All posts by WKVI

Starke County Sheriff’s Department Investigating Theft from San Pierre Auto

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information on a theft from the San Pierre Auto dealership.

On Tuesday, March 22nd, officers were called to San Pierre Auto in reference to a broken window in the building. The suspect or suspects broke out the front window of the building and it looked like they crawled through the window to enter the business. While inside, the suspect(s) went through the desk drawers and cabinets throughout the building. They took five vehicle titles from a desk drawer, key fobs for four vehicles from a cabinet, one new NAPA battery, a battery jump pack and one expired dealer plate from 2008. It also appeared the suspect(s) went into the garage and went through all the tools. A knife reportedly used to pry open a safe was taken into evidence by police.

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Knox City Council Receives One Appraisal on Dean Wells’ Property; State Requires Two

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council (L to R) Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg, Ron Parker, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Mayor Rick Chambers, Attorney David Matsey, Ed Blue and Greg Matt

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers told the Knox City Council this week that the first appraisal on the Dean Wells property across from City Hall has been received.

“It was appraised at $110,000 and where do you want to go from here?” Mayor Chambers asked the Council. “We need two appraisals, that’s required by the State. We can offer the average of the two. I have another appraiser lined up, so if we want to continue with this, we need a motion to obtain a second appraisal.”

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Marching Band to March on at North Judson-San Pierre High School

Posted on Author WKVI
The North Judson-San Pierre marching band performs in a contest in October

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed the marching band at its recent meeting. The marching band will continue and go through a rebuilding year. The Board hopes to see more fundraisers for the band and recruitment in the next year.

The Board hopes to work with the students and the band department to keep the program alive. Future meetings will entail planning and restructuring the marching band program to make it a sustainable program.

Fishing Season is Underway

Posted on Author WKVI

Do you have your boat dusted off for the fishing season? Conservation Officer, Keith Wildeman, says many people are doing just that. The fishes are not that big as what Jimmy John Shark caught, but they’re big enough to be proud of, if you’re lucky enough to catch one.

“A number of folks have been hitting Bass Lake and Koontz Lakes and the rivers,” said Wildeman. “Right now is a popular time for Walleye and Northern Pike fishing on the rivers. I’d like to remind folks to check the regulations. Regulations are available free of charge at most license vendors. Fishing licenses, up until March 31st, still require a 2010 fishing license as they are valid from April 1st to March 31st. Starting April 1st, the 2011 licenses are what folks are required.”

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Jerry Johnson will Never Forget Playing Against Lew Alcinder in the 1969 NCAA Championship Game

Posted on Author WKVI
Jerry Johnson guards Lew Alcinder in the 1969 NCAA championship game. Indy Star file photo

“Coach, I just stood by this guy he must be at least 7 feet, 4 inches tall.” That’s what Jerry Johnson said to Head Coach, George King, in the huddle before Purdue met UCLA in the final game of the 1969 NCAA basketball tournament.

Ted Hayes remembers

“I’m 6-10 and he towers over me,” Johnson said.

“Don’t worry about it Jerry,” King replied. “We’re just counting on you to hold him under 33 points.”

Jerry tried and he did pretty well. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, known in those days as Lew Alcinder, only scored 37 against Johnson.

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Plymouth Man Arrested after Eluding Police by Swimming in River

Posted on Author WKVI
Brandon Borem

A Plymouth man was arrested Wednesday evening after an officer showed up at his apartment to conduct a probation check and he attempted to escape police.

Police say an officer was dispatched to a residence at 301 E. Garro street in Plymouth after probation requested to check the subject to see if he had been drinking.

Once police arrived, Brandon Borem, 21, jumped out of his bathroom window then swam across the river.

After he got out of the water, police arrested Borem for Public Intoxication.

Tuesday Night Men’s League 03/22/11

Posted on Author WKVI

Tuesday Night Men’s League 03/22/11
Team Standings:
1. Quarter’s 135.0-47.0
2. Konrad Cabinets 115.0-67.0
3. Hensleys 105.0-77.0
4. 1st Choice Pawn 101.0-81.0
5. WKVI 92.0-90.0
6. Bowlaway Lanes 91.0-91.0
7. Marks Body Shop 91.0-91.0
8. Time Out 83.0-99.0
9. Sandbar 79.0-112.0
10. Half Track 70.0-112.0
11. Simonis 68.0-114.0
12. Fishers 62.0-120.0
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Sunday Morning Mixed League 03/20/11

Posted on Author WKVI

Sunday Morning Mixed League 03/20/11
Team Standings:
1. The Unknown 130.0-38.0
2. The Quest 95.0-80.0
3. WRJN 95.0-80.0
4. The Smelly Cats 90.0-85.0
5. Split Heads 87.0-88.0
6. Odd Balls 82.0-93.0
7. Strange Brew 82.0-93.0
8. Lucky #7 79.0-96.0
9. S*** Happens 68.0-107.0
10. Snowdon’s Lawncare 67.0-108.0
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Starke County Council and Hospital Administration Discuss Future of Hospital

Posted on Author WKVI
IU Health Starke Hospital (formerly Starke Memorial Hospital)

A contingent from Indiana University Health Starke Hospital attended the Starke County Council meeting Monday night. Among those in attendance were CEO Linda Satkoski, Vice President of Operations, Dave Hyatt, and the hospital’s attorney, Jim Kaminski, plus several Community Board members.

The purpose of the appearance was to solicit comment to a document sent to the Council concerning the lease of the hospital by IU Health LaPorte Hospital. Five years into a lease that is set to expire in 2016, the hospital hierarchy is interested in forming a government committee to monitor short and long term plans for the health facility.

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Knox North-Side Warning Siren to be Repaired

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council #2
Back Row: Mayor Rick Chambers, Ed Blue, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Greg Matt and Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

The Knox City Council received disturbing news this week. The emergency sirens that alert residents in the north side of the city do not work.

“The board that operates that siren got hit by lightning at some point in time this summer and we didn’t know it until they did a test this past week and the siren did not go off,” said Knox Mayor, Rick Chambers. “Clint got the radio repairman over here to look at that and he showed us the board that is burned up. The board is $2,700 which is a big enough problem in itself, but by the end of 2012, all the frequencies are going to change. The frequency that operates that siren will no longer be allowed and we could put in the new frequency now, but the County is still operating on the old frequency. Until they update, we can’t update.”

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Seven NJ-SP Teachers Given RIF Notice

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed Reductions in Force (RIF) at its most recent meeting. RIFs had to be sent by April 1st as that is the school’s contract date and seven notices have been sent out to teachers. Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI said that two high school teachers, one middle school teacher and four elementary teachers received notice last week. She said certification and seniority were the criteria looked at when the cuts were discussed. Those cuts will make up approximately $250,000 of the almost $1.2 million that will need to be cut from the overall budget. Mrs. Johnson said non-certified staff, extra curricular positions, teaming, hours, custodial hours, stipends, and other cuts are being discussed.

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Starke United Annual Meeting to be held in April

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke United

The Annual Starke United meeting is coming up in April. Newly installed Starke United Executive Director, Julie Dessauer, talks about the upcoming meeting.

“The annual membership meeting will be April 7th, at 5:00 p.m., at the Community Services building,” explained Executive Director, Julie Dessauer. “Our keynote speaker will be Judge Marvin McLaughlin and the event is sponsored by IU Health Starke Hospital.”

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Drinking Water Quality Product to be Discharged at Koontz Lake Clean Water Plant

Posted on Author WKVI
Paul Warnke

Paul Warnke from the Koontz Lake Sewer District has been with us this week talking about the new sewer system being constructed in Koontz Lake.

The clean water plant takes the incoming product and processes it through many stages of purification. Warnke talks about the final product.

“What is discharged is a grade of water that is termed near drinking water quality,” Warnke said. “The final step in the purification is to run it under high intensity ultra violets and essentially, we consider it to be clean and bacteria free.”

Jerry Johnson Talks of His Memories of John Wooden on ‘Ted Hayes Remembers’

Posted on Author WKVI
John Wooden

How would you like to sit and have pizza with the greatest college basketball coach ever? Well Ted Hayes’ guest on tomorrow’s “Ted Hayes Remembers” program got to do that a few years ago. Jerry Johnson, who played basketball at Purdue, got to enjoy listening to “The Master”, Johnny Wooden, at banquets and once over pizza. Jerry said it was a thrill.

“I had many occasions in his later years to go down and listen to him at least four times and give speeches at different banquets for basketball, or for different things,” said Johnson. “He was a super gentlemen. He was getting pretty frail, but when we got done with what he was doing, he met us at Brunos for pizza and he had his secretary friend with him who took good care of him. He was a nice gentleman and just an unbelievably astute player, mentor, coach and teacher.”

Jerry Johnson and Ted will talk basketball this Friday on “Ted Hayes Remembers” at 12:20 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT.

Starke County Community Corrections Open House Held Tuesday

Posted on Author WKVI
Bob Hinojosa presents Pat Mitchell with a plaque during the grand opening ceremony

The Starke County Community Corrections staff held a Grand Opening Tuesday for their new facility at 1911 South Heaton Street.

After opening remarks by administrator Bob Hinojosa, the Department of Corrections Commissioner, Bruce Lemon, addressed those in attendance. Lemon told Ted Hayes that the new facility was quite impressive.

“It’s a great program and a great new building so we’re excited about Starke County and Community Corrections,” said Lemon. “We fund it to the tune of $188,000 in Starke County and Starke County matches that with user fees which is a very impressive figure.”

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Pulaski County Inmates Soon Back to Work

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department

Inmates of the Pulaski County Jail might not have so much free time in the near future, according to Sheriff Mike Gayer who approached the Commissioners with a plan to put the inmates to work. The inmates have been used quite a bit in previous years, but because of a recent concern with injuries that practice has almost come to a halt.

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Knox City Police Department Officers Alert for Mobile Meth Labs during Traffic Stops

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem

Elkhart police were hospitalized after they found a mobile meth lab in a vehicle and inhaled the chemicals that are used in the manufacture of the drug. WKVI talked with Knox City Police Chief, Clint Norem, and he said that officers don’t know what they’re going to come up against when they conduct a traffic stop:

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Koontz Lake Residents Responsible for Sewer Hookups; Septic Fills once Sewer Plant is Functioning

Posted on Author WKVI
Paul Warnke

The Koontz Lake sewer facilty is being constructed and should be finished in mid-2012. Paul Warnke from the Koontz Lake Sewer District was asked what the residents and business owners will be responsible for once the plant is complete.

“Homeowners and business owners do not have what is often called a connection fee or tap charge; however, they are responsible, physically and financially, for the pumping of their septic tanks, filling the septic tank with fill and then connecting a three or four inch line from their home to the grinder pump,” Warnke explained. “That is their responsibility and their sole responsibility.”

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Starke County Commissioners Discuss Courthouse Safety

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners ( L to R ) Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom, Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Commissioners addressed the concern of safety in the Courthouse at this week’s meeting. Commissioner Kathy Norem, who is a member of the Courthouse Security Committee, recommended that signs be posted at each entrance of the courthouse advertising that no weapons, unless authorized, will be allowed in the building. It was also advised that the same signage be posted on all County buildings.

The Commissioners have talked about installing a metal detector at certain entrances and closing off the rest for safety.

Commissioners Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis agreed to the recommendation and the signs will be placed on all County buildings once the signs are produced.