Shelby Thomas Pleads Guilty to Two Class C Felonies

Posted on Author WKVI
Shelby Thomas

Shelby Thomas pleaded guilty to two counts of Intimidation as Class C felonies in the Starke Circuit Court Thursday. Thomas, 57, admitted to threatening to kill Officers James Upsall and Dave Combs while armed with a 10-inch knife.

The possible penalties for these charges are two to eight years in the Department of Corrections on each count, and Prosecutor Nick Bourff is hoping for a 16-year sentence for Thomas. No plea agreement has been filed, but Bourff has indicated he will dismiss the remaining charges against Thomas, including four counts of Attempted Murder, if victims in the case feel 16 years is a sufficient penalty.

Continue reading →

Starke County Highway Saving Money this Winter

Posted on Author WKVI
Steve Siddall

This winter has been a mild one and even though there hasn’t been much snow on the ground, Starke County Highway Superintendent Steve Siddall says he and the employees are keeping busy

“We’ve still got plenty of work to do out here,” said Siddall. “We’re cutting brush and patching potholes. With no snow, the holes are forming with the raining and the warming and thawing. We also have gravel roads that are taking a beating because of so much rain and moisture in the ground. It’s tearing them up and we’re having to fix them. I really wish we had the snow instead of this because it makes mud and causes more trouble for a lot of things.”

Continue reading →

Knox Man Arrested after Burglary Incident

Posted on Author WKVI
Jacob Hanselman

A Knox man was arrested after a search warrant was conducted at his home Monday.

Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department received a call Sunday about a burglary incident in the east 100 block of 400 South. The victim told police that a gun, a television and prescription medication were stolen.

After an investigation, detectives from the Sheriff’s Department applied for a search warrant for Jacob Hanselman’s residence at 309 Ruthie Dr. Apt. A-1 in Knox. Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall approved the search warrant. On Monday, officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Knox City Police Department executed the search warrant where they reportedly found items that had been reported stolen.

Continue reading →

Goals to Revitalize Downtown Knox Given to City Council

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Greg Matt, Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Donald Kring, City Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

A list of goals to improve the look of downtown Knox was presented to the city council by Council President Jeff Berg at their recent work session. According to Berg, the list consists of several basic goals that can be easily attained and most of them can be performed by the city at little cost.

The list of community goals included items as simple as replacing old fire hydrants, bracketing Heaton Street light poles for future flag and banner use, and resurfacing the Wythogan Park basketball court, which Berg says is in dire need of repair. The estimated cost of this project has been projected to approximately $31,000, and no decision has been made as to where that money will come from.

Continue reading →

Knox City Council Discusses Risner Suit

Posted on Author WKVI

The pending lawsuit from Edward Risner against the city of Knox was discussed further at the recent meeting of the Knox City Council. Risner claims in his suit that the city committed a breach of verbal contract, and requests $40,000 in reimbursement.

The suit was originally filed in federal court, but was dismissed and has been re-filed. Unfortunately, because the city’s liability carrier does not cover this kind of suit, the city will have to hire its own counsel out-of-pocket. Two firms expressed interest in handling the case: a firm out of LaPorte that quoted the city $150 per hour and estimated a total of nearly 130 hours for the case. The firm of City Attorney David Matsey quoted $120 an hour, and Matsey said that he hopes to get the case thrown out before it ever gets to trial.

Continue reading →

$500 Raised for Drew Shearin Memorial Scholarship Fund

Posted on Author WKVI
Drew Shearin

The Silver Creek High School Band Booster program in Sellersburg, Indiana recently hosted a benefit concert for the Drew Shearin Memorial Scholarship fund.

Hannah Gibson, who spearheaded the event, said two concerts were held on Sunday, January 22nd and Monday, January 23rd. The first concert, which featured Group 1 and Group 2 solos/trios that will be performed during the State Solo and Ensemble competition, raised $390. Group III raised $110 during the second night of performances.

Continue reading →

Knox City Council Approves Purchase of Property in Parkview

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Greg Matt, Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Donald Kring, City Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

The Knox City Council approved the purchase of a property in the Parkview Heights area.

The Council purchased property at 404 Giles Court. On the property is a 1950’s-type trailer, and the owner, James Landrum, offered to sell it to the city for $2,000.00. Mayor Rick Chambers said on top of the purchase price the council would need to figure the cost of cleaning up the property.

Continue reading →

Knox Woman Arrested after Battery Incident

Posted on Author WKVI
Jennifer Czarnecki

A Knox woman faces seven charges after a battery incident on Saturday.

Starke County police were called to a residence in North Judson where it was reported a female had been battered. When the Starke County officer arrived on scene, he observed a woman in handcuffs attempting to leave the back of the police car. She had reportedly told her mother that she had been battered, but no evidence of the battery was indicated.

Continue reading →

Funeral Services Held for Eric Corey

Posted on Author WKVI
Eric Corey and his parents

With hundreds of hunters and others in attendance at the Knox Community Center on Sunday, the community said good bye to Eric Corey, of Knox.

Corey, 25, was the subject of many stories about his battle with ALS, his beating the odds for 10 years while hunting all over the world and setting up an event where other people with disabilities could enjoy the sport he loved so much. For three years, Eric and his family organized an event called Turkey Tracks and it grew every year with disabled people going turkey hunting with guides.

Continue reading →

Funeral for Eric Corey of Knox to be Held Sunday

Posted on Author WKVI
Eric Corey

He hunted from Canada to Africa, and he started an event called Turkey Trax so other hunters (young and old) with physical disabilities like himself could enjoy the sport that he loved– and because of the seriousness of his disease, he made his parents promise that they would carry on the event if and when he passed away.

Eric Corey died on Wednesday afternoon in his home in Washington Township. Because of the number of people he became friends with and inspired, his funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Knox Community Center.

M.C. Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the services.

Knox Man Arrested on Battery Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
James Daniel

A Knox man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly battering his wife and firing a gun at her.

Starke County police received a call from the victim who said that she and James Daniel were arguing and he reportedly shoved her while she was on the phone with her father and she shoved him back. He then allegedly hit her in the face with his fist. He told her to exit the residence and her father came to get her.

Continue reading →

Southern Indiana Music Boosters Group to Hold Fundraiser for Drew Shearin Memorial Scholarship Fund

Posted on Author WKVI
Drew Shearin

Drew Shearin’s legacy has lived on through his loved ones and his music during these past few months. The Knox High School student died in a car accident in Starke County in October.

The Silver Creek High School Band Booster program in Sellersburg, Indiana is hosting a benefit concert for the Drew Shearin Memorial Scholarship fund. Coordinator, Hannah Gibson, said the fundraiser includes performances by students participating in the Indiana State School Music Association Solo and Ensemble event.

Continue reading →

Four Charges Filed Against William Blankenship III

Posted on Author WKVI
William Blankenship

William Blankenship III, 22, of Knox, was in Porter County Superior Court 1 in Valparaiso yesterday for his initial hearing.

Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel has formally charged Blankenship with Escape as a Class C Felony, plus Auto Theft, Fleeing Law Enforcement, and Criminal Mischief as Class D Felonies. Blankenship pleaded not guilty to all charges and bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety.

Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford’s court has scheduled an omnibus hearing for Blankenship on May 7th, a pre-trial hearing on June 4th and his jury trial is set for July 9th at 1:00 p.m. in Porter County Superior Court 1.

Continue reading →

Drew Shearin’s Music to be Recognized

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Drew Shearin

The music of a Knox High School student who was killed in an auto accident last Fall will be featured at the Indiana Music Educators Association annual Professional Development Conference in Fort Wayne this afternoon.

Drew Shearin, one of the Drum Majors for the Knox High School band, will be recognized for the second time by the IMEA.  Last year, he was recognized for his instrumental composition called “Uncertainty” which was performed by the Lafayette Jefferson High School Orchestra.  Today, he will be recognized as the winner in the Choral Division for a work entitled “The Sweetest Air is Most Often the Thickest”.  His composition will be performed by the Butler University Chorale.

Continue reading →

Starke County Police Arrest Two on Warrants

Posted on Author WKVI
Anne Marie Geller
Aaron Armes

Two people have been arrested on warrants involving drug charges. In December, Starke County police conducted a search warrant on a camper located on 200 South in Knox and found several items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine and other controlled substances and drugs. Police also searched an area in the woods and found other items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Arrest warrants were then applied for and approved for Aaron Armes and Anne Marie Geller who were known to live in the camper. Continue reading →