It was the primary election of 2010 and the Starke County Sheriff’s race was one talked about by citizens around the County. Of course, Sheriff’s races always create interest, but this one was different. Deputy Bill Dulin came out early with signs, a sure sign that this was to be a serious effort. Even though Dulin worked hard during the campaign the political pundits game him little hope of upsetting incumbent Oscar Cowen. On Election Day itself, most predicted a sizable win by Cowen.
Here is a look at some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Pulaski County Officers elected into office in the General Election were sworn into office Tuesday afternoon. Officers were sworn in by Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn and Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship.
Starke United Executive Director, Edie Hall, told WKVI that the WKVI-Starke United Auction netted $7,669.
A meeting was held in the Starke County Courthouse, Thursday, between the engineer, contractor, two Commissioners and Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall to assess the new lighting in various rooms, including the Starke Circuit Courtroom.
Some of the installation of lighting in the rooms controlled by the Judge was deemed to be unfinished, or unsatisfactory, by Judge Hall.
The Department of Local Government Finance certified Starke County’s 2011 budget order and tax rates on December 21st, paving the way for on-time property tax bills for the second year in a row. The budget certification put the county in a position to have taxes due on May 10th, 2011. Starke County was the 28th county in the State to receive its 2011 budget order and tax rates.
A North Judson man was arrested Thursday morning on charges of Domestic Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a Class C Felony and Invasion of Privacy, a Class A Misdemeanor.
The Starke County Public Library system is sponsoring a Youth Photo Contest. Children ages 5 to 18 are welcome to participate.
Photos need to be taken to the Children’s Department desk at the Henry F. Schricker branch from January 6th until January 22nd. Pick up a form to fill out to tape to the back of the photo and sign a release of liability to the Library. All entries must be a minimum measurement of 5×7. Two pictures may be submitted and they may be black and white, color, or one of each. Photos must be framed. The photos will be displayed February 1st through February 28th and judging will be done by patrons on February 15th and 16th. Winners will be posted on the library’s website and winners will be notified by email or by phone.
For more information, call (574) 772-7323.
Accumulated snow combined with below average temperatures will ensure that much of Indiana will remain blanketed in white this Christmas holiday. With a chance of winter weather forecast on Christmas Eve, the Indiana Department of Transportation stands ready to plow and treat highways ahead of the holiday traffic. Yellow plow trucks are deployed ahead of predicted winter weather to make state highways as safe as possible, but winter driving safety is a partnership where motorists play an equally important role.
At its Monday meeting, the North Judson Town Board approved the CKIN railroad’s request to purchase new railroad ties at a cost of $7,000. The volunteers plan to replace several ties in need of repair.
August 12th was an ordinary day in Starke County, except for Pete Daley who claimed his dog was killed when it jumped into a drainage ditch while playing fetch with its owner. The problem was the water temperature was near 200 degrees after the ditch was infused with scalding water from a Mint Still.
Tuesday Night Men’s League 12/21/10
Team Standings
1. Quarter’s 79.0-26.0
2. Konrad Cabinets 65.0-40.0
3. 1st Choice Pawn 60.0-45.0
4. Hensleys 54.0-51.0
5. Sandbar 54.0-51.0
6. WKVI 53.0-52.0
7. Mark’s Body Shop 52.0-53.0
8. Half Track 46.0-59.0
9. Bowlaway Lanes 45.0-60.0
10. Fishers 45.0-60.0
11. Simonis 39.0-66.0
12. Time Out 38.0-67.0
Sunday Morning Mixed League 12/19/10
Standings:
1. The Unknown 76.0-29.0
2. WRJN 63.0-49.0
3. The Quest 62.0-50.0
4. The Smelly Cats 61.0-51.0
5. Split Heads 58.0-54.0
6. S*** Happens 53.0-59.0
7. Odd Balls 52.0-60.0
8. Lucky #7 47.0-65.0
9. Strange Brew 46.0-66.0
10. Snowdon’s Lawncare 42.0-70.0
Friday Night Mixed League 12/17/10
Standings:
1. Alley Aces 47.0-25.0
2. 4-Alarm Fire 44.0-28.0
3. Good Friends 41.0-31.0
4. Dolezal Family 40.5-31.5
5. Mariah’s Hill 40.0-32.0
6. Rollin’ Thunder 36.0-36.0
7. Hard Times 35.0-37.0
8. Raiders 32.0-40.0
9. Undecided 30.5-41.5
10. Baugh Construction 29.0-43.0
11. O’s Tap 29.0-43.0
12. Feel the Power 28.0-44.0
The Starke County Commissioners heard a report on the First Responder Training from Charlie Collins and Kris Rannells. There are now 9 certified first responders since November 15th. All scored over 90% and are operating at this time.
Every fire department in the County now has at least one first responder. The protocols are written and have been approved, according to Rannells.
In a joint swearing ceremony, all candidates elected in the General Election in Pulaski County were sworn in by Circuit Court Judge, Michael Shurn, and Superior Court Judge, Patrick Blankenship.
One of those sworn into office was Tracey Shorter who will be the newest member of the Board of Commissioners on January 1st.
Besides being the first woman Commissioner in Pulaski County, she is also the youngest at age 42. Ted asked what prompted her to seek the office.
“I ran four years ago and the race was so close,” said Shorter. “Part of it was because there had never been a woman Commissioner and it became a goal of mine. I got sick and realized life is too short to wait so I ran. None of us knows what tomorrow holds. I’m excited. I think it shows a big win for the party but it also shows progress for our County as far as moving forward. I haven’t really done the background but I think not only am I the first woman, but I think I’m the youngest.”
Like all counties, Pulaski has its share of pressing issues that will need to be addressed in 2011.
“Zoning is a big issue, whether or not we keep the County Home open, keeping our budget balanced and not borrowing what we don’t have. All of those things are huge,” said Shorter.
The following were sworn into office: Ron Powers, Pulaski County Council District 3; Tasha Foerg, Pulaski County Clerk; Tom Roth, Pulaski County Council District 2; Stacey Mrak, Pulaski County Prosecutor; Michael “Mick” Tiede, Pulaski County Council District 4; Alex Haschel Pulaski County Council District 1; Joyce Weaver, Pulaski County Surveyor; Steve Van Der Aa, Pulaski County Coroner; Holly Van Der Aa, Pulaski County Assessor; Michael Gayer, Pulaski County Sheriff; and Tracey Shorter, County Commissioner District 3.
The Department of Education has recently released graduation rates for schools in Indiana and for the first time, Oregon-Davis has gone over 90%. Superintendent, Dr. Steve Disney, was understandably proud of the accomplishment.
“We’re just so proud and we do have one of the highest rates around,” said Dr. Disney.
Ted Hayes asked Dr. Disney what he attributes the increase to.
The North Town Board approved the second reading of an ordinance that prohibits the sale of synthetic marijuana during its meeting Monday night. A Public Hearing concerning this ordinance will be held on Monday, January 3rd, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. CT at the North Judson Civic Center. A third and final reading will be approved during the Board’s regular meeting that evening at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Last year, two Starke County World War II veterans, Joe Smrt and Harvey Hammerlund, were flown to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial by a veteran’s service organization called “Honor Flight”.
John Jordan, of Honor Flight, was asked if there will be an opportunity for additional World War II veterans to make the trip.
For over 25 years, Clara Belle Troike has provided a delicious fruit cake to the employees of WKVI radio. When Ted Hayes was on the air, he mentioned once that he had never tasted a fruit cake that he liked. Clara Belle put him to the test with one of her fruit cakes, and that turned Ted around forever. Since that time, Ted and the staff have received a delicious holiday fruit cake. We look forward to it every year.
Wednesday, the station’s fruit cake arrived; a big one for the gang and a smaller one for Ted. To answer a question posed by a listener some years ago, “the fruit cake is the virgin kind, with no alcohol added.”
Again, thank you Clara Belle for the fruit cake, and may you have a blessed Christmas.
Sonny Newbauer, Plant Manager at Hoosier Custom Plastics, was struck by lightning in the business’ parking lot on Tuesday, August 3rd.
Gordon Shank, owner of Hoosier Custom Plastics, told WKVI that day that he had heard a clap of thunder at 7:45 a.m., looked outside the plant, and saw Sonny Newbauer on the ground after he was struck by lightning. Newbauer, of Knox, was given CPR by a fellow employee and while still unconscious, he was taken to Starke Memorial Hospital. The medical staff sedated Newbauer and he was flown to a Fort Wayne Hospital.
Newbauer is still recovering from the incident.
