WKVI Information Center

A 24-year-old man is in custody following the death of a 3-year-old child who was shot and killed at a residence on Farmington Drive in Terrace Acres Mobile Home Park in Michigan City. At approximately 3:36 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, officers from the Michigan City Police Department were summoned to the home in reference to a child who had been shot, and upon arrival, officers determined that the child was deceased as the result of the gunshot wound. The child was identified as Lance Wilson.

Starke Commissioners Approve Final Design, Estimate for Starke County Jail

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

The Starke County Commissioners last night approved the final design and estimate for the new Starke County Jail facility, allowing the bidding process to begin. Representatives from the Skillman Corporation and DLZ presented the commissioners with the documentation for their approval and requested authorization to issue CDs for bidding.

The bids are estimated to come in around $10,225,000, and officials hope to receive the bids on Oct. 10, allowing for a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. CT. The commissioners approved their request, authorizing them to advertise for bids.

1972 Cold Case Murder of 1-Year-Old Child Reopened; Arrest Made

The murder of a 1-year-old baby in St. Clair County more than 40 years ago is once again open and under investigation. Gary Allyn Warwick of Portage is charged with the murder of Joseph Henry Abernathy III on Dec. 30, 1972 – charges that he’s faced before, but were dropped in 1973 without any explanation, causing the case to go cold.

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Remodeling Request in Clerk’s Office

The Marshall County Commissioners approved a request from Clerk Julie Fox to remodel her office per federal regulations.

Fox explained that the layout of the office has to change, specifically in the child support division. Certain privacy laws need to be followed and the general public should not be allowed in the area where business is conducted. Fox said the child support staff has moved around in the office and darkened film has been installed on windows in the office to shield information on computers. The employees who work in the traffic department have been moved to accommodate this change.

Pulaski County Commissioners Name Interim County Home Director

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

Pleasant View Rest Home in Pulaski County has a new interim director and a new set of live-in caretakers. The Pulaski County Commissioners appointed Charlene Spence to oversee the county home until a full-time replacement for Sandy Hurd can be hired. She was recently fired after a suspension and investigation into the reported misrepresentation of information to the state. Spence already works part-time at Pleasant View and will continue to be part-time during the interim period. Her hourly wage will remain $13.

The commissioners also approved the hiring of Christy and Justin Chapman to serve as live-in caretakers at the facility after the previous caretaker was released from his contract due to reported violations.

Report of Shots Fired in North Judson Ends in Three Arrests for Battery

Three people were arrested in Knox following reports of shots fired in the area of Leyton Court in North Judson. Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and the North Judson Police Department responded to the area on Friday, Sept. 13, where they found a victim that stated she had been battered and tazed and the suspect had also stolen her purse.

Two Arrested in Knox on Methamphetamine-Related Charges

Two people were arrested at a residence in Knox after police executed a search warrant and located several methamphetamine-related. On Friday, Sept. 13, officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Starke County Probation Department in a compliance search at a residence in the 4000 block of East 150 North in Knox.

Most Hospital Admissions in Indiana Due to Falling

Falls cost older adults in the United States more than $80 billion annually. In Indiana falling is the number one reason for emergency room visits and hospital admissions. Mary Raley is the injury prevention/trauma education outreach coordinator at St. Mary’s Trauma Center in Evansville.

DNR Offers GiveIN Game Program; Began Sept. 1

A program offered through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources aims to connect hunters who have opportunities to harvest additional deer with others who could use venison to feed their families. According to the DNR website, the GiveIN Game Program allows participants to contact each other through the program and arrange for the transfer of meat on their own.

Powerball Jackpot up to $400 Million

What would you do with $400 million?

You could win that amount if you purchase the winning Powerball jackpot ticket. No one has won the jackpot since Aug. 8 and it has quickly grown to $400 million.

Michael Carey Velligan

September 16, 2013WKVI

Graveside services for 59-year-old Michael Carey Velligan of Las Vegas are Saturday, Sept. 21 at noon ET at Star City West Cemetery. Frain Mortuary in Winamac is handling arrangements.

Roy Bell Sentenced in Fulton County Superior Court

September 16, 2013WKVI

Roy Bell, the man convicted of murdering former Knox resident, Wilma Upsall, was sentenced in Fulton County Superior Court to Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole on a charge of Murder.

Bell was additionally sentenced to 10 years with the enhancement of 10 years on a charge of Burglary and four years with the enhancement of four years on a charge of Robbery. Those sentences will run consecutively for a total sentence of Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole plus 28 years.

Roy Bell Sentencing Hearing Set for Today

A man convicted of murdering former Knox resident Wilma Upsall will be sentenced in Fulton County Superior Court this afternoon.

Judge Wayne Steele found Roy Bell guilty during a bench trial on Aug. 27. Bell was found guilty on six counts: Murder, Murder in the Commission of Another Crime (Burglary), Murder in the Commission of Another Crime (Robbery), Burglary, Robbery and Criminal Confinement.

Phone Scam Returns to Knox Area

Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem is warning you of a scam that has resurfaced in the area.

A caller claiming to be from Texas recently called a Knox resident to say that his granddaughter was arrested in Texas and she needs bail money to get out of jail. A woman was then put on the phone to talk to the grandparent and pleaded for bail money. Upon further investigation, there was no arrest and the victim was out a lot of cash.

Stove Issue to Be Addressed at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers told the Knox City Council last week that the stove in the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center is going to be replaced.

He stated that the last time he was in the community center, he smelled gas and the culprit was the stove. The doors leading in and out of the kitchen cause the pilot light to go out and this instance wasn’t the first time it had happened. He commented that the stove really didn’t work that well in the first place.

Chambers noted that the stove is commercial-grade and a similar stove will be installed.

In more maintenance issues at the community center, the hot water tank leaked and damaged some electronics on the floor in the building. That issue has been addressed and remedied.

Toddler Shot and Killed Inside Michigan City Home

September 16, 2013September 16, 2013WKVI

Authorities in LaPorte County are investigating a Sunday afternoon shooting that claimed the life of a 3-year-old boy. It happened inside a mobile home at Terrace Acres on U.S. 20, according to “The Times of Northwest Indiana.” Several people have been questioned, according to the newspaper, but no arrests have been made. One of the youngster’s female relatives reportedly told the newspaper the shooting was “a really bad, tragic accident.”

Starke Council, Commissioners to Meet Tonight

The Starke County Council will meet today at 5:30 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. commissioners meeting to discuss a number of items, including the resignation and new appointment of a PTABOA board member, a transfer request from Surveyor Dennis Estok, adoption of the county’s 2014 budgets and the 2014 salary ordinance.

Marshall County Commissioners to Meet This Morning

The Marshall County Commissioners have a light agenda to attend to this morning.

Glenn Roberts will be in to discuss NIPSCO power lines and Clerk Julie Fox will be before the board to talk about remodeling plans for her office.

Oregon-Davis School Board to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed 2014 Budget