Investigators Say Knox Fire Deliberately Set

 
 
The fire that destroyed a vacant home on County Road 300 East just south of Binkley Drive last Friday morning was deliberately set, according to fire investigators. The Knox-Center Township Fire Department was dispatched to the scene around 1 a.m. and remained on the scene for about six hours. An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office was called in to determine the cause. Firefighters were called back to the residence around 5 last evening for a rekindle and spent 90 minutes or so there.

Anyone with information the fires is urged to call the state’s arson hotline at 1-800-382-4628. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction. Callers can remain anonymous.

Chicago Man Arrested Following DNR Undercover Investigation

 
 
A Chicago man DNR officials say has been illegally buying and selling wildlife for the past several months is jailed in Starke County after conservation officers raided a property he owns in Hamlet and seized various equipment and animal species as evidence. They started investigating Alexander Moy, 47, in 2011 after receiving complaints that he was buying whitetail deer from members of the public and have reportedly documented several wildlife sales in the ensuing months. Investigators also learned that Moy was selling the wildlife to markets and restaurants in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood, according to investigators. He’s accused of buying and selling fish, turtles, raccoons and whitetail deer.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Council Approves Prosecutor Requests

  
 
The Marshall County Council members approved several requests by Prosecutor David Holmes during their meeting Monday morning.

The prosecutor’s office has acquired a new deputy prosecutor out of St. Joseph County and Prosecutor Holmes asked that the probationary period be waived so full status can be obtained. Holmes stated that she has had four years of experience outside of the office and does not need the normal training period for her duties in the office. The communication between the outgoing deputy prosecutor and the new deputy prosecutor is a little lacking, but that should clear soon. The council approved the request.

Continue reading →

Another Scam in Full Force in Starke County

  
 
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has received calls from residents about another scam that has hit the area.

Sheriff Oscar Cowen said the scammer will tell you that a debit card that you have with First Farmers Bank is lost and you need to press numbers on your phone and give out personal information in order to remedy the situation.

Sheriff Cowen noted that many times the person receiving the call will not even have an account with First Farmers. He assured that this is a scam and not to give any untrusted source any personal information, including your debit card, credit card, Social Security Number, or banking information.

Be Cautious When Giving to a Charity

  
 
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many of us want to donate money to help support the cause, but sometimes people are out just to scam you out of your money.

The Better Business Bureau cautions you to avoid being scammed. When donating to charities, make sure they are legitimate. Confirm the charity’s corporation partners by checking online and verifying sources. Do not give cash and make a check out to the organization and not to the individual. It is best not to give out your credit card number or other personal information in response to unsolicited donation requests. Keep records of your donations with receipts, canceled checks or bank statements to document your giving for taxes.

Continue reading →

Investigators Say Knox Fire Deliberately Set

 
 

The fire that destroyed a vacant home on County Road 300 East just south of Binkley Drive last Friday morning was deliberately set, according to fire investigators. The Knox-Center Township Fire Department was dispatched to the scene around 1 a.m. and remained on the scene for about six hours. An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office was called in to determine the cause. Firefighters were called back to the residence around 5 last evening for a rekindle and spent 90 minutes or so there.

Anyone with information the fires is urged to call the state’s arson hotline at 1-800-382-4628. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

Firefighters Return to Scene of Friday Morning Blaze

 
 

The Knox-Center Township Fire Department was called back to the scene of a fire they spent six hours battling early Friday morning. The vacant home in the 1300 South block of 300 East, just south of Binkley Drive apparently rekindled just after 5 last night. Firefighters were on the scene for about 90 minutes. The cause of Friday morning’s fire is still under investigation.

Officers Bust Underage Drinking Party in Knox, 16 Arrested

 
 

A report of an underage drinking party at a home on Tribue Drive in Knox early Sunday morning resulted in 16 arrests for illegal possession of alcohol. Deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the North Judson and Knox Police Departments responded just before 2 a.m. In addition to the arrests, a 15-year-old was taken home and released into the custody of his or her parents, according to a news release from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

Marshall County Council to Meet Today

  
 
The Marshall County Council will meet today with Prosecutor David Holmes who is expected to discuss a full-time clerk position, request a waiver of employee probationary period and submit a request for a copier.

Sheriff Tom Chamberlin will also appear before the council to ask for a waiver of employee probationary period. Jay Bahr, the executive director of the Marshall County Economic Development Commission, will have an update for the council members.

Continue reading →

NJSP Students to Hear Presentation on Farming Technology and Innovation

North Judson-San Pierre High School
North Judson-San Pierre High School

The animal science students from the North Judson-San Pierre High School will hear from Dr. Megan Nemechek of Rensselaer Swine Services in a presentation in which the students will learn how farmers are using innovation and technology to grow healthier food.

The presentation will be Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 8:35 a.m. at the high school where Dr. Nemechek will highlight how ongoing advancements in agricultural science are helping farmers raise better food while using fewer natural resources than ever before. She said farmers use 41 percent less water and 78 percent less land to raise pigs than they did 50 years ago.

Indiana’s pork industry contributes more than $3 billion to the state’s economy each year.

Knox School Board Spotlights Boys Tennis Team

Superintendent A.J. Gappa
Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board members spotlighted the boys tennis team during their meeting Monday night.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa commented that it was the first time in the team’s history the team members were the winners of the Northern State Conference.

“The tennis team was here with their coaches, Mark Krom and Dick Wagner, to be introduced to the board. They not only set a school record for the first conference championship, but they had some individual records. The team had the most wins in history and they had the most consecutive wins. They also won the tournament that Knox hosted for the first time. It was a very good year for the tennis team. It was nice to be able to give them some recognition,” stated Gappa.

IU Health Offering Discounted Mammograms Stressing Early Detection

 
 
IU Health is offering discounted screening mammograms at a number of locations in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout the entire month of October. The mammograms are offered for $95 at several locations; to schedule an appointment, contact IU Health LifePlex Imaging at (800) 654-4841, ext. 2444 or IU Health Starke Hospital at (574) 772-1177.

According to the American Cancer Society, mammograms are the most effective and valuable tool for early detection of breast cancer, and Katie Sarver, wellness outreach program manager for IU Health LaPorte, agrees.

Continue reading →

1st Source Bank to Provide Aid to Clients During Shutdown

  
 
1st Source Bank this week announced plans to provide aid to clients affected by the government shutdown. The standoff in Congress has caused federal government employees to not be paid if they are considered “non-essential,” and businesses are also impacted if their government contracts are in limbo or if payment is not being made for work that has been completed or is in process. This lack of pay could cause hardship to the bank’s clients who are tied to the federal government.

Continue reading →

Upcoming Events to Benefit Business, Industry Leaders

  
 
Two different events for business and industry officials are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15.

A Department of Workforce Development/WorkOne/CWI presentation will be held to go over employment statistics, workforce training and unemployment insurance. A time and location for this event have not yet been selected, but if you would like more information, contact Nathan Origer, Director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission at (574) 946-3869.

Continue reading →