Teen Arrested on Burglary, Theft Charges

 
 

A Knox teen is being held in the Starke County Jail in connection with a Sunday morning  burglary incident.

Officials in the Starke County Dispatch Center fielded a call from a victim in the 7000 South block of 250 West in North Judson. The victim told police that he was outside and saw two men coming out of his garage with arms full of his tools, according to a press release. Chainsaws, a portable welder, hand tools and other power tools were reportedly taken.

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Education Bill Favors New Testing Standards, Reporting Requirements for Private Schools

Indiana Statehouse
Indiana Statehouse

A bill introduced in the Indiana Senate could make the playing field between public and private schools a bit different.

That’s according to North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson. Senate Bill 470 would allow for schools eligible to accept choice scholarships to use another nationally recognized assessment as opposed to the ISTEP program.
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Police Force Addition Gives North Judson Some Teeth

North Judson Police Department
North Judson Police Department

The North Judson Police Department is adding another officer, only this one works on four legs.

It was announced Friday that a K-9 unit will be joining the North Judson Police force. This is the first K-9 that will work for the department. The 6-year-old Dutch Shepherd name Gunner has completed years of training with a certified American K-9 Association outlet.
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North Judson-San Pierre Looking for Conversation Starter in Documentary

North Judson-San Pierre High School
North Judson-San Pierre High School

North Judson-San Pierre Schools are hoping a film can start a conversation on the future of their school services.

For three days in February, the school corporation will be showing the film “Rise Above the Mark.” The documentary attempts to explain some of the challenges faced in classrooms in the United States.
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Today is Final Day to File for Knox Election

  
 

Today is the last day to file for the City of Knox Municipal Election.

Knox City Council Districts 1-4 are up for election including an at-large seat. Knox voters will also select a city clerk-treasurer and the judge of the city court. The primary election will be held on May 5.

There is no primary election for the seats for the North Judson or Hamlet Town Council in Starke County as the towns have a population under 3,500. Town conventions will be held if there are opposing party candidates in the seats up for election. Otherwise, the candidates will be featured on the ballot in the General Election in November. The same goes for the towns of Winamac, Francesville, Medaryville and Monterey in Pulaski County.

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North Judson Girl Injured in Starke County Accident

 
 

An eight-year-old North Judson girl was airlifted from the scene of a crash at the intersection of County Road 400 South and Range Road Tuesday afternoon.

According to an investigation by the Indiana State Police, Jana N. Sirb, 40, of North Judson was driving east on County Road 400 South when she lost control of her vehicle on the slushy roadway while attempting to stop at the intersection. Robert F. Hajek, 73, of North Judson was unable to avoid Sirb’s car when traveling south on Range Road.

Sirb complained of pain but refused medical treatment, according to the news release. Her daughter, Linora Sirb, 8, was airlifted from the scene to South Bend Memorial Hospital after suffering a severe leg injury. Continue reading

North Judson Police Get Reports of Scam Phone Calls

  
 

Officers from the North Judson Police Department warn residents that scams are making the rounds.

Several complaints have been made about a caller posing as a Social Security or an IRS worker looking for information and requesting account numbers. Police have also received information that people are posing as other county officers are calling residents asking for bail money for a loved one. Other calls have been reported involving a police detective looking for information about a warrant. If the resident puts up bail money immediately, then the arrest warrant would not be carried out.

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Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Contributes Matching Funds for North Judson Railroad Project

North Judson Water TowerThe Town of North Judson has more than half of the matching funds needed for an INDOT Transportation Enhancement Project Grant. They’ve applied for $512,066 from the state to replace railroad ties along the town’s rail line. A 20-percent local match of 102,413.20 is required.

During this week’s town council meeting, Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Secretary and Railroad Committee Advisory Member Mark Knebel presented a check to the town from HVRM for $51,015 toward the match and some supplemental work. The town of North Judson has also received $15,000 from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation towards the local match. Continue reading

Area Schools Could Benefit From Community College Proposal

 Ivy Tech Community College says they may become more accessible if one of President Barack Obama’s proposals makes it through Congress.

The President announced last week his intent to significantly reduce the cost of attending community college. The multi-billion dollar program intends to largely pay for the cost of the first two years of tuition for students maintaining a certain grade point average. This could have implications locally.
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