North Judson Man Arrested on Battery Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Gary Spencer

Thirty-three-year-old Gary Spencer of North Judson faces D-felony charges of Battery after he allegedly struck a two-year-old in the face, causing severe bruising.

According to Misty Maciejack, she awoke to find bruises on her daughter’s face and, when she asked where the bruises came from, Spencer gave her two different versions of the story. He first claimed that Mann had run into a wall, but then he claimed that she fell off a bed. Because Gary was the only person in the house during the time the incident could have taken place, Maciejack grew suspicious and reported the incident to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

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Starke County Commissioners Reject Road Dedication Proposal

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Commissioners recently passed a motion rejecting a proposal from Alan Hildebrand to annex four roads in the Chesapeake Run Subdivision to the ownership of the county. Hildebrand approached the commissioners with a letter proposing the dedication of the streets to the county in order to have the county maintain the roads.

However, a number of issues arose from the request. The commissioners were uneasy taking responsibility for street lamps located on the easement lines on the properties, and a number of fences were positioned directly on the line as well. The big question on their minds: who would maintain and pay for the lights?

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Young Artists Conference Scheduled for Today

Posted on Author WKVI

The Young Artists Conference is scheduled for today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. central time at Liberty Elementary School in North Judson.

Besides the morning activities, nationally-known ventriloquist Beth Sutton-Cummins will entertain in the afternoon.

The conference is for all Starke County students in first through fifth grades. It costs $5.00 and lunch is provided. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the book fair begins at 8 a.m.

We asked Marilyn Lucac if any past attendees have been inspired to go on to pursue writing or the arts.

“We’ve had some go into dancing, we’ve had some that are writing, a lot of them have gone on to college to pursue different things,” said Lucac.

Marilyn said the purpose is to expose the children various art forms.

“They get exposed to some of the finer arts: writing, we have artists here, we have ventriloquism, we have dance, so every year we try to get a little bit of variety, but we focus on the finer arts,” Lucac said.

North Judson Unable to Provide Funds Toward Starke Co. Fireworks

Posted on Author WKVI
Front Row: Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, Board members Ralph T. Cummins, Wendy Hoppe, and Jane Ellen Felchuk, Attorney Cassandra Hine. Back Row: Town Marshal Doug Vessely, Fire Chief Joe Leszek and Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann. Photo by Town Photographer Peggy Bohac

Bad news for the Starke County Fireworks: the town of North Judson will be unable to provide monetary support for the event. According to Henry, the board contacted the State Board of Accounts and were told there are a significant number of conditions that must be met, including the adoption of a town ordinance indicating what any fundraisers would support. Ultimately, the board decided that they will be unable to provide the support.

A new banner will fly above the Highland Cemetery in North Judson, informing passersby that the cleanup of decorations should be completed by April 15 in order for the mowing crew to mow the cemetery without the risk of damaging any decorations. Previously, the town would only put advertisements in local media such as newspapers and radio, but the banner will help inform the public of the deadline to remove decorations.

The individual to handle the mowing of the cemetery is still unknown, as the man who previously handled the mowing has told the board that he will be unable to keep the same cost as last year to handle the mowing due to rising fuel costs. As a result, the town board must receive sealed bids for the mowing and decide to whom to award the bid.

North Judson Town Board Discusses Trash Bids, Employment Applications

Posted on Author WKVI
Front Row: Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, Board members Ralph T. Cummins, Wendy Hoppe, and Jane Ellen Felchuk, Attorney Cassandra Hine. Back Row: Town Marshal Doug Vessely, Fire Chief Joe Leszek and Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann. Photo by Town Photographer Peggy Bohac

North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry told WKVI that three sealed bids to handle the town’s trash service were opened at the recent town board meeting. Key Waste – Indiana Partnership, Veoloia, and Richard’s Disposal submitted bids, with Key Waste’s bid being the lowest at $77,310 for the year. Henry says the town attorney will review the bids, and upon her approval, the bid will be awarded at the next town meeting on March 19th.

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North Judson Man Arrested on Battery Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Bradley White

A North Judson man was arrested Monday on battery and theft charges.

Bradley White, 23, allegedly battered a person visiting his home and his live-in girlfriend. During the course of the investigation, police learned that he might be harboring stolen property. A warrant was obtained by North Judson Police and White’s Franklin Street apartment was searched and stolen property was reportedly recovered.

White has preliminary charges of Battery, two counts, and Possession of Stolen Property.

The property in question was reportedly taken from his neighbor’s home. The original burglary call was made in December. Police continue to investigate the case and more arrests are anticipated.

North Judson-San Pierre Senior Named National Merit Scholar

Posted on Author WKVI
John Eckert

North Judson-San Pierre High School Senior, John Eckert, has been named a 2012 National Merit Finalist. He talks about the program and how one is chosen as a National Merit Finalist.

“It’s a nationally sponsored program that gives scholarship money and recognition to top students around the country,” explained Eckert. “To become a semi-finalist, they look at your PSAT and SAT scores and if you do well there and you’re named a semi-finalist then you’re required to submit an application and an essay, basically like a college application. Then they take a look at all of the semi-finalists and they choose four or five thousand from around the country and they’re recognized as some of the top students in America in their graduating class.”

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North Judson Town Board Discusses Increasing Number of Board Members

Posted on Author WKVI
Front Row: Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, Board members Tim Cummins, Wendy Hoppe and Jane Ellen Felchuk, and Attorney Cassandra Hine. Back Row: Town Marshal Doug Vessely, Fire Chief Joe Leszek and Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann. Photo by Town Photographer Peggy Bohac

The North Judson Town Board discussed increasing the number of members on the Board to five.

Town Board member, Tim Cummins, recently met with a representative from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and he has agreed to meet with the Board to explore the option. A public meeting will be held to discuss the procedure which includes meeting with the Starke County Election Board to include a referendum in an election year to give the voters a chance to determine the future of the Board.

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No Budget Cuts for the Town of North Judson

Posted on Author WKVI
Front Row: Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, Board members Tim Cummins, Wendy Hoppe and Jane Ellen Felchuk, and Attorney Cassandra Hine. Back Row: Town Marshal Doug Vessely, Fire Chief Joe Leszek and Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann. Photo by North Judson Photographer Peggy Bohac

North Judson Town Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said she received notification that the Town’s budget has been approved and no cuts were ordered.

The Town Board this week discussed the terms of members on the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission and the Unsafe Hearing Authority. The members discussed staggering the terms so members with knowledge can help new ones entering into a term. Currently, all terms are up at once and when new members are elected to a board, there is a learning curve and the Town Board feels that if the terms were staggered, some experienced members could help the inductees and have smoother transition.

No decisions were made during the meeting and the information was taken under advisement.

North Judson House Fire Injures Child

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department was called to a house fire Tuesday morning at about 10:13 a.m.

Firefighters, Starke County EMS and the North Judson Police Department responded to 3942 W. 3rd Street. The fire was contained to the upper level of the home and the home sustained major smoke damage. A two-year-old child was taken from the residence to IU Health Starke Hospital and hospitalized.

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New North Judson Park Caretaker Hired

Posted on Author WKVI

North Judson Park Board President Bob Kolanowski told the Town Board this week that a new park caretaker has been hired. Jon Harrison was hired after six applicants were interviewed. Jon Harrison takes over the position from James Harrison, his father, who passed away last year. He worked with his father at the Park before and has the experience necessary to fulfill the caretaker’s duties.

The Board also held a discussion about increasing the Board to five members. The board, which numbers three, talked about what is required for that increase to take place. No decision was made during Monday night’s meeting.

The Board also approved a special event permit form.

North Judson Town Board Reviews Paperwork for Trash Bids

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Board reviewed the paperwork that will be published concerning the trash bids. The Board will be accepting bids in the next couple of months.

The Board tabled a resolution from the U.S. Bicycle Route #35 organization. The resolution asks that the town maintain a route for bicycles that will be connected to the Erie Trail in North Judson. The resolution was tabled because the Board thought the proposed route was unclear. The project would not cost the Town of North Judson anything.

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North Judson Man Escapes Serious Harm after Head-on Collision; Michigan City Man Dies

Posted on Author WKVI

A North Judson man sustained minor injuries in an accident that claimed the life of a Michigan City man on Saturday.

Michael Kieszkowski, 45, of Michigan City, was reportedly highly intoxicated when he crossed into oncoming traffic on U.S. 421 near County Road 1000 South. Keith Belcher, 20, of North Judson told LaPorte County police that he was southbound on U.S. 421 when Kieszkowski began flashing his high-beam headlights as he approached in the opposing lane. Belcher said he did not have his high-bream headlights on and flashed his to signal that he was not using them. Kieszkowski then reportedly veered into Belcher’s lane and Belcher told police could not avoid a head-on collision.

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Two Arrested after Tearing up a Yard in Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI
Chelsey Adam
Robert Allen

Two North Judson residents were arrested Sunday after they were reportedly tearing up a resident’s yard on 750 North in Pulaski County.

An officer with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department responded to the residence. The owners reportedly had a run-in with Allen before and had buried 2X4 boards with nails sticking out of them in the front yard. Allen had allegedly showed up at the house, revved his engine and started doing donuts in the yard. The owners ran outside with a baseball bat and Allen exited his vehicle and they all exchanged words. Allen then reportedly got back into his truck and drove the truck toward the residents. They then called police.

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Three Arrested after Alleged Burglary Incident

Posted on Author WKVI
James Keller
Stephen Wood
David Miller

Three North Judson residents were arrested on Wednesday, January 28th after an alleged Burglary incident.

Starke County police received a phone call about a truck parked at a house on 300 East that wasn’t supposed to be there. Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Stephen Wood. Wood and his passenger, David Miller, told police that they were on their way to Miller’s house and the police let them go. The officer visited the witness who said that while the officer was conducting the traffic stop, a man, later identified as James Keller, was running southbound on 300 East. The officer got back into his car and found the suspect in the woods by using his thermal imager. A K9 unit was used to find him in the woods and he was taken into custody without further incident. Evidence at the scene suggested that he had stolen some items from a residence nearby.

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Jerrold Minix Appears for Initial Hearing

Posted on Author WKVI
Jerrold Minix

Former Starke County resident, 31-year-old Jerrold L. Minix, was arrested on two active arrest warrants earlier this month in LaPorte County. One warrant was for incidents that occurred in Starke County in 2007.

Minix appeared in Starke Circuit Court last week and pleaded not guilty to charges of Burglary, two counts, two counts of Theft and two counts of Receiving Stolen Property. He is suspected of entering Carpenter’s Oil in North Judson on December 4th, 2007 and stealing tobacco products and convenience items from the store. He also reportedly broke into the Sporty’z Bar at Bass Lake and stole a computer. He also allegedly stole tools from the utility garage owned by the Town of North Judson and a black duffel bag from the North Judson Little League Concession Stand.

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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.

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Two North Judson Residents Arrested on Methamphetamine Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

Two North Judson men were arrested on Tuesday, January 17th after Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department officers reportedly found items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine in their vehicle.

Police initiated a traffic stop at County Road 800 North and U.S. 421. The officer notified the driver, Donald Fletcher, that the license plates did not match the vehicle. Fletcher said he didn’t have the money to get the proper plates and he reportedly told police that he knew they weren’t the right plates and Starke County police recently towed the vehicle for the same reason.

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