Linda Belork’s Hearing is Today in Jasper County

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

A hearing will be held in Jasper County today on Linda Belork’s request to have a court-imposed Temporary Restraining Order removed allowing her to return to her duties as the Starke County Treasurer. Belork has been out of the office since August 13th after being removed by the County Commissioners following the issuance of a State Audit showing thousands of dollars in discrepancies.

The money has been found, but Belork has been blocked by the order from returning to office. Objecting to her return are the Starke County Commissioners. Judge John Potter will be seeking pertinent information from Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, and Martin Lucas, attorney for the commissioners, during today’s hearing.

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Unemployment Rates Remain Steady

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Workforce Development

Indiana’s labor force increased by 13,600 in November, holding the state’s unemployment rate steady at 9.0%. Over the past four months, the state’s workforce has grown by almost 50,000. While Indiana saw a 0.4% increase in its labor force during the month, the U.S. labor force decreased by 0.2% percent in November, contributing to the decline in the nation’s unemployment rate from 9.0% to 8.6%.

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Winamac Man Sentenced in U.S. District Court

Posted on Author WKVI

A Winamac man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in South Bend this week.

Gary Marshall, 57, was sentenced to six months imprisonment and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Marshall had previous convictions for filing fictitious claims against the United States and transporting in interstate commerce, a falsely made security.

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North Judson Town Board Rejects Trash Bids

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Board decided to reject all trash bids they received for the 2012 contract proposal and will rebid the contract.

Attorney Cassie Hine told the Board that financial statements, equipment lists, and a notice of general liability insurance of at least $3 million were not included in the two bids that were received. The bidding process will be re-advertised with a clarification of what paperwork will need to be completed in the complete bid packet. The bid deadline will be at Noon CT on Monday, February 6th.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Discusses Teacher Evaluations

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed teacher evaluation requirements at their meeting this week. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said that evaluations are necessary due to state law and those evaluations will determine merit pay for the teachers. The components that will be required are still being determined.

Kelly Manning from 21st Century Scholars and Senator Ed Charbonneau recognized Suzie Matzat during the Board meeting. She has been instrumental in keeping the program alive in the Middle School where she was the Guidance Counselor for many years and in the High School where she maintains that position. She was given a plaque as a result of her positive promotion in getting the word out about the program where students can earn free tuition to an Indiana College or University if they sign a contract and remain drug and alcohol free throughout their school career.

Henry F. Schricker Award Winner Selected

Posted on Author WKVI
Henry Schricker

The Henry F. Schricker Award winner has been selected. Debbie Mix, the Executive Director of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce, said the name will not be released at this time, but the choice was difficult this year.

“It was a very difficult choice this year because anyone to has ever been nominated is still a nominee and we had several more this year and it was a difficult choice. I’m very excited for who is going to get this award,” said Mix.

The award dinner will be held January 19th at Bass Lake.

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Christine Barger to Perform in Fort Wayne

Posted on Author WKVI
Christine Barger

Ventriloquist/Comedian Christine Barger will be performing at the Snickerz Comedy Club in Ft. Wayne tonight and tomorrow.

Christine is a graduate of North Judson-San Pierre High School and she studied theatre at Ball State. After college, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career.

She planned to be back in the area over the holidays and her agent booked her into the Ft. Wayne venue. She said that she’s been trying to do a lot more with ventriloquism in the L.A. area.

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Knox CVS Robbed

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox CVS

The identity of a suspect arrested in connection with the robbery at CVS in Knox last night is still being withheld by Knox City Police.

Knox City Police responded to an armed robbery call at CVS at 9:18 p.m. An officer saw a vehicle leaving the scene at a high rate of speed and a traffic stop was initiated. The driver stopped, then backed into the police cruiser in an attempt to disable the vehicle. A pursuit began which lead into Marshall County. Both suspects abandoned the vehicle on Upas Road in Marshall County and one suspect was arrested. No further information was released by the Knox City Police Department and the robbery remains under investigation.

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Accident Victim Dies of Injuries

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man who was injured in an early morning accident on Monday, December 5th has died. 43-year-old Thomas Guy passed away on Friday, December 16th in Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Starke County Police responded to a single vehicle accident on December 5th at 4570 South and 100 East. Guy reportedly was traveling on County Road 100 East when he came over a hill and lost control of his vehicle, leaving the roadway and striking a tree. Guy was ejected from the vehicle and was taken to the hospital as a result of injuries sustained the accident. He died of those injuries on Friday.

Starke County Commissioners Hears Zoning Issue

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

Betty Dotlich, of rural Grovertown, appeared before the Starke County Commissioners again this week seeking information and assistance in halting the use of a structure she claims is improperly zoned. Dotlich has sought help several time in having a home owned by Julia Povalitis properly zoned, saying she doesn’t believe it meets minimum residential standards. Dotlich said it appears that it is still being used for housing.

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Star City Man Arrested for Manufacturing Meth

Posted on Author WKVI
Matthew Nolte

Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Star City man, Thursday, on manufacturing methamphetamine charges.

Police had received a call of possible drug activity at a Star City residence on State Road 119. When police arrived, they asked Matthew Nolte if they could search the residence. He reportedly agreed and police found a large trash bag on the property with two-liter bottles with an off-white substance. Officers determined that with the consistency of the substance and the odor emitting from the container, it was meth. Police also reportedly found several precursors that are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

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North Judson Clerk-Treasurer, Board Member Recognized for Years of Service

Posted on Author WKVI
Incoming Board member Tim Cummins, incoming Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller and Board members Jane Ellen Felchuk, Dan Anderson and Wendy Hoppe

North Judson Town Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller and Town Board President Dan Anderson said thank you to the community Monday night as they were recognized for their efforts as elected officials. They also welcomed Donna Henry and Tim Cummins who will taking over as Clerk-Treasurer and Town Board member January 2nd, 2012.

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Indianapolis Man Arrested in Pulaski County on OVWI, Drug Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Christopher Standefer

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department officers arrested an Indianapolis man on Sunday on drug charges.

Police conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 35 south of County Road 200 North and found 35-year-old Christopher Standefer to be impaired. He failed a Field Sobriety Test and in the search of his vehicle, officers found marijuana and paraphernalia in a duffel bag.

Standfer was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a BAC between .08 and .14, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangerment, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

Starke County Democrats Sworn into Office

Posted on Author WKVI

Eight Starke County Democrats who were successful in the fall election were sworn into office on Sunday. Swearing in the office holders was 17th District State Democrat Representative Nancy Dembowski.

Sworn in were: Knox Mayor Rick Chambers, Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, incumbent Knox City Councilmen Linda Berndt, Greg Matt, and Jeff Berg, plus newly elected councilman Donald Kring.

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Medaryville Man Arrested after Pursuit

Posted on Author WKVI
Billy Anthony, Jr.

A Medaryville man was arrested after leading police on a pursuit in the Medaryville area on Thursday.

Billy Anthony, Jr., 26, was traveling on Maple Avenue and police saw him cross the center line a few times while traveling. The officer from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department followed him and then stopped at a stop sign and observed the vehicle. The vehicle turned onto an intersected roadway and allegedly evaded police. The Medaryville police officer on duty and the deputy chased Anthony along 175 North.

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Be Cautious When Buying Pets as Christmas Gifts

Posted on Author WKVI

Considering a pet for Christmas? Suzanne Crider from the Starke County Humane Society says it may be a good idea in some instances.

“It depends on what the family is prepared for,” said Crider. “We are always looking for homes for pets, but we do encourage you not to surprise someone in your family with one that they’re not expecting. It’s often a better idea to take them pet shopping and let them pick out the pet that they’re hopefully going to spend the next 10 or 12 years with.”

Crider has another suggestion for parents.

“We encourage parents to not wait until Christmas morning if you are getting a new family pet. Get them in the home before Christmas. It makes life much easier for Mom and much less hectic for everybody and it gives the animal time to settle in.”

Here’s a gift idea from Suzanne for that pet lover on your list.

“A great gift for animal lovers is always money put down at their vet. If you know of somebody who may be having a hard time and keeping up with vet care that their animal needs, ask what vet they go to and the vets will let you put money on their account. When that animal needs something, the owner can take them in and use that credit and that is a wonderful, wonderful gift to do for people.”

Winamac Man Flees from Police on Moped

Posted on Author WKVI
James Larvick

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Winamac man, Friday, after he eluded police on a moped.

An officer saw that James Larvick was swerving back and forth in his lane and after he did not come to a complete stop at a stop sign, the officer began following him. Larvick was followed on Riverside Drive and the officer turned on his lights and siren to alert Larvick to pull over to the side of the road. Larvick motioned at the officer and kept driving. As they passed the Management Building of the Indian Head Motel, the driver pulled into the driveway.

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Outdoor Christmas Decoration Winners Announced

Posted on Author WKVI

The City of Knox outdoor Christmas decoration contest winners have been released from the Mayor’s Office. First place went to Rachel Fletcher at 567 S. 500 E.; second place went to Melinda Majchrzak at 1269 S. 500 E.; and third place went to Dave Heineman at 253 E. Lake Street.

Honorable mention winners include:
Gene Wheeler – 423 S. Carlson Drive
Connie Byer- 607 Bower Street
Donna Moroni – 707 Portland Street
Ken and Sandy Wagner – 101 Potter
Toni Baldwin-Dufour – 1309 Evelyn
Greg and LuAnn Matt – 104 W. New York Street