Pulaski County Election Board to Research E-Poll Book Purchase

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Pulaski County Election Board will be looking into the feasibility of purchasing e-poll books after meeting with the Pulaski County Commissioners Monday night.

Board member Jon Frain explained that the implementation of e-poll books is the next step in upgrading the election equipment. The county would purchase iPads with election software. Voting officials would be able to scan a voter’s Driver’s License into the computer, and that would create a digital signature page to move the process at a quicker pace.

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Harlem Wizards Set to Work Basketball Magic at Weinberg Gym

Posted on Author WKVI

Wizards LogoHead to Weinberg Gym in Knox tonight for “trick-hoops and alley-oops” courtesy of the Harlem Wizards. The legendary exhibition basketball team will take on “The Tribe” – a team comprised of local celebrities in a fundraiser for the Knox High School Band Boosters. Director Craige Phipps says general admission, reserve seat and meet-and-greet tickets are available. Continue reading →

West Central Students Collect Change in Pennies for Patients Campaign

Posted on Author WKVI

west central logoStudents participating in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program at the West Central School Corporation were successful in collecting funds for the Pennies for Patients initiative.

The goal was set at $2,500, but Superintendent Don Street told WKVI News that the goal was surpassed. The students collected over $3,000 to benefit patients who are part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Any loose change was donated by students in the high school, middle school, and elementary school.

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Knox Man Arrested after Alleged Threats at Knox High School

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A Knox man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly making threats to harm individuals within the Knox Community High School.

Officers from the Knox City Police Department were notified of the situation after Paul J. Esparza, 20, had entered Knox High School and was escorted from the building by school officials twice. The initial complaint suggested that Esparza was in possession of a handgun, according to a news release. Officers found Esparza in the area of the school shortly after notification and took him into custody. Police say he was not armed at the time.

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Surgery Delays Murder Trial, Prompts Reevaluation of Jail Medical Contract

Posted on Author WKVI

A murder trial scheduled to start April 13 in Starke Circuit Court has been pushed back to at least July so the defendant can have surgery deemed medically necessary by a provider under contract with the county. Gary Chavez is accused of beating his estranged wife, Kimberly Chavez, to death at their rural California Township home last June. From there police say he drove to Mark Bailey’s Discount Center, kidnapped an employee and drove to English Lake where he’s accused of stealing a second vehicle. Chavez then led police on a high-speed chase into LaPorte and Porter Counties, according to court records. He’s accused of stealing a third vehicle in Kouts and continuing into Lake County. Police there say Chavez shot himself in the face when officers in Crown Point managed to stop his vehicle. He was airlifted to a Chicagoland area hospital and released to the custody of the Starke County Sheriff last August. Chavez remains in jail. Continue reading →

Religious Freedom Restoration Act Affects Marshall County Manufacturer

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act has caused some concern for a Marshall County manufacturing company.

The Marshall County Commissioners took up the conversation Monday morning.  Commissioner Kevin Overmyer did not release the name of the company but did say that the manufacturer’s largest customer has opted to discontinue business due to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jerry Chavez commented that he received the same communication. He said the state moved in an aggressive matter concerning the legislation.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Anticipate Highway Superintendent Resignation

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners (L to R) Bud Krohn, Jr., Terry Young and Larry Brady
Pulaski County Commissioners (L to R) Bud Krohn, Jr., Terry Young and Larry Brady

The Pulaski County Commissioners will be interviewing candidates for the top position at the county highway department.

The commissioners approved action to interview internally for the position of superintendent, however, a letter of resignation from acting Superintendent Mark Fox has not been filed with the county. They anticipate that letter to be filed this week. If the commissioners feel that a person currently working for the county does not fit what they’re looking for in a candidate, they will advertise externally for the position.

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Knox School Board Announces Elementary School Construction Timeline

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox-School-Board-2014Construction of the addition to the Knox Elementary School is expected to begin within 30 days, Dana J. Wannemacher, vice president Barton Coe Vilamaa, architects and engineers, reported to the Knox School Board last night. Weather and scheduling were cited as contributing to about a month’s delay in breaking ground. The board approved details of the kitchen and cafeteria area and equipment. Continue reading →

Absentee Voting Begins Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

In-office absentee voting for the City of Knox Municipal Primary Election begins today and will be available through Monday, May 4. Absentee voting hours will be from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the second-floor meeting room in the Starke County Courthouse. Evening absentee voting hours are available on Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday absentee voting hours will be April 25 and May 2 from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Starke Election Board Leaves Voting Hours Alone After Previous Approval

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Election Board advertised early and absentee voting hours, and then considered changing them the day before it’s supposed to start.

Following a vote at their last meeting to set the hours for voting prior to the primary election, Starke County Clerk Vicky Cooley brought a proposal to the board to reduce the number of hours early voting can take place.
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New Starke County Jail Nearing Completion

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.

To use a baseball analogy, construction of the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Detention Center has rounded third base and is heading for home plate. That’s how Dion Katsouros from Skillman Corporation described the project to the Starke County Building Corporation during their monthly meeting. Continue reading →

West Central School Board Reviews E-Learning Survey Results

Posted on Author WKVI

Students at the West Central School Corporation participated in their first e-learning day of instruction on Saturday, March 14. The school board reviewed returned surveys last week following the experience.

Superintendent Don Street said that the responses were favorable for this type of method in making up missed days of instruction.

“Out of the parents that responded to the survey, 87.4 percent found that the e-learning day was effective,” explained Street. “From the students that responded to the survey, 65.6 percent found e-learning to be effective. Forty-nine of our staff members responded with 85.7 percent stating that our students made the expectations for the day.”

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Don’t Forget Any Income When Filing Your Taxes

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Federal and state income taxes are due in eight days. Michelle Bachtel from H&R Block in Knox says it’s important not to exclude any sources of income.

“Pretty much all income, whether it’s reported or not reported, is taxable unless the law specifically excludes it,” Bachtel said. “This includes non-cash income from things like bartering or exchanging of assets. Both parties are expected to include the fair market value of the item or services they received as income on their tax returns.” Continue reading →

Winamac Woman Wanted on Warrant Arrested for New Meth Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A vehicle stopped in Pulaski County has led to the arrest of a Winamac woman on multiple charges.

Sheriff’s Deputies were in the area of State Road 39 and County Road 100 North in Pulaski County, Saturday evening. Officers spotted the passenger of a vehicle they claim was wanted on two warrants. Those charges allege possession of methamphetamine and failure to appear.
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