Knox Woman Arrested Following October Dog Attack

Candice Simmons

A Knox woman was arrested on an active Starke Circuit Court warrant after a dog attack in October.

Candice Simmons was picked up on the warrant after a traffic stop in Cass County on Wednesday, November 30th, and faces two counts of Criminal Recklessness as a D Felony and as a Class B Misdemeanor and two counts of Harboring a Non-immunized Dog as a Class B Misdemeanor.

The charges stem from a incident on Oct. 6, when Marshall Garlach was attacked by Simmons’ dogs on her property.  Garlach was reportedly walking Simmons’ child to her home after Garlach saw him in his front yard. He reportedly told police that when he got inside the gate to the property and walked the boy up to the door Simmons’ dog started attacking him. He said the male dog knocked him to the ground and then the female dog started to attack him too. Garlach told police that he was able to get away from the dogs and call 9-1-1.

Garlach’s left ear was bitten off in the attack and the bites on his arms went to the bone. While police were talking to the dog’s owner, Candace Simmons, the male dog charged at police and was halted by verbal commands. The final time the dog charged at police, it didn’t stop, even with commands, and the officer had to shoot the dog to stop his aggressive charge. The owner admitted to police that the dog had attempted to attack her at times also.

She was being held in the Starke County Jail on $500 cash bond and she is not to have contact with Garlach.

Temperatures Soar in Starke County Jail Equipment Room

Starke County Jail

The beleaguered Starke County Jail has developed more problems recently: I.T. Director Joe Short said the equipment room temperature soared into the sauna range.

“Basically what happened is, the equipment room air conditioner quit working, and it was exceeding 100 degrees in the equipment room. We got McGrath’s out and put the unit in working condition but still its not maintaining anything below 76, 78 degrees. I’d personally like to see it below 70, preferably around 60-65,” said Short.

The problems began after another problem was corrected.

“The rooftop units quit working in the jail for heating, so there was no heat going into the equipment room. Well, now they have the new rooftop units in there and all the duct-work for heating that building goes through the ceiling above that equipment room. In conjunction with that, and air conditioning was running all summer, now that air conditioner is not able to keep up,” Short said.

So what problems are created when the room temperature goes into the stratosphere?

“When we started cracking that 100-degree mark, all the radio equipment for 911, servers, everything is in there. We’re down to 76, 78 but I’d like to see it get a little bit better than that,” said Short.

The plan now is to move another air conditioner to the room to give more capacity for lowering the temperature into the 60-65 degree range. But Short concedes if the main air conditioner dies “we’re in trouble.”

Commissioner Kathy Norem said, “If it dies that would be an emergency, and we would have to address it then.” If you’re experiencing this too, have your air conditioner checked and maintained by Minneapolis air duct cleaning company.

Henry F. Shricker Library Bond Sale Completed

Henry F. Schricker Library
The bond sale has been completed for the $1,785,000 addition/remodeling program at the Henry F. Schricker Library.

Conducted by Ice Miller and Umbaugh and Associates, the bond sale attracted 5 bidders. Librarian Sheila Urwiler explained that the bond sale is only one of the first steps among many.

“The bond sales were complete on Nov. 8, and we’ve got our bond money now, we’re ready to start the next phase which is getting our cost estimates approved by our board and having the construction documents drawn up so we can start the bidding process in probably late January or sometime in February,” said Urwiler.

The bonds were sold to the De Motte State Bank for 3.65% interest. The issue is for 20 years, meaning the payoff will be in 2031, and the money will be put to good use in remodeling the library, Urwiler explained.

“You’ll see a new children’s area that is at what is now the back of the building, closest to the elementary school. The children and the Y/A area will be separate, there will be a little walkway under what is currently the mezzanine, and then those areas will have a little bit of separation which should help with some of the noise from the programs and just from kids running around and they just have a hard time being quiet,” Urwiler said.

Leedy Architectural of Elkhart who did the original work on the library will be the architecture firm doing design work for the project.

According to Urwiler, the groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place in late March or early April.

SCILL Center to Offer GED Courses

SCILL Center

There’s some exciting news from the SCILL Center in Starke County. SCILL Center Director Jerry Gurrado is announcing plans to help provide GED courses, and make the center a testing site.

Part of the mission of the SCILL Center is to provide training for Starke County’s work force, and many times if prospective workers don’t have a high school diploma or GED certificate they can’t qualify for employment. Gurrado explained that a nearby GED test site would greatly benefit Starke County residents.

“We’re working very closely with the two GED centers here in Starke County to expand that program. We’ll very definitely market it better so more people know when it is and where it is and help make it available, and then most importantly from the SCILL Center point of view, we’re going to be a test site. So it saves Starke County residents from having to go to Valparaiso to take their test or, in some cases, you may complete your GED training and it’s maybe three weeks before you can get a test time in order to be able to take it, so we’re going to be able to offer that service,” said Gurrado.

Starke United Radio Auction Held Friday

M.J. Zembala and Dorothy Osinski hurriedly handled auction bids.
Starke United raised several thousand dollars at it’s annual radio auction Friday afternoon. Broadcast over WKVI Radio and aired online, the event auctioned hundreds of items to support its annual fundraising campaign.

Executive Director Julie Dessauer reminds those who bid that you may pay and pick up your items at the Starke United office at 52 West Lake Street after 10:00 a.m. today. Dessauer will release the final results of the auction later this week.

Marshall County Shop with a Cop to be Held Dec. 10

The Marshall County Fraternal Order of Police #195 will host the annual Shop with a Cop event on Saturday, December 10th at Wal-Mart in Plymouth.

Shop with a Cop is a Christmas tradition and dozens of officers from local departments will take kids in need on a Christmas shopping trip. The FOP raises funds to help 300 children in need during the holiday season.

Over the years, local businesses and organizations have joined the FOP and dozens of officers from local departments to host this event.

Congressman Donnelly to Hold Town Hall Meeting Via Phone

Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly will be holding a town hall meeting by phone on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:30 p.m. ET.

If you would like to discuss issues with Congressman Donnelly, go online to donnelly.house.gov and sign up. Constituents who live within the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana will be able to sign in for the town hall meeting.

On the evening of December 6th, you will receive a call with a recorded message from Congressman Donnelly, and then you will be added to the telephone town hall. You’ll be able to listen to Donnelly give an update on what he’s working on in Congress, and then he’ll take questions from you.

The town hall meeting is expected to last one hour.

Boys Career Scoring (Current Players)

Boys Career Scoring Leaders: (Minimum 300 points)

  1. John Eckert-Sr. (NJ): 1,099
  2. Kendall Hochstedler-Sr. (NJ): 677
  3. Josh Anderson-Sr. (JG): 522
  4. Winston Yergler-Sr. (NJ): 479
  5. Bryan McKinney-Sr. (W): 403
  6. Elliott Coad-Sr. (K): 388
  7. Zach Shidler-Jr. (W): 333
  8. Spencer Dobson-Sr. (WC): 308

Girls Career Scoring (Current Players)

Girls Career Scoring Leaders: (Minimum 300 points)

  1. Sarah Redweik-Sr. (W): 595
  2. Jordann Frasure-Jr. (NJ): 486
  3. Elisabeth White-Sr. (NJ): 451
  4. Justine Kruger-Sr. (WC): 441
  5. Jesse Averone-So. (OD): 423
  6. Ashley Campbell-So. (OD): 414
  7. Marissa Hamilton-Sr. (WC): 382
  8. Kenley Sanchez-Sr. (NJ): 376
  9. Danna Timm-Sr. (NJ): 321
  10. Hope Wagner-Sr (K): 306

Boys Basketball Leaders

Boys Scoring Leaders: (Through 12-3-11)

(Stats as reported to www.etpearl.com)

  1. Winston Yergler (NJ): 22.5ppg-45 points (2 games)
  2. Kendall Hochstedler (NJ): 21.0ppg-42 points (2 games)
  3. Josh Anderson (JG): 19.0ppg-95 points (5 games)
  4. Trent Elliott (C): 17.2ppg-69 points (4 games)
  5. Marcus Kammrath (SC): 17.0ppg-34 points (2 games)
  6. Adam Clindaniel (SC): 15.5ppg-31 points (2 games)
  7. Dylan Short (K): 14.3ppg-43 points (3 games)
  8. John Eckert (NJ): 14.0ppg-28 points (2 games)
  9. Jimmy Rippe (L): 13.6ppg-41 points (3 games)
  10. Bryan McKinney (W): 13.5ppg-27 points (2 games)
  11. Elliott Coad (K): 13.3ppg-40 points (3 games)
  12. Riley Charlesworth (L): 12.6ppg-38 points (3 games)
  13. Allen Biggers (C): 12.2ppg-49 points (4 games)
  14. Zach Shidler (W): 12.0ppg-24 points (2 games)
  15. Jake Jones (OD): 10.6ppg-32 points (3 games)
  16. Collin Stevens (C): 10.0ppg-40 points (4 games)
  17. Mitch Fingerhut (NJ): 10ppg-20 points (2 games)

Career Coaching Records: (Through 12-3-11)

  1. Dan Warkentien (SC): 252-99 .718 (16 years)
  2. Todd Boldry (K): 190-105 .644 (14 years)
  3. Travis Hannah (JG): 137-136 .502 (13 years)
  4. Bryan Heimlich (WC): 103-79 .566 (9 years)
  5. Kyle Elliott (C): 33-36 .474 (4 years)
  6. Kyle Johnson (W): 13-12 .520 (2 years)
  7. Phil Shabi (NJ): 2-0 1.000 (1 year)
  8. Scot Spoljaric (L): 1-2 .333 (1 year)
  9. Matt Crawford (OD): 0-3 .000 (1 year)

Team Records: (Through 12-3-11)

  1. Culver: 4-0
  2. NJSP: 2-0
  3. South Central: 2-0
  4. Winamac: 1-1
  5. LaCrosse: 1-2
  6. John Glenn: 1-4
  7. Knox: 0-3
  8. Oregon-Davis: 0-3
  9. West Central: 0-4

Girls Basketball Leaders

Girls Scoring Leaders (through 12-3-11)

(Stats as reported to www.etpearl.com)

  1. Jill Rosenbaum (SC): 16.4ppg-82 points (5 games)
  2. Ashley Campbell (OD): 14.6ppg-73 points (5 games)
  3. Kyler Columbia (JG): 14.6ppg-73 points (5 games)
  4. Jesse Averone (OD): 14.2ppg-71 points (5 games)
  5. Marissa Hamilton (WC): 13.8ppg-69 points (5 games)
  6. Alisha McIntosh (OD): 13.8ppg-69 points (5 games)
  7. Kayla Shaffer (C): 12.5ppg-100 points (8 games)
  8. Justine Kruger (WC): 12.2ppg-61 points (5 games)
  9. Hope Wagner (K): 11.8ppg-71 points (6 games)
  10. Jessica Schramm (W): 11.6ppg-93 points (8 games)
  11. Sarah Redweik (W): 11.1ppg-89 points (8 games)
  12. Jordann Frasure (NJ):  11.0ppg-55 points (5 games)
  13. Mickella Hardy (C): 10.6ppg-85 points (8 games)
  14. Stephanie Shorter (W): 10.6ppg-85 points (8 games)
  15. Katie Schwenk (OD): 10.4ppg-52 points (5 games)
  16. Kayla Zimmerman (NJ): 10.4ppg-52 points (5 games)

Career Coaching Records: (through 12-3-11)

  1. Terry Minix (OD): 251-136 .649 (19 years)
  2. John Hampton (NJ): 109-72 .602 (9 years)
  3. Dan Huizenga (K): 109-98 .527 (10 years)
  4. Gina Hierlmeier (WC): 79-39 .669 (6 years)
  5. Tony Scheub (C): 29-6 .828(2 years)
  6. Rick Budka (SC): 26-41 .388 (4 years)
  7. Jeff Wagner (W): 19-12 .613 (2 years)
  8. Brian McMahan (L): 4-23 .148 (3 years)
  9. Kyle Amor (JG): 1-4 .200 (1 year)

Team Records: (through 12-3-11)

  1. Winamac: 6-2
  2. NJSP: 4-1
  3. Oregon-Davis: 4-1
  4. Culver: 4-4
  5. West Central: 3-2
  6. LaCrosse: 2-5
  7. John Glenn: 1-4
  8. South Central: 1-4
  9. Knox: 1-5

Week in Review for November 28th-December 2nd, 2011

Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.

Kasey Clark is sworn in my Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski

Kasey Clark was named the Interim Starke County Treasurer in a Democratic Caucus held Thursday night. Linda Belork’s attorney had filed a motion in Starke Circuit Court to halt the caucus this week, but Judge Kim Hall ruled that the caucus could proceed.

IU Health Starke Hospital will wait later in 2012 to contract with an ALS ambulance service.

Counterfeit $20 bills were found in the Starke County area. If you find any of these bills, contact the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at 772-3771. Continue reading

Interim Starke County Treasurer Selected

Kasey Clark is sworn in by Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski

Kasey Clark was sworn in last night as the Interim Starke County Treasurer. Clark, who has been running the office since Linda Belork was removed in August, was selected by the Starke County Precinct Committeemen in a caucus last night at the Knox Community Center. Clark won the caucus over Connie Miller of North Judson.

Before the vote each of the women gave a speech listing their reasons for running for the office. Clark repeated part of her address following the vote.

Continue reading

IU Health Starke Hospital to Wait to Contract with Private Ambulance Service

IU Health Starke Hospital

IU Health Starke Hospital officials have agreed to wait at least until the second quarter of 2012 to sign a contract with a private ambulance service to provide emergency transfers from Starke to other acute care hospitals.

At issue was a plan that would have cost the local EMS $100,000 if it lost the Basic Life Support patients that it has been transferring in the past.

Continue reading

Winamac Man Arrested on Rape, Domestic Battery Charges

Christopher Stonebraker

A Winamac man was arrested on Monday and charged with Rape and Domestic Battery.

It is alleged that Christopher Stonebraker raped his ex-wife and pushed her head into a wall causing her tooth to chip. The Probable Cause Affidavit also states that he reportedly scratched her back in the presence of two children. Stonebraker was arrested by an officer from the Indiana State Police and taken to the Starke County Jail on a Class B Felony Rape charge and a Class D Felony Domestic Battery charge.

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New 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator Takes Office

Elizabeth Smith

Elisabeth Smith began work yesterday as the new 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator. Elisabeth is from Rush County in Indiana, a graduate of Butler University, and has spent the last few years teaching elementary students in Maryland. She has moved home to be closer to her family and to reclaim her Hoosier roots. We found out yesterday that Elisabeth was an active 4-H member in her county when she was young.

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North Judson Christmas Parade Tonight

A Christmas parade will be held tonight in North Judson at 5:45 p.m. and will travel down Lane Street to Main Street and end at Norwayne Park. Santa will be riding in the parade and will help with the tree lighting ceremony at Norwayne Park at 6:00 p.m. After the tree lighting ceremony, the Community Building, or the old firehouse, will be open for refreshments after the ceremony and those attending can sing Christmas carols. Kids will also be able to visit with Santa.

Officials in the Town of Hamlet will hold the Christmas Tree Lighting and Social on Saturday, December 3rd. The tree lighting will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the front lawn of Hamlet Town Hall. You are welcome to join in singing Christmas carols out by the tree and then inside for some hot chocolate and “surprises”. Santa might even be there.

Starke United Auction Today!

Starke United

Don’t forget the Starke United Auction today at the CenturyLink warehouse. The auction begins at 10:00 a.m. when WKVI comes on the air with its remote broadcast. The auction will last at least until 4:00 p.m. and there are scores of items for sale.

It’s the perfect time to do a little Christmas shopping and to help Starke United.