of Sheriff Oscar Cowen. He’s held that office for eight years and is stepping down due to term limits. Democrat Bill Dulin will take over as sheriff in January.
Pulaski County Commissioner, Recycling Center Director Commended for Years of Service, Clark
Pulaski County Commissioner Tracey Shorter was recognized by Commission President Larry Brady for her years of service to the residents of Pulaski County.
Brady presented Shorter with a plaque. Shorter did not run for re-election in this year’s election for her seat on the county commission. Bud Krohn, Jr. will begin his four-year term on Jan. 1. The first meeting of the Pulaski County Commissioners in 2015 is Jan. 5.
Marshall County Auditor Recognized for Years of Service
Marshall County Auditor Penny Lukenbill was recognized for her efforts as a county auditor and as a county employee during the Marshall County Commissioners meeting Monday morning.
David Bottorff, the executive director of the Association of Indiana Counties, said Lukenbill served as president of the association and talked to legislators about county issues. To recognize her efforts, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski mentioned Lukenbill’s accomplishments into the congressional record. Ben Falkowski presented Lukenbill with a plaque. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Academic Team Recognized
The North Judson-San Pierre Academic Team was given the Blue Jay Way award at the school board meeting this week for winning the annual spell bowl competition last month. The school hosted the elementary competition for 11 schools in five different classes competing against each other. Continue reading
Meetings in Culver Rescheduled for the Holidays
The Culver Town Council and Culver Community School Board have rescheduled their meetings over the next two weeks in light of the holidays. Continue reading
Body Found in Marshall County, Sheriff’s Department Investigating
Authorities in Marshall County are investigating after a woman’s body was found in a rural area near Bremen. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Students Stage Sit-In
Students at North Judson-San Pierre High School staged a sit-in today to protest the school’s decision to move the band to the auditorium and turn the music suite into a weight room. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says in a letter to choral and band parents “the intention is not to devalue music.” She says the existing second floor weight room behind the bleachers is no longer structurally sound and must be located on the ground level. Johnson adds major renovations are not possible at this time due to financial concerns.
Her letter explains physical education is a required course of study for high school students, and the curriculum includes physical conditioning. Johnson says “this means all high school students use the weight room, not just athletes”.
Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $125 Million for Tonight’s Drawing
Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is worth a whopping $125 million, which is the largest in six weeks. Tickets for the multi-state jackpot are $1 each and are available at more than 4,000 Hoosier Lottery retailers nationwide. Continue reading
PFC Frank Ono Added to South Shore Wall of Legends
Starke County’s most decorated veteran is the recipient of another honor. PFC Frank Ono is among the latest South Shore Wall of Legends inductees. The wall is located at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. Continue reading
Marshall County Solid Waste Director Resigns
The director of the Marshall County Solid Waste District has resigned.
Michael T. Good tendered his resignation effective immediately. The Marshall County Solid Waste District met Thursday and accepted his resignation.
Good was indicted by a Marshall County grand jury this week on counts of theft as a Class D felony and official misconduct as a Class D felony.
Hometown Collaboration Initiative Team to Visit Pulaski County
A team of state officials will be in Pulaski County today to meet with local officials. The county is one of six finalists for the state’s new Hometown Collaboration Initiative. It seeks to help small communities expand their pipeline of local leaders, strengthen and expand jobs by building on existing economic assets and to improve attractiveness and quality of life of their hometowns. Pulaski County Economic Development Director Nathan P. Origer says he’s pulled together a group of 14 community members as part of the process. Continue reading
Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
Two were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon.
Shayna Howard pleaded guilty to a charge of residential entry as a Class D felony. On June 29, she said she entered the wrong home after a party in which she became highly intoxicated. Judge Kim Hall accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Howard to 18 months in the Indiana Department of Corrections with the sentence suspended to be served on probation. As part of the plea agreement, she will need to attend substance abuse classes or any other program recommended by the probation department.
Starke County Officials Sworn In
Several newly elected Starke County officials took their oaths of office on Thursday, Dec. 18 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. Their terms of office will begin on Jan. 1, 2015.
Officers Recognized at Marshall County Commissioners Meeting
Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin recognized several officers for going above and beyond the call of duty in their line of work.
Rick Prater, Ryan Hollopeter, Matt Brown, Brandon Cooper, Jonathan Bryant and Travis ONeal were recognized for their life-saving efforts in separate calls.
Officers Matt Brown and Brandon Cooper tended to a victim in June of 2013 who was not breathing and was turning blue. The officers initiated chest compressions and shocks from an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) until paramedics could arrive at the scene. The victim in this case survived due to the efforts of the officers and EMS.
Judge Seeks to Fill Vacancy on Starke County Park Board
Last week’s resignation of a Starke County Park Board member has created a vacancy on that recently-populated board. Mike Meadows was named to the panel by Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall, who is now looking to appoint his replacement. Continue reading
