Starke County Democrat Caucus Scheduled Tonight to Replace Treasurer

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

There will be a Democrat Caucus tonight to select a replacement for Linda Belork, but the replacement will not be called the Treasurer of Starke County. Linda Belork, with counsel, appeared before Judge Kim Hall yesterday seeking an injunction against a Democrat caucus being held to fill her position by the precinct committeemen.

Judge Hall ruled that because State Statute does not guide him in this motion he would fashion a ruling on the testimony. The judge interviewed Attorney Ethan Lowe as well as Democrat Chairman Ken Wallace. When completed, Judge Hall ruled that a caucus could proceed tonight, but that the person selected would be referred to as the Interim Treasurer. As the Interim Treasurer, the candidate would have the full authority of the Treasurer’s position to make decisions and sign documents.

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Two Candidates have Filed for Tonight’s Democratic Caucus

Posted on Author WKVI

Two candidates are seeking the opportunity to fill the Starke County Interim Treasurer’s position in tonight’s Democrat Caucus. The appointed person will fill the term of Linda Belork until a Jasper County Court settles a suit between her and the Starke County Commissioners. If Belork wins the court case, she will reclaim the office and the caucus winner will vacate the position. If Belork loses the suit, the caucus winner will automatically have the Interim designation removed from her title, and the candidate will become the Treasurer.

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Arson Suspected in Garage and House Fire in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

An arson incident is being investigated in Knox.

Knox-Center Township Fire Department firefighters were called to a garage fire at 0020 N. 500 E. in Knox on Thursday, November 22nd. Firefighters discovered a fire along the back wall of the garage and it was quickly extinguished. The fire was ruled electrical/accidental. Firefighters were called to the same residence the next day and extinguished another fire that was located on the back wall of the garage near the location of the previous fire.

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Five Arrested on Drug Charges Appear for Initial Hearings in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Kristen Webb
Brooke Webb
Nikki Givens
Zachariah Whitfield
Joseph Givens

Following their arrest on November 23rd at a residence in Knox, the five individuals arrested in relation to drug activity at 605 South Portland Street made their initial appearances in the Starke Circuit Court yesterday.

Joseph Givens and Kristin Webb face charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Marijuana, while Brooke Webb is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, and Visiting a Common Nuisance. Nikki Givens faces charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Marijuana, and Zachariah Whitfield faces a charge of Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

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Winter Wonderland Event in Winamac this Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County’s Winter Wonderland is Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET in the Winamac downtown area.

The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and it will begin at the Catholic Church and will end at the Pulaski County Chamber Office. Vendor booths will be set up at the Opera House at the corner of Market and Main Street and at 200 N. Monticello Street and at Refined. Maps are available at many local businesses. The Church of the Heartland Bethlehem scene can be viewed at 102 N. Market Street.

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Starke United Auction is Tomorrow

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke United

Don’t forget the Starke United Auction tomorrow. It’s a great way to purchase some of those Christmas gifts, and help a very worthwhile organization.

Starke United Executive Director, Julie Dessauer, announced that you will be able to bid on signed sports memorabilia, Chicago Bears tickets, jewelery, $100.00 NIPSCO gift certificates, a 16 gig I-Pod 2 and a 1993 Cadillac. Those are just a few of the items that have come in over the past few days.

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Democratic Caucus for Starke County Treasurer Will be Held

Posted on Author WKVI
Ethan Lowe

There will be a Democrat Caucus tomorrow night to select a replacement for Linda Belork, but the replacement will not be called the Treasurer of Starke County. Linda Belork, with counsel, appeared before Judge Kim Hall in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning seeking an injunction against a Democrat caucus being held to fill her position by the precinct committeemen.

Judge Hall ruled that because State Statute does not guide him in this motion he would fashion a ruling on the testimony. The judge interviewed Belork’s Attorney, Ethan Lowe, as well as Democrat Chairman Ken Wallace. When completed, Judge Hall ruled that a caucus could proceed tomorrow night, but that the person selected would be referred to as the Interim Treasurer. As the Interim Treasurer, the candidate would have the full authority of the Treasurer’s position to make decisions and sign documents.

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Roy Bell Accused of being the Shooter in Upsall Shooting

Posted on Author WKVI
Roy Bell

The question now is who pulled the trigger in the slaying of Wilma Upsall of Leiters Ford? That’s a question investigators are trying to determine and according to some news sources, the finger is pointing at Roy Bell of Rochester.

WSBT-TV reported yesterday that court documents point to Bell as the shooter of Wilma Upsall when she was tied to a chair. She was shot multiple times.  The court documents, according to the WSBT report, said one of the accused, Jason Miller, of Plymouth, told investigators that he and William Scroggs, of Delong, were outside when they heard the shots and that Bell told them later that Upsall had seen his face.

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Arson Suspected in Apartment Fire in Winamac

Posted on Author WKVI

The Winamac Fire Department was called to two fires Monday.

Winamac Fire Chief Bill Weaver said that firefighters were called to an apartment fire at 303 N. Market Street at about 1:30 p.m. ET. They were able to get to the scene quickly and extinguish that fire. Weaver said that an investigator from the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office arrived on scene and determined that the fire started in the closet in a bedroom and that it was deliberately set. No arrests have been made yet in this arson case and the fire remains under investigation. If you have any information about this fire, call the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 946-6655.

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Starke County Commissioners Hear Update on Jail Committee

Posted on Author WKVI
Scott Cherry explains Skillman's part in the Starke County Jail project

The Starke County Commissioners were brought up to date on the activities of the Starke County Jail Committee last week. Commissioner Kathy Norem, who heads up the committee, introduced Scott Cherry, Account Executive with the Skillman Corporation, a construction management firm with headquarters in Indianapolis and a regional office in Merrillville.

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Starke County Commissioners Approve Purchase of Second Car for Sheriff’s Department

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen asked the Starke County Commissioners for a second new police car this year. Cowen told the Commissioners that an insurance check for a wrecked vehicle has been received.

“I don’t know the exact number but it was over $8,000,” said Cowen. “I had asked once to buy a used car to replace but then I said just hang on to money and hopefully with that we have enough money to look toward our second new car this year.”

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Michael Allen Arrested after Making Alleged Threats

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Allen

Michael Allen, of Winamac, was arrested on Friday, November 25th after he allegedly threatened a female victim and a police officer over the phone.

The victim was at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department making a complaint against Allen saying that he keeps calling her phone and harassing her. While she was talking to the Jail Deputy, the phone rang and the victim said it was Allen calling. The Jail Deputy answered the phone and identified himself as an employee of the Sheriff’s Department and Allen continued to speak to the jail deputy using vulgar language and threatening the life of the jail deputy. The victim then spoke with a police officer who explained the situation. The phone rang again and the officer answered, identified himself and Allen allegedly swore and threatened the life of the victim and her family. He threatened the officer when he called her phone again. The officer called him from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and asked if he could speak with Michael Allen and he said that he wasn’t there, but he sounded just like the suspect. The officer asked for his address and he gave it to him, but when police arrived at the residence, he was gone.

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Knox Man Arrested after Stealing TV from Neighbor

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested Saturday, November 26th, after he allegedly broke into a home and stole a TV.

Knox City Police officers spoke to the victim who said that Erik Draper reportedly entered her home through an open kitchen window. Draper woke her when she heard noises coming from the living room area. She told police that she got up and saw that her front door was open. She then said she saw Draper running toward his house carrying her flat screen TV. She yelled at Draper to bring back the TV and he allegedly threw the TV over a fence and jumped the fence and took off running.

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SCILL Center Coat Drive Now at 500 Coats

Posted on Author WKVI

SCILL Center Director Jerry Gurrado said that over 500 coats have been collected in their coat drive this year.

Do you need a coat? Is your family in need of coats? Gurrado said that the coats will be distributed at the Knox United Methodist Church from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT this Saturday, on December 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT at the Knox Christian Church, and on December 17th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT at the Knox United Methodist Church. If you need more information, call Jerry Gurrado at 772-8001.

Linda Belork’s Attorney Files Challenge to Thursday Night’s Caucus

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

The attorney for Linda Belork has notified Starke County Democrat Chairman, Kenny Wallace, that he, on behalf of his client, is challenging the right of the party to hold a caucus Thursday night, December 1st to name a new Starke County Treasurer.

Belork was removed from office by county officials in August when a State Board of Accounts report noted funding discrepancies totaling thousands of dollars. Those discrepancies eventually were resolved, but Belork was never reinstated to the office.

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Former Starke County Resident Found Dead in House Fire in Elkhart County

Posted on Author WKVI
Dewey Smith, Jr.'s mobile home was a complete loss. Photo courtesy of Goshen News

Dewey Smith, Jr., 40, a 1989 Knox High School graduate, was found dead inside a burning mobile home just south of New Paris, in Elkhart County on Friday, November 25th.  The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department was able to identify Smith’s body today.  An autopsy was scheduled for today to determine the cause of death.

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