Bremen Troopers Honored with Awards
The Indiana State Police held its annual awards and recognition ceremony Tuesday in Indianapolis. The ceremony honored and recognized individuals from around the State for their dedication to service, bravery and devotion to the department and the citizens of Indiana.
Trooper Keith Bikowski received the “Trooper of the District Award” for the Bremen Post for his outstanding service to North Central Indiana. Bikowski has been an officer with the State Police since 2007. Robert Murray received the Life Award for the Bremen District for his commitment in removing impaired drivers from Indiana roadways. This is the third year that Murray has earned the distinction. Murray has served the State since his appointment in 1996.
Starke Circuit Court Judge Rejects Plea Agreement for Kimberly Hitchens; Trial Set for April 8th
Kimberly Hitchens appeared in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning for a plea hearing. Hitchens was reportedly involved in events surrounding the Bass Lake shooting incident with Starke County police that also involved Michael Drogosz and John Brooke. She has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, two counts of Possession/Manufacturing of a Destructive Device (aiding), and Assisting a Criminal.
Cock Fighting Attendees to Appear in Knox City Court
Knox City Court will be a busy place today. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. this morning dozens of men charged with Attending an Animal Fighting Contest will be in Judge Charles Hasnerl’s court to be sentenced. The men have been charged with the misdemeanor offense for attending a cock fight contest on February 26th northeast of North Judson.
Starke County Food Inspector Reports Several Infractions after Inspections
David Kesvormas, the Starke County Contract Food Inspector, issued a report covering the first few weeks of his job. As of March 17th, Kesvormas had completed 26 inspections.
Infractions found included: Refrigeration doors not closing properly or not sealing due to defective seals, labeling and dating, cross contamination (meaning raw meat stored over items that are ready to eat), missing thermometers, inaccurate chemical sanitizer test equipment, and general cleaning and sanitizing.
IU Health LaPorte Hospital Birthing Suites Open
It’s official. The new IU Health LaPorte Hospital’s Birthing Suites are open for patients as of March 31st. IU Health LaPorte Physicians offer local maternal care to Starke County area women. OB/GYN physicians Lyjia Strachan, MD, and John Taylor, MD, offer routine office appointments in Knox. They work in conjunction with IU Health Starke Hospital to ensure expectant mothers receive their laboratory and diagnostic imaging needs close to home. Patients of Strachan and Taylor may conveniently deliver their babies at IU Health LaPorte Hospital Family Birthing Suites. Continue reading
Knox and North Judson-San Pierre Students Participate in Elite Science Program
Darienne Griffith, a student at Knox Community High School, and Jennifer Atkinson of North Judson-San Pierre High School, were two of a select group of students who attended the 12th Anniversary Molecular Medicine in Action program at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Continue reading
Starke County Listed as One of the Unhealthiest Counties in the State
Starke County ranked 91st out of 92 counties on a health report. The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released the report that uses a formula to measure how healthy people are and how long they live in each county.
Knox-Center Township Fire Department Responds to Call at St. Thomas Acquinas School
The Knox-Center Township Fire Department responded to a call at the St. Thomas Acquinas School Tuesday morning.
“One the ballasts in the fluorescent lights went bad in one of the classrooms,” explained Fire Chief, Kenny Pfost.
The school houses the Head Start program and the students were removed.
Lisa Owens Appears on ‘Breaking Down the Bars’ Program; Starke County Prosecutor Details Her Early Release
America got it’s first extensive look at Lisa Owens last night on the OWN Network show, “Breaking Down the Bars.” Owens, who is serving a Voluntary Manslaughter sentence at the Rockville Correctional Facility, is due to be released in May under a sentence modification.
Owens was convicted of killing her husband Jeff in their Knox home in 2001. She was sentenced to 40 years.
Representative Dembowski Talks about Return to the Statehouse after Standoff
The Indiana Democrats are back in their seats this week after a walkout that began on February 21st. Both sides are claiming victory in the standoff. Republicans said the Democrats returned after hearing from Hoosiers that they were unhappy with their walkout. Democrats said the Republicans were forced to make changes to bills because the public hadn’t understood Governor Daniels’ radical agenda until the slowdown.
17th District State Representative Nancy Dembowski was asked if she was happy the standoff was over.
West Central Slowly Moving Forward with Wind Turbine Project
The West Central School Board discussed the wind turbine project at its recent meeting. The Board is looking to place a single turbine on the school property in order to save money on energy bills. Superintendent Charles Mellon said there are three issues that have stopped progress on project.
Jessica Jachim is the Recipient of This Year’s Lilly Endowment Scholarship
A North Judson-San Pierre High School student has been named the recipient of a full four year scholarship as the Starke County Community Foundation 2011 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Jessica Jachim will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of her choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment. Jessica is the daughter of Michael and Sherri Jachim and she plans to study English Literature or Journalism.
She is a member of the National Honor Society and is President of SADD. A representative of Hoosier Girls State, Jessica has shown her leadership skills in community and church fund raising activities and on the field as a four year member of the Blue Jay Girls Softball team.
Knox High School Freshman Sponsors Service Project
Knox High School Freshman, Taylor Kemble, is sponsoring another service project.
“I’m having my fourth annual rummage sale,” Taylor announced. “It will be at the Knox United Methodist Church and it will be this Saturday, April 2nd fro 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All proceeds will be used to buy backpacks for school children in Knox, and Oregon-Davis and North Judson elementary schools. All items will be $.50 unless otherwise marked and I will also be taking donations this year and they will be accepted March 31st and April 1st at the Knox United Methodist Church from 3:30-5:30 p.m.”
Taylor is asking that items be taken to the Knox United Methodist Church from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
“I will take any item,” she said. “I have a loft bed that I’m hopefully going to be able to sell. I will accept any items. I actually had an exercise bike donated one year.”
Taylor has sponsored projects that have had national recognition. She was honored by then-First Lady Laura Bush. For more information on Taylor’s annual service project, call 772-7746.
House Fire at Bass Lake Destroys One Home; Damages Another
The Bass Lake Fire Department responded to a house fire on County Road 210 on Saturday night at about 10:10 p.m.
According to Bass Lake Fire Chief Les Jensen, a summer home, located south of Maple Drive, that was owned by Patrick Botica from Illinois was completely destroyed. A neighboring home owned by James Tolone also of Illinois was moderately damaged due to the fire. While no foul play is suspected, the incident remains under investigation.
The Knox Center Township Fire Department was called to assist at the scene. Continue reading
