Volunteers Needed to Spruce Up Tippecanoe River State Park

 
 

If the brutal winter has you itching to get outdoors, head to Tippecanoe River State Park this weekend for the third annual volunteer day. Assistant manager Jason Hickman says gate fees will be waived for anyone who comes out to lend a hand. Volunteer activities will start at 10 a.m. EDT at the Nature Center. The big goal is to build a second scenic overlook. The Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park nonprofit organization replaced one last year after securing donations and volunteers to do so. Hickman says they’ve secured money for the other one. Weather permitting he says the goal is to get it framed and decked out. That’s the main project for the weekend, but Hickman says it’s not the only one. Volunteers are also needed to clean and spruce up the Nature Center and remove invasive plants and some small trees from the waterfowl dam. Bird feeders also need to be hung up. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves and cordless drills, if possible, and wear long pants and sturdy shoes.

 

 

 

LaPorte Man Faces Multiple Charges After Early Morning Break-In

Wade FletcherA LaPorte man who reportedly entered an apartment behind a liquor store after banging on the doors of several nearby businesses early Friday morning faces two felony charges. Officers responded to the Bottle Shop Too at 1212 Lincolnway around 12:30 Friday morning to investigate a report of a drunk man knocking on the door of the closed store. They found a rear door leading to an upstairs apartment standing open. When they stepped inside the door, a 15-year-old boy ran down the stairs yelling that there was a man in his apartment. The officers reportedly found Wade A. Fletcher, 21, wandering around in the kitchen. The boy told the police he was home alone asleep and was awakened by the sound of somebody talking. He turned and saw Fletcher walking toward him. According to the arrest report, Fletcher grabbed him by his shirt and threatened to knock him out then let go of him and walked toward the kitchen. Police say Fletcher was seen causing problems at Lucky’s Bar earlier and was also banging on the doors of the nearby Wendy’s. He faces residential entry and possession of a schedule II controlled substance charges.

 

LaPorte Police Investigating Arson

 
 

A fire last Thursday in LaPorte was deliberately set, according to investigators. LaPorte Police and Fire were called to 325 Rockwood Street at 4:38 p.m. on April 24. No injuries were reported, but the exterior of the home was damaged and the interior was filled with smoke. Investigators determined two large trash cans outside the house had been set on fire. The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the La Porte Police Department at 362-9446, or at www.lpcitypd.com. You can remain anonymous.

Severe Thunderstorms Possible This Evening

LightningParts of the WKVI listening area may be in for severe thunderstorms this evening. The National Weather Service reports a slight risk of severe storms south of U.S. 30. The main threats are large hail and damaging winds, and an isolated tornado may form. Listen to WKVI for the latest on any severe weather that may develop. Should the National Weather Service issue a watch, it just means conditions are favorable for a weather outbreak. A warning means that weather is here, and you should take shelter immediately. If you don’t have a basement, go to an interior room in your house that does not have windows until the storm passes. Check your flashlights and make sure the batteries work, charge your cell phone and keep a battery-operated radio handy just in case. More thunderstorms are possible tomorrow, including an isolated severe thunderstorm tomorrow evening. The threat of severe weather lessens as the week goes on, but rain is in the forecast through early next week.

Four Departments Respond to Knox House Fire

Thank you to WKVI listener Marcia Lockner for the photo of Sunday's fire on 175 N. at U.S. 35
Thank you to WKVI listener Marcia Lockner for the photo of Sunday’s fire on 175 N. at U.S. 35

An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office is in Starke County to determine the origin and cause of a house fire yesterday north of Knox. The home on 175 North just east of U.S. 35 was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, according to Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost. He says they were notified at 2:16 p.m. but were responding to a woods fire at the time. Pfost immediately requested assistance from Hamlet and Washington Township due to their extended arrival time. The Koontz Lake Volunteer Fire Department also provided water and manpower support. No injuries were reported, and the home was believed to be unoccupied. Firefighters were on the scene for three hours.

Educator Stresses Importance of Early Childhood Education

Starke County Preschool Project logoStarke County Preschool Project logoStarke County parents of young children are encouraged to attend tomorrow’s Starke County Preschool Fair at the community center in downtown Knox. The Starke County Early Education Advisory Council organized the event, which will take place from 5 until 7 p.m. CDT. More than 25 preschools and community organizations will have booths, and several will offer activities for children. Starke County Head Start Education Manager Dawn Wallen says sending your child to a quality preschool is an investment in their future. The kindergarten curriculum has become more rigorous since many of today’s parents and grandparents were in school. Wallen says students are expected to know and recognize all 26 letters of the alphabet and the sounds of letters. They should also be able to recognize numerals 1 through 20. Continue reading →

Starke County Youth Club Prepares for Annual WKVI Radiothon

  
 

Starke County Youth Club members and volunteers will take over the WKVI airwaves on Friday to raise money for the nonprofit organization. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says they provide academic support to 600 youngsters across the county at after-school sites at Knox, North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis Elementary schools and at O-D Junior/Senior High School. They give students quiet time to do homework, offer one-on-one tutoring in a specific subject and offer a variety of enrichment programs like technology classes, videography and world travel through culture centers. Services are offered each Monday through Friday for three hours after school.

“That is the time when kids are most likely to be the victims of or perpetrators of violent crime. We know that kids who don’t have proper supervision, who don’t have great role models, who aren’t engaged in something productive, make the wrong choices in their lives. So we’re there to provide a safe, engaging and positive environment for kids once the school day ends,” Szakonyi says. Continue reading →

Food Finders Mobile Food Pantry Distribution Planned in Monterey

 
 

The Food Finders Mobile Food Pantry returns to Pulaski County later this week. The truck will be at the Monterey United Methodist Church on Main Street Friday, May 2 at 11 a.m. EDT. Items are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to individuals who meet income guidelines and may include frozen meat, baked goods, vegetables, beverages, snacks and cereal. Participants are asked to bring a laundry basket or box to carry the food home. Continue reading →

Advocacy Group Says Smoking Raises Diabetes Risk

 
 

Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County leaders are sounding the alarm about another health risk factor tied to smoking. Coordinator Linda Molenda cites a Surgeon General’s report that smokers are 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers. They are also more prone to having trouble with insulin dosing and controlling their disease. Smokers with diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing more serious complications like heart and kidney disease; poor blood flow in the legs and feet than can lead to infections, ulcers and possibly amputation; retinopathy, which is an eye disease that can cause blindness; and peripheral neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves in the arms and legs that causes numbness, pain, weakness and poor coordination. Molenda says smokers with diabetes have better control of their blood sugar levels when they quit. Free help for smokers who want to quit is available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visiting www.CDC.gov/tips.

 

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Four Departments Respond to House Fire

Thank you to WKVI listener Marcia Lockner for the photo of Sunday's fire on 175 N. at U.S. 35
Thank you to WKVI listener Marcia Lockner for the photo of Sunday’s fire on 175 N. at U.S. 35

Firefighters from four local departments responded to a house fire on 175 North just east of U.S. 35 Sunday afternoon. Dispatchers were notified of the fire at 2:15 p.m. The Knox, Hamlet, Koontz Lake and Washington Township departments spent three hours getting the blaze under control. No injuries were reported. As soon as we have more information, we’ll update the story on the air and on WKVI.com.

 

 

KVREMC Sets Little League Light Poles

 
 

The little league diamond at the North Judson Town Park is shining brightly, thanks to a recent assist from Kankakee Valley REMC. A crew from the utility company set the three new light poles the town purchased for the park. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says the town board sent them a thank you letter.

Foul Play Not a Factor In Culver Death

  
 

Marshall County officials have ruled out foul play in the death of an elderly Culver man found Wednesday night in his rat-infested home on Redwood Road. A neighbor called the police to check on 71-year-old Harvey Moore, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. He had no family, according to his neighbors. They say he had been feeding the rats for some time. Various health issues may have been a factor in his death. The Marshall County Health Department was notified of the home’s condition.

Winamac Soldier Killed In Car Crash in Germany

U.S. Army Spc. Ryan Grandstaff
U.S. Army Spc. Ryan Grandstaff

A local soldier was killed early Wednesday morning in a single-car accident near his military base in Germany. Spc. Ryan P. Grandstaff, 24, of Winamac, was en route from Katterbach Army Airfield in Ansbach, Germany to an appointment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center when his vehicle left the road and hit a tree, according to a spokesman for the Army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. German emergency medical responders pronounced Grandstaff dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Continue reading →

Dog Park Advocate Addresses Knox Park Board

dog picThe Knox Park Board supports the notion of establishing an off-the-leash dog park in the city but lacks the funds to make it a reality any time soon. Chuck Richardson spoke at length to the board last night about his desire to give canines and their humans a place to exercise and socialize at Wythogen Park. President Ray Stevenson says it’s in the five-year plan for park improvements the board adopted a few years ago. He says a 150 foot by 300 foot area with a six-foot high fence and carries an estimated cost of more than $11,000. Stevenson stresses the park board is interested in establishing such a park when funds are available. He says the area south of the basketball court just off the walking trail where 150 trees were blown down during a summer storm a few years ago would be an ideal spot. It has ample space, shade and is also accessible by road. Board members suggested Richardson form a committee to raise money for the park and possibly get a school or scout group or other civic organization involved in the process.

U.S. News Awards Medals to Several Area Schools

badge-national-rankingsThe Kankakee Valley boasts some of the best high schools in the state, according to recent rankings by a national publication. John Glenn High School in Walkerton ranks 17th on the 2014 U.S. News and World Report list. The magazine awarded the school silver medal. Students there have an opportunity to take advanced placement tests, and 36 percent do. Of the school’s 611 students, 85 percent are proficient in English and 84 percent are proficient in math. Knox Community High School earned a bronze medal from U.S. News and World Report. The publication notes 25 percent of the 606 students enrolled take AP courses and tests, 77 percent are proficient in English and 69 percent are proficient in Algebra. Continue reading →

Turkey Tracks Event Begins Tonight

The late Eric Corey and his parents
The late Eric Corey and his parents

The annual Turkey Tracks event is this weekend.

Forty-two physically disabled hunters and their guides will be hunting for turkeys this Saturday beginning at 4:30 a.m. and a full weekend is planned. Hunters can also visit https://ballachy.com/hunting/ for all their equipment.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. tonight with a taco bar and then it’s up early on Saturday for the big hunt. On Saturday evening, once the hunters return from their quest, a buffet dinner will be featured along with many fundraising activities. This year’s event will end on Sunday around noon. All activities will be held in the Washington Township Community Building.

Continue reading →

Indiana Bicentennial Workshop Planned at Marshall County Museum

Indiana BicentennialA workshop will be held Monday, April 28 in order to assist in planning Indiana’s bicentennial celebration. The Indiana Historical Society will host the workshop at the Marshall County Museum at 123 N. Michigan Street in Plymouth.

Indiana turns 200 years old on Dec. 11, 2016, but work is being done now to plan the celebration. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the state’s identity and reflect on how the state has changed. It’s also a change to think creatively and a once-in-a lifetime chance to capture the attention of the public of the importance of Indiana history.

The workshop will include the Marshall County Museum staff and local organizations. It will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET and you are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided. If you plan to attend, call the Marshall County Museum at (574) 936-2306.

Indiana Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Corbin Case

 
 

The Indiana Supreme Court gave no indication of when they might rule on a case from Starke County. The justices heard oral arguments this morning in Robert Corbin v. State of Indiana. Corbin was arrested in April of 2012 on attempted child seduction charges stemming from Facebook messages between him and a 16-year-old female Knox High School student. At the time Corbin was a teacher at Knox. His attorney argued unsuccessfully before Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall that Corbin did not take a “substantial step” to constitute the crime. A state appeals court ruled in Corbin’s favor and dismissed the charges. The state appealed, and the Supreme Court took the case. Continue reading →

Starke County Council Approves Unsafe Building Demolition Money

starke-county-courthouseThe Starke County Plan Commission can now enforce demolition orders for dilapidated properties after the county council appropriated $20,000 for that purpose. Plan Commission President Dennis Estok told them the county already has a process in place.

“We have a public hearing with these people, and then we give an order whether to rehab that house or to demolish it. If it’s too far gone, we want it demolished. They have X amount of days to do it. Now I can tell you right now I’ve been sitting on planning for five years. I bet you we’ve had a handful out of probably 200 cases that have actually done something on their own. So basically if they don’t do it, by law we can go in there and take care of the problem,” Estok said. Until now, funds have not been available for the plan commission to carry out demolition orders, some of which date back to 2006. Continue reading →

Pulaski County EMS In Limbo Waiting On Insurance Adjuster

 
 

Pulaski County EMS is down one ambulance until one damaged during a recent fire can be either certified and put back into service or totaled and replaced.

Director Nikki Lowry told the county commissioners Monday that the county’s insurance adjuster asked her to inspect the truck. Lowry said she’s not qualified to do anything more than determine whether it’s clean. The vendor from whom the county bought the most recent ambulance is willing to help if the county will bring the truck to Iowa.

Continue reading →