Hamlet officials want some more information before agreeing to let the Starke County Sheriff’s Department use the indoor firing range at the town’s sewer plant. In a letter to town officials, Sheriff Bill Dulin offered to have his firearms instructors qualify the town’s police officers free of charge, in exchange for letting them use the range to qualify officers from other departments.
Bell Found Guilty on Three Counts Stemming from April 2016 Drug Raid in Koontz Lake
A Koontz Lake man was found guilty of three meth-related charges by a jury in Starke Circuit Court Thursday. Troy Bell was arrested in April of 2016, following a drug raid in Koontz Lake.
North Judson Council Hears Complaints About Cemetery Mowing
Unmowed grass at Highland Cemetery has led to a complaint to the North Judson Town Council. During last week’s meeting, one resident said the condition of the cemetery was a disgrace and asked council members to fix the problem.
Starke County Council to Review Officer Pay
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin asked the county council members to review the pay scale for the sheriff’s department.
Sheriff Dulin said he’s losing officers to other departments and the salary offered is not competitive with other departments. In fact, he told the council that he’s lost four officers. He said it’s hard to attract applicants with what he’s able to offer. Dulin mentioned that his department is the lowest paid department in the county and the eighth lowest in terms of competitive salaries in the state.
Three Arrested for Dealing Heroin
A traffic stop in Knox on Tuesday morning resulted in the arrest of three Knox residents for allegedly dealing heroin.
Knox City Police officers performed the stop at the Marathon gas station at Lake Street and U.S. 35. Police say during the traffic stop they witnessed James R. Landrum, Jr., 29, attempt to hide items underneath the back seat as he was exiting the vehicle.
Monterey Deaths Ruled Murder-Suicide
Monterey Deaths Under Investigation with Sheriff’s Department
Detectives and officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the deaths of two Monterey residents.
According to Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, a caller notified police around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 17 that there was a cause for concern when a co-worker did not check in for work that day. The responding officer arrived at the home and talked to a family member who told the officer that two people were deceased inside the residence. The responding officer entered victim’s residence at 8893 S. Elm Street in Monterey where two people were found dead.
One Arrested after Standoff in Starke County
One man is in custody after a standoff in Starke County.
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin said police responded to a residence around 5:30 p.m. CT at 700 E. and 400 N. in Grovertown where a subject had barricaded himself inside the house.
Police reportedly could not get him to exit the house and the Indiana State Police Swat Team was called to the scene. After a few hours, Sheriff Dulin said the subject was taken into custody without incident.
WKVI News will release more information about this incident when it becomes available.
Two People Found Dead in Monterey
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department and the Starke County Coroner’s Office are investigating the death of two people in Monterey.
According to Sheriff Bill Dulin, police were conducting a welfare check Friday night at a home in the 800 block of Elm Street when the pair were found. Autopsies are scheduled for Monday.
The incident remains under investigation and more information is expected to be released on Sunday.
Pfost Appointed Knox Planning Administrator, Director of Building and Code Compliance
A longtime law enforcement officer will soon be in charge of code enforcement for the City of Knox. Kenny Pfost has been appointed as the city’s director of building and code compliance by Mayor Dennis Estok. Pfost will also serve as planning administrator, following action by the Knox Plan Commission Tuesday.
Indiana State Police to Investigate Shooting in Starke, La Porte Counties
Troopers from the Indiana State Police will be taking over the investigation of a shooting incident Thursday afternoon that started in North Judson and ended in La Porte County.
According to police, at about 4:05 p.m., a North Judson police officer recognized the driver of a vehicle who was wanted on a warrant. The officer conducted a traffic stop on State Road 10 by the CVS Pharmacy where the driver allegedly gave the officer false information. Police say the driver then fled from the scene.
Change in Railroad Township Fire Protection Leads to Confusion over Equipment Ownership
Now that the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department is no longer providing fire protection to Railroad Township, the process is now underway to sort out what property and equipment belongs to whom. Continue reading
Oregon-Davis Classes to Take Place As Usual Wednesday, Following False Bomb Threat
Classes will take place as usual Wednesday at Oregon-Davis Schools, after a bomb threat Tuesday. In a press release, Superintendent Don Harman says the corporation is working with local law enforcement agencies to deal with those responsible, noting they’re taking the event very seriously. Continue reading
Seven Jailed Following Joint Highway Patrol Effort
Seven people were taken to jail, following a joint effort to improve the safety of area highways. For a four-hour period Monday, officers from the Marshall and Starke County Sheriff’s Departments, Plymouth Police Department, and Indiana State Police teamed up to patrol the U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 areas, according to the Plymouth Police Department. Continue reading
Hamlet Finalizing Yellowstone Trail Fest Preparations
The Town of Hamlet is getting ready for next weekend’s Yellowstone Trail Fest. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, Town Marshal Frank Lonigro, Jr. agreed to have the police department provide traffic control during the Rainbow Splash 5K, as it did last year. Water and Street Superintendent Fred Rowe said the town also has street barricades ready. Continue reading
Suspicious Knox House Fire Under Investigation
A house fire last week in Knox appears to have been set deliberately. That’s according to an investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff’s Office to Expand Police Presence Through Reserves Program
Residents of Starke County’s smaller communities will see an expanded police presence thanks to the new sheriff’s reserve program. Continue reading
No Charges Filed in Connection With Fatal Crash, Services Scheduled for Victims
Formal charges have not been filed against the driver of a pickup truck involved in Tuesday night’s fatal crash west of North Judson. Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff tells WKVI News blood tests done on 46-year-old Steven D. Cambe of Wheatfield were negative for alcohol. Additional tests for other controlled substances and prescription medication are pending, as is an Indiana State Police accident reconstruction report. Continue reading
No Charges Filed in Connection With Fatal Crash
Formal charges have not been filed against the driver of a pickup truck involved in Tuesday night’s fatal crash west of North Judson. Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff tells WKVI News blood tests done on 46-year-old Steven D. Cambe of Wheatfield were negative for alcohol. Additional tests for other controlled substances and prescription medication are pending, as is an Indiana State Police accident reconstruction report. Continue reading
Sheriff Releases Names in Fatal North Judson Crash
A Wheatfield man is jailed in connection with a fiery Tuesday night pickup truck versus motorcycle wreck west of North Judson that claimed two lives. Continue reading
