Starke County Students Receive Back-to-School Shopping Assistance During “Shop with a Cop”

Posted on August 7, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

More than 50 Starke County students received some back-to-school shopping assistance on Sunday during the annual Kankakee Valley Fraternal Order of Police “Shop with a Cop” event.

North Judson Town Marshall Kelly Fisher discussed the experience during her report at Monday night’s town council meeting.

She mentioned that in addition to the officers from the North Judson Police department, there were also a few individuals from the Knox Police Department and Starke County Dispatch Center.

Fisher said she coordinated with the Director of the Kid’s Closet Ministry, Linda Lewandowski, and she provided her with the names of students from Knox, North Judson and Oregon-Davis schools that needed help getting clothes and shoes for the new school year. Lewandowski also included lists for each child which indicated the items they needed the most.

The Town Marshal told members that the event was held at Kohl’s in Valparaiso for the seventh year in a row and she expressed her gratitude to the personnel for being so helpful and for closing the store so kids could have free reign during their shopping experience.

During the meeting, Marshal Fisher also thanked North Judson Town Photographer Peggy Bohac for tagging along to document the day with heartwarming photos of the all the students and officers sharing in the joy of the event.

Bohac’s pictures from Sunday’s Shop with a Cop event can be found on the NJPD Facebook page.

North Judson Police Officer Recognized for Response to Park Vandalism

Posted on September 13, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

North Judson Police Officer Frank Thomas is being recognized for his efforts to investigate vandalism in the town park. During last week’s town council meeting, Town Marshal John Ramos commended Thomas for working on his own time to locate the individuals believed to be responsible.
North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says Thomas met with the alleged vandals and their parents to rectify the situation. Collins says the individuals agreed to repair the damage.

Also during last week’s meeting, council members approved the purchase of new Christmas decorations for North Judson. Collins says they’ll be placed on 42 light poles along State Road 10, Main Street, and Lane Street.

The council plans to hold a public hearing on the 2017 budget on Monday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m., with adoption scheduled for October 17.