Melody Drive-In Undergoes Digital Upgrades
The Melody Drive-In in Knox is preparing for the upcoming movie season with some new digital upgrades. Fred Heise, owner of the drive-in, said that the theater will soon be moving away from the older standard of film to digital film, and he said they are now putting in new digital equipment in an effort to enhance the movie-viewing experience.
Heise said the new equipment will serve to make the picture more clear and improve the sound quality, but it’s not just moviegoers who will benefit from the new equipment. Heise said the new equipment and digital film will save the theater a lot of time and preparation.
Requests Accepted Now for Knox Sidewalk Replacement Program
This is a chance for residents to repair sidewalks at half the cost. If you have a troublesome area that would benefit from this program, Mayor Rick Chambers is accepting requests now from homeowners and business owners. The application deadline is Monday, April 15.
Preschool to be Offered at Knox Elementary School
“It’s funded by our Title 1 funds, which is a federal grant program for schools that have a high percentage of free and reduced lunch students,” explained Gappa. “We’re presently screening students so if parents have children that they think might fit the program they can contact Jana Hazelton at the Knox Elementary School and set up a screening appointment.”
Hamlet Town Board Discusses Proposed Small Livestock Ordinance
The Hamlet Town Board conducted a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 19th to gather the opinions of residents of a proposed small livestock ordinance.
Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts noted that the proposed ordinance would allow residents in the town limits to house chickens on their property. She stated that several people have been in favor of the ordinance. No complaints were brought forth during the hearing.
Knox Police Dept. Continues to Accept Unwanted Prescriptions
Norem has logged 24 bottles of unwanted and unused prescription medication. They need to be logged just like any other drugs taken in during a regular investigation and then they will be moved from the facility and destroyed at a later time.
The drop-off box is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is monitored by a security camera. You may drop-off any unwanted or unused prescription medication in the front lobby of the Knox City Police Department. Any abuse of the service will not be tolerated.
Pulaski Memorial Hospital Raises $350 for Cancer Survivor
A fundraiser at Pulaski Memorial Hospital culminated in the presentation of a check for $350 to Christina Pugh to go toward a $5000 goal pledged to Riley Children’s Foundation in Indianapolis by Emily Larkin. Larkin pledged the goal in honor of her sister, Christina Pugh, a cancer survivor. The $350 check had been raised by hospital employees during a “pizza and jeans day” fundraiser.
Get Tickets Now for Halleck Award Banquet
Tickets for the Halleck Award Banquet are still available.
The event is set for Friday, March 8 beginning with a social gathering at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., the annual meeting and organization of the year for the Pulaski County Chamber at 7:15 p.m. and the Halleck Award Program at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Investigation into Marshall County unattended death continues
Investigators in Marshall County do not believe foul play was a contributing factor in last week’s unattended death of a 28-year-old pregnant woman. Trisha Hemminger’s husband called 911 last Thursday after finding his wife unresponsive and not breathing at their home on Michigan Road. Initial autopsy results show no evidence of trauma. Coroner Bill Cleavenger stresses that results of toxicology and other tests are necessary to determine her cause of death. Those results are pending. Cleavenger’s continuing investigation will also include an extensive review of Hemminger’s medical history. She was seven months pregnant at the time of her death.
Plymouth man indicted on murder and drug charges
A Plymouth man facing murder and drug charges is jailed in Marshall County on a $100,000 bond after a Marshall County Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment late Tuesday. The charges against Olan Q. Howard, 37, stem from the May 19 murder of Stephen O.Vires of Argos. Court documents indicate that crime occurred while dealing in heroin or morphine. Plymouth Police arrested Howard within a few hours of the formal charges being handed down. His initial hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Fraud Case Reported to LaPorte Police
A LaPorte woman reported a fraud case to the LaPorte City Police Department.
She told investigators that she obtained a Rush card through Citibank in Chicago which is an account in which her paychecks are deposited.
State to Offer Help to Former Whitley Workers
The state is mobilizing resources to help the 86 employees of a Marshall County plant that is set to close in the next few months. Plymouth-based Whitley Products filed a WARN notice with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development last week. It’s a legal step that requires companies with 100 or more employees to file a 60-day notice of any plant closing or mass layoff. A copy of the notice is shared with employees.
A spokesman for the Department of Workforce Development says it allows the state to mobilize a rapid response team to help transition affected workers into other employment. He says the state offers a variety of programs and encourages all employees to register with the local Work One office as soon as possible to get the process started.
Moving Starke County Forward Organization Focuses on Health Issues
The Moving Starke County Forward organization met in a public session Thursday afternoon and Coordinator Nancy Dembowski said the focus of the meeting was to examine the issue of health in Starke County.
“The idea was just to examine the issue, which is Starke County ranks 91 out of 92 counties in health issues,” said Dembowski. “We wanted to see if we could find some achievable projects or things that could help begin to address the situation.”
Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity Preparing to Build Fifth Home
The Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity organization is gearing up to start construction on their fifth house, but first they must complete one very crucial step: choosing a lucky family in need to live in the home. Steve Morrison, president of Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity, said they held two meetings last week to discuss the effort and allow interested families to take applications for the Habitat home.
Ind. Secretary of State Encourages Hoosiers to Save for America Saves Week
Get your piggy bank ready! A program designed to give families and individuals the push to start thinking about budgeting strategies and the impact budgets have on their financial future is on the horizon. Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is encouraging Hoosiers to begin saving at least $10 a week and begin a pattern of saving to build a strong financial footing for tomorrow as part of America Saves Week 2013, from Feb. 25 to March 2.
Attorney from Pulaski County faces disciplinary charges
A Pulaski County attorney is accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a defendant she represented. Lisa Traylor-Wolff has 20 days to answer the disciplinary charges filed by the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications.
They stem fro
m a physically intimate relationship she reportedly developed with a 26-year-old male client identified in the complaint as S.W. Traylor-Wolff was appointed his public defender in September of 2011. He pleaded guilty a month later and was sentenced in January of 2012 to 30 years in prison. Traylor-Wolff was appointed S.W.’s public defender for his appeal. He even worked as a Manassas criminal defense lawyer for a number of years, and therefore, has quite a lot of experience under his belt.
Pulaski County Commissioners fire highway superintendent, maintenance supervisor in executive session
Embattled highway superintendent Kenny Becker and longtime maintenance supervisor Morry DeMarco were both fired over violations of the employee policy manual. Becker was suspended with pay last month in response to complaints about how the department is run from sources who have been allowed to remain anonymous. An investigation by the commissioners found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, and Becker was reinstated as county highway manager on Feb. 4 under the supervision of commissioner Larry Brady.
“ Mr. Becker was commended on his role in helping with some of the positive changes at the Highway Department in the last three weeks. Mr. Becker was presented with new policy violations that have been observed by Commissioner Brady since his oversight. The issue of Mr. Becker’s Knowledge of the policy book and his observance of it were discussed. Commissioner Brady as acting department head informed Mr. Becker of his removal as general manager and termination of his employment with the county. This is in no way a negative reflection on Mr. Becker as a good moral person. Mr. Becker has proved to be a hard working individual with a good deal of specialized ability,” the release states.
Calls to the commissioners seeking comment were not immediately returned. They have previously refused to answer any questions and have directed all inquires be made in writing to county attorney Kevin Tankersley.
Marshall County Authorities Investigate Unattended Death
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and the Marshall County Coroner are investigating an unattended death that occurred Thursday in the 5000 block of Michigan Road in Plymouth.
The initial investigation showed that 28-year-old Trisha Hemminger was found dead in her home and was discovered by her husband. An autopsy has been scheduled, but police don’t believe foul play was involved.
Groves Arrested for Stealing Vehicle and Narcotics Possession
Marshall County police arrested a man Saturday after finding drugs in a vehicle the suspect had stolen.
A vehicle being operated by John Groves was stopped by police at the intersection of Michigan Street and Jackson Street after a Marshall County Deputy found Groves had committed several traffic violations. During a search of the vehicle, the officer found narcotics and a loaded handgun. The officer then found that the vehicle was stolen.
Groves was arrested on preliminary felony charges of Criminal Conversion, Auto Theft, Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance and Receiving Stolen Property, and a misdemeanor count of Carrying a Handgun without a permit. He is being held in the Marshall County Jail with no bond.
Judge Hall Finds Jennie Carter Guilty of Theft of Tourism Funds
Carter faced a count of Theft as a Class D felony in the bench trial which began last Wednesday. Three witnesses testified throughout the course of the bench trial, including the lead investigator in the case with the Indiana State Police, Debbie Mix of the Starke County Tourism Commission and Chamber of Commerce, and the defendant.
Final arguments began Wednesday afternoon and continued today, when the elements of the theft charge were explained and other legal issues were discussed.
The verdict was left to Judge Hall to decide, who entered a verdict of guilty of Theft as a Class D felony. Carter will receive her sentence on March 25 at 10 a.m. in the Starke Circuit Court.
