Law Tightened Regarding Synthetic Drugs

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
The law is once again being tightened regarding dangerous synthetic drugs, this time closing a critical loophole in the state’s previous ban by illegalizing the possession of or dealing in “look-alike” synthetic drugs. State Senator Jim Merritt’s legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 536, was signed into law this month by Governor Mike Pence and Merritt said he is glad to see the legislation passed as it was one of his top priorities this session.

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Money Remains Best Way to Assist Disaster Victims

  
 

As the death toll continues to climb in the wake of yesterday’s horrific Oklahoma tornado, many people are asking what they can do to help. The American Red Cross and other disaster relief organizations are already on the ground providing food and supplies to first responders and setting up shelters for displaced residents. Giving money to organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other reputable nonprofit organizations is the fastest, most effective way to help victims of this and other disasters. While donations of food, clothing and household items are well intentioned, they need to be stored, sorted and given out to people who may be living in shelters or staying with friends or family members. Additionally, trying to warehouse and distribute items taxes local volunteer resources. Continue reading

Starke County Council Approves Jail Mediation Agreement

Starke County Sheriff's Department
Starke County Sheriff’s Department
Starke County officials took a major step toward settling the federal class action lawsuit filed by inmates who claim jail overcrowding violates their civil rights. After some discussion, council members agreed to accept the mediation agreement worked out last month. County attorney Marty Lucas says it will cost the county $90,000 in attorney fees for the plaintiff’s counsel. The inmates who sued won’t get any money. Lucas says the negotiated amount is considerably less than the county would have paid had the lawsuit gone forward.

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Pulaski Commissioners, Building Inspector Discuss Home Demolition

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Commissioners and Building Inspector Dave Dare held a discussion regarding an unsafe building at 533 N. Monticello St. in Winamac that Dare said is in very bad shape and needs to be addressed. He said the order to repair or demolish the building went out on April 24 and he received confirmation of its delivery via certified mail on April 26.

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New Wing Beginning to Take Shape at Henry F. Schricker Public Library

 
 
The construction project at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox continues as the new addition begins to take shape. Library Director Sheila Urwiler said the construction crews are currently working on the wall framing and sheeting, roof framing, and structural steel aspects of the work and they will soon begin the roof trusses and exterior wall sheeting.

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NJPD to Conduct Unclaimed Property Sale

North Judson Police Department
North Judson Police Department
The North Judson Police Department has announced that they will be holding an unclaimed property sale on Saturday, June 8 beginning at 10 a.m., when they will conduct an auction or sale of unclaimed recovered property as well as some items laying around the department.

A variety of items, including more than 35 bicycles, several stereo speakers, a few strands of wire, a few tools and a number of gasoline cans will be sold. Each bicycle will have a minimum price of $10.

The auction begins at 10 a.m. at the North Judson Police Station, where the items will be displayed in the back near the garage area.

Karaoke Contest Planned as Part of Mint Festival Activities

  
 
Aspiring performers are urged to showcase their vocal talent during the North Judson Mint Festival Karaoke Contest. It’s scheduled Friday, June 14 at 6 p.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran School Gym in North Judson. C & D Entertainment is hosting and all ages are welcome to take part. Trophies will be presented for first, second and third place winners in the ages 1-12, 12-17 and 18 and up categories. Call Chuck or Donna at (574) 806-2501 to sign up by June 1.

Gov. Pence Signs Bill to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
The issue of over-prescription and abuse of controlled substances is being addressed by state senators and was signed into law this month by Governor Mike Pence. A bill introduced by State Senator Ron Grooms to crack down on the issue provides the Indiana Medical Licensing Board with the authority to regulate who can own and operate pain clinics prescribing controlled substances like hydrocodone and oxycodone.

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Bremen Police Find Meth Lab, Two Arrested

Meth BustBremen Police Officers responding to a call about trespassers found an apparent meth lab inside a residence in the 400 block of South East Street. The incident occurred yesterday around 3:30 p.m. according to WNDU-TV. Brandon Shackelford and Raymond Van Blaricom are being held in the Marshall County Jail.

 

Leon D. Wuethrich

Funeral services for Leon D. Wuethrich, 91, of Selma, formerly of Francesville, are Friday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. EDT at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville. Visitation is Thursday, May 23 from 3-8 p.m. EDT at the Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville and Friday, May 24 one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Marshall County Commissioners Approve WECS Ordinance

This sign was held up at a previous meeting of the Marshall County Commissioners

In a unanimous vote, the Marshall County Commissioners voted to approve ordinance 2013-04 which refers to amendments proposed for Wind Energy Conversion Systems.

Marshall County Plan Director, Ralph Booker, reminded the Commissioners of the proposed amendments and noted that the phrase “large wind systems” and “wind farms” were deleted from the Agriculture and Industrial zoning and “small wind farms” was added. The ordinance calls for a 2,640 foot setback of any wind turbine farm and basically disallows a Wind Energy Conversion System in Marshall County.

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Knox Man Jailed on Heroin Charge

  
 

A Starke County Community Corrections inmate faces new charges after he was reportedly found to be in possession of heroin during a recent compliance check. Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office accompanied corrections officials to check on Kurtis Singleton at a home northeast of Knox on Friday. They reportedly found heroin in his cigarette pack and arrested him for possession of heroin and maintaining a common nuisance. A female juvenile was also arrested.

 

ATV Rider Injured in Hit-and-Run Accident

 
 

A New Buffalo, Mich. man is hospitalized in South Bend following a Saturday night hit-and-run accident. It happened around 10:30 near County Road 1000 North and 150 East in LaPorte County. Matthew Ramsey, 21, was driving his ATV on the roadway when he was struck by a pickup truck. Ramsey was thrown from the ATV and run over by the truck, according to officials with the DNR law enforcement division. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources 24-Hour Dispatch Center at 812-837-9536.

Sarah Tabor Sentenced in Marshall County Superior Court 1

 
 
A former Plymouth resident was sentenced in Marshall County Superior Court 1 to 10 years in prison with four years suspended Friday after she pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to a charge of Manufacturing Methamphetamine.

The charge stems from an incident on Dec. 28, 2011 where Sarah Tabor, 21, was arrested in Starke County and told detectives that an active methamphetamine lab was in her apartment on Washington Street in Plymouth. Plymouth officers arrived at the scene and noticed a strong chemical coming from that apartment. They were concerned for the safety of the neighbors and gained entry into the apartment to locate and secure the source of the chemical smell. When inside, the officers found a backpack with items that are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. After securing those items, officers exited the apartment to await arrival of the landlord who gave consent to search the apartment more thoroughly.

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Starke County Council to Review Jail Settlement

Starke County Sheriff's Department
Starke County Sheriff’s Department

County attorney Martin Lucas will present a proposed mediation agreement regarding overcrowding conditions at the county jail to the Starke County Council when they meet this evening. Jack Haut and several other inmates sued the county in April of 2011. Their lawsuit claims the cramped conditions violate their civil rights. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office has been sending prisoners to Pulaski County for the past year to alleviate the overcrowding, and the county is moving forward with plans to build a new jail east of Knox on State Road 8 and County Road 550 East.

Knox Community School Board to Meet Tonight

 
 

The Knox Community School Board will be meeting tonight for the first time after the school’s proposed referendum failed in a special election held May 7.

Plans as to how the board will move forward are not on tonight’s agenda, but the board members will be discussing the employment of summer school paraprofessionals, make a library board appointment and get an update on graduation activities.

A representative was present at the last board meeting to discuss a Roth 403(B) ING retirement option and the board will delve more into that discussion during tonight’s meeting. The board will also discuss a payment for special education.

The meeting begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the administrative office.

North Judson Resident Walking 2079 Miles Encouraging ACS Donations

  
 
A North Judson man set off this weekend on a soul-searching journey across the country with the hopes of raising funds for the American Cancer Society in the process. Wes Carter, 22, began a 2079-mile walk Saturday evening around 7 p.m., heading toward San Diego – an on-foot journey that he expects to take roughly two months.

His journey soon turned into more than just a very long walk as he decided to contact ACS, turning the adventure into something more. Carter’s family had been touched by cancer, and he decided that raising awareness and encouraging donations to ACS along their trip was something he needed to do.

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Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Summer School Classes

Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman
The Eastern Pulaski School Board approved summer school programs at their recent meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman stated that one class will be P.E. for high school students.

“They can have that credit completed during the summer in a fashion where they have three and four hour blocked time,” explained Klitzman. “With just a little imagination and creativity, you can see how much more things that opens up and that you can do with that block of time.”

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