Starke County Commissioners Open Courtroom Bids

Posted on Author WKVI
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E is part of the new Starke County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center.
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E is part of the new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center.

Bids for the courtroom build-out at the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center are under advisement. The county commissioners opened eight bids for general trades and four each for mechanical and electrical work. The project design engineer is reviewing all to make sure they meet specifications prior to a special-called Starke County Building Corporation meeting on Monday, Jan. 19. The building corporation will make formal recommendations to the Starke County Commissioners, who are also scheduled to meet that evening. Continue reading →

Pair of Defendants Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI

A South Bend man with a lengthy criminal history can add another sentence to his record. Tony Glover Jr., 29, pleaded guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor theft charge during an appearance in Starke Circuit Court yesterday. Both offenses occurred in September, according to court records. Glover admitted stealing electronics and knives from his mother and stepfather on Sept. 17 with intent to pawn them. Earlier that day he also stole power tools, clothing and other items valued at $886 from two Knox men. Continue reading →

INDOT Offers Tips to Stay Safe on Slick Roads

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A disabled or stranded vehicle could potentially be a life or death situation due to cold temperatures and extended response times for police and tow truck drivers. If you do venture out, let someone know your route of travel, and keep your gas tank full when driving in cold weather. Pack a winter survival kit of blankets, extra warm clothes, a flashlight and extra batteries, a brightly-colored cloth to tie on your antenna for visibility, sand or a bag of cat litter to use for traction, a shovel, candles and matches, non-perishable, high-calorie foods like nuts, raisins and protein or energy bars, newspapers for insulation, a first aid kit and jumper cables. Continue reading →

Dermody Weighing Many Sides in Sunday Alcohol Debate

Posted on Author WKVI

Dermody20th District State Representative Tom Dermody says he is still evaluating a bill that could affect consumers in Indiana.

House Bill 1026 would allow for those with a proper permit to sell alcoholic beverages for carryout on Sundays in the state. The bill, filed this week in Indianapolis, has not been presented to Representative Dermody – who chairs the often controversial Public Policy Committee.
Continue reading →

Knox Schools Await Potential Education Funding Reforms

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Indiana General Assembly is anticipated to consider certain reforms to funding education, and Knox Community Schools is considering their options.

Governor Mike Pence has said he wants the legislative session that started Tuesday to be an “education session.” Discussions have included lifting the cap on education vouchers and reforming the school funding formula.
Continue reading →

Starke Circuit Judge Fills Park Board Vacancy

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Park Board is fully populated once again. Judicial appointee Mike Meadows was appointed to a three-year term on the panel but resigned last month. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall recently appointed Roger Chaffins to the park board. He will serve a three-year term. The board is charged with oversight of non-municipal recreational lands, including the Bass Lake Beach and Campground and the Starke County Forest. They meet the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Starke County Annex building.

NIPSCO Warns of Bill Payment Scam

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

NIPSCO warns customers of a scam involving bill payments. Impersonators claiming to be NIPSCO employees call customers, tell them their bills are delinquent and request immediate payment to avoid a service disconnection.

Never give personal information, including Social Security numbers and banking information, to unconfirmed sources. NIPSCO only asks for a Social Security number when a customer is applying for new service or to validate an account holder when a customer calls to obtain account information, complete a transaction or service-related request over the phone. Continue reading →

Starke County Commissioners to Reorganize, Open Courtroom Bids

Posted on Author WKVI

starke-county-courthouseThe Starke County Commissioners will reorganize and make annual appointments during their first meeting of the year this morning. The agenda for the 10 a.m. session also includes a report on jail operations from Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, reports from Starke County EMS and the Starke County Highway Department and discussion of a vehicle for Starke County Coroner Adam Gray. Elisabeth Smith from Purdue Extension will discuss the office contract, and Ron Gifford from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation will share information about the College Success Coalition Program. Other business includes discussion of the county food inspector contract and a report from Starke County Council President Dave Pearman on the Indiana Bicentennial Committee. Continue reading →

Candidate Filing Open for Municipal Election

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Clerk’s offices are accepting candidacy filings for this year’s municipal election.

The offices up for election in the Town of Winamac include clerk-treasurer, and town council seats in District 1, District 2 and District 3. The clerk-treasurer will also be elected for the towns of Francesville, Medaryville and Monterey. Three town council seats will be voted on in those three towns as well as at-large seats.

Continue reading →

Prevent Against Hypothermia and Frostbite

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

With wind chills dipping well below zero for the next couple of days, protect yourself against the effects of hypothermia.

Your body temperature drops after prolonged exposure to the cold which causes abnormal activity of the heart, nervous system and other organs, according to information released by the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of mild hypothermia include: shivering, dizziness, hunger, nausea, trouble speaking, slight confusion, fatigue, and increased heart rate

Continue reading →

Residents Urged to Take Steps to Keep Pipes from Freezing

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The combination of temperatures below freezing and sub-zero wind chills means an increased likelihood of frozen pipes unless precautions are taken. These include leaving cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks open so warm air can circulate around pipes and insulating them with foam rubber or fiberglass insulation sleeves or wrapping. Both can be purchased at a hardware store, or a plumber can do it for you. Cracks in outside walls or foundations should also be caulked to keep cold air away from pipes. Also skirting around mobile homes that is missing or has fallen off should be replaced to keep cold air from circulating under the dwelling. Continue reading →

Work Begins at Indianapolis Statehouse

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Statehouse
Indiana Statehouse

Legislators are now in Indianapolis for the long-session of the General Assembly.

5th District State Senator Ed Charbonneau offered comment on the issue of reversion reform which could result from projected revenue increases over the next two years. Reversions allow the Governor to withhold spending in the instance of an economic downturn or other revenue shortfall.
Continue reading →