Whether or not Hamlet’s insurance will cover the cost of fixing a recent water main break was discussed during Wednesday’s town council meeting. The town has ended up with nearly $28,000 in repair bills from January’s water main break. It happened when Shoulder Bolts and a valve failed, according to Water and Street Superintendent Fred Rowe.
Starke County Sheriff’s Department Asks to Use Hamlet Gun Range for Firearms Training
Hamlet officials want some more information before agreeing to let the Starke County Sheriff’s Department use the indoor firing range at the town’s sewer plant. In a letter to town officials, Sheriff Bill Dulin offered to have his firearms instructors qualify the town’s police officers free of charge, in exchange for letting them use the range to qualify officers from other departments.
CAFO Permit Fees Amended by Starke County Plan Commission
Permit fees for concentrated animal feeding operations were revisited Wednesday by the Starke County Plan Commission. Continue reading
Hamlet Council Discusses Use of New Park Cameras
New security cameras have been installed in the Hamlet Town Park in recent months, but not everyone’s happy with the technology upgrade. Continue reading
Starke County Plan Commission Delays Action on Confined Animal Feeding Ordinance Updates
The Starke County Plan Commission will decided to gather more information before approving updates to its confined animal feeding ordinance. A public hearing was held on the proposed updates during Wednesday’s meeting. Continue reading
Royce Sentenced to Six Years in DOC
A Knox man with an extensive criminal history is headed back to prison for the sixth time in his life.
James Royce, 44, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to felony charges of residential entry and escape and a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief in two separate cases. The state and defense argued Royce’s sentence to Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall.
In one case, Royce admitted that he forced his way into his aunt’s home without an invitation. In the second case, he admitted to escaping the custody of a jailer who was escorting him from the courthouse to the Starke County Jail. Royce had appeared for a hearing in Starke Circuit Court and Judge Hall ordered him back to jail. Royce admitted that he “panicked” and ran. The jailer suffered an injury chasing after Royce. Royce was apprehended approximately 20 minutes after he escaped custody. He also admitted to tampering with the GPS ankle bracelet he was wearing as he had been on home detention through Starke County Community Corrections.
Lenig Found Not Guilty
A jury found John Lenig not guilty on two charges in a two-day trial in Starke Circuit Court.
Lenig was facing charges of burglary as a Class C felony and criminal mischief as a misdemeanor. A 12-member jury found Lenig not guilty on both counts in a little over an hour. The verdict came in shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Ed Hasnerl Recognized for Years of Service on Hospital Board
Ed Hasnerl was recognized for serving 14 years on the IU Health Starke Hospital’s Community Board during a special meeting Monday night. At the same time Hasnerl was receiving his award, the board was welcoming his replacement, Martin Bedrock.
In board business, Ben Bennett was reelected the Board President, Sandy Hansen remains as Vice President, and Dr. Walter Fritz was selected to be the new Secretary taking the place of newly retired member, Ed Hasnerl. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Reorganize
In the first meeting of the new year, the Starke County Commissioners reorganized and made appointments to several boards. Kathy Norem was elected as the President of the Board of Commissioners with Dan Bridegroom as Vice President and Jennifer Davis as Secretary. The vote for commissioner Norem was unanimous, and she thanked her predecessor, Dan Bridegroom, for his three years of service as Board President. Martin Lucas was retained as the county attorney.
Donald Humphrey Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
Donald Humphrey was sentenced Wednesday in the Starke Circuit Court for Harassment as a Class D misdemeanor, Intimidation as a Class D felony, and two charges of Intimidation as a Class C felony.
During the sentencing hearing, the victim, David Palm, gave a brief statement to the court requesting the maximum sentence for Humphrey, saying he’ll “never change.” He also requested three days of pay that he had lost to come to court, for a total of $250.
Trial Begins for Niki Hochstetler
After a lengthy selection process, a jury of 12 citizens and one alternate juror was chosen in the case of Niki Hochstetler, charged with two counts of Battery with a Deadly Weapon, and one count of Criminal Mischief after allegedly stabbing Eric Amore at the Country Roads Bar and Grill in Walkerton last July. The defense had requested a motion to limit, requesting that witnesses be questioned outside of the presence of the jury to ensure that what the witnesses say is acceptable before the jury, but this request was denied by Judge Kim Hall in the Starke Circuit Court.
