Week in Review for August 8th-12th, 2011

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

Stacie Brown

Staci Brown, of Knox, was arrested Friday, August 5th on charges of Battery Resulting in Death and Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, both Class A Felonies. She is accused of injuring her stepson, Ethan causing his death. During her initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court on Wednesday, a preliminary plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf and she requested a court-appointed attorney.

The Knox-Center Township Fire Department received a new fire truck last week. The new truck, which can transport more firemen than the older truck it will be replacing, offers more storage room for gear and for water.

The Knox Community School Board heard a presentation from the Washington Township Trustee and two firemen about constructing a training tower on the old Washington Township school grounds.

Bryan Henke
Clay Lovely

Bryan Henke of Medaryville and Clay Lovely of North Judson were arrested Friday after detectives reportedly found the pair involved in a burglary incident in Pulaski County.

Jason Richie, of Rensselaer, was arrested in North Judson on Saturday after he allegedly stole a chainsaw from a residence.

Randall Grigbsy of Francesville was arrested after a pursuit incident on August 5th. He was wanted on a bench warrant out of Pulaski County on charges of Battery Resulting in Injury to a Pregnant Woman, Strangulation and Domestic Battery.

The Knox City Council reviewed the completed budget of $3,112,071. The budget will soon be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance, and it is expected back before February 15th.

Linda Belork

The Starke County Commissioners removed County Treasurer Linda Belork from office and terminated all treasurer employees after receiving a state audit of the office in which a considerable number of irregularities were found. Bridegroom said that $890,000 is unaccounted for and an outside accounting firm will be hired to find the missing money.

Two Starke County women lost their lives in traffic accidents this week. Joann Rannells of Koontz Lake was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a pickup truck. 91-year-old Marie Kozubik also lost her life in a traffic accident at the intersection of U.S. 421 and CR 400 South.

Leonard Rudd

Leonard Rudd, 85, passed away at his home Wednesday evening. Rudd owned a Chevrolet-Buick store in Knox from 1961 to 1989. Rudd was also an auctioneer and sang with the original Rudd Family Singers for many years.

Andrew W. Sturgeon, 25, of Winamac was arrested Tuesday by Pulaski County Police on a warrant for Fraud on a Financial Institution, a Class C Felony; and Theft, a Class D Felony. Sturgeon allegedly stole $947.77 through false deposits and withdrawals at the First Federal Savings Bank in Winamac.

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