News – Page 1198 – WKVI Information Center

Starke County’s newest school is set to open on Friday, Aug. 1. The Crossing has leased the old Sears retail location south of Knox on U.S. 35 for it’s alternative school. The mission statement on the Goshen-based nonprofit organization’s website says The Crossing believes in “empowering struggling students to become contributing members of their communities through academics, job training and faith-based mentoring.” Continue reading →

Starke County Commissioners Crack Down on Bass Lake Campground

The year-round campsite leases at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground run afoul of the guidelines under which the state turned the property over to the county. The Land and Water Conservation Fund does not allow for permanent enclosed structures like campers to be placed on public campsites. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis advised Bass Lake Beach and Campground manager Richard Callahan and his attorney, David Wallsmith, that the practice will no longer be allowed. Continue reading →

Firearms Policy Discussed by Oregon-Davis School Board

The Oregon-Davis School Board members approved the first reading of a firearms policy during their meeting this week.

Superintendent Greg Briles said the school’s policy will reflect the state’s policy. As per state law, firearms may be in a school employee’s locked car out of the sight of the public.

Pulaski County Commissioners Discuss Attorney’s Contract

Pulaski County attorney Kevin Tankersley presented his 2015 contract to the commissioners for review.

He explained that his rate is $150 an hour and is paid a quarterly retainer of $1,500. He said the legal issues of the county are not easy to undertake and requires time to devote to make sure the law is followed. He also acts as a human resources director to some department heads who need employee-based questions answered.

Knox City Council Discusses 2015 Salary Ordinance

The Knox City Council held more discussion on the 2015 salary ordinance during their meeting this week.

Councilman Don Kring had concerns about the budget and making cuts to the budget. He expressed that he wants to see a raise for the employees but he would hate to see things in the budget that would have to be cut because of the raise.

North Judson Town-Wide Yard Sales Scheduled

North Judson residents taking part in the upcoming town-wide yard sales have until Tuesday, Aug. 5 to get their sale on the map that will be distributed throughout the community. The sales are Saturday, Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., rain or shine. Continue reading →

BraunAbility Cares

July 24, 2014July 24, 2014WKVI

BraunAbility is the world’s largest manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles and lifts. They have decided to cease making ParaTransit vans.

Bass Lake Festival Pageant Results

July 24, 2014July 24, 2014WKVI

Bass Lake Property Owners Association building

The winners of last weekend’s Bass Lake Festival Pageant walked away cash prizes as well as other gifts. Friends and family gathered at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association building over the weekend to witness this year’s Bass Lake Festival Pageant.
The title of Little Miss Bass Lake went to 4-year-old Leah Novotney. Her mini escort was 4-year-old Isaiah Allsop who was granted the title of Little Mister Bass Lake. Both lucky little winners received $50 each. Stephanie Thompson was the pageant coordinator for the 3 to 6 category.

Starke County Commissioners Attempting to Buy Old Landfill Site

The Starke County Commissioners are going to offer the owner of the former county landfill site what they believe is a fair price for the 22-acre property. The landfill on 750 East just north of State Road 10 has been closed for several years but is still subject to Indiana Department of Environmental Management monitoring to ensure levels of methane gas are in compliance. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Approves Tall Grass Ordinance

The tall grass ordinance was approved on the third and final reading by the Knox City Council members Tuesday night.

There was no further discussion. The minimum height any grass or rank vegetation may reach before being subject to an ordinance violation is eight inches. If there is a violation, the penalty will be $75. Any ignorance of the warnings given will result in a contractor mowing the property and a tax lien filed against the property owner.

Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Provides Update to Commissioners

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter

The Pulaski County Commissioners heard from Highway Superintendent Mark Fox on how projects are coming along this summer.

Fox explained that crews are done mowing and and grading is now being completed. Road work, including paving, is about two-thirds finished. He’s searching for a new engine for one of the dump trucks as the original motor recently expired.

North Judson Council Sets Budget Workshop

Members of the North Judson Town Council will meet Thursday, July 31 at 8 a.m. at the community center to work on the 2015 budget. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that meeting is open to the public. The initial hearing on the spending proposal will take place Monday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. at the community center. A final adoption date has not been set yet pending a non-binding review by the Starke County Council. That’s new this year and will take place sometime in October. Starke County is part of a pilot program for that process.

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Ordinance Amendments

A public hearing concerning amendments to an ordinance regarding electronic message signs was conducted on Monday morning.

Marshall County Plan Director Ralph Booker presented the changes which include operational limitations, minimum display time, message change sequence, light intensity change, sign design and requirements for static message signs, motion message signs and video message signs. Setback requirements were also included.

Kankakee Valley REMC Shows Support for the Starke County Fair with a Generous Donation

July 23, 2014July 23, 2014WKVI

2014 Starke Co. Fair (2) (2) — KVREMC Communications&Marketing Director Amanda Steeb presents a donation check to Starke County fair board members, Roger Ferch and Ed Troike.

Kankakee Valley REMC is committed to serving their community. They provide electric services to approximately 18,000 individuals in Starke, Pulaski, Porter, Lake, Marshall, St. Joseph and La Porte counties.

Suspect Detained in Battery Incident in Knox Park

July 22, 2014WKVI

The Knox City Police Department is investigating the battery of a 14-year-old boy in Wythogan park on Monday night.

According to witness statements given to a Knox officer, a male juvenile had approached the victim in the park and struck him on the head. The victim fell and struck his head on the concrete walkway. The suspect, later identified as a Knox resident, was in a gold-colored passenger car with four other people that left the scene.

Two Arrested on Cocaine Charges

July 22, 2014WKVI

A 50-year-old man and a juvenile were recently arrested for their alleged role in dealing cocaine.

Officers from the LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit arrested Joseph M. Szynal and the 15-year-old juvenile without incident at a home in the 100 block of McClung Road in LaPorte. Cocaine was seized in this incident.

An investigation led to the arrest of the pair for the distribution of cocaine in and around the city of LaPorte.

INDOT Announces LaPorte County Road Project

July 22, 2014WKVI

Lanes on U.S. 35/Pine Lake Avenue between State Road 39 and the bridge over the railroad in downtown LaPorte will be restricted for the next few nights so road repairs can be made. Work will begin around 6 each evening, according to a news release from INDOT. Crews will first prepare the pavement by grinding. Continue reading →

Starke County Council Establishes Park Board

July 22, 2014July 22, 2014WKVI

Starke County now has a parks and recreation board. The Starke County Council established the body to oversee amenities like the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, Starke County Forest and other county-owned recreational areas. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Commissioners, Council Discuss Airport Concerns

July 22, 2014July 21, 2014WKVI

The Pulaski County Commissioners and Pulaski County Council members met in joint session to clarify some questions that have arisen concerning the airport.

The issues that the council members discussed during their meeting last week was if Airport Manager Bud Wagner’s position with the county needs to be full time and about the revenue coming into the airport.