All posts by Lenny Dessauer

TORNADO WATCH
Begins: 12:01 PM Wed, Jun 18, 2025
Expires: 7:00 PM Wed, Jun 18, 2025

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 434 IN
EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
AREAS

IN INDIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 24 COUNTIES

IN NORTH CENTRAL INDIANA

KOSCIUSKO             ST. JOSEPH

IN NORTHERN INDIANA

ADAMS                 ALLEN IN              BLACKFORD
CASS IN               DE KALB               ELKHART
FULTON IN             GRANT                 HUNTINGTON
JAY                   LA PORTE              LAGRANGE
MARSHALL              MIAMI                 NOBLE
PULASKI               STARKE                STEUBEN
WABASH                WELLS                 WHITE
WHITLEY

IN MICHIGAN THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES

IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

BERRIEN               BRANCH                CASS MI
ST. JOSEPH MI

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AKRON, ALBION, ANGOLA, AUBURN,
BASS LAKE, BENTON HARBOR, BENTON HEIGHTS, BERNE, BLUFFTON,
BREMEN, BRONSON, BROOKSTON, BUCHANAN, CASSOPOLIS, COLDWATER,
COLUMBIA CITY, CULVER, DECATUR, DOWAGIAC, DUNKIRK, EDWARDSBURG,
ELKHART, FAIR PLAIN, FORT WAYNE, FRANCESVILLE, FREMONT, GARRETT,
GAS CITY, GOSHEN, GRANGER, GRISSOM AFD, HARTFORD CITY,
HUNTINGTON, KENDALLVILLE, KNOX, LA PORTE, LAGRANGE, LIGONIER,
LOGANSPORT, MARCELLUS, MARION, MEDARYVILLE, MENDON, MEXICO,
MICHIGAN CITY, MISHAWAKA, MONON, MONTICELLO, MONTPELIER,
NAPPANEE, NEW HAVEN, NILES, NORTH JUDSON, NORTH MANCHESTER,
OSSIAN, PAW PAW LAKE, PERU, PLYMOUTH, PORTLAND, ROANOKE,
ROCHESTER, ROYAL CENTER, SHIPSHEWANA, SOUTH BEND, SOUTH WHITLEY,
ST. JOSEPH, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, TOPEKA, TRI-LAKES, UPLAND,
WABASH, WARSAW, WHITE PIGEON, WINAMAC, AND WINONA LAKE.

It’s time to cast your vote for the Best of Starke County!

Make your voice heard and help shine a spotlight on the people, places, and businesses that make our community the best!

Special Olympics Marshall & Starke Counties program is wrapping up their first season of 2025.  This season included Basketball, Cheer, Powerlifting, and this was also the first year that MSSO participated in Winter Games!  The Basketball teams participated in tournaments at Goshen High School, the Area 4 tournament held at Caston High School, and our very first locally hosted Basketball Tournament in Plymouth.

Read more: Special Olympics Winter Season Wraps Up.

            The Cheer Team participated in the local Tournament in Plymouth, traveled to the Goshen Tournament and cheered at the Area 4 Tournament in Caston.  The Cheer Team consists of 3 athletes from Marshall County and 1 unified partner from Starke County.  Coaches Amber Jones and Temple Kipper have been working with their spirit filled Cheer Team since early January.

            Winter Games was held at Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.  Athletes competed in Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Snowboarding.  2 athletes from Marshall County headed down this year.  Ian Radican participated in Snowshoeing and Christian Radican participated in Skiing- both receiving medals in their divisions.

Read more: Harold Welter to receive 2025 ‘Virgil Sweet Award’

 Virgil Sweet Awards are presented to those who have provided meritorious service in the promotion of basketball across Indiana. The award is named in honor of Sweet, a former Valparaiso High School basketball coach and executive director of the IBCA from 1974 through 1984. Sweet passed away on June 7, 2023.

            This is the 50th year that the IBCA has presented an award or awards for service to basketball beyond coaching. A single winner was named from 1974 through 1979. Multiple winners have been named from 1980 to the present, although no winners were named in 1991 (no clinic was held that year) or 2021 (when the 2020 winners were honored because of the COVID-19 pandemic).

This year’s awards will be presented as part of the 2025 IBCA Clinic on April 24-25 at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Ind.

 Harold Welter has been best-known as a play-by-play announcer who began covering high school sports in 1965 at WRIN Radio in Rensselaer and continued at WLOI Radio in LaPorte. Over 57 years and in part of six decades, he broadcast more than 3,500 sporting events, traveling more than 250,000 miles to 147 different locations to call games. 

            Since establishing WKVI Radio in Knox as its first general manager at age 24, Welter has concentrated on covering high school sports at nine area schools – Knox, North Judson, Oregon-Davis, Winamac, West Central, John Glenn, Culver Community, South Central (Union Mills) and Tri-Township (formerly known as LaCrosse). Welter’s radio play-by-play on WKVI has been featured on ABC-TV’s “NightLine” and his signature shout of “unbelievable” when witnessing exciting plays has been a familiar refrain for three generations of players in the Kankakee Valley area.

            Welter stepped away from his radio career in 1973 to become a congressional assistant in Washington, D.C. He returned to Knox in 1975 to start Financial Partners of Knox LLC and to return to the airwaves on WKVI. Welter has also covered college sports, but his main focus has been high school sports. He has done play-by-play for basketball, football, baseball, softball, volleyball and wrestling.

            He also has hosted the “Saturday Sportsline” coaches’ interview show on WKVI for more than 50 years with guests including six Hall of Fame coaches. He continues to contribute to the Saturday show by interviewing players he has covered with a weekly segment called “Where Are They Now?” He has used radio sportscasting as a positive vehicle for listeners and for promoting young people. He has taught classes for high school-age students at his church and frequently speaks with high school classes about life’s challenges and their destination of greatness.

            Welter received an IHSAA Distinguished Media Service Award in 1989-90. The 1963 Knox High School graduate was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994. He received the Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2004 from the Indiana Football Coaches Association, which was memorialized in the Congressional Record for the 108th Congress by Indiana representative Steve Buyer. Welter also was inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters & Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame in 2023.

            He and his wife, Becky, have four children, Susan, Laura, Cheryl and Nathan – and five grandchildren. Cheryl was killed in an auto accident the night before homecoming during her senior year of high school. In memory of her, Welter and his wife established the Cheryl Lyn Welter Charitable Foundation to help teachers who work with underprivileged children in rural Indiana schools. Welter published a book in 2024, “Joy in the Mourning (Growing Through Grief),” which tells Cheryl’s story and the story of how and why the Foundation was established.

On Match 17th at approximately 16:14, the Knox-Center Township Fire Department responded to Burger King in Knox for a reported structure fire. Engine 3 and Ladder 1 responded. Units arrived on the scene to find no fire conditions showing from the exterior of the structure. A light haze was present throughout the structure. KFD members investigated and determined a small grease fire had caused the automatic fire suppression system to activate. There was no fire upon our arrival and very minimal damage was done.

Starke County EMS and Knox Police Officers also responded to the scene.

The Hamlet Fire Department and the North Judson Fire Department also responded as part of our Box Alarm System however were disregarded after no fire was found.

Picture and Story provided by The Knox Center Township Fire Department.

Do you have a passion for radio and a drive to succeed? Kankakee Valley Broadcasting and WYMR 98.3 FM, Marshall County’s #1 radio station, are seeking a dynamic and motivated Sales Account Executive to join our winning team!

Read more: WYMR MAX 98.3 FM – Kankakee Valley Broadcasting is looking to hire a Radio Sales Account Executive!

About the Role:

As a Radio Sales Account Executive, you will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with local businesses, developing creative advertising campaigns, and exceeding revenue goals. You will work closely with clients to understand their marketing needs and provide customized solutions using the power of radio advertising.

Responsibilities:

• Prospect and develop new business through cold calling, networking, and referrals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing clients.
• Conduct needs assessments and create customized advertising proposals.
• Present advertising solutions to clients and negotiate contracts.
• Manage client accounts and ensure campaign success.
• Achieve and exceed monthly sales targets.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and competitive landscape.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth campaign execution.

Qualifications:

• Proven track record in sales, preferably in media or advertising.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong understanding of marketing principles and advertising strategies.
• Ability to build rapport and establish long-term relationships with clients.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and highly organized.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Passion for radio and local community.

Pay Structure:

We offer a competitive package including base salary plus high commission percentage, as well as, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.

To Apply:

If you are a driven and enthusiastic individual with a passion for sales and radio, we encourage you to apply! Please send your resume and cover letter to lenny@wkvi.com, no calls please

Join the team at WYMR 98.3 FM and Kankakee Valley Broadcasting and help local businesses thrive!

WYMR 98.3 FM – Your Local Radio Connection!(Kankakee Valley Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.)

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 37th annual Henry F. Schricker Service Before Self Awards Dinner, uniting elected officials, business owners, community members, and honored guests, including three of Henry Schricker’s descendants. The event celebrated outstanding individuals and organizations who embody Schricker’s legacy of selfless service.

Read more: Starke County Chamber hosts Schricker Awards

The evening was made special with catering by 10-56 Brewing & Catering and beautiful décor by Bianca Rose Floral Design. Thank you to both businesses for their contributions to this memorable night.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Henry F. Schricker Service Before Self Award to Jerry Gurrado. A retired teacher and coach, Jerry continues to serve the community through his volunteer work with various boards and nonprofits. Congratulations, Jerry, and thank you for your extraordinary commitment to Starke County!

The Business of the Year award went to The Market, a cornerstone of Starke County for 40 years. Their enduring impact on the community is commendable—congratulations!

The Above and Beyond Awards recognized the following individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the county:
● Renew U
● The Starke County Libraries
● The Point Drive-In
● Alyssa Smith
● The Ober Arbor Gleaners
● The First National Bank of Monterey
● The Town of North Judson

The Chamber also extended gratitude to Northwest Health – Knox, our Platinum Sponsor, for their ongoing support of both the Chamber and the community.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and celebrated with us. Your presence and support truly made this event special. It is the collective spirit of our community that keeps Henry Schricker’s legacy alive.

In the photo are Susan Schricker, Mary Schricker Ecker, Jerry Gurrado, and Kathryn Schricker Kish

A house fire was reported in Knox, at this moment we do not have any information on injuries. We will update this story as information is updated. Knox Center Township, North Judson Wayne Township, Washington Township, Hamlet Davis & Bass Lake were called out. Knox City Police, Starke County Sheriff and NIPSCO were also on location.

Continue reading →

It’s the Best Of Starke County Time! Ballots must be received no later than June 27! The Leader and WKVI are teaming up for the Best of Starke County, print the ballot or pick one up from the Leader or stop by the WKVI offices at 400 west culver road, Knox for your ballot. You can mail in your ballots or drop them off at WKVI.

The Hamlet Police Department is seeking individuals interested in assisting the Department with Law Enforcement functions. Qualified candidates will fill a gap in the Hamlet Police Department Reserve Program 

which is an unpaid position. Some of the general requirements are, must be 21 years of age, have a clean driving record, High School Diploma or Equivalent, no Felony Convictions or Misdemeanor Battery Convictions. 

Applicants must also be able to pass a thorough criminal background check.

Applications are available Monday through Friday between 8am and 3pm at the Hamlet Town Hall or by emailing HamletReserves@gmail.com for an application

Sales Associate Wanted

WKVI Radio in Knox and WYMR Radio in Plymouth Indiana is looking for a Sales Associate. The position can be full or part time. Position duties will include phone sales as well as on site selling, sales package and customer development.

Salary will include a Base as well as Commission.

Fill out an application or drop off your resume at 400 W. Culver Road in Knox, Mail to P.O. Box 10, Knox, IN 46534 or e-mail your resume to lenny@wkvi.com.

Who do you like to advance to the Indiana high school football state championship games and who goes home?

Here is a look at all of the semi-state matchups Friday in Class 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A & 6A.

Remember Kankakee Valley Broadcasting has you covered for Starke County teams still remaining in the state playoffs!

On Friday we will bring you the Knox Community High Schoolx-Indianapolis Chatard clash on WKVI K99.3 FM and the North Judson-San Pierre Athletics-Adams Central showdown on Max98.3!

KVB once again proving why it’s the state’s leader in LIVE high school sports broadcasts!

Harold Welter was inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame this past weekend.

Continue reading →

Continue reading →

CR 300 E is closed for most of the day due to a large tree that has fallen across the roadway just South of Culver Rd. Damaging several Nipsco poles and wires. Nipsco and county highway are on scene.