83 Year Old Shoots Masked Pulaski County Female Burglar In Head

Posted on Author WKVI

On 2-28-11 at approximately 2:00A.M. Carl Williams age 83 called
911. He reported that he had just shot someone in his home who had
just broken in. The Pulaski County Sherffi’s Office and Winamac
Police responded. It was determined later that a suspect had been
shot but was able to flee the scene in a car.

Pulaski County Detectives were called out to the scene also. It was
determined that force was used to enter the locked rear door.
Williams heard the suspects breaking in. He grabbed his handgun and
went to investigate. When he turned on the light he was confronted
by an intruder dressed in dark clothing wearing a ski mask. Continue reading →

Police Nab 21 In Drug Raid

Posted on Author WKVI

Early Monday morning dozens of officer’s from area police agencies in Marshall County worked in collaboration to roundup 21 individuals that were wanted on drug related arrest warrants. The Indiana State Police, in cooperation with the Plymouth Police Department, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and the Bremen Police Department, spent the better part of the early morning hours going door to door in search of the wanted individuals.

The arrest warrants stemmed from numerous drug investigations that were recently conducted by the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section and the Meth Suppression Unit. This proactive drug enforcement effort sends a clear message to the community that the scourge of drugs that has polluted many larger cities and has been migrating to smaller towns, will not be tolerated, commented Drug Enforcement Section First Sergeant Thomas Ferguson.

All of the individuals arrested were taken to the Marshall County Jail unless it was otherwise noted. Continue reading →

Boil Water Order Continues for Town of Hamlet

Posted on Author WKVI

The boil water order continues for the Town of Hamlet.  The order is in effect until Wednesday, March 2nd.

The advisory was initially put into effect on Friday, February 25th after Hamlet Water Superintendent, John Goble, notified WKVI that some unknown suspect(s) opened two fire hydrants on 500 East and left them open.  The act, that occurred between 9:00-9:30 p.m. CT, drained the water tower for the Town of Hamlet.  A third hydrant was partially opened.  In two-and-a-half hours, 300,000 gallons of water was drained from the water tower.  The fire hydrants are located out by the Sysco property on 500 East.

Hamlet Police Chief, Jeremiah Patrick, told WKVI that there are no suspects at this time, but his Department is continuing to investigate the incident.

Police Arrest 76 Involved in Cock Fighting

Posted on Author WKVI
Two of the 145 fighting cocks are rounded up to be euthanized

It was a scene reminiscent of an old time western movie. Police from throughout the County and State rounded up 76 individuals involved in “cock fighting”. The arrests were made on Saturday morning at 0480 North 100 West in Starke County.

Law enforcement officers were responding to an anonymous tip.

“The Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous tip of animal fighting contests out at a residence on 100 West,” stated Starke County Chief Deputy, Bill Dulin. “Along with the Sheriff’s Department, we responded with the Indiana Conservation Units, State Police, Knox City Police, and North Judson units. When we got there, we noticed 10 or 15 vehicles and when we approached, 50 to 60 people took off running toward a river in an open field.”

Continue reading →

Knox City Council Agrees to Move Forward in Acquiring Building Across from City Hall

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council #2
Back Row: Mayor Rick Chambers, Ed Blue, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Greg Matt and Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

The deal that the City of Knox has with Beverly and Carl Wells for a building that they own across from Knox City Hall might be on again. Wells had offered the building to the City at the February 8th City Council meeting, and on a 3-2 vote the Council members agreed to purchase it for $120,000 with $20,000 down and 5 year annual payments of $20,000 a year.

Because they needed two appraisals to purchase the property, the deal could not be consummated in the time line given by Wells. He told Mayor Rick Chambers that he was going to start remodeling the building for offices if the City didn’t take agreement that week. That seemed to end the negotiations.

Continue reading →

Starke County Officials Hold Successful Tax Sale

Posted on Author WKVI

Totals are in from last week’s tax sale held in the Starke County Annex. Two separate sales were conducted. One was a certificate sale and the other was a deed sale. The certificate sale is one in which the original owners might redeem the property by paying the back taxes. A deed sale is one in which the deed is held by the County where the County is attempting to get the property back on the tax rolls.

38 parcels were sold in the certificate sale for $11,400 and 24 parcels were sold on the deed sale for $2,400.

Continue reading →

Julie Dessauer Named Director of Starke United

Posted on Author WKVI
Julie Dessauer

Starke United welcomes one of its own into the position of executive director. Julie Dessauer, who has been a part of the Starke United Executive Board since 2007, will begin as director for the organization on March 7th.

Mike Charbonneau, Vice Chair of Leadership for Starke United, said he thinks Dessauer will be a great asset to the organization.

“I and Todd Zeltwanger (Starke United Chairperson) both feel that Julie is a very qualified candidate,” he said. “She has tremendous support and respect in the community and can help us bring this organization to where we want it to be.”

Continue reading →

Dan Heminger is the Winner of WKVI’s Time Capsule Contest!

Posted on Author WKVI
Dan Heminger

Congratulations to Dan Heminger who is the winner of February’s Time Capsule contest on WKVI.  Tom Berg and Lenny Dessauer drew Dan’s name live on the air Monday morning.  Dan wasn’t quite awake when they called, but he was excited once the news set in.  Dan won $200 and it was as easy as dialing 772-7600 and guessing the correct answer in the Time Capsule contest.

Be listening for what the featured contest will be in March!

Animal Fighting Contest Raided, 76 People Arrested 145 Birds Euthanized

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Indiana State, Knox, No. Judson police departments and the Indiana Conservation Officers arrested 76 people Saturday morning after officers raided an animal fighting contest in Knox, police say. Just before 11 a.m., police responded to an anonymous tip that 50 people were participating in an animal fighting contest in the North Judson area, at 100 W, south of State Road 8. A search warrant was issued and the site was raided.

When police arrived, multiple people fled on foot and abandoned fighting cock paraphernalia and several vehicles parked in the area.

Police apprehended over 70 suspects after running through muddy fields, ice-covered ditches and wooded areas. Officers found other suspects hiding in ditches and hollowed-out trees. One juvenile that was harbored by an adult was found without shoes. The juvenile was taken to Starke Memorial Hospital and treated for frostbite. Due to the large number of people arrested a bus had to be secured for transportation.

Police say they arrested a person who was described as a Hispanic male for organizing the event, and many others were arrested for promoting animal fighting and attending. Police observed dead birds in buckets, a cock fighting ring and obvious scoring boards of some type. It is a class A misdemeanor to attend an animal fighting contest and it is a Class D felony to promote the use of animals or attendance at an animal fighting contest.

145 fighting cocks were seized and transported to the Starke County Humane Society for euthanizing. Employees and volunteers of the Starke County Humane Society worked all night Saturday into the early morning hours Sunday completing their work. The birds had been transported to the Humane Society in crates tightly packed together and required two trips with a dump truck filled to the top due to the large quantity of birds involved.

Officers also obtained and served a search warrant seizing 13 firearms, 29 vehicles, drug paraphernalia, and cock fighting paraphernalia.

Those arrested traveled from various states including Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. Large numbers of people were seen Sunday morning crowding the Starke County Police Department lobby and were lined up outside the building apparently attempting to arrange for bonds for the offenders.

The incident is under investigation.

Dr. Tony Bennett to Speak at Lincoln Day Dinner in Star City Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Tony Bennett

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Bennett, will be the featured speaker at this year’s Lincoln Day Dinner, sponsored by the Pulaski County Republican Party. The dinner is scheduled for today at the Star City Community Building. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. ET and the program begins at 6:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are $25 at the door.

Dr. Bennett will be discussing the four bills associated with the education reform agenda during tonight’s event. One bill allows charter schools sponsorship opportunity and accountability. Another seeks approval for teacher evaluations and licensing and collective bargaining for teachers. A fourth bill being discussed in this year’s legislature provides scholarships to low income students to pay the costs of tuition and fees at a public or private elementary school or high school that charges tuition.

Dr. Bennett has been involved in Indiana education for over 20 years and has served as the State’s Education Superintendent since January 12th, 2009.

Week in Review for February 21st-25th, 2011

Posted on Author WKVI

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

93-year-old William “Bill” Lemke died Friday after a two car accident claimed his life. He will be remembered as a member of one of the greatest basketball teams ever at North Judson-San Pierre High School.

Starke County Food Inspector, David Kesvormas, has found that about one-third of food handling businesses in Starke County are operating on expired permits.

Continue reading →

Friday Night Mixed League 02/18/11

Posted on Author WKVI

Friday Night Mixed League 02/18/11
Team Standings:
1. 4-Alarm Fire 65.0-35.0
2. Alley Aces 61.5-38.5
3. Rollin’ Thunder 59.0-41.0
4. Dolezal Family 54.5-45.5
5. Mariah’s Hill 53.5-46.5
6. Good Friends 52.0-48.0
7. Raiders 49.0-51.0
8. Undecided 47.5-52.5
9. Hard Times 45.0-55.0
10. Feel the Power 41.5-58.5
11. Baugh Construction 39.5-60.5
12. O’s Tap 32.0-68.0
Continue reading →

Jeremiah Harvey Wins Heavyweight State Title

Posted on Author Nathan
Jeremiah Harvey

Culver Community senior wrestler Jeremiah Harvey completed the greatest individual season in school history by winning the State Championship at 285lbs. Jeremiah began the post season by placing 3rd at the Plymouth Sectional. His dominance of the post season began the following week at the Rochester Regional placing 1st overall, he then went on to win the Merrillville Semi-State before advancing to the State Finals. Jeremiah won his first round match against Huntington North’s Andrew Mason, pinning him in :24. The rest of the tournament would not be as easy. Jeremiah pinned Tyler Melby of Westfield in 6:44, then defeated Bellmont’s #1 ranked undefeated Daniel Meyer 3-2 in overtime, before beating Plymouth’s Damon Howe for the third time this season 3-1 in overtime to take the State Title. Jeremiah ended his historic wrestling season with an overall record of 45-4. Congratulations to Jeremiah Harvey of Culver Community High School on bringing home the Kankakee Valley area’s 6th State Title!

Cody Strange State Qualifying Wrestler

Posted on Author Nathan
Cody Strange

John Glenn 160lb senior wrestler Cody Strange qualified for the State Finals this year. His season came to an end in the first round, losing by decision to Tyler Rickenbaugh of Heritage Hills. It was a great year for Cody who advanced out of the sectional for the first time in his career, placing 3rd at LaPorte. He then went on to place 3rd at the LaPorte Regional before placing 3rd at the Merrillville Semi-State and advancing to the state finals. Cody ended his wrestling season with an overall record of 39-9. Congratulations to Cody Strange of John Glenn on an outstanding season!

Unknown Suspects Drain Hamlet Fire Hydrants; Water Tower

Posted on Author WKVI

The Town of Hamlet is under a boil water order until further notice.

According to John Goble, Hamlet Water Superintendent, a unknown suspect or suspect(s) drained all six fire hydrants on 500 East, which has also drained the water tower. No flooding was reported as it was contained in the fields. Goble said this is a big concern as fire protection as been hindered with the loss of water.

The incident has been turned over to the Hamlet Police Department for further investigation.

Starke Circuit Court Judge Accepts Plea Agreement for Rodney Craft; Sentences Carl Daugherty

Posted on Author WKVI
Rodney Craft

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall accepted a plea agreement Thursday morning for Rodney Craft, of Knox.

Craft agreed to plead guilty to Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with a Prior Conviction, Possession of Methamphetamine, Failure to Appear, Escape, and Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine. All charges stem from several different open cases in Starke County. Judge Hall has not yet set the sentencing hearing, but according to the Plea Agreement filed in Circuit Court, Craft could see a total of 10 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections on the charges in which he plead guilty.

Continue reading →