Starke County Sheriff’s Department Investigates Burglary

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department responded to a burglary incident at Hines Salvage in Grovertown on Sunday, June 26th.

The owner told police that he found a knife laying on the ground by the office door, which he thought the suspect(s) used to get into the business. Once the unknown suspect(s) were inside the business, it appeared several drawers were gone through and weapons were taken. Also taken from the office were bolt cutters that were used to cut off six locks that were on trailer doors and garage doors. 6-7 car radiators were stolen, along with 4-5 catalytic converters and several feet of copper wire.

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Bella Vita Offers Classes to Area Women

Posted on Author WKVI
Tona Miller

Tona Miller, one of the councilors at the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center has said that to date, over 35 women have entered classes at the facility.

“I think that they are very interested in our classes,” said Miller. ” We have a program called the ‘Earn While you Learn’ program and what this program does is every class that you come to, prenatal or parenting, you earn what we call baby bucks. With these baby bucks, you can purchase items out of our store. We have clothing, diapers, cribs, walkers, strollers, anything baby related. You also earn the baby bucks for going to your doctor’s visit or WIC appointments. I think most of the girls are very interested in this program because it helps them in a financial way.”

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Last Day to File for Knox Municipal Election is Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI

Thursday at 12:00 p.m. CT is the deadline for the Knox municipal election sign-up.

Any office that does not have a candidate that was selected in the Primary Election can be filled. So far, only Thom Morin has signed up to fill a position on the ballot. He has signed as a Republican for the General Election. Morin will oppose Don Kring for the City Council seat that is currently held by President Ed Blue who is not running for re-election.

Residents Reminded of Fireworks Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

Fireworks season has started and you are to be reminded of the fireworks law within city limits. The use, discharge or ignition of consumer fireworks by any person or other entity is prohibited in the corporate limits of the City of Knox, Town of North Judson and the Town of Hamlet, except during the following periods: Between the hours of 5pm and two hours after sunset on June 29th and 30th, July 1st-3rd, and July 5th-9th; between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and midnight on July 4th; and between the hours of 10:00 a.m. on December 31st and 1:00 a.m. on January 1st.

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Vandalism Reported at Monterey Elementary School

Posted on Author WKVI
Monterey Elementary School

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department received a vandalism complaint at the Monterey Elementary School on Thursday, June 23rd.

A staff member told police that she noticed paint on the side of the school building. Words were painted on the brick wall and on a window. A small hole was made on the corner of the window but it is unknown if it had been shot or if a rock had hit it. When police investigated, the words were recognized as being associated with gang activity.

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Knox Resident Arrested on Cocaine Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Gerald Boyd

Gerald Boyd, of Knox, was arrested on Saturday on cocaine related charges.

A Knox City Police officer was out on routine patrol when he saw Gerald Boyd. The officer ran his information and found he had a valid warrant for his arrest through Starke Circuit Court. When officers conducted a pat-down, the officer noticed something in a small pocket near his waist. Boyd then turned to run from police. As he turned, the officer grabbed the small pocket and ripped it open. Something reportedly fell out of the pocket. Boyd was apprehended and taken to the Starke County Jail. Police found seven small bags that had come out of his pocket and a straw, according to the report. Inside the baggies was a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine.

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Fireworks Celebration this Saturday at Starke County Airport

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox City Council, Fireworks Committee and Knox Mayor Rick Chambers invites all to this year’s fireworks display at the Starke County Airport this Saturday, July 2nd.

The gates open at 4:00 p.m. and the gate fee is $5.00. There will be numerous food booths and various clubs selling items for fundraisers. A DJ will be playing music up until the fireworks display at dusk. A Cruise-in will be held on the runway. A BMX Bike demonstration is scheduled, along with a HAM Radio and Airplane Club demonstrations.

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Attorney Status Hearing Set for Hobart Givens

Posted on Author WKVI
Hobart Givens, Jr.

An attorney status hearing is scheduled in the Starke Circuit Court this afternoon for Hobart Givens, Jr., 21, of Knox. Givens is charged with one count of Stalking, a Class D Felony, and Possession of Marijuana after being apprehended by police following a complaint.

On June 13th, police received a complaint from a resident who said that their 11-year old daughter was harassed by a male subject driving an older maroon Ford Taurus with lightning bolts on both sides. The girl told police that she had been walking her dog on Potter Street when the subject pulled up next to her and asked her how old she was. When she didn’t respond, he asked her if she needed a ride, at which point she immediately picked up her dog and ran home. When police arrived on scene, the victim was “very scared and upset.”

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Fire Department Officers Participate in Training Sessions

Posted on Author WKVI
Mike Bucy and Joe Short from the Washington Township Fire Department

Local Fire Department officers participated in a two-day training session facilitated by Mike Bucy, Chief of the Stevens County Fire District #1 near Spokane, Washington. The sessions were held at the Washington Township Fire Department.

Bucy was asked about what the information he was giving to the officers.

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Pulaski County Man Arrested on Intimidation Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department were called to 5110 W. and 400 N. regarding an intimidation incident on Thursday.

Keith Powers told police that he was standing outside and he heard dogs barking near his residence and people talking through the woods. Powers said his dogs had begun to run toward the woods and Powers went inside his residence to retrieve a gun. He told police that he shot multiple rounds into the sky. Powers said his dogs return when he fires his weapon. He said he got into his truck and looked for the people in the woods. He found raccoon hunters and told him to stay off his property. Powers said that one of the hunters reached into his truck and Powers said he would defend himself if necessary.

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Plymouth Police Investigate Vandalism at St. Michael’s School

Posted on Author WKVI

They can’t keep the basketball backboards from being shattered at St. Michael’s School in Plymouth. Police have been called to the school three times. On June 5th, a subject called to report that two juveniles were throwing rocks and had shattered the backboard. The backboard was fixed, but on June 24th, another one was shattered.

Police in Plymouth are asking the public for help in solving this vandalism. Call (574) 936-2126.

Knox Man Arrested after Alleged Threats

Posted on Author WKVI
Jerry Riley

Jerry Riley of Knox was arrested Friday after a domestic incident was called into the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

Witnesses told police that Riley had arrived at a residence on 800 South and rammed his car into his wife’s car and then backed up and hit a car belonging to Alexander Honchar, pushing it out of the driveway and into the lawn. Riley then exited the vehicle and confronted this step-son, Kebun Boule, about taking jewelry. Riley then allegedly hit Boule. Alexander Honchar told police that he walked around the corner of the porch and Riley surprised him and allegedly held a box cuttter style knife to his throat and Riley reportedly threatened him. Honchar then hit Riley and called 9-1-1.

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Ted Hayes Accompanies Civil Air Patrol on Mission

Posted on Author WKVI

WKVI’s own Ted Hayes was given the opportunity to go airborne with members of Indiana’s Wing of the Civil Air Patrol last Friday as they conducted a simulated mission to provide aerial photographs of bridges along the Kankakee River. Col. Mark Reeves of Indianapolis was the Commander for the evaluation. Lt. Col Matt Creed, First Lt. Lindsay Shipps, and Captain David Sinn conducted the mission.

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Brianna DeCamp Crowned Miss Outstanding Teen

Posted on Author WKVI
Brianna DeCamp

Brianna DeCamp has been crowned Miss Outstanding Teen 2011. Brianna is a student at East Noble High School in Kendallville. There were 22 girls in the competition, including Taylor Quella, of Knox, who will be a senior next year.

Local pageant officials said Taylor scored well in most of the categories. She reported that it was a great experience, one that she would like to compete in again next summer. The pageant is held in Zionsville, Indiana.

Madison Boldry, Miss South Bend Outstanding Teen won the “cause” award. Her platform was “Desire to Inspire”.

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18-Year-Old Drowns After Jumping From Yellow River Bridge in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The treacherous Yellow River has claimed another life. Mercan Lyncook, of Parma Ohio jumped from the abandoned train bridge near the depot at 12:00 midnight Sunday morning, and because of limited swimming ability never made it back to shore. The 18-year-old man’s body was found by the Marshall County Dive Team at 2:00 a.m.

The Knox Police Department and Indiana Conservation Office received a call from Lyncook’s friend that he did not surface after diving into the water.

Assisting in the search were the Knox Volunteer Fire Department, Bass Lake Fire Department, Starke County Sheriff’s Department, Washington Township Fire Department, and Starke County EMS.

Civil Air Patrol Conducts Training in Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI
The plane is prepared for take-off

On July 1st, 1946, President Harry Truman established the Civil Air Patrol. It was charged with three primary missions: Aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. Over the past weekend, members of Indiana’s Wing of the Civil Air Patrol were in Knox conducting exercises to prepare themselves for whatever disasters they might be called to in the state.

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Nathan VanDerAa Appears in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Nathan VanDerAa

A status hearing regarding the violation of Nathan VanDerAa’s probation was held in Starke Circuit Court Friday. VanDerAa admitted to five violations of his probation, including an arrest in Pulaski County that he did not report for possession of methamphetamine as well as driving while suspended, failure to complete community service, and an overdue balance owed to the probation department. He has also not completed his drug abuse prevention evaluation and did not report to probation as directed.

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Starke County to Receive Federal Public Assistance

Posted on Author WKVI
Flooding occurred after a levee break on the Robbins Ditch. Photo by Becky Pulver.

President Barack Obama has approved 32 counties for federal public assistance for damage sustained by severe weather that began April 19th. Starke County was the only county listed from Northern Indiana that will be receiving funding.

Public assistance means state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations in the designated counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.

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North Judson Town Board Discusses Outdoor Pool Regulations

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board: Dan Anderson, Wendy Hoppe, Jane Ellen Felchuk, Attorney Cassie Hine and Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller

The North Judson Town Board members discussed outdoor pool regulations at their recent meeting.

Building Inspector, Steve Ransom, said if you install a pool 24 inches tall or bigger, whether it’s a temporary pool or you plan to place it on your property permanently, a permit is required. Pools under 48 inches that have an entry that can not be secured must be fenced in. More information regarding pool installation can be found in an ordinance in the Clerk’s office.

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