The Culver Academies Choir, Band and Orchestra will perform at Ancilla Domini Chapel in Donaldson tomorrow. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ present the ensembles of Culver Academy to the public, free of charge. Continue reading
Hoosier Lottery Adds Sunday Drawings
The Hoosier Lottery is adding three new drawings. Starting tomorrow, midday drawings will take place each Sunday for the Daily 3, Daily 4 and Quick Draw games. Currently, midday drawings for all three games are conducted Monday through Saturday. The Sunday drawing schedule will match the existing schedule for Monday through Saturday drawings. The cut-off for ticket purchase will be 1:10 p.m. Eastern and the drawing will occur at or about 1:20 p.m. Continue reading
Knox House Fire Claims a Child’s Life
A two-year-old child is dead as a result of an early morning fire at a rural Starke County home. The Bass Lake Fire Department responded to a residence in the area of 700 South and 300 East just before 7:30 a.m. They pulled two adults from the blaze but were unable to find a two-year-old child in time. Continue reading
Industrial Park Road Project to Wrap Up Today
The intersection of Culver Road and Klockner Drive will reopen to traffic later today. It’s been closed since Nov. 10 so improvements to Klockner Drive/County Road 300 East could be finished. The project was originally slated to wrap up before Thanksgiving, but the completion date was pushed back by about a week. Continue reading
Pence Education Agenda Draws Mixed Reviews
Gov. Mike Pence’s education agenda for the upcoming legislative session draws mixed reviews from a local school administrator who is looking to the General Assembly for meaningful reform. North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson agrees with some of the things the governor is suggesting, such as accountability that takes into account student growth.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation has lost millions of dollars due over the past several years due to a combination of state funding cuts, declining enrollment and unfunded mandates. During a Tuesday night public forum, Johnson said the legislature needs to increase the amount of money it pays corporations per enrolled student. That’s also among the items on Pence’s agenda. Continue reading
Teacher Performance Grants Awarded to Several Local Schools
Educators at several local schools will receive a share of the $30 million in Teacher Performance Grants awarded by the state to more than 1,300 schools. Funds were given to schools with students earning ISTEP+ or end of course assessment passing scores of 72.5 percent or above or with a growth in graduation rates of 5 percent ore more from the previous year. Teachers who are rated effective or highly effective under Indiana’s teacher evaluation system for the 2013-2014 academic year will be paid based on student performance. Continue reading
Free Screenings Planned With IU Health Mobile Unit
The Mobile Health Unit of IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals is coming to area businesses with free blood pressure and diabetes screenings. The screenings are open to the public of all ages. Continue reading
North Judson Tree Lighting Ceremony Tonight
The annual Christmas parade and tree lighting celebration at Norwayne Field in North Judson will be held tonight at 5:45 p.m. The parade will travel down Lane Street to Main Street and end at Norwayne Field with Santa riding in the parade. Santa will also help with the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Continue reading
Culver’s Holiday Hop Tonight
The annual Holiday Hop in Culver is scheduled this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET at the train station depot on Lake Shore Drive. Christmas tree lighting and caroling will be led by the Culver Youth Community Organization from Culver Community Schools and from Culver Academies. Continue reading
Winter Wonderland in Winamac Today
The Winter Wonderland Festival in Winamac is today, and WKVI will be there. Jerry Curtis and Tony Ross will broadcast from noon until 1 p.m. ET amidst the crowd and vender booths. Stop by and say hello while catching the spirit of Christmas at this annual event, presented by the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.
Celebrate the Season at the Starke County Museum
The home of former Indiana Governor Henry F. Schricker is ready for the Christmas season. A “memory tree” is at the front door on the outside, and the old fashioned Christmas tree stands fully decorated the the Schricker living room.
The Starke County Museum, which is housed in the home, will be open at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec.7th. to observe the Christmas holiday. Hot cider and cookies will be served. Visitors will also have time to make a short visit to all three floors and see the exhibits of Starke County history. Continue reading
LaPorte Teens Charged in Bar Break-In
Felony burglary charges have been filed against four LaPorte teenagers in connection with a recent break-in at a bar. LaPorte Police responded to a report of two men trying to kick in the rear door of Shooter’s Bar at 201 Washington Street at 4 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Continue reading
Bourff Hired as Superintendent at Hamilton Southeastern Schools
A school administrator who got his start in Starke County will take over as head of one of the state’s wealthiest school districts in January. The Hamilton Southeastern School Board voted Tuesday to hire Dr. Allen Bourff as superintendent. He will take over that position Jan. 1. Bourff will be paid $175,000 annually through June of 2016, with automatic annual pay raises if the board deems his performance effective or highly effective. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Superintendent Outlines Road Improvement Goals
The Starke County Highway Department is already making plans for next year’s scheduled road improvements. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says they’ve been hauling in loads of stone and may have it all stockpiled by the end of the year if the weather continues to cooperate. Continue reading
4-H Enrollment Available Online
For the first time in Indiana 4-H history enrollment can be done completely online. This is new to 2015, making it easier than ever to enroll. The fee is $15 for each child in grades 3 through 12 and is up to $45 per family.
West Central School Board to Meet Tonight
City of Knox Christmas Decoration Judging Scheduled
Judging for the annual Christmas decoration contest in Knox is on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Judging will take place between 6 and 9 p.m. CT. Outdoor decorations should be lit when judging takes place in order to be eligible for the contest. Continue reading
Iris-Elm Christmas Show This Weekend
N.J.-S.P. Officials Looking to Legislature for Education Reform
A combination of declining enrollment, cuts in state funding and unfunded service mandates has North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation officials facing some difficult choices. They’ve already had to cut $800,000 from their budget this school year. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says eight staff members have been notified they will not have jobs after the school year ends. She says the corporation is looking to the Indiana General Assembly for meaningful education reform when the legislature convenes in January. Continue reading
Recount Commission Reaffirms Vote Totals
The three-member commission charged with reviewing vote totals in two close Starke County races found no discrepancies in either contest. The certificate they will file with the Starke County Clerk’s office finds Democrat Pamela Stalbaum beat Republican Don White by two votes in the fourth district county council race. By the numbers, Stalbaum got 707 votes to White’s 705 for the seat currently held by Marvin McLaughlin. Continue reading
