Week in Review for July 11th-15th, 2011

Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

Stephen Mills, 40, of Hanna, and Ricky Vance, 35, of Wanatah, died from massive internal trauma after being involved in a single car accident on State Road 8 in LaPorte County on Sunday. Speed and alcohol were factors in the accident.

The Starke County Commissioners and Sheriff Oscar Cowen toured the Marshall County and Miami County jail facilities last week and the Jasper County Jail this week. The Commissioners continue to wrestle with the idea of remodeling or rebuilding the Starke County jail and they visited these facilities to see how they function.

Marla Freeman

Marla Freeman of Winamac was arrested on Sunday after police reportedly found heroin in her vehicle after a routine traffic stop. She has a preliminary charge of Possession of Heroin.

Chris Howard of Winamac was arrested Monday on Resisting Law Enforcement charges after he was found driving the wrong way down a street and nearly colliding head-on with a police officer. He failed to stop after police tried to initiate a traffic stop.

Lauren Jernas (L) and Megan Hinds

Lauren Jernas and Megan Hinds were announced as this year’s 4-H Achievement Royalty at the Starke County 4-H fair Monday night.

The Medaryville Fire Department was called to a house fire at 311 N. George St. in Medaryville on Saturday. It was deemed a total loss after it rekindled roughly three hours later. The Francesville Fire Department was called to a house fire at 2887 S. 1100 W. in Francesville which was caused by an electrical issue. The home was a total loss.

Andy Howes

Local services for Knox High School graduate and Warrant Officer, Andy Howes, are scheduled for August 2nd at the Knox Community Center. Howes was reported missing in action 41 years ago in the Vietnam War.

The Starke County Food Pantry received a $3,500 check from the Starke County General Unrestricted Endowment Fund of the Community Foundation for the purpose of purchasing meat and food for the food pantry.

Warren Coffin, Jr. is back in Starke County Jail from the Marshall County jail to face methamphetamine related charges he has been charged with from an incident in August 2010.

The Knox Center Township Fire Department is celebrating 100 years of service to the community this year. A Centennial Celebration is scheduled for August 6th and 7th at the Southside Fire Station.

Monterey Town Board President, Jim Fleury, said this week that he and a group of residents in the town are exploring the possibility of withdrawing from the Culver Community School System. Since the Monterey Elementary School closed, parents of children have expressed interest in sending their children to Eastern Pulaski Schools instead of Culver.

And that is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.