The leadership in the City of Knox will look largely the same for another year. Mayor Dennis Estok announced his yearly appointments to the city council Tuesday.
Continue readingKnox Officials Reappointed, BZA Vacancy Remains a Frustration
Knox Park Superintendent Retires
The City of Knox recently said goodbye to its longtime park superintendent. George Byer retired last month after 12 years in the position.
Continue readingKnox City Council Receives Traffic Info from Park Superintendent
The Knox City Council was provided with some traffic statistics gathered in Wythogan Park when members met Tuesday night.
Continue readingWythogan Skate Park Discussed at Park Plan Public Hearing & Knox Park Board Meeting
The Wythogan Skate Park, which is currently closed and in need of repairs, was discussed during last Monday’s park plan public hearing as well as the regular Knox Park Board meeting.
During the public hearing for the 5-year Master Plan for Knox Parks, Architect Mike Reese with the Troyer Group mentioned the conditions of the skate park, saying that much of the equipment and materials are damaged and in need of upgrades. He said, judging from survey results, Knox residents were in favor of renovating the skate park rather than removing it. Continue reading
Park Superintendent One of Nearly 20 Knox Residents Who Reported Spray Painting Last Weekend
Park Superintendent George Byer told members about a recent string of spray-painting related vandalism that has been reported in various places around the city, including Wythogan Park.
Byer said he spotted a blue can of spray paint on a picnic table while doing a run through of the park on Saturday.
However, due to the high waters, he didn’t get a chance to investigate the scene until Sunday morning. Though the graffiti he found was reportedly small and easily fixed, he said while discussing the incident with police he learned the park wasn’t the only place that was hit. Continue reading
Knox Park Superintendent Extends His Gratitude During Park Board Meeting
Knox Park Superintendent George Byer commended Derek Johnson with Johnson’s Johns Septic Service at Monday night’s park board meeting.
Johnson was personally thanked for his assistance during this weekend’s emergency situation. Superintendent Byer explained that the floods resulted in some residents having no access to working bathrooms. Continue reading
Knox Park Board Addresses Goals for 2018
The Knox Park Board laid out some goals for 2018 when they met last Thursday.
The three main goals that Park Superintendent George Byer mentioned were repairing the skate park, making some shelter adjustments and fixing various lighting issues around the park. Continue reading
Electric Cord Installation on Baseball Diamonds Discussed during Knox Park Board Meeting
Starke County Baseball and Softball League President Travis Markin discussed installing some electrical cords on a few of the diamonds in Wythogan Park during last week’s Knox Park Board Meeting.
Markin explained the league wants to put cords on diamonds two in three and said the electric lines are needed for pitching machines. Markin stated that the league would incur the cost of installation and said they want to bury the cords in order to prevent a tripping hazard.
Park Superintendent George Byer explained that sometimes field maintenance can interfere with such installations. Continue reading
Damage to Wythogan Fence Included in Park Superintendent’s Report
Knox Park Superintendent George Byer informed Park Board members about damage caused to about 40-feet of a fence in Wythogan Park.
During his report Thursday night, Byer explained that a few weeks ago, the fence around baseball diamond three sustained damage from an automobile.
“We had a hit-and-run about two weeks ago, during the last snow storm.” He said, “I happened to be there around 11 and everything was fine but I made another pass through around 12:30 and the damage was done.” Continue reading
Knox Park Board Addresses Officer Elections and Appointments
Knox Park Board members addressed yearly appointments and the election of officers when they met Thursday night.
Mayor Dennis Estok re-appointed John Fletcher to the board and informed members that he is still seeking someone for his new appointment. Mayor Estok also re-appointed George Byer as Park Superintendent, with unanimous board approval. Continue reading
Knox Skate Park Open, Following Repairs
The Knox skate park has reopened, following several months of repair work. Park Superintendent George Byer says the facility in Wythogan Park is now officially available for use. Continue reading
No Date Set for Knox Skate Park Reopening
Knox skateboarders will have to wait a bit longer to use the city’s skate park. Continue reading
Crossing Students Helping at Knox Parks
Students from Starke County’s newest school are doing their part to give back to the community. Knox Park Superintendent George Byer says pupils from The Crossing alternative school are working each Friday at the parks. Continue reading
Knox Park Department Completing Projects
Knox Park Superintendent George Byer gave an update to the Knox City Council members last night on the state of the city’s parks.
Byer said since the vandalism has tapered off a bit, the park crews have been able to work in Heritage Park. They’ve installed a bench, a swing set, teeter-totter, and rehabilitated the monkey bars. Water Superintendent Todd Gardner will be helping the park department with running a line for a water fountain at the park. The board has plans to build a shelter at the park next year.
IU Health Starke Employees Spruce Up Sandy Acres Park
The pavilion and picnic benches at Sandy Acres Park got a fresh coat of paint, thanks to IU Health Starke Hospital associates and their families. President Craig Felty says they chose the site for their annual day of service. They worked with Knox Park Superintendent George Byer to figure out how to best use their time and talents. Associates tackled several projects. They painted picnic tables and the park pavilion, installed exercise equipment and spread mulch in the play areas. Felty says all of the IU Health associates enjoy getting out and giving time back to the community.
Sandy Acres Park Closed for Improvements
A park in Knox will be closed for the next several days for some infrastructure improvements. Parking lot paving at Sandy Acres Park on South Heaton Street is set to begin today. It will take about a week to complete. IU Health Starke Hospital employees have also scheduled a work day at Sandy Acres on Friday, May 30. They plan to install some new fitness equipment and do some painting. Knox Park Superintendent George Byer says Wythogen and Heritage Parks will still be open. Sandy Acres will reopen next week once the improvements are finished.
Notes from the WKVI News Desk
Knox Park Superintendent, George Byer, announced this week that Wythogan and Sandy Acres parks have opened. The swings will be up by next week and the water will be turned on in the next few days. Byer said everything will be ready for the children during spring break.
WKVI Radio has learned that a former resident of Knox, Helen Sands, has passed away in San Antonio, Texas. She had resided near her son Larry for a number of years. Helen Sands, in the early days of WKVI Radio, was a frequent guest on the night-time music shows and she shared her record collection. She was at one time an employee of the Starke County Highway Department. A memorial service is planned for Mrs. Sands next week in Knox.
