Top Performances of 2013

Posted on Author WKVI

Thirteen different drivers won races in 2013 n the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series led by Kyle Busch, who won five races in the series. Busch is now second on the all-time win list at 35. Ron Hornaday, Jr. holds that top spot with 51.

Top Drivers: Matt Crafton. Crafton only won once in the 2013 season, but consistency allowed for Crafton to claim the Championship – the first for ThorSport Racing. Ty Dillon and James Buescher were given honorable mention as they finished in a dead heat for the second spot in the season standings. Dillon finished ahead of Buescher by three points.

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Tentative ID Released in Death Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI
Isaiah Lincoln Grounds
Isaiah Lincoln Grounds

Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells has stated that the person found in the Grovertown area has been tentatively identified as 26-year-old Isaiah Lincoln Grounds.

A confirmation of the person’s identity and other details will be released after a complete autopsy is conducted on Thursday.

The body was found in the Grovertown area in Starke County on Monday. Isaiah Grounds had been missing for a few weeks and the Starke County Sheriff’s Department had sent a notice out about his disappearance on Dec. 12. Grounds was reportedly last seen on Monday, Dec. 9 as he was leaving his residence at 2425 N. 1025 E. in Grovertown.

The case remains under investigation with the Starke County Coroner’s office.

Bank Robbery Suspects Arrested in Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The man authorities say robbed the First National Bank of Monterey at gunpoint Monday afternoon and his alleged female accomplice are jailed in Pulaski County. Scott Randall Freeman, 34, and his girlfriend, Michelle Marie Riley, 29, both of rural Winamac, were arrested last night, according to Pulaski County Sheriff Mike Gayer. Officers from the Pulaski, Starke, Marshall and Fulton County Sheriff’s Departments and the Indiana State Police responded to the 1:30 p.m. call. Witnesses told them the gunman was wearing a maroon ski mask and a Carhart jacket when he entered the bank brandishing a long-barreled revolver and demanding cash. He fled north in a silver Chevrolet Impala without a license plate, according to witnesses. Investigators gathered statements and used surveillance recordings to identify the suspects. Formal charges are pending.

Motorist Arrested After Wreck With Injuries

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
A two-vehicle wreck with injuries sent one man to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Marshall County and another to the Marshall County Jail. It happened Friday evening around 5:20 p.m. on U.S. 30 at King Road. Shawn M. Hoogerhyde, 43, was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing bodily injury. Alexey Y. Zakharov, 25, was transported to the hospital by Plymouth EMS. Prior to the wreck, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office received several 911 calls about a dark colored Dodge pickup truck that was driving erratically on Lincoln Highway. Several officers were in the area attempting to locate the truck when they received word that a vehicle matching that description had been involved in a crash.

Starke County Officials Discuss Coroner Space

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem
Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem
Starke County officials are going to have to find morgue space within the next year. A committee comprised of council president Dave Pearman, auditor Kay Chaffins and president of the commissioners Kathy Norem met recently with coroner Kris Rannells and former coroners directors Doug O’Donnell and Mark Smith to discuss the needs of the office. President of the Commissioners Kathy Norem says that was one of the big issues they raised.

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Be Aware of Holiday Closings

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The holidays are here and with them come a number of early closings. In North Judson, both the clerk-treasurer’s office and the water department will be closed on day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

In Knox, city offices will close at noon on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day and Dec. 26. Recycling pickup that would normally be done on Wednesday will take place Thursday; trash pickup that normally takes place on Thursday will be done on Friday. In addition, city offices will be closed on Jan. 1, and recycling will be picked up Thursday and trash will be picked up on Friday.

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Be Safe in Your Holiday Travels

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Christmas season is a time for holiday cheer and holiday traffic.

Officers from all police departments will be out on patrol to ensure our roadways are safe from impaired drivers. Police will also be watching for unrestrained motorists. Make sure you get plenty of rest before you leave on your travels and pack an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes water, food, blankets, jumper cables, and flashlights.

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Town of Hamlet Announces Outdoor Decoration Winners

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The town of Hamlet is all decorated for the Christmas holiday and three residential displays were chosen by officials for the outdoor decoration contest.

Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts said the judges returned with their information and found that the decorations at Keith Ham’s residence, at 310 W. Davis Street, as the winning display. Ham’s neighbor, Charles Windbigler, at 308 W. Davis Street, was a close second while Mark Weldon came in third place with his display at 505 E. Oak St.

Ham will receive $100 for his outdoor Christmas display, Windbigler will get $75 and Weldon $50.

Misty Carey’s display at 600 W. Davis St. was named honorable mention.

Body Found, Starke County Police Investigating

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a death in the Grovertown area.

Sheriff Oscar Cowen told WKVI that a body was found at a location in Grovertown around noon and that person has not yet been identified. Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells and officials at the sheriff’s department are tending to the scene and will release information as it becomes available.

The Indiana State Police will also assist in the investigation.

Bank Robbed in Pulaski County; Suspect on the Run

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A bank in Pulaski County was robbed at gunpoint this afternoon around 1:33 p.m. ET, according to officials with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. The First National Bank of Monterey was robbed by an unknown suspect who left the scene in a silver Impala after flashing a gun and demanding money.

The vehicle was reportedly missing a license plate and the suspect is described as a 6’ white male with a maroon ski mask and Carharts. The bank manager lost contact with him near the T-intersection at Lake Langenbaum. He was reportedly carrying a pull-along suitcase.

If you have any information about this incident or have seen the suspect vehicle, call 911.

Knox City Police Make Heroin Arrest

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A Stevensville, Mich. man is jailed on a charge of dealing heroin following a Saturday afternoon arrest by officers from the Knox City Police Department. Chad Elem, 40, was reportedly in possession of nearly a gram of heroin divided into individual packages and an undisclosed amount of cash when he was taken into custody. Law enforcement officials say the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the trafficking of heroin into the area. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox City Police Departments assisted with the arrest.

 

Pulaski Commissioner Tracey Shorter Filed New Conflict of Interest Form

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
A Pulaski County commissioner who was grilled about her home business during a regular meeting of the commissioners last week may be in full compliance with state statutes. The Pulaski County Clerk’s Office recently sent a copy of Commissioner Tracey Shorter’s most recent conflict of interest disclosure statement to WKVI, and in it, Shorter lists her home business, “Families First,” and describes the service she provides.

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Starke County Council Reluctantly Accepts Budget Cuts

Posted on Author WKVI

David Pearman
David Pearman
Officials with the State Board of Accounts have significantly slashed the budget submitted by Starke County officials earlier this year.

“I really felt like you guys all did a really great job in getting together and preparing a budget that I thought was very slim. We have a very slim levy in Starke County, and personally I was very disappointed in the state, but the state came back and said we have to shave $465,000 off our budget,” Pearman said.

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Town of North Judson Fall Tax Distribution Less Than Expected

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The town of North Judson last week received some financial distributions, but Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the funds received were a bit less than what they expected. Henry said the town received their fall property tax distributions and their financial institution tax funds, giving the town $116,452.82 – more than $50,000 less than what they received in the spring and almost $100,000 less than what they received last fall.

Henry said that as a result, the town may have to tighten their belts a little more than what they anticipated.

The town also received funds from the Starke County auditor for sewer liens in the amount of $10,957.70.

Ancilla College Receives Generous Commitment From Anonymous Donor

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Ancilla College is a recent recipient of a generous gift from an anonymous donor, providing an opportunity for others who may want to get into the giving spirit this year. President of the college, Ron May, told WKVI that they recently received a commitment from an anonymous donor who stated they would match, dollar-for-dollar, any donation received by the college until the end of 2014, up to $875,000.

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IU Health Cardiologist Has Tips to Stay Healthy While Shoveling Snow

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Though the rains this weekend may have washed away the majority of the snow, there’s bound to more snowfall headed our way, and an IU Health cardiologist has some advice for those who are responsibility for clearing the snow off of steps, porches, and driveways.

Dr. Risha Sukhija told WKVI that the most important thing is to stay warm and don’t shovel snow if cold is a trigger for any condition you may have. If you get chest pain, stop immediately, as cold can cause spasms in heart arteries.

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