The Starke County Sheriff’s Department investigated two accidents on Sunday.
At 11:20 a.m., officers responded to a call of a vehicle in a water-filled ditch on State Road 8 and Range Road. The car landed on its roof in the ditch. The driver, Kaitlyn Vukelich of Schererville, and her four-year-old daughter were pulled from the vehicle by a passerby.
James Campbell pleaded not guilty to a charge of Arson as a Class A felony in an initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.
Campbell is accused of intentionally setting a fire on March 20 at his business known as Starke County Recycling at the corner of U.S. 35 and Toto Road south of Knox. A Bass Lake fireman was injured while battling the blaze at the business. Eight fire departments were called to the scene to contain the fire.
A Knox man who was reported missing early Friday evening was located a few hours later.
Joshua Simpkins, 32, was reported missing around 5:30 p.m. Friday evening. He was last seen by his home in Knox.
Officials from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department told WKVI News that he was safely located several hours later.
Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department are looking for a 32-year-old Knox man with Down Syndrome who was reported missing Friday night.
Joshua Simpkins was last seen on John Street and 500 East in Knox just east of the cemetery around 5:30 p.m. or 5:45 p.m. CT. He was wearing blue jeans, a black and gray t-shirt, a neon yellow and green coat with a white and red baseball cap. He is just over five feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.
If you see him, call 9-1-1 or the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 772-3771.
The owner of a Knox business that was destroyed by fire last week is jailed without bond, charged with arson and insurance fraud. James L. Campbell, 46, of Knox, was arrested this afternoon by officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Fire Investigation Division. Campbell owns Starke County Recycling, also known as C&C Salvage. The business, located on U.S. 35 just south of Toto Road, caught fire on Thursday, March 20. Starke County dispatchers were notified at 5:17 p.m. The Bass Lake, Knox-Center Township, Hamlet, Washington Township, Koontz Lake, North Judson-Wayne Township, San Pierre and Monterey Fire Departments all responded to the blaze and spent several hours getting it under control. One firefighter was injured. Black smoke was visible for miles, and a brigade of tanker trucks hauled water to the scene. Continue reading
It was recently reported that one of the biggest issues in Starke County is prescription drug abuse. A program sponsored by Moving Starke County Forward will be held in the next couple of months that will give information to community members on how to combat this pressing issue.
If you have unwanted, unused or expired prescription medication, you may take that medication to drop off locations at the Knox City Police Department and at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.
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.
Officers from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department and Starke County Sheriff’s Department, as well as all local police departments, will be involved in this “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” blitz through March 23.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One person died after a two vehicle accident on U.S. 30 just east of 600 E. in Hamlet this morning.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call about the accident just before 10 a.m. After an investigation, officers found that a westbound semi and trailer had crossed the median and entered the eastbound lane and struck the SUV.
