Medaryville Man Arrested on Domestic Battery, Strangulation Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Carl Larkin

A Medaryville man was arrested on Sunday after police found that he allegedly hit his live-in girlfriend and attempted to strangle her.

Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department were called to 201 N. Jefferson Street in Medaryville on a report of battery. Officers learned that the victim had come home from the store and found Carl Larkin, her boyfriend, intoxicated and argumentative. The two argued and as the victim was placing grapes into the freezer, Larkin allegedly punched her in the face and then placed his hands around her neck and reportedly began to choke her. The officers arrived on scene and found Larkin in the residence and he was ordered out of the residence. He did not comply after a few attempts and after he jerked away from police, he was struck with a taser. He then complied with police and he was taken into custody.

Continue reading →

Two Winamac Residents Arrested on Charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine

Posted on Author WKVI

Two Winamac residents were arrested on Sunday on methamphetamine related charges.

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department officers went to 301 N. East St. Lot 17 on a complaint that the residents were manufacturing methamphetamine. When officers arrived on scene, they reportedly found James Larvick, 43, and Jimmy Hopkins, 50, in the adjacent lot in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. The suspects had trespassed onto the property to assemble the lab. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. The Indiana State Police Clan Lab Team was called to clean up the scene.

Continue reading →

West Central Wind Turbine Project Breaks Ground

Posted on Author WKVI
Rep. Doug Gutwein, R-Francesville, Performance Services President Tim Thoman, West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon and Pulaski County Commissioner Mike Tiede

West Central School Corporation representatives and student leaders, as well as parents and members of the press, were present to celebrate the start of construction on the school’s utility-grade wind turbine project. A ceremonial breaking of the ground was planned for Friday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 a.m., but because of rain, the ceremony was held inside the auxiliary gymnasium and Superintendent Charles Mellon wisely decided against digging a hole in the gym floor to commemorate the occasion.

Continue reading →

Crisis Center Receives Funds from the Pulaski County United Fund

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County United Fund supports 10 local non-profit agencies which provide programs, services, and events to those in the Pulaski County community.

One of those agencies is the North Central Indiana Rural Crisis Center. This organization serves those in Pulaski, Jasper, and Newton Counties who are affected by domestic violence. United Fund dollars are used by the Crisis Center to provide a safe and secure world for those affected by domestic violence who are from Pulaski County. This year, Pulaski County United Fund awarded a grant to the Crisis Center to provide outreach services, assistance with housing, and a program to return victims to the workplace. Eight victims in Pulaski County have been assisted.

Continue reading →

Gas Prices to Rise

Posted on Author WKVI

Have you been pleased that gasoline prices have dipped recently? Do you think it’s because consumption is down around the country? Don Good, at Good Oil in Winamac, says gasoline prices have been disconnected from supply and demand for a long time.

“Everything is driven off the markets,” said Good. “I think when China started coming out and saying that they were intentionally slowing down their economy, and then rumblings started about the Greek debt crisis and the European debt crisis. The stock market started to fall and gas prices went right with it.”

Continue reading →

Voter Registration Nearing Deadline

Posted on Author WKVI

The November General Election is nearing and so is the deadline to register to vote. The last day to register is Tuesday, October 11th.

If you have a valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana state-issued identification card can use the online service. You can visit this website to register or update your voter registration card. If you have moved since the last time you voted, you should update your information. You may also register by mail or in-person at a county voter registration office, the Indiana Election Division or a branch office of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Ivy Tech Classes Could Return to Winamac High School

Posted on Author WKVI

Industry isn’t the only thing in Pulaski County with a positive outlook; education may also be receiving a shot in the arm thanks to Ivy Tech Kokomo. Through their Logansport campus, Ivy Tech had previously conducted classes at the Winamac High School for some time, but they ran into a snag. The administrative support staff could only be at the school until the guidance offices closed at 4:00 p.m. This caused a number of issues, particularly since the classes took place at night when no support staff was present.

Continue reading →

Unopposed Candidates to Remain off November Ballots in Starke, Pulaski Counties

Posted on Author WKVI

There are some counties in the state that are considering putting all candidates on the November Municipal Election ballot, although state law only allows contested races on the ballot.

Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski and Pulaski County Clerk Tasha Foerg told WKVI that only contested races will appear on the Municipal election ballots. Skronski indicated that legislators may reverse this decision for future Municipal elections with the confusion it may cause voters. The Starke County Election Board voted to follow the state statute to only allow contested races. The Pulaski County Clerk said she is also following state statute.

Continue reading →

Courageous to Open in Plymouth Theatre on September 30th

Posted on Author WKVI

The religious movie, Courageous, is coming to Showland Cinemas in Plymouth on September 30th. It was produced by a movie making ministry out of Albany, Georgia. This is the company’s fourth movie, and follows on the heels of the very popular Fireproof.

Dawn Roose, who is promoting the movie locally, talked about bringing the movie to Plymouth.

“Our original challenge was to pre-sell 1,000 tickets to have the movie in our local Showland theatre,” said Roose. “We did get word from Provident Films that they will allow it to come which we are just praising the Lord for. We have not reached that benchmark yet, but we are working toward it and I’m sure we’re going to surpass it.”

Continue reading →

Indiana Unemployment Rises

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Workforce Development

Indiana saw an uptick in the August unemployment rate. The preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate went from 8.5 to 8.7 percent in August. The U.S. rate remained flat at 9.1 percent this month. The National Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised Indiana’s July job growth numbers to show an increase of 4,100 more private sector jobs than reported last month.

Starke County is ranked #15 in unemployment at 10.3%, Pulaski is 78th at 7.3%, Marshall is 27th at 9.5%, LaPorte is 24th at 9.8%, and Porter County is 68th with 7.7% unemployment. Fayette County is ranked #1 at 12.1% while Dubois County has the lowest unemployment at 6.1%.

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department to Hold Women’s Firearm Training

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is offering a basic firearms class for women this week. The class begins today and continues Thursday and Saturday.

The free course offers two evenings of classroom instruction today and Thursday from 6:00-9:00 p.m. ET and a day on the range on Saturday, September 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Participants will need to provide their own ammunition for the day.

Continue reading →

National Walk to School Day is October 5th

Posted on Author WKVI

Wednesday, October 5th is National Walk to School Day. If you find it easier to ride your bike, you are encouraged to do that instead.

Studies show that fewer children walk or bike to school than children a generation ago. In 1969, 48% of students in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade walked or biked to school. 40 years later, it is estimated that 13% of students walk or bike to school. School travel by private family vehicle for students in grades K-12 accounted for 10-14% of all automobile trips made during the morning peak period in 2009.

Continue reading →

Star City Man Injured in One Vehicle Accident

Posted on Author WKVI

Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department investigated a one vehicle accident Thursday morning on State Road 14 between County Roads 550 and 600 East.

Richard Stevenson, 59, of Star City told police that he was traveling eastbound on State Road 14 when, for some unknown reason, traveled into the westbound lane of traffic. He said he did not attempt to correct this action because he stated he would have lost control of the vehicle. Stevenson’s vehicle then left the north side of the roadway and collided with a pole and a mailbox before coming to rest on the side of the road.

Continue reading →

Starke County Health Department to Hold Flu Clinics Soon

Posted on Author WKVI

We’re entering into the fall season and there has been a lot of information about the flu as we get into the flu season.

Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch told WKVI that he is ordering flu shot supplies and he will hold evening flu clinics so you can get your flu shot for the season. When he gets the supply, he will also be able to administer flu shots during immunization hours on Tuesdays by appointment.

Continue reading →

Winamac Brothers Arrested after Incident

Posted on Author WKVI
Brandon Gamblin
Nathan Gamblin

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department officers arrested two brothers after an incident Monday.

Police learned of the whereabouts of Brandon Gamblin, of Winamac, and attempted to locate him as he had a warrant out for his arrest. Police arrived at the residence on U.S. 35 but he was not there. Later, officers observed a vehicle approaching the residence that matched the description of the vehicle that Gamblin’s brother, Nathan, drives. Police asked Nathan Gamblin where his brother was and he stated that he didn’t know. He was later found inside the residence and taken into custody.

Continue reading →

Fire Officials Investigate Arson Incident in Star City

Posted on Author WKVI

The Star City Fire Department and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a house fire that occurred at Nathan VanDerAa’s home in Star City on Sunday.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office told WKVI that the fire is considered incendiary, meaning that it was created by someone. The home and VanDerAa’s vehicle were both set on fire. VanDerAa was reportedly not at home at the time of the incident. If you have any information about this arson, call the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 946-6655. A reward of $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of any suspect(s) responsible for this incident. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Bridges Undergoing Some Work

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

A bridge inventory was presented to the Pulaski County Commissioners this week. According to the inventory, there are currently 74 bridges in Pulaski County. One bridge is fracture critical, meaning that is needs to be looked at to determine its need of repair immediately, and six underwater inspections will be due in 2014. On the plus side, the majority of bridges in Pulaski County are considered to be in great condition, with most issues on the minor side.

Continue reading →

Recorder’s Office to Receive New Software

Posted on Author WKVI

A major upgrade to the software used in the Pulaski County Recorder’s office is underway. The county commissioners approved a request from Recorder Lynn Wilder, who highly recommended an upgrade to software provided by Computer Systems, Inc. CEO/President Kevin Cook and Account Manager John Wood were also present to speak about the software.

With a cost of $45,452, the new software will be a vast improvement over the old software, which hasn’t been updated since 2003. The new software will be funded 100% out of the perpetuation fund, which is a fund which is primarily used for the preservation of documents through electronic means. After a storm caused a large server crash in her office, Wilder decided it was time to upgrade. She received three quotes for software: one from Manatron, which was too expensive and offered an inferior product; one from Fidlar, which was top-notch but extremely expensive; and one from Computer Systems, Inc., who offered the perfect price and excellent software.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Commissioners Waive Building Fees for KIRPC Housing Improvement Project

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

A warmer winter than usual is in the works for eight low-income homeowners in Pulaski County, thanks to a grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Shawn Cain from the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission appeared before the county commissioners to request they approve a waiver of building fees for these eight homes that have been selected to receive much-needed improvements at no cost to the owners.

Continue reading →