Repairs to the Bass Lake Beach House seawall are getting underway. The Starke County Park Board has been working with Bass Lake Beach operator Callahan Development, LLC, as well as the County Highway Department, to fix the wall and try to prevent future damage.
Starke County Sheriff Discusses Community Service
Community service may make a comeback as a condition of a misdemeanor sentence after recent discussions with Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, Jail Warden Phil Cherry and Starke County Chief Probation Officer Shawn Mattraw.
Starke County Commissioners, Council Discuss Jail CAD System
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin shared information with the Starke County Council and Starke County Commissioners Monday night about the need for a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system for emergency services.
Knox Man Reportedly Spotted Defacing Campaign Sign Faces 10 Counts of Criminal Mischief
A Knox Man has been charged with 10 counts of criminal mischief and one count of reckless driving after he was reportedly spotted vandalizing a campaign sign Saturday afternoon.
According to a press release issued by the Knox City Police Department, shortly before 1:50 p.m. on April 14th, Knox Police Chief Harold Smith was traveling north bound in his personal vehicle on Highway 35 just north of 200 S. As he was coming into Knox, he observed a vehicle parked on the west side of the highway. Continue reading
Starke County Council Discusses Expenditures for Sheriff’s Office
The Starke County Council members discussed funding for a new industrial-type washer and dryer at the justice center.
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin told the council members Monday night that one set is from the old location on Pearl Street and they need an additional set to keep up with the amount of laundry. A quote from Miller Laundry Service was provided at a cost of $15,152. The price includes delivery and installation.
Starke County Jail Offers Green Thumb Gardening Class as a Part of F.A.R.M Program
According to Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, more than 30 jail inmates recently started a gardening class instructed by Starke County Purdue Extension Educator Phil Woolery.
Sheriff Dulin shared that a total of 32 inmates will be attending the month-long class where Woolery will teach lessons about agriculture, horticulture and other skills related to botany.
He said the “green thumb” gardening class is a part of a Starke County Jail program called F.A.R.M., which is an acronym that stands for Focusing A Recovery Mindset. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Thanks Residents Who Pitched in During this Weekend’s Emergency Situation
Over the weekend, there were many Knox residents who pitched in to help keep flood waters at bay and Mayor Dennis Estok extended his gratitude to those dedicated individuals during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
The mayor said, “That just goes to show us that we might be a small community, but we’re a strong community when people need help and that was very evident Saturday night, if you would have seen the operation it was something to see, so I want to thank everybody for helping us out.” Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff’s Department to Utilize Third K9
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department will have a third K9 unit.
Sheriff Bill Dulin asked the Starke County Commissioners for permission to officially approve the addition to the department Monday night.
Starke County Commissioners Review Job Description for Jail Employee
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin presented the county commissioners with a proposed job description for an employee at the Starke County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff previously explained that he hired Ron Lawson as a part-time jailer but he doesn’t necessarily do the duties of a jailer. He hired him in that position because the wage was at a higher rate. Lawson has 34 years of law enforcement experience and the sheriff believed that Lawson should be paid a higher wage because of his experience.
Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will meet tonight where Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin will discuss a job description for a part-time employee and request approval of a third K9 for the department. The job description was discussed with the Starke County Council members in January after they learned an employee was doing duties outside of the position for which he was hired. The job description should resolve the issue.
Candidate Filings Continue
Starke County Council Discusses New Job Title for Jail Employee
The Starke County Council members will be revising the salary ordinance to allow for a Starke County Sheriff’s Office employee helping out with case work.
Newly-appointed County Council President Brad Hazelton read aloud from a letter that an employee who had worked with the county for several years was hired as a part-time jailer at $14.00 an hour, which is higher than the $12.51 rate of pay, because of his many years of experience.
Five Arrested on Drug-Related Charges, after Police Reportedly Find Meth in North Judson Home
Five people were arrested on drug-related charges Tuesday afternoon, after police say they found methamphetamine while serving a warrant in North Judson. Shortly after 3:00, officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and North Judson Police Department went to a home in the 300 block of High Street to serve a warrant for failure to appear, according to Sheriff Bill Dulin.
Present Theft Prevented by Starke County Sheriff’s Department
Shortly after noon on Sunday, December 24th, Starke County Dispatch received a 911 call advising of a burglary in progress.
According to information received by Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, the 911 caller stated they had just witnessed a man gain entry into a home through a back door. Continue reading
Bass Lake Gas Station Sustains Structural Damage from Break-in Attempt, Prompts Starke County Sheriff’s Department Investigation
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin reports that three male subjects wearing hoodies and masks covering their faces broke into the KP Corner gas station located at 7090 S State Road 10 in Bass Lake on December 21st. According to Sheriff Dulin, the incident occurred around 3:50 a.m. Thursday. Continue reading
Nine Inmates Complete Chemical Dependency and Addictions Program
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
Starke County Sheriff Asks for Fund Transfers
The Starke County Council heard a request from Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin Monday night to transfer money within his budgets to fund various needs.
He requested $23,665.56 to fund the retirement shortfall. The county has been in arrears with retirement for the past two years and in order to keep the police retirement fund with Morgan Stanley active, the shortage needs to be brought up to date by the end of the year. If the county is short three years in a row, it ceases.
North Judson Man Arrested on Arson Charge
A North Judson man is currently being held at the Starke County Jail on a preliminary charge of arson, a Level 4 felony, after he allegedly confessed to starting a fire at the old Craven’s factory back in September.
According to information disclosed by Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, on Monday, October 23rd detectives with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office were in the process of conducting interviews with possible suspect(s) about numerous burglaries within the county.
During questioning, 19-year-old Jacob Carter allegeldy confessed to starting a fire at a building in North Judson. Carter reportedly admitted to lighting a fire which led to a large pile of tires burning, according to the release. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners Form Committee to Research Allowing Off-Road Vehicles on County Roads
The Starke County Commissioners are willing to explore the possibility of allowing certain off-road vehicles on county roads. After researching the issue, County Attorney Marty Lucas told the commissioners Monday that they have the authority to authorize their use, but there are some limitations. Continue reading
Starke County Chamber of Commerce Coffee With a Cop Event
Today from 7:30 until 9 a.m. the Starke County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Coffee with a Cop event at the Downtown Depot in Knox.
Whether it’s to ask questions, voice concerns, or to simply chat and listen, the Chamber of Commerce encourages Starke County residents to spend a few minutes conversing with Sheriff Bill Dulin, Police Chief Harold Smith and other local authorities over a cup of a joe.
Coffee with a Cop is a way to connect law-enforcement officials with members of the community directly. The event provides a casual platform for residents to share their voices and feel that they’re being heard. To learn more about the program that started as a grass-roots initiative and developed into a world-wide movement, visit coffeewithacop.com.
