Saturday, August 31, 2019
Starke County Prosecutor Advises Residents to Make Good Decisions this Holiday Weekend
Posted onAugust 30, 2019
AuthorJacque Ryan, WKVI
According to statistics from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, 83 Hoosiers were killed in drunk driving collisions during 2018. Nationwide, a life is lost due to a drunk driving accident every 48 minutes.
Holiday weekends, like Labor Day weekend, see a spike in the number of people getting behind the wheel after drinking.
Starke County Prosecutor Leslie Baker is advising residents of Starke County to be mindful this Labor Day weekend and to avoid drinking and driving.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in 2017, 256 drivers died over Labor Day weekend and 37 percent of them were drunk at the time of the crash. Studies show these fatalities are much more likely to occur at night and involve people between the ages of 21 and 34.
The choice is clear, if you have an alcoholic drink or use drugs that may impair you, even prescription medication, you should not drive.
There are plenty of steps Hoosiers can take to make sure they have a safe weekend:
Saturday will mark the end of National ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ week when law enforcement agencies make a concerted effort to initiate more OWI checkpoints and patrols in order to keep Indiana roads safe and to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
This emphasis on making smart choices and to avoid driving while intoxicated should continue for Hoosiers into the holiday weekend and beyond.
Remember that even one drink is enough to impair your decision making. The information provided above came from an official press release issued by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office
AuthorJacque Ryan, WKVI
According to statistics from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, 83 Hoosiers were killed in drunk driving collisions during 2018. Nationwide, a life is lost due to a drunk driving accident every 48 minutes.
Holiday weekends, like Labor Day weekend, see a spike in the number of people getting behind the wheel after drinking.
Starke County Prosecutor Leslie Baker is advising residents of Starke County to be mindful this Labor Day weekend and to avoid drinking and driving.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in 2017, 256 drivers died over Labor Day weekend and 37 percent of them were drunk at the time of the crash. Studies show these fatalities are much more likely to occur at night and involve people between the ages of 21 and 34.
The choice is clear, if you have an alcoholic drink or use drugs that may impair you, even prescription medication, you should not drive.
There are plenty of steps Hoosiers can take to make sure they have a safe weekend:
- Make sure you have a safe, sober ride home before drinking alcohol
- Don’t let someone who has been drinking get behind the wheel
- If you’re hosting a party, make sure everyone has a sober way to get home
- Wear your seat belt, it’s the best defense if you’re involved in a collision with a drunk driver
- If you see a drunk driver, call law enforcement
Saturday will mark the end of National ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ week when law enforcement agencies make a concerted effort to initiate more OWI checkpoints and patrols in order to keep Indiana roads safe and to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
This emphasis on making smart choices and to avoid driving while intoxicated should continue for Hoosiers into the holiday weekend and beyond.
Remember that even one drink is enough to impair your decision making. The information provided above came from an official press release issued by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office
Friday, August 30, 2019
Starke County Commissioners Table Prosecutor’s Staff Requests
Posted on August 30, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Prosecutor Leslie Baker presented a request to the commissioners last week for a new position and new job titles for two existing positions in her office.
Baker presented job descriptions for a paralegal, a legal secretary, and an investigator, which is a new position.
Baker noted that there are some duties done by two people in her office that would be better suited with these job descriptions in her office.
The positions were discussed during budget discussions with the Starke County Council. Council President Dave Pearman said as long as Baker could find funding within her already approved budget for 2020, the council would have no problem moving forward with those job descriptions, dependent on commissioner approval.
Commissioner Kathy Norem extensively questioned Baker about the pre-trial diversion process, the signing of probable cause affidavits and dropping charges in higher felony cases, in addition to some turnover in her office. In the end, Norem didn’t support Baker’s request for a new investigator and believes the county can’t keep hiring new employees.
“We’ve had a number of requests for that and I don’t think that we can really do that,” said Norem. “The Sheriff’s Department and the other police departments have investigators. I do think you need to mend some of your fences with the Sheriff’s Department in particular and try to work with them on the investigator there because I don’t think that we can afford to add an investigator at this time.”
Baker countered following Norem’s opinion on the matter.
“When we form our opinions I think it’s important to get both sides of the story,” stated Baker. “By the questions you’ve asked me here that I think it’s very clear about conversations that have happened and nobody has asked my side of things. So, I’ll just leave it at that.”
The commissioners agreed to table the requests.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Prosecutor Leslie Baker presented a request to the commissioners last week for a new position and new job titles for two existing positions in her office.
Baker presented job descriptions for a paralegal, a legal secretary, and an investigator, which is a new position.
Baker noted that there are some duties done by two people in her office that would be better suited with these job descriptions in her office.
The positions were discussed during budget discussions with the Starke County Council. Council President Dave Pearman said as long as Baker could find funding within her already approved budget for 2020, the council would have no problem moving forward with those job descriptions, dependent on commissioner approval.
Commissioner Kathy Norem extensively questioned Baker about the pre-trial diversion process, the signing of probable cause affidavits and dropping charges in higher felony cases, in addition to some turnover in her office. In the end, Norem didn’t support Baker’s request for a new investigator and believes the county can’t keep hiring new employees.
“We’ve had a number of requests for that and I don’t think that we can really do that,” said Norem. “The Sheriff’s Department and the other police departments have investigators. I do think you need to mend some of your fences with the Sheriff’s Department in particular and try to work with them on the investigator there because I don’t think that we can afford to add an investigator at this time.”
Baker countered following Norem’s opinion on the matter.
“When we form our opinions I think it’s important to get both sides of the story,” stated Baker. “By the questions you’ve asked me here that I think it’s very clear about conversations that have happened and nobody has asked my side of things. So, I’ll just leave it at that.”
The commissioners agreed to table the requests.
New Starke County Election Board Member Selected as Board President, After Stalemate
Posted on August 30, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Election Board was a bit slow getting to work Thursday, after members hit a stalemate over who would run the meeting. The first item of business was the board’s reorganization.
Peg Brettin, who had been serving as president, was recently replaced by Marcia Bedrock as the Republican Party’s appointed member. Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel’s motion to nominate Bedrock as president was met with silence from the rest of the board.
“Is somebody going to second it?” Welter-Manuel asked. She then requested that Bedrock second it, but Dan Bridegroom, who was serving as proxy for board member Harrison Fields, said she couldn’t second her own nomination. “No, the motion dies for the lack of a second,” he said. “Are there any more motions?”
Bridegroom then made a motion to nominate Fields as chairperson. It also died for a lack of a second. Welter-Manuel was unsure how to proceed.
Bedrock asked if the board could get by without a chairperson. “It seems when you only have three people on a board, it would seem to me that there would be a stalemate, so how can you have an effective board, when no one can agree on anything?” Bedrock asked.
Bridegroom said that a chairperson is required. He then went on to say the person has to have experience participating in the election board, but Deputy Clerk Colleen Hodge did not find any such requirement in Indiana Code. “It just says they shall select one of the appointed members to serve as chairman,” Hodge explained. “It does not say there are any requirements to that. There are no requirements that you had to have served on the board previously.” Indiana Code also specifies that the circuit court clerk serves as the board’s secretary.
Bedrock proceeded to ask how many meetings Fields had actually attended this year. Welter-Manuel believed that he had missed four.
The clerk ended up contacting the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office to try to settle the matter and ran the meeting herself in the meantime. She eventually got a response from Indiana Election Division Co-Director Brad King. “‘There is nothing in state law or Robert’s Rules of Order that require that the nomination be seconded. You simply accept a nomination and take a vote,'” Welter-Manuel read.
She didn’t ask the board members to vote for Bedrock or Fields, but called for a yes-or-no vote on Bedrock’s appointment. Welter-Manuel and Bedrock voted in favor, while Bridegroom opposed.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Election Board was a bit slow getting to work Thursday, after members hit a stalemate over who would run the meeting. The first item of business was the board’s reorganization.
Peg Brettin, who had been serving as president, was recently replaced by Marcia Bedrock as the Republican Party’s appointed member. Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel’s motion to nominate Bedrock as president was met with silence from the rest of the board.
“Is somebody going to second it?” Welter-Manuel asked. She then requested that Bedrock second it, but Dan Bridegroom, who was serving as proxy for board member Harrison Fields, said she couldn’t second her own nomination. “No, the motion dies for the lack of a second,” he said. “Are there any more motions?”
Bridegroom then made a motion to nominate Fields as chairperson. It also died for a lack of a second. Welter-Manuel was unsure how to proceed.
Bedrock asked if the board could get by without a chairperson. “It seems when you only have three people on a board, it would seem to me that there would be a stalemate, so how can you have an effective board, when no one can agree on anything?” Bedrock asked.
Bridegroom said that a chairperson is required. He then went on to say the person has to have experience participating in the election board, but Deputy Clerk Colleen Hodge did not find any such requirement in Indiana Code. “It just says they shall select one of the appointed members to serve as chairman,” Hodge explained. “It does not say there are any requirements to that. There are no requirements that you had to have served on the board previously.” Indiana Code also specifies that the circuit court clerk serves as the board’s secretary.
Bedrock proceeded to ask how many meetings Fields had actually attended this year. Welter-Manuel believed that he had missed four.
The clerk ended up contacting the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office to try to settle the matter and ran the meeting herself in the meantime. She eventually got a response from Indiana Election Division Co-Director Brad King. “‘There is nothing in state law or Robert’s Rules of Order that require that the nomination be seconded. You simply accept a nomination and take a vote,'” Welter-Manuel read.
She didn’t ask the board members to vote for Bedrock or Fields, but called for a yes-or-no vote on Bedrock’s appointment. Welter-Manuel and Bedrock voted in favor, while Bridegroom opposed.
North Judson Town Council Revisits Holiday Decoration Discussion
Posted on August 30, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan
North Judson Town Council revisited the topic of holiday decorations when members met for their final meeting of the month.
Deputy Clerk Peggy Paulich noted that Temple Display was offering to provide the Town with decorations for the downtown area and the highway all at once. She informed the council the company’s quote was for $7,255 per year for three years, for a total of $21,765.
She added that the Town currently budgets $9,500 a year for decorations so they would be coming in about $2,200 under budget with that deal.
Paulich said she was informed that price is only good through the end of the month but Town Council President John Rowe felt that there may be some wiggle room there and recommended asking for an extension to give council members time to deliberate.
In all, the town would receive 42 decorations and officials would have the choice of getting all snowflakes or incorporating some tinsel decorations that would resemble their old decorations. Those would be in the form of various holiday-themed shapes such as stockings, snowmen and Santas. All of the decorations utilize LED lights as well.
Theresa Roy, who played a role in the selection process, said she shied away from the decorations with tinsel because she felt they would be more difficult to store. However, a suggestion was made to build some type of rack that would allow them to be hung rather than laid flat on top of each other.
Paulich mentioned that one of the benefits of the tinsel option was that they would make for a good day time decoration.
Members decided to table the decision until a sample of the tinsel decoration can be received and tested out.
Town Superintendent Joe Leszek reiterated that the Utility Department would be willing to put the sample up and install the decorations with their fork truck this winter, should the Town decide to take over the decorating process this year.
Author Jacque Ryan
North Judson Town Council revisited the topic of holiday decorations when members met for their final meeting of the month.
Deputy Clerk Peggy Paulich noted that Temple Display was offering to provide the Town with decorations for the downtown area and the highway all at once. She informed the council the company’s quote was for $7,255 per year for three years, for a total of $21,765.
She added that the Town currently budgets $9,500 a year for decorations so they would be coming in about $2,200 under budget with that deal.
Paulich said she was informed that price is only good through the end of the month but Town Council President John Rowe felt that there may be some wiggle room there and recommended asking for an extension to give council members time to deliberate.
In all, the town would receive 42 decorations and officials would have the choice of getting all snowflakes or incorporating some tinsel decorations that would resemble their old decorations. Those would be in the form of various holiday-themed shapes such as stockings, snowmen and Santas. All of the decorations utilize LED lights as well.
Theresa Roy, who played a role in the selection process, said she shied away from the decorations with tinsel because she felt they would be more difficult to store. However, a suggestion was made to build some type of rack that would allow them to be hung rather than laid flat on top of each other.
Paulich mentioned that one of the benefits of the tinsel option was that they would make for a good day time decoration.
Members decided to table the decision until a sample of the tinsel decoration can be received and tested out.
Town Superintendent Joe Leszek reiterated that the Utility Department would be willing to put the sample up and install the decorations with their fork truck this winter, should the Town decide to take over the decorating process this year.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
North Judson Comprehensive Plan
Thank you all for coming out last night to discuss the North Judson Comprehensive Plan Draft! Here is a link to the draft plan.
Please provide additional feedback by September 4th. If you have questions or concerns please email lwahl@hwcengineering.com
Please provide additional feedback by September 4th. If you have questions or concerns please email lwahl@hwcengineering.com
Congresswoman Walorski Talks Trade on WKVI Morning Show Prior to Ag Round Table Discussion
Posted on August 29, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
United States Representative Jackie Walorski will be in South Bend today attending a round table discussion over the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and other trade-related issues affecting Hoosier Farmers.
Yesterday, Congresswoman Walorski was in our neck of the woods and stopped by the WKVI studio where she touched on that agreement and the topics of trade and tariffs during the Charlie Adams Inspirational Morning Show.
Walorski mentioned that she has been in talks about trade for several months prior to the tariffs coming on due to Indiana’s 2nd District holding the status as one of the largest manufacturing districts in the nation.
She referenced some tariffs that came into the area that impacted the steel and aluminum industry which hit the state of Indiana hard, specifically manufactures of RVs, trailers and boats. Walorski noted that she played a key role in the effort to get those first round of tariffs repealed.
Despite that progress, Walorski said there’s still a long way to go. She stressed the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) when it comes to Indiana’s agriculture and manufacturing partnerships within those two countries.
Through her involvement, she said has seen a lot of bipartisan support for the USMCA so she’s confident it will pass. However, Walorski said one question that remains unanswered is when the document will come before lawmakers for consideration.
Walorski explained, “Nobody knows when the bills coming down except for the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi so I would urge your listeners to reach out and call or get on the Speaker of the House’s website and get the phone number. Just echo in and say please bring that USMCA bill down.”
She continued, “It does help. Every communication that goes to Washington anywhere is counted and they know exactly where that information is coming from so I can tell you, on behalf of all of our manufactures and Ag in this district and in our state, we really urge them to call the Speaker and just very politely say please bring that bill down and it will pass.”
In addition to Congresswoman Walorski, today’s roundtable discussion in South Bend will include USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler and Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Krone as well as additional Hoosier Ag stakeholders.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
United States Representative Jackie Walorski will be in South Bend today attending a round table discussion over the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and other trade-related issues affecting Hoosier Farmers.
Yesterday, Congresswoman Walorski was in our neck of the woods and stopped by the WKVI studio where she touched on that agreement and the topics of trade and tariffs during the Charlie Adams Inspirational Morning Show.
Walorski mentioned that she has been in talks about trade for several months prior to the tariffs coming on due to Indiana’s 2nd District holding the status as one of the largest manufacturing districts in the nation.
She referenced some tariffs that came into the area that impacted the steel and aluminum industry which hit the state of Indiana hard, specifically manufactures of RVs, trailers and boats. Walorski noted that she played a key role in the effort to get those first round of tariffs repealed.
Despite that progress, Walorski said there’s still a long way to go. She stressed the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) when it comes to Indiana’s agriculture and manufacturing partnerships within those two countries.
Through her involvement, she said has seen a lot of bipartisan support for the USMCA so she’s confident it will pass. However, Walorski said one question that remains unanswered is when the document will come before lawmakers for consideration.
Walorski explained, “Nobody knows when the bills coming down except for the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi so I would urge your listeners to reach out and call or get on the Speaker of the House’s website and get the phone number. Just echo in and say please bring that USMCA bill down.”
She continued, “It does help. Every communication that goes to Washington anywhere is counted and they know exactly where that information is coming from so I can tell you, on behalf of all of our manufactures and Ag in this district and in our state, we really urge them to call the Speaker and just very politely say please bring that bill down and it will pass.”
In addition to Congresswoman Walorski, today’s roundtable discussion in South Bend will include USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler and Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Krone as well as additional Hoosier Ag stakeholders.
SRO Update Provided to North Judson-San Pierre School Board
Posted on August 29, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre School Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin took time during the school board’s most recent meeting to provide an update about the School Resource Officer position.
She noted that the Memorandum of Understanding is currently being worked on so the position won’t be up for the school board’s approval until their meeting in September.
However, Dr. Zupin did say that Town officials already provided their approval for the position at a recent town council meeting.
She told members, “They will pay for the benefits, the equipment, the training, the car, all of that, and the school will take care of the salary piece of that.”
Zupin mentioned that the Corporation has applied for an Indiana Department of Homeland Security Secured School Safety Grant to help fund the position but added that the position has been budgeted for just in case the grant funding is not received.
She explained that the SRO will have an office in each building and will help with altercations, home visits, and attendance and will even be able to cite students for vaping.
Dr. Zupin said that in September, the MOU will be presented and the School Resource Officer will be introduced to board members.
From September through December, the officer will work closely with administrators on logistics and scheduling, review maps and crisis plans and do some walk throughs with Maintenance Director Wilbur Collins to get familiarized with the campus.
Zupin noted that the addition of the SRO will build on some of the other initiatives related to student safety that were put in place last school year.
She shared, “I think last year we solidified the layers of preventive and proactive; we have the social worker that’s three times a week and we have Bowen Center come in and help, those are school safety measures and so this adds that layer of protection and school security.”
Dr. Zupin said that the goal is to have the SRO patrolling the halls in January of 2020.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre School Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin took time during the school board’s most recent meeting to provide an update about the School Resource Officer position.
She noted that the Memorandum of Understanding is currently being worked on so the position won’t be up for the school board’s approval until their meeting in September.
However, Dr. Zupin did say that Town officials already provided their approval for the position at a recent town council meeting.
She told members, “They will pay for the benefits, the equipment, the training, the car, all of that, and the school will take care of the salary piece of that.”
Zupin mentioned that the Corporation has applied for an Indiana Department of Homeland Security Secured School Safety Grant to help fund the position but added that the position has been budgeted for just in case the grant funding is not received.
She explained that the SRO will have an office in each building and will help with altercations, home visits, and attendance and will even be able to cite students for vaping.
Dr. Zupin said that in September, the MOU will be presented and the School Resource Officer will be introduced to board members.
From September through December, the officer will work closely with administrators on logistics and scheduling, review maps and crisis plans and do some walk throughs with Maintenance Director Wilbur Collins to get familiarized with the campus.
Zupin noted that the addition of the SRO will build on some of the other initiatives related to student safety that were put in place last school year.
She shared, “I think last year we solidified the layers of preventive and proactive; we have the social worker that’s three times a week and we have Bowen Center come in and help, those are school safety measures and so this adds that layer of protection and school security.”
Dr. Zupin said that the goal is to have the SRO patrolling the halls in January of 2020.
Starke County Council, Commissioners Discuss Sheriff’s Salary
Posted on August 29, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The Starke County Council members and Commissioners discussed the sheriff’s salary during their joint meeting last week.
Auditor Rachel Oesterreich informed the government leaders that an audit found that the sheriff was not given a raise in 2017. Further discussion found that a statute requires that the sheriff be paid 60 percent of what the prosecutor makes. That would raise his salary from $87,500 to $90,682.
Council President Dave Pearman recalls the discussion point in 2013 where the government leaders agreed to keep the salary at $87,500 because the sheriff also received money from tax warrants and thought that would be about 60 percent of the prosecutor’s salary. However, the statute states that it’s the sheriff’s salary, not collective income, which should be 60 percent of the prosecutor’s salary.
The council and commissioners agreed that the sheriff’s pay should reflect the state statute.
As for a 2017 audit, the State Board of Accounts found that the sheriff didn’t receive a raise with the other elected officials and the county is required to pay him that money. That action was approved.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The Starke County Council members and Commissioners discussed the sheriff’s salary during their joint meeting last week.
Auditor Rachel Oesterreich informed the government leaders that an audit found that the sheriff was not given a raise in 2017. Further discussion found that a statute requires that the sheriff be paid 60 percent of what the prosecutor makes. That would raise his salary from $87,500 to $90,682.
Council President Dave Pearman recalls the discussion point in 2013 where the government leaders agreed to keep the salary at $87,500 because the sheriff also received money from tax warrants and thought that would be about 60 percent of the prosecutor’s salary. However, the statute states that it’s the sheriff’s salary, not collective income, which should be 60 percent of the prosecutor’s salary.
The council and commissioners agreed that the sheriff’s pay should reflect the state statute.
As for a 2017 audit, the State Board of Accounts found that the sheriff didn’t receive a raise with the other elected officials and the county is required to pay him that money. That action was approved.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Public Presentation over North Judson’s Comprehensive Plan Scheduled for Tonight
Posted on August 28, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson residents are invited to take the next step in the Town’s comprehensive plan process during a public presentation tonight.
The event will be held at 6 p.m. in the Bluejay Room in the North Judson-San Pierre Middle School building.
Back in May, citizens gathered for a public workshop where they were able to ask questions and engage in hands-on exercises that helped identify specific needs and desires.
Since then, community members and local leaders have been meeting regularly and coordinating with officials from the firm HWC to develop the Town’s comprehensive plan.
The plan is intended to identify projects that enhance the quality of life, build economic development strategies and address housing opportunities.
Officials note that the plan will eventually be available for review on the Town of North Judson Facebook page and on the official website at TownofNorthJudson.com.
If you have any questions about tonight’s presentation or the comprehensive plan, contact North Judson Town Hall by calling 574-896-3340.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson residents are invited to take the next step in the Town’s comprehensive plan process during a public presentation tonight.
The event will be held at 6 p.m. in the Bluejay Room in the North Judson-San Pierre Middle School building.
Back in May, citizens gathered for a public workshop where they were able to ask questions and engage in hands-on exercises that helped identify specific needs and desires.
Since then, community members and local leaders have been meeting regularly and coordinating with officials from the firm HWC to develop the Town’s comprehensive plan.
The plan is intended to identify projects that enhance the quality of life, build economic development strategies and address housing opportunities.
Officials note that the plan will eventually be available for review on the Town of North Judson Facebook page and on the official website at TownofNorthJudson.com.
If you have any questions about tonight’s presentation or the comprehensive plan, contact North Judson Town Hall by calling 574-896-3340.
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