Robert Corbin Pleads Not Guilty to Three New Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Robert "Ryan" Corbin
Robert “Ryan” Corbin

New charges have been filed against Robert Corbin in Starke Circuit Court.

Corbin, 30, pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual misconduct with a minor as a Class B felony and two counts of child seduction as a Class C felony and as a Class D felony. He allegedly had sexual intercourse and exchanged inappropriate messages with a then-15-year-old female in between January and March of 2012. He was employed at the Knox High School at the time of these alleged incidents.

Judge Kim Hall set his bond at $3,000 cash. He will retain his current counsel who is representing him in an active case that is set for trial on Jan. 14. In that case, Corbin allegedly sent inappropriate Facebook messages to a then-16-year-old student in 2012.

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Family Dollar Store Manager Charged with Theft

Posted on Author WKVI

The General Manager at the Family Dollar store in Knox pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft in an initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court yesterday.

Casey Anthony, 28, of South Bend, is accused of stealing $19,430.31 from the store in a one-time theft in between March and April of this year. Anthony was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 25 and has since has bonded out of jail on a $5,000 surety bond. Anthony told Judge Kim Hall that he is working on retaining an attorney to defend him.

Police Looking for Suspect in Stabbing Incident in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Knox City police are looking for a suspect who stabbed Brandon Davidson in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 30.

According to police, Benton Christopher Howard and Davidson got into an argument at a residence in Knox. Davidson told Howard that he didn’t want to fight, but a fight ensued. During the scuffle, Howard allegedly unsheathed a knife from his hip and stabbed Davidson in the chest.

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Charges Anticipated in Stabbing Incident

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A stabbing victim is now in serious condition at an area trauma center after an encounter early Sunday morning.

Knox City Police officers were called to IU Health Starke Hospital where 28-year-old Brandon Davidson was admitted after suffering a single stab wound, according to police. He was initially listed in critical condition.

Police have identified a suspect and formal charges are expected to be filed soon. Officers did not elaborate on the details of the incident as the investigation is ongoing.

Bridge Over Eagle Creek Open Again to Traffic

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The bridge over Eagle Creek on Starke County Road 800 East just north of 50 South is open to traffic again. The road has been closed for the past two months to accommodate its replacement. Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler also told the county commissioners yesterday the bridge on 900 South over Bogus Run just west of 100 West should be finished in the next week or so as well, depending on the weather. Continue reading →

Recount Commission Members to Meet Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The three-member recount commission appointed last week by Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall to review the votes cast in two recent General Election contests will meet this morning at the courthouse. They’re looking into the outcome of the fourth district county council race between Democrat Pam Stalbaum and Republican Don White. The Republican Party filed a recount petition on White’s behalf after Stalbaum eked out a two-vote victory in the race to succeed Democrat Marvin McLaughlin. Incumbent Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins, Sr. also filed a petition for a recount after losing to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes. Continue reading →

City of Knox Moving Forward with Blight Elimination Program

Posted on Author WKVI

City_of_Knox_LogoKnox Mayor Rick Chambers updated the city council last week on the Blight Elimination Program.

The city received a grant for $187,000 that will aid in the cost of removing blighted,vacant and abandoned homes in the city. A majority of the homes on the list are in the Parkview Heights area.

Mayor Chambers explained that the state does not want the purchased properties for demolition under this grant in the name of the city. They want a holding company that is not associated with the city. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver said the city could use the development foundation as a holding company. City Attorney David Matsey will draft a Memorandum of Understanding with the development foundation to hold those properties for three years.

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Knox Police Investigating Stabbing

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Officers from the Knox City Police Department are looking for information regarding an alleged stabbing that occurred early Sunday morning.

IU Health Starke Hospital officials called the police department after a man came into the facility with a single stab wound, according to police. The victim, whose name has not been released, was transferred to an area trauma center in critical condition.

There has not been an arrest in this case, but police are seeking information regarding this incident. Call (574) 772-4122 to report an anonymous tip.

Knox City Council Approves Ordinance to Refinance Water Bonds

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox City Council approved an ordinance to refinance the water bonds.

John Julian from Umbaugh and Associates explained to the Knox City Council members last week that the city has $1.5 million outstanding on bonds from 1988 and from 2006 and refinancing now could save the city up to $10,000 a year throughout the remainder of the life of the bond.

Julian said it depends on where the interest rates are but he hopes that he can close on this refinancing by the end of the year.

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Pay it Forward on Giving Tuesday

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Get into the spirit of the holiday season tomorrow with Giving Tuesday. Starke County Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the local nonprofit has joined the movement.

“It really does inspire people to take action for their local community to give, whether it’s giving a gift of money, of time, of making a donation of another sort,”Szarconyi  said. “We really want to encourage and join what is now actually a global movement to give on Giving Tuesday, which is Dec. 2nd.” Continue reading →

Knox Street Department Ready for Winter Weather

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works members that the last leaf pickup was conducted last week and overall the season went really well.

Borg said his staff is ready to tackle winter. He has obtained a different sand to mix with the salt in order for it to distribute onto the road with greater ease. Borg said the sand has some fine stone in it so it can flow better and he’s purchased it from Area Excavating at a less expensive price and half of the cost of transportation to haul it to the city than the previous vendor and location. He indicated that there is a stockpile of the sand ready for when the snow hits.

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Knox City Council Approves Funds for Shell Building

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council
Knox City Council

Money has been earmarked for the construction of a shell building in the Knox Industrial Park.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver told the Knox City Council members last night that companies are looking for existing structures to move right into to start up their businesses. Weaver said companies don’t want to have to go through the process of building the site with infrastructure, permitting and zoning issues. They want to have a building that they can customize to their needs and begin their business right away.

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Knox City Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council will meet tonight where more discussion will be held regarding a dumpster ordinance.

When the council members last met, City Attorney David Matsey issued policy copies from other municipalities and to choose specific options that would pertain to city. He noted that the main goal is to restrict the time in which dumpsters can be placed at a site where a project is in progress. More information will be sorted out during tonight’s meeting.

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WKVI Hosts Successful Fifth Annual Food Drive

Posted on Author WKVI
WKVI's Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe, Mary Perren and Pulaski County Human Services Executive Director Jacki Frain with some of the food collected at Sanders Foods during the fifth annual WKVI Food Drive.
WKVI’s Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe, Mary Perren and Pulaski County Human Services Executive Director Jacki Frain with some of the food collected at Sanders Foods during the fifth annual WKVI Food Drive.

WKVI’s Fifth Annual Food Drive on Saturday was a rousing success. Tom Berg and Tony Ross collected items and donations at Five Star for the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry, while Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe and Mary Perren did the same at Sanders in the Winamac Plaza. Items collected there went to the Pulaski County Human Services Food Pantry. They include 5,200 pounds of food and $1,392.49. Galbreath employees brought two vehicles full of food, weighing 3,000 pounds, and the Winamac Community High School Football Team also gave generously. After the drive was over, the WKVI staff helped unload the items at Pulaski County Human Services, where they will be sorted and distributed to families in need. Continue reading →