Top 10 Stories of 2010; Story #6

Pete Daley

August 12th was an ordinary day in Starke County, except for Pete Daley who claimed his dog was killed when it jumped into a drainage ditch while playing fetch with its owner. The problem was the water temperature was near 200 degrees after the ditch was infused with scalding water from a Mint Still.

Although mint farmers in Starke County doubted the claim, it was not disputed that the water was very hot. It was hot enough to scald a dog to death. That prompted a meeting between growers and two officials from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to hear rules on what the water temperature can be when Mint Still residue is poured into County ditches.

An emotional story, and our number 6 story of the year 2010.