Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and officials with the Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County organization will be participating in the DEA’s drug take back event today (Saturday, April 28).
Motorcycle Crashes Near Bass Lake Result in Critical Injuries and Fatality
A North Judson man lost his life and a Knox man remains in critical condition as the result of a Thursday evening motorcycle accident.
Officers with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of an incident involving two motorcycles around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 12th. Continue reading
Three Arrested on Drug Charges in Starke County
Three Starke County residents were arrested late Wednesday evening after a search warrant was executed by officers at a home in the 11,000 E. block of Division Road in Starke County.
Starke County Police to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoints
Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Knox City Police Department and Walkerton Police Department are teaming up to combat aggressive driving and impaired driving.
These officers working under the Starke County Traffic Safety Partnership consortium will be setting up sobriety checkpoints around Starke County to deter, detect and arrest drivers who are driving under the influence. Police will man the checkpoints on Saturday, March 17 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. at undisclosed locations.
Starke County IT Director to Research New Jail Computer Program
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office may get a new dispatch program to better suit the needs of the department.
Starke County IT Director Mark Gourley told the commissioners this week that the CAD program, or Computer Aided Dispatch, offered an update in August where some promised features weren’t a part of the update. He said he’s talking more with the vendor about that.
Seven Arrested after Distress Call
Seven people were arrested shortly before 3 a.m. CT Wednesday after Starke County dispatchers received a 911 call from a woman yelling for help.
The dispatchers were reportedly unable to get a name or location from the caller. They were able to use tracking systems to trace the phone call and sheriff’s deputies were notified of the address, according to a news release.
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.
Sentencing Hearing for Convicted Child Molester Postponed
A sentencing hearing for a Knox man convicted of child molesting is postponed to Thursday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. in Starke Circuit Court.
On Jan. 11, a 12-member jury convicted 37-year-old Jerry Leonard of two counts of child molesting as a Class A Felony and two counts of performing a sexual act in front of a child as a Class D Felony. The jury deliberated for about one hour before returning guilty verdicts.
County Council Clarifies Police Pay
The Starke County Council members cleared up some confusion on county police pay.
The council members approved a $5,000 raise for Starke County police officers for 2018, but they were unsure about the three percent raise that was proposed them in addition to the raise.
Starke County Community Corrections, Probation, Sheriff Asks for Letter of Support
The Starke County Community Corrections, in partnership with the Starke County Probation Department and the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, are working to submit a grant request for programs and funding.
Community Corrections Director Robert Hinojosa said this is the ninth year of requesting funding for community corrections and the second year for jail treatment programs and pretrial funding.
Michigan City Man Arrested After Reportedly Robbing North Judson Gas Station
A Michigan City man was arrested Friday evening after reportedly robbing the Marathon Gas Station at 303 W Talmer Avenue in North Judson.
A press release from the North Judson Police Department indicates that the gas station was robbed at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Friday, January 5th. Continue reading
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.
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
Cold Weather Preparation Tips from Knox Water Department Superintendent Todd Gardner
Today is officially the first day of winter and as temperatures are expected to dip below freezing in the coming weeks, home owners need to take necessary precautions to avoid frozen pipes.
Knox Water Department Superintendent Todd Gardner has a few helpful tips to help protect homes this winter season. Superintendent Gardner reported that most incidents happen at the beginning of the season since people don’t take these simple steps before cold weather hits.
His first tip is to be sure that all hoses are disconnected and outdoor faucets are turned off. He said even “frost-free” faucets can freeze and break if they’re not disconnected and completely switched off. He also stressed the importance of making sure that crawlspace doors and other openings are securely shut to keep drafts from entering the home and cooling the water pipes. Continue reading
Progress Made in North Judson PD K-9 Fundraiser, Additional Donations Still Needed
The North Judson Police Department is already nearing their $20,000 goal for the purchase of a K-9 and subsequent training thanks to a decision made by town council members Monday evening.
Town Marshal Kelly Fisher requested for $15,000 to be encumbered from the general police insurance fund into the K-9 fund to help cover the cost of purchasing a K-9 from the Peru-based company Vohne Liche Kennels. The council members unanimously approved Fisher’s request.
Fisher also acknowledged some local businesses and organizations that are already offering assistance to the NJPD. San Pierre Veterinary Clinic offered to donate annual shots and physicals and Feed Barn is donating all food needed for the K-9. Continue reading
Pulaski County Sheriff Granted Permission to Sell Automatic Firearms to Starke County
Ten automatic firearms owned by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office will soon be sold to the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. Last week, the Pulaski County Commissioners authorized Sheriff Jeff Richwine to sell the ten MP5s.
Trial Scheduled for North Judson Man Charged with Stalking
A trial for 45-year-old Clayton Conley, of North Judson, is scheduled in Starke Circuit Court today. Conley is reportedly charged with stalking, a level 6 felony.
According to the provided police report, Conley was arrested twice on March 29th for separate incidents involving his sister. Detective Sergeant Adam Gray with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department reports that Conley was first escorted off his sister’s property around 7:53 a.m. when he refused to leave after an argument. Continue reading
Plymouth and Walkerton Residents Arrested on Drug-Related Charges in Starke County
Three people were arrested on drug-related charges Saturday morning in Starke County. Around 9:30 a.m., police from the Starke and Marshall county sheriff’s offices say they went to the 11,000 block of 400 North for a wanted person.
Wanted Starke County Man in Custody
A Starke County man was taken into custody Saturday after Knox City Police officers received a tip on his location.
According to Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith, officers went to a home in the 400 block of W. Lewis Drive in Knox after confirming that James Watts had several outstanding warrants in Starke County and Marshall County.
Police say Watts fled to the back of the home when officers initially made contact with him. Starke County Sheriff’s K9 Zardoz was deployed into the residence. In a search of the home, K9 Zardoz located Watts who was reportedly hiding in a crawl space. According to police, Watts initially attempted to fight with the K9 and was bitten. Watts was then placed into custody.
