C&C Salvage Fire Investigation Continues

 
 
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is working with the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office in an investigation into the Thursday evening fire at the C&C Salvage.

Bass Lake Fire Chief Les Jensen told WKVI News that the investigation into the cause and origin continues. Some preliminary information may be available this week. As of now, he said, there is nothing new to report.

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Starke County Sheriff Warns of Telephone Scam

  
 
Several Starke County residents have gotten telephone calls recently stating that their grandson or granddaughter is in jail and they need to send $6,000 right away in order to bail them out. Sheriff Oscar Cowen says these calls are scams. He says the best thing to do is hang up on the person. If you are worried your grandchild may be in trouble, ask the caller for a telephone number, hang up, and check to make sure your grandchild is not in jail. A red flag in any sort of telephone scam is a request to either send money via wire transfer, as that money is untraceable and cannot be recovered. Scammers also ask people to load funds to a prepaid credit card and use it as a means to transfer money. Again, these funds cannot be traced and are virtually impossible to recover.

No Injuries in Morning Accident on U.S. 30

accident

Two semi truck drivers walked away without injuries after an accident Tuesday morning on U.S. 30.

According to officials at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, no one was injured in the accident that occurred just east of the U.S. 35 overpass. Emergency personnel blocked the westbound lane of travel on U.S. 30 so the wreckage could be removed and a reconstruction could take place.

Details of how the accident occurred and the names of the drivers have not been released.

Knox Man Arrested on Meth Charges

 
 

A search warrant executed by police Wednesday resulted in the arrest of a Knox man.

Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department went to a home in the 9700 East block of County Road 50 South in Knox where they reportedly found two one-pot methamphetamine labs, an HCL generator, precursors, drug paraphernalia, other items used in the manufacture of meth, and the finished product.

Glenn Joseph was arrested on preliminary charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors, Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Paraphernalia. He has an additional charge of Possession of Marijuana under 30 grams.

Knox City Police Department officers assisted the Starke County Sheriff’s Department in this case as well as the Indiana State Police Clandestine Team.

Starke Sheriff’s Dept. to Look Into Auctioning Items

Sheriff Oscar Cowen
Sheriff Oscar Cowen
The Starke County Commissioners at their meeting this week continued discussion regarding the sale of police vehicles. Sheriff Oscar Cowen approached the commissioners and explained that he is interested in selling three vehicles to help fund the purchase of a new prisoner transport van. Cowen said the department recently retired a Crown Victoria police cruiser, and he would like to sell that vehicle, the old transport van and a DARE trailer. County Attorney Martin Lucas explained that any items valued at more than $1000 must be advertised and sold at a public auction, sealed bid sale, internet sale, or other public sale.

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Walkerton Man Arrested on Meth Charges

 A Walkerton man is being held in the Starke County Jail after deputies executed a search warrant at a home in the 10000 E block of State Road 23 in Walkerton on Thursday.

Starke County deputies reportedly discovered an active one pot methamphetamine lab in the residence, along with the product and items used in the manufacture of the drug.

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Knox Man Arrested on Meth Charges

 
 

An arrest warrant was served at a home in the 1500 S. block of 300 E. in Knox where police reportedly found an active meth lab.

Starke County deputies arrived at the residence and found Kane Wilson, 29, of Knox at the home along with an alleged one pot methamphetamine lab and precursors to manufacture the drug. Deputies also reportedly found meth and drug paraphernalia at the home.

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Starke County Sheriff’s Department Pill Drop-Box Used Often, Says Cowen

 The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is home to a 24-hour prescription drop-box, giving residents the opportunity to drop off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications 365 days a year. Previously, the sheriff’s department only housed a prescription drop-box during programs once per year, and now, Sheriff Oscar Cowen said they’re happy to have a full-time drop-box available at all times.

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Body Found, Starke County Police Investigating

 
 

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a death in the Grovertown area.

Sheriff Oscar Cowen told WKVI that a body was found at a location in Grovertown around noon and that person has not yet been identified. Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells and officials at the sheriff’s department are tending to the scene and will release information as it becomes available.

The Indiana State Police will also assist in the investigation.

Grovertown Man Still Missing; Search Continues

Isaiah Lincoln Grounds
Isaiah Lincoln Grounds

A 26-year-old Starke County man is still missing, having been last seen on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Isaiah Lincoln Grounds, who was reportedly last seen as he was leaving the Grovertown Truck Stop in a gray four-door 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. He is described as a white male, 6’2” tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

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Starke County Police Searching for Missing Grovertown Man

 
 

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is asking for your help in locating a missing 28-year-old Starke County man.

Isaiah Lincoln Grounds was reportedly last seen on Monday, Dec. 9 as he was leaving his residence at 2425 N. 1025 E. in Grovertown. He is described as a white male, 6’2” tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

An investigation is ongoing and police are concerned for his well-being. If you have any idea of his whereabouts, call the Starke County Sheriff’s Department immediately at (574) 772-3771.

Avoid Becoming a Victim of Theft Rowe Offers Advice

 
 

A chief deputy at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department has released a statement advising residents of a rash of daytime break-ins throughout the county and offered tips on how to avoid becoming a victim. Chief Deputy Brack Rowe said that while local law enforcement agencies in the county and the surrounding area have been making every attempt to stop and catch these thieves, there are still a number of steps residents can take to keep their belongings safe.

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First Responders Rescue Motorist from Submerged Vehicle

 
 

The female driver of a vehicle involved in a rollover wreck last night at the intersection of State Roads 8 and 39 was taken to IU Health Starke Hospital for treatment. Dispatchers at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call around 9:30 last night. The caller advised the vehicle had rolled over and was submerged in a ditch. Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox City Police Department were able to pull her from the vehicle. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital. The crash is still under investigation, and the woman’s name has not been released. There’s also no word yet on her condition. Members of the Knox Fire Department and Starke County Medics also responded.

New Starke County Jail Groundbreaking Ceremony Today

This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.

After years of planning and development, the time has finally come for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Starke County Sheriffs Department and Detention Center. The county commissioners announced that the groundbreaking will be held today from 10 to 11 a.m. and is open to the public. The ceremony will be held at the 24-acre construction site at the corner of State Road 8 and County Road 550 East in Knox. The proposed 146-bed facility will replace the 63-bed facility currently in use, a necessity according to Sheriff Oscar Cowen. He said the county is currently housing between 15 and 20 prisoners per day in other facilities and officials are desperate to get the facility finished. Continue reading