Week in Review for November 28th-December 2nd, 2011

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

Kasey Clark is sworn in my Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski

Kasey Clark was named the Interim Starke County Treasurer in a Democratic Caucus held Thursday night. Linda Belork’s attorney had filed a motion in Starke Circuit Court to halt the caucus this week, but Judge Kim Hall ruled that the caucus could proceed.

IU Health Starke Hospital will wait later in 2012 to contract with an ALS ambulance service.

Counterfeit $20 bills were found in the Starke County area. If you find any of these bills, contact the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at 772-3771.

Wilma Upsall was laid to rest Sunday after funeral services were held at the Braman and Son Memorial Chapel in Knox. Wilma Upsall was killed in a burglary and robbery incident in Rochester and all three suspects have been arrested in the incident. It is alleged that Roy Bell was the shooter in the incident.

Fred Boggess II

Fred Boggess II was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Wednesday to 17 years in the DOC on charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors, Driving While Suspended and False Informing.

The lawsuit that Dennis Fornelli filed against the City of Knox and the Knox City Police Department was dismissed in Starke Circuit Court. He filed the lawsuit on December 31st, 2007.

Daniel Whited

Daniel Whited was sentenced in U.S. District Court last week to 78 months imprisonment and four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana.

The Oregon-Davis School Board discussed the budget Monday night and the Board and those in attendance agreed on an option to add a local general fund referendum to the taxes to help the deflated budget. The School has lost almost $5 million in funding and has to make up the shortfall.

Knox City Council final #3
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council voted to pass the salary ordinance on second reading at their recent meeting. The ordinance, which includes a 2% increase in salary for employees and elected officials failed to pass at the last meeting. Two Council members favored eliminating Council members from the raise.

Gabriel French was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court last week to 13 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with none of that sentence suspended after he plead guilty in a plea agreement to Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B Felony.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an arson incident at an apartment at 303 N. Market Street in Winamac. An investigator said that the fire was set in a bedroom closet.

Scott Cherry from Skillman Corporation outlined what the company will be doing with the Starke County Jail project. The Commissioners heard his presentation during their meeting last week.

The Starke County Commissioners approved the purchase of a second police car for the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

Over 500 coats have been collected in the SCILL Center Coat Drive. If you need a coat for the winter, they will be distributed at the Knox United Methodist Church from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. this Saturday and on December 17th and from 11:00-1:00 p.m. at the Knox Christian Church on December 10th.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an arson incident that occurred at 0020 N. 500 E. in Knox. An investigator with the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office determined that a house and garage fire at the residence were intentionally set. No arrests have been made in the incident.

Joseph Givens, Kristen Webb, Brooke Webb, Nikki Givens and Zachariah Whitfield were in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday for their initial hearings. They were arrested on November 23rd after police executed a search warrant and reportedly found narcotics at the residence.

The Starke United/WKVI Radio Auction was held Friday. The annual fundraiser was a success this year.

Christopher Stonebraker

Christopher Stonebraker, of Winamac, was arrested on preliminary charges of Rape and Domestic Battery this week. His initial hearing was held where he plead not guilty. A $25,000 surety bond has been set in his case.

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