Two Arrested in LaPorte County on Dog Fighting Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
George Wedow
Lisa Daube

The LaPorte County Metro Drug Task Force and the DEA have arrested two LaPorte County residents on animal fighting charges.

Police say federal and local arrest warrants were issued and George Wedow and Lisa Daube were arrested on Friday, January 13th at their residence at 5589 N. 600 West in LaPorte County. The investigation revealed a large dog fighting operation involving 12 dogs and dog fighting equipment at that address. 70 pounds of processed marijuana was also confiscated from the residence. Police also searched a Grovertown residence and found 19 more dogs.

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Starke County Police Arrest Two on Warrants

Posted on Author WKVI
Anne Marie Geller
Aaron Armes

Two people have been arrested on warrants involving drug charges. In December, Starke County police conducted a search warrant on a camper located on 200 South in Knox and found several items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine and other controlled substances and drugs. Police also searched an area in the woods and found other items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Arrest warrants were then applied for and approved for Aaron Armes and Anne Marie Geller who were known to live in the camper. Continue reading →

Township Trustee Bill to be Discussed in House Committee

Posted on Author WKVI

A bill that could impact all counties in our listening area could come up for a committee vote on Friday.

Members of a House of Representatives could vote on a bill that would dramatically change the way government operates in each county. If the bill became law, county residents would have the option of retaining or eliminating townships. The responsibilities the township trustees now coordinate would be handed over to the county. Even if voters decided through an election to keep the trustee offices. the responsibility in some areas would be changed. For instance, cemetery maintenance and weed control would move to the county, as well as the funding for poor relief.

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Starke County Jail Committee Holds Public Meeting

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Jail

A sparse crowd attended the first Starke County Jail Committee informational meeting at the Knox Middle School Cafeteria last night.

Sheriff Oscar Cowen addressed the needs at the jail and County Attorney Martin Lucas spoke on the impact a class action lawsuit could have on the project as it works its way through the court system. Starke County Council President David Pearman talked about the five options the committee is discussing.

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Starke County Commissioners Approve Drainage Board Accounts Schedule

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Commissioners signed documents that showed the schedule for the Starke County Drainage Board accounts to be collected in 2012.

In explaining the documents, Commissioner Dan Bridegroom pointed out that Starke County has more drainage boards than any county in the state.

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Yellow River Tree Removal in Progress

Posted on Author WKVI

The Yellow River tree removal project is moving along. Starke County Surveyor Dennis Estok said this week that he is in the process of forming a three-man committee to interview and score the various engineering proposals.

Estok said he is on track to present contracts for signing by May with work scheduled for this summer and fall. Work cannot be done in April or May as this is the spawning season.

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From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

On this date 40 years ago, a very special visitor came to our area. Louis Russell, Jr. was a guest of the Pulaski County Heart Association organization at its annual meeting at West Central High School. He was a guest, specifically, of the late Dr. Martin Barco, who was President of the local association.

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Starke County Commissioners Discuss Bass Lake Campground

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Commissioners discussed the status of the Bass Lake Campground during last night’s meeting. It’s come to the commissioners’ attention that 28 of the 56 campsites are rented year-round. In the course of the conversation, it was stated that when the state of Indiana ran the campground you could only rent a space for two weeks and then you had to vacate to give others a chance at the sites.  At the end of the season, all of the campers had to be moved off the campsite.

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USMCR Looking for Volunteers

Posted on Author WKVI

Carroll Harris, Lt. Col, United States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR), announced that she manages Selective Service System Boards which would be activated in the event of a draft and she is looking for volunteers in the area including Starke, LaPorte, Lake, St. Joseph, and Elkhart Counties.

Col. Harris says if you are willing to serve, call her and send her an application. For more information, you are asked to call her at (317) 506-0369.

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IU Health Starke Hospital Offers Prize for Donating Blood on Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health Starke Hospital is offering a one hour massage to a lucky blood donor this Thursday.

“The American Red Cross is bringing their bloodmobile to Starke hospital this Thursday, January 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,” said David Hiatt, Vice President of Operations at IU Health Starke Hospital. “We’re going to have it in front of the hospital and we would like to invite members of the community to come and donate blood. To show our appreciation, we are putting together a raffle. Anybody that donates blood on Thursday will be entered in to win an hour-long massage at IU Health Starke Hospital.”

Patriot Guard Members Aid Accident Victims

Posted on Author WKVI

Police and Patriot Guard members who were accompanying the remains of Spc. Robert Tauteris, Jr. from Valparaiso to North Judson on Saturday were credited with saving the lives of several people in a Jeep that was involved in an accident along the route. The Jeep was driven by Ana Pina, 35, of South Bend. The vehicle was rear-ended by a pick-up driven by 76-year-old John Buibish, of Grovertown.

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More Candidates File for Office

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Clerk’s Office received three candidate filings in the first week. Kasey Clark has filed for Starke County Treasurer and Robert (Bob) Sims filed for Starke County Council at Large seat on the Democratic ticket. Clark is currently in the office filling the term of Linda Belork who was removed from the office in August of 2011. Democrat Dennis Estok filed last week for the office of Starke County Surveyor.

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Henry F. Schricker Award Dinner this Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI
Dorene Matzat

The Henry F. Schricker Award dinner is this Thursday at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association building. The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is still accepting reservations for the dinner today. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. with the dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m.

This year’s award winner is Dorene Matzat. She has been a model of Henry F. Schricker’s motto of “service before self”. For the past 65 years, she has driven veterans to medical appointments to veterans hospitals, she has mowed lawns for the elderly in the North Judson area as well as her church and she is active in her church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She won the Aid Association for Lutherans Branch Award, the American Legion Auxiliary Member of the Year Award winner and she was also the recipient of the Patty Hunt Memorial Award.

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Industrial Park Plant Executives Discuss Klockner Drive Project

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Economic Development Director, Charles Weaver, met with many executives of the plants that are located in the Knox Industrial Park yesterday. Weaver talks about that meeting.

“The industries and companies that are located along County Road 300 East in Knox met to hear a presentation about the planned improvement of County Road 300 East, or Klockner Drive, by the engineers that are preparing those plans,” said Weaver.

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Plea Agreements Heard in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Clayton Reiss

A plea agreement was rejected by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall yesterday for Clayton Reiss, who pleaded guilty to Theft as a Class D felony. Reiss is also currently booked in the Starke County Jail on separate charges, including two preliminary charges of Dealing in a Controlled Substance and three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance after he was arrested on December 2nd. Judge Hall requested that Reiss undergo an evaluation by the probation department. A status hearing was set for 8:00 a.m. on January 26th. Continue reading →

Jackie Walorski Files for U.S. Congress Seat

Posted on Author WKVI
Jackie Walorski

Jackie Walorski has made it official this week when she filed her intention to represent Indiana’s Second District in the United States Congress. She filed with the Secretary of State in Indianapolis.

“I am running to get our economy back on track so businesses can create jobs, and to get government spending under control by balancing the budget. Our country is heading in the wrong direction,” Walorski said.

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Bass Lake Property Owners Association Building Remodeled

Posted on Author WKVI
Bass Lake Property Owners Association building

The Bass Lake Property Owners Association Building has been fully remodeled by a home remodeling company in Everett Washington. You are invited to an Open House so you can see the improvements.

The Open House will be Sunday, January 22nd, from Noon to 4:00 p.m. and there will be different vendors there to offer food and to assist you with event planning. A variety of room rental packages will be presented. The building can be rented for weddings, graduation parties, and banquets.

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