A two vehicle accident occurred on U.S. 35 in Knox late yesterday afternoon and injuries were reported. We have no other details at this time, but we’ll release information once it becomes available. The Knox City Police Department investigated the accident. Continue reading
Starke County Treasurer’s Office Closed Until Further Notice
The Starke County Commissioners held an emergency meeting this morning where Commissioner Dan Bridegroom made a motion to acknowledge that Linda Belork is the Starke County Treasurer but she can not fully serve in that capacity because a surety bond is not in place at this time and they must close the Treasurer’s Office until further notice.
Linda Belork Expected to Resume Treasurer Duties Today
Jasper Circuit Court Judge John Potter on Thursday ordered that Linda Belork be reinstated immediately to her position as Starke County Treasurer. According to the order, Belork was wrongfully removed from office after alleged discrepancies were found in the treasurer’s accounts. The judge found that it was an accounting error of the auditor.
Former Elementary School Principal Arrested for Sexual Misconduct
A former Indiana elementary school principal was recently arrested on charges relating to an alleged online sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl while employed as a high school teacher. According to LaPorte County police, 40-year-old Brian Strauss of Michigan City faces felony charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Child Solicitation, and Vicarious Sexual Gratification.
Investigators said Strauss had begun the online relationship in 2008, chatting with the girl while employed as a teacher at South Central High School in Union Mills. Police say he later viewed the girl performing sex acts via webcam, and the girl reportedly told police that she had several sexual encounters with Strauss at school.
Strauss was employed as principal at South Adams Elementary School in Berne until his resignation on Oct. 3.
Absentee Votes Rolling In; Continues This Week
Absentee voting numbers are up in both Starke and Pulaski Counties.
Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski reports almost 800 absentee ballots have been cast so far with walk-in voters and mail-in ballots. She indicated that this is a significant amount of ballots cast so far, especially with three weeks to go until the General Election on Nov. 6.
Starke Co. Sheriff’s Dept. To Utilize Electronic Ticketing
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department will soon be streamlining operations when issuing traffic tickets or warnings.
A Sheriff’s Department representative and IT Director Joe Short attended a training session last week in electronic ticketing. With this system, when an officer pulls over a suspected traffic violator, the officer will be able to scan a Driver’s License and vehicle registration into a mobile computer, plus fill out the necessary violation information, edit any information – like an address – and print out the ticket at the time of the traffic stop. This puts the information of the traffic stop into the state computer system and lessens the paperwork and time of the traffic stop.
Starke County Library In Need of Math Tutors
The Starke County Library’s Literacy Program has been up and running for several months now, but Director Sheila Urwiler said they are in need of math tutors to assist adult students in need of help with algebra, geometry, and other math subjects.
Urwiler explained that while the library currently has four tutors, most of them don’t feel comfortable helping with math. She said another tutor training session will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m., and anyone interested in becoming a tutor is encouraged to sign up.
Discounted Flu Shots Available At IU Health LaPorte VNA
Discounted flu shots are available through Indiana University Health LaPorte VNA Services to help protect against seasonal flu and pneumonia.
Vaccinations are available to those aged nine and older with no appointment needed at the office at 5955 E. 600 N. in Hamlet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Halloween Is Next Week; Stay Safe While Trick-Or-Treating
Halloween is next Wednesday, Oct. 31. For a complete list of trick-or-treat hours, click here.
Keep in mind that kids will be out in costumes next week and you are asked to be careful driving along city streets during trick-or-treat hours. Don’t talk on your cell phone to subtract distractions while on the road and watch for children who may dart into the street.
Fungal Meningitis Cases in Indiana Reaches 38
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this weekend that the number of fungal meningitis cases has risen to 38 in Indiana after a steroid shot became tainted with a fungus. More than 200 people across the country have become ill from the outbreak. Two Indiana patients have died, and lawsuits are being filed against companies that may be tied to the infections, including the New England Compounding Center.
Decision Reached in Belork Case; Reinstated as Treasurer
A decision has finally been reached in the case against Linda Belork, former Starke County treasurer. The attorney for the Starke County Commissioners, Martin Lucas, told Jasper Circuit Court Judge John Potter that the commissioners were faced with a serious problem when the funds were reportedly misappropriated in the treasurer’s office according to the State Board of Accounts. He said the commissioners acted according to statute in removing her from office and filing suit against her bond.
Sentences Handed Down in Starke Circuit Court
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall presided over several plea and sentencing hearings Thursday afternoon.
James Toney appeared for his hearing. He was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance as a Class D Felony and had been incarcerated in the Starke County Jail since his arrest six months ago. He was charged after police found him in possession of one Vicadin pill in his pocket.
Former Culver Principal, Superintendent Passed Away
Longtime Culver educator, 77-year-old William F. “Bill” Mills II, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 16.
From 1971 to 1995, Mills served in the capacity of the elementary principal, junior high principal, and superintendent of the Culver Community School Corporation. Mills’ family said that he loved the school, students and staff. He was always visible to the people in the community.
Knox Community Schools Update Mission Statement
The Knox Community School Board recently worked with Mike Adamson from the Indiana School Boards Association to update the mission and vision statements. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the new mission statement is, “Whatever it takes, Knox students are worth it.”
“We also have a longer vision statement, a number of belief statements and some goals and objectives,” commented Gappa.
Those revised statements will be uploaded soon on the corporation’s website.
Culver EMS Sports New Tees For Breast Cancer Awareness
For the second year in a row, Culver-Union Township EMTs are sporting blue and pink “EMS For A Cure” shirts in support of breast cancer awareness. EMS Director Robert Cooper said this is an internal effort, not a fundraiser, and each of the department’s 29 EMTs purchased the shirts with a portion of the purchase price going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
State Unemployment Rate Down, First Time Since April
Though Indiana’s unemployment rate dropped for the first time since April, the state lost several thousand jobs last month. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, September’s state jobless rate was 8.2 percent, down 0.1 percent from August. Despite that drop, however, Indiana lost 6000 private sector jobs last month, the first significant drop in almost a year.
Week in Review for Oct. 15-19, 2012
Here is a look at some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Tony Clemons and Melissa McCarty were arrested Wednesday after Knox City police found them to be in a vacant home at 250 W. Locust Drive and in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. Clemons and McCarty were taken to the Starke County Jail and face preliminary charges of Illegal Drug Lab, Dealing in Methamphetamine and drug possession charges. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called to the scene to remove the hazardous chemicals. Continue reading
Football Coaching Leaders
Football Coaching Leaders: through 10/12/12
Tim Roth-Winamac (32 years): 199-131 .603
Justin Bogunia-John Glenn (15 years): 100-66 .602
Andy Thomas-Culver (13 years): 86-59 .593
Kevin Cox-NJSP (11 years): 75-48 .610
Dan Klimczak-South Central (7 years): 66-13 .835
Darren Rodriguez (5 years): 22-28 .440
Chris McGowen-Knox (1 year): 2-7 .222
Week 10 Football Predictions
Harold’s Picks: 39-13 (overall) 35-12 (with blind picks)
SB St. Joe-48 Knox-13
CMA-21 John Glenn-14
NJSP-28 Manchester-14
Winamac-42 Tri-County-7
West Central-34 Culver-14
Whiting-34 South Central-20
Nathan’s Picks: 37-15 (overall) 34-13 (with blind picks)
SB St. Joe-42 Knox-14
John Glenn-28 CMA-21
NJSP-28 Manchester-6
Tri-County-21 Winamac-17
West Central-48 Culver-14
Whiting-35 South Central-21
Sean’s Picks: 25-5
SB St. Joe-41 Knox-14
John Glenn-24 CMA-17
NJSP-24 Manchester-10
Winamac-32 Tri-County-21
West Central-28 Culver-17
South Central-21 Whiting-18
Tom’s Blind Picks: 21-27
SB St. Joe over Knox
John Glenn over CMA
NJSP over Manchester
Tri-County over Winamac
Culver over West Central
South Central over Whiting
Former South Central Teacher Arrested on Charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor
A former teacher from the South Central School Corporation has been arrested after officers from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department investigated a claim that he allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a former student.
40-year-old Brian L. Strauss was arrested at his home in Michigan City yesterday afternoon and has been charged with two counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, as a Class B Felony and a Class C Felony, Child Solicitation as a Class C Felony and Vicarious Sexual Gratification, a Class D Felony.