Starke County Commissioners Receive 47TR Report from Treasurer’s Office

The Starke County Commissioners received the “47TR” figures from one of the interim employees in the Treasurer’s office this week. That report is sent to the state each month showing that the figures balance with the bank receipts.

In an answer to a question from Commission President Dan Bridegroom, Casey Clark stated they still are not balancing, but “they are working on it.” By working with the Auditor’s office, the monthly figures are now balancing, but they are still off $46,000, according to Clark. That figure is a combination of money that is unaccounted for in 2010, and what she has found back to May of 2011

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Knox-Center Township Fire Department Battles House Fire

The Knox-Center Township Fire Department fought a fire at Judy Sinn’s residence at 5655 E. 250 N. in Knox yesterday morning.

Fire Chief Ken Pfost told WKVI that a representative from the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office determined it was accidental. The fire started in a recessed light fixture in the kitchen. Over $75,000 in damage was done and no injuries were reported at the scene.

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Two North Judson Teens Arrested on Burglary, Theft Charges

Nicholas Rudd
Joshua Muzik

Two people have been arrested in connection with burglaries at two downtown businesses in North Judson.

North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely said that 16 cases of beer and several bottles of liquor were taken from Grand Central Station and a set of Wilson golf clubs and a bag were taken from Rosa’s Resale Shop. After an investigation, officers recovered the stolen property from a residence in the 300 block of Main Street.

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Senator Arnold Visits Starke County Commissioners and Council

Senator Jim Arnold

Sixth District State Senator, Jim Arnold, paid a visit to the Starke County Council and Commissioners this week. Arnold, who was assigned parts of Starke County in a new district, paid a courtesy call on both governing bodies, saying that the members can call him if they need help in any way. If elected in the 2012 election, Arnold’s new district will take in Davis, Oregon, Washington, Center, and Jackson Townships. Senator Ed Charbonneau will be left with only Railroad, Wayne, California, and North Bend townships.

Members of the council mentioned two topics they will be interested in during the 2012 legislative session. Those topics are the 9-1-1 and Police Pension Fund financing.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Submits Bus Purchase Order

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

Lynn Johnson, the Superintendent of the North Judson-San Pierre School system, talked with WKVI News this week about the highlights of the most recent School Board meeting.

“We did put in a bus purchase notice,” said Mrs. Johnson. “We’re looking at the possibility of purchasing one 72 passenger bus, one special needs bus with a lift, and one multi-purpose bus. Depending on funding, we may purchase two out of the three. We just don’t know yet.”

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Millions in Drugs and Money Recovered

Cocaine and money were seized after a search warrant was executed in Roselawn

Members of the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement served a search warrant earlier this month where they recovered close to $2 million in cash and $10 million estimated street value in cocaine.

The search warrant was executed in Roselawn. An investigation showed that two vehicles on the property were fitted with hidden compartments that are commonly used to transport contraband. 18 bales, or 50 pounds, of cocaine were seized, along with currency, weapons, a bullet proof vest, and several vehicles and semi trailers. The money and property were seized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with intentions of forfeiture. The vehicles were seized by the Indiana State Police.

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Groundbreaking Ceremony Planned for Wind Energy Project at West Central Schools

The West Central School Corporation will hold a groundbreaking event for the Wind Power Project on Friday, September 30th at 9:30 a.m. ET.

This is Indiana’s first community wind project to be part of the NIPSCO Feed-in-Tariff program. The turbine will be located on the school campus in the agricultural field behind the football stadium.

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Marshall County Inmate Died of Natural Causes

The death of a Marshall County inmate has been determined. Marshall County Coroner Bill Cleavenger said that the autopsy results revealed that Georgina Onofre died of natural causes.

Onofre, 35, was in a special observation area in the jail due to her past medical history and was under constant surveillance by jail staff. She became unresponsive around 4:00 a.m. ET Monday morning and jail staff immediately started resuscitation efforts. Plymouth paramedics transported Onofre to the Emergency Room at the Plymouth Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

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Proposed Library Tax Rate Clarified

Henry F. Schricker Library

The announcement of the renovation of the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox caused an avalanche of comments to the story on our website. Most of the comments have to do with the cost to the taxpayers.

Starke County Auditor, Kay Chaffins, contacted WKVI yesterday to correct a figure we used as a taxpayer obligation over the next 20 years.

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Plymouth Woman Arrested after Police Pursuit

Kristy Jimerson

An officer from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Plymouth woman after a pursuit incident Tuesday afternoon.

A caller notified the Sheriff’s Department of an intoxicated driver leaving the area of 900 East and 300 North in Starke County. A detective was in the area and spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to stop. The detective pursued the vehicle from 150 North and State Road 23 in Starke County to Plymouth and then to Culver. The driver stopped the vehicle after a minor vehicle accident in Marshall County on Tulip Road, just north of 14B road.

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Nathan Welter Named Starke United Campaign Chair

Nathan Welter gave an address as Starke United's Campaign Chair

The Starke United Campaign Kickoff Breakfast was held yesterday. The breakfast was sponsored by Integrity Trade Services and was prepared by the Country Kettle.

Announced as the 2011 Campaign Chair was Nathan Welter, who also acted as the Master of Ceremony for the event.

Those attending heard presentations by Board Chairperson Todd Zeltwanger and Starke United Director Julie Dessauer. Testimonials were given by Irene Szakonyi of the Starke County Youth Club and Peggy Shidaker of Knox Community Schools. The Key Note Speaker was Pastor Ed Hasnerl, who gave an inspiring “Talking of Many Things” presentation.

Numerous pacesetter checks were presented to end the festivities.

Following the event we talked with Nathan Welter, who is a sports reporter at WKVI, about his involvement with Starke United. Continue reading

Youth of Integrity Holds NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Event

The official NFL Punt, Pass & Kick event sponsored by Youth of Integrity was held on Saturday, September 17th. This was Youth of Integrity’s first year hosting this event which was a huge success with over 120 youth participating. Each participant was awarded an official NFL participant certificate and all received a door prize. Five age groups per gender competed on distance and accuracy of punting, passing and kicking with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards given.

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Starke County Council Discusses and Approves Proposed Starke County Library Project

Henry F. Schricker Library

The Starke County Council approved a proposal by the Starke County Library Board to finance an expansion-renovation project. A representative from Umbaugh and Associates told the council members that the bonds would not exceed $1,785,000 and would cost the taxpayers 17 cents per $1,000 in assessed valuation.

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