Celebrate the Independence Day weekend with the annual Starke County Historical Society Ice Cream Social. It will take place Sunday, July 6 from 1 until 3 p.m. at the museum on Main Street in Knox. Collectors of historic items are urged to bring them along to share them with friends and neighbors. In the past, antique cars, motorcycles, trucks, tractors, fire engines, arrowheads, firearms, military vehicles, native wood turnings, fishing lures and dolls have been on display. Continue reading
Summer Safety: Water Tips
There’s no time like the summertime! 8 person hot tubs are a must-have accessory for a family party. It’s finally warm enough to go swimming. As you’re breaking out your bikini or swim trunks, take some time to remember certain safety measures to practice when it comes to water. The Red Cross has a number of helpful tips for disaster prevention.
Never leave a child unattended! Even if lifeguards are present, there should be a designated familiar adult easily accessible to the child. Have young or inexperienced swimmers wear a life jacket or some kind of flotation device. Teach children to always ask permission before going near water. Practice the “buddy system” when swimming, even if at a public pool or beach.
NIPSCO Updates Power Restoration Timeline
NIPSCO officials say most customers in their service area should have electricity by 10 p.m. tonight, and service to the rest should be back on sometime tomorrow. Monday night’s storms left 128,000 total customers across northwest Indiana in the dark. NIPSCO crews and workers from other utility companies in Indiana and surrounding states have been working around the clock since to restore power. As of 11:30 a.m. CDT, 32,000 customers are still without power. Continue reading
No Evidence of a Tornado Touchdown in Starke County
There’s no evidence a tornado touched down in Starke County Monday night, according to Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Bombagetti. He met yesterday with officials from the National Weather Service after conducting an initial damage assessment. Continue reading
Post-Storm Power Restoration May Take Days
NIPSCO officials say it could take several days to restore power to areas affected by Monday night’s storms. As of 4:30 this morning, nearly 35,000 customers are still in the dark. That number includes more than 700 in Starke County, more than 600 in Marshall County and a handful in Pulaski County. Nearly 2,000 NIPSCO customers in LaPorte are without power as well. Continue reading
Local Crops Damaged in Storm
Crops took a hit during straight-line winds that wreaked havoc in the area on Monday night.
According to Purdue Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator Chad Rushing, some fields in the northern part of Pulaski County, specifically north of State Road 14, sustained spotty damage.
Insurance Agent Offers Post-Storm Tips for Property Owners
A line of severe storms that ripped through the WKVI listening area Monday night left a path of destruction in their wake. Significant property damage has been reported in several areas. Jim Collins with Collins Insurance Agency in Knox urges owners to document everything and take necessary steps to protect property from further damage. Continue reading
Don’t Get Scammed by Fly-by-Night Contractors
If you sustained damage to your home or have large trees in your yard that need to be removed due to the storms that came through the area Monday night, be on the lookout for contractors seeking to cash in on the damage.
Fly-by-night contractors often go door to door after storms offering to help victims clear debris or patch up homes.
Walkerton Man Arrested after Alleged Battery Incident
A Walkerton man was arrested Sunday after an allegedly battering his girlfriend.
Starke County Sheriff’s Department deputies and Walkerton police officers arrived at a home in the 8200 block of N. Oak Avenue in Koontz Lake after receiving word that a man was battering his girlfriend and a child was present.
Not All November Ballot Vacancies Filled
All positions on the November General Election ballot in Starke County have not been filled, but according to Clerk Evelyn Skronski, the county party chairmen have until Thursday, July 3 at noon to certify the new filings.
Skronski said a full list of candidates could be produced on Tuesday, July 8.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Reorganizes
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board reorganized in an early morning meeting on Tuesday.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI News that Pat Goin was retained as the board president, Larry Lambert will remain as vice president and Marsha Reimbold will serve another year as secretary.
Protect Your Pets
With Fourth of July weekend coming up, it’s important to keep safety in mind. If you’re a pet owner who will be shooting fireworks yourself for the holiday, there are a few tips to keep in mind in order to assure your pet is safe. Continue reading
WKV-Idol Last Call
Do you have what it takes to make it as a singer? Here’s a chance to show off your skills! WKVI is hosting a singing competition for kids at the upcoming Starke County 4-H fair.
The deadline to submit entries for the competition is Thursday, July 3. Continue reading
Results of Little Miss and Little Mister Pulaski County Pageant
The Hickory Creek at Winamac hosted their annual Little Miss and Little Mister Pulaski County Pageant this week at the fair.Stone Creek Homes President, CFO Indicted on Racketeering and Theft Charges
Arrest warrants have been issued for president and chief financial officer of a now-defunct Plymouth company. Stone Creek Homes, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer David A. Ferguson and Chief Financial Officer Alan G. Donohue are each charged with numerous felony offenses in Marshall Superior Court. Continue reading
Several Vehicles, One Home Damaged in LaPorte
Storms with winds in excess of 80 miles per hour caused quite a bit of property damage in downtown LaPorte last night. A 2002 Saturn and a 2007 Chrysler in the 600 block of D Street sustained serious damage when a large tree branch fell. A 2004 Saturn and the roof of a home at 1001 Madison Street were flattened when a tree fell near the intersection of Madison and Harrison Streets. Widespread power outages were also reported in LaPorte after the storms tore through.
Widespread Storm Damage Reported in Starke County
Storms Leave Kankakee Valley in the Dark
Power is still out this morning across much of the Kankakee Valley after two lines of strong storms tore through the area last night. NIPSCO and Kanakee Valley REMC crews are working as fast as they can to restore power to affected areas. About 3,800 REMC customers in Starke, Pulaski and Marshall Counties are in the dark. More than 86,000 NIPSCO customers across the northern Indiana are without power as well. Continue reading
Indiana’s New Criminal Codes Take Effect Today
After nearly 37 years, the criminal codes in Indiana will change today which will create six levels of felonies. Credit time will also change.
Robert Hinojosa, Director of Operations at Starke County Community Corrections, said the change stemmed from a lack of proportionality.
Pulaski County Commissioners, Council Discuss Airport Manager
The Pulaski County Commissioners and the county council members met in a special joint session Monday afternoon to discuss a change in operations at the airport.
County Attorney Kevin Tankersley told the joint board that it was brought to his attention that Airport Manager Bud Wagner has several pieces of equipment in his name at the airport that are being used for work. He pays for the fuel and is paid back as pilots fuel planes. The landline telephone is also in his name as well as the internet service. Wagner is also not employed by the county.
While this is already against normal policy, he’s not being reimbursed for the use of these items.
Tankersley asked the joint board to make sure that he is an employee and that he receives benefits like all other employees. He also suggested that the county or the airport board purchase those items that Bud owns that are in use at the airport or buy items that are county owned. Tankersley also suggested that the airport pay for the fuel and create an account for the fuel in the county’s name.
The commissioners approved a motion to make Bud Wagner an employee. He will work 35 hours a week and receive benefits. The council will decide what to do with the equipment purchases. The council members will discuss what to do to adjust the airport budget to reflect these changes.
