Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Winamac Skatepark Today

Posted on Author WKVI

Winamac SkateparkWinamac teenager Clark Gudas’ dream of building a stake park as an Eagle Scout project has come true. The community is invited to celebrate that accomplishment today at the grand opening of the Winamac Skatepark. It’s located in Rinehart Park next to the Pulaski County Family YMCA. Gudas oversaw all aspects of design, fundraising and construction.

“After years and years of work and not being sure if this was actually going to come together, being able to actually see the concrete being poured and see the final product – It’s just amazing to see that I did this,” Gudas said. He’s completed the necessary paperwork for his Eagle Scout project and is waiting for his board of review.

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Flooding Possible This Morning Across Kankakee Valley

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Flash flood warnings are in effect this morning for parts of the WKVI listening area. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for Starke, Pulaski, Fulton and LaPorte Counties. Additional rain is expected until about 8 a.m. Central and could cause problems in low-lying areas. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall may also lead to flooding of small creeks, streams, highways and overpasses. Should water start to rise, move to higher ground immediately.

Tippecanoe River State Park River Overlook Dedication Scheduled

Posted on Author WKVI

 

The second of two new overlooks at Tippecanoe River State Park will be formally dedicated during a brief ceremony tomorrow. Jenise Barnhouse donated money to the project in memory of her father, Floyd.

Several businesses contributed too, including DeSabatine Brothers Excavating, Good Oil Company, Galfab Inc., Two Guys Mechanical, Plymouth Tube, Gabe Wheeler and Wheeler Construction and Jason Keller and Keller Construction. State park employees and friends of Tippecanoe River State Park volunteers also assisted. Last year volunteers tore out the old overlooks to build the new structures. The first overlook was dedicated earlier this year. Through the generosity of many groups of individuals the overhaul of two river overlooks is complete and ready for visitors to enjoy nature at the park. Tomorrow’s dedication begins at 11 a.m. EDT behind the park’s nature center.

High School Football Season Kicks Off Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI

FootballHigh school football season starts tonight. Rivalries are renewed and a clean slate means anyone can make the impossible happen. WKVI and sportstothemax.net will be broadcasting a combined 20 regular season football games. Entering his 50th sports broadcasting season, Harold Welter will be ready to go tonight along with sports director Nathan Welter. They will have the call from Winamac, where the Warriors are taking on the Knox Redskins. Their broadcast starts at 6 p.m. CDT on WKVI FM. Continue reading →

Fire Cause Undetermined in New Carlisle Business Fire

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The cause of the fire at K-Fex in New Carlisle that claimed the life of Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Middlebrook can not be determined.

State Fire Marshall Jim Greeson said the facility sustained too much damage so a definitive cause of the fire could not be established. He noted that reasonable accidental ignition sources could not be ruled out, but also could not be proven as the cause of the fire.

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Nominations Sought for Starke County Park Board

Posted on Author WKVI
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground are among the amenities the Starke County Park Board will oversee.
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground are among the amenities the Starke County Park Board will oversee.

Starke County officials are seeking nominations for volunteers to serve on the county park board. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall and the Starke County Council each have two nominations – one Democrat and one Republican. The Starke County Commissioners will select the fifth member. Political affiliation is not a consideration for the commissioners nominee. Continue reading →

Expert Says Proposed Coal Regulations Don’t Consider “Big Picture”

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The proposed Environmental Protection Agency regulations of coal-fired power plants could hit Hoosier energy consumers hard in the pocketbook. That’s the contention of organizations like Kankakee Valley REMC, NIPSCO and even Gov. Mike Pence, who are all opposed to what they say is an overreaching proposal by EPA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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New U.S. 31 to Open Today

Posted on Author WKVI

US 31Expect traffic delays today as traffic shifts to the new U.S. 31 between South Bend and Plymouth.

INDOT crews will begin changing traffic to the new alignment of U.S. 31 after 9 a.m. ET. Traffic may be slowed or stopped as crews move barricades, barrels and other traffic control devices. To avoid delays, avoid access points for the new U.S. 31 until after 1 p.m. ET today.

Three interchanges will open today. Those interchanges are located at Kern Road in South Bend, State Road 4 in Lakeville and U.S. 6 in LaPaz. A fourth interchange will open once construction at 7th Road near Plymouth is finished later this year.

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Property Taxes Will Increase to Build Hamlet Fire Station

Posted on Author WKVI
The new fire station will be built between the Starke County Fairgrounds and the Wayne Apartments in Hamlet.
The new fire station will be built between the Starke County Fairgrounds and the Wayne Apartments in Hamlet.

Davis Township property owners who live outside the Hamlet town limits will see a property tax increase of about 14-cents per $100 of assessed valuation to pay for the new 9,300 square foot, $750,000 fire station. That’s an estimate provided by officials with accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates during Monday’s public hearing on the project. Continue reading →

Fate of Bass Lake Seasonal Camping in Park Board’s Hands

Posted on Author WKVI
Bass Lake Beach
The Starke County Park Board will oversee Bass Lake Beach and Campground

The future of seasonal camping at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground is in the hands of the five yet-to-be-named Starke County Park Board members. The county commissioners previously announced plans to limit camping to 15 days at a time after this season concludes but have not yet sent a formal notice to manager Richard Callahan and his attorney David Wallsmith. They contend those statements have caused damage to the business, as many campers are uncertain whether they will be able to return next year. Continue reading →

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Scheduled This Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI

Hazardous Household Waste trailerThe Lake Michigan Household Hazardous Waste District is conducting a collections event at the La Porte County Fairgrounds on Saturday Aug. 23rd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. Items that can be disposed of include, ammunition, flares, fireworks, aerosols, automotive supplies, batteries, corrosives, expired medications, mercury containing products, florescent tubes, thermometers, thermostats, paint, medical sharps, pesticides as well as other poisons, and waste fuels.  Continue reading →