Gas Prices Holding Steady, No Drop in Sight

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Gas prices remain close to $4 per gallon of regular unleaded in the Kankakee Valley. GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says they should have dropped by the middle to end of May. He says there’s no specific reason but notes wholesale prices are higher. DeHaan says he’s been waiting for prices to drop or trends to shift. He says the tipping point that should revert to a downward trend should occur at any time, but it hasn’t happened yet. Meanwhile, he says refineries are looking good and production is up, so he doesn’t expect gas prices to go up considerably more before they eventually drop.

 

Starke County Highway Department Releases Road Maintenance List

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Highway Department will be busy throughout the summer making improvements to 145 miles of county roads. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the projects are based on the PASER, or Pavement, Surface, Evaluation and Rating, system and average daily traffic.

“All of the townships are well-represented on the list,” Ritzler told the county commissioners. “The San Pierre area now has the most roads. Most of the roads we added we’re adding in that area because they had the lowest PASER ratings and were a little under-represented on the previous list, and now we’ve put those on there. We’re probably going to chip-seal all of the roads in town and probably a couple of the roads out west of there.” Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Purchase of Asphalt Zipper

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Marshall County Commissioners discussed the purchase of an asphalt zipper to take care of some of the roads that aren’t in the best shape in the northern part of the county.

Several county officials viewed a demonstration of the machine last week and thought it could fit the county’s needs for asphalt maintenance. The one the county has now is old and parts are not available to repair it.

Interim Highway Superintendent Jason Peters explained what the asphalt zipper accomplishes.

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Roofing Repairs to be Done at Pulaski County Justice Center

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department
Pulaski County Justice Center

The Pulaski County Commissioners learned Monday night that the roofing repairs at the Justice Center are moving forward.

Commission President Larry Brady said it’s been a year since a hail storm created the damage.

“We’re moving forward with finalizing the cost of the roofing repairs,” explained Brady. “The adjustors had to work it out with the insurance agents and everything seems to be moving forward. It’s at a slow pace but yet moving forward.”

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North Judson Adding Lots to Highland Cemetery

Posted on Author WKVI

North Judson Water TowerThe North Judson Town Board plans to add three additional rows of grave sites to Highland Cemetery. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry tells WKVI news that there is room to do so on the far east side of the existing property. Board members voted Monday night to proceed with surveying and plotting the land. Henry says the expansion will add between 100 and 115 grave sites. They will be available within the next few months. Contact the North Judson Clerk’s Office at 574-896-3340 for more information.

 

 

Knox School Board Sets School Meal Prices

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox-School-Board-2014The meal prices for the Knox Community Schools’ 2014-15 school year have been officially set by the school board. The breakfast price will remain the same at $1.15. Lunch prices will increase by 10-cents. That brings the elementary school lunch price to $1.85. The middle and high school lunches will be $2.10. Knox Community School Corporation Superintendent A.J. Gappa says even with the 10-cent increase, Knox Elementary School still has the lowest lunch price in the area.

 

New Scholarship at Ancilla College Aimed at Non-Traditional Students

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A newly created scholarship at Ancilla College will give non-traditional students a chance to obtain a college degree.

The family of Jack and Peggy Lynch have created an endowed scholarship that will allow students who are 22 or older to enroll in at least six credit hours (two classes) and to receive financial assistance in doing so.

Students may apply for the scholarship for the fall semester by contacting Ancilla College at (574) 936-8898.

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Mint Idol Contest Deadline Approaching

Posted on Author WKVI

Do you have what it takes to be a singing sensation? Don’t hide your talent, share it with the everyone at the North Judson Mint Festival in the Mint Idol contest! Friday, June 6 is the entry deadline for the Friday, June 13 contest, so get your application in as soon as possible! The competition is open to individuals ages 5 and up. All participants will receive ribbons, and first, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each age group. Age groups are as follows: 5-9, 10-13, 14-17 and 18 and older. Contestants under 18 require parental consent. Contestants must have their song chosen and ready to go in time for the Thursday June 12 rehearsal. It will take place from 6 until 9 p.m CDT at St. Peter Lutheran School in North Judson. Tracks cannot have lead vocals. Music on CDs, MP3 players, iPods and phones are acceptable, but contestants are responsible for bringing the appropriate connector or format to play the songs. The Mint Idol competition will be Friday June 13 at 6 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran School. Click here for the Mint Idol 2014 Registration Form. Entry forms can be completed and sent to Mint Idol, P.O. Box 33, North Judson, IN 46366.

Winamac FWA Offers Shooting Sports Event

Posted on Author WKVI

shooting-rangeAn event to introduce families to shooting sports is set at the Winamac Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) shooting range later this month.

Experienced archery and firearms instructors will teach proper form and safe shooting procedures. Several shooting stations will offered where a .22 caliber rifle, 20 gauge shotgun, bow and arrow, and crossbow can be demonstrated and used for practice. All firearms, ammunition and equipment will be provided.

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Ron Wood, Jr. Remains Missing

Posted on Author WKVI
Crews are searching for Ron Wood, Jr.
Crews are searching for Ron Wood, Jr.

Indiana Conservation officers are continuing in their search for 29-year-old Ron Wood, Jr.

Wood, a Knox High School graduate, went missing after jumping into Lake Michigan Saturday night to attempt to rescue struggling swimmers who drifted from their boat a mile off shore. All swimmers were rescued by the US Coast Guard and nearby boaters except for Wood who remains missing.

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Pulaski County K-9 Detects Drugs During Traffic Stop, Three Arrested

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Sheriff's Deputy Travis Clark and K9 Gil
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Clark and K9 Gil

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Gil’s nose landed three people in jail Saturday night for various drug charges. He assisted with a traffic stop in the 3500 block of County Road 650 South in Pulaski County.

A truck driven by Jason B. Maroules, 36, of Knox, was pulled over for driving on the wrong side of the roadway, according to information provided by the sheriff’s department. He had two passengers with him. Paul Mast, 44, of Bourbon, was in the front seat. A female who repeatedly told the officers her name was Amanda Cooley but was found to be Heather Manns, 35, of Winamac, was in the back seat. She was arrested for false identifying.

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Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies Bust Meth Lab in Star City

Posted on Author WKVI

Meth BustA Star City man faces numerous drug-related charges after his neighbor reportedly found a duffel bag full of items used to make methamphetamine and called the police. He was mowing the lawn at his home in the 8000 block of South Corinne Avenue last Friday when he spotted an unfamiliar bag underneath his shed. While waiting for a sheriff’s deputy to arrive, a man picked up the bag, walked next door to a camper, put the bag inside and left the residence, according to the incident report. Continue reading →

Starke County Commissioners Approve Bridge Plans, Set Bid Openings

Posted on Author WKVI
700 E bridge
The Starke County Commissioners are set to approve plans to replace the bridge over the Yellow River on 700 East at their June 16 meeting and open bids for the work on July 7.

The Starke County Commissioners will open bids for two scheduled and one emergency bridge replacement at their Monday, July 7th meeting. Highway superintendent Rik Ritzler is is working with a design firm to finalize plans for the emergency bridge replacement on County Road 700 East over the Yellow River. The road has been closed since a tree struck the bridge earlier this year. Ritzler says the project will be considerably less expensive than originally anticipated.

“I thought it was going to cost $150,000 for the repair. It came in at about $45,000,” Ritzler told the commissioners. The reconstructed bridge will be able to open to full traffic, including farm vehicles. It’s still scheduled for replacement in 2018. He adds plans for the bridge will be finalized and sent to the commissioners for review prior to their June 16th meeting. Continue reading →

Summer Cooling Program Begins July 1

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The summer cool program is about to begin.

Community Services of Starke County, Pulaski County Human Services, Inc., and North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc. will accept applications starting July 1. Residents must bring in income information for the past year for each member of the household, a current utility bill, a lease if the home is rented, and a social security card for each household member. New applicants may start calling June 23 to schedule an appointment for July. The program will run through Aug. 15.

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LaPorte Woman Falls Victim to Phantom Debt Scam

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

LaPorte police are warning of a phantom debt scam making its way around Northern Indiana.

A LaPorte woman told police that she received a text message on Thursday from her supervisor that she needed to call 202-239-8194 as soon as possible regarding fraudulent activity with the victim’s social security number. The supervisor received the call at work and notified the victim.

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Teens Urged to Be Mindful of Curfew Laws

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Summertime is right around the corner and that means longer days and shorter nights. No matter how short the nights may be, minors still have to obey curfew ordinances. State law mandates that all individuals between the ages of 15 through 17 cannot be in public unaccompanied Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 p.m and 5 a.m. On Saturdays and Sundays the curfew is set from 1 a.m. until 5 a.m. Children under the age of 15 are prohibited from being unaccompanied in public between the hours of 11 p.m until 5 a.m. any day of the week.

Some local towns have implemented their own policies expanding on the state’s curfew ordinances. Continue reading →

LaPorte Woman Charged with Dealing Heroin

Posted on Author WKVI
Jillian Townsel
Jillian Townsel

A LaPorte woman will be facing an additional charge after information received in a recent drug investigation.

Jillian A. Townsel, 22, was being held in the LaPorte County Jail for revocation of a suspended sentence for theft. She was placed into custody on this charge on May 16. On Friday, May 30, she was charged while being held in the LaPorte County Jail on a preliminary count of Dealing a Schedule I Controlled Substance (heroin), a Class B felony.

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