The Starke County EMS staff is learning how to use their new software.
EMS Director Travis Clary told the commissioners this week that they met with Health EMS officials on Friday to go over the new report writing software. The new software will allow the office to report required statistics to the state. The previous software was no longer compliant in this capacity.
The 
has three new reserve officers. The town council approved the additions Wednesday. Town Marshal Clint Norem said two of them have experience as Starke County Sheriff’s Department Reserves. The third had expressed interest for some time but only recently moved to Culver from Hobart.
The Hamlet Town Council has agreed to insure the town’s reserve officers. Under a state law that took effect at the start of the year, municipalities are now responsible for medical expenses, if a reserve officer is injured or gets sick in the line of duty. Continue reading
The Hamlet Town Council may soon be reevaluating the police department’s vehicle needs, amid ongoing problems with its Ford Taurus.
A few Hamlet residents have complained to the Hamlet Police Department about a phone scam.
A driver led police on a pursuit Sunday night after a Hamlet Police officer attempted a traffic stop.
A Knox man was injured as a result of a hunting accident around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 6.
Hamlet’s loose dog problem appears to be resolved. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, police said the dog that had been causing the most complaints, a female pit bull, has been moved out of town by her owners.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center confirmed that they received a call about a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 35 and 400 N at 6:17 p.m.
Officers from the Hamlet and Knox Police Departments also responded to the accident, along with members of the Knox and Hamlet Fire Departments. Dispatch reported that all medical units and two helicopters were also sent to the scene. Injuries were reported, however, the number of individuals involved and the severity of said injuries are not currently known. Continue reading
The Town of Hamlet is getting into the Christmas spirit. The lighting of the town’s Christmas tree will take place Friday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m., according to Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts.
For the first time in awhile, the law-enforcement agencies of Starke County are joining the state-wide Operation Pull Over campaign. The initiative started on Friday and will run through December 3rd. During this time, there will be increased patrols where officers will be on the look out for motorists violating the seat belt and impaired driving laws.
North Judson Town Marshall Kelly Fisher said her officers will be joining members of the Hamlet and Knox Police Departments as well as the Starke County Sheriff’s Office with the operation. She said it’s important to have this blitz at this time of the year since more people are out on the road visiting friends and family for the holidays.
One bit of advice she had for motorists was to have a designated driver if they plan to be attending a party where they’ll be drinking. She explained the procedure of what happens when an officer has probable cause to pull a vehicle over for driving under the influence. Continue reading
Hamlet’s Street Department is getting a new truck. The town council voted Wednesday to buy a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD with a dump bed from Schepel Buick GMC in Merrillville. The total cost is $41,351. However, council members decided to purchase a snow plow for the truck separately.
The Town of Hamlet is moving ahead with a few vehicle purchases. Last month, the town council approved the purchase of a 2018 Ford Police Interceptor Explorer Utility from Best Ford in Knox for just under $30,000. On Wednesday, council members passed a resolution formally approving the financing.
All four police agencies in Starke County will participate in the upcoming Operation Pull Over Campaign.
Chad Dulin is the coordinator for the Starke County effort. He told the Knox Board of Public Works members Wednesday morning that Starke County is getting 100 hours from the St. Joseph County’s Sheriff’s Department’s enforcement effort to participate in the campaign. Dulin said the county hasn’t been a part of an Operation Pullover campaign for some time and this is a way to get back into the program. Continue reading
The Hamlet Police Department is getting a new utility vehicle, but it’s not expected to hit the road until 2018.
The Hamlet Police Department is looking for more reserve officers. The town council Wednesday authorized Town Marshal Clint Norem to advertise for additional reserves.
Oregon-Davis School Resource Officer John Kohles will remain in the position for at least another year. Last week, the school board took action to employ him full-time and also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Hamlet. The town council followed suit Wednesday by approving the agreement, as well.
A traffic stop in Knox on Tuesday morning resulted in the arrest of three Knox residents for allegedly dealing heroin.
Knox City Police officers performed the stop at the Marathon gas station at Lake Street and U.S. 35. Police say during the traffic stop they witnessed James R. Landrum, Jr., 29, attempt to hide items underneath the back seat as he was exiting the vehicle.
Three people were injured in a car vs. train accident in Starke County just after 3 p.m. on Thursday.
According to Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, the driver of a minivan reportedly failed to yield to the right of way of a westbound CF&E train on 1100 East just south of U.S. 30. When officers arrived at the scene they found the minivan on the north side of the railroad tracks in a deep ditch.
The Hamlet Police Department continues exploring the purchase of a new vehicle, while its Ford Taurus remains out of service.
