Indiana State Police detectives received information in August that 36-year-old Keith Thatcher of Knox reportedly engaged in a sexual misconduct incident with a 15-year-old in Michigan City. The incidents reportedly occurred since July 2012. Continue reading
Auditor Penny Lukenbill explained that this claim comes around quarterly where the highway department is reimbursed for the fuel it supplies to the other departments in the county. The highway department purchases all of the fuel and all departments fill up at the highway garage. The department is then reimbursed every quarter with how much is spent on fuel.
The council members also approved an additional appropriation for Superior Court 1 for pauper counsel in the amount of $20,000. The county council were advised that this expense would be coming around this quarter to help keep the fund in the black.
Both Michael Wireman and Sadie Wireman’s cases were set for change of plea and sentencing hearings in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning. The court received a letter from both of them stating that they would not be pleading guilty in plea agreements and would like to go to trial.
An admitted methamphetamine addict was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning.
Brian Tapia, 27 of Plymouth, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine as a Class D felony. Judge Kim Hall sentenced Tapia per the plea agreement to 18 months in the Department of Corrections with no part of that sentence suspended. The sentence will be served on home detention with day reporting.
Deer hunters in Indiana will soon be offering a helping hand in putting food on the tables of Hoosiers in need through the DNR Division of Law Enforcement’s Sportsman’s Benevolence Fund. The fund makes it possible for hunters to donate venison through a participating butcher by paying the processing fee, and Conservation Officer Lt. Colonel Steve Hunter said the program provides an opportunity for hunters to demonstrate concern for their fellow man.
(Through 10-11-13)
Tim Roth-Winamac (33 years): 210-132 .614
Kirk Kennedy-NJSP (23 years): 167-102 .621
Andy Thomas-Culver (14 years): 88-66 .571
Dan Klimczak-South Central (8 years): 70-18 .795
Darren Rodriguez-West Central (6 years): 30-31 .491
Chris McGowen-Knox (2 years): 5-13 .277
Dave Sharpe-John Glenn (1 year): 4-4 .500
A motorist sheriff’s deputies say pulled across U.S. 30 from Beech Road into the path of an oncoming semi truck Tuesday afternoon was airlifted from the scene of the ensuing three-vehicle crash. The eastbound semi, driven by Doren L. Smith, 59, of Arlington, Ohio, struck the minivan driven by Nazario Oviedo Jr., 42, of Bourbon. Oviedo’s car rolled over in the median, and he was thrown from the vehicle. The semi also went into the median and overturned, losing the contents of its trailer all over the roadway. The rig continued to slide north across the westbound lanes of 30 and struck a westbound car driven by Mindy K. Thompson, 44, of Bremen. Oviedo was arlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital. Smith and Thompson were both treated at the scene.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation now has a system-wide policy in place to deal with bullying. High school assistant principal Kevin Cox says a new state law requires all school systems to have such a policy in place to address this growing problem. Prior to the adoption of this policy, Cox says each building administrator addressed problems in a different way. Now they all use the same forms and follow the same guidelines. Cox adds the policy clearly spells out the school corporation’s obligation to instances involving bullying, including when students are interviewed and parents are notified. Continue reading
A single-vehicle semi-truck crash in St. Joseph County claims the life of a Bremen man. Andrew Ginther, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck south of Wyatt, according to the Indiana State Police. He was southbound on State Road 331, drove his truck off the west side of the highway and hit a tree. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and the incident remains under investigation. Troopers do not believe weather was a factor in the wreck.
The Eastern Pulaski School Board learned that the official Average Daily Membership student count was 1,233. That is an increase of 43 students to the corporation. The board was happy to hear that statistic as state funding follows the student and the corporation will be getting some extra operating funds this year.
Starke County has chosen to receive $11,262 in federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board for Phase 31.
The national board is made of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, the Jewish Federations of North America, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and United Way Worldwide.
The Marshall County Council members approved the Marshall County Grant Approval and Administration Policy Monday morning.
Auditor Penny Lukenbill explained that all departments who apply for federal funds should file paperwork with her office to better report to the state board of accounts. The paperwork will include a detailed description of what the grant money will be used for and include a plan of spending. The council and commissioners will look over the paperwork and pre-approve the grant request and it can be filed on the federal level.
With tax season coming up soon, Northwest Indiana Community Action is looking to once again hold their Asset Building Campaign, a program aiming to help prepare and file taxes for low-income families. Jackie Frain with Pulaski County Human Services explained the program not only benefits the low-income families by helping them afford winter coats, pay utility bills and even save for homeownership, it also benefits the community as a whole.
An internationally known speaker with a checkered past will soon be visiting the area to spread his message about the dangers of methamphetamine. David Parnell is not only an author, husband and father of seven who hails from Tennessee, but he is also a methamphetamine and suicide survivor, recovering addict and alcoholic, former drug dealer and convicted felon, who has since devoted his life to educating others about the horrific effects methamphetamine can have on one’s life.
