Officials are working to determine the identity of the occupant who was found after a vehicle fire was extinguished last Wednesday.
Indiana State Police Continue to Investigate Death of Knox Woman
While specific details cannot be shared at this time to prevent possible interference with the ongoing investigation, Indiana State Police detectives continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the death of 36-year-old Knox resident Tiffany Witham. Continue reading
Indiana State Police Investigate Death of Starke County Woman
The Indiana State Police are currently conducting an investigation into the death of 36-year-old Tiffany Witham, of Knox.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and EMS were called to a local residence around 2 a.m. on Sunday, June 24th. Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer reported that he arrived at there around 2:30 a.m. and Witham was pronounced deceased at the scene. Continue reading
Starke County Coroner Updates Commissioners on Autopsy Costs, Testing
The autopsy pricing deal that Starke County officials thought was a good one through the Lake County Coroner’s Office isn’t as good as initially thought.
Candidate Filings Continue
Starke County Council’s Concerns with Coroner Brought to County Commissioners
Salary increases for the Starke County Coroner’s Office were again discussed during Monday’s county commissioners meeting. Coroner Dannie Hoffer has been looking for a raise for himself and possibly his deputies in next year’s budget. While the final decision would be up to the county council, council members weren’t ready to approve the raise until Hoffer worked out a few concerns with the commissioners.
Starke County Council Holds Budget Hearings
The Starke County Council members opened public hearings for the 2018 county budgets 7and the Solid Waste District with no public comment Monday night. The budget presented by the council totals $11,647,011. The General Fund is listed on Indiana Gateway as $7,022,851.
Coroner Pay to be Discussed at Next Commissioners Meeting
The coroner’s pay will be discussed at the Sept. 18 meeting of the Starke County Commissioners as Coroner Dannie Hoffer is also asking for an increase for his deputies.
The commissioners were prepared to present an increase in pay for the coroner in 2018, but when Hoffer asked about an increase for his deputies next year the commissioners decided to take a step back and research the request before making any formal offer.
Starke County Coroner Asked to Formalize Procedures Amid Legal Concerns
Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer says he’s taking steps to save the county money, but other county officials are worried that could lead to some legal troubles. Hoffer addressed several concerns during last week’s county council and county commissioners meetings.
Out-of-County Autopsy Costs a Concern for Starke County Coroner
Starke County’s coroner says out-of-county autopsies are causing a big strain on his budget. Now, county officials may be looking to state lawmakers to help ease that burden.
Starke County Council to Hold Public Hearing Tonight on North Judson-San Pierre Budget
A public hearing on the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation’s proposed 2018 budget will be held during tonight’s Starke County Council meeting.
Starke County Coroner Seeks Additional Funds
Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer approached the Starke County Council Monday night seeking additional funds to help pay autopsy fees.
Hoffer explained that three cases of accidental overdoses have caused additional expenses that his budget doesn’t allow. The cost of an autopsy is $1,600 and sometimes more depending on the forensic pathologist used. Hoffer said he typically uses the service of a forensic pathologist south of Indianapolis as his fee is $1,500 while the fee in South Bend is $3,200 and $2,800 in Fort Wayne.
Monterey Deaths Ruled Murder-Suicide
Autopsy Report Released for Motorcycle Crash Victim
The Wheatfield man who was killed in a Sunday night motorcycle accident on U.S. 421 in San Pierre died of blunt force head trauma. Continue reading
Motorcycle Fatality Under Investigation in Starke County
A single-vehicle motorcycle crash late Sunday* night in San Pierre claimed the life of a Wheatfield man and seriously injured his passenger. It happened just after 11:30 p.m. on U.S. 421. Continue reading
Starke County Coroner Eyes Cost Savings
Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer is looking for ways to save the county money and make his office more efficient. He told the county commissioners Monday his colleague in LaPorte County has an agreement with the hospital there to do a quick blood analysis on suspected overdose victims. He says if drugs are found in the bloodstream, a full autopsy is not needed to determine the cause of death. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Options for Coroner Space
The Starke County Commissioners are still trying to find permanent space for the coroner’s office. It’s presently located at the old jail across from the courthouse. However, that space is due to be renovated later this year into offices for Starke County Community Corrections, the probation department and Purdue Extension. Continue reading
Starke County Coroner Receives Certification
Starke County’s coroner has received his state certification. Dannie Hoffer Jr. says he’s finished the required Medicolegal Death Investigators training and is now certified through the Indiana State Coroners Training Board. He was elected to the position in September of last year, following the resignation of Adam Gray. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Settle on Temporary Morgue Space
Part of the old jail building in downtown Knox will be converted into morgue space for the coroner’s office on an interim basis. The county commissioners have agreed to turn the attached two-car garage into a secured area for body storage and viewing. Eventually plans call for morgue space at the proposed new IU Health Starke Hospital building. Continue reading
