A Wheatfield man who is 10 years in arrears on child support payments totaling more than $14,000 has a second chance to catch up. Continue reading
Plea Under Advisement for Attempted Murder Defendant
Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall has taken a plea from an attempted murder defendant under advisement. Benton Christopher Howard, 42, is accused of critically stabbing Brandon Davidson at a home in the Parkview Heights area of Knox on Nov. 30, 2014. Davidson was transferred from IU Health Starke Hospital to South Bend for treatment of a wound to his heart and lung. Howard is charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery in connection with the incident. His plea is to a lesser battery offense. Continue reading
Drunk Driver Sentenced to Department of Corrections
A North Judson man who admitted to driving drunk and critically injuring four people when he hit their vehicle was sentenced to five years in prison. Dennis Lee Bair Sr., 64, pleaded guilty to a merged count of operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury. The charge stems from a Sept. 20, 2014 wreck on State Road 10. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Celebrate Justice Center Completion
Starke County’s new jail is ready for occupancy. Officials celebrated the completion of the 144 bed, state-of-the-art facility yesterday with a public dedication and ribbon cutting, attended by more than 300 people. The $15.4 million project came in on time and under budget and gives Starke County the distinction of going from the oldest jail in the state to the newest. The old facility across from the courthouse opened in 1977. It will be renovated into office space for Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Continue reading
Starke County Murder Trial Still on Schedule for July
The murder trial for a Knox man accused of beating his estranged wife to death at their rural California Township home last June is still on schedule for late July. Gary Chavez was scheduled to stand trial last month, but the proceeding was canceled at the last minute due to what a jail physician deemed an urgent surgical procedure. Continue reading
Status Hearing Set for Arson Defendant
The owner of a Knox business destroyed by fire last March is due back in Starke Circuit Court next week for a status hearing. James Campbell owns Starke County Recycling, C&C Salvage and Campbell’s Tire Barn on U.S. 35 just south of Toto Road and is accused of setting the buildings on fire. Continue reading
Arson Trial Ends With Hung Jury
After nearly 12 hours of deliberation the jury in the arson trial of a Knox businessman was unable to reach a verdict. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall declared a mistrial in State v. James Campbell at 12:14 a.m. due to the jury being an impasse and deadlocked. They began deliberations at 12:30 p.m. Continue reading
Jury Seated in C&C Salvage Arson Trial
A jury of eight men and six women will hear testimony in the C&C Salvage arson trial in Starke Circuit Court. Attorneys for the state and defendant James Campbell spent yesterday screening prospective jurors and finally settled on a panel of 12 with two alternates around 5:20 p.m. The scrap yard south of Knox at the intersection of U.S. 35 and Toto Road caught fire on March 20, 2014. Firefighters from eight local departments responded and spent several hours battling the blaze. One firefighter from the Bass Lake Fire Department was injured. Campbell owns the business. He was arrested eight days later on a charge of arson as a Class A felony. If convicted he faces between 20 and 50 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Continue reading
Home Detention Ordered in Custody Interference Case
A woman accused of interfering with a custody exchange will spend the next 12 months on home detention through Starke County Community Corrections. Amy Lowe pleaded guilty to the felony offense this week in Starke Circuit Court. Judge Kim Hall sentenced her to 12 months in the Department of Correction with none of the time suspended. However, she will be allowed to serve it on home detention with electronic monitoring.
Starke County Officials Planning Jail Grand Opening
Starke County officials are making plans for a May 22nd open house to celebrate the completion of the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center. Contractors are putting final touches on the new facility east of Knox on State Road 8 and will have the building ready to turn over to the county by May 1st. Continue reading
Murder Defendant’s Trial Remains On Schedule
The trial for a Knox man accused of beating his wife to death at their rural California Township home, kidnapping an employee from the Mark Bailey’s parking lot, stealing a second car in English Lake and leading authorities on a high-speed chase through four counties last June is still on schedule to start in April. Continue reading
Knox Man Sentenced to Prison for Burglary
A Knox man who pleaded guilty to burglary in connection with a break-in at a friend’s home last January was sentenced to 10 years in prison for that offense with none of that sentence suspended. Glenn Manns, 29, was also ordered to pay $250 in restitution to Arthur Norem, Jr. Court documents indicate Manns and James Royce stole copper, automobile parts, shotguns, a rifle, bows, knives and other items from Norem’s home. Royce has already been sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections. Continue reading
Two Defendants Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
A Walkerton man will serve a total of 30 months on home detention through Starke County Community Corrections after pleading guilty to domestic battery and invasion of privacy charges. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall also ordered Mitchell Platz, 29, not to have contact with his victim for 42 months and to complete counseling. Continue reading
Pair of Defendants Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
A South Bend man with a lengthy criminal history can add another sentence to his record. Tony Glover Jr., 29, pleaded guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor theft charge during an appearance in Starke Circuit Court yesterday. Both offenses occurred in September, according to court records. Glover admitted stealing electronics and knives from his mother and stepfather on Sept. 17 with intent to pawn them. Earlier that day he also stole power tools, clothing and other items valued at $886 from two Knox men. Continue reading
Starke Circuit Judge Fills Park Board Vacancy
The Starke County Park Board is fully populated once again. Judicial appointee Mike Meadows was appointed to a three-year term on the panel but resigned last month. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall recently appointed Roger Chaffins to the park board. He will serve a three-year term. The board is charged with oversight of non-municipal recreational lands, including the Bass Lake Beach and Campground and the Starke County Forest. They meet the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Starke County Annex building.
Judge Seeks to Fill Vacancy on Starke County Park Board
Last week’s resignation of a Starke County Park Board member has created a vacancy on that recently-populated board. Mike Meadows was named to the panel by Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall, who is now looking to appoint his replacement. Continue reading
Recount Commission Members to Meet Today
The three-member recount commission appointed last week by Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall to review the votes cast in two recent General Election contests will meet this morning at the courthouse. They’re looking into the outcome of the fourth district county council race between Democrat Pam Stalbaum and Republican Don White. The Republican Party filed a recount petition on White’s behalf after Stalbaum eked out a two-vote victory in the race to succeed Democrat Marvin McLaughlin. Incumbent Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins, Sr. also filed a petition for a recount after losing to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes. Continue reading
Judge Appoints Recount Commission Members
Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall has appointed a three-member recount commission to review the votes cast in two recent General Election contests. A petition seeking a recount was filed in the fourth district council race on behalf of Republican Don White, who lost to Democrat Pamela Stalbaum by two votes in the race to succeed Marvin McLaughlin. Incumbent Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins, Sr. also filed a petition for a recount after losing to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes. Continue reading
Voting Machines and Ballots Impounded, Judge Considering Recount Commission Members
The voting machines and ballots from the four Wayne and lone Railroad Township Precincts in the Nov. 4 General Election have been impounded to facilitate recounts in two very close races. Republican Party officials sought a recount on behalf of 4th District Council candidate Don White. He lost to Democrat Pamela Stalbaum by two votes in the race to succeed Marvin McLaughlin. That seat represents Wayne and Railroad Townships.
Incumbent Democrat Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins Sr. has also filed a recount petition in his race. He lost to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes. Continue reading
Two Recount Petitions Filed in Starke County
The fate of two contested races in the November General Election is in the hands of the Starke Circuit Court. Starke County Republican Party Chair Brenda Stanojevic filed a recount petition in the 4th District Council seat on behalf of candidate Don White. Democrat Pam Stalbaum edged him by two votes in the contest for the open seat currently held by Marvin McLaughlin. That district is comprised of the four Wayne Township precincts as well as the one in Railroad Township. Incumbent Democrat Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins Sr. is also seeking a recount after losing to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes.
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