Week in Review for September 12th-16th, 2011

Here is a look at some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

Three 19-year-old boys were killed in an auto accident early last Saturday morning in Royal Center. Erron Stoddard of Winamac, Brandon Lee Miller of Winamac and Bruce Leearmel Wireman of Culver were killed when their SUV crashed into the rear of a parked semitrailer. The driver, Joshua Barcus, at last report, was listed in critical condition at Parkview Hospital.

Starke County officials went over the 2010 audit in a special meeting Friday afternoon and found that $22,000 could not be found for certification. Over $500,000 in discrepancies are still unaccounted for in 2009.

Starke County Honor Guard

Starke County citizens turned out to remember and reflect during September 11th ceremonies held in Knox and in North Judson Sunday.

16-year-old Tyler Rudd, of North Judson, will face six felony charges against him in adult court which include Battery, Attempted Escape and Theft. Charges stem after an incident involving an officer at the Muncie Reception and Detention Center and from charges from prior incidents in Starke County.

The Hamlet Police Department is investigating the theft of a golf cart from the Hamlet Golf Course. If you have any information regarding this theft, call the Hamlet Police Department at 867-2623.

Brandon Gamblin of Winamac was arrested yesterday on an active arrest warrant for Domestic Battery in the Presence of a Child, a Class D Felony. Nathan Gamblin, his brother, reportedly lied to police about Brandon Gamblin’s whereabouts and he was arrested and will be charged with Assisting a Criminal or False Informing, both misdemeanor charges.

Over $6,000 was raised during the 9th annual Motorcycles, Music and Memories event at Kersting’s Cycle Center.

Michael Simpson
Heather Wilson

Michael Simpson was arrested Tuesday night at Bass Lake after escaping from a jail in Kentucky. Heather Wilson was also arrested on charges of Neglect of a Dependent, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Public Intoxication. They are both from Louisville, Kentucky.

The Starke County Council discussed the 2012 budget at length in a budget session Wednesday where the Council decided to freeze the budget and use 2011 numbers and no raises will be given to employees. The approved budget is for approximately $5.8 million.

This is the location of the old Everett's Drug Store/movie theatre

The Knox City Council and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation are reviewing options on whether to rehabilitate or demolish the old Everett’s Drug Store building at the corner of Main and Lake Streets.

The Eastern Pulaski School Board has placed Superintendent, Dr. Robert Klitzman, on contractual probation. The disciplinary action follows Klitzman’s arrest in July for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in July.

Suspect(s) broke a window to gain entry into Community Services of Starke County

The Knox City Police are investigating a break-in at the Community Services of Starke County building where unknown suspects stole a 42” flat screen TV. If you have any information about this incident, you can leave an anonymous tip with the Knox City Police Department at 772-4122 ext. 3.

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