News – Page 1256 – WKVI Information Center

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department continues to seek information into the disappearance of 10-year-old Linda Lynn Weldy.

It was Feb. 24, 1987 when Weldy exited the school bus in front of her residence and was never again seen alive. Her mother reported her missing later that evening and it wasn’t until March 17, 1987 when her body was found on an abandoned railroad right-of-way near County Road 500 South near Kingsbury. She had been murdered.

Flood Threat Remains Along Rivers in Northern Indiana

Area emergency management directors are keeping an eye on water levels from last week’s rain and rapid snow melt.

Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery said the Yellow River crested and is on its way down. In Tippecanoe, the river is out of its banks along Blackford Drive and water is seeping into the back yards of properties that sit along that portion of the river. On Monday afternoon, the river level was at 13.97 feet; major flooding occurs at 14 feet. Avery is closely monitoring both rivers.

Passenger Airlifted to South Bend Following Accident

A passenger involved in a traffic accident between a car and an SUV was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend Monday morning. On Feb. 24, at around 7:30 a.m., the Starke County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a traffic accident with injuries on County Road 100 East, just south of 350 South.

North Judson Mint Festival Committee Eager to Get Started

The North Judson Mint Festival committee is hard at work preparing for their 37th annual event with this year’s theme of, “Mint Is Supreme in 2014!” The committee held their first meeting this season for the festival, and they are excited to get the festival preparations underway.

Oregon-Davis to Hold Community Meeting to Discuss a Balanced Calendar

The Oregon-Davis School Board held discussion on a proposed balanced calendar system that could be initiated in the 2015-2016 school year.

Superintendent Greg Briles said information is now being put together to present in a community meeting on Wednesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. and the balanced calendar will not be the only topic of discussion.

Knox Community School Board Approves Makeup Days

The Knox Community School Board members approved school makeup days for the rest of the school year.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the board reviewed a memo released by the Department of Education regarding options on how to make up those days.

Pothole Repairs Continue on County Roads

Efforts continue to repair blemishes on county roadways.

Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said the patch truck has been out and crews have been filling potholes on county roads 300 East, 900 East, and 1100 East, as well as Circle Avenue and Toto Road.

Starke County Sheriff Warns of Telephone Scam

Several Starke County residents have gotten telephone calls recently stating that their grandson or granddaughter is in jail and they need to send $6,000 right away in order to bail them out. Sheriff Oscar Cowen says these calls are scams. He says the best thing to do is hang up on the person. If you are worried your grandchild may be in trouble, ask the caller for a telephone number, hang up, and check to make sure your grandchild is not in jail. A red flag in any sort of telephone scam is a request to either send money via wire transfer, as that money is untraceable and cannot be recovered. Scammers also ask people to load funds to a prepaid credit card and use it as a means to transfer money. Again, these funds cannot be traced and are virtually impossible to recover.

Tailgating Party to Benefit Starke County Community Services

A tailgating party featuring David Haugh and a special guest has been scheduled for Saturday, April 12 to benefit the elderly services programs offered by Community Services of Starke County. David Haugh is not only the son of Community Services Executive Director Joan Haugh, but also a graduate from North Judson-San Pierre, a former South Bend Tribune employee, and a current columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities Winner Donates to St. Peter Lutheran School

February 25, 2014February 25, 2014WKVI

A Starke County farmer has been selected as a winner in America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. David Lambert selected Saint Peter Lutheran School in North Judson to receive the $2500 donation, and he, alongside a Monsanto representative, presented the check to the school Monday afternoon.

IU Health Starke Hospital Forms Diabetes Support Group

A new support group at IU Health Starke Hospital will meet for the first time this morning. The free diabetes support group is for pre-diabetics, diabetics and their families. Registered dietician Meg Meznarick will answer questions at this morning’s meeting. It starts at 10 a.m. in the IU Health Starke Hospital conference room.

Michigan City Man Dies in Two Vehicle Accident

February 24, 2014February 24, 2014WKVI

A Michigan City man died in a two vehicle accident Monday morning in LaPorte County.

Deputies from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the intersection of U.S. 20 and U.S. 35 at 9:30 a.m. Monday morning to find one driver dead at the scene of the accident. According to a preliminary investigation, 28-year-old Javier A. Florez of Michigan City pulled out into the intersection in his passenger car and 79-year-old Ivan Hickmott of Watervliet, Michigan struck with car with the semi tractor-trailer he was driving.

Water Available at Community Services of Starke County

February 24, 2014WKVI

Any Starke County resident who needs water can pick up what they need at Community Services of Starke County during business hours. Executive Director Joan Haugh says the Food Bank of Northern Indiana dropped off eight skids of water after learning a number of families are without water due to frozen pipes. Community Services of Starke County is located at 311 East Culver Road in Knox and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Water will be given out on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

Tippecanoe and Kankakee River Flooding Woes Continue

February 24, 2014February 24, 2014WKVI

Major flooding of the Tippecanoe River near Ora is expected before it finally crests. As of 2 a.m. the river was at 14 feet and steady. At 14 feet extensive flooding of residential and low-lying areas occurs. The Tippy is expected to crest near 14.2 feet around 1 a.m. tomorrow and start falling. The flood stage in that area is 12 feet. This flood compares to last June 3, when the Tippecanoe River at Ora crested at 14.6 feet. Continue reading →

Marshall County Residents Oppose Proposed Expansion

Traffic, odors, light and environmental hazards were some of the issues brought up during an informational meeting held by Irving Materials, INC. to inform residents of an expansion of services to include a proposed asphalt and ready mix cement plant on its property in Marshall County.

Starke Commissioners to Meet With Chesapeake Run Developers

The Starke County Commissioners have agreed to meet with developers of the Chesapeake Run subdivision to discuss the possibility of accepting the roads into the county’s inventory. County attorney Martin Lucas said the county needs to be specific as to what they are taking responsibility over to prevent any kind of issues in the future regarding liability.

Public Hearing Held on the Categorization of the Knox Middle School

The Knox Community School Board met on Thursday of last week which is a deviation from their regular board meeting night. The usual Monday night meeting was canceled due to severe winter weather. It was rescheduled for Thursday where the board held a public hearing to take comments on the Knox Middle School being a priority school.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa said by law the categorization of the school warranted a hearing for public comment.

Knox City Council to Meet Tomorrow Night

The Knox City Council will meet in a regular session tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Knox City Hall to discuss a number of items, including the proposed flood plan ordinance, revision of the fees ordinance for the planning commission, and a zoning ordinance amendment, as well as discussion with Neighborhood Development Associates regarding a feasibility study for Parkview Heights.

Marshall County K-9 Receives Ballistic Vest