Knox Man Pleads Guilty but Mentally Ill

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man pleaded guilty but mentally ill to two charges in Starke Circuit Court Thursday morning.

Frank Solberg, 44, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to charges of intimidation as a Class C felony and interference with reporting a crime as a misdemeanor. He admitted in open court that he threatened the life of his mother with a butcher knife if she were to call the police at the height of an argument. He also admitted that he ripped the telephone off the wall so she could not dial 911 to seek help from law enforcement.

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Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI

Two Knox residents were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Thursday morning.

Gordon Sheib, Jr., 40, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to charges of neglect of a dependent and false informing. He admitted in court that he told his daughter to live elsewhere when she was a dependent child in his custody. At the time of the incident, Sheib told police that his daughter was emancipated when she in fact was not.

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Free Cervical and Breast Cancer Screenings Available

Posted on Author WKVI

healthyThe IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals’ mobile health clinic is offering free cervical and breast cancer screenings in the area. Screenings are held inside the mobile health unit, which has two private exam rooms.
Screenings will take place in Knox from 8 a.m. until noon, on Aug. 1, in North Judson from 9 a.m. until noon on Aug. 6 and in La Porte from 9 a.m. until Noon on Aug. 17.
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Another Step Forward Campaign Moving Forward

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Moving Starke County Forward organization’s Another Step Forward campaign is rolling right along.

The organization signed up several walkers, runners, bikers and swimmers in May to take part in making Starke County a healthier place to live. So far, 6,000 miles have been recorded. Officials ask that you turn in your steps as often as possible so miles can be added to the total.

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Knox Woman to Spend 30 Months in DOC

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox woman is going to prison after a sentencing hearing yesterday morning.

Tiffany Witham, 32, admitted to a probation violation and to a charge of possession of a controlled substance as a Class D felony.

She was arrested in February after a traffic stop in North Judson where she was in possession of a controlled substance without a doctor’s prescription. Probation officer Annette Warkentien testified during the hearing stating that Witham lacked cooperation with the department. While Witham admitted that she had a drug problem, she would not follow through with treatment programs.

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Three Defendants Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI

Three Knox residents were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning.

Kayla Maassen, 21, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a legend drug, both Class D felonies. She was sentenced to serve 18 months in the Indiana Department of Corrections with nine months suspended to be served on probation on each charge. The remaining part of the sentence was permitted to be served with Starke County Community Corrections with daily reporting. The sentences will run concurrently, or at the same time.

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Grain Bin Safety

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana Department of LaborSince 1980 grain bins across the U.S have been responsible for more than 180 deaths and 675 injuries. Just last year, a Hoosier farmer in La Porte county was killed in a grain bin accident. This month a 9-year-old Wisconsin boy was killed after falling into a grain bin. With harvest time approaching the Indiana Department of Labor wants to remind everyone of the hazardous nature of working with grain bins and offer some tips to assure safety.

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Something Fishy Pets is Moving

Posted on Author WKVI

20140724_151730A child recently had his finger bitten at the pet store that is located at 1700 S Heaton Street in Knox. Though signs are posted warning customers to keep fingers away from cages since animals are unpredictable, a child sustained a minor injury.

Due to this recent incident, the store owner Sue Webb was asked to cease selling rodents within city limits by July 31st. She sells her domestically-bred rats and mice to individuals for carnivorous reptiles. According to Webb it makes up 50 percent of her business.

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Teen Charged with Arson

Posted on Author WKVI
Dakota Roush
Dakota Roush

A  house fire in Knox on Thursday turned out to be the act of arson and a suspect is in custody.

Firefighters from the Knox-Center Township Fire Department were called to a house fire in the 2000 East block of County Road 200 South at 8 p.m. on July 24. When they arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames.

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School Board Candidates Can Now Submit Petitions for General Election

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Candidates looking to sign up to run in the November 4th General Election for seats on the Knox Community School Board, Culver Community School Board or the Oregon-Davis School Board can do so now in the Starke County Clerk’s office.

Three seats are open on all of the school boards. Each candidate must file a petition with Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski by noon on Aug. 22 to be considered for placement on the ballot.

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Golf Cart Ordinances Regulate Rules of the Road

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Riding on golf carts has become a summer activity enjoyed by all outside of the golf course, especially those that live along the shores of Bass Lake and Koontz Lake.

Golf cart operators are advised to remember the rules of the road. Per the county statute, no person may operate a golf cart on any county road unless the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.

Golf carts are prohibited from operation on state highways. The vehicle cannot be driven on a state highway or across a state highway as cited in state law. Operators must be 16 years of age and older.

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Seven Companies Face Lawsuits for Scamming Homeowners Out of More than $14,000

Posted on Author WKVI

scamUnfortunately those struggling financially can be the most vulnerable to scams. The federal government as well as Indiana general attorney,Greg Zoeller, took action against schemers who have taken more than $14,000 from unsuspecting homeowners. On Thursday, Zoeller filed lawsuits against seven companies running fraudulent mortgage rescue or relief schemes.

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Kindergarten Countdown Benefits 20 Students

Posted on Author WKVI
Kids learned several important skills prior during the Kindergarten Countdown
Kids learned several important skills prior during the Kindergarten Countdown. Photo provided.

The Kindergarten Countdown program held at the Knox Elementary School in June was a success this year.

Twenty children received an early education before they enter Kindergarten this fall. Students who attend preschool often obtain better scores on tests, have better social skills and are more understanding of routines than those who do not attend a preschool program.

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Starke County Highway Department Chip Seals Record Number of Road Miles

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen "Rik" Ritzler
Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen “Rik” Ritzler

The Starke County Highway Department recently finished chip sealing 47 miles of roadway, which ties 2013 as the most miles of roads done in the last 15 years. They did set a record by completing the work in nine days, compared to 16 last year. They credit good weather and minimal equipment delays with getting the work done quickly and say they have also developed a good system which allows them to be more efficient. Continue reading →