Knox Clerk-Treasurer Discusses Event Success and Important Takeaway from the SCEDF Retreat

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Starke County Community Services recently received a plethora of food donations thanks to the “Bluegrass Jam” event hosted by the City of Knox on March 25th.

At Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston mentioned that the entry fee for the event was a food donation. Although he didn’t have an exact number for how much food was collected, he said the event was very well attended. He added that many people also provided compliments about the upgrades to the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center.

During his report, Houston also filled members in on the Starke County Economic Development Foundation Community Retreat that he attended with Mayor Dennis Estok and Councilman Jeff Berg. Continue reading →

Campaign Signs Not Permitted in State Right-of-Way

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Candidates in the May Primary Election are starting to get out in the public to attempt to collect supporters. Officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation urge candidates and campaign assistants to keep campaign signs out of the state’s right-of-way.

Signs are not permitted in intersections, interchanges or rights-of-way that run parallel to highways. Where the right-of-way is not clearly marked, boundaries may be estimated as the fence line, the back of a ditch or behind utility poles.

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City of Knox Leaf Pick-Up Starts Monday

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Spring leaf pick-up will be starting soon in the City of Knox.

The Mayor’s Office recently sent out a notice, announcing that the leaf pick-up will begin on April 2nd and run until April 6th. Pick-ups will take place again from April 30th through May 4th.

Branches and limbs will be picked up the Knox Street Department each Thursday.

Residents should place all leaves in front of their residence in a long row next to the curb on the street, not by the alley. Also be sure to clear any trash out of your piles so the vacuum will be able to pick up the leaves. Continue reading →

David Spohn Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
David Spohn

A Starke man was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Thursday afternoon after a jury found him guilty of domestic battery as a Level 6 felony in a jury trial earlier this month.

The jury found that David Spohn battered his then-wife after an argument in their home on May 30, 2017. He punched her in the head, causing her to fall. He then held her down and continued to hit her resulting in a fracture in her back and a contusion on one of her ribs. This incident was witnessed by a child.

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Starke County Justice Center Garden Expands, Trustees Start Planting for the Season

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Starke County Justice Center gardening program continues to grow!

According to Therapeutic Community Coordinator and Jail Warden Phil Cherry, the garden has quadrupled in size since last year. Justice Center has received multiple awards for the garden and the program in the three years since it’s been implemented.

Despite the dreary weather Thursday morning, a handful of trustees were out planting some “cold weather” items such as onions and potatoes. Though only about 6 inmates were working on this task, Warden Cherry shared that anywhere from 30 to 40 individuals will eventually be involved. Continue reading →

Two State Roads Reopen after Flooding Event

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Two state roads are back open now that flood waters have receded.

The Indiana Department of Transportation opened State Road 39 between State Road 10 and U.S. 30 and State Road 8 between U.S. 35 and State Road 39. The roads were closed when high water from historic flooding intruded on the roadways in late February. The roads were closed for a longer stretch as testing was conducted to determine the extent of damage on and under the Continue reading →

Starke County Election Board Discusses Upcoming Public Test for Voting Machines

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Citizens interested in getting a little bit of “voting practice” in prior to the May Primary Election will be pleased to hear that a test voting day will be held next week.

The upcoming public test for voting machines was discussed during Wednesday morning’s Starke County Election Board meeting. Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley said the test is being held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3rd. Continue reading →

Medaryville Town Council Passes Ordinances Pertaining to Election Procedures

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Medaryville Town Council members held the final reading over two ordinances related to election procedures when they met last week.

Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood explained that town council members were considering these ordinances in order to adjust term lengths. She said the switch will have a positive impact on the cost of running an election.

She stated, “What they’re trying to do is get on the presidential elections and then there’s no cost to the town if they do that.” Continue reading →

Culver Town Council Adopts Ordinances

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council adopted several ordinances during their regular meeting on Tuesday night.

An ordinance that rezones the BP Good Oil property on 203 and 213 Main Street was unanimously approved on second and third readings. The ordinance now allows the parcels to be zoned C-1 so renovations can be made at the site. Developer Kevin Berger previously explained that the house at 213 N. Main Street will be demolished to allow for the extension of the convenience store. The current structure may be partially demolished in the process to make way for an improved store front. The store front will face southeast as opposed to the current eastern facing.

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Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Drug Charges

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Two defendants charged with a felony level of possession of methamphetamine were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning.

Debra Trusty, 46, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the prosecutor’s office to the charge. She admitted that she was in possession of the drug while in a police vehicle while enroute to the Starke County Jail on Dec. 5, 2015. Trusty’s attorney, Leslie Baker, explained that she successfully completed treatment and is gainfully employed. She is also attempting to make changes in her life to keep herself sober.

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Knox City Council Members Sign Annual Nepotism Contracts

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Nepotism contracts were passed out and signed during Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting.

Nepotism contracts are signed to prevent any potential conflicts-of-interest from occurring within a municipality. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston informed the council members that during a meeting he recently attended, he was advised to include this on the agenda even though it is an annual procedure.

Houston said there was one document that was passed out and signed to all the present council members. He added that since Councilman Don Kring recently completed some work for the city police department, there was another document only needed his signature. Continue reading →