Smile of the day County Highway Turkey Tracks helps BROUGHT TO YOU BY Dr. Greg Wittig and staff of partners with WorkOne differently-abled hunters Badell Dental Clinic,L.L.C. 1800 S. US 35 • 574-772-3666 See Page B2 See Page B2 www.BadellDentalClinic.com Orrianne Redweik The Leader Thursday, May 5, 2016 Serving Starke County Vol. 154 No. 18 50¢ Around Blaze consumes house, homeowner survives BY RACHAEL HERBERT- the house for her cat and VARCHETTO dog, who were not rescued Starke EDITOR from the blaze. A neighbor KNOX — Knox, Hamlet, pulled Shaw back and pre- County and Washington Township vented her from reentering Fire Departments responded the structure. EVENT SHARE to a house fire April 29. Crews arrived minutes later. According to Fire Chief Have an upcoming The home, located on and Sheriff’s Department event to share? Send E. Orchard Drive in Knox, Officer Kenny Pfost, your listing to news@ belonged to 42-year resident the cause of the fire was starkecountyleader.com Vicky Shaw. Lonzo Jackson, unknown. with “Around Starke unrelated to Shaw, was liv- Approximately 25 firemen County” in the subject ing in the residence with her worked to put out the blaze line. Please include con- in an effort to help clean the for roughly 45 minutes, tact information in case home up. before monitoring the home there are any questions. Jackson had just left the the rest of the night. Share your news with the residence when neighbor Shaw was taken to Starke community. Amanda Johanon saw Shaw exit the residence. Johanon Hospital by EMS, shortly STARKE COUNTY witnessed smoke rolling after the fire department HEALTH FAIR Photo by Rachael Herbert-Varchetto out of the home as Shaw arrived. Shaw would be put up by the Red Cross for the KNOX — The annual A fire on April 29 on Orchard Drive in Knox consumed the interior of a home. attempted to head back into night. Starke County Health Fair, sponsored by Starke Hospital and Community Services John Rowe replaces Davis on Judson council of Starke County, will BY PEGGY BOHAC be held on My 11 at the from Wayne 1, Paula Eckert Knox Middle School. CORRESPONDENT of Wayne 2 and by Bill Crase, The morning session voted by proxy for Jackie from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., NORTH JUDSON — Bridegroom of Wayne 4. will be devoted to health Democratic Chairman of Secretary Treasurer Alicia presentations to eighth- Central Committee Kenny Collins was on hand to count grade students. The eve- Wallace held a democratic the votes and both candi- ning session, from 4 to 7 caucus meeting April 25 at dates had the opportunity to p.m., will be open to the North Judson’s town hall. stand beside her as the votes public. The replacement was were counted. They were Again this year there for town council member done by ballot and both can- will be free health screen- Justin Davis, as he resigned didates declined. ings, complimentary from his position because Final count was two to gifts, healthy appetizers, he recently moved and lives one in favor of John Rowe to and more. outside the town’s jurisdic- fill that seat. He will take his tion. Shirley Fields, secre- office at the next scheduled CITY OF KNOX tary, was present. town meeting on Monday, SPRING CLEAN UP Two candidates regis- May 2, at 6 p.m. Rowe now DATES tered to run for that position fills the position as North were Joan Haugh and John Judson’s Town Council KNOX — The City Photo by Peggy Bohac Rowe. They both were given Member, At Large. Collins of Knox is pleased to A caucus was held April 25, to elect John Rowe to replace John Davis, former council member. the opportunity to address was on hand to witness announce that Spring Left to right, front row: Alicia Collins Clerk-Treasurer, Shirley Fields Secretary those in attendance prior Rowe’s signing his Oath of Clean Up “Dumpster to the votes being cast by Office April 25. Democratic Central Committee, and Kenny Wallace, Chairman. Back row: Bill Crase Days” will begin on the three precinct commit- proxy for Jackie Bridegroom Wayne 4, Isaiah Collins Wayne 1, Paula Eckert Wayne 2 Friday, May 13 to Sunday, See Rowe, Page A3 tee members, Isaiah Collins resigned town council member, Justin Davis and John Rowe. May 15. Dumpsters will be behind City Hall dur- Knox council hears requests from Hamlet considers stricter ing those days in which the Knox City residents may discard any “large” Toll Brothers, Select Furniture curfew hours for park bulky items that cannot BY RACHAEL HERBERT- be picked up on normal BY RACHAEL HERBERT- Weaver went on to explain they haven’t paid their taxes really be in mind for those garbage pick-up days. VARCHETTO the company has made every right now,” stated Houston. VARCHETTO who consistently break cur- Please do not put regu- EDITOR effort they could to increase The company has a lit- EDITOR few. Currently there is not lar trash, tires, paints and their market share in the tle over a month until the an actual ordinance dedi- household hazardous cated to curfew hours. The Midwest and have shown paperwork is due to be HAMLET — The town items in these dumpsters. KNOX — The Knox Town board considered the idea. their dedication by making turned in for their property of Hamlet may be cracking Council approved a tax In the event the police 4-H AG TRACTOR the investment in the com- tax. The request was tabled down on late-night mischief phase in for Toll Brothers. would have to drop the chil- WORKSHOP munity while continuing to for the next meeting. on a regular basis. The company is celebrat- dren home, it was suggested hire people on. Toll Brothers, Returning to an old horse, At their regular April 28 HAMLET — 4-H will ing 11 years in the town, the department would hand according to Weaver, has a the board next discussed meeting, Town Marshall host a workshop on and requested approval of out tickets to parents. The history of making people an amendment to the truck Frank Lonigro addresses Sunday, May 8 from 1 a statement of benefits for board decided to pursue full-time workers if they route ordinance. the board with a concern to 3 p.m. at the Starke a continuation of the tax the discussion further at the work out after being a temp Board member Tim Manns regarding those at the park County Fairgrounds. phase in. next meeting. for a time. once again argued for the who stay up to and past the Charlie Weaver of the In other news: “They asked me to extend display of signs designating closing time. JAY MINTS 4-H Starke County Economic The board approved to a deep appreciation for let- the truck route, with par- According to the marshal, Development Foundation pay half the cost of the side- CLUB ting them take advantage of ticular focus on those trucks there has been a consistent (SCEDF) appeared on the walk and ramp project to be NORTH JUDSON — this incentive, to stay here coming from the south on problem with youth, under company’s behalf. When the done at the American Legion A meeting will be held in Knox, and they want to U.S. 35. He also again dis- the age of 15 in particular, company originally moved post in town. Though stat- from 5 to 6 p.m. on stay in Knox for a long time agreed with the proposed staying out late at night in into the area, there had been ing it might be considered a Monday, May 9 at the to come,” said Weaver. “It $150 fine on truckers who the park. Lonigro suggested a promised 300 employees. precedent, the board option North Judson Library. goes from 100 to 90, to 80, break the law and drive enforcing a curfew for those Due to the 2008 economic to make it a one-time gift. and down to 10 percent the through town. under 15 being out past 10 crash and several years of Member Dave Kesvormas STARKE COUNTY last year. Starting next year, “You’re taking food off p.m. and would like to see continued economic stagna- stated they as a board have they will pay the full tax and this table by not putting a the park close a little earlier. EXTENSION tion, the company has only a right to pay for projects on contribute to the tax base.” few signs up,” said Manns For those under 18, he pro- BOARD MEETING grown to around 65 employ- a case-by-case basis in that ees. Select Furniture had also emphatically. posed the park be closed at 9 KNOX — The meeting regard. “Many a time I’ve had made a similar request, but Weaver requested to p.m. during the week and 10 will be held May 9 at The sidewalk and lighting meetings with the folks in according to Clerk-Treasurer speak, asking to put the p.m. during the weekends. 6:30 p.m. at the Starke project for particular streets Penn. on the question of Jeff Houston, the paperwork issue into perspective. Currently Hamlet follows T... County Annex Building. and areas of the downtown I GOTGOT A SWEET DEAL AAT... making that $17 million had not been completed. “We’ve had various truck state law regarding curfew, Tuesday, May 10th: was discussed at length, investment,” stated Weaver. Citing past history, routes and they’ve never but Lonigro feels it could be Starke County 4-H Goat per the specifics of the “They are upgrading equip- Houston said that the com- been enforced.