All posts by WKVI

Eastern Pulaski School Board Discusses Budget Cuts

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

Schools are facing tough times with the changes in the state’s funding formula, including Eastern Pulaski Schools.

“From the funding we got in 2011, we are going to be cut the restoration grant of $618,000, a small school grant of $107,000, a primetime grant of $80,000, allowances to help with our special needs program $28,000, vocational allowance to help with that program $11,000, and we’re anticipating our Title One program to be cut about $8,000,” said Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Klitzman.

Continue reading →

News from the Winamac Town Board

Posted on Author WKVI
Entrance to the Winamac Town Park

The Winamac Town Board heard from Park Superintendent, Don Thompson, about damage done to the park due to flooding and vandalism.

He reported that the park was under water again this year when the Tippecanoe River swelled and drifted into the park. The Pulaski County Extension Office had removed items from the 4-H buildings to avoid further water damage. Beaver damage was also reported during the flood. Thompson also told the Board that several unknown person(s) caused damage to the playground equipment during a so-called party at the park. Glass was broken around the equipment and clean-up was extensive.

Continue reading →

Henry F. Schricker Public Library Staff to Celebrate 100 Years of the Indy 500

Posted on Author WKVI
Nancy Pimm

The staff at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox is celebrating 100 years of the Indy 500.

Nancy Pimm, who worked in the pits at the Indy 500 from 1984-1989, will be at the Library on Thursday, May 12th to discuss her book Indy 500: The Inside Track, and show racing gear that she and her husband have collected. They will show fire suits, visors, racing shoes and gloves, plus a front wing and rear wing mount from Danica Patrick’s car, a custom driver seat from Kenny Brack, racing tires, and more.

Continue reading →

From the WKVI Archives: Culver Community Schools Construction Project

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Suellen Reed (second from L) visited the schools to kick of the construction projects in 2001. Also pictured: Superintendent Brad Schuldt (L), Mrs. Bonine (R) and Chuck Kitchell. Picture by Gloria Reed for the newspaper

What a difference 10 years makes. On May 15th, 2001, Dr. Suellen Reed kicked off the construction of three schools in the Culver Community District. Sod was turned at Culver Community Junior-Senior. High School to mark the beginning of construction. In the $18 million dollar project, Monterey Elementary was remodeled, 16 classrooms were added to Culver Elementary and classrooms and a gymnasium were added at Culver Community Junior-Senior High School.

Continue reading →

Monterey Elementary to be Closed at the end of the School Year

Posted on Author WKVI

Culver School Board
Culver Community School Board Members (from left to right) Jack Jones, Ryan Seiber, Ken Vandeputte, Brad Schuldt, Eugene Baker, Marilyn Swanson, and Ed Behnke.

A tough and controversial decision was made last night by the Culver Community School Board, as they ultimately voted 5-2 to discontinue operation of Monterey Elementary School. The closure of the school was due to a need to meet budget cuts in the amount of $855,928 over two years from the state. While this decision may not have been the most popular one, the Board felt it was the best decision for the school, as well as the teachers, the students, and even the parents.

“The vote ended up being five members voted for the motion, two members voted against the motion, and the motion was to discontinue operation of Monterey Elementary school effective at the end of this current school year,” said Superintendent Brad Schuldt, “and that the students beginning next year would be a part of the Culver Elementary School body.”

Continue reading →

Starke County Commissioners Discuss Fuel Prices with the Highway Superintendent

Posted on Author WKVI
Steve Siddall

At the most recent Starke County Commissioner’s meeting, Highway Superintendent, Steve Siddall, was quizzed on the situation with rising fuel prices. Commission President, Dan Bridegroom, made the observation that some counties were cutting back on their mowing of county roadways to conserve fuel. He said that he understood that at least two counties were going to only be mowing the intersections.

Siddall talked with Ted Hayes after the meeting about the plans here.

Continue reading →

Congressman Joe Donnelly Announces Candidacy for U.S. Senate

Posted on Author WKVI
Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly

Second District Representative, Joe Donnelly, made it official yesterday. In a video announcement, Donnelly said he wanted to take the fight for American jobs to the U.S. Senate.

The Democrat narrowly defeated challenger Jackie Walorski in the 2010 general election, but since then the District has become much more Republican with redistricting.

Continue reading →

Property Taxes are due Today

Posted on Author WKVI

Today is the property tax deadline in Starke County. All payments are due to the Treasurer’s office today by the end of the day. A drop off box is located outside the Treasurer’s Office if you can not make it to the office by the time the doors close to the office today. If you are mailing your taxes, they must be postmarked today in order to be counted on time.

Property taxes are also due into the Pulaski County Treasurer’s Office today.

Improvements Continue at Wythogan Park in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI
A crew works on the skate park at Wythogan Park in Knox

“There’s more to come.” That was the word from Knox Park Board member, Rodger Weigel, who was at Wythogan Park when Ted Hayes took a tour last week. New dugouts were recently constructed, and a new curly slide was installed at the park. Improvements are now being made at the skate park.

Weigel said that more improvements are coming.

Continue reading →

Bella Vita Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Scheduled for Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 12th, at 9:00 a.m. CT at Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox. An open house will follow until about Noon. Bella Vita is at 206 S. Heaton St. in Knox.

All services at Bella Vita are free and confidential. Services include: pregnancy tests, peer counseling by trained advocates about pregnancy options, referrals to community resources, and education classes that empower women to make healthy choices as well as earn needed material items. Call (574) 772-2877 for more information.

Culver Community School Board to Vote on Future of Monterey Elementary School

Posted on Author WKVI
Culver School Board

The Culver Community School Board will discuss, and possibly vote on the future of the Monterey Elementary School tonight during their regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. ET in the Administration Building. The Board needs to reduce expenses in order to meet budget cuts from the state level in the amount of $855,928 over two years.

The Culver Community School Corporation has a number of options to explore in order to meet this new budget. Some of the options include increasing revenue through a referenda, in which the school tax rate would be raised $0.11 per $100; the use of the Rainy Day Fund, and decreasing expenses through budget reductions, such as closing Monterey Elementary.

The Board will also look at reducing certified staff, non-certified staff, and administration, and reducing the following programs: business, music, art, athletic, extra curricular, Industrial Technology, Physical Education, Foreign Language, Building Trades, and Vocational.

Goshen Attorney to Run for Second District Congressional Seat in 2012

Posted on Author WKVI
Andrew Straw

A Goshen attorney is expected to run for the Second District Congressional seat in Indiana. Andrew Straw, 42, is a Northridge High School graduate and he holds a bachelor’s, masters, and law degree from Indiana University. If he gets the nomination, he would be running as a Democrat. Republican Jackie Walorski has also announced that she will be running for the seat that is expected to be abandoned by current Representative, Joe Donnelly.

Donnelly is expected to abandon the seat after three terms to run for the U.S. Senate against either Senator Richard Lugar or State Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Mourdock is trying to unseat Lugar in the 2012 Republican Primary.

North Judson Residents Take Gas Price Concerns to North Judson Town Board

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board: Dan Anderson, Wendy Hoppe, Jane Ellen Felchuk, Attorney Cassie Hine and Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller

The North Judson Town Board heard from concerned citizens about the gas prices in North Judson. It was reported to WKVI that the gas prices in North Judson are generally $.10 higher than the surrounding communities.

The Board was expected to write a letter to the gas stations and ask why this is occurring and how it can be fixed. The residents are especially concerned about prices in this economy.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County United Fund Awards Financial Support to Non-Profit Organizations

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County United Fund recently awarded 10 non-profit organizations financial support.

Pulaski County YMCA, Pulaski County REACT, West Central Educational Foundation, North Central IN Rural Crisis Center, Pulaski County Human Services, Salvation Army-Pulaski County Service Extension, Girl Scouts of Northern IN-Michiana-Pulaski County Scouts, and Sagamore Council Boy Scouts-Pulaski County Scouts received funds from the Pulaski County United Fund.

Continue reading →

Stamp Out Hunger Event is this Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI

Campbell Soup Company will be joining with the National Association of Letter Carriers to Stamp out Hunger across America. The Stamp out Hunger event will be this Saturday, May 14th.

You are encouraged to leave non-perishable food items by your mailbox on Saturday and the mail carriers in the Kankakee Valley will be pick up your donation where it will be distributed to your local Food Bank.

Continue reading →

Knox Citywide Yard Sale Scheduled for Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox citywide yard sale is scheduled for this Saturday, May 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No permit is required for that day only. You may participate if you live in the city limits and in the two mile jurisdiction.

The only signs permitted will be those provided by City Hall and those signs are $.50 each. Additional sale dates in conjunction with the citywide sale will require the normal permit and two signs are included in the permit price.

Continue reading →