WKVI Information Center

starke-county-courthouse — Starke County Courthouse

A Starke County man was arrested recently amidst allegations that he invited a child to engage in inappropriate physical contact.

Rodney Freet, Jr. is accused of Child Solicitation after a juvenile girl told her father that Freet had invited her to engage in the inappropriate conduct.

Knox Planning Commissioner Office Empty, Dispute Ongoing

An ongoing dispute in the city administration for Knox has left one office empty, as former Planning Commissioner Greg Matt was not re-elected to his position. Worse, the Planning Commission and Mayor Rick Chambers are at odds as to who elects the planning commissioner – Chambers said he believes the planning commissioner is a department head appointed by him, but the Planning Commission believes he is an employee appointed by the commission.

Plymouth Police Department Arrests Two on Drug Charges

The Plymouth Police Department made two drug arrests Tuesday afternoon.

Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Nigel Rowe of Plymouth at the intersection of 5th and Adam streets. Police found that he was driving on a suspended license with a prior conviction. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Driving While Suspended-Prior and Possession of Synthetic Marijuana.

Police then conducted an investigation at 810 N. 5th St. and found the homeowner, 36-year-old Cheryl R. Knapp, to be in possession of drugs. Knapp was taken to the Marshall County Jail and booked on a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana. She was jailed on a $1,500 bond.

Pulaski Commissioners Approve Sheriff’s Request for Vehicle Purchase

Sheriff Gayer — Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer

Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer approached the county commissioners at their meeting this week with a request to follow through with the second of two vehicle purchases approved by the county council. Gayer said he had purchased one of the vehicles last year with the commissioners’ approval, but now, he has returned once again seeking permission to purchase the second.

Vincent Rossetti Sentenced to 4 ½ Years in DOC

Vincent Rossetti pleaded guilty to two causes in the Starke Circuit Court this week. Rossetti pleaded guilty to Habitual Traffic Violator as a Class D felony and was sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections with none suspended, and his driver’s license was suspended for two years.

Starke Commissioners Approve Community Corrections Contract App

The Starke County Commissioners this week approved the signing of a contract application for Community Corrections. Robert Hinojosa, director of Starke County Community Corrections, told the commissioners that he wasn’t asking them to sign the contract just yet; he was merely asking them to approve the application for the contract.

North Judson Town Council Praised for Norwayne Field Lights

Starke County Commissioner Jennifer Davis attended the most recent meeting of the North Judson Town Council to express, on behalf of the commissioners, their thanks to the North Judson Park Board, Council, and anyone else that had anything to do with the Christmas light display at Norwayne Field. Davis said the lights were spectacular and a fine representation of the community and Starke County.

Oregon-Davis School Board Members Sworn into Office, Board Reorganizes

dr disney final — Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Dr. Steve Disney

The Oregon-Davis School Board met in special session Monday night to install new board members. Superintendent Dr. Steve Disney said the two newly elected members, Kurt Hayes and Lee Nagai, were sworn into office and then the board reorganized for the year.

Culver School Board Reorganizes for 2013

Brad-Schuldt — Culver Community School Superintendent, Brad Schuldt

The Culver Community School Board held their first regular meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 7, and the first order of business was the swearing-in of new board members.

Vice President Ryan Sieber and notary public Jo Ann Warner administered the oath of office to elected board members David Cooper, Ken VanDePutte, James Wentzell, and Mark Maes, before the board members made their nominations for board officers.

Free Cervical and Breast Cancer Screenings Offered by IU Health

A glucose and blood pressure screening was recently completed by IU Health Starke Hospital Wellness Specialist Crystal Sanders at the hospital in Knox. The screenings are part of an ongoing effort by the hospital to keep Starke County residents informed about conditions that could become problematic if left undetected.

The next screening conducted by Crystal Sanders will be Wednesday, Jan. 16 when she will be attending the next Coffee With Dave event at the Country Kettle Restaurant in Knox. Attending will be Red Hat members, but the screening is open to the public.

Knox Community Schools to Implement School Messenger Program

The Knox Community School Corporation will soon be implementing a new program that will enhance communications between the three schools, parents, guardians and patrons.

School Messenger will be utilized to help get the message out to subscribed patrons about important school events such as closings or delays or school emergencies. Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that a mass text message will be sent out on Monday, Jan. 14.

Financial Aid Meeting Scheduled for Jan. 16

A financial aid meeting has been organized by the officials at Knox High School.

The “Paying for College” workshop will be Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. CT in the high school cafeteria.

Oregon-Davis vs. John Glenn

1-8-13: Haley Collings had a season high 24 points and 19 rebounds in a 77-47 win over John Glenn.

Boys Coaching Leaders

Boys Basketball Coaching Leaders: (Through 1/8/13)

Dan Warkentien-South Central (16 years): 262-117 .691

Travis Hannah-John Glenn (13 years): 151-149 .495

Bryan Heimlich-West Central (9 years): 113-96 .541

Kyle Elliott-Culver (5 years): 47-49 .489

Kyle Johnson-Winamac (3 years): 29-25 .537

Phil Shabi-NJSP (2 years): 19-10 .655

Matt Crawford-OD (2 years): 4-26 .133

Scot Spoljaric-LaCrosse (2 years): 3-26 .115

Chris McGowen-Knox (1 year): 2-8 .200

Girls Coaching Leaders

Girls Basketball Coaching Leaders: (Through 1/8/13)

Terry Minix-OD (20 years): 280-143 .662

Dan Huizenga-Knox (11 years): 125-115 .521

Gina Hierlmeier-Culver (7 years): 103-47 .687

Brad Odom-West Central (8 years): 81-84 .491

Jeff Wagner-Winamac (3 years): 41-18 .694

Rick Budka-South Central (5 years): 44-53 .453

Kyle Amor-John Glenn (2 years): 15-20 .428

Brian McMahan-LaCrosse (4 years): 10-43 .188

Debbie Bolen-NJSP (1 year): 9-4 .692

Boys Scoring Leaders

Boys Scoring Leaders (Season): through 1/8/13 (10ppg)

Trent Elliott (Culver): 21.6ppg (10 games)

Riley Charlesworth (LaCrosse): 19.6ppg (9 games)

Zach Shidler (Winamac): 18.1ppg (9 games)

Dalton Bailey (NJSP): 13.0ppg (8 games)

Bryce Guse (LaCrosse): 13.0ppg (9 games)

Adam Clindaniel (SC): 12.7ppg (9 games)

Drew McKay (WC): 11.4ppg (10 games)

Dylan Short (Knox): 11.3ppg (10 games)

Jake Strong (Glenn): 10.1ppg (8 games)

Brian Fulghum (Knox): 10.0ppg (10 games)

Boys Individual Scoring (Career): Minimum 300 points

Zach Shidler-Winamac (Sr): 693

Trent Elliott (Jr)-Culver: 666

Riley Charlesworth (Sr)-LaCrosse: 664

Colton Hill-Knox (Sr): 559

Collin Stevens-Culver (Sr): 487

Micah Budzinski-Culver (Sr): 438

Sam Culver-LaCrosse (Sr): 369

Adam Clindaniel-South Central (Sr): 341

Dylan Short-Knox (Sr): 334

Jake Strong-John Glenn (So): 304

*As reported to etpearl.com

Girls Scoring Leaders

Girls Scoring Leaders (Season): through 1/8/13 (10ppg)

Ashley Campbell (OD): 19.1ppg (15 games)

Stephanie Shorter (Winamac): 16.3ppg (12 games)

Kayla Shaffer (Culver): 16.1ppg (13 games)

Jordann Frasure (NJSP): 15.7ppg (13 games)

Jesse Averone (OD): 15.4ppg (15 games)

Jessica Schramm (Winamac): 13.2ppg (12 games)

Alisha McIntosh (OD): 12.3ppg (15 games)

Jill Rosenbaum (SC): 12.2ppg (14 games)

Riley Popplewell (SC): 11.9ppg (14 games)

Kyler Columbia (Glenn): 11.4ppg (14 games)

Kayla Zimmerman (NJSP): 11.2ppg (12 games)

Nikki Frasure (Knox): 10.4ppg (14 games)

Girls Scoring Leaders (Career): Minimum 300 points

Ashley Campbell-OD (Jr): 1,119

Jordann Frasure-NJSP (Sr): 885

Jesse Averone-OD (Jr): 866

Jill Rosenbaum-South Central (Jr): 674

Alisha McIntosh-OD (Jr): 672

Stephanie Shorter-Winamac (Jr): 659

Kayla Shaffer-Culver (Jr): 611

Jessica Schramm-Winamac (Sr): 525

Kaitlin Zachary-Knox (Sr): 444

Taylor Guse-LaCrosse (Sr): 398

Haley Frasure-NJSP (Sr): 393

Kyler Columbia-Glenn (So): 387

Kayla Zimmerman-NJSP (Sr): 370

Gabbie Sievers-LaCrosse (Sr): 361

Katie Dreessen-Glenn (Sr): 331

Haley Collings-OD (Jr): 330

*As reported to etpearl.com

Starke Commissioners Looking to Replace Highway Superintendent

January 9, 2013January 9, 2013WKVI

Starke County is on the hunt for a new highway superintendent, after the commissioners this week decided it was “time to make a change,” according to Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem. Steve Siddall had held the position of highway superintendent for the last four years, but the commissioners decided it was time to switch it up in the best interest for the county.

Winamac Man Sentenced on Charges of Neglect of a Dependent

January 9, 2013January 8, 2013WKVI

Steven Decker was sentenced in Pulaski Circuit Court on Monday after pleading guilty in a plea agreement with the state.

Decker pleaded guilty to two counts of Neglect of a Dependent as a Class D Felony. Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn sentenced Decker to two years in the Indiana Department of Corrections on each count, with one year suspended, which shall run concurrently. This sentence will run consecutively to another case in which he was sentenced prior to this case. One year may be served at the Cass/Pulaski Community Corrections Work Release Center, if he is accepted into the program. He will also serve one year on probation and was ordered to pay $100 in a Child Abuse Prevention Fee.