Two Wanted Subjects Arrested in Marshall County

 
 
Two wanted men were arrested in Marshall County after a patrolman observed the pair walking on Plum Street near Harrison Street. The officer initiated contact with the subjects, identified as Charles Derek Sanders and Anthony Porter, but Sanders immediately ran. He didn’t get too far, however, as the officer was able to chase him down and, using his taser, immediately stopped the resistance.

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Plymouth Man Receives Five Year Sentence in Marshall County Superior Court

 
 
A five-year sentence was handed down to a 35-year-old Plymouth man who pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to charges of Possession of a Narcotic Drug, a Class D felony and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangerment.

Ryan Stockberger was arrested on Dec. 18, 2012 after two different people called police to report an erratic driver traveling south on U.S. 31 through Lakeville and approaching Lapaz. The vehicle was stopped by police and the driver, Stockberger, failed several sobriety tests. When he was taken into custody and his vehicle was searched, a quantity of heroin was discovered along with several syringes and other drug related paraphernalia.

On Thursday, Stockberger was sentenced to three years in the Department of Corrections for the charge of Possession of a Narcotic Drug and two years for the charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person. Those sentences will run consecutively for a total of five years. No part of his sentence was suspended.

INDOT to Close Portion of U.S. 6 for Construction

 
 
INDOT has announced the closure of U.S. 6 between U.S. 31 and Lilac Road beginning June 3 to ensure driver safety while crews work on the U.S. 31/U.S. 6 interchange as part of the new U.S. 31 project. The road closure is expected to last through early September 2013.

A detour will take eastbound traffic south on U.S. 31, east on U.S. 30, north on S.R. 331, and back to U.S. 6. Westbound traffic will travel south on S.R. 331, west on U.S. 30, north on U.S. 31, and back to U.S. 6.

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Marshall County PD Investigating Burglary

 
 

The Marshall County Police Department is investigating a burglary in the 6000 block of 15th Road in Argos that occurred Thursday afternoon. Dispatch informed officers around 5:09 p.m. that a burglary had occurred, and upon further investigation, police learned that the residence had been broken into during the middle of the day and that several electronic devices had been stolen.

The incident is still under investigation and officials are urging anyone who may have information regarding the burglary to contact the Marshall County Police Department at (574) 936-3187.

Starke County Employees Enjoy Appreciation Picnic

David Pearman
David Pearman
Yesterday afternoon’s weather provided a brief respite from the sticky, humid heat and heavy rains that have been taking turns around the area, and Starke County officials jumped at the opportunity to provide an appreciation day for county employees. County Council President Dave Pearman said it’s a concept that they’ve tossed around for a while and, finally, they decided to just get the ball rolling and start a new tradition.

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Starke County Businesses Decorate for Relay for Life

 
 
The Relay for Life in Starke County begins Friday, June 7 at 6 p.m. CT at the Starke County Fairgrounds in Hamlet.

In a prelude to the event, several businesses are decorating their store fronts in everything purple to help support the cause and spread the word about Relay for Life. Event Coordinator Samantha Sims said the winner of the competition will get bragging rights. She added that it’s great to get business support in helping the fight against cancer.

The winner will be announced at the relay event next weekend.

Save Your Dog’s Life By Preventing Heartworms

 
 
It’s been a wet, warm spring thus far in the Kankakee Valley and the mosquito population is booming. Anyone who has been working outside is undoubtedly aware of that, and while mosquitoes are an annoyance and a health concern for humans, disease-carrying mosquitoes are also a major concern for dogs. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm disease, but while every dog is vulnerable to the illness, protecting your animal against it is easy.

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Production at Former Whitley Products Plant Begins

Whitley Products
Whitley Products
Production at the former Whitley Products plant in Plymouth is looking to continue.

According to Marshall County Economic Development Executive Director Jay Bahr, six or seven employees will be working at the plant purchased by Michigan-based Aggressive Manufacturing Innovations. AMI has retained the Plant Manager from the Whitley Products crew and the employees at the Plymouth plant will continue manufacturing parts for tractors and diesel-powered equipment for the agriculture business.

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Planting Season Nearing Completion

  
 
The spring planting season had farmers a little delayed in getting their crops in the ground, but Purdue Extension Starke County Ag and Natural Resources Educator, Chad Rushing, says planting is about finished.

“We’re definitely above average as far as the state goes,” said Rushing. “Corn planting is over 95 percent done – probably closer to 99 percent. We’ve got a little seed corn left, but all of the commercial corn is generally in.”

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Kersting’s Cycle Center Receives $1085 Grant for Efficient Lighting

  
 
Kersting’s Cycle Center, like most other businesses throughout the country, is looking for ways to cut down on costs. Thanks to Kankakee Valley REMC, Jason Kersting learned about the Power Moves program offered by Wabash Valley Power which provides cash incentives to commercial and industrial facilities that replace older, less-efficient lighting and other devices with higher-efficiency equipment.

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PCCF to Hold Grads in Action Program, Scholarship Recognition June 15

  
 
The Pulaski County Community Foundation is inviting scholarship recipients, their parents, donors and members of the community to attend the Scholarship Recognition Picnic at the Tippecanoe River State Park on Saturday, June 15. The Grads in Action project will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the nature center, with the Scholar Picnic following at noon and their recognition program at 1 p.m. at the River Shelter.

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John Glenn High School Senior Awarded ICOO Scholarship

  
 
John Glenn High School senior Cole Kaser is the recipient of the Thomas J. Deniston Memorial Scholarship presented by the Indiana Conservation Officers Organization.

Kaser is planning to pursue a degree in conservation law enforcement at Vincennes University this fall.

The Indiana Conservation Officers Organization awards six scholarships a year to students seeking a college degree in conservation law enforcement or law enforcement. Kaser was one of those six state-wide recipients this year.

Lapaz Fire Department Raises $1000 for Hoosier Burn Camp

 
 
The Lapaz-North Township Fire Department recently announced that the members met their goal of $1,000 to donate to the Hoosier Burn Camp.

The Hoosier Burn Camp provides campers with a week of traditional camp activities and programs that build self- esteem and foster friendships. The camp ends today. The camp helps provide a fun week of activities for young burn survivors. The Burn Camp is supported entirely by donations which allows campers to attend at no cost.

The Lapaz Fire Department also received special recognition from Clay Fire Territory’s Local Union for fundraising efforts during the Mustache Bash. Each year, members of the local fire departments raise money and grow mustaches. Awards are given to the best and worse mustaches.

DNR Names Officer of the Year

 
 
Employees with the Department of Natural Resources were recently honored with annual awards.

Jeffrey Richwine, a conservation officer with the District 10 office, was selected as officer of the year in his district. District 10 encompasses the northwestern part of the state that includes Starke, Pulaski and LaPorte counties. That recognition made him eligible to be nominated for officer of the year and a candidate for the Pitzer Award.

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LaPorte Police Warn of Door-to-Door Scam

  
 

A door-to-door scam artist is making the rounds in LaPorte, claiming to be a music student raising money for a band trip to Florida. The LaPorte High School music director tells the police department there that there’s no ongoing solicitation, nor is there a planned band trip to Florida. Police remind residents to verify any solicitations with the organization the solicitor claims to represent.

 

Plea Agreement Filed in the Case of Bradley Austin

Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall will be considering a plea agreement between the state and defendant Bradley Austin, 22 of North Judson. The agreement was presented Wednesday morning in Starke Circuit Court.

Austin is facing one count of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor as a Class B felony. One count of Possession of Methamphetamine would be dismissed. He is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a teenage girl. The incidents allegedly occurred over a four-month period.

The plea agreement recommends a seven year sentence with four years suspended to be served on probation and a no-contact order with the victim. Restitution in the amount of $275 was also included in the agreement.

Judge Kim Hall took the plea agreement under advisement and set the sentencing hearing for Wednesday, June 12 at 9:30 a.m. CT.