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This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.

Plans for the new Starke County Jail call for the eventual addition of a courtroom at the facility east of Knox on State Road 8, but the county may opt to include that project in the initial construction. President of the Commissioners Kathy Norem says the favorable financing terms the county received for the project combined with the sentencing reform that’s set to take effect make the new courtroom a higher priority. In order to accommodate this addition to the initial project, change orders will need to be turned in. Norem told the commissioners that the changes will result in some extra design costs. For instance, the video arraignment room in the current plans will be turned into a jury room, and an additional exterior door to accommodate a juror smoking area will be added. The office space for the detectives with the sheriff’s office would be moved upstairs in order to accommodate the circuit court clerks on the building’s first floor. The commissioners discussed the matter and voted to authorize DLZ to make the necessary changes to the plans in order to revisit the proposal with a better idea of the cost involved.

Pulaski Commissioners Rescind Motion to Move Offices

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter

The Pulaski County Commissioners this week approved a motion to rescind a previous motion to approve the move of the assessor’s and surveyor’s offices. Assessor Holly VanDerAa told the commissioners that she has some health concerns with her new location and said she would like to have more testing done.

Police Searching for Suspect in Pole Barn Break In

Marshall County authorities are investigating a recent break-in at a rural residence. Sometime between 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 and 7 Monday morning a pole barn in the 11000 block of 11th Road was broken into and several power tools were taken. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at 574-936-3187.

Salt Shed Construction for North Judson Delayed to Jan. 14

Because the salt shed construction for the town of North Judson has been delayed, Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the town board this week was forced to encumber the funds allocated to the project to allow the construction to take place in January. She said a shortage in crew members caused the project to be delayed until Jan. 14.

NWS Reporting Station at Starke County Airport Down

A number of Starke County residents have been unable to check the weather specifically for Knox due to a failing reporting station at the Starke County Airport. According to an official with the National Weather Service, this reporting station has been down for a while, but it doesn’t have much of an effect on their ability to predict and monitor weather. There are other sites in the surrounding area and observers that give weather information on a daily basis, but the malfunctioning reporting station does prevent Knox-specific weather from being reported.

Marshall County Highway Department Updates Commissioners

Marshall County Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck gave the commissioners and update this week on the activities of his department. Haeck said his department is looking to perform a road cut for resident Joe Stoffer for farm drainage and asphalt surface, beginning this week through Jan. 18. The cut, he said, would take place between 3rd and 4th roads on Grape Road.

State Police Detective Offers Advice When It Comes to Ice

As temperatures stay below freezing or just slightly above, the waters in the area are beginning to freeze over. That might be tempting to some daredevils who want to get out there on the ice, but it’s risky business and the Indiana State Police have some life-saving advice for anyone who may have fallen in the frigid ice.

Detective Bob May said the most important thing to keep in mind if your vehicle goes under is how to escape. He said the car will float for about two to three minutes, giving a prepared motorist plenty of time to escape.

Police Warn Stores of Quick Change Scam

Store clerks are advised to be on the lookout for quick-change artists. These are shoppers who pay for a small item with a large bill, typically a $100 note, and substitute a smaller bill like a $1 at the last second. A convenience store clerk in LaPorte fell for such a scam last week, according to police there. Two men came into the BP station on Lincolnway, stood around for awhile and walked in and out of the restroom. One of the men bought a muffin, pulled out a $50 to pay, distracted the clerk during the transaction and changed the bill to a $5.

City of Knox Holiday Lights Winners Announced

Knox officials have announced the three winners and several honorable mentions in this year’s Christmas lights competition. The 1st place award of $100 goes to Vonda Butler at 211 Allen Drive. Nathan Suffridge at 303 S. Fisher St. claimed 2nd place honors and a prize of $50. Kim Adkins at 7 S. Shield St. finished in 3rd place and won $25. Honorable mentions went to all of Allen Drive for “a fantastic neighborhood display” and to Theresa Haas at 407 S. Bower St. and Jack Milner at 1400 E. Culver Road. Decoration committee members note that this year’s competition was fierce due to a number of beautifully decorated homes.

Two Men Arrested Following Armed Altercation

An early morning altercation at a Plymouth residence last Friday sent two men to jail. Officers responding to a home in the 15000 block of Carriage Way just after 2 a.m. reportedly found Drew Flora, 24, of Plymouth, and Sean Benner, 23, of Culver at the home. While questioning the men, the officers reportedly discovered that the altercation involved a firearm. Benner is free on bond and faces a charge of battery resulting in bodily injury. Flora’s bond was set at $50,000 on charges of intimidation with a deadly weapon, criminal confinement with a deadly weapon and pointing a firearm.

Starke County Commissioners Approve New Ambulance Purchase

December 17, 2013December 16, 2013WKVI

Starke County EMS will soon have a new ambulance. The county commissioners last night approved the purchase of a 2013 G-4500 Diesel from Fire Services, Inc. for $113,250. That cost includes equipment and delivery. Money for the purchase is coming from the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax, or CAGIT, Fund. Decals for the rig are not included in the price, but the commissioners allocated an additional $2,000 for those. The ambulance was a demo model used at trade shows and other types of industry events to showcase available options. Fire Services, Inc. was one of two companies that submitted prices. The council and commissioners agreed that Fire Services, Inc. offered the county a better deal.

Truck Driver Injured in Marshall County Multiple Semi Crash

A truck driver from Westville was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Plymouth for treatment of injuries sustained in a four tractor-trailer crash that shut down the westbound lanes of U.S. 30 Monday afternoon. The wreck occurred just after 2 p.m. Eastern Monday afternoon on U.S. 30 at King Road in Marshall County. Skender Emini, 36, of Ellyn, Illinois, fell asleep at the wheel, according to investigators with the Indiana State Police, and woke up just moments before rear-ending another semi that was stopped at the intersection. The force of the crash propelled those two rigs into two other stopped tractor-trailers. Jeffrey Wildermuth, 55, of Westville, sustained neck and back injuries. Additionally a tank of argon gas spilled from one of the trucks as it came to rest. According to the state police, the gas is inert and did not pose a hazard to the public. The highway was closed for nearly two hours as crews worked to clean up the wreckage.

Truck Driver Injured in Marshall County Multiple Semi Crash

December 17, 2013December 16, 2013WKVI

A truck driver from Westville was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Plymouth for treatment of injuries sustained in a four tractor-trailer crash that shut down the westbound lanes of U.S. 30 Monday afternoon. The wreck occurred just after 2 p.m. Eastern Monday afternoon on U.S. 30 at King Road in Marshall County. Skender Emini, 36, of Ellyn, Illinois, fell asleep at the wheel, according to investigators with the Indiana State Police, and woke up just moments before rear-ending another semi that was stopped at the intersection. The force of the crash propelled those two rigs into two other stopped tractor-trailers. Jeffrey Wildermuth, 55, of Westville, sustained neck and back injuries. Additionally a tank of argon gas spilled from one of the trucks as it came to rest. According to the state police, the gas is inert and did not pose a hazard to the public. The highway was closed for nearly two hours as crews worked to clean up the wreckage.

Pulaski Commissioner Questioned About Home Business

The Pulaski County Commissioners last night fell into a heated discussion regarding a business run by Commissioner Tracey Shorter. Commissioner Terry Young questioned Shorter about the business after a claim was submitted for $975 from “Families First,” the business run by Shorter out of her home. Young said he had received numerous complaints from taxpayers and he was asked to question her about it.

Burglary Investigation Leads to Two Arrests

Two Knox men are jailed after deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a rural residence and found numerous stolen items. Clinton Wilcox, 21, and John M. Piper, Jr., 22, are both facing burglary, theft and receiving stolen property charges. They were arrested last Friday following an investigation into several recent break-ins in the Knox and Bass Lake areas. The officers reportedly found several stolen guns, coins, knives and electronics at a residence in the 6000 block of Toto Road. The Starke County Probation and Knox Police Departments assisted with the search.

Intoxicated Driver Arrested After Sliding Into Ditch

A female driver whose Pontiac Grand Prix slid into a ditch on State Road 17 east of Quicne Road Saturday afternoon faces numerous charges. The Marshall County Police patrolman who responded reportedly found Charlene Yates-Sharp to be extremely intoxicated and notes there was a small child in the vehicle. Yates-Sharp reportedly refused to cooperate with the officers and battered them with physical force and bodily fluids. The incident report indicates she was also combative with nurses at the hospital in Plymouth. She faces charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated – endangering, battery on law enforcement, resisting law enforcement and battery resulting in bodily injury.

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Rezoning Request

The Marshall County Commissioners at their meeting last night approved a request from a resident to rezone two parcels of land from lake residential zoning to agricultural. Plan Director Ralph Booker approached the commissioners alongside resident Fredrick Girard, who is requesting the rezoning in order to allow him to raise goats on his land.

FOP Announces Dispatcher, Officer of the Year

The Fraternal Order of Police recently nominated this year’s Officer of the Year and Dispatcher of the Year. On Thursday, Dec. 12 the order presented the awards to this year’s recipients, dispatcher Stacey Burger and Officer Chris Kisela.