A Knox man was sentenced per the terms of a plea agreement in a hearing in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.
Frank Matkovich admitted to Judge Kim Hall that he was driving under the influence of alcohol while his license was forfeited for life in the area of McGill and Washington Streets in Knox on July 18, 2017. He said a police officer recognized him behind the wheel of his vehicle knowing that he had a suspended driver’s license.
A North Judson woman was arrested late Thursday night after a traffic stop in the area of State Road 39 and 50 E. in North Judson.
Deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department pulled over the vehicle for an alleged speeding violation. Police say the two people in the vehicle switched spots when the deputy was approaching the vehicle.
Four women received their certificate of completion of the Chemical Dependency and Addictions Program at the Starke County Justice Center.
The inmates took part in the 14-week program provided by officials from Porter-Starke Services. The program focused on overcoming addictions while rethinking behaviors and life choices. Participants develop skills to manage stress, anger, cravings, triggers, critical thinking and decision making. The program was facilitated by Chemical Dependency and Addictions Therapist Leo Smith who has 27 years of experience in the field working in corrections, outpatient, residential and detoxification.
Eight inmates from the Starke County Justice Center are now graduates of the Chemical Dependency and Addictions Program.
The program allowed inmates the opportunity to obtain counseling services and substance abuse education while incarcerated in the Starke County Justice Center. It was a 14-week treatment program facilitated by Porter-Starke Services and led by Chemical Dependency and Addictions Therapist Leo Smith. Therapists assisted inmates in restructuring behaviors and thoughts in addiction remediation. Skills taught included the management of stress, anger, cravings, triggers, critical reasoning and decision making.
Local officials continue to investigate the death of 37-year-old Knox resident Barbara McCurdy.
A missing person report was filed for McCurdy on January 20th. She was reportedly last seen in Knox on January 14th, driving a black 2006 Chevy Cobalt. She was found deceased in her vehicle at Braun Chevrolet in Winamac on Friday, February 2nd. Continue reading
Nine Starke County Justice Center inmates recently graduated from a Chemical Dependency and Addictions Program.
The program focuses on addiction thought processes and criminal behavior. The inmates learn how to overcome their addiction while restructuring thoughts and behavior.
Porter-Starke Services therapists dedicate time to help the inmates conquer the program. Inmates focus on self awareness and self improvement in treatment sessions over a period of 14 weeks. Inmates develop skills to manage stress, anger, cravings and appropriate ways to respond to triggers. Critical reasoning and decision making skills are also taught in these courses. Continue reading
Visitors to the Starke County Courthouse will notice some major changes thanks to recent building renovations. Public access is now limited to the west entrance, which faces the Knox Moose Lodge. It is fully handicap accessible. All visitors will be greeted by a uniformed security officer and asked to pass through a metal detector. Anyone in possession of a weapon will be asked to return it to their vehicle before entering the building. Continue reading
Starke County residents will have a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the recently renovated former jail and courthouse during a program today. The facilities will be dedicated during an 11 a.m. ceremony on the courthouse lawn. Afterward tours of both buildings will be offered. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are preparing for the start of renovations to the courthouse and former jail building. Bids for the work were opened last night and will be awarded during a special-called meeting next week. Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office and the coroner’s office are moving out of the old jail so demolition work can begin immediately. The Starke County Health Department and Purdue Extension are also relocating from the first floor of the courthouse. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners will have a better idea of the scope of renovations to two county buildings after their meeting tonight. Representatives from architectural firm DLZ and contractor Skillman Corporation will share final design plans for the revamped courthouse and renovated former jail. They will also provide a breakdown of costs for the work. Continue reading
Criminal charges could be filed against the owner of several horses found loose on Wednesday. Continue reading
Guilty verdicts were returned on three counts filed against Joseph Esposito.
The half-day trial began Wednesday morning in Starke Circuit Court, and two witnesses testified during the hearing including officer Frank Thomas from the North Judson Police Department and Indiana State Police Trooper Jim Strong.
Money to renovate the second floor of the Starke County Courthouse could come from the county economic development income tax funds used to pay for the new jail. At that time the existing jail across from the courthouse will be renovated to accommodate Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Plans call for the prosecutor’s office to move from the basement of the current jail into the courthouse and the current clerk’s office to be renovated. Continue reading
Knox City officials have several options to consider when it comes to curbing vandalism at Wythogan Park. Mayor Rick Chambers hosted a community discussion last night to gather thoughts on the issue. He says several good suggestions were offered.
The Knox man police say stole three vehicles and led officers from multiple departments on a high-speed chase through four counties Friday afternoon is still in critical condition at Christ Advocate Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill. The pursuit started in Starke County when Gary Chavez, 57, of Knox, allegedly stole a car at gunpoint from the parking lot at Mark Bailey’s Discount Center. Continue reading
The Starke County man police say carjacked three vehicles and led police from multiple agencies on a four-county high-speed chase this afternoon is in critical condition at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill. after shooting himself while trying to flee. Information released by the Indiana State Police, Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Starke County Prosecutor’s Office indicates the 57-year-old man was involved in a homicide at a home in Knox. Afterward, he drove his personal vehicle to Mark Bailey’s Discount Center and carjacked a motorist at gunpoint at 3:41 p.m. He then drove to English Lake, dumped his passenger and stole a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Two people were arrested on Saturday on several counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance after pills were found in the vehicle without a prescription.
A Knox City Police officer noticed a van parked at Zingo Express and noticed two people sitting in the car. The officer went on about his patrolling duties and when he came back by the gas station, the driver had moved the vehicle to the front of the building. The officer looked at the cashier and she reportedly pointed at the vehicle. The officer got out and questioned the two about their business at the gas station. Vergie Smith, of Walton, told police that she had been chased to Knox by her husband. She stated that they were allegedly having problems and she and Jason Record were sitting at the gas station waiting to go back to Walton. Record said that he was with her to help her.
Starke County Prosecutor, Nicholas Bourff, made the announcement yesterday that there is a new Deputy Prosecutor in the office.
“Autumn Ferch has joined our office as a Deputy Prosecutor,” said Bourff. “I’ve known Autumn for a very, very long time and I see value in bringing someone into the office who grew up in Starke County and who calls Starke County home. She will be handling everything in the Knox City Court, as well as several ‘D’ felonies in Starke Circuit Court. She will also handle child support cases too.”
We asked Autumn Ferch why she decided to go into law.
Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department apprehended a North Judson man after he was allegedly involved in a bar fight and ended up destroying a motel room Wednesday night in North Judson.
Police were called to the Route 10 Bar and Grill after an alleged fight had occurred between two individuals. The suspect, Danny Manns, left the premises. Police later found the suspect vehicle in the park and it was unoccupied. Police learned that the vehicle Manns was driving belonged to Joe Brown of Knox who said Manns should not have been in possession of the vehicle. Police searched the area and was unable to find Manns.
LaPorte City Police Department officers arrested Robert Reed, 33, of LaPorte, after a police pursuit. Reed is also suspected of being involved in a theft and pursuit incident in San Pierre on May 22nd.
According to Detective Andy Hynek of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, Reed was spotted in the LaPorte City limits on Friday, May 27th in a suspected stolen vehicle from Starke County. LaPorte City officers initiated a traffic stop and Reed would not pull over. A pursuit began and he was eventually taken into custody. He was arrested on charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Habitual Traffic Violator. The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department has also filed charges on Reed which include four counts of Theft and one count of Burglary. The LaPorte County charges stem from a two month investigation in which Reed was allegedly involved in the act of stealing trailers, vehicles, RVs and tools.
